KATHMANDU, July 10: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Dilendra Prasad Badu said that the government is ready to solve the existing problems in the operation of the Chobhar dry port at full capacity.

Speaking at a discussion program with the stakeholders organized by the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee at the ministry on Thursday, he said that the government was ready to solve the existing practical and policy problems by reducing the existing workload at the border checkpoints including Birgunj and operating the Chobhar dry port at full capacity.

He said that the demands and issues raised by the private sector should be addressed through inter-agency coordination as the import and export activities, which play an important role in the country's economy, could be simplified and reduced in time and cost.

"I would like to form a study committee representing the parties concerned to increase the attraction of the private sector in import and export in the dry port which has been operational since April 7 with adequate and well-facilitated trade infrastructure near the capital," he said. Minister Badu instructed the management to start the operation of the port at full capacity as soon as possible by holding discussions and interactions with the industrialists during the on-site inspection of the Chobhar Dry Port on June 30.

Secretary Arjun Prasad Pokhrel said that the utility of the Chobhar Dry Port could be increased by selecting certain items according to the convenience of the entrepreneurs and the condition of the infrastructure. Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, Ganesh Prasad Pandey said that a committee would be formed under the leadership of a Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to represent the bodies concerned including Nepal Rastra Bank, Ministry of Finance, Customs Department, Customs Agents Association, Overseas Export Import Association and Transit and Warehouse Management Company Limited.

Ashish Gajurel, executive director of Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee, explained the dry port and programs. Representatives of the private sector and businessmen had suggested the services to be provided by the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee and the Government of Nepal for the full operation of the dry port. He expressed the view that it would be easier for them to use the dry port of Chobhar if they could allow the import of goods directly at the customs point by opening the LC, at the opening of the LC.

 
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