Nepal forwards list of agro products seeking easy access

KATHMANDU: Nepal has forwarded the list of 16 agro products, for which India agreed to provide special treatment regarding access to the Indian market during Nepal-India commerce-secretary level talks held in Kathmandu from December 21 to 23 last year.

Traders may soon be able to export agro products without facing quarantine-related hassles, according to Jib Raj Koirala, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS).

The list that has been sent to India includes cauliflower, cabbage, dry chilli, plants and parts, black cardamom, tea, oilcake, beans, tomato, pea and others, strawberry, fresh vegetables, dry vegetables, green tea and ground chilli.

Nepali farmers have been facing quarantine-related hassles and other non-tariff barriers while exporting the products to India. When the issue was raised during the commerce secretary-level talks, the Indian side had asked Nepal to send the list of products facing problems while exporting to the market of southern neighbour.

As Nepal lacks an internationally accredited lab within the country, the Indian customs does not accept the quality certificate issued by the Nepali lab.

Traders have long been complaining of having to incur significant losses as agro products rot since it takes time to bring quality certificate from an Indian lab as per the requirement of Indian quarantine laws. The MoCS has said that with the list of agro products forwarded to India, the Indian customs will now accept the quality certificate issued by Nepali lab.

Source: THT