CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: India has lifted the renewed restrictions imposed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on various goods manufactured in Nepal, including cement, corrugated sheets, and plywood. The decision to remove the ban, just ahead of the scheduled meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday evening, is being viewed as a positive diplomatic gesture.

Nepal’s Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, stated on Friday that India has agreed to Nepal’s request to facilitate the export of Nepalese goods and their sale and distribution in Indian markets. He had earlier raised the issue with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal during a visit to India, urging the removal of the restrictions on Nepalese products.

The matter was extensively discussed during the Nepal-India commerce secretary-level meeting held on January 11 and 12. Following that, the Indian side assured a resolution to the issues. India had made it mandatory for Nepalese exports like cement, corrugated sheets, sanitary pads, and footwear to comply with BIS certification.

As a result of this requirement, Nepal had halted cement exports to India for the last five months, and more recently, it had suspended plywood exports as well. Under India’s new provisions, goods without renewed BIS certification were not permitted for import.

Ahead of the bilateral meeting in Bangkok, India’s move to lift the restrictions is being seen as a gesture of goodwill.

Home Prasad Ghimire, president of the Nepal Plywood Manufacturers Association, said that obtaining BIS certification will now make it easier for Nepal to resume exports. Nearly a dozen industries have already renewed their BIS certification. He also noted that 34 trucks carrying plywood from Nepal were recently stuck at the Kakadvitta checkpoint due to the lack of BIS certification.

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