PM Oli pledges support for tea industry

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has pledged to make all possible efforts to promote and encourage the tea industry, including initiatives to resolve issues related to tea exports to India.

The Prime Minister's commitment follows a proposal by Indian authorities to mandate the auction of Nepali tea for import into India.

PM Oli reaffirmed his commitment while receiving a memorandum from representatives of tea producers' associations in Jhapa and Ilam districts of Koshi Province, alongside the Provincial Tea Coordination Committee, at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Wednesday.

Reiterating his intent to address issues through both formal and informal mechanisms, PM Oli urged tea entrepreneurs to focus on promoting and expanding the market for Nepali tea.

On the occasion, the Committee's Chairperson, Aditya Parajuli, highlighted the potential negative impact of the proposed Indian policy on mandatory tea auctions for Nepali tea entrepreneurs.

Parajuli also expressed concerns that the provision could hinder Nepal's foreign currency earnings from tea trade, mentioning that Nepal has been collecting over Rs 6 billion annually in revenue from tea exports.

The representatives handing over the memorandum to the Prime Minister also demanded the operation of an auction centre, the immediate provision of subsidies for Nepali tea exports, and provision of a reliable electricity supply to the tea estates, among other requests.

By RSS