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.

NEPSE Remains Closed Despite Holiday Withdrawal
The stock market did not open today. Although the Ministry of Home Affairs withdrew the public holiday for Monday, the stock market still remained closed. “After the holiday was announced, all employees had already gone out. Even though the office reopened, the market could not be opened today,” said a NEPSE official. Due to Dashain holidays, the Nepal Stock Exchange index had been closed since last Monday.

Nearly 74% of Protest Insurance Claims Related to Vehicle Damage
Of the insurance claims filed for damages during the September 8–9 protests, 73.92% were for motor vehicle insurance. By Dashain, insurance companies had received a total of 2,988 claims worth Rs 23.39 billion. Among them, 2,209 claims were related to vehicles, amounting to Rs 3.65 billion. Assessment of the claims shows that a large number of vehicles were damaged during the protests. Stakeholders also say that more vehicles were damaged than the number of claims filed.

Nepal’s Airline Sector Shrinks to 9 Active Carriers
In the past two decades, around 50 airlines were registered in Nepal, but only nine remain active in regular flights. Among them, Saurya Airlines and Guna Airlines have ceased operations, while Nepal Airlines is left with just two Twin Otters for domestic flights. Even the national carrier struggles to operate flights on schedule due to constant technical problems with its aircraft, often managing only one regular flight. The weakness of Nepal Airlines has been exploited by private airlines.

Everest Insurance Accelerates Compensation for Gen Z Protest Damages
Himalayan Everest Insurance Limited announced that it has accelerated the insurance claim settlement process for properties damaged during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9. According to the company, out of the 287 claims submitted so far, 245 claims have already been settled, with a total payout of Rs 217,445,831. The company stated that the remaining claims are also being processed with high priority.

Government Orders Immediate Relief for Flood and Landslide Victims
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has directed that families of those who lost their lives due to floods and landslides be immediately provided Rs 200,000 each as relief. The authority has instructed district administration offices to coordinate with local governments to ensure the support of Rs 200,000 per family of the deceased, and to provide free treatment for the injured.

Himalaya Airlines Waives Date-Change Fees for Weather-Affected Passengers
Himalaya Airlines has announced that it will not charge fees for date changes on tickets of passengers affected by the current adverse weather. Issuing a statement on Monday, the airline said that due to disruption of road networks, passengers outside Kathmandu unable to arrive on time will be granted special waiver policies. The airline stated that this arrangement was introduced keeping in mind passengers’ convenience, safety, and satisfaction.

Korala Customs Office Collects Rs 2.96 Billion in Two Weeks
The Nhechung Customs Office at the Nepal–China northern Korala border collected Rs 2.96 billion in revenue within two weeks. The office in Mustang, which became fully operational on September 16, reported that it had collected the amount by Tuesday morning. This is the first time in the history of the customs office that such a large amount of revenue has been collected. Officials stated that the daily average collection exceeds Rs 136.6 million.

NRN CP Khetan Invests Nearly Rs 310 Million in Swedish Pharma Firm
Non-Resident Nepali of Nepali origin, CP Khetan, has invested nearly Rs 310 million in a pharmaceutical company in Sweden. Khetan, who has been expanding investments globally with Singapore as his base, invested SEK 21 million (USD 2.2 million) in a company named ASCELIA Pharma AB in Sweden, according to the company. The investment was made through Khetan’s Singapore-based investment company, Lotus One Investment Pvt. Ltd.

Korala Border Emerging as Tourist Destination
In recent years, the Korala border has begun developing as a tourist destination. With the (Beni–Jomsom–Korala) road under the national pride project gradually improving, the number of domestic tourists visiting Korala has been increasing every year. At an altitude of 4,610 meters above sea level, boundary pillar No. 24, also known as Jange Pillar, marks the main entry point of the Nepal–China northern Korala border. Every year, thousands of domestic tourists visit Korala to observe this entry point.

Post-Dashain Rains Damage Paddy in Bardiya
Farmers in Bardiya, who were preparing to harvest paddy after receiving Tika during Bijaya Dashami, have been troubled by recent rains. The storm and rain that struck last Tuesday morning severely damaged the rice crops. Heavy weather has also damaged paddy crops in Gulariya, Madhuwan, Badhaiyatal, Rajapur, Barbardiya, Thakurbaba, Basgadhi, and Geruwa.

Apples in Bajura Turned into Cattle Feed Due to Lack of Market
Apples produced in Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality-1, Kanda, Bajura are being used as cattle feed. Farmers, who invested millions in apple production, are unable to sell their harvest and are forced to feed apples to cows and buffaloes. Apple farmers complained that despite producing apples near a tourist area, the lack of roads and markets has left them no option but to feed apples to livestock.

Valuation Database Successfully Piloted at Biratnagar Customs
The government has successfully piloted a valuation database system at Biratnagar Customs. By replacing the traditional reference book, Nepal has now adopted a valuation method aligned with WTO’s GATT agreement and widely practiced internationally. FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged entrepreneurs and businesses to make use of the valuation process, which has started in Biratnagar as a pilot project.

Pokhara Hotels to Provide Free Food and Shelter to Stranded Tourists
With tourists stranded in Pokhara due to floods, landslides, and road blockages, hotel entrepreneurs have decided to provide free food and lodging. Hotel Association Pokhara said that the association decided to offer free services after hearing reports of tourists stranded in difficulties. In addition, tourists currently visiting Pokhara will also be offered a 25% discount on regular hotel rates.

Karnali Province Transport Offices Collect Over Rs 40 Million in Two Months
Transport offices under the Karnali provincial government collected more than Rs 40 million in revenue within two months. During the months of August and September, three transport offices collected this amount through vehicle registration, renewals, and related services.
The Birendranagar Transport Management Office collected Rs 40.8 million. Similarly, the Jumla office collected Rs 3.02 million, and the Chaurjahari office collected Rs 4.27 million. Highest revenue was collected by the Surkhet office.

Jorayal Industrial Village Stalled Despite National Priority Listing
The Jorayal Industrial Village, which was included in the list of 20 national priority projects, has been left stranded. Although the program to establish and operate the industrial village began in fiscal year 2019/20, work came to a halt after a few years. By 2019/20, fencing, access road construction, a detailed project report (DPR), and environmental impact assessment had been completed at the site, but no further progress has been made since.

Humla Distributes Apple Cartons for Safer Transport
To ensure quality transport of apples to markets, cartons have been distributed in Jumla. The Agriculture Development Office and the Agriculture Modernization Program Implementation Unit, Humla, distributed the cartons. According to the implementation unit, the cartons were ordered from outside the district to make it easier for farmers to safely transport apples to their destinations.
Gold Price Increases Again, Hits Record High
Gold prices rose again on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of hallmark gold, which was set at Rs 230,600 per tola on Sunday, further increased on Monday to reach Rs 233,100 per tola. The federation stated that this price is the highest ever recorded so far. Similarly, the price of silver has also increased.