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 Inches Closer to 3,000 Mark Amid Market Uptick: The stock market showed modest recovery on Wednesday, the fourth trading day of the week. The NEPSE index rose by 9.61 points to close at 2,983.31, approaching the psychological threshold of 3,000. On Tuesday, the index had surged by almost 80 points. Despite the moderate index gain, trade volume remained encouraging with 44.8 million shares of 319 scripts traded.

SEBON Unveils 88 Programs for FY 2025/26: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has announced its policies and programs for FY 2025/26, comprising seven policies and 88 programs. Plans include restructuring Nepal Stock Exchange and CDS & Clearing Limited, developing a four-year strategic plan to enhance institutional capacity, establishing its own office building, and transitioning to an ERP system. A feasibility study for provincial offices is also planned.

ADB Launches Country Partnership Strategy (2025–2029) for Nepal: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled its Country Partnership Strategy (2025–2029) for Nepal. Approved by ADB’s Board of Directors on June 17, the strategy outlines ADB’s strategic guidance for Nepal over the next five years. It focuses on private sector-led economic growth, increasing youth employment, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and disaster readiness.

Public Accounts Committee Directs to Proceed with Jagdulla Hydropower Contract: The Public Accounts Committee has directed authorities to move ahead with the contract process for the Jagdulla Hydropower Project. The instruction followed discussions on delays and irregularities. Committee Chair Rishikesh Pokharel mentioned a case is pending at the Supreme Court but directed officials to proceed in accordance with the law ensuring accountability.

Liquidity in Banking Sector Soars to Rs 10.5 trillion: With the start of the new fiscal year, bankable liquidity has further increased. According to NRB, loanable funds averaged Rs 600 billion for 11 months last year, rising to Rs 1.05 trillion by mid-July. As of the same date, total bank deposits reached Rs 7.292 trillion, with the credit-deposit (CD) ratio at 75.78%.

Government to Raise Rs 362 billion in Domestic Debt This Fiscal Year: The government plans to raise Rs 362 billion in domestic debt in FY 2025/26. According to the Public Debt Management Office, the target includes Rs 113 billion in Q1, Rs 85 billion in Q2, Rs 109 billion in Q3, and Rs 55 billion in Q4. The first and third quarters will see over Rs 100 billion raised.

PM Oli Urges Focus on Domestic Production and Industrialization: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged for enhanced domestic production and industrialization. In a meeting with newly elected CNI officials, he emphasized focusing on increasing local production and exports rather than profit from imports. He added that the government is working on legal and policy reforms to support private sector growth.

National ID Mandatory for New Demat Accounts: Nepali citizens will now need to provide a National Identity Card or its number to open new Demat accounts for share trading. The Securities Board of Nepal will direct NEPSE and CDS & Clearing to enforce this linkage with customer identification requirements.

Dormant Demat Accounts to Be Closed Without Renewal Fee: Demat accounts inactive for over five years without securities will be closed even if renewal fees are unpaid. This provision is included in SEBON’s policy for FY 2025/26, which allows closure of such accounts and waives fees if recovery isn’t possible.

NRB Withdraws Rs 80 billion via Deposit Collection Tool: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is withdrawing Rs 80 billion from the banking system for 56 days through a deposit collection tool. Banks currently receive 2.75% interest on such deposits. With excess liquidity and stagnant lending, NRB is using this tool to mop up idle funds.

Government to Issue Rs 10 billion in Development Bonds: The Public Debt Management Office is selling development bonds worth Rs 10 billion today. These three-year bonds will be sold via auction and will be tradable on the secondary market via NEPSE. They can also be used as collateral for loans.

UTL Loses Second Package of Information Highway Contract: The company for the second package of the Information Highway project in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces has been finalized. The project involves laying optical fiber along the Mid-Hill Highway and district headquarters. United Telecom Limited (UTL), which had earlier received the contract, failed to start work, stalling progress.

Probe Committee Begins Investigation Against Insurance Board Chair Sharad Ojha: The committee formed to investigate Insurance Board Chair Sharad Ojha has started its work. The Cabinet meeting on July 14 formed the committee under former High Court Justice Krishna Giri, with members Jiban Prakash Sitaula and Kapil Dev Oli. According to one committee member, following a letter from the Ministry of Finance, they have begun reviewing the appointment recommendation process and related documents.

East-West Railway in Limbo Due to Budget Constraints, Says Minister Dahal: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, has said the East-West electric railway, a national pride project, is stuck due to lack of budget. Speaking at the Federalism Strengthening Committee under the National Assembly, he stated the project is vital not only for domestic connectivity but also for linking Nepal with Southeast Asia.

Rs 191 billion Worth of Petroleum Imported via Birgunj Customs: Petroleum products worth Rs 191.88 billion were imported through the Birgunj checkpoint in FY 2024/25. This included diesel, petrol, LPG, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), and kerosene. Compared to FY 2080/81, petroleum imports through this checkpoint decreased by Rs 1.94 billion.

82 MW from Lower Solu Hydropower Connected to Grid: The 82 MW Lower Solu Hydropower Project in Solukhumbu has been connected to the national grid. Electricity is transmitted via the 132 kV Solu Corridor transmission line from Lammane. Test transmission began last Sunday. The project, started in 2017, is located between Tingla (Ward 11) and Garma (Ward 7) of Solududhkunda Municipality.

Over Rs 225 billion Spent on Mobile Phones in Last 5 Years: Nepalis have spent more than Rs 225 billion on mobile phones over the past five years. In total, 18.21 million units were imported with a customs value of Rs 163.58 billion. Their retail market value exceeded Rs 229 billion. In FY 2024/25 alone, 2.184 million phones were imported.

Plywood Exports Decline by 4.26% in FY 2024/25: Nepal’s plywood exports declined by 4.26% in the last fiscal year. Plywood is made by bonding thin wood sheets. In FY 2023/24, plywood worth Rs 7.41 billion was exported to India.

Nepal Imports Over Rs 700 million Worth of Mangoes and Guavas in FY 2024/25: Nepal imported mangoes and guavas worth over Rs 700 million in the last fiscal year 2024/25. According to data published by the Department of Customs, mangoes and guavas worth Rs 707.35 million entered Nepal in a year. Of this, 9.65 million kilograms of mangoes worth Rs 642.75 million were imported. The Department of Customs collected Rs 155.99 million in revenue from this import volume.

Gold Price Nears Record; Silver Hits All-Time High: Gold prices have approached their record high. On Wednesday, the price of gold surged by Rs 2,100 per tola, reaching Rs 197,600. The all-time highest recorded gold price was Rs 197,900 per tola on April 22. Meanwhile, silver has set a new record. Its price increased by Rs 30 per tola, reaching Rs 2,350.