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 Gains 10 Points, Daily Turnover Reaches Rs 7 Billion

On the third trading day of the week today (Tuesday), the NEPSE index increased by 9.93 points. The NEPSE, which had risen by 0.37 percent in the previous trading session, reached 2,649.30 points. After dropping by 10.29 points on Sunday, the NEPSE had increased by 28.73 points yesterday (Monday). Similarly, the Sensitive Index also rose by 2.31 points to settle at 457.23 points. On Tuesday, shares of 334 companies were traded 88,362 times in the share market, with a total of 14,831,241 shares bought and sold. The total transaction amount on Tuesday stood at Rs 7 billion 12 crore 33 lakh 65 thousand 296. On Sunday, the share market had recorded transactions worth Rs 5 billion 1 crore 75 lakh 87 thousand 294, while on Monday the turnover had reached Rs 6 billion 47 crore 37 lakh 36 thousand 99. Out of 13 groups traded on the NEPSE today, the hotel and tourism group and the manufacturing and processing group declined, while the share prices of the remaining 11 groups increased. Accordingly, the commercial banks group rose by 0.43 percent, development banks by 0.79 percent, and finance by 2.87 percent. Likewise, the hotel and tourism group declined by 0.23 percent today. Hydropower increased by 0.13 percent, investment by 0.32 percent, and life insurance by 0.04 percent.

Rs 2.56 Billion Invested in Startups in Koshi Province

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has stated that Rs 2.56 billion was invested for startups in the Koshi Province. A special study report carried out by the central bank revealed this figure of investment in the startup businesses. The entrepreneurs from 21 to 70 years of age were engaged in startups, it is said. Of the total investment, the volume of loan is 38.7 percent while 61.3 percent is equity share. Likewise, people of age group 36-50 years have run the largest chunk of startups with 44.4 percent. Similarly, 73.3 percent of youth entrepreneurs are engaged in the information technology sector, while the engagement of youth entrepreneurs is lowest in the agriculture with just 21.2 percent. According to the report, the youths have focused more on the digital and technology sector. The NRB stated that data were collected from 160 startup businesses from the province shortlisted for credit from the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute. In the study, five business sectors namely agriculture sector, production sector, tourism, and information technology sectors were covered. As stated in the study report. 41.3 percent of the startups are related to agriculture, 18.1 percent of production sector, 17.5 percent of service sector, 13.8 percent of tourism and 9.4 percent of the information technology sector.

Sanima Middle Tamor Hydel Project Resumes Power Operation

The Sanima Middle Tamor Hydropower Project of 73 megawatts, which was shut for almost a month, resumed power operation. Administration Chief of the Project, Karan Gautam, said that the technical issues were fixed and regular maintenance works were also carried out in the project to resume the power generation. Power generation from the project was halted after some technical glitches in powerhouse and other facilities of the project. The Sanima Middle Tamor Hydel Project is the largest hydropower project developed so far in the district of Taplejung. Built some two years ago, the power generated from this project is linked to the central grid system from Basantapur Sub-Station.

Energy Minister Ghising Stresses on Prioritizing Solar Energy

Minister for Energy, water Resources and Irrigation, Kul Man Ghising, has underscored the need of giving priority to solar energy in coming days. Addressing the 25th annual general meeting of the Solar Electric Manufacturers Association Nepal here today, Minister Ghising shared that solar energy should be kept in priority as its use is on the rise in Nepal. “Solar energy is being connected to national grid. The import of electricity can be reduced if production of solar energy is increased,” he said. The Energy Minister opined that government has been carrying out study to produce solar energy in irrigation canals across the country. Stating that India has been producing more than 100,000 megawatt solar energy, he mentioned that production of solar energy could be increased in Nepal by using hills of mountainous area.  Minister Ghising informed that construction of transmission line was underway in order to export 15,000 megawatt electricity to India. Similarly, Vice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Dr Prakash Kumar Shrestha, said problems have surfaced in power production after streams started drying up due to impacts of climate change. He opined that the 16th five-year plan has given priority to renewable energy. Likewise, Secretary at the Energy Ministry, Chiranjivi Chataut shared that the government has been working with an objective of making the country fully electrified within coming two years.

Bhadrapur to Organize Industrial and Trade Fair

The Industrial, Trade, Agriculture and Tourism Fair is to be held from January 21 to February 4 in Bhadrapur, Jhapa. This massive trade event is being held after nine years in Bhadrapur, one of the key industrial cities in the country. To be organized by the Jhapa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the fair is expected to inspire hopes among the business fraternities in the eastern part of the country, Acting Chair of Jhapa Chamber Raj Kumar Rai said. According to Rai, more than 100 stalls of national and international products would be showcased in the fair for business and promotion. He said the fair is likely to witness the business transaction of Rs 100 million. The fair is expected to promote small and cottage industries, tourism and service sector in the eastern districts of the country.

Nabil Bank Honored with “Vikas Nayak 2082” Award

Nabil Bank Limited has received the “Vikas Nayak 2082” award. The honor was presented to the bank in the category of Institutional Hero at the Vikas Debate and Vikas Nayak Award Ceremony organized by Vikas Media. At the event held on Sunday, Finance Minister Rameshwar Khanal presented the award and certificate of honor to Nabil Bank’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manoj Gyawali, in the presence of the bank’s Chairman, Upendra Prasad Paudel. The award was conferred in recognition of Nabil Bank’s significant contribution to Nepal’s economic development through the banking, insurance, and broader financial sector.

Aamchok Rural Municipality Expands Large-Scale Tea Farming to Boost Income and Tourism

Aamchok Rural Municipality has been implementing a large-scale tea farming expansion program with the objective of increasing local income generation and promoting tourism. The initiative has been launched in a planned manner with the goal of ensuring sustainable economic development. According to Rural Municipality Chairperson Ashok Rai, a total investment of NPR 300 million has been made so far in tea farming through joint investment by the rural municipality and shareholders of the Aamchok Tea and Coffee Cooperative. He informed that around 1,300 shareholders are currently involved in the tea farming expansion program. “Aamchok Rural Municipality has immense potential for tea cultivation,” Chairperson Rai said. “At present, we are expanding tea farming on a large scale. Our goal is to link tea cultivation with tourism and economic activities to improve the living standards of local people.” The tea farming expansion aims to convert barren and unused slopes of the naturally beautiful Aamchok area into greenery while creating employment opportunities. So far, tea cultivation has been expanded over approximately 700 ropanis of land, Chairperson Rai said.

Nepal Finance Limited’s Right Shares Listed on NEPSE

The right shares of Nepal Finance Limited have been listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE). The listing includes right shares that were sold through auction under the promoter category. A total of 162,000 units of right shares were listed today. Following this listing, the company’s total number of listed shares has reached 8,389,439 units.

80 Percent Start-ups in Koshi Province Are in Profit, Despite Bracing all Odds

A study has shown that 80 percent of start-up enterprises in Koshi Province are earning profits, despite facing challenges such as inadequate capital, a shortage of skilled human resources, limited market access, and insufficient government facilities. According to a special report on the status of start-up businesses in Koshi Province released by Nepal Rastra Bank on Monday, four out of five start-ups in the province are operating profitably. The study covers 160 start-up enterprises that applied for loans at the Industrial Enterprises Development Institute and were shortlisted for the same. These enterprises are categorized into five sectors: agriculture and forestry, production-based, service-oriented, tourism, and information technology.  Of the total, 41.3 percent are engaged in agriculture and forestry, 18.1 percent in production-based industries, 17.5 percent in service-based businesses, 13.8 percent in tourism, and 9.4 percent in the IT sector. Regarding commercial potential, 43.1 percent of respondents identified agriculture and forest-based industries as the most promising sector, followed by tourism (21.3 percent), manufacturing (13.8 percent), services (10 percent), information technology (8.1 percent), and energy and construction sectors (1.9 percent each).

Gold Price Rises by Rs 3600 Per Tola in Nepal

The price of gold and silver has increased in the Nepali market today. Gold has increased by Rs 3,600 per tola and is being traded at Rs 268,100 per tola, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers. On Monday, the price of gold was fixed at Rs 270,600 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver has also increased by Rs 195 today. Silver is being traded at Rs 4,880 per tola today.