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:

82 Companies Await IPO Approval Amid SEBON Delays

The number of companies applying for Initial Public Offering (IPO) approval from the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has reached 82, totaling Rs 54.799 billion in value, due to prolonged delays in the approval process. The delays have been attributed to the absence of a board chairman and a recent two-month employee strike. SEBON has acknowledged the delay but claimed the process would now gain momentum, stating that files for five to seven companies were in the final stages of review. The backlog has severely impacted the capital structure planning of hydropower projects, whose permits require renewal every six months.

NRB Awards Rs 2.426 Billion Note Printing Contract to Chinese Company

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has awarded the contract to print Rs 1,000 new banknotes to the Chinese firm, China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation. The contract is for the design, printing, and supply of 430 million pieces of the Rs 1,000 notes. The NRB accepted the corporation’s proposal as it offered the lowest bid among the tender submissions invited on Bhadra 10. The NRB will pay the corporation USD 16.9 million, which is approximately Rs 2.426 billion at the current exchange rate.

Finance Minister Khanal Pledges to Conclude Export of Stone and Sand

Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal stated that the government is actively working on revenue leakage control and is positive about opening the export of stone, gravel, and sand. During a discussion hosted by the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, he assured business leaders that the government’s policy is not to harass them and pledged to conclude the issue of stone and gravel export within the remaining tenure of the current government, citing it as a long-standing demand from the industries in Lumbini Province. He also assured that the government will focus on operating the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.

Nepal and Bangladesh Agree to Expand Power Trade and Projects

Nepal and Bangladesh have reached a six-point agreement to expand power trade and cooperation following the 7th Joint Steering Committee meeting held in Dhaka on Wednesday and Thursday. The two nations agreed to increase the export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh by an additional 20 MW next year, on top of the existing 40 MW agreement. Furthermore, Bangladesh committed to forming an expert committee to expedite the investment process and finalize the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) for the 683 MW Sunkoshi-3 Hydropower Project. They also agreed to jointly lobby India for consent on a trilateral energy cooperation MoU.

New Government Cuts Rs 114.10 Billion from Current Fiscal Budget

The new government, formed after the Gen Z protests, has cut approximately Rs 114.10 billion from the current fiscal year’s total budget, primarily targeting minor and fragmented projects. The Ministry of Urban Development faced the largest cut, with Rs 63 billion of its budget being halted, and it has over 2,140 projects suspended. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport saw a cut of Rs 19.128 billion, affecting alternative and non-national highway projects. The savings will be diverted to priority sectors, including the reconstruction of physical structures damaged during the September 8 and 9 protests, which preliminary data estimates at Rs 80 billion.

Two NAC Pilots Grounded for Violating Flight Safety Rules

The Nepal Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) has grounded two Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) wide-body captains, Captain Vijay Lama and Soni Rana, for violating flight safety operation rules. The pilots were accused of conducting unauthorized photo and video recording inside the aircraft while on duty. CAAN’s Flight Operation Division issued the directive on Friday, suspending both pilots from active flight duty until further notice. This marks the fourth time that Captain Lama, who is also a YouTuber, has faced action from CAAN for a similar offense.

Tea Exports from Eastern Border Decline by 37%

Tea exports through the Kakarbhitta eastern border have declined by 37 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year. According to the Mechi Customs Office, 4.68 million kilograms of tea, valued at Rs 1.373 billion, were exported to India. This is a drop of Rs 831.7 million from the Rs 2.204 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Indian Refusal to Release Canal Water Threatens Wheat Farming

Farmers across the Parsa, Bara, and Rautahat districts are concerned about wheat production, as India has informed the Narayani Irrigation Management Office that it cannot release canal water for irrigation this year. The decision is due to planned canal cleaning and maintenance work in India. According to the Gaddak Agreement, India is obligated to provide 850 cusecs of water for the wheat season, which begins around December 1. The lack of water will affect approximately 37,400 hectares of land and has prompted the Nepali authority to urge the Irrigation Department to formally engage with the Indian side on this bilateral issue.

Nepal Launches First ‘Road Pothole Maintenance Ambulance’ in Kathmandu

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation; Physical Infrastructure and Transport; and Urban Development launched the country’s first ‘Road Pothole Maintenance Ambulance’ in Kathmandu on Thursday. The specialized vehicle, operated by the Road Division Office, Kathmandu, is designed to be on standby 365 days a year and 24 hours a day to immediately repair potholes and damaged strategic roads, ensuring smooth traffic flow. Additionally, the Department of Roads launched a mobile app where citizens can instantly upload photos of potholes to expedite the maintenance process.

Demand for Effective Operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport

The Siddhartha Network Rupandehi submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal demanding the effective operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa. Key demands include regular international flight services, full functionality of the airport’s immigration office, establishing a modern labor approval office, a GAMCA and health testing center, and providing flight facilities from Bhairahawa for migrant workers. The network also urged the immediate implementation of facilities committed by the Federal Cabinet for flights operating from GBIA.

Government Terminates Contract for Patari Khola Bridge in Chitwan

The government has terminated the contract for the long-stalled 41-meter Patari Khola bridge project on the Madi-Thori road section in Chitwan. The Hulaki Highway Directorate’s Project Office, Birgunj, publicly announced the termination of the contract, which was awarded to Lohani and Brothers, Bharatpur. The contractor failed to provide an explanation or resume work despite a 15-day notice. Consequently, the directorate will confiscate the performance guarantee, recover the costs of completing the remaining work, and recommend the company be blacklisted under Section 59 (8) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

NAFEA Protest Hike in Foreign Employment Medical Fee

The Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) has protested the government’s decision to increase the health examination fee for migrant workers to Rs 9,500, effective Wednesday. NAFEA criticized the move, claiming it was an “unimaginable step” that imposes an unnecessary financial burden on Nepali workers and was implemented in an “unscientific manner” while the Ministry of Labor was without a minister. The association demands that the government address the lack of validity of Nepali medical tests in some destination countries and ensure that manpower agencies are not held solely responsible for the financial loss if a worker is declared medically unfit abroad.

Drug Entrepreneurs Demand Repeal of Impractical Provision in Drug Act

Drug entrepreneurs staged a protest at the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) on Friday, demanding the repeal of an impractical provision in Section 11 of the Drug Act, 1978. Led by the Nepal Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs Association, the protesters oppose the provision that enforces a 100 percent fine for late license renewal and automatically revokes the license on the 31st day. They called for an immediate implementation of a mechanism that addresses administrative or technical delays as weaknesses and provides a flexible solution, emphasizing the need for amendments to protect businesses and ensure public health-friendly policies.

Karnali Province Prepares to Form Apple Development Board

The Karnali Province Government is preparing to form the Apple Development Board to boost apple production and marketing, especially in the former Karnali zone districts (Jumla, Humla, Mugu, Dolpa, and Kalikot), as outlined in the current fiscal year’s policy and program. Minister of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives Binod Kumar Shah stated that the draft bill is being prepared for presentation during the provincial assembly’s winter session, starting on January 15, 2026. The proposed head office of the board is planned for Jumla, which is a major apple-producing area and centrally located for all districts.

80 Percent of Bharatpur Underground Electrification Completed

The underground electrification work in Bharatpur Metropolitan City is 80 percent complete, with a target to finish the project by the end of January, 2026. The Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) Pokhara-Bharatpur Distribution System Strengthening Project is implementing the work along the city’s six-lane road and bypass. Project Chief Engineer Ananda Subedi reported that electricity is already flowing through underground cables in 40 percent of the project area on a trial basis. The project, funded by the Asian Development Bank with a total cost of Rs 1.40 billion, is aimed at moving 33 KVA, 11 KVA, and 400-volt lines underground.

Locals Padlock Rs 9 Billion 45 MW Brahmayani Hydropower Project Continues

Locals from Jugal Rural Municipality-3 and 2 of Sindhupalchok have halted all activities at the 45 MW Brahmayani Hydropower Project and locked down the construction site indefinitely since Wednesday. Led by the Dipu-Tega-Tembathan Brahmayani Khola Hydropower Project Victims Struggle Committee, the residents are protesting the project’s failure to address their 19-point demand, which includes halting illegal crusher operations, compensating for land encroachment, prioritizing locals for employment, and guaranteeing 10 percent free shares. The project, with a Rs 9 billion investment, aims to be completed within three years.

Hetauda Road Division to Halt Fuel Supply to Two Petrol Pumps

The Road Division Office, Hetauda, has written to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), requesting them to immediately halt fuel supply to two petrol pumps built on public land along the national highway. The affected pumps are Balaram Das Petrol Pump in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-10 and Om Oil in Ward 4. Division Chief Guru Prasad Adhikari stated that this action is part of the preparation to expand the Mahendra Highway and the Tribhuvan Highway in the main market area. The office has given a 15-day ultimatum, which ends on December 5, to remove all permanent and temporary structures built within the 75-foot road boundary on both sides.

Gorkha Orange Farmers See Higher Income as Traders Buy Directly

Orange farmers in Gorkha, a district renowned for the fruit, are experiencing increased income this season as traders from Kathmandu and Chitwan are purchasing the produce directly from their orchards. Favorable weather this year led to better quality and juicier oranges compared to the previous year when many crops were lost to disease. Farmers in areas like Gorkha Municipality, Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality, Palungtar Municipality, and Siranchowk Rural Municipality are reportedly earning between Rs 1 million and Rs 3 million without the hassle and cost of transporting the goods to market.

Road Obstruction Removed on Mugling-Pokhara Highway

Traffic obstructions have been fully removed on the Mugling–Pokhara highway section following the completion of the ‘girder launching’ work on the under-construction bridge over the Bijayapur Khola. The six days of scheduled road closures, which spanned from November 22 to 27 and involved closures of up to four hours daily, are no longer necessary. Simultaneously, the road upgrade project is making significant progress, with 37 kilometers of the 38-kilometer Pokhara-Jamune western section completed with a single layer of asphalt, improving travel convenience for commuters and drivers.

Gold Price Jumps by Rs 2,200 on Friday; Silver Also Rises

The price of fine gold in the domestic market increased significantly by Rs 2,200 per tola (11.66 grams) on Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, hallmark gold is priced at Rs 250,600 per tola today, up from Rs 248,400 on Wednesday. Similarly, silver also rose by Rs 65 per tola to trade at Rs 3,345, compared to Rs 3,280 on Thursday.