KATHMANDU: Economic Digest presents a brief yet comprehensive roundup of major business developments in Nepal, delivered in clear and accessible summaries.
The developments reflect a mixed picture of Nepal’s economy and public policy, with encouraging signs in digitalization and selected sectors alongside serious challenges in infrastructure, social protection and international migration. Nepal Telecom’s 47.58 percent rise in net profit, despite only modest growth in operating revenue, suggests improved profitability and cost efficiency, although declining interest income indicates pressure from lower interest rates.
At the same time, the government is seeking to mobilize investment from the Nepali diaspora in tourism, IT, green energy and import-substituting industries, supported by new legal provisions. Public services are also moving toward greater digitalization, as seen in the Health Insurance Board’s online registration system and Gandaki’s digital licensing services. Linking treatment protocols with health insurance could further improve efficiency by reducing unnecessary tests and controlling healthcare costs.
The government’s concessional loan scheme for Gen Z victims represents an attempt to provide economic rehabilitation, while milk subsidies in Kaski show continued state support for rural production and commercialization. The special LPG distribution in Kathmandu, however, points to continuing supply pressures requiring short-term intervention.
Meanwhile, the Beni-Jomsom-Korala project’s 60 percent progress after spending Rs 8.96 billion highlights both infrastructure development and prolonged delays. The termination of TPS for Nepali nationals in the US remains a major concern, potentially exposing affected migrants to legal and economic insecurity.
NATTA elects new leadership under Pandey
Bharat Jung Pandey has been elected president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA). The new executive committee was elected during NATTA’s 59th annual general meeting (AGM), with Pandey at the helm. According to the election committee, the new office-bearers include Sunil Sharma as senior vice-president, Sabita KC Bhattarai as vice-president, Raj Kumar Devkota as general secretary, Ramesh Parajuli as secretary, Diki Sherma as treasurer and Jeevan Koirala as joint-treasurer. The newly elected executive members are Smarika Thapa, Prakash Lohani, Nabin Gurung, Dinesh Mainali, Suman Lal Shrestha, Swastika Pradhan, Sanket Dahal and Bibash Poudel. The 59th AGM was inaugurated by House of Representatives (HoR) Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal.
Nepal Telecom reports 47.58 percent rise in net profit
Nepal Telecom (NTC) posted a 47.58 percent increase in net profit to Rs 8.864 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025/26, up from Rs 6.67 billion in the same period of 2024/25. The company recorded operating revenue of Rs 34.95 billion, an increase of 3.12 percent or Rs 1.055 billion. Its total revenue rose 2.65 percent to Rs 39.199 billion, while profit before tax increased 34.66 percent to Rs 13.264 billion. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization stood at Rs 20.48 billion, with earnings per share at Rs 49.25. Although GSM revenue increased by 2.28 percent, interest income declined by 22.88 percent amid falling interest rates. The company also continued expanding its services in remote areas.
Finance Minister Wagle urges Nepalis abroad to invest in Nepal
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has urged Nepalis living abroad to invest in the country, assuring them that the government is working to establish a secure investment environment. Addressing the 11th Asia Pacific Conference of the Non-Resident Nepali Association through a video message on Saturday, Wagle encouraged the diaspora to invest in tourism, information technology, green energy, high-value agriculture and industries aimed at replacing imports. He said 27 new legal provisions had been introduced through the budget to improve the investment climate. He also noted that the share allocation for the government and the NRNA Investment Fund had been increased to 85 percent.
Health Insurance Board launches online registration and renewal portal
The Health Insurance Board has launched an online platform through which citizens can register for health insurance, renew policies and update personal details without the assistance of registration agents. Introduced under the Digital Health Insurance Enrollment and Policy Renewal Procedures, 2026, the new portal allows beneficiaries to complete applications independently and pay their required contributions through digital platforms such as eSewa, Khalti and ConnectIPS. Currently, 5,970,403 people are enrolled in the national health insurance programme. The scheme provides health coverage of up to Rs 100,000 for families of up to five members against an annual contribution of Rs 3,500. Additional coverage is available for larger families and certain critical illnesses.
Special cooking gas distribution in Kathmandu Valley
LPG distribution began at five designated locations in Kathmandu Valley at 10:00 am on Saturday. The Nepal Oil Corporation, in coordination with the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, oversaw the direct sale of different brands of cooking gas cylinders to help meet urgent local demand. The distribution continued until 6:00 pm. Gas was distributed from the Nepal Oil Corporation premises in Teku, the Chabahil Transport Management Office, the Radha Soami premises in Kirtipur and Basundhara, and the former District Administration Office premises in Babarmahal. Officials said the distribution was intended only for people facing an urgent need for cooking gas.
Govt moves to link treatment protocols with health insurance
The government is working to integrate Standard Treatment Protocols into the health insurance programme to make basic healthcare more standardized, accessible and affordable. A discussion held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Friday focused on improving implementation of the protocols under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s health adviser, Dr Jagadish Prasad Agrawal. Specialists from 18 medical fields reviewed challenges in implementing the protocols. Dr Pawan Jung Rayamajhi, director of the Curative Service Division at the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, said at least 19 treatment protocols had been drafted. Officials said effective implementation of the protocols would help reduce unnecessary diagnostic procedures, including CT scans and MRIs, lower treatment costs and ensure more efficient use of public resources.
Govt introduces concessional loans for Gen Z movement victims
The government has introduced a scheme to provide concessional loans of up to Rs 5 million to families of those killed or injured during the Gen Z movement to support self-employment and business ventures. The Ministry of Finance issued the Procedures on Interest Subsidy for Concessional Loans (Second Amendment), 2026, on Friday. The revised provisions cover families affected by the Gen Z movement of September 8 and 9 last year, subject to certification by an authorized government agency. The loans can be used in sectors including agriculture, cottage industries, information technology, tourism and startups, with the aim of helping affected families become economically self-reliant.
Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project spends over Rs 8.96 billion
The Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project has incurred financial expenditure of more than Rs 8.96 billion over the past decade, from fiscal year 2016/17 to 2025/26. The project has achieved 60 percent physical progress against its revised estimated cost of Rs 15 billion. The 202-kilometre road, listed as a national pride project, connects Maldhunga in Parbat with the Korala border point in Mustang and is considered an important route linking Nepal with China and India. So far, 90 kilometres of the road have been blacktopped, while 18 of the 26 planned motorable concrete bridges have been completed. The project’s completion deadline has been extended to fiscal year 2031/32. Additional contracts are being awarded for slope stabilization, landslide control and further blacktopping along difficult sections, particularly in river corridors.
Gandaki launches online registration and renewal services for broadcasters
The Office of the Press Registrar of Gandaki Province has introduced online registration and licence renewal services for broadcasting organizations, allowing regional radio and television stations to receive digital renewal certificates. The new software eliminates the need for broadcasters based in Gandaki Province to travel to Kathmandu to complete regulatory procedures. Authorities said the digital system will reduce administrative burdens, delays and travel costs while allowing licence fees and other government revenue to be paid within the province. Provincial authorities have also asked the federal government, through regional administrative committees, to introduce similar decentralized online registration and renewal services for digital news media outlets.
US ends Temporary Protected Status for Nepali nationals
The US government has decided to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Nepal and several other countries, potentially putting Nepali citizens without another valid immigration status at risk of deportation. According to US immigration authorities, Nepal no longer meets the legal basis for continued TPS designation. The humanitarian programme had allowed nationals of countries facing extraordinary and unsafe conditions to remain temporarily in the US and obtain work authorization. Following the termination, Nepali nationals who do not have another lawful immigration status could face removal from the US. TPS protections are also being terminated for nationals of Haiti, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, South Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia and Ethiopia.
Kaski farmers receive Rs 22 million in milk subsidies
Farmers in Kaski received Rs 22 million in production-based milk subsidies through the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Office during the last fiscal year. The programme achieved its target of collecting 4.4 million litres of milk, with farmers receiving a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre through cooperatives. The entire allocated budget was spent under the programme, which aims to promote commercial livestock farming and connect farmers with formal markets. According to the office, 27 milk collection centres in the district collected 6,923,700 litres of milk from 8,050 farmers. Similarly, the calf-rearing incentive programme exceeded its target of 350 calves by raising 454 calves with a budget of Rs 3.5 million. The number of livestock-farming households in the district stands at 52,323.
Muktinath Temple deposits reach Rs 117.6 million
Funds collected from devotees at the Muktinath Temple have reached Rs 117.6 million, deposited in five bank accounts operated by the Muktinath Development Committee as of mid-July this year. Of the total amount, Rs 71.6 million is deposited at Agriculture Development Bank, Rs 39.2 million at Shangri-La Development Bank, Rs 5.5 million at Prabhu Bank, Rs 1.1 million at Nepal Bank and Rs 17,500 at Machhapuchhre Bank.
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