KATHMANDU | February 26, 2026 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Government of Nepal have reached a staff-level agreement for the final disbursement of $43.2 million (approximately NPR 6 billion) under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). This agreement follows the successful conclusion of the 2026 Article IV consultation and the seventh review of Nepal's economic reform program. While the funding marks a vote of confidence in Nepal's policy direction, the IMF’s mission, led by Sarwat Jahan, issued a sober outlook on the nation’s immediate economic future, citing a combination of domestic political uncertainty and systemic financial risks. Economic...

In a historic shift for the Himalayan economy, Nepal’s external sector has reached an unprecedented "fortress" level. Driven by a relentless surge in worker remittances and a moderate recovery in exports, the nation’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have climbed to a record-breaking $22.47 billion as of mid-January 2026. This financial "war chest" now provides Nepal with a staggering import cover of 21.4 months for merchandise, a cushion virtually unmatched in the country’s modern economic history. The Remittance Engine: A $7.5 Billion Influx The primary architect of this liquidity surge is the Nepali migrant worker. According to the latest Nepal Rastra...

For decades, Nepal’s economic narrative was dominated by two pillars: the arrival of tourists and the departure of migrant labor. But in 2026, a third pillar has firmly established itself. In high-tech delivery centers in Kathmandu and home offices in the hills, a workforce of over 100,000 professionals is quietly building the digital infrastructure of the global economy. The Anatomy of a Surge The jump from $515 million in 2022 to $1 billion in 2026 was not accidental. It was driven by a structural shift in what Nepal exports. Beyond Outsourcing: While basic coding and data entry were the industry’s...

KATHMANDU – The Grand Finale of "Shagun Jewelers Presents: Mrs. Vogue Nepal Season-3" concluded at midnight on Tuesday. Organized by House of Fashion Nepal, the event was held in a grand and dignified atmosphere at Majestic Grand, Ekantakuna, Lalitpur, where nine winners were officially crowned. A Surprise Increase in Winners The Grand Finale featured 21 married women contestants. Originally, the organizers had planned to announce only six winners based on the evaluation process throughout the training period, the pre-judging round, and the scores obtained during the finale. However, in a surprising turn of events, the organizers increased the number of...