KATHMANDU, Jan 14: Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) urged for speedy implementation of the agreements made in the recently held India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting to Combat Unauthorised Trade between two countries.
Welcoming the agreement, the NICCI expressed its concern over the IGC meeting on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation that was held in Kathmandu on January 10-11. In the bilateral talk, Commerce Secretary Gobinda Bahadur Karkee led Nepali delegation, while the Indian side was led by Commerce Secretary of the Indian Government Sunil Barthwal. Apart from secretaries senior officials from different Ministries and relevant departments of both the countries, including the Embassy of India in Kathmandu took part in the meeting.
NICCI welcomed the outcomes of the IGC, a bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties that did a comprehensive review of the whole gamut of bilateral trade and economic relationship, including mutual market access issues, IPR and duty related issues, the NICCI expressed in its press release.
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NICCI is hopeful of renewed enthusiasm in trade and transit as the IGC also held discussions on review of the Treaty of Transit and the Treaty of Trade, proposed amendments to existing agreements, the harmonization of standards and the synchronized development of trade infrastructure including the electrification of the Raxaul-Birgunj railway line.
NICCI also welcomed the Indian decision to supply 200,000 tons of wheat upon a request by Nepali side. In the meeting, the Indian side agreed that as per prevailing regulations of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, maximum axle weight of 18.5 tonnes for two axle vehicles and 28 tonnes for three axle vehicles may also be applicable to Nepali vehicles with respect to the cargo-in-transit on Kakarbhitta (Nepal)-Banglabandha (Bangladesh) via Phulbari (India) route, which is a welcome development, according to NICCI.
Likewise, in response to Nepali side’s requests, the Indian side informed that Sal Seeds and Chayote have been included in the Plant Quarantine Order of India. The request for Jatamasi - Root extract; Sugandhkokila berry extracts; Sugandhwal Rhizome extract and Timur berry extracts into the list of Processed Items (Plant Products) has also been accepted, which is also welcome move by the India.
During the meeting, at the Indian side’s request Nepali representatives expressed openness to reviewing the documentation regarding the reclassification of products like EPAQUE and POLYHIDE 28 in their technical systems. The Indian side highlighted the problems faced in milk exports to Nepal. The Nepali side agreed to consider the request of the Indian side positively for milk products not adequately produced in Nepal such as whey and cheese.
NICCI finds it positive that the meeting welcomed bilateral initiatives aimed at reinforcing the seamless cross-border connectivity between India and Nepal including through construction of new Integrated Check Posts and railway links. Both sides expressed a commitment to taking forward bilateral connectivity, reflecting the shared vision of prosperous bilateral trade. Both sides agreed to form a Joint Working Group for discussion on the acceptance of Online CoO with Nepal and SAFTA.
NICCI is of the view that India as the largest trade and investment partner for Nepal, can make contributions to further fortify the economic and commercial linkages between the two countries.
