KATHMANDU: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is set to remain open five days a week. Previously, the share market also operated for five days; however, confusion had arisen regarding the trading schedule after the government decided to grant public holidays on Saturdays and Sundays.

While the stock market was previously closed on Fridays, it will now remain open on that day. Instead, it will be closed on Sundays and Saturdays.

A meeting was held between Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and the Nepal Stock Broker Association at the Ministry of Finance on Monday. During the meeting, an agreement was reached to close the stock market on Saturday and Sunday and keep it operational on Friday.

NEPSE spokesperson Murahari Parajuli stated that since the government has provided two days of leave on Saturday and Sunday, the NEPSE Board of Directors will make a formal decision regarding operating the market on Fridays. “Discussions are underway on this matter. The NEPSE Board of Directors will finalize it,” he said, adding, “Now, NEPSE will remain open on Friday instead of Sunday.”

Previously, on May 20, 2022, the stock market had also come into operation on Fridays. At that time, the then government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba had similarly decided to provide two days of leave on Saturdays and Sundays.