Nepal to push for reducing trade gap with India

Kathmandu, Oct 14 : Nepal is preparing to ask India to do away with non-tariff barriers on its exports in order to reduce the yawning trade gap.

The Nepalese officials will put forth their concern at the Inter Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting slated to begin in New Delhi from Thursday.

"The main issue from our side will be how to increase our exports to India," said urya Prasad Silwal, a joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies.

The other item on the agenda to be raised by Nepal includes issues relating to the quota, standard certification, tax waiver and quarantine.

The committee is a secretary-level meeting point between the two countries. Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies Purushottam Ojha will lead the Nepali delegation.

Nepal's trade gap with India has surged in recent times and crossed Rs 100 billion, Nepalnews reported.

ANI