Kathmandu. Goods worth Rs 31.30 billion have entered Nepal through the northern border point of Rasuwagadhi in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. Rasuwagadhi is an important border point for Nepal-China trade. According to Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, chief customs officer at the Rasuwa Customs Office, Timure, Rs 6.42 billion has been collected from the evaluation of imported goods in the last nine months. He said that trade is being operated through the border point despite difficult geographical conditions and frequent natural obstacles.

Imports from the border include readymade garments, readymade garments, electric EVs, construction materials of hydropower and infrastructure development projects, apple, garlic, industrial raw materials, machinery materials of industries and mills and equipment of the Nepal Army Fast Track Project.

Nepal has exported handicraft goods, traditional Nepali clothes, bamboo logs and packaged dry grass, noodles and biscuits to China from Nepal. According to the Customs Office, the export of Nepali goods is expanding despite limited production capacity.

The trade was completely affected for some time after the Miteri Bridge was swept away by the heavy flood in Lhende River on July 9. According to the customs office, due to the delay in the reconstruction of the bridge, only the import and export of goods started operating again from January 30.

Historically, trade relations between Nepal and Tibet are believed to have expanded after the marital relationship between Bhrikuti and Shrangcheng Gampo. This historical trade route has developed into a modern form and today Rasuwagadhi has become the main northern trade gateway of Nepal.

Trade activities had further increased after the Chinese government gave full recognition to the Rasuwagadhi border point from November 30, 2015. Kami Tshering Tamang, chairperson of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2, said that most of the businessmen have been attracted to the Rasuwagadhi border point due to its short distance, easy access and possibilities of international trade.

The Rasuwagadhi area has been repeatedly affected due to floods, landslides and road upgradation work. Entrepreneurs have demanded that both road maintenance and trade work should be carried out simultaneously by adjusting the timetable without completely closing the road.

Due to the impact of the floods, the main place for checking goods at the customs yard is on the banks of the sand river. The employees have to work continuously in the cold wind and dust throughout the day. Employees complain that due to the lack of adequate infrastructure, safe buildings and work environment, the employees are forced to serve in difficult conditions.

The employees have demanded the government to make arrangements for modern warehouses, safe checkpoints, health safety materials and rest rooms. Ward Chairman Tamang of Gosainkunda-2 said that there is a need to improve the workplace to boost the morale of the employees working in the harsh weather of the mountainous region and the effectiveness of their services.