KATHMANDU, April 28: President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who is currently paying a nine-day state visit to China, attended the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 in Beijing on Sunday.

On the occasion, President Bhandari inaugurated the Nepali Pavilion (Lumbini Peace Garden) and planted a tree sapling brought from Nepal, according to a press release issued by Nepal’s Embassy in Beijing. Themed on "Live Green, Live Better," the expo has attracted the participation of 110 countries and international organizations, according to media reports. The expo was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and dignitaries from various countries.

“With a great diversity of gardens and cultural activities, the Beijing expo will, for the next six months, inspire and educate visitors on the critical significance of plants to enhance quality of life and ensure the future of the next generations,” said Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, secretary general of the BIE, while addressing the ceremony.

President attends various events 

Earlier today, President Bhandari addressed businessmen, entrepreneurs and investors from Nepal and China at the Nepal-China Economic and Trade Forum organized jointly by the Embassy of Nepal and Economic Joint Committee of China Commercial Stock Enterprises. In her remarks, Bhandari highlighted the Government’s agenda of economic transformation under the motto of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali,’ and called on Chinese investors to tap on the investment opportunities available in Nepal arising from its natural resource, political stability and supportive policy environment. 

Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali highlighted the investment opportunities in Nepal for foreign investors, and urged Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of the plentiful opportunities in the country  by investing in hydropower, manufacturing industries, IT, services, tourism, mining, herbal medicines, and agro-based industries, among others. Minister Gyawali unveiled a publication on investment and business opportunities in Nepal titled ‘Nepal: A Land of Abundant Opportunities’, published by the Embassy.

CEO of Investment Board of Nepal, Maha Prasad Adhikari made a presentation on the policies and procedures relating to investment opportunities in Nepal.

In their speeches, representatives of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industry (CNI) and Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce (NCCC) expressed the willingness to enhance mutual partnership between the business enterprises of the two countries, and urged Chinese business enterprises to make investments in Nepal’s diverse sectors.

Similarly, representatives of Chinese enterprises investing in Nepal shared their experiences on doing business in the country.

Three MoUs signed

Three separate MoUs on promoting cooperation between Nepali and Chinese organizations, including that between Investment Board of Nepal and China Overseas Development Association, were signed at the event, according to the press release.

Later in the afternoon today, President Bhandari visited the White Pagoda in Beijing. Senior officials of the Miaoying Temple that houses the Pagoda welcomed President Bhandari and briefed her about the pagoda’s significance in China’s cultural and architectural history.

Built in the thirteenth century during the Yuan Dynasty by Nepali architect Arniko, the White Pagoda is an iconic heritage symbolizing the age-old cultural relations between Nepal and China. 

On all these aforementioned occasions, President Bhandari was accompanied by Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Chief Minister of Province 3 Dormani Paudel, and Nepali delegates.

President Bhandari reached Beijing on April 25 and attended Belt and Road Forum.

 
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