Motorcycle imports double via Birgunj transit point, car imports drop by 40 pc

PARSA: Import of motorcycles through Birgunj, Nepal's major transit point, has surged by 100% in the first month of the current fiscal year 2024/25 compared to the same period last fiscal year.

Raghu Lal Karna, Information Officer at Birgunj Customs Office, reported that 7,150 motorcycles worth Rs 944.8 million were imported in Shrawan (July-August) of the current fiscal year, up from 3,571 motorcycles worth Rs 467.7 million in the same month of the previous fiscal year 2023/24.

Conversely, the import of four-wheelers has decreased by 40%. In the first month of the current fiscal year, 127 four-wheelers worth Rs 144.4 million were imported, down from 203 vehicles worth Rs 206 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Officer Karna attributed the rise in motorcycle imports to the government's policy of offering a 50% discount on the import of petrol-powered motorcycle parts for local assembly from India and third countries.

Revenue from these imports has also seen a significant increase, rising from Rs 442.1 million in the first month of the last fiscal year to Rs 884.4 million in the corresponding month this year.