KATHMANDU: Economic Digest offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant business happenings in Nepal, presented in easily digestible summaries.
The recent developments across various sectors in Nepal highlight a period of growth and volatility.
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a slight recovery with a modest increase of 0.19%, signaling some stabilization after the previous session’s significant drop.
Meanwhile, the gold market continues its upward trend, with prices rising but still below their October 2024 peak, indicating ongoing market fluctuations.
In the energy sector, the successful completion of the Marsyangdi-Kathmandu transmission line enhances Nepal’s power infrastructure, ensuring more reliable electricity supply for the capital.
Additionally, the tourism sector in the Annapurna region achieved a historic milestone with a record number of international arrivals in 2024, reflecting growing interest in Nepal as a top trekking destination.
Together, these developments underscore positive growth while also highlighting the challenges of managing market fluctuations and sustaining infrastructure expansion.
NEPSE witnesses slight increase
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) experienced a slight increase on Wednesday, rising by 5.10 points (0.19%) to close at 2,581.60, following a significant drop of 33.08 points in the previous session.
The market opened at 2,577.43 and showed fluctuations throughout the day, reaching a peak of 2,589.42 and a low of 2,567.97.
The total turnover for the day was Rs. 3.59 billion, generated from 43,729 transactions involving 9,434,009 shares of 305 listed companies.
Gold prices surge as fine gold hits Rs. 151,000 per tola
The increase in gold prices in Nepal on Wednesday indicates a continued upward trend, reflecting fluctuations in global markets and local demand.
While the price of fine gold and Tejabi gold saw notable increases, surpassing the previous day’s rates, it is still well below the peak of Rs. 171,000 per tola observed in late October 2024.
This suggests that while the gold market remains volatile, it has not yet returned to its record-high levels.
On the other hand, the stability in silver prices highlights a more cautious sentiment in the precious metals market.
The divergence in the trends for gold and silver could indicate shifting investor preferences or a response to market uncertainties.
Power from Marsyangdi Projects now reaching Kathmandu
The completion of the substation and transmission line for transmitting electricity from the Marsyangdi watershed projects to Kathmandu marks a significant step in enhancing Nepal’s power infrastructure.
The new 220/132 kV substation at Markee Chowk, using advanced gas-insulated system (GIS) technology, has been successfully brought online, ensuring more reliable power supply.
With the 82-kilometer-long Marsyangdi-Kathmandu transmission line now fully operational at 220 kV capacity, the project will help meet the growing energy demand in the capital and improve the overall efficiency of electricity distribution across the region.
This development also underscores the increasing capacity of Nepal’s energy network to support urban growth and industrial needs.
Annapurna region sets new record with 244,450 tourist arrivals in 2024
The Annapurna region, one of Nepal’s most renowned trekking destinations, has achieved its highest-ever tourist influx in 2024, with a record-breaking 244,450 foreign visitors.
According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), this figure surpasses the previous record of 191,558 tourists in 2023.
Of the total arrivals this year, 132,094 visitors came from South Asian countries, while 111,951 came from other parts of the world.
(Prepared by Srija Khanal)
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