February 2: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) discussed connectivity issue with the office-bearers of North-Eastern Development Finance Cooperation Ltd (NEDFi) of India.  

The two sides held a meeting in this regard in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The delegation of NEDFi is here in course of studying the connectivity project between north east India and Nepal.    
FNCCI President Shekhar Golchha, Director General Gokarna Raj Awasthi, and a three-member team of NEFDi under the leadership of Mahendra P Lama, senior professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University were present during the meeting.    
On the occasion, the two sides discussed issues related to the recent situation of trade and investment between the two countries and improvement in present trade and investment situation. They also discussed about the possibility of development of regional value chain among Nepal, north-eastern region of India and other south Asian countries.    
The Indian team had urged FNCCI to provide suggestions regarding obstruction on trade check points used by both the countries, initiatives to be taken to further facilitate import and export, investment expansion and problems related to import.    
The FNCCI said the two sides also discussed other issues including policy-level problems related to import/export, border security and technical coordination.    
FNCCI President Golchha said Nepal has always expected Indian support in economic development initiatives.    
The FNCCI shared that it would carry out study regarding the challenges and problems in expansion of regional economic relations including Nepal and India and submit the suggestions soon.    
Similarly, FEFDi chairperson PVSLN Murty said small, middle and large scale enterprises have been getting financial aid for the establishment of industrial, infrastructure and agro related projects in north eastern region of India. He said the team was here to carry out a study for coordination with Nepal in this regard.    
Likewise, Prof Lama expressed commitment to help address the suggestions received from FNCCI through the authorities concerned. --  RSS