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 Rises by 34 Points, Trading Crosses Rs 7.5 Billion

On the last trading day of the week, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index saw an increase. On Thursday, the total turnover reached Rs 7.51 billion, and the NEPSE index rose by 34.22 points. Shares of 216 companies increased in value, bringing the NEPSE index to 2,600.38 points. Market capitalization also rose by 1.33 percent. However, 28 companies saw a decline in their share prices, while 5 companies’ shares remained unchanged.

Loan Investment Weak in First Quarter Despite High Deposit Growth

During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, bank loan investment appears weaker. Although deposit growth is the highest in a decade, loan expansion in the first quarter is the second lowest in the last decade. While the economy has been recovering after several slow fiscal years, the Gen Z protest on September 8-9 and floods and landslides in early October caused banking sector performance in the first quarter to be the most disappointing in the last decade.

Nearly 200 MW Electricity Wasted After NEA Cuts Lines of Large Industries
Energy producers informed that nearly 200 MW of electricity started being wasted after Nepal Electricity Authority cut lines of large industries over dedicated and trunk line disputes. Even before cutting lines, 400–500 MW of electricity was regularly being wasted for various reasons. After simultaneously cutting lines of two dozen large electricity-consuming industries, at least an additional 200 MW of electricity has started being wasted.

Nepal and India Sign JV Agreements for New Cross-Border 400 kV Transmission Lines

Joint Venture (JV) Agreements for new cross-border transmission lines were signed yesterday between the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), in the presence of Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of Power, Government of India, and Kulman Ghising, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Nepal. The agreements envisage the development of the Inaruwa (Nepal) – New Purnea (India) and Dododhara (Nepal) – Bareilly (India) 400 kV transmission lines. These lines will complement the under-construction 400 kV Gorakhpur (India) – New Butwal (Nepal) transmission line, which is making good progress. Together, these projects are expected to add approximately 6,000 MW of additional transmission capacity between India and Nepal.

NRB Punishes Two Development Banks for Regulatory Violations

Nepal Rastra Bank has taken action against two development banks for violating regulatory directives. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2025/26, the central bank also took action against Lumbini Development Bank (national-level) and Saptakoshi Development Bank (regional-level). The central bank stated that Lumbini Development Bank increased the service benefits of its Chief Executive Officer in violation of the NRB Act.

NEA Receives Approval to Renew 283 MW Power Export

Nepal Electricity Authority has received approval to renew 283 MW of power export. On Wednesday, India’s Central Electricity Authority under the Ministry of Power renewed the previously given approval to export 283 MW of electricity produced from eight different hydropower projects in Nepal. The Authority has been selling surplus electricity consumed domestically in the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) Day-Ahead and Real-Time Market at competitive rates and, according to bilateral medium-term power sale agreements, to the states of Haryana and Bihar. Electricity is also being exported to Bangladesh using India’s transmission structure.

Security Printing Center to Print Driving Licenses

The Security Printing Center will start printing driving licenses. On Wednesday, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Department of Transport Management’s Director General Rajeev Pokharel and the Center’s Executive Director Devaraj Dhungana. Out of the old 2.5 million licenses, the Security Printing Center will print 1.2 million licenses. 1.2 million licenses will be printed and distributed within 3 to 6 months.

SEBON Work Halted for Over a Month Due to Employee Protest

All work of the country’s capital market regulator, the Securities Board of Nepal, has been halted for more than a month. Board employees have been protesting for 38 days, halting all work. Even though all work of the board has been halted since September 23, the government has not taken any initiative to solve the problem. Currently, work related to right shares, IPO applications, and bonus share registration is halted, and it is uncertain when regular operations will resume.

About Two Dozen Industries Closed Due to Dedicated and Trunk Line Fee Dispute

The longstanding dispute over premium fees for using dedicated and trunk line electricity, unresolved in time, has now resulted in about two dozen industries being closed. Nepal Electricity Authority, citing unpaid amounts under its revenue collection regulations, recently cut the lines of 25 industries. On September 28, the Authority had issued a public notice allowing the outstanding amount to be paid in 28 installments and informed the concerned industries accordingly.

Millions Worth of Goods Stuck at Nepal-China Border

After the Nyalam administration in China’s autonomous Tibet tightened container traffic as needed, goods worth millions of rupees purchased by Nepali entrepreneurs are stuck on the road. Since the Rasuwa border has been closed, goods stopped in China since last Ashar have not been able to enter Nepal. If Rasuwa border is not open, only a limited number of transport vehicles have been allowed through Tatopani. Because containers were not dispatched, even goods purchased for Dashain–Tihar could not enter Nepal.

Nepal Telecom to Provide Free WiFi at All Domestic and International Airports

Nepal Telecom will provide free WiFi at all domestic and international airports in the country. The company started this service on Tuesday under its Corporate Social Responsibility program. In the first phase, the company initiated free WiFi at the international terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport on Tuesday. The company stated that the facility is available at international airport arrival, departure, VIP lounges, and waiting areas.

Only Rs 62.4 Million Collected for Reconstruction of Damaged Public Infrastructure

As of Wednesday, only Rs 62.4 million has been collected in the fund established by the government for reconstructing public physical structures damaged during protests on September 8-9. For reconstruction of public structures, the government had opened a bank account named “Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Fund” at Rastriya Banijya Bank on September 24 and requested voluntary contributions from everyone. Accordingly, approximately Rs 62.5 million has been contributed by individuals and institutions.

Firms, Companies Must Obtain License for Real Estate Transactions Above Rs 30 Million

The government has implemented a provision that firms, companies, or institutions wanting to transact real estate above Rs 30 million must obtain a license. On Thursday, the Department of Land Management and Records, under the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, invited applications for real estate transaction licenses. According to the notice published in the Nepal Gazette on October 13, the department declared metropolitan cities and sub-metropolitan cities as the working area.

Rupandehi Industrialists Announce Peaceful Protest Over Trunk and Dedicated Line Fees

Thirteen industrialists in Rupandehi who refused to pay trunk line and dedicated line fees announced that they will maintain their stance and stage a peaceful protest. A meeting of industrialists and businesspersons held on Wednesday decided to hold a one-hour sit-in in front of the Nepal Electricity Authority office at 11 a.m. on Thursday. President of the Association, Netra Prasad Acharya, informed that the meeting decided to hold a symbolic sit-in in the first phase and later announce stronger protest programs.

Government Positive About Managing Sick Contracts: Ravi Singh

Ravi Singh, President of Nepal Construction Entrepreneurs Association, has stated that the government appears positive in managing sick contracts. After meeting Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal on Thursday, while speaking with journalists, he said that even if construction entrepreneurs want, they are unable to work on sick contracts. He informed that he drew the Finance Minister’s attention to the problems arising in sick contracts due to various acts, laws, and regulations creating obstacles, problems in account operation according to the National Bank Act, and JV partners listed in the blacklist.

Mahalaxmi Development Bank Certified Again with ISO 9001:2015

Mahalaxmi Development Bank has again been certified internationally with ISO 9001:2015. As it was superior in providing international-level quality service in the quality management system and was certified to be effective from August 16, 2024, the bank has successfully been re-certified from the first surveillance audit in September 2025.. The bank stated that it has received the certificate under the “Provision of Development.”

Everest Bank Limited Approves Dividend at 31st AGM

Everest Bank Limited’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) approved dividends. The AGM held on October 29 passed the annual report for fiscal year 2024/25 along with the auditor’s report. The meeting approved the proposal to distribute 6% bonus shares and 14% cash dividend (including tax on bonus shares) to shareholders.

Gold Stable, Silver Price Increases

On Thursday, gold prices remained stable while silver prices increased. Gold prices were fixed at the same value as the previous day. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, today the gold price per tola has been fixed at Rs 236,300. The same price was fixed the previous day. Similarly, silver price per tola increased by Rs 15.