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 Mops up Rs 120 Billion in Excess Liquidity

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) conducted a massive liquidity drainage operation on Thursday to manage the surplus funds currently in the banking system. The central bank collected Rs 120 billion through a deposit collection instrument. Banks and financial institutions participated in the bidding process at 3:00 PM for the 97-day instrument. The NRB scheduled the repayment of the principal and interest for August 5 as part of its ongoing efforts to stabilize market interest rates.

NEPSE Drops by 5.73 Points, Turnover Reaches Rs 4.916 Billion

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) fell 5.73 points on Thursday, the fourth trading day of the week, closing at 2,738.72, down 0.20 percent. The Sensitive Index edged down 0.07 points to 464.43. A total of 10.97 million shares were traded through 80,427 transactions involving 346 companies, generating a turnover of Rs 4.916 billion. Only 98 companies posted gains, while 161 declined and 10 remained unchanged. Of 13 sectors, only two advanced, led by manufacturing and processing (0.84 percent), while most others closed lower, including hydropower, investment, and life insurance.

Online Mortgage System Made Mandatory for Banks

The Department of Land Management and Archive has officially made the online mortgage system mandatory for all banks and financial institutions. Effective from Wednesday, institutions that have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) must process all property restrictions and releases digitally. For institutions still in the preparation phase, the system will become compulsory starting May 15. This “faceless” digital transition aims to eliminate middleman interference and streamline services in line with the Digital Nepal initiative.

Cargo Shortage Leaves Thousands of Trucks Idle in Bara-Parsa

Despite the government raising public transport and freight fares by 5% on Wednesday due to fuel price hikes, truck operators in the Bara-Parsa industrial corridor are struggling to find cargo. Thousands of trucks are reportedly sitting idle as demand for goods transport has plummeted. While the government-fixed rate for a 10-ton load from Birgunj to Kathmandu is higher, unhealthy competition has forced operators to accept rates as low as Rs 31,000, which is Rs 10,000 below the official mandate. There are currently approximately 45,000 freight vehicles operating across the country.

Revenue Collection Stalls at Birgunj Due to MRP Dispute

Revenue collection at the Birgunj Customs Office has been significantly impacted as importers and exporters have boycotted the clearance process for the past two days. Traders are protesting the government’s recent mandate to enforce Maximum Retail Price (MRP) labeling at the point of entry, calling the requirement impractical. While the customs office usually collects Rs 500 million to Rs 600 million daily, recent collections dropped to Rs 310 million, primarily from petroleum and perishables, which remain unaffected.

Timure Customs Halts Imports Over Missing MRP Stickers

The Rasuwa Customs Office in Timure has temporarily suspended the clearance of commercial goods imported from China. The action was taken because imported food and non-food items lacked mandatory Maximum Retail Price (MRP) stickers on their packaging. Under current consumer protection laws, all consumer goods entering Nepal must clearly display the MRP. While equipment for industries and hydropower projects is still being cleared, hundreds of trucks carrying consumer goods remain stranded in the customs yard until importers comply with the labeling regulations.

Nepalgunj Customs Faces Rs 9.64 Billion Revenue Shortfall

The Nepalgunj Customs Office has failed to meet its revenue targets for nine consecutive months, collecting only Rs 14.89 billion against a target of Rs 24.54 billion. This represents a shortfall of Rs 9.64 billion. Officials cited a decline in imports, high trade deficits, and low government capital spending as primary reasons for the deficit. However, a recent rule requiring customs payment on all goods valued over Rs 100 has increased daily passenger-branch revenue from Rs 250,000 to Rs 450,000.

Taplejung Collects Rs 5.4 Crore from Timber and Herb Exports

Taplejung district generated Rs 54.3 million in revenue from the export of timber and herbs during the first nine months of the fiscal year. The Division Forest Office reported that timber alone accounted for Rs 53.9 million of the total. Over 1.3 million cubic feet of wood and 51,590 kilograms of herbs, including Chiraito, Lokta, and wild honey, were exported from the district’s private and community forests.

Koshi Province Reports Sluggish 34% Budget Expenditure

With only two and a half months remaining in the fiscal year, Koshi Province has spent just Rs 11.044 billion, or roughly 34% of its revised Rs 32.45 billion budget. Capital expenditure for development remains particularly weak at Rs 4.17 billion. Officials attribute the slow progress to international factors, including Middle East tensions that have driven up the costs of petroleum and construction materials, leading contractors to halt work. The province now faces the daunting task of spending Rs 21.41 billion in the final quarter.

Sudurpashchim Receives Reduced Rs 22 Billion Budget Ceiling

The Provincial Policy and Planning Commission has set a budget ceiling of Rs 22.63 billion for Sudurpashchim Province for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27. This marks a decrease of Rs 2.24 billion compared to the current year, attributed to a decline in federal grants and internal revenue. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development received the largest share of the ceiling at Rs 7.53 billion. The province has identified 1,405 projects for its project bank, prioritizing those already under construction.

Food Management Company Buys Wheat Above Support Price

Food Management and Trading Company has begun purchasing wheat in Kailali at rates higher than the government-mandated floor price. While the government set the minimum support price at Rs 3,945 per quintal, the company is paying Rs 4,250 per quintal to incentivize farmers. Operations started on Tuesday in Mohanpur and Wednesday in Tikapur. The company aims to procure 10,000 quintals from Sudurpashchim Province and 40,000 quintals nationwide, with a total budget of Rs 180 million allocated for this fiscal year.

Over Half a Dozen Bridge Projects Languish in Rautahat

Strategic bridge projects in Rautahat Constituency-3 remain incomplete due to contractor negligence, prompting an inspection by local lawmakers on Wednesday. Major projects including the Kothiyar-Brahmatol and Lamaha (Gujara) river bridges, which began in the fiscal year 2016/17, have only reached 50 percent progress. Similarly, the Tarahi and Namaha River bridges are stalled at 45 percent completion despite passing their 2023/21 deadlines. Authorities have warned contractors that contracts will be terminated if visible progress is not made within the newly extended deadlines.

Over 2,600 Tourists Visit Shuklaphanta in 6 Months

Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur recorded 2,634 visitors during the first six months (July 17, 2025, to January 14, 2026) of the current fiscal year 2025/26. The tourist pool included 2,278 domestic travelers, 244 from SAARC nations, and 112 from other countries. The park, famous for the largest grassland in Nepal and a population of over 2,300 swamp deer, generated Rs 1.4 million in revenue during this period.

Investigation Dept. Probes Himalayan Re and Micro-Insurers

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation has demanded detailed financial records from Himalayan Reinsurance and seven micro-life insurance companies. The department is investigating the sources of funds used by founding shareholders to pay “extra premiums” beyond the paid-up capital during the licensing process. The targeted companies, including Guardian, Crest, Liberty, Protective, Star, and Trust Micro Life Insurance, must submit bank account details and payment records within 15 days to assist with the ongoing probe.

Banking Sector Struggles as Non-Performing Loans Hit 6%

The banking system is currently grappling with a significant surge in Non-Performing Loans (NPL), which have climbed from approximately 3% to nearly 6% of total lending. Out of the total investment of Rs 5.869 trillion, roughly 6% is now classified as inactive, creating immense pressure on financial stability. During the third quarter of the current fiscal year, the average NPL for commercial banks rose to 5.22%, while national-level development banks saw their average reach 5.96%. High-stress cases include NIC Asia Bank, Prabhu Bank, and Nepal Investment Mega Bank, with some NPL ratios exceeding 8%. This trend is forcing banks to increase provisioning, which directly impacts profitability and places significant pressure on capital adequacy ratios.

Mount Everest Power Opens IPO for Locals and Migrant Workers

Mount Everest Power Development Limited opened its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on Thursday. In the first phase, the company is issuing 860,000 units at Rs 100 per share for residents of Solukhumbu district. Of this, 344,000 units are reserved for Solududhkunda Municipality Wards 1 and 2, while 516,000 units are for other wards. Additionally, 172,000 units are available for Nepalis employed abroad with valid work permits. Investors can apply for a minimum of 10 units and a maximum of 10,000 units through NIMB S Capital.

Sopan Pharmaceuticals Allots IPO to 3.47 Lakh Applicants

The IPO allotment of Sopan Pharmaceuticals was completed on Thursday at the office of its sales manager, NMB Capital. Out of 2,730,987 applicants, 347,490 individuals were successfully allotted 10 shares each through a lottery system. The company had issued 3,474,900 units worth Rs 347.4 million to the general public. Results are now accessible via the websites of NMB Capital, Mero Share, and CDSC.

Gold, Silver Prices Drop in the Market Today

The prices of both gold and silver have fallen in the market today (Thursday). According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has decreased by Rs 1800 per tola (11.66 grams) today. According to the details released by the Federation, the price of gold has been fixed at Rs 292,700 per tola today. Earlier on Wednesday, gold was traded at Rs 294,500 per tola. Along with gold, the price of silver has also seen a decline today. Silver, which was traded at Rs 4,915 per tola on Wednesday, has fallen by Rs 105 today to Rs 4,810.