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 Invites Bids for Rs 100 Billion Deposit Collection

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) issued a Wednesday notice inviting licensed Class ‘A’, Class ‘B’, and Class ‘C’ bank and financial institution entities to participate in a deposit collection auction worth Rs 100 billion. Bidders must specify their desired deposit amount and proposed interest rate up to four decimal places. The minimum bidding amount is set at Rs 100 million. The total bidding amount must be perfectly divisible by Rs 50 million up to the total called amount. This liquidity management measure allows eligible financial organizations to systematically deposit excess funds within the regulatory framework of NRB today July 15.

NEPSE Rises 14 Points, Turnover Drops to Rs 4 Billion

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 14 points on Wednesday to close at 2,590.29, with share prices of 191 companies advancing, 64 declining, and 19 remaining unchanged. Despite the market’s gains, trading turnover fell sharply to Rs 4.17 billion, down from Rs 8.41 billion on Tuesday. Most sector indices ended higher, led by the development banking sector, which rose 1.37 percent. Narayani Development Bank was the top gainer, climbing 8.40 percent, while Upakar Laghubitta posted the biggest loss, falling 7.32 percent.

SEBON Unveils Policy and Programs for FY 2026/27

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) released its official policy and programs for the fiscal year 2026/27 on its corporate website. The comprehensive plan features 15 capital market initiatives, highlighted by the operational restructuring of NEPSE and CDSC alongside launching a unified investor data portal. Regulatory reforms will thoroughly revise initial public offering (IPO) issuance limits and allocation quotas, effectively removing the six-month lock-in period for mutual funds. Additionally, the country’s financial regulator will introduce a specialized SME platform for companies with under Rs 250 million paid-up capital, launch intraday trading, and automate government bond trading.

Annual Revenue Collection Exceeds Rs 1 Trillion

The Financial Comptroller General Office recorded national revenue collection surpassing Rs 1.2 trillion one day prior to the closing of the fiscal year. This represents a 2.12 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year’s total of Rs 1.178 trillion. Although the intake fell short of the annual budget target of Rs 1.48 trillion, the government successfully amassed Rs 1.087 trillion in tax revenue and Rs 116 billion in non-tax revenue. Furthermore, foreign grants generated Rs 30.7 billion against a Rs 53 billion target.

Procurement Act Amendment Ends Low Bidding Practice

The Government of Nepal has revised the Public Procurement Act 2006 through a second amendment certified by President Ram Chandra Paudel on July 9, eliminating the practice of awarding contracts to the lowest bidder. Instead, contracts will target bidders closest to the average bid amount without exceeding cost estimates. Key provisions include reducing national bid notice periods to 21 days, mandating social security enrollment for workers, introducing a government e-marketplace, and imposing criminal charges for misuse of mobilization advances. The Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal welcomed the reform.

Tax Offices Mandated to Collect TDS From Transport Workers

The Inland Revenue Department has instructed the Department of Transport Management to enforce mandatory tax deduction at source (TDS) on salaries paid to transport workers. Under the Income Tax Act 2002, transport operators must maintain annual salary records for drivers, co-drivers, and helpers. Moving forward, transport offices will require proof of TDS submission before registering or renewing public service vehicles. This regulatory measure aims to integrate a large segment of informal transport workers into the formal tax system and systematically boost national revenue collection.

NOC Sets Full Cylinder Price at Rs 2,060

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has instructed LPG industrialists to resume filling cylinders to the standard weight of 14.2 kilograms, effective today. According to NOC spokesperson Manoj Thakur, the directive follows supply improvements at loading points and refineries of Indian Oil. The retail price for the full cylinder is set at Rs 2,060. Previously, NOC ordered the distribution of half-weight cylinders at 7.1 kilograms on March 13 to manage distribution challenges during a period of supply shortages.

Nationwide Paddy Plantation Reachs 54.52%

At least 54.52 percent of nationwide paddy plantation by mid-July, according to data from the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment. Out of 1,370,062 hectares of total arable land, cultivation reached 746,960.63 hectares, trailing behind last year’s 59.28 percent. Sudurpashchim Province led production at 87.8 percent out of 154,950 hectares, while Madhesh Province recorded the lowest rate at 32.8 percent out of 385,933 hectares. Meanwhile, Koshi Province showed progress, expanding to 54.9 percent out of 276,387 hectares, compared to 41.32 percent recorded on July 13. Additionally, plantation hit 65.9 percent in Gandaki Province, 60.2 percent in Karnali Province, 59.6 percent in Lumbini Province, and 57.1 percent in Bagmati Province.

New York to Host Nepal-US Business Summit

The Greater New York Nepali Chamber of Commerce announced it will host the Nepali American Business and Investment Summit 2026 from September 25 to September 27, 2026. Organized with support from the Consulate General of Nepal in New York at the New York JFK Marriott Hotel, the three-day event will focus on tourism, hydropower, information technology, agriculture, infrastructure, and startups. The summit aligns with the United Nations (UN) General Assembly high-level week and Climate Week NYC 2026, facilitating global networking, startup showcases, and strategic policy dialogues to promote bilateral trade.

17 Madhesh Local Governments Fail to Publish Budgets

Seventeen local government units in Madhesh Province have failed to present their budgets for the current fiscal year, missing the constitutionally mandated deadline of June 24. Out of 136 local units, 119 successfully entered their budget details on the ministry website, while 17 remain unrecorded. Parsa District has the highest number of non-compliant administrations with six rural municipalities missing, followed by five in Rautahat District, four in Dhanusha District, and two in Siraha District. Political disagreements and administrative disputes historically cause these delays.

Government’s Contract Employees Stage Sit-In Against Outsourcing Plan

Contract employees from 18 ministries staged a sit-in outside Singha Durbar on Wednesday, protesting what they said is the government’s plan to replace contract positions with an outsourcing system. The protesters said the proposed move would put the jobs of thousands of long-serving contract employees at risk and urged the government to withdraw the decision. They also called on the government to ensure job security for employees currently serving under contract arrangements and halt the implementation of the proposed outsourcing system.

Local Unit Distributes Scholarship Funds Worth Millions

Phaktanglung Rural Municipality of Taplejung District has distributed scholarships to 135 students pursuing higher education. For four years, the country’s local unit has supported students in grades 11, 12, and bachelor’s levels. Under the leadership of Rajan Limbu, local administration allocated a budget of over Rs 1.9 million during the current fiscal year 2025/26 to fund this educational scheme. According to Limbu, this financial assistance helps revitalize the academic journeys of students who had previously suspended their studies due to various difficulties.

Over Rs 250K Invested in Tatopani Embankment Projects

Five agricultural infrastructure projects implemented by Tatopani Rural Municipality have directly benefited 701 farmers following a collective investment of over Rs 250,000. Launched in mid-April this year, the cost-sharing initiative with the Local Adaptation Plan for Action successfully restored arable lands devastated by severe 2022 floods. The completed schemes include the Dhaulapani Irrigation Scheme, which benefited 257 farmers, alongside the Haku Marshi Paddy Field Protection, Panikhola Source Protection, Bataghatt Embankment, and Ramijiulo Embankment. The environmental management projects successfully rehabilitated vulnerable agricultural zones across eight wards of the local unit before final project payments.

Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Bans Riverbed Material Sales

Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City has banned the sale and transportation of riverbed materials from its local firms, industries, and companies, effective tomorrow at 12 AM. Issued via a public notice, the local government unit took action to enforce legal provisions requiring crusher and sand industries to submit transaction details and verify final stock balances from the fiscal year 2025/26. This process must be completed before businesses can start operations for the fiscal year 2026/27. The ban on riverbed materials remains in place until further notice.

Vegetable Farmers Dump Tomatoes in Protest in Kathmandu

Vegetable farmers dumped tomatoes on a street at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu on Wednesday, protesting what they described as inadequate government support, unfair market prices, and import-oriented agricultural policies. The protesters said they have been unable to sell their produce at viable prices, making it difficult to recover production costs. They accused the government of failing to address the challenges facing domestic farmers. The farmers demanded the immediate implementation of a minimum support price for agricultural produce, higher production subsidies, reliable access to fertilizer and seeds, improved market management, and greater policy support for domestic agricultural production. They also argued that locally grown vegetables are struggling to compete with lower-priced imported produce under the current policy framework.

Department Penalizes 159 Manpower Agencies for Violations

The Department of Foreign Employment penalized 159 licensed recruitment agencies for sending workers abroad through foreign airports without official approval, violating Section 22 of the Foreign Employment Act 2007. Out of 1,117 registered agencies, only 678 submitted flight logs for workers deployed between April 13 and June 14 this year. The department issued warnings to 156 firms, including Aarambh HR Services, and fined eight repeat offenders Rs 50,000 each on July 10.

Morang Association Reviews Company Bill 2026

The Chamber of Industries Morang, welcomed the government’s newly introduced Company Bill 2026 as a positive step toward digitizing and modernizing corporate law. The organization praised provisions for integrated digital registrations, tax enrollments, and electronic services. However, it urged a review of clauses that increase compliance costs, such as raising minimum paid-up capital for public firms, restricting certain business types to public companies, and requiring public listings within five years. President Nanda Kishor Rathi emphasized that corporate law must balance regulation with investment promotion.

Nepal Fulfills Only 4 Out Of 15 FATF Action Plans

The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the country has successfully completed four out of 15 strategic action plans assigned by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to exit its gray list. The remaining 11 compliance tasks are underway through coordinated efforts among domestic regulatory bodies. A crucial face-to-face review meeting scheduled for September 2026 in Malaysia will thoroughly evaluate this implementation progress. To meet the international standards, regulators including Nepal Rastra Bank, the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), and the Nepal Insurance Authority are actively strengthening risk-based supervision systems to enhance financial transparency.

SEBON To Revise Share Issuance and Allocation Limits

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) announced plans to review share issuance and allocation limits as part of its policy and programs for the upcoming fiscal year. To enhance transparency in the public offerings of organized institutions, the country’s capital market regulator will introduce rules governing institutional investors in initial public offerings (IPOs). Under the new framework, external experts will review financial statements when necessary. Furthermore, companies applying for an IPO will be barred from adding new shareholders, and any recently added shareholders must wait a specified period before public listing.

Gold Traded at Rs 284,800; Silver at Rs 4,415 Today

The domestic bullion market saw an upward trend on Wednesday, with both gold and silver prices registering gains, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of gold increased by Rs 800 per tola (11.66 grams), reaching Rs 284,800. On Tuesday, the precious metal had closed at Rs 284,000 per tola. Similarly, silver became more expensive, climbing by Rs 55 per tola to settle at Rs 4,415, up from Tuesday’s trading price of Rs 4,360 per tola.