Kathmandu, Jan 21 (IANS): Nepal's exports to neighbouring China increased by 254 percent in the first five months of the current fiscal year, officials said Monday.

According to Trade and Export Promotion Centre, rise in the demand for carpets and medicinal herbs were the main reasons for the exports' upward movement, reported Xinhua.

There was a surge of 479 percent in carpets' export, while it was an increase of 478 percent in medicinal herbs exports.

These figures were followed by the exports of metal idols (406 percent rise) and seconded by animal hide and skin (376 percent rise) and wheat flour (203 percent increase) exports, respectively.

In the review period, Nepal's exports to China reached Rs.1.21 billion (around $15 million from Rs.342.4 million (around $4 million) -- a growth of 254 percent.

Demands for Nepali goods are increasing in Tibet as well as coastal region, Suyash Khanal, director of the centre, was quoted as saying by the Republica.