THIMPHU, 03 July 2021, (TON): Unable to bring their goods stuck in Jaigaon into Phuentsholing, importers in Phuentsholing and Thimphu are frustrated.

According to sources, there are more than 8,000 vehicles stuck across the border due to the increased backlog.

They said if not resolved, it could lead to inflation, which is already on the rise since the pandemic started and the border gates closed in March 2020.

Initially, it was the trade office that handled the registration. Importers from across the country would register their details prior to importing. Trade office would then accept it, depending on a first-come-first basis and the importance of the goods.

It was then handed over to the customs office. Then a google document registration system was used, but importers were finding the registration increasingly difficult.

With importers desperate to get their consignments into Bhutan, but unable to get it done, some people, allegedly from across the border, hacked into the registration system and made a ‘pay and register system’ without the government agencies knowing it.

Importers who made the payments got their registration done.

An importer paid Nu 1,000 each as registration fee for the consignment.

An importer said “he received the registration confirmation message immediately after paying. I paid through MBOB.”