Traders expressed dissatisfaction over the government only conducting market supervision during the festive season and said that it needs to be done throughout the year.

They raised the issue of poor market supervision during a programme organised by Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) on Friday. Traders said that year-round market supervision would raise consumer awareness about the products available in the market. They claimed that buyers have started to check the expiry date on edible products.

The private sector also highlighted the government’s harsh value-added tax and tax rules, which they say are against World Trade Organisation practices. Food items are being taxed heavily without reason according to the traders.

Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies said that the impact of tax policy on food items is open for discussion.

After listening to traders’ concerns, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav said that the private sector needs to be more transparent so that they can coordinate with the government. “When the private sector reduces their profit margin, the government can then make changes,” said the minister.

Traders also want the government to use Dhamra port in India as imported goods from third countries are taking too long to reach Nepal. Currently, it takes more than two months for imported goods to arrive from Visakhapatnam port and Kolkata port.

Minister Yadav responded by saying that the government is ready to provide help if anyone is willing to start a shipping company in the country which would decrease logistic charges by over 30 percent. He added that the government was negotiating with India for bulk cargo facility.

Similarly, negotiation is being done with India for bulk cargo. The government is ready to provide help if anyone is willing to start shipping company in the country, he said, adding, opening shipping company in the country will help to decrease the cost of logistics by one-third.