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 Index Rises 81 Points, Hits Highest Level Since August Last Year: On Tuesday, the NEPSE index jumped 80.97 points to close at 2,973.70, its highest level since August last year. Market turnover rose sharply to Rs 20.08 billion from Rs 16.32 billion the previous day. Among 250 companies, 236 saw price increases, with production, life insurance, and microfinance sectors leading gains above 4%. Trade Tower, Sanvi Energy, and Shivam Cement each gained 10%, pushing Trade Tower’s share price to Rs 535.80. Market capitalization reached a record Rs 4.962 trillion, with further growth expected as the market momentum continues.

Nepal’s Foreign Trade Increased by 19.24 Percent in FY 2024/25: In the last fiscal year 2024/25, Nepal’s trade with other countries increased by 19.24 percent. During this period, Nepal imported goods worth a total of RS 1.804 trillion. According to data published by the Customs Department, this import figure is 13.25 percent higher than the previous year. In the previous fiscal year, Nepal had imported goods worth RS 1.592 trillion.

NEPSE Index Rises by 10.88 Percent in Six Months: In the past six months, Nepal’s stock market index NEPSE increased by 10.88 percent. On January 19, NEPSE stood at 2,608 points. By July 22 (just before market opened), it had reached 2,894 points. While NEPSE rose by just 10.88 percent overall, the stock prices of four companies doubled in that period. The four companies whose share prices doubled are: Butwal Power, NRN Infrastructure, Radhi Hydropower, and Nepal Reinsurance Company.

Nepal Faced Trade Deficit with 127 Countries in FY 2024/25: Nepal experienced a trade deficit with 127 countries during the fiscal year 2024/25. This figure is based on goods imported from various countries between July, 2024 and June, 2025. Nepal traded with 164 countries during this period. Among them, trade surplus was recorded with only 37 countries, according to the Customs Department. During the review period, Nepal imported goods worth a total of RS 1.804 trillion.

Banks Increasingly Auctioning Collateral After Loan Recovery Fails: Banks that have struggled to recover loans over the past two years are increasingly putting collateral up for auction. About 80 percent of the loans disbursed by banks are secured by real estate. However, real estate transactions have remained stagnant in recent years. Since the auctioned properties are not being sold, banks have started acquiring them themselves. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to poor business performance, making it difficult for banks to recover loans.

Five Companies Sign Agreement for Hydropower Development in West Seti Corridor: On Monday, five different institutions signed an agreement for hydropower development and construction of a 400 kV transmission line in the West Seti Corridor. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation. The companies involved are: Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited (HIDCL), National Transmission Grid Company Limited (RPGCL), Chainpur Seti Hydropower Company Limited (CSHCL), Chilime Seti Hydropower Company Limited (CSHC), and Samriddhi Energy Limited (SEL).

Nepal Imported RS 20.35 billion Worth of Paddy from India Last Fiscal Year: In the fiscal year 2024/25, Nepal imported paddy worth RS 20.35 billion from India. According to Customs Department data, 531,144 tons of paddy were imported. The government collected RS 1.527 billion in customs duties on this import. From China, only 10 kg of paddy worth RS 2,000 was imported.

CNI Proposes Roadmap for $100 Billion Economy with Double-Digit Growth: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has informed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli that Nepal must chart a roadmap to expand its economy to $100 billion within the next decade and achieve double-digit growth. To achieve this target, the CNI emphasized prioritizing eight key economic sectors and stressed the need for legal reforms, urging the government to act accordingly.

Nepal Exported Tea Worth RS 4.21 billion in FY 2024/25: Nepal exported tea worth RS 4.213 billion in the fiscal year 2024/25. According to data from the Mechi Customs Office in Kakarbhitta, Jhapa, this is a 32.2 percent increase in exports compared to FY 2080/81. A total of 15.416 million kilograms of tea were exported during this fiscal year.

Egg Prices Reach All-Time High in Nepal: The price of eggs has reached an all-time high in Nepal due to a drop in production. Farmers are now receiving a price that covers their production cost. The Nepal Layer Poultry Association has determined a support price based on rates published by various farms. Starting Tuesday, the farmer’s rate for a crate of 30 large eggs has been set at RS 525.

Construction of a Temporary Bailey Bridge Begins at Rasuwagadhi Border: After the Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadhi connecting Nepal and China was swept away by floods, supplies through the Rasuwagadhi border have come to a complete halt. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal has stated that construction of a temporary Bailey bridge has begun with the goal of restoring transport before Dashain. The embassy informed via its official Facebook page that a temporary bridge is under construction.

Deadline for Narayanghat–Butwal Road Expansion to be Extended by One Year: The deadline for the Narayanghat–Butwal road expansion under the East-West Highway four-lane project is set to be extended by one year. Chuda Raj Dhakal, Project Director at the Road Department (ADB Project Directorate), said that though the contractor had requested a longer extension, they agreed on a one-year timeline to complete the remaining work.

Madhesh Declared Drought-Affected as Monsoon Remains Inactive: Due to inactive monsoon in the Madhesh region, there is a severe shortage of water. As a result, Madhesh Province has been declared drought-affected. Even in Madhesh, considered the ‘rice bowl’ of Nepal, paddy plantation has significantly dropped. The federal Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has claimed it will arrange irrigation by reallocating budget to facilitate paddy cultivation.

Germany Supports Nepal to Produce 9.4 MW of Solar Energy: With the support of the German government, Nepal will produce 9.4 megawatts of solar energy. Three solar power plants are being built simultaneously for this project. The plants are located in Chiti Barbote Shera of Besisahar Municipality-11, Lamjung; Surajpura in Gandak, Nawalparasi; and Jhapra in Surkhet, Karnali. According to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), studies are ongoing to install a solar plant in Markhu, Kulekhani.

Flood Sweeps Away 68 Vehicles in Bhotekoshi; 42 Were Electric: On July 8, flooding in the Bhotekoshi River swept away 68 vehicles. Among them, 42 were electric vehicles, according to data from Rasuwa Customs Office. Five of the swept-away vehicles were SinoTruck brand trucks. Tulsiprasad Bhattarai, chief customs officer at Rasuwa Customs Office, said 18 goods vehicles parked in the customs yard at Timure were also swept away.

Panchakanya Group Establishes Nepal’s Largest uPVC Industry in Rupandehi: One of Nepal’s leading industrial houses, Panchakanya Group, has established the country’s largest uPVC industry—‘Panchakanya Dimex’—in Siyari, Rupandehi. Although uPVC doors and windows manufactured by the industry have been on sale for a year, the company officially launched four of its product brands on Monday.

Right Share Application Opens for Nepal Insurance: Applications for the right shares of Nepal Insurance have opened. Shareholders registered until June 12 can apply for the right shares. The company has opened the issue at a ratio of 3.4783 shares for every 10 shares held. Applications can be submitted until August 11. The issuance is aimed at raising the paid-up capital to RS 2.5 billion, as mandated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority.

Nabil Bank Opens Investment in 8-Year Debenture: Nabil Bank has opened applications for investment in its 8-year debenture. Investors in this bond will receive higher interest than term deposits. Currently, Nabil Bank’s highest interest rate on personal fixed deposits is down to 5.50 percent. Investors in this bond will receive 7 percent annual interest, payable semi-annually. The principal will be repaid after 8 years.

IPO Opens for Bandipur Cable Car and Tourism Limited: The IPO of Bandipur Cable Car and Tourism Limited has opened. In the first phase, it is open to project-affected locals and individuals working abroad. The sales manager is Nepal SBI Merchant Banking. The company plans to issue 20.70 percent of its RS 2.83 billion capital, which amounts to 5.86 million shares, to the general public group.

Gold Price Rises by RS 1,800 Per Tola: On Tuesday, the price of gold increased by RS 1,800 per tola. The Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association set the day’s gold price at RS 195,500 per tola. The previous day, the price was RS 193,700. The all-time record was RS 197,900 per tola on April 22. As for silver, a new record has been set. The price increased by RS 35 compared to the previous day, reaching RS 2,320 per tola.