Govt honours 30 companies and institutions with CIP awards for outstanding export and economic contribution

KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has honored 30 business firms and institutions with the Commercially Important Person (CIP) award in recognition of their notable contributions to trade promotion and export-led economic growth. The award ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in collaboration with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), took place in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Minister Damodar Bhandari presented the CIP awards during the event. Among the honorees were 21 commercial firms and companies, while nine institutional representatives from the private sector received honorary CIP recognition.

FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, and former Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) President Rajesh Kumar Agrawal were awarded honorary CIP titles for their institutional contributions to trade and export promotion. These organizations were acknowledged for their significant role in strengthening Nepal’s business and export sector.

Additionally, representatives from associations such as the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) and the Federation of Export Entrepreneurs Nepal (FEEN) were awarded honorary CIP recognition. Sector-specific bodies like the Nepal Chhurpi Business Association, Nepal Carpet Exporters Association, Nepal Readymade Garment Association, and Nepal Wool Felt Exporters Association were also honored based on their export performance to third countries during FY 2079/80 and 2080/81 (2022/23 and 2023/24), having achieved exports worth at least NPR 5 billion.

Five top exporters by product category were each honored with CIP awards. These included:

Third Eye International (Woolen Carpets)

Nepal Fashion Pvt. Ltd. (Readymade Garments)

National Exporters Pvt. Ltd. (Wool Felt Products)

Manram Himalayan Handicraft Pvt. Ltd. (Chhurpi)

Tricot Industries (Pashmina)

In the India-bound export category, CIP awards were given to:

Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd.

Aarti Strips

Reliance Spinning Mills Ltd.

From the China-bound export segment, recipients included:

Chhomen Traders

Finjo Sonam Enterprises

Ashtamangala Kathmandu

For leading exports in Nepali handicrafts reflecting traditional skills and culture, Gift Land Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. received a CIP award.

In the agriculture-focused export category, awards went to Nepal Everest Cardamom Production, Jhapa, and AB Herbal Traders & Suppliers, Darchula, for significant exports of cardamom and medicinal herbs respectively.

Among women exporters, Janakpur Refineries, Kathmandu received the CIP award for highest export volume, while companies such as The Shangri-La Carpet & Handicraft, Everest Fashion, and Triveni Spinning Mills Ltd. were recognized for exporting over NPR 1 billion in goods to third countries over the last two fiscal years. In the startup category, Mindful Craft Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, was also honored.

In terms of remittance contribution through formal banking channels, IME Ltd. received the CIP award for bringing in the highest foreign currency. Similarly, Everest Hospitality Hotel Ltd. was recognized as the leading business in the tourism sector contributing the highest foreign exchange earnings.