The Secretary level India-Nepal Inter Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on Sunday concluded in Kathmandu with a 14-point agreement.
The meeting focused on trade, transit and cooperation to curb unauthorised trade and review of the implementation status of the 33 issues agreed during the last meeting held in New Delhi in December 2011.
The agreement signed on Sunday, will allow Nepal to export goods imported from the third country to the 'third countries' would be solved as per the provision of rule of origin.
India has agreed to provide a facility for Nepal while importing the vehicles using container and others through Kolkata-Haldiya port. It would be managed through the medium of 'letter of exchange'.
Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Commerce and Supply, Madhav Prasad Regmi said while importing bulk cargo from third countries, additional customs points would be used. For this, the system of pre-information would be made more convenient, he added.
India had proposed Nepal to reduce custom duty on export of clinker and cement, but both parties agreed to continue present system reasoning it would not create negative impact on India's export, and keep on promoting cement industry in Nepal.
Similarly, both sides agreed on mutual reconditions agreement to remove the hurdles created by the quarantine certificate while exporting agro-products and cattle. A Nepali team would go to Delhi to finalize talks in this regard.
As per the agreement, India has agreed to export milch cattle breed with proven sire index as per the farmers' need in Nepal. It has also agreed to clear the hurdles while taking Nepali medium books, magazines, and materials for fairs. India has announced for providing academic and practical skills on how Nepal could boost the strength of its trade sector.
Both sides have committed to work seriously on curbing unauthorised trade in the border area. Talking to media persons following the meeting, Secretary of Commerce and Supplies from India, SR Rao, said his country's aim was to help Nepal's prosperity.
According to Secretary Rao, India would not leave any stone unturned to clear the trade imbalance balance between the two countries. He lauded Nepal's efforts on curbing the circulation of fake Indian currency in Nepal. The agreed minutes were signed by Nepal's Commerce Secretary Regmi and India's Commerce Secretary Rao.