One of Nepal’s most respected economists, Prof. Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, was appointed the 18th Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on 20 May 2025. Given the state of the economy, his task is formidable: he must help steer Nepal through severe internal and external challenges. Across the country, he also carries the responsibility of helping the government rebuild institutions and infrastructure vandalised and burnt during the Gen-Z protest (though not directly attributable to Gen-Z itself). Engaging and persuading the international community will be crucial. A former member of the Nepali Congress, Governor Poudel brings an extensive academic background, diverse professional experience, political credibility, and cordial international relations.
Economist Bhojraj Poudel noted that Dr. Poudel carries the immense responsibility of steering an economy battered by successive crises. “At a time when Nepal urgently needs strong, visionary leadership, Dr. Poudel faces even greater challenges ahead. Often perceived as aligned with a political party, he must rise above politics to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the economy and improve the lives of the people,” he said.
Governor Poudel, originally from Chitwan, has a strong academic background shaped by studies in Nepal, China, and the United States. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering in Shanghai, a master’s degree in economics in the U.S., and a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics (2010) from the University of California, Berkeley. His doctoral research focused on agrarian economies—insights directly relevant to Nepal’s agriculture-based economy.
In academia, Dr. Poudel served as a professor at the Kathmandu University School of Management, where he taught economic history, policy, and resource management. He has also published widely on fiscal federalism, trade imbalances, and public-sector inefficiencies, with many opinion pieces appearing in leading Nepali outlets.
Before becoming Governor, Dr. Poudel served as Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission (2021–2022), where he championed data-driven policy, strengthened the Central Bureau of Statistics, promoted domestic production in agriculture and pharmaceuticals, and sought to reduce Nepal’s dependency on imports. He has also worked as Senior Economic Adviser at the Ministry of Finance; Chairperson of the Board of Governors at ICIMOD; President of the Colombo Plan Council; Chair of Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration for Asia-Pacific; Chief Economic Adviser to the Confederation of Nepalese Industries; and Director of both Sanima Bank (2012–2013) and Sanima Middle Tamor Hydropower Company.
In addition, he has worked in advisory roles with the World Bank, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Nepal. Dr. Poudel’s career reflects a balanced blend of academic expertise, international exposure, and national policy-making experience.
He has consistently argued for a production-oriented economy, advocating for greater investment in local manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and renewable energy. In media interviews, he has emphasized reducing import dependence, encouraging self-reliance through agriculture and industry, and promoting fiscal discipline through tax reform and prudent public spending—while drawing lessons from China’s industrialisation and America’s innovation-driven economy. He has also stressed hybrid strategies that combine global insights with Nepal’s unique socio-political and economic realities.
“As Governor, my role is to strengthen the central bank’s foreign-exchange reserves and use them according to national priorities. I must manage cross-border payments, deepen cooperation with other central banks, collaborate with international financial institutions such as the World Bank, ADB, and IMF, and assess the implications of AI and digital currencies for Nepal’s financial system,” Dr. Poudel said.
“We communicate with the international community in two ways: through the Nepal Rastra Bank’s international department and directly with other countries as required. We collaborate with the World Bank, ADB, IMF, and other institutions, and coordinate with central banks of other countries.”
One of his foremost responsibilities will be to remove Nepal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. Nepal was placed back on the global anti-money laundering watchdog’s grey list in February 2025, having previously been listed from 2008 to 2014. The country now has roughly two years to reform its financial sector or risk being blacklisted, which would bring harsher transaction hurdles and potential sanctions. Dr. Poudel’s leadership will be vital in pulling Nepal off the grey list, requiring coordinated efforts at both domestic and international levels.
Economist Bhojraj Poudel said that to succeed, Governor Poudel can draw lessons from renowned central bankers such as Mervyn King (former Governor of the Bank of England), Raghuram Rajan (former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India), and Ben Bernanke (former Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve).
“Their experience in navigating crises, maintaining central bank independence, and implementing innovative policies can serve as important guides,” he added. “Additionally, Dr. Poudel has the crucial responsibility of supporting the government by engaging proactively with the international community, including organisations like the International Monetary Fund. By fostering these relationships, he can help secure the resources and expertise Nepal needs to rebuild and strengthen its economy for the future.”
