On Wednesday, 24 February 2010, the Britain Nepal Chamber of Commerce ( BNCC) and the British Hydropower Association (BHA) invited people from the hydropower and water industries to a second forum to discuss the potential and scope for development of major and minor projects in Nepal. As before, in December 2008, the meeting took the form of an informal panel and discussion followed by a Nepali buffet supper.

The meeting was sponsored by UKTI, the Embassy of Nepal, the Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce and the British Hydropower Association

Background papers and relevant literature were available to the 60 or so delegates who were present.

The Chairman of the BNCC, Anthony Wieler, said Nepal had one of the greatest hydropower potentials in the world and a hungry market accross the border to the south. Nepal would be well advised to step up efforts to attract and facilitate foreign investment in this sector.

Gavin Warnock, consultant with Monitor International said Nepal had one of the most attractive foreign direct investment regimes in South Asia but improved environmental security was necessary. Foreign investors were happy to join hands with Nepali and regional businessmen to develop hydropower projects for mutual benefit

The British Ambassador to Nepal, Dr. Andrew Hall, briefed participants about recent political developments in that country and expressed the hope that the proposed new constitution might be introduced on time.

The Nepalese Ambassador to Britain, Dr. Suresh Chandra Chalise, said that at a time when Nepal was passing through a phase of acute power shortages, foreign investors should come forward to develop hydropower projects for domestic consumption as well as for export.

The Embassy in London and its staff would be happy to provide support and information to prospective British investors Tim Midgley of DFID and Tom Bouwens from the Climate Change Project Office also spoke on the benefits of such projects for development and carbon trading etc. following which, the audience had an opportunity to put questions to all the speakers and this proved to be a lively session with many contributions.

It is hoped to hold a further brief meeting later in the year as a precursor to a visit to Nepal and it was hoped that sponsors would come forward for this event. Suitable approaches to Government and other agencies were under way.

A booklet on hydropower is being prepared by the Chamber and should be available in due course to members of the BNCC and the British Hydropower Association

N B Jaynes – Secretary, BNCC

February 2010