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 Liquidity from Financial System

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) absorbed Rs 30 billion from the financial system on Monday, using a 179-day deposit collection instrument to manage excess liquidity. Licensed Class A, B, and C financial institutions participated in the online competitive bidding process, where interest rates were determined based on lowest-bid priorities. Participating entities submitted bids starting at a minimum of Rs 100 million, with total principal and interest settlements scheduled for January 22, 2027.

NEPSE Drops 33.28 Points with Rs 6.08 Billion Turnover

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped by 33.28 points, closing at 2,701.32 points on Monday. During the trading session, 13,925,337 shares of 360 companies were traded across 69,803 transactions, generating a total turnover of Rs 6.08 billion. Share prices of 36 companies increased, while 234 declined and 5 remained stable. Reliance Spinning Mills led the turnover with Rs 338.6 million, and Global IME Bank recorded the highest volume with 1,089,231 shares traded, closing at Rs 255 per share.

Finance Minister Conducts Unannounced Inspection at SEBON

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle made an unannounced visit to the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) on Monday as the secondary market index fell by 33.28 points to close at 2701.32 points. The high-level visit follows the recent appointment of Board Chairman Gopal Bhatta, whom the finance minister previously instructed to provide weekly operational updates following the rollout of the board’s ten-year capital market development roadmap. Market participants continue to monitor regulatory interventions after recent discussions held by Prime Minister Balendra Shah with key financial sector regulators, stock exchange executives, and investor associations aimed at stabilizing market sentiment.

Ministry Finalizes Bill to Revise Mining Laws

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies finalized the draft of the Mines and Minerals Related Laws Amendment and Integration Bill to be submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers as a key deliverable under the government’s 100-day action plan. Led by Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav, the proposed legislation aims to modernize legal provisions governing mineral exploration, extraction, conservation, and regulatory compliance. By addressing longstanding administrative bottlenecks and jurisdictional overlaps between federal, provincial, and local levels, the framework seeks to establish a robust legal foundation for sustainable resource utilization and private investment promotion across the country.

Cooperative Fraud Victims Protest in Kathmandu for Deposit Refunds

The National Campaign for Cooperative Depositors Protection organized fresh demonstrations in Kathmandu on Monday, demanding the immediate return of savings and reliable security plans. The protest rally marched from Maitighar to the office of the Problematic Cooperative Management Committee in Buddhanagar, with plans to proceed to the National Cooperative Regulatory Authority in Pulchowk. Demonstrators carried previous government agreements and placards criticizing the government for allegedly discriminating between small and large depositors. Organizers warned that a more rigorous protest will follow if demands remain unmet after the two-day awareness rally.

Nagdhunga Tunnel inaugurated Today, expected to generate Rs 3.5 billion annually

KATHMANDU: The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel was officially inaugurated on Monday, marking the completion of the country’s first road tunnel project. Built at a cost of approximately Rs 29 billion, the tunnel is expected to generate around Rs 3.5 billion in annual revenue, based on an estimated 8,800 vehicles using the facility each day with a projected 60 percent utilization rate. The tunnel is expected to ease traffic congestion at the Nagdhunga entry point and make travel between the Kathmandu Valley and the rest of the country faster, safer, and more efficient.

Supreme Court Rules Share Premium Funds Must Be Held in Reserve

The Supreme Court ruled that funds raised above share face value must go into a dedicated reserve fund and cannot be distributed as dividends. The joint bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Srikanta Poudel dismissed a petition to annul Himalayan Reinsurance’s initial public offering after finding it met necessary financial benchmarks. However, the court criticized the Securities Board of Nepal and the Nepal Insurance Authority for lacking thorough regulatory oversight, ordering authorities to ensure all premium revenues are managed through restricted reserves rather than distributed as profits.

Bagmati Province Extends Vehicle Service Suspension Indefinitely

The Department of Transport Management and the Ministry of Labor and Transport of Bagmati Province extended service suspensions following server updates and database migrations required to implement newly revised provincial vehicle tax rates. Although federal transport authorities initially scheduled temporary service closures through July 24, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment of Bagmati Province issued a subsequent notice today, confirming that technical integration work remains ongoing, leaving vehicle registration and renewal services halted without a definitive resumption date.

UAE Surpasses Malaysia and Qatar as Top Destination for Nepali Workers

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the primary destination for Nepali migrant workers, replacing Malaysia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, driven by post-pandemic service and construction investments. According to the Department of Foreign Employment annual report for the fiscal year 2024/25, at least 183,580 workers obtained labor approval for the UAE, followed by 132,646 for Malaysia, 132,051 for Qatar, and 124,583 for Saudi Arabia. While increased minimum monthly wages in Malaysia and indoor job availability in the UAE boosted worker numbers, traditional outdoor labor markets in Qatar and Saudi Arabia experienced declining interest alongside a broader shift toward European nations such as Romania, Croatia, and Cyprus.

Airlines Corporation Starts Offline Booking Services for International Flights

The Nepal Airlines Corporation introduced a telephone booking service allowing passengers to purchase and reserve international flight tickets by calling office number +977-5718538 during official working hours. Alongside existing booking channels through its sales counter, official website, and mobile application, passengers can now provide travel details, email addresses, mobile numbers, and required documents over the phone, receive a digital QR code for ticket payments, and complete travel arrangements directly from home.

Demand for 3,248 Megawatts of Power During Peak Hours

The total energy demand has reached 73,629 megawatt hours (MWh) in the country. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), currently electricity has not been imported from India. However, the NEA is exporting a total of 22,102 MWh of electricity during the monsoon season, when power production is in surplus. Private energy producers contribute 47,563 MWh of electricity to the NEA system while the NEA subsidiaries generate 17,108 MWh of electricity. A total of 8,959 MWh of energy is available from the NEA’s own projects. Meanwhile, the total demand for energy in the evening or the peak hour is 3,248 MWh. The NEA has stated that despite continuous rainfall there is no disruption to power supply anywhere in the country. The NEA has kept technical human personnel on standby for maintenance as soon as any disruption occurs.

DDC to Expand Outlets in Kathmandu Valley

The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) is preparing to open 30 new outlets across the Kathmandu Valley by mid-August 2026 under a new service model. General Manager Sharan Kumar Pandey stated that locations will include Budhanilkantha, Banasthali, Kalanki, Koteshwor, and New Baneshwor. The corporation also inaugurated a revamped outlet in Basantapur on Monday. Amid rising consumer demand for products like cow’s milk, curd, paneer, and ghee, the Dairy Development Corporation plans to expand to major cities outside the valley and launch online sales within days.

Himalayan Bullion Company Silver Sales Surge to Rs 9.789 Billion

Driven by rising global silver prices and surge in investment demand, Himalayan Bullion Company recorded silver sales of Rs 9.789 billion in the first nine months of the last fiscal year a massive increase from Rs 302 million in 2025 and Rs 474 million in 2024. Nepal’s sole organized corporate silver trader saw its operating profit margin rise to 5.64 percent, boosted equity to Rs 307 million, and slashed its gearing ratio to 0.48, leaving total debt at less than half its equity. Backed by strong cash accruals and a CARE-NP BB+ rating, the Dubai- and Hong Kong-importing firm operates with robust financial fundamentals.

Department Warns Against Unauthorized Sale of Prohibited Goods

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection issued a strict warning against the illegal import, storage, and retail distribution of government-prohibited goods being openly sold across physical and digital platforms. Highlighting that import restrictions published in The Nepal Gazette on June 17, 2019, and April 6, 2020, under Section 3, Sub-section (1) of The Export-Import (Control) Act, 1957, remain fully active, the department cautioned that traders violating these regulations will face severe legal penalties under The Export-Import (Control) Act, 1957, and The Consumer Protection Act, 2018.

NRB Penalizes Reliance Finance for Cash Reserve Ratio Violations

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) imposed a cash penalty of Rs 2,924.48 on Reliance Finance for failing to maintain the required Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR). According to enforcement details released by the Bank Supervision Department for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2025/26, the class “C” financial institution breached regulatory thresholds between February 22 and April 18 this year. The action was executed under Section 100 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2002, as financial authorities reiterated their mandate to enforce strict regulatory penalties on institutions violating mandatory liquidity maintenance rules.

Surya Nepal Records Business Turnover of Rs 32 Billion in 2025

Surya Nepal company recorded an annual business turnover of Rs 32.356 billion in 2025, marking a significant increase from Rs 28.82 billion in 2024 and Rs 28.99 billion in 2023. With a minimal gearing ratio of 0.01 and zero long-term debt liabilities, the company maintained robust liquidity reserves comprising Rs 4.944 billion in bank deposits and more than Rs 1 billion in treasury bills at the end of 2025. Established in 1986 under the leadership of Chairman Sanjeev Puri, the enterprise operates with 61 percent ownership by India’s ITC Limited and 39 percent domestic stakes, producing cigarettes, incense sticks, and packaged foods alongside honey exports through its subsidiary Surya Nepal Ventures.

Embassy of Bangladesh Hosts Mango Exhibition in Kathmandu

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Nepal hosted the Bangladesh Mango Delicacy exhibition and festival on Sunday at Utsav Kunja Banquet in Kathmandu, featuring cultural displays, processed agricultural goods, and culinary presentations to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Attended by approximately 250 representatives, including diplomatic delegates, government officials, importers, and business leaders, the event showcased prominent Bangladeshi mango varieties such as Khirshapat (Himsagar), Haribhanga, Langra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Ashwina, Banana Mango, Katimon, Gauramati, and Bari alongside processed products including juices, pickles, jams, and jellies.

Green Plywood Nepal Plans IPO of Over 1.6 Million Shares

Green Plywood Nepal transformed into a public limited company on July 15 and announced plans to issue an initial public offering (IPO) representing 20 percent of its issued capital, totaling 1,640,000 shares. Convening a special general meeting for August 7, the company reported an 18.96 percent increase in annual sales turnover to Rs 475 million for the fiscal year 2024/25. Supported by export subsidies and stable cross-border trade with India which accounts for 70 percent of its output alongside 30 percent domestic consumption the company strengthened its tangible net worth to Rs 226 million as its overall gearing ratio improved from 7.41 to 2.44.

Gold Traded at Rs 288,500; Silver at Rs 4,445 Today

The price of gold in the local market has increased once again today. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has been set at Rs 288,500 per tola (11.66 grams) today. This is an increase of Rs 1,400 compared to the previous day, when gold was traded at Rs 287,100 per tola on Sunday. Similarly, the price of gold per 10 grams has also risen. Today, 10 grams of gold is priced at Rs 247,340, up from Rs 246,140 the previous day. The price of silver has gone up as well. Silver is currently trading at Rs 4,445 per tola, marking an increase of Rs 35 from the previous day’s rate of Rs 4,410 per tola. According to industry experts, these domestic price fluctuations are driven by shifting trends in the international precious metals market, fluctuations in the US dollar exchange rate, and local supply and demand dynamics.