29th June 2025, Kathmandu
The Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA) Karnali Province Committee recently hosted an interaction program in Surkhet. The event focused on current financial issues and monetary policy.
NBA Monetary Policy Talk Karnali
It brought together stakeholders from various sectors. Officials from Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), representatives of the Surkhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local business leaders, and member banks participated in the discussion.
Strengthening Collaboration For Economic Growth
The program aimed to promote collaborative dialogue and gather feedback. It focused on economic resilience and inclusive growth in Karnali Province. The NBA Karnali Province Coordinator inaugurated the program. He highlighted the need for continued cooperation between central and provincial institutions. According to him, policy tools must reflect regional challenges to be effective.
He emphasized that local realities should shape the design of monetary tools and interventions. The coordinator also encouraged ongoing communication between financial regulators and local actors.
Key Financial Issues And Recommendations
Bank officials from Karnali raised several suggestions during the session. The discussion focused on ways to improve access to finance and resolve key bottlenecks in the financial system.
Primary recommendations included:
Expanding access to financial services in rural areas
Establishing an Asset Management Company (AMC) to handle rising Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
Speeding up case resolutions at the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT)
The speakers stressed that remote districts face difficulty in reaching banking facilities. They noted that poor infrastructure and geographical challenges have limited financial outreach. An AMC, they added, could help address loan defaults and improve liquidity.
Digital Inclusion And Innovation
A major part of the discussion centered around digital financial inclusion. Participants stressed the need for affordable and accessible digital services. Several proposals were shared to boost digital adoption in Karnali and other underserved regions.
Digital-focused recommendations included:
Launching a nationwide digital literacy campaign
Reducing digital transaction costs for consumers
Simplifying online lending procedures
Linking KYC data with national ID in real-time
Promoting digital mortgage processes for easier property loans
Introducing crop-backed financing products for farmers
Speakers said that digital tools must be simple and cost-effective. They also emphasized the importance of educating rural populations on mobile banking and online services. Crop-based loans, they said, could help the agriculture sector access credit without depending on traditional assets.
NRB Supports Provincial Economic Development
The Chief Guest, Mr. Rajan Prasad Regmi, Deputy Director of Nepal Rastra Bank, addressed the session. He assured that NRB remains committed to inclusive development. Mr. Regmi praised the feedback shared by local stakeholders. He said the central bank values regional interaction programs that guide national policies.
He also reaffirmed that NRB will work to support financial innovation and economic stability in provinces like Karnali. According to him, decentralizing policy discussions helps align national strategies with local needs.
Closing Remarks And Future Commitment
The program concluded with a message of gratitude from the NBA Karnali Province Coordinator. He thanked NRB, the Surkhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local banks, and all attendees. He appreciated their active participation and meaningful contributions.
The coordinator promised that NBA Karnali will continue to work with stakeholders to implement these recommendations. He also called for sustained efforts to modernize banking and enhance financial access in the province.
This interaction event highlighted the need for region-specific financial reforms, stronger digital infrastructure, and effective regulatory support. It set the tone for collaborative monetary policymaking aimed at transforming Karnali’s economic landscape.
For more:- NBA Monetary Policy Talk Karnali