Nepal Exporters' Association Urges Resolution to Import Cargo Transport Delays

Kathmandu. The Nepal Overseas Export and Import Association has urged for a resolution to the problems observed in the transportation of goods imported into Nepal over the past few months.

A delegation from the association met with Commerce Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire in his office to draw his attention to the private sector's concerns regarding commerce.

According to the association's General Secretary Jayant Kumar Agrawal, they informed Secretary Ghimire that imported goods destined for Nepal have been facing delays in transportation on Indian soil for several months, and they requested his initiative to arrange additional trains for the transportation of Nepali goods.

He also emphasized the need to control the grey market by adjusting customs duties and other tax rates to prevent a wide gap in commodity prices between Indian and Nepali markets, in line with the recommendations of the High-Level Economic Reform Suggestion Commission.

The association also urged for an initiative to amend the protocol of the Nepal-India Trade Treaty to allow the import of machine tool parts manufactured in third countries via India.

The association further demanded that the government immediately resume the cash subsidy for exports, which it had recently suspended. Furthermore, the association stressed the need to amend the stringent provisions of the Agency Act and highlighted the necessity of a single-window policy for firm renewals.

The association also demanded the development of a process simplification system where any government agency can obtain documents online if they have already been submitted to one government office.

While urging the removal of the existing ambiguity regarding Maximum Retail Price (MRP), the association complained that the provision in the Private Firm Registration Regulation, which requires every firm to submit an annual turnover statement to the Department of Commerce, only increases business costs and adds hassles.

The association urged against imposing bans on the import of essential goods for general life, which contradicts the principle of a free-market economy. The association argued that when goods are banned from import, they are illegally imported through loopholes at border crossings and openly sold in the market, leading to revenue loss, halting legitimate trade, and fostering unauthorized trade.

The association also expressed dissatisfaction with the government reducing the limit for cash transactions from NPR 1 million to NPR 500,000. In response, Secretary Ghimire informed that he has already formed a committee to study the import bans on various goods and submit suggestions, assuring the association that he would do his best to address the issues raised.

The delegation led by Association President Shivkumar Agrawal included General Secretary Jayant Agrawal, Secretary Bishnu Kumar Joshi, and executive committee members Mayank Kedia and Akash Golchha.