October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal…
October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal…
October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia.…
October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power…
October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline.…
October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from…
October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this…
October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from…
October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar…
October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety…
October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central…
October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting…
October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian…
October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational.…
October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the…
October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly…
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The report says that Nepal’s economy will grow by 5 percent in 2023 and by 5.3 percent by 2027.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, inflation in Nepal will rise to 8.1 percent in the current fiscal year and this rate will drop to 7.1 percent in 2023</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the current account deficit of Nepal will remain 12.1 percent in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF report also predicted the world economy to shrink to 3.2 percent in 2022. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, global economic activity is experiencing a broad-based and sharper-than-expected slowdown, with inflation higher than seen in several decades. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The cost-of-living crisis, tightening financial conditions in most regions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic all weigh heavily on the outlook. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Global growth is forecast to slow from 6.0 percent in 2021 to 3.2 percent in 2022 and 2.7 percent in 2023. This is the weakest growth profile since 2001 except for the global financial crisis and the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, global inflation is forecast to rise from 4.7 percent in 2021 to 8.8 percent in 2022 but to decline to 6.5 percent in 2023 and to 4.1 percent by 2024. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report suggests that monetary policy should stay the course to restore price stability, and fiscal policy should aim to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures while maintaining a sufficiently tight stance aligned with monetary policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Structural reforms can further support the fight against inflation by improving productivity and easing supply constraints, while multilateral cooperation is necessary for fast-tracking the green energy transition and preventing fragmentation.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">l</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15883', 'image' => '20221013115322_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:52:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16140', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Votes in Favor of Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, 143 member states voted in favour of the resolution, including Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the voting held on Wednesday, five countries voted against the resolution. The countries that voted against the resolution were Belarus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, 35 countries abstained from voting. Majority of countries abstaining from voting were African nations, alongside China and India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We condemn Russia's illegal so-called referendum within Ukraine's internationally-recognized borders and demand it reverses its annexation declaration," reads the resolution. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24 calling it a “special military operation” to protect Russian-speaking people in the troubled Donbas region of Ukraine from the so-called Nazis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, Kyiv and its western allies dismiss it as a baseless pretext for war which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions in what is said the be the biggest military operation in Europe since World War II.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The war between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns of food crisis across the world. Both the countries play a vital role in supply of food grains across the globe. Wheat produced in Ukraine and Russia constitute 29 percent of the wheat traded across the world. These two countries also supply 19 percent of maize to the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine also supply 80 percent of sunflower oil to the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The situation has caused fluctuation in the price of oil globally. Commodity prices have also increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine are also the chief producers of oil, natural gas and metals.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15882', 'image' => '20221013112051_unga.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:19:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16146', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Issue Ordinance to Allow Private Sector for Power Trade ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Electricity Act, 2049 does not have the provision related to power trade. Due to the lack of such arrangement in the law, the government has not been able to give permission to the private sector for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to open ways for the private sector to participate in power trade, the government is making necessary preparations to amend the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ordinance has been forwarded to the office of the president for consideration. According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation, the ordinance would be introduced to create ways for power trade by addressing the demand of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that the private sector has been demanding subsidy with the government on power trade. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15881', 'image' => '20221013050847_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 17:08:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16139', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagdhunga Tunnel Achieves 65 Percent Progress in Construction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. With just six months left for the project to end, the progress achieved is 65 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 21, 2019 by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. As per the agreement signed with the Department of Roads, the contractor, Hazama Ando Corporation of Japan, was supposed to complete the project within 42 months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the project has been delayed due to hurdles like the Covid-19 pandemic, prohibitory order as well as the obstruction from the locals, distribution of compensation, unavailability of explosives and equipment among others, according to the Department of Roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project should have been completed within mid-April next year but the deadline has been extended by almost three months (86 days) after assessing the situation. The Japanese construction company Hazama Ando Corporation had demanded an extension of deadline as the work was delayed due to the pandemic, restrictions and a few days of interruption by the locals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project director Ramhari Pokharel informed New Business Age that the Japanese company had demanded extension of the deadline by six to seven months but the department has made it clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline beyond three months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the details provided by the project, the Japanese company has already completed construction of the main passage as well as the auxiliary, audit and cross passages. Of them, 1,377 meters are dug on the east and west sides of the main tunnel and 1,507 meters on both sides of the auxiliary tunnel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among the other structures of the project, two underpasses have been constructed. There are plans to build three underpasses in the project. Similarly, 4 box culverts, 1 overpass and 3 bridges have also been constructed. The flyover is under construction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total length of the tunnel is projected to be 5.7 km including 2.7 kilometers long tunnel section and 3 kilometers of road.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had reached an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2016 to construct the tunnel. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated to be around Rs 22 billion, of which JICA will bear Rs 16 billion and the Government of Nepal will bear Rs 6 billion. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15880', 'image' => '20221012035751_20220708015827_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:57:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16137', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatar Seeks Application for Domestic Helpers from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal. Qatar's Ministry of Interior issued a notice seeking applications from Nepali domestic workers. Qatar had been continuously asking Nepal to provide workers even after the Government of Nepal stopped sending female domestic workers to the Gulf nation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry said that applications can be submitted at the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Government of Nepal had stopped sending female domestic workers to all Gulf countries including Qatar since 2016 stating that women who work as domestic helpers are exploited. Despite the ban, many women still go to various countries for this profession illegally through India. Rights activists have been protesting the ban arguing that the government decision has put women in more danger while going for foreign employment through illegal channels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Danduraj Ghimire, joint secretary and spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security confirmed that he too received information about Qatar seeking domestic workers but needs it needs further inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Qatar had requested us to lift the ban on sending female domestic helpers to the Gulf nation during a meeting held between Nepal and Qatar a few months ago,” said Gimire.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that even if Qatar has sought application, no one will be allowed to go without the government’s consent. Domestic workers are currently in high demand in Qatar.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15879', 'image' => '20221012032927_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:28:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16136', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Exports Over One Billion Units of Electricity to India', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season. The Nepal Electricity Authority started selling the surplus electricity during the rainy season through competitive bidding in the day-ahead market of the Indian Energy Exchange Limited from June 2. Since then, as per the information of the authority, 1.3 billion units of electricity has been exported to India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The authority's executive director Kulman Ghising informed that during this period, a net income of Rs 7.93 billion was generated by selling the surplus electricity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Selling more than 1 billion units of electricity is another milestone for us,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the authority, the average price per unit of exported electricity is Rs 7.91.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Initially, the electricity produced from 39 megawatts of two power plants was sold in the Indian market on a daily basis. According to the authority, since June 10, an additional 364 megawatts of electricity produced by six hydropower plants were sold in the Indian market at a competitive rate per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the electricity trade with India is done in Indian rupees (INR), Nepal received INR 4.95 billion from the sale of electricity during this period. This has contributed to reducing the pressure on Nepal's foreign exchange reserves and the trade deficit between the two countries. The authority aims to earn about Rs 16 billion from electricity exports in the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the Indian Energy Exchange Limited, 24 hours are divided into 96 blocks of 15 minutes each and electricity is traded at a competitive rate set by the market. Therefore, the price of each block is different. The average rate of electricity exported by the authority so far is Rs 7.91 per unit.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15878', 'image' => '20221012014124_electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 13:40:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16138', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pad Industries Still in Crisis Despite Revision of Unfair Taxes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is an annual demand of 450 million sanitary pads in Nepal. Industrialists say that the annual production capacity of 35 small and big domestic industries is 900 million units. However, as the government has not controlled the import of pads, the investment of Rs 6 billion in the pad industry is at risk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Dolraj Adhikari, president of Nepal Sanitary Pad and Diaper Manufacturers Association, although the government revised the decision to give 90 percent tax exemption on the import of sanitary pads as per the announcement made in the budget of the current fiscal year, it is yet to increase the customs duty to the previous level of 15 percent from 5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the production of the domestic industries has shrunk by 50 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries that were producing 600 million sanitary pads and selling them domestically and abroad before the government imposed unequal taxes were forced to shut down due to the government's decision. After revising the tax rates, those industries are now operational. However, as the government is yet to control the import of sanitary pads, the industrialists are not able to take full advantage of it, says President Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Puneet Sharda, general secretary of the association and owner of Jasmine Hygiene, says that the production of the domestic industry is now limited to 300 million units per year. Similarly, out of 6,000 workers, only 3,000 are currently employed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The government should not only reduce the customs duty on raw materials, it should also reduce the customs duty on packaging materials and other goods. The government should give concessions to encourage domestic industries,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Adhikari, the government should stop issuing license to new sanitary pad industry as the existing industries have acquired technology that can produce seven pads in one second.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “There is not a single sanitary pad industry in Bihar, India. However, six large industries have already opened in a small country like Nepal. Since the capacity of those industries exceeds the domestic demand if operated at full capacity, now the government should open the way to earn foreign currency by exporting pads instead of importing them. In order to do so, the government must give concessions on exports,” said Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Lahoti, vice president of the association and owner of Health and Hygiene said that although the government revised the unequal tax rates, it has failed to notice that the industries here are not operating at full capacity due to excessive imports. He said that the government should give concessions to the sanitary pad industry like in India. He argued that they have to compete with the industries capable of producing more than 400 pads in a minute. Lahoti revealed that Nepali industry will be able to produce at full capacity only if the government increases the anti-dumping duty and customs duty to 15 percent to replace imports. The government's policy of encouraging imports has also affected the production of diapers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government decided to waive 90 percent customs duty on the import of sanitary pads from July 17, pads worth Rs 992 million were imported that month. Records of the Customs Department show that pads worth Rs 154,441,000 were imported in August. These pads were imported from India, China, Thailand, Japan and other countries. During the period of 2 months, 8,339,000 thousand pads were exported from Nepal to India. Pads come to Nepal from abroad in kilograms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the year 2075/76, when the government reduced the customs duty on all raw materials of the sanitary pad industry to 5 percent, the number of such industries increased.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15877', 'image' => '20221012035446_20210119021212_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:54:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16135', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flower Business Expected to Top Transactions of Rs 130 Million during Tihar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival. The Floriculture Association of Nepal says they are planning to sell 2,345,000 pieces of flowers worth Rs 130 million during the Tihar festival which is just around the corner.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transactions of flower business are expected to grow by Rs 15.4 million this year compared to last year’s festive season. During last year, flowers worth Rs 115.6 million were sold in Tihar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The association informed that 2 million units of garlands made of marigold flower are expected to be sold during this festival. The demand for 1.7 million such garlands will be met through domestic production while the remaining 300,000 garlands are being imported from India, says Min Bahadur Tamang, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the association expects sale of 325,000 units of globe amaranth garlands and 20,000 units of garlands made from chrysanthemum flowers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The wholesale price of a piece of marigold flower is Rs 55 while the garland made of globe amaranth costs Rs 35 to 40 and that of chrysanthemum flowers costs Rs 350 to Rs 400.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President Tamang said that the domestic production of flowers was hit by the rainfall that occurred during the Dashain festival. According to him, marigold flowers were damaged by the rainfall and the domestic production is expected to shrink this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the domestic production of marigold is still expected to increase by 10 percent this year compared to last year because the commercial farming of this particular flower has started in all seven provinces. Marigold flower is cultivated mostly in Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Jhapa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Chitwan, Ilam, Dhankuta, Kailali, Banke, and Kaski districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, commercial farming of globe amaranth flower is done in Ichangu Narayan of Kathmandu, Gundu of Bhaktapur, Badikhel and Godavari of Lalitpur, Dhading, Palpa, Kailali and Ilam.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the association, the business of cultivating flowers with an investment of Rs 6 billion is done in 43 districts of Nepal. More than 700 entrepreneurs are involved in this business which provides direct and indirect employment to 40,000 people.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15876', 'image' => '20221012125640_74357524_3206364359438719_5295578166390161408_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 12:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16134', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU Positive About Nepal’s Aviation Safety: CAAN ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A technical team of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of the EU had arrived in Nepal and carried out the audit from October 7 to 9. The three-member technical team of the EASA is scheduled to submit its report to Nepal on October 28, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said. CAAN has assured to respond to the issues pointed out in the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson of CAAN Jagannath Niraula expressed his belief that the EU would remove Nepal from its air safety list since the technical team was positive about Nepal’s aviation safety. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“CAAN will respond to the issues raised in the report and the final decision to remove Nepal from EU’s air safety list would be decided once the final report is submitted to the EU,” said Spokesperson Niraula. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU has blacklisted Nepal since the past one decade for its poor record in air safety. As a result, the airlines companies registered in Nepal are not allowed to make flights to the EU member states. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Niraula claimed that the technical team of EASA is satisfied after the technical studies and consultations with the CAAN officials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU technical team carried out its audit based on different aspects including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit report that puts Nepal above the global average, Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accident) Regulation passed from the Council of Ministers and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CAAN stated that the EU technical team conducted its assessment on eight areas including legislation, personal licensing, flight operation, accident investigation, air navigation services, aerodrome and ground aides. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => 'EU, Nepal, aviation, safety, CAAN, blacklist', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15875', 'image' => '20221012115121_Nepal-Airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 11:50:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16133', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee says Government Can’t Intervene in Matters Related to Interest Rates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">While submitting its report to Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, the ten-member committee headed by Joint Secretary Baburam Subedi, who is also the chief of the Economic Policy Analysis Division of the ministry, said that the interest rate is determined by the market and that the government should not intervene unnecessarily. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The study conducted by the committee concluded that Nepal Rastra Bank is responsible to fix the interest rates and government should not issue instructions in this matter because it would undermine the central bank’s autonomy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The committee had one representative each from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Nepal Rastra Bank, National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Industry, Supplies and Commerce the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commerce while the banking sector was represented by two members of Nepal Bankers Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It may be noted that banks have increased the interest rates effective from September 17 almost five months after maintaining a stable interest rate. Such an initiative was taken upon the instruction of the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15874', 'image' => '20221012105504_20220926050939_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:54:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16132', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Improving Gradually', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. <br /> Meteorologist at the division Heera Bhattarai said that although the monsoon is still active, the low pressure system is weak and there has been a gradual improvement in the weather. She said the weather will fully improve across the country in the next two days. <br /> "Although the monsoon is ongoing, the rain-causing system has become weaker. Rainfall was reported at some places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim and at many places of the eastern and central regions on Tuesday. The weather will start to improve from Wednesday in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces while it will be fair across the country beginning from Thursday," said Bhattarai. <br /> Incessant rainfall that started since the past nine days is taking place only partially over the last four days due to the influence of the existing monsoon as well as the low pressure system that has developed around Nepal. The division said that it will take a week more for the monsoon's exit. <br /> The low pressure area near Haryana, India is impacting the weather in Nepal at present.<br /> The minimum temperature in Kathmandu was 18 degrees Celsius and the maximum 26 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the Division stated. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15873', 'image' => '20221012100214_HemantKC_Jajarkot_RSS_09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:01:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16131', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Police Confiscated Betel Nuts with Mala Fide Intention’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs. The consignment of beetle nuts produced in Jhapa was cleared by the Indian customs at Jogbani checkpoint across Biratnagar and was en route to India’s Bhimnagar boarder point near the Koshi barrage via Nepal route due to obstruction in the Indian side. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Finally, eight trucks laden with 29,596 kilograms of betel nuts worth Rs 86.38 million were released on September 29 after the Department of Customs instructed the concerned officials to re-route the consignment as per the court order. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Morang police had seized the betel nuts that had re-entered Nepal after customs clearance at Jogbani customs near Biratnagar on July 21 and handed them over to the Revenue Investigation Office in Itahari three days later.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Tirthraj Khanal, the head of the Revenue Investigation Office, Itahari, eight trucks of betel nuts were released after the department issued a written order to re-route them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Since we did not have the right to open and check the betel nuts sealed by the Indian customs, we only investigated whether there was any error in the process involved, and later we dropped the case after the department ordered us to allow re-routing the consignment,” Khanal said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the basis of the certificate of origin issued by the Jhapa Industry and Commerce Association, betel nuts grown in Jhapa were loaded on Indian trucks and exported from Biratnagar customs and were checked and sealed by the Indian customs office. Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirganj, India, the betel nuts were re-routed for export to Bhimnagar, India through Bhantabari of Sunsari district.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Navin Ghimire, the owner of Mankamana Traders of Biratnagar-9, a betel exporter, had filed a writ petition one week ago seeking a certiorari order. The petitioner had filed the case against the District Police Office Morang, Department of Customs, Biratnagar Customs Office and Revenue Investigation Office Itahari. After he withdrew the writ, the department issued an order to release the consignment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Exporter Ghimire complained that he had to pay more than INR 2.5 million for the rent of the eight trucks that have been on the premises of the Revenue Investigation Office for two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirgunj, the betel nuts that were inspected by the Indian customs at Jogbani were re-routed and return to Nepal so that they can be sent to Bhimnagar of India through Sunsari's Bhantabari. However, the police seized all the trucks arguing that they did not have customs clearance documents and kept them at the local police office in Rani for three days for investigation. Even after submitting all the documents, the police handed over the betel nut to the revenue investigation office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15872', 'image' => '20221011043816_betel nut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 16:37:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16130', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Seven Airports with Black-topped Runways not in Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. There are seven airports with blacktopped runways which are not in operation at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula informed New Business Age that it is possible for airplanes to take off and land at those airports. However, they are not operational because there is no flight schedule to those remote places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If the airports runways that are yet to be blacktopped are also considered, a total of 19 airports are currently not in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the 52 airports in Nepal, only 33 are currently in operation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Spokesperson Niraula says that the country does not have enough aircraft to operate flights to the remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There aren’t any planes to fly to the remote areas. On top of it, new alternatives have emerged to those airports,” said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There were no roads in the past. People were highly dependent on flights to transport goods and sick patients. But many of those places are now accessible through road,” added Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the airports were established with the motive to transport essential food stuffs and medicines to the remote areas. However, the airports which once served as the fastest alternative of transportation have been gradually replaced by vehicles these days with the expansion of road network.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air transport is expensive compared to travelling by road and therefore the general public opted for vehicles once the remote areas had access to road. According to the Department of Roads, the road network across Nepal spans over 100,000 kilometers which includes national highways and other roads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even the remote places such as Humla and Dolpa now have access to road. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is said that the airports in Baglung, Dolpa and Jiri were built especially to transport goods. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN also insists that such airports are hardly used these days also because there is shortage of aircraft that can fly to remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN however says that the airports with blacktopped runways can be operated anytime. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Those airports which are not in operation include the airports of Baglung, Chaurjhari (Rukum), Darchula, Dhorpatan, Palungtar (Gorkha), Resunga (Gulmi), Jiri, Kangeldanda (Solukhumbu), Khiji Chandeshwari (Okhaldhunga), Langtang, Lammidanda (Khotang), Mahendranagar, Manang, Masinechaur (Dolpa), Syangboche (Solukhumbu), Rumjatar (Okhaldhunga) and Tiakpur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among them, the airports of Rumjatar, Masinechaur, Baglung, Chaurjhari, Resunga, Lamidanda and Manang are blacktopped.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15871', 'image' => '20221011015602_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:55:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16129', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Facing Shortage of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After concluding that the domestic market of Nepal lacks the required amount of milk, the Government of Nepal has given permission to import 120,000 litres of milk per day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), Sujal Dairy and Dairy Industries Association of Nepal have been importing milk accordingly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even after importing milk from Nepal, it is believed that the country still requires 180,000 litres of milk per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The demand for milk in the domestic market is 1,050,000 litres per day but the domestic production is just 750,000, according to Dr Balak Chaudhary, technical director of the state-owned DDC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The supply of milk reaches 870,000 litres per day by adding the imported milk from India but it still falls short of the market demand by 180,000 litres,” says Chaudhary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Chaudhary says that the production of milk increases from mid-October while its consumption declines. Therefore, the government is making preparations not to allow import of additional milk with the onset of winter season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country has been forced to import milk from India just one and a half years after the government announced Nepal as a self-sufficient country in dairy production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the then Minister for Agriculture Padma Aryal had announced Nepal self-sufficient powder milk and butter in March 2021. But now, Nepal has been importing liquid milk from Patna Dairy of India due to lack of powder milk and butter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government’s decision to ease imports has provided some relief to meet the demand for milk in the country, it is still struggling to meet the demand for powder milk and butter, says Prahlad Dahal, chairman of Nepal Dairy Association.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We know how much milk we need and how much is being supplied. We are afraid that there will be shortage of milk next year as well. Therefore the government must collaborate with the private sector and also allow the state-owned Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company to import powder milk and butter,” says Dahal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government has allowed daily import of 120,000 litres of milk, the bodies responsible for importing such quantity of milk are unable to import milk to that extent. Therefore, the market is still reeling under scarcity of milk.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15870', 'image' => '20221011010319_milk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:02:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16128', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Election Commission Seeks Details of Expenditure for Online Advertisement from Poll Candidates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s appeals has come as the social networking sites are filled with polls-related advertisements after the completion of the candidacy nomination of the candidates for the federal and provincial assembly elections to be held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC made such appeal by issuing the ‘Policy on Use of Social Sites on Election Management’. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, EC’s Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that continued monitoring and evaluation of the online advertisement is ongoing by forming a mechanism in the EC’s Secretariat and offices of the EC. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15869', 'image' => '20221011120924_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 12:08:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16141', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IMF Projects Nepal’s Economy to Grow by 4.2 Percent', 'sub_title' => 'Inflation in Nepal will Rise to 8.1 Percent in the Current Fiscal Year', 'summary' => 'October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal year. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF made such projection while releasing the October issue of the World Economic Outlook. The report says that Nepal’s economy will grow by 5 percent in 2023 and by 5.3 percent by 2027.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, inflation in Nepal will rise to 8.1 percent in the current fiscal year and this rate will drop to 7.1 percent in 2023</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the current account deficit of Nepal will remain 12.1 percent in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF report also predicted the world economy to shrink to 3.2 percent in 2022. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, global economic activity is experiencing a broad-based and sharper-than-expected slowdown, with inflation higher than seen in several decades. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The cost-of-living crisis, tightening financial conditions in most regions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic all weigh heavily on the outlook. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Global growth is forecast to slow from 6.0 percent in 2021 to 3.2 percent in 2022 and 2.7 percent in 2023. This is the weakest growth profile since 2001 except for the global financial crisis and the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, global inflation is forecast to rise from 4.7 percent in 2021 to 8.8 percent in 2022 but to decline to 6.5 percent in 2023 and to 4.1 percent by 2024. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report suggests that monetary policy should stay the course to restore price stability, and fiscal policy should aim to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures while maintaining a sufficiently tight stance aligned with monetary policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Structural reforms can further support the fight against inflation by improving productivity and easing supply constraints, while multilateral cooperation is necessary for fast-tracking the green energy transition and preventing fragmentation.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">l</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15883', 'image' => '20221013115322_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:52:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16140', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Votes in Favor of Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, 143 member states voted in favour of the resolution, including Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the voting held on Wednesday, five countries voted against the resolution. The countries that voted against the resolution were Belarus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, 35 countries abstained from voting. Majority of countries abstaining from voting were African nations, alongside China and India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We condemn Russia's illegal so-called referendum within Ukraine's internationally-recognized borders and demand it reverses its annexation declaration," reads the resolution. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24 calling it a “special military operation” to protect Russian-speaking people in the troubled Donbas region of Ukraine from the so-called Nazis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, Kyiv and its western allies dismiss it as a baseless pretext for war which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions in what is said the be the biggest military operation in Europe since World War II.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The war between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns of food crisis across the world. Both the countries play a vital role in supply of food grains across the globe. Wheat produced in Ukraine and Russia constitute 29 percent of the wheat traded across the world. These two countries also supply 19 percent of maize to the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine also supply 80 percent of sunflower oil to the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The situation has caused fluctuation in the price of oil globally. Commodity prices have also increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine are also the chief producers of oil, natural gas and metals.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15882', 'image' => '20221013112051_unga.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:19:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16146', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Issue Ordinance to Allow Private Sector for Power Trade ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Electricity Act, 2049 does not have the provision related to power trade. Due to the lack of such arrangement in the law, the government has not been able to give permission to the private sector for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to open ways for the private sector to participate in power trade, the government is making necessary preparations to amend the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ordinance has been forwarded to the office of the president for consideration. According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation, the ordinance would be introduced to create ways for power trade by addressing the demand of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that the private sector has been demanding subsidy with the government on power trade. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15881', 'image' => '20221013050847_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 17:08:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16139', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagdhunga Tunnel Achieves 65 Percent Progress in Construction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. With just six months left for the project to end, the progress achieved is 65 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 21, 2019 by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. As per the agreement signed with the Department of Roads, the contractor, Hazama Ando Corporation of Japan, was supposed to complete the project within 42 months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the project has been delayed due to hurdles like the Covid-19 pandemic, prohibitory order as well as the obstruction from the locals, distribution of compensation, unavailability of explosives and equipment among others, according to the Department of Roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project should have been completed within mid-April next year but the deadline has been extended by almost three months (86 days) after assessing the situation. The Japanese construction company Hazama Ando Corporation had demanded an extension of deadline as the work was delayed due to the pandemic, restrictions and a few days of interruption by the locals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project director Ramhari Pokharel informed New Business Age that the Japanese company had demanded extension of the deadline by six to seven months but the department has made it clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline beyond three months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the details provided by the project, the Japanese company has already completed construction of the main passage as well as the auxiliary, audit and cross passages. Of them, 1,377 meters are dug on the east and west sides of the main tunnel and 1,507 meters on both sides of the auxiliary tunnel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among the other structures of the project, two underpasses have been constructed. There are plans to build three underpasses in the project. Similarly, 4 box culverts, 1 overpass and 3 bridges have also been constructed. The flyover is under construction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total length of the tunnel is projected to be 5.7 km including 2.7 kilometers long tunnel section and 3 kilometers of road.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had reached an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2016 to construct the tunnel. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated to be around Rs 22 billion, of which JICA will bear Rs 16 billion and the Government of Nepal will bear Rs 6 billion. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15880', 'image' => '20221012035751_20220708015827_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:57:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16137', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatar Seeks Application for Domestic Helpers from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal. Qatar's Ministry of Interior issued a notice seeking applications from Nepali domestic workers. Qatar had been continuously asking Nepal to provide workers even after the Government of Nepal stopped sending female domestic workers to the Gulf nation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry said that applications can be submitted at the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Government of Nepal had stopped sending female domestic workers to all Gulf countries including Qatar since 2016 stating that women who work as domestic helpers are exploited. Despite the ban, many women still go to various countries for this profession illegally through India. Rights activists have been protesting the ban arguing that the government decision has put women in more danger while going for foreign employment through illegal channels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Danduraj Ghimire, joint secretary and spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security confirmed that he too received information about Qatar seeking domestic workers but needs it needs further inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Qatar had requested us to lift the ban on sending female domestic helpers to the Gulf nation during a meeting held between Nepal and Qatar a few months ago,” said Gimire.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that even if Qatar has sought application, no one will be allowed to go without the government’s consent. Domestic workers are currently in high demand in Qatar.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15879', 'image' => '20221012032927_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:28:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16136', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Exports Over One Billion Units of Electricity to India', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season. The Nepal Electricity Authority started selling the surplus electricity during the rainy season through competitive bidding in the day-ahead market of the Indian Energy Exchange Limited from June 2. Since then, as per the information of the authority, 1.3 billion units of electricity has been exported to India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The authority's executive director Kulman Ghising informed that during this period, a net income of Rs 7.93 billion was generated by selling the surplus electricity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Selling more than 1 billion units of electricity is another milestone for us,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the authority, the average price per unit of exported electricity is Rs 7.91.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Initially, the electricity produced from 39 megawatts of two power plants was sold in the Indian market on a daily basis. According to the authority, since June 10, an additional 364 megawatts of electricity produced by six hydropower plants were sold in the Indian market at a competitive rate per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the electricity trade with India is done in Indian rupees (INR), Nepal received INR 4.95 billion from the sale of electricity during this period. This has contributed to reducing the pressure on Nepal's foreign exchange reserves and the trade deficit between the two countries. The authority aims to earn about Rs 16 billion from electricity exports in the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the Indian Energy Exchange Limited, 24 hours are divided into 96 blocks of 15 minutes each and electricity is traded at a competitive rate set by the market. Therefore, the price of each block is different. The average rate of electricity exported by the authority so far is Rs 7.91 per unit.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15878', 'image' => '20221012014124_electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 13:40:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16138', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pad Industries Still in Crisis Despite Revision of Unfair Taxes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is an annual demand of 450 million sanitary pads in Nepal. Industrialists say that the annual production capacity of 35 small and big domestic industries is 900 million units. However, as the government has not controlled the import of pads, the investment of Rs 6 billion in the pad industry is at risk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Dolraj Adhikari, president of Nepal Sanitary Pad and Diaper Manufacturers Association, although the government revised the decision to give 90 percent tax exemption on the import of sanitary pads as per the announcement made in the budget of the current fiscal year, it is yet to increase the customs duty to the previous level of 15 percent from 5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the production of the domestic industries has shrunk by 50 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries that were producing 600 million sanitary pads and selling them domestically and abroad before the government imposed unequal taxes were forced to shut down due to the government's decision. After revising the tax rates, those industries are now operational. However, as the government is yet to control the import of sanitary pads, the industrialists are not able to take full advantage of it, says President Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Puneet Sharda, general secretary of the association and owner of Jasmine Hygiene, says that the production of the domestic industry is now limited to 300 million units per year. Similarly, out of 6,000 workers, only 3,000 are currently employed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The government should not only reduce the customs duty on raw materials, it should also reduce the customs duty on packaging materials and other goods. The government should give concessions to encourage domestic industries,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Adhikari, the government should stop issuing license to new sanitary pad industry as the existing industries have acquired technology that can produce seven pads in one second.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “There is not a single sanitary pad industry in Bihar, India. However, six large industries have already opened in a small country like Nepal. Since the capacity of those industries exceeds the domestic demand if operated at full capacity, now the government should open the way to earn foreign currency by exporting pads instead of importing them. In order to do so, the government must give concessions on exports,” said Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Lahoti, vice president of the association and owner of Health and Hygiene said that although the government revised the unequal tax rates, it has failed to notice that the industries here are not operating at full capacity due to excessive imports. He said that the government should give concessions to the sanitary pad industry like in India. He argued that they have to compete with the industries capable of producing more than 400 pads in a minute. Lahoti revealed that Nepali industry will be able to produce at full capacity only if the government increases the anti-dumping duty and customs duty to 15 percent to replace imports. The government's policy of encouraging imports has also affected the production of diapers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government decided to waive 90 percent customs duty on the import of sanitary pads from July 17, pads worth Rs 992 million were imported that month. Records of the Customs Department show that pads worth Rs 154,441,000 were imported in August. These pads were imported from India, China, Thailand, Japan and other countries. During the period of 2 months, 8,339,000 thousand pads were exported from Nepal to India. Pads come to Nepal from abroad in kilograms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the year 2075/76, when the government reduced the customs duty on all raw materials of the sanitary pad industry to 5 percent, the number of such industries increased.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15877', 'image' => '20221012035446_20210119021212_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:54:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16135', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flower Business Expected to Top Transactions of Rs 130 Million during Tihar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival. The Floriculture Association of Nepal says they are planning to sell 2,345,000 pieces of flowers worth Rs 130 million during the Tihar festival which is just around the corner.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transactions of flower business are expected to grow by Rs 15.4 million this year compared to last year’s festive season. During last year, flowers worth Rs 115.6 million were sold in Tihar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The association informed that 2 million units of garlands made of marigold flower are expected to be sold during this festival. The demand for 1.7 million such garlands will be met through domestic production while the remaining 300,000 garlands are being imported from India, says Min Bahadur Tamang, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the association expects sale of 325,000 units of globe amaranth garlands and 20,000 units of garlands made from chrysanthemum flowers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The wholesale price of a piece of marigold flower is Rs 55 while the garland made of globe amaranth costs Rs 35 to 40 and that of chrysanthemum flowers costs Rs 350 to Rs 400.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President Tamang said that the domestic production of flowers was hit by the rainfall that occurred during the Dashain festival. According to him, marigold flowers were damaged by the rainfall and the domestic production is expected to shrink this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the domestic production of marigold is still expected to increase by 10 percent this year compared to last year because the commercial farming of this particular flower has started in all seven provinces. Marigold flower is cultivated mostly in Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Jhapa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Chitwan, Ilam, Dhankuta, Kailali, Banke, and Kaski districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, commercial farming of globe amaranth flower is done in Ichangu Narayan of Kathmandu, Gundu of Bhaktapur, Badikhel and Godavari of Lalitpur, Dhading, Palpa, Kailali and Ilam.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the association, the business of cultivating flowers with an investment of Rs 6 billion is done in 43 districts of Nepal. More than 700 entrepreneurs are involved in this business which provides direct and indirect employment to 40,000 people.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15876', 'image' => '20221012125640_74357524_3206364359438719_5295578166390161408_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 12:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16134', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU Positive About Nepal’s Aviation Safety: CAAN ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A technical team of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of the EU had arrived in Nepal and carried out the audit from October 7 to 9. The three-member technical team of the EASA is scheduled to submit its report to Nepal on October 28, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said. CAAN has assured to respond to the issues pointed out in the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson of CAAN Jagannath Niraula expressed his belief that the EU would remove Nepal from its air safety list since the technical team was positive about Nepal’s aviation safety. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“CAAN will respond to the issues raised in the report and the final decision to remove Nepal from EU’s air safety list would be decided once the final report is submitted to the EU,” said Spokesperson Niraula. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU has blacklisted Nepal since the past one decade for its poor record in air safety. As a result, the airlines companies registered in Nepal are not allowed to make flights to the EU member states. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Niraula claimed that the technical team of EASA is satisfied after the technical studies and consultations with the CAAN officials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU technical team carried out its audit based on different aspects including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit report that puts Nepal above the global average, Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accident) Regulation passed from the Council of Ministers and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CAAN stated that the EU technical team conducted its assessment on eight areas including legislation, personal licensing, flight operation, accident investigation, air navigation services, aerodrome and ground aides. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => 'EU, Nepal, aviation, safety, CAAN, blacklist', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15875', 'image' => '20221012115121_Nepal-Airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 11:50:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16133', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee says Government Can’t Intervene in Matters Related to Interest Rates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">While submitting its report to Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, the ten-member committee headed by Joint Secretary Baburam Subedi, who is also the chief of the Economic Policy Analysis Division of the ministry, said that the interest rate is determined by the market and that the government should not intervene unnecessarily. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The study conducted by the committee concluded that Nepal Rastra Bank is responsible to fix the interest rates and government should not issue instructions in this matter because it would undermine the central bank’s autonomy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The committee had one representative each from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Nepal Rastra Bank, National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Industry, Supplies and Commerce the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commerce while the banking sector was represented by two members of Nepal Bankers Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It may be noted that banks have increased the interest rates effective from September 17 almost five months after maintaining a stable interest rate. Such an initiative was taken upon the instruction of the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15874', 'image' => '20221012105504_20220926050939_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:54:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16132', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Improving Gradually', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. <br /> Meteorologist at the division Heera Bhattarai said that although the monsoon is still active, the low pressure system is weak and there has been a gradual improvement in the weather. She said the weather will fully improve across the country in the next two days. <br /> "Although the monsoon is ongoing, the rain-causing system has become weaker. Rainfall was reported at some places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim and at many places of the eastern and central regions on Tuesday. The weather will start to improve from Wednesday in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces while it will be fair across the country beginning from Thursday," said Bhattarai. <br /> Incessant rainfall that started since the past nine days is taking place only partially over the last four days due to the influence of the existing monsoon as well as the low pressure system that has developed around Nepal. The division said that it will take a week more for the monsoon's exit. <br /> The low pressure area near Haryana, India is impacting the weather in Nepal at present.<br /> The minimum temperature in Kathmandu was 18 degrees Celsius and the maximum 26 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the Division stated. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15873', 'image' => '20221012100214_HemantKC_Jajarkot_RSS_09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:01:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16131', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Police Confiscated Betel Nuts with Mala Fide Intention’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs. The consignment of beetle nuts produced in Jhapa was cleared by the Indian customs at Jogbani checkpoint across Biratnagar and was en route to India’s Bhimnagar boarder point near the Koshi barrage via Nepal route due to obstruction in the Indian side. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Finally, eight trucks laden with 29,596 kilograms of betel nuts worth Rs 86.38 million were released on September 29 after the Department of Customs instructed the concerned officials to re-route the consignment as per the court order. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Morang police had seized the betel nuts that had re-entered Nepal after customs clearance at Jogbani customs near Biratnagar on July 21 and handed them over to the Revenue Investigation Office in Itahari three days later.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Tirthraj Khanal, the head of the Revenue Investigation Office, Itahari, eight trucks of betel nuts were released after the department issued a written order to re-route them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Since we did not have the right to open and check the betel nuts sealed by the Indian customs, we only investigated whether there was any error in the process involved, and later we dropped the case after the department ordered us to allow re-routing the consignment,” Khanal said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the basis of the certificate of origin issued by the Jhapa Industry and Commerce Association, betel nuts grown in Jhapa were loaded on Indian trucks and exported from Biratnagar customs and were checked and sealed by the Indian customs office. Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirganj, India, the betel nuts were re-routed for export to Bhimnagar, India through Bhantabari of Sunsari district.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Navin Ghimire, the owner of Mankamana Traders of Biratnagar-9, a betel exporter, had filed a writ petition one week ago seeking a certiorari order. The petitioner had filed the case against the District Police Office Morang, Department of Customs, Biratnagar Customs Office and Revenue Investigation Office Itahari. After he withdrew the writ, the department issued an order to release the consignment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Exporter Ghimire complained that he had to pay more than INR 2.5 million for the rent of the eight trucks that have been on the premises of the Revenue Investigation Office for two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirgunj, the betel nuts that were inspected by the Indian customs at Jogbani were re-routed and return to Nepal so that they can be sent to Bhimnagar of India through Sunsari's Bhantabari. However, the police seized all the trucks arguing that they did not have customs clearance documents and kept them at the local police office in Rani for three days for investigation. Even after submitting all the documents, the police handed over the betel nut to the revenue investigation office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15872', 'image' => '20221011043816_betel nut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 16:37:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16130', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Seven Airports with Black-topped Runways not in Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. There are seven airports with blacktopped runways which are not in operation at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula informed New Business Age that it is possible for airplanes to take off and land at those airports. However, they are not operational because there is no flight schedule to those remote places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If the airports runways that are yet to be blacktopped are also considered, a total of 19 airports are currently not in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the 52 airports in Nepal, only 33 are currently in operation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Spokesperson Niraula says that the country does not have enough aircraft to operate flights to the remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There aren’t any planes to fly to the remote areas. On top of it, new alternatives have emerged to those airports,” said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There were no roads in the past. People were highly dependent on flights to transport goods and sick patients. But many of those places are now accessible through road,” added Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the airports were established with the motive to transport essential food stuffs and medicines to the remote areas. However, the airports which once served as the fastest alternative of transportation have been gradually replaced by vehicles these days with the expansion of road network.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air transport is expensive compared to travelling by road and therefore the general public opted for vehicles once the remote areas had access to road. According to the Department of Roads, the road network across Nepal spans over 100,000 kilometers which includes national highways and other roads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even the remote places such as Humla and Dolpa now have access to road. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is said that the airports in Baglung, Dolpa and Jiri were built especially to transport goods. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN also insists that such airports are hardly used these days also because there is shortage of aircraft that can fly to remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN however says that the airports with blacktopped runways can be operated anytime. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Those airports which are not in operation include the airports of Baglung, Chaurjhari (Rukum), Darchula, Dhorpatan, Palungtar (Gorkha), Resunga (Gulmi), Jiri, Kangeldanda (Solukhumbu), Khiji Chandeshwari (Okhaldhunga), Langtang, Lammidanda (Khotang), Mahendranagar, Manang, Masinechaur (Dolpa), Syangboche (Solukhumbu), Rumjatar (Okhaldhunga) and Tiakpur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among them, the airports of Rumjatar, Masinechaur, Baglung, Chaurjhari, Resunga, Lamidanda and Manang are blacktopped.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15871', 'image' => '20221011015602_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:55:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16129', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Facing Shortage of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After concluding that the domestic market of Nepal lacks the required amount of milk, the Government of Nepal has given permission to import 120,000 litres of milk per day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), Sujal Dairy and Dairy Industries Association of Nepal have been importing milk accordingly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even after importing milk from Nepal, it is believed that the country still requires 180,000 litres of milk per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The demand for milk in the domestic market is 1,050,000 litres per day but the domestic production is just 750,000, according to Dr Balak Chaudhary, technical director of the state-owned DDC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The supply of milk reaches 870,000 litres per day by adding the imported milk from India but it still falls short of the market demand by 180,000 litres,” says Chaudhary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Chaudhary says that the production of milk increases from mid-October while its consumption declines. Therefore, the government is making preparations not to allow import of additional milk with the onset of winter season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country has been forced to import milk from India just one and a half years after the government announced Nepal as a self-sufficient country in dairy production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the then Minister for Agriculture Padma Aryal had announced Nepal self-sufficient powder milk and butter in March 2021. But now, Nepal has been importing liquid milk from Patna Dairy of India due to lack of powder milk and butter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government’s decision to ease imports has provided some relief to meet the demand for milk in the country, it is still struggling to meet the demand for powder milk and butter, says Prahlad Dahal, chairman of Nepal Dairy Association.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We know how much milk we need and how much is being supplied. We are afraid that there will be shortage of milk next year as well. Therefore the government must collaborate with the private sector and also allow the state-owned Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company to import powder milk and butter,” says Dahal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government has allowed daily import of 120,000 litres of milk, the bodies responsible for importing such quantity of milk are unable to import milk to that extent. Therefore, the market is still reeling under scarcity of milk.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15870', 'image' => '20221011010319_milk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:02:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16128', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Election Commission Seeks Details of Expenditure for Online Advertisement from Poll Candidates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s appeals has come as the social networking sites are filled with polls-related advertisements after the completion of the candidacy nomination of the candidates for the federal and provincial assembly elections to be held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC made such appeal by issuing the ‘Policy on Use of Social Sites on Election Management’. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, EC’s Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that continued monitoring and evaluation of the online advertisement is ongoing by forming a mechanism in the EC’s Secretariat and offices of the EC. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15869', 'image' => '20221011120924_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 12:08:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16141', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IMF Projects Nepal’s Economy to Grow by 4.2 Percent', 'sub_title' => 'Inflation in Nepal will Rise to 8.1 Percent in the Current Fiscal Year', 'summary' => 'October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal year. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF made such projection while releasing the October issue of the World Economic Outlook. The report says that Nepal’s economy will grow by 5 percent in 2023 and by 5.3 percent by 2027.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, inflation in Nepal will rise to 8.1 percent in the current fiscal year and this rate will drop to 7.1 percent in 2023</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the current account deficit of Nepal will remain 12.1 percent in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF report also predicted the world economy to shrink to 3.2 percent in 2022. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, global economic activity is experiencing a broad-based and sharper-than-expected slowdown, with inflation higher than seen in several decades. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The cost-of-living crisis, tightening financial conditions in most regions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic all weigh heavily on the outlook. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Global growth is forecast to slow from 6.0 percent in 2021 to 3.2 percent in 2022 and 2.7 percent in 2023. This is the weakest growth profile since 2001 except for the global financial crisis and the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, global inflation is forecast to rise from 4.7 percent in 2021 to 8.8 percent in 2022 but to decline to 6.5 percent in 2023 and to 4.1 percent by 2024. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report suggests that monetary policy should stay the course to restore price stability, and fiscal policy should aim to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures while maintaining a sufficiently tight stance aligned with monetary policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Structural reforms can further support the fight against inflation by improving productivity and easing supply constraints, while multilateral cooperation is necessary for fast-tracking the green energy transition and preventing fragmentation.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">l</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15883', 'image' => '20221013115322_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:52:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16140', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Votes in Favor of Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, 143 member states voted in favour of the resolution, including Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the voting held on Wednesday, five countries voted against the resolution. The countries that voted against the resolution were Belarus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, 35 countries abstained from voting. Majority of countries abstaining from voting were African nations, alongside China and India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We condemn Russia's illegal so-called referendum within Ukraine's internationally-recognized borders and demand it reverses its annexation declaration," reads the resolution. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24 calling it a “special military operation” to protect Russian-speaking people in the troubled Donbas region of Ukraine from the so-called Nazis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, Kyiv and its western allies dismiss it as a baseless pretext for war which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions in what is said the be the biggest military operation in Europe since World War II.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The war between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns of food crisis across the world. Both the countries play a vital role in supply of food grains across the globe. Wheat produced in Ukraine and Russia constitute 29 percent of the wheat traded across the world. These two countries also supply 19 percent of maize to the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine also supply 80 percent of sunflower oil to the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The situation has caused fluctuation in the price of oil globally. Commodity prices have also increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine are also the chief producers of oil, natural gas and metals.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15882', 'image' => '20221013112051_unga.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:19:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16146', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Issue Ordinance to Allow Private Sector for Power Trade ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Electricity Act, 2049 does not have the provision related to power trade. Due to the lack of such arrangement in the law, the government has not been able to give permission to the private sector for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to open ways for the private sector to participate in power trade, the government is making necessary preparations to amend the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ordinance has been forwarded to the office of the president for consideration. According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation, the ordinance would be introduced to create ways for power trade by addressing the demand of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that the private sector has been demanding subsidy with the government on power trade. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15881', 'image' => '20221013050847_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 17:08:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16139', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagdhunga Tunnel Achieves 65 Percent Progress in Construction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. With just six months left for the project to end, the progress achieved is 65 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 21, 2019 by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. As per the agreement signed with the Department of Roads, the contractor, Hazama Ando Corporation of Japan, was supposed to complete the project within 42 months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the project has been delayed due to hurdles like the Covid-19 pandemic, prohibitory order as well as the obstruction from the locals, distribution of compensation, unavailability of explosives and equipment among others, according to the Department of Roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project should have been completed within mid-April next year but the deadline has been extended by almost three months (86 days) after assessing the situation. The Japanese construction company Hazama Ando Corporation had demanded an extension of deadline as the work was delayed due to the pandemic, restrictions and a few days of interruption by the locals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project director Ramhari Pokharel informed New Business Age that the Japanese company had demanded extension of the deadline by six to seven months but the department has made it clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline beyond three months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the details provided by the project, the Japanese company has already completed construction of the main passage as well as the auxiliary, audit and cross passages. Of them, 1,377 meters are dug on the east and west sides of the main tunnel and 1,507 meters on both sides of the auxiliary tunnel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among the other structures of the project, two underpasses have been constructed. There are plans to build three underpasses in the project. Similarly, 4 box culverts, 1 overpass and 3 bridges have also been constructed. The flyover is under construction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total length of the tunnel is projected to be 5.7 km including 2.7 kilometers long tunnel section and 3 kilometers of road.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had reached an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2016 to construct the tunnel. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated to be around Rs 22 billion, of which JICA will bear Rs 16 billion and the Government of Nepal will bear Rs 6 billion. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15880', 'image' => '20221012035751_20220708015827_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:57:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16137', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatar Seeks Application for Domestic Helpers from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal. Qatar's Ministry of Interior issued a notice seeking applications from Nepali domestic workers. Qatar had been continuously asking Nepal to provide workers even after the Government of Nepal stopped sending female domestic workers to the Gulf nation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry said that applications can be submitted at the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Government of Nepal had stopped sending female domestic workers to all Gulf countries including Qatar since 2016 stating that women who work as domestic helpers are exploited. Despite the ban, many women still go to various countries for this profession illegally through India. Rights activists have been protesting the ban arguing that the government decision has put women in more danger while going for foreign employment through illegal channels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Danduraj Ghimire, joint secretary and spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security confirmed that he too received information about Qatar seeking domestic workers but needs it needs further inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Qatar had requested us to lift the ban on sending female domestic helpers to the Gulf nation during a meeting held between Nepal and Qatar a few months ago,” said Gimire.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that even if Qatar has sought application, no one will be allowed to go without the government’s consent. Domestic workers are currently in high demand in Qatar.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15879', 'image' => '20221012032927_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:28:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16136', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Exports Over One Billion Units of Electricity to India', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season. The Nepal Electricity Authority started selling the surplus electricity during the rainy season through competitive bidding in the day-ahead market of the Indian Energy Exchange Limited from June 2. Since then, as per the information of the authority, 1.3 billion units of electricity has been exported to India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The authority's executive director Kulman Ghising informed that during this period, a net income of Rs 7.93 billion was generated by selling the surplus electricity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Selling more than 1 billion units of electricity is another milestone for us,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the authority, the average price per unit of exported electricity is Rs 7.91.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Initially, the electricity produced from 39 megawatts of two power plants was sold in the Indian market on a daily basis. According to the authority, since June 10, an additional 364 megawatts of electricity produced by six hydropower plants were sold in the Indian market at a competitive rate per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the electricity trade with India is done in Indian rupees (INR), Nepal received INR 4.95 billion from the sale of electricity during this period. This has contributed to reducing the pressure on Nepal's foreign exchange reserves and the trade deficit between the two countries. The authority aims to earn about Rs 16 billion from electricity exports in the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the Indian Energy Exchange Limited, 24 hours are divided into 96 blocks of 15 minutes each and electricity is traded at a competitive rate set by the market. Therefore, the price of each block is different. The average rate of electricity exported by the authority so far is Rs 7.91 per unit.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15878', 'image' => '20221012014124_electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 13:40:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16138', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pad Industries Still in Crisis Despite Revision of Unfair Taxes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is an annual demand of 450 million sanitary pads in Nepal. Industrialists say that the annual production capacity of 35 small and big domestic industries is 900 million units. However, as the government has not controlled the import of pads, the investment of Rs 6 billion in the pad industry is at risk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Dolraj Adhikari, president of Nepal Sanitary Pad and Diaper Manufacturers Association, although the government revised the decision to give 90 percent tax exemption on the import of sanitary pads as per the announcement made in the budget of the current fiscal year, it is yet to increase the customs duty to the previous level of 15 percent from 5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the production of the domestic industries has shrunk by 50 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries that were producing 600 million sanitary pads and selling them domestically and abroad before the government imposed unequal taxes were forced to shut down due to the government's decision. After revising the tax rates, those industries are now operational. However, as the government is yet to control the import of sanitary pads, the industrialists are not able to take full advantage of it, says President Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Puneet Sharda, general secretary of the association and owner of Jasmine Hygiene, says that the production of the domestic industry is now limited to 300 million units per year. Similarly, out of 6,000 workers, only 3,000 are currently employed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The government should not only reduce the customs duty on raw materials, it should also reduce the customs duty on packaging materials and other goods. The government should give concessions to encourage domestic industries,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Adhikari, the government should stop issuing license to new sanitary pad industry as the existing industries have acquired technology that can produce seven pads in one second.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “There is not a single sanitary pad industry in Bihar, India. However, six large industries have already opened in a small country like Nepal. Since the capacity of those industries exceeds the domestic demand if operated at full capacity, now the government should open the way to earn foreign currency by exporting pads instead of importing them. In order to do so, the government must give concessions on exports,” said Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Lahoti, vice president of the association and owner of Health and Hygiene said that although the government revised the unequal tax rates, it has failed to notice that the industries here are not operating at full capacity due to excessive imports. He said that the government should give concessions to the sanitary pad industry like in India. He argued that they have to compete with the industries capable of producing more than 400 pads in a minute. Lahoti revealed that Nepali industry will be able to produce at full capacity only if the government increases the anti-dumping duty and customs duty to 15 percent to replace imports. The government's policy of encouraging imports has also affected the production of diapers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government decided to waive 90 percent customs duty on the import of sanitary pads from July 17, pads worth Rs 992 million were imported that month. Records of the Customs Department show that pads worth Rs 154,441,000 were imported in August. These pads were imported from India, China, Thailand, Japan and other countries. During the period of 2 months, 8,339,000 thousand pads were exported from Nepal to India. Pads come to Nepal from abroad in kilograms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the year 2075/76, when the government reduced the customs duty on all raw materials of the sanitary pad industry to 5 percent, the number of such industries increased.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15877', 'image' => '20221012035446_20210119021212_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:54:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16135', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flower Business Expected to Top Transactions of Rs 130 Million during Tihar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival. The Floriculture Association of Nepal says they are planning to sell 2,345,000 pieces of flowers worth Rs 130 million during the Tihar festival which is just around the corner.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transactions of flower business are expected to grow by Rs 15.4 million this year compared to last year’s festive season. During last year, flowers worth Rs 115.6 million were sold in Tihar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The association informed that 2 million units of garlands made of marigold flower are expected to be sold during this festival. The demand for 1.7 million such garlands will be met through domestic production while the remaining 300,000 garlands are being imported from India, says Min Bahadur Tamang, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the association expects sale of 325,000 units of globe amaranth garlands and 20,000 units of garlands made from chrysanthemum flowers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The wholesale price of a piece of marigold flower is Rs 55 while the garland made of globe amaranth costs Rs 35 to 40 and that of chrysanthemum flowers costs Rs 350 to Rs 400.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President Tamang said that the domestic production of flowers was hit by the rainfall that occurred during the Dashain festival. According to him, marigold flowers were damaged by the rainfall and the domestic production is expected to shrink this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the domestic production of marigold is still expected to increase by 10 percent this year compared to last year because the commercial farming of this particular flower has started in all seven provinces. Marigold flower is cultivated mostly in Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Jhapa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Chitwan, Ilam, Dhankuta, Kailali, Banke, and Kaski districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, commercial farming of globe amaranth flower is done in Ichangu Narayan of Kathmandu, Gundu of Bhaktapur, Badikhel and Godavari of Lalitpur, Dhading, Palpa, Kailali and Ilam.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the association, the business of cultivating flowers with an investment of Rs 6 billion is done in 43 districts of Nepal. More than 700 entrepreneurs are involved in this business which provides direct and indirect employment to 40,000 people.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15876', 'image' => '20221012125640_74357524_3206364359438719_5295578166390161408_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 12:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16134', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU Positive About Nepal’s Aviation Safety: CAAN ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A technical team of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of the EU had arrived in Nepal and carried out the audit from October 7 to 9. The three-member technical team of the EASA is scheduled to submit its report to Nepal on October 28, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said. CAAN has assured to respond to the issues pointed out in the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson of CAAN Jagannath Niraula expressed his belief that the EU would remove Nepal from its air safety list since the technical team was positive about Nepal’s aviation safety. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“CAAN will respond to the issues raised in the report and the final decision to remove Nepal from EU’s air safety list would be decided once the final report is submitted to the EU,” said Spokesperson Niraula. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU has blacklisted Nepal since the past one decade for its poor record in air safety. As a result, the airlines companies registered in Nepal are not allowed to make flights to the EU member states. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Niraula claimed that the technical team of EASA is satisfied after the technical studies and consultations with the CAAN officials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU technical team carried out its audit based on different aspects including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit report that puts Nepal above the global average, Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accident) Regulation passed from the Council of Ministers and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CAAN stated that the EU technical team conducted its assessment on eight areas including legislation, personal licensing, flight operation, accident investigation, air navigation services, aerodrome and ground aides. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => 'EU, Nepal, aviation, safety, CAAN, blacklist', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15875', 'image' => '20221012115121_Nepal-Airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 11:50:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16133', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee says Government Can’t Intervene in Matters Related to Interest Rates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">While submitting its report to Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, the ten-member committee headed by Joint Secretary Baburam Subedi, who is also the chief of the Economic Policy Analysis Division of the ministry, said that the interest rate is determined by the market and that the government should not intervene unnecessarily. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The study conducted by the committee concluded that Nepal Rastra Bank is responsible to fix the interest rates and government should not issue instructions in this matter because it would undermine the central bank’s autonomy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The committee had one representative each from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Nepal Rastra Bank, National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Industry, Supplies and Commerce the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commerce while the banking sector was represented by two members of Nepal Bankers Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It may be noted that banks have increased the interest rates effective from September 17 almost five months after maintaining a stable interest rate. Such an initiative was taken upon the instruction of the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15874', 'image' => '20221012105504_20220926050939_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:54:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16132', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Improving Gradually', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. <br /> Meteorologist at the division Heera Bhattarai said that although the monsoon is still active, the low pressure system is weak and there has been a gradual improvement in the weather. She said the weather will fully improve across the country in the next two days. <br /> "Although the monsoon is ongoing, the rain-causing system has become weaker. Rainfall was reported at some places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim and at many places of the eastern and central regions on Tuesday. The weather will start to improve from Wednesday in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces while it will be fair across the country beginning from Thursday," said Bhattarai. <br /> Incessant rainfall that started since the past nine days is taking place only partially over the last four days due to the influence of the existing monsoon as well as the low pressure system that has developed around Nepal. The division said that it will take a week more for the monsoon's exit. <br /> The low pressure area near Haryana, India is impacting the weather in Nepal at present.<br /> The minimum temperature in Kathmandu was 18 degrees Celsius and the maximum 26 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the Division stated. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15873', 'image' => '20221012100214_HemantKC_Jajarkot_RSS_09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:01:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16131', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Police Confiscated Betel Nuts with Mala Fide Intention’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs. The consignment of beetle nuts produced in Jhapa was cleared by the Indian customs at Jogbani checkpoint across Biratnagar and was en route to India’s Bhimnagar boarder point near the Koshi barrage via Nepal route due to obstruction in the Indian side. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Finally, eight trucks laden with 29,596 kilograms of betel nuts worth Rs 86.38 million were released on September 29 after the Department of Customs instructed the concerned officials to re-route the consignment as per the court order. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Morang police had seized the betel nuts that had re-entered Nepal after customs clearance at Jogbani customs near Biratnagar on July 21 and handed them over to the Revenue Investigation Office in Itahari three days later.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Tirthraj Khanal, the head of the Revenue Investigation Office, Itahari, eight trucks of betel nuts were released after the department issued a written order to re-route them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Since we did not have the right to open and check the betel nuts sealed by the Indian customs, we only investigated whether there was any error in the process involved, and later we dropped the case after the department ordered us to allow re-routing the consignment,” Khanal said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the basis of the certificate of origin issued by the Jhapa Industry and Commerce Association, betel nuts grown in Jhapa were loaded on Indian trucks and exported from Biratnagar customs and were checked and sealed by the Indian customs office. Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirganj, India, the betel nuts were re-routed for export to Bhimnagar, India through Bhantabari of Sunsari district.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Navin Ghimire, the owner of Mankamana Traders of Biratnagar-9, a betel exporter, had filed a writ petition one week ago seeking a certiorari order. The petitioner had filed the case against the District Police Office Morang, Department of Customs, Biratnagar Customs Office and Revenue Investigation Office Itahari. After he withdrew the writ, the department issued an order to release the consignment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Exporter Ghimire complained that he had to pay more than INR 2.5 million for the rent of the eight trucks that have been on the premises of the Revenue Investigation Office for two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirgunj, the betel nuts that were inspected by the Indian customs at Jogbani were re-routed and return to Nepal so that they can be sent to Bhimnagar of India through Sunsari's Bhantabari. However, the police seized all the trucks arguing that they did not have customs clearance documents and kept them at the local police office in Rani for three days for investigation. Even after submitting all the documents, the police handed over the betel nut to the revenue investigation office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15872', 'image' => '20221011043816_betel nut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 16:37:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16130', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Seven Airports with Black-topped Runways not in Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. There are seven airports with blacktopped runways which are not in operation at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula informed New Business Age that it is possible for airplanes to take off and land at those airports. However, they are not operational because there is no flight schedule to those remote places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If the airports runways that are yet to be blacktopped are also considered, a total of 19 airports are currently not in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the 52 airports in Nepal, only 33 are currently in operation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Spokesperson Niraula says that the country does not have enough aircraft to operate flights to the remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There aren’t any planes to fly to the remote areas. On top of it, new alternatives have emerged to those airports,” said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There were no roads in the past. People were highly dependent on flights to transport goods and sick patients. But many of those places are now accessible through road,” added Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the airports were established with the motive to transport essential food stuffs and medicines to the remote areas. However, the airports which once served as the fastest alternative of transportation have been gradually replaced by vehicles these days with the expansion of road network.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air transport is expensive compared to travelling by road and therefore the general public opted for vehicles once the remote areas had access to road. According to the Department of Roads, the road network across Nepal spans over 100,000 kilometers which includes national highways and other roads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even the remote places such as Humla and Dolpa now have access to road. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is said that the airports in Baglung, Dolpa and Jiri were built especially to transport goods. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN also insists that such airports are hardly used these days also because there is shortage of aircraft that can fly to remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN however says that the airports with blacktopped runways can be operated anytime. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Those airports which are not in operation include the airports of Baglung, Chaurjhari (Rukum), Darchula, Dhorpatan, Palungtar (Gorkha), Resunga (Gulmi), Jiri, Kangeldanda (Solukhumbu), Khiji Chandeshwari (Okhaldhunga), Langtang, Lammidanda (Khotang), Mahendranagar, Manang, Masinechaur (Dolpa), Syangboche (Solukhumbu), Rumjatar (Okhaldhunga) and Tiakpur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among them, the airports of Rumjatar, Masinechaur, Baglung, Chaurjhari, Resunga, Lamidanda and Manang are blacktopped.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15871', 'image' => '20221011015602_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:55:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16129', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Facing Shortage of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After concluding that the domestic market of Nepal lacks the required amount of milk, the Government of Nepal has given permission to import 120,000 litres of milk per day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), Sujal Dairy and Dairy Industries Association of Nepal have been importing milk accordingly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even after importing milk from Nepal, it is believed that the country still requires 180,000 litres of milk per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The demand for milk in the domestic market is 1,050,000 litres per day but the domestic production is just 750,000, according to Dr Balak Chaudhary, technical director of the state-owned DDC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The supply of milk reaches 870,000 litres per day by adding the imported milk from India but it still falls short of the market demand by 180,000 litres,” says Chaudhary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Chaudhary says that the production of milk increases from mid-October while its consumption declines. Therefore, the government is making preparations not to allow import of additional milk with the onset of winter season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country has been forced to import milk from India just one and a half years after the government announced Nepal as a self-sufficient country in dairy production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the then Minister for Agriculture Padma Aryal had announced Nepal self-sufficient powder milk and butter in March 2021. But now, Nepal has been importing liquid milk from Patna Dairy of India due to lack of powder milk and butter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government’s decision to ease imports has provided some relief to meet the demand for milk in the country, it is still struggling to meet the demand for powder milk and butter, says Prahlad Dahal, chairman of Nepal Dairy Association.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We know how much milk we need and how much is being supplied. We are afraid that there will be shortage of milk next year as well. Therefore the government must collaborate with the private sector and also allow the state-owned Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company to import powder milk and butter,” says Dahal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government has allowed daily import of 120,000 litres of milk, the bodies responsible for importing such quantity of milk are unable to import milk to that extent. Therefore, the market is still reeling under scarcity of milk.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15870', 'image' => '20221011010319_milk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:02:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16128', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Election Commission Seeks Details of Expenditure for Online Advertisement from Poll Candidates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s appeals has come as the social networking sites are filled with polls-related advertisements after the completion of the candidacy nomination of the candidates for the federal and provincial assembly elections to be held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC made such appeal by issuing the ‘Policy on Use of Social Sites on Election Management’. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, EC’s Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that continued monitoring and evaluation of the online advertisement is ongoing by forming a mechanism in the EC’s Secretariat and offices of the EC. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15869', 'image' => '20221011120924_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 12:08:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16141', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IMF Projects Nepal’s Economy to Grow by 4.2 Percent', 'sub_title' => 'Inflation in Nepal will Rise to 8.1 Percent in the Current Fiscal Year', 'summary' => 'October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 4.2 percent in the current fiscal year. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF made such projection while releasing the October issue of the World Economic Outlook. The report says that Nepal’s economy will grow by 5 percent in 2023 and by 5.3 percent by 2027.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, inflation in Nepal will rise to 8.1 percent in the current fiscal year and this rate will drop to 7.1 percent in 2023</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the current account deficit of Nepal will remain 12.1 percent in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF report also predicted the world economy to shrink to 3.2 percent in 2022. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, global economic activity is experiencing a broad-based and sharper-than-expected slowdown, with inflation higher than seen in several decades. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The cost-of-living crisis, tightening financial conditions in most regions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic all weigh heavily on the outlook. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Global growth is forecast to slow from 6.0 percent in 2021 to 3.2 percent in 2022 and 2.7 percent in 2023. This is the weakest growth profile since 2001 except for the global financial crisis and the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, global inflation is forecast to rise from 4.7 percent in 2021 to 8.8 percent in 2022 but to decline to 6.5 percent in 2023 and to 4.1 percent by 2024. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report suggests that monetary policy should stay the course to restore price stability, and fiscal policy should aim to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures while maintaining a sufficiently tight stance aligned with monetary policy. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Structural reforms can further support the fight against inflation by improving productivity and easing supply constraints, while multilateral cooperation is necessary for fast-tracking the green energy transition and preventing fragmentation.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">l</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15883', 'image' => '20221013115322_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:52:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16140', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Votes in Favor of Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution with a majority of member states condemning the barbaric and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russia. According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, 143 member states voted in favour of the resolution, including Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the voting held on Wednesday, five countries voted against the resolution. The countries that voted against the resolution were Belarus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, 35 countries abstained from voting. Majority of countries abstaining from voting were African nations, alongside China and India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We condemn Russia's illegal so-called referendum within Ukraine's internationally-recognized borders and demand it reverses its annexation declaration," reads the resolution. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24 calling it a “special military operation” to protect Russian-speaking people in the troubled Donbas region of Ukraine from the so-called Nazis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, Kyiv and its western allies dismiss it as a baseless pretext for war which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions in what is said the be the biggest military operation in Europe since World War II.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The war between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns of food crisis across the world. Both the countries play a vital role in supply of food grains across the globe. Wheat produced in Ukraine and Russia constitute 29 percent of the wheat traded across the world. These two countries also supply 19 percent of maize to the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine also supply 80 percent of sunflower oil to the world. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The situation has caused fluctuation in the price of oil globally. Commodity prices have also increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Russia and Ukraine are also the chief producers of oil, natural gas and metals.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15882', 'image' => '20221013112051_unga.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 11:19:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16146', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Issue Ordinance to Allow Private Sector for Power Trade ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: The government is making preparations to bring an ordinance to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 aimed at opening up new avenues for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Electricity Act, 2049 does not have the provision related to power trade. Due to the lack of such arrangement in the law, the government has not been able to give permission to the private sector for power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to open ways for the private sector to participate in power trade, the government is making necessary preparations to amend the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ordinance has been forwarded to the office of the president for consideration. According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation, the ordinance would be introduced to create ways for power trade by addressing the demand of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that the private sector has been demanding subsidy with the government on power trade. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-13', 'modified' => '2022-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15881', 'image' => '20221013050847_Energy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-13 17:08:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16139', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nagdhunga Tunnel Achieves 65 Percent Progress in Construction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. With just six months left for the project to end, the progress achieved is 65 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 21, 2019 by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. As per the agreement signed with the Department of Roads, the contractor, Hazama Ando Corporation of Japan, was supposed to complete the project within 42 months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the project has been delayed due to hurdles like the Covid-19 pandemic, prohibitory order as well as the obstruction from the locals, distribution of compensation, unavailability of explosives and equipment among others, according to the Department of Roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project should have been completed within mid-April next year but the deadline has been extended by almost three months (86 days) after assessing the situation. The Japanese construction company Hazama Ando Corporation had demanded an extension of deadline as the work was delayed due to the pandemic, restrictions and a few days of interruption by the locals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The project director Ramhari Pokharel informed New Business Age that the Japanese company had demanded extension of the deadline by six to seven months but the department has made it clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline beyond three months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the details provided by the project, the Japanese company has already completed construction of the main passage as well as the auxiliary, audit and cross passages. Of them, 1,377 meters are dug on the east and west sides of the main tunnel and 1,507 meters on both sides of the auxiliary tunnel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among the other structures of the project, two underpasses have been constructed. There are plans to build three underpasses in the project. Similarly, 4 box culverts, 1 overpass and 3 bridges have also been constructed. The flyover is under construction.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The total length of the tunnel is projected to be 5.7 km including 2.7 kilometers long tunnel section and 3 kilometers of road.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had reached an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2016 to construct the tunnel. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated to be around Rs 22 billion, of which JICA will bear Rs 16 billion and the Government of Nepal will bear Rs 6 billion. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15880', 'image' => '20221012035751_20220708015827_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:57:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16137', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatar Seeks Application for Domestic Helpers from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: At a time when the Government of Nepal has banned female domestic helpers from going abroad for foreign employment, Qatar has placed a demand for female domestic workers from Nepal. Qatar's Ministry of Interior issued a notice seeking applications from Nepali domestic workers. Qatar had been continuously asking Nepal to provide workers even after the Government of Nepal stopped sending female domestic workers to the Gulf nation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry said that applications can be submitted at the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Government of Nepal had stopped sending female domestic workers to all Gulf countries including Qatar since 2016 stating that women who work as domestic helpers are exploited. Despite the ban, many women still go to various countries for this profession illegally through India. Rights activists have been protesting the ban arguing that the government decision has put women in more danger while going for foreign employment through illegal channels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Danduraj Ghimire, joint secretary and spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security confirmed that he too received information about Qatar seeking domestic workers but needs it needs further inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Qatar had requested us to lift the ban on sending female domestic helpers to the Gulf nation during a meeting held between Nepal and Qatar a few months ago,” said Gimire.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that even if Qatar has sought application, no one will be allowed to go without the government’s consent. Domestic workers are currently in high demand in Qatar.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15879', 'image' => '20221012032927_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:28:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16136', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Exports Over One Billion Units of Electricity to India', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Nepal has exported more than 1 billion units of electricity to India this season. The Nepal Electricity Authority started selling the surplus electricity during the rainy season through competitive bidding in the day-ahead market of the Indian Energy Exchange Limited from June 2. Since then, as per the information of the authority, 1.3 billion units of electricity has been exported to India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The authority's executive director Kulman Ghising informed that during this period, a net income of Rs 7.93 billion was generated by selling the surplus electricity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Selling more than 1 billion units of electricity is another milestone for us,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the authority, the average price per unit of exported electricity is Rs 7.91.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Initially, the electricity produced from 39 megawatts of two power plants was sold in the Indian market on a daily basis. According to the authority, since June 10, an additional 364 megawatts of electricity produced by six hydropower plants were sold in the Indian market at a competitive rate per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the electricity trade with India is done in Indian rupees (INR), Nepal received INR 4.95 billion from the sale of electricity during this period. This has contributed to reducing the pressure on Nepal's foreign exchange reserves and the trade deficit between the two countries. The authority aims to earn about Rs 16 billion from electricity exports in the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the Indian Energy Exchange Limited, 24 hours are divided into 96 blocks of 15 minutes each and electricity is traded at a competitive rate set by the market. Therefore, the price of each block is different. The average rate of electricity exported by the authority so far is Rs 7.91 per unit.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15878', 'image' => '20221012014124_electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 13:40:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16138', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pad Industries Still in Crisis Despite Revision of Unfair Taxes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 12: Even though the government has revised the unequal tax rates, the sanitary pad industries of Nepal have not been able to operate at full capacity because of excessive import of sanitary pads from abroad.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is an annual demand of 450 million sanitary pads in Nepal. Industrialists say that the annual production capacity of 35 small and big domestic industries is 900 million units. However, as the government has not controlled the import of pads, the investment of Rs 6 billion in the pad industry is at risk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Dolraj Adhikari, president of Nepal Sanitary Pad and Diaper Manufacturers Association, although the government revised the decision to give 90 percent tax exemption on the import of sanitary pads as per the announcement made in the budget of the current fiscal year, it is yet to increase the customs duty to the previous level of 15 percent from 5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the production of the domestic industries has shrunk by 50 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries that were producing 600 million sanitary pads and selling them domestically and abroad before the government imposed unequal taxes were forced to shut down due to the government's decision. After revising the tax rates, those industries are now operational. However, as the government is yet to control the import of sanitary pads, the industrialists are not able to take full advantage of it, says President Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Puneet Sharda, general secretary of the association and owner of Jasmine Hygiene, says that the production of the domestic industry is now limited to 300 million units per year. Similarly, out of 6,000 workers, only 3,000 are currently employed. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The government should not only reduce the customs duty on raw materials, it should also reduce the customs duty on packaging materials and other goods. The government should give concessions to encourage domestic industries,” he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Adhikari, the government should stop issuing license to new sanitary pad industry as the existing industries have acquired technology that can produce seven pads in one second.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “There is not a single sanitary pad industry in Bihar, India. However, six large industries have already opened in a small country like Nepal. Since the capacity of those industries exceeds the domestic demand if operated at full capacity, now the government should open the way to earn foreign currency by exporting pads instead of importing them. In order to do so, the government must give concessions on exports,” said Adhikari.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Lahoti, vice president of the association and owner of Health and Hygiene said that although the government revised the unequal tax rates, it has failed to notice that the industries here are not operating at full capacity due to excessive imports. He said that the government should give concessions to the sanitary pad industry like in India. He argued that they have to compete with the industries capable of producing more than 400 pads in a minute. Lahoti revealed that Nepali industry will be able to produce at full capacity only if the government increases the anti-dumping duty and customs duty to 15 percent to replace imports. The government's policy of encouraging imports has also affected the production of diapers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government decided to waive 90 percent customs duty on the import of sanitary pads from July 17, pads worth Rs 992 million were imported that month. Records of the Customs Department show that pads worth Rs 154,441,000 were imported in August. These pads were imported from India, China, Thailand, Japan and other countries. During the period of 2 months, 8,339,000 thousand pads were exported from Nepal to India. Pads come to Nepal from abroad in kilograms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the year 2075/76, when the government reduced the customs duty on all raw materials of the sanitary pad industry to 5 percent, the number of such industries increased.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15877', 'image' => '20221012035446_20210119021212_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 15:54:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16135', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Flower Business Expected to Top Transactions of Rs 130 Million during Tihar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 12: Flower businessmen are expecting transactions worth more than Rs 130 million during the upcoming Tihar festival. The Floriculture Association of Nepal says they are planning to sell 2,345,000 pieces of flowers worth Rs 130 million during the Tihar festival which is just around the corner.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transactions of flower business are expected to grow by Rs 15.4 million this year compared to last year’s festive season. During last year, flowers worth Rs 115.6 million were sold in Tihar.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The association informed that 2 million units of garlands made of marigold flower are expected to be sold during this festival. The demand for 1.7 million such garlands will be met through domestic production while the remaining 300,000 garlands are being imported from India, says Min Bahadur Tamang, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the association expects sale of 325,000 units of globe amaranth garlands and 20,000 units of garlands made from chrysanthemum flowers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The wholesale price of a piece of marigold flower is Rs 55 while the garland made of globe amaranth costs Rs 35 to 40 and that of chrysanthemum flowers costs Rs 350 to Rs 400.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President Tamang said that the domestic production of flowers was hit by the rainfall that occurred during the Dashain festival. According to him, marigold flowers were damaged by the rainfall and the domestic production is expected to shrink this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the domestic production of marigold is still expected to increase by 10 percent this year compared to last year because the commercial farming of this particular flower has started in all seven provinces. Marigold flower is cultivated mostly in Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Jhapa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Chitwan, Ilam, Dhankuta, Kailali, Banke, and Kaski districts.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, commercial farming of globe amaranth flower is done in Ichangu Narayan of Kathmandu, Gundu of Bhaktapur, Badikhel and Godavari of Lalitpur, Dhading, Palpa, Kailali and Ilam.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the association, the business of cultivating flowers with an investment of Rs 6 billion is done in 43 districts of Nepal. More than 700 entrepreneurs are involved in this business which provides direct and indirect employment to 40,000 people.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15876', 'image' => '20221012125640_74357524_3206364359438719_5295578166390161408_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 12:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16134', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU Positive About Nepal’s Aviation Safety: CAAN ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 12: A technical team of the European Union (EU) has made a positive observation about Nepal’s aviation safety following an audit of Nepal’s entire aviation safety sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A technical team of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of the EU had arrived in Nepal and carried out the audit from October 7 to 9. The three-member technical team of the EASA is scheduled to submit its report to Nepal on October 28, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said. CAAN has assured to respond to the issues pointed out in the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson of CAAN Jagannath Niraula expressed his belief that the EU would remove Nepal from its air safety list since the technical team was positive about Nepal’s aviation safety. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“CAAN will respond to the issues raised in the report and the final decision to remove Nepal from EU’s air safety list would be decided once the final report is submitted to the EU,” said Spokesperson Niraula. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU has blacklisted Nepal since the past one decade for its poor record in air safety. As a result, the airlines companies registered in Nepal are not allowed to make flights to the EU member states. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Niraula claimed that the technical team of EASA is satisfied after the technical studies and consultations with the CAAN officials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU technical team carried out its audit based on different aspects including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit report that puts Nepal above the global average, Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accident) Regulation passed from the Council of Ministers and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The CAAN stated that the EU technical team conducted its assessment on eight areas including legislation, personal licensing, flight operation, accident investigation, air navigation services, aerodrome and ground aides. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => 'EU, Nepal, aviation, safety, CAAN, blacklist', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15875', 'image' => '20221012115121_Nepal-Airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 11:50:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16133', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee says Government Can’t Intervene in Matters Related to Interest Rates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">October 12: A committee formed by the Finance Ministry in late September to study the spiraling interest rates of banks and financial institutions has suggested the government to keep its hands off the matters looked after by the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">While submitting its report to Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, the ten-member committee headed by Joint Secretary Baburam Subedi, who is also the chief of the Economic Policy Analysis Division of the ministry, said that the interest rate is determined by the market and that the government should not intervene unnecessarily. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The study conducted by the committee concluded that Nepal Rastra Bank is responsible to fix the interest rates and government should not issue instructions in this matter because it would undermine the central bank’s autonomy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The committee had one representative each from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Nepal Rastra Bank, National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Industry, Supplies and Commerce the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commerce while the banking sector was represented by two members of Nepal Bankers Association.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It may be noted that banks have increased the interest rates effective from September 17 almost five months after maintaining a stable interest rate. Such an initiative was taken upon the instruction of the central bank.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15874', 'image' => '20221012105504_20220926050939_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:54:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16132', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Improving Gradually', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 12: The weather has started improving gradually with the low pressure system developed near Nepal becoming weaker, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division. <br /> Meteorologist at the division Heera Bhattarai said that although the monsoon is still active, the low pressure system is weak and there has been a gradual improvement in the weather. She said the weather will fully improve across the country in the next two days. <br /> "Although the monsoon is ongoing, the rain-causing system has become weaker. Rainfall was reported at some places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim and at many places of the eastern and central regions on Tuesday. The weather will start to improve from Wednesday in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces while it will be fair across the country beginning from Thursday," said Bhattarai. <br /> Incessant rainfall that started since the past nine days is taking place only partially over the last four days due to the influence of the existing monsoon as well as the low pressure system that has developed around Nepal. The division said that it will take a week more for the monsoon's exit. <br /> The low pressure area near Haryana, India is impacting the weather in Nepal at present.<br /> The minimum temperature in Kathmandu was 18 degrees Celsius and the maximum 26 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the Division stated. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-12', 'modified' => '2022-10-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15873', 'image' => '20221012100214_HemantKC_Jajarkot_RSS_09.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-12 10:01:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16131', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Police Confiscated Betel Nuts with Mala Fide Intention’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 11: It has been confirmed that Nepal Police confiscated the consignment of betel nuts being exported to India with mala fide intention even though it was already cleared by the Indian customs. The consignment of beetle nuts produced in Jhapa was cleared by the Indian customs at Jogbani checkpoint across Biratnagar and was en route to India’s Bhimnagar boarder point near the Koshi barrage via Nepal route due to obstruction in the Indian side. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Finally, eight trucks laden with 29,596 kilograms of betel nuts worth Rs 86.38 million were released on September 29 after the Department of Customs instructed the concerned officials to re-route the consignment as per the court order. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Morang police had seized the betel nuts that had re-entered Nepal after customs clearance at Jogbani customs near Biratnagar on July 21 and handed them over to the Revenue Investigation Office in Itahari three days later.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Tirthraj Khanal, the head of the Revenue Investigation Office, Itahari, eight trucks of betel nuts were released after the department issued a written order to re-route them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Since we did not have the right to open and check the betel nuts sealed by the Indian customs, we only investigated whether there was any error in the process involved, and later we dropped the case after the department ordered us to allow re-routing the consignment,” Khanal said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the basis of the certificate of origin issued by the Jhapa Industry and Commerce Association, betel nuts grown in Jhapa were loaded on Indian trucks and exported from Biratnagar customs and were checked and sealed by the Indian customs office. Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirganj, India, the betel nuts were re-routed for export to Bhimnagar, India through Bhantabari of Sunsari district.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Navin Ghimire, the owner of Mankamana Traders of Biratnagar-9, a betel exporter, had filed a writ petition one week ago seeking a certiorari order. The petitioner had filed the case against the District Police Office Morang, Department of Customs, Biratnagar Customs Office and Revenue Investigation Office Itahari. After he withdrew the writ, the department issued an order to release the consignment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Exporter Ghimire complained that he had to pay more than INR 2.5 million for the rent of the eight trucks that have been on the premises of the Revenue Investigation Office for two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the collapse of the bridge in Mirgunj, the betel nuts that were inspected by the Indian customs at Jogbani were re-routed and return to Nepal so that they can be sent to Bhimnagar of India through Sunsari's Bhantabari. However, the police seized all the trucks arguing that they did not have customs clearance documents and kept them at the local police office in Rani for three days for investigation. Even after submitting all the documents, the police handed over the betel nut to the revenue investigation office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15872', 'image' => '20221011043816_betel nut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 16:37:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16130', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Seven Airports with Black-topped Runways not in Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: There are 52 airports in Nepal, including international airports. However, not all of them are operational. There are seven airports with blacktopped runways which are not in operation at the moment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula informed New Business Age that it is possible for airplanes to take off and land at those airports. However, they are not operational because there is no flight schedule to those remote places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If the airports runways that are yet to be blacktopped are also considered, a total of 19 airports are currently not in operation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Out of the 52 airports in Nepal, only 33 are currently in operation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Spokesperson Niraula says that the country does not have enough aircraft to operate flights to the remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There aren’t any planes to fly to the remote areas. On top of it, new alternatives have emerged to those airports,” said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“There were no roads in the past. People were highly dependent on flights to transport goods and sick patients. But many of those places are now accessible through road,” added Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the airports were established with the motive to transport essential food stuffs and medicines to the remote areas. However, the airports which once served as the fastest alternative of transportation have been gradually replaced by vehicles these days with the expansion of road network.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air transport is expensive compared to travelling by road and therefore the general public opted for vehicles once the remote areas had access to road. According to the Department of Roads, the road network across Nepal spans over 100,000 kilometers which includes national highways and other roads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even the remote places such as Humla and Dolpa now have access to road. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is said that the airports in Baglung, Dolpa and Jiri were built especially to transport goods. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN also insists that such airports are hardly used these days also because there is shortage of aircraft that can fly to remote areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN however says that the airports with blacktopped runways can be operated anytime. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Those airports which are not in operation include the airports of Baglung, Chaurjhari (Rukum), Darchula, Dhorpatan, Palungtar (Gorkha), Resunga (Gulmi), Jiri, Kangeldanda (Solukhumbu), Khiji Chandeshwari (Okhaldhunga), Langtang, Lammidanda (Khotang), Mahendranagar, Manang, Masinechaur (Dolpa), Syangboche (Solukhumbu), Rumjatar (Okhaldhunga) and Tiakpur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Among them, the airports of Rumjatar, Masinechaur, Baglung, Chaurjhari, Resunga, Lamidanda and Manang are blacktopped.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15871', 'image' => '20221011015602_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:55:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16129', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Facing Shortage of Milk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 11: Nepal has been importing 120,000 litres of milk per day from India. However, such a huge quantity of import is still not able to meet the internal demand for milk in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After concluding that the domestic market of Nepal lacks the required amount of milk, the Government of Nepal has given permission to import 120,000 litres of milk per day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), Sujal Dairy and Dairy Industries Association of Nepal have been importing milk accordingly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Even after importing milk from Nepal, it is believed that the country still requires 180,000 litres of milk per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The demand for milk in the domestic market is 1,050,000 litres per day but the domestic production is just 750,000, according to Dr Balak Chaudhary, technical director of the state-owned DDC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The supply of milk reaches 870,000 litres per day by adding the imported milk from India but it still falls short of the market demand by 180,000 litres,” says Chaudhary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Chaudhary says that the production of milk increases from mid-October while its consumption declines. Therefore, the government is making preparations not to allow import of additional milk with the onset of winter season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The country has been forced to import milk from India just one and a half years after the government announced Nepal as a self-sufficient country in dairy production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the then Minister for Agriculture Padma Aryal had announced Nepal self-sufficient powder milk and butter in March 2021. But now, Nepal has been importing liquid milk from Patna Dairy of India due to lack of powder milk and butter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government’s decision to ease imports has provided some relief to meet the demand for milk in the country, it is still struggling to meet the demand for powder milk and butter, says Prahlad Dahal, chairman of Nepal Dairy Association.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We know how much milk we need and how much is being supplied. We are afraid that there will be shortage of milk next year as well. Therefore the government must collaborate with the private sector and also allow the state-owned Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company to import powder milk and butter,” says Dahal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the government has allowed daily import of 120,000 litres of milk, the bodies responsible for importing such quantity of milk are unable to import milk to that extent. Therefore, the market is still reeling under scarcity of milk.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15870', 'image' => '20221011010319_milk.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 13:02:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16128', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Election Commission Seeks Details of Expenditure for Online Advertisement from Poll Candidates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 11: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the political parties and candidates to submit the details of expenditure made for the online advertisement in social networking sites for the federal and provincial assembly elections. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s appeals has come as the social networking sites are filled with polls-related advertisements after the completion of the candidacy nomination of the candidates for the federal and provincial assembly elections to be held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC made such appeal by issuing the ‘Policy on Use of Social Sites on Election Management’. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Monday, EC’s Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that continued monitoring and evaluation of the online advertisement is ongoing by forming a mechanism in the EC’s Secretariat and offices of the EC. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-10-11', 'modified' => '2022-10-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15869', 'image' => '20221011120924_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-10-11 12:08:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
