Nepal should boost export capacity: Minister Sah

Kathmandu: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Dipak Kumar Sah, has emphasized that Nepal should prioritise developing competitive capacity rather than adopting protectionist policy to reap benefit from a new economic framework crated after European Union (EU)-India free trade agreement.

At a programme organised by the European Economic Chamber Nepal here Thursday, Minister Sah shared that Nepal should improve its export capacity. He opined that it is necessary to move forward by focusing on how Nepal could get benefit from the agreement signed between India and EU.

Highlighting Nepal’s potential in pashmina, Nepali mat, orthodox tea, coffee, natural products and digital services, Minister Sah stressed the need for competing in the international market based on quality, identity and originality.

At the programme, former finance minister Rameshwor Khanal suggested the government that it paid attention to create investment friendly atmosphere so that foreign investors could be attracted.

Minimization of cost to the export items and building competitive edge are equally imperative, according to him. On the occasion, ambassador of European Union to Nepal, Charles Whiteley, also said Nepal could focus on quality and competitive goods.

It can also reap benefit from the free trade agreement between EU and India, according to him. Former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission, Shankar Sharma, said clean energy, agricultural products and readymade garment bear exportable potential, so policy reform should be advanced accordingly.

Chair of EU Economic Chamber-Nepal, Narayan Bajaj, said it is essential to build competitive capacity of Nepali products.

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