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8. TRADE FAIR
NATHULA TRADE ROUTE:-
The re-opening of border trade through is a
significant achievement for the Government of
Sikkim and Union Government from various
points of views. The re-opening of the Border Trade
certainly helps in promoting friendly relationship between
these two emerging economic powers of Asia. This has
provided a platform to introduce the state of Sikkim of the
people of the World through the electronic media and print
media since the reopening of the Nathula border trade.
Nathula is historically a very important border from time
immemorial in respect of trade with TAR-China. Apart from
it, Tsomgo, Sherathang, Nathula, Kupup and Gnathang have
been attracting tourist continuously every year because of
the natural
scenic beauty of this areas. Therefore, more
than 300 vehicles ply in these areas during peak seasons as
per the records of the police check post. This area as well
as Gangtok can become a tourists hub if proper road
connectivity, amenities and communication facilities are
provided and tourism is opened from this route to Tibet
Autonomous Region-China, to people to people contact.
Though border trades have been started more
than one decade back at Sipkila in Himachal Pradesh and
Gunji in Uttaranchal with the same list of items as of
Nathula Border Trade, yet these areas do not appear to have
attracted Traders, the people and media persons as that of
Nathula. Therefore, issues have not been raised for revision
of the list of items of Export and Import on the trade of
these borders so far. Apparently, temporary infrastructures
are developed for Nathula Border trade on similar lines of
Sipkila and Gunji with the same list of items but it has
been attracting all types of businessman, tourist, people,
media persons and getting immense publicity throughout the
country beyond imagination after the re-opening of the
border trade. The decision of the authorities is to open up
the border, for economic prosperity and people to people
contact, on both sides of the border. This is indeed unique
as history is created.
IEC Number (Imported – Exporter Code Number):-
IEC is not required for the Border Trade
because persons Importing or Exporting TAR China are
authorized to Trade Indian Currency value of
Rs.25000/- per day per trader (2006-2007) only.
Since the term Border Trade is to be
construed that the Trade is opened for the people of the
Border area only for the items produced in
local area of limited value. Government of India
increased the Indian currency value limit
from Rs.25000/- to Rs. 1,00,000 per day per trader
(2007-2008).
Border Trade:-
1 Border trade through Nathula pass
fomally resumed on 6th July 2006.
2 Border trade markets will remain
open from Monday to Thursday every weekfour days in a week
from morning 7:30 am to afternoon 3:30 pm Indian time and 10
am to 6 pm Chinese time would be the timings for the border
trade.
3 A permit fee of Rs. 50 each will
be levied for every vehicle entering Sikkim side from China.
Similarly, a fee of 5 Yauns (Rs.5 equal to one Yaun) will be
levied for every vehicle crossing over to the Chinese side
upto the trade mart point at Renqinggang.
Trading Period:-
Year From
To
2006-2007 6th July 2006
3rd September 2007
2007-2008 1st May 2007
30th November 2007
List of 29 Items from India exportable to China are :-
1. Agriculture Implements
2. Blankets 3. Copper products
4. Clothes
5. Cycles 6. Coffee
7.Tea
8. Barley
9. Rice
10. Flour
11. Dry Fruits
12. Dry and Fresh Vegetables
13. Vegetable oil
14. Gur and Misri
15. Tobacco
16. Snuff
17. Spices
18. Shoes
19. Kerosene oil
20. Stationary
21. Utensils
22. Wheat
23. Liquor
24. Milk Processed Product
25. Canned Food
26. Cigarettes
27. Local Herb
28. Palm oil
29. Hardware
The
List of items that are importable from China are :-
1. Goat Skin
2. Sheep Skin
3. Wool
4. Raw Silk
5. Yak tail
6. Yak hair
7. China clay
8. Borax
9. Seabelyipe
10. Butter
11. Goat Kashmiri
12. Common salt
13. Horse
14. Goat
15. Sheep |
