KATHMANDU, Sept. 8: Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey has invited Nepal to consider joining the Commonwealth, highlighting the potential economic and commercial benefits of closer engagement with the 56-member grouping.
Botchwey extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal over the loss of lives in the recent disaster and conveyed her sympathies to the government and people of Nepal during the difficult time.
She expressed the condolences during a special meeting with a delegation of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) at Marlborough House in London. Botchwey made a special visit to meet SAARC CCI President Chandi Raj Dhakal and members of the delegation.
During the meeting, Botchwey highlighted the potential benefits Nepal could derive from the Commonwealth’s extensive global network, particularly in trade, investment, economic cooperation and international business partnerships.
Naomi Campbell named global ambassador for Queen's Commonwealth...
She said stronger engagement with Commonwealth countries and institutions could help Nepal expand economic opportunities and international business ties.
“I will meet you formally on Wednesday, where we will explore how SAARC CCI and the Commonwealth can go along together to strengthen the network,” she said.
The meeting also discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and private-sector partnerships between South Asia and Commonwealth countries.
During the meeting, SAARC CCI Executive Committee Member Shova Gyawali briefed Botchwey on women’s entrepreneurship and literacy in Nepal, as well as the human and economic impact of the recent disaster. She shared details of the casualties and the scale of the losses.
Gyawali attended the meeting as the immediate past president of the Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), as well as an economic and social activist and media entrepreneur.
Following the briefing, Botchwey underscored the importance of focusing on three groups—women, youth and persons with disabilities—and creating greater opportunities for their participation in economic and social development.
SAARC CCI President Chandi Raj Dhakal thanked Botchwey for her condolences and for making the special visit to meet the delegation. He welcomed the Commonwealth’s interest in strengthening economic engagement with Nepal and the wider South Asian region.
The SAARC CCI delegation included Dhakal; Senior Vice President Thanpathi Liyanaralalage Marsilin Rohitha Silva of Sri Lanka; Vice President Ghulam Muhammed of Bangladesh; Vice President Mariyam Shakeela of the Maldives; Secretary General Zulfiqar Ali Butt; Executive Committee members Shova Gyawali of Nepal, Khawaja Shahzeb Akram of Pakistan and Girisa Bandula Egodage of Sri Lanka; General Assembly members Basanti Mishra Pradhan and Ava Shah of Nepal; Aun Ali Syed of Pakistan; and representatives of the SAARC Young Entrepreneurs Forum and other member countries.
