KATHMANDU: Nepal News presents today’s snapshot of Nepal’s economic activities. Get quick updates on major market movements, policy shifts, and financial developments shaping the economy of Nepal. Here are the key economic highlights for today:

Government to Introduce New Company Act by February, 2026
The government will bring a new Company Act by February, 2026. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies released the “Immediate Improvement Plan–2025 to Enhance Service Effectiveness,” committing to introduce the bill within Magh. Minister Anil Kumar Sinha began reform plans immediately after assuming office. Former Supreme Court Judge Sinha, having long worked as a corporate lawyer, led the initiative to fix policy-related problems, according to ministry officials.

Land Revenue Collection Affected by Protests and Festivals

From mid-September to mid-October, land revenue offices across the country collected a total of Rs 2,75,85,57,927. Due to the Gen Z Movement, more than a dozen land revenue offices nationwide suffered arson and damage. The Department of Land Management and Records said that revenue collection remained normal because office operations were disrupted by festivals and protests.

10 Hydropower Projects Receive Construction Permits in First Quarter
The Department of Electricity Development has granted construction permits to a total of 10 hydropower projects in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The total capacity of these projects is 241.50 MW. So far, the department has issued permits for 266 projects with a total capacity of 10,825 MW, according to department data. By mid-October, permits were granted for Lapa Khola (4.72 MW), Lower Barun (132 MW), Myagdi Khola B (12.50 MW), and Lower Likhu Cascade (6 MW).

Silver Gains Popularity Among Investors
Since silver is cheaper and more accessible than gold, general investors in the Nepali market are increasingly attracted to it. Particularly as silver prices rise alongside gold, when gold prices are high, many choose silver as an alternative and are storing it. If silver prices continue to rise, it may eventually gain value comparable to gold. From streets to online networks, silver is currently a hot topic.

Chinese Customs in Korala Border Prepared, Nepal Faces Challenges

Officials say that while China has spent an amount equivalent to Nepal’s one-year budget to prepare customs offices and necessary infrastructure in Korala border, Nepal still faces significant bottlenecks. Among those who obtained temporary passes to travel from Mustang to the Chinese market, vehicles are being brought to the border. Nepal has yet to arrange permanent provisions for border operations.

Postal Highway Expansion Project to See Contract Cancellations
With no sign of completion even after 16 years, the government has initiated procedures to cancel contracts for the national pride project, the Postal Highway. The highway initially aimed to pave 1,875 km of road and build 300 bridges within eight years. Since construction has still not been completed, the Postal Highway Directorate has begun canceling contracts for five projects that remain stalled.

Mustang Customs Collects Over Rs 3 Billion Revenue
The Mustang Customs Office at the Nepal-China Northern Korala border has collected Rs 3,01,44,36,000 in revenue. The Korala border became fully operational as a trade route on September 16, and the Mustang customs office reported collecting the revenue until Tuesday. The office inspects and clears goods and electric vehicles imported and exported from China via the customs agent of the concerned traders.

Market Monitoring Hampered by Post-Protest Difficulties
Due to difficult circumstances following the Gen Z movement, market monitoring could not be conducted this time. No monitoring was carried out during the Dashain and Tihar festivals. Municipalities that regularly monitored market cleanliness were displaced after arson and vandalism on September 9. Key concern officials in monitoring teams had their offices burned, and some weapons were looted by the crowd.

Electricity Service Expanded to 107 Homes in Bhojpur
In Bhulke, Ward No. 3, Ramprasad Rai Rural Municipality, the ward’s proactive efforts extended central electricity service to 107 homes. After lightning damaged the Beheswar hydropower project and plunged the settlement into darkness, the ward’s intervention restored electricity. Continuous rain from October 3-5 and lightning damaged the local hydropower machinery, cutting off electricity for the entire settlement.

Jumla Farmers Rush to Harvest Marshi Rice
Farmers in Jumla are now busy harvesting fully ripened Marshi rice. Amid the Tihar festival celebrations nationwide, locals of Chandanath Municipality–2 said they had to work from morning to late evening in the rice fields. Most farmers begin harvesting immediately after Dashain without observing Tihar. Jumla’s Marshi rice cultivation follows its own calendar, which farmers adhere to for harvesting. Weather conditions have been favorable.

Darmakhola Hydropower Begins Successful Power Generation
Darmakhola Hydropower Project (capacity 9.6 MW) promoted by Darmakhola Hydro Energy Limited has successfully started electricity production. The project produces 9.6 MW for Baglung district’s Galkot Municipality, Badigad Rural Municipality, and Gulmi district’s Musikot Municipality. The company expressed gratitude to all those who supported the successful operation of the project.

Sudurpaschim CM Orders Action on Paddy Support Price Noncompliance
Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah said that if traders fail to implement the government’s set support price for paddy, action will be taken. Following complaints that farmers did not receive the government’s support price, he directed the Chief District Officer of Kailali to monitor whether farmers got the price. He contacted Chief District Officer Krishnaprasad Lamsal by phone and instructed monitoring. He ordered that traders not following the support price should be brought under legal action.

Mulghat Farmers Shift to Sugarcane Cultivation
Farmers previously dependent on maize, millet, and vegetables have now made sugarcane their main income source. Currently, about 500 ropanis in Mulghat are used for sugarcane cultivation. This has significantly boosted local economic activity and employment. Stable demand even off-season ensures steady farmer income. Farmers say sugarcane yields higher profit and lower risk compared to maize and vegetables. One ropani of sugarcane generates up to Rs 100,000 annually, an income not possible with other crops.