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 Drops 32 Points Amid High Trading Volume

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell by 32.08 points to close at 2,843.35 on Tuesday. Despite the decline, market activity surged to an eight-month high with a total turnover of Rs 21.502 billion. While 78 companies saw gains, 178 declined, including major sectors like banking and finance, which dropped over 1% and 2%, respectively. Only the life insurance and non-life insurance sectors showed marginal gains. Top-traded companies included Ngadi Group and Ankhu Khola Hydropower. This volatility follows Sunday’s session, which was halted early after hitting a 6% positive circuit break.

NRB Deputy Governor Positions Fall Vacant

The positions of two Deputy Governors at Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) became vacant on Monday following the completion of the five-year terms of Neelam Dhungana Timsina and Bam Bahadur Mishra. Under Section 16 of the NRB Act, Governor Biswo Nath Poudel must recommend four names from the 18 current executive directors to the Cabinet. Although the outgoing interim government is nearing its end, sources suggest it may appoint new deputies in consultation with the incoming RSP leadership. Experts urge the appointment of capable officials to ensure the central bank’s effectiveness during the upcoming political transition.

Government to Raise Rs 6 Billion Through Internal Debt

The Government of Nepal is set to raise Rs 6 billion in internal debt through the issuance of development bonds. According to the Public Debt Management Office under the Ministry of Finance, the Development Bond 2087 is a five-year instrument aimed at mobilizing domestic resources. The bidding process was scheduled for yesterday, with the official issuance today. Banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, organized entities, and individual Nepali citizens are eligible to participate. The interest rate will be determined through a Dutch auction system, and the bonds can be used as collateral for securing loans.

Over 57K Nepalis Register Details Amid West Asia Tension

As geopolitical instability rises in West Asia, 57,100 Nepali citizens have registered their personal details with the Department of Consular Services. The online registration system was launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor the safety of migrant workers in Gulf nations amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict. The ministry confirmed that limited flights are still operating from certain locations and advised citizens wishing to return via Saudi Arabia to coordinate with local Nepali missions for visa facilitation. Authorities are prioritizing the study of these records to execute evacuation plans or emergency assistance if the regional security situation worsens further.

Finance Minister Khanal Returns Diplomatic Passport

Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal has officially returned his diplomatic passport to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the administration division. In a letter, Khanal stated that the purpose for the red passport, issued for his ministerial tenure, has concluded. A former Finance Secretary, Khanal joined the interim government following the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, 2025. While Khanal chose to make his surrender of the document public, other outgoing ministers from the transitionary cabinet have not yet issued public statements regarding the return of their diplomatic travel documents.

ADB Approves $40 Million Loan for Digital Expansion

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a concessional loan of USD 40 million (approximately Rs 5.92 billion) for the Nepal Digital Transformation Project. This initiative, co-funded by the World Bank, aims to enhance cyber security, government data hosting, and integrated citizen service portals. Arnaud Cauchois, ADB Country Director for Nepal, stated the project will reduce administrative delays and improve transparency by digitizing 11 high-impact government services. Implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the project focuses on establishing a unified data exchange platform across federal, provincial, and local levels to streamline social registration and public service delivery.

Global Oil Prices Drop 6%

Global oil prices fell to USD 93 per barrel on Tuesday morning after US President Donald Trump warned Iran against blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that any disruption to the waterway, which handles 20% of global oil consumption, would trigger a response 20 times more powerful than current actions. While prices neared USD 120 on Monday due to US-Israel-Iran hostilities, they dropped by 6% following Trump’s signal of a potential end to the conflict. However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have rejected talks, maintaining a high-tension environment. The G-7 energy ministers are expected to meet soon to discuss supply security.

NOC Bans Loose Fuel Sales

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has issued an immediate directive banning the sale of petroleum products in bottles and jerrycans across various locations. In a letter signed by Depot Head Ranjit Kapadi and sent to the Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ Association of Dhanusha and Mahottari on Monday, the NOC cited high risks of fire and explosions. The corporation warned that monitoring will be intensified, and any petrol pump found violating this rule will face departmental action under NOC bylaws and prevailing national laws. Consumers are urged to purchase fuel only from authorized dispensers.

Monitoring Office Demands Clarification from 12 Suppliers

The Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to 12 construction companies and suppliers to provide written explanations against potential blacklisting. The PPMO published a notice on Tuesday after firms failed to respond to previous warnings within the initial 30-day period. Public entities had requested blacklisting due to contractual failures. If these firms fail to justify their delays or breaches within a week, they will be barred from participating in any public procurement processes across all government agencies for the duration of their blacklisting period.

NOC Directs Gas Industries to Prioritize Household Consumers

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has instructed gas industries to maintain transparent distribution records to resolve the ongoing LP gas shortage. During a meeting on Tuesday, NOC spokesperson Manoj Thakur mandated that industries submit daily reports specifying which dealers received stock. Dealers must now maintain an official record, including phone numbers, of every consumer served. The NOC emphasized that household needs must be met before supplying the commercial sector. Despite India’s new 25-day refill limit, Thakur assured that Nepal’s annual consumption is manageable and that current import levels remain sufficient to meet national demand if the distribution system is properly regulated.

LPG Association Demands Action Against Black Marketeers

The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association has urged the government to take strict legal action against retailers charging more than the official price for LP gas. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Association acknowledged consumer anxiety regarding the West Asia conflict but condemned the creation of artificial shortages. They labeled the act of overcharging during a crisis a serious crime and instructed all district associations to identify errant sellers or industries. The Association appealed to distributors nationwide to remain responsible and warned that anyone found exploiting the current situation for illicit profit would face immediate prosecution under prevailing consumer protection laws.

Budget Shortage Leaves 70 Sudurpashchim Projects in Limbo

In Sudurpashchim Province, 70 infrastructure projects remain incomplete years after their deadlines due to budget deficits and contractor negligence. Since the fiscal year 2020/21, at least 16 bridges and 54 roads were contracted for Rs 11.75 billion, with Rs 9.96 billion already spent. Ministry spokesperson Subik Shrestha stated that an additional Rs 1.169 billion is required to finish the work. The delay, exemplified by the YP Construction Service’s 6-year lag on the Gauriganga bridge, has forced residents in districts like Bajura to transport produce through Karnali Province due to blocked local routes.

Market Monitoring Resumes with Inspections of 17 Firms

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has resumed regular market inspections following a temporary halt during the House of Representatives elections. In a recent sweep, the department monitored 17 different firms simultaneously to ensure legal compliance. Sujal Traders was ordered to appear at the department within three days with official business documents after irregularities were discovered during the raid. Additionally, 16 other firms received corrective instructions to improve their business practices. The department confirmed that these monitoring activities will continue regularly in coordination with local representatives and consumer rights activists.

LPG Shortage Triggers Black Marketing in Siraha District

Consumers in Siraha are reporting an acute shortage of LP gas, with some retailers charging more than double the official price. While the fixed retail price is Rs 1,910 per cylinder, victims like Pintu Raut and Pramod Yadav claim shopkeepers are demanding Rs 4,500. Assistant Chief District Officer Chet Raj Baral warned that strict legal action will be taken against those creating artificial shortages. Local distributors attributed the supply gap to recent election-related border closures and panic buying, promising that market monitoring will be conducted in coordination with the Commerce Office.

Nepal Airlines to Launch Daily Flights to Remote Karnali

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is preparing to transition from twice-weekly to daily flights to Humla, Mugu, Jumla, and Dolpa. The decision followed a meeting between Gen Z activist Anil Baniya and NAC Executive Director Amritman Shrestha. The corporation plans to station one aircraft at Nepalgunj Airport and utilize Surkhet as a secondary hub to end the current “power-access”-based ticket distribution. Shrestha emphasized that providing reliable service to the remote northwest is a primary duty of the national flag carrier. The airline is currently coordinating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) for final flight schedules.

Historic Footpath Reconstructed in Myagdi with Provincial Funding

A traditional trekking route connecting Rahughat to Piple Bagaincha in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-3 has been restored after being displaced by road construction two decades ago. The Integrated Service Office, Myagdi, supported the project, which includes 80 meters of concrete stairs and 137 meters of iron railings. Consumer Committee Chairman Lekhnath Sharma noted that the Gandaki Province government allocated Rs 500,000 for the current fiscal year 2025/26, supplemented by Rs 36,000 in local labor. Provincial Assembly member Hari Bahadur Bhandari pledged further budget allocations to complete the vital pedestrian network.

Sunflower Tourism Blooms in Bharatpur Organic Farm

A 16931.56 square meters sunflower farm in Shreepur, Bharatpur-15, has become a major attraction, drawing 400 to 500 visitors daily. Organic farmer Chandra Prasad Adhikari established the garden to promote agro-ecotourism, attracting youth for photography and social media content. Visitors like Pawan Adhikari and Gita Khadka praised the scenic environment, which features observation towers and bird-scaring dummies. Beyond tourism, the farm produces organic sunflower oil, sold at Rs 800 per liter at the Organic Mart in Kathmandu. The initiative has inspired several young visitors to inquire about commercial sunflower seeds and farming techniques.

Millet Production Increases Significantly in Udaipur District

Favorable rainfall in the hilly regions of Udaipur has led to a rise in millet production, reaching 5,455 metric tons this year. According to Anu BC, Information Officer at the District Agriculture Knowledge Center, this is a notable increase from the 4,680 metric tons produced last year. Cultivation is currently spread across 2,765 hectares, primarily in Tapli, Rautamai, and Limchungbung. Local leaders, including Birendra Magar, credited the success to timely monsoon rains, while elderly farmers continue to sustain the crop despite the large-scale migration of local youth.

Farmers in Bhojpur Shift to Commercial Fruit Production

Traditional subsistence farming in the Bhulke region of Ramprasad Rai Rural Municipality-3, Bhojpur, is being replaced by commercial fruit cultivation. Local farmers like Sita Khadka have transitioned to growing oranges, avocados, lemons, and junar following financial and technical support from the local government. Ward Chairman Ramu Thapa Magar stated that the ‘One House-One Tunnel’ program and the construction of irrigation ponds are central to this transformation. To support the growing output, the ward office plans to establish collection centers and assist with transportation to ensure stable market access for rural producers.

Unseasonal Rainfall Damages Wheat and Mustard Crops in Rupandehi

Heavy rainfall on Monday night has caused significant damage to standing wheat crops in Rupandehi district, particularly in Siddhodhan Rural Municipality. Local farmers reported that their crops, which were in the grain-filling stage, were flattened, leading to potential rot. Senior Agriculture Extension Officer Bivek Panta from the Agriculture Knowledge Center stated that while the rain benefited maize and spring vegetables, it severely impacted ready-to-harvest mustard, wheat, and potatoes. Farmers who invested heavily in deep-set boring irrigation during the drought now face total loss just as the harvest season approached, threatening local food security.

Gold and Silver Prices Increase in Domestic Market

The prices of gold and silver have increased in the domestic market today. Compared to last Monday, gold has increased by Rs 3,800 per tola (11.66 grams) and silver by Rs 310 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of hallmark gold today is set at Rs 317,000 per tola, while the price of one tola of silver is set at Rs 5,720. On Monday, one tola of gold was traded at Rs 313,200, and the same amount of silver was traded at Rs 5,410.

India Limits LPG Refills to Once Every 25 Days

The Government of India has directed oil refineries to increase LPG production and prioritize domestic supply amid rising global energy tensions. To prevent black marketing and artificial hoarding, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas introduced a “25-day inter-booking” rule, meaning households can only book a second cylinder 25 days after receiving the first. Additionally, imported gas will be prioritized for essential sectors like hospitals and schools. A three-member committee of executive directors from oil marketing companies has been formed to review and manage gas requests from commercial sectors, including restaurants and hotels, to ensure stable energy distribution.