Indo-China border trade attracts few traders

GANGTOK: The second season of Indo-China border trade, which is conducted through the Nathula pass in east Sikkim, began on a low key on Tuesday with the participation of only 13 Indian traders and 29 businessmen from the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

The Indo-China border trade was held at the Sherathang trade mart, about five kilometres down the border outpost at Nathula in India. Rice and biscuits were the main items traded at the mart today, official sources said.

The 13 Indian traders led by the Indo-China Border Trade Association President Anil Kumar Gupta also visited the Renquinggang trade mart in the Tibet Autonomous Region to gauge the market expectations of the people in TAR.

Gupta appreciated the Centre's decision to extend the trading period through Nathula by three months, but said increasing the daily limit from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh and expanding the list of items for trading would help in acquiring the desired pace and volume.