KATHMANDU, Sept 6: The governments of Nepal and China have agreed to open the Nepal-China border at Korala, located in the northwestern district of Mustang, bringing relief to traders importing goods from China ahead of the upcoming festivals.
The opening of this border is seen as an alternative to the main Rasuwa-Gadhi and Tatopani crossings, which have remained closed due to flooding during the monsoon.
This is the first time the Korala border will be used for commercial purposes. Previously, it was opened only on a seasonal basis, mainly for local residents of Mustang who share cultural ties with Tibet.
Six sections of Jomsom-Korala road completed
The Customs Department stated that all necessary infrastructure has been put in place, and a team of four officials has been assigned to manage operations there.
Director General Shyam Prasad Bhandari confirmed that non-quarantine goods will be allowed entry starting Monday. He noted that quarantine facilities have not yet been established, so only other types of cargo will be permitted. Containers carrying garments have already arrived at Korala.
Items such as clothing and electronic goods will be transported through Korala. Discussions are underway with business stakeholders regarding the possibility of allowing vehicle imports as well.
The closure of Rasuwa-Gadhi has left hundreds of containers stranded at Kerung in China, awaiting entry ahead of the festive season starting next month. These containers are likely to be diverted to the Korala border instead.
However, the narrow and dilapidated roads on the Nepal side through Mustang make it difficult to transport larger trucks. In contrast, the Chinese government has already constructed a paved two-lane road and established a modern customs office on its side.
Targeting the Dashain and Tihar markets, traders have already started importing Chinese goods via air and sea routes, which is significantly more expensive than transporting by road. The operation of Korala Customs is expected to bring much-needed relief to businesses ahead of the festive season.
As of now, Nepal and China have been holding bilateral trade via land routes through the borders of Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani. The Rasuwagadhi border was shut after devastating floods in Tibet’s Lhende River in mid July swept away the cross-border bridge. According to government authorities, it will take time as significant damage occurred on the Nepali side. Although the Tatopani route is open for trading, the frequent landslide on Araniko Highway has made the smooth operation of the border point uncertain.
