April 13: Inflow of remittance to Nepal has increased in the current fiscal…
April 13: Inflow of remittance to Nepal has increased in the current fiscal…
April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year.…
April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all…
April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year.…
April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs.…
April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus.…
Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal.…
April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19.…
April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY…
April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation.…
April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report.…
Nepal has received US$ 2. billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20.…
April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts.…
April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction.…
April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha…
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Nepal received Rs 642.14 billion in remittance in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Issuing the current macroeconomic and financial situation of the country on Monday, the central bank said remittance inflows increased 8.6 percent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 5.0 percent to 5.45 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year, the report further said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to NRB, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 148.68 billion compared to a deficit of Rs 119.70 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of Rs 1.27 billion in the review period compared to a deficit of Rs 1.05 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the central bank said that number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment decreased 74.8 percent in the review period. It had increased 24.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment decreased 65.2 percent in the review period, according to the NRB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a surplus of Rs 68 billion as compared to a surplus of Rs 37.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, the central bank stated. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-13', 'modified' => '2021-04-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13017', 'image' => '20210413120722_20201223115642_20200930060036_1601420921.Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-13 12:06:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13271', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' South Korea Extends Visa Term of Nepali Migrant Workers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Justice in South Korea stated that a rule has been endorsed allowing the workers, whose visa term had expired and who could not return to their home countries due to the Coronavirus pandemic, to get their visa term extended for one year from April 13. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Migrants Trade Union (MTU) president Udaya Rai said the visa term of workers would be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">With this extension, the total stay of workers in South Korea would be of five years and 10 months. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Rai no foreign migrant worker has entered South Korea for 13 months except some workers from Cambodia. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It is said the South Korean government brought this rule in order to fulfill the shortage of workers and to provide relief to those workers unable to return to their home country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-12', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13016', 'image' => '20210412043708_Flag-Pins-Nep.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-12 16:36:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13270', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lack of Laws Delaying Operation of Kurtha-Jayanagar Rail Service', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations. The railway track constructed with the financial assistance of the Government of India had been completed last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The train bought by the government for the railway service was brought six months back. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Guru Bhattarai, General Manager of Nepal Railway Company Pvt Ltd, said the entire human resources and other technicians required for operating the railway service were managed after the arrival of the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the railway service will be operated soon after the required laws are formulated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company stated that an agreement has already been reached with the Government of India for the required technical and human resources and to bring the rail engine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"We have not been able to bring the engine due to the lack of related legislation. We will be in a position to bring the engine once the laws are passed," said General Manager Bhattarai, adding that an agreement has been signed with India for bringing some human resources required for operating the railway service. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"They (the Indian technicians and railway workers) are ready to come to Nepal. We can bring them immediately when required," said Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has already completed the technical preparations for the operation of the Kurtha-Jayanagar railway service. The train set was purchased from the Indian company, Konkon Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It has been reported that 26 technical and human resources are being brought from India in coordination with the company. They include pilot, station master, power manager, senior traffic manager, among others. General Manager Bhattarai said that Nepali staff and other technicians have been already managed for the operation of the railway service. Armed Police Force (APF) will be responsible for the security and safety of the rail and the company's equipment and goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Railway Department said 1,200 to 1,300 passengers, including those seated and standing, can travel by the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"Fixing a fare price rate for the tickets has already been decided," said Bhattarai. The company has proposed a fair rate in collaboration with the concerned ministry. Travelling 35 kilometers costs Rs 75, according to the fare price list. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"The company will soon provide a week-long training session to Nepali workers," said Bhattarai, adding that those workers having prior experience in the railway sector will be prioritized. "Regular operation will take place in two to three weeks," he said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13015', 'image' => '20210411051156_20210120113335_1611012622.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:11:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13269', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poultry Industry Loses Rs 35 billion in a Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. This sector reported such a heavy loss since the outbreak of coronavirus.<br /> According to the Federation of Nepalese Poultry Entrepreneurs, hotels, restaurants, party palaces, and other places which consume meat in large quantities were closed for a long time, causing heavy losses to the poultry industry.<br /> According to stakeholders, the poultry industry had to bear daily loss of Rs 219.5 million during the six-month-long lockdown.<br /> According to Guna Chandra Bista, president of the Federation of Poultry Entrepreneurs, the poultry business faced an estimated loss of around Rs 35 billion.<br /> According to him, the Hatchery Industry Association had to destroy around 600,000 chickens daily during the six-month-long lockdown. During that period, the poultry farmers had to bury 4 million chickens.<br /> The hatchery industry bore the maximum loss, followed by poultry and egg farmers. Likewise, cold storage centers also faced loss along with the farmers.<br /> Even though the losses have declined, the poultry sector is still suffering from the impact. Entrepreneurs say that the prices of chicken, grains, and meat have gone up.<br /> Entrepreneurs estimate that it will take another two years for the country’s poultry sector to return to its old rhythm. Nepal's overall poultry business contributes Rs 180 billion to the gross domestic product.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13014', 'image' => '20210411050124_20160613051853_20160613104208_Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:00:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13268', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI presents ‘Vision Paper 2030’ with an Objective to create 2.2 Million Jobs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. ', 'content' => '<p><em>55th AGM of FNCCI. Photo Courtesy: FNCCI </em></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The paper was presented at the 55th annual general meeting of FNCCI held on Saturday, April 10. It aims to increase the volume of the country's economy to US$ 100 billion from US$ 35 billion per year. The federation estimates an investment of US$ 150 billion is required to achieve this ambitious plan. The private sector will invest US$ 108 billion in accordance to the plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">To achieve this plan, FNCCI has put forward 100 projects which include growth of small and cottage industries, revival of tourism industry, digital economy, promotion of startups and innovative business, women entrepreneurship development project, rural economy, investment promotion and utilization of remittance. Likewise, the vision paper has been prepared with plans to increase the volume of export, promote urban development, agriculture, optical fiber network, energy, operation of railways and ships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Shekhar Golchha, president of FNCCI, said before presenting the paper that the federation was working on this project by forming various committees. “Committees related to agriculture enterprise center, information and technology, foreign employment forum, energy have already started their respective work,” he said, adding, “The Innovation Committee is working to generate 50 new entrepreneurs in the next two years through 50 startups, 50 investors project.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">He stated that entrepreneurs are facing problems due to the government’s unrealistic monitoring and poor perspective towards them. Likewise, acts and regulations of the country aren’t private sector friendly, he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The federation has provided suggestions to bring 14 policy-level reforms for the projects included in the vision paper. According to the federation, policies which need amendment are Black Market and Other Social Crimes and Proceedings Act 2032, Revenue Tribunal Act 2063, Public Procurement Act 2063, Consumer Protection Act 2075, Industrial Enterprise Act 2076, Land Act 2021, Money Laundering Act 2052, Environmental Protection Act 2076, Revenue Leakage Act 2052, Value Added Tax Act 2052, Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074, Patent Design and Trademark Act 2022 and Bank and Financial Institution Debt Recovery Act 2058.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">FNCCI President Golchha said that the government’s support is very essential to implement the 10-year plan prepared by the federation. He said that 40 projects will be completed in the next two years for which the government’s support is vital. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Speaking at the program, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed that an investment-friendly environment has been created in the country. Stating that the protest programmes have come to an end, there wouldn’t be any better environment for private sector than this, and the policies are being prepared accordingly. He expressed commitment to make private sector-friendly policies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Claiming that significant works have been done during his tenure, projects with investment of Rs 500,000 are required to develop the country. PM Oli said that the government itself is working to amend the policies and expressed further commitment to fulfill the private sector’s demands in terms of policy reforms. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13013', 'image' => '20210412042352_170742340_4202933359740983_988237255672916884_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 13:54:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13267', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt to Avoid Lockdown if Possible: Tourism Minister ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 30th annual general meeting of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in the capital on Saturday (April 10), Minister Dhakal said that the government was making utmost efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The dreadful situation of the past is knocking on us again,” he said, adding that the government would skip the idea of imposing lockdown if possible. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He said that the country's tourism sector that suffered worst from the Covid-19 pandemic has witnessed some signs of progress in the recent days but threat looms large from the resurrection of the coronavirus infection. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Dhakal expressed his readiness for policy facilitation to resolve the problems existing in the country's mountaineering sector. He also said the area of cooperation between the government and private sector should be made broader for the tourism sector's prosperity and development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Ministry's Secretary Yadav Prasad Koirala, NMA President Santa Bir Lama and others expressed their opinions on country's tourism and mountaineering sector calling for the NMA to stress on innovation and infrastructure development. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13012', 'image' => '20210411115124_20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 11:50:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13266', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Four companies occupy more than half of total internet service market share in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p>April 10:<br /> Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal.<br /> According to the latest Management Information System report released by Nepal Telecommunications Authority, four ISP—WorldLink Communications Ltd, Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd and Classic Tech—occupy 63% share in the broadband service market that includes 1.4 million internet service subscribers.</p> <p>WorldLink Communications Ltd has the highest internet subscriptions with 451,766 subscribers. This company alone occupies 32.34% market share alone, shows the MIS Report of Magh (between mid January and mid February). <br /> This is followed by Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd which has 184,529 subscribers to hold 13.17% of the internet market share.</p> <p>With 9.45 percent market share and 132,442 subscribers, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd stands at third in the list of top internet service providers. Classic Tech occupies 9.11% market share with 127,761 subscribers.<br /> According to the MIS report, fixed broadband penetration has reached 22.62 percent of the total population compared to 61.47 percent of mobile broadband penetration. <br /> The low penetration of fixed broadband is attributed to the concentration of ISPs in urban areas.<br /> Fixed-broadband refers to high speed internet service delivery to a fixed location using wire or without use of wires.</p> <p>“Higher cost of expansions, higher taxes has dissuaded internet service providers to take service to rural areas. Due to geographical complexities and lack of basic infrastructure, ISPs alone can’t extend service to rural areas so we have been urging with the regulatory body for the establishment of Infrastructure Company,” Sudhir Parajuli, President of Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN), told New Business Age.</p> <p>Broadband Policy 2071 has a target to connect all local units with wired/wireless broadband service by 2020.</p> <p>Though the government has missed its target, officials say that they have expedited works to bring all local units under broadband network coverage.</p> <p>To facilitate broadband network expansion, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has taken an initiative to build broadband network infrastructures utilizing Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF).</p> <p>Nepal Doorsanchar Company Ltd, the government-owned telecommunication company popularly known as Nepal Telecom, has implemented 18 broadband packages to connect 702 local units, 5,933 ward offices, 5,225 secondary schools and 4,122 health institutions of the country.</p> <p>According to the NTA, Nepal Telecom has achieved 78.35 of progress so far, providing connections to 550 local units, 4,474 ward offices, 3,792 secondary schools and 3,153 health institutions.</p> <p>Similarly, NTA has also been implementing three packages to lay optical fiber along Mid Hill Highway. NTA officials say that only 35.19 percent of works related to optical fiber has been completed. <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-10', 'modified' => '2021-04-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13011', 'image' => '20210410025841_Internet Service.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-10 14:57:09', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13264', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders says Policies and Programmes should Focus on Economic Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In a virtual interaction programme organized by the Nepal Management Association on Wednesday (April 7), experts suggested that the policies and programmes should give priority to minimize the impacts of coronavirus on the economy and lives of people.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Kiran Kumar Shrestha, chairman of NMA and Chief Executive Officer of Rastriya Banijya Bank, said the government’s policies and programmes should focus on recovery and uplifting the economic sector affected by COVID-19. Rajan Bikram Thapa, director of Nepal Rastra Bank, had presented a paper during the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, a member of the National Assembly and former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr Shankar Sharma, Dr Min Bahadur Shretha, Dr Govinda Nepal and economist Dr Bishwo Poudel had attended the virtual programme. Speakers of the programme stressed on the need to introduce compensation package for individuals, families, infrastructure projects and affected sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts suggested to bring government-funded banks together and to promote agriculture and tourism sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts shared similar opinion in development of road network, policy reform to increase capital expenditure and effective management of public transportation. They also suggested to bring programmes that encourage electricity consumption, good governance and their effective monitoring. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13010', 'image' => '20210409035508_20200409120151_1586383527.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 15:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13262', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Export of Software Products Declines by 89 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21). In terms of volume, software export declined by about 89 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.<br /> The data received from the customs department up to February this year showed that the exports have declined significantly compared to the last fiscal year. Only four software products were exported during the review period. According to the department, software products worth Rs 942,000 were exported to Japan during the review period.<br /> However, 36 software products worth Rs 18.72 million were exported in the corresponding period of the previous year. During that time, six software products were sold to China and 30 to Japan, according to the Department of Customs. Based on the amount, software products worth Rs 45.96 million were exported to China and Rs 18.72 million to Japan.<br /> During the fiscal year 2018/19, 48 software products worth Rs 239.82 million were exported from Nepal. Statistics show that export of software declined since last year.<br /> During the coronavirus pandemic, the information technology (IT) sector in most countries of the world has leapfrogged to a great extent. However, this fact has made it clear that Nepal's IT sector has declined.<br /> Nawaraj Kunwar, president of the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), said that the decline in software production was due to the coronavirus crisis.<br /> He also said that exports declined due to low demand from foreign customers.<br /> "We make and export software as per the demand of foreign customers," he said. “But this time, the coronavirus affected foreign companies and industries. They have since cut down software purchases,” he added.<br /> Although the IT sector of most of the countries in the world progressed during the coronavirus crisis, Kunwar admits that the IT sector of Nepal has not been able catch up with the big economies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">"The only sector that coronavirus has not affected is the IT industry. But, we have not been able to take advantage of that opportunity,” he said. On top of that, it has not been possible to work safely due to the infection. As a result, non-cooperation has curbed the development of the IT sector.<br /> Compared to other countries, the cost of Nepal’s IT manpower is less expensive. As a result, software products can be made in Nepal at a low cost. According to CAN president Kunwar, foreigners are trying to buy software from Nepal as it is cheaper than other countries. He said that the country can export a large amount of software with good promotion and marketing.<br /> Stating that Nepal can produce and export a large amount of software products with the support from the government, Kunwar said that the government should also use software made in Nepal and promote domestic IT companies. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13009', 'image' => '20210409114029_Dailysun-2019-08-16-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:39:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13263', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' PM Oli Calls for Increasing Production and Jobs ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 70th annual general meeting of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in the capital on Thursday (April 8), the Prime Minister said that resource mobilisation should be stressed for enhancing production and productivity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Asking the business persons and entrepreneurs to invest more for increasing production and productivity, the Prime Minister said that the government was working to clear policy and procedural hassles that could surface to that end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The processes are supposed to be more simplified, the Prime Minister said, while promising to unveil one-stop service to facilitate the service delivery and end administrative burden. He also assured to further simplify the government policies and reform programmes to ensure investment-friendly environment in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Suggesting that the business sector should import only consumer goods and increase the production of export-oriented goods, PM Oli said that the country's trade deficit could be narrowed down through import replacement and export promotion. "Move ahead with the commitment and self-confidence to build the nation. The government is ready to assist you," PM Oli added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Saying that the government has moved ahead with a clear vision for nation's industrial development, the PM expected the private sector's support to translate that vision into reality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, PM Oli expressed serious concern over the increasing cases of coronavirus infection of late and urged one and all to apply precautions. In view of rising cases of the COVID-19, the PM was of the view that all citizens should be aware not to create the situation that again brings the country to a halt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Also speaking at the same programme, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta assured government support for the promotion of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, Chairman of NCC Rajeshkaji Shrestha said that country's economy is severely affected due to COVID-19 crisis and billions of rupees invested in tourism and some other sectors were at risk. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13008', 'image' => '20210409115900_20200305102040_oli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:58:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rich-Poor Gap, Conflict Likely to Grow: US Intelligence Report', 'sub_title' => 'Challenges like Climate Change, Disease, Financial Crises are Likely to Manifest more Frequently in Almost Every Region and Country', 'summary' => 'April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. </span></span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report released on Thursday (April 8) says COVID-19 pandemic has already worsened some of those problems.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The rivalry between China and a US-led coalition of Western nations will likely intensify, fueled by military power shifts, demographics, technology and “hardening divisions over governance models,” says the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report titled Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World was produced by the US National Intelligence Council. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Regional powers and non-state actors may exert greater influence, with the likely result “a more conflict-prone and volatile geopolitical environment” and weakened international cooperation, it said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report by top US intelligence analysts, which is produced every four years, assessed the political, economic, societal and other trends that likely will shape the national security environment in the next 20 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Our intent is to help policymakers and citizens ... prepare for an array of possible futures,” Reuters quoted the authors as mentioning in the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">They noted that they did not make any specific predictions and included input from diverse groups, from American students to African civil society activists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Challenges like climate change, disease, financial crises and technological disruption “are likely to manifest more frequently and intensely in almost every region and country,” producing “widespread strains on states and societies as well as shocks that could be catastrophic,” the report said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report said the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 3 million people marked the greatest “global disruption” since World War Two, with the consequences likely to last for years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">COVID-19, it said, exposed – and sometimes widened – disparities in healthcare, raised national debts, accelerated nationalism and political polarization, deepened inequality, fueled distrust in government and highlighted failed international cooperation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the process, it is slowing – and possibly reversing – progress in fighting poverty, disease and gender inequality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Many problems caused by the pandemic are forecast by the report to grow by 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“There is a certain set of trends that we’ve identified that seem to be accelerating or made more powerful because of the pandemic,” said an NIC official, speaking on condition of anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report posed five scenarios for what the world might look like in 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most optimistic - a “renaissance of democracies” - found that democratic governments would prove “better able to foster scientific research and technological innovation, catalyzing an economic boom,” enabling them to cope with domestic stresses and to stand up to international rivals.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most pessimistic scenario - “tragedy and mobilization” – posited how COVID-19 and global warming could devastate global food supplies, leading to riots in Philadelphia that kill “thousands of people.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13007', 'image' => '20210409104021_Eydg445WQAAnBZz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 10:39:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13260', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Disbursements of official development assistance jump 21% to $2 billion in FY2019/20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal has received US$ 2. billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20. ', 'content' => '<p>April 8: Nepal has received US$ 2 billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20.<br /> According to the ‘Development Cooperation Report, 2020’ launched by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday, the ODA disbursement in the last fiscal year represents a 21.2 percent jump from $1.58 billion that Nepal had received as financial supports from bilateral and multilateral partners in the previous fiscal year 2018/19.<br /> Out of the total ODA, 69.9 percent was provided to Nepal as loans, 18.7 percent as grants and 11.3 percent as technical assistance in 2019/20, the Report shows.<br /> Officials at the MoF say that the increasing share of loans in ODA reflects the result of Nepal’s eligibility in concessional loans from multilateral development banks and institutions.<br /> The portion of budgetary support in the ODA by development partners has gone up significantly in the last fiscal year. The report terms the rise in the share of budgetary support in ODA an ‘important shift’.<br /> According to the report, the portion of budgetary support has reached 36.9 percent of the total ODA from 15.2 percent.<br /> “The Report shows that Nepal still continues to receive substantial amounts of off-budget and off-treasury cooperation, though there has been a gradual improvement,” wrote Shree Krishna Nepal, in the ‘acknowledgements’ section of the report.<br /> Out of the total ODA that Nepal received, 25.6 percent, or $512.9million, was disbursed for Covid-19 response and recovery, according to the Report.<br /> Multilateral development partners’ assistance accounted for 71 percent while bilateral development partners’ assistance contributed 29 percent of the total ODA. The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the United Nations were the top disbursing multilateral partners.<br /> The USA, the UK, India, China and Japan remained at the top of the list of bilateral partners disbursing ODA.<br /> “Though FY 2019/20 showed positive trends in the volume of ODA disbursements and use of budgetary support and other on-budget projects, it is unclear whether these changes represent real shifts in the development cooperation landscape of Nepal or these changes are only short-term responses to the global COVID-19 crisis,” read the report.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13006', 'image' => '20210408054826_ODA__.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 17:47:00', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme Expanded to 6 more Districts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">The board announced the extension of the insurance programme in six more districts while organising an event on April 7.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi launched a virtual health insurance programme in Taplejung, Bara, Sarlahi, Dolakha, Manang, and Mustang during the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">With the extension, access to health insurance has now reached 75 districts across the country. The board is yet to launch the insurance programme in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Executive Director of the Board Damodar Basaula informed that the board is preparing to start the programme in the remaining two districts within this fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Inaugurating the programme, Health Minister Tripathi said that the government is serious about improving the health system. He also stressed the need for all the employees to be serious in making the programme effective.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister Tripathi has directed all concerned bodies to make the insurance facilities easily accessible to the people as some insured people are still complaining that they haven't been able to avail the facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Likewise, the board has launched the health insurance program on the Nagarik App to help individuals view and download information online. The programme was started on April 8, 2019, from Kailali, Ilam, and Baglung to provide health insurance to all Nepalis.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13005', 'image' => '20210408050047_20210326044439_cba3a6cf93e9da58e7f6d9fc39688d07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:58:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Upper Tamakoshi Hydel to be Ready by April 21, Power Production from mid-May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. Major works such as intake, tunnel, transmission line, and substation have been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">There are now minor civil and mechanical works going on under the project. Although one of the national pride projects was expected to be completed before the upcoming Nepali New Year (2078BS), it was delayed because of Covid-19 and some technical glitches. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Lot-2 Hydro-mechanical contractor company has committed that the works as wielding and painting would be completed by April 21. Similarly, the installation of penstock pipe has been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Construction of embankment/intake, main tunnel, power house, tail race tunnel have also been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Executive Director at Nepal Electricity Authority and Chairperson of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Ltd, Hitendra Dev Shakya, conducted an inspection visit and held discussion with project officials, consultants and contractors on the schedule of releasing water to the tunnel with speedy completion of the remaining works. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Shakya shared that power production would begin from mid-May. - RSS </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">--- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13004', 'image' => '20210408042508_20201206012152_1607211371.Clipboard13.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:24:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Confusion over Construction Model Delays Progress of Siddhababa Tunnel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Department of Roads has already finalized Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model and sent the proposal to Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO). But the PPMO has neither approved the proposal nor has its standard document been endorsed by the cabinet, resulting in the inordinate delay. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Ministry of Finance had managed the source of funding for the construction of the tunnel. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Finance had given the permission to the department to initiate the procurement process for the tunnel construction within a budget limit of Rs 10.15 billion on November 18, 2019.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> But the concerned authorities are yet to take a decision on which model to apply for the construction of the tunnel even one and a half years after the decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Shiva Prasad Nepal, spokesperson of DoR, said that the department had sent the proposal to PPMO to construct the tunnel in an EPC model after securing the source of funding.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under the EPC model, the contractor company makes the design on its own but the approval needs to be taken from the department, while the cost of repair and maintenance of the project needs to be borne by the company itself for five years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Our country lacks the skilled manpower to design transport tunnel, so EPC model has been chosen to provide training to our human resources in spite of its higher costs,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The department has already prepared the required document for EPC. However, the PPMO has not approved the document stating it would prepare its own standard bidding document. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO argues that its document will be applicable for all projects across the country but the document prepared by the DoR for Siddababa tunnel will be applicable for only one particular project.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO has already submitted the document to the cabinet for approval. Due to the delay in approval, the contract management process has also been delayed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> “Since PPMO has said it will prepare the model itself, we are waiting for it,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Meanwhile, a set of norms for constructing tunnel has already been prepared. It will address issues like cost of tunnel, what materials to use, manpower mobilization rather than the contract management. There should be a standard document to invite the contract and terms required for it, Nepal said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Public Procurement Act has made provision for various kinds of contracts. Based on this provision, PPMO is preparing standard document on model like EPC. In this model, the responsibility of design rests entirely with the construction company.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under design and build model, which has already been implemented in the country, both the construction company and the department are responsible for the design and maintenance.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13003', 'image' => '20210408031917_20190825123459_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 15:17:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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Nepal received Rs 642.14 billion in remittance in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Issuing the current macroeconomic and financial situation of the country on Monday, the central bank said remittance inflows increased 8.6 percent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 5.0 percent to 5.45 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year, the report further said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to NRB, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 148.68 billion compared to a deficit of Rs 119.70 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of Rs 1.27 billion in the review period compared to a deficit of Rs 1.05 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the central bank said that number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment decreased 74.8 percent in the review period. It had increased 24.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment decreased 65.2 percent in the review period, according to the NRB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a surplus of Rs 68 billion as compared to a surplus of Rs 37.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, the central bank stated. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-13', 'modified' => '2021-04-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13017', 'image' => '20210413120722_20201223115642_20200930060036_1601420921.Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-13 12:06:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13271', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' South Korea Extends Visa Term of Nepali Migrant Workers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Justice in South Korea stated that a rule has been endorsed allowing the workers, whose visa term had expired and who could not return to their home countries due to the Coronavirus pandemic, to get their visa term extended for one year from April 13. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Migrants Trade Union (MTU) president Udaya Rai said the visa term of workers would be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">With this extension, the total stay of workers in South Korea would be of five years and 10 months. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Rai no foreign migrant worker has entered South Korea for 13 months except some workers from Cambodia. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It is said the South Korean government brought this rule in order to fulfill the shortage of workers and to provide relief to those workers unable to return to their home country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-12', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13016', 'image' => '20210412043708_Flag-Pins-Nep.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-12 16:36:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13270', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lack of Laws Delaying Operation of Kurtha-Jayanagar Rail Service', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations. The railway track constructed with the financial assistance of the Government of India had been completed last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The train bought by the government for the railway service was brought six months back. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Guru Bhattarai, General Manager of Nepal Railway Company Pvt Ltd, said the entire human resources and other technicians required for operating the railway service were managed after the arrival of the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the railway service will be operated soon after the required laws are formulated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company stated that an agreement has already been reached with the Government of India for the required technical and human resources and to bring the rail engine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"We have not been able to bring the engine due to the lack of related legislation. We will be in a position to bring the engine once the laws are passed," said General Manager Bhattarai, adding that an agreement has been signed with India for bringing some human resources required for operating the railway service. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"They (the Indian technicians and railway workers) are ready to come to Nepal. We can bring them immediately when required," said Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has already completed the technical preparations for the operation of the Kurtha-Jayanagar railway service. The train set was purchased from the Indian company, Konkon Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It has been reported that 26 technical and human resources are being brought from India in coordination with the company. They include pilot, station master, power manager, senior traffic manager, among others. General Manager Bhattarai said that Nepali staff and other technicians have been already managed for the operation of the railway service. Armed Police Force (APF) will be responsible for the security and safety of the rail and the company's equipment and goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Railway Department said 1,200 to 1,300 passengers, including those seated and standing, can travel by the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"Fixing a fare price rate for the tickets has already been decided," said Bhattarai. The company has proposed a fair rate in collaboration with the concerned ministry. Travelling 35 kilometers costs Rs 75, according to the fare price list. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"The company will soon provide a week-long training session to Nepali workers," said Bhattarai, adding that those workers having prior experience in the railway sector will be prioritized. "Regular operation will take place in two to three weeks," he said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13015', 'image' => '20210411051156_20210120113335_1611012622.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:11:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13269', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poultry Industry Loses Rs 35 billion in a Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. This sector reported such a heavy loss since the outbreak of coronavirus.<br /> According to the Federation of Nepalese Poultry Entrepreneurs, hotels, restaurants, party palaces, and other places which consume meat in large quantities were closed for a long time, causing heavy losses to the poultry industry.<br /> According to stakeholders, the poultry industry had to bear daily loss of Rs 219.5 million during the six-month-long lockdown.<br /> According to Guna Chandra Bista, president of the Federation of Poultry Entrepreneurs, the poultry business faced an estimated loss of around Rs 35 billion.<br /> According to him, the Hatchery Industry Association had to destroy around 600,000 chickens daily during the six-month-long lockdown. During that period, the poultry farmers had to bury 4 million chickens.<br /> The hatchery industry bore the maximum loss, followed by poultry and egg farmers. Likewise, cold storage centers also faced loss along with the farmers.<br /> Even though the losses have declined, the poultry sector is still suffering from the impact. Entrepreneurs say that the prices of chicken, grains, and meat have gone up.<br /> Entrepreneurs estimate that it will take another two years for the country’s poultry sector to return to its old rhythm. Nepal's overall poultry business contributes Rs 180 billion to the gross domestic product.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13014', 'image' => '20210411050124_20160613051853_20160613104208_Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:00:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13268', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI presents ‘Vision Paper 2030’ with an Objective to create 2.2 Million Jobs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. ', 'content' => '<p><em>55th AGM of FNCCI. Photo Courtesy: FNCCI </em></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The paper was presented at the 55th annual general meeting of FNCCI held on Saturday, April 10. It aims to increase the volume of the country's economy to US$ 100 billion from US$ 35 billion per year. The federation estimates an investment of US$ 150 billion is required to achieve this ambitious plan. The private sector will invest US$ 108 billion in accordance to the plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">To achieve this plan, FNCCI has put forward 100 projects which include growth of small and cottage industries, revival of tourism industry, digital economy, promotion of startups and innovative business, women entrepreneurship development project, rural economy, investment promotion and utilization of remittance. Likewise, the vision paper has been prepared with plans to increase the volume of export, promote urban development, agriculture, optical fiber network, energy, operation of railways and ships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Shekhar Golchha, president of FNCCI, said before presenting the paper that the federation was working on this project by forming various committees. “Committees related to agriculture enterprise center, information and technology, foreign employment forum, energy have already started their respective work,” he said, adding, “The Innovation Committee is working to generate 50 new entrepreneurs in the next two years through 50 startups, 50 investors project.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">He stated that entrepreneurs are facing problems due to the government’s unrealistic monitoring and poor perspective towards them. Likewise, acts and regulations of the country aren’t private sector friendly, he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The federation has provided suggestions to bring 14 policy-level reforms for the projects included in the vision paper. According to the federation, policies which need amendment are Black Market and Other Social Crimes and Proceedings Act 2032, Revenue Tribunal Act 2063, Public Procurement Act 2063, Consumer Protection Act 2075, Industrial Enterprise Act 2076, Land Act 2021, Money Laundering Act 2052, Environmental Protection Act 2076, Revenue Leakage Act 2052, Value Added Tax Act 2052, Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074, Patent Design and Trademark Act 2022 and Bank and Financial Institution Debt Recovery Act 2058.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">FNCCI President Golchha said that the government’s support is very essential to implement the 10-year plan prepared by the federation. He said that 40 projects will be completed in the next two years for which the government’s support is vital. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Speaking at the program, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed that an investment-friendly environment has been created in the country. Stating that the protest programmes have come to an end, there wouldn’t be any better environment for private sector than this, and the policies are being prepared accordingly. He expressed commitment to make private sector-friendly policies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Claiming that significant works have been done during his tenure, projects with investment of Rs 500,000 are required to develop the country. PM Oli said that the government itself is working to amend the policies and expressed further commitment to fulfill the private sector’s demands in terms of policy reforms. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13013', 'image' => '20210412042352_170742340_4202933359740983_988237255672916884_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 13:54:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13267', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt to Avoid Lockdown if Possible: Tourism Minister ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 30th annual general meeting of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in the capital on Saturday (April 10), Minister Dhakal said that the government was making utmost efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The dreadful situation of the past is knocking on us again,” he said, adding that the government would skip the idea of imposing lockdown if possible. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He said that the country's tourism sector that suffered worst from the Covid-19 pandemic has witnessed some signs of progress in the recent days but threat looms large from the resurrection of the coronavirus infection. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Dhakal expressed his readiness for policy facilitation to resolve the problems existing in the country's mountaineering sector. He also said the area of cooperation between the government and private sector should be made broader for the tourism sector's prosperity and development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Ministry's Secretary Yadav Prasad Koirala, NMA President Santa Bir Lama and others expressed their opinions on country's tourism and mountaineering sector calling for the NMA to stress on innovation and infrastructure development. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13012', 'image' => '20210411115124_20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 11:50:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13266', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Four companies occupy more than half of total internet service market share in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p>April 10:<br /> Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal.<br /> According to the latest Management Information System report released by Nepal Telecommunications Authority, four ISP—WorldLink Communications Ltd, Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd and Classic Tech—occupy 63% share in the broadband service market that includes 1.4 million internet service subscribers.</p> <p>WorldLink Communications Ltd has the highest internet subscriptions with 451,766 subscribers. This company alone occupies 32.34% market share alone, shows the MIS Report of Magh (between mid January and mid February). <br /> This is followed by Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd which has 184,529 subscribers to hold 13.17% of the internet market share.</p> <p>With 9.45 percent market share and 132,442 subscribers, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd stands at third in the list of top internet service providers. Classic Tech occupies 9.11% market share with 127,761 subscribers.<br /> According to the MIS report, fixed broadband penetration has reached 22.62 percent of the total population compared to 61.47 percent of mobile broadband penetration. <br /> The low penetration of fixed broadband is attributed to the concentration of ISPs in urban areas.<br /> Fixed-broadband refers to high speed internet service delivery to a fixed location using wire or without use of wires.</p> <p>“Higher cost of expansions, higher taxes has dissuaded internet service providers to take service to rural areas. Due to geographical complexities and lack of basic infrastructure, ISPs alone can’t extend service to rural areas so we have been urging with the regulatory body for the establishment of Infrastructure Company,” Sudhir Parajuli, President of Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN), told New Business Age.</p> <p>Broadband Policy 2071 has a target to connect all local units with wired/wireless broadband service by 2020.</p> <p>Though the government has missed its target, officials say that they have expedited works to bring all local units under broadband network coverage.</p> <p>To facilitate broadband network expansion, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has taken an initiative to build broadband network infrastructures utilizing Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF).</p> <p>Nepal Doorsanchar Company Ltd, the government-owned telecommunication company popularly known as Nepal Telecom, has implemented 18 broadband packages to connect 702 local units, 5,933 ward offices, 5,225 secondary schools and 4,122 health institutions of the country.</p> <p>According to the NTA, Nepal Telecom has achieved 78.35 of progress so far, providing connections to 550 local units, 4,474 ward offices, 3,792 secondary schools and 3,153 health institutions.</p> <p>Similarly, NTA has also been implementing three packages to lay optical fiber along Mid Hill Highway. NTA officials say that only 35.19 percent of works related to optical fiber has been completed. <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-10', 'modified' => '2021-04-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13011', 'image' => '20210410025841_Internet Service.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-10 14:57:09', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13264', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders says Policies and Programmes should Focus on Economic Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In a virtual interaction programme organized by the Nepal Management Association on Wednesday (April 7), experts suggested that the policies and programmes should give priority to minimize the impacts of coronavirus on the economy and lives of people.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Kiran Kumar Shrestha, chairman of NMA and Chief Executive Officer of Rastriya Banijya Bank, said the government’s policies and programmes should focus on recovery and uplifting the economic sector affected by COVID-19. Rajan Bikram Thapa, director of Nepal Rastra Bank, had presented a paper during the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, a member of the National Assembly and former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr Shankar Sharma, Dr Min Bahadur Shretha, Dr Govinda Nepal and economist Dr Bishwo Poudel had attended the virtual programme. Speakers of the programme stressed on the need to introduce compensation package for individuals, families, infrastructure projects and affected sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts suggested to bring government-funded banks together and to promote agriculture and tourism sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts shared similar opinion in development of road network, policy reform to increase capital expenditure and effective management of public transportation. They also suggested to bring programmes that encourage electricity consumption, good governance and their effective monitoring. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13010', 'image' => '20210409035508_20200409120151_1586383527.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 15:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13262', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Export of Software Products Declines by 89 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21). In terms of volume, software export declined by about 89 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.<br /> The data received from the customs department up to February this year showed that the exports have declined significantly compared to the last fiscal year. Only four software products were exported during the review period. According to the department, software products worth Rs 942,000 were exported to Japan during the review period.<br /> However, 36 software products worth Rs 18.72 million were exported in the corresponding period of the previous year. During that time, six software products were sold to China and 30 to Japan, according to the Department of Customs. Based on the amount, software products worth Rs 45.96 million were exported to China and Rs 18.72 million to Japan.<br /> During the fiscal year 2018/19, 48 software products worth Rs 239.82 million were exported from Nepal. Statistics show that export of software declined since last year.<br /> During the coronavirus pandemic, the information technology (IT) sector in most countries of the world has leapfrogged to a great extent. However, this fact has made it clear that Nepal's IT sector has declined.<br /> Nawaraj Kunwar, president of the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), said that the decline in software production was due to the coronavirus crisis.<br /> He also said that exports declined due to low demand from foreign customers.<br /> "We make and export software as per the demand of foreign customers," he said. “But this time, the coronavirus affected foreign companies and industries. They have since cut down software purchases,” he added.<br /> Although the IT sector of most of the countries in the world progressed during the coronavirus crisis, Kunwar admits that the IT sector of Nepal has not been able catch up with the big economies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">"The only sector that coronavirus has not affected is the IT industry. But, we have not been able to take advantage of that opportunity,” he said. On top of that, it has not been possible to work safely due to the infection. As a result, non-cooperation has curbed the development of the IT sector.<br /> Compared to other countries, the cost of Nepal’s IT manpower is less expensive. As a result, software products can be made in Nepal at a low cost. According to CAN president Kunwar, foreigners are trying to buy software from Nepal as it is cheaper than other countries. He said that the country can export a large amount of software with good promotion and marketing.<br /> Stating that Nepal can produce and export a large amount of software products with the support from the government, Kunwar said that the government should also use software made in Nepal and promote domestic IT companies. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13009', 'image' => '20210409114029_Dailysun-2019-08-16-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:39:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13263', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' PM Oli Calls for Increasing Production and Jobs ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 70th annual general meeting of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in the capital on Thursday (April 8), the Prime Minister said that resource mobilisation should be stressed for enhancing production and productivity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Asking the business persons and entrepreneurs to invest more for increasing production and productivity, the Prime Minister said that the government was working to clear policy and procedural hassles that could surface to that end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The processes are supposed to be more simplified, the Prime Minister said, while promising to unveil one-stop service to facilitate the service delivery and end administrative burden. He also assured to further simplify the government policies and reform programmes to ensure investment-friendly environment in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Suggesting that the business sector should import only consumer goods and increase the production of export-oriented goods, PM Oli said that the country's trade deficit could be narrowed down through import replacement and export promotion. "Move ahead with the commitment and self-confidence to build the nation. The government is ready to assist you," PM Oli added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Saying that the government has moved ahead with a clear vision for nation's industrial development, the PM expected the private sector's support to translate that vision into reality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, PM Oli expressed serious concern over the increasing cases of coronavirus infection of late and urged one and all to apply precautions. In view of rising cases of the COVID-19, the PM was of the view that all citizens should be aware not to create the situation that again brings the country to a halt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Also speaking at the same programme, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta assured government support for the promotion of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, Chairman of NCC Rajeshkaji Shrestha said that country's economy is severely affected due to COVID-19 crisis and billions of rupees invested in tourism and some other sectors were at risk. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13008', 'image' => '20210409115900_20200305102040_oli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:58:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rich-Poor Gap, Conflict Likely to Grow: US Intelligence Report', 'sub_title' => 'Challenges like Climate Change, Disease, Financial Crises are Likely to Manifest more Frequently in Almost Every Region and Country', 'summary' => 'April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. </span></span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report released on Thursday (April 8) says COVID-19 pandemic has already worsened some of those problems.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The rivalry between China and a US-led coalition of Western nations will likely intensify, fueled by military power shifts, demographics, technology and “hardening divisions over governance models,” says the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report titled Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World was produced by the US National Intelligence Council. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Regional powers and non-state actors may exert greater influence, with the likely result “a more conflict-prone and volatile geopolitical environment” and weakened international cooperation, it said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report by top US intelligence analysts, which is produced every four years, assessed the political, economic, societal and other trends that likely will shape the national security environment in the next 20 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Our intent is to help policymakers and citizens ... prepare for an array of possible futures,” Reuters quoted the authors as mentioning in the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">They noted that they did not make any specific predictions and included input from diverse groups, from American students to African civil society activists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Challenges like climate change, disease, financial crises and technological disruption “are likely to manifest more frequently and intensely in almost every region and country,” producing “widespread strains on states and societies as well as shocks that could be catastrophic,” the report said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report said the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 3 million people marked the greatest “global disruption” since World War Two, with the consequences likely to last for years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">COVID-19, it said, exposed – and sometimes widened – disparities in healthcare, raised national debts, accelerated nationalism and political polarization, deepened inequality, fueled distrust in government and highlighted failed international cooperation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the process, it is slowing – and possibly reversing – progress in fighting poverty, disease and gender inequality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Many problems caused by the pandemic are forecast by the report to grow by 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“There is a certain set of trends that we’ve identified that seem to be accelerating or made more powerful because of the pandemic,” said an NIC official, speaking on condition of anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report posed five scenarios for what the world might look like in 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most optimistic - a “renaissance of democracies” - found that democratic governments would prove “better able to foster scientific research and technological innovation, catalyzing an economic boom,” enabling them to cope with domestic stresses and to stand up to international rivals.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most pessimistic scenario - “tragedy and mobilization” – posited how COVID-19 and global warming could devastate global food supplies, leading to riots in Philadelphia that kill “thousands of people.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13007', 'image' => '20210409104021_Eydg445WQAAnBZz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 10:39:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13260', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Disbursements of official development assistance jump 21% to $2 billion in FY2019/20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal has received US$ 2. billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20. ', 'content' => '<p>April 8: Nepal has received US$ 2 billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20.<br /> According to the ‘Development Cooperation Report, 2020’ launched by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday, the ODA disbursement in the last fiscal year represents a 21.2 percent jump from $1.58 billion that Nepal had received as financial supports from bilateral and multilateral partners in the previous fiscal year 2018/19.<br /> Out of the total ODA, 69.9 percent was provided to Nepal as loans, 18.7 percent as grants and 11.3 percent as technical assistance in 2019/20, the Report shows.<br /> Officials at the MoF say that the increasing share of loans in ODA reflects the result of Nepal’s eligibility in concessional loans from multilateral development banks and institutions.<br /> The portion of budgetary support in the ODA by development partners has gone up significantly in the last fiscal year. The report terms the rise in the share of budgetary support in ODA an ‘important shift’.<br /> According to the report, the portion of budgetary support has reached 36.9 percent of the total ODA from 15.2 percent.<br /> “The Report shows that Nepal still continues to receive substantial amounts of off-budget and off-treasury cooperation, though there has been a gradual improvement,” wrote Shree Krishna Nepal, in the ‘acknowledgements’ section of the report.<br /> Out of the total ODA that Nepal received, 25.6 percent, or $512.9million, was disbursed for Covid-19 response and recovery, according to the Report.<br /> Multilateral development partners’ assistance accounted for 71 percent while bilateral development partners’ assistance contributed 29 percent of the total ODA. The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the United Nations were the top disbursing multilateral partners.<br /> The USA, the UK, India, China and Japan remained at the top of the list of bilateral partners disbursing ODA.<br /> “Though FY 2019/20 showed positive trends in the volume of ODA disbursements and use of budgetary support and other on-budget projects, it is unclear whether these changes represent real shifts in the development cooperation landscape of Nepal or these changes are only short-term responses to the global COVID-19 crisis,” read the report.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13006', 'image' => '20210408054826_ODA__.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 17:47:00', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme Expanded to 6 more Districts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">The board announced the extension of the insurance programme in six more districts while organising an event on April 7.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi launched a virtual health insurance programme in Taplejung, Bara, Sarlahi, Dolakha, Manang, and Mustang during the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">With the extension, access to health insurance has now reached 75 districts across the country. The board is yet to launch the insurance programme in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Executive Director of the Board Damodar Basaula informed that the board is preparing to start the programme in the remaining two districts within this fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Inaugurating the programme, Health Minister Tripathi said that the government is serious about improving the health system. He also stressed the need for all the employees to be serious in making the programme effective.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister Tripathi has directed all concerned bodies to make the insurance facilities easily accessible to the people as some insured people are still complaining that they haven't been able to avail the facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Likewise, the board has launched the health insurance program on the Nagarik App to help individuals view and download information online. The programme was started on April 8, 2019, from Kailali, Ilam, and Baglung to provide health insurance to all Nepalis.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13005', 'image' => '20210408050047_20210326044439_cba3a6cf93e9da58e7f6d9fc39688d07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:58:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Upper Tamakoshi Hydel to be Ready by April 21, Power Production from mid-May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. Major works such as intake, tunnel, transmission line, and substation have been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">There are now minor civil and mechanical works going on under the project. Although one of the national pride projects was expected to be completed before the upcoming Nepali New Year (2078BS), it was delayed because of Covid-19 and some technical glitches. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Lot-2 Hydro-mechanical contractor company has committed that the works as wielding and painting would be completed by April 21. Similarly, the installation of penstock pipe has been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Construction of embankment/intake, main tunnel, power house, tail race tunnel have also been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Executive Director at Nepal Electricity Authority and Chairperson of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Ltd, Hitendra Dev Shakya, conducted an inspection visit and held discussion with project officials, consultants and contractors on the schedule of releasing water to the tunnel with speedy completion of the remaining works. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Shakya shared that power production would begin from mid-May. - RSS </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">--- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13004', 'image' => '20210408042508_20201206012152_1607211371.Clipboard13.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:24:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Confusion over Construction Model Delays Progress of Siddhababa Tunnel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Department of Roads has already finalized Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model and sent the proposal to Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO). But the PPMO has neither approved the proposal nor has its standard document been endorsed by the cabinet, resulting in the inordinate delay. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Ministry of Finance had managed the source of funding for the construction of the tunnel. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Finance had given the permission to the department to initiate the procurement process for the tunnel construction within a budget limit of Rs 10.15 billion on November 18, 2019.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> But the concerned authorities are yet to take a decision on which model to apply for the construction of the tunnel even one and a half years after the decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Shiva Prasad Nepal, spokesperson of DoR, said that the department had sent the proposal to PPMO to construct the tunnel in an EPC model after securing the source of funding.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under the EPC model, the contractor company makes the design on its own but the approval needs to be taken from the department, while the cost of repair and maintenance of the project needs to be borne by the company itself for five years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Our country lacks the skilled manpower to design transport tunnel, so EPC model has been chosen to provide training to our human resources in spite of its higher costs,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The department has already prepared the required document for EPC. However, the PPMO has not approved the document stating it would prepare its own standard bidding document. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO argues that its document will be applicable for all projects across the country but the document prepared by the DoR for Siddababa tunnel will be applicable for only one particular project.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO has already submitted the document to the cabinet for approval. Due to the delay in approval, the contract management process has also been delayed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> “Since PPMO has said it will prepare the model itself, we are waiting for it,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Meanwhile, a set of norms for constructing tunnel has already been prepared. It will address issues like cost of tunnel, what materials to use, manpower mobilization rather than the contract management. There should be a standard document to invite the contract and terms required for it, Nepal said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Public Procurement Act has made provision for various kinds of contracts. Based on this provision, PPMO is preparing standard document on model like EPC. In this model, the responsibility of design rests entirely with the construction company.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under design and build model, which has already been implemented in the country, both the construction company and the department are responsible for the design and maintenance.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13003', 'image' => '20210408031917_20190825123459_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 15:17:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (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' => '13272', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow up by 8.6 Percent in 8 Months of Current Fiscal Year ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 13: Inflow of remittance to Nepal has increased in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 13: Inflow of remittance to Nepal has increased in the current fiscal year. Nepal received Rs 642.14 billion in remittance in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Issuing the current macroeconomic and financial situation of the country on Monday, the central bank said remittance inflows increased 8.6 percent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 5.0 percent to 5.45 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year, the report further said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to NRB, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 148.68 billion compared to a deficit of Rs 119.70 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of Rs 1.27 billion in the review period compared to a deficit of Rs 1.05 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the central bank said that number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment decreased 74.8 percent in the review period. It had increased 24.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment decreased 65.2 percent in the review period, according to the NRB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a surplus of Rs 68 billion as compared to a surplus of Rs 37.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, the central bank stated. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-13', 'modified' => '2021-04-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13017', 'image' => '20210413120722_20201223115642_20200930060036_1601420921.Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-13 12:06:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13271', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' South Korea Extends Visa Term of Nepali Migrant Workers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Justice in South Korea stated that a rule has been endorsed allowing the workers, whose visa term had expired and who could not return to their home countries due to the Coronavirus pandemic, to get their visa term extended for one year from April 13. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Migrants Trade Union (MTU) president Udaya Rai said the visa term of workers would be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">With this extension, the total stay of workers in South Korea would be of five years and 10 months. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Rai no foreign migrant worker has entered South Korea for 13 months except some workers from Cambodia. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It is said the South Korean government brought this rule in order to fulfill the shortage of workers and to provide relief to those workers unable to return to their home country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-12', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13016', 'image' => '20210412043708_Flag-Pins-Nep.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-12 16:36:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13270', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lack of Laws Delaying Operation of Kurtha-Jayanagar Rail Service', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations. The railway track constructed with the financial assistance of the Government of India had been completed last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The train bought by the government for the railway service was brought six months back. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Guru Bhattarai, General Manager of Nepal Railway Company Pvt Ltd, said the entire human resources and other technicians required for operating the railway service were managed after the arrival of the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the railway service will be operated soon after the required laws are formulated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company stated that an agreement has already been reached with the Government of India for the required technical and human resources and to bring the rail engine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"We have not been able to bring the engine due to the lack of related legislation. We will be in a position to bring the engine once the laws are passed," said General Manager Bhattarai, adding that an agreement has been signed with India for bringing some human resources required for operating the railway service. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"They (the Indian technicians and railway workers) are ready to come to Nepal. We can bring them immediately when required," said Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has already completed the technical preparations for the operation of the Kurtha-Jayanagar railway service. The train set was purchased from the Indian company, Konkon Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It has been reported that 26 technical and human resources are being brought from India in coordination with the company. They include pilot, station master, power manager, senior traffic manager, among others. General Manager Bhattarai said that Nepali staff and other technicians have been already managed for the operation of the railway service. Armed Police Force (APF) will be responsible for the security and safety of the rail and the company's equipment and goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Railway Department said 1,200 to 1,300 passengers, including those seated and standing, can travel by the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"Fixing a fare price rate for the tickets has already been decided," said Bhattarai. The company has proposed a fair rate in collaboration with the concerned ministry. Travelling 35 kilometers costs Rs 75, according to the fare price list. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"The company will soon provide a week-long training session to Nepali workers," said Bhattarai, adding that those workers having prior experience in the railway sector will be prioritized. "Regular operation will take place in two to three weeks," he said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13015', 'image' => '20210411051156_20210120113335_1611012622.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:11:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13269', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poultry Industry Loses Rs 35 billion in a Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. This sector reported such a heavy loss since the outbreak of coronavirus.<br /> According to the Federation of Nepalese Poultry Entrepreneurs, hotels, restaurants, party palaces, and other places which consume meat in large quantities were closed for a long time, causing heavy losses to the poultry industry.<br /> According to stakeholders, the poultry industry had to bear daily loss of Rs 219.5 million during the six-month-long lockdown.<br /> According to Guna Chandra Bista, president of the Federation of Poultry Entrepreneurs, the poultry business faced an estimated loss of around Rs 35 billion.<br /> According to him, the Hatchery Industry Association had to destroy around 600,000 chickens daily during the six-month-long lockdown. During that period, the poultry farmers had to bury 4 million chickens.<br /> The hatchery industry bore the maximum loss, followed by poultry and egg farmers. Likewise, cold storage centers also faced loss along with the farmers.<br /> Even though the losses have declined, the poultry sector is still suffering from the impact. Entrepreneurs say that the prices of chicken, grains, and meat have gone up.<br /> Entrepreneurs estimate that it will take another two years for the country’s poultry sector to return to its old rhythm. Nepal's overall poultry business contributes Rs 180 billion to the gross domestic product.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13014', 'image' => '20210411050124_20160613051853_20160613104208_Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:00:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13268', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI presents ‘Vision Paper 2030’ with an Objective to create 2.2 Million Jobs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. ', 'content' => '<p><em>55th AGM of FNCCI. Photo Courtesy: FNCCI </em></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The paper was presented at the 55th annual general meeting of FNCCI held on Saturday, April 10. It aims to increase the volume of the country's economy to US$ 100 billion from US$ 35 billion per year. The federation estimates an investment of US$ 150 billion is required to achieve this ambitious plan. The private sector will invest US$ 108 billion in accordance to the plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">To achieve this plan, FNCCI has put forward 100 projects which include growth of small and cottage industries, revival of tourism industry, digital economy, promotion of startups and innovative business, women entrepreneurship development project, rural economy, investment promotion and utilization of remittance. Likewise, the vision paper has been prepared with plans to increase the volume of export, promote urban development, agriculture, optical fiber network, energy, operation of railways and ships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Shekhar Golchha, president of FNCCI, said before presenting the paper that the federation was working on this project by forming various committees. “Committees related to agriculture enterprise center, information and technology, foreign employment forum, energy have already started their respective work,” he said, adding, “The Innovation Committee is working to generate 50 new entrepreneurs in the next two years through 50 startups, 50 investors project.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">He stated that entrepreneurs are facing problems due to the government’s unrealistic monitoring and poor perspective towards them. Likewise, acts and regulations of the country aren’t private sector friendly, he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The federation has provided suggestions to bring 14 policy-level reforms for the projects included in the vision paper. According to the federation, policies which need amendment are Black Market and Other Social Crimes and Proceedings Act 2032, Revenue Tribunal Act 2063, Public Procurement Act 2063, Consumer Protection Act 2075, Industrial Enterprise Act 2076, Land Act 2021, Money Laundering Act 2052, Environmental Protection Act 2076, Revenue Leakage Act 2052, Value Added Tax Act 2052, Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074, Patent Design and Trademark Act 2022 and Bank and Financial Institution Debt Recovery Act 2058.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">FNCCI President Golchha said that the government’s support is very essential to implement the 10-year plan prepared by the federation. He said that 40 projects will be completed in the next two years for which the government’s support is vital. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Speaking at the program, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed that an investment-friendly environment has been created in the country. Stating that the protest programmes have come to an end, there wouldn’t be any better environment for private sector than this, and the policies are being prepared accordingly. He expressed commitment to make private sector-friendly policies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Claiming that significant works have been done during his tenure, projects with investment of Rs 500,000 are required to develop the country. PM Oli said that the government itself is working to amend the policies and expressed further commitment to fulfill the private sector’s demands in terms of policy reforms. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13013', 'image' => '20210412042352_170742340_4202933359740983_988237255672916884_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 13:54:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13267', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt to Avoid Lockdown if Possible: Tourism Minister ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 30th annual general meeting of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in the capital on Saturday (April 10), Minister Dhakal said that the government was making utmost efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The dreadful situation of the past is knocking on us again,” he said, adding that the government would skip the idea of imposing lockdown if possible. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He said that the country's tourism sector that suffered worst from the Covid-19 pandemic has witnessed some signs of progress in the recent days but threat looms large from the resurrection of the coronavirus infection. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Dhakal expressed his readiness for policy facilitation to resolve the problems existing in the country's mountaineering sector. He also said the area of cooperation between the government and private sector should be made broader for the tourism sector's prosperity and development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Ministry's Secretary Yadav Prasad Koirala, NMA President Santa Bir Lama and others expressed their opinions on country's tourism and mountaineering sector calling for the NMA to stress on innovation and infrastructure development. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13012', 'image' => '20210411115124_20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 11:50:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13266', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Four companies occupy more than half of total internet service market share in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p>April 10:<br /> Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal.<br /> According to the latest Management Information System report released by Nepal Telecommunications Authority, four ISP—WorldLink Communications Ltd, Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd and Classic Tech—occupy 63% share in the broadband service market that includes 1.4 million internet service subscribers.</p> <p>WorldLink Communications Ltd has the highest internet subscriptions with 451,766 subscribers. This company alone occupies 32.34% market share alone, shows the MIS Report of Magh (between mid January and mid February). <br /> This is followed by Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd which has 184,529 subscribers to hold 13.17% of the internet market share.</p> <p>With 9.45 percent market share and 132,442 subscribers, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd stands at third in the list of top internet service providers. Classic Tech occupies 9.11% market share with 127,761 subscribers.<br /> According to the MIS report, fixed broadband penetration has reached 22.62 percent of the total population compared to 61.47 percent of mobile broadband penetration. <br /> The low penetration of fixed broadband is attributed to the concentration of ISPs in urban areas.<br /> Fixed-broadband refers to high speed internet service delivery to a fixed location using wire or without use of wires.</p> <p>“Higher cost of expansions, higher taxes has dissuaded internet service providers to take service to rural areas. Due to geographical complexities and lack of basic infrastructure, ISPs alone can’t extend service to rural areas so we have been urging with the regulatory body for the establishment of Infrastructure Company,” Sudhir Parajuli, President of Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN), told New Business Age.</p> <p>Broadband Policy 2071 has a target to connect all local units with wired/wireless broadband service by 2020.</p> <p>Though the government has missed its target, officials say that they have expedited works to bring all local units under broadband network coverage.</p> <p>To facilitate broadband network expansion, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has taken an initiative to build broadband network infrastructures utilizing Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF).</p> <p>Nepal Doorsanchar Company Ltd, the government-owned telecommunication company popularly known as Nepal Telecom, has implemented 18 broadband packages to connect 702 local units, 5,933 ward offices, 5,225 secondary schools and 4,122 health institutions of the country.</p> <p>According to the NTA, Nepal Telecom has achieved 78.35 of progress so far, providing connections to 550 local units, 4,474 ward offices, 3,792 secondary schools and 3,153 health institutions.</p> <p>Similarly, NTA has also been implementing three packages to lay optical fiber along Mid Hill Highway. NTA officials say that only 35.19 percent of works related to optical fiber has been completed. <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-10', 'modified' => '2021-04-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13011', 'image' => '20210410025841_Internet Service.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-10 14:57:09', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13264', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders says Policies and Programmes should Focus on Economic Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In a virtual interaction programme organized by the Nepal Management Association on Wednesday (April 7), experts suggested that the policies and programmes should give priority to minimize the impacts of coronavirus on the economy and lives of people.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Kiran Kumar Shrestha, chairman of NMA and Chief Executive Officer of Rastriya Banijya Bank, said the government’s policies and programmes should focus on recovery and uplifting the economic sector affected by COVID-19. Rajan Bikram Thapa, director of Nepal Rastra Bank, had presented a paper during the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, a member of the National Assembly and former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr Shankar Sharma, Dr Min Bahadur Shretha, Dr Govinda Nepal and economist Dr Bishwo Poudel had attended the virtual programme. Speakers of the programme stressed on the need to introduce compensation package for individuals, families, infrastructure projects and affected sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts suggested to bring government-funded banks together and to promote agriculture and tourism sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts shared similar opinion in development of road network, policy reform to increase capital expenditure and effective management of public transportation. They also suggested to bring programmes that encourage electricity consumption, good governance and their effective monitoring. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13010', 'image' => '20210409035508_20200409120151_1586383527.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 15:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13262', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Export of Software Products Declines by 89 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21). In terms of volume, software export declined by about 89 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.<br /> The data received from the customs department up to February this year showed that the exports have declined significantly compared to the last fiscal year. Only four software products were exported during the review period. According to the department, software products worth Rs 942,000 were exported to Japan during the review period.<br /> However, 36 software products worth Rs 18.72 million were exported in the corresponding period of the previous year. During that time, six software products were sold to China and 30 to Japan, according to the Department of Customs. Based on the amount, software products worth Rs 45.96 million were exported to China and Rs 18.72 million to Japan.<br /> During the fiscal year 2018/19, 48 software products worth Rs 239.82 million were exported from Nepal. Statistics show that export of software declined since last year.<br /> During the coronavirus pandemic, the information technology (IT) sector in most countries of the world has leapfrogged to a great extent. However, this fact has made it clear that Nepal's IT sector has declined.<br /> Nawaraj Kunwar, president of the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), said that the decline in software production was due to the coronavirus crisis.<br /> He also said that exports declined due to low demand from foreign customers.<br /> "We make and export software as per the demand of foreign customers," he said. “But this time, the coronavirus affected foreign companies and industries. They have since cut down software purchases,” he added.<br /> Although the IT sector of most of the countries in the world progressed during the coronavirus crisis, Kunwar admits that the IT sector of Nepal has not been able catch up with the big economies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">"The only sector that coronavirus has not affected is the IT industry. But, we have not been able to take advantage of that opportunity,” he said. On top of that, it has not been possible to work safely due to the infection. As a result, non-cooperation has curbed the development of the IT sector.<br /> Compared to other countries, the cost of Nepal’s IT manpower is less expensive. As a result, software products can be made in Nepal at a low cost. According to CAN president Kunwar, foreigners are trying to buy software from Nepal as it is cheaper than other countries. He said that the country can export a large amount of software with good promotion and marketing.<br /> Stating that Nepal can produce and export a large amount of software products with the support from the government, Kunwar said that the government should also use software made in Nepal and promote domestic IT companies. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13009', 'image' => '20210409114029_Dailysun-2019-08-16-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:39:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13263', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' PM Oli Calls for Increasing Production and Jobs ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 70th annual general meeting of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in the capital on Thursday (April 8), the Prime Minister said that resource mobilisation should be stressed for enhancing production and productivity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Asking the business persons and entrepreneurs to invest more for increasing production and productivity, the Prime Minister said that the government was working to clear policy and procedural hassles that could surface to that end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The processes are supposed to be more simplified, the Prime Minister said, while promising to unveil one-stop service to facilitate the service delivery and end administrative burden. He also assured to further simplify the government policies and reform programmes to ensure investment-friendly environment in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Suggesting that the business sector should import only consumer goods and increase the production of export-oriented goods, PM Oli said that the country's trade deficit could be narrowed down through import replacement and export promotion. "Move ahead with the commitment and self-confidence to build the nation. The government is ready to assist you," PM Oli added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Saying that the government has moved ahead with a clear vision for nation's industrial development, the PM expected the private sector's support to translate that vision into reality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, PM Oli expressed serious concern over the increasing cases of coronavirus infection of late and urged one and all to apply precautions. In view of rising cases of the COVID-19, the PM was of the view that all citizens should be aware not to create the situation that again brings the country to a halt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Also speaking at the same programme, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta assured government support for the promotion of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, Chairman of NCC Rajeshkaji Shrestha said that country's economy is severely affected due to COVID-19 crisis and billions of rupees invested in tourism and some other sectors were at risk. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13008', 'image' => '20210409115900_20200305102040_oli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:58:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rich-Poor Gap, Conflict Likely to Grow: US Intelligence Report', 'sub_title' => 'Challenges like Climate Change, Disease, Financial Crises are Likely to Manifest more Frequently in Almost Every Region and Country', 'summary' => 'April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. </span></span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report released on Thursday (April 8) says COVID-19 pandemic has already worsened some of those problems.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The rivalry between China and a US-led coalition of Western nations will likely intensify, fueled by military power shifts, demographics, technology and “hardening divisions over governance models,” says the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report titled Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World was produced by the US National Intelligence Council. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Regional powers and non-state actors may exert greater influence, with the likely result “a more conflict-prone and volatile geopolitical environment” and weakened international cooperation, it said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report by top US intelligence analysts, which is produced every four years, assessed the political, economic, societal and other trends that likely will shape the national security environment in the next 20 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Our intent is to help policymakers and citizens ... prepare for an array of possible futures,” Reuters quoted the authors as mentioning in the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">They noted that they did not make any specific predictions and included input from diverse groups, from American students to African civil society activists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Challenges like climate change, disease, financial crises and technological disruption “are likely to manifest more frequently and intensely in almost every region and country,” producing “widespread strains on states and societies as well as shocks that could be catastrophic,” the report said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report said the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 3 million people marked the greatest “global disruption” since World War Two, with the consequences likely to last for years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">COVID-19, it said, exposed – and sometimes widened – disparities in healthcare, raised national debts, accelerated nationalism and political polarization, deepened inequality, fueled distrust in government and highlighted failed international cooperation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the process, it is slowing – and possibly reversing – progress in fighting poverty, disease and gender inequality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Many problems caused by the pandemic are forecast by the report to grow by 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“There is a certain set of trends that we’ve identified that seem to be accelerating or made more powerful because of the pandemic,” said an NIC official, speaking on condition of anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report posed five scenarios for what the world might look like in 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most optimistic - a “renaissance of democracies” - found that democratic governments would prove “better able to foster scientific research and technological innovation, catalyzing an economic boom,” enabling them to cope with domestic stresses and to stand up to international rivals.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most pessimistic scenario - “tragedy and mobilization” – posited how COVID-19 and global warming could devastate global food supplies, leading to riots in Philadelphia that kill “thousands of people.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13007', 'image' => '20210409104021_Eydg445WQAAnBZz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 10:39:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13260', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Disbursements of official development assistance jump 21% to $2 billion in FY2019/20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal has received US$ 2. billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20. ', 'content' => '<p>April 8: Nepal has received US$ 2 billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20.<br /> According to the ‘Development Cooperation Report, 2020’ launched by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday, the ODA disbursement in the last fiscal year represents a 21.2 percent jump from $1.58 billion that Nepal had received as financial supports from bilateral and multilateral partners in the previous fiscal year 2018/19.<br /> Out of the total ODA, 69.9 percent was provided to Nepal as loans, 18.7 percent as grants and 11.3 percent as technical assistance in 2019/20, the Report shows.<br /> Officials at the MoF say that the increasing share of loans in ODA reflects the result of Nepal’s eligibility in concessional loans from multilateral development banks and institutions.<br /> The portion of budgetary support in the ODA by development partners has gone up significantly in the last fiscal year. The report terms the rise in the share of budgetary support in ODA an ‘important shift’.<br /> According to the report, the portion of budgetary support has reached 36.9 percent of the total ODA from 15.2 percent.<br /> “The Report shows that Nepal still continues to receive substantial amounts of off-budget and off-treasury cooperation, though there has been a gradual improvement,” wrote Shree Krishna Nepal, in the ‘acknowledgements’ section of the report.<br /> Out of the total ODA that Nepal received, 25.6 percent, or $512.9million, was disbursed for Covid-19 response and recovery, according to the Report.<br /> Multilateral development partners’ assistance accounted for 71 percent while bilateral development partners’ assistance contributed 29 percent of the total ODA. The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the United Nations were the top disbursing multilateral partners.<br /> The USA, the UK, India, China and Japan remained at the top of the list of bilateral partners disbursing ODA.<br /> “Though FY 2019/20 showed positive trends in the volume of ODA disbursements and use of budgetary support and other on-budget projects, it is unclear whether these changes represent real shifts in the development cooperation landscape of Nepal or these changes are only short-term responses to the global COVID-19 crisis,” read the report.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13006', 'image' => '20210408054826_ODA__.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 17:47:00', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme Expanded to 6 more Districts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">The board announced the extension of the insurance programme in six more districts while organising an event on April 7.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi launched a virtual health insurance programme in Taplejung, Bara, Sarlahi, Dolakha, Manang, and Mustang during the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">With the extension, access to health insurance has now reached 75 districts across the country. The board is yet to launch the insurance programme in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Executive Director of the Board Damodar Basaula informed that the board is preparing to start the programme in the remaining two districts within this fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Inaugurating the programme, Health Minister Tripathi said that the government is serious about improving the health system. He also stressed the need for all the employees to be serious in making the programme effective.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister Tripathi has directed all concerned bodies to make the insurance facilities easily accessible to the people as some insured people are still complaining that they haven't been able to avail the facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Likewise, the board has launched the health insurance program on the Nagarik App to help individuals view and download information online. The programme was started on April 8, 2019, from Kailali, Ilam, and Baglung to provide health insurance to all Nepalis.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13005', 'image' => '20210408050047_20210326044439_cba3a6cf93e9da58e7f6d9fc39688d07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:58:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Upper Tamakoshi Hydel to be Ready by April 21, Power Production from mid-May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. Major works such as intake, tunnel, transmission line, and substation have been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">There are now minor civil and mechanical works going on under the project. Although one of the national pride projects was expected to be completed before the upcoming Nepali New Year (2078BS), it was delayed because of Covid-19 and some technical glitches. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Lot-2 Hydro-mechanical contractor company has committed that the works as wielding and painting would be completed by April 21. Similarly, the installation of penstock pipe has been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Construction of embankment/intake, main tunnel, power house, tail race tunnel have also been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Executive Director at Nepal Electricity Authority and Chairperson of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Ltd, Hitendra Dev Shakya, conducted an inspection visit and held discussion with project officials, consultants and contractors on the schedule of releasing water to the tunnel with speedy completion of the remaining works. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Shakya shared that power production would begin from mid-May. - RSS </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">--- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13004', 'image' => '20210408042508_20201206012152_1607211371.Clipboard13.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:24:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Confusion over Construction Model Delays Progress of Siddhababa Tunnel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Department of Roads has already finalized Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model and sent the proposal to Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO). But the PPMO has neither approved the proposal nor has its standard document been endorsed by the cabinet, resulting in the inordinate delay. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Ministry of Finance had managed the source of funding for the construction of the tunnel. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Finance had given the permission to the department to initiate the procurement process for the tunnel construction within a budget limit of Rs 10.15 billion on November 18, 2019.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> But the concerned authorities are yet to take a decision on which model to apply for the construction of the tunnel even one and a half years after the decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Shiva Prasad Nepal, spokesperson of DoR, said that the department had sent the proposal to PPMO to construct the tunnel in an EPC model after securing the source of funding.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under the EPC model, the contractor company makes the design on its own but the approval needs to be taken from the department, while the cost of repair and maintenance of the project needs to be borne by the company itself for five years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Our country lacks the skilled manpower to design transport tunnel, so EPC model has been chosen to provide training to our human resources in spite of its higher costs,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The department has already prepared the required document for EPC. However, the PPMO has not approved the document stating it would prepare its own standard bidding document. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO argues that its document will be applicable for all projects across the country but the document prepared by the DoR for Siddababa tunnel will be applicable for only one particular project.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO has already submitted the document to the cabinet for approval. Due to the delay in approval, the contract management process has also been delayed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> “Since PPMO has said it will prepare the model itself, we are waiting for it,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Meanwhile, a set of norms for constructing tunnel has already been prepared. It will address issues like cost of tunnel, what materials to use, manpower mobilization rather than the contract management. There should be a standard document to invite the contract and terms required for it, Nepal said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Public Procurement Act has made provision for various kinds of contracts. Based on this provision, PPMO is preparing standard document on model like EPC. In this model, the responsibility of design rests entirely with the construction company.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under design and build model, which has already been implemented in the country, both the construction company and the department are responsible for the design and maintenance.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13003', 'image' => '20210408031917_20190825123459_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 15:17:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (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' => '13272', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow up by 8.6 Percent in 8 Months of Current Fiscal Year ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 13: Inflow of remittance to Nepal has increased in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 13: Inflow of remittance to Nepal has increased in the current fiscal year. Nepal received Rs 642.14 billion in remittance in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Issuing the current macroeconomic and financial situation of the country on Monday, the central bank said remittance inflows increased 8.6 percent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 5.0 percent to 5.45 billion in the review period compared to 1.5 percent in the same period of the previous year, the report further said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to NRB, the current account remained at a deficit of Rs 148.68 billion compared to a deficit of Rs 119.70 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a deficit of Rs 1.27 billion in the review period compared to a deficit of Rs 1.05 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the central bank said that number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment decreased 74.8 percent in the review period. It had increased 24.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The number of Nepali workers (renew entry) taking approval for foreign employment decreased 65.2 percent in the review period, according to the NRB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a surplus of Rs 68 billion as compared to a surplus of Rs 37.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, the central bank stated. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-13', 'modified' => '2021-04-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13017', 'image' => '20210413120722_20201223115642_20200930060036_1601420921.Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-13 12:06:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13271', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' South Korea Extends Visa Term of Nepali Migrant Workers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 12: The visa term of all the migrant workers, including Nepalis, working in South Korea is to be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Justice in South Korea stated that a rule has been endorsed allowing the workers, whose visa term had expired and who could not return to their home countries due to the Coronavirus pandemic, to get their visa term extended for one year from April 13. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Migrants Trade Union (MTU) president Udaya Rai said the visa term of workers would be extended by one year. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">With this extension, the total stay of workers in South Korea would be of five years and 10 months. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Rai no foreign migrant worker has entered South Korea for 13 months except some workers from Cambodia. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It is said the South Korean government brought this rule in order to fulfill the shortage of workers and to provide relief to those workers unable to return to their home country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-12', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13016', 'image' => '20210412043708_Flag-Pins-Nep.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-12 16:36:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13270', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lack of Laws Delaying Operation of Kurtha-Jayanagar Rail Service', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Lack of laws is preventing the operation of railway service on Kurtha-Jayanagar route despite all preparations. The railway track constructed with the financial assistance of the Government of India had been completed last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The train bought by the government for the railway service was brought six months back. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Guru Bhattarai, General Manager of Nepal Railway Company Pvt Ltd, said the entire human resources and other technicians required for operating the railway service were managed after the arrival of the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the railway service will be operated soon after the required laws are formulated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company stated that an agreement has already been reached with the Government of India for the required technical and human resources and to bring the rail engine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"We have not been able to bring the engine due to the lack of related legislation. We will be in a position to bring the engine once the laws are passed," said General Manager Bhattarai, adding that an agreement has been signed with India for bringing some human resources required for operating the railway service. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"They (the Indian technicians and railway workers) are ready to come to Nepal. We can bring them immediately when required," said Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has already completed the technical preparations for the operation of the Kurtha-Jayanagar railway service. The train set was purchased from the Indian company, Konkon Company. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">It has been reported that 26 technical and human resources are being brought from India in coordination with the company. They include pilot, station master, power manager, senior traffic manager, among others. General Manager Bhattarai said that Nepali staff and other technicians have been already managed for the operation of the railway service. Armed Police Force (APF) will be responsible for the security and safety of the rail and the company's equipment and goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Railway Department said 1,200 to 1,300 passengers, including those seated and standing, can travel by the train. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"Fixing a fare price rate for the tickets has already been decided," said Bhattarai. The company has proposed a fair rate in collaboration with the concerned ministry. Travelling 35 kilometers costs Rs 75, according to the fare price list. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">"The company will soon provide a week-long training session to Nepali workers," said Bhattarai, adding that those workers having prior experience in the railway sector will be prioritized. "Regular operation will take place in two to three weeks," he said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13015', 'image' => '20210411051156_20210120113335_1611012622.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:11:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13269', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poultry Industry Loses Rs 35 billion in a Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The poultry industry of Nepal has recorded a loss of Rs 35 billion in one year. This sector reported such a heavy loss since the outbreak of coronavirus.<br /> According to the Federation of Nepalese Poultry Entrepreneurs, hotels, restaurants, party palaces, and other places which consume meat in large quantities were closed for a long time, causing heavy losses to the poultry industry.<br /> According to stakeholders, the poultry industry had to bear daily loss of Rs 219.5 million during the six-month-long lockdown.<br /> According to Guna Chandra Bista, president of the Federation of Poultry Entrepreneurs, the poultry business faced an estimated loss of around Rs 35 billion.<br /> According to him, the Hatchery Industry Association had to destroy around 600,000 chickens daily during the six-month-long lockdown. During that period, the poultry farmers had to bury 4 million chickens.<br /> The hatchery industry bore the maximum loss, followed by poultry and egg farmers. Likewise, cold storage centers also faced loss along with the farmers.<br /> Even though the losses have declined, the poultry sector is still suffering from the impact. Entrepreneurs say that the prices of chicken, grains, and meat have gone up.<br /> Entrepreneurs estimate that it will take another two years for the country’s poultry sector to return to its old rhythm. Nepal's overall poultry business contributes Rs 180 billion to the gross domestic product.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13014', 'image' => '20210411050124_20160613051853_20160613104208_Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 17:00:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13268', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI presents ‘Vision Paper 2030’ with an Objective to create 2.2 Million Jobs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. ', 'content' => '<p><em>55th AGM of FNCCI. Photo Courtesy: FNCCI </em></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">April 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and lndustry (FNCCI) has prepared the ‘Vision Paper 2030’ under an ambitious ten-year plan with an objective to expand the country's economy to US$ 100 billon and create 2.2 million jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The paper was presented at the 55th annual general meeting of FNCCI held on Saturday, April 10. It aims to increase the volume of the country's economy to US$ 100 billion from US$ 35 billion per year. The federation estimates an investment of US$ 150 billion is required to achieve this ambitious plan. The private sector will invest US$ 108 billion in accordance to the plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">To achieve this plan, FNCCI has put forward 100 projects which include growth of small and cottage industries, revival of tourism industry, digital economy, promotion of startups and innovative business, women entrepreneurship development project, rural economy, investment promotion and utilization of remittance. Likewise, the vision paper has been prepared with plans to increase the volume of export, promote urban development, agriculture, optical fiber network, energy, operation of railways and ships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Shekhar Golchha, president of FNCCI, said before presenting the paper that the federation was working on this project by forming various committees. “Committees related to agriculture enterprise center, information and technology, foreign employment forum, energy have already started their respective work,” he said, adding, “The Innovation Committee is working to generate 50 new entrepreneurs in the next two years through 50 startups, 50 investors project.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">He stated that entrepreneurs are facing problems due to the government’s unrealistic monitoring and poor perspective towards them. Likewise, acts and regulations of the country aren’t private sector friendly, he said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The federation has provided suggestions to bring 14 policy-level reforms for the projects included in the vision paper. According to the federation, policies which need amendment are Black Market and Other Social Crimes and Proceedings Act 2032, Revenue Tribunal Act 2063, Public Procurement Act 2063, Consumer Protection Act 2075, Industrial Enterprise Act 2076, Land Act 2021, Money Laundering Act 2052, Environmental Protection Act 2076, Revenue Leakage Act 2052, Value Added Tax Act 2052, Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074, Patent Design and Trademark Act 2022 and Bank and Financial Institution Debt Recovery Act 2058.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">FNCCI President Golchha said that the government’s support is very essential to implement the 10-year plan prepared by the federation. He said that 40 projects will be completed in the next two years for which the government’s support is vital. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Speaking at the program, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed that an investment-friendly environment has been created in the country. Stating that the protest programmes have come to an end, there wouldn’t be any better environment for private sector than this, and the policies are being prepared accordingly. He expressed commitment to make private sector-friendly policies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Claiming that significant works have been done during his tenure, projects with investment of Rs 500,000 are required to develop the country. PM Oli said that the government itself is working to amend the policies and expressed further commitment to fulfill the private sector’s demands in terms of policy reforms. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13013', 'image' => '20210412042352_170742340_4202933359740983_988237255672916884_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 13:54:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13267', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt to Avoid Lockdown if Possible: Tourism Minister ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal has said the government was preparing to avoid lockdown as far as possible for the containment of second wave of coronavirus. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 30th annual general meeting of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in the capital on Saturday (April 10), Minister Dhakal said that the government was making utmost efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The dreadful situation of the past is knocking on us again,” he said, adding that the government would skip the idea of imposing lockdown if possible. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He said that the country's tourism sector that suffered worst from the Covid-19 pandemic has witnessed some signs of progress in the recent days but threat looms large from the resurrection of the coronavirus infection. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Dhakal expressed his readiness for policy facilitation to resolve the problems existing in the country's mountaineering sector. He also said the area of cooperation between the government and private sector should be made broader for the tourism sector's prosperity and development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Ministry's Secretary Yadav Prasad Koirala, NMA President Santa Bir Lama and others expressed their opinions on country's tourism and mountaineering sector calling for the NMA to stress on innovation and infrastructure development. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-11', 'modified' => '2021-04-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13012', 'image' => '20210411115124_20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-11 11:50:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13266', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Four companies occupy more than half of total internet service market share in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p>April 10:<br /> Four out of a total 40 internet service providers (ISPs) have captured more than a half of the internet service market share in Nepal.<br /> According to the latest Management Information System report released by Nepal Telecommunications Authority, four ISP—WorldLink Communications Ltd, Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd and Classic Tech—occupy 63% share in the broadband service market that includes 1.4 million internet service subscribers.</p> <p>WorldLink Communications Ltd has the highest internet subscriptions with 451,766 subscribers. This company alone occupies 32.34% market share alone, shows the MIS Report of Magh (between mid January and mid February). <br /> This is followed by Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd which has 184,529 subscribers to hold 13.17% of the internet market share.</p> <p>With 9.45 percent market share and 132,442 subscribers, Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd stands at third in the list of top internet service providers. Classic Tech occupies 9.11% market share with 127,761 subscribers.<br /> According to the MIS report, fixed broadband penetration has reached 22.62 percent of the total population compared to 61.47 percent of mobile broadband penetration. <br /> The low penetration of fixed broadband is attributed to the concentration of ISPs in urban areas.<br /> Fixed-broadband refers to high speed internet service delivery to a fixed location using wire or without use of wires.</p> <p>“Higher cost of expansions, higher taxes has dissuaded internet service providers to take service to rural areas. Due to geographical complexities and lack of basic infrastructure, ISPs alone can’t extend service to rural areas so we have been urging with the regulatory body for the establishment of Infrastructure Company,” Sudhir Parajuli, President of Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN), told New Business Age.</p> <p>Broadband Policy 2071 has a target to connect all local units with wired/wireless broadband service by 2020.</p> <p>Though the government has missed its target, officials say that they have expedited works to bring all local units under broadband network coverage.</p> <p>To facilitate broadband network expansion, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has taken an initiative to build broadband network infrastructures utilizing Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF).</p> <p>Nepal Doorsanchar Company Ltd, the government-owned telecommunication company popularly known as Nepal Telecom, has implemented 18 broadband packages to connect 702 local units, 5,933 ward offices, 5,225 secondary schools and 4,122 health institutions of the country.</p> <p>According to the NTA, Nepal Telecom has achieved 78.35 of progress so far, providing connections to 550 local units, 4,474 ward offices, 3,792 secondary schools and 3,153 health institutions.</p> <p>Similarly, NTA has also been implementing three packages to lay optical fiber along Mid Hill Highway. NTA officials say that only 35.19 percent of works related to optical fiber has been completed. <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-10', 'modified' => '2021-04-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13011', 'image' => '20210410025841_Internet Service.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-10 14:57:09', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13264', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders says Policies and Programmes should Focus on Economic Revival', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">April 9: Stakeholders have said that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should focus on economic revival post COVID-19. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In a virtual interaction programme organized by the Nepal Management Association on Wednesday (April 7), experts suggested that the policies and programmes should give priority to minimize the impacts of coronavirus on the economy and lives of people.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Kiran Kumar Shrestha, chairman of NMA and Chief Executive Officer of Rastriya Banijya Bank, said the government’s policies and programmes should focus on recovery and uplifting the economic sector affected by COVID-19. Rajan Bikram Thapa, director of Nepal Rastra Bank, had presented a paper during the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, a member of the National Assembly and former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr Shankar Sharma, Dr Min Bahadur Shretha, Dr Govinda Nepal and economist Dr Bishwo Poudel had attended the virtual programme. Speakers of the programme stressed on the need to introduce compensation package for individuals, families, infrastructure projects and affected sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts suggested to bring government-funded banks together and to promote agriculture and tourism sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Experts shared similar opinion in development of road network, policy reform to increase capital expenditure and effective management of public transportation. They also suggested to bring programmes that encourage electricity consumption, good governance and their effective monitoring. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13010', 'image' => '20210409035508_20200409120151_1586383527.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 15:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13262', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Export of Software Products Declines by 89 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">April 9: Software export from Nepal has declined sharply by mid-February of the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21). In terms of volume, software export declined by about 89 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.<br /> The data received from the customs department up to February this year showed that the exports have declined significantly compared to the last fiscal year. Only four software products were exported during the review period. According to the department, software products worth Rs 942,000 were exported to Japan during the review period.<br /> However, 36 software products worth Rs 18.72 million were exported in the corresponding period of the previous year. During that time, six software products were sold to China and 30 to Japan, according to the Department of Customs. Based on the amount, software products worth Rs 45.96 million were exported to China and Rs 18.72 million to Japan.<br /> During the fiscal year 2018/19, 48 software products worth Rs 239.82 million were exported from Nepal. Statistics show that export of software declined since last year.<br /> During the coronavirus pandemic, the information technology (IT) sector in most countries of the world has leapfrogged to a great extent. However, this fact has made it clear that Nepal's IT sector has declined.<br /> Nawaraj Kunwar, president of the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), said that the decline in software production was due to the coronavirus crisis.<br /> He also said that exports declined due to low demand from foreign customers.<br /> "We make and export software as per the demand of foreign customers," he said. “But this time, the coronavirus affected foreign companies and industries. They have since cut down software purchases,” he added.<br /> Although the IT sector of most of the countries in the world progressed during the coronavirus crisis, Kunwar admits that the IT sector of Nepal has not been able catch up with the big economies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">"The only sector that coronavirus has not affected is the IT industry. But, we have not been able to take advantage of that opportunity,” he said. On top of that, it has not been possible to work safely due to the infection. As a result, non-cooperation has curbed the development of the IT sector.<br /> Compared to other countries, the cost of Nepal’s IT manpower is less expensive. As a result, software products can be made in Nepal at a low cost. According to CAN president Kunwar, foreigners are trying to buy software from Nepal as it is cheaper than other countries. He said that the country can export a large amount of software with good promotion and marketing.<br /> Stating that Nepal can produce and export a large amount of software products with the support from the government, Kunwar said that the government should also use software made in Nepal and promote domestic IT companies. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13009', 'image' => '20210409114029_Dailysun-2019-08-16-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:39:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13263', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' PM Oli Calls for Increasing Production and Jobs ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the business community to focus on increasing production and productivity, and thereby employment generation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Inaugurating the 70th annual general meeting of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in the capital on Thursday (April 8), the Prime Minister said that resource mobilisation should be stressed for enhancing production and productivity. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Asking the business persons and entrepreneurs to invest more for increasing production and productivity, the Prime Minister said that the government was working to clear policy and procedural hassles that could surface to that end. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The processes are supposed to be more simplified, the Prime Minister said, while promising to unveil one-stop service to facilitate the service delivery and end administrative burden. He also assured to further simplify the government policies and reform programmes to ensure investment-friendly environment in the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Suggesting that the business sector should import only consumer goods and increase the production of export-oriented goods, PM Oli said that the country's trade deficit could be narrowed down through import replacement and export promotion. "Move ahead with the commitment and self-confidence to build the nation. The government is ready to assist you," PM Oli added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Saying that the government has moved ahead with a clear vision for nation's industrial development, the PM expected the private sector's support to translate that vision into reality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, PM Oli expressed serious concern over the increasing cases of coronavirus infection of late and urged one and all to apply precautions. In view of rising cases of the COVID-19, the PM was of the view that all citizens should be aware not to create the situation that again brings the country to a halt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Also speaking at the same programme, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta assured government support for the promotion of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Likewise, Chairman of NCC Rajeshkaji Shrestha said that country's economy is severely affected due to COVID-19 crisis and billions of rupees invested in tourism and some other sectors were at risk. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13008', 'image' => '20210409115900_20200305102040_oli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 11:58:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rich-Poor Gap, Conflict Likely to Grow: US Intelligence Report', 'sub_title' => 'Challenges like Climate Change, Disease, Financial Crises are Likely to Manifest more Frequently in Almost Every Region and Country', 'summary' => 'April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 9: Disease, the rich-poor gap, climate change and conflicts within and among nations will pose greater challenges in coming decades, states a US intelligence report. </span></span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report released on Thursday (April 8) says COVID-19 pandemic has already worsened some of those problems.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The rivalry between China and a US-led coalition of Western nations will likely intensify, fueled by military power shifts, demographics, technology and “hardening divisions over governance models,” says the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report titled Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World was produced by the US National Intelligence Council. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Regional powers and non-state actors may exert greater influence, with the likely result “a more conflict-prone and volatile geopolitical environment” and weakened international cooperation, it said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report by top US intelligence analysts, which is produced every four years, assessed the political, economic, societal and other trends that likely will shape the national security environment in the next 20 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Our intent is to help policymakers and citizens ... prepare for an array of possible futures,” Reuters quoted the authors as mentioning in the report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">They noted that they did not make any specific predictions and included input from diverse groups, from American students to African civil society activists.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Challenges like climate change, disease, financial crises and technological disruption “are likely to manifest more frequently and intensely in almost every region and country,” producing “widespread strains on states and societies as well as shocks that could be catastrophic,” the report said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Reuters, the report said the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 3 million people marked the greatest “global disruption” since World War Two, with the consequences likely to last for years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">COVID-19, it said, exposed – and sometimes widened – disparities in healthcare, raised national debts, accelerated nationalism and political polarization, deepened inequality, fueled distrust in government and highlighted failed international cooperation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">In the process, it is slowing – and possibly reversing – progress in fighting poverty, disease and gender inequality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Many problems caused by the pandemic are forecast by the report to grow by 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“There is a certain set of trends that we’ve identified that seem to be accelerating or made more powerful because of the pandemic,” said an NIC official, speaking on condition of anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report posed five scenarios for what the world might look like in 2040.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most optimistic - a “renaissance of democracies” - found that democratic governments would prove “better able to foster scientific research and technological innovation, catalyzing an economic boom,” enabling them to cope with domestic stresses and to stand up to international rivals.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The most pessimistic scenario - “tragedy and mobilization” – posited how COVID-19 and global warming could devastate global food supplies, leading to riots in Philadelphia that kill “thousands of people.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-09', 'modified' => '2021-04-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13007', 'image' => '20210409104021_Eydg445WQAAnBZz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-09 10:39:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13260', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Disbursements of official development assistance jump 21% to $2 billion in FY2019/20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal has received US$ 2. billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20. ', 'content' => '<p>April 8: Nepal has received US$ 2 billion in official development assistance (ODA) from various bilateral and multilateral development partners in the last fiscal year 2019/20.<br /> According to the ‘Development Cooperation Report, 2020’ launched by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday, the ODA disbursement in the last fiscal year represents a 21.2 percent jump from $1.58 billion that Nepal had received as financial supports from bilateral and multilateral partners in the previous fiscal year 2018/19.<br /> Out of the total ODA, 69.9 percent was provided to Nepal as loans, 18.7 percent as grants and 11.3 percent as technical assistance in 2019/20, the Report shows.<br /> Officials at the MoF say that the increasing share of loans in ODA reflects the result of Nepal’s eligibility in concessional loans from multilateral development banks and institutions.<br /> The portion of budgetary support in the ODA by development partners has gone up significantly in the last fiscal year. The report terms the rise in the share of budgetary support in ODA an ‘important shift’.<br /> According to the report, the portion of budgetary support has reached 36.9 percent of the total ODA from 15.2 percent.<br /> “The Report shows that Nepal still continues to receive substantial amounts of off-budget and off-treasury cooperation, though there has been a gradual improvement,” wrote Shree Krishna Nepal, in the ‘acknowledgements’ section of the report.<br /> Out of the total ODA that Nepal received, 25.6 percent, or $512.9million, was disbursed for Covid-19 response and recovery, according to the Report.<br /> Multilateral development partners’ assistance accounted for 71 percent while bilateral development partners’ assistance contributed 29 percent of the total ODA. The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the United Nations were the top disbursing multilateral partners.<br /> The USA, the UK, India, China and Japan remained at the top of the list of bilateral partners disbursing ODA.<br /> “Though FY 2019/20 showed positive trends in the volume of ODA disbursements and use of budgetary support and other on-budget projects, it is unclear whether these changes represent real shifts in the development cooperation landscape of Nepal or these changes are only short-term responses to the global COVID-19 crisis,” read the report.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13006', 'image' => '20210408054826_ODA__.JPG', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 17:47:00', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme Expanded to 6 more Districts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">April 8: The Health Insurance Board is expanding its health insurance programmes to six more districts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">The board announced the extension of the insurance programme in six more districts while organising an event on April 7.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi launched a virtual health insurance programme in Taplejung, Bara, Sarlahi, Dolakha, Manang, and Mustang during the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">With the extension, access to health insurance has now reached 75 districts across the country. The board is yet to launch the insurance programme in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Executive Director of the Board Damodar Basaula informed that the board is preparing to start the programme in the remaining two districts within this fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Inaugurating the programme, Health Minister Tripathi said that the government is serious about improving the health system. He also stressed the need for all the employees to be serious in making the programme effective.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Minister Tripathi has directed all concerned bodies to make the insurance facilities easily accessible to the people as some insured people are still complaining that they haven't been able to avail the facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times">Likewise, the board has launched the health insurance program on the Nagarik App to help individuals view and download information online. The programme was started on April 8, 2019, from Kailali, Ilam, and Baglung to provide health insurance to all Nepalis.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13005', 'image' => '20210408050047_20210326044439_cba3a6cf93e9da58e7f6d9fc39688d07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:58:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Upper Tamakoshi Hydel to be Ready by April 21, Power Production from mid-May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">April 8: The underconstruction Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW) has reached final stage of construction. Major works such as intake, tunnel, transmission line, and substation have been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">There are now minor civil and mechanical works going on under the project. Although one of the national pride projects was expected to be completed before the upcoming Nepali New Year (2078BS), it was delayed because of Covid-19 and some technical glitches. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Lot-2 Hydro-mechanical contractor company has committed that the works as wielding and painting would be completed by April 21. Similarly, the installation of penstock pipe has been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Construction of embankment/intake, main tunnel, power house, tail race tunnel have also been completed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Executive Director at Nepal Electricity Authority and Chairperson of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Ltd, Hitendra Dev Shakya, conducted an inspection visit and held discussion with project officials, consultants and contractors on the schedule of releasing water to the tunnel with speedy completion of the remaining works. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Shakya shared that power production would begin from mid-May. - RSS </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">--- </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13004', 'image' => '20210408042508_20201206012152_1607211371.Clipboard13.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 16:24:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Confusion over Construction Model Delays Progress of Siddhababa Tunnel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">April 8: Indecisiveness over the construction model of Siddhababa tunnel has delayed the construction of the most-awaited project along the Butwal- Palpa road section of Siddhartha Highway.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Department of Roads has already finalized Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model and sent the proposal to Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO). But the PPMO has neither approved the proposal nor has its standard document been endorsed by the cabinet, resulting in the inordinate delay. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Ministry of Finance had managed the source of funding for the construction of the tunnel. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Finance had given the permission to the department to initiate the procurement process for the tunnel construction within a budget limit of Rs 10.15 billion on November 18, 2019.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> But the concerned authorities are yet to take a decision on which model to apply for the construction of the tunnel even one and a half years after the decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Shiva Prasad Nepal, spokesperson of DoR, said that the department had sent the proposal to PPMO to construct the tunnel in an EPC model after securing the source of funding.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under the EPC model, the contractor company makes the design on its own but the approval needs to be taken from the department, while the cost of repair and maintenance of the project needs to be borne by the company itself for five years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Our country lacks the skilled manpower to design transport tunnel, so EPC model has been chosen to provide training to our human resources in spite of its higher costs,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The department has already prepared the required document for EPC. However, the PPMO has not approved the document stating it would prepare its own standard bidding document. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO argues that its document will be applicable for all projects across the country but the document prepared by the DoR for Siddababa tunnel will be applicable for only one particular project.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The PPMO has already submitted the document to the cabinet for approval. Due to the delay in approval, the contract management process has also been delayed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> “Since PPMO has said it will prepare the model itself, we are waiting for it,” said Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Meanwhile, a set of norms for constructing tunnel has already been prepared. It will address issues like cost of tunnel, what materials to use, manpower mobilization rather than the contract management. There should be a standard document to invite the contract and terms required for it, Nepal said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Public Procurement Act has made provision for various kinds of contracts. Based on this provision, PPMO is preparing standard document on model like EPC. In this model, the responsibility of design rests entirely with the construction company.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under design and build model, which has already been implemented in the country, both the construction company and the department are responsible for the design and maintenance.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-04-08', 'modified' => '2021-04-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13003', 'image' => '20210408031917_20190825123459_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-04-08 15:17:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
