KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel, currently in Geneva, Switzerland, is set to begin his visit to Germany today.

President Paudel’s visit comes at the invitation of his German counterpart, Frank Walter Steinmeier. According to Amrit Bahadur Rai, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Paudel is slated to engage in official discussions with the German President on June 17.

Nepal and Germany established diplomatic relations on April 4, 1958, fostering a relationship grounded in friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation.

The two countries have maintained residential embassies in each other’s capital cities since 1963.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2018, both nations have exchanged visits by dignitaries, further solidifying their close and cordial relations.

Noteworthy visits include former German President Heinrich Lubke’s trip to Nepal in 1967 and late King Birendra’s state visit to Germany in 1986.

Germany, with its 16 states, holds significant importance in central Europe.

Trade between Nepal and Germany encompasses a variety of goods, with Nepal mainly importing optical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and vehicles, while exporting carpets, handicrafts, and agricultural products.

The visit also highlights the potential for German investment in various sectors of Nepal’s development, including agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

Germany’s substantial assistance to Nepal spans diverse areas such as agriculture, urban development, and disaster relief, including support after the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.

Moreover, Germany remains a vital destination for Nepali exports, particularly carpets and textile products.

The Nepal-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, founded in 1990, actively promotes bilateral trade relations.

Accompanied by his spouse Sabita Paudel, President Paudel’s delegation includes Foreign Affairs Expert Dr. Suresh Chandra Chalise, the Secretary of the Office of the President, the Foreign Affairs Secretary, and Nepal’s Ambassador to Germany.

The President is expected to conclude his visit and return to Kathmandu on June 19.