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Kathmandu, January 12: The second meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Business Forum (JBF) was held in Chandragiri Hill, Kathmandu. Representatives of Nepal and India participated in the meeting aimed at further strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

Welcoming the participants of the forum meeting, Chairman of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, said that there is immense potential in the economic sector between Nepal and India and policy reforms and practical solutions should be found to solve the problems seen in both the sectors.

On the occasion, he highlighted the need to remove non-tariff barriers, simplify the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification process for Nepali goods exports, connect Indian cities with Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports, and facilitate the supply of explosives needed for Nepal’s hydropower and other manufacturing development.

Similarly, he raised the issues of expanding Nepal’s access to Indian sea ports including Mundra (Gujarat), Dhamra (Odisha) and Jawaharlal Nehru (Mumbai).

At the JBF meeting, which was part of the Nepal-India Commerce Secretary-level meeting, representatives from Nepal and India discussed trade, investment, energy, tourism, agriculture, information technology and infrastructure development.

In the joint meeting, it was agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of hydropower and renewable energy, solar and wind, promoting clean energy, tourism and connectivity, strengthening road, rail and air connectivity, facilitating cross-border trade, trade and cross-border investment, agriculture and medicinal plants, providing high-quality seeds and technologies by removing quotas for agricultural products, cooperation in research and commercialization of medicinal plants, digital technology and startup support.

The two countries also agreed to work together to resolve trade issues. Meanwhile, the subject of the agreement reached in the second meeting was handed over to the Commerce Secretaries of Nepal and India on Saturday.

Bhawani Rana and Santhil Kumar handed over the agreement to Indian Commerce Secretary Sunil Varthwal and Nepal’s Commerce Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki.

Speaking at an interaction program between the JBF members and government bodies of both the countries held after the forum meeting, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari said that India is the largest trade partner of Nepal and both sides should implement the consensus reached at the JBF meeting.

He also expressed the view that the problems seen in import-export between the two countries should be resolved in a smooth manner. Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Govinda Bahadur Karki, said that practical implementation of the topics presented by the forum meeting is necessary.

India’s Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal expressed his commitment to take initiatives from his side to implement the agenda raised at the JBF. President of the Federation of Industries and Commerce Chandra Prasad Dhakal said both sides should take the initiative to implement the consensus reached at the JBF meeting.

Indian Ambassador Navin Srivastava said that this meeting is important on economic issues between the two countries and he will take initiatives from his side to facilitate the issues raised here.

On the occasion, Chairman of the Forum (Nepal) Bhawani Rana said that there is a huge potential for investment and trade between Nepal and India and there should be necessary facilitation to benefit from it.

Similarly, from the Indian side, N.S. Sunil Kumar said that more ease will be added in the coming days as road, rail and air connectivity between Nepal and India is improving. The next meeting of the forum will be held in New Delhi, India.

People’s News Monitoring Service.