Interaction on Nepal-India bilateral trade begins

Birgunj, February 16

Speakers at an interaction in Birgunj today stressed the need to redress the negative impacts of the prolonged agitation and blockade at the entry point on the business sector.

The interaction related to the Nepal-India bilateral trade promotion and transit facilitation was organised by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.

According to Secretary Naindra Prasad Upadhyaya of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), attempts are on to find fitting solutions through discussions between India and Nepal at different levels.

“As of now, the government is trying its best to secure exemption of the fines on the shipping companies that the entrepreneurs have accrued due to the protracted agitation in the Tarai,” said Secretary Upadhyaya, also informing about the discussion under way regarding the prospects of easing the present transit system.

“India has granted us the Kolkata harbour for use but for us it would be a lot better if we got to use Bishakhapattanam harbour, discussions are on,” he added.

On their part, the entrepreneurs raised a number of issues including the high margin they are paying for buying to get Indian currency, lack of a powerful commerce office in Birgunj, the largest entry point of the country, and the hassles entrepreneurs here are facing at the border from different elements. “Among other things, petroleum entrepreneurs are suffering from the unnecessary taxes being charged at different places in India and its markets, and that is a very is unfortunate situation,” said the Nepal Petroleum Transportation Association senior Vice-chairperson Manoj Kumar Das.

Nimbus Group Chairperson Jagadish Agrawal, on his part, wished for the success of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming India visit, which is scheduled for February 19-24.