KATHMANDU: Economic Digest presents a brief yet comprehensive roundup of major business developments in Nepal, delivered in clear and accessible summaries.
Nepal’s economic landscape reflects a mix of market volatility, policy initiatives and persistent structural challenges. The stock market witnessed a modest decline, with NEPSE falling 6.48 points despite Rs 3.05 billion in turnover, while sharp drops in gold and silver prices indicate changing conditions in the domestic precious metals market.
Meanwhile, concerns over economic sustainability extend beyond financial markets. Stakeholders have called for grant-based climate financing, arguing that reliance on loans could deepen Nepal’s debt burden. Repeated public holidays have also raised concerns about disruptions to industrial production, banking services, supply chains and commercial activities.
On the structural front, the government’s efforts to diversify foreign employment destinations and promote skilled migration highlight the need to improve workforce competitiveness and protect migrant workers. The ongoing processing of economic census data is expected to strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
Trade constraints at the Tatopani border and budgetary disputes in Sudurpashchim further illustrate infrastructure and governance challenges. Meanwhile, the proposed Supermai Hydropower dividend reflects continued corporate activity, while the DDC investigation underscores concerns over financial accountability in public institutions.
Overall, Nepal faces the challenge of balancing economic growth, financial stability, institutional accountability and sustainable development. Addressing these interconnected issues will require stronger governance, effective policy implementation, improved infrastructure and greater investment in productive sectors.
NEPSE sheds 6.48 points on Friday as turnover reaches Rs 3.05 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) recorded a slight decline on Friday as trading resumed after the Tihar holidays. The benchmark index dropped 6.48 points to close at 2,648.74 points, while total daily turnover stood at Rs 3.05 billion. A total of 7.84 million shares of 335 companies were traded through 31,304 transactions. Share prices of 160 companies declined, while 109 advanced and 10 remained unchanged. Ghorahi Cement recorded the highest turnover, with shares worth Rs 400.7 million traded during the session. No other individual company recorded a turnover exceeding Rs 200 million. Swetganga Hydropower emerged as the top gainer, with its share price rising by 7.56 percent. Crest Micro Life recorded the steepest decline, losing 9.56 percent. Sector-wise, development banks, hotels, hydropower companies and non-life insurance posted gains, while the remaining sectors ended in negative territory. The Others group recorded the largest decline of 0.94 percent.
Gold price drops by Rs 12,600 to Rs 271,700 per tola; silver falls to Rs 3,700
Gold and silver prices declined sharply in the domestic market on Friday following the Tihar holidays. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold fell by Rs 12,600 per tola to Rs 271,700. Gold was traded at Rs 284,300 per tola on Monday. Similarly, silver prices dropped by Rs 155 per tola to Rs 3,700 on Friday, down from Rs 3,855 per tola on Monday. Both precious metals recorded significant declines compared with their pre-holiday prices.
Stakeholders call for grant-based climate financing at COP31
Participants at a high-level discussion organised by the NGO Federation of Nepal and Oxfam at the Nepal Pavilion during COP31 on Thursday expressed concern over the growing reliance on loans for climate financing. Data presented at the event showed that Nepal received USD 5.71 billion in climate finance between 2011 and 2021. Of the total funding received from multilateral sources, 61 percent was provided as loans, 38 percent as grants and the remaining 1 percent as equity. Financial experts and climate campaigners argued that developing countries, which contribute relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions, should receive climate adaptation funding primarily in the form of grants rather than loans. They warned that excessive dependence on loans could further increase the debt burden of vulnerable developing nations.
Additional public holiday on November 16 extends disruption to business activities
The Government of Nepal has announced an additional public holiday on Monday, November 16, following the Chhath holiday on Sunday. The announcement extends the festive break after six consecutive days of public holidays during Tihar, further affecting banking services, industrial production, wholesale markets, government offices and commercial establishments. Business representatives have expressed concern that repeated holiday closures are disrupting supply chains, delaying financial transactions and interrupting industrial operations. They have also warned that prolonged business closures are contributing to economic losses and slowing commercial activities across regional markets.
Labour Ministry seeks new foreign employment destinations while focusing on skilled workers
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security is pursuing diplomatic initiatives to establish bilateral labour agreements with emerging employment destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia. The countries under consideration include Romania, Croatia, Poland, Germany, Malta, Portugal, Cyprus, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Government statistics show that around 70 percent of Nepali migrant workers leaving for foreign employment are unskilled, limiting their access to better-paying jobs in developed economies. The ministry has stressed the need to improve technical and vocational training, promote employer-paid recruitment systems and strengthen legal protections for Nepali workers abroad. The government aims to shift its foreign employment policy towards skilled migration and better employment opportunities.
National Statistics Office completes establishment data processing in six provinces
The National Statistics Office has completed data processing and quality verification of business establishments in six provinces: Koshi, Madhesh, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim. Of the approximately 1.366 million business establishments recorded during the economic census conducted from April to June 7, 2025, around 1.1 million records have undergone verification, validation and coding. Data processing for Bagmati Province is still underway. Once completed, the findings will provide a comprehensive picture of the country’s industrial, retail and service sectors.
Stakeholders call for diplomatic initiative to fully reopen Tatopani trade border with China
Business leaders, lawmakers and trade representatives have urged the federal government to pursue high-level diplomatic initiatives to ensure the full reopening of the Tatopani border crossing with China. During an interaction organised by the Nepal Himalaya Border Commerce Association in Kathmandu on Thursday, participants highlighted the impact of prolonged restrictions on cross-border trade following floods in the Bhote Koshi River. The discussion was coordinated by former lawmaker Madhav Sapkota. Participants stressed that the partial operation of the border has significantly affected bilateral trade and local businesses. They also underlined the need to address environmental and geological risks, stabilise landslide-prone areas and rebuild damaged infrastructure to restore the border’s full commercial capacity.
Sudurpashchim budget deadlock continues amid delays in supplementary budget and committee formation
The budget-related dispute in Sudurpashchim Province remains unresolved, even a month after the provincial budget was passed, with plans for a supplementary budget and the formation of a parliamentary review committee yet to move forward. Internal dissatisfaction among ruling coalition partners has further complicated the situation. Provincial Assembly member Bir Bahadur Thapa resigned on October 30, reducing the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) strength in the Assembly to 10 members. Meanwhile, the province’s internal revenue collection has been estimated at Rs 17.2 million, while financial authorities continue to face funding constraints due to heavy dependence on federal government grants.
Supermai Hydropower proposes 14 percent bonus shares and 4.421 percent cash dividend
Supermai Hydropower Company has proposed distributing dividends to its shareholders from the profits of the fiscal year 2025/26. A board meeting held on November 8 proposed a dividend comprising 14 percent bonus shares and a 4.421 percent cash dividend, including the applicable tax amount. The proposed distribution is subject to approval from the Electricity Regulatory Commission and endorsement by shareholders at the company’s upcoming annual general meeting.
DAO Kathmandu introduces evening travel restrictions on Dakshinkali highway
The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, has introduced new operating-hour restrictions for public and passenger vehicles travelling along the Balkhu–Dakshinkali–Hetauda highway, effective Friday. Under the new directive, public transport vehicles must pass the Pharping Police Checkpoint by 8:00 pm. Similarly, vehicles are prohibited from beginning their journeys before 5:00 am. The restrictions have been introduced to reduce road accidents associated with poor nighttime visibility, driver fatigue and speeding. Security personnel and traffic police will also conduct mandatory vehicle safety inspections at operating terminals before vehicles depart.
CIB arrests another suspect in DDC financial irregularities case
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested Nabin Kishor Sharma, 45, from Lalitpur in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the government-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). Investigators have uncovered an alleged organised network involving former general managers, senior administrative officials and chilling centre chiefs, which reportedly caused financial losses of Rs 121.3 million to the corporation. Sharma is facing investigation under the relevant provisions of Nepal’s criminal laws and the Organised Crime Prevention Act.
Madhesh government announces Rs 100,000 relief for families of Bhimphedi bus accident victims
The Madhesh Provincial Cabinet has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 100,000 to the family of each person who died in the electric vehicle bus accident in Bhimphedi, Makwanpur. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday. The provincial government also announced free medical treatment for all those injured in the accident at provincial hospitals. The meeting further decided to recommend that the provincial governor summon a session of the Madhesh Provincial Assembly on November 14 to discuss legislative and administrative matters.
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