The private sector has been delighted with the government’s decision to allow industries to import fuel for their own use.

The Cabinet on Friday decided to allow industries, diplomatic agencies, schools, hydropower projects, national and international non-government organisations and commercial banks to import fuel for the next three months.

Pashuapti Murarka, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), termed the

decision “good”, but said it would not be easy for them to import fuel.

“The government has opened the door for industries to import fuel and they will make every effort to bring in the fuel from wherever possible, including diverse Indian suppliers,” he said. “But we are concerned whether Indian customs would allow exports of petroleum products without a bilateral agreement between the two countries.”

“Many diplomatic agencies and INGOs such as World Food Programme had requested us to allow them to import  fuel,” said Shambhu Ghimire, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supply.

The Cabinet, however, has not specified the quantity of fuel an organisation can import. “The Ministry of Commerce and Supply will facilitate them,” said Chief Secretary Som Lal Subedi.