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UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Environmental Requirements and Trade

UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Environmental Requirements and Trade. Romi Manandhar Under Secretary (Technical) Geneve, (2 – 4 October 2002). Introduction. Landlocked country in South Asia Land area 147,181 sq. km. Population 23 million growing at 2.38% Per Capita Income US$ 242

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UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Environmental Requirements and Trade

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  1. UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Environmental Requirements and Trade Romi Manandhar Under Secretary (Technical) Geneve, (2 – 4 October 2002)

  2. Introduction • Landlocked country in South Asia • Land area 147,181 sq. km. • Population 23 million growing at 2.38% • Per Capita Income US$ 242 • Economic growth rate 5% • Agriculture – 39.2% to GDP – employs over 74% • Industry – 20 % to GDP – manufacturing – 10% • 9th Plan – goal – Globalization of Economy • Accession to WTO – additional opportunities of export – also SAFTA

  3. Environmental Performance and Problems • 60 different industrial catagory hotspots • 6 high priority industry categories – Cement, Leather, Paper & Pulp, Soap & Chemicals, Sugar, Textile • Carpet, Readymade Garment and Leather – 65% contribution to total export • Ban on import of Textile & Leather Goods with Azo dyes – affected export from Nepal • Weak institutional capability for IPCM • Limited ability to enforce QC

  4. Environmental Performance and Problems (Contd.) • Formulated 5 Effluent Standards – manadatory • No environmental standards on products & processes • NBSM – National Standard Body – Accreditation • Fairly equipped Lab but lacks capacity for ecological parameter testing • Lack of maintenance – sophisticated equipment • Limited accredited labs – 4 only in capital city

  5. Environmental Performance and Problems (Contd.) • Environmental Agency – very new – MOPE (1995) • EPA 1996, EPR 1997, Standards 2001 April • Departments under MOICS – Dual responsibilities • Awareness level – quite low • HRD – lack of practical skills • Lack of Information Center

  6. Some achievements • Environmental Labelling for export Industries in Nepal (1999-2002) • FINNIDA assisted • 3 components • Awareness creation, Trainings, Ref. Mat., some equipments, capacity build up, 7 certificate awarded • Significant cost savings, improved env. performance • Environmental Sector Programme Support

  7. Capacity Building Needs • Environmental Policies – develop, review & improve • Existing Legislation, new Standards, enforcement – International requirements • Awareness materials, guidelines & manuals • Environmental Protection & Conservation Center • More lab facilities and monitoring of performance • Information Center – international trade requirement • Eco-labeling project – extension & new fields • Tourism & Organic Agri-products • HRD

  8. Role of UNCTAD • Capacity Building • Special & Differencial Treatment • Information Center • Assist in obtaining technical & financial assistance for capacity building • International Eco-label or EMS certification – very costly – should not be a barrier to trade ABM

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