Remove Trade Barriers

NEPAL and China recently concluded the first round of talks on abolishing dual tariff and prevention of financial fraud in trade between the two countries. High level delegates from both the countries apprised one another of the current situation on Nepal-China trade and exchanged views on the problems being faced in this sector. Nepal and China are close neighbours and development partners for a long time. China has always extended cooperation to Nepal’s development efforts through various ways. In fact, Nepal and China have had a problem free, smooth ride of relations so far. The relations between the two countries at both official as well as people’s level have been cordial and cooperative. In addition to this, there has been a long tradition and history of Nepal-China trade. When Nepal had very limited or no access to outside world, its trade with China was flourishing. Trade relations between the two countries have been gradually growing in the recent years. However, there is a widespread public feeling that despite being so close, the trade between these two neighbours has not grown and developed to the fullest potential. There may be several reasons behind it but some businessmen as well as economists attribute mainly to the dual tariff system. Businessmen had long been demanding abolition of this dual tariff system to promote and expand Nepal-China trade. Now, both Nepalese and Chinese officials have realised this and have started talks to develop mechanisms in order to shoot the trouble. China is emerging as a big economic power in the world. As a close neighbour, Nepal also can benefit from the economic prosperity of China. There is a lot of scope of expanding Nepal-China trade. Nepal has adopted liberal economic policy and it is seeking to expand and diversify trade with other countries including China. The country has also been looking for more foreign investment for Nepal’s economic development. Both Nepal and China are promoting private sector in trade and business. The trade between Nepal and China could be promoted, if more conducive atmosphere is created for the same. Private sectors are engaged in expanding trade between the two countries. Tax policies and system play crucial role in attracting more foreign investment into the country and promote international trade. Dual tariff is considered to be one of the impediments in further expanding trade between Nepal and China. Both the countries have, at least, initiated dialogue for abolishing dual tariff system, which needs to be translated into action for further development of Nepal-China trade. The recent trade talks may be taken as a positive beginning — to say the least about it.

Graceful Concession

AFTER A closely contested and prolonged election the United States of America has finally found its forty-third president. After a five week long wait of Republican George W. Bush has been declared as the next American President. Incidentally. The results of the election that came after the decisive verdict of the federal Supreme Court of US reflects the true democratic norms and procedure that prevails in that country. The contested and protracted results of the presidential elections should not be a reason for misgivings to any quarter as the process has only strengthened the belief of the Americans as well as of the people in the rest of the world in the institution of democracy. The election of a Republican president also should not give rise to any uncertainty or skepticism on undue changes on US foreign policy. The incident only reveals how deeply embedded is democratic culture in the politics of the United States. The graceful manner in which Vice-President Al Gore who had won more popular votes, accepted his defeat is, to say the least, exemplary and an act in true democratic spirit. In spite of his disagreement with the Court decision, Gore has abided by the verdict and has delivered one of the best and moving speeches reiterating his commitment to his people and democracy. He said he conceded defeat for the sake of the unity of the American people and to further strengthen democracy. Equally touching are the sentiments of the victor who, appealing across party lines said he was elected not to serve one party, but to serve one nation. Talking of the shared hopes of Republicans and Democrats alike, though the votes may have differed-the newly elected President has stressed reconciliation and healing. As for us, the democratic culture, the graceful acceptance of defeat as well as the sentiments that rises above party politics towards nation building once the elections are over is worth taking lessons from.