The fifth edition of Indo-China trade through Nathula border closed for the season recording absolute zero import this year on 30th November.

135 Chinese traders reached Sherathang Trade Mart near Nathu-La in the morning of 30th whereas from the Indian side, only 25 traders crossed the border. The export business was worth rupees 98, 53, 700. However the import was zero. The trade that commenced on 5th of May this year faced several teething problems in the beginning. This year’s business, despite picking up late, recorded yet another increase in the exports from this side of the border over the preceding years. As per the official record this year the recorded export business is Rs 4, 0254, 107.

District Collectorate (East) Mr. D Anandan, Director of Commerce and Industries Department, Mr KK Kafley and the Deputy Secretaries, Ms Sumita Pradhan and Ms Cheden Bhutia along with other officials visited the Mart on the last day. China’s In-charge of Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) Ms Kesang Diki while interacting with the media persons said that the reason for zero import is due to the non feasible list of items.

She completely expressed her dissatisfaction over the import list of items. She requested the Indian Government to take the matter of revising list of items on priority basis in order to have a good import value and also demanded to make the import list of items at par with the export item. While interacting with the officials she also expressed happiness over the goodwill gesture and expected revision of trading list by next year.

However the traders in Mart were seen selling the unlisted items. When asked to the custom SP, Mr TW Sherpa he said that it is very difficult for them to manage the border with only two staffs. He also anticipated more co-operation from the State Government.

DC while talking with press said that this year over 300 trade passes were issued from the DC office. He also expressed his happiness on the export growth. “Our main intention was to meet the Chinese traders at Rinquengang and to thank them for their support this season. We did not take much items today,” said one of the traders over the phone. Canned food, utensils, textiles, copper items, vegetable oil, tea, cigarette, coffee, misri, and blankets have been the most popular export items. The sixth edition of the border trade next year is expected to commence from 1st of May 2011.

Courtesy: Sikkim Mail