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			'id' => '1699',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'More Demand For Cool Air',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As the mercury level rises, air conditioners are perhaps the best appliances around for cooling, and there is no dearth of quality in the local market for buyers of the product.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Growing urbanisation, surge in corporate offices, business complexes and shopping malls have pushed the demand for air-conditioners in the domestic market in the last few years. More than a dozen brands are competing in the Nepali market to cash in the growing demand for air conditioners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Air conditioners in Nepal are mainly imported from a number of East Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Japan and many more.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market currently consists of varieties including the split type and the wall mount AC to ceiling cassette models from established brands including LG, Whirlpool, Beko, Panasonic, Yasuda, Midea, Gree, McQuay, Fuji Air, Mitsubishi, Daikin and Hyundai. Also available in the market are central ACs, but their sales are limited to big hotels, corporate buildings and shopping complexes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Distributors of the product say that the market for air conditioners in the country has grown by 25 to 30 per cent since its initial days, which reflects the rise in demand for ACs among upper class consumers and a compulsion for ACs in corporate houses, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels and commercial houses. &ldquo;Consumers of AC have doubled in recent years and the sale is expected to grow as the number of hospitals, hotels and other business houses are being constructed in an appreciable way,&rdquo; says Basuki Nath Thanur, Senior Manager-Commercial AC of Airtech Industries Pvt Ltd. According to Thanur, the products are mostly used by upper class consumers from big cities rather than the middle class.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="AC Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/airq.jpg" style="
float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 313px;" />Brands Available in Nepali Market</span></strong></div>
<div>
	A large variety of ACs including the single split type, the wall mountain, the ceiling cassette, ceiling suspended ACs, floor sanding ACs, duck able ACs, VRF or multi split ACs as well as central ACs are found in the Nepali market. Of the brands available here, customers prefer ACs imported from China and Malaysia as they are comparatively cheaper than&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Japanese ACs.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ACs with a capacity of 0.75 tonne, 1 tonne, 1.5 tonnes and 2 tonnes are found in the market and are targeted at brand conscious people who do not mind paying a little extra for quality and reliability. Prices in the market range from Rs 58,000 to Rs 92,000. According to a company, ACs having capacity of 0.75 to 1.5 tonnes are appropriate for home use, while those with higher capacity are appropriate for&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	office use.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Increasing Demand&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Along with the growing market, customers demand too is on the rise. A lot of customers including the big commercial houses and hotels are moving from lesser priced products to premium ones.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The rise in living standards of people and the increment of various big commercial houses has forced traders to bring in products to satiate the need of customers. A leading importer mentioned that increasing demand has turned the market fiercely competitive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the price of air conditioners has increased by around 20 per cent, traders dealing with popular brands say sales have increased four-fold since the beginning&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	of summer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the two types of AC widely sold in the market &ndash; domestic and office-use ACs - traders say sales of the wall mount AC has spiked considerably compared to split ACs that are fixed on the ceiling.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Market Share</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Some traders observe that the market share of air conditioners in Nepal is mostly covered by Chinese, Malaysian and Japanese brands, among which (roughly) 40 per cent of the market is covered by Chinese brands, 35 per cent by Japanese and 25 per cent by Malaysian brands.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders have observed rapid expansion of the AC market in cities outside Kathmandu, with Narayangarh, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bhairawa, Hetauda and Nepalgunj showing encouraging growth in the use of ACs. The eastern part of Nepal showed more demand for the appliance than the western part of the country and the gap in sales between Kathmandu and the rest of the country was shown to be narrowing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Challenges&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The encouraging growth in sales aside, traders are experiencing various hurdles in this business especially since competition is high. Traders claim that quality maintenance is not fair in the market and that with a plethora of products available, duplicate products are on the rise. With the growth of unhealthy competition, duplicate products have been degrading market credibility, which is the negative sign for business.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Other macro factors such as political instability and the rise of the dollar can be a threat to this business too. But despite these challenges, importers and distributors seem to have plenty to get going, as demand for air conditioners does not seem to show signs of subsiding as yet.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'As the mercury level rises, air conditioners are perhaps the best appliances around for cooling, and there is no dearth of quality in the local market for buyers of the product.',
			'sortorder' => '1560',
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			'id' => '1698',
			'article_category_id' => '105',
			'title' => 'A Caring Hospital!',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	In an expensive hospital in Kathmandu, a patient pleads to the doctor, who is also the promoter of the hospital: &ldquo;Doctor, I can&rsquo;t take these awful medicines. &nbsp;As I am anyway dying just after a few days, let me die peacefully without going through this bad taste and an expensive experience.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	Doctor: &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t let you die just like that. You have to survive till your kith and kin come to see you. Let them clear the hospital bill first.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Hearing the conversation the patient of the next bed had a sudden heart attack to death. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>&nbsp;-ML</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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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' => 'In an expensive hospital in Kathmandu, a patient pleads to the doctor, who is also the promoter of the hospital:',
			'sortorder' => '1559',
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			'id' => '1697',
			'article_category_id' => '144',
			'title' => 'Economic Prosperity: Our Roadmap Ahead',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	What are the elements that shape a country&rsquo;s transition from volatile politics to stable democracy? All too often, policy analysts focus on the political process, while neglecting the vital role of economic reform in determining democratic success or failure.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the last decade, high unemployment and lack of entrepreneurial opportunities posed serious challenges to Nepal&rsquo;s transition. On the other hand, the country faced growing unresolved grievances caused by issues such as misappropriation of private property, rampant corruption and widening inequality.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Yet, there is a silver lining. Despite a decade-long political turmoil and armed conflict, the country&rsquo;s economy was successful enough to maintain its basic economic indicators in a positive direction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many believe that Nepal can achieve prosperity if elections are held on time as political parties will agree on a common economic agenda to take the country into a prosperous future.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Can economic prosperity be achieved in a country that reels under perennial problems? We think it can. Incredible natural resources have favoured the country for development. Now it is our turn to do a favour to our collective dream of becoming rich, prosperous and happy. We can achieve economic prosperity only if we put in collective effort.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The desired need for economic growth must be a sincere commitment from all walks of life.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The government is heading towards a dream of achieving the status of &lsquo;developing country&rsquo; by 2022 through a three-year plan. Many suspect whether the Nepali economy can begin the journey of prosperity in the given circumstances. The experience of the last decade, however, shows that the country can achieve things if the CA election is held on time and if political parties are united on a common economic agenda.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite political instability, Nepal has witnessed noticeable growth in all sectors during the last decade. In recent years, many banks and money transfer businesses have grown. Nepal was one of the highest receivers of remittance on the basis of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Be it the health and education sector or the manufacturing and industrial sector, the country has succeeded to achieve remarkable progress despite political instability.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There are rays of hope also in the hydropower sector. Currently a power deficit country, the country will be in power surplus by 2018 if all ongoing projects are completed within the stipulated time.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Most important of all for the desired level of growth is the leading role of the private sector in investment, production and distribution of all goods and services. Of course, state support is a need as is security and ground for fair-play. Guided by this philosophy, New Business Age co-organised a conclave on the growth debate in Kathmandu on 24th August, with the opportunity to recognise the contribution of the business sector to growth. This recognition came in the form of ten categories of business awards.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the sustained prosperity of the nation, we need to start modest and all big dreams will fall in line with the accomplishment of initial ones. If we achieve 7 per cent growth first, then a double-digit figure can soon follow. &nbsp;As in an essay by noted litterateur Laxmi Prasad Devkota entitled &lsquo;Is Nepal Insignificant?&rsquo; where he eloquently writes about the prospects of Nepal, this country has tremendous potential for economic growth. But all we need to boost the country&rsquo;s economy are commitment from the political leadership, positive thinking of the general public and sincere and genuine effort from the private sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'What are the elements that shape a country’s transition from volatile politics to stable democracy? All too often, policy analysts focus on the political process, while neglecting the vital role of economic reform in determining democratic success or failure.',
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			'id' => '1696',
			'article_category_id' => '141',
			'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Pahadi Passes Away</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College. Born in Madi of Sankhuwasabha district, Pahadi was involved in politics through NC from the party-less Panchayat rule. His last rites were performed the same day at the Pashupati Aryaghaat (Cremation Center) according to Hindu rituals.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Yadav Arrested for Transformer Scam</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) arrested the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Rameshwar Yadav, along with other two officials last Tuesday over the corruption charge while purchasing substandard transformers. NEA staff arrested over irregularities while buying transformers include the planning chief of NEA Krishna Bahadur Thapa, Engineer Pramod Rijal and Deputy Director (accounts) Krishna Bahadur KC, among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal Regrets Sidestepping CPN-Maoist</span></strong></div>
<div>
	CPN (UML) Senior Leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said they made mistake by bypassing the CPN-Maoist party led by Mohan Baidhya while announcing the date of the Constituent Assembly polls. Calling the CPN-Maoist the &lsquo;fourth largest&rsquo; force, former PM Nepal claims that they would bring the CPN-Maoist on board for the election process. Speaking at a programme in Pokhara last Monday, Nepal accused the UCPN (Maoist) of not accepting its breakaway faction CPN-Maoist due to fear that the latter party would be left behind.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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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' => 'Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College.',
			'sortorder' => '1557',
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			'id' => '1695',
			'article_category_id' => '142',
			'title' => 'Poll Update (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Comedians for Timely CA Polls</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date. During a programme to mark the Gaijatra festival in the Capital last Wednesday, actors of popular comedian television shows - Meri Bassai, Tito Satya and Jire Khurasani - vowed to work together against social and political evils and support holding the CA polls on November 19. Comedian Deepak Raj Giri leaders them to be serious this time and to address the people&rsquo;s aspiration by promulgating the new constitution. Also in the programme, Deepa Shree Niraula, Jitu Nepal and Shree Krishna Simkhada, among others, requested the leaders to give up their petty political interests for drafting the constitution.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Calls Application for Polls Observation</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission called for application from national and international organisations last week for the observation of the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls with some new provisions. According to Election Commissioner Dr Rambhakta PB Thakur, the EC has for the first time called for aspiring applicants to apply for election observation online.According to a new provision, the approved organisation to monitor CA polls should reach at least 100 election centers of mountain, terai and hilly regions.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Separate Mechanism to Monitor Media&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission formed a separate mechanism to monitor the media during the Constituent Assembly polls. The EC formed the Media Monitoring Committee under the chair of an Election Commmissioner, Ila Sharma. Federation of Nepali Journalists president Shiva Gaunle, however, said they were not consulted with while forming such a committee. The FNJ was in favour of the stance that such responsibilities of monitoring the media should be given to the Press Council, Gaunle said.&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date.',
			'sortorder' => '1556',
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			'id' => '1694',
			'article_category_id' => '140',
			'title' => 'Gajurel Sees Dahal Behind CA Dissolution',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly. He said the Dispute Resolution Committee, a mechanism formed at the Constituent Assembly under the chair of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, did not hold much discussion. He added that it was the main reason behind the dissolution of the CA without the promulgation of new constitution. Speaking at a programme in Janakpurdham last Monday, Gajurel also warned that an election held by using force would invite violent confrontation in the country.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly.',
			'sortorder' => '1555',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1693',
			'article_category_id' => '140',
			'title' => 'Baidya-led Alliance To Foil CA Polls',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The HLPC took this decision last Saturday following a meeting with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance. The dissident alliance remained adamant on its stance that the RTC should be called and put forth a five-point demand calling for the cancellation of the Constituent Assembly polls, the dissolution of the Khil Raj Regmi-led government and the dissolution of the HLPC.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier last Thursday, the HLPC had agreed to hold a RTC to bring the poll-opposing parties on board for the election process.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Leaders of the HLPC said they would now move ahead with the election process. Speaking with the media after a meeting with the alliance, CPN (UML) Chairperson Jhalanath Khanal said the RTC will not be held now and that the election would be held on the scheduled date. Likewise, UCPN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the CPN-Maoist wanted to decide everything including the fate of the election through the RTC. &ldquo;Meeting their demand means making the election uncertain when they are not serious about the CA polls themselves.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung also informed the media that the dialogue with the HLPC has ended and added that they would now hit the streets and foil the government&rsquo;s attempt to hold election.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As this scribe went to press, leaders of the 33-party alliance said they were chalking out a strategy and protest programmes to foil the election scheduled for November 19.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.',
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			'id' => '1692',
			'article_category_id' => '139',
			'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (26 August - 1 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move" src="/userfiles/images/brzl.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 45px;" />Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Brazil&rsquo;s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency. It comes as the Brazilian real nears a five-year low against the US dollar. The real and other emerging market currencies have fallen steadily over the last three months on speculation of higher US interest rates. The central bank said it would spend $500m a day on Mondays to Thursdays and $1bn on Fridays buying reais in the currency markets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Eurozone growth hits 26-month high" src="/userfiles/images/eur.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 74px;" />Eurozone growth hits 26-month high</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Eurozone business activity grew at its fastest pace for 26 months in August, according to a closely-watched survey. The Markit composite purchasing managers&rsquo; index - which includes manufacturing and services - rose to 51.7 points, from 50.5 in July. A number higher than 50 indicates growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales" src="/userfiles/images/gold(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 69px;" />Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Gold rose almost 2 percent on Friday, hitting its highest price in more than two months near $1,400 an ounce, as a big drop in U.S. new home sales renewed hopes that the Federal Reserve will maintain its bond-buying economic stimulus. For the week, gold gained 1.6 percent for its third consecutive weekly rise. It has climbed in six out of the past seven weeks since gold fell to a three-year low at $1,180 an ounce on June 28.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus" src="/userfiles/images/imf.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 77px;" />IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus</span></strong></div>
<div>
	International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde has cautioned the countries across the world against withdrawal of stimulus or unconventional monetary policies (UMPs). Lagarde on Friday asserted that the stimulus helped support economic stability at both domestic and global level. Early in the crisis, the UMPs helped prevent a collapse of the financial system and a collapse of activity, she said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens " src="/userfiles/images/slt(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Sri Lanka&rsquo;s trade deficit widened 25 percent to $829.1 million in June from $663.2 million a year earlier, central bank data showed on Thursday. Both imports and exports reversed their declining trend. The central bank&rsquo;s tight monetary policy measures and a flexible exchange rate, adopted early last year to curb trade and current account deficits, have resulted in sluggish external trade since the second quarter of 2012.</div>',
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			'description' => 'Brazil’s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency.',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1691',
			'article_category_id' => '161',
			'title' => '“ICRC Focuses On The Needs Of Families Of The Disappeared”',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Sylvie Thoral , Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/st.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 236px;" />Sylvie Thoral</strong> is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency. August 30 is marked as the International Day of the Disappeared. In an interview with <strong>Gaurav Aryal</strong> of The Corporate, Thoral talked about ICRC&rsquo;s activities concerned with the disappeared in the post-conflict period. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What are the recent activities of ICRC in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	For a couple of years now, our activities have had the same focus. Our mandate goes towards protection of victims of conflicts and other situations of violence. The reason why we still operate in Nepal is very much related to the persistence of a certain number of humanitarian concerns related to the past conflict. There are humanitarian consequences particularly in relation to families of the disappeared whose whereabouts are still unknown. Other activities are related to emergency response in fields where the Red Cross is involved in activities such as first aid trainings, disaster management and management of trauma cases in medical structures.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How is ICRC working on the status of the disappeared in partnership with government bodies?</strong></div>
<div>
	We collected a certain number of complaints on disappearance at the time of conflict. We managed to clarify the fate of some while there are families who still do not have a single clue. We try to be more systematic in consolidating and collecting as much information as possible. Throughout these years, we also engaged with Nepali authorities and both parties of the conflict - Nepal Army, Police and Maoist combatants because people were held captive by either side. We tried finding whereabouts of those people held captive by both sides. We also try to focus on the needs of families of the disappeared, not for protection but for supporting them.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you see the possibility of knowing the whereabouts of the missing people now, after almost eight years since the end of armed conflict?</strong></div>
<div>
	The hope of finding someone still alive is very slim. But, as long as you don&rsquo;t have confirmation by anyone, there are legal complications. If a person is not here and the person is not confirmed dead, there is no legal provision in Nepal for recognition of the missing person, including those missing in a natural calamity. According to the law, it is only after 12 years of a person being missing that you can consider the person as dead and begin legal procedures such as inheritance and transfer of properties.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you think that such provisions must be amended?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is something we are now looking into because we want to go deeper in understanding the legal needs of these families. So, we have commissioned a study and based on that report, we might make some recommendations to the government of Nepal via the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction about this legal framework either by decreasing the 12 years term or by making a provision for declaration of absence. This provision that exists in other countries to acknowledge somebody&rsquo;s absence for years gives the relatives a kind of recognition to carry on with the legal proceedings.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Some political leaders have been insisting not to revive conflict-era cases. What is your take on it?</strong></div>
<div>
	Nepal at some point will have to come to terms with what has been done in the past. A fact finding commission has to be put in place at some point, also to avoid similar incidents in the future. We are more concerned at the time being for the families of the disappeared rather than right to justice. Justice need to come at some point but for us, what matters is to foster a secure environment where people who have information regarding the fate of disappeared individuals can reveal it without fearing prosecution. Criminal proceedings must come but we must also think about how to create an environment for people to provide information that is much needed.&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Sylvie Thoral is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency.',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1690',
			'article_category_id' => '138',
			'title' => 'US Embassy To Assist American Companies For Investments In Nepali Hydro Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector. According to a press statement by the embassy, Bodde hosted a conference call with US businessmen on August 21 to discuss opportunities in the hydropower sector in Nepal. &nbsp;&lsquo;The Ambassador gave an overview of the economic and business climate in Nepal and then took participants&rsquo; questions, including queries about upcoming hydropower summits in Kathmandu and how the US embassy can assist American companies investing in Nepal,&rsquo; says the statement. Twelve participants, representing industries including energy and infrastructure joined the call, including some with a history of investing in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Although challenges remain, Bodde, during the conference call pointed out that Nepal has the second- largest hydropower resources in the world and less than one per cent of this potential has been developed. &nbsp;He emphasized that the US Embassy stands ready to assist American companies interested in investing in Nepal. In the closing of the conference, Bodde noted,&rsquo; Nepal has enormous hydropower potential and the time to engage with this sector is now.&rsquo;</div>',
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			'description' => 'The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector.',
			'sortorder' => '1551',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1689',
			'article_category_id' => '137',
			'title' => 'Economic Downturn In India, Indonesia Raise Fears',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent equity sell-down and currency fall in India and Indonesia have raised contagion fears across Asia, similar to the Asian financial crisis in 1997. What started off as a relatively contained sell-down in Indonesia and India is now turning into a confidence crisis. The Indian rupee has lost 12 percent since May 2013, making it the worst performer in the emerging market currency basket, Xinhua said in an analysis Saturday.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There is now widespread panic over the rupee, and the short-term measures imposed by the Indian government such as curbing the import of gold are widely seen as ineffective. In Indonesia, the sharp weakening in the rupiah and weak commodity export prices have caused its foreign exchange reserves to fall by a significant 18 percent year-to-date from $112 billion to $92 billion, fuelling investors&rsquo; concerns over the defensibility of the currency and the concurrent risks of sharp policy rate hikes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The impact of capital outflows and financial turbulence as a result of India and Indonesia problems will undoubtedly be significant and widespread in other Asian emerging economies such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, where bubbles have been inflated by easy credit and super easy monetary policy. During the 1997 Asian financial turmoil, the currency meltdown in Thailand sent a chain reaction of weaker currencies, falling stock markets and a steep rise in private debt across Southeast Asian economies and South Korea, sinking most of them into deep recession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CIMB research said for the rest of the Asian economies, recent developments in India and Indonesia should have very little negative economic impact. Backed by better regulated financial sector and stable domestic growth drivers, Asian financial markets should also be able to maintain a steady inflow of capital. Credit Suisse research believed that the impact of India and Indonesia sell-down upon North Asian economies such as China and South Korea will also be limited. (news.yahoo.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<hr />
	<p>
		<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Crisis unlikely due to currency depreciation&rsquo;</span></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
	Negative spillover effects from India in the Nepali economy have always been pertaining issue for the Nepali economy. &nbsp;Crisis in value of rupee is the latest in the series. With the sharp depreciation of Nepali rupee (NPR) against the US dollar, caused by the devaluation and volatility in Indian rupee (INR), experts have started serious debate over the pegged exchange rate.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, chief economic advisor at Finance Ministry Dr Chiranjivi Nepal ruled out the possibility of revising pegged exchange rate. &nbsp;&#39;The weakening of Indian and other Asian currencies is unlikely to bring crisis like 1997, now the economies are in better position compare to that period,&#39; said Nepal. According to Nepal, the depreciation of INR will not continue for long time. Indian government has continuously putting effort to control the steep fall of value of rupee against dollar,&rdquo; he opined, adding that it can be expected that Indian central bank will take aggressive measures to contain INR in a level.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent massive depreciation of Indian currency has thrown all these logics out of the window and the situation calls for a serious debate on whether Nepali rupee should maintain the peg system. When asked about the review of existing exchange rate, Nepal rejected such calls. &#39;Nepali economy will encounter many problems if the existing exchange rate is changed,&#39; he said. &#39;Reviewing the rate will ease the dollar price but cheaper foreign goods will influx the Nepali market and more money will be needed for the import of goods.&#39; He further added that the government to take proper policies aiming to boost the export to take benefit from the strong dollar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'The recent equity sell-down and currency fall in India and Indonesia have raised contagion fears across Asia, similar to the Asian financial crisis in 1997.',
			'sortorder' => '1550',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1688',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => '‘Malaysia Tourism Aiming 36 Million  Tourist By The Year 2020’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Amran Abdul Rahman, director of Tourism Malaysia" src="/userfiles/images/mls.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 239px;" />The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online. What makes Malaysia so especial and to share tourism promotional activities in Nepal, <strong>Amran Abdul Rahman</strong>, director of Tourism Malaysia in a rendezvous with The Corporate Weekly Associate Editor <strong>Sujit Nath</strong> revealed how Malaysia became the hot destination for the tourists from all over the world. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What is purpose your of visit in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is for the first time I came to Nepal to get a first-hand experience of the market. Tourism Malaysia is doing market research in Nepal for the last 14 years and so far the response is good. &nbsp;I came here to welcome the people here to Malaysia under our promotional banner of &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo;. A seminar was recently conducted on tourism on August 23 in association with the local tour operators. I look forward for a better relationship with Nepal in terms of tourism.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How you rate Nepal as a market in terms of tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	I think there is a great market in Nepal and its growing as compared to last year. An average Nepali tourist spends nearly 62,423.76 NPR, which is 2000 Malaysian Ringgit. Tourists from Nepal prefer to stay longer as compare to Indian tourists. So, the more they will stay &mdash; the more we will be able to generate the revenue. In Malaysia people more about Nepal than India because of its long association and common features in terms of lifestyle. But we are happy that response from Nepal and India is so far good.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What category of Nepali tourists prefers Malaysia as their favourite tourist destination?</strong></div>
<div>
	Most of the Nepali tourists come with their family but we have seen in recent years that a large number of youngsters are also exploring Malaysia. In last six months from January to June there was a growth of 33.7 per cent Nepali tourist in Malaysia. This was a significant growth and we are happy that the market is growing. We are confident to serve our best to the Nepali tourist with utmost homely care. It&rsquo;s our privilege to provide a comfortable stay in Malaysia.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>The banner &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo; seems inviting with its marketing strategy. Could you please elaborate on that?</strong></div>
<div>
	Well I must say it will be the year of fun and frolic with endless new day-night mesmerising shows. What added more zeal, is the scheduled Grand Prix, which is going to be the show stopper. We are expecting a large number of tourists from across the globe to witness the carnival. For the shopping lovers, we are organizing a big event under the banner of Malaysia Mega Sale festival where the tourists will get all kind of branded lifestyle items in a cheaper price.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Malaysia tourism is doing a lot of promotional activities for Business and customized personal tourism. Could you share your views on the latest trend and response on Business tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	It&rsquo;s a high end tourism segment and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) &mdash; meant to deal with the business tourism &mdash; has a done a commendable job. There is a rise in the business meetings of some of the big corporate houses in the world. The other areas, which include customized personal tourism packages, are weddings, honeymoon, cruise, luxury tourism etc. We are getting good revenue in these&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	segments too.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Tell me something about the overall all tourism scenario in Malaysia?</strong></div>
<div>
	In 2011, Malaysia recorded 24.7 million tourist arrivals with tourist receipts totaling RM 58.3 billion. In 2012, the country&rsquo;s tourist arrivals and receipts registered more than 25 million RM. The Malaysia Tourism Transportation Plan is targeting 36 million tourist arrivals and RM 168 billion in receipts by the year 2020. Kuala Lumpur was voted as the fourth best shopping city in the world and I am sure with other attractions which we have in Malaysia, we will be able to woo more tourists from Nepal and India.</div>',
			'published' => true,
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			'description' => 'The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online.',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1687',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'The Consistent Growth Of The RMC Group',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sagar Ghimire&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajesh Agrawal, Director, RMC group" src="/userfiles/images/ra(1).jpg" style="width: 183px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<div>
					<strong>Rajesh Agrawal</strong></div>
				<div>
					Director, RMC group</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The export of RMC cements to India comes as a respite for the economy of Nepal that has long been suffering due to the dominance of imported goods from India. Along with catering to the rising demand for building materials like cement, steels and pipes in Nepal, the RMC Group now strives to expand its market to neighbor down south. Amidst a deepening trade deficit with India, the RMC Group is now planning to export manufacturing goods to the country. The strategy is to import raw materials and export value-added products to India.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conviction behind success</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Since Nepal was completely dependent on imports for steel, Rajesh Agrawal, Director of RMC group, thought of establishing a factory to meet the growing demand of steel in the country. Despite his lack of experience and knowledge on the manufacturing industry, Agrawal did not shy away from venturing into a relatively new front. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Promising prospects for steel manufacturers prompted me to start a factory despite my inexperience,&rdquo; Agrawal says. He recalls being firm on his conviction to develop it through the learn-by-doing approach. Today, the RMC Group has leapfrogged from a small-scale firm to a big industry through this approach itself.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company initially formed for steel drum packaging for paints is now manufacturing steels, pipes, cements and sheets. Along with catering to the rising demands for steel, the company also meets the needs of pipes and other construction materials in its backyard. Growing steadily thus, it is now eyeing a broader market in India.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Forty per cent of our total turnover is exported to India today,&rdquo; Agrawal states to The Corporate. The group has recently started exporting cement to India and is the first company in Nepal to do so.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The RMC Group was established with an investment of five million rupees and now has an annual turnover of 5 billion rupees, informs Agrawal. Apart from the manufacturing sector, the group has investments in the banking and insurance sectors as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialisation was yet to begin in Nepal when Agrawal had begun business. Despite limitations, Nepal gradually headed towards industrialization and augmented economic growth in the country. &ldquo;The steel consumption is directly related with economic development and the economic development of Nepal has increased with the consumption of our steels,&rdquo; says Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Ups and Downs&rsquo; in Business Environment&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	In the two decades of its operation, the RMC Group has experienced some ups and downs. Few years after the group established its factory to manufacture steel, the Maoist insurgency took off and posed many challenges to industrialists from running their business. &ldquo;However, the business environment recovered after the Maoists came into the peace process,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Affordability of local consumers has gone up in recent times due to remittance and other sources of income. &ldquo;People in villages have been switching to corrugated sheets from bricks, straw and other local materials to roof their houses,&rdquo; Agrawal observes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the per capita steel consumption in Nepal is still one of the lowest in the world - 30kg per person, according to Agrawal, whereas the average is more than 300kg per person in the world. Agrawal is hopeful that steel consumption will get a boost in the days to come with political stability in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	But despite these vicissitudes, consistent service to customers for the last 20 years has made RMC a credible brand. &ldquo;The consistent quality provided to consumers has ensured the growth of our companies,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Valuing Labour&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The company had begun with only 15 employees in total, but today, there are 400 employees hired by it. It has employed 80 peoples in its cement factory and has been hiring staff for administrative purposes through vacancy calls in newspapers.</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A large number of our human resources are labours and we recruit them at the local level where our factories are located through the contractors,&rdquo; says Agrawal who values the labour force for the success of his company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CSR activities&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC Group has arranged drinking water facilities at the villages of the workers of its factories in Simra and other places as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. It has built water tanks, provided water pipes and bored water wells as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, it has provided corrugated sheets, steel and other construction materials to schools at the factories&rsquo; sites.</div>
<div>
	The company is also providing medical services to the families of its workers regularly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Competition &amp; Promotional Activities</span></strong></div>
<div>
	According to Agrawal, the RMC Group faces competition against Jagadamba Enterprises for pipes and Hulas Steel and the Biratnagar-based Arati Steel for Galvanised sheets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group runs TVC (television commercials) as well as media advertisements in newspapers as a part of its promotional activity. Likewise, the group comes up frequently with scratch coupons, gift vouchers and other schemes for its customers. &nbsp;Targeting customers at the local level to advertise its products, the group airs advertisements through FM stations all across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Social Affinity&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	While Director Agrawal is taking care of the companies and factories, his father Shrawan Kumar Agrawal - also Chairperson of the group - is involved in politics and social sectors. &nbsp;Chairperson Agrawal was a former Constituent Assembly lawmaker representing the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal. He is currently serving as Chairperson of the Marwari Sewa Samiti, an organization for social service to the Marwari community.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Palpa Cement at the offing</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC group has a project in Palpa to produce clinkers and cements in the pipeline. &ldquo;Clinkers are largely being imported from India for cement production, and we are planning to produce it, and cement made from it, from Palpa,&rdquo; informs Agrawal. The group is already in talks with the government for building the necessary infrastructure in the proposed factory sites.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="RMC Group" src="/userfiles/images/rMCGROUP.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 306px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<h2>
					AT A GLANCE</h2>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Brief History</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Pvt Ltd was established on 1993. Prior to that, it was a firm to trade steels by importing from Japan, Korea and India. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						Rajesh Agrawal left Rajesh Hardware Pvt Ltd to his partner on 1995 and he owned RMC Pvt Ltd. &nbsp;His partner is still doing the business on hardware. RMC is focusing its business on manufacturing. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Award and Recognition</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC already has the ISO 9001: 2008 certificate and the company was recently conferred with ISO 14001: 2004 certificate for its environment management system. Also, it has been awarded NS mark by Nepal Bureau of Standards &amp; Metrology (NBSM), a National Standards Body under Government of Nepal, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Involvement of the RMC group:</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>1. Rajesh Metal Craft Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Sister concern of the RMC Group, RMC Pvt Ltd manufactures and supplies MS Black Pipes, Galvanised Iron Pipes, Galvanised Plain and Corrugated Sheets, Tubular and Telescopic Steel Poles and Fabricated Steel Structural, among others. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>2. RMC Cement Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Cement Pvt Ltd, sister concern of RMC group, produces RMC cement from its Simara-based factory. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>3. H&amp;B Development Bank</strong></div>
					<div>
						HNB Development Bank is a leading development bank of Nepal that has a &ldquo;B&rdquo; class license issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank. RMC group chairperson Shrawan Agrwawal is the chairman of the H &amp; B Development Bank.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>4. Prudential Insurance Co Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Prudential Insurance Company was incorporated under the Companies Act on November 30, 2000. With the approval of Beema Samiti, it commenced operation on June 20, 2002. The Chairperson of RMC Group, Shrawan Agrawal, is in the Board of Directors of the Prudential Insurance Co Ltd.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>5. Palpa Cement&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						This is the mine based that will to produce clinker and cement. The factory will come under operation soon.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Details of major products of the RMC group:</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>RMC Cement</strong></div>
					<div>
						The company has a production of RMC Cement from its factory that has a capacity of 2.4 million bags a year. The company has installed the latest PLC controlled closed circuit technology to ensure high quality and strength in the cement along with the installation of latest technology for the pollution control. It has also established fully-equipped modern quality testing laboratory to test the raw materials and finished goods at all stages.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>MS Black Pipes</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC has been manufacturing and supplying MS Black Pipe through its Birgunj based factory. It has the production capacity of 30 thousand tons per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Galvanised Iron Pipes&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Metal Craft Pvt Ltd also manufactures galvanised iron pipes. These are made from steel or iron pipes coated in molten-zinc.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Color Coated Sheets&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Pvt Ltd has begun manufacturing and supplying the color coated sheets from last two weeks and it has the production capacity of 18 thousand ton per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>CR Sheet</strong></div>
					<div>
						The production capacity of CR sheet is 30 thousand ton per annum.</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
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			'description' => 'While Nepal is witnessing a huge trade deficit with India due to its heavy dependency on import, Rajesh Metal Craft (RMC) Group has been exporting 40 per cent of its annual turnover to India.',
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			'title' => 'Corptoon Vol3 Issue 28',
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			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sujit Nath</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a day of pledge reckoning and revolution. Newbiz Conclave &amp; Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013 was held on August 24 with an aim to double Nepal GDP growth rate to 7 per cent per annum.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The event was conceptualised with a mission, hoping for a new sun rise and a dream to give Nepal what it deserve in terms of development and good governance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Amid some of the stalwarts of the industries, chamber of commerce, embassy officials, foreign thinkers and economists, the New Business Age (NBA), The Corporate Weekly and Arthik Abhiyan in association with Asian Paints and other sponsors organized the ceremony and initiated a step toward development under the banner of &mdash; &lsquo;Doubling of growth of Nepali economy to 7 per cent GDP: The Roadmap Ahead&rsquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a long brain storming session where excuses, logic and ways to achieve were shared, and views were exchanged among the speakers.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The conclusion was optimistic &mdash; Yes, we can achieve it.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	All we need, a determination to do anything for this country in bringing FDI&rsquo;s, training people locally in specialized areas and more focus on Agriculture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Shankar Koirala, Minister for Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supplies stressed for 5.5 per cent economic growth in coming 12 months and said, &ldquo;Achieving 7 per cent in coming years is not an impossible task. We play blame game and that&rsquo;s hampering the country. Only effort from the government is not sufficient and we need help from the private sectors to make Nepal a developed country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	by 2022&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Investment is important for higher growth but private sector is shying away due to lack of investment safety. We have already implemented some of the policies on development and are on the process of implementing few more new foreign policies, which will help us in bringing more investment in Nepal. Let me share that the cement industry is booming in Nepal and in coming years Nepal will be self sufficient in cement. The whole idea is to bring more investment through friendly foreign policies for a healthy GDP growth,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many dignitaries on the ocassion felt there was an urgent need for the farmers to shift from traditional farming to scientific way of cultivation. This is only possible by bringing technologies to Nepal and providing trainings to the local youths so that they don&rsquo;t go to other countries to earn their bread. This will reduce the import as the country will be self sufficient in food. It will also bring a heave of sigh among the middle class in terms of affordability.</div>
<div>
	To bring a collective effort for the development of Nepal, a book titled &mdash; Nepalko Arthik Briddhi Ek Margachitra (Sambriddha Nepal Abhiyan) was launched by the minister for finance, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, NBA chairman Madan Lamsal, country head of Asian Paints Budhaditya Mukherjee, chairman of NewBiz Awards jury Prabhakar SJB Rana, FNCCI president Suraj Vaidya, CNI founder president Binod Chaudhary and president of Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association Rajan Singh Bhandary.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Among some of the strong views shared by the speakers, Hari Bhakta Sharma, vice president, confederation of Nepalese industries came out with a practical thought on some the basic thing to achieve the growth in this country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Nature has a capacity to fulfill all our need but she cannot fulfill our greed. It is sad that the country where I live is 167th poorest in the world because of dollar appreciation. Thanks to the government. We have 2.5 billion people market and still far behind. There is no electricity and water. We only demand with no responsibility,&rdquo; Sharma said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He said, &ldquo;New generation of enterprise is emerging in Nepal. We should try to improve our technology to compete with India and China. Once you learnt that, you will compete with rest of the world. I would like to request the government to change their policies at the earliest and would like to request our skilled manpower not to migrate to other countries. We are sending labour to Qatar because we pay less to them in Nepal. We have to utilize these people to reverse that cycle. My perspective to the business leaders that best resources are here and how much we are ready is a different issue&rdquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal&rsquo;s economic growth stood at 4.6 per cent last fiscal year due to favorable weather and also the services sector witnessed a healthy growth. However, in the current fiscal year its economic growth rate is slowed down to 3.5 per cent due to lack of investment, incomplete budget, rough weather etc.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sharma stressed that there is a need to generate employment and industrial clusters in Nepal and says, &ldquo;If Morocco can export garments to Nepal, then why can&rsquo;t we produce garments. In coming days the competition is global not regional and we need to change our policy. A regular co-ordination with the government is also become very important&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The view of 15 speakers including six foreigners zeroed down to some of the basic areas to achieve 7 per cent GDP includes reducing import, investing whatever resources available in Nepal, utilizing local people, improving Agriculture investor friendly policies, stable government and preventing corruption.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada believes that agricultural and service sectors are some of the key drivers of growth and it has a capacity to grow by five and seven per cent respectively. &ldquo;We need a common economic agenda to grow further,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The business conclave ends with a thundering applaud and left many foot prints behind with a dream to drive Nepal towards development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'id' => '1699',
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			'title' => 'More Demand For Cool Air',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As the mercury level rises, air conditioners are perhaps the best appliances around for cooling, and there is no dearth of quality in the local market for buyers of the product.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Growing urbanisation, surge in corporate offices, business complexes and shopping malls have pushed the demand for air-conditioners in the domestic market in the last few years. More than a dozen brands are competing in the Nepali market to cash in the growing demand for air conditioners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Air conditioners in Nepal are mainly imported from a number of East Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Japan and many more.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market currently consists of varieties including the split type and the wall mount AC to ceiling cassette models from established brands including LG, Whirlpool, Beko, Panasonic, Yasuda, Midea, Gree, McQuay, Fuji Air, Mitsubishi, Daikin and Hyundai. Also available in the market are central ACs, but their sales are limited to big hotels, corporate buildings and shopping complexes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Distributors of the product say that the market for air conditioners in the country has grown by 25 to 30 per cent since its initial days, which reflects the rise in demand for ACs among upper class consumers and a compulsion for ACs in corporate houses, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels and commercial houses. &ldquo;Consumers of AC have doubled in recent years and the sale is expected to grow as the number of hospitals, hotels and other business houses are being constructed in an appreciable way,&rdquo; says Basuki Nath Thanur, Senior Manager-Commercial AC of Airtech Industries Pvt Ltd. According to Thanur, the products are mostly used by upper class consumers from big cities rather than the middle class.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="AC Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/airq.jpg" style="
float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 313px;" />Brands Available in Nepali Market</span></strong></div>
<div>
	A large variety of ACs including the single split type, the wall mountain, the ceiling cassette, ceiling suspended ACs, floor sanding ACs, duck able ACs, VRF or multi split ACs as well as central ACs are found in the Nepali market. Of the brands available here, customers prefer ACs imported from China and Malaysia as they are comparatively cheaper than&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Japanese ACs.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ACs with a capacity of 0.75 tonne, 1 tonne, 1.5 tonnes and 2 tonnes are found in the market and are targeted at brand conscious people who do not mind paying a little extra for quality and reliability. Prices in the market range from Rs 58,000 to Rs 92,000. According to a company, ACs having capacity of 0.75 to 1.5 tonnes are appropriate for home use, while those with higher capacity are appropriate for&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	office use.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Increasing Demand&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Along with the growing market, customers demand too is on the rise. A lot of customers including the big commercial houses and hotels are moving from lesser priced products to premium ones.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The rise in living standards of people and the increment of various big commercial houses has forced traders to bring in products to satiate the need of customers. A leading importer mentioned that increasing demand has turned the market fiercely competitive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the price of air conditioners has increased by around 20 per cent, traders dealing with popular brands say sales have increased four-fold since the beginning&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	of summer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the two types of AC widely sold in the market &ndash; domestic and office-use ACs - traders say sales of the wall mount AC has spiked considerably compared to split ACs that are fixed on the ceiling.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Market Share</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Some traders observe that the market share of air conditioners in Nepal is mostly covered by Chinese, Malaysian and Japanese brands, among which (roughly) 40 per cent of the market is covered by Chinese brands, 35 per cent by Japanese and 25 per cent by Malaysian brands.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders have observed rapid expansion of the AC market in cities outside Kathmandu, with Narayangarh, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bhairawa, Hetauda and Nepalgunj showing encouraging growth in the use of ACs. The eastern part of Nepal showed more demand for the appliance than the western part of the country and the gap in sales between Kathmandu and the rest of the country was shown to be narrowing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Challenges&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The encouraging growth in sales aside, traders are experiencing various hurdles in this business especially since competition is high. Traders claim that quality maintenance is not fair in the market and that with a plethora of products available, duplicate products are on the rise. With the growth of unhealthy competition, duplicate products have been degrading market credibility, which is the negative sign for business.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Other macro factors such as political instability and the rise of the dollar can be a threat to this business too. But despite these challenges, importers and distributors seem to have plenty to get going, as demand for air conditioners does not seem to show signs of subsiding as yet.</div>
<div>
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			'title' => 'A Caring Hospital!',
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			'content' => '<div>
	In an expensive hospital in Kathmandu, a patient pleads to the doctor, who is also the promoter of the hospital: &ldquo;Doctor, I can&rsquo;t take these awful medicines. &nbsp;As I am anyway dying just after a few days, let me die peacefully without going through this bad taste and an expensive experience.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	Doctor: &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t let you die just like that. You have to survive till your kith and kin come to see you. Let them clear the hospital bill first.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Hearing the conversation the patient of the next bed had a sudden heart attack to death. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>&nbsp;-ML</strong></div>
<div>
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1697',
			'article_category_id' => '144',
			'title' => 'Economic Prosperity: Our Roadmap Ahead',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	What are the elements that shape a country&rsquo;s transition from volatile politics to stable democracy? All too often, policy analysts focus on the political process, while neglecting the vital role of economic reform in determining democratic success or failure.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the last decade, high unemployment and lack of entrepreneurial opportunities posed serious challenges to Nepal&rsquo;s transition. On the other hand, the country faced growing unresolved grievances caused by issues such as misappropriation of private property, rampant corruption and widening inequality.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Yet, there is a silver lining. Despite a decade-long political turmoil and armed conflict, the country&rsquo;s economy was successful enough to maintain its basic economic indicators in a positive direction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many believe that Nepal can achieve prosperity if elections are held on time as political parties will agree on a common economic agenda to take the country into a prosperous future.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Can economic prosperity be achieved in a country that reels under perennial problems? We think it can. Incredible natural resources have favoured the country for development. Now it is our turn to do a favour to our collective dream of becoming rich, prosperous and happy. We can achieve economic prosperity only if we put in collective effort.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The desired need for economic growth must be a sincere commitment from all walks of life.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The government is heading towards a dream of achieving the status of &lsquo;developing country&rsquo; by 2022 through a three-year plan. Many suspect whether the Nepali economy can begin the journey of prosperity in the given circumstances. The experience of the last decade, however, shows that the country can achieve things if the CA election is held on time and if political parties are united on a common economic agenda.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite political instability, Nepal has witnessed noticeable growth in all sectors during the last decade. In recent years, many banks and money transfer businesses have grown. Nepal was one of the highest receivers of remittance on the basis of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Be it the health and education sector or the manufacturing and industrial sector, the country has succeeded to achieve remarkable progress despite political instability.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There are rays of hope also in the hydropower sector. Currently a power deficit country, the country will be in power surplus by 2018 if all ongoing projects are completed within the stipulated time.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Most important of all for the desired level of growth is the leading role of the private sector in investment, production and distribution of all goods and services. Of course, state support is a need as is security and ground for fair-play. Guided by this philosophy, New Business Age co-organised a conclave on the growth debate in Kathmandu on 24th August, with the opportunity to recognise the contribution of the business sector to growth. This recognition came in the form of ten categories of business awards.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the sustained prosperity of the nation, we need to start modest and all big dreams will fall in line with the accomplishment of initial ones. If we achieve 7 per cent growth first, then a double-digit figure can soon follow. &nbsp;As in an essay by noted litterateur Laxmi Prasad Devkota entitled &lsquo;Is Nepal Insignificant?&rsquo; where he eloquently writes about the prospects of Nepal, this country has tremendous potential for economic growth. But all we need to boost the country&rsquo;s economy are commitment from the political leadership, positive thinking of the general public and sincere and genuine effort from the private sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'created' => '2013-08-26',
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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' => 'What are the elements that shape a country’s transition from volatile politics to stable democracy? All too often, policy analysts focus on the political process, while neglecting the vital role of economic reform in determining democratic success or failure.',
			'sortorder' => '1558',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1696',
			'article_category_id' => '141',
			'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Pahadi Passes Away</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College. Born in Madi of Sankhuwasabha district, Pahadi was involved in politics through NC from the party-less Panchayat rule. His last rites were performed the same day at the Pashupati Aryaghaat (Cremation Center) according to Hindu rituals.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Yadav Arrested for Transformer Scam</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) arrested the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Rameshwar Yadav, along with other two officials last Tuesday over the corruption charge while purchasing substandard transformers. NEA staff arrested over irregularities while buying transformers include the planning chief of NEA Krishna Bahadur Thapa, Engineer Pramod Rijal and Deputy Director (accounts) Krishna Bahadur KC, among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal Regrets Sidestepping CPN-Maoist</span></strong></div>
<div>
	CPN (UML) Senior Leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said they made mistake by bypassing the CPN-Maoist party led by Mohan Baidhya while announcing the date of the Constituent Assembly polls. Calling the CPN-Maoist the &lsquo;fourth largest&rsquo; force, former PM Nepal claims that they would bring the CPN-Maoist on board for the election process. Speaking at a programme in Pokhara last Monday, Nepal accused the UCPN (Maoist) of not accepting its breakaway faction CPN-Maoist due to fear that the latter party would be left behind.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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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' => 'Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College.',
			'sortorder' => '1557',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1695',
			'article_category_id' => '142',
			'title' => 'Poll Update (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Comedians for Timely CA Polls</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date. During a programme to mark the Gaijatra festival in the Capital last Wednesday, actors of popular comedian television shows - Meri Bassai, Tito Satya and Jire Khurasani - vowed to work together against social and political evils and support holding the CA polls on November 19. Comedian Deepak Raj Giri leaders them to be serious this time and to address the people&rsquo;s aspiration by promulgating the new constitution. Also in the programme, Deepa Shree Niraula, Jitu Nepal and Shree Krishna Simkhada, among others, requested the leaders to give up their petty political interests for drafting the constitution.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Calls Application for Polls Observation</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission called for application from national and international organisations last week for the observation of the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls with some new provisions. According to Election Commissioner Dr Rambhakta PB Thakur, the EC has for the first time called for aspiring applicants to apply for election observation online.According to a new provision, the approved organisation to monitor CA polls should reach at least 100 election centers of mountain, terai and hilly regions.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Separate Mechanism to Monitor Media&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission formed a separate mechanism to monitor the media during the Constituent Assembly polls. The EC formed the Media Monitoring Committee under the chair of an Election Commmissioner, Ila Sharma. Federation of Nepali Journalists president Shiva Gaunle, however, said they were not consulted with while forming such a committee. The FNJ was in favour of the stance that such responsibilities of monitoring the media should be given to the Press Council, Gaunle said.&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date.',
			'sortorder' => '1556',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1694',
			'article_category_id' => '140',
			'title' => 'Gajurel Sees Dahal Behind CA Dissolution',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly. He said the Dispute Resolution Committee, a mechanism formed at the Constituent Assembly under the chair of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, did not hold much discussion. He added that it was the main reason behind the dissolution of the CA without the promulgation of new constitution. Speaking at a programme in Janakpurdham last Monday, Gajurel also warned that an election held by using force would invite violent confrontation in the country.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly.',
			'sortorder' => '1555',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1693',
			'article_category_id' => '140',
			'title' => 'Baidya-led Alliance To Foil CA Polls',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The HLPC took this decision last Saturday following a meeting with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance. The dissident alliance remained adamant on its stance that the RTC should be called and put forth a five-point demand calling for the cancellation of the Constituent Assembly polls, the dissolution of the Khil Raj Regmi-led government and the dissolution of the HLPC.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier last Thursday, the HLPC had agreed to hold a RTC to bring the poll-opposing parties on board for the election process.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Leaders of the HLPC said they would now move ahead with the election process. Speaking with the media after a meeting with the alliance, CPN (UML) Chairperson Jhalanath Khanal said the RTC will not be held now and that the election would be held on the scheduled date. Likewise, UCPN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the CPN-Maoist wanted to decide everything including the fate of the election through the RTC. &ldquo;Meeting their demand means making the election uncertain when they are not serious about the CA polls themselves.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung also informed the media that the dialogue with the HLPC has ended and added that they would now hit the streets and foil the government&rsquo;s attempt to hold election.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As this scribe went to press, leaders of the 33-party alliance said they were chalking out a strategy and protest programmes to foil the election scheduled for November 19.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.',
			'sortorder' => '1554',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1692',
			'article_category_id' => '139',
			'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (26 August - 1 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move" src="/userfiles/images/brzl.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 45px;" />Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Brazil&rsquo;s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency. It comes as the Brazilian real nears a five-year low against the US dollar. The real and other emerging market currencies have fallen steadily over the last three months on speculation of higher US interest rates. The central bank said it would spend $500m a day on Mondays to Thursdays and $1bn on Fridays buying reais in the currency markets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Eurozone growth hits 26-month high" src="/userfiles/images/eur.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 74px;" />Eurozone growth hits 26-month high</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Eurozone business activity grew at its fastest pace for 26 months in August, according to a closely-watched survey. The Markit composite purchasing managers&rsquo; index - which includes manufacturing and services - rose to 51.7 points, from 50.5 in July. A number higher than 50 indicates growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales" src="/userfiles/images/gold(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 69px;" />Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Gold rose almost 2 percent on Friday, hitting its highest price in more than two months near $1,400 an ounce, as a big drop in U.S. new home sales renewed hopes that the Federal Reserve will maintain its bond-buying economic stimulus. For the week, gold gained 1.6 percent for its third consecutive weekly rise. It has climbed in six out of the past seven weeks since gold fell to a three-year low at $1,180 an ounce on June 28.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus" src="/userfiles/images/imf.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 77px;" />IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus</span></strong></div>
<div>
	International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde has cautioned the countries across the world against withdrawal of stimulus or unconventional monetary policies (UMPs). Lagarde on Friday asserted that the stimulus helped support economic stability at both domestic and global level. Early in the crisis, the UMPs helped prevent a collapse of the financial system and a collapse of activity, she said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens " src="/userfiles/images/slt(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Sri Lanka&rsquo;s trade deficit widened 25 percent to $829.1 million in June from $663.2 million a year earlier, central bank data showed on Thursday. Both imports and exports reversed their declining trend. The central bank&rsquo;s tight monetary policy measures and a flexible exchange rate, adopted early last year to curb trade and current account deficits, have resulted in sluggish external trade since the second quarter of 2012.</div>',
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			'description' => 'Brazil’s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency.',
			'sortorder' => '1553',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1691',
			'article_category_id' => '161',
			'title' => '“ICRC Focuses On The Needs Of Families Of The Disappeared”',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Sylvie Thoral , Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/st.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 236px;" />Sylvie Thoral</strong> is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency. August 30 is marked as the International Day of the Disappeared. In an interview with <strong>Gaurav Aryal</strong> of The Corporate, Thoral talked about ICRC&rsquo;s activities concerned with the disappeared in the post-conflict period. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What are the recent activities of ICRC in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	For a couple of years now, our activities have had the same focus. Our mandate goes towards protection of victims of conflicts and other situations of violence. The reason why we still operate in Nepal is very much related to the persistence of a certain number of humanitarian concerns related to the past conflict. There are humanitarian consequences particularly in relation to families of the disappeared whose whereabouts are still unknown. Other activities are related to emergency response in fields where the Red Cross is involved in activities such as first aid trainings, disaster management and management of trauma cases in medical structures.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How is ICRC working on the status of the disappeared in partnership with government bodies?</strong></div>
<div>
	We collected a certain number of complaints on disappearance at the time of conflict. We managed to clarify the fate of some while there are families who still do not have a single clue. We try to be more systematic in consolidating and collecting as much information as possible. Throughout these years, we also engaged with Nepali authorities and both parties of the conflict - Nepal Army, Police and Maoist combatants because people were held captive by either side. We tried finding whereabouts of those people held captive by both sides. We also try to focus on the needs of families of the disappeared, not for protection but for supporting them.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you see the possibility of knowing the whereabouts of the missing people now, after almost eight years since the end of armed conflict?</strong></div>
<div>
	The hope of finding someone still alive is very slim. But, as long as you don&rsquo;t have confirmation by anyone, there are legal complications. If a person is not here and the person is not confirmed dead, there is no legal provision in Nepal for recognition of the missing person, including those missing in a natural calamity. According to the law, it is only after 12 years of a person being missing that you can consider the person as dead and begin legal procedures such as inheritance and transfer of properties.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you think that such provisions must be amended?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is something we are now looking into because we want to go deeper in understanding the legal needs of these families. So, we have commissioned a study and based on that report, we might make some recommendations to the government of Nepal via the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction about this legal framework either by decreasing the 12 years term or by making a provision for declaration of absence. This provision that exists in other countries to acknowledge somebody&rsquo;s absence for years gives the relatives a kind of recognition to carry on with the legal proceedings.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Some political leaders have been insisting not to revive conflict-era cases. What is your take on it?</strong></div>
<div>
	Nepal at some point will have to come to terms with what has been done in the past. A fact finding commission has to be put in place at some point, also to avoid similar incidents in the future. We are more concerned at the time being for the families of the disappeared rather than right to justice. Justice need to come at some point but for us, what matters is to foster a secure environment where people who have information regarding the fate of disappeared individuals can reveal it without fearing prosecution. Criminal proceedings must come but we must also think about how to create an environment for people to provide information that is much needed.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
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			'description' => 'Sylvie Thoral is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency.',
			'sortorder' => '1552',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1690',
			'article_category_id' => '138',
			'title' => 'US Embassy To Assist American Companies For Investments In Nepali Hydro Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector. According to a press statement by the embassy, Bodde hosted a conference call with US businessmen on August 21 to discuss opportunities in the hydropower sector in Nepal. &nbsp;&lsquo;The Ambassador gave an overview of the economic and business climate in Nepal and then took participants&rsquo; questions, including queries about upcoming hydropower summits in Kathmandu and how the US embassy can assist American companies investing in Nepal,&rsquo; says the statement. Twelve participants, representing industries including energy and infrastructure joined the call, including some with a history of investing in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Although challenges remain, Bodde, during the conference call pointed out that Nepal has the second- largest hydropower resources in the world and less than one per cent of this potential has been developed. &nbsp;He emphasized that the US Embassy stands ready to assist American companies interested in investing in Nepal. In the closing of the conference, Bodde noted,&rsquo; Nepal has enormous hydropower potential and the time to engage with this sector is now.&rsquo;</div>',
			'published' => true,
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			'description' => 'The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector.',
			'sortorder' => '1551',
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			'id' => '1689',
			'article_category_id' => '137',
			'title' => 'Economic Downturn In India, Indonesia Raise Fears',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent equity sell-down and currency fall in India and Indonesia have raised contagion fears across Asia, similar to the Asian financial crisis in 1997. What started off as a relatively contained sell-down in Indonesia and India is now turning into a confidence crisis. The Indian rupee has lost 12 percent since May 2013, making it the worst performer in the emerging market currency basket, Xinhua said in an analysis Saturday.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There is now widespread panic over the rupee, and the short-term measures imposed by the Indian government such as curbing the import of gold are widely seen as ineffective. In Indonesia, the sharp weakening in the rupiah and weak commodity export prices have caused its foreign exchange reserves to fall by a significant 18 percent year-to-date from $112 billion to $92 billion, fuelling investors&rsquo; concerns over the defensibility of the currency and the concurrent risks of sharp policy rate hikes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The impact of capital outflows and financial turbulence as a result of India and Indonesia problems will undoubtedly be significant and widespread in other Asian emerging economies such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, where bubbles have been inflated by easy credit and super easy monetary policy. During the 1997 Asian financial turmoil, the currency meltdown in Thailand sent a chain reaction of weaker currencies, falling stock markets and a steep rise in private debt across Southeast Asian economies and South Korea, sinking most of them into deep recession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CIMB research said for the rest of the Asian economies, recent developments in India and Indonesia should have very little negative economic impact. Backed by better regulated financial sector and stable domestic growth drivers, Asian financial markets should also be able to maintain a steady inflow of capital. Credit Suisse research believed that the impact of India and Indonesia sell-down upon North Asian economies such as China and South Korea will also be limited. (news.yahoo.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<hr />
	<p>
		<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Crisis unlikely due to currency depreciation&rsquo;</span></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
	Negative spillover effects from India in the Nepali economy have always been pertaining issue for the Nepali economy. &nbsp;Crisis in value of rupee is the latest in the series. With the sharp depreciation of Nepali rupee (NPR) against the US dollar, caused by the devaluation and volatility in Indian rupee (INR), experts have started serious debate over the pegged exchange rate.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, chief economic advisor at Finance Ministry Dr Chiranjivi Nepal ruled out the possibility of revising pegged exchange rate. &nbsp;&#39;The weakening of Indian and other Asian currencies is unlikely to bring crisis like 1997, now the economies are in better position compare to that period,&#39; said Nepal. According to Nepal, the depreciation of INR will not continue for long time. Indian government has continuously putting effort to control the steep fall of value of rupee against dollar,&rdquo; he opined, adding that it can be expected that Indian central bank will take aggressive measures to contain INR in a level.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent massive depreciation of Indian currency has thrown all these logics out of the window and the situation calls for a serious debate on whether Nepali rupee should maintain the peg system. When asked about the review of existing exchange rate, Nepal rejected such calls. &#39;Nepali economy will encounter many problems if the existing exchange rate is changed,&#39; he said. &#39;Reviewing the rate will ease the dollar price but cheaper foreign goods will influx the Nepali market and more money will be needed for the import of goods.&#39; He further added that the government to take proper policies aiming to boost the export to take benefit from the strong dollar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1688',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => '‘Malaysia Tourism Aiming 36 Million  Tourist By The Year 2020’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Amran Abdul Rahman, director of Tourism Malaysia" src="/userfiles/images/mls.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 239px;" />The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online. What makes Malaysia so especial and to share tourism promotional activities in Nepal, <strong>Amran Abdul Rahman</strong>, director of Tourism Malaysia in a rendezvous with The Corporate Weekly Associate Editor <strong>Sujit Nath</strong> revealed how Malaysia became the hot destination for the tourists from all over the world. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What is purpose your of visit in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is for the first time I came to Nepal to get a first-hand experience of the market. Tourism Malaysia is doing market research in Nepal for the last 14 years and so far the response is good. &nbsp;I came here to welcome the people here to Malaysia under our promotional banner of &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo;. A seminar was recently conducted on tourism on August 23 in association with the local tour operators. I look forward for a better relationship with Nepal in terms of tourism.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How you rate Nepal as a market in terms of tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	I think there is a great market in Nepal and its growing as compared to last year. An average Nepali tourist spends nearly 62,423.76 NPR, which is 2000 Malaysian Ringgit. Tourists from Nepal prefer to stay longer as compare to Indian tourists. So, the more they will stay &mdash; the more we will be able to generate the revenue. In Malaysia people more about Nepal than India because of its long association and common features in terms of lifestyle. But we are happy that response from Nepal and India is so far good.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What category of Nepali tourists prefers Malaysia as their favourite tourist destination?</strong></div>
<div>
	Most of the Nepali tourists come with their family but we have seen in recent years that a large number of youngsters are also exploring Malaysia. In last six months from January to June there was a growth of 33.7 per cent Nepali tourist in Malaysia. This was a significant growth and we are happy that the market is growing. We are confident to serve our best to the Nepali tourist with utmost homely care. It&rsquo;s our privilege to provide a comfortable stay in Malaysia.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>The banner &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo; seems inviting with its marketing strategy. Could you please elaborate on that?</strong></div>
<div>
	Well I must say it will be the year of fun and frolic with endless new day-night mesmerising shows. What added more zeal, is the scheduled Grand Prix, which is going to be the show stopper. We are expecting a large number of tourists from across the globe to witness the carnival. For the shopping lovers, we are organizing a big event under the banner of Malaysia Mega Sale festival where the tourists will get all kind of branded lifestyle items in a cheaper price.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Malaysia tourism is doing a lot of promotional activities for Business and customized personal tourism. Could you share your views on the latest trend and response on Business tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	It&rsquo;s a high end tourism segment and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) &mdash; meant to deal with the business tourism &mdash; has a done a commendable job. There is a rise in the business meetings of some of the big corporate houses in the world. The other areas, which include customized personal tourism packages, are weddings, honeymoon, cruise, luxury tourism etc. We are getting good revenue in these&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	segments too.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Tell me something about the overall all tourism scenario in Malaysia?</strong></div>
<div>
	In 2011, Malaysia recorded 24.7 million tourist arrivals with tourist receipts totaling RM 58.3 billion. In 2012, the country&rsquo;s tourist arrivals and receipts registered more than 25 million RM. The Malaysia Tourism Transportation Plan is targeting 36 million tourist arrivals and RM 168 billion in receipts by the year 2020. Kuala Lumpur was voted as the fourth best shopping city in the world and I am sure with other attractions which we have in Malaysia, we will be able to woo more tourists from Nepal and India.</div>',
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			'description' => 'The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online.',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1687',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'The Consistent Growth Of The RMC Group',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sagar Ghimire&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajesh Agrawal, Director, RMC group" src="/userfiles/images/ra(1).jpg" style="width: 183px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<div>
					<strong>Rajesh Agrawal</strong></div>
				<div>
					Director, RMC group</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The export of RMC cements to India comes as a respite for the economy of Nepal that has long been suffering due to the dominance of imported goods from India. Along with catering to the rising demand for building materials like cement, steels and pipes in Nepal, the RMC Group now strives to expand its market to neighbor down south. Amidst a deepening trade deficit with India, the RMC Group is now planning to export manufacturing goods to the country. The strategy is to import raw materials and export value-added products to India.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conviction behind success</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Since Nepal was completely dependent on imports for steel, Rajesh Agrawal, Director of RMC group, thought of establishing a factory to meet the growing demand of steel in the country. Despite his lack of experience and knowledge on the manufacturing industry, Agrawal did not shy away from venturing into a relatively new front. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Promising prospects for steel manufacturers prompted me to start a factory despite my inexperience,&rdquo; Agrawal says. He recalls being firm on his conviction to develop it through the learn-by-doing approach. Today, the RMC Group has leapfrogged from a small-scale firm to a big industry through this approach itself.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company initially formed for steel drum packaging for paints is now manufacturing steels, pipes, cements and sheets. Along with catering to the rising demands for steel, the company also meets the needs of pipes and other construction materials in its backyard. Growing steadily thus, it is now eyeing a broader market in India.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Forty per cent of our total turnover is exported to India today,&rdquo; Agrawal states to The Corporate. The group has recently started exporting cement to India and is the first company in Nepal to do so.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The RMC Group was established with an investment of five million rupees and now has an annual turnover of 5 billion rupees, informs Agrawal. Apart from the manufacturing sector, the group has investments in the banking and insurance sectors as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialisation was yet to begin in Nepal when Agrawal had begun business. Despite limitations, Nepal gradually headed towards industrialization and augmented economic growth in the country. &ldquo;The steel consumption is directly related with economic development and the economic development of Nepal has increased with the consumption of our steels,&rdquo; says Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Ups and Downs&rsquo; in Business Environment&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	In the two decades of its operation, the RMC Group has experienced some ups and downs. Few years after the group established its factory to manufacture steel, the Maoist insurgency took off and posed many challenges to industrialists from running their business. &ldquo;However, the business environment recovered after the Maoists came into the peace process,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Affordability of local consumers has gone up in recent times due to remittance and other sources of income. &ldquo;People in villages have been switching to corrugated sheets from bricks, straw and other local materials to roof their houses,&rdquo; Agrawal observes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the per capita steel consumption in Nepal is still one of the lowest in the world - 30kg per person, according to Agrawal, whereas the average is more than 300kg per person in the world. Agrawal is hopeful that steel consumption will get a boost in the days to come with political stability in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	But despite these vicissitudes, consistent service to customers for the last 20 years has made RMC a credible brand. &ldquo;The consistent quality provided to consumers has ensured the growth of our companies,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Valuing Labour&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The company had begun with only 15 employees in total, but today, there are 400 employees hired by it. It has employed 80 peoples in its cement factory and has been hiring staff for administrative purposes through vacancy calls in newspapers.</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A large number of our human resources are labours and we recruit them at the local level where our factories are located through the contractors,&rdquo; says Agrawal who values the labour force for the success of his company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CSR activities&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC Group has arranged drinking water facilities at the villages of the workers of its factories in Simra and other places as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. It has built water tanks, provided water pipes and bored water wells as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, it has provided corrugated sheets, steel and other construction materials to schools at the factories&rsquo; sites.</div>
<div>
	The company is also providing medical services to the families of its workers regularly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Competition &amp; Promotional Activities</span></strong></div>
<div>
	According to Agrawal, the RMC Group faces competition against Jagadamba Enterprises for pipes and Hulas Steel and the Biratnagar-based Arati Steel for Galvanised sheets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group runs TVC (television commercials) as well as media advertisements in newspapers as a part of its promotional activity. Likewise, the group comes up frequently with scratch coupons, gift vouchers and other schemes for its customers. &nbsp;Targeting customers at the local level to advertise its products, the group airs advertisements through FM stations all across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Social Affinity&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	While Director Agrawal is taking care of the companies and factories, his father Shrawan Kumar Agrawal - also Chairperson of the group - is involved in politics and social sectors. &nbsp;Chairperson Agrawal was a former Constituent Assembly lawmaker representing the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal. He is currently serving as Chairperson of the Marwari Sewa Samiti, an organization for social service to the Marwari community.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Palpa Cement at the offing</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC group has a project in Palpa to produce clinkers and cements in the pipeline. &ldquo;Clinkers are largely being imported from India for cement production, and we are planning to produce it, and cement made from it, from Palpa,&rdquo; informs Agrawal. The group is already in talks with the government for building the necessary infrastructure in the proposed factory sites.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="RMC Group" src="/userfiles/images/rMCGROUP.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 306px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<h2>
					AT A GLANCE</h2>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Brief History</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Pvt Ltd was established on 1993. Prior to that, it was a firm to trade steels by importing from Japan, Korea and India. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						Rajesh Agrawal left Rajesh Hardware Pvt Ltd to his partner on 1995 and he owned RMC Pvt Ltd. &nbsp;His partner is still doing the business on hardware. RMC is focusing its business on manufacturing. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Award and Recognition</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC already has the ISO 9001: 2008 certificate and the company was recently conferred with ISO 14001: 2004 certificate for its environment management system. Also, it has been awarded NS mark by Nepal Bureau of Standards &amp; Metrology (NBSM), a National Standards Body under Government of Nepal, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Involvement of the RMC group:</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>1. Rajesh Metal Craft Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Sister concern of the RMC Group, RMC Pvt Ltd manufactures and supplies MS Black Pipes, Galvanised Iron Pipes, Galvanised Plain and Corrugated Sheets, Tubular and Telescopic Steel Poles and Fabricated Steel Structural, among others. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>2. RMC Cement Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Cement Pvt Ltd, sister concern of RMC group, produces RMC cement from its Simara-based factory. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>3. H&amp;B Development Bank</strong></div>
					<div>
						HNB Development Bank is a leading development bank of Nepal that has a &ldquo;B&rdquo; class license issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank. RMC group chairperson Shrawan Agrwawal is the chairman of the H &amp; B Development Bank.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>4. Prudential Insurance Co Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Prudential Insurance Company was incorporated under the Companies Act on November 30, 2000. With the approval of Beema Samiti, it commenced operation on June 20, 2002. The Chairperson of RMC Group, Shrawan Agrawal, is in the Board of Directors of the Prudential Insurance Co Ltd.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>5. Palpa Cement&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						This is the mine based that will to produce clinker and cement. The factory will come under operation soon.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Details of major products of the RMC group:</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>RMC Cement</strong></div>
					<div>
						The company has a production of RMC Cement from its factory that has a capacity of 2.4 million bags a year. The company has installed the latest PLC controlled closed circuit technology to ensure high quality and strength in the cement along with the installation of latest technology for the pollution control. It has also established fully-equipped modern quality testing laboratory to test the raw materials and finished goods at all stages.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>MS Black Pipes</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC has been manufacturing and supplying MS Black Pipe through its Birgunj based factory. It has the production capacity of 30 thousand tons per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Galvanised Iron Pipes&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Metal Craft Pvt Ltd also manufactures galvanised iron pipes. These are made from steel or iron pipes coated in molten-zinc.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Color Coated Sheets&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Pvt Ltd has begun manufacturing and supplying the color coated sheets from last two weeks and it has the production capacity of 18 thousand ton per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>CR Sheet</strong></div>
					<div>
						The production capacity of CR sheet is 30 thousand ton per annum.</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
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			'description' => 'While Nepal is witnessing a huge trade deficit with India due to its heavy dependency on import, Rajesh Metal Craft (RMC) Group has been exporting 40 per cent of its annual turnover to India.',
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			'title' => 'Corptoon Vol3 Issue 28',
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			'title' => 'Good Governance And Friendly Investment Policies To Drive Nepal Towards Development',
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			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sujit Nath</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a day of pledge reckoning and revolution. Newbiz Conclave &amp; Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013 was held on August 24 with an aim to double Nepal GDP growth rate to 7 per cent per annum.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The event was conceptualised with a mission, hoping for a new sun rise and a dream to give Nepal what it deserve in terms of development and good governance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Amid some of the stalwarts of the industries, chamber of commerce, embassy officials, foreign thinkers and economists, the New Business Age (NBA), The Corporate Weekly and Arthik Abhiyan in association with Asian Paints and other sponsors organized the ceremony and initiated a step toward development under the banner of &mdash; &lsquo;Doubling of growth of Nepali economy to 7 per cent GDP: The Roadmap Ahead&rsquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a long brain storming session where excuses, logic and ways to achieve were shared, and views were exchanged among the speakers.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The conclusion was optimistic &mdash; Yes, we can achieve it.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	All we need, a determination to do anything for this country in bringing FDI&rsquo;s, training people locally in specialized areas and more focus on Agriculture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Shankar Koirala, Minister for Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supplies stressed for 5.5 per cent economic growth in coming 12 months and said, &ldquo;Achieving 7 per cent in coming years is not an impossible task. We play blame game and that&rsquo;s hampering the country. Only effort from the government is not sufficient and we need help from the private sectors to make Nepal a developed country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	by 2022&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Investment is important for higher growth but private sector is shying away due to lack of investment safety. We have already implemented some of the policies on development and are on the process of implementing few more new foreign policies, which will help us in bringing more investment in Nepal. Let me share that the cement industry is booming in Nepal and in coming years Nepal will be self sufficient in cement. The whole idea is to bring more investment through friendly foreign policies for a healthy GDP growth,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many dignitaries on the ocassion felt there was an urgent need for the farmers to shift from traditional farming to scientific way of cultivation. This is only possible by bringing technologies to Nepal and providing trainings to the local youths so that they don&rsquo;t go to other countries to earn their bread. This will reduce the import as the country will be self sufficient in food. It will also bring a heave of sigh among the middle class in terms of affordability.</div>
<div>
	To bring a collective effort for the development of Nepal, a book titled &mdash; Nepalko Arthik Briddhi Ek Margachitra (Sambriddha Nepal Abhiyan) was launched by the minister for finance, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, NBA chairman Madan Lamsal, country head of Asian Paints Budhaditya Mukherjee, chairman of NewBiz Awards jury Prabhakar SJB Rana, FNCCI president Suraj Vaidya, CNI founder president Binod Chaudhary and president of Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association Rajan Singh Bhandary.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Among some of the strong views shared by the speakers, Hari Bhakta Sharma, vice president, confederation of Nepalese industries came out with a practical thought on some the basic thing to achieve the growth in this country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Nature has a capacity to fulfill all our need but she cannot fulfill our greed. It is sad that the country where I live is 167th poorest in the world because of dollar appreciation. Thanks to the government. We have 2.5 billion people market and still far behind. There is no electricity and water. We only demand with no responsibility,&rdquo; Sharma said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He said, &ldquo;New generation of enterprise is emerging in Nepal. We should try to improve our technology to compete with India and China. Once you learnt that, you will compete with rest of the world. I would like to request the government to change their policies at the earliest and would like to request our skilled manpower not to migrate to other countries. We are sending labour to Qatar because we pay less to them in Nepal. We have to utilize these people to reverse that cycle. My perspective to the business leaders that best resources are here and how much we are ready is a different issue&rdquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal&rsquo;s economic growth stood at 4.6 per cent last fiscal year due to favorable weather and also the services sector witnessed a healthy growth. However, in the current fiscal year its economic growth rate is slowed down to 3.5 per cent due to lack of investment, incomplete budget, rough weather etc.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sharma stressed that there is a need to generate employment and industrial clusters in Nepal and says, &ldquo;If Morocco can export garments to Nepal, then why can&rsquo;t we produce garments. In coming days the competition is global not regional and we need to change our policy. A regular co-ordination with the government is also become very important&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The view of 15 speakers including six foreigners zeroed down to some of the basic areas to achieve 7 per cent GDP includes reducing import, investing whatever resources available in Nepal, utilizing local people, improving Agriculture investor friendly policies, stable government and preventing corruption.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada believes that agricultural and service sectors are some of the key drivers of growth and it has a capacity to grow by five and seven per cent respectively. &ldquo;We need a common economic agenda to grow further,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The business conclave ends with a thundering applaud and left many foot prints behind with a dream to drive Nepal towards development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'It was a day of pledge reckoning and revolution. Newbiz Conclave & Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013 was held on August 24 with an aim to double Nepal GDP growth rate to 7 per cent per annum.',
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			'id' => '1699',
			'article_category_id' => '153',
			'title' => 'More Demand For Cool Air',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As the mercury level rises, air conditioners are perhaps the best appliances around for cooling, and there is no dearth of quality in the local market for buyers of the product.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Growing urbanisation, surge in corporate offices, business complexes and shopping malls have pushed the demand for air-conditioners in the domestic market in the last few years. More than a dozen brands are competing in the Nepali market to cash in the growing demand for air conditioners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Air conditioners in Nepal are mainly imported from a number of East Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Japan and many more.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market currently consists of varieties including the split type and the wall mount AC to ceiling cassette models from established brands including LG, Whirlpool, Beko, Panasonic, Yasuda, Midea, Gree, McQuay, Fuji Air, Mitsubishi, Daikin and Hyundai. Also available in the market are central ACs, but their sales are limited to big hotels, corporate buildings and shopping complexes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Distributors of the product say that the market for air conditioners in the country has grown by 25 to 30 per cent since its initial days, which reflects the rise in demand for ACs among upper class consumers and a compulsion for ACs in corporate houses, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels and commercial houses. &ldquo;Consumers of AC have doubled in recent years and the sale is expected to grow as the number of hospitals, hotels and other business houses are being constructed in an appreciable way,&rdquo; says Basuki Nath Thanur, Senior Manager-Commercial AC of Airtech Industries Pvt Ltd. According to Thanur, the products are mostly used by upper class consumers from big cities rather than the middle class.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="AC Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/airq.jpg" style="
float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 313px;" />Brands Available in Nepali Market</span></strong></div>
<div>
	A large variety of ACs including the single split type, the wall mountain, the ceiling cassette, ceiling suspended ACs, floor sanding ACs, duck able ACs, VRF or multi split ACs as well as central ACs are found in the Nepali market. Of the brands available here, customers prefer ACs imported from China and Malaysia as they are comparatively cheaper than&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Japanese ACs.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ACs with a capacity of 0.75 tonne, 1 tonne, 1.5 tonnes and 2 tonnes are found in the market and are targeted at brand conscious people who do not mind paying a little extra for quality and reliability. Prices in the market range from Rs 58,000 to Rs 92,000. According to a company, ACs having capacity of 0.75 to 1.5 tonnes are appropriate for home use, while those with higher capacity are appropriate for&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	office use.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Increasing Demand&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Along with the growing market, customers demand too is on the rise. A lot of customers including the big commercial houses and hotels are moving from lesser priced products to premium ones.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The rise in living standards of people and the increment of various big commercial houses has forced traders to bring in products to satiate the need of customers. A leading importer mentioned that increasing demand has turned the market fiercely competitive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the price of air conditioners has increased by around 20 per cent, traders dealing with popular brands say sales have increased four-fold since the beginning&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	of summer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the two types of AC widely sold in the market &ndash; domestic and office-use ACs - traders say sales of the wall mount AC has spiked considerably compared to split ACs that are fixed on the ceiling.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Market Share</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Some traders observe that the market share of air conditioners in Nepal is mostly covered by Chinese, Malaysian and Japanese brands, among which (roughly) 40 per cent of the market is covered by Chinese brands, 35 per cent by Japanese and 25 per cent by Malaysian brands.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders have observed rapid expansion of the AC market in cities outside Kathmandu, with Narayangarh, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bhairawa, Hetauda and Nepalgunj showing encouraging growth in the use of ACs. The eastern part of Nepal showed more demand for the appliance than the western part of the country and the gap in sales between Kathmandu and the rest of the country was shown to be narrowing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Challenges&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The encouraging growth in sales aside, traders are experiencing various hurdles in this business especially since competition is high. Traders claim that quality maintenance is not fair in the market and that with a plethora of products available, duplicate products are on the rise. With the growth of unhealthy competition, duplicate products have been degrading market credibility, which is the negative sign for business.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Other macro factors such as political instability and the rise of the dollar can be a threat to this business too. But despite these challenges, importers and distributors seem to have plenty to get going, as demand for air conditioners does not seem to show signs of subsiding as yet.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'title' => 'A Caring Hospital!',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	In an expensive hospital in Kathmandu, a patient pleads to the doctor, who is also the promoter of the hospital: &ldquo;Doctor, I can&rsquo;t take these awful medicines. &nbsp;As I am anyway dying just after a few days, let me die peacefully without going through this bad taste and an expensive experience.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	Doctor: &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t let you die just like that. You have to survive till your kith and kin come to see you. Let them clear the hospital bill first.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Hearing the conversation the patient of the next bed had a sudden heart attack to death. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>&nbsp;-ML</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'In an expensive hospital in Kathmandu, a patient pleads to the doctor, who is also the promoter of the hospital:',
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			'id' => '1697',
			'article_category_id' => '144',
			'title' => 'Economic Prosperity: Our Roadmap Ahead',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	What are the elements that shape a country&rsquo;s transition from volatile politics to stable democracy? All too often, policy analysts focus on the political process, while neglecting the vital role of economic reform in determining democratic success or failure.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the last decade, high unemployment and lack of entrepreneurial opportunities posed serious challenges to Nepal&rsquo;s transition. On the other hand, the country faced growing unresolved grievances caused by issues such as misappropriation of private property, rampant corruption and widening inequality.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Yet, there is a silver lining. Despite a decade-long political turmoil and armed conflict, the country&rsquo;s economy was successful enough to maintain its basic economic indicators in a positive direction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many believe that Nepal can achieve prosperity if elections are held on time as political parties will agree on a common economic agenda to take the country into a prosperous future.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Can economic prosperity be achieved in a country that reels under perennial problems? We think it can. Incredible natural resources have favoured the country for development. Now it is our turn to do a favour to our collective dream of becoming rich, prosperous and happy. We can achieve economic prosperity only if we put in collective effort.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The desired need for economic growth must be a sincere commitment from all walks of life.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The government is heading towards a dream of achieving the status of &lsquo;developing country&rsquo; by 2022 through a three-year plan. Many suspect whether the Nepali economy can begin the journey of prosperity in the given circumstances. The experience of the last decade, however, shows that the country can achieve things if the CA election is held on time and if political parties are united on a common economic agenda.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite political instability, Nepal has witnessed noticeable growth in all sectors during the last decade. In recent years, many banks and money transfer businesses have grown. Nepal was one of the highest receivers of remittance on the basis of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Be it the health and education sector or the manufacturing and industrial sector, the country has succeeded to achieve remarkable progress despite political instability.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There are rays of hope also in the hydropower sector. Currently a power deficit country, the country will be in power surplus by 2018 if all ongoing projects are completed within the stipulated time.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Most important of all for the desired level of growth is the leading role of the private sector in investment, production and distribution of all goods and services. Of course, state support is a need as is security and ground for fair-play. Guided by this philosophy, New Business Age co-organised a conclave on the growth debate in Kathmandu on 24th August, with the opportunity to recognise the contribution of the business sector to growth. This recognition came in the form of ten categories of business awards.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the sustained prosperity of the nation, we need to start modest and all big dreams will fall in line with the accomplishment of initial ones. If we achieve 7 per cent growth first, then a double-digit figure can soon follow. &nbsp;As in an essay by noted litterateur Laxmi Prasad Devkota entitled &lsquo;Is Nepal Insignificant?&rsquo; where he eloquently writes about the prospects of Nepal, this country has tremendous potential for economic growth. But all we need to boost the country&rsquo;s economy are commitment from the political leadership, positive thinking of the general public and sincere and genuine effort from the private sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1696',
			'article_category_id' => '141',
			'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Pahadi Passes Away</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College. Born in Madi of Sankhuwasabha district, Pahadi was involved in politics through NC from the party-less Panchayat rule. His last rites were performed the same day at the Pashupati Aryaghaat (Cremation Center) according to Hindu rituals.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Yadav Arrested for Transformer Scam</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) arrested the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Rameshwar Yadav, along with other two officials last Tuesday over the corruption charge while purchasing substandard transformers. NEA staff arrested over irregularities while buying transformers include the planning chief of NEA Krishna Bahadur Thapa, Engineer Pramod Rijal and Deputy Director (accounts) Krishna Bahadur KC, among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal Regrets Sidestepping CPN-Maoist</span></strong></div>
<div>
	CPN (UML) Senior Leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said they made mistake by bypassing the CPN-Maoist party led by Mohan Baidhya while announcing the date of the Constituent Assembly polls. Calling the CPN-Maoist the &lsquo;fourth largest&rsquo; force, former PM Nepal claims that they would bring the CPN-Maoist on board for the election process. Speaking at a programme in Pokhara last Monday, Nepal accused the UCPN (Maoist) of not accepting its breakaway faction CPN-Maoist due to fear that the latter party would be left behind.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College.',
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			'article_category_id' => '142',
			'title' => 'Poll Update (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
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			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Comedians for Timely CA Polls</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date. During a programme to mark the Gaijatra festival in the Capital last Wednesday, actors of popular comedian television shows - Meri Bassai, Tito Satya and Jire Khurasani - vowed to work together against social and political evils and support holding the CA polls on November 19. Comedian Deepak Raj Giri leaders them to be serious this time and to address the people&rsquo;s aspiration by promulgating the new constitution. Also in the programme, Deepa Shree Niraula, Jitu Nepal and Shree Krishna Simkhada, among others, requested the leaders to give up their petty political interests for drafting the constitution.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Calls Application for Polls Observation</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission called for application from national and international organisations last week for the observation of the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls with some new provisions. According to Election Commissioner Dr Rambhakta PB Thakur, the EC has for the first time called for aspiring applicants to apply for election observation online.According to a new provision, the approved organisation to monitor CA polls should reach at least 100 election centers of mountain, terai and hilly regions.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Separate Mechanism to Monitor Media&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission formed a separate mechanism to monitor the media during the Constituent Assembly polls. The EC formed the Media Monitoring Committee under the chair of an Election Commmissioner, Ila Sharma. Federation of Nepali Journalists president Shiva Gaunle, however, said they were not consulted with while forming such a committee. The FNJ was in favour of the stance that such responsibilities of monitoring the media should be given to the Press Council, Gaunle said.&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date.',
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			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly. He said the Dispute Resolution Committee, a mechanism formed at the Constituent Assembly under the chair of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, did not hold much discussion. He added that it was the main reason behind the dissolution of the CA without the promulgation of new constitution. Speaking at a programme in Janakpurdham last Monday, Gajurel also warned that an election held by using force would invite violent confrontation in the country.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
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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' => 'CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly.',
			'sortorder' => '1555',
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			'homepage' => false,
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1693',
			'article_category_id' => '140',
			'title' => 'Baidya-led Alliance To Foil CA Polls',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The HLPC took this decision last Saturday following a meeting with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance. The dissident alliance remained adamant on its stance that the RTC should be called and put forth a five-point demand calling for the cancellation of the Constituent Assembly polls, the dissolution of the Khil Raj Regmi-led government and the dissolution of the HLPC.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier last Thursday, the HLPC had agreed to hold a RTC to bring the poll-opposing parties on board for the election process.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Leaders of the HLPC said they would now move ahead with the election process. Speaking with the media after a meeting with the alliance, CPN (UML) Chairperson Jhalanath Khanal said the RTC will not be held now and that the election would be held on the scheduled date. Likewise, UCPN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the CPN-Maoist wanted to decide everything including the fate of the election through the RTC. &ldquo;Meeting their demand means making the election uncertain when they are not serious about the CA polls themselves.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung also informed the media that the dialogue with the HLPC has ended and added that they would now hit the streets and foil the government&rsquo;s attempt to hold election.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As this scribe went to press, leaders of the 33-party alliance said they were chalking out a strategy and protest programmes to foil the election scheduled for November 19.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.',
			'sortorder' => '1554',
			'image' => null,
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			'homepage' => false,
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			'main_news' => false,
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1692',
			'article_category_id' => '139',
			'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (26 August - 1 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move" src="/userfiles/images/brzl.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 45px;" />Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Brazil&rsquo;s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency. It comes as the Brazilian real nears a five-year low against the US dollar. The real and other emerging market currencies have fallen steadily over the last three months on speculation of higher US interest rates. The central bank said it would spend $500m a day on Mondays to Thursdays and $1bn on Fridays buying reais in the currency markets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Eurozone growth hits 26-month high" src="/userfiles/images/eur.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 74px;" />Eurozone growth hits 26-month high</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Eurozone business activity grew at its fastest pace for 26 months in August, according to a closely-watched survey. The Markit composite purchasing managers&rsquo; index - which includes manufacturing and services - rose to 51.7 points, from 50.5 in July. A number higher than 50 indicates growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales" src="/userfiles/images/gold(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 69px;" />Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Gold rose almost 2 percent on Friday, hitting its highest price in more than two months near $1,400 an ounce, as a big drop in U.S. new home sales renewed hopes that the Federal Reserve will maintain its bond-buying economic stimulus. For the week, gold gained 1.6 percent for its third consecutive weekly rise. It has climbed in six out of the past seven weeks since gold fell to a three-year low at $1,180 an ounce on June 28.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus" src="/userfiles/images/imf.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 77px;" />IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus</span></strong></div>
<div>
	International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde has cautioned the countries across the world against withdrawal of stimulus or unconventional monetary policies (UMPs). Lagarde on Friday asserted that the stimulus helped support economic stability at both domestic and global level. Early in the crisis, the UMPs helped prevent a collapse of the financial system and a collapse of activity, she said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens " src="/userfiles/images/slt(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Sri Lanka&rsquo;s trade deficit widened 25 percent to $829.1 million in June from $663.2 million a year earlier, central bank data showed on Thursday. Both imports and exports reversed their declining trend. The central bank&rsquo;s tight monetary policy measures and a flexible exchange rate, adopted early last year to curb trade and current account deficits, have resulted in sluggish external trade since the second quarter of 2012.</div>',
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			'description' => 'Brazil’s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency.',
			'sortorder' => '1553',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1691',
			'article_category_id' => '161',
			'title' => '“ICRC Focuses On The Needs Of Families Of The Disappeared”',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Sylvie Thoral , Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/st.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 236px;" />Sylvie Thoral</strong> is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency. August 30 is marked as the International Day of the Disappeared. In an interview with <strong>Gaurav Aryal</strong> of The Corporate, Thoral talked about ICRC&rsquo;s activities concerned with the disappeared in the post-conflict period. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What are the recent activities of ICRC in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	For a couple of years now, our activities have had the same focus. Our mandate goes towards protection of victims of conflicts and other situations of violence. The reason why we still operate in Nepal is very much related to the persistence of a certain number of humanitarian concerns related to the past conflict. There are humanitarian consequences particularly in relation to families of the disappeared whose whereabouts are still unknown. Other activities are related to emergency response in fields where the Red Cross is involved in activities such as first aid trainings, disaster management and management of trauma cases in medical structures.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How is ICRC working on the status of the disappeared in partnership with government bodies?</strong></div>
<div>
	We collected a certain number of complaints on disappearance at the time of conflict. We managed to clarify the fate of some while there are families who still do not have a single clue. We try to be more systematic in consolidating and collecting as much information as possible. Throughout these years, we also engaged with Nepali authorities and both parties of the conflict - Nepal Army, Police and Maoist combatants because people were held captive by either side. We tried finding whereabouts of those people held captive by both sides. We also try to focus on the needs of families of the disappeared, not for protection but for supporting them.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you see the possibility of knowing the whereabouts of the missing people now, after almost eight years since the end of armed conflict?</strong></div>
<div>
	The hope of finding someone still alive is very slim. But, as long as you don&rsquo;t have confirmation by anyone, there are legal complications. If a person is not here and the person is not confirmed dead, there is no legal provision in Nepal for recognition of the missing person, including those missing in a natural calamity. According to the law, it is only after 12 years of a person being missing that you can consider the person as dead and begin legal procedures such as inheritance and transfer of properties.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you think that such provisions must be amended?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is something we are now looking into because we want to go deeper in understanding the legal needs of these families. So, we have commissioned a study and based on that report, we might make some recommendations to the government of Nepal via the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction about this legal framework either by decreasing the 12 years term or by making a provision for declaration of absence. This provision that exists in other countries to acknowledge somebody&rsquo;s absence for years gives the relatives a kind of recognition to carry on with the legal proceedings.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Some political leaders have been insisting not to revive conflict-era cases. What is your take on it?</strong></div>
<div>
	Nepal at some point will have to come to terms with what has been done in the past. A fact finding commission has to be put in place at some point, also to avoid similar incidents in the future. We are more concerned at the time being for the families of the disappeared rather than right to justice. Justice need to come at some point but for us, what matters is to foster a secure environment where people who have information regarding the fate of disappeared individuals can reveal it without fearing prosecution. Criminal proceedings must come but we must also think about how to create an environment for people to provide information that is much needed.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
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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' => 'Sylvie Thoral is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency.',
			'sortorder' => '1552',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1690',
			'article_category_id' => '138',
			'title' => 'US Embassy To Assist American Companies For Investments In Nepali Hydro Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector. According to a press statement by the embassy, Bodde hosted a conference call with US businessmen on August 21 to discuss opportunities in the hydropower sector in Nepal. &nbsp;&lsquo;The Ambassador gave an overview of the economic and business climate in Nepal and then took participants&rsquo; questions, including queries about upcoming hydropower summits in Kathmandu and how the US embassy can assist American companies investing in Nepal,&rsquo; says the statement. Twelve participants, representing industries including energy and infrastructure joined the call, including some with a history of investing in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Although challenges remain, Bodde, during the conference call pointed out that Nepal has the second- largest hydropower resources in the world and less than one per cent of this potential has been developed. &nbsp;He emphasized that the US Embassy stands ready to assist American companies interested in investing in Nepal. In the closing of the conference, Bodde noted,&rsquo; Nepal has enormous hydropower potential and the time to engage with this sector is now.&rsquo;</div>',
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			'description' => 'The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector.',
			'sortorder' => '1551',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1689',
			'article_category_id' => '137',
			'title' => 'Economic Downturn In India, Indonesia Raise Fears',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent equity sell-down and currency fall in India and Indonesia have raised contagion fears across Asia, similar to the Asian financial crisis in 1997. What started off as a relatively contained sell-down in Indonesia and India is now turning into a confidence crisis. The Indian rupee has lost 12 percent since May 2013, making it the worst performer in the emerging market currency basket, Xinhua said in an analysis Saturday.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There is now widespread panic over the rupee, and the short-term measures imposed by the Indian government such as curbing the import of gold are widely seen as ineffective. In Indonesia, the sharp weakening in the rupiah and weak commodity export prices have caused its foreign exchange reserves to fall by a significant 18 percent year-to-date from $112 billion to $92 billion, fuelling investors&rsquo; concerns over the defensibility of the currency and the concurrent risks of sharp policy rate hikes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The impact of capital outflows and financial turbulence as a result of India and Indonesia problems will undoubtedly be significant and widespread in other Asian emerging economies such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, where bubbles have been inflated by easy credit and super easy monetary policy. During the 1997 Asian financial turmoil, the currency meltdown in Thailand sent a chain reaction of weaker currencies, falling stock markets and a steep rise in private debt across Southeast Asian economies and South Korea, sinking most of them into deep recession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CIMB research said for the rest of the Asian economies, recent developments in India and Indonesia should have very little negative economic impact. Backed by better regulated financial sector and stable domestic growth drivers, Asian financial markets should also be able to maintain a steady inflow of capital. Credit Suisse research believed that the impact of India and Indonesia sell-down upon North Asian economies such as China and South Korea will also be limited. (news.yahoo.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<hr />
	<p>
		<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Crisis unlikely due to currency depreciation&rsquo;</span></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
	Negative spillover effects from India in the Nepali economy have always been pertaining issue for the Nepali economy. &nbsp;Crisis in value of rupee is the latest in the series. With the sharp depreciation of Nepali rupee (NPR) against the US dollar, caused by the devaluation and volatility in Indian rupee (INR), experts have started serious debate over the pegged exchange rate.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, chief economic advisor at Finance Ministry Dr Chiranjivi Nepal ruled out the possibility of revising pegged exchange rate. &nbsp;&#39;The weakening of Indian and other Asian currencies is unlikely to bring crisis like 1997, now the economies are in better position compare to that period,&#39; said Nepal. According to Nepal, the depreciation of INR will not continue for long time. Indian government has continuously putting effort to control the steep fall of value of rupee against dollar,&rdquo; he opined, adding that it can be expected that Indian central bank will take aggressive measures to contain INR in a level.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent massive depreciation of Indian currency has thrown all these logics out of the window and the situation calls for a serious debate on whether Nepali rupee should maintain the peg system. When asked about the review of existing exchange rate, Nepal rejected such calls. &#39;Nepali economy will encounter many problems if the existing exchange rate is changed,&#39; he said. &#39;Reviewing the rate will ease the dollar price but cheaper foreign goods will influx the Nepali market and more money will be needed for the import of goods.&#39; He further added that the government to take proper policies aiming to boost the export to take benefit from the strong dollar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
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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' => 'The recent equity sell-down and currency fall in India and Indonesia have raised contagion fears across Asia, similar to the Asian financial crisis in 1997.',
			'sortorder' => '1550',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1688',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => '‘Malaysia Tourism Aiming 36 Million  Tourist By The Year 2020’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Amran Abdul Rahman, director of Tourism Malaysia" src="/userfiles/images/mls.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 239px;" />The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online. What makes Malaysia so especial and to share tourism promotional activities in Nepal, <strong>Amran Abdul Rahman</strong>, director of Tourism Malaysia in a rendezvous with The Corporate Weekly Associate Editor <strong>Sujit Nath</strong> revealed how Malaysia became the hot destination for the tourists from all over the world. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What is purpose your of visit in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is for the first time I came to Nepal to get a first-hand experience of the market. Tourism Malaysia is doing market research in Nepal for the last 14 years and so far the response is good. &nbsp;I came here to welcome the people here to Malaysia under our promotional banner of &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo;. A seminar was recently conducted on tourism on August 23 in association with the local tour operators. I look forward for a better relationship with Nepal in terms of tourism.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How you rate Nepal as a market in terms of tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	I think there is a great market in Nepal and its growing as compared to last year. An average Nepali tourist spends nearly 62,423.76 NPR, which is 2000 Malaysian Ringgit. Tourists from Nepal prefer to stay longer as compare to Indian tourists. So, the more they will stay &mdash; the more we will be able to generate the revenue. In Malaysia people more about Nepal than India because of its long association and common features in terms of lifestyle. But we are happy that response from Nepal and India is so far good.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What category of Nepali tourists prefers Malaysia as their favourite tourist destination?</strong></div>
<div>
	Most of the Nepali tourists come with their family but we have seen in recent years that a large number of youngsters are also exploring Malaysia. In last six months from January to June there was a growth of 33.7 per cent Nepali tourist in Malaysia. This was a significant growth and we are happy that the market is growing. We are confident to serve our best to the Nepali tourist with utmost homely care. It&rsquo;s our privilege to provide a comfortable stay in Malaysia.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>The banner &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo; seems inviting with its marketing strategy. Could you please elaborate on that?</strong></div>
<div>
	Well I must say it will be the year of fun and frolic with endless new day-night mesmerising shows. What added more zeal, is the scheduled Grand Prix, which is going to be the show stopper. We are expecting a large number of tourists from across the globe to witness the carnival. For the shopping lovers, we are organizing a big event under the banner of Malaysia Mega Sale festival where the tourists will get all kind of branded lifestyle items in a cheaper price.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Malaysia tourism is doing a lot of promotional activities for Business and customized personal tourism. Could you share your views on the latest trend and response on Business tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	It&rsquo;s a high end tourism segment and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) &mdash; meant to deal with the business tourism &mdash; has a done a commendable job. There is a rise in the business meetings of some of the big corporate houses in the world. The other areas, which include customized personal tourism packages, are weddings, honeymoon, cruise, luxury tourism etc. We are getting good revenue in these&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	segments too.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Tell me something about the overall all tourism scenario in Malaysia?</strong></div>
<div>
	In 2011, Malaysia recorded 24.7 million tourist arrivals with tourist receipts totaling RM 58.3 billion. In 2012, the country&rsquo;s tourist arrivals and receipts registered more than 25 million RM. The Malaysia Tourism Transportation Plan is targeting 36 million tourist arrivals and RM 168 billion in receipts by the year 2020. Kuala Lumpur was voted as the fourth best shopping city in the world and I am sure with other attractions which we have in Malaysia, we will be able to woo more tourists from Nepal and India.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
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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' => 'The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online.',
			'sortorder' => '1549',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1687',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'The Consistent Growth Of The RMC Group',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sagar Ghimire&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajesh Agrawal, Director, RMC group" src="/userfiles/images/ra(1).jpg" style="width: 183px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<div>
					<strong>Rajesh Agrawal</strong></div>
				<div>
					Director, RMC group</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The export of RMC cements to India comes as a respite for the economy of Nepal that has long been suffering due to the dominance of imported goods from India. Along with catering to the rising demand for building materials like cement, steels and pipes in Nepal, the RMC Group now strives to expand its market to neighbor down south. Amidst a deepening trade deficit with India, the RMC Group is now planning to export manufacturing goods to the country. The strategy is to import raw materials and export value-added products to India.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conviction behind success</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Since Nepal was completely dependent on imports for steel, Rajesh Agrawal, Director of RMC group, thought of establishing a factory to meet the growing demand of steel in the country. Despite his lack of experience and knowledge on the manufacturing industry, Agrawal did not shy away from venturing into a relatively new front. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Promising prospects for steel manufacturers prompted me to start a factory despite my inexperience,&rdquo; Agrawal says. He recalls being firm on his conviction to develop it through the learn-by-doing approach. Today, the RMC Group has leapfrogged from a small-scale firm to a big industry through this approach itself.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company initially formed for steel drum packaging for paints is now manufacturing steels, pipes, cements and sheets. Along with catering to the rising demands for steel, the company also meets the needs of pipes and other construction materials in its backyard. Growing steadily thus, it is now eyeing a broader market in India.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Forty per cent of our total turnover is exported to India today,&rdquo; Agrawal states to The Corporate. The group has recently started exporting cement to India and is the first company in Nepal to do so.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The RMC Group was established with an investment of five million rupees and now has an annual turnover of 5 billion rupees, informs Agrawal. Apart from the manufacturing sector, the group has investments in the banking and insurance sectors as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialisation was yet to begin in Nepal when Agrawal had begun business. Despite limitations, Nepal gradually headed towards industrialization and augmented economic growth in the country. &ldquo;The steel consumption is directly related with economic development and the economic development of Nepal has increased with the consumption of our steels,&rdquo; says Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Ups and Downs&rsquo; in Business Environment&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	In the two decades of its operation, the RMC Group has experienced some ups and downs. Few years after the group established its factory to manufacture steel, the Maoist insurgency took off and posed many challenges to industrialists from running their business. &ldquo;However, the business environment recovered after the Maoists came into the peace process,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Affordability of local consumers has gone up in recent times due to remittance and other sources of income. &ldquo;People in villages have been switching to corrugated sheets from bricks, straw and other local materials to roof their houses,&rdquo; Agrawal observes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the per capita steel consumption in Nepal is still one of the lowest in the world - 30kg per person, according to Agrawal, whereas the average is more than 300kg per person in the world. Agrawal is hopeful that steel consumption will get a boost in the days to come with political stability in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	But despite these vicissitudes, consistent service to customers for the last 20 years has made RMC a credible brand. &ldquo;The consistent quality provided to consumers has ensured the growth of our companies,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Valuing Labour&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The company had begun with only 15 employees in total, but today, there are 400 employees hired by it. It has employed 80 peoples in its cement factory and has been hiring staff for administrative purposes through vacancy calls in newspapers.</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A large number of our human resources are labours and we recruit them at the local level where our factories are located through the contractors,&rdquo; says Agrawal who values the labour force for the success of his company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CSR activities&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC Group has arranged drinking water facilities at the villages of the workers of its factories in Simra and other places as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. It has built water tanks, provided water pipes and bored water wells as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, it has provided corrugated sheets, steel and other construction materials to schools at the factories&rsquo; sites.</div>
<div>
	The company is also providing medical services to the families of its workers regularly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Competition &amp; Promotional Activities</span></strong></div>
<div>
	According to Agrawal, the RMC Group faces competition against Jagadamba Enterprises for pipes and Hulas Steel and the Biratnagar-based Arati Steel for Galvanised sheets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group runs TVC (television commercials) as well as media advertisements in newspapers as a part of its promotional activity. Likewise, the group comes up frequently with scratch coupons, gift vouchers and other schemes for its customers. &nbsp;Targeting customers at the local level to advertise its products, the group airs advertisements through FM stations all across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Social Affinity&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	While Director Agrawal is taking care of the companies and factories, his father Shrawan Kumar Agrawal - also Chairperson of the group - is involved in politics and social sectors. &nbsp;Chairperson Agrawal was a former Constituent Assembly lawmaker representing the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal. He is currently serving as Chairperson of the Marwari Sewa Samiti, an organization for social service to the Marwari community.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Palpa Cement at the offing</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC group has a project in Palpa to produce clinkers and cements in the pipeline. &ldquo;Clinkers are largely being imported from India for cement production, and we are planning to produce it, and cement made from it, from Palpa,&rdquo; informs Agrawal. The group is already in talks with the government for building the necessary infrastructure in the proposed factory sites.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="RMC Group" src="/userfiles/images/rMCGROUP.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 306px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<h2>
					AT A GLANCE</h2>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Brief History</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Pvt Ltd was established on 1993. Prior to that, it was a firm to trade steels by importing from Japan, Korea and India. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						Rajesh Agrawal left Rajesh Hardware Pvt Ltd to his partner on 1995 and he owned RMC Pvt Ltd. &nbsp;His partner is still doing the business on hardware. RMC is focusing its business on manufacturing. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Award and Recognition</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC already has the ISO 9001: 2008 certificate and the company was recently conferred with ISO 14001: 2004 certificate for its environment management system. Also, it has been awarded NS mark by Nepal Bureau of Standards &amp; Metrology (NBSM), a National Standards Body under Government of Nepal, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Involvement of the RMC group:</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>1. Rajesh Metal Craft Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Sister concern of the RMC Group, RMC Pvt Ltd manufactures and supplies MS Black Pipes, Galvanised Iron Pipes, Galvanised Plain and Corrugated Sheets, Tubular and Telescopic Steel Poles and Fabricated Steel Structural, among others. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>2. RMC Cement Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Cement Pvt Ltd, sister concern of RMC group, produces RMC cement from its Simara-based factory. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>3. H&amp;B Development Bank</strong></div>
					<div>
						HNB Development Bank is a leading development bank of Nepal that has a &ldquo;B&rdquo; class license issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank. RMC group chairperson Shrawan Agrwawal is the chairman of the H &amp; B Development Bank.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>4. Prudential Insurance Co Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Prudential Insurance Company was incorporated under the Companies Act on November 30, 2000. With the approval of Beema Samiti, it commenced operation on June 20, 2002. The Chairperson of RMC Group, Shrawan Agrawal, is in the Board of Directors of the Prudential Insurance Co Ltd.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>5. Palpa Cement&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						This is the mine based that will to produce clinker and cement. The factory will come under operation soon.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Details of major products of the RMC group:</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>RMC Cement</strong></div>
					<div>
						The company has a production of RMC Cement from its factory that has a capacity of 2.4 million bags a year. The company has installed the latest PLC controlled closed circuit technology to ensure high quality and strength in the cement along with the installation of latest technology for the pollution control. It has also established fully-equipped modern quality testing laboratory to test the raw materials and finished goods at all stages.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>MS Black Pipes</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC has been manufacturing and supplying MS Black Pipe through its Birgunj based factory. It has the production capacity of 30 thousand tons per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Galvanised Iron Pipes&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Metal Craft Pvt Ltd also manufactures galvanised iron pipes. These are made from steel or iron pipes coated in molten-zinc.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Color Coated Sheets&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Pvt Ltd has begun manufacturing and supplying the color coated sheets from last two weeks and it has the production capacity of 18 thousand ton per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>CR Sheet</strong></div>
					<div>
						The production capacity of CR sheet is 30 thousand ton per annum.</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
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			'description' => 'While Nepal is witnessing a huge trade deficit with India due to its heavy dependency on import, Rajesh Metal Craft (RMC) Group has been exporting 40 per cent of its annual turnover to India.',
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	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sujit Nath</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a day of pledge reckoning and revolution. Newbiz Conclave &amp; Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013 was held on August 24 with an aim to double Nepal GDP growth rate to 7 per cent per annum.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The event was conceptualised with a mission, hoping for a new sun rise and a dream to give Nepal what it deserve in terms of development and good governance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Amid some of the stalwarts of the industries, chamber of commerce, embassy officials, foreign thinkers and economists, the New Business Age (NBA), The Corporate Weekly and Arthik Abhiyan in association with Asian Paints and other sponsors organized the ceremony and initiated a step toward development under the banner of &mdash; &lsquo;Doubling of growth of Nepali economy to 7 per cent GDP: The Roadmap Ahead&rsquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a long brain storming session where excuses, logic and ways to achieve were shared, and views were exchanged among the speakers.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The conclusion was optimistic &mdash; Yes, we can achieve it.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	All we need, a determination to do anything for this country in bringing FDI&rsquo;s, training people locally in specialized areas and more focus on Agriculture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Shankar Koirala, Minister for Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supplies stressed for 5.5 per cent economic growth in coming 12 months and said, &ldquo;Achieving 7 per cent in coming years is not an impossible task. We play blame game and that&rsquo;s hampering the country. Only effort from the government is not sufficient and we need help from the private sectors to make Nepal a developed country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	by 2022&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Investment is important for higher growth but private sector is shying away due to lack of investment safety. We have already implemented some of the policies on development and are on the process of implementing few more new foreign policies, which will help us in bringing more investment in Nepal. Let me share that the cement industry is booming in Nepal and in coming years Nepal will be self sufficient in cement. The whole idea is to bring more investment through friendly foreign policies for a healthy GDP growth,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many dignitaries on the ocassion felt there was an urgent need for the farmers to shift from traditional farming to scientific way of cultivation. This is only possible by bringing technologies to Nepal and providing trainings to the local youths so that they don&rsquo;t go to other countries to earn their bread. This will reduce the import as the country will be self sufficient in food. It will also bring a heave of sigh among the middle class in terms of affordability.</div>
<div>
	To bring a collective effort for the development of Nepal, a book titled &mdash; Nepalko Arthik Briddhi Ek Margachitra (Sambriddha Nepal Abhiyan) was launched by the minister for finance, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, NBA chairman Madan Lamsal, country head of Asian Paints Budhaditya Mukherjee, chairman of NewBiz Awards jury Prabhakar SJB Rana, FNCCI president Suraj Vaidya, CNI founder president Binod Chaudhary and president of Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association Rajan Singh Bhandary.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Among some of the strong views shared by the speakers, Hari Bhakta Sharma, vice president, confederation of Nepalese industries came out with a practical thought on some the basic thing to achieve the growth in this country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Nature has a capacity to fulfill all our need but she cannot fulfill our greed. It is sad that the country where I live is 167th poorest in the world because of dollar appreciation. Thanks to the government. We have 2.5 billion people market and still far behind. There is no electricity and water. We only demand with no responsibility,&rdquo; Sharma said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He said, &ldquo;New generation of enterprise is emerging in Nepal. We should try to improve our technology to compete with India and China. Once you learnt that, you will compete with rest of the world. I would like to request the government to change their policies at the earliest and would like to request our skilled manpower not to migrate to other countries. We are sending labour to Qatar because we pay less to them in Nepal. We have to utilize these people to reverse that cycle. My perspective to the business leaders that best resources are here and how much we are ready is a different issue&rdquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal&rsquo;s economic growth stood at 4.6 per cent last fiscal year due to favorable weather and also the services sector witnessed a healthy growth. However, in the current fiscal year its economic growth rate is slowed down to 3.5 per cent due to lack of investment, incomplete budget, rough weather etc.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sharma stressed that there is a need to generate employment and industrial clusters in Nepal and says, &ldquo;If Morocco can export garments to Nepal, then why can&rsquo;t we produce garments. In coming days the competition is global not regional and we need to change our policy. A regular co-ordination with the government is also become very important&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The view of 15 speakers including six foreigners zeroed down to some of the basic areas to achieve 7 per cent GDP includes reducing import, investing whatever resources available in Nepal, utilizing local people, improving Agriculture investor friendly policies, stable government and preventing corruption.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada believes that agricultural and service sectors are some of the key drivers of growth and it has a capacity to grow by five and seven per cent respectively. &ldquo;We need a common economic agenda to grow further,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The business conclave ends with a thundering applaud and left many foot prints behind with a dream to drive Nepal towards development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'title' => 'More Demand For Cool Air',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Suraksha Adhikari&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As the mercury level rises, air conditioners are perhaps the best appliances around for cooling, and there is no dearth of quality in the local market for buyers of the product.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Growing urbanisation, surge in corporate offices, business complexes and shopping malls have pushed the demand for air-conditioners in the domestic market in the last few years. More than a dozen brands are competing in the Nepali market to cash in the growing demand for air conditioners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Air conditioners in Nepal are mainly imported from a number of East Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Japan and many more.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The domestic market currently consists of varieties including the split type and the wall mount AC to ceiling cassette models from established brands including LG, Whirlpool, Beko, Panasonic, Yasuda, Midea, Gree, McQuay, Fuji Air, Mitsubishi, Daikin and Hyundai. Also available in the market are central ACs, but their sales are limited to big hotels, corporate buildings and shopping complexes.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Distributors of the product say that the market for air conditioners in the country has grown by 25 to 30 per cent since its initial days, which reflects the rise in demand for ACs among upper class consumers and a compulsion for ACs in corporate houses, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels and commercial houses. &ldquo;Consumers of AC have doubled in recent years and the sale is expected to grow as the number of hospitals, hotels and other business houses are being constructed in an appreciable way,&rdquo; says Basuki Nath Thanur, Senior Manager-Commercial AC of Airtech Industries Pvt Ltd. According to Thanur, the products are mostly used by upper class consumers from big cities rather than the middle class.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="AC Brands in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/airq.jpg" style="
float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 313px;" />Brands Available in Nepali Market</span></strong></div>
<div>
	A large variety of ACs including the single split type, the wall mountain, the ceiling cassette, ceiling suspended ACs, floor sanding ACs, duck able ACs, VRF or multi split ACs as well as central ACs are found in the Nepali market. Of the brands available here, customers prefer ACs imported from China and Malaysia as they are comparatively cheaper than&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Japanese ACs.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ACs with a capacity of 0.75 tonne, 1 tonne, 1.5 tonnes and 2 tonnes are found in the market and are targeted at brand conscious people who do not mind paying a little extra for quality and reliability. Prices in the market range from Rs 58,000 to Rs 92,000. According to a company, ACs having capacity of 0.75 to 1.5 tonnes are appropriate for home use, while those with higher capacity are appropriate for&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	office use.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Increasing Demand&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Along with the growing market, customers demand too is on the rise. A lot of customers including the big commercial houses and hotels are moving from lesser priced products to premium ones.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The rise in living standards of people and the increment of various big commercial houses has forced traders to bring in products to satiate the need of customers. A leading importer mentioned that increasing demand has turned the market fiercely competitive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Even though the price of air conditioners has increased by around 20 per cent, traders dealing with popular brands say sales have increased four-fold since the beginning&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	of summer.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Of the two types of AC widely sold in the market &ndash; domestic and office-use ACs - traders say sales of the wall mount AC has spiked considerably compared to split ACs that are fixed on the ceiling.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Market Share</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Some traders observe that the market share of air conditioners in Nepal is mostly covered by Chinese, Malaysian and Japanese brands, among which (roughly) 40 per cent of the market is covered by Chinese brands, 35 per cent by Japanese and 25 per cent by Malaysian brands.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Traders have observed rapid expansion of the AC market in cities outside Kathmandu, with Narayangarh, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bhairawa, Hetauda and Nepalgunj showing encouraging growth in the use of ACs. The eastern part of Nepal showed more demand for the appliance than the western part of the country and the gap in sales between Kathmandu and the rest of the country was shown to be narrowing.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Challenges&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The encouraging growth in sales aside, traders are experiencing various hurdles in this business especially since competition is high. Traders claim that quality maintenance is not fair in the market and that with a plethora of products available, duplicate products are on the rise. With the growth of unhealthy competition, duplicate products have been degrading market credibility, which is the negative sign for business.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Other macro factors such as political instability and the rise of the dollar can be a threat to this business too. But despite these challenges, importers and distributors seem to have plenty to get going, as demand for air conditioners does not seem to show signs of subsiding as yet.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'As the mercury level rises, air conditioners are perhaps the best appliances around for cooling, and there is no dearth of quality in the local market for buyers of the product.',
			'sortorder' => '1560',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1698',
			'article_category_id' => '105',
			'title' => 'A Caring Hospital!',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	In an expensive hospital in Kathmandu, a patient pleads to the doctor, who is also the promoter of the hospital: &ldquo;Doctor, I can&rsquo;t take these awful medicines. &nbsp;As I am anyway dying just after a few days, let me die peacefully without going through this bad taste and an expensive experience.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	Doctor: &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t let you die just like that. You have to survive till your kith and kin come to see you. Let them clear the hospital bill first.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Hearing the conversation the patient of the next bed had a sudden heart attack to death. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>&nbsp;-ML</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'In an expensive hospital in Kathmandu, a patient pleads to the doctor, who is also the promoter of the hospital:',
			'sortorder' => '1559',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1697',
			'article_category_id' => '144',
			'title' => 'Economic Prosperity: Our Roadmap Ahead',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	What are the elements that shape a country&rsquo;s transition from volatile politics to stable democracy? All too often, policy analysts focus on the political process, while neglecting the vital role of economic reform in determining democratic success or failure.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the last decade, high unemployment and lack of entrepreneurial opportunities posed serious challenges to Nepal&rsquo;s transition. On the other hand, the country faced growing unresolved grievances caused by issues such as misappropriation of private property, rampant corruption and widening inequality.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Yet, there is a silver lining. Despite a decade-long political turmoil and armed conflict, the country&rsquo;s economy was successful enough to maintain its basic economic indicators in a positive direction.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many believe that Nepal can achieve prosperity if elections are held on time as political parties will agree on a common economic agenda to take the country into a prosperous future.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Can economic prosperity be achieved in a country that reels under perennial problems? We think it can. Incredible natural resources have favoured the country for development. Now it is our turn to do a favour to our collective dream of becoming rich, prosperous and happy. We can achieve economic prosperity only if we put in collective effort.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The desired need for economic growth must be a sincere commitment from all walks of life.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The government is heading towards a dream of achieving the status of &lsquo;developing country&rsquo; by 2022 through a three-year plan. Many suspect whether the Nepali economy can begin the journey of prosperity in the given circumstances. The experience of the last decade, however, shows that the country can achieve things if the CA election is held on time and if political parties are united on a common economic agenda.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Despite political instability, Nepal has witnessed noticeable growth in all sectors during the last decade. In recent years, many banks and money transfer businesses have grown. Nepal was one of the highest receivers of remittance on the basis of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Be it the health and education sector or the manufacturing and industrial sector, the country has succeeded to achieve remarkable progress despite political instability.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There are rays of hope also in the hydropower sector. Currently a power deficit country, the country will be in power surplus by 2018 if all ongoing projects are completed within the stipulated time.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Most important of all for the desired level of growth is the leading role of the private sector in investment, production and distribution of all goods and services. Of course, state support is a need as is security and ground for fair-play. Guided by this philosophy, New Business Age co-organised a conclave on the growth debate in Kathmandu on 24th August, with the opportunity to recognise the contribution of the business sector to growth. This recognition came in the form of ten categories of business awards.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the sustained prosperity of the nation, we need to start modest and all big dreams will fall in line with the accomplishment of initial ones. If we achieve 7 per cent growth first, then a double-digit figure can soon follow. &nbsp;As in an essay by noted litterateur Laxmi Prasad Devkota entitled &lsquo;Is Nepal Insignificant?&rsquo; where he eloquently writes about the prospects of Nepal, this country has tremendous potential for economic growth. But all we need to boost the country&rsquo;s economy are commitment from the political leadership, positive thinking of the general public and sincere and genuine effort from the private sector.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'What are the elements that shape a country’s transition from volatile politics to stable democracy? All too often, policy analysts focus on the political process, while neglecting the vital role of economic reform in determining democratic success or failure.',
			'sortorder' => '1558',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1696',
			'article_category_id' => '141',
			'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Pahadi Passes Away</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College. Born in Madi of Sankhuwasabha district, Pahadi was involved in politics through NC from the party-less Panchayat rule. His last rites were performed the same day at the Pashupati Aryaghaat (Cremation Center) according to Hindu rituals.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Yadav Arrested for Transformer Scam</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) arrested the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Rameshwar Yadav, along with other two officials last Tuesday over the corruption charge while purchasing substandard transformers. NEA staff arrested over irregularities while buying transformers include the planning chief of NEA Krishna Bahadur Thapa, Engineer Pramod Rijal and Deputy Director (accounts) Krishna Bahadur KC, among others.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Nepal Regrets Sidestepping CPN-Maoist</span></strong></div>
<div>
	CPN (UML) Senior Leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said they made mistake by bypassing the CPN-Maoist party led by Mohan Baidhya while announcing the date of the Constituent Assembly polls. Calling the CPN-Maoist the &lsquo;fourth largest&rsquo; force, former PM Nepal claims that they would bring the CPN-Maoist on board for the election process. Speaking at a programme in Pokhara last Monday, Nepal accused the UCPN (Maoist) of not accepting its breakaway faction CPN-Maoist due to fear that the latter party would be left behind.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee member Gopal Raj Pahadi, 68, died last Monday while undergoing treatment at the Sinamangal-based Kathmandu Medical College.',
			'sortorder' => '1557',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1695',
			'article_category_id' => '142',
			'title' => 'Poll Update (26 August - 01 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Comedians for Timely CA Polls</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date. During a programme to mark the Gaijatra festival in the Capital last Wednesday, actors of popular comedian television shows - Meri Bassai, Tito Satya and Jire Khurasani - vowed to work together against social and political evils and support holding the CA polls on November 19. Comedian Deepak Raj Giri leaders them to be serious this time and to address the people&rsquo;s aspiration by promulgating the new constitution. Also in the programme, Deepa Shree Niraula, Jitu Nepal and Shree Krishna Simkhada, among others, requested the leaders to give up their petty political interests for drafting the constitution.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">EC Calls Application for Polls Observation</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission called for application from national and international organisations last week for the observation of the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls with some new provisions. According to Election Commissioner Dr Rambhakta PB Thakur, the EC has for the first time called for aspiring applicants to apply for election observation online.According to a new provision, the approved organisation to monitor CA polls should reach at least 100 election centers of mountain, terai and hilly regions.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Separate Mechanism to Monitor Media&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The Election Commission formed a separate mechanism to monitor the media during the Constituent Assembly polls. The EC formed the Media Monitoring Committee under the chair of an Election Commmissioner, Ila Sharma. Federation of Nepali Journalists president Shiva Gaunle, however, said they were not consulted with while forming such a committee. The FNJ was in favour of the stance that such responsibilities of monitoring the media should be given to the Press Council, Gaunle said.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Comedians have urged concerned stakeholders to promulgate the new constitution by holding polls on the stipulated date.',
			'sortorder' => '1556',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1694',
			'article_category_id' => '140',
			'title' => 'Gajurel Sees Dahal Behind CA Dissolution',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly. He said the Dispute Resolution Committee, a mechanism formed at the Constituent Assembly under the chair of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, did not hold much discussion. He added that it was the main reason behind the dissolution of the CA without the promulgation of new constitution. Speaking at a programme in Janakpurdham last Monday, Gajurel also warned that an election held by using force would invite violent confrontation in the country.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
			'modified' => '0000-00-00',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'CPN-Maoist Vice-chairperson CP Gajurel accused UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the dissolution of the erstwhile Constituent Assembly.',
			'sortorder' => '1555',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1693',
			'article_category_id' => '140',
			'title' => 'Baidya-led Alliance To Foil CA Polls',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The HLPC took this decision last Saturday following a meeting with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance. The dissident alliance remained adamant on its stance that the RTC should be called and put forth a five-point demand calling for the cancellation of the Constituent Assembly polls, the dissolution of the Khil Raj Regmi-led government and the dissolution of the HLPC.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Earlier last Thursday, the HLPC had agreed to hold a RTC to bring the poll-opposing parties on board for the election process.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Leaders of the HLPC said they would now move ahead with the election process. Speaking with the media after a meeting with the alliance, CPN (UML) Chairperson Jhalanath Khanal said the RTC will not be held now and that the election would be held on the scheduled date. Likewise, UCPN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the CPN-Maoist wanted to decide everything including the fate of the election through the RTC. &ldquo;Meeting their demand means making the election uncertain when they are not serious about the CA polls themselves.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung also informed the media that the dialogue with the HLPC has ended and added that they would now hit the streets and foil the government&rsquo;s attempt to hold election.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As this scribe went to press, leaders of the 33-party alliance said they were chalking out a strategy and protest programmes to foil the election scheduled for November 19.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
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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' => 'Sensing that the CPN-Maoist was considering the Round-Table-Conference (RTC) as a tactic to subvert the election process, the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) ruled out convening such a conference.',
			'sortorder' => '1554',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
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			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1692',
			'article_category_id' => '139',
			'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (26 August - 1 September 2013)',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move" src="/userfiles/images/brzl.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 45px;" />Brazil Unveils $60bn Currency Move</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Brazil&rsquo;s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency. It comes as the Brazilian real nears a five-year low against the US dollar. The real and other emerging market currencies have fallen steadily over the last three months on speculation of higher US interest rates. The central bank said it would spend $500m a day on Mondays to Thursdays and $1bn on Fridays buying reais in the currency markets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Eurozone growth hits 26-month high" src="/userfiles/images/eur.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 74px;" />Eurozone growth hits 26-month high</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Eurozone business activity grew at its fastest pace for 26 months in August, according to a closely-watched survey. The Markit composite purchasing managers&rsquo; index - which includes manufacturing and services - rose to 51.7 points, from 50.5 in July. A number higher than 50 indicates growth.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales" src="/userfiles/images/gold(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 69px;" />Gold Price Up on Poor US Home Sales</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Gold rose almost 2 percent on Friday, hitting its highest price in more than two months near $1,400 an ounce, as a big drop in U.S. new home sales renewed hopes that the Federal Reserve will maintain its bond-buying economic stimulus. For the week, gold gained 1.6 percent for its third consecutive weekly rise. It has climbed in six out of the past seven weeks since gold fell to a three-year low at $1,180 an ounce on June 28.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus" src="/userfiles/images/imf.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 77px;" />IMF Cautions Against Withdrawing Stimulus</span></strong></div>
<div>
	International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde has cautioned the countries across the world against withdrawal of stimulus or unconventional monetary policies (UMPs). Lagarde on Friday asserted that the stimulus helped support economic stability at both domestic and global level. Early in the crisis, the UMPs helped prevent a collapse of the financial system and a collapse of activity, she said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt=" Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens " src="/userfiles/images/slt(1).jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Sri Lanka&rsquo;s trade deficit widened 25 percent to $829.1 million in June from $663.2 million a year earlier, central bank data showed on Thursday. Both imports and exports reversed their declining trend. The central bank&rsquo;s tight monetary policy measures and a flexible exchange rate, adopted early last year to curb trade and current account deficits, have resulted in sluggish external trade since the second quarter of 2012.</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-08-26',
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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' => 'Brazil’s central bank has announced a $60bn plan to prop up the value of the national currency.',
			'sortorder' => '1553',
			'image' => null,
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1691',
			'article_category_id' => '161',
			'title' => '“ICRC Focuses On The Needs Of Families Of The Disappeared”',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Sylvie Thoral , Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/st.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 236px;" />Sylvie Thoral</strong> is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency. August 30 is marked as the International Day of the Disappeared. In an interview with <strong>Gaurav Aryal</strong> of The Corporate, Thoral talked about ICRC&rsquo;s activities concerned with the disappeared in the post-conflict period. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What are the recent activities of ICRC in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	For a couple of years now, our activities have had the same focus. Our mandate goes towards protection of victims of conflicts and other situations of violence. The reason why we still operate in Nepal is very much related to the persistence of a certain number of humanitarian concerns related to the past conflict. There are humanitarian consequences particularly in relation to families of the disappeared whose whereabouts are still unknown. Other activities are related to emergency response in fields where the Red Cross is involved in activities such as first aid trainings, disaster management and management of trauma cases in medical structures.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How is ICRC working on the status of the disappeared in partnership with government bodies?</strong></div>
<div>
	We collected a certain number of complaints on disappearance at the time of conflict. We managed to clarify the fate of some while there are families who still do not have a single clue. We try to be more systematic in consolidating and collecting as much information as possible. Throughout these years, we also engaged with Nepali authorities and both parties of the conflict - Nepal Army, Police and Maoist combatants because people were held captive by either side. We tried finding whereabouts of those people held captive by both sides. We also try to focus on the needs of families of the disappeared, not for protection but for supporting them.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you see the possibility of knowing the whereabouts of the missing people now, after almost eight years since the end of armed conflict?</strong></div>
<div>
	The hope of finding someone still alive is very slim. But, as long as you don&rsquo;t have confirmation by anyone, there are legal complications. If a person is not here and the person is not confirmed dead, there is no legal provision in Nepal for recognition of the missing person, including those missing in a natural calamity. According to the law, it is only after 12 years of a person being missing that you can consider the person as dead and begin legal procedures such as inheritance and transfer of properties.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Do you think that such provisions must be amended?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is something we are now looking into because we want to go deeper in understanding the legal needs of these families. So, we have commissioned a study and based on that report, we might make some recommendations to the government of Nepal via the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction about this legal framework either by decreasing the 12 years term or by making a provision for declaration of absence. This provision that exists in other countries to acknowledge somebody&rsquo;s absence for years gives the relatives a kind of recognition to carry on with the legal proceedings.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Some political leaders have been insisting not to revive conflict-era cases. What is your take on it?</strong></div>
<div>
	Nepal at some point will have to come to terms with what has been done in the past. A fact finding commission has to be put in place at some point, also to avoid similar incidents in the future. We are more concerned at the time being for the families of the disappeared rather than right to justice. Justice need to come at some point but for us, what matters is to foster a secure environment where people who have information regarding the fate of disappeared individuals can reveal it without fearing prosecution. Criminal proceedings must come but we must also think about how to create an environment for people to provide information that is much needed.&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'Sylvie Thoral is the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Nepal. ICRC, after the end of the decade long armed conflict in 2006, has been addressing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and helping people and their families affected by the insurgency.',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1690',
			'article_category_id' => '138',
			'title' => 'US Embassy To Assist American Companies For Investments In Nepali Hydro Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector. According to a press statement by the embassy, Bodde hosted a conference call with US businessmen on August 21 to discuss opportunities in the hydropower sector in Nepal. &nbsp;&lsquo;The Ambassador gave an overview of the economic and business climate in Nepal and then took participants&rsquo; questions, including queries about upcoming hydropower summits in Kathmandu and how the US embassy can assist American companies investing in Nepal,&rsquo; says the statement. Twelve participants, representing industries including energy and infrastructure joined the call, including some with a history of investing in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Although challenges remain, Bodde, during the conference call pointed out that Nepal has the second- largest hydropower resources in the world and less than one per cent of this potential has been developed. &nbsp;He emphasized that the US Embassy stands ready to assist American companies interested in investing in Nepal. In the closing of the conference, Bodde noted,&rsquo; Nepal has enormous hydropower potential and the time to engage with this sector is now.&rsquo;</div>',
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			'description' => 'The Ambassador of United States to Nepal, Peter W. Bodde expressed the support of US embassy for American companies interested in Nepali hydropower sector.',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1689',
			'article_category_id' => '137',
			'title' => 'Economic Downturn In India, Indonesia Raise Fears',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent equity sell-down and currency fall in India and Indonesia have raised contagion fears across Asia, similar to the Asian financial crisis in 1997. What started off as a relatively contained sell-down in Indonesia and India is now turning into a confidence crisis. The Indian rupee has lost 12 percent since May 2013, making it the worst performer in the emerging market currency basket, Xinhua said in an analysis Saturday.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	There is now widespread panic over the rupee, and the short-term measures imposed by the Indian government such as curbing the import of gold are widely seen as ineffective. In Indonesia, the sharp weakening in the rupiah and weak commodity export prices have caused its foreign exchange reserves to fall by a significant 18 percent year-to-date from $112 billion to $92 billion, fuelling investors&rsquo; concerns over the defensibility of the currency and the concurrent risks of sharp policy rate hikes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The impact of capital outflows and financial turbulence as a result of India and Indonesia problems will undoubtedly be significant and widespread in other Asian emerging economies such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, where bubbles have been inflated by easy credit and super easy monetary policy. During the 1997 Asian financial turmoil, the currency meltdown in Thailand sent a chain reaction of weaker currencies, falling stock markets and a steep rise in private debt across Southeast Asian economies and South Korea, sinking most of them into deep recession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	CIMB research said for the rest of the Asian economies, recent developments in India and Indonesia should have very little negative economic impact. Backed by better regulated financial sector and stable domestic growth drivers, Asian financial markets should also be able to maintain a steady inflow of capital. Credit Suisse research believed that the impact of India and Indonesia sell-down upon North Asian economies such as China and South Korea will also be limited. (news.yahoo.com)</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<hr />
	<p>
		<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Crisis unlikely due to currency depreciation&rsquo;</span></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
	Negative spillover effects from India in the Nepali economy have always been pertaining issue for the Nepali economy. &nbsp;Crisis in value of rupee is the latest in the series. With the sharp depreciation of Nepali rupee (NPR) against the US dollar, caused by the devaluation and volatility in Indian rupee (INR), experts have started serious debate over the pegged exchange rate.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, chief economic advisor at Finance Ministry Dr Chiranjivi Nepal ruled out the possibility of revising pegged exchange rate. &nbsp;&#39;The weakening of Indian and other Asian currencies is unlikely to bring crisis like 1997, now the economies are in better position compare to that period,&#39; said Nepal. According to Nepal, the depreciation of INR will not continue for long time. Indian government has continuously putting effort to control the steep fall of value of rupee against dollar,&rdquo; he opined, adding that it can be expected that Indian central bank will take aggressive measures to contain INR in a level.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The recent massive depreciation of Indian currency has thrown all these logics out of the window and the situation calls for a serious debate on whether Nepali rupee should maintain the peg system. When asked about the review of existing exchange rate, Nepal rejected such calls. &#39;Nepali economy will encounter many problems if the existing exchange rate is changed,&#39; he said. &#39;Reviewing the rate will ease the dollar price but cheaper foreign goods will influx the Nepali market and more money will be needed for the import of goods.&#39; He further added that the government to take proper policies aiming to boost the export to take benefit from the strong dollar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'The recent equity sell-down and currency fall in India and Indonesia have raised contagion fears across Asia, similar to the Asian financial crisis in 1997.',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1688',
			'article_category_id' => '134',
			'title' => '‘Malaysia Tourism Aiming 36 Million  Tourist By The Year 2020’',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="Amran Abdul Rahman, director of Tourism Malaysia" src="/userfiles/images/mls.jpg" style="
float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 200px; height: 239px;" />The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online. What makes Malaysia so especial and to share tourism promotional activities in Nepal, <strong>Amran Abdul Rahman</strong>, director of Tourism Malaysia in a rendezvous with The Corporate Weekly Associate Editor <strong>Sujit Nath</strong> revealed how Malaysia became the hot destination for the tourists from all over the world. <strong>Excerpts:</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What is purpose your of visit in Nepal?</strong></div>
<div>
	This is for the first time I came to Nepal to get a first-hand experience of the market. Tourism Malaysia is doing market research in Nepal for the last 14 years and so far the response is good. &nbsp;I came here to welcome the people here to Malaysia under our promotional banner of &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo;. A seminar was recently conducted on tourism on August 23 in association with the local tour operators. I look forward for a better relationship with Nepal in terms of tourism.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>How you rate Nepal as a market in terms of tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	I think there is a great market in Nepal and its growing as compared to last year. An average Nepali tourist spends nearly 62,423.76 NPR, which is 2000 Malaysian Ringgit. Tourists from Nepal prefer to stay longer as compare to Indian tourists. So, the more they will stay &mdash; the more we will be able to generate the revenue. In Malaysia people more about Nepal than India because of its long association and common features in terms of lifestyle. But we are happy that response from Nepal and India is so far good.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>What category of Nepali tourists prefers Malaysia as their favourite tourist destination?</strong></div>
<div>
	Most of the Nepali tourists come with their family but we have seen in recent years that a large number of youngsters are also exploring Malaysia. In last six months from January to June there was a growth of 33.7 per cent Nepali tourist in Malaysia. This was a significant growth and we are happy that the market is growing. We are confident to serve our best to the Nepali tourist with utmost homely care. It&rsquo;s our privilege to provide a comfortable stay in Malaysia.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>The banner &lsquo;Visit Malaysia Year 2014&rsquo; seems inviting with its marketing strategy. Could you please elaborate on that?</strong></div>
<div>
	Well I must say it will be the year of fun and frolic with endless new day-night mesmerising shows. What added more zeal, is the scheduled Grand Prix, which is going to be the show stopper. We are expecting a large number of tourists from across the globe to witness the carnival. For the shopping lovers, we are organizing a big event under the banner of Malaysia Mega Sale festival where the tourists will get all kind of branded lifestyle items in a cheaper price.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Malaysia tourism is doing a lot of promotional activities for Business and customized personal tourism. Could you share your views on the latest trend and response on Business tourism?</strong></div>
<div>
	It&rsquo;s a high end tourism segment and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) &mdash; meant to deal with the business tourism &mdash; has a done a commendable job. There is a rise in the business meetings of some of the big corporate houses in the world. The other areas, which include customized personal tourism packages, are weddings, honeymoon, cruise, luxury tourism etc. We are getting good revenue in these&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	segments too.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>Tell me something about the overall all tourism scenario in Malaysia?</strong></div>
<div>
	In 2011, Malaysia recorded 24.7 million tourist arrivals with tourist receipts totaling RM 58.3 billion. In 2012, the country&rsquo;s tourist arrivals and receipts registered more than 25 million RM. The Malaysia Tourism Transportation Plan is targeting 36 million tourist arrivals and RM 168 billion in receipts by the year 2020. Kuala Lumpur was voted as the fourth best shopping city in the world and I am sure with other attractions which we have in Malaysia, we will be able to woo more tourists from Nepal and India.</div>',
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			'description' => 'The World Tourism Organisation has declared Malaysia as the 9th most visited country in the world for the last three consecutive years since 2009 and it has also achieved another feather on its hat by becoming the tenth friendliest country across the globe as declared Forbes Online.',
			'sortorder' => '1549',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1687',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'The Consistent Growth Of The RMC Group',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sagar Ghimire&nbsp;</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Rajesh Agrawal, Director, RMC group" src="/userfiles/images/ra(1).jpg" style="width: 183px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">
				<div>
					<strong>Rajesh Agrawal</strong></div>
				<div>
					Director, RMC group</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The export of RMC cements to India comes as a respite for the economy of Nepal that has long been suffering due to the dominance of imported goods from India. Along with catering to the rising demand for building materials like cement, steels and pipes in Nepal, the RMC Group now strives to expand its market to neighbor down south. Amidst a deepening trade deficit with India, the RMC Group is now planning to export manufacturing goods to the country. The strategy is to import raw materials and export value-added products to India.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conviction behind success</span></strong></div>
<div>
	Since Nepal was completely dependent on imports for steel, Rajesh Agrawal, Director of RMC group, thought of establishing a factory to meet the growing demand of steel in the country. Despite his lack of experience and knowledge on the manufacturing industry, Agrawal did not shy away from venturing into a relatively new front. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Promising prospects for steel manufacturers prompted me to start a factory despite my inexperience,&rdquo; Agrawal says. He recalls being firm on his conviction to develop it through the learn-by-doing approach. Today, the RMC Group has leapfrogged from a small-scale firm to a big industry through this approach itself.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company initially formed for steel drum packaging for paints is now manufacturing steels, pipes, cements and sheets. Along with catering to the rising demands for steel, the company also meets the needs of pipes and other construction materials in its backyard. Growing steadily thus, it is now eyeing a broader market in India.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Forty per cent of our total turnover is exported to India today,&rdquo; Agrawal states to The Corporate. The group has recently started exporting cement to India and is the first company in Nepal to do so.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The RMC Group was established with an investment of five million rupees and now has an annual turnover of 5 billion rupees, informs Agrawal. Apart from the manufacturing sector, the group has investments in the banking and insurance sectors as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Industrialisation was yet to begin in Nepal when Agrawal had begun business. Despite limitations, Nepal gradually headed towards industrialization and augmented economic growth in the country. &ldquo;The steel consumption is directly related with economic development and the economic development of Nepal has increased with the consumption of our steels,&rdquo; says Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">&lsquo;Ups and Downs&rsquo; in Business Environment&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	In the two decades of its operation, the RMC Group has experienced some ups and downs. Few years after the group established its factory to manufacture steel, the Maoist insurgency took off and posed many challenges to industrialists from running their business. &ldquo;However, the business environment recovered after the Maoists came into the peace process,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Affordability of local consumers has gone up in recent times due to remittance and other sources of income. &ldquo;People in villages have been switching to corrugated sheets from bricks, straw and other local materials to roof their houses,&rdquo; Agrawal observes.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the per capita steel consumption in Nepal is still one of the lowest in the world - 30kg per person, according to Agrawal, whereas the average is more than 300kg per person in the world. Agrawal is hopeful that steel consumption will get a boost in the days to come with political stability in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	But despite these vicissitudes, consistent service to customers for the last 20 years has made RMC a credible brand. &ldquo;The consistent quality provided to consumers has ensured the growth of our companies,&rdquo; Agrawal says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Valuing Labour&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The company had begun with only 15 employees in total, but today, there are 400 employees hired by it. It has employed 80 peoples in its cement factory and has been hiring staff for administrative purposes through vacancy calls in newspapers.</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;A large number of our human resources are labours and we recruit them at the local level where our factories are located through the contractors,&rdquo; says Agrawal who values the labour force for the success of his company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">CSR activities&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC Group has arranged drinking water facilities at the villages of the workers of its factories in Simra and other places as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. It has built water tanks, provided water pipes and bored water wells as well. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, it has provided corrugated sheets, steel and other construction materials to schools at the factories&rsquo; sites.</div>
<div>
	The company is also providing medical services to the families of its workers regularly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Competition &amp; Promotional Activities</span></strong></div>
<div>
	According to Agrawal, the RMC Group faces competition against Jagadamba Enterprises for pipes and Hulas Steel and the Biratnagar-based Arati Steel for Galvanised sheets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group runs TVC (television commercials) as well as media advertisements in newspapers as a part of its promotional activity. Likewise, the group comes up frequently with scratch coupons, gift vouchers and other schemes for its customers. &nbsp;Targeting customers at the local level to advertise its products, the group airs advertisements through FM stations all across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Social Affinity&nbsp;</span></strong></div>
<div>
	While Director Agrawal is taking care of the companies and factories, his father Shrawan Kumar Agrawal - also Chairperson of the group - is involved in politics and social sectors. &nbsp;Chairperson Agrawal was a former Constituent Assembly lawmaker representing the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal. He is currently serving as Chairperson of the Marwari Sewa Samiti, an organization for social service to the Marwari community.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Palpa Cement at the offing</span></strong></div>
<div>
	The RMC group has a project in Palpa to produce clinkers and cements in the pipeline. &ldquo;Clinkers are largely being imported from India for cement production, and we are planning to produce it, and cement made from it, from Palpa,&rdquo; informs Agrawal. The group is already in talks with the government for building the necessary infrastructure in the proposed factory sites.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="RMC Group" src="/userfiles/images/rMCGROUP.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 306px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<h2>
					AT A GLANCE</h2>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Brief History</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Pvt Ltd was established on 1993. Prior to that, it was a firm to trade steels by importing from Japan, Korea and India. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						Rajesh Agrawal left Rajesh Hardware Pvt Ltd to his partner on 1995 and he owned RMC Pvt Ltd. &nbsp;His partner is still doing the business on hardware. RMC is focusing its business on manufacturing. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Award and Recognition</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC already has the ISO 9001: 2008 certificate and the company was recently conferred with ISO 14001: 2004 certificate for its environment management system. Also, it has been awarded NS mark by Nepal Bureau of Standards &amp; Metrology (NBSM), a National Standards Body under Government of Nepal, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Involvement of the RMC group:</span></strong></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>1. Rajesh Metal Craft Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Sister concern of the RMC Group, RMC Pvt Ltd manufactures and supplies MS Black Pipes, Galvanised Iron Pipes, Galvanised Plain and Corrugated Sheets, Tubular and Telescopic Steel Poles and Fabricated Steel Structural, among others. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>2. RMC Cement Pvt Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC Cement Pvt Ltd, sister concern of RMC group, produces RMC cement from its Simara-based factory. &nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>3. H&amp;B Development Bank</strong></div>
					<div>
						HNB Development Bank is a leading development bank of Nepal that has a &ldquo;B&rdquo; class license issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank. RMC group chairperson Shrawan Agrwawal is the chairman of the H &amp; B Development Bank.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>4. Prudential Insurance Co Ltd</strong></div>
					<div>
						Prudential Insurance Company was incorporated under the Companies Act on November 30, 2000. With the approval of Beema Samiti, it commenced operation on June 20, 2002. The Chairperson of RMC Group, Shrawan Agrawal, is in the Board of Directors of the Prudential Insurance Co Ltd.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>5. Palpa Cement&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						This is the mine based that will to produce clinker and cement. The factory will come under operation soon.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Details of major products of the RMC group:</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>RMC Cement</strong></div>
					<div>
						The company has a production of RMC Cement from its factory that has a capacity of 2.4 million bags a year. The company has installed the latest PLC controlled closed circuit technology to ensure high quality and strength in the cement along with the installation of latest technology for the pollution control. It has also established fully-equipped modern quality testing laboratory to test the raw materials and finished goods at all stages.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>MS Black Pipes</strong></div>
					<div>
						RMC has been manufacturing and supplying MS Black Pipe through its Birgunj based factory. It has the production capacity of 30 thousand tons per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Galvanised Iron Pipes&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Metal Craft Pvt Ltd also manufactures galvanised iron pipes. These are made from steel or iron pipes coated in molten-zinc.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>Color Coated Sheets&nbsp;</strong></div>
					<div>
						The RMC Pvt Ltd has begun manufacturing and supplying the color coated sheets from last two weeks and it has the production capacity of 18 thousand ton per annum.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<strong>CR Sheet</strong></div>
					<div>
						The production capacity of CR sheet is 30 thousand ton per annum.</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
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			'created' => '2013-08-25',
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			'description' => 'While Nepal is witnessing a huge trade deficit with India due to its heavy dependency on import, Rajesh Metal Craft (RMC) Group has been exporting 40 per cent of its annual turnover to India.',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '1686',
			'article_category_id' => '160',
			'title' => 'Corptoon Vol3 Issue 28',
			'sub_title' => '',
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			'content' => '',
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			'description' => 'Corptoon',
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			'title' => 'Good Governance And Friendly Investment Policies To Drive Nepal Towards Development',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Sujit Nath</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a day of pledge reckoning and revolution. Newbiz Conclave &amp; Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013 was held on August 24 with an aim to double Nepal GDP growth rate to 7 per cent per annum.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The event was conceptualised with a mission, hoping for a new sun rise and a dream to give Nepal what it deserve in terms of development and good governance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Amid some of the stalwarts of the industries, chamber of commerce, embassy officials, foreign thinkers and economists, the New Business Age (NBA), The Corporate Weekly and Arthik Abhiyan in association with Asian Paints and other sponsors organized the ceremony and initiated a step toward development under the banner of &mdash; &lsquo;Doubling of growth of Nepali economy to 7 per cent GDP: The Roadmap Ahead&rsquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It was a long brain storming session where excuses, logic and ways to achieve were shared, and views were exchanged among the speakers.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The conclusion was optimistic &mdash; Yes, we can achieve it.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	All we need, a determination to do anything for this country in bringing FDI&rsquo;s, training people locally in specialized areas and more focus on Agriculture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Shankar Koirala, Minister for Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supplies stressed for 5.5 per cent economic growth in coming 12 months and said, &ldquo;Achieving 7 per cent in coming years is not an impossible task. We play blame game and that&rsquo;s hampering the country. Only effort from the government is not sufficient and we need help from the private sectors to make Nepal a developed country&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	by 2022&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Investment is important for higher growth but private sector is shying away due to lack of investment safety. We have already implemented some of the policies on development and are on the process of implementing few more new foreign policies, which will help us in bringing more investment in Nepal. Let me share that the cement industry is booming in Nepal and in coming years Nepal will be self sufficient in cement. The whole idea is to bring more investment through friendly foreign policies for a healthy GDP growth,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Many dignitaries on the ocassion felt there was an urgent need for the farmers to shift from traditional farming to scientific way of cultivation. This is only possible by bringing technologies to Nepal and providing trainings to the local youths so that they don&rsquo;t go to other countries to earn their bread. This will reduce the import as the country will be self sufficient in food. It will also bring a heave of sigh among the middle class in terms of affordability.</div>
<div>
	To bring a collective effort for the development of Nepal, a book titled &mdash; Nepalko Arthik Briddhi Ek Margachitra (Sambriddha Nepal Abhiyan) was launched by the minister for finance, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, NBA chairman Madan Lamsal, country head of Asian Paints Budhaditya Mukherjee, chairman of NewBiz Awards jury Prabhakar SJB Rana, FNCCI president Suraj Vaidya, CNI founder president Binod Chaudhary and president of Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association Rajan Singh Bhandary.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Among some of the strong views shared by the speakers, Hari Bhakta Sharma, vice president, confederation of Nepalese industries came out with a practical thought on some the basic thing to achieve the growth in this country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Nature has a capacity to fulfill all our need but she cannot fulfill our greed. It is sad that the country where I live is 167th poorest in the world because of dollar appreciation. Thanks to the government. We have 2.5 billion people market and still far behind. There is no electricity and water. We only demand with no responsibility,&rdquo; Sharma said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He said, &ldquo;New generation of enterprise is emerging in Nepal. We should try to improve our technology to compete with India and China. Once you learnt that, you will compete with rest of the world. I would like to request the government to change their policies at the earliest and would like to request our skilled manpower not to migrate to other countries. We are sending labour to Qatar because we pay less to them in Nepal. We have to utilize these people to reverse that cycle. My perspective to the business leaders that best resources are here and how much we are ready is a different issue&rdquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Nepal&rsquo;s economic growth stood at 4.6 per cent last fiscal year due to favorable weather and also the services sector witnessed a healthy growth. However, in the current fiscal year its economic growth rate is slowed down to 3.5 per cent due to lack of investment, incomplete budget, rough weather etc.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sharma stressed that there is a need to generate employment and industrial clusters in Nepal and says, &ldquo;If Morocco can export garments to Nepal, then why can&rsquo;t we produce garments. In coming days the competition is global not regional and we need to change our policy. A regular co-ordination with the government is also become very important&rdquo;.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The view of 15 speakers including six foreigners zeroed down to some of the basic areas to achieve 7 per cent GDP includes reducing import, investing whatever resources available in Nepal, utilizing local people, improving Agriculture investor friendly policies, stable government and preventing corruption.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada believes that agricultural and service sectors are some of the key drivers of growth and it has a capacity to grow by five and seven per cent respectively. &ldquo;We need a common economic agenda to grow further,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The business conclave ends with a thundering applaud and left many foot prints behind with a dream to drive Nepal towards development.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
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			'description' => 'It was a day of pledge reckoning and revolution. Newbiz Conclave & Business Excellence Awards Ceremony-2013 was held on August 24 with an aim to double Nepal GDP growth rate to 7 per cent per annum.',
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