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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Nepal

Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Kathmandu, released July 1999
Note*

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CHAPTER X. ECONOMIC AND TRADE STATISTICS

APPENDIX A: COUNTRY DATA

Nepal's population is estimated at about 23 million and it is growing at 2.6 percent a year. The main religions are Hinduism (87 percent), Buddhism (8 percent), and Islam (4 percent). The Muslim population is concentrated in the southern Terai region. There is a small number of Christians in the country.

Nepal is a multi-party democracy with two houses of Parliament and a constitutional monarch. The Lower House is elected via direct elections and the Upper is either appointed or elected indirectly.

The main language is Nepali, which has Devanagari script and is closely related to Hindi. English is also spoken in the urban areas and is popular for business dealings.

The working days of week are Monday through Friday. Business hours are generally 9-5. Saturday is still considered the prominent day of rest.

APPENDIX B: DOMESTIC ECONOMY

ECONOMIC INDICATORS - NEPAL (In millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted and for Nepal fiscal years ending July 15) 


			96/97 		97/98		98/99
GDP			4,989		4,593		4,757
GDP Growth Rate		  4.0 percent	  2.3 percent	  3.4 percent
GDP Per Capita		  233		217		  220
Govt. Spending 
(Pct of GDP)	18.1		18.9		19.52
Inflation (Pct-CPI) 	  7.8		 4.0		11.75

Foreign Exchange 
Reserves		  651		 712		 1093
(Months of Import Cover)  6.5		 7.1		 11.0
Foreign Debt (end CY)	 2908	       2,167		 2908
Debt Service Ratio 
(Pct exp.)		 16.1		14.0		  N/A
Avg. Exchange Rate 
(NRP/USD)	  57.00		67.9		68.50
U.S. Assistance		   14		  25		   24
APPENDIX C: TRADE 
Exports (F.O.B.) 		397		444		517

Imports (C.I.F.)	      1,642	      1,439	      1,214

U.S. share of Imports (pct)	0.7		0.7		0.7

U.S. share of Exports (pct)	 29		 29		 29
MAIN NEPAL EXPORTS: Handknotted woolen carpets, ready-made garments, soap products and raw hides.

MAIN NEPAL IMPORTS: Wool, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and drugs.

Note. U.S. exports to Nepal are understated due to warehousing and distribution from Singapore and Hong Kong.

APPENDIX D: INVESTMENT STATISTICS

See Chapter VII

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Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title17, United States Code.

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