Aggressive export promotion urged

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 4: Bureaucrats, exporters and entrepreneurs here underscored the need for aggressive marketing and promotional efforts towards promotion of Nepali exports in the international market.

They were speaking at the Export Award Distribution Programme organised by the Export Promotion Board of the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies here Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, State Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Krishna Prasad Sitaula assured the exporters and entrepreneurs that the government is committed to work with the private sector for the promotion of export and industries in the country.

"The government believes the problems besetting the industry and export sectors of the country can be resolved through the government-private sector dialogue and collaboration," he added.

State Minister Sitaula also added that the government would launch effective programmes for export promotion as well as for providing security to business ventures in the country.

National Planning Commission member Dr. Shankar Sharma said that a far bigger chunk of the country’s export is heavily concentrated in India, USA and Germany only.

"We need market diversification as well as product diversification," he added.

He also observed that the export sector has emerged as the major sector for poverty reduction, as it contributes substantially to job creation and production.

Referring to the mixed trends in the exports of various items, secretary at the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies Bhanu Prasad Acharya said that the joint effort of the government agencies and private sector is essential to check the fall in exports of major export items like garment, carpets and silver jewellery. He, however, said that the exports of Pashmina goods, lentils and processed leather have increased.

Garment entrepreneur and exporter Chandi Raj Dhakal of Momento Apparels disagreed with NPC member Shankar Sharma that the there has been a 6 per cent rise in the government expenses for export promotion in the first three years of the current Ninth Plan.

"The rise has just resulted from the depreciation of our currency against the dollar," said Dhakal, who was speaking on behalf of the export award recipients.

From the chair, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Pradeep Kumar Shrestha urged the government to ensure better business security in the country to accelerate the economic growth.

President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kaji Shrestha said that the provisions of Indian budget should be taken into due consideration while preparing the current fiscal year’s budget.

Member Secretary of the Export Promotion Board Niranjan Baral said that the Board’s export awards aim at encouraging the export business and entrepreneurs of the country.

At the function, chief guest State Minister Sitaula felicitated the seven business firms the largest volume of exports during the fiscal year 1999/2000.

Momento Apparels Pvt. Ltd., Bhadrapur, Jhapa bagged this year’s award for the largest volume of overseas exports of all the product categories as well as the award for best readymade garment exporter.

The award for being the largest exporter to India went to Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd.

Other award recipients are Paramount Carpet Industry (carpet), Everest Pashmina Art (Pashmina), Narayani Leather Manufacturing Industries (processed leather), New Himalayan Akash Exports (silver jewellery), and Asiatic Traders and Exports (metal statues and handicraft other than carpet and garments).

Individuals who supported to build and run the Nepal Pavilion at the Hanover-2000 in Germany were also honoured on the occasion.

The tradition of awarding exporters was started from 1998/99 by the Export Promotion Board, a government agency formed in 1995 to support product development and export promotion programmes.