Indo-China border trade through Nathula rises to Rs 16.04 crore

GANGTOK: Border trade between India and China through Nathula Pass has substantially improved this season as against last year's figures.

Traders from Sikkim sold goods worth Rs 16.04 crore to the Tibetan Autonomous Region ( TAR) against a little over Rs 7 crore in 2013, according to a release from Commerce & Industries Department of Sikkim government issued here today.

This is a 107 per cent increase over last year's figure, it said.

Imports from TAR stood at Rs 1.02 crore, down 12 per cent from last year's Rs 1.17 crore.

Sikkim traders primarily imported six items - carpets, readymade garments, blankets, shoes, jackets and quilts and exported mostly 13 items, including vegetable oil, rice, processed food, canned food, textiles and copper items.

The ninth season of border trade closed on November 27