Over 99% people have access to electricity

Kathmandu, May 27

Access to electricity in Nepal has reached 99.1 per cent of the population by mid-March 2026.

According to the Economic Survey 2025/26 presented at the Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle, total installed electricity capacity stands at 4,105 megawatts, including 3,798 MW hydropower and 142 MW solar energy.

Likewise, electricity generated by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre is 106.24 MW, thermal energy (thermal plant) is 53.4 MW, and electricity co-generated through the sugar mill co-production method is 6.0 MW.

In the first eight months of the current Fiscal Year 2025/26, about 2,918 GWh of electricity was exported to India while 590 GWh of electricity was imported.

Last year, Nepal electricity export was 2,332 GWh, and import stood at 1,712 GWh.

It is estimated that an additional 666 MW of electricity will be generated from the construction of various projects by mid-July 2026. It will bring Nepal's electricity capacity to 4,626 MW.

“With the increased use of electricity, the consumption of petroleum products has slightly decreased. By mid-March of this fiscal year, imports of petrol and diesel decreased by 10.0 per cent and 9.9 per cent, respectively, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year,” noted the survey.

85^th in SDG ranking

According to the survey, in 2025, Nepal ranked 85^th among 167 nations by achieving a score of 68.58 on the Sustainable Development Goals Index. In Nepal's context, the ‘spillover score’ related to the SDGs is 94.85.

To achieve the SDGs, Nepal needs to make an annual average additional investment of 755 billion during the remaining period (about five years).

By mid-March, the number of beneficiaries receiving social security allowances had reached 3.6 million which includes 46.14 per cent senior citizens above 70 years of age.

Likewise, in the contribution-based Social Security Fund, 2.85 million workers have been registered. But more than three-quarters of these are Nepali migrant workers.

The government has collected the details of 21 million citizens for National Identity Cards, while only 4.03 million cards have been distributed.

Social indicators improve

The report maintained that social sectors indicators are showing positive improvements, with absolute poverty having dropped to 20.27 per cent and multidimensional poverty to 17.4 per cent, and the Gender Development Index standing at 0.885.

Nepal's Human Development Index (HDI) stands at 0.622. The average life expectancy of Nepalis has reached 71.3 years. The youth (15-24 years) literacy rate is 94.2 per cent.

The number of government health institutions has reached 8,976. The maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births has dropped to 151, the infant mortality rate to 27 per 1,000 live births, and the under-five child mortality rate to 31.

The health insurance programme has expanded to all local levels. Up to mid-March, the number of citizens enrolled in this programme is more than 2.14 million.

Access to basic drinking water has reached 97.0 per cent of the population, but access to safe drinking water is limited to only 29.0 per cent.

Similarly, in the academic session 2025, the net enrollment rate at the basic level (grades 1-8) is 97.8 per cent, and secondary level (grades 9-12) 51.6 per cent. In terms of net enrollment rates, the Gender Parity Index is 1.02 per cent for the basic level and 0.9 for the secondary level.

Likewise, irrigation facilities are expanded to 44.6 per cent of agricultural land and 62.6 per cent of irrigable land. Now, forest covers 46.08 per cent of the total land area of Nepal while the global ratio is 32.0 per cent of the total land area.

Meanwhile, the number of members associated with a total of 32,325 cooperative societies reached 11 million. Those cooperatives are expected to mobilse savings of Rs. 1,029 billion.

Rs. 625 billion foreign investment approved

The government has approved investments worth Rs. 492 billion by mid-March, consisting of Rs. 389.74 billion from the Department of Industries and Rs. 02.26 billion from the Investment Board Nepal. Along with this, total approved investment in the industrial sector has reached Rs. 5444.06 billion.

Foreign investment worth Rs. 625.58 billion has been approved at the Department of Industries for a total of 7,951 projects. Among the approved foreign investments, the highest is in service industries at 28.3 per cent, and the lowest is in mineral industries at 1.3 per cent.

The number of registered companies reached 369,646, of which private limited companies are 97.5 per cent, while other companies comprise 2.5 per cent.

As public investment in the physical infrastructure sector increases gradually, the density of blacktopped roads built by the federal government has reached 138.7 meters per square km. A total of 104,906 km of roads have been expanded across the nation.

The report also mentioned that financial access is expanding. The number of deposit accounts in banks and financial institutions reached 620.06 million, while the number of loan accounts reached 2.04 million. Mobile banking users reached 29.4, while internet banking users reached 2.37 million.

For this year, the National Accounts Office has estimated the growth rate of 3.85 per cent while the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors are estimated to contribute 24.0 perc ent and 76.0 per cent respectively. With this, the Gross Domestic Product of the current fiscal year is estimated to be Rs. 6600.09 billion.

The survey also noted that the share of consumption in Nepal's economy remains high. The share of consumption is estimated to be 90.3 per cent this year. Within total consumption, the shares of the private sector, government sector, and non-governmental sector are estimated to be 91.26 per cent, 6.62 per cent, and 2.12 per cent, respectively.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 May 2026.  

Policy complication pushes real estate in crisis: NLHDF

Kathmandu, May 27

Business leaders said that the organised real estate sector, which has been making an important contribution to Nepal’s economic development and job creation, is currently in crisis due to policy complications.

Nepal Land and Housing Developers' Federation (NLHDF) said in a statement on Wednesday that the sector has not only kept the country’s economic activities dynamic for the past three decades but has also provided employment to thousands of people.

"However, the land ceiling regulations implemented since 2019 have caused significant difficulties for entrepreneurs," it said.

Under the new government rules, no company is allowed to hold more than 30 ropanis of land, and any land exceeding this limit is restricted from being sold or distributed.

According to real estate entrepreneurs, their core business is to purchase land, develop it, and then sell houses or apartments built on it. They consider land as their 'stock', and argue that imposing such a ceiling has brought the entire business cycle to a halt.

They further complained that when real estate activity slows down, hundreds of related industries are also affected. In particular, consumption in the steel rod and cement industries has declined, while employment—from unskilled labourers to engineers—has been directly impacted.

"In addition, entrepreneurs who have invested in real estate through bank and financial institution loans are being forced to continue paying bank interest because they are unable to sell land. They also report situations where land transfers cannot be completed," according to the Federation.

Meanwhile, many citizens who have purchased houses or apartments have also been unable to transfer ownership of the land into their names, even after making full payments.

The NHLDF expressed hopes that the upcoming budget will address this issue positively. Arguing that a 30-ropani ceiling is not practical for organised urbanisation and large-scale city development, it urged the government to relax the restriction and facilitate land transactions for commercial purposes.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 May 2026.  

Xiaomi launches 9.7" pad in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 27

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Pad-2 9.7-inch in the Nepali market.

The tablet comes with an octa-core processor and a 9.7-inch 2K display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is available in graphite gray and silver colour options and features a metal body design.

The device is equipped with a 7,600mAh battery with 18W charging support. It has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. It also includes stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Redmi Pad 2 9.7-inch runs on Xiaomi HyperOS 3 and supports integration with other Xiaomi devices. It weighs 406 grams.

The tablet includes face unlock for device access. The 4GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is priced at Rs. 25,999 in Nepal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 May 2026.  

Speakers urge mechanism to tap NRNs' expertise

 Kathmandu, May 27

Experts have said that a mechanism should be developed to effectively avail of experienced, skilled, and academically qualified experts for multidisciplinary and contemporary research, study, and policy advocacy.

Speaking at an interaction organsied by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in Kathmandu on Tuesday, former administrators, private sector experts, and other stakeholders said that such pool of experts can support in advancing the country's governance system, sustainable economic development, and evidence-based policymaking.

The interaction identified existing policy gaps in the country and discussed possibilities for long-term policy reform, the NRNA said in a statement.

Discussions highlighted the need to expand collaboration among non-resident Nepalis, Nepali academic scholars, retired civil servants, successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople, journalists, legal professionals, and researchers to enhance institutional contributions to policymaking.

Likewise, the programme emphasised the formulation and implementation of economic policies focused on structural transformation for Nepal's long-term and inclusive economic development.

Participants stressed the need to pay particular attention to policies that boost production and productivity, industrialisation, the digital economy, the green economy, job creation, and strengthening public-private-cooperative partnerships.

According to them, a collaboration is needed to create the legal and policy frameworks necessary to effectively mobilise the knowledge, skills, and capital of non-resident Nepalis worldwide for Nepal's prosperity and development.

The programme stressed the need to institutionally utilise the international experience and knowledge of Nepali experts in Nepal's policymaking and development processes.

It recommended creating a common platform to coordinate the private sector, academic institutions, and Nepali experts abroad to prepare policy dialogue, research, and strategic recommendations.

Participants of the discussion included President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, Dr. Hem Raj Sharma, immediate past president Dr. Badri KC, former chief secretaries Ek Narayan Aryal and Shankar Bairagi, former secretaries Shishir Kumar Dhungana, Prem Kandel, Ram Prasad Ghimire, Dhanraj Gyawali, Phadindra Gautam, and Mani Ram Gelal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Anjan Shrestha, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Birendra Raj Pandey, Vice President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Deepak Shrestha, retired Inspector General of Armed Police Raju Aryal, and President of the Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN) Ganesh Karki.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 May 2026.  

EU envoys pledge to assist Nepal in education, ICT and tourism

Kathmandu, May 26

The European Union (EU) indicated that Nepal is likely to remain on its 'Aviation Safety Concern List' along with sustained operation ban, commonly known as black-list, for a while.

An EU team, following an assessment of the progress in 2023, had recommended the areas and activities to reform. But Nepal couldn't register sufficient progress. "The CAAN had formulated an action plan to improve the status but for the last two and a half years, there was no progress," EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo said at a press meet organised jointly with 22 envoys of EU member States to Nepal in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

She added that the EU is supporting Nepal to implement new standards in improving the aviation sector so that it would be delisted from the EU's safety concern list.

"All the ministers and chiefs of government agencies asked the same question to this delegation. We have same single objective to instill confidence in Nepal's aviation industry," she stated as the representative of the visiting delegation.

However, Ambassador Lorenzo maintained that the EU had asked Nepal for having independent departments for service operation and regulation of the aviation sector but not splitting the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) into two separate entities,

The EU placed Nepal on the list and banned Nepali airlines operators from flying to its member countries on December 5, 2013. The causes it cited then were a series of aviation accidents and regulatory concerns.

Although the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) removed Nepal from its list of 'Significant Safety Concerns' in 2017 after assessing the safety improvements, the EU maintained the status quo. Nepal was included in the ICAO 'safety concern' in 2013.

The delegation included envoys from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Of these countries, Finland, France and Germany have their embassies in Nepal apart from the EU Delegation.

Likewise, Ambassador Lorenzo suggested Nepal should begin its homework for the graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC). Stating that some sectors will be most vulnerable and many jobs will be lost, she expressed her dismay that the country didn't do its homework to face the post-graduation scenario.

The ambassadors present at the press meet said that they were keen to support the new government in its development initiatives especially in education and information technology sector.

Several of them expressed their readiness in extending cooperation in tourism sector as well. Non-resident ambassador of Sweden to Nepal Jan Thesleff said, "Now tourists want to experience the culture, nature and adventure which Nepal has in abundance. From nature to mountains and wellness, you can offer a lot to the tourists."

He also said that Sweden is ready to support Nepal in tourism.

Similarly, non-resident ambassador of Estonia to Nepal Marje Luup said that her country is ready to share its practices and successes in ICT and e-governance with Nepal. "I am sure there will be many other opportunities where we can find ways for cooperation," she said.

Non-resident ambassador of Cyprus to Nepal Evagoras Vryonides expressed concerns to Nepalis paying huge sums of money to reach Cyprus. "Nepali workers and students are paying about 7,000 Euros (above Rs. 1.2 million). This should be reduced and we must find a way out for that," he said.

Meanwhile, the envoys appreciated the government leadership in Nepal and said that Prime Minister Balendra Shah was determined to deliver in order to meet the public expectations.

“It is rare that there are such joint diplomatic trips, and we are overwhelmed by the hospitality we received,” they said. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 May 2026.  

DoCS launches 'MoFA Mitra'

Kathmandu, May 26

The Department of Consular Services (DoCS), an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officially launched MoFA Mitra mobile application to facilitate registering consular-related concerns and grievances.

The application enables Nepali citizens abroad and their families to register their consular related concerns and grievances online, and receive timely updates on their requests.

It will also help them to track the status of their requests and communicate directly with the Nepali missions concerned for the effective resolution of their issues, the MoFA informed in a statement.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal launched the app at a programme organised at the DoCS on Tuesday. The app is available on Android and iOS platforms.

Speaking on the occasion, FM Khanal said that consular assistance has become more important than ever, as millions of Nepalis are living outside the country and the trend of going abroad continues to rise.

He also highlighted the importance of leveraging digital technology to make consular services more accessible and effective.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 May 2026.  

Chinese delegation calls on FM Khanal

Kathmandu, May 26

A delegation led by Zhao Peng, Vice Chairman Xizang Autonomous Region of China, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal, at the Ministry on Tuesday.

They discussed on further strengthening relations and enhancing cooperation between Nepal and China, in areas including connectivity, infrastructure development, cross-border trade, investment, agriculture, tourism and people-to-people relations.

"Views were also exchanged on advancing constructive and forward-looking cooperation in areas such as digital economy, information and communication technology, and hydropower," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement.

Meanwhile, Signe Brudeset, Director General of the Department for Regional Affairs of Norway, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, at the Ministry.

During the meeting, they appreciated the outcomes of the 2nd meeting of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between Nepal and Norway.

MoFA said that cooperation on energy, education, social justice and trade was also discussed.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 May 2026.  

BFIs directed to run disability-friendly bank branch, ATM in each local unit

Kathmandu, May 24

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has directed the banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to collaborate with one another to make at least one branch and one ATM disability-friendly in every local level.

Earlier, such provision would apply if there were more than five branches of BFIs in any local body.

The disability-friendly ATM should be equipped with Braille signs, control buttons, and audio support, in locations featuring ATM lounges. The details of such branches and ATMs must be published on their websites.

Amending its Integrated Directives 2082 – issued for the commercial banks, development banks and financial institutions, the NRB has added new provisions to the arrangements regarding simplified banking and added new provisions on additional office hours.

The BFIs must develop their websites and mobile banking applications in a manner that ensures they can also be used by persons with visual impairments. They must include blind-friendly tactile features on the debit and credit cards they issue.

The central bank has maintained earlier provision that the BFIs should mandatorily maintain special and designated counters for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and illiterate individuals, giving them special priority to ensure easy access to banking facilities.

"If a person with a disability makes a self-declaration stating that they can independently use financial services such as ATMs, mobile banking, and internet banking, the licensed institution must make those services available to the individual," reads the directives.

Similarly, regarding additional office hours (overtime), the NRB directed the BFIs that if they deploy employees to work beyond standard office hours, they must provide additional remuneration (overtime pay) in accordance with the prevailing provisions.

However, employees should not be deployed forcefully to work beyond standard office hours.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 May 2026.  

Experts urge 55% tax hike on cigarette in upcoming budget

Lalitpur, May 24

Experts have demanded a raise in cigarette excise duty by 55 per cent in the upcoming budget of 2026/27, and recommended continuing with annual tax increase above inflation on all tobacco products.

This will increase the government revenue by Rs. 11-12 billion and is likely to be a catalyst in reducing tobacco use, according to estimates.

"Simplify the 5-tier cigarette tax structure and gradually move toward a uniform specific excise tax system," they said while speaking at a policy dialogue on 'Rationalising tobacco, alcohol and sugary drink taxes' organised by Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) in Lalitpur on Sunday.

The NDRI said that the country should aim for strong reduction in tobacco use with ambitious tax rates.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended raising tobacco excise duties up to 70 per cent of the retail price. But Nepal is lagging much behind this target.

The tobacco tax activists also suggested to introduce a licensing system for tobacco retailers and distributors through local governments. Currently, any retailer, individual or café can sell tobacco products while licensing is implemented in case of alcohol distributors and retailers.

Dr. Jaya Kumar Gurung, Coordinator of Tobacco Control Programme at the NDRI, said that the government, in the past three years, has raised tax on tobacco and alcoholic products by 2-5 per cent making negligible increase in the overall retail price. This rate is also way below the average annual inflation rate which generally hovers above 5 per cent.

It means, tobacco and alcoholic products are actually becoming cheaper.

Demanding for a system to automatically adjust the excise duty on alcoholic products in line with the Consumer Price Index, the NDRI said, "Currently, due to tax rate adjustments made through the annual budget in Nepal, excise duty rates are failing to keep pace with the rate of inflation. As a result, it appears that alcoholic products are becoming even more accessible and affordable over time."

 

Positive impact on revenue

In FY 2021/22, the government increased the excise duty on tobacco products by 25 per cent which resulted in a rise of Rs. 4.1 billion in government revenue. The following year, excise duty went up by another 17 per cent.

Statistics have shown a positive impact of alcohol on revenue – in the last decade the sector saw about three-time growth in such revenue. Currently, Nepal is implementing the lowest tax (41 per cent) on cigarettes while it is 58 per cent in India, 61 per cent in Pakistan, 73 per cent in Bangladesh and 68 per cent in Sri Lanka.

A raise of 10 per cent in retail price of alcoholic products will send down its consumption by 5-8 per cent. For example, alcohol's consumption had decreased by 64 per cent in Sri Lanka after the country increased tax rate by 20 per cent in 2023. However, it should also be noted that the country was trying to come out from a disastrous economic recession then.

The NDRI recommended that adopting the WHO's '3 by 5' initiative, tax on alcoholic products should be increased by at least a significant percentage. Token tax increases, such as the current 2 per cent, cannot bring about any significant reduction in alcohol consumption, instead, the state is losing out on the opportunity to collect large amounts of potential revenue.

Likewise, a demand was also made to expand the tax base to carbonated, non-carbonated drink, energy drink, sweet tea/coffee and flavoured milk and syrups.

Tax expert Dr. Rup Khadka suggested an administrative setup to effectively implement the tax rise while consumption discouragement campaigns should also be carried out at the same time.

Economist Professor Shiva Raj Adhikari said that the high tax on tobacco and alcoholic drinks not only reduces the consumption but also increases savings of the family, and they need to spend less on such products and health treatment.

"The tax hike decreases consumption of tobacco and alcohol especially in youth and low-income group," he said.

According to recent statistics presented by the NDRI, Nepal has 34 per cent tobacco use prevalence in above 15 years age. This means 6.7 million Nepalis consume tobacco. It kills 39,200 lives each year.

 

Sin-tax to health insurance

Speaking at the programme, former health minister Dr. Toshima Karki said that the government is in discussion if the revenue raised from 'sin-tax' could be mobilised in health insurance programmes.

Lawmakers from various political parties said that the government should implement step-wise taxation, via the budget of FY 2026/27, on tobacco and alcohol to make it 75 per cent in the next few years. Children should be strictly prohibited from buying and consuming such harmful products, they said while adding, "Government's focus should be public health and greater social benefit, not the revenue."

According to them, it is high time to raise tax on tobacco, sugar and alcoholic products. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 May 2026.  

Nepal honoured with 'Most Charming Tourism Destination' title at GITF

Kathmandu, May 24

Nepal is honoured with the 'Most Charming Tourism Destination' recognition at the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) 2026, acknowledging Nepal’s growing appeal among international travelers and its unique blend of natural beauty, spirituality, culture, and adventure tourism.

Strategically located near Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou served as a major commercial and tourism hub with strong potential for Nepal’s wellness, cultural, outdoor, pilgrimage, and luxury tourism segments, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said in a statement on Sunday.

The NTB coordinated Nepal’s participation at the three-day GITF held from 21–23 May. It provided travel and tourism information to fair visitors, highlighting Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings including wellness, cultural, pilgrimage, adventure, outdoor, and luxury tourism experiences.

On the opening day, a traditional Nepali cultural dance performance and a destination presentation were organised, showcasing Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and tourism appeal to Chinese visitors and travel trade professionals. Presentation on Nepal’s tourism offerings was also made at the fair.

Other major attractions and visitor engagement activities at the Nepal stall included a spin-and-win lucky draw and the showcasing of Nepali singing bowls as part of wellness tourism experiences.

Eight Nepali travel and tourism companies participated in the event - Adventure Outdoor Treks and Expedition, Buddha Maya Gardens, Dragon Holidays, Hotel Manang, Outdoor Expeditions, Pearl Holidays, Social Treks and Expedition, and The Trek Nepal.

The participating companies provided information on tour, travel, trekking, and hospitality packages to potential visitors and travel trade professionals.

Currently, Nepal Airlines and China Southern Airlines operate direct flights between Kathmandu and Guangzhou.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 May 2026.  

Adhikari steps up as acting president of CAN Federation

Kathmandu, May 24

Senior Vice-President of the Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation) Chiranjibi Adhikari has officially stepped up as the acting president to serve out the remainder of the executive term.

Following the resignation of Sunaina Ghimire Pandey, who made history as the first female president of the federation, from her post citing personal reasons, Adhikari has assumed the leadership of the umbrella body of Nepal’s information and communication technology sector.

Adhikari is a cybersecurity expert and is in the field for more than two decades. He was elected unanimously as the Senior VP of the CAN Federation. He has made contributions in corporate leadership, domestic policy advocacy, grassroots public education, and higher academia.

He is a founder president of npCert, an information security response team in Nepal, founder president of Centre for Cybersecurity Research and Innovation, CEO of Once Cover Pvt. Ltd., associate director of TechPaaila Innovation, and Cybersecurity Advisor for the IT Committee of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce.

Likewise, Adhikari has personally conducted more than 500 cybersecurity awareness programmes across Nepal. These strategic campaigns have educated community schools, rural government agencies, and corporate businesses on digital hygiene and secure network practices.

He said that during his leadership, the CAN Federation will push for national policy prioritization to secure locally produced software through 'Nepal made software campaign', and advocate for dedicated tax incentives, land allocations and building premises within technology hubs like the IT park for local tech startups.

Similarly, he aims to drive the implementation of updated software procurement guidelines and fostering new avenues for software product financing.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 May 2026.  

Govt reduces ECR to 12 hours

Kathmandu, May 23

Stating that the condition of Nepalis in West Asia has remained normal, the government has reduced the operation of the Emergency Control Room (ECR) to 12 hours from round the clock facility.

"We remain continuously vigilant regarding the safety and interests of Nepalis in West Asia. The ECR established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) will now be operated from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm only, reduced from its previous 24-hour operation," Spokesperson of the Ministry Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said at a media briefing on Friday.

Until Friday. the Control Room received more than 160 calls, over 50 emails, and more than 110 contacts via online messaging platforms, in addition to over 10 physical appearances.

However, the number of migrant Nepalis seeking support of the government via the ECR has gone down significantly, of late. 

In the last 48 hours alone, there have been only two contacts. Similarly, the number of people filling out the online form launched by the DoCS currently stands at 87,863.

According to Chhetri, only 12 people registered in the last 14 days.

The MoFA said that the government is closely monitoring the recent developments in the West Asia region. Although the region remains tense, the possibility of meaningful dialogue is strong, and the situation has been on an improving trend since May.

"The most pressing needs at present are to ensure the success of diplomatic efforts for peace, to clear the blockage in the Strait of Hormuz, and to establish lasting peace in the region. Nepal supports the ongoing bilateral and multilateral efforts to clear the blockage in the Strait of Hormuz," reads a statement from the MoFA.

It also expressed hopes that the blockage will soon be resolved, and the affected supply chains and inflated market prices will gradually move towards normalisation.

Meanwhile, the government has successfully rescued of 687 Nepalis from illegally operated online scamming centres in the border areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand in Southeast Asia.

The Foreign Ministry said that the rescue operations were conducted with the coordination and collaboration among various agencies by the Nepali missions in Thailand and Myanmar. Of them, 71 individuals have been rescued in the last two weeks.

Out of that total number, 562 Nepali citizens have been rescued from Cambodia, 111 from Myanmar, 8 from Laos, and 6 from Thailand, and brought back to Nepal. It is estimated that many more Nepalis may still be trapped in that region.

Likewise, at the request of the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok, the Cambodian government has so far waived fines for 102 Nepalis, and a request has been made for the waiver of fines for an additional 172 Nepalis.

Twenty-nine Nepalis are imprisoned in various Cambodian jails on charges including organised crime, torture, and human trafficking.

"Efforts continue to secure remission of sentences for 18 Nepalis imprisoned in Myanmar, and they have been visited and provided with necessary assistance," according to the MoFA. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 May 2026.  

Four-day public holiday

Kathmandu, May 23

With the government's announcement of public Holiday on Thursday, May 28, there will a four-day public holiday until May 31.

The Ministry of Home Affairs informed on Friday that there will be a holiday on May 28 on the occasion of Bakr Eid (Eid al-Adha).

The Ministry said that according to the notice published in the Nepal Gazette in March this year, there is a provision for a public holiday on the occasion of the festival of Bakar Eid (Eid-ul-Adha) for followers of the Islamic faith.

In this context, as the information from the Muslim Commission that Bakar Eid (Eid-ul-Adha) falls on Thursday, public holiday is announced. On May 29, the country celebrates the Republic Day which is a public holiday. The government also presents the budget for the next Fiscal Year 2026/27. 

Likewise, the following two days are weekend. Citing the short-supply of petroleum fuel, the government has been implementing a two-day weekend.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 May 2026. 

FM Khanal seeks Iranian envoy's support in Jha's release

Kathmandu, May 23

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has urged the Iranian Ambassador to Nepal Dr. Mohammad Fathali for his support in expediting process in the case of Amrit Jha, a Nepali national who is currently in Iranian custody.

During a courtesy call by Dr. Fathali at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday, the Minister made this request.

The MoFA informed in a statement that the Ambassador assured of serious follow-up on the matter from his side.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the current situation in West Asia and the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.

Matters relating to strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Iran were discussed on the occasion, read the statement.

The MoFA said that as the case pending in the local court of Iran is to be settled in accordance with Iranian law, continuous diplomatic efforts are being made to ensure, among other things, a fair trial for Jha using all available channels. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 May 2026. 

Nepal initiates for LDC graduation deferral

Kathmandu, May 22

Nepal has initiated the formal process to temporarily postpone its scheduled graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to a 'developing nation'.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has written to the Chair of the United Nations' Committee for Development Policy (CDP) on May 13, requesting a deferral of the country's graduation until November 2029.

"The government has decided to seek the deferral, taking into account recent national and internal economic and political circumstances," Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri informed at a press briefing on Friday.

According to the MoFA, Minister Khanal has cited five reasons to justify his request for the delayed graduation: the impact of regional conflict on the economy, risks of losing favoured treatment at international markets, slow transition preparation, prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and risk of remittance decline.

"The Nepali economy has been adversely affected due to regional conflicts, disruptions in global supply chains, and the impact on remittance inflows," said the MoFA, while citing the poor economic growth prospects of just 2.3 per cent in 2026 as projected by the World Bank.  

Following graduation from LDC to developing country status, Nepal risks losing benefits such as duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access. It is estimated that this could lead to a decline of up to 35 per cent in employment within the productive sector.

The private sector has also long been asking the government for the deferral. Its voice for graduation postponement became louder following the destruction of the private properties during the Gen Z movement last year. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Confederation of Nepalese Industries had long maintained that the country should seek deferral for at least three years and implement a robust transition strategy to reduce the cost of industrial production, enhance the infrastructure and ensure access to the major international markets.

The MoFA acknowledged that for various reasons, the implementation of Nepal’s Smooth Transition Strategy (STS) has been slower than anticipated. "While the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has yet to fully stabilise, geopolitical tensions and the effects of climate change have created additional challenges for it," it said.

Likewise, recent developments in the Middle East have affected remittances, which form the backbone of Nepal’s foreign currency reserves. In addition, rising fuel, food and fertiliser prices have impacted the tourism industry and the wider national economy, which is likely to impact more jobs at home and abroad.

Graduation in one and a half decades

Although Nepal first met the criteria for the graduation from the LDC status in 2015 during the review of the United Nations, the country decided not to graduate due to the devastating Gorkha Earthquake the same year and its implications on the economy and infrastructure.

In 2018, the Committee for Development Policy of the UN formally recommended Nepal for graduation and the country was to graduate in 2021. But the country requested for a deferral amidst the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic and its pressure on tourism, foreign and domestic employment, and remittance. The country got an additional five years and was slated to graduate to a developing country status in November 2026.

According to the experts on LDC graduation, Bangladesh's deferral following the movement a couple of years ago was a motivator for Nepal's deferral. Bangladesh, Laos and Nepal were slated to graduate together in November. But this time, Laos will witness the progress alone.

Once a country is graduated from the LDC, it will lose the DFQF facility in the markets in the developed countries, options for the concessional loans and grants from the multilateral donors and support in programmes and travels to UN programmes.

However, Nepal has missed the favoured treatment like the DFQF facility provided by the USA and the European Union. The country failed to produce enough goods to export to those markets, and only a small benefit could be attained by the private sector.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 May 2026. 

Nepal-China mechanism to meet on June 2

Kathmandu, May 22

The third meeting of the mechanism on Nepal-China cooperation programmes is scheduled to take place on June 2 this year, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The meeting will be co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary of Nepal Amrit Bahadur Rai and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming.

The two countries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 21 June 2018 to establish the Mechanism for Facilitation on the Implementation of Nepal-China Cooperation Programmes and Projects in Nepal.

"The meeting will review the progress of projects being implemented with the assistance of the Chinese government, and discuss approaches for their effective implementation," MoFA Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Ksehtri informed at a press briefing held at the Ministry on Friday.

Likewise, the Ministry is set to launch MoFA Mitra App, developed by the Department of Consular Services to provide legal and consular advice to Nepali citizens abroad, and to assist them in obtaining relief, compensation and insurance payments.

The app will be launched by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal Tuesday, May 26.

Similarly, Nepal is observing 29 May as International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest). The day is being observed since 2008, commemorating the first historic successful ascent of Sagarmatha on the same day in 1953. Various programmes will be organised by the Nepali mission abroad and other stakeholders to mark the day.

Meanwhile, Nepal is in the process of ratifying the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement, signed during the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit.

The pact has been ratified by four member states – Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Thailand – and came into force from 14 May 2026.

"The Ministry of Infrastructure Development is undertaking necessary work to secure ratification of the agreement by the Federal Parliament," informed Kshetri. The agreement applies to vessels and shipping companies flying the national flags of member states, their crews and cargo carried by such vessels.

Meanwhile, Seema Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Indo-Pacific at the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has arrived here on Friday on a three-day visit.

On Friday, she met with FM Khanal and discussed various matters concerning bilateral relations.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 May 2026.

Envoys present credentials to President

Kathmandu, May 21

The newly appointed ambassadors from four different nations to Nepal presented their letters of credence to President Ramchandra Paudel at the Office of the President in Kathmandu on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the President's Office, the credentials were submitted during a series of special ceremonies held separately.

The diplomats who presented their credentials include one residential and three non-residential ambassadors. Among them, Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Vladimirovich Surovtsev is resident, while Luxembourg’s Christian Biever, Austria’s Dr. Robert Zischg, and Iran’s Dr. Mohammad Fathali are non-resident.

High-ranking officials from the government were also present on the occasion. In accordance with traditional diplomatic protocol, the newly appointed envoys were escorted from Lazimpat to the President’s Office in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by a ceremonial cavalry (risalla) escort.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2026.

Kathmandu Fintek to hold digital HR conference

Kathmandu, May 21

Kathmandu Fintek is organising a human resources (HR) conference in Kathmandu on May 27. The event will focus on the future of leadership and workforce management in the context of developments in artificial intelligence, the organiser informed in a statement on Thursday.

The conference will bring together individuals from the HR, banking, AI and digital transformation sectors.

"The conference will discuss the integration of AI, data and digital technologies into HR functions. Topics include AI in HR, data-based decision-making, digital employee experience, leadership approaches in the AI era, and skill development for the future workplace," read the statement.

Speakers at the conference include Harsh Kumar, a CHRO from India’s banking and financial services sector, who has led AI projects within his organisation. He will discuss how HR can manage organisational culture change when introducing technology.

Likewise, Shilpa, a senior CHRO and certified AI professional with experience in corporate and banking leadership, and Alok, an expert on AI use in Nepal’s banking sector, will discuss integration of AI and HR, and introducing AI in Nepali banking, respectively.

According to Kathmandu Fintek, the conference aims to encourage emerging talent in the HR sector and convey the message that HR should extend beyond recruitment, payroll and administration towards data-based decision-making and people intelligence.

The conference is intended for HR managers, executives, department heads, line managers, supervisors and individuals in leadership roles who seek to understand the effects of AI and digital transformation on labour and organisational strategy.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2026.

Provinces show wide economic disparities

Bagmati alone to contribute 38% to national economy

Bagmati’s per capita GDP to remain at US$ 2,644 while Madhes to stay at US$934

 

Kathmandu, May 20

Among the seven provinces of Nepal, Bagmati alone is estimated to contribute more than one-third (36.7 per cent) to the national economy in the current Fiscal Year 2025/26.

According to the statistics published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Wednesday, there is a stark disparity among the provinces in terms of the size of economy, contribution to the national economy and per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Bagmati is projected to contribute Rs. 2.42 trillion to the national economy, which is estimated to reach Rs. 6.6 trillion by the end of this year.

Karnali will make a nominal contribution with just 4.2 per cent or Rs. 277 billion, while Sudurpaschim’s input will stand at Rs. 464 billion (7 per cent).

Likewise, Koshi will contribute Rs. 1.043 trillion (15.8 per cent), Lumbini Rs. 937 billion (14.2 per cent), Madhes Rs. 863 billion (13.1 per cent), and Gandaki Rs. 593 billion (9.0 per cent).

According to preliminary estimates for FY 2025/26, Bagmati is expected to record the growth rate of 5.40 per cent – the highest annual growth rate in provincial GDP based on consumer prices, followed by Gandaki Province at 5.01 per cent.

Similarly, Madhes is projected to have the lowest annual growth rate, at 1.31 per cent, according to the NSO.

“While the national annual GDP growth rate, measured at constant consumers’ prices, is preliminarily estimated at 3.85 per cent, only Bagmati and Gandaki provinces are expected to record growth rates higher than the national average,” read a statement from the Office.

Other provinces are projected to grow at rates below the national average – Sudurpaschim 3.28 per cent; Koshi 3.13 per cent; Lumbini 2.87 per cent; and Karnali 2.94 per cent. This year, Bagmati, Gandaki, Koshi and Sudurpaschim are likely to surpass last year’s growth achievement – 5.29 per cent, 4.92 per cent, 2.72 per cent and 3.21 per cent, respectively.

In the last FY 2024/25, Madhes’ growth rate was 4.43, Lumbini's 4.27 and Karnali's 5.25 per cent. The performance of Madhes and Karnali is estimated to have significantly deteriorated.

 

Agriculture largest contributor

According to economic activities classified by industry, agriculture is expected to remain the largest contributor to provincial economies in all provinces except Bagmati this year. In Bagmati, wholesale and retail trade is projected to contribute the largest share.

“Trade — which holds the second-largest share at the national level — is also expected to rank second in both Koshi and Madhes,” read the report.

Similarly, real estate services are projected to make the second-largest contribution in Bagmati. In Gandaki and Karnali, public administration and defence are expected to rank second in terms of contribution, while in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim, education services are projected to hold the second-largest share.

On the other hand, administrative and support services are expected to contribute the least in Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces, while mining and quarrying activities are projected to have the lowest contribution in Madhes, Bagmati and Karnali provinces, estimated the NSO.

 

Electricity and gas sector to see highest growth

In terms of the sectoral growth rate, the electricity and gas sector is likely to witness the highest value addition growth rate in Koshi, with 23.76 per cent. This sector is also estimated to be top achiever in Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Madhes as well, with 22.88 per cent, 23.9 per cent, 9.18 per cent, and 10.91 per cent growth, respectively.

However, in Karnali and Sudurpaschim, financial and insurance services arre estimated to achieve the highest value-added growth, with 8.40 per cent and 7.98 per cent, respectively.

 

Disparities in per capita GDP

As in the growth performances, Madhes is estimated to witness the lowest per capita GDP.

The NSO informed that, according to the preliminary estimates, Madhes’ per capita GDP in US dollars will remain at 934.

On the contrary, Bagmati is expected to record the highest per capita GDP of US$ 2,644.

Likewise, the per capita GDP is estimated to reach US$ 1,651 for Gandaki; US$ 1,410 for Koshi; US$ 1,208 for Lumbini; US$ 1,170 for Sudurpaschim; US$ 1,108 for Karnali; and US$ 934 for Madhes.

At the national level, per capita GDP is estimated at USD 1,513 for the current fiscal year.

Based on this estimate, only Bagmati and Gandaki provinces are expected to record per capita GDP above the national average, while the remaining provinces are projected to remain below it.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 May 2026.

FM Khanal telephones Saudi Prince Faisal

Kathmandu, May 20

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal held a telephone conversation with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday and reaffirmed Nepal’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia during this challenging period.

FM Khanal also expressed his appreciation from the government of Saudi Arabia for ensuring the safety and security of Nepali nationals amid the ongoing conflict in the region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) wrote on X.

"The two Ministers discussed the longstanding bilateral relations between Nepal and Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels," read the post.

They also discussed avenues for enhancing collaboration in trade, investment and other areas of mutual interest, including the promotion of Saudi private sector investment in Nepal, as the two countries prepare to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 May 2026.

APG-ICRG delegation meets FM Khanal

Kathmandu, May 20

A Joint delegation of APG-ICRG has briefed Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal about the progress made by Nepal, and reforms necessary for further compliance to exit the FATF Grey List.

The delegation led by David Shannon, Deputy Executive Secretary of APG Secretariat, paid a courtesy call at the Ministry on Wednesday.

FM Khanal expressed confidence in further enhancing national capacity, including through strengthening cooperation with the APG to exit from the Grey List at the earliest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a post on X.

The delegation is on a support visit to Nepal from 18 to 20 May 2026.

APG-ICRG is the collaboration between the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) and the International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

It manages the monitoring, assessment, and follow-up processes for jurisdictions that have strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) systems.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 May 2026.

Nepali workers' outflow to GCC drops by 47 %

Kathmandu, May 19

Migrant worker outflows from Nepal to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has dropped by 45 per cent in February-March this year compared to the same period in 2025, according to a report of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) published on Tuesday.

This drop further widened to 47 per cent in March-April this year, as compared to last year.

In March this year, 26,561 Nepali workers renewed their labour permits to return to West Asian countries, while 28,383 received labour permits for new entry, according to the Department of Foreign Employment. But individuals receiving labour approval for the first time couldn’t reach their destination as the government had banned their travel.

On the contrary, in March 2025, more than 52,000 Nepalis received labour approval and left for jobs in GCC countries.

While the Philippines witnessed a massive decrease of 78 per cent on a year-on-year basis, Bangladesh's drop sits at 15 per cent.

According to the report 'Employment and Social Trends May 2026 Update: Growing labour market risks of the Middle East crisis', the West Asia crisis is increasingly affecting jobs, working conditions and incomes far beyond the region, as higher energy costs, disrupted transport routes, supply chain pressure, weaker tourism and migration constraints weigh on economies and labour markets.

After the war broke out between Israel-USA and Iran earlier this year, the security situation in the West Asian nation has significantly deteriorated. This has not only impacted the businesses and workers there but also the national and household economy in many developing countries in South Asia and Northern Africa.

The Arab States are the most directly exposed, through conflict-related disruption, damage to economic activity, displacement, energy and trade shocks, and pressure on migrant workers and refugees, read the report.

The ILO predicted that total working hours could fall by 1.3 per cent under rapid de-escalation. This could reach 3.7 per cent under a prolonged crisis and 10.2 per cent under a severe escalation. Such a decline is more than twice the scale recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. "Around 40 per cent of employment in the region is concentrated in high-exposure sectors such as construction, manufacturing, transport, trade and hospitality. Migrant workers are expected to bear a disproportionate share of labour market adjustment," read the report.

According to the recent news reports, jobs of about 80,000 Nepalis is at risk in Saudi Arabia following the suspension of the ambitious 'Future City' project.

“If the crisis disrupts both deployments and remittance flows, the effects could spread to consumption, poverty and local employment in countries of origin,” the report said.

 

Needs for rapid response mechanism

Meanwhile, a tripartite meeting among the government, Nepali missions abroad and the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) held on Tuesday, suggested to create a rapid response mechanism and operate it effectively to conduct timely rescue and repatriation of Nepalis in the conflict-affected countries.

The meeting discussed the safety and management of Nepali migrant workers in the conflict-affected countries in West Asia, and said that digital assistance system must be made effective and accessible.

The meeting, attended by the representatives of Labour Migration and Nepali Diaspora Coordination Division and concerned government and non-government agencies, suggested to immediately implement emergency rescue plans and safe transfer systems.

Stating that the coordination among the NRNA, Nepali missions and the government must be further strengthened and made more effective, the meeting recommended to make the crisis management and risk awareness mandatory components of pre-departure orientation training.

Other suggestions include updated data system for Nepali workers, access to psychological counselling, awareness campaign on foreign-employment-related fraud, and strengthened labour-related bilateral agreements.

Speaking at the meeting, Ramkaji Khadka, Head of the West Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), updated the status of Nepalis in West Asia and said that Nepali missions in the respective GCC countries are vigilant on the situation and are regular communication with the Ministry.

 

NRNA for a high-level coordination mechanism

Recalling the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of Nepalis from countries including the West Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic, president of the NRNA Dr. Hem Raj Sharma emphasised the need for effective cooperation among the government and non-government stakeholders.

"A high-level coordination mechanism should be established immediately between the MoFA, Ministry of Labour, Foreign Employment Department, Foreign Employment Board, Welfare Fund, and the NRNA, and an emergency response mechanism should be set up without delay," Sharma said.

He stated that the NRNA is ready to work alongside the government or through its own mechanisms to take immediate action in rescue, safe transfer, and relief management.

Following the conflict escalation, the government had formed a task force to study the situation of Nepalis in labour destination countries, including West Asia, and Emergency Response Team to assist in rescue and relief operations. The ILO report also noted Nepal's efforts in crisis monitoring and coordination, implementing helplines, emergency response and other support systems activated in countries of destination, including consular assistance, crisis monitoring and coordination, and repatriation assistance.

Nepal also suspended the labour permit to West Asian nation for about six weeks, effective from March this year. More than 30,000 Nepali nationals have returned from the conflict-affected countries, of whom, 21,000 are from Qatar alone.

According to the government statistics, there are 1.72 million Nepali migrant workers in 13 countries in the region whose safety has troubled the government here.

Nepalis in Iran, Israel, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon, Iraq and Cyprus were or likely to be affected by the Israel-Iran war, MoFA had said.

The largest number of Nepalis are in the UAE with a presence of 478,144, followed by Saudi Arabia at 383,865, Qatar at 357,000, Kuwait at 175,000, and Iraq at 30,000. There are 11 Nepali citizens in Iran and 500 in Egypt.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 May 2026.

Pak Embasy awards winners of essay, speech competition

Kathmandu, May 19

The Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu organised award ceremonies, in Kathmandu on Tuesday, for the 13^th Annual Ambassador of Pakistan Essay Writing Competition and the 9^th Annual Ambassador of Pakistan Speech Competition 2026.

The essay competition was conducted on 'Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Mainstreaming the Demand for Pakistan through Constitutional Means”. Pratik Pokhrel from Viswa Niketan Secondary School secured first position. Dakshesh Ghimire from Chand Bagh School secured second position, while Nitin Thapa from Pranjali World School stood third.

The winners received certificates, cash prizes and special prizes. The essay competition was organised to commorate 150^th birth anniversary of Jinnah, the Embassy informed in a statement.

Likewise, the speech competition focused on the topic 'Will AI Engulf Libraries?'. Vishwakala Nepal from Reliance College secured first position in the competition while Tshring Tamang from National Law College stood second and Bipyum Chaulagain from St. Xavier College secured third position. Participants received certificates and prizes.

The embassy said that more than 50 students from higher secondary school to university level participated in the competitions. Competitors delivered speeches and submitted essays before a panel of judges.

Addressing the programme, Pakistan's Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H. Hashmi said the competitions aimed to encourage constitutional understanding, academic participation and engagement among Nepali students.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 May 2026.

CG Net launches Wi-Fi 6

Kathmandu, May 19

Internet service provider CG Net has officially introduced its next-generation Wi-Fi 6 internet service in Nepal, offering speeds of up to 400 Mbps.

The newly launched service is designed to meet the growing demand for faster and more reliable internet as online gaming, remote work, virtual learning, streaming services and smart home technologies, the company said in a statement.

According to it, the Wi-Fi 6 technology comes with several major improvements over previous-generation internet systems. The service is expected to provide download speeds of up to six gigabits per second, significantly lower latency and better performance when multiple devices are connected simultaneously.

The company said the technology can support more than 128 connected devices at once and deliver improved efficiency for 4K streaming, online gaming and cloud-based applications. This technology can lower the power consumption by up to 30 per cent for connected devices.

It further added that the new system has been designed particularly for large families, homes using several smart devices and small businesses requiring stable internet access. The upgraded technology also includes advanced security protocols and more efficient data transmission through OFDMA and 1024-QAM technology.

The company has also introduced new annual internet packages under the Wi-Fi 6 platform, including a 400 Mbps plan. The prices range from Rs. 14,499 for internet only to Rs. 18,907 for internet, IPTV and mesh router for outside the Kathmandu Valley. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 May 2026.

Foreign Ministry puts diplomatic efforts to ensure fair hearing for Jha

Kathmandu, May 18

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed on Monday that continuous diplomatic efforts are being undertaken through all available channels to ensure a fair hearing for Amrit Jha, a Nepali citizen who was arrested in Iran on charges of illegal smuggling and transportation of goods in Qeshm Island.

According to the latest information received by the Ministry, the team formed to prepare the Expert Report in the case is in the process of submitting its report to the court.

The expert team was formed about a month ago, according to the direction issued by an Iranian court.

"As the case pending before the local Iranian court will be resolved in accordance with Iranian law, continuous diplomatic efforts are being undertaken through all available channels to ensure, among other things, a fair hearing for Jha," the MoFA informed in a statement.

Iranian authorities had arrested Nepali citizen Amrit Jha along with six other foreign nationals from Qeshm Island in January 2026, before the war broke out between Israel-USA and Iran. Currently, he is being held in custody for judicial remand in Bandar Abbas.

In the same statement, the MoFA expressed regret over the confusion and inconvenience caused by the public dissemination of informal information regarding Jha's release while the case remained under consideration in an Iranian court, while he was in custody.

This confusion was caused by information shared by Nepal's honorary consul for Iran Shahram Shantiaee, with Nepal's ambassador in Qatar Kumar Rai. Based on Shantiaee informed Rai on April 15 that a letter was issued for Jha's release, and he was free.

Ambassador Rai updated Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai about the developments on Jha's release, as the matter has been turned into a great public concern here in Nepal.

Considering the difficult situation prevailing there, the immediate public concern regarding the Nepali citizen, the enquiries made by media outlets, and the fact that the matter had already reached Jha’s family, the Ministry issued a press statement the same day stating that informal information had been received regarding the release.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also shared the information through social media.

But when the MoFA instructed the Embassy of Nepal in Doha to obtain written evidence of his release so that the process of his repatriation to Nepal could be initiated, the mission received an update that Jha had not yet been released, but the court had directed the preparation of an Expert Report in relation to the case.

 

FM Khanal seeks diaspora support in development

Meanwhile, FM Khanal invited the Nepali diaspora community to remain actively engaged as partners in building a prosperous and inclusive Nepal.

Launching a report 'Nepali Diaspora in Australia' as an event organsied by the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) in Kathmandu on Monday, he said that the Nepali diaspora in Australia represents one of Nepal’s national strengths.

He noted that education remains a key pillar of Nepal-Australia relations and emphasised that they serve as an important soft-power bridge strengthening mutual goodwill, cultural understanding and multifaceted partnerships beyond remittance, the MoFA said in its post on X.

The programme was also attended by Australian Ambassador to Nepal Simon Ernst, Non-Resident Nepalis, the private sector and researchers. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 May 2026.

FNCCI wants upcoming budget to revive business confidence

Budget will uphold good governance: FM Dr. Wagle

 

Kathmandu, May 17

Through the budget of the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026/27, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has advised the Finance Ministry to revive declining business confidence, generate demand in the market and re-attract stalled investment.

Employment generation should also be the top priority and get required polity attention, the FNCCI informed in a statement.

Submitting its budget recommendations to Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Sunday, the FNCCI suggested to introduce the upcoming budget in a manner that would bring about economic transformation.

Stating that the forthcoming budget is not merely an ordinary annual document but one arriving at a critical juncture in Nepal’s economic history, the FNCCI suggested a fundamental transformation of the current economic model.

Presenting the recommendations to FM Dr. Wagle, President Anjan Shrestha said that an economy based on remittance and imports could not ensure long-term prosperity, and that the private sector remained hopeful of a transformative budget.

“Frequent annual changes in tax policy have eroded investor confidence. The private sector has called for an end to the unstable practice of annual fiscal acts and the implementation of a single revenue code with clear interpretation, along with the formation of an autonomous Revenue Board," he said.

Shrestha further added that there must be a clear assurance that tax laws will not be applied retrospectively.

The country’s industrial production capacity is currently limited to 40 per cent, the construction industry has reached the most difficult period in its history, and the contribution of the private sector to gross fixed capital formation has declined from 28 per cent to 16 per cent over the past four years. In such a situation, the budget must revive the economy, said Shrestha.

The FNCCI also drew the government’s attention to the fact that while Nepal’s average economic growth rate over the past two decades has remained at only 4 per cent, tax growth has reached 11 per cent. Revenue as a proportion of GDP has exceeded 19 per cent, making Nepal one of the countries with the highest tax burdens in South Asia.

According to the FNCCI, high taxation has increased informal transactions, illegal trade and business migration.

Referring to Nepal’s graduation from a least developed country to a developing country, the FNCCI warned that Nepal risks losing preferential market access after graduation, while transport and financing costs could further weaken Nepali products. It therefore demanded a special and long-term integrated policy for export-oriented industries such as textiles, carpets, garments, pashmina and felt products.

In its recommendations, the FNCCI also proposed a legal provision allowing Nepali companies to invest a certain portion of export earnings abroad in order to expand at regional and international levels.

The FNCCI called for stronger control over smuggling through open borders and the immediate removal of distortions under SAFTA whereby finished goods are imported more cheaply than raw materials.

President Shrestha also drew the Finance Minister’s attention to the need to safeguard the business environment and address the criminalisation of entrepreneurship.

Responding to the recommendations, Finance Minister Dr. Wagle expressed commitment to introducing a budget that would uphold good governance, strengthen private sector development, encourage investment and support employment generation.

Clarifying that the government remains committed to moving forward with the private sector as its principal partner, he urged the FNCCI delegation to remain optimistic.

“The government is sensitive to the decline in private sector confidence and the weakening market demand. The upcoming budget will lay the foundation for transforming the economic model itself,” said Finance Minister Dr Wagle.

Regarding the government’s post-LDC priorities, FM Dr. Wagle said the government had taken the matter seriously. However, he stressed that even if there were proposals to delay the timeline, preparations for the post-graduation phase must continue.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 May 2026.