KATHMANDU: Economic Digest offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant business happenings in Nepal, presented in easily digestible summaries.
Nepal’s upcoming budget to face significant reduction amid financial constraints
The government is set to announce a significant reduction in the current fiscal year’s budget, with the total estimated decrease expected to be at least Rs 250 billion.
This decision, primarily due to challenges in mobilizing resources and managing expenditure, will be detailed in the upcoming mid-term budget review report to be released by Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel by the end of February.
NEPSE drops by 11.10 points, trading volume declines
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell on Thursday, the last trading day of the week, marking a decline of 11.10 points compared to Wednesday.
With this drop, the NEPSE index settled at 2,654 points.
In addition to the index decrease, the trading volume also saw a significant decline. The total turnover for the day was Rs 7.85 billion, down from Rs 9.20 billion on Wednesday, indicating a slowdown in market activity.
Birgunj Customs generates Rs 36.96 billion in revenue from petroleum imports in first six months of FY
Birgunj Customs has reported a significant increase in revenue from petroleum imports in the first six months of the current fiscal year, totaling Rs 36.96 billion.
This marks a Rs 4 billion rise in revenue compared to the same period last year. The total value of petroleum products imported during this period amounted to Rs 87.32 billion. The revenue includes Rs 18.98 billion generated from the import of 479,799 kiloliters of diesel, valued at Rs 42.24 billion.
Nepal increases Mount Everest permit fees
Nepal has announced a significant increase in the permit fees for climbing Mount Everest, raising the cost for mountaineers for the first time in nearly a decade. The new fees, effective from September 2025, will see the price for a permit to climb Sagarmatha (Everest) rise from USD 11,000 to USD 15,000, marking a 36% hike. The fee for Nepali climbers has also gone up from Rs 75,000 to Rs 150,000.
Gold and silver prices fall
The prices of gold and silver have decreased in the Nepali market on Thursday.
According to the Federation Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of gold dropped by Rs 400 per tola today, with gold now being traded at Rs 159,600 per tola. On Wednesday, the trading price of gold stood at Rs 160,000 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver has decreased by Rs 20 per tola. Silver is now priced at Rs 1,875 per tola, compared to Rs 1,895 on Wednesday.
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