As the world is at ease, and stepping out of home, the population is rushing to stores and markets. People have resumed buying the essentials that they have been missing out in the months of lockdown. However, three and half months of lockdown has created a severe impact on the market. About 80% of hotels remained shut; tourism ratio has dropped to null; the crops have been rotten due to low export ratio; the companies have collapsed; international service chains have frozen; moving across the border is forbidden. The international trade has witnessed the downfall of 57%, due to lockdown and lack of labour force at different checkpoints. Amidst, all this the future of exports and imports remains in a mist.
Similarly, the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on international trade is inevitable. The lockdown made it hard for people to continue their professions. The economic trauma during the shutdown, falling prices in various sectors, the edge of exports and imports are severe. The World Trade Organization reports that “more than 80 countries and separate customs territories have prohibited the export of goods“. The havoc created by the pandemic is way ahead of the destruction created by the earthquake in 2015. Several people seem devastated while others are still taking the benefit of the doubt.
Saman Ghimire, the Managing Director of Al Saman International, initiated a chain to export fresh and organic vegetables and fruits to various countries around the globe. It was established in January 2018, with a vision to create a homely atmosphere for all Nepalese thriving in foreign lands and promoting Nepal in other countries by exporting products Made from Nepal. The essentials are supplied to most of the gulf countries. He quotes ” The export of vegetables and fruits to foreign lands have been difficult due to Covid-19.”
Nevertheless, he further quotes “Had there been no massive pandemic the work would go on with the same flow. The effect of shutdowns gave us a new horizon to think through. It gave us plenty of time to research and spread our wings to new places. Now, we not only supply to gulf countries, but we have also started to supply Nepali products in Australia. Soon, our products would also shine in Europe and the USA”.
The positivity that he feels towards the lockdown is a necessity to many people. He feels the pandemic would come to a halt soon and work would flow smoothly with the addition of new places, environment and culture. He also encourages young entrepreneurs to have confidence, belief and patience. Determination, persistence and motivation would help the nation to go through the post-pandemic phase.
As per the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) percentage, exports of goods and services is 8.93% whereas imports of goods and services are 46.3% in Nepal. Thousands of youngsters thriving in foreign lands have become unemployed due to economic constrictions. Many unemployed millennials are in search of employment. The youth of the country plays a vital role in shaping the homeland. Rather than importing products from the neighbours, people can come forward and tighten their hands to export homemade (Made in Nepal) products to foreign lands. It might also help in balancing the import and export ratio of Nepal.
