KATHMANDU, July 25: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara has pledged to make the economic diplomacy more effective through the ‘bilateral consultation mechanism’ based in those countries that Nepal has established the diplomatic relations with.

During his meeting with a delegation from the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) at his office today, Minister Mahara said Nepal would establish ‘bilateral consultation mechanism’ in those countries here it had not yet setup such mechanism to promote economic diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The government would deal with the economic issues with special priority, he told before the delegation headed by FNCCI President Bhawani Rana.

On the occasion, the FNCCI President suggested the government that it should send a diplomatic mission head to any country with certain terms of reference and pay a special heed to the export promotion while dealing with economic diplomacy.

The delegation also demanded the inclusion of FNCCI representatives during the State’s high-level foreign visits. RSS

CHITWAN, July 10: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the government would be expanded only after the amendment of the constitution.

At a press conference organized by Press Centre Nepal, Chitwan, Minister Mahara spoke of the government’s preparation to introduce the constitution amendment proposal. “The constitution amendment proposal will be presented today or tomorrow,” he said.

In response to a journalist’s question, Mahara refuted claims of dispute among the ruling parties in sharing the ministries.

He added that a team would soon leave for India to study the impact of Goods and Service Tax (GST) imposed by the Indian government.

DMP Mahara said that the impact of the GST had not yet been received and that he had broached the issue during his meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister during his visit to India.

The Indian central government on July 1 imposed the new and integrated tax system which has effectively invalidated the separate federal tax systems in Indian states. RSS

KATHMANDU, July 2: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara today left for New Delhi – the capital of India – at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Sushma Swaraj.

During his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister, Swaraj, DPM Mahara is expected to hold talks on diverse issues of mutual interests and concern, Foreign Ministry stated.

Minister Mahara will also hold a joint meeting with non – residential ambassadors to Nepal from various countries and send an appeal for Nepal’s candidacy for membership in United Nations Human Rights Council.

The DPM’s entourage includes top officials of the Foreign Ministry. He will return home on Tuesday. RSS

Kathmandu, May 16: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara returned to home Tuesday night after attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation organized by China in Beijing.
Speaking at a press conference at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport after the arrival, DPM Mahara said the participants at the Belt and Road Forum agreed that the One Belt One Road Initiative was a very good concept.
“It can play a significant role for Nepal’s development on infrastructure building as railroad and opening of additional border points,” he said, adding China was always positive for Nepal’s economic development and discussions were held on China’s continued assistance to Nepal.
During his stay in China, DPM Mahara also held discussions with various Chinese officials in which he informed them about Nepal’s latest political development as local elections and ensuing political stability with the implementation of constitution. He informed at the press meet that he found Nepal and China very good friends.
The Nepali delegation had left here for Beijing on Friday to take part in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held on May 14-15.
The eight-member Nepali delegation including Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak led by DPM Mahara took part in the Forum that was attended by 1,200 representatives including Heads of States from 29 countries, 100 ministerial level personalities and representatives from different agencies.

On Sunday, the head of Nepali delegation and DPM Mahara met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yang.

Earlier, Nepal and China and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singh Durbar, Kathmandu, on May 12. The Nepali delegation attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation during thematic session on Connectivity of development Policies and Strategies.

During the session, Minister Karki said that Nepal’s geographical location, as a part of belt and road initiative, provides unique opportunity to synergize the benefit of connectivity with Central Asia, Europe, North and East Asia to South Asia.
He also proposed for mutual cooperation mechanism under the belt and road initiative and find some synergy in outcomes from the policies and projects related to connectivity, adding that Nepal was ready to work together with China for realizing the goal of creating harmonious and prosperous society for more equitable and just global order. RSS