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 Falls by 22.58 Points, 206 Companies See Share Price Drop

On Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) dropped by 22.58 points, closing at 2,505.58. Share prices of 206 companies fell during today’s trading session. Despite the overall decline, 40 companies saw their share prices rise, while 5 companies remained unchanged. Trading volume also shrank compared to Tuesday, totaling Rs 3.10 billion for the day.

Finance Minister Khanal Holds Series of Meetings in Washington DC
Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal held separate meetings with various donor agencies and senior U.S. officials in Washington DC. Khanal, who is attending the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, discussed Nepal–U.S. trade and investment promotion with the U.S. Trade Representative. On the occasion, he requested the U.S. side to extend the Nepal Trade Preference Program. Similarly, during his meeting with representatives from the U.S. State Department, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations.

Rs 4.9 Billion Added in Share-Backed Loans in Two Months
Share-backed lending by banks and financial institutions increased by Rs 4.9 billion in the first two months of current fiscal year. According to NRB data, the total volume of such loans reached Rs 145.6 billion by mid-September, up from Rs 140.7 billion in mid-July. The figure marks a 45.9 percent year-on-year rise.

NRB Withdraws Rs 35 Billion from Banking System
The central bank mopped up Rs 35 billion from the market as liquidity has become excessive in the banking system. To absorb the surplus, NRB had invited banks and financial institutions to participate in online bidding by 3 PM today. Bids were placed in multiples that evenly divide between a minimum of Rs 100 million and a maximum of Rs 500 million.

Over Rs 350 Billion in Remittances Received in Two Months
In the first two months of FY 2025/26, Nepal received more than Rs 350 billion in remittances. According to NRB data released Tuesday, remittances increased by 33.1 percent to Rs 352.08 billion, compared to a 15.8 percent rise in the same period last year.

Rs 255 Billion Stuck in Government Treasury Due to Spending Delays
Due to government inaction, Rs 255.61 billion remains idle in the state treasury. NRB’s report on the first two months of FY 2025/26 shows that despite adequate funds, the government has failed to mobilize them. At the end of last fiscal year, the balance was already Rs 130.73 billion.

Finance Minister Khanal Discusses Three Key Road Projects with JICA
While in the U.S., Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal held talks with JICA on advancing three major road projects: BP Highway rehabilitation, completion of the Nagdhunga tunnel, and construction of the Koteshwor underpass section. According to the Finance Ministry, Khanal urged JICA to increase investment in Nepal’s infrastructure and human development sectors.

Chinese Firm Selected to Print New Rs 50 Notes
Nepal Rastra Bank has chosen a Chinese company to print new Rs 50 banknotes. Through open bidding, China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation was selected to print 420 million pieces of Rs 50 notes. The bank will pay the company Rs 1.47 billion for design and printing.

Banks Allowed to Use CSR Funds for Gen Z Protest Victims
Banks and financial institutions can now spend their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support those injured and families of martyrs from the Gen-Z protests. Nepal Rastra Bank amended its CSR guidelines to allow banks, financial institutions, and infrastructure banks to use their CSR allocations for these purposes.

Nearly 7 Million Taxpayers Registered for PAN
A total of 6.99 million taxpayers have now obtained a Permanent Account Number (PAN), according to the Ministry of Finance. Within a year, the number of taxpayers increased significantly—from 6.26 million at the end of fiscal year 2023/2024 to 6.99 million by the end of fiscal year 2024/25. As of that date, 351,000 taxpayers were registered for VAT and 125,000 for excise duty.

Rastriya Banijya Bank Distributes Grants for Energy Efficiency
Under the “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program” of the Re-Powering and Empowering through Sustainable Energy Project, Rastriya Banijya Bank has distributed grants to industries that successfully implemented energy-saving measures in its second phase.
The EU and the German government co-finance the Re-Green Project, which provides partial financial assistance to industries implementing high-impact energy efficiency initiatives.

Bhote Koshi Power Company Denies Deal to Provide Free Shares
Bhote Koshi Power Company Pvt. Ltd. has clarified that it has made no agreement with Bhote Koshi Gen Z Public Investment Ltd. to distribute free shares. In a statement issued Wednesday, the company said, “There has been no agreement of any kind between Bhote Koshi Gen Z Public Investment Public Limited and Bhote Koshi Power Company to provide free shares.”

Locals Disrupt 10 Hydropower Projects Demanding Free Shares
Locals have obstructed construction works at ten ongoing or soon-to-start hydropower projects, demanding free shares. According to the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN), locals in Jugal Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchok have halted projects under construction. IPPAN said similar obstructions have occurred nationwide as locals demanded 10 percent free shares. Some have protested delays in issuing promised shares.

Koshi Province Cuts 25% of Budget to Fund Reconstruction
The Koshi Province government has decided to cut 25 percent of its current fiscal year budget (2025/26). According to Internal Affairs and Law Minister Rewati Raman Bhandari, the decision was made to redirect funds toward reconstruction after the Gen Z protests and damage from rains and floods between October 3-5.

Apple Production Rises in Mustang District
Apple output has increased this year in Mustang compared to last year. According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, 7,636 metric tons of apples were produced this year, up from 7,238 metric tons last year. The total market value rose from Rs 918.6 million last year to around Rs 1.1 billion this year.

Boat Service Resumes Between Kopche and Barahkshhetra
Motorboat services have resumed from Kopche in Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality–9 to Barahkshhetra. The service had been halted since Ashad due to high river flow, but with the current water level lowering, operations have restarted. Locals in the southern areas, where no bridges cross Arun and Dudh Koshi rivers, say the service has eased travel difficulties.

Two Microfinance Companies to Begin Integrated Operations
Grameen Bikas Laghubitta (based in Butwal) and Samaj Laghubitta (registered in Malangwa, Sarlahi) will begin integrated operations from October 19 Following final approval from Nepal Rastra Bank on October 9 and from the Office of the Company Registrar on October 12, the merger will take effect next month.

Shareholders Suggest Raising Hathway Investment Nepal’s Capital to Rs 5 Billion
Shareholders of Hathway Investment Nepal Ltd. have suggested increasing the company’s capital to a minimum of Rs 5 billion.
The proposal was made during the company’s postponed 17th Annual General Meeting held on September 16. The AGM had earlier been delayed due to the Gen Z protests. Director Damru Ballab Ghimire presented the suggestion to raise capital.

Gold Price Increases by Rs 400 per Tola in Local Market
Gold prices rose by Rs 400 per tola on Wednesday compared to Tuesday’s trading, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association. Gold traded at Rs 248,900 per tola, up from Rs 248,500 on Tuesday. Silver prices, however, fell by Rs 85 per tola.