FNCCI Urges China to Reopen Tatopani Border as Trade Routes Face Mounting Pressure
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has called on China to facilitate the immediate reopening of the Tatopani customs point to ease supply chain disruptions ahead of Nepal's peak festive trading season. With the Rasuwagadhi and Korala crossings also closed due to flood damage and heavy snowfall, Nepal faces a critical bottleneck in overland trade with China.
KATHMANDU, Sept 30 — The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has urged China to initiate the resumption of operations at the Tatopani customs point, a key gateway for Nepal-China bilateral trade that has remained largely non-operational for months.
In a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming, FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha discussed the diplomatic and technical facilitation required to reopen the Tatopani customs point. Shrestha called on the Chinese side to provide the necessary support for the border point's immediate reopening to remove supply chain disruptions and ensure a smooth flow of goods for traders and consumers.
He emphasized the need for continuous coordination between the two nations to facilitate trade movement during challenging times and to maintain the business confidence of the private sector.
Shrestha noted that disruptions at key northern trade points—specifically Rasuwagadhi and Korala—had placed additional strain on Nepal-China trade and supply chains ahead of the peak festive trading season.
The urgency stems from a cascade of closures along Nepal's northern border:
- Tatopani has remained largely non-operational for months due to landslides along the Araniko Highway.
- Rasuwagadhi has been closed since the devastating Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood struck the area on August 26.
- Korala was forced to shut after heavy snowfall blanketed Lo Manthang and surrounding areas in Upper Mustang, following days of incessant rainfall across the country. Korala had been serving as the only alternative overland trade route between the two nations.
Meanwhile, the Chinese side is reported to appear positive toward the proposal of reopening the Tatopani customs point as soon as possible to relieve trade congestion caused by flood damage at the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border crossing.
In response, Ambassador Zhang expressed concern over the human and economic losses suffered by both Nepal and China due to the flood. He informed that Chinese and Nepali officials are conducting joint on-site inspections to bring the trade route back into operation quickly.
Noting that the Chinese side has mobilized a rapid response team for the repair and restoration of roads and other infrastructure, the Chinese envoy stated that necessary initiatives are underway to normalize daily life and facilitate movement.
The August 26 flood in the Bhotekoshi River damaged the bridge leading to the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point, the customs office, and the dry port (ICD), as well as a 45-kilometer stretch of the approximately 145-kilometer road connecting Kathmandu to the Chinese border.