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Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1609', 'article_category_id' => '154', 'title' => 'Learning Curve News In Brief (12-18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><img alt="KUSOM" src="/userfiles/images/KUSOM.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 125px; height: 126px;" />4th KUSOM Job and Internship Fair </span></strong></div> <div> With the presence of 14 leading companies, the 4th KUSOM Job and Internship Fair (KJIF) took place on August 8, 2013 in KUSOM premises. The event was organized by KJIF team formed under KUSOM Placement Cell.The fair was organized to provide a platform for interaction between graduating students of KUSOM seeking placement or internship and the companies looking for management graduates. The participating companies include Beed Management Pvt. Ltd, Bottlers Nepal Ltd., DHL Express Nepal Ltd. Global IME Bank Ltd. Kailash Bikas Bank Ltd., MAW Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., MC Group of Companies, Nabil Bank Ltd., NIC Asia Bank Ltd., NMB Capital Ltd., Surya Nepal, Triveni Byapar Co. Pvt Ltd., Unilever Nepal Ltd and V-Chitra. It has a mix of banks, manufacturing companies, ad agencies, Research agencies and trading companies. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Short story felicitation to Bhattarai</span></strong></div> <div> This year’s ‘short story felicitation’ is being awarded to writer Pushkar Raj Bhattarai by the Short Story Society (SSS). Bhattarai, who is pursuing a research study in short stories, will be awarded on the occasion of ‘National Short Story Day’ celebrated in the 1st week of Bhadra. The award includes a cash prize of five thousand rupees along with a felicitation letter. The Short Story Society will be organising a special programme for the day with the association of Nepal Academy. The National Short Story Day is celebrated on the fifth day of Bhadra each year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Book Collection Movement</span></strong></div> <div> The ‘One Book Movement’ has been initiated with the aim to make children’s literature available to rural children. An organisation named ‘Education Nepal’ is starting the movement from August 12. One hundred and twenty volunteers are collecting books from educational institutes and people’s homes to distribute to children in remote districts. At a press meet, Education Nepal informed that their aim is to collect 100,000 books. According to director Prem Bahadur Bohara, the collected books will be distributed in rural areas to students from class 1 to 10. The organisation had distributed 10,000 books to students in Jajarkot and Dolpa last year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">SLC Supplementary Exams Completed</span></strong></div> <div> The SLC supplementary exams which started in August 4 were completed yesterday. Students who failed in a maximum of two subjects in the SLC exams last year took the exam. Nationwide 111,000 students appeared for the exam. This year, 55,000 students had failed in the Science subject, 50,000 in Mathematics and 31,000 in English.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">2nd ICT Meet-up</span></strong></div> <div> The 2nd KRM Software ICT Meet-Up 2013 took place this Saturday in Kathmandu. The meeting was organised by Prime College and Prime IT Club with a purpose to help students identify best employment opportunities in Information Technology (IT). A large number of IT students and IT institutes were present in the programme. “The programme helps to inform IT students about future opportunities,” Principal of Prime College, Naresh Shrestha, said. The registration fee for the programme was Rs 1, the proceeds of which will be provided to ‘Help Nepal Network’.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Corporate Meet by Nobel Academy</span></strong></div> <div> Nobel Academy, Pokhara organised a meeting with the corporate houses of Pokhara and nearby places last Tuesday. Thirty-five representatives from corporate houses participated in the programme. The programme was organised to develop relationships with corporate houses and to collect suggestions for the human resource needs of corporate houses. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the presence of 14 leading companies, the 4th KUSOM Job and Internship Fair (KJIF) took place on August 8, 2013 in KUSOM premises.', 'sortorder' => '1470', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1608', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Why Should A Humble Leader Be Put At The Helm Of An Organization?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies. Of all the virtues expected of an executive or government official, humility is especially important, yet it largely has been overlooked in the realm of economics. This is probably due to an incomplete or misguided notion of what it means to be humble, why it’s important, and how being modest contributes to the success and reputation of an organization as well as of its leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> In his working paper “Reputacion y Humildad en la Direccion de Empresas (Reputation and Humility in Running a Business),” Professor Antonio Argandona of the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa at the University of Navarra in Spain aims to set the record straight, offering ideas for reflection on this essential virtue. People often think that humility is incompatible with showing the authority necessary in being a leader, Argandona writes. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. A leader who is truly humble, and is perceived as being so by others, ultimately will have far more authority than an arrogant leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> Self-knowledge is the first and foremost expression of humility. People who are humble neither overestimate their virtues nor disparage themselves. Having high self-esteem does not make them pretentious. They constantly evaluate themselves, and realize that they are not infallible. This self-awareness includes recognizing what they owe to others. Humble individuals do not take credit for all of their strengths and achievements. Instead they value and appreciate the help they receive from others. Another quality associated with humility, Argandona writes, is a sense of transcendence, the tendency to act according to an ambitious ideal. That is why being humble also entails being demanding of oneself. Humility often goes hand in hand with other virtues, such as objectivity, simplicity, the desire to learn and patience with others </div> <div> </div> <div> Humble leaders don’t boast about their strengths, but they don’t deny or conceal them either. Nor will they hide their shortcomings, deficiencies and mistakes. They neither seek praise from others nor feel hurt by criticism. They are grateful to discover how others perceive them, since it can raise their self-awareness. When it comes to evaluating others, humble individuals are aware that everyone else is probably better than they are in some way, so they tend to judge others less severely than they would judge themselves. Humble leaders also tend to avoid comparing their qualities, merits, knowledge and achievements with those of others. If forced to do so, they try not to rate themselves as superior. They pass judgment if necessary, but look for the silver lining whenever possible. </div> <div> </div> <div> This openness gives way to additional virtues associated with humility, Argandona writes, such as generosity, respect and a spirit of service. In particular humble leaders acknowledge the merits of their peers. They request, accept and acknowledge their ideas, suggestions and tips. They never are envious of the successes and qualities of others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Why should a humble leader be put at the helm of an organization? </div> <div> </div> <div> For one thing, Argandona writes, they tend to make fewer mistakes. Their natural inclination for introspection and their willingness to accept outside criticism generally give them a good idea of what their limitations and capabilities are. Their interpersonal relationships tend to be more genuine and simple, since they do not crave flattery. They tend to be sincere both in their criticism and in their praise, highlighting the positive aspects of the other person’s behavior without skipping over the negative ones, which can help them improve. They tend to seek collaboration, to offset their shortcomings and to capitalize on the standout qualities of fellow team members, and will likely pay more attention to the common good of the organization than to their own self-interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Acknowledging their limitations drives them toward the active pursuit of excellence. (The New York Times)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies.', 'sortorder' => '1469', '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' => '1607', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Future At Hospitality', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes. Since then, Nepal has acquired a good image in the international market for a degree in hospitality. Being a relatively easy job but with attractive pay, the appeal of the BHM programme continues to grow. Besides, Nepali students are in demand and well-placed too in the international market because of their innate sense of hospitality. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some of the regions where Nepali students are in demand include Arabic countries, Japan, Canada, USA and Europe. “The world of global business and international travels for health and education has kept the hospitality business thriving,” says Principal of International School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Samjhana Basnet. “This sector thus never goes out of business,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> A charming attitude, welcoming gait and loyalty are some of the traits of Nepali students that contribute to their positive image in the international market. Besides, the growth of the hospitality sector here too has kept the popularity of this career line intact. </div> <div> </div> <div> Most Nepali BHM colleges offer foreign internships to their students. As most hotels in Nepal have not collaborated with Nepali colleges, the colleges are obliged to send their students abroad. Besides, Nepali hotels charge for internships while foreign internships offer to pay. Students, anyway, are attracted to a foreign certificate and placement as compared to getting placements in Nepal. The international exposure gained definitely helps to market students better in the hospitality industry here. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hospitality industry in Nepal traces its origin to the times of the Rana rulers who brought cooks and waiters from India to serve guests in their palaces. Workers in the palace picked up their culinary skills, which passed on among people, gradually spreading enough for entrepreneurs to establish their own hotels after the advent of democracy. With Nepal’s leap into tourism development, the hospitality business took upon industrial speed.</div> <div> </div> <div> Realising the scarcity of skilled manpower in the growing industry, the government with the help of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) established an institute called the Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre (HMTTC) in 1972. Later in 1999 when Tribhuwan University included hotel management course under the faculty of management, the HMTTC got converted into a college named Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHAM) - the only public college to run a BHM course. While NATHAM was the first institute to run the BHM course in Nepal, Pokhara University (PU) got its permission to run a BHM programme a little earlier. </div> <div> </div> <div> Lately, BHM studies is a popular choice among students in Nepal. Besides TU and PU, Purwanchal University and Kathmandu University are offering BHM programmes as well and so are various colleges with foreign affiliation. There are currently more than two dozen colleges in Nepal offering BHM courses with total fees ranging from three to five hundred thousand rupees.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes.', 'sortorder' => '1468', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1606', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Cafeteria', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria? It is called the Ghus Khana.</div> <div> -ML</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria?', 'sortorder' => '1467', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1605', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Believe Or Not', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office that would destroy people but leave the buildings standing. That is called Nepal Stock Market.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office', 'sortorder' => '1466', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1604', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Need To Solve PDA Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard. </div> <div> </div> <div> First, foreign investors want sovereign guarantee from the government due to bad financials of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) which is suffering from the problem of inefficiency and in adequate resource to convince big investors. Sovereign guarantee is a guarantee by the Government that all obligations will be fulfilled if the primary obliger goes into default. NEA is responsible to fulfill all the obligations at present but technically bankrupt NEA cannot convince any investors at present. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors shy away from investing in Nepal until the country introduces a provision that can keep investors in confidence and sovereign guarantee is such a provision.</div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, the government has to take appropriate measures in several other issues to attract more investment in hydro sector. </div> <div> </div> <div> The government should convince foreign investors that they will be protected against foreign exchange risks when repatriating their earnings. It should also clarify its stand on signing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in convertible currency. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors often blame the government for not facilitating in foreign currency exchange process. The process to get permission to repatriate dividend and sales proceeds takes long time, according to investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> Such provision compels investors to face hassles and feel discouraged to invest in the concerned sector. The government has to create comfortable environment to invest in hydro sector without any delay. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another bone of contention between the government and private sector regarding PDA issues is termination payment. Investors say there is no clear provision for termination payment which has created a kind of fear among investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> In case of termination, investors need to be assured that they do not lose money and receive adequate compensation. The government should make payment in the eventuality of termination events. There should be provision of Termination Payment in PDA, so that investors are not in loss, in case they have to terminate the investment due to events beyond their control. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal’s hydro sector can take a big leap forward only when the government is ready to revise all troublesome legal provision on these and other matters.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard.', 'sortorder' => '1465', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1603', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'Non-Tariff Barriers Posing Challenge For SAARC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By R.B. Rauniar </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Global experience shows that non-tariff issues are emerging as major barriers to trade in goods and services across borders. With MFN tariffs coming down, issues of NTBs are gaining importance in South Asia too along with the rest of the world. Whilst SAFTA has made some headway in moving towards duty-free access for tradable goods, NTB issues have tended to remain relatively less addressed within the context of the SAARC.</div> <div> </div> <div> If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed adequately since NTBs pose one of the major challenges for SAARC in context of strengthened regional economic and trade cooperation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Definition of Non-Tariff Measure (NTM)</span></strong></div> <div> Policy measures other than border tariffs that affect trade in goods, services, and factors of production are referred to as Non-tariff measures (NTMs). According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), classification of NTBs falls into six broad categories: </div> <div> 1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Specific Limitations on Trade: Import Licensing requirements, Proportion restrictions of foreign to domestic goods (local content requirements), Minimum import price limits, Embargoes </div> <div> 2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customs and Administrative Entry Procedures: Valuation systems, Anti-dumping practices, Tariff classifications, Documentation requirements, Fees</div> <div> 3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Standards: Standard disparities, Intergovernmental acceptances of testing methods and standards, Packaging, labeling, and marking</div> <div> 4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Government Participation in Trade: Government procurement policies, Export subsidies, countervailing duties, Domestic assistance programs</div> <div> 5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Charges on imports: Prior import deposit subsidies, Administrative fees, Special supplementary duties, Import credit discrimination, Variable levies, Border taxes</div> <div> 6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Others: Voluntary export restraints, Orderly marketing agreements</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Non-Tariff Barriers in SAARC</span></strong></div> <div> Trade officials of South Asian nations often points out non-tariff barriers as the major obstacles in intra-regional trade. Despite tremendous trade potentials within the South Asia region, lack of trade infrastructures, complicated customs procedures and certification on quality of goods have been creating roadblocks in the process of regional trade enhancement. Some of the pertaining issues regarding NTB are lack of border infrastructure and traffic planning, problem of land ports at the border and lack of cross border transport agreements among SAARC countries. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some studies found that a 50 per cent reduction in time of export can generate benefits equivalent to 4 per cent GDP of SA- LDCs. Further, due to lack of through-transport movement, formidable transport inefficiencies exist at the interface.</div> <div> </div> <div> In view of the SAFAS, there is a possibility that NTBs will also emerge with regard to services trade in future:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Thresholds on the total value of service transactions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Restrictions on the number of service operations</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the number of natural persons to be employed in case of supply for a particular service</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Measures which force a service supplier to supply a service through a particular set of legal means</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the percentage share of foreign investment, which may be accounted for by foreign shareholders </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dispute Settlement Mechanism</span></strong></div> <div> The SAFTA Agreement stipulates formation of the Committee of Experts (CoE) to deal with NTB issues. The work of the CoE is carried out in the following manner:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Contracting States notifies the SAARC Secretariat of all non-tariff and para-tariff measures imposed on their exports on an annual basis</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The measures are then reviewed by the CoE, established under Article 10, in its regular meetings, to examine their compatibility with relevant WTO provisions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The CoE then recommends the elimination or implementation of the measure in the least trade restrictive manner in order to facilitate intra- SAARC trade</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Member countries submit their complains in sub-group meetings on non-tariff barriers; responding countries give their responses; a majority of notifications and complaints are being dealt through bilateral negotiations.</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Whilst the SAFTA stipulates that CoE would act as the DSB for the purpose of settling NTB related disputes. In majority of the cases RTAs such as EU and NAFTA tend to follow the WTO DSM mechanism whilst ASEAN’s DSM is somewhat different.</div> <div> </div> <div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Policy Recommendations</strong></span></div> <div> A majority of NTBs and perceived NTBs relate to SPS-TBT, and health-hygiene related standards. Many of these concern national standards. The best way to go forward would be to : </div> <div> a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ensure that these are not country-specific but of general/common nature</div> <div> b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ascertain that whether the requirements are beyond internationally recognised standards e.g. Codex plus; </div> <div> c)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthen national standard setting institutions to meet compliance requirement; </div> <div> d)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthening of technical laboratories, standardisation, testing, quality management, certification authorities and inspection bodies, which ought to be perceived as an investment priority by the SAARC members; </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)</span></strong></div> <div> Developing MRAs is also critically important for delivery of services particularly through Mode 4 (Movement of Natural Persons). Lack of recognition of qualifications, skills, or experience is one of the most common barriers affecting Mode 4 (Chanda 2005). </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, a targeted programme needs to be designed to facilitate cross-border trade through development of border infrastructure, and if required, coordination of infrastructure development at border points;</div> <div> (a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>harmonization of customs rules and regulations, valuations and customs procedures; </div> <div> (b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>building of capacities to deal with the most prevalent SPS-TBT related NTBs at particular border points</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conclusion</span></strong></div> <div> Given the lowering of classical import barriers such as tariffs, non-tariff measures (NTMs) are becoming an increasingly important instrument governments use to safeguard domestic societal concerns. Between January 1995 and October 2011, 10,366 regular and emergency measures had been notified to the WTO. According to WTO, 2010 saw the largest number of notifications in a single year so far, at 1,436. </div> <div> </div> <div> SAARC countries should realize the need of customs reform, improvement of trade infrastructure, removal of visa barrier for business people, simplification in movement of goods as well as vehicles, and improved facilities for warehousing of trade goods to pave the way for greater trade within the region.</div> <div> (Writer is Executive Committee member of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI). He can be contacted at rauniar@mos.com.np)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed.', 'sortorder' => '1464', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1602', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (12-18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel" src="/userfiles/images/Poudel.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 109px;" />Thompson Calls on NC Vice President Poudel</strong></div> <div> Visiting Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director Giles Thompson, who also oversees South Asian Affairs, met Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel on Wednesday at Poudel’s residence in Bohoratar. British Ambassador Andrew James Sparkes was also present in the meeting.</div> <div> According to Poudel’s personal aide Chiranjibi Adhikari, the meeting dwelt upon Nepal’s latest political developments, the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls, ongoing dialogues between poll-opposing parties and the support of the international community for the CA polls, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Ex-IGP Rana Joins RMSP</strong></div> <div> Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday. He had served as IGP from 2057 BS to 2059 BS. Speaking at the programme, Rana informed that he would compete in the upcoming CA elections from constituency No. 4 of Rautahat.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal" src="/userfiles/images/Dahal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 114px;" />‘3 Mistakes’ of Dahal</strong></div> <div> UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has admitted of making three major mistakes after his party joined mainstream politics in 2006. Speaking at an interaction programme in Pokhara on Wednesday, Dahal confessed that refusing to make the late Girija Prasad Koirala President of the country, sacking the then Army Chief Rookmangud Katwal and standing against voting over contentious issues in the dissolved CA were regretful mistakes.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>CPN (UML) Against CA Polls Postponing</strong></div> <div> While CPN-Maoist and some other parties have been demanding postponement of the CA polls, CPN (UML) has said that it stands against such proposal. The Standing Committee meeting of the party held on Tuesday decided to reject the demand for postponement of polls on any pretext.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Tibetan Dies of Self-Immolation</strong></div> <div> A Tibetan refugee has died after setting himself on fire on Tuesday at the premises of Boudhanath Stupa in the Capital. The deceased has been identified as Karma Niydhon Gyaltso, 39, of Dhamsung, Tibet. According to a witness, Gyaltso immolated himself around 7:35 am after he prayed and lighted butter lamps in the Stupa. His burned body was rushed to the Maharajgung-based Teaching Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nine Killed in Separate River Mishaps</strong></div> <div> Seven pilgrims were swept to death in Hatpate-1, Sindhuli while trying to cross the rain-swollen Kamala River last Monday. The pilgrims were crossing the river to reach Madhuganga Temple in Hatpate for paying homage to Lord Shiva. Two other individuals died after their boat capsized in the Saptakosi River on the same day. The boat, headed to Udayapur from Chatara of Sunsari district, capsized mid-river, according to the District Police Office of Sunsari.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Yadav Slams CDC Report</strong></div> <div> Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal Chairperson Upendra Yadav has said his party would not accept the report of Constituency Delineation Commission which recommends keeping 240 constituencies intact. Speaking with newsmen in capital on Friday, Yadav said the report has violated the constitutional provisions. “The report may jeopardize the ongoing dialogues with the High Level Political Committee,” he warned.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday.', 'sortorder' => '1463', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1600', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>EC Urges or a Fearless Environment</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Holding a consultation meeting with the chiefs of security bodies at the EC office on Wednesday, the body urged security chiefs to beef up security in order to ensure a free, fair and fearless election. Election Commissioners, the Home Secretary, the Defense Secretary, IGPs of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and the Chief of the National Investigation Department were present at the meeting. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>EC Rejects Eight Parties’ Registration</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) has rejected to register eight parties for the coming Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for Nov 19.</div> <div> According to the EC, the parties did not meet the conditions set in the Interim Constitution and party registration bylaws. The parties so refused are Nepal Janaloktantra Party, Nepal Republic Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the EC has registered 128 parties, thereby granting them permission to participate in the polls.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1461', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1599', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Dissident Parties In Dialogue With HLPC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls. Following three consecutive invitation letters from the HLPC, the disgruntled parties have finally agreed to sit for the table talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> During the dialogues, the dissident parties have so far presented their charter of demands before the HLPC. The HLPC held dialogues separately with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance and Upendra Yadav-led Federal Democratic Front (FDF) on last Tuesday. The CPN-Maoist led alliance presented an 18-point demand before the HLPC, while FDF put forth six demands during the talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> The 18-point demand includes postponement of scheduled November 19 polls, scrapping 25-point presidential decree and 11-point agreement of parties, dissolution of the HLPC and the present government, formation of a party-led government and holding a Round Table Conference, among others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also the 6 demands of FDF include the dissolution of the HLPC and Khilraj Regmi-led government. The Front has also demanded increasing the number of seats under Proportional Representation system in CA polls and extension of the deadline of voter registration process, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the HLPC also held dialogue with Ashok Rai-led Federal Socialist Party (FSP) on Thursday. The FSP, during the talk, has submitted 5-point demand to HLPC coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Dissolution of the HLPC and formation of all-party mechanism and retaining the strength of earlier CA are the key demands of FSP.</div> <div> </div> <div> The leaders of the HLPC have said that they will sit for the dialogue again with the poll opposing parties after studying and assessing their demands.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1460', '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) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1598', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Koirala Back From India Tour', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday. </div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala had visited India last Sunday upon an invitation from the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at the Tribhuvan International Airport to the media, Koirala claimed his visit to be “highly successful” and that he found leaders and the government of India in favour of a timely conduct of the CA polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala also met with Congress (I) President and Chairperson of the ruling United Party Alliance (UPA) Sonia Gandhi and Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid, among other Indian leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> While receiving Koirala at the 7 Race Course in New Delhi last Monday, PM Singh requested the NC president to take the lead on bringing disgruntled parties on board for the election.</div> <div> </div> <div> UPA chairperson Gandhi also expressed her interest to see multiparty democracy strengthen through the CA polls in Nepal. At a meeting with Gandhi on Tuesday, Koirala extended an invitation to her to visit Nepal. In response, Gandhi said she would visit Nepal </div> <div> after the CA polls. </div> <div> </div> <div> Before returning to Nepal, Koirala also visited Bihar and UP states of India where he met their respective chief ministers and discussed bilateral issue. Drawing UP CM Akhilesh Yadav’s attention towards inundation problems faced by Nepali locals due to the Laxmanpur barrage in Banke district, Koirala requested him to be serious about resolving the issue. Yadav pledged to find amenable solutions soon. </div> <div> </div> <div> The NC general secretary duo Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Situala and Sitaula’s personal aide Laxman Dhakal had accompanied Koirala in his first official trip to India after being elected party president.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday.', 'sortorder' => '1459', '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) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1597', 'article_category_id' => '139', 'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen" src="/userfiles/images/japan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 60px;" />Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen </strong></div> <div> Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances. The country’s outstanding public debt including borrowings reached a record 1,008.6 trillion yen ($10.46 trillion) as of June 30, up 1.7 percent from three months earlier, the finance ministry said. <em>(Bloomberg)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’" src="/userfiles/images/us%20shale.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 66px;" />‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’</strong></div> <div> The rise of North American oil supplies could test the future of OPEC which may have to curb supply to accommodate rising shale oil volumes, a new report has found. The increase in U.S. output is a “defining feature of tomorrow’s market” according to International Energy Agency’s oil market report and could test the producer group’s share of the global oil market. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="China Posts Solid Factory Data" src="/userfiles/images/china%20post.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 67px;" />China Posts Solid Factory Data</strong></div> <div> China’s economy could be stabilising, the latest set of economic figures from the country has suggested. Factory output in July rose 9.7% compared with a year ago, ahead of expectations and up from the previous month’s figure of 8.9%.<em> (BBC)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="Indian Parliament" src="/userfiles/images/indian%20parliament.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 68px;" />Indian Parliament Passes New Companies Bill</strong></div> <div> The Upper house of Indian parliament, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Companies Bill, which seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the companies, encourages self-regulation and makes contribution of 2% of profits toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandatory, among other changes. <em>(The Economic Times)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="US jobless claims at 6-year low " src="/userfiles/images/us%20jobbless.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />US jobless claims at 6-year low </strong></div> <div> Americans who have a job may take comfort in knowing that companies are laying off fewer people than at any time since before the Great Recession. Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits over the past four weeks dropped to a seasonally adjusted 335,500, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since November 2007, which was one month before the recession began. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances.', 'sortorder' => '1458', '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) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1596', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Petro Price Hike To Have Cascade Effect On Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).</div> <div> </div> <div> With the hike, the prices of kerosene and diesel increased by Rs one per litre, whereas the price of petrol rose by Rs two per litre. Similarly, the price of aviation fuel (domestic) has increased by Rs 10 per litre.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price of petrol increased to Rs 125 per litre from Rs 123 per litre previously. Likewise, the prices of diesel and kerosene reached Rs 100 per litre from Rs. 99 per litre previously. The price of aviation fuel had a bigger hike to Rs 130 from Rs 120 per litre previously.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price hike will once again push transportation costs up, which will subsequently have a cascade effect on food prices and other daily commodities, according to economic experts. </div> <div> </div> <div> An increase in the price of diesel — the main transportation fuel — will not only push up the cost of food items, including fruits and vegetables and other perishable items that are moved largely by trucks, but also will increase industrial operating costs.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).', 'sortorder' => '1457', '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) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1595', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Workshop Opens New Doors For Nepal’s Design Industry', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado. According to a press statement by the embassy, for two weeks, 26 students and working professionals participated in the workshop to improve their handicraft product design skills. 'The program is part of a larger initiative to strengthen and diversify Nepal’s handicraft industry so that more Nepali handicrafts can be exported to western markets,' says the statement. The Pokhara-based Hope Initiative, founded by Ms. Conrado, received $73,280 from the US Department of State Innovation Fund to develop and implement this new curriculum on handicraft product design in Nepal.</div> <div> </div> <div> The closing ceremony was a creative culmination of the work of students, who used traditional Nepali techniques in paper-making, silk screening and other fields to create new designs for the handicraft industry. </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado.', 'sortorder' => '1456', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The event was organized by KJIF team formed under KUSOM Placement Cell.The fair was organized to provide a platform for interaction between graduating students of KUSOM seeking placement or internship and the companies looking for management graduates. The participating companies include Beed Management Pvt. Ltd, Bottlers Nepal Ltd., DHL Express Nepal Ltd. Global IME Bank Ltd. Kailash Bikas Bank Ltd., MAW Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., MC Group of Companies, Nabil Bank Ltd., NIC Asia Bank Ltd., NMB Capital Ltd., Surya Nepal, Triveni Byapar Co. Pvt Ltd., Unilever Nepal Ltd and V-Chitra. It has a mix of banks, manufacturing companies, ad agencies, Research agencies and trading companies. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Short story felicitation to Bhattarai</span></strong></div> <div> This year’s ‘short story felicitation’ is being awarded to writer Pushkar Raj Bhattarai by the Short Story Society (SSS). Bhattarai, who is pursuing a research study in short stories, will be awarded on the occasion of ‘National Short Story Day’ celebrated in the 1st week of Bhadra. The award includes a cash prize of five thousand rupees along with a felicitation letter. The Short Story Society will be organising a special programme for the day with the association of Nepal Academy. The National Short Story Day is celebrated on the fifth day of Bhadra each year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Book Collection Movement</span></strong></div> <div> The ‘One Book Movement’ has been initiated with the aim to make children’s literature available to rural children. An organisation named ‘Education Nepal’ is starting the movement from August 12. One hundred and twenty volunteers are collecting books from educational institutes and people’s homes to distribute to children in remote districts. At a press meet, Education Nepal informed that their aim is to collect 100,000 books. According to director Prem Bahadur Bohara, the collected books will be distributed in rural areas to students from class 1 to 10. The organisation had distributed 10,000 books to students in Jajarkot and Dolpa last year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">SLC Supplementary Exams Completed</span></strong></div> <div> The SLC supplementary exams which started in August 4 were completed yesterday. Students who failed in a maximum of two subjects in the SLC exams last year took the exam. Nationwide 111,000 students appeared for the exam. This year, 55,000 students had failed in the Science subject, 50,000 in Mathematics and 31,000 in English.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">2nd ICT Meet-up</span></strong></div> <div> The 2nd KRM Software ICT Meet-Up 2013 took place this Saturday in Kathmandu. The meeting was organised by Prime College and Prime IT Club with a purpose to help students identify best employment opportunities in Information Technology (IT). A large number of IT students and IT institutes were present in the programme. “The programme helps to inform IT students about future opportunities,” Principal of Prime College, Naresh Shrestha, said. The registration fee for the programme was Rs 1, the proceeds of which will be provided to ‘Help Nepal Network’.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Corporate Meet by Nobel Academy</span></strong></div> <div> Nobel Academy, Pokhara organised a meeting with the corporate houses of Pokhara and nearby places last Tuesday. Thirty-five representatives from corporate houses participated in the programme. The programme was organised to develop relationships with corporate houses and to collect suggestions for the human resource needs of corporate houses. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the presence of 14 leading companies, the 4th KUSOM Job and Internship Fair (KJIF) took place on August 8, 2013 in KUSOM premises.', 'sortorder' => '1470', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1608', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Why Should A Humble Leader Be Put At The Helm Of An Organization?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies. Of all the virtues expected of an executive or government official, humility is especially important, yet it largely has been overlooked in the realm of economics. This is probably due to an incomplete or misguided notion of what it means to be humble, why it’s important, and how being modest contributes to the success and reputation of an organization as well as of its leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> In his working paper “Reputacion y Humildad en la Direccion de Empresas (Reputation and Humility in Running a Business),” Professor Antonio Argandona of the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa at the University of Navarra in Spain aims to set the record straight, offering ideas for reflection on this essential virtue. People often think that humility is incompatible with showing the authority necessary in being a leader, Argandona writes. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. A leader who is truly humble, and is perceived as being so by others, ultimately will have far more authority than an arrogant leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> Self-knowledge is the first and foremost expression of humility. People who are humble neither overestimate their virtues nor disparage themselves. Having high self-esteem does not make them pretentious. They constantly evaluate themselves, and realize that they are not infallible. This self-awareness includes recognizing what they owe to others. Humble individuals do not take credit for all of their strengths and achievements. Instead they value and appreciate the help they receive from others. Another quality associated with humility, Argandona writes, is a sense of transcendence, the tendency to act according to an ambitious ideal. That is why being humble also entails being demanding of oneself. Humility often goes hand in hand with other virtues, such as objectivity, simplicity, the desire to learn and patience with others </div> <div> </div> <div> Humble leaders don’t boast about their strengths, but they don’t deny or conceal them either. Nor will they hide their shortcomings, deficiencies and mistakes. They neither seek praise from others nor feel hurt by criticism. They are grateful to discover how others perceive them, since it can raise their self-awareness. When it comes to evaluating others, humble individuals are aware that everyone else is probably better than they are in some way, so they tend to judge others less severely than they would judge themselves. Humble leaders also tend to avoid comparing their qualities, merits, knowledge and achievements with those of others. If forced to do so, they try not to rate themselves as superior. They pass judgment if necessary, but look for the silver lining whenever possible. </div> <div> </div> <div> This openness gives way to additional virtues associated with humility, Argandona writes, such as generosity, respect and a spirit of service. In particular humble leaders acknowledge the merits of their peers. They request, accept and acknowledge their ideas, suggestions and tips. They never are envious of the successes and qualities of others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Why should a humble leader be put at the helm of an organization? </div> <div> </div> <div> For one thing, Argandona writes, they tend to make fewer mistakes. Their natural inclination for introspection and their willingness to accept outside criticism generally give them a good idea of what their limitations and capabilities are. Their interpersonal relationships tend to be more genuine and simple, since they do not crave flattery. They tend to be sincere both in their criticism and in their praise, highlighting the positive aspects of the other person’s behavior without skipping over the negative ones, which can help them improve. They tend to seek collaboration, to offset their shortcomings and to capitalize on the standout qualities of fellow team members, and will likely pay more attention to the common good of the organization than to their own self-interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Acknowledging their limitations drives them toward the active pursuit of excellence. (The New York Times)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies.', 'sortorder' => '1469', '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' => '1607', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Future At Hospitality', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes. Since then, Nepal has acquired a good image in the international market for a degree in hospitality. Being a relatively easy job but with attractive pay, the appeal of the BHM programme continues to grow. Besides, Nepali students are in demand and well-placed too in the international market because of their innate sense of hospitality. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some of the regions where Nepali students are in demand include Arabic countries, Japan, Canada, USA and Europe. “The world of global business and international travels for health and education has kept the hospitality business thriving,” says Principal of International School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Samjhana Basnet. “This sector thus never goes out of business,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> A charming attitude, welcoming gait and loyalty are some of the traits of Nepali students that contribute to their positive image in the international market. Besides, the growth of the hospitality sector here too has kept the popularity of this career line intact. </div> <div> </div> <div> Most Nepali BHM colleges offer foreign internships to their students. As most hotels in Nepal have not collaborated with Nepali colleges, the colleges are obliged to send their students abroad. Besides, Nepali hotels charge for internships while foreign internships offer to pay. Students, anyway, are attracted to a foreign certificate and placement as compared to getting placements in Nepal. The international exposure gained definitely helps to market students better in the hospitality industry here. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hospitality industry in Nepal traces its origin to the times of the Rana rulers who brought cooks and waiters from India to serve guests in their palaces. Workers in the palace picked up their culinary skills, which passed on among people, gradually spreading enough for entrepreneurs to establish their own hotels after the advent of democracy. With Nepal’s leap into tourism development, the hospitality business took upon industrial speed.</div> <div> </div> <div> Realising the scarcity of skilled manpower in the growing industry, the government with the help of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) established an institute called the Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre (HMTTC) in 1972. Later in 1999 when Tribhuwan University included hotel management course under the faculty of management, the HMTTC got converted into a college named Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHAM) - the only public college to run a BHM course. While NATHAM was the first institute to run the BHM course in Nepal, Pokhara University (PU) got its permission to run a BHM programme a little earlier. </div> <div> </div> <div> Lately, BHM studies is a popular choice among students in Nepal. Besides TU and PU, Purwanchal University and Kathmandu University are offering BHM programmes as well and so are various colleges with foreign affiliation. There are currently more than two dozen colleges in Nepal offering BHM courses with total fees ranging from three to five hundred thousand rupees.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes.', 'sortorder' => '1468', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1606', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Cafeteria', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria? It is called the Ghus Khana.</div> <div> -ML</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria?', 'sortorder' => '1467', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1605', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Believe Or Not', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office that would destroy people but leave the buildings standing. That is called Nepal Stock Market.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office', 'sortorder' => '1466', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1604', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Need To Solve PDA Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard. </div> <div> </div> <div> First, foreign investors want sovereign guarantee from the government due to bad financials of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) which is suffering from the problem of inefficiency and in adequate resource to convince big investors. Sovereign guarantee is a guarantee by the Government that all obligations will be fulfilled if the primary obliger goes into default. NEA is responsible to fulfill all the obligations at present but technically bankrupt NEA cannot convince any investors at present. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors shy away from investing in Nepal until the country introduces a provision that can keep investors in confidence and sovereign guarantee is such a provision.</div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, the government has to take appropriate measures in several other issues to attract more investment in hydro sector. </div> <div> </div> <div> The government should convince foreign investors that they will be protected against foreign exchange risks when repatriating their earnings. It should also clarify its stand on signing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in convertible currency. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors often blame the government for not facilitating in foreign currency exchange process. The process to get permission to repatriate dividend and sales proceeds takes long time, according to investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> Such provision compels investors to face hassles and feel discouraged to invest in the concerned sector. The government has to create comfortable environment to invest in hydro sector without any delay. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another bone of contention between the government and private sector regarding PDA issues is termination payment. Investors say there is no clear provision for termination payment which has created a kind of fear among investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> In case of termination, investors need to be assured that they do not lose money and receive adequate compensation. The government should make payment in the eventuality of termination events. There should be provision of Termination Payment in PDA, so that investors are not in loss, in case they have to terminate the investment due to events beyond their control. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal’s hydro sector can take a big leap forward only when the government is ready to revise all troublesome legal provision on these and other matters.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard.', 'sortorder' => '1465', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1603', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'Non-Tariff Barriers Posing Challenge For SAARC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By R.B. Rauniar </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Global experience shows that non-tariff issues are emerging as major barriers to trade in goods and services across borders. With MFN tariffs coming down, issues of NTBs are gaining importance in South Asia too along with the rest of the world. Whilst SAFTA has made some headway in moving towards duty-free access for tradable goods, NTB issues have tended to remain relatively less addressed within the context of the SAARC.</div> <div> </div> <div> If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed adequately since NTBs pose one of the major challenges for SAARC in context of strengthened regional economic and trade cooperation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Definition of Non-Tariff Measure (NTM)</span></strong></div> <div> Policy measures other than border tariffs that affect trade in goods, services, and factors of production are referred to as Non-tariff measures (NTMs). According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), classification of NTBs falls into six broad categories: </div> <div> 1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Specific Limitations on Trade: Import Licensing requirements, Proportion restrictions of foreign to domestic goods (local content requirements), Minimum import price limits, Embargoes </div> <div> 2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customs and Administrative Entry Procedures: Valuation systems, Anti-dumping practices, Tariff classifications, Documentation requirements, Fees</div> <div> 3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Standards: Standard disparities, Intergovernmental acceptances of testing methods and standards, Packaging, labeling, and marking</div> <div> 4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Government Participation in Trade: Government procurement policies, Export subsidies, countervailing duties, Domestic assistance programs</div> <div> 5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Charges on imports: Prior import deposit subsidies, Administrative fees, Special supplementary duties, Import credit discrimination, Variable levies, Border taxes</div> <div> 6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Others: Voluntary export restraints, Orderly marketing agreements</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Non-Tariff Barriers in SAARC</span></strong></div> <div> Trade officials of South Asian nations often points out non-tariff barriers as the major obstacles in intra-regional trade. Despite tremendous trade potentials within the South Asia region, lack of trade infrastructures, complicated customs procedures and certification on quality of goods have been creating roadblocks in the process of regional trade enhancement. Some of the pertaining issues regarding NTB are lack of border infrastructure and traffic planning, problem of land ports at the border and lack of cross border transport agreements among SAARC countries. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some studies found that a 50 per cent reduction in time of export can generate benefits equivalent to 4 per cent GDP of SA- LDCs. Further, due to lack of through-transport movement, formidable transport inefficiencies exist at the interface.</div> <div> </div> <div> In view of the SAFAS, there is a possibility that NTBs will also emerge with regard to services trade in future:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Thresholds on the total value of service transactions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Restrictions on the number of service operations</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the number of natural persons to be employed in case of supply for a particular service</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Measures which force a service supplier to supply a service through a particular set of legal means</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the percentage share of foreign investment, which may be accounted for by foreign shareholders </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dispute Settlement Mechanism</span></strong></div> <div> The SAFTA Agreement stipulates formation of the Committee of Experts (CoE) to deal with NTB issues. The work of the CoE is carried out in the following manner:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Contracting States notifies the SAARC Secretariat of all non-tariff and para-tariff measures imposed on their exports on an annual basis</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The measures are then reviewed by the CoE, established under Article 10, in its regular meetings, to examine their compatibility with relevant WTO provisions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The CoE then recommends the elimination or implementation of the measure in the least trade restrictive manner in order to facilitate intra- SAARC trade</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Member countries submit their complains in sub-group meetings on non-tariff barriers; responding countries give their responses; a majority of notifications and complaints are being dealt through bilateral negotiations.</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Whilst the SAFTA stipulates that CoE would act as the DSB for the purpose of settling NTB related disputes. In majority of the cases RTAs such as EU and NAFTA tend to follow the WTO DSM mechanism whilst ASEAN’s DSM is somewhat different.</div> <div> </div> <div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Policy Recommendations</strong></span></div> <div> A majority of NTBs and perceived NTBs relate to SPS-TBT, and health-hygiene related standards. Many of these concern national standards. The best way to go forward would be to : </div> <div> a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ensure that these are not country-specific but of general/common nature</div> <div> b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ascertain that whether the requirements are beyond internationally recognised standards e.g. Codex plus; </div> <div> c)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthen national standard setting institutions to meet compliance requirement; </div> <div> d)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthening of technical laboratories, standardisation, testing, quality management, certification authorities and inspection bodies, which ought to be perceived as an investment priority by the SAARC members; </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)</span></strong></div> <div> Developing MRAs is also critically important for delivery of services particularly through Mode 4 (Movement of Natural Persons). Lack of recognition of qualifications, skills, or experience is one of the most common barriers affecting Mode 4 (Chanda 2005). </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, a targeted programme needs to be designed to facilitate cross-border trade through development of border infrastructure, and if required, coordination of infrastructure development at border points;</div> <div> (a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>harmonization of customs rules and regulations, valuations and customs procedures; </div> <div> (b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>building of capacities to deal with the most prevalent SPS-TBT related NTBs at particular border points</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conclusion</span></strong></div> <div> Given the lowering of classical import barriers such as tariffs, non-tariff measures (NTMs) are becoming an increasingly important instrument governments use to safeguard domestic societal concerns. Between January 1995 and October 2011, 10,366 regular and emergency measures had been notified to the WTO. According to WTO, 2010 saw the largest number of notifications in a single year so far, at 1,436. </div> <div> </div> <div> SAARC countries should realize the need of customs reform, improvement of trade infrastructure, removal of visa barrier for business people, simplification in movement of goods as well as vehicles, and improved facilities for warehousing of trade goods to pave the way for greater trade within the region.</div> <div> (Writer is Executive Committee member of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI). He can be contacted at rauniar@mos.com.np)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed.', 'sortorder' => '1464', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1602', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (12-18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel" src="/userfiles/images/Poudel.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 109px;" />Thompson Calls on NC Vice President Poudel</strong></div> <div> Visiting Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director Giles Thompson, who also oversees South Asian Affairs, met Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel on Wednesday at Poudel’s residence in Bohoratar. British Ambassador Andrew James Sparkes was also present in the meeting.</div> <div> According to Poudel’s personal aide Chiranjibi Adhikari, the meeting dwelt upon Nepal’s latest political developments, the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls, ongoing dialogues between poll-opposing parties and the support of the international community for the CA polls, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Ex-IGP Rana Joins RMSP</strong></div> <div> Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday. He had served as IGP from 2057 BS to 2059 BS. Speaking at the programme, Rana informed that he would compete in the upcoming CA elections from constituency No. 4 of Rautahat.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal" src="/userfiles/images/Dahal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 114px;" />‘3 Mistakes’ of Dahal</strong></div> <div> UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has admitted of making three major mistakes after his party joined mainstream politics in 2006. Speaking at an interaction programme in Pokhara on Wednesday, Dahal confessed that refusing to make the late Girija Prasad Koirala President of the country, sacking the then Army Chief Rookmangud Katwal and standing against voting over contentious issues in the dissolved CA were regretful mistakes.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>CPN (UML) Against CA Polls Postponing</strong></div> <div> While CPN-Maoist and some other parties have been demanding postponement of the CA polls, CPN (UML) has said that it stands against such proposal. The Standing Committee meeting of the party held on Tuesday decided to reject the demand for postponement of polls on any pretext.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Tibetan Dies of Self-Immolation</strong></div> <div> A Tibetan refugee has died after setting himself on fire on Tuesday at the premises of Boudhanath Stupa in the Capital. The deceased has been identified as Karma Niydhon Gyaltso, 39, of Dhamsung, Tibet. According to a witness, Gyaltso immolated himself around 7:35 am after he prayed and lighted butter lamps in the Stupa. His burned body was rushed to the Maharajgung-based Teaching Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nine Killed in Separate River Mishaps</strong></div> <div> Seven pilgrims were swept to death in Hatpate-1, Sindhuli while trying to cross the rain-swollen Kamala River last Monday. The pilgrims were crossing the river to reach Madhuganga Temple in Hatpate for paying homage to Lord Shiva. Two other individuals died after their boat capsized in the Saptakosi River on the same day. The boat, headed to Udayapur from Chatara of Sunsari district, capsized mid-river, according to the District Police Office of Sunsari.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Yadav Slams CDC Report</strong></div> <div> Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal Chairperson Upendra Yadav has said his party would not accept the report of Constituency Delineation Commission which recommends keeping 240 constituencies intact. Speaking with newsmen in capital on Friday, Yadav said the report has violated the constitutional provisions. “The report may jeopardize the ongoing dialogues with the High Level Political Committee,” he warned.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday.', 'sortorder' => '1463', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1600', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>EC Urges or a Fearless Environment</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Holding a consultation meeting with the chiefs of security bodies at the EC office on Wednesday, the body urged security chiefs to beef up security in order to ensure a free, fair and fearless election. Election Commissioners, the Home Secretary, the Defense Secretary, IGPs of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and the Chief of the National Investigation Department were present at the meeting. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>EC Rejects Eight Parties’ Registration</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) has rejected to register eight parties for the coming Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for Nov 19.</div> <div> According to the EC, the parties did not meet the conditions set in the Interim Constitution and party registration bylaws. The parties so refused are Nepal Janaloktantra Party, Nepal Republic Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the EC has registered 128 parties, thereby granting them permission to participate in the polls.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1461', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1599', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Dissident Parties In Dialogue With HLPC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls. Following three consecutive invitation letters from the HLPC, the disgruntled parties have finally agreed to sit for the table talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> During the dialogues, the dissident parties have so far presented their charter of demands before the HLPC. The HLPC held dialogues separately with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance and Upendra Yadav-led Federal Democratic Front (FDF) on last Tuesday. The CPN-Maoist led alliance presented an 18-point demand before the HLPC, while FDF put forth six demands during the talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> The 18-point demand includes postponement of scheduled November 19 polls, scrapping 25-point presidential decree and 11-point agreement of parties, dissolution of the HLPC and the present government, formation of a party-led government and holding a Round Table Conference, among others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also the 6 demands of FDF include the dissolution of the HLPC and Khilraj Regmi-led government. The Front has also demanded increasing the number of seats under Proportional Representation system in CA polls and extension of the deadline of voter registration process, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the HLPC also held dialogue with Ashok Rai-led Federal Socialist Party (FSP) on Thursday. The FSP, during the talk, has submitted 5-point demand to HLPC coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Dissolution of the HLPC and formation of all-party mechanism and retaining the strength of earlier CA are the key demands of FSP.</div> <div> </div> <div> The leaders of the HLPC have said that they will sit for the dialogue again with the poll opposing parties after studying and assessing their demands.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1460', '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) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1598', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Koirala Back From India Tour', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday. </div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala had visited India last Sunday upon an invitation from the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at the Tribhuvan International Airport to the media, Koirala claimed his visit to be “highly successful” and that he found leaders and the government of India in favour of a timely conduct of the CA polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala also met with Congress (I) President and Chairperson of the ruling United Party Alliance (UPA) Sonia Gandhi and Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid, among other Indian leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> While receiving Koirala at the 7 Race Course in New Delhi last Monday, PM Singh requested the NC president to take the lead on bringing disgruntled parties on board for the election.</div> <div> </div> <div> UPA chairperson Gandhi also expressed her interest to see multiparty democracy strengthen through the CA polls in Nepal. At a meeting with Gandhi on Tuesday, Koirala extended an invitation to her to visit Nepal. In response, Gandhi said she would visit Nepal </div> <div> after the CA polls. </div> <div> </div> <div> Before returning to Nepal, Koirala also visited Bihar and UP states of India where he met their respective chief ministers and discussed bilateral issue. Drawing UP CM Akhilesh Yadav’s attention towards inundation problems faced by Nepali locals due to the Laxmanpur barrage in Banke district, Koirala requested him to be serious about resolving the issue. Yadav pledged to find amenable solutions soon. </div> <div> </div> <div> The NC general secretary duo Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Situala and Sitaula’s personal aide Laxman Dhakal had accompanied Koirala in his first official trip to India after being elected party president.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday.', 'sortorder' => '1459', '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) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1597', 'article_category_id' => '139', 'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen" src="/userfiles/images/japan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 60px;" />Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen </strong></div> <div> Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances. The country’s outstanding public debt including borrowings reached a record 1,008.6 trillion yen ($10.46 trillion) as of June 30, up 1.7 percent from three months earlier, the finance ministry said. <em>(Bloomberg)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’" src="/userfiles/images/us%20shale.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 66px;" />‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’</strong></div> <div> The rise of North American oil supplies could test the future of OPEC which may have to curb supply to accommodate rising shale oil volumes, a new report has found. The increase in U.S. output is a “defining feature of tomorrow’s market” according to International Energy Agency’s oil market report and could test the producer group’s share of the global oil market. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="China Posts Solid Factory Data" src="/userfiles/images/china%20post.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 67px;" />China Posts Solid Factory Data</strong></div> <div> China’s economy could be stabilising, the latest set of economic figures from the country has suggested. Factory output in July rose 9.7% compared with a year ago, ahead of expectations and up from the previous month’s figure of 8.9%.<em> (BBC)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="Indian Parliament" src="/userfiles/images/indian%20parliament.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 68px;" />Indian Parliament Passes New Companies Bill</strong></div> <div> The Upper house of Indian parliament, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Companies Bill, which seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the companies, encourages self-regulation and makes contribution of 2% of profits toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandatory, among other changes. <em>(The Economic Times)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="US jobless claims at 6-year low " src="/userfiles/images/us%20jobbless.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />US jobless claims at 6-year low </strong></div> <div> Americans who have a job may take comfort in knowing that companies are laying off fewer people than at any time since before the Great Recession. Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits over the past four weeks dropped to a seasonally adjusted 335,500, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since November 2007, which was one month before the recession began. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances.', 'sortorder' => '1458', '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) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1596', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Petro Price Hike To Have Cascade Effect On Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).</div> <div> </div> <div> With the hike, the prices of kerosene and diesel increased by Rs one per litre, whereas the price of petrol rose by Rs two per litre. Similarly, the price of aviation fuel (domestic) has increased by Rs 10 per litre.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price of petrol increased to Rs 125 per litre from Rs 123 per litre previously. Likewise, the prices of diesel and kerosene reached Rs 100 per litre from Rs. 99 per litre previously. The price of aviation fuel had a bigger hike to Rs 130 from Rs 120 per litre previously.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price hike will once again push transportation costs up, which will subsequently have a cascade effect on food prices and other daily commodities, according to economic experts. </div> <div> </div> <div> An increase in the price of diesel — the main transportation fuel — will not only push up the cost of food items, including fruits and vegetables and other perishable items that are moved largely by trucks, but also will increase industrial operating costs.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).', 'sortorder' => '1457', '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) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1595', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Workshop Opens New Doors For Nepal’s Design Industry', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado. According to a press statement by the embassy, for two weeks, 26 students and working professionals participated in the workshop to improve their handicraft product design skills. 'The program is part of a larger initiative to strengthen and diversify Nepal’s handicraft industry so that more Nepali handicrafts can be exported to western markets,' says the statement. The Pokhara-based Hope Initiative, founded by Ms. Conrado, received $73,280 from the US Department of State Innovation Fund to develop and implement this new curriculum on handicraft product design in Nepal.</div> <div> </div> <div> The closing ceremony was a creative culmination of the work of students, who used traditional Nepali techniques in paper-making, silk screening and other fields to create new designs for the handicraft industry. </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado.', 'sortorder' => '1456', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The event was organized by KJIF team formed under KUSOM Placement Cell.The fair was organized to provide a platform for interaction between graduating students of KUSOM seeking placement or internship and the companies looking for management graduates. The participating companies include Beed Management Pvt. Ltd, Bottlers Nepal Ltd., DHL Express Nepal Ltd. Global IME Bank Ltd. Kailash Bikas Bank Ltd., MAW Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., MC Group of Companies, Nabil Bank Ltd., NIC Asia Bank Ltd., NMB Capital Ltd., Surya Nepal, Triveni Byapar Co. Pvt Ltd., Unilever Nepal Ltd and V-Chitra. It has a mix of banks, manufacturing companies, ad agencies, Research agencies and trading companies. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Short story felicitation to Bhattarai</span></strong></div> <div> This year’s ‘short story felicitation’ is being awarded to writer Pushkar Raj Bhattarai by the Short Story Society (SSS). Bhattarai, who is pursuing a research study in short stories, will be awarded on the occasion of ‘National Short Story Day’ celebrated in the 1st week of Bhadra. The award includes a cash prize of five thousand rupees along with a felicitation letter. The Short Story Society will be organising a special programme for the day with the association of Nepal Academy. The National Short Story Day is celebrated on the fifth day of Bhadra each year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Book Collection Movement</span></strong></div> <div> The ‘One Book Movement’ has been initiated with the aim to make children’s literature available to rural children. An organisation named ‘Education Nepal’ is starting the movement from August 12. One hundred and twenty volunteers are collecting books from educational institutes and people’s homes to distribute to children in remote districts. At a press meet, Education Nepal informed that their aim is to collect 100,000 books. According to director Prem Bahadur Bohara, the collected books will be distributed in rural areas to students from class 1 to 10. The organisation had distributed 10,000 books to students in Jajarkot and Dolpa last year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">SLC Supplementary Exams Completed</span></strong></div> <div> The SLC supplementary exams which started in August 4 were completed yesterday. Students who failed in a maximum of two subjects in the SLC exams last year took the exam. Nationwide 111,000 students appeared for the exam. This year, 55,000 students had failed in the Science subject, 50,000 in Mathematics and 31,000 in English.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">2nd ICT Meet-up</span></strong></div> <div> The 2nd KRM Software ICT Meet-Up 2013 took place this Saturday in Kathmandu. The meeting was organised by Prime College and Prime IT Club with a purpose to help students identify best employment opportunities in Information Technology (IT). A large number of IT students and IT institutes were present in the programme. “The programme helps to inform IT students about future opportunities,” Principal of Prime College, Naresh Shrestha, said. The registration fee for the programme was Rs 1, the proceeds of which will be provided to ‘Help Nepal Network’.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Corporate Meet by Nobel Academy</span></strong></div> <div> Nobel Academy, Pokhara organised a meeting with the corporate houses of Pokhara and nearby places last Tuesday. Thirty-five representatives from corporate houses participated in the programme. The programme was organised to develop relationships with corporate houses and to collect suggestions for the human resource needs of corporate houses. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the presence of 14 leading companies, the 4th KUSOM Job and Internship Fair (KJIF) took place on August 8, 2013 in KUSOM premises.', 'sortorder' => '1470', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1608', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Why Should A Humble Leader Be Put At The Helm Of An Organization?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies. Of all the virtues expected of an executive or government official, humility is especially important, yet it largely has been overlooked in the realm of economics. This is probably due to an incomplete or misguided notion of what it means to be humble, why it’s important, and how being modest contributes to the success and reputation of an organization as well as of its leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> In his working paper “Reputacion y Humildad en la Direccion de Empresas (Reputation and Humility in Running a Business),” Professor Antonio Argandona of the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa at the University of Navarra in Spain aims to set the record straight, offering ideas for reflection on this essential virtue. People often think that humility is incompatible with showing the authority necessary in being a leader, Argandona writes. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. A leader who is truly humble, and is perceived as being so by others, ultimately will have far more authority than an arrogant leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> Self-knowledge is the first and foremost expression of humility. People who are humble neither overestimate their virtues nor disparage themselves. Having high self-esteem does not make them pretentious. They constantly evaluate themselves, and realize that they are not infallible. This self-awareness includes recognizing what they owe to others. Humble individuals do not take credit for all of their strengths and achievements. Instead they value and appreciate the help they receive from others. Another quality associated with humility, Argandona writes, is a sense of transcendence, the tendency to act according to an ambitious ideal. That is why being humble also entails being demanding of oneself. Humility often goes hand in hand with other virtues, such as objectivity, simplicity, the desire to learn and patience with others </div> <div> </div> <div> Humble leaders don’t boast about their strengths, but they don’t deny or conceal them either. Nor will they hide their shortcomings, deficiencies and mistakes. They neither seek praise from others nor feel hurt by criticism. They are grateful to discover how others perceive them, since it can raise their self-awareness. When it comes to evaluating others, humble individuals are aware that everyone else is probably better than they are in some way, so they tend to judge others less severely than they would judge themselves. Humble leaders also tend to avoid comparing their qualities, merits, knowledge and achievements with those of others. If forced to do so, they try not to rate themselves as superior. They pass judgment if necessary, but look for the silver lining whenever possible. </div> <div> </div> <div> This openness gives way to additional virtues associated with humility, Argandona writes, such as generosity, respect and a spirit of service. In particular humble leaders acknowledge the merits of their peers. They request, accept and acknowledge their ideas, suggestions and tips. They never are envious of the successes and qualities of others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Why should a humble leader be put at the helm of an organization? </div> <div> </div> <div> For one thing, Argandona writes, they tend to make fewer mistakes. Their natural inclination for introspection and their willingness to accept outside criticism generally give them a good idea of what their limitations and capabilities are. Their interpersonal relationships tend to be more genuine and simple, since they do not crave flattery. They tend to be sincere both in their criticism and in their praise, highlighting the positive aspects of the other person’s behavior without skipping over the negative ones, which can help them improve. They tend to seek collaboration, to offset their shortcomings and to capitalize on the standout qualities of fellow team members, and will likely pay more attention to the common good of the organization than to their own self-interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Acknowledging their limitations drives them toward the active pursuit of excellence. (The New York Times)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies.', 'sortorder' => '1469', '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' => '1607', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Future At Hospitality', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes. Since then, Nepal has acquired a good image in the international market for a degree in hospitality. Being a relatively easy job but with attractive pay, the appeal of the BHM programme continues to grow. Besides, Nepali students are in demand and well-placed too in the international market because of their innate sense of hospitality. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some of the regions where Nepali students are in demand include Arabic countries, Japan, Canada, USA and Europe. “The world of global business and international travels for health and education has kept the hospitality business thriving,” says Principal of International School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Samjhana Basnet. “This sector thus never goes out of business,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> A charming attitude, welcoming gait and loyalty are some of the traits of Nepali students that contribute to their positive image in the international market. Besides, the growth of the hospitality sector here too has kept the popularity of this career line intact. </div> <div> </div> <div> Most Nepali BHM colleges offer foreign internships to their students. As most hotels in Nepal have not collaborated with Nepali colleges, the colleges are obliged to send their students abroad. Besides, Nepali hotels charge for internships while foreign internships offer to pay. Students, anyway, are attracted to a foreign certificate and placement as compared to getting placements in Nepal. The international exposure gained definitely helps to market students better in the hospitality industry here. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hospitality industry in Nepal traces its origin to the times of the Rana rulers who brought cooks and waiters from India to serve guests in their palaces. Workers in the palace picked up their culinary skills, which passed on among people, gradually spreading enough for entrepreneurs to establish their own hotels after the advent of democracy. With Nepal’s leap into tourism development, the hospitality business took upon industrial speed.</div> <div> </div> <div> Realising the scarcity of skilled manpower in the growing industry, the government with the help of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) established an institute called the Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre (HMTTC) in 1972. Later in 1999 when Tribhuwan University included hotel management course under the faculty of management, the HMTTC got converted into a college named Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHAM) - the only public college to run a BHM course. While NATHAM was the first institute to run the BHM course in Nepal, Pokhara University (PU) got its permission to run a BHM programme a little earlier. </div> <div> </div> <div> Lately, BHM studies is a popular choice among students in Nepal. Besides TU and PU, Purwanchal University and Kathmandu University are offering BHM programmes as well and so are various colleges with foreign affiliation. There are currently more than two dozen colleges in Nepal offering BHM courses with total fees ranging from three to five hundred thousand rupees.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes.', 'sortorder' => '1468', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1606', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Cafeteria', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria? It is called the Ghus Khana.</div> <div> -ML</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria?', 'sortorder' => '1467', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1605', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Believe Or Not', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office that would destroy people but leave the buildings standing. That is called Nepal Stock Market.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office', 'sortorder' => '1466', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1604', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Need To Solve PDA Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard. </div> <div> </div> <div> First, foreign investors want sovereign guarantee from the government due to bad financials of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) which is suffering from the problem of inefficiency and in adequate resource to convince big investors. Sovereign guarantee is a guarantee by the Government that all obligations will be fulfilled if the primary obliger goes into default. NEA is responsible to fulfill all the obligations at present but technically bankrupt NEA cannot convince any investors at present. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors shy away from investing in Nepal until the country introduces a provision that can keep investors in confidence and sovereign guarantee is such a provision.</div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, the government has to take appropriate measures in several other issues to attract more investment in hydro sector. </div> <div> </div> <div> The government should convince foreign investors that they will be protected against foreign exchange risks when repatriating their earnings. It should also clarify its stand on signing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in convertible currency. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors often blame the government for not facilitating in foreign currency exchange process. The process to get permission to repatriate dividend and sales proceeds takes long time, according to investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> Such provision compels investors to face hassles and feel discouraged to invest in the concerned sector. The government has to create comfortable environment to invest in hydro sector without any delay. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another bone of contention between the government and private sector regarding PDA issues is termination payment. Investors say there is no clear provision for termination payment which has created a kind of fear among investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> In case of termination, investors need to be assured that they do not lose money and receive adequate compensation. The government should make payment in the eventuality of termination events. There should be provision of Termination Payment in PDA, so that investors are not in loss, in case they have to terminate the investment due to events beyond their control. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal’s hydro sector can take a big leap forward only when the government is ready to revise all troublesome legal provision on these and other matters.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard.', 'sortorder' => '1465', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1603', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'Non-Tariff Barriers Posing Challenge For SAARC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By R.B. Rauniar </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Global experience shows that non-tariff issues are emerging as major barriers to trade in goods and services across borders. With MFN tariffs coming down, issues of NTBs are gaining importance in South Asia too along with the rest of the world. Whilst SAFTA has made some headway in moving towards duty-free access for tradable goods, NTB issues have tended to remain relatively less addressed within the context of the SAARC.</div> <div> </div> <div> If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed adequately since NTBs pose one of the major challenges for SAARC in context of strengthened regional economic and trade cooperation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Definition of Non-Tariff Measure (NTM)</span></strong></div> <div> Policy measures other than border tariffs that affect trade in goods, services, and factors of production are referred to as Non-tariff measures (NTMs). According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), classification of NTBs falls into six broad categories: </div> <div> 1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Specific Limitations on Trade: Import Licensing requirements, Proportion restrictions of foreign to domestic goods (local content requirements), Minimum import price limits, Embargoes </div> <div> 2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customs and Administrative Entry Procedures: Valuation systems, Anti-dumping practices, Tariff classifications, Documentation requirements, Fees</div> <div> 3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Standards: Standard disparities, Intergovernmental acceptances of testing methods and standards, Packaging, labeling, and marking</div> <div> 4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Government Participation in Trade: Government procurement policies, Export subsidies, countervailing duties, Domestic assistance programs</div> <div> 5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Charges on imports: Prior import deposit subsidies, Administrative fees, Special supplementary duties, Import credit discrimination, Variable levies, Border taxes</div> <div> 6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Others: Voluntary export restraints, Orderly marketing agreements</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Non-Tariff Barriers in SAARC</span></strong></div> <div> Trade officials of South Asian nations often points out non-tariff barriers as the major obstacles in intra-regional trade. Despite tremendous trade potentials within the South Asia region, lack of trade infrastructures, complicated customs procedures and certification on quality of goods have been creating roadblocks in the process of regional trade enhancement. Some of the pertaining issues regarding NTB are lack of border infrastructure and traffic planning, problem of land ports at the border and lack of cross border transport agreements among SAARC countries. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some studies found that a 50 per cent reduction in time of export can generate benefits equivalent to 4 per cent GDP of SA- LDCs. Further, due to lack of through-transport movement, formidable transport inefficiencies exist at the interface.</div> <div> </div> <div> In view of the SAFAS, there is a possibility that NTBs will also emerge with regard to services trade in future:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Thresholds on the total value of service transactions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Restrictions on the number of service operations</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the number of natural persons to be employed in case of supply for a particular service</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Measures which force a service supplier to supply a service through a particular set of legal means</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the percentage share of foreign investment, which may be accounted for by foreign shareholders </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dispute Settlement Mechanism</span></strong></div> <div> The SAFTA Agreement stipulates formation of the Committee of Experts (CoE) to deal with NTB issues. The work of the CoE is carried out in the following manner:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Contracting States notifies the SAARC Secretariat of all non-tariff and para-tariff measures imposed on their exports on an annual basis</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The measures are then reviewed by the CoE, established under Article 10, in its regular meetings, to examine their compatibility with relevant WTO provisions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The CoE then recommends the elimination or implementation of the measure in the least trade restrictive manner in order to facilitate intra- SAARC trade</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Member countries submit their complains in sub-group meetings on non-tariff barriers; responding countries give their responses; a majority of notifications and complaints are being dealt through bilateral negotiations.</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Whilst the SAFTA stipulates that CoE would act as the DSB for the purpose of settling NTB related disputes. In majority of the cases RTAs such as EU and NAFTA tend to follow the WTO DSM mechanism whilst ASEAN’s DSM is somewhat different.</div> <div> </div> <div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Policy Recommendations</strong></span></div> <div> A majority of NTBs and perceived NTBs relate to SPS-TBT, and health-hygiene related standards. Many of these concern national standards. The best way to go forward would be to : </div> <div> a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ensure that these are not country-specific but of general/common nature</div> <div> b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ascertain that whether the requirements are beyond internationally recognised standards e.g. Codex plus; </div> <div> c)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthen national standard setting institutions to meet compliance requirement; </div> <div> d)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthening of technical laboratories, standardisation, testing, quality management, certification authorities and inspection bodies, which ought to be perceived as an investment priority by the SAARC members; </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)</span></strong></div> <div> Developing MRAs is also critically important for delivery of services particularly through Mode 4 (Movement of Natural Persons). Lack of recognition of qualifications, skills, or experience is one of the most common barriers affecting Mode 4 (Chanda 2005). </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, a targeted programme needs to be designed to facilitate cross-border trade through development of border infrastructure, and if required, coordination of infrastructure development at border points;</div> <div> (a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>harmonization of customs rules and regulations, valuations and customs procedures; </div> <div> (b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>building of capacities to deal with the most prevalent SPS-TBT related NTBs at particular border points</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conclusion</span></strong></div> <div> Given the lowering of classical import barriers such as tariffs, non-tariff measures (NTMs) are becoming an increasingly important instrument governments use to safeguard domestic societal concerns. Between January 1995 and October 2011, 10,366 regular and emergency measures had been notified to the WTO. According to WTO, 2010 saw the largest number of notifications in a single year so far, at 1,436. </div> <div> </div> <div> SAARC countries should realize the need of customs reform, improvement of trade infrastructure, removal of visa barrier for business people, simplification in movement of goods as well as vehicles, and improved facilities for warehousing of trade goods to pave the way for greater trade within the region.</div> <div> (Writer is Executive Committee member of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI). He can be contacted at rauniar@mos.com.np)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed.', 'sortorder' => '1464', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1602', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (12-18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel" src="/userfiles/images/Poudel.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 109px;" />Thompson Calls on NC Vice President Poudel</strong></div> <div> Visiting Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director Giles Thompson, who also oversees South Asian Affairs, met Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel on Wednesday at Poudel’s residence in Bohoratar. British Ambassador Andrew James Sparkes was also present in the meeting.</div> <div> According to Poudel’s personal aide Chiranjibi Adhikari, the meeting dwelt upon Nepal’s latest political developments, the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls, ongoing dialogues between poll-opposing parties and the support of the international community for the CA polls, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Ex-IGP Rana Joins RMSP</strong></div> <div> Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday. He had served as IGP from 2057 BS to 2059 BS. Speaking at the programme, Rana informed that he would compete in the upcoming CA elections from constituency No. 4 of Rautahat.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal" src="/userfiles/images/Dahal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 114px;" />‘3 Mistakes’ of Dahal</strong></div> <div> UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has admitted of making three major mistakes after his party joined mainstream politics in 2006. Speaking at an interaction programme in Pokhara on Wednesday, Dahal confessed that refusing to make the late Girija Prasad Koirala President of the country, sacking the then Army Chief Rookmangud Katwal and standing against voting over contentious issues in the dissolved CA were regretful mistakes.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>CPN (UML) Against CA Polls Postponing</strong></div> <div> While CPN-Maoist and some other parties have been demanding postponement of the CA polls, CPN (UML) has said that it stands against such proposal. The Standing Committee meeting of the party held on Tuesday decided to reject the demand for postponement of polls on any pretext.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Tibetan Dies of Self-Immolation</strong></div> <div> A Tibetan refugee has died after setting himself on fire on Tuesday at the premises of Boudhanath Stupa in the Capital. The deceased has been identified as Karma Niydhon Gyaltso, 39, of Dhamsung, Tibet. According to a witness, Gyaltso immolated himself around 7:35 am after he prayed and lighted butter lamps in the Stupa. His burned body was rushed to the Maharajgung-based Teaching Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nine Killed in Separate River Mishaps</strong></div> <div> Seven pilgrims were swept to death in Hatpate-1, Sindhuli while trying to cross the rain-swollen Kamala River last Monday. The pilgrims were crossing the river to reach Madhuganga Temple in Hatpate for paying homage to Lord Shiva. Two other individuals died after their boat capsized in the Saptakosi River on the same day. The boat, headed to Udayapur from Chatara of Sunsari district, capsized mid-river, according to the District Police Office of Sunsari.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Yadav Slams CDC Report</strong></div> <div> Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal Chairperson Upendra Yadav has said his party would not accept the report of Constituency Delineation Commission which recommends keeping 240 constituencies intact. Speaking with newsmen in capital on Friday, Yadav said the report has violated the constitutional provisions. “The report may jeopardize the ongoing dialogues with the High Level Political Committee,” he warned.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday.', 'sortorder' => '1463', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1600', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>EC Urges or a Fearless Environment</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Holding a consultation meeting with the chiefs of security bodies at the EC office on Wednesday, the body urged security chiefs to beef up security in order to ensure a free, fair and fearless election. Election Commissioners, the Home Secretary, the Defense Secretary, IGPs of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and the Chief of the National Investigation Department were present at the meeting. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>EC Rejects Eight Parties’ Registration</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) has rejected to register eight parties for the coming Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for Nov 19.</div> <div> According to the EC, the parties did not meet the conditions set in the Interim Constitution and party registration bylaws. The parties so refused are Nepal Janaloktantra Party, Nepal Republic Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the EC has registered 128 parties, thereby granting them permission to participate in the polls.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1461', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1599', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Dissident Parties In Dialogue With HLPC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls. Following three consecutive invitation letters from the HLPC, the disgruntled parties have finally agreed to sit for the table talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> During the dialogues, the dissident parties have so far presented their charter of demands before the HLPC. The HLPC held dialogues separately with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance and Upendra Yadav-led Federal Democratic Front (FDF) on last Tuesday. The CPN-Maoist led alliance presented an 18-point demand before the HLPC, while FDF put forth six demands during the talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> The 18-point demand includes postponement of scheduled November 19 polls, scrapping 25-point presidential decree and 11-point agreement of parties, dissolution of the HLPC and the present government, formation of a party-led government and holding a Round Table Conference, among others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also the 6 demands of FDF include the dissolution of the HLPC and Khilraj Regmi-led government. The Front has also demanded increasing the number of seats under Proportional Representation system in CA polls and extension of the deadline of voter registration process, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the HLPC also held dialogue with Ashok Rai-led Federal Socialist Party (FSP) on Thursday. The FSP, during the talk, has submitted 5-point demand to HLPC coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Dissolution of the HLPC and formation of all-party mechanism and retaining the strength of earlier CA are the key demands of FSP.</div> <div> </div> <div> The leaders of the HLPC have said that they will sit for the dialogue again with the poll opposing parties after studying and assessing their demands.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1460', '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) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1598', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Koirala Back From India Tour', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday. </div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala had visited India last Sunday upon an invitation from the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at the Tribhuvan International Airport to the media, Koirala claimed his visit to be “highly successful” and that he found leaders and the government of India in favour of a timely conduct of the CA polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala also met with Congress (I) President and Chairperson of the ruling United Party Alliance (UPA) Sonia Gandhi and Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid, among other Indian leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> While receiving Koirala at the 7 Race Course in New Delhi last Monday, PM Singh requested the NC president to take the lead on bringing disgruntled parties on board for the election.</div> <div> </div> <div> UPA chairperson Gandhi also expressed her interest to see multiparty democracy strengthen through the CA polls in Nepal. At a meeting with Gandhi on Tuesday, Koirala extended an invitation to her to visit Nepal. In response, Gandhi said she would visit Nepal </div> <div> after the CA polls. </div> <div> </div> <div> Before returning to Nepal, Koirala also visited Bihar and UP states of India where he met their respective chief ministers and discussed bilateral issue. Drawing UP CM Akhilesh Yadav’s attention towards inundation problems faced by Nepali locals due to the Laxmanpur barrage in Banke district, Koirala requested him to be serious about resolving the issue. Yadav pledged to find amenable solutions soon. </div> <div> </div> <div> The NC general secretary duo Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Situala and Sitaula’s personal aide Laxman Dhakal had accompanied Koirala in his first official trip to India after being elected party president.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday.', 'sortorder' => '1459', '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) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1597', 'article_category_id' => '139', 'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen" src="/userfiles/images/japan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 60px;" />Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen </strong></div> <div> Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances. The country’s outstanding public debt including borrowings reached a record 1,008.6 trillion yen ($10.46 trillion) as of June 30, up 1.7 percent from three months earlier, the finance ministry said. <em>(Bloomberg)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’" src="/userfiles/images/us%20shale.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 66px;" />‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’</strong></div> <div> The rise of North American oil supplies could test the future of OPEC which may have to curb supply to accommodate rising shale oil volumes, a new report has found. The increase in U.S. output is a “defining feature of tomorrow’s market” according to International Energy Agency’s oil market report and could test the producer group’s share of the global oil market. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="China Posts Solid Factory Data" src="/userfiles/images/china%20post.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 67px;" />China Posts Solid Factory Data</strong></div> <div> China’s economy could be stabilising, the latest set of economic figures from the country has suggested. Factory output in July rose 9.7% compared with a year ago, ahead of expectations and up from the previous month’s figure of 8.9%.<em> (BBC)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="Indian Parliament" src="/userfiles/images/indian%20parliament.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 68px;" />Indian Parliament Passes New Companies Bill</strong></div> <div> The Upper house of Indian parliament, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Companies Bill, which seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the companies, encourages self-regulation and makes contribution of 2% of profits toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandatory, among other changes. <em>(The Economic Times)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="US jobless claims at 6-year low " src="/userfiles/images/us%20jobbless.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />US jobless claims at 6-year low </strong></div> <div> Americans who have a job may take comfort in knowing that companies are laying off fewer people than at any time since before the Great Recession. Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits over the past four weeks dropped to a seasonally adjusted 335,500, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since November 2007, which was one month before the recession began. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances.', 'sortorder' => '1458', '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) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1596', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Petro Price Hike To Have Cascade Effect On Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).</div> <div> </div> <div> With the hike, the prices of kerosene and diesel increased by Rs one per litre, whereas the price of petrol rose by Rs two per litre. Similarly, the price of aviation fuel (domestic) has increased by Rs 10 per litre.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price of petrol increased to Rs 125 per litre from Rs 123 per litre previously. Likewise, the prices of diesel and kerosene reached Rs 100 per litre from Rs. 99 per litre previously. The price of aviation fuel had a bigger hike to Rs 130 from Rs 120 per litre previously.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price hike will once again push transportation costs up, which will subsequently have a cascade effect on food prices and other daily commodities, according to economic experts. </div> <div> </div> <div> An increase in the price of diesel — the main transportation fuel — will not only push up the cost of food items, including fruits and vegetables and other perishable items that are moved largely by trucks, but also will increase industrial operating costs.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).', 'sortorder' => '1457', '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) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1595', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Workshop Opens New Doors For Nepal’s Design Industry', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado. According to a press statement by the embassy, for two weeks, 26 students and working professionals participated in the workshop to improve their handicraft product design skills. 'The program is part of a larger initiative to strengthen and diversify Nepal’s handicraft industry so that more Nepali handicrafts can be exported to western markets,' says the statement. The Pokhara-based Hope Initiative, founded by Ms. Conrado, received $73,280 from the US Department of State Innovation Fund to develop and implement this new curriculum on handicraft product design in Nepal.</div> <div> </div> <div> The closing ceremony was a creative culmination of the work of students, who used traditional Nepali techniques in paper-making, silk screening and other fields to create new designs for the handicraft industry. </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado.', 'sortorder' => '1456', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The event was organized by KJIF team formed under KUSOM Placement Cell.The fair was organized to provide a platform for interaction between graduating students of KUSOM seeking placement or internship and the companies looking for management graduates. The participating companies include Beed Management Pvt. Ltd, Bottlers Nepal Ltd., DHL Express Nepal Ltd. Global IME Bank Ltd. Kailash Bikas Bank Ltd., MAW Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., MC Group of Companies, Nabil Bank Ltd., NIC Asia Bank Ltd., NMB Capital Ltd., Surya Nepal, Triveni Byapar Co. Pvt Ltd., Unilever Nepal Ltd and V-Chitra. It has a mix of banks, manufacturing companies, ad agencies, Research agencies and trading companies. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Short story felicitation to Bhattarai</span></strong></div> <div> This year’s ‘short story felicitation’ is being awarded to writer Pushkar Raj Bhattarai by the Short Story Society (SSS). Bhattarai, who is pursuing a research study in short stories, will be awarded on the occasion of ‘National Short Story Day’ celebrated in the 1st week of Bhadra. The award includes a cash prize of five thousand rupees along with a felicitation letter. The Short Story Society will be organising a special programme for the day with the association of Nepal Academy. The National Short Story Day is celebrated on the fifth day of Bhadra each year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Book Collection Movement</span></strong></div> <div> The ‘One Book Movement’ has been initiated with the aim to make children’s literature available to rural children. An organisation named ‘Education Nepal’ is starting the movement from August 12. One hundred and twenty volunteers are collecting books from educational institutes and people’s homes to distribute to children in remote districts. At a press meet, Education Nepal informed that their aim is to collect 100,000 books. According to director Prem Bahadur Bohara, the collected books will be distributed in rural areas to students from class 1 to 10. The organisation had distributed 10,000 books to students in Jajarkot and Dolpa last year.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">SLC Supplementary Exams Completed</span></strong></div> <div> The SLC supplementary exams which started in August 4 were completed yesterday. Students who failed in a maximum of two subjects in the SLC exams last year took the exam. Nationwide 111,000 students appeared for the exam. This year, 55,000 students had failed in the Science subject, 50,000 in Mathematics and 31,000 in English.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">2nd ICT Meet-up</span></strong></div> <div> The 2nd KRM Software ICT Meet-Up 2013 took place this Saturday in Kathmandu. The meeting was organised by Prime College and Prime IT Club with a purpose to help students identify best employment opportunities in Information Technology (IT). A large number of IT students and IT institutes were present in the programme. “The programme helps to inform IT students about future opportunities,” Principal of Prime College, Naresh Shrestha, said. The registration fee for the programme was Rs 1, the proceeds of which will be provided to ‘Help Nepal Network’.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Corporate Meet by Nobel Academy</span></strong></div> <div> Nobel Academy, Pokhara organised a meeting with the corporate houses of Pokhara and nearby places last Tuesday. Thirty-five representatives from corporate houses participated in the programme. The programme was organised to develop relationships with corporate houses and to collect suggestions for the human resource needs of corporate houses. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'With the presence of 14 leading companies, the 4th KUSOM Job and Internship Fair (KJIF) took place on August 8, 2013 in KUSOM premises.', 'sortorder' => '1470', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1608', 'article_category_id' => '156', 'title' => 'Why Should A Humble Leader Be Put At The Helm Of An Organization?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies. Of all the virtues expected of an executive or government official, humility is especially important, yet it largely has been overlooked in the realm of economics. This is probably due to an incomplete or misguided notion of what it means to be humble, why it’s important, and how being modest contributes to the success and reputation of an organization as well as of its leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> In his working paper “Reputacion y Humildad en la Direccion de Empresas (Reputation and Humility in Running a Business),” Professor Antonio Argandona of the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa at the University of Navarra in Spain aims to set the record straight, offering ideas for reflection on this essential virtue. People often think that humility is incompatible with showing the authority necessary in being a leader, Argandona writes. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. A leader who is truly humble, and is perceived as being so by others, ultimately will have far more authority than an arrogant leader. </div> <div> </div> <div> Self-knowledge is the first and foremost expression of humility. People who are humble neither overestimate their virtues nor disparage themselves. Having high self-esteem does not make them pretentious. They constantly evaluate themselves, and realize that they are not infallible. This self-awareness includes recognizing what they owe to others. Humble individuals do not take credit for all of their strengths and achievements. Instead they value and appreciate the help they receive from others. Another quality associated with humility, Argandona writes, is a sense of transcendence, the tendency to act according to an ambitious ideal. That is why being humble also entails being demanding of oneself. Humility often goes hand in hand with other virtues, such as objectivity, simplicity, the desire to learn and patience with others </div> <div> </div> <div> Humble leaders don’t boast about their strengths, but they don’t deny or conceal them either. Nor will they hide their shortcomings, deficiencies and mistakes. They neither seek praise from others nor feel hurt by criticism. They are grateful to discover how others perceive them, since it can raise their self-awareness. When it comes to evaluating others, humble individuals are aware that everyone else is probably better than they are in some way, so they tend to judge others less severely than they would judge themselves. Humble leaders also tend to avoid comparing their qualities, merits, knowledge and achievements with those of others. If forced to do so, they try not to rate themselves as superior. They pass judgment if necessary, but look for the silver lining whenever possible. </div> <div> </div> <div> This openness gives way to additional virtues associated with humility, Argandona writes, such as generosity, respect and a spirit of service. In particular humble leaders acknowledge the merits of their peers. They request, accept and acknowledge their ideas, suggestions and tips. They never are envious of the successes and qualities of others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Why should a humble leader be put at the helm of an organization? </div> <div> </div> <div> For one thing, Argandona writes, they tend to make fewer mistakes. Their natural inclination for introspection and their willingness to accept outside criticism generally give them a good idea of what their limitations and capabilities are. Their interpersonal relationships tend to be more genuine and simple, since they do not crave flattery. They tend to be sincere both in their criticism and in their praise, highlighting the positive aspects of the other person’s behavior without skipping over the negative ones, which can help them improve. They tend to seek collaboration, to offset their shortcomings and to capitalize on the standout qualities of fellow team members, and will likely pay more attention to the common good of the organization than to their own self-interests. </div> <div> </div> <div> Acknowledging their limitations drives them toward the active pursuit of excellence. (The New York Times)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The moral dimension of the financial crisis has led to renewed interest in the ethics of executives, governments and regulatory bodies.', 'sortorder' => '1469', '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' => '1607', 'article_category_id' => '151', 'title' => 'Future At Hospitality', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> </div> <div> <strong>--By Upashana Neupane </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes. Since then, Nepal has acquired a good image in the international market for a degree in hospitality. Being a relatively easy job but with attractive pay, the appeal of the BHM programme continues to grow. Besides, Nepali students are in demand and well-placed too in the international market because of their innate sense of hospitality. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some of the regions where Nepali students are in demand include Arabic countries, Japan, Canada, USA and Europe. “The world of global business and international travels for health and education has kept the hospitality business thriving,” says Principal of International School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Samjhana Basnet. “This sector thus never goes out of business,” she says. </div> <div> </div> <div> A charming attitude, welcoming gait and loyalty are some of the traits of Nepali students that contribute to their positive image in the international market. Besides, the growth of the hospitality sector here too has kept the popularity of this career line intact. </div> <div> </div> <div> Most Nepali BHM colleges offer foreign internships to their students. As most hotels in Nepal have not collaborated with Nepali colleges, the colleges are obliged to send their students abroad. Besides, Nepali hotels charge for internships while foreign internships offer to pay. Students, anyway, are attracted to a foreign certificate and placement as compared to getting placements in Nepal. The international exposure gained definitely helps to market students better in the hospitality industry here. </div> <div> </div> <div> The hospitality industry in Nepal traces its origin to the times of the Rana rulers who brought cooks and waiters from India to serve guests in their palaces. Workers in the palace picked up their culinary skills, which passed on among people, gradually spreading enough for entrepreneurs to establish their own hotels after the advent of democracy. With Nepal’s leap into tourism development, the hospitality business took upon industrial speed.</div> <div> </div> <div> Realising the scarcity of skilled manpower in the growing industry, the government with the help of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) established an institute called the Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre (HMTTC) in 1972. Later in 1999 when Tribhuwan University included hotel management course under the faculty of management, the HMTTC got converted into a college named Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHAM) - the only public college to run a BHM course. While NATHAM was the first institute to run the BHM course in Nepal, Pokhara University (PU) got its permission to run a BHM programme a little earlier. </div> <div> </div> <div> Lately, BHM studies is a popular choice among students in Nepal. Besides TU and PU, Purwanchal University and Kathmandu University are offering BHM programmes as well and so are various colleges with foreign affiliation. There are currently more than two dozen colleges in Nepal offering BHM courses with total fees ranging from three to five hundred thousand rupees.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'It has been 14 years since the BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management) course has been offered in Nepal’s educational institutes.', 'sortorder' => '1468', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1606', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Cafeteria', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria? It is called the Ghus Khana.</div> <div> -ML</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Did you know that government of the bureaucrats has opened a new cafeteria?', 'sortorder' => '1467', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1605', 'article_category_id' => '105', 'title' => 'Believe Or Not', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office that would destroy people but leave the buildings standing. That is called Nepal Stock Market.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Baburam Bhattarai had developed a new weapon before leaving the PM’s office', 'sortorder' => '1466', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1604', 'article_category_id' => '144', 'title' => 'Need To Solve PDA Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard. </div> <div> </div> <div> First, foreign investors want sovereign guarantee from the government due to bad financials of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) which is suffering from the problem of inefficiency and in adequate resource to convince big investors. Sovereign guarantee is a guarantee by the Government that all obligations will be fulfilled if the primary obliger goes into default. NEA is responsible to fulfill all the obligations at present but technically bankrupt NEA cannot convince any investors at present. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors shy away from investing in Nepal until the country introduces a provision that can keep investors in confidence and sovereign guarantee is such a provision.</div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, the government has to take appropriate measures in several other issues to attract more investment in hydro sector. </div> <div> </div> <div> The government should convince foreign investors that they will be protected against foreign exchange risks when repatriating their earnings. It should also clarify its stand on signing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in convertible currency. </div> <div> </div> <div> Foreign investors often blame the government for not facilitating in foreign currency exchange process. The process to get permission to repatriate dividend and sales proceeds takes long time, according to investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> Such provision compels investors to face hassles and feel discouraged to invest in the concerned sector. The government has to create comfortable environment to invest in hydro sector without any delay. </div> <div> </div> <div> Another bone of contention between the government and private sector regarding PDA issues is termination payment. Investors say there is no clear provision for termination payment which has created a kind of fear among investors. </div> <div> </div> <div> In case of termination, investors need to be assured that they do not lose money and receive adequate compensation. The government should make payment in the eventuality of termination events. There should be provision of Termination Payment in PDA, so that investors are not in loss, in case they have to terminate the investment due to events beyond their control. </div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal’s hydro sector can take a big leap forward only when the government is ready to revise all troublesome legal provision on these and other matters.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The government’s hesitation to solve Power Development Agreement (PDA) issues pertaining to sovereign guarantee, foreign exchange risks and termination payment has hit the entire hydro sector hard.', 'sortorder' => '1465', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1603', 'article_category_id' => '145', 'title' => 'Non-Tariff Barriers Posing Challenge For SAARC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By R.B. Rauniar </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Global experience shows that non-tariff issues are emerging as major barriers to trade in goods and services across borders. With MFN tariffs coming down, issues of NTBs are gaining importance in South Asia too along with the rest of the world. Whilst SAFTA has made some headway in moving towards duty-free access for tradable goods, NTB issues have tended to remain relatively less addressed within the context of the SAARC.</div> <div> </div> <div> If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed adequately since NTBs pose one of the major challenges for SAARC in context of strengthened regional economic and trade cooperation.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Definition of Non-Tariff Measure (NTM)</span></strong></div> <div> Policy measures other than border tariffs that affect trade in goods, services, and factors of production are referred to as Non-tariff measures (NTMs). According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), classification of NTBs falls into six broad categories: </div> <div> 1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Specific Limitations on Trade: Import Licensing requirements, Proportion restrictions of foreign to domestic goods (local content requirements), Minimum import price limits, Embargoes </div> <div> 2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customs and Administrative Entry Procedures: Valuation systems, Anti-dumping practices, Tariff classifications, Documentation requirements, Fees</div> <div> 3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Standards: Standard disparities, Intergovernmental acceptances of testing methods and standards, Packaging, labeling, and marking</div> <div> 4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Government Participation in Trade: Government procurement policies, Export subsidies, countervailing duties, Domestic assistance programs</div> <div> 5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Charges on imports: Prior import deposit subsidies, Administrative fees, Special supplementary duties, Import credit discrimination, Variable levies, Border taxes</div> <div> 6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Others: Voluntary export restraints, Orderly marketing agreements</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Non-Tariff Barriers in SAARC</span></strong></div> <div> Trade officials of South Asian nations often points out non-tariff barriers as the major obstacles in intra-regional trade. Despite tremendous trade potentials within the South Asia region, lack of trade infrastructures, complicated customs procedures and certification on quality of goods have been creating roadblocks in the process of regional trade enhancement. Some of the pertaining issues regarding NTB are lack of border infrastructure and traffic planning, problem of land ports at the border and lack of cross border transport agreements among SAARC countries. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some studies found that a 50 per cent reduction in time of export can generate benefits equivalent to 4 per cent GDP of SA- LDCs. Further, due to lack of through-transport movement, formidable transport inefficiencies exist at the interface.</div> <div> </div> <div> In view of the SAFAS, there is a possibility that NTBs will also emerge with regard to services trade in future:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Thresholds on the total value of service transactions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Restrictions on the number of service operations</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the number of natural persons to be employed in case of supply for a particular service</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Measures which force a service supplier to supply a service through a particular set of legal means</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Limits on the percentage share of foreign investment, which may be accounted for by foreign shareholders </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Dispute Settlement Mechanism</span></strong></div> <div> The SAFTA Agreement stipulates formation of the Committee of Experts (CoE) to deal with NTB issues. The work of the CoE is carried out in the following manner:</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Contracting States notifies the SAARC Secretariat of all non-tariff and para-tariff measures imposed on their exports on an annual basis</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The measures are then reviewed by the CoE, established under Article 10, in its regular meetings, to examine their compatibility with relevant WTO provisions</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The CoE then recommends the elimination or implementation of the measure in the least trade restrictive manner in order to facilitate intra- SAARC trade</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Member countries submit their complains in sub-group meetings on non-tariff barriers; responding countries give their responses; a majority of notifications and complaints are being dealt through bilateral negotiations.</div> <div> •<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Whilst the SAFTA stipulates that CoE would act as the DSB for the purpose of settling NTB related disputes. In majority of the cases RTAs such as EU and NAFTA tend to follow the WTO DSM mechanism whilst ASEAN’s DSM is somewhat different.</div> <div> </div> <div> <span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Policy Recommendations</strong></span></div> <div> A majority of NTBs and perceived NTBs relate to SPS-TBT, and health-hygiene related standards. Many of these concern national standards. The best way to go forward would be to : </div> <div> a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ensure that these are not country-specific but of general/common nature</div> <div> b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ascertain that whether the requirements are beyond internationally recognised standards e.g. Codex plus; </div> <div> c)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthen national standard setting institutions to meet compliance requirement; </div> <div> d)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Strengthening of technical laboratories, standardisation, testing, quality management, certification authorities and inspection bodies, which ought to be perceived as an investment priority by the SAARC members; </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)</span></strong></div> <div> Developing MRAs is also critically important for delivery of services particularly through Mode 4 (Movement of Natural Persons). Lack of recognition of qualifications, skills, or experience is one of the most common barriers affecting Mode 4 (Chanda 2005). </div> <div> </div> <div> Similarly, a targeted programme needs to be designed to facilitate cross-border trade through development of border infrastructure, and if required, coordination of infrastructure development at border points;</div> <div> (a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>harmonization of customs rules and regulations, valuations and customs procedures; </div> <div> (b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>building of capacities to deal with the most prevalent SPS-TBT related NTBs at particular border points</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Conclusion</span></strong></div> <div> Given the lowering of classical import barriers such as tariffs, non-tariff measures (NTMs) are becoming an increasingly important instrument governments use to safeguard domestic societal concerns. Between January 1995 and October 2011, 10,366 regular and emergency measures had been notified to the WTO. According to WTO, 2010 saw the largest number of notifications in a single year so far, at 1,436. </div> <div> </div> <div> SAARC countries should realize the need of customs reform, improvement of trade infrastructure, removal of visa barrier for business people, simplification in movement of goods as well as vehicles, and improved facilities for warehousing of trade goods to pave the way for greater trade within the region.</div> <div> (Writer is Executive Committee member of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI). He can be contacted at rauniar@mos.com.np)</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'If regional cooperation is to be deepened through vertical integration and promoting cross border supply-chains, NTBs in South Asia will need to be addressed.', 'sortorder' => '1464', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1602', 'article_category_id' => '141', 'title' => 'Nepal Political Economic News In Brief (12-18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel" src="/userfiles/images/Poudel.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 109px;" />Thompson Calls on NC Vice President Poudel</strong></div> <div> Visiting Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director Giles Thompson, who also oversees South Asian Affairs, met Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel on Wednesday at Poudel’s residence in Bohoratar. British Ambassador Andrew James Sparkes was also present in the meeting.</div> <div> According to Poudel’s personal aide Chiranjibi Adhikari, the meeting dwelt upon Nepal’s latest political developments, the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls, ongoing dialogues between poll-opposing parties and the support of the international community for the CA polls, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Ex-IGP Rana Joins RMSP</strong></div> <div> Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday. He had served as IGP from 2057 BS to 2059 BS. Speaking at the programme, Rana informed that he would compete in the upcoming CA elections from constituency No. 4 of Rautahat.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal" src="/userfiles/images/Dahal.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 114px;" />‘3 Mistakes’ of Dahal</strong></div> <div> UCPN (Maoist) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has admitted of making three major mistakes after his party joined mainstream politics in 2006. Speaking at an interaction programme in Pokhara on Wednesday, Dahal confessed that refusing to make the late Girija Prasad Koirala President of the country, sacking the then Army Chief Rookmangud Katwal and standing against voting over contentious issues in the dissolved CA were regretful mistakes.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>CPN (UML) Against CA Polls Postponing</strong></div> <div> While CPN-Maoist and some other parties have been demanding postponement of the CA polls, CPN (UML) has said that it stands against such proposal. The Standing Committee meeting of the party held on Tuesday decided to reject the demand for postponement of polls on any pretext.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Tibetan Dies of Self-Immolation</strong></div> <div> A Tibetan refugee has died after setting himself on fire on Tuesday at the premises of Boudhanath Stupa in the Capital. The deceased has been identified as Karma Niydhon Gyaltso, 39, of Dhamsung, Tibet. According to a witness, Gyaltso immolated himself around 7:35 am after he prayed and lighted butter lamps in the Stupa. His burned body was rushed to the Maharajgung-based Teaching Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Nine Killed in Separate River Mishaps</strong></div> <div> Seven pilgrims were swept to death in Hatpate-1, Sindhuli while trying to cross the rain-swollen Kamala River last Monday. The pilgrims were crossing the river to reach Madhuganga Temple in Hatpate for paying homage to Lord Shiva. Two other individuals died after their boat capsized in the Saptakosi River on the same day. The boat, headed to Udayapur from Chatara of Sunsari district, capsized mid-river, according to the District Police Office of Sunsari.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Yadav Slams CDC Report</strong></div> <div> Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal Chairperson Upendra Yadav has said his party would not accept the report of Constituency Delineation Commission which recommends keeping 240 constituencies intact. Speaking with newsmen in capital on Friday, Yadav said the report has violated the constitutional provisions. “The report may jeopardize the ongoing dialogues with the High Level Political Committee,” he warned.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shamsher JB Rana has joined the Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party (RMSP). Rana joined the party amidst a programme held at the party’s office in Kathmandu on Monday.', 'sortorder' => '1463', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1601', 'article_category_id' => '143', 'title' => 'More Transparency In Political Finance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By Siromani Dhungana</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.</div> <div> </div> <div> Parties, however, keep their contributions hidden from the public eye. Consequently, voters never learn of the origins of the money used in financing election activities. This is less than ideal for an electoral system in a country that has experienced nascent democracy.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Why Disclose?</strong></div> <div> Disclosure helps prevent financial abuse during election and is necessary to promote healthy political competition.</div> <div> </div> <div> We need a body akin to what was set up in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974. An agency called the Federal Election Commission supervises all financial transactions by political bodies that have solicited or spent money to support or defeat federal candidates. The organisation verifies all reports presented and discloses the same to the public. The Election Commission in Nepal should be empowered to do exactly the same.</div> <div> </div> <div> Political parties, on the other hand, should pledge to introduce a law to ban anonymous donations and formalise a common minimum understanding for regarding the public disclosure of their income and expenditure. </div> <div> </div> <div> An undisclosed contribution from any party is not a good sign as contributors will want returns from concerned political parties and anonymity will allow them to take advantage of the political affiliation. </div> <div> </div> <div> Past experience shows that undisclosed contributions can fuel ‘policy corruption’ as the government compensates its financial contributors while introducing the budget. Undisclosed contribution often raises questions as to whether political parties benefit from influence peddling, organised crime or drug trafficking.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Terrorised Business Community?</strong></div> <div> Principally, a major share of funding should come from voluntary contributions but that is not happening in Nepal. Forceful donation drives by political parties has become a common phenomenon and has terrorised the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> Some businessmen have even revealed in public that all revenue frauds committed by them is a result of heavy donations to political parties. According to them, they are facing problems in adjusting donation funds in the balance sheet during the auditing process.</div> <div> </div> <div> Transparency in donation would help boost the morale of the business community that has been forced to donate with such conditions that they could not keep any record of the money dispensed. Political parties should now ensure that the election is not an event meant for terrorising the business community.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>But they aren’t so clean </strong></div> <div> The business fraternity, however, is not clean of controversy. Multi-billion Value Added Tax (VAT) scandals, adulteration in food products and other unethical business practices have been growing in the country and successive governments have failed to take action against even a single corporate house. Renowned faces from the business community entered the last CA representing different political parties. This clearly showed that they want political protection to go ahead in their business undisturbed. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A Silver Lining </strong></div> <div> In a commendable move, however, the Nepali Congress recently promised that it is ready to reveal its sources of funds for the coming elections by accept ing donations through cheque only. This announcement may have provided relief to the business community. </div> <div> </div> <div> The announcement has provided a strong ground for the business community to bring this issue to the public domain. Other political parties, as public institutions, should be proactive to disclose their information and arrange for regular briefings using various information demystification channels.</div> <div> </div> <div> Routing money through bank accounts can also improve the identification of contributors which is important for monitoring limits as well as identity of sources.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nepal needs to set up a mechanism to ensure the transparency of party funds. The present opportunity and its timing can be used to initiate this much-needed change.</div> <div> <em>(The writer tweets @siromanid)</em></div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Political parties should recognise the value of transparency in the political process and provide citizens with information on funds raised and spent to influence their votes.', 'sortorder' => '1462', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1600', 'article_category_id' => '142', 'title' => 'Poll Update (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>EC Urges or a Fearless Environment</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Holding a consultation meeting with the chiefs of security bodies at the EC office on Wednesday, the body urged security chiefs to beef up security in order to ensure a free, fair and fearless election. Election Commissioners, the Home Secretary, the Defense Secretary, IGPs of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and the Chief of the National Investigation Department were present at the meeting. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>EC Rejects Eight Parties’ Registration</strong></div> <div> The Election Commission (EC) has rejected to register eight parties for the coming Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for Nov 19.</div> <div> According to the EC, the parties did not meet the conditions set in the Interim Constitution and party registration bylaws. The parties so refused are Nepal Janaloktantra Party, Nepal Republic Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the EC has registered 128 parties, thereby granting them permission to participate in the polls.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Election Commission has requested security forces to forge a fearless environment for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1461', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1599', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Dissident Parties In Dialogue With HLPC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls. Following three consecutive invitation letters from the HLPC, the disgruntled parties have finally agreed to sit for the table talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> During the dialogues, the dissident parties have so far presented their charter of demands before the HLPC. The HLPC held dialogues separately with the CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance and Upendra Yadav-led Federal Democratic Front (FDF) on last Tuesday. The CPN-Maoist led alliance presented an 18-point demand before the HLPC, while FDF put forth six demands during the talks. </div> <div> </div> <div> The 18-point demand includes postponement of scheduled November 19 polls, scrapping 25-point presidential decree and 11-point agreement of parties, dissolution of the HLPC and the present government, formation of a party-led government and holding a Round Table Conference, among others. </div> <div> </div> <div> Also the 6 demands of FDF include the dissolution of the HLPC and Khilraj Regmi-led government. The Front has also demanded increasing the number of seats under Proportional Representation system in CA polls and extension of the deadline of voter registration process, among others.</div> <div> </div> <div> Meanwhile, the HLPC also held dialogue with Ashok Rai-led Federal Socialist Party (FSP) on Thursday. The FSP, during the talk, has submitted 5-point demand to HLPC coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Dissolution of the HLPC and formation of all-party mechanism and retaining the strength of earlier CA are the key demands of FSP.</div> <div> </div> <div> The leaders of the HLPC have said that they will sit for the dialogue again with the poll opposing parties after studying and assessing their demands.</div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has started dialogue with the parties that are opposing the Constituent Assembly polls.', 'sortorder' => '1460', '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) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1598', 'article_category_id' => '140', 'title' => 'Koirala Back From India Tour', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday. </div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala had visited India last Sunday upon an invitation from the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.</div> <div> </div> <div> Speaking at the Tribhuvan International Airport to the media, Koirala claimed his visit to be “highly successful” and that he found leaders and the government of India in favour of a timely conduct of the CA polls.</div> <div> </div> <div> Koirala also met with Congress (I) President and Chairperson of the ruling United Party Alliance (UPA) Sonia Gandhi and Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid, among other Indian leaders. </div> <div> </div> <div> While receiving Koirala at the 7 Race Course in New Delhi last Monday, PM Singh requested the NC president to take the lead on bringing disgruntled parties on board for the election.</div> <div> </div> <div> UPA chairperson Gandhi also expressed her interest to see multiparty democracy strengthen through the CA polls in Nepal. At a meeting with Gandhi on Tuesday, Koirala extended an invitation to her to visit Nepal. In response, Gandhi said she would visit Nepal </div> <div> after the CA polls. </div> <div> </div> <div> Before returning to Nepal, Koirala also visited Bihar and UP states of India where he met their respective chief ministers and discussed bilateral issue. Drawing UP CM Akhilesh Yadav’s attention towards inundation problems faced by Nepali locals due to the Laxmanpur barrage in Banke district, Koirala requested him to be serious about resolving the issue. Yadav pledged to find amenable solutions soon. </div> <div> </div> <div> The NC general secretary duo Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Situala and Sitaula’s personal aide Laxman Dhakal had accompanied Koirala in his first official trip to India after being elected party president.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Wrapping up a six-day trip to India, Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala returned to Kathmandu on Friday.', 'sortorder' => '1459', '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) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1597', 'article_category_id' => '139', 'title' => 'Nepal And The World News In Brief (12 -18 August 2013)', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong><img alt="Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen" src="/userfiles/images/japan.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 60px;" />Japan’s Debt Exceeds 1 Quadrillion Yen </strong></div> <div> Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances. The country’s outstanding public debt including borrowings reached a record 1,008.6 trillion yen ($10.46 trillion) as of June 30, up 1.7 percent from three months earlier, the finance ministry said. <em>(Bloomberg)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’" src="/userfiles/images/us%20shale.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 66px;" />‘US Shale Oil Threatens OPEC’s Future’</strong></div> <div> The rise of North American oil supplies could test the future of OPEC which may have to curb supply to accommodate rising shale oil volumes, a new report has found. The increase in U.S. output is a “defining feature of tomorrow’s market” according to International Energy Agency’s oil market report and could test the producer group’s share of the global oil market. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="China Posts Solid Factory Data" src="/userfiles/images/china%20post.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 67px;" />China Posts Solid Factory Data</strong></div> <div> China’s economy could be stabilising, the latest set of economic figures from the country has suggested. Factory output in July rose 9.7% compared with a year ago, ahead of expectations and up from the previous month’s figure of 8.9%.<em> (BBC)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="Indian Parliament" src="/userfiles/images/indian%20parliament.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 68px;" />Indian Parliament Passes New Companies Bill</strong></div> <div> The Upper house of Indian parliament, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Companies Bill, which seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the companies, encourages self-regulation and makes contribution of 2% of profits toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandatory, among other changes. <em>(The Economic Times)</em></div> <div> </div> <div> <strong><img alt="US jobless claims at 6-year low " src="/userfiles/images/us%20jobbless.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;width: 100px; height: 80px;" />US jobless claims at 6-year low </strong></div> <div> Americans who have a job may take comfort in knowing that companies are laying off fewer people than at any time since before the Great Recession. Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits over the past four weeks dropped to a seasonally adjusted 335,500, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since November 2007, which was one month before the recession began. <em>(Agency)</em></div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'Japan’s national debt exceeded 1,000 trillion yen for the first time, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a sales-tax increase to shore up government finances.', 'sortorder' => '1458', '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) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1596', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Petro Price Hike To Have Cascade Effect On Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> <strong>--By TC Correspondent </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).</div> <div> </div> <div> With the hike, the prices of kerosene and diesel increased by Rs one per litre, whereas the price of petrol rose by Rs two per litre. Similarly, the price of aviation fuel (domestic) has increased by Rs 10 per litre.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price of petrol increased to Rs 125 per litre from Rs 123 per litre previously. Likewise, the prices of diesel and kerosene reached Rs 100 per litre from Rs. 99 per litre previously. The price of aviation fuel had a bigger hike to Rs 130 from Rs 120 per litre previously.</div> <div> </div> <div> The price hike will once again push transportation costs up, which will subsequently have a cascade effect on food prices and other daily commodities, according to economic experts. </div> <div> </div> <div> An increase in the price of diesel — the main transportation fuel — will not only push up the cost of food items, including fruits and vegetables and other perishable items that are moved largely by trucks, but also will increase industrial operating costs.</div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', 'modified' => '0000-00-00', 'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal', 'description' => 'The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Saturday hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. However, no change has been made on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).', 'sortorder' => '1457', '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) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1595', 'article_category_id' => '138', 'title' => 'Workshop Opens New Doors For Nepal’s Design Industry', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<div> U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado. According to a press statement by the embassy, for two weeks, 26 students and working professionals participated in the workshop to improve their handicraft product design skills. 'The program is part of a larger initiative to strengthen and diversify Nepal’s handicraft industry so that more Nepali handicrafts can be exported to western markets,' says the statement. The Pokhara-based Hope Initiative, founded by Ms. Conrado, received $73,280 from the US Department of State Innovation Fund to develop and implement this new curriculum on handicraft product design in Nepal.</div> <div> </div> <div> The closing ceremony was a creative culmination of the work of students, who used traditional Nepali techniques in paper-making, silk screening and other fields to create new designs for the handicraft industry. </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-08-12', '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' => 'U.S. embassy officials participated in the closing ceremony of an Industrial Design workshop, on August 5 at Kathmandu University’s Center for Art and Design. Sponsored by the U.S. embassy, the workshop was a pilot program held by Notre Dame University Professor Ann-Marie Conrado.', 'sortorder' => '1456', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
