Kathmandu: The process of opening quotas for wheat imports from India is ongoing. Following the Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection Department’s announcement of a quota for importing 90,000 metric tons of wheat, the Industry Department has now opened an additional quota of 100,000 metric tons.

According to the notice issued by the Industry Department on Monday, the new quota will allow the import of 100,000 metric tons of wheat through the Indian company National Cooperative Experts Limited (NCEL).

The Commerce Department had earlier stated that companies could apply for a minimum of 100 metric tons to a maximum of 10,000 metric tons. However, the Industry Department requires interested industries to apply for at least 500 metric tons of wheat, not exceeding 25% of their approved annual plan.

India, which had restricted wheat exports for the past two years, has exempted Nepal from the ban. On January 4, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade of India issued a notification approving Nepal’s request to import 200,000 metric tons of wheat.