Tea factories in Nepal's eastern districts of Jhapa and Ilam have resumed operations after the Nepal Tea Producers Association decided to suspend its protest and reopen processing plants.

The association said it took the decision after receiving assurances from the government that the long-standing issues affecting tea exports to India would be addressed through policy and technical measures.

According to the association, the government has formed a special task force under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to identify challenges in the tea sector, recommend solutions to export-related obstacles, and strengthen the international promotion of Nepali tea.

The tea factories had been shut down after India's Tea Board implemented a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), creating difficulties for Nepali tea exports. The disruption affected tea producers, factory operators, farmers, and workers across the eastern tea-growing region.

Welcoming the government's initiative, the association stated that it has decided to resume factory operations while the task force works on long-term solutions. It expressed confidence that constructive dialogue between the government and stakeholders would help restore normal exports and protect the livelihoods of thousands involved in Nepal's tea industry.