KATHMANDU: Economic Digest offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant business happenings in Nepal, presented in easily digestible summaries.
Taken together, these developments highlight several key trends shaping Nepal’s and the wider region’s economic landscape. Rising gold and silver prices reflect continued investor preference for safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty, while expanding mortgage, insurance, and digital banking products from institutions such as Standard Chartered Bank Nepal, IGI Prudential Insurance Limited, Garima Bikas Bank Limited, and Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Limited signal growing financial sector competition and efforts to broaden financial inclusion.
At the same time, agricultural and local market developments—such as early mango blossom trading in Saptari and losses among mustard farmers in Morang—illustrate how weather variability and market practices continue to influence rural incomes. Meanwhile, regional energy dynamics, including India’s large fuel reserves and supply disruptions linked to tensions near the Strait of Hormuz, underscore how geopolitical risks can shape energy security and price stability across South Asia.
Overall, the developments reflect an economy navigating global uncertainty while gradually expanding financial services, digitalization, and market participation, as also seen in the growth of capital market platforms like ShareSansar.
Gold and silver prices rise in domestic market
Gold and silver prices increased in Nepal’s domestic market on Sunday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of hallmark gold rose by Rs 3,500 per tola to reach Rs 316,900. Silver prices also climbed by Rs 30 per tola to Rs 5,475. On the previous trading day, gold was priced at Rs 313,400 per tola, while silver stood at Rs 5,445 per tola.
Standard Chartered mortgage loans guide buyers toward home ownership
Owning a home in Nepal represents a major financial milestone that requires careful planning and reliable institutional support. In 2082 BS (2026 AD), the mortgage sector has become an important driver of urban development, with Standard Chartered Bank Nepal offering structured “Mortgage Loans Nepal Home” solutions. These loans are designed to help buyers finance land purchases, house construction, or ready-built properties. As property prices continue to rise in urban centers such as Kathmandu Valley, Bharatpur, and Biratnagar, understanding long-term housing finance options has become increasingly important for prospective homeowners.
IGI health care insurance offers stronger medical protection
Nepal’s healthcare sector is gradually shifting toward private financial protection as the government’s national health insurance program faces funding constraints in fiscal year 2025/26. Amid this uncertainty, IGI Prudential Insurance Limited has positioned itself as a major provider of medical coverage through its IGI Health Care Insurance products. With healthcare costs rising faster than general inflation across South Asia, dependable health insurance has become an essential need for many middle-class families in Nepal. By providing high coverage limits, access to a broad hospital network, and an efficient cashless service system, IGI Prudential aims to deliver reliable financial protection for individuals, families, and corporate clients across the country.
Mango blossom trade begins early in Saptari
Even though mango fruits have not yet developed, trading of mango blossoms has already started in Saptari. Traders from Saptari and other Tarai districts have begun visiting mango orchards to purchase trees based on the quantity of blossoms. Saptari, widely known for its mango production, is currently seeing traders inspect orchards, assess the flowering condition of trees, and negotiate prices with farmers. Instead of purchasing only a few trees, many traders are buying entire orchards with multiple mango trees. Farmers say most deals are finalized through verbal agreements, depending on the number of blossoms and the estimated yield. Mohammad Hanif of Rajbiraj Municipality–9 said he bought the blossoms of around 20–25 mango trees in a nearby orchard for approximately Rs 90,000.
India’s 250 million barrel energy reserve supports fuel stability
India currently holds energy reserves exceeding 250 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products, equal to roughly 4,000 crore liters, according to a government report. This reserve is estimated to cover national demand for seven to eight weeks across the entire supply chain, countering claims that India has only 25 days of fuel stock. The reserves are stored in underground strategic facilities in Mangalore, Padur, and Visakhapatnam, along with above-ground tanks, pipelines, and offshore storage units. The report also noted that India has diversified its energy sourcing to 40 countries, compared with 27 countries a decade ago. While the Strait of Hormuz remains a major global shipping route, only around 40 percent of India’s crude oil imports pass through it, with the remaining supplies arriving via alternative routes from Russia, West Africa, the Americas, and Central Asia.
ShareSansar marks 15 years in Nepal’s capital market
ShareSansar, a leading digital platform for financial news and stock market data in Nepal, celebrated its 15th anniversary on March 7, 2026. Founded in 2011, the platform emerged when the Nepal Stock Exchange still relied heavily on physical trading systems and real-time data was limited for the general public. Over the past decade and a half, ShareSansar has played a key role in making financial information more accessible and transparent for investors. The anniversary reflects not only the platform’s growth but also the evolution of Nepal’s capital market, which now includes more than six million Demat account holders.
MetLife Nepal expands with new offices in Chandrauta and Syangja
Nepal’s life insurance sector is experiencing notable expansion as international insurers extend their presence beyond major cities. In March 2026 (Falgun 2082 BS), MetLife Nepal officially launched two new agency offices in Chandrauta of Lumbini Province and Syangja of Gandaki Province. The expansion is part of the company’s strategy to move away from a Kathmandu-centered model and strengthen financial advisory services in regional communities. By opening offices in these locations, MetLife aims to address the distribution gap in insurance services and ensure that households in western and central Nepal have easier access to professional guidance on life, accident, and health insurance products.
Mahalaxmi Bank launches 6.99 percent home loan offer
Nepal’s housing finance sector is becoming increasingly competitive as banks introduce lower-interest lending products. In 2082 BS (2026 AD), Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Limited launched its “Mahalaxmi Home Loan 6.99” scheme, offering an introductory interest rate of 6.99 percent per year. The program aims to help middle-class families move from renting to home ownership. The loan includes a fixed interest rate for seven years, giving borrowers greater financial certainty. The offer comes at a time when Nepal’s central bank has maintained a stable base rate environment, allowing banks with strong liquidity to introduce more competitive lending rates.
Garima virtual credit card promotion targets women users
Digital banking in Nepal is expanding rapidly as financial institutions adopt new technologies and customer-focused strategies. Garima Bikas Bank Limited has introduced a promotional campaign centered on its Garima Virtual Credit Card, launched in early 2082 BS (2025 AD) to coincide with International Women’s Day. The initiative specifically encourages women to shift from traditional cash transactions to secure digital credit solutions. The campaign includes incentives such as a diamond jewelry prize and discount vouchers, while also promoting the bank’s digital wallet platform, Garima Digi Batuwa. The program aims to increase women’s participation in Nepal’s growing digital economy.
Morang mustard farmers suffer losses this season
Mustard farmers in Morang have faced financial losses this year, as many were unable to recover their production costs. Unseasonal rainfall in mid-October 2025 delayed planting, which ultimately reduced crop yields. Mustard is widely grown in areas such as Ratuwamai, Sunbarshi, and Rangeli municipalities, as well as Kanepokhari and Dhanpalthan rural municipalities. According to the Koshi Province Agriculture Directorate, interest in mustard cultivation has been rising over the past three years, with both cultivated area and productivity increasing. In fiscal year 2023/24, mustard was planted on 11,205 hectares, producing about 13,446 tons. The following year, cultivation expanded slightly to 11,214 hectares with productivity increasing to 1.30 tons per hectare, producing 14,578 tons. In the most recent fiscal year, the area grew to 11,224 hectares, productivity reached 1.31 tons per hectare, and total production climbed to 14,704 tons.
India’s LPG prices remain lower than neighboring countries
Even after a recent price increase of Rs 60 for a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder, cooking gas in India remains cheaper than in several neighboring countries. The new price in Delhi stands at about IRs 913 per cylinder, compared with around IRs 1,046 in Pakistan, IRs 1,241 in Sri Lanka, and IRs 1,207 in Nepal. Officials say the adjustment amounts to roughly 80 paise per family per day, or about 20 paise per person. The price revision comes amid fluctuations in global LPG costs and is intended to balance consumer affordability with the financial health of oil marketing companies.
Qatar to resume LNG supply to India once shipping route reopens
Qatar has assured that it will resume liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to India as soon as maritime routes become operational again. The supply chain has been disrupted due to conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets. Indian officials remain optimistic that cargo movement near the strait will resume soon, especially after Iran signaled it would not target neighboring countries unless attacked from their territory.
Comment