Recently, a high-level delegation from Nepal’s Federal
Parliament travelled to Hambantota International Port (HIP) — one of Sri
Lanka’s premier deep-sea ports — to gain first-hand insight into its port
operations, trade logistics, and explore strategic foreign investment
opportunities. This diplomatic visit underscores a shared commitment by Sri
Lanka and Nepal to enhance South Asian economic cooperation and bolster regional
connectivity.
Led by Secretary General Padma Prasad Pandey, the Nepalese
team included senior parliamentary officials such as Dr. Rojnath Pande, Joint
Secretary Laxmi Prasad Gautam, and Under Secretaries Bhojraj Sharma Paudel and
Rekha Upadhyaya Khanal. Chivantha Galanga, a liaison officer from Sri Lanka,
coordinated the cross-border engagement.
During their visit, delegates toured HIP’s state-of-the-art
port infrastructure and received detailed briefings on its logistics hub
operations, free trade zones, and multi-modal transport capabilities. Located
along a major Indian Ocean maritime route, HIP is strategically positioned to
become a regional logistics powerhouse and a key transhipment hub for South
Asia.
HIP representatives extended a warm invitation to Nepalese
businesses and foreign investors to consider Hambantota Port as a gateway for
international trade expansion, particularly through the Hambantota
International Port Group (HIPG) — a rapidly emerging investment and logistics
platform in Sri Lanka.
Regional Impact & Outlook
- Nepal’s
growing focus on port infrastructure development and maritime trade access
reflects a strategic pivot to diversify export-import corridors beyond its
traditional landlocked routes.
- Hambantota
Port stands to benefit by expanding its international investor base, while
Nepal gains a critical maritime gateway to support global trade,
import-export logistics, and supply chain resilience.
What’s Next for Nepal-Sri Lanka Economic Cooperation
- Bilateral
agreements, including MoUs, are expected to emerge, outlining cross-border
trade initiatives and infrastructure investments.
- Follow-up
technical visits will likely focus on port logistics integration, cargo
handling systems, and customs facilitation.
- Key
sectors of mutual interest include freight logistics, container
transhipment, bonded warehousing, manufacturing zones, and cross-border
trade facilitation.
This visit by Nepal’s parliamentary delegation is more than
a symbolic gesture — it’s a calculated step toward building maritime
connectivity for landlocked economies. As Asia’s trade corridors evolve,
collaborations like this could redefine inland-to-sea trade linkages across the
region. Analysts suggest this could mark the beginning of a transformative
trade alliance between Sri Lanka’s maritime infrastructure and Nepal’s trade
diversification strategy.
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