It was a true honor to meet with Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio, along with several distinguished Cabinet members and members of the Ohio Consular Corps.

We had productive discussions on enhancing Nepal–Ohio relations, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism, and education. Ohio is increasingly becoming a top destination for Nepali students, with over 1,000 currently studying across the state’s universities.

On trade, Ohio exported around $42 million in goods to Nepal in 2022, including nearly $37 million in pharmaceutical products. By 2024, exports declined to about $3 million, with pharmaceuticals dropping sharply. On the positive side, exports of cosmetics and perfumes have seen significant growth.

From Nepal’s side, Ohio primarily imports textiles, coffee, tea, and carpets. Nepal continues to benefit from the Nepal Trade Preference Program (NTPP), allowing 77 items to enter the U.S. duty-free — a great opportunity for expanding bilateral trade.

We also discussed the growing Nepali community in Ohio and the importance of addressing their needs. Ohio has become a preferred state for many Nepali families and professionals.
I was pleased to extend a personal invitation to Governor DeWine to visit Nepal and experience its rich culture and beauty firsthand.

Special thanks to Director Lydia Mihalik and Mr. Tobias Engel, Manager of International Affairs at the Ohio Department of Development for organizing such a meaningful and well-coordinated event. Your leadership is truly appreciated.

Let us continue working together to build bridges of friendship and cooperation between Nepal and Ohio

May 27th 2025 Tuesday