The ninth meeting of the Nepal-China non-governmental cooperation forum is inaugurated Tuesday in Kathmandu.

The forum, established in 1996, is co-organized by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and All China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC). This ninth meeting's theme is "Prosperity through investment and tourism."

The meeting is inaugurated by Finance Minister of Nepal Ram Sharan Mahat by lighting panas (a kind of lamp).

For the first three months, China's foreign trade with Nepal witnesses great leap with total amount reaching US$71 million increased by 46.99 percent, with exporting US$66 million increased by 41.88 percent and importing US$5 million increased by 176.57 percent, during his speech, Chinese delegation leader, ACFIC vice chairman Zhang Longzhi introduced.

Zhang says, "Chinese government encourages Chinese entrepreneurs and businessmen to go abroad for business and investment at win-win situation."

Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI and co-chairman of Nepal-China non-governmental cooperation forum offering welcome remarks at the inauguration ceremony. He says, "The FNCCI, from the Nepalese side and ACFIC from the Chinese side has meant that both the governments believe that the future of Nepal-China ties lies in the development of strong bond between the trade and industrial communities, intellectuals and academia."

President Dhakal hopes to enhance the trade balance of the two countries' trade, "We need support and co-operation from Chinese friends in providing some preference to Nepali products in the Chinese market our exports. This will not only increase Nepal's export to China even the Chinese investors will also be encouraged to further import raw materials from Nepal. The Chinese entrepreneurs also can help us in marketing our products and initiate products in line with what the Chinese consumers like."

He also promises, "I from the FNCCI side would like to repeat our assurances of extending full support and co-operation if and when you decide to invest in Nepal."

The meeting, joined by businessmen, officials and scholars from both sides, will last for two days to Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2007)