Both import and export of Nepal registered negative growth during the first eight months of this fiscal year, according to Nepal's central bank.

According to a report released by the central bank Nepal Rastra Bank, and received by Xinhua on Friday, imports declined by 1.1 percent to 114.7 billion Nepali rupees (around 1.75 billion U.S. dollars), while exports went down by 6.6 percent to 39.98 billion Nepali rupees (around 0.6 billion U.S. dollars).

Decline in imports of major industrial inputs like palm oil, readymade garments and polythene granules indicated that the much needed industrial revival is unlikely anytime soon.

Almost all major exportable products ranging from readymade garments to pashmina products declined.

Local newspaper The Kathmandu Post said that the major factors affecting the foreign trade include long hours of load shedding and the unrest in south Nepal's Terai plains.