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China will expand railway to Nepal after Shigatse is linked to Beijing

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HONG KONG, Sept 6: Luo Sang Jiang Cun, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China, has assured Nepali officials that China would expand rail service to Nepal once Lhasa-Shigatse rail service comes into operation.

Luo made the commitment during a meeting with visiting Chief Secretary Leela Mani Poudel in Tibet on Thursday.The Nepali delegation, led by Poudel, is in Tibet to participate at the ´14th Nepal-China´s Tibet Economic and Trade Fair -2013´ in Shigatse. The event started on Thursday.

At the meeting, the Nepali delegation solicited Chinese support for the construction of Kathmandu-Lumbini rail service and linking it with Shigatse.

Shigate is being linked to Beijing with rail service within a few months.

“Feasibility study is underway for expanding rail service between Nepal and Tibet. We will immediately commence the process for implementing the plan once railway line reaches Shigatse from Beijing,” Hari Basyal, Nepalese Consul General in Lhasa, quoted Luo as saying in the meeting.

Luo also expressed commitment to extend ´meaningful support´ to Nepal for achieving the common goal of socio-economic development.

According to Basyal, chief secretary Poudel also asked Chinese government to support Nepal in development of trade infrastructures, including construction of dry ports, upgrading roads and building new railway, which are instrumental in promoting bilateral trade.

Meanwhile, Poudel and Ding Yexian, the executive vice-chairman of TAR of China, jointly inaugurated the ´14th Nepal-China´s Tibet Economic and Trade Fair -2013´ on Thursday.

On the occasion, Poudel reiterated the Nepal´s policy of not allowing anti-China activities in its soil. He also highlighted the importance of economic and trade interactions between neighboring countries for healthy bilateral relation in the age of globalization. He requested the Chinese officials to scale up economic cooperation for the development of trade related infrastructures such as port facilities and expansion of road and railway networks to link both countries.

Poudel also requested Chinese officials for simplification of quarantine process and recognition of quality standardization certificate issued by Nepali officials, harmonization of working hours between customs office of the two countries to boost bilateral trade.

Informing the Chinese officials about institutional and procedural reforms initiated by the Nepal government, Poudel solicited more Chinese investment in crucial sectors of economy such as construction, energy, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture in Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Yexian mentioned that bilateral trade fairs would be an important forum for enhancing trade and commercial interaction between entrepreneurs of both the countries. He expressed willingness to help Nepal for its socio-economic development and underscored the need for joint efforts to fully operationalize the agreed border points between Nepal and China.

More than 200 representatives from 70 business enterprises, 36 observer business enterprises, and representatives of Trade and Export Promotion Center are participating from Nepal in the biennial fair. Similarly, around 200 participants from Tibet are also showcasing their products in the five-day event that runs until Monday.

Nepali handmade products, garments, silver and bronze statues of various deities, hand knitted Nepalese Carpet, incense, jewelry, Thankas and herbal products, among others have been showcased in the fair.

China says will expand railway to Nepal after Shigatse is linked to Beijing MYREPUBLICA.com - News in Nepal: Fast, Full & Factual, POLITICAL AFFAIRS, BUSINESS & ECONOMY, SOCIAL AFFAIRS, LIFESTYLE, SPORTS, OPINION, INTERVIEW, INTERNATIONAL, THE WEEK n
 
This is what Nepal wants all along. The late King Biendra proposed such a project 40 years ago. At the time China had neither the financial wherewithal nor the technical expertise for a undertaking of such a magnitude. Now the Nepali dream is finally coming true. India still has an edge in terms of cost but a rail link to China will strengthen Nepal's bargaining position vis-a-vis India.
 
Good for the Chinese, I think the whole world should learn from them, how determined they really are.
 
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