Import of commercial goods from neighboring China has resumed through the Rasuwagadhi border. The transit point had remained shut since early August after the border crossing was shut down by the Chinese side citing COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Import of goods resumed from 9:00 am on Thursday following a request for the same from the Nepali authorities met with a positive response from the visiting delegation led by China's People's Congress Standing Committee Chair Li Zhanshu.
Goods were brought to the Nepali territory in Rasuwagadhi in the morning in seven large Chinese containers. Seven more containers laden with imported commercial goods will reach Rasuwagadhi by this evening, said Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, Nawaraj Jaisi.
The security personnel stationed in the border area between Nepal and China disinfected the vehicles and public places before the Chinese cargo container entered and left the Rasuwagadhi area through the Miter bridge.
Dharam Paudel, a businessperson, said goods worth Rs. 2.5 billion rupees imported from China targeting the upcoming Dashain festival had remained stuck across the border. Though late, it is a welcome move.
The Rasuwagadhi transit came into formal operation in 2015, with the traders opting to resort to importing export business through a shorter Kathmandu-Rasuwagadhi route. Before this, Tatopani was the only major transit for bringing commercial goods imported from China to Nepal.
According to the Rasuwa Customs Office, Timure, during the last financial year, the office has collected revenue worth Rs. 7.13 billion in customs duty from the goods imported into the country.
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