Nepal, China conclude protocol of Transit Transport Agreement

Nepal and China have concluded the protocol of Nepal-China Transit Transport Agreement (TTA) which was signed in March 2016 after two-day talks in Kathmandu, Nepal's Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply (MoICS) said on Friday.

During the third bilateral consultative meeting on Sept. 4-6, the breakthrough was achieved, paving the way for the implementation of the TTA.

The agreement enables the Himalayan country a vital access to China's sea and land ports for trading with third countries. Land-locked Nepal had been fully dependent on India which surrounds Nepal from three directions, according to Nepali government officials.

"Two sides have finalized the protocol on Thursday mid-night and signed finalized draft," Rabi Shankar Sainju, joint secretary at the MoICS, told Xinhua on Friday.

The MoICS said in a press statement on Friday that Nepal could utilize China's four seaports in Tianjin, Shenzhen, Lianyungang and Zhanjiang and three dry-ports in Lanzhou, Lhasa and Xigatse for trading with third countries.

The TTA was reached between the two governments in March 2016 during Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's first visit to China.