The move, according to Nepali officials, will help reduce the large trade deficit with India. As the Himalaya country has a limited industrial base, Nepali officials say that being able to export more agricultural goods could help their production grow in Nepal.
In the latest move of opening up, India opened the door for Nepal’s tomatoes to enter into the Indian market in early August amid surging prices of one of the key ingredients of Indian cuisine. Lately, tomato prices have come down significantly from as high as INR 300 per kg.
By issuing a circular to its subordinate offices on August 4, India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said that competent authority under it ‘approved the proposal of import of tomatoes for consumption purpose from Nepal to India by following necessary phytosanitary conditions.’
