Export trade helps in economic progress: VP Pun

Kathmandu, July 29: Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun Friday said that only the country that has strong export trade can make rapid economic progress.

Addressing a programme organised on the occasion of the 22^nd Cargo Day, VP Pun said, “Our neighbours India and China have excelled in export trade which has help them to make economic progress and development in a swift way. We need to learn from them.”

The programme was organised by the Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA).

Appreciating the government’s efforts to enhance the export potential of the country, VP Pun stated that the exporters and freight forwarders should be provided with more facilities as the international trade has become more competitive over the years.

He urged the government to address the issues raised by the freight forwarders and private sector.

He expressed serious concerns over the growing import and declining export business.

President of NEFFA Prakash Jung Karki appreciated the government for working with the private sector in resolving the issues related to trade and freight forwarding.

“In order to facilitate the overseas trade of the country, promote export potential and facilitate the private sector the government should develop container freight stations at various locations in Nepal,” he said.

He stated that the current law on multi model transportation of goods needs amendment with special focus on the rights of multi model transport operator and there should be a provision of cargo legal liability insurance.

“We need to amend the prevailing laws as per the Revised Kyoto Convention and policy of World Trade Organisation (WTO) and World Customs Organisation (WCO),” he said.

Former president of NEFFA Rajan Sharma stressed the need for strong coordination between the government and private sector for the trade facilitation and urged the former to simplify the process at the customs and enhance transit facility to promote export business.

He said that Nepal can use the Bishakhapattanam port as an alternative route for its international trade. “However, Haldia port can be the best alternative.”

Sharma hailed the initiatives taken for Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) motor vehicle movement and asked the Ministry of Commerce to take a lead role to implement the concept at the earliest.

Secretary at Commerce Naindra Prasad Upadhyaya said that strong policy and legal framework, better infrastructure and coordination and facilitation were the foundation for the improved international trade.

Acting president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Bhawani Rana said that the cargo operators were the envoy of Nepalese business community in the international market and demanded that they should be provided with every possible facility.

President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Hari Bhakta Sharma said that lots of paper works have hampered Nepal’s international trade. “The government should support the private sector in establishing industries and business and should continuously support them to reduce the cost of doing business,” he stated.

President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kazi Shrestha said that the cargo business had an important role to enhance export trade and maintained that access to China could also promote trade between Nepal and Pakistan.