Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) on Friday held a discussion with Shankar Prasad Sharma, ambassador-designate of Nepal to India and appraised him on the recent BIS certification issue.

BIS certification is the process of obtaining a quality standard certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for manufacturing and exporting goods to the southern neighbour. Nepali traders have complained that India's new BIS system has caused havoc on them as most of the exportable goods have been barred from southward shipment.

The participants briefed the envoy on the various issues being faced by the Nepali private sector while doing business with India.

NICCI President Sunil KC reminded Sharma of a number of issues that need to be addressed.

KC further highlighted that since India is a large economy and most of Nepal’s trade is with that neighbour, bilateral issues may arise but need to be addressed with sincere and proactive efforts.

On the occasion, NICCI members discussed outstanding issues on bilateral trade and transit like synchronisation of harmonised code at the customs of both countries, documents needed to be submitted at Indian ports while bringing in goods and extra container charges and the shortage of containers.

The meeting also discussed additional ports to be made available, bringing Indian cargo trains up to Biratngar, additional ICDs and ICPs to be developed and made operational, facilitation for easy access of Nepal-made goods to the Indian market and establishment of quarantine check posts and laboratories on the border.

According to the statement, the meeting discussed the accreditation of Nepali laboratories for the certification of agri goods before export, re-export of industrial machinery parts for overhaul to India, review of the 30 percent value addition needed for manufacturing goods export and ratification of the Rules of Origin.

Sharma reportedly assured the delegation that he will work to strengthen economic relations between the two countries in his upcoming tenure in New Delhi.