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 Sees Slight Increase on Tuesday: On Tuesday, the third trading day of the week, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) closed slightly higher. The index rose by 1.03 points to close at 2,611.43, reflecting a 0.03% increase. A total of 318 securities were traded through 80,054 transactions involving 20,542,765 shares. The total turnover stood at Rs 8.74 billion. Sectors such as hydropower, life insurance, manufacturing and processing, non-life insurance, and trade saw gains. Investors in the trade sub-group gained the most, while those in the finance sub-group incurred the biggest losses.

Finance Minister Paudel Consults Maoist Chair Prachanda Ahead of Budget: Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel visited Maoist Centre Chairperson and former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at his residence in Khumaltar on Tuesday morning. The meeting focused on discussions related to the upcoming national budget for fiscal year 2082/83. According to the constitution, the government must present the annual budget by Jestha 15. Paudel had already consulted Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba regarding the upcoming budget.

Binod Chaudhary Meets Bill Gates in Singapore: Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of Chaudhary Group and Member of Parliament, met Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates in Singapore. The two billionaires met during the Philanthropy Asia Alliance–2025 (PAA–2025) event on Tuesday. According to Chaudhary Group, the meeting involved serious discussions on Nepal’s major challenges in healthcare and employment. Chaudhary expressed gratitude to the Gates Foundation for its partnership through the “Strong Nepal” campaign since the 2015 earthquake and during the COVID–19 pandemic, as well as in the field of child nutrition.

Government to Transfer Only 91.76% of Allocated Fiscal Equalization Grants: For the current fiscal year 2081/82, only 91.76% of the government’s allocated fiscal equalization grants will be transferred. As of the end of Chaitra, only 82.72% of the annual revenue target had been achieved. Based on this, the Ministry of Finance’s Financial Federalism Coordination Division wrote to the Office of the Financial Comptroller General to transfer grants in proportion. As a result, provinces and local governments will receive only the fourth installment worth 20.68% of the total, meaning they will get 91.76% of the allocated grants in total.

Stock Brokers Demand Expanded Roles Amid Capital Shortfalls: Stock brokers have called for expanded operational roles to increase earnings as they fail to raise their paid-up capital. The Stock Brokers Association of Nepal submitted five demands to the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), arguing that brokers cannot rely on commissions alone for income and therefore need broader operational scopes. They also demanded a revision to SEBON’s requirement for brokers to raise their paid-up capital to Rs 200 million by the end of Asar (mid-July). Many brokers who haven’t met the capital requirement have requested an extension.

Swarnim Wagle Slams Government Policy Document as Lacking Vision and Character: Rastriya Swatantra Party Vice Chair Swarnim Wagle criticized the government’s policy and programs for the upcoming fiscal year, saying they reveal a lack of coherence, character, and capability. Speaking in the House of Representatives, Wagle mocked the seven-point agreement between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, calling it ineffective and farcical. He argued that the unity of two major parties should have inspired hope but instead has yielded little progress, even amid national crises.

Delay Expected in Second Phase of Ring Road Expansion (Kalanki–Chabahil): The second phase of the Ring Road expansion (Kalanki to Chabahil section) is expected to face delays. “A Chinese team has been surveying this section for the past 15 days. They have said the survey will take two months,” said Krishna Nath Ojha, head of the Ring Road Expansion Project. “After the survey, design work will begin. They aim to complete both survey and design within six months. Then, the construction process will move forward through tenders.” According to Ojha, Chinese state-owned companies CCCC First Highway Consultants and Xi’an Fangzhou Engineering Consulting Co. Ltd. have deployed 18 technicians in the field.

Lower Modi–New Modi Transmission Line Construction Begins: The construction of the Lower Modi–New Modi transmission line has started to integrate hydropower produced from the Modi River, which has become a significant source of energy, into the national grid. The line will run from Khareha of Kushma Municipality–7 to Deupur of Modi Rural Municipality–2. Land acquisition for the line is currently underway. According to project chief Roshan Agrawal, the Nepal Electricity Authority has already acquired land worth Rs 10 million for the first phase of the Lower Modi–New Modi transmission line project.

Three Firms Fined Rs 705,000 for Violating Consumer Protection Law: The Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection fined three companies and firms Rs 705,000 on Monday after inspecting 14 businesses. During the inspection, Dugad Brothers & Sons, located in Kathmandu-16, Balaju, was fined Rs 300,000 for relabeling products and altering quality, quantity, price, and weight measurements. This was deemed a violation of Clause 38(e) and 39(1)(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075. Similarly, Modern Slipper Industry of Balaju was fined Rs 205,000.

Jyoti Bikas Bank Signs Agreement with NCHL for Nepal Pay Card: Jyoti Bikas Bank and Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) have signed an agreement for principal membership of NPS–NCS and the domestic card scheme (Nepal Pay Card). The agreement was signed by Prakash Baral, Senior Deputy CEO of the bank, and Nilesh Man Singh Pradhan, CEO of NCHL. NCHL recently completed the infrastructure for NPS–NCS and has invited banks and financial institutions to join the system for issuing and acquiring Nepal’s own domestic card – the Nepal Pay Card. Institutions are gradually joining the platform.

Surge in Budget Requests for Small Local Projects Crowds Singha Durbar: As preparations for the national budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 move forward, elected officials and local leaders are flocking to Singha Durbar with budget proposals. Government officials have reported a deluge of requests for small-scale projects. According to Keshav Kumar Sharma, Secretary of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, budget demands have been submitted for 12,000 to 14,000 different projects. He noted that because there are no restrictions on submitting proposals, the rush at Singha Durbar continues unabated.

Insurance Authority Urges Companies to Work Responsibly and Build Public Trust: The Nepal Insurance Authority has instructed insurance companies to act responsibly to enhance public trust. During an interaction organized by the Board’s Madhesh Provincial Office in Birgunj, Chairperson Sharad Ojha emphasized that accurate risk assessment would help avoid problems during claim payouts. He also instructed companies to operate in line with insurance laws and urged them to report any local-level complaints or issues to the Board. Provincial heads of insurance companies, however, raised concerns about lack of authority and inadequate staffing at the provincial level.

66 Aviation Experts from 22 Countries Gather in Pokhara to Tackle Wildlife Hazards: Aviation and civil aviation experts from the Asia-Pacific region have convened in Pokhara to address wildlife-related risks in aviation. The seventh workshop under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Wildlife Hazard Management Group is being attended by 66 participants from 40 districts of Nepal and 22 other countries. The five-day event (till Baisakh 26) will focus on reducing such risks and making the aviation sector safer across the Asia-Pacific.

Three Five-Star Hotels Under Construction in Biratnagar to Boost Tourism: Three five-star hotels are being constructed simultaneously in the industrial city of Biratnagar, also the capital of Koshi Province. With this, the number of star-rated hotels in the city, including those with casinos, will rise to six. Businessman Vijay Chaudhary is investing Rs 2.3 billion in Hotel Axis, Pratyush Raut of Shivam Group is investing Rs 2.33 billion in Hotel Royalton, and investor Punya Bhattarai plans to upgrade the existing Hotel Asiatic into a five-star facility with an additional Rs 1.75 billion investment.

NTA Warns Against Unauthorized Foreign Satellite Internet in Himalayas: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has warned against the unauthorized use of foreign satellite internet services in the high Himalayas, including Mount Everest base camps. The NTA said mountaineering operators are allegedly providing foreign satellite-based internet services illegally. The regulator warned of legal action if such unauthorized usage is not immediately stopped.

Nepal Life Insurance Marks 24th Anniversary with Blood Donations and Health Camps: Nepal Life Insurance Company celebrated its 24th anniversary with nationwide programs including blood donation drives and free health camps. A total of 412 pints of blood were collected from various cities across all seven provinces. Free medical camps were organized in Kathmandu, and blood drives were held in cities like Itahari, Birgunj, Pokhara, Butwal, and Tikapur, among others.

Rastriya Banijya Bank and Radio Nepal Sign Loan Agreement for Staff: Rastriya Banijya Bank Limited and Radio Nepal have signed an agreement to provide simplified professional loans and manage salary accounts for Radio Nepal employees. The agreement was signed by RBB CEO Devendra Raman Khanal and Radio Nepal’s Acting Administrative Chief Bishnu Ram Neupane. Under the deal, eligible Radio Nepal employees can receive up to Rs 1.5 million in loans as per the Bank’s 2077 consumer credit guidelines.

NEA Gives Industries Until End of Baisakh to Appeal in Internet Fee Dispute: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has given industries involved in premium charge disputes over dedicated and trunk internet lines until the end of Baisakh to file appeals. This decision was made during the NEA board meeting on Sunday. Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya said the industries were already consulted on Chaitra 30 and encouraged to formally apply to the NEA review committee to seek resolution.

Gold Price in Nepal Rises Sharply by Rs 5,300 Per Tola: The price of gold in the Nepali market surged by Rs 5,300 per tola on Tuesday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. Compared to the previous day, the price increased significantly. Accordingly, hallmark gold was priced at Rs 189,900 per tola on Tuesday, up from Rs 184,600 per tola on Monday. Meanwhile, the price of silver also increased. On Monday, silver was priced at Rs 1,910 per tola, which rose to Rs 1,965 per tola on Tuesday, according to the federation.