With a resolve to support a forward-looking bilateral economic partnership agenda, and in association with the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Bara Parsa Udyog Sangh (BPUS), Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), and Confederation of Bagmati Province Industries (CBPI), the PHDCCI India–Nepal Centre organised the “India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Forums” recently at Nepal’s key industrial hubs, Birgunj and Hetauda.
The forums provided a critically important platform to deliberate on key issues concerning India-Nepal economic and trade cooperation, with a sharp focus on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), regulatory compliance, process-driven systems, technology-enabled solutions, and hassle-free transit at border points.
With India being Nepal’s largest trading partner, the forums facilitated dialogue and strengthened linkages among Nepalese businesses, enabling them to explore investment opportunities and joint ventures with Indian entities across key sectors, including Tourism & Hospitality, Agriculture & Food Processing, Ayurveda & Organic Foods, Hydro & Renewable Energy, Infrastructure, IT & New Technologies (AI/data centres), and rare minerals.
Addressing the forums as Chief Guest and keynote speaker, Devi Sahai Meena, Consul General of India in Birgunj, presented an overview of India–Nepal economic and commercial relations, emphasising that open borders and ongoing connectivity projects have been critical facilitators of bilateral trade.
He said, “Recent developments such as improvements in border infrastructure, enhanced connectivity, including digital connectivity, the operationalisation of the Motihari–Amlekhganj petroleum pipeline, which is being further extended to Chitwan, the enabling of digital payments through Indian RuPay, and progress in bilateral power sector cooperation are expected to further boost trade between the two friendly nations.”
He further underlined that India–Nepal cooperation and knowledge exchange can play a transformative role. Both countries, he noted, can learn from each other’s experiences and leverage mutual strengths.
He added, “By working together, India and Nepal can create a vibrant ecosystem that fosters start-ups, promotes innovation, boosts tourism, and generates employment, particularly through the development of agriculture and allied industries. Cooperation in Ayurveda and AYUSH medicine also offers significant global opportunities, given the growing international interest in holistic health and wellness systems.”
The forums were moderated by Atul K Thakur, Senior Secretary, India–Nepal Centre, PHDCCI, and featured participation from prominent industry leaders, including Ghanshyam Ojha, Director General, CNI; Pramod Kumar Sah, President (Madhesh Province), CNI; Hari Prasad Gautam, President, Birgunj Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BiCCI); Suman Shrestha, Immediate Past President, Chamber of Commerce & Industry–Chitwan (CCIC); Ashok Temani, Immediate Past President (Madhesh Province), FNCCI; Chiranjivi Subedi, President, CCIC; Mohan Sharma, President, Jeetpur Simra City Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Anil Kumar Agrawal, Immediate Past President, BiCCI; Bishwash Pratap Shah, President, NYEF (FNCCI) Birgunj Chapter; Niraj Agrawal, Vice President, NICCI Birgunj Chapter and Joint Treasurer, BiCCI; Pramod Singh Ranabhat, President, MCCI; Trilochan Kandel, President, CBPI; and Chandan Singh, First Vice President, NYEF Birgunj Chapter.
The deliberations are expected to open new avenues for business engagement across priority sectors, while providing a much-needed boost to trade along the strategically vital India–Nepal border corridors, particularly Birgunj-Raxaul, as well as the Hetauda industrial cluster.
