From September 2 to 5, 2024, a lawyer delegation consisting of Tahota’s partners Ma Chunyan, Zheng Wenwen and Zou Angxi visited Nepal. It aims to strengthen the Sino-Nepalese legal services of Tahota Kathmandu Office, and expand the cooperation opportunities for Tahota (Nepal) Office in the investment and trade transactions between China and Nepal.

Tahota (Nepal) Law Firm

The delegation initially made an in-depth exchange with the Tahota (Nepal) Office, which is the only law firm in Nepal to join the Chinese law firm brand. The meeting further clarified the orientation of the Tahota (Nepal) Law Firm, which will provide integrated, comprehensive and professional legal services around investment and trade between China and Nepal. Such legal services shall meet Nepalese law and compliance requirements of Chinese investment. Lawyer Ma Chunyan (Partner of Tahota) and Kiran Saakha (Honorary Advisor of Tahota (Nepal) Law Firm) presented a positive attitude towards the visit.

Himalaya Airlines

On September 3, the delegation visited Himalayan Airlines. Tahota previously provided special legal services to Tibet Civil Aviation Development and Investment Co., Ltd. for the acquisition of its equity. Himalayan Airlines, established in 2014, is a Nepal Airlines, with Tibet Civil Aviation Development and Investment Co., Ltd. as its controlling shareholder. The company mainly operates international routes to Asia and the Middle East, with a focus on connecting Kathmandu to multiple key cities. Zhou Enyong, Manager of Himalayan Airlines, thanked Tahota for its professional services and hoped that two sides would continue to maintain long-term friendly cooperation.

Investment Board of Nepal

On the same day, the delegation visited the Investment Board of Nepal. The Investment Board of Nepal (IBN) was established by the Government of Nepal in 2011 to facilitate public and private investment in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in key fields such as energy, tourism and manufacturing. It takes charge of attracting domestic and foreign investment, promoting the development of public-private partnership (PPP) projects, and coordinating the development and implementation of policies related to large-scale investment projects. Mr. Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, Joint Secretary of the IBN, said that Nepal welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the fields of tourism, hydropower, information technology and data center, and expects that Tahota will provide a link in Sino-Nepalese investment cooperation.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI)

Established in 1965, FNCCI is regarded as the largest commercial organization in Nepal, to facilitate domestic and foreign trade, promote industrial development and provide support to private enterprises. Mr. Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, the Vice President of FNCCI, welcomed the Chinese law firms, expressed his expectation for the investment of Chinese enterprises during the meeting. He looks forward to further cooperation with Tahota. 

Nepal Overseas Chinese Business Association (NOCBA) and Nepal Overseas Chinese Association (NOCA)

On September 4, the delegation visited the NOCBA. Working closely with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal and local authorities, NOCBA aims to help Chinese enterprises adapt to the local regulatory environment and develop their business in various fields such as infrastructure, trade and communications. Mr. Chen Xu, the Secretary General, expressed the hope for Tahota to continue to provide legal support for mining and infrastructure projects of Chinese enterprises in Nepal. On the same day, the delegation also had a brief meeting with NOCA, and reached an agreement on the direction of future cooperation.

Nepal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCI)

Later, the delegation visited NCCI. Established in 1952, NCCI is the first business organization in Nepal, and dedicated to advancing the economic development of Nepal by promoting domestic and foreign trade and protecting business interests. Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, the President of NCC, pointed out that NCCI and FNCCI have cooperated closely on economic policy, and trade exchanges between Nepalese and Chinese enterprises in recent years have been growing, so it is hoped that Tahota can further support the economic cooperation between China and Nepal through these platforms.

Economic and Commercial Counselor Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal 

On the same day, the delegation visited the Economic and Commercial Counselor Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal. Mr. Zhang Xianfeng, the Secretary General, quoted the “strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity” put forward by President Xi Jinping during his visit to Nepal in 2019, and pointed out that the two countries will celebrate the 70^th anniversary of China-Nepal diplomatic relations in 2025. The Secretary General emphasized that China is Nepal’s largest foreign investor and aiding country, as well as Nepal’s second largest trading partner and source of tourism. He expects Tahota to cope with possible challenges in the future and continue to support the development of Chinese enterprises in Nepal.

This visit further consolidated the legal service network of Tahota Law Firm in Nepal and laid a more solid foundation for future legal and economic cooperation between China and Nepal. Tahota will continue to provide high-quality legal support to Chinese and Nepali investors and promote in-depth cooperation between the two countries in various fields on a continuous basis, contributing to the high-quality development of the “Belt and Road”.