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 Surges 48.71 Points as All Sectors Advance

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rose by 48.71 points, or 1.73 percent, to close at 2,851.24 on Thursday, the fifth trading day of the week. The Sensitive Index gained 4.64 points to 481.53, while the float and sensitive float indices increased by 1.57 percent and 1.03 percent. A total of 27,931,770 shares of 338 companies were traded through 108,869 transactions, with a turnover of Rs 9.919 billion. All 13 sector indices posted gains, led by others, hydropower, and hotels and tourism. Share prices of six companies hit the positive circuit breaker.

Patan High Court Halts FNCCI Annual Meeting and Elections

The 60th annual general meeting and elections of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) scheduled for April 12–13 have been halted. The Nepal Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Association filed a writ, prompting the Patan High Court, led by Justices Khadak Bahadur KC and Deepak Khanal, to issue an interim order today preventing the meeting and polls. The writ, filed on April 5, named the Chamber, its executive committee, membership committee, and election committee as respondents. The court’s decision pauses the electoral process until further notice, signaling legal scrutiny over the upcoming assembly and elections.

SEBON Suspends Bhrikuti Stock Broking Over Rs 5.11 Billion Liability

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) suspended the license of Bhrikuti Stock Broking Company on Thursday for failing to pay over Rs 5.11 billion to investors. An investigation revealed the firm violated the 2007 regulations by using client funds to settle other transactions and failing to collect the mandatory 25 percent advance payment for share purchases. SEBON concluded that the company’s practice of providing shares without payment and maintaining high liabilities posed a severe risk to the capital market. The suspension was executed under Section 88 of the Securities Act, 2007, to prevent further losses to investors.

NFC Sells Cooking Oil Above Market Rates in Humla Despite Subsidies

The Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) has faced criticism in Humla for pricing cooking oil higher than local private vendors, despite receiving transportation subsidies. The NFC is selling sunflower oil at Rs 291 per liter, while the market rate stands at Rs 280. Similarly, soybean oil is priced at Rs 285 per liter by the NFC, which is Rs 25 higher than the local market price of Rs 260. Although NFC officials attributed the high costs to recent procurement prices, local traders noted that the company’s failure to assess current market trends before shipping 6,000 liters of oil from Surkhet on Thursday has made the stock difficult to sell.

Nagdhunga Tunnel Toll Rates Effective Thursday

The government has officially released the toll rates for the Nagdhunga Tunnel, which were finalized on August 11, 2025, and published in the gazette on Thursday. Light vehicles, including cars, vans, and pickups, will be charged Rs 65 for entry to Kathmandu and Rs 60 for departure. Minibuses and mini trucks face charges of Rs 115 for entry and Rs 80 for exit. Heavy equipment and multi-axle trucks are set at the highest tier, paying Rs 600 to enter and Rs 250 to leave the valley.

Inaruwa Land Revenue Office Collects Rs 517.4 Million in 8 Months

The Land Revenue Office in Inaruwa, Sunsari, collected Rs 517.4 million in revenue during the first eight months of the fiscal year 2025/26. This figure has already surpassed the total collection of the previous fiscal year, which was Rs 475.2 million. Land Revenue Officer Santosh Darji attributed the surge to increased real estate transactions, plotting, and industrial expansion in Inaruwa, Ramdhuni, Itahari, and Duhabi. The highest monthly collection occurred between November/December, 2025, reaching over Rs 95.6 million, primarily from registration fees and capital gains taxes.

All Candidates in Gulmi Submit Election Expense Reports on Time

All 43 candidates from the March 5 House of Representatives election in Gulmi have submitted their expense reports within the mandatory 30-day window. Information Officer Harka Shris confirmed that a total of Rs 16.5 million was spent by 20 political party candidates and 23 independent candidates across both constituencies. In Constituency No. 1, candidates spent Rs 8.83 million, while in Constituency No. 2, the total was Rs 7.6 million. Winners from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Sagar Dhakal and Govinda Panthi, also made their expenses public via social media.

Nationwide Training Begins for Second National Economic Census

A five-day nationwide training program for enumerators selected for the Second National Economic Census, 2026, commenced on Thursday. Organized by the National Statistics Office across 84 offices, the training aims to update statistics on the national economy and identify the structure of economic activities. Deputy Chief Statistics Officer Dhundi Raj Lamichhane stated that following the training, enumerators will be deployed across the country starting April 15. The first national economic census in Nepal was previously conducted in 2018.

Federal Government Invests Rs 120 Million for Flood Control in Susta River

The federal government has allocated approximately Rs 120 million to accelerate emergency river control and embankment projects in Susta, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Paschim). The initiative targets a 500-meter stretch of the Narayani River that breached last year, threatening local settlements. The project is divided into two segments: the upper section is being handled by Shivam Construction JV for Rs 71.7 million, while the second section is under KB Construction company for Rs 46.6 million. Due to extreme river depths of up to 5 meters, engineers are utilizing RCC Procupine technology, involving 4,300 cement poles to divert water flow. All work is mandated for completion by mid-July to prevent monsoon disasters.

Heavy Snowfall Halts Air Services in Humla for Three Days

Flight operations at Simkot Airport in Humla have been suspended since Tuesday due to continuous rain and heavy snowfall. Mahendra Bahadur Singh, chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in Simkot, reported that Nepal Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled due to poor visibility. The disruption has stranded passengers on the Simkot-Nepalgunj route, severely affecting patients referred to higher-level hospitals. With the lack of private aircraft in Nepalgunj and ongoing adverse weather, regular flights are unlikely to resume until April 13.

Salyan Recommends 767 Projects for Karnali Province Budget

Salyan district has recommended 767 projects for the Karnali Province budget of the fiscal year 2026/27. Out of 1,708 proposals, the selection committee prioritized infrastructure projects worth Rs 2 billion and water, irrigation, and energy projects totaling Rs 3.10 billion. Provincial Assembly Member Bhim Prakash Sharma noted that a new 2026 procedure has been implemented to curb small, fragmented projects by setting a minimum budget of Rs 5 million for roads and buildings. All approved projects must be documented in the ‘Project Bank’ by April 28.

Irrigation Coverage Reaches 55% of Arable Land in Lumbini

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation reported that 55% of the 679,085 hectares of cultivable land in Lumbini Province now has irrigation access. Currently, 361,867 hectares are covered, with 35% of the land receiving year-round irrigation. Since its establishment, the province has expanded facilities to an additional 23,135 hectares. Chief Minister Chetan Acharya emphasized the need for sustainable water management through reservoirs and dams to combat climate change challenges, noting that year-round irrigation access has increased from 20% to 35%.

Youth Entrepreneurship Program Boosts Local Jobs in Ilam

The ‘Vice-Chair with Youth Entrepreneurs’ program in Maijogmai Rural Municipality, Ilam, has successfully created local employment through specialized training and grants. Vice-Chair Prabina Rai stated that the initiative provided grants up to Rs 200,000 to entrepreneurs involved in dairy processing, millet biscuit production, and bee-keeping. Notable beneficiaries include Parvati Bhattarai, who received Rs 200,000 for her biscuit bakery, and several others receiving support for integrated poultry and cattle farming. This year, 30 individuals completed training in lollipop making and dairy processing. Chairman Kush Bahadur Thebe noted the program encourages youth to find opportunities within their own communities rather than seeking foreign employment.

Community Invests Rs 5.56 Million in Dandagaon Sports Complex

The Himali Youth Club in Malika Rural Municipality-6, Gulmi, completed a community building and sports field costing Rs 5.5 million. Club President Tukman Jugjali highlighted that community contributions and labor far exceeded government grants, with Malika Rural Municipality providing Rs 1.7 million and Gandaki Province contributing Rs 1.2 million. Local donors, including Phulpati Mothers’ Group, contributed significantly, with several individuals donating Rs 100,000 each. The complex features a 63-meter-long field and was inaugurated on Wednesday by Provincial Assembly Member Resham Bahadur Jugjali.

Construction of High-Altitude Training Center Resumes in Remote Jumla

The construction of Nepal’s first high-altitude training center in Patarasi-3, Jumla, has resumed following the resolution of a long-standing land dispute. The National Sports Council (NSC) recently issued a tender worth Rs 50 million for the infrastructure after locals Lauro, Gorbahadur, and Kumbhar Bohara donated 6,120 square meters of land. The project, which has an estimated total budget of Rs 1.058 billion, aims to build facilities for over two dozen sports, including football and athletics. The center will significantly boost sports tourism and economic development in the Karnali region.

Health Insurance Coverage Reaches Over 66,000 Citizens in Baitadi

More than 66,247 citizens from 16,441 families in Baitadi have enrolled in the Health Insurance Program. District Contact Office Chief Anil Chandra Joshi noted that senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and patients with chronic illnesses receive free insurance, while the government pays half the premium for female health volunteers. Families of up to five members pay an annual premium of Rs 3,500 for coverage up to Rs 100,000. Larger families pay an additional Rs 700 per member for increased coverage of Rs 20,000 each.

NEA to Employ Eight More Families of Gen Z Martyrs

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) board, chaired by Minister for Energy Viraj Bhakta Shrestha, decided on Wednesday to provide employment to members of eight additional martyr families from the Gen Z protests. This decision follows the 2026 guidelines for relief and recent government gazette notifications. The NEA had already initiated the hiring process for 27 martyr families. The newly added families include those of Rojit Shrestha (Kathmandu), Ambika Bishwakarma (Udayapur), Sumitra Mahat (Sindhupalchowk), Shital Paudel (Kathmandu), Mausam Kulung (Sankhuwasabha), Parbati Adhikari (Sarlahi), Hemanti Bishta (Bajhang), and Manju Paudel (Lamjung).

NTC Extends Prepaid Package Validity to 30 Days

Nepal Telecom (NTC) has increased the validity of its ‘Combo-299 Pack’ from 28 days to 30 days. Following discussions with Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina, Acting Managing Director Rina Dangol confirmed that all similar packages will transition to a 30-day cycle by April 24. Additionally, NTC is implementing a system to prevent automatic balance deductions after data exhaustion, offering a ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ option instead. Users will now receive alerts when 90% of their data is consumed. The reforms are part of a 10-point plan to improve service quality and digital accessibility.

Stock Brokers Enter FNCCI Executive Committee Race

The upcoming 60th Annual General Meeting and election of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), features five prominent stockbrokers as candidates. Current Stock Broker Association President Sagar Dhakal and former president Dharmaraj Sapkota are competing in the commodity category. Meanwhile, former presidents Priya Raj Regmi and Bharat Rana Bhatta, along with broker Rajkumar Timalsina, are running in the associate category. The election, led by the panel of Anjan Shrestha, has created significant buzz in the market as the private sector’s umbrella organization prepares to select its new leadership.

Gold, Silver Prices Drop in Market

The prices of gold and silver slid in the domestic market today compared to the previous day. Gold has fallen by Rs 4,300 per tola (11.66 grams) to reach Rs 294,700 per tola, while silver has dropped by Rs 150 per tola to be traded at Rs 4,875 per tola, said the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. On Wednesday, gold was traded at Rs 299,000 per tola and silver’s price at Rs 5,025 per tola.