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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, had a long-standing involvement in Nepal through the development work carried out by his Himalayan Trust organisation. Sir Edmund’s efforts were regarded highly in Nepal, and his legacy remains 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, and in the high level representation from Nepal for Sir Ed’s funeral in January 2008.
The New Zealand government makes an annual contribution to the Himalayan Trust, and has also established a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship, to facilitate visits to New Zealand by people from India or Nepal who have the potential to become leaders or people of influence in parliamentary, academic, business, cultural, or other fields. In addition, the New Zealand Government has contributed $6.6 million since 2004 to humanitarian and development agencies working in Nepal, including $1.5 million to the Himalayan Trust Fund. There are currently eleven postgraduate students from Nepal studying in New Zealand under the New Zealand Development Scholarship Scheme.
Official Name – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal - Land Area - 147,181 sq km - Population – 27.02 million (2008)- Capital City - Kathmandu - Religion Hinduism (80%) Buddhism (10%), - Language - Nepali (official), English, regional languages and dialects
Political system – secular democratic republic- National Government – following elections in April 2008, Nepal’s monarchy was abolished and the country declared a republic. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) won the most seats in those elections, and were supported in government by 20 other parties. In May 2009 Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned and Madhav Kumar Nepal was elected by a majority of the 601 member Constituent Assembly. Prime Minister Nepal now leads a coalition government consisting of four political parties- the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum and Terai Madhes Loktannik Party - Last general election – 10 April 2008 Head of State President HE The Rt Hon Ram Baran Yadav - Head of Government – Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
GDP (at current prices) - US$10.3 billion (2007) - GDP Per Capita - US$377 (2006) - Real GDP Growth – 3.2 percent (2007) - Exports - US$822 million f.o.b. (2005) - Imports - US$2 billion (2005) - Main exports - woollen carpets, clothing, pulses, jute goods - Main imports – gold, machinery & equipment, petroleum products and fertiliser - Current account balance – 2.2 percent of GDP (2006) - Inflation (% change YOY)- 8 percent (2006) – Principal export destinations (2006) - India (59.3%), USA (14%), Germany (5.9%) – Principal import sources (2006) - India (49%), China (12.4%), UAE (11.7%).
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$9 million (for year ended December 2008) - Main Exports – Milk/cream, cheese and wool - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$1 million (for year ended December 2008) - Main Imports – Carpets, textiles, paper products and clothing.
The Safe Travel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Nepal [external link].
