New World Disorder: Trading Realities in an Uncertain and Mercurial Period

SAWTEE hosted a session on "New World Disorder: Trading Realities in an Uncertain and Mercurial Period" at Project Sambaad Bhag Dui on 12 March 2025 in Kathmandu. The session was moderated by SAWTEE’s Programme Coordinator, Ms. Dikshya Singh. The panellists included Amb. Madhu Raman Acharya, Former Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal; Mr. Shiv Raj Bhatt, Trade Expert; and Mr. Kshitiz Dahal, Senior Research Officer, SAWTEE. Project Sambaad is a collaborative initiative by a group of Nepali institutions to convene individuals and institutions to engage in critical discussions on pertinent issues affecting Nepal and the region. 

 Nepal is on the cusp of graduating from the least developed country status in 2026, with implications for market access, development assistance and policy space. Concurrently, Nepal faces an external environment where a rules-based trading system is under stress. The speakers examined what could be the implications of the new world order for Nepal. The speakers pointed out that Nepal has the capacity to ride out the volatile world order; however, it is the domestic supply-side constraints that will persist as a considerable challenge.