Netflix and Amazon Prime Video thrive in Nepal’s grey market
Summary
Nepal's grey market for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video subscriptions thrives due to high prices and foreign currency restrictions, exposing gaps in e-commerce laws and regulatory oversight.
Key Points
- Many Nepali users buy Netflix and Amazon Prime Video subscriptions through local resellers at prices significantly lower than official rates, circumventing the need for dollar cards.
- Nepal's internet penetration exceeds population, driving growth in OTT streaming services and digital payments, creating a large potential market.
- Regulatory bodies face challenges enforcing Nepal's e-commerce, broadcasting, and tax laws on foreign and domestic digital service providers and resellers.
- The existing legal framework is fragmented with limited coordination, allowing a growing grey market for streaming services to operate amid legal uncertainties.
