September 4: Speakers at a programme on Sunday stressed the need for cooperation between the private sector and the Nepali diplomatic missions for promotion of foreign investment and export.    
During a discussion organized by the FNCCI on 'Cooperation between Nepali embassies and private sector for economic diplomacy' on Sunday, the speakers said that the Nepali missions abroad could cooperate with the private sector for effective economic diplomacy.    
Addressing the discussion, Foreign Minister NP Saud said that the private sector plays a major role on export promotion, tourism development and attraction of foreign investment. He urged the Nepali ambassadors appointed to different countries to collaborate with the private sector for the country's development and prosperity. Both domestic and foreign investments are imperative for Nepal, he added.    
Advisor to the National Security Council and former chief secretary Shankar Das Bairagi suggested that diplomatic missions could expand their ambit and work in alliance with the private sector.    
On the occasion, Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal opined that the multilateral bodies could be approached for expanding economic diplomacy.      
Finance Secretary Arjun Pokhrel said the government would allocate budget for expanding economic diplomacy.    
According to Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, Madhu Marasini, Nepal needs to augment its role in WTO. Time has come to analyze the impact of the country getting graduated from LDC, he said.    
Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Kewal Prasad Bhandari, suggested that 'economic diplomacy' should be termed as 'labour diplomacy'.    
FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said if Nepali missions abroad show willingness for change, it would help boost the country's economy. "In the emerging and developing countries, ambassadors are evaluated based on their roles on expansion of trade and promotion of investment and tourism," he said.    
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed ambassadors, Nepal’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dhan Bahadur Oli, said they were ready to listen to the private sector’s suggestion.    
Former President of FNCCI, Shekhar Golchha, said all sorts of opportunities should be created for expanding entrepreneurship and business. -- RSS