Government to facilitate export of domestically produced footwear: PM Shah

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has expressed his commitment to the government to facilitate the promotion of the export of domestically produced footwear. In a discussion with the officials and members of the Footwear Manufacturers Association of Nepal (FMAN) at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, Prime Minister Shah said that necessary support will be provided for import substitution of footwear and employment creation.

He said that skill-based training related to footwear production will be conducted in coordination with all three levels of government and the private sector will be encouraged in the promotion and marketing of Nepali footwear. Similarly, he said that tracking and record management will be made effective in the limit of raw material import according to the production capacity of the industry.

In the discussion, the office bearers and members of the association drew the attention of Prime Minister Shah to control illegal smuggling through various border points, bring international and national products outside the scope of tax within the legal scope, control the import of substandard footwear and slippers, and implement mandatory quality testing on imported footwear and slippers. They also assured that the domestic footwear and slippers industry could operate at full capacity if the government provided the necessary policy support, market protection, and industry-friendly arrangements.

Association President Suraj Banjade, outgoing President Rudra Neupane, General Secretary Nirmal Bhattarai, Advisor Kalidas Gautam, member and member of the House of Representatives Bidushi Rana, among others, participated.