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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 61.26 points to close at 2,672.70 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 11.02 points to close at 451. 28 points.

 A total of 27,245,459-unit shares of 308 companies were traded for Rs 10. 51 billion.

Meanwhile, Nepal Micro Insurance Company Limited (NMIC) and Crest Micro Life Insurance Limited (CREST), with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Nyadi Hydropower Limited (NYADI) was the top loser as its price fell by 4.43 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 44 trillion.

Life insurance companies in the country generated business worth over Rs 126m over the first nine months of fiscal year 2024/25.

Third quarter data released by the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA) shows 14 life insurance companies operating in the country sold 13.54m policies over the nine-month period, earning a total premium of Rs 126.18bn. This marks a growth of 14.62 percent compared to Rs 110.08bn that these companies had earned in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

These life insurers issued 507,615 policies and collected a total premium of Rs 17.46bn in the ninth month of the fiscal year (mid-March to mid-April). Similarly, three micro life insurance companies sold 70,863 policies, generating Rs 131.08m in premiums during the same period. The micro insurers have collected Rs 555.69m in premium in the nine-month period.

All 14 companies recorded business growth during the review period, data shows. Nepal Life led the market in terms of total premium collected, while Citizen Life and Rastriya Beema Company posted the highest growth rates. By mid-April, Nepal Life collected a total premium of Rs 33.01bn, up 12.1 percent from Rs 29.45bn in the same period last year. National Life ranked second with premium earnings of Rs 15.64bn, a 21.26 percent increase from last fiscal year’s Rs 12.89bn. LIC Nepal came third with its total premium rising by 9.39 percent to Rs 14.03bn from Rs 12.83bn in the nine-month period of the previous fiscal year.

By mid-April, Himalayan Life earned Rs 12.59bn in premiums, marking a modest growth of 2.16 percent compared to the same period last year. In contrast, Rastriya Jeevan Beema recorded a significant surge in business, with premium collections rising by 49.25 percent to reach Rs 8.16bn. Suryajyoti Life Insurance posted strong results as well, earning Rs 7.65bn, a 17.34 percent increase year-on-year. Similarly, Asian Life Insurance saw its premium income rise by 11.66 percent to Rs 6.46bn. Citizen Life also posted notable growth, collecting Rs 5.08bn in premiums, a 19.84 percent growth from the previous year.

Meanwhile, Sanima Reliance Life Insurance earned Rs 4.84bn, reflecting a 13.32 percent growth, while MetLife Insurance collected Rs 4.44bn, 7.52 percent more compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. IME Life also saw its premium earnings rise by 14.64 percent to Rs 3.77bn, while Reliable Nepal Life Insurance posted a robust 23.75 percent growth to Rs 3.69bn.

Prabhu Mahalaxmi saw its premium collections rise by 19.96 percent to Rs 3.67bn, while Sun Nepal Life earned Rs 3.08bn, marking a 10.62 percent year-on-year growth.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 700 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 191, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 189, 900 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 965 per tola.

The number of visitors to Rara is steadily increasing, supported by improved road and air connectivity that has boosted tourism in the region. Situated at an altitude of 2,990 meters above sea level in Mugu district, Rara is Nepal’s largest lake and a growing attraction for both domestic and international tourists.

Since Mugu was connected to road and air transport 12–15 years ago, tourism promotion efforts have gained momentum. Tourism entrepreneurs say the recent surge in visitors signals a shift in Rara’s tourism landscape.

Fifteen years ago, limited transport and minimal publicity made reaching Rara difficult. Travelers had to fly to Jumla or Bajura and then walk two days to reach the lake. The opening of Rara Airport in 2003 and the Nagma-Gamgadhi road in 2013 have significantly improved accessibility.

According to Rara National Park, around 10,000 domestic and international tourists have visited Rara so far this fiscal year. Over the past five years, more than one million tourists are estimated to have visited the area. Tourism entrepreneur Gopal Bam suggests that with stronger promotion and better infrastructure—such as upgrading the Surkhet-Nagma road, paving the Nagma-Gamgadhi section, and ensuring regular flights—Rara could attract over a million visitors annually.

Although Rara previously lacked well-equipped hotels, several small and medium-sized accommodations have been established along the lakeshore. Approximately a dozen hotels now operate in Salleri, with another dozen in Ghatta Murma Top, contributing to local employment and encouraging business in the region, says hotelier Kal Bahadur Rawal.

Despite rising tourist numbers, many local youths had previously been preparing to go abroad, citing a lack of economic opportunities. However, the popularity of horse safaris among tourists has encouraged some to stay and engage in tourism-related businesses.

Horse breeder Krishna Prasad Bham recalls that horses once sold for Rs 50,000–80,000, but due to transport improvements, demand fell sharply, and horses couldn’t even be sold for Rs 20,000. Now, with the return of demand for horse safaris, horses are again selling for Rs 100,000–150,000.

Horse safari is currently one of the most lucrative businesses in the region. Youths from Murma, Jhayari, Topla, and Sigadi villages are engaged in this sector, earning Rs 50,000–100,000 monthly during peak season. These safaris transport tourists between Upper Mili, Danfe, and various resorts and hotels in the area.

To address the shortage of well-equipped accommodations, construction of a four-star resort has begun at Murma Top, backed by investment from Nepalis living in Australia. The project, led by Abhishek Bikram Shah and his team, was announced during the third investment summit in Kathmandu and is being developed under Rara Holdings Resort in coordination with the Government of Nepal. The resort is expected to be completed within 18 months.

The resort, to be built on 73 ropanis of land with a total investment of Rs 1bn, will offer 36 rooms in the first phase and 98 beds in 19 high-end rooms in the second phase, accommodating around 100 guests daily.

Project Manager Arun Chand stated that the resort aims to promote tourism in Karnali’s religious and natural sites by linking destinations such as Sinja Valley, Rara, Chhayanath, and Khaptad. According to resort representative Aitan Malla, the project will provide direct employment to 120 people and indirect employment to over 1,000.

Additionally, several large hotel companies have begun purchasing land in Murma Top, Salleri, and surrounding areas to develop infrastructure for future tourism ventures.