NEWS

National Pride Projects yet to Spend more than 50% of Allocated Budget

Feb 14, 2021 0 1 minutes 38 seconds to read

February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven’t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal…

NEA’ s new Managing Director Faces Challenges from Power Distribution to its Consumption

Feb 12, 2021 0 2 minutes 42 seconds to read

February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term.…

Political Parties ‘Demand’ Donations from Private Sector to Organise Protests

Feb 12, 2021 0 2 minutes 21 seconds to read

February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for…

Government Lacks Adequate Laboratories for Testing Bird Flu

Feb 12, 2021 0 2 minutes 34 seconds to read

February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality – 7 in Kathmandu on January…

Tunnel Test of Melamchi Project to be Completed in next 2 Months

Feb 12, 2021 0 1 minutes 15 seconds to read

February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently.…

Govt to make 5% investment in 10-billion-rupee fund to be set up by NRNA

Feb 11, 2021 0 1 minutes 3 seconds to read

February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure…

NRB Governor in Favour of Promoting Skilled Workers within the Country

Feb 11, 2021 0 2 minutes 15 seconds to read

February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers.…

NOC Hikes Price of Petroleum Products, LPG

Feb 11, 2021 0 1 minutes 14 seconds to read

February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight.…

Nepalese Seeking Foreign Employment on Decline

Feb 11, 2021 0 2 minutes 6 seconds to read

February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance…

Government Preparing to Monitor and Regulate Social Media

Feb 10, 2021 0 2 minutes 17 seconds to read

February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals.…

FDI without Central Bank’s Approval on the Cards

Feb 10, 2021 0 2 minutes 12 seconds to read

February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future.…

Export of Soybean Oil Increases Three Folds in Second Quarter of Current FY

Feb 10, 2021 0 1 minutes 59 seconds to read

February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal…

Fertilizer from Bangladesh to Arrive in 2 Weeks

Feb 10, 2021 0 1 minutes 52 seconds to read

February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more…

Exports to China Decline by 50 Percent in Six Months

Feb 10, 2021 0 2 minutes 26 seconds to read

February 10: Nepal’s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank.…

Sale of Roses Expected to Decline by Rs 6 million on Valentines’ Day

Feb 08, 2021 0 2 minutes 31 seconds to read

February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines’ Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN).…

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No Laughing Matter

The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

. . .
read more »

NEPSE

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			'id' => '13042',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'National Pride Projects yet to Spend more than 50% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven’t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven&rsquo;t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year. With six months left in the ongoing fiscal year, only Rs&nbsp; 13.98 billion has been spent out of Rs 92.6 million allocated for the national pride projects, according to the half-yearly budget review of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">A total of 25 national projects are currently running. Among them, the progress of Pokhara Regional International Airport, Mid-hill Highway, and Karnali Corridor is satisfactory. Of the 25 projects, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has only made an expenditure of Rs 2.12 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Mid-hill Highway project has spent Rs 1.76 billion of the allocated amount of Rs 8.27 billion. The Postal Highway has spent Rs 3.34 billion of Rs 7.1 billion. Kathmandu-Terai Fast track has spent Rs 1.23 billion of Rs 8.93 billion. Gautam Buddha International Airport has spent Rs 2.98 billion of Rs 4.72 billion. Nigadh International Airport has spent 50 million of 500 million. Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project spent Rs 1.8 billion of Rs 8.84 billion</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">These projects are lagging behind due to the unavailability of separate laws for the implementation of national pride projects. Also, the lack of skilled manpower and lack of construction materials have been the major hindrances for the project development. The report states that project execution starts before finalizing the project modality, while issues like land acquisition, compensation amount, rehabilitation of affected people and Detailed Project Report have also resulted in the delay in projects.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">To increase the budget spending ,the report suggests to complete tasks of land acquisition, environment impact assessment, cutting of trees, and preparing DPR before the project starts. </span></span></p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NEA’ s new Managing Director Faces Challenges from Power Distribution to its Consumption',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This image taken from Facebook shows newly-appointed MD of Nepal Electricity Authority Hitendra Dev Shakya.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya is considered as an experienced hand for the post but experts say his tenure is full of challenges.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Experts are of the view that building transmission lines and increasing energy consumption are the major concerns at the moment. Due to NEA&rsquo;s inefficacy in completing Solu, Koshi, Trishuli transmission lines on time, energy production of 20 projects of those areas has been affected. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As far as energy consumption is concerned, Shakya will primarily be having difficult time during the monsoon season. Hydropower projects produce energy in excess during the monsoon. Likewise, 456 megawatt Upper Tamakoshi project and other private hydropower projects will be completed soon. In this context, Shakya will face challenge of increasing power consumption, says Krishna Prasad Acharya, president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;The newly appointed MD should focus on building transmission lines, distribution system, substation, expansion of infrastructure and increasing power consumption within the country,&rdquo; Acharya added. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Energy epxert Gyanendra Lal Pradhan says new measures are required to bring changes in energy consumption. NEA should work on increasing power consumption in the industrial sector, suggests Pradhan. Most of the industries are still without power and running on diesel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has other challenge of completing hydropower projects and transmission lines.&nbsp; Solu corridor, Koshi corridor, Trishuli corridor, Kushma- Butwal transmission line, Hetauda-Dhalkebar transmission line are yet to be completed. Shakya also has the responsibility to complete the most-awaited Upper Tamakoshi, Tanahu Seti storage, Middle Bhotekoshi, Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has succeeded former MD Kulman Ghishing, who earned a huge respect from the public for removing power cuts. Shakya faces an uphill battle to earn same kind of public image. Shakya himself accepts he has various kinds of challenges in days to come. He has plans to work accordingly to increase power access to 100% from the current 86%.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&nbsp;&ldquo;Incomplete transmission lines will be completed and generated power will be connected to the national grid. At present, NEA has signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with 5000 MW projects. I will work to increase energy consumption within the country and also work on exporting energy to minimize trade deficit,&rdquo; Shakya said. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Political Parties ‘Demand’ Donations from Private Sector to Organise Protests',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.<br />
The private sector has been complaining that both the establishment and dissident factions of the ruling party have been seeking funds to carry out demonstrations and mass meetings.<br />
Entrepreneurs say that the pro-government and anti-government protests following the recent political crisis have taken a massive toll on their businesses. They say that the demand for donation from the political parties during the current crisis of coronavirus has put further strain on them to sustain their businesses. &nbsp;<br />
Entrepreneurs told New Business Age that they are in trouble after both the factions started collecting donations for their demonstrations. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The parties have been collecting donations in the capital, Kathmandu, to gather protesters from various districts.<br />
An industrialist said on condition of anonymity that the two panels of the ruling party were competing with each other for collecting donations in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The country is facing political crisis after the dissolution of the House of Representatives upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Oli while the industrialists are facing the brunt of the protests.<br />
Both the Dahal-Nepal faction and Oli-led panel are demonstrating their power through street protests while other opposition parties are also protesting. &nbsp;<br />
Local political leaders of both the panels of the NPC have been putting pressure on the businessmen to help them fund the movement.<br />
The Parsa district committee of the Oli-led group had sent letters to entrepreneurs in Birgunj-Patalaiya Industrial Corridor demanding donations. An entrepreneur complained that the private sector, which was expecting a conducive environment for running industries and businesses from the majority government, has become a victim of political instability and donations.<br />
The private sector, which is hoping for political stability, is in a dilemma at the moment. &quot;Some people say they need help to get people to support the government, others say they have to protest,&quot; an industrialist from Birgunj informed.<br />
An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries informed that, ironically, the private sector which has been affected due to the strike and political instability, have been forced to donate for the demonstrations.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13040',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Lacks Adequate Laboratories for Testing Bird Flu ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality – 7 in Kathmandu on January 29.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality &ndash; 7 in Kathmandu on January 29. After that, the Department of Livestock Services was closely monitoring the area and other suspicious places in the country. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a press release issued by the department, bird flu was confirmed in Tarkeshwor municipality &ndash; 1 again on February 9 while testing a duck reared by a local farmer.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As soon as the disease was confirmed, the department mobilized its units to control the spread of the disease and destroy all the livestock and other contagious things in the affected areas. Meanwhile, 1,421 ducks, 42 chickens, 26 eggs and 800 kg grains have been destroyed and the area has been completely disinfected, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Shreeram Ghimire said that there is lack of laboratories for testing the contagious disease. According to him, out of eight laboratories under the ministry, five are currently being used by the Ministry of Health for coronavirus tests. Only the remaining three are being used for bird flu testing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;This is insufficient for us. There could be problem for testing if additional laboratories are not arranged as soon as possible,&rdquo; he said. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of the eight laboratories, only the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Tripureshwor is recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Apart from this, other laboratories do not meet all the criteria although tests are being carried out in those labs. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Ghimire said that the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health Services have been asked to provide laboratories to them. Furthermore, he said that if the disease spreads, the number of laboratories conducting regular tests may not be enough and more laboratories may be required. The ministry has informed that efforts are being made from all quarters to control the spread of the disease. The ministry has also appealed to all stakeholders for cooperation and collaboration in controlling the disease. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13038',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tunnel Test of Melamchi Project to be Completed in next 2 Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Following an incident in the tunnel of MWSP last year, construction is going on through revised procedures,&rdquo; said Ritesh Kumar Shakya, spokesperson for Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. According to Shakya an expert team of ADB was in Nepal a month ago for the inspection of MWSP. Works on tunnel grouting are being carried out in accordance to the suggestion of the team.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Shakya said that the task of tunnel grouting will be completed by the second week of Falgun (February end). After that, MWSP will move ahead with the works of tunnel test. Testing of the tunnel is expected to last for around two months. Soon after the completion of tunnel test, MWSP will start working on water supply, Shakya told New Business Age.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">It has been more that two decades since this project was started with a cost estimate of $464 million which was later downsized to $312.9 million. A total of Rs 5.46 billion has been allocated in this fiscal year of which Rs 52.19 million has been spent. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13036',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Govt to make 5% investment in 10-billion-rupee fund to be set up by NRNA ',
			'sub_title' => ' Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) setting up a public company to operate the fund of Rs 10 billion to finance infrastructure projects',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.',
			'content' => '<p>February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>Issuing a statement on Thursday, the MoF said that it is chipping in 5 percent in the fund that the NRNA plans to operate to finance infrastructure projects in the country.</p>

<p>The commitment means the government will invest a total of Rs 500 million in the fund to be operated through a separate public company.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a delegation led by NRNA President Kumar Panta met Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel on Thursday to discuss about the progress on setting up the fund.</p>

<p>According to the statement, NRNA President Pant told Finance Minister Paudel that the NRNA has already started a process to establish the public company to operate the fund.</p>

<p>NRNA will have 10 percent stake in the infrastructure company while nonresident Nepali will own 80 percent shares, the statement said quoting NRNA President Panta.<br />
The new company also plans to float its shares to the public to mobilize capital for the investment on various infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13035',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB Governor in Favour of Promoting Skilled Workers within the Country',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. According to Governor Adhikari, at a time when a large number of Nepali citizens have been forced to seek foreign employment the country has been providing jobs to lots of skilled workers from outside the country. In this context, Governor Adhikari stressed that adequate training for Nepali workers could help in promoting domestic workforce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During an interaction with a delegation from the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association on Wednesday, Governor Adhikari suggested the businessmen involved in this sector to produce skilled workers within the country. He also expressed the central bank&rsquo;s commitment to develop skilled workers within the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a report, around 70,000 foreign workers are currently employed in the gold crafting business in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari also stressed on the use of QR code and digital payment with the gold dealers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;Although big transactions take place in gold business, they are still done in the traditional way. There is a need to adopt modern technology in accordance to the present context,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari informed that he would address the demands of the gold dealers to the possible extent. Stating that the supply of gold is directly related to the country&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserve, he added that the demands of the gold dealers would be addressed by giving due consideration to the market demand. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The central bank is ready to address the valid demands of the gold dealers,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13033',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Price of Petroleum Products, LPG',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene to Cost Rs 2 Dear while LPG will cost Rs 25 More',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene have been increased by Rs 2 per litre. With the latest price hike, petrol will now cost Rs 112 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 95 per litre.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of LPG (cooking gas) has been increased to Rs 1400 per cylinder, NOC said in a statement. The NOC has raised Rs 25 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) remains unchanged, informed Binit Mani Upadhyay, spokesperson of NOC.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">NOC further said that it is still bearing a loss of Rs 5.16 per litre of petrol, Rs3.1 per litre or diesel and Rs 295.83 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'image' => '20210211120609_20190503125003_Petrol-Price-Increase.jpg',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13032',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepalese Seeking Foreign Employment on Decline ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6<u><ins> </ins></u>percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In the corresponding period of last year, this number had increased by 17.7percent. This data is presented by MoF based on the applications for labor permits. The report states that the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 induced lockdown in the destination countries have resulted in the decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking labor permits. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, even before COVID-19 period, Nepalese workers migrating to the Gulf countries have seen a sharp decline for the past years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had renewed labour permits of 368,433 applicants while 190,453 new labor permits were issued in the last fiscal year 2019/20. Nepali workers taking new permits for foreign employment had witnessed a decline of 20.5 percent in FY 2019/20. It had decreased by 32.6 percent in the FY 2018/19. Likewise, in the fiscal year 2017/18, Nepalese workers seeking foreign employment declined by 9.3 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the report, the demand for migrant workers is expected to go up gradually as vaccination drive has begun in Malaysia and other Middle East countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;On a daily basis, around 50 labor permits are being issued,&rdquo; said Tika Mani Neupane, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). DoFe is also providing permit renewal service online from this January. &nbsp;Around 100 permits are issued through online, informed, Neupane.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Though COVID-19 has resulted in a decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking foreign jobs, it has not affected the remittance inflow to the country. In the last six months of the current fiscal year, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent. In FY 2018/19, the country saw an increase of 16.5 percent in remittance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13031',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Preparing to Monitor and Regulate Social Media',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. The government is making necessary preparations to take a policy-level decision to monitor such sites as well as those who promote such materials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Unveiling the decisions of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung said that the government will soon introduce Social Media Directive, 2077 to regulate the misuse of Facebook, YouTube and other online portals. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Gurung said that the government realized the need to regulate irresponsible and derogatory remarks and to discourage the use of social media to promote malpractices and therefore decided to issue the new directive soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum expressed alarm over the announcement of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology that the government was planning to bring a directive on social media/social networking sites.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;The Department of Information and Broadcasting under the Ministry is learnt to have prepared the draft of the directive as per which the social media companies operating in Nepal needs to be registered within three months,&rdquo; reads a statement issued by Freedom Forum.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum noted that social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have been an effective medium for the people in Nepal to exercise freedom of expression and hold government accountable. According to Freedom Forum, the directive will silence public voice and dissent, which are normal in democratic system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Moreover, there are separate legal provisions to deal with defamation and public offense through social media. But such actions in the name of controlling defamation, which the Ministry claims, is the blatant attempt to violate citizen&#39;s free speech, added the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13029',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FDI without Central Bank’s Approval on the Cards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. Until now, it was mandatory for the investors to get approval from the central bank for any kind of FDI. The central bank is preparing to remove the hassles of paperwork by introducing new regulations soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has taken a policy-level decision to introduce the Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Bylaws, 2077, which won&rsquo;t require its approval for FDI. The central bank has asked stakeholders for feedback regarding this new provision within a month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the investors do not require to take permission from the central bank, they still need to take permission from other concerned government bodies. After getting the final approval, the investors need to inform the central bank in written about any foreign currency being flown in or out of the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Executive Director of the Foreign Exchange Department of NRB Bam Bahadur Mishra says that the central bank is taking a giant leap to facilitate foreign direct investment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We are trying to promote FDI and therefore we are making a new arrangement for the first time,&rdquo; said Mishra, adding, &ldquo;Now the investors can go directly to the Department of Industry instead of coming to the central bank.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Mishra added that the investors do need to visit the central bank for the final auditing though.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Officials at NRB expressed their belief that the new bylaws would further facilitate FDI.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13028',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Export of Soybean Oil Increases Three Folds in Second Quarter of Current FY',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">This is a three-fold increment compared to the export of soybean oil during the last fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The country is expected to export soybean oil worth Rs 10 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Nepali entrepreneurs used to import raw palm oil, process it and export the refined product. Ever since the Indian government imposed a ban on import of refined palm oil, &nbsp;producers in Nepal have shifted their focus to export of soybean oil. This has resulted in a increase in export of soybean oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to Biratnagar customs, soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion has been exported to India in the second quarter of current fiscal year. Soybean oil worth Rs 1.52 billion was exported in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Export of soybean oil in the second quarter of the current fiscal year is more than the export during the whole of last fiscal year by Rs 56 million. During last FY, Nepal had exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.29 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Export of soybean oil to India in fiscal year 2018/19 was worth Rs 86.86million. According to government data, industries stepped up the production of soybean oil after facing restriction on export of palm oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Soybean oil is being exported to India at zero percent customs duty in accordance to the provisions of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A total of seven industries including Bagmati Oil of Agrawal Group, Sriram Refinery of Pradip Murarka, Everest Vegetable of Avinash Bohara, Quality Oil of Ghanashyam Kabara are currently engaged in export of soybean oil through Biratnagar customs. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13027',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizer from Bangladesh to Arrive in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks. The concerned authorities of the government have informed that all the processes for importing 50,000 metric tons of urea has been completed and the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday (February 11) onward. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The fertilizer will first be sent to Kolkata from Chatgaun of Bangladesh and then to Nepal. The state-owned Agriculture Inputs Company Limited, which has been handed the responsibility to import the fertilizer, has procured the urea for a price which is less than the market price. The price of urea is US$ 259.19 per metric ton in the market but the company has signed a deal to procure it for US$ 100 less than the market price.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As per the understanding between the two countries, the fertilizer will be imported in two ways &ndash; one through bulk transport and another through cargo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;As all the processes have been completed, the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday,&rdquo; said Bishnu Pokharel, chief of the procurement division of the company. He added that it will take around two weeks for the fertilizer to arrive in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had initially reached an understanding with Bangladesh to borrow the fertilizer but Bangladesh later retracted from the decision. After the attempt failed, the Government of Nepal decided to procure fertilizer from Bangladesh. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13026',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Exports to China Decline by 50 Percent in Six Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Nepal’s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: Nepal&rsquo;s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">As per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled recently by the central bank, exports to India and other countries have increased by 8.4 percent and 4.0 percent respectively while exports to Nepal&rsquo;s northern neighbor, China, has decreased by 50 percent. Import from China has also declined by 18.5 per cent. Export of items like cardamom, pashmina, noodles, polyester thread, jute has gone up while the export of palm oil, </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">pulses, zinc sheet, juice, wire, among others, decreased in the review period</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In six months of 2020/21, merchandise exports increased 6.1 percent to Rs.60.80 billion compared to an increase of 26.1 percent in the same period of the previous year</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">, states the report. Meanwhile, merchandise import has dropped down by 4.8 percent to Rs 661.25 billion against the decrease of 4.0 percent &nbsp;in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Country-wise, import from India has increased by 3.5 percent. Import of items like rice, raw soybean oil, gold, MS billet, telecommunication equipment and machinery parts increased in the first six months of this fiscal year whereas </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">imports of petroleum products, aircraft spareparts, crude palm oil, other machinery and parts, silver, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the central bank, Nepal&rsquo;s </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">total trade deficit narrowed down 5.8 percent to Rs.600.45 billion in six months of 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 6.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The export-import ratio increased to 9.2 percent in the review period from 8.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In the review period, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent to Rs 495.31 billion. Last year, the inflow of remittance had increased by 0.6 percent in the corresponding period. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13025',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Sale of Roses Expected to Decline by Rs 6 million on Valentines’ Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines’ Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines&rsquo; Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every sector and flower business remains no exception. &nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A report of FAN shows that it had sold roses worth Rs 16 million on Valentines&rsquo; Day last year. This year, the sale is expected to be around Rs 10 million only. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Flowers entrepreneurs share that the demand for roses is exceptionally high on February 14. The sale of roses on Valentines&rsquo; Day account for the highest sale of the year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, president of FAN, said that the sale of roses is expected to go down this year because of Covid-19 pandemic. According to him, the same kind of enthusiasm like in the past is not visible this year. In the previous years, people used to buy gifts and flowers a week ahead of the Valentines&rsquo; Day. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Due to impact of Covid-19, the demand for roses and domestic production has also gone down by 40 percent, informed FAN. There is a demand for 120,000 sticks of roses this year of which 96,000 sticks are being imported from India and the remaining roses are produced within the country. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Besides the festive season, there is a daily demand for 8,000 sticks of roses. Customers have to pay around Rs 60 to Rs 100 per rose stick, says FAN.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Around 72,000 stick of roses are expected to be sold in the Kathmandu Valley alone during Valentine&rsquo;s Day. Likewise, 48,000 sticks of roses will be sold outside the valley. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Comparison with the past records show that the demand for roses is the lowest this year. The sales data of 2076 show that around 200,000 sticks of roses were consumed on February 14 and 160,000&nbsp; roses were consumed in the year 2075. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Production of roses is low in the country due to the cold weather so domestic production solely can&rsquo;t meet the market demand. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to FAN, Rs 6 billion has been invested into the flower business. Floriculture is done in over 153 hectares of land in 43 districts across the country. Meanwhile commercial farming is done in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavre and Chitwan only. More than 700 people are involved in flower business and 40 thousand are employed directly or indirectly. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13042',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'National Pride Projects yet to Spend more than 50% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven’t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven&rsquo;t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year. With six months left in the ongoing fiscal year, only Rs&nbsp; 13.98 billion has been spent out of Rs 92.6 million allocated for the national pride projects, according to the half-yearly budget review of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">A total of 25 national projects are currently running. Among them, the progress of Pokhara Regional International Airport, Mid-hill Highway, and Karnali Corridor is satisfactory. Of the 25 projects, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has only made an expenditure of Rs 2.12 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Mid-hill Highway project has spent Rs 1.76 billion of the allocated amount of Rs 8.27 billion. The Postal Highway has spent Rs 3.34 billion of Rs 7.1 billion. Kathmandu-Terai Fast track has spent Rs 1.23 billion of Rs 8.93 billion. Gautam Buddha International Airport has spent Rs 2.98 billion of Rs 4.72 billion. Nigadh International Airport has spent 50 million of 500 million. Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project spent Rs 1.8 billion of Rs 8.84 billion</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">These projects are lagging behind due to the unavailability of separate laws for the implementation of national pride projects. Also, the lack of skilled manpower and lack of construction materials have been the major hindrances for the project development. The report states that project execution starts before finalizing the project modality, while issues like land acquisition, compensation amount, rehabilitation of affected people and Detailed Project Report have also resulted in the delay in projects.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">To increase the budget spending ,the report suggests to complete tasks of land acquisition, environment impact assessment, cutting of trees, and preparing DPR before the project starts. </span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-14',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13041',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NEA’ s new Managing Director Faces Challenges from Power Distribution to its Consumption',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This image taken from Facebook shows newly-appointed MD of Nepal Electricity Authority Hitendra Dev Shakya.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya is considered as an experienced hand for the post but experts say his tenure is full of challenges.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Experts are of the view that building transmission lines and increasing energy consumption are the major concerns at the moment. Due to NEA&rsquo;s inefficacy in completing Solu, Koshi, Trishuli transmission lines on time, energy production of 20 projects of those areas has been affected. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As far as energy consumption is concerned, Shakya will primarily be having difficult time during the monsoon season. Hydropower projects produce energy in excess during the monsoon. Likewise, 456 megawatt Upper Tamakoshi project and other private hydropower projects will be completed soon. In this context, Shakya will face challenge of increasing power consumption, says Krishna Prasad Acharya, president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;The newly appointed MD should focus on building transmission lines, distribution system, substation, expansion of infrastructure and increasing power consumption within the country,&rdquo; Acharya added. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Energy epxert Gyanendra Lal Pradhan says new measures are required to bring changes in energy consumption. NEA should work on increasing power consumption in the industrial sector, suggests Pradhan. Most of the industries are still without power and running on diesel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has other challenge of completing hydropower projects and transmission lines.&nbsp; Solu corridor, Koshi corridor, Trishuli corridor, Kushma- Butwal transmission line, Hetauda-Dhalkebar transmission line are yet to be completed. Shakya also has the responsibility to complete the most-awaited Upper Tamakoshi, Tanahu Seti storage, Middle Bhotekoshi, Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has succeeded former MD Kulman Ghishing, who earned a huge respect from the public for removing power cuts. Shakya faces an uphill battle to earn same kind of public image. Shakya himself accepts he has various kinds of challenges in days to come. He has plans to work accordingly to increase power access to 100% from the current 86%.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&nbsp;&ldquo;Incomplete transmission lines will be completed and generated power will be connected to the national grid. At present, NEA has signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with 5000 MW projects. I will work to increase energy consumption within the country and also work on exporting energy to minimize trade deficit,&rdquo; Shakya said. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13039',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Political Parties ‘Demand’ Donations from Private Sector to Organise Protests',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.<br />
The private sector has been complaining that both the establishment and dissident factions of the ruling party have been seeking funds to carry out demonstrations and mass meetings.<br />
Entrepreneurs say that the pro-government and anti-government protests following the recent political crisis have taken a massive toll on their businesses. They say that the demand for donation from the political parties during the current crisis of coronavirus has put further strain on them to sustain their businesses. &nbsp;<br />
Entrepreneurs told New Business Age that they are in trouble after both the factions started collecting donations for their demonstrations. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The parties have been collecting donations in the capital, Kathmandu, to gather protesters from various districts.<br />
An industrialist said on condition of anonymity that the two panels of the ruling party were competing with each other for collecting donations in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The country is facing political crisis after the dissolution of the House of Representatives upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Oli while the industrialists are facing the brunt of the protests.<br />
Both the Dahal-Nepal faction and Oli-led panel are demonstrating their power through street protests while other opposition parties are also protesting. &nbsp;<br />
Local political leaders of both the panels of the NPC have been putting pressure on the businessmen to help them fund the movement.<br />
The Parsa district committee of the Oli-led group had sent letters to entrepreneurs in Birgunj-Patalaiya Industrial Corridor demanding donations. An entrepreneur complained that the private sector, which was expecting a conducive environment for running industries and businesses from the majority government, has become a victim of political instability and donations.<br />
The private sector, which is hoping for political stability, is in a dilemma at the moment. &quot;Some people say they need help to get people to support the government, others say they have to protest,&quot; an industrialist from Birgunj informed.<br />
An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries informed that, ironically, the private sector which has been affected due to the strike and political instability, have been forced to donate for the demonstrations.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13040',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Lacks Adequate Laboratories for Testing Bird Flu ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality – 7 in Kathmandu on January 29.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality &ndash; 7 in Kathmandu on January 29. After that, the Department of Livestock Services was closely monitoring the area and other suspicious places in the country. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a press release issued by the department, bird flu was confirmed in Tarkeshwor municipality &ndash; 1 again on February 9 while testing a duck reared by a local farmer.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As soon as the disease was confirmed, the department mobilized its units to control the spread of the disease and destroy all the livestock and other contagious things in the affected areas. Meanwhile, 1,421 ducks, 42 chickens, 26 eggs and 800 kg grains have been destroyed and the area has been completely disinfected, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Shreeram Ghimire said that there is lack of laboratories for testing the contagious disease. According to him, out of eight laboratories under the ministry, five are currently being used by the Ministry of Health for coronavirus tests. Only the remaining three are being used for bird flu testing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;This is insufficient for us. There could be problem for testing if additional laboratories are not arranged as soon as possible,&rdquo; he said. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of the eight laboratories, only the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Tripureshwor is recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Apart from this, other laboratories do not meet all the criteria although tests are being carried out in those labs. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Ghimire said that the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health Services have been asked to provide laboratories to them. Furthermore, he said that if the disease spreads, the number of laboratories conducting regular tests may not be enough and more laboratories may be required. The ministry has informed that efforts are being made from all quarters to control the spread of the disease. The ministry has also appealed to all stakeholders for cooperation and collaboration in controlling the disease. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-12',
			'modified' => '2021-02-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12785',
			'image' => '20210212040457_20210131120553_Avian-influenza-word-cloud.jpg',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13038',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tunnel Test of Melamchi Project to be Completed in next 2 Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Following an incident in the tunnel of MWSP last year, construction is going on through revised procedures,&rdquo; said Ritesh Kumar Shakya, spokesperson for Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. According to Shakya an expert team of ADB was in Nepal a month ago for the inspection of MWSP. Works on tunnel grouting are being carried out in accordance to the suggestion of the team.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Shakya said that the task of tunnel grouting will be completed by the second week of Falgun (February end). After that, MWSP will move ahead with the works of tunnel test. Testing of the tunnel is expected to last for around two months. Soon after the completion of tunnel test, MWSP will start working on water supply, Shakya told New Business Age.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">It has been more that two decades since this project was started with a cost estimate of $464 million which was later downsized to $312.9 million. A total of Rs 5.46 billion has been allocated in this fiscal year of which Rs 52.19 million has been spent. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13036',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Govt to make 5% investment in 10-billion-rupee fund to be set up by NRNA ',
			'sub_title' => ' Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) setting up a public company to operate the fund of Rs 10 billion to finance infrastructure projects',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.',
			'content' => '<p>February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>Issuing a statement on Thursday, the MoF said that it is chipping in 5 percent in the fund that the NRNA plans to operate to finance infrastructure projects in the country.</p>

<p>The commitment means the government will invest a total of Rs 500 million in the fund to be operated through a separate public company.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a delegation led by NRNA President Kumar Panta met Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel on Thursday to discuss about the progress on setting up the fund.</p>

<p>According to the statement, NRNA President Pant told Finance Minister Paudel that the NRNA has already started a process to establish the public company to operate the fund.</p>

<p>NRNA will have 10 percent stake in the infrastructure company while nonresident Nepali will own 80 percent shares, the statement said quoting NRNA President Panta.<br />
The new company also plans to float its shares to the public to mobilize capital for the investment on various infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-11',
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			'keywords' => 'Non-Resident Nepali Association; NRNA; Ministry of Finance; NRNA Infrastructure Fund',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12782',
			'image' => '20210211040953_MoF_NRNA Fund Meeting.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 15:59:56',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13035',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB Governor in Favour of Promoting Skilled Workers within the Country',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. According to Governor Adhikari, at a time when a large number of Nepali citizens have been forced to seek foreign employment the country has been providing jobs to lots of skilled workers from outside the country. In this context, Governor Adhikari stressed that adequate training for Nepali workers could help in promoting domestic workforce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During an interaction with a delegation from the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association on Wednesday, Governor Adhikari suggested the businessmen involved in this sector to produce skilled workers within the country. He also expressed the central bank&rsquo;s commitment to develop skilled workers within the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a report, around 70,000 foreign workers are currently employed in the gold crafting business in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari also stressed on the use of QR code and digital payment with the gold dealers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;Although big transactions take place in gold business, they are still done in the traditional way. There is a need to adopt modern technology in accordance to the present context,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari informed that he would address the demands of the gold dealers to the possible extent. Stating that the supply of gold is directly related to the country&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserve, he added that the demands of the gold dealers would be addressed by giving due consideration to the market demand. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The central bank is ready to address the valid demands of the gold dealers,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13033',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Price of Petroleum Products, LPG',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene to Cost Rs 2 Dear while LPG will cost Rs 25 More',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene have been increased by Rs 2 per litre. With the latest price hike, petrol will now cost Rs 112 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 95 per litre.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of LPG (cooking gas) has been increased to Rs 1400 per cylinder, NOC said in a statement. The NOC has raised Rs 25 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) remains unchanged, informed Binit Mani Upadhyay, spokesperson of NOC.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">NOC further said that it is still bearing a loss of Rs 5.16 per litre of petrol, Rs3.1 per litre or diesel and Rs 295.83 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-11',
			'modified' => '2021-02-11',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12779',
			'image' => '20210211120609_20190503125003_Petrol-Price-Increase.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 12:02:27',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13032',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepalese Seeking Foreign Employment on Decline ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6<u><ins> </ins></u>percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In the corresponding period of last year, this number had increased by 17.7percent. This data is presented by MoF based on the applications for labor permits. The report states that the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 induced lockdown in the destination countries have resulted in the decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking labor permits. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, even before COVID-19 period, Nepalese workers migrating to the Gulf countries have seen a sharp decline for the past years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had renewed labour permits of 368,433 applicants while 190,453 new labor permits were issued in the last fiscal year 2019/20. Nepali workers taking new permits for foreign employment had witnessed a decline of 20.5 percent in FY 2019/20. It had decreased by 32.6 percent in the FY 2018/19. Likewise, in the fiscal year 2017/18, Nepalese workers seeking foreign employment declined by 9.3 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the report, the demand for migrant workers is expected to go up gradually as vaccination drive has begun in Malaysia and other Middle East countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;On a daily basis, around 50 labor permits are being issued,&rdquo; said Tika Mani Neupane, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). DoFe is also providing permit renewal service online from this January. &nbsp;Around 100 permits are issued through online, informed, Neupane.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Though COVID-19 has resulted in a decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking foreign jobs, it has not affected the remittance inflow to the country. In the last six months of the current fiscal year, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent. In FY 2018/19, the country saw an increase of 16.5 percent in remittance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 11:01:06',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13031',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Preparing to Monitor and Regulate Social Media',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. The government is making necessary preparations to take a policy-level decision to monitor such sites as well as those who promote such materials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Unveiling the decisions of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung said that the government will soon introduce Social Media Directive, 2077 to regulate the misuse of Facebook, YouTube and other online portals. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Gurung said that the government realized the need to regulate irresponsible and derogatory remarks and to discourage the use of social media to promote malpractices and therefore decided to issue the new directive soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum expressed alarm over the announcement of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology that the government was planning to bring a directive on social media/social networking sites.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;The Department of Information and Broadcasting under the Ministry is learnt to have prepared the draft of the directive as per which the social media companies operating in Nepal needs to be registered within three months,&rdquo; reads a statement issued by Freedom Forum.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum noted that social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have been an effective medium for the people in Nepal to exercise freedom of expression and hold government accountable. According to Freedom Forum, the directive will silence public voice and dissent, which are normal in democratic system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Moreover, there are separate legal provisions to deal with defamation and public offense through social media. But such actions in the name of controlling defamation, which the Ministry claims, is the blatant attempt to violate citizen&#39;s free speech, added the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13029',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FDI without Central Bank’s Approval on the Cards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. Until now, it was mandatory for the investors to get approval from the central bank for any kind of FDI. The central bank is preparing to remove the hassles of paperwork by introducing new regulations soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has taken a policy-level decision to introduce the Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Bylaws, 2077, which won&rsquo;t require its approval for FDI. The central bank has asked stakeholders for feedback regarding this new provision within a month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the investors do not require to take permission from the central bank, they still need to take permission from other concerned government bodies. After getting the final approval, the investors need to inform the central bank in written about any foreign currency being flown in or out of the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Executive Director of the Foreign Exchange Department of NRB Bam Bahadur Mishra says that the central bank is taking a giant leap to facilitate foreign direct investment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We are trying to promote FDI and therefore we are making a new arrangement for the first time,&rdquo; said Mishra, adding, &ldquo;Now the investors can go directly to the Department of Industry instead of coming to the central bank.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Mishra added that the investors do need to visit the central bank for the final auditing though.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Officials at NRB expressed their belief that the new bylaws would further facilitate FDI.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13028',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Export of Soybean Oil Increases Three Folds in Second Quarter of Current FY',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">This is a three-fold increment compared to the export of soybean oil during the last fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The country is expected to export soybean oil worth Rs 10 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Nepali entrepreneurs used to import raw palm oil, process it and export the refined product. Ever since the Indian government imposed a ban on import of refined palm oil, &nbsp;producers in Nepal have shifted their focus to export of soybean oil. This has resulted in a increase in export of soybean oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to Biratnagar customs, soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion has been exported to India in the second quarter of current fiscal year. Soybean oil worth Rs 1.52 billion was exported in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Export of soybean oil in the second quarter of the current fiscal year is more than the export during the whole of last fiscal year by Rs 56 million. During last FY, Nepal had exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.29 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Export of soybean oil to India in fiscal year 2018/19 was worth Rs 86.86million. According to government data, industries stepped up the production of soybean oil after facing restriction on export of palm oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Soybean oil is being exported to India at zero percent customs duty in accordance to the provisions of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A total of seven industries including Bagmati Oil of Agrawal Group, Sriram Refinery of Pradip Murarka, Everest Vegetable of Avinash Bohara, Quality Oil of Ghanashyam Kabara are currently engaged in export of soybean oil through Biratnagar customs. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13027',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizer from Bangladesh to Arrive in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks. The concerned authorities of the government have informed that all the processes for importing 50,000 metric tons of urea has been completed and the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday (February 11) onward. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The fertilizer will first be sent to Kolkata from Chatgaun of Bangladesh and then to Nepal. The state-owned Agriculture Inputs Company Limited, which has been handed the responsibility to import the fertilizer, has procured the urea for a price which is less than the market price. The price of urea is US$ 259.19 per metric ton in the market but the company has signed a deal to procure it for US$ 100 less than the market price.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As per the understanding between the two countries, the fertilizer will be imported in two ways &ndash; one through bulk transport and another through cargo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;As all the processes have been completed, the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday,&rdquo; said Bishnu Pokharel, chief of the procurement division of the company. He added that it will take around two weeks for the fertilizer to arrive in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had initially reached an understanding with Bangladesh to borrow the fertilizer but Bangladesh later retracted from the decision. After the attempt failed, the Government of Nepal decided to procure fertilizer from Bangladesh. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13026',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Exports to China Decline by 50 Percent in Six Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Nepal’s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: Nepal&rsquo;s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">As per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled recently by the central bank, exports to India and other countries have increased by 8.4 percent and 4.0 percent respectively while exports to Nepal&rsquo;s northern neighbor, China, has decreased by 50 percent. Import from China has also declined by 18.5 per cent. Export of items like cardamom, pashmina, noodles, polyester thread, jute has gone up while the export of palm oil, </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">pulses, zinc sheet, juice, wire, among others, decreased in the review period</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In six months of 2020/21, merchandise exports increased 6.1 percent to Rs.60.80 billion compared to an increase of 26.1 percent in the same period of the previous year</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">, states the report. Meanwhile, merchandise import has dropped down by 4.8 percent to Rs 661.25 billion against the decrease of 4.0 percent &nbsp;in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Country-wise, import from India has increased by 3.5 percent. Import of items like rice, raw soybean oil, gold, MS billet, telecommunication equipment and machinery parts increased in the first six months of this fiscal year whereas </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">imports of petroleum products, aircraft spareparts, crude palm oil, other machinery and parts, silver, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the central bank, Nepal&rsquo;s </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">total trade deficit narrowed down 5.8 percent to Rs.600.45 billion in six months of 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 6.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The export-import ratio increased to 9.2 percent in the review period from 8.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In the review period, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent to Rs 495.31 billion. Last year, the inflow of remittance had increased by 0.6 percent in the corresponding period. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13025',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Sale of Roses Expected to Decline by Rs 6 million on Valentines’ Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines’ Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines&rsquo; Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every sector and flower business remains no exception. &nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A report of FAN shows that it had sold roses worth Rs 16 million on Valentines&rsquo; Day last year. This year, the sale is expected to be around Rs 10 million only. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Flowers entrepreneurs share that the demand for roses is exceptionally high on February 14. The sale of roses on Valentines&rsquo; Day account for the highest sale of the year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, president of FAN, said that the sale of roses is expected to go down this year because of Covid-19 pandemic. According to him, the same kind of enthusiasm like in the past is not visible this year. In the previous years, people used to buy gifts and flowers a week ahead of the Valentines&rsquo; Day. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Due to impact of Covid-19, the demand for roses and domestic production has also gone down by 40 percent, informed FAN. There is a demand for 120,000 sticks of roses this year of which 96,000 sticks are being imported from India and the remaining roses are produced within the country. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Besides the festive season, there is a daily demand for 8,000 sticks of roses. Customers have to pay around Rs 60 to Rs 100 per rose stick, says FAN.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Around 72,000 stick of roses are expected to be sold in the Kathmandu Valley alone during Valentine&rsquo;s Day. Likewise, 48,000 sticks of roses will be sold outside the valley. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Comparison with the past records show that the demand for roses is the lowest this year. The sales data of 2076 show that around 200,000 sticks of roses were consumed on February 14 and 160,000&nbsp; roses were consumed in the year 2075. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Production of roses is low in the country due to the cold weather so domestic production solely can&rsquo;t meet the market demand. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to FAN, Rs 6 billion has been invested into the flower business. Floriculture is done in over 153 hectares of land in 43 districts across the country. Meanwhile commercial farming is done in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavre and Chitwan only. More than 700 people are involved in flower business and 40 thousand are employed directly or indirectly. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13042',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'National Pride Projects yet to Spend more than 50% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven’t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven&rsquo;t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year. With six months left in the ongoing fiscal year, only Rs&nbsp; 13.98 billion has been spent out of Rs 92.6 million allocated for the national pride projects, according to the half-yearly budget review of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">A total of 25 national projects are currently running. Among them, the progress of Pokhara Regional International Airport, Mid-hill Highway, and Karnali Corridor is satisfactory. Of the 25 projects, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has only made an expenditure of Rs 2.12 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Mid-hill Highway project has spent Rs 1.76 billion of the allocated amount of Rs 8.27 billion. The Postal Highway has spent Rs 3.34 billion of Rs 7.1 billion. Kathmandu-Terai Fast track has spent Rs 1.23 billion of Rs 8.93 billion. Gautam Buddha International Airport has spent Rs 2.98 billion of Rs 4.72 billion. Nigadh International Airport has spent 50 million of 500 million. Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project spent Rs 1.8 billion of Rs 8.84 billion</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">These projects are lagging behind due to the unavailability of separate laws for the implementation of national pride projects. Also, the lack of skilled manpower and lack of construction materials have been the major hindrances for the project development. The report states that project execution starts before finalizing the project modality, while issues like land acquisition, compensation amount, rehabilitation of affected people and Detailed Project Report have also resulted in the delay in projects.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">To increase the budget spending ,the report suggests to complete tasks of land acquisition, environment impact assessment, cutting of trees, and preparing DPR before the project starts. </span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-14',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13041',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NEA’ s new Managing Director Faces Challenges from Power Distribution to its Consumption',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This image taken from Facebook shows newly-appointed MD of Nepal Electricity Authority Hitendra Dev Shakya.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya is considered as an experienced hand for the post but experts say his tenure is full of challenges.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Experts are of the view that building transmission lines and increasing energy consumption are the major concerns at the moment. Due to NEA&rsquo;s inefficacy in completing Solu, Koshi, Trishuli transmission lines on time, energy production of 20 projects of those areas has been affected. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As far as energy consumption is concerned, Shakya will primarily be having difficult time during the monsoon season. Hydropower projects produce energy in excess during the monsoon. Likewise, 456 megawatt Upper Tamakoshi project and other private hydropower projects will be completed soon. In this context, Shakya will face challenge of increasing power consumption, says Krishna Prasad Acharya, president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;The newly appointed MD should focus on building transmission lines, distribution system, substation, expansion of infrastructure and increasing power consumption within the country,&rdquo; Acharya added. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Energy epxert Gyanendra Lal Pradhan says new measures are required to bring changes in energy consumption. NEA should work on increasing power consumption in the industrial sector, suggests Pradhan. Most of the industries are still without power and running on diesel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has other challenge of completing hydropower projects and transmission lines.&nbsp; Solu corridor, Koshi corridor, Trishuli corridor, Kushma- Butwal transmission line, Hetauda-Dhalkebar transmission line are yet to be completed. Shakya also has the responsibility to complete the most-awaited Upper Tamakoshi, Tanahu Seti storage, Middle Bhotekoshi, Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has succeeded former MD Kulman Ghishing, who earned a huge respect from the public for removing power cuts. Shakya faces an uphill battle to earn same kind of public image. Shakya himself accepts he has various kinds of challenges in days to come. He has plans to work accordingly to increase power access to 100% from the current 86%.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&nbsp;&ldquo;Incomplete transmission lines will be completed and generated power will be connected to the national grid. At present, NEA has signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with 5000 MW projects. I will work to increase energy consumption within the country and also work on exporting energy to minimize trade deficit,&rdquo; Shakya said. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'created' => '2021-02-12',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13039',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Political Parties ‘Demand’ Donations from Private Sector to Organise Protests',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.<br />
The private sector has been complaining that both the establishment and dissident factions of the ruling party have been seeking funds to carry out demonstrations and mass meetings.<br />
Entrepreneurs say that the pro-government and anti-government protests following the recent political crisis have taken a massive toll on their businesses. They say that the demand for donation from the political parties during the current crisis of coronavirus has put further strain on them to sustain their businesses. &nbsp;<br />
Entrepreneurs told New Business Age that they are in trouble after both the factions started collecting donations for their demonstrations. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The parties have been collecting donations in the capital, Kathmandu, to gather protesters from various districts.<br />
An industrialist said on condition of anonymity that the two panels of the ruling party were competing with each other for collecting donations in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The country is facing political crisis after the dissolution of the House of Representatives upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Oli while the industrialists are facing the brunt of the protests.<br />
Both the Dahal-Nepal faction and Oli-led panel are demonstrating their power through street protests while other opposition parties are also protesting. &nbsp;<br />
Local political leaders of both the panels of the NPC have been putting pressure on the businessmen to help them fund the movement.<br />
The Parsa district committee of the Oli-led group had sent letters to entrepreneurs in Birgunj-Patalaiya Industrial Corridor demanding donations. An entrepreneur complained that the private sector, which was expecting a conducive environment for running industries and businesses from the majority government, has become a victim of political instability and donations.<br />
The private sector, which is hoping for political stability, is in a dilemma at the moment. &quot;Some people say they need help to get people to support the government, others say they have to protest,&quot; an industrialist from Birgunj informed.<br />
An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries informed that, ironically, the private sector which has been affected due to the strike and political instability, have been forced to donate for the demonstrations.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13040',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Lacks Adequate Laboratories for Testing Bird Flu ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality – 7 in Kathmandu on January 29.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality &ndash; 7 in Kathmandu on January 29. After that, the Department of Livestock Services was closely monitoring the area and other suspicious places in the country. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a press release issued by the department, bird flu was confirmed in Tarkeshwor municipality &ndash; 1 again on February 9 while testing a duck reared by a local farmer.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As soon as the disease was confirmed, the department mobilized its units to control the spread of the disease and destroy all the livestock and other contagious things in the affected areas. Meanwhile, 1,421 ducks, 42 chickens, 26 eggs and 800 kg grains have been destroyed and the area has been completely disinfected, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Shreeram Ghimire said that there is lack of laboratories for testing the contagious disease. According to him, out of eight laboratories under the ministry, five are currently being used by the Ministry of Health for coronavirus tests. Only the remaining three are being used for bird flu testing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;This is insufficient for us. There could be problem for testing if additional laboratories are not arranged as soon as possible,&rdquo; he said. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of the eight laboratories, only the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Tripureshwor is recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Apart from this, other laboratories do not meet all the criteria although tests are being carried out in those labs. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Ghimire said that the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health Services have been asked to provide laboratories to them. Furthermore, he said that if the disease spreads, the number of laboratories conducting regular tests may not be enough and more laboratories may be required. The ministry has informed that efforts are being made from all quarters to control the spread of the disease. The ministry has also appealed to all stakeholders for cooperation and collaboration in controlling the disease. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tunnel Test of Melamchi Project to be Completed in next 2 Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Following an incident in the tunnel of MWSP last year, construction is going on through revised procedures,&rdquo; said Ritesh Kumar Shakya, spokesperson for Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. According to Shakya an expert team of ADB was in Nepal a month ago for the inspection of MWSP. Works on tunnel grouting are being carried out in accordance to the suggestion of the team.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Shakya said that the task of tunnel grouting will be completed by the second week of Falgun (February end). After that, MWSP will move ahead with the works of tunnel test. Testing of the tunnel is expected to last for around two months. Soon after the completion of tunnel test, MWSP will start working on water supply, Shakya told New Business Age.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">It has been more that two decades since this project was started with a cost estimate of $464 million which was later downsized to $312.9 million. A total of Rs 5.46 billion has been allocated in this fiscal year of which Rs 52.19 million has been spent. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-12',
			'modified' => '2021-02-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12784',
			'image' => '20210212111048_20200317114243_Melamchi 1.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-12 11:10:08',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13036',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Govt to make 5% investment in 10-billion-rupee fund to be set up by NRNA ',
			'sub_title' => ' Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) setting up a public company to operate the fund of Rs 10 billion to finance infrastructure projects',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.',
			'content' => '<p>February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>Issuing a statement on Thursday, the MoF said that it is chipping in 5 percent in the fund that the NRNA plans to operate to finance infrastructure projects in the country.</p>

<p>The commitment means the government will invest a total of Rs 500 million in the fund to be operated through a separate public company.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a delegation led by NRNA President Kumar Panta met Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel on Thursday to discuss about the progress on setting up the fund.</p>

<p>According to the statement, NRNA President Pant told Finance Minister Paudel that the NRNA has already started a process to establish the public company to operate the fund.</p>

<p>NRNA will have 10 percent stake in the infrastructure company while nonresident Nepali will own 80 percent shares, the statement said quoting NRNA President Panta.<br />
The new company also plans to float its shares to the public to mobilize capital for the investment on various infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-11',
			'modified' => '2021-02-11',
			'keywords' => 'Non-Resident Nepali Association; NRNA; Ministry of Finance; NRNA Infrastructure Fund',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12782',
			'image' => '20210211040953_MoF_NRNA Fund Meeting.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 15:59:56',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13035',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB Governor in Favour of Promoting Skilled Workers within the Country',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. According to Governor Adhikari, at a time when a large number of Nepali citizens have been forced to seek foreign employment the country has been providing jobs to lots of skilled workers from outside the country. In this context, Governor Adhikari stressed that adequate training for Nepali workers could help in promoting domestic workforce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During an interaction with a delegation from the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association on Wednesday, Governor Adhikari suggested the businessmen involved in this sector to produce skilled workers within the country. He also expressed the central bank&rsquo;s commitment to develop skilled workers within the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a report, around 70,000 foreign workers are currently employed in the gold crafting business in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari also stressed on the use of QR code and digital payment with the gold dealers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;Although big transactions take place in gold business, they are still done in the traditional way. There is a need to adopt modern technology in accordance to the present context,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari informed that he would address the demands of the gold dealers to the possible extent. Stating that the supply of gold is directly related to the country&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserve, he added that the demands of the gold dealers would be addressed by giving due consideration to the market demand. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The central bank is ready to address the valid demands of the gold dealers,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13033',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Price of Petroleum Products, LPG',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene to Cost Rs 2 Dear while LPG will cost Rs 25 More',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene have been increased by Rs 2 per litre. With the latest price hike, petrol will now cost Rs 112 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 95 per litre.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of LPG (cooking gas) has been increased to Rs 1400 per cylinder, NOC said in a statement. The NOC has raised Rs 25 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) remains unchanged, informed Binit Mani Upadhyay, spokesperson of NOC.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">NOC further said that it is still bearing a loss of Rs 5.16 per litre of petrol, Rs3.1 per litre or diesel and Rs 295.83 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-11',
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			'sortorder' => '12779',
			'image' => '20210211120609_20190503125003_Petrol-Price-Increase.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 12:02:27',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13032',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepalese Seeking Foreign Employment on Decline ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6<u><ins> </ins></u>percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In the corresponding period of last year, this number had increased by 17.7percent. This data is presented by MoF based on the applications for labor permits. The report states that the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 induced lockdown in the destination countries have resulted in the decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking labor permits. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, even before COVID-19 period, Nepalese workers migrating to the Gulf countries have seen a sharp decline for the past years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had renewed labour permits of 368,433 applicants while 190,453 new labor permits were issued in the last fiscal year 2019/20. Nepali workers taking new permits for foreign employment had witnessed a decline of 20.5 percent in FY 2019/20. It had decreased by 32.6 percent in the FY 2018/19. Likewise, in the fiscal year 2017/18, Nepalese workers seeking foreign employment declined by 9.3 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the report, the demand for migrant workers is expected to go up gradually as vaccination drive has begun in Malaysia and other Middle East countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;On a daily basis, around 50 labor permits are being issued,&rdquo; said Tika Mani Neupane, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). DoFe is also providing permit renewal service online from this January. &nbsp;Around 100 permits are issued through online, informed, Neupane.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Though COVID-19 has resulted in a decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking foreign jobs, it has not affected the remittance inflow to the country. In the last six months of the current fiscal year, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent. In FY 2018/19, the country saw an increase of 16.5 percent in remittance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12778',
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			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 11:01:06',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13031',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Preparing to Monitor and Regulate Social Media',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. The government is making necessary preparations to take a policy-level decision to monitor such sites as well as those who promote such materials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Unveiling the decisions of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung said that the government will soon introduce Social Media Directive, 2077 to regulate the misuse of Facebook, YouTube and other online portals. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Gurung said that the government realized the need to regulate irresponsible and derogatory remarks and to discourage the use of social media to promote malpractices and therefore decided to issue the new directive soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum expressed alarm over the announcement of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology that the government was planning to bring a directive on social media/social networking sites.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;The Department of Information and Broadcasting under the Ministry is learnt to have prepared the draft of the directive as per which the social media companies operating in Nepal needs to be registered within three months,&rdquo; reads a statement issued by Freedom Forum.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum noted that social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have been an effective medium for the people in Nepal to exercise freedom of expression and hold government accountable. According to Freedom Forum, the directive will silence public voice and dissent, which are normal in democratic system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Moreover, there are separate legal provisions to deal with defamation and public offense through social media. But such actions in the name of controlling defamation, which the Ministry claims, is the blatant attempt to violate citizen&#39;s free speech, added the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12777',
			'image' => '20210210040536_socialmedia-mn2s.jpg',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13029',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FDI without Central Bank’s Approval on the Cards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. Until now, it was mandatory for the investors to get approval from the central bank for any kind of FDI. The central bank is preparing to remove the hassles of paperwork by introducing new regulations soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has taken a policy-level decision to introduce the Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Bylaws, 2077, which won&rsquo;t require its approval for FDI. The central bank has asked stakeholders for feedback regarding this new provision within a month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the investors do not require to take permission from the central bank, they still need to take permission from other concerned government bodies. After getting the final approval, the investors need to inform the central bank in written about any foreign currency being flown in or out of the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Executive Director of the Foreign Exchange Department of NRB Bam Bahadur Mishra says that the central bank is taking a giant leap to facilitate foreign direct investment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We are trying to promote FDI and therefore we are making a new arrangement for the first time,&rdquo; said Mishra, adding, &ldquo;Now the investors can go directly to the Department of Industry instead of coming to the central bank.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Mishra added that the investors do need to visit the central bank for the final auditing though.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Officials at NRB expressed their belief that the new bylaws would further facilitate FDI.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13028',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Export of Soybean Oil Increases Three Folds in Second Quarter of Current FY',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">This is a three-fold increment compared to the export of soybean oil during the last fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The country is expected to export soybean oil worth Rs 10 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Nepali entrepreneurs used to import raw palm oil, process it and export the refined product. Ever since the Indian government imposed a ban on import of refined palm oil, &nbsp;producers in Nepal have shifted their focus to export of soybean oil. This has resulted in a increase in export of soybean oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to Biratnagar customs, soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion has been exported to India in the second quarter of current fiscal year. Soybean oil worth Rs 1.52 billion was exported in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Export of soybean oil in the second quarter of the current fiscal year is more than the export during the whole of last fiscal year by Rs 56 million. During last FY, Nepal had exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.29 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Export of soybean oil to India in fiscal year 2018/19 was worth Rs 86.86million. According to government data, industries stepped up the production of soybean oil after facing restriction on export of palm oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Soybean oil is being exported to India at zero percent customs duty in accordance to the provisions of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A total of seven industries including Bagmati Oil of Agrawal Group, Sriram Refinery of Pradip Murarka, Everest Vegetable of Avinash Bohara, Quality Oil of Ghanashyam Kabara are currently engaged in export of soybean oil through Biratnagar customs. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13027',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizer from Bangladesh to Arrive in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks. The concerned authorities of the government have informed that all the processes for importing 50,000 metric tons of urea has been completed and the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday (February 11) onward. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The fertilizer will first be sent to Kolkata from Chatgaun of Bangladesh and then to Nepal. The state-owned Agriculture Inputs Company Limited, which has been handed the responsibility to import the fertilizer, has procured the urea for a price which is less than the market price. The price of urea is US$ 259.19 per metric ton in the market but the company has signed a deal to procure it for US$ 100 less than the market price.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As per the understanding between the two countries, the fertilizer will be imported in two ways &ndash; one through bulk transport and another through cargo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;As all the processes have been completed, the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday,&rdquo; said Bishnu Pokharel, chief of the procurement division of the company. He added that it will take around two weeks for the fertilizer to arrive in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had initially reached an understanding with Bangladesh to borrow the fertilizer but Bangladesh later retracted from the decision. After the attempt failed, the Government of Nepal decided to procure fertilizer from Bangladesh. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13026',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Exports to China Decline by 50 Percent in Six Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Nepal’s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: Nepal&rsquo;s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">As per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled recently by the central bank, exports to India and other countries have increased by 8.4 percent and 4.0 percent respectively while exports to Nepal&rsquo;s northern neighbor, China, has decreased by 50 percent. Import from China has also declined by 18.5 per cent. Export of items like cardamom, pashmina, noodles, polyester thread, jute has gone up while the export of palm oil, </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">pulses, zinc sheet, juice, wire, among others, decreased in the review period</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In six months of 2020/21, merchandise exports increased 6.1 percent to Rs.60.80 billion compared to an increase of 26.1 percent in the same period of the previous year</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">, states the report. Meanwhile, merchandise import has dropped down by 4.8 percent to Rs 661.25 billion against the decrease of 4.0 percent &nbsp;in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Country-wise, import from India has increased by 3.5 percent. Import of items like rice, raw soybean oil, gold, MS billet, telecommunication equipment and machinery parts increased in the first six months of this fiscal year whereas </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">imports of petroleum products, aircraft spareparts, crude palm oil, other machinery and parts, silver, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the central bank, Nepal&rsquo;s </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">total trade deficit narrowed down 5.8 percent to Rs.600.45 billion in six months of 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 6.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The export-import ratio increased to 9.2 percent in the review period from 8.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In the review period, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent to Rs 495.31 billion. Last year, the inflow of remittance had increased by 0.6 percent in the corresponding period. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13025',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Sale of Roses Expected to Decline by Rs 6 million on Valentines’ Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines’ Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines&rsquo; Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every sector and flower business remains no exception. &nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A report of FAN shows that it had sold roses worth Rs 16 million on Valentines&rsquo; Day last year. This year, the sale is expected to be around Rs 10 million only. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Flowers entrepreneurs share that the demand for roses is exceptionally high on February 14. The sale of roses on Valentines&rsquo; Day account for the highest sale of the year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, president of FAN, said that the sale of roses is expected to go down this year because of Covid-19 pandemic. According to him, the same kind of enthusiasm like in the past is not visible this year. In the previous years, people used to buy gifts and flowers a week ahead of the Valentines&rsquo; Day. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Due to impact of Covid-19, the demand for roses and domestic production has also gone down by 40 percent, informed FAN. There is a demand for 120,000 sticks of roses this year of which 96,000 sticks are being imported from India and the remaining roses are produced within the country. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Besides the festive season, there is a daily demand for 8,000 sticks of roses. Customers have to pay around Rs 60 to Rs 100 per rose stick, says FAN.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Around 72,000 stick of roses are expected to be sold in the Kathmandu Valley alone during Valentine&rsquo;s Day. Likewise, 48,000 sticks of roses will be sold outside the valley. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Comparison with the past records show that the demand for roses is the lowest this year. The sales data of 2076 show that around 200,000 sticks of roses were consumed on February 14 and 160,000&nbsp; roses were consumed in the year 2075. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Production of roses is low in the country due to the cold weather so domestic production solely can&rsquo;t meet the market demand. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to FAN, Rs 6 billion has been invested into the flower business. Floriculture is done in over 153 hectares of land in 43 districts across the country. Meanwhile commercial farming is done in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavre and Chitwan only. More than 700 people are involved in flower business and 40 thousand are employed directly or indirectly. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13042',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'National Pride Projects yet to Spend more than 50% of Allocated Budget',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven’t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 13: Majority of the National Pride Projects haven&rsquo;t spent even 50 percent of the allocated budget in the current fiscal year. With six months left in the ongoing fiscal year, only Rs&nbsp; 13.98 billion has been spent out of Rs 92.6 million allocated for the national pride projects, according to the half-yearly budget review of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">A total of 25 national projects are currently running. Among them, the progress of Pokhara Regional International Airport, Mid-hill Highway, and Karnali Corridor is satisfactory. Of the 25 projects, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has only made an expenditure of Rs 2.12 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Mid-hill Highway project has spent Rs 1.76 billion of the allocated amount of Rs 8.27 billion. The Postal Highway has spent Rs 3.34 billion of Rs 7.1 billion. Kathmandu-Terai Fast track has spent Rs 1.23 billion of Rs 8.93 billion. Gautam Buddha International Airport has spent Rs 2.98 billion of Rs 4.72 billion. Nigadh International Airport has spent 50 million of 500 million. Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project spent Rs 1.8 billion of Rs 8.84 billion</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">These projects are lagging behind due to the unavailability of separate laws for the implementation of national pride projects. Also, the lack of skilled manpower and lack of construction materials have been the major hindrances for the project development. The report states that project execution starts before finalizing the project modality, while issues like land acquisition, compensation amount, rehabilitation of affected people and Detailed Project Report have also resulted in the delay in projects.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">To increase the budget spending ,the report suggests to complete tasks of land acquisition, environment impact assessment, cutting of trees, and preparing DPR before the project starts. </span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-14',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13041',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NEA’ s new Managing Director Faces Challenges from Power Distribution to its Consumption',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This image taken from Facebook shows newly-appointed MD of Nepal Electricity Authority Hitendra Dev Shakya.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 12: The government has appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a four-year term. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya is considered as an experienced hand for the post but experts say his tenure is full of challenges.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Experts are of the view that building transmission lines and increasing energy consumption are the major concerns at the moment. Due to NEA&rsquo;s inefficacy in completing Solu, Koshi, Trishuli transmission lines on time, energy production of 20 projects of those areas has been affected. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As far as energy consumption is concerned, Shakya will primarily be having difficult time during the monsoon season. Hydropower projects produce energy in excess during the monsoon. Likewise, 456 megawatt Upper Tamakoshi project and other private hydropower projects will be completed soon. In this context, Shakya will face challenge of increasing power consumption, says Krishna Prasad Acharya, president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;The newly appointed MD should focus on building transmission lines, distribution system, substation, expansion of infrastructure and increasing power consumption within the country,&rdquo; Acharya added. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Energy epxert Gyanendra Lal Pradhan says new measures are required to bring changes in energy consumption. NEA should work on increasing power consumption in the industrial sector, suggests Pradhan. Most of the industries are still without power and running on diesel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has other challenge of completing hydropower projects and transmission lines.&nbsp; Solu corridor, Koshi corridor, Trishuli corridor, Kushma- Butwal transmission line, Hetauda-Dhalkebar transmission line are yet to be completed. Shakya also has the responsibility to complete the most-awaited Upper Tamakoshi, Tanahu Seti storage, Middle Bhotekoshi, Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shakya has succeeded former MD Kulman Ghishing, who earned a huge respect from the public for removing power cuts. Shakya faces an uphill battle to earn same kind of public image. Shakya himself accepts he has various kinds of challenges in days to come. He has plans to work accordingly to increase power access to 100% from the current 86%.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&nbsp;&ldquo;Incomplete transmission lines will be completed and generated power will be connected to the national grid. At present, NEA has signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with 5000 MW projects. I will work to increase energy consumption within the country and also work on exporting energy to minimize trade deficit,&rdquo; Shakya said. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13039',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Political Parties ‘Demand’ Donations from Private Sector to Organise Protests',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 12: At a time when the private sector is struggling to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic, political parties from both the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions of Nepal Communist Party have been allegedly putting pressure on businessmen and industrialists for donation.<br />
The private sector has been complaining that both the establishment and dissident factions of the ruling party have been seeking funds to carry out demonstrations and mass meetings.<br />
Entrepreneurs say that the pro-government and anti-government protests following the recent political crisis have taken a massive toll on their businesses. They say that the demand for donation from the political parties during the current crisis of coronavirus has put further strain on them to sustain their businesses. &nbsp;<br />
Entrepreneurs told New Business Age that they are in trouble after both the factions started collecting donations for their demonstrations. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The parties have been collecting donations in the capital, Kathmandu, to gather protesters from various districts.<br />
An industrialist said on condition of anonymity that the two panels of the ruling party were competing with each other for collecting donations in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">The country is facing political crisis after the dissolution of the House of Representatives upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Oli while the industrialists are facing the brunt of the protests.<br />
Both the Dahal-Nepal faction and Oli-led panel are demonstrating their power through street protests while other opposition parties are also protesting. &nbsp;<br />
Local political leaders of both the panels of the NPC have been putting pressure on the businessmen to help them fund the movement.<br />
The Parsa district committee of the Oli-led group had sent letters to entrepreneurs in Birgunj-Patalaiya Industrial Corridor demanding donations. An entrepreneur complained that the private sector, which was expecting a conducive environment for running industries and businesses from the majority government, has become a victim of political instability and donations.<br />
The private sector, which is hoping for political stability, is in a dilemma at the moment. &quot;Some people say they need help to get people to support the government, others say they have to protest,&quot; an industrialist from Birgunj informed.<br />
An official of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries informed that, ironically, the private sector which has been affected due to the strike and political instability, have been forced to donate for the demonstrations.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13040',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Lacks Adequate Laboratories for Testing Bird Flu ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality – 7 in Kathmandu on January 29.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality &ndash; 7 in Kathmandu on January 29. After that, the Department of Livestock Services was closely monitoring the area and other suspicious places in the country. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a press release issued by the department, bird flu was confirmed in Tarkeshwor municipality &ndash; 1 again on February 9 while testing a duck reared by a local farmer.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As soon as the disease was confirmed, the department mobilized its units to control the spread of the disease and destroy all the livestock and other contagious things in the affected areas. Meanwhile, 1,421 ducks, 42 chickens, 26 eggs and 800 kg grains have been destroyed and the area has been completely disinfected, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Shreeram Ghimire said that there is lack of laboratories for testing the contagious disease. According to him, out of eight laboratories under the ministry, five are currently being used by the Ministry of Health for coronavirus tests. Only the remaining three are being used for bird flu testing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;This is insufficient for us. There could be problem for testing if additional laboratories are not arranged as soon as possible,&rdquo; he said. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of the eight laboratories, only the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Tripureshwor is recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Apart from this, other laboratories do not meet all the criteria although tests are being carried out in those labs. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Ghimire said that the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health Services have been asked to provide laboratories to them. Furthermore, he said that if the disease spreads, the number of laboratories conducting regular tests may not be enough and more laboratories may be required. The ministry has informed that efforts are being made from all quarters to control the spread of the disease. The ministry has also appealed to all stakeholders for cooperation and collaboration in controlling the disease. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12785',
			'image' => '20210212040457_20210131120553_Avian-influenza-word-cloud.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-12 16:04:03',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13038',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tunnel Test of Melamchi Project to be Completed in next 2 Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 12: Altogether 69 percent works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) has been completed, according to the half-yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the government recently. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Following an incident in the tunnel of MWSP last year, construction is going on through revised procedures,&rdquo; said Ritesh Kumar Shakya, spokesperson for Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. According to Shakya an expert team of ADB was in Nepal a month ago for the inspection of MWSP. Works on tunnel grouting are being carried out in accordance to the suggestion of the team.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Shakya said that the task of tunnel grouting will be completed by the second week of Falgun (February end). After that, MWSP will move ahead with the works of tunnel test. Testing of the tunnel is expected to last for around two months. Soon after the completion of tunnel test, MWSP will start working on water supply, Shakya told New Business Age.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">It has been more that two decades since this project was started with a cost estimate of $464 million which was later downsized to $312.9 million. A total of Rs 5.46 billion has been allocated in this fiscal year of which Rs 52.19 million has been spent. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-12',
			'modified' => '2021-02-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12784',
			'image' => '20210212111048_20200317114243_Melamchi 1.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-12 11:10:08',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13036',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Govt to make 5% investment in 10-billion-rupee fund to be set up by NRNA ',
			'sub_title' => ' Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) setting up a public company to operate the fund of Rs 10 billion to finance infrastructure projects',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.',
			'content' => '<p>February 11: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has said that it plans to make 5 percent investment in a fund of Rs 10 billion that Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is setting up to finance infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>Issuing a statement on Thursday, the MoF said that it is chipping in 5 percent in the fund that the NRNA plans to operate to finance infrastructure projects in the country.</p>

<p>The commitment means the government will invest a total of Rs 500 million in the fund to be operated through a separate public company.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a delegation led by NRNA President Kumar Panta met Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel on Thursday to discuss about the progress on setting up the fund.</p>

<p>According to the statement, NRNA President Pant told Finance Minister Paudel that the NRNA has already started a process to establish the public company to operate the fund.</p>

<p>NRNA will have 10 percent stake in the infrastructure company while nonresident Nepali will own 80 percent shares, the statement said quoting NRNA President Panta.<br />
The new company also plans to float its shares to the public to mobilize capital for the investment on various infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-11',
			'modified' => '2021-02-11',
			'keywords' => 'Non-Resident Nepali Association; NRNA; Ministry of Finance; NRNA Infrastructure Fund',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12782',
			'image' => '20210211040953_MoF_NRNA Fund Meeting.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 15:59:56',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13035',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB Governor in Favour of Promoting Skilled Workers within the Country',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 11: Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari has urged all stakeholders to promote the skills of local workers. According to Governor Adhikari, at a time when a large number of Nepali citizens have been forced to seek foreign employment the country has been providing jobs to lots of skilled workers from outside the country. In this context, Governor Adhikari stressed that adequate training for Nepali workers could help in promoting domestic workforce.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During an interaction with a delegation from the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association on Wednesday, Governor Adhikari suggested the businessmen involved in this sector to produce skilled workers within the country. He also expressed the central bank&rsquo;s commitment to develop skilled workers within the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a report, around 70,000 foreign workers are currently employed in the gold crafting business in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari also stressed on the use of QR code and digital payment with the gold dealers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;Although big transactions take place in gold business, they are still done in the traditional way. There is a need to adopt modern technology in accordance to the present context,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Governor Adhikari informed that he would address the demands of the gold dealers to the possible extent. Stating that the supply of gold is directly related to the country&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserve, he added that the demands of the gold dealers would be addressed by giving due consideration to the market demand. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The central bank is ready to address the valid demands of the gold dealers,&rdquo; said Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13033',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NOC Hikes Price of Petroleum Products, LPG',
			'sub_title' => 'Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene to Cost Rs 2 Dear while LPG will cost Rs 25 More',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 11: The government hiked the price of petroleum products as well as cooking gas, effective from Wednesday midnight. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene have been increased by Rs 2 per litre. With the latest price hike, petrol will now cost Rs 112 per litre while diesel and kerosene will cost Rs 95 per litre.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of LPG (cooking gas) has been increased to Rs 1400 per cylinder, NOC said in a statement. The NOC has raised Rs 25 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) remains unchanged, informed Binit Mani Upadhyay, spokesperson of NOC.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:Preeti"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">NOC further said that it is still bearing a loss of Rs 5.16 per litre of petrol, Rs3.1 per litre or diesel and Rs 295.83 per cylinder of LPG.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-11',
			'modified' => '2021-02-11',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12779',
			'image' => '20210211120609_20190503125003_Petrol-Price-Increase.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 12:02:27',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13032',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepalese Seeking Foreign Employment on Decline ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 11: The number of Nepalese nationals seeking foreign jobs has declined by 77.6<u><ins> </ins></u>percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the half yearly budget review report of 2020/21 unveiled by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In the corresponding period of last year, this number had increased by 17.7percent. This data is presented by MoF based on the applications for labor permits. The report states that the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 induced lockdown in the destination countries have resulted in the decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking labor permits. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, even before COVID-19 period, Nepalese workers migrating to the Gulf countries have seen a sharp decline for the past years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had renewed labour permits of 368,433 applicants while 190,453 new labor permits were issued in the last fiscal year 2019/20. Nepali workers taking new permits for foreign employment had witnessed a decline of 20.5 percent in FY 2019/20. It had decreased by 32.6 percent in the FY 2018/19. Likewise, in the fiscal year 2017/18, Nepalese workers seeking foreign employment declined by 9.3 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the report, the demand for migrant workers is expected to go up gradually as vaccination drive has begun in Malaysia and other Middle East countries.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;On a daily basis, around 50 labor permits are being issued,&rdquo; said Tika Mani Neupane, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). DoFe is also providing permit renewal service online from this January. &nbsp;Around 100 permits are issued through online, informed, Neupane.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Though COVID-19 has resulted in a decline in the number of Nepalese workers seeking foreign jobs, it has not affected the remittance inflow to the country. In the last six months of the current fiscal year, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent. In FY 2018/19, the country saw an increase of 16.5 percent in remittance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-11',
			'modified' => '2021-02-11',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12778',
			'image' => '20210211110147_20200922040433_20200310105652_aaa.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-11 11:01:06',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13031',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Preparing to Monitor and Regulate Social Media',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: The government is preparing to strictly monitor social networking sites due to an increase in inciting posts and hate speeches targeted towards high profile individuals. The government is making necessary preparations to take a policy-level decision to monitor such sites as well as those who promote such materials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Unveiling the decisions of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung said that the government will soon introduce Social Media Directive, 2077 to regulate the misuse of Facebook, YouTube and other online portals. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Gurung said that the government realized the need to regulate irresponsible and derogatory remarks and to discourage the use of social media to promote malpractices and therefore decided to issue the new directive soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum expressed alarm over the announcement of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology that the government was planning to bring a directive on social media/social networking sites.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;The Department of Information and Broadcasting under the Ministry is learnt to have prepared the draft of the directive as per which the social media companies operating in Nepal needs to be registered within three months,&rdquo; reads a statement issued by Freedom Forum.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Freedom Forum noted that social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have been an effective medium for the people in Nepal to exercise freedom of expression and hold government accountable. According to Freedom Forum, the directive will silence public voice and dissent, which are normal in democratic system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Moreover, there are separate legal provisions to deal with defamation and public offense through social media. But such actions in the name of controlling defamation, which the Ministry claims, is the blatant attempt to violate citizen&#39;s free speech, added the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'sortorder' => '12777',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13029',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FDI without Central Bank’s Approval on the Cards',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will no longer require approval from the Nepal Rastra Bank in the near future. Until now, it was mandatory for the investors to get approval from the central bank for any kind of FDI. The central bank is preparing to remove the hassles of paperwork by introducing new regulations soon.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has taken a policy-level decision to introduce the Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Bylaws, 2077, which won&rsquo;t require its approval for FDI. The central bank has asked stakeholders for feedback regarding this new provision within a month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the investors do not require to take permission from the central bank, they still need to take permission from other concerned government bodies. After getting the final approval, the investors need to inform the central bank in written about any foreign currency being flown in or out of the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Executive Director of the Foreign Exchange Department of NRB Bam Bahadur Mishra says that the central bank is taking a giant leap to facilitate foreign direct investment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We are trying to promote FDI and therefore we are making a new arrangement for the first time,&rdquo; said Mishra, adding, &ldquo;Now the investors can go directly to the Department of Industry instead of coming to the central bank.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Mishra added that the investors do need to visit the central bank for the final auditing though.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Officials at NRB expressed their belief that the new bylaws would further facilitate FDI.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13028',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Export of Soybean Oil Increases Three Folds in Second Quarter of Current FY',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 10: Biratnagar customs alone has exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">This is a three-fold increment compared to the export of soybean oil during the last fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">The country is expected to export soybean oil worth Rs 10 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Nepali entrepreneurs used to import raw palm oil, process it and export the refined product. Ever since the Indian government imposed a ban on import of refined palm oil, &nbsp;producers in Nepal have shifted their focus to export of soybean oil. This has resulted in a increase in export of soybean oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to Biratnagar customs, soybean oil worth Rs 4.85 billion has been exported to India in the second quarter of current fiscal year. Soybean oil worth Rs 1.52 billion was exported in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Export of soybean oil in the second quarter of the current fiscal year is more than the export during the whole of last fiscal year by Rs 56 million. During last FY, Nepal had exported soybean oil worth Rs 4.29 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Export of soybean oil to India in fiscal year 2018/19 was worth Rs 86.86million. According to government data, industries stepped up the production of soybean oil after facing restriction on export of palm oil. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Soybean oil is being exported to India at zero percent customs duty in accordance to the provisions of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A total of seven industries including Bagmati Oil of Agrawal Group, Sriram Refinery of Pradip Murarka, Everest Vegetable of Avinash Bohara, Quality Oil of Ghanashyam Kabara are currently engaged in export of soybean oil through Biratnagar customs. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'sortorder' => '12774',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13027',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizer from Bangladesh to Arrive in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">February 10: Chemical fertilizer purchased by the government from Bangladesh under a G2G deal is likely to arrive after two more weeks. The concerned authorities of the government have informed that all the processes for importing 50,000 metric tons of urea has been completed and the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday (February 11) onward. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The fertilizer will first be sent to Kolkata from Chatgaun of Bangladesh and then to Nepal. The state-owned Agriculture Inputs Company Limited, which has been handed the responsibility to import the fertilizer, has procured the urea for a price which is less than the market price. The price of urea is US$ 259.19 per metric ton in the market but the company has signed a deal to procure it for US$ 100 less than the market price.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As per the understanding between the two countries, the fertilizer will be imported in two ways &ndash; one through bulk transport and another through cargo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;As all the processes have been completed, the fertilizer will be loaded from Thursday,&rdquo; said Bishnu Pokharel, chief of the procurement division of the company. He added that it will take around two weeks for the fertilizer to arrive in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had initially reached an understanding with Bangladesh to borrow the fertilizer but Bangladesh later retracted from the decision. After the attempt failed, the Government of Nepal decided to procure fertilizer from Bangladesh. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-10',
			'modified' => '2021-02-10',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13026',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Exports to China Decline by 50 Percent in Six Months',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 10: Nepal’s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 10: Nepal&rsquo;s merchandise exports to China have declined by 50 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">As per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled recently by the central bank, exports to India and other countries have increased by 8.4 percent and 4.0 percent respectively while exports to Nepal&rsquo;s northern neighbor, China, has decreased by 50 percent. Import from China has also declined by 18.5 per cent. Export of items like cardamom, pashmina, noodles, polyester thread, jute has gone up while the export of palm oil, </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">pulses, zinc sheet, juice, wire, among others, decreased in the review period</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In six months of 2020/21, merchandise exports increased 6.1 percent to Rs.60.80 billion compared to an increase of 26.1 percent in the same period of the previous year</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">, states the report. Meanwhile, merchandise import has dropped down by 4.8 percent to Rs 661.25 billion against the decrease of 4.0 percent &nbsp;in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Country-wise, import from India has increased by 3.5 percent. Import of items like rice, raw soybean oil, gold, MS billet, telecommunication equipment and machinery parts increased in the first six months of this fiscal year whereas </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">imports of petroleum products, aircraft spareparts, crude palm oil, other machinery and parts, silver, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the central bank, Nepal&rsquo;s </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">total trade deficit narrowed down 5.8 percent to Rs.600.45 billion in six months of 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 6.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The export-import ratio increased to 9.2 percent in the review period from 8.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">In the review period, remittance inflow increased by 11.1 percent to Rs 495.31 billion. Last year, the inflow of remittance had increased by 0.6 percent in the corresponding period. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13025',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Sale of Roses Expected to Decline by Rs 6 million on Valentines’ Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines’ Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 8: The sale of roses is expected to decline by Rs 6 million during this Valentines&rsquo; Day, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every sector and flower business remains no exception. &nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">A report of FAN shows that it had sold roses worth Rs 16 million on Valentines&rsquo; Day last year. This year, the sale is expected to be around Rs 10 million only. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Flowers entrepreneurs share that the demand for roses is exceptionally high on February 14. The sale of roses on Valentines&rsquo; Day account for the highest sale of the year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, president of FAN, said that the sale of roses is expected to go down this year because of Covid-19 pandemic. According to him, the same kind of enthusiasm like in the past is not visible this year. In the previous years, people used to buy gifts and flowers a week ahead of the Valentines&rsquo; Day. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Due to impact of Covid-19, the demand for roses and domestic production has also gone down by 40 percent, informed FAN. There is a demand for 120,000 sticks of roses this year of which 96,000 sticks are being imported from India and the remaining roses are produced within the country. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Besides the festive season, there is a daily demand for 8,000 sticks of roses. Customers have to pay around Rs 60 to Rs 100 per rose stick, says FAN.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Around 72,000 stick of roses are expected to be sold in the Kathmandu Valley alone during Valentine&rsquo;s Day. Likewise, 48,000 sticks of roses will be sold outside the valley. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Comparison with the past records show that the demand for roses is the lowest this year. The sales data of 2076 show that around 200,000 sticks of roses were consumed on February 14 and 160,000&nbsp; roses were consumed in the year 2075. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">Production of roses is low in the country due to the cold weather so domestic production solely can&rsquo;t meet the market demand. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">According to FAN, Rs 6 billion has been invested into the flower business. Floriculture is done in over 153 hectares of land in 43 districts across the country. Meanwhile commercial farming is done in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavre and Chitwan only. More than 700 people are involved in flower business and 40 thousand are employed directly or indirectly. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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FOREX

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)

Bullion

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

Petroleum

Petrol	1 Liter	106.00
Diesel	1 Liter	95.00
Kerosene	1 Liter	95.00
LP Gas	1 Cylinder	1375.00