September 27: With the great festivals of Hindus including Dashain and Tihar just around the corner, the buying and selling of goods in the market has…
September 27: With the great festivals of Hindus including Dashain and Tihar just around the corner, the buying and selling of goods in the market has…
September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism…
September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30,…
September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the…
September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. …
September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September…
September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project.…
September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years…
September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing…
September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country.…
September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development…
September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year…
September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22.…
September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra…
September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric…
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The crowds of consumers, especially in food and clothing stores, are on the rise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nowadays, the main business centers of Kathmandu such as Asan, Indrachowk, New Road, Khichapokhari, Thamel, Koteshwor, Kalanki, Kalimati, Nayabazar and other shopping areas can be seen crowded with consumers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the last Dahsain, most of the consumers had not been able to go to the market due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, trade fell by about 85 percent during last year's Dashain compared to normal days, according to the businessmen. However, traders say that is not the case this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Santosh Pun, who has been trading readymade garments in New Road, Khichapokhari said that there has been some improvement in their business as the Dashain approaches. Earlier, 15-16 customers used to come to his shop daily. But now, the number of customers visiting his shop is more than double on a daily basis. He added, due to the pandemic, there were some problems in the import of garments from other countries and that they couldn’t fulfill the requirements of their customers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As compared to other times, the trade of shoes, slippers and clothes increases by more than 40 percent on the occasion of big festivals like Dashain and Tihar in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the National Federation of Nepali Entrepreneurs, Naresh Katuwal informed New Business Age that although the trade is not as good as in previous years, it has increased significantly this year as compared to last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Every year, Nepali traders have been importing readymade garments worth around Rs 25 to 30 billion from neighboring countries including India and China alone for the Dashain and Tihar festivals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is said that there has been some improvement in the business of food and grocery shops as compared to a few months ago. Naresh Gupta, who has been trading pulses, rice, nuts and sugar in Kalimati, said that there has been some improvement in the trade as the Dashain approaches. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"There's been some promising business this year compared to last year's Dashain," he said. He added, the demand for food grains including sugar, oil and spices is increasing now. He said that the daily transaction has increased by about 15 percent as compared to the previous times.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13777', 'image' => '20210927121504_dashain-2016.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 12:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Witnesses High-Profile Visits for World Tourism Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gyanendra Poudel, Chairperson of Pokhara Tourism Council Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai and others welcomed the diplomats at Pokhara Airport on the eve of the World Tourism Day on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The officials have confirmed the arrival of diplomats from Qatar, the UAE, Finland, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Germany and other countries to mark the World Tourism Day on September 27. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and chiefs of other diplomatic missions are also in the team. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary Poudel said that the ongoing visit of the diplomats is believed to spread positive messages to recover and promote tourism business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Bhattarai said that the visit of diplomats has added excitement to the tourism fraternity in Pokhara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This visit would give the message that Pokhara is open to tourists and the trip is aimed at giving message that Pokhara is a safe destination to the tourists for visit, Bhattarai added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In honour of the visiting diplomats, the Gandaki Province Government organised a dinner reception on Sunday. On Monday, the diplomats are scheduled to visit cultural and natural heritages in and around Pokhara and go for a short hiking. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The diplomats are also scheduled to join the street festival at Lakeside in Pokhara. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13776', 'image' => '20210927112031_20191017121120_1571271950.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 11:18:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Recommends 1,600 People for Caregiver Job in Israel ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. <br /> The Department of Foreign Employment selected the aspiring workers on the basis of written examination and interview. <br /> The Embassy of Israel in Nepal had urged the government in July to recommend 1,600 candidates including 70 percent females for the caregiver jobs in Israel. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Israel has placed the demand for 700 female workers and 300 male workers as care givers in the first lot. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department had shortlisted 1803 persons for interview from among 6,317 aspirants who appeared for the written examination. The applicants whose educational qualification and training certificate could not be verified were barred from sitting for the written examination. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Any Nepali citizen completing 25 years and not exceeding 45 years of age with at least 1.5 metres height, weighing 45 kilograms and having an ANM or CMA (medical) certificate after completing at least ten class or a plus two degree with at least three months' training on care giving from the government-certified training institute were eligible to apply for the job. </span></span> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anyone already having worked in Israel and whose parents, spouses or daughters are residing in Israel or currently working there were suggested no to try for the job.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Israel has said that the monthly salary of the selected workers will be 5,300 New Israeli Sheqel (NIS) which is equivalent to Rs 193,000. The payment will be made on a weekly basis. The contract period of the selected workers will be of one year and it could be extended up to five years. The workers have to manage food on their own while the accommodation will be managed by their employer. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that Israel had shown interest in opening its job market to Nepalis on G2G basis after the signing of a MoU between the two countries almost a year ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13775', 'image' => '20210927101012_20201001041928_1601479507.nepal isrel_g2g.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 10:09:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Issue On-Arrival Visa to Tourists', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, such visas will not be granted to those coming to Nepal from conflict-hit nations. The Department of Immigration will provide on-arrival visas at the Tribhuvan International Airport but in case of tourists arriving from conflict-ridden countries, they must obtain visa from the diplomatic missions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department has clarified that visitors from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameron, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria will not be granted on-arrival visas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens from these countries must obtain travel permit from the diplomatic missions if they want to travel to Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the other hand, all tourists coming from countries entitled to on-arrival visas must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit a negative COVID-19 test report obtained within 72 hours of checking at the airport to fly to Nepal. The same rule would apply for those arriving in Nepal via land, the department said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As for the mountaineers or trekkers, they must show a copy of permit for mountaineering or trekking and must produce evidence of booking hotel here. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This new provision has been put in place as per the cabinet decision of September 21. For children below five years, they may not need vaccination card nor COVID-19 test report, the department shared, adding that other arrangements in case of those above 5 years and below 18 years will be applicable for Nepali or foreign citizens. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13774', 'image' => '20210926042314_Tourist.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Prioritize Impact of Climate Change in Himalayan Region during COP-26', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. The impact of climate change on the overall economy of the Himalayan region and the ecosystem of the region as well as the ecosystem of the lower coastal region will be a priority for Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A recent study has shown that when the global temperature has increased by one degree Celsius, the temperature in the Himalayan region has increased by 1.5 degree Celsius. According to the Ministry of Forests, Nepal is preparing to raise issues of climate-related hazards, search for resources for the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributors (NDC) report, carbon emission and other issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal has already submitted its NDC report to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 as per the Paris Agreement 2015. Radha Wagle, head of the Climate Change Management Division, said the issue of resources required for the implementation of the report is also a priority for the conference.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Paris Agreement pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, limit average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and prevent it from increasing above 2.5 degrees Celsius.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The International Conference on Climate Change is held every year except last year due to Covid-19. Wagle said that the conference would be an important platform to address issues raised by the Paris Agreement and to discuss the issues raised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. The IPCC report has also shown that the surface of the mountains has decreased and the process of mountain melting is increasing. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13773', 'image' => '20210926035127_COP.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ncell Partners with Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ncell, one of the partners of the league, says it believes in investing in sporting events to promote fresh talents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“With LIVE events like EPL, it provides Ncell with a unique opportunity to connect with our customers directly. We will be leveraging our collaboration as ‘Connected By’ partner contributing towards development of domestic cricket,” the telecom giant said in a statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement further says that Ncell hopes to re-establish the passion that people have for outdoors with its widest 4G network coverage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“In the backdrop of the persisting situation, where many people have been isolated, Ncell aspires to connect with our customers digitally,” the statement further said adding, “Cricket fans can watch the EPL online. While we aspire to reach out to our customers and audiences, EPL brings much needed respite to the masses at home and watch LIVE matches digitally. It is in that aspect that we have an edge.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The vision of EPL is to create a platform to tap the endless cricketing talent in this country, and to create bridge where domestic talents can meet international talents, Ncell said. The event that began in 2016, has now become one of the biggest cricket leagues in the world and is ready to be broadcast in over 155 countries worldwide, reaching up to 450 million people, added the statment.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Given the passion cricket ignites, the viewership it attracts, Ncell said it hopes to use EPL to directly engage with consumers, encouraging them to share their experiences.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">EPL has caught global attention with the participation of Pakistani cricket legend, Shahid Afridi, who is also all set to play this year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“I have heard Nepal has beauty like no other. I look forward to playing in the Bajaj Pulsar EPL this edition,” the statement quoted Afridi as saying. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13772', 'image' => '20210926041217_epl.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:11:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of 'Sunkoshi-III' Underway ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. For this, the Department of Power Development under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has scheduled a public hearing in four districts under the project-affected area from today (September 26). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stakeholders have been requested to give their opinions and suggestions in the program organized in different places of Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts. Residents of three rural and two municipalities of Sindhupalchowk, three rural and two municipalities of Kavre, two rural municipality of Ramechhap and one rural municipality of Sindhuli will be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, a public hearing has been organized at the local level after a technical study of the project was completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Suggestions have also been sought from schools, hospitals, health posts, stakeholders and organizations in the districts, municipalities and villages that may be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Sunkoshi III project, which is currently being studied at various stages by the Department of Power Development, is in the process of being constructed by the Bangladesh government in a joint venture. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Under the project, it is proposed to build a dam on the Sunkoshi River at the border of Temal rural municipality-9 of Kavrepalanchok and at Lubhughat of Khandadevi rural municipality-1 of Ramechhap. The department has allocated Rs 190 million for the study of Sunkoshi III and Sunkoshi II projects. It is estimated that it will cost Rs 330 million to complete the study of both the projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the project, a dam of 484 meters long and 166 meters high will be constructed on the river at Lubhughat and 570 cubic meters per second of water will be taken to the power house to be constructed near Lubhughat from a tunnel with a length of 1.1 km and a diameter of nine meters. Preliminary studies have shown that about 1,600 families in Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts may be affected during the construction of the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While preparing the EIA report as per Rule 4 (1), Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection Act 2053 and Environment Protection Rules 2054, 'opinion-suggestions' should be taken on the issues related to physical, biological and social, economic and cultural sectors in the affected areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Forest and Environment have jointly appealed to the public to attend the hearing within the stipulated time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The proposed project site is at a distance of 60 kilometers from the federal capital Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has stated that it is preparing to discuss with the stakeholders about relocating the families affected by the project. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13771', 'image' => '20210926033214_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:31:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Report Shows Weak Implementation of Trade Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the government shows weak implementation of the trade policy that was introduced to increase the contribution of the commercial sector to the country’s economy and to balance the trade deficit by replacing the import-oriented economy with exports.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the National Planning Commission on the effectiveness of the implementation of Trade Policy 2072 after analyzing the trade (import-export) situation for the last seven years states that no significant achievement has been made in this regard. Instead, the problem is said to have worsened. The report says that the import-export ratio was 8.5 percent in 2014 but has reached 11.9 percent in 2020, which cannot be considered positive.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study found that the implementation of the Trade Policy 2072 has not been effective due to lack of action plan to implement the policy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The government is not solely responsible to implement any policy but the private sector also has an important role. However, the private sector has not been given any importance in the implementation of this policy,” the report states.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A scientific approach and research of various aspects of trade for trade including its development and promotion is vital for the trade policy. However, the report points out that no such scientific study or research has been done on any of the issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the study has found that there are problems due to the lack of institutional working directives for monitoring and evaluation for the effective implementation of the policy. There is policy level, institutional, procedural and legal shortcomings in the implementation of the policy and the expected results have not been achieved.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The report suggests that in order to effectively implement the trade policy, the institutionally established bodies should be active and necessary legal procedures and guidelines should be identified and formulated. The report also suggests identifying and formulating directives and prioritizing the implementation of trade policy while making annual programs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Narayan Regmi said that it would take time for the results to come as the trade policy is in the process of implementation. He said that the ministry is ready to make the policy practical by including the current priorities such as the impact of Covid-19, which was not taken into consideration when the policy was drafted.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> "We will study the issues and suggestions in the report and work accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13770', 'image' => '20210926023104_images.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 14:28:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transactions through Digital Wallets on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately. The latest data of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has shown that the digital transaction has increased in recent days.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first month of the current fiscal year, transactions through wallets have surpassed the monthly average of previous fiscal year. Based on the total transaction amount of last year, the average monthly turnover through the e-wallet is Rs 9.53 billion. However, the average turnover through e-wallets in July was Rs 14.52 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Transaction through e-wallet last June was Rs 12.79 billion while it was Rs 8.35 billion in May. The data has confirmed that the transaction amount through digital wallet has been increasing recently. Last year, the total amount of transactions through e-wallets was worth Rs 114.43 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Payment System Department Chief Bhuvan Kandel said that the transaction amount through wallet has been increasing recently. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The use of electronic payment has also increased during the pandemic. As a result, wallet transactions are on the rise, according to stakeholders. Digital wallet is a means of electronic payment and transaction.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, there are 22 digital wallet companies in Nepal. Earlier, the number of such services providers was very few. Previously, wallets were used only for limited purposes. However, now it has many services including depositing money in a bank account, paying internet/water/electricity bills, air tickets, movie tickets, mobile recharge among others.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the business of digital wallet is also developing, says Bhuvan Kandel, executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank. He also says that digital wallet is safer than other means of transaction. "Customers can deposit the required amount from their bank account into their wallet and spend accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13769', 'image' => '20210926011503_20200918073634_digita.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 13:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Imports Electric Vehicles worth Rs 440 Million in 2 Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. The import of electric vehicles was completely halted in the first two months of the last fiscal year. It was due to the impact of increase in the customs duty by the then government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Department of Customs, a total of 142 jeeps, cars and vans worth Rs 442 million have been imported from mid-June to mid-August. The then Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada had increased the customs duty on electric vehicles from 40 to 80 percent. With the increase in customs duty, import of electric vehicles was halted from May to August last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the 12 months of the previous fiscal year 2077/78, only 249 electric jeeps, cars and vans were imported. During that period, electric jeeps, vans and cars worth Rs 657.8 million were imported. In the fiscal year 2066/67, more than 600 such vehicles were imported into the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has completely removed the excise duty on electric vehicles through the Financial Ordinance 2078/79 BS and also reduced the customs duty. Krishna Prasad Dulal, president of NADA Automobile Association of Nepal, said that the government has facilitated the import of electric vehicles which has resulted in good business.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The replacement budget has given continuity to the provision of 10 to 15 percent customs duty on the import of electric vehicles proposed in the ordinance budget issued by the then Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel. "The demand for electric vehicles had been the same as before," said Dulal, chairman of NADA adding, “The sales hit the ground due to increase in customs duty. But now, the demand for electric vehicles has increased in the market.”</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13768', 'image' => '20210926115822_20200317060256_Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 11:57:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14022', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government of Nepal and Development Partners Join Forces on Nepal’s Green Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to a statement issued by the World Bank, the Declaration was endorsed by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal, Asian Development Bank, Australia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, International Monetary Fund, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States, and the World Bank at a high-level roundtable event titled Nepal’s Transition to Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) for Sustainable Recovery, Growth, and Jobs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Under the Kathmandu Declaration, Nepal’s development partners have identified up to $4.2 billion in potential future support, in addition to the $3.2 billion in previously committed resources to support GRID.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The GRID Strategic Action Plan will coordinate international and domestic financing for priority investments in Nepal’s recovery from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The Government of Nepal is committed to the Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development vision that will support Nepal’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and help address the challenges of climate change and rising inequality,” said Finance Minister Janardan Sharma. “We look forward to working together with development partners, private sector, and key stakeholders to build back Nepal better and stronger.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the statement, investments will support Nepal’s 15th development plan, Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Climate Accords, and the Sustainable Development Goals in promoting green growth, jobs, and infrastructure, and building resilience to climate change and shocks from disasters, as well as equitable access to services for Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government and development partners intend to scale up support for such areas as sustainable tourism, renewable energy, cleaner transport and resilient roads, integrated solid waste management, sustainable forest management, watershed protection and water supply, biodiversity conservation, adaptive social protection, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable cities. Partnerships and opportunities will be sought with the private sector to increase green investment and support job-creating small and medium enterprises and businesses in these and other areas.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal’s GRID vision also emphasizes inclusion to enable women, indigenous groups, and vulnerable and marginalized communities to realize the benefits of a green, resilient recovery. This includes skills training and education opportunities to help citizens prepare for an evolving job market in a new green economy with greater opportunities for all Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The roundtable, organized in the lead up to COP26, included representatives from the federal and local government, development partners, private sector, and climate experts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13767', 'image' => '20210924092344_go8922.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 21:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14021', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Stands at 4.35 Percent: NRB', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 3.86 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.74 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Releasing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, the central bank said that the price of ghee and oil, non-alcoholic drinks, tobacco products and transportation subcategories rose 29.07 percent, 10.51 percent, 10.12 percent and 9.43 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu valley, terai, hill and mountain regions witnessed 3.70 percent, 4.11 percent, 5.63 percent and 3.58 percent inflation respectively. Inflation in these regions was 3.31 percent, 4.02 percent, 2.72 percent and 4.07 percent respectively a year ago, the report states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 4.25 percent in the review month compared to 7.33 percent a year ago. 5. The y-o-y wholesale price of consumption goods, intermediate goods and capital goods increased 1.30 percent, 5.72 percent and 6.19 percent respectively. The wholesale price of construction materials increased 11.54 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13766', 'image' => '20210924021304_636277035242086786-Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 14:12:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14020', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Trade Deficit Increases by 70.6 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), such a deficit had decreased 22.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Publishing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, NRB said that the export-import ratio increased to 13.8 percent in the review period from 11.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the first month of 2021/22, merchandise exports of Nepal increased 115.9 percent to Rs 20.76 billion compared to an increase of 8.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, exports to India, China and other countries increased 167.0 percent, 47.8 percent and 17.5 percent respectively. Exports of soybean oil, palm oil, polyester yarn and thread, juice, oil cake, among others increased whereas exports of cardamom, medicine (Ayurvedic), herbs, wire, readymade leather goods, among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, merchandise imports increased 75.7 percent to Rs 150.73 billion during the review period against a decrease of 19.6 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 58.7 percent, 87.6 percent and 120.8 percent respectively. Imports of petroleum products, transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, gold, among others increased whereas imports of chemical fertilizer, cement, tobacco, aircraft spare parts, readymade garments among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi and Nepalgunj Customs Offices decreased whereas exports from all other customs points increased in the review period, the report further states. On the import side, imports from Kailali Customs Office decreased whereas imports from all other customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Broad Economic Categories, the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 31.8 percent and 68.2 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.0 percent, 2.8 percent and 65.3 percent of total exports respectively. On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.7 percent, capital goods 11.5 percent and final consumption goods remained 34.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 50.6 percent, 13.8 percent and 35.6 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Current Account</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 47.90 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of Rs 24.89 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of 402.4 million in the review period compared to a surplus of 207.7 million in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Capital Transfer and FDI</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 38.0 percent to Rs 679.7 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) decreased 65.5 percent to Rs 480.6 million. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 1.10 billion and Rs 1.39 billion respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 38.75 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 51.46 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP recorded a deficit of 325.5 million in the review period against a surplus of 429.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13765', 'image' => '20210924015957_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14019', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Thursday revealed that the remittance inflow </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">decreased 18.1 percent to Rs 75.96 billion in the review period in contrast to an increase of 23.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows decreased 17.5 percent to Rs 638.2 million in the review period against a growth of 14.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers (institutional and individual-new and legalized) taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 13,800 in the review period. It had decreased 99.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment increased 286.1 percent to 11,628 in the review period. It had decreased 80.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is believed that the remittance inflow had increased during the lockdown period of last year because the migrant workers were not able to send money back home through illegal channels. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13764', 'image' => '20210924012049_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:20:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14018', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB to Facilitate Concessional Loan for Developing Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank has come up with such idea to promote use of e-vehicles and increase electricity consumption through third amendment to refinancing procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The latest move of the central bank is expected to benefit the private sector that is working for the development electric vehicle charging station with top priority in the recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, 15 charging stations are operational while the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is working to set up 50 charging stations across the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the NRB has decided to provide refinancing service to the broadband internet service providing organisation, which will help increase internet penetration in the country's rural areas. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13763', 'image' => '20210924010339_EV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:02:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The crowds of consumers, especially in food and clothing stores, are on the rise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nowadays, the main business centers of Kathmandu such as Asan, Indrachowk, New Road, Khichapokhari, Thamel, Koteshwor, Kalanki, Kalimati, Nayabazar and other shopping areas can be seen crowded with consumers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the last Dahsain, most of the consumers had not been able to go to the market due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, trade fell by about 85 percent during last year's Dashain compared to normal days, according to the businessmen. However, traders say that is not the case this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Santosh Pun, who has been trading readymade garments in New Road, Khichapokhari said that there has been some improvement in their business as the Dashain approaches. Earlier, 15-16 customers used to come to his shop daily. But now, the number of customers visiting his shop is more than double on a daily basis. He added, due to the pandemic, there were some problems in the import of garments from other countries and that they couldn’t fulfill the requirements of their customers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As compared to other times, the trade of shoes, slippers and clothes increases by more than 40 percent on the occasion of big festivals like Dashain and Tihar in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the National Federation of Nepali Entrepreneurs, Naresh Katuwal informed New Business Age that although the trade is not as good as in previous years, it has increased significantly this year as compared to last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Every year, Nepali traders have been importing readymade garments worth around Rs 25 to 30 billion from neighboring countries including India and China alone for the Dashain and Tihar festivals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is said that there has been some improvement in the business of food and grocery shops as compared to a few months ago. Naresh Gupta, who has been trading pulses, rice, nuts and sugar in Kalimati, said that there has been some improvement in the trade as the Dashain approaches. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"There's been some promising business this year compared to last year's Dashain," he said. He added, the demand for food grains including sugar, oil and spices is increasing now. He said that the daily transaction has increased by about 15 percent as compared to the previous times.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13777', 'image' => '20210927121504_dashain-2016.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 12:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Witnesses High-Profile Visits for World Tourism Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gyanendra Poudel, Chairperson of Pokhara Tourism Council Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai and others welcomed the diplomats at Pokhara Airport on the eve of the World Tourism Day on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The officials have confirmed the arrival of diplomats from Qatar, the UAE, Finland, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Germany and other countries to mark the World Tourism Day on September 27. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and chiefs of other diplomatic missions are also in the team. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary Poudel said that the ongoing visit of the diplomats is believed to spread positive messages to recover and promote tourism business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Bhattarai said that the visit of diplomats has added excitement to the tourism fraternity in Pokhara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This visit would give the message that Pokhara is open to tourists and the trip is aimed at giving message that Pokhara is a safe destination to the tourists for visit, Bhattarai added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In honour of the visiting diplomats, the Gandaki Province Government organised a dinner reception on Sunday. On Monday, the diplomats are scheduled to visit cultural and natural heritages in and around Pokhara and go for a short hiking. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The diplomats are also scheduled to join the street festival at Lakeside in Pokhara. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13776', 'image' => '20210927112031_20191017121120_1571271950.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 11:18:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Recommends 1,600 People for Caregiver Job in Israel ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. <br /> The Department of Foreign Employment selected the aspiring workers on the basis of written examination and interview. <br /> The Embassy of Israel in Nepal had urged the government in July to recommend 1,600 candidates including 70 percent females for the caregiver jobs in Israel. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Israel has placed the demand for 700 female workers and 300 male workers as care givers in the first lot. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department had shortlisted 1803 persons for interview from among 6,317 aspirants who appeared for the written examination. The applicants whose educational qualification and training certificate could not be verified were barred from sitting for the written examination. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Any Nepali citizen completing 25 years and not exceeding 45 years of age with at least 1.5 metres height, weighing 45 kilograms and having an ANM or CMA (medical) certificate after completing at least ten class or a plus two degree with at least three months' training on care giving from the government-certified training institute were eligible to apply for the job. </span></span> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anyone already having worked in Israel and whose parents, spouses or daughters are residing in Israel or currently working there were suggested no to try for the job.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Israel has said that the monthly salary of the selected workers will be 5,300 New Israeli Sheqel (NIS) which is equivalent to Rs 193,000. The payment will be made on a weekly basis. The contract period of the selected workers will be of one year and it could be extended up to five years. The workers have to manage food on their own while the accommodation will be managed by their employer. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that Israel had shown interest in opening its job market to Nepalis on G2G basis after the signing of a MoU between the two countries almost a year ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13775', 'image' => '20210927101012_20201001041928_1601479507.nepal isrel_g2g.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 10:09:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Issue On-Arrival Visa to Tourists', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, such visas will not be granted to those coming to Nepal from conflict-hit nations. The Department of Immigration will provide on-arrival visas at the Tribhuvan International Airport but in case of tourists arriving from conflict-ridden countries, they must obtain visa from the diplomatic missions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department has clarified that visitors from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameron, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria will not be granted on-arrival visas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens from these countries must obtain travel permit from the diplomatic missions if they want to travel to Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the other hand, all tourists coming from countries entitled to on-arrival visas must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit a negative COVID-19 test report obtained within 72 hours of checking at the airport to fly to Nepal. The same rule would apply for those arriving in Nepal via land, the department said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As for the mountaineers or trekkers, they must show a copy of permit for mountaineering or trekking and must produce evidence of booking hotel here. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This new provision has been put in place as per the cabinet decision of September 21. For children below five years, they may not need vaccination card nor COVID-19 test report, the department shared, adding that other arrangements in case of those above 5 years and below 18 years will be applicable for Nepali or foreign citizens. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13774', 'image' => '20210926042314_Tourist.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Prioritize Impact of Climate Change in Himalayan Region during COP-26', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. The impact of climate change on the overall economy of the Himalayan region and the ecosystem of the region as well as the ecosystem of the lower coastal region will be a priority for Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A recent study has shown that when the global temperature has increased by one degree Celsius, the temperature in the Himalayan region has increased by 1.5 degree Celsius. According to the Ministry of Forests, Nepal is preparing to raise issues of climate-related hazards, search for resources for the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributors (NDC) report, carbon emission and other issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal has already submitted its NDC report to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 as per the Paris Agreement 2015. Radha Wagle, head of the Climate Change Management Division, said the issue of resources required for the implementation of the report is also a priority for the conference.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Paris Agreement pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, limit average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and prevent it from increasing above 2.5 degrees Celsius.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The International Conference on Climate Change is held every year except last year due to Covid-19. Wagle said that the conference would be an important platform to address issues raised by the Paris Agreement and to discuss the issues raised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. The IPCC report has also shown that the surface of the mountains has decreased and the process of mountain melting is increasing. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13773', 'image' => '20210926035127_COP.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ncell Partners with Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ncell, one of the partners of the league, says it believes in investing in sporting events to promote fresh talents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“With LIVE events like EPL, it provides Ncell with a unique opportunity to connect with our customers directly. We will be leveraging our collaboration as ‘Connected By’ partner contributing towards development of domestic cricket,” the telecom giant said in a statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement further says that Ncell hopes to re-establish the passion that people have for outdoors with its widest 4G network coverage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“In the backdrop of the persisting situation, where many people have been isolated, Ncell aspires to connect with our customers digitally,” the statement further said adding, “Cricket fans can watch the EPL online. While we aspire to reach out to our customers and audiences, EPL brings much needed respite to the masses at home and watch LIVE matches digitally. It is in that aspect that we have an edge.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The vision of EPL is to create a platform to tap the endless cricketing talent in this country, and to create bridge where domestic talents can meet international talents, Ncell said. The event that began in 2016, has now become one of the biggest cricket leagues in the world and is ready to be broadcast in over 155 countries worldwide, reaching up to 450 million people, added the statment.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Given the passion cricket ignites, the viewership it attracts, Ncell said it hopes to use EPL to directly engage with consumers, encouraging them to share their experiences.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">EPL has caught global attention with the participation of Pakistani cricket legend, Shahid Afridi, who is also all set to play this year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“I have heard Nepal has beauty like no other. I look forward to playing in the Bajaj Pulsar EPL this edition,” the statement quoted Afridi as saying. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13772', 'image' => '20210926041217_epl.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:11:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of 'Sunkoshi-III' Underway ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. For this, the Department of Power Development under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has scheduled a public hearing in four districts under the project-affected area from today (September 26). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stakeholders have been requested to give their opinions and suggestions in the program organized in different places of Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts. Residents of three rural and two municipalities of Sindhupalchowk, three rural and two municipalities of Kavre, two rural municipality of Ramechhap and one rural municipality of Sindhuli will be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, a public hearing has been organized at the local level after a technical study of the project was completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Suggestions have also been sought from schools, hospitals, health posts, stakeholders and organizations in the districts, municipalities and villages that may be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Sunkoshi III project, which is currently being studied at various stages by the Department of Power Development, is in the process of being constructed by the Bangladesh government in a joint venture. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Under the project, it is proposed to build a dam on the Sunkoshi River at the border of Temal rural municipality-9 of Kavrepalanchok and at Lubhughat of Khandadevi rural municipality-1 of Ramechhap. The department has allocated Rs 190 million for the study of Sunkoshi III and Sunkoshi II projects. It is estimated that it will cost Rs 330 million to complete the study of both the projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the project, a dam of 484 meters long and 166 meters high will be constructed on the river at Lubhughat and 570 cubic meters per second of water will be taken to the power house to be constructed near Lubhughat from a tunnel with a length of 1.1 km and a diameter of nine meters. Preliminary studies have shown that about 1,600 families in Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts may be affected during the construction of the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While preparing the EIA report as per Rule 4 (1), Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection Act 2053 and Environment Protection Rules 2054, 'opinion-suggestions' should be taken on the issues related to physical, biological and social, economic and cultural sectors in the affected areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Forest and Environment have jointly appealed to the public to attend the hearing within the stipulated time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The proposed project site is at a distance of 60 kilometers from the federal capital Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has stated that it is preparing to discuss with the stakeholders about relocating the families affected by the project. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13771', 'image' => '20210926033214_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:31:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Report Shows Weak Implementation of Trade Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the government shows weak implementation of the trade policy that was introduced to increase the contribution of the commercial sector to the country’s economy and to balance the trade deficit by replacing the import-oriented economy with exports.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the National Planning Commission on the effectiveness of the implementation of Trade Policy 2072 after analyzing the trade (import-export) situation for the last seven years states that no significant achievement has been made in this regard. Instead, the problem is said to have worsened. The report says that the import-export ratio was 8.5 percent in 2014 but has reached 11.9 percent in 2020, which cannot be considered positive.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study found that the implementation of the Trade Policy 2072 has not been effective due to lack of action plan to implement the policy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The government is not solely responsible to implement any policy but the private sector also has an important role. However, the private sector has not been given any importance in the implementation of this policy,” the report states.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A scientific approach and research of various aspects of trade for trade including its development and promotion is vital for the trade policy. However, the report points out that no such scientific study or research has been done on any of the issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the study has found that there are problems due to the lack of institutional working directives for monitoring and evaluation for the effective implementation of the policy. There is policy level, institutional, procedural and legal shortcomings in the implementation of the policy and the expected results have not been achieved.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The report suggests that in order to effectively implement the trade policy, the institutionally established bodies should be active and necessary legal procedures and guidelines should be identified and formulated. The report also suggests identifying and formulating directives and prioritizing the implementation of trade policy while making annual programs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Narayan Regmi said that it would take time for the results to come as the trade policy is in the process of implementation. He said that the ministry is ready to make the policy practical by including the current priorities such as the impact of Covid-19, which was not taken into consideration when the policy was drafted.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> "We will study the issues and suggestions in the report and work accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13770', 'image' => '20210926023104_images.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 14:28:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transactions through Digital Wallets on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately. The latest data of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has shown that the digital transaction has increased in recent days.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first month of the current fiscal year, transactions through wallets have surpassed the monthly average of previous fiscal year. Based on the total transaction amount of last year, the average monthly turnover through the e-wallet is Rs 9.53 billion. However, the average turnover through e-wallets in July was Rs 14.52 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Transaction through e-wallet last June was Rs 12.79 billion while it was Rs 8.35 billion in May. The data has confirmed that the transaction amount through digital wallet has been increasing recently. Last year, the total amount of transactions through e-wallets was worth Rs 114.43 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Payment System Department Chief Bhuvan Kandel said that the transaction amount through wallet has been increasing recently. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The use of electronic payment has also increased during the pandemic. As a result, wallet transactions are on the rise, according to stakeholders. Digital wallet is a means of electronic payment and transaction.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, there are 22 digital wallet companies in Nepal. Earlier, the number of such services providers was very few. Previously, wallets were used only for limited purposes. However, now it has many services including depositing money in a bank account, paying internet/water/electricity bills, air tickets, movie tickets, mobile recharge among others.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the business of digital wallet is also developing, says Bhuvan Kandel, executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank. He also says that digital wallet is safer than other means of transaction. "Customers can deposit the required amount from their bank account into their wallet and spend accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13769', 'image' => '20210926011503_20200918073634_digita.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 13:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Imports Electric Vehicles worth Rs 440 Million in 2 Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. The import of electric vehicles was completely halted in the first two months of the last fiscal year. It was due to the impact of increase in the customs duty by the then government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Department of Customs, a total of 142 jeeps, cars and vans worth Rs 442 million have been imported from mid-June to mid-August. The then Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada had increased the customs duty on electric vehicles from 40 to 80 percent. With the increase in customs duty, import of electric vehicles was halted from May to August last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the 12 months of the previous fiscal year 2077/78, only 249 electric jeeps, cars and vans were imported. During that period, electric jeeps, vans and cars worth Rs 657.8 million were imported. In the fiscal year 2066/67, more than 600 such vehicles were imported into the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has completely removed the excise duty on electric vehicles through the Financial Ordinance 2078/79 BS and also reduced the customs duty. Krishna Prasad Dulal, president of NADA Automobile Association of Nepal, said that the government has facilitated the import of electric vehicles which has resulted in good business.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The replacement budget has given continuity to the provision of 10 to 15 percent customs duty on the import of electric vehicles proposed in the ordinance budget issued by the then Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel. "The demand for electric vehicles had been the same as before," said Dulal, chairman of NADA adding, “The sales hit the ground due to increase in customs duty. But now, the demand for electric vehicles has increased in the market.”</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13768', 'image' => '20210926115822_20200317060256_Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 11:57:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14022', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government of Nepal and Development Partners Join Forces on Nepal’s Green Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to a statement issued by the World Bank, the Declaration was endorsed by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal, Asian Development Bank, Australia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, International Monetary Fund, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States, and the World Bank at a high-level roundtable event titled Nepal’s Transition to Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) for Sustainable Recovery, Growth, and Jobs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Under the Kathmandu Declaration, Nepal’s development partners have identified up to $4.2 billion in potential future support, in addition to the $3.2 billion in previously committed resources to support GRID.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The GRID Strategic Action Plan will coordinate international and domestic financing for priority investments in Nepal’s recovery from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The Government of Nepal is committed to the Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development vision that will support Nepal’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and help address the challenges of climate change and rising inequality,” said Finance Minister Janardan Sharma. “We look forward to working together with development partners, private sector, and key stakeholders to build back Nepal better and stronger.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the statement, investments will support Nepal’s 15th development plan, Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Climate Accords, and the Sustainable Development Goals in promoting green growth, jobs, and infrastructure, and building resilience to climate change and shocks from disasters, as well as equitable access to services for Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government and development partners intend to scale up support for such areas as sustainable tourism, renewable energy, cleaner transport and resilient roads, integrated solid waste management, sustainable forest management, watershed protection and water supply, biodiversity conservation, adaptive social protection, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable cities. Partnerships and opportunities will be sought with the private sector to increase green investment and support job-creating small and medium enterprises and businesses in these and other areas.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal’s GRID vision also emphasizes inclusion to enable women, indigenous groups, and vulnerable and marginalized communities to realize the benefits of a green, resilient recovery. This includes skills training and education opportunities to help citizens prepare for an evolving job market in a new green economy with greater opportunities for all Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The roundtable, organized in the lead up to COP26, included representatives from the federal and local government, development partners, private sector, and climate experts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13767', 'image' => '20210924092344_go8922.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 21:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14021', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Stands at 4.35 Percent: NRB', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 3.86 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.74 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Releasing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, the central bank said that the price of ghee and oil, non-alcoholic drinks, tobacco products and transportation subcategories rose 29.07 percent, 10.51 percent, 10.12 percent and 9.43 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu valley, terai, hill and mountain regions witnessed 3.70 percent, 4.11 percent, 5.63 percent and 3.58 percent inflation respectively. Inflation in these regions was 3.31 percent, 4.02 percent, 2.72 percent and 4.07 percent respectively a year ago, the report states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 4.25 percent in the review month compared to 7.33 percent a year ago. 5. The y-o-y wholesale price of consumption goods, intermediate goods and capital goods increased 1.30 percent, 5.72 percent and 6.19 percent respectively. The wholesale price of construction materials increased 11.54 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13766', 'image' => '20210924021304_636277035242086786-Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 14:12:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14020', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Trade Deficit Increases by 70.6 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), such a deficit had decreased 22.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Publishing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, NRB said that the export-import ratio increased to 13.8 percent in the review period from 11.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the first month of 2021/22, merchandise exports of Nepal increased 115.9 percent to Rs 20.76 billion compared to an increase of 8.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, exports to India, China and other countries increased 167.0 percent, 47.8 percent and 17.5 percent respectively. Exports of soybean oil, palm oil, polyester yarn and thread, juice, oil cake, among others increased whereas exports of cardamom, medicine (Ayurvedic), herbs, wire, readymade leather goods, among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, merchandise imports increased 75.7 percent to Rs 150.73 billion during the review period against a decrease of 19.6 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 58.7 percent, 87.6 percent and 120.8 percent respectively. Imports of petroleum products, transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, gold, among others increased whereas imports of chemical fertilizer, cement, tobacco, aircraft spare parts, readymade garments among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi and Nepalgunj Customs Offices decreased whereas exports from all other customs points increased in the review period, the report further states. On the import side, imports from Kailali Customs Office decreased whereas imports from all other customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Broad Economic Categories, the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 31.8 percent and 68.2 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.0 percent, 2.8 percent and 65.3 percent of total exports respectively. On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.7 percent, capital goods 11.5 percent and final consumption goods remained 34.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 50.6 percent, 13.8 percent and 35.6 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Current Account</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 47.90 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of Rs 24.89 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of 402.4 million in the review period compared to a surplus of 207.7 million in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Capital Transfer and FDI</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 38.0 percent to Rs 679.7 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) decreased 65.5 percent to Rs 480.6 million. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 1.10 billion and Rs 1.39 billion respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 38.75 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 51.46 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP recorded a deficit of 325.5 million in the review period against a surplus of 429.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13765', 'image' => '20210924015957_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14019', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Thursday revealed that the remittance inflow </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">decreased 18.1 percent to Rs 75.96 billion in the review period in contrast to an increase of 23.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows decreased 17.5 percent to Rs 638.2 million in the review period against a growth of 14.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers (institutional and individual-new and legalized) taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 13,800 in the review period. It had decreased 99.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment increased 286.1 percent to 11,628 in the review period. It had decreased 80.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is believed that the remittance inflow had increased during the lockdown period of last year because the migrant workers were not able to send money back home through illegal channels. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13764', 'image' => '20210924012049_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:20:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14018', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB to Facilitate Concessional Loan for Developing Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank has come up with such idea to promote use of e-vehicles and increase electricity consumption through third amendment to refinancing procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The latest move of the central bank is expected to benefit the private sector that is working for the development electric vehicle charging station with top priority in the recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, 15 charging stations are operational while the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is working to set up 50 charging stations across the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the NRB has decided to provide refinancing service to the broadband internet service providing organisation, which will help increase internet penetration in the country's rural areas. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13763', 'image' => '20210924010339_EV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:02:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The crowds of consumers, especially in food and clothing stores, are on the rise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nowadays, the main business centers of Kathmandu such as Asan, Indrachowk, New Road, Khichapokhari, Thamel, Koteshwor, Kalanki, Kalimati, Nayabazar and other shopping areas can be seen crowded with consumers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the last Dahsain, most of the consumers had not been able to go to the market due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, trade fell by about 85 percent during last year's Dashain compared to normal days, according to the businessmen. However, traders say that is not the case this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Santosh Pun, who has been trading readymade garments in New Road, Khichapokhari said that there has been some improvement in their business as the Dashain approaches. Earlier, 15-16 customers used to come to his shop daily. But now, the number of customers visiting his shop is more than double on a daily basis. He added, due to the pandemic, there were some problems in the import of garments from other countries and that they couldn’t fulfill the requirements of their customers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As compared to other times, the trade of shoes, slippers and clothes increases by more than 40 percent on the occasion of big festivals like Dashain and Tihar in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the National Federation of Nepali Entrepreneurs, Naresh Katuwal informed New Business Age that although the trade is not as good as in previous years, it has increased significantly this year as compared to last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Every year, Nepali traders have been importing readymade garments worth around Rs 25 to 30 billion from neighboring countries including India and China alone for the Dashain and Tihar festivals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is said that there has been some improvement in the business of food and grocery shops as compared to a few months ago. Naresh Gupta, who has been trading pulses, rice, nuts and sugar in Kalimati, said that there has been some improvement in the trade as the Dashain approaches. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"There's been some promising business this year compared to last year's Dashain," he said. He added, the demand for food grains including sugar, oil and spices is increasing now. He said that the daily transaction has increased by about 15 percent as compared to the previous times.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13777', 'image' => '20210927121504_dashain-2016.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 12:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Witnesses High-Profile Visits for World Tourism Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gyanendra Poudel, Chairperson of Pokhara Tourism Council Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai and others welcomed the diplomats at Pokhara Airport on the eve of the World Tourism Day on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The officials have confirmed the arrival of diplomats from Qatar, the UAE, Finland, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Germany and other countries to mark the World Tourism Day on September 27. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and chiefs of other diplomatic missions are also in the team. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary Poudel said that the ongoing visit of the diplomats is believed to spread positive messages to recover and promote tourism business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Bhattarai said that the visit of diplomats has added excitement to the tourism fraternity in Pokhara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This visit would give the message that Pokhara is open to tourists and the trip is aimed at giving message that Pokhara is a safe destination to the tourists for visit, Bhattarai added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In honour of the visiting diplomats, the Gandaki Province Government organised a dinner reception on Sunday. On Monday, the diplomats are scheduled to visit cultural and natural heritages in and around Pokhara and go for a short hiking. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The diplomats are also scheduled to join the street festival at Lakeside in Pokhara. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13776', 'image' => '20210927112031_20191017121120_1571271950.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 11:18:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Recommends 1,600 People for Caregiver Job in Israel ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. <br /> The Department of Foreign Employment selected the aspiring workers on the basis of written examination and interview. <br /> The Embassy of Israel in Nepal had urged the government in July to recommend 1,600 candidates including 70 percent females for the caregiver jobs in Israel. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Israel has placed the demand for 700 female workers and 300 male workers as care givers in the first lot. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department had shortlisted 1803 persons for interview from among 6,317 aspirants who appeared for the written examination. The applicants whose educational qualification and training certificate could not be verified were barred from sitting for the written examination. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Any Nepali citizen completing 25 years and not exceeding 45 years of age with at least 1.5 metres height, weighing 45 kilograms and having an ANM or CMA (medical) certificate after completing at least ten class or a plus two degree with at least three months' training on care giving from the government-certified training institute were eligible to apply for the job. </span></span> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anyone already having worked in Israel and whose parents, spouses or daughters are residing in Israel or currently working there were suggested no to try for the job.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Israel has said that the monthly salary of the selected workers will be 5,300 New Israeli Sheqel (NIS) which is equivalent to Rs 193,000. The payment will be made on a weekly basis. The contract period of the selected workers will be of one year and it could be extended up to five years. The workers have to manage food on their own while the accommodation will be managed by their employer. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that Israel had shown interest in opening its job market to Nepalis on G2G basis after the signing of a MoU between the two countries almost a year ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13775', 'image' => '20210927101012_20201001041928_1601479507.nepal isrel_g2g.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 10:09:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Issue On-Arrival Visa to Tourists', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, such visas will not be granted to those coming to Nepal from conflict-hit nations. The Department of Immigration will provide on-arrival visas at the Tribhuvan International Airport but in case of tourists arriving from conflict-ridden countries, they must obtain visa from the diplomatic missions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department has clarified that visitors from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameron, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria will not be granted on-arrival visas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens from these countries must obtain travel permit from the diplomatic missions if they want to travel to Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the other hand, all tourists coming from countries entitled to on-arrival visas must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit a negative COVID-19 test report obtained within 72 hours of checking at the airport to fly to Nepal. The same rule would apply for those arriving in Nepal via land, the department said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As for the mountaineers or trekkers, they must show a copy of permit for mountaineering or trekking and must produce evidence of booking hotel here. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This new provision has been put in place as per the cabinet decision of September 21. For children below five years, they may not need vaccination card nor COVID-19 test report, the department shared, adding that other arrangements in case of those above 5 years and below 18 years will be applicable for Nepali or foreign citizens. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13774', 'image' => '20210926042314_Tourist.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Prioritize Impact of Climate Change in Himalayan Region during COP-26', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. The impact of climate change on the overall economy of the Himalayan region and the ecosystem of the region as well as the ecosystem of the lower coastal region will be a priority for Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A recent study has shown that when the global temperature has increased by one degree Celsius, the temperature in the Himalayan region has increased by 1.5 degree Celsius. According to the Ministry of Forests, Nepal is preparing to raise issues of climate-related hazards, search for resources for the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributors (NDC) report, carbon emission and other issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal has already submitted its NDC report to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 as per the Paris Agreement 2015. Radha Wagle, head of the Climate Change Management Division, said the issue of resources required for the implementation of the report is also a priority for the conference.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Paris Agreement pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, limit average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and prevent it from increasing above 2.5 degrees Celsius.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The International Conference on Climate Change is held every year except last year due to Covid-19. Wagle said that the conference would be an important platform to address issues raised by the Paris Agreement and to discuss the issues raised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. The IPCC report has also shown that the surface of the mountains has decreased and the process of mountain melting is increasing. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13773', 'image' => '20210926035127_COP.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ncell Partners with Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ncell, one of the partners of the league, says it believes in investing in sporting events to promote fresh talents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“With LIVE events like EPL, it provides Ncell with a unique opportunity to connect with our customers directly. We will be leveraging our collaboration as ‘Connected By’ partner contributing towards development of domestic cricket,” the telecom giant said in a statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement further says that Ncell hopes to re-establish the passion that people have for outdoors with its widest 4G network coverage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“In the backdrop of the persisting situation, where many people have been isolated, Ncell aspires to connect with our customers digitally,” the statement further said adding, “Cricket fans can watch the EPL online. While we aspire to reach out to our customers and audiences, EPL brings much needed respite to the masses at home and watch LIVE matches digitally. It is in that aspect that we have an edge.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The vision of EPL is to create a platform to tap the endless cricketing talent in this country, and to create bridge where domestic talents can meet international talents, Ncell said. The event that began in 2016, has now become one of the biggest cricket leagues in the world and is ready to be broadcast in over 155 countries worldwide, reaching up to 450 million people, added the statment.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Given the passion cricket ignites, the viewership it attracts, Ncell said it hopes to use EPL to directly engage with consumers, encouraging them to share their experiences.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">EPL has caught global attention with the participation of Pakistani cricket legend, Shahid Afridi, who is also all set to play this year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“I have heard Nepal has beauty like no other. I look forward to playing in the Bajaj Pulsar EPL this edition,” the statement quoted Afridi as saying. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13772', 'image' => '20210926041217_epl.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:11:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of 'Sunkoshi-III' Underway ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. For this, the Department of Power Development under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has scheduled a public hearing in four districts under the project-affected area from today (September 26). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stakeholders have been requested to give their opinions and suggestions in the program organized in different places of Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts. Residents of three rural and two municipalities of Sindhupalchowk, three rural and two municipalities of Kavre, two rural municipality of Ramechhap and one rural municipality of Sindhuli will be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, a public hearing has been organized at the local level after a technical study of the project was completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Suggestions have also been sought from schools, hospitals, health posts, stakeholders and organizations in the districts, municipalities and villages that may be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Sunkoshi III project, which is currently being studied at various stages by the Department of Power Development, is in the process of being constructed by the Bangladesh government in a joint venture. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Under the project, it is proposed to build a dam on the Sunkoshi River at the border of Temal rural municipality-9 of Kavrepalanchok and at Lubhughat of Khandadevi rural municipality-1 of Ramechhap. The department has allocated Rs 190 million for the study of Sunkoshi III and Sunkoshi II projects. It is estimated that it will cost Rs 330 million to complete the study of both the projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the project, a dam of 484 meters long and 166 meters high will be constructed on the river at Lubhughat and 570 cubic meters per second of water will be taken to the power house to be constructed near Lubhughat from a tunnel with a length of 1.1 km and a diameter of nine meters. Preliminary studies have shown that about 1,600 families in Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts may be affected during the construction of the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While preparing the EIA report as per Rule 4 (1), Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection Act 2053 and Environment Protection Rules 2054, 'opinion-suggestions' should be taken on the issues related to physical, biological and social, economic and cultural sectors in the affected areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Forest and Environment have jointly appealed to the public to attend the hearing within the stipulated time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The proposed project site is at a distance of 60 kilometers from the federal capital Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has stated that it is preparing to discuss with the stakeholders about relocating the families affected by the project. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13771', 'image' => '20210926033214_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:31:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Report Shows Weak Implementation of Trade Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the government shows weak implementation of the trade policy that was introduced to increase the contribution of the commercial sector to the country’s economy and to balance the trade deficit by replacing the import-oriented economy with exports.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the National Planning Commission on the effectiveness of the implementation of Trade Policy 2072 after analyzing the trade (import-export) situation for the last seven years states that no significant achievement has been made in this regard. Instead, the problem is said to have worsened. The report says that the import-export ratio was 8.5 percent in 2014 but has reached 11.9 percent in 2020, which cannot be considered positive.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study found that the implementation of the Trade Policy 2072 has not been effective due to lack of action plan to implement the policy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The government is not solely responsible to implement any policy but the private sector also has an important role. However, the private sector has not been given any importance in the implementation of this policy,” the report states.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A scientific approach and research of various aspects of trade for trade including its development and promotion is vital for the trade policy. However, the report points out that no such scientific study or research has been done on any of the issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the study has found that there are problems due to the lack of institutional working directives for monitoring and evaluation for the effective implementation of the policy. There is policy level, institutional, procedural and legal shortcomings in the implementation of the policy and the expected results have not been achieved.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The report suggests that in order to effectively implement the trade policy, the institutionally established bodies should be active and necessary legal procedures and guidelines should be identified and formulated. The report also suggests identifying and formulating directives and prioritizing the implementation of trade policy while making annual programs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Narayan Regmi said that it would take time for the results to come as the trade policy is in the process of implementation. He said that the ministry is ready to make the policy practical by including the current priorities such as the impact of Covid-19, which was not taken into consideration when the policy was drafted.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> "We will study the issues and suggestions in the report and work accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13770', 'image' => '20210926023104_images.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 14:28:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transactions through Digital Wallets on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately. The latest data of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has shown that the digital transaction has increased in recent days.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first month of the current fiscal year, transactions through wallets have surpassed the monthly average of previous fiscal year. Based on the total transaction amount of last year, the average monthly turnover through the e-wallet is Rs 9.53 billion. However, the average turnover through e-wallets in July was Rs 14.52 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Transaction through e-wallet last June was Rs 12.79 billion while it was Rs 8.35 billion in May. The data has confirmed that the transaction amount through digital wallet has been increasing recently. Last year, the total amount of transactions through e-wallets was worth Rs 114.43 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Payment System Department Chief Bhuvan Kandel said that the transaction amount through wallet has been increasing recently. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The use of electronic payment has also increased during the pandemic. As a result, wallet transactions are on the rise, according to stakeholders. Digital wallet is a means of electronic payment and transaction.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, there are 22 digital wallet companies in Nepal. Earlier, the number of such services providers was very few. Previously, wallets were used only for limited purposes. However, now it has many services including depositing money in a bank account, paying internet/water/electricity bills, air tickets, movie tickets, mobile recharge among others.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the business of digital wallet is also developing, says Bhuvan Kandel, executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank. He also says that digital wallet is safer than other means of transaction. "Customers can deposit the required amount from their bank account into their wallet and spend accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13769', 'image' => '20210926011503_20200918073634_digita.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 13:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Imports Electric Vehicles worth Rs 440 Million in 2 Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. The import of electric vehicles was completely halted in the first two months of the last fiscal year. It was due to the impact of increase in the customs duty by the then government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Department of Customs, a total of 142 jeeps, cars and vans worth Rs 442 million have been imported from mid-June to mid-August. The then Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada had increased the customs duty on electric vehicles from 40 to 80 percent. With the increase in customs duty, import of electric vehicles was halted from May to August last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the 12 months of the previous fiscal year 2077/78, only 249 electric jeeps, cars and vans were imported. During that period, electric jeeps, vans and cars worth Rs 657.8 million were imported. In the fiscal year 2066/67, more than 600 such vehicles were imported into the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has completely removed the excise duty on electric vehicles through the Financial Ordinance 2078/79 BS and also reduced the customs duty. Krishna Prasad Dulal, president of NADA Automobile Association of Nepal, said that the government has facilitated the import of electric vehicles which has resulted in good business.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The replacement budget has given continuity to the provision of 10 to 15 percent customs duty on the import of electric vehicles proposed in the ordinance budget issued by the then Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel. "The demand for electric vehicles had been the same as before," said Dulal, chairman of NADA adding, “The sales hit the ground due to increase in customs duty. But now, the demand for electric vehicles has increased in the market.”</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13768', 'image' => '20210926115822_20200317060256_Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 11:57:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14022', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government of Nepal and Development Partners Join Forces on Nepal’s Green Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to a statement issued by the World Bank, the Declaration was endorsed by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal, Asian Development Bank, Australia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, International Monetary Fund, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States, and the World Bank at a high-level roundtable event titled Nepal’s Transition to Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) for Sustainable Recovery, Growth, and Jobs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Under the Kathmandu Declaration, Nepal’s development partners have identified up to $4.2 billion in potential future support, in addition to the $3.2 billion in previously committed resources to support GRID.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The GRID Strategic Action Plan will coordinate international and domestic financing for priority investments in Nepal’s recovery from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The Government of Nepal is committed to the Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development vision that will support Nepal’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and help address the challenges of climate change and rising inequality,” said Finance Minister Janardan Sharma. “We look forward to working together with development partners, private sector, and key stakeholders to build back Nepal better and stronger.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the statement, investments will support Nepal’s 15th development plan, Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Climate Accords, and the Sustainable Development Goals in promoting green growth, jobs, and infrastructure, and building resilience to climate change and shocks from disasters, as well as equitable access to services for Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government and development partners intend to scale up support for such areas as sustainable tourism, renewable energy, cleaner transport and resilient roads, integrated solid waste management, sustainable forest management, watershed protection and water supply, biodiversity conservation, adaptive social protection, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable cities. Partnerships and opportunities will be sought with the private sector to increase green investment and support job-creating small and medium enterprises and businesses in these and other areas.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal’s GRID vision also emphasizes inclusion to enable women, indigenous groups, and vulnerable and marginalized communities to realize the benefits of a green, resilient recovery. This includes skills training and education opportunities to help citizens prepare for an evolving job market in a new green economy with greater opportunities for all Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The roundtable, organized in the lead up to COP26, included representatives from the federal and local government, development partners, private sector, and climate experts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13767', 'image' => '20210924092344_go8922.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 21:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14021', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Stands at 4.35 Percent: NRB', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 3.86 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.74 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Releasing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, the central bank said that the price of ghee and oil, non-alcoholic drinks, tobacco products and transportation subcategories rose 29.07 percent, 10.51 percent, 10.12 percent and 9.43 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu valley, terai, hill and mountain regions witnessed 3.70 percent, 4.11 percent, 5.63 percent and 3.58 percent inflation respectively. Inflation in these regions was 3.31 percent, 4.02 percent, 2.72 percent and 4.07 percent respectively a year ago, the report states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 4.25 percent in the review month compared to 7.33 percent a year ago. 5. The y-o-y wholesale price of consumption goods, intermediate goods and capital goods increased 1.30 percent, 5.72 percent and 6.19 percent respectively. The wholesale price of construction materials increased 11.54 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13766', 'image' => '20210924021304_636277035242086786-Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 14:12:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14020', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Trade Deficit Increases by 70.6 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), such a deficit had decreased 22.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Publishing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, NRB said that the export-import ratio increased to 13.8 percent in the review period from 11.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the first month of 2021/22, merchandise exports of Nepal increased 115.9 percent to Rs 20.76 billion compared to an increase of 8.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, exports to India, China and other countries increased 167.0 percent, 47.8 percent and 17.5 percent respectively. Exports of soybean oil, palm oil, polyester yarn and thread, juice, oil cake, among others increased whereas exports of cardamom, medicine (Ayurvedic), herbs, wire, readymade leather goods, among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, merchandise imports increased 75.7 percent to Rs 150.73 billion during the review period against a decrease of 19.6 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 58.7 percent, 87.6 percent and 120.8 percent respectively. Imports of petroleum products, transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, gold, among others increased whereas imports of chemical fertilizer, cement, tobacco, aircraft spare parts, readymade garments among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi and Nepalgunj Customs Offices decreased whereas exports from all other customs points increased in the review period, the report further states. On the import side, imports from Kailali Customs Office decreased whereas imports from all other customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Broad Economic Categories, the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 31.8 percent and 68.2 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.0 percent, 2.8 percent and 65.3 percent of total exports respectively. On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.7 percent, capital goods 11.5 percent and final consumption goods remained 34.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 50.6 percent, 13.8 percent and 35.6 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Current Account</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 47.90 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of Rs 24.89 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of 402.4 million in the review period compared to a surplus of 207.7 million in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Capital Transfer and FDI</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 38.0 percent to Rs 679.7 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) decreased 65.5 percent to Rs 480.6 million. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 1.10 billion and Rs 1.39 billion respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 38.75 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 51.46 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP recorded a deficit of 325.5 million in the review period against a surplus of 429.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13765', 'image' => '20210924015957_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14019', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Thursday revealed that the remittance inflow </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">decreased 18.1 percent to Rs 75.96 billion in the review period in contrast to an increase of 23.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows decreased 17.5 percent to Rs 638.2 million in the review period against a growth of 14.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers (institutional and individual-new and legalized) taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 13,800 in the review period. It had decreased 99.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment increased 286.1 percent to 11,628 in the review period. It had decreased 80.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is believed that the remittance inflow had increased during the lockdown period of last year because the migrant workers were not able to send money back home through illegal channels. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13764', 'image' => '20210924012049_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:20:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14018', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB to Facilitate Concessional Loan for Developing Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank has come up with such idea to promote use of e-vehicles and increase electricity consumption through third amendment to refinancing procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The latest move of the central bank is expected to benefit the private sector that is working for the development electric vehicle charging station with top priority in the recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, 15 charging stations are operational while the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is working to set up 50 charging stations across the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the NRB has decided to provide refinancing service to the broadband internet service providing organisation, which will help increase internet penetration in the country's rural areas. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13763', 'image' => '20210924010339_EV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:02:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The crowds of consumers, especially in food and clothing stores, are on the rise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nowadays, the main business centers of Kathmandu such as Asan, Indrachowk, New Road, Khichapokhari, Thamel, Koteshwor, Kalanki, Kalimati, Nayabazar and other shopping areas can be seen crowded with consumers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the last Dahsain, most of the consumers had not been able to go to the market due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, trade fell by about 85 percent during last year's Dashain compared to normal days, according to the businessmen. However, traders say that is not the case this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Santosh Pun, who has been trading readymade garments in New Road, Khichapokhari said that there has been some improvement in their business as the Dashain approaches. Earlier, 15-16 customers used to come to his shop daily. But now, the number of customers visiting his shop is more than double on a daily basis. He added, due to the pandemic, there were some problems in the import of garments from other countries and that they couldn’t fulfill the requirements of their customers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As compared to other times, the trade of shoes, slippers and clothes increases by more than 40 percent on the occasion of big festivals like Dashain and Tihar in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the National Federation of Nepali Entrepreneurs, Naresh Katuwal informed New Business Age that although the trade is not as good as in previous years, it has increased significantly this year as compared to last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Every year, Nepali traders have been importing readymade garments worth around Rs 25 to 30 billion from neighboring countries including India and China alone for the Dashain and Tihar festivals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is said that there has been some improvement in the business of food and grocery shops as compared to a few months ago. Naresh Gupta, who has been trading pulses, rice, nuts and sugar in Kalimati, said that there has been some improvement in the trade as the Dashain approaches. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"There's been some promising business this year compared to last year's Dashain," he said. He added, the demand for food grains including sugar, oil and spices is increasing now. He said that the daily transaction has increased by about 15 percent as compared to the previous times.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13777', 'image' => '20210927121504_dashain-2016.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 12:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pokhara Witnesses High-Profile Visits for World Tourism Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 27: Ambassadors and diplomats from different countries have arrived in Pokhara at the invitation of Gandaki Province government on the occasion of the World Tourism Day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gyanendra Poudel, Chairperson of Pokhara Tourism Council Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai and others welcomed the diplomats at Pokhara Airport on the eve of the World Tourism Day on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The officials have confirmed the arrival of diplomats from Qatar, the UAE, Finland, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Germany and other countries to mark the World Tourism Day on September 27. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and chiefs of other diplomatic missions are also in the team. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary Poudel said that the ongoing visit of the diplomats is believed to spread positive messages to recover and promote tourism business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Bhattarai said that the visit of diplomats has added excitement to the tourism fraternity in Pokhara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This visit would give the message that Pokhara is open to tourists and the trip is aimed at giving message that Pokhara is a safe destination to the tourists for visit, Bhattarai added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In honour of the visiting diplomats, the Gandaki Province Government organised a dinner reception on Sunday. On Monday, the diplomats are scheduled to visit cultural and natural heritages in and around Pokhara and go for a short hiking. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The diplomats are also scheduled to join the street festival at Lakeside in Pokhara. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13776', 'image' => '20210927112031_20191017121120_1571271950.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 11:18:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Recommends 1,600 People for Caregiver Job in Israel ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 27: The government has recommended the names of 1,600 people for foreign employment in Israel in accordance with the labour agreement inked between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Israel on September 30, 2020. <br /> The Department of Foreign Employment selected the aspiring workers on the basis of written examination and interview. <br /> The Embassy of Israel in Nepal had urged the government in July to recommend 1,600 candidates including 70 percent females for the caregiver jobs in Israel. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Israel has placed the demand for 700 female workers and 300 male workers as care givers in the first lot. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department had shortlisted 1803 persons for interview from among 6,317 aspirants who appeared for the written examination. The applicants whose educational qualification and training certificate could not be verified were barred from sitting for the written examination. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Any Nepali citizen completing 25 years and not exceeding 45 years of age with at least 1.5 metres height, weighing 45 kilograms and having an ANM or CMA (medical) certificate after completing at least ten class or a plus two degree with at least three months' training on care giving from the government-certified training institute were eligible to apply for the job. </span></span> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anyone already having worked in Israel and whose parents, spouses or daughters are residing in Israel or currently working there were suggested no to try for the job.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Israel has said that the monthly salary of the selected workers will be 5,300 New Israeli Sheqel (NIS) which is equivalent to Rs 193,000. The payment will be made on a weekly basis. The contract period of the selected workers will be of one year and it could be extended up to five years. The workers have to manage food on their own while the accommodation will be managed by their employer. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that Israel had shown interest in opening its job market to Nepalis on G2G basis after the signing of a MoU between the two countries almost a year ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-27', 'modified' => '2021-09-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13775', 'image' => '20210927101012_20201001041928_1601479507.nepal isrel_g2g.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-27 10:09:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Issue On-Arrival Visa to Tourists', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: The government of Nepal has decided to issue on-arrival visas to foreign tourists coming to Nepal from 122 countries across the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, such visas will not be granted to those coming to Nepal from conflict-hit nations. The Department of Immigration will provide on-arrival visas at the Tribhuvan International Airport but in case of tourists arriving from conflict-ridden countries, they must obtain visa from the diplomatic missions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department has clarified that visitors from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameron, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria will not be granted on-arrival visas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens from these countries must obtain travel permit from the diplomatic missions if they want to travel to Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the other hand, all tourists coming from countries entitled to on-arrival visas must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit a negative COVID-19 test report obtained within 72 hours of checking at the airport to fly to Nepal. The same rule would apply for those arriving in Nepal via land, the department said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As for the mountaineers or trekkers, they must show a copy of permit for mountaineering or trekking and must produce evidence of booking hotel here. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This new provision has been put in place as per the cabinet decision of September 21. For children below five years, they may not need vaccination card nor COVID-19 test report, the department shared, adding that other arrangements in case of those above 5 years and below 18 years will be applicable for Nepali or foreign citizens. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13774', 'image' => '20210926042314_Tourist.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Prioritize Impact of Climate Change in Himalayan Region during COP-26', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Nepal is preparing to raise the issue of impact of climate change on the Himalayan region with priority in the COP-26. The impact of climate change on the overall economy of the Himalayan region and the ecosystem of the region as well as the ecosystem of the lower coastal region will be a priority for Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A recent study has shown that when the global temperature has increased by one degree Celsius, the temperature in the Himalayan region has increased by 1.5 degree Celsius. According to the Ministry of Forests, Nepal is preparing to raise issues of climate-related hazards, search for resources for the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributors (NDC) report, carbon emission and other issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal has already submitted its NDC report to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 as per the Paris Agreement 2015. Radha Wagle, head of the Climate Change Management Division, said the issue of resources required for the implementation of the report is also a priority for the conference.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Paris Agreement pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, limit average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius and prevent it from increasing above 2.5 degrees Celsius.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The International Conference on Climate Change is held every year except last year due to Covid-19. Wagle said that the conference would be an important platform to address issues raised by the Paris Agreement and to discuss the issues raised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. The IPCC report has also shown that the surface of the mountains has decreased and the process of mountain melting is increasing. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13773', 'image' => '20210926035127_COP.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ncell Partners with Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 26: The Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League (EPL), one of the biggest sporting events of Nepal, has kicked off in the capital from Saturday, September 25.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ncell, one of the partners of the league, says it believes in investing in sporting events to promote fresh talents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“With LIVE events like EPL, it provides Ncell with a unique opportunity to connect with our customers directly. We will be leveraging our collaboration as ‘Connected By’ partner contributing towards development of domestic cricket,” the telecom giant said in a statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The statement further says that Ncell hopes to re-establish the passion that people have for outdoors with its widest 4G network coverage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“In the backdrop of the persisting situation, where many people have been isolated, Ncell aspires to connect with our customers digitally,” the statement further said adding, “Cricket fans can watch the EPL online. While we aspire to reach out to our customers and audiences, EPL brings much needed respite to the masses at home and watch LIVE matches digitally. It is in that aspect that we have an edge.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The vision of EPL is to create a platform to tap the endless cricketing talent in this country, and to create bridge where domestic talents can meet international talents, Ncell said. The event that began in 2016, has now become one of the biggest cricket leagues in the world and is ready to be broadcast in over 155 countries worldwide, reaching up to 450 million people, added the statment.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Given the passion cricket ignites, the viewership it attracts, Ncell said it hopes to use EPL to directly engage with consumers, encouraging them to share their experiences.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">EPL has caught global attention with the participation of Pakistani cricket legend, Shahid Afridi, who is also all set to play this year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“I have heard Nepal has beauty like no other. I look forward to playing in the Bajaj Pulsar EPL this edition,” the statement quoted Afridi as saying. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13772', 'image' => '20210926041217_epl.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 16:11:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of 'Sunkoshi-III' Underway ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 26: Preparations are underway for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Sunkoshi-III (683 MW) Reservoir Power Project. For this, the Department of Power Development under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has scheduled a public hearing in four districts under the project-affected area from today (September 26). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stakeholders have been requested to give their opinions and suggestions in the program organized in different places of Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts. Residents of three rural and two municipalities of Sindhupalchowk, three rural and two municipalities of Kavre, two rural municipality of Ramechhap and one rural municipality of Sindhuli will be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, a public hearing has been organized at the local level after a technical study of the project was completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Suggestions have also been sought from schools, hospitals, health posts, stakeholders and organizations in the districts, municipalities and villages that may be affected by the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Sunkoshi III project, which is currently being studied at various stages by the Department of Power Development, is in the process of being constructed by the Bangladesh government in a joint venture. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Under the project, it is proposed to build a dam on the Sunkoshi River at the border of Temal rural municipality-9 of Kavrepalanchok and at Lubhughat of Khandadevi rural municipality-1 of Ramechhap. The department has allocated Rs 190 million for the study of Sunkoshi III and Sunkoshi II projects. It is estimated that it will cost Rs 330 million to complete the study of both the projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the project, a dam of 484 meters long and 166 meters high will be constructed on the river at Lubhughat and 570 cubic meters per second of water will be taken to the power house to be constructed near Lubhughat from a tunnel with a length of 1.1 km and a diameter of nine meters. Preliminary studies have shown that about 1,600 families in Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts may be affected during the construction of the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While preparing the EIA report as per Rule 4 (1), Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection Act 2053 and Environment Protection Rules 2054, 'opinion-suggestions' should be taken on the issues related to physical, biological and social, economic and cultural sectors in the affected areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Forest and Environment have jointly appealed to the public to attend the hearing within the stipulated time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The proposed project site is at a distance of 60 kilometers from the federal capital Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has stated that it is preparing to discuss with the stakeholders about relocating the families affected by the project. --RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13771', 'image' => '20210926033214_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 15:31:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Report Shows Weak Implementation of Trade Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: The government has drawn criticism for weak implementation of the trade policy introduced five years ago.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the government shows weak implementation of the trade policy that was introduced to increase the contribution of the commercial sector to the country’s economy and to balance the trade deficit by replacing the import-oriented economy with exports.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study report prepared by the National Planning Commission on the effectiveness of the implementation of Trade Policy 2072 after analyzing the trade (import-export) situation for the last seven years states that no significant achievement has been made in this regard. Instead, the problem is said to have worsened. The report says that the import-export ratio was 8.5 percent in 2014 but has reached 11.9 percent in 2020, which cannot be considered positive.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study found that the implementation of the Trade Policy 2072 has not been effective due to lack of action plan to implement the policy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The government is not solely responsible to implement any policy but the private sector also has an important role. However, the private sector has not been given any importance in the implementation of this policy,” the report states.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A scientific approach and research of various aspects of trade for trade including its development and promotion is vital for the trade policy. However, the report points out that no such scientific study or research has been done on any of the issues.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the study has found that there are problems due to the lack of institutional working directives for monitoring and evaluation for the effective implementation of the policy. There is policy level, institutional, procedural and legal shortcomings in the implementation of the policy and the expected results have not been achieved.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The report suggests that in order to effectively implement the trade policy, the institutionally established bodies should be active and necessary legal procedures and guidelines should be identified and formulated. The report also suggests identifying and formulating directives and prioritizing the implementation of trade policy while making annual programs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Narayan Regmi said that it would take time for the results to come as the trade policy is in the process of implementation. He said that the ministry is ready to make the policy practical by including the current priorities such as the impact of Covid-19, which was not taken into consideration when the policy was drafted.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> "We will study the issues and suggestions in the report and work accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13770', 'image' => '20210926023104_images.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 14:28:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transactions through Digital Wallets on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Electronic transactions through digital wallets has been increasing lately. The latest data of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has shown that the digital transaction has increased in recent days.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first month of the current fiscal year, transactions through wallets have surpassed the monthly average of previous fiscal year. Based on the total transaction amount of last year, the average monthly turnover through the e-wallet is Rs 9.53 billion. However, the average turnover through e-wallets in July was Rs 14.52 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Transaction through e-wallet last June was Rs 12.79 billion while it was Rs 8.35 billion in May. The data has confirmed that the transaction amount through digital wallet has been increasing recently. Last year, the total amount of transactions through e-wallets was worth Rs 114.43 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Payment System Department Chief Bhuvan Kandel said that the transaction amount through wallet has been increasing recently. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The use of electronic payment has also increased during the pandemic. As a result, wallet transactions are on the rise, according to stakeholders. Digital wallet is a means of electronic payment and transaction.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, there are 22 digital wallet companies in Nepal. Earlier, the number of such services providers was very few. Previously, wallets were used only for limited purposes. However, now it has many services including depositing money in a bank account, paying internet/water/electricity bills, air tickets, movie tickets, mobile recharge among others.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the business of digital wallet is also developing, says Bhuvan Kandel, executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank. He also says that digital wallet is safer than other means of transaction. "Customers can deposit the required amount from their bank account into their wallet and spend accordingly," he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13769', 'image' => '20210926011503_20200918073634_digita.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 13:14:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Imports Electric Vehicles worth Rs 440 Million in 2 Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">September 26: Within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2078/79, four-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs 440 million have been imported into the country. The import of electric vehicles was completely halted in the first two months of the last fiscal year. It was due to the impact of increase in the customs duty by the then government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Department of Customs, a total of 142 jeeps, cars and vans worth Rs 442 million have been imported from mid-June to mid-August. The then Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada had increased the customs duty on electric vehicles from 40 to 80 percent. With the increase in customs duty, import of electric vehicles was halted from May to August last year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the 12 months of the previous fiscal year 2077/78, only 249 electric jeeps, cars and vans were imported. During that period, electric jeeps, vans and cars worth Rs 657.8 million were imported. In the fiscal year 2066/67, more than 600 such vehicles were imported into the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has completely removed the excise duty on electric vehicles through the Financial Ordinance 2078/79 BS and also reduced the customs duty. Krishna Prasad Dulal, president of NADA Automobile Association of Nepal, said that the government has facilitated the import of electric vehicles which has resulted in good business.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The replacement budget has given continuity to the provision of 10 to 15 percent customs duty on the import of electric vehicles proposed in the ordinance budget issued by the then Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel. "The demand for electric vehicles had been the same as before," said Dulal, chairman of NADA adding, “The sales hit the ground due to increase in customs duty. But now, the demand for electric vehicles has increased in the market.”</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-26', 'modified' => '2021-09-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13768', 'image' => '20210926115822_20200317060256_Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-26 11:57:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14022', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government of Nepal and Development Partners Join Forces on Nepal’s Green Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The Government of Nepal and development partners endorsed the landmark ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ on Thursday to develop a strategic action plan for Nepal towards Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to a statement issued by the World Bank, the Declaration was endorsed by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal, Asian Development Bank, Australia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, International Monetary Fund, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States, and the World Bank at a high-level roundtable event titled Nepal’s Transition to Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) for Sustainable Recovery, Growth, and Jobs.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Under the Kathmandu Declaration, Nepal’s development partners have identified up to $4.2 billion in potential future support, in addition to the $3.2 billion in previously committed resources to support GRID.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The GRID Strategic Action Plan will coordinate international and domestic financing for priority investments in Nepal’s recovery from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“The Government of Nepal is committed to the Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development vision that will support Nepal’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and help address the challenges of climate change and rising inequality,” said Finance Minister Janardan Sharma. “We look forward to working together with development partners, private sector, and key stakeholders to build back Nepal better and stronger.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the statement, investments will support Nepal’s 15th development plan, Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Climate Accords, and the Sustainable Development Goals in promoting green growth, jobs, and infrastructure, and building resilience to climate change and shocks from disasters, as well as equitable access to services for Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government and development partners intend to scale up support for such areas as sustainable tourism, renewable energy, cleaner transport and resilient roads, integrated solid waste management, sustainable forest management, watershed protection and water supply, biodiversity conservation, adaptive social protection, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable cities. Partnerships and opportunities will be sought with the private sector to increase green investment and support job-creating small and medium enterprises and businesses in these and other areas.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal’s GRID vision also emphasizes inclusion to enable women, indigenous groups, and vulnerable and marginalized communities to realize the benefits of a green, resilient recovery. This includes skills training and education opportunities to help citizens prepare for an evolving job market in a new green economy with greater opportunities for all Nepalis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The roundtable, organized in the lead up to COP26, included representatives from the federal and local government, development partners, private sector, and climate experts.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13767', 'image' => '20210924092344_go8922.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 21:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14021', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Stands at 4.35 Percent: NRB', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: The year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 4.35 percent in the first month of 2021/22 compared to 3.49 percent a year ago. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 3.86 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.74 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Releasing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, the central bank said that the price of ghee and oil, non-alcoholic drinks, tobacco products and transportation subcategories rose 29.07 percent, 10.51 percent, 10.12 percent and 9.43 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu valley, terai, hill and mountain regions witnessed 3.70 percent, 4.11 percent, 5.63 percent and 3.58 percent inflation respectively. Inflation in these regions was 3.31 percent, 4.02 percent, 2.72 percent and 4.07 percent respectively a year ago, the report states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 4.25 percent in the review month compared to 7.33 percent a year ago. 5. The y-o-y wholesale price of consumption goods, intermediate goods and capital goods increased 1.30 percent, 5.72 percent and 6.19 percent respectively. The wholesale price of construction materials increased 11.54 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13766', 'image' => '20210924021304_636277035242086786-Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 14:12:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14020', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Trade Deficit Increases by 70.6 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">September 24: Total trade deficit of Nepal increased 70.6 percent to Rs 129.97 billion during the first month of 2021/22. According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), such a deficit had decreased 22.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Publishing the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report on Thursday, NRB said that the export-import ratio increased to 13.8 percent in the review period from 11.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the first month of 2021/22, merchandise exports of Nepal increased 115.9 percent to Rs 20.76 billion compared to an increase of 8.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, exports to India, China and other countries increased 167.0 percent, 47.8 percent and 17.5 percent respectively. Exports of soybean oil, palm oil, polyester yarn and thread, juice, oil cake, among others increased whereas exports of cardamom, medicine (Ayurvedic), herbs, wire, readymade leather goods, among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, merchandise imports increased 75.7 percent to Rs 150.73 billion during the review period against a decrease of 19.6 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 58.7 percent, 87.6 percent and 120.8 percent respectively. Imports of petroleum products, transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, gold, among others increased whereas imports of chemical fertilizer, cement, tobacco, aircraft spare parts, readymade garments among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi and Nepalgunj Customs Offices decreased whereas exports from all other customs points increased in the review period, the report further states. On the import side, imports from Kailali Customs Office decreased whereas imports from all other customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Broad Economic Categories, the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 31.8 percent and 68.2 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.0 percent, 2.8 percent and 65.3 percent of total exports respectively. On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.7 percent, capital goods 11.5 percent and final consumption goods remained 34.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 50.6 percent, 13.8 percent and 35.6 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Current Account</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 47.90 billion in the review period compared to a surplus of Rs 24.89 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of 402.4 million in the review period compared to a surplus of 207.7 million in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Capital Transfer and FDI</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 38.0 percent to Rs 679.7 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) decreased 65.5 percent to Rs 480.6 million. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 1.10 billion and Rs 1.39 billion respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 38.75 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 51.46 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP recorded a deficit of 325.5 million in the review period against a surplus of 429.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13765', 'image' => '20210924015957_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14019', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">September 24: The inflow of remittances has declined in the first month of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Thursday revealed that the remittance inflow </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">decreased 18.1 percent to Rs 75.96 billion in the review period in contrast to an increase of 23.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows decreased 17.5 percent to Rs 638.2 million in the review period against a growth of 14.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers (institutional and individual-new and legalized) taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 13,800 in the review period. It had decreased 99.2 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment increased 286.1 percent to 11,628 in the review period. It had decreased 80.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It is believed that the remittance inflow had increased during the lockdown period of last year because the migrant workers were not able to send money back home through illegal channels. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13764', 'image' => '20210924012049_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:20:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14018', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB to Facilitate Concessional Loan for Developing Charging Stations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">September 24: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled a new provision ensuring concessional loan for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank has come up with such idea to promote use of e-vehicles and increase electricity consumption through third amendment to refinancing procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The latest move of the central bank is expected to benefit the private sector that is working for the development electric vehicle charging station with top priority in the recent days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, 15 charging stations are operational while the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is working to set up 50 charging stations across the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the NRB has decided to provide refinancing service to the broadband internet service providing organisation, which will help increase internet penetration in the country's rural areas. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-09-24', 'modified' => '2021-09-24', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13763', 'image' => '20210924010339_EV.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-09-24 13:02:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
