July 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has expressed happiness over the amendment in the much-hyped Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement.    
With the amendment to the agreement, all rail service providers can now transport goods two-way from Nepal to Indian seaports.    
Issuing a press statement on Saturday, the FNCCI said the new provision would take the bilateral trade and transport relations to a new height. Stating that the demand raised by the FNCCI since a long time has been addressed, the FNCCI expressed gratitude to both the governments for the initiative.    
With the latest agreement, the rails and wagons under the ownership of Nepal Railway Company can provide rail service to Kolkata-Haldiya from Bigunj and Biratnagar, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported.    
The FNCCI is hopeful that the recent amendment to the agreement would bring about a huge change in Nepal’s international trade. It has urged both the governments to fully implement the agreement.  

The agreement to amend the India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA) 2004 was reached on July 9. Government authorities of Nepal and India signed Letter of Exchange in this regard amidst a virtual ceremony.