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 Debt Stands at 2.68 Trillion

As of mid-October 2025, the government’s total debt has reached Rs 2.724 trillion. By the end of the last fiscal year (mid-July 2025), it stood at Rs 2.674 trillion. The outstanding public debt now accounts for 44.61 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Out of the total debt as of mid-October, external loans make up 53.09 percent (Rs 1.446 trillion), while domestic loans account for 46.91 percent (Rs 1.278 trillion). For the current fiscal year, the government has targeted to mobilize Rs 595 billion in public borrowing.

NRB’s Investment Abroad Surpasses Rs 1.8 Trillion

The Nepal Rastra Bank’s (NRB) foreign investments have exceeded Rs 1.8 trillion. According to the bank’s data, as of mid-October, its investment in foreign securities has reached Rs 1.81 trillion. At the end of last fiscal year, the figure was Rs 1.50 trillion. This investment remains the central source of income for the NRB. The bank invests this amount in foreign bonds using Nepali currency obtained through remittances and foreign currency reserves. This is the NRB’s main source of revenue.

NAC to Appoint New Managing Director Through Open Competition

The Managing Director of Nepal Airlines Corporation will now be selected through an open competition. A committee has been formed under the coordination of Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Hariprasad Mainali, to shortlist and recommend qualified candidates through open competition. Prime Minister Sushila Karki, in her capacity as the departmental minister, approved the formation of the committee today. Captain Kul Bahadur Limbu has been appointed as the expert member of the committee. The Head of the Planning and Administration Division of the ministry, who is also a Joint Secretary, will serve as the member-secretary.

Construction Entrepreneurs Brief Finance Minister Khanal Amid Wave of Contract Cancellations

As the government has begun issuing a series of notices to terminate contracts, a delegation from the Federation of Contractors Associations of Nepal met Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal to brief him on the problems facing the construction industry. The federation drew the minister’s attention to the need to amend impractical laws and regulations related to the construction sector. In response, Minister Khanal said he had already instructed relevant agencies to begin necessary amendments.

Nepal Reinsurance Company Faces Rs 16 Billion Claims

The state-owned Nepal Reinsurance Company (Nepal Re), which had taken sole reinsurance for riot and terrorism-related risks, has received reinsurance claims worth Rs 16.51 billion due to the Gen Z movement.
Because of the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, non-life insurance companies received 3,187 claims totaling Rs 23.24 billion. According to data from the Insurance Board, out of these, non-life insurers submitted 2,868 reinsurance claims worth Rs 16 billion to Nepal Re.

CAAN Issues New Safety Guidelines for Helicopter Companies

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has issued new safety directives for helicopter companies. After the crash of Altitude Air’s ‘9N–AMS’ helicopter in Lobuche, Solukhumbu on Wednesday, CAAN issued new safety instructions to all helicopter operators. The authority has directed companies such as Air Dynasty, Altitude Air, Annapurna Helicopter, Fishtail Air, Heli Everest, Kailash Helicopter, Manang Air, Mountain Helicopter, Mustang Helicopter, Prabhu Helicopter, and Simrik Air to take special precautions when flying in snowy or foggy conditions.

Manpower Agencies Protest Malaysia’s 10-Point Standards

Manpower agencies in Nepal have protested against the 10 standards set by the Malaysian government for manpower businesses. During a press conference, the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies said that a few businessmen had collaborated with Malaysian authorities to set discriminatory standards against Nepali manpower agencies. The association stated that such standards should not be implemented under any circumstances. It expressed serious concern over the 10-point letter sent by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Nepal government via the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia.

Buddha Air to Resume Direct Flights Between Kathmandu and Kolkata from November 15

Buddha Air will start direct two-way flights from Kathmandu to Kolkata beginning November 15. The airline announced that it will operate flights on the Kathmandu–Kolkata route four days a week. According to Buddha Air, it had earlier planned to operate three flights per week, but the schedule has been revised to four weekly flights on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Buddha Air is resuming flights to Kolkata, India, after six years.

Bagmati Province Slashes Over Rs 6 Billion from Capital Budget

The Bagmati provincial government has decided to cut more than Rs 6 billion from its capital budget to manage reconstruction and rehabilitation of structures damaged by the Gen Z movement and recent disasters. Aimed at maintaining financial discipline and reducing unproductive expenses, the province has decided to reduce over Rs 6 billion from ongoing capital projects for the current fiscal year.
Earlier, the province had already decided to cut 30–50 percent of budget allocations under 43 headings including training, meetings, travel allowances, incentives, and awards.

Koshi and Lumbini Provinces Express Concern Over Power Cuts to Industries

The governments of Koshi and Lumbini provinces have expressed concern over the Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) decision to cut power to industries. Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki and Lumbini Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya, through separate press releases, said it is unnatural and worrying that private industries contributing significantly to the economy and employment generation are being forced to shut down.

Imports Rise Sharply After New Valuation System Introduced at Biratnagar Customs

After the introduction of a new valuation system at the Biratnagar Customs Office, a sharp increase in imports has been observed. The easier customs system during goods import has resulted in a significant rise. In the first three months of the current fiscal year, the government imported goods worth Rs 468 billion. Of that, imports through the Biratnagar Customs Office alone amounted to Rs 58.76 billion during the first three months of current fiscal year.

Power Cuts Force Cement Plants to Shut Down; Workers in Trouble

Cement industries have been forced to shut down after the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) cut their power supply due to unpaid bills. Workers employed there have been left in distress as a result.
NEA cut the electricity supply to Ghorahi Cement on October 21 and to Sonapur Cement on October 24. Both plants are currently closed.
According to the NEA, Ghorahi Cement owes Rs 508.5 million in electricity dues, while Sonapur Cement owes Rs 243 million.

Air Passengers in Upper Humla Resort to Lottery System for Tickets

Air passengers in Upper Humla have been forced to rely on a lottery system to get tickets. Due to reduced flight frequency when planes return to Kathmandu, passengers have had to depend on this system.
Sita Air introduced the lottery system on Wednesday evening. It operated three flights to Simkot on Thursday.

Rains Damage Ripening Paddy Crops in Sankhuwasabha

Continuous rainfall since Wednesday has damaged ripening paddy crops in Sankhuwasabha. Farmers said that heavy rain and wind on Thursday flattened the nearly ripe paddy fields. “When the paddy stalks fall, the grains scatter on the ground, the straw turns black, and even livestock refuse to eat it. Farmers are suffering losses from all sides,” a farmer lamented. Paddy crops in the lower parts of Bhotkhola and in hilly areas such as Makalu, Chichila, and Silichong have also begun ripening.

Construction Cost of Ramada by Wyndham Hotel in Itahari Increases by Nearly 50%

The cost of building the “Ramada by Wyndham Hotel”in Itahari has increased significantly. The five-star chain hotel, brought to Nepal by businessman Deshbandhu Basnet, has seen its cost rise by 49.34 percent. The Grand Central Hotel, which is constructing the property, had initially estimated the cost at Rs 664 million. The cost later rose to Rs 1.07 billion. Now, the company says the cost has further increased, with the latest estimate reaching Rs 1.60 billion.

NMB Bank’s Card Services to Be Disrupted for 20 Hours

NMB Bank’s card services will be disrupted for 20 hours.
The bank announced that its card services will be temporarily unavailable from 8 PM on Friday until 4 PM on Saturday as it upgrades its card switch infrastructure. During this period, Visa cards, ATMs, POS, and e-commerce transactions through the bank will remain suspended.
The bank stated that all transactions using its cards will be completely inactive during this time.

Gold Prices Rise Again in Nepal on Friday

Gold prices in the Nepali market rose again on Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, prices had declined in recent days but rebounded on Friday. Compared to Thursday, the price of gold increased by Rs 2,700 per tola. On Thursday, the price had been fixed at Rs 236,300 per tola, which rose to Rs 239,000 on Friday. Likewise, the price of silver also increased on Friday.