Finance and Economy

The narcotics ban is one of the Taliban’s most visible governance tests. It demonstrates their ability to impose nationwide edicts in a fragmented country, but it also exposes the limits of ideology without economic support.

According to the Taliban’s own Commission for the Collection of Beggars and Prevention of Begging, nearly 75,000 individuals – 74,968 to be precise – have been rounded up from Kabul’s streets since the nationwide campaign began in 2022.

Remittances already account for nearly 67 per cent of Nepal’s total foreign currency earnings. Tourism and exports from the Gulf add smaller but important flows. Last fiscal year, 20,504 tourists from Gulf countries visited Nepal, representing 1.8 per cent of total arrivals.

The kingdom’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, which places equal weight on economic progress and environmental stewardship, faces a practical test here.

With the region still recovering from previous shocks, the latest ADB analysis serves as a timely reminder of the region’s exposure to distant geopolitical events.

The webinar saw active participation from the attendees and was instrumental in throwing light on and advancing the important discussion on women’s work in agriculture.

Stakeholders are calling on the government to explore alternative trade corridors, diplomatic engagement to secure safe passage, and urgent financial support for exporters facing liquidity crunches.

ILO’s Nepal country director Numan Özcan says that with evidence-based planning, increased investment, and inclusive social dialogue, the country can turn a potential setback into a catalyst for sustainable, job-rich development.