Nepal has confirmed its participation at the 4th China-South Asia Exposition and the 24th China Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair, scheduled for June 12-17 in Kunming, Yunnan.

Speaking at a programme in Beijing on Tuesday, Nepali Ambassador to China Mahesh Maskey said Nepal would have a strong presence in the week-long fair that has played an instrumental role in enhancing cooperation between South Asian countries through trade. The theme for this year’s event is “Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit, Inclusiveness and Win-Win Cooperation”. “We will be having a strong delegation from Nepal. I believe the event has been playing a marvelous role in fostering ties among the South Asian countries,” Maskey said, adding that the talks on the sidelines of the expo have allowed to explore other possible areas of cooperation between the participating countries.

Stating that Nepal’s topography is similar to that of Yunnan, Maskey said Nepal is looking forward to working in close coordination with the provincial government in areas like tourism and energy development, among others.

The China Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair is an international event co-sponsered by the Ministry of Commerce, China and the government of Yunnan province.

Expressing happiness at the growing level of participation at the annual expo, Governor of Yunnan Province Chen Hao praised the initiative for deepening regional cooperation. A total of 75 countries had participated in the event in 2015, drawing around 120,000 buyers, according to the organisers.

“The event will also help one belt one road initiative of China,” Hao said.

According to Hao, participants representiing the governments and business communities from South Asia will get an opportunity to brief on the investment climate, trade potential and possibilities of the respective countries on the margins of the expo. Former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had paid a visit to the second edition of the expo in 2014 when Nepal was the country of honour. Maldives is the theme country for this year. Ambassador Maskey also thanked China and the government of Yunan for the support extended to Nepal in the aftermath of last year’s earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people.