KATHMANDU: Economic Digest presents a brief yet comprehensive roundup of major business developments in Nepal, delivered in clear and accessible summaries.
NEPSE declines 9.62 points as turnover reaches Rs 4.654 billion
The NEPSE index dropped 9.62 points, or 0.36 percent, to close at 2,603.71 points on Tuesday, extending its downward trend after falling 16.47 points in the previous session. Of the 13 subgroups traded during the session, only non-life insurance and the “others” group recorded gains, while the remaining sectors declined and weighed on the overall index. A total of 11,069,074 shares were traded through 51,274 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 4.654 billion. Trading activity was lower than in the previous session, when 13,178,128 shares changed hands through 58,547 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 5.385 billion. Share prices of 69 companies rose, while 199 declined and 10 remained unchanged. Among the top gainers, ICFC Finance Debenture increased 9.18 percent, Sayapatri Hydropower rose 6.79 percent, Nepal SBI Bank Debenture gained 6.42 percent, Sarbottam Paints climbed 6.29 percent, and Sanima Growth Fund KLB Debenture advanced 3.82 percent.
Gold falls to Rs 290,500 per tola; silver drops to Rs 4,395
Gold prices declined in the Nepali market on Tuesday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of gold fell by Rs 3,800 per tola, equivalent to 11.66 grams, to Rs 290,500. Gold had traded at Rs 294,300 per tola on Monday. Silver prices also declined by Rs 115 per tola to Rs 4,395. The precious metal was priced at Rs 4,510 per tola on the previous day.
Non-life insurers receive Rs 20.988 billion in claims from Bhote Koshi floods
Non-life insurance companies have received disaster-related claims totaling Rs 20.988 billion following the devastating floods along the Bhote Koshi corridor on August 26, according to data released by the Nepal Insurance Authority. The regulatory data shows that 18 insurance companies received 2,180 claims from affected policyholders. Himalayan Everest Insurance recorded the largest amount, with claims worth Rs 6.275 billion from 159 cases, followed by Sanima GIC Insurance and Shikhar Insurance. Property damage accounted for Rs 9.415 billion in claims, while engineering and motor vehicle insurance recorded Rs 4.414 billion and Rs 3.079 billion, respectively. Interim payments made so far have totaled Rs 6.8 million.
Nepal Insurance Authority introduces simplified claim procedures for flood victims
The Nepal Insurance Authority has introduced the Rasuwa Flood Claim Settlement Summary Procedure, 2026, following its approval by the board on September 24, with the aim of speeding up compensation payments to policyholders affected by disasters. Under emergency provisions of the Insurance Act, 2022, independent surveyor inspections have been waived for claims of up to Rs 500,000. This allows insurers to deploy their own personnel to conduct damage assessments and expedite settlements. Affected policyholders are also eligible for immediate advance payments of up to 50 percent of estimated liabilities or the market value of insured vehicles. In cases where required documents are unavailable, claims can be supported through digital photographs, bank statements, tax records, or recommendations from government authorities.
Purbanchal University approves Rs 1.991 billion budget for fiscal year 2026/27
Purbanchal University has approved a budget of Rs 1.991 billion for fiscal year 2026/27 at its 43rd Senate meeting held in Singha Durbar, with priorities including educational transformation, technology-oriented infrastructure, and the expansion of medical education. The meeting, chaired by Education and Sports Minister and university Pro-Chancellor Sasmit Pokharel, endorsed policies presented by Registrar Prof. Panna Bahadur Thapa. Major initiatives include developing integrated infrastructure across 545.1 hectares at Gothgaun, introducing specialized programs in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity, and completing a 100-bed hospital.
Bagmati seeks support from six provinces for Bhote Koshi flood reconstruction
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Kiran Thapa Magar said on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, that he has sought assistance from the other six provinces to rebuild areas affected by flooding in the Bhote Koshi River. Speaking at a review meeting in Chitwan, Thapa Magar said 15 local units in the province had suffered significant infrastructure damage and human losses. Discussions on inter-provincial cooperation are being held ahead of a chief ministers’ meeting scheduled for October 7–9. He also urged local governments to contribute to the reconstruction effort. He said all three levels of government would work together to establish temporary housing, drinking water facilities, and health posts after suitable and safe locations are identified.
NEA plans to import 1,154 MW from India to prevent winter power shortages
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is preparing to import 1,154 megawatts of electricity from India to prevent load shedding during the winter after recent floods and landslides disrupted domestic power generation. According to NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, the authority plans to import 600 MW through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line, 54 MW through Tanakpur-Mahendranagar, 350 MW from various points in Bihar, and 150 MW through the real-time corridor (RTC). Domestic electricity generation is expected to fall to 1,218 MW during the dry season. With the planned imports, total available power is projected to reach 2,372 MW, which is expected to meet peak demand.
Department of Roads accelerates bridge reconstruction ahead of Dashain
The Department of Roads has intensified repair and reconstruction work on major highway bridges damaged by prolonged monsoon rainfall and flash floods to ensure uninterrupted transportation ahead of the Dashain festival. According to assessment reports prepared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, around 10 bridges across the country sustained structural damage. Several key transportation routes along the Kaligandaki Corridor, including bridges in Pokharebagar, Maldhunga, and Dedhgaun, have been severely affected. Bridge Division Chief Lalijan Khanal said technical inspection teams have been sent to the affected locations to speed up procurement and installation work. Meanwhile, construction of the foundation for a new Bailey bridge at Betrawati along the Rasuwagadhi route has reached an advanced stage.
Madhesh unveils public financial management performance evaluation report
Madhesh Province Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav, provincial Finance Minister Yubaraj Bhattarai, Asian Development Bank Country Director Arno Cauwelaert, and Nepal Economic Journalists Society President Bhagwat Bhattarai jointly unveiled the province’s first public financial management performance evaluation report in Janakpur on Monday. The assessment covered fiscal years 2021/22 through 2023/24 and examined 32 core performance indicators. The provincial government received a D Plus rating in the evaluation. The report recognized strengths in budget documentation and the timeliness of budget-related processes, but pointed to significant weaknesses in revenue collection, public investment management, and expenditure monitoring.
Karnali earns Rs 3.64 billion from agricultural exports
Karnali Province generated Rs 3.64 billion in agricultural export revenue during fiscal year 2025/26, supported by improved regional trade coordination and rising domestic and international demand for local products such as apples, walnuts, and beans. According to data released by the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, the province exported 77,495 metric tons of agricultural products. Animal products generated an additional Rs 287.3 million in revenue. Officials, however, said imports of meat products resulted in an outflow of Rs 951.1 million from the provincial economy during the same period. The province has expanded orchard cultivation across 300 hectares and provided interest and incentive subsidies to farmers. However, agricultural development continues to face challenges, including inadequate technological infrastructure, limited access to chemical fertilizers in Jumla, and administrative requirements under which farmers must bear half of certain subsidy-related costs.
Mt Manaslu attracts 500 climbers and generates Rs 225.85 million in royalties
A total of 637 mountaineers from 68 teams have received permits to climb 18 different peaks during Nepal’s autumn 2026 climbing season, according to the Department of Tourism. Department Information Officer Suraj Ghimire said the climbers include 474 men and 163 women. The department has collected Rs 238.5 million in royalties from the expeditions. Mt Manaslu has attracted the highest number of climbers, with 500 mountaineers from 43 teams receiving permits. The expeditions have generated Rs 225.85 million in royalties. Similarly, 34 climbers have received permits for Dhaulagiri I, 20 for Putha Himchuli, 16 for Danga Himchuli, and 10 for Barunste Mountain. The department has also issued permits for expeditions to Makalu, Gangapurna West, Thorong Peak, Annapurna IV, Pumori, and Thapa Peak (Dhampus), among others.
Land Problem Resolution Committee receives more than 28,000 applications in Mahottari
The Land Problem Resolution Committee in Mahottari has received 28,435 applications from landless people and informal settlers seeking legal recognition of land ownership. District officials said 28,227 applications have been entered into the official digital database. These include applications from 16,239 landless families, comprising 8,418 landless Dalits and 7,821 other landless settlers, as well as 11,691 informal settlers across 15 local administrative units. Facilitation committees have been formed in 93 of the district’s 138 municipal wards. Committee Chairman and Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav said detailed field inspections, boundary measurements, and verification procedures are underway to determine eligibility and ensure qualified applicants eventually receive formal land ownership certificates.
IRD introduces procedure to regulate skill promotion fees on precious metals
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has introduced the Skill Promotion Fee Procedure, 2026, to simplify and standardize the administration of fees in Nepal’s gold and silver markets. Under the new procedure, a 0.5 percent skill promotion fee will be charged on final retail transactions involving precious metal ornaments and other items. Licensed businesses are required to issue standardized invoices, maintain accounts on an accrual basis, and submit monthly returns to their respective tax offices by the 25th day of the following month. Late submissions will attract an additional penalty of 0.05 percent per day or Rs 1,000, whichever is higher. Businesses that fail to properly deposit collected fees will be subject to an annual interest charge of 15 percent.
World Bank evacuates Kathmandu office from Yak & Yeti complex over safety concerns
The World Bank Group has instructed all employees at its Nepal office, including staff of the International Finance Corporation, to work remotely for three months following structural safety concerns identified at its current premises. According to a source, the institution is vacating its long-standing office at the Lal Durbar and Hotel Yak & Yeti complex in Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, after structural experts from the World Bank’s Washington headquarters conducted an engineering assessment and identified immediate safety risks. The World Bank is looking for alternative office space while awaiting the findings of a third-phase inspection. The report will help determine whether the existing premises can be retrofitted or whether the office needs to be relocated permanently.
Himalayan Airlines resumes direct Kathmandu–Shanghai flights
Himalayan Airlines has resumed scheduled direct commercial flights between Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and Pudong International Airport in Shanghai. The airline’s inaugural flight, H 9780, departed Kathmandu at 7:11 pm on Monday and arrived in Shanghai at 2:36 am local time on Tuesday, September 29. The aircraft subsequently returned to Kathmandu at 8:13 am. With the resumption of the route, Himalayan Airlines is currently the only carrier operating direct flights between Kathmandu and Shanghai. The airline initially plans to operate two round trips per week, with flights departing Nepal on Mondays and Fridays and return services operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
26 informal settler families in Jhapa receive land ownership certificates
At least 26 informal settler families in Buddhashanti Rural Municipality-4, Jhapa, have received land ownership certificates, formally establishing their legal ownership of land they had occupied for decades. The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation said the beneficiaries had been living in the area as informal settlers since fiscal year 1990/91 without legal ownership of the land. They have now received certificates registering the plots in their names. The District Land Problem Resolution Committee, Jhapa, said the distributed plots include land designated for both residential and agricultural use. The government has prioritized resolving the land-related issues of landless Dalits, landless settlers, and informal settlers, with the aim of providing legal ownership and addressing such problems on a long-term basis.
IPPAN calls for legal and policy reforms to accelerate hydropower development
The Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN), has submitted a memorandum to the government containing policy and legislative proposals aimed at addressing obstacles facing private-sector power producers. The submission followed a government request to private-sector organizations issued on September 18. IPPAN has called for amendments to around half a dozen laws, removal of administrative barriers, and approval of approximately 17,000 MW of pending power purchase agreements before the Nepal Electricity Authority. The association has also proposed ending state utility monopolies, establishing a dedicated energy fund, extending hydropower generation licenses to 50 years, simplifying environmental impact assessment procedures, and introducing a single-window mechanism to facilitate private investment in renewable energy projects along Nepal’s river corridors.
Global IME Laghubitta proposes 9.5 percent dividend
The board of directors of Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited has proposed a total dividend of 9.5 percent from its earnings for the previous fiscal year. The proposed distribution consists of 6 percent bonus shares and 3.5 percent cash dividends, including applicable taxes. The proposal is subject to approval from Nepal Rastra Bank and subsequent endorsement by shareholders at the company’s upcoming annual general meeting.
SEZ Authority takes action against Panchakanya SS Export over export shortfall
The Special Economic Zone Authority has initiated action against Panchakanya SS Export for failing to meet its mandatory export obligations under applicable regulations. According to the authority’s acting executive director, the company failed to export at least 70 percent of its total metallic tank production from the designated industrial zone. The export-oriented facility, established nearly two decades ago across about 35.2 hectares in Bhairahawa, contains 69 industrial plots ranging from 1,400 to 3,700 square meters. Authority officials said businesses operating in state-supported economic zones that fail to meet regulatory requirements may face expulsion and mandatory removal of their infrastructure as part of efforts to strengthen manufacturing exports and attract foreign investment.
Hotel Association Nepal submits 12-point memorandum seeking tourism reforms
Hotel Association Nepal has submitted a 12-point memorandum to the government, calling for policy reforms to support tourism development and expansion of hospitality infrastructure. The association’s president said hotels continue to be charged commercial electricity tariffs of up to Rs 17 per unit despite the government’s classification of hotels as industrial entities. The association has called for hotels to receive electricity at industrial rates. Among its other recommendations are the preparation of a national tourism master plan targeting 5 million visitors over the next five years, improved monitoring of tourist arrivals through land border points, and a systematic regulatory framework for informal accommodation providers.
eSewa launches buy now, pay later facility for electric scooters
eSewa, Reliance Finance Limited, and Parimita Investment Private Limited have entered into a tripartite agreement to introduce a digital buy now, pay later (BNPL) facility for electric scooters in Nepal. The agreement, signed at eSewa’s central office on September 24, enables customers to purchase electric scooters manufactured by Parimita Investment through the eSewa app using financing provided by Reliance Finance. The facility provides digital loans of up to Rs 200,000 at an annual interest rate of 9.99 percent, with repayment periods of up to 36 months. The service is intended to reduce customers’ upfront financial burden while supporting electric mobility and the adoption of cleaner transportation.
Rapti Hydro and General Construction calls special general meeting to discuss right shares
Rapti Hydro and General Construction Company has scheduled a special general meeting for October 14 at the Himshikhar Party Venue in Chapagaon, Lalitpur. According to disclosures submitted to the Nepal Stock Exchange, the meeting will discuss amendments to the company’s memorandum and articles of association, along with a proposal to issue right shares in a 1:0.251411 ratio. The proposed issue involves 3,081,262 right shares with a total value of Rs 308.1 million. The company has scheduled October 6 as the book closure date for the proposed share issue.
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