Kathmandu, Aug. 13 -- Five years ago, the Ministry of Industry approved the Intergovernmental Agreement on Dry Ports and submitted it to Parliament. But before it could be endorsed, the Parliament's term ended, the government changed, and the agreement was pushed aside.

The agreement-considered crucial for reducing trading costs, saving transit time, and putting Nepal's dry ports on the international shipping map-has since languished without priority.

The Intergovernmental Agreement on Dry Ports, adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), seeks to promote and develop ports of international importance within Asia and its neighbouring regions.

It was opened for signature in 2013 and cam...