Kosh Raj Koirala caught up with His Excellency Stasek to talk about the bilateral relations between Nepal and the Czech Republic, and areas of further cooperation these two countries can develop in the days to come. Excerpts: [..]
What brings you to Kathmandu this time?
We inaugurated an exhibition about Czech castles on Wednesday. This was a major highlight of my visit. On the other side, the visit was also to express our support to the members of Nepal’s new government and to see ways how we can move further in our bilateral relationship. I also had a meeting with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). An FNCCI delegation had visited the Czech Republic last year. So I wanted to know their opinion on how we can move forward.
How do you assess the relationship between Nepal and the Czech Republic since these two countries established their bilateral diplomatic relations in 1994?
It’s true. But we had relationship long before that. We’re trying to further enhance our bilateral relationship. We delivered a lot of technology, which many Nepali companies are using even today. We are also exploring other areas where Czech Republic companies like to return. Machines, tools, engineering, hotel management, waste management and energy are some of the important areas where can work with Nepal.
What are the other areas where Nepal and the Czech Republic can further expand their cooperation?
Of course, we would like to focus more on renewable sources of energy and technologies which are environment-friendly. Another new area is automotive industry. We have Skoda cars in Nepal. This is a milestone in our economic relationship. Skoda is the biggest company and the largest employer in the Czech Republic. We also have a prospect of bringing Czech beer, which can be very competitive in the Nepali market. We want to focus on these areas in the future.
As I said, water management is one of the biggest problems in Nepal. On one hand, we can help save water while on the other we can share technologies for the purification of wastewater in Nepal.
Do you also see the prospect of increasing cooperation in tourism between Nepal and the Czech Republic?
Yes, very much. Nepal has all the aspects to be a tourism hub, as is Europe. But Nepal needs to develop the necessary infrastructures, such as airports, hotel facilities and enhance the qualities of domestic flights. Yes, the future prospects are very high. We need to tap this potential. Nepal needs to be known more to the Czech Republic and the Czech Republic also needs to be more known in Nepal. One of the reasons why we chose to organize the Czech Castles exhibition in Kathmandu is to help the Czech Republic known in Nepal.
Do you also see the prospect of adventure tourism since Nepal hosts most of the world’s highest mountains?
Many tourists coming to Nepal are for adventure, such as trekking, hiking, climbing the mountains. Of course, Nepal has beautiful mountains and landscapes. Nepal is also a country of rivers and national parks, which many people don’t know. But these assets must be promoted by your government and your agencies abroad. This is what we’re going to do by holding an exhibition of Shangri-La in the Czech Republic in May. We hope this event will further promote Nepal in the Czech Republic and encourage more tourists to come to Nepal.
How about Czech investors in Nepal’s hydropower development?
Of course, this is the area we’ve been looking in for a long time. But due to political instability here, it was very difficult to bring any substantial investment. Now, the situation is changing and Nepal is experiencing stability. This has created a very positive atmosphere for foreigners to come to Nepal. I see there is a very positive move, as Nepal Investment Board has also been formed to ensure a one-window policy for foreign investors to come here. This helps prospective investors to get ideas about areas and sectors to invest in Nepal.
Any suggestions to further improve our bilateral relations?
We’re looking forward to the visit of your Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation and Minister for Commerce and Supply. We’re in negotiation with the Government of Nepal to finalizing our economic cooperation agreement. This will pave way for the formation of a Committee which will provide a platform for both sides to meet annually to discuss investment and trade opportunities.
We are also expecting your Minister for Industry to bring a business delegation to the Czech Republic in September. We’re having the biggest industry machine tools trade fair in the Czech Republic. We would like to see Nepali companies to visit the fair and see what things are applicable to the Nepali market and also to encourage Czech Republic companies to come to Nepal.
What additional initiatives have you taken to promote bilateral relations between Nepal and the Czech Republic during your four-year residence in New Delhi?
We’ve been taking various initiatives to promote our relations. We’ve appointed Vishnu Kumar Agrawal as our Honorary Consul in Nepal. He’s promoting the Czech Republic in Nepal. Skoda is already representing us here and also sponsoring our cultural activities. Another Czech company is working and investing in Nepal’s energy sector. Our Honorary Consul will continue to promote our mutual interests in Nepal.
(Keshab Thokar/ Republica)
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