KATHMANDU: Economic Digest offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant business happenings in Nepal, presented in easily digestible summaries.
The day’s updates reflect a dynamic interplay of Nepal’s economic, political, and developmental landscapes. The NEPSE index registered a minor uptick amid sectoral fluctuations, with hydropower and insurance gaining ground while finance lagged.
In fiscal governance, Finance Minister Paudel’s consultations with political leaders underscore budget preparation urgency, even as the government scales back fiscal equalization grants due to revenue shortfalls.
The stock brokers’ plea to widen operations highlights systemic capital challenges, while Swarnim Wagle’s sharp critique exposes political fragmentation and policy incoherence.
Infrastructure efforts like the Ring Road expansion and new transmission lines indicate slow but steady progress, though delays persist.
On the business front, high-profile interactions like Binod Chaudhary’s meeting with Bill Gates point to rising global engagement, mirrored by hospitality investments in Biratnagar.
Regulatory pressures—from insurance compliance to satellite internet restrictions—illustrate tightening oversight. Meanwhile, rising gold prices, employee loan schemes, and local budget overloads reveal a mixed economic pulse driven by public demand, inflationary signals, and institutional bottlenecks.
NEPSE records minor uptick on Tuesday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) closed with a slight gain on Tuesday, the third trading day of the week, climbing 1.03 points to reach 2,611.43—a 0.03% rise.
A total of 318 companies saw trades carried out in 80,054 transactions involving over 20.54 million shares. The day’s turnover amounted to Rs 8.74 billion.
Gains were noted in sectors such as hydropower, life insurance, manufacturing and processing, non-life insurance, and trade. Among them, the trade sub-index saw the most gains, while the finance sub-index suffered the largest loss.
Gold price jumps by Rs 5,300 per tola in Nepali market
Gold prices soared by Rs 5,300 per tola on Tuesday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. Hallmark gold rose to Rs 189,900 per tola, up from Rs 184,600 on Monday. Silver prices also climbed, increasing from Rs 1,910 to Rs 1,965 per tola
Finance Minister Paudel meets Maoist chair Prachanda ahead of budget announcement
Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel held a meeting with Maoist Centre Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at his Khumaltar residence on Tuesday morning to discuss the upcoming fiscal budget for 2082/83.
As per constitutional provisions, the annual budget must be presented by Jestha 15. Paudel has already met Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba regarding the same.
Government to release only 91.76% of fiscal equalization grants
For fiscal year 2081/82, only 91.76% of the total allocated fiscal equalization grants will be disbursed.
By the end of Chaitra, the government had met only 82.72% of its revenue target. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance’s Financial Federalism Coordination Division instructed the Financial Comptroller General’s Office to release grants proportionally.
Local and provincial governments will now receive just the fourth installment—20.68% of the total—bringing the cumulative total to 91.76%.
Second phase of Kalanki–Chabahil Ring Road expansion likely to be delayed
The Kalanki–Chabahil section of the Ring Road expansion project is expected to face delays. Project Chief Krishna Nath Ojha stated that a Chinese team has been surveying the area for 15 days and will take two months to complete it.
Once the survey concludes, the design phase will begin, with a six-month target for both steps. Construction will proceed afterward through a tender process.
The team comprises 18 experts from Chinese firms CCCC First Highway Consultants and Xi’an Fangzhou Engineering Consulting Co. Ltd.
Stock brokers seek wider operational scope due to capital shortfalls
The Stock Brokers Association of Nepal submitted five demands to the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), requesting expanded business scopes to increase revenue as they struggle to meet capital requirements.
Brokers argue that commissions alone are insufficient for sustainability and have asked SEBON to reconsider the rule mandating Rs 200 million in paid-up capital by the end of Asar. Those unable to meet the threshold have also requested deadline extensions.
Three companies fined Rs 705,000 for breaching consumer protection law
Three businesses have been fined a combined Rs 705,000 by the Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection following inspections of 14 firms. Dugad Brothers & Sons in Balaju, Kathmandu–16, received a Rs 300,000 fine for altering product labels and changing quality, weight, quantity, and prices—violating Clauses 38(e) and 39(1)(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075. Modern Slipper Industry in Balaju was fined Rs 205,000.
Binod Chaudhary and Bill Gates meet in Singapore
Chaudhary Group Chair and Member of Parliament Binod Chaudhary met Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates in Singapore on Tuesday during the Philanthropy Asia Alliance–2025 (PAA–2025) conference.
The two discussed Nepal’s pressing challenges in healthcare and employment. Chaudhary thanked the Gates Foundation for its continued support through the “Strong Nepal” initiative since the 2015 earthquake, the COVID–19 pandemic, and child nutrition efforts.
Swarnim Wagle criticizes govt’s policy document as vague and weak
Rastriya Swatantra Party Vice Chair Swarnim Wagle strongly criticized the government’s new policy and programs in Parliament, saying they lack vision, consistency, and capacity.
He also mocked the seven-point agreement between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, describing it as superficial and ineffective. Wagle stated that the alliance of major parties has failed to inspire public confidence or deliver results during national emergencies.
Lower Modi–New Modi transmission line construction begins
Work has commenced on the Lower Modi–New Modi transmission line to connect hydroelectricity generated from the Modi River to the national grid. The line will stretch from Khareha in Kushma Municipality–7 to Deupur in Modi Rural Municipality–2.
Land acquisition is in progress, with Rs 10 million already spent in the first phase, according to project head Roshan Agrawal of the Nepal Electricity Authority.
Jyoti Bikas Bank and NCHL sign deal to issue Nepal Pay Card
Jyoti Bikas Bank has signed an agreement with Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) for principal membership in the Nepal Payment System–NPS and to issue the domestic Nepal Pay Card.
The deal was signed by bank’s Senior Deputy CEO Prakash Baral and NCHL CEO Nilesh Man Singh Pradhan. With infrastructure now ready, NCHL has invited financial institutions to participate in the scheme, with gradual onboarding underway.
Insurance regulator urges firms to act responsibly and build credibility
The Nepal Insurance Authority has called on insurance providers to enhance public trust through responsible business practices. During an interaction in Birgunj organized by the board’s Madhesh Provincial Office, Chairperson Sharad Ojha stressed that proper risk assessments would help avoid claim disputes.
He also encouraged insurers to follow legal guidelines and to report local-level grievances to the board. Company representatives, however, voiced concerns over limited authority and staffing at the provincial level.
NTA warns against illegal foreign satellite internet use in high Himalayas
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has cautioned mountaineering companies against the unauthorized use of foreign satellite internet services in high-altitude areas like Everest base camps. The NTA said such practices are illegal and warned of legal consequences if not immediately stopped.
Singha Durbar overwhelmed by flood of local budget requests
As the national budget for fiscal year 2082/83 nears, a surge of elected representatives and local leaders have inundated Singha Durbar with proposals for small-scale projects.
Physical Infrastructure Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma said around 12,000 to 14,000 project proposals have been submitted. Since there are no restrictions on proposal submissions, the influx continues.
Three five-star hotels being built in Biratnagar to boost hospitality sector
Biratnagar, the capital of Koshi Province, is witnessing the simultaneous construction of three five-star hotels. Businessman Vijay Chaudhary is investing Rs 2.3 billion in Hotel Axis, Pratyush Raut of Shivam Group is investing Rs 2.33 billion in Hotel Royalton, and Punya Bhattarai is upgrading Hotel Asiatic with an additional Rs 1.75 billion. Once completed, the city will host six star-rated hotels, some with casinos.
Pokhara hosts 66 aviation experts to address wildlife hazards
A total of 66 aviation specialists from 22 countries and 40 Nepali districts have gathered in Pokhara for a five-day ICAO workshop on managing wildlife risks in aviation.
The event, which runs through Baisakh 26, is the seventh in a series organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to promote safer skies across the Asia-Pacific.
Nepal Life Insurance celebrates 24th anniversary with health drives
Nepal Life Insurance Company marked its 24th anniversary with nationwide activities, including blood donation events and free health camps.
A total of 412 pints of blood were collected across all seven provinces. Medical camps were held in Kathmandu, with donation drives conducted in cities like Itahari, Birgunj, Pokhara, Butwal, and Tikapur.
Rastriya Banijya Bank and Radio Nepal sign staff loan agreement
Rastriya Banijya Bank and Radio Nepal have signed a deal to provide simplified employee loans and manage salary accounts. The agreement was signed by RBB CEO Devendra Raman Khanal and Radio Nepal’s Acting Administrative Head Bishnu Ram Neupane. Eligible staff can borrow up to Rs 1.5 million as per the bank’s consumer credit policy introduced in 2077.
NEA gives industries until Baisakh end to appeal in internet billing dispute
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has set a deadline until the end of Baisakh for industries to submit appeals related to disputes over premium internet fees for dedicated and trunk lines. NEA Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya said companies were informed on Chaitra 30 and encouraged to apply to the NEA review committee.
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