Private sector seeks increase in cash incentive percentage
KATHMANDU:
The private sector today urged the government to revise and fix a proper cash incentive percentage and also simplify the refinance facility to increase overall exports to the international market.
During the inauguration of the 11th Handicraft Trade Fair and 9th Craft Competition today, representatives from the private sector stressed on the need to increase the cash incentive percentage and simplify the refinance facility.
Speaking during the programme, senior vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar said that export facilities provided by the government are not enough and it should increase the percentage for cash incentive facility.
The government has fixed a minimum of one per cent and maximum of two per cent cash incentive for Nepali exportable products based on value addition made in the products. Rajkarnikar also expressed the need to further simplify the refinance facility for exporters.
During the inauguration, president of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal Hem Ratna Shakya urged the government representatives to fix about 10 per cent cash incentive. “The annual transaction of handicraft products is worth about Rs 12 billion but the government has not accorded any priority to the sector,” he said, requesting the government to prepare a long-term plan to enhance the handicraft sector, which currently provides employment to around one million people.
Meanwhile, secretary at the ministry of industry Krishna Gyawali said that the private sector should also recognise the efforts made by the ministry and related authorities to provide necessary facilities for the promotion of the export sector. “Both the private sector and the government should identify and sort out problems related to industries and trade,” he said.
“We need to draft and implement a proper policy, which will further simplify a number of issues related to industries and trade,” Gyawali said. He also urged micro, cottage and small scale industries to approach the government authorities with effective proposals that the government can implement. He also informed about the progress made regarding the SAARC Handicraft Development Centre project.
According to secretary at the ministry of commerce and supplies Madhav Prasad Regmi, the ministry will not ignore the issues regarding market monitoring policy, proper valuation of goods imported, and issues related to customs. He also said the ministry has made progress in resolving problems related to establishment of handicraft village in Chobar.
FHAN felicitates winners
The Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal during the inauguration of the five-day long 11th Handicraft Trade Fair felicitated Maheshwor Shrestha of Everest Fashion as the best entrepreneur for 2012 and Raj Kumar Shakya as the best metal craft man. The association also felicitated Asta Mangal Udhyog, Everest Fashion, and Everest Pashmina Knitting and Weaves as the top three exporters for 2012. Likewise, Nature Knit Pvt Ltd, Nepali Paper Pvt Ltd, Manasi Trading, Cashmere Nepal Pvt Ltd, Everest Art Paper, Sunrays Enterprises, Kailash Export, Bagmati Arts and Crafts and Eco Creation Company were also felicitated for making exports worth more than Rs 50 million each. The trade fair will conclude on December 1.
Source: THT
