In the welcome address by Mr. Kiran P. Saakha highlighted the main objective of this event. The main purpose of the “Exporter Awards Gala Valentine Dinner”event was for setting the trend for boosting more exports from Nepal to USA.
The program was also marked as the first ever program held in Nepal organized by NUSACCI. He also thanked Ms. Akhter for her gracious presence at the event as a chief guest and also extended congratulations to all awardee companies in five categories (carpet, garment, pashmina, handicraft and wool felt) for receiving the awards based on the nomination of respective associations on the basis of highest export to USA in FY 2078/79. He further said, NUSACCI will try to organize this kind event every year on a regular basis. Mr. Saakha remarked Nepal Trade Preferences Program (NTTP) currently applies to a total 77 tariff lines but Nepal has not been able to take advantage of the facility fully and find the significant market for those items. He also urged Ms Akhter possibilities for the extension of NTPP beyond 2025 as it will be expiring in December 2025.
The chief guest of the program Ms. Afreen Akhter, US Deputy Assistant Secretary handed over awards to the five companies for exporting highest value of goods to USA.
The awardees are: i) Mr. Nimesh Pradhan, MD, Pulse Fashion Solution Pvt. Ltd-Readymade Garments, ii) Shangrila Carpet and Handicraft Pvt. Ltd-Carpet iii) Everest Pashmina Knitting and Weaving Industries Pvt. Ltd-Pashmina, iv) Everest Fashion-Handicraft and v) Felt and Yarn Pvt. Ltd.-Wool felt.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Akhter expressed thanks to NUSACCI for a very warm welcome and inviting her to speak in this event . She said USA economic partnership with Nepal is foremost priority. She appreciated that the Nepalese company are exporting high quality unique goods to USA. She highlighted USA and Nepal have had a flourishing 75 years of bilateral relations and for the next 75 years it will be even more flourishing and grow further.
She said organization like Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry is vital to our partnership and will continue to play a huge role for growing our business ties and growing economic partnership and really taking it up to the next level.