KATHMANDU: The balance of payments (BoP) position remained in surplus by Rs 346.23 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, according to data released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
Although the surplus is slightly lower compared to Rs 365.16 billion recorded during the same period last fiscal year, the central bank has reported encouraging signs in Nepal’s external sector.
In US dollar terms, the BoP surplus stood at $2.55 billion during the review period, compared to $2.75 billion in the same period last year.
The current account also saw a notable improvement, posting a surplus of Rs 210.22 billion—up from Rs 179.83 billion a year earlier. In US dollars, the current account surplus rose to $1.55 billion from $1.35 billion.
Net capital transfer stood at Rs 7.71 billion, an increase from Rs 4.78 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year. Similarly, direct foreign investment inflows increased to Rs 8.96 billion from Rs 6.49 billion.
Total foreign exchange reserves saw a significant growth of 18.9 percent, reaching Rs 2,426.84 billion by mid-Chait. In dollar terms, the reserves rose by 15.4 percent to $17.63 billion, up from $15.27 billion in mid-Ashar.
Of the total reserves, NRB held Rs 2,136.46 billion—an increase of 15.6 percent. Reserves held by banks and financial institutions (excluding NRB) surged by 50.8 percent to Rs 290.38 billion.
As of mid-Chait, Indian currency accounted for 20.4 percent of the total foreign exchange reserves.
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