Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Bagmati Province is projected to contribute more than a third of the national gross domestic product (GDP) at consumer prices in the current fiscal year.
The National Statistics Office (NSO) has projected the national GDP to reach Rs 5.75 trillion in the current fiscal year ending mid-July. According to the provincial GDP projection for the current fiscal year made public by the NSO on Wednesday, Bagmati Province is expected to contribute 36.4% to the national GDP in the current fiscal year. Next is Koshi Province which is projected to contribute 15.8% to the national GDP, followed by Lumbini (14.3%), Madhesh Province (13.1%), Gandaki Province (9.1%), Sudurpaschim (7.1%), and Karnali Province (4.3%).
Compared to the revised estimates of the previous fiscal year 2022/23, the provincial contributions to the national GDP have seen only marginal changes, according to the NSO. The contributions of Koshi, Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces have slightly decreased, while the contributions of the remaining provinces have marginally increased.
In terms of GDP growth rates at consumer prices, Gandaki Province is projected to record the highest growth of 4.55% in the current fiscal year, closely followed by Lumbini Province at 4.05%. Karnali Province is estimated to have the lowest growth rate of 3.39%. While the preliminary national GDP growth rate is projected at 3.87%, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Bagmati provinces are expected to exceed this rate, while the remaining provinces are likely to fall short.
The preliminary estimates for the provincial GDP growth rates in the current fiscal year 2023/24, the revised estimates for 2022/23, and the final figures for 2021/22 indicate that the growth rates across all provinces are lower in 2022/23 compared to 2021/22, but are projected to rebound in the current fiscal year 2023/24, according to the NSO.
