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:

Mid-term review of budget: Revenue Stands at 38 Percent, Spending at 35 Percent

Both the revenue and expenditure of the government have appeared weak in the mid-term review of the current fiscal year’s national budget. According to the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), the government’s revenue has shrunk to 38 percent and spending to 35 percent against the annual target as of mid-January. For the current fiscal year, the government had proposed a budget of Rs 1,964 billion and 110 million. By the end of the Nepali month of Poush (mid-January), the government has spent Rs 690.216 billion, which is 35.14 percent of the annual target. The budget spending under the current expenditure heading for the reporting period is 41.25 percent of the annual target. Out of Rs 1,181 billion allocated for current headings, Rs 487 billion 143.1 million has been spent so far. The capital expenditure has shrunk to 12.12 percent. For the current fiscal year, a recurrent budget of Rs 407 billion 888 million was proposed, but only Rs 494.2 million has been spent so far. Similarly, under the financial management heading, Rs 375 billion 242 million was allocated for the current fiscal year, and by mid-January 2026, Rs 153 billion 644.9 million has been spent.

KMC Makes Three-year Income and Expenditure Projections

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has made projections of its income and expenditure for the next three years. A meeting chaired by Deputy Mayor of KMC and Coordinator of the Revenue Advisory Committee, Sunita Dangol, projected the metropolis’ income and expenditure by reviewing the sources of internal revenue, revenue sectors and scope, and accounts of expenditure. The meeting estimated an income of Rs 15.1 billion for the fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27), Rs 15.5 billion for fiscal year 084/85 (2027/28), and Rs 15.9 billion for fiscal year 2085/86 (2028/29). The actual income of KMC for FY 2081/82 was Rs 10.74 billion. KMC has set an income target of Rs 15.11 billion for the current fiscal year, of which Rs 5.69 billion has been collected so far.

Venture Waste-to-Energy Project Shut Down Quickly

The Venture Waste-to-Energy project, launched with the objective of processing waste from Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City to produce gas and fertilizer, has shut down just a short time after coming into operation. To generate energy by processing Dharan’s waste, a tripartite agreement was signed eight years ago between Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, the Alternative Energy Promotion Center, and Venture Waste to Energy Pvt Ltd. In accordance with the agreement, a plant was established in Dharan–6, Panbari, on an area of 22 katthas with an investment of Rs 240 million. The project also received a subsidy of around Rs 70 million from the Alternative Energy Promotion Center and the World Bank.

Deal Reached to Relocate Highway Families

An agreement has been reached to remove houses in the Bhaluwa area of Kerabari Rural Municipality, located under the Morang section of the Madan Bhandari Highway. The construction of this highway was initiated by the government as a National Pride Project, serving as an alternative to the national highway. This National Pride Project, which has been facing one problem after another, has been stalled in some places due to the inability to remove trees from national forest areas, in others due to difficulties in managing houses along the roadside, and elsewhere because the road’s alignment passes through private land as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR). In the Morang section, locals had expected the construction to move forward after the completion of tree felling on 20.94 hectares of forest area land along a 9.42-km stretch of road.

Nepal Bankers’ Association Signs Collaboration Agreement with VISA

Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA) has signed a collaboration agreement with VISA, a global leader in digital payments, to conduct a series of programs and activities aimed at creating cybersecurity awareness and capacity building within Nepal’s financial sector. With a longstanding partnership committed to advancing digital payments in Nepal, NBA and VISA continue their efforts with a strategic focus on cybersecurity. The joint initiative covers provincial activities along with focused interaction sessions with the concerned stakeholders. Primarily, the partnership shall focus on conducting cybersecurity programs across all the seven provinces. In order to support the provincial engagements, a wider program shall also be organized to bring concerned stakeholders along with officials from various agencies and regulators. In addition to these activities, the partnership shall also focus on conducting focused interactive sessions amongst VISA officials and officials from the banks.

Gold and Silver Prices Decline

Gold prices in the local market declined slightly on Thursday, falling by Rs 1,500 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, the price of gold has decreased by Rs 1,500 per tola to Rs 276,500 today. Earlier on Wednesday, gold was traded at Rs 278,000 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver decreased by Rs 170 per tola to Rs 5,485 per tola, according to the federation.

AMDU Appoints Laxmi Sunrise Capital as Issue Manager for IPO 

Annapurna Machha Dana Udyog Limited (AMDU), a leading agri-processing company in Nepal, has appointed Laxmi Sunrise Capital Limited as the issue and sales manager for its forthcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO), as the company advances toward public listing and the next phase of large-scale industrial expansion. The appointment was formalized through an agreement signed between AMDU Chief Executive Officer Yash Puri and Laxmi Sunrise Capital Chief Executive Officer Bijay Lal Shrestha. The partnership is expected to guide AMDU through the IPO process and support its planned entry into Nepal’s capital market. The signing ceremony was attended by AMDU directors Manoj GC, Keshav Kant Poudel, Dorje Gyaltsen Lama, and alternative director, Dipesh Pote Shrestha.

Nepal–India Startup Conclave Held in Chennai 

The Nepal–India Startup Conclave: Empowering Nepal’s Startup Frontier was held in Chennai, bringing together Nepali entrepreneurs and Indian industry leaders to promote cross-border collaboration and innovation. Organized by Play Learn Foundation | Indian Girls Code in partnership with Meritus.AI, the conclave provided Nepali startups with mentorship, strategic insights and exposure to global markets. Participants represented sectors including technology, education, healthcare, sustainability, manufacturing and digital services. A keynote address by CavinKare Chairman and Managing Director Chinnikrishnan Ranganathan highlighted the importance of resilience, disciplined execution and market adaptability for startup success.

US Embassy Nepal Launches ‘Creator’s Mela 2026’ to Boost Digital Economy 

US Embassy Nepal has announced the launch of Creator’s Mela 2026: Vision to Venture, aiming to strengthen Nepal’s creative and digital economy by transforming content creation into sustainable business ventures. The multi-city event will be held in Chitwan on January 17, Nepalgunj on January 24, and conclude with a two-day summit in Kathmandu on January 30–31, 2026. This year’s theme focuses on equipping creators with skills in monetization, digital business development and entrepreneurship, drawing on US expertise in technology and creative industries. Public Affairs Chief at the US Embassy Nepal, Mike Harker, said the initiative reflects the United States’ commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, job creation and global market access for Nepali creators.

Himalayan Bank Holds 33rd AGM

Himalayan Bank Limited concluded its 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Board Chairman Prachanda Bahadur Shrestha. The AGM endorsed the consolidated financial statements of the bank and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year 2081/82 (2024/25). Chairman Shrestha presented the financial performance report on behalf of the board. The meeting also reappointed CA Ranjeev & Associates as the bank’s auditor for fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26), in line with the Companies Act, 2063. Additionally, shareholders authorized the board to undertake procedures related to restructuring the board in accordance with the revised capital structure as directed by the regulator.

Nepal Investment Mega Bank Concludes 39th AGM

Nepal Investment Mega Bank Limited has concluded its 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on Wednesday at the Police Research Center in Kathmandu. Chaired by the bank’s Chairman Prithvi Bahadur Pande, the meeting endorsed the annual report, auditor’s report and audited financial statements of the previous fiscal year following discussions among shareholders. For the fiscal year 2081/82 (2024/25), the bank reported a net profit of Rs 4.33 billion. Total deposits increased by Rs 69.48 billion to reach Rs 476 billion, while loans and advances grew by Rs 20.84 billion to Rs 339 billion, respectively. Operating income during the period stood at Rs 35.87 billion. As of the end of the fiscal year, the bank’s paid-up capital reached Rs 34.13 billion, with total shareholders’ equity standing at Rs 64.18 billion. The bank currently operates through 271 branches, 259 ATMs, 65 extension counters and 60 branchless banking units across the country.

Creator’s Mela 2026 Launched Across Nepal, Turning Digital Talent into Sustainable Businesses

The U.S. Embassy Nepal has announced the launch of “Creator’s Mela 2026: Vision to Venture,” a nationwide initiative aimed at accelerating Nepal’s creative economy by transforming digital creators into sustainable, professional entrepreneurs. Marking a bold evolution of the flagship platform, this year’s edition shifts its focus from content creation to business building. The multi-city experience will kick off in Chitwan on January 17, travel to Nepalgunj on January 24, and conclude with a two-day finale in Kathmandu on January 30–31, 2026. Under the theme Vision to Venture, Creator’s Mela 2026 is designed to bridge the gap between digital storytelling and professional enterprise. By integrating US expertise in technology, platform monetization, and digital business development, the program aims to equip Nepali creators with practical pathways to scale their influence into long-term careers.

Banking Sector Shows Stable Liquidity and Moderate Credit Growth

Nepal’s banking sector has maintained overall stability in credit, deposit mobilization, liquidity, and capital adequacy, according to major financial indicators published by Nepal Rastra Bank based on mid-December 2025 data. Data shows that the overall credit-to-deposit (CD) ratio stands at 74.12 percent, reflecting a balanced credit expansion relative to deposit growth. Commercial banks under Class ‘A’ recorded a CD ratio of 73.16 percent, while Class ‘B’ and Class ‘C’ institutions stood at 84.25 percent and 76.69 percent, respectively. The cash reserve ratio across the banking system averaged 7.97 percent, while the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) remained comfortable at 23.13 percent, indicating adequate short-term liquidity buffers. Investment in government securities accounted for 14.34 percent of the total deposits, underscoring continued reliance on safe assets. In terms of capital strength, the overall capital adequacy ratio (CAR) was recorded at 12.82 percent, remaining above the regulatory requirement. The core capital ratio stood at 9.72 percent, reflecting a sound capital base across banks and financial institutions.

China Had a Record $1.2 Trillion Trade Surplus in 2025

China’s trade surplus surged to a record of almost $1.2 trillion in 2025, the government said Wednesday, as exports to other countries made up for slowing shipments to the United States.China’s exports rose 5.5% for the whole of last year to $3.77 trillion, customs data showed, while imports flatlined at $2.58 trillion. The 2024 trade surplus was over $992 billion.In December, China’s exports climbed 6.6% from the year before in dollar terms, better than economists’ estimates and higher than November’s 5.9% year-on-year increase. Imports in December were up 5.7% year-on-year, compared to November’s 1.9%.China’s trade surplus surpassed the $1 trillion mark for the first time in November, when the trade surplus reached $1.08 trillion in the first 11 months of last year. Economists expect exports will continue to support China’s economy this year, despite trade friction and geopolitical tensions. “We continue to expect exports to act as a big growth driver in 2026,” said Jacqueline Rong, chief China economist at BNP Paribas.

Nepal Telcom Declares 30% Cash Dividends for Shareholders

Nepal Telecom will distribute cash dividends to its shareholders from the profits of the last fiscal year. At the 18th Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, the company decided to give Rs 30 per share as dividend for the fiscal year 2024/25. Nepal Telecom’s Board Chairperson and Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Radhika Aryal, said that following the operation of the MEGA project and the need for additional capital, bonus shares may also be issued to shareholders. The state-owned company reported a total revenue of about Rs 3.82 billion and a profit of Rs 600 million in the last fiscal year. Aryal highlighted that as customer demand for data services keep growing, Nepal Telecom will focus on improving data quality, cost-effectiveness and strategic market share expansion.

Rasuwa Turning Attractive Tourism Destination: 32,000 Plus Tourists Visit in Six Months

A total of 32,672 tourists have visited mountainous district, Rasuwa, during the last six months. There is an increasing presence of tourists visiting Gosainkunda area having historical and religious importance, as well as panoramic Langtang region. Senior Conservation Officer at Langtang National Park Shyam Kumar Shah informed that 32,671 domestic and international tourists visited Gosainkunda and Langtang areas from Shrawan (mid-July 2025) to the end of Poush (mid-January 2026). Among the visitors were 5,884 foreign tourists and 26,787 domestic. The number is expected to touch 50,000 in the current fiscal year. As reported, around 44,000 tourists visited Rasuwa in the last fiscal year. Keshav Dhadari, the park’s record keeper, informed that the park charges an entry fee of Rs 3,000 for foreign tourists and Rs 100 for Nepali visitors. He further informed that revenue amounting to Rs 23.9 million was generated in the past six months. Babulal Tamang, president of a local organization, said with the rise in the inflow of tourists visiting the Himalayan district, local hotels, farmers, labourers, and the entire community have particularly benefited from the bustling activity in Gosainkunda, Langtang, and Syaphru areas.

Foreign Airlines Earning Huge Profits but Paying Little in Taxes

A total of 27 foreign airline companies are operating international flights from and to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). These airlines conduct business worth more than Rs 150 billion annually. According to data received from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), in 2024, as many as 26 foreign airline companies providing air services through TIA (excluding SpiceJet Airlines, which began flights only from 2025) earned a total of USD 1,139,408,789 or Rs 153.82 billion (Rs 153,820,186,515) in the Nepali currency. In Nepal, a total of 30 airline companies – 27 foreign and 3 domestic – are operating international flights. These airlines fly to 28 international destinations across different countries. Among the foreign airlines operating in Nepal, Qatar Airways is the largest revenue earner. The airline has received approval from CAAN to operate four weekly flights (28 flights per month) on the Doha–Kathmandu–Doha route. In 2024, Qatar Airways earned USD 368,817,600 from ticket sales for this route alone. Turkish Airlines ranks second among airlines with large business volumes in Nepal. Operating direct flights from Istanbul to Kathmandu, Turkish Airlines conducted 206 flights in 2024, serving 98,753 passengers. From ticket sales, the airline earned Rs 15.38 billion (Rs 15,381,400,000).