National
PM stresses inclusive globalisation at Boao
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called on Asian business community to invest in various sectors including hydropower, infrastructure development and tourism in Nepal.Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called on Asian business community to invest in various sectors including hydropower, infrastructure development and tourism in Nepal.
“Nepal has entered the phase of economic transformation after crossing many political milestones,” PM Dahal said while addressing the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017 on the theme “Globalisation and Free Trade: The Asian Perspectives”, in Hainan Province of China, on Saturday. “Our growing domestic market and our location, between the largest economies of Asia, bear an immense prospect to establish Nepal as a trade hub; a vital link in global value chain.”
Over two dozen senior government officials and hundreds of members of business community from different countries are attending the conference that will discuss various issues including trade, investment, education and finance and Asia’s potential until Sunday.
“We can realise the potential of Nepal as well as that of our continent by making globalisation work for all by ensuring an inclusive globalisation for all and by building on the opportunities offered by globalisation and free trade for the common prosperity of Asia and the world,” 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.”
In his statement, the prime minister laid out the priority of Nepal, saying that “our priority now is to accelerate economic growth and development.”
While underscoring the importance of inclusiveness, the prime minister said: “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 added.
Stating that success and sustainability of globalisation should rest on inclusiveness, he said: “We must ensure the equality of opportunities as well as ability to reap the 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 as well as developing world—lifting millions out of poverty,” he said.
“However, it has not been an unalloyed feat. In sharing of the fruits of globalisation, there has been a visible asymmetry. This very asymmetry has led to apprehensions in various parts of the world—developed as well as developing. It has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and cynicism.”
After completing his engagements in Hainan, PM Dahal left for Beijing on Saturday. PM Dahal is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday at the Great Hall of the People.