Kathmandu: Export sector should be given priority and export strategy formulated at the governmental and the private level for the economic development of the country, it has been felt here.

Most of the participants of workshop concerning strategy for the development of export of Nepal organised by the Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed out the need to formulate export strategy and move ahead.

Inaugurating the workshop, vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Prithvi Raj Ligal appreciated the role played by the Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the economic development and export trade of Nepal and said that the export strategy should be formulated sector-wise and item-wise.

There was a plan to gradually improve the policy and rules including foreign exchange effecting the export trade of the country, he said adding that the export policy would be soon made  public.

First vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Ravi Bhakta Shrestha said that a lot had to be done at the governmental and the businessmen’s level and it had become necessary to implement the policy and rules concerning export promotion.

Member of the Nepal-US Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Industrialist Padma Jyoti said that special attention had to be paid to the environment of investment, taxation, economic activities and skill development for enhancing the pace of economic development of the country.

Vice-president of Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sunil Shakya expressed his views on the appropriateness of the workshop at the inaugural function presided over by its president Narendra Kumar Basnet.

According to an information given at the workshop, woollen carpets, Pashmina shawls, readymade garments and handicraft items are exported from Nepal.

Most of the ready-made garments produced in Nepal were exported to the USA and Germany was the largest market of Nepalese carpets, it was informed at the workshop.

Member of the Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry and industrialist Suraj Baidya presented a working paper on “opportunities of the private sector in the export trade and need for changes”, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce Chandi Prasad Shrestha on “export policy of HMG” and Miss Olyand Gibs on export “policy and the international experience” at the workshop.

Nepal Rashtra Bank Governor Dr. Tilak Rawal presided over the first session and secretary at the Ministry of Commerce Mohan Dev Panta the second session of the workshop.

About fifty persons including high ranking officials of HMG, experts of the private sector, businessmen and journalists attended the workshop.