A delegation led by NADA President Karan Chaudhary met with Hon. Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, to discuss the challenges faced by Nepal's automobile sector. The meeting highlighted the need for policies and regulations that support the industry, as past policies have hindered business growth and reduced government revenue. Chaudhary proposed increasing the bank financing limit for petrol and diesel vehicles from 60% to 80% to revitalize the sector.
The NADA President emphasized the need for practical policies to support the industry, citing declining vehicle sales in all categories. He also raised concerns about Nepal's shortfall in charging infrastructure for electric mobility and urged the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to take stronger action. Additionally, Chaudhary proposed streamlining the process of implementing embossed number plates, driving license distribution, and rationalizing the upcoming directive on vehicle import, production, and assembly. He also called for reconsideration of high duties imposed on automobiles, arguing that classifying them as luxury goods does not align with international standards.
In response, Minister Ghising assured that NEA is investing in building charging stations nationwide and creating a favorable environment for private entities to establish their own. He also committed to setting up recycling plants in Nepal for reusing batteries made with rare minerals. The Minister's commitments aim to address the concerns raised by NADA and support the growth of the automobile sector in Nepal.
NADA General Secretary Surendra Kumar Upreti raised concerns about the China border remaining partially closed, which has significantly impacted the automobile trade ahead of Dashain. He suggested limiting the time for Indian cargo trucks to 24 hours and restricting operations within 16 kilometers of customs points. Upreti also warned about the potential disruption to Nepal's commercial vehicle sector if certain provisions of agreements with neighboring countries are implemented without modification.
President Chaudhary submitted a comprehensive 28-point recommendation for the long-term reform of the automobile sector. The proposal aims to address the challenges faced by the industry and support its growth. The discussion was attended by key stakeholders, including NADA President Karan Chaudhary, General Secretary Surendra Kumar Upreti, and Director General of DOTM, Rajiv Pokharel.
Nepal's automobile sector is facing significant challenges, prompting NADA President Karan Chaudhary to hold a meeting with Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising to discuss potential solutions. Chaudhary proposed increasing bank financing limits for petrol and diesel vehicles and urged the government to reconsider classifying automobiles as luxury goods, which he claims does not align with international standards. The discussion also covered topics such as electric mobility, charging infrastructure, and trade disruptions, with Minister Ghising assuring investments in charging stations and recycling plants to support the sector's growth.