Diplomatic Relations
Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Sweden were established on June 10, 1960. The Nepalese Ambassador in Copenhagen is concurrently accredited to Sweden. Prior to the establishment of the Nepalese Embassy in Copenhagen, Nepalese Ambassador to the United Kingdom was concurrently accredited to Sweden. Similarly, Swedish Ambassador based in New Delhi is accredited to Nepal. Both the Governments have appointed Honorary Consuls in each other’s capital cities.
Sweden’s support to the movement for democracy, peace and human rights has contributed in developing close relations between the two countries. Bilateral relations between Nepal and Sweden are based on friendliness, cooperation, equality and mutual interest. Both the countries hold similar views on many international issues, have voiced for international peace and stability, and have made significant contribution to UN peacekeeping activities.
Exchange of Visits
From Nepal: A Nepalese delegation led by Hon. Minister for Water Resources visited Nordic countries including Sweden in 1985. A parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana visited Sweden in 1993. Mr. Chakra Prasad Bastola, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, paid a visit to Sweden in September 2000. Leaders have visited various cities of Sweden in connection with participation in international meetings.
From Sweden: Minister for International Development Cooperation visited Nepal in 1992. King Carl Gustav XVI and Queen Sylvia made a brief transit at the Tribhuvan International Airport in 1993. Minister of Justice Mr. Thomas Bodstrom visited Nepal in January 2004.
Cooperation
Bilateral economic cooperation between Nepal and Sweden is yet to be started at a desired level. But Sweden has been supporting Nepal indirectly through multilateral agencies on training programmes aimed at rural gainful employment activities. Sweden has been funnelling its aid through the mechanisms of the European Union (EU) as well as through Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), BITS (Swedish Commission for Technical Cooperation), NGOs and UN agencies.
Sweden, which had committed to partly finance Arun III Project that was cancelled in 1995, has co-financed the Melamchi Diversion Component. It has also provided technical assistance to Land Information System Project. A number of scholarships are being offered to Nepalese personnel involved in technical fields by various Swedish agencies.
Trade/Investment/Tourism
The balance of trade between Nepal and Sweden is in favor of Sweden in the past few years, as reflected by the following table:
| Import (Rs.)
(Jan to Dec 2017) |
Export (Rs.)
(Jan to Dec 2017) |
Import
(Jan-Dec 2018) |
Export
(Jan-Dec 2018) |
|
| Sweden | 612,593,564 | 128,926,448 | 527,196,608 | 146,182,730 |
Major export items to Sweden include carpet knotted of wool, garments, leather items and pashmina, while import items are machinery and parts and medical equipments.
Considering bright prospects of tourist arrival from the European countries, Sweden needs to be explored and developed as potential source country. Efforts should be made to increase cooperation with tour operators and travel agencies to attract more visitors from Sweden. A total of 4243 Swedish tourists visited Nepal in 2018.