- Saturday, 30 August 2025
Kathmandu, June 10: During the ten months of Fiscal Year 2024/25, remittance inflows increased 13.2 percent to Rs.1356.61 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 16.9 percent in the same period of the previous year.
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated this in its report entitled ‘Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal (Based on Ten Months Data Ending Mid-May 2024/25)’ published today.
During mid-April to mid-May 2025 (Baisakh, 2082), remittance inflows stood at Rs.165.30 billion. In the same period of previous year, such inflows amounted to Rs. 115.99 billion.
In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 10.5 percent to 9.96 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 14.8 percent in the same period of the previous year.
Net secondary income (net transfer) reached Rs.1479.08 billion in the review period compared to Rs.1301.75 billion in the same period of the previous year, it is stated.
In the review period, the number of Nepali workers, both institutional and individual, taking first time approval for foreign employment stands at 405,610 and taking approval for renew entry stands at 280,314.
In the previous year, such numbers were 373,307 and 236,398 respectively.
Current Account, BoP remains at surplus
The current account remained at a surplus of Rs.255.93 billion in the review period compared to asurplus of Rs.193.31 billion in the same period of the previous year.
In the US Dollar terms, thecurrent account registered a surplus of 1.89 billion in the review period against a surplus of1.45 billion in the same period last year.
In the review period, net capital transfer amounted to Rs.8.48 billion. In the same period of the previous year, such transfer amounted to Rs.5.26 billion.
Similarly, in the review period, Rs.10.6 billion foreign direct investment (equity only) was received. In the same period of the previous year, foreign direct investment inflow (equity only) amounted to Rs.7.05 billion.
Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs.438.52 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of Rs.392.64 billion in the same period of the previous year.
In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 3.23 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of 2.95 billion in the same period of the previous year.
Foreign Exchange Reserves
The NRB report showed that the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 23.1 percent to Rs.2512.95 billion in mid-May 2025 from Rs.2041.10 billion in mid-July 2024.
In the US dollar terms, the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 20.5 percent to 18.40 billion in mid-May 2025 from 15.27 billion in mid-July 2024.
Of the total foreign exchange reserves, the reserves held by NRB increased 19.6 percent to Rs.2211.11 billion in mid-May 2025 from Rs.1848.55 billion in mid-July 2024.
Reserves held by banks and financial institutions (except NRB) increased 56.8 percent to Rs.301.83 billion in mid-May 2025 from Rs.192.55 billion in mid-July 2024. The share of Indian currency in total reserves stood at 21.2 percent in mid-May 2025.
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Hilly region forecasted to have generally cloudy weather
Kathmandu, June 10: The western and central belts of the country are witnessing impacts of westerly and local winds. However, most of the places in Koshi Province have the impact of monsoon wind, according to Weather Forecasting Division.
The weather service shared that the hilly regions of Koshi and Lumbini Provinces will be generally cloudy, while rest of the places are predicted to have a clear weather. The hilly regions are likely to see light rainfall with lightning and thunder in some places.
Similarly, few places in the upper hilly and mountainous regions are forecasted to have light rain and snowfall.
Coming night, it will have partly to generally cloudy weather in Koshi, Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces, while rest of the places remain fair to partly cloudy.
The upper hilly and mountainous regions of Karnali Province are forecasted to have light rain and snowfall, the Division added.
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Locals demand road upgrading
Palpa, June 10: The youths from Nisdi rural municipality of Palpa district have demanded upgrading of a local road. They staged a sit-in at the office of the local level to exert pressure on their representatives.
The dwellers here have been facing sheer inconvenience for not having a good road section stretching from Rampur Beldanda to Mityal Arunkhola via Dhunganabensi. This road establishes links to Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces as well.
The Nawalpur section of roadway has been upgraded, but the delay in upgrading the Palpa section have forced locals to mount pressure on their representatives.
It is worrying that the roadway with opening of track before five decades is awaiting improvement. A local Kamal Saru said they were pressing the local government to forward activities to upgrade and blacktop the roadway.
“We, the people from Nisdi, are gifted with dust and mud, causing much hassles. Why are people’s representatives not paying heed to it,” he shared the plight. The youths demonstrated carrying placards. As the local government is preparing a budget for coming fiscal year, they are for prioritizing the upgrading of this road section.
However, Chairman of Nisdi rural municipality, Mukta Bahadur Saru, said the road section was under the federal government, so the province and local governments could not spend on their own for the enhancement of road quality. He blamed the federal government for not allocating budget to maintain road standard.
Saru, however, said the rural municipality would prod the concerned bodies to advance the process as per people’s demand. The locals have been expressing dismay over the ignorance to their demands despite repeated prodding.
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Agriculture knowledge centre’s training on alternative to pesticide use
Tanahu, June 10: In the wake of increasing use of chemicals to produce cereals, vegetables and fruits, the Agriculture Knowledge Centre here has launched an integrated pesticide management (IPM) system to reduce the use of pesticide.
Information officer and agronomist at the Centre, Kiran Pariyar, said they were inculcating knowledge and skills to the farmers by adopting the ‘learning by doing: seeing by believing’ principle. The farmers are instructed in the very agricultural fields.
An IPM programme was launched to make aware the farmers engaged in agricultural production.
Chief of the Centre, Gopal Sharma Lamichhane, informed that the farmers were taught on how the use of pesticide could be reduced so that its adverse impact on human health and agro products would be prevented. “It is time to teach about alternative to chemicals. So, we’ve provided orientation on impacts of pesticide, possible option and marketing of the products free of pesticide use.”
He further informed that farmers were asked to practically continue what they learned during the training. Both theoretical and practical sessions are held in the 16-day-long training.
The Centre coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperative in Gandaki Province to organize an IPM event where the farmers from Kunchali village of Byas municipality were trained on planting trees, plucking fruits and marketing the products. Total 24 farmers were trained on production of pesticide-free vegetables and fruits.
Mayor of Byas municipality, Baikuntha Neupane, viewed agriculture is the best alternative to create jobs. He, however, worried, “Imported things, reported to have laced with chemicals, are dominating market.”
Neupane stressed that the IPM technology is essential to reduce pesticide use. All farmers from across the district need such training.
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Monetary policy addresses economic problems: Governor Paudel
Kailali, June 10: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Dr Bishwanath Paudel has said the forthcoming monetary policy would come in a way to bring reform in economic sector.
During a programme organized by Dhangadhi Branch of NRB on Monday, Governor Paudel discussed with businesspersons, organizations, borrowers and other concerned stakeholders. Various incidents created problems in national economy, he said, adding that the concerns would be identified and correction measures taken accordingly.
He informed that he had aimed at preparing a policy based on people’s problems. The governor said he arrived here to know about the public complaints relating to national economy.
“Monetary policy addresses the concerns shown by the stakeholders,” he pledged, underlining the need to improve relations among bank and financial institutions and the businesspersons so that national economy would be dynamic.
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Belauri municipality closes schools for two days to avoid scorching heat
Kanchanpur, June 10: Belauri municipality of Kanchanpur district has decided to close all schools for two days in a bid to avoid scorching heat. The local level said the schools would remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday in the wake of rising temperature.
The decision was made considering the health of school teachers, students and employees, according to Mayor Potilal Chaudhari. The school closure will be adjusted with summer holidays.
He added that all community and institutional schools would be closed for two days.
It has been difficult for some days to walk outside owing to increasing temperature. People’s movement is limited during day time. The health workers also informed that the locals were complaining nausea, conjunctivitis and fever of late.
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Budget and federalism: Still one-sided in distribution of resources, indifference to devolution of power
Kathmandu, June 10: The budget brought recently by the federal government for the fiscal year, 2082/83 has been commented as an insubstantial document in terms of enforcing fiscal federalism.
The speakers and experts at a programme on ‘Budget from federal lens’ organized by the Federalism and Localization Centre in the federal capital on Monday argued the budget was still slow off the mark to allocate power and resources to the sub-national governments.
“The budget was brought, reflecting a unitary system, thereby denting fiscal federalism,” argued Upendra Yadav, Chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party. He complained the provincial and local governments were deprived of resources. The access and influence to power were determining factors behind the allocation of budget, he blamed.
Former Finance Minister Barshaman Pun said if the concept of project bank was not enforced effectively, it would adversely impact entire project plan and management process. He further said the projects could be selected based on government strategies and perspective plan, but leaders’ and ministers’ priorities could derail it.
Chairman of Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, Santosh Chalise, however, said the Committee repeatedly discussed the points for budget, which were later incorporated in the budget. “Most of the provinces and local levels are dependent on central government for fund, which is not sustainable for long run,” he observed.
National Assembly lawmaker Kamala Pant said although the budget was positive in average, it is challenging to secure resources for impactful enforcement. She argued, “Budget has failed to reflect financial discipline irrespective of the suggestion from auditing agency.” It seems almost impossible to achieve sustainable development goals in four years, according to her.
Former lawmaker Dil Kumari Thapa Rawal commented that the budget failed to address pressing concerns- the implementation of constitution and federalism. “Only political federalism does not suffice, but a robust fiscal federalism,” she reminded.
Former member of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Federalism and Localization Centre, Dr Khim Lal Devkota, also asserted that budget was away from the spirit of constitution and federal structure. Although the local and provincial governments have exclusive rights, implementation is weak. Fiscal devolution is much awaited, he stressed.
Also the expert on fiscal federalism, Dr Devkota further claimed, “Revenue system is still old- guided by the same centralized/unitary system. There is random cuts on equalization grants now though the federal government had earlier launched such grant. On the other hand, the conditional loan is excessive, which hinders the autonomy of province and local governments to take decisions on their own.”
In the programme, HoR member and CPN UML leader Yogesh Bhattarai admitted that most of the political parties were still sticking to the centralized perspective despite having federalism in place.
Former Secretary Bidyadhar Mallik observed that government ignored poor class and citizens in the budget. The conditions on conditional grants must be reduced, he underlined.
Deputy General Secretary of Municipality Association of Nepal, Sunita Dangol, commented that there is a vertical imbalance in fiscal federalism in Nepal.
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Nepal taking on Netherlands in ICC World Cup Cricket League-2 today
Kathmandu, June 10: Nepal is playing its fourth and final match today against the Netherlands in a triangular ODI series under the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 today.
The match to be held at Forthill Cricket Ground in Dundee, Scotland will start at 3:45 pm Nepal time. Nepal, having won the first two matches of the series, is in search of its third victory today.
In the last match, Nepal was defeated by Scotland by two runs. Earlier, Nepal had defeated Scotland by one run and the Netherlands by five wickets. On the other hand, the Netherlands is aiming for their first victory. The Netherlands lost to Scotland by 44 runs.
Nepal is in seventh place in the league with 10 points from 15 matches. The Netherlands is in second place with 26 points from 22 matches. The league, featuring eight different teams, will run until 2027.
The top four teams of this league will qualify directly for the global qualifiers of the World Cup. The four teams at the bottom will have to play playoff matches to qualify for the World Cup.
The Nepali team includes captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Asif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Shah, Basir Ahmad, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, Karan K.C., Kushal Bhurtel, Bhim Sarki, Arif Sheikh, Gulshan Jha, Nandan Yadav, Rijan Dhakal, and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi.
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Socialist revolution in a new phase: Maoist Centre Chair Dahal
Kathmandu, June 10: Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has asserted that the party has been launching a campaign to reconnect it with the people in order to take the socialist revolution to a new phase by correcting the mistakes and weakness the party committed in the past.
At a programme organized here today to welcome new entrants to the CPN (Maoist Centre), Chair Dahal shared that the Maoist Centre is in the campaign of good governance, social justice and prosperity.
“The party has been launching a campaign to reconnect the party with the people by correcting its mistakes and weaknesses. I urge all to involve in this campaign,” he mentioned.
Welcoming the leaders and cadres of Janata Samajbadi Party, Karnali, including Karnali Province Chair Devi Krishna Neupane to the party, the CPN (Maoist Centre) expressed the belief that joining the party by leaders and cadres of different political parties has added energy and enthusiasm in the campaign.
He opined that people have trusted the CPN (Maoist Centre), adding appropriate responsibility would be given to those joining the party.
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NNJS-Orbis Digital Training Hub Project launched
Kathmandu, June 10: A Digital Training Hub Project, a joint initiative of the Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh (NNJS) and the Orbis International India has been launched in Biratnagar Eye Hospital.
It is said that the Project aims to enhance ophthalmic training in Nepal through digital tools, wet lab upgrade and the Cybersight platform.
The initiative is said to be the first of its kind in the country.
The major objective of the Project is to develop skilled human resources in the eye healthcare by providing ‘world-class’ training on ‘clinical,’ ‘paramedics,’ management, and administrative staff.
The project is said to be for especially supporting those who are unable to attend international training due to various issues such as time and financial constraints, language barriers, or other reasons. Furthermore, it is believed that the graduates of the training will have significant contribution to eliminating preventable blindness in Nepal through medical intervention.
NNJS Secretary General Bharat Bahadur Chand and Orbis International India’s Director of Programme, Dr Rhishi Raj Borah, recently signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding in Biratnagar. The collaboration between the two organizations aims to develop Nepal as a ‘digital’ training hub for eye care treatment, it has been said.
According to Chand, under the Project, world-standard training targeting will be conducted for the target groups. He shared about the future plans of conducting training in various languages of different countries on the need basis.
As suggested by the Orbis International on its website, the goal of the Project is to increase the capacity of eye health professionals and health systems to treat and prevent blindness and visual impairment.
During the signing-in ceremony, Dr Borah said, “Nepal has achieved an exemplary progress in the area of eye health and treatment. This project will be implemented here in collaboration with Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh,” he said as quoted by the NJSN.
Participants in the training can attend physically or via a blended learning approach from their working stations. The training which will be assisted by advanced technologies will include cataract, anterior segment, vitreoretina, glaucoma, optometry science, eye health programme management, wet lab management, and more.
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Monsoon shifts to East Asia from Koshi Province
Kathmandu, June 10: The monsoon had entered Nepal from Koshi Province on May 29 which was 15 days before the usual onset date. But the monsoon has now returned to East Asia from Koshi province.
A meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division said the monsoon wind has shifted to East Asia from Koshi province of Nepal due to formation of a strong low-pressure area there.
Meteorologist Govinda Jha shared, “The monsoon has shifted to East Asia mainly towards the Philippines. There is still no possibility of the monsoon spreading in Nepal for few more days.”
Soon after entering of the monsoon, heavy rainfall occurred in the eastern Nepal on May 31. The flood in Leuti rivulet following the heavy rainfall had swept away 100 meters road along Dharan-Dhankuta road section.
Similarly, 22 houses were also swept away by Mai rivulet in Jhapa. Thereafter, rainfall has not taken place in the eastern Nepal. However, local and westerly wind is active in west and central region.
Jha added that monsoon has not entered Nepal as westerly wind is still strong. Monsoon wind carrying water vapour from the Bay of Bengal enters Nepal, but it is weak now. Temperature is increasing across the country due to weak monsoon system.
Such monsoon ‘break’ is not a good sign, which might cause heavy rainfall in some places and drought in other places, he opined.
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270-MW semi-reservoir-based project to be developed in Bheri
Kathmandu, June 10: A 270-megawatt semi-reservoir based hydropower project is to be developed in the Bheri River in between Nalgadh municipality in Jajarkot and Aathbiskot municipality in Rukum West.
The China Gezhouba Group Company Limited will be developing the Project and the Environment Impact Assessment Report regarding the project was discussed at the Ministry of Forests and Environment today.
During the discussions on the report at the recommendation committee determined by the Environment Protection Act- 2076 BS, Ministry joint-secretary Dhirendra Kumar Pradhan proposed to implement the project by ensuring that local bio-diversities and the livelihood of locals and indigenous peoples is affected less by the project.
Under-Secretary Ramesh Basnet said the environmental study report is a scientific and legal document to be prepared for the sustainable operation of the project, just being a formal report.
Experts from various fields including bio-diversity, socio- economic and culture, and pisciculture gave their views on the document.
NRAC Executive Director Dr Jyoti Prasad Gajurel said 24.75 hectares of land will be used for the project that required the removal of 152 trees if it is implemented. NRAC is the authorized body for carrying out the environmental study of the project.
According to him, a 38-metre-high dam will be constructed to store water for six hours and the project is expected to get complete in five years. Its estimated cost is Rs 46 billion. The powerhouse of the project will be based in Jyamire of Aathbisakot rural municipality in Rukum West, and a seven-kilometer tunnel will be constructed.
It has been said that that to approach the project site, an 11-kilometer auxiliary route needs to be constructed from the main road. Likewise, three Bailey bridges will need to be constructed over the river.
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13 Nepali books to be translated into Chinese language
Kathmandu, June 10: Thirteen Nepali literature creations have been selected for translation into the Chinese language as well as for selling and distribution in China.
As per the bilateral agreement signed between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal and the National Administration of Press and Publication of China, 13 Nepali literary creations have been selected for the same, said Member-Secretary of the Nepal Academy, Dr Dhan Prasad Subedi.
The bilateral agreement between the Culture Ministry of Nepal and Publication of China was signed regarding translation and publication of classical texts from the two countries during China visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in 2080.
‘Laxmi Nibandha Sangraha’ of Laxmi Prasad Devkota, ‘Chapaiyeka Anuhar’ of Daulat Bikram Bista, ‘Himal Sherpa Ra Yeti’ of Bhishma Upreti, ‘Nepal Ko Samchhipta Britanta’ of Baburam Acharya, ‘Maile Dekheko Nepal’ of Dr Harka Gurung, ‘Alikhit’ of Dhurba Chandra Gautam, ‘Yesto Hos Jeevansaili’ of Dr Raju Adhikari, ‘Chuli’ of Saru Bhakta, ‘Jeevan Bata Jeevan Sikau’ of Sulochana Manandhar, ‘Kalakar Araniko’ of Satya Mohan Joshi, ‘Jane Hoena Dai Alapot?’ of Manjul, ‘Hamro Samaj Ek Adhyayan’ of Janak Lal Sharma and ‘Sabai Jaat Ko Phoolbari’ of Dor Bahadur Bista have been selected for the same.
Similarly, 13 Chinese books have also been selected for the translation into Nepali language and their publication. The books are—’Reading Guide for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’, Seventy Years of New China’, ‘The Origins of Chinese Civilization’, ‘The Annotated Critical Laozi’, ‘Selected Stories of Jia’, ‘Xi and How the CPC Works in China’, ‘White Dear Plane’, ‘Red Sorghum’, ‘The Straw House’, ‘The Magic God’, ‘Eastern and Western Culture and Philosophies’, and ‘The Brief History of Ancient Chinese Architecture’ , according to the Academy.
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Y-o-Y Consumer Price Inflation recorded at 2.77 percent in 10 months
Kathmandu, June 10: The year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer price inflation stood at 2.77 percent in mid-May 2025 compared to 4.40 percent a year ago, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated in its report ‘Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal (Based on Ten Months Data Ending Mid-May 2024/25)’ today.
Similarly, food and beverage inflation stood at 1.52 percent whereas nonfood and service inflation stood at 3.45 percent in the review month. During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased 6.41 percent and 3.09 percent, respectively.
During the review month, y-o-y price index in rural areas increased 3.21 percent, while in urban areas, it rose 2.61 percent.
Based on provinces, in the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in Koshi Province is 4.29 percent, Madhesh Province 2.81 percent, Bagmati Province 2.40 percent, Gandaki Province 2.23 percent, Lumbini Province 2.15 percent, Karnali Province 2.21 percent, and Sudurpashchim Province 3.14 percent.
In the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region surged to 2.64 percent, 2.64 percent, 2.65 percent and 4.01 percent respectively.
Wholesale Price Inflation (WPI)
The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 3.95 percent in mid-May 2025 compared to 5.68 percent a year ago. The y-o-y wholesale price of consumption goods increased 10.89 percent while intermediate goods and capital goods increased 0.10 percent and 2.73 percent respectively. The y-o-y wholesale price of construction material increased 2.67 percent in the review month, the report stated.
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Committee recommends government to adjust drug prices every two years
Kathmandu, June 10: A committee formed to recommend to the government about the adjustments of prices of medicines today submitted its report to Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel.
Presenting the report, Committee coordinator Dr Poshraj Pandey said the government has been recommended to adjust the prices of medicines in each two year.
Receiving the document, the Health Minister said the medicines prices adjustment committee was formed with the realisation that prices of some drugs may be high in absence of the in-depth review on it for long.
According to the Private Secretariat of the Health Minister, on the occasion the Minister expressed his hope that the report will also be helpful in improving the quality of medicines, its management and achieving good governance in the relevant area. As he said, the Ministry is working to ensure that needy gets medicines at appropriate prices.
Health Ministry Secretary Dilli Ram Sharma stressed the need of cooperation from all quarters to implement the document.
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Sompal and Gulshan sustain injuries, Nandan to debut in ODI Cricket
Kathmandu, June 10: Sompal Kami and Gulshan Jha are missing today’s match against the Netherlands under ICC World Cup League-2 underway in Scotland. Both of them sustained injuries in course of practice.
“Sompal and Gulshan will miss today’s match as well as all matches of T20I Tri-Series after they sustained injuries in course of practice match,” reads a press release issued today by Spokesperson of the Cricket Association of Nepal, Chhumbi Lama.
Sompal has sustained injury in the right hand while Gulshan on his knee and they will not play today’s match against the Netherlands as well as all the matches of T20I Tri-Series.
Meanwhile, medium pace bowler Nandan Yadav from the Nepali National Cricket Team has made his debut in the One-Day International Cricket underway in Scotland.
He is playing today’s match against the Netherlands under ICC World Cup League-2. Assistant Coach of Nepali National Cricket Team, Gyanendra Malla, handed over debut cap to Yadav. He is the 42nd cricketer to represent Nepal in ODI cricket.
Yadav got chance to play the match after fast bowler Sompal Kami got injured in course of practice.
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Finance Minister insists on reforms through consistency in fiscal and monetary policies
Kathmandu, June 10: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has stressed the need to strengthen the relationship between the Ministry of Finance and Nepal Rastra Bank.
He urged both parties to work together in improving the national economy through better coordination between financial and monetary policies.
In his address at a pre-monetary policy discussion organized by Chanakya Media Pvt Limited here today, he highlighted the importance of coherence between the government’s economic and fiscal policies and the Central Bank’s monetary policy, adding that achievement of shared goals should be the priority.
The Finance Minister argued that our State system has not imagined about the lack of coordination and coherence between the government’s policies and those of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
The absence of a proper mutual balance between these entities has been a growing concern. Instead, the system envisions close and dynamic relations between officials on both sides, he asserted.
The current governance framework expects proper balance and coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, he stated. “However, there have been criticisms regarding deviations from sound monetary governance. Questions have arisen concerning the state of monetary governance, prompting a need for self-assessment to identify failures in maintaining effective monetary governance.”
Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, a member of the National Planning Commission, said that the monetary policy for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on increasing loan disbursement and stimulating demand across the market, particularly in light of the recent reduction in bank interest rates.
He also hinted the possibility of a surge in bank deposits coupled with a continuous decline in interest rates, which could result in a capital flight.
Currently, the interest rate on bank deposits stands at approximately 4.45 percent, the lowest since 2073 BS, and is close to the existing inflation rate, according to him.
He stressed that monetary policy should be aligned with the budget’s recommendations to support overall economic improvement.
Former Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Maha Prasad Adhikari, claimed that the central bank has been strong in matters of governance.
“If all institutions reach the level of governance that the NRB has achieved in terms of good governance, then the face of the country will change,” he said.
Nepal Insurance Authority Chairperson Sharad Ojha expressed the view that any policy-making should be done with the general public at the center.
He said that some interventions have been initiated for improvements in the insurance sector, and it will take time to see the results.
NRB Deputy Governor Bam Bahadur Mishra said that the central bank is working to adopt different approaches for regulating banks and financial institutions and for carrying out monetary policy.
He stated that the central bank has been discussing topics such as the operation of foreign exchange in the regulatory area, amendments to the guidelines for working capital loans, restructuring of loans, and recapitalization.
Anjan Shrestha, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that due to the declining private sector investment and credit expansion, some facilitative measures need to be introduced through the monetary policy of the upcoming fiscal year.
“Even when interest rates have decreased, loans are still not being invested. This is because the private sector lacks self-confidence. The industrialists and businessmen who took loans at high interest rates in the past are in trouble,” Shrestha said adding that along with the production capacity of industries, the capacity to take loans has also decreased. “In such a situation, banks not only need to provide loans but also need to invest their own capital.”
Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, the President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce complained that unstable policies are causing problems for the private sector.
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Merchandise trade up 72.7 percent in 10 months of FY 2024/25
Kathmandu, June 10: During the ten months of 2024/25, merchandise exports increased 72.7 percent to Rs. 217.91 billion against a decrease of 3.6 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
The NRB report, ‘Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal (Based on Ten Months Data Ending Mid-May 2024/25)’, published today, states that destination-wise, exports to India, China and other countries increased 104.7 percent, 5.1 percent and 4.2 percent respectively.
Exports of soyabean oil, polyster yarn and thread, tea, jute goods, and oil cakes, among others increased whereas exports of palm oil, zinc sheet, readymade garments, juice, and cardamom, among others decreased in the review period.
During the ten months of 2024/25, merchandise imports increased 13.1 percent to Rs.1474.19 billion against a decline of 2.4 percent a year ago.
Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 7.9 percent, 15.1 percent and 28.3 percent respectively. Imports of crude soyabean oil, rice/paddy, edible oil, transport equipment, vehicle and spare parts, sponge iron, among others increased whereas imports of petroleum products, gold, electrical equipment, chemical fertilizer, and coal among others decreased in the review period.
On the export side, exports from all other major custom points have increased except for Jaleshwor, Kanchanpur, and Tatopani.
On the import side, imports from all major customs points including Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Dry port, Jaleshwor, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Krishnanagar, Mechi, Nepalgunj, Rasuwa, and Tribhuwan Airport customs offices have increased.
Trade deficit up 6.7 percent
Total trade deficit increased 6.7 percent to Rs.1256.28 billion during the ten months of 2024/25. Such a deficit had decreased 2.3 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 14.8 percent in the review period from 9.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.
During the ten months of 2024/25, merchandise imports from India against payment in convertible foreign currency amounted Rs.152.48 billion. Such amount was Rs.122.02 billion in the same period of the previous year.
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Former PM Dr Bhattarai, leader Thapa observe RSS Photo Expo
Kathmandu, June 10: Chairperson of the Nepal Socialist Party and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said the photo exhibition organized by RSS would help make Nepal renown in the world.
After observing the photo exhibition organized by RSS under the theme ‘Mountain Tourism: Our Pride, Our Identity’ on the occasion of 18th Republic Day, here today, Chairperson Bhattarai mentioned, “Specially journalists of RSS have reached close to the high-mountain regions and captured the pictures of the highest mountain ranges in the world beautifully. Such photos will help make the country renown in the world.”
The photo expo would encourage Nepalis themselves to know the country and visit such places, he opined, adding, “There is global discussion about environmental destruction. The government had recently organized Sagarmatha Sambaad and the photo exhibition would take it ahead.”
Similarly, Executive Chairperson of the RSS, Dharmendra Jha, expressed belief that the photo expo of RSS would help highlight and explore the importance of mountains and its beauty.
He stressed the need of moving ahead making policy and structural improvement in order to attract maximum number of foreign tourists by promoting mountains and tourism destinations.
Meanwhile, CPN (UML) leader and a member of the House of Representatives, Surya Thapa, shared that the photo exhibition organized by RSS would be an opportunity for youths to know the country.
Observing the photo expo, he shared that organising the photo expo is contextual as per the time.
He stated that mountains of Nepal are valuable assets in the world, not only of Nepal, adding, “Pictures related to infrastructure development and tourism promotion as well as other field have been kept in expo, which is a great work itself.”
Likewise, President of the House of Representatives, Education, Health and Information Technology Committee, Ammar Bahadur Thapa also observed the photo exhibition today and praised RSS for promoting tourism by means of the photo exhibition.
A total of 96 photos related to mountain ranges, mountain life and major tourism destinations have been put on display in the expo started from May 25.
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