08:23 | Kathmandu, Aug. 09 (ANDINA).
A Nepal–Peru Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NPCCI) has been established in Kathmandu to expand bilateral economic and trade relations.
Peruvian Ambassador to Nepal Javier Paulinich, who formally inaugurated the NPCCI office on Friday, said "geographically Peru and Nepal are very far away but we share many similarities."
According to an article on website The Himalayan Times, Ambassador Paulinich said that he encouraged Nepali business fraternity for the formation of NPCCI in view of realizing the goal of expanding bilateral trade ties.
Expressing confidence that NPCCI will play a constructive role in furthering commercial contacts between Peru and Nepal, the diplomat said he would do his best to attract Peruvian investment for the development of water resources in Nepal.
For his part, NPCCI President Sandeep Agrawal said Nepal was importing zinc from Peru and her expertise in mines and minerals would be of great assistance to Nepal in promoting mines and mineral based industries.
General Secretary of NPCCI Kumar Khatiwada said NPCCI was constituted to explore Peruvian market for the Nepali products and other potential areas of economic cooperation.
NPCCI, registered in June this year at the Kathmandu District Administration Office, currently has seven founding members.
Nepal and Peru established diplomatic relations on 28 January 1976.
Trade between the two countries is virtually non-existent. Investment and tourism exchange have not taken place so far. However, there exists the potential of promoting cooperation in these areas between the two countries.
Nepal's relations with Peru are marked by friendship and cordiality. Contacts between the two countries primarily take place in the international fora such as in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
(END) INT/EEP
Published: 8/9/2013