Diplomatic Relations
Nepal and Portugal established diplomatic relations on 1 September 1976. There exist cordial and friendly relations between Nepal and Portugal based on friendship, cooperation and understanding. Nepal’s Ambassador to France is concurrently accredited to Portugal. Portuguese Embassy in New Delhi is concurrently accredited to Nepal. Similarly, the countries have maintained their Honorary Consulates in each other’s capitals.
High Level Visits/Meetings:
- On the occasion of the Day of Portugal, the Rt. Hon. President of Nepal extended felicitations to the President of Portugal on 8 June 2020.
- Foreign Minister Hon. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali visited Portugal on 24-25 July 2018 and had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Augusto Santos Silva, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal.
Bilateral Consultation Mechanism
A Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between Foreign Ministries of Nepal and Portugal was signed on 25 July 2018.
Development Cooperation, Trade and Investment
Cooperation to Nepal and Portugal is channeled through the EU as its member country.
Despite potentials, the volume of bilateral trade remains at a modest level at present. The balance of trade with Portugal for the last few years has remained in favour of Portugal. The following trade figures reflect the trade transactions of Nepal with Portugal for the last few years.
Value in US $
| Year | Export | Import | Balance |
| 2015 | 200,455 | 368,280 | -167,825 |
| 2016 | 364,936 | 337,265 | 27,671 |
| 2017 | 361,659 | 997,740 | -636,081 |
| 2018 | 459,136 | 720,311 | -261,175 |
| 2019 | 178,828 | 256,534 | -77,706 |
Source: TEPC, Nepal
Major exports to Portugal are paper and paper products, woollen carpets, handicrafts, ready-made garments and accessories, and silverware and jewellery, raw hides, and percussion instruments. Likewise, Nepal’s major items of import from Portugal are deodorants, sparkling wine, medicaments, footwear, headgear, corks and stoppers.
On investment, there is 1 project on Portuguese investment of total Rs. 2.50 million creating 23 jobs until 15 July 2020.
Tourism and people to people contacts
People-to-people level relations among the two countries are evident from presence of increasing Nepali community in Portugal and number of Portuguese tourists visiting Nepal every year. At present, the number of Portuguese travelers is only a few thousands per year. Better air connectivity and promotion of Nepal in European cities would increase the visitors.
Europe and the Americas Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
August 2020