Government awards CIPs to 30 companies

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 17: The government has honoured 30 commercial companies and organisations with the Commercially Important Person (CIP) awards.

At a programme organised by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) in collaboration with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari conferred the CIP honours on Wednesday.

Among the recipients, 21 are business firms and companies and nine are the representative organisations from the private sector.

From representative organisations, FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, and former President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Rajesh Kumar Agrawal were presented with honorary CIP recognition. 

These honours were conferred in recognition of their notable contributions to the promotion of exports and the commercial sector, thus supporting national economic development.

Similarly, presidents of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) and the Federation of Export Entrepreneurs of Nepal (FEEN) were also presented honorary CIP status. 

In addition, commodity-specific organisations such as the Nepal Chhurpi Entrepreneurs’ Association, Jhapa; Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association; Nepal Readymade Garment Industry Association; and Nepal Woollen Felt Producers and Exporters Association were honoured. 

These organisations were recognised on the basis of exporting goods worth more than Rs. 5 billion to third countries during fiscal years 2022/23 and 2023/24. 

Top exporters recognised

Furthermore, one entrepreneur each from the top five export commodities to third countries were also awarded the CIP title. These include Third Eye International for woollen carpets, Nepal Fashion Pvt. Ltd. for garments, National Exporters Pvt. Ltd. for felt products, Manram Himalayan Handicrafts Pvt. Ltd. for Chhurpi, and Tricot Industries for pashmina products.

Based on export volumes to India, Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Aarti Strips, and Reliance Spinning Mills Ltd. received CIP awards. From China-bound exports, Chhomen Traders, Finjo Sonam Enterprises, and Astamangal Kathmandu were honoured.

Likewise, Gift Land Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. was awarded for being the highest earner of foreign currency through exports of handicraft goods that reflect Nepal’s indigenous skills, arts, and culture.

From high-priority potential exports, Nepal Everest Cardamom Production, Jhapa, and AB Herbal Traders and Suppliers, Darchula, were honoured in the categories of agricultural and herbal product exports, respectively. In the category of women exporters, Janakpur Refineries, Kathmandu, received the award for highest export volume. 

Industries and companies that exported more than Rs. 1 billion to third countries over the past two fiscal years, including The Shangrila Carpet and Handicraft, Everest Fashion, Triveni Spinning Mills Ltd., and Mindful Craft Pvt. Ltd. (as a startup), were also recognised with CIP status.

IME Limited was honoured as the company bringing in the highest foreign currency through remittance transactions via the banking system, and Everest Hospitality Hotel Limited received the award in the tourism sector for earning the highest amount of foreign currency.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Bhandari said that the government would further strengthen cooperation with the private sector for the country’s prosperity. He said that the CIP honour would boost the morale of industrialists and entrepreneurs and play a more effective role in export promotion.

"Unless the private sector is empowered, economic growth and prosperity are not possible. Therefore, we want to move forward in partnership with the private sector," he stated.

He emphasised that as Nepal is set to graduate from the LDC category in 2026, the government and private sector must together formulate a strategy for the future.

Likewise, FNCCI President Dhakal said that Nepal’s exports could reach up to Rs. 1 trillion annually. He believed that with proper efforts, foreign direct investment could be increased to 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product within a few years. Currently, it is just 0.2 per cent. 

According to him, the CIP recognition would encourage entrepreneurs to engage in dignified business and highlighted that internationally, individuals who receive such honours are held in high regard by the government and society.