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:

Stock Market Declines for Fourth Consecutive Day, NEPSE Falls to 2,631

The stock market experienced a decline for the fourth consecutive trading day on Wednesday, with the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropping by 13.52 points to reach 2,631 points. Despite the market fall, the transaction amount increased significantly to Rs 5.23 billion, up from Rs 4.48 billion. the previous day. While 74 companies saw a rise in value, 177 declined. The Finance group posted the largest gain at 1.59 percent, while the Life Insurance group recorded the biggest loss at 1.18 percent. Five companies, including Sagar Distillery and Mithila Laghubitta, saw their stock prices surge by 10 percent.

NRB Issues Circular on New Monetary Policy Review Arrangements

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions for the implementation of new arrangements from its first quarterly review of the current fiscal year’s Monetary Policy. Key changes include allowing the restructuring of loans for businesses affected by floods and landslides in districts like Ilam until mid-March 2026, provided at least 10 percent of the interest is collected. Additionally, the maximum limit for non-purpose personal loans, such as overdrafts, has been set at Rs 10 million. The interest rate on credit facilities for licensed institutions has also been lowered from 6 percent to 5.75 percent.

Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway Achieves 43.66% Physical Progress

The Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway (Fast Track) has completed 43.66 percent of its physical work and 44.89 percent of its financial work by the end of mid-October of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to the Nepal Army. Construction is underway on 85 of the 89 bridges, and the breakthrough and finishing work for three major tunnels (Mahadeutar, Dhedre, and Len Danda) are progressing rapidly. However, the first 6.5 kilometers in Khokana, Lalitpur, remain stalled due to land acquisition disputes over Guthi and private land, affecting the 70.977-kilometer, Rs 211.93 billion project.

Nepal and Japan Sign Loan Agreement for Rs 31.76 Billion

The governments of Nepal and Japan signed a loan agreement on Wednesday for the Kotweshwor Chowk Improvement Project (Flyover). Japan is providing a concessional loan of JPY 34.59 billion, equivalent to approximately Rs 31.76 billion. The agreement, signed by Finance Secretary Dr. Ghanshyam Upadhyay and Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru, features a 10-year grace period, a 30-year repayment period, and an annual interest rate of 0.2 percent. The project, to be implemented by the Department of Roads, includes the construction of underpasses and flyovers at Kotweshwor and Jadibuti to ease traffic congestion in the Kathmandu Valley.

Damaged Muglin-Pokhara Road Repair Begins After Four Months

Repair work has started on a section of the Muglin-Pokhara road in Tanahun that collapsed four months ago, near the Durga Mandir area of Byas Municipality-3. The road, which had been temporarily expanded to four lanes, suffered a collapse around August due to heavy traffic on the temporary section. Project Engineer Bishnu Prasad Pandey stated that approximately 100 meters of the road were affected, forcing traffic to operate in a single lane. The 41.5-kilometer eastern section of the road is being upgraded to four lanes with a project cost of Rs 6.213 billion, with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

NRB Raises Microfinance Loan Limit to Rs 1.5 Million

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has implemented new provisions for ‘D’ class financial institutions, significantly increasing the microloan limit for low-income and disadvantaged individuals. The maximum amount for microloans provided against acceptable collateral for agricultural, microenterprise, or business purposes has been raised to Rs 1.5 million per person, up from the previous limit of Rs 700,000. Furthermore, the interest rate on credit facilities provided to licensed institutions by the Central Bank has been adjusted to 5.75 percent, down from 6 percent.

Rs 12.84 Billion Financing Secured for 61 MW Nar Khola Hydropower Project

The Nar Khola Hydro Energy Private Limited has secured financing for the 61-megawatt Nar Khola Hydroelectric Project, with Singati Hydro Limited as the lead investor. The finance management agreement was signed on Monday by Chairman Batu Lamichhane and Arpan Pokhrel, Chief Regional Loan Officer of Kumari Bank. The total project cost is Rs 12.84 billion, with Rs 9.63 billion provided as loans by a consortium led by Kumari Bank. The project, located in Manang, aims for an annual energy production of 366.48 GWh and is targeted for completion within the next three years.

Evaluation Underway for Terminated Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project Contracts

The Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project Office has initiated the evaluation process for the contracts terminated on Wednesday. This process will assess the work completed and the remaining work for the cancelled civil and mechanical contracts for the dam and powerhouse construction. The project office terminated the Rs 14.8 billion contract with Patel-Raman JV because, despite 61 percent of the contract period elapsing, the physical progress was only about 10 percent. The government has already seized the contractor’s Rs 3.6 billion in bank guarantees (performance bond and advance payment). The project’s tunnel construction, one of five main components, is already complete.

Unseasonal Rain Expected to Reduce Crop Output by 127,000 Metric Tons

A Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development report estimates that unseasonal rainfall will cause a shortfall of approximately 127,383 metric tons in agricultural production, particularly in paddy, sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits. The damage, which affected 15,499 hectares across five provinces, resulted in total estimated economic losses of Rs 3.761 billion. Madhesh Province was the worst-affected region, incurring Rs 3.355 billion in damages, followed by Koshi Province. Vegetables sustained the highest individual loss at Rs 1.257 billion.

20 Disaster Incidents in 24 Hours Caused Damage Worth Rs 8.2 Million

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported 20 disaster incidents nationwide in the last 24 hours. Of these, 17 were incidents of fire, resulting in property damage estimated at Rs 8.2 million. The remaining three incidents included altitude sickness in Mustang, a snakebite in Mahottari, and an animal attack in Parsa, where a 55-year-old woman was injured by a tiger. The NDRRMA concluded that most fires were caused by carelessness and lack of awareness.

Food Management Company Purchases Over 7,500 Quintals of Paddy in Banke

The Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) in Nepalgunj, Banke, has purchased over 7,500 quintals of paddy from local farmers since starting its procurement drive on November 9. As of November 30, the company has acquired 7,503 quintals of paddy, totaling Rs 26.8 million. The company has fulfilled its quota of 5,000 quintals for medium-grade paddy but is continuing to purchase coarse paddy. A maximum of 40 quintals is bought from each farmer, with payments made directly through bank transfers.

CIAA Appeals Special Court’s Acquittal in Widebody Aircraft Scandal

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging the Special Court’s acquittal of all defendants in the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) widebody aircraft purchase scandal. The CIAA claimed the Special Court’s ruling, issued on December 5, 2024, was flawed and is demanding the reversal of the decision. The original case, filed on April 4, 2025, implicated 32 defendants, including former Tourism Minister Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, and sought to recover Rs 1.471 billion in damages.

Manaslu Trekking Route Maintenance Completed for Enhanced Safety

Maintenance work has been successfully completed on the difficult and high-altitude trekking trail section of the popular Manaslu route, spanning from Larke Phedi to Larke Pass in Manang. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Manang, provided the financial aid of Rs 500,000 for the project. The improved 450-meter-long section, which ranges from 4,850 meters to 5,106 meters above sea level, is expected to make the journey significantly safer and easier for trekkers. The upgrade is anticipated to boost tourism, increase local employment, and aid the overall development of the region.

Handicraft Exports Exceed Rs 27 Billion Annually

Nepal’s handicraft sector exported Rs 27 billion worth of goods in the fiscal year 2024/25, according to the Trade and Export Promotion Center. The rising demand in international markets, along with an estimated Rs 10 billion in domestic consumption, has boosted the industry, which directly or indirectly employs around 1.1 million people. To further promote the sector, the Federal Handicraft Associations of Nepal and Lalitpur Metropolitan City opened a five-day handicraft exhibition on Wednesday at the Patan Museum and Patan Durbar Square, featuring traditional arts and cultural performances.

Koilabash Customs Fails to Meet Revenue Target, Collects Rs 18 Lakh Less

The Koilabash Customs Office in Dang failed to meet its revenue target for the first four months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, collecting Rs 1.8 million less than its target of Rs 5.7 million. The customs collected only Rs 3.9 million by November 16, achieving only 68.03 percent of the goal. Customs Chief Lok Bahadur Bista attributed the shortfall to the Gen Z protests and strict enforcement by Indian security forces, which discouraged cross-border travel. The primary source of revenue is the tax collected from Indian vehicles entering Nepal for religious and tourism purposes.

Tanahun Farmers Sell Rs 20 Million Worth of Oranges This Year

Farmers in the Benikot village of Byas Municipality-13, Tanahun, have sold oranges valued at Rs 20 million this year. Farmer Phal Bahadur Thapa alone sold oranges worth Rs 1.65 million. The peak selling period was this month. While the proximity to the district headquarters of Damauli is an advantage, the poor condition of the sloping road remains a challenge for the daily transportation of oranges to markets in Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara.

New Panama Disease Variant Threatens Banana Crop in Chitwan

A new variant of the Panama disease (Tropical Race 4 or TR4) has been confirmed in banana crops across five bighas of farmland in western Chitwan. According to Mahesh Regmi, head of the National Agriculture Modernization Program Implementation Unit, the infection, which causes fruit to emerge early from the stem, was found in saplings brought in from Nawalparasi. Samples have been sent for testing to the Kathmandu forensic science lab and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). Farmers have been advised to sanitize tools and vehicles used on infected farms, as the disease has no known cure.

Securities Board Grants IPO Approval to Reliance Spinning Mills Following Court Order

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) granted approval for the issuance of an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to Reliance Spinning Mills on Tuesday. The approval followed a writ of mandamus issued by the Patan High Court regarding the issuance. The company, which is part of the Golyan Group and has a capital of Rs 1.70 billion, is a major export-oriented industry. The approval paves the way for the company’s listing on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE), following a year where its net profit surged by 845 percent to Rs 476.3 million.

Gold Price Jumps by Rs 800, Silver Sets New Record

The price of gold increased by Rs 800 per tola on Wednesday, with the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association setting the price at Rs 254,100 per tola (11.66 grams), up from Rs 253,300 the previous day. While gold is still below its all-time high of Rs 258,000 set on October 17, the price of silver set a new daily record. Silver surged by Rs 110 per tola on Wednesday, reaching Rs 3,655 per tola, continuing a trend of setting new records daily since Sunday.