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.

Share Market Suspended After Three Negative Circuit Breaks

Trading was suspended on Thursday after the stock market, reopening following the destructive events of September 8 and 9, triggered three negative circuit breaks. The market fell 6 percent during the day. Within two minutes of opening, the NEPSE index dropped 4 percent. The trading group fell the most at 9.34 percent, while other groups declined by 7.48 percent, hotels and tourism by 7.24 percent, and investment by 7.18 percent.

NRB Withdraws RS 90 Billion Liquidity from Financial System

Nepal Rastra Bank has withdrawn RS 90 billion liquidity from the financial system on Thursday. With over RS 200 billion liquidity in the system, the central bank drew excess liquidity through a deposit collection instrument. According to the bank, the financial system had RS 204 billion liquidity by Wednesday. Therefore, through a 10-day deposit collection tool, RS 9 billion of excess liquidity was withdrawn.

Insurance Claims Total RS 20.70 Billion from Gen Z Damage

Insurance claims worth RS 20.70 billion were filed due to looting, vandalism, and arson during the Gen Z movement. As of September 16, 1,984 claims were registered with the Nepal Insurance Authority. The highest claims were with The Oriental Insurance Company, totaling RS 5.14 billion for 40 claims, including major losses at Hilton Hotel. Siddharth Premier and Shikhar Insurance received the second and third-highest claims.

Ministry of Finance Orders Sharad Ojha Not to Report to Nepal Insurance Authority

The Ministry of Finance has sent a letter instructing that Sharad Ojha, Chairman of the Nepal Insurance Authority, should not report for duty. Ojha had been dismissed by the Cabinet for not meeting the qualifications required for the post of authority chairman. However, citing a court order, he began reporting to the authority and resumed work from September 16. Today, the ministry sent a directive to the authority stating that Ojha should not report or perform any duties, according to Tanka Prasad Pandey, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance.

Less Than One-Third of Committed FDI Materializes in Nepal

Less than one-third of committed foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nepal materializes. Even with government approval, over two-thirds of the committed amount does not enter. A Nepal Rastra Bank survey shows that only 31.9 percent of committed FDI arrives as actual investment. The Economic Research Department noted that from 1995/96 to 2023/24, only 31.9 percent of committed FDI materialized.

Embossed Number Plates Implementation Postponed Indefinitely

The government’s long-debated plan to make embossed number plates mandatory from September 17 has been indefinitely postponed due to the September 8-9 Gen Z protests. The protests, vandalism, and arson caused significant damage to the Department of Transport Management. The ministry had decided on July 20 to implement embossed plates from September 17, halting vehicle registration, transfer, and renewal for non-compliance.

Gen Z Movement Impacts Tourism Sector

The Gen Z movement harmed the tourism sector, causing tourists to cancel trips. Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) President Kumar Mani Thapaliya said tourists postponed Nepal visits, canceled travel agency bookings, and delayed package purchases due to unrest. Even those with hotel bookings and flight tickets were stopped from traveling.

Social Security Fund Extends Contribution Deadline

The Social Security Fund extended the deadline for submitting contributions for the first month of current fiscal year due to prevailing difficult conditions. Contributions can now be submitted until September 21, 2025. Executive Director Kabiraj Adhikar said employers and contributors can deposit accordingly. During the September 8-9 Gen Z protests, anarchic groups vandalized, looted, and set fire to private sector industries.

Mountain Climbing Fee Increase Doubles Revenue

Revenue from mountain climbing fees doubled after the government increased the climbing permit fees. According to the Tourism Department, within 15 days of new fees for climbing mountains including Everest, revenue doubled compared to previous years. Department Director Himal Gautam said that although fees vary by season, fees during the current autumn increased significantly, reflecting doubled revenue from mountaineers.

Gen Z Protests Reduce Revenue Collection

Revenue collection was affected by the Gen Z protest starting September 8. Tax offices were closed due to protests, delaying the filing of taxes typically due by the 25th of the following month, reducing September revenue. Protests also caused vandalism and arson in private sector structures, further affecting revenue collection.

Nepal Telecom Announces Constitution Day Offer

On Constitution Day, Nepal Telecom announced a special offer. To mark a decade since the promulgation of Nepal’s Constitution, the company will provide the ‘Constitution Day Offer 2025’ for its customers. The offer will run from September 18 to 20, 2082, including one-day usable ‘1 MBPS Unlimited Data’ and 100 minutes of calling within Nepal Telecom’s network via ‘All Net Voice’ service.

Gen Z Protest Burns Over 3,000 Vehicles

During the Gen Z movement on September 9, public transport vehicles were destroyed by fire. On-site surveys by various agencies showed over 3,000 vehicles burned. Across seven provinces, 1,026 four-wheelers and 1,983 motorcycles/scooters were destroyed. The count is preliminary and includes cars, jeeps, vans, heavy equipment, and three-wheelers.

Mustang Customs Collects RS 97 Million in Three Days

Mustang Customs Office in Nhechung collected RS 97,064,000 in revenue over three days. The customs collected this from goods imported via the Nepal–China Northern Korala border. The Korala port became fully operational 11 days ago, but performance started on Monday to organize internal operations. So far, 161 electric cars and 85 medium cargo containers have passed through Chinese customs and arrived at Nhechung for inspection.

Kaligandaki Corridor 80% Physically Complete

The Kaligandaki Corridor, a national pride project, has completed 80 percent physical work in the Gaindakot–Ramdi–Maldhunga section. In 16 years, out of 293 km in this section, 234 km of road paving and 36 bridges are completed, with six bridges in the final stage. According to Palpa statistics, the corridor stretches across Baglung, Gulmi, Palpa, Nawalpur, and the Kaligandaki highway Mirmi–Setibeni–Falebas–Armadi–Kushma section in Syangja and Parbat districts, showing 80 percent physical and 70 percent financial progress.

Birgunj Customs Collects RS 39.15 Billion in Two Months

Birgunj Customs Office collected RS 39.15 billion in revenue during the first two months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. The department aimed to collect RS 40.30 billion in this period but achieved 90.99 percent of the target. Birgunj Customs Chief Bishnu Prasad Gyawali said revenue collection in September was encouraging despite adverse conditions.

Tourist Hotels in Sauraha Face Mass Booking Cancellations

Hotels in the tourist area of Sauraha faced massive booking cancellations. Even during peak season, tourists canceled bookings following the September 8-9 Gen Z movement, sending negative messages internationally. Om Pandey, Chairman of the Sauraha Regional Hotel Association, said all bookings for September were canceled, with cancellations continuing for upcoming months.

Bunglal Hydropower IPO Allotment Completed

Bunglal Hydropower’s IPO allotment is complete. Among general applicants, 170,150 received shares, all allocated at 10 shares each. The IPO received applications from 2,143,250 people requesting 23,349,790 shares.

Arun Valley Hydropower Declares 8.421% Dividend

Arun Valley Hydropower announced dividends for shareholders. The company’s board declared an 8 percent bonus share and a 0.421 percent cash dividend for tax purposes, totaling 8.421 percent. The dividend will be provided after approval by the Electricity Regulatory Commission and the general assembly. The company’s paid-up capital is currently RS 3.84 billion, with a market price per share of RS 277.

Janata Cable Industries Reports RS 1.49 Billion Trade

Janata Cable Industries conducted RS 1.49 billion in trade in a single year. The company traded RS 921 million in 2024, RS 725 million in 2023, RS 541 million in 2022, and RS 515 million in 2021. Trade grew 62 percent from 2024 to 2025 and 25 percent overall from 2020 to 2025. The company reported steady annual growth and increased market presence.

Gold Price Drops in Domestic Market Today

The price of gold fell in the Nepali market on Thursday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of hallmark gold, which stood at Rs 216,100 per tola on Wednesday, dropped to Rs 215,200 per tola on Thursday. Similarly, the price of silver also decreased on Thursday. The Federation reported that silver, which was priced at Rs 2,550 per tola on Wednesday, declined to Rs 2,520 per tola.