KATHMANDU: Nepal and China have agreed to resume the direct bus service between Kathmandu and Lhasa. The agreement was reached during the third Nepal-China Commerce Secretary-level meeting held in Lhasa.
The direct bus service will restart after a gap of nearly two decades. The Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service was first launched in 2005 but was suspended within a few months.
Details related to bus operations are yet to be finalized. These include the operating company, ticketing system, departure points, and stopovers. The Nepali Consulate General will hold further discussions with the Chinese side on these matters.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the meeting also focused on broader economic cooperation. Discussions covered bilateral trade, investment, transit, customs facilitation, technical cooperation, and trade infrastructure development.
The two sides also discussed revising the 1981 Trade and Payments Agreement. Other agenda items included simplifying border entry passes for traders, drivers, and assistants.
Progress on the Tokha-Chhahare tunnel project was reviewed. Talks were also held on fertilizer import quotas, road connectivity and ICP construction at the Kimathanka-Chentang border, and the development of the Timure ICP in Rasuwa.
In addition, both sides discussed easing customs procedures at the Korala border point in Mustang and constructing an ICP at the Korala crossing.
