Kathmandu-Nepal Rastra Bank has amended the Unified Directive, 2082, for banks and financial institutions.

Under the revised provisions, Class A commercial banks must allocate a fixed share of total lending to designated sectors. From the end of Poush 2083, at least 10 percent of total loans must go to agriculture. 

Likewise, at least 20 percent of total loan  must be directed to priority sectors including tourism, micro, cottage, small and medium enterprises with loans up to Rs 30 million and up to Rs 50 million for productive industries, energy, information and communication technology based industries, and export industries using domestic raw materials.

Class B financial institutions must allocate at least 20 percent of total lending to these sectors, while Class C institutions must allocate at least 15 percent. To meet these targets, institutions with lower exposure to priority sectors may buy such loans from those with higher exposure, based on mutual agreement and fee settlement, strictly for reporting purposes.

The central bank said the changes follow the annexed schedule of the directive and were issued under Section 79 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058.