Biratnagar, November 11:

Zinc plates worth about Rs 2.5 billions were exported to India from different border points located along the eastern region within the last four months of the current fiscal year (FY).

Goods, produced in the eastern region used to be exported to foreign countries in the past also. But the quantity was quite low. Alongwith zinc plates, jute also used to be exported to India, informed Morang Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI).

Biratnagar-based Aarati Strip Private Ltd is exporting a huge quantity of zinc plates to India through the eastern borders. Aarati strip Pvt exported zinc plates worth 1.4 billion (India currency) in the last four months (from mid-June to November 8) of this FY 2062-63.

According to Roshit Unnithan, managing director of Aarati Strip Pvt, there is an immense demand of zinc plates in nearby Indian markets. This is why zinc plates in large quantities are being exported to India, he informed. He further claimed that demand for this product is no less in the Nepali markets.

According to the office, jointly run by Morang FNCCI and Industrial Organisation, Morang that issues production certificates, export of zinc plates are very high. Morang and Sunsari districts-based two factories, Aarati Strip and Krisent Nepal Pvt had been able to export zinc plates worth two billions, 403 millions, seven lakhs and 58 thousands rupees to India within the period of four months, the office said.

Aarati Strip has already exported 26,793 metric tonnes of zinc plates and Krisent Pvt exported 135 metric tonnes of zinc plates to India, the office said.

Statistics available in this office said, Aarati Pvt exported 23,405 metric tonnes of zinc plates and Krisent Pvt exported 135 metric tonnes of zinc plates within four months of FY 2061-62. Krisent Pvt is a new factory, established just a year back in Sunsari district.

Ashok Jhunjhunwa, director of Krisent Pvt said, “Zinc plates in large quantities are being exported to India from our factory. The essential raw material ‘zinc’ for making zinc plates is being imported from third countries.”