Entrepreneurs ask govt to act, not talk

Experts and entrepreneurs of the export sector have urged the government to reduce administrative hurdles in export promotion. During a seminar on ‘Export-Trade Related Issues’ organized by Export Promotion Forum (EPF) here on Thursday, they also focused on enhancing research and development system and establishing the brands of Nepali products in the international market.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) president Kush Kumar Joshi urged the government to be clear in policy. “The government must be clear whether we adopt a remittance or export based economy,” he said, “Without clear vision on export, we cannot get success.”

Prevailing administrative hurdles are the cause of decreased export, he added. Currently, an exporter needs to get permission from 21 government agencies to export goods. Meanwhile, he also stressed on the manufacture of quality products at affordable cost to compete in the global market. “We are looking for research and development initiatives from the government for export promotion,” he said.
Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC) president Surendra Bir Malakar called for liberalizing labour laws and ending the cycle of bandhs, strikes and road blockades. “Without hire-and-fire provisions, the industrial sector cannot be revived,” Malakar said.

He expressed dismay at the government’s neglect of the export sector saying, “The government must take action instead of merely giving assurances. Assurances achieve nothing.” Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supply (MoCS) Surya Prasad Silwal assured the entrepreneurs that the ministry will work in close cooperation with the private sector for export promotion and import substitution.

“MoCs is looking at the priority-based demands of the private sector,” he said adding that all problems would be solved on a priority basis.

Minister for Commerce and Supply Rajendra Mahato stressed on brining an economic revolution for realizing the concept of ‘New Nepal’.

Economic revolution is a necessity of today and export promotion can be a tool to achieve economic prosperity, he said. He urged entrepreneurs to face global challenges in export by manufacturing quality goods at competitive prices.
“MoCS is taking export promotion as a tool to create national prosperity. So, the ministry is ready to work with a public private partnership approach,” he said.
He requested the support of entrepreneurs in implementing especial economic zones (SEZs) and export promotion zone (EPZs).

Source: THT