Chapter Overview
Nepal's bilateral trade relationship with China is defined by a 130:1 import-to-export ratio that has widened despite a decade of preferential access commitments. This section examines why zero-tariff access has failed to generate meaningful export growth, tracing the barriers to GACC registration complexity, the absence of accredited testing laboratories at border crossings, informal payment mechanisms, and chronic underinvestment in northern border infrastructure. It sets out a prioritized policy agenda for closing the gap between Nepal’s export potential and its current performance.
