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 Dips for Fourth Straight Session, Index Falls to 2655 Points: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) continued its downward trend for the fourth consecutive trading day. On Wednesday, the benchmark index fell by an additional 32.38 points, bringing it down to 2,655 points. Alongside the decline in the index, overall trading volume also shrank. Compared to the previous day’s transaction of Rs 8.32 billion, the total turnover for the day stood at Rs 7.57 billion.
While stock prices of 28 companies rose, a total of 217 saw declines, and one remained unchanged. The Development Bank sector witnessed the sharpest decline, dropping by 2.09%. Most sectors fell by over 1%, including Banking (down 1.23%), Finance (down 1.15%), Hotels and Tourism (down 1.01%), Hydropower (down 1.78%), Investment (down 1.76%), Life Insurance (down 0.45%), Microfinance (down 1.04%), Non-life Insurance (down 0.97%), Others (down 1.50%), and Trading (down 0.30%). The only exception was the Manufacturing group, which remained slightly in the green, though by less than 1 point.
World Bank Projects Nepal’s Economic Growth at 4.5% for FY 2024/25: The World Bank has revised Nepal’s economic growth forecast for the current fiscal year (2081/82 BS or 2024/25 AD) to 4.5 percent, citing ongoing structural financial weaknesses and the adverse effects of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. In its latest “South Asia Development Update 2025”, titled “Taxing Times”, the World Bank notes that Nepal’s economic performance will be weaker than previously projected.
The report attributes this slowdown to long-standing vulnerabilities in the country’s financial system and recent natural calamities that have disrupted infrastructure, livelihoods, and productivity in key sectors like agriculture and tourism. Looking ahead, the World Bank estimates that Nepal’s economy will grow by 5.2 percent in FY 2082/83 (2025/26), indicating only a moderate recovery trajectory.
Calendar for Fiscal Year Policy and Program Presentation Prepared for May 2: The draft calendar for the presentation of the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year has been prepared and is set to be presented to the House of Representatives on May 2. Speaker Devaraj Ghimire prepared the calendar after discussions with the chief whips.
Additionally, the government has proposed to begin pre-budget discussions from May 16. The draft calendar will be presented in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, scheduled for April 12. Speaker Ghimire had also proposed that the Parliament should be held on all days except Saturdays and public holidays due to the pressure of discussions on the pre-budget, policy program, budget, and the school education bill. The proposal was approved in the meeting.
Bill Registered in Parliament to Establish Alternative Development Finance Fund: A bill has been registered in the Parliament to establish an Alternative Development Finance Fund with an authorized capital of Rs 100 billion and a paid-up capital of Rs 25 billion to mobilize investment in the infrastructure sector.
The Ministry of Finance registered the bill last Friday aiming to arrange resources for the country’s overall economic growth and sustainable development of high-return infrastructure and other sectors. The bill proposes legal provisions to identify, prioritize, and attract internal and external investment in infrastructure projects. It also outlines proper use of financial instruments including domestic and foreign investment, institutional structures, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
Nepal and India Sign Agreement to Set Up Joint Venture for Cross-Border Transmission Lines: Nepal and India have signed an agreement to set up a joint company for constructing two essential cross-border electricity transmission lines. The signing took place in the presence of Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, and India’s Minister for Power and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar.
Khattar is on a two-day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Minister Khadka. NEA Director Kamal Acharya and Power Grid India Director Dr. Yatindra Dwivedi signed the agreement.
Over 1,000 Projects Entered in Koshi Province’s Project Bank in a Single Day: More than 1,000 projects were entered into the Koshi Province’s Project Bank on a single day. The Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers has made it mandatory that only projects listed in the Project Bank will be included in the budget.
According to Information Officer Ambika Regmi, all ministries were asked to submit entries by Baisakh 10. By Tuesday evening, 8,684 new projects had been registered. Currently, 2,433 projects are under implementation, totaling 11,117 registered projects in the province.
Rana-Era Inspired Modern Home Ministry Building Nears Completion in Singha Durbar: A new modern building for Nepal’s Home Ministry—designed to resemble a Rana-era palace—is nearing completion inside Singha Durbar. The five-story building, which can accommodate all major departments, is undergoing final finishing touches.
It has six floors including a basement, two elevators with 15-person capacity, and dedicated staircases for service seekers and emergencies. The building houses over 100 rooms with air conditioning, firefighting, and smoke detection systems.
Excessive Pesticide Residue Found in Vegetables at Kalimati Market: A significant amount of pesticide residue has been found in fresh green vegetables at Nepal’s largest vegetable market, Kalimati. The Kalimati-based Rapid Pesticide Residue Analysis Unit found excessive pesticide usage in samples tested.
Among 15 vegetable samples tested on Tuesday, sponge gourd from Dhading had an organophosphate pesticide residue rate of 53.935%. The remaining unsold sponge gourds were destroyed under police supervision. Similarly, mustard greens from Dhading showed a 39.69% pesticide residue rate.
Government Orders Mandatory MRP Labeling on Shoes, Slippers, and Medicines Within a Week: The Government of Nepal has directed manufacturers and importers of shoes, slippers, and medicines to compulsorily label their products with the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) within one week. The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection issued this directive to the Footwear Manufacturers Association of Nepal and the Chemical and Medical Suppliers Association of Nepal.
The department emphasized that all relevant products must bear a label clearly indicating their MRP. The decision was made following a discussion on Tuesday between department officials, led by Director General Kumar Prasad Dahal, and representatives of the two associations. During the meeting, both parties agreed to implement MRP labeling within seven days.
Pension to Be Stopped for Retired Employees Convicted of Crimes: A provision has been agreed upon by lawmakers in the Federal Civil Service Bill that states retired employees will lose their retirement benefits if convicted of corruption. The proposal stipulates that individual receiving retirement benefits or family pension, who are convicted by a court for crimes such as government forgery, state crimes, drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, and other similar criminal offenses, will be deprived of their benefits.
80% Subsidy on Agricultural Insurance Becomes Burden for Government: The government’s 80% subsidy on agriculture and livestock insurance premiums has become a growing concern due to delayed payments. Insurance companies have occasionally halted issuing policies due to delayed subsidies.
The subsidy amount has been increasing annually, with Rs 1.61 billion in subsidies distributed in the last fiscal year alone. A total of 156,121 insurance policies were issued for agriculture and livestock in FY 2080/81, covering insured assets worth Rs 42.13 billion and generating Rs 2.02 billion in premiums.
Government to Provide Compensation for Damage Near Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel: The government has decided to compensate damages caused during the construction of the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel, despite the responsibility lying with the contractor.
The Japanese company Hazama Ando Corporation had taken out third-party insurance worth Rs 100 million with Premier Insurance. Blasting activities during tunnel construction damaged 93 houses—18 completely and 75 partially—according to the local water consumer committee president Gopi Surkheti.
Gandaki Province Launches ‘Project Bank’ to Streamline Planning and Budgeting: The Gandaki Province government has officially launched a “Project Bank” to enhance the effectiveness of project selection and implementation. Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey inaugurated the initiative on Monday. The bank will be managed by the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, which is chaired by the Chief Minister himself.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Pandey stated that the primary aim of the Project Bank is to make planning and implementation processes more efficient. Under this system, all provincial ministries and their subordinate offices will be required to input proposed plans and projects into the bank. These entries will then be evaluated and prioritized before implementation.
Around 300 Climbers from 45 Countries Set Out to Summit Everest: With the mountaineering season underway, around 300 climbers from 45 countries have embarked on their journey to climb Mount Everest.
According to the Department of Tourism, 37 teams have received climbing permits for Everest, contributing Rs 550 million in royalties by Tuesday. A total of 91 expedition teams have received permits for various peaks, with royalties collected reaching Rs 630 million, most of it for Everest expeditions.
Indian Power Minister Manoharlal Khattar Worships at Muktinath Temple: Indian Minister of Power and Urban Affairs Manoharlal Khattar visited the Muktinath Temple this morning for worship, accompanied by Nepal’s Energy Minister Deepak Khadka.
The delegation included Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and 16 other officials. Muktinath priests offered traditional tika and prasad to the guests. Local government officials and security chiefs welcomed the delegation.
Nepal’s Trade Deficit with China Reaches 99.1%: Nepal’s trade deficit with China has reached an alarming 99.1% of total bilateral trade over the past nine months of the current fiscal year.
According to the Department of Customs, Nepal’s export share in bilateral trade has fallen below 1%. By the end of Chaitra, total trade between the two countries reached Rs 250 billion, with China accounting for Rs 247.75 billion and Nepal only Rs 2.25 billion.
Illegal Mobile Signal Boosters Seized in Birgunj Aimed at Using Indian Telecom Services: Police in Birgunj have confiscated four illegally installed mobile signal boosters and amplifiers intended to enhance the use of Indian telecom services. According to the District Police Office of Parsa and the Cyber Bureau, these devices were being used to strengthen signals for Indian companies such as Airtel, Jio, and BSNL, enabling easier access to their networks locally.
Parsa’s Chief of Police, SP Gautam Mishra, confirmed the seizure of the unauthorized signal boosters and amplifiers. “After receiving information that such devices were being used to amplify signal strength to access Indian telecom services, we launched an investigation,” he said.
Lumbini Province’s Upcoming Budget to Be Reform-Oriented Claims Chief Minister Acharya: Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chet Narayan Acharya, has stated that the budget for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS will be reform-oriented, practical, and aimed at delivering a clear message to the public. While addressing a program organized by the Chief Minister’s Office regarding budget formulation, he instructed subordinate agencies to prepare plans that make the best use of limited resources.
Chief Minister Acharya clarified that he is not in favor of presenting a deficit budget and that a spending ceiling has been set for this year accordingly. Although a budget of around Rs. 39 billion was presented in the current fiscal year, he said that the next year’s budget will be limited to around Rs. 32 billion.
Govinda Ghimire Assumes Role as CEO of NMB Bank: Govinda Ghimire officially took charge as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NMB Bank starting today. Ghimire, who previously served as Deputy CEO, was appointed to the position by the bank’s board of directors on Falgun 23. The outgoing CEO, Sunil KC, continued in the role until Baisakh 9, after which Ghimire began his official tenure on Baisakh 10.
Gold Price Falls Sharply in Nepali Market Today: The Nepali gold market witnessed a significant drop in prices on Wednesday. Just a day after gold prices had surged by Rs. 6,900 per tola on Tuesday, they plummeted by Rs. 7,500 today. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association hallmark gold is currently trading at Rs. 190,400 per tola. On Tuesday, the price had peaked at Rs. 197,900 per tola, marking a dramatic shift within just 24 hours.
Silver prices also saw a minor decline. While silver had increased by Rs. 10 per tola on Tuesday, it fell by Rs. 5 today. As of now, silver is trading at Rs. 1,965 per tola. This sharp fluctuation in precious metal prices has created a stir in the market, with traders and investors closely monitoring global cues and local demand trends.
