GANGTOK: The Indian traders have done a brisk business this year in the border trade between India and China at Nathula Pass to register an export turnover of Rs 5.8 milllion during the first four months.
On the other hand, the import during the same period was just Rs 1.35 lakh, according to Sikkimâs commerce and industries department.
With the bilateral border trade through the historic Silk Route between India and China remaining open for one more month, the export turnover of the Indian traders is likely to increase substantially.
The annual border trade, which this year commenced on May 19 three weeks after the scheduled date of opening, had started on a tepid note to record a thin volume in the first two months, but the business picked up subsequently with the Indian traders having logged a record turnover of Rs 5.8 million.
In terms of visit to trade marts of the two countries, while 1,115 Indian traders visited Renquingang trade mart at Tibet Autonomous Region upto October 30 last, 2,787 Chinese traders visited Sherathang mart in India.
With export of non-basmati rice, a favoured item among importers from the Tibet autonomous region (TAR), off the export list, the Centre decided to ban its export this year, the traders association said.
Utensils, woolen materials and processd food are the favoured items of import for the people of TAR for whom it is easier to buy them from from Sherathang marg than from market places in China, the Indo-Chinese border being closer, the officials said.
The import from China has witnessed a 70 per cent slump since last year as there were not many takers of the Chinese goods among Indian traders.
The traders insist they are hamstrung by restrictions imposed on consumption of imported goods in Sikkim markets.
Unless the Centre lifted the restriction on the sale of the Chinese goods throughout India, there would not be many takers.
The Indo-China Traders Association of Sikkim, the apex body of the Indian traders who visit Nathula for business purposes, has demanded review of the policy of trade through the Nathula Pass in order to make the trade a all-weather affair, its spokesmand Anil Gupta said.
The two countries should allow more goods on the export-import list by updating it from time to time, the ICTAS general secretary said.
He said that for the Indian traders, the Centre should take a couple of measures like lifting restriction on sale of Chinese goods beyond the jurisdiction of Sikkim, permitting export of non-basmati rice and urgent review of the trade list.