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China-Nepal Cooperation: News & Updates

This step in the right direction. It is high time the Nepal be integerated economically into the Chinese economy. The historic relations need to be revived along with cultural exchanges.

Chinese FDI will also enable Nepal to become independent.. Win-Win paradigm at work.
 
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Nepal is asking for more railway connections?

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Nepal urges China to expand railway network to more border points: official

Source: Xinhua 2016-09-26 13:12:30

KATHMANDU, Sept. 26 (Xinhua)-- Nepal has requested China to consider expanding its railway network to different border points besides the planned expansion to Kerung (Geelong port), said a senior official of Nepal's Commerce Ministry.


China plans to extend its Qinghai-Tibet Railway network up to Geelong Port, the nearest Chinese town from Nepal's Rasuwagadhi border point.

"We asked the Chinese authorities in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to consider expanding its railway to other border points during the Nepal-Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee meeting held in Lhasa last week," said Rabi Shankar Sainju, a joint secretary of Nepal's Commerce Ministry, who led the Nepali delegation for the talks.

Nepal-Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee is a mechanism formed to promote bilateral trade between Nepal and China's TAR which also works on settling bilateral trade issues.

Its meeting has been taking place every year in each country alternatively.

"We proposed China to consider connecting more border points such as Hilsa, Korala and Kimathanka beside Rasuwagadhi with its railway," said Sainu, adding that such proposal was made considering the ongoing homework to sign the protocol to Nepal-China Transit Transport Agreement signed in March.

During the former Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's visit to China six months ago, the two countries had signed transit agreement which has given Nepal an alternative transit in addition to India.

Nepalese officials believe that more connectivity at border points will give more options for Nepal once the transit agreement is implemented in practice.

As the TAR will be vital for Nepal to use Chinese territory for an access to the sea, Nepal also sought more involvement of local authorities of Tibet in the process of developing the protocol, according to Sainju, who also heads a Nepal government's team to develop the protocol.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed on establishing border area economic zones on both sides.
 
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Olangchungola folk excited by road link with Tibet
- ANANDA GAUTAM, TAPLEJUNG
KathmanduPost
Published: 21-09-2016 09:11

Sep 21, 2016- The villagers in Olangchungola, Taplejung, are excited about the prospects of having a road connectivity with Tibet.

The road, connecting Tiptala Bhanjyang of Olangchungola with Tibet, is expected to complete within a week. Gunsa Dawa Lama, a former employee of the District Development Committee, said once the road is open, the villagers can easily transport daily essentials from the Chinese market.

It will also increase the trade between the two countries, he added.

People living in border areas of Taplejung buy their daily essentials, including rice, salt and oil, from Riu Bazaar in Tibet. They, in turn, export herbs and carpets.

So far, Lama said, they have been travelling by foot to reach Lachiphungchung in Tibet before taking vehicles to reach Riu Bazaar.

The new road extending all the way to Tiptala Bhanjyang will cut the travel duration and make it easier for the people to ferry heavy loads, said Cheten Walung, an Olangchungola trader.

Walung said now that the Chinese side has brought the road up to border, the Nepal government should also take the initiative to construct a road on the Nepali side, saying that they still have to walk for almost a day just to reach Tiptala Bhanjyang.

Sonam Walung, who is in the Olangchungola-Tiptala Bhanjyang Road Construction Committee, said the Tibetan administration would provide excavators and other equipment to build a road if the government asks.
 
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Chinese and Nepalese Cultural Exchange, among others, needs this railway

Ge-Weimin-shakes-hands-with-Qiu-Dongfang-at-Chinese-Book-Fair-2016.jpg

Nepal Tianli Publication and Culture Company Managing Director Ge Weimin shakes hands with Qui Dongfang of the Tibet People’s Publishing House during the Chinese Book Fair 2016, at the Malla Hotel, in Kathmandu, on Saturday, September 24, 2016. Photo Courtesy: Nepal Tianli Publication and Culture Company
http://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/second-edition-of-chinese-book-fair-2016-begins/


Second edition of Chinese Book Fair 2016 kicks off in Nepal
Source: Xinhua | 2016-09-25 01:06:30 | Editor: huaxia

KATHMANDU, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The second edition of Chinese Book Fair 2016 with the themeTibet in Development' kicked off here in Nepal's capital on Saturday.

Around 750 types of Chinese books are being displayed in the fair covering a broad range of topics including politics, culture, history and philosophy.

Most of the products displayed in fair have focused on new development, new changes and new lives of Tibet Autonomous Region. The five-day exhibition, which is organized by Newspaper and Periodicals Publishing Center of Tibet, features books from four publishing houses of Tibet along with audio visual materials.

Speaking during the inaugural session, the Nepalese Minister for Education Dhani Ram Poudel said that Nepal should learn from the rapid development of China, claiming that the book exhibition can be very helpful to gain information.

"China has gained rapid success in development despite of having such large population. Nepal has so many things to learn from China so books can be very helpful", Nepalese Minister Poudel said while addressing the function. He further said that the book exhibition can enhance the people-to-people relation between the two neighbors.

Addressing the function, Qiu Dongfang, who is leading the delegation of Publishers from Tibet said, "This book exhibition is a symbol of Sino-Nepal friendship and will contribute in enhancing the bilateral relationship and promoting the Chinese culture among Nepalese people."

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai said that the books and art can help Nepal and Nepalese people know Tibet closer covering economic, social and other issues.

Beside books, the fair features video products displaying excellent traditional Tibetan culture, literature, science and technology, social science, arts, religion and entertainment. Painting and Calligraphy about beauty of Tibet have also been put on display.

Meanwhile, China and Nepal publication-agreements have been signed during the inaugural event among the two publishing houses each from Nepal and China.

Furthermore, representatives from publishing institutions, specialists and scholars of both sides shared about development status of publications in their respective countries.

The first edition of Chinese Book Fair was held in October 2014 in Nepal.

The event to be concluded on Sept. 28 has attracted hundreds of book lovers of all ages and from all walks of life. Enditem
 
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Railway connectivity between Nepal and Tibet may occur faster than we think.

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4 Chinese companies interested in Kathmandu-Kerung railway project
- Post Report, Kathmandu

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Oct 9, 2016- Four Chinese companies have shown interest to conduct feasibility study of Kathmandu-Rasuwagadhi railway network after Nepal sought the northern neighbour’s help to conduct survey and detailed project report (DPR).

Once the proposed railway is constructed, it will establish direct railway connectivity with Chinese railway which is expected to arrive in Kerung, a bordering town of China across Rasuwagadhi, within a few years.

According to the Department of Railway, Sinohydro, China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group, China Engineering Overseas Group (COVEC) and China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) have applied for conducting the survey.

The Chinese proposals follow Nepal’s request to China to provide financial and technical support for the feasibility study and the preparation of the DPR of the proposed Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu and Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Railway Project. The request was made during former prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China in March.

During the visit, it was agreed that the relevant authorities of both sides would exchange ideas and proposals on constructing cross-border railways and rail network in Nepal, and support enterprises to start related preparatory work as soon as possible.

Subsequently, the government had announced through the budget for the current fiscal year that a DPR for Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Railway would be prepared and construction would be initiated in two years.

According to Ananta Acharya, director general of the Department of Railway, these Chinese companies have submitted the proposals at the department as well as the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. “There have been discussions on the proposals at the government level,” he said. “The Prime Minister’s Office has also been inquiring about the latest developments regarding the project.”

Among the applicants, Sinohydro, which is basically involved in the hydropower sector, is also involved in railway development.

It had got the construction contract of constructing a part of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. It is also the company involved in hydropower development and construction contracts in Nepal.

The COVEC is a fully-funded subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited. According to the Chinese company’ website, COVEC has undertaken and executed more than 1,000 large and medium-sized overseas projects with the total contract value of $5.8 billion and carried out international trade of $1 billion US dollar.

China Railway First Survey and Design Institute (CCRC) Group is the company which was also involved in constructing Qinghai-Tibet railway which is expected to extend to Kerung. Besides China, it is also involved in Iraq, Nigeria and Tanzania, according to the company’s website.

The CRCC was solely established by China Railway Construction Corporation in 2007 in Beijing which has now emerged as a mega-size construction corporation.

The business of CRCC covers project contracting, survey design consultation, industrial manufacturing, real estate development, logistics, trade of goods and materials as well as capital operations, according to the company’s website.

With China working to extend railway line from Shigatse to Kerung in a few years, many in Nepal see cross-border railway a possibility, which will not only provide new transport connectivity with the northern neighbour but will also scale up economic ties between the two countries.

With Nepal and China signing transit agreement paving the way for Chinese territory for third-country trade, railway connectivity is a must.

Meanwhile, China CAMC Engineering Company Ltd, which has submitted a feasibility report on Kathmandu-Pokhara electric railway to the government, plans to develop 164.395-kilometre railway, which will have 27 tunnels and 53 bridges. This is the same company which is building a regional international airport in Pokhara.

Published: 09-10-2016 08:20
http://bit.ly/2e0Cbol
 
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Xi suggests China, Nepal forge community of shared destiny
Source: Xinhua | 2016-10-16 05:03:30 | Editor: huaxia

135756993_14765762819821n.jpg

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal
in the western Indian state of Goa, Oct. 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

GOA, India, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Saturday that his country is ready to align development strategies with Nepal and hopes to build the two neighbors into a community of shared destiny.

"China and Nepal are close neighbors linked by mountains and rivers," Xi said in a meeting in the western Indian state of Goa with Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on the sidelines of the eighth summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, China-Nepal relations have withstood the vicissitude of the international situation and maintained sound and stable development, Xi said.

China, he added, attaches great importance to developing relations with Nepal and is willing to work with Nepal to deepen practical cooperation.

He called on the two countries to strengthen high-level contacts and political communication, and enhance mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

He also called for concerted efforts to carry out the consensuses the two sides have reached on beefing up cooperation on connectivity, free trade and energy and continue to push forward cooperation in their pursuit of development.

China is ready to support Nepal in its post-earthquake reconstruction, especially in restoring infrastructure, people's well-being and historical relics, he said.

China, he added, encourages its reputable businesses to invest in Nepal and take part in the construction of special economic zones and industrial parks in Nepal.

He also urged the two sides to strengthen cooperation in agricultural industrialization, water conservation, irrigation and hydropower generation.

On people-to-people exchanges, the president said the two sides should increase exchanges and cooperation in such areas as tourism, education, culture, youth, media and local affairs.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining coordination within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

For his part, Dahal said the Nepal-China friendship is time-honored and unbreakable, for it is established on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and features mutual respect and trust.

Nepal highly appreciates the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in China's neighborhood diplomacy as well as China's support for its peace process, post-earthquake reconstruction and national development, he said.

Nepal views China as a reliable development partner and is ready to develop a more comprehensive partnership with China, he added.

Dahal also conveyed Nepal's willingness to participate in connectivity construction within the frameworks of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Moreover, Nepal is ready to enhance coordination with China within international and regional multilateral organizations, added the prime minister.

Nepal is a member of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a regional mechanism which is aimed at connecting South Asian and Southeast Asian countries and also groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

On the margins of their summit in Goa, Xi and other BRICS leaders will hold dialogues with their BIMSTEC counterparts.


135756993_14765762823101n.jpg

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal
in the western Indian state of Goa, Oct. 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
 
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Nepal proposes date for discussion with China on protocol to transit transport agreement
(Xinhua) 11:18, October 23, 2016

KATHMANDU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has proposed the date for holding the bilateral meeting with China on finalizing the protocol of the Transit Transport Agreement (TTA) for Nov. 6-8, a senior Nepalese government official said.

During visit of former Nepalese Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli to China last March, the two nations had signed the agreement which will pave the way for either country to use each other's territory for third country trade.

However, the TTA is just a framework and is incomplete without the protocol. The protocol to the TTA will include details about customs arrangements, mode of transport, types of cargo and operational modality.

Nepal's third country trade is presently conducted only through Indian territory. The TTA with China allows the Himalayan country to transport its imports and exports via its neighbour's territory.

Rabi Sainju, joint secretary at the Nepal's Commerce Ministry, who also heads protocol preparation team of Nepal government, told Xinhua on Saturday that they proposed the date for holding the meeting on protocol.

"The Chinese side has said they would respond within a few days on the proposed date," he said. After the signing of TTA, it will be the first bilateral meeting regarding the development of protocol to the agreement.

Sainju said that while signing the protocol, Nepal wanted to use transit facility through 4-5 border points between two countries to reach the China's 2-3 sea ports for conducting trade with third countries.

"We have not specifically mentioned border points and sea ports that we want to use in the draft of protocol we have sent to the Chinese side," he said. "It will be concluded based on discussion between the two sides."

Nepalese experts say that an efficient transport network and simplified paperwork and information system will be essential to make practical use of the transit facility.

Nepal has signed transit agreement with India and Bangladesh, but has been able to use transit facility provided by India only so far.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1023/c90000-9131380.html
 
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Nepal's private sector seeks more Chinese investment
(Xinhua) 13:13, November 05, 2016

KATHMANDU, Nov. 4 -- The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Friday called for increased Chinese investment in the country's tourism, agriculture, energy and other infrastructure sectors.

During a meeting with a six-member delegation from China's Yunnan Province, the Nepal's private sector body told the Chinese side that Nepal was heading towards political stability following the promulgation of a new constitution last year and the investment climate in the Himalayan nation has been improving.

FNCCI Vice President Dinesh Shrestha said Nepal now needs more investment and technology transfer from China in the areas of energy, tourism and infrastructure while reminding the Chinese officials that Nepalese entrepreneurs have been closely working with their peers from Yunnan province in recent years.

Nepalese business leaders also mentioned importance of the Chinese investment in tourism given the growing tourist arrivals from China.

Although Chinese tourist arrivals in Nepal plunged by 28 percent in the first half of 2016 following last year's deadly earthquake, China has continued to remain the second largest source of foreign tourists after India.

Yang Hui, deputy director general at the Department of Commerce of Yunnan, said he would work toward encouraging entrepreneurs from the southwest Chinese province to invest in Nepal.

In the last 2015-2016 fiscal year that ended in mid-July, China topped the chart in making foreign direct investment (FDI) to Nepal, pledging more than one-third of total FDI commitments the country received.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1105/c90000-9137719.html
 
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Nepal Telecom, China Telecom Global sign deal on internet service
2016-12-08 13:56 | Xinhua | Editor: Mo Hong'e

Nepal Telecom (NT), Nepal's state-owned telecom company, and China Telecom Global have signed an agreement on providing internet protocol service between the two countries through cross-border Terrestrial Cable Route, the NT said.

Geelong Port (Kerung) of China will be used as the route for providing the internet service. The two companies signed the agreement in Hong Kong on Tuesday, the Nepalese company said in a press statement on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed after the two countries were connected with optical fiber through the Geelong (Keyrong)- Rasuwagadhi border point in June, ending Nepal's sole dependence on India for connecting the Himalayan country with global telecom and internet services.

"As the two countries have now been connected through terrestrial cable route, it will help Nepal to connect with telecom service providers of other countries too," the NT said, adding "it is an alternative for Nepal for international connectivity after the existing connectivity through Indian territory."

According to NT, with the latest agreement, access to internet service through the route of China has been possible. As of now, Nepal has access to internet service only through Indian route. Currently, Nepal Telecom has been connected with various Indian telecom service providers through bordering southern towns --Bhairahawa, Birgunj and Biratnagar.

After the connectivity was established through optical fiber, Nepal now can be directly linked with Hong Kong Data Center, which is one of the two biggest global data centers in Asia, through the Chinese mainland.
 
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New cargo service links Tibet, Nepal to boost trade
2016-12-10 08:34 | Xinhua | Editor: Huang Mingrui

Dozens of trucks carrying 19 million yuan (2.8 million U.S. dollars) worth of goods left the border port of Gyirong in Tibet after customs clearance on Friday, continuing the journey to their destination in Nepal.

The new rail and road cargo service, linking Guangdong, Tibet and Nepal, aims to boost trade with the South Asian neighbor as China pushes forward its Belt and Road Initiative.

A train carrying eight carriages and 14 boxcars full of products, including shoes, clothes, hats, furniture, appliances, electronics and building materials, covered the 5,200-km distance between Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, and Xigaze in Tibet.

The trucks are responsible for the remaining 870 km of the journey, carrying goods to Gyirong and then to the final stop in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital.

"The trip between Guangzhou and Gyirong takes about five to six days, much shorter than the 20 days for sea transport," said Yao Yanfeng, general manager of the freight carrier Tibet Tianzhi Import and Export Co. Ltd. "The time could be cut further to 3.7 days in the future."

Yao said his company is providing relatively quick delivery service and, despite higher costs, it can meet demand for time-sensitive clients.

"In the slower winter season, the train and trucks will make a round trip every one or two weeks," said Yao. "In the busy season next year, there will be two to three per week and, eventually, we're aiming for four to five trips per week."

"Nepal needs Chinese goods," said Liu Denghui of Adam Refrigeration Equipment Co. Ltd. in Shenzhen upon hearing about the new trade route.

NEW TRADE PASSAGE

In May, China opened a rail and road cargo service between Lanzhou in northwest China and Kathmandu. The new service starting from Guangzhou serves as an important trade passage between the two neighboring countries.

Guangdong and neighboring regions, known as China's manufacturing hubs, are a major source of imports for South Asia, including Nepal.

The trade passage, in line with market demand in the medium and long term, could help boost economic cooperation between Guangdong, Tibet and South Asia, officials said.

Luomei, assistant chairwoman of Tibet autonomous regional government, said with efficient trade transportation, the freight service could help relocate more businesses along the passage, bringing growth momentum and industrial transformation to the plateau region.

Gobinda Bahadur Karki, consul general of Nepal in Lhasa, said the freight service will help boost Nepal's economic growth as well as bilateral trade.

MORE INFRASTRUCTURE

To further facilitate trade, China is planning to build a railway between Xigaze and Gyirong to shorten the trip.

Yang Guoliang, an official with the Tibet Autonomous Regional Department of Commerce, said Tibet will build and reopen more border ports to expand the trade passage to South Asia.

The trade passage is a national strategy linking China's economic heartland with South Asia, said Yang.

Apart from ports and trade passages, China will build border economic zones with South Asia, said Wang Yanqing of the transport research institute under the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planning agency.
 
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Silk Road bonanza (for Nepal)
  • The Belt and Road Initiative advanced by China presents huge prospects for Nepal
- Aditya Baral

Dec 16, 2016- China’s Belt and Road Initiative envisages bringing together countries in Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East and Europe lying on the historical Silk Road into an economic zone by enhancing cooperation and connectivity. The scheme will create a new cycle of the global economy, making it the third largest trade axis after the Atlantic and Pacific trade axes. As it is home to a whopping population of around 4.6 billion (more than 60 percent of the world total) and boasts an economic aggregate of about $21 trillion (about one-third of the world total), it presents enormous prospects for Nepal which shares a contiguous northern border with China.

Given Nepal’s central location, the shortest corridor to link the region can be Thori-Kyirong-Lhasa. Nepal will benefit immensely by bridging two neighbours India and China, the two biggest growth engines of the new millennium. It will also help to bring the two largest populations in the world closer. With the establishment of railway links and better roads, it will be easier to conduct more frequent trade shows and exchanges of visits.

Compliance and commitment

The construction of infrastructure and the establishment of a regional public goods supply system through the Belt and Road Initiative will provide Nepal an opportunity to benefit from China’s exploding economic growth. Expanded or improved physical infrastructure, such as transport links and telecommunication, can significantly increase trade and transactions between China and Nepal. The recent decision of the Nepal government to obtain optical fibre services from China is another step forward in our effort to link all of us digitally.

So, once minds are broadened and do not remain constricted as in the past, boundless opportunities will emerge. Today, not only commodities and people travel across countries, but also energy and information. The Kathmandu Valley has been freed of the pain of load shedding by importing electricity from India. Thus, with the passage of time, commodities, people, energy and information will travel across countries as long as compliance is upheld and commitments are fulfilled.

Improved transportation and multiple entry ports across the northern border can give rise to immense transit trade, which will add value to the goods produced in Nepal. Given Nepal’s position at the centre of the old trade routes, it can benefit much after major cities are connected through the Belt and Road Initiative. With improved and enhanced transportation links, Nepal can benefit by reducing transportation costs significantly. For instance, the extension of Chinese railways to Kyirong across the border from Rasuwagadhi will mean lower freight charges as compared to conventional transportation over roadways. If rail connectivity can be extended to Kathmandu from India or China, Nepal’s long-standing dream of attracting a million tourists will certainly come true. At the same time, the country’s Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage tourism potential will be well utilised.

Economic diplomacy

Trilateral moves in the context of the current political culture in Nepal is near to impossible in the immediate future due to the existing constitutional provisions. We have seen numerous agreements and accords made in the past gathering dust. There should be no scepticism about development efforts whether sponsored by India or China as long as they are intended for the welfare of the people of this country. Creating political problems and spreading scepticism will lead the Nepali people into further chaos irrespective of the wishes of our neighbours to channel their commerce through Nepal.

In order to bolster our initiative, Nepal needs to change its diplomatic paradigms. Merely elevating the ambassadorial designation to the ministerial level will not help much. Ambassadors should be mandated to conduct economic diplomacy with additional resources even if we have to reduce the number of permanent missions by shutting down missions in countries where they are not greatly needed.

We can walk in tandem with India and China only if we comprehend their security issues and development thrust by improvising our policy and behaviour. Else, we will miss the train of opportunity running along our northern and southern frontiers. Perhaps Nelson Mandela’s saying is a pertinent way to conclude: “It is not where you start, but how high you aim that matters for success.”

Baral was foreign relations advisor to former prime minister GP Koirala


Published: 16-12-2016 08:30

http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-12-16/silk-road-bonanza.html
 
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