Nepal, one of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful countries, is also one of its least wealthy. Primarily an agrarian economy, Nepal grows her own grain, sugarcane and tobacco. Jute is grown and processed in local factories. Industry includes carpet manufacture, jute, cigarettes, sugar and oilseed mills, cement and brick production. Imports, which far outstrip export, include heavy machinery, petroleum and fertilizer and as you will realize in any middling town even, soap, shampoo and other fast moving consumer goods. Exports are carpets, leather goods, jute products and clothing.Major trade partners are India, the USA, the UK, Singapore, Japan and Germany.
Tourism is obviously a heavyweight industry and a source of precious foreign exchange.
Foreign aid plays a major role in Nepal’s economic life. Infrastructure development projects and environmental conservation are areas where the government’s efforts find willing international support. Of late the government has set in motion measures of financial prudence by cutting back on expensive subsidies and cutting down on its erstwhile bulky bureaucracy.
GDP: $26.2 billion (1998 estimate) purchasing power parity
Per capita Income: $1100 per annum, purchasing power parity