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:

NRB Reports Total Bank Deposits Reaching Rs 7.879 Trillion

According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), total deposits in Nepal’s banks and financial institutions increased by 8.5 percent, amounting to Rs 615.67 billion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, reaching Rs 7.879 trillion. Within this total, savings deposits account for 45.3 percent, while fixed deposits comprise 38.9 percent. During the same review period ending on April 13, 2026, private sector credit expanded by 5.7 percent, or Rs 311.95 billion, totaling Rs 5.809 trillion. While credit for construction and industrial production grew by 10.7 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, credit to the agricultural sector witnessed a decline of 2.3 percent.

Finance Minister Alleges Insider Trading and Market Manipulation

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has accused a small group of manipulating the capital market, engaging in insider trading, and misusing Rs 15 to 16 billion in public funds to build illegal wealth. Speaking at a House Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Wagle said parts of the financial sector and stock market had come under the influence of a limited circle of individuals, describing it as a serious threat to economic governance. He said the government is pursuing reforms to make the capital market more transparent, professional, and globally competitive. According to him, past manipulation enabled influential groups to capture economic institutions and expand political influence through financial power.

NEPSE Plummets by 39.44 Points, Turnover Climbs to Rs 4.665 Billion

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) dropped 39.44 points, or 1.41 percent, on Tuesday to close at 2744.40, reversing the previous session’s gains. The Sensitive Index also fell 1.08 percent to 468.26 points, while float and sensitive float indices declined 1.35 percent and 1.18 percent, respectively. More than 10.67 million shares of 338 companies were traded through 62,512 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs 4.66 billion. Share prices of 251 companies declined, while only 13 advanced and five remained unchanged. All sectoral indices except mutual funds ended lower, with hydropower, trading, finance, and hotels among the biggest losers.

Remittance Inflows Hit Record High of Rs 1.659 Trillion

Remittance inflows to the country reached an all-time high of Rs 1.659 trillion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, marking a 39.1 percent increase. According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) data up to April 13, 2026, monthly remittance in March/April alone was Rs 2.097 billion. Foreign exchange reserves rose to Rs 3.494 billion, or USD 23.55 billion, sufficient to cover 18.4 months of imports. During this period, 294,186 Nepalis received new labor permits, while 293,259 renewed their permits. The balance of payments remains at a surplus of Rs 731.1 million.

Only 58 Lawmakers Submit Property Details to Parliament Secretariat

A total of 58 lawmakers have submitted their property disclosure statements to the Lawmakers’ Facility Branch of the Federal Parliament Secretariat. Under Section 50 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002, and Section 31A (1) of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act, 1991, all public officials must submit updated details of assets held in their name or their family’s name within 60 days of taking office. The Secretariat has issued a notice reminding members of the 275-seat House of Representatives and the 59-seat National Assembly that the deadline for these submissions is May 24.

Ministry Warns Against Black-Market and Low-Quality Fertilizers

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has issued a public warning regarding the potential sale of low-quality fertilizers and the black-marketing of government-subsidized products. Under the Chemical Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1998, the ministry is enforcing strict regulations to ensure that only fertilizers meeting specific official standards and specifications are imported and sold. It is strictly prohibited to sell mixed fertilizers, use incorrect labels, or provide false information to deceive farmers. Farmers are strongly urged to purchase their supplies only from officially registered dealers of Agriculture Inputs Company Limited and Salt Trading Corporation. The ministry has requested that any irregularities, such as overcharging or the discovery of substandard products, be reported immediately to local levels or district administration offices for legal action.

Chinese Passenger Car Exports Surge by 85% in April

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) shows that Chinese passenger car exports jumped by approximately 85 percent in April, reaching 796,000 units. This growth was driven primarily by new energy vehicles, including electric and plug-in hybrids, which saw exports rise by over 120 percent to 420,000 units. While international demand scales up due to rising fuel costs, China’s domestic market saw a 25.5 percent decline in sales to 1.3 million vehicles, marking the sixth consecutive month of domestic contraction. Major brands like BYD and Geely are now expanding production facilities in Europe and Latin America to solidify their global presence.

Tea Exports Halted Due to Stricter Indian Lab Testing; Industry Concerned

The country’s tea exports have nearly stopped after India introduced stricter laboratory testing requirements for imports. Under the new rule, samples from each shipment must be tested in Kolkata, with results taking around 15 days. This has caused major delays at the Nepal-India border in Jhapa, where trucks are now stuck awaiting clearance. Only a very small quantity of tea has been exported since the rule change, while most shipments remain halted. The delay and added testing costs have made exports difficult for producers. Tea entrepreneurs are urging the government to resolve the issue through diplomatic talks, saying repeated procedural changes in India are hurting one of Nepal’s key export industries.

Koshi Province Shifts Strategy After Spending Rs 10 Billion on Tourism

The Koshi Province government has decided to stop funding small, scattered tourism projects under Rs 2.5 million after concluding that an investment of approximately Rs 10 billion over the last eight years failed to yield expected returns. Future efforts will focus on large-scale, result-oriented projects such as the Birat King’s Palace, Pathibhara, and the Chatara-Barahachhetra cable car under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. Currently, the ministry faces a liability of Rs 332.5 million for multi-year projects and requires Rs 3 billion to complete 63 unfinished tasks. Despite revenue collection of Rs 60.2 billion from forest management, officials cited federal regulatory hurdles as a barrier to effective international tourism promotion.

PPMO Blacklists 14 Contractors Over Contract Violations

The Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO) has blacklisted 14 construction companies and suppliers for failing to fulfill contractual obligations, barring them from government procurement and bidding processes for up to 18 months. The action, taken under the Public Procurement Act, followed recommendations from agencies including the Nepal Army, Lalitpur Road Division Office, and Surkhet Water Supply and Irrigation Directorate. Among those penalized are Nagarjun Construction, Ashika Nirman Sewa, Majdur Construction, Mainachuli Nirman Sewa, and Suruchi Construction, all facing 18-month bans. Several other firms, including Soni Builders and Engineering and Om Infratech, received one-year restrictions. Authorities said the move aims to strengthen accountability and discipline in public infrastructure projects.

Price Hikes Stall Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel 6-Lane Road Expansion

The expansion of the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel road section along the Arniko Highway into six lanes has slowed significantly as contractors cite rising costs of bitumen and petroleum products due to Middle East conflicts. Physical progress stands at 70 percent in Kavrepalanchowk and 50 percent in Bhaktapur. Ashish Kumar Shrestha/Bandhan/Bhagwati JV is handling the 7.3 kilometers Suryabinayak-Sanga segment for Rs 3.889 billion, with a deadline extended to mid-January this year. Meanwhile, Lama Construction is working on the 8.5 kilometers Sanga-Dhulikhel stretch for Rs 4.056 billion, with a deadline of mid-December 2025. Delays have caused severe dust and mud issues, leading to local fatalities and public outcry.

Committee Begins Process for Refunds to Depositors of Troubled Cooperatives

The Office of the Problematic Cooperative Management Committee has begun collecting claims and documents from depositors to advance the savings refund process for troubled cooperatives. The office said services related to refunds and government or public body matters will operate from 9 am to 3 pm, while grievance handling and statement distribution will be available after 3 pm under a revised schedule aimed at managing growing crowds more effectively. Authorities also clarified procedures for statement requests, loan and collateral issues, legal cases, and property release or restrictions. Depositors have been urged to submit required documents on time as the committee works to ensure a transparent and systematic refund process.

Government Sets Rs 1.89 Trillion Budget Ceiling, Plans Revenue Office Overhaul

The government has fixed a budget ceiling of Rs 1.89 trillion for fiscal year 2026/27 while advancing major fiscal and administrative reforms. Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay told the House Finance Committee that ministries have already received spending limits and begun entering plans into the budget system. Authorities said priority would be given to completing ongoing projects and reducing unnecessary expenditure. Current fiscal year capital spending stands at 26 percent, while revenue collection has reached Rs 886 billion, around 60 percent of the target. The government also plans to abolish the Department of Revenue Investigation over overlapping responsibilities. Officials said 39 government structures, more than 300 posts, and 15 outdated laws have already been removed or repealed.

Middle East Conflict Challenges Chemical Fertilizer Supply

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has reported that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has disrupted the supply of approximately 185,000 tons of contracted chemical fertilizer. With the rice planting season approaching, the ministry is seeking alternative foreign sources to prevent shortages. Officials warned against the sale of low-quality or black-market fertilizers during this period, stating that strict monitoring will be enforced under the Chemical Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1998. Farmers are advised to purchase only from authorized dealers of Agriculture Inputs Company and Salt Trading Corporation and to report any irregularities to local administrations.

Integrated Waste Management Centers Start in 2 Local Units of Sudurpashchim

Under the Regional Urban Development Project supported by the Asian Development Bank, integrated waste management centers have come into operation in Attariya, Kailali, and Shuklaphanta Municipality, Kanchanpur. Construction of a similar center in Ward 7, Patela, of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, is complete, but operations are delayed due to a pending variation order totaling an estimated Rs 1.09 billion. The Dhangadhi facility, built by Sichuan Province Geological Engineering Complex of China, is designed to manage waste for 30 years. While Shuklaphanta’s center was built with an investment of Rs 302.5 million, the Bhimdatta Municipality failed to participate after failing to provide the required land.

National Economic Census 2026 to Begin in Parsa and Bara

The National Statistics Office will conduct the National Economic Census 2026 in the industrial hubs of Parsa and Bara from April 15 to June 21, 2026. Data collectors will visit all industries, educational institutions, health facilities, and financial organizations to gather information for economic measurement. Authorities have assured business owners that the collected data will remain confidential under the Statistics Act, 2022, and will not be used for tax purposes or as evidence in other agencies. Registered and unregistered entities alike are encouraged to participate to ensure an accurate snapshot of the national economy.

Bridge Construction Approvals Secured for Bheri Corridor Project

The National Planning Commission has granted resource assurance to the Ministry of Finance for the construction of 14 bridges along the Nalgad (Tallu)-Dunai section of the Bheri Corridor. These bridges, including those at Phulbari Khola, Kharekhola, and Tripurakot, are vital for the 310 kilometers tri-national route linking India, Nepal, and China. However, five motorable bridges contracted to Caravan Hirachan JV in mid-January 2021 for a combined Rs 31.974 billion remain stranded with near-zero progress. While blacktopping is nearly complete on a 56 kilometers stretch, a new Rs 740 million contract has been awarded to CAB Nirman-Jawalakhel JV for an additional 42 kilometers, targeting completion by mid-October 2028.

Snow Rivers Opens IPO for General Public

Snow Rivers Company has opened its Initial Public Offering (IPO) for the general public starting today, following the successful allocation of shares to local residents and migrant workers. Out of the total authorized capital of Rs 937.5 million, the company was permitted to issue 20 percent, or 1,875,000 shares. In this second phase, some 778,125 shares valued at Rs 77.8 million are available at a par value of Rs 100. Investors can apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 1,000 shares via the C-ASBA system. The issuance managed by Sanima Capital will close at the earliest on May 15.

Gold and Silver Prices Rise in Domestic Market

Prices of gold and silver have increased in the domestic market today. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has risen by Rs 4,400 per tola (11.66 grams) and reached Rs 302,900 per tola. On Monday, gold was traded at Rs 298,500 per tola. Similarly, silver has increased by Rs 355 per tola and is now priced at Rs 5,695 per tola. It was traded at Rs 5,340 per tola on Monday.