潜在出口和非关税贸易壁垒：尼泊尔国家研究（英文版）_235页_2mb

Summary of Potential Exports and Nontariff Barriers to Trade: Nepal National Study

Core Content

This report, published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in May 2019, examines the potential exports from Nepal to other South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) countries and the nontariff measures (NTMs), specifically sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (TBT), that hinder such trade. The study aims to identify and address the constraints faced by Nepalese exporters in the SASEC region, with the goal of improving trade facilitation and promoting regional integration.

Main Purpose and Scope

• Purpose: To identify key SPS and TBT constraints that impede Nepal's exports to SASEC countries and provide actionable recommendations for overcoming these challenges.
• Scope: The study includes a national diagnostic audit focusing on:
  • Identifying priority products with export potential to SASEC countries.
  • Assessing current SPS and TBT infrastructure and capacity constraints.
  • Presenting prioritized recommendations for improving standards, regulations, and procedures.

Key Findings

Trade Pattern with SASEC Countries

• Nepal's trade with SASEC countries has been minimal, especially in exports, despite its significant trade with India.
• Exports to other SASEC countries have either stagnated or declined over the years.
• Only a few products are exported to SASEC countries, indicating a narrow product base.

Potential Export Products

• The report identifies around 100 potential export products for each SASEC country based on trade data from 2010–2014.
• These products are those that Nepal exports in significant volumes to non-SASEC countries but not to SASEC countries, likely due to SPS and TBT constraints.

SPS and TBT Constraints in Nepal

• SPS Measures: Nepal faces issues such as lack of traceability, absence of HACCP systems, inadequate labelling and packaging rules, and insufficient regulations on dangerous chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful substances.
• TBT Measures: There are gaps in standards and regulations, especially regarding basic mandatory standards, and procedures for conformity assessment are inefficient.
• Infrastructure and Institutional Gaps: Nepal lacks sufficient testing and calibration laboratories, and many of the existing ones are not accredited. There is also a shortage of skilled human resources.

Procedural Obstacles in SASEC Countries

• India: Exports face strict testing requirements, informal payments, and inconsistent product classification.
• Bangladesh and Sri Lanka: Similar procedural obstacles have been identified through other studies.
• Bhutan and Maldives: Limited information and minimal trade relations make it difficult to assess SPS and TBT issues.

Common Challenges

• A lack of information about the SASEC markets is a common problem for exporters.
• The misalignment between Nepal's SPS and TBT regulations and international standards is a significant issue.
• The absence of effective infrastructure and capacity to implement SPS and TBT measures affects the competitiveness of Nepalese exports.

Key Recommendations

The report proposes the following prioritized actions to enhance trade:

1. Upgrade Public Laboratories: Ensure they meet international testing and certification standards and support the establishment of new private or public-private laboratories.
2. Conclude Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs): Particularly for perishable items, to reduce the burden of inspection, testing, and certification.
3. Establish a National Accreditation Body: To accredit testing and calibration laboratories for all important standards and parameters.
4. Formulate a National Quality Policy: To address coordination failures and ensure consistency in quality standards.
5. Create Autonomous Bodies for Standards: For the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and conformity assessment of standards.
6. Undertake Regulatory Reforms: To align with international and regional standards and best practices.
7. Harmonize Regional Standards: To reduce trade impediments and delays.
8. Enhance SPS and TBT Diplomacy: To improve cooperation and understanding between countries.
9. Develop Human Resources: Through periodic training and capacity-building strategies.
10. Reduce the Information Gap: To help exporters understand and meet SPS and TBT requirements.

Conclusion

The study highlights the critical role of SPS and TBT measures in limiting Nepal's export potential to other SASEC countries. It underscores the need for institutional and regulatory reforms, infrastructure development, and enhanced cooperation to address these constraints and promote regional trade. The findings aim to provide a clear roadmap for the government and private sector to improve trade facilitation and increase the competitiveness of Nepalese exports.

Key Abbreviations

• ADB: Asian Development Bank
• SPS: Sanitary and Phytosanitary
• TBT: Technical Barriers to Trade
• SASEC: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation
• NTM: Nontariff Measure
• NQI: National Quality Infrastructure
• MRA: Mutual Recognition Agreement
• NBSM: Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology
• DFTQC: Department of Food Technology and Quality Control
• HS: Harmonized System
• ISO: International Organization for Standardization
• WTO: World Trade Organization
• HACCP: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
• GMO: Genetically Modified Organism
• GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
• BBIN: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal
• BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
• SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
• WHO: World Health Organization
• OIE: World Organisation for Animal Health
• n.e.s.: Not Elsewhere Specified

Summary of Recommendations

This report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, exporters, and stakeholders to improve Nepal's trade environment and increase its export potential within the SASEC region.