Minister Sinha Claims Significant Achievements in Trade, Industry, and Governance Since Taking Office

Kathmandu. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha has claimed that the ministry has achieved significant milestones in promoting good governance, industrial development, trade facilitation, and supply chain management since he assumed office.

He detailed that the ministry placed special emphasis on policy reforms, the adoption of digital technology, and entrepreneurship development.

Minister Sinha, part of the interim government formed after the Jan-G movement of Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082, formulated and implemented an immediate reform action plan for 2082 to make public services more effective. Furthermore, the integrated office management system has been operational since Magh 15, 2082, and the good governance roadmap has also been finalized.

He also mentioned that since taking charge, the Directive on Electronic Commerce, 2082, has been issued, and the preliminary draft of the Industrial Policy has been prepared. The implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption has been systematized. The work to compile acts, rules, and regulations for public enterprises is progressing. A governance reform unit has been formed under the convenorship of the head of the Administration and Enterprise Division, and it has commenced its work.

For the overall development of the industrial sector, the draft of the Company Bill, 2082, is being prepared. The provision allowing automatic approval for foreign investment up to NPR 500 million has been published in the Nepal Gazette, removing the maximum limit for investment and expanding the sectors where investment is approved via the automatic route. A notification regarding the removal of upper and lower limits to facilitate foreign investment services was published in the Nepal Gazette on Falgun 4, 2082.

During this period, 13,487 companies were registered, and 1,363 companies were dissolved. 781 industries were registered with proposed investments of NPR 130 billion, and investment commitment proposals worth NPR 261 billion across 656 industries were approved, leading to the proposed creation of 25,383 jobs. 475 foreign investment projects were approved, securing foreign investment commitments totaling NPR 39.23 billion. For files damaged during the movement, copies were prepared, and immediate services were provided using digital records for the physical files of the Department of Industry related to industrial property that were completely destroyed.

The Directive for Operating Micro-Enterprise Development Program for Poverty Alleviation, 2077, was repealed, and a new procedure for 2082 was issued. The Procedure for Operating Entrepreneurship Development Program, 2082, has been approved and implemented. Various programs were completed under the "Make in Nepal" campaign to boost domestic production.

The Procedure for Operating Business Promotion Center, 2082, and the Procedure for Operating Startup Enterprise Loan Program, 2082, have been approved. An interaction program on the topic "Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward for Women in Startups" was successfully held under the chief hospitality of the Honorable Minister Sinha.

Approximately 100 meters of drilling work has been completed by deploying 4 drilling machines in various locations. A review committee has been formed to quickly process mining exploration permit applications by examining reports in an integrated manner. During this period, 14 Nepal Quality licenses and certificates were issued, 41 samples were tested/analyzed, and the Nepal Quality Mark was awarded to 8 industries. Monitoring related to weights and measures was conducted 2,660 times.

Similarly, import permits are now being issued entirely through an online system. A Letter of Exchange was exchanged to amend the protocol of the transit treaty concluded between Nepal and India, allowing all types of cargo transportation via railway routes from Kolkata/Visakhapatnam to Biratnagar-Jogbani and up to Nautanwa, and via road routes up to Bhairahawa. Secretary-level meetings were held with Bangladesh and China regarding bilateral trade, transit facilities, investment promotion, and trade facilitation. The issuance of Certificates of Origin has commenced online. The damaged dry ports at Bhairahawa, Kakarbhitta, and Tatopani have been fully operational after repairs, the Timure dry port is partially operational, and the Biratnagar Integrated Check Post is fully operational. Effective services are being provided to service seekers through the Trade Facilitation Clinic.

For festival-targeted supply management, the supply chain was stabilized by operating subsidized price shops in various parts of the country through the Food Management and Trading Company Limited and Salt Trading Corporation. Subsidized salt transportation service was provided to 61 locations in 17 remote districts. A toll-free number has been launched to systematize grievance redressal at the Nepal Oil Corporation. Arrangements have been made for the smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.