Statistics show Nepal witnessed drop in both exports as well as imports through the customs in 2009/10, but the extent of exports drop was much larger than imports drop. During the year, Nepal exported mere Rs 301.72 million worth of goods through the customs. The volume was down 31 percent than the year before. [break]
Imports through the customs in 2009/10 was recorded at Rs 7.55 billion. Again, the volume was down by Rs 1.40 billion than a year before.
In 2008/09, trade deficit with China through the customs had touched Rs 8.18 billion. During that year, Nepal´s exports had valued at Rs 768.50 million. Imports too had jumped as high as Rs 8.95 billion.
“Records suggest our export to China, particularly Tibet, is dwindling fast. If the imports had remained as high as the previous year, the deficit would have ballooned sharply,” said Chudamani Devkota, Tatopani customs chief, expressing concerns over consistent high trade deficit recorded at the leading overland trading route to China.
He disclosed to myrepublica.com that the biggest import of Nepal through the customs in 2009/10 were readymade garments. Customs records show, Nepal imported readymade garments worth Rs 2.56 billion during the year.
Likewise, imports of shoes and sandals made of rubber, leather and other materials together valued at Rs 790 million. Imports of terry-cotton cloth stood at Rs 295 million and hand bags valued at Rs 120 million.
Nepal had also imported rugs worth Rs 85 million and vehicles worth Rs 30 million from China through Tatopani customs in 2009/10.
Nepal´s largest export to China for the year, on the other hand, was incense sticks. During the year, Nepal had exported Rs 60 million worth of incense sticks. Likewise, exports of copper utensils had valued at Rs 30 million, corrugated roofing sheets was Rs 25 million, wheat flour had totaled at Rs 22.5 million and chocolates stood at Rs 17.5 million.
Likewise, Nepal had exported instant noodles worth Rs 15 million to China during the year. Exports of garments, juice, jam, margarine and paints together had totaled Rs 60 million.
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