Nepal has awarded a major contract to a Chinese state-owned firm to print its new banknotes on November 30, 2025, marking a significant shift in its currency production strategy. The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has selected the China Bank Note Printing and Minting Corporation to design, print, and supply new notes of Rs 50, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000. The delivery deadline for these banknotes is nine months.
According to NRB spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel, the central bank first provides detailed specifications, after which the Chinese company prepares a design. The design is approved by the NRB before printing begins.
New Note Features
Earlier in November, the same Chinese company also received a Letter of Intent to produce 430 million pieces of the Rs 1,000 note. The upcoming Rs 1,000 series will feature seven rhododendrons, symbolising Nepal’s seven provinces, and will carry Governor Prof Dr Biswo Nath Poudel’s signature for the first time.
The Chinese firm was selected based on the lowest evaluated bid and has previously printed Nepalese notes of Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 100, and Rs 500.
Impact on India
The development comes after country issued new Rs 100 notes. As it strengthens its financial and strategic cooperation with Beijing, the shift has quietly raised concerns in India. In this context, it also prompts serious questions about sovereignty and security.
