KATHMANDU, May 16: Nepal and Cambodia have agreed to ensure early implementation of the Air Service Agreement (ASA) to facilitate exchange of business and tourism between the two countries.

According to the 15-point joint statement issued after the conclusion of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's visit to Cambodia at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, the two prime ministers instructed the respective civil aviation authorities to expedite discussions on implementation of the ASA. They shared the view that direct air linkage is needed to facilitate business and tourism between the two countries.

Earlier, Nepal and Cambodia had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conclude an ASA in order to increase tourism exchange.

“The two leaders also agreed to urge all the relevant institutions of both the countries to work closely to increase tourism exchange,” reads the joint statement.

Prime Minister Oli, who arrived home on Wednesday evening, reached Cambodia for a three-day official visit after a five-day official visit to Vietnam in the course of attending Vesak Day function.

The two prime ministers witnessed the signing of the Framework Agreement on Trade and Investment between the two countries and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce of Cambodia and Nepal during the visit of Prime Minister Oli. With the signing of these two documents, economic, trade and investment activities between the two countries are expected grow significantly in the near future.

During his meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, Prime Minister Oli held in-depth discussion on promoting bilateral cooperation in many areas including trade and investment, tourism, culture and education, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two prime minister reaffirmed strong commitment to further deepen the friendly ties between Cambodia and Nepal which are deeply rooted in the shared cultural heritage of the two nations, according to the joint statement.

The two prime ministers also agreed to task the institutions concerned of both countries to work together in order to increase bilateral trade, investment and tourism exchanges. They stressed on the important role of the private sector in economic development and encouraged close collaboration between the chambers of commerce of Cambodia and Nepal in fully exploiting economic potentials and business opportunities of both the countries.

 
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