नेपाल उद्योग वाणिज्य महासंघको कार्यकारिणी समितिको छैठौं बैठक तथा महासंघको थाइल्याण्डको साताव्यापी व्यावसायिक भ्रमण सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न भएको छ । भ्रमण महासंघका अध्यक्ष सुरज वैद्यको नेतृत्वमा भएको थियो । थाइल्याण्डको आर्थिक उन्नती, बजारखोजी, सम्भाव्य लगानी आकर्षण तथा एक गाउं एक उत्पादनको अवलोकन गर्ने उद्देश्यका साथ थाइल्याण्ड सरकारको नेपालस्थित थाई राजदूतावासको पहलमा सो भ्रमण सम्पन्न भएको थियो । भ्रमणदलका सदस्यहरुमा महासंघका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष भाष्करराज राजकर्णिकार, उपाध्यक्षहरु भवानी राणा र पशुपति मुरारका, कार्यकारिणी समितिका सदस्यहरु, उद्यमी व्यवसायीहरु, संचारकर्मीहरु गरी ७० जना सहभागी हुनुहुन्थ्यो ।
कार्यकारिणी समितिको बैठकबाट महासंघको साधारण सभा आगामी चैत्रमा काठमाडौंमा विशेष कार्यक्रमका साथ गर्ने निर्णय समेत भयो । यसका लागि महासंघका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्षको संयोजकत्वमा एक समिति गठन समेत गरिएको छ । त्यसैगरि बैठकबाट महासंघको थाइल्याण्ड भ्रमणमा सहयोग गर्ने थाई सरकार तथा नेपालस्थित थाई राजदुतावासलाई विशेष धन्यवाद समेत पारित गरियो ।
थाइल्याण्ड भ्रमणमा रहँदा महासंघको प्रतिनिधिमण्डलले महत्वपूर्ण भेटघाट एवं छलफल गर्नुका साथै एक गाउं एक उत्पादन (One Tamboon One Product) कार्यक्रमको अवलोकन अत्यन्त उपलव्धीमुलक भएको छ । नेपालमा एक गाउं एक उत्पादन कार्यक्रम लागू भएका जिल्लाका उद्योग वाणिज्य संघका पदाधिकारी एवं व्यवसायीहरुको सहभागिता रहेको सो भ्रमणका क्रममा त्यहांको एक गाउं एक उत्पादन लागू भएका क्षेत्रहरुको अध्ययन तथा अनुभव आदान प्रदानबाट त्यहांको सफलता हाम्रो सन्दर्भमा लागू गर्न निकै उपयोगी भएको छ । महासंघको कार्यकारिणी समितिको बैठकले भ्रमण अत्यन्त उपलव्धीमुलक भएको निष्कर्ष निकाल्दै भ्रमणका क्रममा भएका वार्ता, छलफल तथा सहकार्यका प्रतिवद्धतालाई छिट्टै कार्यरुप दिने प्रतिवद्धता जनाएको छ ।
थाइल्याण्डका उपप्रधान एवं पर्यटन र खेलकूद मन्त्री कम्पोल सिलाचा–आचा (Ms. Chumpol Silapa-archa, Deputy Prime Minister of Tourism and Sports) तथा परराष्ट्र मन्त्री डा. सुरापोङ्ग तोभिछाछाइकुल (Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister of Foreign Affairs) संग भएको शिष्टाचार भेटमा महासघका तर्फबाट महासंघको सिफारिशमा नेपाली व्यवसायीलाई पांच वर्षको मल्टीपल भिसादिन आग्रह गरियो । त्यसैगरि लुम्बिनीको विकासमा थाइ लगानी विस्तार, भैरहवामा अन्तराष्ट्रिय हवाई पूर्वाधार निर्माण तथा उडान संचालमा समेत गम्भिर वार्ता भयो । आर्थिक उदियमान दुईठूला अर्थतन्त्र भएका राष्ट्रहरु भारत र चीनको बीचमा रहेको नेपाललाई अन्तराष्ट्रिय लगानी यतिखेर अपरिहार्य भएकाले नेपालमा थाई लगानीका लागि आग्रह गरियो । सो अवसरमा थाइ मन्त्रीहरुबाट महासंघको प्रतिनिधिमण्डलबाट राखिएका सुझावहरुलाई सकारात्मक रुपमा लिंदै त्यस सम्बन्धमा सम्बन्धित निकायहरु समन्वय गरी ठोस सहयोग गर्ने प्रतिवद्धता जनाउनु भयो ।
त्यसैगरी वाणिज्य मन्त्री बन्सोङ्ग तेरियापिरोम (Mr.Boonsong Teriyapirom, Minister of Commerce) संग भएको सिष्टाचार भेटमा नेपाल तथा थाइल्याण्डमा हुने मेला महोत्सवहरुमा दुवै देशका व्यवसायीहरुको सहभागिता बढाउन जोड दिइयो । त्यसैगरि नेपाली वस्तुहरुमा लाग्दै आएको कर कटौती तथा नेपाली उत्पादनहरुको थाइल्याण्डमा सहज प्रवेशको व्यवस्था गर्न, नेपाललाई अन्य एशियन राष्ट्रहरु सरह सुविधा उपलव्ध गराउन तथा थाइल्याण्डमा हुने जेम्स तथा गहना सम्बन्धी अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय प्रदर्शनीमा नेपाली हस्तकला व्यवसायीहरुको सहज सहभागिता लगायतमा जोड दिइयो ।
त्यसैगरि वाणिज्य मन्त्रीलाई नेपाल भ्रमणका लागि दिइएको निम्तोलाई उहांले स्वकीर्दै उपयुक्त समयमा नेपाल भ्रमण गर्ने विश्वास दिलाउनु भयो । वाणिज्य मन्त्रीले सरकारको नीति बाह्य देशहरुमा लगानी बढाउनेनै रहेकाले नेपाललाई यसबाट फाइदा उठाउन आग्रह पनि गर्नुभयो । त्यसका लागि उहांले नेपालमा उपयुक्त वातावरण निर्माणमा जोड दिंदै नेपाली वस्तुहरुको थाइल्याण्ड प्रवेशमा लाग्दै आएको कर कटौतीको मागलाई विशेष सम्वोधन गर्दै यसमा आवश्यक पहल गर्ने विश्वास दिलाउनु भयो ।
थाइ उद्योग महासंघ (Federation of Thai Industires-FTI) पदाधिकारी एवं थाई उद्योगी व्यवसायीसंग भएको द्विपक्षीय व्यावसायिक भेटवार्तामा महासंघका अध्यक्ष एवं टोली नेता सुरज वैद्यले थाइ उद्यमी व्यवसायीहरुलाई सम्वोधन गर्नुहुंदै नेपालमा पूर्वाधार, पर्यटन, कृषि, सेवा र खानीजन्य उद्योगहरुमा लगानीका लागि सहयोग गर्न आग्रह गर्नुभयो । नेपालले सन् २०१२–१३ लाई लगानी वर्षको रुपमा मनाउन लागेको, प्रधानमन्त्रीको अध्यक्षतामा लगानी बोर्डको गठन भएको, तथा बुट प्रणाली अन्तरगत पूर्वाधार विकासमा वाह्य लगानी बढाउन सकिने हुंदा पूर्वाधार विकास, पर्यटन आदिमा लगानी गर्न तथा नेपालमा थाइ लगानीबाट वस्तु उत्पादन गरी चीन तथा भारत निर्यात गर्न सकिएमा लगानीकर्ताले ठूलो लाभ लिन सक्ने विश्वास समेत दिलाउनु भयो ।
सो अवसरमा थाइ उद्योग महासंघका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष सुमिन्दा वुरानासिरी (Suminda Buranasiri, Senior Vice Chairman, FTI) ले सन् १९५७ देखि व्यावसायिक सम्बन्ध जोडिएको नेपालसंगको आर्थिक व्यावसायिक सम्बन्ध विस्तार गरी दुवै देशका जनतालाई लाभान्वित गराउन यस्ता व्यावसायिक भ्रमण उपलव्धी मुलक हुने र सम्भाव्य क्षेत्रको पहिचान गराउन व्यावसायिक भेटवार्ता सहयोगी हुने विश्वास प्रकट गर्नुभयो । उहांले लगानी वृद्धिका नयां उपायको खोजीमा पनि जोड दिनु भयो ।
त्यसैगरि भ्रमणका खाद्य वस्तुहरु उत्पादन गर्ने कम्पनी सीपी ग्रुपमा भएको भेटवार्तामा सो कम्पनीले नेपालमा पनि आफ्नो लगानी बढाउन इच्छा देखाएको छ । त्यसैगरि Loxley Public Co. Ltd, Thai Air Asia, Thai Nakorn Patana Co. Ltd आदिसंगको भेटमा पनि व्यापार र लगानीका विषयमा कुरा भएका छन् । धेरै थाई फर्म/ कम्पनीहरुसंगको “बी टु बी” छलफलमा पनि थाई व्यवसायीले नेपालमा लगानी गर्ने कुरालाई प्रमुख प्राथमिकता दिएका छन् । त्यसैगरि प्रतिनिधिमण्डलले थाइ ट्राभेल एजेन्ट एशोसिएशन, एक गाउं एक उत्पादन (One Tamboon One Product) केन्द्रहरुको अवलोकन भ्रमण गर्नुका साथै अ–आपसी व्यावसायिक भेटवार्ता गरेको छ ।
For further photographs please visit http://picasaweb.google.com/fnccinepal
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FNCCI Thailand Visit Completed Successfully (21 February 2012)
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and industry took a delegation to Thiland. The delegation was led by its President Mr. Suraj Vaidya and included Senior Vice president Mr. Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, Vice presidents Mrs. Bhawani Rana, Mr. Pashupati Murarka, Executive comiitee members, Presidents of District CCIs, Commodity Associations and Prominent businessmen of the country. The delegation including staff from secretariat and Media persons numbered 70 persons. The visit was undertaken on the Initiative of the Royal Thai Embassy in Kathmandu. First Secretary of the Embassy Dr. Trithep accompanied the delegation in all meetings.
The Delegation had the honour to make courtesy call of Their Excellencies Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of Thailand, Thai Foreign Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand.
The delegation departed from Kathmandu on 13th and 14th February 2012.
On 14th February, the delegation visited a handicraft centre in Bangkok. In the centre it got to learn how seemingly useless materials as shells of eggs of different birds could be used to prepare articles of art and crafts. The members were impressed by the fineness of the craftsmanship of the workers. There was discussion on how Nepali crasftsmen could be trained.
On the same day the delegation met with the Thai Federation of Industries and had a fruitful official meeting. . The Federation of Thai Industries acquainted the delegation about the various activities being carried out by the Federation of Industries. We were impressed by the services being provided by the Federation. It mostly concerned with technological advancement, human resource development, corporate governance, environment etc. We were very impressed by their motto when you join the Federation of Thai Industries. You will novel walk done. FNCCI President Mr. Vaidya briefed the Thai Industrialists about Nepal, its business opportunities, and the objectives of the visit the delegation. He also briefed them about the recent initiatives of the government including the institution of board of Investment and the Nepal Investment Year 2012/13. He also called on Thi businessmen to look into the potentials of Nepal and invest in Nepal.
There were many B2B meetings after the formal interaction. The Nepalese businessmen pursued business linkages in various fields. We were able to establish personal contacts with businessman representing agricultural and horticultural products processing, pharmaceuticals, automobile parts, herbal and healthcare products, urban development, infrastructure development, animal feed, services like tourism, healthcare, electronics and electrical goods, articles of apparels and leather, television casting, information technology, alternate energy, waste processing etc. It is hoped that many of the contacts will turn into business in future. Many Thai businessmen have expressed interest to visit Nepal and make their own assessment about business prospects.
On 15th February, Thedelegation led by FNCCI vice President Mr. Vaidya had the honour to pay a courtesy call on His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul. In the meeting apart from discussion on the business possibilities, Mr. Vaidya raised the issue of issuing multiple entry visas for Nepali businessmen. The Thai Foreign Minister assured to look into the issue.
The delegation also had the honour to meet His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr. .ChumpolSilapa-archa. In the meeting the discussion concentrated on the issues of cooperation between the two countries in various fields especially tourism. The Thai Deputy Prime Minister assured us of cooperation in promotion of tourism. There was talk on Buddhist circuits, centre of Buddhism learning. Mr. Suraj vaidya invited the Deputy prime minister to Visit Nepal on the Lumbini Visit year.
On the same day, the delegation also had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of CP Food and Loxley Corporation. CP Food is especially has variety of interests in agriculture and related fields. In the meeting we talked about the potential of investment in Nepal. The CP Food has assured to send a separate team to Nepal for assessing the feasibility of investing.
Loxley is a large company with diverse interest from banking to manufacturing. In the meeting at Luxley we also informed them about the policies and Nepal and the recent developments in the investment related field. The Luxley Corporation too has shown interest to study the possibility of expanding their operation to Nepal.
On 16th February, the FNCCI delegation had the honour to meet His Excellency Commerce Minster of Thailand mMr. BoonsongTerryyapiron. . In the meeting the potential to expand trade were discussed. Leading the delegation Mr. Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, FNCCI senior Vice President appraised the Thai Commerce Minister that the trade was pretty one sided. He also raised the issue of high duty on some item and having potential to be exported like felt products and pashmina being imposed in Thailand. There was discussion on the participation by Nepali businessmen in Trade Fairs in Thailand. The Thai Commerce Minister assured to look into the issues carefully. He also told that he will raise the issue of possibility of reducing duty on Nepalese products with Ministry of Finance.
The delegation also met with the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). In the meeting discussions were made on connecting Nepali and Thai travel agents. There was a lengthy discussion on promoting Buddhist circuits tourism in Nepal. A number of Thai travel agents have shown keen interest to promote Buddhism related products in Thailand. There was also discussion on the Peace Marathon being planned in Lumbini.
We also met with Thai Air Asia. In the meeting, the possibility of Thai Air Asia starting flights to Kathmandu and investing in Nepal including in modernization of Airport at Bhairahawa were discussed. The Thai Air Asia is a sister concern of Air Asia, the biggest budget carrier in Asia. It has shown keen interest to promote Lumbini as a destination.
The FNCCI Executive Committee Meeting was held on 16th February. The meeting apart from discussing regular issues discussed the upcoming AGM of FNCCI. It was decided that the AGM will be held on 6th April 2012. It formed a committee with Senior Vice President as Chair for working out to final program and other modalities. The meeting also passed a resolution to thank the Thai Government for its cooperation in making the visit successful.
The delegation had the chance to visit the pharmaceutical factory of Thai Nokhon Potana, a diverse group having interests in pharmaceuticals, herbal products and hotels and resorts and meeting with its Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director. The owners of this group are involved in a lot of charity works around the world. At the meeting discussion were made to look into the possibility of them making investment in Nepal. They are coming to Nepal in near future to continue discussion about their involvement in Nepal.
In the last day of the visit, we had the opportunity to visit the OTOP Centers. We were appraised about the OTOP working modalities, their product development strategies. We were also shown some of the products developed under the OTOP program. The delegation members could interact with individual producers and craftsman. This visit is expected to help introduce new technology in the OVOP/ODOP program in Nepal.
