Editing Economy of Nepal (section)

==Imports and exports==
Nepal's merchandise trade balance has improved somewhat since 2000 with the growth of the carpet and garment industries. In the fiscal year 2000–2001, exports posted a greater increase (14%) than imports (4.5%), helping bring the [[trade deficit]] down by 4% from the previous year to $749 million. Recently, the [[European Union]] has become the largest buyer of ready-made garments; fruits and vegetables (mostly apples, pears, tomatoes, various salads, peach, nectarine, potatoes, rice) from Nepal. Exports to the EU accounted for 46.13 percent of the country's garment exports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktm2day.com/2011/10/11/eu-is-largest-buyer-of-nepali-garments/|title=EU as Nepal's largest exporter |date=11 October 2011 |publisher=ktm2day |access-date=11 October 2011}}</ref>

The annual monsoon rain strongly influences economic growth. From 1996 to 1999, real GDP growth averaged less than 4%. The growth rate recovered in 1999, rising to 6% before slipping slightly in 2001 to 5.5%.

Strong export performance, including earnings from tourism, and external aid have helped improve the overall balance of payments and increase international reserves. Nepal receives substantial amounts of external assistance from the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>{{cite news|title=UK should cut aid to Nepal if "endemic" corruption persists: report|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-nepal-aid-corruption-idUSKBN0MN00F20150327|access-date=16 May 2015|work=Reuters|date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=DFID's bilateral programme in Nepal|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmintdev/854/85403.htm|publisher=The [[International Development Committee]] of the House of Commons|access-date=17 May 2015|date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A Conversation with Departing Nepal Chief of the UK Aid Agency|url=http://blog.com.np/2013/06/15/a-conversation-with-departing-nepal-chief-of-the-uk-aid-agency/|website=United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal|access-date=16 May 2015|date=15 June 2013}}</ref> the [[United States]], [[Japan]], [[Germany]], and the [[Nordic countries]].

Several multilateral organisations such as the [[World Bank]], the [[Asian Development Bank]], and the [[UN Development Programme]] also provide assistance. In June 1998, Nepal submitted its memorandum on a foreign trade regime to the [[World Trade Organization]] and in May 2000 began direct negotiations on its accession.