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.

Customs Clearance Resumes at Nepal–India Border

Customs clearance of freight trucks stranded at the Nepal–India border has resumed. The clearance process had been obstructed for the past few days due to security concerns and shortage of staff at Nepal’s customs offices. With the resumption, the supply of essential goods into Nepal has become easier. Although there were no restrictions on truck movement from the Indian side, and Indian customs continuously requested facilitation, hundreds of trucks were stranded at the border due to delays on the Nepali side.

Banks Resume Partial Operations Amid Tight Security

Banks have resumed operations under tight security. Earlier, banks had continued services through digital platforms like mobile banking, but from Thursday they partially reopened physical offices. Banks designated certain branches for service. Nabil Bank, for instance, operated seven branches in Kathmandu Valley on Thursday. It operated three offices in Kathmandu and two each in Bhaktapur.

FNCCI Urges Government for Security and Business Facilitation

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has strongly urged the government to ensure security necessary for uninterrupted business operations and to facilitate various sectors. The federation warned that with the private sector already suffering losses worth billions due to the protests, further delays in restarting businesses would have a serious impact on the economy.

NRB Begins Assessment of Damage to Banks and Financial Institutions

On September 8, the Gen-Z movement affected several banks and financial institutions, prompting the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to start collecting details of the damage. The NRB has begun a study on the physical damages caused to the banking and financial sector. After protesters set fire to his residence in Bhaisepati, leaving him homeless, NRB Governor Biswo Nath Poudel initiated efforts to gather damage reports from banks and financial institutions. He has also started facilitating measures to ensure the smooth operation of financial institutions and industries.

Gold Prices Hit Record High in Nepal

The price of gold has set a new record in the Nepali market. According to the price list published on Friday by the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, hallmark gold reached Rs 215,800 per tola. The same gold per 10 grams reached Rs 185,015. On Thursday, hallmark gold was fixed at Rs 214,700 per tola. Similarly, silver prices have also increased.

Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket Vows to Rebuild After Heavy Damage

Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket, which suffered major damage from vandalism and arson during the protests, has pledged to rise again. In a Facebook post, the company said: “Sad moments have passed, but hope is not lost. Even though our store is destroyed today, with your support, we feel stronger.” The company also appreciated the thousands of helping hands assisting in cleaning and rebuilding. The post read: “Thousands of supportive hands are helping clean, wiping our tears, and giving us the strength to rise again.”

Hotels Suffer Rs 25 Billion Loss During Protests

Hotel Association Nepal stated in a press release that nearly two dozen hotels suffered major damages during the protests on September 7 and 8. Preliminary reports estimated the losses to be around Rs 25 billion. According to the association, domestic and international brand hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Jhapa, Morang-Biratnagar, Dhangadhi, Mahottari, and Dang-Tulsipur were directly damaged.

FMCG Companies Closely Monitoring Nepal’s Political Developments

FMCG companies operating in Nepal have said they are closely watching Nepal’s latest political developments. According to India Times, PepsiCo’s bottler Varun Beverages, Dabur, ITC, Marico, and HUL are operating in Nepal through their Indian-listed companies. Reliance Consumer Products, which contributes 3% of Varun Beverages’ Nepali revenue, entered the Nepali market only in July this year through Campa soft drinks, partnering with Chaudhary Group.

Markets Begin to Reopen After Days of Shutdown

Markets that were fully closed for the past two days have started resuming normal business. Shops closed due to the Gen-Z protests began reopening in Kathmandu Valley on Thursday as the Nepali Army gradually relaxed prohibitory orders and curfew imposed since Wednesday night. With the reopening of shops, daily life has also started returning to normal. The army issued a notice allowing people to go out for essential work and food purchases from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.

14 Revenue Offices, 5 Customs Offices Destroyed in Gen-Z Protests

During the Gen-Z movement, 14 Inland Revenue Offices and five Customs Offices under the Ministry of Finance were burned and destroyed. Four Inland Revenue Offices and four Customs Offices sustained partial damage. Despite the damage, customs clearance for essential imports has resumed at the affected customs offices. While physical revenue collection at the Inland Revenue Offices has not yet resumed, the ministry confirmed that revenue is being collected online.

Industries in Sunsari–Morang Corridor Halted for Three Days

Industries in the Sunsari–Morang Industrial Corridor have been shut for the past three days. Owners said they were unable to comment on the situation. With the festive season approaching, when markets usually become active, many are stressed by having to shut down production. Until when the Gen-Z protests began, industries were operating normally. According to Constituent Assembly member and president of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Pawan Sharada, the government’s failure to “tackle” the youth-led movement for good governance has collapsed the entire system.

Vegetable Shortage in Kathmandu Valley Amid Prohibitory Orders

Due to prohibitory orders in the Valley for the past three days, fresh vegetable supply in the federal capital Kathmandu has stopped, creating shortages. At Kalimati, the country’s largest vegetable market, supply has almost halted because vegetables from outside the Valley cannot arrive. According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Committee, while 700–800 metric tons normally arrive daily, only about 100 metric tons are now reaching the market.

Chaudhary Group Suffers Heavy Losses from Vandalism and Arson

Incidents of vandalism, arson, and looting during the protests caused major damage to Chaudhary Group (CG). Managing Director Nirvana Chaudhary described it as the most painful moment in the company’s history. According to him, what began as a movement for change and accountability was hijacked by anti-social elements and external forces, leading to decades of hard work, sacrifice, and investment being destroyed in hours. The chairman was personally targeted, the family home was set on fire, factories and offices were damaged, and showrooms were looted.

Former FNCCI President Shekhar Golchha Unshaken Despite Attacks

Former FNCCI president Shekhar Golchha said he was neither discouraged nor shaken even though his industry and private residence were attacked during the Gen-Z protests. In a Facebook post, Golchha wrote that neither he nor his family were shaken. He expressed hope that the dreams of a new Nepal envisioned by the younger generation would be fulfilled with positive change in the country.

Insurance Companies Resume Office Operations

Insurance companies, which had remained closed amid the difficulties created by the Gen-Z protests, resumed in-office services from Friday. Previously, the Insurance Authority had instructed them to provide services from home. On Thursday, the authority itself had delivered services from home. But today it issued a notice requiring insurers to be physically present at offices to provide services, except in unavoidable circumstances.

Partial Resumption of Bhairahawa Customs Office

The customs office at Belhiya, Bhairahawa, which had been shut due to vandalism and arson during the protests, has partially resumed operations. From Friday morning, imports of LPG gas, vegetables, and fruits from India have started, according to chief Shiva Lal Neupane. Depending on the country’s situation, more imports and exports will gradually resume, he said. Since computers, documents, and furniture at the office were burned, services are being managed through paperwork.

Fire Destroys Department of Transport Office in Minbhawan

A fire at the Department of Transport Management in Minbhawan destroyed the embossed number plate plant and the license printing machines. The building itself was severely damaged. The department said the building is in such condition that it cannot be used without repairs. About 20,000 licenses that were ready for distribution were kept there. Protesters took some printed licenses while setting the office on fire.

Calls for Insurance of Government Property Resurface

When the 2015 earthquake destroyed government infrastructure, calls for insuring them had grown louder. Insurance companies argued that insurance should be mandatory for government property, heritage structures, and private homes. However, the government did not insure its infrastructure, making reconstruction more difficult and consuming large amounts of capital. Even before reconstruction from the earthquake was completed, capital now has to be mobilized again for new reconstruction.

Free Visa Extensions for Stranded Tourists

The Department of Immigration will provide free visa extensions directly at Tribhuvan International Airport for tourists whose visas expired after September 8. Director Tikaram Dhakal issued a notice stating that the department is sensitive to the difficulties faced by foreigners unable to extend their visas due to the recent situation. Foreign citizens with visas valid until September 8 and who were supposed to depart during the curfew will be allowed to regularize their visas and exit without additional charges at immigration checkpoints.

Bus Operations Resume from Gongabu Bus Park

Passenger buses have resumed operations from the New Bus Park in Gongabu. Public transport had been halted after the government imposed prohibitory orders and curfews due to the Gen-Z protests. Services gradually resumed from Friday. Pankaj Malla, HR chief of Lhotse Multipurpose Pvt. Ltd., said dozens of vehicles left the Valley between 7 and 10 a.m. on Friday. Earlier, the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs had instructed its affiliated bodies not to operate during the crisis.