SAARC Diary: Pasakha Dry Port Project Launched in Bhutan
NEW DELHI, Feb 2: A ground breaking ceremony or ‘Salang Tendrel’ in Dzongkha language was held for Pasakha Dry Port in Phuentsholing Bhutan on Monday.
Salang Tendrel was graced by Prashant Kumar Das, Consulate General of India, and Chief Guest Dasho Sonam Wangyel, Minister, Home and Cultural Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.
The cost of developing the Pasakha dry port is Nu./Rs. 1.7 billion and is being developed as a part of the Transitional Trade Support Facility (TSF) program. Government of India is extending support to the tune of Nu./Rs. 4 billion to the Royal Government of Bhutan under the 12th Five Year Plan. The Trade Support Facility will contribute to the development of Bhutan’s trade infrastructure and export support by enhancing the credit flow to the export-intensive sectors. This support is in addition to development assistance amounting to Nu./ Rs. 45 billion committed by India to Bhutan during the 12th Five Year Plan.
The new dry port will include export processing facilities, help minimize transit time and reduce freight movement costs across the border. The port will also help to reduce the possibility of damage and pilferage during the processing, storage and trans – shipment of cargo. The dry port has the capacity to provide exporters situated in western and central Bhutan with export-related services.
The project being built on 15.06 acres of land, is scheduled to be completed by 2024. The pre-feasibility studies were carried out with the financial and technical assistance of the World Bank during the year 2016-2017. The project has three stages and the ground-breaking ceremony was held yesterday for the first stage, which is the building of a 1.2 km long RCC boundary wall.
(Venkatesh Iyer)
