VPT wants Nepal’s liaison officer in city

An eminent persons’ group from Nepal and (India) which visited the city on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the facilities available at the Visakhapatnam Port.

The port has been designated as the second gateway for Nepal-bound cargo after Kolkata-Haldia. Visakhapatnam Port Trust Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu and Deputy Chairman P.L. Haranadh who interacted with the team suggested the team members to convince the Nepal Government to appoint a liaison officer in the city to coordinate with the customs clearance and port related issues for faster movement of container consignments and make available Nepal Government email domain for better communication through electronic system.

Smooth communication

Mr. Krishna Babu urged the delegation to convince the Nepal Government to set up an electronic exchange for messaging and streamlining the procedures to avoid delays.

The team, which later visited Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd, consisted of Dr. Rajendra Bhattarai, Prof. Mahendra P. Lama and Hari Prasad Odari, counsellor, Political Embassy of Nepal and S. Roy.

Mr. Krishna Babu briefed the delegation on the port infrastructure and facilities and the cargo handling transhipment by containers to Nepal. He explained the competitive advantage of transporting cargo through Visakhapatnam compared to Kolkata-Haldia.

During the Nepal Trade Meet-2018, the importers of Nepal expressed satisfaction over facilities available at the Vizag port, he said.

Dr. Bhattarai said that a common report by four members from India and Nepal Governments was being prepared to address the issues, rake movements to Birgunj and acceptance of letter of credit documents online.

Prof. Lama said India and Nepal were looking for a better trade relationship and underlined the need to create awareness among Nepali importers on documentation and monitoring the work. (The Hindu)