KATHMANDU: President of the Federation of Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has stressed the need to make Nepal-India economic cooperation more result-oriented.
Addressing the ‘Second Nepal-India Trade Festival 2026’ that began in the Indian capital New Delhi on Friday, he stressed the need for smooth customs procedures, standard coordination, strengthening of the digital trade system, and facilitation of financial access and technology transfer for small and medium-sized industries between Nepal and India.
President Dhakal said that India is Nepal’s largest trading partner and major source of investment, and that open borders, cultural proximity, and people-to-people relations have made the partnership between the two countries unique.
He stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation between neighbouring countries, noting that the global economy is in a state of uncertainty and supply chain disruptions.
He expressed his opinion that the priority given by India’s recent federal budget to infrastructure, digital connectivity, green energy, and promotion of small and medium-sized industries would create new opportunities for Nepal as well.
FNCCI President Dhakal said that Nepal is rich in hydropower and that electricity exports to India have started, and said that Nepal can become a reliable green energy partner of India if there is appropriate transmission line and policy stability.
Stating that Nepal presents natural beauty, adventure and spiritual destinations in the tourism sector, he said that investment opportunities are expanding in hotels, resorts and cable car projects.
He said, “Nepal has ample potential in energy, tourism, industrial sector, special economic zone, cross-border logistics, agro-processing, pharmaceutical industry, education and health services. I urge Indian investors to invest in such sector s.”
Stating that Nepal’s private sector has always raised its voice in favour of political stability and economic discipline, he said that policy reforms are being carried out in Nepal to maintain investor confidence in the long term.
Stating that the Indo-Nepal Trade Festival is not just a formal event but a platform to transform goodwill into business partnership, President Dhakal also called on Indian industrialists, businessmen and investors to take forward concrete cooperation in the green energy, digital services, tourism and manufacturing sectors.
He also expressed confidence that Indo-Nepal economic cooperation can be taken to new heights based on political will, policy stability and mutual trust.
Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies of the Government of Nepal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, India’s Minister for Communications, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shankar Prasad Sharma, Nepali Ambassador to India and other high-level representatives attended the programme.
