Since the Indian Standards Institute (ISI) mark related to quality certification of the Government of India has not been renewed, the export of cement to India by three industries of Nepal has been stopped for months.

After the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) of the Government of India did not renew the quality ISI mark of the Nepali cement being exported to India, the products of Argakhanchi Cement, Samrat Cement and Balaji Cement Industries of Nepal have been stopped from being exported to India.

Until the deadline for ISI mark renewal, the products of that industry were being easily exported through Bhairahawa and Krishnanagar customs posts. For export of Nepali products to India, it is mandatory to get the ISI mark certificate of quality provided by the Indian government.

Some other Nepali cement industries that are currently exporting to India are also due to renew their ISI mark in a few months. Rishikesh Agarwal, Director of Balaji Cement Industry, which is operating an industry in Kapilvastu and exporting cement from Krishnanagar, said that since the ISI mark was not renewed by the Indian government, its products have not been exported to India for 7 months.

"Applied for renewal three months before the expiry date", Agarwal said, "It has not been renewed yet". The reason for non-renewal has not been disclosed.' Since 30th of June 2080, the industry had been exporting Bahubali and Shrishti brand cement to India. In one year, the industry exported cement worth Rs 20 crore to India.

The export of Samrant cement, which is being exported to India through Krishnanagar, has also been stopped . The export of Arghakhanchi Cement Limited, which has been exporting to India through Bhairahawa customs post for two years, has also been stopped since October 9, 2081 . In two years, Arghakhanchi Cement exported cement worth more than 55 crore rupees .

Cement export from Nepal to India was good for two years. One after the other, Nepali cement industries were producing and exporting quality cement as per the standards set by the Government of India. Nepalese businessmen were excited when the export of cement to India began to increase.

Businessmen are disappointed now that exports have stopped because the Indian government has not renewed the quality certificate. Deputy General Manager of Arghakhanchi Cement Industry, Krishna Prasad Pandey said that Nepali cement industry is in trouble after the export was stopped.

"When cement consumption in Nepal is decreasing due to the economic recession, exports to India were helping the industry a lot," Pandey said, "We are waiting for the renewal by the Indian government." But it is not decided when.

He also said that the reason for not renewing has not been revealed by the Indian side. Thakur Kumar Shrestha, president of Siddharth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the related bodies have been informed about the suspension of renewal and said that the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry is also taking initiatives for this . "Since this is a matter of import and export between the two countries, initiatives should be taken from the governmental and diplomatic levels," said Shrestha.

After India gave permission to import with quality certificate, cement worth Rs. 316 million in 2079/80 and Rs. 1.65 billion and 86 million in 2080/81 was exported from Bhairahawa. Cement worth Rs 434 million has been exported till November of the current year. Now, Ghorahi Cement and Palpa and Best Cement are exporting to India through Krishnanagar Naka and Bhairahawa.

The ISI mark renewal period of this industry is also going to end within a few months . According to businessmen, India had given permission to some cement industries for 2 years and some for 1 year with quality certificate . So far, India has not raised any question about the quality of Nepali cement. However, the confusion among businessmen is increasing as India does not reveal the reason for not renewing.