Grand interaction program held among NADA & regional automobile associations

KATHMANDU: A grand interaction program was successfully held in Rupandehi among the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, Lumbini Automobiles Association of Nepal, and institutional (provincial) associations under NADA.

The event saw the participation of key stakeholders discussing contemporary issues related to the automobile sector.

The program was graced by NADA Chaair Karan Chaudhary as the chief guest, where in-depth discussions were conducted on various pressing matters of the automobile industry.

Office bearers and members from different institutional associations actively engaged in the discussion, raising significant concerns and seeking resolutions.

During the interaction, participants expressed concerns over various challenges, including the lack of proper recognition for tax-paying entrepreneurs by the government, the impact of cross-border automobile technicians affecting small businesses, difficulties in securing bank loans despite commitments from financial institutions, and the persistent problems in license distribution at the provincial transport offices.

Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the government’s lack of a favorable outlook toward the automobile sector despite its significant contributions to national revenue and employment.

Other critical issues brought up in the discussion included excessive fines under market monitoring, the economic downturn making business sustainability difficult, complications arising from NADA’s dual membership system, problems related to valuation at customs offices, the necessity for brand-specific import permissions, challenges posed by open borders, difficulties in clearing old stock, and the import of counterfeit automobile parts affecting genuine businesses.

Responding to the issues raised, NADA Chair Karan Chaudhary stated that the government has started acknowledging NADA’s concerns, highlighting that several demands have been addressed through a recently issued ordinance.

He assured that NADA has been continuously engaging with the Prime Minister’s Office, relevant ministries, and departments to align policies with the evolving needs of the sector.

Chair Chaudhary also shared insights on NADA’s participation in the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) agreement meeting, emphasizing the potential negative implications of the agreement on Nepal’s automobile sector. He further informed about the recent agreement between NADA, ACMA, and ASDC in New Delhi, India, regarding India Mobility.

The event commenced with a welcome speech by Lumbini Automobiles Association of Nepal Chair Ganesh Bhattarai, while NADA General Secretary Surendra Kumar Upreti conducted the program. Similarly, NADA Vice Chair Rajan Babu Shrestha delivered the vote of thanks.

The event was also attended virtually, with prominent figures including NADA Institutional Vice Chair Tej Narayan Sah, Institutional Members Krishna Prasad Shrestha and Bhadra Bhandari, and Central Committee Members Navaraj Bhushal, Prakash Kapuri, Sunil Rizal, Neelmani Pathak, Meghraj Poudel, and Narayan Prasad Poudel.

Among other notable attendees were Hetaunda Automobiles Association Chair Rishi Dhakal, Western Regional Automobile Dealers Association Chair Dipendra Koirala, and Lumbini Automobiles Association of Nepal Senior Vice Chair Roshan Pandey. Vice Chairs Krishna Prasad Bhandari and Narendra Oli, General Secretary Ram Belwase, Secretary Vivek Shrestha, Treasurer Narayan Paudel, Joint Treasurer Chandradip Joshi, Joint Secretary Tilakram Pandey, and executive members including Deepak Oli, Pravesh Bhattarai, Ramesh Shrestha, Thirendra Shrestha, Deepak Poudel, Keshav Pandey, Balkrishna Pandey, Omhari Acharya, Kamal Neupane, Dinesh Amatya, Prakash Bhattarai, and Jagadish Bhatta also marked their presence.

Additionally, Hetaunda Automobiles Association Senior Vice Chair Dharma Dhimal, General Secretary Dipendra Kumar Upreti, and Member Bikash Nepal attended the program, alongside Karnali Automobiles Association Vice Chair Sai Anwar Ali, Lumbini Automobiles Association of Nepal Advisor Gopal Prasad Pandey, Legal Consultant Krishna Prasad Pandey, and Press Consultant Swastik Shrestha.

The event concluded with Lumbini Automobiles Association of Nepal Chair Ganesh Bhattarai presenting a token of appreciation to NADA Chair Karan Chaudhary.

NADA believes that such events will further strengthen the relationship between NADA and its institutional (provincial) associations.

It reaffirmed its commitment to organizing similar programs in the future to address the concerns of the automobile industry.