Nepal Rastra Bank Issues Prequalification Notice for Minting of Nepalese Coin
15th December 2025, Kathmandu
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), which serves as the central bank of Nepal, has officially issued a notice for the Prequalification of Bidders for a critical national project. This initiative focuses on the procurement of services related to the designing, minting, supply, and delivery of Nepalese coins of various denominations that are currently in circulation across the country. This announcement marks a significant step by the central bank to ensure a transparent, competitive, and highly secure process for the entire production cycle of its national currency’s metallic components.
NRB Issues Prequalification Notice
The Invitation for Prequalification (IFP) has been formally announced under IFP No: NRB/COIN/PQ/01/082/83. The process is designed to select a pool of eligible and highly qualified international firms that possess the specialized expertise required for currency production. Interested firms are strongly encouraged to participate in this prequalification process to become eligible to bid for this important national project in the near future.
Scope, Eligibility, and Duration of Prequalification
The prequalification process is structured to attract highly reputable and technically proficient firms globally, ensuring the highest standards of currency production.
Global Participation: The process is openly accessible to applicants from all countries, encouraging broad international participation in this critical currency-related project. Firms interested in applying must demonstrate that they fully meet the rigorous technical and financial criteria explicitly outlined in the comprehensive prequalification documents.
Duration of Eligibility: Nepal Rastra Bank intends to prequalify firms for one of two potential periods: either for a duration of two full years or for one complete cycle covering the designing, minting, supply, and delivery of each specific denomination of Nepalese coins. The final determination of the duration will depend on the bank’s internal operational requirements and production cycles.
Funding and Subsequent Steps: The central bank has allocated funds for this procurement and plans to apply a portion of its resources toward this initiative. Following the completion of the prequalification stage, invitations to bid will be issued to the prequalified firms, strictly according to the criteria outlined in ITA 29.1 of the prequalification documents.
Guidelines for Document Acquisition and Submission
Interested applicants must follow a stringent set of guidelines for obtaining the necessary documents and submitting their applications, with strict deadlines in place.
Obtaining Documents: Applicants can obtain and inspect the prequalification documents during official office hours from the two designated offices: the Currency Management Department located in Thapathali, Kathmandu, and the Mint Division in Babarmahal, Kathmandu. A complete set of the documents in English may be purchased by submitting a written request.
Non-Refundable Cost: The essential prequalification documents can be purchased for a non-refundable fee. The cost is 15,000 Nepalese Rupees (NPR), or the equivalent foreign currency amounts: 105 United States Dollars (USD), 91 Euros (EUR), or 80 Great British Pounds (GBP). Applicants also have the option to purchase a security-encrypted version of the documents via email.
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Payment Procedures: Payment must be made directly to the Nepal Rastra Bank’s Banking Department under the Account Name: Currency Management Department. Specific account numbers are provided for payment in NPR, USD, EUR, and GBP, along with the necessary SWIFT Code (NRBLNPKA), and applicants must specify the correct account number in the SWIFT message for proper identification.
Submission Deadline: Applications must be physically submitted by hand or courier to the Currency Management Department, Thapathali, Kathmandu, no later than 12:00 Noon, Nepal Standard Time on 29 January 2026. It is important to note that late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Important Dates and Compliance Requirements
The process includes scheduled meetings to clarify any ambiguities and a strict compliance checklist to ensure fair participation.
Pre-application Submission Meeting: A preparatory meeting is scheduled for 11:00 AM on 8 January 2026, at the NRB, Currency Management Department, Thapathali, Kathmandu. This meeting provides an opportunity for applicants to seek clarifications before the final submission. If this date falls on a public holiday, the meeting will automatically be rescheduled for the next working day.
Application Opening: The formal opening of the applications will take place at 1:00 PM on 29 January 2026, at the Currency Management Department. Applicants or their authorized representatives are welcome to attend, though NRB reserves the right to open applications even in their absence.
Compliance and Exclusions: Firms that are currently blacklisted under the national Public Procurement Act or those that have formed new entities as a workaround to bypass existing blacklisting regulations are strictly not eligible to apply. Furthermore, application forms must be completed in full, with the requirement that each page be signed by the authorized representative and affixed with the company seal to validate the submission.
NRB Authority: All submitted information will be treated with strict confidentiality. Nepal Rastra Bank maintains the right to accept or reject any application without providing a reason. The names of all successfully prequalified applicants will be publicly disclosed to ensure transparency in the tender process.
This prequalification notice represents a major opportunity for firms specializing in the highly specialized field of currency design and minting, offering a chance to contribute significantly to Nepal’s national currency production while strictly adhering to high standards of quality and security. Interested companies are strongly advised to carefully follow all guidelines, meet the stated deadlines, and ensure complete compliance with all eligibility requirements to participate successfully.
For More: NRB Issues Prequalification Notice
