ANIL GIRI, Kathmandu, June 28 -- Despite reopening the Tatopani-Khasa border point to much pomp and ceremony last month, only five trucks have entered Nepal since, a dismal showing for a trade point that was expected to revitalise bilateral trade with China.

Four trucks crossed into Nepal on the day the trade point opened, and since then, just one more truck carrying wool has arrived, according to Nepali traders.

Local traders who spoke to the Post pointed to a host of unresolved issues--numerous restrictions imposed by the Chinese, a lack of protocol for trade, the poor condition of connecting infrastructure, and a shortage of logistics--for the poor showing of what was once Nepal's second largest trading point, with hundreds of trucks...