Overview
Construction of modern hospital facilities in Nepal, especially in the Kathmandu Valley, has increased, creating opportunities for U.S. exports of medical equipment, which currently account for approximately 12 percent of Nepal’s total imports during the past four years. Nepal continues to upgrade hospitals’ testing and treatment facilities and to make their services competitive. Although most imported drug and pharmaceutical products come from India, U.S. pharmaceuticals are competitive. For specialty medical services, Nepali hospitals and testing facilities are increasingly interested in importing medical equipment from the United States.
Table: Exports/Imports of Medical Equipment (U.S. $ thousands)
(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| Total Local Production | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Exports | 16,907 | 13,840 | Not available | Not available |
| Total Imports | 784,047 | 587,541 | 483,505 | 457,961 |
| Imports from the US | 62,536 | 119,625 | 912 | 1,765 |
| Total Market Size | 767,140 | 573,701 | 483,505 | 457,961 |
Source: Total Imports: UN Comtrade Database
Leading Sub-sectors
Leading subsectors include x-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, and other testing equipment as well as instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental, and veterinary science, including electro-medical and vision testing equipment.
Opportunities
The expansion of private sector medical facilities in Nepal offers significant opportunities for U.S. exporters of medical equipment and supplies. Demand for pharmaceutical products is also expected to remain high. Most pharmaceuticals are imported from India. The U.S. share of pharmaceutical imports traditionally amounts to less than one percent.