The government, which has been
inefficient to address the supply side barriers in the manufacturing
sector such as labor problems and power-shortage has also been dragging
its feet to hold bilateral trade talks with around half a dozen of
countries to fix the problems that Nepali businesses are facing.
For instance, bilateral trade talks with the United States, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China among others, have not been held in time. “Technically, some of the bilateral trade talks have been postponed by respective countries,” an official at the Ministry of Commerce and Supply (MoCS) said preferring anonymity, “But, in reality all this is happening due to our weak communication, coordination and logistical arrangements.”
The bilateral agreement between Nepal and Bangladesh on Operating Modalities for Transit Cargos (OMTC), which is crucial to ease the transportation hassles between Nepal and Bangladesh, is in the action plan of the MoCS but it has not happened. “We have plans, and it takes time to hold bilateral talks as conducive environment is a prerequisite for that to happen” said Naindra Prasad Upadhya, joint secretary of the MoCS.
Similarly, annual meeting between Nepal and USA, which had to happen in April as per the agreement between the two countries, has been postponed to September. Technically, the meeting was postponed by USA. However, government has failed to seek a reason behind the postponement. “The Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) will provide a forum for bilateral talks to enhance trade and investment, discuss specific trade issues, and promote comprehensive trade agreements,” reads the statement made by US government after signing the TIFA in 2011.
Additionally, the third meeting of Nepal-Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee (NTTFC) which had to happen in May has not taken place. MoCS couldn´t participate in the meeting in the last week of May citing political uncertainty in the country.
“We have proposed first week of July as the new date for meeting, but it is yet to be finalized” joint secretary Upadhaya said. The preferential treatment agreement between Nepal and Bhutan is also long pending even though the Bhutan government itself has been showing interest to ink an agreement for some eight years.
“All this is due to political instability in the country,” Lal Mani Joshi, secretary of the MoCS said, “Unfortunately, some of the countries cite security as a reason for postponement.”
Trade statistics show that the countries such as China, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the USA are Nepal´s major trade partners. “We have failed to capitalize the resources and opportunities we have due to government´s slackness to handle the bilateral negotiation,” one of the businessmen said in the condition of anonymity.
For instance, bilateral trade talks with the United States, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China among others, have not been held in time. “Technically, some of the bilateral trade talks have been postponed by respective countries,” an official at the Ministry of Commerce and Supply (MoCS) said preferring anonymity, “But, in reality all this is happening due to our weak communication, coordination and logistical arrangements.”
The bilateral agreement between Nepal and Bangladesh on Operating Modalities for Transit Cargos (OMTC), which is crucial to ease the transportation hassles between Nepal and Bangladesh, is in the action plan of the MoCS but it has not happened. “We have plans, and it takes time to hold bilateral talks as conducive environment is a prerequisite for that to happen” said Naindra Prasad Upadhya, joint secretary of the MoCS.
Similarly, annual meeting between Nepal and USA, which had to happen in April as per the agreement between the two countries, has been postponed to September. Technically, the meeting was postponed by USA. However, government has failed to seek a reason behind the postponement. “The Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) will provide a forum for bilateral talks to enhance trade and investment, discuss specific trade issues, and promote comprehensive trade agreements,” reads the statement made by US government after signing the TIFA in 2011.
Additionally, the third meeting of Nepal-Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee (NTTFC) which had to happen in May has not taken place. MoCS couldn´t participate in the meeting in the last week of May citing political uncertainty in the country.
“We have proposed first week of July as the new date for meeting, but it is yet to be finalized” joint secretary Upadhaya said. The preferential treatment agreement between Nepal and Bhutan is also long pending even though the Bhutan government itself has been showing interest to ink an agreement for some eight years.
“All this is due to political instability in the country,” Lal Mani Joshi, secretary of the MoCS said, “Unfortunately, some of the countries cite security as a reason for postponement.”
Trade statistics show that the countries such as China, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the USA are Nepal´s major trade partners. “We have failed to capitalize the resources and opportunities we have due to government´s slackness to handle the bilateral negotiation,” one of the businessmen said in the condition of anonymity.
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