KATHMANDU, May 8: Pakistan is currently in a state of turmoil after India launched a series of missile strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday night. This attack by India follows a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago, in which one Nepali national and 25 other tourists died.
There is a growing concern that this unrest in Pakistan could affect trade relations between Nepal and Pakistan. According to data from the Department of Customs, trade relations between Nepal and Pakistan seem to be on the rise, particularly from mid-July to mid-April, when the current fiscal year (FY) 2024/25 began. This data shows that Nepal has been importing various goods, from spices to shampoos and medicines.
According to data, by mid-April, Nepal imported goods worth Rs 254.7 million from Pakistan, while it exported goods worth only Rs 62.2 million to Pakistan. This results in a trade deficit of Rs 192.4 million.
Nepal records exports worth Rs 100 billion as imports exceed Rs...
Nepal imports different goods from Pakistan, including spices, medicinal herbs, medicines, beauty products, and chemicals. Among these, spices are the most commonly imported items.
Nepal has imported spices worth Rs 53.8 million during this period. Similarly, medicinal herbs worth Rs 24.6 million and face creams worth Rs 14 million have also been imported from Pakistan.
In terms of medicines, antibiotics and hormone-based drugs are among the notable imports, while in chemicals, sodium bicarbonate is significantly imported from Pakistan. Other items in the import list include black salt, soaps, and plastic products.
If the conflict continues for a long time, there will be a shortage of goods in the market due to the disruption in imports from Pakistan.
