Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal and Switzerland held the fifth meeting of the Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
The meeting, which coincided with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Switzerland, reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the two sides appreciated the longstanding friendship and close partnership between the countries and expressed their commitment to further expanding cooperation in the coming days. The Nepali side briefed the Swiss delegation on recent political and economic developments in Nepal, including the priorities of the new government, and highlighted the government’s focus on good governance, anti-corruption measures, transparency, digital transformation, and efficient public service delivery.
Nepal also informed the Swiss side that expansion in hydropower generation and transmission, tourism and information technology were among the government’s key economic priorities.
Similarly, Nepal thanked the Swiss government for continuing to prioritize Nepal under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) framework and appreciated its support in areas including federalism, trail bridge construction, migration governance, community forestry, technical and vocational education, and disaster resilience.
The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, including climate change and cooperation in multilateral forums. They also agreed to expedite the conclusion of proposed memorandums of understanding and other agreements.
Joint Secretary and Head of the Europe Division at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, led the Nepali delegation in the meeting, while the Swiss side was led by Markus Leitner, Head of the Asia and Pacific Division of Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
The memorandum of understanding to establish the Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was signed on November 4, 2015.
