May 12: The Tatopani transit point on the Nepal-China border in Sindhupalchok district had opened for full-fledged operation on May 1, raising high hopes of increased trade. The transit point was opened more than three years after it was initially closed to control the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020.    
However, the export through this transit point is not going up as expected. It is seeing partial exports only.    
Three containers loaded with utensils and handicraft goods ready for export to Shigatse, China are stuck at Tatopani dry port. These goods were destined for Shigatse in response to the demand placed by Chinese traders.    
"The export is almost non-existent. It has been a week now since the export clearance forms for this consignment were filled up. Instead of the exports picking up pace, even the number of containers carrying imported goods through this transit point is decreasing day by day," said Dayananda KC, chief customs officer at Tatopani Customs Office.    
According to KC, although the export through the transit point has been opened, it is only partial. With the opening of export, Nepali traders can now take containers carrying goods for export, including herbs and food grain, up to the midpoint of the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge on the border.    
"Movement of people and normal vehicles is allowed up to Khasa. Only the export of cargo vehicles that has come to a standstill," Chief Customs Officer KC said. His observation is that Nepalis cannot supply adequate goods for export through the transit point like before.    
Earlier, the export of food grains, vegetables as well as herbs up to Khasa used to be a good source of income of Nepalis. Around 500 Nepalis used to reside in Khasa as a permanent residents running different activities including hotels. But there is no people in Khasa now.    
Nepali businesspersons bring apples, garlic and clothes in 6-7 containers up to the Friendship Bridge towards Nepal through Silk Company from Khasa.    
Manager of Silk Company, Bijay Sherpa said that the Nepali businessmen had requested the Chinese side to allow them to go up to Khasa during a recent meeting but they were not positive about it.  

The government had set a target of collecting Rs 4.62 billion in revenue in the current fiscal year from this customs point, but only Rs 2.20 billion has been collected so far. -- RSS