Nepal’s Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, has urged the government of Pakistan to intensify its business cooperation with Nepal.
During a courtesy meeting held today at the Ministry between Minister Bhandari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H. Hashmi, the minister expressed Nepal’s desire to promote business partnerships with all countries, including Pakistan.
Highlighting the establishment of the Nepal–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group by Nepal’s Federal Parliament, Minister Bhandari emphasized the significant role of parliamentary exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations.
“We have established a Joint Economic Commission at the finance ministerial level and a Bilateral Political Consultation Mechanism at the foreign secretary level. Through these mechanisms, it is crucial to maintain dialogue and contact,” he said. Minister Bhandari further announced plans to host the seventh meeting of the Joint Economic Commission and the fifth meeting of the Bilateral Political Consultation Mechanism in Nepal.
Despite geographical proximity, Nepal and Pakistan have not achieved the desired level of bilateral trade, the minister noted. He stressed the need to enhance cooperation in trade and economic sectors, encouraging both countries to address logistical challenges and facilitate trade.
“We must reflect the current economic realities and consider revising or creating new agreements to facilitate trade,” he stated. Minister Bhandari highlighted Nepal’s interest in attracting Pakistani investment in sectors such as textiles and tourism. He also called on Pakistan to simplify import procedures for Nepali goods and reduce customs duties on Nepal’s key exports, citing regulatory challenges faced by Nepali products in Pakistan.
The minister identified numerous areas of mutual benefit where the two nations could collaborate, including investment, tourism, culture, and people-to-people connections. He emphasized prioritizing regular meetings of joint working groups on agriculture and tourism. Minister Bhandari also encouraged Pakistani investors to explore Nepal’s potential in hydropower, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and information technology.
“Nepal offers unique and attractive tourist services to Pakistani visitors. We are confident that Nepal’s natural, archaeological, and cultural heritage will attract more tourists from Pakistan,” he remarked.
Ambassador Hashmi reaffirmed Pakistan’s interest in boosting business activities in Nepal. He noted that Nepal’s tea and coffee exports to Pakistan were already performing well and suggested that branding and quality improvements could further increase exports.
Highlighting the issue of double taxation as a barrier to trade, Ambassador Hashmi stressed the need for its resolution to enhance business activities. He informed that 32 Nepali students had received scholarships to study in Pakistan this year and pledged to advocate for an increase in scholarship opportunities.
Additionally, the ambassador proposed creating a tourist route connecting Nepal’s Mount Everest and Pakistan’s K2, aiming to boost tourism between the two countries. He also committed to initiating efforts for direct Kathmandu–Lahore flights to enhance connectivity. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their commitment to fostering stronger economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties for mutual benefit.