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 Decreases by Minor Point, Transactions Hit Rs 2.45 Billion

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) declined marginally by 1.03 points on Monday, closing at 2,730.91, a drop of 0.03 percent from the previous trading session. Despite the overall fall, the sensitive index rose by 0.50 points to 468.05, while float and sensitive float indices also saw slight gains. A total of 5,828,604 shares were traded through 43,309 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 2.45 billion across 339 companies. Market activity was mixed, with 119 companies gaining, 132 declining, and 18 remaining unchanged. Sector-wise, development banks and commercial banks posted gains, while insurance, manufacturing, and microfinance groups mostly declined.

Economic Census Records 87.08% Progress

The National Statistics Office announced that 87.08 percent of data collection has been completed for the second National Economic Census, 2026. During a press conference in Thapathali on Monday, officials stated that the field survey, which commenced on April 15, will conclude on June 21. Field enumerators have distributed over 800,000 physical forms and 10,000 e-Census tokens nationwide. The data aims to strengthen Gross Domestic Product (GDP) assessments, update statistical sample frames, and provide local governments with realistic data infrastructure for socio-economic planning. Media operators used the forum to appeal for laxer municipal tax regimes to help struggling local networks.

Gold Traders Urge Customs Increase as Prices Hit Rs 294,800

Following India’s recent decision to hike its gold import duties to 15 percent comprising a 10 percent basic customs tariff and a 5 percent agricultural infrastructure fee, the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations urged the government to increase local customs to 16 percent. The USA-bound outflows drove India to spend Rs 71 billion on gold imports in 2025-26, making it their second-largest import expense. To prevent cross-border smuggling along open borders due to price gaps, local traders feel tariff alignment is vital. On Monday, 24-karat gold traded at Rs 294,800 per tola (11.66 grams) in Nepal, compared to Rs 296,222 in India. Currently, Nepal’s commercial banks hold a reserve of 105.5 kg of gold.

Self-Employment Fund Must Recover Rs 66.68 Crore in Overdue Loans

The 63rd Annual Report of the Auditor General, released in 2026, revealed that the Youth and Small Entrepreneur Self-Employment Fund must recover Rs 666.8 million in cumulative defaults across 432 cooperative societies. Under the Self-Employment Fund Rules, 2020, loans carry a five-year agreement with a 42-month repayment window, where defaults trigger a 2 percent interest penalty. By July 16, 2025, the total principal outstanding reached Rs 2.339 billion. Out of this, the specific unrecovered financial breakdown consists of Rs 579.7 million in overdue principal, Rs 84.6 million in accumulated interest, and Rs 20.3 million in accrued fines.

Foreign Investment Pledges Drop to Just 14%

The 63rd Annual Report of the Auditor General highlighted a widening gap between approved and actual Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in Nepal. In the fiscal year 2024/25, a staggering Rs 79.69 billion in investment proposals was greenlit from 1,009 foreign investors. However, only 97 investors actually brought in funds, totaling a mere Rs 11.30 billion, or 14 percent of the pledged amount. This downward trend has worsened from fiscal year 2022/23, when 28 percent of pledges, Rs 9.2 billion out of Rs 32.48 billion, materialized. The audit recommends urgent policy stability and administrative simplification to convert commitments into real financial inflows.

Gen Z Protests Drop Tourism Sector Profits by 75.89%

The third-quarter financial results of the fiscal year 2025/26 show a severe downturn for Nepal’s hospitality sector, with total industry profits plunging by 75.89 percent to Rs 261.8 million, down from Rs 1.08 billion last year. Decreased operating income and tourist disruptions from the recent Gen Z protests severely crippled hotel activities. Taragaon Regency suffered an Rs 144.8 million loss, a steep drop from its prior Rs 337.5 million profit. Chandragiri Hills lost Rs 9.3 million, and City Hotel experienced a Rs 138.7 million deficit. Conversely, Kalinchowk Darshan bucked trends, rising 314 percent to earn Rs 49.6 million, while Soaltee Hotel grew 12.18 percent to register Rs 550.7 million in net profit.

Land Revenue Collections Rise to Rs 6.263 Billion Last Month

Real estate transactions across the country showed a steady rebound, driving a rise in land revenue collection over one month, from April 14 to May 14, 2026. Nationwide revenue increased to Rs 6.263 billion, up from Rs 6.165 billion in the previous period, from March 15 to April 13, 2026. According to data from the Department of Land Management and Archive, the latest collection includes Rs 344 million from service fees, Rs 3.319 billion from registration fees, and Rs 2.552 billion from capital gains taxes. In addition, the Chief Minister’s Cleanliness Campaign Fund collected Rs 44.8 million. The figures also reflect a continued upward trend compared to Rs 4.149 billion collected between February 13 and March 14, 2026.

Karnali Province Arrears Expand to Rs 4.735 Billion Despite Fiscal Rules

The 63rd Annual Report of the Auditor General revealed that accumulated arrears in Karnali Province surged to Rs 4.735 billion. Financial irregularities accelerated from 1.22 percent in fiscal year 2023/24 to 2.08 percent in 2024/25, the second-highest rate among provinces after Madhesh Province at 3.77 percent. During the last audit cycle, an additional Rs 773.5 million in arrears was recorded across 137 provincial offices following a review of Rs 37.198 billion in spending. The province also exhibited weak execution capacity, spending only 63.67 percent of its Rs 31.41 billion budget, highlighting poor financial performance.

Budget Allocation of Rs 1.16 Billion Confirmed for Five Rolpa Projects

The government has granted multi-year source approvals for five major road and motorable bridge construction projects in the Rolpa district, securing a total budget infrastructure package of Rs 1.16 billion. The infrastructure scheme covers critical regional transit corridors, including Rs 792.9 million earmarked for the Mirul-Chherlabang road section along the Shahid Marga. Allocation limits for motorable bridges comprise Rs 119.7 million for Tarkebang, Rs 67.2 million for the Hungari River, Rs 100 million for Pachhabang, and Rs 80.5 million for the Lalubang Bojheng River site. Each bridge project received an initial disbursement of Rs 30 million for the current fiscal year to initiate immediate bidding and contract signings.

Inland Revenue Office Hetauda Collects Rs 5.926 Billion in 10 Months

The Inland Revenue Office in Hetauda, Makwanpur, collected Rs 5.926 billion in revenue during the first 10 months (July 17, 2025, to May 14, 2026) of the current fiscal year 2025/26. Driven by intensified tax recovery drives and market monitoring, collections rose by Rs 3.4 million compared to fiscal year 2024/25. The revenue breakdown up to May 14 includes Rs 3.456 billion in excise duty, Rs 1.02 billion in income tax, and Rs 8.2 million in value-added tax. Additionally, health risk tax yielded Rs 5.1 million, interest tax brought Rs 683,770, and rent tax added Rs 159,880, steering towards the annual target of Rs 8.44 billion.

Malaysian Embassy Defies Open Competition Rules for Health Pledges

The Malaysian Embassy in Nepal issued a public notice stating that medical check-ups for departing migrant workers will be restricted to 36 designated clinics via the Bio-Medical System (BMS). The directive directly challenges the Ministry of Labor’s recent anti-syndicate policy, which opened up the recruitment grid to all qualified facilities. Following an official decree on March 31, at least 53 medical institutions, including two government hospitals, had applied to participate. However, the embassy reiterated that under the October 2018 labor pact, only the original 36 clinics are certified to process workers for a standard Rs 3,000 service fee, managed via Macro Tech and Bestinet Sdn Bhd.

Israel Opens Intake for 2,300 Nepali Caregivers via G2G Channel

The Department of Foreign Employment announced that Israel is preparing to recruit an additional 2,300 Nepali assistant workers (caregivers) for its long-term care centers under the government-to-government (G2G) mechanism. The recruitment drive was previously put on hold due to House of Representatives elections in Nepal and escalating military tensions in West Asia. According to the bilateral agreement, the formal notice must be issued within 40 days of receiving the demand letter from the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) in Jerusalem. Eligible applicants must be aged 25 to 45, weigh at least 45 kg, and possess specialized nursing training or secondary education with official caregiver certification.

NADEP Boards Decide No Dividend Disclosures for Shareholders

The Board of Directors of NADEP Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha held a meeting on May 15 and formally decided not to distribute any dividends to its shareholders for the current period. Leaving its investors empty-handed, the microfinance institution opted to retain its earnings within the company rather than allocating cash or bonus shares. This financial strategy mirrors capital conservation trends across the microfinance sector during challenging economic quarters. The decision remains subject to formal evaluation during the company’s upcoming annual general meeting, where financial sheets will be presented.

Wijaya Microfinance Holds Board Meeting to Skip Dividend Payouts

In a consecutive blow to microfinance investors, the Board of Directors of Vijaya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha convened on May 14 and resolved to skip dividend distributions for shareholders this time. The decision means investors will receive zero returns on their equity holdings from the company’s recent profits. Similar to other financial institutions facing a squeeze on operational liquidity, the microfinance company chose to bypass profit-sharing mechanisms to buffer its internal reserves. The resolution will be pushed forward for final approval in the institution’s next general assembly.

Gold Price Rises Today, Silver Declines

Gold prices in the market increased on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold rose by Rs 800 per tola (11.66 grams). The price of hallmark gold has been set at Rs 294,800 per tola on this day. On Sunday, hallmark gold was traded at Rs 294,000 per tola. Meanwhile, the price of silver decreased by Rs 20 per tola. Silver is currently being traded at Rs 5,040 per tola. On Sunday, silver was traded at Rs 5,060 per tola.