Lhasa: The Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa recently organized critical interactions in Lomanthang and Jomsom to focus on Nepal-China trade facilitation and border management.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the discussions in Lomanthang saw active participation from local representatives, including Raju Bista, Chairperson of Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality, and Tashi Nurbu, Chairperson of Lomanthang Rural Municipality. Meanwhile, the Jomsom discussions included Chief District Officer of Mustang, Bishnu Prasad Bhusal, along with people’s representatives, social workers, and chiefs of security bodies.
In both sessions, participants highlighted the urgent need for basic infrastructure, such as water, electricity, and workforce support, for a newly constructed four-room building on the Nepali side along the Nepal-China border in Korala. This facility is intended to enhance trade between the two nations. However, it was noted that while Nepal is still developing its infrastructure, China has already established advanced facilities on their side of the Korala transit point.
A significant issue raised during the interactions was the requirement for foreign nationals to pay a minimum of USD 500 to enter Upper Mustang, a restricted area. Participants called for the swift construction of integrated infrastructure at the Korala border to provide necessary services like immigration, customs, and quarantine, facilitating the regulated entry of foreign visitors.
Addressing the gatherings, Consul General Laxmi Prasad Niraula assured the stakeholders that efforts would be made to address their concerns. He also engaged in separate discussions with senior officials from customs, immigration, local authorities, and port management offices in Drongpa, Xizang, China. During these discussions, both Nepali and Chinese representatives expressed their commitment to taking initiatives to effectively manage and operationalize the Korala border point.