NEPAL WOOD PACKAGING EXPORT REQUEST

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000021 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD NP SUBJECT: NEPAL WOOD PACKAGING EXPORT REQUEST ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph two. NEPAL SEEKS WAIVER OF WOOD PACKAGING EXPORT PROVISION -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Post requests Department guidance to reply to the diplomatic note below from His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMGN) requesting a waiver of provisions regarding wood packaging regulations that could hinder Nepalese exports to the United States. The point of contact at Post is Political/Economic Officer Jamie Dragon, dragonja@state.gov. DIPLOMATIC NOTE FROM MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS -------------- --- ¶3. (SBU) Full text of diplomatic note follows. Begin Text. November 25, 2005 Diplomatic Note No: AC/141-00/234 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, His Majesty's Government of Nepal presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Kathmandu and in connection with the implementation of the Wood Packaging Regulation in regard to the export of the Nepalese commodities to the United States has the honour to inform that His Majesty's Government of Nepal is in final stage in obtaining membership of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). The Ministry further has the honour to inform that the infrastructure required for the "Heat Treatment" and using "Logo" in the packaging has not yet been developed in Nepal. The immediate impact of the Wood Packaging Regulation to Nepalese products to be exported to the United States will be hindered. Nepal, therefore, will highly appreciate if the concerned US authority could waive the provision of the regulation pending to the development of the required facilities in Nepal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. End Text. MORIARTY