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:

NEPSE Falls 13 Points as Most Sectors Close in Red

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) declined by 13.17 points or 0.46 percent on Monday to close at 2,825.23. The Sensitive Index dropped 0.67 percent to 473.71, while float indices also posted losses. A total of 116.5 million shares of 349 companies were traded through 116,310 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 5.43 billion. Shares of 65 companies rose, 197 declined, and six remained unchanged. All sector indices fell except Hotels and Tourism, which gained 1.01 percent, while banking, finance, hydropower, insurance, and manufacturing led broader market losses.

Investors Oppose New Share Market Policies Before Public Accounts Committee

The Nepal Share Market Investors Association has filed a petition with the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, demanding the immediate cancellation of new policy measures. The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) decided to implement changes starting today, which include increasing the daily price fluctuation limit for a single company from 10% to 15%. These decisions were made under the influence of interest groups without adequate study. The association claims that the new rules, which also increase the circuit breaker threshold from 6% to 8%, could lead to extreme market volatility and put the capital of 7,655,000 general investors at risk.

Kitchen Costs Rise as Vegetable Prices Soar by 304%

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection reported a significant rise in the cost of daily essentials during March/April. While meat and dairy prices remained stable, vegetable prices in Kathmandu saw unnatural spikes; local cauliflower prices rose by 304.76%, and long green pumpkins increased by 200%. Fuel prices were hiked five times in a single month, with petrol reaching Rs 219 and diesel Rs 207. Additionally, the US dollar peaked at Rs 152.01. Transportation costs and Middle East tensions are cited as primary drivers for the inflation.

Lumbini Lawmakers Demand Reversal of Fuel Hikes and Customs Rules

During the 13th meeting of the Lumbini Province Assembly’s seventh session, members urged the federal government to withdraw petroleum price hikes and the Rs 100 border customs rule. Lawmakers emphasized that rising fuel costs have inflated irrigation expenses, tractor rentals, and overall production costs, threatening the livelihoods of farmers. Concerns were also raised regarding the impact on the impoverished class and the need for legal action against companies like Meta to ensure they pay taxes according to Nepali law. The meeting included reports on Dalit rights and annual updates from the Agriculture, Forest, and Environment Committee.

Government to Pay Employees Bi-Monthly Salary

The government has decided to transition from monthly to bi-monthly (twice a month) salary payments for civil servants. The Minister for Finance made the ministerial-level decision on April 17. Following this decision, the Ministry of Finance has formally requested the Office of the Auditor General to make the necessary arrangements for the new disbursement schedule. This shift aims to improve the cash flow for government employees, departing from the long-standing tradition of paying salaries only at the end of each month.

Protests at Oil Corporation Over Fuel Price Hikes

The Rastriya Gen Z Nagarik Abhiyan (National Gen Z Citizen Campaign) staged a protest at the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) in Babar Mahal today. Demonstrators carrying placards and banners demanded an immediate withdrawal of recent petroleum price hikes. Police intervened at the Babar Mahal intersection, preventing the group from advancing further toward the corporation’s main entrance. Campaign members warned that their protests would continue until fuel prices are reduced, highlighting the severe financial burden on the younger generation and the general public.

Revenue Collection Reaches Rs 891.56 Billion in 9 Months

Government revenue collection increased by approximately 6% during the first nine months (July 17, 2025, to April 13, 2026) of the fiscal year 2025/26. By April 13, total collection stood at Rs 8.915 billion, compared to Rs 8.411 billion last year. This represents only 60.24% of the annual target of Rs 14.80 million. Value Added Tax contributed Rs 2.614 billion, while income tax reached Rs 2.159 billion. Education service fees saw the highest growth at 56.66%.

Tensions Rise as Customs Enforce Duty on Goods Over Rs 100

Tensions have escalated at border points, including Birgunj and Gaddachauki, after customs authorities began strictly enforcing duty on goods worth more than Rs 100. The Armed Police Force has been using megaphones to notify the public that all imports exceeding this value must be declared. This enforcement follows a decision made on April 2 by the Central Revenue Leakage Control Committee. While local traders and officials argue this will control revenue leakage and discourage cross-border shopping, consumers are outraged, citing high inflation and impractical limits. Scuffles between security personnel and locals have been reported as bag searches intensify at the border.

Govt. to Investigate Private Sector and NGOs’ Corruption Crimes

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has drafted the second National Strategic Plan Against Corruption to be implemented from the fiscal year 2025/26 to the fiscal year 2031/32. The plan aims to bring cooperatives, private companies, and non-governmental organizations under the investigative jurisdiction of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). The government intends to draft specific laws within two years to define private sector irregularities as criminal offenses. While the strategy seeks to ensure transparency in sectors like aviation and insurance, private sector bodies like the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Nepalese Industries, and Nepal Chamber of Commerce have expressed concerns, arguing the move could stifle investment and innovation.

Political Stability Expected to Revive Slow Credit Demand

Despite high liquidity and low interest rates, bank lending remained sluggish during the peak economic season following the November/December festivals. Only Rs 2.02 billion in loans were disbursed in the first eight months (July 17, 2025, to March 14, 2026) of the fiscal year 2025/26, compared to Rs 2.65 billion in the same period last year. Bankers attribute the slowdown to political uncertainty surrounding the March 5 elections and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has spiked fuel prices by 70%. With a majority government now in place and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) easing risk weights for real estate and SME loans, officials expect credit demand to recover.

Tribhuvan International Airport to Close Daily for Construction

Starting today, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) will change its daily operational hours to facilitate taxiway construction. The airport will remain closed from 11:45 PM to 6:30 AM until May 18. This daily 6.75 hours closure is necessary for expansion work on taxiways Bravo, Charlie, Kilo, and Romeo. The infrastructure project, aimed at serving 10 million passengers annually after 2026, is a joint investment by the Government of Nepal and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Flight schedules for carriers from the Gulf, India, and Turkey have been adjusted to accommodate the new maintenance window.

Nepal Airlines to Start Direct Flights to Dhaka

The Nepal Airlines Corporation is preparing to launch direct flights from Kathmandu to Dhaka, Bangladesh. The national flag carrier has formed a feasibility study subcommittee to finalize the operational details. Although Bangladesh is a neighboring country, the national carrier has not previously operated on this route, while the private sector’s Himalaya Airlines and Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently provide regular services. The flight schedule will be determined based on the study committee’s report. Additionally, the corporation expanded its Kathmandu to Delhi service on March 31, increasing frequency to 10 flights per week. A cargo management system study task force has also been established to strengthen cargo operations.

TIA Serves 711,357 Passengers in March 2026

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) provided services to a total of 711,357 passengers in March 2026. Data shows that 375,674 were international travelers, while 335,683 used domestic services. Among international carriers, Air Arabia topped the list with 50,527 passengers, followed by Nepal Airlines with 38,595. Qatar Airways saw a significant drop due to regional conflict, serving only 15,928 people. Domestically, Buddha Air dominated the market, carrying 182,509 passengers during the month.

Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel to Begin Testing by May 3

The Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel project is preparing for a trial run of vehicles by May 3. The Yuxin-ART JV has been selected as the service provider to manage and maintain the tunnel for Rs 1.1 billion over five years. The company is expected to mobilize personnel by April 23. During the initial phase, a limited number of vehicles will be allowed during daytime hours without a fee. While the toll plaza and final blacktopping are nearing completion, commercial operations involving fee collection are scheduled to start in the new fiscal year beginning on July 17, 2026.

Hospitality Sector Employs 94,000 People Ahead of FBH 2026

The Nepali food, beverage, and hospitality sector has reached a milestone with over 25,500 establishments employing nearly 94,000 people. As the industry looks toward 2026, more than 25 new star hotels are expected to open within the next two years. The Food and Beverage and Hospitality 2026 (FBH 2026) exhibition is set to bring together 300 companies and an expected 30,000 visitors. The sector is increasingly adopting technology such as AI-powered hotel services and QR code menus, while focusing on sustainable practices and organic production to cater to the growing number of tourists, which exceeded 1.2 million in 2023.

Mountaineering Royalty Totals Rs 755.8 Million for Spring Season

The Department of Tourism has collected Rs 755.8 million in royalties from 700 climbers for the 2026 spring season. Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters) remains the primary draw, with 297 climbers from 30 teams contributing Rs 652.6 million. China leads with 89 climbers, followed by the USA with 71. On April 18 (Saturday), the first successful summits of the season were recorded on Dhaulagiri I (8,167 meters) and Annapurna I (8,091 meters) by teams including nine and 12 climbers, respectively.

Karnali Aims to Increase Tourist Stay to 21 Days

The Karnali Province government has set a target to increase the average tourist stay from four days to between 10 and 21 days. Under a 10-year-long-term master plan, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment has allocated Rs 430 million for the current fiscal year to develop infrastructure. The province aims to attract 1.5 million domestic and 200,000 international tourists annually by 2030. Key projects include the integrated development of settlements near Phoksundo Lake and a model gate for Mansarovar in Humla. The government is also coordinating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to link Surkhet directly with Himalayan districts.

Dudhkoshi-5 Hydropower to be Built for Rs 19.11 Billion

The 110 megawatts Dudhkoshi-5 Hydropower Project is set to be constructed in Mapya Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality-2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 of Solukhumbu District. The project, a semi-reservoir type, will supply 617.86 gigawatt hours of electricity annually to the national grid. Promoted by Independent Power Company Nepal, the total cost is estimated at Rs 19.11 billion, averaging Rs 200 million per megawatt. Construction will require clearing 2,459 trees across 25.28 hectares of forest. The project aims for completion within five years, employing 565 skilled and unskilled workers.

Irrigation Projects for Rs 10.42 Billion Stall in Parbat

In Parbat, at least 10 irrigation projects out of 78 planned for the current fiscal year remain uncontracted, risking a budget freeze. The Gandaki Province government had allocated Rs 10.42 billion for these schemes, which range in cost from Rs 500,000 to Rs 3.5 million. While 24 projects are complete and 44 are underway, the remaining 10 have stalled due to a lack of participation from local farmers and consumer committees. Factors such as a mandatory deposit of Rs 100 per ropani (508.73 square meters), rising costs of materials, and a shortage of laborers have discouraged local involvement in these small-scale infrastructure projects.

Magic Footwear Surpasses GoldStar with Rs 1.5 Billion in Exports

Birgunj-based Magic Footwear has overtaken Goldstar as the leading exporter of footwear in Nepal. In the last fiscal year, 2024/25, Magic Footwear exported goods worth Rs 1.5 billion, exceeding Goldstar’s annual average of Rs 1 billion. The company, which operates three units in Birgunj and employs 1,700 people, was honored by the Export Federation of Nepal. For the current fiscal year 2025/26, the company has set an export target of Rs 2 billion, though management expressed concerns over the recent cancellation of government export subsidies.

Kalinchowk Hydropower Allots IPO Shares to 68,475 Applicants

Kalinchowk Hydropower has allotted its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on Monday. Out of 2,784,519 total applicants, 68,475 individuals were successfully allotted 10 shares each through a lottery process. The issue manager, RBB Merchant Banking, confirmed that 2,635,634 applications were valid, while others were rejected. The company had issued 684,750 units of shares at a face value of Rs 100 per share, totaling Rs 68.4 million, for the general public from April 5 to April 8.

Gold and Silver Prices Drop on Monday

Gold prices in the market declined on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold fell by Rs 1,300 per tola (11.66 grams), bringing it down to Rs 299,700. On Sunday, gold was traded at Rs 301,000 per tola. Similarly, silver prices also decreased. The price of silver dropped by Rs 35 per tola, and it is now being traded at Rs 5,190. On Sunday, silver was traded at Rs 5,225 per tola.