Nepse plunges by 15. 57 points on Tuesday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 15. 57 points to close at 2, 677. 55 points on Tuesday.
Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 41 points to close at 446. 86 points.
A total of 10,670,649-unit shares of 320 companies were traded for Rs 5. 79 billion.
Meanwhile, Guardian Micro Life Insurance Limited (GMLI) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Gurans Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GLBSL) was the top loser with its price dropped by 5. 96 percent.
At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 44 trillion.
Gold price increases by Rs 1, 800 per tola on Tuesday
The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 179, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 177, 900 per tola on Monday.
Similarly, the silver traded at Rs 2, 035 per tola today.
Number of suspicious financial transactions surges
Nepal’s financial oversight system recorded a 24 percent surge in suspicious transaction reports (STRs) and suspicious activity reports (SARs) last fiscal year, with cases climbing from 5,935 to 7,338, according to a recent report by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
This escalation, tracked through the government’s anti-money laundering (goAML) platform, reflects intensified monitoring as Nepal faces global pressure to bolster its anti-money laundering (AML) framework.
The goAML system, now connecting 1,639 investigative and regulatory agencies, has seen a significant rise in both reporting and analysis of STR/SARs over the past eight fiscal years. In fiscal year 2023/24, while 7,338 STR/SARs were received—a steep jump from the previous year—only 1,635 were analyzed, highlighting a bottleneck in processing capacity.
Of those, 889 were forwarded to law enforcement agencies (LEAs), regulators and supervisors, while 746 were dropped due to insufficient evidence or gravity.
In 2023/24, the FIU forwarded details of 60 suspicious transactions to the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, 615 to Nepal Police and 197 to the Department of Revenue Investigation.
Likewise, 19 were forwarded to anti-graft body the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, while 38 and 30 cases, respectively, forwarded to Inland Revenue Department and Payment Systems Department of the central bank. Though these figures mark progress from previous years, the gap between reporting and analysis points to strained resources, underscoring the need for enhanced analytical capabilities.
Nepal’s efforts in combating money laundering come under the shadow of its Feb 2025 placement on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘gray list’ after a plenary in Paris. Criticized for weak enforcement and oversight in sectors like cooperatives, the country faces a two-year deadline to exit “increased monitoring” or risk blacklisting, which could disrupt trade and investment. The greylisting, which is the second after 2008-2014, could result in higher transaction costs and erode investor trust, observers say.
The FIU report reveals persistent hawala and trade-based laundering alongside rising digital crimes—cyber fraud, cryptocurrency misuse and illegal online gambling. Likewise, tax evasion tied to cross-border flows remains prevalent in Nepal, according to the report.
Although large cash transactions dipped to 1.69m, the STR/SAR surge suggests either growing illicit activity or sharper detection by authorities. Experts attribute the reporting spike to improved bank compliance and evolving criminal tactics. The IFU said in its report that it has adopted risk-based prioritization in goAML and plans to integrate AI and advanced techniques to boost efficiency.
World Bank approves financing package of $150m to Nepal
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a financing package of USD 150m for Nepal’s Third Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program (BIMP-III).
The support is to help strengthen the resilience of bridges in the Strategic Road Network, ensuring safer and uninterrupted connectivity across the country’s diverse and challenging terrain.
Nepal’s bridge system serves as critical lifelines connecting remote and urban communities to essential services, including healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Vulnerabilities caused by frequent climate-induced disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes severely affect the bridge infrastructure.
The program, led by Nepal’s Department of Roads, will focus on climate-resilient measures such as enhanced structural designs and innovative technologies, including real-time monitoring systems to safeguard bridges against extreme weather events. The program will also support bridge designs prioritizing accessibility for all users, connecting marginalized communities to vital services, according to a press release issued by the Bank.
Meanwhile, Division Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka David Sislen has said the resilience of Nepal’s bridge network is fundamental for safe and sustained connectivity. This program emphasizes resilient infrastructure development and promoting access to markets and services for vulnerable communities while promoting Nepal’s sustainable growth.
The program includes capacity-building initiatives for the Department of Roads, promoting innovative solutions and strengthening institutional systems for effective infrastructure management.
