New York Event Explores Trade, Tourism, and Investment Opportunities in Nepal

The Consulate General of Nepal in New York, in collaboration with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, hosted a business roundtable on “Trade, Tourism and Investment Opportunities in Nepal” on February 15, 2024. The event was organized to promote business collaboration between Nepal and the United States and to leverage the network of Nepalese diaspora and friends to boost Nepalese exports and attract more tourists and investors to Nepal. More than fifty entrepreneurs and professionals representing various sectors participated in the roundtable.

Acting Consul General Mr. Bishnu Gautham welcomed the participants and invited them to give their input, and submit proposals and suggestions to promote bilateral business, tourism, and other linkages. He invited the prospective investors to participate in the upcoming third Investment Summit hosted by the Government of Nepal in Kathmandu on 28-29 April 2024.

In his keynote remarks Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, shared about Nepal’s policies on foreign direct investment, legal and institutional frameworks and strategies, as well as facilities and incentives offered to foreign investors in Nepal. He complemented the American and non-resident Nepalese entrepreneurs for their investments in Nepal and support for the economic growth and job creation by best utilizing their knowledge, skills and technology gained from higher studies in USA.

Special Guest speaker Ms. Olivia Sznaza, representing the US Department of State Office of Foreign Missions in New York, spoke of the importance of deeper cooperation between Nepal and the United States. She highlighted the US support to the development of Nepal, and growing interest in Nepal among US companies and travelers. She congratulated the Nepalese diaspora members for their contribution in bridging the two-countries.

Mr. Mark Jaffe, President and CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Dina Rabiner, Vice President of Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. William McGowen, President and CEO of the Source Atlantic; and Mr. David J. Martin, President of Midas Capital Investments expressed their enthusiasm for promoting business exchanges with Nepal.

The second segment of the event was a roundtable discussion featuring two separate thematic panels, six speakers each, “Nepal-USA Trade, Tourism and Investment: Challenges and Opportunities”, and “Engaging Friends and Leveraging Diaspora to Stimulate Startups and Development”.

The first panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Kirna Chetry, an award-winning TV journalist, and media entrepreneur. Speakers Mr. Anil Rauniyar, CEO of Nepalese Garden in New York; Mr. Nishchal Banskota, Founder and Owner of Nepal Tea Collective New York, Mr. Pradeep Shrestha, Chairman of recently established Greater New York Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Travel Bureau of Nepal; Dr. Seth Sicroff, CEO of Mountain Legacy International and owner of Sunrise Pashmina; and Mr. Shailesh Mishra, former CEO of Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN) shared their insightful views with the guests. They also spoke about their experiences doing business in Nepal, and their other efforts in business networking.