Kathmandu, Oct. 31 -- The export share of Nepal's high-value products listed under the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2023 declined by 2 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year despite an overall export boom.

The surge in exports was largely driven by edible oil, mainly soybean oil-a product Nepal does not produce commercially but imports and re-exports to India under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) privilege.

According to the Department of Customs, the share of NTIS-listed products in total trade stood at 32.63 percent, down by 1.98 percentage points in the review period.

Nepal's total exports in the first three months soared by 89.64 percent to Rs72.78 billion.

However, exports of NTIS products amoun...