KATHMANDU: Nepal News presents today’s snapshot of Nepal’s economic activities. Get quick updates on major market movements, policy shifts, and financial developments shaping the economy of Nepal. Here are the key economic highlights for today.

Gold Price Stable, Silver Declines

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold remained stable on Wednesday. Hallmark gold, which was fixed at Rs 214,700 per tola on Tuesday, traded at the same rate on Wednesday. However, the price of silver fell, dropping from Rs 2,515 per tola on Tuesday to Rs 2,505 on Wednesday.

Share Market to Remain Closed Until Sunday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) announced that the share market will remain closed until Sunday. NEPSE spokesperson Murahari Parajuli said the decision to close the market on Wednesday and Thursday came in response to investor demand amid the tense situation. With Friday and Saturday being regular holidays, trading will only resume after those days. No trading had taken place on Tuesday either.

NATA Warns Political Unrest Will Hit Tourism

Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) President Kumar Mani Thapaliya issued a statement on Wednesday warning that the current circumstances will not only affect national politics and society but also seriously impact Nepal’s upcoming tourism season. He urged the government to resolve the issues through talks and dialogue, stressing that peaceful environment, stability, and a spirit of hospitality are the backbone of Nepal’s tourism, which has long attracted millions of visitors.

Tribhuvan International Airport Reopens, Domestic Flights Resume Thursday

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), which had remained closed since Tuesday afternoon, reopened on Wednesday. With the reopening, flights are expected to resume from Wednesday evening. Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa said international airlines will now be able to operate flights to Nepal, while flights departing Nepal will be carried out in coordination with respective airlines. However, domestic flights will only restart from Thursday morning.

Bhatbhateni Stores Burnt Down Amid Protests

A dozen Bhatbhateni Supermarket stores were completely destroyed by fire set by protesters. On Monday, September 8, Gen Z youth-led demonstrations escalated after the government’s use of force left 19 people dead. The protests turned violent on Tuesday, causing large-scale loss of life and property across the country. In major cities, protesters set fire to public property, which was burned and completely destroyed.

Government Buildings, Courts and Parliament Damaged

It is currently impossible to estimate the extent of public property damage caused by the Gen Z protests. According to him, the destructive activities on Tuesday alone caused massive losses in the Kathmandu Valley. The Supreme Court, District Court, Prime Minister’s Office, President’s Office, Parliament Building, and ministries inside Singha Durbar all sustained heavy damage.

Industrial Hub Biratnagar Reduced to Ashes

During Tuesday’s Gen Z protests, the industrial city of Biratnagar, capital of Koshi Province, was left in ruins. Protesters set fire to nearly all government offices, courts, administrative buildings, some political leaders’ houses, and commercial malls, filling the city with thick clouds of smoke. The fires that broke out on Tuesday were still blazing until Wednesday afternoon.

Banks Across Nepal Shut Down

All banks across the country were completely closed on Wednesday. Nepal Bankers’ Association President Santosh Koirala said the decision was made following consultations with Nepal Rastra Bank. He explained that threatening messages had been received, warning that important bank documents could be burned, forcing the closure of banking offices nationwide. With the Nepal Army now leading security arrangements and the environment gradually calming, banks are expected to reopen gradually from Thursday.

Hotel Association Urges Facilitation for Tourists

The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) issued a press statement on Wednesday urging authorities to facilitate the movement of tourists. HAN said that due to the ongoing crisis, curfews across the country and the closure of airports had left tourist travel uncertain, and therefore requested that management be prioritized as soon as possible. The association emphasized that facilitating tourists is directly tied to Nepal’s image and the future of tourism, calling on all stakeholders to take appropriate initiatives.

Five Arrested for Looting Rastriya Banijya Bank

The Nepal Army arrested five individuals involved in looting the Rastriya Banijya Bank in Baneshwar, Kathmandu. They were taken into custody on Tuesday night for their involvement in robbing the bank. The Army said they were accused of exploiting the current unrest for looting.

Business Tycoons’ Homes Attacked

Protesters also vandalized, looted, and set fire to the homes of businessmen Binod Chaudhary and Shekhar Golchha. After earlier targeting public property, protesters extended their attacks to private residences. Chaudhary’s house in Ravi Bhawan was vandalized and looted, while Golchha’s Sitapaila residence was also attacked.

Singha Durbar and Historic Buildings Suffer Irreparable Loss

During the Gen Z protests, Nepal suffered extensive physical damage. The clash on Monday at New Baneshwar, where protesters broke through restricted areas, had already caused heavy human losses. By Tuesday, protests intensified, inflicting irreparable destruction on important structures nationwide, including Singha Durbar. The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers—an archaeological landmark recently reconstructed after the Gorkha earthquake—was largely burned and destroyed.

Tourism Bodies Appeal for Peaceful Environment

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) issued a joint statement declaring that Nepal’s tourism sector is now in an extremely difficult situation. Both organizations appealed to the government to address the demands raised by Gen Z protesters, maintain peace and order, and create a tourism-friendly environment.