President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal said that Nepal plays a pivotal role as a bridge between China and South Asia.

Addressing the 16th China-South Asia Business Forum in Kunming, China, Dhakal stressed the need for building connections and exploring avenues for greater cooperation between China and the vibrant South Asian region.

Reflecting on the journey of the China-South Asia Business Forum since its inception in 2004, Dhakal highlighted its transformative evolution into a cornerstone of high-level cooperation.

Throughout its 15 editions, the forum has been instrumental in fostering regional synergy and nurturing a collective vision for the prosperous future of the region.

Dhakal emphasised the paramount importance of unity and interdependence in navigating the intricacies of today's global landscape.

He stressed that collaboration, grounded in shared economic benefits and mutual growth, is the key to surmounting the challenges posed by an ever-evolving environment.

Dhakal underscored the need for the exploration of fresh avenues for investment, the invigoration of tourism, the augmentation of trade, and the fortification of industrial value chains.

As uncertainties loom on the global economic horizon, he underscored the necessity of devising robust strategies that can shield against potential shocks, ranging from conflicts and climate change to pandemics and supply chain disruptions.

He called upon the collective effort to harness South Asia's demographic dividend and abundant natural resources, catering to a population of over 1.7 billion people.

Dhakal put forth a compelling proposition for elevating intra-regional investment flows and trade within SAARC nations and China.

He underscored the importance of leveraging China's unrivalled trade facilitation, cutting-edge logistics, transformative connectivity projects, advanced technology, investment initiatives, and burgeoning digital economy to unlock South Asia's immense consumer market potential.

As a testament to Nepal's pivotal role in the event, the country assumed the spotlight as the Theme Country at this year's China South Asia Expo.