Ministry of Commerce And Supplies - Enhanced Integrated ...

N T I S2010 Some import policy issues do require more direct negotiations between the two countries andmay require more effective cooperation by Indian authorities. For example, import duties must besystematically applied in a non-discriminatory fashion by Indian customs authorities at all points ofentry. The applicable import and customs rules and procedures must be published, notified, interpretedand applied in a consistent and transparent manner. These are clear obligations and commitments thatIndia has undertaken to implement and comply with within the frameworks of both the WTO systemand the bilateral treaties. The same applies to NTBs whenever they are applied in a discriminatorymanner. However, to respond effectively to those challenges, GoN needs to develop a much clearernegotiations agenda and put in place a formal structure to allow traders to lodge complaints and giveofficials the tools to monitor and incorporate those issues in negotiations. With respect to standards and technical regulations, the main challenge is on the Nepalese side. Itincludes building up domestic capacity in areas of standards, certification, controls, metrology andother areas, strengthening capacity at border crossings, and developing a ‘culture’ of standards amongproducers and exporters; In the area of trade in services, it also appears that the great majority of the challenges rest in thehands of Nepalese policy-makers and government officials to develop policies and institutions that aresupportive of the development of those sectors; With respect to trade facilitation, improvements must be found in both further investment in borderfacilities and negotiations of trade facilitation instruments that can improve on current delays, costsand competitiveness losses resulting from border controls and clearance, including of SPS controls;In addition to the issues taken up in greater detail in the following chapters, this review also points to theneed for GoN to develop its capacity to formulate a more comprehensive trade negotiations agenda at alllevelsmultilateral, regional and bilateral–and to equip itself with more formal tools to develop such agenda,develop supporting policies, monitor export business performance, monitor issues and complaints, developresponse mechanisms, including through negotiations with trading partners, etc.The Nepalese business sector remains ill-informed about the international trading system–multilateral (WTO)and regional (RTAs)–and a great deal of education and dissemination seems needed at that level. The plannedNepal Business Forum, including its Technical Committee on Trade, is likely to be a useful place to develop someof the capacity needed and a more regular and more formal channel for exchange of trade issues betweenbusiness and government. But additional capacity is likely to be required also within the government, in thelegal community, among academics and consultants that have a key role to play in shaping and formulatingpolicies and solutions to trade issues.136NEPAL TRADE INTEGRATION STRATEGY 2010BACKGROUND REPORT