Kathmandu, July 30 -- Nepal's total exports surged by 81.8 percent in the last fiscal year, reaching Rs277 billion. This growth was primarily driven by re-exports of edible oils-soyabean, sunflower, and palm oil-which Nepal does not produce domestically. Edible oil exports alone jumped more than 15 fold to Rs121.53 billion, accounting for 43.86 percent of total exports.

In contrast, exports of domestic products-particularly those produced by Nepali farmers and manufacturers-increased by just 6.62 percent. This highlights how trading businesses continue to leverage zero-tariff privileges granted to least-developed countries like Nepal.

Exports of high-value products listed under the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2023 reached Rs...