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:

Prime Minister Shah Prioritizes Capital Market Reform

Prime Minister Balendra Shah met with capital market stakeholders and regulators to affirm the government’s commitment to the sector as a driver of economic prosperity. Emphasizing entrepreneurship and job creation, Shah advocated for a professional, credible market while maintaining zero tolerance for wrongdoing. Stakeholders proposed comprehensive reforms, including IPO system improvements, enhanced price discovery, and policies to boost daily turnover beyond Rs 30 billion. Key requests included easier credit flow for margin trading, tax adjustments on losses, and increased institutional participation. Regulators noted that the Capital Market Policy 2026/27 and structural amendments for NEPSE are already underway.

First Rail Cargo Service from Kolkata Reaches Biratnagar Today

The Nepal customs yard in Biratnagar received its first rail cargo shipment from the Kolkata port on Monday, marking the first time rail transportation for third-country imports has expanded beyond the Birgunj checkpoint. The train, carrying 40 containers of raw materials for Swastik Oil Industries, utilized the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) to ensure secure transit. This new service, coordinated by authorities including the Nepali Consulate General and the Container Corporation of India Limited, is expected to significantly reduce transit time to approximately 24 hours and lower transportation expenses, thereby strengthening the competitive capacity of industries in eastern Nepal.

NEPSE Increases by 41.70 Points Despite Lower Turnover Today

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 41.70 points, or 1.55 percent, to close at 2,719.24 on Monday, extending gains despite a decline in trading turnover. The Sensitive Index rose 0.90 percent to 472.60, while the float and sensitive float indices also advanced. Shares of 343 companies worth Rs 5.512 billion were traded through 67,155 transactions. Share prices of 239 companies increased, 32 declined, and 5 remained unchanged. All sectoral indices except mutual funds posted gains, with manufacturing and processing and hydropower leading the advance. Ankhu Khola Hydropower topped both turnover and trading volume.

Finance Minister Begins Discussions on Budget Implementation

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has initiated discussions regarding the implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2026/27. Wagle convened a session with secretaries from key ministries at the Finance Ministry’s Subarna Hall to map out the budget’s execution. The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Wagle, includes the participation of National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Gunakar Bhatta and Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya. Secretarial and high-level representatives from various crucial line ministries, including Infrastructure, Industry and Commerce, Agriculture, Health, Education, Foreign Affairs, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Labor, Women and Children, Home Affairs, and Defense, are also in attendance.

Transport Department Services to Remain Disrupted Until July 24

The Department of Transport Management has announced that its services will remain affected until July 24 as it updates its digital system to implement new tax rates and migrate its database. The department said the temporary disruption is necessary to enhance the security, organization, and user-friendliness of its digital platform. The process includes entering and reconciling the new tax rates set by provincial governments, which is expected to take about one week. The department has urged the public to visit transport offices only in cases of urgent need before July 24, advising others to seek transport-related services after the system upgrade is completed.

Government Warns Businesses Against Sale of Substandard and Illicit Goods

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has issued a stern warning for the fiscal year 2026/27 regarding the sale and distribution of unlabeled, substandard, adulterated, and smuggled goods. Following reports of illegal trade in daily essentials, beverages, and clothing across physical and online platforms, the department will intensify market surveillance to uphold consumer rights guaranteed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2018, and the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020. Businesses involved in the supply chain are directed to ensure full regulatory compliance, with officials warning that those endangering consumer health will face maximum legal penalties.

Government Initiates Distribution of 1,250 Metric Tons of DAP Fertilizer

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment successfully initiated the distribution of 1,250 metric tons of DAP fertilizer today. The shipment is part of a larger 30,000 metric ton order procured through a global tender that arrived at Kolkata Port, India, on July 10, 2026. The Agricultural Inputs Company is managing the ongoing logistics to transport the remaining stock to Nepal following the completion of packaging operations at the port.

Bhairahawa Customs Office Collects Rs 105 Billion in Revenue

The Bhairahawa Customs Office collected Rs 105.02 billion in revenue during the fiscal year 2025/26, achieving 92.4 percent of its annual target of Rs 113.67 billion. This performance represents a 13.2 percent increase over the Rs 92.31 billion collected in 2081/82. Automobile imports were the primary revenue driver, accounting for 25 percent of the total collection. For the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27, the office has been assigned an increased target of Rs 122 billion.

Biratnagar Customs Records Exports Worth Rs 88 Billion

Biratnagar Customs Office reported exports of Rs 88.728 billion for the fiscal year 2025/26, while imports reached Rs 241.659 billion. Processed soybean oil remains the top export commodity at Rs 49.988 billion. Although the office achieved 85.56 percent of its revenue target by collecting Rs 35.376 billion, the trade deficit remains significant. Total trade volume saw a 17 percent increase compared to the previous year, with both import and export sectors showing positive growth.

Sudurpashchim Targets Rs 6 Billion GDP by 2030/31

Sudurpashchim Province aims to increase its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to Rs 629.91 billion by the fiscal year 2030/31, as outlined in its Second Periodic Plan (2026/27–2030/31). The plan targets economic growth through significant output increases in the primary (Rs 161.79 billion), secondary (Rs 82.97 billion), and tertiary sectors (Rs 296.44 billion). While the province’s GDP stood at Rs 441.14 billion in the base year 2024/25, authorities project an average annual growth rate of 6.8 percent during the new plan period.

30K Female Entrepreneurs Benefit from Subsidized Loans

The Nepal Rastra Bank reported that 30,000 female entrepreneurs have received loans totaling Rs 29.79 billion under the government’s subsidized credit program. Across all categories, 52,119 borrowers have received a total of Rs 78.25 billion in subsidized loans as of June 14 this year. To support this, the government has provided Rs 39.27 billion in interest subsidies. Agriculture Development Bank leads the disbursement among financial institutions, having provided Rs 10.22 billion to 6,234 beneficiaries.

Real Estate Revenue Reaches Rs 11.9 Billion in a Month

The Department of Land Management and Archive recorded Rs 11.948 billion in revenue from real estate transactions from June 15 to July 16 alone. This figure marks the highest monthly collection for the fiscal year 2025/26. Analysts attribute the surge in transactions to the anticipated increase in capital gains tax effective from July 17. This result represents the highest revenue collection from real estate activities since the Gorkha earthquake and the pandemic era.
Pokhara Inland Revenue Office Collects Rs 7 Billion

The Inland Revenue Office, Pokhara, collected Rs 7.191 billion in revenue during the fiscal year 2025/26, achieving 92.02 percent of its target. This represents an increase of Rs 530 billion compared to the Rs 6.618 billion collected in 2024/25. Income tax contributed the highest share at Rs 3.944 billion, while Value Added Tax (VAT) exceeded targets by achieving 104.10 percent performance. Economic disruptions from external conflicts and internal issues were cited as challenges to achieving full target realization.

Construction Of Rs 5.5 Billion Ratuwa Bridge Progresses Toward Completion

The Department of Roads is constructing an attractive 585-meter-long bridge over the Ratuwa River in Jhapa as part of a three-bridge contract package costing approximately Rs 5.5 billion. The modern arch-steel truss bridge, designed by the Korean firm Sosung, is now over 50 percent complete. Using high-grade imported steel, the project utilizes an advanced fabrication yard in Morang to ensure durability. The new structure, expected to be completed by February 2, 2027, will replace a 50-year-old bridge and sustain traffic for the next 50 years.

Govt. Categorizes Stalled Hydropower Projects for Facilitation

The Nepal Electricity Authority decided to classify stalled hydropower projects into 4 distinct groups based on physical progress and compliance to expedite operations. Group A includes projects meeting all obligations, while Group B covers those delayed by grid connection issues or force majeure. Group C involves projects failing to meet major milestones, and Group D includes terminated licenses. The government will implement monitoring for Group B and initiate contract cancellation processes for Group C projects failing to provide satisfactory progress. This initiative aims to increase transparency and ensure timely project completion across the sector.

Bird Flu Closure Costs Central Zoo Rs 30 Million in Losses

The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, incurred an estimated Rs 30 million in losses after remaining closed for 27 days due to a bird flu outbreak. Following the detection of the virus on June 19, the facility implemented strict sanitation and care protocols before reopening on July 17. Despite an annual income target of Rs 210 million, the zoo faces significant challenges in meeting its financial goals due to the extended closure and reduced visitor volume following the reopening.

Chitwan National Park Distributes Rs 12 Million in Wildlife-Damage Relief

Chitwan National Park distributed Rs 12.9 million as relief to local communities for damages caused by wildlife during the last fiscal year. The compensation covered medical expenses for minor and serious injuries totaling Rs 3 million and Rs 5 million for five fatalities. Additionally, the park provided Rs 2.3 million for livestock loss, Rs 2.1 million for crop damage, and smaller allocations for stored grain, poultry, and infrastructure damage.

Traffic Police in Dhanusha Collect Rs 11 Million in Revenue

The District Traffic Police Office, Dhanusha, collected Rs 11.4 million in revenue during the fiscal year 2025/26. Authorities took action against 12,603 vehicles for traffic violations, compared to the previous fiscal year 2024/25, when 28,538 vehicles were penalized, generating Rs 22.1 million. While there were 1,358 accidents in 2025/26 resulting in 82 deaths and 2,198 injuries, police noted that increased traffic awareness and regular monitoring have helped reduce the overall mortality rate despite a slight rise in total accidents.

2 Foreign Women Arrested in Thamel with Cocaine Worth Rs 149 Million

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of the Nepal Police has arrested two foreign women, 62-year-old Colombian national Joneth Garzon Caicedo and 37-year-old Indian national Rebecca Pulle from Thamel, Kathmandu, with 4.258 kilograms of cocaine boasting an estimated market value of Rs. 149 million. According to NCB Co-Spokesperson DSP Jeeban Niraula, the Colombian woman arrived in Nepal on July 15 via a Qatar Airways flight from Colombia through Doha, concealing the contraband in a false bottom of her suitcase, while the Indian woman had traveled to Nepal specifically to receive the drug delivery. Investigators highlighted that the smugglers employed a sophisticated new smuggling technique where liquid cocaine was mixed with silicone and molded into the shape and size of clothing to evade detection.

Gold Traded at Rs 284,600; Silver at Rs 4,320 Today

Gold and silver prices experienced a slight increase in the domestic market today. Compared to the previous day, the price of gold has risen by Rs. 600 per tola (11.66 grams), while silver has become dearer by Rs. 80 per tola. According to the local market rates, the price of gold has been fixed at Rs. 284,600 per tola today. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold has reached Rs. 244,000. On the previous day, gold was traded at Rs. 284,000 per tola. Meanwhile, the price of silver has reached Rs. 4,320 per tola. On the preceding day, silver was traded at Rs. 4,240 per tola.