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 highlights:

Stock Market Declines Further, NEPSE Index Drops By 3.44 Points: After a drop of 33 points the previous day, the stock market declined further on Tuesday, with the NEPSE index falling by an additional 3.44 points. Following this decline, the NEPSE index settled at 2,666 points.

Based on the final price calculation of listed companies, the NEPSE had risen by 1.73 points. However, when the weighted average price was calculated, there was a drop of 3.44 points compared to the previous day. For the past two weeks, the index has been calculated based on the weighted average price of the last 15 minutes of trading.

The trading volume also decreased. While the previous day’s transactions amounted to NPR 5.65 billion, today it dropped to NPR 5.30 billion. Of the 121 companies that saw an increase in their stock prices, 123 companies experienced a decline.

Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel Assures No Political Interference in NRB’s Policies: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has stated that there will be no political interference in the policies of Nepal Rastra Bank. Speaking at the ‘NADA Auto Dialogue’ organized by the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, Poudel said that the policies implemented in the automobile sector were formulated by the central bank itself.

Poudel, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said that the government is aware of the dissatisfaction among auto dealers regarding the central bank’s decision to lower the loan-to-value ratio in its midterm review. “The 80/60 issue is not set in stone. It can be resolved through discussion,” he said.

NRB Warns Public About Rising Financial Fraud Through Digital Platforms: Nepal Rastra Bank has urged the public to remain vigilant against criminal activities conducted via digital mediums. The central bank warned people not to fall for tempting offers such as “Get a mobile phone at a cheap price,” “Win a lottery,” “Double your money,” or “Buy crypto or forex.” These are common tricks used in digital fraud schemes.

In a message released on Tuesday for financial awareness, the bank cautioned that if individuals believe such messages and share their private details, including citizenship and other sensitive documents, they may not only fail to earn money but also risk losing their own assets. The bank advised everyone to be cautious when receiving such messages and to make decisions carefully after thoughtful consideration.

Fog Forces Closure of Pokhara International Airport: Pokhara International Airport has been closed due to fog covering the sky. Since Sunday afternoon, regular flights have been disrupted, and no flights have been operating due to the fog.

Since 3 PM yesterday, no flights have been possible, and not a single flight operated yesterday. Sichuan Airlines, operating a commercial chartered flight from Pokhara to Chengdu, China, has also canceled its flight. A narrow-body aircraft from the airline was scheduled to land in Pokhara on Tuesday from Chengdu.

Nepal to Launch Rs 100 Billion Infrastructure Fund to Attract Private Investment Amid Budget Crunch: Amid limited resources for large-scale projects, Nepal is establishing a Rs 100 billion Alternative Resource Management Fund to attract private sector investment in infrastructure, including energy, roads, railways, airports, and SEZs. With Rs 25 billion in paid-up capital, the government will hold a 51% stake, while provident and social security funds, along with insurance firms, will hold the rest. The draft law is awaiting Cabinet approval. Supported by blended finance—mixing private, concessional, and donor funds—the initiative aims to boost employment and GDP. The fund will be managed by a seven-member board and invest in project development, human resources, and equipment.

Chitwan Sees Sharp Rise in Industry Closures, 279 Shut Down This Fiscal Year: In Chitwan district, 279 registered industries have shut down since the start of the current fiscal year, a significant rise from 181 closures during the same period last year, according to the District Office of Industry and Commerce. Most of these were companies registered for foreign employment documentation. Meanwhile, only 273 new industries were registered, compared to 329 last year. The closed industries span sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and services. Officials say many businesses are registered for income documentation to go abroad and are shut down afterward, highlighting increasing migration and economic uncertainty in the region.

Nepal Begins Action Plan to Exit FATF Grey List: Nepal has initiated work to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, following a key meeting of the Money Laundering Prevention Committee. The meeting finalized an action plan outlining responsible agencies, activities, and deadlines. Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel emphasized the need for long-term reforms to avoid future listings. Law Minister Ajay Chaurasiya said Nepal has sufficient legal frameworks but needs stronger implementation. Officials including the Attorney General, Chief Secretary, and acting NRB Governor highlighted institutional coordination, governance, and proactive execution. Nepal was placed on the FATF grey list on Fagun 9, 2081.

Rs 4 Billion Worth of Palm Oil Stranded at Kolkata Port Amid Nepal-India Trade Classification Dispute: Palm oil worth Rs 4 billion bound for Nepal is stuck at Kolkata Port after Nepal’s customs officials reclassified it as a finished good, halting its import. Importers argue the oil is crude and meant for local processing before re-exporting to India under SAFTA’s zero-duty provision. However, customs insists the product lacks raw material characteristics, making it ineligible for re-export. About 24,000 tonnes of oil are stranded, incurring mounting penalties and interest.

Entrepreneurs accuse the government of revenue-driven misclassification and urge immediate resolution, while officials suggest a new HS code and policy adjustments in the upcoming 2025/26 budget.

Nepal’s Economic Diplomacy Falters Due to Chronic Underfunding, Say Officials: Despite branding economic diplomacy a priority, Nepal’s efforts remain symbolic due to inadequate funding, said MoFA Joint Secretary Kumar Raj Kharel. Speaking at the “Himalayan Dialogue” in Kathmandu, Kharel revealed only Rs 160 million was allocated this year, with just Rs 3.5–4 million for U.S. engagement. Missions abroad lack resources for investment forums or promotional campaigns. Last year’s budget was even lower at Rs 120 million. MoFA plans to establish a dedicated division and revise country-specific strategies. FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal urged performance targets for ambassadors to drive results and align diplomacy with national economic goals.

National Geographic Brings 78 Luxury Tourists to Nepal, Marking Shift from Budget to High-End Travel: As part of its global luxury travel initiative, National Geographic brought 78 high-spending tourists to Nepal on April 4 via chartered flight, in collaboration with Yeti Holidays. The group, staying at Hotel Dwarika’s, spent around USD 500 per person daily. Branded “Around the World by Private Jet,” the tour is part of a 22-country journey for elite travellers, many of whom are former National Geographic staff. Around 80% had visited Nepal before. These tours are managed regionally by Ventours International, with Nepal serving as a key hub. Eight such groups are hosted annually, highlighting Nepal’s growing appeal to luxury tourists.

Public Outcry Grows as Power Outages Hit Kathmandu; NEA Cites Technical Faults, Not Load-Shedding: Frequent, unannounced power outages across Kathmandu and beyond have triggered public frustration, with many questioning whether load-shedding has returned. Former government official Shiv Nepal, tech expert Avashish Ojha, and investor Sudhir Sapkota expressed their concerns on Facebook, highlighting disruptions to daily life and work. NEA spokesperson Rajabhai Shilpakar denied any load-shedding, attributing the outages to technical faults and storms. Despite importing up to 800 MW from India, Nepal’s aging power transmission system remains fragile. While industrial load-shedding persists, residential users face repeated interruptions. Critics say the new NEA leadership has failed to prioritize distribution system improvements, worsening the situation.

32 Climbers Summit Annapurna on First Day of Spring Ascent Season: The spring climbing season has begun on Annapurna (8,091m) in Myagdi, with 32 climbers, including Sherpas and foreigners, successfully reaching the summit between 8–11 AM on Monday, according to the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Favorable weather led to the high number of summits. However, two Sherpas, Rima Sherpa and Nima Tashi, went missing after an avalanche between Camp II and III, prompting a search mission. This season, 66 climbers have received permits—up from just 25 last year. Annapurna Base Camp is currently bustling with climbers, guides, and tourists, and the region is gaining popularity as a trekking destination.

Govt Accused of Favoritism in Rs 6 Billion Emergency BP Highway Contracts: The government has issued Rs 6 billion in emergency reconstruction contracts for damaged sections of the BP Highway, limiting competition to a few large contractors. Despite public procurement laws discouraging oversized packages that restrict participation, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure called tenders in three large segments, raising concerns of financial manipulation. Experts allege the contracts were structured to benefit select firms, increasing the risk of inflated costs. Though the Department of Roads denies wrongdoing, the 2-year construction timelines open the door for cost escalation clauses. Officials suggest breaking the packages into smaller bids could reduce costs and enhance transparency.

Nepal Rastra Bank Urges Public to Stay Vigilant Against Rising Digital Financial Frauds: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a warning to the public about the increasing incidents of digital financial fraud via social media, mobile apps, and online platforms. The bank advised people not to fall for enticing offers like “cheap mobile phones,” “doubling money,” or “cryptocurrency investment” schemes. NRB emphasized that sharing sensitive information, such as citizenship details, in response to such fraudulent messages could lead to financial losses. According to NRB’s annual report, suspicious financial activities, particularly cyber-enabled fraud, have surged by over 30% in the past year, with cryptocurrency-related frauds also on the rise.

Ministry Of Finance Seeks Suggestions for Upcoming Fiscal Year 2082/83 Budget: The Ministry of Finance has called for suggestions regarding the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83. According to the ministry, the process of formulating the budget and program for the next fiscal year has begun. The ministry has requested relevant organizations and sectors to provide their recommendations on suitable topics to include in the budget and program for the upcoming fiscal year.

The ministry also urged that all suggestions for the upcoming budget be submitted by the end of the month of Baisakh, 2082. Suggestions have been requested from federal bodies, institutions, intellectuals, experts, political parties, businesspersons, social workers, professionals, employees, the media, and the general public.

RPP MP Singh Claims Delay in Appointment of NRB Governor Due to Party Conflicts: MP of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Dipak Bahadur Singh, has claimed that the appointment of the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, which should have been made a month ago, is still pending due to party conflicts over who gets to control the position. Singh made these remarks while addressing a public awareness gathering organized by the RPP in Balkhu.

“The country is drowning in corruption,” Singh said. “A month ago, the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank was supposed to be appointed, but it hasn’t happened yet because the parties are busy calculating who will benefit. The CPN-UML and Nepali Congress are caught up in power struggles.” He further claimed that the country’s economy is weakening due to the delay.

330 Climbers From 35 Groups Receive Permits for Spring Himalayan Expeditions: So far this spring season, a total of 330 climbers from 35 different groups have received permission to scale Himalayan peaks. According to the Department of Tourism, as of Monday, 77 women and 253 men have been granted climbing permits.

Among them, Mount Everest—the world’s highest peak—has drawn the most attention, with 120 climbers from 12 groups receiving permits to summit it. The department reports that permits have been issued for expeditions on 15 different peaks so far. Annapurna I ranks second in popularity, with 66 climbers from 6 groups obtaining permits for the ascent.

Two Experts Recommended as Board Members of Food Management and Trading Company: Two individuals have been recommended as expert board members of the Food Management and Trading Company Limited, which operates under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. The recommendations were made to fill the vacant board member positions at the company.

According to the decision made on April 7 (Chaitra 25) by the recommendation committee formed under the 2078 directive for the appointment and nomination of officials in public bodies under the Ministry of Industry, the top-scoring candidates were selected. From among male candidates, Nirpa Bahadur Bohora of Doti was recommended, while among female candidates, Nani Maharjan of Kirtipur, Kathmandu, was selected.

Not Everyone Should Be Allowed to Import Electric Vehicles, Says NBA President Santosh Koirala: President of the Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA), Santosh Koirala, has said that not everyone should be allowed to import electric vehicles (EVs). Speaking at the ‘NADA Auto Dialogue’ organized by the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, Koirala remarked that recently, EV imports have been carried out by just about anyone without sufficient regulation.

During the panel discussion titled “Long-Term Policy for the Auto Sector” under the Auto Dialogue, Koirala emphasized that the government should determine who is eligible to import EVs, the process of bringing them in, and whether importers have considered the necessary infrastructure for the EVs they bring into Nepal.

Cabinet Passes Bill Related to Alternative Development Financing: The Cabinet has passed a bill related to alternative development financing. The decision was made during the Cabinet meeting held Monday evening at Singha Durbar.

Speaking at an event held in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said that the government had prepared a bill aimed at attracting both domestic and foreign private sector investment in public infrastructure development through alternative financing models. He further informed that the bill was approved during Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

Government To Implement GPS System in Public Vehicles to Reduce Accidents: The government is set to implement a Global Positioning System (GPS) in public transportation to regulate vehicles and reduce road accidents. Although the idea has been under discussion for a long time, the government has now taken a more proactive approach to enforce it.

According to the Department of Transport Management, work is underway to install GPS systems in all public vehicles. The department stated that the GPS system is being made mandatory to improve vehicle regulation and make search and rescue operations more effective in the event of road accidents.

Eastern Entrepreneurs Demand Tax Policy Reform to Curb Illegal Trade: Eastern industrialists and businesspersons have demanded improvements in the government’s tax policies, citing that such policies have led to the rise of illegal trade.

During an interaction with the government team, which arrived in Biratnagar to collect suggestions for the upcoming budget, the entrepreneurs suggested that the government must take urgent action to stop illegal trade exceeding NPR 200 billion annually. They recommended adjusting tax rates to address the issue effectively.

Nepali Entrepreneur Nami Baral Named in ‘100 Global Women in AI’ List: Nepali entrepreneur Nami Baral, who runs a tech company in the United States, has been included in the prestigious ‘100 Global Women in AI’ list. The list is curated by ‘100 Davos Women’ under the Artificial Intelligence (AI) category, recognizing 100 leading women from around the world in the AI field. Baral is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New York-based tech company ‘Neural.’

Gold Price Drops Again in Nepali Market: The price of gold in the Nepali market declined today (Tuesday). Continuing the downward trend since last Friday, the price of gold has once again dropped today. After falling by NPR 700 per tola on Monday, gold prices dropped by an additional NPR 400 per tola today.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, hallmark gold is currently being traded at NPR 173,400 per tola. On Monday, the price of hallmark gold was NPR 173,800 per tola.