India, Nepal to discuss boosting trade and tourism

India and Nepal will discuss controlling unauthorised trade, developing infrastructure in the border areas and boosting tourism during the visit of ommerce Minister Rajendra Mahato to New Delhi this week.

Mahato, who leaves Kathmandu tomorrow, told PTI that in his talks with Indian officials he would discuss measures to control unauthorised trade and transactions, and expand bilateral trade.

During the visit of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal last month, the two countries had finalised an agreement to control unauthorised trade, particularly from a third country.

Sources close to the minister said he would also discuss problems being faced by Nepalese businessmen in the border check points and development of physical infrastructure in the border areas.

Both the countries have finalised a trade treaty aimed at enlarging the scope of the existing institutional framework under which India gives duty-free access to goods manufactured in Nepal. Bilateral trade between the two countries was $1.8 billion in 2008-09 (April-February).