By Our Correspondent
Rasuwa, Mar. 8: Import of Chinese goods from Nepal-China Trade Port Rasuwagadhi has started after 23 days.
Import was suspended from January 11 due to the spring festival in China.
According to the Rasuwa customs office, seven Chinese containers carrying goods entered Nepal on Friday.
Machines, furniture, shoes and other items entered from the checkpoint on Friday. Earlier, goods were being imported in five vehicles daily, but now the Chinese side has increased the number of containers carrying goods, said Ram Prasad Regmi, Chief of Rasuwagadhi Customs Office.
"Imports of Chinese goods from Rasuwagadhi checkpoint will increase in the coming days," he said, adding, "Two more vehicles were allowed to enter Nepal on Friday."
The Chinese side had planned to export the goods from March 1. However, due to the delay in necessary preparation, the export of materials had been delayed.
Despite the resumption of trade at the checkpoint from last June, imports have not increased at the desired level.
The Chinese side has been supplying goods to Nepal only in five vehicles a day. Despite the government's decision to open the border after the lockdown was lifted, import from Rasuwagadhi has not been sufficient and the export has come to a standstill till date.
Traders said it was necessary to increase imports.
Goods are being imported and exported to China from Rasuwagadhi since the Tatopani checkpoint was closed after the 2015 earthquake.
Rasuwagadhi border has been declared an international border point by China in August 2017.
Readymade garments, apples, sandals, rubber, plastic shoes and slippers, handbags, leather shoes, motor batteries, UPSs and plastic materials are imported from China, while metal sculptures, wooden materials, bamboo mats, garments and carpets are exported from Nepal to China.