Kathmandu, November 2
National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has proposed cooperation with Switzerland to establish a world-class pharmaceutical industry in Nepal.
During a courtesy meeting with Pierre-André Page, President of the National Council of Switzerland, on Monday, Dahal urged the Swiss side to take initiatives at the government level to help establish pharmaceutical industries in Nepal.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Dahal said he had proposed cooperation to set up pharmaceutical industries in Nepal, noting that Switzerland has several world-class pharmaceutical companies and industries.
He said establishing such industries in Nepal would enable Nepali citizens to access medicines at affordable prices.
According to Dahal, Page asked Nepal to identify and communicate its requirements for medicines and other forms of assistance, and pledged to take initiatives to address them.
“I also thanked Switzerland for providing $2 million in assistance to people affected by the recent Bhotekoshi floods. We exchanged greetings on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Switzerland. Switzerland has excellent pharmaceutical industries and companies that meet international standards. I proposed that, if possible, Switzerland could help establish similar industries in Nepal through government-level cooperation, which would make medicines more affordable for Nepali people,” Dahal said.
Dahal said Switzerland had been supporting Nepal as a development partner and expressed hope that the cooperation would continue in the coming days. He also appreciated Switzerland’s assistance during natural disasters and expressed confidence that such support would continue.
Switzerland recently provided $2 million in assistance to people affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.
Dahal said Page had asked Nepal to identify its specific needs so that Switzerland could take the necessary initiatives.
“He directly asked us to let him know what our needs are and assured us that they would take initiatives accordingly. He also pledged to identify Nepal’s requirements and work towards addressing them. I assured him that I would raise these issues seriously with the concerned authorities,” Dahal said.
He added that the two sides also discussed establishing parliamentary friendship groups in both countries. Page reportedly said Switzerland would form such a group soon after his return.
The groups are expected to facilitate the exchange of parliamentary practices and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides exchanged greetings on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Switzerland. According to Dahal, the meeting also discussed ways to expand parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
