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Thorns of Friendship
Couple of months ago we were delighted with the opening of the Fulbaari transit point. Obviously it was a matter of happiness for a country like Nepal who is far away from any sea port. For a developing nation, sea port is the only hope for enhancing its economy through cheaper transportation costing in import and export. National economy of any nation in the world can not be strengthen without trade with overseas. And transportation cost always plays a vital role in fixing the pricing of commodities imported or exported. Water transportation has always been the cheapest means for importing or exporting goods. Unfortunately. nature has deprived us from that facility by making Nepal land locked. The nearest sea port for us is Calcutta in India.
India have been very kind to us in allowing us the use of Calcutta and Kandla port in India. They have also provided us Bonded warehouses for our use. But, those two ports are giving us lots of trouble due to unfairness, bureaucratic problems and security of transit between those points and point in Nepal.
Since Nepal is one of the profounder member of SAARC and its Head Quarter is located at Kathmandu, Nepal have very cordial relations with other member nations who have access with the sea. All three nations Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are eager to help us in providing sea port transit facility. Apart from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are located far away from us. Yes, Bangladesh could be ideal if, India is ready to provide us transit facility through Fulbaari. After prolong diplomatic dialogues and other give and take activities, India finally agreed to provide Fulbaari transit facility. Agreement was signed and inauguration was made by Nepalese Foreign Minister in presence of Indian and Bangladeshi Ambassadors designated to Nepal. It was a great achievement and was welcomed by business community and economic world of Nepal and abroad who deals in import export with Nepal. With the opening of Fulbaari transit way Nepal got access to Mongla port in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi port is from every point of view more economical with less bureaucratic hassles compared to India.
On top of that it is a diversification of business too. Now it is stated that the Fulbaari transit point is not in use. The business community is reluctant to use that because of various reasons. The matter was raised by Nepalese Foreign Minister with is Bangladeshi counter part in latter’s recent Nepal visit.
Honourable Bangladeshi Foreign Minister replied that it is for Nepal to pursue and use the facility. Bangladesh is always there to provide all required facilities for Nepal’s cause in Bangladesh. That means there are some diplomatic lapses and mistrust existing between India and Nepal on Fulbaari transit point agreement.
It is Nepal and India to sort it out and make Fulbaari an ideal transit way for the development of Nepalese economy. The transit facility will not only enhance Nepal and Bangladesh trade but also enhance Nepalese trade with overseas countries through Bangladesh sea ports.
The main problems existing on the issues are :
The use of transit way is available two days in a week only i.e. on Saturday and Sunday.
The transportation must be made in closed container trucks and there are not availability of sufficient closed container trucks in mentioned days.
It has to be only Nepalese close container trucks to be used for the purpose.
Problem on visa and foreign exchange for Nepalese drivers and assistants.
It is not too late. Nepal must use its cordial relation with India and immediately amend the lapses existing in the agreement. For India providing this facility to a neighbouring country is nothing. It won’t affect in their economy.
But for us, it is transfusion of fresh and pure blood to develop our national economy.
