- News>
- Economy
Business worth Rs 500 crore expected through Nathu La
Gangtok, June 30: With border trade through Nathu La Pass expected to be around Rs 500 crore per annum after the Sino-Indian agreement on reopening of the route, traders in Sikkim are reviving their links with their counterparts based in Tibet.
Gangtok, June 30: With border trade through Nathu La Pass expected to be around Rs 500 crore per annum after the Sino-Indian agreement on reopening of the route, traders in Sikkim are reviving their links with their counterparts based in Tibet.
"The Sino-Indian agreement on the reopening of border trade through Nathu La would enable Sikkim to transact business worth at least Rs 500 crore per annum via this route," Sikkim Chamber of Commerce (SCC) general secretary Ghanshyam Agarwal said here today.
Old traders of Sikkim who had lost their trade links with Tibet after closure of the route through Nathu La in 1982, were now trying desperately to get back in touch with their business links in places like Yathung, Pharidscng, Gyantse, Sigatso and Lhasa in Tibet, he said.
Congratulating Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on behalf of the SSC for achieving this 'breakthrough', Agarwal said reopening of the trade route through Nathu La was one of the two main demands made by the chamber during Vajpayee's recent visit to the state. Predicting hectic business activity in the region once trading would be back in full swing between the two countries through Nathu La, the SCC general secretary said the state government should ensure that the old traders based in Sikkim were given preference over those from outside in carrying out their business activities through this route.
"Competition is bound to increase following reopening of the route with traders from outside the state all set to jump into the fray to reap the benefits of international trading and the state government must see to it that the interest of local traders does not suffer," Agarwal added. He also said the state government would have to expedite implementation of development projects in the infrastructure sector, particularly roads, to give a boost to trading activities in the state following this agreement. Bureau Report
Old traders of Sikkim who had lost their trade links with Tibet after closure of the route through Nathu La in 1982, were now trying desperately to get back in touch with their business links in places like Yathung, Pharidscng, Gyantse, Sigatso and Lhasa in Tibet, he said.
Congratulating Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on behalf of the SSC for achieving this 'breakthrough', Agarwal said reopening of the trade route through Nathu La was one of the two main demands made by the chamber during Vajpayee's recent visit to the state. Predicting hectic business activity in the region once trading would be back in full swing between the two countries through Nathu La, the SCC general secretary said the state government should ensure that the old traders based in Sikkim were given preference over those from outside in carrying out their business activities through this route.
"Competition is bound to increase following reopening of the route with traders from outside the state all set to jump into the fray to reap the benefits of international trading and the state government must see to it that the interest of local traders does not suffer," Agarwal added. He also said the state government would have to expedite implementation of development projects in the infrastructure sector, particularly roads, to give a boost to trading activities in the state following this agreement. Bureau Report