Hanoi (VNA) – The upcoming visit of Nepali PrimeMinister K P Sharma Oli and his spouse to Vietnam and his attendance at the UNDay of Vesak 2019 from May 9-12 is expected to contribute to boosting friendshipbetween the two nations in the future.

The visit takes place in the context of smooth developmentsin the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Nepal, especiallycollaboration through the Party channel and economic-trade partnership.

Cultural and tourism cooperation as well as people-to-peopleexchange have been strengthened, while the two sides have shown mutual supportand collaboration at international forums, especially the UN.

Vietnam and Nepal set up their diplomatic relations on May15, 1975 and have maintained sound relations in many areas. The two sides haveregularly exchanged delegations in various areas from politics to trade.

Visits of Vietnamese senior officials to Nepal includedthose by deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Inspection CommissionPham Thi Hai Chuyen in 2009; deputy heads of the Party Central Committee’sCommission for External Relations Pham Xuan Son in 2010 and Nguyen Huy Tang in2014; Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang in 2014; Chief Judge of theSupreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh in 2017; and head of the NationalAssembly’s Defence-Security Committee Vo Trong Viet in March 2019.

Meanwhile, many Nepali delegations visited Vietnam,including those led by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviationin 2004; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Developmentin 2009, and the Minister of Trade in 2017. Vietnamese Honorary Consul Generalin Nepal Rajesh Kazi Shrestha also visited Vietnam in April 2018. During theDavos World Economic Forum in January 2019, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc also had ameeting with Nepali PM K P Sharma Oli.

Businesses of both sides have bolstered their partnershipwith multiple cooperation agreements.

Over the past 44 years, Vietnam has offered support toNepal, including 50,000 USD in aid to help it deal with earthquake consequencesin 2015. Nepal has supported Vietnam in citizen protection. The two sides areworking together on the signing of an agreement on visa exemption for diplomaticand official passport holders.

The Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Association was set up inSeptember 2014, while the Vietnamese Honorary Consul General in Kathmandu wasappointed in October 2016.

Vietnam and Nepal have supported and collaborated with eachother at multilateral and international forums. Nepal has backed Vietnam’smarket economy and candidacy for the UN Human Right Council in November 2013,the UN Economic and Social Council, and the UN Security Council in the2020-2021 tenure.

At the same time, Vietnam has supported Nepal in running fora seat at the UN Human Right Council for the 2018-2020 tenure. Nepal is alsoone of the founders the AsianInfrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

However, economic and tradecooperation between Vietnam and Nepal has remained modest. By September 2018,two-way trade reached only 38 million USD. Vietnam mostly exported to Nepal peppercornand plastic products, while importing garment-textile materials, leather, andfootwear. Currently, the Viettel Military Industry-Telecommunication Group isexploring investment opportunities in Nepal.

In April 2018, Nepal sent a business delegation to seekpartnership opportunities in Vietnam and attended the Vietnam Expo 2018 inHanoi from April 11-14. During the visit, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and theVietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understandingon cooperation in information sharing and trade promotion.

At the Vietnam Expo 2018, Nepali businesses showcased anumber of typical products of Nepal.

Nepal is a landlocked country with eight out of the 10highest mountains in the world. Among the country’s tourist destinations is Lumbini, thebirthplace of Buddha and now a World Heritage Site. –VNA