Import and Export Up Despite Measures Taken by NRB

Apr 13, 2022 0 3 minutes 13 seconds to read

April 13: Nepal’s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).…

Consumer Price Inflation Rises to 7.14 Percent against 3.03 Percent a Year Ago

Apr 13, 2022 0 59 seconds to read

April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY…

Inflow of Remittance Declines by 1.7 Percent

Apr 13, 2022 0 1 minutes 22 seconds to read

April 13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous…

Birgunj Customs Records Zero Import of Vehicles

Apr 13, 2022 0 2 minutes 13 seconds to read

April 13: The government's crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj…

Water from Melamchi Diverted into Tunnel, likely to Reach Kathmandu in 2 Weeks

Apr 13, 2022 0 2 minutes 11 seconds to read

April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last…

Rice Industrialists Call for Encouraging Domestic Products

Apr 13, 2022 0 1 minutes 4 seconds to read

April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries.…

PM Deuba Stresses on Utility Corridor for Coordinated Development

Apr 13, 2022 0 3 minutes 19 seconds to read

April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated…

FMTC to Operate Fair Price Shops in Surkhet

Apr 12, 2022 0 2 minutes 0 seconds to read

April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price…

Two Women Share their Entrepreneurial Journey

Apr 12, 2022 0 4 minutes 32 seconds to read

April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and…

Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 462 Billion

Apr 12, 2022 0 1 minutes 22 seconds to read

April 12: Nepal’s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal…

Speaker Sapkota Pitches for Self-Reliant Economy

Apr 12, 2022 0 3 minutes 40 seconds to read

April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant…

Do not Politicize Economy: Finance Minister

Apr 12, 2022 0 5 minutes 29 seconds to read

April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country’s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the…

Liquidity Crisis is the Result of Central Bank’s Policy: Former NRB Governor

Apr 12, 2022 0 2 minutes 8 seconds to read

April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the…

Nepal’s Public Debt Lowest in South Asia: Finance Secretary

Apr 12, 2022 0 1 minutes 47 seconds to read

April 12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal’s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian…

Nepali Passport Ranks among the Weakest in the World

Apr 11, 2022 0 2 minutes 49 seconds to read

April 11: Henley & Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal's passport as one of the weakest in the…

< previous417418419420421422423424425next >

No Laughing Matter

The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

. . .
read more »

NEPSE

Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]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' => '15098',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Import and Export Up Despite Measures Taken by NRB',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Nepal’s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Nepal&rsquo;s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The central bank&rsquo;s data show overall imports have increased despite taking measures to tighten imports of luxurious goods. Trade deficit has also increased despite increase in exports. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday states that merchandise exports increased 82.9 percent to Rs 147.75 billion during the review period. The country&rsquo;s exports had increased 7.8 percent during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 104.2 percent and 29.1 respectively whereas exports to China decreased 11.0 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The report further states that exports of palm oil, soybean oil, oil cakes, polyester yarn and thread, woolen carpets among others, increased whereas exports of cardamom, tea, herbs, wire, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports increased 38.6 percent to Rs 1308.73 billion compared to an increase of 2.1 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 28.1 percent, 36.7 percent, and 75.4 percent respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Imports of petroleum products, medicine, crude palm oil, crude soybean oil, gold, among others, increased whereas imports of MS billet, cement, chemical fertilizer, pulses, molasses sugar, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi, and Nepalgunj Customs Office decreased whereas exports from all the other major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the import side, imports from all the major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 147.03 billion. Such amount was Rs 121.36 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the Broad Economic Categories (BEC), the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 47.3 percent and 52.7 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the same period of the previous year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.3 percent, 0.5 percent and 67.2 percent of total exports respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.5 percent, capital goods 10.7 percent and final consumption goods remained 35.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 53.5 percent, 11.8 percent and 34.7 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-14',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14840',
			'image' => '20220413041951_Trade.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:18:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15097',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Rises to 7.14 Percent against 3.03 Percent a Year Ago',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22), according the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). According to the central bank, the y-o-y consumer price inflation was 3.03 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by NRB on Wednesday states that food and beverage inflation stood at 7.51 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.84 percent in the review month. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the food and beverage category, the prices of ghee and oil, vegetable, milk products and eggs, and pulses and legumes sub-categories rose by 26.34 percent, 13.96 percent, 11.30 and 10.30 percent respectively on y-o-y basis. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, under the non-food and services category, the prices of transportation, miscellaneous goods and services and education sub-categories rose by 16.27 percent, 9.01 percent and 8.79 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14839',
			'image' => '20220413040620_Inflation.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:05:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15096',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines by 1.7 Percent',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the US dollar terms, inflow of remittance decreased 3.0 percent to 5.28 billion in the review period against an increase of 5.0 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report prepared by Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 227,900 in the review period. The number includes both institutional and individual applicants. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The number of applicants had decreased 82.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers renewing approval for foreign employment increased 240.9 percent to 178,262 in the review period. It had decreased 70.2 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the central bank&rsquo;s report. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the net transfer decreased 2.0 percent to Rs 704.33 billion in the review period. Such a transfer had increased 7.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14838',
			'image' => '20220413040450_Remittance.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:04:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15095',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Birgunj Customs Records Zero Import of Vehicles ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The government's crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: The government&#39;s crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs. Birgunj customs has not recorded a single import of vehicle since the past one week.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About 1,000 new vehicles are parked at the customs&rsquo; yard and Raxaul. However, no importer has obtained vehicle clearance pass in a week, informed Harihar Poudel, chief customs officer of the Birgunj customs office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Birgunj is the main entry point of vehicles. Customs officials said that the customs clearance of vehicles has been stopped due to the tight provision imposed by Nepal Rastra Bank in importing luxury items amid liquidity crisis in the banking system.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even the vehicles that have arrived at the customs yard aren&#39;t inspected. Banks have stopped giving loans for cars. The importers have parked their imported vehicles in the customs yard and the warehouse of Raxaul, a border town of India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has tightened imports of luxury goods as remittances have declined while imports were rising. Stating that there is pressure on foreign exchange reserves, the government has adopted a policy to reduce imports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Banks have stopped issuing LCs even for other items. Entrepreneur Rajesh Kyal says this has created confusion in conducting business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Customs Officer Poudel informed that the import of non-luxury items from Birgunj has also decreased significantly. Along with the decline in imports, the revenue of Birgunj customs has also been affected. Poudel said that the revenue target for the current fiscal year 2078/79 will not be met.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14837',
			'image' => '20220413025019_Birgunj.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 14:49:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Water from Melamchi Diverted into Tunnel, likely to Reach Kathmandu in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July. Minister for Water Supply Umakanta Chaudhary was present when the water was diverted in the tunnel from the diversion gate No. 1 of the project in Ambathan of Sindhupalchowk. Minister Chaudhary said that he was happy to send water to the valley as per the government&#39;s target. The project officials informed that it will take two weeks for the water from the tunnel to reach the valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, Basudev Poudel said that it was possible to divert water as the work of cleaning the tunnel and head works was completed. Poudel said, &ldquo;Even though some works are still remaining, water was sent because the cleaning of the tunnel and head works was completed.&rdquo; Earlier, the government had announced to supply water from Melamchi to Kathmandu by mid-April.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the seventh formal inauguration of the Melamchi Water Supply Project. The water of Melamchi was diverted for the first time on July 5, 2020. The project was inaugurated by the then Minister Bina Magar.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Within a week, the gate of the Melamchi audit tunnel collapsed and it took about eight months to repair it. For the second time, the then Minister for water supply, Mani Thapa and Minister of State for Urban Development Ram Bir Manandhar personally visited the site on 22 February 2021 and re-sent water back to the tunnel. The third inauguration was done on 6 March 2021 at Sundarijal by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. He announced the arrival of Melamchi water in the valley by opening the gate from Sundarijal and sending it to the Bagmati River.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited then started distributing water on March 28, 2021 amid a formal programme organized for the fourth.&nbsp; One week later, President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the distribution of water from Melamchi at Bhrikuti mandap.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14836',
			'image' => '20220413011743_melamcbi.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 13:16:44',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15093',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Rice Industrialists Call for Encouraging Domestic Products   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. A delegation including office bearers of the Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil and Pulses Industry recently met and drew the attention of the Director General of the Department of Customs Kamal Prasad Bhattarai regarding the issue.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The delegation led by the association&rsquo;s Chairperson Dr Subodh Kumar Gupta demanded that rice industries within the country be saved by discouraging the import of rice from foreign countries. He suggested an increment in customs fees so as to discourage the import. He urged the Director General Bhattarai to impose one percent customs duty on the import of paddy grains and 15 percent on rice.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">They have also demanded an increment in custom duty on the import of pulses. They suggested 20 percent custom fees on the import of ready-made pulses. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14835',
			'image' => '20220413115345_ricee.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 11:53:05',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'PM Deuba Stresses on Utility Corridor for Coordinated Development   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also called for an end to the tendency of one utility agency constructing structures and the next one dismantling it after a few days due to lack of coordination.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The prime minister made such remarks while inaugurating a Consultative Seminar on the Formulation of National Urban Policy, the Urban Development Act and the Utility Corridor Act in the capital on Tuesday. The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Urban Development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, PM Deuba said pilot projects would be initiated in some big cities from the upcoming fiscal year for implementing the concept of utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The PM viewed that it is necessary to maintain population balance through the Tarai Madhes-focussed Consolidated Urban Development Programme. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It (the programme) will be expanded to the municipalities in the mountainous and hill regions to discourage migration from the districts of these regions to the Tarai Madhes,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prime Minister Deuba said that the duplicity in the development and construction works would be removed by amending and integrating the legislations related to urban development. He opined that the country&#39;s urban development would witness a sea change with the formulation of the Act related to the utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to him, the government will address the problems and challenges seen in urbanization while increasing the access to advanced national urban infrastructures through the new urban policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;This will help in the proper resource mobilization for urban development as well as in ensuring inter-governmental coordination and urban good governance,&quot; the PM asserted.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that Nepal falls among the rapidly urbanizing countries in the world, he said urbanization played a role in the overall development of the country including its economic, social and political development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">PM Deuba stated that although Nepal has been making efforts for a systematic urbanization since the Second Five-Year Plan, the cities in the country have not developed as expected. He stressed on the need of developing systematic, clean and beautiful new cities and at the same time managing the required infrastructures in the existing old cities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It is necessary to urgently start concrete works to bring improvements in the living standards of the people living in the urban areas,&quot; he said, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development has prepared the draft policy incorporating various dimensions of urban development, including major challenges, investment in infrastructures, urban governance among others. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14834',
			'image' => '20220413081638_image_6483441(5).JPG',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 08:15:35',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15091',
			'article_category_id' => '272',
			'title' => 'FMTC to Operate Fair Price Shops in Surkhet',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike. In the first phase, the company will be targeting the citizens of Karnali.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company informed that it will provide food at subsidized rates in remote areas. Chief Executive Officer of the company Mohan Prakash Chand said that necessary homework is being done for the same.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that food would be supplied to the remote areas for 12 months with the support of the World Food Program (WFP) to control inflation. He said that food supply would be arranged by helicopter, airplane and horses as well as mules in collaboration with all three tiers of government as transportation is the main problem for the operation of fair price shops in remote areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Manager of the company, Maniraj Khanal, said that consultations with cooperatives are underway for the smooth supply of food across the country.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Chief of Sales and Distribution Department Bhim Bahadur Thapa said that fair price shops will be brought into operation as soon as possible to control the rising price of food items. He informed that he reached out to the Council of Ministers for approval by making necessary acts and rules for the operation of fair price shops. He said that the fair price shop will be brought into operation through cooperatives after getting the approval.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Representatives of cooperatives demanded to increase the subsidy for operating fair price shops. They also demanded that the transportation cost should be made available and the responsibility of transportation should be given to the cooperatives.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14833',
			'image' => '20220412082459_1649715053.Clipboard10.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 20:23:58',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15090',
			'article_category_id' => '273',
			'title' => 'Two Women Share their Entrepreneurial Journey ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Basumaya Tamang and Sewa Pathak narrated their stories of enterprise journey in a program called &#39;Niyatra-Shi Odyssey&#39; organized at the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Lalitpur on Monday. Tamang is the director of Nepali Mann Udyog while Pathak is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vianet Communications Pvt Ltd.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Tamang, who is successful in producing timur pickles in Nepal and exporting them to different countries in the world, shared her experiences of achieving success in this business. She shared her stories from carrying sand from the river bank to making candles. Prior to making pickles, she said she was involved in roadside vendor business selling products with the help of a cart. Currently, she employs 90 women. Tamang, who has already expanded her branch in the UK, said that she is preparing to open a branch in Dubai soon.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&amp;id=1HT_JlZkcmHxYWA5-zPPfWiV4aWnfCALy" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&ldquo;I am able to reach this stage today by struggling without giving up under any circumstances,&rdquo; she said at the storytelling event. She also suggested women wanting to enter into entrepreneurship to do something different than what others are doing.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Pathak, CEO of Vianet, shared her experience of working as a finance manager at Shikhar Insurance in her early days after becoming a Chartered Accountant. After some time, she started working for her husband&rsquo;s company Vianet. After the introduction of &lsquo;Fiber-to-the-home&rsquo; technology, she says that she worked full time in the company for its implementation. With time, she started working as the CEO of the company.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She shared that when she came up with a business plan for loan with various banks, they used to ask questions only to her husband. She adds, &ldquo;People are still hesitant to trust women.&rdquo; She says that we can be successful in business if only we can overcome such a mentality.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Everybody has a problem in maintaining work-life balance at the same time. Pathak believes that in this case, success can be achieved by allocating time on priority basis.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Academic Director of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship Bijay Anand Sharma Timilsina delivered the welcome address. Madan Lamsal, president and editor-in-chief of New Business Age, highlighted about the program on the occasion.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The event was attended by various professionals and women entrepreneurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor and Muktinath Bikas Bank Limited is the co-sponsor of the Summit and Awards that is going to be held in Kathmandu on April 26. Likewise, the medical partner for the event is Star Hospital. Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship is the knowledge partner, Turkish Airlines is the airlines partner, Daraz is the ecommerce partner, NECO Insurance Limited is the insurance partner and Dish Home FiberNet is the internet partner.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the event is also supported by Agriculture Development Bank, Sipradi Trading, Reliable Life Insurance, Progressive Finance Limited, National Life Insurance, Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN), Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Nepal Rastra Bank.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">New Business Age has been conducting various awards programmes to help in the promotion of industry, business and entrepreneurship. A similar program to honor women entrepreneurs was held on January 31 last year. </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-24',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14832',
			'image' => '20220412022419_1649713887.Clipboard05.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:23:14',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15089',
			'article_category_id' => '267',
			'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 462 Billion',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Nepal’s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Nepal&rsquo;s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year. According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal Rastra Bank published on April 12, such a deficit was Rs 151.42 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.2 percent to Rs 7 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 60.0 percent to Rs 16.30 billion, the report said. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 11.91 billion and Rs 10.18 billion respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a deficit of Rs 258.64 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 68.01 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a deficit of 2.17 billion in the review period against a surplus of 565.8 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the central bank&rsquo;s report, total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14831',
			'image' => '20220412021437_1649750850.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:13:38',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15088',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Speaker Sapkota Pitches for Self-Reliant Economy   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Several problems have arised as the economy is not self-reliant,&quot; he said and stressed on the need of meaningful cooperation and partnership between the government and the private sector for building a self-sufficient and robust economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaker Sapkota made such remarks while addressing the 56th annual general meeting and &#39;Industry and Commerce Day&#39; of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that the private sector has knowledge, skills, talent and capacity, everything, he urged the private sector to play a role to bail out the economy from the current state of crisis.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He added that he was ready to fulfill his responsibility as the Speaker in building an environment conducive for business and investment in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The government and the private sector should have common views on matters relating to the economy. We should work with long-term vision and not get bogged down in short-term agendas,&quot; he suggested. The Speaker also underscored on steering the country ahead on the path of prosperity by utilizing the private sector&#39;s capabilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">FNCCI president Shekhar Golchha blamed lack of transparency and the confusion around the short-term policies for the crisis faced by the economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Referring to the economic crisis Sri Lanka is passing through at present and the concerns being expressed by economists and the business community in the country that whether Nepal is also heading to a similar situation, the FNCCI president said, &quot;We are not going to be like Sri Lanka, but if we are not cautious at present then we will certainly reach to that situation.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As ways to avert such crisis, he suggested strengthening the mechanism for bringing in money, creating investment opportunities within the country and increasing exports to create wealth. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that it was regrettable that the private sector which occupies 77 per cent of the economy and creates over 75 per cent employment in the country is in the dark about the discussions and decisions taking place in Singha Durbar (the administrative centre of the government) and Nepal Rastra Bank (the central bank of Nepal), Golchha stressed that it would be far better if the industrialists and businessmen were consulted regarding identification of the problems in the economy and finding out solution to these pressing problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi refuted Golchha&rsquo;s claim saying, &quot;The government has never ignored the private sector, rather it considers the private sector as its partner.&quot; He described the private sector as the integral development partner of the government and the government was always for a meaningful partnership with the private sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The economic situation is not as bad as it is said to be. There are some signs of risk. We should all, together, address this problem,&quot; he added. The chief secretary said the government is doing homework for creating investment-friendly environment. --RSS</span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14830',
			'image' => '20220412015715_1649681723.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 13:56:32',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15087',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Do not Politicize Economy: Finance Minister',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country’s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Bijay Damase</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country&rsquo;s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following criticism for the deteriorating economy of the country, Finance Minister Sharma organized a press conference on Monday and claimed that the economy was heading on the right track. He added that the issue was being politicized unnecessarily.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The country&rsquo;s economy is not under crisis but attempts are being made to politicize the issue,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also said comparing Nepal&rsquo;s economy to Sri Lanka was tantamount to treason. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There are rumors that the government does not have budget to hold election and to provide elderly allowance. In fact, there isn&rsquo;t any such problem,&rdquo; Minister Sharma assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;People are spreading fake news that Nepal will become like Sri Lanka. Such a situation will not arrive as we still have Rs 67 billion in state coffers,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Minister Sharma, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 1171 billion as of mid-March 2022 and is enough to support imports for 6.7 months. He further said that Nepal&rsquo;s total foreign debt amounted to Rs 1800 billion. According to the minister, the government has to pay only Rs 40 billion as installment and interest and therefore Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared with Sri Lanka from any angle. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The minister further said that although the inflow of remittance has declined to some extent compared to last year, it is expected to grow in the coming days. According to the figures of the finance ministry, the inflow of remittance as of mid-March in the current fiscal year was Rs 631 billion, which is 4.9 percent less compared to that of last year. The inflow of remittance in the month of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March) was Rs 91 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Investigation against NRB Governor</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma clarified that the investigation against NRB Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari is being done in compliance with the laws and the Rastra Bank Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A probe committee was formed to look into the matter and further decisions would be taken upon the recommendation of the report prepared by the probe committee, said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday (April 7) had decided to investigative into the alleged role of Governor Adhikari in leaking sensitive information of NRB. The Cabinet meeting has formed a committee under the coordination of former Supreme Court Justice Purushottam Bhandari to investigate the matter. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>NRB policy to blame for current crisis</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the current crisis was a result of the credit flow policy adopted by the central bank. He claimed that the problem has surfaced due to the excessive flow of loan. The finance minister added that he had instructed the governor to limit the flow of credit but to no avail.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The target of credit flow was 19 percent but the actual credit flow was 32 percent,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma, adding, &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t it have been resolved on time? It is the responsibility of the central bank not the finance ministry.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He said that the excessive flow of loan should have helped the productive sector but that did not happen due to lack of coordination. The minister said that he had time and again inquired with the central bank about the details of the credit flow but he did not get any response.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Concessional loans were disbursed, but it was found to have been disbursed haphazardly. The probe committee will investigate this matter,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Efforts being made to bring economy back on track</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the revenue collection was also exceeding the expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In a bid to increase remittance inflow, Minister Sharma informed that a proposal seeking approval for setting up reserve fund for Nepali migrant workers abroad to invest has been forwarded. The draft of the proposal also has provisions to set aside quotas for IPO and FPO for people sending remittance through formal channels, allowing the remittance companies to use wallet and to reduce the cost of fuel used by government agencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he shared that a proposal had been made to temporarily ban the import of expensive and luxurious vehicles and not to allow the government vehicles to be used on public holidays.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14829',
			'image' => '20220412010021_1649714045.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:59:11',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15086',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Liquidity Crisis is the Result of Central Bank’s Policy: Former NRB Governor',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) on Monday, the former governor said that the problem surfaced after the Covid-19 pandemic as the NRB was the only institution to provide support for post-Covid recovery when the government should also have done something.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Liquidity crisis has become a long-term problem in Nepal,&rdquo; said the former governor, adding, &ldquo;There was excessive flow of credit after the pandemic subsided, causing the crisis. We identified exportable products but couldn&rsquo;t export them. On the other hand, import of food items has increased excessively.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also accused the government of failing to spend capital budget and urged the concerned authorities to send the money to the banking system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Former Governor Nepal was of the view that remittance cannot be a source for sustainable economic development and therefore the time has come for the government to explore other alternatives.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also clarified that Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared to Sri Lanka. According to him, Nepal hasn&rsquo;t taken loan at exorbitant rate like Sri Lanka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14828',
			'image' => '20220412120246_1649684023.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:01:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15085',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt Lowest in South Asia: Finance Secretary',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal’s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance secretary made such revelation during a press conference organized at the Ministry of Finance on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Marasini said that there is widespread concern regarding the country&rsquo;s public debt but the situation is not so serious and there is no need to worry about this issue. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Lately, people have expressed a lot of concern regarding Nepal&rsquo;s public debt, but our public debt is one of the lowest in South Asia,&rdquo; said Marasini. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the finance ministry, Nepal&rsquo;s public debt as of April 11, 2022 is Rs 1854 billion, including internal loans of Rs 873.19 billion and external loan of Rs 980.80 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is 43.74 percent of the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14827',
			'image' => '20220412112511_economictrends_3_0.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 11:24:22',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15084',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Nepali Passport Ranks among the Weakest in the World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 11: Henley & Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal's passport as one of the weakest in the world.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 11: Henley &amp; Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal&#39;s passport as one of the weakest in the world.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The global passport index, released on Sunday by Henley &amp; Partners, has ranked Nepali passport 106th. According to the list, the Nepali passport ranks seventh form the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal ranks 106th in the list of 112 countries. The organization has also ranked Palestinian territory and Nepal at the same ranking. Nepal&#39;s passport is eligible for on-arrival visa in 37 countries. In other words, Nepali passport holders can travel to only 37 countries without a visa. In this respect, Nepal is even weaker than North Korea. North Korean passport, which is just above Nepal in the list, is eligible to receive online visa in 39 countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Nepali passport is ranked higher than Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan which rank between 107th to 112th respectively. Last year, Nepal was ranked 109th with visa on arrival accessibility in 38 countries. A total of 116 countries and territories had been listed during last year, but this year the number has come down to 112.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This year, as in previous years, the Japanese passport is ranked the highest. Japanese passport holders are allowed to enter 192 countries without a visa. Along with Japan, Singapore is also in the top spot. Second, on the list are South Korea and Germany. Passports holders from both the countries are issued on-arrival visas in 190 countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain are ranked joint third followed by Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The UK is in fifth place with Portugal, Ireland, and France. The United States is in the list of the world&#39;s sixth most powerful passports, along with Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Belgium. India ranks 84th in the list while China ranks 66th.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sri Lanka, currently facing the worst economic crisis, ranks 103rd in the list of countries. Bangladesh and Pakistan are ranked 104th and 109th respectively. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-11',
			'modified' => '2022-04-11',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14826',
			'image' => '20220411043149_1649660578.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-11 16:31:10',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
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

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 &quot;&quot; [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]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' => '15098',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Import and Export Up Despite Measures Taken by NRB',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Nepal’s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Nepal&rsquo;s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The central bank&rsquo;s data show overall imports have increased despite taking measures to tighten imports of luxurious goods. Trade deficit has also increased despite increase in exports. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday states that merchandise exports increased 82.9 percent to Rs 147.75 billion during the review period. The country&rsquo;s exports had increased 7.8 percent during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 104.2 percent and 29.1 respectively whereas exports to China decreased 11.0 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The report further states that exports of palm oil, soybean oil, oil cakes, polyester yarn and thread, woolen carpets among others, increased whereas exports of cardamom, tea, herbs, wire, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports increased 38.6 percent to Rs 1308.73 billion compared to an increase of 2.1 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 28.1 percent, 36.7 percent, and 75.4 percent respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Imports of petroleum products, medicine, crude palm oil, crude soybean oil, gold, among others, increased whereas imports of MS billet, cement, chemical fertilizer, pulses, molasses sugar, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi, and Nepalgunj Customs Office decreased whereas exports from all the other major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the import side, imports from all the major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 147.03 billion. Such amount was Rs 121.36 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the Broad Economic Categories (BEC), the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 47.3 percent and 52.7 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the same period of the previous year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.3 percent, 0.5 percent and 67.2 percent of total exports respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.5 percent, capital goods 10.7 percent and final consumption goods remained 35.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 53.5 percent, 11.8 percent and 34.7 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-14',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14840',
			'image' => '20220413041951_Trade.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:18:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15097',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Rises to 7.14 Percent against 3.03 Percent a Year Ago',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22), according the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). According to the central bank, the y-o-y consumer price inflation was 3.03 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by NRB on Wednesday states that food and beverage inflation stood at 7.51 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.84 percent in the review month. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the food and beverage category, the prices of ghee and oil, vegetable, milk products and eggs, and pulses and legumes sub-categories rose by 26.34 percent, 13.96 percent, 11.30 and 10.30 percent respectively on y-o-y basis. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, under the non-food and services category, the prices of transportation, miscellaneous goods and services and education sub-categories rose by 16.27 percent, 9.01 percent and 8.79 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14839',
			'image' => '20220413040620_Inflation.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:05:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15096',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines by 1.7 Percent',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the US dollar terms, inflow of remittance decreased 3.0 percent to 5.28 billion in the review period against an increase of 5.0 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report prepared by Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 227,900 in the review period. The number includes both institutional and individual applicants. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The number of applicants had decreased 82.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers renewing approval for foreign employment increased 240.9 percent to 178,262 in the review period. It had decreased 70.2 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the central bank&rsquo;s report. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the net transfer decreased 2.0 percent to Rs 704.33 billion in the review period. Such a transfer had increased 7.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14838',
			'image' => '20220413040450_Remittance.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:04:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15095',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Birgunj Customs Records Zero Import of Vehicles ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The government's crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: The government&#39;s crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs. Birgunj customs has not recorded a single import of vehicle since the past one week.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About 1,000 new vehicles are parked at the customs&rsquo; yard and Raxaul. However, no importer has obtained vehicle clearance pass in a week, informed Harihar Poudel, chief customs officer of the Birgunj customs office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Birgunj is the main entry point of vehicles. Customs officials said that the customs clearance of vehicles has been stopped due to the tight provision imposed by Nepal Rastra Bank in importing luxury items amid liquidity crisis in the banking system.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even the vehicles that have arrived at the customs yard aren&#39;t inspected. Banks have stopped giving loans for cars. The importers have parked their imported vehicles in the customs yard and the warehouse of Raxaul, a border town of India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has tightened imports of luxury goods as remittances have declined while imports were rising. Stating that there is pressure on foreign exchange reserves, the government has adopted a policy to reduce imports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Banks have stopped issuing LCs even for other items. Entrepreneur Rajesh Kyal says this has created confusion in conducting business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Customs Officer Poudel informed that the import of non-luxury items from Birgunj has also decreased significantly. Along with the decline in imports, the revenue of Birgunj customs has also been affected. Poudel said that the revenue target for the current fiscal year 2078/79 will not be met.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14837',
			'image' => '20220413025019_Birgunj.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 14:49:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Water from Melamchi Diverted into Tunnel, likely to Reach Kathmandu in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July. Minister for Water Supply Umakanta Chaudhary was present when the water was diverted in the tunnel from the diversion gate No. 1 of the project in Ambathan of Sindhupalchowk. Minister Chaudhary said that he was happy to send water to the valley as per the government&#39;s target. The project officials informed that it will take two weeks for the water from the tunnel to reach the valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, Basudev Poudel said that it was possible to divert water as the work of cleaning the tunnel and head works was completed. Poudel said, &ldquo;Even though some works are still remaining, water was sent because the cleaning of the tunnel and head works was completed.&rdquo; Earlier, the government had announced to supply water from Melamchi to Kathmandu by mid-April.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the seventh formal inauguration of the Melamchi Water Supply Project. The water of Melamchi was diverted for the first time on July 5, 2020. The project was inaugurated by the then Minister Bina Magar.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Within a week, the gate of the Melamchi audit tunnel collapsed and it took about eight months to repair it. For the second time, the then Minister for water supply, Mani Thapa and Minister of State for Urban Development Ram Bir Manandhar personally visited the site on 22 February 2021 and re-sent water back to the tunnel. The third inauguration was done on 6 March 2021 at Sundarijal by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. He announced the arrival of Melamchi water in the valley by opening the gate from Sundarijal and sending it to the Bagmati River.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited then started distributing water on March 28, 2021 amid a formal programme organized for the fourth.&nbsp; One week later, President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the distribution of water from Melamchi at Bhrikuti mandap.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14836',
			'image' => '20220413011743_melamcbi.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 13:16:44',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15093',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Rice Industrialists Call for Encouraging Domestic Products   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. A delegation including office bearers of the Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil and Pulses Industry recently met and drew the attention of the Director General of the Department of Customs Kamal Prasad Bhattarai regarding the issue.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The delegation led by the association&rsquo;s Chairperson Dr Subodh Kumar Gupta demanded that rice industries within the country be saved by discouraging the import of rice from foreign countries. He suggested an increment in customs fees so as to discourage the import. He urged the Director General Bhattarai to impose one percent customs duty on the import of paddy grains and 15 percent on rice.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">They have also demanded an increment in custom duty on the import of pulses. They suggested 20 percent custom fees on the import of ready-made pulses. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14835',
			'image' => '20220413115345_ricee.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 11:53:05',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'PM Deuba Stresses on Utility Corridor for Coordinated Development   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also called for an end to the tendency of one utility agency constructing structures and the next one dismantling it after a few days due to lack of coordination.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The prime minister made such remarks while inaugurating a Consultative Seminar on the Formulation of National Urban Policy, the Urban Development Act and the Utility Corridor Act in the capital on Tuesday. The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Urban Development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, PM Deuba said pilot projects would be initiated in some big cities from the upcoming fiscal year for implementing the concept of utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The PM viewed that it is necessary to maintain population balance through the Tarai Madhes-focussed Consolidated Urban Development Programme. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It (the programme) will be expanded to the municipalities in the mountainous and hill regions to discourage migration from the districts of these regions to the Tarai Madhes,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prime Minister Deuba said that the duplicity in the development and construction works would be removed by amending and integrating the legislations related to urban development. He opined that the country&#39;s urban development would witness a sea change with the formulation of the Act related to the utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to him, the government will address the problems and challenges seen in urbanization while increasing the access to advanced national urban infrastructures through the new urban policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;This will help in the proper resource mobilization for urban development as well as in ensuring inter-governmental coordination and urban good governance,&quot; the PM asserted.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that Nepal falls among the rapidly urbanizing countries in the world, he said urbanization played a role in the overall development of the country including its economic, social and political development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">PM Deuba stated that although Nepal has been making efforts for a systematic urbanization since the Second Five-Year Plan, the cities in the country have not developed as expected. He stressed on the need of developing systematic, clean and beautiful new cities and at the same time managing the required infrastructures in the existing old cities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It is necessary to urgently start concrete works to bring improvements in the living standards of the people living in the urban areas,&quot; he said, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development has prepared the draft policy incorporating various dimensions of urban development, including major challenges, investment in infrastructures, urban governance among others. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14834',
			'image' => '20220413081638_image_6483441(5).JPG',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 08:15:35',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15091',
			'article_category_id' => '272',
			'title' => 'FMTC to Operate Fair Price Shops in Surkhet',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike. In the first phase, the company will be targeting the citizens of Karnali.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company informed that it will provide food at subsidized rates in remote areas. Chief Executive Officer of the company Mohan Prakash Chand said that necessary homework is being done for the same.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that food would be supplied to the remote areas for 12 months with the support of the World Food Program (WFP) to control inflation. He said that food supply would be arranged by helicopter, airplane and horses as well as mules in collaboration with all three tiers of government as transportation is the main problem for the operation of fair price shops in remote areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Manager of the company, Maniraj Khanal, said that consultations with cooperatives are underway for the smooth supply of food across the country.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Chief of Sales and Distribution Department Bhim Bahadur Thapa said that fair price shops will be brought into operation as soon as possible to control the rising price of food items. He informed that he reached out to the Council of Ministers for approval by making necessary acts and rules for the operation of fair price shops. He said that the fair price shop will be brought into operation through cooperatives after getting the approval.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Representatives of cooperatives demanded to increase the subsidy for operating fair price shops. They also demanded that the transportation cost should be made available and the responsibility of transportation should be given to the cooperatives.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14833',
			'image' => '20220412082459_1649715053.Clipboard10.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 20:23:58',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15090',
			'article_category_id' => '273',
			'title' => 'Two Women Share their Entrepreneurial Journey ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Basumaya Tamang and Sewa Pathak narrated their stories of enterprise journey in a program called &#39;Niyatra-Shi Odyssey&#39; organized at the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Lalitpur on Monday. Tamang is the director of Nepali Mann Udyog while Pathak is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vianet Communications Pvt Ltd.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Tamang, who is successful in producing timur pickles in Nepal and exporting them to different countries in the world, shared her experiences of achieving success in this business. She shared her stories from carrying sand from the river bank to making candles. Prior to making pickles, she said she was involved in roadside vendor business selling products with the help of a cart. Currently, she employs 90 women. Tamang, who has already expanded her branch in the UK, said that she is preparing to open a branch in Dubai soon.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&amp;id=1HT_JlZkcmHxYWA5-zPPfWiV4aWnfCALy" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&ldquo;I am able to reach this stage today by struggling without giving up under any circumstances,&rdquo; she said at the storytelling event. She also suggested women wanting to enter into entrepreneurship to do something different than what others are doing.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Pathak, CEO of Vianet, shared her experience of working as a finance manager at Shikhar Insurance in her early days after becoming a Chartered Accountant. After some time, she started working for her husband&rsquo;s company Vianet. After the introduction of &lsquo;Fiber-to-the-home&rsquo; technology, she says that she worked full time in the company for its implementation. With time, she started working as the CEO of the company.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She shared that when she came up with a business plan for loan with various banks, they used to ask questions only to her husband. She adds, &ldquo;People are still hesitant to trust women.&rdquo; She says that we can be successful in business if only we can overcome such a mentality.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Everybody has a problem in maintaining work-life balance at the same time. Pathak believes that in this case, success can be achieved by allocating time on priority basis.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Academic Director of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship Bijay Anand Sharma Timilsina delivered the welcome address. Madan Lamsal, president and editor-in-chief of New Business Age, highlighted about the program on the occasion.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The event was attended by various professionals and women entrepreneurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor and Muktinath Bikas Bank Limited is the co-sponsor of the Summit and Awards that is going to be held in Kathmandu on April 26. Likewise, the medical partner for the event is Star Hospital. Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship is the knowledge partner, Turkish Airlines is the airlines partner, Daraz is the ecommerce partner, NECO Insurance Limited is the insurance partner and Dish Home FiberNet is the internet partner.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the event is also supported by Agriculture Development Bank, Sipradi Trading, Reliable Life Insurance, Progressive Finance Limited, National Life Insurance, Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN), Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Nepal Rastra Bank.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">New Business Age has been conducting various awards programmes to help in the promotion of industry, business and entrepreneurship. A similar program to honor women entrepreneurs was held on January 31 last year. </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-24',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14832',
			'image' => '20220412022419_1649713887.Clipboard05.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:23:14',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15089',
			'article_category_id' => '267',
			'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 462 Billion',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Nepal’s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Nepal&rsquo;s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year. According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal Rastra Bank published on April 12, such a deficit was Rs 151.42 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.2 percent to Rs 7 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 60.0 percent to Rs 16.30 billion, the report said. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 11.91 billion and Rs 10.18 billion respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a deficit of Rs 258.64 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 68.01 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a deficit of 2.17 billion in the review period against a surplus of 565.8 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the central bank&rsquo;s report, total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14831',
			'image' => '20220412021437_1649750850.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:13:38',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15088',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Speaker Sapkota Pitches for Self-Reliant Economy   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Several problems have arised as the economy is not self-reliant,&quot; he said and stressed on the need of meaningful cooperation and partnership between the government and the private sector for building a self-sufficient and robust economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaker Sapkota made such remarks while addressing the 56th annual general meeting and &#39;Industry and Commerce Day&#39; of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that the private sector has knowledge, skills, talent and capacity, everything, he urged the private sector to play a role to bail out the economy from the current state of crisis.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He added that he was ready to fulfill his responsibility as the Speaker in building an environment conducive for business and investment in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The government and the private sector should have common views on matters relating to the economy. We should work with long-term vision and not get bogged down in short-term agendas,&quot; he suggested. The Speaker also underscored on steering the country ahead on the path of prosperity by utilizing the private sector&#39;s capabilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">FNCCI president Shekhar Golchha blamed lack of transparency and the confusion around the short-term policies for the crisis faced by the economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Referring to the economic crisis Sri Lanka is passing through at present and the concerns being expressed by economists and the business community in the country that whether Nepal is also heading to a similar situation, the FNCCI president said, &quot;We are not going to be like Sri Lanka, but if we are not cautious at present then we will certainly reach to that situation.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As ways to avert such crisis, he suggested strengthening the mechanism for bringing in money, creating investment opportunities within the country and increasing exports to create wealth. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that it was regrettable that the private sector which occupies 77 per cent of the economy and creates over 75 per cent employment in the country is in the dark about the discussions and decisions taking place in Singha Durbar (the administrative centre of the government) and Nepal Rastra Bank (the central bank of Nepal), Golchha stressed that it would be far better if the industrialists and businessmen were consulted regarding identification of the problems in the economy and finding out solution to these pressing problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi refuted Golchha&rsquo;s claim saying, &quot;The government has never ignored the private sector, rather it considers the private sector as its partner.&quot; He described the private sector as the integral development partner of the government and the government was always for a meaningful partnership with the private sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The economic situation is not as bad as it is said to be. There are some signs of risk. We should all, together, address this problem,&quot; he added. The chief secretary said the government is doing homework for creating investment-friendly environment. --RSS</span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14830',
			'image' => '20220412015715_1649681723.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 13:56:32',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15087',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Do not Politicize Economy: Finance Minister',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country’s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Bijay Damase</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country&rsquo;s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following criticism for the deteriorating economy of the country, Finance Minister Sharma organized a press conference on Monday and claimed that the economy was heading on the right track. He added that the issue was being politicized unnecessarily.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The country&rsquo;s economy is not under crisis but attempts are being made to politicize the issue,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also said comparing Nepal&rsquo;s economy to Sri Lanka was tantamount to treason. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There are rumors that the government does not have budget to hold election and to provide elderly allowance. In fact, there isn&rsquo;t any such problem,&rdquo; Minister Sharma assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;People are spreading fake news that Nepal will become like Sri Lanka. Such a situation will not arrive as we still have Rs 67 billion in state coffers,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Minister Sharma, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 1171 billion as of mid-March 2022 and is enough to support imports for 6.7 months. He further said that Nepal&rsquo;s total foreign debt amounted to Rs 1800 billion. According to the minister, the government has to pay only Rs 40 billion as installment and interest and therefore Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared with Sri Lanka from any angle. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The minister further said that although the inflow of remittance has declined to some extent compared to last year, it is expected to grow in the coming days. According to the figures of the finance ministry, the inflow of remittance as of mid-March in the current fiscal year was Rs 631 billion, which is 4.9 percent less compared to that of last year. The inflow of remittance in the month of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March) was Rs 91 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Investigation against NRB Governor</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma clarified that the investigation against NRB Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari is being done in compliance with the laws and the Rastra Bank Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A probe committee was formed to look into the matter and further decisions would be taken upon the recommendation of the report prepared by the probe committee, said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday (April 7) had decided to investigative into the alleged role of Governor Adhikari in leaking sensitive information of NRB. The Cabinet meeting has formed a committee under the coordination of former Supreme Court Justice Purushottam Bhandari to investigate the matter. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>NRB policy to blame for current crisis</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the current crisis was a result of the credit flow policy adopted by the central bank. He claimed that the problem has surfaced due to the excessive flow of loan. The finance minister added that he had instructed the governor to limit the flow of credit but to no avail.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The target of credit flow was 19 percent but the actual credit flow was 32 percent,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma, adding, &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t it have been resolved on time? It is the responsibility of the central bank not the finance ministry.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He said that the excessive flow of loan should have helped the productive sector but that did not happen due to lack of coordination. The minister said that he had time and again inquired with the central bank about the details of the credit flow but he did not get any response.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Concessional loans were disbursed, but it was found to have been disbursed haphazardly. The probe committee will investigate this matter,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Efforts being made to bring economy back on track</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the revenue collection was also exceeding the expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In a bid to increase remittance inflow, Minister Sharma informed that a proposal seeking approval for setting up reserve fund for Nepali migrant workers abroad to invest has been forwarded. The draft of the proposal also has provisions to set aside quotas for IPO and FPO for people sending remittance through formal channels, allowing the remittance companies to use wallet and to reduce the cost of fuel used by government agencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he shared that a proposal had been made to temporarily ban the import of expensive and luxurious vehicles and not to allow the government vehicles to be used on public holidays.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14829',
			'image' => '20220412010021_1649714045.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:59:11',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15086',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Liquidity Crisis is the Result of Central Bank’s Policy: Former NRB Governor',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) on Monday, the former governor said that the problem surfaced after the Covid-19 pandemic as the NRB was the only institution to provide support for post-Covid recovery when the government should also have done something.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Liquidity crisis has become a long-term problem in Nepal,&rdquo; said the former governor, adding, &ldquo;There was excessive flow of credit after the pandemic subsided, causing the crisis. We identified exportable products but couldn&rsquo;t export them. On the other hand, import of food items has increased excessively.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also accused the government of failing to spend capital budget and urged the concerned authorities to send the money to the banking system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Former Governor Nepal was of the view that remittance cannot be a source for sustainable economic development and therefore the time has come for the government to explore other alternatives.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also clarified that Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared to Sri Lanka. According to him, Nepal hasn&rsquo;t taken loan at exorbitant rate like Sri Lanka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14828',
			'image' => '20220412120246_1649684023.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:01:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15085',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt Lowest in South Asia: Finance Secretary',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal’s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance secretary made such revelation during a press conference organized at the Ministry of Finance on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Marasini said that there is widespread concern regarding the country&rsquo;s public debt but the situation is not so serious and there is no need to worry about this issue. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Lately, people have expressed a lot of concern regarding Nepal&rsquo;s public debt, but our public debt is one of the lowest in South Asia,&rdquo; said Marasini. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the finance ministry, Nepal&rsquo;s public debt as of April 11, 2022 is Rs 1854 billion, including internal loans of Rs 873.19 billion and external loan of Rs 980.80 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is 43.74 percent of the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14827',
			'image' => '20220412112511_economictrends_3_0.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 11:24:22',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15084',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Nepali Passport Ranks among the Weakest in the World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 11: Henley & Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal's passport as one of the weakest in the world.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 11: Henley &amp; Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal&#39;s passport as one of the weakest in the world.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The global passport index, released on Sunday by Henley &amp; Partners, has ranked Nepali passport 106th. According to the list, the Nepali passport ranks seventh form the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal ranks 106th in the list of 112 countries. The organization has also ranked Palestinian territory and Nepal at the same ranking. Nepal&#39;s passport is eligible for on-arrival visa in 37 countries. In other words, Nepali passport holders can travel to only 37 countries without a visa. In this respect, Nepal is even weaker than North Korea. North Korean passport, which is just above Nepal in the list, is eligible to receive online visa in 39 countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Nepali passport is ranked higher than Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan which rank between 107th to 112th respectively. Last year, Nepal was ranked 109th with visa on arrival accessibility in 38 countries. A total of 116 countries and territories had been listed during last year, but this year the number has come down to 112.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This year, as in previous years, the Japanese passport is ranked the highest. Japanese passport holders are allowed to enter 192 countries without a visa. Along with Japan, Singapore is also in the top spot. Second, on the list are South Korea and Germany. Passports holders from both the countries are issued on-arrival visas in 190 countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain are ranked joint third followed by Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The UK is in fifth place with Portugal, Ireland, and France. The United States is in the list of the world&#39;s sixth most powerful passports, along with Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Belgium. India ranks 84th in the list while China ranks 66th.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sri Lanka, currently facing the worst economic crisis, ranks 103rd in the list of countries. Bangladesh and Pakistan are ranked 104th and 109th respectively. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-11',
			'modified' => '2022-04-11',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14826',
			'image' => '20220411043149_1649660578.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-11 16:31:10',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
simplexml_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

file not found!

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' => '15098',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Import and Export Up Despite Measures Taken by NRB',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Nepal’s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Nepal&rsquo;s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The central bank&rsquo;s data show overall imports have increased despite taking measures to tighten imports of luxurious goods. Trade deficit has also increased despite increase in exports. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday states that merchandise exports increased 82.9 percent to Rs 147.75 billion during the review period. The country&rsquo;s exports had increased 7.8 percent during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 104.2 percent and 29.1 respectively whereas exports to China decreased 11.0 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The report further states that exports of palm oil, soybean oil, oil cakes, polyester yarn and thread, woolen carpets among others, increased whereas exports of cardamom, tea, herbs, wire, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports increased 38.6 percent to Rs 1308.73 billion compared to an increase of 2.1 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 28.1 percent, 36.7 percent, and 75.4 percent respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Imports of petroleum products, medicine, crude palm oil, crude soybean oil, gold, among others, increased whereas imports of MS billet, cement, chemical fertilizer, pulses, molasses sugar, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi, and Nepalgunj Customs Office decreased whereas exports from all the other major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the import side, imports from all the major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 147.03 billion. Such amount was Rs 121.36 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the Broad Economic Categories (BEC), the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 47.3 percent and 52.7 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the same period of the previous year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.3 percent, 0.5 percent and 67.2 percent of total exports respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.5 percent, capital goods 10.7 percent and final consumption goods remained 35.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 53.5 percent, 11.8 percent and 34.7 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-14',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14840',
			'image' => '20220413041951_Trade.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:18:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15097',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Rises to 7.14 Percent against 3.03 Percent a Year Ago',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22), according the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). According to the central bank, the y-o-y consumer price inflation was 3.03 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by NRB on Wednesday states that food and beverage inflation stood at 7.51 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.84 percent in the review month. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the food and beverage category, the prices of ghee and oil, vegetable, milk products and eggs, and pulses and legumes sub-categories rose by 26.34 percent, 13.96 percent, 11.30 and 10.30 percent respectively on y-o-y basis. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, under the non-food and services category, the prices of transportation, miscellaneous goods and services and education sub-categories rose by 16.27 percent, 9.01 percent and 8.79 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14839',
			'image' => '20220413040620_Inflation.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:05:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15096',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines by 1.7 Percent',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the US dollar terms, inflow of remittance decreased 3.0 percent to 5.28 billion in the review period against an increase of 5.0 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report prepared by Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 227,900 in the review period. The number includes both institutional and individual applicants. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The number of applicants had decreased 82.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers renewing approval for foreign employment increased 240.9 percent to 178,262 in the review period. It had decreased 70.2 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the central bank&rsquo;s report. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the net transfer decreased 2.0 percent to Rs 704.33 billion in the review period. Such a transfer had increased 7.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14838',
			'image' => '20220413040450_Remittance.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:04:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15095',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Birgunj Customs Records Zero Import of Vehicles ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The government's crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: The government&#39;s crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs. Birgunj customs has not recorded a single import of vehicle since the past one week.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About 1,000 new vehicles are parked at the customs&rsquo; yard and Raxaul. However, no importer has obtained vehicle clearance pass in a week, informed Harihar Poudel, chief customs officer of the Birgunj customs office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Birgunj is the main entry point of vehicles. Customs officials said that the customs clearance of vehicles has been stopped due to the tight provision imposed by Nepal Rastra Bank in importing luxury items amid liquidity crisis in the banking system.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even the vehicles that have arrived at the customs yard aren&#39;t inspected. Banks have stopped giving loans for cars. The importers have parked their imported vehicles in the customs yard and the warehouse of Raxaul, a border town of India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has tightened imports of luxury goods as remittances have declined while imports were rising. Stating that there is pressure on foreign exchange reserves, the government has adopted a policy to reduce imports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Banks have stopped issuing LCs even for other items. Entrepreneur Rajesh Kyal says this has created confusion in conducting business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Customs Officer Poudel informed that the import of non-luxury items from Birgunj has also decreased significantly. Along with the decline in imports, the revenue of Birgunj customs has also been affected. Poudel said that the revenue target for the current fiscal year 2078/79 will not be met.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14837',
			'image' => '20220413025019_Birgunj.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 14:49:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Water from Melamchi Diverted into Tunnel, likely to Reach Kathmandu in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July. Minister for Water Supply Umakanta Chaudhary was present when the water was diverted in the tunnel from the diversion gate No. 1 of the project in Ambathan of Sindhupalchowk. Minister Chaudhary said that he was happy to send water to the valley as per the government&#39;s target. The project officials informed that it will take two weeks for the water from the tunnel to reach the valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, Basudev Poudel said that it was possible to divert water as the work of cleaning the tunnel and head works was completed. Poudel said, &ldquo;Even though some works are still remaining, water was sent because the cleaning of the tunnel and head works was completed.&rdquo; Earlier, the government had announced to supply water from Melamchi to Kathmandu by mid-April.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the seventh formal inauguration of the Melamchi Water Supply Project. The water of Melamchi was diverted for the first time on July 5, 2020. The project was inaugurated by the then Minister Bina Magar.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Within a week, the gate of the Melamchi audit tunnel collapsed and it took about eight months to repair it. For the second time, the then Minister for water supply, Mani Thapa and Minister of State for Urban Development Ram Bir Manandhar personally visited the site on 22 February 2021 and re-sent water back to the tunnel. The third inauguration was done on 6 March 2021 at Sundarijal by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. He announced the arrival of Melamchi water in the valley by opening the gate from Sundarijal and sending it to the Bagmati River.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited then started distributing water on March 28, 2021 amid a formal programme organized for the fourth.&nbsp; One week later, President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the distribution of water from Melamchi at Bhrikuti mandap.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14836',
			'image' => '20220413011743_melamcbi.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 13:16:44',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15093',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Rice Industrialists Call for Encouraging Domestic Products   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. A delegation including office bearers of the Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil and Pulses Industry recently met and drew the attention of the Director General of the Department of Customs Kamal Prasad Bhattarai regarding the issue.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The delegation led by the association&rsquo;s Chairperson Dr Subodh Kumar Gupta demanded that rice industries within the country be saved by discouraging the import of rice from foreign countries. He suggested an increment in customs fees so as to discourage the import. He urged the Director General Bhattarai to impose one percent customs duty on the import of paddy grains and 15 percent on rice.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">They have also demanded an increment in custom duty on the import of pulses. They suggested 20 percent custom fees on the import of ready-made pulses. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14835',
			'image' => '20220413115345_ricee.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 11:53:05',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'PM Deuba Stresses on Utility Corridor for Coordinated Development   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also called for an end to the tendency of one utility agency constructing structures and the next one dismantling it after a few days due to lack of coordination.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The prime minister made such remarks while inaugurating a Consultative Seminar on the Formulation of National Urban Policy, the Urban Development Act and the Utility Corridor Act in the capital on Tuesday. The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Urban Development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, PM Deuba said pilot projects would be initiated in some big cities from the upcoming fiscal year for implementing the concept of utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The PM viewed that it is necessary to maintain population balance through the Tarai Madhes-focussed Consolidated Urban Development Programme. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It (the programme) will be expanded to the municipalities in the mountainous and hill regions to discourage migration from the districts of these regions to the Tarai Madhes,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prime Minister Deuba said that the duplicity in the development and construction works would be removed by amending and integrating the legislations related to urban development. He opined that the country&#39;s urban development would witness a sea change with the formulation of the Act related to the utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to him, the government will address the problems and challenges seen in urbanization while increasing the access to advanced national urban infrastructures through the new urban policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;This will help in the proper resource mobilization for urban development as well as in ensuring inter-governmental coordination and urban good governance,&quot; the PM asserted.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that Nepal falls among the rapidly urbanizing countries in the world, he said urbanization played a role in the overall development of the country including its economic, social and political development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">PM Deuba stated that although Nepal has been making efforts for a systematic urbanization since the Second Five-Year Plan, the cities in the country have not developed as expected. He stressed on the need of developing systematic, clean and beautiful new cities and at the same time managing the required infrastructures in the existing old cities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It is necessary to urgently start concrete works to bring improvements in the living standards of the people living in the urban areas,&quot; he said, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development has prepared the draft policy incorporating various dimensions of urban development, including major challenges, investment in infrastructures, urban governance among others. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14834',
			'image' => '20220413081638_image_6483441(5).JPG',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 08:15:35',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15091',
			'article_category_id' => '272',
			'title' => 'FMTC to Operate Fair Price Shops in Surkhet',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike. In the first phase, the company will be targeting the citizens of Karnali.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company informed that it will provide food at subsidized rates in remote areas. Chief Executive Officer of the company Mohan Prakash Chand said that necessary homework is being done for the same.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that food would be supplied to the remote areas for 12 months with the support of the World Food Program (WFP) to control inflation. He said that food supply would be arranged by helicopter, airplane and horses as well as mules in collaboration with all three tiers of government as transportation is the main problem for the operation of fair price shops in remote areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Manager of the company, Maniraj Khanal, said that consultations with cooperatives are underway for the smooth supply of food across the country.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Chief of Sales and Distribution Department Bhim Bahadur Thapa said that fair price shops will be brought into operation as soon as possible to control the rising price of food items. He informed that he reached out to the Council of Ministers for approval by making necessary acts and rules for the operation of fair price shops. He said that the fair price shop will be brought into operation through cooperatives after getting the approval.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Representatives of cooperatives demanded to increase the subsidy for operating fair price shops. They also demanded that the transportation cost should be made available and the responsibility of transportation should be given to the cooperatives.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14833',
			'image' => '20220412082459_1649715053.Clipboard10.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 20:23:58',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15090',
			'article_category_id' => '273',
			'title' => 'Two Women Share their Entrepreneurial Journey ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Basumaya Tamang and Sewa Pathak narrated their stories of enterprise journey in a program called &#39;Niyatra-Shi Odyssey&#39; organized at the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Lalitpur on Monday. Tamang is the director of Nepali Mann Udyog while Pathak is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vianet Communications Pvt Ltd.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Tamang, who is successful in producing timur pickles in Nepal and exporting them to different countries in the world, shared her experiences of achieving success in this business. She shared her stories from carrying sand from the river bank to making candles. Prior to making pickles, she said she was involved in roadside vendor business selling products with the help of a cart. Currently, she employs 90 women. Tamang, who has already expanded her branch in the UK, said that she is preparing to open a branch in Dubai soon.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&amp;id=1HT_JlZkcmHxYWA5-zPPfWiV4aWnfCALy" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&ldquo;I am able to reach this stage today by struggling without giving up under any circumstances,&rdquo; she said at the storytelling event. She also suggested women wanting to enter into entrepreneurship to do something different than what others are doing.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Pathak, CEO of Vianet, shared her experience of working as a finance manager at Shikhar Insurance in her early days after becoming a Chartered Accountant. After some time, she started working for her husband&rsquo;s company Vianet. After the introduction of &lsquo;Fiber-to-the-home&rsquo; technology, she says that she worked full time in the company for its implementation. With time, she started working as the CEO of the company.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She shared that when she came up with a business plan for loan with various banks, they used to ask questions only to her husband. She adds, &ldquo;People are still hesitant to trust women.&rdquo; She says that we can be successful in business if only we can overcome such a mentality.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Everybody has a problem in maintaining work-life balance at the same time. Pathak believes that in this case, success can be achieved by allocating time on priority basis.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Academic Director of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship Bijay Anand Sharma Timilsina delivered the welcome address. Madan Lamsal, president and editor-in-chief of New Business Age, highlighted about the program on the occasion.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The event was attended by various professionals and women entrepreneurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor and Muktinath Bikas Bank Limited is the co-sponsor of the Summit and Awards that is going to be held in Kathmandu on April 26. Likewise, the medical partner for the event is Star Hospital. Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship is the knowledge partner, Turkish Airlines is the airlines partner, Daraz is the ecommerce partner, NECO Insurance Limited is the insurance partner and Dish Home FiberNet is the internet partner.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the event is also supported by Agriculture Development Bank, Sipradi Trading, Reliable Life Insurance, Progressive Finance Limited, National Life Insurance, Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN), Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Nepal Rastra Bank.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">New Business Age has been conducting various awards programmes to help in the promotion of industry, business and entrepreneurship. A similar program to honor women entrepreneurs was held on January 31 last year. </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-24',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14832',
			'image' => '20220412022419_1649713887.Clipboard05.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:23:14',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15089',
			'article_category_id' => '267',
			'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 462 Billion',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Nepal’s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Nepal&rsquo;s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year. According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal Rastra Bank published on April 12, such a deficit was Rs 151.42 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.2 percent to Rs 7 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 60.0 percent to Rs 16.30 billion, the report said. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 11.91 billion and Rs 10.18 billion respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a deficit of Rs 258.64 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 68.01 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a deficit of 2.17 billion in the review period against a surplus of 565.8 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the central bank&rsquo;s report, total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14831',
			'image' => '20220412021437_1649750850.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:13:38',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15088',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Speaker Sapkota Pitches for Self-Reliant Economy   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Several problems have arised as the economy is not self-reliant,&quot; he said and stressed on the need of meaningful cooperation and partnership between the government and the private sector for building a self-sufficient and robust economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaker Sapkota made such remarks while addressing the 56th annual general meeting and &#39;Industry and Commerce Day&#39; of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that the private sector has knowledge, skills, talent and capacity, everything, he urged the private sector to play a role to bail out the economy from the current state of crisis.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He added that he was ready to fulfill his responsibility as the Speaker in building an environment conducive for business and investment in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The government and the private sector should have common views on matters relating to the economy. We should work with long-term vision and not get bogged down in short-term agendas,&quot; he suggested. The Speaker also underscored on steering the country ahead on the path of prosperity by utilizing the private sector&#39;s capabilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">FNCCI president Shekhar Golchha blamed lack of transparency and the confusion around the short-term policies for the crisis faced by the economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Referring to the economic crisis Sri Lanka is passing through at present and the concerns being expressed by economists and the business community in the country that whether Nepal is also heading to a similar situation, the FNCCI president said, &quot;We are not going to be like Sri Lanka, but if we are not cautious at present then we will certainly reach to that situation.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As ways to avert such crisis, he suggested strengthening the mechanism for bringing in money, creating investment opportunities within the country and increasing exports to create wealth. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that it was regrettable that the private sector which occupies 77 per cent of the economy and creates over 75 per cent employment in the country is in the dark about the discussions and decisions taking place in Singha Durbar (the administrative centre of the government) and Nepal Rastra Bank (the central bank of Nepal), Golchha stressed that it would be far better if the industrialists and businessmen were consulted regarding identification of the problems in the economy and finding out solution to these pressing problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi refuted Golchha&rsquo;s claim saying, &quot;The government has never ignored the private sector, rather it considers the private sector as its partner.&quot; He described the private sector as the integral development partner of the government and the government was always for a meaningful partnership with the private sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The economic situation is not as bad as it is said to be. There are some signs of risk. We should all, together, address this problem,&quot; he added. The chief secretary said the government is doing homework for creating investment-friendly environment. --RSS</span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14830',
			'image' => '20220412015715_1649681723.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 13:56:32',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15087',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Do not Politicize Economy: Finance Minister',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country’s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Bijay Damase</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country&rsquo;s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following criticism for the deteriorating economy of the country, Finance Minister Sharma organized a press conference on Monday and claimed that the economy was heading on the right track. He added that the issue was being politicized unnecessarily.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The country&rsquo;s economy is not under crisis but attempts are being made to politicize the issue,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also said comparing Nepal&rsquo;s economy to Sri Lanka was tantamount to treason. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There are rumors that the government does not have budget to hold election and to provide elderly allowance. In fact, there isn&rsquo;t any such problem,&rdquo; Minister Sharma assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;People are spreading fake news that Nepal will become like Sri Lanka. Such a situation will not arrive as we still have Rs 67 billion in state coffers,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Minister Sharma, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 1171 billion as of mid-March 2022 and is enough to support imports for 6.7 months. He further said that Nepal&rsquo;s total foreign debt amounted to Rs 1800 billion. According to the minister, the government has to pay only Rs 40 billion as installment and interest and therefore Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared with Sri Lanka from any angle. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The minister further said that although the inflow of remittance has declined to some extent compared to last year, it is expected to grow in the coming days. According to the figures of the finance ministry, the inflow of remittance as of mid-March in the current fiscal year was Rs 631 billion, which is 4.9 percent less compared to that of last year. The inflow of remittance in the month of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March) was Rs 91 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Investigation against NRB Governor</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma clarified that the investigation against NRB Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari is being done in compliance with the laws and the Rastra Bank Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A probe committee was formed to look into the matter and further decisions would be taken upon the recommendation of the report prepared by the probe committee, said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday (April 7) had decided to investigative into the alleged role of Governor Adhikari in leaking sensitive information of NRB. The Cabinet meeting has formed a committee under the coordination of former Supreme Court Justice Purushottam Bhandari to investigate the matter. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>NRB policy to blame for current crisis</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the current crisis was a result of the credit flow policy adopted by the central bank. He claimed that the problem has surfaced due to the excessive flow of loan. The finance minister added that he had instructed the governor to limit the flow of credit but to no avail.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The target of credit flow was 19 percent but the actual credit flow was 32 percent,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma, adding, &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t it have been resolved on time? It is the responsibility of the central bank not the finance ministry.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He said that the excessive flow of loan should have helped the productive sector but that did not happen due to lack of coordination. The minister said that he had time and again inquired with the central bank about the details of the credit flow but he did not get any response.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Concessional loans were disbursed, but it was found to have been disbursed haphazardly. The probe committee will investigate this matter,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Efforts being made to bring economy back on track</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the revenue collection was also exceeding the expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In a bid to increase remittance inflow, Minister Sharma informed that a proposal seeking approval for setting up reserve fund for Nepali migrant workers abroad to invest has been forwarded. The draft of the proposal also has provisions to set aside quotas for IPO and FPO for people sending remittance through formal channels, allowing the remittance companies to use wallet and to reduce the cost of fuel used by government agencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he shared that a proposal had been made to temporarily ban the import of expensive and luxurious vehicles and not to allow the government vehicles to be used on public holidays.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14829',
			'image' => '20220412010021_1649714045.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:59:11',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15086',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Liquidity Crisis is the Result of Central Bank’s Policy: Former NRB Governor',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) on Monday, the former governor said that the problem surfaced after the Covid-19 pandemic as the NRB was the only institution to provide support for post-Covid recovery when the government should also have done something.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Liquidity crisis has become a long-term problem in Nepal,&rdquo; said the former governor, adding, &ldquo;There was excessive flow of credit after the pandemic subsided, causing the crisis. We identified exportable products but couldn&rsquo;t export them. On the other hand, import of food items has increased excessively.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also accused the government of failing to spend capital budget and urged the concerned authorities to send the money to the banking system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Former Governor Nepal was of the view that remittance cannot be a source for sustainable economic development and therefore the time has come for the government to explore other alternatives.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also clarified that Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared to Sri Lanka. According to him, Nepal hasn&rsquo;t taken loan at exorbitant rate like Sri Lanka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14828',
			'image' => '20220412120246_1649684023.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:01:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15085',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt Lowest in South Asia: Finance Secretary',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal’s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance secretary made such revelation during a press conference organized at the Ministry of Finance on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Marasini said that there is widespread concern regarding the country&rsquo;s public debt but the situation is not so serious and there is no need to worry about this issue. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Lately, people have expressed a lot of concern regarding Nepal&rsquo;s public debt, but our public debt is one of the lowest in South Asia,&rdquo; said Marasini. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the finance ministry, Nepal&rsquo;s public debt as of April 11, 2022 is Rs 1854 billion, including internal loans of Rs 873.19 billion and external loan of Rs 980.80 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is 43.74 percent of the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14827',
			'image' => '20220412112511_economictrends_3_0.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 11:24:22',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15084',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Nepali Passport Ranks among the Weakest in the World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 11: Henley & Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal's passport as one of the weakest in the world.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 11: Henley &amp; Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal&#39;s passport as one of the weakest in the world.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The global passport index, released on Sunday by Henley &amp; Partners, has ranked Nepali passport 106th. According to the list, the Nepali passport ranks seventh form the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal ranks 106th in the list of 112 countries. The organization has also ranked Palestinian territory and Nepal at the same ranking. Nepal&#39;s passport is eligible for on-arrival visa in 37 countries. In other words, Nepali passport holders can travel to only 37 countries without a visa. In this respect, Nepal is even weaker than North Korea. North Korean passport, which is just above Nepal in the list, is eligible to receive online visa in 39 countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Nepali passport is ranked higher than Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan which rank between 107th to 112th respectively. Last year, Nepal was ranked 109th with visa on arrival accessibility in 38 countries. A total of 116 countries and territories had been listed during last year, but this year the number has come down to 112.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This year, as in previous years, the Japanese passport is ranked the highest. Japanese passport holders are allowed to enter 192 countries without a visa. Along with Japan, Singapore is also in the top spot. Second, on the list are South Korea and Germany. Passports holders from both the countries are issued on-arrival visas in 190 countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain are ranked joint third followed by Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The UK is in fifth place with Portugal, Ireland, and France. The United States is in the list of the world&#39;s sixth most powerful passports, along with Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Belgium. India ranks 84th in the list while China ranks 66th.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sri Lanka, currently facing the worst economic crisis, ranks 103rd in the list of countries. Bangladesh and Pakistan are ranked 104th and 109th respectively. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-11',
			'modified' => '2022-04-11',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14826',
			'image' => '20220411043149_1649660578.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-11 16:31:10',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
$xml = false
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

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 &quot;&quot; [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' => '15098',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Import and Export Up Despite Measures Taken by NRB',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Nepal’s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Nepal&rsquo;s exports and imports have both increased during the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The central bank&rsquo;s data show overall imports have increased despite taking measures to tighten imports of luxurious goods. Trade deficit has also increased despite increase in exports. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday states that merchandise exports increased 82.9 percent to Rs 147.75 billion during the review period. The country&rsquo;s exports had increased 7.8 percent during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 104.2 percent and 29.1 respectively whereas exports to China decreased 11.0 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The report further states that exports of palm oil, soybean oil, oil cakes, polyester yarn and thread, woolen carpets among others, increased whereas exports of cardamom, tea, herbs, wire, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports increased 38.6 percent to Rs 1308.73 billion compared to an increase of 2.1 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 28.1 percent, 36.7 percent, and 75.4 percent respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Imports of petroleum products, medicine, crude palm oil, crude soybean oil, gold, among others, increased whereas imports of MS billet, cement, chemical fertilizer, pulses, molasses sugar, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Based on customs points, exports from Kanchanpur, Mechi, and Nepalgunj Customs Office decreased whereas exports from all the other major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the import side, imports from all the major customs points increased in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the eight months of 2021/22, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 147.03 billion. Such amount was Rs 121.36 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As per the Broad Economic Categories (BEC), the intermediate and final consumption goods accounted for 47.3 percent and 52.7 percent of the total exports respectively, whereas the ratio of capital goods in total exports remained negligible at 0.02 percent in the review period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the same period of the previous year, the ratio of intermediate, capital and final consumption goods remained 32.3 percent, 0.5 percent and 67.2 percent of total exports respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the imports side, the share of intermediate goods remained 53.5 percent, capital goods 10.7 percent and final consumption goods remained 35.8 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 53.5 percent, 11.8 percent and 34.7 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-14',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14840',
			'image' => '20220413041951_Trade.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:18:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15097',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Consumer Price Inflation Rises to 7.14 Percent against 3.03 Percent a Year Ago',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: The year-on-year consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 7.14 percent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year (FY 2021/22), according the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). According to the central bank, the y-o-y consumer price inflation was 3.03 percent a year ago. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by NRB on Wednesday states that food and beverage inflation stood at 7.51 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.84 percent in the review month. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Under the food and beverage category, the prices of ghee and oil, vegetable, milk products and eggs, and pulses and legumes sub-categories rose by 26.34 percent, 13.96 percent, 11.30 and 10.30 percent respectively on y-o-y basis. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, under the non-food and services category, the prices of transportation, miscellaneous goods and services and education sub-categories rose by 16.27 percent, 9.01 percent and 8.79 percent respectively on y-o-y basis.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14839',
			'image' => '20220413040620_Inflation.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:05:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15096',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Inflow of Remittance Declines by 1.7 Percent',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 13: Inflow of remittance decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 631.19 billion in the eighth month of the current fiscal year against an increase of 8.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the US dollar terms, inflow of remittance decreased 3.0 percent to 5.28 billion in the review period against an increase of 5.0 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report prepared by Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the report, the number of Nepali workers taking approval for foreign employment increased significantly to 227,900 in the review period. The number includes both institutional and individual applicants. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The number of applicants had decreased 82.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the number of Nepali workers renewing approval for foreign employment increased 240.9 percent to 178,262 in the review period. It had decreased 70.2 percent in the same period of the previous year, according to the central bank&rsquo;s report. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the net transfer decreased 2.0 percent to Rs 704.33 billion in the review period. Such a transfer had increased 7.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14838',
			'image' => '20220413040450_Remittance.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 16:04:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15095',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Birgunj Customs Records Zero Import of Vehicles ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: The government's crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: The government&#39;s crackdown on the import of vehicles is affecting revenue collection of Birgunj customs. Birgunj customs has not recorded a single import of vehicle since the past one week.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About 1,000 new vehicles are parked at the customs&rsquo; yard and Raxaul. However, no importer has obtained vehicle clearance pass in a week, informed Harihar Poudel, chief customs officer of the Birgunj customs office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Birgunj is the main entry point of vehicles. Customs officials said that the customs clearance of vehicles has been stopped due to the tight provision imposed by Nepal Rastra Bank in importing luxury items amid liquidity crisis in the banking system.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even the vehicles that have arrived at the customs yard aren&#39;t inspected. Banks have stopped giving loans for cars. The importers have parked their imported vehicles in the customs yard and the warehouse of Raxaul, a border town of India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has tightened imports of luxury goods as remittances have declined while imports were rising. Stating that there is pressure on foreign exchange reserves, the government has adopted a policy to reduce imports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Banks have stopped issuing LCs even for other items. Entrepreneur Rajesh Kyal says this has created confusion in conducting business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chief Customs Officer Poudel informed that the import of non-luxury items from Birgunj has also decreased significantly. Along with the decline in imports, the revenue of Birgunj customs has also been affected. Poudel said that the revenue target for the current fiscal year 2078/79 will not be met.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14837',
			'image' => '20220413025019_Birgunj.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 14:49:18',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Water from Melamchi Diverted into Tunnel, likely to Reach Kathmandu in 2 Weeks',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 13: Melamchi Water Supply Project has finally diverted water to the Kathmandu valley on Tuesday after clearing the debris accumulated in the dam site of project due to the floods and landslides last July. Minister for Water Supply Umakanta Chaudhary was present when the water was diverted in the tunnel from the diversion gate No. 1 of the project in Ambathan of Sindhupalchowk. Minister Chaudhary said that he was happy to send water to the valley as per the government&#39;s target. The project officials informed that it will take two weeks for the water from the tunnel to reach the valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, Basudev Poudel said that it was possible to divert water as the work of cleaning the tunnel and head works was completed. Poudel said, &ldquo;Even though some works are still remaining, water was sent because the cleaning of the tunnel and head works was completed.&rdquo; Earlier, the government had announced to supply water from Melamchi to Kathmandu by mid-April.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the seventh formal inauguration of the Melamchi Water Supply Project. The water of Melamchi was diverted for the first time on July 5, 2020. The project was inaugurated by the then Minister Bina Magar.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Within a week, the gate of the Melamchi audit tunnel collapsed and it took about eight months to repair it. For the second time, the then Minister for water supply, Mani Thapa and Minister of State for Urban Development Ram Bir Manandhar personally visited the site on 22 February 2021 and re-sent water back to the tunnel. The third inauguration was done on 6 March 2021 at Sundarijal by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. He announced the arrival of Melamchi water in the valley by opening the gate from Sundarijal and sending it to the Bagmati River.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited then started distributing water on March 28, 2021 amid a formal programme organized for the fourth.&nbsp; One week later, President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the distribution of water from Melamchi at Bhrikuti mandap.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14836',
			'image' => '20220413011743_melamcbi.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 13:16:44',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15093',
			'article_category_id' => '268',
			'title' => 'Rice Industrialists Call for Encouraging Domestic Products   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Rice and oil industrialists have urged the government to encourage domestic products by tightening the import of food grains from foreign countries. A delegation including office bearers of the Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil and Pulses Industry recently met and drew the attention of the Director General of the Department of Customs Kamal Prasad Bhattarai regarding the issue.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The delegation led by the association&rsquo;s Chairperson Dr Subodh Kumar Gupta demanded that rice industries within the country be saved by discouraging the import of rice from foreign countries. He suggested an increment in customs fees so as to discourage the import. He urged the Director General Bhattarai to impose one percent customs duty on the import of paddy grains and 15 percent on rice.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">They have also demanded an increment in custom duty on the import of pulses. They suggested 20 percent custom fees on the import of ready-made pulses. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14835',
			'image' => '20220413115345_ricee.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 11:53:05',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'PM Deuba Stresses on Utility Corridor for Coordinated Development   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.   ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 13: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need of formulating a bill on urban development along with utility corridor to carry out the development and construction works in a coordinated manner.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also called for an end to the tendency of one utility agency constructing structures and the next one dismantling it after a few days due to lack of coordination.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The prime minister made such remarks while inaugurating a Consultative Seminar on the Formulation of National Urban Policy, the Urban Development Act and the Utility Corridor Act in the capital on Tuesday. The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Urban Development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, PM Deuba said pilot projects would be initiated in some big cities from the upcoming fiscal year for implementing the concept of utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The PM viewed that it is necessary to maintain population balance through the Tarai Madhes-focussed Consolidated Urban Development Programme. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It (the programme) will be expanded to the municipalities in the mountainous and hill regions to discourage migration from the districts of these regions to the Tarai Madhes,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prime Minister Deuba said that the duplicity in the development and construction works would be removed by amending and integrating the legislations related to urban development. He opined that the country&#39;s urban development would witness a sea change with the formulation of the Act related to the utility corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to him, the government will address the problems and challenges seen in urbanization while increasing the access to advanced national urban infrastructures through the new urban policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;This will help in the proper resource mobilization for urban development as well as in ensuring inter-governmental coordination and urban good governance,&quot; the PM asserted.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that Nepal falls among the rapidly urbanizing countries in the world, he said urbanization played a role in the overall development of the country including its economic, social and political development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">PM Deuba stated that although Nepal has been making efforts for a systematic urbanization since the Second Five-Year Plan, the cities in the country have not developed as expected. He stressed on the need of developing systematic, clean and beautiful new cities and at the same time managing the required infrastructures in the existing old cities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;It is necessary to urgently start concrete works to bring improvements in the living standards of the people living in the urban areas,&quot; he said, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development has prepared the draft policy incorporating various dimensions of urban development, including major challenges, investment in infrastructures, urban governance among others. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-13',
			'modified' => '2022-04-13',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14834',
			'image' => '20220413081638_image_6483441(5).JPG',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-13 08:15:35',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15091',
			'article_category_id' => '272',
			'title' => 'FMTC to Operate Fair Price Shops in Surkhet',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: The Surkhet branch of Food Management and Trading Company is all set to bring fair price shops in operation through cooperatives to prevent shortage of food and to control the price hike. In the first phase, the company will be targeting the citizens of Karnali.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company informed that it will provide food at subsidized rates in remote areas. Chief Executive Officer of the company Mohan Prakash Chand said that necessary homework is being done for the same.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that food would be supplied to the remote areas for 12 months with the support of the World Food Program (WFP) to control inflation. He said that food supply would be arranged by helicopter, airplane and horses as well as mules in collaboration with all three tiers of government as transportation is the main problem for the operation of fair price shops in remote areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Manager of the company, Maniraj Khanal, said that consultations with cooperatives are underway for the smooth supply of food across the country.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, Chief of Sales and Distribution Department Bhim Bahadur Thapa said that fair price shops will be brought into operation as soon as possible to control the rising price of food items. He informed that he reached out to the Council of Ministers for approval by making necessary acts and rules for the operation of fair price shops. He said that the fair price shop will be brought into operation through cooperatives after getting the approval.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Representatives of cooperatives demanded to increase the subsidy for operating fair price shops. They also demanded that the transportation cost should be made available and the responsibility of transportation should be given to the cooperatives.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14833',
			'image' => '20220412082459_1649715053.Clipboard10.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 20:23:58',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15090',
			'article_category_id' => '273',
			'title' => 'Two Women Share their Entrepreneurial Journey ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 12: Two women entrepreneurs have shared their experience of entrepreneurial journeys during a program under the Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Basumaya Tamang and Sewa Pathak narrated their stories of enterprise journey in a program called &#39;Niyatra-Shi Odyssey&#39; organized at the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Lalitpur on Monday. Tamang is the director of Nepali Mann Udyog while Pathak is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vianet Communications Pvt Ltd.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Tamang, who is successful in producing timur pickles in Nepal and exporting them to different countries in the world, shared her experiences of achieving success in this business. She shared her stories from carrying sand from the river bank to making candles. Prior to making pickles, she said she was involved in roadside vendor business selling products with the help of a cart. Currently, she employs 90 women. Tamang, who has already expanded her branch in the UK, said that she is preparing to open a branch in Dubai soon.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&amp;id=1HT_JlZkcmHxYWA5-zPPfWiV4aWnfCALy" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&ldquo;I am able to reach this stage today by struggling without giving up under any circumstances,&rdquo; she said at the storytelling event. She also suggested women wanting to enter into entrepreneurship to do something different than what others are doing.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, Pathak, CEO of Vianet, shared her experience of working as a finance manager at Shikhar Insurance in her early days after becoming a Chartered Accountant. After some time, she started working for her husband&rsquo;s company Vianet. After the introduction of &lsquo;Fiber-to-the-home&rsquo; technology, she says that she worked full time in the company for its implementation. With time, she started working as the CEO of the company.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She shared that when she came up with a business plan for loan with various banks, they used to ask questions only to her husband. She adds, &ldquo;People are still hesitant to trust women.&rdquo; She says that we can be successful in business if only we can overcome such a mentality.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Everybody has a problem in maintaining work-life balance at the same time. Pathak believes that in this case, success can be achieved by allocating time on priority basis.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Academic Director of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship Bijay Anand Sharma Timilsina delivered the welcome address. Madan Lamsal, president and editor-in-chief of New Business Age, highlighted about the program on the occasion.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The event was attended by various professionals and women entrepreneurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Standard Chartered Bank is the main sponsor and Muktinath Bikas Bank Limited is the co-sponsor of the Summit and Awards that is going to be held in Kathmandu on April 26. Likewise, the medical partner for the event is Star Hospital. Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship is the knowledge partner, Turkish Airlines is the airlines partner, Daraz is the ecommerce partner, NECO Insurance Limited is the insurance partner and Dish Home FiberNet is the internet partner.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Similarly, the event is also supported by Agriculture Development Bank, Sipradi Trading, Reliable Life Insurance, Progressive Finance Limited, National Life Insurance, Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN), Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Nepal Rastra Bank.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">New Business Age has been conducting various awards programmes to help in the promotion of industry, business and entrepreneurship. A similar program to honor women entrepreneurs was held on January 31 last year. </span></span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-24',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14832',
			'image' => '20220412022419_1649713887.Clipboard05.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:23:14',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15089',
			'article_category_id' => '267',
			'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 462 Billion',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Nepal’s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Nepal&rsquo;s current account remained at a deficit of Rs 462.93 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year. According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal Rastra Bank published on April 12, such a deficit was Rs 151.42 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.2 percent to Rs 7 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 60.0 percent to Rs 16.30 billion, the report said. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 11.91 billion and Rs 10.18 billion respectively. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, the Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a deficit of Rs 258.64 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 68.01 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a deficit of 2.17 billion in the review period against a surplus of 565.8 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the central bank&rsquo;s report, total trade deficit increased 34.5 percent to Rs 1160.99 billion during the eight months of 2021/22. Such a deficit had increased 1.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14831',
			'image' => '20220412021437_1649750850.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 14:13:38',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15088',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Speaker Sapkota Pitches for Self-Reliant Economy   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has called upon the private sector to focus on development and expansion of a self-reliant economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Several problems have arised as the economy is not self-reliant,&quot; he said and stressed on the need of meaningful cooperation and partnership between the government and the private sector for building a self-sufficient and robust economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaker Sapkota made such remarks while addressing the 56th annual general meeting and &#39;Industry and Commerce Day&#39; of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that the private sector has knowledge, skills, talent and capacity, everything, he urged the private sector to play a role to bail out the economy from the current state of crisis.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He added that he was ready to fulfill his responsibility as the Speaker in building an environment conducive for business and investment in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The government and the private sector should have common views on matters relating to the economy. We should work with long-term vision and not get bogged down in short-term agendas,&quot; he suggested. The Speaker also underscored on steering the country ahead on the path of prosperity by utilizing the private sector&#39;s capabilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">FNCCI president Shekhar Golchha blamed lack of transparency and the confusion around the short-term policies for the crisis faced by the economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Referring to the economic crisis Sri Lanka is passing through at present and the concerns being expressed by economists and the business community in the country that whether Nepal is also heading to a similar situation, the FNCCI president said, &quot;We are not going to be like Sri Lanka, but if we are not cautious at present then we will certainly reach to that situation.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As ways to avert such crisis, he suggested strengthening the mechanism for bringing in money, creating investment opportunities within the country and increasing exports to create wealth. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stating that it was regrettable that the private sector which occupies 77 per cent of the economy and creates over 75 per cent employment in the country is in the dark about the discussions and decisions taking place in Singha Durbar (the administrative centre of the government) and Nepal Rastra Bank (the central bank of Nepal), Golchha stressed that it would be far better if the industrialists and businessmen were consulted regarding identification of the problems in the economy and finding out solution to these pressing problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi refuted Golchha&rsquo;s claim saying, &quot;The government has never ignored the private sector, rather it considers the private sector as its partner.&quot; He described the private sector as the integral development partner of the government and the government was always for a meaningful partnership with the private sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The economic situation is not as bad as it is said to be. There are some signs of risk. We should all, together, address this problem,&quot; he added. The chief secretary said the government is doing homework for creating investment-friendly environment. --RSS</span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14830',
			'image' => '20220412015715_1649681723.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 13:56:32',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15087',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Do not Politicize Economy: Finance Minister',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country’s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Bijay Damase</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has dismissed claims that the country&rsquo;s economy was in crisis and urged one and all not to politicize the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Following criticism for the deteriorating economy of the country, Finance Minister Sharma organized a press conference on Monday and claimed that the economy was heading on the right track. He added that the issue was being politicized unnecessarily.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The country&rsquo;s economy is not under crisis but attempts are being made to politicize the issue,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also said comparing Nepal&rsquo;s economy to Sri Lanka was tantamount to treason. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There are rumors that the government does not have budget to hold election and to provide elderly allowance. In fact, there isn&rsquo;t any such problem,&rdquo; Minister Sharma assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;People are spreading fake news that Nepal will become like Sri Lanka. Such a situation will not arrive as we still have Rs 67 billion in state coffers,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Minister Sharma, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 1171 billion as of mid-March 2022 and is enough to support imports for 6.7 months. He further said that Nepal&rsquo;s total foreign debt amounted to Rs 1800 billion. According to the minister, the government has to pay only Rs 40 billion as installment and interest and therefore Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared with Sri Lanka from any angle. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The minister further said that although the inflow of remittance has declined to some extent compared to last year, it is expected to grow in the coming days. According to the figures of the finance ministry, the inflow of remittance as of mid-March in the current fiscal year was Rs 631 billion, which is 4.9 percent less compared to that of last year. The inflow of remittance in the month of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March) was Rs 91 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Investigation against NRB Governor</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma clarified that the investigation against NRB Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari is being done in compliance with the laws and the Rastra Bank Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A probe committee was formed to look into the matter and further decisions would be taken upon the recommendation of the report prepared by the probe committee, said Minister Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday (April 7) had decided to investigative into the alleged role of Governor Adhikari in leaking sensitive information of NRB. The Cabinet meeting has formed a committee under the coordination of former Supreme Court Justice Purushottam Bhandari to investigate the matter. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>NRB policy to blame for current crisis</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the current crisis was a result of the credit flow policy adopted by the central bank. He claimed that the problem has surfaced due to the excessive flow of loan. The finance minister added that he had instructed the governor to limit the flow of credit but to no avail.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The target of credit flow was 19 percent but the actual credit flow was 32 percent,&rdquo; said Minister Sharma, adding, &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t it have been resolved on time? It is the responsibility of the central bank not the finance ministry.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He said that the excessive flow of loan should have helped the productive sector but that did not happen due to lack of coordination. The minister said that he had time and again inquired with the central bank about the details of the credit flow but he did not get any response.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Concessional loans were disbursed, but it was found to have been disbursed haphazardly. The probe committee will investigate this matter,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><strong>Efforts being made to bring economy back on track</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Sharma claimed that the revenue collection was also exceeding the expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In a bid to increase remittance inflow, Minister Sharma informed that a proposal seeking approval for setting up reserve fund for Nepali migrant workers abroad to invest has been forwarded. The draft of the proposal also has provisions to set aside quotas for IPO and FPO for people sending remittance through formal channels, allowing the remittance companies to use wallet and to reduce the cost of fuel used by government agencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he shared that a proposal had been made to temporarily ban the import of expensive and luxurious vehicles and not to allow the government vehicles to be used on public holidays.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14829',
			'image' => '20220412010021_1649714045.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:59:11',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15086',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Liquidity Crisis is the Result of Central Bank’s Policy: Former NRB Governor',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April 12: Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr Chiranjivi Nepal has pointed to the policy adopted by the central bank as the main reason for liquidity crisis in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) on Monday, the former governor said that the problem surfaced after the Covid-19 pandemic as the NRB was the only institution to provide support for post-Covid recovery when the government should also have done something.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Liquidity crisis has become a long-term problem in Nepal,&rdquo; said the former governor, adding, &ldquo;There was excessive flow of credit after the pandemic subsided, causing the crisis. We identified exportable products but couldn&rsquo;t export them. On the other hand, import of food items has increased excessively.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also accused the government of failing to spend capital budget and urged the concerned authorities to send the money to the banking system.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Former Governor Nepal was of the view that remittance cannot be a source for sustainable economic development and therefore the time has come for the government to explore other alternatives.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He also clarified that Nepal&rsquo;s situation cannot be compared to Sri Lanka. According to him, Nepal hasn&rsquo;t taken loan at exorbitant rate like Sri Lanka.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14828',
			'image' => '20220412120246_1649684023.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 12:01:57',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15085',
			'article_category_id' => '274',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Public Debt Lowest in South Asia: Finance Secretary',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April  12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal’s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">April&nbsp; 12: Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini claims that Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is one of the lowest among South Asian countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance secretary made such revelation during a press conference organized at the Ministry of Finance on Monday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Marasini said that there is widespread concern regarding the country&rsquo;s public debt but the situation is not so serious and there is no need to worry about this issue. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;Lately, people have expressed a lot of concern regarding Nepal&rsquo;s public debt, but our public debt is one of the lowest in South Asia,&rdquo; said Marasini. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the finance ministry, Nepal&rsquo;s public debt as of April 11, 2022 is Rs 1854 billion, including internal loans of Rs 873.19 billion and external loan of Rs 980.80 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal&rsquo;s public debt is 43.74 percent of the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-12',
			'modified' => '2022-04-12',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14827',
			'image' => '20220412112511_economictrends_3_0.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-12 11:24:22',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	),
	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '15084',
			'article_category_id' => '276',
			'title' => 'Nepali Passport Ranks among the Weakest in the World',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'April 11: Henley & Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal's passport as one of the weakest in the world.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">April 11: Henley &amp; Partners, a British citizenship and housing consultancy, has ranked Nepal&#39;s passport as one of the weakest in the world.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The global passport index, released on Sunday by Henley &amp; Partners, has ranked Nepali passport 106th. According to the list, the Nepali passport ranks seventh form the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal ranks 106th in the list of 112 countries. The organization has also ranked Palestinian territory and Nepal at the same ranking. Nepal&#39;s passport is eligible for on-arrival visa in 37 countries. In other words, Nepali passport holders can travel to only 37 countries without a visa. In this respect, Nepal is even weaker than North Korea. North Korean passport, which is just above Nepal in the list, is eligible to receive online visa in 39 countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Nepali passport is ranked higher than Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan which rank between 107th to 112th respectively. Last year, Nepal was ranked 109th with visa on arrival accessibility in 38 countries. A total of 116 countries and territories had been listed during last year, but this year the number has come down to 112.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This year, as in previous years, the Japanese passport is ranked the highest. Japanese passport holders are allowed to enter 192 countries without a visa. Along with Japan, Singapore is also in the top spot. Second, on the list are South Korea and Germany. Passports holders from both the countries are issued on-arrival visas in 190 countries.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain are ranked joint third followed by Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The UK is in fifth place with Portugal, Ireland, and France. The United States is in the list of the world&#39;s sixth most powerful passports, along with Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Belgium. India ranks 84th in the list while China ranks 66th.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Sri Lanka, currently facing the worst economic crisis, ranks 103rd in the list of countries. Bangladesh and Pakistan are ranked 104th and 109th respectively. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2022-04-11',
			'modified' => '2022-04-11',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '14826',
			'image' => '20220411043149_1649660578.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2022-04-11 16:31:10',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => true,
			'in_scroller' => null,
			'user_id' => '34'
		)
	)
)
$current_user = null
$logged_in = false
$xml = false
simplexml_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

file not found!

Latest

173 People Die in Disaster Incidents since June 10

Crusher Federation Urges PM Oli for Industry Renewal

Prime Minister Calls for Enhancing 'Hello Sarkar' Service

Bardiya National Park Sees Increase in Tourist Arrivals

Experts, Manpower Agencies at Odds Over Draft of Labour Migration Policy

Lower Seti Hydropower Project Acquires o500 Ropanis of Land

Government Proposes Formation of New Authority to Regulate Cooperatives

Sugar Prices Surge ahead of Festive Season amid Govt’s Failure to Import Sugar

BFIN to Host Conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday

Price of Gold Reaches All-Time High in Nepal

FOREX

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

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

Bullion

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

Update : 2020-03-25

Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association

Petroleum

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