Kathmandu, Feb. 11:French Ambassador to Nepal Michel Lummaux has said that French investors are interested to invest in Nepal’s hydropower. “Because of the stable government formed in May last year, more and more French investors are attracted to Nepal,” he said at 3rd and 4th Annual General Meeting of Nepal-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NFCCI) held here this afternoon.

Ambassador Lummaux said Nepal-France trade increased due to the stable government. “Though we could do much more in strengthening bilateral trade relations, we are progressing in the recent days,” he said. “We can do a lot more in the days ahead.”

NFCCI President Shyam Mohan Shrestha said that Nepal has a good trade link with France. “Our trade ties are gradually growing.”

Referring to the last year’s Nepalese Promotion Expo held in Paris, he said that such business activities would further enhance bilateral trade relations.

Rabi Bhakta Shrestha, Second Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the chamber could play an important role in enhancing bilateral business. He said that Nepal’s export to France was greater than import from there.

Mahesh Kumar Agrawal, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, said that Nepal-France trade ties are as old as the beginning of Nepal’s international trade in the mid-1960s. He also lauded France’s contribution to Nepal’s tourism industry. “About 22 thousand French visited Nepal during 1999.”

The Annual General Meeting held after the inaugural session re-elected Shyam Mohan Shrestha as President, Manohar Shumsher J. B. Rana as Vice President and Kamal Shumsher J. B. Rana as General Secretary.