Bio trade meet kicks off

KATHMANDU, May 31: Policymakers and businessmen from Nepal, Namibia and Peru have convened in Kathmandu for Bio-trade and Green Economy Week, during which they would examine the role that trade of bio-diversity can have on economic development.



The program kicked off on Tuesday and will last till June 3.



During the period, participants from the three countries are scheduled to discuss on prospective policy measures and business opportunities in bio-diversity trade.[break]



United Nations Environment Programme, with the support of GIZ, is providing support to the three countries on issues related to trade and environment in pursuit of national sustainable development and poverty reduction goals.



The Nepal Trade Integration Strategy has identified natural products as a priority sector.



“Natural and bio-diversity based products are influential in reducing poverty as they help farmers achieve economic independence and financial stability by reducing reliance on external inputs,” said Commerce Secretary Sushil Jung Bahadur Rana.



Speaking at the inauguration of the program, Rana stressed the need to integrate farmers into local and international supply chains as that increases their income and profits.

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