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High-level officials at the Commerce Ministry forwarded the appeal to this effect to the northern neighbour during the Nepal-China Trade Fair, which took place from September 3 to 7 in Shigatse, Tibetan Autonomous Region’s (TAR) second largest city.
It is learnt that China displayed positive gestures towards supporting Nepal to build ICD in Tatopani and upgrading and constructing new roads connecting the two countries. However, the northern trading partner was ambiguous as far as promising duty-free market entry for Nepali goods in Tibet and other Chinese markets.
The Commerce Ministry, during its recent meeting with senior Chinese officials, also discussed about possible avenues on giving a whole new boost to Nepal's exports to Tibet and mainland China.
During the meeting, Nepali side also raised concerns over widening trade deficit with China, which has crossed over Rs 16 billion.
Annual Nepal-China trade stands at Rs. 26 billion, with the balance strongly in favour of China. China last year exported goods worth Rs. 24 billion to Nepal while Nepal exported goods worth Rs. 1.9 billion
On the eve of the trade fair, Commerce Secretary Ojha and Vice-Chairman of the TAR of China Deng Xiaogang had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on China’s Tibet-Nepal Trade Facilitation Committee.
Commerce Secretary Ojha, prior to the signing the MOU, called for better market access to the Chinese market, in terms of duty free tariffs. He said a list of 495 products had been prepared for duty free tariffs, which is now under consideration by the Chinese government. He also called for greater Chinese investment in hydropower, mineral-based and agro-based industries, so that it could rank as the top investor from third position. nepalnews.com
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