Tag: remittances

  • Nepal’s Macroeconomic Snapshot: Resilient Remittances, Forex Stability, and Balanced Trade Dynamics in the First Seven Months of 2023/24

    Nepal’s Macroeconomic Snapshot: Resilient Remittances, Forex Stability, and Balanced Trade Dynamics in the First Seven Months of 2023/24


    The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank of Nepal, has presented an overview of the country’s macroeconomic and financial situation based on data from the first seven months, ending mid-February of 2023/24.

    Overall

    According to NRB, the inflation rate was estimated at 5.01% on a year-on-year basis. The gross foreign exchange reserves reached USD 13.89 billion. Total imports decreased by 2.3%, exports by 7.1%, and the trade deficit by 1.8%. The NEPSE index stood at 2101.16.

    Inflation

    Year-on-year consumer price inflation moderated to 5.01% in mid-February 2024, compared to 7.88% a year ago. Wholesale price inflation stood at 2.82% in mid-February 2024.

    Import and Export

    Merchandise exports decreased by 7.1% to Rs. 86.83 billion, while merchandise imports decreased by 2.3% to Rs. 897.94 billion. The total trade deficit decreased by 1.8% to Rs. 811.11 billion.

    Services and Remittance

    Net services income remained at a deficit of Rs. 37.26 billion, while remittance inflows increased by 21.6% to Rs. 839 billion.

    Inter-bank Transaction

    BFIs inter-bank transactions amounted to Rs. 2872.44 billion. The price of oil decreased to USD 83.88 per barrel, and the price of gold increased to USD 2015.20 per ounce.

    Foreign Exchange Reserves

    Gross foreign exchange reserves increased to Rs. 1844.94 billion. Reserves held by NRB and other institutions increased, and the Indian currency’s share in total reserves stood at 22.6%.

    Exchange Rate

    The Nepalese currency depreciated by 1.05% against the US dollar.

    Nepal Government Expenditure and Revenue

    Total government expenditure stood at Rs. 686.75 billion, with revenue mobilization reaching Rs. 567.40 billion.

    Cash Balance of Government

    The cash balance at various accounts of the Government of Nepal (GoN) maintained with NRB stood at Rs. 215.26 billion.

    Banking

    Domestic credit increased by 3.2%, deposits at Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) increased by 7.0%, and private sector credit from BFIs increased by 4.1%.

    Interest Rates

    Average base rates of commercial banks, development banks, and finance companies stood at 9.06%, 11.13%, and 12.70%, respectively.

    Balance of Payments

    The Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs. 297.72 billion.

  • 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 and India Launch Cross Border QR Payments for Seamless Digital Transactions

    Nepal and India Launch Cross Border QR Payments for Seamless Digital Transactions


    Fonepay Payment Service Ltd, Nepal’s Largest Payment Network and NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of the of the National Payment Corporation of India, is now ready to launch the first Cross Border QR Payment between Nepal and India. This historic unveiling took place at the Global Fintech Fest 2023, a global gathering of fintech visionaries, thought leaders and innovators.

    Seamless Payments Across Stores Using QR Codes

    This collaboration between Fonepay and NIPL will empower millions of citizens of both nations, to securely and conveniently make instant payments through QR code across various stores by using the mobile application certified by Fonepay and NPCI.

    Both companies have now completed operational preparations and technological integration is in final process after which the companies can offer the service to their issuing and acquiring members and enable their consumers and merchants to enjoy the service. The strategic partnership between the two companies will provide a considerable boost to the digital payments’ ecosystem in both countries and will prove to be a major steppingstone for wider reach in the international market.

    Enhancing Connectivity and Fostering Prosperity

    Chairperson of Fonepay and President of F1Soft Group, Mr. Biswas Dhakal, said, “This remarkable launch marks a significant step towards enhancing financial connectivity between Nepal and India by leveraging technology for the benefit of our citizens. I am confident that this initiative will significantly contribute to the growth of trade, tourism, and economic relations between both countries, ultimately fostering prosperity and development.”

    Commitment to Fintech Innovation and Collaboration

    Speaking on the same occasion, NIPL said*, “This initiative signifies our commitment to fintech innovation and strengthening our nations’ bonds. We envision this partnership as a catalyst for greater financial inclusion and economic prosperity and are excited to embark on this journey of transformation together with Fonepay.”