Nepal''s clothing exports to the United States fell 18 per cent last month to $8.5 million from $10.5m in the year-ago period, industry data revealed Friday.

Figures compiled by the country''s garment association showed exports to the US, which generates 80 per cent of its total overseas apparel revenue, showed a second consecutive monthly fall.

Prior to August''s one per cent slip, exports had risen for 12 months in a row. The industry employs around 100,000 people.

Association spokesman, Uday Raj Pandey, said: "The decline in garment export is mainly due to the recent political developments especially the anti-government insurgency in the country, which is likely to affect the export further."