“We all know what needs to be done to enhance our reach in our second largest trading partner in South Asia. But the inefficiency of the government has largely constrained us from tapping potentials of Bangladeshi markets,” said Suraj Vaidya, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce (FNCCI).[break]
Nepali business community has long identified Bangladesh as a highly potential market for Nepali agro and food products. But owing to the problems faced in the operations of transit, particularly in the Indian side of the border, traders have been citing problems faced in the movement of shipments along the Kakarbhitta-Fulbari-Banglabandh, the only available overland transit route, as one of the major constraints of bilateral trade.
Besides, Bangladesh had already agreed to allow Nepal to use its port in Mangla for the third country trade some five years ago. But in the absence of strong commitment from the government, the facility has remained unutilized so far, said Vaidya.
“Let alone materializing the benefits that Bangladesh has provided to us, the government has not been able to hold even bilateral talks to finalize the very basic of its operating modalities,” he stated.
The entrepreneurs expressed such grievances against the government when a delegation of business community from Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) that visited Bangladesh convened to share their experiences.
During the five-day visit, the delegation held a series of meetings with the Bangladeshi private sector representatives and senior government officials, including Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Golam Mahommad Kader.
“We informed the problems of bilateral trade, particularly ones that have been impeding growth of bilateral trade, to minister Kader,” said Ashok Temani, president of BCCI.
Among others, the team also requested the Bangladeshi commerce ministry to set up a trade desk so that Nepali traders could approach it whenever they face problems.
Responding to the Nepali traders, Kader assured that the two governments would work seriously to address problems faced by the traders. “Minister Kader also said he will soon visit Nepal to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart here in order to boost trade between the two countries,” Temani said.
The BCCI team had visited Bangladesh mainly to establish an institutional relationship between the private sectors of the two countries. “The private sector bodies of the two countries will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU),” he stated, adding that the MoU will be a stepping stone for private sector of both the countries to work together for fostering bilateral trade and economic ties.
“Our visit was fruitful as the private sector of Bangladesh has also committed to work together and invest in Nepal´s different areas such as education, tourism and medical institutions,” he added.
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