KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Cross-border trade and tourism expo presents ‘Festival of Bengal: the sweetest part of India’ was launched at Hotel Soaltee Crown Plaza, Soaltimode on Sunday. 

The event is being organized by FNCCI in collaboration with the Embassy of India, Kathmandu. The seven-day event is being organized to celebrate 70 years of Nepal and India friendship, particularly in the social and economic sectors. Through the event, they hope to strengthen and promote bilateral ties focusing more on relation with West Bengal.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba attended the event’s opening ceremony as the chief guest. 
During his opening remarks, Prime Minister Deuba informed of his effort to strengthen the social and economic ties between the two countries with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent state visit to India. He mentioned that his government's priority was to make Nepal a thriving middle income country by 2030. He hoped the two countries could work in the fields of hydropower, high end tourism and agribusiness to further strengthen the economy. 

Bhawani Rana, president of FNCCI, remarked that the agro processing, education and medical sectors were potential fields where private companies could work together. She remarked, “West Bengal is the gateway for Nepal’s international trade. We have been using Calcutta Port for years. West Bengal’s efficient logistic services have a direct impact on our competitiveness in the international arena.” 

She further requested her counterpart in WBNCCI, President D K Jaiswal, to facilitate and reduce logistic costs for Nepal while using the Calcutta Port. 

Jaiswal restated Modi’s words and said, “Nepal and India shared a unique relationship defined by the heart of two countries.” He further stated that events like these improved bilateral ties between the two countries.  

To many non-Bengali attendees, the event was a magical evening filled with mesmerizing music, cultural performances and delicious delicacies of West Bengal. Giving soulful performance onstage were renowned musicians from West Bengal. What stole the show for every music enthusiasts was the Santoor Maestro performance by world renowned Tarun Bajracharya.

Similarly, as stated by the Counselor to Embassy of India, all Bengali specialties were prepared by Two Bengali chefs from West Bengal. 

As part of the Bengali fest week, a sports film will be put on display at Q Cinemas. The movie, titled Messi, will be displayed at 5:30 pm on September 4 and 5.