Country Profile: For Nepal

Country : NepalCapital : Kathmandu Nepal, the Himalayan kingdom of Asia has its border with China on the North and India on South, East ...

Country : NepalCapital : Kathmandu Nepal, the Himalayan kingdom of Asia has its border with China on the North and India on South, East & West. It is located between latitude 26 degree 22 minutes North to 30 degree 27 minutes North and longitude 80 degree 4 minutes East to 88 degree 12 minutes East. Being land locked country the sea access is about 1150 Km. from the border.Ecologically the country is divided into three regions running east to west i.e. the Mountains, the Hills & the Terai . 

The Mountain area lies at an altitude ranging from 4877 meters to 8848 meters above the sea level. It constitutes the 15% total area of Nepal. Most of the high snow capped mountains including worlds highest peak Mt. Everest (Mr. Sagarmatha) are located in this region. The Hills the middle region that covers the 64% of total area lies between the altitude ranging between 610 meters and 4877 meters above the sea level. This regions has numerous attractive valleys, basins, lakes and hills. The Terai region that is low flat land situated along the southern side of the country. Most of the fertile lands and dense forest area of the country are located in this regions. This region covers 17.1% areas of the country.

Climate:The climate of the country varies with its topography. The climate ranges from tropical to arctic varying with the altitude. The Himalayan Mountain region with an altitude above 3353 meter has alpine climate with considerably low temperature in winter. The mid land region are pleasant all the year. The Terai region has hot humid climate. Nepal has four seasons:Spring-March, April, MaySummer-June, July, AugustAutumn-September, October, NovemberWinter-December, January, FebruaryPopulation (2001 Preliminary):Total Population : 23.21 million
Male : 11.58 million
Female : 11.62 million

Administrative Division:The country is administratively divided into 5 Development Regions, 14 Zones and 75 Districts.Literacy rate (2001 census):Total: 53.74.6%Male: 65.08% Female:42.49%Language:Nepali (Official language)English (Widely spoken)Religion:Hinduism: 90% Buddhism: 6% Others: 4%Time:GMT+ 5hrs 45 min.Foreign Exchange:In US$US$ 1 = Buying NC Rs. 72.40, Selling NC Rs. 72.99, as per April 18, 2006.Current Exchange Rates [Click here]GDP Growth:At the constant prices of the fiscal year 1984/85, GDP (at factor cost) has been estimated to increase by 0.8% during the fiscal year 2001/2002.The preliminary estimate is that GDP at the current prices (at factor cost) is estimated to grow by 4.3% during the fiscal year 2001/2002.Real GDP grew by 6.4 percent in FY2000, up from 4.5 percent in FY1999, because of better performance in the agriculture and industry sectors. 

(ADB annual report 2000)Per capita GNP:Rupees. 18,369 (Revised: FY 2000/2001)Weight & Measure:Metric system.Public Holidays: 2006/2007 A.D. , 2063 B.S.(source: Yearly Calender, Department of Information, HMG, Ministry of Information and Communication)April 14, 2006 

Baisakh 1, 2063 Friday New Year's day
April 27, 2006 Baisakh 14, 2063 Thursday Mother's Day
May 13, 2006 Baisakh 30, 2063 Saturday Buddha Jayanti
July 7, 2006 Asar 23, 2063 Friday H. M. King's Birthday
July 11, 2006 Asar 27, 2063 Tuesday Guru Purnima
August 9, 2006 Shrawan 24, 2063 Wednesday Janai Purnima
August 10, 2006 Shrawan 25, 2063 Thursday Gai Jatra - (only in Kathmandu valley)
August 16, 2006 Shrawan 31, 2063 Wednesday Krishna Janmasthami
August 23, 2006 Bhadra 7, 2063 Wednesday Father's Day
August 26, 2006 Bhadra 10, 2063 Saturday Haritalika Teej - (only for ladies)
August 28, 2006 Bhadra 12, 2063 Monday Rishipanchami - (only for ladies)
September 6, 2006 Bhadra 21, 2063 Wednesday Indra Jatra - (only in Kathmandu valley)
September 23, 2006 Ashwin 7, 2063 Saturday Ghatasthapana
September 29 - October 7, 2006 Ashwin 13 - Ashwin 21, 2063 Fri - Sat (9 Days) Festival of Dashain
October 21 - October 25, 2006 Kartik 4 - Kartik 8, 2063 Sat - Wed (5 Days) Festival of Tihar
November 9, 2006 Kartik 23, 2063 Thursday Constitutional day
January 11, 2007 Push 27, 2063 Thursday National Unity day
January 2 3, 2007 Magh 9, 2063 Tuesday Saraswati Puja
January 30, 2007 Magh 16, 2063 Tuesday Martyrs' Day
February 16, 2007 Falgun 4, 2063 Friday Maha Shivaratri
February 19, 2007 Falgun 7, 2063 Monday National Democracy Day
March 3, 2007 Falgun 19, 2063 Saturday Festival of Holi
March 8, 2007 Falgun 24, 2063 Thursday Women's Day - (only for ladies)
March 18, 2007 Chaitra 4, 2063 Sunday Ghode Jatra - (only in Kathmandu valley)
March 19, 2007 Chaitra 5, 2063 Monday Surya Grahan
March 26, 2007 Chaitra 12, 2063 Monday Chaite Dashain
March 27, 2007 Chaitra 13, 2063 Tuesday Ram Nawami
Working Hour (Official):Sunday – Thursday : 10.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m. (for 3 months Magh, Falgun, Chaitra - 10.00 am to 16.00 p.m.)
Friday : 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Saturday : Official holiday
Ports: No ports in the country.Nearest Port:Calcutta (India)Chittagoan, Mangola (Bangladesh)Road:Road Network is of about 15,702 k.m.(F.Y. 2000/2001)Air:Nepal has one Tribhuvan International Airport and 44 airfields. International servicing airlines are Royal Nepal Airlines, Aeroflot, Bangladesh Biman, China South East Airlines, Druk Airlines, Gulf Airways, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airlines etc. Various internal airlines are in operation for domestic flights.Railways:Janakpur – Jayanagar Railway service operation of about 52 k.m.General Economy at a Glance:I. Gross Domestic Product GDP (at Factory Cost)(in Millions Rs.) 1999-2000 2000-2001 * 2001/2002 **
a. GDP at Market Price(% change over previous year) 366284(11.0%) 393473(7.4%) 410493(4.3%)
i. Agriculture(% change over previous year) 144644(9.3) 149040(3.0) 156384(4.9)
ii. Non Agriculture(% change over previous year) 221640(12.1) 244433(10.3) 254109(4.0)
b. Real GDP at (1984/85 Price)(% change over previous year) 267473(5.9) 280339(4.6) 282574(0.8)
i. Agriculture(% change over previous year) 100856(4.6) 105227(4.2) 107037(1.7)
ii. Non Agriculture(% change over previous year) 166617(6.6) 175112(4.9) 175537(0.2)
*Revised Estimate** Preliminary Estimates.Source: Economic Survey, Ministry of Finance. II. Gross Domestic Product by Industrial Origin+ (at current Prices) in Millions Rs. Sector 1999/2000 2000/2001* 2001/2002 **
1. Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry 144644 149040 156384
2. Mining & Quarrying 1815 1981 2091
3. Manufacturing 33550 35566 34616
4. Electricity, Gas & Water 5942 6989 9339
5. Construction 37373 39571 43984
6. Trade, Restaurants & Hotels 42825 45381 42817
7. Transport, Communication & Storages 29336 33050 34800
8. Financial & Real Estate 36919 41835 43636
9. Community & Social Services 33810 40060 42826
GDP at Factor Cost 366284 393473 410493
i. Agriculture 144644 149040 156384
ii. Non Agriculture 221640 244433 254109
Indirect taxes (net) 23945 28633 29809
* Revised Estimate** Preliminary Estimates+ The figures are presented as per revised estimate price F.Y. 1984/85Source: Economic Survey, Ministry of Finance.III. Government Budget(Rs. in '000)Head F.Y. 2000/2001 Actual Expenditure F.Y. 2001/2002 Revised Estimate F.Y. 2002/2003 Budget
Total Expenditure 79,835,098 82,400,515 96,124,796
Regular Expenditure 42,769,195 33,250,990 57,445,121
Development Expenditure 37,065,903 49,149,525 38,679,675
Sources of Financing 55,646,986 59,217,360 71,714,580
Revenue 48,893,561 50,515,169 57,150,170
Existing Sources 48,893,561 50,515,169 54,804,670
New Proposal 2,345,500
Foreign Grant 6,753,425 8,702,191 14,564,410
Bilateral Grant 2,184,548 5,142,377 12,285,714
Multilateral Grant 4,568,877 3,559,814 2,278,696
Surplus (+) Deficit (-) -24,188,112 -23,183,155 -24,410,216
Sources of Deficit Financing
Foreign Loans 12,044,026 10,945,963 12,410,216
Bilateral Loan 586,707 217,855 1,150,628
Multilateral Loan 11,457,319 10,728,108 11,259,588
Domestic Borrowings 7,000,000 10,000,000 12,000,000
Banking Sector 7,000,000 10,000,000 12,000,000
Non-Banking Sector 0 0 0
Cash Balance (-Surplus) 5,144,086 2,237,192 0
Source: Budget Speech of F.Y. 2002/2003, 

Ministry of Finance.STD/ISD Code Numbers:

Nepal 977

Arghakhachi (Sandhikhark) 077 Dhankuta 020 Lalitpur 001
Baglung 068 Dhankuta 020 Malangawa (Sarlahi) 046
Bandipur (Tanahu) 065 Dharan (Sunsari) 025 Nepalgunj 081
Banepa (Kavre, Dhulikhel) 011 Dipayal 094 Palpa 075
Baitadi 095 Doti 094 Parasi 078
Beni (Myagdi) 069 Duhabi 025 Pokhara 061
Besisahar (Lamjung) 066 Gaur 055 Rajapur (Bardiya) 084
Bhadrapur (Jhapa) 023 Ghorahi (Dang) 082 Rajbiraj (Saptari) 031
Bhairahawa (Sidharthanagar) 071 Gorkha 064 Ramechap 047
Bhaktapur 001 Guleria (Bardiya) 084 Rangeli 021
Bharatpur (Narayangarh) 056 Gulmi 079 Seemara 053
Bhimphedi 058 Hetauda (Makawanpur) 057 Sindhulimadi 047
Biratnagar (Morang) 021 Ilam 027 Surkhet (Birendranagar) 087
Birgunj 051 Itahari 025 Syangja 063
Butawal 073 Janakpur 041 Taulihawa 076
Charikot (Dolkha) 049 Jaleshwor 044 Teekapur 091
Dadeldhura 096 Kalaiya 053 Trishuli (Nuwakot) 010
Damauli (Tanahu) 065 Kathmandu 001 Triveni 078
Darchula 093 Kailali (Dhangadhi) 091 Tulsipur (Dang) 082
Dhading 010 Krishnanagar 076
Dhangadhi 091 Kushma (Parbat) 067 

International Country Codes for ISD:

Algeria 213 Greece 030 Russia 007
Argentina 054 Hongkong 852 Saudi Arabia 966
Australia 061 India 091 Singapore 065
Asutria 043 Indonesia 062 South Africa 027
Bahamas 001 Iran 098 Spain 034
Baharain 973 Iraq 964 Sri Lanka 094
Bangladesh 880 Ireland 353 Sudan 249
Barbados 001 Israel 972 Sweden 046
Belgium 032 Italy 039 Switzerland 041
Bermuda 001 Japan 081 Taiwan 886
Bhutan 975 Jordan 962 Tanzania 225
Bolivia 591 Korea (Rep.) 082 Thailand 066
Botswana 267 Kuwait 965 Tunisia 216
Brazil 055 Malaysia 060 Turkey 090
Brunei 673 Maldives 960 Uganda 256
Bulgaria 359 Mexico 052 United Arab Emirates 971
Cameroon 237 Myanmar 095 United Kingdom (England) 044
Canada 001 Nepal 977 Uruguay 598
China PR 086 Netherlands 031 United States of America (USA) 001
Chile 056 New Zealand 064 Vatican 039
Cuba 053 Nigeria 234 Venezuela 058
Czechoslovakia 042 Norway 047 Vietnam 084
Denmark 045 Pakistan 092 Yemen (Arab Rep.) 967
Egypt 020 Philippines 063 Yugoslavia 038
Ethopia 251 Poland 048 Zambia 260
Finland 358 Qatar 974 Zimbabwe 263
France 033 Romania 040
Germany 049 Ruwanda 250
 

Information on Time Difference with Nepal's Local Time:U.A.E. Abu Dhabi -01:45 U.A.E. Dubai -01:45 Kenya Nairobi -02:45
Netherlands Amsterdam -04:45 Ireland Dublin -05:45 U.S.A. New York -10:45
Greece Athens -03:45 Germany Frankfurt -04:45 France Paris -04:45
New Zealand Auckland +06:15 Switzerland Geneva -04:45 China Beijing +02:15
Iraq Baghdad -02:45 Finland Helsinki -03:45 Australia Perth -02:15
Bahrain Bahrain -01:45 Vietnam HoChiMinha City +02:15 Czechoslovakia Prague -04:45
Thailand Bangkok +01:15 Hong Kong Hong Kong +02:15 Burma Rangoon +00:45
Lebanon Beirut -03:45 U.S.A. Honolulu -15:45 Brazil Rio de Janeiro -08:45
Germany Berlin -04:45 Turkey Istanbul -03:45 Italy Rome -04:45

Bermuda Bermuda -09:45 Indonesia Jakarta +01:15 Chile Santiago -09:45
U.S.A. Boston -10:45 Saudi Arabia Jeddah -02:45 South Korea Seoul +03:15
Belgium Brussels -04:45 South Africa Johannesburg -03:45 China Shanghai +02:15
Romania Bucharest -03:45 Pakistan Karachi -00:45 Singapore Singapore +01:45
Hungary Budapest -04:45 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur +02:15 Sweden Stockholm -04:45
Argentina Buenos Aires -08:45 Kuwait Kuwait -02:45 Australia Sydney +04:15
Egypt Cairo -03:45 China Lhasa +02:15 Iran Teheran -02:15
South Africa Cape Town -03:45 Peru Lima -10:45 Israel Tel Aviv -02:45
Venezuela Caracas -09:45 Portugal Lisbon -04:45 Bhutan Thimpu -00:15

U.S.A. Chicago -11:45 England London -05:45 Japan Tokyo +03:15
Sri-Lanka Colombo -00:45 U.S.A. Los Angeles -13:45 Canada Toronto -01:45
Denmark Copenhagen -04:45 Spain Madrid -04:45 Canada Vancouver -13:45
Bangladesh Dacca +00:45 Maldives Male -00:45 Austria Vienna -04:45
Syria Damascus -03:45 Philippines Manila +2:15 Poland Warsaw -04:45
Australia Darwin +03:45 Mauritius Mauritius -01:45 Japan Yokohama +03:15
India Delhi -00:15 Mexico Mexico City -11:45 Switzerland Zurich -04:45
Saudi Arabia Dhahran -02:45 Russia Moscow -02:45

Trade Promotion Centre's Profile
Trade Promotion Centre (TPC) is a national trade promotion organization of the country established in 1971 under the Nepal Development Board Act 1956. It is a non-profit making and focal point organization for the promotion of foreign trade in general and export trade in particular. The development and strengthening the foreign trade of the country by means of export promotional program has been its main activities. Principal Functions: · undertake export promotion activities to boost export trade · 

assist the government in formation of national trade policy including export promotion strategies. · undertake research activities both on export promotion. · coordinate national product development. · design and develop effective trade infrastructure · maintain liaison with trade related international organization. Services: · product survey for identification, adaptation and development of export product · market research and export marketing promotion · develop the export consciousness and entrepreneurship · organize & manage Nepal's participation at International trade fairs & exhibitions held abroad · 

provide trade information & counseling services · maintain professional link with national & international trade & business related organizations. · provide trade facilitation service. Location:Head office: Trade Promotion Centre, Na Tole, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, P.O. Box 825, Kathmandu. Tel : 977-1-5525898/5532642 Fax : 977-1-5525464 Email : [email protected] office: Trade Promotion Centre Gaheli Road P.O. Box 14, Biratnagar Biratnagar 10 Tel : 977-21-22054 Fax : 977-21-26350 Email : [email protected] and Members of Nepal Trade Promotion Board:

1. Mr. Bharat Bahadur ThapaSecretary, Ministry of Industry,Commerce & Supplies. Chairman
2. Mr. Uttam Bhakta Wagle Under-secretary, Ministry of Finance. Member
3. Mr. Hari Prashad Basyal Under-secretary, Ministry of Industry,Commerce & Supplies. Member
4. Mr. Meghnath Neupane Executive Director, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Member
5. Mr. Pashupati Bhakta Shrestha Executive Member, Nepal Trans Himalayan Trade Association. Member
6. Mr. Akhil Kumar Chapagain President,Nepal Foreign Trade Association. Member
7. Mr. Subarna Kumar Shrestha Vice President, FNCSI. Member
8. Mr. Narayan Shrestha Acting Executive Director, Trade Promotion Center Member-secretary