KATHMANDU, December 1 – Nepal and China will open two new Himalayan trade crossings to boost the Hindu kingdom’s trade with Tibet, Nepali officials said today.
Agreement on the new crossings, one in eastern Nepal and the other in the west and which bring the total number of trading points to four, will be formalised during a visit by one of China’s top officials, Jia Qinglin, from tomorrow.
China is one of Nepal’s main donors and trading partners.
”Opening more trading points will boost trade with Tibet,” an official of Nepal’s Trade Promotion Centre said.
Kathmandu exports mainly vegetable oil, flour and food and imports electrical goods, wool and manufactured items from Tibet, mostly through barter. Trade with the rest of China is routed through the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.
Beijing will also give Nepal about 10 million dollars in aid to be used for projects to be agreed by both sides, officials said.
Total trade with Tibet was almost six billion Nepali rupees (80 million dollars) in 2002/03, compared with about eight billion rupees for the rest of China.
Jia, ranked number four in the Communist Party, is the most senior official to visit Nepal since China’s leadership changes early this year. He is due to meet King Gyanendra, Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and other officials before leaving for Pakistan on Wednesday.
