Kathmandu, April 6 — The Nepal Himalayan Trans-border Commerce Association marked its 25th Annual General Meeting and Silver Jubilee on Saturday (Chaitra 23) with a special ceremony held in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. The event was graced by Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, who served as the chief guest.
Organized under the leadership of the Association’s President, Ramhari Karki, the milestone celebration brought together key figures from Nepal’s commerce sector. Notable attendees included Krishna Bahadur Raut, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies; Bharat Raj Acharya, Treasurer of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Buddharaj Basnet, President of the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Manoj Babu Shrestha, President of the National Business Federation; and Hari Gautam, President of the Nepal Trade Association.
In his keynote address, Minister Bhandari acknowledged the enduring contributions of the Association in enhancing trans-border trade, particularly with China. He stressed the urgency of addressing Nepal’s growing trade imbalance with its northern neighbor, noting that the country’s import-heavy relationship must be counterbalanced through strategic export promotion.
“To reduce our trade deficit with China, we must boost the export of high-potential Nepali products such as medicinal herbs, handicrafts, agricultural goods, and ready-made garments,” Minister Bhandari stated. He called for stronger institutional collaboration and innovative policies to support local entrepreneurs and expand Nepal’s presence in regional markets.
President Ramhari Karki expressed his gratitude to members and stakeholders for their continued support over the past 25 years and reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to fostering cross-border commerce and regional economic cooperation.
As Nepal looks toward a more balanced and sustainable trade future, events such as this Silver Jubilee not only celebrate past achievements but also serve as platforms to reimagine the country's trade dynamics in an increasingly competitive global market.
