Prez honours pvt sector representatives with CIP
KATHMANDU, JAN 28 -
President Ram Baran Yadav on Monday honoured businesspeople, associations and organisations with the title of “Commercially Important Person (CIP)”.
A total of 34 personalities, associations and organisations under 15 categories were honoured for their contribution to the economy through export, foreign exchange earnings, investment, remittance earning and taxes. This is the third time the government honoured the private sector with the CIP.
On the occasion, President Yadav said the private sector’s role is vital in promoting Nepal’s business environment. “They, however, have to focus on improving competitiveness to take benefit of the comparative advantage and to maintain balanced foreign trade through products and market diversification,” he said.
The CIPs were selected by a 10-member sub-committee formed by the government. The panel is headed by the chief of the Trade and Export Promotion Centre, with its secretariat at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies.
The CIPs can enjoy a number of government facilities such as priority rights to meet high-level government officials, SAARC Sticker Visa, VIP lounge at Tribhuvan International Airport and special invitation in events for the next two years.
In the case of foreign CIP s, they will receive multiple-entry visa on arrival in Nepal for 15, 30 or 90 days.
Commerce Secretary Madhav Prasad Regmi said it’s the state’s responsibility to honour the private sector that contributes to the economic development. He said the government plans to honour the private sector representatives with the CIP title every two years and that a working procedure has already been endorsed.
Regmi said such an honour will help boost the relationship between the government and the private sector. “Similarly, honouring foreign traders will develop a long-term relationship with them which could help promote export in the long-run.”
Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala stressed on the need for a joint effort of the government and the private sector to improve competitiveness of domestic products.
FNCCI Senior Vice-president Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar urged the government to incl-ude new businesses for CIP.
The winners
Exporters of top 5 goods to third countries
The Sangrila Carpet and Handicraft Industries
Nepal Fashion
Everest Pashmina Knit and Weaving Industries
Triveni Daal and Oil Industries
Asian Leather Industries
Top exporter to India
Dabur Nepal, Tinkune, Kathmandu
Top exporter of handicrafts
Everest Fashion, Sundhara, Lalitpur
Top exporter of agricultural and herbal products
Ilam Tea Producers, Biratnagar
Top two exporters to China
Api Himalayan International
Asian Leather Industries, Duhabi, Sunsari
Top exporter in female category
Sangrila Agro Trading, Thasikhel, Lalitpur
Top foreign importers
Steve Tea Siver, USA (woolen carpet)
Rising International Ink, USA (readymade garment)
Rokiya, Bangladesh (musuro)
Oto Gmbh, Germany (pashmina)
Derma SRL, Italy (leather)
Top Indian importers
Dabur India
Bhusan Power and Steel, India
Top Chinese importers
Beijing Medicine and Health Product Corporation, China
Tibet Yintao Trading Company, Khasa, China
Top entrepreneur in terms of job creation
Raj Kumar Golchha, Arihant Multifiber, Khanar, Sunsari
Top company in bringing in remittance
International Money Transfer (IME)
Top hotel in terms of forex earning
Hyatt Regency, Baudhdha, Kathmandu
Top travel agency in terms of tourist numbers
Yeti Travels, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Largest taxpayer
Nepal Doorsanchar Company
Source: The Kathmandu Post
