The programme was organised by South Asia Watch on Trade Economics & Environment (SAWTEE) and Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) - AEC. The participants discussed that the government, in collaboration with private sector and other concerned stakeholders, should take adequate measures for quality control, investment, access to the market and cost of compliance to strengthen and promote the agribusiness. 

Earlier, Dr Krishna Prasad Pant, Agro Economist, Ministry of Agriculture had dealt with these measures while presenting his paper 'Agribusiness Promotion Policy for Multilateral Trade Competitiveness' at the programme. Dr. Pant also highlighted the role of exporters and stated that they should explore market potential of their products and also meet the requirements that are critical for exporting products such as in relation to value addition.

The participants at the programme admitted that unless there is research and development in the agribusiness sector, it would be difficult for the country to identify its trade competitiveness, which, in turn, will limit Nepal’s potential to capitalise on WTO membership.

Mr. Krishna Prasad Tamrakar, Chairman, FNCCI AEC, Chairperson of the programme along with Mr. Kumud Dugar, Chairperson SAARC, BIMSTEC Trade Committee, FNCCI,  Mr. Deependra Bahadur Kshetry, Executive Director, Nepal Rastra Bank and Dr. Dev Bhakta Shakya, Executive Director, Agro Enterprise Center, FNCCI commented on the paper. Around 60 participants representing the government, private, non-government, donors and media actively participated in the programme.