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 Absorbs Rs 30 Billion Today

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) intervened in the domestic financial market today, Wednesday, executing a structural deposit auction to pull Rs 30 billion in excess liquidity out of the banking sector. Commercial banks and financial institutions finalized their credit bids through an automated competitive window. Under the open market operational guidelines, participating class ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ banking institutions placed bids starting at a Rs 10 crore minimum threshold. This short-term liquidity management instrument carries a formal 56-day maturity period, setting the principal and interest settlement date for July 29.

NEPSE Rises by 2.66 Points with Rs 5.738 Billion Turnover

On Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) posted a marginal gain of 2.66 points, closing at 2,780.25 points, up 0.09 percent from the previous session. The sensitive index also rose by 1.93 points to 475.44 points. A total of 13.52 million shares of 347 companies were traded through 62,148 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 5.738 billion, higher than the previous two sessions. Of the listed companies, 149 advanced, 116 declined, and 6 remained unchanged. Out of 13 sectoral indices, seven closed higher, led by gains in non-life insurance and life insurance groups, while commercial banks and finance indices declined.

NRB Issues New Disclosure Rules for Payment Systems

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) issued a new regulatory directive under the Payment and Settlement Act, 2019, enforcing strict financial transparency rules for payment system operators. The directive orders companies to submit complete legal profiles of any beneficial owners or shareholders holding more than 5 percent or Rs 5 million in equity. Corporations must file detailed background disclosures during executive appointments or if beneficial ownership interests exceed 5 percent or Rs 2.5 million. Financial executives must provide personal tax records, domestic asset declarations, conflict of interest statements, and explicit self-declarations regarding credit blacklists and past criminal history.

Japan Extends ¥5.7 Billion Loan for Nagdhunga Tunnel Project

Japan has extended an additional loan of JPY 5.7 billion (about Rs 5.5 billion) for the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project, raising total assistance to JPY 22.336 billion. The Exchange of Notes was signed by Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru and Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya. The support addresses cost overruns due to rising construction expenses. Japan had initially pledged JPY 16.636 billion in 2016. Construction of Nepal’s first road tunnel, started in 2019, has faced major geological challenges, including flooding and collapses, requiring close Nepal–Japan technical coordination. The project is expected to improve connectivity and boost economic activity upon completion, while also enhancing technology transfer and marking 70 years of Nepal–Japan diplomatic relations.

Grain Shipments Through Birgunj Customs Drop by 15%

The Birgunj Customs Office reported that food grain imports during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year hit Rs 20.79 billion. Trade data reveals a 15 percent decline in cargo value, marking a Rs 3.87 billion drop compared to the Rs 24.66 billion imported during the same period last year. Bulk imports across 16 food grain varieties included paddy shipments valued at Rs 10.94 billion, maize imports worth Rs 5.31 billion, and processed rice shipments totaling Rs 2.85 billion. Additionally, customs officials logged malt imports worth Rs 590 million alongside buckwheat and millet shipments valued at Rs 330 million.

Ministry of Finance Adjusts Custom Exemption Caps

The Ministry of Finance issued an official gazette notification increasing the duty-free custom limit on personal goods brought through land border checkpoints from Rs 100 up to Rs 500. Under the revised custom regulations, border chiefs have the authority to waive import duties on personal items if they fall within the new Rs 500 threshold. The custom revision follows local business protests after previous rules enforced a strict Rs 100 limit. Dedicated custom guidelines for Nepalese students studying in India remain unchanged, allowing them to import one laptop or tablet duty-free.

Government Enforces Strict Quality Ban on Indian Mango Imports

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development enforced a total ban on Indian mango shipments after border inspectors discovered severe chemical pesticide levels in import stock. The Bhithamod Quarantine Office confirmed that import blocks have been active since April/May, aligning with federal agriculture policies to make local orchards self-sufficient. Trade logs indicate that prior to the ban, the terminal imported 15.8 metric tons of mangoes valued at Rs 1 million. Regional projections suggest Madhesh Province will generate 400,000 metric tons of fruit valued at Rs 40.4 billion across 30,800 hectares this season.

Problematic Committee Seeks Public Info on Hidden Cooperative Assets

The Problematic Cooperative Management Committee has published a list of directors from 23 “troubled” cooperatives, urging the public to report any assets these individuals may have hidden under the names of family, relatives, or associates. The committee warned directors to settle their liabilities, recover loans, and cooperate regularly with the committee to refund savers. Failure to comply will result in legal action. Affected parties are also advised to contact the committee’s office if any published details are incorrect.

Regulatory Guidelines Enforce Strict Ownership Disclosures for Payment Systems

Nepal Rastra Bank issued a new regulatory directive under the Payment and Settlement Act, 2019, enforcing strict financial transparency rules for payment system operators. The directive orders companies to submit complete legal profiles of any beneficial owners or shareholders holding more than 5 percent or Rs 5 million in equity. Corporations must file detailed background disclosures during executive appointments or if beneficial ownership interests exceed 5 percent or Rs 2.5 million. Financial executives must provide personal tax records, domestic asset declarations, conflict of interest statements, and explicit self-declarations regarding credit blacklists and past criminal history.

Real Estate Revenue Experience 15% Increase Driven by Reclassification

The Department of Land Management and Archive reported that real estate transaction revenue grew by 15 percent during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, driven by systematic land plot classification. Total real estate transactions climbed from 1.2 million up to 1.3 million instances. Total revenue collections climbed by Rs 5.77 billion, bringing in Rs 43.53 billion compared to the Rs 37.76 billion collected over the same period last year. Financial experts attributed the revenue growth to a 10 percent to 15 percent upward valuation adjustment applied across property zones within the Kathmandu Valley.

Tanahun Hydropower Project’s Main Dam Reaches 50% Completion

Construction of the 140-meter-high main dam under Package 1 of the Tanahun Hydropower Project in Rishing Rural Municipality of Tanahun has reached 50 percent completion, officials said. The project, which began on 20 March 2025, has so far used 424,120 cubic meters of concrete out of the required 850,000 cubic meters, according to Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari. Under Package-1, being executed by the Song Da–Kalika JV, overall physical progress has reached 59 percent. Construction of tunnels and other associated structures has already been completed, while the Seti River has been diverted for dam works. Temporary upstream and downstream coffer dams have also been completed, marking steady progress on one of Nepal’s key hydropower projects expected to boost the country’s energy sector.

Mustang Tourism Inbound Volumes Witness Rapid Growth Over 5 Months

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project office in Jomsom reported that 142,000 foreign tourists visited Mustang during the first five months of 2026. Immigration check-ins from January to May registered 129,341 travelers from SAARC nations alongside 13,398 international visitors from other regions. Arrival figures climbed compared to the 55,753 baseline recorded over the same period last year. In May 2026 alone, 65,994 tourists traveled through the region, with Indian pilgrims making up 91 percent of the total arrivals and over 80 percent heading directly to the Muktinath temple site.

Handicraft Federation Welcomes Strategic Customs Relief in Annual Budget

The Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal issued an official statement welcoming the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 budget, noting that its tax simplification policies will protect local small craft workshops. Industry representatives highlighted the budget’s strategic decision to slash import tariffs across 273 types of industrial raw materials and abolish domestic excise taxes on 360 distinct goods. Financial adjustments lowering the maximum personal income tax rate from 39 percent to 29 percent will directly lower production costs for small enterprises. However, the federation noted that the national trade strategy still fails to classify 36 specific craft categories and 83 separate product lines.

Flydubai Executives Execute Technical Evaluation at Pokhara International Airport

A technical delegation from Flydubai, led by the vice president of risk management, conducted a six-hour site safety inspection at Pokhara International Airport to prepare for scheduled international flights. The evaluation team audited the airport’s runway infrastructure, navigation equipment, airfield security systems, and terminal baggage zones alongside the ground management team. Following the inspection, corporate executives expressed strong interest in setting up direct daily flights linking Pokhara to Dubai. The sister airline of Emirates would link Pokhara’s aviation infrastructure to a global network spanning 300 international destination hubs.

FY 2026/27 Budget Can Reshape Economy if Implemented Effectively: CNI

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has said the government’s fiscal year 2026/27 budget has the potential to set a new direction for Nepal’s economy if implemented effectively. In a statement, CNI said the budget’s focus on industrial promotion, duty cuts on 273 items, and removal of excise duties on 360 items will reduce costs, boost domestic production, and attract investment. It also welcomed measures on VAT refunds, tax dispute settlement, income tax threshold revision, and financial reforms aimed at easing business operations and improving investor confidence. CNI further highlighted provisions on energy tariff reforms, industrial zones, green financing, and project approvals as positive steps, while urging stronger implementation to achieve the government’s 7 percent growth target.

Valley Traffic Penalizes 1,299 Drivers, Collects Rs 2.3 Million in 24 Hours

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office reported that coordinated road enforcement operations over the last 24 hours penalized 1,299 motorists for committing vehicle safety violations, raising Rs 2.3 million for the state treasury. Daily enforcement logs show that traffic units penalized 119 drivers for operating under the influence, 160 for running unauthorized ride-sharing trips, 134 for skipping traffic signals, and 118 for speeding. Additional logged safety infractions include 114 lane discipline violations, 94 illegal horn offenses, 120 sidewalk parking tickets, and 144 one-way street violations.

Police Return 41 Recovered Two-Wheelers to Owners

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office held an official handover ceremony at its Baggikhana premises today, Wednesday, to return 41 stolen two-wheelers to their rightful owners. The returned assets, consisting of motorcycles and scooters, were stolen from various locations across the Kathmandu Valley and successfully tracked down by enforcement units over the past month. Upon receiving their recovered vehicles, the owners expressed their appreciation by presenting traditional garlands to the traffic police personnel.

Mahanagar Yatayat Adds 16 Chinese Electric Buses

Shashila Motors formally delivered 16 new electric buses to Mahanagar Yatayat in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Imported from China, each 33-seat transit vehicle features a 144-kilowatt CATL battery capable of traveling 200 kilometers on a single full charge. Company officials stated during the launch event that electric models are vital for future mass transit expansion. This new delivery expands the operator’s total active clean-energy fleet to 52 vehicles, which now includes 28 city buses and 24 micro-buses.

Gold Traded at Rs 311,300, Silver at Rs 5,405 Today

The price of gold has remained stable in the Nepali market today, while the price of silver has decreased. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold is trading today at Rs 311,300 per tola (11.66 grams). It was traded at the same price on Tuesday as well. Meanwhile, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 35 per tola today. On Wednesday, silver is trading at Rs 5,370 per tola. It had traded at Rs 5,405 on Tuesday.