Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari…
Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari…
July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year…
July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and…
July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to…
July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage…
July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the…
July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been…
July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this…
Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their…
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three…
Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of…
July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination…
VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM…
July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.…
July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing.…
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18361', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Agricultural Materials Distributed to Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari district. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4 : Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari district. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality's agriculture section provided essential agricultural materials, including vegetable seeds, to forty farmers through the pocket program for vegetable farming. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution took place in Matihani-6, which is recognized as a pocket area for vegetable production in the district. The distributed materials included irrigation motors, delivery pipes, spray tanks, spades, compost, and vegetable seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Mayor Hari Prasad Mandal, the farmers in Matihani-6 cultivate approximately 20 hectares of land through commercial farming.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> It has been reported that the area generates a minimum of Rs 10 million in vegetable sales annually.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution of agricultural tools, fertilizers, and seeds has brought significant relief to the farmers. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Musafir Sahani expressed happiness for receiving these essential materials, emphasizing the immense relief it has provided to the farming community.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18091', 'image' => '20230704043921_collage (67).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 16:37:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18360', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 250,000 Health Professionals needed in Eight Years: MEC Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88. MEC made this projection on the basis of a study conducted in fiscal year 2077/78 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 358,938 human resources related to health including female health volunteers and office assistants in government and private health institutions would be needed within the period, shared the commission. Of them, 257,091 would be doctors and health workers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of the commission, Prof Dr Sri Krishna Giri, mentioned that such number of human resources in health sector was estimated based on the human resource to be retired and going abroad during the period as well as basic health institutions the government has been constructing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the World Health Organisation, it is considered good to have minimum 4.45 health workers in per 1,000 population. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 234,361 human resources were needed in health institutions in fiscal year 2077/78 BS, only 178,309 human resources were working during the period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The commission projected that 16,784 MBBS doctors, 15,435 specialist consultant (MD) and 411 nursing professionals are needed till 2088 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, 3359 Nursing Assistants (Bachelor level), 88024 Nursing and Obstetrics Assistants (Certificate level), 2083 Traditional and Alternative Medicine professionals (Bachelor's and Master's level), 2118 Traditional and Assistant Physicians Technical (Certificate level) will be required. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, 2688 human resources related to other health professions (Master's level), 23,150 human resources (Bachelor's level) in the other health related auxiliary professions and 104,039 human resources (Certificate level) in the other health related auxiliary professions have to be produced till that period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">MEC stated that 57,043 Female Community Health Volunteers and office assistants, 44,800 cleaning staff and drivers would be required. The Council said 245,463 medical workforce, 54,463 female health volunteers and 42,777 office assistants, sanitary staff and drivers will be needed in 2083 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the MEC report, 7,659 medical human resources in the Bachelor's level, 1684 in the Master's level and 109 in the higher than Master's level would be produced this year. Similarly, 12,102 health workers would be produced in 11 medium and basic level subjects including nursing, general medicine, dental science, ayurvedic health science, physiotherapy, pharmacy, among others. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18090', 'image' => '20230704032845_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:27:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18359', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Free Health Care Services to All Citizens within Five Years: Minister Basnet ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Addressing a function in the capital on Monday organized to mark the success of the staff nurses who passed the public service commission examination and got permanent appointment, Minister Basnet said that efforts are being made to provide access to free healthcare to all citizens within the next five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is determined to fulfill the right to health care treatment guaranteed by the constitution for all citizens," he said. </span><br /> The minister reiterated that <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">the state is determined to fulfill its obligations towards the health personnel and provide them with incentives. He added that priority will be given in training to all levels of human resource active in the service of patients. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary of the Ministry Dr Roshan Pokharel congratulated newly appointed 295 staff nurses and instructed them to fulfill their duty and responsibilities with honestly. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18089', 'image' => '20230704033039_health.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:20:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18358', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'As Liquidity Crisis Eases, Short-Term Interest Rates Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease. Due to the non-disbursement of loans compared to deposit collection, the interest rate of treasury bills has fallen below </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as the investment of banks is focused on bonds. Similarly, the interest rate of interbank transactions has also dropped below the target of monetary policy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The minimum interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.73</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent has been maintained on the treasury bills issued by Nepal Rastra Bank on Monday. Two weeks ago, the interest rate of treasury bills had dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.29</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. After the central bank mopped excess liquidity through reverse repo, the interest rate, which reached above </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent last week, decreased again.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, the NRB announced bids for treasury bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion with maturity period of 28 days. Similarly, the central bank also announced bids for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.75</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.91</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion. The average interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day treasury bill is </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.05</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.04</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Earlier last week, the interest rate on treasury bill for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.89</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Treasury bills are short-term government bonds used to raise domestic debt with a maturity period of less than one year. It is sold to raise short-term funds needed by the government. Although the liquidity situation with the banks has eased, since there is no loan investment, they have bought treasury bills even though the interest rate has been reduced. At the beginning of the current fiscal year, the average interest rate of treasury bills exceeded </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. Last January, it decreased to around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, but it increased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although the liquidity situation in the banks has improved recently, they have not been able to extend loans. Due to this, they focus on short-term investments including government bonds.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the average loan-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks has dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">83.55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of Saturday. As banks are allowed to provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">90</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, they have the ability to provide loans of more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0 billion. However, with high interest rates and reduced economic activity, there is no demand for loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As of Saturday, banks have a total deposit portfolio of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion while loan investment stands at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4862</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. As the liquidity in the banks increased, the interbank interest rate also fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.01</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent on Saturday. After the interbank interest rate fell below the monetary policy target, the central bank issued reverse repo.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Two weeks ago, after the inter-bank transaction interest rate fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, the central bank mopped Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion from the market through reverse repo. After that, the interest rate, which had increased to more than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, decreased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the monetary policy, there is a provision to issue repo/reverse repo if the average interest rate of interbank transactions is more or less by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percentage points than the policy rate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18088', 'image' => '20230704024212_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:41:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18357', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Prohibits Vehicles in Hanumandhoka Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KMC Mayor Balendra Shah said it is necessary to preserve the place for its unique identity and ancient heritage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"These very heritages and their ancient distinctiveness are the ones that we can proudly show to the world. This place can attract hundreds of thousands of tourists," he said on social site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Noting that thousands of tourists visit Basantapur area daily, Mayor Shah said there is possibility of hundreds of thousands of visitors coming for a visit in future. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said vehicles have been banned within the Hanumandhoka premises, reiterating it is essential to preserve the uniqueness and aesthetics of the place and to keep the environment of the premises peaceful, clean and pleasing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18087', 'image' => '20230704021925_20221102120925_20190430021212_1x.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:18:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18356', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'A Dozen New Hotels Come into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some time ago, it seemed challenging to meet the operating expenses of hotels and other businesses that rely on tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, things are getting better as the viral infection has largely subsided and the World Health Organisation has also removed coronavirus from the global emergency list.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Economic Survey 2079/80 published by the Ministry of Finance, 11 deluxe and star hotels have come into operation since February last year. With this, the number of such hotels in the country has reached 173. According to the survey, the number of such hotels was 162 till February 2022.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the economic survey, by February of the current fiscal year, 45 new companies in the hospitality business including boutique hotels, lodges and resorts of tourist level have been added to the list. The total number of such hotels and lodges currently stands at 1,228. Last year, this number was 1,183. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the increase in the number of hotels from five stars to deluxe, the bed capacity has also increased. By February, the number of beds in star hotels increased by 560 and reached 16,335.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The total number of beds of all types of hotels in Nepal has now reached 37,300. The survey shows that the number of casinos and mini-casinos increased from 24 to 28. Similarly, travel agency, trekking agency, rafting business, tourist transport service business have also increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Sajan Shakya said that although other sectors of the business are not flourishing, investment in the tourism sector has increased. He said, “Investment may have increased due to potential in the tourism sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the arrival of new investment in tourism is positive, but the challenge of increasing the number of tourists is also there. Now there are three international airports in the country. Although hoteliers say that they can serve millions of tourists with the existing infrastructure, there is a record of 1.2 million tourists arriving in Nepal in a year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the years after the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an improvement in the arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists, which fell to 150,000 in 2021, has now exceeded 400,000 in the first 5 months of 2023. In 2022, 614,148 tourists visited Nepal. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18086', 'image' => '20230704010219_20221121092031_Clipboard64.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:58:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18355', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for Newbiz Business Women's Summit and Awards Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed, according to the organizer – New Business Age Pvt Ltd which has been organizing this event annually with the aim of encouraging successful businesspersons and women entrepreneurs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the event will feature the summit during which a panel discussion on the theme of 'Women Entrepreneurs in the Digital Age' will be held. Key speakers during the panel discussion will be Radhika Aryal, joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Rumee Singh, co-founder of Rumsan Nepal, and Seema Golcha, director of Golcha Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The panel discussion will be moderated by Michael Siddi, Transaction Country Head of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The awards will be distributed in the second session of the program, in which one best female entrepreneur will be selected as Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year from all seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Woman in Tech of the Year Award, Professional Woman of the Year Award, Business Woman of the Year Award, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award will also be distributed during the program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The organizers informed that the best women entrepreneurs selected from all over the country will be honored amid a special program to be held in Kathmandu on coming Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to New Business Age Pvt. Ltd., about 2000 women entrepreneurs from seven provinces have been nominated for the award.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The best entrepreneurs in more than seven different categories will be honored in a special ceremony. New Business Age has been organizing various events since 2013 to encourage enterprise and business. The program to honor women entrepreneurs was started in 2021.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor of the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, IME Life Insurance is the life insurance partner of the event, and Salico (Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company Limited) is the non-life insurance partner. The awards program is supported by Salt Trading Corporation, Machhapuchhre Bank, Sun Life Insurance, Reliable Life Insurance, Sitaram Milk, Sangrila Development Bank, Honda Grazia, Agriculture Development Bank Limited and Byanjan. WorldLink is the internet partner while New V Rhoto is the eyecare partner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18085', 'image' => '20230704120905_aaaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:05:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18354', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'No Shortage of Food Grains during Rainy Season ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is adequate stock of food grains in warehouses across the country, said officials of the ministry, adding that the process to purchase additional food grains is underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned Food Management and Trading Company, currently there is a stock of 36,356 quintals of food grains in Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai districts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a stock of 25,505 quintals of food grains in remote districts, added the company. The company has a stock of 26,375 quintals of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Salt Trading Corporation is preparing to import 34,320 quintals of wheat immediately from India under the quota system. The corporation has a stock of 266,300 quintals of food grains. An additional 89,100 quintals of food grains will be arriving from India as per the agreement reached with the southern neighbor. The shipment has already been loaded, according to officials of the Salt Trading Corporation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The state-owned companies responsible for distributing food grains have already supplied 17,830 metric tonnes of food grains in remote districts as of June 27 of the current fiscal year. The quota of food grains has been increased in Humla. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The company clarified that there is sufficient stock of good grains in eastern districts as well --- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18084', 'image' => '20230704111115_20200515035749_hinkstockphotos.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 11:10:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18353', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'School Employees Continue Their Hunger Strike', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">July 4: Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> The hunger strike has now entered its 22nd day and involves employees from approximately 60 community schools, said Shanti Nath Yogi, General Secretary of the School Employees Council.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The hunger-striking employees are currently facing difficulties regarding food and accommodation, according to Yogi. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Although the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology initiated discussions with the protesting employees on June 18 through the formation of a committee for talks, no agreement has been reached thus far.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Yogi announced that the Council is preparing additional protest programs due to the lack of agreement regarding their demands. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The Ministry's talks team, led by Chudamani Poudel, the Director General of the Centre for Education and Human Resource Development, also includes Under-Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Poudel stated that the Ministry of Finance has not responded to the issue of additional budget allocation to meet the employees' demands.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Following the government's invitation for talks, the Council withdrew its plan to close schools. However, the hunger strike continues to press the government to fulfill their demands. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18083', 'image' => '20230704061406_collage (13).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 06:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18352', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC Slashes Prices of Petroleum Products', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the first category, the prices of diesel, petrol, and kerosene have been reduced by Rs 7.50. In the second category, the reduction is Rs 6, and in the third category, it is Rs 5.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the revised prices, petrol will now cost Rs 167.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 169 in the second category, and Rs 170 in the third category. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This marks a decrease from the previous uniform price of Rs 175 per litre across the entire country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Diesel and kerosene prices are now Rs 147.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 149 per litre in the second category, and Rs 150 per litre in the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NOC has categorized specific cities and regions accordingly. The first category includes Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Amalekhgunj, Bhalbari, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadi. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Surkhet and Dang are part of the second category, while Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dipayal fall into the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the price of domestic aviation fuel has been reduced by Rs 14 per litre. The price of international aviation fuel has been slashed to 1.035 US Dollar from 1.150 US dollars per kiloliter. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, the price of LP gas or cooking gas remains unchanged at this time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18082', 'image' => '20230704055414_collage (12).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 05:52:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18351', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sensex Crosses 65,000; Nifty Hits Record High as Bulls Dominate Dalal Street', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 3: Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Hectic buying in index majors Reliance Industries, ITC and HDFC twins also added to the market momentum, traders said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Rallying for the fourth straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 486.49 points or 0.75% to settle at its all-time closing high of 65,205.05. During the day, it rallied 581.79 points or 0.89% to its lifetime intra-day high of 65,300.35.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55. In intra-day trade, the benchmark zoomed 156.05 points or 0.81% to hit its all-time intra-day peak of 19,345.10. <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Market benchmarks settled at record highs for the third straight session on Monday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Reliance Industries was the top gainer in the Sensex chart, rising 2.53%, followed by ITC, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, HDFC, UltraTech Cement, NTPC, HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In contrast, Power Grid, Maruti, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Nestle and Tata Motors were among the laggards, skidding up to 1.86%.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong ended in the green.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Equity markets in Europe were trading in the positive territory.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">These remarkable gains reflect the growing optimism among investors as inflationary pressures in the United States appear to be moderating. This development has sparked renewed confidence in the equity markets, propelling Indian shares to unprecedented heights. (Agencies) </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18081', 'image' => '20230703051110_collage (66).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 17:09:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18350', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Examination Board to Publish SEE Results within this Week ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board’s Chairperson Dr Mahashram Sharma said that they are currently recording results in the computer system after completing answer sheet checking. He added that re-checking and tallying the results have also been done already. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We are working tirelessly to publish the results in the first week of July. Only technical work remains," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">SEE started on 31st March, 2023. A total 485,396 students from 12,083 schools (both community and private) sat for the tests in 2,037 examination centres across the country. The examinees included 242,712 girls and 242,674 boys. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18080', 'image' => '20230703044048_exam-media1619757704.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:39:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18349', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'VG Impex Partners with Nabil Bank to Provide Financing for GWM Vehicles in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">July 3: VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> The agreement covers both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models, including Haval Jolion, Haval H6, GWM Poer, and GWM Wingle 5, as well as the Electric Vehicle (EV) model Ora 03.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> Mr. Rupesh Sharma Bhatta, Vice President of VG Impex (GWM-Nepal), and Ms. Chandani Shrestha, Head of Retail Lending at Nabil Bank Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to solidify the collaboration on June 30. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Under the MOU, customers will have the option to finance their preferred GWM models through Nabil Bank. Auto loans of up to 50% of the vehicle's value will be available for ICE models at an interest rate of 12.90%, while for EVs, up to 80% financing will be offered at a rate of 12.15%. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">The loan tenure for both types of vehicles will be 7 years. To apply for an auto loan, interested customers can visit their nearest Nabil Bank Branch with the necessary documents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Through this partnership with one of Nepal's largest banks, VG Impex aims to make GWM vehicles more accessible to a wider range of automobile enthusiasts in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18079', 'image' => '20230703043148_collage (64).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:30:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18348', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Commit Rs 17.32 Billion to 247 Projects of Minimum Threshold', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Investors seem to be focused on the minimum limit (threshold) of foreign investment set by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. Due to this, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting investment approved in projects with minimum limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government last reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million in mid-September to mid-October last 2022. Prior to this, the minimum threshold was fixed at Rs 50 million in mid-May to mid-June 2019. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors are focusing on proposing projects and getting them approved within this limit. They are more interested in investing in projects of Rs 20 million rather than big or medium-sized projects. The data for 11 months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2022/23 also validates this fact.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During this period, 274 project proposals for foreign investment have been approved. Majority of those 247 projects are small-scale industries. According to the data released by the department a few days ago, foreign investment has been approved for 5 big and 22 medium-sized projects.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign investors have expressed their commitment to invest a total of Rs 34.58 billion in Nepal as of the 11th month of the current fiscal year. Half of that commitment has come to small-scale industries. The department said that Rs 17.32 billion investment commitments have been received in 247 small-scale projects. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Singh Dhami, director of the foreign investment and technology transfer branch of the department, said that investors have poured investment into small-scale industries and projects after the investment cap was reduced.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the proposals and commitments coming on a small scale are in the fields of services, hotels, restaurants, cargo handling, and construction. Projects with a fixed capital of Rs 20 million to Rs 150 million are approved and registered with the Department of Industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Officials of the department share that investment commitment is positive, but they doubt whether the projects are coming only for visa approval, or to genuinely support the economy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Industry Secretary Krishna Gyawali opined that investors may find it difficult to invest in large and medium projects because it requires more investment and preparation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"On the other hand, investors may also fear that there will be problems in investment due to policy changes," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since small investments do not contribute much to the economy and are more troublesome, there have been repeated attempts to increase the minimum investment threshold.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18078', 'image' => '20230703031121_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 15:09:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18347', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports Increasing due to Lack of Domestic Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. However, because there is not enough coffee production in the country, coffee worth millions of rupees is being imported every year. Experts in this field say that the number of cafes, restaurants and coffee culture in Nepal has increased, so the domestic production has not been able to meet the demand for coffee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The climate of Nepal is considered good for coffee cultivation. However, as the production is not able to meet the demand, there is still a lot of imports. Even though coffee cultivation started in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1995</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, Nepal has not been able to become self-sufficient in coffee. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee is grown in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">mid-hills districts of Nepal. According to the board, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">389</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> farmers are involved in this profession.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal produced </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of green bean coffee in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">346</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hectares of land during the last fiscal year. The data of the last </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years show that there has been a significant decrease in coffee production. In the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">463.58</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of coffee was produced in Nepal, but it has decreased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons in the fiscal year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Coffee production has decreased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in eight years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months of the current fiscal year, the country imported coffee worth Rs 312.77 million. In the same period last year, coffee worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">115.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million was imported. As the production in the country is not encouraging, the import of coffee has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent and the price has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">170</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If we look at the data of the last eight</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">years, it seems that the import of coffee has increased a lot. In the FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">66 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons of coffee was imported, and in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, it increased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">279 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons. Compared to the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the import has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">322 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chandra Puri, Agricultural Development Officer of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, says that the demand for coffee in Nepal is high. However, the country is forced to import coffee due to lack of production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18077', 'image' => '20230703020046_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 13:59:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4 : Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari district. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality's agriculture section provided essential agricultural materials, including vegetable seeds, to forty farmers through the pocket program for vegetable farming. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution took place in Matihani-6, which is recognized as a pocket area for vegetable production in the district. The distributed materials included irrigation motors, delivery pipes, spray tanks, spades, compost, and vegetable seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Mayor Hari Prasad Mandal, the farmers in Matihani-6 cultivate approximately 20 hectares of land through commercial farming.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> It has been reported that the area generates a minimum of Rs 10 million in vegetable sales annually.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution of agricultural tools, fertilizers, and seeds has brought significant relief to the farmers. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Musafir Sahani expressed happiness for receiving these essential materials, emphasizing the immense relief it has provided to the farming community.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18091', 'image' => '20230704043921_collage (67).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 16:37:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18360', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 250,000 Health Professionals needed in Eight Years: MEC Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88. MEC made this projection on the basis of a study conducted in fiscal year 2077/78 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 358,938 human resources related to health including female health volunteers and office assistants in government and private health institutions would be needed within the period, shared the commission. Of them, 257,091 would be doctors and health workers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of the commission, Prof Dr Sri Krishna Giri, mentioned that such number of human resources in health sector was estimated based on the human resource to be retired and going abroad during the period as well as basic health institutions the government has been constructing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the World Health Organisation, it is considered good to have minimum 4.45 health workers in per 1,000 population. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 234,361 human resources were needed in health institutions in fiscal year 2077/78 BS, only 178,309 human resources were working during the period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The commission projected that 16,784 MBBS doctors, 15,435 specialist consultant (MD) and 411 nursing professionals are needed till 2088 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, 3359 Nursing Assistants (Bachelor level), 88024 Nursing and Obstetrics Assistants (Certificate level), 2083 Traditional and Alternative Medicine professionals (Bachelor's and Master's level), 2118 Traditional and Assistant Physicians Technical (Certificate level) will be required. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, 2688 human resources related to other health professions (Master's level), 23,150 human resources (Bachelor's level) in the other health related auxiliary professions and 104,039 human resources (Certificate level) in the other health related auxiliary professions have to be produced till that period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">MEC stated that 57,043 Female Community Health Volunteers and office assistants, 44,800 cleaning staff and drivers would be required. The Council said 245,463 medical workforce, 54,463 female health volunteers and 42,777 office assistants, sanitary staff and drivers will be needed in 2083 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the MEC report, 7,659 medical human resources in the Bachelor's level, 1684 in the Master's level and 109 in the higher than Master's level would be produced this year. Similarly, 12,102 health workers would be produced in 11 medium and basic level subjects including nursing, general medicine, dental science, ayurvedic health science, physiotherapy, pharmacy, among others. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18090', 'image' => '20230704032845_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:27:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18359', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Free Health Care Services to All Citizens within Five Years: Minister Basnet ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Addressing a function in the capital on Monday organized to mark the success of the staff nurses who passed the public service commission examination and got permanent appointment, Minister Basnet said that efforts are being made to provide access to free healthcare to all citizens within the next five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is determined to fulfill the right to health care treatment guaranteed by the constitution for all citizens," he said. </span><br /> The minister reiterated that <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">the state is determined to fulfill its obligations towards the health personnel and provide them with incentives. He added that priority will be given in training to all levels of human resource active in the service of patients. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary of the Ministry Dr Roshan Pokharel congratulated newly appointed 295 staff nurses and instructed them to fulfill their duty and responsibilities with honestly. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18089', 'image' => '20230704033039_health.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:20:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18358', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'As Liquidity Crisis Eases, Short-Term Interest Rates Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease. Due to the non-disbursement of loans compared to deposit collection, the interest rate of treasury bills has fallen below </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as the investment of banks is focused on bonds. Similarly, the interest rate of interbank transactions has also dropped below the target of monetary policy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The minimum interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.73</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent has been maintained on the treasury bills issued by Nepal Rastra Bank on Monday. Two weeks ago, the interest rate of treasury bills had dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.29</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. After the central bank mopped excess liquidity through reverse repo, the interest rate, which reached above </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent last week, decreased again.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, the NRB announced bids for treasury bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion with maturity period of 28 days. Similarly, the central bank also announced bids for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.75</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.91</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion. The average interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day treasury bill is </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.05</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.04</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Earlier last week, the interest rate on treasury bill for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.89</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Treasury bills are short-term government bonds used to raise domestic debt with a maturity period of less than one year. It is sold to raise short-term funds needed by the government. Although the liquidity situation with the banks has eased, since there is no loan investment, they have bought treasury bills even though the interest rate has been reduced. At the beginning of the current fiscal year, the average interest rate of treasury bills exceeded </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. Last January, it decreased to around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, but it increased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although the liquidity situation in the banks has improved recently, they have not been able to extend loans. Due to this, they focus on short-term investments including government bonds.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the average loan-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks has dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">83.55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of Saturday. As banks are allowed to provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">90</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, they have the ability to provide loans of more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0 billion. However, with high interest rates and reduced economic activity, there is no demand for loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As of Saturday, banks have a total deposit portfolio of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion while loan investment stands at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4862</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. As the liquidity in the banks increased, the interbank interest rate also fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.01</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent on Saturday. After the interbank interest rate fell below the monetary policy target, the central bank issued reverse repo.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Two weeks ago, after the inter-bank transaction interest rate fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, the central bank mopped Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion from the market through reverse repo. After that, the interest rate, which had increased to more than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, decreased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the monetary policy, there is a provision to issue repo/reverse repo if the average interest rate of interbank transactions is more or less by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percentage points than the policy rate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18088', 'image' => '20230704024212_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:41:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18357', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Prohibits Vehicles in Hanumandhoka Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KMC Mayor Balendra Shah said it is necessary to preserve the place for its unique identity and ancient heritage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"These very heritages and their ancient distinctiveness are the ones that we can proudly show to the world. This place can attract hundreds of thousands of tourists," he said on social site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Noting that thousands of tourists visit Basantapur area daily, Mayor Shah said there is possibility of hundreds of thousands of visitors coming for a visit in future. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said vehicles have been banned within the Hanumandhoka premises, reiterating it is essential to preserve the uniqueness and aesthetics of the place and to keep the environment of the premises peaceful, clean and pleasing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18087', 'image' => '20230704021925_20221102120925_20190430021212_1x.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:18:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18356', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'A Dozen New Hotels Come into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some time ago, it seemed challenging to meet the operating expenses of hotels and other businesses that rely on tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, things are getting better as the viral infection has largely subsided and the World Health Organisation has also removed coronavirus from the global emergency list.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Economic Survey 2079/80 published by the Ministry of Finance, 11 deluxe and star hotels have come into operation since February last year. With this, the number of such hotels in the country has reached 173. According to the survey, the number of such hotels was 162 till February 2022.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the economic survey, by February of the current fiscal year, 45 new companies in the hospitality business including boutique hotels, lodges and resorts of tourist level have been added to the list. The total number of such hotels and lodges currently stands at 1,228. Last year, this number was 1,183. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the increase in the number of hotels from five stars to deluxe, the bed capacity has also increased. By February, the number of beds in star hotels increased by 560 and reached 16,335.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The total number of beds of all types of hotels in Nepal has now reached 37,300. The survey shows that the number of casinos and mini-casinos increased from 24 to 28. Similarly, travel agency, trekking agency, rafting business, tourist transport service business have also increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Sajan Shakya said that although other sectors of the business are not flourishing, investment in the tourism sector has increased. He said, “Investment may have increased due to potential in the tourism sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the arrival of new investment in tourism is positive, but the challenge of increasing the number of tourists is also there. Now there are three international airports in the country. Although hoteliers say that they can serve millions of tourists with the existing infrastructure, there is a record of 1.2 million tourists arriving in Nepal in a year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the years after the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an improvement in the arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists, which fell to 150,000 in 2021, has now exceeded 400,000 in the first 5 months of 2023. In 2022, 614,148 tourists visited Nepal. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18086', 'image' => '20230704010219_20221121092031_Clipboard64.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:58:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18355', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for Newbiz Business Women's Summit and Awards Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed, according to the organizer – New Business Age Pvt Ltd which has been organizing this event annually with the aim of encouraging successful businesspersons and women entrepreneurs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the event will feature the summit during which a panel discussion on the theme of 'Women Entrepreneurs in the Digital Age' will be held. Key speakers during the panel discussion will be Radhika Aryal, joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Rumee Singh, co-founder of Rumsan Nepal, and Seema Golcha, director of Golcha Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The panel discussion will be moderated by Michael Siddi, Transaction Country Head of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The awards will be distributed in the second session of the program, in which one best female entrepreneur will be selected as Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year from all seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Woman in Tech of the Year Award, Professional Woman of the Year Award, Business Woman of the Year Award, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award will also be distributed during the program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The organizers informed that the best women entrepreneurs selected from all over the country will be honored amid a special program to be held in Kathmandu on coming Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to New Business Age Pvt. Ltd., about 2000 women entrepreneurs from seven provinces have been nominated for the award.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The best entrepreneurs in more than seven different categories will be honored in a special ceremony. New Business Age has been organizing various events since 2013 to encourage enterprise and business. The program to honor women entrepreneurs was started in 2021.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor of the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, IME Life Insurance is the life insurance partner of the event, and Salico (Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company Limited) is the non-life insurance partner. The awards program is supported by Salt Trading Corporation, Machhapuchhre Bank, Sun Life Insurance, Reliable Life Insurance, Sitaram Milk, Sangrila Development Bank, Honda Grazia, Agriculture Development Bank Limited and Byanjan. WorldLink is the internet partner while New V Rhoto is the eyecare partner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18085', 'image' => '20230704120905_aaaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:05:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18354', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'No Shortage of Food Grains during Rainy Season ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is adequate stock of food grains in warehouses across the country, said officials of the ministry, adding that the process to purchase additional food grains is underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned Food Management and Trading Company, currently there is a stock of 36,356 quintals of food grains in Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai districts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a stock of 25,505 quintals of food grains in remote districts, added the company. The company has a stock of 26,375 quintals of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Salt Trading Corporation is preparing to import 34,320 quintals of wheat immediately from India under the quota system. The corporation has a stock of 266,300 quintals of food grains. An additional 89,100 quintals of food grains will be arriving from India as per the agreement reached with the southern neighbor. The shipment has already been loaded, according to officials of the Salt Trading Corporation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The state-owned companies responsible for distributing food grains have already supplied 17,830 metric tonnes of food grains in remote districts as of June 27 of the current fiscal year. The quota of food grains has been increased in Humla. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The company clarified that there is sufficient stock of good grains in eastern districts as well --- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18084', 'image' => '20230704111115_20200515035749_hinkstockphotos.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 11:10:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18353', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'School Employees Continue Their Hunger Strike', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">July 4: Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> The hunger strike has now entered its 22nd day and involves employees from approximately 60 community schools, said Shanti Nath Yogi, General Secretary of the School Employees Council.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The hunger-striking employees are currently facing difficulties regarding food and accommodation, according to Yogi. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Although the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology initiated discussions with the protesting employees on June 18 through the formation of a committee for talks, no agreement has been reached thus far.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Yogi announced that the Council is preparing additional protest programs due to the lack of agreement regarding their demands. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The Ministry's talks team, led by Chudamani Poudel, the Director General of the Centre for Education and Human Resource Development, also includes Under-Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Poudel stated that the Ministry of Finance has not responded to the issue of additional budget allocation to meet the employees' demands.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Following the government's invitation for talks, the Council withdrew its plan to close schools. However, the hunger strike continues to press the government to fulfill their demands. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18083', 'image' => '20230704061406_collage (13).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 06:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18352', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC Slashes Prices of Petroleum Products', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the first category, the prices of diesel, petrol, and kerosene have been reduced by Rs 7.50. In the second category, the reduction is Rs 6, and in the third category, it is Rs 5.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the revised prices, petrol will now cost Rs 167.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 169 in the second category, and Rs 170 in the third category. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This marks a decrease from the previous uniform price of Rs 175 per litre across the entire country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Diesel and kerosene prices are now Rs 147.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 149 per litre in the second category, and Rs 150 per litre in the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NOC has categorized specific cities and regions accordingly. The first category includes Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Amalekhgunj, Bhalbari, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadi. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Surkhet and Dang are part of the second category, while Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dipayal fall into the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the price of domestic aviation fuel has been reduced by Rs 14 per litre. The price of international aviation fuel has been slashed to 1.035 US Dollar from 1.150 US dollars per kiloliter. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, the price of LP gas or cooking gas remains unchanged at this time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18082', 'image' => '20230704055414_collage (12).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 05:52:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18351', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sensex Crosses 65,000; Nifty Hits Record High as Bulls Dominate Dalal Street', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 3: Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Hectic buying in index majors Reliance Industries, ITC and HDFC twins also added to the market momentum, traders said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Rallying for the fourth straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 486.49 points or 0.75% to settle at its all-time closing high of 65,205.05. During the day, it rallied 581.79 points or 0.89% to its lifetime intra-day high of 65,300.35.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55. In intra-day trade, the benchmark zoomed 156.05 points or 0.81% to hit its all-time intra-day peak of 19,345.10. <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Market benchmarks settled at record highs for the third straight session on Monday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Reliance Industries was the top gainer in the Sensex chart, rising 2.53%, followed by ITC, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, HDFC, UltraTech Cement, NTPC, HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In contrast, Power Grid, Maruti, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Nestle and Tata Motors were among the laggards, skidding up to 1.86%.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong ended in the green.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Equity markets in Europe were trading in the positive territory.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">These remarkable gains reflect the growing optimism among investors as inflationary pressures in the United States appear to be moderating. This development has sparked renewed confidence in the equity markets, propelling Indian shares to unprecedented heights. (Agencies) </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18081', 'image' => '20230703051110_collage (66).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 17:09:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18350', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Examination Board to Publish SEE Results within this Week ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board’s Chairperson Dr Mahashram Sharma said that they are currently recording results in the computer system after completing answer sheet checking. He added that re-checking and tallying the results have also been done already. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We are working tirelessly to publish the results in the first week of July. Only technical work remains," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">SEE started on 31st March, 2023. A total 485,396 students from 12,083 schools (both community and private) sat for the tests in 2,037 examination centres across the country. The examinees included 242,712 girls and 242,674 boys. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18080', 'image' => '20230703044048_exam-media1619757704.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:39:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18349', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'VG Impex Partners with Nabil Bank to Provide Financing for GWM Vehicles in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">July 3: VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> The agreement covers both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models, including Haval Jolion, Haval H6, GWM Poer, and GWM Wingle 5, as well as the Electric Vehicle (EV) model Ora 03.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> Mr. Rupesh Sharma Bhatta, Vice President of VG Impex (GWM-Nepal), and Ms. Chandani Shrestha, Head of Retail Lending at Nabil Bank Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to solidify the collaboration on June 30. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Under the MOU, customers will have the option to finance their preferred GWM models through Nabil Bank. Auto loans of up to 50% of the vehicle's value will be available for ICE models at an interest rate of 12.90%, while for EVs, up to 80% financing will be offered at a rate of 12.15%. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">The loan tenure for both types of vehicles will be 7 years. To apply for an auto loan, interested customers can visit their nearest Nabil Bank Branch with the necessary documents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Through this partnership with one of Nepal's largest banks, VG Impex aims to make GWM vehicles more accessible to a wider range of automobile enthusiasts in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18079', 'image' => '20230703043148_collage (64).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:30:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18348', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Commit Rs 17.32 Billion to 247 Projects of Minimum Threshold', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Investors seem to be focused on the minimum limit (threshold) of foreign investment set by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. Due to this, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting investment approved in projects with minimum limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government last reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million in mid-September to mid-October last 2022. Prior to this, the minimum threshold was fixed at Rs 50 million in mid-May to mid-June 2019. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors are focusing on proposing projects and getting them approved within this limit. They are more interested in investing in projects of Rs 20 million rather than big or medium-sized projects. The data for 11 months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2022/23 also validates this fact.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During this period, 274 project proposals for foreign investment have been approved. Majority of those 247 projects are small-scale industries. According to the data released by the department a few days ago, foreign investment has been approved for 5 big and 22 medium-sized projects.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign investors have expressed their commitment to invest a total of Rs 34.58 billion in Nepal as of the 11th month of the current fiscal year. Half of that commitment has come to small-scale industries. The department said that Rs 17.32 billion investment commitments have been received in 247 small-scale projects. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Singh Dhami, director of the foreign investment and technology transfer branch of the department, said that investors have poured investment into small-scale industries and projects after the investment cap was reduced.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the proposals and commitments coming on a small scale are in the fields of services, hotels, restaurants, cargo handling, and construction. Projects with a fixed capital of Rs 20 million to Rs 150 million are approved and registered with the Department of Industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Officials of the department share that investment commitment is positive, but they doubt whether the projects are coming only for visa approval, or to genuinely support the economy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Industry Secretary Krishna Gyawali opined that investors may find it difficult to invest in large and medium projects because it requires more investment and preparation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"On the other hand, investors may also fear that there will be problems in investment due to policy changes," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since small investments do not contribute much to the economy and are more troublesome, there have been repeated attempts to increase the minimum investment threshold.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18078', 'image' => '20230703031121_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 15:09:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18347', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports Increasing due to Lack of Domestic Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. However, because there is not enough coffee production in the country, coffee worth millions of rupees is being imported every year. Experts in this field say that the number of cafes, restaurants and coffee culture in Nepal has increased, so the domestic production has not been able to meet the demand for coffee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The climate of Nepal is considered good for coffee cultivation. However, as the production is not able to meet the demand, there is still a lot of imports. Even though coffee cultivation started in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1995</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, Nepal has not been able to become self-sufficient in coffee. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee is grown in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">mid-hills districts of Nepal. According to the board, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">389</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> farmers are involved in this profession.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal produced </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of green bean coffee in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">346</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hectares of land during the last fiscal year. The data of the last </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years show that there has been a significant decrease in coffee production. In the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">463.58</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of coffee was produced in Nepal, but it has decreased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons in the fiscal year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Coffee production has decreased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in eight years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months of the current fiscal year, the country imported coffee worth Rs 312.77 million. In the same period last year, coffee worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">115.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million was imported. As the production in the country is not encouraging, the import of coffee has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent and the price has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">170</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If we look at the data of the last eight</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">years, it seems that the import of coffee has increased a lot. In the FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">66 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons of coffee was imported, and in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, it increased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">279 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons. Compared to the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the import has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">322 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chandra Puri, Agricultural Development Officer of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, says that the demand for coffee in Nepal is high. However, the country is forced to import coffee due to lack of production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18077', 'image' => '20230703020046_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 13:59:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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' => '18361', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Agricultural Materials Distributed to Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari district. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4 : Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari district. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality's agriculture section provided essential agricultural materials, including vegetable seeds, to forty farmers through the pocket program for vegetable farming. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution took place in Matihani-6, which is recognized as a pocket area for vegetable production in the district. The distributed materials included irrigation motors, delivery pipes, spray tanks, spades, compost, and vegetable seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Mayor Hari Prasad Mandal, the farmers in Matihani-6 cultivate approximately 20 hectares of land through commercial farming.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> It has been reported that the area generates a minimum of Rs 10 million in vegetable sales annually.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution of agricultural tools, fertilizers, and seeds has brought significant relief to the farmers. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Musafir Sahani expressed happiness for receiving these essential materials, emphasizing the immense relief it has provided to the farming community.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18091', 'image' => '20230704043921_collage (67).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 16:37:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18360', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 250,000 Health Professionals needed in Eight Years: MEC Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88. MEC made this projection on the basis of a study conducted in fiscal year 2077/78 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 358,938 human resources related to health including female health volunteers and office assistants in government and private health institutions would be needed within the period, shared the commission. Of them, 257,091 would be doctors and health workers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of the commission, Prof Dr Sri Krishna Giri, mentioned that such number of human resources in health sector was estimated based on the human resource to be retired and going abroad during the period as well as basic health institutions the government has been constructing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the World Health Organisation, it is considered good to have minimum 4.45 health workers in per 1,000 population. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 234,361 human resources were needed in health institutions in fiscal year 2077/78 BS, only 178,309 human resources were working during the period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The commission projected that 16,784 MBBS doctors, 15,435 specialist consultant (MD) and 411 nursing professionals are needed till 2088 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, 3359 Nursing Assistants (Bachelor level), 88024 Nursing and Obstetrics Assistants (Certificate level), 2083 Traditional and Alternative Medicine professionals (Bachelor's and Master's level), 2118 Traditional and Assistant Physicians Technical (Certificate level) will be required. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, 2688 human resources related to other health professions (Master's level), 23,150 human resources (Bachelor's level) in the other health related auxiliary professions and 104,039 human resources (Certificate level) in the other health related auxiliary professions have to be produced till that period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">MEC stated that 57,043 Female Community Health Volunteers and office assistants, 44,800 cleaning staff and drivers would be required. The Council said 245,463 medical workforce, 54,463 female health volunteers and 42,777 office assistants, sanitary staff and drivers will be needed in 2083 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the MEC report, 7,659 medical human resources in the Bachelor's level, 1684 in the Master's level and 109 in the higher than Master's level would be produced this year. Similarly, 12,102 health workers would be produced in 11 medium and basic level subjects including nursing, general medicine, dental science, ayurvedic health science, physiotherapy, pharmacy, among others. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18090', 'image' => '20230704032845_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:27:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18359', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Free Health Care Services to All Citizens within Five Years: Minister Basnet ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Addressing a function in the capital on Monday organized to mark the success of the staff nurses who passed the public service commission examination and got permanent appointment, Minister Basnet said that efforts are being made to provide access to free healthcare to all citizens within the next five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is determined to fulfill the right to health care treatment guaranteed by the constitution for all citizens," he said. </span><br /> The minister reiterated that <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">the state is determined to fulfill its obligations towards the health personnel and provide them with incentives. He added that priority will be given in training to all levels of human resource active in the service of patients. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary of the Ministry Dr Roshan Pokharel congratulated newly appointed 295 staff nurses and instructed them to fulfill their duty and responsibilities with honestly. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18089', 'image' => '20230704033039_health.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:20:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18358', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'As Liquidity Crisis Eases, Short-Term Interest Rates Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease. Due to the non-disbursement of loans compared to deposit collection, the interest rate of treasury bills has fallen below </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as the investment of banks is focused on bonds. Similarly, the interest rate of interbank transactions has also dropped below the target of monetary policy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The minimum interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.73</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent has been maintained on the treasury bills issued by Nepal Rastra Bank on Monday. Two weeks ago, the interest rate of treasury bills had dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.29</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. After the central bank mopped excess liquidity through reverse repo, the interest rate, which reached above </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent last week, decreased again.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, the NRB announced bids for treasury bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion with maturity period of 28 days. Similarly, the central bank also announced bids for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.75</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.91</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion. The average interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day treasury bill is </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.05</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.04</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Earlier last week, the interest rate on treasury bill for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.89</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Treasury bills are short-term government bonds used to raise domestic debt with a maturity period of less than one year. It is sold to raise short-term funds needed by the government. Although the liquidity situation with the banks has eased, since there is no loan investment, they have bought treasury bills even though the interest rate has been reduced. At the beginning of the current fiscal year, the average interest rate of treasury bills exceeded </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. Last January, it decreased to around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, but it increased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although the liquidity situation in the banks has improved recently, they have not been able to extend loans. Due to this, they focus on short-term investments including government bonds.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the average loan-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks has dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">83.55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of Saturday. As banks are allowed to provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">90</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, they have the ability to provide loans of more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0 billion. However, with high interest rates and reduced economic activity, there is no demand for loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As of Saturday, banks have a total deposit portfolio of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion while loan investment stands at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4862</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. As the liquidity in the banks increased, the interbank interest rate also fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.01</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent on Saturday. After the interbank interest rate fell below the monetary policy target, the central bank issued reverse repo.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Two weeks ago, after the inter-bank transaction interest rate fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, the central bank mopped Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion from the market through reverse repo. After that, the interest rate, which had increased to more than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, decreased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the monetary policy, there is a provision to issue repo/reverse repo if the average interest rate of interbank transactions is more or less by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percentage points than the policy rate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18088', 'image' => '20230704024212_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:41:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18357', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Prohibits Vehicles in Hanumandhoka Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KMC Mayor Balendra Shah said it is necessary to preserve the place for its unique identity and ancient heritage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"These very heritages and their ancient distinctiveness are the ones that we can proudly show to the world. This place can attract hundreds of thousands of tourists," he said on social site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Noting that thousands of tourists visit Basantapur area daily, Mayor Shah said there is possibility of hundreds of thousands of visitors coming for a visit in future. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said vehicles have been banned within the Hanumandhoka premises, reiterating it is essential to preserve the uniqueness and aesthetics of the place and to keep the environment of the premises peaceful, clean and pleasing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18087', 'image' => '20230704021925_20221102120925_20190430021212_1x.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:18:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18356', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'A Dozen New Hotels Come into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some time ago, it seemed challenging to meet the operating expenses of hotels and other businesses that rely on tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, things are getting better as the viral infection has largely subsided and the World Health Organisation has also removed coronavirus from the global emergency list.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Economic Survey 2079/80 published by the Ministry of Finance, 11 deluxe and star hotels have come into operation since February last year. With this, the number of such hotels in the country has reached 173. According to the survey, the number of such hotels was 162 till February 2022.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the economic survey, by February of the current fiscal year, 45 new companies in the hospitality business including boutique hotels, lodges and resorts of tourist level have been added to the list. The total number of such hotels and lodges currently stands at 1,228. Last year, this number was 1,183. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the increase in the number of hotels from five stars to deluxe, the bed capacity has also increased. By February, the number of beds in star hotels increased by 560 and reached 16,335.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The total number of beds of all types of hotels in Nepal has now reached 37,300. The survey shows that the number of casinos and mini-casinos increased from 24 to 28. Similarly, travel agency, trekking agency, rafting business, tourist transport service business have also increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Sajan Shakya said that although other sectors of the business are not flourishing, investment in the tourism sector has increased. He said, “Investment may have increased due to potential in the tourism sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the arrival of new investment in tourism is positive, but the challenge of increasing the number of tourists is also there. Now there are three international airports in the country. Although hoteliers say that they can serve millions of tourists with the existing infrastructure, there is a record of 1.2 million tourists arriving in Nepal in a year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the years after the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an improvement in the arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists, which fell to 150,000 in 2021, has now exceeded 400,000 in the first 5 months of 2023. In 2022, 614,148 tourists visited Nepal. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18086', 'image' => '20230704010219_20221121092031_Clipboard64.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:58:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18355', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for Newbiz Business Women's Summit and Awards Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed, according to the organizer – New Business Age Pvt Ltd which has been organizing this event annually with the aim of encouraging successful businesspersons and women entrepreneurs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the event will feature the summit during which a panel discussion on the theme of 'Women Entrepreneurs in the Digital Age' will be held. Key speakers during the panel discussion will be Radhika Aryal, joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Rumee Singh, co-founder of Rumsan Nepal, and Seema Golcha, director of Golcha Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The panel discussion will be moderated by Michael Siddi, Transaction Country Head of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The awards will be distributed in the second session of the program, in which one best female entrepreneur will be selected as Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year from all seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Woman in Tech of the Year Award, Professional Woman of the Year Award, Business Woman of the Year Award, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award will also be distributed during the program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The organizers informed that the best women entrepreneurs selected from all over the country will be honored amid a special program to be held in Kathmandu on coming Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to New Business Age Pvt. Ltd., about 2000 women entrepreneurs from seven provinces have been nominated for the award.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The best entrepreneurs in more than seven different categories will be honored in a special ceremony. New Business Age has been organizing various events since 2013 to encourage enterprise and business. The program to honor women entrepreneurs was started in 2021.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor of the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, IME Life Insurance is the life insurance partner of the event, and Salico (Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company Limited) is the non-life insurance partner. The awards program is supported by Salt Trading Corporation, Machhapuchhre Bank, Sun Life Insurance, Reliable Life Insurance, Sitaram Milk, Sangrila Development Bank, Honda Grazia, Agriculture Development Bank Limited and Byanjan. WorldLink is the internet partner while New V Rhoto is the eyecare partner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18085', 'image' => '20230704120905_aaaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:05:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18354', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'No Shortage of Food Grains during Rainy Season ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is adequate stock of food grains in warehouses across the country, said officials of the ministry, adding that the process to purchase additional food grains is underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned Food Management and Trading Company, currently there is a stock of 36,356 quintals of food grains in Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai districts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a stock of 25,505 quintals of food grains in remote districts, added the company. The company has a stock of 26,375 quintals of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Salt Trading Corporation is preparing to import 34,320 quintals of wheat immediately from India under the quota system. The corporation has a stock of 266,300 quintals of food grains. An additional 89,100 quintals of food grains will be arriving from India as per the agreement reached with the southern neighbor. The shipment has already been loaded, according to officials of the Salt Trading Corporation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The state-owned companies responsible for distributing food grains have already supplied 17,830 metric tonnes of food grains in remote districts as of June 27 of the current fiscal year. The quota of food grains has been increased in Humla. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The company clarified that there is sufficient stock of good grains in eastern districts as well --- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18084', 'image' => '20230704111115_20200515035749_hinkstockphotos.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 11:10:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18353', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'School Employees Continue Their Hunger Strike', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">July 4: Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> The hunger strike has now entered its 22nd day and involves employees from approximately 60 community schools, said Shanti Nath Yogi, General Secretary of the School Employees Council.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The hunger-striking employees are currently facing difficulties regarding food and accommodation, according to Yogi. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Although the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology initiated discussions with the protesting employees on June 18 through the formation of a committee for talks, no agreement has been reached thus far.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Yogi announced that the Council is preparing additional protest programs due to the lack of agreement regarding their demands. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The Ministry's talks team, led by Chudamani Poudel, the Director General of the Centre for Education and Human Resource Development, also includes Under-Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Poudel stated that the Ministry of Finance has not responded to the issue of additional budget allocation to meet the employees' demands.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Following the government's invitation for talks, the Council withdrew its plan to close schools. However, the hunger strike continues to press the government to fulfill their demands. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18083', 'image' => '20230704061406_collage (13).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 06:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18352', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC Slashes Prices of Petroleum Products', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the first category, the prices of diesel, petrol, and kerosene have been reduced by Rs 7.50. In the second category, the reduction is Rs 6, and in the third category, it is Rs 5.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the revised prices, petrol will now cost Rs 167.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 169 in the second category, and Rs 170 in the third category. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This marks a decrease from the previous uniform price of Rs 175 per litre across the entire country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Diesel and kerosene prices are now Rs 147.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 149 per litre in the second category, and Rs 150 per litre in the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NOC has categorized specific cities and regions accordingly. The first category includes Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Amalekhgunj, Bhalbari, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadi. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Surkhet and Dang are part of the second category, while Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dipayal fall into the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the price of domestic aviation fuel has been reduced by Rs 14 per litre. The price of international aviation fuel has been slashed to 1.035 US Dollar from 1.150 US dollars per kiloliter. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, the price of LP gas or cooking gas remains unchanged at this time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18082', 'image' => '20230704055414_collage (12).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 05:52:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18351', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sensex Crosses 65,000; Nifty Hits Record High as Bulls Dominate Dalal Street', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 3: Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Hectic buying in index majors Reliance Industries, ITC and HDFC twins also added to the market momentum, traders said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Rallying for the fourth straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 486.49 points or 0.75% to settle at its all-time closing high of 65,205.05. During the day, it rallied 581.79 points or 0.89% to its lifetime intra-day high of 65,300.35.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55. In intra-day trade, the benchmark zoomed 156.05 points or 0.81% to hit its all-time intra-day peak of 19,345.10. <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Market benchmarks settled at record highs for the third straight session on Monday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Reliance Industries was the top gainer in the Sensex chart, rising 2.53%, followed by ITC, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, HDFC, UltraTech Cement, NTPC, HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In contrast, Power Grid, Maruti, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Nestle and Tata Motors were among the laggards, skidding up to 1.86%.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong ended in the green.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Equity markets in Europe were trading in the positive territory.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">These remarkable gains reflect the growing optimism among investors as inflationary pressures in the United States appear to be moderating. This development has sparked renewed confidence in the equity markets, propelling Indian shares to unprecedented heights. (Agencies) </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18081', 'image' => '20230703051110_collage (66).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 17:09:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18350', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Examination Board to Publish SEE Results within this Week ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board’s Chairperson Dr Mahashram Sharma said that they are currently recording results in the computer system after completing answer sheet checking. He added that re-checking and tallying the results have also been done already. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We are working tirelessly to publish the results in the first week of July. Only technical work remains," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">SEE started on 31st March, 2023. A total 485,396 students from 12,083 schools (both community and private) sat for the tests in 2,037 examination centres across the country. The examinees included 242,712 girls and 242,674 boys. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18080', 'image' => '20230703044048_exam-media1619757704.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:39:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18349', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'VG Impex Partners with Nabil Bank to Provide Financing for GWM Vehicles in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">July 3: VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> The agreement covers both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models, including Haval Jolion, Haval H6, GWM Poer, and GWM Wingle 5, as well as the Electric Vehicle (EV) model Ora 03.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> Mr. Rupesh Sharma Bhatta, Vice President of VG Impex (GWM-Nepal), and Ms. Chandani Shrestha, Head of Retail Lending at Nabil Bank Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to solidify the collaboration on June 30. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Under the MOU, customers will have the option to finance their preferred GWM models through Nabil Bank. Auto loans of up to 50% of the vehicle's value will be available for ICE models at an interest rate of 12.90%, while for EVs, up to 80% financing will be offered at a rate of 12.15%. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">The loan tenure for both types of vehicles will be 7 years. To apply for an auto loan, interested customers can visit their nearest Nabil Bank Branch with the necessary documents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Through this partnership with one of Nepal's largest banks, VG Impex aims to make GWM vehicles more accessible to a wider range of automobile enthusiasts in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18079', 'image' => '20230703043148_collage (64).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:30:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18348', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Commit Rs 17.32 Billion to 247 Projects of Minimum Threshold', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Investors seem to be focused on the minimum limit (threshold) of foreign investment set by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. Due to this, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting investment approved in projects with minimum limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government last reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million in mid-September to mid-October last 2022. Prior to this, the minimum threshold was fixed at Rs 50 million in mid-May to mid-June 2019. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors are focusing on proposing projects and getting them approved within this limit. They are more interested in investing in projects of Rs 20 million rather than big or medium-sized projects. The data for 11 months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2022/23 also validates this fact.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During this period, 274 project proposals for foreign investment have been approved. Majority of those 247 projects are small-scale industries. According to the data released by the department a few days ago, foreign investment has been approved for 5 big and 22 medium-sized projects.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign investors have expressed their commitment to invest a total of Rs 34.58 billion in Nepal as of the 11th month of the current fiscal year. Half of that commitment has come to small-scale industries. The department said that Rs 17.32 billion investment commitments have been received in 247 small-scale projects. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Singh Dhami, director of the foreign investment and technology transfer branch of the department, said that investors have poured investment into small-scale industries and projects after the investment cap was reduced.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the proposals and commitments coming on a small scale are in the fields of services, hotels, restaurants, cargo handling, and construction. Projects with a fixed capital of Rs 20 million to Rs 150 million are approved and registered with the Department of Industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Officials of the department share that investment commitment is positive, but they doubt whether the projects are coming only for visa approval, or to genuinely support the economy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Industry Secretary Krishna Gyawali opined that investors may find it difficult to invest in large and medium projects because it requires more investment and preparation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"On the other hand, investors may also fear that there will be problems in investment due to policy changes," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since small investments do not contribute much to the economy and are more troublesome, there have been repeated attempts to increase the minimum investment threshold.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18078', 'image' => '20230703031121_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 15:09:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18347', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports Increasing due to Lack of Domestic Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. However, because there is not enough coffee production in the country, coffee worth millions of rupees is being imported every year. Experts in this field say that the number of cafes, restaurants and coffee culture in Nepal has increased, so the domestic production has not been able to meet the demand for coffee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The climate of Nepal is considered good for coffee cultivation. However, as the production is not able to meet the demand, there is still a lot of imports. Even though coffee cultivation started in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1995</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, Nepal has not been able to become self-sufficient in coffee. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee is grown in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">mid-hills districts of Nepal. According to the board, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">389</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> farmers are involved in this profession.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal produced </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of green bean coffee in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">346</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hectares of land during the last fiscal year. The data of the last </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years show that there has been a significant decrease in coffee production. In the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">463.58</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of coffee was produced in Nepal, but it has decreased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons in the fiscal year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Coffee production has decreased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in eight years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months of the current fiscal year, the country imported coffee worth Rs 312.77 million. In the same period last year, coffee worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">115.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million was imported. As the production in the country is not encouraging, the import of coffee has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent and the price has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">170</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If we look at the data of the last eight</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">years, it seems that the import of coffee has increased a lot. In the FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">66 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons of coffee was imported, and in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, it increased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">279 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons. Compared to the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the import has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">322 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chandra Puri, Agricultural Development Officer of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, says that the demand for coffee in Nepal is high. However, the country is forced to import coffee due to lack of production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18077', 'image' => '20230703020046_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 13:59:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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' => '18361', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Agricultural Materials Distributed to Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari district. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4 : Agricultural materials have been distributed to farmers as part of a new initiative in Matihani Municipality of Mahottari district. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality's agriculture section provided essential agricultural materials, including vegetable seeds, to forty farmers through the pocket program for vegetable farming. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution took place in Matihani-6, which is recognized as a pocket area for vegetable production in the district. The distributed materials included irrigation motors, delivery pipes, spray tanks, spades, compost, and vegetable seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Mayor Hari Prasad Mandal, the farmers in Matihani-6 cultivate approximately 20 hectares of land through commercial farming.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> It has been reported that the area generates a minimum of Rs 10 million in vegetable sales annually.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution of agricultural tools, fertilizers, and seeds has brought significant relief to the farmers. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Musafir Sahani expressed happiness for receiving these essential materials, emphasizing the immense relief it has provided to the farming community.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18091', 'image' => '20230704043921_collage (67).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 16:37:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18360', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 250,000 Health Professionals needed in Eight Years: MEC Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Medical Education Commission (MEC) has estimated that more than 250,000 human resources related to health sector would be necessary till fiscal year 2087/88. MEC made this projection on the basis of a study conducted in fiscal year 2077/78 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 358,938 human resources related to health including female health volunteers and office assistants in government and private health institutions would be needed within the period, shared the commission. Of them, 257,091 would be doctors and health workers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of the commission, Prof Dr Sri Krishna Giri, mentioned that such number of human resources in health sector was estimated based on the human resource to be retired and going abroad during the period as well as basic health institutions the government has been constructing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the World Health Organisation, it is considered good to have minimum 4.45 health workers in per 1,000 population. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 234,361 human resources were needed in health institutions in fiscal year 2077/78 BS, only 178,309 human resources were working during the period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The commission projected that 16,784 MBBS doctors, 15,435 specialist consultant (MD) and 411 nursing professionals are needed till 2088 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, 3359 Nursing Assistants (Bachelor level), 88024 Nursing and Obstetrics Assistants (Certificate level), 2083 Traditional and Alternative Medicine professionals (Bachelor's and Master's level), 2118 Traditional and Assistant Physicians Technical (Certificate level) will be required. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, 2688 human resources related to other health professions (Master's level), 23,150 human resources (Bachelor's level) in the other health related auxiliary professions and 104,039 human resources (Certificate level) in the other health related auxiliary professions have to be produced till that period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">MEC stated that 57,043 Female Community Health Volunteers and office assistants, 44,800 cleaning staff and drivers would be required. The Council said 245,463 medical workforce, 54,463 female health volunteers and 42,777 office assistants, sanitary staff and drivers will be needed in 2083 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the MEC report, 7,659 medical human resources in the Bachelor's level, 1684 in the Master's level and 109 in the higher than Master's level would be produced this year. Similarly, 12,102 health workers would be produced in 11 medium and basic level subjects including nursing, general medicine, dental science, ayurvedic health science, physiotherapy, pharmacy, among others. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18090', 'image' => '20230704032845_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:27:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18359', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Free Health Care Services to All Citizens within Five Years: Minister Basnet ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that the government is determined to ensure easy and convenient health care services to the poor and needy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Addressing a function in the capital on Monday organized to mark the success of the staff nurses who passed the public service commission examination and got permanent appointment, Minister Basnet said that efforts are being made to provide access to free healthcare to all citizens within the next five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is determined to fulfill the right to health care treatment guaranteed by the constitution for all citizens," he said. </span><br /> The minister reiterated that <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">the state is determined to fulfill its obligations towards the health personnel and provide them with incentives. He added that priority will be given in training to all levels of human resource active in the service of patients. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Secretary of the Ministry Dr Roshan Pokharel congratulated newly appointed 295 staff nurses and instructed them to fulfill their duty and responsibilities with honestly. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18089', 'image' => '20230704033039_health.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 15:20:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18358', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'As Liquidity Crisis Eases, Short-Term Interest Rates Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 4: Following excess liquidity in banks and financial institutions, short-term interest rates including that of treasury bills and interbank transactions have started to decrease. Due to the non-disbursement of loans compared to deposit collection, the interest rate of treasury bills has fallen below </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as the investment of banks is focused on bonds. Similarly, the interest rate of interbank transactions has also dropped below the target of monetary policy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The minimum interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.73</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent has been maintained on the treasury bills issued by Nepal Rastra Bank on Monday. Two weeks ago, the interest rate of treasury bills had dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.29</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. After the central bank mopped excess liquidity through reverse repo, the interest rate, which reached above </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent last week, decreased again.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, the NRB announced bids for treasury bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion with maturity period of 28 days. Similarly, the central bank also announced bids for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.75</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.91</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion. The average interest rate of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day treasury bill is </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.05</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-day T-bills and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.04</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for T-bills with maturity period of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Earlier last week, the interest rate on treasury bill for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">91</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.89</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">182</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">364</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Treasury bills are short-term government bonds used to raise domestic debt with a maturity period of less than one year. It is sold to raise short-term funds needed by the government. Although the liquidity situation with the banks has eased, since there is no loan investment, they have bought treasury bills even though the interest rate has been reduced. At the beginning of the current fiscal year, the average interest rate of treasury bills exceeded </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. Last January, it decreased to around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, but it increased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although the liquidity situation in the banks has improved recently, they have not been able to extend loans. Due to this, they focus on short-term investments including government bonds.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the average loan-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks has dropped to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">83.55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of Saturday. As banks are allowed to provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">90</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, they have the ability to provide loans of more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0 billion. However, with high interest rates and reduced economic activity, there is no demand for loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As of Saturday, banks have a total deposit portfolio of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion while loan investment stands at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4862</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. As the liquidity in the banks increased, the interbank interest rate also fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.01</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent on Saturday. After the interbank interest rate fell below the monetary policy target, the central bank issued reverse repo.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Two weeks ago, after the inter-bank transaction interest rate fell to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, the central bank mopped Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion from the market through reverse repo. After that, the interest rate, which had increased to more than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, decreased again to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the monetary policy, there is a provision to issue repo/reverse repo if the average interest rate of interbank transactions is more or less by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percentage points than the policy rate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18088', 'image' => '20230704024212_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:41:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18357', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Prohibits Vehicles in Hanumandhoka Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the entry of vehicles within the Hanumandhoka premises. The metropolis took this decision to protect the world Heritage Site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KMC Mayor Balendra Shah said it is necessary to preserve the place for its unique identity and ancient heritage. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"These very heritages and their ancient distinctiveness are the ones that we can proudly show to the world. This place can attract hundreds of thousands of tourists," he said on social site. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Noting that thousands of tourists visit Basantapur area daily, Mayor Shah said there is possibility of hundreds of thousands of visitors coming for a visit in future. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said vehicles have been banned within the Hanumandhoka premises, reiterating it is essential to preserve the uniqueness and aesthetics of the place and to keep the environment of the premises peaceful, clean and pleasing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18087', 'image' => '20230704021925_20221102120925_20190430021212_1x.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 14:18:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18356', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'A Dozen New Hotels Come into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: About a dozen new star and deluxe hotels have come into operation in Nepal from since February 2022. Apart from this, boutique hotels, lodges and resorts have also been added to the list. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some time ago, it seemed challenging to meet the operating expenses of hotels and other businesses that rely on tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, things are getting better as the viral infection has largely subsided and the World Health Organisation has also removed coronavirus from the global emergency list.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Economic Survey 2079/80 published by the Ministry of Finance, 11 deluxe and star hotels have come into operation since February last year. With this, the number of such hotels in the country has reached 173. According to the survey, the number of such hotels was 162 till February 2022.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the economic survey, by February of the current fiscal year, 45 new companies in the hospitality business including boutique hotels, lodges and resorts of tourist level have been added to the list. The total number of such hotels and lodges currently stands at 1,228. Last year, this number was 1,183. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the increase in the number of hotels from five stars to deluxe, the bed capacity has also increased. By February, the number of beds in star hotels increased by 560 and reached 16,335.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The total number of beds of all types of hotels in Nepal has now reached 37,300. The survey shows that the number of casinos and mini-casinos increased from 24 to 28. Similarly, travel agency, trekking agency, rafting business, tourist transport service business have also increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Sajan Shakya said that although other sectors of the business are not flourishing, investment in the tourism sector has increased. He said, “Investment may have increased due to potential in the tourism sector.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the arrival of new investment in tourism is positive, but the challenge of increasing the number of tourists is also there. Now there are three international airports in the country. Although hoteliers say that they can serve millions of tourists with the existing infrastructure, there is a record of 1.2 million tourists arriving in Nepal in a year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the years after the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an improvement in the arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists, which fell to 150,000 in 2021, has now exceeded 400,000 in the first 5 months of 2023. In 2022, 614,148 tourists visited Nepal. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18086', 'image' => '20230704010219_20221121092031_Clipboard64.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:58:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18355', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for Newbiz Business Women's Summit and Awards Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 4: All the preparations for the Standard Chartered Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2023 have been completed, according to the organizer – New Business Age Pvt Ltd which has been organizing this event annually with the aim of encouraging successful businesspersons and women entrepreneurs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the event will feature the summit during which a panel discussion on the theme of 'Women Entrepreneurs in the Digital Age' will be held. Key speakers during the panel discussion will be Radhika Aryal, joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Rumee Singh, co-founder of Rumsan Nepal, and Seema Golcha, director of Golcha Group.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The panel discussion will be moderated by Michael Siddi, Transaction Country Head of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The awards will be distributed in the second session of the program, in which one best female entrepreneur will be selected as Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year from all seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Woman in Tech of the Year Award, Professional Woman of the Year Award, Business Woman of the Year Award, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award will also be distributed during the program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The organizers informed that the best women entrepreneurs selected from all over the country will be honored amid a special program to be held in Kathmandu on coming Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to New Business Age Pvt. Ltd., about 2000 women entrepreneurs from seven provinces have been nominated for the award.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The best entrepreneurs in more than seven different categories will be honored in a special ceremony. New Business Age has been organizing various events since 2013 to encourage enterprise and business. The program to honor women entrepreneurs was started in 2021.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor of the event.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, IME Life Insurance is the life insurance partner of the event, and Salico (Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company Limited) is the non-life insurance partner. The awards program is supported by Salt Trading Corporation, Machhapuchhre Bank, Sun Life Insurance, Reliable Life Insurance, Sitaram Milk, Sangrila Development Bank, Honda Grazia, Agriculture Development Bank Limited and Byanjan. WorldLink is the internet partner while New V Rhoto is the eyecare partner.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18085', 'image' => '20230704120905_aaaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 12:05:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18354', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'No Shortage of Food Grains during Rainy Season ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 4: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has assured that there would be no shortage of food grains anywhere during the rainy season this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is adequate stock of food grains in warehouses across the country, said officials of the ministry, adding that the process to purchase additional food grains is underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned Food Management and Trading Company, currently there is a stock of 36,356 quintals of food grains in Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai districts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a stock of 25,505 quintals of food grains in remote districts, added the company. The company has a stock of 26,375 quintals of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Salt Trading Corporation is preparing to import 34,320 quintals of wheat immediately from India under the quota system. The corporation has a stock of 266,300 quintals of food grains. An additional 89,100 quintals of food grains will be arriving from India as per the agreement reached with the southern neighbor. The shipment has already been loaded, according to officials of the Salt Trading Corporation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The state-owned companies responsible for distributing food grains have already supplied 17,830 metric tonnes of food grains in remote districts as of June 27 of the current fiscal year. The quota of food grains has been increased in Humla. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The company clarified that there is sufficient stock of good grains in eastern districts as well --- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18084', 'image' => '20230704111115_20200515035749_hinkstockphotos.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 11:10:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18353', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'School Employees Continue Their Hunger Strike', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">July 4: Community school employees in the federal capital, Maitighar, are continuing with their hunger strike, demanding improved services, facilities, and the retention of their quota.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> The hunger strike has now entered its 22nd day and involves employees from approximately 60 community schools, said Shanti Nath Yogi, General Secretary of the School Employees Council.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The hunger-striking employees are currently facing difficulties regarding food and accommodation, according to Yogi. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Although the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology initiated discussions with the protesting employees on June 18 through the formation of a committee for talks, no agreement has been reached thus far.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Yogi announced that the Council is preparing additional protest programs due to the lack of agreement regarding their demands. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The Ministry's talks team, led by Chudamani Poudel, the Director General of the Centre for Education and Human Resource Development, also includes Under-Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Poudel stated that the Ministry of Finance has not responded to the issue of additional budget allocation to meet the employees' demands.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Following the government's invitation for talks, the Council withdrew its plan to close schools. However, the hunger strike continues to press the government to fulfill their demands. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18083', 'image' => '20230704061406_collage (13).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 06:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18352', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NOC Slashes Prices of Petroleum Products', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 4: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has lowered the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel, effective from Monday midnight. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price adjustments are based on the division of the country's territory into three categories.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the first category, the prices of diesel, petrol, and kerosene have been reduced by Rs 7.50. In the second category, the reduction is Rs 6, and in the third category, it is Rs 5.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the revised prices, petrol will now cost Rs 167.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 169 in the second category, and Rs 170 in the third category. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This marks a decrease from the previous uniform price of Rs 175 per litre across the entire country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Diesel and kerosene prices are now Rs 147.50 per litre in the first category, Rs 149 per litre in the second category, and Rs 150 per litre in the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NOC has categorized specific cities and regions accordingly. The first category includes Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Amalekhgunj, Bhalbari, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadi. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Surkhet and Dang are part of the second category, while Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dipayal fall into the third category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the price of domestic aviation fuel has been reduced by Rs 14 per litre. The price of international aviation fuel has been slashed to 1.035 US Dollar from 1.150 US dollars per kiloliter. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, the price of LP gas or cooking gas remains unchanged at this time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-04', 'modified' => '2023-07-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18082', 'image' => '20230704055414_collage (12).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-04 05:52:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18351', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sensex Crosses 65,000; Nifty Hits Record High as Bulls Dominate Dalal Street', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 3: Indian benchmark equity indices continued their rally on July 3, with the BSE Sensex ending above the 65,000 mark for the first time ever, while the NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Hectic buying in index majors Reliance Industries, ITC and HDFC twins also added to the market momentum, traders said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Rallying for the fourth straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 486.49 points or 0.75% to settle at its all-time closing high of 65,205.05. During the day, it rallied 581.79 points or 0.89% to its lifetime intra-day high of 65,300.35.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NSE Nifty climbed 133.50 points or 0.70% to end at a record high of 19,322.55. In intra-day trade, the benchmark zoomed 156.05 points or 0.81% to hit its all-time intra-day peak of 19,345.10. <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Market benchmarks settled at record highs for the third straight session on Monday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Reliance Industries was the top gainer in the Sensex chart, rising 2.53%, followed by ITC, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, HDFC, UltraTech Cement, NTPC, HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In contrast, Power Grid, Maruti, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Nestle and Tata Motors were among the laggards, skidding up to 1.86%.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong ended in the green.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Equity markets in Europe were trading in the positive territory.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">These remarkable gains reflect the growing optimism among investors as inflationary pressures in the United States appear to be moderating. This development has sparked renewed confidence in the equity markets, propelling Indian shares to unprecedented heights. (Agencies) </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18081', 'image' => '20230703051110_collage (66).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 17:09:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18350', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Examination Board to Publish SEE Results within this Week ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 3: The National Examinations Board (NEB) is in the final stage of publishing the results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The board’s Chairperson Dr Mahashram Sharma said that they are currently recording results in the computer system after completing answer sheet checking. He added that re-checking and tallying the results have also been done already. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We are working tirelessly to publish the results in the first week of July. Only technical work remains," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">SEE started on 31st March, 2023. A total 485,396 students from 12,083 schools (both community and private) sat for the tests in 2,037 examination centres across the country. The examinees included 242,712 girls and 242,674 boys. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18080', 'image' => '20230703044048_exam-media1619757704.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:39:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18349', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'VG Impex Partners with Nabil Bank to Provide Financing for GWM Vehicles in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">July 3: VG Impex Pvt. Ltd., the sole authorized importer and distributor of GWM Brand of Vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with Nabil Bank Limited to provide financing options for GWM vehicles.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> The agreement covers both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models, including Haval Jolion, Haval H6, GWM Poer, and GWM Wingle 5, as well as the Electric Vehicle (EV) model Ora 03.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"> Mr. Rupesh Sharma Bhatta, Vice President of VG Impex (GWM-Nepal), and Ms. Chandani Shrestha, Head of Retail Lending at Nabil Bank Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to solidify the collaboration on June 30. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Under the MOU, customers will have the option to finance their preferred GWM models through Nabil Bank. Auto loans of up to 50% of the vehicle's value will be available for ICE models at an interest rate of 12.90%, while for EVs, up to 80% financing will be offered at a rate of 12.15%. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">The loan tenure for both types of vehicles will be 7 years. To apply for an auto loan, interested customers can visit their nearest Nabil Bank Branch with the necessary documents.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Through this partnership with one of Nepal's largest banks, VG Impex aims to make GWM vehicles more accessible to a wider range of automobile enthusiasts in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18079', 'image' => '20230703043148_collage (64).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 16:30:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18348', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Commit Rs 17.32 Billion to 247 Projects of Minimum Threshold', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 3: The government has held two major investment conferences since revising the existing policy rules to fund foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Investors seem to be focused on the minimum limit (threshold) of foreign investment set by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. Due to this, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting investment approved in projects with minimum limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government last reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million in mid-September to mid-October last 2022. Prior to this, the minimum threshold was fixed at Rs 50 million in mid-May to mid-June 2019. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors are focusing on proposing projects and getting them approved within this limit. They are more interested in investing in projects of Rs 20 million rather than big or medium-sized projects. The data for 11 months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2022/23 also validates this fact.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During this period, 274 project proposals for foreign investment have been approved. Majority of those 247 projects are small-scale industries. According to the data released by the department a few days ago, foreign investment has been approved for 5 big and 22 medium-sized projects.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign investors have expressed their commitment to invest a total of Rs 34.58 billion in Nepal as of the 11th month of the current fiscal year. Half of that commitment has come to small-scale industries. The department said that Rs 17.32 billion investment commitments have been received in 247 small-scale projects. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Singh Dhami, director of the foreign investment and technology transfer branch of the department, said that investors have poured investment into small-scale industries and projects after the investment cap was reduced.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the proposals and commitments coming on a small scale are in the fields of services, hotels, restaurants, cargo handling, and construction. Projects with a fixed capital of Rs 20 million to Rs 150 million are approved and registered with the Department of Industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Officials of the department share that investment commitment is positive, but they doubt whether the projects are coming only for visa approval, or to genuinely support the economy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Industry Secretary Krishna Gyawali opined that investors may find it difficult to invest in large and medium projects because it requires more investment and preparation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"On the other hand, investors may also fear that there will be problems in investment due to policy changes," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since small investments do not contribute much to the economy and are more troublesome, there have been repeated attempts to increase the minimum investment threshold.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18078', 'image' => '20230703031121_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 15:09:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18347', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports Increasing due to Lack of Domestic Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 3: The culture of drinking coffee in Nepal is increasing. However, because there is not enough coffee production in the country, coffee worth millions of rupees is being imported every year. Experts in this field say that the number of cafes, restaurants and coffee culture in Nepal has increased, so the domestic production has not been able to meet the demand for coffee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The climate of Nepal is considered good for coffee cultivation. However, as the production is not able to meet the demand, there is still a lot of imports. Even though coffee cultivation started in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1995</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, Nepal has not been able to become self-sufficient in coffee. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee is grown in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">mid-hills districts of Nepal. According to the board, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">389</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> farmers are involved in this profession.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal produced </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of green bean coffee in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">346</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hectares of land during the last fiscal year. The data of the last </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years show that there has been a significant decrease in coffee production. In the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">463.58</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of coffee was produced in Nepal, but it has decreased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">354.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons in the fiscal year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Coffee production has decreased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in eight years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months of the current fiscal year, the country imported coffee worth Rs 312.77 million. In the same period last year, coffee worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">115.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million was imported. As the production in the country is not encouraging, the import of coffee has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent and the price has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">170</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If we look at the data of the last eight</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">years, it seems that the import of coffee has increased a lot. In the FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">66 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons of coffee was imported, and in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, it increased to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">279 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">metric tons. Compared to the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2071/72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the import has increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">322 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chandra Puri, Agricultural Development Officer of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, says that the demand for coffee in Nepal is high. However, the country is forced to import coffee due to lack of production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18077', 'image' => '20230703020046_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 13:59:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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
