CCPIT Vice-chair pays courtesy call on DPM Shrestha

Kathmandu, March 13: Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Zhang Shaogang, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha today. In the meeting took place at the Ministry, they discussed matters related to trade and investment partnership, DPM Shrestha said. On the occasion, welcoming the CCPIT Vice Chairman to Nepal and wishing him a successful visit here, DPM Shrestha said China is Nepal’s second biggest international trading partner and Chinese investment would be always expected since there is investment-friendly climate here.

He pointed out the need of facilitating the import and export by making the Kerung and Tatopani transit points systematic. The DPM stressed that both countries needed to move ahead on the basis of mutual understanding to reduce Nepal’s gaping trade deficit with China. The Deputy Prime Minister also reiterated Nepal’s commitment to the ‘one China’ policy.

DPM Shrestha congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on his election for a third term and the newly-elected Prime Minister Li Qiang, wishing them a successful term in office. During the meeting, CCPIT Vice Chairman Zhang said that although China’s foreign investment and trade was impacted by the nearly four years long COVID-19 pandemic, it is now free from the pandemic and the situation has become conducive.

He added that exchange of visits could not take place between the two countries due to COVID-19 and this has affected the trade as well. Stating that Nepal is China’s old and close friend, Zhang said the goal of his visit is to assure of additional investment in Nepal. He said China would openly support Nepal if it envisaged of building technology-equipped big industry and construction. Ambassador of China to Nepal, Chen Song was also present in the meeting.