Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barshaman Pun Ananta speaks at the inaugural day of the 3rd Nepal Bangladesh Business Forum in Kathmandu on Thursday. March 28, 2019 Courtesy

Mashfee Binte Shams, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal, said Bangladesh is ready to work closely with Nepal on hydropower development and energy trade

Nepal’s Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barshaman Pun Ananta said Bangladesh is going to be a huge market for Nepal's hydropower.

While inaugurating the 3rd Nepal-Bangladesh Business Forum, jointly hosted by Embassy of Bangladesh and Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (Aidia) in Kathmandu, he cited recent energy exchange related memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries, according to a press release.

Mashfee Binte Shams, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal, said Bangladesh is ready to work closely with Nepal on hydropower development and energy trade.

Sunil KC, founder of Aidia, stressed on the double tax avoidance agreement done with Bangladesh making it easier for investors and promoting trade and commerce between the two countries.

Madhu Raman Acharya, former foreign secretary, said Nepal and Bangladesh need to focus on the soft sides of diplomacy vis-à-vis agreements, methodologies and trilateral cooperation and media could play a key role for enhancing public diplomacy.

Madhusudan Adhikari, secretary at Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, stressed on the imperative of building the mutual trust for enhancing bilateral transport, transit and trade.

Golam Rasul, chief economist at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, stressed on the connectivity is the key to prosperity and diversification of connectivity as strategic assets. 

He also highlighted that the trade volume between Nepal and Bangladesh is minimal in terms of potentiality and effective transportation infrastructure can enhance the bilateral trade.

Inland waterways connectivity between Nepal-India and Bangladesh can be real booster from trade and commerce, he added.

Surya Raj Acharya, spokesperson for Bibeksheel Sajha, and infrastructure expert, stressed for utilizing diversity and minimizing geographical distance between countries.

He also said trilateral cooperation between Nepal-India and Bangladesh can be beneficial.

Keshab Sharma, deputy director general of Department of Road, Nepal said that road connectivity infrastructure between Nepal and Bangladesh is progressing and utilization of Mongla and Chittagong port should be taken forward.

He also stressed on including China in Nepal, India and Bangladesh connectivity initiative is important.