KATHMANDU: Welcome to Nepal News’ Evening Economic Brief—your go-to source on key financial updates in Nepal. Stay informed with concise insights on market trends, economic indicators, and policy shifts. Here are today’s top economic news highlights.

NEPSE Surges by Over 21 Points, Turnover Crosses Rs 16 billion: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index rose by double digits on Monday, gaining 21.76 points to close at 2,892.72. The Sensitive Index, which tracks the performance of ‘A’ class companies, also climbed by 0.89%. A total of 311 companies saw transactions of 35.64 million shares worth Rs 16.32 billion. This follows Sunday’s turnover, which had hit an 11-month high at nearly Rs 21 billion. All 13 sub-indices of NEPSE closed in the green today. Development banks, microfinance institutions, non-life insurance, and the ‘Others’ group saw gains of over 1%, while the remaining sectors posted increases of less than 1%.

NRB Issues Dividend Distribution Guidelines for Payment Institutions: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued the “Dividend Distribution Guidelines, 2025” for institutions authorized to operate payment services. Executive Director Kiran Pandit stated that the guidelines aim to make dividend distribution more transparent and systematic by regulating the distribution of earned profits.

Prachanda Calls for Policy Reforms to Achieve Economic Prosperity: Former Prime Minister and CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has stated that achieving economic prosperity in the country requires policy reforms and an overall change in the state’s mindset. During a meeting on Monday at his private residence in Khumaltar with newly elected office bearers of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), he highlighted the significant role of the private sector in the nation’s economic development.

45 New Section Officers Deployed to TIA Immigration Office: As part of immigration reform, the Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed 45 newly appointed section officers to Tribhuvan International Airport’s Immigration Office starting Monday. Director General of the Immigration Department Govinda Rijal confirmed that Secretary Narhari Ghimire has assumed his role as Chief of the Immigration Office, and the 45 officers began duty after a three-day training.

Energy Ministry Proposes EIA Exemption for Projects up to 200 MW: The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has proposed that hydropower projects up to 200 MW be exempt from Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Spokesperson Sagar Raj Gautam said the proposal, previously made informally, has now been submitted in writing to the Ministry of Forest and Environment. A technical committee will be formed for further consultation.

NEA Invites Private Sector for Four High-Voltage Transmission Lines: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has called for Letters of Intent from the private sector to construct four high-voltage transmission lines under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. To strengthen the country’s power transmission system, NEA plans to build 322 kilometers of transmission lines under the Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model. The total estimated cost of the four projects is 320 million USD (around Rs 42 billion).

Design Work Nears Completion for Kalanki–Basundhara Ring Road Expansion: Seven years after the agreement, the survey and design work for the second phase of the Ring Road expansion from Kalanki to Basundhara—funded by a Chinese government grant—is in its final stages. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be ready within five months. Project Chief Krishna Nath Ojha said that the Chinese technical team has conducted a site inspection and brought the design work to its concluding phase.

Over 4,290 Institutions Join Contribution-Based Pension Fund: The number of government offices, public institutions, boards, committees, and organized organizations affiliated with the contribution-based pension fund operated by the Employees Provident Fund is increasing. By the end of FY 2024/25, around 4,290 such institutions had joined the fund, according to EPF spokesperson Damodar Prasad Subedi.

Nepal Airlines Leads in Jet Fuel Consumption Among Domestic Airlines: Nepal Airlines became the top domestic airline in terms of jet fuel consumption in the last fiscal year. Among 40 airlines operating international flights from Nepal, Nepal Airlines—fully owned by the government—bought and used the most aviation turbine fuel (ATF), surpassing Himalayan Airlines, which had topped the list the previous year.

Paddy Plantation Lags Behind Last Year: As the first week of Shrawan nears its end, paddy plantation progress remains unsatisfactory. Last year at this time, 84.6% of plantation was completed, but this year, it is nearly 12% lower. This year, 1.38 million hectares are estimated for paddy cultivation, compared to 1.42 million hectares last fiscal year.

Labour Ministry Claims Progress in Digitalization and Policy Reform: The Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security claims to have made significant policy reforms in foreign employment management and the domestic labour sector. In its one-year review report under Minister Sharatsingh Bhandari, the ministry highlighted achievements from full digitalization of services to improvements in labour administration.

NEA Implements Online Employee Performance Evaluation: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has started evaluating employee performance through an online system. According to Rule 59 (29) of the NEA Employees’ Service and Conditions Regulation, 2018, the authority has implemented a digital process for submitting and managing performance evaluation forms from July 17. The system is also designed to ensure secure and confidential record-keeping.

Rs 290 million Insurance Claims Filed After Rasuwa Floods: Insured parties have filed claims totaling Rs 290 million after flood and landslide damage from China in Rasuwa on July 7. According to the Insurance Board, nine companies including Shikhar Insurance, Neco Insurance, and Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance received claims totaling Rs 289.2 million. Shikhar Insurance received 10 claims totaling Rs 161.2 million, while Neco Insurance received three claims amounting to Rs 51.2 million.

Land Revenue Collection Hits Rs 6.55 billion in Asar Alone: The government collected Rs 6.55 billion in revenue from land transactions in the final month of FY 2024/25—marking the highest monthly total in two years. According to the Department of Land Management and Archives, this is the highest single-month revenue since FY 2022/23, where the highest was Rs 5 billion.

Jewelers Protest New Luxury Tax and VAT on Gold and Gems: Traders are protesting after the government imposed a 2% luxury tax on gold and jewelry and a 13% VAT on diamonds and precious stones, starting from July 17. After the mandatory implementation, traders began closing shops, claiming they cannot comply. They formally notified the Inland Revenue Department on July 16 that the new policy is unworkable.

20 Hired to Guard Monkeys and Wild Boars in Arghakhanchi: Twenty individuals have been employed to guard against monkeys and wild boars in Arghakhanchi. The Division Forest Office of Arghakhanchi on Sunday released the names of those selected for the positions of monkey and wild boar guards. A total of 20 names were published. They have been called for contract signing and orientation on Monday.

Manang Sees Rising Influx of Foreign Tourists: The number of foreign tourists visiting Manang has been increasing annually. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Manang office, 37,732 foreign tourists visited in FY 2024/25. This includes 22,477 men, 15,249 women, and 6 others. As per data from the Dharapani tourist check post, 2,554 tourists were from SAARC countries, while 35,178 were from other countries, said ACAP Chief Dhak Bahadur Bhujel.

Nepal–China Border Point to Open in Byas, Darchula: The Nepal–China border crossing at Byas Rural Municipality–1 in Darchula will be open from July 23 to 25. The local administration in Taklakot, Tibet, notified traders from Changru and Tinkar that Pillar No. 1 of the Tinkarbhanyang border will be opened. Traders are now preparing to travel to Taklakot for business.

Nearly Half of Himalayan Bank’s FPO Applicants to Receive Shares: Almost half of the applicants who applied for Himalayan Bank’s Further Public Offering (FPO) will receive shares. The bank issued a total of 9,250,469 units. According to the Securities Allotment Directive, shares will be distributed at a rate of 10 units per applicant. As a result, 925,046 applicants will receive shares. Among them, 9 individuals will receive 11 units each, while the remaining will receive 10 units each.

Hotel Radisson Earns Nearly Rs 760 million in 8.5 Months: Hotel Radisson, located in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, reported earnings of Rs 758 million in the first 8.5 months of the current fiscal year. The five-star hotel, managed by Oriental Hotels, had posted Rs 1.19 billion in revenue in the previous fiscal year. It earned Rs 1.11 billion in 2023 and Rs 596 million in 2022.

Gold Price Rises by Rs 400 Per Tola: The price of gold increased by Rs 400 per tola on Monday. While it was traded at Rs 193,300 per tola the previous day, today the price has reached Rs 193,700. The record high was Rs 197,900 per tola on April 22. Meanwhile, the price of silver has remained stable today, trading at Rs 2,285 per tola.