KATHMANDU, Nov 16: The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) organized a round-table discussion to engage with Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma, Nepal's Ambassador-Designate to India. During the meeting, NICCI members presented various trade challenges faced by Nepal's private sector when engaging with India.
According to a press statement issued by the NICCI, key issues discussed in the meeting included the need for harmonizing customs codes between Nepal and India, simplifying documentation requirements at Indian ports, addressing container shortages and excessive charges, and financial constraints caused by the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS). Participants also emphasized the necessity of operationalizing the Indian Cargo Rail service to Biratnagar, developing additional Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), and improving market access for Nepal-made goods in India.
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“The discussion highlighted the importance of establishing quarantine posts and laboratories at border points, accrediting Nepalese laboratories for agricultural exports, and facilitating the re-export of industrial machinery to India without extensive bank guarantees. NICCI members called for a review of the 30 percent value addition requirement for manufacturing exports and adjustments to export policies to include transactions in Indian currency,” the statement mentioned.
Concerns were also raised about the mandatory BIS certification for Nepalese commodities, with the NICCI urging timely factory inspections by Indian officials to avoid trade disruptions. In addition, NICCI members pressed Ambassador-designate Sharma for the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) to streamline the trade process.
