Nepal's economy is historically agrarian but is increasingly driven by the service sector, particularly tourism, and remittances from citizens working abroad.
* **Business Hubs:** Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur) is the commercial, financial, and startup center. Cities in the Terai plains, like Birgunj, Biratnagar, and Bhairahawa, serve as major industrial and cross-border trade hubs with India. * **Key Sectors:** Agriculture, tourism and hospitality, hydropower, telecommunications, and garment/carpet manufacturing. * **Shopping and Commerce:** Thamel and Durbar Marg in Kathmandu are major hubs for tourism and luxury retail, respectively. Traditional commerce thrives in historical markets like Asan and Indra Chowk. Modern malls, such as Chhaya Center, Labim Mall, and Civil Mall, host international and local brands. * **Startup Ecosystem:** Kathmandu has a growing tech and startup scene, supported by incubators and a young, digitally-savvy population driving e-commerce, fintech, and logistics innovation.