In its eight-point suggestion to the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, the umbrella organization of Nepali apparel producers and exporters also said that Nepal´s strategy should be at getting Generalized System of Preference (GSP) and Most Favored Nation (MFN) for Nepali products in US market.[break]
“Not only the existing products proposed for GSP, Nepal should also lobby for such facility for new products. Besides, we need to form a separate committee to develop modality and process of the bi-lateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” said Uday Raj Pandey, president of GAN.
GAN has also demanded that the government encourage private sector involvement in promotion of Nepali goods.
Considering the periodical revision of the GSP, GAN has filed a petition at US Congress through the Nepalese Embassy in Washington, requesting GSP facility for eleven Nepali products, including Readymade Garments (RMG).
“Though it has already been a year since we registered a petition in US Congress, we haven´t got any information about the fate of our petition. So TIFA could be a best forum to exchange trade related information,” said Pandey.
GAN has also suggested that Nepal propose programs that address its trade related issues like technical assistance and capacity building; technical barriers to trade; and other areas of mutual interest to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Though Nepal has been enjoying trade surplus with USA, the amount of surplus has been going down every year due to poor performance of Nepali RMG industry. Nepal´s export to US has been suffering ever since US ended duty free-quota-free facilities being provided to Nepali RMG in 2004.
Related story
Nepal-US 'TIFA Meeting' being held on Monday
-1200x560-1771928761.webp)
