KATHMANDU, April 3: The ban on the export of some Nepali goods to India has been lifted. The restriction was removed after India renewed the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for various goods, including cement, corrugated sheets, and plywood manufactured in Nepal.
Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, had discussed the matter with his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, during his visit to India a few months ago. Minister Bhandari had been actively working to facilitate the export of Nepali goods to India and their sale and distribution in Indian markets.
An extensive discussion on the issue was held during the Nepal-India Commerce Secretary-level meeting on January 11 and 12. The Indian side had committed to resolving the problems after Nepal strongly prioritized the issue. India has made BIS certification mandatory for the export of goods such as cement, corrugated sheets, sanitary pads, and footwear.
Export of plywood via eastern border point comes to a halt
The export of cement to India from Nepal had been halted for five months, while plywood exports had been stopped for a month after India failed to renew BIS certification. Entrepreneurs had exerted pressure on the Government of Nepal to address the issue.
Chairperson of the Nepal Plywood Manufacturers Association, Hom Prasad Ghimire, said it would be easier to export goods after obtaining BIS certification. Around a dozen industries have already renewed their BIS certification.
Thirty-four trucks carrying plywood from Nepal reached Kakarvitta a few days ago but were stuck at a checkpoint due to a lack of BIS certification, he added.
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