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INDO-NEPAL TRADE TALKS |
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INDO-NEPAL TRADE TALKS |
In The Right Direction The joint secretary level
talks trade resolves a number of outstanding issues while some are still left pending By SANJAYA DHAKAL The last week’s joint secretary level
talks on trade and commercial issues was able to achieve a degree of success in resolving
a number of irritants existing in the bilateral trade relations between India and Nepal.
It, however, was unable to sort out the issue of Vanaspati ghee and railway agreement
– two major concerns of Nepal. The meeting was held in Kathmandu on 18-20
August 2003. At the meeting Nepalese side put forth a number of problems it was suffering
from due to existing incongruencies. This meeting was held to prepare the ground for the
bilateral commerce secretary level IGC meeting, which is scheduled to be held later this
year. In the IGC meeting of 2002, too, Nepal had
raised a number of issues that were hurting its domestic industries and were incompatible
with the bilateral trade treaty. “The Indian side took action on various of those
issues including the removal of Special Additional Duty on selected imports from Nepal;
removal of anti-dumping duty on imports of acrylic yarn and zinc oxide from Nepal;
enhancement of annual quota for the imports of copper products from Nepal to 10,000 MTs
form 7,500 MTs; waiver of customs duties charged on import of petroleum products by Indian
Oil Corporation (IOC) on behalf of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), which would result in an
annual saving of NRs. 112 crore to Nepal; establishment of three more quarantine stations
on the India-Nepal border taking the total number of quarantine stations to six; setting
up of a testing laboratory at Raxaul to facilitate the entry of Nepalese imports into
India,” states a release from the Indian Embassy. But still the issue of frequent obstruction
of exports of Nepalese Vanaspati ghee and lack of railways agreement, which is hurting the
Inland Container Depot constructed at Sirsiya in Birgunj are causing great concern to
Nepalese traders. The joint secretary level meeting agreed
that the issues of export of Nepalese vanaspati and beer to India would be resolved
expeditiously. The two sides agreed also that the difficulties in export of Nepalese tea
to India on account of testing requirements would be addressed and the export of Nepalese
tea to India facilitated at an early date. In the last week’s meeting, the two
sides agreed to work towards the early finalization of the Rail Services Agreement and the
Motor Vehicles Agreement; agreed that a visit would take place to expedite the improvement
of infrastructure at four Land Customs Stations on the India-Nepal border and agreed that
the Indian side would give early and favorable consideration to the Nepalese request to
extend broad-gauge railway lines up to Bhairahawa and Biratnagar in Nepal. Likewise, the meeting also agreed to
conclude the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement at the earliest. Another agreement was reached on early
conclusion of the bilateral cooperation agreement between the Nepal Bureau of Standards
and Metrology and Bureau of Indian Standards, which is expected to further facilitate
export of Nepalese goods to India. As the meeting has ended on a positive note
with both sides agreeing to reach to substantial progress before the secretary level
meeting on trade issues later this year, the Nepalese traders are optimistic. 3rd NADA Auto Show 2003 The largest congregation of automobile
dealers and entrepreneurs will take place in Kathmandu on September 17-21 at the 3rd NADA
Auto Show at the Birendra International Convention Center (BICC).
The show organized by Global
Exposition and Management Services (GEMS) is being actively participated by the Nepal
Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA). “The automobile is a very big sector
in the country’s economy. Around 14 percent of total revenues collected by the
government come from this sector alone. More than 200,000 people are directly and
indirectly employed by this sector,” said Vijay Chhetri, chief executive of GEMS. The show is going to have around 100 stalls
displaying all kinds of vehicles including 4 wheelers and 6 wheelers as well as other
supporting industries like lubricants and so on. All major automobile manufacturers and
dealers in the country will participate in the show. Participants also comprise of
manufacturers, dealers, distributors from India, China, South Korea, Italy, France, Japan,
America, Taiwan and other countries. The 3rd NADA Auto Show will be supported by
service providers, and other related products. These include makers of auto components
like batteries and lubricants, tyres and spare parts. The show will also feature
automobile related talk shows and seminars. Spot finances from finance companies like
Standard Chartered Bank, Nabil Bank and Union Finance will also be available. Cultural
shows, model shows, food festivals are other attractions of the show. “The main objective of this show is to
provide a common platform to manufacturers and customers. All services will be made
available under one roof,” said Chhetri. The GEMS had organized first and second Auto
Show in 1998 and 2000 respectively. It also organizes several other shows like Education
Fair and Nepal Exterior-Interior Expo regularly. |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
