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:

NEPSE Rises 9.78 Points; Turnover Up Slightly

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index climbed by 9.78 points on Monday, settling at 2550. While 167 companies saw their prices rise and 76 fell, overall turnover slightly increased to Rs 3.94 billion, up from Rs 3.89 billion the previous day. Development Bank and Hotel and Tourism sectors led the gains, both rising over 1%. Four companies, including Bandipur Cablecar, Sagar Distillery, Bungwal Hydropower, and Jhapa Energy, saw their share prices jump by 10%. Bhugol Energy recorded the biggest loss, falling 10%.

IRD Honors Top Taxpayers on National Tax Day Honors

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) celebrated National Tax Day-2025 by honoring the top taxpayers of the fiscal year 2023/24. Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal presented awards to individuals and institutions for contributing the highest income tax. Raj Bahadur Shah was recognized as the highest individual taxpayer. The Nepal Telecommunication Authority was honored as the highest corporate income taxpayer. Other honorees included Dabur Nepal (Commodity Income Tax/Export), Nepal Investment Bank (BFIs), Nobel Medical College (Health/Education), and Soaltee Hotel (Tourism). Nepal Telecommunication Company was awarded for timely tax payment.

Govt Seeks Input to Define Market Standards and Pricing

The Department of Commerce, Supply, and Consumer Protection has requested suggestions within 15 days to help establish standards for market levels and pricing of goods and services. A committee, formed under Director General Roshan Gyawali, will use the input to prepare a draft for price determination standards and market levels, per Section 13 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2018. The department stressed the need for clear definitions of current market structures to ensure uniformity, transparency, and regulation in pricing, alongside market balance and consumer protection.

Revenue Collection Falls Short in First Quadmester

In the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2025/26, the government collected only 77.49% of its revenue target. The Ministry of Finance reported that the government aimed to collect Rs 425.23 billion but only collected Rs 329.51 billion. Revenue collection as of November 16 alone was only 75.49% of the target. Both customs and internal revenue fell short of their targets; for example, income tax collected was only 65.59% of the Rs 93.23 billion target. However, education service fees and other taxes exceeded the target by 125.10%.

South Korea Employment Prioritizes EPS Test

The first phase of the language test for the manufacturing sector under the Employment Permit System (EPS) branch of the Department of Foreign Employment is set to commence on Monday. The test is being held for 67,000 applicants out of a total of 102,515 who applied to travel to South Korea via the EPS in 2025. The EPS branch is prioritizing the manufacturing sector test, which is expected to be completed within two months. The examination dates for the remaining 35,000 applicants in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors will be scheduled separately.

Revenue Slump Signals Fiscal Strain on Treasury

Revenue collection during the month of October 19 to November 16 was significantly weaker than the preceding month, signaling potential strain on the government’s treasury, based on figures reported through November 16. The total revenue collected up to the first quarter reached Rs 329.51 billion, meeting only 77.49% of the target. Collection during October 19 to November 16 was just 75.54% of its monthly goal, a Rs 14.13 billion drop compared to the September 17 to October 17 period. The decline was largely driven by a sharp fall in import-based revenue, with customs duty fulfillment dropping from 89.17% in the earlier period to 68.93% in the later period.

Kailali Farmers Adopt Machine Planting for Industrial Potato Supply

First Choice Food, a French fries industry operating in Rupandehi, has initiated mechanized commercial potato farming in Kailali, working with over 100 farmers across 200 bighas (14580000 square feet) of land in Tikapur. The Rs 2 billion industry requires 30,000 metric tons of high-quality potatoes annually and has guaranteed a minimum support price under a contract farming model. The industry imported a planter machine from India (IND), which can plant 50 bighas (3645000 square feet) in eight hours, and provided technical training. The goal is to reduce farmers’ production costs and ensure a stable supply of high-quality potatoes for its exports to the USA and India.

Domestic Coffee Consumption Exceeds Production

Domestic coffee consumption in Nepal is experiencing a considerable surge, with the country now consuming approximately 70% to 80% of its domestically produced coffee. Fiscal data from the Department of Customs reveals that in the fiscal year 2024/25, at least 64 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 114.37 million were exported, while 203 metric tons valued at Rs 144.1 million were imported. To ameliorate this deficit, the National Tea and Coffee Development Board is implementing a block plantation initiative with a 50% subsidy for farmers on 50 ropanis (273800 square feet) of land to expand cultivation across the 45 districts currently engaged in coffee farming.

Agriculture Ministry Cites Rs 49 Billion Spending Challenges

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development’s annual monitoring report for the fiscal year 2024/25 revealed that the sector achieved 84.55% financial progress on a total budget of Rs 49.69 billion. Key successes included the Prime Minister’s Agricultural Modernization Project, which utilized mechanization to cut production costs by up to 70%. However, the report also highlighted significant challenges: a lack of coordination across federal levels, political interference in fertilizer distribution, quality issues with seeds, and the illegal import of goods across open borders. The report recommends simplifying insurance and subsidy processes to make them more farmer-friendly.

Gen Z Protest Causes Rs 76 Billion National Loss

The initial assessment of the damage incurred nationwide during the Gen Z protest on September 8 and 9 indicates a provisional total loss of approximately Rs 76 billion. Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal disclosed this preliminary valuation during an interaction organized by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce in Kathmandu on Sunday. The minister detailed that the private sector sustained a substantial Rs 36 billion of this damage across 55 districts. In total, 1,957 units were damaged, with 419 structures belonging to the private sector and the remaining 1,500 structures being government-owned. Insurance companies were directed to provide an advance payment of 50% of the total claim value to assist the private sector.

Ministry Orders Termination of 25 Stalled Road Contracts

The Department of Roads (DoR), acting under the direction of Minister Kulman Ghising, has begun terminating dormant road construction contracts. The Kathmandu Road Division Office issued a public notice on Monday, announcing the cancellation of 25 stagnant contracts originally signed between the fiscal year 2010/11 and the fiscal year 2022/23. Office Chief Subodh Devkota stated the contractors’ explanations for non-performance were unsatisfactory. Legal action will now proceed to seize performance and advance guarantees, collect a 10% interest on advance payments, and recover the cost of completing the remaining work from the defaulting contractors. The contracts were canceled due to the lack of progress.

Government Vows Investor Security After Gen Z Protest

Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal asserted the government’s full commitment to ensuring the security of the private sector, addressing concerns raised by the recent Gen Z protest during a National Tax Day-2025 event on Monday. Minister Khanal acknowledged that the movement, rooted in youth dissatisfaction over unemployment and lack of inclusion, resulted in an estimated Rs 78 billion in physical damage, affecting approximately 2,900 structures across 55 districts. He stated that Rs 120 billion has been allocated in the current fiscal year’s budget for reconstruction. The minister also promised tax reform, including the end of full audits for honest businesses, to foster a conducive environment for investment.

Nepal Bank Limited Pledges Digital Governance

Nepal Bank Limited, marking its 89th anniversary, has vowed to prioritize institutional governance, digital transformation, and the expansion of high-quality customer service. Chairman of the Board, Prof. Dr. Dilli Raj Sharma, emphasized that NBL, as a “Public Treasury,” must ensure corporate governance to tackle challenges like non-performing loan recovery and market competition. CEO Tilak Raj Pandey noted that NBL, a public-private partnership, serves approximately 2.7 million customers across 71 districts through 231 branches and 237 ATM outlets. In the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025/26, the bank mobilized a deposit of Rs 342 billion and extended loans worth Rs 237 billion.

Ilam Locals Protest Hydro-Power Firms Over Broken Pacts

Locals from Ilam Municipality-8 are protesting two hydropower companies, the 9.8 MW Mai Beni Hydropower Project and the 3 MW Super Mai Cascade Project, citing the companies’ failure to honor agreements concerning local development. Residents living within a one-kilometer radius of the projects claim the companies have neglected crucial needs, including infrastructure and social development stipulated during the construction phase. Local resident Man Bahadur Gurung specified demands such as the blacktopping of the four-kilometer Tilkeni-Maikhola road, provision of drinking water, and investment in local schools. Locals warn they will obstruct reconstruction work, currently underway following a flood on October 4, unless their demands are met.

Upper Mustang Records 1,710 Foreign Tourists

Upper Mustang has recorded a total of 1,710 foreign tourists over a four-month period, from July 17 to November 16, according to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Lomanthang. ACAP Chief Umesh Paudel reported that this figure includes 44 tourists from SAARC nations and 1,666 from other international countries, primarily from France, the USA, Germany, and Italy. Revenue generated from entry fees is collected, with SAARC tourists paying Rs 1,000 and others paying Rs 3,000 to ACAP. Additionally, a USD 500 permit fee is charged by the Department of Immigration for a 10-day visit.

Mountain Tourism Revenue Triples in Three Years

Nepal’s mountain tourism sector has achieved its most successful year in the last three, signaling a strong recovery in attracting high-spending domestic and international tourists. The Department of Tourism (DoT) reports that mountaineering permits and resultant revenue collection have nearly tripled between 2023 and 2025. DoT Director Himal Gautam stated that in 2025, a record 2,745 climbers from 93 countries expressed interest in scaling 73 mountains, a figure that is the highest on record. Furthermore, the autumn climbing season of 2025 alone generated Rs 264.1 million in revenue from 1,538 climbers across 83 countries.

Nagarkot Visits Soar After Road Blacktopping

Tourism in Nagarkot, a key destination for viewing 10 different Himalayan ranges, including Mount Everest, has seen a resurgence following the completion of the 14-kilometer Bhaktapur-Nagarkot main road and the launch of the ‘Nagarkot Visit Year-2025’ campaign on April 14. The road, which was stalled for 11 years, was finally blacktopped by the Changunarayan Municipality at a cost of approximately Rs 170 million. Mayor Jeevan Khatri stated that the successful completion of the road, alongside the tourism year, has significantly increased the arrival of both domestic and international tourists, leading to a renewed sense of optimism and increased investment among local hoteliers.

Food Authority Destroys Rs 1.1 Million in Adulterated Goods

The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) seized and destroyed more than Rs 1.156 million worth of non-consumable food items during market monitoring in the first trimester of the fiscal year 2025/26. The DFTQC and its 43 offices conducted 2,918 market inspections, primarily targeting expired, improperly labeled, or non-licensed products like sweets, spices, and beverages. Furthermore, 17 lawsuits were filed against businesses for activities violating food safety and quality laws. Out of 332 samples tested, 11 samples were found to be non-compliant with quality standards.

FNCCI Demands Prosecution for Vandalism and Looting During Gen Z Protest

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has formally requested Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki to take strict action against those involved in the looting, vandalism, and arson targeting industries, businesses, and private property during the Gen Z protest. A delegation led by FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal emphasized that failure to prosecute the culprits would encourage impunity and discourage investors. Former President Shekhar Golchha underscored that security is the primary condition for investment and urged the Nepal Police to register all complaints regarding the incidents.

Annapurna Sugar Mill and Farmers Reach Payment Accord

Sugarcane farmers who were staging a sit-in protest at the Annapurna Sugar Industry in Dhankaul, Sarlahi, demanding payment for their produce, have reached a four-point agreement with the industry management. The consensus was achieved on Sunday evening at the District Administration Office, Sarlahi, under the chairmanship of Chief District Officer Ramu Raj Kadariya. The agreement stipulates that the outstanding payments owed by the previous industrialist, Rakesh Kumar Agrawal, will be cleared within one month. Additionally, measures to control pollution during the current fiscal year’s cane crushing and the release of remaining payments after the final sugar price fixation last year were also agreed upon, leading the farmers to suspend their protest.

Lakshmi Sunrise Bank Declares 10.53% Dividend

The Lakshmi Sunrise Bank has announced a dividend of 10.53% for its shareholders from the accumulated profits of the last fiscal year. The decision, made by the company’s board of directors, includes a 10% bonus share and a 0.53% cash dividend for tax purposes. The bank stated that the dividend will be distributed after securing approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank and ratification at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. The current share price of the bank stands at Rs 225 per share.

Gold Price Rises by Rs 500 Per Tola

The price of gold in the local market increased by Rs 500 per tola on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been set at Rs 243,300 per tola, up from Rs 242,800 on Sunday. Similarly, the price of silver also saw a hike of Rs 20, bringing the trading price to Rs 3,155 per tola.