Kathmandu, November 30:

Freight forwarders and cargo traders have asked the government to provide air transit facility at the country’s sole international airport — Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), for international air cargo movement.

While speaking at the eighth annual general meeting (AGM) of Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA) today, they claimed that air transit facility for international cargo at TIA could generate millions in revenue as well as jobs for hundreds, which Nepal is losing at present. They expressed their willingness to cooperate government, as it is beneficial to both the government and the private sector.

Namgyal Lama, president of NEFFA, underscored the need to review Nepal-India Transit Treaty in order to expand further third country trade, allowing Nepali cargo through different air routes. “Infrastructure development, procedural simplification and use of harmonize code are some other core issues that Nepal needs to put forward,” he said.

Lama further stressed on the need of implementation of electronic data interchange (EDI) system making bilateral and third country trade paperless, which is cumbersome and slowers the process. He also asked to handover the management of air cargo complex at TIA to users’ group.

Chandi Raj Dhakal, FNCCI president, speaking on the occasion, lauded the role of freight forwarders in terms of export promotion as well as trade facilitation by providing logistics to trade. “Duration of customs operation should be made 24-hour a day in order to boost export-import,” he suggested.

Similarly, Surendra Bir Malakar, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) highlighted the need of effective implementation of Multi-modal Transport Act to boost trade.

Meanwhile, Prithvi Subba Gurung, minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation, called the private sector to join hands with the government in aviation infrastructure development. “Private investment is welcome in infrastructure development under build-operate-own-and-transfer (BOOT) system,” he said.

He also informed that the government will prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed second international airport at Nijgarh in Bara district. The full-fledged operation of the airport is expected to begin by 2020, if everything goes as plan.

Stating that the existing international airport needs to be upgraded in order to sustain current traffic of passengers and cargo, Gurung disclosed that the government requires about Rs 5-6 billion for physical improvement and new facilities. He urged private sector to join hands with the government by investing in potential and commercially viable projects.