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 falls by 71.05 points as market sees broad decline:

Nepal’s stock market experienced a sharp decline on the first trading day of the week. The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell by 71.05 points, or 2.40 percent, settling at 2879.11 points on Sunday. Despite the significant market drop, the total transaction volume slightly increased. Today, a total of Rs 35.2 million shares were traded, amounting to a purchase and sale value of Rs 15.03 billion. The impact of today’s decline was widespread across the market. Out of 266 companies traded, only 10 saw their share prices increase, while 255 companies experienced a decrease in value. The share price of only one company remained stable. Even with the market turning red, investors in a few companies managed to earn profits around 10 percent. Share prices of Reliance Spinning Mills, Super Khudi Hydropower, and Ridge Line Energy showed a 10 percent increase. Based on transaction value, Ridi Hydropower ranked first today with Rs 711.1 million in turnover. Following closely, Ngadi Group Power ranked second with Rs 522.8 million, and Soaltee Hotel ranked third with Rs 486.9 million in transactions. With today’s steep fall, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4888.7395 billion.

FNCCI welcomes government’s 100-point ‘governance reform agenda’ and private sector strategy:

Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has welcomed the 100-point agenda on governance reform and the strategy for the protection and promotion of the private sector issued by the government. Stating that the government’s move has encouraged the private sector, he emphasized the need for strong collaboration for its successful implementation. Dhakal stated that the 100-point agenda, approved by the Council of Ministers meeting, will make the country’s governance system result-oriented, transparent, and accountable. He noted that it is very positive that the agenda includes issues such as making service delivery digital, easy, and timely, administrative reform, corruption control, creating an investment-friendly environment, and developing entrepreneurship. Expressing further enthusiasm, he mentioned that many issues that the FNCCI has been raising for a long time are included in this agenda. “We welcome this reform agenda. We believe that its effective implementation will contribute concretely to economic recovery, job creation, and sustainable development,” said Dhakal.

Exports worth over Rs 66.48 billion from Birgunj in seven months:

Goods worth Rs 66.48 billion have been exported through the Birgunj border customs check point in the first seven months of the current fiscal year. Compared to the same period last fiscal year, exports through this border check point have increased by Rs 9.94 billion during the same period this fiscal year. Uday Singh Bista, information officer at Birgunj Customs Office, said goods worth Rs 56.54 billion were exported to foreign countries in the seven months of the last fiscal year. According to him, exports through this customs point have shown improvements in the current fiscal year. In the first seven months of the current fiscal year, processed soybean oil worth Rs 35.58 billion, fruit juice worth Rs 4.97 billion, and processed sunflower oil worth Rs 4.58 billion have been exported through Birgunj. Similarly, refined palm oil worth Rs 3.77 billion, various types of cloths worth Rs 2.33 billion, and synthetic yarn worth Rs 1.58 billion have been exported. Information Officer Bista said that goods worth Rs 595.46 billion have been imported through Birgunj customs in the first five months of the current fiscal year. According to the Birgunj Customs Office, goods worth Rs 58.91 billion, that is 11 percent more, were imported in the same period of the current fiscal year compared to the first seven months of the previous fiscal year. In the first seven months of the previous fiscal year, goods worth Rs 5.3655 billion were imported through this checkpoint.

NRB to Withdraw Rs 40 billion in deposits to manage excess liquidity:

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) was set to withdraw Rs 40 billion in deposits on Sunday. Due to the persistent excess liquidity, the central bank chose to withdraw deposits through a deposit collection instrument auction for a period of 21 days. The total deposits have currently exceeded Rs 77 trillion. The central bank has been withdrawing liquidity through the deposit collection instrument and the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) to manage excess liquidity and interest rates in the financial system. Only ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ class banks and financial institutions licensed by the central bank will be eligible to participate in the auction. Bidding for the deposit collection was conducted through the online purchasing system, and the interest rate will be determined through bidding. The NRB has said that the principal and interest of the deposit collection instrument auctioned on Sunday will be paid on 19 April 2026.

Scarlet rhododendron blossoms cover Ghodepani:

With the onset of spring, Ghodepani, an attractive tourist destination in Annapurna Rural Municipality-6 of Myagdi, gleams with blooming rhododendrons. As hundreds of domestic and international tourists have begun visiting daily to enjoy the hills covered in vibrant red rhododendrons and the stunning views of the Himalayan ranges, tourism activities in the area have increased significantly. Hotels are becoming fully occupied, and tourism entrepreneurs are feeling encouraged. With the rise in visitor numbers, hotels in the area are all occupied and hotel operators are increasingly enthusiastic. Situated at an altitude of 2,800 meters above sea level, the forests of the Ghodepani region have become especially charming and picturesque with the arrival of spring. Tourism entrepreneurs say that tourists had started visiting Ghodepani as the rhododendrons began to bloom. They add around 300 to 500 tourists visit Ghodepani daily. Locals say that the hills and slopes of Ghodepani and Poon Hill had been beautifully adorned with blooming rhododendrons, creating a captivating environment, adding that with the beginning of the spring season, rhododendrons have started to bloom in the forests, coloring the hillsides, leaving a beautiful impression on visiting tourists.

Obstacles in Damauli–Bharatpur transmission line removed:

The long-standing procedural obstacles in the construction of the Damauli–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line under the Tanahun Hydropower Project have finally been resolved. With the settlement of legal and financial complications related to forest land use and tree felling, the project has now gained momentum. Although approval had already been granted by the Council of Ministers to use the required forest land and remove trees, delays in arranging compensation amount had affected the progress. Recently, after receiving financial assurance from the Ministry of Finance and completing a formal agreement with the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, work in the field has resumed, according to the Tanahun Hydropower Project.

NCC expresses confidence in government’s 100-point governance reform agenda:

President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, has expressed confidence that the government’s recently unveiled 100-point agenda for governance and economic reforms will steer the country’s overall economy toward prosperity. Stating that this agenda was prepared based on the report of the High-Level Economic Reforms Recommendation Commission chaired by former finance secretary Rameshore Khanal a short time ago, NCC President Agrawal characterized it as a consensus document that will bring about a radical transformation in Nepal’s overall economy. According to Agrawal, this program is primarily focused on five important pillars: structural reform, improvement in the business environment, reform in the public finance system, financial sector reform, and reform in public administration. He said that the government’s agenda seeks to address the global technological changes and the shifting patterns of production and consumption, adding that it will facilitate conducting economic activities by embracing the changes brought by technology. He noted that while some economic assumptions were narrow in the past, the flexibility and reformist thinking shown by the government in the current context have made the private sector very confident.

Nepal exports 30 million pairs of footwear abroad:

With an annual export of 30 million pairs of footwear every year, Nepal has become self-reliant in footwear production, according to the Footwear Manufacturers’ Association of Nepal. Issuing a press statement today, the Association’s General Secretary Nirmal Bhattarai said that the Nepali footwear industries carry the capacity to produce 160 million pairs in a year and 70 per cent of the domestic consumption is covered by Nepali footwear products. The Association stated that it has a crucial role in the nation’s economic development, employment generation and exports, adding that this sector has contributed to the country’s economy by earning foreign exchange through footwear export. Bhattarai has mentioned that development, protection and promotion of the Nepali footwear industries is the major concern of the present time. Meanwhile, the Association stated that its Chairman Suraj Banjade was proposed as a candidate for the working committee member in the upcoming election of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Department of Transport Management publishes list of 836 unclaimed driving licenses: 

The Department of Transport Management has published details of 836 printed driving licenses. On Sunday, the department made the details of the driving licenses public through its Facebook page, ‘Hello Department of Transport Management’. Furthermore, the department has requested those coming to collect their license to appear with the revenue payment receipt. The Security Printing Center has been printing driving licenses after the driving license printing machine was damaged in a fire incident at the Department of Transport Management during the Gen Z protests of last year.

India’s economy shows early signs of moderation amid West Asia crisis, despite strong start to 2026:

India’s economic momentum remained firm through the early part of 2026, but the Finance Ministry’s March Monthly Economic Review flags emerging signs of moderation as external shocks, stemming from the West Asia crisis and rising crude prices, begin to filter through the system. The report notes that “economic activity in India remained robust up to February 2026, with strong performance across both supply- and demand-side indicators,” underscoring resilience built on domestic demand, infrastructure expansion, and policy support. High-frequency indicators reinforced this narrative, with manufacturing and services activity remaining in expansionary territory, while consumption indicators such as vehicle sales and digital payments showed strong growth. Industrial performance, in particular, reflected underlying strength in the economy prior to the recent disruptions. The review highlights that “strong growth in steel and cement production… underscores sustained momentum in infrastructure and construction activity, supported by public capital expenditure.”

Energy minister directs officials to ensure immediate, tangible service delivery:

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has directed officials to ensure service delivery that the public can feel immediately. While instructing the high leadership of the ministry today, he stated that service delivery must be made more effective, transparent, and citizen-centric. He said, “Achieving the government’s goal of sustainable development in the energy sector, proper utilization of water resources, and increasing agricultural production through the expansion of irrigation systems requires a clear action plan, timely implementation, and a responsible work style.” Likewise, pointing out the need to develop coordination, discipline, and result-oriented work culture within the ministry, Minister Shrestha directed employees to work with full commitment, honesty, and high morale toward their responsibilities.

Gold, silver prices rise today:

The price of gold has increased in the domestic market on Sunday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, the price of the yellow metal rose by Rs 5,000 per tola (11.66 grams) and reached Rs 286,000. It was Rs 281,000 per tola on Friday. Similarly, silver was traded at Rs 4,720 per tola today against Rs 4,670 on Friday. Silver price rose by Rs 20 per tola, according to the Federation.

Beni Hydro foreign employment IPO share allocation completed:

In an important financial update for the Nepali labor force working abroad, the Beni Hydro IPO foreign employment share allocation has been officially completed. Beni Hydropower Project Limited recently allocated shares from its initial public offering (IPO) to Nepali citizens who are currently employed overseas. The formal allocation process was conducted by the designated issue manager, NMB Capital, on Sunday, March 29, 2026. This move is part of a larger regulatory requirement in Nepal that mandates a ten percent reservation in hydropower IPOs for migrant workers holding valid labor permits. The company issued a total of 104,000 shares between 15 and 19 March, specifically targeting those with labor approvals. The Beni Hydro IPO Foreign category attracted an overwhelming response, with applications pouring in from 79,255 individuals. Of these applications, 79,232 were deemed eligible for the lottery, reflecting the high level of interest among the diaspora in investing back into the energy infrastructure of Nepal.

WTO members agree to bring e-commerce pact in force:

About 66 World Trade Organization (WTO) members on Saturday agreed to implement the world’s first baseline set of global digital trade rules at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), according to the official statement. The statement outlined that this would provide a pathway to bring the WTO agreement on Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce Agreement) into force, while continuing to work towards its incorporation into the WTO legal framework of rules. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, WTO, said digital trade was an exciting frontier for driving economic growth and job creation. By moving forward with the e-commerce agreement, participating economies were helping to establish a shared regulatory framework that could lower costs and unlock new opportunities. He said that continued cooperation is vital to ensure that digital trade remains open and predictable, and that its benefits are shared across economies at all levels of development. According to the statement, this step marks a significant milestone. With digital transactions accounting for over 60 percent of global GDP, there is an urgent need to implement global digital trade rules that allow businesses and consumers to seize the benefits of digital trade. WTO and OECD research shows that not implementing the e-commerce agreement leaves around USD 159 billion worth of trade on the table every year.

Two microfinances – Jeevan Bikas and Unique Nepal  – merge:

In a significant development for the microfinance sector of Nepal, the Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta and Unique Nepal microfinance institutions are set to merge. The official merger agreement was signed on Saturday, marking a major step toward strengthening financial services across the country. As the regulatory environment in Nepal shifts toward consolidation, this move positions both entities to become a much more formidable force in the rural credit market.The headquarters of Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta is located in Katahari, Morang, while Unique Nepal Laghubitta operates from its central office in Kohalpur, Banke. This merger brings together two institutions with distinct regional strengths, creating a stronger platform for delivering financial services and expanding outreach to underserved communities in both eastern and western Nepal. Currently, Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta has a substantial paid-up capital of Rs 1.75 billion, highlighting its strong financial position and market leadership. Meanwhile, Unique Nepal Laghubitta has a paid-up capital of Rs 148.5 million.

International Civil Aviation Organization adopts stricter global environmental standards for aircraft:

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has adopted stricter global environmental standards for aircraft, setting August 3, 2026, as the effective date and January 1, 2027 for worldwide implementation, mandating how new aircraft, including next-generation supersonic jets, will cut carbon emissions and noise across the aviation sector to align with climate goals through tighter design norms and certification rules. With formal adoption now complete, ICAO said the revised framework will push manufacturers to integrate advanced, cleaner technologies into aircraft design, while ensuring uniform compliance through updated testing and certification procedures. It is said the new standards will ensure that the latest technological advancements are embedded in aircraft design, supporting sustainability while fostering innovation.  The CO2 emissions standard has been made 10 per cent more stringent and will apply to new aircraft type designs from 2031. In addition, a more complex emissions requirement has been introduced for in-production aircraft, which will take effect for new deliveries from 2035, widening the regulatory net beyond future models. On noise, ICAO has tightened limits by six decibels for large aircraft and two decibels for smaller ones. These norms will apply to new aircraft designs from 2029, marking a significant escalation in global noise control standards.

NSE to launch Dated Brent Crude Oil futures from April 13, 2026:

India’s National Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced the introduction of Dated Brent Crude Oil (Platts) futures contracts in its commodity derivatives segment, following regulatory approval from SEBI. The exchange stated that the new futures contracts will be available for trading with effect from April 13, 2026, as per a circular. The launch calendar indicates multiple monthly contracts extending up to 2027. The contract, based on the S&P Global Energy (Platts) Dated Brent assessment, will be traded under the symbol “BRCRUDEOIL.” The move aims to expand the commodity derivatives product suite and provide market participants with an instrument linked to the globally benchmarked Platts Dated Brent assessment, which reflects international crude oil price trends. This is expected to enhance price discovery and offer a hedging mechanism aligned with global oil markets. Key features of the new scheme include trading units of 100 barrels, with a maximum limit of 10,000 barrels. The base price limit shall be 6 per cent. In case the daily price limit of 6 per cent is breached, after a cooling-off period of 15 minutes, the limit will be relaxed up to 9 per cent.