Dialogue on Investment Held Between Sri Lanka Chamber and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Chamber of Commerce convened discussions aimed at promoting business investment. FNCCI Vice President Naresh Lal Shrestha urged Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to invest in Nepal’s hydropower and medicinal herbs sectors. Ceylon Chamber Deputy Secretary General Aleka Perera expressed readiness to invest in Nepal’s tourism infrastructure, hydropower, and herbal industries. Kathmandu, May 5 – A B2B meeting between the FNCCI and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka recently concluded successfully. Led by FNCCI Vice President Naresh Lal Shrestha, the business delegation engaged in dialogue with Sri Lankan industrialists to enhance investment cooperation between the two countries. Sri Lankan entrepreneurs expressed willingness to invest in Nepal during the meeting.

Representing Nepalese industry, FNCCI Vice President Naresh Lal Shrestha highlighted Nepal’s immediate potential to generate over 40,000 megawatts of electricity and noted the government’s supportive stance. He also remarked that Nepal currently enjoys a stable government with nearly a two-thirds majority, facilitating foreign investment through streamlined mechanisms. Furthermore, Shrestha indicated that the government has adopted a one-window policy to ease foreign investment procedures. Emphasizing Nepal’s abundant raw materials for organic herbal industries, similar to those in Sri Lanka, he encouraged Sri Lankan industrialists to establish ventures accordingly. Since Nepal currently exports raw materials for herbal production at low prices, he urged collaboration for processing and distribution to mutually benefit from value addition.

Underlining government policies designed to incentivize investment in hydropower, Shrestha stated, ‘On behalf of the FNCCI, we will facilitate Sri Lankan industrialists to invest in Nepal with ease. Should you invest significantly in Nepal, we will coordinate with the government to provide necessary support.’ Sagar Bhandari, First Secretary at the Nepal Embassy in Sri Lanka, emphasized that Nepal’s stable government environment is conducive to investment and encouraged investment in the promising hydropower sector. During the event, Ceylon Chamber’s Deputy Secretary General Aleka Perera reiterated their preparedness to invest in Nepal’s tourism infrastructure, hydropower, and herbal industry sectors. He noted Sri Lanka’s leadership in the herbal industry and the availability of raw materials in Nepal, expressing interest in establishing industries collaboratively. Additionally, he acknowledged Nepal’s potential in the tourism sector and pledged significant investment given adequate government facilitation. Sri Lankan business representatives also expressed interest in investing in Nepal’s hydropower sector during the discussions.