KATHMANDU: Welcome to Nepal News’ Evening Economic Brief—your go-to source on key financial updates in Nepal. Stay informed with concise insights on market trends, economic indicators, and policy shifts. Here are today’s top economic news highlights:

NEPSE Rises by 26 Points to Settle at 2,722.73: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index has risen by 26.49 points to settle at 2,722.73. According to NEPSE, 23.773 million 731 shares of 311 companies were bought and sold 90,555 times, resulting in a transaction of Rs 10.79 billion 7363 thousand 282.32, according to NEPSE. On the last trading day of the week, the trading volume also increased along with the market. While the share prices of 187 companies increased today, the prices of 59 companies decreased.

The previous day, a transaction of Rs 7.265 billion 122 thousand 241 was made. Today, trading decreased by 0.15 percent, while the indices of all other groups increased. In today’s trading, the share price of Nepal Micro Insurance Company has entered a positive circuit. Today, the share price of NICA Asia Debentures fell the most by 4.79 percent.

PM Oli Asks Deuba to Recommend Name for New NRB Governor: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has finally asked Sher Bahadur Deuba, the president of the ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress, to recommend a name for the new Governor. Although the five-year term of incumbent Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari ended on Chaitra 24 (early April), the government has yet to appoint a new governor. Currently, Neelam Dhungana has been assigned the role of Acting Governor.

The delay in the appointment stemmed from a lack of consensus between coalition partners—the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. Even though the government had formed a recommendation committee led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, and comprising former Governor Bijay Bhatta and economist Bishwo Poudel, the committee has not been able to meet due to ongoing political disagreements.

Infrastructure Minister Urges Transparency and Cost-effectiveness in Projects: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal has instructed government employees to ensure transparency and frugality in project execution, development works, and resource mobilization. Addressing a workshop on arrears clearance organized by the ministry in Bhairahawa on Thursday, he emphasized minimizing arrears during project implementation and focusing on timely settlement when they do arise.

Dahal added that citizens expect good governance and transparency in every public service, and the government is prioritizing financial discipline. He urged employees to be accountable in all their tasks. Noting problems such as delayed project completion, abandoned works, and underperforming projects, the minister called on all offices and staff to pay serious attention.

Parliamentary Sub-Committee Recommends Investigation into Pokhara Airport Construction: A parliamentary sub-committee formed to study the construction of Pokhara Airport has recommended an investigation into the individuals involved in the project from the feasibility study phase to the completion of construction.

The Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament, led by MP Rajendra Lingden, suggested that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) be directed to conduct an inquiry into those involved in the policy, procedural, and implementation aspects of the airport project. The sub-committee has also recommended the immediate suspension of the Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Pradeep Adhikari, and an investigation into his role. Adhikari, who served as the project head from 2071 to 2074 (2014-2017), has been serving as the Director-General since January 2022. The CIAA is currently investigating him.

Prachanda Blames ‘Middlemen Dispute’ for Delay in Appointment of NRB Governor: Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Chairman of the main opposition party CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister, has stated that the delay in appointing the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank is not due to disagreement among political parties but rather because of a conflict among middlemen.

Speaking to journalists in Rupandehi on Thursday, Prachanda claimed that the real tug-of-war is between intermediaries, not political parties. “People might think the delay is due to a lack of consensus between parties,” he said, “but in reality, it’s the middlemen who can’t agree. Sometimes they try to influence Congress, other times UML, and that’s why the appointment is stuck.”

Nepal Approves New Trade Policy 2081, Replaces Trade Policy 2072: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies has officially approved Nepal’s new Trade Policy 2081, replacing the existing Trade Policy 2072. The approval was recently granted by the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari. The updated policy aims to promote exports, establish a direct relationship between imports and exports, and reduce trade imbalance.

It also emphasizes the development of trade-related infrastructure to boost the country’s competitive capacity in international markets. The policy includes detailed provisions regarding trade strategies, implementation plans, quality control of goods and services, promotion of domestic production, and overall reforms in the trade and commerce sectors to align with modern economic needs.

Government Panel Recommends Reclaiming 150 Ropanis of Hyatt in Bouddha: A new government-formed committee has once again recommended that the state reclaim 150 ropanis of land currently under the ownership of Taragaun Regency Hotel (Hyatt), located in Boudha, Kathmandu. The committee has also suggested restoring the government’s original 22% ownership share, which had recently declined to just 9%.

This recommendation is part of a report prepared by a study team on the Taragaun Development Committee, formed by then-Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati. The report underscores the need to implement previous recommendations made by the parliamentary committee and various study panels regarding the controversial transfer and dilution of government shares in the Hyatt Hotel project.

Government Forms Committee to Implement Economic Reform Commission’s Recommendations: The Government of Nepal has decided to form a committee to implement the recommendations of the High-Level Economic Reform Suggestion Commission led by former Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal. A decision to this effect was made during the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday (April 15, 2025). The committee will be coordinated by the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and must present an action plan within seven days.

Members will include the Revenue Secretary from the Ministry of Finance and the Industry Secretary from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. The commission submitted its report last Friday, recommending several institutional and legal reforms, including the repeal of 15 outdated laws and the dissolution of five redundant institutions.

Hitendra Dev Shakya Appointed Chairman of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited: Hitendra Dev Shakya, Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has been unanimously appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited. The decision was made during the company’s 296th board meeting held on Chaitra 29 (April 11, 2025).

According to Company Secretary Suresh Raj Khakurel, Shakya had earlier been nominated as a board member representing NEA through a letter issued on Chaitra 21 (April 3, 2025). His unanimous appointment signals a continuation of NEA’s influential role in one of Nepal’s largest hydropower ventures.

NPR 89 billion Collected in Petroleum Taxes in Fiscal Year 2081/82 (Until Chaitra): The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has collected approximately NPR 89 billion in taxes from petroleum products up to Chaitra of the current fiscal year 2081/82 (ending mid-April 2025).

According to NOC, the revenue comprises NPR 29.35 billion from customs duties, NPR 33.97 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), NPR 2.38 billion from environmental fees, NPR 4.29 billion from road maintenance charges, NPR 15.85 billion from infrastructure development tax, and NPR 1.59 billion from green tax. In the previous fiscal year 2080/81, NOC had imported fuel worth NPR 356.72 billion, generating NPR 112.17 billion in revenue.

BP Highway Reconstruction Divided into Four Segments After Flood Damage: The section of the BP Highway damaged by the Roshi River flood last October (Ashoj) will be reconstructed in four separate segments, according to the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur. The affected stretch runs from Chaukidanda in Namobuddha Municipality of Kavrepalanchok to Barkhekholaa in Sindhuli district.

Out of the four sections, three will be reconstructed with funding from the Government of Nepal, while one section is being proposed for reconstruction with assistance from the Government of Japan, according to the office. Tenders have already been called for two of the three sections in Kavre and one section in Sindhuli. The office stated that the reconstruction will follow the original track alignment.

Chitwan Milk Industry Processes Over 11.5 million Liters of Milk in One Year: Chitwan Milk, located in Thimura, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-1, processed approximately 11.5 million liters of milk to produce powdered milk over the course of one year, ending in Chaitra (April 2025).

According to Manager Durga Prasad Parajuli, the plant processed up to 45,000 liters of milk daily until Falgun (February/March), but the volume declined to around 25,000 liters per day in Chaitra due to rising temperatures. He explained that milk collection drops during hotter months as demand for curd increases, which in turn affects the volume available for powder and butter production.

Locals Protest Upper Tamor Hydropower Project with Black Flags in Taplejung: Local residents in Taplejung district have raised black flags in protest against the Upper Tamor Hydropower Project, accusing the developers of bypassing the concerns and rights of indigenous communities in the area. The demonstration took place at the project site in Sisne, ward 3 of Faktanglung Rural Municipality, where the construction of a tunnel has already begun.

The protest was organized by the Project-Affected Struggle Committee, which includes indigenous residents who claim the project is proceeding without adequate consultation or consent. Committee coordinator Birbal Lingkhim stated that black flags were placed to symbolize opposition and demand proper dialogue with affected communities.

Bangladesh’s (NBR) Bans Imports of Several Goods from Nepal: The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has decided to ban the import of various goods from Nepal. According to a notice published in the government gazette on Sunday, the ban includes items such as yarn, powdered dust, tobacco, newsprint paper, different types of paper, and paperboard, as reported by the Bangla Tribune.

This directive has been issued by the customs wing of the NBR. According to the notice, imports of yarn and potatoes produced and processed in Nepal and Bhutan will still be permitted, while other listed items will remain restricted.

Koseli Leather Shoe Industry Fined Rs 200,000 for Label Violation: The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has fined Kathmandu-based Koseli Leather Shoe Industry Rs 200,000. The penalty was imposed after a monitoring team found the company distributing products without proper labeling, including the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

The department inspected six industries and firms during a regular monitoring drive on Wednesday. Alongside the fine, the distribution of Koseli’s products has been suspended. The team also issued general instructions to Nepal Shoe Factory in Nagarjun Municipality-3 and halted distribution at two pharmacies for similar violations.

After BIS Renewal, Nepali Plywood Export Resumes to India: Exports of Nepali plywood to India have resumed following the renewal of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification. Previously, citing the lack of updated BIS credentials, Indian authorities had blocked shipments at the border, halting the export process.

Thirty-four trucks carrying plywood were previously stuck at Panitanki customs for 24 days before being sent back to Nepal. However, with ten plywood industries obtaining renewed BIS certification, exports have now restarted, according to Home Prasad Ghimire, President of the Nepal Plywood Manufacturers’ Association.

Koshi Province to Host Investment Summit Showcasing Rs 139 billion in Projects: Koshi Province is set to host its first provincial investment summit—”Koshi Investment Summit 2082″—in Biratnagar on Baisakh 18–19. The summit will showcase 54 potential investment projects with a total estimated value of Rs 139.30 billion.

Pawan Kumar Timilsina, coordinator of the summit secretariat and a provincial government secretary, said the event aims to identify investment-worthy sectors to promote industrial development, job creation, and poverty alleviation. An earlier attempt to hold the summit in Magh was postponed due to time constraints and a lack of understanding with the private sector, which has now been resolved.

Insurance Board Halts Guardian Micro Life Insurance AGM: The Nepal Insurance Authority has halted the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Guardian Micro Life Insurance, which was scheduled for Baisakh 5.

The company had completed preparations for the AGM when the Authority’s regulatory division issued a letter on Baisakh 2 instructing it to cancel the event. As a result, the AGM has been postponed indefinitely. The Authority has not disclosed the specific reason behind its directive to stop the meeting.

Pokhara Metropolis Grants Subsidy to Farmers for Oxen Rearing: Pokhara Metropolitan City (KMC) has provided a grant of Rs 10,000 per family to the farmers of metropolis for rearing a pair of oxen. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya informed that the grant has been provided to encourage the farmers who are rearing a pair of oxen in the metropolitan city area.

He said that the subsidy has been distributed to the farmers rearing oxen for plough as the tractor could not be used in all the places due to the topography of Pokhara. A total of 570 farmers had applied for the grant in August last year. The Agriculture Development Branch of the metropolis has started providing money to 550 farmers after on-site monitoring.

‘Production in Karnali, Business in Kathmandu’: The organic products of different parts of the country, including Karnali have been made available here. An ‘Organic Market’ has come into operation at Kapan in Budhanilkantha municipality focusing on the use and promotion of organic agricultural produce.

As informed, marsi rice of Jumla, beans of Humla, millet of Mugu, herbs of Dolpa and other food items are available in the market which has been operated with the objective of bringing organic products collected from all 753 municipalities of the country to the consumers. The market has been initiated with the objective of encouraging farmers of Karnali to take up farming. Company’s owner Suman Dahal told RSS that the market has been operated by branding the agricultural produce as per the concept of ‘one local level, one product.

Gold Price Hits All-Time High in Nepal, Surpasses Rs 190,000 Per Tola: The price of gold in the Nepali market has reached an all-time high, marking a historic milestone. After several consecutive days of price increases, the rate of gold crossed Rs 190,000 per tola (approximately 11.66 grams) on Thursday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold (hallmarked gold) was set at Rs 190,600 per tola on Thursday.

This represents a sharp single-day increase of Rs 3,600 compared to the previous day. On Wednesday, the price of hallmarked gold had been Rs 187,000 per tola. Silver prices also saw an upward adjustment. The price of silver, which stood at Rs 1,955 per tola the previous day, rose by Rs 5, reaching Rs 1,960 per tola on Thursday.