Indonesia - Nepal Wants More Cooperation in Tourism and Economy with Indonesia
Friday - 27th August 2010
Nepal wishes for more cooperation in economy, trade and investment and it hopes that Indonesia investor could invest its capital in mining, oil, power plant and agriculture. These were expressed by Suraj Vaida, the President of Nepal’s Federation Chamber of Commerce, the Head of Customs and Excise Office and the Head of Tribhuvan International Airport Authority to the Indonesian Ambassador for Bangladesh and Nepal, Zet Mirzal Zainnudin, in Kathmandu (Wednesday 25/8).
Suraj also expresses his country’s wish for a more balanced trade with Indonesia. He hopes that the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and the Nepalese Chamber of Commerce would set up cooperation between them through trade mission visits, solo exhibitions either in Nepal or in Indonesia and through information exchange.
In his response, the Indonesian Ambassador adds that the two nations should also explore the potential for reciprocal promotion in tourism. Nepal could help Indonesia in promoting its splendor island such as Bali, while Indonesia could assist the Nepalese in promoting the majesty of the Himalayas.
The Nepalese official welcomes the Ambassador’s overture and hopes that the two nations’ flag carriers will schedule a direct flight connecting Kathmandu and Jakarta or Kathmandu and Bali. A direct flight between Indonesia and Nepal will boost the people-to-people contact between the two nations. Suraj also hopes that the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka and the Honorary Consul Office in Kathmandu will be able to provide visa services to Nepalese wanting to go to Indonesia.
Suraj also extends an invitation to Indonesian tour operators and travel agents to take part in promoting the 2011 Nepal Tourism Year that targets one million foreign tourists visit to Nepal. One interesting prospect is that Indonesia might be able to use this forum to promote its own tourism potentials.
During the meeting, the Indonesian Ambassador deliver the invitation to Nepalese business to visit the 25th Trade Expo Indonesia 2010, which will take place from the 13 to 17 October 2010 in Jakarta. Nepal is a country with 25 million people and it is heavily dependent on imports, hence it could be potential for Indonesia’s exporters.
Until now, the bilateral trade between Indonesia and Nepal continues to grow and in 2009 it booked a value to the amount of 113 million US Dollar and a surplus for Indonesia (according to FNCC figures). The Indonesian Ambassador hopes that the new Office of the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia, which was opened in April 2010 would boost Indonesia’s exports to Nepal.
The active participation by the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka in various promotional events on trade, culture and culinary such as the event at the Yak & Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu in 2009 and at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza Hotel also in Kathmandu in 2010 have helped the Nepalese people to get closer to Indonesia
