PARSA: The import of motorcycles through Birgunj, a key transit point in the country, has seen a remarkable increase, doubling in the first month of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last fiscal year.
This represents a 100% rise. In contrast, the import of jeeps and cars has declined by 40%.
According to Birgunj Customs Office’s information officer Raghu Lal Karna, the number of motorcycles imported in the month of Saun (July-August) during the fiscal year 2080-81 BS (2023-24) was 3,571, valued at Rs 467.7 million.
This number surged to 7,150 motorcycles worth Rs 944.8 million in the first month of the current fiscal year, 2081-82 BS.
Conversely, the import of jeeps and cars fell significantly. In July-August of the fiscal year 2080-81 BS, 127 jeeps and cars worth Rs 206 million were imported, but this number dropped by 76 to just 51 units, valued at Rs 144.4 million, in the same period of the current fiscal year.
Karna explained that the increase in motorcycle imports is partly due to the government’s 50% discount on petrol-run motorcycles (as parts) imported from India and other countries for domestic assembly.
Revenue from these imports also grew, with collections rising from Rs 442.1 million in the first month of the last fiscal year to Rs 884.4 million in the corresponding month this year.
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