Tag: Cover

  • Nepal Rastra Bank Reports Stable Macroeconomic Indicators and Financial Trends for Mid-January 2023/24

    Nepal Rastra Bank Reports Stable Macroeconomic Indicators and Financial Trends for Mid-January 2023/24


    The Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal, has disclosed the current macroeconomic and financial state of Nepal based on data from the first six months ending mid-January 2023/24. The overall assessment reveals that inflation remained at 5.26% on a year-on-year basis, and the gross foreign exchange reserves reached USD 13.69 billion. Total imports decreased by 3.1%, exports by 7.2%, and the trade deficit by 2.6% during the period.

    As of mid-January 2023, the outstanding concessional loan amounted to Rs. 155.40 billion, benefiting 133,174 borrowers. Notably, Rs. 104.73 billion was extended to 52,872 borrowers for selected commercial agriculture and livestock businesses, while Rs. 48.60 billion was loaned to 77,918 women entrepreneurs. The NEPSE index stood at 2120.62, a slight decrease from 2149.39 in mid-January 2023.

    In terms of inflation, the year-on-year consumer price inflation moderated to 5.26% in mid-January 2024 compared to 7.26% a year ago. The merchandise exports decreased by 7.2% to Rs. 74.97 billion, with a notable decline in exports to India by 12.8%, while exports to China and other countries increased significantly. Merchandise imports decreased by 3.1% to Rs. 768.17 billion, and the total trade deficit decreased by 2.6% to Rs. 693.20 billion.

    Services income remained at a deficit of Rs. 36.06 billion, while remittance inflows increased by 25.3% to Rs. 733.22 billion. Inter-bank transactions among financial institutions totaled Rs. 2574.20 billion. The price of oil in the international market decreased by 4.2%, and the price of gold increased by 5.6%.

    Foreign exchange reserves increased by 18.0% to Rs. 1816.57 billion in mid-January 2024. The Nepalese currency depreciated by 0.91% against the US dollar. Government expenditure decreased by 1.7% to Rs. 566.62 billion, while revenue mobilization increased by 8.2% to Rs. 496.50 billion.

    In the monetary sector, domestic credit increased by 2.6%, and deposits at Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) expanded by 6.6%. Private sector credit from BFIs increased by 4.0%. The average base rates of commercial banks, development banks, and finance companies stood at 9.35%, 11.49%, and 12.77% respectively.

    The Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs. 273.52 billion, an increase from Rs. 92.15 billion in the same period of the previous year. In US Dollar terms, the BOP surplus was 2.06 billion compared to 697.4 million a year ago.

  • “Nepal Rastra Bank’s Mid-September 2023 Financial Snapshot: Inflation, Forex Reserves, and Economic Indicators”

    “Nepal Rastra Bank’s Mid-September 2023 Financial Snapshot: Inflation, Forex Reserves, and Economic Indicators”


    Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal, has released an overview of the current macroeconomic and financial situation in Nepal, based on data from the first two months ending in mid-September 2023.

    Inflation and Forex Reserves:The central bank reported an estimated year-on-year inflation rate of 8.19%. Nepal’s gross foreign exchange reserves stood at $12.01 billion, while total imports and exports declined by 5.1%, leading to a 4.7% reduction in the trade deficit.

    Concessional Loans: As of mid-September 2023, concessional loans amounted to NPR 195.62 billion, benefiting 144,758 borrowers, with a significant portion directed toward commercial agriculture, livestock, and women entrepreneurs.

    Stock Market: The NEPSE index in mid-September 2023 reached 1964.9, compared to 1910.4 in the same period the previous year.

    Inflation: Consumer price inflation for the same period was 8.19%, down from 8.64% the previous year. Wholesale price inflation also decreased significantly to 4.78%.

    Imports and Exports: Merchandise exports saw a 7.8% decrease in the first two months of 2023/24, while imports decreased by 5.1%. Exports to India declined, but exports to China and other countries increased.

    Services and Remittance: Nepal experienced a deficit in net services income, while remittances increased by 22.1%.

    Inter-bank Transactions:Interbank transactions, including those among commercial banks and other financial institutions, have seen a substantial increase.

    Oil and Gold Prices:The international price of oil increased, while gold prices also rose.

    Foreign Exchange Reserves: Gross foreign exchange reserves showed growth, covering a substantial portion of imports and other financial indicators.

    Exchange Rate:The Nepalese currency depreciated slightly against the US dollar.

    Government Expenditure and Revenue: The government’s expenditure and revenue figures were reported, providing insights into the country’s financial activities.

    Banking and Credit: Domestic credit decreased slightly, and the monetary sector’s claims on the private sector increased by 1.7%.

    Interest Rates: Various banking sectors reported their average base rates, which showed some variations compared to the previous year.

    Balance of Payments: The Balance of Payments (BOP) reflected a surplus, contrasting with a deficit from the same period in the previous year.

    This comprehensive report offers a detailed insight into Nepal’s economic and financial landscape during the initial two months of the fiscal year 2023/24.

  • Remittance inflows increased by 25.3% to Rs. 794.32 billion in the first eight months of fiscal year 2022/23.

    Remittance inflows increased by 25.3% to Rs. 794.32 billion in the first eight months of fiscal year 2022/23.


     

    Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Nepal’s central bank, has released the country’s current macroeconomic and financial situation based on eight months of data ending in mid-March 2022/23.

  • 7-Month Macroeconomic Highlights: Inflation is 7.88%.

    7-Month Macroeconomic Highlights: Inflation is 7.88%.


    According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, inflation remained at 7.88 percent year on year. During the mentioned period, the gross foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 10.50 billion, while total imports and exports decreased by 19.9 percent and 29 percent, respectively, and the trade deficit decreased by 18.7 percent.

    The outstanding concessional loan was Rs.210.96 billion as of mid-February 2023, with 148,295 borrowers. For selected commercial agriculture and livestock businesses, Rs.142.56 billion has been extended to 61,335 borrowers. Similarly, 84,105 women entrepreneurs have received loans totaling Rs.65.19 billion. A total of 2,855 borrowers have received concessional loans in other specified sector

     

  • Nepal Telecom – NTC 5G Trial Commences in Nepal

    Nepal Telecom – NTC 5G Trial Commences in Nepal


    Nepal Telecom (NTC), the country’s state-owned telecoms operator, has officially launched its long-awaited 5G trial to commemorate the company’s 19th anniversary. Nepal Telecom, the country’s state-owned telecom operator, had previously postponed 5G testing due to a lack of a device ecosystem. To commemorate its 19th anniversary, the telco tested its 5G cellular network in Babarmahal and Sundhara.

    Spectrum

    The network deployed in the Kathmandu districts of Sundhara and Babarmahal is using the 60 MHz spectrum in the 2600 MHz band given by the government. The 2600 MHz band provides a good balance of speed and coverage. According to a Nepalitelecom report, the trials are not available to the public and are conducted internally.

    The initial trials, which were supposed to begin in January 2023, have already begun one month later than projected. Nepal Telecom’s July 2021 trials were canceled when a change in administration hindered the requisite spectrum allocation.

    Sunil Paudel, MD of Nepal Telecom (NTC), has formally declared the launch of the long-awaited 5G experiment. However, no official launch date for 5G has been announced, however, officials have stated that it “should launch shortly.” Managing Director Sunil Paudel noted in a progress update on the company’s planned 5G rollout that Nepal Telecom (NT) has yet to evaluate the capabilities of its present mobile infrastructure to handle commercial 5G services in the future.

    Non-Standalone 5G (NSA)

    Nepal Telecom Corporation (NTC) will begin its 5G testing using Non-standalone (NSA) architecture and subsequently advance to Standalone architecture (SA). By changing the basic software, the NSA allows the operator to launch its 5G network on its existing 4G LTE infrastructure. The business has already developed two 5G-ready sites in Babarmahal and Sundhara. NTC is now testing available 5G devices on the network in Babarmahal and Sundhara, having installed the essential equipment at both locations.