NSBM to Award Int’l Quality Certification to Nepali Goods and Services

Nepal has taken initiative to start the international quality certification of the goods and services produced in the country. Along with the preparation to establish the National Accreditation Focal Point (NAFP), the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NSBM) has taken the initiative to start the international quality certification within the nation itself, says, Romi Manandhar, Deputy Director General at the Bureau. Currently different organizations are taking their own initiative for certification.

 

The Bureau is planning to establish NAFP in collaboration with India’s National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB). According to Manandhar, an agreement to this effect was signed between the NSBM and NABCB on January 22. She also informed New Business Age that NAFP would request NABCB for quality certification.

 

“As there is no separate body for [international] quality certification at the Bureau, we have signed an agreement with NABCB,” she added. The establishment of NAFP will help reduce the international quality certification cost of Nepali goods and services and will ease the entire process of quality certification, according to Manandhar. The NSBM is preparing to make a two-year work plan for NAFP. However, it’s going to take a few months before the NAFP starts working for international quality certification. For the time being, the office of NAFP will be located on the NSBM premises.

 

 

Website for Foreign Investors

With an aim to provide detailed information on investment prospects in Nepal, a new website has been launched for foreign investors. The website (www.theiguides.org/nepal) was launched on February 13 with joint efforts from the Department of Industry (DoI) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

 

The website offers all the relevant information on Nepal’s economic situation, and rules, regulations and laws related to investment in the country. According to Krishna Gyawali, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, the website is basically an investment guide to Nepal and is expected to help attract foreign investment.

 

“The website will help foreign investors to understand Nepal’s overall situation,” Gyawali said, “It is expected to increase the flow of foreign investment to Nepal.” According to Dhruva Lal Rajbanshi, director general of the DoI, foreign investors willing to invest in Nepal can get all relevant information on Nepal from their home countries through the website.

 

“We hope that the website will be instrumental in attracting foreign investment to Nepal,” he said. UNCTAD, which has already prepared such websites for other least developed countries had started preparing the website for Nepal from the last year. A similar website has already been launched in countries like Rwanda.