By IANS,
New Delhi : Indo-Nepal trade would more than double and is expected to reach around $3 billion by 2010, a study by an industry lobby released here Friday said.
The two countries would come closer in areas of hydropower, tourism, education and health services, the paper published by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said.
The report comes on the eve of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s visit to India.
Currently, Indo-Nepal bilateral trade stands at nearly $1.4 billion.
”Indian Inc is optimistic that this visit will not only forge closer economic ties between the two countries but also explore possibilities to upgrade Nepal’s infrastructure as water resources, roads, power, Agri-business sector with Indian co-operation,” Assocham president Sajjan Jindal said.
“Cooperation between India, Nepal and Bhutan on the energy front can, therefore, provide a win-win situation for all. India could import hydropower to meet part of the country’s energy needs,” Jindal added.
Nepal has an estimated potential to generate 83,000 MW of electricity, which remains untapped due to resource constraints.