May 2022 |
February 2021On 7 June 2017, the Governments of Nepal and India signed a Memorandum of Intent bilaterally agreeing to launch a pilot project to facilitate transit traffic by using Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Mr. Rubal Jain from the Indian private sector discusses the benefits of ECTS since its implementation. This piece originally appeared on the Annapurna Express. Read More Tags: ADB, Electronic Cargo Tracking System, Nepal, India |
June 2019 |
March 2019Senior officials met to review India-Nepal bilateral transit and trade treaties and agreed to discuss inland waterways facilities, which could reduce transit cost significantly once implemented. The two countries also agreed to install facilities for electronic cargo tracking on cargo bound for Nepal. Read More Tags: Inland waterways, India, Nepal, Transport, Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
March 2019The Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal, has allowed commercial banks to issue payment instruments in foreign currency for cargo transported by railway to the Birgunj dry port and Biratnagar customs point. The move aims to facilitate the implementation of the electronic cargo tracking system for third country import. Read More Tags: Electronic Cargo Tracking System, India, Nepal, Rail, Transit Facilitation |
February 2019Cargo containers using the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) bound for
Nepal by rail was flagged off from the Kolkata Port on 15 February 2019. Mr.
Vinit Kumar, Kolkata Port Trust Chairman, and Mr. Manish Chandra,
Commissioner of Customs, Kolkata, led the ceremony. A pilot program using
the ECTS modality is being implemented on rail routes originating from
Kolkata and Haldia ports, to Birgunj via the Raxaul land customs station. Read More Tags: Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
January 2019The Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) will be rolled out on pilot basis to facilitate the movement of Nepal-bound cargo transiting via Kolkata/Haldia. The new transshipment procedure will be implemented beginning 15 February 2019, announced the Office of the Commissioner of Customs (Port) of the Government of India in a circular. Read More Tags: Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
November 2018Technology helps set the appropriate balance between facilitation and enforcement by border agencies. In this ADB blog entry, Mr. Ronald Butiong, Director, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination, South Asia Department, ADB, discusses how the electronic cargo tracking system uses information and communication technology, satellite positioning systems, and high security seals to allow organizations to monitor the movement of cargo, thereby enhancing trade facilitation in South Asia. Read More Tags: Customs, Electronic Cargo Tracking System, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Trade Facilitation |
April 2018The Government of India launched the test phase for railway movement of goods entering Nepal via the Biratnagar check post. The Container Corporation of India began carrying freight bound for Jogbani in Bihar, the nearest rail station to Biratnagar, on 25 April 2018. This development follows implementation of the electronic cargo tracking system. Read More Tags: Rail, India, Nepal, Electronic Cargo Tracking System, SASEC |
March 2018The Government of Nepal is aiming to finalize the transshipment modality with the Government of India for its third country trade. It will be part of the agenda in the upcoming Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) meeting in April in Pokhara, Nepal, headed by India and Nepal commerce secretaries. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, ADB, Transport, Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
March 2018 |
February 2018The Governments of Nepal and India are preparing to launch the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) as soon as possible. It received the green light from Nepal's Council of Ministers in January 2018. The planned pilot will run for three months, covering cargo entering Nepal by rail in Birgunj and by road in Biratnagar and Bhairawa. ADB is supporting the piloting of the project through the SASEC Program. Read More Tags: Nepal, ADB, SASEC, India, Transit Facilitation, Electronic Cargo Tracking System |
January 2018The Cabinet of Nepal has approved the modality of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS). Following this, Nepal's Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has begun preparations for ECTS implementation with the assistance of ADB. Mr. Ravi Shanker Sainju, Joint Secretary, MoC, is hopeful that the ECTS will help control the turnaround time of shipping line containers, and significantly reduce the delay and cost of trade. He stressed that if Nepal can minimize time consumed in trade, cost of goods. Read More Tags: ADB, Nepal, Electronic Cargo Tracking System, Customs, Trade |
June 2017An electronic tracking system will soon ease traffic-in-transit for cargo traveling by road and rail from Kolkata to four major Customs points of Nepal, including the Raxaul route. Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Customs Commissioner, India, and Mr. Rabi Shanker Sainju, Commerce Ministry Joint Secretary, Nepal, signed a memorandum of intent to pilot the tracking system for a trial period of at least 90 days in late 2017. Read More Tags: Electronic Cargo Tracking System, ADB, SASEC, Nepal, India, BBIN, Customs, Road, Rail, Transport |