June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal". The federation organized the policy dialogue on Wednesday in Kathmandu with the technical support of USAID Trade and Competitiveness.

As per FNCSI, the dialogue mainly focused on three specific areas of policy and procedural barriers: one-door system, online exhibition center for Nepali products and priority for Nepali products in public procurement.

The first session of the dialogue focused on the provision of one-stop service centers to reduce hassles and operational costs of enterprises. Baburam Gautam, director general of the Department of Industries said that it is important to determine the services that will be included in the one-stop service center according to the constitutional roles and mandates given to different levels of government.

In the second session, the topic of promoting online exhibition center was discussed to increase the market access of Nepali entrepreneurs. Cooperation and joint efforts with the federation is considered as one of the possible ways to increase the access of Nepali products in the market. In the event, former Finance Secretary Shishir Dhungana said that the provision of an online exhibition center dedicated to local products will enable consumers to find products and services made in Nepal.

The third session of dialogue focused on the challenges of implementing the system to increase the use of indigenous products in public institutions.

Umesh Prasad Singh, president of the federation said that the policy dialogue was effective in bringing policy makers, policy implementers and the private sector together for discussion.