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 Slips by 5.17 Points; Hydropower Shares Gain

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index saw a minor decline today, dropping by 5.17 points to settle at 2,566.16. A total of 321 companies traded 11,528,284 shares across 50,487 transactions, amounting to a turnover of Rs 5.45 billion, NEPSE reported. Among sectoral indices, Hotel and Tourism rose 2.15%, Hydropower 0.01%, Microfinance 0.13%, and Trade 2%, while all other sectors posted declines.  Banking fell 0.34%, Development Banks 0.91%, Finance 0.77%, Investment 0.17%, Life Insurance 0.64%, Manufacturing & Processing 0.28%, Mutual Funds 0.08%, Non-Life Insurance 0.19%, and other sectors 1.20%.

Nepal Rastra Bank Collects Rs 40 Billion in Deposits

The central bank has absorbed Rs 40 billion through a 175-day deposit auction. According to the bank, the auction was conducted online via the bidding system until 3 p.m. The interest rate will be determined through competitive bidding. The principal and interest will be paid on April 22 next year.

Government Plans to Convert All Public Institutions into Companies

The government has decided to transform all public institutions into limited liability companies governed by a single act. The “Public Institutions Management and Governance Policy, 2025,” approved by the Cabinet on October 13, lays out the strategy to gradually convert all state-run entities under one company law. The policy aims to create a legal foundation for this structural change.

209 Delayed Construction Contracts to be Terminated

The government has begun the process to terminate 209 road, irrigation, and bridge construction contracts due to weak progress despite repeated deadline extensions. Relevant offices have started issuing 15-day public notices asking contractors “why their contracts should not be terminated.” Two contracts have already been canceled. The Kathmandu Road Division alone is terminating 57 contracts, followed by Janakpur (21), Tumlingtar (17), Doti (15), and Ilam (12).

Roadmap for Public Institution Reforms Published

The Ministry of Finance has unveiled a roadmap highlighting challenges such as improving the competitiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness of public institutions. The “Management and Governance Policy for Public Institutions, 2025” emphasizes maintaining financial discipline and ensuring returns on government investments as key challenges. It also stresses organizational restructuring, reducing unnecessary administrative expenses, strengthening boards of directors, and setting up professional and efficient operational frameworks.

Insurance Companies Pay Nearly Rs 3 Billion for Gen Z Protest Damages

Insurance companies have paid around Rs 2.79 billion in advance claims for damages caused during the Gen Z movement. Following government instruction, the Insurance Board had directed insurers to pay up to 50 percent of the total claim amount as advance compensation. The protest on September 8–9 caused massive arson and vandalism. The government instructed the board to arrange advance payments, after which insurers assessed the damages and disbursed Rs 2.79 billion accordingly.

Technical Glitch Disrupts Department of Foreign Employment Services

Services at the Department of Foreign Employment have been disrupted due to technical problems in its website and the Foreign Employment Management Information System (FEMIS). According to the department, the issue arose after a sudden surge in applications following the Dashain holidays. Heavy traffic had slowed the server over the past few days, and a technical team has been working since Tuesday morning to resolve the issue.

Industries Owe Rs 5.64 Billion in Dedicated Trunkline Dues

Industries operating on dedicated trunklines owe Rs 5.64 billion, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Updated NEA records show that the amount, including penalties, totals Rs 5.64 billion. Industries were paying regular tariffs at the time, but in March 2019, the NEA sent a separate “premium-only” bill, claiming missed charges. Industrialists refused to pay, saying they would do so only after receiving proof of the claimed amounts.

Transport Office Services to Resume by Sunday, License Printing Still Uncertain

Services at the Department of Transport Management, which had been halted after the office was damaged in a fire during the Gen Z movement, are expected to resume by Sunday. However, the printing of driver’s licenses — awaited by about 2.5 million applicants — remains uncertain. On September 9, the building was set on fire during the Gen Z protest, destroying the servers and forcing all services to shut down completely.

Investors to Protest for Stock Market Reform

Stock investors are set to stage a demonstration in front of the Securities Board of Nepal demanding reforms, expansion, and modernization of the capital market. They have launched a movement named “Hind Kathmandu Struggle Campaign” under the coordination of investor Dipendra Agrawal. Under the campaign, investors have prepared a 28-point memorandum, which will be formally submitted to the board on October 31.

Fair-Price Shops Extended Until November 16

The Food Management and Trading Company Limited has decided to extend its festival-targeted fair-price shop program until November 16. Initially launched from September 15 to October 27, the scheme has now been extended for 18 more days. The decision was made as one-third (Rs 6.6 million) of the government compensation for the discounts remains unpaid.

Early Snowfall Brings Hope for Farmers and Tourism Sector

Snowfall has already occurred in Himalayan regions bringing optimism among farmers and tourism entrepreneurs. The snow is expected to attract adventure tourists and boost tourism activities. Farmers hope the softened soil in high-altitude areas will increase agricultural productivity. Mustang district, which had not seen proper snowfall for the past three years, has now received timely snow, which experts say will positively impact agriculture, tourism, and biodiversity.

Nepal Airlines Nominates Dahal to Soaltee Hotel Board

Nepal Airlines Corporation, an institutional shareholder in Soaltee Hotel Limited, has nominated Tankanidhi Dahal as its representative on the hotel’s board of directors. The appointment has taken effect from October 28. Previously, Executive Chairman Yuvraj Adhikari had represented the corporation; Dahal, Director of the Marketing Department, replaces him after his term expired.

Egg Prices Rise Again

Egg prices have increased again. The Nepal Layers Poultry Association raised prices effective Monday, increasing the rate by Rs 50 per crate compared to the previous day. The new price per crate is Rs 500 for large eggs and Rs 450 for medium-sized ones, based on Chitwan market rates.

Lumbini Province CM Urges Federal Role in Resolving Dedicated Trunkline Dispute

The Lumbini provincial government has called on the federal government to play a mediating role in the ongoing dispute over dedicated trunklines. Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya issued a statement urging the center to facilitate dialogue between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and industrialists for a long-term solution.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister and former NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising has been accused of weakening industrialists’ confidence by cutting power lines instead of resolving the dispute.

Imports Worth Rs 218 Billion Enter Nepal Through Birgunj in Three Months

Goods worth Rs 218.10 billion were imported through the Birgunj customs point in the first three months of the current fiscal year, according to the Birgunj Customs Office. The import value is Rs 34.23 billion higher than that recorded during the same period last fiscal year. Chief Customs Administrator Bishnu Prasad Gyawali said imports through the Birgunj checkpoint have increased significantly this year. He reported that goods worth Rs 218.10 billion entered the country, generating Rs 58.23 billion in customs revenue. During the same three-month period last fiscal year, imports were valued at Rs 183.87 billion.

Cardamom Exports Up by 36 Percent

Cardamom exports increased by 36 percent in the first three months (mid-July to mid-October) of the current fiscal year 2025/26. Exports were valued at Rs 1.67 billion. According to the Department of Customs, a total of 1,072.20 metric tons of cardamom were exported during this period, mainly to India. During the same period last year, 783.75 metric tons worth Rs 1.26 billion were exported, the department stated.

Rain and Snow Damage Paddy Crops in Karnali

Winter rainfall since Monday night caused snowfall in the upper Karnali region and damaged ripened paddy in the lower areas.
Snow fell in Jumla, Humla, Mugu, and Dolpa, while heavy rain in Surkhet, Jajarkot, and Kalikot soaked ready-to-harvest paddy in fields.
Farmers are worried as the rain hit just after the Tihar festival when many had yet to collect their harvest.

IPO Allotment Completed for Srinagar Agritech Company

The initial public offering (IPO) of Srinagar Agritech Company has been allotted. The distribution took place on Wednesday morning in an official program organized by the issue manager, Nabil Investment Banking. The company had opened its IPO for public subscription from October 12 to 15, offering a total of 2,510,493 shares. The shares have now been allotted on a proportional basis.

Soaltee Hotel Announces 31.57% Dividend for Shareholders

Soaltee Hotel has declared a 31.5789 percent dividend for its shareholders from its accumulated profits up to the last fiscal year.
Of the total, 16.5789 percent will be distributed as cash dividend (including tax), while 15 percent will be issued as bonus shares.
Each share has a face value of Rs 10, based on which the dividends will be distributed.

Gold Price Falls by Rs 700 per Tola on Wednesday

The price of gold fell by Rs 700 per tola on Wednesday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, gold traded at Rs 236,300 per tola, down from Rs 237,000 the previous day.
Earlier, on October 17, gold had reached a record high of Rs 258,000 per tola. In the international market, gold was trading at $3,958 per ounce on Wednesday. However, silver prices have increased.