- Monday, 1 June 2026
Laxman Kafle
Budget not ambitious, smaller relative to GDP: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has defended the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, arguing that it is neither overly ambitious nor excessively large when measured against the country’s economic size. Speaking at a post-budget press conference organised by the Ministry of Finance on Sunday, Dr. Wagle dismissed criticism that the budget was too large, saying it was significantly smaller than market speculation and was within the state’s implementation capacity.
Increase in excise duty on cigarettes, alcohol
The government has increased excise duties on cigarettes, alcohol and beer through the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Presenting the budget f
UT-1 hydel hits milestone with weir gate operation
The 216 MW Upper Tris huli-1 (UT-1) Hydropower Project achieved a major construction milestone with the successful operation of its newly installed weir gate in Rasuwa district on Thursday, signaling progress towards the final stage of the project’s development.
Govt investment nears Rs. 800 billion in PEs as dividends gradually decline
The government investment in public enterprises (PEs) has reached nearly Rs. 800 billion in the fiscal year 2024/25, while returns in the form of dividends have continued to decline. According to the annu
Madhes industrial capacity utilisation rises to 37%, credit flow expands
Industrial capacity utilisation in Madhes Province has shown a gradual improvement during the first half of the current fiscal year, alongside moderate growth in credit, according to a provincial economic report.
Trade volume totals Rs. 1941 billion
Nepal’s foreign trade recorded strong growth during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, with both imports and exports rising by over 14 per cent compared to the same period last fiscal year.
West Asia conflict disrupts fertiliser supply
The government has said the ongoing conflict in West Asia has disrupted the timely delivery of 185,000 tonnes of chemical fertiliser already under contract, raising concerns over supply management during the approaching monsoon paddy planting season.
Foreign firms repatriate record Rs. 17.79 billion, up by 87%
The amount repatriated by foreign companies operating in Nepal in the form of royalties and dividends surged significantly during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, reaching Rs. 17.79 billion.
-original-thumb.jpg)
Nearly 1,200 climbers to attempt peaks this spring
Nearly 1,200 mountaineers are currently attempting to climb various Himalayan peaks in Nepal during this year’s spring climbing season. According to the Cou
Confusion grows over non-iodised salt as experts raise health concerns
With the opening of salt trade to the private sector, non-iodised salt has become available in the market. Following the entry of less- or non-iodised salt into the market, consumers have become confused about which type of salt they should consume. Gayatri Banjara of Bhaktapur expressed serious concern about which salt should be chosen for consumption now that both iodised salt sold by Salt Trading Corporation (STC) and non-iodised salts of various brands are available in the market.
Govt unveils policies and programmes of 2026/27
The government has unveiled its policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27, prioritising good governance, policy reforms, and qualitative improvements in public service delivery and accelerate economic recovery and promote social advancement. President Ramchandra Paudel presented the government’s policies and programmes at a joint session of the Federal Parliament on Monday. President Paudel said that the government had pledged to prioritise good governance as the foundation of a prosperous Nepal, ado
Nepal enters early de-industrialisation
Nepal's economy is increasingly shifting toward a service-driven structure without industrialisation emerging from agriculture, resulting in premature de-industrialisation. According to the recently p
Price surge drives record cardamom exports
Earnings from the export of large cardamom, one of the country’s major export commodities, have reached a historic high so far, thanks to a significant rise in its price. According to statistics f
G2G process begins to import fertilisers
The government has initiated the procurement process of importing 50,000 tonnes of chemical fertilisers from India through the government-to-government (G2G) system in an effort to prevent a possible fertiliser shortage in the country.
Reform Momentum Crucial For Investment
Economic growth and job creation are the fundamental pillars of long-term prosperity for a developing country like Nepal. Yet, despite its prospects, Nepal's economic trajectory over the past decades has been constrained by structural chal
