Economy

Kathmandu is the nation's main business center and largest market. The city's economic output is worth more than NRs. 170 billion per year. Trade accounts for 21% of its finances. Manufacturing comes next in  importance with 19% Kathmandu is a major manufacturer and exporter of garments and woolen carpets, other money making sectors are agriculture (9%), education (6%), transport (6%), and hotels and restaurants (5%).

Tourism is a key component of the city's economy, thanks to the plentiful sightseeing and shopping opportunities available here. Kathmandu is Nepal's tourist gateway with almost 90 percent of the foreign visitors arriving by air at the Tribhuvan International Airport. The capital also occupies the hub of the national transport system, with road connections to various parts of the country. There are direct air links to all neighboring countries and East Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Kathmandu has been a trading city from time immemorial. Because of its in between position on the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, commerce has always been important in the lives of the inhabitants. Until not so long ago, Kathmandu's merchants used to travel in caravans across the Himalaya to run business in Lhasa of China pursuing an institutionalized tradition going back to centuries. Farming, metal casting, woodcarving, painting, waving and pottery are other popular traditional occupations.