While addressing a program organized by ASSOCHAM, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Binod Chaudhary, president of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), pin-pointed series of contradiction in the way India treated trade with Nepal even though bilateral trade treaty promises duty-free entry for Nepali goods to India.[break]
"Despite the treaty provisions, tariff and non-tariff barriers have always come into play," said Chaudhary, referring to one of the major problems faced by the Nepali entrepreneurs.
He also enumerated imposition of additional customs duty on 162 Nepali export commodities, problems faced in exporting agro products, India´s denial to accept Nepali institution´s quality certification and tendency to brush aside issues related to transit for bilateral and third country trade as other major contradictions seen in India´s behavior.
Even as India in various agreements and treaties has promised to address all these obstacles, Chaudhary said these factors still persist and continue to impede efficient and free flow of goods and services.
Given the situation, Chaudhary said entrepreneurs in Nepal feel that India is not serious in addressing Nepal´s concerns like ever growing trade deficit and balance of payment (BOP) deficit.
Referring to India´s perception, he said India also feels that there is ´discrimination´ to Indian businesses in Nepal.
"But how long are we to distrust each other and play this game?" he wondered and urged for a ´critical departure´ and end of stagnation in bilateral economic engagements.
Chaudhary requested India to translate its words into action, adhering to the spirit of the landmark bilateral trade treaty. He also welcomed Indian investors to invest in Nepal and take benefit of country´s huge hydropower potential on a fair and mutually win-win basis.
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