KATHMANDU, MAY 22 –
Nepali traders have halted imports and exports through the Tatopani customs point on the northern border with China from Monday. They have stopped shipments in protest against the increase in freight and wages by Chinese transporters and loaders. Chinese transport companies have hiked the charge for transporting goods from warehouses in Khasa to Nepali traders to 1,500 yuan (Rs 15,700) per truckload. Talks between Nepali government officials and the Chinese side endsed inconclusive on Tuesday
With trade through Tatopani at a standstill, revenue collection at the customs office has hit rock bottom. Customs chief Mimansha Adhikari said they took in Rs 10 million in taxes in all of last week while they used to earn Rs 12.5 million daily. According to him, only 14 containers of apples passed through the customs point on Monday.
Adhikari said that the traders themselves were present at the customs point to make sure that no goods got through. As a result, imports worth millions of rupees have been piling up in warehouses across the border in Khasa.
Meanwhile, the traders have formed a struggle committee under the chairmanship of Nilkantha Chaulagain, president of the Nepal Trans Himalaya Commerce Association. The committee has decided to continue the protest until the rate hikes are rolled back. The association has been backed by the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce, Nepal Truck Containers Entrepreneurs Association and Nepal-China Cargo Association in its demand.
Buddha Raj Basnet, second vice-president of the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce, said Chinese transporters had been charging extra even after paying the entire charge while loading the goods“ “We will not pay even a single penny hereafte”,” he said. The traders said the increased charges would cost them Rs 100 million annually.
Kodari Immigration Office chief Jagannath Sharma Paudel said the Chinese authorities had washed their hands of the dispute saying it was purely a matter of the private sector.
Posted on: 2013-05-22 09:11
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/05/22/business/trade-via-tatopani-at-standstill-as-traders-protest-freight-hike/372048.html
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