Himal Press 
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KATHMANDU: Minister for Finance Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has underlined the need to cultivate a healthier and more competitive capital market.
Inaugurating the World Investor Week on Monday, Mahat underlined the need for investor education on issues related to the capital market and urged the Nepal Rastra Bank and the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) to strengthen their regulatory roles. Expressing concern over the current state of the secondary market, Mahat said some regulatory micromanagement might be affecting the market. “I am hopeful that it will be resolved shortly,” he added.
Addressing concerns about insider trading, the finance minister called on Sebon to control such unethical activities. Stating that the capital market has become more competitive, especially with the licensing of new stock brokers, Mahat emphasized the need to further enhance competitiveness in the capital market.
The Finance Minister stressed the necessity of increasing financial and capital market literacy, as only a limited number of individuals possess knowledge about the share market, and many lack information on how to profit from investing in this sector.
Also speaking on the occasion, Sebon Chairperson Ramesh Kumar Hamal highlighted the low level of financial literacy in Nepal. “Less than 20% of the population possess such knowledge,” he said urging all stakeholders to play their part in increasing financial literacy.
Meanwhile, Sebon has introduced an artificial intelligence-based chatbot for investor education and grievance handling.
