Pardafas Reporter
For the past two years and nine months, only imports have been going on through the two border crossings with China, while exports have not been possible. China has been operating the customs checkpoints only one way, showing the reason of covid.
Despite many meetings and discussions, there was an agreement to operate the border in two directions and completely, but it has not been implemented yet.
According to the customs department, there has been no export from the Tatopani checkpoint since November 2019 and from the Rasuwa checkpoint since January 2020.
Since from the outbreak of Covid-19 in China in December 2019, Nepal's business through the northern border has been affected. Since then, the import through the Chinese border has been partial, but the export has been completely stopped.
Showing the risk of covid-19, exports from the Nepali border to China have been stopped, while imports have not also been well facilitated.
Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi, who visited Nepal for three days last Chaitra, assured that arrangements will be made soon so that imports and export can be done easily from both northern ports. However, even in the four and a half months since his visit, the border has not been eased.
Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Narayan Khadka is on a visit to China. A senior official of the ministry said that the agenda of the visit includes opening the border on both sides and reducing the trade deficit.
Currently, the trade deficit with China is high, we will raise the issue on how to reduce it," he said, "Our special emphasis will be on opening the embargo on exports."
