Bilateral Relation between Nepal and Portugal-1 September 1976

Bilateral Relations
Nepal and Portugal established diplomatic relations on 1 September 1976. The Nepalese Ambassador to the France is concurrently accredited to Portugal. Similarly, Portuguese Ambassador to India is concurrently accredited to Nepal. Relations between the two countries are marked by friendship, cordiality and mutual understanding.

Thought there have been contacts between the officials of both the countries in the international forums, no official visits to and from Nepal have taken place as yet.

Cooperation
Cooperation to Nepal from Portugal is channelled through the EU as its member country.

Trade/Investment
The balance of trade with Portugal for the last few years has remained favourable for Nepal. The following trade figures reflect the trade transactions of Nepal with Portugal for the last few years.

Value in ‘000 Rs.
Year Export Import Trade Balance
2009 38,865 5,704 33,161
2010 23,578 2,555 21,022
2011 28,345 2,464 25,881
2012 32,008 16,399 15,609

(Source; TEPC, Nepal)

The major exports to Portugal are Nepalese paper and paper products, woolen carpets, handicrafts, ready-made garments, and silverware and jewellery. Likewise, Nepal’s major items of import from Portugal are corks and stoppers.

As of July 2012, there was only one joint venture with investment of Portugal of Rs. 2.5 million and it generated 23 jobs.

Tourism
The number of tourists visiting Nepal from Portugal is still small in comparison with other EU member countries. In 2010, a total of 2,431 Portuguese tourists visited Nepal. The number stood at 1,281 in 2012.