Kathmandu, March 30 -- Although India has briefly reopened the export of footwear, sanitary pads, and diapers-extending the deadline for manufacturers to obtain or renew Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) certificates-Nepali manufacturers report that their goods remain stranded.

Following discussions during the Nepal-India Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade, held in Kathmandu in January, India agreed to expedite the issuance and renewal of BIS certificates.

This was meant to facilitate the export of Nepali goods, including footwear, plywood, yarn, sanitary pads, diapers, cement, corrugated sheets, and steel products.

However, manufacturers claim that the export of foo...