KATHMANDU: The import of goods through the Rasuwagadhi checkpoint, an international trade gateway to China, has started from Monday. Despite the earlier agreement to open the checkpoint, the Chinese side started loading the goods from Thursday.
As per the agreements, the Chinese side has brought the materials to Miteri Bridge, Chief Customs Officer at Rasuwagadhi Customs Office Punya Bikram Khadka said.
He added that four Chinese containers ladden with goods have arrived at Rasuwagadhi this morning after completing the inspection processes. Eight vehicles from Nepal have reached the checkpoint to collect the goods. The goods of one Chinese vehicle are loaded on into two vehicles from Nepal.
The checkpoint had been closed since January 29 to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It was agreed to open the checkpoint maintaining on health and safety. In the first phase, the Nepali side also provided details of 15 drivers and 15 workers to the Chinese side.
Chief Customs Officer Khadka said the drivers going to Miteri Bridge to collect goods and the workers going for loading and unloading will be screened on a daily basis.
Earlier, the government had decided to bring Tatopani of Sindhupalchowk and Rasuwagadhi checkpoint of Rasuwa into operation simultaneously.
However, only the Tatopani checkpoint came into operation after the locals protested against the import of goods from China citing the fear of spreading COVID-19.
According to the office, revenue collection has been halted for the past three and a half months due to non-operation of the checkpoint.
The Rasuwagadhi checkpoint imports of ready-made garments, apples, electronic materials, construction materials, shoes, slippers, spectacle frames and other items. Similarly, bamboo mats, wooden items and handicraft items are exported to the northern neighbor through the checkpoint.
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