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 Holds Rs 40 Billion in 10 Public Funds

A recent government study found that 10 public institutions and agencies currently hold a collective Rs 40 billion in various funds designated for retirement, pension, security, and medical costs. Rastriya Banijya Bank alone holds the largest share, with Rs 25.71 billion, followed by Agriculture Development Bank with Rs 12.20 billion. Other entities include Nepal Airlines Corporation with Rs 610 million and Public Service Broadcasting Nepal with Rs 420 million. The report suggests self-management of these funds risks misuse and payment issues during retirement liability claims.

Nepal to Invest Rs 3 Billion in Joint Power Grid Companies

The Government of Nepal has decided to invest Rs 3 billion in equity capital for the joint companies constructing the Inaruwa-Purnia and Dodhara-Bareilly 400 kV cross-border transmission lines with India. Nepal will invest Rs 1 billion in the two joint companies established in Nepal and Rs 2 billion in the company established in India. The decision, published in the Gazette on November 17, also exempted the investment in India from the Act Prohibiting Investment Abroad, 1964. The total estimated cost for both transmission lines is Rs 23.18 billion.

Fruit Imports Hit Rs 404.4M at Kakarvitta, Revenue Falls Short

Fruit imports through the Kakarvitta border post reached Rs 404.4 million in the first four months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. This represents an increase of Rs 198.9 million compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, 2024/25, according to Mechi Customs Office Information Officer Ishwor Kumar Humagain. Despite the rising imports, the customs office failed to meet its revenue target in Kartik. The office collected Rs 1.308 billion against a target of Rs 1.639 billion for the month.

Gen Z Reconstruction Fund Lacks Expected Numbers

The Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Fund, established by the government to repair damage from the Gen Z protest, has collected only Rs 82.8 million as of Wednesday, two months after its establishment on September 24. Officials at the Ministry of Finance noted the collection is far below the preliminary estimated damage of Rs 80 billion. Major contributors include Nepal Life Insurance and the Construction Business Development Council (Rs 10 million each). The lack of contributions is attributed to the private sector incurring similar losses and the lack of regulatory provision for banks to contribute corporate social responsibility funds.

Private Sector Representation on Investment Board Becomes ‘Zero’

The role of the private sector in the Investment Board Nepal (IBN), established under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concept, has been reduced, with representation dropping to ‘zero’ for nearly one year. The terms of the three private sector representatives, including former presidents of major business federations, expired last mid-March, and the government has delayed new appointments. The issue arose at the first board meeting held on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, where no private sector representatives were present, raising questions about the board’s necessity.

Land and Housing Revenue Declining Continuously

Revenue collected from land and housing transactions has been steadily declining over the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the Department of Land Management and Archives. Despite the government’s efforts to facilitate transactions, revenue has not met expectations. In the recent month by November 16, the revenue collected by Land Revenue Offices nationwide was Rs 2.745 billion. This is a continuous decline from Rs 3.289 billion collected in the first month of the current fiscal year, signaling a continued slowdown in the real estate sector.

Commerce Department Intensifies Market Monitoring

The Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection has intensified its market monitoring, inspecting nine water industries in Kathmandu on Thursday alone. Following consumer complaints regarding drinking water quality, the Department issued warnings and imposed penalties under the Consumer Protection Act, 2018. In total, the department conducted inspections on 24 establishments in the first four days of this week, imposing cash fines of up to Rs 50,000 on several firms for various irregularities to maintain a clean, orderly, and consumer-friendly market.

Loan Disbursement Grows Rs 82.93B, Growth Slows Amid Economic Caution

Private sector loan disbursement increased by only 1.5 percent, or Rs 82.93 billion, in the first three months of the current fiscal year. This is a slowdown compared to the 2.5 percent growth in the same period last year. Bankers attribute the sluggish growth to the economic slowdown and decreased private sector confidence following the Gen Z protest of September 8 and 9. Although the weighted average interest rate for commercial bank loans dropped to 7.50 percent in the third month of the current fiscal year 2025/26 from 9.33 percent a year ago, demand remains low.

Average of 127 Nepali Migrant Workers Died Monthly This FY

An average of 127 Nepali migrant workers died monthly in the first four months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, up from 110 per month during the same period last year. The Foreign Employment Board reported that the families of 510 deceased workers received financial aid, totaling approximately Rs 510 million. Additionally, 294 workers disabled during foreign employment received aid. Malaysia is identified as the highest-risk destination among the four major labor destinations.

Syangja’s Federal Budget Spent 27.84%, Provincial 7.10% in First Quadrimonthly

In the first four months of the current fiscal year, Syangja district spent approximately 27.84% of its federal government budget and 7.10% of its provincial government budget. The total Federal budget of Rs 7.499 billion saw Rs 2.87 billion spent. The total provincial budget of Rs 2.531 billion saw only Rs 179.8 million spent. The recurrent expenditure had a higher spending percentage compared to the capital expenditure for both budgets.

Tulsipur Revenue Office Collects 80.25% of Target Amidst Challenges

The Inland Revenue Office, Tulsipur, collected Rs 721.6 million in revenue during the first four months of the current fiscal year, achieving 80.25% of its target of Rs 899.1 million. Chief Tax Officer Shridhar Tandon attributed the shortfall to the Gen Z protest, which damaged the office and land revenue office, reduced capital gains tax, and inhibited promotional activities. Despite the challenges, the office collected more than the Rs 703.8 million collected in the same period last year.

Remote Laprak Village Electrified After Four Years

Laprak village in Dharche Rural Municipality–4, Gorkha, has finally received central transmission line electricity after a four-year wait. Nepal Electricity Authority Gorkha Chief Chij Bahadur Gurung confirmed that power flow commenced on Thursday, with meter box installation starting at the Ward 4 office. Technical teams are currently installing meters in the 60 households of the new settlement. Although 80 applications have been received, up to 520 more are expected. The new power supply, which includes three transformers, is set to resolve the low-voltage issues previously caused by the micro-hydro system.

Khajura Starts Mobile Business Registration Camp

Khajura Rural Municipality, Banke, initiated a 12-day mobile camp on Thursday to facilitate business registration and renewal services at the people’s doorstep. Chief Administrative Officer Dil Bahadur Paudel stated the campaign, mandated by the fiscal year 2025/26 policy, aims to make tax procedures easier. During the camp period, individuals with disabilities operating businesses will receive a 50 percent fee discount on registration and renewal. The camp started in Ward 1 and is scheduled to run until November 30, concluding at the Rural Municipality office.

Aandhikhola RM to Subsidize Milk Production

Aandhikhola Rural Municipality, Syanja, will provide an Rs 4 subsidy per liter of milk to local dairy farmers, in collaboration with a local agricultural cooperative. The production-based subsidy will be disbursed based on data collected at the cooperative’s collection centers. The Rural Municipality has provided the cooperative with essential equipment, including a 5,000-liter chilling vat, five milk analyzers, five deep freezers, and 50 collection cans. Chairman Bishwa Paudel said the initiative aims to increase farmers’ income, reduce exploitation by middlemen, and encourage business growth in the dairy sector.

Birgunj Fertilizer Storage Hits Capacity

The Krishi Samagri Company, Madhes Provincial Office in Birgunj, is facing a severe shortage of storage space, with all existing godowns full of chemical fertilizers. Acting Provincial Chief Durga Prasad Pandey confirmed that the company’s existing godowns, totaling 26,000 metric tons of capacity, are fully occupied. An additional two godowns with 10,000 metric tons capacity have been urgently leased. The storage crunch is due to the recent arrival of multiple consignments, including 50,000 metric tons of urea and 60,000 metric tons of DAP, ensuring sufficient stock for the region.

Shreenagar Agritech Shares Listed on NEPSE

The Shreenagar Agritech Industries shares have been listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE). A total of 3.26 million shares, representing 20% public ownership, and 13.05 million shares, representing 80% promoter ownership, were listed. NEPSE has set the price range for the first share transaction between Rs 100.59 and Rs 301.77. The company’s shares are scheduled to begin trading on Sunday of next week, allowing investors to participate in the company’s market.

Super Madi Hydro Offers 5% Bonus Share

The Super Madi Hydropower has announced a dividend for its shareholders from the profits of the last fiscal year. The company’s board of directors, meeting on Thursday, proposed a 5% bonus share and a 0.2642% cash dividend for tax purposes on the current paid-up capital. Additionally, the company has called its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) for December 19. Shareholders registered with NEPSE by December 2 will be eligible to attend the AGM and receive the announced dividend.

Japan Objects to Government-Owned Companies Operating Nagdhunga Tunnel

Japan has raised an objection to the selection process for the service provider to operate the Nagdhunga-Sisne Khola Tunnel project, currently in its final construction phase. Japanese Ambassador Toru Maeda stressed that companies that are government-owned or blacklisted by international bodies like JICA, the World Bank, and ADB should not be chosen via the international tender. The project director, Saujanya Nepal, stated that the five-year contract requires the selected international company to partner with a Nepali company to build local operational capacity. The tunnel is expected to open by the beginning of February, 2026.

UK Immigration Changes Cause Concern for Nepali Migrants

The proposed major changes to the UK’s immigration system, announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Thursday, have caused widespread concern among Nepali migrants. The plan seeks to extend the period to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to 10 years. Solicitor Deepak Bhattarai states that legally resident migrants claiming benefits for more than 12 months may face a 20-year wait, making it one of the longest periods in Europe. The new rule is estimated to affect around 2.6 million migrants who arrived since 2021.

Gold and Silver Prices Drop Today

The price of gold dropped by Rs 1,300 per tola today, settling at Rs 241,700 per tola, compared to Thursday. Similarly, silver prices decreased by Rs 85 per tola, fixing the trading price at Rs 3,100 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the fluctuation in the domestic market is a direct result of changes in the international market. International media reports indicate gold is currently trading at USD 4,062 per ounce. The significant drop provides temporary relief after continuous high prices.