BUSINESS & ECONOMY

'India's cooperation important for trade'

By a staff reporter

The friendly State visit of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is an important event, which has helped in strengthening relationship between our two countries, a press release of the Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA) says. However, it adds, it has so far not helped in solving the trade with the third countries.

The cooperation on the part of India is very important for the promotion of international trade with the third countries, as Nepal being a land locked country. NEFFA has demanded for facilitating trade and transit in an easy and efficient manner through India for Nepal’s export and import trade, the press release says. It is natural that because of pilferage/theft during transport through India route as well as frequent strike called by the transporters and at the port, trade with third countries has become difficult.

NEFFA is of the opinion that the during Prime Minister’s visit to India not much interest has been taken to facilitate in Nepal’s trade with the countries. NEFFA believes that the Indian route should, be easy and efficient for increasing Nepal’s trade with the third countries. Emphasising in the matter of involving India aimed at increasing international trade, NEFFA President Rabindra Man Singh has stressed the issue such as use of alternative port in Kandela and Jawar Lal Nehru port. Singh has said that it is disappointing that this issue was not discussed during this visit.

The removal of four percent special additional duty (SAD) was mentioned in the joint communique. It is ok. From this the benefit will be taken most by Indian Companies compared to Nepalese businessmen and industrialists.