NADA Submits 36-Point Suggestion to Finance Minister for Nepal’s Automobile Industry
6th April 2026, Kathmandu
In a high-level meeting held on April 6, 2026 (Chaitra 23, 2082), a delegation from the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, led by President Surendra Kumar Upreti, engaged in a strategic dialogue with Honorable Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle.
NADA Submits 36-Point Suggestion
The discussion centered on the current economic hurdles facing the automotive industry and the necessity for private-sector-friendly policies in the upcoming budget.
Pro-Growth Policy and Revenue Expansion
President Upreti congratulated Dr. Wagle on his tenure and highlighted the automotive sector’s role as a cornerstone of the national economy. He noted that with the right regulatory framework, the industry could significantly increase government revenue and catalyze large-scale employment for the Nepalese workforce.
In response, Finance Minister Dr. Wagle assured the delegation that the government is actively exploring ways to broaden the tax base while potentially reducing tax rates. He emphasized a shift toward a liberal economy that encourages investment, promising substantial funding for road infrastructure and a crackdown on administrative irregularities to streamline business operations.
Key Demands: 36-Point Recommendation & Local Manufacturing
A major highlight of the meeting was the formal submission of NADA’s 36-point written recommendation. The proposal outlines a roadmap for industrial recovery and growth, focusing on:
Customs and Raw Materials:
NADA urged the government to provide tax exemptions on imported raw materials to support local manufacturing. While the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly has seen improvements, the association stressed that full-scale manufacturing industries still struggle with high costs.
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Quality Control Infrastructure:
President Upreti pointed out a critical gap: while Nepal now produces tires, tubes, batteries, lubricants, and helmets locally, the government lacks the specialized machinery to test and certify their quality. He called for immediate investment in quality-testing laboratories.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Promotion:
NADA’s Distinguished Advisor, Rajan Babu Shrestha, emphasized the need for stable, long-term policies for the promotion of electric mobility, especially as Nepal sees a surge in EV adoption amid global fuel price volatility.
Addressing Cross-Border Challenges
The delegation also raised concerns regarding the impact of regional tax changes. Mr. Shrestha noted that recent reductions in India’s GST have led to an increase in unauthorized cross-border trade (smuggling). He urged the Ministry to implement stricter border security and monitoring to protect legitimate Nepalese businesses from unfair competition.
A Collaborative Path Forward
The meeting concluded with an agreement for further consultations. Dr. Wagle invited NADA for a secondary round of discussions, specifically regarding the upcoming national budget, to ensure the industry’s technical needs are reflected in fiscal planning.
The delegation included high-ranking NADA officials, including Immediate Past President Karan Chaudhary, Vice Presidents Abhik Jyoti and Bikram Singhania, General Secretary Milan Babu Malla, Treasurer Pankaj Agrawal, and Co-Treasurer Nilamani Pathak.
For more: NADA Submits 36-Point Suggestion
