PTI, Kathmandu :
Nepal and China on Thursday agreed to open seven more border trading points to facilitate flow of essential goods to the landlocked country, days after they ended India’s monopoly over fuel supplies to Nepal, reeling under acute shortage due to blockade of key border points.
The annual meeting of Nepalese and Chinese customs officials here on the issue of simplifying trade and customs procedures concluded with the signing of a 20-point agreement.
The 28th customs officials’ meeting decided to resume operation of major customs points between the two countries which were disrupted due to the great earthquakes of April and May, according to a statement issued by Nepalese officials.
During the three-day meeting, the two sides agreed to effectively operate the two major customs points – Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi-Kerung between Nepal and Tibet by improving infrastructures.
Nepalese delegation was led by Damodar Regmi, Deputy Director General of Customs Department and the Chinese side was led by Long Chengwei, Deputy Director of Lhasa Customs Office.
The two delegations “agreed to operate the two major trading points between Nepal and Tibet in full swing by making necessary preparations” and to “open seven other trading points between Nepal and Tibet (China)”.
The Chinese government will provide necessary assistance for upgrading the existing trading points.
The decision comes in the wake of blockade of key border trade points with India by Indian-origin Madhesis over the new Constitution that has hit supply of essential goods, including petrol and LPG to Nepal.
India has denied that it has imposed any blockade.
Landlocked Nepal is reeling under shortage of petroleum products and cooking gas with the blockade in place in its southern border for more than a month.
China has recently pledged to provide 1.3 million litres of fuel as grant during the national festivals to ease supply of essentials.
More than 1,34,000 litres of petrol has already arrived from Kerung-Rasuwagadhi trading point from China.
As per the recently signed agreement between Nepal and China, the northern neighbour will supply 33 per cent of Nepal’s fuel requirement, ending a four-decade supply monopoly of the Indian Oil Corporation.
The seven new trading points which come to operation in the near future include Olangchugola of Taplejung district, Kimathangka of Sankhuwasabha, Lamabagar of Dolakha, Larkepass of Gorkha, Koralla of Mustang, Mugu trading point and Yari point situated in Jumla.
These trading points will be developed as international trading points in the future.
The Chinese side also agreed to simplify procedures to provide duty-free access of Chinese market for Nepalese products aiming to export to China.
The Chinese side has also agreed to intensify efforts to construct a dry port in Timure area of Rasuwa to promote bilateral trade.
Nepal and China on Thursday agreed to open seven more border trading points to facilitate flow of essential goods to the landlocked country, days after they ended India’s monopoly over fuel supplies to Nepal, reeling under acute shortage due to blockade of key border points.
The annual meeting of Nepalese and Chinese customs officials here on the issue of simplifying trade and customs procedures concluded with the signing of a 20-point agreement.
The 28th customs officials’ meeting decided to resume operation of major customs points between the two countries which were disrupted due to the great earthquakes of April and May, according to a statement issued by Nepalese officials.
During the three-day meeting, the two sides agreed to effectively operate the two major customs points – Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi-Kerung between Nepal and Tibet by improving infrastructures.
Nepalese delegation was led by Damodar Regmi, Deputy Director General of Customs Department and the Chinese side was led by Long Chengwei, Deputy Director of Lhasa Customs Office.
The two delegations “agreed to operate the two major trading points between Nepal and Tibet in full swing by making necessary preparations” and to “open seven other trading points between Nepal and Tibet (China)”.
The Chinese government will provide necessary assistance for upgrading the existing trading points.
The decision comes in the wake of blockade of key border trade points with India by Indian-origin Madhesis over the new Constitution that has hit supply of essential goods, including petrol and LPG to Nepal.
India has denied that it has imposed any blockade.
Landlocked Nepal is reeling under shortage of petroleum products and cooking gas with the blockade in place in its southern border for more than a month.
China has recently pledged to provide 1.3 million litres of fuel as grant during the national festivals to ease supply of essentials.
More than 1,34,000 litres of petrol has already arrived from Kerung-Rasuwagadhi trading point from China.
As per the recently signed agreement between Nepal and China, the northern neighbour will supply 33 per cent of Nepal’s fuel requirement, ending a four-decade supply monopoly of the Indian Oil Corporation.
The seven new trading points which come to operation in the near future include Olangchugola of Taplejung district, Kimathangka of Sankhuwasabha, Lamabagar of Dolakha, Larkepass of Gorkha, Koralla of Mustang, Mugu trading point and Yari point situated in Jumla.
These trading points will be developed as international trading points in the future.
The Chinese side also agreed to simplify procedures to provide duty-free access of Chinese market for Nepalese products aiming to export to China.
The Chinese side has also agreed to intensify efforts to construct a dry port in Timure area of Rasuwa to promote bilateral trade.
