China to assist Nepal in establishing fertilizer plant: Ambassador Chen Song

Kathmandu / Aug 10: The Chinese government has pledged to support Nepal in setting up a fertilizer plant. The project is slated to be completed within the next year, pending approval for the necessary investment.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, said the Chinese side discussed the initiative with a group of editors from different media outlets on Thursday evening. He reiterated China’s readiness to commence the project as soon as the Investment Board Nepal approves the proposal.

“Our aim is to utilize Nepal’s abundant electricity and water resources to operate the fertilizer plant. Strengthening our relationship with Nepal and contributing to its development is our priority,” Ambassador Chen emphasized.

The envoy also stated that China is committed to supporting Nepal’s socio-economic progress.

Ambassador Chen mentioned that a team of Chinese technicians is currently in Nepal conducting a feasibility study for the Nepal-China cross-border transmission line. He highlighted that developing hydropower and cross-border power trade will be vital in achieving Nepal’s goal of a “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.”

Reaffirming China’s commitment to helping Nepal transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to a middle-income country by 2026, Ambassador Chen further said that the recent third meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) had opened China’s labor market to workers from other countries including Nepal.

He also highlighted that a high-level US business delegation recently visited China to explore investment opportunities following the CPC’s third meeting, which was presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting, which is seen as important as CPC’s meeting in 1978 that opened China to the outside world, announced over 300 reform measures including opening of China’s commodity, service, capital and labor markets for other countries.

Ambassador Chen expressed commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation for Nepal’s development and mentioned that Nepal’s electricity could potentially be exported to the Chinese market. Additionally, Nepali students pursuing higher education in China would have access to employment opportunities, including internships.

Emphasizing the importance of tourism infrastructure to attract Chinese tourists, Ambassador Chen assured that China is ready to transfer technology to Nepal. He reminded that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by President Xi Jinping to develop infrastructure, would benefit all participating countries.

He argued that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has established itself as an important platform for cooperation, collaboration, and connectivity, playing a crucial role in integrating economies, connecting markets, and encouraging investment in infrastructure. In the context of global resource scarcity, BRI is significant for implementing sustainable development goals, the envoy said.

Under the ‘Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network,’ BRI encompasses cross-border railways, roads, ports, air transportation, and information technology, which he asserts are beneficial not only for Nepal but for everyone.

While clarifying that the BRI Implementation Plan is not mandatory to start implementing projects under the BRI and that the implementation of several projects is already underway, Ambassador Chen clarified that the BRI implementation plan has not yet been signed with Nepal due to some technical issues.

He expressed confidence that the agreement would be finalized within a few months. He also clarified that BRI does not encompass infrastructure development alone.

“We place great importance on developing Nepal-China relations and are ready to further strengthen comprehensive cooperation between our countries, fostering everlasting friendly relations for the welfare of peoples of both countries,” Ambassador Chen assured.