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:

Government Spends 54% of Budget in 9 Months

The government spent approximately 54 percent of its total budget during the first 9 months of the fiscal year 2025/26. Out of the total allocated budget of Rs 1.964 trillion, the Financial Comptroller General Office reported an expenditure of Rs 1.59 trillion through April 13. Current expenditures reached Rs 747 billion, while capital expenditure remained low at Rs 96.19 billion, or 23.58 percent of its allocation. Infrastructure projects faced delays due to fuel and bitumen shortages linked to Middle East tensions. Meanwhile, revenue collection stood at Rs 907 billion, with tax revenue contributing Rs 886 million.

NRB to Directly Supervise Cooperatives and Microfinance

The government announced in its national commitment draft that non-banking financial sectors, including cooperatives and microfinance, will be brought under the direct and powerful supervision of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The plan aims to manage currently loose regulations by integrating these institutions with the Credit Information Bureau to ensure loans are issued based on actual capacity. To protect depositors, the government will establish an Integrated Savings Security Fund and prioritize payments to those affected by troubled cooperatives. Additionally, usury will be defined as a financial crime, and the registration and monitoring systems for cooperatives will be fully digitized to prevent fraud.

Importers Directed to Label MRP on All Goods Within 15 Days

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has issued a mandatory directive for importers to label the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on all imported goods within 15 days. This decision followed a meeting on Sunday between the department and the Nepal Overseas Export Import Association to enhance market transparency and consumer welfare. Importers are also required to issue formal invoices for every sale. After the 15-days preparation period, the department will launch an aggressive monitoring campaign. Any goods found in stock or for sale without a clear MRP will lead to strict legal action against the responsible importers under existing laws.

National Economic Census 2026 to Begin Tomorrow

The National Statistics Office is set to commence nationwide data collection for the National Economic Census 2026 starting Wednesday. In Baglung district, 33 enumerators and 5 supervisors have been deployed following a 5-days specialized training session conducted from April 9 to April 13. The census, which runs until June 21, aims to map formal and informal businesses, employment trends, and sectoral contributions to the national economy. This follows Nepal’s first economic census conducted in 2018 and will provide critical data for future policy and infrastructure planning.

Government Targets 30,000 Megawatts of Electricity in One Decade

The government has unveiled a national commitment draft aiming to reach 30,000 megawatts of installed electricity capacity within the next decade. This goal, consolidated from the election manifestos of 6 political parties, surpasses the previous roadmap target of 28,500 megawatts. To achieve this, the government plans to amend land, forest, and environmental laws while providing Viability Gap Funding for massive reservoir projects like Budhigandaki and Dudh Koshi. The strategy includes attracting energy-intensive industries such as steel and cement by extending transmission lines directly to industrial premises and positioning Nepal as a clean energy export hub for South Asia.

Karnali Allocates Rs 430 Million for Tourism and Infrastructure Development

The Karnali Province government has prioritized the development of religious and historical sites, allocating Rs 430 million for tourism promotion in the current fiscal year. Key projects include the transformation of Katkuwa, Lade, Gothikanda, and Siddhapaila into hill stations through private-sector partnerships. Additionally, Rs 345 million has been designated for the Ringmo Settlement Development near Phoksundo Lake and a model integrated gateway to Mansarovar in Humla. The province also reported the registration of 3,597 new industries, generating Rs 97.4 million in revenue. Infrastructure works include upgrading 10 kilometers of roads and constructing 3 school buildings.

Real Estate Transactions Hit Three-Year High with Rs 15 Billion Revenue

Real estate activity in Nepal has reached its highest level in three years, with government revenue rebounding to approximately Rs 15 billion in the current fiscal year. According to a Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) study, real estate loans grew by 72.41 percent and residential loans by 61.55 percent between 2020 and 2025. Madhesh Province leads in the number and area of land transactions, while Bagmati Province ranks highest in declared transaction value. The NRB is now preparing the second phase of its study to develop and publish a formal house and land price index.

Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway Faces Rs 481 Million Loss Over Five Years

Nepal’s only railway service, the Janakpur-Jayanagar line, has incurred a total loss of Rs 481.5 million over the last 5 fiscal years. According to the Nepal Railway Company Limited Business Plan 2026, total income from 2019/20 to 2023/24 was Rs 192.1 million, while expenses reached Rs 673.7 million. High operational costs are largely attributed to the Rs 11.2 million monthly salary paid to 17 Indian technical staff. Total debt, including principal and interest, surpassed Rs 790 million by mid-July 2024. Plans to mitigate losses include leasing land in Raxaul and introducing cargo rail services.

Farmers Disagree with Rs 3,945 Support Price for Wheat

Wheat farmers in Kanchanpur have expressed dissatisfaction with the government-fixed support price of Rs 3,945 per quintal for the current year. Farmers in Bhimdatta and Dodhara Chandani report that rising fuel costs for plowing and threshing mean the current rate fails to cover their investment. Compounding the issue, the Food Management and Trading Company in Mahendranagar has yet to begin procurement due to unassigned quotas. This delay often forces farmers, who lack proper storage facilities, to sell their harvest to middlemen at lower rates. Currently, wheat is cultivated on 31,210 hectares of land in the district.

Market Department Inspects 54 Firms in Single Day to Protect Consumers

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection intensified its market monitoring by inspecting 54 business firms in a single day. The inspections focused primarily on the Khasi Bazaar area of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-14 to curb black marketing and the sale of inedible goods. Conducted under the Consumer Protection Act 2018 and Consumer Protection Rules 2019, the department issued corrective instructions and took legal action against non-compliant establishments. These regular inspections aim to safeguard consumer rights and ensure market transparency through the participation of consumer rights activists and relevant stakeholders.

Pokhara Hotels Reach 90% Occupancy for Nepali New Year

Tourism in Pokhara saw a significant surge during the Nepali New Year 2083 BS, with hotel occupancy exceeding 90 percent in the Lakeside area. The 21st edition of the Phewa New Year Festival, organized by the Hotel Association Pokhara Nepal, played a key role in attracting domestic visitors. Following the city’s official declaration as the tourism capital of Nepal, industry stakeholders noted a steady increase in arrivals for nature and adventure tourism. With a total of 1,200 hotels in the region, Pokhara currently has the capacity to accommodate up to 40,000 tourists per day.

Rising Fuel Prices Stall Major Development Projects in Sudurpashchim

Surging petroleum prices and supply disruptions have severely impacted large-scale infrastructure projects in Sudurpashchim Province. The Seti Highway South Section, a 204-kilometer project initiated in 2017, faces a complete shutdown as construction equipment runs out of fuel. Currently, 35 kilometers of track remain to be opened, and bitumen shortages have slowed blacktopping efforts despite a budget allocation of Rs 250 million. Similarly, the Mahakali Irrigation Third Phase and the 425-kilometer Mahakali Corridor are stalled. Contractors, citing unsustainable costs, are demanding price adjustments and have proposed a “construction holiday” as they struggle to maintain operations.

Low Participation in Health Insurance Program in Shuklaphanta

Only 5,756 citizens in Shuklaphanta Municipality have enrolled in the national health insurance program, representing just 10.31 percent of the total population of 55,806. Of those enrolled, 5,726 joined through federal government initiatives, while 30 received support from Ward 10. Despite the provision for a family of 5 to receive treatment worth up to Rs 100,000 for an annual premium of Rs 3,500, participation remains low. Local authorities cite complicated documentation, lack of information in rural areas, and difficulties in accessing hospital services as primary barriers.

Subsidized Salt Reaches Tajakot After 9-Month Delay

Subsidized salt from the Salt Trading Corporation Limited has finally arrived in Tajakot Rural Municipality, Humla, after a 9-month delay caused by transportation contractors. Out of the 479 quintal quota allocated for this center, 340 quintals have been delivered, with the remaining 139 quintals expected shortly. The salt will be sold to local households at a subsidized rate of Rs 9 per kilogram. This delivery marks the first time residents have received the subsidized supply in a year, as the stock was originally scheduled to arrive within the first four months of the fiscal year.

Stakeholders Demand Re-Nationalization of Lumbini Sugar Industry

Local residents and stakeholders in Sunwal, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Paschim), are calling for the government to re-nationalize the Lumbini Sugar Industry. Established with help from China, the factory was privatized in 2005 for approximately Rs 70 million. Critics argue that since privatization, the workforce has dropped from over 800 to just 200, and the plant often remains closed except when the owners seek bank loan renewals. Proponents of nationalization believe returning the industry to state ownership would protect sugarcane farmers, ensure timely payments, and help Nepal achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production while creating stable jobs for the local community.

Fire Destroys Two Factories in Birtamod Causing Rs 10 Million Loss

A massive fire broke out early Tuesday morning at two industrial firms in Birtamod Municipality-4, Jhapa, resulting in estimated damages of Rs 10 million. The blaze, which started around 4:15 AM, engulfed the Jhapali Chips Factory and Saugat Kastha Furniture. Raw materials, finished goods, and machinery were completely destroyed in both establishments. Firefighting units from Birtamod, Bhadrapur, and Mechinagar, supported by the Armed Police Force and local residents, managed to extinguish the flames. While no casualties were reported, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and the District Police Office has initiated an investigation.

Tanahu Farmers Earn Rs 450,000,000 from Orange Sales

The District Agriculture Development Office in Tanahu has launched a Rs 3 million subsidy program to rejuvenate 50 hectares of aging citrus orchards. Currently, orange cultivation covers 1,670 hectares in the district, with 977 hectares actively producing fruit. This year, local farmers collectively earned Rs 450 million from orange sales. To further boost production of oranges, lemons, and citrons, the government has also allocated Rs 750,000 for establishing new orchards. The program focuses on improving tree health and fruit quality to meet high market demand and sustain rural incomes.

Egg Prices Rise by Rs 15 Per Crate Due to High Demand

The Nepal Poultry Federation has increased the price of eggs effective Tuesday, following a drop in production and a surge in demand. The farm price for a crate of 30 large eggs has risen by Rs 15, moving from Rs 450 to Rs 465. Medium-sized eggs are now priced at Rs 415 per crate. While production has decreased due to rising temperatures and poultry diseases, demand has spiked because of New Year festivities. Despite the hike, prices remain below the actual production cost of Rs 574 per crate, leaving farmers concerned about continued losses.

SY Panel to Establish Rs 600 Million UPVC Plant in Chitwan

Korean company SY Panel has commenced construction of a UPVC manufacturing plant in Ratnanagar-14, Chitwan, with an investment of Rs 600 million. The facility, located in Pithuwa, aims to begin production within 6 months and will produce six types of construction materials, including windows, doors, and partitions. The company plans to fund the operation through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). Established in 2017, SY Panel already exports building materials to India and Bhutan. The new plant is expected to create local employment and introduce international-standard, energy-friendly housing components to the Nepali market while contributing to industrial growth.

Gold and Silver Prices Surge in the Domestic Market

The price of gold has increased in the domestic market. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has risen by Rs 3,100 per tola (11.66 grams) today, fixing the rate at Rs 299,800. Previously, yesterday, gold was traded at Rs 296,700 per tola. Along with gold, an increase has also been observed in the price of silver. Silver has risen by Rs 165 per tola today, reaching Rs 5,065. Yesterday, silver was traded at Rs 4,900 per tola.