By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council and Jinju City Council are actively cooperating in international exchanges with Nepal to expand agricultural and Buddhist cultural exchanges.

The Korea Nepal International Exchange Association announced on Nov. 26 that Pushpa Raj Bhattarai, deputy chief of mission and minister counsellor of the Embassy of Nepal in Korea, visited the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council and Jinju City Council to discuss ways to cooperate on international exchange of Buddhist culture and the agricultural sector with Gyeongnam.

The meeting was attended by Kim Yong-soo, Permanent Representative of the Korea-Nepal International Exchange Association, Choi Hak-beom, Chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, Park Hye-soo, Chairman of the K Global Culture and Arts Association, and others.

The main contents of the meeting included discussions on △ international exchange cooperation through sisterhood ties between local governments in Gyeongnam Province and Koshi Province, Nepal, which are specialized in agriculture and fisheries; exchanges between Yangsan Tongdosa Temple, Hapcheon Haeinsa Temple, and Lumbini Temple in Nepal, the hometown of Buddha; business exchanges between companies in the agricultural machinery, seedling, fertilizer, and pesticide industries; and exchanges of ODA and EDCF experts for the development of developing countries.

“Gyeongnam has a Buddhist culture and well-established infrastructure in agriculture and fisheries, so it is necessary to cooperate with Nepal's Himalayan Annapurna mountaineering industry and Koshi, an agricultural city in Nepal, for international exchange and cooperation,” said Pushpa Raj Bhattarai.

“This year, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Nepal, a number of Nepalese businessmen, including the Nepalese Minister of Industry and Commerce and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are visiting Korea, and a Nepal investment briefing session will be held at the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on December 16,” he said, adding, ”We are looking for private exchanges and economic development in various fields between the two countries.”

Choi Hak-beom, chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, said, “Gyeongnam is strengthening the competitiveness of its agricultural industry and promoting various agricultural policies. We are continuing to explore overseas markets, including the discovery of K-farm products, so we look forward to linking with Nepal's excellent agricultural resources and international exchange and cooperation in various fields.”