Kathmandu: Officials from the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) engaged in a discussion with the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal, Ruwanthi Delpitiya, focusing on establishing direct air connectivity between Nepal and Sri Lanka. The talks highlighted the potential for promoting trade and tourism by strengthening diplomatic, socio-cultural, and religious ties between the two countries.
According to National News Agency Nepal, NCC Chairman Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal pointed out that the annual average bilateral trade between the two nations is approximately 2.5 million US dollars, reflecting a negligible trade volume. Nepal’s imports from Sri Lanka amount to 1.40 million US dollars, whereas exports are only 0.70 million dollars, indicating a trade imbalance. Chairman Agrawal urged the Sri Lankan Envoy to facilitate an increase in bilateral trade and cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, hydropower, information and technology, and physical infrastructure.
The NCC proposed initiating a direct weekly flight between Lumbini and Sri Lanka to promote tourism, emphasizing its potential to attract Sri Lankan Buddhists to visit Nepal. Additionally, the Sri Lankan Envoy was requested to consider providing free visas to Nepali tourists.
In response, Ambassador Ruwanthi Delpitiya acknowledged the possibilities for trade promotion between the two countries and expressed her willingness to cooperate in facilitating and promoting trade with Nepal. She encouraged Nepali businesspersons and entrepreneurs to participate in the international trade fair scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in June.
The NCC shared that the discussion is expected to direct the trade relations between the two countries, alongside expanding tourism and economic collaboration.