Gangtok traders stay away from Nathu La

Trade through Nathu La reopened today without any Indian representation. With no trader participating 81 traders and officials from the Tibet Autonomous Region returned back empty handed. The border trade would remain open till 30 November.
“No trader from Gangtok came today,” confirmed Miss Sumitra Pradhan, deputy secretary of state commerce and industries department. “However, many tourists came to the border today and learnt how border trade is conducted. The tourists also shopped freely at the trade mart,” she added. Meanwhile, the Centre may have decided to upgrade the trade list applicable at Nathu La. “Some parliamentary committee members are expected in Sikkim for the trade survey and to upgrade the trade list, which makes us hopeful,” said Mr SK Sharda president of Sikkim Chamber of Commerce.
“At present we are using the old trade list with obsolete trade items,” he added. Officials from the state commerce and industries department also claimed that the Centre was considering revising the trade list. The trade route, which was scheduled to reopen on 1 May, reopened 18 days past its scheduled date today. Mr RB Subba, minister for commerce and industries, Sikkim and director Mr Ujjwal Gurung were present during the reopening.

Courtesy: The Statesman

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