Kathmandu, July 24: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the government is committed to addressing the demands raised by industrialists and business people to expand the market for Nepali products internationally.
During a meeting with representatives of the Nepal Plywood Manufacturers’ Association, Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association, Nepal Pashmina Industries Association and Nepal Dog Chew Manufacturers Association on Friday, the PM said the government was ready to facilitate the business community and address its concerns.
On the occasion, Chairperson of the Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association, Balaram Gurung, said the carpet manufacturing and export sector has suffered under new laws in the United States, a key market for Nepali carpets along with European countries.
Gurung said a mandatory US Consumer Product Safety Commission verification requirement, which came into effect from July 8, has halted Nepal’s exports, as Nepal lacks the facility to meet it. He sought government assistance in securing a year-long grace period before the next provision takes effect.
Gurung also requested that the Foreign Ministry send a diplomatic note to the US Customs Department seeking the grace period, and PM Shah immediately directed the ministry to do so.
Gurung further urged the PM to ensure timely quarantine certification of raw materials imported for carpet production, noting that businesspeople have been affected by having to obtain wool certification three times a month. PM Shah directed the concerned bodies to reduce this to twice a week.
The PM’s Secretariat stated that PM Shah has taken positively to the demand for the constitution of the Carpet Development Board.
Likewise, PM Shah said the government will play role to promote sheep rearing in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces for the production of mutton and wool.
On the occasion, Chairperson of Nepal Plywood Manufacturers’ Association Hom Prasad Ghimire said that some legal hassles have created more challenges to this business despite Nepal’s higher quality in plywood compared to the products imported from other countries.
He said veneer (raw materials for plywood) is being exported to India in a very low customs rate despite Nepal’s massive investment in plywood factories.
On Ghimire’s concerns, PM Shah said the government was working to discourage import of raw materials of plywood by increasing the export tariffs.
Chairperson of the Nepal Pashmina Industries Association, Dhan Prasad Lamichhane, called for wool and silk collection to be ensured at the local level, with processing centers established at the provincial level. PM Shah agreed to facilitate this as well.
Chairperson of the Nepal Dog Chew Manufacturers Association, Resham Bahadur Pokhrel, said legal bottlenecks have prevented manufacturers from producing and exporting dog chews.
He asked that dog chews be reclassified as pet food rather than dairy products, and that imports of skimmed milk powder for manufacturers be facilitated. PM Shah said the government would study the issue and address it if appropriate. #nepal #rss
