GANGTOK, August 11: The massive landslides at Mile 17 have undeterred the spirits of the Indian traders as they have been using the old silk route via Rongli, Nathang and Kupup to reach Renquinngang in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
After hitting the lowest point since its start from the month of March this year, the Nathu-la border trade is gaining a gradual momentum with over 20 traders crossing the border from both the sides.
It may be recalled here that a total of seven Sikkimese traders have crossed the Nathu La border trade and reached the Renquinngang trade mart on the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) till June 4 this year.
“We are happy that the trade have now started showing positive signs. We are hopeful it would pick up momentum in the days to come,” said one of the Sikkimese traders .
The State Commerce and Industries Department has already sent a proposed new list of export items to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries last week, said sources in the department.
Sources further said that the recent meeting of the Chief Minister with the Union Commerce Minister in Delhi has turned out to be fruitful as the Ministry had asked the State Government to send a new list of items to be exported
