Govt. set to formulate law for trade secrets

Kathmandu, June 21

The government is set to formulate laws to govern trade secrets and geographical indications so that the intellectual property regime in the country can be strengthened.

Publishing the details of the activities for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026/27, which will begin on July 17, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) informed that it will be implemented under the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS).

The Department of Industry will conduct interaction programmes on industrial property across seven provinces. It is expected to understand the status of awareness about industrial property and demands from the private sector for the same.  

Currently, copyrights in Nepal are governed by the Copyright Act 2002, which covers literary creations in literature, music, art, computer programmes and dramatic works. Likewise, trademarks, patents and industrial designs are governed by the Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 1965. It covers words, symbols, or logos of businesses.

The private sector has been demanding an update to the Trademark Act, incorporating the latest needs of businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Ministry is also set to conduct informative training for producers, traders and exporters on the existing certification for goods, geographical indications, sustainability, product standards and the implementation methods for voluntary standards.

Likewise, procedures will be formulated, and institutional capacity will be developed for safeguards, anti-dumping and countervailing legislation.

The MoICS also announced a plan for intergenerational transmission of traditional handicraft skills. “Skill development training will be conducted in a cost-sharing partnership with representative associations and organisations of the private sector to produce exportable goods aligned with international market demand through documentation, transfer, and intergenerational transmission of traditional handicraft skills,” read the document.

Likewise, warehouses for the storage of tea and large cardamom (alainchi) will be constructed in a public-private-partnership model, sharing cost with entrepreneurs from the respective sectors.

A programme will be designed and executed for the technical facilitation and infrastructure development to enhance and upgrade small-scale industries to meet food safety standards.

The Industry Ministry is also set to review the achievements of the technology transfer agreements made with various stakeholders and governments in the past. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 June 2026.