Category Archives: Trade Info

Buying/Importing from Nepal

Nepal is unique on a number of levels, perhaps the most important being its sheer natural beauty. Home of the world’s highest mountain range and containing eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, Nepal is a magnet for the world’s most avid mountaineers, rock climbers, trekkers, and adventure seekers. Nepal’s significant variation in altitude ranges from 67 meters in south-eastern Terai, to the tallest mountain on earth, Sagarmatha, measuring 8,848 meters, gives Nepal a remarkable variety in its floral resources. The country is habituated by people of more than 100 ethnicities and therefore is home to a wide array of cultures and civilizations.

Nepal’s exports reflect this diversity. Products like tea and coffee are grown in the most pristine hills, and its medicinal plants grow in untouched remote mountains. Craftsmen honing their skills for centuries produce jewelry and carpets whose designs not only reflect their skills but also Nepal’s culture and religion. These products are also produced by people of low- to middle-income families, therefore, providing much-needed support to their households.

Being an LDC and member of several multilateral and regional agreements like WTO, SAFTA and BIMSTEC have meant that Nepal enjoys preferential advantages in several important markets in North America, Europe, South Asia, and Australia. As a result, Nepalese goods are not only of excellent quality of also cheaper to import making them attractive to foreign prospective buyers.

If you are a foreign firm or individual who is planning to import the unique products offered by Nepali producers, this portal will help you access all the required support.

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Doing business in Nepal

Nepal faces multiple constraints to economic growth, including low levels of foreign direct investment and poor infrastructure. Around 28 per cent of Nepal’s GDP relies on remittances from migrant workers. Nepal’s economic growth has been adversely affected by political uncertainty and natural disasters. The focus on political transition to democracy and attainment of peace has meant that inadequate attention has been given to economic and other reforms that could improve the investment climate, stimulate growth and create more private sector jobs.

A durable political settlement is key to boosting investor confidence, spurring economic growth and supporting the Government of Nepal’s aspiration to transition from least developed country to developing country status by 2022.

Australia’s trade with Nepal is small, but there is potential for growth in hydropower, tourism and infrastructure development.

Other areas in which there are increasing commercial opportunities following deregulation include civil aviation and telecommunications. Two-way merchandise trade in 2014-15 totalled A$32 million, with exports to Nepal valued at A$25 million (Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)).

Principal exports to Nepal are vegetables and refined petroleum. Australia also exports food and beverages including wine.

A flat rate of 10 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) is levied on all goods and services, except exempt items.

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