Each year, Dashain witnesses largest internal movement of people in Nepal. Kathmandu Valley accounts for most of this movement. According to the data released by Metropolitan Traffic Office, between Ghatasthapana (DAY 1) and Phulpati (DAY 7) this Dashain, a total of 1,695,360 people left Kathmandu Valley while 488,755 people arrived in the Valley.

Dashain is the longest and the biggest festival in the Bikram Sambat Calendar that symbolizes victory of good over evil. Observed for 15 days, it is an important annual occasion for Nepalis (and Nepali speaking people in other South Asian countries) to reunite with their families, friends and relatives. Of Dashain’s 15 days, 6 days are most important – 1, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 15.

As per the World Bank’s 2018 data, urban population (as percentage of total population) in South Asian economies varies a lot. Among the eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries, Bhutan has the highest proportion of population living in urban areas (41%) and Sri Lanka has the lowest (18%). SAARC Region’s proportion of urban population (34%) still lags behind by a large margin as compared to that of the global proportion (55.27%).

As per the first monthly Economic Bulletin of the Ministry of Finance, (Government of Nepal), the country has 171 banks and financial institutions (BFIs). So far, they have opened a total of 27,866,505 bank accounts. To better serve their beneficiaries, the BFIs have issued 6,708,521 and 123,146 debit and credit cards respectively. To further boost people’s access to finance, the existing BFIs have 8,686 branch offices and 3,316 ATM outlets spread across 735 out of country’s 753 local levels.

Nepal had 171 banks and financial institutions (BFIs). As of mid-July 2019, they have opened a total of 27,866,505 bank accounts. To better serve the beneficiaries, the BFIs have issued 6,708,521 and 123,146 debit and credit cards respectively. To further boost people’s access to finance, the existing BFIs have 8,686 branch offices and 3,316 ATM outlets spread across 735 out of country’s 753 local levels.

The Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe) has launched a special initiative to mark 50 years of the Internet’s global history. Under the initiative, the institute plans to undertake studies and organize a series of events in Nepal and across countries in South and Southeast Asia on how Internet has affected these economies in the past and the potential future implications. Learn more about the initiative and explore potential partnerships and collaboration.

The Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe) is pleased to welcome Dr. Vu Minh Khuong as an Advisory Board Member. Dr. Vu is an Associate Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. His research and teaching works are focused on economic development and policy analysis. His research areas include – ASEAN economy, Asian competitiveness, Growth and technology in Asia, and Trade, investment and finance. Learn more about Dr. Khuong.

The Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe) is pleased to welcome Ms. Barsha Shrestha on institute’s Advisory Board. Currently, she is the Business Head of ICRA Nepal, the first Credit Rating Agency in Nepal. She has a vast experience of working in Nepal’s banking and finance sector. She begun her career in banking in 1984 by joining Nabil Bank Limited. Previously, she also served as the Deputy CEO of Clean Energy Development Bank Limited. Learn more about Ms. Shrestha.

The Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe) is happy to have Dr. Arbind Kumar Mishra on board for the institute’s Advisory Board. Dr. Mishra is a former member of Nepal’s National Planning Commission (NPC). Besides, he also held significant academic responsibilities in the past, including working as the Chief of the he Institute of Engineering(IOE), Tribhuvan University. Learn more about Dr. Mishra.

The Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe) is happy to welcome a noted Nepali economist, Dr. Swarnim Waglé, as one of institute’s Advisory Board Members. The 24th Vice-Chair of Nepal’s National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Waglé also worked with the NPC for 28 months between 2014 and 2017 as a member. Learn more about Dr. Waglé and his expertise.