NCC submits recommendations on Nepal-India trade

Post Report

KATHMANDU, July 30 - In the light of the upcoming talks between Nepalese and Indian government officials from August 1-3, Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has pointed out the major problems that exist in Nepal-India bilateral trade.

The NCC has submitted suggestions and recommendations to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Sunday, including the issues that it feels should be discussed in the Nepal India secretarial level talks.

According to the NCC report made available here today, NCC has said that the government must try to expedite the customs clearance processes. In addition, the meet should also address the problems faced by trucks which are stranded for days at the border.

Also, the frequent delays caused in clearance due to agitation by employees of various authorities on both sides of the border need to be discussed. The existing shortcomings in the duty draw back system should also be addressed, the NCC has recommended.

The NCC has also pointed out that several issues of differences have aroused in the implementation of the 1996 Nepal-India Trade Treaty. It has stressed for the talks to focus on issues that have given rise to such differences.

With a view to facilitate smooth foreign trade, the NCC has urged with the government to push forward with the Railways Agreement. Once the railways agreement is concluded, the foreign trade will receive an additional impetus slashing the transit costs by around 40 per cent.

Included in the suggestions, the NCC has stressed on the need to make necessary changes in the Treaty to further facilitate the Nepal-India trade. Also the existing impediments in the smooth flow of agro-products to India should be sorted by introducing a Single Window System in the Indian side.

India has levied countervailing duties on various commodities manufactured in Nepal. This has eroded the competitive strength of the Nepali products in the Indian markets vis-a-vis the Indian products. This issue should be raised in the upcoming talks, the report states.

In the context of the potential accession of Nepal to the World Trade Organization, and since India is already a member, issues such as that of value addition and material content should no more be included in the talks, the report says.

Although Nepal recognizes the Indian ISI mark in Nepal, Nepal’s Nepal Standard (NS) mark is not recognized in India, which is creating problems in the export of Nepalese products. The NS mark must be given due recognition by the Indian side, the report says.

As regards the transit facilities, there is a One Time Lock System in the transportation of products from the Indian ports to Nepal. However, the provision has not been implemented. The meet must address this issue, the report says.

India has consented to provide Nepal with container yards in Calcutta and Haldia ports for which even land has been allocated. Nepal must initiate steps for constructing the same to facilitate foreign trade, the report says.

In conclusion, the report highlights that a high level Dispute Settlement Committee needs to be formed for the purpose of looking into any trade related disputes between the two neighbouring countries.

Film entrepreneurs likely to form a Federation

KATHMANDU, July 30 (PR) - At the time when the government in its newly announced budget has taken number of measures to encourage film industry in Nepal, concerned experts gathered in a program, have stressed upon the necessity of unity among the film entrepreneurs under a federation.

They also pointed out that strong unity among the film industrialists would enable them to face the emerging competition by minimizing various problems related with the film industry.

Speaking at the third Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Film Entrepreneurs’ Association, Neer Shah, reputed director and film maker said that film entrepreneurs have to mull over setting up the federation in the film industry. "With this new concept the new problems that has emerged in the industry can be solved in a unified approach."

Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat had recognized this sector as an industry through the current budget speech and had announced to provide subsidy on the customs duty while importing capital goods required for the sector.

The government has provided the subsidy upon the long-time demand of the film entrepreneurs. Nepal Film Development Board had exercised a lot to gain recognition for the sector as an industry.

In this context the film entrepreneurs have to fulfill their obligations towards the country and the people and must have a unified approach to strengthen the industry, said Neer Shah.

Film sector has the responsibility to boost art and culture and to provide healthy entertainment along with fulfilling the commercial purposes. This particular responsibility of the industry has been given a special status in Nepalese industry. They also stressed that the film entrepreneurs should not concentrate only in making profits by ignoring other social responsibilities.

Shree Ram Poudel, Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information, appreciated the concept of federation and said that this will enhance the development of the film industry in Nepal by accelerating competition between the film makers to produce quality films.

Yadav Kharel. Chairman of the Film Development Board, said that limited internal market is one of the major problems being faced by Nepalese film industry. He stressed upon the need to expand the market.