Overview
Imports of medical equipment have increased in recent years, with imports from the United States accounting for, on average, 12.8 percent of Nepal’s total imports during the past two years (FY 2018/19). At the same time, the number of hospitals with modern medical facilities has increased in recent years, primarily in the Kathmandu Valley, creating opportunities for medical equipment sales. These hospitals continue to upgrade their testing and treatment facilities to make their services competitive, and therefore import modern medical equipment on a regular basis. 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. Due to the weaknesses exposed by the COVID pandemic in Nepal’s health infrastructure, the Government of Nepal has increased its health budget by 45 percent for the next FY to build new hospitals as well as upgrade existing ones.
Exports/Imports of Medical Equipment and Pharmaceuticals (U. S. $ thousands)
|
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Total Local Production |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total Exports |
0 |
0 |
0 |
737,658 |
|
Total Imports |
117,351,618 |
135,858,782 |
174,323,825 |
65,594,117 |
|
Imports from the US |
13,976,641 |
17,512,655 |
22,622,799 |
6,928,165 |
|
Total Market Size |
117,351,618 |
135,858,782 |
174,323,825 |
65,594,117 |
|
Exchange Rates |
106.65 |
107.92 |
104.4 |
112.9 |
(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
Total Imports: Trade and Export Promotion Center, Nepal
Imports from U.S.: Trade and Export Promotion Center, Nepal
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 amounts to less than one percent.
Resources
Nepal Medical Council
United States International Trade Commission
Trade and Export Promotion center, Nepal