In the absence of such a facility, Nepal traders have to arrange cargo companies to transport overseas imports to Nepal from the Indian ports which have been serving as last destinations of international shipping companies for Nepal´s third country imports. [break]
The government has formed a committee under Mukti Narayan Poudel, director general of the Department of Customs (DoC), to suggest appropriate transshipment modality. Likewise, it has also formed a technical sub-committee led by Sarad Bikram Rana, executive director of Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB), to support the Poudel-led committee.
“We are studying international practices on how land-locked countries have been utilizing the transshipment facilities. We will suggest appropriate modality so that we can take maximum benefit from the facility,” a member of the committee told Republica on Friday.
Nepali officials had been demanding for the facility since 2005. As per the existing provision, Nepali importers have to change shipping lines to transport goods from Kolkata and Haldia ports before transporting them to Nepali border points.
More than 90 percent of Nepal´s third-country imports reach Birgunj dry port through Kolkata or Haldia ports.
Indian officials agreed to allow international shipping lines to carry consignments up to Nepali customs points via Kolkata and Haldia ports during a meeting of customs officials of both countries held in New Delhi in the first week of June.
Officials argue that administrative and other hassles will come down significantly once the new facility comes into force. The transshipment facility also brings down the cost and time in the process of ferrying goods from Indian ports.
“We are initiating consultation with transshipment experts before finalizing the modality for us,” the member said.
During the meeting of trade officials of both countries held in Kolkata in 2012, India had agreed in principle to grant transshipment facility to Nepal in line with the international practice.
Once the facility is implemented, international shipping lines can deliver Nepal´s third-country imports up to Nepali customs points or dry ports ending the system of checking and handling of cargos at Kolkata and Haldia ports.
Nepali traders had to face problems in shipping the goods due to lengthy and tedious process in loading, unloading and warehousing of goods at Indian ports.
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