Understanding Trade Digitization Landscape of Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities

This study uses both qualitative case study method and quantitative survey design to understand the existing digital landscape of trade in Nepal. The study carried in two custom points Kerung and Sunauli border shows that proper digital border policy between Nepal and her neighboring country is hitherto lacking. Addressing this gap will improve information exchange, trade, and cooperation among the neighboring countries and further enhance the digital governance, transparency, and citizen engagement, contributing to greater accountability and efficiency in government operations. For this purpose the government should invest more on infrastructure building from the supply side. Meanwhile the survey of traders shows that from demand side degree of training and support received, frequency of glitches and ability to track goods significantly affects the satisfaction level in adopting digital technologies. In this regard, the study shows that only introducing digital platforms is not enough rather, empowering the traders in adopting it by reducing the learning curve is equally important.