More Chinese traders come in NathulaUpdated on Thursday, May 06, 2010, 15:26 IST

Gangtok: The trade between India and China has started on Thursday with more Chinese traders coming to the trade marts of Sikkim that their Indian counterparts, customs officials said.

"A total of 49 traders from Tibet came to the trade mart at Serathang in 11 vehicles and 11 Indian traders crossed over to Renquinngang in China in 5 vehicles. Though the fifth season officially opened on May 3, the trade took off today for bad weather," SP Customs PT Bhutia told a news agency.



He said Chinese traders were not allowed to bring imports as they brought goods which do not figure in the list of items to be traded through Nathula between the two countries.

"They had to leave the items behind and come to Sikkim to buy Indian goods. They were handed over the unlisted items during their journey back home," Bhutia said.

The trade will continue till the end of November when the pass at 14,420 ft closes for winter.

Under the bilateral agreement between India and China, there are 29 exportable items which Sikkim traders can export to Tibet and can import 15 items, officials said.

On the other hand, exports from India reached Rs 2.54 lakh today, officials said.

Customs officials said the trading this season would be low due to the bad condition of road to Nathula.

PTI