Nanda Bahadur Pun, who is on an official visit of China, on Saturday met Governor of Yunnan Provincial Government Chen Hao in Kunming and exchanged views on cooperation between Nepal and the Yunnan Province. 

The Vice President, while appreciating the unprecedented economic development achieved by Yunnan Province, thanked the provincial government for holding China South Asia Expo and Trade Fair with a view to enhance trade and economic relations. 

According to the Nepali Embassy in Beijing, Pun invited entrepreneurs from Yunnan Province to invest in Nepal’s energy and other infrastructure, stating that the new constitution has created more investment-friendly environment. He also thanked the government and the people of China for showing their support and solidarity in Nepal’s endeavour towards peace process. He also recalled instant Chinese support in the wake of last year’s devastating earthquake.

Extending a warm welcome to the Nepali delegation, Governor  Chen said the Chinese government has attached high importance to this visit. Yunnan Province is willing to collaborate with Nepal in areas including energy, infrastructure, tourism, health and education for mutual benefit, he said. The two sides also stressed on the importance of working together under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative by strengthening connectivity and exploring further opportunities. 

Also on Saturday the Nepali delegation visited the Yunnan Provincial government’s Energy Investment Group. In a briefing, the company management expressed its strong interest to invest in Nepal’s energy sector.

Vice President Pun was received on his arrival in Kunming on Saturday by Mao Wenguo, Vice Chairman, Standing Committee of National People’s Congress and Nirmal Kafle Charge d’Affaires of the Nepali Embassy in Beijing. 

Pun is scheduled to address the Opening Ceremony of the 4th China-South Asia Exposition, 24th Import Export Commodity Fair and the 11th China-South Asia Business Forum on Sunday. He is scheduled to meet Wang Yang, vice premier of the State Council of China, according to the embassy statement.