Kathmandu: The Council of Ministers has made a pivotal decision to grant 50 percent customs duty exemption to Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company for sugar imports, aimed at ensuring sufficient supply during the upcoming festival season. To prevent shortages, the government had already allocated import quotas for sugar.

The Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection had previously selected seven private trading firms to import a total of 19,000 metric tons of sugar from India, which is expected to reach the Nepali market by next week. This initiative is set to stabilize prices and maintain a smooth supply chain, with sugar to be sold at NPR 107.50 per kilogram.

With rumors of rising prices circulating, the department is hopeful that the imported sugar will help prevent any further supply disruptions, particularly during the festive period.