Budget to set standard for good governance: Finance Minister

KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has expressed confidence that the upcoming budget will establish a benchmark for good governance.

Initiating the budget speech for Fiscal Year 2083/84 BS (2026/27) at a joint session of the Federal Parliament, the Minister said the new budget aims to bring reforms across policies, laws, institutions, procedures, and leadership, thereby strengthening good governance.

“Ending policy indecision, the culture of delay, institutional capture, and misuse of state resources, and establishing result-oriented governance is the need of the hour,” he said.

Stating that the country is at a decisive stage of comprehensive economic reform, Wagle said the budget is focused on large-scale transformation in the economy and governance system. He added that its main priorities include a production-based economy, good governance, and technology-driven development.

Describing the public mandate as a major responsibility, the Minister said the government is working toward transforming the state’s governance culture, institutional structure, and economic model.

He further stated that this year’s budget has been presented as a policy transformation document rather than a routine official statement.

Information and communication technology, artificial intelligence, finance, trade, investment, and the global Nepali diaspora have been identified as key pillars of economic transformation. The government aims to build a coordinated framework for economic growth through effective use of emerging technologies.