USEFUL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON NEPAL

1. Country Brief:

A. Introduction -  Nepal, officially Kingdom of Nepal, constitutional monarchy in southern Asia, bounded on the north by the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China and on the east, south, and west by India. The area of Nepal is 140,797 sq km (54,362 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Kathmandu.

B. Climate -  Nepal’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons: March–May (spring), June–August (summer), September–November (autumn) and December–February (winter). The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80 per cent of the rain falls during that period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1310m (4297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.

C. Geographical Area - Land area: 52,819 sq mi (136,801 sq km); total area: 54,363 sq mi (140,800 sq km)

D. Language – Nepali

E. Currency With Exchange Rate - Nepal Rupees (NPR)

1.00 NPR = 0.0155521 USD

F. Population - (2007 est.): 28,901,790

G. Major Cities – Kathmandu

2. Transportation:

A. Railway - total: 59 km (2002).

B. Road - total: 13,223 km; paved: 4,073 km; unpaved: 9,150 km (1999 est.).

C. Airports - 45 (2002).

D. Waterways -

E. Sea ports – none

3. Economy:

A. Major Manufacturing - 

B. Major Export - $822 million f.o.b. (2005 est.), but does not include unrecorded border trade with India: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain.

C. Major Import - $2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer

D. Major Industry - tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production.

E. Trade balance -

4. Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Trade shows and Exhibitions in Nepal:

Major Trade Associations

Chambers of Commerce

A) Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry

P.O. Box 269, Shahid Shukra Milan Marg,

Teku, Kathmandu.

Tel : 262061, 262218

Fax : 977-1-262007,261022

Email: fncci @ mos.com.np

B) Nepal Benelux Chamber of Commerce & Industry

P.O. Box 6241, Gongabu-5,

Kathmandu.

Tel : 354403

Fax : 977-1-354403

Email- mohnkr@mos.com.np

C) Nepal France Chamber of Commerce & Industry

P.O.Box 630, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu.

Tel : 248054

Fax : 977-1-226642

Email : coremag@mos.com.np

D) Nepal India Chamber of Commerce & Industry

P.O.Box : 13245, Shahid Shukra Brikshya, Teku,

Kathmandu.

Tel : 250607, 250642

Fax : 977-1-250642,272201

E) Nepal Russia Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Chha 2-724, Thamel, Sallaghari,
Kathmandu.
Tel : 411023
Fax : 977-1-249158
Email : kamaz@gayatree.mos.com.np

Major Trade Shows

5. Useful links:

Nepal Importers, Dealers of Japanese Used Cars, Construction Machinery & Auto Parts