Nepal unveils $13.8b reform budget

KATHMANDU:

Nepal's government unveiled on Friday its first budget since sweeping to power after a youth-led uprising, promising reforms and a push to revive growth following months of political turmoil.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah, 36, assumed office in March after a landslide victory for his party in the first elections since the deadly 2025 uprising ousted the previous government.

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle presented a 2.1-trillion-rupee ($13.8-billion) spending plan focused on boosting infrastructure, technology, health and education, while pledging to stabilise the economy.

"The nation is standing at a decisive crossroad of comprehensive economic reform," Wagle said in parliament.

"The vicious circle of political instability has come to an end."