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The inflow of remittance in the past nine months has reached Rs 1, 191. 31 billion.  This is the rise by 10 percent compared to the corresponding period last year that recorded the 17.2 percent rise in the remittance inflow in corresponding period previous fiscal year.

This year's rise in the USD terms is 7.3 percent.

"Remittance inflows increased 10.0 percent to Rs 1, 191.31 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 17.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 7.3 percent to 8.74 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 15.2 percent in the same period of the previous year," the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said in its report about Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal (Based on Nine Months Data Ending Mid-April 2024/25).

Similarly, net secondary income (net transfer) reached Rs 1, 301.94 billion in the review period compared to Rs 1, 174.54 billion in the same period of the previous year.

The number of Nepali workers, both institutional and individual, taking first-time approval for foreign employment stands at 358,222 and taking approval for renew entry stands at 249,652. In the previous year, such numbers were 327,842 and 211,226 respectively.

Bangladesh's interim government has banned the Awami League, the political party of deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act due to national security concerns.

The prohibition comes after the National Citizen Party, along with Islamist and right-wing groups, staged escalating demonstrations demanding that the party be labeled a terrorist organization. The government stated that the ban will remain in place until the Awami League and its officials are tried for alleged involvement in protester deaths, according to Reuters.

A new amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act allows political parties to be prosecuted as entities, clearing the way for the trial.

The Awami League declared the ruling unlawful and challenged the temporary government's authority, Reuters reported.

Indian and Pakistani military officials are set to meet Monday to finalize details of a ceasefire agreed on Saturday after four days of intense cross-border fighting, according to BBC.

The US-brokered truce has held overnight, allaying fears of a wider battle between the nuclear-armed foes. President Donald Trump announced the accord, demanding an end to hostilities that could result in significant casualties.

Both nations remain on high alert, warning about cease-fire violations. The clashes, centered on the disputed Kashmir region, left dozens dead and marked the worst escalation in recent years. Despite the truce, both sides have claimed victory, BBC reported.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 3, 700 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 186, 800 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 190, 500 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 960 per tola today.

President Ram Chandra Paudel and his spouse Sabita Paudel offered puja at Lhakhang Gumba in Boudha, Kathmandu on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Jayanti on Monday.

They worshipped the Lord Buddha, went around the Boudha monastery, and had a sight of invaluable remains- astudhatu this morning.

The Buddhist devotees have thronged the monastery since early morning.

The Boudhanath and Melamchi Ghyang Guthi organized a function for the rare sight of the astudhatu.

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with veneration at various Buddhist shrines like Lumbini, Boudha, Swayambhu, Namo Buddha and other monasteries across the country today.

The government showcased different projects with a target of attracting investment commitments of over Rs 600bn during the third Nepal Investment Summit held in Kathmandu on 28-29 April 2024. However, most of the projects showcased during the event failed to attract serious interest from investors.

One year on, the Office of the Investment Board Nepal (OIBN) has admitted that foreign investor response has fallen short of expectations. “Although many projects were showcased during the summit, investor interest has not materialized as anticipated,” said Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyaya, the spokesperson for the OIBN. He, however, added that overall sentiment toward investing in Nepal remains positive. OIBN is the specialized government body to handle projects above Rs 6bn and hydropower projects exceeding 200 MW. 

Nepal first organized the investment summit in 2015, primarily to support post-earthquake reconstruction. The first summit generated commitments of around Rs 1.4trn whereas the second investment summit held in 2019 saw investment pledges worth Rs 3.2trn.

Investors from China, India express interest

Neighboring countries China and India have shown willingness to invest in select projects. Chinese investors are close to signing a Project Development Agreement (PDA) for the Damak Clean Industrial Park. They have also shown interest in the Panchkhal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kavre and submitted a proposal to start a processing zone in Nuwakot. Meanwhile, Indian investors have proposed establishing an edible oil company in Janakpur and submitted proposals for IT parks around Chobhar, Khumaltar and Nuwakot, along with a solar energy project.

The Muktinath Cable Car, spanning roughly 81 km from Birethanti on the Kaski–Parbat area to Muktinath Temple of Mustang is also moving forward. The project is currently in the environment impact study phase with the Detailed Project Report finalized.
Other progressing projects include the long-stalled West Seti Hydropower Project and the SR6 hydropower project, which is close to the final DPR submission stage. The OIBN has also received a proposal for a fertilizer plant in Bardaghat that will consume 300 MW.
Upadhyaya said they have received proposals for unique projects like seabed mining. Korea’s railway company, KORAIL, has shown intent to invest in Nepal’s railway sector. “Though exact figures on the investments received are not available, many project negotiations have made significant progress,” he added. Former OIBN CEO Sushil Bhatta, who led the Board during the third summit, explained that large investments often begin with expressions of interest and take time to materialize. “Rather than asking how much investment has come, we need to evaluate how projects are progressing,” he said.

FDI inflow of Rs 141bn

Since the third Nepal Investment Summit, Nepal has attracted Rs 141.14bn in foreign direct investment (FDI). However, this inflow is not directly tied to projects showcased at the third summit. Most investments are in projects under the Rs 6bn threshold. Before the summit, the government amended several investment-related acts via ordinance. 

The private sector had previously identified 52 acts and regulations as barriers. Although most of these legislations were revised, lack of accompanying procedures and guidelines has slowed progress in implementation. “Investors frequently ask us why procedures and directives have not followed legal amendments,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Industry, attributing delays to poor coordination among government agencies.
Upadhyaya said while drafts of some working procedures are in progress, the OIBN’s limited autonomy, having to rely on the Prime Minister’s Office for decisions, has complicated matters. “Policies evaluated by the OIBN are often misunderstood or delayed by other agencies,” he said.
Former OIBN CEO Bhatta said that procedural, legal and institutional reforms must be followed by behavioral reforms to ensure smoother project transitions. “Our credibility will be enhanced if projects in the pipeline goes into implementation as per the set timelines,” Bhatta said. “We also need to learn from international experiences on these aspects.”

Will graylisting affect FDI?

Nepal was recently placed back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “gray list” for deficiencies in curbing money laundering and terrorist financing. Though this does not block investment outright, it can raise doubts among investors. “Nepal needs to address these concerns seriously,” said Upadhyaya: At a time when investor interest is growing, reputational risks could affect future FDI flows.

Poland says that Russian intelligence services planned the big fire in May 2024 that destroyed the Marywilska shopping center in Warsaw. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the blaze was the result of arson ordered by Russian operatives, BBC reported.

After a year-long inquiry, it was determined that the fire was planned by someone in Russia. Authorities reported that some suspects are in custody, while others have been identified and are being pursued.

The fire destroyed over 1,400 small businesses, the majority of which were held by members of Warsaw's Vietnamese population, according to BBC.

Polish officials identified the event as part of a larger sabotage plan involving Russian intelligence. Moscow has not commented on the most recent allegations, but has repeatedly denied participating in such efforts.

The White House is in talks with Qatar over temporary use of a luxurious jumbo jet that may serve as Air Force One during President Trump's second term.

Qatar confirmed conversations but denied that the jet will be given as a gift, describing it as an interim arrangement that is still being reviewed by legal authorities. BBC reports the jet may be donated to Trump’s presidential library after his term ends.

The aircraft will require retrofitting and security clearance before use. Trump, who is visiting Qatar this week, referred to the plane as a “gift” on Truth Social.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said any foreign gift would be handled in full compliance with US law. The deal has raised ethical concerns among critics, according to BBC.