Nepalis eager for implementation of OBOR: Scholars

Kathmandu / May 25:The scholars participating in a discussion program organized here by the Nepal Council of World Affairs on Thursday argued that the Nepalis were eagerly looking forward to earliest implementation of the China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative.

The strategic conception put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping few years ago aims to revive the Maritime Silk Road trade routes dating back to Hang dynasty.

In the event themed ‘Promoting People to People Relation’s: Ideas on One Belt, One Road Initiative’, they also held the view that the evocation of the OBOR would largely benefit Nepal weakened by the excessive import of the foreign goods and excessive export of the labour.

According to them, the revival of the Silk Route would enhance railroad connectivity, attract investment and promote the trade and commence of those countries signatory to the OBOR.

The government of Nepal recently signed a framework agreement on the OBOR.
Council’s Chair Hemanta Kharel asserted that expansion of Nepal’s ties with China would help create many economic opportunities.

Stressing the earliest implementation of the OBOR, he expressed his confidence that it would further strengthen the friendly ties and cooperation between Nepal and China.

Speaking at the programme, Liu Hongcai, Vice-President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding, lauded Nepal’s stance on China’s One-China policy and reiterated that China wishes Nepal to be peaceful, prosperous and developed.

He was of the view that OBOR would be a bridge to enhance the mutual cooperation among the signatory countries besides becoming a medium to usher those countries in the path of economic prosperity. RSS