Kathmandu, Sep 6. It is the first time that Nepal has imported from third country using the Chinese route. On Wednesday, the Nepal-China trade and transit agreement was practised by importing turmeric, an agricultural product that can be sufficiently produced in Nepal. The good was brought from Vietnam through the transit of China.

According to the Trade and Transit Agreement with China, since January 1, 2020, China has informed Nepal that its ports have been opened for use to bring goods from third countries.

Tuladhar, the Chairman of Nepal China Chamber of Commerce Tribhuvan Tuladhar also the owner of Tunche Trans Himalayan Trading Company informed that when importing goods from Chinese port, the goods can be received within only 11 days including five days from Vietnam to Tianjin port and six days from there to Kathmandu via Tatopani. He adds that if the same good was to be brought from Indian port it would at least take 45 days.

Shipping from China can be advantageous than India considering the various fees that are payable on the import from Indian side which gets stuck a long period of time. While the efficient and managed services of China on railways helps the goods to be imported faster than that from Indian ports. Further, low port and container cleaning charges and also the facility that goods do not necessarily have to be seal packed expresses the trust of Chinese towards Nepalese brothers.

The special container that entered Nepal from Vietnam via China has been accepted as the first execution of the transit agreement. There is a  formal program to be jointly announced by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song and Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply Madhu Marasini on Thursday.