SAARC: India allows market access to more Bhutanese agri-exports

New Delhi: The Government of India, as a one-time measure, temporarily allowed the import of seven fresh vegetables from Bhutan on Thursday through the plant quarantine station at Jaigaon on the India-Bhutan border.

This followed extensive deliberations, including a virtual bilateral trade meeting held in the first week of July, officials said on Saturday.

The Indian Embassy in Thimpu said the approval was designed specifically for Bhutan, pending the completion and publication of the appropriate notifications by India in accordance with the protocol.

The attempt to provide legitimate market access for these seven agri-exports, which are seasonal products, aims to alleviate the challenges that Bhutanese farmers and traders are experiencing. The decision was taken in view of India and Bhutan’s extraordinarily strong and amicable relationships, which include mutually beneficial trade links.

In October 2020, India had granted formal market access to five Bhutanese agricultural exports (areca nut, mandarin, apple, potato, and ginger) and opened the first-ever plant quarantine office on the India-Bhutan border at Jaigaon to facilitate the import of agricultural commodities from Bhutan.

Also, at Bhutan’s request, India abolished the potato import limitation for Bhutan exclusively until June 30, 2022, easing the challenges faced by Bhutanese businessmen in selling potatoes to India. Potato is Bhutan’s most important cash crop and India is its leading destination for potato exports.

Bhutan has also received India’s cooperation and help in maintaining the continued transit of supplies during the Covid-19 epidemic.

(Venkatesh Iyer)