July 07, 2020: Nepal on Monday reopened one of its key border trade routes with China, six months after it was closed following the coronavirus pandemic, according to Nepalese officials. The Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point is one of the two main border points for international trade between Nepal and China. Another border point, Tatopani-Zhangmu, reopened in late March, more than two months after its closure. For the time being only one-way goods transport has been resumed between the two countries. Goods stranded at Kerung of Tibet, have started entering Nepal through the border point from Monday, the officials said.
Rasuwagadhi has been opened to facilitate goods coming from China to enter Nepal. No human transport is allowed in the border point for the time being. Two-way operation and human movement will resume after some time, they said. A total of 120 tonnes of goods will be delivered to Nepal everyday from China, the officials said. Chief of Rasuwa Customs Office, Punya Bikram Khadka said four trucks will be allowed to operate in the beginning and the number will be continuously increased as the service improves.
Out of the many goods imported from China, fruits, readymade goods, electronic gadgets, equipment required by telecom and hydropower projects are among the prominently imported ones, the report said. “The goods will enter Nepal according to their turns,” Khadka said. The border point has remained closed since January due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nepal has submitted the details of 15 drivers and 15 labourers who will be handling the goods and transport them to Nepal. All the labourers and drivers engaged in the process will take care of their works at their designated locations and will work without direct contact, the report added. “The Chinese side will bring the goods and unload them and the Nepali side will take care of the remaining tasks till it reaches Nepal,” Khadka said.
Source: Economic Times
