Economist Raghubir Bista said that the ADB forecast seems mainly driven by the growth in energy supply and the government’s policy that included the service sector and informal sector into the tax net, which could increase government revenue. Another contributing factor is the government’s increasing investment in infrastructure. “But the growth rate is well below the government’s target.” Nearly 1,150 MW of energy is expected to be added to the national grid this fiscal year. Similarly, the country’s second international airport in Bhairahawa is expected to be completed within a few months and the announcement of Visit Nepal 2020 campaign is expected to revitalise the service sector, according to economists. The Manila-based development bank said that the gross domestic product (GDP) expansion in the fiscal year 2018-19 that ended July 16 exceeded the Asian Development Outlook 2019 forecast achieving a growth rate of 7.1 percent, with growth in all sectors. Agriculture grew by 5 percent on a favourable monsoon that brought a record 8.3 percent increase in paddy production. Industry advanced by 8.1 percent on increased electricity production, accelerated earthquake reconstruction, and strong consumer demand. Services grew at 7.3 percent as higher remittances supported retail trade and as higher tourist arrivals favoured hotels and restaurants. On the demand side, growth in private consumption markedly accelerated in the last fiscal year on higher remittances and agricultural income, contributing to two-thirds of GDP expansion. Fixed investment moderated from a year earlier.