Kathmandu, March 1
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that the Rasuwagadhi border point between Nepal and China will reopen today, the Customs Office Chief there says the Chinese side is not ready yet.
The checkpoint had remained closed since February 11 owing to the Chinese Spring Festival and subsequent Lhosar festival in Nepal. Another border point shut due to the same reason, Tatopani, has already come into operation.
“The border point is closed on the 18th day today also. We have not been informed by the Chinese side when it will reopen,” the Customs Office Chief Ram Prasad Regmi says.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Trans-Himalaya Border Commerce Association has expressed concerns over the delay in reopening the border, warning it could result in a shortage of summer garments in the Nepali market.
The organisation’s immediate past president Bishnu Khatri says around 400 containers laden with various goods to be supplied to Nepal are waiting for the resumption of the customs service.
