February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on…
February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on…
February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). …
February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last…
Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second…
Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been…
February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades.…
February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions.…
The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent…
February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance.…
February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Monday, February…
February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage…
February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term…
The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly…
February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on…
Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on Monday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The District Police Range Kathmandu presented the accused at a press conference held on Wednesday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested include Chiran Regmi of Dailekh, Navin Khadgi of Kathmandu, Sujan Khatri of Rupandehi and Pradeep Basnet of Jhapa. They have been arrested on the charge of been charged of being involved in the incident. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Superintendent of Police Sitaram Rijal informed that the search for the others involved in the incident is ongoing. Mobile telephones, chargers, recharge cards, earphones and other items inside the shops of the mall were looted on the pretext of the vandalism that took place following a demonstration held by transport workers and entrepreneurs on Monday. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16776', 'image' => '20230216010333_nepal police.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 13:02:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17036', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumers Expect Inflation to Increase ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Inflation Expectations Survey (IES) of the second quarter of current fiscal year published by the central bank on Wednesday shows that 84.6 percent of the respondents expected the price level to increase in the next three months while 92.3 percent of the respondents expected price level to increase over the next one-year period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of respondents expecting price increases in the next three months as well as the next one year has however decreased from mid-Oct, 2022. Nevertheless, the number of respondents expecting price increase in food and its sub-group except fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil and hotel and restaurant has increased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of respondents expecting price hike in non-food and services and real estate (housing) during the next three months has slightly decreased compared to that of mid-Oct, 2022. Furthermore, the number of respondents expecting price increase in one year ahead across the entire food products, except for fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil, drinks and tobacco and hotel and restaurant along with non-food and services groups has decreased compared to mid-Oct, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The IES also showed that the median inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has remained same compared to mid-Oct, 2022 and mean inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has decreased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Median inflation expectations for three months and one year ahead stand at 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent respectively. This shows that individuals expect inflation to remain stable in the near term as well as in medium term, added the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to NRB, the survey was conducted from January 8 to January 14 among individual respondents from 60 market areas through field interviews. The results are based on responses from 2,010 individuals. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16775', 'image' => '20230216112212_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 11:21:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17035', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIB Recommends Action against 12 Individuals Involved in T20 Spot Fixing Scam', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CIB submitted its investigation report to the Office of the District Attorney on Wednesday. The 12 people recommended for prosecution have been accused of helping to alter the results of the match, indulging in match fixing and inciting others to be involved in the illegal act. Two cricket players have been accused of aiding to change the result, according to CIB Superintendent of Police Sanjaya Singh Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police investigation has found that those in managerial roles of different clubs, outside individuals who came in contact with the players and the cricketers taking part in the game were involved in the fixing scam. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the incident came to light, the police have already arrested cricketers Mehaboob Alam, Mohammad Adil Alam and Nitesh Gupta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The franchise-club based tournament was held at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur from December 24, 2022 to January 11, 2023. The match was organized by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in strategic and commercial partnership with India's Seven3 Sports Pvt. Ltd. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">If found guilty of the offense of spot fixing and match fixing under the National Sports Development Act, 2077 BS, the accused could face imprisonment up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the CIB, Mehaboob Alam, who is also a former national player, tried to spot-fix by tempting two Nepali cricketers. Mohammad Adil Alam was asked to throw a no-ball and one wide ball, which he duly followed in two games. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, a foreign player was asked by the management group of his club to be a part of the spot fixing scam. Under the direction of the team manager, a foreign player scored a pre-determined amount of runs in an innings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After alarms were raised over the likelihood of spot fixing taking place in the tournament, notably by an individual who worked as a commentator in the series, a five-member investigation committee was also formed under the leadership of the Deputy Superintendent of Police of CIB to investigate the incident. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16774', 'image' => '20230216095854_CIB_Nepal_Police_logo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 09:57:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17034', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Molung Hydropower Limited Opens Sale of Its Public Offerings ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 16: Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first phase, the company had issued and allotted public offerings to the project-affected locals of Okhaldhunga district and Nepali citizens working in foreign countries with labour agreement issued by the Department of Labour.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the total shares, 1,36,425 units of shares have been allotted to the mutual fund schemes while 54,570 units of shares have been reserved for the employees of the hydropower company. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If fully-subscribed, the offering will end on 22 February. If it remains under-subscribed, the deadline to apply for the IPO will extend till March 2. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Interested investors can apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 8,000 shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Molung Hydropower Company Limited with the installed capacity of 7 megawatts has been producing electricity. Per megawatt cost for the construction of the run-of-the-river hydro power project stands at Rs 20.8 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sunrise Capital is the issue and sale manger of the IPO. Individuals can apply for the IPO through CASBA-approved banks and financial institutions by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON). They can also apply for the IPO through Meroshare.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16773', 'image' => '20230216062109_collage (64) (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 06:14:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17033', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Modi-Lekhnath 132 KV Transmission Line Comes Into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the New Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project, 43 kilometers of 132 double circuit transmission line, 132 KV switching station at Deupur of Modi Rural Municiplaity-2, 132 KV Lahachhap substation at Kaski’s Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-4 and 132 KV line bay at Lekhnath substation’s switchyard have been completed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project has been constructed to improve the power supply of various districts including Parbat, Kaski and evacuate electricity generated from hydropower projects to be constructed on Modi, Seti, Madi and Sardi rivers to the national grid. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said that construction of the New Modi-Lekhnath was finished with the completion of the construction of Lahachowk-Lekhnath transmission line. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Construction of the transmission line was disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic and locals’ demand to change the routes of the transmission lines at Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality and various places of Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We have constructed the infrastructure that is capable to evacuate 200 megawatt of power generated from various projects to the national grid,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Electricity generated from various projects will be connected to New Modi and Lahachowk substation and evacuated to the national grid.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As many as 140 towers have been constructed along the New Modi-Lekhnath Transmission Line Project. Lahachowk substation has power transformers of 132/33 KV, 30 MVA and 33/11 KV and 8 MVA. To supply the power to the locals, one line bay of 33 KV and four feeders of 11 KV have been constructed at Lahachowk substation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It took 2.24 billion to finish the transmission line project. The project was funded by the Nepal government, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and subsidized loan of the India’s Import-Export (Exim) Bank of India. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16772', 'image' => '20230215052546_collage - 2023-02-15T165133.534.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 17:22:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17032', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'INR 100 Available for Rs 155 in Border Areas', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. To buy 100 rupees of India (INR) through official means, one has to pay Rs 160 Nepalese currency. However, for some time, the informal market has started getting INR 100 for Rs 155. In the informal market, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the Nepalese currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Traders said that not only in the border market, but traders in the federal capital Kathmandu and main cities are also providing INR 100 for Rs 155. A businessman from Birgunj said that the price of INR has been falling for about two months. Those businessmen claim that the currency has depreciated after the demand for gold has fallen due to the decrease in global trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts also agree with this argument. Former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri said that since India is Nepal's largest trading partner, if trade with India decreases, the demand for gold will naturally decrease and its effect may be seen in the form of currency devaluation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trade deficit with India has comparatively decreased in recent months. The data shows that the demand for gold has decreased in banks and the private sector. It is natural that the price will decrease after the demand has decreased,” former governor Chhetri told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the trade with India takes place in India. Traders say that the share of imports in foreign trade is high, and two-thirds of the trade is with India. However, the demand for INR has decreased due to the decrease in import. According to an experienced trader of Birgunj, the entire payment for imported goods is not done through the banking channel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The businessman said that most of the goods coming from India come under low invoice, and the amount other than that mentioned in the bill is paid through informal means (hundi). He claims that since the formal trade has decreased, the demand for INR in the form of hundi has also decreased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both formal and informal business are being done side by side. Recently, due to the decrease in both trades, the demand for INR has decreased, said another trader. He shared that he had to pay up to Rs 164/165 for INR 100 when the demand for INR was high. Traders say that at some point this rate had reached as much as Rs 170.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There are also others who claim that the money came from India because the banks in Nepal gave higher interest on fixed deposits.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some experts suspect that the price of gold in India is higher than that of Nepal, so the value of gold may have been devalued due to gold smuggling. They believe that since the amount of gold sent from Nepal has to be paid in Nepalese currency, the demand has increased and due to this, the value of the Indian currency has depreciated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As India has recently increased the customs duty on gold, it is claimed that its informal export from Nepal will increase further. After the Russia-Ukraine war, trade decreased, opportunities for investment in fuel production decreased, and the price of convertible currency also fluctuated, so most of the investors saw investment in precious yellow metals as a safe haven, according to experts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ex-governor Chhetri also points out the possibility of unauthorized export of gold from Nepal to India as India has increased the customs duty on gold. He claims that devaluation of the currency will be beneficial for Nepal's economy only if exports and revenue of Nepal increase. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Otherwise, the profit/loss of fluctuations in informal sector will remain informal. It will not benefit the economy," said Chhetri.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also claimed that this state of depreciation will not last long. From rice, pulses to vehicles and even the fuel used in those vehicles come from India. “In this case, imports from India will not always remain low," he said. "As soon as business returns to normal, the value of currency will be back to normal."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16771', 'image' => '20230215043814_1676427320.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Share Transaction of Merged Entities Remain Suspended even after Starting Integrated Business', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. However, this has not helped ease the situation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the directive, shares transaction of merging entities is suspended in the secondary market only for a maximum of 15 business days after the integrated transaction. However, the share trading of five companies which started integrated business in January is yet to resume. Even after the integrated business of Century Commercial, Nepal Investment Mega, Bank of Kathmandu and Global IME Bank, the stock trading in the secondary market has been suspended for a long time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Century Commercial Bank was acquired by Prabhu Bank in a swap ratio of 1:1 and started the integrated business under the name of Prabhu Bank Limited from January 10. Similarly, Nepal Investment Bank and Mega Bank Nepal also merged in the ratio of 100 is to 90 shares and started integrated business on January 11 under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu Limited also merged. After the completion of the merger process of these two banks, the integrated business is being conducted under the name of Global IME Bank from January 9. The share trading of these five companies is still suspended even though it has been more than 15 days since they started integrated transaction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairman of the board Ramesh Kumar Hamal expressed regrets that the business remains halted contrary to the guidelines implemented by SEBON to prevent investors' property from being held hostage for a long time. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“In the directive, there is a provision to stop share trading for a maximum of 15 trading days after the integrated transaction. There is no provision for what will happen if the transaction is stopped in violation of the said rule,” said Hamal. He also said that if such problems start to appear, the guidelines will be revised and action will be taken against institution which goes against the guidelines. Hamal said that they will get information from NEPSE about the companies whose business has been suspended against the guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The share registrars of the affiliated companies say that the bonus share listing process of the companies has delayed the opening of share transactions. Chief Executive Officer of Prabhu Capital, Prabhu Bank's share registrar, Dinesh Thakali said that the opening of share trading was delayed due to the adjustment of bonus shares of Century and Prabhu Bank. Both banks passed the bonus share proposal at the Annual General Meeting held on December 29. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Investment Bank, Mega Bank, Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu have already listed this year's bonus shares in the secondary market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mekh Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NIBL Ace Capital Limited, Registrar of Nepal Investment Bank informed that although the shares were maintained as per the swap ratio and submitted to the board for the listing process a week ago, but they are yet to get the approval. He informed that after the approval of the board, the share trading will be opened under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before the implementation of the merger and acquisition guidelines by the board, the share trading of 34 companies in the process of merger and acquisition was suspended. In the merger and acquisition guidelines implemented by the board, there is a provision that the merger and acquisition process should be completed within 6 months of signing the agreement.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16770', 'image' => '20230215041952_merger.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:18:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Business Gaining Momentum in Kanchanjungha Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 439 tourists from different countries visited the area in the past four months. With the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism activities in the region had remained almost nil in the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary at Kanchanjungha Conservation and Management Council Office Man Kumar Limbu said that the tourism entrepreneurs are excited after the increased number of visitors in the recent months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Currently, the area is home to more than 50 hotels including big and small in the Kanchanjugha trekking route. Singi Namjong Hotel established with the investment of over Rs 70 million is offering services from Gyalpa village of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, while four other hotels having more than Rs 10 million investment each are in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A Hotelier Pema Sherpa from Ghunsa said the arrival of tourists has made the entrepreneurs hopeful of their business, though the pandemic time was disappointing for them. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two trekking routes are used to reach the Kanchanjugha base camp. The visitors can reach the base camp through the Sirijungha Rural Municipality in Taplejung district through Ganesh Chowk of Panchthar district to climb Mt Kanchanjugha, the third tallest peak in the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the Kanchajungha base camp could also be reached by using the trail along the Phaktanglung Rural Municipality after landing at Suketar Airport in Taplejung district. ---RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16769', 'image' => '20230215035232_collage - 2023-02-15T155217.691.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 15:50:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Swastima Khadka to visit Dubai to Promote Digital Remittance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. Actress Khadka will be going to Dubai on February 18 at the invitation of Ansari Exchange and eSewa Money Transfer to promote digital remittances under the 'My Digital Country' scheme of eSewa Money Transfer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">eSewa informed that Khadka will participate in the program to be organized from February 18 to 20 at various places there. eSewa is running the 'My Digital Country' scheme currently. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the information provided by eSewa, the scheme has been bringing in remittances from all over the world through bank accounts and wallets in Nepal and also giving various gifts to the participants of the campaign. eSewa also informed that one person who sends remittance through digital means will be given a house in Kathmandu under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16768', 'image' => '20230215025410_swastima.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 14:53:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Governance Dialogue by Daayitwa Focuses on Collective Action for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Monday, February 14.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Tuesday, February 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program had an attendance of over 60 stakeholders from private, public, and social sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dialogue aimed to discuss the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, inspire collective actions, and deliberate on the way forward based on the ‘Scoping Study for Municipal Engagement on Local Economic Development’ under the Sub National Governance Program (SNGP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SNGP is an Australian Aid initiative implemented by the Asia Foundation on behalf of the Australian Government. The study was conducted in the seven SNGP partner municipalities (Damak, Mithila, Bhimeshwor, Waling, Tansen, Birendranagar and Tikapur) across seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Senior entrepreneurship expert of Daayitwa presented the preliminary findings of the ‘Scoping Study’ highlighting the possibilities and bottlenecks of local entrepreneurship development in all seven partner municipalities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The discussion panel discussed about the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, government and private sector, and stressed on the need to develop a strong enterprise ecosystem to bolster the economic development at local level. The discussion mainly highlighted the issues and concerns related to the existing policy gaps; the need for connecting the market, academia, and the government; importance of public, private and civil society collaboration; necessity of implementing output-driven policies and programs instead of input and process-driven ones and tactful marketing and promotion of Nepali products and services.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the program, Bishnu Adhikari, the governance director of the foundation in Nepal pointed out that the current challenges seen in the local economic development of Nepal can be tactfully resolved with close coordination and cooperation of public, private and civil society sectors.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16767', 'image' => '20230215015732_IMG_7959.JPG', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 13:56:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Prioritises Investment in Small and Cottage Industry: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries. PM Dahal assured the small entrepreneurs that government was working on a policy that ensures easy loans for the small entrepreneurs and their products promoted accordingly. He said this while inaugurating the 16th International Industrial Trade Fair, Small and Cottage Industries' Festival, and the Sixth Organic Agriculture Fair-2023 at Bhrikutimandap on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government’s policy itself should protect and promote small and cottage industries, for which a separate act is necessary. The government therefore pays attention to it," PM Dahal stressed, reminding that Nepal used to export food grains five decades back. The country has huge potential in the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Now, time has come for all sides to promote marketing of agricultural products.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the country is reeling under financial crisis at present, the government bears the utmost responsibility to address the problems, said Dahal. "The government is engrossed in resolving the problems and prop up economy," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhari, said Nepal's traditional skills must be commercialized. "Promotion of export and self-reliant economy are the current need," she said, adding that national and international marketing of goods is equally important. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Minister for Tourism, Industry and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dambar Tamang, said that the provincial government would play a significant role in promoting the markets of indigenous and domestic products. "Arts and culture are invaluable inheritance. For their promotion, all sides' cooperation is essential," he stressed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival and fairs would run till February 18. Some 200,000 people are expected to visit the events leading to a transaction of around Rs 80 million. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16766', 'image' => '20230215115939_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 11:58:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Address Transport-Related Problems ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting of the task force held under the chairmanship of Director General of the Department of Transport Management Tulsinath Gautam took a decision to this effect on Tuesday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Transport entrepreneurs and labour unions related to this sector also agreed to form a common opinion on the problems faced by the transport sector and submit it to the task force by Wednesday evening.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to General Secretary of Nepal Transport Workers' Association Nurnath Pant, all stakeholders related to the transport sector had attended the meeting called by the government in the wake of recent events that resulted in a halt to the public transport services.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It maybe recalled that the transport workers had resorted to vandalism on Monday demanding the concerned authorities to revoke hefty fines imposed to traffic rules violation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In course of the protest, the agitating transport workers had torched a police vehicle and a police beat in Balaju area of Kathmandu and also vandalized the Lotse Mall in New Bus Park area. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16765', 'image' => '20230215101914_Traffic-Fines-Payment-Esewa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 10:18:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Broom Grass Triples in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">February 15: The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Netra Acharya, who had sold per kilogram of the broom grass at Rs 35 three years ago, sold out the broom grass at Rs 120 per kg in Taplejung last year. Acharya hopes that price will increase this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite the price fluctuation, traders are purchasing the broom grass from the farmers from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local Rup Narayan Pandey shared he has procured 10 quintals of broom grass purchasing it from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg. Pandey says that the price might slightly increase this year as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Traders and entrepreneurs say that price has gone up with rising demand of broom grass from India. Farmers have started growing broom grass commercially after they began getting good prices for their produce.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Farmers use the sticks of the broom grass as firewood, leaves as fodder for the livestock and blossomed parts to make the broom.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Broom grass fetching good prices has made farmers happy and excited in the hilly regions in the east. Broom grass can be planted and grown even on the non-arable and slopes. Its leaves are very useful for livestock as other grasses dry up in the winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Access to the road network to the rural belt has led to the growth of the broom grass’ commercial farming.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16764', 'image' => '20230215060021_collage - 2023-02-14T163240.667.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 05:55:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Raises Rs 30 Billion Internal Loans and Rs 26.46 Billion External Debts in Six Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government has received foreign grants worth Rs 8.12 billion during the same period. Government mobilises internal and external loans and foreign grants for the implementation of annual policies and programmes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, discussions are being held with various development partners for the mobilisation of development assistance for the current fiscal year and upcoming fiscal year. The half-yearly review report stated that initiatives are underway for loan and grants with more than two dozen development partners. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has been taking initiative to take Rs 39 billion concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of Kakadbhitta-Laukahi road section. Discussion with the World Bank to get this loan is underway, according to the Finance Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government is making preparation to take Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for the School Sector Reform Programme as well as Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for Quality Health System Project from the World Bank. It is said that project document has already been prepared to get this loan assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The finance ministry mentioned in the review report that a subsidized loan for budgetary assistance of around Rs 13 billion is going to be taken from the World Bank under Nepal Fiscal Reforms DPC-2 Programme as well as preparation is underway to take budgetary assistance worth around Rs 13 billion under 'Finance for Growth' programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Asian Development Bank has already given initial consent for the implementation of 635-MW Dudh Koshi Storage Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Asian Development Bank has given hint to provide around Rs 75.40 billion subsidized loan for the implementation of the project. Coordination is underway to collect investment from other donor agencies in the project," mentioned the review report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, homework is on to secure a subsidized loan worth US Dollars 500 million (around Rs 65 billion) to implement the 1061-megawatt Upper Arun Reservoir-based Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition to this, the government is coordinating with other probable investors for the project to manage remaining fund required to undertake the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the implementation of the Customs Reform and Modernization Strategies and Action Plan, the government is in the course of receiving a loan of around Rs 6.50 billion in subsidy from the Asian Development Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the government is making preparations to get a soft loan worth Rs 13 billion from the ADB to implement public finance management and service delivery reform programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discussions are underway in regard with a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding to secure around Rs 14.40 billion grants from the British Government to undertake the Local Infrastructure Support Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides this, Nepal is to take a loan of Rs 1.19 billion from the ADB for the implementation of the Rural Roads Improvement Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government is in touch with some of its development partners and donor agencies to receive foreign assistance. </span><br /> Similarly, the government has urged t<span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">he EU to provide Rs 15.06 million grants to Nepal for the support of the agricultural and rural development endeavours. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16763', 'image' => '20230214073524_20210730071603_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 19:34:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Additional Investment Required for Development of Information Technology: Minister Sharma', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 14: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Himalayan Science Fair in Nepalgunj on Tuesday, The Minister for Communication and Information Technology Sharma further said the government has kept development, utilization and expansion of technology in priority.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stressing on the need of making the technology people-friendly in order to make the country self-reliant in the information-technology sector, Sharma suggested increasing investment in every sector of the economy and providing opportunities to all for the development of science and technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former Deputy Speaker Purna Kumari Subedi underscored the need to linking agriculture and employment to technology, saying that science and technology contributed would massively contribute to the country's development. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Himalayan Science Foundation has organized the two-day exhibition at the Nepalgunj Stadium. The exhibition has more than 30 science and technology-related stalls operated by students from different schools in Banke district, informed Atanka Basnet, the Chairperson of the Foundation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Various tools and equipments made by students of Grade 8 to 12 are put on display at the exhibition. ----RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16762', 'image' => '20230214053442_collage - 2023-02-07T165151.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 17:33:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17041', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Four Involved in Looting at Lhotse Mall Arrested ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on Monday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The District Police Range Kathmandu presented the accused at a press conference held on Wednesday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested include Chiran Regmi of Dailekh, Navin Khadgi of Kathmandu, Sujan Khatri of Rupandehi and Pradeep Basnet of Jhapa. They have been arrested on the charge of been charged of being involved in the incident. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Superintendent of Police Sitaram Rijal informed that the search for the others involved in the incident is ongoing. Mobile telephones, chargers, recharge cards, earphones and other items inside the shops of the mall were looted on the pretext of the vandalism that took place following a demonstration held by transport workers and entrepreneurs on Monday. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16776', 'image' => '20230216010333_nepal police.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 13:02:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17036', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumers Expect Inflation to Increase ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Inflation Expectations Survey (IES) of the second quarter of current fiscal year published by the central bank on Wednesday shows that 84.6 percent of the respondents expected the price level to increase in the next three months while 92.3 percent of the respondents expected price level to increase over the next one-year period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of respondents expecting price increases in the next three months as well as the next one year has however decreased from mid-Oct, 2022. Nevertheless, the number of respondents expecting price increase in food and its sub-group except fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil and hotel and restaurant has increased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of respondents expecting price hike in non-food and services and real estate (housing) during the next three months has slightly decreased compared to that of mid-Oct, 2022. Furthermore, the number of respondents expecting price increase in one year ahead across the entire food products, except for fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil, drinks and tobacco and hotel and restaurant along with non-food and services groups has decreased compared to mid-Oct, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The IES also showed that the median inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has remained same compared to mid-Oct, 2022 and mean inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has decreased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Median inflation expectations for three months and one year ahead stand at 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent respectively. This shows that individuals expect inflation to remain stable in the near term as well as in medium term, added the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to NRB, the survey was conducted from January 8 to January 14 among individual respondents from 60 market areas through field interviews. The results are based on responses from 2,010 individuals. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16775', 'image' => '20230216112212_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 11:21:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17035', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIB Recommends Action against 12 Individuals Involved in T20 Spot Fixing Scam', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CIB submitted its investigation report to the Office of the District Attorney on Wednesday. The 12 people recommended for prosecution have been accused of helping to alter the results of the match, indulging in match fixing and inciting others to be involved in the illegal act. Two cricket players have been accused of aiding to change the result, according to CIB Superintendent of Police Sanjaya Singh Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police investigation has found that those in managerial roles of different clubs, outside individuals who came in contact with the players and the cricketers taking part in the game were involved in the fixing scam. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the incident came to light, the police have already arrested cricketers Mehaboob Alam, Mohammad Adil Alam and Nitesh Gupta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The franchise-club based tournament was held at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur from December 24, 2022 to January 11, 2023. The match was organized by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in strategic and commercial partnership with India's Seven3 Sports Pvt. Ltd. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">If found guilty of the offense of spot fixing and match fixing under the National Sports Development Act, 2077 BS, the accused could face imprisonment up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the CIB, Mehaboob Alam, who is also a former national player, tried to spot-fix by tempting two Nepali cricketers. Mohammad Adil Alam was asked to throw a no-ball and one wide ball, which he duly followed in two games. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, a foreign player was asked by the management group of his club to be a part of the spot fixing scam. Under the direction of the team manager, a foreign player scored a pre-determined amount of runs in an innings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After alarms were raised over the likelihood of spot fixing taking place in the tournament, notably by an individual who worked as a commentator in the series, a five-member investigation committee was also formed under the leadership of the Deputy Superintendent of Police of CIB to investigate the incident. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16774', 'image' => '20230216095854_CIB_Nepal_Police_logo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 09:57:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17034', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Molung Hydropower Limited Opens Sale of Its Public Offerings ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 16: Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first phase, the company had issued and allotted public offerings to the project-affected locals of Okhaldhunga district and Nepali citizens working in foreign countries with labour agreement issued by the Department of Labour.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the total shares, 1,36,425 units of shares have been allotted to the mutual fund schemes while 54,570 units of shares have been reserved for the employees of the hydropower company. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If fully-subscribed, the offering will end on 22 February. If it remains under-subscribed, the deadline to apply for the IPO will extend till March 2. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Interested investors can apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 8,000 shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Molung Hydropower Company Limited with the installed capacity of 7 megawatts has been producing electricity. Per megawatt cost for the construction of the run-of-the-river hydro power project stands at Rs 20.8 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sunrise Capital is the issue and sale manger of the IPO. Individuals can apply for the IPO through CASBA-approved banks and financial institutions by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON). They can also apply for the IPO through Meroshare.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16773', 'image' => '20230216062109_collage (64) (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 06:14:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17033', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Modi-Lekhnath 132 KV Transmission Line Comes Into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the New Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project, 43 kilometers of 132 double circuit transmission line, 132 KV switching station at Deupur of Modi Rural Municiplaity-2, 132 KV Lahachhap substation at Kaski’s Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-4 and 132 KV line bay at Lekhnath substation’s switchyard have been completed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project has been constructed to improve the power supply of various districts including Parbat, Kaski and evacuate electricity generated from hydropower projects to be constructed on Modi, Seti, Madi and Sardi rivers to the national grid. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said that construction of the New Modi-Lekhnath was finished with the completion of the construction of Lahachowk-Lekhnath transmission line. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Construction of the transmission line was disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic and locals’ demand to change the routes of the transmission lines at Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality and various places of Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We have constructed the infrastructure that is capable to evacuate 200 megawatt of power generated from various projects to the national grid,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Electricity generated from various projects will be connected to New Modi and Lahachowk substation and evacuated to the national grid.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As many as 140 towers have been constructed along the New Modi-Lekhnath Transmission Line Project. Lahachowk substation has power transformers of 132/33 KV, 30 MVA and 33/11 KV and 8 MVA. To supply the power to the locals, one line bay of 33 KV and four feeders of 11 KV have been constructed at Lahachowk substation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It took 2.24 billion to finish the transmission line project. The project was funded by the Nepal government, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and subsidized loan of the India’s Import-Export (Exim) Bank of India. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16772', 'image' => '20230215052546_collage - 2023-02-15T165133.534.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 17:22:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17032', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'INR 100 Available for Rs 155 in Border Areas', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. To buy 100 rupees of India (INR) through official means, one has to pay Rs 160 Nepalese currency. However, for some time, the informal market has started getting INR 100 for Rs 155. In the informal market, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the Nepalese currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Traders said that not only in the border market, but traders in the federal capital Kathmandu and main cities are also providing INR 100 for Rs 155. A businessman from Birgunj said that the price of INR has been falling for about two months. Those businessmen claim that the currency has depreciated after the demand for gold has fallen due to the decrease in global trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts also agree with this argument. Former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri said that since India is Nepal's largest trading partner, if trade with India decreases, the demand for gold will naturally decrease and its effect may be seen in the form of currency devaluation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trade deficit with India has comparatively decreased in recent months. The data shows that the demand for gold has decreased in banks and the private sector. It is natural that the price will decrease after the demand has decreased,” former governor Chhetri told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the trade with India takes place in India. Traders say that the share of imports in foreign trade is high, and two-thirds of the trade is with India. However, the demand for INR has decreased due to the decrease in import. According to an experienced trader of Birgunj, the entire payment for imported goods is not done through the banking channel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The businessman said that most of the goods coming from India come under low invoice, and the amount other than that mentioned in the bill is paid through informal means (hundi). He claims that since the formal trade has decreased, the demand for INR in the form of hundi has also decreased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both formal and informal business are being done side by side. Recently, due to the decrease in both trades, the demand for INR has decreased, said another trader. He shared that he had to pay up to Rs 164/165 for INR 100 when the demand for INR was high. Traders say that at some point this rate had reached as much as Rs 170.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There are also others who claim that the money came from India because the banks in Nepal gave higher interest on fixed deposits.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some experts suspect that the price of gold in India is higher than that of Nepal, so the value of gold may have been devalued due to gold smuggling. They believe that since the amount of gold sent from Nepal has to be paid in Nepalese currency, the demand has increased and due to this, the value of the Indian currency has depreciated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As India has recently increased the customs duty on gold, it is claimed that its informal export from Nepal will increase further. After the Russia-Ukraine war, trade decreased, opportunities for investment in fuel production decreased, and the price of convertible currency also fluctuated, so most of the investors saw investment in precious yellow metals as a safe haven, according to experts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ex-governor Chhetri also points out the possibility of unauthorized export of gold from Nepal to India as India has increased the customs duty on gold. He claims that devaluation of the currency will be beneficial for Nepal's economy only if exports and revenue of Nepal increase. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Otherwise, the profit/loss of fluctuations in informal sector will remain informal. It will not benefit the economy," said Chhetri.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also claimed that this state of depreciation will not last long. From rice, pulses to vehicles and even the fuel used in those vehicles come from India. “In this case, imports from India will not always remain low," he said. "As soon as business returns to normal, the value of currency will be back to normal."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16771', 'image' => '20230215043814_1676427320.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Share Transaction of Merged Entities Remain Suspended even after Starting Integrated Business', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. However, this has not helped ease the situation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the directive, shares transaction of merging entities is suspended in the secondary market only for a maximum of 15 business days after the integrated transaction. However, the share trading of five companies which started integrated business in January is yet to resume. Even after the integrated business of Century Commercial, Nepal Investment Mega, Bank of Kathmandu and Global IME Bank, the stock trading in the secondary market has been suspended for a long time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Century Commercial Bank was acquired by Prabhu Bank in a swap ratio of 1:1 and started the integrated business under the name of Prabhu Bank Limited from January 10. Similarly, Nepal Investment Bank and Mega Bank Nepal also merged in the ratio of 100 is to 90 shares and started integrated business on January 11 under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu Limited also merged. After the completion of the merger process of these two banks, the integrated business is being conducted under the name of Global IME Bank from January 9. The share trading of these five companies is still suspended even though it has been more than 15 days since they started integrated transaction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairman of the board Ramesh Kumar Hamal expressed regrets that the business remains halted contrary to the guidelines implemented by SEBON to prevent investors' property from being held hostage for a long time. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“In the directive, there is a provision to stop share trading for a maximum of 15 trading days after the integrated transaction. There is no provision for what will happen if the transaction is stopped in violation of the said rule,” said Hamal. He also said that if such problems start to appear, the guidelines will be revised and action will be taken against institution which goes against the guidelines. Hamal said that they will get information from NEPSE about the companies whose business has been suspended against the guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The share registrars of the affiliated companies say that the bonus share listing process of the companies has delayed the opening of share transactions. Chief Executive Officer of Prabhu Capital, Prabhu Bank's share registrar, Dinesh Thakali said that the opening of share trading was delayed due to the adjustment of bonus shares of Century and Prabhu Bank. Both banks passed the bonus share proposal at the Annual General Meeting held on December 29. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Investment Bank, Mega Bank, Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu have already listed this year's bonus shares in the secondary market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mekh Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NIBL Ace Capital Limited, Registrar of Nepal Investment Bank informed that although the shares were maintained as per the swap ratio and submitted to the board for the listing process a week ago, but they are yet to get the approval. He informed that after the approval of the board, the share trading will be opened under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before the implementation of the merger and acquisition guidelines by the board, the share trading of 34 companies in the process of merger and acquisition was suspended. In the merger and acquisition guidelines implemented by the board, there is a provision that the merger and acquisition process should be completed within 6 months of signing the agreement.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16770', 'image' => '20230215041952_merger.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:18:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Business Gaining Momentum in Kanchanjungha Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 439 tourists from different countries visited the area in the past four months. With the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism activities in the region had remained almost nil in the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary at Kanchanjungha Conservation and Management Council Office Man Kumar Limbu said that the tourism entrepreneurs are excited after the increased number of visitors in the recent months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Currently, the area is home to more than 50 hotels including big and small in the Kanchanjugha trekking route. Singi Namjong Hotel established with the investment of over Rs 70 million is offering services from Gyalpa village of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, while four other hotels having more than Rs 10 million investment each are in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A Hotelier Pema Sherpa from Ghunsa said the arrival of tourists has made the entrepreneurs hopeful of their business, though the pandemic time was disappointing for them. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two trekking routes are used to reach the Kanchanjugha base camp. The visitors can reach the base camp through the Sirijungha Rural Municipality in Taplejung district through Ganesh Chowk of Panchthar district to climb Mt Kanchanjugha, the third tallest peak in the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the Kanchajungha base camp could also be reached by using the trail along the Phaktanglung Rural Municipality after landing at Suketar Airport in Taplejung district. ---RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16769', 'image' => '20230215035232_collage - 2023-02-15T155217.691.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 15:50:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Swastima Khadka to visit Dubai to Promote Digital Remittance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. Actress Khadka will be going to Dubai on February 18 at the invitation of Ansari Exchange and eSewa Money Transfer to promote digital remittances under the 'My Digital Country' scheme of eSewa Money Transfer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">eSewa informed that Khadka will participate in the program to be organized from February 18 to 20 at various places there. eSewa is running the 'My Digital Country' scheme currently. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the information provided by eSewa, the scheme has been bringing in remittances from all over the world through bank accounts and wallets in Nepal and also giving various gifts to the participants of the campaign. eSewa also informed that one person who sends remittance through digital means will be given a house in Kathmandu under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16768', 'image' => '20230215025410_swastima.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 14:53:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Governance Dialogue by Daayitwa Focuses on Collective Action for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Monday, February 14.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Tuesday, February 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program had an attendance of over 60 stakeholders from private, public, and social sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dialogue aimed to discuss the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, inspire collective actions, and deliberate on the way forward based on the ‘Scoping Study for Municipal Engagement on Local Economic Development’ under the Sub National Governance Program (SNGP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SNGP is an Australian Aid initiative implemented by the Asia Foundation on behalf of the Australian Government. The study was conducted in the seven SNGP partner municipalities (Damak, Mithila, Bhimeshwor, Waling, Tansen, Birendranagar and Tikapur) across seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Senior entrepreneurship expert of Daayitwa presented the preliminary findings of the ‘Scoping Study’ highlighting the possibilities and bottlenecks of local entrepreneurship development in all seven partner municipalities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The discussion panel discussed about the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, government and private sector, and stressed on the need to develop a strong enterprise ecosystem to bolster the economic development at local level. The discussion mainly highlighted the issues and concerns related to the existing policy gaps; the need for connecting the market, academia, and the government; importance of public, private and civil society collaboration; necessity of implementing output-driven policies and programs instead of input and process-driven ones and tactful marketing and promotion of Nepali products and services.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the program, Bishnu Adhikari, the governance director of the foundation in Nepal pointed out that the current challenges seen in the local economic development of Nepal can be tactfully resolved with close coordination and cooperation of public, private and civil society sectors.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16767', 'image' => '20230215015732_IMG_7959.JPG', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 13:56:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Prioritises Investment in Small and Cottage Industry: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries. PM Dahal assured the small entrepreneurs that government was working on a policy that ensures easy loans for the small entrepreneurs and their products promoted accordingly. He said this while inaugurating the 16th International Industrial Trade Fair, Small and Cottage Industries' Festival, and the Sixth Organic Agriculture Fair-2023 at Bhrikutimandap on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government’s policy itself should protect and promote small and cottage industries, for which a separate act is necessary. The government therefore pays attention to it," PM Dahal stressed, reminding that Nepal used to export food grains five decades back. The country has huge potential in the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Now, time has come for all sides to promote marketing of agricultural products.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the country is reeling under financial crisis at present, the government bears the utmost responsibility to address the problems, said Dahal. "The government is engrossed in resolving the problems and prop up economy," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhari, said Nepal's traditional skills must be commercialized. "Promotion of export and self-reliant economy are the current need," she said, adding that national and international marketing of goods is equally important. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Minister for Tourism, Industry and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dambar Tamang, said that the provincial government would play a significant role in promoting the markets of indigenous and domestic products. "Arts and culture are invaluable inheritance. For their promotion, all sides' cooperation is essential," he stressed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival and fairs would run till February 18. Some 200,000 people are expected to visit the events leading to a transaction of around Rs 80 million. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16766', 'image' => '20230215115939_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 11:58:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Address Transport-Related Problems ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting of the task force held under the chairmanship of Director General of the Department of Transport Management Tulsinath Gautam took a decision to this effect on Tuesday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Transport entrepreneurs and labour unions related to this sector also agreed to form a common opinion on the problems faced by the transport sector and submit it to the task force by Wednesday evening.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to General Secretary of Nepal Transport Workers' Association Nurnath Pant, all stakeholders related to the transport sector had attended the meeting called by the government in the wake of recent events that resulted in a halt to the public transport services.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It maybe recalled that the transport workers had resorted to vandalism on Monday demanding the concerned authorities to revoke hefty fines imposed to traffic rules violation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In course of the protest, the agitating transport workers had torched a police vehicle and a police beat in Balaju area of Kathmandu and also vandalized the Lotse Mall in New Bus Park area. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16765', 'image' => '20230215101914_Traffic-Fines-Payment-Esewa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 10:18:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Broom Grass Triples in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">February 15: The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Netra Acharya, who had sold per kilogram of the broom grass at Rs 35 three years ago, sold out the broom grass at Rs 120 per kg in Taplejung last year. Acharya hopes that price will increase this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite the price fluctuation, traders are purchasing the broom grass from the farmers from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local Rup Narayan Pandey shared he has procured 10 quintals of broom grass purchasing it from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg. Pandey says that the price might slightly increase this year as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Traders and entrepreneurs say that price has gone up with rising demand of broom grass from India. Farmers have started growing broom grass commercially after they began getting good prices for their produce.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Farmers use the sticks of the broom grass as firewood, leaves as fodder for the livestock and blossomed parts to make the broom.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Broom grass fetching good prices has made farmers happy and excited in the hilly regions in the east. Broom grass can be planted and grown even on the non-arable and slopes. Its leaves are very useful for livestock as other grasses dry up in the winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Access to the road network to the rural belt has led to the growth of the broom grass’ commercial farming.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16764', 'image' => '20230215060021_collage - 2023-02-14T163240.667.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 05:55:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Raises Rs 30 Billion Internal Loans and Rs 26.46 Billion External Debts in Six Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government has received foreign grants worth Rs 8.12 billion during the same period. Government mobilises internal and external loans and foreign grants for the implementation of annual policies and programmes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, discussions are being held with various development partners for the mobilisation of development assistance for the current fiscal year and upcoming fiscal year. The half-yearly review report stated that initiatives are underway for loan and grants with more than two dozen development partners. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has been taking initiative to take Rs 39 billion concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of Kakadbhitta-Laukahi road section. Discussion with the World Bank to get this loan is underway, according to the Finance Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government is making preparation to take Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for the School Sector Reform Programme as well as Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for Quality Health System Project from the World Bank. It is said that project document has already been prepared to get this loan assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The finance ministry mentioned in the review report that a subsidized loan for budgetary assistance of around Rs 13 billion is going to be taken from the World Bank under Nepal Fiscal Reforms DPC-2 Programme as well as preparation is underway to take budgetary assistance worth around Rs 13 billion under 'Finance for Growth' programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Asian Development Bank has already given initial consent for the implementation of 635-MW Dudh Koshi Storage Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Asian Development Bank has given hint to provide around Rs 75.40 billion subsidized loan for the implementation of the project. Coordination is underway to collect investment from other donor agencies in the project," mentioned the review report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, homework is on to secure a subsidized loan worth US Dollars 500 million (around Rs 65 billion) to implement the 1061-megawatt Upper Arun Reservoir-based Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition to this, the government is coordinating with other probable investors for the project to manage remaining fund required to undertake the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the implementation of the Customs Reform and Modernization Strategies and Action Plan, the government is in the course of receiving a loan of around Rs 6.50 billion in subsidy from the Asian Development Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the government is making preparations to get a soft loan worth Rs 13 billion from the ADB to implement public finance management and service delivery reform programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discussions are underway in regard with a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding to secure around Rs 14.40 billion grants from the British Government to undertake the Local Infrastructure Support Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides this, Nepal is to take a loan of Rs 1.19 billion from the ADB for the implementation of the Rural Roads Improvement Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government is in touch with some of its development partners and donor agencies to receive foreign assistance. </span><br /> Similarly, the government has urged t<span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">he EU to provide Rs 15.06 million grants to Nepal for the support of the agricultural and rural development endeavours. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16763', 'image' => '20230214073524_20210730071603_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 19:34:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Additional Investment Required for Development of Information Technology: Minister Sharma', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 14: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Himalayan Science Fair in Nepalgunj on Tuesday, The Minister for Communication and Information Technology Sharma further said the government has kept development, utilization and expansion of technology in priority.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stressing on the need of making the technology people-friendly in order to make the country self-reliant in the information-technology sector, Sharma suggested increasing investment in every sector of the economy and providing opportunities to all for the development of science and technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former Deputy Speaker Purna Kumari Subedi underscored the need to linking agriculture and employment to technology, saying that science and technology contributed would massively contribute to the country's development. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Himalayan Science Foundation has organized the two-day exhibition at the Nepalgunj Stadium. The exhibition has more than 30 science and technology-related stalls operated by students from different schools in Banke district, informed Atanka Basnet, the Chairperson of the Foundation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Various tools and equipments made by students of Grade 8 to 12 are put on display at the exhibition. ----RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16762', 'image' => '20230214053442_collage - 2023-02-07T165151.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 17:33:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17041', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Four Involved in Looting at Lhotse Mall Arrested ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on Monday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The District Police Range Kathmandu presented the accused at a press conference held on Wednesday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested include Chiran Regmi of Dailekh, Navin Khadgi of Kathmandu, Sujan Khatri of Rupandehi and Pradeep Basnet of Jhapa. They have been arrested on the charge of been charged of being involved in the incident. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Superintendent of Police Sitaram Rijal informed that the search for the others involved in the incident is ongoing. Mobile telephones, chargers, recharge cards, earphones and other items inside the shops of the mall were looted on the pretext of the vandalism that took place following a demonstration held by transport workers and entrepreneurs on Monday. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16776', 'image' => '20230216010333_nepal police.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 13:02:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17036', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumers Expect Inflation to Increase ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Inflation Expectations Survey (IES) of the second quarter of current fiscal year published by the central bank on Wednesday shows that 84.6 percent of the respondents expected the price level to increase in the next three months while 92.3 percent of the respondents expected price level to increase over the next one-year period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of respondents expecting price increases in the next three months as well as the next one year has however decreased from mid-Oct, 2022. Nevertheless, the number of respondents expecting price increase in food and its sub-group except fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil and hotel and restaurant has increased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of respondents expecting price hike in non-food and services and real estate (housing) during the next three months has slightly decreased compared to that of mid-Oct, 2022. Furthermore, the number of respondents expecting price increase in one year ahead across the entire food products, except for fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil, drinks and tobacco and hotel and restaurant along with non-food and services groups has decreased compared to mid-Oct, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The IES also showed that the median inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has remained same compared to mid-Oct, 2022 and mean inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has decreased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Median inflation expectations for three months and one year ahead stand at 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent respectively. This shows that individuals expect inflation to remain stable in the near term as well as in medium term, added the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to NRB, the survey was conducted from January 8 to January 14 among individual respondents from 60 market areas through field interviews. The results are based on responses from 2,010 individuals. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16775', 'image' => '20230216112212_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 11:21:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17035', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIB Recommends Action against 12 Individuals Involved in T20 Spot Fixing Scam', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CIB submitted its investigation report to the Office of the District Attorney on Wednesday. The 12 people recommended for prosecution have been accused of helping to alter the results of the match, indulging in match fixing and inciting others to be involved in the illegal act. Two cricket players have been accused of aiding to change the result, according to CIB Superintendent of Police Sanjaya Singh Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police investigation has found that those in managerial roles of different clubs, outside individuals who came in contact with the players and the cricketers taking part in the game were involved in the fixing scam. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the incident came to light, the police have already arrested cricketers Mehaboob Alam, Mohammad Adil Alam and Nitesh Gupta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The franchise-club based tournament was held at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur from December 24, 2022 to January 11, 2023. The match was organized by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in strategic and commercial partnership with India's Seven3 Sports Pvt. Ltd. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">If found guilty of the offense of spot fixing and match fixing under the National Sports Development Act, 2077 BS, the accused could face imprisonment up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the CIB, Mehaboob Alam, who is also a former national player, tried to spot-fix by tempting two Nepali cricketers. Mohammad Adil Alam was asked to throw a no-ball and one wide ball, which he duly followed in two games. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, a foreign player was asked by the management group of his club to be a part of the spot fixing scam. Under the direction of the team manager, a foreign player scored a pre-determined amount of runs in an innings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After alarms were raised over the likelihood of spot fixing taking place in the tournament, notably by an individual who worked as a commentator in the series, a five-member investigation committee was also formed under the leadership of the Deputy Superintendent of Police of CIB to investigate the incident. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16774', 'image' => '20230216095854_CIB_Nepal_Police_logo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 09:57:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17034', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Molung Hydropower Limited Opens Sale of Its Public Offerings ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 16: Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first phase, the company had issued and allotted public offerings to the project-affected locals of Okhaldhunga district and Nepali citizens working in foreign countries with labour agreement issued by the Department of Labour.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the total shares, 1,36,425 units of shares have been allotted to the mutual fund schemes while 54,570 units of shares have been reserved for the employees of the hydropower company. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If fully-subscribed, the offering will end on 22 February. If it remains under-subscribed, the deadline to apply for the IPO will extend till March 2. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Interested investors can apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 8,000 shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Molung Hydropower Company Limited with the installed capacity of 7 megawatts has been producing electricity. Per megawatt cost for the construction of the run-of-the-river hydro power project stands at Rs 20.8 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sunrise Capital is the issue and sale manger of the IPO. Individuals can apply for the IPO through CASBA-approved banks and financial institutions by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON). They can also apply for the IPO through Meroshare.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16773', 'image' => '20230216062109_collage (64) (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 06:14:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17033', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Modi-Lekhnath 132 KV Transmission Line Comes Into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the New Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project, 43 kilometers of 132 double circuit transmission line, 132 KV switching station at Deupur of Modi Rural Municiplaity-2, 132 KV Lahachhap substation at Kaski’s Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-4 and 132 KV line bay at Lekhnath substation’s switchyard have been completed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project has been constructed to improve the power supply of various districts including Parbat, Kaski and evacuate electricity generated from hydropower projects to be constructed on Modi, Seti, Madi and Sardi rivers to the national grid. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said that construction of the New Modi-Lekhnath was finished with the completion of the construction of Lahachowk-Lekhnath transmission line. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Construction of the transmission line was disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic and locals’ demand to change the routes of the transmission lines at Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality and various places of Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We have constructed the infrastructure that is capable to evacuate 200 megawatt of power generated from various projects to the national grid,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Electricity generated from various projects will be connected to New Modi and Lahachowk substation and evacuated to the national grid.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As many as 140 towers have been constructed along the New Modi-Lekhnath Transmission Line Project. Lahachowk substation has power transformers of 132/33 KV, 30 MVA and 33/11 KV and 8 MVA. To supply the power to the locals, one line bay of 33 KV and four feeders of 11 KV have been constructed at Lahachowk substation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It took 2.24 billion to finish the transmission line project. The project was funded by the Nepal government, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and subsidized loan of the India’s Import-Export (Exim) Bank of India. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16772', 'image' => '20230215052546_collage - 2023-02-15T165133.534.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 17:22:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17032', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'INR 100 Available for Rs 155 in Border Areas', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. To buy 100 rupees of India (INR) through official means, one has to pay Rs 160 Nepalese currency. However, for some time, the informal market has started getting INR 100 for Rs 155. In the informal market, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the Nepalese currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Traders said that not only in the border market, but traders in the federal capital Kathmandu and main cities are also providing INR 100 for Rs 155. A businessman from Birgunj said that the price of INR has been falling for about two months. Those businessmen claim that the currency has depreciated after the demand for gold has fallen due to the decrease in global trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts also agree with this argument. Former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri said that since India is Nepal's largest trading partner, if trade with India decreases, the demand for gold will naturally decrease and its effect may be seen in the form of currency devaluation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trade deficit with India has comparatively decreased in recent months. The data shows that the demand for gold has decreased in banks and the private sector. It is natural that the price will decrease after the demand has decreased,” former governor Chhetri told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the trade with India takes place in India. Traders say that the share of imports in foreign trade is high, and two-thirds of the trade is with India. However, the demand for INR has decreased due to the decrease in import. According to an experienced trader of Birgunj, the entire payment for imported goods is not done through the banking channel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The businessman said that most of the goods coming from India come under low invoice, and the amount other than that mentioned in the bill is paid through informal means (hundi). He claims that since the formal trade has decreased, the demand for INR in the form of hundi has also decreased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both formal and informal business are being done side by side. Recently, due to the decrease in both trades, the demand for INR has decreased, said another trader. He shared that he had to pay up to Rs 164/165 for INR 100 when the demand for INR was high. Traders say that at some point this rate had reached as much as Rs 170.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There are also others who claim that the money came from India because the banks in Nepal gave higher interest on fixed deposits.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some experts suspect that the price of gold in India is higher than that of Nepal, so the value of gold may have been devalued due to gold smuggling. They believe that since the amount of gold sent from Nepal has to be paid in Nepalese currency, the demand has increased and due to this, the value of the Indian currency has depreciated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As India has recently increased the customs duty on gold, it is claimed that its informal export from Nepal will increase further. After the Russia-Ukraine war, trade decreased, opportunities for investment in fuel production decreased, and the price of convertible currency also fluctuated, so most of the investors saw investment in precious yellow metals as a safe haven, according to experts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ex-governor Chhetri also points out the possibility of unauthorized export of gold from Nepal to India as India has increased the customs duty on gold. He claims that devaluation of the currency will be beneficial for Nepal's economy only if exports and revenue of Nepal increase. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Otherwise, the profit/loss of fluctuations in informal sector will remain informal. It will not benefit the economy," said Chhetri.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also claimed that this state of depreciation will not last long. From rice, pulses to vehicles and even the fuel used in those vehicles come from India. “In this case, imports from India will not always remain low," he said. "As soon as business returns to normal, the value of currency will be back to normal."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16771', 'image' => '20230215043814_1676427320.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Share Transaction of Merged Entities Remain Suspended even after Starting Integrated Business', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. However, this has not helped ease the situation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the directive, shares transaction of merging entities is suspended in the secondary market only for a maximum of 15 business days after the integrated transaction. However, the share trading of five companies which started integrated business in January is yet to resume. Even after the integrated business of Century Commercial, Nepal Investment Mega, Bank of Kathmandu and Global IME Bank, the stock trading in the secondary market has been suspended for a long time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Century Commercial Bank was acquired by Prabhu Bank in a swap ratio of 1:1 and started the integrated business under the name of Prabhu Bank Limited from January 10. Similarly, Nepal Investment Bank and Mega Bank Nepal also merged in the ratio of 100 is to 90 shares and started integrated business on January 11 under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu Limited also merged. After the completion of the merger process of these two banks, the integrated business is being conducted under the name of Global IME Bank from January 9. The share trading of these five companies is still suspended even though it has been more than 15 days since they started integrated transaction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairman of the board Ramesh Kumar Hamal expressed regrets that the business remains halted contrary to the guidelines implemented by SEBON to prevent investors' property from being held hostage for a long time. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“In the directive, there is a provision to stop share trading for a maximum of 15 trading days after the integrated transaction. There is no provision for what will happen if the transaction is stopped in violation of the said rule,” said Hamal. He also said that if such problems start to appear, the guidelines will be revised and action will be taken against institution which goes against the guidelines. Hamal said that they will get information from NEPSE about the companies whose business has been suspended against the guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The share registrars of the affiliated companies say that the bonus share listing process of the companies has delayed the opening of share transactions. Chief Executive Officer of Prabhu Capital, Prabhu Bank's share registrar, Dinesh Thakali said that the opening of share trading was delayed due to the adjustment of bonus shares of Century and Prabhu Bank. Both banks passed the bonus share proposal at the Annual General Meeting held on December 29. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Investment Bank, Mega Bank, Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu have already listed this year's bonus shares in the secondary market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mekh Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NIBL Ace Capital Limited, Registrar of Nepal Investment Bank informed that although the shares were maintained as per the swap ratio and submitted to the board for the listing process a week ago, but they are yet to get the approval. He informed that after the approval of the board, the share trading will be opened under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before the implementation of the merger and acquisition guidelines by the board, the share trading of 34 companies in the process of merger and acquisition was suspended. In the merger and acquisition guidelines implemented by the board, there is a provision that the merger and acquisition process should be completed within 6 months of signing the agreement.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16770', 'image' => '20230215041952_merger.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:18:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Business Gaining Momentum in Kanchanjungha Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 439 tourists from different countries visited the area in the past four months. With the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism activities in the region had remained almost nil in the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary at Kanchanjungha Conservation and Management Council Office Man Kumar Limbu said that the tourism entrepreneurs are excited after the increased number of visitors in the recent months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Currently, the area is home to more than 50 hotels including big and small in the Kanchanjugha trekking route. Singi Namjong Hotel established with the investment of over Rs 70 million is offering services from Gyalpa village of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, while four other hotels having more than Rs 10 million investment each are in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A Hotelier Pema Sherpa from Ghunsa said the arrival of tourists has made the entrepreneurs hopeful of their business, though the pandemic time was disappointing for them. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two trekking routes are used to reach the Kanchanjugha base camp. The visitors can reach the base camp through the Sirijungha Rural Municipality in Taplejung district through Ganesh Chowk of Panchthar district to climb Mt Kanchanjugha, the third tallest peak in the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the Kanchajungha base camp could also be reached by using the trail along the Phaktanglung Rural Municipality after landing at Suketar Airport in Taplejung district. ---RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16769', 'image' => '20230215035232_collage - 2023-02-15T155217.691.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 15:50:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Swastima Khadka to visit Dubai to Promote Digital Remittance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. Actress Khadka will be going to Dubai on February 18 at the invitation of Ansari Exchange and eSewa Money Transfer to promote digital remittances under the 'My Digital Country' scheme of eSewa Money Transfer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">eSewa informed that Khadka will participate in the program to be organized from February 18 to 20 at various places there. eSewa is running the 'My Digital Country' scheme currently. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the information provided by eSewa, the scheme has been bringing in remittances from all over the world through bank accounts and wallets in Nepal and also giving various gifts to the participants of the campaign. eSewa also informed that one person who sends remittance through digital means will be given a house in Kathmandu under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16768', 'image' => '20230215025410_swastima.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 14:53:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Governance Dialogue by Daayitwa Focuses on Collective Action for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Monday, February 14.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Tuesday, February 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program had an attendance of over 60 stakeholders from private, public, and social sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dialogue aimed to discuss the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, inspire collective actions, and deliberate on the way forward based on the ‘Scoping Study for Municipal Engagement on Local Economic Development’ under the Sub National Governance Program (SNGP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SNGP is an Australian Aid initiative implemented by the Asia Foundation on behalf of the Australian Government. The study was conducted in the seven SNGP partner municipalities (Damak, Mithila, Bhimeshwor, Waling, Tansen, Birendranagar and Tikapur) across seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Senior entrepreneurship expert of Daayitwa presented the preliminary findings of the ‘Scoping Study’ highlighting the possibilities and bottlenecks of local entrepreneurship development in all seven partner municipalities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The discussion panel discussed about the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, government and private sector, and stressed on the need to develop a strong enterprise ecosystem to bolster the economic development at local level. The discussion mainly highlighted the issues and concerns related to the existing policy gaps; the need for connecting the market, academia, and the government; importance of public, private and civil society collaboration; necessity of implementing output-driven policies and programs instead of input and process-driven ones and tactful marketing and promotion of Nepali products and services.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the program, Bishnu Adhikari, the governance director of the foundation in Nepal pointed out that the current challenges seen in the local economic development of Nepal can be tactfully resolved with close coordination and cooperation of public, private and civil society sectors.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16767', 'image' => '20230215015732_IMG_7959.JPG', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 13:56:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Prioritises Investment in Small and Cottage Industry: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries. PM Dahal assured the small entrepreneurs that government was working on a policy that ensures easy loans for the small entrepreneurs and their products promoted accordingly. He said this while inaugurating the 16th International Industrial Trade Fair, Small and Cottage Industries' Festival, and the Sixth Organic Agriculture Fair-2023 at Bhrikutimandap on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government’s policy itself should protect and promote small and cottage industries, for which a separate act is necessary. The government therefore pays attention to it," PM Dahal stressed, reminding that Nepal used to export food grains five decades back. The country has huge potential in the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Now, time has come for all sides to promote marketing of agricultural products.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the country is reeling under financial crisis at present, the government bears the utmost responsibility to address the problems, said Dahal. "The government is engrossed in resolving the problems and prop up economy," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhari, said Nepal's traditional skills must be commercialized. "Promotion of export and self-reliant economy are the current need," she said, adding that national and international marketing of goods is equally important. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Minister for Tourism, Industry and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dambar Tamang, said that the provincial government would play a significant role in promoting the markets of indigenous and domestic products. "Arts and culture are invaluable inheritance. For their promotion, all sides' cooperation is essential," he stressed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival and fairs would run till February 18. Some 200,000 people are expected to visit the events leading to a transaction of around Rs 80 million. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16766', 'image' => '20230215115939_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 11:58:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Address Transport-Related Problems ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting of the task force held under the chairmanship of Director General of the Department of Transport Management Tulsinath Gautam took a decision to this effect on Tuesday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Transport entrepreneurs and labour unions related to this sector also agreed to form a common opinion on the problems faced by the transport sector and submit it to the task force by Wednesday evening.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to General Secretary of Nepal Transport Workers' Association Nurnath Pant, all stakeholders related to the transport sector had attended the meeting called by the government in the wake of recent events that resulted in a halt to the public transport services.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It maybe recalled that the transport workers had resorted to vandalism on Monday demanding the concerned authorities to revoke hefty fines imposed to traffic rules violation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In course of the protest, the agitating transport workers had torched a police vehicle and a police beat in Balaju area of Kathmandu and also vandalized the Lotse Mall in New Bus Park area. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16765', 'image' => '20230215101914_Traffic-Fines-Payment-Esewa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 10:18:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Broom Grass Triples in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">February 15: The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Netra Acharya, who had sold per kilogram of the broom grass at Rs 35 three years ago, sold out the broom grass at Rs 120 per kg in Taplejung last year. Acharya hopes that price will increase this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite the price fluctuation, traders are purchasing the broom grass from the farmers from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local Rup Narayan Pandey shared he has procured 10 quintals of broom grass purchasing it from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg. Pandey says that the price might slightly increase this year as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Traders and entrepreneurs say that price has gone up with rising demand of broom grass from India. Farmers have started growing broom grass commercially after they began getting good prices for their produce.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Farmers use the sticks of the broom grass as firewood, leaves as fodder for the livestock and blossomed parts to make the broom.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Broom grass fetching good prices has made farmers happy and excited in the hilly regions in the east. Broom grass can be planted and grown even on the non-arable and slopes. Its leaves are very useful for livestock as other grasses dry up in the winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Access to the road network to the rural belt has led to the growth of the broom grass’ commercial farming.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16764', 'image' => '20230215060021_collage - 2023-02-14T163240.667.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 05:55:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Raises Rs 30 Billion Internal Loans and Rs 26.46 Billion External Debts in Six Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government has received foreign grants worth Rs 8.12 billion during the same period. Government mobilises internal and external loans and foreign grants for the implementation of annual policies and programmes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, discussions are being held with various development partners for the mobilisation of development assistance for the current fiscal year and upcoming fiscal year. The half-yearly review report stated that initiatives are underway for loan and grants with more than two dozen development partners. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has been taking initiative to take Rs 39 billion concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of Kakadbhitta-Laukahi road section. Discussion with the World Bank to get this loan is underway, according to the Finance Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government is making preparation to take Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for the School Sector Reform Programme as well as Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for Quality Health System Project from the World Bank. It is said that project document has already been prepared to get this loan assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The finance ministry mentioned in the review report that a subsidized loan for budgetary assistance of around Rs 13 billion is going to be taken from the World Bank under Nepal Fiscal Reforms DPC-2 Programme as well as preparation is underway to take budgetary assistance worth around Rs 13 billion under 'Finance for Growth' programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Asian Development Bank has already given initial consent for the implementation of 635-MW Dudh Koshi Storage Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Asian Development Bank has given hint to provide around Rs 75.40 billion subsidized loan for the implementation of the project. Coordination is underway to collect investment from other donor agencies in the project," mentioned the review report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, homework is on to secure a subsidized loan worth US Dollars 500 million (around Rs 65 billion) to implement the 1061-megawatt Upper Arun Reservoir-based Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition to this, the government is coordinating with other probable investors for the project to manage remaining fund required to undertake the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the implementation of the Customs Reform and Modernization Strategies and Action Plan, the government is in the course of receiving a loan of around Rs 6.50 billion in subsidy from the Asian Development Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the government is making preparations to get a soft loan worth Rs 13 billion from the ADB to implement public finance management and service delivery reform programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discussions are underway in regard with a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding to secure around Rs 14.40 billion grants from the British Government to undertake the Local Infrastructure Support Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides this, Nepal is to take a loan of Rs 1.19 billion from the ADB for the implementation of the Rural Roads Improvement Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government is in touch with some of its development partners and donor agencies to receive foreign assistance. </span><br /> Similarly, the government has urged t<span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">he EU to provide Rs 15.06 million grants to Nepal for the support of the agricultural and rural development endeavours. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16763', 'image' => '20230214073524_20210730071603_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 19:34:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Additional Investment Required for Development of Information Technology: Minister Sharma', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 14: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Himalayan Science Fair in Nepalgunj on Tuesday, The Minister for Communication and Information Technology Sharma further said the government has kept development, utilization and expansion of technology in priority.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stressing on the need of making the technology people-friendly in order to make the country self-reliant in the information-technology sector, Sharma suggested increasing investment in every sector of the economy and providing opportunities to all for the development of science and technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former Deputy Speaker Purna Kumari Subedi underscored the need to linking agriculture and employment to technology, saying that science and technology contributed would massively contribute to the country's development. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Himalayan Science Foundation has organized the two-day exhibition at the Nepalgunj Stadium. The exhibition has more than 30 science and technology-related stalls operated by students from different schools in Banke district, informed Atanka Basnet, the Chairperson of the Foundation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Various tools and equipments made by students of Grade 8 to 12 are put on display at the exhibition. ----RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16762', 'image' => '20230214053442_collage - 2023-02-07T165151.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 17:33:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: Nepal Police has made public four persons who allegedly looted various shops at Lotse Mall at Naya Bus Park in Gongabu on Monday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The District Police Range Kathmandu presented the accused at a press conference held on Wednesday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested include Chiran Regmi of Dailekh, Navin Khadgi of Kathmandu, Sujan Khatri of Rupandehi and Pradeep Basnet of Jhapa. They have been arrested on the charge of been charged of being involved in the incident. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Superintendent of Police Sitaram Rijal informed that the search for the others involved in the incident is ongoing. Mobile telephones, chargers, recharge cards, earphones and other items inside the shops of the mall were looted on the pretext of the vandalism that took place following a demonstration held by transport workers and entrepreneurs on Monday. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16776', 'image' => '20230216010333_nepal police.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 13:02:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17036', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Consumers Expect Inflation to Increase ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: A majority of consumers in Nepal expect price level to increase in the next three months, while almost all the consumers expect the price level to increase over the next one year period, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Inflation Expectations Survey (IES) of the second quarter of current fiscal year published by the central bank on Wednesday shows that 84.6 percent of the respondents expected the price level to increase in the next three months while 92.3 percent of the respondents expected price level to increase over the next one-year period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of respondents expecting price increases in the next three months as well as the next one year has however decreased from mid-Oct, 2022. Nevertheless, the number of respondents expecting price increase in food and its sub-group except fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil and hotel and restaurant has increased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of respondents expecting price hike in non-food and services and real estate (housing) during the next three months has slightly decreased compared to that of mid-Oct, 2022. Furthermore, the number of respondents expecting price increase in one year ahead across the entire food products, except for fish, meat, milk, ghee and oil, drinks and tobacco and hotel and restaurant along with non-food and services groups has decreased compared to mid-Oct, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The IES also showed that the median inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has remained same compared to mid-Oct, 2022 and mean inflation expectation for the next three months and one year ahead has decreased. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Median inflation expectations for three months and one year ahead stand at 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent respectively. This shows that individuals expect inflation to remain stable in the near term as well as in medium term, added the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to NRB, the survey was conducted from January 8 to January 14 among individual respondents from 60 market areas through field interviews. The results are based on responses from 2,010 individuals. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16775', 'image' => '20230216112212_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 11:21:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17035', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIB Recommends Action against 12 Individuals Involved in T20 Spot Fixing Scam', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 16: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has recommended prosecuting 12 people involved in the spot fixing scam that took place during the T20 cricket league held in the capital last December. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CIB submitted its investigation report to the Office of the District Attorney on Wednesday. The 12 people recommended for prosecution have been accused of helping to alter the results of the match, indulging in match fixing and inciting others to be involved in the illegal act. Two cricket players have been accused of aiding to change the result, according to CIB Superintendent of Police Sanjaya Singh Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police investigation has found that those in managerial roles of different clubs, outside individuals who came in contact with the players and the cricketers taking part in the game were involved in the fixing scam. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the incident came to light, the police have already arrested cricketers Mehaboob Alam, Mohammad Adil Alam and Nitesh Gupta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The franchise-club based tournament was held at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur from December 24, 2022 to January 11, 2023. The match was organized by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in strategic and commercial partnership with India's Seven3 Sports Pvt. Ltd. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">If found guilty of the offense of spot fixing and match fixing under the National Sports Development Act, 2077 BS, the accused could face imprisonment up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the CIB, Mehaboob Alam, who is also a former national player, tried to spot-fix by tempting two Nepali cricketers. Mohammad Adil Alam was asked to throw a no-ball and one wide ball, which he duly followed in two games. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, a foreign player was asked by the management group of his club to be a part of the spot fixing scam. Under the direction of the team manager, a foreign player scored a pre-determined amount of runs in an innings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After alarms were raised over the likelihood of spot fixing taking place in the tournament, notably by an individual who worked as a commentator in the series, a five-member investigation committee was also formed under the leadership of the Deputy Superintendent of Police of CIB to investigate the incident. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16774', 'image' => '20230216095854_CIB_Nepal_Police_logo - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 09:57:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17034', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Molung Hydropower Limited Opens Sale of Its Public Offerings ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 16: Molung Hydropower Company Limited has opened sale of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public from Thursday. The hydropower company is floating a total of 24,55,650 shares to the general public at a face value of Rs 100 per kitta in the second phase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the first phase, the company had issued and allotted public offerings to the project-affected locals of Okhaldhunga district and Nepali citizens working in foreign countries with labour agreement issued by the Department of Labour.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the total shares, 1,36,425 units of shares have been allotted to the mutual fund schemes while 54,570 units of shares have been reserved for the employees of the hydropower company. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If fully-subscribed, the offering will end on 22 February. If it remains under-subscribed, the deadline to apply for the IPO will extend till March 2. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Interested investors can apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 8,000 shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Molung Hydropower Company Limited with the installed capacity of 7 megawatts has been producing electricity. Per megawatt cost for the construction of the run-of-the-river hydro power project stands at Rs 20.8 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sunrise Capital is the issue and sale manger of the IPO. Individuals can apply for the IPO through CASBA-approved banks and financial institutions by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON). They can also apply for the IPO through Meroshare.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-16', 'modified' => '2023-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16773', 'image' => '20230216062109_collage (64) (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-16 06:14:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17033', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Modi-Lekhnath 132 KV Transmission Line Comes Into Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: Construction of New Modi(Parbat)-Lekhnath(Kaski) transmission line has been completed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the New Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project, 43 kilometers of 132 double circuit transmission line, 132 KV switching station at Deupur of Modi Rural Municiplaity-2, 132 KV Lahachhap substation at Kaski’s Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-4 and 132 KV line bay at Lekhnath substation’s switchyard have been completed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new Modi-Lekhnath transmission line project has been constructed to improve the power supply of various districts including Parbat, Kaski and evacuate electricity generated from hydropower projects to be constructed on Modi, Seti, Madi and Sardi rivers to the national grid. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said that construction of the New Modi-Lekhnath was finished with the completion of the construction of Lahachowk-Lekhnath transmission line. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Construction of the transmission line was disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic and locals’ demand to change the routes of the transmission lines at Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality and various places of Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We have constructed the infrastructure that is capable to evacuate 200 megawatt of power generated from various projects to the national grid,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Electricity generated from various projects will be connected to New Modi and Lahachowk substation and evacuated to the national grid.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As many as 140 towers have been constructed along the New Modi-Lekhnath Transmission Line Project. Lahachowk substation has power transformers of 132/33 KV, 30 MVA and 33/11 KV and 8 MVA. To supply the power to the locals, one line bay of 33 KV and four feeders of 11 KV have been constructed at Lahachowk substation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It took 2.24 billion to finish the transmission line project. The project was funded by the Nepal government, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and subsidized loan of the India’s Import-Export (Exim) Bank of India. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16772', 'image' => '20230215052546_collage - 2023-02-15T165133.534.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 17:22:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17032', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'INR 100 Available for Rs 155 in Border Areas', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The exchange rate between Nepali and Indian currencies has been stable for decades. To buy 100 rupees of India (INR) through official means, one has to pay Rs 160 Nepalese currency. However, for some time, the informal market has started getting INR 100 for Rs 155. In the informal market, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the Nepalese currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Traders said that not only in the border market, but traders in the federal capital Kathmandu and main cities are also providing INR 100 for Rs 155. A businessman from Birgunj said that the price of INR has been falling for about two months. Those businessmen claim that the currency has depreciated after the demand for gold has fallen due to the decrease in global trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts also agree with this argument. Former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri said that since India is Nepal's largest trading partner, if trade with India decreases, the demand for gold will naturally decrease and its effect may be seen in the form of currency devaluation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trade deficit with India has comparatively decreased in recent months. The data shows that the demand for gold has decreased in banks and the private sector. It is natural that the price will decrease after the demand has decreased,” former governor Chhetri told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Most of the trade with India takes place in India. Traders say that the share of imports in foreign trade is high, and two-thirds of the trade is with India. However, the demand for INR has decreased due to the decrease in import. According to an experienced trader of Birgunj, the entire payment for imported goods is not done through the banking channel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The businessman said that most of the goods coming from India come under low invoice, and the amount other than that mentioned in the bill is paid through informal means (hundi). He claims that since the formal trade has decreased, the demand for INR in the form of hundi has also decreased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both formal and informal business are being done side by side. Recently, due to the decrease in both trades, the demand for INR has decreased, said another trader. He shared that he had to pay up to Rs 164/165 for INR 100 when the demand for INR was high. Traders say that at some point this rate had reached as much as Rs 170.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There are also others who claim that the money came from India because the banks in Nepal gave higher interest on fixed deposits.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Some experts suspect that the price of gold in India is higher than that of Nepal, so the value of gold may have been devalued due to gold smuggling. They believe that since the amount of gold sent from Nepal has to be paid in Nepalese currency, the demand has increased and due to this, the value of the Indian currency has depreciated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As India has recently increased the customs duty on gold, it is claimed that its informal export from Nepal will increase further. After the Russia-Ukraine war, trade decreased, opportunities for investment in fuel production decreased, and the price of convertible currency also fluctuated, so most of the investors saw investment in precious yellow metals as a safe haven, according to experts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ex-governor Chhetri also points out the possibility of unauthorized export of gold from Nepal to India as India has increased the customs duty on gold. He claims that devaluation of the currency will be beneficial for Nepal's economy only if exports and revenue of Nepal increase. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Otherwise, the profit/loss of fluctuations in informal sector will remain informal. It will not benefit the economy," said Chhetri.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also claimed that this state of depreciation will not last long. From rice, pulses to vehicles and even the fuel used in those vehicles come from India. “In this case, imports from India will not always remain low," he said. "As soon as business returns to normal, the value of currency will be back to normal."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16771', 'image' => '20230215043814_1676427320.Clipboard09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17031', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Share Transaction of Merged Entities Remain Suspended even after Starting Integrated Business', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) implemented the Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines, 2079 from November 10 in order to end the problem of suspension of share trading for a long time due to mergers and acquisitions. However, this has not helped ease the situation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the directive, shares transaction of merging entities is suspended in the secondary market only for a maximum of 15 business days after the integrated transaction. However, the share trading of five companies which started integrated business in January is yet to resume. Even after the integrated business of Century Commercial, Nepal Investment Mega, Bank of Kathmandu and Global IME Bank, the stock trading in the secondary market has been suspended for a long time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Century Commercial Bank was acquired by Prabhu Bank in a swap ratio of 1:1 and started the integrated business under the name of Prabhu Bank Limited from January 10. Similarly, Nepal Investment Bank and Mega Bank Nepal also merged in the ratio of 100 is to 90 shares and started integrated business on January 11 under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu Limited also merged. After the completion of the merger process of these two banks, the integrated business is being conducted under the name of Global IME Bank from January 9. The share trading of these five companies is still suspended even though it has been more than 15 days since they started integrated transaction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairman of the board Ramesh Kumar Hamal expressed regrets that the business remains halted contrary to the guidelines implemented by SEBON to prevent investors' property from being held hostage for a long time. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“In the directive, there is a provision to stop share trading for a maximum of 15 trading days after the integrated transaction. There is no provision for what will happen if the transaction is stopped in violation of the said rule,” said Hamal. He also said that if such problems start to appear, the guidelines will be revised and action will be taken against institution which goes against the guidelines. Hamal said that they will get information from NEPSE about the companies whose business has been suspended against the guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The share registrars of the affiliated companies say that the bonus share listing process of the companies has delayed the opening of share transactions. Chief Executive Officer of Prabhu Capital, Prabhu Bank's share registrar, Dinesh Thakali said that the opening of share trading was delayed due to the adjustment of bonus shares of Century and Prabhu Bank. Both banks passed the bonus share proposal at the Annual General Meeting held on December 29. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Investment Bank, Mega Bank, Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu have already listed this year's bonus shares in the secondary market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mekh Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NIBL Ace Capital Limited, Registrar of Nepal Investment Bank informed that although the shares were maintained as per the swap ratio and submitted to the board for the listing process a week ago, but they are yet to get the approval. He informed that after the approval of the board, the share trading will be opened under the name of Nepal Investment Mega Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Before the implementation of the merger and acquisition guidelines by the board, the share trading of 34 companies in the process of merger and acquisition was suspended. In the merger and acquisition guidelines implemented by the board, there is a provision that the merger and acquisition process should be completed within 6 months of signing the agreement.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16770', 'image' => '20230215041952_merger.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 16:18:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17030', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Business Gaining Momentum in Kanchanjungha Area', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 15: The tourism business is gradually coming to its pre-COVID-19 status in the Kanchanjungha area with the increased number of tourist arrivals in the recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 439 tourists from different countries visited the area in the past four months. With the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism activities in the region had remained almost nil in the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary at Kanchanjungha Conservation and Management Council Office Man Kumar Limbu said that the tourism entrepreneurs are excited after the increased number of visitors in the recent months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Currently, the area is home to more than 50 hotels including big and small in the Kanchanjugha trekking route. Singi Namjong Hotel established with the investment of over Rs 70 million is offering services from Gyalpa village of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, while four other hotels having more than Rs 10 million investment each are in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A Hotelier Pema Sherpa from Ghunsa said the arrival of tourists has made the entrepreneurs hopeful of their business, though the pandemic time was disappointing for them. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two trekking routes are used to reach the Kanchanjugha base camp. The visitors can reach the base camp through the Sirijungha Rural Municipality in Taplejung district through Ganesh Chowk of Panchthar district to climb Mt Kanchanjugha, the third tallest peak in the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the Kanchajungha base camp could also be reached by using the trail along the Phaktanglung Rural Municipality after landing at Suketar Airport in Taplejung district. ---RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16769', 'image' => '20230215035232_collage - 2023-02-15T155217.691.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 15:50:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17029', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Swastima Khadka to visit Dubai to Promote Digital Remittance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Actress Swastima Khadka, who is also the brand ambassador of eSewa Money Transfer, is all set to visit Dubai to promote digital remittance. Actress Khadka will be going to Dubai on February 18 at the invitation of Ansari Exchange and eSewa Money Transfer to promote digital remittances under the 'My Digital Country' scheme of eSewa Money Transfer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">eSewa informed that Khadka will participate in the program to be organized from February 18 to 20 at various places there. eSewa is running the 'My Digital Country' scheme currently. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the information provided by eSewa, the scheme has been bringing in remittances from all over the world through bank accounts and wallets in Nepal and also giving various gifts to the participants of the campaign. eSewa also informed that one person who sends remittance through digital means will be given a house in Kathmandu under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16768', 'image' => '20230215025410_swastima.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 14:53:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17028', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Governance Dialogue by Daayitwa Focuses on Collective Action for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Monday, February 14.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">February 15: Daayitwa, a not for profit non-governmental organization that envisions an enterprising Nepal, successfully organized a governance dialogue on strengthening the municipal enterprise ecosystem in Nepal on Tuesday, February 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program had an attendance of over 60 stakeholders from private, public, and social sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The dialogue aimed to discuss the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, inspire collective actions, and deliberate on the way forward based on the ‘Scoping Study for Municipal Engagement on Local Economic Development’ under the Sub National Governance Program (SNGP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SNGP is an Australian Aid initiative implemented by the Asia Foundation on behalf of the Australian Government. The study was conducted in the seven SNGP partner municipalities (Damak, Mithila, Bhimeshwor, Waling, Tansen, Birendranagar and Tikapur) across seven provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Senior entrepreneurship expert of Daayitwa presented the preliminary findings of the ‘Scoping Study’ highlighting the possibilities and bottlenecks of local entrepreneurship development in all seven partner municipalities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The discussion panel discussed about the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, government and private sector, and stressed on the need to develop a strong enterprise ecosystem to bolster the economic development at local level. The discussion mainly highlighted the issues and concerns related to the existing policy gaps; the need for connecting the market, academia, and the government; importance of public, private and civil society collaboration; necessity of implementing output-driven policies and programs instead of input and process-driven ones and tactful marketing and promotion of Nepali products and services.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the program, Bishnu Adhikari, the governance director of the foundation in Nepal pointed out that the current challenges seen in the local economic development of Nepal can be tactfully resolved with close coordination and cooperation of public, private and civil society sectors.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16767', 'image' => '20230215015732_IMG_7959.JPG', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 13:56:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17027', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Prioritises Investment in Small and Cottage Industry: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries. PM Dahal assured the small entrepreneurs that government was working on a policy that ensures easy loans for the small entrepreneurs and their products promoted accordingly. He said this while inaugurating the 16th International Industrial Trade Fair, Small and Cottage Industries' Festival, and the Sixth Organic Agriculture Fair-2023 at Bhrikutimandap on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government’s policy itself should protect and promote small and cottage industries, for which a separate act is necessary. The government therefore pays attention to it," PM Dahal stressed, reminding that Nepal used to export food grains five decades back. The country has huge potential in the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Now, time has come for all sides to promote marketing of agricultural products.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the country is reeling under financial crisis at present, the government bears the utmost responsibility to address the problems, said Dahal. "The government is engrossed in resolving the problems and prop up economy," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhari, said Nepal's traditional skills must be commercialized. "Promotion of export and self-reliant economy are the current need," she said, adding that national and international marketing of goods is equally important. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Minister for Tourism, Industry and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dambar Tamang, said that the provincial government would play a significant role in promoting the markets of indigenous and domestic products. "Arts and culture are invaluable inheritance. For their promotion, all sides' cooperation is essential," he stressed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The festival and fairs would run till February 18. Some 200,000 people are expected to visit the events leading to a transaction of around Rs 80 million. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16766', 'image' => '20230215115939_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 11:58:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17026', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Address Transport-Related Problems ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 15: A high-level task formed by the government to address the problems faced by the transport sector is to start its work by classifying the demands of the sector for immediate action and for long-term solution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A meeting of the task force held under the chairmanship of Director General of the Department of Transport Management Tulsinath Gautam took a decision to this effect on Tuesday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Transport entrepreneurs and labour unions related to this sector also agreed to form a common opinion on the problems faced by the transport sector and submit it to the task force by Wednesday evening.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to General Secretary of Nepal Transport Workers' Association Nurnath Pant, all stakeholders related to the transport sector had attended the meeting called by the government in the wake of recent events that resulted in a halt to the public transport services.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It maybe recalled that the transport workers had resorted to vandalism on Monday demanding the concerned authorities to revoke hefty fines imposed to traffic rules violation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In course of the protest, the agitating transport workers had torched a police vehicle and a police beat in Balaju area of Kathmandu and also vandalized the Lotse Mall in New Bus Park area. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16765', 'image' => '20230215101914_Traffic-Fines-Payment-Esewa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 10:18:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17025', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Broom Grass Triples in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">February 15: The price of Amriso, Tiger grass (commonly known as broom grass) has tripled in the last three years, making farmers elated in the eastern hilly districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Netra Acharya, who had sold per kilogram of the broom grass at Rs 35 three years ago, sold out the broom grass at Rs 120 per kg in Taplejung last year. Acharya hopes that price will increase this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite the price fluctuation, traders are purchasing the broom grass from the farmers from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local Rup Narayan Pandey shared he has procured 10 quintals of broom grass purchasing it from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg. Pandey says that the price might slightly increase this year as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Traders and entrepreneurs say that price has gone up with rising demand of broom grass from India. Farmers have started growing broom grass commercially after they began getting good prices for their produce.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Farmers use the sticks of the broom grass as firewood, leaves as fodder for the livestock and blossomed parts to make the broom.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Broom grass fetching good prices has made farmers happy and excited in the hilly regions in the east. Broom grass can be planted and grown even on the non-arable and slopes. Its leaves are very useful for livestock as other grasses dry up in the winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Access to the road network to the rural belt has led to the growth of the broom grass’ commercial farming.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-15', 'modified' => '2023-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16764', 'image' => '20230215060021_collage - 2023-02-14T163240.667.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-15 05:55:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17024', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Raises Rs 30 Billion Internal Loans and Rs 26.46 Billion External Debts in Six Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">February 14: The Government of Nepal has raised Rs 30 billion internal loans and Rs 26.46 billion external debts as of January 14 this year, states the half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23) released on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government has received foreign grants worth Rs 8.12 billion during the same period. Government mobilises internal and external loans and foreign grants for the implementation of annual policies and programmes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, discussions are being held with various development partners for the mobilisation of development assistance for the current fiscal year and upcoming fiscal year. The half-yearly review report stated that initiatives are underway for loan and grants with more than two dozen development partners. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government has been taking initiative to take Rs 39 billion concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of Kakadbhitta-Laukahi road section. Discussion with the World Bank to get this loan is underway, according to the Finance Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the government is making preparation to take Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for the School Sector Reform Programme as well as Rs 13 billion subsidized loan for Quality Health System Project from the World Bank. It is said that project document has already been prepared to get this loan assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The finance ministry mentioned in the review report that a subsidized loan for budgetary assistance of around Rs 13 billion is going to be taken from the World Bank under Nepal Fiscal Reforms DPC-2 Programme as well as preparation is underway to take budgetary assistance worth around Rs 13 billion under 'Finance for Growth' programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Asian Development Bank has already given initial consent for the implementation of 635-MW Dudh Koshi Storage Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Asian Development Bank has given hint to provide around Rs 75.40 billion subsidized loan for the implementation of the project. Coordination is underway to collect investment from other donor agencies in the project," mentioned the review report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, homework is on to secure a subsidized loan worth US Dollars 500 million (around Rs 65 billion) to implement the 1061-megawatt Upper Arun Reservoir-based Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition to this, the government is coordinating with other probable investors for the project to manage remaining fund required to undertake the project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">For the implementation of the Customs Reform and Modernization Strategies and Action Plan, the government is in the course of receiving a loan of around Rs 6.50 billion in subsidy from the Asian Development Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the government is making preparations to get a soft loan worth Rs 13 billion from the ADB to implement public finance management and service delivery reform programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discussions are underway in regard with a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding to secure around Rs 14.40 billion grants from the British Government to undertake the Local Infrastructure Support Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides this, Nepal is to take a loan of Rs 1.19 billion from the ADB for the implementation of the Rural Roads Improvement Programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government is in touch with some of its development partners and donor agencies to receive foreign assistance. </span><br /> Similarly, the government has urged t<span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">he EU to provide Rs 15.06 million grants to Nepal for the support of the agricultural and rural development endeavours. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16763', 'image' => '20230214073524_20210730071603_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 19:34:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17023', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Additional Investment Required for Development of Information Technology: Minister Sharma', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">February 14: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said additional investment is required for development of the information technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Himalayan Science Fair in Nepalgunj on Tuesday, The Minister for Communication and Information Technology Sharma further said the government has kept development, utilization and expansion of technology in priority.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stressing on the need of making the technology people-friendly in order to make the country self-reliant in the information-technology sector, Sharma suggested increasing investment in every sector of the economy and providing opportunities to all for the development of science and technology. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former Deputy Speaker Purna Kumari Subedi underscored the need to linking agriculture and employment to technology, saying that science and technology contributed would massively contribute to the country's development. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Himalayan Science Foundation has organized the two-day exhibition at the Nepalgunj Stadium. The exhibition has more than 30 science and technology-related stalls operated by students from different schools in Banke district, informed Atanka Basnet, the Chairperson of the Foundation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Various tools and equipments made by students of Grade 8 to 12 are put on display at the exhibition. ----RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-14', 'modified' => '2023-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16762', 'image' => '20230214053442_collage - 2023-02-07T165151.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-14 17:33:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
