Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves near Rs 2.6 trillion, enough to cover 14 months of imports

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves have neared Rs 2.6 trillion, according to the latest data published by Nepal Rastra Bank on Sunday.

As of the end of Chaitra 2081 (mid-April 2025), total foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 2.426 trillion, marking an 18.9% increase from Rs 2.041 trillion at the end of Asar 2081 (mid-July 2024). In US dollars, reserves rose from USD 15.27 billion to USD 17.63 billion during the same period, reflecting a 15.4% growth.

Of the total reserves, holdings with Nepal Rastra Bank increased from Rs 1.848 trillion to Rs 2.136 trillion, a 15.6% rise.

Based on the average import levels of the first nine months of the fiscal year 2081/82, the central bank stated that the current reserves can cover 17.1 months of merchandise imports and 14.2 months of both goods and services imports.

As of Chaitra 2081, foreign exchange reserves were equivalent to 39.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP), 118.7% of total imports, and 32.8% of broad money supply—up from 35.8%, 108.6%, and 29.3% respectively in Asar 2081.