30,000 Nepalis return home from West Asia after Iran-Israel war

MoFA begins preparation for PM Shah's India visit

 

Kathmandu, Apr. 24

More than 30,000 Nepali nationals have returned home from West Asian countries following the outbreak of conflict in the region. The entire region is in turmoil following a war break out between Israel-USA and Iran.

Ramkaji Khadka, Joint Secretary and chief of the Central Asia, West Asia and Africa Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said at a press briefing on Friday that 21,000 Nepalis returned from Qatar alone.

However, the government doesn't know whether these people returned due to the prevailing situation or on their regular leave and vacation.

A total of 87,819 individuals from the region have so far registered their status through an online portal launched by the MoFA’s consular services department following the conflict. Foreign workers in hotels and tourism sector in the West Asian countries have been highly affected as the conflict has drastically reduced the number of tourists visiting the region.

But the MoFA has not received any compliant from Nepalis working in hospitality industry there. More than 1.72 million Nepalis are working in the West Asian nations. The Ministry is soliciting updates from Nepali missions in Tel Aviv, Doha, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Kuwait City, Muscat, Cairo and Jeddah, along with the Consulate General in Dubai.

The government has also resumed issuing labour permits and re-entry permits for foreign employment abroad, which had been suspended in view of the security situation in West Asia. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security reopened approvals for all destinations following a recommendation from the MoFA, informed Khadka.

Meanwhile, efforts are under way to secure the release of Nepali national Amrit Jha, who was detained along with a vessel in Iran’s Hormuz area during the conflict. The ministry said he is expected to be released soon.

Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri said that of the 10 Nepali nationals currently in Iran for work, two are preparing to return home, while the remaining eight have reported that they feel safe and are staying in the country.

"We have requested them to return to Nepal," said Chhetri, "The government remains serious about the evolving situation in West Asia and the safety of Nepali nationals in the region."

Chhetri also said that an invitation has been received from the Government of India for a visit by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and initial preparations are under way.

Earlier, during his visit to Mauritius to participate at the Indian Ocean Conference (10-12 April), Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal had informed journalist that PM Shah was visiting India soon.

Meanwhile, 612 Nepali nationals stranded in online scam centres in Southeast Asian countries have been rescued. Among them, 487 were rescued from Cambodia, 111 from Myanmar, eight from Laos and six from Thailand. Arrangements are being made to repatriate an additional 53 individuals after issuing travel documents.

Fourteen Nepalis have been arrested in Cambodia, including five on charges of organised fraud and nine on other offences.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 April 2026.         

Experts stress governance reform, investment boost and employment generation in new budget

Kathmandu, Apr. 24

Weak governance, reduced private sector confidence, weak manufacturing, growing unemployment and procedural hurdles should be the fundamental aspects the upcoming budget of the Fiscal Year 2026/27 should address, said economists and investors.

Speaking at the pre-budget discussion programme organised by the Management Association of Nepal (MAN) in Kathmandu on Friday, they said that the process should facilitate the business and industry while the government should be clear on the treatment of entrepreneurs.

Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, former Chief Secretary, said that infrastructure development, governance reform, human resource development and upskilling, and improving the investment environment should be the priority of the upcoming budget.

He informed that for the past several years, the federal government has failed to meet the 80 per cent mark in mobilising the development budget. The weak government spending has resulted in poor private sector investment and revenue mobilization.

"Hope is rekindled with the formation of stable government which has initiated a process to include the crucial pledges from the manifestos of the major political parties, annul the restrictive 15 laws and improve governance," he said while adding that single tax code and simplified tax process with investor-friendly tax administration will help to increase the revenue.

According to him, the budget allocating system should be changed to global budgeting or agency budgeting. The Finance Ministry shouldn't allocate budget directly to the projects.

Project readiness filter should be made mandatory. This filter was announced a decade ago but rarely implemented. All the projects should be harmonized with the current periodic plan (5-year) and mid-term expenditure framework (3-year), said Dr. Aryal.

He suggested that the government should run corporations only producing goods and services, own only one bank while private investment should be invited in all other public enterprises.

Dr. Ramesh Chandra Poudel, former Member of the NPC, said that the entire government mechanism including the institutions and bureaucracy has remained inefficient, so if the current government couldn't make it efficient, desired results can't be achieved.

Paradigm shift is needed in health and education sector to give greater emphasis to social development.

Businesspeople mustn't be handcuffed until proven guilty, the tendency to arrest them, take to the court and releasing afterwards will be counterproductive.

Chartered Accountant Sudarshan Raj Pandey said that the share of capital budget is just about 12-15 per cent of the total budget and the country has been failing to mobilise even this small amount. This has impacted the overall development of infrastructure and other projects.

"We have excess liquidity now so the government can issue long-term bond to raise money to expedite development projects that have remained sluggish due to shortage of sufficient funds," he said.

According to Pandey, removal of education and health services tax has compromised the transparency in these sectors. The 1 per cent tax on these services had not increased the cost of business but the interest groups influenced the political leadership and succeeded in repealing the provisions. Such practice should be discouraged, he said.

He also said that multiple VAT (Value Added Tax) rates - as advocated by some economists and financial experts - can be an accounting nuisance. This will create challenges in its implementation, compliance and supervision.

Former Finance Minister and former Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, said that although it sounds cliché, the tax base needs to be expanded and tax rates should be moderated.

"However, there is a threshold below which tax rates should not fall; otherwise, it leads to the flawed assumption that setting taxes to zero would generate higher revenue," he said.

Dr. Khatiwada said when efforts were made to bring lawyers into the income tax net, they resisted, saying they would not plead cases and would halt court proceedings. While doctors and engineers have been brought within the tax system, lawyers have yet to be effectively included.

Commenting on cross-border smuggling of goods, he maintained that those who cross the border multiple times a day to bring in goods should not be given even a one-rupee exemption, let alone a Rs. 100.

"If air travellers are allowed baggage concessions, similar facilities should also be extended to those travelling to India by land. Proper records of entries and exits should be maintained," said Dr. Khatiwada.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 April 2026.         

India keeps notice of Nepal's customs rule

 Kathmandu, Apr. 23

India said on Thursday that that it understands that Government of Nepal has enforced the provision to collect customs duty if the goods being carried from India exceeded Rs. 100 to curb informal trade and smuggling.

"We understand that the Government of Nepal has taken this step primarily with the intent to curb informal trade and smuggling," Spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal said at a press conference.

He also said that India is aware of reports about enforcement by Nepali authorities of a pre-existing provision that outlines collection of customs duty from cross-border travelers in case they carry items purchased in India, worth more than 100 NPR.

Likewise, Jaiswal mentioned of seeing a statement by a senior official from Nepal that civilians carrying household goods for personal use will not be obstructed. However, no names were mentioned.

"We remain engaged on the developments," he said.

Although created more than one and a half decades ago, the Rs. 100 provision is reinforced recently (with the beginning of Nepal New Year 2083 or April 14) by the government. Efforts to enforce it in the past has failed a couple of times.

Nepali citizens along the border areas have criticised the move alleging that the goods are cheaper across the border while the Indian markets at the border points have got no Nepali buyers. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 April 2026.         

Non-Resident Nepali Act to be tabled at Parliament

Kathmandu, Apr. 23

A draft bill related to the proposed Non-Resident Nepali Act is being prepared for tabling in the upcoming parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal informed during an interaction with the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

He said that the government is committed to making the law effective by incorporating the rights, roles and contributions of non-resident Nepalis, the NRNA quoted FM Khanal in a statement.

The MoFA said in a tweet that the Minister shared his plan to present the draft of the law in the parliament.

"He further underscored the need for greater clarity in expressing the constitution's aspirations- both in terms of their conceptual foundations and practical realisation," said the MoFA.

NRNA delegation including president Hemraj Sharma, founding president Upendra Mahato, immediate past president Badri KC, former president Kul Acharya, founding international coordinator Bhim Udas, vice-presidents Rojina Pradhan Rai and Buddhi Subedi, and focal person Saroj Dahal, presented suggestions on the draft bill.

They stressed the need to align it with the social, economic and cultural rights enshrined in the constitution while also addressing the aspirations of non-resident Nepalis. The country has already begun issuing citizenship certificates to the NRNs as per the constitutional provisions.

Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said the ministry considers NRNA a reliable partner and expressed confidence that cooperation would be further strengthened in the coming days.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 April 2026.         

FM Khanal telephones Jordanian counterpart

Kathmandu, Apr. 23

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal, held a telephone conversation with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday.

During the conversation, the two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together at bilateral and multilateral levels for mutual benefit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a tweet.

FM Khanal thanked the Government of Jordan for ensuring the safety of many Nepali nationals amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

DPM Safadi congratulated Minister Khanal on his assumption of office.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal Ruwanthi Delpitiya called on FM Khanal at his office on Thursday.

During the courtesy call on, discussions were held on further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 April 2026.         

Asset Investigation Commission begins its work

 Kathmandu, Apr. 22

The government-formed Asset Investigation Commission, established with the objective of ending widespread corruption and impunity in the country, has formally commenced its work from Wednesday.

A Cabinet meeting on April 15 had constituted the five-member commission under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari. The commission’s office has been set up at Keshar Mahal.

Bhandari, took the oath of office and secrecy on Wednesday before Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla. He subsequently administered the oath to other members - former Chief Judge of the Appellate Court Purushottam Parajuli, former High Court Judge Chandi Raj Dhakal, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ganesh KC, and Chartered Accountant Prakash Lamsal.

The commission, mandated to operate in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1969 (2026 BS), has already had its Terms of Reference approved. With a tenure of one year, it will collect and conduct detailed investigations into the assets held within Nepal and abroad in the names of current, retired, or former public office holders and their family members.

As per the provision, the commission must submit a report to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers immediately upon completing an investigation of any individual, and the government is required to implement it within 45 days.

The commission has pledged to function in a fully independent, impartial, and professional manner, free from any external pressure or influence.

It will accept complaints through written, verbal, electronic means, social media, or any other medium.

While the commission may seek expert advice from various sectors as necessary during its work, strict provisions prohibit the engagement of experts with conflicts of interest, it said in a statement.

The formation of the commission aligns with the government’s anti-corruption commitment outlined in point 43 of the 100-point Governance Reform Agenda approved by the Cabinet on  March 26.

Currently, the OPMCM is screening 32 personnel required for the commission.

According to the commission, to ensure transparency, staff deployed to it will also be required to publicly disclose their asset details within one week of assuming their duties.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 April 2026.         

NADA to implement MRP provisions on vehicles

Kathmandu, Apr. 22

NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal welcomed the provision requiring all imported goods sold in Nepal to clearly display the maximum retail price (MRP) and the mandatory issuance of invoice during sales.

A delegation from the Association met Director General Roshan Gyawali of the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCS) the other day to discuss a recently issued directives on affixing stickers indicating the MRP on automobile products.

During the meeting, the NADA delegation said the department’s press statement issued last week had drawn its attention.

Following a discussion with the Nepal Foreign Trade Association (NFTA), the DoCS had issued a statement on April 13 directing all importers to mention the MRP on imported goods and issue bills while selling them.

It also directed them to implement the provision within a 15-day period, and after that if any goods were sold without MRP, punitive measures would be adopted.

NADA's discussion with the DoCS was focused on how to make the provisions workable and implementable. The delegation raised concerns about the treatment of existing stock and questioned the practicality of requiring stickers to be affixed at customs points, read a statement from NADA. It also stated that it has consistently supported fair trade and transparency in business practices.

In response, Gyawali said the provisions were based on the existing Consumer Protection Act 2035 and aligned with the government’s 100-point governance reform plan, which prioritises their implementation. He said the department remains committed to enforcing the rules and described NADA’s concerns as constructive.

Gyawali added that the department is prepared to address practical challenges in implementation but emphasised that cooperation and commitment from businesses would be necessary.

He also stated that the department would take a strict approach towards manufacturers and importers in enforcing MRP labelling requirements, and invited NADA to propose legal reforms if existing provisions require amendment.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 April 2026.         

Nabil to train agriculture entrepreneurs in 16 villages

Kathmandu, Apr. 22

Nabil Bank Limited has launched skill-based financial literacy and entrepreneurship development training programmes targeting people engaged in agricultural businesses across 16 villages in Nepal.

The training began on Wednesday in Sinja Rural Municipality of Jumla and will be expanded to 15 additional locations within the current fiscal year 2025/26, the bank informed in a statement.

The programmes are being conducted in coordination with local governments across Koshi, Madhes, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.

The bank said around 500 individuals currently involved in, or planning to start, agriculture-based enterprises will benefit from the initiative.

CEO Manoj Kumar Gyawali said participants will receive practical knowledge on savings, budgeting, loan management, insurance and investment options. “The programme aims to strengthen financial literacy, reduce unemployment, encourage new business ventures and promote sustainable economic growth through entrepreneurship development,” he said.

The training is part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility efforts and aligns with its focus on sustainable banking. It is intended to support people in rural areas to become more self-reliant by equipping them with relevant skills and information.

"Participants will receive both technical and business-related training in areas such as goat farming, pig farming, buffalo rearing, mushroom cultivation and vegetable farming. The programme will also cover identifying business opportunities, marketing and financial management," read the statement.

The bank said the initiative also prioritises environmentally responsible and socially accountable investment practices, in line with long-term economic sustainability goals. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 April 2026.         

Kapur, Dr. Wagle discuss Nepal-US economic ties

Kathmandu, Apr. 21

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle and United States Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur held a courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in Singhadurbar on Tuesday.

According to the MoF, During the meeting, the two leaders discussed potential areas of partnership between the governments of two countries following the recent elections, as well as on investment promotion and bilateral cooperation.

Finance Minister Dr. Wagle updated Assistant Secretary Kapur that the government’s main priorities are good governance, economic reform and the development of quality physical infrastructure. He also stated that creating an improved investment climate through the repeal of outdated laws and the introduction of new legislation is a key priority.

"He noted that investment is expected from American and Non-Resident Nepali investors, particularly in the sectors of tourism, clean energy and information technology," read a statement from the Finance Ministry.

Likewise, Assistant Secretary Kapur stressed on strengthening the longstanding relationship between Nepal and the USA.

"He said the reform programmes undertaken by the current government are being closely and positively observed by the US administration and the American public," read the statement.

He also highlighted that both countries can benefit through successful trade relations and partnerships with institutions such as the US International Development Finance Corporation.

Finance Secretary Dr. Ghanshyam Upadhyay, officials from the MoF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Acting US Ambassador to Nepal Scott Urbom, and other officials from the US Embassy were present on the occasion. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 April 2026.        

Khalti enables international payments in its wallet

Kathmandu, Apr. 21

Khalti has introduced a system that enables individuals in Nepal to receive international payments for services rendered abroad directly into the Khalti by IME mobile wallet.

The company has launched this service in partnership with IME Limited and Stripe.

It said in a statement on Tuesday that this strategic partnership is intended to facilitate cross-border payments by improving accessibility, enabling real-time settlements, and ensuring secure and reliable international transactions.

Under this arrangement, users can send a ‘payment request’ directly through the Khalti application to receive earnings from foreign services. International companies and payment providers can transfer funds via the Stripe gateway using multiple payment methods, including ACH, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay and e-banking.

The transferred amount is credited directly to the user’s Khalti wallet.

According to the company, this system eliminates the need to wait several weeks to receive payments. It added that the payment infrastructure developed through the partnership with Stripe complies with regulatory standards and ensures secure cross-border transactions.

“The partnership between IME Khalti and Stripe is expected to address long-standing challenges faced by Nepal’s digital workforce in receiving international payments. It is also expected to reduce barriers in the payment process and contribute to the expansion of Nepal’s digital economy,” said the company.

CEO of IME Khalti Limited, Praveen Regmi, said the partnership has opened opportunities for Nepali entrepreneurs and digital professionals to earn globally and receive payments promptly. He added that the initiative represents a milestone in Nepal’s fintech sector and supports integrated cross-border transactions through domestic digital wallets.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 April 2026.       

Huawei launches Band 11 in Nepal

Kathmandu, Apr. 21

Huawei has launched its new Band 11 Series in Nepal.

It was launched at an event titled ‘Run with the Beat’ organised last week, marking the Nepali New Year. The event was organised in collaboration with Meltdown and brought together participants in a morning programme combining running activities with music and technology, the company informed in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the company, the Band 11 Series includes features such as sleep tracking with heart rate, blood oxygen, heart rate variability and breathing data, along with continuous heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring.

The device also offers more than 100 workout modes, stress monitoring and guided breathing functions.

The wearable supports up to 14 days of battery life and is designed for daily use. It is integrated with the Huawei Health application, which provides users with performance and recovery data.

The company informed that Band 11 (polymer) is available at Rs. 9,990, Band 11 (light aluminum alloy) at Rs. 11,990, and Band 11 Pro at Rs. 14,990.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 April 2026.       

RSP to announces district conventions from April 28

Kathmandu, Apr. 19

The Central Secretariat meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) held at its headquarters on Sunday decided to commence district conventions from April 28 (15 Baisakh 2083).

The party also decided to assign responsibilities to Members of Parliament elected through the proportional representation system in constituencies where no MPs from the RSP were elected directly, informed Manish Jha, Spokesperson of the party.

A list, including the specific districts and constituencies, for the same will be published during the Central Committee meeting slated for Monday.

The CC meeting will nominate the central committee office bearers, and discuss the draft of the General Convention procedures, amendment of the party statute, forming local level candidates' club and call for application, and provision of voting rights for Nepalis living abroad from their respective locations.

Amendment of the Parliamentary Party statute is also an agenda of the meeting.

Likewise, the meeting has decided to appoint Central Secretariat member and MP Deepak Bohara as the Head of the Foreign Department of the RSP.

Speaker DP Aryal previously led this department. This position had remained vacant as Aryal, who was also the Vice-Chairman of the RSP, stepped down from his party responsibilities after being elected as Speaker.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 April 2026.       

Home Ministry directs for service reforms at DAOs

Kathmandu, Mar, 18

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has instructed District Administration Offices (DAOs) to establish appropriate service counters for new citizenship issuance and duplication, passports, national identity cards and minor identity cards, with a focus on making services more user-friendly.

It directed the officials on Saturday to ensure that services are delivered, as far as possible, from a single service desk, covering all stages from initiation to approval.

The directive also calls for proper management of service counters for tasks such as organisation registration and renewal, arms license renewal, and document certification, based on workload and staff availability.

Likewise, offices are asked to ensure transparent service delivery and provide waiting or rest areas for service users wherever possible.

The Ministry also emphasised expanding access to online systems so that services provided by the DAOs can be obtained digitally wherever feasible.

To manage service demand, they have been instructed to introduce token systems where necessary and to set up help desks equipped with staff and computers in easily accessible locations at entry points.

The directive further calls for the implementation of digital and audio-enabled citizen charters. Where this is not feasible, offices must clearly display all service procedures in a visible and readable format. It also requires the formation of WhatsApp groups among key administrative officials to facilitate regular coordination and streamline service delivery.

The MoHA also directed the DAOs to maintain records of complaints and ensure prompt action, including the establishment of mechanisms for receiving and addressing grievances.

According to the directives, the Chief District Officers have been instructed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against misconduct, with legal action and reporting obligations in cases of mistreatment.

Similarly, the Ministry has also directed strict monitoring to prevent the involvement of middlemen, with enforcement measures and regular reporting through Nepal Police.

It asked to provide training and orientation programmes to staff, including those at ward offices, with a particular focus on front desk personnel.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 April 2026.       

Chronic under-spending persists

Development spending stalls at 24% as fiscal year nears end

 

Kathmandu, Apr. 18

Mobilisation of the development budget in the past more than nine months of the current Fiscal Year 2015/26 has remained pathetic at just 24.15 per cent, creating a challenge for the government to spend a large chunk of the budget expediting the projects.

Rs. 98.51 billion of the Rs. 407.88 billion earmarked for capital expenditure has been mobilised so far, while less than three months remain to utilise the remaining funds. The size of this year’s budget is Rs. 1964.11 billion

However, this year is not exclusive to this trend.

Analysis of the past six years' capital expenditures showed that it remained at or below 30 per cent, with just one exception. The government has continuously failed to utilise the budget earmarked for construction and development.

According to the statistics published by the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), the government could mobilise 29.5 per cent in the first three quarters of the last FY 2024/25, about 28.3 per cent in 2022/23, above 27.6 per cent in 2021/22, and 30.2 per cent in 2020/21.

It was FY 2023/24, when the capital expenditure reached almost 33 per cent. That year, the government had downsized the annual budget to Rs. 1751.31 billion from the Rs. 1793.83 billion in 2022/23.

But the Gen-Z movement and the damage caused to the private businesses and multiple changes in the government further affected the budget mobilisation. Thus, the performance remained much below that of even the COVID-19 period in 2021 and 2022.

However, the recurrent expenditure has remained above 60 per cent in the first three quarters of the past three years after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economists said that the poor mobilisation of the development budget has remained one of the major causes of sluggish economic growth in the past several years. While the National Statistics Office has projected a growth of 4.05 per cent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period, the World Bank estimated that annual growth this year would remain 2.3 per cent.

The country has failed to achieve all of its targets for expenditure, revenue and economic growth in the past several years. Ironically, the government failed even to meet the revised targets in revenue and expenses.

Economist Dr. Resham Thapa said that it is unfortunate that no governments tried to finds a solution to this malady that has been troubling the nation for the past more than three decades.

“If the government couldn’t mobilise the development budget well, it would impact the progress of multi-year projects, causing delay,” he said, while adding that a robust administrative and procedural reform should be implemented to utilise the allocated financial resources.

However, Dr. Thapa maintained that since Nepal’s economic growth is largely dependent on government expenditure, it will have less impact on that aspect.

Stating that the assurance of political stability might create a favourable scenario in development work, he suggested initiating reforms in the public procurement sector and forming a special parliamentary committee or an authority to manage it.

Use capital budget in first nine months (Rs. in billions)

Fiscal Year	Annual Budget	Capital	Use %
2015/2026	1964.11	98.51	24.15%
2024/2025	1860.30	104.15	29.56%
2023/2024	1751.31	99.27	32.87%
2022/2023	1793.83	107.62	28.29%
2021/2022	1632.82	104.47	27.63%
2020/2021	1474.64	106.85	30.28%

Source: FCGO

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 April 2026.       

MoFA organises nature walk

Kathmandu, Apr. 18

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) organised an ‘Arogya Walk’ along the Hattiban–Champadevi trail in Dakshinkali Municipality on Saturday.

The programme was organised on the occasion of the first International Wellness Day, the Ministry informed in a statement.  

Ambassadors based in Kathmandu, other members of the diplomatic community, and senior government officials participated in the walk to express a shared commitment to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.

Welcoming the participants to the event, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai highlighted the government’s policy to develop Nepal as a premier global wellness tourism destination, following the United Nations’ decision, as proposed by Nepal, to observe 15 April each year as International Wellness Day.

On the occasion, life science instructor Pratik Sharma demonstrated various pranayama and meditation.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 April 2026.       

Fiscal Council decides to raise financial equaliation grant

Kathmandu, Apr. 16

The Inter-Governmental Fiscal Council (IFC) has decided to increase the financial equalisation grant in proportion to the growth of the federal budget while improving the fiscal transfer and grant system. 

It also decided to adopt a policy of gradually reducing conditional grants provided by the federal and provincial governments.

"To end the trend of fragmenting budgets into small projects and duplication, budget allocation arrangements shall be made according to the prescribed 'threshold' (minimum limit) for development projects," the meeting of the IFC and thematic committees held at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Thursday concluded.

These decisions are made to strengthen fiscal federalism, according to the MoF.

For allocative efficiency and capital expenditure effectiveness, all three levels shall mandatorily implement the concept of a 'project bank' while the National Planning Commission (NPC) shall manage the integration of the project banks of the three levels.

The MoF informed in a statement that the meeting agreed in ending the practice of keeping budgets in 'unallocated' categories, identifying and scraping or settling old 'sick' projects, and ensuring that federal, provincial, and local levels distribute annual programmes and projects in an activity-wise manner during budget formulation.

An agreement also made on reducing the economic liability of the state's recurrent expenditure while all three levels of government expressed their consent to strictly implement austerity policies.

All three levels of government shall emphasise reducing arrears and accelerate settlements by preparing classified details of arrears with a time-bound action plan.

The IFC meeting took notice of the hurdles in acquiring land needed to construct administrative buildings of the provincial governments and mobilising forest-based products and river-based materials, and decided to implement the annual budget and programmes of provincial and local levels and to accelerate the construction of administrative buildings and other government physical structures.

They will request the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) for necessary coordination to address existing legal complexities and procedural delays in Land Acquisition.

Similarly, to increase the internal revenue of the federal, provincial, and local levels, request would be made to the OPMCM, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, and the Ministry of Forests and Environment to remove legal, policy, and procedural hurdles regarding the sustainable and systematic utilisation and mobilisation of forest-based products and river-based materials, and to facilitate their collection and sale.

The three levels of government agreed to work in accordance with the spirit of federalism, focusing on service delivery and good governance so that citizens can directly experience the impact. They also implement a new formula to increase the share of local levels in royalties from electricity, mountaineering, forests, and mines, based on the recommendations of the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC).

Likewise, the meeting decided to coordinate between the three levels of government to control revenue leakage. Each level will prepare and implement a 'Revenue Collection and Leakage Control Improvement Action Plan' within the current fiscal year 2025/26 (or within the next three months) to prioritise internal resource mobilisation.

The Finance Ministry said although the rule-based system of fiscal transfer in Nepal has been institutionalised, the meeting focused on addressing the practical complexities observed in the performance capacity and resource management of the tiered governments.

Speaking at the meeting, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle stated that the federal government has taken the legitimate demands regarding fiscal transfer and autonomy put forward by the provincial finance ministers positively.

He expressed concern over the increasing 'grant-oriented' trend where lower levels remain dependent on federal grants due to weak revenue capacity. He committed to making this Council result-oriented by ending financial deviations.

Furthermore, the FM Dr. Wagle assured that the government would take concrete policy and legal reform steps in the coming days to make fiscal transfers more transparent, predictable, and equitable.

The meeting was attended by ministers for Economic Affairs and Planning from all seven provinces, ex-officio and expert members of the Council, the vice-chairman of the NPC, acting chairman of the NNRFC, finance secretary, secretaries from various ministries, deputy governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, and other high-ranking officials.

The provincial finance ministers and members expressed confidence that this meeting of the Council would be instrumental in resolving the policy and practical complexities observed in fiscal transfer and revenue sharing.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 April 2026.       

Baahrakhari Golf, Symposium to be held in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Apr. 16

The ninth edition of the ‘Ncell Business Baahrakhari Invitational Golf Tournament’ and the ‘Economic Symposium’ will be held in Kathmandu this year.

Baahrakhari Media announced at a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday that both events will take place on May 2 at Gokarna Golf Course.

Indian bureaucrat Amitabh Kant will attend the symposium as the keynote speaker. He is the Chancellor of MITT University and former CEO of NITI Aayog.

Speaking at the press conference, Baahrakhari Media Editor-in-Chief Pratik Pradhan said Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle will attend the symposium as chief guest and deliver a special address. Former Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal will present a working paper at the event.

Pradhan said the programme aims to link sports and the economy by organising a golf tournament alongside an economic discussion.

Sulabh Bista, Head of Enterprise Business Sales at Ncell, expressed hopes that the event would add new dimensions in connecting sports and economy.

Yamuna Shrestha, Managing Director of Cimex Inc., the authorised distributor of BYD vehicles in Nepal, said the event connects sports and the economy in a practical way. She added that such programmes also provide relief for those experiencing stress in business.

Likewise, Gokarna Golf Club Chairman Suhrid Ghimire said developing sports as an industry could also support tourism.

Sudiksha Adhikari, Brand Manager of Khukuri Rum under Nepal Distillery, said the platform helps raise policy issues with the government, including duty-free facilities at airports and export incentives. She added that the liquor industry contributes significantly to employment and government revenue.

According to Deepak Acharya, Director and Secretary of Gokarna Golf Club, more than 100 invited players will compete, including men, women and senior players aged above 60.

The winner will receive a gold ball, while a BYD Atto 3 car will be awarded for a hole-in-one.

Acharya also highlighted the potential of golf tourism, noting that while an average tourist in Nepal spends USD 20–30 per day, a golf tourist can spend between USD 500 and 1,000 daily.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 April 2026.       

Community-Led Water Innovation among top three at WAFA Global

Kathmandu, Apr. 16

Nepal’s community-driven water innovation project has been selected among the top three finalists in the Water category of the Water, Air, Food Awards (WAFA) 2026.

The initiative, led by Dr. Datta Bahadur Rawal under the Partnership for Sustainable Development Nepal (PSDN), represents a major milestone for Nepal in advancing grassroots environmental solutions. The WAFA Global Awards is an internationally recognised platform that honours innovative, community-led responses to some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.

According to PSDN, the project focuses on ensuring water security for marginalised and underserved communities across Dang, Jumla, and Nawalparasi districts. Designed as an integrated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) model, the initiative combines safe drinking water systems, improved sanitation infrastructure, hygiene education, and environmental restoration, read a statement published by the organisation.

Through this approach, water treatment systems have been installed in schools and local communities, significantly improving access to safe drinking water and promoting dignified sanitation services for populations previously deprived of these essential resources.

The WAFA 2026 competition features 12 outstanding initiatives from 10 countries across five continents, selected under categories including Water, Air, Food, and Youth Climate Action. Each finalist represents a scalable and impactful solution capable of transforming lives globally.

Public voting for the awards is currently open and will continue until April 30. Winners will be announced during the Generation Green Forum, to be held at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Cairo, Egypt, in Summer 2026.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 April 2026.       

SY Panel begins installation of new UPVC plant

Kathmandu, Apr. 15

SY Panel Nepal, a subsidiary of SY Company Limited, has laid the foundation stone for a new UPVC industry in Ratnanagar Municipality–14, Pithuwa, in Chitwan.

The foundation was jointly laid on Monday by Ratnanagar Mayor Pralhad Sapkota and the company’s CEO Hong Sung-bu during a formal ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Sapkota said the municipality would facilitate investors willing to establish industries in the area. "While local authorities would provide necessary support, priority in employment should be given to local residents," he added.

Once operational, the plant is expected to produce UPVC door and window profiles and other construction materials using advanced technology. According to the company, UPVC products are considered a durable, lightweight and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional wood and metal materials, and the decision to establish the factory was based on growing market demand in the country.

Hong said the factory represents a combination of Korean technology and Nepal’s workforce, adding that it would serve as a centre for industrial development. He said that the project would help strengthen economic cooperation between Korea and Nepal and contribute to the development of Chitwan.

He also noted that Nepal is entering a phase of political stability and economic opportunity, and said the company aims to support job creation and technology transfer in collaboration with the government.

The company recently issued an initial public offering (IPO), and said the funds raised are being utilised for the establishment of the uPVC plant. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 560 million.

The company aims to complete construction within six months and begin production thereafter. It expects that domestic production of such materials will reduce dependence on imports.

SY Panel Nepal has been producing panel products in Ratnanagar since 2017 and plans to expand its industrial presence and network.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 April 2026.       

Government unveils commitment including pledges of six major parties

 Kathmandu, Apr. 14

Including the plans and aspirations of the manifestos, pledges and commitment of the six major political parties participating in the election held in March this year, the government has formulated a National Commitment for the reforms in governance to make the economy more competitive, inclusive and resilient.

It said that the economy will be driven by private sector, governance efficiency, digital transformation and global information while ensuring social equity and environmental sustainability.

According to the document made public on Monday evening, for the economic stability and reforms, the government aims to harness Nepal's youth-centred demographic dividend to drive structural transformation and achieve middle-income status through productive-led growth.

Private sector will act as the engine of the growth while the government's role will be limited to regulation, facilitation and policy stability.

The government also said that it will eliminate rent-seeking, policy capture, cartels and artificial shortages to ensure fair competition, entrepreneurship and business-friendly environment. It is set to introduce predictable tax policies (at least 10-year stability) and simplify procedures through paperless digital systems, improving investor confidence.

"For economic transformation, a time-bound Economic Charter will be established with national consensus among major political parties. Through the formulation and implementation of national and sectoral policies aimed at capital formation, job creation, export growth, and overall macroeconomic stability, Nepal will be positioned as a respectable middle-income country," read the document.

Over the next five years, an average economic growth rate of seven per cent will be achieved, raising per capita income to US$ 3,000 and bringing the gross domestic product close to US$ 100 billion.

To increase tourism arrivals, length of stay and per capita spending, the sector will be diversified through nature, culture, community-based and wellness tourism ecosystems to offer better local experiences.

 

30,000 MW electricity in a decade

In order to achieve a target of 30,000 MW of electricity generation capacity over the next decade, legal revisions and policy reforms will be undertaken in areas such as land, forests, and the environment. The government will provide viability gap funding and prioritise the construction of large reservoir and semi-reservoir projects such as Budhigandaki and Dudhkoshi, read the document.

Likewise, energy-based large industries—such as steel, cement, herbal processing, data server stations, and chemical fertiliser plants—will be promoted. Alongside electricity generation, private sector participation will also be encouraged in storage, transmission, and distribution systems through investor-friendly policies and legal frameworks.

An integrated plan for energy development will be formulated, and energy production and resource mobilisation will be carried out through public–private partnerships.

"Through energy diplomacy, bilateral and regional cooperation will be strengthened, and energy trade will be expanded with neighbouring countries such as India and Bangladesh," read the document.  

 

PPP to get a priority

The government is also set to develop an investment-friendly mining policy framework including public-private partnership models. Scientific and exploration will be conducted to attract investment in high-value mineral extraction and procession while extraction of construction materials will be regulated in line with environmental safeguards and export potential.Top of Form

Likewise, the government stated that it will prevent staff transfers until project completion to implement result-based implementation of development projects. It will prioritise high-impact national projects aligned with development goals avoiding politically driven allocation and incorporate climate resilience and environmental sustainability into all development projects.

It said that it will launch large-scale green infrastructure projects to generate employment, and create jobs in IT, tourism, construction and commercial agriculture. The government aims to crate 1.5 million jobs within five years.

 

Balanced foreign policy

The government has prioritised a balanced and dynamic foreign policy, emphasising Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interest. The document read that shifting global geopolitics and the rise of neighbouring powers will be leveraged as opportunities for development. A new performance audit system will be introduced to evaluate the effectiveness of diplomatic missions, ensuring accountability and results-oriented engagement.

Likewise, transforming Nepal from a traditional 'buffer state' into a 'vibrant bridge' that facilitates regional connectivity and trilateral economic partnerships has gained priority. Maintaining neutrality, Nepal will continue to avoid military alliances while promoting peace and cooperation.

Protection of Nepali migrant workers’ rights, safety, and social security will also remain a priority. Economic diplomacy and international platforms like Sagarmatha Dialogue will be accorded priority.

Similarly, the government aims to harness the potential of the Nepali diaspora. Legal provisions will ensure citizenship continuity, property rights, and voting rights for Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs). 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 April 2026.       

Property details of PM, Ministers made public

Kathmandu, Apr. 12

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has published the property details of the ministers of the government.

In a statement on Sunday, the Office said that the details were published as per the Cabinet decision in line with the Article 50 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059.

According to published details, Prime Mister Balendra Shah has land in Kathmandu and Dhanusha and Mahottari registered in the name of his family members.

He has a bank balance of Rs. 14.6 million which, according to him, is earned from YouTube and other social media platforms. He has 4 million followers on Facebook, 1.2 million on YouTube and 500,000 on X.

Details of property owned by the ministers can be viewed on or accessed from www.opmcm.gov.np. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 April 2026.       

Governments stress inter-provincial cooperation in agriculture sector

Kathmandu, Apr. 12

Provincial officials have said that the sub-national governments are struggling to achieve development targets in agriculture amidst lack of budget and human resource crunch, and pragmatic planning.

Speaking at an interaction on 'Interprovincial relation and cooperation in agriculture sector' organised by Federalism and Localisation Centre (FLC) in Lalitpur on Sunday, they stressed on integrated planning, resource mobilisation and market development for agricultural produces.

Keshav Devkota, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), said that roughly 60 per cent of the budget allocated for agriculture is spent on fertilizer.

While development work should be executed in coordination among the three levels of the government, some programmes at province-level are merely copied from federal plans without context-specific customisation.

"The main challenge is one of decreasing resources paired with an increasing number of institutions," said Devkota.

Hari Prasad Pandit, Senior Agriculture-Economic Expert and head of Planning Department in Lumbini Province, shared that despite agriculture being a priority, Lumbini Province has only 38 per cent staff recruitment of the total required staffs.

The provinces receive less than 9 per cent of the total budget, while the federal government spends heavily on fertilisers. Investment in agriculture has declined by 3.46 per cent this year, with uneven provincial allocations.

Pandit said that the absence of a Federal Agriculture Act has stalled provincial and local legislation, caused audit biases and forced Lumbini to seek a grant act instead. The lack of expertise also causes problems. For example, in Lumbini Province, a cold store built for orange failed as the facility was suitable for potatoes only.

The produces kept rotting for three years. Meanwhile, given the huge electricity bills the farmers are not willing to use the cold store which requires 100 per cent electricity subsidy, said Pandit.  

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister of Bagmati Province Madhusudan Poudel appreciated the achievements of provinces in agriculture sector.

“Agriculture is critical for local employment, yet Nepal faces the challenge of cheap cross-border products undercutting high-cost domestic agricultural production," he said.

While Bagmati Province has banned plastic flowers and runs a cold store, the federal government continues to buy milk from India despite an existing local powder plant. "To address these issues, the federal government should subsidise the electricity bills of cold store and prioritise preserving and utilizing national production," said Minister Poudel.

Likewise, Manjari Shakya Bajracharya, Deputy Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, said that the governments must take integrated data seriously, reduce legal hurdles, protect agricultural land, stop using fertilisers that developed countries discard.

Arjun Dev Jnagwali, Agriculture Extension Officer, Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative Development of Gandaki Province, said that the technical staffs are acting as administrative.

Dr. Khim Lal Devkota, Chair of FLC, presented a paper highlighting the significance of interprovincial learning and cooperation in agriculture sector.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 April 2026.       

Indian Ocean's stability inseparable from global peace: FM Khanal

Kathmandu, Apr. 11

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has said that the Indian Ocean is central to global trade and energy flows and its stability is a global responsibility.

Speaking at the 9th Indian Ocean Conference ongoing in Port Louis of Mauritius he said the consequences of the conflicts in West Asia extended far beyond the region – affecting fuel prices, supply chains, and livelihood back home.

"These disruptions remind us that the stability of the Indian Ocean is inseparable from global peace," said FM Khanal.

According to him, one cannot ignore the conflicts unfolding in West Asia. For Nepal, these are not distant events. Millions of Nepali citizens live and work in the region, and their safety remains our foremost concern.

He reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to the foundational framework for the law of the sea.

"We emphasize that landlocked nations possess inherent rights to access the high seas and to participate in the maritime economy. These are not privileges granted by geography, but rights enshrined in international law," he said.

Minister Khanal also called for a rules-based international order where the rights of all nations, large and small, are respected.  

Climate change, maritime security threats, disruptions to global supply chains, and widening inequalities demand not just cooperation, but genuine collective stewardship. In view of the Government of Nepal, stewardship means moving beyond narrow self-interest toward a shared responsibility for our global commons, said the FM.

According to him, this requires inclusive, transparent, and rules-based multilateral frameworks. The governance must be equitable, ecological, and above all, inclusive of those who rely on the ocean from the landlocked interior.

The Hindu Kush Himalaya region, serves as the primary source of fresh water for billions of people. The glaciers and snowfields of Nepal feed the great river systems that ultimately discharge into the Indian Ocean. "Therefore, the health of the mountains and the health of the ocean are inseparable," said FM Khanal.

 Likewise, he said that climate change has laid bare this interdependence in the most alarming ways. As Nepal’s glaciers retreat at unprecedented rates, people here face the imminent threat of glacial lake outburst floods that endanger entire communities.

At the same time, the Indian Ocean is warming faster than any other ocean, driving sea-level rise that threatens the very existence of low-lying island states and coastal communities.

"What melts in the mountains eventually rises in the seas. Nepal has been vocal about this nexus at the United Nations and COP summits," the Minister said.

He called upon the Conference to formally recognise this ecological bridge as a critical dimension of Indian Ocean governance, and said, "Our stewardship must encompass both the peaks and the waters, for they rise and fall together."

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 April 2026.