Nepal, TAR trade emphasised

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, April 16: Traders from Nepal and China's Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) strongly emphasised the need for enhancing bilateral trade by exploring new possible and viable areas.

However, the Nepalese traders explained the difficulties they are facing and expressed their views about finding solutions.

As the Balance of Payment (BoP) between two countries is widening, traders from both the nations echoed their voice to expedite the volume of trade.

Sharing ideas at a programme organised by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Lekchok, head of the TAR, pointed out the need for expansion of trade between the two countries. Lekchok, who is heading an eight-member delegation,said "We should explore new areas to accelerate trade between two countries."

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wukong Young said common efforts of traders from both the countries would help narrow down the Balance of Payment. However, he said," We have profound affection towards the people in Nepal. And we should make efforts to strengthen the economic ties between two nations."

President of the NCC Rajesh Kazi Shrestha while speaking to his Chinese counterpart, said that Nepalese traders had always given priority to business promotion with China and TAR. However, there are some difficulties, he said adding "Nepalese businessmen have to pay taxes at three different entry points such as while entering into Lhasa from mainland China and two other entry points in Khasa Customs."

"On the one hand, the taxation of multiple nature has discouraged the Nepalese businessmen. On the other, it has triggered the price of goods in the market," he said.

The Nepalese business community has been demanding the expulsion of the provision since a long time. Nepalese businessmen have the bitter experience of irregular taxation and harassment while sealing the containers, the NCC president said.

Shrestha requested the business delegation to remove such difficulties. "If joint investment is made in Nepal, some products necessary for TAR could be supplied at a cheaper rate owing to geographical proximity," he said.

He also appreciated China for recognising Nepal as the outbound tourist destination. Mahesh Kumar Agrawal, former president of the NCC, stressed the need for procedural simplification of trade between the two countries.

Banbari Lal Mittal, a trader, emphasised the need to promote tourism between two countries.

Shankar Pandey, consul for Tibet, expressed hope that the visit of the business delegation would help narrow down differences to a great extent. "We should make joint efforts to narrow down the trade gap," he added. Other members of the business delegation pointed out the need for frequent meetings between the business leaders of two countries.

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