Kathmandu-The number of companies undergoing the process at the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) to launch Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) has reached 146.

According to the latest report published by SEBON, the number of companies in the IPO pipeline increased after six more companies from various sectors applied for permission to issue primary shares.

Currently, a total of 472.894 million shares are awaiting approval at SEBON. The total value of these shares amounts to approximately Rs 69.30 billion.

As per the board’s list, companies from several sectors are preparing to issue IPOs. These include 18 companies from the hotel and tourism sector, 34 hydropower companies, 5 investment companies, 30 manufacturing and processing companies, 3 micro-insurance companies, and 14 companies from other categories.

The six newly added companies alone have sought approval to issue IPOs worth Rs 2.78 billion through the capital market. Collectively, they plan to sell 27.834 million shares to the general public and local residents. Among the new applicants are two hydropower companies and four companies from the manufacturing and processing sector.

From the hydropower sector, Super Hewa Power Company Limited has applied to issue 1.925 million shares. Similarly, Raghuganga Hydropower Limited has sought approval to issue 15 million shares.

In the manufacturing and processing sector, Rajesh Metal Crafts Limited applied on Jestha 7, 2083 (Nepali calendar) to issue 6 million shares to local residents and the general public. Annapurna Fish Feed Industry Limited submitted a proposal through Laxmi Sunrise Capital Limited to issue 1,009,531 shares.

Likewise, Yuvrani Agro Industries Limited registered an application through Prabhu Capital Limited to sell 1.65 million shares. Premier Distillery Limited, on Jestha 8, 2083, applied for approval to issue 2.25 million shares after appointing Siddhartha Capital Limited as its issue manager.

Currently, all these applications are under SEBON’s preliminary review process. The companies will only be allowed to open IPO sales to the public after receiving final approval from the board.