Launch of Nepal's NTM country report
13 October 2017, Kathmandu, Nepal
Agenda
Friday 13 October 2017
10.45 - 11.15 Registration and Tea & Coffee
11.15 - 11.25 Welcome and program highlight by Mr.Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce
11.25 - 11.45 Key Note Speech on "Securing Nepal's Place in the Global Economy" by Honorable Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Vice Chairman, National Planning Commission
11.45 - 11.50 Launching of Sector Export Strategies and NTM report jointly by Honorable Minister of Commerce; Honorable Vice Chairperson, National Planning Commission; and Executive Director, International Trade Center (ITC), Geneva
11.50 - 12.05 Brief highlights of NTM report and Sector Export Strategies and implementation plan by the MoC
12.05 -12.20 Address by Ms. Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director, ITC
12.20 - 12.30 Address by HE Ambassador to Nepal / Head of the Mission, European Commission
12.30 - 12.35 Remarks By Honorable State Minister for Commerce, Mr. Nar Bahadur Chand
12.40 - 12.50 Remarks and Concluding statement by Honorable Minister or Commerce, Mr. Meen Bahadur Bishwkarma
12:50 - 13:15 Official pictures / Press conference / Interviews
12.50 Lunch hosted by the Ministry of Commerce
Overview
The Government of Nepal and the International Trade Centre (ITC) is to jointly launch a report on non-tariff measures (NTM) at a ceremony in Kathmandu.
The report on NTMs, based on a large-scale survey of over 500 Nepalese enterprises, clearly sets out the challenges faced by Nepalese exporters’ on non-tariff measures and identifies necessary actions to overcome these constraints.
The business survey on non-tariff measures carried out by ITC identifies key regulatory and procedural obstacles to trade faced by the Nepalese business community. Based on interviews with 577 companies in 20 different regions of Nepal, the survey finds that 50% of exporters are facing difficulties with a range of trade regulations and procedures.
Close to two-thirds of the challenges faced by Nepalese exporters relate to sanitary and phytosanitary standards and technical barriers to trade, and regulations and associated conformity assessment requirements such as testing and certifications. Another concern identified is a lack of accredited testing laboratories in Nepal.
‘The NTM survey findings shed light on where the knots are in the system that need to be loosened if businesses are to be able to export more and better benefit from trade opportunities. It shows that part of the solution lies in addressing constraints in foreign markets but that there is a lot that can be done at home in Nepal. ITC stands ready to support the Government in this effort,’ Ms. González said.
Four National Sector Export Strategies for Nepal is also to launched in the same event. The strategies – covering the coffee, handmade paper and paper products, large cardamom, and tea sectors – aim to help boost the export capacities of the country, ensure more value addition to these exports and facilitate greater trade in regional and global markets.
For further information,
contact us at ntm@intracen.org.
Download
Nepal: Company Perspectives – An ITC Series on Non-Tariff Measures
Inadequate export quality infrastructure is seriously affecting Nepalese exporters.
Half of 577 surveyed companies in Nepal (exporters, producers, logistics providers) face difficulties in proving compliance for buyer requirements, due to inadequate testing and certification bodies. The report recommends strengthening Nepal’s quality and customs infrastructure, better engagement with India for transit and trade facilitation, and enhancing the export production capacity of small businesses.