International Investment Forum:

Enepalese Published on: June 15, 2020

President of GPK Foundation America (www.gpkf.org.np) President Somnath Ghimire, host the fifth in the Global Leadership Conference Series during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series so far included topics on Women, Medical and two on Journalism, with one dedicated to Fake News. The latest in the series is entitled International Investment Forum, and brings experts from around the world to give their opinions and perspectives on the adverse economic impacts of the worldwide viral disease, and what future lies ahead post-COVID-19.

One underlying consensus delivered by many of the speakers is that the old ways of doing things is no longer a viable solution for this world to recover and move forward collectively. A new paradigm shift and restructuring of the global economies and governance are needed as we face an unstable and uncertain future. Developing nations, like Nepal, must bring on board the appropriate foreign investors and partnerships that can fully utilize the human and natural resources, but without the damaging excesses and failings of the past. The investments must not only be in the development of human projects and infrastructure, but must also include good environmental governance to safeguard all of humanity’s long- term future.

This virtual Zoom conference was moderated by Somnath Ghimire, with opening remarks from the Honorable Sujata Koirala (former Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister). She is also the Chairwoman of GP Koirala Foundation, named after the legacy of her late father Girija Prasad Koirala, former Prime Minister of Nepal.

The high-level delegates from around the world included: Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia (Chairman of Ruparelia Group, Uganda); Himanshu Vyas (Secretary of All India Congress National Committee and Chairman of Foreign Trade Committee, India); Dr..Sam Pitroda (Entrepreneur and Inventor, USA); Mike Singh (CEO of TC Group, Chairman of The Caribbean Digital Divide Initiative, Guyana); Dr. Rajesh Rai (Editor IPBES, Erasmus Mundus Alumni, Thailand); Lal Hira Tamrakar (Managing Director of Bakery De Upper Crust and Nameru Trade Link, Nepal); Dinesh Tripathi (Constitutional Expert and Senior Advocate, Nepal); Dr. Kazeem Bello (CEO of Afrique Capital and Equity Funds, Nigeria); Fardous Askar (Journalist, Jordan); Dr. Leong Ying (Creator of Our Collective, USA); Richard Yuen (Partner of KLYTEC, USA).