July 18 : The Birgunj Customs Office, a key checkpoint for import and export trade, failed to meet its revenue target for the fiscal year 2080/81 due to a decrease in foreign trade.

The customs office had set a revenue target of Rs 245.88 billion for the last fiscal year but managed to collect only Rs 157.40 billion, according to Birgunj Customs Information Officer Raghulal Karna.

This amount is approximately 36% less than the target, with the office achieving only 64.16% of the set goal. However, this is an improvement compared to the previous fiscal year 2079/80, when the office collected 60% of its revenue target, amounting to Rs 157.15 billion.

Chief Customs Administrator Dilaram Panthi noted that foreign trade has seen a comparative improvement recently. Despite this improvement in trade in recent months, there remains a lack of 'confidence' in the market, he said.

The Birgunj checkpoint primarily handles the import of vehicles, petroleum products, and industrial raw materials. Export items include juice, refined oil, textiles, and yarn products. Customs reported a decline in both the import and export of these goods.