The Nepali delegation is led by Minister for Finance and Industry and Commerce Shanker Prasad Koirala and the Pakistani delegation by Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs and Privatization Mohammad Ishaq Dar. [break]
Addressing the meeting, Finance Minister Koirala said expansion of economic and cultural cooperation would benefit both the countries, especially in the field of agriculture, tourism, education, health and leather-related production, according to the Finance Minister´s communications associate Sanket Koirala.
He also pointed out the possibility of market for Nepali tea, ginger, cardamom and coffee in Pakistan.
Finance Minister Koirala expressed confidence that the JEC meeting after a span of eight years would be beneficial to promote the interest of both the countries.
Likewise, leader of the Pakistani delegation Minister Dar said promoting trade and investment through the medium of SAARC would bring prosperity to the people of the region.
Pointing out the abundant possibility of expansion of bilateral trade, Minister Dar also expressed the confidence that the meeting would prove a milestone in the expansion of economic and cultural relations between the two countries.
The JEC last met in Kathmandu in 2005. It was founded at the level of Finance Ministers in 1983 to promote further economic cooperation between the two countries. The Joint Economic Commission deliberates mainly on Economic Cooperation, Trade, Agriculture and Water Management, Education and culture, Communication, Science and Technology, Hydro Power Generation and Tourism.
The Nepali delegation also includes Nepal Ambassador to Pakistan Bharat Raj Poudel, Joint-secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Commerce, Foreign Affairs and Office of the Council of Ministers Madhu Kumar Marasini, Dipak Subedi, Kali Prasad Pokharel and Lal Shanker Ghimire respectively.
Vice-president of Federation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce and Industry Pradip Jung Pandey and former Chairman of Chamber of Commerce Surendra Bir Malakar are representing the private sector in the Nepali delegation.
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