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.

Private Sector Estimates Rs 80 Billion Loss from Gen Z Movement

The recent “Gen-Z Movement” caused vandalism, arson, and looting, leading to an estimated preliminary loss of around Rs 80 billion in Nepal’s private sector. To boost morale after this destruction, the government has announced an immediate relief package.
On Sunday, a delegation of the private sector led by Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), met Prime Minister Sushila Karki and briefed her about the unimaginable losses.

RTGS Payment System Operated on Ghatasthapana Holiday
Despite Ghatasthapana being a public holiday, the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system remained operational for electronic payments. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, RTGS was run on Monday from 10 AM to 4 PM. In its earlier notice, the central bank had stated that the system would stay open during the holiday. RTGS is primarily used for high-value payments.

Finance Ministry Introduces Direct Email Channel to Report Bribery or Misconduct

Employees working under regulatory bodies of the Finance Ministry can now directly report cases of bribery or misconduct to the Finance Minister. The ministry has announced that complaints can be sent via email to [email protected] or [email protected]. Citizens or stakeholders can lodge complaints if employees fail to perform their duties, neglect required tasks, exert undue pressure, or engage in inappropriate conduct.

Airlines Sell Tickets at Maximum Fares During Dashain Rush

During Dashain, airlines in Nepal sell tickets at the maximum fares set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Airlines claim this is necessary as there is heavy one-way demand during the festival. From Ghatasthapana onwards, most passengers travel out of Kathmandu, while return flights to Kathmandu remain empty. After Ghatasthapana, however, inbound passenger flow increases. Currently, domestic airlines in Nepal have the capacity to carry more than 15,000 passengers daily.

Automobile Market Dulls During Peak Festive Season Due to Gen-Z Movement

This year, the automobile market looks completely different due to the Gen-Z Movement. The market has lost its sparkle during what should have been the busiest trade season. Showrooms that should be buzzing are now deserted, and sellers are struggling with multiple challenges. Not only is there a lack of customers who usually dream of buying new cars during festivals, but the slowdown has also frustrated dealers.

Route Permits for Public Transport Opened from Monday

Route permits for passenger public vehicles have been opened from Monday. Bijay Bahadur Swar, President of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs, said this was done to ensure smooth operation of public transport across the country during festivals.
With this decision, public vehicles can now operate directly to their destinations without requiring additional route permits.

Government to Launch Relief Programs for Businesses Affected by Gen Z Movement

The government has decided to launch various relief programs for industries and businesses affected by the abnormal situation created during the Gen Z Movement. The Cabinet meeting on Sunday decided that the government, Nepal Rastra Bank, and insurance companies will implement relief and support schemes. The move aims to ensure that employees in the business sector do not lose their jobs. The planned programs include exemption or concessions on customs duty for materials imported to rebuild vandalized and burned structures

Nearly 190,000 People Leave Kathmandu Valley in Five Days

In the last five days, 189,218 passengers have left Kathmandu Valley to celebrate festivals. According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, between the September 17 and 21, 189,218 passengers traveled out of the valley on 29,360 public vehicles. People who had come to the valley for study, trade, and employment are now heading home for Dashain. Passengers departed via Thankot, Sanga, Dakshinkali, and Balaju checkpoints.

Nepal Telecom Announces Festive Offers

On the occasion of Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals, Nepal Telecom has announced various attractive offers for customers. According to a notice issued by the company, under this year’s “Dashain-Tihar-Chhath Offer 2025/26,” discounted data and voice packages are available for mobile services. Customers who install new FTTH packages between September 22 and October 17 will also get a waiver on installation fees of Rs 500.

Government Offices Relocated After Gen-Z Protest Damage at Singha Durbar

During the Gen-Z protests of September 8-9, several ministries and offices at the central secretariat Singha Durbar were completely destroyed by arson and vandalism, forcing them to relocate.
Instead of purchasing new items, the relocated offices are being furnished with reused materials for both practicality and cost-saving.
The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology were fully damaged and have now shifted to new locations.

Separate Fund to Be Established for Reconstruction of Damaged Structures

A separate fund will be created to reconstruct structures damaged during the protests of September 8-9. Upon assuming office, Minister for Urban Development Kulman Ghising made this his first decision, introducing a plan to establish a “crowd funding” for reconstruction.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance is preparing guidelines to present to the Cabinet. According to Finance Ministry Spokesperson Tanka Prasad Pandey, the guidelines aim to cover reconstruction of public structures, economic revival, and relief measures.

Insurance Claims from Gen Z Protest Damages Reach Rs 22.25 Billion

Insurance claims from damages during the Gen Z protests have reached Rs 22.25 billion. According to data published by the Nepal Insurance Authority until September 21, a total of 2,478 non-life insurance claims have been filed. By September 15, claims had reached Rs 20.70 billion, which later rose to Rs 22.25 billion by September 21.

Money Found in Homes of Deuba and Khadka Under Investigation

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation has begun probing large amounts of money reportedly found in the homes of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. During the Gen Z protests, demonstrators vandalized and set fire to their houses. Videos later surfaced showing large sums of money discovered in both leaders’ residences during the arson and vandalism.

Damaged Vehicles and Machinery from Gen Z Protests to Be Auctioned as Scrap

Vehicles and machinery damaged during the Gen Z protests will be auctioned off as scrap. Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal said this decision was taken in Sunday’s Cabinet meeting. According to him, such items will be removed from government accounts and sold as scrap. In the case of central offices, the Ministry of Urban Development will oversee the process, while in districts, committees led by Chief District Officers will be responsible. The government will also form a committee to assess the total damage caused by the protests.

Small Projects Under Rs 30 Million Halted to Cut Expenditure

Projects with allocations below Rs 30 million have been stopped due to political influence. Sunday’s Cabinet meeting decided to halt such “small projects,” as well as larger ones not registered in the project bank or entered later under political pressure. According to Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, identifying such projects through the Finance Ministry’s system shows that halting them could save around Rs 120 billion, including current expenditure.

Rs 146.64 Billion Worth of Imports via Birgunj in Two Months

Goods worth Rs 146.64 billion entered Nepal through the Birgunj border in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. Compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year 2024/25, imports through this checkpoint increased by 20 percent. In the first two months of last fiscal year, imports amounted to Rs 122.32 billion. Both imports and exports have increased this year compared to the last.

Tourist Flow Rises at Annapurna Base Camp in Autumn

With the onset of autumn, tourist movement has increased at Annapurna Base Camp in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi. Tourists traveling via the Maurice Herzog Trail have positively impacted the tourism business there. According to ward member Shyam Purja of Annapurna-4, 15 to 40 trekkers are currently visiting the base camp daily. The number is expected to increase during the Dashain and Tihar holidays.

Large-Scale Electric Vehicles and Cargo Cross Korala Border for the First Time

According to the Customs Department, since its full operation on September 15, the Korala border has, for the first time, cleared a large number of electric vehicles and cargo trucks. Within the first five days of operation, 209 electric vehicles passed customs clearance. Additionally, 107 cargo trucks also cleared customs, according to the Mustang Customs Office. The office collected Rs 344.75 million in revenue from these clearances.

Gold Price Hits All-Time High in Nepal

Gold has reached its highest price ever in Nepal. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold today stands at Rs 217,800 per tola. On Sunday, it was traded at Rs 217,100 per tola, marking an increase of Rs 700. Similarly, silver is being traded at Rs 2,650 per tola today. In the international market, gold is currently trading at around USD 3,691 per ounce.