Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that inclusiveness that lies at the core of Asian culture must prevail while we continue to embark upon the path of globalisation and free trade.

"To materialise the Asian model of globalisation, we must build a cooperation model, which will enable free flow of ideas, unimpeded links of trade and an enduring instance of win-win situation," he said.

While addressing the Annual Boao Forum 2017 on the theme “Globalisation and Free Trade: The Asian Perspectives” in the city of Boao in Hainan province of China on Saturday, PM Dahal said that success and sustainability of globalisation must rest on inclusiveness and we must ensure the equality of opportunities as well as ability to reap benefits of globalisation. "We should strive for a level playing field –that is even and fair."

In the past few decades, globalisation and international trade has brought fundamental transformations in the living standards of the people of developed countries as well as developing world, lifting millions out of poverty, PM Dahal said. "However, it has not been an unalloyed feat," he added.

"We have to make sure that globalisation triumphs cynicisms as well as complacence," PM Dahal, who is also the Chairman of ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) said.

In the process of globalisation, Asia has made its contribution as well as gained the fruits, PM Dahal said.

He, however, said that there are still many countries in Asia for whom globalisation has not bestowed with benefits.

There are still some barriers that hinder the free flow of goods and services from the countries, which are at lower rung of development, the Prime Minister remarked.

In the 21st century, the center of gravity of global economy is shifting towards Asia and it is emerging as the engine of global growth and a hub of trade and innovation.

 "The 21st century is rightly said to be the Asian Century, a century of shared benefit and shared destiny," he said.

But for countries like Nepal, which is least developed and landlocked, enhanced market access through duty free quota free provisions, streamlined and simplified rules and procedures, trade capacity building as well as trade facilitating measures including smooth transit arrangements would be essential for them to benefit from globalisation, he said.

The Prime Minister also said that Nepal expects globalisation to contribute to economic transformation which is critical to sustain political transformation.

Highlightning that Nepal has entered the phase of economic transformation crossing many political milestones, he invited the Asian business communities to invest in various profitable sectors including hydropower, infrastructure development and tourism in Nepal.

"Our growing domestic market and our location among the largest economies of Asia bear an immense prospect to establish Nepal as a trade hub, a vital link in global value chain", he said.

"We can realise this potential of Nepal as well our continent by making globalisation work for all, by ensuring an inclusive globalisation for all and free and fair trade and by building on the opportunities offered by globalization and free trade for the common prosperity of Asia and the world.

PM Dahal said to create a wealthier world, we must strive for inclusion not isolation, partnership not protectionism, bridges not barriers and freedom while trading not fears.

He also expressed the belief that we have enough foresight, big-heartedness and courage to tread upon this path- a path of Asian prosperity and a path of shared prosperity.

PM Dahal also lauded the Annual Conference of Boao Forum, which he said provides an important platform for sharing of perspectives and nobel ideas for prosperity of Asia and prosperity of humanity. RSS