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FDI inflow increases by over 11 percent in Nepal: India, China among the top investors

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Kathmandu: Total foreign direct investment (FDI) Nepal received by the end of the fiscal year (2022-23), exceeded Rs 295 billion 500 million with increment of 11.8 percent, the central bank said. The Survey Report on Foreign Direct Investment, 2022-23 that was issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Friday, said FDI increased by over 11 percent.

A total of 238 companies were sampled for the survey. Of the total foreign investment, the size of the paid-up capital was 52.8 percent while the reserve was 33.7 percent reserves, and loans 13.5 percent. As of mid-July of 2023, Nepal had received foreign direct investments from 58 countries, and the highest amount Rs 103.45 billion (35 percent) was from India followed by Rs 35.46 billion (12 percent) from China, Rs 22.62 billion (7.7 percent) from Ireland, Rs 19.06 billion (6.4 percent) from Australia, and Rs 18.81 billion (6.4 percent) from Singapore.

Of the total FDI volume flowing to the country, the industrial sector had owned 59.7 percent and service sectors 40.2 percent. Under the industrial sector, 30 percent was in the hydropower sector and 29.4 percent in the production sector. Of the total investment, bank, finance, and insurance companies operating under the service sector had a share of 26 percent. According to the province-wise data, the Bagamati Province had 59.7 percent followed by 15 percent in Gandaki, 14.7 percent in Koshi, 8.8 percent in Madhesh, and less than one percent in Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces. The capacity utilization of FDI-based manufacturing companies is 60.69 percent and the Returns on Equity is around 11.61 percent.