Kathmandu, Jan. 13: Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs Knut Vollebaek has said that for a country like Nepal with diverse climatic features, the telecommunications sector can be of great significance in addition to hydropower.
He was speaking at an interaction programme held here today by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).
Mr Vollebaek said Norway can extend cooperation to Nepal in telecommunications, environmental technology, wood processing, metallurgy and chemicals compatible with its needs and interests.
Norway has been cooperating with Nepal for more than three decades, and development cooperation in primary education and basic health have paved the way for much broader contacts in higher education and research, in environment matters, in the work of the United Nations and other international organisations and in business, he said.
A visible sign of the bonds that have developed between us was the opening of a Norwegian embassy in Kathmandu, he said adding that although a small country, Norway has world class industries in a surprising number of fields, among which the hydropower industry is one of the most advanced.
Describing hydropower as economical, reliable and by far the most environment friendly source of energy, he said more than a century of national experience from working under extremely challenging topographical and climatic conditions has given Norwegian companies a competence which is quite unique.
Today Norwegian hydroelectric companies are represented all over the world, and their investments in Nepal have made Norway the third largest private investor in this country, he observed.
Describing both countries as mountainous with scattered populations and a harsh climate, he said modern telecommunications can overcome and even take advantage of such challenges, adding that telemedicine, distance education and mobile and satellite telephony are some of the specialities of Norwegian industry which ought to be relevant to Nepal’s needs.
Referring to environmental technology as another area where Norway is a leading nation, he said stringent environmental standards for decades have led to the development of advanced environmental technology.
A clean environment is not only natural and pleasant, it is also economically sound, and the longer one waits to install new and environmental friendly technologies, the larger the clean-up bill will become, he observed.
Characterising trade and investments as two-way processes, he said the Norwegian market has a high purchasing power and may be of interest to Nepal despite its limited size.
Nepal has already achieved success in Norway with garments and handicraft products, and Nepalese exporters should be aware of the assistance that the Norwegian import assistance organisation, Norimpod, can provide, he said.
Pointing out that sound development policies at all levels of government are essential to attract investments, he said transparency and predictability are crucial to such policies and combating corruption and the unproductive use of resources are other key elements.
He also observed that the Nepalese government has committed itself to developing a favourable and socially responsible climate for trade and foreign investments.
Welcoming the Norwegian Foreign Minister, chairman of the FNCCI Pradeep Kumar Shrestha said Norway is one of the few countries in the world surpassing the United Nations recommended norms in extending official development assistance to developing countries, adding that the contribution of Norway in the economic development of Nepal is truly remarkable.
He said apart from hydropower, Nepal can be a very good location for firms willing to be involved in areas like agro-forestry, agro-processing, tourism and services.
Norway has achieved excellence in all these areas and Nepalese businessmen would like to benefit from the experience and expertise it has gained, he said.
Member of the FNCCI Suraj Baidya also spoke of the prospective sectors for foreign investments in Nepal.
Senior officials of His Majesty’s Government, noted figures of industry and commerce and members of the Norwegian delegation also attended the programme.