Kathmandu. With the amendment in the protocol of the transit treaty between Nepal and India, now all kinds of cargo can be transported to Bhairahawa through Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, Biratnagar Jogwani and Nautanwa Sunauli routes. Jitendra Basnet, spokesperson of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply, informed that the amendment is expected to reduce both the transportation cost and time in Nepal and contribute significantly to trade facilitation.

Supply Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, on his way to Visakhapatnam, India, today met with the Commerce and Industry Minister of the Government of India, Piyush Goyal, at India's Commerce Building in New Delhi. On this occasion, a formal exchange of the amended protocol of the transit treaty was made between the two countries. Spokesperson Basnet said that earlier, only four bulk goods could be transported by rail from both points, but now all types of cargo can be sent by rail and road.

During the meeting, bilateral trade between Nepal and India, transit arrangements, business infrastructure development and investment promotion were discussed in detail, the ministry said. Minister Sinha emphasized that the certification process should be simplified to facilitate trade and transit between the two countries. On that occasion, Minister Sinha praised India's 'neighbourhood first policy' and mentioned that more cooperation and coordination is needed in the areas of bilateral trade, transport and investment promotion in accordance with the said policy.