NEWS

Government Warns of Blacklisting Two Defaulting Contractors

Sep 24, 2020 0 1 minutes 58 seconds to read

September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development…

Rasuwagadhi Border Opens after 3 Weeks

Sep 24, 2020 0 2 minutes 37 seconds to read

September 24: Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks.…

Demand for Medicines takes a Nosedive

Sep 23, 2020 0 3 minutes 22 seconds to read

September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market.…

Recruitment of Railway Staff to be Delayed

Sep 23, 2020 0 1 minutes 42 seconds to read

September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19.…

Survey Reveals Extent of Fallout from the Pandemic on MSMEs in Nepal

Sep 23, 2020 0 4 minutes 7 seconds to read

September 23: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional…

Price of Gold Declines

Sep 23, 2020 0 1 minutes 43 seconds to read

September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23).…

Over 7,000 Nepali Migrant Workers off to Foreign Employment amid Global Pandemic

Sep 22, 2020 0 1 minutes 46 seconds to read

…

12 Companies get Permission to use Trademark for Nepalese Orthodox Tea

Sep 22, 2020 0 2 minutes 38 seconds to read

September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox…

IFC Report urges Companies to Boost Women’s Participation in Hydropower Sector

Sep 22, 2020 0 4 minutes 26 seconds to read

September 22: Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women’s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the…

Remittance Service goes Digital in Nepal

Sep 22, 2020 0 2 minutes 44 seconds to read

September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now…

Fertilizers from Bangladesh to Arrive after More than a Month

Sep 21, 2020 0 1 minutes 53 seconds to read

September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from…

50 Containers of Dates Stopped in Birgunj Start Rotting

Sep 21, 2020 0 2 minutes 7 seconds to read

September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs…

Domestic Flights Resume from Today

Sep 21, 2020 0 2 minutes 56 seconds to read

September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of…

OPPO to Launch F17 Pro in Nepal Soon

Sep 21, 2020 0 2 minutes 31 seconds to read

September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon.…

Bajaj’s Announces Festive Offer

Sep 21, 2020 0 1 minutes 38 seconds to read

September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand & Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched “Rojerai Khusi” scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar…

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The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

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NEPSE

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			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This file photo shows construction taking place along the Chabahil-Jorpati road. Photo NBA</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has sought clarification from United Builders and Engineers Pvt Ltd and Diwa/Sailung JV on why they should not be blacklisted for not completing major projects related to road construction in Kathmandu Valley in time. They have been given seven days for submitting written clarification. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project issued a public notice on Wednesday mentioning the names of these two companies. In the notice, the KVREP has said that the two companies failed to complete their tasks in time and have shown no interest to complete the work during the extended deadline on the pretext of coronavirus crisis. KVREP has warned that it would scrap the contract and&nbsp; blacklist the two companies if their clarifications are not satisfactory.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">United Builders and Engineers was awarded the contract to construct the 3.6 kilometer section of Chabahil-Jorpati-Sankhu road six years ago. The time period for completion of the project expired six months ago. The deadline was extended for six months but the company is not in a position to complete the work, says Guru Adhikari, chief of the KVREP. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, Diwa/Sailung JV is also under scrutiny for not completing the 3.2 kilometer section of Dholahiti-Sunakothi-Chapagaun road in the last five years. The company has completed only 300 meters of the road, informed Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Rasuwagadhi Border Opens after 3 Weeks',
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			'summary' => 'September 24: Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. China has started sending goods across the border since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, Punya Bikram Khadka, informed that China will be sending five goods-laden containers across the border per day starting from Thursday (September 24).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">On Wednesday, only one container with health equipment had entered Nepal through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">This vital border point was closed on January 29 after coronavirus started spreading in China. It was opened four months later but was closed again after the workers involved in unloading goods at the customs point were found infected with coronavirus in late August. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had been repeatedly requesting the Chinese side to release the goods that had been stuck since weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The customs officials have mobilized eight dozers to clear the obstruction caused by landslides along the road within Nepal&rsquo;s territory. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A Chinese delegation had paid an inspection visit to the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office on Wednesday prior to releasing the container carrying health equipment. After observing the customs office, the Chinese side agreed to unload goods in&nbsp; two shifts, informed Khadka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The Chinese officials had visited this place to find a place across the friendship bridge where they could unload the goods,&rdquo; added Khadka. &ldquo;We are hopeful they will release more goods.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the last fiscal year, goods worth Rs 27 billion had entered Nepal through this customs point. The customs office had collected revenue worth Rs 7 billion during that period. This year, goods worth Rs 1 billion has entered through the customs point due to various obstructions.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Demand for Medicines takes a Nosedive',
			'sub_title' => 'People Avoid Visiting Hospitals and only Chronic Patients Seek Medicines',
			'summary' => 'September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The drug manufacturers say that they were forced to cut their production as the demand for drugs other than those required for chronic illness and paracetamol have become almost nil after the government imposed lockdown to contain the spread of 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Due to the slump in demand, the drug manufacturers have slashed their production by almost 70 percent, informed Narayan Bahadur Chhetri, president of the </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The drug manufacturers are producing very less amount of drugs because there is no demand for drugs in the market,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Initially, the drug manufacturers lowered their production after India and China restricted supply of raw materials for the durgs and also increased their prices. But now, although the supply chain is not disrupted, there is no demand for drugs at all, says Chhetri. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chhetri says people have started avoiding hospitals unless it is absolutely necessary due to the fear of contracting coronavirus. He considers this as the main reason for the lack of demand for medicines.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Deurali Janata Pharmaceuticals, which is the largest drug manufacturer of Nepal, stopped production for almost a month due to lack of demand for drugs in the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Operator of the company Hari Bhakta Sharma informed that they had to halt production for some time because there wasn&rsquo;t any demand for drugs but have now resumed production.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;We have been producing drugs in accordance to the market demand,&rdquo; he told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Sitaram Ghimire informed that the number of people visiting hospitals has reduced drastically in the recent days. According to Ghimire, the demand for medicines used to treat trauma, skin diseased and pain killers have dropped sharply. The demand for medicines used for the treatment of cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes and other chronic illnesses is normal, informed Ghimire. He added that the demand for psychiatric drugs has however skyrocketed in the recent days.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;Many people have lost their jobs. There is massive fear of pandemic, and that is why people are stressed,&rdquo; said Ghimire,, adding, &ldquo;This has resulted depression among the masses.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '12507',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Recruitment of Railway Staff to be Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19.&nbsp; It has been informed that Department of Railways will not appoint railway staff for the 34-kilometer Janakpur-Jayanagar railway immediately. </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:Calibri">Since the operation of the train along Janakpur-Jayanagar is uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic, authorities believe that the cost of hiring staff in such a situation may accelerate the expenditure of the railway.</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:Calibri">However, the Nepal Railway Company will continue the process of recruiting technical and administrative staff for the operation of the train. Guru Bhattarai, general manager of the company, informed that the government-owned company was not prepared to hire staff due to the uncertainty in the operation of the train amid COVID-19 crisis.</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:Calibri">&quot;The process of appointing the railway staff has been started. Notice has been issued for the appointment of 129 employees on contract basis. The process of hiring staff including train drivers and controllers from India has also been initiated, but there won&rsquo;t be any appointment for the time being,&rdquo; Bhattarai informed.</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:Calibri">He added that the recruitment and training of the railway staff will be started soon after the containment of the virus. The government had appointed Bhattarai as the general manager of the Nepal Railway Company, which has its head office in Janakpur, only two months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '12506',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Survey Reveals Extent of Fallout from the Pandemic on MSMEs in Nepal ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales.',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: IFC South Asia/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 23:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales. </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 finding is revealed in the COVID-19 Nepal Business Pulse Survey carried out between May 25<sup> </sup>and June 10 by the IFC and World Bank, in partnership with the government of Japan. It shows a fifth of businesses surveyed have started to use or have been using the Internet, social media, specialized apps, or digital platforms for business purposes.</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 survey also reveals over half of Nepal&rsquo;s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face the risk of permanently closing their operations within a month under the current conditions of COVID-19 impacts. </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">Based on a sample of more than 540 representatives from MSMEs across all provinces the survey also revealed over eighty percent of businesses have suffered from a slump in sales and have taken measures such as granting leave without pay or reduced the hours or wages of their employees. </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">&ldquo;These findings highlight the severe burden micro, small and medium sized businesses are facing in Nepal due to the impacts of COVID-19,&rdquo; said Rolf Behrndt, IFC South Asia Manager for Advisory Services. &ldquo;We know these businesses play a vital role in Nepal&rsquo;s economy but clearly with a drop-in demand and sales, employers have had to opt for a range of measures to cope with less revenue, prompting questions about their future viability.&rdquo;</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">Forty-five percent of the firms had granted leave of absence to employees, and 27 percent had reduced working hours. Across all sectors, sizes and locations of firms, 12 percent of female employees have been put on reduced pay. </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">&ldquo;The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a major blow to Nepal&rsquo;s economy, with enterprises of all sizes bearing the brunt with little to no revenue. Eighty-three percent of the firms reported a decline in sales compared to the same time last year,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC Country Manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Micro, small and medium sized businesses play a key role in helping Nepal&rsquo;s economy grow. I believe these findings would be useful in preparing a well-informed response to help the businesses get back on their feet.&rdquo;</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">MSMEs contribute 22 per cent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) employing about 1.75 million people. Ten Central Bureau of Statistics projects that the fallout from the&nbsp; pandemic will mean significant contractions in the expected growth rate for the sector in the fiscal year 2020 compared to the past 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">&nbsp;&ldquo;These survey results shine a stark light on the importance of ensuring that this sector not only survives the COVID-19 pandemic but also transforms in ways that improves its resilience and capacity to contribute to economic recovery.&nbsp; To this end, the World Bank &ndash; working closely with the government and the private sector &ndash; has prepared new projects to support micro, small and medium enterprises, including in the agriculture, tourism and financial sectors,&rdquo; said Faris Hadad-Zervos, the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. </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">Globally, IFC has put in place a package of measures&mdash;worth a total of $8 billion&mdash;to help sustain economies and protect jobs around the globe. In Nepal, IFC has just invested $25 million in NMB Bank to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and green projects, and there are more under discussion with other clients.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12505',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of gold dropped by Rs 1200 per tola (11 grams approx.) on Wednesday as compared to the previous day. Gold is being traded for Rs 94,300 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The price of gold had declined by Rs 1700 on Tuesday as well. The price was stable on Sunday but increased by Rs 200 per 11 grams on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, the price of silver also declined by Rs 40 per 11 grams. Silver is being traded for Rs 1190 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The decline in prices of gold and silver in the Nepali market is a result of the decline in prices in the international market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Earlier, the price of gold had crossed the mark of Rs 100,000 per 11 grams some weeks ago due to uncertainty caused by coronavirus and the trade war between USA and China. But the price started declining gradually after Russia announced vaccine for coronavirus. It is believed that international investors started investing&nbsp; in gold amid global uncertainty, triggering a price hike.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-09-23',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12502',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Over 7,000 Nepali Migrant Workers off to Foreign Employment amid Global Pandemic ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><em>A general view of the Tribhuvan International&nbsp; Airport in this file photo. </em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 22: With the government opening the door for foreign employment, the number of Nepali migrant workers going for foreign employment has increased drastically. A total of 7,290 Nepali workers have left the country for foreign employment as of September 18.</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:Calibri">Nepali workers have started going to labour destinations for employment with new work permits and renewal of work permits.</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:Calibri">The government had stopped accepting applications for work permits for foreign employment on March 11 after a surge in coronavirus infection. Since the last two months, the government has gradually started to issue work permits for foreign employment.</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:Calibri">The government had resumed renewal of work permits for Nepali migrant workers from June 28 while it resumed issuing new permits from September 2 onwards. Since then, more than 7,000 Nepali workers have gone to labor destinations for foreign employment, states a report prepared by the Department of Foreign Employment.</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:Calibri">Manpower companies that have sent Nepali workers aboard during the period informed that 117 individuals have traveled abroad with new work permits.</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:Calibri">Earlier, more than 328,000 workers had returned to Nepal on leave and were stranded after the government postponed renewal and issuance of work permits. Likewise, 115,000 workers were not able to go for foreign employment despite receiving their visas. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12501',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '12 Companies get Permission to use Trademark for Nepalese Orthodox Tea',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market  for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market&nbsp; for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Out of 42 companies that had filed application to use the trademark with the tagline &lsquo;Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalayas&rsquo;, 12 have been granted permission to use the trademark logo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ghanshyam Bhusan was scheduled to distribute certificates to the companies amid a programme in Fikal of Ilam district on Tuesday (September 22). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Regional chief of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board Indra Prasad Adhikari informed that these 12 companies will now be able to export Nepali orthodox tea with the trademark logo. The trademark was made public by the government two years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Advisor to the Nepal Tea Planters Association Udaya Chapagain believes that the use of trademark logo will enhance the reputation of Nepalese tea in the international market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Tea was introduced in Nepal some 157 years ago, when Colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa &ndash; the son-in-law of Junga Bahadur Rana &ndash; brought saplings of tea from China and started commercial farming in Nepal, informed Chapagain.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The tea producers have to file an application with the board by fulfilling all the criteria in order to use the trademark.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had introduced Nepal Orthodox Tea Certification Trademark Implementation Regulation 2074 some two and a half years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There are around 100 small and medium sized tea industries in Nepal and they have to produce tea by following the standard set by the board in order to acquire the trademark certification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/20181213020242_tea%20farm.jpg" style="height:533px; width:800px" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12500',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'IFC Report urges Companies to Boost Women’s Participation in Hydropower Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women’s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">This photo taken from Twitter shows Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.</span></span></em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women&rsquo;s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.</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">IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, calls for companies to adopt gender sensitive policies and practices to attract more women into working in the hydropower. </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">&ldquo;Women make up more than half of Nepal&rsquo;s population, yet the study reveals only 10 percent of all employees in the country&rsquo;s hydropower sector are women,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Companies need to seize the opportunity to embark on more gender-sensitive and family-friendly policies to help boost staff productivity and attract and retain talent which will ultimately boost their businesses.&rdquo; </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 study of 20 companies is part of the Powered by Women initiative&mdash;a time-bound commitment by companies to build the business case for improved gender equality and diversity in renewable energy companies 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">&ldquo;We recognize the need to make conscious efforts to increase the number of women in power sector. Our organization has already taken a forward step by making women participation in the executive committee mandatory,&rdquo; said Ashish Garg, vice president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;By partnering with IFC in this important initiative we are committing to championing this cause.&rdquo;</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 report recommends that companies need to develop and enforce gender-sensitive policies, including mechanisms to address cases of bullying, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation. </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">More tailored programs to support professional development opportunities for women, such as more robust recruiting efforts directed at women&rsquo;s advancement into leadership positions and targets for diversity in board representation, are also encouraged. Meanwhile, at the community level, the report urges increased support from companies to women-led businesses, including improving their access to finance, and efforts to train women in non-traditional roles within the sector. </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 study &ndash; spearheaded by IFC&rsquo;s Hydro Environmental and Social Advisory team in partnership with the governments of Australia, Norway and Japan &ndash;shows very few of those employed are in leadership positions, included in corporate boards or occupy non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector. </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">&ldquo;Despite the considerable scope for women to take up non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector, we found that most companies in Nepal have not yet initiated adequate efforts to realize this,&rdquo; said Kate Lazarus, team leader of Asia Environment and Social Governance for IFC. &ldquo;While some companies, particularly those led by women entrepreneurs, do show willingness in this regard, there are still challenges in transforming that intent into action on the ground.&rdquo;</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">Gender stereotyping, remoteness of hydropower project sites and a lack of women in science, technology, engineering, and math education have been identified as key constraints for women&rsquo;s participation in this sector. Concerns around initial investment costs and uncertainty over whether there will be a pay off in the short- to medium-term were also inhibiting factors, according to the study.</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">Nepal ranks 105 out of 149 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index 2018 conducted by the World Economic Forum, indicating that there is still a critical need to focus on gender equality across various spheres.</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 study was conducted between 2019 and 2020. Over two dozen executives and almost 250 employees working in 20 companies within Nepal&rsquo;s hydropower industry contributed to the research. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12499',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Remittance Service goes Digital in Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has made arrangement for the migrant workers to send remittance through mobile and internet banking as well as electronic cards, digital wallets and other electronic means.</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 Foreign Exchange Management Department of the Nepal Rastra Bank issued a notice on Monday (September 21) informing about the new arrangement which has effectively ended the compulsion for people to rely upon remittance agents or visit banks to receive remittance.</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">In order to benefit from this service, the migrant workers need to activate digital service like mobile and internet banking from their respective banks in Nepal as well as Nepali payment gateways that provide digital wallet service.</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">With this new system, money transferred from abroad will be available in Nepal instantly and the details of the transaction will also be available, says NRB.</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">Executive Director of the central bank&rsquo;s Foreign Exchange Management Department Bam Bahadur Mishra claimed that this new system will address the problem of entering wrong account number and also get rid of the hassles of showing one&rsquo;s citizenship certificate to receive the amount.</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">He further said that the central bank introduced this system ahead of Dashain considering the fact that the remittance inflow to Nepal increases significantly during the festive season.</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">&ldquo;This arrangement will allow migrant workers to send money using their smart phones and other digital technology. But the users must activate digital service first,&rdquo; says Mishra.</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 mobile and internet banking services provided by banks can be used to avail this facility. The migrant workers can also use eSewa, IME Pay, Fone Pay, Khalti among 14 payment gateways to send money from abroad, according to NRB.</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">However, for the service to work seamlessly, the banks and remittance service providers have to collaborate with the electronic payment gateways of the respective countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12498',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizers from Bangladesh to Arrive after More than a Month',
			'sub_title' => 'Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Calls Tender for Bringing the Fertilizers',
			'summary' => 'September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh. The government had handed the responsibility of bringing the fertilizers from Bangladesh on loan to the Agriculture Inputs 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had asked for assistance from Bangladesh to supply urea after the farmers faced acute shortage of the chemical fertilizer during the planting season this year. The KP Oli-led government had reached an understanding with Bangladesh three weeks ago to receive the fertilizer on condition that it will return the same amount of fertilizer to Bangladesh after eight 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A cabinet meeting last Thursday handed over the responsibility of bringing the fertilizer to the Agriculture Inputs Company, following which the company called for tender bids.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the purchase division of Agriculture Inputs Company, Bishnu Pokharel, informed that they are planning to bring the fertilizer from Chittagong of Bangladesh. For this, the company has issued tender with a deadline of seven days. The state-owned company informed that it will take around 25 days to finalize the deal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">It is estimated that it will take at least a month for the fertilizers to reach Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bangladesh has a stock of 1 million tons of urea from which it will lend 50,000 tons to Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12496',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '50 Containers of Dates Stopped in Birgunj Start Rotting',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.</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:Calibri">About 50 containers of dates have been stranded at the Birgunj Dry Port as the government has not decided what to do with them. It has been reported that the dates have started rotting because they have been held at the customs points for a long time. The government on April 29 had banned the import of dates, pepper, peas and betel nuts, citing increasing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.</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:Calibri">Prior to giving the green signal to import the peas, pepper and betel nuts, 1,000 containers of these goods were stopped at various entry points because they were imported without the prior approval of the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.</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:Calibri">A cabinet meeting held on August 29 had decided to allow the entry of peas and pepper for once. Earlier, the cabinet had also decided to release the betel nuts stopped at the checkpoints.</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:Calibri">However, importer Navneet Agrawal informed that even though peas, pepper and betel nuts were approved for clearance, only dates have been stopped at the ports for more than five months. </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:Calibri">Agrawal has accused the government of discrimination for allowing the import of peas, pepper and betel nuts while restricting the dates. </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:Calibri">&ldquo;The government had restricted the import of all of them at the same time but has removed the restriction on only peas, pepper and betel nuts,&rdquo; he informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12494',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Domestic Flights Resume from Today',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of 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">The government has allowed private companies to operate only 25 percent of flights compared to normal days.</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">Airline companies such as Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines offered pre booking service since last Friday. More than 70 percent seats of all airline companies have been booked, the airline operators informed on Sunday. </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">Shree Airlines will be opening bookings only after a few days, informed the company&rsquo;s manager Anil Manandhar.</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">Buddha Air confirmed 70 percent bookings as of Sunday evening (September 20). Buddha Air&rsquo;s manager Rupesh Shrestha informed New Business Age that they have received permission to operate 17 flights on Monday (September 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">Meanwhile, Yeti Airlines&rsquo; spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said that the company will be operating 11 flights a day.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepal Airlines Corporation, the state-owned company of Nepal, has also unveiled its flights schedule. As per the schedule, the flag carrier of Nepal will conduct 10 flights a day to various &nbsp;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">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that the airline companies have been allowed to resume flights by following health safety standards set by the government and the international protocols of the ICAO.</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">People with symptoms of coronavirus will be barred from flights. The airports have been instructed to check the body temperatures of the passengers twice and to follow contactless check-in, maintain physical distance and use hand sanitizers for the passengers. The passengers have also been instructed to compulsorily wear masks and visors.&nbsp; </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 airline companies have been permitted to carry passengers in full capacity and so the airfare has not increased. Although the government had lifted a ban on domestic flights from September 17, the airline operators had suspended flights demanding operating flights in full capacity.</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 had earlier decided to allow private airliners to resume flights with 50 percent passengers. But the government later backtracked from its decision and agreed to the demand of the airline operators.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12497',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'OPPO to Launch F17 Pro in Nepal Soon',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company has started promotional activities ahead of the launch of the latest device in the F series of smartphones via its social media platforms. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">OPPO&#39;s brand ambassador, actress Swastima Khadka, along with stars from the Nepali Film Industry such as&nbsp; Anoop Bikram Shahi, Alisha Rai, and photographer/filmmaker Sanjog Rai were also seen indulging in promotion of the upcoming phone through their respective social media handles.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The F series smartphones were one of the most popular from OPPO and was first launched by the company in 2016 in Nepal, reads a statement issued by the company. And now, the company is all set to add to the series by launching the OPPO F17 Pro, which it claims will help to further elevate the series with its ultra sleek fashionable design and innovative technologies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company further claims that the OPPO F17 Pro is expected to redefine the standards of lightweight and design, making it the most fashionable F series smartphone by OPPO.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company hasn&rsquo;t given a specific launch timeline for the OPPO F17 Pro phone in Nepal. However, from the language that the company is using in its teaser for the phone, it appears the launch of the phone could just be around the corner.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">As, of now the specs of the F17 Pro hasn&#39;t yet been officially announced, even though the expectation is that the phone will maintain the certain design elements while improving at the same time on core specs to ensure that the phone can truly emerge as an upgrade on the F15 series. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12495',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bajaj’s Announces Festive Offer',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand & Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched “Rojerai Khusi” scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched &ldquo;Rojerai Khusi&rdquo; scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Bajaj said in a statement that the company has always come up with exciting schemes and offers for the customers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">&ldquo;Even in the time of COVID-19 pandemic, Bajaj is trying to scatter happiness among the customers by providing offers as per their need. On this auspicious occasion of Dashain and Tihar festival, Bajaj provides an opportunity for customers to enjoy the benefits of three different schemes and happily celebrate the festivals ensuring their safety,&rdquo; reads the statement.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under this new scheme, customers can purchase any brand new Bajaj motorcycle by choosing one among the three available offers &ndash; either cash discount of Rs 10,000 or zero percent interest on a 50 percent down payment or financing on a 20 percent down payment. This offer is available in all showrooms across the country, the statement added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">After the announcement, Shekhar Golchha, managing director of Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, shared, &ldquo;Bajaj is always driven towards providing our customers with exciting and beneficial offers as per the need of time. We are glad to be the reason for customer&rsquo;s happiness and Rojerai Khusi is perfect to be part of their celebration in this festival season. We hope our customers will be delighted with this offer.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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$articles = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12512',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Warns of Blacklisting Two Defaulting Contractors',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This file photo shows construction taking place along the Chabahil-Jorpati road. Photo NBA</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has sought clarification from United Builders and Engineers Pvt Ltd and Diwa/Sailung JV on why they should not be blacklisted for not completing major projects related to road construction in Kathmandu Valley in time. They have been given seven days for submitting written clarification. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project issued a public notice on Wednesday mentioning the names of these two companies. In the notice, the KVREP has said that the two companies failed to complete their tasks in time and have shown no interest to complete the work during the extended deadline on the pretext of coronavirus crisis. KVREP has warned that it would scrap the contract and&nbsp; blacklist the two companies if their clarifications are not satisfactory.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">United Builders and Engineers was awarded the contract to construct the 3.6 kilometer section of Chabahil-Jorpati-Sankhu road six years ago. The time period for completion of the project expired six months ago. The deadline was extended for six months but the company is not in a position to complete the work, says Guru Adhikari, chief of the KVREP. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, Diwa/Sailung JV is also under scrutiny for not completing the 3.2 kilometer section of Dholahiti-Sunakothi-Chapagaun road in the last five years. The company has completed only 300 meters of the road, informed Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12509',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Rasuwagadhi Border Opens after 3 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 24: Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. China has started sending goods across the border since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, Punya Bikram Khadka, informed that China will be sending five goods-laden containers across the border per day starting from Thursday (September 24).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">On Wednesday, only one container with health equipment had entered Nepal through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">This vital border point was closed on January 29 after coronavirus started spreading in China. It was opened four months later but was closed again after the workers involved in unloading goods at the customs point were found infected with coronavirus in late August. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had been repeatedly requesting the Chinese side to release the goods that had been stuck since weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The customs officials have mobilized eight dozers to clear the obstruction caused by landslides along the road within Nepal&rsquo;s territory. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A Chinese delegation had paid an inspection visit to the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office on Wednesday prior to releasing the container carrying health equipment. After observing the customs office, the Chinese side agreed to unload goods in&nbsp; two shifts, informed Khadka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The Chinese officials had visited this place to find a place across the friendship bridge where they could unload the goods,&rdquo; added Khadka. &ldquo;We are hopeful they will release more goods.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the last fiscal year, goods worth Rs 27 billion had entered Nepal through this customs point. The customs office had collected revenue worth Rs 7 billion during that period. This year, goods worth Rs 1 billion has entered through the customs point due to various obstructions.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12508',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Demand for Medicines takes a Nosedive',
			'sub_title' => 'People Avoid Visiting Hospitals and only Chronic Patients Seek Medicines',
			'summary' => 'September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The drug manufacturers say that they were forced to cut their production as the demand for drugs other than those required for chronic illness and paracetamol have become almost nil after the government imposed lockdown to contain the spread of 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Due to the slump in demand, the drug manufacturers have slashed their production by almost 70 percent, informed Narayan Bahadur Chhetri, president of the </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The drug manufacturers are producing very less amount of drugs because there is no demand for drugs in the market,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Initially, the drug manufacturers lowered their production after India and China restricted supply of raw materials for the durgs and also increased their prices. But now, although the supply chain is not disrupted, there is no demand for drugs at all, says Chhetri. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chhetri says people have started avoiding hospitals unless it is absolutely necessary due to the fear of contracting coronavirus. He considers this as the main reason for the lack of demand for medicines.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Deurali Janata Pharmaceuticals, which is the largest drug manufacturer of Nepal, stopped production for almost a month due to lack of demand for drugs in the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Operator of the company Hari Bhakta Sharma informed that they had to halt production for some time because there wasn&rsquo;t any demand for drugs but have now resumed production.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;We have been producing drugs in accordance to the market demand,&rdquo; he told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Sitaram Ghimire informed that the number of people visiting hospitals has reduced drastically in the recent days. According to Ghimire, the demand for medicines used to treat trauma, skin diseased and pain killers have dropped sharply. The demand for medicines used for the treatment of cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes and other chronic illnesses is normal, informed Ghimire. He added that the demand for psychiatric drugs has however skyrocketed in the recent days.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;Many people have lost their jobs. There is massive fear of pandemic, and that is why people are stressed,&rdquo; said Ghimire,, adding, &ldquo;This has resulted depression among the masses.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12507',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Recruitment of Railway Staff to be Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19.&nbsp; It has been informed that Department of Railways will not appoint railway staff for the 34-kilometer Janakpur-Jayanagar railway immediately. </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:Calibri">Since the operation of the train along Janakpur-Jayanagar is uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic, authorities believe that the cost of hiring staff in such a situation may accelerate the expenditure of the railway.</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:Calibri">However, the Nepal Railway Company will continue the process of recruiting technical and administrative staff for the operation of the train. Guru Bhattarai, general manager of the company, informed that the government-owned company was not prepared to hire staff due to the uncertainty in the operation of the train amid COVID-19 crisis.</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:Calibri">&quot;The process of appointing the railway staff has been started. Notice has been issued for the appointment of 129 employees on contract basis. The process of hiring staff including train drivers and controllers from India has also been initiated, but there won&rsquo;t be any appointment for the time being,&rdquo; Bhattarai informed.</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:Calibri">He added that the recruitment and training of the railway staff will be started soon after the containment of the virus. The government had appointed Bhattarai as the general manager of the Nepal Railway Company, which has its head office in Janakpur, only two months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12506',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Survey Reveals Extent of Fallout from the Pandemic on MSMEs in Nepal ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales.',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: IFC South Asia/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 23:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales. </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 finding is revealed in the COVID-19 Nepal Business Pulse Survey carried out between May 25<sup> </sup>and June 10 by the IFC and World Bank, in partnership with the government of Japan. It shows a fifth of businesses surveyed have started to use or have been using the Internet, social media, specialized apps, or digital platforms for business purposes.</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 survey also reveals over half of Nepal&rsquo;s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face the risk of permanently closing their operations within a month under the current conditions of COVID-19 impacts. </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">Based on a sample of more than 540 representatives from MSMEs across all provinces the survey also revealed over eighty percent of businesses have suffered from a slump in sales and have taken measures such as granting leave without pay or reduced the hours or wages of their employees. </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">&ldquo;These findings highlight the severe burden micro, small and medium sized businesses are facing in Nepal due to the impacts of COVID-19,&rdquo; said Rolf Behrndt, IFC South Asia Manager for Advisory Services. &ldquo;We know these businesses play a vital role in Nepal&rsquo;s economy but clearly with a drop-in demand and sales, employers have had to opt for a range of measures to cope with less revenue, prompting questions about their future viability.&rdquo;</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">Forty-five percent of the firms had granted leave of absence to employees, and 27 percent had reduced working hours. Across all sectors, sizes and locations of firms, 12 percent of female employees have been put on reduced pay. </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">&ldquo;The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a major blow to Nepal&rsquo;s economy, with enterprises of all sizes bearing the brunt with little to no revenue. Eighty-three percent of the firms reported a decline in sales compared to the same time last year,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC Country Manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Micro, small and medium sized businesses play a key role in helping Nepal&rsquo;s economy grow. I believe these findings would be useful in preparing a well-informed response to help the businesses get back on their feet.&rdquo;</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">MSMEs contribute 22 per cent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) employing about 1.75 million people. Ten Central Bureau of Statistics projects that the fallout from the&nbsp; pandemic will mean significant contractions in the expected growth rate for the sector in the fiscal year 2020 compared to the past 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">&nbsp;&ldquo;These survey results shine a stark light on the importance of ensuring that this sector not only survives the COVID-19 pandemic but also transforms in ways that improves its resilience and capacity to contribute to economic recovery.&nbsp; To this end, the World Bank &ndash; working closely with the government and the private sector &ndash; has prepared new projects to support micro, small and medium enterprises, including in the agriculture, tourism and financial sectors,&rdquo; said Faris Hadad-Zervos, the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. </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">Globally, IFC has put in place a package of measures&mdash;worth a total of $8 billion&mdash;to help sustain economies and protect jobs around the globe. In Nepal, IFC has just invested $25 million in NMB Bank to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and green projects, and there are more under discussion with other clients.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12505',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of gold dropped by Rs 1200 per tola (11 grams approx.) on Wednesday as compared to the previous day. Gold is being traded for Rs 94,300 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The price of gold had declined by Rs 1700 on Tuesday as well. The price was stable on Sunday but increased by Rs 200 per 11 grams on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, the price of silver also declined by Rs 40 per 11 grams. Silver is being traded for Rs 1190 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The decline in prices of gold and silver in the Nepali market is a result of the decline in prices in the international market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Earlier, the price of gold had crossed the mark of Rs 100,000 per 11 grams some weeks ago due to uncertainty caused by coronavirus and the trade war between USA and China. But the price started declining gradually after Russia announced vaccine for coronavirus. It is believed that international investors started investing&nbsp; in gold amid global uncertainty, triggering a price hike.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-09-23',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12502',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Over 7,000 Nepali Migrant Workers off to Foreign Employment amid Global Pandemic ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><em>A general view of the Tribhuvan International&nbsp; Airport in this file photo. </em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 22: With the government opening the door for foreign employment, the number of Nepali migrant workers going for foreign employment has increased drastically. A total of 7,290 Nepali workers have left the country for foreign employment as of September 18.</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:Calibri">Nepali workers have started going to labour destinations for employment with new work permits and renewal of work permits.</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:Calibri">The government had stopped accepting applications for work permits for foreign employment on March 11 after a surge in coronavirus infection. Since the last two months, the government has gradually started to issue work permits for foreign employment.</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:Calibri">The government had resumed renewal of work permits for Nepali migrant workers from June 28 while it resumed issuing new permits from September 2 onwards. Since then, more than 7,000 Nepali workers have gone to labor destinations for foreign employment, states a report prepared by the Department of Foreign Employment.</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:Calibri">Manpower companies that have sent Nepali workers aboard during the period informed that 117 individuals have traveled abroad with new work permits.</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:Calibri">Earlier, more than 328,000 workers had returned to Nepal on leave and were stranded after the government postponed renewal and issuance of work permits. Likewise, 115,000 workers were not able to go for foreign employment despite receiving their visas. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-09-22',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12501',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '12 Companies get Permission to use Trademark for Nepalese Orthodox Tea',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market  for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market&nbsp; for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Out of 42 companies that had filed application to use the trademark with the tagline &lsquo;Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalayas&rsquo;, 12 have been granted permission to use the trademark logo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ghanshyam Bhusan was scheduled to distribute certificates to the companies amid a programme in Fikal of Ilam district on Tuesday (September 22). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Regional chief of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board Indra Prasad Adhikari informed that these 12 companies will now be able to export Nepali orthodox tea with the trademark logo. The trademark was made public by the government two years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Advisor to the Nepal Tea Planters Association Udaya Chapagain believes that the use of trademark logo will enhance the reputation of Nepalese tea in the international market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Tea was introduced in Nepal some 157 years ago, when Colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa &ndash; the son-in-law of Junga Bahadur Rana &ndash; brought saplings of tea from China and started commercial farming in Nepal, informed Chapagain.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The tea producers have to file an application with the board by fulfilling all the criteria in order to use the trademark.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had introduced Nepal Orthodox Tea Certification Trademark Implementation Regulation 2074 some two and a half years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There are around 100 small and medium sized tea industries in Nepal and they have to produce tea by following the standard set by the board in order to acquire the trademark certification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/20181213020242_tea%20farm.jpg" style="height:533px; width:800px" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12500',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'IFC Report urges Companies to Boost Women’s Participation in Hydropower Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women’s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">This photo taken from Twitter shows Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.</span></span></em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women&rsquo;s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.</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">IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, calls for companies to adopt gender sensitive policies and practices to attract more women into working in the hydropower. </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">&ldquo;Women make up more than half of Nepal&rsquo;s population, yet the study reveals only 10 percent of all employees in the country&rsquo;s hydropower sector are women,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Companies need to seize the opportunity to embark on more gender-sensitive and family-friendly policies to help boost staff productivity and attract and retain talent which will ultimately boost their businesses.&rdquo; </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 study of 20 companies is part of the Powered by Women initiative&mdash;a time-bound commitment by companies to build the business case for improved gender equality and diversity in renewable energy companies 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">&ldquo;We recognize the need to make conscious efforts to increase the number of women in power sector. Our organization has already taken a forward step by making women participation in the executive committee mandatory,&rdquo; said Ashish Garg, vice president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;By partnering with IFC in this important initiative we are committing to championing this cause.&rdquo;</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 report recommends that companies need to develop and enforce gender-sensitive policies, including mechanisms to address cases of bullying, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation. </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">More tailored programs to support professional development opportunities for women, such as more robust recruiting efforts directed at women&rsquo;s advancement into leadership positions and targets for diversity in board representation, are also encouraged. Meanwhile, at the community level, the report urges increased support from companies to women-led businesses, including improving their access to finance, and efforts to train women in non-traditional roles within the sector. </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 study &ndash; spearheaded by IFC&rsquo;s Hydro Environmental and Social Advisory team in partnership with the governments of Australia, Norway and Japan &ndash;shows very few of those employed are in leadership positions, included in corporate boards or occupy non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector. </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">&ldquo;Despite the considerable scope for women to take up non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector, we found that most companies in Nepal have not yet initiated adequate efforts to realize this,&rdquo; said Kate Lazarus, team leader of Asia Environment and Social Governance for IFC. &ldquo;While some companies, particularly those led by women entrepreneurs, do show willingness in this regard, there are still challenges in transforming that intent into action on the ground.&rdquo;</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">Gender stereotyping, remoteness of hydropower project sites and a lack of women in science, technology, engineering, and math education have been identified as key constraints for women&rsquo;s participation in this sector. Concerns around initial investment costs and uncertainty over whether there will be a pay off in the short- to medium-term were also inhibiting factors, according to the study.</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">Nepal ranks 105 out of 149 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index 2018 conducted by the World Economic Forum, indicating that there is still a critical need to focus on gender equality across various spheres.</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 study was conducted between 2019 and 2020. Over two dozen executives and almost 250 employees working in 20 companies within Nepal&rsquo;s hydropower industry contributed to the research. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'created' => '2020-09-22',
			'modified' => '2020-09-22',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12247',
			'image' => '20200922012047_HX9N.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-09-22 13:19:15',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12499',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Remittance Service goes Digital in Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has made arrangement for the migrant workers to send remittance through mobile and internet banking as well as electronic cards, digital wallets and other electronic means.</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 Foreign Exchange Management Department of the Nepal Rastra Bank issued a notice on Monday (September 21) informing about the new arrangement which has effectively ended the compulsion for people to rely upon remittance agents or visit banks to receive remittance.</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">In order to benefit from this service, the migrant workers need to activate digital service like mobile and internet banking from their respective banks in Nepal as well as Nepali payment gateways that provide digital wallet service.</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">With this new system, money transferred from abroad will be available in Nepal instantly and the details of the transaction will also be available, says NRB.</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">Executive Director of the central bank&rsquo;s Foreign Exchange Management Department Bam Bahadur Mishra claimed that this new system will address the problem of entering wrong account number and also get rid of the hassles of showing one&rsquo;s citizenship certificate to receive the amount.</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">He further said that the central bank introduced this system ahead of Dashain considering the fact that the remittance inflow to Nepal increases significantly during the festive season.</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">&ldquo;This arrangement will allow migrant workers to send money using their smart phones and other digital technology. But the users must activate digital service first,&rdquo; says Mishra.</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 mobile and internet banking services provided by banks can be used to avail this facility. The migrant workers can also use eSewa, IME Pay, Fone Pay, Khalti among 14 payment gateways to send money from abroad, according to NRB.</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">However, for the service to work seamlessly, the banks and remittance service providers have to collaborate with the electronic payment gateways of the respective countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'sortorder' => '12246',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12498',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizers from Bangladesh to Arrive after More than a Month',
			'sub_title' => 'Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Calls Tender for Bringing the Fertilizers',
			'summary' => 'September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh. The government had handed the responsibility of bringing the fertilizers from Bangladesh on loan to the Agriculture Inputs 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had asked for assistance from Bangladesh to supply urea after the farmers faced acute shortage of the chemical fertilizer during the planting season this year. The KP Oli-led government had reached an understanding with Bangladesh three weeks ago to receive the fertilizer on condition that it will return the same amount of fertilizer to Bangladesh after eight 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A cabinet meeting last Thursday handed over the responsibility of bringing the fertilizer to the Agriculture Inputs Company, following which the company called for tender bids.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the purchase division of Agriculture Inputs Company, Bishnu Pokharel, informed that they are planning to bring the fertilizer from Chittagong of Bangladesh. For this, the company has issued tender with a deadline of seven days. The state-owned company informed that it will take around 25 days to finalize the deal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">It is estimated that it will take at least a month for the fertilizers to reach Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bangladesh has a stock of 1 million tons of urea from which it will lend 50,000 tons to Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-09-21',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12245',
			'image' => '20200921054244_20200907122502_597613093.Clipboard02.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-09-21 17:42:05',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12496',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '50 Containers of Dates Stopped in Birgunj Start Rotting',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.</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:Calibri">About 50 containers of dates have been stranded at the Birgunj Dry Port as the government has not decided what to do with them. It has been reported that the dates have started rotting because they have been held at the customs points for a long time. The government on April 29 had banned the import of dates, pepper, peas and betel nuts, citing increasing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.</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:Calibri">Prior to giving the green signal to import the peas, pepper and betel nuts, 1,000 containers of these goods were stopped at various entry points because they were imported without the prior approval of the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.</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:Calibri">A cabinet meeting held on August 29 had decided to allow the entry of peas and pepper for once. Earlier, the cabinet had also decided to release the betel nuts stopped at the checkpoints.</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:Calibri">However, importer Navneet Agrawal informed that even though peas, pepper and betel nuts were approved for clearance, only dates have been stopped at the ports for more than five months. </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:Calibri">Agrawal has accused the government of discrimination for allowing the import of peas, pepper and betel nuts while restricting the dates. </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:Calibri">&ldquo;The government had restricted the import of all of them at the same time but has removed the restriction on only peas, pepper and betel nuts,&rdquo; he informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-09-21',
			'modified' => '2020-09-21',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12244',
			'image' => '20200921015539_1600646914.78.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-09-21 13:55:07',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12494',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Domestic Flights Resume from Today',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of 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">The government has allowed private companies to operate only 25 percent of flights compared to normal days.</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">Airline companies such as Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines offered pre booking service since last Friday. More than 70 percent seats of all airline companies have been booked, the airline operators informed on Sunday. </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">Shree Airlines will be opening bookings only after a few days, informed the company&rsquo;s manager Anil Manandhar.</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">Buddha Air confirmed 70 percent bookings as of Sunday evening (September 20). Buddha Air&rsquo;s manager Rupesh Shrestha informed New Business Age that they have received permission to operate 17 flights on Monday (September 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">Meanwhile, Yeti Airlines&rsquo; spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said that the company will be operating 11 flights a day.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepal Airlines Corporation, the state-owned company of Nepal, has also unveiled its flights schedule. As per the schedule, the flag carrier of Nepal will conduct 10 flights a day to various &nbsp;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">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that the airline companies have been allowed to resume flights by following health safety standards set by the government and the international protocols of the ICAO.</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">People with symptoms of coronavirus will be barred from flights. The airports have been instructed to check the body temperatures of the passengers twice and to follow contactless check-in, maintain physical distance and use hand sanitizers for the passengers. The passengers have also been instructed to compulsorily wear masks and visors.&nbsp; </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 airline companies have been permitted to carry passengers in full capacity and so the airfare has not increased. Although the government had lifted a ban on domestic flights from September 17, the airline operators had suspended flights demanding operating flights in full capacity.</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 had earlier decided to allow private airliners to resume flights with 50 percent passengers. But the government later backtracked from its decision and agreed to the demand of the airline operators.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12497',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'OPPO to Launch F17 Pro in Nepal Soon',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company has started promotional activities ahead of the launch of the latest device in the F series of smartphones via its social media platforms. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">OPPO&#39;s brand ambassador, actress Swastima Khadka, along with stars from the Nepali Film Industry such as&nbsp; Anoop Bikram Shahi, Alisha Rai, and photographer/filmmaker Sanjog Rai were also seen indulging in promotion of the upcoming phone through their respective social media handles.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The F series smartphones were one of the most popular from OPPO and was first launched by the company in 2016 in Nepal, reads a statement issued by the company. And now, the company is all set to add to the series by launching the OPPO F17 Pro, which it claims will help to further elevate the series with its ultra sleek fashionable design and innovative technologies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company further claims that the OPPO F17 Pro is expected to redefine the standards of lightweight and design, making it the most fashionable F series smartphone by OPPO.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company hasn&rsquo;t given a specific launch timeline for the OPPO F17 Pro phone in Nepal. However, from the language that the company is using in its teaser for the phone, it appears the launch of the phone could just be around the corner.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">As, of now the specs of the F17 Pro hasn&#39;t yet been officially announced, even though the expectation is that the phone will maintain the certain design elements while improving at the same time on core specs to ensure that the phone can truly emerge as an upgrade on the F15 series. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'modified' => '2020-09-21',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12242',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12495',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bajaj’s Announces Festive Offer',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand & Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched “Rojerai Khusi” scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched &ldquo;Rojerai Khusi&rdquo; scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Bajaj said in a statement that the company has always come up with exciting schemes and offers for the customers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">&ldquo;Even in the time of COVID-19 pandemic, Bajaj is trying to scatter happiness among the customers by providing offers as per their need. On this auspicious occasion of Dashain and Tihar festival, Bajaj provides an opportunity for customers to enjoy the benefits of three different schemes and happily celebrate the festivals ensuring their safety,&rdquo; reads the statement.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under this new scheme, customers can purchase any brand new Bajaj motorcycle by choosing one among the three available offers &ndash; either cash discount of Rs 10,000 or zero percent interest on a 50 percent down payment or financing on a 20 percent down payment. This offer is available in all showrooms across the country, the statement added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">After the announcement, Shekhar Golchha, managing director of Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, shared, &ldquo;Bajaj is always driven towards providing our customers with exciting and beneficial offers as per the need of time. We are glad to be the reason for customer&rsquo;s happiness and Rojerai Khusi is perfect to be part of their celebration in this festival season. We hope our customers will be delighted with this offer.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '12512',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Warns of Blacklisting Two Defaulting Contractors',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This file photo shows construction taking place along the Chabahil-Jorpati road. Photo NBA</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has sought clarification from United Builders and Engineers Pvt Ltd and Diwa/Sailung JV on why they should not be blacklisted for not completing major projects related to road construction in Kathmandu Valley in time. They have been given seven days for submitting written clarification. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project issued a public notice on Wednesday mentioning the names of these two companies. In the notice, the KVREP has said that the two companies failed to complete their tasks in time and have shown no interest to complete the work during the extended deadline on the pretext of coronavirus crisis. KVREP has warned that it would scrap the contract and&nbsp; blacklist the two companies if their clarifications are not satisfactory.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">United Builders and Engineers was awarded the contract to construct the 3.6 kilometer section of Chabahil-Jorpati-Sankhu road six years ago. The time period for completion of the project expired six months ago. The deadline was extended for six months but the company is not in a position to complete the work, says Guru Adhikari, chief of the KVREP. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, Diwa/Sailung JV is also under scrutiny for not completing the 3.2 kilometer section of Dholahiti-Sunakothi-Chapagaun road in the last five years. The company has completed only 300 meters of the road, informed Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12509',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Rasuwagadhi Border Opens after 3 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 24: Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. China has started sending goods across the border since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, Punya Bikram Khadka, informed that China will be sending five goods-laden containers across the border per day starting from Thursday (September 24).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">On Wednesday, only one container with health equipment had entered Nepal through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">This vital border point was closed on January 29 after coronavirus started spreading in China. It was opened four months later but was closed again after the workers involved in unloading goods at the customs point were found infected with coronavirus in late August. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had been repeatedly requesting the Chinese side to release the goods that had been stuck since weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The customs officials have mobilized eight dozers to clear the obstruction caused by landslides along the road within Nepal&rsquo;s territory. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A Chinese delegation had paid an inspection visit to the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office on Wednesday prior to releasing the container carrying health equipment. After observing the customs office, the Chinese side agreed to unload goods in&nbsp; two shifts, informed Khadka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The Chinese officials had visited this place to find a place across the friendship bridge where they could unload the goods,&rdquo; added Khadka. &ldquo;We are hopeful they will release more goods.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the last fiscal year, goods worth Rs 27 billion had entered Nepal through this customs point. The customs office had collected revenue worth Rs 7 billion during that period. This year, goods worth Rs 1 billion has entered through the customs point due to various obstructions.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '12508',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Demand for Medicines takes a Nosedive',
			'sub_title' => 'People Avoid Visiting Hospitals and only Chronic Patients Seek Medicines',
			'summary' => 'September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The drug manufacturers say that they were forced to cut their production as the demand for drugs other than those required for chronic illness and paracetamol have become almost nil after the government imposed lockdown to contain the spread of 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Due to the slump in demand, the drug manufacturers have slashed their production by almost 70 percent, informed Narayan Bahadur Chhetri, president of the </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The drug manufacturers are producing very less amount of drugs because there is no demand for drugs in the market,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Initially, the drug manufacturers lowered their production after India and China restricted supply of raw materials for the durgs and also increased their prices. But now, although the supply chain is not disrupted, there is no demand for drugs at all, says Chhetri. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chhetri says people have started avoiding hospitals unless it is absolutely necessary due to the fear of contracting coronavirus. He considers this as the main reason for the lack of demand for medicines.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Deurali Janata Pharmaceuticals, which is the largest drug manufacturer of Nepal, stopped production for almost a month due to lack of demand for drugs in the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Operator of the company Hari Bhakta Sharma informed that they had to halt production for some time because there wasn&rsquo;t any demand for drugs but have now resumed production.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;We have been producing drugs in accordance to the market demand,&rdquo; he told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Sitaram Ghimire informed that the number of people visiting hospitals has reduced drastically in the recent days. According to Ghimire, the demand for medicines used to treat trauma, skin diseased and pain killers have dropped sharply. The demand for medicines used for the treatment of cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes and other chronic illnesses is normal, informed Ghimire. He added that the demand for psychiatric drugs has however skyrocketed in the recent days.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;Many people have lost their jobs. There is massive fear of pandemic, and that is why people are stressed,&rdquo; said Ghimire,, adding, &ldquo;This has resulted depression among the masses.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12507',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Recruitment of Railway Staff to be Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19.&nbsp; It has been informed that Department of Railways will not appoint railway staff for the 34-kilometer Janakpur-Jayanagar railway immediately. </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:Calibri">Since the operation of the train along Janakpur-Jayanagar is uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic, authorities believe that the cost of hiring staff in such a situation may accelerate the expenditure of the railway.</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:Calibri">However, the Nepal Railway Company will continue the process of recruiting technical and administrative staff for the operation of the train. Guru Bhattarai, general manager of the company, informed that the government-owned company was not prepared to hire staff due to the uncertainty in the operation of the train amid COVID-19 crisis.</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:Calibri">&quot;The process of appointing the railway staff has been started. Notice has been issued for the appointment of 129 employees on contract basis. The process of hiring staff including train drivers and controllers from India has also been initiated, but there won&rsquo;t be any appointment for the time being,&rdquo; Bhattarai informed.</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:Calibri">He added that the recruitment and training of the railway staff will be started soon after the containment of the virus. The government had appointed Bhattarai as the general manager of the Nepal Railway Company, which has its head office in Janakpur, only two months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12506',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Survey Reveals Extent of Fallout from the Pandemic on MSMEs in Nepal ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales.',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: IFC South Asia/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 23:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales. </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 finding is revealed in the COVID-19 Nepal Business Pulse Survey carried out between May 25<sup> </sup>and June 10 by the IFC and World Bank, in partnership with the government of Japan. It shows a fifth of businesses surveyed have started to use or have been using the Internet, social media, specialized apps, or digital platforms for business purposes.</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 survey also reveals over half of Nepal&rsquo;s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face the risk of permanently closing their operations within a month under the current conditions of COVID-19 impacts. </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">Based on a sample of more than 540 representatives from MSMEs across all provinces the survey also revealed over eighty percent of businesses have suffered from a slump in sales and have taken measures such as granting leave without pay or reduced the hours or wages of their employees. </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">&ldquo;These findings highlight the severe burden micro, small and medium sized businesses are facing in Nepal due to the impacts of COVID-19,&rdquo; said Rolf Behrndt, IFC South Asia Manager for Advisory Services. &ldquo;We know these businesses play a vital role in Nepal&rsquo;s economy but clearly with a drop-in demand and sales, employers have had to opt for a range of measures to cope with less revenue, prompting questions about their future viability.&rdquo;</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">Forty-five percent of the firms had granted leave of absence to employees, and 27 percent had reduced working hours. Across all sectors, sizes and locations of firms, 12 percent of female employees have been put on reduced pay. </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">&ldquo;The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a major blow to Nepal&rsquo;s economy, with enterprises of all sizes bearing the brunt with little to no revenue. Eighty-three percent of the firms reported a decline in sales compared to the same time last year,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC Country Manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Micro, small and medium sized businesses play a key role in helping Nepal&rsquo;s economy grow. I believe these findings would be useful in preparing a well-informed response to help the businesses get back on their feet.&rdquo;</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">MSMEs contribute 22 per cent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) employing about 1.75 million people. Ten Central Bureau of Statistics projects that the fallout from the&nbsp; pandemic will mean significant contractions in the expected growth rate for the sector in the fiscal year 2020 compared to the past 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">&nbsp;&ldquo;These survey results shine a stark light on the importance of ensuring that this sector not only survives the COVID-19 pandemic but also transforms in ways that improves its resilience and capacity to contribute to economic recovery.&nbsp; To this end, the World Bank &ndash; working closely with the government and the private sector &ndash; has prepared new projects to support micro, small and medium enterprises, including in the agriculture, tourism and financial sectors,&rdquo; said Faris Hadad-Zervos, the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. </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">Globally, IFC has put in place a package of measures&mdash;worth a total of $8 billion&mdash;to help sustain economies and protect jobs around the globe. In Nepal, IFC has just invested $25 million in NMB Bank to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and green projects, and there are more under discussion with other clients.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12505',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of gold dropped by Rs 1200 per tola (11 grams approx.) on Wednesday as compared to the previous day. Gold is being traded for Rs 94,300 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The price of gold had declined by Rs 1700 on Tuesday as well. The price was stable on Sunday but increased by Rs 200 per 11 grams on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, the price of silver also declined by Rs 40 per 11 grams. Silver is being traded for Rs 1190 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The decline in prices of gold and silver in the Nepali market is a result of the decline in prices in the international market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Earlier, the price of gold had crossed the mark of Rs 100,000 per 11 grams some weeks ago due to uncertainty caused by coronavirus and the trade war between USA and China. But the price started declining gradually after Russia announced vaccine for coronavirus. It is believed that international investors started investing&nbsp; in gold amid global uncertainty, triggering a price hike.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_date' => '2020-09-23 11:34:48',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12502',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Over 7,000 Nepali Migrant Workers off to Foreign Employment amid Global Pandemic ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><em>A general view of the Tribhuvan International&nbsp; Airport in this file photo. </em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 22: With the government opening the door for foreign employment, the number of Nepali migrant workers going for foreign employment has increased drastically. A total of 7,290 Nepali workers have left the country for foreign employment as of September 18.</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:Calibri">Nepali workers have started going to labour destinations for employment with new work permits and renewal of work permits.</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:Calibri">The government had stopped accepting applications for work permits for foreign employment on March 11 after a surge in coronavirus infection. Since the last two months, the government has gradually started to issue work permits for foreign employment.</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:Calibri">The government had resumed renewal of work permits for Nepali migrant workers from June 28 while it resumed issuing new permits from September 2 onwards. Since then, more than 7,000 Nepali workers have gone to labor destinations for foreign employment, states a report prepared by the Department of Foreign Employment.</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:Calibri">Manpower companies that have sent Nepali workers aboard during the period informed that 117 individuals have traveled abroad with new work permits.</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:Calibri">Earlier, more than 328,000 workers had returned to Nepal on leave and were stranded after the government postponed renewal and issuance of work permits. Likewise, 115,000 workers were not able to go for foreign employment despite receiving their visas. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12501',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '12 Companies get Permission to use Trademark for Nepalese Orthodox Tea',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market  for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market&nbsp; for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Out of 42 companies that had filed application to use the trademark with the tagline &lsquo;Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalayas&rsquo;, 12 have been granted permission to use the trademark logo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ghanshyam Bhusan was scheduled to distribute certificates to the companies amid a programme in Fikal of Ilam district on Tuesday (September 22). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Regional chief of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board Indra Prasad Adhikari informed that these 12 companies will now be able to export Nepali orthodox tea with the trademark logo. The trademark was made public by the government two years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Advisor to the Nepal Tea Planters Association Udaya Chapagain believes that the use of trademark logo will enhance the reputation of Nepalese tea in the international market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Tea was introduced in Nepal some 157 years ago, when Colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa &ndash; the son-in-law of Junga Bahadur Rana &ndash; brought saplings of tea from China and started commercial farming in Nepal, informed Chapagain.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The tea producers have to file an application with the board by fulfilling all the criteria in order to use the trademark.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had introduced Nepal Orthodox Tea Certification Trademark Implementation Regulation 2074 some two and a half years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There are around 100 small and medium sized tea industries in Nepal and they have to produce tea by following the standard set by the board in order to acquire the trademark certification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/20181213020242_tea%20farm.jpg" style="height:533px; width:800px" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12500',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'IFC Report urges Companies to Boost Women’s Participation in Hydropower Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women’s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">This photo taken from Twitter shows Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.</span></span></em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women&rsquo;s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.</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">IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, calls for companies to adopt gender sensitive policies and practices to attract more women into working in the hydropower. </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">&ldquo;Women make up more than half of Nepal&rsquo;s population, yet the study reveals only 10 percent of all employees in the country&rsquo;s hydropower sector are women,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Companies need to seize the opportunity to embark on more gender-sensitive and family-friendly policies to help boost staff productivity and attract and retain talent which will ultimately boost their businesses.&rdquo; </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 study of 20 companies is part of the Powered by Women initiative&mdash;a time-bound commitment by companies to build the business case for improved gender equality and diversity in renewable energy companies 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">&ldquo;We recognize the need to make conscious efforts to increase the number of women in power sector. Our organization has already taken a forward step by making women participation in the executive committee mandatory,&rdquo; said Ashish Garg, vice president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;By partnering with IFC in this important initiative we are committing to championing this cause.&rdquo;</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 report recommends that companies need to develop and enforce gender-sensitive policies, including mechanisms to address cases of bullying, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation. </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">More tailored programs to support professional development opportunities for women, such as more robust recruiting efforts directed at women&rsquo;s advancement into leadership positions and targets for diversity in board representation, are also encouraged. Meanwhile, at the community level, the report urges increased support from companies to women-led businesses, including improving their access to finance, and efforts to train women in non-traditional roles within the sector. </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 study &ndash; spearheaded by IFC&rsquo;s Hydro Environmental and Social Advisory team in partnership with the governments of Australia, Norway and Japan &ndash;shows very few of those employed are in leadership positions, included in corporate boards or occupy non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector. </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">&ldquo;Despite the considerable scope for women to take up non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector, we found that most companies in Nepal have not yet initiated adequate efforts to realize this,&rdquo; said Kate Lazarus, team leader of Asia Environment and Social Governance for IFC. &ldquo;While some companies, particularly those led by women entrepreneurs, do show willingness in this regard, there are still challenges in transforming that intent into action on the ground.&rdquo;</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">Gender stereotyping, remoteness of hydropower project sites and a lack of women in science, technology, engineering, and math education have been identified as key constraints for women&rsquo;s participation in this sector. Concerns around initial investment costs and uncertainty over whether there will be a pay off in the short- to medium-term were also inhibiting factors, according to the study.</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">Nepal ranks 105 out of 149 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index 2018 conducted by the World Economic Forum, indicating that there is still a critical need to focus on gender equality across various spheres.</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 study was conducted between 2019 and 2020. Over two dozen executives and almost 250 employees working in 20 companies within Nepal&rsquo;s hydropower industry contributed to the research. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12499',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Remittance Service goes Digital in Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has made arrangement for the migrant workers to send remittance through mobile and internet banking as well as electronic cards, digital wallets and other electronic means.</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 Foreign Exchange Management Department of the Nepal Rastra Bank issued a notice on Monday (September 21) informing about the new arrangement which has effectively ended the compulsion for people to rely upon remittance agents or visit banks to receive remittance.</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">In order to benefit from this service, the migrant workers need to activate digital service like mobile and internet banking from their respective banks in Nepal as well as Nepali payment gateways that provide digital wallet service.</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">With this new system, money transferred from abroad will be available in Nepal instantly and the details of the transaction will also be available, says NRB.</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">Executive Director of the central bank&rsquo;s Foreign Exchange Management Department Bam Bahadur Mishra claimed that this new system will address the problem of entering wrong account number and also get rid of the hassles of showing one&rsquo;s citizenship certificate to receive the amount.</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">He further said that the central bank introduced this system ahead of Dashain considering the fact that the remittance inflow to Nepal increases significantly during the festive season.</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">&ldquo;This arrangement will allow migrant workers to send money using their smart phones and other digital technology. But the users must activate digital service first,&rdquo; says Mishra.</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 mobile and internet banking services provided by banks can be used to avail this facility. The migrant workers can also use eSewa, IME Pay, Fone Pay, Khalti among 14 payment gateways to send money from abroad, according to NRB.</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">However, for the service to work seamlessly, the banks and remittance service providers have to collaborate with the electronic payment gateways of the respective countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12498',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizers from Bangladesh to Arrive after More than a Month',
			'sub_title' => 'Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Calls Tender for Bringing the Fertilizers',
			'summary' => 'September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh. The government had handed the responsibility of bringing the fertilizers from Bangladesh on loan to the Agriculture Inputs 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had asked for assistance from Bangladesh to supply urea after the farmers faced acute shortage of the chemical fertilizer during the planting season this year. The KP Oli-led government had reached an understanding with Bangladesh three weeks ago to receive the fertilizer on condition that it will return the same amount of fertilizer to Bangladesh after eight 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A cabinet meeting last Thursday handed over the responsibility of bringing the fertilizer to the Agriculture Inputs Company, following which the company called for tender bids.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the purchase division of Agriculture Inputs Company, Bishnu Pokharel, informed that they are planning to bring the fertilizer from Chittagong of Bangladesh. For this, the company has issued tender with a deadline of seven days. The state-owned company informed that it will take around 25 days to finalize the deal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">It is estimated that it will take at least a month for the fertilizers to reach Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bangladesh has a stock of 1 million tons of urea from which it will lend 50,000 tons to Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12496',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '50 Containers of Dates Stopped in Birgunj Start Rotting',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.</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:Calibri">About 50 containers of dates have been stranded at the Birgunj Dry Port as the government has not decided what to do with them. It has been reported that the dates have started rotting because they have been held at the customs points for a long time. The government on April 29 had banned the import of dates, pepper, peas and betel nuts, citing increasing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.</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:Calibri">Prior to giving the green signal to import the peas, pepper and betel nuts, 1,000 containers of these goods were stopped at various entry points because they were imported without the prior approval of the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.</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:Calibri">A cabinet meeting held on August 29 had decided to allow the entry of peas and pepper for once. Earlier, the cabinet had also decided to release the betel nuts stopped at the checkpoints.</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:Calibri">However, importer Navneet Agrawal informed that even though peas, pepper and betel nuts were approved for clearance, only dates have been stopped at the ports for more than five months. </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:Calibri">Agrawal has accused the government of discrimination for allowing the import of peas, pepper and betel nuts while restricting the dates. </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:Calibri">&ldquo;The government had restricted the import of all of them at the same time but has removed the restriction on only peas, pepper and betel nuts,&rdquo; he informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12494',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Domestic Flights Resume from Today',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of 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">The government has allowed private companies to operate only 25 percent of flights compared to normal days.</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">Airline companies such as Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines offered pre booking service since last Friday. More than 70 percent seats of all airline companies have been booked, the airline operators informed on Sunday. </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">Shree Airlines will be opening bookings only after a few days, informed the company&rsquo;s manager Anil Manandhar.</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">Buddha Air confirmed 70 percent bookings as of Sunday evening (September 20). Buddha Air&rsquo;s manager Rupesh Shrestha informed New Business Age that they have received permission to operate 17 flights on Monday (September 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">Meanwhile, Yeti Airlines&rsquo; spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said that the company will be operating 11 flights a day.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepal Airlines Corporation, the state-owned company of Nepal, has also unveiled its flights schedule. As per the schedule, the flag carrier of Nepal will conduct 10 flights a day to various &nbsp;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">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that the airline companies have been allowed to resume flights by following health safety standards set by the government and the international protocols of the ICAO.</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">People with symptoms of coronavirus will be barred from flights. The airports have been instructed to check the body temperatures of the passengers twice and to follow contactless check-in, maintain physical distance and use hand sanitizers for the passengers. The passengers have also been instructed to compulsorily wear masks and visors.&nbsp; </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 airline companies have been permitted to carry passengers in full capacity and so the airfare has not increased. Although the government had lifted a ban on domestic flights from September 17, the airline operators had suspended flights demanding operating flights in full capacity.</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 had earlier decided to allow private airliners to resume flights with 50 percent passengers. But the government later backtracked from its decision and agreed to the demand of the airline operators.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '12497',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'OPPO to Launch F17 Pro in Nepal Soon',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company has started promotional activities ahead of the launch of the latest device in the F series of smartphones via its social media platforms. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">OPPO&#39;s brand ambassador, actress Swastima Khadka, along with stars from the Nepali Film Industry such as&nbsp; Anoop Bikram Shahi, Alisha Rai, and photographer/filmmaker Sanjog Rai were also seen indulging in promotion of the upcoming phone through their respective social media handles.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The F series smartphones were one of the most popular from OPPO and was first launched by the company in 2016 in Nepal, reads a statement issued by the company. And now, the company is all set to add to the series by launching the OPPO F17 Pro, which it claims will help to further elevate the series with its ultra sleek fashionable design and innovative technologies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company further claims that the OPPO F17 Pro is expected to redefine the standards of lightweight and design, making it the most fashionable F series smartphone by OPPO.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company hasn&rsquo;t given a specific launch timeline for the OPPO F17 Pro phone in Nepal. However, from the language that the company is using in its teaser for the phone, it appears the launch of the phone could just be around the corner.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">As, of now the specs of the F17 Pro hasn&#39;t yet been officially announced, even though the expectation is that the phone will maintain the certain design elements while improving at the same time on core specs to ensure that the phone can truly emerge as an upgrade on the F15 series. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12495',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bajaj’s Announces Festive Offer',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand & Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched “Rojerai Khusi” scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched &ldquo;Rojerai Khusi&rdquo; scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Bajaj said in a statement that the company has always come up with exciting schemes and offers for the customers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">&ldquo;Even in the time of COVID-19 pandemic, Bajaj is trying to scatter happiness among the customers by providing offers as per their need. On this auspicious occasion of Dashain and Tihar festival, Bajaj provides an opportunity for customers to enjoy the benefits of three different schemes and happily celebrate the festivals ensuring their safety,&rdquo; reads the statement.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under this new scheme, customers can purchase any brand new Bajaj motorcycle by choosing one among the three available offers &ndash; either cash discount of Rs 10,000 or zero percent interest on a 50 percent down payment or financing on a 20 percent down payment. This offer is available in all showrooms across the country, the statement added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">After the announcement, Shekhar Golchha, managing director of Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, shared, &ldquo;Bajaj is always driven towards providing our customers with exciting and beneficial offers as per the need of time. We are glad to be the reason for customer&rsquo;s happiness and Rojerai Khusi is perfect to be part of their celebration in this festival season. We hope our customers will be delighted with this offer.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12512',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Warns of Blacklisting Two Defaulting Contractors',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This file photo shows construction taking place along the Chabahil-Jorpati road. Photo NBA</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has sought clarification from United Builders and Engineers Pvt Ltd and Diwa/Sailung JV on why they should not be blacklisted for not completing major projects related to road construction in Kathmandu Valley in time. They have been given seven days for submitting written clarification. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project issued a public notice on Wednesday mentioning the names of these two companies. In the notice, the KVREP has said that the two companies failed to complete their tasks in time and have shown no interest to complete the work during the extended deadline on the pretext of coronavirus crisis. KVREP has warned that it would scrap the contract and&nbsp; blacklist the two companies if their clarifications are not satisfactory.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">United Builders and Engineers was awarded the contract to construct the 3.6 kilometer section of Chabahil-Jorpati-Sankhu road six years ago. The time period for completion of the project expired six months ago. The deadline was extended for six months but the company is not in a position to complete the work, says Guru Adhikari, chief of the KVREP. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, Diwa/Sailung JV is also under scrutiny for not completing the 3.2 kilometer section of Dholahiti-Sunakothi-Chapagaun road in the last five years. The company has completed only 300 meters of the road, informed Adhikari.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12509',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Rasuwagadhi Border Opens after 3 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 24: Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 24: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Rasuwagadhi border has reopened from Wednesday (September 23) after a gap of almost three weeks. China has started sending goods across the border since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, Punya Bikram Khadka, informed that China will be sending five goods-laden containers across the border per day starting from Thursday (September 24).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">On Wednesday, only one container with health equipment had entered Nepal through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">This vital border point was closed on January 29 after coronavirus started spreading in China. It was opened four months later but was closed again after the workers involved in unloading goods at the customs point were found infected with coronavirus in late August. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal had been repeatedly requesting the Chinese side to release the goods that had been stuck since weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The customs officials have mobilized eight dozers to clear the obstruction caused by landslides along the road within Nepal&rsquo;s territory. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A Chinese delegation had paid an inspection visit to the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office on Wednesday prior to releasing the container carrying health equipment. After observing the customs office, the Chinese side agreed to unload goods in&nbsp; two shifts, informed Khadka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The Chinese officials had visited this place to find a place across the friendship bridge where they could unload the goods,&rdquo; added Khadka. &ldquo;We are hopeful they will release more goods.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the last fiscal year, goods worth Rs 27 billion had entered Nepal through this customs point. The customs office had collected revenue worth Rs 7 billion during that period. This year, goods worth Rs 1 billion has entered through the customs point due to various obstructions.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12508',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Demand for Medicines takes a Nosedive',
			'sub_title' => 'People Avoid Visiting Hospitals and only Chronic Patients Seek Medicines',
			'summary' => 'September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their production to a large extent due to the fall in demand for medicines in the market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The drug manufacturers say that they were forced to cut their production as the demand for drugs other than those required for chronic illness and paracetamol have become almost nil after the government imposed lockdown to contain the spread of 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Due to the slump in demand, the drug manufacturers have slashed their production by almost 70 percent, informed Narayan Bahadur Chhetri, president of the </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The drug manufacturers are producing very less amount of drugs because there is no demand for drugs in the market,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Initially, the drug manufacturers lowered their production after India and China restricted supply of raw materials for the durgs and also increased their prices. But now, although the supply chain is not disrupted, there is no demand for drugs at all, says Chhetri. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chhetri says people have started avoiding hospitals unless it is absolutely necessary due to the fear of contracting coronavirus. He considers this as the main reason for the lack of demand for medicines.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Deurali Janata Pharmaceuticals, which is the largest drug manufacturer of Nepal, stopped production for almost a month due to lack of demand for drugs in the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Operator of the company Hari Bhakta Sharma informed that they had to halt production for some time because there wasn&rsquo;t any demand for drugs but have now resumed production.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;We have been producing drugs in accordance to the market demand,&rdquo; he told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Sitaram Ghimire informed that the number of people visiting hospitals has reduced drastically in the recent days. According to Ghimire, the demand for medicines used to treat trauma, skin diseased and pain killers have dropped sharply. The demand for medicines used for the treatment of cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes and other chronic illnesses is normal, informed Ghimire. He added that the demand for psychiatric drugs has however skyrocketed in the recent days.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;Many people have lost their jobs. There is massive fear of pandemic, and that is why people are stressed,&rdquo; said Ghimire,, adding, &ldquo;This has resulted depression among the masses.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12507',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Recruitment of Railway Staff to be Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 23: The recruitment of railway staff for the newly established Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway is likely to be delayed due to COVID-19.&nbsp; It has been informed that Department of Railways will not appoint railway staff for the 34-kilometer Janakpur-Jayanagar railway immediately. </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:Calibri">Since the operation of the train along Janakpur-Jayanagar is uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic, authorities believe that the cost of hiring staff in such a situation may accelerate the expenditure of the railway.</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:Calibri">However, the Nepal Railway Company will continue the process of recruiting technical and administrative staff for the operation of the train. Guru Bhattarai, general manager of the company, informed that the government-owned company was not prepared to hire staff due to the uncertainty in the operation of the train amid COVID-19 crisis.</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:Calibri">&quot;The process of appointing the railway staff has been started. Notice has been issued for the appointment of 129 employees on contract basis. The process of hiring staff including train drivers and controllers from India has also been initiated, but there won&rsquo;t be any appointment for the time being,&rdquo; Bhattarai informed.</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:Calibri">He added that the recruitment and training of the railway staff will be started soon after the containment of the virus. The government had appointed Bhattarai as the general manager of the Nepal Railway Company, which has its head office in Janakpur, only two months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'description' => '',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12506',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Survey Reveals Extent of Fallout from the Pandemic on MSMEs in Nepal ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales.',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: IFC South Asia/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 23:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more Nepali businesses to start using internet, social media or digital platforms to seize business opportunities, in the wake of declining traditional sales. </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 finding is revealed in the COVID-19 Nepal Business Pulse Survey carried out between May 25<sup> </sup>and June 10 by the IFC and World Bank, in partnership with the government of Japan. It shows a fifth of businesses surveyed have started to use or have been using the Internet, social media, specialized apps, or digital platforms for business purposes.</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 survey also reveals over half of Nepal&rsquo;s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face the risk of permanently closing their operations within a month under the current conditions of COVID-19 impacts. </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">Based on a sample of more than 540 representatives from MSMEs across all provinces the survey also revealed over eighty percent of businesses have suffered from a slump in sales and have taken measures such as granting leave without pay or reduced the hours or wages of their employees. </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">&ldquo;These findings highlight the severe burden micro, small and medium sized businesses are facing in Nepal due to the impacts of COVID-19,&rdquo; said Rolf Behrndt, IFC South Asia Manager for Advisory Services. &ldquo;We know these businesses play a vital role in Nepal&rsquo;s economy but clearly with a drop-in demand and sales, employers have had to opt for a range of measures to cope with less revenue, prompting questions about their future viability.&rdquo;</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">Forty-five percent of the firms had granted leave of absence to employees, and 27 percent had reduced working hours. Across all sectors, sizes and locations of firms, 12 percent of female employees have been put on reduced pay. </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">&ldquo;The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a major blow to Nepal&rsquo;s economy, with enterprises of all sizes bearing the brunt with little to no revenue. Eighty-three percent of the firms reported a decline in sales compared to the same time last year,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC Country Manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Micro, small and medium sized businesses play a key role in helping Nepal&rsquo;s economy grow. I believe these findings would be useful in preparing a well-informed response to help the businesses get back on their feet.&rdquo;</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">MSMEs contribute 22 per cent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) employing about 1.75 million people. Ten Central Bureau of Statistics projects that the fallout from the&nbsp; pandemic will mean significant contractions in the expected growth rate for the sector in the fiscal year 2020 compared to the past 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">&nbsp;&ldquo;These survey results shine a stark light on the importance of ensuring that this sector not only survives the COVID-19 pandemic but also transforms in ways that improves its resilience and capacity to contribute to economic recovery.&nbsp; To this end, the World Bank &ndash; working closely with the government and the private sector &ndash; has prepared new projects to support micro, small and medium enterprises, including in the agriculture, tourism and financial sectors,&rdquo; said Faris Hadad-Zervos, the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. </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">Globally, IFC has put in place a package of measures&mdash;worth a total of $8 billion&mdash;to help sustain economies and protect jobs around the globe. In Nepal, IFC has just invested $25 million in NMB Bank to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and green projects, and there are more under discussion with other clients.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12505',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 23: The price of gold declined in the domestic market on Wednesday (September 23). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of gold dropped by Rs 1200 per tola (11 grams approx.) on Wednesday as compared to the previous day. Gold is being traded for Rs 94,300 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The price of gold had declined by Rs 1700 on Tuesday as well. The price was stable on Sunday but increased by Rs 200 per 11 grams on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Likewise, the price of silver also declined by Rs 40 per 11 grams. Silver is being traded for Rs 1190 per 11 grams.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The decline in prices of gold and silver in the Nepali market is a result of the decline in prices in the international market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Earlier, the price of gold had crossed the mark of Rs 100,000 per 11 grams some weeks ago due to uncertainty caused by coronavirus and the trade war between USA and China. But the price started declining gradually after Russia announced vaccine for coronavirus. It is believed that international investors started investing&nbsp; in gold amid global uncertainty, triggering a price hike.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12502',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Over 7,000 Nepali Migrant Workers off to Foreign Employment amid Global Pandemic ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><em>A general view of the Tribhuvan International&nbsp; Airport in this file photo. </em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 22: With the government opening the door for foreign employment, the number of Nepali migrant workers going for foreign employment has increased drastically. A total of 7,290 Nepali workers have left the country for foreign employment as of September 18.</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:Calibri">Nepali workers have started going to labour destinations for employment with new work permits and renewal of work permits.</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:Calibri">The government had stopped accepting applications for work permits for foreign employment on March 11 after a surge in coronavirus infection. Since the last two months, the government has gradually started to issue work permits for foreign employment.</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:Calibri">The government had resumed renewal of work permits for Nepali migrant workers from June 28 while it resumed issuing new permits from September 2 onwards. Since then, more than 7,000 Nepali workers have gone to labor destinations for foreign employment, states a report prepared by the Department of Foreign Employment.</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:Calibri">Manpower companies that have sent Nepali workers aboard during the period informed that 117 individuals have traveled abroad with new work permits.</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:Calibri">Earlier, more than 328,000 workers had returned to Nepal on leave and were stranded after the government postponed renewal and issuance of work permits. Likewise, 115,000 workers were not able to go for foreign employment despite receiving their visas. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12501',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '12 Companies get Permission to use Trademark for Nepalese Orthodox Tea',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market  for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Tea producers of Nepal will be able to use the trademark for their products in the international market&nbsp; for the first time in two years after the government introduced trademark certification for the Nepalese orthodox tea.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Out of 42 companies that had filed application to use the trademark with the tagline &lsquo;Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalayas&rsquo;, 12 have been granted permission to use the trademark logo.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ghanshyam Bhusan was scheduled to distribute certificates to the companies amid a programme in Fikal of Ilam district on Tuesday (September 22). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Regional chief of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board Indra Prasad Adhikari informed that these 12 companies will now be able to export Nepali orthodox tea with the trademark logo. The trademark was made public by the government two years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Advisor to the Nepal Tea Planters Association Udaya Chapagain believes that the use of trademark logo will enhance the reputation of Nepalese tea in the international market. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Tea was introduced in Nepal some 157 years ago, when Colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa &ndash; the son-in-law of Junga Bahadur Rana &ndash; brought saplings of tea from China and started commercial farming in Nepal, informed Chapagain.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The tea producers have to file an application with the board by fulfilling all the criteria in order to use the trademark.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had introduced Nepal Orthodox Tea Certification Trademark Implementation Regulation 2074 some two and a half years ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There are around 100 small and medium sized tea industries in Nepal and they have to produce tea by following the standard set by the board in order to acquire the trademark certification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/20181213020242_tea%20farm.jpg" style="height:533px; width:800px" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12500',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'IFC Report urges Companies to Boost Women’s Participation in Hydropower Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women’s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">This photo taken from Twitter shows Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.</span></span></em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 22: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Companies and women in Nepal would stand to benefit if greater action was taken to improve women&rsquo;s participation and contribution to the hydropower sector, reveals a new study conducted by the IFC.</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">IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, calls for companies to adopt gender sensitive policies and practices to attract more women into working in the hydropower. </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">&ldquo;Women make up more than half of Nepal&rsquo;s population, yet the study reveals only 10 percent of all employees in the country&rsquo;s hydropower sector are women,&rdquo; said Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. &ldquo;Companies need to seize the opportunity to embark on more gender-sensitive and family-friendly policies to help boost staff productivity and attract and retain talent which will ultimately boost their businesses.&rdquo; </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 study of 20 companies is part of the Powered by Women initiative&mdash;a time-bound commitment by companies to build the business case for improved gender equality and diversity in renewable energy companies 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">&ldquo;We recognize the need to make conscious efforts to increase the number of women in power sector. Our organization has already taken a forward step by making women participation in the executive committee mandatory,&rdquo; said Ashish Garg, vice president of the Independent Power Producers&rsquo; Association of Nepal (IPPAN). &ldquo;By partnering with IFC in this important initiative we are committing to championing this cause.&rdquo;</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 report recommends that companies need to develop and enforce gender-sensitive policies, including mechanisms to address cases of bullying, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation. </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">More tailored programs to support professional development opportunities for women, such as more robust recruiting efforts directed at women&rsquo;s advancement into leadership positions and targets for diversity in board representation, are also encouraged. Meanwhile, at the community level, the report urges increased support from companies to women-led businesses, including improving their access to finance, and efforts to train women in non-traditional roles within the sector. </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 study &ndash; spearheaded by IFC&rsquo;s Hydro Environmental and Social Advisory team in partnership with the governments of Australia, Norway and Japan &ndash;shows very few of those employed are in leadership positions, included in corporate boards or occupy non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector. </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">&ldquo;Despite the considerable scope for women to take up non-traditional roles in the hydropower sector, we found that most companies in Nepal have not yet initiated adequate efforts to realize this,&rdquo; said Kate Lazarus, team leader of Asia Environment and Social Governance for IFC. &ldquo;While some companies, particularly those led by women entrepreneurs, do show willingness in this regard, there are still challenges in transforming that intent into action on the ground.&rdquo;</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">Gender stereotyping, remoteness of hydropower project sites and a lack of women in science, technology, engineering, and math education have been identified as key constraints for women&rsquo;s participation in this sector. Concerns around initial investment costs and uncertainty over whether there will be a pay off in the short- to medium-term were also inhibiting factors, according to the study.</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">Nepal ranks 105 out of 149 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index 2018 conducted by the World Economic Forum, indicating that there is still a critical need to focus on gender equality across various spheres.</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 study was conducted between 2019 and 2020. Over two dozen executives and almost 250 employees working in 20 companies within Nepal&rsquo;s hydropower industry contributed to the research. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12499',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Remittance Service goes Digital in Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 22: Nepali migrant workers can send home money from foreign countries through digital medium from now onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank has made arrangement for the migrant workers to send remittance through mobile and internet banking as well as electronic cards, digital wallets and other electronic means.</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 Foreign Exchange Management Department of the Nepal Rastra Bank issued a notice on Monday (September 21) informing about the new arrangement which has effectively ended the compulsion for people to rely upon remittance agents or visit banks to receive remittance.</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">In order to benefit from this service, the migrant workers need to activate digital service like mobile and internet banking from their respective banks in Nepal as well as Nepali payment gateways that provide digital wallet service.</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">With this new system, money transferred from abroad will be available in Nepal instantly and the details of the transaction will also be available, says NRB.</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">Executive Director of the central bank&rsquo;s Foreign Exchange Management Department Bam Bahadur Mishra claimed that this new system will address the problem of entering wrong account number and also get rid of the hassles of showing one&rsquo;s citizenship certificate to receive the amount.</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">He further said that the central bank introduced this system ahead of Dashain considering the fact that the remittance inflow to Nepal increases significantly during the festive season.</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">&ldquo;This arrangement will allow migrant workers to send money using their smart phones and other digital technology. But the users must activate digital service first,&rdquo; says Mishra.</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 mobile and internet banking services provided by banks can be used to avail this facility. The migrant workers can also use eSewa, IME Pay, Fone Pay, Khalti among 14 payment gateways to send money from abroad, according to NRB.</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">However, for the service to work seamlessly, the banks and remittance service providers have to collaborate with the electronic payment gateways of the respective countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12498',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Fertilizers from Bangladesh to Arrive after More than a Month',
			'sub_title' => 'Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Calls Tender for Bringing the Fertilizers',
			'summary' => 'September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">September 21: The Agriculture Inputs Company Limited (Krishi Samagri Company Limited) has called tender to bring 50,000 tons of urea from Bangladesh. The government had handed the responsibility of bringing the fertilizers from Bangladesh on loan to the Agriculture Inputs 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had asked for assistance from Bangladesh to supply urea after the farmers faced acute shortage of the chemical fertilizer during the planting season this year. The KP Oli-led government had reached an understanding with Bangladesh three weeks ago to receive the fertilizer on condition that it will return the same amount of fertilizer to Bangladesh after eight 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:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A cabinet meeting last Thursday handed over the responsibility of bringing the fertilizer to the Agriculture Inputs Company, following which the company called for tender bids.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief of the purchase division of Agriculture Inputs Company, Bishnu Pokharel, informed that they are planning to bring the fertilizer from Chittagong of Bangladesh. For this, the company has issued tender with a deadline of seven days. The state-owned company informed that it will take around 25 days to finalize the deal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">It is estimated that it will take at least a month for the fertilizers to reach Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bangladesh has a stock of 1 million tons of urea from which it will lend 50,000 tons to Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12496',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => '50 Containers of Dates Stopped in Birgunj Start Rotting',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">September 21: Although the government has decided to give customs clearance to peas, pepper and betel nuts stopped at various transit points of the country due to import restrictions, it has still not decided anything about importing dates held at the customs points.</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:Calibri">About 50 containers of dates have been stranded at the Birgunj Dry Port as the government has not decided what to do with them. It has been reported that the dates have started rotting because they have been held at the customs points for a long time. The government on April 29 had banned the import of dates, pepper, peas and betel nuts, citing increasing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.</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:Calibri">Prior to giving the green signal to import the peas, pepper and betel nuts, 1,000 containers of these goods were stopped at various entry points because they were imported without the prior approval of the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.</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:Calibri">A cabinet meeting held on August 29 had decided to allow the entry of peas and pepper for once. Earlier, the cabinet had also decided to release the betel nuts stopped at the checkpoints.</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:Calibri">However, importer Navneet Agrawal informed that even though peas, pepper and betel nuts were approved for clearance, only dates have been stopped at the ports for more than five months. </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:Calibri">Agrawal has accused the government of discrimination for allowing the import of peas, pepper and betel nuts while restricting the dates. </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:Calibri">&ldquo;The government had restricted the import of all of them at the same time but has removed the restriction on only peas, pepper and betel nuts,&rdquo; he informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12494',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Domestic Flights Resume from Today',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">September 21: Domestic flights have resumed in Nepal on Monday after almost six months of ban, which was imposed to curb the spread of 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">The government has allowed private companies to operate only 25 percent of flights compared to normal days.</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">Airline companies such as Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines offered pre booking service since last Friday. More than 70 percent seats of all airline companies have been booked, the airline operators informed on Sunday. </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">Shree Airlines will be opening bookings only after a few days, informed the company&rsquo;s manager Anil Manandhar.</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">Buddha Air confirmed 70 percent bookings as of Sunday evening (September 20). Buddha Air&rsquo;s manager Rupesh Shrestha informed New Business Age that they have received permission to operate 17 flights on Monday (September 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">Meanwhile, Yeti Airlines&rsquo; spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said that the company will be operating 11 flights a day.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Nepal Airlines Corporation, the state-owned company of Nepal, has also unveiled its flights schedule. As per the schedule, the flag carrier of Nepal will conduct 10 flights a day to various &nbsp;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">The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) informed that the airline companies have been allowed to resume flights by following health safety standards set by the government and the international protocols of the ICAO.</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">People with symptoms of coronavirus will be barred from flights. The airports have been instructed to check the body temperatures of the passengers twice and to follow contactless check-in, maintain physical distance and use hand sanitizers for the passengers. The passengers have also been instructed to compulsorily wear masks and visors.&nbsp; </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 airline companies have been permitted to carry passengers in full capacity and so the airfare has not increased. Although the government had lifted a ban on domestic flights from September 17, the airline operators had suspended flights demanding operating flights in full capacity.</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 had earlier decided to allow private airliners to resume flights with 50 percent passengers. But the government later backtracked from its decision and agreed to the demand of the airline operators.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12497',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'OPPO to Launch F17 Pro in Nepal Soon',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">September 21: Chinese smartphone brand OPPO announced that it will be launching its latest flagship smartphone, OPPO F17 Pro, in Nepal soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company has started promotional activities ahead of the launch of the latest device in the F series of smartphones via its social media platforms. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">OPPO&#39;s brand ambassador, actress Swastima Khadka, along with stars from the Nepali Film Industry such as&nbsp; Anoop Bikram Shahi, Alisha Rai, and photographer/filmmaker Sanjog Rai were also seen indulging in promotion of the upcoming phone through their respective social media handles.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The F series smartphones were one of the most popular from OPPO and was first launched by the company in 2016 in Nepal, reads a statement issued by the company. And now, the company is all set to add to the series by launching the OPPO F17 Pro, which it claims will help to further elevate the series with its ultra sleek fashionable design and innovative technologies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company further claims that the OPPO F17 Pro is expected to redefine the standards of lightweight and design, making it the most fashionable F series smartphone by OPPO.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">The company hasn&rsquo;t given a specific launch timeline for the OPPO F17 Pro phone in Nepal. However, from the language that the company is using in its teaser for the phone, it appears the launch of the phone could just be around the corner.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;OPPO Sans Medium&quot;">As, of now the specs of the F17 Pro hasn&#39;t yet been officially announced, even though the expectation is that the phone will maintain the certain design elements while improving at the same time on core specs to ensure that the phone can truly emerge as an upgrade on the F15 series. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12495',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bajaj’s Announces Festive Offer',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand & Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched “Rojerai Khusi” scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">September 21: Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has launched &ldquo;Rojerai Khusi&rdquo; scheme for the upcoming Dahsain and Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Bajaj said in a statement that the company has always come up with exciting schemes and offers for the customers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">&ldquo;Even in the time of COVID-19 pandemic, Bajaj is trying to scatter happiness among the customers by providing offers as per their need. On this auspicious occasion of Dashain and Tihar festival, Bajaj provides an opportunity for customers to enjoy the benefits of three different schemes and happily celebrate the festivals ensuring their safety,&rdquo; reads the statement.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Under this new scheme, customers can purchase any brand new Bajaj motorcycle by choosing one among the three available offers &ndash; either cash discount of Rs 10,000 or zero percent interest on a 50 percent down payment or financing on a 20 percent down payment. This offer is available in all showrooms across the country, the statement added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">After the announcement, Shekhar Golchha, managing director of Hansraj Hulaschand &amp; Co Pvt Ltd, shared, &ldquo;Bajaj is always driven towards providing our customers with exciting and beneficial offers as per the need of time. We are glad to be the reason for customer&rsquo;s happiness and Rojerai Khusi is perfect to be part of their celebration in this festival season. We hope our customers will be delighted with this offer.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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file not found!

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FOREX

Currency	Unit	Buy	Sell
U.S. Dollar	1	121.23	121.83
European Euro	1	131.65	132.31
UK Pound Sterling	1	142.47	143.18
Swiss Franc	1	124.29	124.90
Australian Dollar	1	71.69	72.05
Canadian Dollar	1	83.90	84.32
Japanese Yen	10	10.94	11.00
Chinese Yuan	1	17.17	17.26
Saudi Arabian Riyal	1	32.27	32.43
UAE Dirham	1	33.01	33.17
Malaysian Ringgit	1	27.36	27.50
South Korean Won	100	9.77	9.82

Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)

Bullion

Fine Gold	1 tola	77000.00
Tejabi Gold	1 tola	76700.00
Silver	1 tola	720.00

Update : 2020-03-25

Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association

Petroleum

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