The Hindu : Nepal seeks more entry points for farm products

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 24, 2002

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National

Nepal seeks more entry points for farm products

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 23. The Government will consider providing three more entry points for the export of agriculture-based products from Nepal. At present, there is a single entry point in Panitanki in West Bengal.

The assurance was given by the Union Agriculture Minister, Ajit Singh, to a visiting Nepalese delegation led by the president of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ravi Bhakta Shresta. The team called on Mr. Singh to discuss measures to facilitate Indo-Nepal trade and investment.

Saying that the entry point at Panitanki, after India imposed quarantine, was creating problems for the Nepal farmers, the delegation suggested that entry points be set up at Virat Nagar, Jogbani, Birganj/Raxaul, Bhairawa/Nawtanwa, Nepalganj/Rupadiha or Mahendra Nagar/Banbasa. It also sought additional laboratory facilities for testing samples of drugs and cosmetics to facilitate their export, besides the existing laboratory at Raxaul. Branded products should be allowed to enter India without the need for testing each and every consignment. The delegation said several States were imposing `different taxes' on Nepalese products rendering them uncompetitive and it had hurt their marketability. Tea was being considered a luxury item and luxury tax was being imposed on it. The team also said frequent obstacles were created by forest officials during export of herbs from Nepal.

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