Nepal keen to import raw jute

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Economic Reporter :
The Nepalese businessmen are planing to source raw jute and jute mill materials from Bangladesh as India continues to impose an economic blockade on Nepal due to adoption of new Constitution in the Himalayan nation.
Bangladesh commerce ministry officials said a four-member delegation from Jute Association of Nepal might visit Dhaka next week to discuss the matter. Nepal could also seek to import fuel oil and basic commodities from China and Bangladesh.
According to a letter sent from Embassy of Nepal to commerce ministry, the Nepalese business delegation will be led by Raj Kumar Golchha, president of the Jute Association of the Nepal.
An official said after full implementation of the Motor Vehicles Agreement with India, Bangladesh would seek transit facilities from India and the country’s commodities export to Nepal and Bhutan would increase.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal on July 15 last year signed a Motor Vehicles Agreement for seamless movement of people and cargo among the neighbours. The MVA within the sub-grouping of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) nations would increase economic benefits for the region.
The big three parties including Federal Socialist Forum Nepal decided to pass the amendment bill in the Nepalese Parliament on Sunday even without a deal with the Madhesi Front, according to a report in Nepali Times, a Kathmandu-based online newspaper.
The top leaders of the three major parties are hoping that India will ease its stranglehold on the supply of fuel and other essential commodities when the bill is pushed through.
During the visit, the Nepalese delegation is likely to meet high officials at the commerce ministry and local businessmen to exchange views on further promoting business relations between Nepal and Bangladesh, including in textiles and jute sectors.
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