Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) on Sunday welcomed the newly appointed Nepali Ambassador to India Shankar Sharma at NICCI Secretariat, in Kathmandu.

Shreejana Rana, president of NICCI, welcomed Sharma and talked about the possibility of promotion of Nepal-India cross-border religious tourism.

Secretary General RB Rauniar also shared the issues related to Nepal-India trade and transit in which Sharma could play an important role in resolving issues like documents to be presented at customs on import via transhipment and via road transport where there is no uniformity, development of infrastructure at Indian customs (especially at Panitanki customs at Indian side).

Another issue discussed was to build rail connectivity to Kathmandu from Birgunj which may cut down the logistic cost while importing goods.

Vice President of NICCI Sunil KC also briefed Shamra about the programmes being planned by NICCI like Partnership Summit to bring investors to Nepal as an annual event to develop Nepal as an investment destination like in the 1990s era.

KC informed that the proposed Kathmandu-Kolkata Forum could bring stakeholders from both countries and discuss investment issues. The NICCI also discussed establishing a Nepal-India Entrepreneurship promotion Centre in Delhi to begin as a common platform for startups in Nepal and India.

Ambassador Sharma expressed his happiness at getting a warm welcome and promised to address the issues raised during the meeting to boost Nepal-India trade.