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:

Wheat Production Increases by 2.5% This Year

Wheat production in the country has grown by 2.5% in the current fiscal year 2025/26, reaching 2.1 million metric tons. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the total area under wheat cultivation increased slightly to 685,000 hectares from 683,000 hectares last year. Improved productivity, rising from 3.01 to 3.07 metric tons per hectare, is attributed to better access to chemical fertilizers, improved seeds, and favorable weather conditions. Despite the domestic production hike, Nepal imported 23.9 million kilograms of wheat worth Rs 1.37 billion in the first nine months of the year, primarily from India, China, and Mexico, to meet the industrial demand for biscuits, pasta, and noodles.

Mandatory Digital Posting for Foreign Employment Advertisements

The Department of Foreign Employment has issued a new directive requiring all licensed manpower agencies to post job advertisements on the government’s official Shram Sansar app. Under a decision made on May 8, these digital postings must be made in addition to the mandatory advertisements in national daily newspapers. While the Foreign Employment Rules, 2008, already mandate a seven-day notice in a Nepali-language daily, the department added the digital requirement to increase transparency, improve accessibility for workers, and prevent fraud. Agencies are warned that failure to update information on the shramsansar.gov.np platform may result in legal action.

Nepal’s Power Capacity Reaches 4,296 Megawatts, Electricity Access Nears 99%

Nepal’s installed electricity generation capacity has reached 4,296 megawatts, with the government projecting it to surpass 4,500 megawatts by the end of the current fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation. Around 3,000 megawatts of projects are currently under construction, while another 3,000 megawatts are ready to begin construction. Nepal has also exported 2,918 gigawatt-hours of electricity and imported about 590 gigawatt-hours. The ministry said nationwide electricity leakage has been reduced to 12.5%, while 99% of the population now has electricity access. Per capita electricity consumption has reached 450 kilowatt-hours. Solar projects contribute 62.7 megawatts and small hydropower adds 55.3 megawatts to the national grid.

Govt. Digital Tracking System for Indian Vehicles at Borders

The authorities have introduced a digital tracking system to enforce entry rules for Indian-registered vehicles and curb revenue leakage from unauthorized long-term stays. Under existing regulations, Indian tourist vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and motorcycles, can remain in Nepal for a maximum of 30 days annually. Customs officials said overstaying is prohibited even with additional payments, and violators could face vehicle confiscation. The new online system allows authorities to monitor vehicle entry, movement, and duration of stay in real time. Travelers can now pre-register, pay fees digitally, and receive QR codes for border clearance. Indian cargo vehicles must leave within 72 hours or face daily penalties of Rs 2,500, while a free 12-hour facility remains in place for residents near border areas visiting local markets.

Policy Gaps Stall Conversion of Fuel Vehicles to Electric

Despite legal provisions introduced in 2025 and reaffirmed by a cabinet decision in 2026, the practical conversion of fuel-powered vehicles to electric remains stalled due to a lack of clear standards. The Department of Transport Management is still drafting directives to specify technical qualities, age limits for conversion, and post-conversion operational lifespan. Business owners estimate that converting a four-wheeler costs approximately Rs 2 million, leading many to seek government incentives and clear route permit policies before investing. While some two-wheelers have undergone the transition, no four-wheelers have been officially converted yet. The government’s goal to phase out fuel engines by 2031 remains largely on paper pending these detailed implementation guidelines.

Narainapur Customs Office to Reopen Under Digital System

The Narainapur sub-customs office in Banke, which remained closed since the conflict period, is set to resume operations under the Nepalgunj Customs Office. According to the Customs Regulations, 2026, this will be the only sub-customs office out of the seven original locations in the district to be reinstated. The office will primarily facilitate the import of household goods and agricultural products like potatoes, onions, and livestock. Authorities and local business leaders emphasize that the new office will operate using a digital system to ensure transparency and reduce congestion at the main Jamunaha border point. While the move is expected to control smuggling and boost revenue, officials have noted that strict monitoring will be implemented to prevent the misuse of the crossing for illegal trade.

Bhairahawa Customs Resumes Imports After MRP Compliance Facilitation

Import activities at the Bhairahawa border have stabilized after a 10-day disruption caused by new mandatory labeling requirements for Maximum Retail Price (MRP), brand, and expiry dates. The Department of Customs eased the bottleneck by allowing importers to release goods upon submitting a written self-declaration promising to attach the required labels before selling the products in the market. Previously, over 400 trucks were stranded as traders argued that labeling at the border point was impractical for goods from third countries like China and Japan. Following the facilitation on Wednesday evening, 90 trucks were cleared by Thursday, generating Rs 540 million in revenue the highest single-day collection since the new rules were enforced on April 27.

Authorities Raid Manpower; Seize 437 Passports and Cash

Following a complaint filed at the Prime Minister’s Office by a youth seeking employment in Malaysia, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security conducted a raid on Moon Manpower in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur. During the operation on Friday, a team accompanied by police seized 437 passports and Rs 790,000 in cash for which no receipts were found. The ministry has proceeded to seal the manpower agency’s office and initiate a formal investigation. Authorities have encouraged the public to report any grievances related to foreign employment directly to the ministry.

Clearance Granted to Cut 1,263 Trees for Tanahu Hydroelectric Transmission Line

The Division Forest Office, Chitwan, has granted permission to the Tanahu Hydroelectric Project to cut and manage 1,263 trees for the construction of the Damauli-Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line. The permit, effective from Friday, covers forest areas in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, including the Satanchuli Protected Area and Akaladevi and Siddhidevi community forests. Under a 2022 cabinet decision and a subsequent 2026 agreement with the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, the project is authorized to utilize 92.73 hectares of forest land across Chitwan and Tanahu districts. A total of 9,127 trees are slated for removal across the entire route, with marking and logging activities currently ongoing in Tanahun as well.

Project Launched to Solve Water Crisis at Korala Border

Lomanthang Rural Municipality has initiated a deep-boring water project near the No. 24 border pillar at the Korala crossing to address a long-standing shortage of drinking water and sanitation. Previously, local traders operating under tents and tourists had to transport water from Nechung, located several kilometers away. The project is being executed by Asian Construction and Drilling, Dolakha, at a cost of Rs 3 million. In addition to the water supply, the municipality is also constructing public toilets at the border point. This infrastructure is expected to support the 80 businesses currently operating at the crossing and facilitate smoother cross-border trade and tourism, which has been active for over two years since the border reopened.

‘Deputy Mayor Production Campaign’ Targets Coffee Hub Status in Diktel

Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality has launched the “Deputy Mayor for Production Mega-Campaign” with a budget of Rs 15 million to boost local employment. The campaign aims to plant 2.8 million coffee saplings across 8 hectares of land this year, with a long-term goal of producing 1 million kilograms of processed coffee annually. By identifying wards suitable for coffee cultivation, the municipality is providing free saplings, technical training, and drilling machines to help farmers utilize barren land. Currently, the project has created daily employment for up to 80 locals in nurseries. Officials estimate that this initiative could eventually replace the Rs 200 million worth of coffee currently imported into the district each year, turning the municipality into a major “coffee hub.”

Jumla Transport Office Collects Rs 11.6 Million Revenue in 10 Months

The Transport Management Service Office in Jumla has collected Rs 11.6 million in revenue during the first ten months of the current fiscal year, ending May 7. The annual revenue target for the office is Rs 20 million. A breakdown of the collection shows Rs 5.7 million from vehicle taxes, Rs 1.5 million from the transport sector income, and Rs 435,526 from driver’s license and registration fees. During this period, the office registered 198 new vehicles and issued or renewed 620 driving licenses across various categories, including motorcycles, scooters, and light four-wheelers. Administrative fines contributed a minor Rs 1,575 to the total.

Traffic Violations Generate Rs 2.2 Million Revenue in 24 Hours

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office penalized 2,034 motorists for various traffic infractions over the past 24 hours, resulting in a total revenue collection of Rs 2.2 million. The recorded violations included 140 cases of driving under the influence (DUI), 184 unauthorized ride-sharing operations, and 87 traffic signal violations. Additionally, 210 drivers were fined for speeding, while 120 violated lane discipline. Other penalties were issued for prohibited honking (57), footpath parking (96), and driving the wrong way on one-way streets (110). A total of 1,029 other general traffic rule violations were also processed during the enforcement period to ensure road safety in the valley.

Ward 23 of KMC Promotes Local Script with Business Signboards

Ward No. 23 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has launched an initiative to preserve the traditional Ranjana Lipi script by integrating it into local business signboards. In the first phase, the ward provided 50 tax-paying businesses in the Jhochhen area with illuminated circular boards as a gift. These boards feature a standardized design: English at the top, Ranjana Lipi in the center, and Devanagari script at the bottom. Supported by the Callijatra Foundation and coordinated by the Jhochhen Community Society, the project aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the heritage site while encouraging tax compliance. The ward plans to gradually distribute similar signboards to all 700 registered businesses within its jurisdiction to maintain cultural authenticity and support tourism management.

Bird Flu Outbreak in Parwanipur Results in Rs 5 Million Loss

The National Bird Research Program in Parwanipur, Bara, has suffered an estimated financial loss of Rs 4.5 to 5 million following a bird flu outbreak. The virus was first detected in Turkey breeds in mid-April this year and subsequently spread to other species within the facility. To contain the contagion, authorities destroyed approximately 2,000 chicks, 1,200 Giriraja chickens, 450 quails, 47 black and white turkeys, and 33 partridges. Furthermore, over 3,125 kilograms of various poultry feed (L1, L2, and L3) were also disposed of. The facility is currently undergoing a rigorous disinfection process involving lime application and heat sterilization. Plans are underway to restock the farm with birds and eggs from program centers in Pokhara and Nepalgunj once the area is declared safe.

Applications Open for Top Positions at NTA and Security Printing Centre

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has announced vacancies for several high-level positions within its subordinate agencies. Applications are invited for the post of chairperson and four members at the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). Simultaneously, the ministry has opened the recruitment process for the executive director of the Security Printing Centre. Interested and qualified candidates for all positions must submit their applications through the ministry’s official portal by May 19. Detailed eligibility criteria, including educational requirements and professional experience, have been published on the ministry’s website to ensure a competitive and transparent selection process.