NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

Talking Business

The government plans to hold a major conference to promote trade and investment

By A CORRESPONDENT

Ministry of Commerce has decided to hold Export Promotion Meeting (EPM) 2000 from April 5-7, 2000 in Kathmandu with the objective of promoting the country's trade and investment.

The government has invited over 46 honorary consulates of Nepal to participate in the meeting along with scores of other participants from within and outside the country.

According to the Minister for Commerce Ram Krishna Tamrakar, who also heads the EPM 2000 organizing committee, the meeting will provide an opportunity for the government to mobilize its diplomatic channels for the economic betterment of the country.

During the conference, the participants will be briefed on the trade policies and export promotion initiatives pursued by Nepalese government.

Working papers on trade policies, export promotion, fiscal and revenue initiatives for liberal and market economy, investment policy and foreign direct investment in tourism, hydropower and other related sectors and economic diplomacy will be presented during the three day meet.

Likewise, the meeting will also discuss on issues including private sector in trade, investment and tourism and selected viable investment projects.

The organizing committee has already sent invitations to interested parties. "About 400 participants are expected to take part in EPM 2000," said Chandi Prasad Shrestha, member-secretary of the committee.

Among the participants will include honorary Royal Nepalese consul generals/consuls, importers, investors, joint collaborators, executives of bilateral chambers of commerce and friendship associations, institutions/agencies involved in the promotion of trade and tourism based in Nepal and abroad, industrialists, businessmen and representatives od diplomatic missions.

One of the highlights of EPM 2000 is the prospect of one-to-one meeting arrangements among the interested foreign parties and their Nepalese counterparts. The Ministry has also outlined a number of projects and is offering them as viable for investment.

The government expects the EPM 2000 to boost the country's trade relations with foreign investors/traders. The meeting also provides a chance for Nepalese private sector to brush shoulders with their foreign counterparts and identify new areas for diversification of export trade.

Along with the EPM 2000, the Ministry, with the cooperation from various government as well as private agencies, is organizing a trade fair. The fair will be organized from April 4-8.