Brisbane, 30 July 2009 : The Embassy of Nepal in Australia, the Consulate General of Nepal in Brisbane and the Nepalese community in Queensland jointly organized Nepal Business and Development Forum in Brisbane on July 27, 2009 in line with the priorities set under economic diplomacy.
Ambassador of Nepal to Australia Mr. Yogendra Dhakal delivered a welcome speech and expressed the hope that the Forum would produce concrete outcomes in view of the stature of the programme as well as quality of participants. He said the Forum assumed special importance in the context of the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Australia and the ever-expanding development needs of Nepal in the post conflict situation.
The Forum, which brought together representatives from the Government, the private sector, both from Nepal and Australia, and the NGOs working for Nepal as well as the Nepalese Diaspora, has had focused deliberation on various pertinent themes pertaining to the socio-economic development of Nepal. The key themes were: Business and Investment Opportunities; Development of Tourism; Education and skill Development; and Community Engagement.
A high-level business delegation led by Mr. Kush Kumar Joshi, President of the Federation of the Nepalese Chambers of Commerce (FNCCI) participated in the programme. Mr. Joshi mentioned that in view of Nepal’s geo-strategic location between the two emerging economies of the world, India and China, as well as the concessional trading facilities that Nepal enjoys through bilateral treaties and other regional arrangements like Everything But Arms (EBA), Nepal is an attractive destination for foreign investment. He also expressed the commitment of the private sector for the protection of foreign investment in Nepal. Mr. Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of FNCCI and Mr. Suresh K Basnet, Senior Vice President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce also addressed the Forum with an appeal for expanding business opportunities between the two countries.
Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohan Krishna Shrestha, Joint Secretary, highlighted the role of diplomatic and consular missions in promoting business and investment opportunities in Nepal and gave an overview of policy framework and opportunities available.
NRN representatives and members of the Nepalese community Dr. Krishna Hamal, Mr. Goba Katuwal, Ms. Ranju Thapa and Mr. Shree Napit and Mr. Kiran Shrestha made presentation on different themes. Likewise, a number of speakers from the Australian side including, Austrade, Queensland Chamber of Commerce, Law Asia, Australian Council for Private Education and Training, James Cook University and the World Expeditions, Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation and Nepal-Australia friendship Association (NAFA) underlined the scope for expanding cooperation between the two countries on trade, tourism, education, commercial law as well as other pressing development issues.
All the speakers from the Nepalese side highlighted attractive business and investment opportunities, real opportunities for the expansion of tourism and education sectors in Nepal and expressed the hope that Nepal’s new constitution and the legal framework that will be emanated from it along with the proposed high level investment board under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Nepal would be able to create even better environment for business and economic development. In this context, they emphasized the need to improve law and order situation, address labour related issues and end chakkajam and strikes. Altogether 18 speakers expressed their views and some 100 persons attended the Forum.
Later in the evening, a blessing ceremony was held at the precinct of the Nepalese Peace Pagoda on the South Bank.
Representing the Premier of Queensland, Ms Jan Jarrat, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment, addressed, as Chief Guest, the blessing ceremony. She appreciated the Nepalese community for enriching Australian multiculturalism and lauded the Pagoda as embodiment of Nepalese art and culture. She cut the ribbon to reopen the refurbished Pagoda.
Ambassador Mr.Yogendra Dhakal shared the view that the Nepalese peace Pagoda, which was one of the central attractions of the Brisbane Expo 1988, represents not only Nepalese craftsmanship but also Nepalese values and culture. He appreciated the Government and people of Queensland for giving the Pagoda a prominent location and preserving it over the years.
Mr. Kush K. Joshi, President, FNCCI, and the Chief executive Officer of the South Bank Corporation also highlighted the role of the Peace Pagoda in showcasing Nepalese art and culture and promoting Nepalese tourism.
The ceremony was followed by a Nepalese cultural programme and food, which was greatly enjoyed by the invitees that included business community, consular corps, and friends of Nepal, Nepalese community, students and media.
