Kathmandu. Nepal Overseas Export Importers Association has demanded diplomatic initiatives and infrastructure to open other border points with China to facilitate trade through land route as two trade points on the northern side, Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani, are closed every year during the rainy season due to floods and landslides.

The movement of people and business goods from Rasuwagadhi border point has come to a standstill after the Miteri bridge connecting Nepal and China was washed away by the floods on July 15. The Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchowk has been blocked for the past two weeks due to floods and landslides. Hundreds of containers and trucks carrying goods imported to Nepal have been stranded on the way due to the sudden closure of the border points due to natural disasters.

The Association has urged the government to open other border points to facilitate import and export with China and bring them into operation immediately through diplomatic initiatives and make arrangements for infrastructure at other alternative checkpoints.

In 2072 BS, the Development Committee of the Legislature-Parliament had suggested that the Korala and Olangchunggola checkpoints could be brought into operation after studying the status of the northern checkpoints.

Top officials of nepal and China had agreed to open seven northern border points during bilateral talks a decade ago. These checkpoints included Tatopani, Korala of Mustang, Kimathanka of Sankhuwasabha, Lamabagar of Dolakha, Olangchunggola of Taplejung, Amjapas of Mugu, Yari Hilsa of Humla and Larke of Gorkha.

The Korala border point can be operated for 12 months. Infrastructure is also ready on the Chinese side of the Korala border point. The road has already reached Korala on the Nepal side. According to the study, trade between the two countries can be operated from Olangchunggola border point of Taplejung. The Association has drawn the attention of the government to open these transit points for commercial purposes as soon as possible and create an environment for operation of other trade-friendly transit points.

China is Nepal’s second largest partner in import trade. Statistics show that trade with China has been moving towards the northern border with the construction of infrastructure in recent times. According to the data of the Department of Customs, goods worth more than Rs 50 billion were imported from Tatopani and more than Rs 85 billion from Rasuwagadhi border point in the fiscal year 2081/82 BS.

Drawing attention to the fact that the closure of both the transit points from China, the trade activities could not increase relatively, the common consumers would be deprived of getting goods at reasonable prices and the government would lose the revenue due to the closure of both the border points targeting the festival, the Association has demanded immediate initiative to open more checkpoints in the north for commercial purposes.