Kathmandu, Nov. 6
Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Nepal,
Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman, expressed his commitment to making every possible
effort to reduce the trade deficit by promoting Nepal’s exports.
During discussions with the officials
of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Ambassador Rahman also noted Nepal’s
immense potential in the tourism sector and highlighted that cultural and
educational ties between the two countries remain strong, even at the
people-to-people level.
Speaking on the occasion, President
of the NCC, Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, emphasised that Nepal and Bangladesh need to
work together and create a conducive trading environment in order to reduce the
trade imbalance between the two countries.
He pointed out that Nepal imports
goods worth approximately USD 30.88 million from Bangladesh annually, while
exporting only around USD 3.33 million worth of goods, reflecting a significant
trade imbalance.
According to Agrawal, the lack of a
direct trade route and dependence on Indian transit routes have increased
transportation costs, causing delays and complications in trade. He stressed
that both sides should prioritise expanding direct road and rail connectivity
between Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Nepali products such as lentils,
spices, fruits, and dairy items have good market potential in Bangladesh, but
these opportunities have yet to be fully utilised,” Agrawal added.
He further stated that the regional
cooperation framework among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) could
be effectively used to enhance collaboration in trade, energy, and transport.
Likewise, Agrawal urged both
countries to elevate their economic relations through direct cooperation
between the private sectors, trade exhibitions, investment conferences, and
policy facilitation.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 7 November 2025.
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