Over 8 Million Demat Accounts Opened, Trading Accounts Cross 3.56 Million

The number of Demat accounts in Nepal has crossed 8.09 million (80 Lakhs), indicating growing participation in the country’s capital market. According to data presented by Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) Chairman Dr. Gopal Prasad Bhatt at the Finance Committee meeting today, 8,095,000 Demat accounts have been opened across the country.

Bhatt said more than 5.12 million (51 Lakhs) Mero Share accounts are currently active, while the number of investors with trading accounts had exceeded 3.56 million (35 Lakhs) by the end of the last fiscal year. Ordinary shares continue to hold the largest share of capital raised by organized institutions at 46.26%, followed by institutional debentures at 31.03% and mutual funds at 14.81%.

Specialized investment funds account for 5.17% and preference shares for 2.17%. SEBON has so far approved 20 specialized investment funds to mobilize capital worth Rs. 48.25 billion. The board approved 52 institutions to mobilize Rs. 79.73 billion in the last fiscal year, while four institutions have received approval to mobilize Rs. 4.60 billion in the current fiscal year.