The government is preparing to conduct a survey to identify non-tariff barriers that have been hindering exports of products with high export potential.

The Commerce Ministry has planned to study non-tariff barriers affecting trade in coffee, handicraft, pashmina and woollen products, large cardamom, honey, ginger and tea in the first phase. 

Unveiling its 100-day action plan on Tuesday, Commerce Minister Deepak Bohora said the ministry had selected these products for their high export potential.

“Trade barriers obstructing shipments of Nepali coffee, handicraft, pashmina and woollen products to Japan, Europe and the US will be assessed in the first stage,” said Bohora. “We will also examine trade barriers faced by exporters while shipping large cardamom to India and the United Arab Emirates.” 

In addition, the ministry is planning to identify the hurdles affecting the export of Nepali honey to China and Taiwan. The ministry has selected China and India for its study of problems in ginger exports while it has chosen Australia and Russian for its study of tea exports. 

These goods have been identified as having high export potential in Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010. According to Bohora, they will be coordinating with development partners to implement the strategy. The ministry is currently revising the list of exportable goods in the strategy. 

Moreover, the ministry has planned to prepare profiles of 10 selected countries with the aim of diversifying trade and promoting exports. It has picked India, China, Bangladesh, the US, Germany, England, France, Japan, Italy and Canada for the purpose. 

Bohora said they would be creating an action plan to implement Commerce Policy 2015. “It is expected to boost exports by tackling trade barriers in the selected countries,” Bohora said.  

Under the programme, the ministry has also targeted registering the collective trademark of Nepali carpets in the US and European markets. The ministry said it would also be register the collective trademark of large cardamom in India, the UAE and Pakistan. 

Likewise, the ministry has planned to conduct a meeting of the Nepal-India Inter-Governmental Committee to simplify bilateral trade with the southern neighbour.

The ministry also proposes to prepare a draft agreement on “free trade area” with other neighbouring countries. The pact is expected to promote trade and boost bilateral investment from these countries.