Gold price increases by Rs 1, 300 per tola on Wednesday
The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 300 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 191, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 190, 000 per tola on Tuesday.
Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 165 per tola today.
14,500 e-vehicles imported in 10 years
A total of 14, 500 e-vehicles – manufactured in China–have been imported via Rasuwagadhi transit point in 10 years.
With the rise in its import, the electrical vehicles are being placed in Timure, Ghattakhola and Rasuwagadhi areas.
A large number of vehicles have been shelved when the importers fail to complete the customs process.
Information Officer at the Rasuwa Customs Office, Rabindra Pyakurel shared that the customs clearance of 2,570 vehicles has been completed so far. The vehicles with customs clearance are heading to Kathmandu.
Beside e-vehicles, other items such as shoes, sandals, ready-made garments and electrical goods are being imported from China.
Remittance inflows increase 13.2 percent in 10 months
During the 10 months of Fiscal Year 2024/25, remittance inflows increased 13.2 percent to Rs 1356.61 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 16.9 percent in the same period of the previous year.
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated this in its report entitled 'Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal (Based on Ten Months Data Ending Mid-May 2024/25)' published today.
During mid-April to mid-May 2025 (Baisakh, 2082), remittance inflows stood at Rs 165.30 billion. In the same period of previous year, such inflows amounted to Rs 115.99 billion.
In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 10.5 percent to 9.96 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 14.8 percent in the same period of the previous year.
Net secondary income (net transfer) reached Rs1479.08 billion in the review period compared to Rs 1301.75 billion in the same period of the previous year, it is stated.
In the review period, the number of Nepali workers, both institutional and individual, taking first time approval for foreign employment stands at 405,610 and taking approval for renew entry stands at 280,314.
In the previous year, such numbers were 373,307 and 236,398 respectively.
Similarly, the current account remained at a surplus of Rs 255.93 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of Rs.193.31 billion in the same period of the previous year.
In US Dollar terms, the current account registered a surplus of Rs 1.89 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 1.45 billion in the same period last year.
In the review period, net capital transfer amounted to Rs 8.48 billion. In the same period of the previous year, such transfers amounted to Rs 5.26 billion.
Similarly, in the review period, Rs 10.6 billion foreign direct investment (equity only) was received. In the same period of the previous year, foreign direct investment inflow (equity only) amounted to Rs.7.05 billion.
Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 438.52 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of Rs.392.64 billion in the same period of the previous year.
In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 3.23 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of 2.95 billion in the same period of the previous year.
Meanwhile, the NRB report showed that the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 23.1 percent to Rs 2512.95 billion in mid-May 2025 from Rs 2041.10 billion in mid-July 2024.
In the US dollar terms, the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 20.5 percent to 18.40 billion in mid-May 2025 from 15.27 billion in mid-July 2024.
Of the total foreign exchange reserves, the reserves held by NRB increased 19.6 percent to Rs.2211.11 billion in mid-May 2025 from Rs 1848.55 billion in mid-July 2024.
Reserves held by banks and financial institutions (except NRB) increased 56.8 percent to Rs.301.83 billion in mid-May 2025 from Rs 192.55 billion in mid-July 2024. The share of Indian currency in total reserves stood at 21.2 percent in mid-May 2025.
Year-on-year consumer price inflation recorded at 2.77 percent in 10 months
The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 2.77 percent in mid-May 2025 compared to 4.40 percent a year ago, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated in its report 'Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal (Based on Ten Months Data Ending Mid-May 2024/25)' today.
Similarly, food and beverage inflation stood at 1.52 percent whereas nonfood and service inflation stood at 3.45 percent in the review month. During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased 6.41 percent and 3.09 percent, respectively.
During the review month, the year-on-year price index in rural areas increased 3.21 percent, while in urban areas, it rose 2.61 percent.
Based on provinces, in the review month, the year-on-year consumer price inflation in Koshi Province is 4.29 percent, Madhesh Province 2.81 percent, Bagmati Province 2.40 percent, Gandaki Province 2.23 percent, Lumbini Province 2.15 percent, Karnali Province 2.21 percent, and Sudurpashchim Province 3.14 percent.
In the review month, the year-on-year consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region surged to 2.64 percent, 2.64 percent, 2.65 percent and 4.01 percent respectively.
The year-on-year wholesale price inflation stood at 3.95 percent in mid-May 2025 compared to 5.68 percent a year ago.
The year-on-year wholesale price of consumption goods increased 10.89 percent while intermediate goods and capital goods increased 0.10 percent and 2.73 percent respectively.
The year-on-year wholesale price of construction material increased 2.67 percent in the review month, the report stated.