RMG tops list of imports through Tatopani customs

SINDHUPALCHOWK, Feb 25: Readymade garment topped the list of imports through the Tatopani customs point over the first seven months of 2013.14.

According to Tatopani Customs Office, readymade garments worth Rs 4 billion were imported through the customs point in the review period. More than 75.5 million units of readymade garments worth Rs 3.94 billion were imported through the customs point from mid-July till mid-February. The country had imported readymade garments worth Rs 1.34 billion from China in the same period of 2012/13.

Mimansa Adhikari, chief of Tatopani Customs Office, said import of readymade garments from the northern neighbor nearly doubled during the review months compared to figures of the corresponding period of last year.

Denim pants, t-shirts, sweaters and jackets, among others, were the most imported readymade garments from China.
The customs office mobilized Rs 390 million as customs duty from readymade garments alone.

“The demand for Chinese readymade garments is increasing as they are available in attractive designs and diverse quality. Also they are available in different price range that fits the budget of all,” added Adhikari. “Chinese companies manufacture apparels for all seasons.”

Arjun Sapkota, an importer of Chinese readymade garments, said branded and non-branded apparels from China fits the budget of low-income and middle-class consumers. “Chinese garments are available throughout the country. Even low-income people can afford them,” Sapkota said, “Chinese companies also produce branded apparels for middle-class consumers.”

Similarly, telephone sets came second in the list of top imported goods from China through Tatopani customs. According to statistics, 1.6 million units of telephone sets worth Rs 730 million were imported to Nepal in the first seven months of the current fiscal year.

Source: THT