Tibet trade team says it's interested in Nathu-La

KOLKATA: A trade delegation from Tibet, which arrived in Kolkata on Tuesday, has told local businessmen that it is eager to see a rise in volume of trade between India and China through the Nathu-La pass.

Speaking at a meeting, organised by Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce, delegation leader S Deji said Tibetan merchants were very interested in seeing trade expand, if more items are added to the list. This, she felt, would benefit West Bengal and Sikkim too. Ms Deji is the commissioner of Shannan, one of the seven provinces in Tibet.

The Tibetan trade delegation had earlier visited New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore for direct interaction with local industrialists and traders. Ms Deji evinced interest in iron ore and steel besides copper, silver, carpets and handicraft.

Under the existing bilateral agreement, 15 items have been allowed to be imported from Tibet into Sikkim, through Nathu La. These include wool, goat cashmere (pasham), goat skins, sheep skins, yak tails, goats, sheep, yak hair, horses, salt, borax, china clay, butter and silk.

A total of 29 items have been allowed to be exported to Tibet. These include farm equipment, blankets, copper products, clothes, textiles, cycles, coffee, tea, barley, rice, flour, dry fruit, dry and fresh vegetables.