PM Shah pledges govt support to boost Nepali footwear exports
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has pledged that the government will provide necessary support to promote the export of domestically manufactured footwear.
Speaking at a meeting with office bearers and members of the Footwear Manufacturer's Association of Nepal (FMAN), at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today, PM Shah assured the delegation of the government's commitment to facilitating efforts to replace footwear imports with domestic products and to create jobs.
He said skill‑generating and enhancement training on footwear production will be implemented in coordination with the government. "The private sector will be encouraged in the promotion and marketing of Nepali footwear," the prime minister added.
PM Shah said tracking of limitations on imports of raw materials according to industry capacity and archive management will be made more effective.
During the discussions, the delegation urged the government to implement measures to curb cross‑border smuggling of related products, bring international and national products that remain outside the tax net into the taxation system, ensure mandatory quality testing of imported goods, and discourage the import of substandard products.
The delegation also assured the government that domestic footwear industries will operate at full capacity if the government provides necessary policy support, ensures market protection, and implements industry‑friendly provisions.
FMAN President Suraj Banjade, outgoing president Rudra Neupane, general secretary Nirmal Bhattarai, advisor Kalidas Gautam, footwear entrepreneur and House of Representatives (HoR) member Vidushi Rana, and other association members attended the meeting.
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