Er.energyNP@Gmail.com

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has urged China to initiate resuming operations at the Tatopani customs point for Nepal-China bilateral trade.

In a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming, FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha held discussions regarding the diplomatic and technical facilitation required to resume operations at the Tatopani customs point.

As per the FNCCI, President Shrestha during the meeting urged the Chinese side to provide necessary facilitation for the immediate reopening of the Tatopani border point to remove supply chain disruptions and ensure a smooth supply of goods for traders and consumers.

He emphasized the need for continuous coordination between the two nations to facilitate trade movement during challenging times and to maintain the business confidence of the private sector.

He noted that disruptions at key northern trade points—specifically Rasuwagadhi and Korala—had placed additional strain on Nepal-China trade and supply chains ahead of the peak festive trading season.

Following days of incessant rainfall across the country, heavy snowfall blanketed Lo Manthang and surrounding areas in Upper Mustang, forcing the closure of the Korala border point, which was being used as only alternative for the overland trade between two nations. The Tatopani border point has remained largely non-operational for months due to landslides along the Araniko Highway. Similarly, the Rasuwagadhi crossing has been closed since the devastating Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood struck the area on August 26.

Meanwhile, the Chinese side is reported to appear positive to the proposal of reopening the Tatopani customs point as soon as possible to relieve the trade congestion caused by flood damage at the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border crossing. In response, Ambassador Zhang expressed concern over the human and economic losses suffered by both Nepal and China due to the flood and informed that Chinese and Nepali officials are conducting joint on-site inspections to bring the trade route back into operation quickly.

Noting that the Chinese side has mobilized a rapid response team for the repair and restoration of roads and other infrastructure, the Chinese envoy stated that necessary initiatives are underway to normalize daily life and facilitate movement. The August 26 flood in the Bhotekoshi River damaged the bridge leading to the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point, the customs office, and the dry port (ICD), as well as a 45-kilometer stretch of the approximately 145-kilometer road connecting Kathmandu to the Chinese border.