Nepal enjoyed a trade surplus worth nearly 4.6 million U.S. dollars with Bangladesh through a custom point situated some 340 km southeast of Kathmandu during the fiscal year 2006/07.

The local media Sunday reported that the statistics of Mechi customs recorded a surplus in trade with Bangladesh during the year.

In 2005/06, Nepal had suffered a trade deficit with Bangladesh.

The local media's website www.ekantipur.com quoted the officials saying bilateral trade of the country with Bangladesh via the Fulbari-Banglaband transit route reached 11.6 million dollars in the fiscal year.

Customs data show that Nepal exported goods worth about 8.11 million dollars to Bangladesh and imported merchandise worth about 3.5 million dollars during the period.

"It is encouraging to realize Nepal enjoying a sound volume of trade surplus with Bangladesh, which has put economic development at a high priority," said Vijaya Dalmiya, president of Mechi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

He also said that the entrepreneurs in the country should try harder to widen the bilateral trade bracket in the days to come.

Sewantak Pokharel, a customs officer, attributed the rise in the volume of export to increased exports of yellow lentils to Bangladesh during the period.

Beside lentil, Nepal also exported peas, leather, infant food, animal feed, wooden furniture, flour, herbal medicines, seed, plastic bottles, lids and caps of bottles, tyres for four-wheelers and machinery parts, among others.

On the other hand, the country imported glass, raw cotton and garment along with sugar, soft drinks, medicine, vitamin, woolen carpet, chocolate and biscuits from Bangladesh.