Thirteen traders from Sikkim today visited Donquingang trade mart at TAR, situated 17 kms from Nathula eyeing apt survey and assessment of the market scenario at the other side of the border.
GANGTOK, May 01: Marking onset of the second season of border trade, thirteen traders of Sikkim today crossed over to Donquingang in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) amid soaring excitement and anticipations.
However, be it the weather or bulk of Sikkimese traders visiting TAR – ambience at 14,800 fts high international pass today was fairly different from the celebrated reopening of the trade route on 6 July 2006 – sun shown bright but number of traders were too few.
Customs and immigration officers completed the formalities following which Chinese officials escorted Indian traders to the other side of the border. Likewise, 29 traders from Tibet Autonomous Region crossed over to India. Although the Center’s notice of preponing the second trade session came just two days back, the Sikkimese traders involved in border trade expressed their preparedness as ‘more wider transactions and business expected this year’.
Talking to Sikkim Express at Nathula today one among the traders Anil Kumar Gupta, who is also the General Secretary to newly formed Indo-China Traders’ Association of Sikkim expressed his happiness over the start of trade. He said, today’s visit to trade mart at Donquingang (TAR), situated nearly 17 kms from Nathula mainly emphasised survey and assessment of the market scenario.
Inviting revision of trade items in light of better trade this year, Uttam Kumar Gurung, a trader from Sikkim today voiced his expectation of more business turn over if the list of items is revised with the latest market supply.
To accord a warm welcome to the Chinese traders, aside ITBP Jawans, army personals and officials from state Commerce & Industries Department and the District Collectorate East Vishal Chauhan was also present at Nathula today. SP Subba, Director to Commerce and Industries Department informed a speedy process is in its way from both the nations to smoothen the bottleneck in context to the infrastructure and other miscellaneous developments.
Guo Ting, an aspiring trader from TAR seemed much excited taking the trade transactions this year. Communicating through an interpreter to our correspondent, she informed of her stock mostly including biscuits and rice from Sherathang Mart, thereby adding that she is more interested in Indian tea and Sikkim made pickles.
Although the actual volume of trade is expected to be of low means, trader Anil Kumar Gupta took with himself a consignment of fine rice that saw a good demand in TAR. Sharing his experiences later returning from Donquingang, Gupta informed that prepared traders of China accorded a warm hospitality to the Sikkimese traders.
He further added that akin to last year there will be no allotment of shops this year at the mart for the Sikkimese trader. Infact, they appealed Sikkimese traders to tie up with the Chinese shops and display their goods for sale in the mart on partnership basis.
As per norms, the trade will continue four days a week (Monday to Thursday) from morning 7.30 am to evening 3.30 pm. The trade for this year will continue till 30 November.
However, be it the weather or bulk of Sikkimese traders visiting TAR – ambience at 14,800 fts high international pass today was fairly different from the celebrated reopening of the trade route on 6 July 2006 – sun shown bright but number of traders were too few.
Customs and immigration officers completed the formalities following which Chinese officials escorted Indian traders to the other side of the border. Likewise, 29 traders from Tibet Autonomous Region crossed over to India. Although the Center’s notice of preponing the second trade session came just two days back, the Sikkimese traders involved in border trade expressed their preparedness as ‘more wider transactions and business expected this year’.
Talking to Sikkim Express at Nathula today one among the traders Anil Kumar Gupta, who is also the General Secretary to newly formed Indo-China Traders’ Association of Sikkim expressed his happiness over the start of trade. He said, today’s visit to trade mart at Donquingang (TAR), situated nearly 17 kms from Nathula mainly emphasised survey and assessment of the market scenario.
Inviting revision of trade items in light of better trade this year, Uttam Kumar Gurung, a trader from Sikkim today voiced his expectation of more business turn over if the list of items is revised with the latest market supply.
To accord a warm welcome to the Chinese traders, aside ITBP Jawans, army personals and officials from state Commerce & Industries Department and the District Collectorate East Vishal Chauhan was also present at Nathula today. SP Subba, Director to Commerce and Industries Department informed a speedy process is in its way from both the nations to smoothen the bottleneck in context to the infrastructure and other miscellaneous developments.Guo Ting, an aspiring trader from TAR seemed much excited taking the trade transactions this year. Communicating through an interpreter to our correspondent, she informed of her stock mostly including biscuits and rice from Sherathang Mart, thereby adding that she is more interested in Indian tea and Sikkim made pickles.
Although the actual volume of trade is expected to be of low means, trader Anil Kumar Gupta took with himself a consignment of fine rice that saw a good demand in TAR. Sharing his experiences later returning from Donquingang, Gupta informed that prepared traders of China accorded a warm hospitality to the Sikkimese traders.
He further added that akin to last year there will be no allotment of shops this year at the mart for the Sikkimese trader. Infact, they appealed Sikkimese traders to tie up with the Chinese shops and display their goods for sale in the mart on partnership basis.
As per norms, the trade will continue four days a week (Monday to Thursday) from morning 7.30 am to evening 3.30 pm. The trade for this year will continue till 30 November.
(Nirmal Mangar from Nathula)
