Addressing an interaction on bilateral relations and economic diplomacy in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa said that even the black marketers have supported the government. “But the private sector and the business fraternity did not cooperate,” he added.
Though he did not elaborate how the government is using its diplomatic channel to normalize the relation between India and Nepal, he claimed that the blockade will end soon.
The government, including Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, has been repeatedly claiming that the blockade is ending soon and the supplies will become normal. But there is no sign of the blockade ending any time soon.
India has imposed an unofficial trade embargo showing its displeasure at promulgation of constitution on September 20. But the government has not been able to either use diplomatic channel or find alternative trading routes to import essential commodities, including petroleum products, into the country.
Deputy PM Thapa made a couple of rounds to New Delhi and also visited China as part of his efforts to ease supply. However, he could neither sign commercial agreement to import petroleum products from China, nor ease supply from India.
Remembering the economic blockade of 1989, Thapa, however, said the private sector had helped the government then. "Instead of helping the government in this situation of crisis, the private sector is threatening the government to close the industries," he complained, adding that all the customs offices, except the one in Raxaul, has been functioning smoothly in recent days.
Closure of Birgunj-Raxaul trade point, which handles 70 percent of Nepal's total trade, however, will make supplies difficult even if other trade routes function smoothly.
“The protracted political transition will end soon,” he said, adding that the government and the private sector will work together to promote economic diplomacy.
The business people, on the occasion, requested Deputy Prime Minister Thapa to help normalize the Tatopani trade point -- the key trade route to China -- where around Rs 4 billion worth of goods were destroyed by the devastating earthquakes of April 25 and May 12.
President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kazi Shrestha asked the government to sign Trade and Transportation Agreement with both India and China. Hailing the recent government initiative, he asked the government to upgrade the roads leading to Chinese border.
The government has started to Rasuwagadhi trade route as an alternative to the Tatopani trade route. However, the customs point is not fully functional as it doesn't have adequate infrastructures, including all-weather road.
On the occasion, country's business fraternity also complained Thapa of scarcity of food commodity, fuel, including cooking gas, and other hurdles related to business.
Related story
SC seeks clarification on lower jail term for black marketers
