FNCCI President Mr. Suraj Vaidya recently visited India and held meetings with the CII President Mr. B. Muthuraman and Director General Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee at CII House, JorBagh, New Delhi.

During his meet, President Vaidya focused on strengthening Nepal-India bilateral economic, trade and investment relations and sought support from the CII in successfully celebrating Nepal Investment Year and Nepal International Trade Fair.

During his meeting, Mr. Vaidya expressed his optimism by stating that "in Nepal, things are getting in place though everything is not in place". He informed the CII that the Board of Investment has been set up under the Chairmanship of Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister and Nepal is going to celebrate year 2012/13 as Nepal Investment Year. Informing about the Nepal International Trade Fair 2012, President Vaidya requested the CII to organize participation from India as Partner Country and sought support and cooperation from CII in making these latest ventures a success.

Highlighting about the immense opportunities for investment in Nepal, President Vaidya, informed that the Government of Nepal has given high priority to the economic development and private sector and informed that the Government has identified infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, service and mines and minerals sectors as the top five priority sector for investment. He also informed that FNCCI in cooperation with the Government of Nepal is working on preparing profiles of fifty potential investment projects and urged support from the CII in promoting those projects to the potential investors in India.

CII President Mr. B. Muthuraman assured the FNCCI that CII will work closely with the FNCCI in strengthening Nepal-India bilateral economic relations and support Nepal in successfully celebrating the Investment Year. He also informed that CII will take part in the Nepal International Trade Fair as the Partner Country and will help FNCCI for its successful organization.

Accepting the FNCCI's request to be the keynote speaker in its forthcoming Annual General Meeting, CII President Mr. Muthuraman expressed his delight to visit Nepal and share his experience among the Nepalese business community.

Mr. Muthuraman also suggested for the collaboration between CII and FNCCI in finding out "what needs to be done to enhance bilateral trade between India and Nepal".

The meeting was also attended by Principle Adviser Mr. S. Sen and Mr. G.D. Sharma from CII and Mr. Anup K. Shrestha from FNCCI.

Meeting with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

FNCCI President met Sr. Vice President and incoming President Mr. R. V. Kanoria, National Executive Member Mr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney and other office bearers of FICCI at Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi.

During his meeting President Vaidya briefed FICCI about current economic situation in Nepal and focused on strengthening mutual cooperation in enhancing the regional trade at large. President Vaidya also informed them about the incoming Nepal Investment Year and Nepal International Trade Fair and requested for their support. During the meeting there was a frank exchange of views on the relationship between the two organizations.

During the meeting, Director General of FICCI Dr. Rajeev Kumar, Minister (Economic) from Nepalese Embassy Mr. Bishnu Prasad Lamsal and others were also present.

Meeting with Nepalese Embassy in India

FNCCI President also held discussion with Mr. Khaga Nath Adhikary, Charge d'Affaires of Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi. During his meeting, President Vaidya informed about the contemporary economic situation in Nepal and asked for the support of Nepalese Embassy in promoting Nepal Investment Year and Nepal International Trade Fair. President Vaidya, furthermore, suggested to effectively use the economic diplomacy in attracting Indian investment into Nepal and sought for the cooperation between the FNCCI and the Mission in this regard.

Charge d' Affaires Mr. Adhikary assured of the effective cooperation with the FNCCI in enhancing Nepal-India economic relations and requested for the support of the FNCCI in this regard. He sought the active participation from the FNCCI in the promotional activities being organized by the Mission.

During the meeting, Minister (Economic) of Nepalese Embassy Mr. Bishnu Prasad Lamsal was also present.