A new train and truck freight line connecting Haidong in Qinghai province, Shigatse in the Tibet autonomous region of China with Nepal’s capital Kathmandu will cut short the time taken to transport goods between the two regions to 6 days. The freight route is expected to promote bilateral trade exchanges between Western China and South Asia.

The route is also likely to contribute to the economy of Nepal as well as neighbouring South Asian countries.

The first service on the route was flagged off in mid-December carrying 1,000 metric tons of cargo valued at approximately 1.8 million yuan ($282,000) in 30 rail cars.

A new train and truck freight line connecting Haidong in Qinghai province, Shigatse in the Tibet autonomous region of China with Nepal’s capital Kathmandu will cut short the time taken to transport goods between the two regions to 6 days. The freight route is expected to promote bilateral trade exchanges between Western China and South Asia.

The second service on the new route will soon leave Haidong, according to China Railway Qinghai-Tibet Group. The 2800-km long corridor includes a train line from Haidong to Shigatse and a roadway to land ports of Gyirong and Zhangmu in Tibet and on to Kathmandu.

“Qinghai is a strategic gateway connecting Europe and Asia and a key bridge linking China’s southwestern and northwestern regions,” Chinese media reports said quoting Yao Jianghong, an official with China Railway Qinghai-Tibet Group.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)