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.

NEPSE Falls 19.89 Points, Shares Worth Rs 4.44 Billion Traded Today

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped by 19.89 points on the third trading day of the week, closing at 2,741.97. On this day, shares worth Rs 4.4382 billion were traded. The market saw a predominance of declining stocks. Out of the companies traded today, 29 companies’ share prices increased, while 221 companies’ prices fell. No company’s share price remained unchanged. Himstar Energy was the top gainer in the market, with its share price rising by 9.98%. Shares of Global IME Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and other financial instruments also recorded notable gains.

NRB Introduces Framework to Regulate Systemically Important Payment Systems

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has launched a framework to identify and specially regulate systemically important payment systems. Such systems are critical to the country’s financial stability, as any disruption could pose challenges to the entire payment infrastructure. The framework sets six criteria for identifying important payment systems. Meeting even one criterion qualifies a system for special regulation and supervision.

Government to Issue Rs 10 Billion Development Bond

The government will issue Rs 10 billion worth of development bonds.
The Public Debt Management Office will issue the nine-year Development Bond on Thursday. For this, the office has called on buyers to submit bids. Banks, financial institutions, non-banking financial institutions, insurance companies, and Nepali citizens can participate, according to the office. Participation can be done through the office’s website.

Finance Minister Paudel Meets World Bank VP Zutt to Discuss Economic Growth, Infrastructure

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel met with Johannes Zutt, Vice President for South Asia Region at the World Bank, for a courtesy meeting. The meeting at the Ministry of Finance today focused on Nepal’s overall economy, urban and physical infrastructure, investment, tourism, and environmental issues.  Minister Paudel highlighted that, compared to last year, key economic indicators have shown significant improvement, reflecting reforms in policy, institutional structure, and implementation processes.

Industrial Investment in Nepal Sees Encouraging Growth

Nepal’s industrial sector has seen encouraging investment recently, signaling positive prospects for economic growth and job creation. In the past year (from mid-July 2024 to mid-July 2025), 11 industries with capital exceeding Rs 5 billion were registered. Industries with more than Rs 500 million in investment and costs are categorized as large industries. Among the few industries with investment over Rs 5 billion, 11 were registered in just the past year.

MCC Project Struggles with Land Acquisition Even After Two Years

It has been two years since the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant project came into implementation. However, land acquisition required for transmission lines has still not been completed.
The MCC project entered into force on August 30, 2023. With only three years remaining for completion, delays in land acquisition have raised concerns about timely completion. The government had already secured land for substations and roads under the MCC grant.

Skilled Nepali Youth Can Now Go to South Korea on E-7 Visa

The path has opened for highly skilled Nepali youth to work in South Korea. With the third amendment of procedures for sending workers on E-7 visas, Nepalis now have access to this category. Previously, Nepali youth had been going to South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS) with E-9 visas through the G2G (government-to-government) mechanism. After 19 years of G2G arrangements between Nepal and Korea for sending workers under EPS, the government has now legally allowed the private sector to facilitate skilled workers going on E-7 visas.

Government to Import 40,000 Metric Tons of Wheat from India

The government will import 40,000 metric tons of wheat from India. For this, it has called for proposals from food and flour industries. The Department of Industry invited industrialists to submit proposals within seven days to import the approved quota of 40,000 metric tons from India’s National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL). The import decision was made because local production could not meet demand.

Nepal’s Carpets and Garments Continue Strong Exports to US

Most carpets produced in Nepal are exported to the United States. In the last fiscal year, Nepal exported 314,764 square meters of carpets worth Rs 5.69 billion to the US. Around 200 carpet industries are currently operating in Nepal. Similarly, readymade garments worth Rs 9 billion were exported to the US. Around 500 garment industries are operating in Nepal, most based in Kathmandu, with others in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Itahari, Birtamod, and other areas.

 Tea Workers’ Wages Increased After Agreement

An agreement has been reached between the Nepal Tea Producers Association and workers’ trade unions to increase tea workers’ wages. After the ninth round of talks, both employers and workers’ representative organizations agreed to raise the minimum wages of workers. At the Bhadrapur-based office of the Nepal Tea Producers Association on Monday, the agreement was signed by J.P. Sharma, coordinator of the talks committee on behalf of the association. On behalf of the workers’ unions, Santa Kumar Rai, president of the Nepal Tea Coffee Workers’ Union, signed the agreement.

Government Collects Over Rs 638 Million in Mountaineering Revenue

The number of climbers attempting mountains has been increasing in recent times. According to the Department of Tourism, last year, the government collected Rs 638,294,979 in royalties from climbing various mountains and peaks in Nepal. At Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak located in Taplejung, from March 1 to April 21, a total of 41 climbers—26 men and 15 women—successfully reached the 8,556-meter summit. From this climb alone, the government collected Rs 19,746,460 in revenue.

NADA Special AGM Uncertain After Administrative Objection

The special annual general meeting of the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal (NADA), scheduled for September 9, has been thrown into uncertainty. The District Administration Office sent a letter to halt the AGM after NADA announced it would transform into a federation despite unresolved statute disputes. A complaint had been lodged with the administration alleging that NADA was calling the AGM illegally. The administration has asked NADA to clarify within seven days why the AGM was called without following the statutes and to explain the dispute over amendments.

Government to Open Fair-Price Shops for Dashain from September 15

Targeting the Dashain festival, the government will operate fair-price shops from September 15. As per the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, the Food Management and Trading Company will open shops in 45 districts, while Salt Trading Corporation will operate in 29 districts. In the Kathmandu Valley, the company said 13 shops will be opened in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.

New Mountaineering Fee Structure Implemented

A new fee system has come into effect for mountaineering. The government enforced the new charges from September, as per the Mountaineering Regulations issued earlier this year. Foreigners must now pay up to USD 15,000 and Nepalis up to Rs 150,000 to climb Mount Everest. The fees are set depending on season and route. The rate of USD 15,000 applies during the spring season on the southeast route, which is considered the easiest and most suitable.

Financial Closure Achieved for 44.52 MW Sanibheri Hydropower Project

Financial closure has been achieved for the 44.52-megawatt Sanibheri Hydropower Project to be developed by Expert Hydro Investment Company. The project will be financed by a consortium of banks led by Citizens Bank. Citizens Bank will invest Rs 2.5 billion, Nabil Bank Rs 1.5 billion, Nepal Investment Mega Bank Rs 1.2 billion, and Sanima Bank and Siddhartha Bank Rs 1 billion each.

First Apple Festival to be Held in Kathmandu

For the first time, apples from Karnali’s high hill and Himalayan districts will be showcased in Kathmandu to promote branding and allow consumers to taste them directly. The Apple Festival will be held at Shankhamul-based Kala Ghar in Kathmandu from September 5 to 7 daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organized by Kala Ghar and co-organized by Karnali Ghar, the festival will exhibit apples and apple-based products from Karnali. More than a dozen varieties, including Delicious, Royal, Golden, Gala, and Fuji, will be on display.

Bagmati’s Powder Milk Factory Still Without Operating Modality

Two years after its establishment with an investment of around Rs 470 million, Bagmati Province’s powder milk factory still lacks an operational modality. The Province Dairy Development Board has not finalized an operation plan, leading the plant to run only on a trial basis for the past 18 months. Although construction began in 2020 and trial production started in November 2023, the factory has not officially started due to the absence of a proper operational framework.

Forest Clearance Delay Slows Transmission Line Construction in Myagdi

The Division Forest Office in Myagdi has not issued tree-felling permits, delaying the construction of the Dandakharka–Rahughat transmission line. The Nepal Electricity Authority’s project has achieved 80 percent physical progress so far. The contract had set November 16, 2025, as the completion deadline. The Cabinet had approved the use of 25.62 hectares of community and national forest land for the project on February 18, 2024. There are 3,936 trees in the project construction area.

Businessman Rajendra Khetan Buys 14% Stake in FonePay

Industrialist Rajendra Khetan has entered digital payment operator FonePay. Khetan and nine other investors will buy a combined 22.37 percent stake in FonePay for around Rs 1.5 billion. The Nepal Rastra Bank approved Khetan’s proposal to buy 14 percent shares individually.
“A proposal to change FonePay’s shareholding structure, submitted jointly by F1Soft and investors, has been approved,” a senior NRB official said. “After completing administrative procedures, the concerned parties will be formally notified.”

Garima Development Bank Wins ‘Best Bank’ Award

Garima Development Bank Limited has received the “Best Bank” award. The Indian Chamber of Commerce honored Garima at the prestigious South Asian-level “Emerging Asia Banking Conclave and Awards.”
At the third edition of the event held recently in New Delhi, Garima Development Bank was awarded “The Best Bank” and “Best AI–ML Implementation.” It also received the runner-up award in the MSME category.

Sagar Distillery to Issue IPO from September 10

Sagar Distillery will open its initial public offering (IPO) for the public from September 10. The company will issue 1,190,640 shares for general investors, each priced at Rs 100. Applicants can apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 10,000 shares.

Gold Price Hits Record High in Nepal

With global gold prices rising, local markets in Nepal have also been affected. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold reached Rs 205,900 per tola today, the highest ever. On Monday, gold was traded at Rs 205,300 per tola, meaning today’s price increased by Rs 600 per tola. Silver prices also rose by Rs 15, reaching Rs 2,485 per tola.