More than 300 Chinese vehicles imported through Rasuwagadhi crossing in current fiscal year

KATHMANDU, Jan 4: Over 300 Chinese vehicles have been imported into Nepal via the Rasuwagadhi border since the current fiscal year. Nepali businessmen have brought in 305 vehicles of various types through the Miteri Bridge at the Lhende River in Rasuwagadhi.

According to the security personnel working in the border area, among the vehicles that have entered the country are 132 electric cars, 82 electric vans, 11 Hilux vehicles, two loader equipment and 78 fuel cars. Most of the imported vehicles are yet to complete the customs process and these vehicles are currently kept in Ghatekhola and Timure areas near Rasuwagadhi. Comparing the period of five months from July to November of the current financial year along with vehicles, there are 639 ready-made clothing materials, 366 hydro materials, 93 apples, 38 walnuts, 22 garlic, 2 motor parts, 17 electric parts, 7 telephone materials, and 11 pear tips. In addition, five truckloads of materials including wooden furniture have been imported.

Goods from China are imported twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Before the goods are brought in, both countries open their doors and spray disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease. Security personnel at the border area report that whenever goods are transported from Kerung to Rasuwagarhi, they are sprayed with disease prevention medicine. According to Narayan Prasad Bhandari, Chief Customs Officer of the Rasuwa Customs Office in Timure, customs duties on materials imported from China since July have brought in approximately NPR 2.9 billion in revenue for the state treasury.

Similarly, from the export business that started on the 10th of November, goods worth 13.1 million have gone to China, said Chief Customs Officer Bhandari. In a span of ten days, 11 trucks of goods were exported to China. Among the items exported are said to be bamboo sticks, copper pots, jackets, sweaters and Nepalese paper. Considering the problem of covid infection seriously, an arrangement has been made for a mutual return of import and export materials from the workers who are in quarantine in Nepali territory.

According to the border security personnel, 17 drivers and 35 laborers carrying cargo containers from Rasuwagadhi to Timure's customs office are staying in quarantine. It is said that spraying medicine has been started in Rasuwagadhi to eradicate the disease. About 300 workers are employed daily from Rasuwagadhi to Customs House Timure.