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:

Govt. urges Saudi to Suspend Skill Verification Program

Minister for Youth, Labour, and Employment Ramjee Yadav has urged the Saudi Arabian government to immediately suspend its newly introduced Skill Verification Program (SVP) for Nepali migrant workers, warning that it is disrupting visa processing. During a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Fahd bin Mohammed bin Mnikhr, Yadav called for technical and procedural issues related to the program to be resolved through bilateral consultation. The ambassador assured Nepal that further updates would be provided after consultations with the Saudi government.

Govt. Collects 75.17% of Annual Revenue Target with 19 Days Left

The government has collected Rs 1.112 trillion, or 75.17 percent, of its Rs 1.480 trillion annual revenue target, with 19 days remaining in the current fiscal year. It must raise an additional Rs 367.51 billion, averaging Rs 19.34 billion per day, to meet the goal. Tax revenue has reached Rs 1.10 trillion and non tax revenue Rs 102.32 billion, while grants stand at Rs 24.11 billion. Government expenditure has climbed to Rs 1.404 trillion, or 71.53 percent of the annual budget, with capital spending at only 34.87 percent of its allocation.

Salyan Health Facilities Face Free Medicine Shortage for 3 months

Public hospitals and health facilities across Salyan have been facing a shortage of government-supplied free medicines for the past three months, forcing patients with chronic illnesses to purchase medicines from private pharmacies. The shortage includes medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, mental illness, and family planning, affecting health institutions across the district, including Salyan District Hospital. Health officials said the provincial government has yet to supply the medicines, disrupting treatment for patients who depend on free medication. Officials warned that financially vulnerable patients are being deprived of regular treatment because they cannot afford to buy medicines. According to the Salyan Health Service Office, the provincial government has not delivered the 98 types of medicines normally supplied to government hospitals, leaving health facilities unable to provide essential drugs to patients.

Road Division Commences Process To Terminate 16 Delinquent Road Contracts

The Road Division Office in Jumla has initiated the formal process to simultaneously terminate 16 chronically stagnant road construction contracts along the Karnali Highway. According to a 15-day public notice issued by authorities, the affected projects include 12 in Kalikot, three in Jumla, and one in Mugu, all originally signed between fiscal years 2017/18 and 2025/26. Despite repeated written and verbal directives, the construction companies showed no progress. Consequently, the office is confiscating performance guarantees, seizing mobilization advances with 10 percent interest, and moving to blacklist the firms under public procurement laws.

Traffic Police Collect Rs 2.1 Million Revenue

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office penalized 2,102 drivers for violating traffic regulations within the past 24 hours, collecting more than Rs 2.1 million in state revenue. According to authorities, action was taken against 89 individuals for drunk driving, 108 for illegal ride-sharing, 99 for traffic light violations, and 83 for speeding. Additionally, 59 drivers were booked for lane discipline violations, 100 for honking in restricted zones, two for driving under the influence of drugs, 78 for one-way violations, and 1,484 for other infractions.

Morang Records Over 103K Metric Tons Rice Production

Spring rice production in Morang increased by 2,196 metric tons this year, reaching a total of 103,570.60 metric tons compared to 101,374.10 metric tons last year. Data from the Agriculture Knowledge Center Morang shows cultivation expanded from 17,755 hectares to 17,857 hectares, boosting productivity from 5.71 to 5.80. However, due to a lack of storage facilities, farmers faced financial losses as market prices dropped drastically from up to Rs 2,700 per quintal last year down to Rs 2,000 per quintal this season.

Smart Bus Park Begins Operation in Dharan at a Cost of Rs 248 Million

The Smart Bus Park in Ward 8 of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City officially began operations on Saturday, aiming to improve public transportation services and ease traffic congestion. Constructed through 50-50 cost sharing between the federal government and Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, the project was completed at a cost of Rs 248.6 million on a 9,142.98-square-meter site. The facility can accommodate 38 buses, 18 jeeps, 60 autos, 72 two-wheelers, and several cars. The bus park includes a passenger waiting lounge for about 300 people, ticket counters, ATM booths, CCTV surveillance, public toilets, a first-aid room, a mini-mart, 18 commercial shutters, and a dedicated station for 22 autos. Officials said the new facility is expected to make Dharan’s public transportation system more organized, safer, and more passenger-friendly.

Nighttime Traffic Ban Imposed on Dhulikhel-Khawa Road for 15 Days

The District Security Committee has imposed a nighttime traffic ban on the Dhulikhel-Khawa section of the Araniko Highway for 15 days, from July 6 to July 20, to expedite road upgrading and blacktopping work. Under the decision, tippers and heavy freight trucks will be barred from using the section throughout the period, while all other passenger and cargo vehicles will be prohibited from 7 PM to 5 AM each day. Ambulances and other essential service vehicles will be exempt. The committee said the restrictions were scheduled after the end of the fiscal year to minimize disruption to the transport of construction materials. Motorists have been urged to use alternative routes where possible, while district authorities will coordinate traffic management with neighboring districts during the closure.

Bird Flu Spreads to 82 Locations Across 11 Districts

Bird flu has been confirmed in 82 locations across 11 districts, with the H5N1 outbreak spreading rapidly in the Kathmandu Valley over the past three months, according to the Department of Livestock Services. Since the first case was detected in Morang in March, authorities have culled 569,858 birds and destroyed 989,313 eggs and 1,954.85 quintals of feed. While the outbreak has been contained in several districts, infections remain active in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kavrepalanchowk. The Department has activated a control room, deployed technical teams, and begun virus gene sequencing to monitor possible mutations.

Dragon Fruit Festival Generates Over Rs 1.8 Million Business

A three-day dragon fruit festival in Hetauda recorded transactions worth over Rs 1.8 million within its first two days, ending on Saturday. Jointly organized by the Bagmati Province Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, and the Provincial Agricultural Wholesale Market, the event facilitated the sale of 3,500 kilograms of fruit on the first day and 4,500 kilograms on the second day. The festival aimed to promote local organic produce, establish direct producer-consumer links, and provide free technical consultations to aspiring farmers regarding soil preparation and disease management.