16 June 2006
Goods cleared for Tibet-China border trade announced
(PTI) Ahead of the impending opening of the Nathu La pass, the Indian government has finalised the list of items for trade with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from the border point between Sikkim and Tibet. The import of 15 products from China and the export of 29 items from India from both sides of the border would be allowed freely through Gunji, Namgaya Shipkila and Nathu La, according to regulations introduced by the Director General of Foreign Trade. Nathu La, which is expected to open by 30 June, would be the third border trading point - after Gunji and Shipkila - between India and the PRC. The items allowed for import are wool, goat cashmere, goat skins, sheep skins, yak tails, goats, sheep, yak hair, horses, salt, borax, China clay, butter and silk. Except for silk, all these products are produced in Tibet. The products that can be exported are farm implements, blankets, copper products, clothes, textiles, cycles, coffee, tea, barley, rice, flour, dry fruit, dry and fresh vegetables, vegetable oil, gur and misri (sugar products), tobacco, cigarettes, canned food, agro chemicals, local herbs, dyes, spices, watches, shoes, kerosene oil, stationery, utensils and wheat. Imports of animal products will be subject to the provisions of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.