Kathmandu, October 15
Nepal’s total foreign exchange reserves reached Rs 4.07 trillion by mid-September, sufficient to cover 20.9 months of merchandise imports, according to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
The country’s total foreign exchange reserves increased by 4.3 per cent to Rs 4.06578 trillion by mid-September 2026, from Rs 3.89767 trillion at the end of mid-July 2026, the central bank said.
In US dollar terms, reserves rose by 4.6 per cent to $26.48 billion by mid-September, from $25.31 billion at the end of mid-July.
Reserves held by Nepal Rastra Bank increased by 4 per cent to Rs 3.61076 trillion by mid-September, from Rs 3.47319 trillion at the end of mid-July.
Similarly, foreign exchange reserves held by banks and financial institutions rose by 7.2 per cent to Rs 455.01 billion, from Rs 424.48 billion over the same period.
Indian currency accounted for 21.3 per cent of total foreign exchange reserves at the end of mid-September.
Based on imports during the first two months of the current fiscal year 2026/27, the banking sector’s foreign exchange reserves are sufficient to cover 20.9 months of merchandise imports and 17.8 months of imports of goods and services, the NRB said.
At the end of mid-September, foreign exchange reserves stood at 61.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), 148.5 per cent of total imports and 44.9 per cent of broad money supply.
At the end of mid-July, the corresponding ratios stood at 59.1 per cent, 163.4 per cent and 43.8 per cent, respectively.
