Regional economic shifts focus on tourism growth in Nepal and Sri Lanka

Citizens Bank International Limited held a regional seminar in Nepal’s Gandaki Province to review fiscal performance and align strategic growth plans for FY 2083/84. Led by CEO Ganesh Raj Pokharel, the bank aims to capitalize on tourism to drive regional development. The bank currently operates 15 branches across eight districts in the province.

In Sri Lanka, the government has launched two World Bank-supported consultancy assignments to redesign the national tourism sector. The initiative aims to shift the focus from total visitor numbers to increasing visitor spending and encouraging longer stays. This strategy is intended to distribute economic benefits more broadly across all nine provinces, particularly benefiting rural community-based operators.