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In political terms, New Zealand's relations with Nepal are warm and friendly but not substantive. The High Commissioner in New Delhi is accredited as Ambassador to Nepal, and there is an Honorary Consul in Kathmandu (Ms Elizabeth Hawley). A previous High Commissioner, Sir Edmund Hillary, has a long-standing involvement in Nepal through the development work carried out by his Himalayan Trust organisation. Sir Edmund’s efforts are regarded highly in Nepal, and have been, and remain, a very positive element in the bilateral relationship. Evidence of this special relationship could be seen in the celebrations hosted by the Nepalese in May 2003 for Sir Ed to mark the 50th anniversary of his ascent of Mount Everest.
Official Name - Kingdom of Nepal - Land Area - 147,181 sq km - Population - 23.7 million - Capital City - Kathmandu - Religion - Buddhism, Hinduism - Language - Nepali (official), English, regional languages and dialects
Political system - Constitutional monarchy - National government - A crisis cabinet under the direct control of the King without a Prime Minister after the King, on 1 February, dismissed the third interim government appointed by him since the dismissal of the elected government in October 2002 - Last election - May 1999 - Next election due - Parliament currently dissolved. The election scheduled for November 2002 stands postponed - Head of State - King Gyanendra - Head of Government - No Prime Minister since King Gyanendra assumed executive powers in February 2005.
GDP (at current prices) - US$5.9 billion (2003) - GDP Per Capita - US$227 (2002) - Real GDP Growth - 3.7 percent (2004) - Exports - US$737 million (2004) - Imports - US$1.8 million (2004) - Main exports - Garments, woollen carpets, pulses, pashmina, tanned skin - Current account - 3.5 percent of GDP surplus (2004) - Inflation - 4 percent (2004) - Gross external debt - US$3.2 billion (2003) - Budget balance - Deficit of around 1.5 percent of GDP (after grants) (2004)
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$14.3 million (for year ended June 2004) - Main Exports - Wool: 96.5 percent - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$545,000 (for year ended June 2004) - Main Imports - Textiles, clothing, footwear 66.8%
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Nepal [external link].
