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World Investor Week is being celebrated in Nepal by organizing various awareness programs throughout the country. The Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon), the securities market regulator, is leading the World Investor Week in Nepal from Oct 2-8 at the call of the International Organization of Securities Regulators (IOSCO).

Nepal is actively participating by organizing a series of events during these dates with the goal of empowering investors through increased education and awareness. Throughout this week, investors engaged in the securities market will receive education and awareness on various aspects of market development and improvement.

The Nepal Stock Exchange, CDS and Clearing Ltd, and stockbrokers are actively involved in these celebrations. Ramesh Hamal, chairman of Sebon, stated that the World Investor Week is observed in more than 100 countries as part of the IOSCO’s program. The primary objective of this program is to safeguard investors and promote financial literacy. This year’s celebration mainly focuses on Investor Resilience, Crypto Assets, and Sustainable Finance. “The World Investor Week celebrations commenced in Nepal and across the world on Monday, with different countries tailoring their programs to their financial literacy levels,” Hamal added.

Sebon has introduced various protocols for investor protection. During World Investor Week, Sebon is set to sign an agreement with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), which will significantly enhance financial literacy at the business level through the federation’s network. “We will provide the resources, and FNCCI will organize the program,” he explained.

During the inauguration of World Investor Week on Monday, Minister for Finance Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat launched an artificial intelligence-based chatbot designed for investor education and grievance resolution. This chatbot offers a convenient platform for immediate responses to queries, information requests, and complaints related to the securities market, according to Sebon.

IOSCO has been celebrating World Investor Week since 2017, with the aim of empowering investors. In addition to Sebon, organizations such as Nepse, CDSC, Merchant Bankers Association, Stock Brokers Association, Credit Rating Institutions, Stock Dealers, and PE/VC Fund Managers are actively participating in the World Investor Week celebrations.

Nepse is informing investors about considerations while investing, CDSC is providing insights into share trading, and stockbrokers are conducting widespread activities during World Investor Week. The Stock Brokers Association of Nepal, an organization of stock brokers, co-organized the opening ceremony of World Investor Week on Monday. On Tuesday, members of the association disseminated awareness messages through their website, social media, and online platforms.

Dharmaraj Sapkota, the association’s president, said they would conduct over a dozen investor education and awareness programs across all provinces of the country during the week. These programs will take place in Birtamod, Banepa, Bardibas, Bharatpur, Kathmandu, Birgunj, Baglung, Syangja, Bhairahawa, Mahendranagar, and Jumla.

Additionally, the Securities Brokers Association Nepal, a new organization of stockbrokers, has initiated a week-long program for World Investors Week. The association organized a share awareness and training program at Reliance College in Saraswatinagar, Kathmandu. Sagar Dhakal, the association's president, stated that the awareness program will continue until Oct 8.

The association intends to conduct awareness and training programs at Kathford International College in Balkumari, Central Department of Management of Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur and Panauti Municipality in Panauti, Kavre. On Saturday, a rally will be taken out from Bhrikuti Mandap to Basantapur to raise awareness about investment. Participants will placards and banners related to investment education and literacy. Sebon Chairman Hamal will lead the profession. Likewise, the formal closing ceremony of the World Investor Week will be held on Oct 8.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 106, 900 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 106, 600  per tola on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 106, 400 per tola. It was traded at Rs 106, 100 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,310 per tola today.

The Phukot Karnali Hydropower Project (480 MW), which is proposed to be built in Kalikot district of Karnali Province, is projected to impact 747 households, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the project.

According to the report, the project will affect the land of 539 households, houses along with the land of 150 households, and the houses of 103 households. Additionally, two suspension bridges, four cremation sites, a martyr's park, a temple, and a piped water system with one tap will also be impacted by the project.

Nepal and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Phukot Karnali project on July 1, during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's visit to India. As per the MoU, NHPC Ltd of India and Vidyut Utpadan Company Ltd (VUCL) of Nepal will form a joint venture company to develop the project, both of which are government-owned entities.

India’s cabinet recently approved a proposal to purchase 10,000 MW of hydropower from Nepal over the next decade. The southern neighbor is currently importing 632 MW from India.  The EIA report states that the project will affect four wards of Sanni Tribeni Rural Municipality, one ward of Khandachakra Municipality, four wards of Raskot Municipality, and seven wards of Pachal Jharan Rural Municipality.

The estimated cost of the semi-reservoir project, which will be built on the Karnali River, is Rs 92.30bn. The project’s total capacity is 480 MW, including 6 MW generated from the plant at the base of the dam through environmental release. The headworks site is located 1.5 km downstream from the confluence of the Karnali and Sanigad rivers.

The main civil structures of the project consist of two diversion tunnels, one sediment bypass tunnel, roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam, intake, upstream and downstream coffer dams, two headrace tunnels, two surge tunnels, two pressure shafts/tunnels, underground powerhouse cavern, underground transformer cavern and two tailrace tunnels. The project's reservoir will extend 11 km along the river from the dam to Lapha Bagar. Moreover, its underground powerhouse will feature six units of Francis turbines-generator-transformer sets, each with a generating capacity of 79 MW. The power generated by the project will be connected to the national grid through a substation at Regil by building a 2.3 km 400 kV double circuit transmission line.

According to the EIA, the project has allocated 0.47 percent of its total cost for the implementation of environmental management programs. Similarly, 0.27 percent of the project’s budget will be dedicated to compensation planting and the maintenance of these plants for a period of five years. Additionally, the project plans to invest Rs 510m in the execution of social infrastructure development programs and initiatives aimed at socio-economic upliftment.

The project is expected to produce 1,703.8 GWh of energy annually during the wet season, 481.05 GWh during peak hours of the dry season, and 263.75 GWh during off-peak hours of the dry season. NHPC Ltd is also involved in the construction of the West Seti (750 MW) and SR-6 (450 MW) projects in far-western Nepal.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 9.24 points to close at 1,967.97 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0.51 points to close at 374. 90 points.

A total of 4,323,021-unit shares of 284 companies were traded for Rs 1. 18 billion.

Meanwhile, Madhya Bhotekoshi Jalavidyut Company Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Samata Gharelu Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top loser as its price fell by 6.61 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 00 trillion.