Event

India & Nepal Economic Partnership Summit

28
June
2019

CONCLAVE’S OVERVIEW

 

In recent years, Nepal emerged as a destination for core industries, inter alia, Tourism, FMCG, Agri-Bsinesus & Food Processing, Education, Skill Development & Employability, Healthcare, Retail, Forestry, Art & Crafts, Weaving, Textile, Forestry, Horticulture, Floriculture, Sericulture, Energy, Infrastructure, Mines & Mineral, Warehousing, Logistics, Services (IT & ITeS etc), Startups.

 

There are certain enabling factors (natural as well as man-made) which are conducive to thrive in Nepal:

 

. A progressive and stable governance framework that promotes businesses and productive activities through making conducive policies and ensuring their implementation.

. Strategic location.

. Industry and investor-friendly policies.

. Availability of land and human resources at a comparatively cheaper price than many other parts of the world.

. Existence of a conducive industrial culture, which is favorable for the growth of industry.

. Presence of excellent academic and administrative institutions in the region which assure availability of quality manpower and intellectual inputs.

 

 

To accelerate further this developmental process, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in association with Embassy of Nepal, India is immensely motivated to participate in the progress of Nepal and bringing it at global centrestage to receive the investment and big business interests.

 

Strengthening investment environment (both ways) in Nepal would help generate more and more economic opportunities which will definitely refuel growth and put the country’s economic growth on a higher trajectory. Going forward, the perception about the Provinces of Nepal as attractive investment destinations need to be built up in the minds of investors in India and abroad. Equally, Nepal, keeping close historical and people-to-people connection with India is naturally a place that deserves bright economic partnership possibilities.

 

For industrial modernisation, Nepal has undertaken progressive policy measures, created a single-window system of clearance, built infrastructure and overall have made a favourable ground for doing business in Nepal.

The South Asian region is fully equipped today to support the “Advantage Nepal” factors by raising the level of economic engagement inside the country and by deepening Nepal’s business interface with the neighbouring countries. In such transformation process, the role of India is going to be very crucial.  

In order to explore the trade and investment opportunities and to participate in the economic development of both India’s Northeast Region and Nepal, PHDCCI under aegis of its India-Nepal Centre (INC) / State Development Council (SDC) and in association with the Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi, India is going to organise “India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit” on 28th June 2019 (10:00 am -05:00 pm) at Hotel Lemon Tree, Gangtok, Sikkim.

The Summit will be keeping focus on the sectors where India-Nepal co-operation can be further boosted through proactive and sublime “East Connection” to achieve the desired goals for Nepal’s economic development –Tourism; Agriculture & Food Processing; Energy; Infrastructure; Education, Skill Development & Start-ups and Services.

The Summit is aimed to host the key industry and government stakeholders from both the countries who are either already involved with the industrial development of Nepal or have genuine urge to be part of it.

Also, the Summit will facilitate two-ways investment opportunities between India and Nepal through sensitising the Indian industry and investors (especially those located in India’s Northeast and neighbouring countries) and Nepalese counterparts to come in term with the strong possibilities that Nepal offers unwaveringly for businesses and investments.

 

Summit’s Objectives & Takeaways

 

  • .To bring closer the policymakers in government and industry captains to discuss and ideate for the way forward on aforementioned themed covered in Summit and broaden the base of Nepalese economy through next-wave of economic and governance reforms.
  • .To create a sustained convergence of industry and government, for thriving on the mutually beneficial India-Nepal bilateral relations in all crucial realms with keeping in focus the “Northeast-Nepal Interface”.
  • .To create the basis for PHDCCI Policy Advocacy, for supporting the cause of policy establishments and industry at large to facilitate further Nepal’s economic development.
  • .To table the discussion on improving the ties and services in the key sectors to benefit Nepal: Energy, Infrastructure, Tourism, Agriculture & Food Processing, Education, Skill Development & Start-ups and Services.
  • .To explore the potential of road, railway and air networks in Nepal and “common factors” and leveraging on the same for attracting investment from Northeast and India at large.
  • .To bring-in to notice the hidden potential in Border Area Development Programme and paving the way for India’s major involvement in helping the infrastructural facelift of Nepal’s bordering districts in West Bengal and Bihar – and making them the gateways of Northeast-Nepal Trade Connection.
  • .To discuss and ideate for making Cluster-based Economic Zones across Nepal.
  • . further relaxing the cross-border trade norms to secure and sustain the greater economic engagements.

For participation and other opportunities, one can reach to

Mr Atul K Thakur, Deputy Secretary & Coordinator

SDC/India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI

(e-mail: atul.thakur@phdcci.in; M:+91-9873160118).

Agenda

                                                                                              

 

INDIA-NEPAL ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT

 

28th June 2019, Hotel Lemon Tree, Gangtok, Sikkim

 

SUMMIT’S OVERVIEW

For industrial modernization, the North Eastern states have undertaken measures such as introduction of Progressive Industrial Policy, Infrastructure Improvements and frequent Stakeholder Consultation to facilitate the industry with modern infrastructure. The region is fully equipped today to facilitate Nepal, the true advantage of “Act East Policy” by raising the level of engagement inside the region and with the neighbouring countries.

 

In order to explore the trade and investment opportunities and to participate in the economic development of both India’s Northeast Region and Nepal, PHDCCI under aegis of its India-Nepal Centre (INC) / State Development Council (SDC) and in association with the Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi, India is organising “India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit” on 28th June (10:00 am -05:00 pm) at Hotel Lemon Tree, Gangtok, Sikkim.

 

The Summit focuses on the sectors where India-Nepal co-operation can be further boosted through proactive and sublime “East Connection” to achieve the desired goals for Nepal’s economic development – Tourism; Agriculture & Food Processing; Energy; Infrastructure; Healthcare; Education, Skill Development & Start-ups and Services.

 

The Summit is aimed to host the key industry and government stakeholders from both the countries who are either already involved with the industrial development of Nepal or have genuine urge to be part of it.

 

ABOUT PHDCCI & ITS INDIA-NEPAL CENTRE / STATE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

PHDCCI, established in 1905, is a proactive and dynamic National Apex Chamber, working at the policy and grass-root level across India and develop strong national and international linkages. PHDCCI has been closely working with the Government of Nepal and the leading industry bodies of Nepal. PHDCCI’s India-Nepal Centre promotes two-way bilateral economic and business relations between India and Nepal.

 

The Chamber’s State Development Council (SDC) has been actively partnering with the state governments to maintain the pulse of growth agenda besides, also supporting the industry to enter into India’s growth clusters and make the goal of inclusiveness realised.

 

 

                                                PROGRAM AGENDA: INDIA-NEPAL ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT

 

 

Time

Duration

Inaugural Session (10:00 am-11:45 am)

Roadmaps for Accelerating Inclusive Regional and Sub-regional Economic Growth

(The Session focuses on the sectors where India-Nepal co-operation can be further boosted through proactive and sublime “East Connection” to achieve the desired goals for Nepal’s economic development – Energy; Infrastructure; Tourism;  Agriculture & Food Processing; Healthcare; Education, Skill Development & Start-ups and Services.)

10:00-10:02 am

02-minutes

Opening Remarks

By Anchor

10:02-10:05 am

03-minutes

Presentation of Mementos

10:05-10:15 am

10-minutes

Welcome Address by

Amb Mr K V Rajan, Chairman, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI

10:15-10:30 am

15-minutes

Reflections  by

H. E. Mr Nilambar Acharya, Ambassador of Nepal, India

10:30-10:50 am

20-minutes

Address by

Chief Guest: Mr Prem Singh Tamang, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sikkim

10:50-11:05 am

15-minutes

Theme Presentation

Mr Krishna Hari Pushkar, Minister (Economic), Embassy of Nepal, India

11:05-11:15 am

15-minutes

Presentation by

Prof Mahendra Lama,  Professor (South Asian Economies), JNU & Member, EPG on Nepal-India Relations

11:15-11:30 am

15-minutes

Address by

Dr Thomas Chandy, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industries, Government of Sikkim

11:30-11:45 am

15-minutes

Address by

Special Guest:  Mr Alok Srivastava, Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim

 

 

 

11:45 am-12:05 pm

20-minutes

Networking Tea & Coffee

12:05-02:05 pm

120-minutes

Technical Session-I (Promoting Industry in Nepal; Revisiting Bilateral Trade Policies; Expanding Sub-regional Cooperation; Border Area Development; MSMEs; Destination Sikkim; SAARC, BBIM & BCIM)

 

Session Chair: Amb Mr K V Rajan, Chairman, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI

Panelists:

Mr Tirtha Poudel, Counsellor, (Economic), Embassy of Nepal, India;

Mr P D Rai,  Former MP, Lok Sabha, Sikkim & Leader, SDF;

Mr Anukool Bhatnagar,  MD & CEO, Nepal SBI Bank Ltd;

Dr Jagganath Patnaik,  Vice Chancellor, INCFAI University, Sikkim;

Dr P P Dabral, Dean, Central Agriculture University, Sikkim;

Brig (Dr) Vijay Kumar Mehta,  Dean, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences;

Mr Trilok Dewan,  Former Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh; Former Principle Secretary & Advisor, GTA; Former MLA, Darjeeling        

 

 

 

02:05-03:00 pm

55-minutes

Networking Lunch

03:00-5:00 pm

120-minutes

Technical Session-II (Policy Reforms & Ease of Doing Business in Nepal; Sectoral Possibilities in Nepal; Channelising Investment (both-ways) for Industrial Development in Nepal and Northeast (with special reference to Sikkim)

Session Moderator: Mr Atul K Thakur, Deputy Secretary & Coordinator, SDC / India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI;  

Panelists:

Mr Sunil KC,  CEO, Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), Kathmandu;

Mr Kuvera Chalise,  Editor, Karobar Daily, Kathmandu;

Mr Bikas Rauniyar, Executive Director, Interstate Multi-Modal Transport (P) Ltd / Fleet Logistics (P) Ltd;

Mr Shambhu Pokharel, Executive Chairman, Business TV Nepal;  

Dr Panu Pazo,  International Trade Expert; Col

Mani Gahatraj,  Consultant – Infrastructure;  Mr Raj Basu,  Advisor (Tourism), Government of Sikkim

 

 

Concluding Remarks

Amb Mr K V Rajan, Chairman, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI

 

 

Vote of Thanks

Mr Rohit Kumar, Director, States & State Development Council, PHDCCI

 

 

 

Speakers

    • Hotel Lemon Tree SIKKIM