NRB introduces subsidised loans for export industries employing 100 women

KATHMANDU: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has introduced subsidised loans for export‐based industries employing at least 100 women and for businesses hit by the recent Gen-Z protests.

Under the central bank’s new unified directive, authorised institutions may add a maximum premium of one percentage point to the base rate when lending to industries that export at least 25% of their total production by value. Such loans are to be disbursed for one year or until the borrower resumes operations.

A separate facility allows loans to cover salaries and other benefits for employees in industries, businesses, and commercial establishments directly affected by the Gen-Z protests. Lenders may add up to 0.5 percentage points to the base rate, with loans disbursed for up to one year or until the institution becomes operational. The government will subsidise 2% of the interest on these loans for six months.

Employers must submit applications by mid-January 2026.

The directive also permits an 80% loan-to-value ratio for vehicle and transport means replacement loans used for business purposes in establishments affected by the Gen-Z protests. At borrowers’ requests, authorised institutions may verify disruptions caused by natural disasters at Rasuwa and Tatopani customs points and restructure affected loans by mid-January 2026. Restructured loans will retain the same classifications they held on July 16, 2025.

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