WNAM REPORT: Nepal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Madam Rita Dital, has expressed a desire to establish the Pakistan-Nepal Business Forum to explore trade opportunities between the two countries, which could significantly increase trade volume. She highlighted Nepal as a prime tourist destination and encouraged Pakistanis to visit, adding that direct air connectivity would promote tourism. She also suggested including Nepali players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Additionally, she mentioned that artificial limbs are being imported from Nepal to Pakistan, while eye lenses are being exported from Pakistan to Nepal.
She shared these views during a meeting with Chairman Pakistan Cultural Forum, Zafar Bakhtawari, at the Nepalese Embassy yesterday. Executive Member FPCCI, Waqar Bakhtawari, also accompanied him. The meeting included detailed discussions on enhancing trade and cultural relations between the two countries.
Madam Rita Dital mentioned that she is a career diplomat and considers Pakistan a very important country for Nepal. She reiterated Nepal’s commitment to further strengthening and improving its relations with Pakistan. Recognizing Pakistan’s cricket team as one of the world’s leading teams, she expressed Nepal’s interest in utilizing Pakistani cricket experts to train its own team.
Speaking on trade, Madam Dital highlighted that tea and cardamom could be imported from Nepal to Pakistan, while medicines could be exported from Pakistan to Nepal.
Zafar Bakhtawari appreciated the Nepalese Ambassador’s suggestions, emphasizing that there are immense opportunities to enhance trade relations between Pakistan and Nepal, which both nations should capitalize on through mutual cooperation. He suggested combining Nepal’s natural resources with Pakistan’s industrial and trade expertise to launch joint ventures that could benefit both economies.
He assured that the Pakistan Cultural Forum would provide all possible support in strengthening cultural relations between the two nations. He also proposed organizing a Pakistan Cultural Day in Nepal to bring the people of both countries closer. Furthermore, Zafar Bakhtawari invited the Ambassador to visit the FPCCI Lahore office to interact with the business community.
Executive Member FPCCI, Waqar Bakhtawari, stressed the importance of direct air connectivity between the two countries, calling it a need of the hour. He stated that this connection should be restored. In response, the Nepalese Ambassador informed that there was direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Nepal until 2014, which was discontinued. She agreed that restoring direct flights would play a vital role in strengthening trade relations.
Waqar Bakhtawari assured the Nepalese Ambassador that Pakistan’s business community is serious about promoting trade with Nepal. He mentioned that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry is fully capable of meeting Nepal’s needs, while Nepali tea and cardamom could become popular in the Pakistani market.
Referring to a former Nepalese Ambassador, Waqar Zafar Bakhtawari shared that he was an exceptional individual who attended an oath-taking ceremony in Chakwal and participated in an event promoting tourism in the area. He added that the Hindu sacred site of Katas Raj is located in Chakwal and should be visited to further explore tourism opportunities.
