Kathmandu, April 5 -- The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standard body of India, has begun issuing certificates to cement and plywood manufacturers, a year after they applied for quality certification.

However, small footwear brands and manufacturers of sanitary pads, diapers, and some cement are still awaiting BIS certification.

An official at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies said that the ministry has been regularly communicating with the Indian government, urging it to issue BIS certifications for Nepali manufacturers following the Nepal-India Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting in January.

The official said the ministry was unaware of which manufacturers have received certification.

Hom Prasad...