November 10: The Embassy of Switzerland in Kathmandu together with Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and Nepal Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NSCCI) successfully concluded a first of its kind Swiss business delegation trip to Nepal from November 7 to 9. The goal of this mission was to introduce Swiss companies to potential market entry and commercial opportunities in the fast-growing Nepali market, reads a statement issued by the Swiss embassy.

According to the statement, fifteen delegates from 10 Swiss companies - Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Roche Diagnostics, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Lufthansa Group, Hilti, PINI, Lombardi, Gherzi, Victorinox, and 2000 Watt Smart Cities participated in the mission.

“The delegates were exposed to public sector stakeholders, market experts, and private sector practitioners, development finance institutions, covering a range of topics including macroeconomic trends, enabling business environment, policy landscape and targeted opportunities,” the statement added.

The delegation held high-level meetings with Health Minister Bhawani Prasad Khapung, as well as officials of the Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies; Nepal Electricity Authority; Department of Roads and the Investment Board of Nepal.

Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Elisabeth von Capeller, said that there is a real opportunity for Swiss companies to enter the Nepali marke as the country shifts gear from political transition to economic transformation.

“Deepening trade relations with Switzerland can reap benefits in the form of knowledge transfer of Swiss technologies and expertise, and access to a range of choices on products and services for the Nepali people,” the statement quoted Swiss Capeller as saying.

The statement further said that the longstanding friendship that Switzerland and Nepal share was on full display during the delegation’s visit.

“The discussions, perspectives and exposure to the Nepali market were well-received by the delegation, shaping their understanding of the Nepali market and its tremendous potential.”