Author: Editorial Desk

Nepal conducted foreign trade with more than 164 countries in the fiscal year 2024/25, but the country struggled with large trade deficits against most of its partners. According to the Department of Customs, Nepal achieved a trade surplus with only 37 countries, while the overall trade imbalance reached Rs. 1,527.09 billion. Despite the gap, Nepal’s exports showed a sharp rise, climbing 81.80% compared with the previous year to Rs. 277.03 billion. This growth was overshadowed by imports, exposing structural weaknesses in domestic production and the lack of export diversification. The highest trade surplus was recorded with Afghanistan at Rs. 686…

India’s trade minister has said the country will not “bow down” to the United States following Washington’s decision to impose steep new tariffs on Indian exports, vowing instead to focus on new markets. Speaking at a construction industry event in New Delhi on Friday, Piyush Goyal said India remained open to trade deals but would not compromise its position. “We are always ready if anyone wants to have a free trade agreement with us. But India will neither bow down nor ever appear weak,” he declared. “We will continue to move together and capture new markets.” The comments came after…

Vietnam’s outlook for imports, exports, and cargo throughput via seaports is expected to remain favorable in the coming months, supported by competitive tariff advantages and expanding Vietnam logistics operations. The United States currently applies a reciprocal tariff rate of 20% on Vietnam, considerably lower than China’s 55% and India’s 25%, and aligned with Bangladesh. Vietnamese exporters are also capitalizing on the country’s extensive free trade agreement network, enabling more flexible and efficient operations. As the global economy recovers, demand for trade is projected to rise, further stimulating import-export activity and the wider logistics supply chain. Shinhan Securities forecasts that higher…

Tanzania’s pigeon pea market is under pressure from a sharp fall in prices, driven by a global surplus and India’s policy of extending duty-free imports. According to the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX), the combination of abundant supply from East Africa and Canada and New Delhi’s continued open import window has created downward pressure on prices. TMX Chief Executive Officer Godfrey Malekano said that despite the decline, India remains a crucial market for Tanzanian farmers. “Global supply has outpaced demand, and this has inevitably dragged prices down,” he explained. “For our farmers, the Indian market remains a lifeline, but the challenge…

The Central Government of India on Monday extended the exemption of cotton import duty (HS 5201) until December 31, 2025. This move aimed at ensuring raw material availability for the textile industry and providing relief to exporters facing global trade challenges. The decision follows the imposition of 50% tariffs by the United States, set to take effect on Wednesday, which will push the effective duty on Indian apparel exports to 64%. Industry representatives warned that the new trade barrier could severely affect shipments to the U.S., India’s largest garment export market. The government had earlier waived the 11% duty on…

Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has reaffirmed the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) A-issuer credit rating with a stable outlook, citing the institution’s strong strategic positioning, consistent profitability, and prudent risk management. The agency said it expects the bank’s credit standing to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months despite external macroeconomic challenges. In its assessment, JCR highlighted Afreximbank’s resilient capital base, sound liquidity policies, and ability to maintain operations effectively in complex environments. Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, welcomed the decision, noting that the affirmation strengthens the bank’s access to diverse funding sources, including Japan’s…

Malaysia’s palm oil industry is set to remain bullish in the near term on stronger exports and easing inventories, according to Fastmarkets Palm Oil Analytics senior analyst Sathia Varqa. Sathia said crude palm oil (CPO) prices are likely to stay elevated, trading between RM4,200 and RM4,500 per ton, driven by global trade uncertainties and unclear United States biofuel policy. Import tariffs and shifting trade barriers in major economies have disrupted flows of competing edible oils, tightening supply in key markets, amplifying risk premiums, and spurring speculative buying that has reinforced CPO price momentum. “A notable example is China’s move to…

Bangladesh should broaden its export base within and beyond ready-made garments by moving into mid-tier technology sectors, according to Aditya Gahlaut, head of Asia for Global Trade Solutions at HSBC. In an interview with The Daily Star during a recent visit to Dhaka, Gahlaut said exports are vital to the economy, not only for foreign currency but also for employment. He noted Bangladesh’s reliance on cotton garments even as global demand shifts towards man-made fibers. “There is obviously a need to diversify within the ready-made garment space, and there are markets which are unexplored, whether it is Southeast Asia or…

India has overtaken China to become the largest smartphone exporter to the United States, a shift that underscores the rapid expansion of India’s electronics manufacturing sector and the success of government-backed initiatives to strengthen its role as a global technology hub. Trade data from January to June 2025 shows that India shipped smartphones worth $2.1 billion to the U.S., surpassing China’s $1.7 billion over the same period. This development highlights how shifting global supply chains, rising labor costs in China, and geopolitical concerns are driving U.S. buyers to diversify their sources of consumer electronics. Industry analysts point to the decisive…

The Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS) has intensified efforts to expand the country’s textile and ready-to-wear garment exports following high-level talks between Abdel Aziz Elsherif, Head of the ECS, and Fadel Marzouk, Chairperson of the Apparel Export Council of Egypt (AECE). The discussions focused on strengthening Egypt’s competitiveness in global markets amid ongoing disruptions to international trade and supply chains. Elsherif stressed the need for closer coordination between the ECS and industry export councils, highlighting the pivotal role of Egypt’s overseas commercial offices. These offices, which provide vital market research, technical requirements, and regulatory updates, are set to be more actively…