Where does the future of Nepali banking lie?
It would be a mixed thing. Banks have to specialise and focus on certain areas. Currently, we are now looking at three technologies at NIBL. First, technology that enables us to launch micro-finance in a cost effective manner. Obviously, in the future, micro-financing, rural financing and remittance will converge. It is very important to be aware of that and act accordingly. And that is what we’re trying to do. I think micro-financing in the agriculture sector is very important even to address the poverty situation of the country. We at NIBL are looking at mid-range projects, infrastructure funding and micro-finance. The fourth area that has been brought up many, many times is Nepal becoming an offshore banking structure like Switzerland. I don’t know how far that will be successful. Currently, all the offshore centres. We already have more than two dozen banks. Four more have already got their Letters of Intent from the central bank, and around a dozen financial institutions have anno
