Project Sambaad Bhaag Dui: New World Disorder: Trading Realities in an Uncertain and Mercurial Period

In this sambaad, Madhu Raman Acharya, Shiv Raj Bhatt, Kshitiz Dahal, and host Dikshya Singh explore Nepal’s evolving trade landscape—its participation in multilateral, regional, and bilateral frameworks, and why the country has yet to fully leverage these arrangements. Despite benefits like duty-free market access through its LDC status, Nepal faces challenges in integrating into regional value chains and lacks a clear strategy for the post-LDC transition. The discussion highlights the need for stronger domestic policy, outward-oriented diplomacy, and industrial development to move beyond a narrow export base and prepare for a more resilient trade future.

This is a live recording of the panel discussion at Project Sambaad.

⁠⁠⁠Project Sambaad⁠⁠⁠ is a collaborative platform that promotes in-depth conversations that critically examine Nepali society and its policy-making space. Through Project Sambaad, PEI and like-minded organisations seek to explore broad, impactful questions that contribute to a wider dialogue on the politics and development of Nepal and the South Asia region.

Just a quick heads-up—this is a live recording of the conversation, so the audio quality might not always be perfect. Also, you'll hear a mix of Nepali and English throughout the conversation—hope you enjoy!!