PRESIDENT HICHILEMA INVITED BY THE PRESIDENT OF NEPAL TO A WORKING VISIT

By Scoop Reporter

President Hakainde Hichilema has been invited by his Nepalese counterpart President Ramchandra Paudel to undertake a working visit to Nepal in a gesture aimed at boosting bilateral relations between the two countries.

Speaking yesterday at his office at the Rastrapati Bhawan in Kathmandu when he received credentials from Zambia’s High Commissioner to India, Mr. Percy Chanda, President Paudel said it was paramount for the two countries to undertake high-profile visits in order to cement the bilateral relations between them.

He said Nepal and Zambia share a common stance on many issues that affect the two countries including trade, adding that Zambia has been known for mining copper and that his country is willing to collaborate with Zambia through shared experiences.

“Nepal and Zambia share a common agenda on many issues, including economic development and trade. We also have a shared vision on international peace and justice as evidenced by our participation through the United Nations where we continue to participate in peacekeeping Missions where we have been sending troops to various missions across the world to stabilise conflict zones and provide humanitarian assistance.

“Both Nepal and Zambia are actively involved in climate change issues; recognising the scourge as another global phenomenon that needs collective action where we share commitment towards mitigating against it. There is a need for both Nepal and Zambia to continue working together in efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of Climate change,” he said. 

And Mr. Chanda re-affirmed the Government’s commitment towards exploring new and strategic partnerships in its quest to achieve economic transformation.

He said it was  Zambia’s desire to increase trade volumes between the two countries adding that Zambia, under the New Dawn Government, is ready and open for business investment in various sectors, including agriculture, energy and value addition.

He said both countries need to engage more in the area of tourism where Nepal is doing better so that Zambia can also learn and replicate best practices in the sector to increase tourism inflows and leverage foreign exchange earnings that will translate into economic development.

“Zambia and Nepal may be miles apart geographically but in terms of our needs as countries, we have a lot in common. Like you have put it, Zambia has been mining for a long time and we are ready to share best practices with Nepal.

This is according to the statement made available to The Scoop by the First Secretary (Press and Tourism) at the Zambia High Commission in New Delhi, India, Bennie Mundando.