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			'id' => '2182',
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			'title' => 'KGH Group: Hospitality Growing Bigger',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="left" style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajan Sakya, CEO, KGH Group" src="/userfiles/images/KGH2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 238px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Rajan Sakya</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, KGH Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">he KGH Group has recently revamped rooms and interiors of its signature hotels, Park Village Hotel and Resorts and Kathmandu Guest House. According to Rajan Sakya, CEO of KGH Group, 60 rooms of five star facility were added on each hotel in the year 2012. Sakya says that rooms were upgraded in accordance with the demand of clients and growing competition to offer quality service.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Renovation work is also ongoing at Aqua Buzz Unlimited, a hotel located in Koshi. Sakya admits that the hotel is not doing impressive business at the moment but he is optimistic that Koshi will emerge as a tourism hub when the Banepa-Bardibas highway gets completed in the next two years. He says that the highway will shorten the distance between Koshi and Kathmandu and will increase tourist flow to the area.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Expansion Plans&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group plans to add new properties to business in the years to come to their current line-up of eight hotels and three travel agencies. According to Sakya, the group is planning to establish two new hotels within the next two years. He says one will be in Kathmandu while the other will be in Koshi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group wishes to see the business he established to be passed on to the future generation. Rajan Sakya, his youngest son also expresses commitment to continue the business and says, &ldquo;Tourism is the industry where we have expertise and long-time experience. The next generation will also be involved in the same field as we do not have any plans to venture into any other sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When making plans for the future, young Sakya says that the overall business climate of Nepal makes it difficult to make long term plans. So, he says the group has been only making plans for the short term. Sakya reveals that the group plans to streamline and standardise the quality of its services offered throughout the properties of the group as well as its management style. For this purpose, he says, the group is adopting a corporate model of running business that will centrally control all sister concerns it owns.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Clientele and Occupancy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The morale of tourism entrepreneurs is getting a boost with the rise in tourist flow after the insurgency. Sakya is also content with the number of clients his chain of hotels has been able to attract. He says that the occupancy level has been satisfactory throughout the year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Sakya, Park Village Resort is primarily targeting conferences and seminars, and so 60 per cent of its clients are Nepalis while the rest are foreigners. Similarly, guests at the Kathmandu Guest House are mostly adventure tourists and it is an all-season hotel with 100 per cent foreign clients. Likewise, 80 per cent of clients at the group&rsquo;s hotels in Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini comprise of foreigners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Management strategy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has been operating under the family business model since Karna Sakya ventured into the tourism and hospitality sector almost 48 years ago. &ldquo;We are not running our business similar to a professionally managed five star hotel. Though we have professional hotel managers to look after a particular hotel, we have shouldered the responsibility of running the business and we are happy with this style because we believe we have the expertise and experience of several decades,&rdquo; explains Rajan Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Sakyas, however, are planning to corporatise the group in the next one to two years. The group plans to set up a corporate head office in Kathmandu with a team headed by a General Manager. Sakya says that the corporate office will centrally control the accounts, internal audits and central purchasing. &ldquo;This model is being adopted to standardise the quality of services and products used across all the properties under the group,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Human Resource Management</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has not only created employment for 650 to 700 people but also has been meeting a social responsibility in hiring employees. Sakya says that the group hires women under the shelter of Maiti Nepal, a non profit organisation dedicated to help victims of sex trafficking.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As women from the organisation find it challenging to reintegrate into society after being rescued from brothels, the KGH group has tied up with Anuradha Koirala (Founder and Director of Maiti Nepal and also a winner of CNN Heroes of 2010) to provide them with job opportunities in all of its properties, says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group prioritises hiring employees from underprivileged groups and communities. Sakya says that the group gives preference to those who have returned after working abroad. He gives an example of a recent recruitment of 10 employees who had returned from the US and the UK. He also reveals that the employee turnover at the group is quite low and some of the employees have been with the company for even decades.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have maintained a very good relationship with employees and so, we do not have problems with the human resource management,&rdquo; he states about the company&rsquo;s relationship with its employees.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="KGH GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/kgh1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 99px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>The KGH Journey</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The journey of the KGH Group began when Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group established Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, 48 years ago. Sakya recalls that Thamel was nothing more than a paddy field then. Thamel, the tourist hub of today grew around the hotel which started with 13 rooms.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					Sakya, a government employee then, used to work at the department of forestry and was not satisfied with the working environment. Brought up in an affluent family, he never felt that he had to take up a job to make his living. A traveller himself, he says that one must be able to comprehend what tourists want in order to run a tourism business and adds: &ldquo;Tourism is a business of dreams and only a dreamer can delve deep into this sector.&rdquo;</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					His expertise as a forester and environmentalist is reflected in the hotels of the group. He has always prioritised the harmony between buildings, nature and the culture of the locality where the hotel is built and it can be witnessed in any of the sister hotels of the group. Sakya says he never developed a property on a leased or government land and all land where hotels are built is owned by the group.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					When the country was at the peak of insurgency, the group never took a break. Rather it expanded into new projects and purchased land that helped it achieve success that it had never seen earlier. Today, the group has eight hotels and three travel agencies and is about to mark its golden jubilee in two years&rsquo; time.</div>
			</td>
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			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'keywords' => 'new business age corporate focus news & articles, corporate focus news & articles from new business age nepal, corporate focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest corporate focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali corporate focus economic news and events,  ongoing  corporate foc',
			'description' => 'KGH Group of Hotels, one of the largest and oldest chain hotels of Nepal, has plans to grow even bigger.',
			'sortorder' => '2028',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2172',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Second City REBAN Festival From Nov 27',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">he Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December. According to KP Sharma, the president of REBAN, the festival aims to promote tourism, social welfare, consumers&rsquo; welfare and local culture. The major attractions of this festival are food competition, national level folk songs competition, dance competition among housewives, display of domestic products, and consumer goods, children&rsquo;s park and musical performances among others. A total of 130 stalls including 110 by different business houses, 12 restaurants, and eight social, health and security organizations will be in the festival. The organizers expect 200,000 visitors in the festival.</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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 Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December.',
			'sortorder' => '2027',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2175',
			'article_category_id' => '202',
			'title' => 'Workaholic’s Day Out',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Upashana Neupane&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">ejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won&rsquo;t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules. But Shrestha&rsquo;s engagements are not limited to office work only. He lives a great personal life while contributing to social causes equally.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha is a man with a big heart. He spends most of his spare time for the welfare of the society. Shrestha says if he gets more time and opportunity he would like to contribute in making our society a better place to live. Of other social welfare activities, he has keen interest in contributing to the cause of orphanage and orphan children&rsquo;s education</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from social welfare, Shrestha is concerned towards the development of internal tourism. Being a person who loves travelling, Shrestha says, &ldquo;Nepal is extremely beautiful place to visit. I have been to many countries across the world, but Nepal itself has always been my favourite&rdquo;, he says. &ldquo;Travelling abroad is fun for some period of time, but at the end of the day, you feel comfortable and good in your own home or your own country.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha feels lack of words to praise the beauty of Nepal. Nagarkot, Pokhara, Baglung and Palpa are some places Shrestha loves to travel time and again. &ldquo;The view keeps me mesmerised&rdquo;, he says. According to Shrestha, Lumbini has always been his all-time favourite place to be.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He updates himself on current affairs but spends his leisure time reading biographies of great people around the world. &ldquo;Jawaharlal Nehru and Bill Gates are some people, I love reading about&rdquo;, he says, &ldquo;It inspires me getting to know about struggles and obstacles they faced in life and what made them great.&rdquo;He prefers reading books which present reality about the world rather than fiction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha has a soft corner for Music too and plays guitar when he finds himself in an appropriate situation. &nbsp;He thinks that if he wasn&rsquo;t a businessman, he&rsquo;d probably been a musician.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite these multiple personal interest, and his official responsibilities, Shrestha remains a committed family plan. He has always managed to be with them.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Tejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won’t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules.',
			'sortorder' => '2026',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
			'sortorder' => '2025',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2145',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => 'Appeal To Nepali Political Parties ‘Think Prosperity, Think Welfare And Shun Strikes’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, <strong>Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, </strong>President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur&rsquo;s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate&rsquo;s <strong>Angila Sharma,</strong> on issues surrounding latest political development and the promises it has for Nepal&rsquo;s business community. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>As a member of FNCCI, what is your opinion on political strikes?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agitation or conflict between political parties does not usually correspond or hold with what the common people think. The recent confrontation between the 33 political parties and the major parties was a huge setback for the nation. We are not going into the politics of what is being done, what is being said or thought. The point is that there has to be a solution for the political problems, agitations or conflicts through democratic means. We believe the best way to do it is through elections. And since the election has been concluded, I will believe it will provide platform where these kinds of conflicts can be resolved. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you think political agenda of various political parties will actually bolster the economy?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	One of the major changes this time in the elections has been that every political party has come up with their economic agenda. These are crucial for the growth of the private sector, for the prosperity of the nation. So, this is a big plus in this year&rsquo;s election as highlighted in the manifestos of most of the political parties. I personally believe that every political party with economic agenda on its manifesto will definitely implement them if they come to power. With most of them prioritizing economic growth in their manifesto, I believe that this CA will provide political parties a common platform to materialize their promises to people. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>There are two political parties who have pledged not to organize strikes in their election manifesto. Will it actually be fruitful?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;The culture of strike has really impacted our society and economy in a negative way. People, a commoner or a political party leader, have realized this. People&rsquo;s reaction during the recent strike called by the agitating 33 parties, reflected that people are annoyed with strike-culture. They could be so many other ways of protesting or registering discontentment, other than organizing strikes.Though most political parties are yet to make such commitments against such undemocratic practices, some have done it and that is appreciable. Every common man is tired of strikes and the political parties have to understand this as they represent the common man. If they fail to do so, next time the common man will also forget them while voting. I feel that political parties understand this and will gradually give up upholding culture of strike.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What does the FNCCI do towards compensating business losses during strike?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As such, FNCCI can never compensate on the losses made during strikes. It is a totally different organization which is a platform where people go and work. People go for policy advocacy, networking and all these kind of things. But, regarding the losses made by strikes, the only thing that can be done is to stop strikes. The recent resistance shown by people during the strike called by the agitating political parties shows that people have become more resistive. This gives me feeling that strike-culture will be demoted in the days ahead.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you work with any international bodies?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	There are various organizations working for the development of the private sector. As such, like FNCCI, we have organizations like SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industries which works into organizing private sectors or networking the private sectors within the South Asian region. Similarly, there is CACCI (Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry). There are bi-lateral agreements with many countries that help us linking with similar organizations.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nepal is in its transitional phase. How will you attract international businesses to invest here?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	I always admire the story of Onassis. Onassis was a Greek industrialist. After the Second World War, the shipping industry was in a dire state at that time. Onassis said that nobody would buy ships at that time because it was war time and thus, he bought a lot of ships. He bought it at a very low price because nobody thought it was a good business at that time. He had the vision that this industry would do good and so, bought all of those. Later, things improved after the Second World War and Onassis made fortunes out of the ships. He turned out to be a renowned industrialist. I really admire this story when we talk about Nepal now. With the numerous opportunities here, Nepal right now has got the scope for businesses as the cost of doing business is very low here. There are adamant opportunities here in comparison to countries that have already developed. In Nepal, because the environment is not conducive, the competitive nature is also not as such and the cost of business is also very low. So, that is the principle thing that business men could see over here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What do you want to say to politicians and young entrepreneurs of Nepal?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For the political parties, I have only one thing to say: Think about the nation more than individual or partisan goals. They need to keep this thing in mind Nepal&rsquo;s prosperity is essential for our prosperity. Where will we Nepali be, if there is no Nepal. For their own good, political parties should think for the nation&rsquo;s good. For the entrepreneurs and everyone in Nepal I would like to say: As a nation we are in a very difficult position. So, all of us should think about contribution that we can make for the nation instead of working for individual or institutional benefit.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-11-29',
			'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' => 'Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur’s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate’s Angila Sharma',
			'sortorder' => '2024',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2177',
			'article_category_id' => '201',
			'title' => 'Corporate Styling: Dos And  Don’ts For Men',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<div>
		<strong style="font-size: 12px;">--By Rashika Pokharel</strong></div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<img alt="Corporate Fashion" src="/userfiles/images/ci.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 208px; height: 600px;" />The corporate world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked. If you want promotion or go ahead in life make sure you get noticed by your boss. Working skills is definitely the most important factor. However, dress up is something which can give wings to your professional career.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Good personality is definitely a rewarding factor and it needs good amount of taste and vigour to style your personality. Our dress up should reflect our personality and should be in no ways misleading. Here are some simple and useful tips that are helpful in shaping a better appearance</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Tips for a perfect office look:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>DOs:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Suits: Suits are crucial element of the corporate uniform. Donning a stylish suit calls for a mature and conservative look. But conservative doesn&rsquo;t have to mean boring. Striped or patterned suits can gear things up and can give you the required look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Tie: Ties complement suits very well. Therefore tie is a must. While picking a tie, go for original colors or patterned ones and do not choose too bright colors.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Watch: A watch is the only ornament which a man can wear. Having said that, the first thing to look for in a man&rsquo;s watch is that it must be large faced. These kinds of watches are forever in fashion.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shoes: Black or brown leather shoes are the perfect shoes to work. You can also switch up the styles and pick between loafers, wingtips, round-toe, or the pointy-tipped shoe.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shirt: Shirts are the most important part of outfit. If you want to look presentable, make sure you have your shirts ironed properly.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Perfume: Nice cologne will provide a final touch. Make sure you apply it in the correct amount. Excessive use of cologne can be disturbing for others.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Don&rsquo;ts</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Flip Flops: Flip-flops are straight no-no to office. They make you look untidy and unprofessional. Flip-Flops are okay for casual wear but it may hamper your professional look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Text Ts: T-shirts with text across the front or back are what you wear outside the office. Therefore, wear a shirt suitable for casual business encounters.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Cargo pants: Cargos may be perfect for the weekend, but they look too casual and do not instill confidence in your bosses or clients while you&rsquo;re at work. So, better go for formal pants during office hours.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Jeans: Do not wear jeans for office as it gives you a rough look. Instead, go for cotton pants.</div>
</div>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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 world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked.',
			'sortorder' => '2023',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2142',
			'article_category_id' => '91',
			'title' => 'CA POLLS Where Does The Economy Go Next?',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	An estimated 70 percent of Nepalis went to polls on 19 November to elect a new constituent assembly assigned with the responsibility to write a new constitution and pave way for the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	People filtered those parties who often take to the street to fulfill their demands but fail to deliver when they lead the government, Rameshore Khanal, former Finance Secretary, said while analyzing the election result.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The victory of Nepali Congress in the urban areas clearly indicates that urban voters favoured liberal economy, Khanal said. &ldquo;The fact that majority of votes were secured by Nepali Congress reflects people&rsquo;s will to be led by a political party which is in favour of social harmony and cohesion.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Business community was terrorized due to federal agenda put forth by UCPN Maoist, he said, adding that the recent poll results might have relieved the entire business community.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	More than 90 per cent businessmen do not want federalism based on ethnicity, he claimed. &ldquo;The entire business environment would be more volatile if political parties that favour regional and ethnic agenda had won the election.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In business and economy, policy stability and consistency is more important than caste and region, he opined. &ldquo;A businessman from Madhesh has to do business in Pahad and vice versa,&rdquo; he said, adding that political parties now should raise the issue of &lsquo;economic nationalism&rsquo; instead of creating tensions among various castes and classes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sociologist Chaitanya Mishra said, &ldquo;The defeat of UCPN Maoist and regional parties shows that people approved less number of federal states.&rdquo; The trend of votes clearly show that even Madhesi voters do not want &lsquo;One Madhesh-One Province&rsquo;, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Professor Lok Raj Baral said that the Constituent Assembly should carve out federal structure based on economic and other feasibility issues. Popular mandate is completely against the ethnic federalism, he said. &ldquo;Political parties should consider economic and other aspect while carving out federal structure now.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr Chiranjivi Nepal, Chief Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, stressed on the challenges that lie ahead for boosting the economy. &nbsp;&ldquo;The country will not get rid of stagnation if Maoist and other fringe parties show rigidity in their agenda,&rdquo; he said.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.',
			'sortorder' => '2022',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2176',
			'article_category_id' => '150',
			'title' => 'Business Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dabur launches Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt. &nbsp;Dabur has combined salt power with other trusted herbs to give a complete oral care solution, says a press release. The toothpaste is available in 40, 80 and 175 gram packs at Rs 20, 35 and 70 respectively. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Sagar Group Wins &lsquo;Brother Gold Award 2013&rsquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sagar Group is awarded with &lsquo;Gold Award 2013&rsquo; in an event hosted by Brother International Gulf at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on November 2013. Sagar Group won the award from among many countries of Middle East and South Asia. Brother Gold Award for Service Excellence is awarded only to authorized service providers on the basis of after-sales service, service Infrastructure, processing mechanism and efficient execution cycle. There were 49 participants from 49 different countries like Qatar, Mauritius, UAE, Egypt, and Kuwait among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Coca-Cola Nepal releases Official FIFA World Cup Anthem &nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Coca-Cola has released the official Coca-Cola Anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2014 titled &lsquo;The World is Ours&rsquo;. According to a press statement, the anthem brings the music of Brazil to the world and captures the local rhythms of samba, baile funk and technobraga featuring vocals from Brazilian singer David Correy and sounds from Monobloco, a Brazilian street band. The Coca-Cola Company has had a long relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Amco Batteries Opens Showroom</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Amco Batteries has opened its showroom in Soaltee Mode of Kathmandu on Friday. According to the company, Amco automobile and two-wheeler batteries are very popular in India, and soon will be renowned in Nepal as well. The showroom will deal in Amco batteries and also provide other required services.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt.',
			'sortorder' => '2021',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2174',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Tourism Briefs ( 25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Boeing Forecasts Increased Demand for Airline Pilots In Middle East</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades. At the Dubai Air Show this week, Boeing released the regional projections of the 2013 Pilot and Technician Outlook - a respected industry forecast of aviation personnel. &nbsp;With the aviation industry in the Middle East growing faster than the world average, the Boeing outlook predicts the region will require 40,000 pilots and 53,100 technicians over the next 20 years. For the Middle East region an average of 2,000 new pilots and more than 2,600 new airline technicians will be needed each year to meet the expected demand. The 2013 global outlook projects significant increases in pilot demand - compared to previous forecasts - in all regions except Europe, which declined slightly over last year&rsquo;s outlook. &nbsp;(Traveldailynews.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&ldquo;Tourism will help rebuild Philippines&rdquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Philippine&rsquo;s Department of Tourism (DOT) has said tourism will play a &ldquo;significant role&rdquo; in rebuilding the country after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. Tourism already accounts for 8 per cent of the country&rsquo;s GDP and provides many jobs to communities as well as improved facilities as infrastructure is built. The DOT called on the private and public sectors to help the country return to normalcy and continue tourism growth, with many travel companies already pledging donations and help in the relief stages. The DOT&rsquo;s update to the trade also included a report into the flight and hotel situation in the country. Services have now resumed from Busuanga Airport and ferries are operating as usual, although some tourists are trapped where roads are impassable. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>China&rsquo;s Avatar Park to Get New Airport</strong></span></div>
<div>
	A new airport is being developed in China to boost tourism at Wulingyuan, which was made famous as the inspiration for the movie Avatar. The new Lotus International Airport will serve the city of Zhangjiajie, in central China&rsquo;s Hunan province, which is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic &amp; Historic Interest Area. Wulingyuan forms part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which was named as China&rsquo;s first national forest park in 1982. Its soaring limestone karsts and lush jungle was cited by Hollywood director James Cameron as the basis for the fictional world of Pandora in his 2009 movie. Since Avatar was released, Wulingyuan has experience a surge in tourism numbers, and authorities in Hunan have now decided to develop a new international airport to serve this rising traffic. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Microsoft Bing Strikes a Deal with Tripadvisor Hotel Metasearch Tool</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As the Google Hotel Finder gains popularity worldwide, Microsoft Bing is making substantial grounds in the US travel sector with a new agreement with TripAdvisor. Microsoft has inked a deal with the hotel review metasearch tool TripAdvisor to be integrated with Bing hotel search results. The latest partnership with Microsoft and TripAdvisor will let the US users to monitor hotel availability, compare live hotel prices and watch traveller ratings and reviews on the Bing search page. &nbsp;(Trvelandtourworld.com)</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.',
			'sortorder' => '2020',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2066',
			'article_category_id' => '40',
			'title' => 'Nepal Leadership Summit: Nepal @ 2080 BS, 12 - Point Economic Growth Roadmap',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By NBA Team</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was an uphill task, but the gathering of influential leaders and high-level representatives succeeded in adopting a document of a 12-point declaration that renewed their political commitment to lead the country on a path of prosperity and development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Nepal Leadership Summit 2013 was to bring five former Prime Ministers -- Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai &ndash; in a common platform. The outcome of the event was a 12-point Birgunj Declaration in which the leaders agreed that the path to prosperity is only possible through a private sector-led economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Due to political instability and resultant fragile environment for investment, the dream of prosperity and development continued to be elusive and leaders in the past displayed weak political will to fulfill their commitments for economic development. But it seems they have now realized that the country is desparate for development. And the 12-point Birgunj Declaration was historic in forging a common agenda on economic issues.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of UCPN Maoist and former PM, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, said that the time has now come to be engaged in production, construction and development of the country. &ldquo;In fact, our party has come to a conclusion that political stability is not possible without economic revolution,&rdquo; he informed. &ldquo;We can break the vicious cycle of poverty in the country only by promoting economic activities and adopting the approach of inclusive growth.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Former PM and Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba argued that the government should not engage in trade or operate industries. &ldquo;The government treasury was almost empty when NC formed the government in 1990,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The situation has now changed as we have enough money. The problem, however, is that we have been unable to invest due to lack of infrastructure and the energy crisis.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Deuba stressed on the need for common commitment to end the existing energy crisis. The country will head in the direction of economic prosperity if we will be able to address the problem of infrastructure, industrial security and energy, he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal should attract Indian investment and should promote exports to reduce trade deficit, he opined. &ldquo;The government should reduce all bureaucratic hassles. We should provide tax rebate to companies that create 100 or more jobs.&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The country&rsquo;s economy remains in a state of confusion, with an expanding budget, energy crisis, trade deficit, inflation, unemployment problem and lack of resources, said former Prime Minister and CPN UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal. He blamed the revenue-oriented government, the short-term profit oriented private sector and rebellious labour for the slow economic growth. &ldquo;We need to improve our educational system and ensure that we have the skills to pursue the available opportunities,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Clarity in policy, investment friendly environment and investment in service and production sector will ensure the country&rsquo;s development, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of CPN-UML and former PM Jhalanath Khanal emphasized the need for policy stability for economic growth. Modernisation of the agriculture sector will have positive impact for development, he said, adding that the banking sector should increase investment in the agricultural sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Absolute poverty and backwardness are the main problems in the country at present, UCPN Maoist leader and former PM Dr Baburam Bhattarai said. &ldquo;The country can achieve the target of 10 per cent growth by increasing investment in productive sectors,&rdquo; he argued. &ldquo;Key factors that are having negative effect in all sectors of the economy are poor governance and corruption. Another important factor is the decline in investment to GDP ratio, which is one of the root causes of the slowdown in GDP growth,&rdquo; Bhattarai said. &ldquo;At least 40 per cent of the GDP should be invested in productive sectors to achieve a double digit growth.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As of now, the government should ensure that at least Rs 700 billion should be utilized in productive sectors to achieve 10 per cent growth since the GDP now stands at nearly Rs 1,700 billion.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We need to build capacity at all levels to deliver as per the policies,&rdquo; he further said, adding that the first question is whether the country&rsquo;s economic boom will allow it to break the cycle of poverty.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal must focus on developing its skills and human resources, especially by harnessing the talents of Nepali people from around the world, he advised. &ldquo;We need to make the building of robust private sectors an urgent priority and promote true entrepreneurship because that is how jobs are created.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He also suggested all political parties to balance between China and India to get maximum benefit from neighbouring economic giants.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of BiCCI Ashok Baid said that political commitment is a must to create an environment of wealth creation through investment, to alleviate poverty, increase the annual GDP growth rate, contain inflation, promote entrepreneurship and generate employment.</div>
<div>
	In the programme, editor-in-chief and chairman of New Biz Madan Lamsal asked politicians to address economic concerns and map out a strategy with the business community and international support to address the country&rsquo;s economic problems.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;">Former PMs&rsquo; Common Points:</strong></div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal is in dire need of economic revolution as it has suffered much during the various political changes of the past</div>
<div>
	&bull;Energy, agriculture and tourism sectors should be prioritized&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;The private sector should lead the country&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The government should play the role of a catalyst for the development of the country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal should focus on turning the optimism on the country&rsquo;s future into real action</div>
<div>
	&bull;Inclusive growth must be the main goal for Nepal&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The mood should be changed from thinking Nepal as a poor country to a country that holds hope</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NEPAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT" src="/userfiles/images/DECLN%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 727px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-10-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'new business age cover story news & articles, cover story news & articles from new business age nepal, cover story headlines from nepal,  current and latest cover story news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali cover story economic news and events,  ongoing  cover story news of nepal',
			'description' => 'One may call it an ambitious plan, but it is not impossible. In the fi rst week of September, the country’s five former prime ministers came together in a common platform to share their vision to revolutionize the local economy. The Nepal Leadership Summit which was organised jointly by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BiCCI) and New Business Age (NBA) with the slogan: ‘Roadmap of Economic Revolution: Vision 2080 BS’ cae up with 12-point Birgunj Declaration  pledging, among others, to give priority to national economic agenda and to honour individual property rights.',
			'sortorder' => '2019',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2173',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Qatar Announces  New Route To Edinburgh',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">Q</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">atar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly. The new route will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, offering passengers 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. Recognised as a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh boasts a long and colourful history. Edinburgh Airport will be the airline&rsquo;s third destination in the United Kingdom preceded by London in 1997 and Manchester in 2003. The airline currently operates flights to the UK&rsquo;s London Heathrow with five flights per day while flying 10 times per week to Manchester Airport.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Qatar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly.',
			'sortorder' => '2018',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2168',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dip In Mercury Raises Heater Sale',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	K<span style="font-size: 12px;">athmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm. Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad. With winter setting in early this year, it has led to greater trade than last year during the same period. An early surge in heater sales has flamed corresponding expectations of higher profit this season.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market status</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Market of winter-comforting materials like heater, blankets is always relational to the wintry spell. Since the spell started earlier this time, till February traders are expecting substantial trade of these products. Most of Nepali consumers rely on Chinese winter-warming products. Chinese products dominating Nepali market due to their affordable prices. However, internationally renowned home appliance brands like the Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, Electron, et cetera, are also competing in the niche. These brands have introduced a series of electric and non-electric heaters in the Nepali market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bhaskar Munankarmi, Assistant Manager at Him Electronics, authorized dealer of Samsung in Nepal, said that most heaters in Nepali market are Chinese and that consumers prefer them primarily for the affordable prices. &ldquo;We have been selling both Halogen and gas heaters of Smsungamong which the demand of gas heater is more due to expected long hours of power outage,&rdquo; Munankarmi added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;The sale of the heaters is expected to increase by 30 per cent than that of previous year till the peak of winter season,&rdquo; he said that adding that &ldquo;The prices of the heaters have also increased by 20 per cent than that of previous years due to rise in the price of foreign exchange.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters in Nepali Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	In Nepal, halogen, quartz, fan, kerosene and LPG heaters are widely preferred. Halogen, quartz and fan heaters are basically variants of electric heating devices. Halogen heaters are available in two- and three-rod types. Price of Chinese two-rod halogen heaters starts from Rs 1765, while the three-rod variant starts at around Rs 2200.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders say that the demand of gas heater is increasing in the market as compared to the halogen and kerosene heaters. &ldquo;As it can be operated even during load shedding hours and can heat up a room more effectively in short time, gas heaters are more popular,&rdquo; said Ishwor Dangol, proprietor of Asan based Ishwor Store. &ldquo;It is now displacing the traditional electric heater and kerosene heater,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The market offers gas heaters with three burners. Once heated, the burner, made up of ceramic clay and lime, releases heat for a long time.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A single heating burner with a capacity of 1.4 kilowatt can release up to 4,000 watts of heat at its full efficiency level. Dangol said a gas heater can heat a room with an area of 20-80 sqm, provided all the three burners are lighted. &ldquo;The infrared and fast heating systems fitted in the heater warms the room in a short time, thereby using less &nbsp;energy,&rdquo; said Dangol.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bikash Maharjan of Ganapati Store in Mahabauddha said a cylinder of LPG can fuel a gas heater for 90 to 100 hours with all the three burners lighted.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from the normal gas heater, the market also offers hybrid ones that use both LPG and electricity. Electric segment of the hybrid heater comes with three halogen rods or heating fan. &ldquo;The demand for the hybrid heater is also on the rise as it allows people to use the electric heater also,&rdquo; said Maharjan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A normal gas heater costs between Rs 5,500 and Rs 6,000, while the hybrid one is available for Rs 7,500 and above. A one-year warranty is also offered in the products,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Heater Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/fc1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 274px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>International Brands in Nepali Market&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Internationally acclaimed home appliance brands like Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, and Electron, among others, are competing in Nepal heater segment market. Though Chinese heaters are widely preferred by the Nepali customers, dealers of these international brands are hopeful of a fair share of the market for their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Sethia, Managing Director of Universal Trading Centre (UTC), a subsidiary of Lucky Group, the authorised distributor of Black &amp; Decker, says, &ldquo;We brought in electric heaters five years ago and currently we are the leaders when it comes to branded heaters, as the rest of the market is dominated by Chinese products.&rdquo; While determining actual market share of their product remains difficult, he informed that they sell around 1,000 units a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, Electron Appliances &mdash; an Australian brand established over 20 years ago &mdash; has been competing in the Nepali market since a decade. Amit Taparia, Manager at Electron International Private Limited, a professional household appliance company marketing the brand&rsquo;s appliances in Nepal, says, &ldquo;We have heaters in quartz, halogen, fan and gas models in the two- and three-rod segment. Capacities of our models vary from 600 to 1,200 watts. We also have a two-in-one gas cum electric heater.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to him, consumers are shifting away from traditional quartz to halogen and fan variants, though the latter are mainly used for office purposes. &ldquo;The sales of LPG heaters is also catching up with electric variants, as they can be used during power cut hours. This is the reason we occupy 20 per cent of the market share among branded heaters,&rdquo; says Taparia, though he argues that disclosure of price is difficult and may vary from one retailer to other.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With Chinese products dominating the market, dealers in branded ones are reluctant to disclose the price and sales growth. However, they uniformly agree that the market is growing. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Goenka, Operation Manager of Triveni Byapar Company Limited, authorised distributor of Yasuda, says, &ldquo;Yasuda, an affordable brand introduced in Nepal just three years ago, is witnessing an average growth of 30 per cent every year. Targeting the middle class segment, we provide six models of halogen heaters. Five of our models belong to three-rod segment while one has two rods.&rdquo; Like Taparia, Goyenka also finds it difficult to reveal prices and annual sales of company products. He claimed that the brand enjoys 15 per cent of the market share among branded heaters. Goenka adds, &ldquo;Remote control feature and smooth rotation adds to the good looks that our products flaunt, making us the preferred choice among prospective buyers.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prospects of the Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Traders opine that the market of heater in Nepal is flourishing. Especially in Kathmandu where the climate tempts people to buy heater to avoid chilling winter cold. As a warm home in winter makes everything better, heater-traders expected equally&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12px;">heated sales.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'Kathmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm.   Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad.',
			'sortorder' => '2017',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2170',
			'article_category_id' => '157',
			'title' => 'A Little Piece Of Eden',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Rukesh Shrestha</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance. The Resort spreads across an area of 13 ropanis, has adequate parking space and is constructed in typical architecture of Chitwan. However, it has all the modern amenities for your comfort. Some of the facilities include free Wi-Fi, hot and cold water and free pickup and drop to and from Sauraha bus stop and Bharatpur Airport. Guests are also offered free transportation for visiting the nearby Tharu village. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort currently operates with 22 deluxe rooms. According to Lajik Shrestha, Manager of the Resort, there are plans of adding 50 air conditioned rooms in the future. The Resort is surrounded by a lush shady garden which is home to numerous local birds. The place comes alive at evenings with the chirping of birds. The garden also has three hammocks for guests to swing and relax.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort offers various packages that cover national park entrance fees, guide fee, meals, accommodation according to the package, and activities according to the package, pick up and drop to bus station. There are plenty of activities to indulge into, including Tharu village visit, elephant stable visit, visit to sunset point, elephant back safari, jeep safari, canoeing, jungle &nbsp;walk, elephant bathing in Rapti river, cultural program, visit to elephant breeding center, &nbsp;bird watching program and cycling tour to 20,000 lake.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort also serves delicious food, and specializes in Indian, Continental, Chinese and Nepali cuisine. There is a nice dining hall decorated with numerous paintings of birds and wild animals and those depicting Tharu culture. &nbsp;Fifty people can dine in the hall at once. According to the Chef of the Resort, one of the best sellers here is the fresh fish from the Rapti River and shallow fried mutton.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, the number of tourists visiting the Resort has increased in the recent years. Most of the tourists here are Americans, Europeans and Chinese. &ldquo;Europeans arrive from February to March and Americans come more in September and November. Nepalis come throughout the year,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	says Shrestha.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort has its office in Thamel for reservations. No matter which season you visit, the Resort will greet you with all its heart and its amenities. The Resort is also recommended by Tripadvisor and has received Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor owing to its impeccable services. Visit once and leave with unforgettable memories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<em>(For Reservations: 4218418)</em></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance.',
			'sortorder' => '2016',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2169',
			'article_category_id' => '152',
			'title' => 'Focus Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Himstar gas room heater in market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Him Electronics has launched new model of &lsquo;Himstar Gas Room Heater&rsquo; for the winter season. &nbsp;Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this &nbsp;gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement. The heater&rsquo;s body is made of powder coated heavy metal where a safety sensor has been adapted to enable it to automatically switch off if it falls to the floor, the company said. In order to discourage use of insecure pipes to connect gas cylinder, the heater comes with high quality pipe.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CG Launches Gas Geyser&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	CG Electronics has added CG Gas Geyser to its existing product portfolio. The geyser is convenient, handy and reasonably priced. It has features that include heating efficiency, winter/summer function, auto gas leak protection, digital display, hand shower and child lock. The company has launched two models of the geyser at &nbsp;prices ranging from Rs 5,990 to Rs 6,190. The productscome in two dynamic colours: vibrant white and classic black.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters and Safety Issues</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Gas heaters need proper maintenance for safely enjoying its warmth in chilling cold winter. An unsafe or faulty heater can cause serious problems. Health problems that seem worse, or only occur when the heating is on, may be caused by carbon monoxide from a faulty gas heater. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea and chest pain. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>You should always:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Have plenty of ventilation &ndash; never seal up doorways, windows or vents. Ventilation is very important as it allows fresh air to come in and fumes to go out.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Prevent young children and elderly people from touching very hot surfaces. The normal dress guard only protects against accidental clothing contact.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Be careful when trying to dry clothes with the help of the heater &ndash; keep all flammable materials at least a metre away from the heater.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">What you should NOT do:</span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use or store solvents, aerosols or pressure pack cans near a gas heater &ndash; even if the heater is turned off, the pilot light may still be on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never dispose off rubbish such as tissues, cotton buds or other things in a gas fire &ndash; this can affect combustion and produce dangerous pollutants.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use an outdoor appliance inside (this includes barbeques and patio heaters).</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Your heater needs to be checked if:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;There is a yellow or sooty flame (unless it is a decorative gas log fire).</div>
<div>
	&bull;The pilot light goes out unexpectedly, or &lsquo;pops&rsquo; or &lsquo;bangs&rsquo; when lighting.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are signs of heat damage such as discoloration of the walls or heater panels.</div>
<div>
	&bull;The walls become too hot to touch while the heater is on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are soot stains around the heater.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Him Electronics has launched new model of ‘Himstar Gas Room Heater’ for the winter season.  Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this  gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement.',
			'sortorder' => '2015',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2166',
			'article_category_id' => '109',
			'title' => 'Garima  At 7th Year',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">G</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">arima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches. The Bank has started providing its micro loan service also to the male entrepreneurs. Earlier, this loan scheme was only provided to the women entrepreneurs. &nbsp;The Bank has distributed 20 per cent bonus shares and 5 per cent cash dividend to its shareholders as approved by the last Annual General Assembly of the Company. The Bank has the authorised capital of Rs 1 billion. &nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Garima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches',
			'sortorder' => '2014',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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			'user_id' => '0'
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2182',
			'article_category_id' => '39',
			'title' => 'KGH Group: Hospitality Growing Bigger',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="left" style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajan Sakya, CEO, KGH Group" src="/userfiles/images/KGH2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 238px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Rajan Sakya</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, KGH Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">he KGH Group has recently revamped rooms and interiors of its signature hotels, Park Village Hotel and Resorts and Kathmandu Guest House. According to Rajan Sakya, CEO of KGH Group, 60 rooms of five star facility were added on each hotel in the year 2012. Sakya says that rooms were upgraded in accordance with the demand of clients and growing competition to offer quality service.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Renovation work is also ongoing at Aqua Buzz Unlimited, a hotel located in Koshi. Sakya admits that the hotel is not doing impressive business at the moment but he is optimistic that Koshi will emerge as a tourism hub when the Banepa-Bardibas highway gets completed in the next two years. He says that the highway will shorten the distance between Koshi and Kathmandu and will increase tourist flow to the area.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Expansion Plans&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group plans to add new properties to business in the years to come to their current line-up of eight hotels and three travel agencies. According to Sakya, the group is planning to establish two new hotels within the next two years. He says one will be in Kathmandu while the other will be in Koshi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group wishes to see the business he established to be passed on to the future generation. Rajan Sakya, his youngest son also expresses commitment to continue the business and says, &ldquo;Tourism is the industry where we have expertise and long-time experience. The next generation will also be involved in the same field as we do not have any plans to venture into any other sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When making plans for the future, young Sakya says that the overall business climate of Nepal makes it difficult to make long term plans. So, he says the group has been only making plans for the short term. Sakya reveals that the group plans to streamline and standardise the quality of its services offered throughout the properties of the group as well as its management style. For this purpose, he says, the group is adopting a corporate model of running business that will centrally control all sister concerns it owns.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Clientele and Occupancy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The morale of tourism entrepreneurs is getting a boost with the rise in tourist flow after the insurgency. Sakya is also content with the number of clients his chain of hotels has been able to attract. He says that the occupancy level has been satisfactory throughout the year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Sakya, Park Village Resort is primarily targeting conferences and seminars, and so 60 per cent of its clients are Nepalis while the rest are foreigners. Similarly, guests at the Kathmandu Guest House are mostly adventure tourists and it is an all-season hotel with 100 per cent foreign clients. Likewise, 80 per cent of clients at the group&rsquo;s hotels in Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini comprise of foreigners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Management strategy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has been operating under the family business model since Karna Sakya ventured into the tourism and hospitality sector almost 48 years ago. &ldquo;We are not running our business similar to a professionally managed five star hotel. Though we have professional hotel managers to look after a particular hotel, we have shouldered the responsibility of running the business and we are happy with this style because we believe we have the expertise and experience of several decades,&rdquo; explains Rajan Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Sakyas, however, are planning to corporatise the group in the next one to two years. The group plans to set up a corporate head office in Kathmandu with a team headed by a General Manager. Sakya says that the corporate office will centrally control the accounts, internal audits and central purchasing. &ldquo;This model is being adopted to standardise the quality of services and products used across all the properties under the group,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Human Resource Management</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has not only created employment for 650 to 700 people but also has been meeting a social responsibility in hiring employees. Sakya says that the group hires women under the shelter of Maiti Nepal, a non profit organisation dedicated to help victims of sex trafficking.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As women from the organisation find it challenging to reintegrate into society after being rescued from brothels, the KGH group has tied up with Anuradha Koirala (Founder and Director of Maiti Nepal and also a winner of CNN Heroes of 2010) to provide them with job opportunities in all of its properties, says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group prioritises hiring employees from underprivileged groups and communities. Sakya says that the group gives preference to those who have returned after working abroad. He gives an example of a recent recruitment of 10 employees who had returned from the US and the UK. He also reveals that the employee turnover at the group is quite low and some of the employees have been with the company for even decades.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have maintained a very good relationship with employees and so, we do not have problems with the human resource management,&rdquo; he states about the company&rsquo;s relationship with its employees.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="KGH GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/kgh1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 99px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>The KGH Journey</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The journey of the KGH Group began when Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group established Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, 48 years ago. Sakya recalls that Thamel was nothing more than a paddy field then. Thamel, the tourist hub of today grew around the hotel which started with 13 rooms.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					Sakya, a government employee then, used to work at the department of forestry and was not satisfied with the working environment. Brought up in an affluent family, he never felt that he had to take up a job to make his living. A traveller himself, he says that one must be able to comprehend what tourists want in order to run a tourism business and adds: &ldquo;Tourism is a business of dreams and only a dreamer can delve deep into this sector.&rdquo;</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					His expertise as a forester and environmentalist is reflected in the hotels of the group. He has always prioritised the harmony between buildings, nature and the culture of the locality where the hotel is built and it can be witnessed in any of the sister hotels of the group. Sakya says he never developed a property on a leased or government land and all land where hotels are built is owned by the group.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					When the country was at the peak of insurgency, the group never took a break. Rather it expanded into new projects and purchased land that helped it achieve success that it had never seen earlier. Today, the group has eight hotels and three travel agencies and is about to mark its golden jubilee in two years&rsquo; time.</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'keywords' => 'new business age corporate focus news & articles, corporate focus news & articles from new business age nepal, corporate focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest corporate focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali corporate focus economic news and events,  ongoing  corporate foc',
			'description' => 'KGH Group of Hotels, one of the largest and oldest chain hotels of Nepal, has plans to grow even bigger.',
			'sortorder' => '2028',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2172',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Second City REBAN Festival From Nov 27',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">he Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December. According to KP Sharma, the president of REBAN, the festival aims to promote tourism, social welfare, consumers&rsquo; welfare and local culture. The major attractions of this festival are food competition, national level folk songs competition, dance competition among housewives, display of domestic products, and consumer goods, children&rsquo;s park and musical performances among others. A total of 130 stalls including 110 by different business houses, 12 restaurants, and eight social, health and security organizations will be in the festival. The organizers expect 200,000 visitors in the festival.</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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 Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December.',
			'sortorder' => '2027',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2175',
			'article_category_id' => '202',
			'title' => 'Workaholic’s Day Out',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Upashana Neupane&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">ejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won&rsquo;t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules. But Shrestha&rsquo;s engagements are not limited to office work only. He lives a great personal life while contributing to social causes equally.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha is a man with a big heart. He spends most of his spare time for the welfare of the society. Shrestha says if he gets more time and opportunity he would like to contribute in making our society a better place to live. Of other social welfare activities, he has keen interest in contributing to the cause of orphanage and orphan children&rsquo;s education</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from social welfare, Shrestha is concerned towards the development of internal tourism. Being a person who loves travelling, Shrestha says, &ldquo;Nepal is extremely beautiful place to visit. I have been to many countries across the world, but Nepal itself has always been my favourite&rdquo;, he says. &ldquo;Travelling abroad is fun for some period of time, but at the end of the day, you feel comfortable and good in your own home or your own country.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha feels lack of words to praise the beauty of Nepal. Nagarkot, Pokhara, Baglung and Palpa are some places Shrestha loves to travel time and again. &ldquo;The view keeps me mesmerised&rdquo;, he says. According to Shrestha, Lumbini has always been his all-time favourite place to be.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He updates himself on current affairs but spends his leisure time reading biographies of great people around the world. &ldquo;Jawaharlal Nehru and Bill Gates are some people, I love reading about&rdquo;, he says, &ldquo;It inspires me getting to know about struggles and obstacles they faced in life and what made them great.&rdquo;He prefers reading books which present reality about the world rather than fiction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha has a soft corner for Music too and plays guitar when he finds himself in an appropriate situation. &nbsp;He thinks that if he wasn&rsquo;t a businessman, he&rsquo;d probably been a musician.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite these multiple personal interest, and his official responsibilities, Shrestha remains a committed family plan. He has always managed to be with them.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Tejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won’t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules.',
			'sortorder' => '2026',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
			'sortorder' => '2025',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2145',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => 'Appeal To Nepali Political Parties ‘Think Prosperity, Think Welfare And Shun Strikes’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, <strong>Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, </strong>President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur&rsquo;s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate&rsquo;s <strong>Angila Sharma,</strong> on issues surrounding latest political development and the promises it has for Nepal&rsquo;s business community. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>As a member of FNCCI, what is your opinion on political strikes?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agitation or conflict between political parties does not usually correspond or hold with what the common people think. The recent confrontation between the 33 political parties and the major parties was a huge setback for the nation. We are not going into the politics of what is being done, what is being said or thought. The point is that there has to be a solution for the political problems, agitations or conflicts through democratic means. We believe the best way to do it is through elections. And since the election has been concluded, I will believe it will provide platform where these kinds of conflicts can be resolved. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you think political agenda of various political parties will actually bolster the economy?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	One of the major changes this time in the elections has been that every political party has come up with their economic agenda. These are crucial for the growth of the private sector, for the prosperity of the nation. So, this is a big plus in this year&rsquo;s election as highlighted in the manifestos of most of the political parties. I personally believe that every political party with economic agenda on its manifesto will definitely implement them if they come to power. With most of them prioritizing economic growth in their manifesto, I believe that this CA will provide political parties a common platform to materialize their promises to people. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>There are two political parties who have pledged not to organize strikes in their election manifesto. Will it actually be fruitful?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;The culture of strike has really impacted our society and economy in a negative way. People, a commoner or a political party leader, have realized this. People&rsquo;s reaction during the recent strike called by the agitating 33 parties, reflected that people are annoyed with strike-culture. They could be so many other ways of protesting or registering discontentment, other than organizing strikes.Though most political parties are yet to make such commitments against such undemocratic practices, some have done it and that is appreciable. Every common man is tired of strikes and the political parties have to understand this as they represent the common man. If they fail to do so, next time the common man will also forget them while voting. I feel that political parties understand this and will gradually give up upholding culture of strike.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What does the FNCCI do towards compensating business losses during strike?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As such, FNCCI can never compensate on the losses made during strikes. It is a totally different organization which is a platform where people go and work. People go for policy advocacy, networking and all these kind of things. But, regarding the losses made by strikes, the only thing that can be done is to stop strikes. The recent resistance shown by people during the strike called by the agitating political parties shows that people have become more resistive. This gives me feeling that strike-culture will be demoted in the days ahead.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you work with any international bodies?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	There are various organizations working for the development of the private sector. As such, like FNCCI, we have organizations like SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industries which works into organizing private sectors or networking the private sectors within the South Asian region. Similarly, there is CACCI (Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry). There are bi-lateral agreements with many countries that help us linking with similar organizations.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nepal is in its transitional phase. How will you attract international businesses to invest here?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	I always admire the story of Onassis. Onassis was a Greek industrialist. After the Second World War, the shipping industry was in a dire state at that time. Onassis said that nobody would buy ships at that time because it was war time and thus, he bought a lot of ships. He bought it at a very low price because nobody thought it was a good business at that time. He had the vision that this industry would do good and so, bought all of those. Later, things improved after the Second World War and Onassis made fortunes out of the ships. He turned out to be a renowned industrialist. I really admire this story when we talk about Nepal now. With the numerous opportunities here, Nepal right now has got the scope for businesses as the cost of doing business is very low here. There are adamant opportunities here in comparison to countries that have already developed. In Nepal, because the environment is not conducive, the competitive nature is also not as such and the cost of business is also very low. So, that is the principle thing that business men could see over here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What do you want to say to politicians and young entrepreneurs of Nepal?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For the political parties, I have only one thing to say: Think about the nation more than individual or partisan goals. They need to keep this thing in mind Nepal&rsquo;s prosperity is essential for our prosperity. Where will we Nepali be, if there is no Nepal. For their own good, political parties should think for the nation&rsquo;s good. For the entrepreneurs and everyone in Nepal I would like to say: As a nation we are in a very difficult position. So, all of us should think about contribution that we can make for the nation instead of working for individual or institutional benefit.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-11-29',
			'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' => 'Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur’s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate’s Angila Sharma',
			'sortorder' => '2024',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2177',
			'article_category_id' => '201',
			'title' => 'Corporate Styling: Dos And  Don’ts For Men',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<div>
		<strong style="font-size: 12px;">--By Rashika Pokharel</strong></div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<img alt="Corporate Fashion" src="/userfiles/images/ci.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 208px; height: 600px;" />The corporate world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked. If you want promotion or go ahead in life make sure you get noticed by your boss. Working skills is definitely the most important factor. However, dress up is something which can give wings to your professional career.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Good personality is definitely a rewarding factor and it needs good amount of taste and vigour to style your personality. Our dress up should reflect our personality and should be in no ways misleading. Here are some simple and useful tips that are helpful in shaping a better appearance</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Tips for a perfect office look:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>DOs:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Suits: Suits are crucial element of the corporate uniform. Donning a stylish suit calls for a mature and conservative look. But conservative doesn&rsquo;t have to mean boring. Striped or patterned suits can gear things up and can give you the required look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Tie: Ties complement suits very well. Therefore tie is a must. While picking a tie, go for original colors or patterned ones and do not choose too bright colors.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Watch: A watch is the only ornament which a man can wear. Having said that, the first thing to look for in a man&rsquo;s watch is that it must be large faced. These kinds of watches are forever in fashion.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shoes: Black or brown leather shoes are the perfect shoes to work. You can also switch up the styles and pick between loafers, wingtips, round-toe, or the pointy-tipped shoe.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shirt: Shirts are the most important part of outfit. If you want to look presentable, make sure you have your shirts ironed properly.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Perfume: Nice cologne will provide a final touch. Make sure you apply it in the correct amount. Excessive use of cologne can be disturbing for others.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Don&rsquo;ts</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Flip Flops: Flip-flops are straight no-no to office. They make you look untidy and unprofessional. Flip-Flops are okay for casual wear but it may hamper your professional look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Text Ts: T-shirts with text across the front or back are what you wear outside the office. Therefore, wear a shirt suitable for casual business encounters.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Cargo pants: Cargos may be perfect for the weekend, but they look too casual and do not instill confidence in your bosses or clients while you&rsquo;re at work. So, better go for formal pants during office hours.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Jeans: Do not wear jeans for office as it gives you a rough look. Instead, go for cotton pants.</div>
</div>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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 world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked.',
			'sortorder' => '2023',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2142',
			'article_category_id' => '91',
			'title' => 'CA POLLS Where Does The Economy Go Next?',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	An estimated 70 percent of Nepalis went to polls on 19 November to elect a new constituent assembly assigned with the responsibility to write a new constitution and pave way for the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	People filtered those parties who often take to the street to fulfill their demands but fail to deliver when they lead the government, Rameshore Khanal, former Finance Secretary, said while analyzing the election result.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The victory of Nepali Congress in the urban areas clearly indicates that urban voters favoured liberal economy, Khanal said. &ldquo;The fact that majority of votes were secured by Nepali Congress reflects people&rsquo;s will to be led by a political party which is in favour of social harmony and cohesion.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Business community was terrorized due to federal agenda put forth by UCPN Maoist, he said, adding that the recent poll results might have relieved the entire business community.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	More than 90 per cent businessmen do not want federalism based on ethnicity, he claimed. &ldquo;The entire business environment would be more volatile if political parties that favour regional and ethnic agenda had won the election.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In business and economy, policy stability and consistency is more important than caste and region, he opined. &ldquo;A businessman from Madhesh has to do business in Pahad and vice versa,&rdquo; he said, adding that political parties now should raise the issue of &lsquo;economic nationalism&rsquo; instead of creating tensions among various castes and classes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sociologist Chaitanya Mishra said, &ldquo;The defeat of UCPN Maoist and regional parties shows that people approved less number of federal states.&rdquo; The trend of votes clearly show that even Madhesi voters do not want &lsquo;One Madhesh-One Province&rsquo;, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Professor Lok Raj Baral said that the Constituent Assembly should carve out federal structure based on economic and other feasibility issues. Popular mandate is completely against the ethnic federalism, he said. &ldquo;Political parties should consider economic and other aspect while carving out federal structure now.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr Chiranjivi Nepal, Chief Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, stressed on the challenges that lie ahead for boosting the economy. &nbsp;&ldquo;The country will not get rid of stagnation if Maoist and other fringe parties show rigidity in their agenda,&rdquo; he said.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
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			'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' => 'Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.',
			'sortorder' => '2022',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2176',
			'article_category_id' => '150',
			'title' => 'Business Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dabur launches Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt. &nbsp;Dabur has combined salt power with other trusted herbs to give a complete oral care solution, says a press release. The toothpaste is available in 40, 80 and 175 gram packs at Rs 20, 35 and 70 respectively. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Sagar Group Wins &lsquo;Brother Gold Award 2013&rsquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sagar Group is awarded with &lsquo;Gold Award 2013&rsquo; in an event hosted by Brother International Gulf at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on November 2013. Sagar Group won the award from among many countries of Middle East and South Asia. Brother Gold Award for Service Excellence is awarded only to authorized service providers on the basis of after-sales service, service Infrastructure, processing mechanism and efficient execution cycle. There were 49 participants from 49 different countries like Qatar, Mauritius, UAE, Egypt, and Kuwait among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Coca-Cola Nepal releases Official FIFA World Cup Anthem &nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Coca-Cola has released the official Coca-Cola Anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2014 titled &lsquo;The World is Ours&rsquo;. According to a press statement, the anthem brings the music of Brazil to the world and captures the local rhythms of samba, baile funk and technobraga featuring vocals from Brazilian singer David Correy and sounds from Monobloco, a Brazilian street band. The Coca-Cola Company has had a long relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Amco Batteries Opens Showroom</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Amco Batteries has opened its showroom in Soaltee Mode of Kathmandu on Friday. According to the company, Amco automobile and two-wheeler batteries are very popular in India, and soon will be renowned in Nepal as well. The showroom will deal in Amco batteries and also provide other required services.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt.',
			'sortorder' => '2021',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2174',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Tourism Briefs ( 25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Boeing Forecasts Increased Demand for Airline Pilots In Middle East</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades. At the Dubai Air Show this week, Boeing released the regional projections of the 2013 Pilot and Technician Outlook - a respected industry forecast of aviation personnel. &nbsp;With the aviation industry in the Middle East growing faster than the world average, the Boeing outlook predicts the region will require 40,000 pilots and 53,100 technicians over the next 20 years. For the Middle East region an average of 2,000 new pilots and more than 2,600 new airline technicians will be needed each year to meet the expected demand. The 2013 global outlook projects significant increases in pilot demand - compared to previous forecasts - in all regions except Europe, which declined slightly over last year&rsquo;s outlook. &nbsp;(Traveldailynews.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&ldquo;Tourism will help rebuild Philippines&rdquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Philippine&rsquo;s Department of Tourism (DOT) has said tourism will play a &ldquo;significant role&rdquo; in rebuilding the country after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. Tourism already accounts for 8 per cent of the country&rsquo;s GDP and provides many jobs to communities as well as improved facilities as infrastructure is built. The DOT called on the private and public sectors to help the country return to normalcy and continue tourism growth, with many travel companies already pledging donations and help in the relief stages. The DOT&rsquo;s update to the trade also included a report into the flight and hotel situation in the country. Services have now resumed from Busuanga Airport and ferries are operating as usual, although some tourists are trapped where roads are impassable. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>China&rsquo;s Avatar Park to Get New Airport</strong></span></div>
<div>
	A new airport is being developed in China to boost tourism at Wulingyuan, which was made famous as the inspiration for the movie Avatar. The new Lotus International Airport will serve the city of Zhangjiajie, in central China&rsquo;s Hunan province, which is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic &amp; Historic Interest Area. Wulingyuan forms part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which was named as China&rsquo;s first national forest park in 1982. Its soaring limestone karsts and lush jungle was cited by Hollywood director James Cameron as the basis for the fictional world of Pandora in his 2009 movie. Since Avatar was released, Wulingyuan has experience a surge in tourism numbers, and authorities in Hunan have now decided to develop a new international airport to serve this rising traffic. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Microsoft Bing Strikes a Deal with Tripadvisor Hotel Metasearch Tool</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As the Google Hotel Finder gains popularity worldwide, Microsoft Bing is making substantial grounds in the US travel sector with a new agreement with TripAdvisor. Microsoft has inked a deal with the hotel review metasearch tool TripAdvisor to be integrated with Bing hotel search results. The latest partnership with Microsoft and TripAdvisor will let the US users to monitor hotel availability, compare live hotel prices and watch traveller ratings and reviews on the Bing search page. &nbsp;(Trvelandtourworld.com)</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.',
			'sortorder' => '2020',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2066',
			'article_category_id' => '40',
			'title' => 'Nepal Leadership Summit: Nepal @ 2080 BS, 12 - Point Economic Growth Roadmap',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By NBA Team</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was an uphill task, but the gathering of influential leaders and high-level representatives succeeded in adopting a document of a 12-point declaration that renewed their political commitment to lead the country on a path of prosperity and development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Nepal Leadership Summit 2013 was to bring five former Prime Ministers -- Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai &ndash; in a common platform. The outcome of the event was a 12-point Birgunj Declaration in which the leaders agreed that the path to prosperity is only possible through a private sector-led economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Due to political instability and resultant fragile environment for investment, the dream of prosperity and development continued to be elusive and leaders in the past displayed weak political will to fulfill their commitments for economic development. But it seems they have now realized that the country is desparate for development. And the 12-point Birgunj Declaration was historic in forging a common agenda on economic issues.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of UCPN Maoist and former PM, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, said that the time has now come to be engaged in production, construction and development of the country. &ldquo;In fact, our party has come to a conclusion that political stability is not possible without economic revolution,&rdquo; he informed. &ldquo;We can break the vicious cycle of poverty in the country only by promoting economic activities and adopting the approach of inclusive growth.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Former PM and Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba argued that the government should not engage in trade or operate industries. &ldquo;The government treasury was almost empty when NC formed the government in 1990,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The situation has now changed as we have enough money. The problem, however, is that we have been unable to invest due to lack of infrastructure and the energy crisis.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Deuba stressed on the need for common commitment to end the existing energy crisis. The country will head in the direction of economic prosperity if we will be able to address the problem of infrastructure, industrial security and energy, he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal should attract Indian investment and should promote exports to reduce trade deficit, he opined. &ldquo;The government should reduce all bureaucratic hassles. We should provide tax rebate to companies that create 100 or more jobs.&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The country&rsquo;s economy remains in a state of confusion, with an expanding budget, energy crisis, trade deficit, inflation, unemployment problem and lack of resources, said former Prime Minister and CPN UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal. He blamed the revenue-oriented government, the short-term profit oriented private sector and rebellious labour for the slow economic growth. &ldquo;We need to improve our educational system and ensure that we have the skills to pursue the available opportunities,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Clarity in policy, investment friendly environment and investment in service and production sector will ensure the country&rsquo;s development, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of CPN-UML and former PM Jhalanath Khanal emphasized the need for policy stability for economic growth. Modernisation of the agriculture sector will have positive impact for development, he said, adding that the banking sector should increase investment in the agricultural sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Absolute poverty and backwardness are the main problems in the country at present, UCPN Maoist leader and former PM Dr Baburam Bhattarai said. &ldquo;The country can achieve the target of 10 per cent growth by increasing investment in productive sectors,&rdquo; he argued. &ldquo;Key factors that are having negative effect in all sectors of the economy are poor governance and corruption. Another important factor is the decline in investment to GDP ratio, which is one of the root causes of the slowdown in GDP growth,&rdquo; Bhattarai said. &ldquo;At least 40 per cent of the GDP should be invested in productive sectors to achieve a double digit growth.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As of now, the government should ensure that at least Rs 700 billion should be utilized in productive sectors to achieve 10 per cent growth since the GDP now stands at nearly Rs 1,700 billion.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We need to build capacity at all levels to deliver as per the policies,&rdquo; he further said, adding that the first question is whether the country&rsquo;s economic boom will allow it to break the cycle of poverty.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal must focus on developing its skills and human resources, especially by harnessing the talents of Nepali people from around the world, he advised. &ldquo;We need to make the building of robust private sectors an urgent priority and promote true entrepreneurship because that is how jobs are created.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He also suggested all political parties to balance between China and India to get maximum benefit from neighbouring economic giants.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of BiCCI Ashok Baid said that political commitment is a must to create an environment of wealth creation through investment, to alleviate poverty, increase the annual GDP growth rate, contain inflation, promote entrepreneurship and generate employment.</div>
<div>
	In the programme, editor-in-chief and chairman of New Biz Madan Lamsal asked politicians to address economic concerns and map out a strategy with the business community and international support to address the country&rsquo;s economic problems.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;">Former PMs&rsquo; Common Points:</strong></div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal is in dire need of economic revolution as it has suffered much during the various political changes of the past</div>
<div>
	&bull;Energy, agriculture and tourism sectors should be prioritized&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;The private sector should lead the country&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The government should play the role of a catalyst for the development of the country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal should focus on turning the optimism on the country&rsquo;s future into real action</div>
<div>
	&bull;Inclusive growth must be the main goal for Nepal&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The mood should be changed from thinking Nepal as a poor country to a country that holds hope</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NEPAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT" src="/userfiles/images/DECLN%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 727px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-10-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'new business age cover story news & articles, cover story news & articles from new business age nepal, cover story headlines from nepal,  current and latest cover story news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali cover story economic news and events,  ongoing  cover story news of nepal',
			'description' => 'One may call it an ambitious plan, but it is not impossible. In the fi rst week of September, the country’s five former prime ministers came together in a common platform to share their vision to revolutionize the local economy. The Nepal Leadership Summit which was organised jointly by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BiCCI) and New Business Age (NBA) with the slogan: ‘Roadmap of Economic Revolution: Vision 2080 BS’ cae up with 12-point Birgunj Declaration  pledging, among others, to give priority to national economic agenda and to honour individual property rights.',
			'sortorder' => '2019',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
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	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2173',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Qatar Announces  New Route To Edinburgh',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">Q</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">atar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly. The new route will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, offering passengers 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. Recognised as a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh boasts a long and colourful history. Edinburgh Airport will be the airline&rsquo;s third destination in the United Kingdom preceded by London in 1997 and Manchester in 2003. The airline currently operates flights to the UK&rsquo;s London Heathrow with five flights per day while flying 10 times per week to Manchester Airport.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Qatar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly.',
			'sortorder' => '2018',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2168',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dip In Mercury Raises Heater Sale',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	K<span style="font-size: 12px;">athmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm. Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad. With winter setting in early this year, it has led to greater trade than last year during the same period. An early surge in heater sales has flamed corresponding expectations of higher profit this season.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market status</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Market of winter-comforting materials like heater, blankets is always relational to the wintry spell. Since the spell started earlier this time, till February traders are expecting substantial trade of these products. Most of Nepali consumers rely on Chinese winter-warming products. Chinese products dominating Nepali market due to their affordable prices. However, internationally renowned home appliance brands like the Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, Electron, et cetera, are also competing in the niche. These brands have introduced a series of electric and non-electric heaters in the Nepali market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bhaskar Munankarmi, Assistant Manager at Him Electronics, authorized dealer of Samsung in Nepal, said that most heaters in Nepali market are Chinese and that consumers prefer them primarily for the affordable prices. &ldquo;We have been selling both Halogen and gas heaters of Smsungamong which the demand of gas heater is more due to expected long hours of power outage,&rdquo; Munankarmi added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;The sale of the heaters is expected to increase by 30 per cent than that of previous year till the peak of winter season,&rdquo; he said that adding that &ldquo;The prices of the heaters have also increased by 20 per cent than that of previous years due to rise in the price of foreign exchange.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters in Nepali Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	In Nepal, halogen, quartz, fan, kerosene and LPG heaters are widely preferred. Halogen, quartz and fan heaters are basically variants of electric heating devices. Halogen heaters are available in two- and three-rod types. Price of Chinese two-rod halogen heaters starts from Rs 1765, while the three-rod variant starts at around Rs 2200.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders say that the demand of gas heater is increasing in the market as compared to the halogen and kerosene heaters. &ldquo;As it can be operated even during load shedding hours and can heat up a room more effectively in short time, gas heaters are more popular,&rdquo; said Ishwor Dangol, proprietor of Asan based Ishwor Store. &ldquo;It is now displacing the traditional electric heater and kerosene heater,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The market offers gas heaters with three burners. Once heated, the burner, made up of ceramic clay and lime, releases heat for a long time.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A single heating burner with a capacity of 1.4 kilowatt can release up to 4,000 watts of heat at its full efficiency level. Dangol said a gas heater can heat a room with an area of 20-80 sqm, provided all the three burners are lighted. &ldquo;The infrared and fast heating systems fitted in the heater warms the room in a short time, thereby using less &nbsp;energy,&rdquo; said Dangol.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bikash Maharjan of Ganapati Store in Mahabauddha said a cylinder of LPG can fuel a gas heater for 90 to 100 hours with all the three burners lighted.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from the normal gas heater, the market also offers hybrid ones that use both LPG and electricity. Electric segment of the hybrid heater comes with three halogen rods or heating fan. &ldquo;The demand for the hybrid heater is also on the rise as it allows people to use the electric heater also,&rdquo; said Maharjan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A normal gas heater costs between Rs 5,500 and Rs 6,000, while the hybrid one is available for Rs 7,500 and above. A one-year warranty is also offered in the products,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Heater Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/fc1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 274px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>International Brands in Nepali Market&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Internationally acclaimed home appliance brands like Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, and Electron, among others, are competing in Nepal heater segment market. Though Chinese heaters are widely preferred by the Nepali customers, dealers of these international brands are hopeful of a fair share of the market for their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Sethia, Managing Director of Universal Trading Centre (UTC), a subsidiary of Lucky Group, the authorised distributor of Black &amp; Decker, says, &ldquo;We brought in electric heaters five years ago and currently we are the leaders when it comes to branded heaters, as the rest of the market is dominated by Chinese products.&rdquo; While determining actual market share of their product remains difficult, he informed that they sell around 1,000 units a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, Electron Appliances &mdash; an Australian brand established over 20 years ago &mdash; has been competing in the Nepali market since a decade. Amit Taparia, Manager at Electron International Private Limited, a professional household appliance company marketing the brand&rsquo;s appliances in Nepal, says, &ldquo;We have heaters in quartz, halogen, fan and gas models in the two- and three-rod segment. Capacities of our models vary from 600 to 1,200 watts. We also have a two-in-one gas cum electric heater.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to him, consumers are shifting away from traditional quartz to halogen and fan variants, though the latter are mainly used for office purposes. &ldquo;The sales of LPG heaters is also catching up with electric variants, as they can be used during power cut hours. This is the reason we occupy 20 per cent of the market share among branded heaters,&rdquo; says Taparia, though he argues that disclosure of price is difficult and may vary from one retailer to other.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With Chinese products dominating the market, dealers in branded ones are reluctant to disclose the price and sales growth. However, they uniformly agree that the market is growing. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Goenka, Operation Manager of Triveni Byapar Company Limited, authorised distributor of Yasuda, says, &ldquo;Yasuda, an affordable brand introduced in Nepal just three years ago, is witnessing an average growth of 30 per cent every year. Targeting the middle class segment, we provide six models of halogen heaters. Five of our models belong to three-rod segment while one has two rods.&rdquo; Like Taparia, Goyenka also finds it difficult to reveal prices and annual sales of company products. He claimed that the brand enjoys 15 per cent of the market share among branded heaters. Goenka adds, &ldquo;Remote control feature and smooth rotation adds to the good looks that our products flaunt, making us the preferred choice among prospective buyers.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prospects of the Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Traders opine that the market of heater in Nepal is flourishing. Especially in Kathmandu where the climate tempts people to buy heater to avoid chilling winter cold. As a warm home in winter makes everything better, heater-traders expected equally&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12px;">heated sales.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'Kathmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm.   Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad.',
			'sortorder' => '2017',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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	),
	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2170',
			'article_category_id' => '157',
			'title' => 'A Little Piece Of Eden',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Rukesh Shrestha</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance. The Resort spreads across an area of 13 ropanis, has adequate parking space and is constructed in typical architecture of Chitwan. However, it has all the modern amenities for your comfort. Some of the facilities include free Wi-Fi, hot and cold water and free pickup and drop to and from Sauraha bus stop and Bharatpur Airport. Guests are also offered free transportation for visiting the nearby Tharu village. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort currently operates with 22 deluxe rooms. According to Lajik Shrestha, Manager of the Resort, there are plans of adding 50 air conditioned rooms in the future. The Resort is surrounded by a lush shady garden which is home to numerous local birds. The place comes alive at evenings with the chirping of birds. The garden also has three hammocks for guests to swing and relax.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort offers various packages that cover national park entrance fees, guide fee, meals, accommodation according to the package, and activities according to the package, pick up and drop to bus station. There are plenty of activities to indulge into, including Tharu village visit, elephant stable visit, visit to sunset point, elephant back safari, jeep safari, canoeing, jungle &nbsp;walk, elephant bathing in Rapti river, cultural program, visit to elephant breeding center, &nbsp;bird watching program and cycling tour to 20,000 lake.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort also serves delicious food, and specializes in Indian, Continental, Chinese and Nepali cuisine. There is a nice dining hall decorated with numerous paintings of birds and wild animals and those depicting Tharu culture. &nbsp;Fifty people can dine in the hall at once. According to the Chef of the Resort, one of the best sellers here is the fresh fish from the Rapti River and shallow fried mutton.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, the number of tourists visiting the Resort has increased in the recent years. Most of the tourists here are Americans, Europeans and Chinese. &ldquo;Europeans arrive from February to March and Americans come more in September and November. Nepalis come throughout the year,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	says Shrestha.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort has its office in Thamel for reservations. No matter which season you visit, the Resort will greet you with all its heart and its amenities. The Resort is also recommended by Tripadvisor and has received Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor owing to its impeccable services. Visit once and leave with unforgettable memories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<em>(For Reservations: 4218418)</em></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance.',
			'sortorder' => '2016',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
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	),
	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2169',
			'article_category_id' => '152',
			'title' => 'Focus Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Himstar gas room heater in market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Him Electronics has launched new model of &lsquo;Himstar Gas Room Heater&rsquo; for the winter season. &nbsp;Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this &nbsp;gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement. The heater&rsquo;s body is made of powder coated heavy metal where a safety sensor has been adapted to enable it to automatically switch off if it falls to the floor, the company said. In order to discourage use of insecure pipes to connect gas cylinder, the heater comes with high quality pipe.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CG Launches Gas Geyser&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	CG Electronics has added CG Gas Geyser to its existing product portfolio. The geyser is convenient, handy and reasonably priced. It has features that include heating efficiency, winter/summer function, auto gas leak protection, digital display, hand shower and child lock. The company has launched two models of the geyser at &nbsp;prices ranging from Rs 5,990 to Rs 6,190. The productscome in two dynamic colours: vibrant white and classic black.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters and Safety Issues</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Gas heaters need proper maintenance for safely enjoying its warmth in chilling cold winter. An unsafe or faulty heater can cause serious problems. Health problems that seem worse, or only occur when the heating is on, may be caused by carbon monoxide from a faulty gas heater. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea and chest pain. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>You should always:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Have plenty of ventilation &ndash; never seal up doorways, windows or vents. Ventilation is very important as it allows fresh air to come in and fumes to go out.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Prevent young children and elderly people from touching very hot surfaces. The normal dress guard only protects against accidental clothing contact.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Be careful when trying to dry clothes with the help of the heater &ndash; keep all flammable materials at least a metre away from the heater.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">What you should NOT do:</span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use or store solvents, aerosols or pressure pack cans near a gas heater &ndash; even if the heater is turned off, the pilot light may still be on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never dispose off rubbish such as tissues, cotton buds or other things in a gas fire &ndash; this can affect combustion and produce dangerous pollutants.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use an outdoor appliance inside (this includes barbeques and patio heaters).</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Your heater needs to be checked if:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;There is a yellow or sooty flame (unless it is a decorative gas log fire).</div>
<div>
	&bull;The pilot light goes out unexpectedly, or &lsquo;pops&rsquo; or &lsquo;bangs&rsquo; when lighting.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are signs of heat damage such as discoloration of the walls or heater panels.</div>
<div>
	&bull;The walls become too hot to touch while the heater is on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are soot stains around the heater.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Him Electronics has launched new model of ‘Himstar Gas Room Heater’ for the winter season.  Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this  gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement.',
			'sortorder' => '2015',
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			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2166',
			'article_category_id' => '109',
			'title' => 'Garima  At 7th Year',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">G</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">arima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches. The Bank has started providing its micro loan service also to the male entrepreneurs. Earlier, this loan scheme was only provided to the women entrepreneurs. &nbsp;The Bank has distributed 20 per cent bonus shares and 5 per cent cash dividend to its shareholders as approved by the last Annual General Assembly of the Company. The Bank has the authorised capital of Rs 1 billion. &nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
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			'description' => 'Garima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches',
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			'id' => '2182',
			'article_category_id' => '39',
			'title' => 'KGH Group: Hospitality Growing Bigger',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="left" style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajan Sakya, CEO, KGH Group" src="/userfiles/images/KGH2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 238px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Rajan Sakya</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, KGH Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">he KGH Group has recently revamped rooms and interiors of its signature hotels, Park Village Hotel and Resorts and Kathmandu Guest House. According to Rajan Sakya, CEO of KGH Group, 60 rooms of five star facility were added on each hotel in the year 2012. Sakya says that rooms were upgraded in accordance with the demand of clients and growing competition to offer quality service.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Renovation work is also ongoing at Aqua Buzz Unlimited, a hotel located in Koshi. Sakya admits that the hotel is not doing impressive business at the moment but he is optimistic that Koshi will emerge as a tourism hub when the Banepa-Bardibas highway gets completed in the next two years. He says that the highway will shorten the distance between Koshi and Kathmandu and will increase tourist flow to the area.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Expansion Plans&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group plans to add new properties to business in the years to come to their current line-up of eight hotels and three travel agencies. According to Sakya, the group is planning to establish two new hotels within the next two years. He says one will be in Kathmandu while the other will be in Koshi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group wishes to see the business he established to be passed on to the future generation. Rajan Sakya, his youngest son also expresses commitment to continue the business and says, &ldquo;Tourism is the industry where we have expertise and long-time experience. The next generation will also be involved in the same field as we do not have any plans to venture into any other sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When making plans for the future, young Sakya says that the overall business climate of Nepal makes it difficult to make long term plans. So, he says the group has been only making plans for the short term. Sakya reveals that the group plans to streamline and standardise the quality of its services offered throughout the properties of the group as well as its management style. For this purpose, he says, the group is adopting a corporate model of running business that will centrally control all sister concerns it owns.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Clientele and Occupancy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The morale of tourism entrepreneurs is getting a boost with the rise in tourist flow after the insurgency. Sakya is also content with the number of clients his chain of hotels has been able to attract. He says that the occupancy level has been satisfactory throughout the year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Sakya, Park Village Resort is primarily targeting conferences and seminars, and so 60 per cent of its clients are Nepalis while the rest are foreigners. Similarly, guests at the Kathmandu Guest House are mostly adventure tourists and it is an all-season hotel with 100 per cent foreign clients. Likewise, 80 per cent of clients at the group&rsquo;s hotels in Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini comprise of foreigners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Management strategy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has been operating under the family business model since Karna Sakya ventured into the tourism and hospitality sector almost 48 years ago. &ldquo;We are not running our business similar to a professionally managed five star hotel. Though we have professional hotel managers to look after a particular hotel, we have shouldered the responsibility of running the business and we are happy with this style because we believe we have the expertise and experience of several decades,&rdquo; explains Rajan Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Sakyas, however, are planning to corporatise the group in the next one to two years. The group plans to set up a corporate head office in Kathmandu with a team headed by a General Manager. Sakya says that the corporate office will centrally control the accounts, internal audits and central purchasing. &ldquo;This model is being adopted to standardise the quality of services and products used across all the properties under the group,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Human Resource Management</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has not only created employment for 650 to 700 people but also has been meeting a social responsibility in hiring employees. Sakya says that the group hires women under the shelter of Maiti Nepal, a non profit organisation dedicated to help victims of sex trafficking.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As women from the organisation find it challenging to reintegrate into society after being rescued from brothels, the KGH group has tied up with Anuradha Koirala (Founder and Director of Maiti Nepal and also a winner of CNN Heroes of 2010) to provide them with job opportunities in all of its properties, says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group prioritises hiring employees from underprivileged groups and communities. Sakya says that the group gives preference to those who have returned after working abroad. He gives an example of a recent recruitment of 10 employees who had returned from the US and the UK. He also reveals that the employee turnover at the group is quite low and some of the employees have been with the company for even decades.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have maintained a very good relationship with employees and so, we do not have problems with the human resource management,&rdquo; he states about the company&rsquo;s relationship with its employees.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="KGH GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/kgh1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 99px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>The KGH Journey</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The journey of the KGH Group began when Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group established Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, 48 years ago. Sakya recalls that Thamel was nothing more than a paddy field then. Thamel, the tourist hub of today grew around the hotel which started with 13 rooms.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					Sakya, a government employee then, used to work at the department of forestry and was not satisfied with the working environment. Brought up in an affluent family, he never felt that he had to take up a job to make his living. A traveller himself, he says that one must be able to comprehend what tourists want in order to run a tourism business and adds: &ldquo;Tourism is a business of dreams and only a dreamer can delve deep into this sector.&rdquo;</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					His expertise as a forester and environmentalist is reflected in the hotels of the group. He has always prioritised the harmony between buildings, nature and the culture of the locality where the hotel is built and it can be witnessed in any of the sister hotels of the group. Sakya says he never developed a property on a leased or government land and all land where hotels are built is owned by the group.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					When the country was at the peak of insurgency, the group never took a break. Rather it expanded into new projects and purchased land that helped it achieve success that it had never seen earlier. Today, the group has eight hotels and three travel agencies and is about to mark its golden jubilee in two years&rsquo; time.</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
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</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'keywords' => 'new business age corporate focus news & articles, corporate focus news & articles from new business age nepal, corporate focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest corporate focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali corporate focus economic news and events,  ongoing  corporate foc',
			'description' => 'KGH Group of Hotels, one of the largest and oldest chain hotels of Nepal, has plans to grow even bigger.',
			'sortorder' => '2028',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2172',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Second City REBAN Festival From Nov 27',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">he Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December. According to KP Sharma, the president of REBAN, the festival aims to promote tourism, social welfare, consumers&rsquo; welfare and local culture. The major attractions of this festival are food competition, national level folk songs competition, dance competition among housewives, display of domestic products, and consumer goods, children&rsquo;s park and musical performances among others. A total of 130 stalls including 110 by different business houses, 12 restaurants, and eight social, health and security organizations will be in the festival. The organizers expect 200,000 visitors in the festival.</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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 Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December.',
			'sortorder' => '2027',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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			'id' => '2175',
			'article_category_id' => '202',
			'title' => 'Workaholic’s Day Out',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Upashana Neupane&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">ejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won&rsquo;t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules. But Shrestha&rsquo;s engagements are not limited to office work only. He lives a great personal life while contributing to social causes equally.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha is a man with a big heart. He spends most of his spare time for the welfare of the society. Shrestha says if he gets more time and opportunity he would like to contribute in making our society a better place to live. Of other social welfare activities, he has keen interest in contributing to the cause of orphanage and orphan children&rsquo;s education</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from social welfare, Shrestha is concerned towards the development of internal tourism. Being a person who loves travelling, Shrestha says, &ldquo;Nepal is extremely beautiful place to visit. I have been to many countries across the world, but Nepal itself has always been my favourite&rdquo;, he says. &ldquo;Travelling abroad is fun for some period of time, but at the end of the day, you feel comfortable and good in your own home or your own country.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha feels lack of words to praise the beauty of Nepal. Nagarkot, Pokhara, Baglung and Palpa are some places Shrestha loves to travel time and again. &ldquo;The view keeps me mesmerised&rdquo;, he says. According to Shrestha, Lumbini has always been his all-time favourite place to be.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He updates himself on current affairs but spends his leisure time reading biographies of great people around the world. &ldquo;Jawaharlal Nehru and Bill Gates are some people, I love reading about&rdquo;, he says, &ldquo;It inspires me getting to know about struggles and obstacles they faced in life and what made them great.&rdquo;He prefers reading books which present reality about the world rather than fiction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha has a soft corner for Music too and plays guitar when he finds himself in an appropriate situation. &nbsp;He thinks that if he wasn&rsquo;t a businessman, he&rsquo;d probably been a musician.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite these multiple personal interest, and his official responsibilities, Shrestha remains a committed family plan. He has always managed to be with them.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Tejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won’t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules.',
			'sortorder' => '2026',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
			'sortorder' => '2025',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2145',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => 'Appeal To Nepali Political Parties ‘Think Prosperity, Think Welfare And Shun Strikes’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, <strong>Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, </strong>President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur&rsquo;s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate&rsquo;s <strong>Angila Sharma,</strong> on issues surrounding latest political development and the promises it has for Nepal&rsquo;s business community. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>As a member of FNCCI, what is your opinion on political strikes?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agitation or conflict between political parties does not usually correspond or hold with what the common people think. The recent confrontation between the 33 political parties and the major parties was a huge setback for the nation. We are not going into the politics of what is being done, what is being said or thought. The point is that there has to be a solution for the political problems, agitations or conflicts through democratic means. We believe the best way to do it is through elections. And since the election has been concluded, I will believe it will provide platform where these kinds of conflicts can be resolved. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you think political agenda of various political parties will actually bolster the economy?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	One of the major changes this time in the elections has been that every political party has come up with their economic agenda. These are crucial for the growth of the private sector, for the prosperity of the nation. So, this is a big plus in this year&rsquo;s election as highlighted in the manifestos of most of the political parties. I personally believe that every political party with economic agenda on its manifesto will definitely implement them if they come to power. With most of them prioritizing economic growth in their manifesto, I believe that this CA will provide political parties a common platform to materialize their promises to people. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>There are two political parties who have pledged not to organize strikes in their election manifesto. Will it actually be fruitful?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;The culture of strike has really impacted our society and economy in a negative way. People, a commoner or a political party leader, have realized this. People&rsquo;s reaction during the recent strike called by the agitating 33 parties, reflected that people are annoyed with strike-culture. They could be so many other ways of protesting or registering discontentment, other than organizing strikes.Though most political parties are yet to make such commitments against such undemocratic practices, some have done it and that is appreciable. Every common man is tired of strikes and the political parties have to understand this as they represent the common man. If they fail to do so, next time the common man will also forget them while voting. I feel that political parties understand this and will gradually give up upholding culture of strike.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What does the FNCCI do towards compensating business losses during strike?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As such, FNCCI can never compensate on the losses made during strikes. It is a totally different organization which is a platform where people go and work. People go for policy advocacy, networking and all these kind of things. But, regarding the losses made by strikes, the only thing that can be done is to stop strikes. The recent resistance shown by people during the strike called by the agitating political parties shows that people have become more resistive. This gives me feeling that strike-culture will be demoted in the days ahead.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you work with any international bodies?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	There are various organizations working for the development of the private sector. As such, like FNCCI, we have organizations like SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industries which works into organizing private sectors or networking the private sectors within the South Asian region. Similarly, there is CACCI (Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry). There are bi-lateral agreements with many countries that help us linking with similar organizations.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nepal is in its transitional phase. How will you attract international businesses to invest here?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	I always admire the story of Onassis. Onassis was a Greek industrialist. After the Second World War, the shipping industry was in a dire state at that time. Onassis said that nobody would buy ships at that time because it was war time and thus, he bought a lot of ships. He bought it at a very low price because nobody thought it was a good business at that time. He had the vision that this industry would do good and so, bought all of those. Later, things improved after the Second World War and Onassis made fortunes out of the ships. He turned out to be a renowned industrialist. I really admire this story when we talk about Nepal now. With the numerous opportunities here, Nepal right now has got the scope for businesses as the cost of doing business is very low here. There are adamant opportunities here in comparison to countries that have already developed. In Nepal, because the environment is not conducive, the competitive nature is also not as such and the cost of business is also very low. So, that is the principle thing that business men could see over here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What do you want to say to politicians and young entrepreneurs of Nepal?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For the political parties, I have only one thing to say: Think about the nation more than individual or partisan goals. They need to keep this thing in mind Nepal&rsquo;s prosperity is essential for our prosperity. Where will we Nepali be, if there is no Nepal. For their own good, political parties should think for the nation&rsquo;s good. For the entrepreneurs and everyone in Nepal I would like to say: As a nation we are in a very difficult position. So, all of us should think about contribution that we can make for the nation instead of working for individual or institutional benefit.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-11-29',
			'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' => 'Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur’s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate’s Angila Sharma',
			'sortorder' => '2024',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2177',
			'article_category_id' => '201',
			'title' => 'Corporate Styling: Dos And  Don’ts For Men',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<div>
		<strong style="font-size: 12px;">--By Rashika Pokharel</strong></div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<img alt="Corporate Fashion" src="/userfiles/images/ci.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 208px; height: 600px;" />The corporate world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked. If you want promotion or go ahead in life make sure you get noticed by your boss. Working skills is definitely the most important factor. However, dress up is something which can give wings to your professional career.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Good personality is definitely a rewarding factor and it needs good amount of taste and vigour to style your personality. Our dress up should reflect our personality and should be in no ways misleading. Here are some simple and useful tips that are helpful in shaping a better appearance</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Tips for a perfect office look:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>DOs:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Suits: Suits are crucial element of the corporate uniform. Donning a stylish suit calls for a mature and conservative look. But conservative doesn&rsquo;t have to mean boring. Striped or patterned suits can gear things up and can give you the required look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Tie: Ties complement suits very well. Therefore tie is a must. While picking a tie, go for original colors or patterned ones and do not choose too bright colors.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Watch: A watch is the only ornament which a man can wear. Having said that, the first thing to look for in a man&rsquo;s watch is that it must be large faced. These kinds of watches are forever in fashion.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shoes: Black or brown leather shoes are the perfect shoes to work. You can also switch up the styles and pick between loafers, wingtips, round-toe, or the pointy-tipped shoe.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shirt: Shirts are the most important part of outfit. If you want to look presentable, make sure you have your shirts ironed properly.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Perfume: Nice cologne will provide a final touch. Make sure you apply it in the correct amount. Excessive use of cologne can be disturbing for others.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Don&rsquo;ts</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Flip Flops: Flip-flops are straight no-no to office. They make you look untidy and unprofessional. Flip-Flops are okay for casual wear but it may hamper your professional look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Text Ts: T-shirts with text across the front or back are what you wear outside the office. Therefore, wear a shirt suitable for casual business encounters.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Cargo pants: Cargos may be perfect for the weekend, but they look too casual and do not instill confidence in your bosses or clients while you&rsquo;re at work. So, better go for formal pants during office hours.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Jeans: Do not wear jeans for office as it gives you a rough look. Instead, go for cotton pants.</div>
</div>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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 world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked.',
			'sortorder' => '2023',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2142',
			'article_category_id' => '91',
			'title' => 'CA POLLS Where Does The Economy Go Next?',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	An estimated 70 percent of Nepalis went to polls on 19 November to elect a new constituent assembly assigned with the responsibility to write a new constitution and pave way for the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	People filtered those parties who often take to the street to fulfill their demands but fail to deliver when they lead the government, Rameshore Khanal, former Finance Secretary, said while analyzing the election result.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The victory of Nepali Congress in the urban areas clearly indicates that urban voters favoured liberal economy, Khanal said. &ldquo;The fact that majority of votes were secured by Nepali Congress reflects people&rsquo;s will to be led by a political party which is in favour of social harmony and cohesion.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Business community was terrorized due to federal agenda put forth by UCPN Maoist, he said, adding that the recent poll results might have relieved the entire business community.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	More than 90 per cent businessmen do not want federalism based on ethnicity, he claimed. &ldquo;The entire business environment would be more volatile if political parties that favour regional and ethnic agenda had won the election.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In business and economy, policy stability and consistency is more important than caste and region, he opined. &ldquo;A businessman from Madhesh has to do business in Pahad and vice versa,&rdquo; he said, adding that political parties now should raise the issue of &lsquo;economic nationalism&rsquo; instead of creating tensions among various castes and classes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sociologist Chaitanya Mishra said, &ldquo;The defeat of UCPN Maoist and regional parties shows that people approved less number of federal states.&rdquo; The trend of votes clearly show that even Madhesi voters do not want &lsquo;One Madhesh-One Province&rsquo;, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Professor Lok Raj Baral said that the Constituent Assembly should carve out federal structure based on economic and other feasibility issues. Popular mandate is completely against the ethnic federalism, he said. &ldquo;Political parties should consider economic and other aspect while carving out federal structure now.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr Chiranjivi Nepal, Chief Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, stressed on the challenges that lie ahead for boosting the economy. &nbsp;&ldquo;The country will not get rid of stagnation if Maoist and other fringe parties show rigidity in their agenda,&rdquo; he said.</div>',
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			'created' => '2013-11-25',
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			'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' => 'Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.',
			'sortorder' => '2022',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2176',
			'article_category_id' => '150',
			'title' => 'Business Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dabur launches Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt. &nbsp;Dabur has combined salt power with other trusted herbs to give a complete oral care solution, says a press release. The toothpaste is available in 40, 80 and 175 gram packs at Rs 20, 35 and 70 respectively. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Sagar Group Wins &lsquo;Brother Gold Award 2013&rsquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sagar Group is awarded with &lsquo;Gold Award 2013&rsquo; in an event hosted by Brother International Gulf at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on November 2013. Sagar Group won the award from among many countries of Middle East and South Asia. Brother Gold Award for Service Excellence is awarded only to authorized service providers on the basis of after-sales service, service Infrastructure, processing mechanism and efficient execution cycle. There were 49 participants from 49 different countries like Qatar, Mauritius, UAE, Egypt, and Kuwait among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Coca-Cola Nepal releases Official FIFA World Cup Anthem &nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Coca-Cola has released the official Coca-Cola Anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2014 titled &lsquo;The World is Ours&rsquo;. According to a press statement, the anthem brings the music of Brazil to the world and captures the local rhythms of samba, baile funk and technobraga featuring vocals from Brazilian singer David Correy and sounds from Monobloco, a Brazilian street band. The Coca-Cola Company has had a long relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Amco Batteries Opens Showroom</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Amco Batteries has opened its showroom in Soaltee Mode of Kathmandu on Friday. According to the company, Amco automobile and two-wheeler batteries are very popular in India, and soon will be renowned in Nepal as well. The showroom will deal in Amco batteries and also provide other required services.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt.',
			'sortorder' => '2021',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2174',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Tourism Briefs ( 25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Boeing Forecasts Increased Demand for Airline Pilots In Middle East</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades. At the Dubai Air Show this week, Boeing released the regional projections of the 2013 Pilot and Technician Outlook - a respected industry forecast of aviation personnel. &nbsp;With the aviation industry in the Middle East growing faster than the world average, the Boeing outlook predicts the region will require 40,000 pilots and 53,100 technicians over the next 20 years. For the Middle East region an average of 2,000 new pilots and more than 2,600 new airline technicians will be needed each year to meet the expected demand. The 2013 global outlook projects significant increases in pilot demand - compared to previous forecasts - in all regions except Europe, which declined slightly over last year&rsquo;s outlook. &nbsp;(Traveldailynews.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&ldquo;Tourism will help rebuild Philippines&rdquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Philippine&rsquo;s Department of Tourism (DOT) has said tourism will play a &ldquo;significant role&rdquo; in rebuilding the country after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. Tourism already accounts for 8 per cent of the country&rsquo;s GDP and provides many jobs to communities as well as improved facilities as infrastructure is built. The DOT called on the private and public sectors to help the country return to normalcy and continue tourism growth, with many travel companies already pledging donations and help in the relief stages. The DOT&rsquo;s update to the trade also included a report into the flight and hotel situation in the country. Services have now resumed from Busuanga Airport and ferries are operating as usual, although some tourists are trapped where roads are impassable. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>China&rsquo;s Avatar Park to Get New Airport</strong></span></div>
<div>
	A new airport is being developed in China to boost tourism at Wulingyuan, which was made famous as the inspiration for the movie Avatar. The new Lotus International Airport will serve the city of Zhangjiajie, in central China&rsquo;s Hunan province, which is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic &amp; Historic Interest Area. Wulingyuan forms part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which was named as China&rsquo;s first national forest park in 1982. Its soaring limestone karsts and lush jungle was cited by Hollywood director James Cameron as the basis for the fictional world of Pandora in his 2009 movie. Since Avatar was released, Wulingyuan has experience a surge in tourism numbers, and authorities in Hunan have now decided to develop a new international airport to serve this rising traffic. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Microsoft Bing Strikes a Deal with Tripadvisor Hotel Metasearch Tool</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As the Google Hotel Finder gains popularity worldwide, Microsoft Bing is making substantial grounds in the US travel sector with a new agreement with TripAdvisor. Microsoft has inked a deal with the hotel review metasearch tool TripAdvisor to be integrated with Bing hotel search results. The latest partnership with Microsoft and TripAdvisor will let the US users to monitor hotel availability, compare live hotel prices and watch traveller ratings and reviews on the Bing search page. &nbsp;(Trvelandtourworld.com)</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.',
			'sortorder' => '2020',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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			'breaking_news' => false,
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	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2066',
			'article_category_id' => '40',
			'title' => 'Nepal Leadership Summit: Nepal @ 2080 BS, 12 - Point Economic Growth Roadmap',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By NBA Team</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was an uphill task, but the gathering of influential leaders and high-level representatives succeeded in adopting a document of a 12-point declaration that renewed their political commitment to lead the country on a path of prosperity and development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Nepal Leadership Summit 2013 was to bring five former Prime Ministers -- Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai &ndash; in a common platform. The outcome of the event was a 12-point Birgunj Declaration in which the leaders agreed that the path to prosperity is only possible through a private sector-led economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Due to political instability and resultant fragile environment for investment, the dream of prosperity and development continued to be elusive and leaders in the past displayed weak political will to fulfill their commitments for economic development. But it seems they have now realized that the country is desparate for development. And the 12-point Birgunj Declaration was historic in forging a common agenda on economic issues.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of UCPN Maoist and former PM, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, said that the time has now come to be engaged in production, construction and development of the country. &ldquo;In fact, our party has come to a conclusion that political stability is not possible without economic revolution,&rdquo; he informed. &ldquo;We can break the vicious cycle of poverty in the country only by promoting economic activities and adopting the approach of inclusive growth.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Former PM and Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba argued that the government should not engage in trade or operate industries. &ldquo;The government treasury was almost empty when NC formed the government in 1990,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The situation has now changed as we have enough money. The problem, however, is that we have been unable to invest due to lack of infrastructure and the energy crisis.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Deuba stressed on the need for common commitment to end the existing energy crisis. The country will head in the direction of economic prosperity if we will be able to address the problem of infrastructure, industrial security and energy, he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal should attract Indian investment and should promote exports to reduce trade deficit, he opined. &ldquo;The government should reduce all bureaucratic hassles. We should provide tax rebate to companies that create 100 or more jobs.&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The country&rsquo;s economy remains in a state of confusion, with an expanding budget, energy crisis, trade deficit, inflation, unemployment problem and lack of resources, said former Prime Minister and CPN UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal. He blamed the revenue-oriented government, the short-term profit oriented private sector and rebellious labour for the slow economic growth. &ldquo;We need to improve our educational system and ensure that we have the skills to pursue the available opportunities,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Clarity in policy, investment friendly environment and investment in service and production sector will ensure the country&rsquo;s development, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of CPN-UML and former PM Jhalanath Khanal emphasized the need for policy stability for economic growth. Modernisation of the agriculture sector will have positive impact for development, he said, adding that the banking sector should increase investment in the agricultural sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Absolute poverty and backwardness are the main problems in the country at present, UCPN Maoist leader and former PM Dr Baburam Bhattarai said. &ldquo;The country can achieve the target of 10 per cent growth by increasing investment in productive sectors,&rdquo; he argued. &ldquo;Key factors that are having negative effect in all sectors of the economy are poor governance and corruption. Another important factor is the decline in investment to GDP ratio, which is one of the root causes of the slowdown in GDP growth,&rdquo; Bhattarai said. &ldquo;At least 40 per cent of the GDP should be invested in productive sectors to achieve a double digit growth.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As of now, the government should ensure that at least Rs 700 billion should be utilized in productive sectors to achieve 10 per cent growth since the GDP now stands at nearly Rs 1,700 billion.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We need to build capacity at all levels to deliver as per the policies,&rdquo; he further said, adding that the first question is whether the country&rsquo;s economic boom will allow it to break the cycle of poverty.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal must focus on developing its skills and human resources, especially by harnessing the talents of Nepali people from around the world, he advised. &ldquo;We need to make the building of robust private sectors an urgent priority and promote true entrepreneurship because that is how jobs are created.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He also suggested all political parties to balance between China and India to get maximum benefit from neighbouring economic giants.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of BiCCI Ashok Baid said that political commitment is a must to create an environment of wealth creation through investment, to alleviate poverty, increase the annual GDP growth rate, contain inflation, promote entrepreneurship and generate employment.</div>
<div>
	In the programme, editor-in-chief and chairman of New Biz Madan Lamsal asked politicians to address economic concerns and map out a strategy with the business community and international support to address the country&rsquo;s economic problems.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;">Former PMs&rsquo; Common Points:</strong></div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal is in dire need of economic revolution as it has suffered much during the various political changes of the past</div>
<div>
	&bull;Energy, agriculture and tourism sectors should be prioritized&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;The private sector should lead the country&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The government should play the role of a catalyst for the development of the country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal should focus on turning the optimism on the country&rsquo;s future into real action</div>
<div>
	&bull;Inclusive growth must be the main goal for Nepal&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The mood should be changed from thinking Nepal as a poor country to a country that holds hope</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NEPAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT" src="/userfiles/images/DECLN%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 727px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-10-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'new business age cover story news & articles, cover story news & articles from new business age nepal, cover story headlines from nepal,  current and latest cover story news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali cover story economic news and events,  ongoing  cover story news of nepal',
			'description' => 'One may call it an ambitious plan, but it is not impossible. In the fi rst week of September, the country’s five former prime ministers came together in a common platform to share their vision to revolutionize the local economy. The Nepal Leadership Summit which was organised jointly by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BiCCI) and New Business Age (NBA) with the slogan: ‘Roadmap of Economic Revolution: Vision 2080 BS’ cae up with 12-point Birgunj Declaration  pledging, among others, to give priority to national economic agenda and to honour individual property rights.',
			'sortorder' => '2019',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2173',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Qatar Announces  New Route To Edinburgh',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">Q</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">atar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly. The new route will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, offering passengers 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. Recognised as a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh boasts a long and colourful history. Edinburgh Airport will be the airline&rsquo;s third destination in the United Kingdom preceded by London in 1997 and Manchester in 2003. The airline currently operates flights to the UK&rsquo;s London Heathrow with five flights per day while flying 10 times per week to Manchester Airport.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Qatar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly.',
			'sortorder' => '2018',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2168',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dip In Mercury Raises Heater Sale',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	K<span style="font-size: 12px;">athmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm. Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad. With winter setting in early this year, it has led to greater trade than last year during the same period. An early surge in heater sales has flamed corresponding expectations of higher profit this season.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market status</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Market of winter-comforting materials like heater, blankets is always relational to the wintry spell. Since the spell started earlier this time, till February traders are expecting substantial trade of these products. Most of Nepali consumers rely on Chinese winter-warming products. Chinese products dominating Nepali market due to their affordable prices. However, internationally renowned home appliance brands like the Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, Electron, et cetera, are also competing in the niche. These brands have introduced a series of electric and non-electric heaters in the Nepali market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bhaskar Munankarmi, Assistant Manager at Him Electronics, authorized dealer of Samsung in Nepal, said that most heaters in Nepali market are Chinese and that consumers prefer them primarily for the affordable prices. &ldquo;We have been selling both Halogen and gas heaters of Smsungamong which the demand of gas heater is more due to expected long hours of power outage,&rdquo; Munankarmi added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;The sale of the heaters is expected to increase by 30 per cent than that of previous year till the peak of winter season,&rdquo; he said that adding that &ldquo;The prices of the heaters have also increased by 20 per cent than that of previous years due to rise in the price of foreign exchange.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters in Nepali Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	In Nepal, halogen, quartz, fan, kerosene and LPG heaters are widely preferred. Halogen, quartz and fan heaters are basically variants of electric heating devices. Halogen heaters are available in two- and three-rod types. Price of Chinese two-rod halogen heaters starts from Rs 1765, while the three-rod variant starts at around Rs 2200.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders say that the demand of gas heater is increasing in the market as compared to the halogen and kerosene heaters. &ldquo;As it can be operated even during load shedding hours and can heat up a room more effectively in short time, gas heaters are more popular,&rdquo; said Ishwor Dangol, proprietor of Asan based Ishwor Store. &ldquo;It is now displacing the traditional electric heater and kerosene heater,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The market offers gas heaters with three burners. Once heated, the burner, made up of ceramic clay and lime, releases heat for a long time.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A single heating burner with a capacity of 1.4 kilowatt can release up to 4,000 watts of heat at its full efficiency level. Dangol said a gas heater can heat a room with an area of 20-80 sqm, provided all the three burners are lighted. &ldquo;The infrared and fast heating systems fitted in the heater warms the room in a short time, thereby using less &nbsp;energy,&rdquo; said Dangol.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bikash Maharjan of Ganapati Store in Mahabauddha said a cylinder of LPG can fuel a gas heater for 90 to 100 hours with all the three burners lighted.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from the normal gas heater, the market also offers hybrid ones that use both LPG and electricity. Electric segment of the hybrid heater comes with three halogen rods or heating fan. &ldquo;The demand for the hybrid heater is also on the rise as it allows people to use the electric heater also,&rdquo; said Maharjan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A normal gas heater costs between Rs 5,500 and Rs 6,000, while the hybrid one is available for Rs 7,500 and above. A one-year warranty is also offered in the products,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Heater Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/fc1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 274px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>International Brands in Nepali Market&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Internationally acclaimed home appliance brands like Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, and Electron, among others, are competing in Nepal heater segment market. Though Chinese heaters are widely preferred by the Nepali customers, dealers of these international brands are hopeful of a fair share of the market for their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Sethia, Managing Director of Universal Trading Centre (UTC), a subsidiary of Lucky Group, the authorised distributor of Black &amp; Decker, says, &ldquo;We brought in electric heaters five years ago and currently we are the leaders when it comes to branded heaters, as the rest of the market is dominated by Chinese products.&rdquo; While determining actual market share of their product remains difficult, he informed that they sell around 1,000 units a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, Electron Appliances &mdash; an Australian brand established over 20 years ago &mdash; has been competing in the Nepali market since a decade. Amit Taparia, Manager at Electron International Private Limited, a professional household appliance company marketing the brand&rsquo;s appliances in Nepal, says, &ldquo;We have heaters in quartz, halogen, fan and gas models in the two- and three-rod segment. Capacities of our models vary from 600 to 1,200 watts. We also have a two-in-one gas cum electric heater.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to him, consumers are shifting away from traditional quartz to halogen and fan variants, though the latter are mainly used for office purposes. &ldquo;The sales of LPG heaters is also catching up with electric variants, as they can be used during power cut hours. This is the reason we occupy 20 per cent of the market share among branded heaters,&rdquo; says Taparia, though he argues that disclosure of price is difficult and may vary from one retailer to other.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With Chinese products dominating the market, dealers in branded ones are reluctant to disclose the price and sales growth. However, they uniformly agree that the market is growing. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Goenka, Operation Manager of Triveni Byapar Company Limited, authorised distributor of Yasuda, says, &ldquo;Yasuda, an affordable brand introduced in Nepal just three years ago, is witnessing an average growth of 30 per cent every year. Targeting the middle class segment, we provide six models of halogen heaters. Five of our models belong to three-rod segment while one has two rods.&rdquo; Like Taparia, Goyenka also finds it difficult to reveal prices and annual sales of company products. He claimed that the brand enjoys 15 per cent of the market share among branded heaters. Goenka adds, &ldquo;Remote control feature and smooth rotation adds to the good looks that our products flaunt, making us the preferred choice among prospective buyers.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prospects of the Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Traders opine that the market of heater in Nepal is flourishing. Especially in Kathmandu where the climate tempts people to buy heater to avoid chilling winter cold. As a warm home in winter makes everything better, heater-traders expected equally&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12px;">heated sales.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'Kathmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm.   Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad.',
			'sortorder' => '2017',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2170',
			'article_category_id' => '157',
			'title' => 'A Little Piece Of Eden',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Rukesh Shrestha</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance. The Resort spreads across an area of 13 ropanis, has adequate parking space and is constructed in typical architecture of Chitwan. However, it has all the modern amenities for your comfort. Some of the facilities include free Wi-Fi, hot and cold water and free pickup and drop to and from Sauraha bus stop and Bharatpur Airport. Guests are also offered free transportation for visiting the nearby Tharu village. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort currently operates with 22 deluxe rooms. According to Lajik Shrestha, Manager of the Resort, there are plans of adding 50 air conditioned rooms in the future. The Resort is surrounded by a lush shady garden which is home to numerous local birds. The place comes alive at evenings with the chirping of birds. The garden also has three hammocks for guests to swing and relax.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort offers various packages that cover national park entrance fees, guide fee, meals, accommodation according to the package, and activities according to the package, pick up and drop to bus station. There are plenty of activities to indulge into, including Tharu village visit, elephant stable visit, visit to sunset point, elephant back safari, jeep safari, canoeing, jungle &nbsp;walk, elephant bathing in Rapti river, cultural program, visit to elephant breeding center, &nbsp;bird watching program and cycling tour to 20,000 lake.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort also serves delicious food, and specializes in Indian, Continental, Chinese and Nepali cuisine. There is a nice dining hall decorated with numerous paintings of birds and wild animals and those depicting Tharu culture. &nbsp;Fifty people can dine in the hall at once. According to the Chef of the Resort, one of the best sellers here is the fresh fish from the Rapti River and shallow fried mutton.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, the number of tourists visiting the Resort has increased in the recent years. Most of the tourists here are Americans, Europeans and Chinese. &ldquo;Europeans arrive from February to March and Americans come more in September and November. Nepalis come throughout the year,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	says Shrestha.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort has its office in Thamel for reservations. No matter which season you visit, the Resort will greet you with all its heart and its amenities. The Resort is also recommended by Tripadvisor and has received Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor owing to its impeccable services. Visit once and leave with unforgettable memories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<em>(For Reservations: 4218418)</em></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance.',
			'sortorder' => '2016',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2169',
			'article_category_id' => '152',
			'title' => 'Focus Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Himstar gas room heater in market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Him Electronics has launched new model of &lsquo;Himstar Gas Room Heater&rsquo; for the winter season. &nbsp;Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this &nbsp;gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement. The heater&rsquo;s body is made of powder coated heavy metal where a safety sensor has been adapted to enable it to automatically switch off if it falls to the floor, the company said. In order to discourage use of insecure pipes to connect gas cylinder, the heater comes with high quality pipe.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CG Launches Gas Geyser&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	CG Electronics has added CG Gas Geyser to its existing product portfolio. The geyser is convenient, handy and reasonably priced. It has features that include heating efficiency, winter/summer function, auto gas leak protection, digital display, hand shower and child lock. The company has launched two models of the geyser at &nbsp;prices ranging from Rs 5,990 to Rs 6,190. The productscome in two dynamic colours: vibrant white and classic black.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters and Safety Issues</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Gas heaters need proper maintenance for safely enjoying its warmth in chilling cold winter. An unsafe or faulty heater can cause serious problems. Health problems that seem worse, or only occur when the heating is on, may be caused by carbon monoxide from a faulty gas heater. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea and chest pain. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>You should always:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Have plenty of ventilation &ndash; never seal up doorways, windows or vents. Ventilation is very important as it allows fresh air to come in and fumes to go out.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Prevent young children and elderly people from touching very hot surfaces. The normal dress guard only protects against accidental clothing contact.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Be careful when trying to dry clothes with the help of the heater &ndash; keep all flammable materials at least a metre away from the heater.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">What you should NOT do:</span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use or store solvents, aerosols or pressure pack cans near a gas heater &ndash; even if the heater is turned off, the pilot light may still be on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never dispose off rubbish such as tissues, cotton buds or other things in a gas fire &ndash; this can affect combustion and produce dangerous pollutants.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use an outdoor appliance inside (this includes barbeques and patio heaters).</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Your heater needs to be checked if:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;There is a yellow or sooty flame (unless it is a decorative gas log fire).</div>
<div>
	&bull;The pilot light goes out unexpectedly, or &lsquo;pops&rsquo; or &lsquo;bangs&rsquo; when lighting.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are signs of heat damage such as discoloration of the walls or heater panels.</div>
<div>
	&bull;The walls become too hot to touch while the heater is on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are soot stains around the heater.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
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			'description' => 'Him Electronics has launched new model of ‘Himstar Gas Room Heater’ for the winter season.  Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this  gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement.',
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			'article_category_id' => '109',
			'title' => 'Garima  At 7th Year',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">G</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">arima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches. The Bank has started providing its micro loan service also to the male entrepreneurs. Earlier, this loan scheme was only provided to the women entrepreneurs. &nbsp;The Bank has distributed 20 per cent bonus shares and 5 per cent cash dividend to its shareholders as approved by the last Annual General Assembly of the Company. The Bank has the authorised capital of Rs 1 billion. &nbsp;</span></div>',
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			'created' => '2013-11-26',
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			'description' => 'Garima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches',
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			'id' => '2182',
			'article_category_id' => '39',
			'title' => 'KGH Group: Hospitality Growing Bigger',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="left" style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajan Sakya, CEO, KGH Group" src="/userfiles/images/KGH2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 238px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Rajan Sakya</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, KGH Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">he KGH Group has recently revamped rooms and interiors of its signature hotels, Park Village Hotel and Resorts and Kathmandu Guest House. According to Rajan Sakya, CEO of KGH Group, 60 rooms of five star facility were added on each hotel in the year 2012. Sakya says that rooms were upgraded in accordance with the demand of clients and growing competition to offer quality service.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Renovation work is also ongoing at Aqua Buzz Unlimited, a hotel located in Koshi. Sakya admits that the hotel is not doing impressive business at the moment but he is optimistic that Koshi will emerge as a tourism hub when the Banepa-Bardibas highway gets completed in the next two years. He says that the highway will shorten the distance between Koshi and Kathmandu and will increase tourist flow to the area.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Expansion Plans&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group plans to add new properties to business in the years to come to their current line-up of eight hotels and three travel agencies. According to Sakya, the group is planning to establish two new hotels within the next two years. He says one will be in Kathmandu while the other will be in Koshi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group wishes to see the business he established to be passed on to the future generation. Rajan Sakya, his youngest son also expresses commitment to continue the business and says, &ldquo;Tourism is the industry where we have expertise and long-time experience. The next generation will also be involved in the same field as we do not have any plans to venture into any other sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When making plans for the future, young Sakya says that the overall business climate of Nepal makes it difficult to make long term plans. So, he says the group has been only making plans for the short term. Sakya reveals that the group plans to streamline and standardise the quality of its services offered throughout the properties of the group as well as its management style. For this purpose, he says, the group is adopting a corporate model of running business that will centrally control all sister concerns it owns.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Clientele and Occupancy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The morale of tourism entrepreneurs is getting a boost with the rise in tourist flow after the insurgency. Sakya is also content with the number of clients his chain of hotels has been able to attract. He says that the occupancy level has been satisfactory throughout the year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Sakya, Park Village Resort is primarily targeting conferences and seminars, and so 60 per cent of its clients are Nepalis while the rest are foreigners. Similarly, guests at the Kathmandu Guest House are mostly adventure tourists and it is an all-season hotel with 100 per cent foreign clients. Likewise, 80 per cent of clients at the group&rsquo;s hotels in Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini comprise of foreigners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Management strategy&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has been operating under the family business model since Karna Sakya ventured into the tourism and hospitality sector almost 48 years ago. &ldquo;We are not running our business similar to a professionally managed five star hotel. Though we have professional hotel managers to look after a particular hotel, we have shouldered the responsibility of running the business and we are happy with this style because we believe we have the expertise and experience of several decades,&rdquo; explains Rajan Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Sakyas, however, are planning to corporatise the group in the next one to two years. The group plans to set up a corporate head office in Kathmandu with a team headed by a General Manager. Sakya says that the corporate office will centrally control the accounts, internal audits and central purchasing. &ldquo;This model is being adopted to standardise the quality of services and products used across all the properties under the group,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Human Resource Management</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The KGH Group has not only created employment for 650 to 700 people but also has been meeting a social responsibility in hiring employees. Sakya says that the group hires women under the shelter of Maiti Nepal, a non profit organisation dedicated to help victims of sex trafficking.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As women from the organisation find it challenging to reintegrate into society after being rescued from brothels, the KGH group has tied up with Anuradha Koirala (Founder and Director of Maiti Nepal and also a winner of CNN Heroes of 2010) to provide them with job opportunities in all of its properties, says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group prioritises hiring employees from underprivileged groups and communities. Sakya says that the group gives preference to those who have returned after working abroad. He gives an example of a recent recruitment of 10 employees who had returned from the US and the UK. He also reveals that the employee turnover at the group is quite low and some of the employees have been with the company for even decades.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We have maintained a very good relationship with employees and so, we do not have problems with the human resource management,&rdquo; he states about the company&rsquo;s relationship with its employees.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="KGH GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/kgh1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 99px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>The KGH Journey</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The journey of the KGH Group began when Karna Sakya, Founding President of the group established Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, 48 years ago. Sakya recalls that Thamel was nothing more than a paddy field then. Thamel, the tourist hub of today grew around the hotel which started with 13 rooms.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					Sakya, a government employee then, used to work at the department of forestry and was not satisfied with the working environment. Brought up in an affluent family, he never felt that he had to take up a job to make his living. A traveller himself, he says that one must be able to comprehend what tourists want in order to run a tourism business and adds: &ldquo;Tourism is a business of dreams and only a dreamer can delve deep into this sector.&rdquo;</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					His expertise as a forester and environmentalist is reflected in the hotels of the group. He has always prioritised the harmony between buildings, nature and the culture of the locality where the hotel is built and it can be witnessed in any of the sister hotels of the group. Sakya says he never developed a property on a leased or government land and all land where hotels are built is owned by the group.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					When the country was at the peak of insurgency, the group never took a break. Rather it expanded into new projects and purchased land that helped it achieve success that it had never seen earlier. Today, the group has eight hotels and three travel agencies and is about to mark its golden jubilee in two years&rsquo; time.</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'keywords' => 'new business age corporate focus news & articles, corporate focus news & articles from new business age nepal, corporate focus headlines from nepal,  current and latest corporate focus news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali corporate focus economic news and events,  ongoing  corporate foc',
			'description' => 'KGH Group of Hotels, one of the largest and oldest chain hotels of Nepal, has plans to grow even bigger.',
			'sortorder' => '2028',
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			'id' => '2172',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Second City REBAN Festival From Nov 27',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">he Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December. According to KP Sharma, the president of REBAN, the festival aims to promote tourism, social welfare, consumers&rsquo; welfare and local culture. The major attractions of this festival are food competition, national level folk songs competition, dance competition among housewives, display of domestic products, and consumer goods, children&rsquo;s park and musical performances among others. A total of 130 stalls including 110 by different business houses, 12 restaurants, and eight social, health and security organizations will be in the festival. The organizers expect 200,000 visitors in the festival.</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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 Second City REBAN (Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal) Festival is scheduled to be organized in Pokhara from November 27. At a press meet held Friday, it was announced that the festival will begin on 27th November and will continue till the 8th of December.',
			'sortorder' => '2027',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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			'id' => '2175',
			'article_category_id' => '202',
			'title' => 'Workaholic’s Day Out',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Upashana Neupane&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	T<span style="font-size: 12px;">ejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won&rsquo;t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules. But Shrestha&rsquo;s engagements are not limited to office work only. He lives a great personal life while contributing to social causes equally.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha is a man with a big heart. He spends most of his spare time for the welfare of the society. Shrestha says if he gets more time and opportunity he would like to contribute in making our society a better place to live. Of other social welfare activities, he has keen interest in contributing to the cause of orphanage and orphan children&rsquo;s education</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from social welfare, Shrestha is concerned towards the development of internal tourism. Being a person who loves travelling, Shrestha says, &ldquo;Nepal is extremely beautiful place to visit. I have been to many countries across the world, but Nepal itself has always been my favourite&rdquo;, he says. &ldquo;Travelling abroad is fun for some period of time, but at the end of the day, you feel comfortable and good in your own home or your own country.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha feels lack of words to praise the beauty of Nepal. Nagarkot, Pokhara, Baglung and Palpa are some places Shrestha loves to travel time and again. &ldquo;The view keeps me mesmerised&rdquo;, he says. According to Shrestha, Lumbini has always been his all-time favourite place to be.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He updates himself on current affairs but spends his leisure time reading biographies of great people around the world. &ldquo;Jawaharlal Nehru and Bill Gates are some people, I love reading about&rdquo;, he says, &ldquo;It inspires me getting to know about struggles and obstacles they faced in life and what made them great.&rdquo;He prefers reading books which present reality about the world rather than fiction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha has a soft corner for Music too and plays guitar when he finds himself in an appropriate situation. &nbsp;He thinks that if he wasn&rsquo;t a businessman, he&rsquo;d probably been a musician.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite these multiple personal interest, and his official responsibilities, Shrestha remains a committed family plan. He has always managed to be with them.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Tejendra N Shrestha is a man who loves working. It won’t be surprising if Shrestha is spotted working in his holidays too. He loves his work and is usually busy with his tight business schedules.',
			'sortorder' => '2026',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'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' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
			'sortorder' => '2025',
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			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2145',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => 'Appeal To Nepali Political Parties ‘Think Prosperity, Think Welfare And Shun Strikes’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, <strong>Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, </strong>President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur&rsquo;s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate&rsquo;s <strong>Angila Sharma,</strong> on issues surrounding latest political development and the promises it has for Nepal&rsquo;s business community. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>As a member of FNCCI, what is your opinion on political strikes?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agitation or conflict between political parties does not usually correspond or hold with what the common people think. The recent confrontation between the 33 political parties and the major parties was a huge setback for the nation. We are not going into the politics of what is being done, what is being said or thought. The point is that there has to be a solution for the political problems, agitations or conflicts through democratic means. We believe the best way to do it is through elections. And since the election has been concluded, I will believe it will provide platform where these kinds of conflicts can be resolved. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you think political agenda of various political parties will actually bolster the economy?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	One of the major changes this time in the elections has been that every political party has come up with their economic agenda. These are crucial for the growth of the private sector, for the prosperity of the nation. So, this is a big plus in this year&rsquo;s election as highlighted in the manifestos of most of the political parties. I personally believe that every political party with economic agenda on its manifesto will definitely implement them if they come to power. With most of them prioritizing economic growth in their manifesto, I believe that this CA will provide political parties a common platform to materialize their promises to people. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>There are two political parties who have pledged not to organize strikes in their election manifesto. Will it actually be fruitful?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;The culture of strike has really impacted our society and economy in a negative way. People, a commoner or a political party leader, have realized this. People&rsquo;s reaction during the recent strike called by the agitating 33 parties, reflected that people are annoyed with strike-culture. They could be so many other ways of protesting or registering discontentment, other than organizing strikes.Though most political parties are yet to make such commitments against such undemocratic practices, some have done it and that is appreciable. Every common man is tired of strikes and the political parties have to understand this as they represent the common man. If they fail to do so, next time the common man will also forget them while voting. I feel that political parties understand this and will gradually give up upholding culture of strike.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What does the FNCCI do towards compensating business losses during strike?&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As such, FNCCI can never compensate on the losses made during strikes. It is a totally different organization which is a platform where people go and work. People go for policy advocacy, networking and all these kind of things. But, regarding the losses made by strikes, the only thing that can be done is to stop strikes. The recent resistance shown by people during the strike called by the agitating political parties shows that people have become more resistive. This gives me feeling that strike-culture will be demoted in the days ahead.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Do you work with any international bodies?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	There are various organizations working for the development of the private sector. As such, like FNCCI, we have organizations like SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industries which works into organizing private sectors or networking the private sectors within the South Asian region. Similarly, there is CACCI (Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry). There are bi-lateral agreements with many countries that help us linking with similar organizations.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nepal is in its transitional phase. How will you attract international businesses to invest here?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	I always admire the story of Onassis. Onassis was a Greek industrialist. After the Second World War, the shipping industry was in a dire state at that time. Onassis said that nobody would buy ships at that time because it was war time and thus, he bought a lot of ships. He bought it at a very low price because nobody thought it was a good business at that time. He had the vision that this industry would do good and so, bought all of those. Later, things improved after the Second World War and Onassis made fortunes out of the ships. He turned out to be a renowned industrialist. I really admire this story when we talk about Nepal now. With the numerous opportunities here, Nepal right now has got the scope for businesses as the cost of doing business is very low here. There are adamant opportunities here in comparison to countries that have already developed. In Nepal, because the environment is not conducive, the competitive nature is also not as such and the cost of business is also very low. So, that is the principle thing that business men could see over here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>What do you want to say to politicians and young entrepreneurs of Nepal?</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For the political parties, I have only one thing to say: Think about the nation more than individual or partisan goals. They need to keep this thing in mind Nepal&rsquo;s prosperity is essential for our prosperity. Where will we Nepali be, if there is no Nepal. For their own good, political parties should think for the nation&rsquo;s good. For the entrepreneurs and everyone in Nepal I would like to say: As a nation we are in a very difficult position. So, all of us should think about contribution that we can make for the nation instead of working for individual or institutional benefit.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-11-29',
			'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' => 'Nepal recently voted for a new Constituent Assembly and the poll results reflected the shift of preference of Nepali people towards political parties. The business community has been very much hopeful from the preliminary results of the election. In this scenario, Ajay Bahadur Pradhanang, President of Nepal Young Entrepreneur’s Forum (NYEF) and member of FNCCI recently spoke with The Corporate’s Angila Sharma',
			'sortorder' => '2024',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2177',
			'article_category_id' => '201',
			'title' => 'Corporate Styling: Dos And  Don’ts For Men',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<div>
		<strong style="font-size: 12px;">--By Rashika Pokharel</strong></div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<img alt="Corporate Fashion" src="/userfiles/images/ci.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 208px; height: 600px;" />The corporate world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked. If you want promotion or go ahead in life make sure you get noticed by your boss. Working skills is definitely the most important factor. However, dress up is something which can give wings to your professional career.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Good personality is definitely a rewarding factor and it needs good amount of taste and vigour to style your personality. Our dress up should reflect our personality and should be in no ways misleading. Here are some simple and useful tips that are helpful in shaping a better appearance</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Tips for a perfect office look:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>DOs:</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Suits: Suits are crucial element of the corporate uniform. Donning a stylish suit calls for a mature and conservative look. But conservative doesn&rsquo;t have to mean boring. Striped or patterned suits can gear things up and can give you the required look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Tie: Ties complement suits very well. Therefore tie is a must. While picking a tie, go for original colors or patterned ones and do not choose too bright colors.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Watch: A watch is the only ornament which a man can wear. Having said that, the first thing to look for in a man&rsquo;s watch is that it must be large faced. These kinds of watches are forever in fashion.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shoes: Black or brown leather shoes are the perfect shoes to work. You can also switch up the styles and pick between loafers, wingtips, round-toe, or the pointy-tipped shoe.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Shirt: Shirts are the most important part of outfit. If you want to look presentable, make sure you have your shirts ironed properly.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Perfume: Nice cologne will provide a final touch. Make sure you apply it in the correct amount. Excessive use of cologne can be disturbing for others.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Don&rsquo;ts</strong></span></div>
	<div>
		&bull;Flip Flops: Flip-flops are straight no-no to office. They make you look untidy and unprofessional. Flip-Flops are okay for casual wear but it may hamper your professional look.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Text Ts: T-shirts with text across the front or back are what you wear outside the office. Therefore, wear a shirt suitable for casual business encounters.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Cargo pants: Cargos may be perfect for the weekend, but they look too casual and do not instill confidence in your bosses or clients while you&rsquo;re at work. So, better go for formal pants during office hours.</div>
	<div>
		&bull;Jeans: Do not wear jeans for office as it gives you a rough look. Instead, go for cotton pants.</div>
</div>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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 world is all about smartness whether it is in terms of skills, proficiency or the overall personality. A corporate job requires academic talent and yet at the same time personality remains a factor which cannot be overlooked.',
			'sortorder' => '2023',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2142',
			'article_category_id' => '91',
			'title' => 'CA POLLS Where Does The Economy Go Next?',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	An estimated 70 percent of Nepalis went to polls on 19 November to elect a new constituent assembly assigned with the responsibility to write a new constitution and pave way for the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	People filtered those parties who often take to the street to fulfill their demands but fail to deliver when they lead the government, Rameshore Khanal, former Finance Secretary, said while analyzing the election result.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The victory of Nepali Congress in the urban areas clearly indicates that urban voters favoured liberal economy, Khanal said. &ldquo;The fact that majority of votes were secured by Nepali Congress reflects people&rsquo;s will to be led by a political party which is in favour of social harmony and cohesion.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Business community was terrorized due to federal agenda put forth by UCPN Maoist, he said, adding that the recent poll results might have relieved the entire business community.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	More than 90 per cent businessmen do not want federalism based on ethnicity, he claimed. &ldquo;The entire business environment would be more volatile if political parties that favour regional and ethnic agenda had won the election.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In business and economy, policy stability and consistency is more important than caste and region, he opined. &ldquo;A businessman from Madhesh has to do business in Pahad and vice versa,&rdquo; he said, adding that political parties now should raise the issue of &lsquo;economic nationalism&rsquo; instead of creating tensions among various castes and classes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sociologist Chaitanya Mishra said, &ldquo;The defeat of UCPN Maoist and regional parties shows that people approved less number of federal states.&rdquo; The trend of votes clearly show that even Madhesi voters do not want &lsquo;One Madhesh-One Province&rsquo;, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Professor Lok Raj Baral said that the Constituent Assembly should carve out federal structure based on economic and other feasibility issues. Popular mandate is completely against the ethnic federalism, he said. &ldquo;Political parties should consider economic and other aspect while carving out federal structure now.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr Chiranjivi Nepal, Chief Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, stressed on the challenges that lie ahead for boosting the economy. &nbsp;&ldquo;The country will not get rid of stagnation if Maoist and other fringe parties show rigidity in their agenda,&rdquo; he said.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Election fever will be over in the next few days but its impact will remain until the next election. People expressed their aspirations and exercised their power during this election so as to set the progressive course for issues that matter them the most.',
			'sortorder' => '2022',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2176',
			'article_category_id' => '150',
			'title' => 'Business Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dabur launches Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt. &nbsp;Dabur has combined salt power with other trusted herbs to give a complete oral care solution, says a press release. The toothpaste is available in 40, 80 and 175 gram packs at Rs 20, 35 and 70 respectively. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Sagar Group Wins &lsquo;Brother Gold Award 2013&rsquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sagar Group is awarded with &lsquo;Gold Award 2013&rsquo; in an event hosted by Brother International Gulf at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on November 2013. Sagar Group won the award from among many countries of Middle East and South Asia. Brother Gold Award for Service Excellence is awarded only to authorized service providers on the basis of after-sales service, service Infrastructure, processing mechanism and efficient execution cycle. There were 49 participants from 49 different countries like Qatar, Mauritius, UAE, Egypt, and Kuwait among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Coca-Cola Nepal releases Official FIFA World Cup Anthem &nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Coca-Cola has released the official Coca-Cola Anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2014 titled &lsquo;The World is Ours&rsquo;. According to a press statement, the anthem brings the music of Brazil to the world and captures the local rhythms of samba, baile funk and technobraga featuring vocals from Brazilian singer David Correy and sounds from Monobloco, a Brazilian street band. The Coca-Cola Company has had a long relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Amco Batteries Opens Showroom</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Amco Batteries has opened its showroom in Soaltee Mode of Kathmandu on Friday. According to the company, Amco automobile and two-wheeler batteries are very popular in India, and soon will be renowned in Nepal as well. The showroom will deal in Amco batteries and also provide other required services.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Dabur Nepal has launched Dabur Super Salt Toothpaste in the market. According to the company, the toothpaste is the new offering in the mainstream segment with the added benefit of salt.',
			'sortorder' => '2021',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2174',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Tourism Briefs ( 25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Boeing Forecasts Increased Demand for Airline Pilots In Middle East</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades. At the Dubai Air Show this week, Boeing released the regional projections of the 2013 Pilot and Technician Outlook - a respected industry forecast of aviation personnel. &nbsp;With the aviation industry in the Middle East growing faster than the world average, the Boeing outlook predicts the region will require 40,000 pilots and 53,100 technicians over the next 20 years. For the Middle East region an average of 2,000 new pilots and more than 2,600 new airline technicians will be needed each year to meet the expected demand. The 2013 global outlook projects significant increases in pilot demand - compared to previous forecasts - in all regions except Europe, which declined slightly over last year&rsquo;s outlook. &nbsp;(Traveldailynews.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>&ldquo;Tourism will help rebuild Philippines&rdquo;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Philippine&rsquo;s Department of Tourism (DOT) has said tourism will play a &ldquo;significant role&rdquo; in rebuilding the country after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. Tourism already accounts for 8 per cent of the country&rsquo;s GDP and provides many jobs to communities as well as improved facilities as infrastructure is built. The DOT called on the private and public sectors to help the country return to normalcy and continue tourism growth, with many travel companies already pledging donations and help in the relief stages. The DOT&rsquo;s update to the trade also included a report into the flight and hotel situation in the country. Services have now resumed from Busuanga Airport and ferries are operating as usual, although some tourists are trapped where roads are impassable. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>China&rsquo;s Avatar Park to Get New Airport</strong></span></div>
<div>
	A new airport is being developed in China to boost tourism at Wulingyuan, which was made famous as the inspiration for the movie Avatar. The new Lotus International Airport will serve the city of Zhangjiajie, in central China&rsquo;s Hunan province, which is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic &amp; Historic Interest Area. Wulingyuan forms part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which was named as China&rsquo;s first national forest park in 1982. Its soaring limestone karsts and lush jungle was cited by Hollywood director James Cameron as the basis for the fictional world of Pandora in his 2009 movie. Since Avatar was released, Wulingyuan has experience a surge in tourism numbers, and authorities in Hunan have now decided to develop a new international airport to serve this rising traffic. (Traveldailymedia.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Microsoft Bing Strikes a Deal with Tripadvisor Hotel Metasearch Tool</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As the Google Hotel Finder gains popularity worldwide, Microsoft Bing is making substantial grounds in the US travel sector with a new agreement with TripAdvisor. Microsoft has inked a deal with the hotel review metasearch tool TripAdvisor to be integrated with Bing hotel search results. The latest partnership with Microsoft and TripAdvisor will let the US users to monitor hotel availability, compare live hotel prices and watch traveller ratings and reviews on the Bing search page. &nbsp;(Trvelandtourworld.com)</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-27',
			'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' => 'Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.',
			'sortorder' => '2020',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2066',
			'article_category_id' => '40',
			'title' => 'Nepal Leadership Summit: Nepal @ 2080 BS, 12 - Point Economic Growth Roadmap',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By NBA Team</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was an uphill task, but the gathering of influential leaders and high-level representatives succeeded in adopting a document of a 12-point declaration that renewed their political commitment to lead the country on a path of prosperity and development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Nepal Leadership Summit 2013 was to bring five former Prime Ministers -- Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai &ndash; in a common platform. The outcome of the event was a 12-point Birgunj Declaration in which the leaders agreed that the path to prosperity is only possible through a private sector-led economic growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Due to political instability and resultant fragile environment for investment, the dream of prosperity and development continued to be elusive and leaders in the past displayed weak political will to fulfill their commitments for economic development. But it seems they have now realized that the country is desparate for development. And the 12-point Birgunj Declaration was historic in forging a common agenda on economic issues.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of UCPN Maoist and former PM, Pushpa Kamal Dahal &lsquo;Prachanda&rsquo;, said that the time has now come to be engaged in production, construction and development of the country. &ldquo;In fact, our party has come to a conclusion that political stability is not possible without economic revolution,&rdquo; he informed. &ldquo;We can break the vicious cycle of poverty in the country only by promoting economic activities and adopting the approach of inclusive growth.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Former PM and Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba argued that the government should not engage in trade or operate industries. &ldquo;The government treasury was almost empty when NC formed the government in 1990,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The situation has now changed as we have enough money. The problem, however, is that we have been unable to invest due to lack of infrastructure and the energy crisis.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Deuba stressed on the need for common commitment to end the existing energy crisis. The country will head in the direction of economic prosperity if we will be able to address the problem of infrastructure, industrial security and energy, he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal should attract Indian investment and should promote exports to reduce trade deficit, he opined. &ldquo;The government should reduce all bureaucratic hassles. We should provide tax rebate to companies that create 100 or more jobs.&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The country&rsquo;s economy remains in a state of confusion, with an expanding budget, energy crisis, trade deficit, inflation, unemployment problem and lack of resources, said former Prime Minister and CPN UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal. He blamed the revenue-oriented government, the short-term profit oriented private sector and rebellious labour for the slow economic growth. &ldquo;We need to improve our educational system and ensure that we have the skills to pursue the available opportunities,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Clarity in policy, investment friendly environment and investment in service and production sector will ensure the country&rsquo;s development, he claimed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of CPN-UML and former PM Jhalanath Khanal emphasized the need for policy stability for economic growth. Modernisation of the agriculture sector will have positive impact for development, he said, adding that the banking sector should increase investment in the agricultural sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Absolute poverty and backwardness are the main problems in the country at present, UCPN Maoist leader and former PM Dr Baburam Bhattarai said. &ldquo;The country can achieve the target of 10 per cent growth by increasing investment in productive sectors,&rdquo; he argued. &ldquo;Key factors that are having negative effect in all sectors of the economy are poor governance and corruption. Another important factor is the decline in investment to GDP ratio, which is one of the root causes of the slowdown in GDP growth,&rdquo; Bhattarai said. &ldquo;At least 40 per cent of the GDP should be invested in productive sectors to achieve a double digit growth.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As of now, the government should ensure that at least Rs 700 billion should be utilized in productive sectors to achieve 10 per cent growth since the GDP now stands at nearly Rs 1,700 billion.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We need to build capacity at all levels to deliver as per the policies,&rdquo; he further said, adding that the first question is whether the country&rsquo;s economic boom will allow it to break the cycle of poverty.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal must focus on developing its skills and human resources, especially by harnessing the talents of Nepali people from around the world, he advised. &ldquo;We need to make the building of robust private sectors an urgent priority and promote true entrepreneurship because that is how jobs are created.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He also suggested all political parties to balance between China and India to get maximum benefit from neighbouring economic giants.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chairman of BiCCI Ashok Baid said that political commitment is a must to create an environment of wealth creation through investment, to alleviate poverty, increase the annual GDP growth rate, contain inflation, promote entrepreneurship and generate employment.</div>
<div>
	In the programme, editor-in-chief and chairman of New Biz Madan Lamsal asked politicians to address economic concerns and map out a strategy with the business community and international support to address the country&rsquo;s economic problems.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;">Former PMs&rsquo; Common Points:</strong></div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal is in dire need of economic revolution as it has suffered much during the various political changes of the past</div>
<div>
	&bull;Energy, agriculture and tourism sectors should be prioritized&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;The private sector should lead the country&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The government should play the role of a catalyst for the development of the country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&bull;Nepal should focus on turning the optimism on the country&rsquo;s future into real action</div>
<div>
	&bull;Inclusive growth must be the main goal for Nepal&rsquo;s development</div>
<div>
	&bull;The mood should be changed from thinking Nepal as a poor country to a country that holds hope</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NEPAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT" src="/userfiles/images/DECLN%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 727px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-10-29',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'new business age cover story news & articles, cover story news & articles from new business age nepal, cover story headlines from nepal,  current and latest cover story news from nepal, economic news from nepal, nepali cover story economic news and events,  ongoing  cover story news of nepal',
			'description' => 'One may call it an ambitious plan, but it is not impossible. In the fi rst week of September, the country’s five former prime ministers came together in a common platform to share their vision to revolutionize the local economy. The Nepal Leadership Summit which was organised jointly by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BiCCI) and New Business Age (NBA) with the slogan: ‘Roadmap of Economic Revolution: Vision 2080 BS’ cae up with 12-point Birgunj Declaration  pledging, among others, to give priority to national economic agenda and to honour individual property rights.',
			'sortorder' => '2019',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2173',
			'article_category_id' => '99',
			'title' => 'Qatar Announces  New Route To Edinburgh',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">Q</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">atar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly. The new route will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, offering passengers 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. Recognised as a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh boasts a long and colourful history. Edinburgh Airport will be the airline&rsquo;s third destination in the United Kingdom preceded by London in 1997 and Manchester in 2003. The airline currently operates flights to the UK&rsquo;s London Heathrow with five flights per day while flying 10 times per week to Manchester Airport.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Qatar Airways has announced that it will begin flights to Edinburgh from 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly.',
			'sortorder' => '2018',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2168',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'Dip In Mercury Raises Heater Sale',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	K<span style="font-size: 12px;">athmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm. Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad. With winter setting in early this year, it has led to greater trade than last year during the same period. An early surge in heater sales has flamed corresponding expectations of higher profit this season.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market status</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Market of winter-comforting materials like heater, blankets is always relational to the wintry spell. Since the spell started earlier this time, till February traders are expecting substantial trade of these products. Most of Nepali consumers rely on Chinese winter-warming products. Chinese products dominating Nepali market due to their affordable prices. However, internationally renowned home appliance brands like the Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, Electron, et cetera, are also competing in the niche. These brands have introduced a series of electric and non-electric heaters in the Nepali market.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bhaskar Munankarmi, Assistant Manager at Him Electronics, authorized dealer of Samsung in Nepal, said that most heaters in Nepali market are Chinese and that consumers prefer them primarily for the affordable prices. &ldquo;We have been selling both Halogen and gas heaters of Smsungamong which the demand of gas heater is more due to expected long hours of power outage,&rdquo; Munankarmi added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;The sale of the heaters is expected to increase by 30 per cent than that of previous year till the peak of winter season,&rdquo; he said that adding that &ldquo;The prices of the heaters have also increased by 20 per cent than that of previous years due to rise in the price of foreign exchange.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters in Nepali Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	In Nepal, halogen, quartz, fan, kerosene and LPG heaters are widely preferred. Halogen, quartz and fan heaters are basically variants of electric heating devices. Halogen heaters are available in two- and three-rod types. Price of Chinese two-rod halogen heaters starts from Rs 1765, while the three-rod variant starts at around Rs 2200.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders say that the demand of gas heater is increasing in the market as compared to the halogen and kerosene heaters. &ldquo;As it can be operated even during load shedding hours and can heat up a room more effectively in short time, gas heaters are more popular,&rdquo; said Ishwor Dangol, proprietor of Asan based Ishwor Store. &ldquo;It is now displacing the traditional electric heater and kerosene heater,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The market offers gas heaters with three burners. Once heated, the burner, made up of ceramic clay and lime, releases heat for a long time.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A single heating burner with a capacity of 1.4 kilowatt can release up to 4,000 watts of heat at its full efficiency level. Dangol said a gas heater can heat a room with an area of 20-80 sqm, provided all the three burners are lighted. &ldquo;The infrared and fast heating systems fitted in the heater warms the room in a short time, thereby using less &nbsp;energy,&rdquo; said Dangol.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Bikash Maharjan of Ganapati Store in Mahabauddha said a cylinder of LPG can fuel a gas heater for 90 to 100 hours with all the three burners lighted.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from the normal gas heater, the market also offers hybrid ones that use both LPG and electricity. Electric segment of the hybrid heater comes with three halogen rods or heating fan. &ldquo;The demand for the hybrid heater is also on the rise as it allows people to use the electric heater also,&rdquo; said Maharjan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A normal gas heater costs between Rs 5,500 and Rs 6,000, while the hybrid one is available for Rs 7,500 and above. A one-year warranty is also offered in the products,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Heater Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/fc1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 274px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>International Brands in Nepali Market&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Internationally acclaimed home appliance brands like Black &amp; Decker, Yasuda, and Electron, among others, are competing in Nepal heater segment market. Though Chinese heaters are widely preferred by the Nepali customers, dealers of these international brands are hopeful of a fair share of the market for their products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Sethia, Managing Director of Universal Trading Centre (UTC), a subsidiary of Lucky Group, the authorised distributor of Black &amp; Decker, says, &ldquo;We brought in electric heaters five years ago and currently we are the leaders when it comes to branded heaters, as the rest of the market is dominated by Chinese products.&rdquo; While determining actual market share of their product remains difficult, he informed that they sell around 1,000 units a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Meanwhile, Electron Appliances &mdash; an Australian brand established over 20 years ago &mdash; has been competing in the Nepali market since a decade. Amit Taparia, Manager at Electron International Private Limited, a professional household appliance company marketing the brand&rsquo;s appliances in Nepal, says, &ldquo;We have heaters in quartz, halogen, fan and gas models in the two- and three-rod segment. Capacities of our models vary from 600 to 1,200 watts. We also have a two-in-one gas cum electric heater.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to him, consumers are shifting away from traditional quartz to halogen and fan variants, though the latter are mainly used for office purposes. &ldquo;The sales of LPG heaters is also catching up with electric variants, as they can be used during power cut hours. This is the reason we occupy 20 per cent of the market share among branded heaters,&rdquo; says Taparia, though he argues that disclosure of price is difficult and may vary from one retailer to other.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With Chinese products dominating the market, dealers in branded ones are reluctant to disclose the price and sales growth. However, they uniformly agree that the market is growing. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Anil Goenka, Operation Manager of Triveni Byapar Company Limited, authorised distributor of Yasuda, says, &ldquo;Yasuda, an affordable brand introduced in Nepal just three years ago, is witnessing an average growth of 30 per cent every year. Targeting the middle class segment, we provide six models of halogen heaters. Five of our models belong to three-rod segment while one has two rods.&rdquo; Like Taparia, Goyenka also finds it difficult to reveal prices and annual sales of company products. He claimed that the brand enjoys 15 per cent of the market share among branded heaters. Goenka adds, &ldquo;Remote control feature and smooth rotation adds to the good looks that our products flaunt, making us the preferred choice among prospective buyers.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prospects of the Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Traders opine that the market of heater in Nepal is flourishing. Especially in Kathmandu where the climate tempts people to buy heater to avoid chilling winter cold. As a warm home in winter makes everything better, heater-traders expected equally&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12px;">heated sales.&nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'Kathmandu is under the chilly spell of Northern winds and people have started shopping for appliances to keep warm.   Demand for heaters in local market has gone up significantly and traders in the niche are glad.',
			'sortorder' => '2017',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2170',
			'article_category_id' => '157',
			'title' => 'A Little Piece Of Eden',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Rukesh Shrestha</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance. The Resort spreads across an area of 13 ropanis, has adequate parking space and is constructed in typical architecture of Chitwan. However, it has all the modern amenities for your comfort. Some of the facilities include free Wi-Fi, hot and cold water and free pickup and drop to and from Sauraha bus stop and Bharatpur Airport. Guests are also offered free transportation for visiting the nearby Tharu village. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort currently operates with 22 deluxe rooms. According to Lajik Shrestha, Manager of the Resort, there are plans of adding 50 air conditioned rooms in the future. The Resort is surrounded by a lush shady garden which is home to numerous local birds. The place comes alive at evenings with the chirping of birds. The garden also has three hammocks for guests to swing and relax.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort offers various packages that cover national park entrance fees, guide fee, meals, accommodation according to the package, and activities according to the package, pick up and drop to bus station. There are plenty of activities to indulge into, including Tharu village visit, elephant stable visit, visit to sunset point, elephant back safari, jeep safari, canoeing, jungle &nbsp;walk, elephant bathing in Rapti river, cultural program, visit to elephant breeding center, &nbsp;bird watching program and cycling tour to 20,000 lake.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort also serves delicious food, and specializes in Indian, Continental, Chinese and Nepali cuisine. There is a nice dining hall decorated with numerous paintings of birds and wild animals and those depicting Tharu culture. &nbsp;Fifty people can dine in the hall at once. According to the Chef of the Resort, one of the best sellers here is the fresh fish from the Rapti River and shallow fried mutton.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, the number of tourists visiting the Resort has increased in the recent years. Most of the tourists here are Americans, Europeans and Chinese. &ldquo;Europeans arrive from February to March and Americans come more in September and November. Nepalis come throughout the year,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	says Shrestha.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Resort has its office in Thamel for reservations. No matter which season you visit, the Resort will greet you with all its heart and its amenities. The Resort is also recommended by Tripadvisor and has received Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor owing to its impeccable services. Visit once and leave with unforgettable memories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<em>(For Reservations: 4218418)</em></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-12-03',
			'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' => 'If you have plans of going to Sauraha and want to stay in a comfy yet classy place, then Eden Jungle Resort could be one of the best options. The Resort is located in a peaceful area in Sauraha village nearby Government Elephant Stable and National Park Entrance.',
			'sortorder' => '2016',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2169',
			'article_category_id' => '152',
			'title' => 'Focus Briefs (25 November - 01 December 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Himstar gas room heater in market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Him Electronics has launched new model of &lsquo;Himstar Gas Room Heater&rsquo; for the winter season. &nbsp;Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this &nbsp;gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement. The heater&rsquo;s body is made of powder coated heavy metal where a safety sensor has been adapted to enable it to automatically switch off if it falls to the floor, the company said. In order to discourage use of insecure pipes to connect gas cylinder, the heater comes with high quality pipe.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CG Launches Gas Geyser&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div>
	CG Electronics has added CG Gas Geyser to its existing product portfolio. The geyser is convenient, handy and reasonably priced. It has features that include heating efficiency, winter/summer function, auto gas leak protection, digital display, hand shower and child lock. The company has launched two models of the geyser at &nbsp;prices ranging from Rs 5,990 to Rs 6,190. The productscome in two dynamic colours: vibrant white and classic black.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Heaters and Safety Issues</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Gas heaters need proper maintenance for safely enjoying its warmth in chilling cold winter. An unsafe or faulty heater can cause serious problems. Health problems that seem worse, or only occur when the heating is on, may be caused by carbon monoxide from a faulty gas heater. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea and chest pain. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>You should always:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Have plenty of ventilation &ndash; never seal up doorways, windows or vents. Ventilation is very important as it allows fresh air to come in and fumes to go out.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Prevent young children and elderly people from touching very hot surfaces. The normal dress guard only protects against accidental clothing contact.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Be careful when trying to dry clothes with the help of the heater &ndash; keep all flammable materials at least a metre away from the heater.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;">What you should NOT do:</span></div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use or store solvents, aerosols or pressure pack cans near a gas heater &ndash; even if the heater is turned off, the pilot light may still be on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never dispose off rubbish such as tissues, cotton buds or other things in a gas fire &ndash; this can affect combustion and produce dangerous pollutants.</div>
<div>
	&bull;Never use an outdoor appliance inside (this includes barbeques and patio heaters).</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Your heater needs to be checked if:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&bull;There is a yellow or sooty flame (unless it is a decorative gas log fire).</div>
<div>
	&bull;The pilot light goes out unexpectedly, or &lsquo;pops&rsquo; or &lsquo;bangs&rsquo; when lighting.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are signs of heat damage such as discoloration of the walls or heater panels.</div>
<div>
	&bull;The walls become too hot to touch while the heater is on.</div>
<div>
	&bull;There are soot stains around the heater.</div>',
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			'description' => 'Him Electronics has launched new model of ‘Himstar Gas Room Heater’ for the winter season.  Besides the basic features of keeping a room warm with easy mobility, this  gas heater is specially designed with adequate safety measures, said the company in a statement.',
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			'id' => '2166',
			'article_category_id' => '109',
			'title' => 'Garima  At 7th Year',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size: 12px;">G</span><span style="font-size: 12px;">arima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches. The Bank has started providing its micro loan service also to the male entrepreneurs. Earlier, this loan scheme was only provided to the women entrepreneurs. &nbsp;The Bank has distributed 20 per cent bonus shares and 5 per cent cash dividend to its shareholders as approved by the last Annual General Assembly of the Company. The Bank has the authorised capital of Rs 1 billion. &nbsp;</span></div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-26',
			'modified' => '2013-11-26',
			'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' => 'Garima Development Bank Ltd has entered the seventh year of operation from last Friday. So far, the Bank has collected Rs 3.50 billion deposit and extended a total of Rs 2.75 billion loan. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Govinda Prashad Dhakal, it has been serving 70 thousand customers through its 14 branches',
			'sortorder' => '2014',
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			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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