KATHMANDU: The sale of the Foreign Employment Savings Bond- 2086 (A) issued by the Public Debt Management Office is quite low.
The Bond worth Rs 500 million and issued on November 27, closed on Sunday with only about 11 percent sold. As the Office said, the total sale amounted to Rs 50.42 million.
However, the Civic Bond-2086 (B) of worth Rs two billion was entirely subscribed. “The sale was cent percent,” Office Spokesperson Mukunda Pokharel said.
The interest rate for the Civic Bond is 7.5 percent, while the Foreign Employment Savings Bond offers a higher rate of 8.5 percent. The interest amount will be automatically deposited in bank accounts of purchasers in each six months.
Despite the relatively attractive interest rates on these bonds, which surpass those of fixed bank deposits, many citizens remain unaware of them.
Investments in real estate, gold and silver, the capital market, and fixed deposits continue to be more popular choices.
It is said a lack of proper publicity, procedural complexities, and limited awareness of the secondary market have discouraged potential investors from embracing these government bonds, which are seen as secure, attractive, and accessible investment options.
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