SIKKIM: Nathu La border trade to resume on May three

Gangtok, Apr 19 (PTI) Border trade between India and China via the Nathu La pass in Sikkim will resume this year from May 3, an official release said here today.

The process to issue trade passes to interested traders will soon begin at the East Sikkim District Collector’s office soon, the release said.

The number of goods on the trade list remains unchanged this year with 29 items on export list from India and 15 items on the import list from Tibet Autonomous region.

Border trade between India and China through the 14,200 feet high Nathu-La pass resumed in 2006 after a gap of over 40 years. Both countries had signed an agreement for reopening the silk route for bilateral trade involving the traders of Sikkim and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

Last year’s trade saw Indian traders register an export volume of Rs 1.35 crore.