Nepal News Evening Economic Brief – February 20, 2026
Summary
Nepal experiences significant growth in foreign trade and equity investments as life insurance firms increase stock market participation amid low bank interest rates. Major infrastructure projects and tourism developments continue despite budget challenges, alongside preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Key Points
- Life insurance companies increased investments in the share market by 64.54%, totaling Rs 42.403 billion by Q2 of the fiscal year.
- Foreign trade rose by 15.76% to Rs 13 billion in the first seven months, with exports growing 32.19% and imports by 13.65%.
- Electric vehicle imports reached Rs 13.847 billion, with China as the dominant supplier (71%).
- Tourism saw mixed trends: Mustang recorded 325,558 tourist arrivals, while hotel occupancy in Sauraha dropped to 50% during the peak season, potentially due to upcoming elections.
