KATHMANDU (NEPAL): As Nepal is a country with import-based economy, it could be a market for Bangladeshi products with great potentialities.
Besides, Bangladesh can meet its rising demand of energy from the hydroelectricity of Nepal.
This business exchanges can help both the neighboring Bangladesh and Nepal make their friendship stronger.
Alluding to Bangladeshi businesspersons, Mashfee Binte Shams said, “Nepal is waiting for goods; you just need to tap its market.”
In an interview with banglanews24.com, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams made the observations at the Bangladesh embassy in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.
She also said, “Our businessmen always looks for markets in the European and North American countries; but neighboring Nepal could be a very profitable market for them as this country almost cannot produce anything. Middle range businessmen can make a profit investing here as this is an almost 100 percent import-based country.”
For several years, the Indian products have been dominating the markets of Nepal with 90 percent stake while China is in the second place. Besides, it imports from Brazil, Thailand, Argentina and other countries.
But Bangladesh’s position is 40th in the list, she ruefully said. She blamed the Bangladeshi businesspeople for this scenario.
Mashfee further told banglanews that the road transport system between the countries is also very good; besides, the tariff is also not high.
Nepal has its demand in every sector including garments, ceramics and utensils, furniture and other daily necessaries.
The country still suffers from shortage of electricity as they can produce around 760MW against their demand of around 1,200MW.
According to the envoy, though it is improbable for Nepal to meet its demand, the country can produce around 1,000MW using its natural resources.
The Bangladesh government has been working in this regard so that it can import electricity from Nepal, she added.
The ambassador further said Bangladesh has proposed Nepal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) about electricity during a recent visit of Nepal energy minister Radha Kumari Gyawali to Bangladesh.
It has helped move forward with the issue as the two countries consented to sign an agreement in this regard.
This agreement would not bring immediate benefits but Bangladesh would get benefits in the long run. However, India and Nepal have already signed a power grid agreement, she added.
There are many bilateral issues on which Bangladesh government wants to work with Nepal but right now they are showing little interest due to their internal political situation.
Nepal is passing days in the complexity of composing the Constitution, Mashfee added.
In recent times, however, she added, the exports of Bangladeshi goods to Nepal have risen around 15 percent.
Popular Bangladeshi brands like Walton, Pran, Rahim-Afroz and various medicine companies have made a place in the country.
According to her, there is no alternative of Bangladeshi medicines to Nepalese people.
BDST: 1457 HRS, NOV 06, 2014
