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:

NEPSE Index Jumps 50.44 Points; Turnover Reaches Rs 7 Billion

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index surged by 50.44 points to settle at 2,650.66 on Monday. Turnover also increased significantly, reaching Rs 7.3 billion, up from Rs 6.28 billion on Sunday. In the day’s trading, 215 companies saw their value rise, while 37 declined. The life insurance sector registered the largest gain at 4.94 percent. Five companies, including Jhapa Energy and Sagar Distillery, saw their share prices rise by 10 percent.

Imports Rise 18.71 Percent, Exports Jump 77.51 Percent

According to the Customs Department, imports increased by 18.71 percent and exports surged by 77.51 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year. Total trade volume reached Rs 702.947 billion. Despite the export growth, the trade deficit expanded to Rs 515.95 billion. Major exports included soybean oil (Rs 38.43 billion), and major imports included diesel (Rs 31.891 billion).

Social Security Fund Contribution Nears Rs 100 Billion

The total contribution collected by the Social Security Fund (SSF) has reached nearly Rs 100 billion, specifically standing at Rs 95.441 billion. The SSF has 22,309 listed employers and 2.6 million listed contributors. Total claim payouts have reached Rs 17.648 billion. The largest claim amount, Rs 14.617 billion, was paid out for the old-age security (retirement) scheme.

Banks Reject Institutional Deposits Due to Excess Liquidity

Banks are effectively rejecting institutional deposits by offering interest rates as low as 2.75 percent due to continuous excess liquidity, which now exceeds Rs 1.12 trillion in loanable funds. Major institutional bodies, including the Social Security Fund (SSF) and the Citizens’ Investment Trust (Nagarik Lagani Kosh), are struggling to place their money, with the amount of bids received often half of what is sought. This problem escalated after the September 8 and September 9 protests halted loan expansion.

Soybean Oil Drives 77.51% Export Surge in Four Months

Nepal’s exports surged by 77.51 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, reaching Rs 93.49 billion, according to the Customs Department. Soybean oil was the top export at Rs 38.43 billion. Total imports grew by 18.71 percent to Rs 609.451 billion, bringing the total foreign trade to Rs 715.95 billion. Despite the export growth, the trade deficit increased by 11.99 percent to Rs 515.96 billion. The deficit with India was Rs 261.42 billion, and with China, it was Rs 132.28 billion.

Sugarcane Farmers Demand Rs 750 Minimum Support Price

Sugarcane farmers have strongly urged the government to determine the minimum support price for the new season based on the actual cost of production. In a discussion held on Sunday, Umesh Chandra Yadav, spokesperson for the Federation of Sugarcane Producers Association, stated that the federation demands a minimum price of Rs 750 per quintal, citing increased production costs. The federation also demanded that the government ensure payment to farmers within 15 days of sale. Additionally, the payment of the remaining Rs 750 million in subsidy from last year is still stalled. Farmers are hopeful the government will set a respectable price by December 1.

Reconstruction Fund Reaches Rs 93 Million with New Contributions

The Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Fund received significant new contributions, reaching Rs 93 million as of Sunday. Life Insurance Corporation (Nepal) Limited contributed Rs 10.1 million. Employees from the F1 Soft Group (including eSewa Limited and Phonepe Payment Service Limited) jointly contributed Rs 7.5 million. Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal received the contributions from LIC CEO Pranay Kumar and Group Chairman Siddhant Thakuri.

Minister Ghising Insists Power Deal Resulted in Rs 1.2 Billion Profit

Energy Minister Kulman Ghising maintained that the government earned a profit of Rs 1.2 billion from the electricity purchase agreement with India’s PTC company. Speaking at the National Assembly meeting on Monday, Minister Ghising refuted claims of financial loss, arguing that the rate of Indian Rs 6.95 per unit was more profitable than the previously proposed Rs 8.10 rate. He asserted that the immediate agreement was crucial to prevent nationwide load-shedding.

Karnali Cooperatives Crisis-Free, Rs 8 Billion Savings Safe

Cooperatives in Karnali Province are reported to be crisis-free, securing over Rs 8.194 billion in savings for 262,323 members. Senior Section Officer Bhim Bahadur Karki of the Cooperative Registrar’s Office confirmed that unlike other provinces, Karnali’s 311 cooperatives have not been declared troubled, nor have their operators fled. The total loan investment stands at Rs 11.51 billion. The office emphasizes the need for financial discipline and good governance to maintain public trust.

Koshi Tourism Year 2025 Stalls Despite Rs 100 Million Budget

The Koshi Province Tourism Year 2025 has stalled four months after its launch on April 12 this year, in the Tinjure-Milke area of Tehrathum. Rs 100 million was allocated for the program, but no activities have taken place. Krishna Kumar Neupane, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Forests, and Environment, attributed the delay primarily to procedural flaws in the management working procedure, which required multiple layers of internal committee approvals. Co-Coordinator Bhavesh Kumar Shrestha also stated that the Gen Z protest in September exacerbated the situation. A new working procedure has now been submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office for approval.

Birgunj Customs Misses Target, Collects Rs 75.58 Billion

The Birgunj Customs Office collected Rs 75.58 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, achieving 85 percent of the Rs 89.24 billion target set by the Customs Department. Revenue collection dropped significantly in the last month. Customs Chief Bishnu Prasad Gyawali attributed the shortfall to various disruptions, including the Gen Z protest, the Chhath festival, and floods. Only Rs 17.33 billion was collected in the last month, falling short of the month’s Rs 23.63 billion target.

Nepalgunj Trade Volume Hits Rs 24.57 Billion in Four Months

The Nepalgunj Customs checkpoint recorded a trade volume exceeding Rs 24.57 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. This marks an increase of over Rs 2 billion compared to the same period last fiscal year, according to Janardan Paudel, Chief of the Nepalgunj Customs Office. Total imports reached Rs 23.80 billion, while exports were Rs 772.8 million. Despite the growth in trade, revenue collection for the office fell by Rs 50 million, totaling Rs 6.01 billion. Officials attributed the slight drop in revenue to the Gen Z protest that temporarily affected collection in September.

Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan Spends 14.24 Percent of Budget

Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan City spent 14.24 percent of its total Rs 2.292 billion budget in the first three months of the current fiscal year, 2025/26. The total expenditure was Rs 326.4 million. Current expenditure reached 19.93 percent, but capital expenditure was significantly lower at just 6.83 percent (Rs 68 million). Internal revenue collection stood at 24.71 percent of the target, collecting Rs 118.7 million.

Rupandehi Companies Fined Rs 205,000 Each Over Quality

The Department of Commerce, Supply, and Consumer Protection fined Arghakhanchi Cement Company and Trirupati Food Processing Industries in Rupandehi Rs 205,000 each. The fine was imposed after a monitoring team found both industries producing goods that violated government-mandated standards, contravening the Consumer Protection Act, 2018, and Rules, 2019. Separately, the department is intensifying monitoring of water industries in the Kathmandu Valley following quality complaints. Tripura Beverage and Badi Khel Drinking Water Industries in Lalitpur were directed to submit documents within three days for operating without renewing their registration.

Thai AirAsia Flight Lands in Bhairahawa with 161 Passengers

A Thai AirAsia flight from Bangkok landed at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa with 161 passengers on Sunday. Binod Singh Rawat, information officer for the airport, confirmed that the flight landed at almost full capacity, with most arrivals being Buddhist pilgrims. This sudden increase in incoming passengers is a significant boost for tourism potential in the Lumbini region. The airline, which started regular flights on October 26, also saw 145 passengers depart from Bhairahawa for Bangkok on the same day.

Feasibility Study Begins for Lake in Kalanjar-Jaljala Area

A feasibility study and Detailed Project Report (DPR) are underway for the construction of a lake at the Kalanjar Hampal Jaljala area, a natural and religious site at an elevation of 3,200 meters. The project is led by the Irrigation and Water Resource Management Project Office, Pokhara, which has allocated Rs 4 million for the study this fiscal year. Vice Chairman Deepak Acharya stated the goal is to develop the area, which borders Myagdi, Parbat, and Kaski, into a major tourist destination.

Film ‘Paran’ Becomes 2025’s Highest Grosser at Rs 141.6 Million

The Neer Shah-starrer film Paran has emerged as a major box office success, achieving a nationwide gross of Rs 141.6 million as of last Saturday. The film has sold an impressive 499,168 tickets across the country, reflecting strong audience interest and widespread popularity. Directed by Deepak Acharya Kaku and released on October 31, Paran has quickly risen to become the highest-grossing Nepali film of the current year. Its remarkable performance underscores both the enduring appeal of Neer Shah and the growing commercial potential of Nepali cinema.

Investor Seeks Return of Rs 34 Million in Casino Dispute

Deepak Pandey of Siddharthanagar Municipality-10 is seeking the return of Rs 34 million he invested in the upcoming Winstar Casino in Rupandehi. Pandey claims he was promised a 25 percent share, but the operator, Prapti Pokharel, failed to deliver and is allegedly attempting to obtain a new license. Pandey filed a case in Patan High Court on October 26. Separately, Hotel Bodhi Redson issued a 7-day notice to the casino for failing to pay rent and deposits.

Nepal Receives USD 407.1 Million in Climate Finance, Less Than 1 Percent of Need

Nepal has received USD 407.1 million from various climate funds to support 49 projects aimed at mitigating climate change effects. The funding includes USD 148.3 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and USD 153 million from the Climate Investment Fund. However, the Finance Ministry estimates that Nepal requires USD 121.12 billion to address the impact of climate change, meaning the amount received so far is less than one percent of the total requirement.

Gold Price Falls by Rs 1,900 on Monday

Gold prices dropped significantly in the Nepali market on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold plummeted by Rs 1,900 per tola. Gold is now being traded at Rs 242,700 per tola, down from Rs 244,600 on Sunday. Silver prices also saw a decrease, falling by Rs 20 per tola to a trading rate of Rs 3,115 per tola today.