KATHMANDU: The remittance inflows in the country increased 25.8 percent to Rs 116.02 billion in the first month of the current fiscal year compared to an increase of 20.3 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year, the Nepal Rastra Banks said.

Likewise, the central bank said that the number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment remained 39,152 in the first month, which decreased 12.1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

According to the central bank, the current account remained at a surplus of Rs12.99 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs 15.13 billion in the same period of the previous year.

During the period, capital transfer decreased 65.9 percent to Rs 272.6 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) remained positive of Rs 2.65 billion.

Likewise, the balance of payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 32.90 billion in the review period, which was at a deficit of Rs 19.76 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

According to the NRB, the year-on-year consumer price inflation remained 7.52 per cent in mid-August compared to 8.26 per cent a year ago.

Food and beverage inflation stood at 8.95 per cent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.42 per cent, the central bank said.

Furthermore, country’s exports decreased 8.7 per cent to Rs 13.53 billion compared to a decrease of 28.7 per cent in the same period of the previous year.

It said exports to India decreased 20.8 per cent whereas export to China and other countries increased 527.2 per cent and 15.4 per cent respectively.

During the first month of this fiscal year, country’s imports decreased 1.6 per cent to Rs 129.24 billion compared to a decrease of 12.9 per cent a year ago.

Destination-wise, imports from India and China increased 3.3 per cent and 17 per cent while imports from other countries decreased 23.1 per cent.