Jilong-Rasuwagadhi checkpost to begin operation soon
KATHMANDU: Traders may soon be able to enjoy one more full-fledged trading route with China, as the Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to establish an immigration office in Rasuwagadhi of Rasuwa district to expedite trading activities.
Regular trading activities from Rasuwagadhi had not been possible due to the lack of full-fledged customs services on both sides. However, since the northern neighbour had already established a full-fledged customs service, equipped with quarantine, immigration as well as other required facilities at Jilong (China border), China proposed the Nepal government to open full-fledged customs service on both sides from the beginning of October this year.
“Now, the Cabinet’s decision of setting up an immigration office has paved the way to accelerate trading activities,” Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal told The Himalayan Times.
Nepali authorities expect the trade volume from Kerung-Rasuwagadhi to increase significantly after the customs point in Jilong (Kerung) is formally inaugurated. This route is also linked with Chinese government’s railway project.
The Chinese side had given permission for transporting only 10 containers (although, these containers have three times higher capacity than those being used in Nepal) per day, when the Araniko Highway at Jure of Sindhupalchowk district — the popular trading route with China — was blocked due to landslide in August.
The Nepali traders were compelled to take permission from Zhangmu Port of Lhasa (border of Tatopani) to bring goods from Kerung checkpost at that time, according to Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, president of Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCCI).
Following the Cabinet’s decision, the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) officials have said that they will soon send a letter to their Chinese counterparts asking them to set the date for formal inauguration of Jilong checkpost.
“Both the customs points will be inaugurated soon,” said Jib Raj Koirala, joint secretary of MoCS, adding, “After the inauguration, regular trade from one more route will begin.”
Nepal has already signed a pact with the Chinese government for detailed feasibility study of Inland Container Depot (dry port) at Timure of Rasuwa to facilitate traders. The government of China has principally agreed to construct the ICD on grant assistance. It is reported that the construction work would start after feasibility study is completed.
“The Ministry of Finance will sign grant assistance agreement with China after the detailed feasibility of the project is completed, after which the northern neighbour will begin construction work,” a highly placed source at MoCS with knowledge of the matter told The Himalayan Times.
The Nepal government has also prioritised upgrading Syafrubesi-Trishuli road section to minimise the cost of cargo delivery by reducing the travel time.
Traders have also stressed on the need to expedite the construction of Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Rasuwagadhi and ICD at Timure at the earliest to facilitate trade.
Source: THT
