Reposted from The Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: Nepal is eying European Union (EU) giant Germany to expand its business portfolio by exporting products such as carpet, tea, herbal product and tourism sector, according to Ministry of Commerce and Supplies.

Nepal raised the concern to expedite Nepal-Germany business opportunities during a recent visit by Nepali team to Germany that included minister for commerce and supplies and officials from Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said secretary at the ministry Lal Mani Joshi.

“The business delegation met several government and private sector officials and asked them to increase investment in Nepal,” he said. “The team met state secretaries Gudrun Kopp and Gurgbachar along with other government officials and enterprenuers.”

The Nepali business delegation assured Germany that the investment situation is improving back home and asked private sector to expand investment flow to Nepal, Joshi added.

The team also asked them to invest in building reservoir of Budi Gandaki Hydropower project, Joshi added.

“German businessman were interested to import tea from Nepal, he said. “However, they questioned the motive of Nepali entrepreneurs.”

“Nepali tea is one of the best tea in the world if the traders can ensure quality,” he quoted German entrepreneurs as saying.

The team also raised the issue of a direct flight from Nepal to Germany, he said.

The number of tourist arrival from Germany will rise significantly if a direct flight from Nepal comes into operation, he said.

The tourist arrival from Germany was recorded up to 50,000 a year when there was a direct flight, he said, adding that the number has dropped to around 13,000 at present.

Germany is the second largest business partner of Nepal in the eurozone followed by the United Kingdom. “Nepal imports spare parts, motors and other equipment from Germany among others,” he said.

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