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.

NOC Reduces Price Of Petroleum Products: Nepal Oil Corporation has reduced the prices of petroleum products. The corporation has decreased the price of petrol by NPR 5 per liter and diesel by NPR 1.30 per liter. According to the corporation, the prices were revised based on the new purchase rates of petroleum products received from the Indian Oil Corporation on Ashar 31 (mid-July). The price of kerosene has also been reduced by NPR 1.30 per liter. The new prices will come into effect from midnight tonight, as per the decision of the corporation’s board meeting.

All Indices Rise in Tuesday’s Stock Market; NEPSE Surges by 34.46 Points: All indicators of the stock market rose on Tuesday, with the NEPSE index climbing by 34.46 points (1.26%) to reach 2,760 points. The transaction amount also increased compared to the previous day. While Monday saw a turnover of Rs 8.17 billion, it rose to Rs 9.41 billion on Tuesday. The value of 209 companies went up, while only 39 saw a decline. All sectoral indices registered gains. The banking sector led the surge with a 1.81% rise.

Government Spends 32% of Capital Budget in Final 29 Days of Fiscal Year: The government has spent a significant portion of its capital budget on the final 29 days of the fiscal year. According to the Office of the Comptroller General, 32% of the total capital expenditure for FY 2081/82 (2024/25) was made in the last 29 days. As of Asar 29 (July 13), the capital expenditure reached Rs. 211.35 billion, compared to just Rs. 143.38 billion as of Jestha 31 (June 14). Of this, Rs. 67.96 billion was spent in Asar alone.

Banking Sector Reform Taskforce Submits Final Report: A taskforce led by Rewat Bahadur Karki has submitted its final report to NRB Governor Biswo Poudel. The report includes recommendations to make banking policies more liberal and flexible, revise directed lending rules, classify banks based on capital and performance, and make working capital loan guidelines more flexible.

Faceless System Misused for Bribes at Office of Company Registrar: A faceless online service system was implemented at the Office of the Company Registrar to provide services without requiring physical presence. However, service seekers allege that staff shut down the system to negotiate bribes. “Depending on the company’s paid-up capital, bribes range from 0.3% to 1%,” say service recipients, adding that even to receive a 90% fee waiver mandated by law, a 10% bribe must be paid.

Hydropower IPO Ban Was a Mistake, Says Deuba: Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has criticized the suspension of IPOs for hydropower projects, calling the move inappropriate. He expressed hope that the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) would soon resume approvals. Speaking at the 23rd Annual General Meeting of IPPAN in Kathmandu, Deuba urged the government to ensure a secure and hassle-free investment environment for both domestic and foreign investors.

Finance Ministry Mandates Digital Payments by Public Bodies: The Ministry of Finance has directed all ministries, NRB, public institutions, boards, and committees to make all payments via electronic systems from Shrawan 1 (July 17) onwards. The policy aligns with the FY 2082/83 (2025/26) budget, which mandates integrating public payments into digital systems.

30 Firms Receive E-commerce Licenses in Nepal: The Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection has granted online trade licenses to 30 firms out of 315 applicants. According to Director Bharat Prasad Acharya, many applicants were asked to submit missing documents. Licenses were issued under the Electronic Commerce Act, 2081.

IPPAN Chief Calls for Immediate Implementation of ‘Sunset Law’ in Energy Sector: Ganesh Karki, president of the Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN), has called for the immediate implementation of a “Sunset Law” in the energy sector. Addressing IPPAN’s 23rd annual general meeting in Kathmandu today, he said that although the Energy Development Roadmap 2081 introduced by the current government is a vital document for national prosperity, its implementation remains uncertain.

Thai AirAsia to Resume Direct Bangkok–Bhairahawa Flights: Thai AirAsia is set to resume its direct Bangkok–Bhairahawa–Bangkok flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. The Thailand-based private airline had initially launched commercial flights from this airport on Kartik 18, 2081 BS (November 3, 2024), but later suspended operations. According to Binod Singh Raut, Information Officer at Gautam Buddha International Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has approved the airline’s request to operate under the “winter schedule.”

Buffalo Meat Export to China Delayed Despite Agreement: Despite a bilateral agreement signed 1.5 years ago, Nepal has yet to begin exporting buffalo meat to China. During PM KP Sharma Oli’s China visit last year, the two countries agreed on the export. Following this, a deal was signed in Poush 2080 between Nepal’s Himalayan Food International Pvt. Ltd. and China’s Shanghai Jian Food Pvt. Ltd., but exports have not started yet.

Janardan Sharma Urges End to Hoarding of River Licenses: CPN (Maoist Centre) Deputy General Secretary Janardan Sharma has called for an end to the practice of keeping hydropower licenses in individuals’ pockets. Speaking at IPPAN’s 23rd annual general meeting, he warned that failing to develop the energy sector would not only sink public investments but also dash national aspirations. He emphasized the need to scrutinize whether licenses are awarded to capable investors or not.

3G Service Nearing End in Nepal Amid Surge in 4G Users: 3G mobile internet service is approaching its end in Nepal. Ncell has begun phasing it out, while Nepal Telecom is evaluating its necessity in its annual program. With over 25 million 4G users, 3G usage has dropped to around 600,000–700,000.

Minister Deepak Khadka Questions 12-Year Energy Progress Under Maoists: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka questioned the performance of the Maoist leadership over the past 12 years during IPPAN’s general assembly. He responded to former energy minister Janardan Sharma, who had criticized Khadka for failing to finalize power purchase agreements and for not ending the license-hoarding trend. When Khadka appeared busy on his phone, Sharma told him to put it down and listen.

Insurance Companies Must Include Renewals in Sales Targets: Life and micro-insurance companies in Nepal must now include renewal and term insurance premiums in their business targets. Until now, only first premiums were mandatory in monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual targets. The Insurance Board issued this new directive on Monday.

Work Accelerates on National Pride Project Siddhababa Tunnel: The work on the Siddhababa Tunnel, a national pride project, is currently progressing at a rapid pace. The work has gained momentum after the ‘breakthrough’ of the tunnel under construction in the Dobhan Siddhababa area of Tinau Rural Municipality-3, Palpa along the Siddhartha Highway. Engineer Sabita Gyawali of the Siddha Baba Tunnel Project Office informed that so far, the physical progress of the tunnel has been completed at 57.51 percent, while the financial progress is at 51.1 percent.

Madhesh Province Sees Lowest Paddy Plantation Despite ‘Rice Capital’ Tag: Despite being dubbed the “Rice Capital” of Nepal, Madhesh Province has the lowest rate of paddy plantation this season. According to the Center for Crop Development and Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation, only 33.78% (125,888 hectares) of the expected 372,645 hectares had been planted by Asar 29.

Reliance Industries Launches Campa Cola in Nepal with CG Collaboration: India’s Reliance Industries, in collaboration with Nepal’s Chaudhary Group, has launched the popular soft drink brand Campa Cola in Nepal. Manufactured by Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), the internationally recognized Indian brand has sponsored major events like IPL.

Modern EV Charging Station Opens in Butwal: With EV usage rising, Shashila Motors Pvt. Ltd. has officially launched a modern charging station in Driver Tole, Tilottama-3, Rupandehi. It can charge up to 14 vehicles simultaneously and has a capacity of 1,000 KVA. The station was inaugurated by Tilottama Mayor Ram Krishna Khand.

Barun Hydropower Opens Rights Share Issue: Barun Hydropower Company has opened applications for its 1:1 rights share issue, allowing shareholders registered until Jestha 21 (June 4) to apply for shares at Rs. 100 per unit. RBB Merchant Banking is managing the sale. Applications can be submitted online via Mero Share until Shrawan 19 (August 4).

Silver Price Drops While Gold Remains Stable: Gold prices remained stable in the Nepali market on Tuesday. As per the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of hallmark gold is being traded at Rs 193,300 per tola, unchanged from Monday’s rate. Meanwhile, the price of silver has seen a slight decline.  According to the Federation, silver is currently trading at Rs 2,275 per tola, marking a drop of Rs 40 from the previous day.