Commerce minister seeks assistance to boost trade

Kathmandu, March 7

Minister for Commerce Romi Gauchan Thakali has stressed on the need for assistance to landlocked and least developed countries (LLDCs) for infrastructure and capacity development in a bid to improve their export trade.

Addressing a high-level meeting in Vietnam being organised by the government of Vietnam and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner today, Minister Thakali urged global assistance for LLDCs in helping them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of doubling their exports by 2020. He said that assistance is required for countries like Nepal to address the issue of high trade cost and trade barriers by helping them set up high-tech laboratories, developing infrastructure and enhancing the capability of traders.

On the occasion, Minister Thakali also said that the international commitments on trade and the recent implementation of WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement has helped to simplify trade of landlocked countries like Nepal and reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers.

“Nepal has been emphasising on transit facility with its neighbours, India and China, and this will certainly enhance Nepal’s trade and overall export in the future,” said Thakali.