Nepal Rastra Bank Gives $104 Million Currency Note Contract to China Banknote Printing

Nepal Currency Printing Deal

15th October 2025, Kathmandu

A significant development in Nepal’s financial infrastructure has emerged. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the nation’s central bank, has officially awarded a major contract for printing new currency notes.

Nepal Currency Printing Deal

The Nepal Currency Printing Deal goes to China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC). This contract involves printing 420 million pieces of the fifty-rupee banknote, a massive undertaking that carries a total face value of ₹21 Billion (NPR 21,000,000,000).

The Chinese company secured the deal at a cost of $104.2 million (USD 104,200,000). This expenditure highlights the substantial investment the central bank is making in maintaining the national currency supply.

This decision marks one of the first major actions under the tenure of the newly appointed Governor, Dr. Biswanath Paudel, who prioritized printing of the 50-rupee and 1000-rupee denominations.

The Scale of the New Currency Order

The sheer volume of this order—420 million notes—underscores the need for a reliable, high-capacity printer with advanced security printing technology.

The NRB’s move ensures a robust supply of the high-demand 50-rupee note, which is crucial for day-to-day transactions and plays a key role in the economy. This massive procurement also requires meticulous logistics and quality control.

The face value of the notes to be printed, ₹21 Billion, represents a major liquidity injection into the market.

While the printing cost is over a hundred million dollars, the value it represents in terms of economic facilitation is far greater. The central bank must always proactively manage the lifespan and supply chain of its currency.

Selection of Global Security Printers

The process of selecting a currency printer is rigorous. It focuses heavily on security features, production capacity, and cost-effectiveness.

Nepal Rastra Bank had initially shortlisted six of the world’s most reputable security printing firms. The global nature of the tender highlights the technical complexity and trust required in handling a nation’s currency.

The initial selection process included a diverse group of international industry leaders. Companies from various nations competed for this high-stakes contract. The competition included well-known European and Russian firms alongside the ultimate winner from China.

Global Contenders in the Tender Process

The six companies shortlisted by the NRB in the first phase included:

• China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC), China: The eventual contract winner, known for large-scale production and sophisticated printing technology.
• De La Rue International, UK: A globally recognized name with centuries of experience in banknote printing for numerous countries.
• Giesecke Devrient Currency Technology, Germany: An industry giant specializing in high-security paper and advanced anti-counterfeiting measures.
• Joint Stock Company, Russia: A major player in the market, often handling large government contracts for currency and documents.
• Oberthur Fiduciaire SAS, France: Known for innovative security features and high-quality printing of various official documents and currencies.
• Polish Securities Printing (Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych SA), Poland: A reputable European firm specializing in secure printed materials.

The selection of CBPMC demonstrates the central bank’s confidence in their ability to meet the stringent technical and security requirements for the Nepal Currency Printing Deal. This decision impacts the security and stability of the currency in circulation.

Future Implications for ICT and Finance

While this is a physical currency deal, it holds significance for the ICT and finance sectors. The complexity of modern currency involves embedded security features that often utilize cutting-edge technology.

The printing process itself integrates advanced authentication methods, which are vital for fighting counterfeiting.

Furthermore, as Nepal pushes for digital transformation, maintaining a reliable physical currency infrastructure remains critical.

The central bank must balance the promotion of digital payments with the stability of its cash supply.

This massive printing order ensures that the foundation of the national financial system remains robust as digital platforms continue to expand. This investment in physical currency security supports the overall financial ecosystem.

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