Negligible business was seen today as most of the items brought from either side were unlisted items. Amidst a slight snowfall, Ujwal Gurung, Director of Commerce and Industries Department, Sikkim, and Sumitra Pradhan, Deputy Secretary of the department offered khadas to the traders at the Nathu La post. Later, traders of both sides exchanged a warm welcome at Sherathang Mart hoping for more business this year.
“We are not quite happy with the response from the Indian traders on first day”, said Kesang Diki, an official of Trade and Commerce (TAR) from the Chinese region. Interacting with the media, she said, as usual the revision of the list of items is the major factor on which the business transactions will depend this year. “India needs to come up with more infrastructure facilities for smooth trade”, she added.
“In view of the urgency, we request the concerned authority to kindly issue the trade pass as early as possible”, Anil Kumar Gupta, General Secretary of Indo-China Border Trade Association told reporters.
Mr. Gurung, the Director said, revision of list of trade items lies with the Union Commerce Ministry, adding, Mani Shanker Iyer, Chairman of NEC, has already placed a proposal to the Ministry to declare Nathu La trade as open trade under Most Favoured Nation (MFN).