(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-11 16:41

Kathmandu - Nepal-China Tibet Economic and Trade Fair 2007 was kicked off at Birendra International Conference Center in Nepali capital Kathmandu on Tuesday.

At the opening ceremony, Rajendra Mahato, Nepal's minister for industry, commerce and supplies, welcomed an 81-member delegation from China's Tibet Autonomous Region, which arrived in Kathmandu on Monday.

Mahato said, "The Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal share many things in common due to their geographical proximity and historical ties. The bilateral trade relations which have existed since long have been further strengthened over the years."

He said he believed that the fair "is a good opportunity for our business community of both sides to have direct interaction with each other and develop a reliable link for trade and investment through trade fair like this."

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin said, "The recent years have witnessed expanding trade and economic cooperation between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region."

He said the Chinese side is working hard on the renovation of infrastructure facilities in Chinese border town Khase, and in the Kerong port as the second important pass between the two countries.

Head of the delegation and Vice-Chairman of China's Tibet Autonomous Region Deng Xiaogang thanked the Nepali hosts for the warm welcome accorded to the delegation. He said, "The fair will further strengthen the traditional friendship between the two peoples of China and Nepal, enhance the bilateral trade between Nepal and Tibet of China."

He said he was fully confident that the Sino-Nepalese trade relations and friendship will improve and grow faster.

Altogether 27 companies from Tibet, one of China's autonomous regions, would display their own products at the fair.