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Alliance News
NFFCCI AGM Concludes
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The 10th Annual General
Meeting (AGM) of the Nepal-France Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NFCCI)
concluded on 12th February 2006 electing a new executive committee
headed by President Shyam Mohan Shrestha.
An 11 member new executive committee has Ramesh Khetan as
Vice-President, Kailash Bahadur Shrestha as General Secretary and Rajan
Amatya as Treasurer. Other members in the executive committee are
Basanta Malla, Ram Hari Subedi, Bikram Shrestha, Arjun Prasad Bajagain,
Murari Prasad Bhattarai, Jayendra Baniya and Jayaram Shrestha.
NFCCI is a chamber of Nepalese businessmen and industrialists having
some business links or have business plans with France. It has been
working with the aim of achieving larger exchange of trade and industry
between France and Nepal. The trade deficit which Nepal has with France
has gradually been narrowing down, trade statistics show.
Major exportable items from Nepal to France are carpets, readymade
garments, handicraft, Nepali paper and pashmina. Major importable items
from France to Nepal are electrical appliances, mechanical equipment and
aircraft spare parts. |
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French Envoy says Nepal is an attractive
destination
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Welcoming the new
executive committee of Nepal France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he
said "More trekkers and climbers from France will visit Nepal, as the
country has many attractions to offer." He went on to say that the
natural beauty of the Himalayan country would continue to attract
tourists from France even in the difficult times. The French envoy
hosted a reception in honour of the new committee of Nepal-France
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NFCCI) at his residence at Bishalnagar
on 15th February 2006. He said that the number of French tourists
visiting Nepal would go up considerably if peace is restored in the
country.
He called on the new executive committee of NFCCI to play an important
role in promoting trade and tourism between Nepal and France. "The
French market has and will have high demand for Nepalese goods if
quality is maintained," he said. He also emphasised the need for making
exchange visits of business community between the two countries.
On the occasion, President of NFCCI Shyam M. Shrestha informed the
gathering on Nepal France trade situation. He expressed his concern on
Nepal's trade deficit with France but informed the deficit was narrowing
gradually. Mr. Shrestha reiterated his commitment to work towards Nepal
France trade. He unveiled his plan for a Nepalese business delegation to
France and to explore areas of trade, commerce and industry. Addressing
the function, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Mr. Chandi Raj Dhakal shed light on the
scope of the Nepal-France trade. He further went on to say that the
political instability in the country for the last few years has
adversely affected the economy. He wished NFCCI success in contributing
towards national economy. |
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Nepal has a magic to keep things forward:
French Ambassador
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French Ambassador to
Nepal His Excellency Michel Jolivet hosted a reception in honour of the
new executive committee of Nepal France Chamber of Commerce and
Industry.
French Ambassador His Excellency Mr. Michel Jolivet advices Nepalese
business community to not to lose hope and should be prepared for better
times as peace comes back and situation becomes favourable. He said
Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries to visit and French
interest is immense towards Nepal. He said this while giving an
interview to Pramesh Pradhan for NFCCI newsletter on 23rd February 2006. |
| INTERVIEW |
| 1. |
France has
always been a formidable player in international economy. How do, Your
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Excellency,
assess the French position in global economy? |
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Global economy means
there are more and more and larger and larger partners. You are right to
put that France is a major player in global economy. It is because of
our history and international diplomacy. Nowadays, the economic matters
are dealt by European Commission being France a part of European Union.
European economy is another spectrum of global economy. European economy
within its borders is totally free. It has been so for some years and
the responsibility to manage the European economy falls under the
European institutions. But each member country, of course, has its own
responsibilities and role to play. France is by the side of
globalisation and global economy. Side effects of the globalisation
should also be addressed specially in social fields, environment and so
on. In our view, global economy has also to address social problems and
environment protection that are not properly economic. |
| 2. |
How do, Your
Excellency, assess Nepal situation? |
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Even though Nepalese
economy is badly affected by the conflict, Nepal still has a large
number of tourists. In fact, it is not the right time for investors and
people coming for prospect of new markets and there is a sense of
political uncertainty which is not favourable to Nepalese business, it
is obvious. |
| 3. |
Nepal has a
deficit bilateral trade with France and the French investment in Nepal
is not |
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encouraging,
how do you assess the trade relation between France and Nepal? |
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Well, regarding French
investment – there are still some big French companies, based in New
Delhi, keeping their eyes open on Nepal. They are conscious of the
situation in Nepal. They are conscious of the fact that they will have
very good business, once peace is back in this country. In the meantime,
few large companies would be ready to risk something at the expense of
adverse situation. Regarding trade, I am pretty sure that Nepalese
products have a good prospect in European market and in France. Problems
are distribution, proper presentation, proper marketing channels, and
proper publicity and so on. There are many good products in Nepal. I
have been personally surprised to know how much money French tourists
especially the ladies spend shopping in Nepal. You have many beautiful
and cheap products that will be welcomed in France.
At the moment, a trade fair regarding handicraft is going at BICC that
is funded by European programme. One of the aims of this programme is to
make the distribution of Nepalese products easier. There is certainly
lot to be done in this regard and room for improvement. |
| 4. |
Do you- Your
Excellency- have recommendations to improve the bilateral trade?
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Better presentation,
promotion in Europe, better knowledge of European market, and find
proper distribution channels. |
| 5. |
Do you,
Your Excellency, find the role of NFCCI instrumental in fostering the
trade |
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relation? In
which areas should NFCCI focus its activities on? How will the embassy
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support
NFCCI in its endeavors? |
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NFCCI is quite active
staging expo in Paris, doing its best to Nepalese businessmen going to
France and presenting there. More initiative in this regard is welcomed.
It will always be profitable if planned well and in advance and with
right products. Like I just said there is a market for Nepalese products
in France, if there is a proper distribution channel and good
representation. The role of NFCCI is therefore not only instrumental, it
is essential. We appreciate the role of NFCCI and would be delighted to
help NFCCI in areas it wants. Headed by Shyam Shrestha who also speaks
French, NFCCI is a strong bureau and is a right institution in right
place. I wish NFCCI much success. |
| 6. |
You, Your
Excellency, are considered in Nepalese travel industry as a resolute
supporter |
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of Nepalese
tourism. How do you assess the tourism industry that is being hard hit
by |
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the conflict
with round about 15,000 French tourist visiting Nepal? How can the
figure be |
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improved?
What is your suggestion to Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs? |
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I have answered this
question many times since I took my position in Nepal.
Nepal is a unique country with unique destinations. You have high
mountains, magnificent sceneries and great attractions. Even though you
have few hundred thousand tourists visiting Nepal, get prepared to
welcome millions because there is no other country like Nepal.
We are here to promote the interest of our country and lest help Nepal
in its own promotion. We nevertheless give Nepal information through our
website i.e. . The promotion of Nepal lies in the hands of tourism
entrepreneurs and Nepal Tourism Board. Of course, you are confronted to
adverse political situation. The advertising campaign and proper
promotion are required in order to correct the bad image. This should be
done with good planning among government, travel industry and NTB. |
| 7. |
Will you
throw light on French assistance to Nepal in its developmental efforts
and |
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French
organisations that are supporting Nepal? |
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At the moment the French
assistance, is focused on Food aid programme with about 300,000 Euros
used to buy rice for the districts having food shortages. This programme
ends this summer but will be extended. Apart from it, we have 130,000
Euros for developmental assistance mainly to Alliance Francaise, to
provide scholarship, to train mountain guides in France, to Himalayan
Rescue Association and other organisations.
We have quite fortunately about 60 French NGOs active in Nepal. Some are
very large and very well known with activities in many countries; some
are specific focussing on Childhood protection, orphanage, education,
health and so on. I don’t know their global budget but it is definitely
higher than the French government assistance. It is good to note the
assistance is more and more in the hands of NGOs. |
| 8. |
Your
Excellency, you are a career diplomat. How can Nepal be promoted in
international |
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map? |
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What a question!
Peace would be best way to promote Nepal. It would be fantastic boost
for trade and development. You have around 375,000 tourists at present
but as peace is back that would excel all sectors of economy, benefit
rural areas and would boost Nepal ahead. |
| 9. |
Finally, do
you have anything to convey to the business community in Nepal and to
the |
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people? |
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Yes. Even in this
terrible situation, Nepal has some sort of magic to keep moving forward
and working and not to collapse. You must keep this ability at this time
of hardship in order to rebounce. My country France also went through
very difficult historical period and very dark times. Hardest and worst
time has to end some day. I wish the business community and people- all
of them collectively and individually for their best. |
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Meeting with Ex-parliamentarian
of France
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A meeting was held
between NFCCI and the ex-parliamentarian Mr. Achille Forler and Jacques
Coffrant of France at NFCCI office in cooperation with French Embassy,
Kathmandu.
The meeting explored the areas for mutual ventures especially regarding
agro-based products and ways to promote Nepalese products in France.
The meeting was attended on behalf of NFCCI by Mr. Ramesh Khetan, Vice
President, Mr. Kailash Bahadur Shrestha, General Secretary and Mr.
Murari Prasad Bhattarai, Executive Member. |
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Exploring Business
Fabrics, Hemp, Jute and Paper
| ARKEMA |
| 4/8, Cours
Michelet |
| 92800 PUTEAUX,
France |
| Phone: +33 1 49
00 80 80 |
| Fax: +33 1 49
00 83 96 |
| Website:
www.arkemagroup.com |
| |
| ITOCHU France
S.A.S. |
| Tour Maine
Montparnasse 33, Avenue du Maine |
| 75015 PARIS 15,
France |
| Phone: +33 1 45
38 35 20 |
| Fax: +33 1 45
38 35 05 |
| Website:
www.itochu-hightech.com |
| |
| T.R.P. Charvet |
| 27, Rue da la
Paix |
| 59280
ARMENTIERES, France |
| Phone: +33 3 20
10 34 56 |
| Fax: +33 3 20
10 34 57 |
| Website:
www.trp-charvet.fr.st |
| |
| KTO |
| 2A Crampton
Way, Segensworth West |
| Fareham,
Hampshire PO 15 5 SS |
| United Kingdom |
| Phone: +44 1489
581696 |
| Fax: +44 1489
573489 FPS |
| Website:
www.sailcloth.co.uk |
| |
| INDUSTRIA IUTEI |
| Strada Veseliei
10 |
| Bucuresti
052165 Sector 5 Romania |
| Phone: +40 21
423.11.62 (more) |
| Fax: +40 21
423.31.34 |
| Website:
www.industriaiutei. |
| |
| STRADOM SA |
| ul. 1 Maja 21 |
| 42-200
Czestochowa, Poland |
| Phone: +48 34
3247031 (more) |
| Fax: +48 34
3651495 |
| Website:
www.stradom.com. |
Top !
Fairs in
France
Art, Arts and Crafts Fair
Date: November/December
(Annual)
Venue: Parc des Expositions, Grenobie, Paris
Product Group: Furniture, Decorative Articles, fashion, jewelry, toys,
picture etc.
Organizer : ALPEXPO, B.P. 2408, Avenue d'Inubruck, 38034 Grenoble Cedex
2,
Tel.: 76-39-66-00, Fax: 76-09-36-48 |
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| International Leather Week |
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Date: September (Annual)
Venue: Paris-Nord/Villepintes Paris, France
Product Group: Material and manufacturing process from machine tools to
finished product in the field of raw leather, tanning dressed skins,
chemicals, manufactured articles and accessories, shoes, leather goods,
leather garment and gloves.
Organizer : Pierse Marie Barnabe, Semine International du cuir, 109,
Faubourg Saint-Honore, 75373 Paris,
Tel.: 01/43590569, Fax: 01/43593002 |
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| BIJORHCA |
Jewelry, Gold &
Silverware,clocks and gifts
Date: September (Annual)
Venue: Paris, France
Product Group: Gold & Silverware, Jewelry, clocks and watches, fashion
accessories
Organizer: Chamber Syndicate Boci, Rue de Renard, 75004 Paris
Tel. 01-42-773296, Fax: 01-42-77-7230 |
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