World News | Nepal-China border crossing closures affect traders: report

Kathmandu [Nepal], May 21 (ANI): All border crossings between Nepal and China have been largely closed for the past eight years. This unannounced “blockade” by Beijing has left Nepalese importers and businessmen in despair, EPardafas reported.

Markets near the Chinese border have become deserted, leading to disappointment in the business community. According to the EPardafas report, three years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to prioritize the development of an integrated communication network between the two countries during his visit to Nepal.

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Xi’s speech sparked enthusiasm among Nepali businessmen, who expressed their desire to improve trade and economic opportunities. However, all border crossings between Nepal and China were closed after the earthquake, which has created a crisis not only for big businessmen, but also for small shopkeepers near the border.

According to EPardafas’ report, Nepal has a 1,414-km border with China that includes six checkpoints – Rasuwagadhi in Rasuwa, Tatopani in Sindhupalchowk, Hilsa in Humla, Korla in Mustang, Kimathanka in Sankhuwasabha and Olangchungola in Taplejung. However, according to news reports, only the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani checkpoints are partially operational.

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Once a bustling market, Tatopani has been quiet for eight years. Hom Bahadur Basnet, president of the Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said China closed its borders and stopped traffic after the quake.

Before the earthquake, the border checkpoint was still in operation, and domestic tourists often came to the border market to take a hot bath, go sightseeing and buy cheap goods. However, all activity ceased. Some professionals left the region, while others moved to Kathmandu. Tatopani is considered an important transit point connecting Chinese cities.

Hom Bahadur Basnet said about 2,000 truck drivers, co-drivers and thousands of traders in Tatopani lost their jobs due to the inoperable checkpoints. The business community has repeatedly called on the Chinese government to fully open two-way border crossings by submitting a memorandum.

This despite the announcement that checkpoints will operate smoothly from May 1. However, the situation still hasn’t changed. Rasuwagadi’s situation is similar to that of Tatopani, EPardafas reported.

Rasuwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Kesang Nirpu Tamang said the disruption at the checkpoint had adversely affected markets and businesses in Rasuwagadi, EPardafas reported.

Tiptala in Taplejung is an important border crossing that affects the daily life of the local population. Despite the lack of road connections, locals used to transport goods from Chori to China and import essentials such as salt, rice, beans, oil and clothes. But with borders closed due to COVID-19, locals are forced to buy at premium prices.

Hilsa in Humla recently resumed operations after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Namgyal Lama, president of the Humla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized that the closure of the border crossing has far-reaching consequences, affecting local communities and businesses.

As initially reported, the North Tatopani border crossing fully reopened on May 1. However, the reality is that the border crossing is only partially open for exports. Dayadand KC, an official at the Tatopani Customs Office, said that according to news reports, exports were almost at a standstill and imports were sporadic.

Earlier, the people of Nepal gained a reliable source of income by exporting food, vegetables, and even medicinal materials like satuwa to Kasa. But at present, Nepalese businessmen can only transport apples, garlic, clothes and other things from Hasa to Mitairi Bridge, and they can only transport 6-7 containers per day.

In the current financial year, the Tatopani Customs Office has set a target to collect NPR 4.062 billion in revenue. However, as of now, they have only been able to raise Nepalese rupees 2.02 billion, according to news reports.

Some businessmen reported that China’s blockade in the past caused losses of millions of rupees. The Nepal Himalayan Cross-Border Business Association stated that the goods purchased from China are currently stranded in border areas, causing huge economic losses to businesses. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)