June 29: The government is preparing to reopen the Rasuwagadhi Border point with a view to facilitate entry of 50 cargo trucks into Nepal from Tibet daily. The Nepal’s second border point with China has remained closed for the last five months after the outbreak of coronavirus. A high-level meeting between Nepali and Chinese officials last week discussed to open the border point. After the Chinese side agreed to resume the cross-border movement by maintaining high level of safety, staff at the Rasuwagadhi customs office have resumed their works.  

According to Punya Bikram Khadka, chief of Timure Customs Office, they have made all necessary arrangements for the uninterrupted operation of the border point and effective clearance of goods.  He said that 50 cargo trucks will enter Nepal via the point this week on a daily basis. The frequency used to be 50-60 cargo trucks before the closure of the border point five months ago. “300 trucks carrying goods worth millions stuck at Kerung for months will come to Nepal this week. Chinese containers will transport the goods to the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadhi,” said Khadka. 10 drivers and 15 staff of the Chinese cargo trucks will be quarantined who will unload the goods and return to China.

Businessmen have expressed their happiness for the reopening of the Rasuwagadhi Border Point. However, they are concerned about the possible shut down of the Nepal-China border point due to the rainy season. “The Rasuwagadhi border point is more viable than other border points with China in terms of transportation cost and distance. Nepal’s trade with China will not have to face problems if this point is operated uninterrupted except the rainy season,” said Niraj Rai, chairman of customs committee of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC).  According to him, the government can have Rs 10-15 million revenue daily from the border point from where basically items including electronics and apparels are imported to Nepal.