Overseas exports surge by 9.3 pc

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KATHMANDU, May 22 - The total overseas export of Nepal during the first nine months of the current fiscal year has surged by 9.3 per cent against the corresponding period last year and has touched Rs 22.3 billion.

According to a press release issued here by Trade Promotion Center (TPC), exports of red lentils, tanned skin, Nepali Papers and its products, ready-made garments, pashmina shawl, electrical transformer, button and status played the major role in the increment of the export volume.

The export of pashmina shawl, during the review period, reached Rs 3.9 billion, which is 59 per cent higher than the amount recorded during the same period last year. Similar remarkable growth of 51.6 per cent was observed in the export of red lentil and touched 8,806 tons worth Rs 317 million. During the period, the export of tea also recorded a growth of 20.5 per cent while the export of he-goats’ tanned skin increased by 135 per cent, big animals’ tanned skin by 299 per cent, electrical transformer by 4.4 per cent and metal statue soared by 62.5 per cent.

However, the export of woolen carpet, during the period plunged by 14.3 per cent to remain at 16,78,259 square meter worth Rs 6.44 billion against Rs 7.51 billion recorded during the same period last year.

Though the woolen carpet is exported to more than 50 different countries, Germany continued to remain as the leading major importer by absorbing 61.5 per cent of the total export while the export to America, which is also the second largest market, has been swelling since last couple of years. The American market imports 18 per cent while Switzerland, Belgium and United Kingdom imported 3.5 per cent, 3.2 per cent and 3.2 per cent of the total export.

Along with the slump in the export of woolen carpet, during the review period, the export of cotton towel, silver utensils and jewelers also declined.

Regional economic coop meet today

KATHMANDU, May 22 - South Asian businessmen are gathering in Islamabad, the Capital of Pakistan, to attend a one-day conference on Regional Economic Cooperation in SAARC-Key Issues that is to be held Wednesday.

According to a press release issued here by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) today, the conference is being organized to prepare the SAARC case for effective pleading it in the upcoming fourth WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Doha (Qatar) in November.

The conference is being organized under the umbrella SCCI. Also simultaneously is taking place the 21st Executive Committee meeting of the SCCI to be participated in by 35 members.

Acknowledging the fact that unresolved disputes between India and Pakistan undermine the trade activities among seven countries of the Region, a meeting of Indo-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, participated in by 40 delegates from India, took place Tuesday.

According to the release, SCCI is striving to convince the SAARC’s political governments that sharing natural and human resources across borders will help strengthen the respective industrial, commercial and financial sectors of the Region and lay a strong foundation for a people-friendly viable economic bloc.

The issues to be discussed Wednesday include institutional arbitration in SAARC countries and strengthening the government industry partnership as preparation to the WTO Ministerial Conference, the release says.

The conference aims to evolve a common South Asian stance on issues such as agriculture, textile, anti-dumping, intellectual property rights, investments, dispute settlement mechanism and technical barriers, among others, the release adds.

The high powered delegation from the seven SAARC countries include three presidents of federations of chamber of commerce and industry, five former presidents and five incumbent vice presidents and many presidents of the local chambers in Pakistan, the release concludes.

Training on agricultural projects begins

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KATHMANDU, May 22 - A twelve-day training course on Formulation of Agricultural Projects for Entrepreneurial Development kicked off in the capital Monday.

Speaking during the inaugural function of the program, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal Abhram Nir expressed his commitment to render continued support to Nepal in its development endeavors.

Women in Science and Technology (WIST), in cooperation with the Embassy of Israel, Kathmandu and MASHAV (Centre for International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem), jointly organized the training program.

WIST President Ram Badan Pradhan, addressing the function, said that the training program aims at improving the skills of the participants in project and career development. He further said, "Agro-based entrepreneurship development could be the main source of income for Nepal where more than 80 per cent of the population depend on agriculture for livelihood."

Similarly, Prof. Dr Dayananda Bajracharya, Vice-Chancellor of Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST), said since women represent only 11 per cent of the total human resources, there is a need to further increase the proportion.

Two experts from Israel Yoram Porat and Brakha Gal, both senior extension economists at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from Israel are sharing their experience in the 12-day program.

Different governmental and non-governmental organizations, research organizations, educational institutions, private professionals and donor groups, among others, are taking part in the training program.

Coordination for sustainable dev stressed

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KATHMANDU, May 22 - Minister of State for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Krishna Prasad Sitaula has stressed upon the need of proper coordination between the environment and economic activities for sustainable development.

"Merely opening and operating a factory is not sufficient for economic development," he said while inaugurating a seminar on Green Productivity on Tuesday. "Adequate attention must be paid on the negative impacts they incur to the environment."

Addressing the seminar which was jointly organized by National Productivity and Economic Development Center Ltd (NPEDCL) and Asian Productivity Organization(APO), Secretary at the Ministry Bhanu Bhakta Acharya highlighted the various activities of the APO in Nepal.

The seminar is a part of the joint efforts of these two organizations, APO and NPEDCL, to coordinate between economic activities and environment, he said.

Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) highlighted the need of Nepali products to be environment-friendly so as to compete in the international market.

Shrestha also pledged FNCCI’s continued support on issues related to green productivity.

Yugi Yamada, special advisor to the general secretary of APO highlighted the various activities of APO internationally.

He also informed that APO is planning to increase activities on member countries, following some necessary study soon.

Ramesh Singh Pradhan, general manager of NPEDCL, spoke about the need of small and medium-size enterprises to be more environment-friendly.

The seminar was participated by government officials and representatives of various research institutions including service and manufacturing sectors.