Chamber expresses concerns over border obstructions

Kathmandu, Dec. 25

Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has expressed serious concerns over the prolonged disturbance at the northern border entry point in Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani.

Goods imported by Nepali traders has been stuck at the Chinese side for the last seven months. The border was closed for months in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and was partially opened in October with the provision to allow just five containers a day.

This provision has resulted in Chinese custom agents demanding additional money for the clearance of the containers and trucks. They are asking as much as 50,000 RMB (about Rs. 900,000) for a container to pass the border.

“Hundreds of traders are suffered for past many months. Many industries couldn’t import raw materials and witnessing loss in their business,” said Rajesh Kazi Shrestha in a programme NCC organised to welcome the newly elected working committee members of the Nepalese Association of Financial Journalists (NAFIJ).

Clothes that were due to enter Nepal in January last year are still stuck at the other side of the Chinese border. How can the bilateral trade be conducted between the two neighbours in such condition? Questioned Shrestha.

He urged China for the seamless flow of goods through the border. “China has shown a dual character with Nepal in the name of COVID-19. It either should completely shut the border or facilitate the trade,” he said.

Goods worth hundreds of million rupees are stuck at the border while traders are facing trouble to manage goods to supply in the market, said Niraj Rai, chairman of the Customs Committee at the NCC.

Senior Vice President of the NCC Rajendra Malla said that the government should increase the base of tax instead of its rate. It shouldn’t just focus on the customs duties, he said.

He also demanded to bring the middlemen to the tax net in order to discourage the exploitation of the producers and consumers.

NCC also expressed serious concerns over the recent political bickering fearing that the economic agenda might be pushed to back seat.

It has urged the media to give hope to the people and the investors so that the business that is trying to recover after the deadly blow of the coronavirus pandemic could be promoted.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 December 2020.