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:

NRB Pulls Liquidity After Loan Demand Stalls

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has significantly stepped-up liquidity-absorption operations after the demand for credit failed to pick up, putting strain on its liquidity-management strategies. Despite falling interest rates, banks and financial institutions have not seen a rise in fresh borrowing, leaving excess funds in the system and forcing the central bank to withdraw liquidity to maintain monetary stability.

Number of Labor Supplier Companies in Nepal Exceeds 400

The number of labor supplier companies in Nepal has surpassed 400. According to the latest data from the Department of Labor and Occupational Safety, 437 companies were registered to operate as labor suppliers during fiscal years 2024/25 and 2025/26, including new registrations and renewals. Most of these companies are engaged in providing security services. The government has warned against operating labor supply services without registration and advised clients not to hire workers through unregistered firms. With stricter registration procedures, the number of registered companies has continued to rise.

Cross-Border QR Payments in Nepal Reach Over Rs 400 Million Monthly

One year after the launch of cross-border QR payments, Nepal now records over Rs 400 million in monthly digital transactions. So far, Nepal Rastra Bank has only implemented cross-border QR acquiring — allowing foreigners to make payments in Nepal using QR codes. Data from the central bank show that foreigners make payments exceeding Rs 400 million each month via QR codes. However, Nepali citizens still cannot make QR payments in other countries, as NRB has not yet introduced that system.

Nepali AI Company Fusemachines Listed on NASDAQ

Fusemachines, an artificial intelligence (AI) company founded by Nepali entrepreneur Dr. Sameer Maskey, has officially been listed on the U.S. stock exchange NASDAQ. The company’s common shares began trading under the symbol “FUSE” on Thursday. With this milestone, Fusemachines has become the first company of Nepali origin to be listed on NASDAQ. The company described this achievement as a new chapter in its mission to “democratize AI for all.”

Saudi Arabia Abolishes Kafala System, Benefiting Nepali Workers

Saudi Arabia has officially ended its 70-year-old Kafala system, benefiting more than 13 million foreign workers. According to the new rules, workers can now change jobs or leave the country without their sponsor’s permission and have access to legal support. The Kafala system had long been criticized internationally for restricting labor rights and promoting forced labor and human trafficking. The end of the sponsorship system will benefit millions of workers, mainly from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines.

Tanka Prasad Pandeya Appointed Director of Nepal Telecom

The government has appointed Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Tanka Prasad Pandeya, as a director of Nepal Telecom. He replaces Yagya Prasad Bhattarai. According to the Ministry’s Financial Sector Management and Institutional Coordination Division’s letter dated October 9, Pandey took his oath of secrecy and integrity on October 15.

NRB Executive Director Dr. Gunakar Bhatta Takes Compulsory Retirement

Nepal Rastra Bank’s Executive Director, Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, has taken compulsory retirement starting Thursday. As per the Rastra Bank Employee Regulations, an executive director must retire after completing seven years in the position. The regulations stipulate that staff retire upon completing 30 years of service, reaching 58 years of age, or completing 12 years at the senior director level and 7 years at the executive director level.

Humla Karnali II Hydropower Project (335 MW) Moves Ahead

In Humla district, which lags behind in economic development, the process has begun for constructing the 335-megawatt Humla Karnali II Hydropower Project. Currently, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work is in progress. On the recommendation of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, the Ministry of Forests and Environment has advanced the EIA process. The project will be developed by Ruru Hydropower Company. The project is located across Kharpunath and Sarkegad Rural Municipalities in Humla district.

Imports Through Kakarbhitta Rise, Exports Fall

In the first three months of the fiscal year 2025/26, goods worth Rs 12.28 billion were imported through the eastern border point of Kakarbhitta — a 13.31% increase (Rs 1.44 billion) compared to the same period last year. According to Mechi Customs Office information officer and customs officer Ishwar Kumar Humagain, imports in the first quarter of last year totaled Rs 10.84 billion. However, exports through the same point have decreased during this fiscal year.

Koshi Province Observes Tourism Year 2025 with Target of 1.5 Million Tourists

Koshi Province is celebrating Tourism Year 2025 to promote tourism development. The campaign, aimed at attracting 1.5 million tourists from India and other countries, has now completed six months. While activities promoting the tourism year were visible in the first three months of the current fiscal year, there has been a decline in promotional events over the last three months.

Pauwadung Rural Municipality in Bhojpur Starts Vermicompost Production

Pauwadung Rural Municipality has launched vermicompost production to promote organic farming and reduce chemical fertilizer use. The project, started under the “Vice-Chairperson Self-Reliance Program” through the Women Development Board, aims to make local women self-reliant and entrepreneurial. According to Vice-Chairperson Jyotsna Rai, 19 women’s groups from all six wards have started producing vermicompost. The program seeks to strengthen organic farming and women’s entrepreneurship. It was launched last year with subsidy support for women.

Parbat District Earns Over Rs 653 Million from Agricultural Trade

Parbat district, which has been progressing toward self-sufficiency in food grains and vegetables, generated more than Rs 653 million from agricultural trade. The transaction amount was recorded in the fiscal year 2024/25 from the production of six prioritized crops. The farmers across the district made this income through the sale of potatoes, paddy, cardamom, vegetable crops, maize, and citrus fruits. Among these, potatoes and oranges account for the largest share of the district’s agricultural trade.

Farmer in Shuklaphanta Uses Zero-Tillage to Plant Garlic

After harvesting paddy, farmers of Shuklaphanta Municipality-3, Pipaladi, are now busy planting garlic. Without plowing, they plant garlic directly into the paddy stubble using a spade. Following the advice of agricultural technicians who visited the village a decade ago, farmers have adopted zero tillage technology. They said, “Earlier, we plowed and created furrows to plant garlic, but the yield was low. When planting without plowing, the bulbs grow bigger, and production is higher.”

Upendra Mahato and Laxmi Group Exit Machhapuchhre Bank’s Founding Shareholding

Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) founding president Upendra Mahato and Laxmi Group have exited their founding shareholding in Machhapuchhre Bank. Mahato sold his shares in fiscal year 2023/24 to repay a loan from Himalayan Bank taken for Mediciti Hospital. According to regulations, directors cannot sell shares in their own or family members’ names for one year after leaving the board.  After one year of his resignation, he sold the remaining shares in his name to his brothers, Birendra and Surendra Mahato, officially exiting the bank.

Sushil Vanaspati Pvt. Ltd. Records Rs 9.52 Billion Trade in One Year

Sushil Vanaspati Pvt. Ltd., operated by Kedia Group, recorded Rs 9.52 billion in business last fiscal year. The company had traded Rs 1.82 billion in 2024, Rs 3.53 billion in 2023, and Rs 9.84 billion in 2022.
It reported that trade increased by 423% in 2025, with an 8% profit margin, compared to 0.5% profit in 2024.