KATHMANDU, May 7: E-commerce and delivery companies have expanded their services since the nationwide lockdown began last year in March. The government has now refused to allow them to run their home delivery services.
Since the prohibitory order began last week, most of the e-commerce businesses have been shut down, and the authorities have allowed only a few essential services to run for a couple of hours daily. But the government is yet to make a decision on whether or to allow e-commerce services to run their services.
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According to E-business Association Nepal (EBAN), many small businesses will be saved from closing altogether, if they are allowed to continue trading via e-commerce marketplaces like Daraz and Sastodeal, among others.
The demand for logistics, such as electronic devices and stationery items, are high. However, the goods cannot be transported due to the government policy, said EBAN. Expressing its commitment to abide by the highest safety standards, the Association has requested the government to allow all forms of e-commerce services, including home deliveries of both essentials and non essentials goods.
“Had the government recognized e-commerce, the distribution and delivery of items, including the household and office needs, could have been made smoothly,” said Salina Nakarmi, head of marketing communications at Daraz Nepal.
