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:

Government Mandates Clear Labeling and MRP on All Goods

The Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection issued a directive on Friday, making Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and clear labeling mandatory for all tradable goods. Importers must now include labels featuring their business details and the MRP on foreign products. Domestic industries are required to clearly display the price, batch number, weight, and other essential details. The department has prohibited the sale of items without these labels and strictly banned selling products above the marked price. Consumers are urged to verify MRP and production details before making any purchase to ensure fair trading practices.

NRB Mops Up Rs 125 Billion in Excess Liquidity

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) successfully absorbed Rs 125 billion from the banking system on Friday through a deposit collection instrument. The central bank moved to manage excess liquidity via a bidding process held at 3:00 PM. Commercial banks (Class A), development banks (Class B), and finance companies (Class C) participated in the auction, submitting bids for a minimum of Rs 100 million. This five-day liquidity mop-up is scheduled for principal and interest repayment on April 15.

NEPSE Falls 13.46 Points as Most Sectors Decline

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) declined by 13.46 points, or 0.47 percent, on Friday, closing at 2,837.77. The Sensitive Index dropped 0.70 percent, while float and sensitive float indices also fell. A total of 21.08 million shares of 335 companies were traded through 97,480 transactions, generating Rs 8.99 billion in turnover. Of 13 sectors, 11 declined, with losses in investment, insurance, and microfinance, while manufacturing and banking posted modest gains. Despite the broader downturn, four companies hit the positive circuit limit during the session, reflecting selective investor activity.

Fuel Prices Skyrocket as Petrol Hits Rs 219 Per Liter

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has implemented a massive price hike for petroleum products effective from midnight on Friday. Following the decision by the NOC board, petrol prices increased by Rs 17 per liter, while diesel and kerosene rose by Rs 25 per liter. In Kathmandu, petrol now costs Rs 219, and diesel/kerosene is priced at Rs 207. Additionally, LP gas rose by Rs 100 to Rs 2,010 per cylinder, and domestic aviation fuel reached Rs 257 per liter. The NOC cited ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and a projected fortnightly loss of Rs 10.21 billion for the adjustment.

NOC Faces Financial Crisis with Daily Losses of Rs 930 Million

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has reported a severe financial crisis, with daily losses reaching Rs 930 million due to rising international fuel prices. Despite a 50% reduction in customs duties and infrastructure taxes by the government, the NOC struggled to cover costs. On April 8, the corporation paid Rs 26.86 billion to the Indian Oil Corporation, with an additional Rs 16.37 billion due by April 23. Officials stated that losses remain high at over Rs 34 per liter of petrol and Rs 416 per cylinder of LP gas. Consequently, the NOC has appealed to consumers to adopt austerity measures in fuel consumption to prevent a complete collapse of the supply chain.

ADB Forecasts 2.7% Economic Growth for Nepal in 2026

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its Asian Development Outlook, projecting Nepal’s economic growth at 2.7% for the 2025/26 fiscal year. This marks a significant decrease from the 4.6% growth recorded in 2025. The ADB attributed this lower projection to the impact of the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, 2025, the resulting physical damage, and the ongoing global economic repercussions of the Middle East conflict. This forecast follows a similar report from the World Bank earlier this week, which estimated Nepal’s growth at 2.3% for the same period.

Govt. Launches Digital E-Pension Verification System

The Finance Minister, Swarnim Wagle, inaugurated the ‘E-Pension Verification System’ on Friday, allowing retirees to verify their status via mobile devices. Developed by the Financial Comptroller General Office, the system ends the requirement for civil servants, teachers, army, and police personnel to physically visit banks once a year to prove they are alive. Service users can now update their details and use biometric verification through the IPMS-V2 system on the Pension Management Office website. This digital shift is expected to save the government Rs 900 million annually in administrative costs and transportation expenses for the 356,000 registered pensioners worldwide.

NRB Promotes Two Officials to Executive Director Positions

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has promoted Him Prasad Neupane and Muktinath Sapkota to the positions of executive director. The appointments were finalized by the Human Resource Management Department to fill two vacant seats within the central bank’s leadership structure. Prior to this promotion, Neupane and Sapkota served as first and second-ranking directors, respectively. With these appointments, the NRB maintains its full contingent of 18 executive directors responsible for overseeing various departments and regulatory functions.

Labor Department Orders Removal of Misleading Recruitment Signs

The Department of Foreign Employment has directed all cyber centers and training institutes to remove misleading signs related to “labor permits” by April 13. Notices such as “Labor permits issued here” or “Online labor forms filled here” have reportedly confused migrant workers, as only the department and designated labor offices are authorized to provide these services. The department warned that any institution continuing to advertise these services in violation of the Foreign Employment Act, 2008, will face legal action. This move aims to protect workers from potential fraud and ensure that all administrative processes are conducted through official channels.

CAAN Urges Limit on Relatives Accompanying Passengers at Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has requested that no more than three relatives accompany a single passenger to the airport for pick-up or drop-off. In a notice issued on Friday, CAAN noted that the increasing number of domestic and international flights has led to extreme overcrowding at Tribhuvan International Airport. The practice of dozens of relatives arriving for one passenger has created security challenges and inconvenienced travelers in the limited space of the terminal halls. This request aims to manage the crowd and ensure a smoother arrival and departure process for both domestic and foreign passengers amid the busy spring travel season.

Lahan Municipality Bank Accounts Reopened After 4 Months

The bank accounts of Lahan Municipality, which were frozen for four months, were reactivated on Thursday. The freeze had halted salary payments for employees and teachers, as well as social security benefits and development project funds. The crisis stemmed from a dispute over the transfer of the Chief Administrative Officer, which led to legal proceedings in the Administrative Court. With the accounts now operational, the municipality has prioritized the immediate disbursement of pending salaries and social security funds. Local officials noted that the resolution of this administrative deadlock will allow municipal services and educational programs to regain momentum before the start of the new academic year.

Natural Disasters Cause Rs 3.192 Billion in Agricultural Losses in Jhapa

Frequent windstorms, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall since the second week of March 2026 have caused agricultural damage worth Rs 3.192 billion in Jhapa. According to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, crops worth Rs 1.727 billion were completely destroyed. The Bahradashi Rural Municipality was the hardest hit, with nearly 75% of its maize crop ruined. In this municipality alone, maize losses totaled Rs 272.7 million. Other affected sectors include vegetables, fruits, and beekeeping. Local authorities are currently collecting detailed data to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts for the thousands of affected farming households.

Lumbini Province Prepares Rs 33 Billion Budget for Next Fiscal Year

The Lumbini Provincial Government has begun preparations for the 2026/27 budget after receiving fiscal ceilings from the federal government. Finance Secretary Bandhu Prasad Bastola indicated that the province is preparing a budget of approximately Rs 33 billion, a decrease from the current year’s Rs 38.91 billion due to revenue collection challenges. Individual ministries have been given a combined ceiling of Rs 22-23 billion and must submit their plans online by mid-April. Chief Minister Chetan Narayan Acharya has instructed that the budget focus on “national pride” and ongoing projects that can be effectively implemented within the province’s actual financial capacity.

Banke Forest Office Collects Rs 4.2 Million from Auction of Seized Goods

The Division Forest Office, Banke, has generated Rs 4.28 million in revenue by auctioning confiscated timber and bicycles that had been stored on its premises for years. The auction included 119 old bicycles, fetching Rs 79,000, and 2,501 cubic feet of timber, which brought in over Rs 4.2 million. Officials confirmed the proceeds have been deposited into the provincial government’s consolidated fund. The clearance has not only boosted revenue but also improved the safety and cleanliness of the office premises, which previously faced risks from overgrowth and wildlife. Additionally, the office is currently managing 2,700 hectares of forest under the Bhuvarbhawani block forest management program.

Chartered Accountants Hold Pre-Budget Discussion for FY 2026/27

The Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ACAN) organized a pre-budget discussion on Friday to provide recommendations for the upcoming 2026/27 fiscal year. The session focused on simplifying tax systems, including income tax, VAT, and customs duties. ACAN General Secretary Pradip Aryal stated that the group discussed strategies for controlling revenue leakage and improving policies for the banking, insurance, and capital market sectors. The association plans to submit its final report to the government soon. The discussions emphasized that procedural simplification and clear fiscal strategies are essential for economic stability and encouraging private sector investment in the next budget cycle.

Illegal River Mining Threatens Farmland in Jumla

Despite the second term of local representatives nearing its final year, illegal mining of river materials remains unregulated in Jumla. Local residents across eight municipalities report that unregulated extraction of sand and gravel is causing significant erosion of fertile land and damaging irrigation canals. Although river materials are a primary source of internal revenue, local levels have failed to implement effective monitoring or environmental impact assessments. While Patarasi Rural Municipality recently introduced a tax of Rs 500 per tractor to increase revenue, other areas like Sinja have seen disputes between youth and contractors over unauthorized digging. The ongoing extraction has also led to the disappearance of native fish species in the Tila River.

Coffee Farming Gains Momentum in Mahabharat

Farmers in Mahabharat Rural Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk, are increasingly shifting from traditional maize cultivation to commercial coffee production. This transition is driven by higher profit margins and the need to protect crops from wild monkeys, which frequently destroy grain harvests. Supported by the Bagmati Provincial Government and local cooperatives, the municipality aims to distribute 100,000 coffee saplings this year, with 30,000 specifically targeted for Ward No. 5. In the current year, the area produced and exported over 80 tons of coffee. The local government incentivizes farmers through a cost-sharing model and direct subsidies for every coffee tree planted, establishing the region as a growing coffee hub.

Local Unit Removes Minimum Support Price for Tea

The Suryodaya Municipality has officially amended its 2018 tea quality standards to remove the minimum support price of Rs 40 per kilogram. The decision was made during the 18th municipal assembly after both farmers and factory owners requested a move toward open-market pricing. While the municipality will continue to monitor organic farming and quality, it has requested the federal government to take over the responsibility of price determination and international marketing. Alongside the tea policy, the assembly revised seven other laws related to health, education, and cooperatives. Additionally, Rs 220 million was allocated for a modern waste management center in partnership with the Swiss government.

Apple Collection and Cold Storage Facility Built in Mustang

A new cold storage facility with a capacity of 30 metric tons has been constructed in Thini, Gharapjhong Rural Municipality-5, at a cost of Rs 5.9 million. Funded by a special grant from the federal government for the 2024/25 fiscal year, the project consists of three separate 10-metric-ton units. The facility aims to benefit approximately 100 local farmers by allowing them to store fresh apples for sale during the off-season. By maintaining fruit quality beyond the harvest period, the cooperative-led initiative intends to provide tourists with fresh Mustang apples year-round and increase profit margins for producers through strategic marketing and packaging.

Local Unit Earns Rs 55.6 Million from Ginger

Farmers in Triveni Rural Municipality, Rukum Paschim, have generated Rs 55.6 million from ginger sales this year. According to the local agriculture branch, 2,650 households produced a total of 15,900 quintals of ginger across 5,300 ropanis of land. On average, farmers harvested three quintals per ropani and sold the produce at a rate of Rs 3,500 per quintal directly from their villages. Some commercial farmers reported individual earnings of Rs 100,000 while also retaining seeds for the next planting season.

Gold, Silver Prices Rise Today

Gold and silver prices have recorded a sharp increase in the domestic market. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold reached Rs 296,900 per tola (11.66 grams) on Friday, marking an increase of Rs 2,200 in a single day. On Thursday, gold was traded at Rs 294,700 per tola. Silver prices also witnessed a rise. Silver, which was traded at Rs 4,875 per tola on Thursday, increased by Rs 85 to reach Rs 4,960 per tola on Friday.

IMF Warns of Global Instability Amid Middle East Conflict

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva called for global coordination to mitigate the economic impacts of the Middle East war during the 2026 Spring Meetings in New York. She warned that unilateral export controls or price caps could further destabilize the world economy. Georgieva advised central banks to remain vigilant and raise interest rates if inflation shows signs of spiraling. The IMF estimates that the demand for balance-of-payment support due to the conflict could reach between USD 20 billion and USD 50 billion in the short term. Member nations were urged to provide targeted, temporary financial assistance to vulnerable populations while maintaining medium-term fiscal stability.