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Nepal-Poland Relations
Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Poland were established on 25 November
1959. The Office of the Polish Trade Representative was opened in Kathmandu in
1966, which was closed after the establishment of the residential Polish Embassy
in Kathmandu in 1974. Later, the Polish Embassy in Kathmandu was shut down citing
austerity reason. Currently the Polish Ambassador stationed in New Delhi is accredited
to Nepal and the Embassy of Nepal in Germany is concurrently accredited to Poland.
Relations between Nepal and Poland are based on friendship, cordiality and mutual respect. In September 1969, the then Foreign Minister Mr. G.B. Rajbhandari visited Poland and held discussions with his Polish counterpart on matters of mutual interest.
The then Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Chakra Prasad Bastola led a four-member Nepalese delegation to Warsaw, Poland during 24-28 June 2000 to participate in the Ministerial Conference on "Towards a Community of Democracies". The conference was participated by delegates from 107 countries.
Deputy Minister of Economy H.E. Wojeich Jan Katner visited Nepal in April 1999 and discussed about the possibility of economic cooperation between the two countries.
In August 1966, a Trade and Payments Agreement had been signed between Nepal and Poland. A new trade agreement was signed between Nepal and Poland on 12 May 1992. The Government of Poland informed Government of Nepal/N about its decision to denounce the Trade Agreement in view of Poland's accession to the European Union from May 1, 2004 as mentioned by a note from the Embassy of Poland in New Delhi dated 14 November 2003. Areas of economic cooperation between Nepal and Poland remain to be explored in view of the Poland's accession to European Union.
Few Nepalese students have studied in Poland under the Polish scholarship programme. There are some Nepalese students in medical field currently studying in Poland under the same programme.
Poland is a major country in Central Europe in terms of size & population, and its role in Europe for its political and economic transformation. Poland's lead role is well recognized for successful transformation process. The Polish Government has given top priority to reintegrate itself to the Western world primarily, with the NATO and lately with the European Union.
Germany, Russia, USA and EC in general dominate Poland's foreign policy preoccupations. Poland is the member of OECD and NATO. Therefore, the gradual consolidation of our relations with Poland with frequent consultations visits and exploration of possibilities for commercial interactions should receive our attention in the days ahead.
Trade between Nepal & Poland
The balance of trade between Nepal and Poland has not been favorable to Nepal for the past few years. The following trade figures of the past three years reflect Nepal’s exports to and imports from Poland:
| Value in Rs.'000 |
| Years |
Export |
Import |
Balance |
| 2000/2001 |
1059 |
2306 |
- 1247 |
| 2001/2002 |
3,742 |
817 |
2,924 |
| 2002/2003 |
941 |
4,973 |
- 4,032 |
| 2003/2004 |
2,765 |
335,237 |
- 332,472 |
The major goods exported to Poland from Nepal are woolen carpets, handicrafts & honey. Likewise, goods imported from Poland to Nepal include foodstuffs and steel sheets.
Polish Tourists visiting Nepal
The number of Polish tourists visiting Nepal from Poland each year is small in comparison to other European countries. Following figures show the tourist arrivals from Poland in the past few years:
| Year |
No. of tourists |
| 2001 |
1504 |
| 2002 |
1117 |
| 2003 |
1817 |
| 2004 |
1615 |
Various Polish mountaineering teams have also traveled to Nepal to climb Himalayan peaks.
Europe America Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Nepal
Last updated on April 3, 2006
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