Canada-Nepal relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada established diplomatic relations with Nepal in 1965. Canada’s bilateral relations are managed by the High Commission of Canada in India, in New Delhi. Canada also has an honorary consul based in Kathmandu. Nepal established an embassy in Ottawa and has honorary consuls in Calgary and Victoria, as well as an honorary consul general in Toronto.
Trade relations
Bilateral trade is modest, with potential for additional growth. In 2018, Canadian exports to Nepal totalled $105.8 million, an increase of over 600% from 2018’s total of $14.8 million, largely attributable to significant increases in exports of soybeans, rapeseeds, lentils, and peas. Other important exports include turbo propellers and vegetable oils. Canadian imports from Nepal totalled $13.7 million. In recent years, Canada has organized visits to Nepal aimed at encouraging Canadian companies to interact with the Nepalese business community to promote Canadian capabilities and cooperate in areas of mutual interest, such as in hydropower, infrastructure, and clean technology. Potential growth could also be tapped by introducing new technologies that through in-market adaptation and joint research and development, could be applied to Nepal’s requests that correspond to their specific environmental needs in areas like energy, urban development, and mining.
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Development
From 1968 to 2013, Canada contributed approximately $470 million in support of international assistance projects in Nepal. Canada continues to provide official development assistance to Nepal through partnership programming between international, Canada and Nepali non-governmental organizations and academic institutions.
Canada continues to fund modest international assistance projects in Nepal through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
Canada has also contributed to reconstruction and relief efforts following natural disasters in Nepal, most recently in 2017 in response to flooding and landslides. Following the 2015 earthquake, Canada deployed the Disaster Assistance Relief Team and established the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund. The Fund provided a total of $51.7 million in humanitarian assistance funding.
In addition to bilateral international assistance, Canada’s Asia Trade and Investment for Growth program has provided $13.9 million in funding to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to promote a gender-responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem in six countries, including Nepal. Canada has also committed $20 million over four years to the UNFPA-UNICEF Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage which will be implemented in twelve countries, including Nepal.
Operations
Since Nepal became a member of Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program in 1991, over 250 members of the Nepali Army have participated in different training opportunities offered by the Canadian Armed Forces. The program includes language, peace support operations and military professional development training.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Nepal work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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