Focus News

Home-grown Footwear Brands Breaking New Grounds

Nov 30, -0001 0 5 minutes 52 seconds to read

…

Hydropower Developers Pursue Favourable PDA

Nov 30, -0001 0 6 minutes 7 seconds to read

…

Safety Helmets For Two-wheelers

Nov 30, -0001 9 4 minutes 35 seconds to read

…

Furnex Nepal 2013

Nov 30, -0001 0 5 minutes 22 seconds to read

…

The Sportswear Market

Nov 30, -0001 0 5 minutes 16 seconds to read

…

Sales Of Watches On The Downtrend

Nov 30, -0001 0 17 minutes 31 seconds to read

…

Dragonair Awarded ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’

Nov 30, -0001 0 41 seconds to read

…

Qatar Best Business Class In The World

Nov 30, -0001 0 44 seconds to read

…

GHT And Tara Air To Promote Tourism Destinations

Nov 30, -0001 0 55 seconds to read

…

Etihad Tops Skytrax First Class Awards

Nov 30, -0001 0 43 seconds to read

…

Books Selling And Publishing Business

Nov 30, -0001 0 6 minutes 22 seconds to read

…

< previous123next >

No Laughing Matter

The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

. . .
read more »

NEPSE

Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context//    $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';



    if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){
$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'articles' => array(
		(int) 0 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 1 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 2 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 3 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 4 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 5 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 6 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 7 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 8 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 9 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 10 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		)
	),
	'current_user' => null,
	'logged_in' => false
)
$articles = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1527',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Home-grown Footwear Brands Breaking New Grounds',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Over the years, the number of buyers for footwear products manufactured in Nepal has registered a healthy growth, observed industry insiders. They attribute this development to advancements in manufacturing technology, delivery of quality products and meeting consumer expectations.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market is witnessing a change in the buying pattern of customers in recent times. Slowly but surely, more number of people are beginning to get used to different brands of shoes produced locally, in an apparent departure from their love for foreign branded products earlier. &ldquo;We had to convince hard to sell our products to the customers a few years ago. However, things stand changed today as they have started to trust Nepal-made shoes which have made our job easier,&rdquo; said a salesperson at a leading shoes store.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic footwear industries that manufactured mostly leather products for long have also started to produce sports and casual shoes among others. Manufacturers opined that the buyers&rsquo; increasing confidence in them encouraged them to diversify their product portfolio. &ldquo;We are about to install a new plant to manufacture ladies footwear and also looking to expand the product line-up in the casual and sports series,&rdquo; said a leading manufacturer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Retailers too believed that consumers who preferred foreign brands earlier are increasingly shifting towards &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Leading Brands&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Shikhar Shoes claims the company&rsquo;s production output is close to 300,000 pairs of shoes annually. The company said that the domestic market consumes all that it manufactures. The company is planning to roll out a new premium brand targeting high-end customers in the near future. However, it depends on the results of a feasibility study it is carrying out. Products from Shikhar Shoes are priced in the range of Rs 350 to Rs 4,000. One of the largest manufacturers in the domestic market, business for Shikhar Shoes has been overwhelming in the past couple of years as it has been able to deliver quality products at affordable prices. The company has installed a new technology for the first time in Nepal called the &lsquo;Conveyor System&rsquo; that enables production of large quantity while reducing time for manufacturing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Base Footwear, another prominent player in the domestic market that manufactures BF Dear Hill footwear products, has been witnessing huge success. A manager at the company said, &ldquo;Most multi-brand retail outlets in the country now proudly feature domestic footwear products.&rdquo; He claimed that the company&rsquo;s annual production is around 200,000 pairs. Its products are in the price range of Rs 450 to Rs 3,500. Base Footwear manufactures products ranging from school and college shoes to party shoes, casual shoes and sports shoes. The company has recently started manufacturing football boots as well. BF Dear Hill, the first Nepali footwear brand to receive international standard certification 9001:2008, is also enjoying good business by luring customers with its fashionable, comfortable and durable products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Goldstar has become a household name in Nepal. This brand was launched after a studied research of the market. Foot specialists and experts working with various shoe companies were brought as consultants to design the product and draw up a business plan. Experts were unanimous in their beliefs that given the often-difficult terrain in most parts of Nepal, a shoe had to be sturdy, light and cheap. The company believes that there has been a massive shift in the acceptance of the domestic products, which is a positive sign for the industry. It claims that its annual output of over eight million pairs of shoes is not adequate to meet the demand from the market. While 70 per cent of Goldstar shoes are exported to India, the rest is sold in the domestic market.&rdquo; Goldstar aims to increase its export potential to a number of countries and is a proud recipient of the &lsquo;Best Exporter Award&rsquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Challenges&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Despite the reasonable penetration in the domestic footwear market, stakeholders said that various problems had prevented the domestic footwear industry from making faster progress. They pointed out issues like unfair customs duty on raw materials and unavailability of skilled labour among others. Domestically, manufactured products have the potential to outshine foreign products if the government provides them appropriate support, they said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The flooding of the market with low-quality and cheap Chinese products is wearing out the scope for the Nepali footwear industry. Stakeholders claimed this is primarily due to the porous border and lack of strong policies.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Because of unfair customs duty &mdash; high on raw materials and low on shoe import &mdash; production of Nepali shoes turn out to be more expensive. This has compelled customers to think twice before buying home manufactured shoes,&rdquo; said an official of the Leather Footwear and Goods Manufacturers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (LFGMAN). Around 70 per cent of raw materials for shoes made in Nepal are imported from India, China, Thailand and Taiwan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialists claimed that apart from the open border and duplicate products, labour problem has hit the industry hard. Manufacturers said that they face threats from the labours and their respective trade unions regularly. While the industry is growing steadily despite the workforce crisis, such threats certainly hamper the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Way Forward&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Withstanding a number of challenges, the Nepali footwear industry is still emerging as a promising business sector &mdash; growing at an annual rate of 15 per cent. Latest fashionable designs coupled with fine craftsmanship have led to domestic shoes starting to offer an alternative for international brands in the market that cost way expensive. Besides, of course, some Nepali manufacturers have started to explore the potential of exporting &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products to the international market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The customers&rsquo; attraction towards Nepali footwear products is on the rise and the market has been consistently registering increase in demand. This has encouraged existing manufacturers to maintain quality while the number of new manufacturers too has increased significantly. There are 500 shoe manufacturers in the country and 10 medium scale footwear industries. According to LFGMAN, Nepali footwear products account for 60 per cent of the total shoe market in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the economy is experiencing a difficult phase currently, local shoe manufacturers see a bright future for the industry provided they receive adequate support and a good platform to market their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FOOTWEAR BRANDS" src="/userfiles/images/fOOTWEAR%20BRANDS1.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 327px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-30',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Footwear products manufactured and branded in Nepal have marketed their products aggressively over the last few years and ensured a considerable share of the footwear market in Nepal.',
			'sortorder' => '1388',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1479',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Hydropower Developers Pursue Favourable PDA',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The hydropower promoters of the private sector have designed a template for the Project Development Agreement (PDA) and handed it over to the government. They have said that this draft reflects their concerns. Earlier, the Ministry of Energy had prepared a PDA template a year ago, meant for hydropower projects of below 500 MW capacity. The private sector wants that revised.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have submitted a PDA draft by incorporating the concerns of the private sector,&rdquo; said Dr Subarna Das Shrestha, President of Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association, Nepal (IPPAN). He added, &ldquo;We hope that the government will incorporate the suggestions of the private sector while finalising the PDA template it is developing on its own.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bishwa Prakash Pandit, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy (MoE), while receiving the PDA draft prepared by IPPAN, said, &ldquo;The PDA draft will be finalised bearing in mind the concerns of the hydropower promoters and national interest.&rdquo; He further added that the PDA draft will be developed in a manner which will be helpful to attract foreign investment.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, the Investment Board (IB) Nepal said a PDA template is being worked out which will have provisions requiring the hydropower promoters to pay compensation for failing to meet project deadline. The provisions in the PDA template will also require hydropower promoters to give due attention to environmental concerns and provide employment to locals among other things.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Negotiations with Hydropower Developers&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	While the MoE plans to start PDA negotiations with hydropower developers building projects below 500 MW, the IB has been conducting PDA negotiations with three foreign power developers. Even though the MoE had made a PDA draft for hydropower projects below 500 MW and tried to start negotiations with the concerned hydropower developers, the process was stalled after most of the developers expressed reservations over the PDA draft. The developers had then said that it was not a sound proposition technically as well as financially.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier, two separate PDA templates were prepared to hold negotiations with hydropower developers &mdash; one made by the MoE for hydropower projects below 500 MW and the other made by the IB for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the MoE was instructed to use the PDA template formulated by the IB. The MoE then started to prepare the same PDA template for hydropower projects below 500 MW capacity, confirmed Keshav Dhoj Adhikary, Head of the PDA negotiation committee at the MoE. The PDA negotiation committee formed by the MoE comprises representatives from the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Law and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Six Applicants of Below 500 MW</strong></div>
<div>
	As of the third week of March this year, a total of six hydropower projects with a collective capacity of 1,130 MW had applied to the Department of Electricity Development (DoED) for the PDA. The six projects are namely Middle Bhote Koshi &ndash; I (40 MW), Upper Marsyangdi &ndash; A (50 MW), Kali Gandaki Gorge (164 MW), Upper Trishuli &ndash; A (216 MW), Budhi Gandaki &ndash; II (260 MW) and Lower Arun (400 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the six PDA applicants, Upper Trishuli &ndash; A is the first to pay the PDA fee while submitting the required documents. As per the PDA Procedure 2013, hydropower developers have to pay US$ 1,500 per MW as processing fee to sign the PDA. If the government refuses to sign the agreement even after the payment of the fee, the amount has to be refunded.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The PDA is a vital contract between the government and the investors. The government assures the investors, through the agreement, that it would avert all possible social, economic and policy-level uncertainties during the construction phase of projects. Generally, issues related to taxes, licence period, free energy, royalty, repatriation rights and parties&rsquo; obligations are included in the PDA.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>PDA for Big Hydro Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	The secretariat of the Investment Board expedited finalisation of the PDAs for four mega-hydropower projects earlier this year. It was expected to provide a much needed impetus to enable negotiations on four priority projects that have a combined capacity to produce 3000 MW of electricity. The four mega hydro projects are namely Upper Marsyangdi (600 MW), Tamakoshi &ndash; III (650 MW), Upper Karnali (900 MW) and Arun &ndash; III (900 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	NIB, which was established more than a year ago to expedite the implementation of mega-projects including hydropower (above 500 MW) in a fast-track mode, is developing a PDA template with the help of Herbert Smith, a legal advisor based in London.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Uniform PDA for All Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	As stated earlier, there were two separate PDA templates made by the MoE and the IB to hold negotiations respectively with hydropower developers of below 500 MW and for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the government later decided to have a uniform PDA template while negotiating with the foreign companies developing hydro power projects of all capacities.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With this decision taken earlier this year, the IB and the MoE planned to negotiate with foreign developers on the basis of a single PDA model. The MoE then said that it will negotiate with foreign developers of less than 500 MW capacity on the basis of the PDA template prepared by the IB. As per the IB Act, hydropower plants with a capacity of 500 MW and above came under the board&rsquo;s purview.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The ministry said a uniform PDA model was to be brought into effect to prevent any confusion and prejudice while dealing with the various power developers. It concluded that since both the MoE and the IB were dealing with foreign hydro power developers, there was no need for two different models of PDA. It led the MoE to form a committee to synchronise the two PDA templates and begin negotiations with developers which meet the criteria.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It further clarified that despite the PDA template being the same, there might be separate provisions for different projects based on their respective capacity, volume of investment and number of beneficiaries.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It must be noted that after the formation of the IB over one-and-a-half years ago, the government entrusted it with developing large hydropower projects above 500 MW while the MoE was assigned hydropower projects of less than 500 MW capacity.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Experts said that Nepal has an opportunity to bring in US$ 6 billion in foreign direct investment, create new opportunities for Nepali businesses and the Nepali labour force. Taking concrete steps to unlock the country&rsquo;s vast hydro potential and solve the load shedding problem is expected to address Nepal&rsquo;s biggest obstacle to investment, business development and economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="List of Issued Survey Licenses (Above 200 MW)" src="/userfiles/images/survey%20license.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-23',
			'modified' => '2013-07-24',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Private sector hydropower promoters have suggested the government to develop a Project Development Agreement (PDA) template that is acceptable to banks, meets international standards and is immune to changes in the law.',
			'sortorder' => '1340',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1416',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Safety Helmets For Two-wheelers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	A salesgirl taking out a helmet for a customer at Tripureshwor based Vicky Auto Parts. The company&rsquo;s Managing Director Sajjan Jajodia informed that his store sells helmets in the price range of Rs 700 to Rs 6,000.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Photo: Rukesh Shrestha/TC</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>By Pinaki Roy</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	In the current financial year 2069-2070 BS, an estimated 180,000 two-wheelers have been sold in the Nepali market, industry analysts said. This sales figure is attributed to people&rsquo;s growing desire to enhance mobility and save time in addition to the fact that two-wheelers also help its riders in negotiating narrow alleys.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Safety Rider</strong><br />
	<br />
	Every two-wheeler that gets sold in the market also opens the possibility of sales of safety helmets. &ldquo;Looking from a safety perspective, it is recommended that riders use full helmets,&rdquo; a trader said. However, in the Nepali market, the consumption of helmets that cost cheaper is more than the helmets that provides complete protection of the head. &ldquo;Only about 10 per cent of helmet buyers look for such safe helmets,&rdquo; he added. These helmets are manufactured keeping in mind regulated standards and thus cost more. The decline in demand for quality helmets has forced traders to import cheaper and stylish products to cater to the market. Even though safety is the primary reason for wearing helmets, traders said that most riders do not change their helmets till the time they get completely damaged.<br />
	<br />
	Bharat Tibrewala, Director of MRD Auto, said, &ldquo;There is a lack of awareness as most people wear helmets only for the fear of traffic police and not for safety.&rdquo; He added that helmets provide safety to both the rider and the pillion rider and people must look to buy quality helmets. MRD Auto has around 40-50 vendors across Nepal who sell its helmets that cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500. Sajjan Jajodia, the Managing Director of Vicky Auto Parts and Vaani Auto Trade, said, &ldquo;We currently sell around 30 pieces of helmets daily.&rdquo; He informed that his company sells Index, Aaron, Vstar and STM brands of helmets among others.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Imported Lot</strong><br />
	<br />
	Most helmet brands that sell in Nepal are imported from countries like India, China, Thailand and Malaysia. There are a few quality brands too available in the market that are manufactured in European countries. Some Nepal made helmets, which are manufactured in the country after importing raw materials from India, have also gained popularity in the market in recent times. Traders claim that the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost comparatively lesser than their imported counterparts. STM, Index, MRC, Avex, AMG, Aaron, BM and Snell are some of the more popular brands in the Nepali market while a few European brands such as Held and RPM are also available in the stores.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Price Range</strong><br />
	<br />
	Depending on quality and design, helmets available in the Nepali market cost anything from Rs 500 to Rs 12,000. While the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost in the price range of Rs 500 to Rs 1,500, the ones imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500 on an average. Kathmandu Valley alone has over 350 helmet shops and there is a total investment of around Rs 1 billion in the trade. While even a small store attracts a minimum investment of Rs 500,000, traders said there are stores in the Valley that have opened with investments of Rs 4 million or more.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Variety Galore</strong><br />
	<br />
	People use helmets according to their age, gender, profession and income, observed traders. Women mostly wear half-helmets and cap-helmets while young men usually fancy wearing full helmets. Similarly, male riders pursuing professional careers are more inclined towards half helmets. Two-wheeler riders, who are comparatively well-off, change helmets according to the season &ndash; wearing full helmets during the winter while using half-helmets or cap-helmets in the summer. The two-wheeler model also determines the choice of helmet with people riding scooters wearing half-helmets or cap-helmets while those riding sporty motorbikes wearing full helmets.<br />
	Business Challenge<br />
	<br />
	Traders dealing with helmets said their sales have dropped to 50 per cent over the last few years despite that fact that the sales of two-wheelers have continued to grow. It is because a number of motorcycle distributors provide helmet free with two-wheelers these days. Traffic Police in the capital had made helmets compulsory for pillion riders, along with the motorbike rider, in 2008. Due to the rule, helmet sales was at its peak around that time, however, the sales of helmets was hit hard ever since the rule was scrapped almost three years ago. The helmet sales was further hit after the dealers of two-wheelers started doling out free helmets with every purchase.<br />
	A trader mentioned that since some of the companies provide helmets free of cost, the customers buy fresh helmets only after the older one becomes useless. Traders further said that a drop in sales of reconditioned bikes has also affected helmet sales. &ldquo;It is become increasingly difficult to survive by selling helmets alone.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-15',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.',
			'sortorder' => '1278',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1379',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Furnex Nepal 2013',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	The Furniture and Furnishing Expo (Furnex) 2013 expo will exhibit and display home &amp; office furniture; dining, kitchen, bathroom furniture &amp; appliances; outdoor furniture; flooring &amp; furnishing; steel &amp; wooden railing; wooden &amp; aluminum windows &amp; doors, partition, false ceiling among others. The participating companies will also have plywood, boards, laminates; furniture machinery tools/fittings &amp; fabricators; tiles, marbles, granite; upholstered, mattresses, cushions, mats; paints, wallpapers; adhesives, interior items during the five-day event.</p>
<p>
	All in all, Furnex Nepal 2013 will provide a single platform for buyers and sellers, informed Kabindra Joshi, Spokesperson of the expo and General Secretary of NFFA. He added that all the leading furniture producers of the country will be participating in the expo along with some foreign brands. A total of 59 stalls will be erected for the expo in an area of 11,000 sqm, “While 57 of them will be housed in the exhibition hall of Bhrikuti Mandap, another two stalls will be provided space outside the hall,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The expo promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market. “We look to inform the visitors at the expo about the usefulness of the products along with pricing, maintenance and other related information,” Joshi told.</p>
<p>
	The visitors at the expo will be given valuable information on how to choose products to suit their needs. Confirmed participants for the expo include Furniture Land, Index Furniture and S B Furniture among foreign brands. As for the local brands, Alpha Interiors, Wood N Style, Sann Furniture, Bira Furniture, Yeti Carpet, Yeti Polymer, S T Carpet, Duro Mattress and Darling Mattress among others have already confirmed participation.&nbsp;</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013" height="379" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgnwfIx78Og/UdvLmo_XGGI/AAAAAAAABAg/DAMTi-j-5mM/s640/furnex2.jpg" width="500" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<b>Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013</b></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong>Expo Expectations&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	The organisers are expecting to attract 5,000 official and 150,000 general visitors at Furnex Nepal 2013. “We are organising the event with the aim of making it a branding expo. Hence, there will be no emphasis on sales during the event,” Joshi stated. He said that the importers, manufacturers and government functionaries will be brought together to ensure a conducive environment for the benefit of the industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers will also conduct seminars at the expo to create an important platform for stakeholders, industrialists and general public to interact, said Joshi. He added that the event will be emphasising on Nepali products and become instrumental in popularising furniture produced by local craftsmen.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Imported Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	A whopping 60 per cent of the furniture and furnishing products available in Nepal are imported. The imported goods include flooring, furnishing (except carpets), furniture and décor items. “While imports have swelled over the years, domestic production is declining on a consistent basis,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	While overpopulation due to excessive migration of people to different urban centres in Nepal has resulted in increased demand for more furniture, domestic manufacturers have not been able to supply the market demand. “The decline in domestic production has not stopped people from buying furniture and hence, traders are increasingly depending on imported products to meet the market demand,” Joshi reasoned.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Manufacturers allege that lack of skilled craftsmen, power cuts, non-availability of raw materials and absence of a favourable government policy are among the reasons why domestic production has declined. They said, “We need a proper government mechanism to help us boost our industry.” They added that the volatile political environment of the country too has hit them hard.</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee" height="208" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hmrWIPyoJPY/UdvLlmMOL3I/AAAAAAAABAQ/Y5gUraqXA80/s958/furnex.jpg" width="550" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<strong>Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee addressing a press conference last year</strong></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong style="font-size: 12px;">Future Prospects&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	An investment of Rs 20 billion has already been made in the domestic furniture and furnishing industry, Joshi stated. He added, “We have a strategy to propose the government and bring its attention to the industry and give it its due treatment.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Apart from the cultural and historical significances, traditional furniture industry can also be a considerable boost to the economy of the country if it is run smoothly. “If it is possible, why not provide a boost to the local industry and keep the money in the country,” said Joshi. He added that the domestic manufacturers, if encouraged and treated properly, have the potential to export in addition to fulfilling local demand.</p>
<p>
	“The furniture and furnishing industry can look forward to have better days ahead,” claimed Joshi, “Because these items have become necessities today and are not luxury anymore.” He said that housing &amp; real estate, residences, office complexes, hotels &amp; restaurants, schools &amp; colleges and development projects are the booming sectors for the furniture and furnishing industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Furnex 2013, the five-day Furniture and Furnishing Expo in its second year, will kick off at Bhrikuti Mandap on 25 September. The branding exhibition, also the first of its kind in the country, is being organised to uplift and give exposure to domestic as well as imported products. The event, organised in 2012 for the first time, met with reasonable success and NFFA hopes to fare better this year.</p>
<p>
	“Encouraged by the overwhelmingly response of the participants last year, we planned to make it an annual event,” said Joshi, “We have gained experience during Furnex 2012 and hope it will come handy in organising the event this year.” Furnex 2013 hopes to attract homemakers and other potential buyers looking for furniture and furnishing products, along with hoteliers, industrialists, business entrepreneurs, students, and interior designers during the event.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers are hoping that, at the expo, customers will become familiar with quality and variety of locally manufactured furniture, eventually encouraging them to use locally produced items.</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-09',
			'modified' => '2013-09-04',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Furnex 2013 promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market.',
			'sortorder' => '1241',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1293',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'The Sportswear Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	R etailing of sportswear products in Nepal has been growing due to the rise in income, changing lifestyle, and consumer preferences. “People are getting more health conscious and also getting increasingly interested in sporting activities which augurs well for sportswear business,” said Deepak Bista, Executive Director of Sports Universe, a sports goods store at New Baneshwor. Bista, also a former Olympian, added, “People coming to my store go back satisfied because the products here are of good quality and reasonably priced.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	To conduct sportswear business, not too long ago, was quite difficult as people were not as brand conscious as they are today. “It is disappointing to see at times that today’s kids are getting more inclined towards electronic gadgets than into sporting activities,” said Rahul Agrawal, Owner of Nike Store, “We must ensure that the sporting culture in our country retains its value.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Increasing Brand Literacy&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	However, aided by media like Internet and television, brand literacy rate has gone up. As a result, transaction volume of sportswear sales has considerably gone up in the span of the last few years. The ever increasing popularity of sporting activities along with the growing interest in sports such as football, cricket, martial arts and tennis among others has contributed to the growth of functional sportswear market in the country of late.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Major Players&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Roots Fashion, the authorised seller of Adidas in Nepal, has its showrooms mostly featuring sportswear including shoes, track suits, swimming costumes and T-shirts. Adidas showrooms also stocks caps, socks, bags, slippers, basketballs, footballs and hand bands and Adidas’ casual line. The brand enjoys enormous popularity among brand-conscious people in Kathmandu, and as a result, the company expanded its network in the country. Established in 2000, Roots Fashion maintains exclusive Adidas outlets at Durbar Marg, Kumaripati, Tripureshwor, City Centre, Putali Sadak and New Road.</p>
<p>
	Avenue Marketing, authorised distributor of Nike for Nepal, sells exclusive range of shoes from the American clothing and sport equipment giant. The company also has the latest line of jogging, lifestyle, tennis, football and basketball shoes from Nike Store at Durbar Marg. “We introduce the best designs and quality products to cater to the demand of our customers,” said Agrawal. While clothes at Nike Store are priced between Rs 900 and Rs 4,000, the shoes are in the range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000.</p>
<p>
	Nike Store at Durbarmarg has been in operation for the last 11 years, informed Agrawal, “In recent times, the currency depreciation of Nepali Rupee vis-à-vis the US Dollar has us in a spot of bother as it makes the products dearer for the customers.” It is worth mentioning here that distributors of various sportswear brands in Nepal import their products from different parts of the world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal, a franchise store of the popular Chinese sports brand Anta, sells its products from its outlets at Jyatha, near Thamel which was the first Anta store opened in September 2011; Anta Building, Bhatbhateni; Saraswoti Nagar, Kapan; Dillibazaar and Sohrakhutte. The company came up with an aggressive expansion plan after witnessing a huge demand for its products. It has now opened new showrooms at Anta Tower, Durbarmarg; KL Tower, Chuchchepati; Jawalakhel, Lalitpur; and Pipalbot, Boudha and plans to expand to Pokhara and Biratnagar. Anta Sports Nepal claims to have a large number of repeat customers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The store also updates its collection multiple times a year and keeps its customers informed about the merchandise, new arrivals, events, locations and discounts. The store offers a large selection of professional, functional and fashionable apparel, footwear and accessories in running, cross training, outdoor, basketball, tennis, futsal, football, casual and lifestyle series.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	After ruling Nepali taekwondo for more than a decade, Deepak Bista forayed into business by opening Sports Universe, a sports goods showroom, at New Baneshwar earlier this year. He is one of four partners with equal shares in Sports Universe and credits one of the partners, with inspiring him to enter into business. “We sell sports accessories to players and sports institutions including schools and colleges,” said Bista. The store has a mix of various brands and sporting equipments under a single roof.</p>
<p>
	<strong><img alt="Sports Goods Showrooms" height="228" hspace="25" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qa6xctpTfX0/UdKAdZBhvgI/AAAAAAAAApg/1KWt_T5ybBQ/s600/sports.JPG" width="600" /><br />
	</strong></p>
<p>
	<strong>Secret of Success&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Reebok, a popular sportswear brand sold in Nepal by Sports Plaza, has been constantly working at diversifying its product range and to provide better options for customers. To serve this purpose, it introduced a range called ´classical´ to provide wider options to both men and women who look for ´American-inspired global product´. Reebok stores feature T-shirts, trousers, footwear, shorts and different accessories like caps, socks, summer shawls, among others. The Reebok store at Durbarmarg has wide varieties of apparels and footwear with classical looks because every year the company tweaks its designs so as to diversify its product range and provide better options for customers.</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal said its focus is mainly on customer service. “We are looking to establish a brand name on account of our reasonable pricing and quality service,” said a store attendant. Venturing in a market where top international sports brands had already made their mark was not easy. “It was very competitive to begin with but we have got a foothold in the market now with such a large collection of both men’s and women’s apparel in addition to footwear and accessories.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Counterfeit Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Even though these stores claim to have sizeable loyal customer base, they said adding new costumers is still a tough job due to easy availability of counterfeit products. Unorganised players imitate product styles, brand logos and names, which adversely impacts the brand equity and sales brands. Although the future looks promising for the Nepali sportswear market, the industry still has a number of challenges to face including counterfeiting which is one of the biggest challenges sportswear brands are facing in Nepal today.</p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-02',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'With more people taking up sports and exercise regimes in recent years, the popularity of sportswear has
been increasing in the country. The phenomenon is fast catching up due to increased brand consciousness.',
			'sortorder' => '1155',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1207',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Sales Of Watches On The Downtrend',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:WordDocument>
  <w:View>Normal</w:View>
  <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
  <w:TrackMoves/>
  <w:TrackFormatting/>
  <w:PunctuationKerning/>
  <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
  <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
  <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
  <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
  <w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
  <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
  <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
  <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
  <w:Compatibility>
   <w:BreakWrappedTables/>
   <w:SnapToGridInCell/>
   <w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
   <w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
   <w:DontGrowAutofit/>
   <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
   <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
   <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
   <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
   <w:Word11KerningPairs/>
   <w:CachedColBalance/>
  </w:Compatibility>
  <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
  <m:mathPr>
   <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
   <m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
   <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
   <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
   <m:dispDef/>
   <m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
   <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
   <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
   <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
  </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></p>
<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
  DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
  LatentStyleCount="267">
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
 </w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
 /* Style Definitions */
 table.MsoNormalTable
	{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
	mso-style-noshow:yes;
	mso-style-priority:99;
	mso-style-qformat:yes;
	mso-style-parent:"";
	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
	mso-para-margin-top:0in;
	mso-para-margin-right:0in;
	mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
	mso-para-margin-left:0in;
	line-height:115%;
	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
	font-size:11.0pt;
	font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
	mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
	mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0PMAZDS3uc4/Uc_ydZl_D6I/AAAAAAAAAbs/SVTflD5vL5g/h120/Watches.bmp" width="212" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The business of watches that was doing well till about a few years ago, has started to decline over the past few years. Industry insiders claim that the market of wrist watches that was registering a drop in business by 5-10 per cent yearly has its sales figures down by nearly 40 per cent since last Dashain.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">T here is a diverse array of watches available in the Nepali market now-a-days, from low cost watches to high end Swiss-made watches. There are hundreds of watch brands having their presence in the market with a prominent few doing decent business. However, traders rue that the market is going through an absolute low with most companies involved in the distribution and retailing of wrist watches barely managing to survive in the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Difficult Times </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Traders say the industry has not registered expected growth over a period of last few years with sales of watches facing a steady decline of 5-10 per cent on an annual basis. “The situation has become particularly grim since last Dashain and the sales of watches are down by almost 40 per cent,” says Pankaj Jhunjhunwala, the young CEO of Swiss International, the first watch showroom in Kathmandu that opened way back in 1965. He adds that the government initiative to promote business environment in the country is sorely missing. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wzZ_CYfE7so/Uc_5AXW-uvI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Zn1Q9vcIXEk/h120/Watch+1.bmp" width="233" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Sunil Kumar Agrawal of Nepal Trade Network echoed the sentiment saying that the market for wrist watches is currently down because of an unfavourable business environment in the country. “Money is not coming into the market resulting in a lack of cash movement in the country.” He adds that political stability can help turn things around and revitalise the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Various Brands </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Him Electronics, Regency Watch, Sulux Centre, Nepal Trade Network and Swiss International are the leading distributors of wrist watches in Nepal dealing in famous brands such as Timex, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Rado, Raymond Weil, Victorinox, Tissot, Omega, Rado, Cartier, Chopard Breitling, Baume, Mercier, Titan, Fastrack, Sonata, Corum, Titoni, Longines, Enicar, Roamer, Olma and Police among others. <br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IZgOrCD2hs0/Uc_6PBFWXfI/AAAAAAAAAcY/_2zevOa0iuc/h120/Watch+3.bmp" width="89" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">While there are brands that are distributed by more than one trader, Jhunjhunwala points out that there is a difference in buying products from an old distributor vis-à-vis a new one. “People know us for almost 50 years now and the goodwill certainly holds us in good stead,” he says. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Vantage Point </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Most of the showrooms for watches were located in New Road and Bishal Bazaar earlier. However, the leading showrooms have shifted base to Durbarmarg. Jhunjhunwala justifies this shift in location, “We moved our showroom to Durbarmarg keeping in mind the market allocation.” He said that Durbarmarg serves as an appropriate location for showrooms of wrist watches because of the segment of people that frequent the area. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Target Market </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala says that his company targets all Nepali locals as its target clientele. “A lot of people, particularly the members of the business community are well travelled and hence, are exposed to brands worldwide.” He adds that from a marketer’s perspective, selling wrist watches is about managing the brands better. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Titan Watches entered the Nepali market in 1997; however, Nepal Trade Network that currently distributes Titan watches in Nepal is in its 9th year of operation. The company has three exclusive showrooms and around 40 retail outlets in the country. Agrawal says that the company targets everyone who is capable of buying a watch. Titan has watches ranging in price from Rs 2,000 to Rs 40,000 while its sub-brand Fastrack has watches in the price range of Rs 1,200 – Rs 9,000 targeted at the youth. Another sub-brand Sonata is targeted at the lower segment and its watches cost between Rs 600 and Rs 3,000. His store also sells Real Gold Watches (Nebula series) from Titan between the price range of Rs 100,000 and Rs 400,000 targeted at the upper segment. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Young people are buying watches more as fashion statements than necessities, observes a retailer. “Fashion is the driving factor for a lot of people to buy watches,” says Agrawal. “Factors like the model, brand name and the cost of the watch itself come into consideration afterwards.” A section of people buy separate watches to go with party wear as well as casual and formal attires while there are some who go for watches in the contemporary category. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The Gender Shift </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala opines that the women in Nepal are coming into their own of late and are willing to purchase more. While the ratio of watch models for women vis-à-vis men at his store stood at a dismal 20:80 not too long ago, it has jumped to a significant 35:65 in recent times. “It is a reflection of the changing times with women becoming more brand conscious and having a sound mind to purchase in comparison to men.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> <img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oQ8utq_2EFo/Uc_5eEIPRqI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Pd-IO5tAxHU/h120/Watch+2.bmp" width="128" /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal too says that there is a surge in the number of watch models for women. His store at Durbarmarg that sells Titan, Fastrack and Sonata watches has a ratio of 40:60 for women’s watches in comparison to men’s. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Ray of Hope </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Industry watchers claim that the purchasing power of the general public has gone down and that has hit hard the sales of high end as well as low cost watches. “People are simply not willing to spend money in the prevailing situation, they are conserving right now.” He added that the people are not open minded to spend and blamed it on the political uncertainly in the country. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Distributors and traders of watches agree in unison that a stable political environment in the country will help the economy improve and turnaround their business fortunes as well. Willingness to spend money is the key to rejuvenate the market which can only come with a sense of security among the country’s denizens, they say. “There is hope despite the current lull. We are keeping our fingers crossed and staying positive about the future,” Jhunjhunwala remarks. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal reasons that watch is an essential commodity and therefore, the sale of wrist watches will ultimately pick up even though it is going through a quiet period. The industry is hoping that the market will get better around Dashain this year and the overall situation will improve considerable in a couple of years’ time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-30',
			'modified' => '2013-06-30',
			'keywords' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of n',
			'description' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1069',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1202',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dragonair Awarded ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Dragonair has been voted ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’ in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards programme for the third time. No other airline has achieved this feat since this category was added to the awards in 2010, says a press release from the airline. Dragonair was also named ‘Best Regional Airline in Asia’ in the same survey. <br />
	<br />
	“It is a great honour to receive such recognition from travellers, and on behalf of Dragonair, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for us,” said Patrick Yeung, Dragonair Chief Executive Officer. Similarly, Cathay Pacific Airways has been awarded the ‘World’s Best Cabin Staff’ and ‘Best Transpacific Airline’ honours in the programme. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar represented the airline to collect the awards at the ceremony.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1064',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1200',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Qatar Best Business Class In The World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Qatar Airways received three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on June 18. The Airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. <br />
	“ These awards are highly rewarding as they are judiciously voted by passengers, a true account of the overall experience felt by customers who have travelled with the airline,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, speaking after the awards ceremony. <br />
	<br />
	Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate testament for excellence in the airline industry. Travellers from over 160 countries take part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1062',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1194',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'GHT And Tara Air To Promote Tourism Destinations',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP) and Tara Air have signed an agreement to promote tourism destinations within Nepal. With support of SNV Nepal and funding by the UK Department for International D e v e l o p m e n t DFID / UKAid, the GHTDP aims to help channel tourists and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, and benefit the mountain communities. Tara Air will play its role in improving accessibility to remote hilly and mountain regions. <br />
	<br />
	“We believe that tourism plays a significant role in rural economy. Tara Air is the only means of transportation to some of the remotest regions. ‘Helping Develop Rural Nepal’, the Slogan of Tara Air, lives up to its promise,’’ said Umesh Chandra Rai, General Manager, Tara Air. <br />
	Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader said, “The Great Himalaya Trail is a remarkable adventure product and we are hopeful that this partnership will most certainly help to improve the overall tourism industry by attracting tourists to new, off-the beaten-track destinations and thereby benefitting the local communities’’.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1056',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1192',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Etihad Tops Skytrax First Class Awards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Etihad Airways has swept the Skytrax World Airline Awards’ First Class category, receiving all three awards for the second year in a row. The Airways took home the title of Best First Class for the fourth consecutive year, as well as top honours for Best First Class Seats and Best First Class Catering. The awards, which are voted on by travellers from more than 160 countries, were presented at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony on June 18 at the Paris Air Show. “It is a huge accomplishment to take home the top honours in every First Class category again, underlining our leading premium product proposition,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer in the event. “We are elevating the travel experience by bringing the best of hospitality to every touch point in the journey,” he added.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1054',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1166',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Books Selling And Publishing Business',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong>The increase in literacy rate has the books selling and publishing business of Nepal expanding substantially over the last decade or so. There are 8,000 booksellers of different scale in Nepal while the book trade and publishing industry employs over 100,000 people today.</strong><br />
	<strong><br />
	By Pinaki Roy<br />
	</strong><br />
	The 8,000 odd booksellers of Nepal deal in academic, professional, general and reference books along with the usual textbooks meant for schools, colleges and universities. Textbooks of all standards from school to university form the biggest chunk of the business. Quite naturally, all booksellers and publishers in Nepal focus on this segment. “As much as 90 per cent of the business revolves around selling text books for different levels,” says Likhat Prasad Pandey, Secretary General of National Booksellers and Publishers Association of Nepal (NBPAN). <br />
	<br />
	Textbooks’ selling takes place from Baishakh (mid April – mid May) to the middle of Jestha (end of May), also dubbed as the ‘school season’, Pandey informs. He adds that the publishers ready themselves for this season beforehand by completing the printing work of textbooks. “For the rest of the year, we have to largely depend on academic, fiction and non-fiction books which sell round the year, however, their business volume is much smaller compared to the textbooks,” he says. <br />
	<br />
	Nepal’s book publishing industry is growing at a sound rate every year. The dependence on Indian books for schools and colleges has reduced considerably over the years. While government textbooks are published by state-owned Janak Sikshya Samagri Kendra, the course books used in private schools are published by private booksellers locally. Publishers claim to also have the capacity of supplying books for the 10+2 level. <br />
	<br />
	There is also a great demand for reference and general books. Competition in the education sector has resulted in better teaching and learning requirements. The fact that reference and general books are additional sources of knowledge has helped the book market to expand. Booksellers attribute the surge in business to increasing literacy rate that has given rise to a growing number of readers and publishers alike. <br />
	<br />
	Bhrikuti Pustak Tatha Masalanda Bhandar at Exhibition Road mostly imports and sells foreign books. “Knowledge must not be confined in boundaries,” Pandey, who owns the enterprise says, “As per UNESCO, there must be free flow of books with no taxes and barriers whatsoever.” He informs that a number of local universities in Nepal prescribe 90 per cent of the books in the curriculum that are foreign-originated. Most books come from the UK, the USA and India. Most British and American publishers have their offices in India. The British and American books prescribed by the schools and colleges are reprinted in India and thus cost less. <br />
	<br />
	<strong>Publishing Hub <br />
	</strong><br />
	The decade-long conflict in Nepal compelled booksellers to diversify their trade, as it was difficult for them to sustain solely on tourist and general books. As new universities came into being one after another and better learning opportunities were created in schools and colleges, they quickly diverted their focus to academic books of general interest. <br />
	<br />
	The import of new printing technologies in Nepal has created better prospects for the industry. Madhab Lal Maharjan, Chief Executive Officer of Mandala Book Point, says, “If the government gives the right kind of support, we have already built a groundwork whereby Nepal can become a book publishing hub in the SAARC region after India.” He adds, “The quality of printing in Nepal is as good as anywhere in the world.”</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong>Book Council <br />
	</strong><br />
	A committee formed to draft a policy to regulate quality of books, both local and imported, has suggested that the government form a National Book Council. According to the draft, the council will be the apex body to regulate books and the book publishing business. The committee led by Shiva Kumar Rai, member of National Planning Commission, submitted the draft to the Minister for Education Dina Nath Sharma early this year. <br />
	<br />
	The draft policy focuses on ensuring standard for both local and imported books. The committee also recommended the government to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on imported books. It is aimed to help stop piracy of books in the market. According to the policy, only the books that meet criteria prescribed in the policy can be selected for curriculum. The draft policy also allows the government to scrap license of publishers if they are found printing vulgar contents and graphics. Strict policy against low grade publications was one of the suggestions given by publishers themselves. <br />
	<br />
	NBPAN too had approached Sharma to persuade the government to come up with a policy and set guidelines to ensure flow of correct information and quality control related to writers, publishers and printers. Pandey says that even pricing must be determined especially for text books in conjunction with all stakeholders – publishers, printers, writers, readers and distributors. It is all the more important because the country is a signatory to UNESCO guidelines therefore the government must implement and stakeholders must adhere to the same. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Major Challenges <br />
	</strong><br />
	None of the successive governments has seriously thought about promoting the publishing industry. The most essential requirement of the printing and publishing industry is paper which is comparatively more expensive in Nepal than in India. Other raw materials such as ink, negatives, plates and so forth cost more too that makes books published in Nepal pricier than those published in India. <br />
	<br />
	Due to a great number of schools, colleges and universities in Nepal setting shop in recent times, the demand for quality and standard books has increased significantly. Nepali booksellers have been importing books mostly from India for long. “The government must provide subsidy on different accounts such as plates, ink and paper etc to minimise costs and facilitate the private sector,” says Pandey. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Education and Book Fairs <br />
	</strong><br />
	The 17th Nepal Education and Book Fair 2013 held earlier this year had 87 stalls and was visited by 100,000 visitors. Global Exposition and Management Services (GEMS) organised the nine-day fair at Bhrikutimandap with a theme ‘Education is the right of every child’ in collaboration with NBPAN. The fair gratified the diverse interests of the readers by showcasing books on various topics like literature, fiction, non-fiction, banking, IT and entertainment among others. <br />
	<br />
	The main objective for organizing the event was to create a common platform for school, college and university students, educational professionals, parents, educational and training institutions from home and abroad, consultants, authors, printers, publishers, booksellers, readers, distributors and the general enthusiastic public. The book fair looked at publishing, selling and exchanging books among the book lovers. <br />
	<br />
	Pandey says that NBPAN plans to take the event to an international level from next year. Meanwhile, it is also going to organise ‘Nepal Rastriya Pustak Mela’ for the first time from 20 Mangsir this year for 10 days at City Hall on Exhibition Road. With this, NBPAN will have two book fairs of its own during the year. Pandey urges that the government must recognise the industry and also participate in its book fairs to the give the industry its due exposure. <br />
	<br />
	The association has been regularly participating in an international book fair in Delhi in February titled ‘Bishwa Pustak Mela’. It also took part in a book festival in Abu Dhabi in April this year for the first time. NBPAN is going to take part in a Hong Kong book festival, also for the first time, from 17-23 July.<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1029',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
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

Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity &quot;&quot; [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context//    $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';



    if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){
$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'articles' => array(
		(int) 0 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 1 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 2 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 3 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 4 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 5 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 6 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 7 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 8 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 9 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 10 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		)
	),
	'current_user' => null,
	'logged_in' => false
)
$articles = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1527',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Home-grown Footwear Brands Breaking New Grounds',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Over the years, the number of buyers for footwear products manufactured in Nepal has registered a healthy growth, observed industry insiders. They attribute this development to advancements in manufacturing technology, delivery of quality products and meeting consumer expectations.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market is witnessing a change in the buying pattern of customers in recent times. Slowly but surely, more number of people are beginning to get used to different brands of shoes produced locally, in an apparent departure from their love for foreign branded products earlier. &ldquo;We had to convince hard to sell our products to the customers a few years ago. However, things stand changed today as they have started to trust Nepal-made shoes which have made our job easier,&rdquo; said a salesperson at a leading shoes store.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic footwear industries that manufactured mostly leather products for long have also started to produce sports and casual shoes among others. Manufacturers opined that the buyers&rsquo; increasing confidence in them encouraged them to diversify their product portfolio. &ldquo;We are about to install a new plant to manufacture ladies footwear and also looking to expand the product line-up in the casual and sports series,&rdquo; said a leading manufacturer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Retailers too believed that consumers who preferred foreign brands earlier are increasingly shifting towards &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Leading Brands&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Shikhar Shoes claims the company&rsquo;s production output is close to 300,000 pairs of shoes annually. The company said that the domestic market consumes all that it manufactures. The company is planning to roll out a new premium brand targeting high-end customers in the near future. However, it depends on the results of a feasibility study it is carrying out. Products from Shikhar Shoes are priced in the range of Rs 350 to Rs 4,000. One of the largest manufacturers in the domestic market, business for Shikhar Shoes has been overwhelming in the past couple of years as it has been able to deliver quality products at affordable prices. The company has installed a new technology for the first time in Nepal called the &lsquo;Conveyor System&rsquo; that enables production of large quantity while reducing time for manufacturing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Base Footwear, another prominent player in the domestic market that manufactures BF Dear Hill footwear products, has been witnessing huge success. A manager at the company said, &ldquo;Most multi-brand retail outlets in the country now proudly feature domestic footwear products.&rdquo; He claimed that the company&rsquo;s annual production is around 200,000 pairs. Its products are in the price range of Rs 450 to Rs 3,500. Base Footwear manufactures products ranging from school and college shoes to party shoes, casual shoes and sports shoes. The company has recently started manufacturing football boots as well. BF Dear Hill, the first Nepali footwear brand to receive international standard certification 9001:2008, is also enjoying good business by luring customers with its fashionable, comfortable and durable products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Goldstar has become a household name in Nepal. This brand was launched after a studied research of the market. Foot specialists and experts working with various shoe companies were brought as consultants to design the product and draw up a business plan. Experts were unanimous in their beliefs that given the often-difficult terrain in most parts of Nepal, a shoe had to be sturdy, light and cheap. The company believes that there has been a massive shift in the acceptance of the domestic products, which is a positive sign for the industry. It claims that its annual output of over eight million pairs of shoes is not adequate to meet the demand from the market. While 70 per cent of Goldstar shoes are exported to India, the rest is sold in the domestic market.&rdquo; Goldstar aims to increase its export potential to a number of countries and is a proud recipient of the &lsquo;Best Exporter Award&rsquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Challenges&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Despite the reasonable penetration in the domestic footwear market, stakeholders said that various problems had prevented the domestic footwear industry from making faster progress. They pointed out issues like unfair customs duty on raw materials and unavailability of skilled labour among others. Domestically, manufactured products have the potential to outshine foreign products if the government provides them appropriate support, they said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The flooding of the market with low-quality and cheap Chinese products is wearing out the scope for the Nepali footwear industry. Stakeholders claimed this is primarily due to the porous border and lack of strong policies.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Because of unfair customs duty &mdash; high on raw materials and low on shoe import &mdash; production of Nepali shoes turn out to be more expensive. This has compelled customers to think twice before buying home manufactured shoes,&rdquo; said an official of the Leather Footwear and Goods Manufacturers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (LFGMAN). Around 70 per cent of raw materials for shoes made in Nepal are imported from India, China, Thailand and Taiwan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialists claimed that apart from the open border and duplicate products, labour problem has hit the industry hard. Manufacturers said that they face threats from the labours and their respective trade unions regularly. While the industry is growing steadily despite the workforce crisis, such threats certainly hamper the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Way Forward&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Withstanding a number of challenges, the Nepali footwear industry is still emerging as a promising business sector &mdash; growing at an annual rate of 15 per cent. Latest fashionable designs coupled with fine craftsmanship have led to domestic shoes starting to offer an alternative for international brands in the market that cost way expensive. Besides, of course, some Nepali manufacturers have started to explore the potential of exporting &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products to the international market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The customers&rsquo; attraction towards Nepali footwear products is on the rise and the market has been consistently registering increase in demand. This has encouraged existing manufacturers to maintain quality while the number of new manufacturers too has increased significantly. There are 500 shoe manufacturers in the country and 10 medium scale footwear industries. According to LFGMAN, Nepali footwear products account for 60 per cent of the total shoe market in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the economy is experiencing a difficult phase currently, local shoe manufacturers see a bright future for the industry provided they receive adequate support and a good platform to market their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FOOTWEAR BRANDS" src="/userfiles/images/fOOTWEAR%20BRANDS1.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 327px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-30',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Footwear products manufactured and branded in Nepal have marketed their products aggressively over the last few years and ensured a considerable share of the footwear market in Nepal.',
			'sortorder' => '1388',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1479',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Hydropower Developers Pursue Favourable PDA',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The hydropower promoters of the private sector have designed a template for the Project Development Agreement (PDA) and handed it over to the government. They have said that this draft reflects their concerns. Earlier, the Ministry of Energy had prepared a PDA template a year ago, meant for hydropower projects of below 500 MW capacity. The private sector wants that revised.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have submitted a PDA draft by incorporating the concerns of the private sector,&rdquo; said Dr Subarna Das Shrestha, President of Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association, Nepal (IPPAN). He added, &ldquo;We hope that the government will incorporate the suggestions of the private sector while finalising the PDA template it is developing on its own.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bishwa Prakash Pandit, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy (MoE), while receiving the PDA draft prepared by IPPAN, said, &ldquo;The PDA draft will be finalised bearing in mind the concerns of the hydropower promoters and national interest.&rdquo; He further added that the PDA draft will be developed in a manner which will be helpful to attract foreign investment.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, the Investment Board (IB) Nepal said a PDA template is being worked out which will have provisions requiring the hydropower promoters to pay compensation for failing to meet project deadline. The provisions in the PDA template will also require hydropower promoters to give due attention to environmental concerns and provide employment to locals among other things.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Negotiations with Hydropower Developers&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	While the MoE plans to start PDA negotiations with hydropower developers building projects below 500 MW, the IB has been conducting PDA negotiations with three foreign power developers. Even though the MoE had made a PDA draft for hydropower projects below 500 MW and tried to start negotiations with the concerned hydropower developers, the process was stalled after most of the developers expressed reservations over the PDA draft. The developers had then said that it was not a sound proposition technically as well as financially.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier, two separate PDA templates were prepared to hold negotiations with hydropower developers &mdash; one made by the MoE for hydropower projects below 500 MW and the other made by the IB for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the MoE was instructed to use the PDA template formulated by the IB. The MoE then started to prepare the same PDA template for hydropower projects below 500 MW capacity, confirmed Keshav Dhoj Adhikary, Head of the PDA negotiation committee at the MoE. The PDA negotiation committee formed by the MoE comprises representatives from the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Law and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Six Applicants of Below 500 MW</strong></div>
<div>
	As of the third week of March this year, a total of six hydropower projects with a collective capacity of 1,130 MW had applied to the Department of Electricity Development (DoED) for the PDA. The six projects are namely Middle Bhote Koshi &ndash; I (40 MW), Upper Marsyangdi &ndash; A (50 MW), Kali Gandaki Gorge (164 MW), Upper Trishuli &ndash; A (216 MW), Budhi Gandaki &ndash; II (260 MW) and Lower Arun (400 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the six PDA applicants, Upper Trishuli &ndash; A is the first to pay the PDA fee while submitting the required documents. As per the PDA Procedure 2013, hydropower developers have to pay US$ 1,500 per MW as processing fee to sign the PDA. If the government refuses to sign the agreement even after the payment of the fee, the amount has to be refunded.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The PDA is a vital contract between the government and the investors. The government assures the investors, through the agreement, that it would avert all possible social, economic and policy-level uncertainties during the construction phase of projects. Generally, issues related to taxes, licence period, free energy, royalty, repatriation rights and parties&rsquo; obligations are included in the PDA.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>PDA for Big Hydro Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	The secretariat of the Investment Board expedited finalisation of the PDAs for four mega-hydropower projects earlier this year. It was expected to provide a much needed impetus to enable negotiations on four priority projects that have a combined capacity to produce 3000 MW of electricity. The four mega hydro projects are namely Upper Marsyangdi (600 MW), Tamakoshi &ndash; III (650 MW), Upper Karnali (900 MW) and Arun &ndash; III (900 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	NIB, which was established more than a year ago to expedite the implementation of mega-projects including hydropower (above 500 MW) in a fast-track mode, is developing a PDA template with the help of Herbert Smith, a legal advisor based in London.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Uniform PDA for All Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	As stated earlier, there were two separate PDA templates made by the MoE and the IB to hold negotiations respectively with hydropower developers of below 500 MW and for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the government later decided to have a uniform PDA template while negotiating with the foreign companies developing hydro power projects of all capacities.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With this decision taken earlier this year, the IB and the MoE planned to negotiate with foreign developers on the basis of a single PDA model. The MoE then said that it will negotiate with foreign developers of less than 500 MW capacity on the basis of the PDA template prepared by the IB. As per the IB Act, hydropower plants with a capacity of 500 MW and above came under the board&rsquo;s purview.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The ministry said a uniform PDA model was to be brought into effect to prevent any confusion and prejudice while dealing with the various power developers. It concluded that since both the MoE and the IB were dealing with foreign hydro power developers, there was no need for two different models of PDA. It led the MoE to form a committee to synchronise the two PDA templates and begin negotiations with developers which meet the criteria.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It further clarified that despite the PDA template being the same, there might be separate provisions for different projects based on their respective capacity, volume of investment and number of beneficiaries.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It must be noted that after the formation of the IB over one-and-a-half years ago, the government entrusted it with developing large hydropower projects above 500 MW while the MoE was assigned hydropower projects of less than 500 MW capacity.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Experts said that Nepal has an opportunity to bring in US$ 6 billion in foreign direct investment, create new opportunities for Nepali businesses and the Nepali labour force. Taking concrete steps to unlock the country&rsquo;s vast hydro potential and solve the load shedding problem is expected to address Nepal&rsquo;s biggest obstacle to investment, business development and economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="List of Issued Survey Licenses (Above 200 MW)" src="/userfiles/images/survey%20license.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-23',
			'modified' => '2013-07-24',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Private sector hydropower promoters have suggested the government to develop a Project Development Agreement (PDA) template that is acceptable to banks, meets international standards and is immune to changes in the law.',
			'sortorder' => '1340',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1416',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Safety Helmets For Two-wheelers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	A salesgirl taking out a helmet for a customer at Tripureshwor based Vicky Auto Parts. The company&rsquo;s Managing Director Sajjan Jajodia informed that his store sells helmets in the price range of Rs 700 to Rs 6,000.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Photo: Rukesh Shrestha/TC</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>By Pinaki Roy</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	In the current financial year 2069-2070 BS, an estimated 180,000 two-wheelers have been sold in the Nepali market, industry analysts said. This sales figure is attributed to people&rsquo;s growing desire to enhance mobility and save time in addition to the fact that two-wheelers also help its riders in negotiating narrow alleys.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Safety Rider</strong><br />
	<br />
	Every two-wheeler that gets sold in the market also opens the possibility of sales of safety helmets. &ldquo;Looking from a safety perspective, it is recommended that riders use full helmets,&rdquo; a trader said. However, in the Nepali market, the consumption of helmets that cost cheaper is more than the helmets that provides complete protection of the head. &ldquo;Only about 10 per cent of helmet buyers look for such safe helmets,&rdquo; he added. These helmets are manufactured keeping in mind regulated standards and thus cost more. The decline in demand for quality helmets has forced traders to import cheaper and stylish products to cater to the market. Even though safety is the primary reason for wearing helmets, traders said that most riders do not change their helmets till the time they get completely damaged.<br />
	<br />
	Bharat Tibrewala, Director of MRD Auto, said, &ldquo;There is a lack of awareness as most people wear helmets only for the fear of traffic police and not for safety.&rdquo; He added that helmets provide safety to both the rider and the pillion rider and people must look to buy quality helmets. MRD Auto has around 40-50 vendors across Nepal who sell its helmets that cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500. Sajjan Jajodia, the Managing Director of Vicky Auto Parts and Vaani Auto Trade, said, &ldquo;We currently sell around 30 pieces of helmets daily.&rdquo; He informed that his company sells Index, Aaron, Vstar and STM brands of helmets among others.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Imported Lot</strong><br />
	<br />
	Most helmet brands that sell in Nepal are imported from countries like India, China, Thailand and Malaysia. There are a few quality brands too available in the market that are manufactured in European countries. Some Nepal made helmets, which are manufactured in the country after importing raw materials from India, have also gained popularity in the market in recent times. Traders claim that the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost comparatively lesser than their imported counterparts. STM, Index, MRC, Avex, AMG, Aaron, BM and Snell are some of the more popular brands in the Nepali market while a few European brands such as Held and RPM are also available in the stores.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Price Range</strong><br />
	<br />
	Depending on quality and design, helmets available in the Nepali market cost anything from Rs 500 to Rs 12,000. While the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost in the price range of Rs 500 to Rs 1,500, the ones imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500 on an average. Kathmandu Valley alone has over 350 helmet shops and there is a total investment of around Rs 1 billion in the trade. While even a small store attracts a minimum investment of Rs 500,000, traders said there are stores in the Valley that have opened with investments of Rs 4 million or more.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Variety Galore</strong><br />
	<br />
	People use helmets according to their age, gender, profession and income, observed traders. Women mostly wear half-helmets and cap-helmets while young men usually fancy wearing full helmets. Similarly, male riders pursuing professional careers are more inclined towards half helmets. Two-wheeler riders, who are comparatively well-off, change helmets according to the season &ndash; wearing full helmets during the winter while using half-helmets or cap-helmets in the summer. The two-wheeler model also determines the choice of helmet with people riding scooters wearing half-helmets or cap-helmets while those riding sporty motorbikes wearing full helmets.<br />
	Business Challenge<br />
	<br />
	Traders dealing with helmets said their sales have dropped to 50 per cent over the last few years despite that fact that the sales of two-wheelers have continued to grow. It is because a number of motorcycle distributors provide helmet free with two-wheelers these days. Traffic Police in the capital had made helmets compulsory for pillion riders, along with the motorbike rider, in 2008. Due to the rule, helmet sales was at its peak around that time, however, the sales of helmets was hit hard ever since the rule was scrapped almost three years ago. The helmet sales was further hit after the dealers of two-wheelers started doling out free helmets with every purchase.<br />
	A trader mentioned that since some of the companies provide helmets free of cost, the customers buy fresh helmets only after the older one becomes useless. Traders further said that a drop in sales of reconditioned bikes has also affected helmet sales. &ldquo;It is become increasingly difficult to survive by selling helmets alone.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-15',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.',
			'sortorder' => '1278',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1379',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Furnex Nepal 2013',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	The Furniture and Furnishing Expo (Furnex) 2013 expo will exhibit and display home &amp; office furniture; dining, kitchen, bathroom furniture &amp; appliances; outdoor furniture; flooring &amp; furnishing; steel &amp; wooden railing; wooden &amp; aluminum windows &amp; doors, partition, false ceiling among others. The participating companies will also have plywood, boards, laminates; furniture machinery tools/fittings &amp; fabricators; tiles, marbles, granite; upholstered, mattresses, cushions, mats; paints, wallpapers; adhesives, interior items during the five-day event.</p>
<p>
	All in all, Furnex Nepal 2013 will provide a single platform for buyers and sellers, informed Kabindra Joshi, Spokesperson of the expo and General Secretary of NFFA. He added that all the leading furniture producers of the country will be participating in the expo along with some foreign brands. A total of 59 stalls will be erected for the expo in an area of 11,000 sqm, “While 57 of them will be housed in the exhibition hall of Bhrikuti Mandap, another two stalls will be provided space outside the hall,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The expo promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market. “We look to inform the visitors at the expo about the usefulness of the products along with pricing, maintenance and other related information,” Joshi told.</p>
<p>
	The visitors at the expo will be given valuable information on how to choose products to suit their needs. Confirmed participants for the expo include Furniture Land, Index Furniture and S B Furniture among foreign brands. As for the local brands, Alpha Interiors, Wood N Style, Sann Furniture, Bira Furniture, Yeti Carpet, Yeti Polymer, S T Carpet, Duro Mattress and Darling Mattress among others have already confirmed participation.&nbsp;</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013" height="379" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgnwfIx78Og/UdvLmo_XGGI/AAAAAAAABAg/DAMTi-j-5mM/s640/furnex2.jpg" width="500" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<b>Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013</b></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong>Expo Expectations&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	The organisers are expecting to attract 5,000 official and 150,000 general visitors at Furnex Nepal 2013. “We are organising the event with the aim of making it a branding expo. Hence, there will be no emphasis on sales during the event,” Joshi stated. He said that the importers, manufacturers and government functionaries will be brought together to ensure a conducive environment for the benefit of the industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers will also conduct seminars at the expo to create an important platform for stakeholders, industrialists and general public to interact, said Joshi. He added that the event will be emphasising on Nepali products and become instrumental in popularising furniture produced by local craftsmen.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Imported Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	A whopping 60 per cent of the furniture and furnishing products available in Nepal are imported. The imported goods include flooring, furnishing (except carpets), furniture and décor items. “While imports have swelled over the years, domestic production is declining on a consistent basis,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	While overpopulation due to excessive migration of people to different urban centres in Nepal has resulted in increased demand for more furniture, domestic manufacturers have not been able to supply the market demand. “The decline in domestic production has not stopped people from buying furniture and hence, traders are increasingly depending on imported products to meet the market demand,” Joshi reasoned.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Manufacturers allege that lack of skilled craftsmen, power cuts, non-availability of raw materials and absence of a favourable government policy are among the reasons why domestic production has declined. They said, “We need a proper government mechanism to help us boost our industry.” They added that the volatile political environment of the country too has hit them hard.</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee" height="208" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hmrWIPyoJPY/UdvLlmMOL3I/AAAAAAAABAQ/Y5gUraqXA80/s958/furnex.jpg" width="550" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<strong>Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee addressing a press conference last year</strong></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong style="font-size: 12px;">Future Prospects&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	An investment of Rs 20 billion has already been made in the domestic furniture and furnishing industry, Joshi stated. He added, “We have a strategy to propose the government and bring its attention to the industry and give it its due treatment.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Apart from the cultural and historical significances, traditional furniture industry can also be a considerable boost to the economy of the country if it is run smoothly. “If it is possible, why not provide a boost to the local industry and keep the money in the country,” said Joshi. He added that the domestic manufacturers, if encouraged and treated properly, have the potential to export in addition to fulfilling local demand.</p>
<p>
	“The furniture and furnishing industry can look forward to have better days ahead,” claimed Joshi, “Because these items have become necessities today and are not luxury anymore.” He said that housing &amp; real estate, residences, office complexes, hotels &amp; restaurants, schools &amp; colleges and development projects are the booming sectors for the furniture and furnishing industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Furnex 2013, the five-day Furniture and Furnishing Expo in its second year, will kick off at Bhrikuti Mandap on 25 September. The branding exhibition, also the first of its kind in the country, is being organised to uplift and give exposure to domestic as well as imported products. The event, organised in 2012 for the first time, met with reasonable success and NFFA hopes to fare better this year.</p>
<p>
	“Encouraged by the overwhelmingly response of the participants last year, we planned to make it an annual event,” said Joshi, “We have gained experience during Furnex 2012 and hope it will come handy in organising the event this year.” Furnex 2013 hopes to attract homemakers and other potential buyers looking for furniture and furnishing products, along with hoteliers, industrialists, business entrepreneurs, students, and interior designers during the event.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers are hoping that, at the expo, customers will become familiar with quality and variety of locally manufactured furniture, eventually encouraging them to use locally produced items.</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-09',
			'modified' => '2013-09-04',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Furnex 2013 promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market.',
			'sortorder' => '1241',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1293',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'The Sportswear Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	R etailing of sportswear products in Nepal has been growing due to the rise in income, changing lifestyle, and consumer preferences. “People are getting more health conscious and also getting increasingly interested in sporting activities which augurs well for sportswear business,” said Deepak Bista, Executive Director of Sports Universe, a sports goods store at New Baneshwor. Bista, also a former Olympian, added, “People coming to my store go back satisfied because the products here are of good quality and reasonably priced.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	To conduct sportswear business, not too long ago, was quite difficult as people were not as brand conscious as they are today. “It is disappointing to see at times that today’s kids are getting more inclined towards electronic gadgets than into sporting activities,” said Rahul Agrawal, Owner of Nike Store, “We must ensure that the sporting culture in our country retains its value.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Increasing Brand Literacy&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	However, aided by media like Internet and television, brand literacy rate has gone up. As a result, transaction volume of sportswear sales has considerably gone up in the span of the last few years. The ever increasing popularity of sporting activities along with the growing interest in sports such as football, cricket, martial arts and tennis among others has contributed to the growth of functional sportswear market in the country of late.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Major Players&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Roots Fashion, the authorised seller of Adidas in Nepal, has its showrooms mostly featuring sportswear including shoes, track suits, swimming costumes and T-shirts. Adidas showrooms also stocks caps, socks, bags, slippers, basketballs, footballs and hand bands and Adidas’ casual line. The brand enjoys enormous popularity among brand-conscious people in Kathmandu, and as a result, the company expanded its network in the country. Established in 2000, Roots Fashion maintains exclusive Adidas outlets at Durbar Marg, Kumaripati, Tripureshwor, City Centre, Putali Sadak and New Road.</p>
<p>
	Avenue Marketing, authorised distributor of Nike for Nepal, sells exclusive range of shoes from the American clothing and sport equipment giant. The company also has the latest line of jogging, lifestyle, tennis, football and basketball shoes from Nike Store at Durbar Marg. “We introduce the best designs and quality products to cater to the demand of our customers,” said Agrawal. While clothes at Nike Store are priced between Rs 900 and Rs 4,000, the shoes are in the range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000.</p>
<p>
	Nike Store at Durbarmarg has been in operation for the last 11 years, informed Agrawal, “In recent times, the currency depreciation of Nepali Rupee vis-à-vis the US Dollar has us in a spot of bother as it makes the products dearer for the customers.” It is worth mentioning here that distributors of various sportswear brands in Nepal import their products from different parts of the world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal, a franchise store of the popular Chinese sports brand Anta, sells its products from its outlets at Jyatha, near Thamel which was the first Anta store opened in September 2011; Anta Building, Bhatbhateni; Saraswoti Nagar, Kapan; Dillibazaar and Sohrakhutte. The company came up with an aggressive expansion plan after witnessing a huge demand for its products. It has now opened new showrooms at Anta Tower, Durbarmarg; KL Tower, Chuchchepati; Jawalakhel, Lalitpur; and Pipalbot, Boudha and plans to expand to Pokhara and Biratnagar. Anta Sports Nepal claims to have a large number of repeat customers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The store also updates its collection multiple times a year and keeps its customers informed about the merchandise, new arrivals, events, locations and discounts. The store offers a large selection of professional, functional and fashionable apparel, footwear and accessories in running, cross training, outdoor, basketball, tennis, futsal, football, casual and lifestyle series.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	After ruling Nepali taekwondo for more than a decade, Deepak Bista forayed into business by opening Sports Universe, a sports goods showroom, at New Baneshwar earlier this year. He is one of four partners with equal shares in Sports Universe and credits one of the partners, with inspiring him to enter into business. “We sell sports accessories to players and sports institutions including schools and colleges,” said Bista. The store has a mix of various brands and sporting equipments under a single roof.</p>
<p>
	<strong><img alt="Sports Goods Showrooms" height="228" hspace="25" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qa6xctpTfX0/UdKAdZBhvgI/AAAAAAAAApg/1KWt_T5ybBQ/s600/sports.JPG" width="600" /><br />
	</strong></p>
<p>
	<strong>Secret of Success&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Reebok, a popular sportswear brand sold in Nepal by Sports Plaza, has been constantly working at diversifying its product range and to provide better options for customers. To serve this purpose, it introduced a range called ´classical´ to provide wider options to both men and women who look for ´American-inspired global product´. Reebok stores feature T-shirts, trousers, footwear, shorts and different accessories like caps, socks, summer shawls, among others. The Reebok store at Durbarmarg has wide varieties of apparels and footwear with classical looks because every year the company tweaks its designs so as to diversify its product range and provide better options for customers.</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal said its focus is mainly on customer service. “We are looking to establish a brand name on account of our reasonable pricing and quality service,” said a store attendant. Venturing in a market where top international sports brands had already made their mark was not easy. “It was very competitive to begin with but we have got a foothold in the market now with such a large collection of both men’s and women’s apparel in addition to footwear and accessories.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Counterfeit Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Even though these stores claim to have sizeable loyal customer base, they said adding new costumers is still a tough job due to easy availability of counterfeit products. Unorganised players imitate product styles, brand logos and names, which adversely impacts the brand equity and sales brands. Although the future looks promising for the Nepali sportswear market, the industry still has a number of challenges to face including counterfeiting which is one of the biggest challenges sportswear brands are facing in Nepal today.</p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-02',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'With more people taking up sports and exercise regimes in recent years, the popularity of sportswear has
been increasing in the country. The phenomenon is fast catching up due to increased brand consciousness.',
			'sortorder' => '1155',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1207',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Sales Of Watches On The Downtrend',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:WordDocument>
  <w:View>Normal</w:View>
  <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
  <w:TrackMoves/>
  <w:TrackFormatting/>
  <w:PunctuationKerning/>
  <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
  <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
  <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
  <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
  <w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
  <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
  <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
  <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
  <w:Compatibility>
   <w:BreakWrappedTables/>
   <w:SnapToGridInCell/>
   <w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
   <w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
   <w:DontGrowAutofit/>
   <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
   <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
   <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
   <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
   <w:Word11KerningPairs/>
   <w:CachedColBalance/>
  </w:Compatibility>
  <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
  <m:mathPr>
   <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
   <m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
   <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
   <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
   <m:dispDef/>
   <m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
   <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
   <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
   <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
  </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></p>
<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
  DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
  LatentStyleCount="267">
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
 </w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
 /* Style Definitions */
 table.MsoNormalTable
	{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
	mso-style-noshow:yes;
	mso-style-priority:99;
	mso-style-qformat:yes;
	mso-style-parent:"";
	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
	mso-para-margin-top:0in;
	mso-para-margin-right:0in;
	mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
	mso-para-margin-left:0in;
	line-height:115%;
	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
	font-size:11.0pt;
	font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
	mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
	mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0PMAZDS3uc4/Uc_ydZl_D6I/AAAAAAAAAbs/SVTflD5vL5g/h120/Watches.bmp" width="212" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The business of watches that was doing well till about a few years ago, has started to decline over the past few years. Industry insiders claim that the market of wrist watches that was registering a drop in business by 5-10 per cent yearly has its sales figures down by nearly 40 per cent since last Dashain.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">T here is a diverse array of watches available in the Nepali market now-a-days, from low cost watches to high end Swiss-made watches. There are hundreds of watch brands having their presence in the market with a prominent few doing decent business. However, traders rue that the market is going through an absolute low with most companies involved in the distribution and retailing of wrist watches barely managing to survive in the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Difficult Times </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Traders say the industry has not registered expected growth over a period of last few years with sales of watches facing a steady decline of 5-10 per cent on an annual basis. “The situation has become particularly grim since last Dashain and the sales of watches are down by almost 40 per cent,” says Pankaj Jhunjhunwala, the young CEO of Swiss International, the first watch showroom in Kathmandu that opened way back in 1965. He adds that the government initiative to promote business environment in the country is sorely missing. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wzZ_CYfE7so/Uc_5AXW-uvI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Zn1Q9vcIXEk/h120/Watch+1.bmp" width="233" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Sunil Kumar Agrawal of Nepal Trade Network echoed the sentiment saying that the market for wrist watches is currently down because of an unfavourable business environment in the country. “Money is not coming into the market resulting in a lack of cash movement in the country.” He adds that political stability can help turn things around and revitalise the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Various Brands </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Him Electronics, Regency Watch, Sulux Centre, Nepal Trade Network and Swiss International are the leading distributors of wrist watches in Nepal dealing in famous brands such as Timex, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Rado, Raymond Weil, Victorinox, Tissot, Omega, Rado, Cartier, Chopard Breitling, Baume, Mercier, Titan, Fastrack, Sonata, Corum, Titoni, Longines, Enicar, Roamer, Olma and Police among others. <br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IZgOrCD2hs0/Uc_6PBFWXfI/AAAAAAAAAcY/_2zevOa0iuc/h120/Watch+3.bmp" width="89" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">While there are brands that are distributed by more than one trader, Jhunjhunwala points out that there is a difference in buying products from an old distributor vis-à-vis a new one. “People know us for almost 50 years now and the goodwill certainly holds us in good stead,” he says. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Vantage Point </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Most of the showrooms for watches were located in New Road and Bishal Bazaar earlier. However, the leading showrooms have shifted base to Durbarmarg. Jhunjhunwala justifies this shift in location, “We moved our showroom to Durbarmarg keeping in mind the market allocation.” He said that Durbarmarg serves as an appropriate location for showrooms of wrist watches because of the segment of people that frequent the area. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Target Market </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala says that his company targets all Nepali locals as its target clientele. “A lot of people, particularly the members of the business community are well travelled and hence, are exposed to brands worldwide.” He adds that from a marketer’s perspective, selling wrist watches is about managing the brands better. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Titan Watches entered the Nepali market in 1997; however, Nepal Trade Network that currently distributes Titan watches in Nepal is in its 9th year of operation. The company has three exclusive showrooms and around 40 retail outlets in the country. Agrawal says that the company targets everyone who is capable of buying a watch. Titan has watches ranging in price from Rs 2,000 to Rs 40,000 while its sub-brand Fastrack has watches in the price range of Rs 1,200 – Rs 9,000 targeted at the youth. Another sub-brand Sonata is targeted at the lower segment and its watches cost between Rs 600 and Rs 3,000. His store also sells Real Gold Watches (Nebula series) from Titan between the price range of Rs 100,000 and Rs 400,000 targeted at the upper segment. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Young people are buying watches more as fashion statements than necessities, observes a retailer. “Fashion is the driving factor for a lot of people to buy watches,” says Agrawal. “Factors like the model, brand name and the cost of the watch itself come into consideration afterwards.” A section of people buy separate watches to go with party wear as well as casual and formal attires while there are some who go for watches in the contemporary category. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The Gender Shift </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala opines that the women in Nepal are coming into their own of late and are willing to purchase more. While the ratio of watch models for women vis-à-vis men at his store stood at a dismal 20:80 not too long ago, it has jumped to a significant 35:65 in recent times. “It is a reflection of the changing times with women becoming more brand conscious and having a sound mind to purchase in comparison to men.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> <img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oQ8utq_2EFo/Uc_5eEIPRqI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Pd-IO5tAxHU/h120/Watch+2.bmp" width="128" /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal too says that there is a surge in the number of watch models for women. His store at Durbarmarg that sells Titan, Fastrack and Sonata watches has a ratio of 40:60 for women’s watches in comparison to men’s. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Ray of Hope </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Industry watchers claim that the purchasing power of the general public has gone down and that has hit hard the sales of high end as well as low cost watches. “People are simply not willing to spend money in the prevailing situation, they are conserving right now.” He added that the people are not open minded to spend and blamed it on the political uncertainly in the country. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Distributors and traders of watches agree in unison that a stable political environment in the country will help the economy improve and turnaround their business fortunes as well. Willingness to spend money is the key to rejuvenate the market which can only come with a sense of security among the country’s denizens, they say. “There is hope despite the current lull. We are keeping our fingers crossed and staying positive about the future,” Jhunjhunwala remarks. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal reasons that watch is an essential commodity and therefore, the sale of wrist watches will ultimately pick up even though it is going through a quiet period. The industry is hoping that the market will get better around Dashain this year and the overall situation will improve considerable in a couple of years’ time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-30',
			'modified' => '2013-06-30',
			'keywords' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of n',
			'description' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1069',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1202',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dragonair Awarded ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Dragonair has been voted ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’ in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards programme for the third time. No other airline has achieved this feat since this category was added to the awards in 2010, says a press release from the airline. Dragonair was also named ‘Best Regional Airline in Asia’ in the same survey. <br />
	<br />
	“It is a great honour to receive such recognition from travellers, and on behalf of Dragonair, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for us,” said Patrick Yeung, Dragonair Chief Executive Officer. Similarly, Cathay Pacific Airways has been awarded the ‘World’s Best Cabin Staff’ and ‘Best Transpacific Airline’ honours in the programme. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar represented the airline to collect the awards at the ceremony.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1064',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1200',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Qatar Best Business Class In The World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Qatar Airways received three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on June 18. The Airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. <br />
	“ These awards are highly rewarding as they are judiciously voted by passengers, a true account of the overall experience felt by customers who have travelled with the airline,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, speaking after the awards ceremony. <br />
	<br />
	Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate testament for excellence in the airline industry. Travellers from over 160 countries take part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1062',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1194',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'GHT And Tara Air To Promote Tourism Destinations',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP) and Tara Air have signed an agreement to promote tourism destinations within Nepal. With support of SNV Nepal and funding by the UK Department for International D e v e l o p m e n t DFID / UKAid, the GHTDP aims to help channel tourists and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, and benefit the mountain communities. Tara Air will play its role in improving accessibility to remote hilly and mountain regions. <br />
	<br />
	“We believe that tourism plays a significant role in rural economy. Tara Air is the only means of transportation to some of the remotest regions. ‘Helping Develop Rural Nepal’, the Slogan of Tara Air, lives up to its promise,’’ said Umesh Chandra Rai, General Manager, Tara Air. <br />
	Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader said, “The Great Himalaya Trail is a remarkable adventure product and we are hopeful that this partnership will most certainly help to improve the overall tourism industry by attracting tourists to new, off-the beaten-track destinations and thereby benefitting the local communities’’.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1056',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1192',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Etihad Tops Skytrax First Class Awards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Etihad Airways has swept the Skytrax World Airline Awards’ First Class category, receiving all three awards for the second year in a row. The Airways took home the title of Best First Class for the fourth consecutive year, as well as top honours for Best First Class Seats and Best First Class Catering. The awards, which are voted on by travellers from more than 160 countries, were presented at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony on June 18 at the Paris Air Show. “It is a huge accomplishment to take home the top honours in every First Class category again, underlining our leading premium product proposition,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer in the event. “We are elevating the travel experience by bringing the best of hospitality to every touch point in the journey,” he added.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1054',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1166',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Books Selling And Publishing Business',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong>The increase in literacy rate has the books selling and publishing business of Nepal expanding substantially over the last decade or so. There are 8,000 booksellers of different scale in Nepal while the book trade and publishing industry employs over 100,000 people today.</strong><br />
	<strong><br />
	By Pinaki Roy<br />
	</strong><br />
	The 8,000 odd booksellers of Nepal deal in academic, professional, general and reference books along with the usual textbooks meant for schools, colleges and universities. Textbooks of all standards from school to university form the biggest chunk of the business. Quite naturally, all booksellers and publishers in Nepal focus on this segment. “As much as 90 per cent of the business revolves around selling text books for different levels,” says Likhat Prasad Pandey, Secretary General of National Booksellers and Publishers Association of Nepal (NBPAN). <br />
	<br />
	Textbooks’ selling takes place from Baishakh (mid April – mid May) to the middle of Jestha (end of May), also dubbed as the ‘school season’, Pandey informs. He adds that the publishers ready themselves for this season beforehand by completing the printing work of textbooks. “For the rest of the year, we have to largely depend on academic, fiction and non-fiction books which sell round the year, however, their business volume is much smaller compared to the textbooks,” he says. <br />
	<br />
	Nepal’s book publishing industry is growing at a sound rate every year. The dependence on Indian books for schools and colleges has reduced considerably over the years. While government textbooks are published by state-owned Janak Sikshya Samagri Kendra, the course books used in private schools are published by private booksellers locally. Publishers claim to also have the capacity of supplying books for the 10+2 level. <br />
	<br />
	There is also a great demand for reference and general books. Competition in the education sector has resulted in better teaching and learning requirements. The fact that reference and general books are additional sources of knowledge has helped the book market to expand. Booksellers attribute the surge in business to increasing literacy rate that has given rise to a growing number of readers and publishers alike. <br />
	<br />
	Bhrikuti Pustak Tatha Masalanda Bhandar at Exhibition Road mostly imports and sells foreign books. “Knowledge must not be confined in boundaries,” Pandey, who owns the enterprise says, “As per UNESCO, there must be free flow of books with no taxes and barriers whatsoever.” He informs that a number of local universities in Nepal prescribe 90 per cent of the books in the curriculum that are foreign-originated. Most books come from the UK, the USA and India. Most British and American publishers have their offices in India. The British and American books prescribed by the schools and colleges are reprinted in India and thus cost less. <br />
	<br />
	<strong>Publishing Hub <br />
	</strong><br />
	The decade-long conflict in Nepal compelled booksellers to diversify their trade, as it was difficult for them to sustain solely on tourist and general books. As new universities came into being one after another and better learning opportunities were created in schools and colleges, they quickly diverted their focus to academic books of general interest. <br />
	<br />
	The import of new printing technologies in Nepal has created better prospects for the industry. Madhab Lal Maharjan, Chief Executive Officer of Mandala Book Point, says, “If the government gives the right kind of support, we have already built a groundwork whereby Nepal can become a book publishing hub in the SAARC region after India.” He adds, “The quality of printing in Nepal is as good as anywhere in the world.”</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong>Book Council <br />
	</strong><br />
	A committee formed to draft a policy to regulate quality of books, both local and imported, has suggested that the government form a National Book Council. According to the draft, the council will be the apex body to regulate books and the book publishing business. The committee led by Shiva Kumar Rai, member of National Planning Commission, submitted the draft to the Minister for Education Dina Nath Sharma early this year. <br />
	<br />
	The draft policy focuses on ensuring standard for both local and imported books. The committee also recommended the government to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on imported books. It is aimed to help stop piracy of books in the market. According to the policy, only the books that meet criteria prescribed in the policy can be selected for curriculum. The draft policy also allows the government to scrap license of publishers if they are found printing vulgar contents and graphics. Strict policy against low grade publications was one of the suggestions given by publishers themselves. <br />
	<br />
	NBPAN too had approached Sharma to persuade the government to come up with a policy and set guidelines to ensure flow of correct information and quality control related to writers, publishers and printers. Pandey says that even pricing must be determined especially for text books in conjunction with all stakeholders – publishers, printers, writers, readers and distributors. It is all the more important because the country is a signatory to UNESCO guidelines therefore the government must implement and stakeholders must adhere to the same. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Major Challenges <br />
	</strong><br />
	None of the successive governments has seriously thought about promoting the publishing industry. The most essential requirement of the printing and publishing industry is paper which is comparatively more expensive in Nepal than in India. Other raw materials such as ink, negatives, plates and so forth cost more too that makes books published in Nepal pricier than those published in India. <br />
	<br />
	Due to a great number of schools, colleges and universities in Nepal setting shop in recent times, the demand for quality and standard books has increased significantly. Nepali booksellers have been importing books mostly from India for long. “The government must provide subsidy on different accounts such as plates, ink and paper etc to minimise costs and facilitate the private sector,” says Pandey. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Education and Book Fairs <br />
	</strong><br />
	The 17th Nepal Education and Book Fair 2013 held earlier this year had 87 stalls and was visited by 100,000 visitors. Global Exposition and Management Services (GEMS) organised the nine-day fair at Bhrikutimandap with a theme ‘Education is the right of every child’ in collaboration with NBPAN. The fair gratified the diverse interests of the readers by showcasing books on various topics like literature, fiction, non-fiction, banking, IT and entertainment among others. <br />
	<br />
	The main objective for organizing the event was to create a common platform for school, college and university students, educational professionals, parents, educational and training institutions from home and abroad, consultants, authors, printers, publishers, booksellers, readers, distributors and the general enthusiastic public. The book fair looked at publishing, selling and exchanging books among the book lovers. <br />
	<br />
	Pandey says that NBPAN plans to take the event to an international level from next year. Meanwhile, it is also going to organise ‘Nepal Rastriya Pustak Mela’ for the first time from 20 Mangsir this year for 10 days at City Hall on Exhibition Road. With this, NBPAN will have two book fairs of its own during the year. Pandey urges that the government must recognise the industry and also participate in its book fairs to the give the industry its due exposure. <br />
	<br />
	The association has been regularly participating in an international book fair in Delhi in February titled ‘Bishwa Pustak Mela’. It also took part in a book festival in Abu Dhabi in April this year for the first time. NBPAN is going to take part in a Hong Kong book festival, also for the first time, from 17-23 July.<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1029',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
simplexml_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

file not found!

Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context  //  $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';



    if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){
$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'articles' => array(
		(int) 0 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 1 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 2 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 3 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 4 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 5 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 6 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 7 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 8 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 9 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 10 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		)
	),
	'current_user' => null,
	'logged_in' => false
)
$articles = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1527',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Home-grown Footwear Brands Breaking New Grounds',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Over the years, the number of buyers for footwear products manufactured in Nepal has registered a healthy growth, observed industry insiders. They attribute this development to advancements in manufacturing technology, delivery of quality products and meeting consumer expectations.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market is witnessing a change in the buying pattern of customers in recent times. Slowly but surely, more number of people are beginning to get used to different brands of shoes produced locally, in an apparent departure from their love for foreign branded products earlier. &ldquo;We had to convince hard to sell our products to the customers a few years ago. However, things stand changed today as they have started to trust Nepal-made shoes which have made our job easier,&rdquo; said a salesperson at a leading shoes store.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic footwear industries that manufactured mostly leather products for long have also started to produce sports and casual shoes among others. Manufacturers opined that the buyers&rsquo; increasing confidence in them encouraged them to diversify their product portfolio. &ldquo;We are about to install a new plant to manufacture ladies footwear and also looking to expand the product line-up in the casual and sports series,&rdquo; said a leading manufacturer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Retailers too believed that consumers who preferred foreign brands earlier are increasingly shifting towards &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Leading Brands&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Shikhar Shoes claims the company&rsquo;s production output is close to 300,000 pairs of shoes annually. The company said that the domestic market consumes all that it manufactures. The company is planning to roll out a new premium brand targeting high-end customers in the near future. However, it depends on the results of a feasibility study it is carrying out. Products from Shikhar Shoes are priced in the range of Rs 350 to Rs 4,000. One of the largest manufacturers in the domestic market, business for Shikhar Shoes has been overwhelming in the past couple of years as it has been able to deliver quality products at affordable prices. The company has installed a new technology for the first time in Nepal called the &lsquo;Conveyor System&rsquo; that enables production of large quantity while reducing time for manufacturing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Base Footwear, another prominent player in the domestic market that manufactures BF Dear Hill footwear products, has been witnessing huge success. A manager at the company said, &ldquo;Most multi-brand retail outlets in the country now proudly feature domestic footwear products.&rdquo; He claimed that the company&rsquo;s annual production is around 200,000 pairs. Its products are in the price range of Rs 450 to Rs 3,500. Base Footwear manufactures products ranging from school and college shoes to party shoes, casual shoes and sports shoes. The company has recently started manufacturing football boots as well. BF Dear Hill, the first Nepali footwear brand to receive international standard certification 9001:2008, is also enjoying good business by luring customers with its fashionable, comfortable and durable products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Goldstar has become a household name in Nepal. This brand was launched after a studied research of the market. Foot specialists and experts working with various shoe companies were brought as consultants to design the product and draw up a business plan. Experts were unanimous in their beliefs that given the often-difficult terrain in most parts of Nepal, a shoe had to be sturdy, light and cheap. The company believes that there has been a massive shift in the acceptance of the domestic products, which is a positive sign for the industry. It claims that its annual output of over eight million pairs of shoes is not adequate to meet the demand from the market. While 70 per cent of Goldstar shoes are exported to India, the rest is sold in the domestic market.&rdquo; Goldstar aims to increase its export potential to a number of countries and is a proud recipient of the &lsquo;Best Exporter Award&rsquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Challenges&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Despite the reasonable penetration in the domestic footwear market, stakeholders said that various problems had prevented the domestic footwear industry from making faster progress. They pointed out issues like unfair customs duty on raw materials and unavailability of skilled labour among others. Domestically, manufactured products have the potential to outshine foreign products if the government provides them appropriate support, they said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The flooding of the market with low-quality and cheap Chinese products is wearing out the scope for the Nepali footwear industry. Stakeholders claimed this is primarily due to the porous border and lack of strong policies.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Because of unfair customs duty &mdash; high on raw materials and low on shoe import &mdash; production of Nepali shoes turn out to be more expensive. This has compelled customers to think twice before buying home manufactured shoes,&rdquo; said an official of the Leather Footwear and Goods Manufacturers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (LFGMAN). Around 70 per cent of raw materials for shoes made in Nepal are imported from India, China, Thailand and Taiwan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialists claimed that apart from the open border and duplicate products, labour problem has hit the industry hard. Manufacturers said that they face threats from the labours and their respective trade unions regularly. While the industry is growing steadily despite the workforce crisis, such threats certainly hamper the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Way Forward&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Withstanding a number of challenges, the Nepali footwear industry is still emerging as a promising business sector &mdash; growing at an annual rate of 15 per cent. Latest fashionable designs coupled with fine craftsmanship have led to domestic shoes starting to offer an alternative for international brands in the market that cost way expensive. Besides, of course, some Nepali manufacturers have started to explore the potential of exporting &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products to the international market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The customers&rsquo; attraction towards Nepali footwear products is on the rise and the market has been consistently registering increase in demand. This has encouraged existing manufacturers to maintain quality while the number of new manufacturers too has increased significantly. There are 500 shoe manufacturers in the country and 10 medium scale footwear industries. According to LFGMAN, Nepali footwear products account for 60 per cent of the total shoe market in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the economy is experiencing a difficult phase currently, local shoe manufacturers see a bright future for the industry provided they receive adequate support and a good platform to market their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FOOTWEAR BRANDS" src="/userfiles/images/fOOTWEAR%20BRANDS1.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 327px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-30',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Footwear products manufactured and branded in Nepal have marketed their products aggressively over the last few years and ensured a considerable share of the footwear market in Nepal.',
			'sortorder' => '1388',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1479',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Hydropower Developers Pursue Favourable PDA',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The hydropower promoters of the private sector have designed a template for the Project Development Agreement (PDA) and handed it over to the government. They have said that this draft reflects their concerns. Earlier, the Ministry of Energy had prepared a PDA template a year ago, meant for hydropower projects of below 500 MW capacity. The private sector wants that revised.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have submitted a PDA draft by incorporating the concerns of the private sector,&rdquo; said Dr Subarna Das Shrestha, President of Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association, Nepal (IPPAN). He added, &ldquo;We hope that the government will incorporate the suggestions of the private sector while finalising the PDA template it is developing on its own.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bishwa Prakash Pandit, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy (MoE), while receiving the PDA draft prepared by IPPAN, said, &ldquo;The PDA draft will be finalised bearing in mind the concerns of the hydropower promoters and national interest.&rdquo; He further added that the PDA draft will be developed in a manner which will be helpful to attract foreign investment.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, the Investment Board (IB) Nepal said a PDA template is being worked out which will have provisions requiring the hydropower promoters to pay compensation for failing to meet project deadline. The provisions in the PDA template will also require hydropower promoters to give due attention to environmental concerns and provide employment to locals among other things.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Negotiations with Hydropower Developers&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	While the MoE plans to start PDA negotiations with hydropower developers building projects below 500 MW, the IB has been conducting PDA negotiations with three foreign power developers. Even though the MoE had made a PDA draft for hydropower projects below 500 MW and tried to start negotiations with the concerned hydropower developers, the process was stalled after most of the developers expressed reservations over the PDA draft. The developers had then said that it was not a sound proposition technically as well as financially.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier, two separate PDA templates were prepared to hold negotiations with hydropower developers &mdash; one made by the MoE for hydropower projects below 500 MW and the other made by the IB for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the MoE was instructed to use the PDA template formulated by the IB. The MoE then started to prepare the same PDA template for hydropower projects below 500 MW capacity, confirmed Keshav Dhoj Adhikary, Head of the PDA negotiation committee at the MoE. The PDA negotiation committee formed by the MoE comprises representatives from the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Law and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Six Applicants of Below 500 MW</strong></div>
<div>
	As of the third week of March this year, a total of six hydropower projects with a collective capacity of 1,130 MW had applied to the Department of Electricity Development (DoED) for the PDA. The six projects are namely Middle Bhote Koshi &ndash; I (40 MW), Upper Marsyangdi &ndash; A (50 MW), Kali Gandaki Gorge (164 MW), Upper Trishuli &ndash; A (216 MW), Budhi Gandaki &ndash; II (260 MW) and Lower Arun (400 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the six PDA applicants, Upper Trishuli &ndash; A is the first to pay the PDA fee while submitting the required documents. As per the PDA Procedure 2013, hydropower developers have to pay US$ 1,500 per MW as processing fee to sign the PDA. If the government refuses to sign the agreement even after the payment of the fee, the amount has to be refunded.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The PDA is a vital contract between the government and the investors. The government assures the investors, through the agreement, that it would avert all possible social, economic and policy-level uncertainties during the construction phase of projects. Generally, issues related to taxes, licence period, free energy, royalty, repatriation rights and parties&rsquo; obligations are included in the PDA.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>PDA for Big Hydro Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	The secretariat of the Investment Board expedited finalisation of the PDAs for four mega-hydropower projects earlier this year. It was expected to provide a much needed impetus to enable negotiations on four priority projects that have a combined capacity to produce 3000 MW of electricity. The four mega hydro projects are namely Upper Marsyangdi (600 MW), Tamakoshi &ndash; III (650 MW), Upper Karnali (900 MW) and Arun &ndash; III (900 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	NIB, which was established more than a year ago to expedite the implementation of mega-projects including hydropower (above 500 MW) in a fast-track mode, is developing a PDA template with the help of Herbert Smith, a legal advisor based in London.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Uniform PDA for All Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	As stated earlier, there were two separate PDA templates made by the MoE and the IB to hold negotiations respectively with hydropower developers of below 500 MW and for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the government later decided to have a uniform PDA template while negotiating with the foreign companies developing hydro power projects of all capacities.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With this decision taken earlier this year, the IB and the MoE planned to negotiate with foreign developers on the basis of a single PDA model. The MoE then said that it will negotiate with foreign developers of less than 500 MW capacity on the basis of the PDA template prepared by the IB. As per the IB Act, hydropower plants with a capacity of 500 MW and above came under the board&rsquo;s purview.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The ministry said a uniform PDA model was to be brought into effect to prevent any confusion and prejudice while dealing with the various power developers. It concluded that since both the MoE and the IB were dealing with foreign hydro power developers, there was no need for two different models of PDA. It led the MoE to form a committee to synchronise the two PDA templates and begin negotiations with developers which meet the criteria.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It further clarified that despite the PDA template being the same, there might be separate provisions for different projects based on their respective capacity, volume of investment and number of beneficiaries.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It must be noted that after the formation of the IB over one-and-a-half years ago, the government entrusted it with developing large hydropower projects above 500 MW while the MoE was assigned hydropower projects of less than 500 MW capacity.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Experts said that Nepal has an opportunity to bring in US$ 6 billion in foreign direct investment, create new opportunities for Nepali businesses and the Nepali labour force. Taking concrete steps to unlock the country&rsquo;s vast hydro potential and solve the load shedding problem is expected to address Nepal&rsquo;s biggest obstacle to investment, business development and economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="List of Issued Survey Licenses (Above 200 MW)" src="/userfiles/images/survey%20license.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-23',
			'modified' => '2013-07-24',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Private sector hydropower promoters have suggested the government to develop a Project Development Agreement (PDA) template that is acceptable to banks, meets international standards and is immune to changes in the law.',
			'sortorder' => '1340',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1416',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Safety Helmets For Two-wheelers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	A salesgirl taking out a helmet for a customer at Tripureshwor based Vicky Auto Parts. The company&rsquo;s Managing Director Sajjan Jajodia informed that his store sells helmets in the price range of Rs 700 to Rs 6,000.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Photo: Rukesh Shrestha/TC</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>By Pinaki Roy</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	In the current financial year 2069-2070 BS, an estimated 180,000 two-wheelers have been sold in the Nepali market, industry analysts said. This sales figure is attributed to people&rsquo;s growing desire to enhance mobility and save time in addition to the fact that two-wheelers also help its riders in negotiating narrow alleys.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Safety Rider</strong><br />
	<br />
	Every two-wheeler that gets sold in the market also opens the possibility of sales of safety helmets. &ldquo;Looking from a safety perspective, it is recommended that riders use full helmets,&rdquo; a trader said. However, in the Nepali market, the consumption of helmets that cost cheaper is more than the helmets that provides complete protection of the head. &ldquo;Only about 10 per cent of helmet buyers look for such safe helmets,&rdquo; he added. These helmets are manufactured keeping in mind regulated standards and thus cost more. The decline in demand for quality helmets has forced traders to import cheaper and stylish products to cater to the market. Even though safety is the primary reason for wearing helmets, traders said that most riders do not change their helmets till the time they get completely damaged.<br />
	<br />
	Bharat Tibrewala, Director of MRD Auto, said, &ldquo;There is a lack of awareness as most people wear helmets only for the fear of traffic police and not for safety.&rdquo; He added that helmets provide safety to both the rider and the pillion rider and people must look to buy quality helmets. MRD Auto has around 40-50 vendors across Nepal who sell its helmets that cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500. Sajjan Jajodia, the Managing Director of Vicky Auto Parts and Vaani Auto Trade, said, &ldquo;We currently sell around 30 pieces of helmets daily.&rdquo; He informed that his company sells Index, Aaron, Vstar and STM brands of helmets among others.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Imported Lot</strong><br />
	<br />
	Most helmet brands that sell in Nepal are imported from countries like India, China, Thailand and Malaysia. There are a few quality brands too available in the market that are manufactured in European countries. Some Nepal made helmets, which are manufactured in the country after importing raw materials from India, have also gained popularity in the market in recent times. Traders claim that the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost comparatively lesser than their imported counterparts. STM, Index, MRC, Avex, AMG, Aaron, BM and Snell are some of the more popular brands in the Nepali market while a few European brands such as Held and RPM are also available in the stores.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Price Range</strong><br />
	<br />
	Depending on quality and design, helmets available in the Nepali market cost anything from Rs 500 to Rs 12,000. While the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost in the price range of Rs 500 to Rs 1,500, the ones imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500 on an average. Kathmandu Valley alone has over 350 helmet shops and there is a total investment of around Rs 1 billion in the trade. While even a small store attracts a minimum investment of Rs 500,000, traders said there are stores in the Valley that have opened with investments of Rs 4 million or more.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Variety Galore</strong><br />
	<br />
	People use helmets according to their age, gender, profession and income, observed traders. Women mostly wear half-helmets and cap-helmets while young men usually fancy wearing full helmets. Similarly, male riders pursuing professional careers are more inclined towards half helmets. Two-wheeler riders, who are comparatively well-off, change helmets according to the season &ndash; wearing full helmets during the winter while using half-helmets or cap-helmets in the summer. The two-wheeler model also determines the choice of helmet with people riding scooters wearing half-helmets or cap-helmets while those riding sporty motorbikes wearing full helmets.<br />
	Business Challenge<br />
	<br />
	Traders dealing with helmets said their sales have dropped to 50 per cent over the last few years despite that fact that the sales of two-wheelers have continued to grow. It is because a number of motorcycle distributors provide helmet free with two-wheelers these days. Traffic Police in the capital had made helmets compulsory for pillion riders, along with the motorbike rider, in 2008. Due to the rule, helmet sales was at its peak around that time, however, the sales of helmets was hit hard ever since the rule was scrapped almost three years ago. The helmet sales was further hit after the dealers of two-wheelers started doling out free helmets with every purchase.<br />
	A trader mentioned that since some of the companies provide helmets free of cost, the customers buy fresh helmets only after the older one becomes useless. Traders further said that a drop in sales of reconditioned bikes has also affected helmet sales. &ldquo;It is become increasingly difficult to survive by selling helmets alone.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-15',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.',
			'sortorder' => '1278',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1379',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Furnex Nepal 2013',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	The Furniture and Furnishing Expo (Furnex) 2013 expo will exhibit and display home &amp; office furniture; dining, kitchen, bathroom furniture &amp; appliances; outdoor furniture; flooring &amp; furnishing; steel &amp; wooden railing; wooden &amp; aluminum windows &amp; doors, partition, false ceiling among others. The participating companies will also have plywood, boards, laminates; furniture machinery tools/fittings &amp; fabricators; tiles, marbles, granite; upholstered, mattresses, cushions, mats; paints, wallpapers; adhesives, interior items during the five-day event.</p>
<p>
	All in all, Furnex Nepal 2013 will provide a single platform for buyers and sellers, informed Kabindra Joshi, Spokesperson of the expo and General Secretary of NFFA. He added that all the leading furniture producers of the country will be participating in the expo along with some foreign brands. A total of 59 stalls will be erected for the expo in an area of 11,000 sqm, “While 57 of them will be housed in the exhibition hall of Bhrikuti Mandap, another two stalls will be provided space outside the hall,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The expo promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market. “We look to inform the visitors at the expo about the usefulness of the products along with pricing, maintenance and other related information,” Joshi told.</p>
<p>
	The visitors at the expo will be given valuable information on how to choose products to suit their needs. Confirmed participants for the expo include Furniture Land, Index Furniture and S B Furniture among foreign brands. As for the local brands, Alpha Interiors, Wood N Style, Sann Furniture, Bira Furniture, Yeti Carpet, Yeti Polymer, S T Carpet, Duro Mattress and Darling Mattress among others have already confirmed participation.&nbsp;</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013" height="379" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgnwfIx78Og/UdvLmo_XGGI/AAAAAAAABAg/DAMTi-j-5mM/s640/furnex2.jpg" width="500" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<b>Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013</b></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong>Expo Expectations&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	The organisers are expecting to attract 5,000 official and 150,000 general visitors at Furnex Nepal 2013. “We are organising the event with the aim of making it a branding expo. Hence, there will be no emphasis on sales during the event,” Joshi stated. He said that the importers, manufacturers and government functionaries will be brought together to ensure a conducive environment for the benefit of the industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers will also conduct seminars at the expo to create an important platform for stakeholders, industrialists and general public to interact, said Joshi. He added that the event will be emphasising on Nepali products and become instrumental in popularising furniture produced by local craftsmen.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Imported Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	A whopping 60 per cent of the furniture and furnishing products available in Nepal are imported. The imported goods include flooring, furnishing (except carpets), furniture and décor items. “While imports have swelled over the years, domestic production is declining on a consistent basis,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	While overpopulation due to excessive migration of people to different urban centres in Nepal has resulted in increased demand for more furniture, domestic manufacturers have not been able to supply the market demand. “The decline in domestic production has not stopped people from buying furniture and hence, traders are increasingly depending on imported products to meet the market demand,” Joshi reasoned.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Manufacturers allege that lack of skilled craftsmen, power cuts, non-availability of raw materials and absence of a favourable government policy are among the reasons why domestic production has declined. They said, “We need a proper government mechanism to help us boost our industry.” They added that the volatile political environment of the country too has hit them hard.</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee" height="208" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hmrWIPyoJPY/UdvLlmMOL3I/AAAAAAAABAQ/Y5gUraqXA80/s958/furnex.jpg" width="550" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<strong>Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee addressing a press conference last year</strong></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong style="font-size: 12px;">Future Prospects&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	An investment of Rs 20 billion has already been made in the domestic furniture and furnishing industry, Joshi stated. He added, “We have a strategy to propose the government and bring its attention to the industry and give it its due treatment.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Apart from the cultural and historical significances, traditional furniture industry can also be a considerable boost to the economy of the country if it is run smoothly. “If it is possible, why not provide a boost to the local industry and keep the money in the country,” said Joshi. He added that the domestic manufacturers, if encouraged and treated properly, have the potential to export in addition to fulfilling local demand.</p>
<p>
	“The furniture and furnishing industry can look forward to have better days ahead,” claimed Joshi, “Because these items have become necessities today and are not luxury anymore.” He said that housing &amp; real estate, residences, office complexes, hotels &amp; restaurants, schools &amp; colleges and development projects are the booming sectors for the furniture and furnishing industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Furnex 2013, the five-day Furniture and Furnishing Expo in its second year, will kick off at Bhrikuti Mandap on 25 September. The branding exhibition, also the first of its kind in the country, is being organised to uplift and give exposure to domestic as well as imported products. The event, organised in 2012 for the first time, met with reasonable success and NFFA hopes to fare better this year.</p>
<p>
	“Encouraged by the overwhelmingly response of the participants last year, we planned to make it an annual event,” said Joshi, “We have gained experience during Furnex 2012 and hope it will come handy in organising the event this year.” Furnex 2013 hopes to attract homemakers and other potential buyers looking for furniture and furnishing products, along with hoteliers, industrialists, business entrepreneurs, students, and interior designers during the event.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers are hoping that, at the expo, customers will become familiar with quality and variety of locally manufactured furniture, eventually encouraging them to use locally produced items.</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-09',
			'modified' => '2013-09-04',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Furnex 2013 promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market.',
			'sortorder' => '1241',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1293',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'The Sportswear Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	R etailing of sportswear products in Nepal has been growing due to the rise in income, changing lifestyle, and consumer preferences. “People are getting more health conscious and also getting increasingly interested in sporting activities which augurs well for sportswear business,” said Deepak Bista, Executive Director of Sports Universe, a sports goods store at New Baneshwor. Bista, also a former Olympian, added, “People coming to my store go back satisfied because the products here are of good quality and reasonably priced.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	To conduct sportswear business, not too long ago, was quite difficult as people were not as brand conscious as they are today. “It is disappointing to see at times that today’s kids are getting more inclined towards electronic gadgets than into sporting activities,” said Rahul Agrawal, Owner of Nike Store, “We must ensure that the sporting culture in our country retains its value.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Increasing Brand Literacy&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	However, aided by media like Internet and television, brand literacy rate has gone up. As a result, transaction volume of sportswear sales has considerably gone up in the span of the last few years. The ever increasing popularity of sporting activities along with the growing interest in sports such as football, cricket, martial arts and tennis among others has contributed to the growth of functional sportswear market in the country of late.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Major Players&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Roots Fashion, the authorised seller of Adidas in Nepal, has its showrooms mostly featuring sportswear including shoes, track suits, swimming costumes and T-shirts. Adidas showrooms also stocks caps, socks, bags, slippers, basketballs, footballs and hand bands and Adidas’ casual line. The brand enjoys enormous popularity among brand-conscious people in Kathmandu, and as a result, the company expanded its network in the country. Established in 2000, Roots Fashion maintains exclusive Adidas outlets at Durbar Marg, Kumaripati, Tripureshwor, City Centre, Putali Sadak and New Road.</p>
<p>
	Avenue Marketing, authorised distributor of Nike for Nepal, sells exclusive range of shoes from the American clothing and sport equipment giant. The company also has the latest line of jogging, lifestyle, tennis, football and basketball shoes from Nike Store at Durbar Marg. “We introduce the best designs and quality products to cater to the demand of our customers,” said Agrawal. While clothes at Nike Store are priced between Rs 900 and Rs 4,000, the shoes are in the range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000.</p>
<p>
	Nike Store at Durbarmarg has been in operation for the last 11 years, informed Agrawal, “In recent times, the currency depreciation of Nepali Rupee vis-à-vis the US Dollar has us in a spot of bother as it makes the products dearer for the customers.” It is worth mentioning here that distributors of various sportswear brands in Nepal import their products from different parts of the world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal, a franchise store of the popular Chinese sports brand Anta, sells its products from its outlets at Jyatha, near Thamel which was the first Anta store opened in September 2011; Anta Building, Bhatbhateni; Saraswoti Nagar, Kapan; Dillibazaar and Sohrakhutte. The company came up with an aggressive expansion plan after witnessing a huge demand for its products. It has now opened new showrooms at Anta Tower, Durbarmarg; KL Tower, Chuchchepati; Jawalakhel, Lalitpur; and Pipalbot, Boudha and plans to expand to Pokhara and Biratnagar. Anta Sports Nepal claims to have a large number of repeat customers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The store also updates its collection multiple times a year and keeps its customers informed about the merchandise, new arrivals, events, locations and discounts. The store offers a large selection of professional, functional and fashionable apparel, footwear and accessories in running, cross training, outdoor, basketball, tennis, futsal, football, casual and lifestyle series.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	After ruling Nepali taekwondo for more than a decade, Deepak Bista forayed into business by opening Sports Universe, a sports goods showroom, at New Baneshwar earlier this year. He is one of four partners with equal shares in Sports Universe and credits one of the partners, with inspiring him to enter into business. “We sell sports accessories to players and sports institutions including schools and colleges,” said Bista. The store has a mix of various brands and sporting equipments under a single roof.</p>
<p>
	<strong><img alt="Sports Goods Showrooms" height="228" hspace="25" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qa6xctpTfX0/UdKAdZBhvgI/AAAAAAAAApg/1KWt_T5ybBQ/s600/sports.JPG" width="600" /><br />
	</strong></p>
<p>
	<strong>Secret of Success&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Reebok, a popular sportswear brand sold in Nepal by Sports Plaza, has been constantly working at diversifying its product range and to provide better options for customers. To serve this purpose, it introduced a range called ´classical´ to provide wider options to both men and women who look for ´American-inspired global product´. Reebok stores feature T-shirts, trousers, footwear, shorts and different accessories like caps, socks, summer shawls, among others. The Reebok store at Durbarmarg has wide varieties of apparels and footwear with classical looks because every year the company tweaks its designs so as to diversify its product range and provide better options for customers.</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal said its focus is mainly on customer service. “We are looking to establish a brand name on account of our reasonable pricing and quality service,” said a store attendant. Venturing in a market where top international sports brands had already made their mark was not easy. “It was very competitive to begin with but we have got a foothold in the market now with such a large collection of both men’s and women’s apparel in addition to footwear and accessories.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Counterfeit Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Even though these stores claim to have sizeable loyal customer base, they said adding new costumers is still a tough job due to easy availability of counterfeit products. Unorganised players imitate product styles, brand logos and names, which adversely impacts the brand equity and sales brands. Although the future looks promising for the Nepali sportswear market, the industry still has a number of challenges to face including counterfeiting which is one of the biggest challenges sportswear brands are facing in Nepal today.</p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-02',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'With more people taking up sports and exercise regimes in recent years, the popularity of sportswear has
been increasing in the country. The phenomenon is fast catching up due to increased brand consciousness.',
			'sortorder' => '1155',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1207',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Sales Of Watches On The Downtrend',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:WordDocument>
  <w:View>Normal</w:View>
  <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
  <w:TrackMoves/>
  <w:TrackFormatting/>
  <w:PunctuationKerning/>
  <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
  <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
  <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
  <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
  <w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
  <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
  <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
  <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
  <w:Compatibility>
   <w:BreakWrappedTables/>
   <w:SnapToGridInCell/>
   <w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
   <w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
   <w:DontGrowAutofit/>
   <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
   <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
   <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
   <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
   <w:Word11KerningPairs/>
   <w:CachedColBalance/>
  </w:Compatibility>
  <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
  <m:mathPr>
   <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
   <m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
   <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
   <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
   <m:dispDef/>
   <m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
   <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
   <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
   <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
  </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></p>
<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
  DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
  LatentStyleCount="267">
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
 </w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
 /* Style Definitions */
 table.MsoNormalTable
	{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
	mso-style-noshow:yes;
	mso-style-priority:99;
	mso-style-qformat:yes;
	mso-style-parent:"";
	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
	mso-para-margin-top:0in;
	mso-para-margin-right:0in;
	mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
	mso-para-margin-left:0in;
	line-height:115%;
	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
	font-size:11.0pt;
	font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
	mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
	mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0PMAZDS3uc4/Uc_ydZl_D6I/AAAAAAAAAbs/SVTflD5vL5g/h120/Watches.bmp" width="212" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The business of watches that was doing well till about a few years ago, has started to decline over the past few years. Industry insiders claim that the market of wrist watches that was registering a drop in business by 5-10 per cent yearly has its sales figures down by nearly 40 per cent since last Dashain.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">T here is a diverse array of watches available in the Nepali market now-a-days, from low cost watches to high end Swiss-made watches. There are hundreds of watch brands having their presence in the market with a prominent few doing decent business. However, traders rue that the market is going through an absolute low with most companies involved in the distribution and retailing of wrist watches barely managing to survive in the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Difficult Times </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Traders say the industry has not registered expected growth over a period of last few years with sales of watches facing a steady decline of 5-10 per cent on an annual basis. “The situation has become particularly grim since last Dashain and the sales of watches are down by almost 40 per cent,” says Pankaj Jhunjhunwala, the young CEO of Swiss International, the first watch showroom in Kathmandu that opened way back in 1965. He adds that the government initiative to promote business environment in the country is sorely missing. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wzZ_CYfE7so/Uc_5AXW-uvI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Zn1Q9vcIXEk/h120/Watch+1.bmp" width="233" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Sunil Kumar Agrawal of Nepal Trade Network echoed the sentiment saying that the market for wrist watches is currently down because of an unfavourable business environment in the country. “Money is not coming into the market resulting in a lack of cash movement in the country.” He adds that political stability can help turn things around and revitalise the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Various Brands </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Him Electronics, Regency Watch, Sulux Centre, Nepal Trade Network and Swiss International are the leading distributors of wrist watches in Nepal dealing in famous brands such as Timex, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Rado, Raymond Weil, Victorinox, Tissot, Omega, Rado, Cartier, Chopard Breitling, Baume, Mercier, Titan, Fastrack, Sonata, Corum, Titoni, Longines, Enicar, Roamer, Olma and Police among others. <br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IZgOrCD2hs0/Uc_6PBFWXfI/AAAAAAAAAcY/_2zevOa0iuc/h120/Watch+3.bmp" width="89" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">While there are brands that are distributed by more than one trader, Jhunjhunwala points out that there is a difference in buying products from an old distributor vis-à-vis a new one. “People know us for almost 50 years now and the goodwill certainly holds us in good stead,” he says. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Vantage Point </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Most of the showrooms for watches were located in New Road and Bishal Bazaar earlier. However, the leading showrooms have shifted base to Durbarmarg. Jhunjhunwala justifies this shift in location, “We moved our showroom to Durbarmarg keeping in mind the market allocation.” He said that Durbarmarg serves as an appropriate location for showrooms of wrist watches because of the segment of people that frequent the area. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Target Market </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala says that his company targets all Nepali locals as its target clientele. “A lot of people, particularly the members of the business community are well travelled and hence, are exposed to brands worldwide.” He adds that from a marketer’s perspective, selling wrist watches is about managing the brands better. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Titan Watches entered the Nepali market in 1997; however, Nepal Trade Network that currently distributes Titan watches in Nepal is in its 9th year of operation. The company has three exclusive showrooms and around 40 retail outlets in the country. Agrawal says that the company targets everyone who is capable of buying a watch. Titan has watches ranging in price from Rs 2,000 to Rs 40,000 while its sub-brand Fastrack has watches in the price range of Rs 1,200 – Rs 9,000 targeted at the youth. Another sub-brand Sonata is targeted at the lower segment and its watches cost between Rs 600 and Rs 3,000. His store also sells Real Gold Watches (Nebula series) from Titan between the price range of Rs 100,000 and Rs 400,000 targeted at the upper segment. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Young people are buying watches more as fashion statements than necessities, observes a retailer. “Fashion is the driving factor for a lot of people to buy watches,” says Agrawal. “Factors like the model, brand name and the cost of the watch itself come into consideration afterwards.” A section of people buy separate watches to go with party wear as well as casual and formal attires while there are some who go for watches in the contemporary category. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The Gender Shift </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala opines that the women in Nepal are coming into their own of late and are willing to purchase more. While the ratio of watch models for women vis-à-vis men at his store stood at a dismal 20:80 not too long ago, it has jumped to a significant 35:65 in recent times. “It is a reflection of the changing times with women becoming more brand conscious and having a sound mind to purchase in comparison to men.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> <img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oQ8utq_2EFo/Uc_5eEIPRqI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Pd-IO5tAxHU/h120/Watch+2.bmp" width="128" /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal too says that there is a surge in the number of watch models for women. His store at Durbarmarg that sells Titan, Fastrack and Sonata watches has a ratio of 40:60 for women’s watches in comparison to men’s. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Ray of Hope </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Industry watchers claim that the purchasing power of the general public has gone down and that has hit hard the sales of high end as well as low cost watches. “People are simply not willing to spend money in the prevailing situation, they are conserving right now.” He added that the people are not open minded to spend and blamed it on the political uncertainly in the country. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Distributors and traders of watches agree in unison that a stable political environment in the country will help the economy improve and turnaround their business fortunes as well. Willingness to spend money is the key to rejuvenate the market which can only come with a sense of security among the country’s denizens, they say. “There is hope despite the current lull. We are keeping our fingers crossed and staying positive about the future,” Jhunjhunwala remarks. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal reasons that watch is an essential commodity and therefore, the sale of wrist watches will ultimately pick up even though it is going through a quiet period. The industry is hoping that the market will get better around Dashain this year and the overall situation will improve considerable in a couple of years’ time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-30',
			'modified' => '2013-06-30',
			'keywords' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of n',
			'description' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1069',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1202',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dragonair Awarded ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Dragonair has been voted ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’ in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards programme for the third time. No other airline has achieved this feat since this category was added to the awards in 2010, says a press release from the airline. Dragonair was also named ‘Best Regional Airline in Asia’ in the same survey. <br />
	<br />
	“It is a great honour to receive such recognition from travellers, and on behalf of Dragonair, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for us,” said Patrick Yeung, Dragonair Chief Executive Officer. Similarly, Cathay Pacific Airways has been awarded the ‘World’s Best Cabin Staff’ and ‘Best Transpacific Airline’ honours in the programme. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar represented the airline to collect the awards at the ceremony.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1064',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1200',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Qatar Best Business Class In The World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Qatar Airways received three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on June 18. The Airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. <br />
	“ These awards are highly rewarding as they are judiciously voted by passengers, a true account of the overall experience felt by customers who have travelled with the airline,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, speaking after the awards ceremony. <br />
	<br />
	Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate testament for excellence in the airline industry. Travellers from over 160 countries take part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1062',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1194',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'GHT And Tara Air To Promote Tourism Destinations',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP) and Tara Air have signed an agreement to promote tourism destinations within Nepal. With support of SNV Nepal and funding by the UK Department for International D e v e l o p m e n t DFID / UKAid, the GHTDP aims to help channel tourists and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, and benefit the mountain communities. Tara Air will play its role in improving accessibility to remote hilly and mountain regions. <br />
	<br />
	“We believe that tourism plays a significant role in rural economy. Tara Air is the only means of transportation to some of the remotest regions. ‘Helping Develop Rural Nepal’, the Slogan of Tara Air, lives up to its promise,’’ said Umesh Chandra Rai, General Manager, Tara Air. <br />
	Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader said, “The Great Himalaya Trail is a remarkable adventure product and we are hopeful that this partnership will most certainly help to improve the overall tourism industry by attracting tourists to new, off-the beaten-track destinations and thereby benefitting the local communities’’.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1056',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1192',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Etihad Tops Skytrax First Class Awards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Etihad Airways has swept the Skytrax World Airline Awards’ First Class category, receiving all three awards for the second year in a row. The Airways took home the title of Best First Class for the fourth consecutive year, as well as top honours for Best First Class Seats and Best First Class Catering. The awards, which are voted on by travellers from more than 160 countries, were presented at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony on June 18 at the Paris Air Show. “It is a huge accomplishment to take home the top honours in every First Class category again, underlining our leading premium product proposition,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer in the event. “We are elevating the travel experience by bringing the best of hospitality to every touch point in the journey,” he added.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1054',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1166',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Books Selling And Publishing Business',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong>The increase in literacy rate has the books selling and publishing business of Nepal expanding substantially over the last decade or so. There are 8,000 booksellers of different scale in Nepal while the book trade and publishing industry employs over 100,000 people today.</strong><br />
	<strong><br />
	By Pinaki Roy<br />
	</strong><br />
	The 8,000 odd booksellers of Nepal deal in academic, professional, general and reference books along with the usual textbooks meant for schools, colleges and universities. Textbooks of all standards from school to university form the biggest chunk of the business. Quite naturally, all booksellers and publishers in Nepal focus on this segment. “As much as 90 per cent of the business revolves around selling text books for different levels,” says Likhat Prasad Pandey, Secretary General of National Booksellers and Publishers Association of Nepal (NBPAN). <br />
	<br />
	Textbooks’ selling takes place from Baishakh (mid April – mid May) to the middle of Jestha (end of May), also dubbed as the ‘school season’, Pandey informs. He adds that the publishers ready themselves for this season beforehand by completing the printing work of textbooks. “For the rest of the year, we have to largely depend on academic, fiction and non-fiction books which sell round the year, however, their business volume is much smaller compared to the textbooks,” he says. <br />
	<br />
	Nepal’s book publishing industry is growing at a sound rate every year. The dependence on Indian books for schools and colleges has reduced considerably over the years. While government textbooks are published by state-owned Janak Sikshya Samagri Kendra, the course books used in private schools are published by private booksellers locally. Publishers claim to also have the capacity of supplying books for the 10+2 level. <br />
	<br />
	There is also a great demand for reference and general books. Competition in the education sector has resulted in better teaching and learning requirements. The fact that reference and general books are additional sources of knowledge has helped the book market to expand. Booksellers attribute the surge in business to increasing literacy rate that has given rise to a growing number of readers and publishers alike. <br />
	<br />
	Bhrikuti Pustak Tatha Masalanda Bhandar at Exhibition Road mostly imports and sells foreign books. “Knowledge must not be confined in boundaries,” Pandey, who owns the enterprise says, “As per UNESCO, there must be free flow of books with no taxes and barriers whatsoever.” He informs that a number of local universities in Nepal prescribe 90 per cent of the books in the curriculum that are foreign-originated. Most books come from the UK, the USA and India. Most British and American publishers have their offices in India. The British and American books prescribed by the schools and colleges are reprinted in India and thus cost less. <br />
	<br />
	<strong>Publishing Hub <br />
	</strong><br />
	The decade-long conflict in Nepal compelled booksellers to diversify their trade, as it was difficult for them to sustain solely on tourist and general books. As new universities came into being one after another and better learning opportunities were created in schools and colleges, they quickly diverted their focus to academic books of general interest. <br />
	<br />
	The import of new printing technologies in Nepal has created better prospects for the industry. Madhab Lal Maharjan, Chief Executive Officer of Mandala Book Point, says, “If the government gives the right kind of support, we have already built a groundwork whereby Nepal can become a book publishing hub in the SAARC region after India.” He adds, “The quality of printing in Nepal is as good as anywhere in the world.”</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong>Book Council <br />
	</strong><br />
	A committee formed to draft a policy to regulate quality of books, both local and imported, has suggested that the government form a National Book Council. According to the draft, the council will be the apex body to regulate books and the book publishing business. The committee led by Shiva Kumar Rai, member of National Planning Commission, submitted the draft to the Minister for Education Dina Nath Sharma early this year. <br />
	<br />
	The draft policy focuses on ensuring standard for both local and imported books. The committee also recommended the government to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on imported books. It is aimed to help stop piracy of books in the market. According to the policy, only the books that meet criteria prescribed in the policy can be selected for curriculum. The draft policy also allows the government to scrap license of publishers if they are found printing vulgar contents and graphics. Strict policy against low grade publications was one of the suggestions given by publishers themselves. <br />
	<br />
	NBPAN too had approached Sharma to persuade the government to come up with a policy and set guidelines to ensure flow of correct information and quality control related to writers, publishers and printers. Pandey says that even pricing must be determined especially for text books in conjunction with all stakeholders – publishers, printers, writers, readers and distributors. It is all the more important because the country is a signatory to UNESCO guidelines therefore the government must implement and stakeholders must adhere to the same. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Major Challenges <br />
	</strong><br />
	None of the successive governments has seriously thought about promoting the publishing industry. The most essential requirement of the printing and publishing industry is paper which is comparatively more expensive in Nepal than in India. Other raw materials such as ink, negatives, plates and so forth cost more too that makes books published in Nepal pricier than those published in India. <br />
	<br />
	Due to a great number of schools, colleges and universities in Nepal setting shop in recent times, the demand for quality and standard books has increased significantly. Nepali booksellers have been importing books mostly from India for long. “The government must provide subsidy on different accounts such as plates, ink and paper etc to minimise costs and facilitate the private sector,” says Pandey. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Education and Book Fairs <br />
	</strong><br />
	The 17th Nepal Education and Book Fair 2013 held earlier this year had 87 stalls and was visited by 100,000 visitors. Global Exposition and Management Services (GEMS) organised the nine-day fair at Bhrikutimandap with a theme ‘Education is the right of every child’ in collaboration with NBPAN. The fair gratified the diverse interests of the readers by showcasing books on various topics like literature, fiction, non-fiction, banking, IT and entertainment among others. <br />
	<br />
	The main objective for organizing the event was to create a common platform for school, college and university students, educational professionals, parents, educational and training institutions from home and abroad, consultants, authors, printers, publishers, booksellers, readers, distributors and the general enthusiastic public. The book fair looked at publishing, selling and exchanging books among the book lovers. <br />
	<br />
	Pandey says that NBPAN plans to take the event to an international level from next year. Meanwhile, it is also going to organise ‘Nepal Rastriya Pustak Mela’ for the first time from 20 Mangsir this year for 10 days at City Hall on Exhibition Road. With this, NBPAN will have two book fairs of its own during the year. Pandey urges that the government must recognise the industry and also participate in its book fairs to the give the industry its due exposure. <br />
	<br />
	The association has been regularly participating in an international book fair in Delhi in February titled ‘Bishwa Pustak Mela’. It also took part in a book festival in Abu Dhabi in April this year for the first time. NBPAN is going to take part in a Hong Kong book festival, also for the first time, from 17-23 July.<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1029',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
$xml = false
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

Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity &quot;&quot; [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context  //  $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';



    if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){
$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'articles' => array(
		(int) 0 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 1 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 2 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 3 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 4 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 5 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 6 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 7 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 8 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 9 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		),
		(int) 10 => array(
			'Article' => array(
				[maximum depth reached]
			)
		)
	),
	'current_user' => null,
	'logged_in' => false
)
$articles = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1527',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Home-grown Footwear Brands Breaking New Grounds',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Over the years, the number of buyers for footwear products manufactured in Nepal has registered a healthy growth, observed industry insiders. They attribute this development to advancements in manufacturing technology, delivery of quality products and meeting consumer expectations.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market is witnessing a change in the buying pattern of customers in recent times. Slowly but surely, more number of people are beginning to get used to different brands of shoes produced locally, in an apparent departure from their love for foreign branded products earlier. &ldquo;We had to convince hard to sell our products to the customers a few years ago. However, things stand changed today as they have started to trust Nepal-made shoes which have made our job easier,&rdquo; said a salesperson at a leading shoes store.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic footwear industries that manufactured mostly leather products for long have also started to produce sports and casual shoes among others. Manufacturers opined that the buyers&rsquo; increasing confidence in them encouraged them to diversify their product portfolio. &ldquo;We are about to install a new plant to manufacture ladies footwear and also looking to expand the product line-up in the casual and sports series,&rdquo; said a leading manufacturer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Retailers too believed that consumers who preferred foreign brands earlier are increasingly shifting towards &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Leading Brands&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Shikhar Shoes claims the company&rsquo;s production output is close to 300,000 pairs of shoes annually. The company said that the domestic market consumes all that it manufactures. The company is planning to roll out a new premium brand targeting high-end customers in the near future. However, it depends on the results of a feasibility study it is carrying out. Products from Shikhar Shoes are priced in the range of Rs 350 to Rs 4,000. One of the largest manufacturers in the domestic market, business for Shikhar Shoes has been overwhelming in the past couple of years as it has been able to deliver quality products at affordable prices. The company has installed a new technology for the first time in Nepal called the &lsquo;Conveyor System&rsquo; that enables production of large quantity while reducing time for manufacturing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Base Footwear, another prominent player in the domestic market that manufactures BF Dear Hill footwear products, has been witnessing huge success. A manager at the company said, &ldquo;Most multi-brand retail outlets in the country now proudly feature domestic footwear products.&rdquo; He claimed that the company&rsquo;s annual production is around 200,000 pairs. Its products are in the price range of Rs 450 to Rs 3,500. Base Footwear manufactures products ranging from school and college shoes to party shoes, casual shoes and sports shoes. The company has recently started manufacturing football boots as well. BF Dear Hill, the first Nepali footwear brand to receive international standard certification 9001:2008, is also enjoying good business by luring customers with its fashionable, comfortable and durable products.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Goldstar has become a household name in Nepal. This brand was launched after a studied research of the market. Foot specialists and experts working with various shoe companies were brought as consultants to design the product and draw up a business plan. Experts were unanimous in their beliefs that given the often-difficult terrain in most parts of Nepal, a shoe had to be sturdy, light and cheap. The company believes that there has been a massive shift in the acceptance of the domestic products, which is a positive sign for the industry. It claims that its annual output of over eight million pairs of shoes is not adequate to meet the demand from the market. While 70 per cent of Goldstar shoes are exported to India, the rest is sold in the domestic market.&rdquo; Goldstar aims to increase its export potential to a number of countries and is a proud recipient of the &lsquo;Best Exporter Award&rsquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Challenges&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Despite the reasonable penetration in the domestic footwear market, stakeholders said that various problems had prevented the domestic footwear industry from making faster progress. They pointed out issues like unfair customs duty on raw materials and unavailability of skilled labour among others. Domestically, manufactured products have the potential to outshine foreign products if the government provides them appropriate support, they said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The flooding of the market with low-quality and cheap Chinese products is wearing out the scope for the Nepali footwear industry. Stakeholders claimed this is primarily due to the porous border and lack of strong policies.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Because of unfair customs duty &mdash; high on raw materials and low on shoe import &mdash; production of Nepali shoes turn out to be more expensive. This has compelled customers to think twice before buying home manufactured shoes,&rdquo; said an official of the Leather Footwear and Goods Manufacturers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (LFGMAN). Around 70 per cent of raw materials for shoes made in Nepal are imported from India, China, Thailand and Taiwan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialists claimed that apart from the open border and duplicate products, labour problem has hit the industry hard. Manufacturers said that they face threats from the labours and their respective trade unions regularly. While the industry is growing steadily despite the workforce crisis, such threats certainly hamper the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Way Forward&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	Withstanding a number of challenges, the Nepali footwear industry is still emerging as a promising business sector &mdash; growing at an annual rate of 15 per cent. Latest fashionable designs coupled with fine craftsmanship have led to domestic shoes starting to offer an alternative for international brands in the market that cost way expensive. Besides, of course, some Nepali manufacturers have started to explore the potential of exporting &lsquo;Made in Nepal&rsquo; products to the international market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The customers&rsquo; attraction towards Nepali footwear products is on the rise and the market has been consistently registering increase in demand. This has encouraged existing manufacturers to maintain quality while the number of new manufacturers too has increased significantly. There are 500 shoe manufacturers in the country and 10 medium scale footwear industries. According to LFGMAN, Nepali footwear products account for 60 per cent of the total shoe market in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the economy is experiencing a difficult phase currently, local shoe manufacturers see a bright future for the industry provided they receive adequate support and a good platform to market their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FOOTWEAR BRANDS" src="/userfiles/images/fOOTWEAR%20BRANDS1.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 327px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-30',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Footwear products manufactured and branded in Nepal have marketed their products aggressively over the last few years and ensured a considerable share of the footwear market in Nepal.',
			'sortorder' => '1388',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1479',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Hydropower Developers Pursue Favourable PDA',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The hydropower promoters of the private sector have designed a template for the Project Development Agreement (PDA) and handed it over to the government. They have said that this draft reflects their concerns. Earlier, the Ministry of Energy had prepared a PDA template a year ago, meant for hydropower projects of below 500 MW capacity. The private sector wants that revised.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have submitted a PDA draft by incorporating the concerns of the private sector,&rdquo; said Dr Subarna Das Shrestha, President of Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association, Nepal (IPPAN). He added, &ldquo;We hope that the government will incorporate the suggestions of the private sector while finalising the PDA template it is developing on its own.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bishwa Prakash Pandit, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy (MoE), while receiving the PDA draft prepared by IPPAN, said, &ldquo;The PDA draft will be finalised bearing in mind the concerns of the hydropower promoters and national interest.&rdquo; He further added that the PDA draft will be developed in a manner which will be helpful to attract foreign investment.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, the Investment Board (IB) Nepal said a PDA template is being worked out which will have provisions requiring the hydropower promoters to pay compensation for failing to meet project deadline. The provisions in the PDA template will also require hydropower promoters to give due attention to environmental concerns and provide employment to locals among other things.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Negotiations with Hydropower Developers&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	While the MoE plans to start PDA negotiations with hydropower developers building projects below 500 MW, the IB has been conducting PDA negotiations with three foreign power developers. Even though the MoE had made a PDA draft for hydropower projects below 500 MW and tried to start negotiations with the concerned hydropower developers, the process was stalled after most of the developers expressed reservations over the PDA draft. The developers had then said that it was not a sound proposition technically as well as financially.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier, two separate PDA templates were prepared to hold negotiations with hydropower developers &mdash; one made by the MoE for hydropower projects below 500 MW and the other made by the IB for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the MoE was instructed to use the PDA template formulated by the IB. The MoE then started to prepare the same PDA template for hydropower projects below 500 MW capacity, confirmed Keshav Dhoj Adhikary, Head of the PDA negotiation committee at the MoE. The PDA negotiation committee formed by the MoE comprises representatives from the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Law and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Six Applicants of Below 500 MW</strong></div>
<div>
	As of the third week of March this year, a total of six hydropower projects with a collective capacity of 1,130 MW had applied to the Department of Electricity Development (DoED) for the PDA. The six projects are namely Middle Bhote Koshi &ndash; I (40 MW), Upper Marsyangdi &ndash; A (50 MW), Kali Gandaki Gorge (164 MW), Upper Trishuli &ndash; A (216 MW), Budhi Gandaki &ndash; II (260 MW) and Lower Arun (400 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the six PDA applicants, Upper Trishuli &ndash; A is the first to pay the PDA fee while submitting the required documents. As per the PDA Procedure 2013, hydropower developers have to pay US$ 1,500 per MW as processing fee to sign the PDA. If the government refuses to sign the agreement even after the payment of the fee, the amount has to be refunded.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The PDA is a vital contract between the government and the investors. The government assures the investors, through the agreement, that it would avert all possible social, economic and policy-level uncertainties during the construction phase of projects. Generally, issues related to taxes, licence period, free energy, royalty, repatriation rights and parties&rsquo; obligations are included in the PDA.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>PDA for Big Hydro Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	The secretariat of the Investment Board expedited finalisation of the PDAs for four mega-hydropower projects earlier this year. It was expected to provide a much needed impetus to enable negotiations on four priority projects that have a combined capacity to produce 3000 MW of electricity. The four mega hydro projects are namely Upper Marsyangdi (600 MW), Tamakoshi &ndash; III (650 MW), Upper Karnali (900 MW) and Arun &ndash; III (900 MW).&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	NIB, which was established more than a year ago to expedite the implementation of mega-projects including hydropower (above 500 MW) in a fast-track mode, is developing a PDA template with the help of Herbert Smith, a legal advisor based in London.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Uniform PDA for All Projects&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	As stated earlier, there were two separate PDA templates made by the MoE and the IB to hold negotiations respectively with hydropower developers of below 500 MW and for projects above 500 MW capacity. However, the government later decided to have a uniform PDA template while negotiating with the foreign companies developing hydro power projects of all capacities.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With this decision taken earlier this year, the IB and the MoE planned to negotiate with foreign developers on the basis of a single PDA model. The MoE then said that it will negotiate with foreign developers of less than 500 MW capacity on the basis of the PDA template prepared by the IB. As per the IB Act, hydropower plants with a capacity of 500 MW and above came under the board&rsquo;s purview.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The ministry said a uniform PDA model was to be brought into effect to prevent any confusion and prejudice while dealing with the various power developers. It concluded that since both the MoE and the IB were dealing with foreign hydro power developers, there was no need for two different models of PDA. It led the MoE to form a committee to synchronise the two PDA templates and begin negotiations with developers which meet the criteria.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It further clarified that despite the PDA template being the same, there might be separate provisions for different projects based on their respective capacity, volume of investment and number of beneficiaries.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It must be noted that after the formation of the IB over one-and-a-half years ago, the government entrusted it with developing large hydropower projects above 500 MW while the MoE was assigned hydropower projects of less than 500 MW capacity.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Experts said that Nepal has an opportunity to bring in US$ 6 billion in foreign direct investment, create new opportunities for Nepali businesses and the Nepali labour force. Taking concrete steps to unlock the country&rsquo;s vast hydro potential and solve the load shedding problem is expected to address Nepal&rsquo;s biggest obstacle to investment, business development and economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="List of Issued Survey Licenses (Above 200 MW)" src="/userfiles/images/survey%20license.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-23',
			'modified' => '2013-07-24',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Private sector hydropower promoters have suggested the government to develop a Project Development Agreement (PDA) template that is acceptable to banks, meets international standards and is immune to changes in the law.',
			'sortorder' => '1340',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1416',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Safety Helmets For Two-wheelers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	A salesgirl taking out a helmet for a customer at Tripureshwor based Vicky Auto Parts. The company&rsquo;s Managing Director Sajjan Jajodia informed that his store sells helmets in the price range of Rs 700 to Rs 6,000.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Photo: Rukesh Shrestha/TC</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>By Pinaki Roy</strong><br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	In the current financial year 2069-2070 BS, an estimated 180,000 two-wheelers have been sold in the Nepali market, industry analysts said. This sales figure is attributed to people&rsquo;s growing desire to enhance mobility and save time in addition to the fact that two-wheelers also help its riders in negotiating narrow alleys.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Safety Rider</strong><br />
	<br />
	Every two-wheeler that gets sold in the market also opens the possibility of sales of safety helmets. &ldquo;Looking from a safety perspective, it is recommended that riders use full helmets,&rdquo; a trader said. However, in the Nepali market, the consumption of helmets that cost cheaper is more than the helmets that provides complete protection of the head. &ldquo;Only about 10 per cent of helmet buyers look for such safe helmets,&rdquo; he added. These helmets are manufactured keeping in mind regulated standards and thus cost more. The decline in demand for quality helmets has forced traders to import cheaper and stylish products to cater to the market. Even though safety is the primary reason for wearing helmets, traders said that most riders do not change their helmets till the time they get completely damaged.<br />
	<br />
	Bharat Tibrewala, Director of MRD Auto, said, &ldquo;There is a lack of awareness as most people wear helmets only for the fear of traffic police and not for safety.&rdquo; He added that helmets provide safety to both the rider and the pillion rider and people must look to buy quality helmets. MRD Auto has around 40-50 vendors across Nepal who sell its helmets that cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500. Sajjan Jajodia, the Managing Director of Vicky Auto Parts and Vaani Auto Trade, said, &ldquo;We currently sell around 30 pieces of helmets daily.&rdquo; He informed that his company sells Index, Aaron, Vstar and STM brands of helmets among others.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Imported Lot</strong><br />
	<br />
	Most helmet brands that sell in Nepal are imported from countries like India, China, Thailand and Malaysia. There are a few quality brands too available in the market that are manufactured in European countries. Some Nepal made helmets, which are manufactured in the country after importing raw materials from India, have also gained popularity in the market in recent times. Traders claim that the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost comparatively lesser than their imported counterparts. STM, Index, MRC, Avex, AMG, Aaron, BM and Snell are some of the more popular brands in the Nepali market while a few European brands such as Held and RPM are also available in the stores.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Price Range</strong><br />
	<br />
	Depending on quality and design, helmets available in the Nepali market cost anything from Rs 500 to Rs 12,000. While the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost in the price range of Rs 500 to Rs 1,500, the ones imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500 on an average. Kathmandu Valley alone has over 350 helmet shops and there is a total investment of around Rs 1 billion in the trade. While even a small store attracts a minimum investment of Rs 500,000, traders said there are stores in the Valley that have opened with investments of Rs 4 million or more.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Variety Galore</strong><br />
	<br />
	People use helmets according to their age, gender, profession and income, observed traders. Women mostly wear half-helmets and cap-helmets while young men usually fancy wearing full helmets. Similarly, male riders pursuing professional careers are more inclined towards half helmets. Two-wheeler riders, who are comparatively well-off, change helmets according to the season &ndash; wearing full helmets during the winter while using half-helmets or cap-helmets in the summer. The two-wheeler model also determines the choice of helmet with people riding scooters wearing half-helmets or cap-helmets while those riding sporty motorbikes wearing full helmets.<br />
	Business Challenge<br />
	<br />
	Traders dealing with helmets said their sales have dropped to 50 per cent over the last few years despite that fact that the sales of two-wheelers have continued to grow. It is because a number of motorcycle distributors provide helmet free with two-wheelers these days. Traffic Police in the capital had made helmets compulsory for pillion riders, along with the motorbike rider, in 2008. Due to the rule, helmet sales was at its peak around that time, however, the sales of helmets was hit hard ever since the rule was scrapped almost three years ago. The helmet sales was further hit after the dealers of two-wheelers started doling out free helmets with every purchase.<br />
	A trader mentioned that since some of the companies provide helmets free of cost, the customers buy fresh helmets only after the older one becomes useless. Traders further said that a drop in sales of reconditioned bikes has also affected helmet sales. &ldquo;It is become increasingly difficult to survive by selling helmets alone.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-15',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.',
			'sortorder' => '1278',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1379',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Furnex Nepal 2013',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	The Furniture and Furnishing Expo (Furnex) 2013 expo will exhibit and display home &amp; office furniture; dining, kitchen, bathroom furniture &amp; appliances; outdoor furniture; flooring &amp; furnishing; steel &amp; wooden railing; wooden &amp; aluminum windows &amp; doors, partition, false ceiling among others. The participating companies will also have plywood, boards, laminates; furniture machinery tools/fittings &amp; fabricators; tiles, marbles, granite; upholstered, mattresses, cushions, mats; paints, wallpapers; adhesives, interior items during the five-day event.</p>
<p>
	All in all, Furnex Nepal 2013 will provide a single platform for buyers and sellers, informed Kabindra Joshi, Spokesperson of the expo and General Secretary of NFFA. He added that all the leading furniture producers of the country will be participating in the expo along with some foreign brands. A total of 59 stalls will be erected for the expo in an area of 11,000 sqm, “While 57 of them will be housed in the exhibition hall of Bhrikuti Mandap, another two stalls will be provided space outside the hall,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The expo promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market. “We look to inform the visitors at the expo about the usefulness of the products along with pricing, maintenance and other related information,” Joshi told.</p>
<p>
	The visitors at the expo will be given valuable information on how to choose products to suit their needs. Confirmed participants for the expo include Furniture Land, Index Furniture and S B Furniture among foreign brands. As for the local brands, Alpha Interiors, Wood N Style, Sann Furniture, Bira Furniture, Yeti Carpet, Yeti Polymer, S T Carpet, Duro Mattress and Darling Mattress among others have already confirmed participation.&nbsp;</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013" height="379" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgnwfIx78Og/UdvLmo_XGGI/AAAAAAAABAg/DAMTi-j-5mM/s640/furnex2.jpg" width="500" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<b>Floor Plan for Furnex Nepal 2013</b></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong>Expo Expectations&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	The organisers are expecting to attract 5,000 official and 150,000 general visitors at Furnex Nepal 2013. “We are organising the event with the aim of making it a branding expo. Hence, there will be no emphasis on sales during the event,” Joshi stated. He said that the importers, manufacturers and government functionaries will be brought together to ensure a conducive environment for the benefit of the industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers will also conduct seminars at the expo to create an important platform for stakeholders, industrialists and general public to interact, said Joshi. He added that the event will be emphasising on Nepali products and become instrumental in popularising furniture produced by local craftsmen.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Imported Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	A whopping 60 per cent of the furniture and furnishing products available in Nepal are imported. The imported goods include flooring, furnishing (except carpets), furniture and décor items. “While imports have swelled over the years, domestic production is declining on a consistent basis,” said Joshi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	While overpopulation due to excessive migration of people to different urban centres in Nepal has resulted in increased demand for more furniture, domestic manufacturers have not been able to supply the market demand. “The decline in domestic production has not stopped people from buying furniture and hence, traders are increasingly depending on imported products to meet the market demand,” Joshi reasoned.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Manufacturers allege that lack of skilled craftsmen, power cuts, non-availability of raw materials and absence of a favourable government policy are among the reasons why domestic production has declined. They said, “We need a proper government mechanism to help us boost our industry.” They added that the volatile political environment of the country too has hit them hard.</p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee" height="208" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hmrWIPyoJPY/UdvLlmMOL3I/AAAAAAAABAQ/Y5gUraqXA80/s958/furnex.jpg" width="550" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<strong>Members of Furnex Nepal 2012 Organising Committee addressing a press conference last year</strong></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<strong style="font-size: 12px;">Future Prospects&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	An investment of Rs 20 billion has already been made in the domestic furniture and furnishing industry, Joshi stated. He added, “We have a strategy to propose the government and bring its attention to the industry and give it its due treatment.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Apart from the cultural and historical significances, traditional furniture industry can also be a considerable boost to the economy of the country if it is run smoothly. “If it is possible, why not provide a boost to the local industry and keep the money in the country,” said Joshi. He added that the domestic manufacturers, if encouraged and treated properly, have the potential to export in addition to fulfilling local demand.</p>
<p>
	“The furniture and furnishing industry can look forward to have better days ahead,” claimed Joshi, “Because these items have become necessities today and are not luxury anymore.” He said that housing &amp; real estate, residences, office complexes, hotels &amp; restaurants, schools &amp; colleges and development projects are the booming sectors for the furniture and furnishing industry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Furnex 2013, the five-day Furniture and Furnishing Expo in its second year, will kick off at Bhrikuti Mandap on 25 September. The branding exhibition, also the first of its kind in the country, is being organised to uplift and give exposure to domestic as well as imported products. The event, organised in 2012 for the first time, met with reasonable success and NFFA hopes to fare better this year.</p>
<p>
	“Encouraged by the overwhelmingly response of the participants last year, we planned to make it an annual event,” said Joshi, “We have gained experience during Furnex 2012 and hope it will come handy in organising the event this year.” Furnex 2013 hopes to attract homemakers and other potential buyers looking for furniture and furnishing products, along with hoteliers, industrialists, business entrepreneurs, students, and interior designers during the event.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The organisers are hoping that, at the expo, customers will become familiar with quality and variety of locally manufactured furniture, eventually encouraging them to use locally produced items.</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-09',
			'modified' => '2013-09-04',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Furnex 2013 promises to offer a complete furniture and furnishing solution to the visitors through the five-day event. It is being organised to familiarise people with the current availability of furniture and furnishing products in the market.',
			'sortorder' => '1241',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1293',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'The Sportswear Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 12px;">--By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p>
	R etailing of sportswear products in Nepal has been growing due to the rise in income, changing lifestyle, and consumer preferences. “People are getting more health conscious and also getting increasingly interested in sporting activities which augurs well for sportswear business,” said Deepak Bista, Executive Director of Sports Universe, a sports goods store at New Baneshwor. Bista, also a former Olympian, added, “People coming to my store go back satisfied because the products here are of good quality and reasonably priced.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	To conduct sportswear business, not too long ago, was quite difficult as people were not as brand conscious as they are today. “It is disappointing to see at times that today’s kids are getting more inclined towards electronic gadgets than into sporting activities,” said Rahul Agrawal, Owner of Nike Store, “We must ensure that the sporting culture in our country retains its value.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Increasing Brand Literacy&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	However, aided by media like Internet and television, brand literacy rate has gone up. As a result, transaction volume of sportswear sales has considerably gone up in the span of the last few years. The ever increasing popularity of sporting activities along with the growing interest in sports such as football, cricket, martial arts and tennis among others has contributed to the growth of functional sportswear market in the country of late.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Major Players&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Roots Fashion, the authorised seller of Adidas in Nepal, has its showrooms mostly featuring sportswear including shoes, track suits, swimming costumes and T-shirts. Adidas showrooms also stocks caps, socks, bags, slippers, basketballs, footballs and hand bands and Adidas’ casual line. The brand enjoys enormous popularity among brand-conscious people in Kathmandu, and as a result, the company expanded its network in the country. Established in 2000, Roots Fashion maintains exclusive Adidas outlets at Durbar Marg, Kumaripati, Tripureshwor, City Centre, Putali Sadak and New Road.</p>
<p>
	Avenue Marketing, authorised distributor of Nike for Nepal, sells exclusive range of shoes from the American clothing and sport equipment giant. The company also has the latest line of jogging, lifestyle, tennis, football and basketball shoes from Nike Store at Durbar Marg. “We introduce the best designs and quality products to cater to the demand of our customers,” said Agrawal. While clothes at Nike Store are priced between Rs 900 and Rs 4,000, the shoes are in the range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000.</p>
<p>
	Nike Store at Durbarmarg has been in operation for the last 11 years, informed Agrawal, “In recent times, the currency depreciation of Nepali Rupee vis-à-vis the US Dollar has us in a spot of bother as it makes the products dearer for the customers.” It is worth mentioning here that distributors of various sportswear brands in Nepal import their products from different parts of the world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal, a franchise store of the popular Chinese sports brand Anta, sells its products from its outlets at Jyatha, near Thamel which was the first Anta store opened in September 2011; Anta Building, Bhatbhateni; Saraswoti Nagar, Kapan; Dillibazaar and Sohrakhutte. The company came up with an aggressive expansion plan after witnessing a huge demand for its products. It has now opened new showrooms at Anta Tower, Durbarmarg; KL Tower, Chuchchepati; Jawalakhel, Lalitpur; and Pipalbot, Boudha and plans to expand to Pokhara and Biratnagar. Anta Sports Nepal claims to have a large number of repeat customers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The store also updates its collection multiple times a year and keeps its customers informed about the merchandise, new arrivals, events, locations and discounts. The store offers a large selection of professional, functional and fashionable apparel, footwear and accessories in running, cross training, outdoor, basketball, tennis, futsal, football, casual and lifestyle series.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	After ruling Nepali taekwondo for more than a decade, Deepak Bista forayed into business by opening Sports Universe, a sports goods showroom, at New Baneshwar earlier this year. He is one of four partners with equal shares in Sports Universe and credits one of the partners, with inspiring him to enter into business. “We sell sports accessories to players and sports institutions including schools and colleges,” said Bista. The store has a mix of various brands and sporting equipments under a single roof.</p>
<p>
	<strong><img alt="Sports Goods Showrooms" height="228" hspace="25" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qa6xctpTfX0/UdKAdZBhvgI/AAAAAAAAApg/1KWt_T5ybBQ/s600/sports.JPG" width="600" /><br />
	</strong></p>
<p>
	<strong>Secret of Success&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Reebok, a popular sportswear brand sold in Nepal by Sports Plaza, has been constantly working at diversifying its product range and to provide better options for customers. To serve this purpose, it introduced a range called ´classical´ to provide wider options to both men and women who look for ´American-inspired global product´. Reebok stores feature T-shirts, trousers, footwear, shorts and different accessories like caps, socks, summer shawls, among others. The Reebok store at Durbarmarg has wide varieties of apparels and footwear with classical looks because every year the company tweaks its designs so as to diversify its product range and provide better options for customers.</p>
<p>
	Anta Sports Nepal said its focus is mainly on customer service. “We are looking to establish a brand name on account of our reasonable pricing and quality service,” said a store attendant. Venturing in a market where top international sports brands had already made their mark was not easy. “It was very competitive to begin with but we have got a foothold in the market now with such a large collection of both men’s and women’s apparel in addition to footwear and accessories.”</p>
<p>
	<strong>Counterfeit Products&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>
	Even though these stores claim to have sizeable loyal customer base, they said adding new costumers is still a tough job due to easy availability of counterfeit products. Unorganised players imitate product styles, brand logos and names, which adversely impacts the brand equity and sales brands. Although the future looks promising for the Nepali sportswear market, the industry still has a number of challenges to face including counterfeiting which is one of the biggest challenges sportswear brands are facing in Nepal today.</p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>
<p>
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-07-02',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'With more people taking up sports and exercise regimes in recent years, the popularity of sportswear has
been increasing in the country. The phenomenon is fast catching up due to increased brand consciousness.',
			'sortorder' => '1155',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1207',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Sales Of Watches On The Downtrend',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:WordDocument>
  <w:View>Normal</w:View>
  <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
  <w:TrackMoves/>
  <w:TrackFormatting/>
  <w:PunctuationKerning/>
  <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
  <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
  <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
  <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
  <w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
  <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
  <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
  <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
  <w:Compatibility>
   <w:BreakWrappedTables/>
   <w:SnapToGridInCell/>
   <w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
   <w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
   <w:DontGrowAutofit/>
   <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
   <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
   <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
   <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
   <w:Word11KerningPairs/>
   <w:CachedColBalance/>
  </w:Compatibility>
  <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
  <m:mathPr>
   <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
   <m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
   <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
   <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
   <m:dispDef/>
   <m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
   <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
   <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
   <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
   <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
  </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></p>
<p>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
  DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
  LatentStyleCount="267">
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
   UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
  <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
 </w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
 /* Style Definitions */
 table.MsoNormalTable
	{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
	mso-style-noshow:yes;
	mso-style-priority:99;
	mso-style-qformat:yes;
	mso-style-parent:"";
	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
	mso-para-margin-top:0in;
	mso-para-margin-right:0in;
	mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
	mso-para-margin-left:0in;
	line-height:115%;
	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
	font-size:11.0pt;
	font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
	mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
	mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
	mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0PMAZDS3uc4/Uc_ydZl_D6I/AAAAAAAAAbs/SVTflD5vL5g/h120/Watches.bmp" width="212" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">By Pinaki Roy</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The business of watches that was doing well till about a few years ago, has started to decline over the past few years. Industry insiders claim that the market of wrist watches that was registering a drop in business by 5-10 per cent yearly has its sales figures down by nearly 40 per cent since last Dashain.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<em><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">T here is a diverse array of watches available in the Nepali market now-a-days, from low cost watches to high end Swiss-made watches. There are hundreds of watch brands having their presence in the market with a prominent few doing decent business. However, traders rue that the market is going through an absolute low with most companies involved in the distribution and retailing of wrist watches barely managing to survive in the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Difficult Times </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Traders say the industry has not registered expected growth over a period of last few years with sales of watches facing a steady decline of 5-10 per cent on an annual basis. “The situation has become particularly grim since last Dashain and the sales of watches are down by almost 40 per cent,” says Pankaj Jhunjhunwala, the young CEO of Swiss International, the first watch showroom in Kathmandu that opened way back in 1965. He adds that the government initiative to promote business environment in the country is sorely missing. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wzZ_CYfE7so/Uc_5AXW-uvI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Zn1Q9vcIXEk/h120/Watch+1.bmp" width="233" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Sunil Kumar Agrawal of Nepal Trade Network echoed the sentiment saying that the market for wrist watches is currently down because of an unfavourable business environment in the country. “Money is not coming into the market resulting in a lack of cash movement in the country.” He adds that political stability can help turn things around and revitalise the market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Various Brands </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Him Electronics, Regency Watch, Sulux Centre, Nepal Trade Network and Swiss International are the leading distributors of wrist watches in Nepal dealing in famous brands such as Timex, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Rado, Raymond Weil, Victorinox, Tissot, Omega, Rado, Cartier, Chopard Breitling, Baume, Mercier, Titan, Fastrack, Sonata, Corum, Titoni, Longines, Enicar, Roamer, Olma and Police among others. <br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IZgOrCD2hs0/Uc_6PBFWXfI/AAAAAAAAAcY/_2zevOa0iuc/h120/Watch+3.bmp" width="89" /><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">While there are brands that are distributed by more than one trader, Jhunjhunwala points out that there is a difference in buying products from an old distributor vis-à-vis a new one. “People know us for almost 50 years now and the goodwill certainly holds us in good stead,” he says. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Vantage Point </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Most of the showrooms for watches were located in New Road and Bishal Bazaar earlier. However, the leading showrooms have shifted base to Durbarmarg. Jhunjhunwala justifies this shift in location, “We moved our showroom to Durbarmarg keeping in mind the market allocation.” He said that Durbarmarg serves as an appropriate location for showrooms of wrist watches because of the segment of people that frequent the area. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Target Market </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala says that his company targets all Nepali locals as its target clientele. “A lot of people, particularly the members of the business community are well travelled and hence, are exposed to brands worldwide.” He adds that from a marketer’s perspective, selling wrist watches is about managing the brands better. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Titan Watches entered the Nepali market in 1997; however, Nepal Trade Network that currently distributes Titan watches in Nepal is in its 9th year of operation. The company has three exclusive showrooms and around 40 retail outlets in the country. Agrawal says that the company targets everyone who is capable of buying a watch. Titan has watches ranging in price from Rs 2,000 to Rs 40,000 while its sub-brand Fastrack has watches in the price range of Rs 1,200 – Rs 9,000 targeted at the youth. Another sub-brand Sonata is targeted at the lower segment and its watches cost between Rs 600 and Rs 3,000. His store also sells Real Gold Watches (Nebula series) from Titan between the price range of Rs 100,000 and Rs 400,000 targeted at the upper segment. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Young people are buying watches more as fashion statements than necessities, observes a retailer. “Fashion is the driving factor for a lot of people to buy watches,” says Agrawal. “Factors like the model, brand name and the cost of the watch itself come into consideration afterwards.” A section of people buy separate watches to go with party wear as well as casual and formal attires while there are some who go for watches in the contemporary category. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">The Gender Shift </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Jhunjhunwala opines that the women in Nepal are coming into their own of late and are willing to purchase more. While the ratio of watch models for women vis-à-vis men at his store stood at a dismal 20:80 not too long ago, it has jumped to a significant 35:65 in recent times. “It is a reflection of the changing times with women becoming more brand conscious and having a sound mind to purchase in comparison to men.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> <img alt="" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oQ8utq_2EFo/Uc_5eEIPRqI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Pd-IO5tAxHU/h120/Watch+2.bmp" width="128" /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal too says that there is a surge in the number of watch models for women. His store at Durbarmarg that sells Titan, Fastrack and Sonata watches has a ratio of 40:60 for women’s watches in comparison to men’s. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Ray of Hope </span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Industry watchers claim that the purchasing power of the general public has gone down and that has hit hard the sales of high end as well as low cost watches. “People are simply not willing to spend money in the prevailing situation, they are conserving right now.” He added that the people are not open minded to spend and blamed it on the political uncertainly in the country. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><br />
	</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Distributors and traders of watches agree in unison that a stable political environment in the country will help the economy improve and turnaround their business fortunes as well. Willingness to spend money is the key to rejuvenate the market which can only come with a sense of security among the country’s denizens, they say. “There is hope despite the current lull. We are keeping our fingers crossed and staying positive about the future,” Jhunjhunwala remarks. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Agrawal reasons that watch is an essential commodity and therefore, the sale of wrist watches will ultimately pick up even though it is going through a quiet period. The industry is hoping that the market will get better around Dashain this year and the overall situation will improve considerable in a couple of years’ time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
	<span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-30',
			'modified' => '2013-06-30',
			'keywords' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of n',
			'description' => 'new business age product focus news & articles, product focus news & articles from new business age nepal, product focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest product focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali product focus economic news and events,  ongoing  product focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1069',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1202',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dragonair Awarded ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Dragonair has been voted ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’ in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards programme for the third time. No other airline has achieved this feat since this category was added to the awards in 2010, says a press release from the airline. Dragonair was also named ‘Best Regional Airline in Asia’ in the same survey. <br />
	<br />
	“It is a great honour to receive such recognition from travellers, and on behalf of Dragonair, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for us,” said Patrick Yeung, Dragonair Chief Executive Officer. Similarly, Cathay Pacific Airways has been awarded the ‘World’s Best Cabin Staff’ and ‘Best Transpacific Airline’ honours in the programme. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar represented the airline to collect the awards at the ceremony.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1064',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1200',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Qatar Best Business Class In The World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Qatar Airways received three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on June 18. The Airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. <br />
	“ These awards are highly rewarding as they are judiciously voted by passengers, a true account of the overall experience felt by customers who have travelled with the airline,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, speaking after the awards ceremony. <br />
	<br />
	Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate testament for excellence in the airline industry. Travellers from over 160 countries take part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1062',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1194',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'GHT And Tara Air To Promote Tourism Destinations',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP) and Tara Air have signed an agreement to promote tourism destinations within Nepal. With support of SNV Nepal and funding by the UK Department for International D e v e l o p m e n t DFID / UKAid, the GHTDP aims to help channel tourists and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, and benefit the mountain communities. Tara Air will play its role in improving accessibility to remote hilly and mountain regions. <br />
	<br />
	“We believe that tourism plays a significant role in rural economy. Tara Air is the only means of transportation to some of the remotest regions. ‘Helping Develop Rural Nepal’, the Slogan of Tara Air, lives up to its promise,’’ said Umesh Chandra Rai, General Manager, Tara Air. <br />
	Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader said, “The Great Himalaya Trail is a remarkable adventure product and we are hopeful that this partnership will most certainly help to improve the overall tourism industry by attracting tourists to new, off-the beaten-track destinations and thereby benefitting the local communities’’.<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1056',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1192',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Etihad Tops Skytrax First Class Awards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	Etihad Airways has swept the Skytrax World Airline Awards’ First Class category, receiving all three awards for the second year in a row. The Airways took home the title of Best First Class for the fourth consecutive year, as well as top honours for Best First Class Seats and Best First Class Catering. The awards, which are voted on by travellers from more than 160 countries, were presented at the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony on June 18 at the Paris Air Show. “It is a huge accomplishment to take home the top honours in every First Class category again, underlining our leading premium product proposition,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer in the event. “We are elevating the travel experience by bringing the best of hospitality to every touch point in the journey,” he added.<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'description' => 'new business age focus news & articles, focus news & articles from new business age nepal, focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali focus economic news and events,  ongoing  focus news of nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1054',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1166',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Books Selling And Publishing Business',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	<strong>The increase in literacy rate has the books selling and publishing business of Nepal expanding substantially over the last decade or so. There are 8,000 booksellers of different scale in Nepal while the book trade and publishing industry employs over 100,000 people today.</strong><br />
	<strong><br />
	By Pinaki Roy<br />
	</strong><br />
	The 8,000 odd booksellers of Nepal deal in academic, professional, general and reference books along with the usual textbooks meant for schools, colleges and universities. Textbooks of all standards from school to university form the biggest chunk of the business. Quite naturally, all booksellers and publishers in Nepal focus on this segment. “As much as 90 per cent of the business revolves around selling text books for different levels,” says Likhat Prasad Pandey, Secretary General of National Booksellers and Publishers Association of Nepal (NBPAN). <br />
	<br />
	Textbooks’ selling takes place from Baishakh (mid April – mid May) to the middle of Jestha (end of May), also dubbed as the ‘school season’, Pandey informs. He adds that the publishers ready themselves for this season beforehand by completing the printing work of textbooks. “For the rest of the year, we have to largely depend on academic, fiction and non-fiction books which sell round the year, however, their business volume is much smaller compared to the textbooks,” he says. <br />
	<br />
	Nepal’s book publishing industry is growing at a sound rate every year. The dependence on Indian books for schools and colleges has reduced considerably over the years. While government textbooks are published by state-owned Janak Sikshya Samagri Kendra, the course books used in private schools are published by private booksellers locally. Publishers claim to also have the capacity of supplying books for the 10+2 level. <br />
	<br />
	There is also a great demand for reference and general books. Competition in the education sector has resulted in better teaching and learning requirements. The fact that reference and general books are additional sources of knowledge has helped the book market to expand. Booksellers attribute the surge in business to increasing literacy rate that has given rise to a growing number of readers and publishers alike. <br />
	<br />
	Bhrikuti Pustak Tatha Masalanda Bhandar at Exhibition Road mostly imports and sells foreign books. “Knowledge must not be confined in boundaries,” Pandey, who owns the enterprise says, “As per UNESCO, there must be free flow of books with no taxes and barriers whatsoever.” He informs that a number of local universities in Nepal prescribe 90 per cent of the books in the curriculum that are foreign-originated. Most books come from the UK, the USA and India. Most British and American publishers have their offices in India. The British and American books prescribed by the schools and colleges are reprinted in India and thus cost less. <br />
	<br />
	<strong>Publishing Hub <br />
	</strong><br />
	The decade-long conflict in Nepal compelled booksellers to diversify their trade, as it was difficult for them to sustain solely on tourist and general books. As new universities came into being one after another and better learning opportunities were created in schools and colleges, they quickly diverted their focus to academic books of general interest. <br />
	<br />
	The import of new printing technologies in Nepal has created better prospects for the industry. Madhab Lal Maharjan, Chief Executive Officer of Mandala Book Point, says, “If the government gives the right kind of support, we have already built a groundwork whereby Nepal can become a book publishing hub in the SAARC region after India.” He adds, “The quality of printing in Nepal is as good as anywhere in the world.”</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong>Book Council <br />
	</strong><br />
	A committee formed to draft a policy to regulate quality of books, both local and imported, has suggested that the government form a National Book Council. According to the draft, the council will be the apex body to regulate books and the book publishing business. The committee led by Shiva Kumar Rai, member of National Planning Commission, submitted the draft to the Minister for Education Dina Nath Sharma early this year. <br />
	<br />
	The draft policy focuses on ensuring standard for both local and imported books. The committee also recommended the government to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on imported books. It is aimed to help stop piracy of books in the market. According to the policy, only the books that meet criteria prescribed in the policy can be selected for curriculum. The draft policy also allows the government to scrap license of publishers if they are found printing vulgar contents and graphics. Strict policy against low grade publications was one of the suggestions given by publishers themselves. <br />
	<br />
	NBPAN too had approached Sharma to persuade the government to come up with a policy and set guidelines to ensure flow of correct information and quality control related to writers, publishers and printers. Pandey says that even pricing must be determined especially for text books in conjunction with all stakeholders – publishers, printers, writers, readers and distributors. It is all the more important because the country is a signatory to UNESCO guidelines therefore the government must implement and stakeholders must adhere to the same. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Major Challenges <br />
	</strong><br />
	None of the successive governments has seriously thought about promoting the publishing industry. The most essential requirement of the printing and publishing industry is paper which is comparatively more expensive in Nepal than in India. Other raw materials such as ink, negatives, plates and so forth cost more too that makes books published in Nepal pricier than those published in India. <br />
	<br />
	Due to a great number of schools, colleges and universities in Nepal setting shop in recent times, the demand for quality and standard books has increased significantly. Nepali booksellers have been importing books mostly from India for long. “The government must provide subsidy on different accounts such as plates, ink and paper etc to minimise costs and facilitate the private sector,” says Pandey. <br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Education and Book Fairs <br />
	</strong><br />
	The 17th Nepal Education and Book Fair 2013 held earlier this year had 87 stalls and was visited by 100,000 visitors. Global Exposition and Management Services (GEMS) organised the nine-day fair at Bhrikutimandap with a theme ‘Education is the right of every child’ in collaboration with NBPAN. The fair gratified the diverse interests of the readers by showcasing books on various topics like literature, fiction, non-fiction, banking, IT and entertainment among others. <br />
	<br />
	The main objective for organizing the event was to create a common platform for school, college and university students, educational professionals, parents, educational and training institutions from home and abroad, consultants, authors, printers, publishers, booksellers, readers, distributors and the general enthusiastic public. The book fair looked at publishing, selling and exchanging books among the book lovers. <br />
	<br />
	Pandey says that NBPAN plans to take the event to an international level from next year. Meanwhile, it is also going to organise ‘Nepal Rastriya Pustak Mela’ for the first time from 20 Mangsir this year for 10 days at City Hall on Exhibition Road. With this, NBPAN will have two book fairs of its own during the year. Pandey urges that the government must recognise the industry and also participate in its book fairs to the give the industry its due exposure. <br />
	<br />
	The association has been regularly participating in an international book fair in Delhi in February titled ‘Bishwa Pustak Mela’. It also took part in a book festival in Abu Dhabi in April this year for the first time. NBPAN is going to take part in a Hong Kong book festival, also for the first time, from 17-23 July.<br />
	 </p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-06-28',
			'modified' => '2013-06-28',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'sortorder' => '1029',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
$xml = false
simplexml_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

file not found!

Latest

173 People Die in Disaster Incidents since June 10

Crusher Federation Urges PM Oli for Industry Renewal

Prime Minister Calls for Enhancing 'Hello Sarkar' Service

Bardiya National Park Sees Increase in Tourist Arrivals

Experts, Manpower Agencies at Odds Over Draft of Labour Migration Policy

Lower Seti Hydropower Project Acquires o500 Ropanis of Land

Government Proposes Formation of New Authority to Regulate Cooperatives

Sugar Prices Surge ahead of Festive Season amid Govt’s Failure to Import Sugar

BFIN to Host Conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday

Price of Gold Reaches All-Time High in Nepal

FOREX

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)

Bullion

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

Petroleum

Petrol	1 Liter	106.00
Diesel	1 Liter	95.00
Kerosene	1 Liter	95.00
LP Gas	1 Cylinder	1375.00