Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has accentuated Nepal's rising appeal as a promising hub for investment.

He underscored the country's abundance of natural resources, skilled labor pool, market accessibility, and advantageous trade agreements during the China (Yunnan)-Nepal Industrial Cooperation Promotion and Enterprise Matchmaking Meeting. This event was hosted as part of the China South Asia Business Forum, held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.

Dhakal, speaking at the event, emphasized that Nepal's endowed resources, educated workforce, market accessibility, and beneficial trade pacts with China and India position it as an alluring investment destination. He drew attention to the shared attributes between Yunnan and Nepal, such as similar geographical features and scenic landscapes with abundant water resources. He commended the sister city relationship between Kunming and Nepal's Pokhara, fostering agreements that promote cultural exchange, tourism, and collaborative research and development.

Highlighting the growing connectivity between the two regions, Dhakal pointed out the increasing number of direct air routes between Kathmandu and Kunming. He also envisioned the potential for direct flights between Pokhara and Kunming in the near future. Dhakal spotlighted the recent landmark of Sichuan Airlines' inaugural flight to Pokhara during China's "Dragon Boat Festival," signifying the burgeoning potential of Chinese tourism in Nepal.

Dhakal further outlined enticing investment prospects spanning various sectors, including energy, tourism infrastructure, transportation, trade facilitation, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), information and communication technology (ICT), and agriculture.

Significantly, Dhakal highlighted Nepal's remarkable progress in the past three decades, with over 5 million people being lifted out of poverty, leading to the growth of a thriving middle-class populace. He also underscored the achievements of multinational corporations operating in Nepal, citing their consistent profitability. Additionally, he emphasized Nepal's privileged trade access in India, the European Union, and other developed markets.

Advocating for strengthened bilateral economic ties between Yunnan and Nepal, Dhakal urged the cultivation of valuable connections between businesses and governments. He expressed optimism for heightened investments, tourism, trade, and industrial partnerships. Dhakal extended an invitation to all attendees to explore Nepal's vibrant culture and investment potential at the Nepal Country Pavilion during the China South Asia Expo.

The event saw the participation of distinguished leaders, government officials, business executives, and media representatives from China, Nepal, and various South Asian countries.