Nepal-Bangladesh trade: more imports fewer exports

Figures from the Mechi Customs Office show that more goods are being imported from the eastern border point of Kakadvitta than are being exported to Bangladesh. In the Fiscal Year 2077/07, the export of goods produced in Nepal was Rs. 673.891 million while the import of goods was Rs. 7.1572 billion. Chief Customs Officer of the Mechi Customs Office, Dhubr Bishwakarma, said that the Nepal-Bangladesh trade deficit has increased by Rs. 6 billion 483.33 million 43 thousand. He said that the trade deficit has increased due to the decrease in the export of Nepali goods and the increase in the import of Bangladeshi goods every year.

According to him, Nepali products worth Rs. 4.95 billion were exported in the fiscal year 2076/07 when goods worth Rs. The trade deficit stood at Rs 3.99 billion. He said that Nepal used to export more agricultural products than imports till the fiscal year 2071/072 BS.

Nepal has been exporting pulses, ginger, chiraito, herbs, sesame seeds, and pulses to Bangladesh, while importing jute, potatoes, plastic products, washing machines, medicines, soybean seeds and drinks, machinery materials, batteries, readymade garments, and tissue paper. Vishwakarma informed. Trade has been going on from Panitanki-Phulbari of India through Banglabandha of Bangladesh through the Mechi customs office. The Phulbari-Banglabandha border crossing provided by India for trade between Nepal and Bangladesh is a 'transit'. Bangladesh is about 80 kilometers from the eastern border point of Kakadvitta. Rishi Timsina, president of the Mechi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that the government of Nepal should take initiative to reduce the tax levied by Bangladesh on Nepal's agricultural commodities.