Nepal, Aug. 12 -- The Nepalese industry and commerce sector enjoyed enormous protection for many years. This protection created the impression that businesses did not have to look beyond their home market. They had an assured market. However, with economic changes, the situation has radically altered. Going global has now become an inseparable requirement for Nepalese businesses. With periodic economic reforms, Nepal's business and industrial sectors have suddenly found themselves in a weaker position.

Nepal has a narrow export base. During the 1990s, there was a sharp decline in the export of rice, raw jute, pulses, and other agro-based and forest-based products. In recent years, Nepal no longer has a surplus of many of these primary pr...