Gelephu Thromde has moved the orange export depot to state land at Namkhaling Demkhong. Until now, the exporters have been paying a rental fee to a private landowner to operate the depot at Samdrupling Demkhong. The relocation has brought relief to the exporters.
The new depot is located near the Bhutan-India border gate. The exporters are hopeful that the new location will make their business more efficient.
To establish the new depot, Thromde collected Nu 50,000 from each exporter.
The funds are being used to prepare the site and provide essential amenities, including water supply, electricity, road access, clearing of bushes, and the installation of trenches to prevent elephants from entering the area.
Previously, exporters were leasing private land, paying around Nu 50,000 per season. This, according to the exporters, was a financial burden.
“With Gelephu Thromde allotting us this new space, it’s much more convenient. Our rental fees will be much lower. When we calculate the cost per square foot, it’s only around Nu 10,000 for the entire season,” said Sangay Choden, an orange exporter.
“Leasing private land was costing us a huge amount. Now, with state land, it will cost us much less. It’s also more convenient because we don’t have to go to Gelephu town to reach the border area,” said Bovan Pradhan, an orange exporter.
Sangay, an orange exporter said, “We have no issues now. Initially, during a meeting, we were given a small space. But later, Dasho Thrompon visited the site and held another meeting, and the space was expanded. It’s much more convenient now.”
Around 14 exporters began exporting oranges to Bangladesh last month.
Gelephu exported about 8000 metric tons of oranges, worth nearly USD 4 million last year.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sangay Chezom
