 |
| |
VOL. 28, NO. 25, April 03, 2009 (Chaitra 21 2065) |
|
'Thailand and Nepal bilateral relations have always been excellent'
ASI MAMANEE
Nepal and Thailand has long history of diplomatic relations. For many Nepalis, Thailand is a gateway to other parts of the world. Charge d' affairs of Royal Thai Embassy ASI MAMANEE has been here for last two years. He spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues regarding Thailand-Nepal relations. Excerpts:
How do you see the present state of Nepal-Thai economic cooperation?
Thailand and Nepal bilateral relations have always been excellent and have grown remarkably in recent years. The two countries have had close and cordial ties since the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 1959. Our bilateral relations have flourished through mutual understanding, goodwill and respect. We have close cooperation on various areas.
What is the volume of trade between the two countries?
At present, the volume of two-way trade between Thailand and Nepal is relatively small. However, it is increasing year by year, albeit in favour of Thailand. In the Fiscal Year 2008/09, Nepal exported about NRs 27 million worth products to Thailand while it imported about NRs. 3,598.2 million worth products incurring the trade deficit of NRs 3,571.2 million. There are still lots of potential and room to expand our economic cooperation. Political stability is an important factor for economic growth. Nepal has witnessed historic political change over the last two years.
What is your experience in Nepal?
I have monitored the political development in Nepal with keen interest and I am glad to see many encouraging signs of political stability here which will create a conducive environment for economic development in this country.
How do you see the commitments on the part of Nepal?
Prime Minister of Nepal has pledged to accelerate economic growth by implementing investment friendly policies, removing barriers to foreign investment, setting up a high-level Investment Board headed by the Prime Minister himself to introduce necessary reforms in the industrial policy as well as establishing the special economic zones to promote the country's exports and attract foreign investment. I believe that these measures will help further promote trade and investment cooperation between Thailand and Nepal.
As Thai Airways International is the first airline to introduce jet service in Nepal opening to other parts of the worlds, how do you see its future role to strengthen Nepal-Thai relations?
Thai Airways International has been operating in Nepal for the past 40 years. Regular flights by the Thai Airways have been facilitating increasing numbers of tourists between the two countries. Nepal is one of the most popular tourist destinations for the Thai tourists. They have come to Nepal to visit various world heritage as well as historical and natural sites. With political stability and better infrastructures in the country, I trust that many more Thai tourists will visit Nepal in the years ahead.
How do you support Nepal's Tourism?
Thai Airways has brought not only Thais but also many tourists from around the world to Nepal. On the other hand, many Nepali tourists and businessmen also fly with the Thai Airways to Bangkok which has now become an important gateway for Nepal. The Royal Thai Embassy in Kathmandu and Thai Airways International will render our full support to the Nepal Government’s campaign “Visit Nepal 2011”. We will communicate with all our concerned authorities to promote this campaign in order to strengthen our relations.
After opening up world class modern education and health institution in Thailand, how Nepalese can benefits from it ?
Over the last decade, Thailand has embraced on economic development as well as reform in several sectors including education, and health care services. With the new national reform policy, Thai education has been reformed and upgraded to the world standard. In Thailand now, there are many universities that offer various high quality international undergraduate and post graduate degree programmes using English as a medium of communication. Variety of areas of study, pool of highly qualified lecturers from around the world, modern educational facilities, together with the affordable expenses and the proximity to home wil will be the benefits for the Nepali students who want to further their studies in Thailand.
How do you see health care facilities in Thailand?
As for the area of health care services, Thailand is now becoming a preferred destination in Asia for medical and wellness services in terms of its value for money and high quality of services rendered to the patients. Today, Thailand has grown a huge infrastructure of medical facilities, cutting edge technology and world class expertise in the field of medical services to foreigners. With the capacity of many qualified medical doctors and many specialists, Thailand stands ready to serve the Nepali patients with special need and care.
Recently an exhibition of Thailand health facilities held in Nepal, how do you find response of Nepalese people?
On 8 March 2009, the Royal Thai Embassy, in cooperation with the Thai Airways International and Tourism Authority of Thailand organized the Exhibition: “Destination Thailand”. The main purpose of this event is to showcase Thailand as a preferred destination for medical tourism as well as a major tourist attraction in Asia. A number of famous hospitals from Thailand came to participate in this exhibition, namely Bangkok International Hospital, Bamrungrad International Hospital, Samitivej Hospital and Phyathai Hospital .
Is this first time such exhibition organized in Nepal?
This is the first time that we ever organized this type of exhibition in Nepal. The exhibition was a great success. It was well attended by many Nepali people as well as members of diplomatic corps and foreigners living in Nepal. We received a very constructive comments and feedback from participants. This exhibition is also a venue for meet and greet between Thai hospitals and Nepali medical doctors. They could establish contact for further cooperation. Many Nepali medical doctors received more information about the services offered by the Thai Hospitals. They therefore can take those information into consideration when referring the patients to Thai Hospitals in the future.
What is the flow of Nepalese tourists visiting Thailand and Thai Tourists visiting Nepal?
According to the statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, there were approximately 12,000 Nepali tourists visited Thailand during January-June 2008. Most of them are quality travelers as they spent around 100 US dollars a day during their stay in Thailand. Likewise, large number of Thai tourists also visited Nepal last year.
For my observation, the number of Thai Tourists coming to Nepal is on the verge of increasing, despite the global economic crisis. Now, Nepal has become one of the favorite destinations for the Thai tourists. They have come to Nepal to visit many natural wonders and world heritage sites of Nepal, especially Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
As Nepal is land of birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha, how can Nepal attract more Thai tourists?
Nepal is rich in cultural heritages, especially those relating to the Shakyamuni Buddha. Nepal could use this opportunity to attract more Thai tourists by developing and beautifying Lumbini, the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha. to its past glory.
Basic infrastructures such as improvement of roads, hotel facilities .
and airport in Bhairahwa is the prerequisite in attracting more tourists.
The promotion of Kapilvastu as well as Ramacheap chaitya could be
another aspect in which Nepali government can use to propagate the genuine of this location in Nepal and to explain to the world the relevancy of this township according to the Buddhist mythology. Many people still misunderstand that Lumbini is not in Nepal.
Therefore, endeavors to generate the correct understanding on this matter should be made. This will help attract more tourists to come Nepal to visit Lord Buddha’s birthplace.
Besides tourism, what are other trade areas where Nepal and Thailand can gain from each other?
Tourism and related services such as hotel and spa business are major areas that Thailand and Nepal have great potential for further cooperation. Nepal has natural and human resources in abundance while Thailand has expertise in tourism business. However, there are also other areas that the private sectors of both sides should explore and can gain from each other.
How do you see the possibilities for joint-venture projects?
There are great potential for cooperation and joint-venture between investors and traders of both countries in other areas such as agricultural and consumer products, textiles, machineries, solar power as well as infrastructure development. In this connection, Chambers of Commerce of the two countries, especially Nepal-Thailand Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as Thailand - Nepal Chamber of Commerce can play a vital and active role in facilitating and enhancing trade exchanges between our two countries.
