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 Index Falls Slightly Amid Mixed Sector Performance

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index saw a marginal decline today, dropping 5.54 points to settle at 2,635. NEPSE reported that 123,974,474 shares of 333 companies were traded 78,808 times, amounting to a turnover of NPR 1.4726 billion. Among sector indices, Development Banks (0.02%), Hotels & Tourism (0.10%), Manufacturing & Processing (0.02%), and Mutual Funds (0.11%) posted gains, while all other sectors declined. Notable decreases included Banking (-0.25%), Finance (-0.53%), Hydropower (-0.11%), Investment (-0.42%), Life Insurance (-0.18%), Microfinance (-0.66%), Non-Life Insurance (-0.14%), Trading (-1.16%), and Others (-0.29%). SY Panel Nepal Limited and Shreenagar Agritech Industries Limited hit positive price circuits, while Super Madi Hydropower Limited recorded the largest drop, falling 4.24%.

Janautthan Samudayik Laghubitta Decides Not to Distribute Dividends to Shareholders

Janautthan Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha has decided not to distribute dividends to its shareholders. A meeting of the institution’s Board of Directors held on 10 Jan resolved not to provide any type of dividend for the previous fiscal year. According to the institution, the meeting approved the balance sheet as of the end of Ashad 2082, along with the profit and loss account, cash flow statement, and related schedules for fiscal year 2081/82, and decided not to distribute dividends for that period. The institution stated that these financial statements will be made public for the purpose of the annual general meeting after receiving approval from Nepal Rastra Bank.

RSDC Laghubitta Offers 48,804 Promoter Shares for Sale Starting Today

RSDC Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha has put 48,804 promoter shares up for sale starting today. The institution has offered for sale the shares owned by three different promoter shareholders. Any individual or company is eligible to apply to purchase these shares. Interested investors must submit their sealed bid applications in person to the institution’s office located in Butwal. The selling price of the shares will be as determined by the sellers.

Last Day to Apply for Ridgeline Energy Limited’s IPO for Local Residents

Today is the final day to apply for the initial public offering (IPO) of Ridgeline Energy Limited. The company had opened the IPO issue for local residents of the project-affected area starting from Poush 13. The company received approval from the Securities Board of Nepal to issue an IPO worth NPR 260.7 million, equivalent to 2,607,000 shares. Out of the total issued capital, 10 percent—amounting to NPR 118.5 million—has been allocated for local residents of the project-affected area. Accordingly, 1,185,000 ordinary shares with a face value of NPR 100 per share have been issued to local residents. Eligible local residents can apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 50,000 shares. Applications can be submitted at the company’s office in Gorkha, Prabhu Capital’s Kamaladi office, the online application link developed by the company, Prabhu Bank’s Chhepetar Branch in Gorkha, and the Palungtar Branch.

Himalayan Life Insurance Decides Not to Distribute Dividends

Himalayan Life Insurance Limited has decided not to distribute dividends to its shareholders. A meeting of the company’s Board of Directors held on 9 Jan resolved not to distribute dividends from the accumulated profits of fiscal year 2081/82. The meeting also decided to submit the company’s financial statements to the Nepal Insurance Authority for approval.

Private Sector Loan Disbursement by Banks Shows Upward Trend

Loan disbursement from banks to the private sector has started to increase. While banks have had continuously growing investable funds, the demand for loans had not picked up significantly—however, some improvement was observed last month. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, loans worth Rs 3.7 billion were disbursed in the month of Mangsir alone. By comparison, during the months of Shrawan, Bhadra, Ashoj, and Kartik, a total of Rs 6.5 billion in loans had been disbursed. In the first month of the current fiscal year, only NPR 0.3 billion was disbursed, showing a 0.1% decrease compared to the same period last year. By Bhadra, loan disbursement had increased by Rs 4.9 billion, marking a 0.9% improvement over the previous year. By Ashoj, disbursement had reached Rs 8.293 billion. In Kartik, loan disbursement fell to Rs 6.5 billion, but in Mangsir it increased by Rs 3.7 billion, taking the total for the five-month period of the current fiscal year beyond Rs 10.2 billion.

Tomato Imports from India Surge 932% via Mechi Customs in First Five Months

According to the Mechi Customs Office in Kankadbhitta, tomato imports in the first five months of the current fiscal year 2082/83 have increased by 932%. From Shrawan to Mangsir, tomatoes worth Rs 6.8474 million were imported from India. Information Officer Ishwar Kumar Humagain stated that during this period, 267,652 kilograms of tomatoes were imported from India, generating Rs 827,300 in customs revenue. In the same period of FY 2081/82, the Mechi Customs Office recorded the import of 138,650 kilograms of tomatoes worth Rs 373,000, according to Humagain. He noted that compared to the previous fiscal year, tomato imports used for cooking purposes have increased by 932% in the current year. Most of Nepal’s tomato imports come from India. Humagain also highlighted that overall vegetable imports have increased in the first five months of the current fiscal year. He reported that vegetables worth Rs 118.356 million were imported through this checkpoint in the current fiscal year, compared to Rs 113.623 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Diprox Microfinance Holds 24th Annual General Meeting, Approves 10% Bonus Shares and 5% Cash Dividend

Diprox Microfinance Financial Institution Limited held its 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today in Sauraha, Chitwan. The AGM approved the annual report for FY 2081/82, appointment of the auditors for FY 2081/82, and other proposals. The shareholders also approved a 10% bonus share and 5% cash dividend, including taxes applicable on both bonus shares and cash dividends. Following the issuance of the bonus shares, the institution’s paid-up capital has reached NPR 2.05114 billion. The meeting, chaired by the institution’s Board Chair Dipak Khanal, addressed queries raised by shareholders regarding the annual report for FY 2081/82. CEO Sheshraman Acharya delivered the welcome address, and the program was conducted by Company Secretary Gyanendra Aryal. For the remaining term of the founder category, Pradeep Kumar Pathak from Nepal Bank Limited was elected unopposed, while in the public category, Shiv Prasad Bhattarai, Ayushi Sapkota, and Pushkar Nath Bhandari were also elected unopposed as directors.

Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Organizes Asset Laundering Prevention Awareness and Refresher Program

Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company Limited organized an interaction and refresher program on asset laundering prevention for the company’s founders and core shareholders. The program was held on Sunday at the Dhukuhal Hall of Hotel Radisson, Lazimpat, and was attended by approximately 60 participants, including members of the company’s Board of Directors and founder shareholders. As a resource person, Padam Prasad Sodari, Head of the Asset Laundering Branch at the Nepal Insurance Authority, provided information on the laws, regulations, and policy directives related to asset laundering to the company’s founder shareholders, board members, and senior management. Several founder shareholders present at the program also shared their views and raised questions during the session.

TUTH to Suspend Health Insurance Services Due to Government Payment Delay

Tribhuvan University Teaching (TUTH) Hospital has decided to halt all health insurance services after the government failed to make pending payments. The hospital administration announced that from Magh 1, all treatments under the health insurance scheme will be suspended. The Health Insurance Board reportedly owes hospitals over NPR 1 billion in pending payments. According to the hospital, the prolonged delay in claims payments has severely affected its financial condition, making it impossible to continue the services. The board still owes the hospital more than NPR 40 million, while the hospital incurs over NPR 5 million in monthly expenses. The hospital administration stated that only 50% of claims submitted to the board were approved, creating further financial strain. Additionally, there has been a significant gap between the treatment rates set by the hospital and the board, and repeated attempts to resolve the issue went unheeded, leaving the hospital with no choice but to make this difficult decision.

Bhaktapur Chamber Elects 24-Member Committee for Two Years

A new 24-member executive committee has been elected at the Bhaktapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) under the leadership of Krishnamurari Nyaupane for a two-year term. The 38th Annual General Meeting and Convention, held on Sunday, elected Rajendra Prasad Prajapati as Senior Vice President, Dinesh Gosain as General Vice President, Bishwaram Duval as Vice President for Regular Members, and Ganesh Hari Prajapati as Vice President for Associate Members, according to Gajendra Shankar Timila, Chief Election Officer and Chair of the Election Committee. In addition, Rukesh Ranjit was elected General Secretary, defeating Naveen Prajapati, while Gautam Sujakhu was elected Secretary and Ranjit Marikhu as Treasurer. For the executive committee, associate members Bijon Twanabasu and Shishir K.C., and other members Anil Shivakoti, Amar Bahadur Manandhar, Rishikesh Shrestha, Rajesh Twanabasu, Radhakrishna Sapkota, Ganesh Bhakt Gosain, Narayan Prasad Bhusal, Surendra Prajapati, Mahesh Kumar Sharma, Santosh Kumar Mishra, and Shyam Prasad Manandhar were elected. Women members elected include Saraswati Karki, Manju Suvedi, and Kritan Awal. The newly elected office-bearers and committee members received their certificates and took the oath of office on Sunday itself.

Trade Halted at Tatopani Border After Major Fire in China’s Nyalam-Khasa Region

The Nepal-China northern trade point at Tatopani has been completely closed from today following a massive fire in the border forests of China’s Nyalam-Khasa area. The Chinese administration has suspended all movement through the border, citing heightened safety risks. The fire, which began Sunday night in the central part of Nyalam and Khasa, including the Chobin area, has not yet been brought under control, prompting the closure, according to Inspector Jagat Bahadur Rai of the Kodari Police Office. As the fire spreads, the movement of locals, tourists, and cargo vehicles has been halted. Areas around the border, including Lipin and Tatopani, are now covered in smoke and ash, and communication and network services in the border region have been affected.Since last year, after the flooding forced the Rasuwa border to close, most trade with China was routed through Tatopani. With Tatopani now closed, containers carrying imported goods worth millions are stuck. Arjun Sapkota, president of the Nepal Truck Container Workers’ Union, stated that the uncertainty over when the border will reopen has further worsened the crisis for traders and importers.

Personal Home Loans See Sharp Rise Amid Slow Overall Credit Flow in Nepal

Despite relatively sluggish overall credit growth from banks and financial institutions, personal home loans have surged significantly following Nepal Rastra Bank’s (NRB) policy incentives. Expanded credit limits, facilitation of the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, and lower interest rates have accelerated loans for residential home purchases and construction. The central bank provided special support for home loans in this fiscal year’s monetary policy. The individual home loan limit was increased from Rs 20 million to Rs 30 million, and for the first time, loans up to NPR 30 million for home purchase or construction were allowed an LTV ratio of 80%. This has reduced the initial down payment burden on borrowers, boosting demand, according to bankers. Lower credit risk combined with NRB’s policy facilitation has also contributed to the growth in home loans. NRB data shows that by Mangsir of FY 2082-83, banks and financial institutions had invested Rs 2.734 billion in personal home loans up to Rs 20 million, compared to Rs 1.113 billion in the same period last year—more than doubling the flow within a year. By Mangsir, total home loan disbursement under this category reached Rs 444 billion.

Shuklaphanta Municipality Collects Rs 7.14 Million in Internal Revenue in First Six Months

Shuklaphanta Municipality in Kanchanpur has collected Rs 7,142,034 in internal revenue during the first six months of the current fiscal year 2082/83. The revenue was collected through the municipality’s main office and all 12 ward offices. According to the Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality, Khemraj Bisht, Rs 2,776,660 was collected from the main office, while Rs 4,365,374 was collected from the ward offices. Revenue sources include Rs 160,474 from property tax, Rs 1,241,600 from land revenue, Rs 794,680 from house rent tax, Rs 184,620 from rent and lease tax, and Rs 57,500 from vehicle tax. Additionally, business tax contributed Rs 5,912,125, tax from commercial transactions of agricultural and livestock products Rs 75,300, and other taxes Rs 23,623. Revenue from the lease and sale of government property amounted to R 255,895, government property sales Rs 44,500, other sales Rs 1,000, electricity service fees NPRs 300, other service fees and sales Rs 4,600, judicial fees Rs 500, and other administrative service fees Rs 94,100.

Hotel Garima to Issue Rs. 40 Crore Public Shares

Hotel Garima Limited, owner of the five-star Soaltee Westend Itahari in Koshi Province, has announced a public issuance of 40 lakh shares at Rs. 100 each, aiming to raise Rs. 40 crore. Laxmi Sunrise Capital Limited has been appointed as the issue and sale manager, formalized through an agreement signed on 9 Jan, 2026, by Hotel Garima Director Binod Paudel and Laxmi Sunrise CEO Bijaya Lal Shrestha. The initiative underscores the company’s commitment to transparency, hospitality development, and tourism investment in Koshi Province. Managed by the Soaltee Hotel & Resort Group, Soaltee Westend Itahari offers a royal suite, eight suites, eight executive rooms, 58 deluxe rooms, seven studio rooms, banquet halls, seminar facilities, a spa, gym, and restaurant-cafe lounges.

Gold and Silver Prices Rise in Local Market on Monday

Gold and silver prices increased in the local market on Monday. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Federation, the price of gold rose by Rs 4,100 per tola and is being traded today at Rs 274,700 per tola. On Sunday, gold was traded at Rs 270,600 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver has also gone up. Silver increased by Rs 205 per tola and is being traded today at Rs 5,195 per tola. On Sunday, silver was priced at Rs 4,990 per tola.