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:

NRB Launches Awareness Campaign Against Counterfeit Currency

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Janakpur office conducted an awareness program in Jaleshwar yesterday to combat counterfeit currency ahead of the elections. Officials warned that high cash circulation during election campaigns increases the risk of fake notes entering the market, especially in districts bordering India. The campaign educated students, security personnel, and traders on identifying security features. The NRB emphasized that early detection at the point of transaction is crucial to discouraging illegal trade and protecting small businesses from financial losses during the peak political season.

Public Debt Reaches Rs 28.589 Billion

The Public Debt Management Office reported that the country’s total public debt reached Rs 28.589 billion from January 15 to February 12. Since the start of the fiscal year, debt has surged by Rs 1.849 billion, now accounting for 46.81% of the GDP. External debt comprises 52.81% of the total, while internal debt stands at 47.19%. In the first seven months, the government spent Rs 2.036 billion on debt servicing, with Rs 1.635 billion allocated to principal and Rs 401.3 million toward interest payments.

Ministry of Finance Forms Revenue Committee for 2026/27 Budget

The Ministry of Finance has formally initiated the budget preparation for the fiscal year 2026/27 by forming a Revenue Advisory Committee. Led by the Revenue Secretary, the committee includes representatives from the NRB, the CNI, and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce. Nine subcommittees have been established to provide suggestions on income tax, VAT, and customs rates. The committee is tasked with identifying new non-tax revenue sources and solving dual taxation issues between federal and local levels. A final report with policy recommendations is expected to be submitted to the finance minister by May 14.

EC Fines Candidates Rs 25K for Violations

The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on several candidates for breaching the Election Code of Conduct 2026. A candidate from Jajarkot-1 was fined for distributing Rs 500 notes during a rally, while a candidate in Rupandehi-2 faced the same penalty for misusing iconic imagery from the September 8 protests. Additionally, the Sram Sanskriti Party was fined Rs 25,000 for using children in campaign materials. The commission also recommended departmental action against a chief at the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve for posting hateful political content on social media.

Kalikot Administration Bans Loose Fuel Sales for Election Security

The District Administration Office of Kalikot has prohibited the sale of petroleum products in bottles, jerrycans, or any open containers to maintain peace and order during the March 5 election. According to the District Security Committee, only registered pumps are authorized to operate, and any establishment found creating artificial shortages or overcharging will face immediate legal action. Essential service providers, including ambulances, hospitals, and authorized election vehicles, will continue to receive fuel based on official recommendations. The Nepal Oil Corporation and local security agencies will conduct surprise inspections, with violators facing permit suspension or heavy fines to prevent the misuse of fuel for election-related violence.

Only 1,670 Candidates Open Bank Accounts for Election Expenses

The Election Commission reported that only 1,670 out of 3,406 direct candidates for the March 5 election have opened mandatory bank accounts. Additionally, only 11 out of 65 participating political parties, including the Nepali Congress and Janata Samajwadi Party, have complied. Under the 2026 procedural guidelines, all candidates and parties must manage election-related financial assistance and expenditures through these specific accounts to ensure transparency. This regulation aims to monitor spending limits effectively and maintain financial accountability throughout the campaign period, with the commission urging the remaining participants to comply immediately.

Rs 982 Million Bagmati Cold Storage Project Faces Operational Delays

A Bagmati Province initiative to build 12 cold storage facilities, started seven years ago with a budget of Rs 982 million, remains largely non-functional. While projects in Rasuwa, Dolakha, and Sindhupalchowk are complete, they await formal handover due to disputes over 30% to 50% cost-sharing agreements with cooperatives and the private sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development reported that Rs 138.2 million in partner contributions is still outstanding. Legal complications and a probe by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) have further stalled the transfer of these vital facilities to local municipalities.

Relocation of Fast Track Zero Point to Pharsidol May Increase Costs

Moving the starting point (Zero Point) of the Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhesh Fast Track to Pharsidol could increase project costs and technical complexities. While the government considers Pharsidol as an alternative to the land disputes in Khokana, technical experts warn that travel from the new point to central Kathmandu could take four hours due to traffic. Studies suggest Khokana remains the most viable option at Rs 42.169 billion. In contrast, the Pharsidol alternative is estimated at Rs 42.183 billion, while Dukuchhap remains the least expensive at Rs 40.285 billion.

Govt. Files 62 Lawsuits Over Substandard Food Products

The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has filed 62 cases against firms producing contaminated or low-quality food. Released in a report on Thursday, the data shows that 34 cases involved poor quality and 20 concerned contaminated items like milk, oil, and spices. Authorities confiscated and destroyed expired goods worth Rs 2.9 million during the first half of the fiscal year. Additionally, the department issued 13 recall orders for bottled water and beverages while setting new mandatory quality standards for traditional items like Chhurpi (a traditional, high-protein, and extremely hard, dried cheese produced from yak or cow milk in the Himalayan regions) and Masyoura (a traditional Nepali fermented, sun-dried vegetable and black lentil ball used to make savory curries).

Strawberry Farming Boosts Agro-Tourism in Bharatpur Metropolis

Nepal Agrovine Private Limited, located in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-5, has successfully integrated strawberry farming with agro-tourism. Spanning 33863.13 square meters, the farm allows visitors to pick their own fruit, attracting tourists and students from various agricultural colleges. The farm grows American varieties imported via Egypt, which thrive in the plains. Currently employing four permanent and up to 10 daily workers, the facility also produces tomatoes and capsicum. The founders aim to promote agriculture as a viable profession and plan to expand this model to other regions, highlighting that Nepal holds significant potential for experiential agricultural tourism.

Chaite Rice Planting Begins in Jhapa Amid Shift Toward Maize

The Agriculture Knowledge Center in Jhapa announced that Chaite rice, or spring season rice planting, has commenced in the Kachankawal Rural Municipality. While planting is expected to finish by mid-March, the total cultivated area is projected to shrink by 15% to 20% this year. Officials noted that farmers are shifting toward maize cultivation because last year’s rice price of Rs 700 per 40 kg was unprofitable. However, some interest remains in the Hardinath-6 variety after a private mill promised to purchase it for Rs 1,000 per 40 kg. Currently, the district utilizes 10 mechanical transplanters to aid the process.

Local Units Launch Recruitment for National Employment Program

Municipalities in Parbat district, including Modi, Jaljala, Bihadi, and Paiyu, have begun listing unemployed citizens for the National Employment Promotion Program for the fiscal year 2026/27. Targeted at citizens aged 18 to 59, the program guarantees a minimum of 100 days of work in public infrastructure and community development. Priority is given to women, Dalits, marginalized groups, and returnee migrants. Applicants must submit citizenship copies and vocational certificates to their ward offices. Local authorities believe this initiative will mitigate local unemployment and ensure that public works are completed using a labor-based approach to support low-income families.

Local Units in Dhankuta to Digitize Land Administration Services

The Department of Land Management and Archive launched an orientation program in Dhankuta on Friday to shift land administration to a digital information system. In collaboration with the Dhankuta, Mahalaxmi, and Pakhribas municipalities, the project aims to provide transparent and technology-friendly services directly from local units. Officials noted that digitizing land records would reduce service delays and significantly increase revenue collection. This marks the first time such a system is being implemented in a hilly district, allowing citizens to access land ownership and transaction services without traveling to the district headquarters.

Regulator Proposes Red, Yellow, and Green Labels for Hydropower Costs

The Electricity Regulatory Commission is introducing a benchmarking system to classify hydropower projects as green, yellow, or red based on their per-megawatt production costs. This initiative aims to protect public investors from high-risk, low-return projects by ensuring transparency in initial investment costs. Proposed corporate governance rules will also mandate a two-year cooling period for high-level officials and require at least one female director on boards. Furthermore, CDSC has proposed using two separate International Securities Identification Numbers (ISIN) codes to distinguish between founder and public shares, preventing founders from selling their stocks during the mandatory ‘lock-in’ period.

Marsyangdi Hydropower Center Shuts Down for 21 Days for Repairs

The 69-megawatt Marsyangdi Hydropower Center in Tanahun began a 21-day complete shutdown on February 14 for extensive maintenance. The project is utilizing the dry season, when water levels are low, to repair the dam site and an undersluice gate that has been nonfunctional for 14 years. Crews are working in three shifts to remove silt and overhaul Unit No. 3 using domestic technicians. Despite the upcoming March 5 election, the center aims to finish by March 6 to ensure long-term structural safety and maintain its annual production of 451.7 gigawatt-hours.

KMC Monitors 40 Cooperatives to Protect Depositors

The Cooperative Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) started onsite inspections of 40 cooperatives on Tuesday. This annual monitoring aims to verify financial health and compliance with the Cooperative Act 2017. Teams consisting of experts and metropolitan police are reviewing 14 types of documents, including audit reports and loan investment files. In previous years, the department referred over 12 cooperatives to the police for defrauding depositors, leading to several arrests. Cooperatives are now required to maintain transparent records of share capital and board decisions to avoid legal action and ensure the safety of public savings.

Investors View Bardghat SME Village as Economic Milestone

Investors at an interaction program in Nawalparasi yesterday expressed confidence that the Bardghat SME Village will become a foundation for regional prosperity. Organized by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and local chambers, the event highlighted the village as a pilot project to promote small and medium enterprises. Experts noted that while the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP has dipped to 5%, such industrial hubs, aided by proximity to the Indian border for raw materials, are essential for reaching a USD 100 billion economy.

Controversy Over Reliance Spinning Mills Share Listing Prices

A dispute has emerged after the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) set the opening trading range for Reliance Spinning Mills at Rs 100 to Rs 300, despite the company selling shares via book-building at Rs 820.80 and Rs 912. Experts argue this decision undermines the book-building system’s integrity, as the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) had already approved the higher prices. NEPSE defended its move by citing a 2011 regulation and financial statement discrepancies. Although the market price rose to Rs 472.20 by February 24, public investors remain at a loss, prompting SEBON to demand a formal explanation.

Hulas Finserv Files for IPO at Premium of Rs 358.85

Hulas Finserv Higher Purchase has applied to the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) to issue an Initial Public Offering (IPO) at a premium price. The company intends to issue 2,075,000 shares at Rs 358.85 per unit. Through this public issuance, the firm aims to collect a total capital of Rs 744.6 million. NMB Capital has been appointed as the issue and sales manager for the project. This move is part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its financial base and expand its higher-purchase credit services across the country following regulatory approval.

Beni Hydropower to Issue IPO for Local and Migrant Workers

The Beni Hydropower Project will open its Initial Public Offering (IPO) starting March 15. The company is issuing 2,080,000 shares, valued at Rs 208 million, representing 20% of its issued capital. Specifically, 1,040,000 shares are reserved for local residents of Solukhumbu, with higher priority for those in Solududhkunda Municipality Wards 2, 3, and 4. Additionally, 104,000 shares are allocated for Nepali citizens working abroad with valid labor permits. NMB Capital is managing the sale, and the company has received a Double B Plus rating, indicating average risk in meeting financial obligations.

Gold Prices Drop by Rs 500 Per Tola Today

There was a slight change in the price of gold and silver in the domestic market today. The price of gold has slightly declined in the domestic market today. However, the price of silver has increased today. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold is being traded at Rs 314,900 per tola (11.66 grams), while the price of silver has been fixed at Rs 5,740 per tola today. The price of gold has decreased by Rs 500 per tola, and silver increased by Rs 15 per tola today, added the Federation. Gold was traded at Rs 315,400 per tola and silver at Rs 5,725 per tola on Thursday.