Citing the provisions of Nepal-India Transit Treaty, Indian officials had restricted export of some goods heading to overseas destinations via Kolkata port. [break]
As per the treaty, Nepal can export only the products originating in the country to overseas markets via Kolkata port.
“The Indian central government has lifted restriction on Nepal´s third country exports from via Kolkata ports following our diplomatic efforts to resolve the problem,” Chandra Ghimire, Nepalese Consul General in Kolkata, told Republica over phone on Tuesday.
Ghimire said India has lifted the restriction until the next Inter Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting of trade officials both countries. The meeting is expected to amend the existing provisions in the treaty.
“This one-time exception is a just stop-gap measure to resolve the problem. We have to seek permanent solution by making amendment to the treaty after next bi-lateral trade meeting,” said Ghimire.
After the Indian government lifted restriction, goods stuck in the Kolkata customs for the last couple of months were finally shipped to the overseas destinations. More than half a dozen varieties of goods, including those brought by foreign exhibitors who participated in an international trade failed held recently in Kathmandu, were stuck in the Kolkata customs after India imposed restriction.
Meanwhile, Nepal´s four-wheelers import from third countries is still stuck at the Kolkata port. Though Indian government had assured Nepali officials some weeks ago that they would withdraw a new notification that made it mandatory for Nepali importers to transport four-wheelers in rail wagon or containers, it didn´t happen.
The Indian government had issued the notification in the first week of May.
According to importers, the new provision will jack up transport cost from Kolkata port to Nepali border by as much as five times.
So far, four-wheelers imported from third countries are brought to Nepali border from Kolkata port on-its-own-power (by driving).
“Though Indian officials have assured us that the new notification will be withdrawn soon, we have not received any information from Indian side so far,” he added.
Besides, Nepali importers have to face administrative hassles and go through lengthy procedures to transport goods from Kolkata customs under the newly imposed system.
As many as 300 cars are stuck in Kolkata port as Nepali traders have not processed their import documents since the new rule came into effect.
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