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NRB further Tightens Noose on Imports

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NRB further Tightens Noose on Imports
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February 10: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has tightened the screws on imports due to the increase in Balance of Payments (BoP) and decline in foreign exchange reserves. Issuing a circular to banks and financial institutions (BFIs) on Wednesday, the central bank increased the number of items for which the importers are required to keep a 100 percent margin for opening letter of credit (LC).

The central bank had introduced the provision of 100 percent cash margin for opening LC in the third week of December. Back then, the items that required 100 percent cash margin included beer, wine, and other liquors as well as tobacco products, silver, gold, furniture, sugar,  sweet meats, mineral water, energy drinks, nail polish, body lotion, face cream and other cosmetics, caps, shoes, leather, construction materials, marble tiles among others.

The newly added list includes products such as walnut, almond, banana, cigarette, cake, handbag, watches, seat of vehicles, painting and drawing materials that also require 100 percent cash margin for opening LC.

Likewise, goods such as motorcycles and scooters, woolen thread, readymade garments, jackets among others require 50 percent cash margin.

BFIs will not be allowed to provide loan for the cash margin while the amount deposited by the importers will not be entitled to interest, according to the NRB directive.

The central bank had adopted a policy to discourage the import of luxury goods following the half-yearly review of monetary policy.

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