The Government has recently rolled out the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2023 (NTIS 2023) which enlists 32 promising export products and services.
Lentils, jute, vegetables, fruits, spices, and coffee are in the agro category of the recent NTIS 2023.
Similarly, handmade lokta paper, rosin and turpentine, fragrant oil, and textiles of long fiber are added to the forest sector category.
In the small and cottage industries category, the new additions include jewelry, pasta, Himalayan spring water, honey, dog chew, and felt.
In the large-scale industry, iron and steel, cement, and readymade garments are added.
There are three items in the services category.
- Skilled and semi-skilled professionals in remittance-generating services.
- IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT engineering.
- Tourism includes leisure, business, education, and medicine.
Electricity is added to the service export category.
As items on the list get special privileges for exports, the government’s expansion of the list of promising exports serves a dual purpose — invigorate MSME growth while simultaneously boosting overall exports.
The 2016 trade strategy included cardamom, ginger, tea, and medicinal and aromatic plants in the agro-based products category and fabrics, textiles, yarn, and rope; leather, footwear, pashmina, and carpets in the craft and manufacturing category.
