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 Falls by 24.76 Points; All Sectoral Indices in Red: On the last trading day of the week, all indices in the share market declined. The NEPSE index dropped by 24.76 points compared to the previous day, settling at 2,628 points. Despite the drop in the index, the total transaction volume increased. Compared to the previous day’s turnover of Rs 9.08 billion, today’s transaction reached Rs 11.23 billion. While the prices of 47 companies rose, 201 saw a decline. All sectoral sub-indices ended in negative territory. The trade sector saw the sharpest fall at 2.47 percent.

Finance Minister Paudel Highlights Green Economy as Key to Nepal’s Economic Growth: At an event in Kathmandu, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel emphasized that promoting a green economy is essential for Nepal to overcome challenges in economic growth. He outlined that sustainable growth, job creation, quality human capital development, social inclusion, and boosting investment and trade will help the country advance economically.

Hydropower Sector Records Highest Growth in Share Market Over Past Month: The hydropower sector has shown the highest increase in the share market in the last month. While the overall NEPSE index increased by only 1.68 percent, the hydropower group rose by 7.89 percent. Despite some sectors declining, hydropower experienced good growth. Some companies in this group saw their share prices rise as much as 92 percent during the one-month period.

NRB Facilitates Easier Investment in Stock Market for Non-Resident Nepalese: The central bank amended the Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Regulation to simplify the process for non-resident Nepali to apply for shares in investment companies. The amended regulation states that non-resident Nepali, for the purpose of applying to shares of joint investment companies, can bring the amount into the foreign investor’s account even before receiving foreign investment approval.

Public Debt Rises by NPR 220.58 billion in 11 Months of Current Fiscal Year: Public debt has increased by NPR 220.58 billion up to June 14 in the current fiscal year. According to the Public Debt Management Office, government debt stood at NPR 2.43 trillion as of the end of Ashad (mid-July) of fiscal year 2023/24 but reached NPR 2.65 trillion by the 11th month of the fiscal year 2024/25, amounting to 43.47% of the Gross Domestic Product.

1.12 billion Cubic Meters of Natural Gas Discovered in Dailekh: According to the Department of Mines and Geology, based on geological studies by China Geological Survey and drilling by Chinese CNPC Xibu Engineering Company, preliminary reports indicate a significant presence of methane gas. The department said the final report will come by December. According to the Chinese expert team’s study, Nepal has methane gas deposits sufficient for 50 years.

New Directive to Open Electricity System Access Beyond Government-Owned Authority Proposed: A new directive aiming to remove the government-owned Electricity Authority’s monopoly on electricity trade is being prepared. The draft ‘Open Access to Electric System Directive, 2025’, by the Electricity Regulatory Commission, includes provisions to open access to hydropower producers in the electrical system. With this directive, any energy project can sell electricity to industries, factories, or other customers using the Authority’s transmission lines.

Number of Nepalese Going for Foreign Employment Increasing in Recent Years: In the current fiscal year 2081/82 (2024/25), the number of people going abroad for foreign employment is expected to exceed 800,000. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, from Shrawan to Jestha of the current fiscal year, 760,391 individuals have obtained labor approval.

Israel-Iran War Causes Up to 20% Increase in Chemical Fertilizer Prices in Nepal: Due to the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, the cost of chemical fertilizers is expected to rise by up to 20 percent. The conflict has caused shortages of raw materials required for fertilizer production, driving prices higher. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development reported that the price of chemical fertilizer may increase by 100 to 150 US dollars per metric ton.

Department of Roads Prepares 277 Equipment to Address Possible Road Blockages During Monsoon: Considering the possibility of road blockages from floods and landslides in the monsoon season, the Department of Roads has kept 277 pieces of equipment ready across the country. The department’s spokesperson Prabhat Kumar Jha stated that 24 types of equipment, including backhoe loaders, dozer tracks, excavators, wheel loaders, cranes, and tipper trucks, have been prepared in various offices under the department.

Collective Marketing Campaign Launched in Rolpa: A collective marketing campaign has been initiated under the Small Farmers and Youth Entrepreneurship Partnership Project in Lungri Rural Municipality, Rolpa. This project, operational since Magh 2079 (January 15, 2023) for 29 months, aims to bring products targeted at farmers and youth entrepreneurs to the market through joint marketing efforts.

Mahanagar Yatayat Company Raises Objection Over Unauthorized Buses Using Its Name: Mahanagr Yatayat Pvt. Ltd. has raised concerns about unauthorized individuals and groups operating buses by copying the company’s name, color, and design. At a press conference held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the company alleged that the operation of such fake vehicles is disrupting their business and that relevant authorities have not provided adequate support to control the issue.

Local Switch and Socket Manufacturing Industries Face Crisis Due to Government Tariff Policy: The government’s continuation of zero customs duty on finished goods, while imposing 15% customs duty plus an additional 15% excise on raw material imports for switch and socket manufacturing industries, has put around fifty such industries in crisis. Industry representatives express anger, stating the policy encourages imports over domestic production, leading to the closure of local industries.

Jyoti Bhandari Arrested in Cambodia for Misappropriation of Funds, Brought to Nepal:  Jyoti Bahadur Bhandari, accused of fund misappropriation in Miteri Savings and Credit Cooperative, has been arrested by police in Cambodia and brought to Kathmandu with the assistance of Interpol. Police officials stated that Bhandari had a red notice issued against him by Interpol, and Nepal Police officers traveled to Cambodia to bring him back.

Everest Bank to Invest NPR 1.36 billion in 7.83 MW Chino Hydropower Project: Everest Bank and Chino Hydropower have agreed to provide a loan investment of NPR 1.36 billion to build a 7.83-megawatt hydropower project on the Chino River. The agreement was signed by Everest Bank CEO Sudesh Khaling and Chino Hydropower Chairman Bijay Bahadur Shrestha. The project, located in Ngisyang Rural Municipality, Manang, is promoted by Butwal Power Company.

NRB Gives Final Nod to Merger Between IME Pay and Khalti: Nepal Rastra Bank has approved the final transaction for the merger of IME Pay and Khalti. Following the merger, the unified company will be named IME Khalti Limited, with its registered office in Panipokhari, Kathmandu. Despite the integration, the mobile app will largely continue operating under the name Khalti.

Citizens Mutual Fund Applications to Open from June 27: The ‘Citizens Sadabahaar Yojana’, operated under Citizens Bank’s fund promotion, is an open-ended scheme. Out of a total of 50 million units, 42.5 million units will be publicly issued. Applications can be submitted for a minimum of 100 units at a face value of NPR 10 each. The sale manager and scheme manager, Citizens Capital, informed that applications can be submitted online through the MeroShare system from as early as Ashar 17 and until Ashar 27 at the latest.

Excel Development Bank and NCHL Sign Agreement for Principal Membership: Excel Development Bank and the Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) have signed an agreement for principal membership of the NPS-NCS and Domestic Card Scheme (Nepal Pay Card), as well as for cross-border payments through Nepal Pay QR. The agreement was signed by Dr. Indra Kumar Kattel, CEO of Excel Development Bank, and Nilesh Man Singh Pradhan, CEO of NCHL.

Shivam Cement Records Business of Over NPR 5.39 billion in Nine Months: Shivam Cement reported business transactions totaling approximately NPR 5.39 billion during the first nine months of fiscal year 2024/2025. Previously, the company’s business was NPR 7.70 billion in 2024, NPR 7.75 billion in 2023, and NPR 9.26 billion in 2022.

Gold and Silver Prices Dip Slightly in Nepali Market on Thursday: The Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association reported that minted gold prices fell slightly to NPR 195,500 per tola on Thursday, while silver was priced at NPR 2,200 per tola. On the previous day, hallmark gold was valued at NPR 195,900 per tola and silver at NPR 2,225 per tola.