Trade facilitation talk: India to recognize certificate of origin issued by Nepal

Kathmandu: The meeting of the customs officials from Nepal and India held in Nepal for the bilateral trade facilitation concluded on Friday. The officials dwelt on how the revenue leakage could be curbed with the control of illegal trade.

As per the agreement made in the meeting that ran for two days, India will recognize the certificate of origin issued by Nepal. They agreed on making the customs process paperless and reducing logistics costs. The two countries will cooperate with each other to curb illegal trade, according to the Director General of the Customs Department, Mahesh Bhattarai.

Similarly, both sides will promote bilateral trade with the exchange of prior information on export and import, and the construction of necessary infrastructure in the border area.

The electronic cargo tracking system enforced in the railway for the trade from a third country to Nepal via India would be expanded to roadway (truck consignment) and quarantine facility on Nepal-India border would also be increased.

The Integrated Check Post (ICP) being constructed in Bhairahawa and Chandani Dodhara would be completed soon. It was also agreed in the meeting that rail cargo would be operated up to Biratnagar, Nepal.

The Nepali delegation was led by Director General Bhattarai while Director General at Custom Intelligence Directorate of India, Abhay Kumar Shreevastav led the Indian side.