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Nepal: Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in Nepal
Business culture in Nepal is generally formal and courteous. Initial meetings usually begin with a handshake, often accompanied by the traditional greeting namaste, performed with palms pressed together. Titles and surnames are used until a more familiar relationship is established, and it is polite to address senior figures first. Exchanging business cards is common; offer and receive them with the right hand or with both hands as a sign of respect.
Punctuality is appreciated but not always strictly observed, particularly in Kathmandu where traffic can cause delays. Meetings often begin with an informal conversation, and patience is valued. Decisions may take time, as hierarchy plays an important role in Nepali organisations. Maintaining a calm, courteous manner helps build trust.
Dress tends to be conservative. Men typically wear shirts and trousers, and women should opt for modest business attire that covers shoulders and knees. Hospitality is an integral part of Nepali business culture, so visitors may be offered tea or coffee during meetings; accepting is considered polite.
Gift-giving is not essential but is appreciated, especially when visiting someone's office for the first time. Simple items such as sweets, tea, or small souvenirs from your home country are appropriate. However, gifts associated with alcohol or leather may not always be suitable, depending on the recipient's religious background.
Nepal has a developing, largely service-based economy shaped by its geography and rural population. Tourism plays a major role, with trekkers, pilgrims and wildlife enthusiasts contributing significantly to national income and local livelihoods. Agriculture remains important and employs a large share of the population, producing crops such as rice, maize, tea and cardamom. Remittances from Nepalis working abroad form a substantial part of household income and help support the domestic economy.
While infrastructure is improving, Nepal still faces challenges related to transport, energy and landlocked geography, which make imports and logistics more expensive. However, key sectors, including hydropower, telecommunications and hospitality, continue to grow, and major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara offer a wide range of services for visitors. For travellers, this means that Nepal is generally affordable, with tourism facilities steadily expanding while traditional village life remains a defining part of the country's economic landscape.
Keeping in Touch in Nepal
Mobile phone coverage in Nepal is generally good in major cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara, and along popular trekking routes, though remote mountain areas may have limited or no signal. The main operators are NTC (Nepal Telecom) and Ncell, both of which offer prepaid SIM cards that are easy to purchase at the airport or in city shops with a passport. Data packages are inexpensive and widely used by travellers. Reception varies by region, so visitors planning long treks should not rely solely on mobile networks for communication.
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, restaurants and tourist areas, though speeds can vary from excellent in cities to slow or intermittent in rural locations. Many trekking lodges also offer Wi-Fi for a small fee, but connections may be unreliable at higher altitudes. Visitors who require consistent internet access often combine local SIM data with available Wi-Fi networks. Power cuts can occasionally affect connectivity, although backup systems are common in larger hotels.
Nepal has a diverse media landscape, with newspapers, radio stations, television channels and online platforms operating in multiple languages. English-language newspapers such as The Kathmandu Post and Rising Nepal are easily found in major cities, offering useful local news for visitors. Radio remains an important source of information, especially in rural areas, while television is widely available in hotels. Online news portals and social media are popular among younger Nepalis, providing up-to-date coverage of national events. Although the media operates with relative freedom, political influences can shape reporting at times.
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