KATHMANDU: Economic Digest presents a brief yet comprehensive roundup of major business developments in Nepal, delivered in clear and accessible summaries.
Recent developments across Nepal highlight a growing emphasis on institutional accountability, economic empowerment, disaster recovery and improved public service delivery. The blacklisting of 20 contractors and suppliers by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office signals efforts to enforce contractual discipline and strengthen transparency in government-funded projects. Similarly, the planned deployment of civil servants to provincial and local governments reflects the need to address administrative gaps and improve service delivery under the federal system.
Economic initiatives are also gaining attention, particularly Koshi Province’s allocation of Rs. 8 billion in concessional loans to promote youth entrepreneurship, boost domestic production and generate employment. The planned Suryodaya Tea Festival in Ilam further reflects efforts to connect local industries with tourism, market expansion and regional economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, preparations by the Nepal Electricity Authority to meet peak demand of 1,700 MW during Laxmi Puja demonstrate the importance of infrastructure readiness and reliable essential services during major festivals. However, the temporary suspension of waste management in Kathmandu Valley exposes operational vulnerabilities in urban service delivery.
Private-sector participation in disaster recovery, illustrated by Thamel Tourism Development Council’s Rs. 1.64 million contribution to flood rehabilitation, underscores the importance of collective responsibility. Nepal Telecom’s doorstep SIM delivery initiative also demonstrates how institutional collaboration and digital services can improve public convenience.
Overall, these developments point to the need for stronger governance, effective coordination, infrastructure resilience and inclusive economic growth to translate policy initiatives into tangible public benefits.
Public Procurement Monitoring Office blacklists 20 contractors and suppliers
The Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO) has blacklisted 20 construction contractors and supplier companies for failing to meet their contractual obligations. According to a public notice issued on Saturday, the action was taken under Section 63(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, following recommendations from various public agencies. The blacklisted companies will be barred from participating in public procurement processes and government bidding for periods ranging from one year and six months to two years. The action is aimed at enforcing contractual compliance and strengthening transparency and accountability in public procurement and government-funded projects.
NEA forecasts peak electricity demand of 1,700 MW on Laxmi Puja
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has projected peak electricity demand to reach around 1,700 megawatts on the evening of Laxmi Puja during this year’s Tihar festival. The authority said domestic electricity generation is expected to reach approximately 2,500 megawatts during the period, which would be sufficient to meet national demand and ensure a smooth power supply. The NEA has made special arrangements to maintain a reliable, uninterrupted and quality electricity supply throughout the Tihar and Chhath festivals. Technical teams, emergency repair units and regional distribution offices have been instructed to remain prepared to respond promptly to any potential disruptions in the electricity supply. The authority has also directed officials concerned to ensure that telephone calls received through the no-light service are answered regularly and that consumer complaints regarding power outages are addressed without delay.
Koshi Province allocates Rs. 8 billion for youth entrepreneurship and concessional loans
The Koshi Province Government has allocated Rs. 8 billion in its current fiscal year’s budget to provide concessional loans to young entrepreneurs seeking to establish and operate small and medium-sized enterprises. The programme, announced during a press conference in Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha, on Saturday, aims to promote youth entrepreneurship, increase domestic production and generate employment opportunities within the province. Under the initiative, eligible young entrepreneurs will be able to access concessional loans for a period of three years. The provincial government said it had prioritised youth-focused economic initiatives and policy reforms to strengthen the provincial economy and create employment opportunities despite limited financial resources and constraints on development expenditure. The government has also emphasised infrastructure development, economic growth and good governance as key priorities for the province.
Kathmandu Valley waste management to be suspended for two days during Tihar
Waste management services across the Kathmandu Valley will remain disrupted on November 10 and 11 as employees at the Bancharedanda landfill site observe holidays during the Tihar festival. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Environment Management Department has urged residents to refrain from dumping household waste indiscriminately on roadsides and in public places during the temporary closure of the landfill site. The department said regular waste collection and disposal services would resume from November 12. Residents have been requested to manage and store household waste responsibly until regular services resume.
Ministry to deploy civil servants to provincial and local governments to address staff shortages
The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration has decided to deploy non-gazetted first-class civil servants to provincial and local government offices to address staffing shortages. The decision, taken on Saturday under Section 9(1) of the Employee Adjustment Act, 2019, aims to facilitate the delivery of public services in offices facing vacancies in approved positions. Provincial and local governments have been asked to submit details of their staffing requirements to facilitate the deployment process. Officials assigned to the respective offices will receive their salaries and allowances directly from the provincial or local governments where they are posted.
Ilam to host tea festival to promote tourism and expand market opportunities
The first Suryodaya Tea Festival 2026 is scheduled to take place in Kanyam, Ilam, on November 21 and 22, with the objective of promoting tea tourism and expanding market opportunities for locally produced tea. The festival will also highlight the development of a 25.5-kilometre tea trail connecting Kanyam and Shree Antu, an initiative aimed at promoting tourism through the region’s tea-growing landscape. Organised jointly by Suryodaya Municipality, the Koshi Province Government and tourism stakeholders associated with the trail, the event is estimated to cost Rs. 1.5 million. The two-day festival will feature tea trail races covering 12.5 kilometres for men and nine kilometres for women, alongside tea-tasting exhibitions, discussions on climate adaptation and cultural programmes. Organisers expect the festival to attract more than 10,000 domestic and international visitors, providing an opportunity to showcase Ilam’s tea industry, tourism potential and cultural heritage.
Thamel Tourism Development Council contributes Rs. 1.64 million to PM’s Relief Fund
The Thamel Tourism Development Council has contributed Rs. 1.64 million to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas affected by the Bhotekoshi floods in Rasuwa on August 26. The Council handed over the amount through Kathmandu Chief District Officer Ishwori Raj Poudel last evening. At a programme titled ‘Discussion and Interaction on Peace and Security in Thamel Area’, organised by the Council in Thamel on Friday evening, Council Chairman Rajuman Dangol handed over the cheque to Chief District Officer Poudel. On the occasion, Poudel highly appreciated the support extended by homeowners and businesspeople in the Thamel area to disaster victims. Council Treasurer Kinchu Lhamu Bhutia Shrestha said the contribution was made with the objective of supporting the reconstruction of disaster-affected areas, restoring damaged physical infrastructure and providing relief to affected communities.
Nepal Telecom to deliver SIM cards to customers’ doorsteps through postal service
Nepal Telecom has introduced a doorstep SIM card delivery service in Parsa district in collaboration with the Department of Postal Services, aiming to make its services more accessible and convenient for customers. Under an agreement between Nepal Telecom and the postal department, customers in Parsa can now receive Nepal Telecom SIM cards at their home addresses through the postal service. According to Namanath Yadav, postal officer at the District Post Office, the service has been launched to save customers the time and effort required to visit telecom offices to obtain SIM cards. Customers can apply for a SIM card by completing Nepal Telecom’s online application form and receive it at their registered addresses through postal employees.
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