Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Poland were established on 25 November 1959. The Office of the Polish Trade Representative was opened in Kathmandu in 1966, which was closed after the establishment of the residential Polish Embassy in Kathmandu in 1974. Later, the Polish Embassy in Kathmandu was shut down citing austerity as reason. Currently, the Polish Ambassador stationed in New Delhi is accredited to Nepal and the Nepali Embassy in Germany is concurrently accredited to Poland. Relations between Nepal and Poland are based on friendship, cordiality and mutual respect.

Exchange of Visits

Though small in number, there have been some visits between Poland and Nepal so as to maintain mutual and bilateral relations. In 1969, Foreign Minister G.B. Rajbhandari visited Poland and held discussions with his Polish counterpart on matters of mutual interest.

 

The then Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola led the Nepali delegation to Warsaw from 24-28 June 2000 to participate in a conference entitled ‘Towards a Community of Democracies’.  Deputy Minister of Economy Wojeich Jan Katner visited Nepal in April 1999. 

 

Bilateral Relations between Poland and Nepal

In 1966, a Trade and Payments Agreement was signed between Nepal and Poland. Areas of economic cooperation between Nepal and Poland remain to be explored in view of Poland’s accession to the European Union. Few Nepali students have studied in Poland under the Polish scholarship programme. There are some Nepali students in the medical field currently studying in Poland under the same programme. Fortunately, some Polish ladies have married Nepali nationals and have, in their own modest way, been contributing to enhance Nepal-Poland ties. Major goods exported to Poland from Nepal are woolen carpets, handicrafts and honey. Likewise, goods imported from Poland to Nepal include foodstuffs and steel sheets. 

 

Poland is a major country in Central Europe in terms of size and population, and its role in Europe for its political and economic transformation. The Polish government has given top priority to reintegrate itself to the Western world, primarily with the NATO and lately with the European Union. Germany, Russia, USA and EC in general dominate Poland’s foreign policy preoccupations. Poland is a member of OECD and NATO. Therefore, the gradual consolidation of Nepal’s relations with Poland with frequent consultation visits and exploration of possibilities for commercial interaction should receive Nepal’s attention in the days ahead.

 

Trade/Investment

The balance of trade between Nepal and Poland has not been favourable to Nepal for the past few years. The following trade figures for last few years reflect Nepal’s exports to and imports from Poland:

 

 

Tourism

Nepal has always been able to lure the tourist from various corners of the world along with Polish travelers with its alluring natural and cultural beauty, even though the number at present remains low. Potentials for promoting Nepal’s tourism market in Poland are high. Various Polish mountaineering teams have also traveled to Nepal to climb Himalayan peaks with the initiations of Nepal Poland Friendship Association (NPFA). Following is the table showing annual tourist arrivals: