Presenting the research paper written by Dr Krishna Prasad Pant on Legislative Requirements for Observing the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Rules and Meeting the Commitments of Nepal, Executive Director of SAWTEE, Mr Navin Dahal said that the study, upon analyzing the provisions of the World Trade Organization's SPS agreement and existing laws of Nepal, suggests necessary amendments in the food, animal and plant related laws.          

Commenting on the report, Dr Tika Bahadur Karki said that conformity with SPS agreement is mandatory and it is a long march for a country like Nepal to be technically compatible with the agreement. He further added that it is mainly due to the dominance of the developed countries in setting up of the standards in SPS and TBT related agreements that most standards are favourable for technically superior and resource rich countries. 

Presenting a research paper on A Study on WTO/ Technical Barriers to Trade and its Compliance in Nepal, Advocate MeghRaj Pokherel said that the research analyses the legal measures and sets forth necessary amendments in them for maintaining country's standards and procedures as per the provisions of TBT Agreement.

Likewise, commenting on the report on TBT, Mr Purna Prasad Manadhar expressed that unless Nepal fully complies with the TBT agreement under WTO, Nepal will not be able to benefit from the market access opportunities that has come with the membership of the  WTO.         

Speaking from the chair, President of SAWTEE, Dr Posh Raj Pandey said that in the process of fulfilling international commitment it is also important for Nepal to protect its national interest. He further added that it was important to increase awareness among the stakeholders and build their capacity together with moving forward with the policy compliance.    

The chief guest of the programme, Secretary for Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supplies(MOICS) Mr Bharat Bahadur Thapa lauded the efforts of SAWTEE for conducting a study on SPS and TBT and said that it was a timely effort. He added that it is necessary to take some additional measures to avail the opportunity of market access and these studies will certainly be helpful while amending various laws related to SPS and TBT agreements.         

On the occasion, President of SAWTEE Dr Pandey handed over the research reports on SPS and TBT to the Secretary of MOICS, Mr Bharat Bahadur Thapa.      
 
More than 50 participants from various government authorities, related agencies for implementing SPS and TBT agreements, researchers, media personnel and others participated in the meeting.