Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Brazil was established on 7 February 1976. Nepal established its residential embassy in Brasilia on 21 January 2010. Similarly, Brazil opened its residential embassy in Nepal on 30 September 2011. Nepal and Brazil have always enjoyed friendly relations. Notwithstanding the geographical distance, both the countries hold similar views to promote the interests of developing countries in order to achieve the objective of a just and equitable world.
The two countries concluded Agreements on Technical Cooperation, Visa Exemption for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports and the establishment of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism in 2011.
Exchange of Visits
The then Prime Minister Late Girija Prasad Koirala led a Nepali delegation to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992.
The then Minister for Health Mr. Sharat Singh Bhandari paid a visit to Brazil from 29 to 31 January 2002.
The then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Upendra Yadav visited Brazil on August 13, 2011.
A Nepalese delegation led by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai paid an official visit to Brazil to participate in Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro from 20 to 22 June, 2012.
Foreign Secretary Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi visited Brazil to participate at the first meeting of the Bilateral consultation Mechanism(BCM) between the Foreign Ministries of Nepal and Brazil held on 25 January in Brasilia.
Undersecretary General for Asian Affairs of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry Ms. Maria Edileuza Fentenele Reise visited Nepal from 1 to 3 April 2012.
Brazil’s Federal Senator Mr. Cristovam Buarque visited Nepal in March 2015 in connection with his participation in a child rights conference in March 2015.
Cooperation
There has been no significant cooperation in the economic field between the two countries. However, there has been exchange of experiences in the past between the two governments in the field of South-South Cooperation in which Brazil has been taking a lead in that region.
As Brazil is said to have the world’s largest hydropower potentials, Nepal may benefit from the experience and expertise acquired by Brazil in harnessing water resources. Both the countries can explore the opportunities for cooperation in the areas of mutual interest such as agriculture and agro-business, joint venture in industries, trade, tourism and transfer of technology, among others.
Trade and Investment
The Major items of the Nepalese export to Brazil constitute handbags, handmade papers, carpet, animal or vegetable fats, skins, clothing, works of art, etc. Nepal imports dairy and meat produce, edible vegetables, coffee, oil seeds, machinery and mechanical appliances, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus.
A private sector delegation of Nepal-Brazil Chamber of Commerce and Industries visited Brazil from 23 August to 6 September 2015 and held B2B meetings with Brazilian businessmen.
With Brazil, we have a negative trade balance which is widening up in the past few years, as shown in the following table (In USD):
| Year | Export | Import | Balance |
| 2015 | 893,724 | 20,617,579 | -19,723,855 |
| 2016 | 455,288 | 41720344 | -41,265,056 |
| 2017 | 456,253 | 19,261,176 | -18,804,923 |
| 2018 | 309,176 | 53,838,139 | -532,58,963 |
| 2019 | 140,862 | 12,344,842 | -12,203,980 |
(Source: TEPC, Nepal)
Investment: As of 15 July 2020, Rs. 516 million FDI has been received from the Brazil, which is invested in 9 different projects and they have generated 644 jobs. (Department of Industry)
Tourism
The number of Brazilian tourists visiting Nepal is low in comparison to other G20 members. However, there exists a vast potential of attracting travellers from Brazil in Nepal’s adventure tourism.
Europe and the Americas Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
August 2020