Salt Trading Corporation

Salt Trading Corporation was established in 1963 as Nepal’s first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the primary goal of ensuring the supply of iodized salt across the country an essential commodity that Nepal had to largely import due to lack of domestic production. Over time, STC expanded its operations far beyond salt: it now imports, distributes and trades a broad range of essential commodities and household staples including sugar, rice, wheat, oil, grains, LPG, paper, coal, tyres and other basic goods playing a central role in maintaining supply-chain stability and food security across Nepal. With decades of history, STC remains a major trading and distribution firm in the country. Its network spans across many regions, with branch offices in various districts to ensure nationwide reach. As a listed company on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) under the symbol “STC,” it has issued shares and maintains a paid-up capital; recent disclosures show a paid-up share base with face value of NPR 100 per share. In recent years, STC has continued to supply essential goods even as market dynamics shifted addressing government import needs as well as commercial trade demands making the corporation a significant backbone for commodity distribution in Nepal.While STC began as a salt-focused entity, its evolution into a diversified trading enterprise highlights the vital role of public-private initiatives in Nepal’s economy balancing state interest in food-security and market regulation, alongside private-sector commercial agility to meet varying demand for essential goods.