NCC holds interaction about implementation of MRP

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 25: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has held a comprehensive interaction with private sector entrepreneurs in the presence of Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari regarding the problems seen in the implementation of Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

The Chamber has also drawn the attention of the government regarding the confusion seen in the implementation of MRP and the impact on the general consumers and traders due to lack of public awareness.

More than 150 entrepreneurs and businessmen from the private sector participated in the interaction. President of NCC Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal said that MRP should be implemented only on the basis of all-sided discussions and consensus with the concerned bodies.

He said, “The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has started strict monitoring in the market for some time and if MRP is not mentioned, higher fines are imposed.” President Agrawal said that as most of the consumer goods in the country are dependent on imports, it will be very difficult to implement the MRP label system in the case of imported goods.

As the reference value system in customs is still in place, the transaction value should be recognised as per the World Trade Organization standards for customs purposes, he said. 

Outgoing president of NCC Rajendra Malla asked the government to control the import of illegal goods before implementing the MRP.

During the programme, most of the businessmen engaged in various products complained that businessmen were unnecessarily suffering due to the monitoring in the name of MRP and leveling in the private sector.

They said that most of the businessmen and entrepreneurs were not even aware of MRP. On the occasion, Minister Bhandari said that the MRP implementation process would be taken forward as required only after further discussions in coordination with the concerned bodies.

Stating that the government will bring any policy to improve the business environment, keeping in mind the interests of consumers, businessmen, and the nation, he urged businessmen not to be afraid of implementing any policy.

Minister Bhandari clarified that the government has accelerated the implementation of MRP by abolishing the Black Market Act in line with the policy of attracting domestic and foreign investment, while ensuring the profitability of investment of investors.

However, if there are any problems in its implementation, he said that the government is ready to resolve the problem through discussions between the concerned government agencies, industrialists, and businessmen.