Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari has stated that progress is being made toward resolving the challenges affecting Nepal’s tea exports to India.
Addressing lawmakers during the zero, emergency, and special hours of the House of Representatives meeting on Friday, the minister said the government has initiated discussions with relevant Indian ministries through the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi to facilitate the resumption of tea exports to India.
She added that efforts are also underway to simplify the process of exporting Nepali tea to third countries through Indian transit routes.
According to the minister, discussions were held with the Tea Development Board on May 11 regarding the ongoing export difficulties and possible measures to address them. She noted that India remains Nepal’s largest tea market, accounting for nearly 80 to 90 percent of total tea exports.
Nepal currently produces approximately 26.1 million kilograms of tea annually, she informed Parliament.
On another issue, Minister Kumari said the Department of Customs has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring and maintaining the maximum retail price (MRP) of consumer goods.
She also updated lawmakers on the relocation of industries operating near the Lumbini area, stating that the process is moving forward in line with a Supreme Court directive.
The Supreme Court had earlier ordered the relocation of industries situated within a 15-kilometer radius of Lumbini — the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — citing concerns over environmental and cultural preservation.
