KATHMANDU: Nepal News brings you a daily roundup of economic activities in Nepal. This summary provides concise updates across key sectors, keeping you informed on the latest market trends, policy changes, and financial developments. Here are today’s top economic highlights.

143 Companies Gain as NEPSE Closes Higher

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rose by 12.91 points (0.46 percent) on Monday, closing at 2,763.74. Despite the gain, overall trading remained moderate. A total of 114,408,844 shares worth Rs 5.10 billion were traded throughout the day. By market close, share prices of 143 companies had increased, 106 had declined, while two remained unchanged. Altogether, 326 companies saw trading activity with 68,775 transactions recorded.

Share-Backed Loans Rise to Rs 140.7 Billion
According to Nepal Rastra Bank, banks and financial institutions (commercial banks, development banks, and finance companies) had invested Rs 9.009 billion in margin-based share-backed loans by the end of fiscal year 2023/24. By the end of fiscal year 2024/25, this increased by 56.17% to Rs 140.7 billion. Commercial banks, which had issued Rs 7.03 billion in share-backed loans last year, increased it by 66.05% to Rs 116.8 billion. Development banks, which had invested Rs 1.559 billion last year, increased it by 25.31% to Rs 1.954 billion in the same period.

Bangladeshi Firm Assigned Audit of Top 10 Nepali Commercial Banks
A Bangladeshi company tasked with auditing the loan quality of Nepal’s top 10 commercial banks must complete its work within five months. Nepal Rastra Bank has given Howlader Yunus & Company of Bangladesh until the end of January 2026 for this purpose. The company’s proposal of USD 271,670 for testing the asset quality of commercial banks was approved by the central bank. The audit will cover banks involved in mergers and acquisitions, including Global IME Bank, Nabil Bank, Nepal Investment Mega Bank, Kumari Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Himalayan Bank, and Prabhu Bank, as well as NIC Asia, NMB, and Rastriya Banijya Bank.

Positive Signals for Bank Dividend Seekers
Investors awaiting dividends in the capital market have received positive signals from commercial banks’ financial results this year. Banks’ significant profits in the fiscal year 2024/25 improved their dividend distribution capacity. In recent years, dividend rates of commercial banks had been shrinking. However, last year’s financial results show notable improvement. Banks that could not distribute dividends last year can now provide up to 20% dividend capacity.

Nepal to Sign Labor Agreement with Saudi Arabia
The government has authorized the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security to sign a labor agreement with Saudi Arabia. The Council of Ministers approved the agreement on Friday. The ministry prepared the draft labor agreement through phased negotiations and submitted it for cabinet approval. Once approved, the path is clear to sign the labor agreement with Saudi Arabia. The agreement will cover skilled and unskilled workers, excluding domestic workers.

Government to Set Up Fund to Protect Nepali Workers in India
The government has adopted a policy to establish a separate fund to protect the rights of Nepali workers in India. A suitable model, similar to the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund for citizens going abroad for work, will be created and gradually implemented. The National Labor Migration Policy 2025 provides for organized management of workers going to India. The policy, approved by the Council of Ministers, ensures labor migration is safe, organized, dignified, and sustainable.

Banking Offenses Lead Registered Crimes in First Month of FY 2025/26
In the first month of fiscal year 2025/26, banking offenses accounted for the most registered crimes nationwide. According to Nepal Police data, 1,603 banking crime cases were registered, accounting for 28.25% of all crimes. A total of 5,740 crime cases were registered that month. After banking offenses, there were 875 cases (15.21%) related to public interest, health, safety, convenience, and ethics; 554 (9.76%) suicides; 460 (8.09%) drug-related cases; 379 (6.60%) theft; and 262 (4.56%) fraud cases.

India’s BIS Requirement Reduces Nepali Iron and Steel Exports
Following India’s mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certificate, Nepal’s iron and steel exports to India have decreased. Until last year, iron and steel products were Nepal’s top export items. However, at the beginning of this year, exports sharply declined. In the first month of fiscal year 2025/26, only Rs 355.9 million worth of iron and steel items were exported from Nepal, compared to Rs 1.2461 billion in the first month of previous fiscal year.

Egg Farmers Start Receiving Cost Price
Poultry farmers producing eggs have begun receiving the cost price. Many farmers were displaced from the profession as the eggs did not even fetch the cost price. Binod Pokharel, president of the Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers’ Association, said that farmers began receiving the cost price from July 22. The association had set the price for large eggs at Rs 525 per crate on July 22. Currently, the market price per egg is Rs 23, while farmers are receiving Rs 18 per egg.

Dividend Season Begins for Listed Companies
The dividend season has begun for listed companies. Companies from various sectors have started declaring dividends from profits earned in the fiscal year 2024/25 and accumulated profits until that period. Some banks, financial institutions, and hydropower companies have already started announcing dividends. Most mutual funds listed in the market have already announced their dividends for this year. So far, 37 mutual funds have declared dividends based on transactions in fiscal year 2024/25.

Nepal, Qatar Discuss Economic Cooperation
Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Chandra Prasad Dhakal met Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Chamber, in Qatar. They discussed strengthening economic and business relations and mutual cooperation. Both parties agreed to hold the next Nepal–Qatar Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting soon in Kathmandu. Dhakal emphasized finalizing the member list to strengthen the JBC as a key platform for promoting trade and investment.

Farmers Protest Over Unpaid Milk Payments
Farmers have begun road protests after failing to receive nearly Rs 3.5 billion for milk sales. The delay involved payments from the government-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) and private dairies. Farmers face difficulties feeding livestock, paying bank interest, and managing household expenses. Rs 1 billion is due from DDC and Rs 2.5 billion from private dairies, prompting the protests.

Industrial Village Project Delayed Despite Budget
Despite budget allocation and detailed studies, the industrial village project in at Melouli Municipality in Baitadi district, has not progressed. Although the federal government allocated Rs 9.2 million, work could not start due to incomplete environmental study reports. The Auditor General’s Office stated that after four years of inaction, work should proceed; otherwise, the budget must be returned to the federal consolidated fund. The office suggested refunding the Rs 9.2 million allocated in FY 2020/21 after audits revealed no progress.

Agricultural Exports Total Rs 123.54 Million
The Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center, Quarantine Office, Kakarbhitta, reported Rs 123.5386 million worth of agricultural exports in the first month of FY 2025/26. According to information officer Santosh Thapa, major exports included cardamom, tea, plywood and veneer, ginger, and amlisho. Tea exports were Rs 37.9868 million, cardamom Rs 32.4321 million, plywood and veneer Rs 26.87 million, and amlisho Rs 8.87 million.

Poor Road to Dhorpatan Wildlife Reserve Frustrates Tourists
Tourists face hardships due to poor roads leading to Dhorpatan Wildlife Reserve, Nepal’s only hunting reserve. Despite being a national priority, the Saljhandi–Dhorpatan road track has not been upgraded even after 10 years. The road from Burtibang to Bobang is passable, but conditions beyond that are difficult. Narrow roads with potholes and mud make it challenging for vehicles, especially motorcycles and jeeps, to reach Dhorpatan. Rain worsens the conditions with mud and stones.

Bungal Hydro IPO Opens for Public Applications
Applications for the initial public offering (IPO) of Bungal Hydro Limited have opened for the general public from Monday. Previously, the IPO was allocated to project-affected locals and those working abroad. Now, a total of 1,701,500 shares is open for the general public. The company is issuing 35% of its total capital of Rs 830 million to the public. Applications can be submitted at a par value of Rs 100 until 4^th of September.

NIC Asia Bank Launches ‘Sathi Home Loan’ Scheme
NIC Asia Bank has launched the ‘NIC Asia Sathi Home Loan’ scheme to provide home loans of up to Rs 30 million. The bank said the loans will be offered at attractive interest rates and other benefits under the slogan ‘Your Dream, Our Support’. Loans under this scheme will be available for buying, constructing, reconstructing homes and apartments, or purchasing land, with amounts ranging from Rs 5 million to Rs 3o million.

Garima Development Bank Wins Indian Chamber of Commerce Award
Garima Development Bank Limited received an award from the Indian Chamber of Commerce. The bank was honored by the prestigious South Asian award, Emerging Asia Banking Conclave and Awards, for banks and financial institutions. On August 29, at the third Emerging Asia Banking Conclave and Awards in New Delhi, the development bank won Best Bank and Best AI/AML Implementation awards, as well as runner-up in Best MSME Acceleration.

NADA to Become a Federation
The Nepal Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) is set to become a federation. The 21st Central Committee meeting decided to upgrade NADA to a federation after over a decade of waiting. The proposal will also be presented at a special general assembly convened on September 9 for approval. The central committee’s decision to transform NADA into a federation led to the special general assembly for formal endorsement.

Gold Price Hits New High
Gold prices rose further on Monday. Compared to Sunday, the price increased by Rs 2,500 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold was priced at Rs 203,600 per tola on Sunday. On Monday, it rose to Rs 205,300, the highest so far. Similarly, silver prices reached Rs 2,470 on Monday.