Korala border opening boosts business, jobs

By Harikrishna Sharma,Muktinath, Dec.30: The opening of the Korala border point between Nepal and China has led to a sharp rise in business activities and job opportunities in Upper Mustang, with many local youth now actively involved in trade and services.

Pema Chhiring Gurung, 28, from Chhoser, Lomanthang Rural Municipality–2, is one of the beneficiaries. 

He previously worked as a carpenter, building public and private houses in Chhoser and Lomanthang. Two years ago, he left carpentry to start a business at the Korala border.

Gurung now runs a small shop in the no-man’s-land near the Nepal–China border. He sells goods to visitors. He buys items from across the border and resell them. “I used the money I earned as a carpenter to start this business. Now, it has given me a new direction,” he said.

After the Mustang Customs Office at Nechung began commercial operations on September 15, more locals have followed the same path. 

Kunsang Gurung, Lakpa Chhechung Gurung and Phurbu Sangmu Gurung from Chhoser have also left household work to start businesses at the border.

Youth lead border trade

Almost 60 per cent of traders at Korala are young people, either working alone, with family members or with friends. They have invested budget between Rs. 300,000 and Rs 1.5 million to start their businesses and are earning good incomes by selling goods to tourists and traders.

Many of them previously worked abroad or were engaged in carpentry, masonry and driving. They usually operate their businesses at Korala for about nine months a year and move to warmer places such as Pokhara and Kathmandu during the winter, where they continue selling Chinese and local products.

During the three months of winter, many youths leave Mustang to escape the harsh weather but continue earning through mobile trading outside the district.

Jobs in transport and customs

According to Karma Namgyal Gurung, ward chairperson of Lomanthang Rural Municipality–2, around 80 youths from Mustang have found work transporting goods and electric vehicles between Korala and the Chinese market using trucks and containers.

“Korala has made young people entrepreneurs. There are job opportunities everywhere in Upper Mustang now,” he said.

Only Nepalis, who have issued citizenship from Mustang, are allowed to cross into China to buy and transport goods. Apart from drivers, labourers who load and unload goods also earn more than Rs. 5,000 per day.

A growing trade centre at high altitude

Located at 4,650 metres above sea level, the Korala border point now has about 50 shops, providing livelihoods to more than 150 people, said Chhiring Yutin Gurung, a businesswoman and female ward member from Chhoser, Lomanthang Rural Municipality–1.

“Young people who returned from foreign jobs are also joining businesses here. Korala will help keep many youths in the village,” she said.

Drivers who earlier worked outside the district or abroad have also shifted to Korala after finding better income opportunities through the transport of electric vehicles and goods.

Mustang Customs Office Chief Ramesh Khadka said the border opening has helped locals find work that matches their skills. Goods and electric vehicles cleared at customs are transported to Pokhara via the 186-kilometre Korala–Jomsom–Beni road.

Although the 14-kilometre road between Korala and the customs office remains quiet, Korala and Nechung have become busy with traders, customs-related visitors and tourists.

Trade and revenue on rise

Since regular entry of containers carrying electric vehicles and other goods from Zhongba County of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, via the Liji–Nechung (Korala) route from September 15 of the current fiscal year, the customs office has collected Rs 5.06 billion in revenue as of December 25.

During this period, imports reached Rs. 10.82 billion, while exports stood at Rs. 189.78 million.

The Korala border had remained closed since the 1960s, after Khampa rebels from Tibet used Nepali territory. It was officially reopened on November 13, 2023.

Locals said the reopening of the border has changed daily life in Mustang by creating new business opportunities and jobs in the region.