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.

Stock Market Suffers Heavy Losses This Week

The stock market closed early on Thursday due to massive losses following the Gen Z protests and subsequent change in government. The market, which fell 4 percent initially and halted for 20 minutes, plunged by other one percent leading to a 40-minute suspension, before another one percent drop forced a full-day closure. The index dropped by 160 points, closing at 2,511.91, wiping out property worth Rs 268 billion in a single day.

Nepal’s Budget Size Doubles in a Decade Since Constitution

In 2015, when the new constitution was promulgated, Nepal’s total budget stood at Rs 819.46 billion, with Rs 484 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs 208 billion for capital expenditure. Revenue collection that year was Rs 475 billion. Within ten years, by Fiscal Year 2024/25, the budget doubled to Rs 1.86 trillion, with Rs 1.14 trillion allocated for recurrent expenditure and Rs 352 billion for capital expenditure, while revenue collection reached about Rs 1.14 trillion, or 80 percent of the annual target.

Separate Fund to be Created for Reconstruction of Damaged Structures

The Ministry of Urban Development has decided to set up a separate fund for reconstruction of public structures damaged in the September 8–9 protests. Urban Development Minister Kulman Ghising made this his first decision after assuming office, with the Ministry of Finance now drafting working procedures to present at the next Cabinet meeting. The guidelines will include reconstruction, economic recovery, and relief provisions, according to Finance Ministry spokesperson Tank Prasad Pandey.

Finance Ministry Forms Task Force After Stock Market Plunge

Following Thursday’s 160-point fall in the NEPSE index to 2,511.91, the Ministry of Finance formed a task force to study problems and irregularities in the capital market. The panel has been given five days to submit its report with immediate systemic reforms to boost investor confidence and long-term measures to strengthen the market. Acting Executive Director of the Securities Board of Nepal, Rupesh K.C., has been appointed coordinator.

Bagmati Province to Review Allocated Budget for FY 2025/26
The Bagmati Province government has decided to review the allocated budget for the current fiscal year 2025/26. In a cabinet meeting held on Friday in Hetauda, the provincial council approved the study required for the budget review. The cabinet granted approval to conduct the study due to the need for budget reassessment. One minister explained that given the current challenging circumstances, budgetary constraints are evident, and additional financial requirements are expected for the administrative restructuring across the province.

Contracts of Stalled Development Projects to Be Terminated

The government has decided to terminate contracts of long-delayed and stalled development projects under the Ministries of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure, and Urban Development. Minister for Energy, Physical Infrastructure, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising directed the secretaries and departmental heads of all three ministries to immediately prepare and submit a list of such defunct projects.

Supreme Court and Other Key Buildings Declared Unusable After Protests

A rapid damage assessment by the Nepal Engineers’ Association revealed that four major government buildings, including the Supreme Court, are currently unusable due to fire damage during the Gen Z protests. The preliminary inspection also covered the Kathmandu District Court, Nepal Bar Association, and the Department of Quality and Measurement Standards.

Finance Minister Says Nepal Can Fund Elections Without Foreign Aid

Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal has said Nepal does not need to depend on foreign aid to finance the upcoming federal parliamentary elections scheduled for March 4. He said over Rs 120 billion can be managed from the current Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget without external help. Meeting the newly elected committee of the Society of Economic Journalists, he revealed that more than 1,300 unlisted projects with Rs 110 billion allocation were discovered in the budget, which can be re-allocated for elections and reconstruction.

Environmental Assessment of West Seti Hydropower Underway

After four decades of waiting, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the 800-megawatt West Seti Hydropower Project has begun. The Indian company NHPC India Limited’s consultant, Jade Consult Pvt. Ltd., has requested locals in the affected areas to participate in the process. Social impact surveys, including household and land data collection, began on September 7, according to project supervisor Dinesh Chandra Joshi.

Finance Minister Prioritizes Support for Affected Families

Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal stated that the government’s immediate priority is to restore public confidence, provide treatment to the injured, and compensate families of those who lost their lives during the protests. He said damage assessment teams comprising the Ministry of Urban Development, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and other agencies have already begun work. Public structures will be rebuilt through budget allocations, and if insufficient, additional funds will be raised through crowd-funding, he added.

Mountain Goats Begin Arriving in Markets for Dashain

With the Dashain festival approaching, Himalayan Mountain goats (Bheda-Chyangra) are being transported to major markets. Farmers and traders have begun moving herds from Mustang through the Beni-Jomsom road to Myagdi’s Baisari, before shipping them in trucks and containers to Pokhara and Kathmandu. According to the Nepal Livestock Trade Association, 1,300 goats had already been sent to Kathmandu by Thursday, with another 1,700 on the way.

Construction Entrepreneurs Yet to Receive Payments

Construction contractors are still awaiting payments for works completed in the last fiscal year. Contractors said bills submitted after completion of projects under provincial governments have not been cleared, as payments have been frozen since June 30. Around 50 contractors in Dang district alone are yet to receive about Rs 70 million, according to the District Construction Entrepreneurs Association Chairman, Prabin Kumar Bhandari.

Twelve Bhatbhateni Stores Remain Closed After Vandalism

Twelve outlets of Bhatbhateni Superstore remain closed after being looted, vandalized, and set on fire during the September 9 protests. However, the company assured that none of its 10,000 employees will lose their jobs or benefits despite the shutdown. Out of 28 stores nationwide, 12 including the central office suffered complete damage.

Surya Nepal Says It Has Paid All Dues to NEA

Surya Nepal has clarified that it has already paid all dues to the Nepal Electricity Authority, even more than required. Issuing a statement, the company objected to media reports linking its name to unpaid arrears during load-shedding. It said it cleared all payments as per NEA directives and also paid higher than required under a Cabinet decision of May 2024, which applied extra charges only from December 2015 to April 2018.

Himalayan Everest Insurance Begins Payout for Damages

Himalayan Everest Insurance has started processing compensation claims for properties damaged during the Gen Z protests. The company said it has initiated a fast-track payment system considering the difficult circumstances and has urged clients to submit required documents and contact their nearest branch.

Real Steel’s Trade Increases but Profit Declines

Real Steel recorded a 13.25 percent increase in trade in 2025 compared to 2024, with transactions rising from Rs 1.24 billion to Rs 1.40 billion. The company had traded Rs 1.23 billion in 2023. Despite increased trade, profit declined, with net profit falling from 10 percent in 2024 to only 9 percent in 2025.

Laxmi Technoplast Announces Contribution for Reconstruction

Laxmi Technoplast Limited has announced financial support for rebuilding physical infrastructure damaged during recent protests. The company, operating under Om Shivam Pipes & Fittings and Marigold Furniture, pledged to contribute 1 percent of its total sales over the next three months for national reconstruction. Embracing the slogan “We build our structures ourselves,” Managing Director Anjani Nandan Maru said the company is committed to supporting every effort of reconstruction.

Norvic Hospital to Issue 2.5 Million Ordinary Shares

Norvic International Hospital has appointed Laxmi Sunrise Capital as issue and sales manager for the public issuance of 2.5 million ordinary shares. The agreement was signed by Norvic CEO Ajay Kumar Mishra and Laxmi Sunrise Capital CEO Vijay Lal Shrestha. Established in 1993 as a 30-bed facility, Norvic now operates as a 200-bed multi-specialty hospital and is in the process of upgrading to 300 beds.

Muktinath Bikas Bank Proposes 18.2 Percent Dividend

Muktinath Bikas Bank has proposed an 18.2 percent dividend to shareholders from the profit of Fiscal Year 2024/25. The board meeting on September 17 decided to distribute 13.53 percent bonus shares and 4.67 percent cash dividend (for tax purposes). The bank did not distribute dividends last year but had given 9.75 percent bonus shares and 0.5132 percent cash dividend the year before.

Gold and Silver Prices Rise in Nepali Market
Gold and silver prices increased in the Nepali market on Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold traded at Rs 2,15,200 per tola on Thursday but rose by Rs 800 to Rs 2,16,000 on Friday. Similarly, the price of silver also increased compared to Thursday.