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Contents: A delegation of Nepal Benelux Chamber of commerce and industries (NBCCI) led by its President Mr. Mohan Krishna Shrestha paid a 9 day business visit to Australia at the friendly invitation of State Chamber of Commerce Sydney New south Wales (NSW) From July 23 to July 31, 2001. The delegation also visited Melbourne at the invitation of Australian Exhibition Services (AES) Melbourne. During the Visits of Sydney and Melbourne Extensive discussions were held and reached to the fruitful points to promote bilateral economic relations between Nepal and Australia. According to a member of the delegation the 9-day long working visit was crowned with success and both sides are fully confident that in future tangible achievement will definitely be made in the best interest of the two sides. In chronological order the first meeting was held on July 23, 2001 between the delegations of NBCCI and state Chamber of Commerce Sydney headed by its trade development manager Janette Shommar. At the meeting Ms. Shommar welcoming the NBCCI delegation expressed her full confidence that a new era will emerged in business expansion on none Governmental sector of both countries and for which her State Chamber of Commerce with fully facilitate as mediator to co-ordinate with various business Companies of New South Wales and business partners of Nepal. She Stressed that Australia regards Nepal as a economically backwardness and trade imbalance with Australia should be covered country in the days to come. Ms. Shomar also highly appreciated the NBCCI proposal that exhibition on Nepalese Products should be organized in Sydney and assured her full support to make the exhibition full of success. Chairman of NBCCI Mr. Mohan Krishna Shrestha heartly acknowledged the co-operative sentiments of Janette Shomar and pledged strong commitment to work together with Ms. Janete shomar in the gigantic task of fostering the economic relation with business communities of Australia in collobration with State Chamber as focal point. During the first session of the meeting Mr. Mohan Krishna Shrestha delivered a statement which is as follows: A Honorable Mr. President First of all I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and cordial thank to the members of the state Chamber of Commerce of NSW for organizing this long memorable meeting between Nepal Benelux Chamber of Commerce and Industries NBCCI and state Chamber of Commerce and Industries of NSW in order to promoting bilateral relation in trade and industries. At the same time I must apologize for the delay of my delegation in arriving Sydney, due to various factors. Now I breathe with great satisfaction that our mission is fulfilled and a new chapter will emerged in our economic relation for which we were making correspondence over the past several months. As all of you know well that Nepal is a mountaineous Landlocked and poor country situated between the two giant China in the north and India in the rest. World highest snow capped mountain Sagarmatha (The Mount Everest) lies in Nepal which is considered to be one of the most attractive tourist center of the world due to her special characteristics features like heart-Touching Himalayans, Excellent arts, culture and craft, beautiful lakes, glaciers, flora and faunas, meandering rivers and lust green valley’s with centuries old temples full of incomparable architect. It is a land of unity in diversity. The god gifted and naturally adorned Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal is still like in the medieval stage and the process of economic development to change the status quo is taking place in tortoise speed. The scientific and technical advancement being geared up in the industrialized nations like Australia has left now an inspiring impact in Nepal, where infrastructure adjustment is still in the offing. At this juncture Nepal has to forge a head with dedication and determination for which Nepal needs human resources development in one side and trade and industrial promotion in other side to bridge the gap in short span of time. The role of NBCCI in such situation is crucial to bring about economic development through diversification of trade and industries. Our aim and objective to come to Sydney and to get in good contact with organization and associations like state Chamber of Commerce NSW reflects our inner urge to developing Nepal and raising the living standard of Nepalese people which are placed in no 129 according to the human development index 1999, without overall development of a nation the economic upliftment of its citizen is not possible. We are committed to this principle of serving the nation establishing trade links with developed nations like Australia. A Small and developing nation like Nepal cannot compete with Australia and desires to be treated as most favored nation in all dealing by big and industrialized nations. We are confident that Australia will give due consideration in this regards through joint venture, investment in possible fields and will take a leading role to become major trading partner of Nepal which is the demand of the day and we look forward that Australian entrepreneurs will prove a good business partners in the days to come joining hands with Nepal. Our balance of trade with Australia is in large deficit and that is to be lowered gradually by our mutual efforts. We appeal all Australian industrialists and trading partners to recognize once for ever on the Nepalese productions which may have good markets in Australia and to encourage Nepalese trading partners to hold trade fairs in Sydney in November 2001 in collaboration between state chamber of commerce and NBCCI which definitely will help popularize Nepalese items being exported to other countries in larger quantities than in Australia. Before concluding my brief remarks I like to make clear that Nepal in recent years is exporting as major production items such as woolen carpets, ready made garments, lentils, hides and skin niger seeds, handicrafts, terry towels, Pashmina jeweleries, woolen goods and major imports are machineries and parts, fertilizers, raw wool, transport equipment, electrical goods, raw silk, pashmina yarn, Polythene granules, telecommunication, equipment and parts textiles medicines and medical equipment chemicals, edible oils , gold, petroleum products. The other pertinent issue before Nepal is hydropower development. Nepal is endowed with enormous hydropower potentiality. Yet less than one percent of economically exploitable potential estimated at around 43000-megawatt stand utilized. Present per capita energy consumption of about 50 kWh per annum is among the lowest in the world the country’s population of 23 million people thus offers huge markets for internal power consumption. With these remarks. I conclude my observation and look forward receiving blessings and maximum support from our Australian counterparts Specially from state chamber of Commerce and Industries New south Wales. THANK YOU State chamber of commerce suggests that cultural program and tourism promotion information should also be included in the exhibition. The first session with State Chamber of Commerce was followed by separate two meetings with different companies, Taimin (Australia) Pty. LTD and Farago (AUS) Pvt. LTD With whom very useful and fruitful discussions were exchanged for furthering trade promotion between Nepalese business companies and the Australian counterparts. In Melbourne She also fully supported NBCCI proposal that prior to the international Exhibition. An exclusive exhibition of Nepalese products be organized in Sydney in near future. President of NBCCI Mr. M. K. Shrestha thanked MS Lethbridge for her support to this venture. In Sydney On the Occasion free fair and frank discussion were held on the possibilities of expanding trade relations with Australia in general and with Sydney in particular. The delegation was highly impressed with the ideas of Miss gee who fully supported the aims and objectives of the delegation and also expressed her acceptance to become chairperson of the preparatory committee to be constituted in Sydney for organizing an exhibition of Nepalese Product scheduled in the future. She gave the vivid picture of the Nepal Australia relations particularly in economic fields and shed light on greater possibilities for trade promotion. Miss Gee also advised to include in such business activities to some distinguished Australian nationals and resident Nepalese who are sincerely devoted to helping Nepal from their respective fields. At the conclusion of the meeting NBCCI president Mr. M.K. Shrestha paid gratitude to the consul general and expressed confident that Ms Gee will promote Nepal in Australia on behalf of the consulate. Mr. Duncan Who is to be married with Ms. Gee in Near future was also present at the Luncheon meeting. Meeting with Dr. Narayan Pradhan The NBCCI trade delegation headed by its president Mohan Krishna Shrestha was invited by the president of GNC for dinner meeting on July 28, 2001 at his Yak and Yeti restaurant in Sydney. Some active members of his GNC were also present at this dinner meeting. At the beginning Mr. M.K. Shrestha and Mr. Pradhan exchanged views on Nepal-Australia economic relation and stressed the need to promoting trade relation between the two countries. Dr. Pradhan was of the opinion that Nepal can be benefited by trade, tourism and industrial links with Australia if it is properly and appropriately handled. He commended the aims and objectives of NBCCI to take Australia as a destination and wishes all the best. Meeting with Indra Ban Miss Ban a senior Nepalese national residing in Sydney Australia since last three decades is actively involved promoting Nepal in Australia and is also a representative of Nepal tourism board in Sydney. During the meeting president of NBCCI Mr. Mohan Krishna Shrestha apprised her about the aims and objectives of his delegation. Miss Ban highly appreciated the efforts of NBCCI saying it is very timely measures NBCCI is undertaking in order to promote economic relation between Nepal and Australia. She assured her fullest co-operation to this venture and committed to contribute to help promote economic co-operation between Nepal and Australia as a token of gratitude towards her motherlands. On the proposal of organizing Nepalese exhibition in Sydney she was very enthusiastic and assured her fullest co-operation. President of NBCCI Mr. Mohan Krishna Shrestha thanked Miss Ban for her encouraging remarks and requested to participate in all business activities to be undertaken by NBCCI in Australia. A Delegation Back Home The delegation is fully satisfied with its visit to Australia and has chalked out several business promotion activities such as organizing exhibition in Sydney in near future.
Australia in future can prove a good potential destination for Nepal in all Commercial and Co-operation fields. Australia a continent but comparatively having less population than Nepal is emerging as a economic power in the pacific. It on the basis of its geographical length and breadth and low population is it in regarded a unique country in the map of the world. Australia is renewed in its agricultural sector. It earns billions of dollars per annum through her agro-products export. Australia is a nation of multi ethnic communities migrated from all over the world. This country also is forging ahead with industrialization and modernization. After the Olympic game of 2000 Australia has enhanced its prestige in high degree. About 14000 Nepalese are estimated to have been residing in various parts of Australia and out of that numbers about 5 to 7 thousand reside only in Sydney New South Wales. In Sydney there are several Nepalese Associations and restaurants run by these Nepalese. Among those
In overall planning on diversification of Trade Nepal should give serious consideration to grab the opportunity of Nepalese resident in respective countries and also active co-operative of Honorary Nepalese consul generals based on respective countries and cities. A far as Australia now to start business relation with that country in new perspective.
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