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 Declines by 38 Points at Week’s End

After rising by 21 points on Monday, 4 points on Tuesday, and 53 points on Wednesday, the NEPSE index fell by 38.10 points on Thursday, the last trading day of the week. Compared to the previous day, the index dropped 1.35 percent, closing at 2,781 points. Out of the traded shares, 24 companies gained value, while 227 companies declined. As a result, the overall NEPSE index dropped by 38 points. This week, Nepal Rastra Bank also issued a directive easing dividend distribution rules for microfinance institutions.

Ten Major Banks to Face Comprehensive Audit

An agreement was signed on Thursday to conduct an international-standard comprehensive asset quality audit of 10 major commercial banks. Nepal Rastra Bank had selected Bangladeshi firm Howladar Yunus & Company, Chartered Accountants, for the audit. The banks listed for audit include Global IME Bank, Nabil Bank, Nepal Investment Mega Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Kumari Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Prabhu Bank, Himalayan Bank, Nepal Bank Limited, and NIC Asia Bank.

Finance Ministry to Invite Tenders for Valuation of Sick Industries

The Ministry of Finance is preparing to invite tenders for the valuation of assets and liabilities of four long-sick government-owned industries. The ministry has already selected consultants for the valuation and has responded to various queries raised during the consultant selection process. Recently, it confirmed that consultants have been chosen for Butwal Spinning Mills Limited, Janakpur Cigarette Factory Limited, and two other industries, and preparations are underway to call tenders soon.

Concessional Loan System Revived After Years of Halt

The provision of concessional loans, which had been halted for several years, is set to resume after Nepal Rastra Bank issued a new procedure for interest subsidies. Under the new “Procedure 2025 on Interest Subsidy for Concessional Loans,” individuals wishing to start businesses can now access loans ranging from Rs 500,000 to Rs 50 million with interest subsidies. This has reopened the way for concessional credit distribution once again.

Domestic Airfares Soar Ahead of Dashain

Bookings and prices of domestic airline tickets ahead of Dashain have surged sharply. As people prepare to leave Kathmandu for the festival, tickets for remote destinations have become almost impossible to find, while fares for accessible destinations have nearly doubled. According to airlines, about 40 percent of tickets to various destinations have already been booked. Securing tickets to remote areas such as Tumlingtar, Lukla, Simikot, Dolpa, Rumjatar, Bhojpur, and Khanidanda has become extremely difficult even after paying high fares.

Mobile Banking and QR Payments Surge

Electronic payments through mobile banking, wallets, and QR codes have surged sharply, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. Mobile banking remains the most widely used method. Transactions through mobile banking alone grew by 45.34 percent in fiscal year 2024/25, reaching R 5.018 trillion, compared to R 3.45 trillion in fiscal year 2023/24. Two years earlier, in 2022/23, mobile transactions stood at R 2.18 trillion.

 Draft Law to Allow Nepalis to Invest Abroad

The government is advancing new legislation to allow Nepali investors to invest abroad. Nepal Rastra Bank has prepared a draft of the new Foreign Exchange Act, which includes provisions for overseas investment, and submitted it to the Ministry of Finance. The Cabinet had approved the concept paper on June 5. Rewati Prasad Nepal, Executive Director of the Foreign Exchange Management Department, said the draft law would legally open the door for Nepalis to invest abroad once passed by Parliament.

Nepal Oil Corporation Pays Rs 120 Billion in Revenue to Government

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) paid Rs 120.77 billion in revenue to the government under nine headings in fiscal year 2024/25, while earning a profit of Rs 14 billion. According to NOC spokesperson Manoj Thakur, the corporation paid customs duty, road maintenance tax, infrastructure fees, local and green taxes, gas bullet charges, pollution control fees, fuel throughput tax, contributions to the price stabilization fund, and VAT at customs.

Edible Oil Prices Rise by Rs 40 Per Liter in Six Months

The price of edible oil in Nepal has increased by up to Rs 40 per liter in the past six months, largely due to rising exports to India. According to the Nepal Retail Trade Association, the price of mustard oil, which was Rs 370 per liter in Falgun, has now reached NPR 410.

Egg Prices Rise Ahead of Festivals

The price of eggs has increased in the market ahead of the festive season. Large eggs will now cost Rs 23 each, or Rs 45 per pair. The wholesale price per box of 210 eggs has been set at Rs 4,000, with the retail price at Rs 4,150. A crate of 30 large eggs will now cost Rs 545, while a crate of medium eggs will be Rs 530.

Minister Urges Tourism Investment in Sudurpaschim

Sudurpaschim Province has been described as “virgin land” for tourism, with a call for investment made in its tourism infrastructure. On the eve of the Sudurpaschim Investment and Development Conference, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, speaking at a tourism-focused interaction program jointly organized by his ministry, the Sudurpaschim government, and the Nepal Tourism Board, urged investors to explore opportunities.

Lumbini Province Opens 745 km of New Roads in Seven Years

In Lumbini Province, 745 kilometers of new road tracks have been opened over a seven-year period. According to the annual report of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, from fiscal year 2018/19 to 2025/26, a total of 1,909 kilometers of roads were expanded. During the same period, 1,645 kilometers of roads were gravelled, and 1,306 kilometers were asphalted.

Annual Fish Production Rises in Koshi Province

Annual fish production in Koshi Province has increased, driven by an expansion in aquaculture areas. However, despite the growth, production still falls short of meeting consumption demand. Farmers and companies primarily cultivate two commercial fish species: carp and pangas. Both the cultivation area and production of these species have increased. In the fiscal year 2024/25, fish farming of carp was carried out in ponds covering 2,442 hectares across the province.

Supreme Court Orders Relocation of Industries Near Lumbini

The Supreme Court has ordered the relocation or closure of more than 60 industries near Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, within two years. Following the order, cement, brick, steel, and other industries in Rupandehi will need to relocate. According to the Department of Industry, over 100 industries, both large and small, are registered in Rupandehi. Investors have expressed concerns, calling the relocation order difficult and risky.

Development Projects in Jumla Remain Unfinished

In Jumla, successive development projects have been left incomplete, and extreme delays in project planning have drawn significant attention from local political parties. Concerns were raised due to plans being prepared with poor quality, projects falling far behind their scheduled timelines, and the majority remaining unfinished. At an all-party meeting held at the District Administration Office, it was decided that the Development Office and contractors must take responsibility for expediting stalled projects and addressing delays.

Mutual Funds Declare Dividends Up to 21 Percent

Mutual fund managers are announcing dividends for their unit-holders after making profits from share trading, with payouts reaching as high as 21 percent. Around 80 percent of mutual fund investments are in shares of listed companies, and profits from such trading are distributed annually as dividends. At present, there are 39 close-ended schemes listed and another 10 open-ended schemes in operation, making a total of 49 mutual fund plans.

 Mid Solu Hydropower Declares 15.789 Percent Dividend

Mid Solu Hydropower has announced a dividend for its shareholders. In its board meeting held on Thursday evening, the company declared a total dividend of 15.789 percent from the profit of fiscal year 2024/25. Of this, 15 percent will be distributed as bonus shares, while 0.789 percent will be provided in cash solely for tax purposes. The company stated that the dividend will be distributed after approval from the upcoming general meeting.

Gold Price Hits Historic High of Rs 206,000 Per Tola

Gold prices set a new record on Friday, breaking the previous record made on August 8 in just three weeks. The price of gold reached Rs 206,000 per tola, the highest in Nepal’s history, rising by Rs 1,200 compared to the previous day. Earlier, on August 8, the record price had been Rs 199,400 per tola. Meanwhile, silver also increased by Rs 5 per tola.