More budget urged to promote exportable products
KATHMANDU, May 29:
Ministry of Commerce and Supplies has asked Finance Ministry to double the budget for Nepal Trade Integrity Strategy programme.
“It had been allocated Rs 30 million for the current fiscal year but for the next fiscal year, we have asked Rs 60 million to promote the domestic trade promotion and facilitation,” said national programme manager, Nepal Enhanced Capacities for Trade and Development (NECTRADE) under the ministry Shiva Raj Bhatt.
“Last year’s budget of Rs 30 million was utilised to place generator at the Airport for the perishable goods’ godown, and remaining was granted as a part of financial aid for cadmium testing laboratory and for AEC for the agricultural products,” he said, adding that they are trying to utilise government resource that will send positive message to the donors making them serious towards government’s performance.
NTIS has currently roped in a number of donors that are willing to help study a particular product for its development.
According to him, the ministry has formed a Donor group with German aid agency (GIZ) as donor facilitator that organises meeting in every three months.
“The ministry has arranged two different Donor group meeting by now,” Bhatta said, adding that the first meeting of the Donor group focused on product information and the second meeting highlighted major activities of donors.
Third meeting of the Donor group — scheduled for Friday — however could not meet due to unavoidable circumstances. “It has been postponed for June 13,” he said, adding that the ministry is now preparing a donor matrix that will be helpful to get general idea about the major activities of donors.
“The donor matrix later will be forwarded to Finance Ministry,” Bhatta added.
The NTIS 2010 has suggested 19 product and services having maximum export potentials including seven agro-based products like large cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, noodles, medicinal and essential oil.
It is an update of Nepal Trade and Competitiveness Study 2004 and has been prepared at a time when the trade and economic situation of the country was under tremendous stress.
According to the strategy, the government — adopting the recommendations of NTIS into national development planning — has prepared plans under its regular budget.
Currently, international donor agencies are selecting their concerned products for the preparation of project proposals. Among the 19 different products, projects regarding tourism, ginger, and honey have already started, while project plans are being made for noodles, silver jewelleries, medicinal herbs and others.
According to Bhatt, more than number of donors being involved, they need to focus on coordination to avoid duplication in the same product.
Source: THT
Ministry of Commerce and Supplies has asked Finance Ministry to double the budget for Nepal Trade Integrity Strategy programme.
“It had been allocated Rs 30 million for the current fiscal year but for the next fiscal year, we have asked Rs 60 million to promote the domestic trade promotion and facilitation,” said national programme manager, Nepal Enhanced Capacities for Trade and Development (NECTRADE) under the ministry Shiva Raj Bhatt.
“Last year’s budget of Rs 30 million was utilised to place generator at the Airport for the perishable goods’ godown, and remaining was granted as a part of financial aid for cadmium testing laboratory and for AEC for the agricultural products,” he said, adding that they are trying to utilise government resource that will send positive message to the donors making them serious towards government’s performance.
NTIS has currently roped in a number of donors that are willing to help study a particular product for its development.
According to him, the ministry has formed a Donor group with German aid agency (GIZ) as donor facilitator that organises meeting in every three months.
“The ministry has arranged two different Donor group meeting by now,” Bhatta said, adding that the first meeting of the Donor group focused on product information and the second meeting highlighted major activities of donors.
Third meeting of the Donor group — scheduled for Friday — however could not meet due to unavoidable circumstances. “It has been postponed for June 13,” he said, adding that the ministry is now preparing a donor matrix that will be helpful to get general idea about the major activities of donors.
“The donor matrix later will be forwarded to Finance Ministry,” Bhatta added.
The NTIS 2010 has suggested 19 product and services having maximum export potentials including seven agro-based products like large cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, noodles, medicinal and essential oil.
It is an update of Nepal Trade and Competitiveness Study 2004 and has been prepared at a time when the trade and economic situation of the country was under tremendous stress.
According to the strategy, the government — adopting the recommendations of NTIS into national development planning — has prepared plans under its regular budget.
Currently, international donor agencies are selecting their concerned products for the preparation of project proposals. Among the 19 different products, projects regarding tourism, ginger, and honey have already started, while project plans are being made for noodles, silver jewelleries, medicinal herbs and others.
According to Bhatt, more than number of donors being involved, they need to focus on coordination to avoid duplication in the same product.
Source: THT
