January 25: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has lost its bid for supplying 25 megawatts of electricity to India during the…
January 25: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has lost its bid for supplying 25 megawatts of electricity to India during the…
January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues.…
January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods.…
January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for…
January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the…
January 22: Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its…
January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway.…
January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for…
January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries.…
January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal.…
January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January…
January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of…
January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY)…
January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by…
January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021.…
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NEA had quoted the same rate in its proposal, informed NEA Spokesperson Madan Timsina.</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:Arial">But other companies proposed lower rate than that of NEA. Acting Executive Director of NEA Hitendra Dev Shakya confirmed that NEA lost the bid as the quotations of other companies were less than that of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Other companies pledged to provide electricity at a lower rate than us,” said Shakya, adding, “We lost the bid because the rate quoted by us was relatively higher than the rate of other companies.”</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12721', 'image' => '20210125123053_20210111032406_1610322387.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 12:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12973', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sugarcane Farmers Warn of Another Protest in the Capital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The farmers had staged protest in the capital for two week starting from December 13. The agitating farmers had reached an understanding with the government on December 28 for the clearance of their dues, which the sugar industries had been withholding since many years.</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:Arial">The farmers had signed a four-point agreement with the government on December 28. As per the agreement reached between representatives of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the farmers, the sugar mill owners had been given 21 days to clear all the dues.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">But the farmers have not received full payment even after the deadline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary of the Sugarcane Farmers’ Struggle Committee Hari Shyam Raya informed that they will launch protests in the capital again if their dues are not cleared soon. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The sugarcane farmers have started protests in various districts to give pressure to the government to take the initiative to release their dues from the sugar mills. The protests at the district level will continue till March 5.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">“If the dues are not cleared within that time, we will launch protests in the capital,” said Raya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, the government authorities say they are working to ensure that the dues are cleared as soon as possible.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Baikuntha Aryal claimed that the ministry will ensure payment to the farmers at any cost. However, the ministry has not paid attention to fulfilling its commitment as per the agreement signed on December 28.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the ministry, the sugar mills have already paid Rs 573 million to the farmers while they still owe Rs 81 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12720', 'image' => '20210125102806_20201229113333_1609164432.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 10:27:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12972', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export Increasing, Import Declining', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Citing the data released by the Department of Customs, the state-run National News Agency (RSS) said imports declined by 5 percent while exports increased by 6 percent in the first six months (mid-July to mid-December) of the current fiscal year. According to the statistics of the department, foreign goods worth more than Rs 661.24 billion have been imported in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Comparatively, it is 4.81 percent less than the import during the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, foreign goods worth Rs 694.69 billion were imported, RSS reported. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, domestic goods worth Rs 60.79 billion have been exported in the last six months. Exports have increased by 6.14 percent compared to the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, goods worth Rs 57.27 billion were exported from Nepal. According to the data, the trade deficit has narrowed by 5.80 percent this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The department has collected revenue of Rs 187 billion so far this year. The department has set a target of collecting Rs 440 billion revenue this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12719', 'image' => '20210122033408_1611225273.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:33:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12969', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal signs Protocol to Send Workers to Israel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.</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:Arial">Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment Kumar Dahal and Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Hanan Goder signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries amid a recent function.</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:Arial">This has opened door for 500 Nepalis to work in the care-giving sector of Israel.</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:Arial">The Government of Nepal had signed a bilateral labor agreement with Israel for sending Nepali workers to Israel on September 30. </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:Arial">Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Askhenaji signed the agreement initially but the two countries were unable to implement it due to lack of protocol.</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:Arial">After a month of negotiations, the two countries prepared the protocol based on the agreement. The two countries have now signed the same protocol to implement the agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol mentions about issues like the process of sending workers to Israel, their qualification, perks and benefits in accordance to the labour agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol focuses on sending Nepali workers to the health sector of Israel and has specified food and accommodation for them.</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:Arial">Besides the health sector, the Nepali workers will also get opportunities to work in hotels and restaurants, agriculture sector, construction works among others.</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:Arial">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</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:Arial">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</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:Arial">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12718', 'image' => '20210122120517_1611268202.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:04:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12970', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Latest Political Development will not have Adverse Impact on Economy: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel made such remark during a virtual meeting on the proposed Extended Credit Facility with International Monetary Fund’s Director Alisara Mahasandana and Mission Chief Laura Isabel Jaramillo.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel told the foreign delegates that the dissolution of parliament was only one facet of the political system and that Nepal have had mid-terms election in the past as well. Therefore, he assured them that the recent political developments will not have much impact on the country’s economy. He also urged them not to worry about Nepal’s situation.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He added that Nepal’s policies on financial and social issues are guided by the constitution and therefore the differing views of political parties will not have any impact on matters of national interest.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Minister Poudel, the Extended Credit Facility is not aimed at any particular individual or party and so the new government formed after the election will give continuity to the programme in the interest of the nation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/1611237631.jpg" style="height:499px; width:800px" /></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12717', 'image' => '20210122123356_20201015115013_1602717511.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:31:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12968', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Buddha Air to Add 2 more Aircraft to its Fleet', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The private airline company bringing one of the two aircraft to the country on Friday (January 22), within 100 days of resuming air service post Covid-19 lockdown and flight ban.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company informed that another aircraft will arrive in three months.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air has served 375,000 passengers in the last three months after the government lifted a ban on domestic flights on September 21. Marketing and Sales Director of the company Rupesh Joshi informed that Buddha Air is preparing to add new aircraft to its fleet to increase the number of flights to its current destinations. He added that it was possible due to the passengers’ support and trust. </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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The number of passengers has increased after the lockdown was lifted. We have taken this as an opportunity to add new aircraft,” said Joshi, adding, “With the addition of new aircraft, we will be able to provide better services to our customers.”</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He clarified that Buddha Air has not added any new destinations and the new aircraft will be used to increase the frequency of flights to the current destinations.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company has already started mountain flights from December 5. Buddha Air expressed its belief that the mountain flight will provide some relief to the aviation industry of Nepal which was affected for a long time due to the impact of Covid-19.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Joshi informed that the company has been providing its regular flight service and mountain flights at subsidized rate due to the decline in price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">With the addition of two new aircraft, Buddha Air will now have 15 aircraft in its fleet.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12716', 'image' => '20210122113025_20200323123412_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 11:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12971', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Prepares to Sign MoU for Railway DPR ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of Nepal will soon sign the MoU with the Indian Government to begin the DPR of the railway.<br /> Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during his first stint as prime minister back in 2015 had discussed the issue of railway connectivity with India during his state visit to India. Since then, a pre-feasibility study report of the railway has been prepared with the help of India. India handed over the report to Nepal last year.<br /> Preparations are now underway to sign an MoU between the two neighbouring countries for preparing the DPR, three years later than the proposed construction date.<br /> According to Ram Hari Pokhrel, Joint Secretary at the MoPIT, the ministry is in the final phase of preparation for signing the MoU.<br /> "As India has also agreed to move ahead for the study, the process will move ahead soon," Pokhrel informed.<br /> An official of the ministry informed that the DPR report would be ready within 18 months after signing the MoU.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12715', 'image' => '20210122032255_1611186257.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:21:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12967', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Agriculture Development Bank Launches Credit Card for Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The state-owned bank on Wednesday (January 20) launched the service coinciding with its 54<sup>th</sup> anniversary by providing credit cards to 15 farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel launched the card in addition to a smartphone application ‘Kisan App’ developed especially for farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">During the launch, Minister Poudel said that these facilities have been launched to facilitate the farmers technologically.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Spokesperson of Agriculture Development BankHem Lal Poudel confirmed that the bank provided credit cards to 15 customers who have been running agriculture firms in the capital.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the service will be gradually expanded to Pokhara, Biratnagar and other areas after evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot project launched in Kathmandu.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">CEO of the bank Anil Kumar Upadhyay informed that the bank launched the credit card and app to engage farmers in technology-friendly transaction.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Any one involved in farming can get such credit cards but those who have taken loan for agriculture will be given special emphasis.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12714', 'image' => '20210121042003_1611185900.Clipboard07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 16:19:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12966', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s VAT Rebate for Home-Grown Packaging Industries Limited to Paper', 'sub_title' => '‘Government Fails to Protect and Promote Local Industries’', 'summary' => 'January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. The local packaging industries were happy that the government fulfilled their demand after 17 years. But their excitement was short lived.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The packaging industries have become disappointed after the pharmaceutical industries did not buy the local products.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries were not happy with the government’s decision to provide VAT rebate to packaging industries, according to Rabindra Barnawal, managing director of Print Pack Industry.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed that the government announced to provide VAT rebate on purchase of raw materials as well as locally-manufactured packing materials. However, pharmaceutical industries are least interested to take benefit from this facility.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries did not purchase such materials from the local companies as they are also getting customs duty waiver and VAT rebate on materials imported from other countries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for the import of raw materials and packaging materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">One of the owners of a pharmaceutical industry said that they would have considered purchasing local product if the price had been relatively less. But he insisted that there is not much difference in price and therefore they opted for imported materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Currently, 15 packaging industries have invested around Rs 4 billion. Barnawal says that they have to import raw materials for manufacturing packaging materials at higher cost and that has increased the cost factor of the finished product. While the pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for importing raw materials and packaging materials, the local packaging industries of Nepal have to pay 13 percent VAT and 15 percent customs duty for importing raw materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, operator of Matrix Printers Arbind Amatya says that the government has failed to adopt a policy to protect and promote local industries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The government must charge at least one level less for raw materials,” said Amatya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12713', 'image' => '20210121022926_1611185992.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 14:28:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12964', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Establish Chemical Fertilizer Plant in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </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:Arial">A recent meeting attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatt, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal and government secretaries discussed about setting up a chemical fertilizer factory in the country. </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:Arial">The meeting discussed about the technology behind the production and the cost of setting up such factory. The technologies and methods prevalent in the world, natural gas, water electrolysis and hybrids were some of the technologies discussed in the meeting to determine the method suitable for Nepal. </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:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel said that he will prepare a proposal on the technology, investment method and cost related to the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal after further discussions. </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:Arial">A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on October 8 had formed a committee under the coordination of Finance Minister Poudel to conduct a preliminary study on the establishment of a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12712', 'image' => '20210121104943_1611186029.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 10:49:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12965', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Covid-19 Vaccine Arriving from India Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).</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:Arial">Organising a joint press meet in the capital on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Population and the Indian Embassy informed that the vaccines will be arriving on Thursday as part of India’s grant assistance.</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:Arial">India’s External Affairs Ministry had issued a notice on Monday stating that it would provide vaccines to neighbouring countries within this week.</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:Arial">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra confirmed that India will be providing 1 million viles of vaccine to Nepal as grant assistance. </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:Arial">Speaking at a press conference, Minister Tripathi informed that legal, administrative and financial issues have been resolved to begin vaccination drive in the country soon. The minister also said that all preparations including the storage of vaccine has been made for effective use of the vaccines.</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:Arial">“This is a friendly gesture from India,” said Minister Tripathi during the press conference.</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:Arial">The government has estimated that 72 percent of the total population of Nepal will require vaccines, added Minister Tripathi. </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:Arial">Minister Tripathi further said that health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel, ambulance drivers will be the first to receive the vaccine. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12711', 'image' => '20210121110447_1611185741.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 11:04:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12963', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bilateral Trade with China through Northern Border Points Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Although efforts had been made to reopen the border checkpoints since last May, it was not possible due to landslides. After the roads damaged by landslides were repaired, the border points were partly reopened with only five containers entering Nepal on a daily basis. Four months ago, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies had reached an agreement with China to resume import and export between the two countries but the decision could not be implemented immediately.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The volume of trade between the two countries has increased significantly since the past one week, informed Lopsang Sherpa, a member of Nepal Trans-Himalayan Border Commerce Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Altogether 16 containers of goods are entering Nepal through the Tatopani border on a daily basis,” said Sherpa, adding, “Only two containers of goods used to arrive from Rasuwagadhi every day but now there has been an increase in import from that border point too.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">China has not allowed Nepali containers to go across the border. Chinese containers bring the goods up to the border and Nepali loaders have to cross the border to bring them back by following strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali importers say that the import of goods through the China border has increased to as much as 50 percent compared to pre-Covid-19 period. However, Nepal has not been able to export goods to China through the border.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12710', 'image' => '20210120050812_20201203020907_20200303035545_Trade Points in Northern Border to Remain Closed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 17:07:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12962', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Import exceeds Export at Birgunj Customs Resulting in Trade Deficit of Rs 190 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78, while the import from the same customs point was Rs 210 billion during the review period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The main entry point of the country recorded a trade deficit of Rs 190 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, the total worth of goods traded through this checkpoint from mid-July to mid-December this year has reached Rs 229 billion, which is 10 percent less than the corresponding period of the last Fiscal Year 2076/77. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Products such as fuel, vehicles, medicines and industrial raw materials are imported through this checkpoint. Customs officer Ramesh Sukmani informed that raw material such as unrefined soybean oil, coal, tobacco, billet and other items were imported in large quantity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The overall import from Birgunj custom has decreased. “The import has declined by about 12 percent during the review period compared to the previous fiscal year. Last year, the import from July to December was Rs 238 billion,” said Sukmani. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">However, the export has increased by six percent. According to the data of Birgunj Customs, goods worth Rs 18 billion were exported till December last year. Last year, refined palm oil was exported the most via this customs point. The export was halted after India imposed a ban on import of palm oil. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">This year palm oil has been replaced by refined soybean oil. According to the data provided by the customs office, of the total exports, soybean oil worth Rs 11 billion has been exported through this checkpoint. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Fourteen oil industries in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor have exported 78,341 metric tonnes of such oil to India in the first six months of this year. This is three and a half times more than the export of the same produce during the corresponding period of the previous year. Juice, cloth, toothpaste, synthetic yarn, shoes and carpets have also been exported from this point. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12709', 'image' => '20210120025024_1611100373.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:49:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12961', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Implement Relief Packages', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Stakeholders made such request on Tuesday (January 19) during a discussion attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Tourism Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal and Finance Secretary Sishir Dhungana.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They told the ministers and government representatives that the special relief packages introduced by the government has not been effectively implemented and urged them to implement the packages immediately.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">President of Hotel Association of Nepal Shreejana Rana requested the government to immediately provide relief to the most-affected businesses.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They also requested the government for extension of business continuity loan and discount on electricity demand charge.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The tourism entrepreneurs and hoteliers also reminded the government about is plan to extend government holiday during weekend to promote internal tourism, which is still pending.</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:Arial">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel said that the government is committed to provide necessary assistance to revitalize the tourism sector.</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:Arial"> Stating that the government has already announced relief programmes, Finance Minister Poudel said that emphasis would now be laid on effective implementation of the plans and programmes.</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:Arial">Similarly, Tourism Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal informed that the ministry has held discussions with stakeholders to resolve the problems faced by the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12708', 'image' => '20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:14:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12960', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalaya Airlines Conducts Test Flight to Lhasa', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight operation was held is in line with the company’s commercial plan to introduce scheduled flights to Lhasa during summer of 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight H9 961 departed from Tribhuvan International Airport at 07:17 hours (local time) and landed at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport (LXA) at 10:46 hours (local time). The return flight H9 962, from Lhasa, was scheduled to depart at 15:00 hours (local time) on the same day and is expected to land in Kathmandu at 14:00 hours (local time).</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:"Times New Roman"">Captain Hao Di, vice president-operations of the company, led the test flight crew including senior-level captains who would carry out three different approaches at Lhasa airport for the validation flight.</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:"Times New Roman"">The airlines inducted a brand new narrow-body A319-115 aircraft registered as H9-AJK on March 2, 2020, especially for high altitude operations. Configured with 120 economy-class and 8 business-class seats, the aircraft has modifications for high altitude operations and capabilities to operate through the trans-Himalayan routes with aerodromes elevation to maximum 14,500 ft.</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:"Times New Roman"">Zhou Enyong, president of Himalaya Airlines, informed that the airline's</span> team worked meticulously on this high altitude operation to Lhasa since 2020. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Today’s test flight take-off has reinforced commitment to our key guiding principles of safety, team spirit and winning spirit. I congratulate our team for the successful operation of validation flight, and we are grateful to receive the support of civil aviation authorities of both the countries which has enabled us to carry out this mission effortlessly,” he added.</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:"Times New Roman"">Likewise, Vijay Shrestha, vice president-administration, remarked that</span> it is indeed a pride for Himalaya to be the first and the only foreign airline to land at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Complying with CAAN requirements for high altitude operations, with this test flight <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Himalaya shall ensure the operational viability on this sector.</span> We feel privileged to get the opportunity to strengthen the cross-border relationship, and we are confident, post-pandemic, this sector will significantly boost the tourist movement between Nepal and Tibet,” he stated. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight is planned for the verification of RNP-AR approaches besides the conventional approaches at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport which has an elevation of 3570 m equivalent to 11711 ft.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12707', 'image' => '20210120123339_g576szqpnac61.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 12:32:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12974', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA Loses Bid to Supply Electricity to India ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 25: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has lost its bid for supplying 25 megawatts of electricity to India during the monsoon.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla Sangam MN"">January 25: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has lost its bid for supplying 25 megawatts of electricity to India during the monsoon.</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:Arial">NEA had submitted a proposal to sell electricity to India in early January in response to a tender issued by India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) on behalf of BRPL company.</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:"Bangla Sangam MN"">It has been learnt that the state-owned company lost the bid because its quotations rated in the proposal was more than those offered by other companies in the competitive bidding process.</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:Arial">Currently, NEA has been purchasing electricity from India through Tanakpur at the rate of Rs 6.62 (IRs 4.14) per unit. NEA had quoted the same rate in its proposal, informed NEA Spokesperson Madan Timsina.</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:Arial">But other companies proposed lower rate than that of NEA. Acting Executive Director of NEA Hitendra Dev Shakya confirmed that NEA lost the bid as the quotations of other companies were less than that of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Other companies pledged to provide electricity at a lower rate than us,” said Shakya, adding, “We lost the bid because the rate quoted by us was relatively higher than the rate of other companies.”</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12721', 'image' => '20210125123053_20210111032406_1610322387.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 12:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12973', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sugarcane Farmers Warn of Another Protest in the Capital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The farmers had staged protest in the capital for two week starting from December 13. The agitating farmers had reached an understanding with the government on December 28 for the clearance of their dues, which the sugar industries had been withholding since many years.</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:Arial">The farmers had signed a four-point agreement with the government on December 28. As per the agreement reached between representatives of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the farmers, the sugar mill owners had been given 21 days to clear all the dues.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">But the farmers have not received full payment even after the deadline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary of the Sugarcane Farmers’ Struggle Committee Hari Shyam Raya informed that they will launch protests in the capital again if their dues are not cleared soon. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The sugarcane farmers have started protests in various districts to give pressure to the government to take the initiative to release their dues from the sugar mills. The protests at the district level will continue till March 5.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">“If the dues are not cleared within that time, we will launch protests in the capital,” said Raya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, the government authorities say they are working to ensure that the dues are cleared as soon as possible.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Baikuntha Aryal claimed that the ministry will ensure payment to the farmers at any cost. However, the ministry has not paid attention to fulfilling its commitment as per the agreement signed on December 28.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the ministry, the sugar mills have already paid Rs 573 million to the farmers while they still owe Rs 81 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12720', 'image' => '20210125102806_20201229113333_1609164432.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 10:27:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12972', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export Increasing, Import Declining', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Citing the data released by the Department of Customs, the state-run National News Agency (RSS) said imports declined by 5 percent while exports increased by 6 percent in the first six months (mid-July to mid-December) of the current fiscal year. According to the statistics of the department, foreign goods worth more than Rs 661.24 billion have been imported in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Comparatively, it is 4.81 percent less than the import during the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, foreign goods worth Rs 694.69 billion were imported, RSS reported. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, domestic goods worth Rs 60.79 billion have been exported in the last six months. Exports have increased by 6.14 percent compared to the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, goods worth Rs 57.27 billion were exported from Nepal. According to the data, the trade deficit has narrowed by 5.80 percent this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The department has collected revenue of Rs 187 billion so far this year. The department has set a target of collecting Rs 440 billion revenue this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12719', 'image' => '20210122033408_1611225273.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:33:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12969', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal signs Protocol to Send Workers to Israel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.</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:Arial">Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment Kumar Dahal and Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Hanan Goder signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries amid a recent function.</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:Arial">This has opened door for 500 Nepalis to work in the care-giving sector of Israel.</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:Arial">The Government of Nepal had signed a bilateral labor agreement with Israel for sending Nepali workers to Israel on September 30. </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:Arial">Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Askhenaji signed the agreement initially but the two countries were unable to implement it due to lack of protocol.</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:Arial">After a month of negotiations, the two countries prepared the protocol based on the agreement. The two countries have now signed the same protocol to implement the agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol mentions about issues like the process of sending workers to Israel, their qualification, perks and benefits in accordance to the labour agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol focuses on sending Nepali workers to the health sector of Israel and has specified food and accommodation for them.</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:Arial">Besides the health sector, the Nepali workers will also get opportunities to work in hotels and restaurants, agriculture sector, construction works among others.</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:Arial">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</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:Arial">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</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:Arial">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12718', 'image' => '20210122120517_1611268202.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:04:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12970', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Latest Political Development will not have Adverse Impact on Economy: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel made such remark during a virtual meeting on the proposed Extended Credit Facility with International Monetary Fund’s Director Alisara Mahasandana and Mission Chief Laura Isabel Jaramillo.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel told the foreign delegates that the dissolution of parliament was only one facet of the political system and that Nepal have had mid-terms election in the past as well. Therefore, he assured them that the recent political developments will not have much impact on the country’s economy. He also urged them not to worry about Nepal’s situation.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He added that Nepal’s policies on financial and social issues are guided by the constitution and therefore the differing views of political parties will not have any impact on matters of national interest.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Minister Poudel, the Extended Credit Facility is not aimed at any particular individual or party and so the new government formed after the election will give continuity to the programme in the interest of the nation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/1611237631.jpg" style="height:499px; width:800px" /></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12717', 'image' => '20210122123356_20201015115013_1602717511.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:31:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12968', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Buddha Air to Add 2 more Aircraft to its Fleet', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The private airline company bringing one of the two aircraft to the country on Friday (January 22), within 100 days of resuming air service post Covid-19 lockdown and flight ban.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company informed that another aircraft will arrive in three months.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air has served 375,000 passengers in the last three months after the government lifted a ban on domestic flights on September 21. Marketing and Sales Director of the company Rupesh Joshi informed that Buddha Air is preparing to add new aircraft to its fleet to increase the number of flights to its current destinations. He added that it was possible due to the passengers’ support and trust. </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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The number of passengers has increased after the lockdown was lifted. We have taken this as an opportunity to add new aircraft,” said Joshi, adding, “With the addition of new aircraft, we will be able to provide better services to our customers.”</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He clarified that Buddha Air has not added any new destinations and the new aircraft will be used to increase the frequency of flights to the current destinations.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company has already started mountain flights from December 5. Buddha Air expressed its belief that the mountain flight will provide some relief to the aviation industry of Nepal which was affected for a long time due to the impact of Covid-19.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Joshi informed that the company has been providing its regular flight service and mountain flights at subsidized rate due to the decline in price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">With the addition of two new aircraft, Buddha Air will now have 15 aircraft in its fleet.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12716', 'image' => '20210122113025_20200323123412_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 11:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12971', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Prepares to Sign MoU for Railway DPR ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of Nepal will soon sign the MoU with the Indian Government to begin the DPR of the railway.<br /> Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during his first stint as prime minister back in 2015 had discussed the issue of railway connectivity with India during his state visit to India. Since then, a pre-feasibility study report of the railway has been prepared with the help of India. India handed over the report to Nepal last year.<br /> Preparations are now underway to sign an MoU between the two neighbouring countries for preparing the DPR, three years later than the proposed construction date.<br /> According to Ram Hari Pokhrel, Joint Secretary at the MoPIT, the ministry is in the final phase of preparation for signing the MoU.<br /> "As India has also agreed to move ahead for the study, the process will move ahead soon," Pokhrel informed.<br /> An official of the ministry informed that the DPR report would be ready within 18 months after signing the MoU.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12715', 'image' => '20210122032255_1611186257.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:21:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12967', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Agriculture Development Bank Launches Credit Card for Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The state-owned bank on Wednesday (January 20) launched the service coinciding with its 54<sup>th</sup> anniversary by providing credit cards to 15 farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel launched the card in addition to a smartphone application ‘Kisan App’ developed especially for farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">During the launch, Minister Poudel said that these facilities have been launched to facilitate the farmers technologically.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Spokesperson of Agriculture Development BankHem Lal Poudel confirmed that the bank provided credit cards to 15 customers who have been running agriculture firms in the capital.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the service will be gradually expanded to Pokhara, Biratnagar and other areas after evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot project launched in Kathmandu.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">CEO of the bank Anil Kumar Upadhyay informed that the bank launched the credit card and app to engage farmers in technology-friendly transaction.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Any one involved in farming can get such credit cards but those who have taken loan for agriculture will be given special emphasis.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12714', 'image' => '20210121042003_1611185900.Clipboard07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 16:19:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12966', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s VAT Rebate for Home-Grown Packaging Industries Limited to Paper', 'sub_title' => '‘Government Fails to Protect and Promote Local Industries’', 'summary' => 'January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. The local packaging industries were happy that the government fulfilled their demand after 17 years. But their excitement was short lived.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The packaging industries have become disappointed after the pharmaceutical industries did not buy the local products.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries were not happy with the government’s decision to provide VAT rebate to packaging industries, according to Rabindra Barnawal, managing director of Print Pack Industry.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed that the government announced to provide VAT rebate on purchase of raw materials as well as locally-manufactured packing materials. However, pharmaceutical industries are least interested to take benefit from this facility.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries did not purchase such materials from the local companies as they are also getting customs duty waiver and VAT rebate on materials imported from other countries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for the import of raw materials and packaging materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">One of the owners of a pharmaceutical industry said that they would have considered purchasing local product if the price had been relatively less. But he insisted that there is not much difference in price and therefore they opted for imported materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Currently, 15 packaging industries have invested around Rs 4 billion. Barnawal says that they have to import raw materials for manufacturing packaging materials at higher cost and that has increased the cost factor of the finished product. While the pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for importing raw materials and packaging materials, the local packaging industries of Nepal have to pay 13 percent VAT and 15 percent customs duty for importing raw materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, operator of Matrix Printers Arbind Amatya says that the government has failed to adopt a policy to protect and promote local industries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The government must charge at least one level less for raw materials,” said Amatya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12713', 'image' => '20210121022926_1611185992.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 14:28:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12964', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Establish Chemical Fertilizer Plant in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </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:Arial">A recent meeting attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatt, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal and government secretaries discussed about setting up a chemical fertilizer factory in the country. </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:Arial">The meeting discussed about the technology behind the production and the cost of setting up such factory. The technologies and methods prevalent in the world, natural gas, water electrolysis and hybrids were some of the technologies discussed in the meeting to determine the method suitable for Nepal. </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:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel said that he will prepare a proposal on the technology, investment method and cost related to the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal after further discussions. </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:Arial">A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on October 8 had formed a committee under the coordination of Finance Minister Poudel to conduct a preliminary study on the establishment of a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12712', 'image' => '20210121104943_1611186029.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 10:49:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12965', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Covid-19 Vaccine Arriving from India Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).</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:Arial">Organising a joint press meet in the capital on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Population and the Indian Embassy informed that the vaccines will be arriving on Thursday as part of India’s grant assistance.</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:Arial">India’s External Affairs Ministry had issued a notice on Monday stating that it would provide vaccines to neighbouring countries within this week.</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:Arial">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra confirmed that India will be providing 1 million viles of vaccine to Nepal as grant assistance. </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:Arial">Speaking at a press conference, Minister Tripathi informed that legal, administrative and financial issues have been resolved to begin vaccination drive in the country soon. The minister also said that all preparations including the storage of vaccine has been made for effective use of the vaccines.</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:Arial">“This is a friendly gesture from India,” said Minister Tripathi during the press conference.</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:Arial">The government has estimated that 72 percent of the total population of Nepal will require vaccines, added Minister Tripathi. </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:Arial">Minister Tripathi further said that health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel, ambulance drivers will be the first to receive the vaccine. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12711', 'image' => '20210121110447_1611185741.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 11:04:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12963', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bilateral Trade with China through Northern Border Points Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Although efforts had been made to reopen the border checkpoints since last May, it was not possible due to landslides. After the roads damaged by landslides were repaired, the border points were partly reopened with only five containers entering Nepal on a daily basis. Four months ago, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies had reached an agreement with China to resume import and export between the two countries but the decision could not be implemented immediately.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The volume of trade between the two countries has increased significantly since the past one week, informed Lopsang Sherpa, a member of Nepal Trans-Himalayan Border Commerce Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Altogether 16 containers of goods are entering Nepal through the Tatopani border on a daily basis,” said Sherpa, adding, “Only two containers of goods used to arrive from Rasuwagadhi every day but now there has been an increase in import from that border point too.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">China has not allowed Nepali containers to go across the border. Chinese containers bring the goods up to the border and Nepali loaders have to cross the border to bring them back by following strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali importers say that the import of goods through the China border has increased to as much as 50 percent compared to pre-Covid-19 period. However, Nepal has not been able to export goods to China through the border.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12710', 'image' => '20210120050812_20201203020907_20200303035545_Trade Points in Northern Border to Remain Closed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 17:07:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12962', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Import exceeds Export at Birgunj Customs Resulting in Trade Deficit of Rs 190 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78, while the import from the same customs point was Rs 210 billion during the review period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The main entry point of the country recorded a trade deficit of Rs 190 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, the total worth of goods traded through this checkpoint from mid-July to mid-December this year has reached Rs 229 billion, which is 10 percent less than the corresponding period of the last Fiscal Year 2076/77. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Products such as fuel, vehicles, medicines and industrial raw materials are imported through this checkpoint. Customs officer Ramesh Sukmani informed that raw material such as unrefined soybean oil, coal, tobacco, billet and other items were imported in large quantity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The overall import from Birgunj custom has decreased. “The import has declined by about 12 percent during the review period compared to the previous fiscal year. Last year, the import from July to December was Rs 238 billion,” said Sukmani. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">However, the export has increased by six percent. According to the data of Birgunj Customs, goods worth Rs 18 billion were exported till December last year. Last year, refined palm oil was exported the most via this customs point. The export was halted after India imposed a ban on import of palm oil. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">This year palm oil has been replaced by refined soybean oil. According to the data provided by the customs office, of the total exports, soybean oil worth Rs 11 billion has been exported through this checkpoint. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Fourteen oil industries in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor have exported 78,341 metric tonnes of such oil to India in the first six months of this year. This is three and a half times more than the export of the same produce during the corresponding period of the previous year. Juice, cloth, toothpaste, synthetic yarn, shoes and carpets have also been exported from this point. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12709', 'image' => '20210120025024_1611100373.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:49:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12961', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Implement Relief Packages', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Stakeholders made such request on Tuesday (January 19) during a discussion attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Tourism Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal and Finance Secretary Sishir Dhungana.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They told the ministers and government representatives that the special relief packages introduced by the government has not been effectively implemented and urged them to implement the packages immediately.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">President of Hotel Association of Nepal Shreejana Rana requested the government to immediately provide relief to the most-affected businesses.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They also requested the government for extension of business continuity loan and discount on electricity demand charge.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The tourism entrepreneurs and hoteliers also reminded the government about is plan to extend government holiday during weekend to promote internal tourism, which is still pending.</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:Arial">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel said that the government is committed to provide necessary assistance to revitalize the tourism sector.</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:Arial"> Stating that the government has already announced relief programmes, Finance Minister Poudel said that emphasis would now be laid on effective implementation of the plans and programmes.</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:Arial">Similarly, Tourism Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal informed that the ministry has held discussions with stakeholders to resolve the problems faced by the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12708', 'image' => '20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:14:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12960', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalaya Airlines Conducts Test Flight to Lhasa', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight operation was held is in line with the company’s commercial plan to introduce scheduled flights to Lhasa during summer of 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight H9 961 departed from Tribhuvan International Airport at 07:17 hours (local time) and landed at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport (LXA) at 10:46 hours (local time). The return flight H9 962, from Lhasa, was scheduled to depart at 15:00 hours (local time) on the same day and is expected to land in Kathmandu at 14:00 hours (local time).</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:"Times New Roman"">Captain Hao Di, vice president-operations of the company, led the test flight crew including senior-level captains who would carry out three different approaches at Lhasa airport for the validation flight.</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:"Times New Roman"">The airlines inducted a brand new narrow-body A319-115 aircraft registered as H9-AJK on March 2, 2020, especially for high altitude operations. Configured with 120 economy-class and 8 business-class seats, the aircraft has modifications for high altitude operations and capabilities to operate through the trans-Himalayan routes with aerodromes elevation to maximum 14,500 ft.</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:"Times New Roman"">Zhou Enyong, president of Himalaya Airlines, informed that the airline's</span> team worked meticulously on this high altitude operation to Lhasa since 2020. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Today’s test flight take-off has reinforced commitment to our key guiding principles of safety, team spirit and winning spirit. I congratulate our team for the successful operation of validation flight, and we are grateful to receive the support of civil aviation authorities of both the countries which has enabled us to carry out this mission effortlessly,” he added.</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:"Times New Roman"">Likewise, Vijay Shrestha, vice president-administration, remarked that</span> it is indeed a pride for Himalaya to be the first and the only foreign airline to land at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Complying with CAAN requirements for high altitude operations, with this test flight <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Himalaya shall ensure the operational viability on this sector.</span> We feel privileged to get the opportunity to strengthen the cross-border relationship, and we are confident, post-pandemic, this sector will significantly boost the tourist movement between Nepal and Tibet,” he stated. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight is planned for the verification of RNP-AR approaches besides the conventional approaches at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport which has an elevation of 3570 m equivalent to 11711 ft.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12707', 'image' => '20210120123339_g576szqpnac61.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 12:32:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12974', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA Loses Bid to Supply Electricity to India ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 25: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has lost its bid for supplying 25 megawatts of electricity to India during the monsoon.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla Sangam MN"">January 25: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has lost its bid for supplying 25 megawatts of electricity to India during the monsoon.</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:Arial">NEA had submitted a proposal to sell electricity to India in early January in response to a tender issued by India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) on behalf of BRPL company.</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:"Bangla Sangam MN"">It has been learnt that the state-owned company lost the bid because its quotations rated in the proposal was more than those offered by other companies in the competitive bidding process.</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:Arial">Currently, NEA has been purchasing electricity from India through Tanakpur at the rate of Rs 6.62 (IRs 4.14) per unit. NEA had quoted the same rate in its proposal, informed NEA Spokesperson Madan Timsina.</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:Arial">But other companies proposed lower rate than that of NEA. Acting Executive Director of NEA Hitendra Dev Shakya confirmed that NEA lost the bid as the quotations of other companies were less than that of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Other companies pledged to provide electricity at a lower rate than us,” said Shakya, adding, “We lost the bid because the rate quoted by us was relatively higher than the rate of other companies.”</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12721', 'image' => '20210125123053_20210111032406_1610322387.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 12:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12973', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sugarcane Farmers Warn of Another Protest in the Capital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The farmers had staged protest in the capital for two week starting from December 13. The agitating farmers had reached an understanding with the government on December 28 for the clearance of their dues, which the sugar industries had been withholding since many years.</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:Arial">The farmers had signed a four-point agreement with the government on December 28. As per the agreement reached between representatives of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the farmers, the sugar mill owners had been given 21 days to clear all the dues.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">But the farmers have not received full payment even after the deadline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary of the Sugarcane Farmers’ Struggle Committee Hari Shyam Raya informed that they will launch protests in the capital again if their dues are not cleared soon. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The sugarcane farmers have started protests in various districts to give pressure to the government to take the initiative to release their dues from the sugar mills. The protests at the district level will continue till March 5.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">“If the dues are not cleared within that time, we will launch protests in the capital,” said Raya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, the government authorities say they are working to ensure that the dues are cleared as soon as possible.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Baikuntha Aryal claimed that the ministry will ensure payment to the farmers at any cost. However, the ministry has not paid attention to fulfilling its commitment as per the agreement signed on December 28.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the ministry, the sugar mills have already paid Rs 573 million to the farmers while they still owe Rs 81 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12720', 'image' => '20210125102806_20201229113333_1609164432.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 10:27:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12972', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export Increasing, Import Declining', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Citing the data released by the Department of Customs, the state-run National News Agency (RSS) said imports declined by 5 percent while exports increased by 6 percent in the first six months (mid-July to mid-December) of the current fiscal year. According to the statistics of the department, foreign goods worth more than Rs 661.24 billion have been imported in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Comparatively, it is 4.81 percent less than the import during the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, foreign goods worth Rs 694.69 billion were imported, RSS reported. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, domestic goods worth Rs 60.79 billion have been exported in the last six months. Exports have increased by 6.14 percent compared to the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, goods worth Rs 57.27 billion were exported from Nepal. According to the data, the trade deficit has narrowed by 5.80 percent this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The department has collected revenue of Rs 187 billion so far this year. The department has set a target of collecting Rs 440 billion revenue this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12719', 'image' => '20210122033408_1611225273.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:33:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12969', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal signs Protocol to Send Workers to Israel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.</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:Arial">Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment Kumar Dahal and Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Hanan Goder signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries amid a recent function.</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:Arial">This has opened door for 500 Nepalis to work in the care-giving sector of Israel.</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:Arial">The Government of Nepal had signed a bilateral labor agreement with Israel for sending Nepali workers to Israel on September 30. </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:Arial">Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Askhenaji signed the agreement initially but the two countries were unable to implement it due to lack of protocol.</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:Arial">After a month of negotiations, the two countries prepared the protocol based on the agreement. The two countries have now signed the same protocol to implement the agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol mentions about issues like the process of sending workers to Israel, their qualification, perks and benefits in accordance to the labour agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol focuses on sending Nepali workers to the health sector of Israel and has specified food and accommodation for them.</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:Arial">Besides the health sector, the Nepali workers will also get opportunities to work in hotels and restaurants, agriculture sector, construction works among others.</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:Arial">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</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:Arial">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</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:Arial">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12718', 'image' => '20210122120517_1611268202.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:04:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12970', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Latest Political Development will not have Adverse Impact on Economy: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel made such remark during a virtual meeting on the proposed Extended Credit Facility with International Monetary Fund’s Director Alisara Mahasandana and Mission Chief Laura Isabel Jaramillo.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel told the foreign delegates that the dissolution of parliament was only one facet of the political system and that Nepal have had mid-terms election in the past as well. Therefore, he assured them that the recent political developments will not have much impact on the country’s economy. He also urged them not to worry about Nepal’s situation.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He added that Nepal’s policies on financial and social issues are guided by the constitution and therefore the differing views of political parties will not have any impact on matters of national interest.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Minister Poudel, the Extended Credit Facility is not aimed at any particular individual or party and so the new government formed after the election will give continuity to the programme in the interest of the nation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/1611237631.jpg" style="height:499px; width:800px" /></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12717', 'image' => '20210122123356_20201015115013_1602717511.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:31:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12968', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Buddha Air to Add 2 more Aircraft to its Fleet', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The private airline company bringing one of the two aircraft to the country on Friday (January 22), within 100 days of resuming air service post Covid-19 lockdown and flight ban.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company informed that another aircraft will arrive in three months.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air has served 375,000 passengers in the last three months after the government lifted a ban on domestic flights on September 21. Marketing and Sales Director of the company Rupesh Joshi informed that Buddha Air is preparing to add new aircraft to its fleet to increase the number of flights to its current destinations. He added that it was possible due to the passengers’ support and trust. </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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The number of passengers has increased after the lockdown was lifted. We have taken this as an opportunity to add new aircraft,” said Joshi, adding, “With the addition of new aircraft, we will be able to provide better services to our customers.”</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He clarified that Buddha Air has not added any new destinations and the new aircraft will be used to increase the frequency of flights to the current destinations.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company has already started mountain flights from December 5. Buddha Air expressed its belief that the mountain flight will provide some relief to the aviation industry of Nepal which was affected for a long time due to the impact of Covid-19.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Joshi informed that the company has been providing its regular flight service and mountain flights at subsidized rate due to the decline in price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">With the addition of two new aircraft, Buddha Air will now have 15 aircraft in its fleet.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12716', 'image' => '20210122113025_20200323123412_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 11:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12971', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Prepares to Sign MoU for Railway DPR ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of Nepal will soon sign the MoU with the Indian Government to begin the DPR of the railway.<br /> Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during his first stint as prime minister back in 2015 had discussed the issue of railway connectivity with India during his state visit to India. Since then, a pre-feasibility study report of the railway has been prepared with the help of India. India handed over the report to Nepal last year.<br /> Preparations are now underway to sign an MoU between the two neighbouring countries for preparing the DPR, three years later than the proposed construction date.<br /> According to Ram Hari Pokhrel, Joint Secretary at the MoPIT, the ministry is in the final phase of preparation for signing the MoU.<br /> "As India has also agreed to move ahead for the study, the process will move ahead soon," Pokhrel informed.<br /> An official of the ministry informed that the DPR report would be ready within 18 months after signing the MoU.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12715', 'image' => '20210122032255_1611186257.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:21:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12967', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Agriculture Development Bank Launches Credit Card for Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The state-owned bank on Wednesday (January 20) launched the service coinciding with its 54<sup>th</sup> anniversary by providing credit cards to 15 farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel launched the card in addition to a smartphone application ‘Kisan App’ developed especially for farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">During the launch, Minister Poudel said that these facilities have been launched to facilitate the farmers technologically.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Spokesperson of Agriculture Development BankHem Lal Poudel confirmed that the bank provided credit cards to 15 customers who have been running agriculture firms in the capital.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the service will be gradually expanded to Pokhara, Biratnagar and other areas after evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot project launched in Kathmandu.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">CEO of the bank Anil Kumar Upadhyay informed that the bank launched the credit card and app to engage farmers in technology-friendly transaction.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Any one involved in farming can get such credit cards but those who have taken loan for agriculture will be given special emphasis.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12714', 'image' => '20210121042003_1611185900.Clipboard07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 16:19:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12966', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s VAT Rebate for Home-Grown Packaging Industries Limited to Paper', 'sub_title' => '‘Government Fails to Protect and Promote Local Industries’', 'summary' => 'January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. The local packaging industries were happy that the government fulfilled their demand after 17 years. But their excitement was short lived.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The packaging industries have become disappointed after the pharmaceutical industries did not buy the local products.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries were not happy with the government’s decision to provide VAT rebate to packaging industries, according to Rabindra Barnawal, managing director of Print Pack Industry.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed that the government announced to provide VAT rebate on purchase of raw materials as well as locally-manufactured packing materials. However, pharmaceutical industries are least interested to take benefit from this facility.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries did not purchase such materials from the local companies as they are also getting customs duty waiver and VAT rebate on materials imported from other countries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for the import of raw materials and packaging materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">One of the owners of a pharmaceutical industry said that they would have considered purchasing local product if the price had been relatively less. But he insisted that there is not much difference in price and therefore they opted for imported materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Currently, 15 packaging industries have invested around Rs 4 billion. Barnawal says that they have to import raw materials for manufacturing packaging materials at higher cost and that has increased the cost factor of the finished product. While the pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for importing raw materials and packaging materials, the local packaging industries of Nepal have to pay 13 percent VAT and 15 percent customs duty for importing raw materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, operator of Matrix Printers Arbind Amatya says that the government has failed to adopt a policy to protect and promote local industries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The government must charge at least one level less for raw materials,” said Amatya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12713', 'image' => '20210121022926_1611185992.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 14:28:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12964', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Establish Chemical Fertilizer Plant in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </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:Arial">A recent meeting attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatt, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal and government secretaries discussed about setting up a chemical fertilizer factory in the country. </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:Arial">The meeting discussed about the technology behind the production and the cost of setting up such factory. The technologies and methods prevalent in the world, natural gas, water electrolysis and hybrids were some of the technologies discussed in the meeting to determine the method suitable for Nepal. </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:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel said that he will prepare a proposal on the technology, investment method and cost related to the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal after further discussions. </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:Arial">A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on October 8 had formed a committee under the coordination of Finance Minister Poudel to conduct a preliminary study on the establishment of a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12712', 'image' => '20210121104943_1611186029.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 10:49:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12965', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Covid-19 Vaccine Arriving from India Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).</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:Arial">Organising a joint press meet in the capital on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Population and the Indian Embassy informed that the vaccines will be arriving on Thursday as part of India’s grant assistance.</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:Arial">India’s External Affairs Ministry had issued a notice on Monday stating that it would provide vaccines to neighbouring countries within this week.</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:Arial">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra confirmed that India will be providing 1 million viles of vaccine to Nepal as grant assistance. </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:Arial">Speaking at a press conference, Minister Tripathi informed that legal, administrative and financial issues have been resolved to begin vaccination drive in the country soon. The minister also said that all preparations including the storage of vaccine has been made for effective use of the vaccines.</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:Arial">“This is a friendly gesture from India,” said Minister Tripathi during the press conference.</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:Arial">The government has estimated that 72 percent of the total population of Nepal will require vaccines, added Minister Tripathi. </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:Arial">Minister Tripathi further said that health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel, ambulance drivers will be the first to receive the vaccine. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12711', 'image' => '20210121110447_1611185741.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 11:04:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12963', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bilateral Trade with China through Northern Border Points Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Although efforts had been made to reopen the border checkpoints since last May, it was not possible due to landslides. After the roads damaged by landslides were repaired, the border points were partly reopened with only five containers entering Nepal on a daily basis. Four months ago, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies had reached an agreement with China to resume import and export between the two countries but the decision could not be implemented immediately.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The volume of trade between the two countries has increased significantly since the past one week, informed Lopsang Sherpa, a member of Nepal Trans-Himalayan Border Commerce Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Altogether 16 containers of goods are entering Nepal through the Tatopani border on a daily basis,” said Sherpa, adding, “Only two containers of goods used to arrive from Rasuwagadhi every day but now there has been an increase in import from that border point too.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">China has not allowed Nepali containers to go across the border. Chinese containers bring the goods up to the border and Nepali loaders have to cross the border to bring them back by following strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali importers say that the import of goods through the China border has increased to as much as 50 percent compared to pre-Covid-19 period. However, Nepal has not been able to export goods to China through the border.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12710', 'image' => '20210120050812_20201203020907_20200303035545_Trade Points in Northern Border to Remain Closed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 17:07:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12962', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Import exceeds Export at Birgunj Customs Resulting in Trade Deficit of Rs 190 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78, while the import from the same customs point was Rs 210 billion during the review period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The main entry point of the country recorded a trade deficit of Rs 190 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, the total worth of goods traded through this checkpoint from mid-July to mid-December this year has reached Rs 229 billion, which is 10 percent less than the corresponding period of the last Fiscal Year 2076/77. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Products such as fuel, vehicles, medicines and industrial raw materials are imported through this checkpoint. Customs officer Ramesh Sukmani informed that raw material such as unrefined soybean oil, coal, tobacco, billet and other items were imported in large quantity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The overall import from Birgunj custom has decreased. “The import has declined by about 12 percent during the review period compared to the previous fiscal year. Last year, the import from July to December was Rs 238 billion,” said Sukmani. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">However, the export has increased by six percent. According to the data of Birgunj Customs, goods worth Rs 18 billion were exported till December last year. Last year, refined palm oil was exported the most via this customs point. The export was halted after India imposed a ban on import of palm oil. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">This year palm oil has been replaced by refined soybean oil. According to the data provided by the customs office, of the total exports, soybean oil worth Rs 11 billion has been exported through this checkpoint. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Fourteen oil industries in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor have exported 78,341 metric tonnes of such oil to India in the first six months of this year. This is three and a half times more than the export of the same produce during the corresponding period of the previous year. Juice, cloth, toothpaste, synthetic yarn, shoes and carpets have also been exported from this point. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12709', 'image' => '20210120025024_1611100373.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:49:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12961', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Implement Relief Packages', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Stakeholders made such request on Tuesday (January 19) during a discussion attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Tourism Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal and Finance Secretary Sishir Dhungana.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They told the ministers and government representatives that the special relief packages introduced by the government has not been effectively implemented and urged them to implement the packages immediately.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">President of Hotel Association of Nepal Shreejana Rana requested the government to immediately provide relief to the most-affected businesses.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They also requested the government for extension of business continuity loan and discount on electricity demand charge.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The tourism entrepreneurs and hoteliers also reminded the government about is plan to extend government holiday during weekend to promote internal tourism, which is still pending.</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:Arial">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel said that the government is committed to provide necessary assistance to revitalize the tourism sector.</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:Arial"> Stating that the government has already announced relief programmes, Finance Minister Poudel said that emphasis would now be laid on effective implementation of the plans and programmes.</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:Arial">Similarly, Tourism Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal informed that the ministry has held discussions with stakeholders to resolve the problems faced by the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12708', 'image' => '20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:14:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12960', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalaya Airlines Conducts Test Flight to Lhasa', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight operation was held is in line with the company’s commercial plan to introduce scheduled flights to Lhasa during summer of 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight H9 961 departed from Tribhuvan International Airport at 07:17 hours (local time) and landed at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport (LXA) at 10:46 hours (local time). The return flight H9 962, from Lhasa, was scheduled to depart at 15:00 hours (local time) on the same day and is expected to land in Kathmandu at 14:00 hours (local time).</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:"Times New Roman"">Captain Hao Di, vice president-operations of the company, led the test flight crew including senior-level captains who would carry out three different approaches at Lhasa airport for the validation flight.</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:"Times New Roman"">The airlines inducted a brand new narrow-body A319-115 aircraft registered as H9-AJK on March 2, 2020, especially for high altitude operations. Configured with 120 economy-class and 8 business-class seats, the aircraft has modifications for high altitude operations and capabilities to operate through the trans-Himalayan routes with aerodromes elevation to maximum 14,500 ft.</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:"Times New Roman"">Zhou Enyong, president of Himalaya Airlines, informed that the airline's</span> team worked meticulously on this high altitude operation to Lhasa since 2020. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Today’s test flight take-off has reinforced commitment to our key guiding principles of safety, team spirit and winning spirit. I congratulate our team for the successful operation of validation flight, and we are grateful to receive the support of civil aviation authorities of both the countries which has enabled us to carry out this mission effortlessly,” he added.</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:"Times New Roman"">Likewise, Vijay Shrestha, vice president-administration, remarked that</span> it is indeed a pride for Himalaya to be the first and the only foreign airline to land at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Complying with CAAN requirements for high altitude operations, with this test flight <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Himalaya shall ensure the operational viability on this sector.</span> We feel privileged to get the opportunity to strengthen the cross-border relationship, and we are confident, post-pandemic, this sector will significantly boost the tourist movement between Nepal and Tibet,” he stated. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight is planned for the verification of RNP-AR approaches besides the conventional approaches at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport which has an elevation of 3570 m equivalent to 11711 ft.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12707', 'image' => '20210120123339_g576szqpnac61.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 12:32:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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NEA had quoted the same rate in its proposal, informed NEA Spokesperson Madan Timsina.</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:Arial">But other companies proposed lower rate than that of NEA. Acting Executive Director of NEA Hitendra Dev Shakya confirmed that NEA lost the bid as the quotations of other companies were less than that of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Other companies pledged to provide electricity at a lower rate than us,” said Shakya, adding, “We lost the bid because the rate quoted by us was relatively higher than the rate of other companies.”</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12721', 'image' => '20210125123053_20210111032406_1610322387.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 12:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12973', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sugarcane Farmers Warn of Another Protest in the Capital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 25: Sugarcane farmers have warned of launching their protest again in the capital after the sugar mill owners did not keep their promise to clear their long-standing dues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The farmers had staged protest in the capital for two week starting from December 13. The agitating farmers had reached an understanding with the government on December 28 for the clearance of their dues, which the sugar industries had been withholding since many years.</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:Arial">The farmers had signed a four-point agreement with the government on December 28. As per the agreement reached between representatives of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the farmers, the sugar mill owners had been given 21 days to clear all the dues.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">But the farmers have not received full payment even after the deadline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary of the Sugarcane Farmers’ Struggle Committee Hari Shyam Raya informed that they will launch protests in the capital again if their dues are not cleared soon. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The sugarcane farmers have started protests in various districts to give pressure to the government to take the initiative to release their dues from the sugar mills. The protests at the district level will continue till March 5.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">“If the dues are not cleared within that time, we will launch protests in the capital,” said Raya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Meanwhile, the government authorities say they are working to ensure that the dues are cleared as soon as possible.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Baikuntha Aryal claimed that the ministry will ensure payment to the farmers at any cost. However, the ministry has not paid attention to fulfilling its commitment as per the agreement signed on December 28.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:"Times","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the ministry, the sugar mills have already paid Rs 573 million to the farmers while they still owe Rs 81 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-25', 'modified' => '2021-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12720', 'image' => '20210125102806_20201229113333_1609164432.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-25 10:27:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12972', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export Increasing, Import Declining', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 22: Exports in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year 2077/78 have increased while there has been a decline in imports of foreign goods. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Citing the data released by the Department of Customs, the state-run National News Agency (RSS) said imports declined by 5 percent while exports increased by 6 percent in the first six months (mid-July to mid-December) of the current fiscal year. According to the statistics of the department, foreign goods worth more than Rs 661.24 billion have been imported in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Comparatively, it is 4.81 percent less than the import during the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, foreign goods worth Rs 694.69 billion were imported, RSS reported. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, domestic goods worth Rs 60.79 billion have been exported in the last six months. Exports have increased by 6.14 percent compared to the same period of last year. In the corresponding period of the previous year, goods worth Rs 57.27 billion were exported from Nepal. According to the data, the trade deficit has narrowed by 5.80 percent this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The department has collected revenue of Rs 187 billion so far this year. The department has set a target of collecting Rs 440 billion revenue this year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12719', 'image' => '20210122033408_1611225273.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:33:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12969', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal signs Protocol to Send Workers to Israel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 22: Nepal and Israel have signed a protocol to send Nepali workers to Israel for work.</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:Arial">Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment Kumar Dahal and Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Hanan Goder signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries amid a recent function.</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:Arial">This has opened door for 500 Nepalis to work in the care-giving sector of Israel.</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:Arial">The Government of Nepal had signed a bilateral labor agreement with Israel for sending Nepali workers to Israel on September 30. </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:Arial">Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Askhenaji signed the agreement initially but the two countries were unable to implement it due to lack of protocol.</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:Arial">After a month of negotiations, the two countries prepared the protocol based on the agreement. The two countries have now signed the same protocol to implement the agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol mentions about issues like the process of sending workers to Israel, their qualification, perks and benefits in accordance to the labour agreement.</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:Arial">The protocol focuses on sending Nepali workers to the health sector of Israel and has specified food and accommodation for them.</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:Arial">Besides the health sector, the Nepali workers will also get opportunities to work in hotels and restaurants, agriculture sector, construction works among others.</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:Arial">Until now, Nepal's private manpower companies had been supplying Nepali workers to Israel for employment under a 2015 agreement. However, now according to the new agreement, the government itself will be sending workers to Israel for work on G2G basis while the manpower companies will have no role in it.</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:Arial">As per the new protocol, Nepali workers will have to bear the travel cost themselves. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepali workers willing to go to Israel for work will also have to pay the visa fee, medical test fee as well as orientation charge and a certain amount to the welfare fund themselves, which is against the free-visa policy of the government.</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:Arial">But the laws of Israel is considered labour-friendly and Nepali workers are expected to have comparatively less problems while working there.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12718', 'image' => '20210122120517_1611268202.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:04:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12970', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Latest Political Development will not have Adverse Impact on Economy: Finance Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the latest political development will not have any adverse effect on the economic development of the country.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel made such remark during a virtual meeting on the proposed Extended Credit Facility with International Monetary Fund’s Director Alisara Mahasandana and Mission Chief Laura Isabel Jaramillo.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Minister Poudel told the foreign delegates that the dissolution of parliament was only one facet of the political system and that Nepal have had mid-terms election in the past as well. Therefore, he assured them that the recent political developments will not have much impact on the country’s economy. He also urged them not to worry about Nepal’s situation.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He added that Nepal’s policies on financial and social issues are guided by the constitution and therefore the differing views of political parties will not have any impact on matters of national interest.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to Minister Poudel, the Extended Credit Facility is not aimed at any particular individual or party and so the new government formed after the election will give continuity to the programme in the interest of the nation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/1611237631.jpg" style="height:499px; width:800px" /></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12717', 'image' => '20210122123356_20201015115013_1602717511.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 12:31:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12968', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Buddha Air to Add 2 more Aircraft to its Fleet', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air is all set to add two new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The private airline company bringing one of the two aircraft to the country on Friday (January 22), within 100 days of resuming air service post Covid-19 lockdown and flight ban.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company informed that another aircraft will arrive in three months.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Buddha Air has served 375,000 passengers in the last three months after the government lifted a ban on domestic flights on September 21. Marketing and Sales Director of the company Rupesh Joshi informed that Buddha Air is preparing to add new aircraft to its fleet to increase the number of flights to its current destinations. He added that it was possible due to the passengers’ support and trust. </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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The number of passengers has increased after the lockdown was lifted. We have taken this as an opportunity to add new aircraft,” said Joshi, adding, “With the addition of new aircraft, we will be able to provide better services to our customers.”</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He clarified that Buddha Air has not added any new destinations and the new aircraft will be used to increase the frequency of flights to the current destinations.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The company has already started mountain flights from December 5. Buddha Air expressed its belief that the mountain flight will provide some relief to the aviation industry of Nepal which was affected for a long time due to the impact of Covid-19.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Joshi informed that the company has been providing its regular flight service and mountain flights at subsidized rate due to the decline in price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">With the addition of two new aircraft, Buddha Air will now have 15 aircraft in its fleet.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12716', 'image' => '20210122113025_20200323123412_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 11:29:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12971', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Prepares to Sign MoU for Railway DPR ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">January 22: The government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed 135 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Raxaul railway. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of Nepal will soon sign the MoU with the Indian Government to begin the DPR of the railway.<br /> Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during his first stint as prime minister back in 2015 had discussed the issue of railway connectivity with India during his state visit to India. Since then, a pre-feasibility study report of the railway has been prepared with the help of India. India handed over the report to Nepal last year.<br /> Preparations are now underway to sign an MoU between the two neighbouring countries for preparing the DPR, three years later than the proposed construction date.<br /> According to Ram Hari Pokhrel, Joint Secretary at the MoPIT, the ministry is in the final phase of preparation for signing the MoU.<br /> "As India has also agreed to move ahead for the study, the process will move ahead soon," Pokhrel informed.<br /> An official of the ministry informed that the DPR report would be ready within 18 months after signing the MoU.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-22', 'modified' => '2021-01-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12715', 'image' => '20210122032255_1611186257.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-22 15:21:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12967', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Agriculture Development Bank Launches Credit Card for Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Agriculture Development Bank has for the first time launched credit card for farmers in order to make loan easily available for them.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The state-owned bank on Wednesday (January 20) launched the service coinciding with its 54<sup>th</sup> anniversary by providing credit cards to 15 farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel launched the card in addition to a smartphone application ‘Kisan App’ developed especially for farmers.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">During the launch, Minister Poudel said that these facilities have been launched to facilitate the farmers technologically.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Spokesperson of Agriculture Development BankHem Lal Poudel confirmed that the bank provided credit cards to 15 customers who have been running agriculture firms in the capital.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to him, the service will be gradually expanded to Pokhara, Biratnagar and other areas after evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot project launched in Kathmandu.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">CEO of the bank Anil Kumar Upadhyay informed that the bank launched the credit card and app to engage farmers in technology-friendly transaction.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Any one involved in farming can get such credit cards but those who have taken loan for agriculture will be given special emphasis.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12714', 'image' => '20210121042003_1611185900.Clipboard07.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 16:19:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12966', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s VAT Rebate for Home-Grown Packaging Industries Limited to Paper', 'sub_title' => '‘Government Fails to Protect and Promote Local Industries’', 'summary' => 'January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 21: Proprietors of packaging industries of Nepal were excited after the government in its annual budget for the current fiscal year announced refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on packaging materials purchased by pharmaceutical companies from local industries. The local packaging industries were happy that the government fulfilled their demand after 17 years. But their excitement was short lived.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The packaging industries have become disappointed after the pharmaceutical industries did not buy the local products.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries were not happy with the government’s decision to provide VAT rebate to packaging industries, according to Rabindra Barnawal, managing director of Print Pack Industry.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed that the government announced to provide VAT rebate on purchase of raw materials as well as locally-manufactured packing materials. However, pharmaceutical industries are least interested to take benefit from this facility.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The pharmaceutical industries did not purchase such materials from the local companies as they are also getting customs duty waiver and VAT rebate on materials imported from other countries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for the import of raw materials and packaging materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">One of the owners of a pharmaceutical industry said that they would have considered purchasing local product if the price had been relatively less. But he insisted that there is not much difference in price and therefore they opted for imported materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Currently, 15 packaging industries have invested around Rs 4 billion. Barnawal says that they have to import raw materials for manufacturing packaging materials at higher cost and that has increased the cost factor of the finished product. While the pharmaceutical companies need to pay only 1 percent excise duty for importing raw materials and packaging materials, the local packaging industries of Nepal have to pay 13 percent VAT and 15 percent customs duty for importing raw materials.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, operator of Matrix Printers Arbind Amatya says that the government has failed to adopt a policy to protect and promote local industries.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">“The government must charge at least one level less for raw materials,” said Amatya.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12713', 'image' => '20210121022926_1611185992.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 14:28:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12964', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Establish Chemical Fertilizer Plant in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: The government is making necessary preparations for setting up a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </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:Arial">A recent meeting attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatt, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal and government secretaries discussed about setting up a chemical fertilizer factory in the country. </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:Arial">The meeting discussed about the technology behind the production and the cost of setting up such factory. The technologies and methods prevalent in the world, natural gas, water electrolysis and hybrids were some of the technologies discussed in the meeting to determine the method suitable for Nepal. </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:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel said that he will prepare a proposal on the technology, investment method and cost related to the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal after further discussions. </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:Arial">A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on October 8 had formed a committee under the coordination of Finance Minister Poudel to conduct a preliminary study on the establishment of a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12712', 'image' => '20210121104943_1611186029.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 10:49:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12965', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Covid-19 Vaccine Arriving from India Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">January 21: India is all set to deliver 1 million viles of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal in the first phase on Thursday (January 21).</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:Arial">Organising a joint press meet in the capital on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Population and the Indian Embassy informed that the vaccines will be arriving on Thursday as part of India’s grant assistance.</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:Arial">India’s External Affairs Ministry had issued a notice on Monday stating that it would provide vaccines to neighbouring countries within this week.</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:Arial">Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra confirmed that India will be providing 1 million viles of vaccine to Nepal as grant assistance. </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:Arial">Speaking at a press conference, Minister Tripathi informed that legal, administrative and financial issues have been resolved to begin vaccination drive in the country soon. The minister also said that all preparations including the storage of vaccine has been made for effective use of the vaccines.</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:Arial">“This is a friendly gesture from India,” said Minister Tripathi during the press conference.</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:Arial">The government has estimated that 72 percent of the total population of Nepal will require vaccines, added Minister Tripathi. </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:Arial">Minister Tripathi further said that health workers, sanitation workers, security personnel, ambulance drivers will be the first to receive the vaccine. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-21', 'modified' => '2021-01-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12711', 'image' => '20210121110447_1611185741.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-21 11:04:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12963', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bilateral Trade with China through Northern Border Points Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Nepal’s bilateral trade with China through the northern border is returning back to normalcy. Nepal’s border with China had remained obstructed since last year due to the emergence of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Although efforts had been made to reopen the border checkpoints since last May, it was not possible due to landslides. After the roads damaged by landslides were repaired, the border points were partly reopened with only five containers entering Nepal on a daily basis. Four months ago, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies had reached an agreement with China to resume import and export between the two countries but the decision could not be implemented immediately.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The volume of trade between the two countries has increased significantly since the past one week, informed Lopsang Sherpa, a member of Nepal Trans-Himalayan Border Commerce Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Altogether 16 containers of goods are entering Nepal through the Tatopani border on a daily basis,” said Sherpa, adding, “Only two containers of goods used to arrive from Rasuwagadhi every day but now there has been an increase in import from that border point too.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">China has not allowed Nepali containers to go across the border. Chinese containers bring the goods up to the border and Nepali loaders have to cross the border to bring them back by following strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali importers say that the import of goods through the China border has increased to as much as 50 percent compared to pre-Covid-19 period. However, Nepal has not been able to export goods to China through the border.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12710', 'image' => '20210120050812_20201203020907_20200303035545_Trade Points in Northern Border to Remain Closed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 17:07:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12962', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Import exceeds Export at Birgunj Customs Resulting in Trade Deficit of Rs 190 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Birgunj customs recorded export worth Rs 19 billion in the first six months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2077/78, while the import from the same customs point was Rs 210 billion during the review period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The main entry point of the country recorded a trade deficit of Rs 190 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the Birgunj Customs Office, the total worth of goods traded through this checkpoint from mid-July to mid-December this year has reached Rs 229 billion, which is 10 percent less than the corresponding period of the last Fiscal Year 2076/77. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Products such as fuel, vehicles, medicines and industrial raw materials are imported through this checkpoint. Customs officer Ramesh Sukmani informed that raw material such as unrefined soybean oil, coal, tobacco, billet and other items were imported in large quantity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The overall import from Birgunj custom has decreased. “The import has declined by about 12 percent during the review period compared to the previous fiscal year. Last year, the import from July to December was Rs 238 billion,” said Sukmani. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">However, the export has increased by six percent. According to the data of Birgunj Customs, goods worth Rs 18 billion were exported till December last year. Last year, refined palm oil was exported the most via this customs point. The export was halted after India imposed a ban on import of palm oil. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">This year palm oil has been replaced by refined soybean oil. According to the data provided by the customs office, of the total exports, soybean oil worth Rs 11 billion has been exported through this checkpoint. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Fourteen oil industries in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor have exported 78,341 metric tonnes of such oil to India in the first six months of this year. This is three and a half times more than the export of the same produce during the corresponding period of the previous year. Juice, cloth, toothpaste, synthetic yarn, shoes and carpets have also been exported from this point. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12709', 'image' => '20210120025024_1611100373.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:49:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12961', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Implement Relief Packages', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">January 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have requested the government to revive the hospitality business as well as hotel industry that have been badly affected by coronavirus.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Stakeholders made such request on Tuesday (January 19) during a discussion attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Tourism Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal and Finance Secretary Sishir Dhungana.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They told the ministers and government representatives that the special relief packages introduced by the government has not been effectively implemented and urged them to implement the packages immediately.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">President of Hotel Association of Nepal Shreejana Rana requested the government to immediately provide relief to the most-affected businesses.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">They also requested the government for extension of business continuity loan and discount on electricity demand charge.</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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The tourism entrepreneurs and hoteliers also reminded the government about is plan to extend government holiday during weekend to promote internal tourism, which is still pending.</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:Arial">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel said that the government is committed to provide necessary assistance to revitalize the tourism sector.</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:Arial"> Stating that the government has already announced relief programmes, Finance Minister Poudel said that emphasis would now be laid on effective implementation of the plans and programmes.</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:Arial">Similarly, Tourism Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal informed that the ministry has held discussions with stakeholders to resolve the problems faced by the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12708', 'image' => '20210120021529_1611099847.7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 14:14:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12960', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalaya Airlines Conducts Test Flight to Lhasa', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">January 20: Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture company of Nepal and China, has conducted a test flight to Lhasa, its first high-altitude destination, on January 19, 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight operation was held is in line with the company’s commercial plan to introduce scheduled flights to Lhasa during summer of 2021. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight H9 961 departed from Tribhuvan International Airport at 07:17 hours (local time) and landed at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport (LXA) at 10:46 hours (local time). The return flight H9 962, from Lhasa, was scheduled to depart at 15:00 hours (local time) on the same day and is expected to land in Kathmandu at 14:00 hours (local time).</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:"Times New Roman"">Captain Hao Di, vice president-operations of the company, led the test flight crew including senior-level captains who would carry out three different approaches at Lhasa airport for the validation flight.</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:"Times New Roman"">The airlines inducted a brand new narrow-body A319-115 aircraft registered as H9-AJK on March 2, 2020, especially for high altitude operations. Configured with 120 economy-class and 8 business-class seats, the aircraft has modifications for high altitude operations and capabilities to operate through the trans-Himalayan routes with aerodromes elevation to maximum 14,500 ft.</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:"Times New Roman"">Zhou Enyong, president of Himalaya Airlines, informed that the airline's</span> team worked meticulously on this high altitude operation to Lhasa since 2020. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Today’s test flight take-off has reinforced commitment to our key guiding principles of safety, team spirit and winning spirit. I congratulate our team for the successful operation of validation flight, and we are grateful to receive the support of civil aviation authorities of both the countries which has enabled us to carry out this mission effortlessly,” he added.</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:"Times New Roman"">Likewise, Vijay Shrestha, vice president-administration, remarked that</span> it is indeed a pride for Himalaya to be the first and the only foreign airline to land at Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></span><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Complying with CAAN requirements for high altitude operations, with this test flight <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Himalaya shall ensure the operational viability on this sector.</span> We feel privileged to get the opportunity to strengthen the cross-border relationship, and we are confident, post-pandemic, this sector will significantly boost the tourist movement between Nepal and Tibet,” he stated. </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:"Times New Roman"">The test flight is planned for the verification of RNP-AR approaches besides the conventional approaches at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport which has an elevation of 3570 m equivalent to 11711 ft.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-01-20', 'modified' => '2021-01-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12707', 'image' => '20210120123339_g576szqpnac61.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-01-20 12:32:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
