. The British Department of Trade and Business, the British Embassy in Kathmandu, UK-Nepal – Growth Advisor on Nepal’s Business’ and the Nepal-UK Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly organized an interactive event titled ‘Possibility of Duty-Free Access to the UK: Opportunities for Nepali Exporters under the UK Developing Countries Business Scheme’.
The event brought together government officials, trade experts, exporters and representatives from the private sector to explore the opportunities available to Nepali businesses under the UK’s Developing Countries Business Plan.
The discussions focused on duty-free market access, qualification and compliance requirements, and practical strategies to help Nepali exporters strengthen their competitiveness and expand into the UK market. Addressing the event, British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn highlighted the growing interest of the UK in trade, investment and economic diplomacy with Nepal.
He noted that recent interactions in London have strengthened the partnership between the British and Nepali trade promotion agencies.
He also expressed his confidence that the extensive use of the British Developing Countries Trade Scheme would increase Nepal’s exports, create employment opportunities and deepen the bilateral economic relations. Ellie
Parker, Regional Trade Adviser for Development for South Asia at the British High Commission, gave a presentation on the structure of the Developing Countries Business Plan and its benefits for Nepali exporters.
“Nepal continues to benefit from the ‘broad priority’ level of the scheme, which will provide duty-free access to around 99 per cent of eligible goods entering the UK market,” Parker said. In addition, the simplified and more flexible “law of origin” will allow producers to source raw materials from up to 95 countries, including regional stockpiles with countries such as India and Vietnam, for eligible goods, she said.
Participants were informed about emerging market opportunities in carpets, readymade garments, pashmina and woolen goods, tea, natural products, handicrafts and home décor, as well as practical steps needed to claim the priorities of the scheme, including item classification, compliance with the law of origin, documentation, UK standards and record keeping. The workshop encouraged Nepali businesses to make greater use of the UK’s preferred market access to increase exports, diversify products, and strengthen Nepal’s international trade competitiveness. On the occasion, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Buddha Bahadur Gurung, stressed on enhancing Nepal’s export potentials and further consolidating Nepal-UK trade relations.
Pointing out the significant opportunities available to Nepali exporters under the UK Developing Countries Trade Scheme, he said the scheme would provide duty-free and preferential access to a wide range of Nepali products and help Nepal expand beyond traditional exports such as readymade garments, carpets, pashmina, felt goods, and handmade paper. He emphasized that in order to fully tap the potential of the UK market, Nepali businesses need to strengthen production capacity, improve technical efficiency and meet international standards. At the conclusion of the program, Shiva Prakash Khemka, Executive Member of the Nepal-UK Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting Nepali businesses through trade promotion, knowledge exchange initiatives and strategic partnership. Nepali readymade garments, woolen products, carpets, pashmina shawls and handmade paper have established a good reputation in the British market.
There is still significant market potential. In the last fiscal year, Nepal’s exports to the UK amounted to Rs 3.17 billion while the UK exports amounted to Rs 6.41 billion.
Nepali readymade garments, woolen products, carpets, pashmina shawls and handmade paper have established a good reputation in the UK market.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Nepal’s exports to the UK stood at Rs 3.17 billion in the last fiscal year while goods worth Rs 6.41 billion were exported from the UK.
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