Budget puts AI, health reform and infrastructure expansion at centre of policy push
Summary
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle announced a comprehensive budget for 2026-27 focusing on Nepal's graduation from least developed country status, health insurance expansion, infrastructure projects, and preparing for the AI era.
Key Points
- Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle presented the 2026-27 budget emphasizing reforms and national economic transformation for Nepal's graduation from the UN least developed country category.
- The budget includes major health reforms aiming to cover 90 percent of citizens with health insurance within three years and strengthening Nepal Drugs Limited.
- Infrastructure development plans include construction of 1,000 km of blacktopped roads, 275 permanent bridges, and investment in the Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhesh Fast Track project.
- The government announced initiatives to prepare Nepal for the artificial intelligence era and reforms to enhance capital markets and visa systems.
