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 Index Drops by 4.45 Points Amid Increased Trading Volume: On Thursday, the NEPSE index fell by 4.45 points, closing at 2595.74. Trading volume, however, increased slightly. On Wednesday, the turnover was NPR 5.94 billion, while on Thursday it rose to NPR 7.78 billion. This is an increase of NPR 1.84 billion compared to the previous day. A total of 196.5 million shares from 306 listed companies were traded on Thursday. Among these, 93 companies saw their share prices rise, while 155 companies experienced a decline. Green Development Bank recorded the highest price increase of 9.18 percent on the day.

Energy Minister Khadka Addresses SCO Energy Ministers’ Meeting in China: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, addressed the fifth energy ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. Speaking at the event held in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, Minister Khadka emphasized the need for an innovative regional framework to promote investment and energy trade, considering the population, resources, and potential of SCO member countries. He called for strengthened cooperation and effective partnerships.

Government Backtracks on Withdrawal of Water Resources Bill: The government has reversed its decision to withdraw the Water Resources Bill. Although the Cabinet had decided on June 16 to withdraw the bill, the decision was never formally announced. After pressure from Nepali Congress leaders and parliamentary committee officials — who said the Prime Minister’s understanding of the issue was flawed — the bill will no longer be withdrawn.

IPPAN Calls Off Protest After Govt Scraps ‘Take-and-Pay’ PPA provision: The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) has withdrawn its protest following the government’s decision to scrap the ‘Take-and-Pay’ Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) provision through the national budget for fiscal year 2025/26. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel announced the removal of the ‘Take-and-Pay’ provision in the House of Representatives on June 24. Following this, IPPAN formally announced the suspension of its protest during a press conference held on Thursday.

Foreign Workers Remit Rs 8.46 billion Out of Nepal: Nepal is not only a remittance-receiving country; foreign workers in Nepal also send a significant amount abroad. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, foreign workers in Nepal have remitted Rs 8.46 billion to their home countries between mid-July and mid-May of the current fiscal year. While this amount is small compared to remittances sent by Nepalis abroad, it is substantial considering it comes from jobs generated within Nepal for foreigners.

Finance Minister Poudel Pledges Tech-Driven, Transparent Customs System: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel has pledged to utilize advanced technology to make customs operations clean, transparent, and effective. Although it is difficult to legally measure customs officials’ honesty, he said, adopting technology and best practices can help control revenue leakage. During a theoretical discussion in the National Assembly’s Legislative Management Committee on a bill to amend and integrate customs laws, Minister Poudel emphasized using modern technology to control issues like smuggling, leakage, and tax evasion.

Goods from China to Be Directly Transported to Chovar Dry Port: Imports from China via the northern border points of Tatopani and Rasuwa will now be directly transported to the Chovar dry port in Kathmandu. China Railway Company has begun preliminary implementation of the transport plan. Currently, 10 containers (40 feet each) are arriving daily from Tatopani directly to Chovar, aimed at making import-export processes more efficient and modern.

Around 2,300 Government Websites to Shut Down from Mid-July: Starting mid-July (Shrawan), approximately 2,300 government websites will be deactivated. Websites not transferred from the Government Integrated Data Center (GIDC) to the Department of Information Technology’s new Integrated Website Management System (GIWMS) by the end of Asar (mid-July) will be shut down. Migration to the new centralized system is now mandatory.

Government’s E-Traffic Ticket System Failing to Deliver Results: The government’s digital traffic ticket system (E-Chalan), launched to simplify fine payments and reduce hassles, has proven ineffective. Despite being introduced via the Nagarik App in 70 districts, the system has not generated expected revenue due to poor implementation and technical issues in many areas.

JICA to Rebuild Section of BP Highway Damaged by 2024 Rainfall: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to rebuild a damaged section of the BP Highway, destroyed by continuous rainfall in late September, 2024. Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Keshav Sharma, confirmed the reconstruction decision.

3.6 million Liter Aviation Fuel Depot Completed at Pokhara Airport: After more than two years of airport operations, a 3.6-million-liter aviation fuel depot has been completed near Pokhara International Airport. Nepal Oil Corporation invested Rs 680 million in the construction, which includes three fuel tanks with 1.2 million liters each, according to project head Pradeep Yadav.

Gold Imports Down by 50% Due to Price Hike: Gold imports in Nepal have dropped by 50% due to rising international prices. The continuous rise in gold prices has reduced local demand, leading to decreased imports. According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 1,389 kg of gold worth Rs 17.12 billion between mid-July and mid-June of FY 2024/25. In the same period last year, 2,651 kg of gold worth Rs 23.65 billion was imported.

Euro-6 Emission Standard Enforced in Nepal: Nepal has officially enforced the Euro-6 pollution standard. After years of discussion and delays, the government has implemented the “Nepal Vehicle Emission Standard 2025,” introducing stricter regulations for vehicle emissions. The Ministry of Forests and Environment has published the new standards in the Nepal Gazette. Under these regulations, Euro-5 standards will apply to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, while vehicles with four or more wheels must comply with Euro-6 testing and emission protocols.

Flights Resume at Solukhumbu’s Phaplu Airport After 17 Days of Weather Disruption: Flights have resumed today at Phaplu Airport in the tourism-rich Solukhumbu district after a 17-day disruption. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) office in Phaplu, operations were halted since June 9 due to adverse weather conditions. Senior CAAN officer Ayush Thapa stated that a Nepal Airlines Twin Otter aircraft successfully flew from Kathmandu to Phaplu on Wednesday and returned to the capital.

Provinces Push for Tech-Friendly Education in New Budget: Through initiatives such as digital classrooms, e-libraries, digital dashboards, science centers, STEM education, and science exhibitions, all provincial governments have proposed making the education sector more technology-friendly in the upcoming fiscal year2025/26. To promote good governance, they also plan to expand digital administration, digital declarations, digital records, Chief Minister Action Rooms, online evaluation systems, QR-based services, digital health information systems, and even mobile app-based grievance systems as key priorities.

341 Indian Pilgrims Arrive in Humla for Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra: A total of 341 Indian pilgrims have arrived in Humla for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage. China had halted the pilgrimage since the COVID-19 pandemic, but with its recent resumption, the number of Indian pilgrims entering Nepal through Humla has risen. According to hotel and tourism entrepreneur Min Bahadur Tamang, the number of Indian tourists visiting Kailash-Mansarovar over the past week has reached 341. Their arrival has also increased activity in the Simikot headquarters.

Cement Board Factory Begins Operation in Rautahat: A factory producing cement boards for use in house and building construction has come into operation in a short period. The Everest Fiber Board Cement Industry, located in Gaur, Rautahat, has started producing such boards. At a program held in Kathmandu, Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari officially inaugurated the operation of the industry and launched its products.

Nepal Mango Fest 2025 to Promote Mango Market and Culture: The three-day Nepal Mango Fest 2025 is set to promote the market and value chain of Nepali mangoes, especially from the Terai-Madhes region. The festival, blending mango culture, taste, and heritage, will be officially inaugurated at 1 PM on Asar 13 (June 27).

Prabhu Helicopter’s Business Down by 60 Percent in 2024: Prabhu Helicopter Pvt. Ltd. reported a 60% drop in business in 2024 compared to 2023. The company’s transactions fell from Rs 417 million in 2023 to Rs 260 million in 2024. In 2022, the company had recorded Rs 228 million in business.

MetLife Nepal Launches Policy Revival Campaign: MetLife Nepal has initiated a campaign to revive lapsed insurance policies. Policies lapsed within five years will get 100% waiver on late fees, while policies inactive for more than five years will receive a 60% waiver. The initiative aims to help customers reactivate their policies and secure their financial future.

Citizens Bank Introduces Online Loan Against Fixed Deposit: Citizens Bank International has launched a facility allowing customers to obtain loans against fixed deposits via its mobile app. Under the scheme, customers can borrow amounts ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 200,000, up to 90% or more of their deposit value, to meet urgent financial needs.

Gold Price Rises by Rs 300 Per Tola Today: The price of gold in the Nepali market has seen a slight increase on Thursday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of hallmark gold has increased by Rs. 300 per tola, reaching Rs. 192,300. On Wednesday, gold was being traded at Rs. 192,000 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver has also gone up. It rose by Rs. 35 per tola, bringing the current trading price to Rs. 2,175 per tola, the federation stated.