Kathmandu, July 16
The government has honoured 30 commercial
companies and organisations with the Commercially Important Person (CIP) awards.
At a programme organised by the Ministry of
Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) in collaboration with the Federation of
Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Minister for Industry,
Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari conferred the CIP honours on Wednesday.
Among the recipients, 21 are business firms
and companies and nine are the representative organisations from the private
sector.
From representative organisations, FNCCI
President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce
(NCC) Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, and former President of the Confederation of
Nepalese Industries (CNI) Rajesh Kumar Agrawal were presented with honorary CIP
recognition.
These honours were conferred in recognition
of their notable contributions to the promotion of exports and the commercial
sector, thus supporting national economic development.
Similarly, presidents of the Federation of
Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) and the Federation of Export
Entrepreneurs of Nepal (FEEN) were also presented honorary CIP status.
In addition, commodity-specific
organisations such as the Nepal Chhurpi Entrepreneurs’ Association, Jhapa;
Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association; Nepal Readymade Garment
Industry Association; and Nepal Woollen Felt Producers and Exporters Association
were honoured. These organisations were recognised on the basis of exporting
goods worth more than Rs. 5 billion to third countries during fiscal years 2022/23
and 2023/24.
Top exporters recognised
Furthermore, one entrepreneur each from the
top five export commodities to third countries were also awarded the CIP title.
These include Third Eye International for woollen carpets, Nepal Fashion Pvt.
Ltd. for garments, National Exporters Pvt. Ltd. for felt products, Manram Himalayan
Handicrafts Pvt. Ltd. for Chhurpi, and Tricot Industries for pashmina products.
Based on export volumes to India, Dabur
Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Aarti Strips, and Reliance Spinning Mills Ltd. received CIP
awards. From China-bound exports, Chhomen Traders, Finjo Sonam Enterprises, and
Astamangal Kathmandu were honoured.
Likewise, Gift Land Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
was awarded for being the highest earner of foreign currency through exports of
handicraft goods that reflect Nepal’s indigenous skills, arts, and culture.
From high-priority potential exports, Nepal
Everest Cardamom Production, Jhapa, and AB Herbal Traders and Suppliers,
Darchula, were honoured in the categories of agricultural and herbal product
exports, respectively. In the category of women exporters, Janakpur Refineries,
Kathmandu, received the award for highest export volume.
Industries and companies that exported more
than Rs. 1 billion to third countries over the past two fiscal years, including
The Shangrila Carpet and Handicraft, Everest Fashion, Triveni Spinning Mills
Ltd., and Mindful Craft Pvt. Ltd. (as a startup), were also recognised with CIP
status.
IME Limited was honoured as the company
bringing in the highest foreign currency through remittance transactions via
the banking system, and Everest Hospitality Hotel Limited received the award in
the tourism sector for earning the highest amount of foreign currency.
Govt to strengthen cooperation with
private sector
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Bhandari
said that the government would further strengthen cooperation with the private
sector for the country’s prosperity. He said that the CIP honour would boost
the morale of industrialists and entrepreneurs and play a more effective role
in export promotion.
"Unless the private sector is
empowered, economic growth and prosperity are not possible. Therefore, we want
to move forward in partnership with the private sector," he stated.
He emphasised that as Nepal is set to
graduate from the LDC category in 2026, the government and private sector must
together formulate a strategy for the future.
Likewise, FNCCI President Dhakal said that
Nepal’s exports could reach up to Rs. 1 trillion annually. He believed that
with proper efforts, foreign direct investment could be increased to 10 per
cent of the Gross Domestic Product within a few years. Currently, it is just
0.2 per cent.
According to him, the CIP recognition would
encourage entrepreneurs to engage in dignified business and highlighted that
internationally, individuals who receive such honours are held in high regard
by the government and society.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 July 2025.
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