Can businesses alone save an unreformed state?

Investors are prevalent in the new budget. Entrepreneurs are easy to spot. But the poor are far less visible.

By announcing a national budget of Rs2.124 trillion for FY 2026-27, Finance Minister Sarnim Wagle signalled what could be a major change in how Nepal thinks about its economy. Moving away from state-led development frameworks, the budget recognises the private sector as the primary engine of growth. It aims to restore investor confidence, simplify taxes, boost IT exports, liberalise capital markets and ease corporate investments.