December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25…
December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25…
December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of…
December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali…
December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign…
December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three…
December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial…
December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country.…
December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his…
December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on…
December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation…
December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another…
December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community.…
December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal.…
December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the…
December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in…
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"I am less literate on economics, but I have heard people who do not know economics run the finance ministry. However, I know the way to make this country self-reliant," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the people will not get benefits without the country becoming prosperous and self-reliant, he said that no changes will occur without moving the business sector forward. "Imports cannot be banned, not even by the means of various laws, but imports can be reduced by making domestic production more competitive," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the government will provide subsidies on electricity and also allocate land if investors are willing to set up industries to produce vehicles within the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government will address the issue of instable policy, Minister Sharma said that the focus will now be on building electric charging stations. "All petrol pumps have to be converted into electric charging stations,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged the government to update the traditional policies on time for the rapid economic development of the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not just about the automobile sector. It is in the interest of all parties to change the old policies by discussing with the stakeholders and incorporating the suggestions of the private sector as a whole,” he said, adding that the state should move ahead. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He thanked the government for providing additional facilities to the assembling plants and said, "Batteries used in electric vehicles can be produced in Nepal. Such industries should be encouraged."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA Vice President Karan Chaudhary urged the government to help the auto dealers. Chaudhary said that although the establishment of the auto industry was encouraging, the state is not able to put in all the efforts immediately. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NADA general assembly will elect a new executive committee. A still competition is expected between the panels led by Karan Chaudhary and Dhruva Thapa as there is no consensus for a new leadership.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14190', 'image' => '20211209122607_20150914010543_travel-map.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 12:25:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14444', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Senior Citizens to get Booster Dose', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry, on the basis of the recommendation made by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, is going to provide booster dose to the senior citizens above 60 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, shared that senior citizens above 60 years including those already vaccinated with full-dose of vero cell, will start getting the booster dose in the first phase. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">At a regular press brief organised at the ministry on Wednesday, he said that the WHO has recommended administering booster dose to those citizens who have already received full-dose of vero cell vaccine and are above 60 years. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14189', 'image' => '20211209082127_20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:20:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14443', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Postal Tickets with Rastrakavi’s Image Unveiled', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. ', 'content' => '<p> <em> Photo: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, unveiled the new tickets in honour of the late poet on Wednesday, December 8. On the occasion Minister Karki said that poet Ghimire took Nepal’s national glory to a new height. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Born in Lamjung on September 23, 1919, poet Ghimire had died at the age of 101 on August 18, 2020. Ghimire is known as the poet representing the trend of romanticism. Ghimire was conferred the title of ‘Rastrakavi’ 18 years ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He was born during the Rana regime, when people were banned from writing poems. It was during those days that he wrote some revolutionary and inspirational poems like Nava Yubak, a youth who has the power to change the society.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He once said in an interview that it is quite strange that the Rana regime had banned them from writing in a free manner but interestingly great poets were born during that very period. He was inspired by the poems of LekhnathPoudel and was very fond of the poems written by Kalidas and RabindraNath Tagore.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Wednesday's programme, Minister Karki urged everyone to contribute from their sides to realize the dream of the late poet, and the visions in his poems. “Rastrakavi was loved by all. He was an inspiring figure to all. He is eternal indeed,” Minister Karki reminded, adding that postal stamp is therefore commemorative to the national luminary. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14188', 'image' => '20211209081714_RS_KTM_ministerkarki-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:15:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14442', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Three Taskforces formed to Address Issues of Employment Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been formed under the leadership of joint secretaries Badri Nath Adhikari, Ram Chandra Dhakal and Shesh Narayan Poudel. The objectives include making labour administration efficient, creating employment opportunities within the country, producing skilled workforce and addressing the challenges in the foreign employment sector, said the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been tasked with providing advices for running skill development trainings through an integrated structure, managing foreign employment and making policy level reforms and labour diplomacy effective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforce will submit separate reports to the ministry with necessary recommendations within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Joint secretary Adhikari leads a six-member taskforce comprising representatives from various ministries and the National Planning Commission. It deals with the creation of job opportunities and vocational and skill-enhancement training. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, another six-member taskforce led by joint secretary Dhakal will look after the organisational situation of the ministry and its sub ordinate bodies. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also, another seven-member taskforce led by joint secretary Poudel will deal with foreign employment management and its overall work system. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14187', 'image' => '20211208073207_20211005120055_20201125033543_20200315123851_1111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 19:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14441', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Huaxin Cement to begin Test Production in 3 Weeks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks. The industry has stated that necessary preparations are being made to this end.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are in the process of finalizing the test production. Necessary equipment have been connected, and only some basic works remain. They will be completed in a few days,” said Dilliraj Pokharel, deputy general manager of Huaxin Cement Industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Electricity has been made available to the industry since Monday. The cement factory will start operation with the joint investment of Nepalese and Chinese businessmen. The industry has received electricity from the Marshyangdi-Kathmandu 132 KV transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry has invested Rs 1 billion for the construction of the transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cement industry will get a total of 20 MW of electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is requesting industries to demand additional electricity as per their capacity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising said that they are making efforts to ensure that the industries consume more electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Monday, the Benighat Rorang Municipality had requested the locals not to go around the tower saying that the transmission line was about to come into operation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry under construction in Taldi of Benighat Rorang rural municipality has constructed a switching station for transmission of electricity within a year. About 14 kilometers of transmission line and 132 KV substation have been constructed from the switching station to the industrial complex. Switching stations and substations have been constructed with the technical assistance and supervision of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Ghising, the power supply in Dhading has improved after the construction of the switching station.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the operation of the switching station, it has become easy to provide electricity to other industries that are about to open in the Naubise area of Dhading Gorge. Dozens of new industries are opening in the highway area as the capital is close to Kathmandu.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA's infrastructure has also been prepared to provide electricity to these industries easily.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the supply of quality and reliable electricity in the highway area, the revenue of NEA is also expected to increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies has taken a policy to build a transmission line to the industrial complex, Huaxin has prepared the structure itself to expedite the work</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Covid pandemic, natural disasters, and other factors have increased the cost of the industry. While making the initial agreement with the Investment Board, the cement industry had estimated to pour in Rs 14.40 billion, but due to various reasons the cost has increased by an additional Rs 3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board had signed an agreement with Huaxin to produce quality cement in Nepal. Another cement industry with Chinese investment, Hongsi, has been producing cement regularly for the past three years. The industry has been receiving 30 MW of electricity for some time now. Cement will be available in the Nepali market at a cheaper price with the operation of these industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Pokharel, their main duty is to provide quality cement to the country which is moving ahead with the pace of economic development. The Huaxin Cement Industry will produce 3,000 metric tons of cement daily. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Maha Prasad Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, and Xu Gang, Vice-Chairman of Huaxin Cement, signed the agreement on 6 June 2018 in Beijing, China. Although the agreement says to set up the factory within six months, it has taken a long time due to various reasons.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board estimates that 350 people will get direct employment and 1,000 people will get indirect employment from the industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Nepal currently has a demand of about 3.5 million metric tons of cement. The production capacity of the cement industries established in Nepal has reached 5.5 million metric tons annually. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14186', 'image' => '20211208015835_fbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:57:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14440', 'article_category_id' => '257', 'title' => 'Nepal and IMF reach Understanding for a Loan of $400 Million', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is providing the loan to Nepal under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The government is preparing to resolve the current financial crisis faced by the banking institutions of the country through this credit facility.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An agreement has already been reached between officials of the Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank and the IMF to receive this credit facility. IMF said that the government officials of Nepal have repeatedly discussed this issue with the team including the head of the IMF's mission Robert Gregory and they are now in the final stage to release the loan amount.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF team, including Gregory, visited Nepal in October 20-29, November 17-18, and November 30-December 2. The team also met Finance Minister Janardan Sharma last week and discussed about the loan facility. The loan is yet to be approved by the IMF's executive board meeting. The IMF is providing the loan for a time period of thirty eight months. Generally, IMF provides the ECF when the balance of payments is in deficit due to declining foreign exchange reserves. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The loan will be utilized on various programs to uplift the economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, maintain macroeconomic and financial stability and reduce poverty. According to a statement released by IMF, the pandemic has had a major impact on Nepal's economy, adversely affecting people's health and livelihoods. Nepal experienced a slump in GDP in 2019/20, faced a devastating second wave of the pandemic in 2021, affecting the economic recovery.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF has made it clear that the loan should be used to increase revenue and public spending, financial sector regulation, supervision and financial transparency, as well as various anti-corruption efforts and administrative capacity building. Due to declining remittances, foreign investment and increasing trade deficit, Nepal's foreign exchange reserves have been declining recently. The government is preparing to bring ECF as the balance of payments came under pressure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the pandemic, foreign exchange reserves is continuously declining and has created a foreign exchange crisis. Nepal has been borrowing mainly from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The interest on such foreign loans has to be paid in dollars and not in Nepali currency. This also affects reserves, says economist Bishwambhar Pyakurel. “Internal debt can be repaid in Nepali currency. However, external debt has to be paid in dollars which is difficult to handle,” said Pyakurel.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14185', 'image' => '20211208014213_1638919369.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14439', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Unilever and Maiti Nepal Collaborate to Support Victims of Human Trafficking', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. The collaboration aims to enhance their social, economic and legal capacity by providing the victims, especially women, with adequate training.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The main aim of this collaboration is to provide opportunities to generate sustainable income for targeted women. Training programs for women will be conducted under the guidance of experts for running beauty parlors as well as for excavator operation and sales training. As per the agreement, arrangements have been made for the trainee women to stay at the Rehabilitation Center of Maiti Nepal during the training period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both organizations believe that women’s employment will improve their living standards along with their families and communities. The training program was inaugurated by Anuradha Koirala, the chairperson of Maiti Nepal and Amlan Mukherjee, the managing director of Unilever Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the society, more than what we have received from the society. We encourage women for a long term sustainable journey by providing them necessary skills for the future. It will contribute to building a socially inclusive world. We will continue to serve the community through similar initiatives in future as well,” said Mukherjee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14184', 'image' => '20211208013149_Unilever-Nepal-Maiti-Nepal-Asha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:31:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14438', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Budhigandaki Hydel Project ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing the Tripurasundari fair in Dhading, Minister Sharma vowed to initiate the Budhigandakri project. The Nwagi area of Tripurasundari in Dhading district is a catchment area of the project and would be inundated after the project development. The owners of the land plots there have received compensation for land acquisition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Sharma assured to allocate budget to blacktop the road from Tripurasundari to Salyankot. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seeking public support to carry out the development works, Minister Sharma pledged to complete the development of Mid-Hill Highway. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14183', 'image' => '20211208114508_hydro.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:44:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14437', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alleged Investor of 33 KG Gold Scam Released on Bail', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court Judge Bharat Lamsal of Morang on Tuesday issued an order to release Agrawal on a bail of Rs 200,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court official Tikendra Bir Jung Rana told New Business Age that Agrawal, who is also known as Kale, posted the bail amount and was released as per the judge’s order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investigations had revealed that Agrawal was the main investor involved in smuggling gold into Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport. The gold imported through the airport customs went missing and a carrier named Saman Shakya of Urlabari was killed by the smugglers’ group allegedly led by Chudamani Upreti. Eight people including Upreti have convicted of Shakya’s murder and sent to prison. He was deported to Nepal from the UAE with support from INTERPOL. Others accused in the scam have been released by the court. Cases were filed against a total of 77 people including high-ranking police officials in connection to this case. While convicting the eight people involved in the crime, the District Court Morang released 48 others. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14182', 'image' => '20211208113313_20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14436', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Working to Ensure Aviation Safety: Tourism Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Tourism Minister made such remark during a programme organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on the occasion of the International Civil Aviation Day-2021 on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am firm in my stand and goal. The cabinet meeting convening in six days would endorse the programme and budget for the aviation safety," said Minister Ale.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that the concerned agencies should be aware to control the prospects of risks for aviation related accidents, he urged the experts to provide recommendations so as to reform the aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, former director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Hari Bhakta Shrestha and vice-chairperson of Himalayan Airlines, Bijaya Shrestha, among others presented papers on how the flights could be made safe from accidents that occur due to wild animals and birds, especially in airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Tourism Secretary Maheshwor Neupane directed the subordinated bodies to present action plans on how the aviation sector could be made safe from wildlife and birds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The International Civil Aviation Day is observed to commemorate the first successful flight made by the American Wright Brothers on December 7 in 1903. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14181', 'image' => '20211208081616_20190213013056_pinterest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 08:15:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14435', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Booking of Tourists put on Hold amid Fears of Omicron Outbreak', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis. According to hoteliers, tourists have kept their booking on hold after the Omicron variant was detected in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In November 2021, more tourists visited Nepal than the previous month. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 26,135 tourists visited Nepal in November compared to 23,284 in October. As the number of tourists was gradually increasing, Omicron variant has once again created panic. Therefore, various countries have banned flights and travel, while Nepal has also banned people coming from nine countries from entering Nepal, including South Africa and Hong Kong.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yogendra Shakya, a tourism entrepreneur who is also the executive chairman of Ace Hotel and Resort, said that the overall occupancy of hotels on average is 30 percent in 2021. He said that the booking could freeze till January, February, and spring.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that India has stopped tourists from entering India from Lumbini, he said that there is a situation of ‘wait and see’ for some time now. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“While the surge of Covid-19 has started to grow, we had projected that we would have to wait until 2024 for the tourism to return to normalcy,” said Shakya. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that tourists are now waiting and watching the impact of Omicron. "Tourists are in a hold-on situation right now," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Tourism Board, on the other hand, has claimed that it will continue the work of tourism promotion and publicity. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board Dhananjay Regmi said that the current publicity will get continuity by adopting caution. "We were horrified at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, but it didn't create a catastrophe for this sector," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the board will organize tourist marts in all seven states and continue the promotion of Border City. He said that the board will work to increase the number of tourists now. With the identification of the new variant that appeared in the country, the board has resorted to the strategy of attracting tourists from India more than other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14180', 'image' => '20211207050643_1638833065.1 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 17:05:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14434', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ghodepani-Poonhill Trek Features New Tourism Infrastructure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. The Ghodepani-Poonhill route is one of the 100 new tourist destinations identified by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for infrastructure development. The local communities too are attracted to invest for the development of physical infrastructures along this renowned trekking route as the tourist arrival here is encouraging these days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Twenty-three solar lamps have been fixed along the route to illuminate it during the night time. A three-room concrete building has been built at Poonhil to provide a safe resting place for visitors during rain and snowfall. Moreover, an RCC building has been constructed for the Magar Museum at Ghodepani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The cleanliness of community and a courtesy to visitors have been the priorities of locals. A newly constructed trekking route of around two kilometers stretches from Poonnhil to Ghandruk via Mohare, Ghodepani, Chitre and Khiwang. It seems that investors of Ghodepani are competing to attract tourists through better accommodation facility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Ghodepani Hotel Management Committee, the hotels here had capacity to accommodate 500 people daily six year ago while the capacity of these hotels has now increased to accommodate 1,000 people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of Hotel Management Sub-Committee, Mina Pun, said that a four-kilometer road connecting Ghodepani via Chitre has been graveled. Gandaki Provincial government invested Rs 270 million to blacktop the 18-kilometer road linking Pokharebagar to Chitre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A hotel to accommodate 40 people has been brought into operation at Khopara under a new concept of taking tourism benefit to community for the first time in Nepal. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14179', 'image' => '20211207030300_468356_589584351065292_436622630_o.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 15:02:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14433', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Panels to vie for NADA’s new Leadership', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. The election for the new executive committee and 45<sup><span style="font-size:7.0pt">th</span></sup> General Assembly of NADA is going to be held on December 8 and 9. They are now preparing for the election by forming their own panels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA's presidential candidate Karan Chaudhary is the official dealer of Suzuki cars in Nepal and the executive director of CG MotoCorp, the automotive division under CG Holdings. Likewise another contender Dhruba Thapa is the official dealer of Force Motors in Nepal and the president of the Himalayan Organization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary, who represents a big business house, has support of big businessmen while small businessmen are in support of Thapa. At present, both the groups are in the race to win the election.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both Chaudhary and Thapa say they are ready for consensus. Both of them are holding discussions for consensus along with election publicity. Current president Krishna Prasad Dulal was elected unanimously.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary is also an auto dealer with his own network. The Suzuki brand is in a position to help him in the election. Many officials of NADA are also seen supporting Chaudhary. NADA Secretary Anup Baral, General Secretary Sunil Rijal, Surendra Upreti, Prakash Kapuri and others have already announced to contest election from Chaudhary's panel. He also has the support of CEO of Sipradi Trading Company Rajan Babu Shrestha, Yamaha, Hero, and IME Motors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Dhruba Thapa has support from small and big businessmen alike. Thapa is backed by Nirakar Shrestha, Hyundai's official dealer and director of Laxmi Group. NADA vice-president Aakash Golchha is also on his panel. He is also the official dealer of Ford Motors for Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, BN Pathak, president of Nepal Recondition Association, Dipendra Mishra of Satyadeep International and Rajan Poudel of Poudel Enterprises have also been included in Thapa's panel. Thapa also has the support of auto dealers in Pokhara. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA has 3,365 members. Election will be held for 20 posts of the Central Working Committee. According to the amended statute of NADA 2077, the chairpersons of eight associated bodies will automatically be represented in the central working committee. Similarly, the first meeting of the elected committee will select the four vice-presidents, general secretary, secretary, treasurer and vice-treasurer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14178', 'image' => '20211207020212_540X360resize_krishna-prasad-dulal-the-new-president-of-nada0.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 14:01:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14432', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Hearings Committee Endorses Ambassadors for 3 Countries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK. A meeting of the hearings committee held on December 6, unanimously approved the names of the proposed ambassadors to these three countries. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Sharma, Shridhar Khatri and Gyan Chandra Acharya have been appointed as ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK respectively. According to Laxman Lal Karna, chairperson of the committee, the proposed ambassadors were summoned to the committee meeting for hearings before approving of their appointment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the hearings, the proposed Ambassador to India, Sharma said that a relationship of trust should be built between Nepal and India. He stressed on the need to build a cordial relationship between the two countries for mutual, financial, social and political reforms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Responding to questions asked by the lawmakers during the hearing, Sharma said, "A level of trust is needed for the development of economic, social and political sectors of the two countries. If the relationship of trust is established, a lot of things can be achieved easily."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma said that he would use the opportunities available in India for the prosperity of Nepal. Similarly, Shridahar Khatri, the proposed Nepali Ambassador to the United States, said that linking the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact with the Indo-Pacific Strategy was somewhat wrong. He also said mistakes on part of both the countries helped to connect the MCC with the Indo-Pacific Strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/MCC.jpg" style="height:225px; width:400px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri said MCC was a grant for development and that the United States has clarified the issues raised in the agreement. Stating that the MCC agreement has been embroiled in disputes between the political parties and within the country, he said, "We need to be clear about whether to accept it or not."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Chandra Acharya, the proposed Ambassador to the UK, said during the hearing that he would work towards strengthening the relationship between the two countries if he was to be appointed the ambassador. He also said that he would lobby for the rights of Gukha soldiers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee meeting endorsed the names of the nominated ambassadors and also directed the government to make the ambassador's recommendation inclusive.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14177', 'image' => '20211207123800_file-20180611-191965-137dlfq (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 12:37:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14431', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government on High Alert after Omicron Variant Detected in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal. The new variant, which the WHO has labeled as 'of concern' has been found in two persons in Nepal 12 days after it was first reported in South Africa on November 24. <br /> Joint-spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Samir Adhikari confirmed that the new variant was found in samples taken from two suspected persons. The tests were conducted on Sunday at the National Public Health Laboratory. <br /> He said that the new variant was confirmed in a 66-year-old foreign national and a 71-year-old Nepali who had come in contact with the foreigner. They had arrived in Nepal from South Africa via Tribhuvan International Airport. <br /> The Omicron variant was confirmed through gene sequencing test in the laboratory. <br /> Initially, the PCR test carried out on the foreigner showed negative result when he first came to Nepal. It was found that he had also taken full dose of vaccine against COVID-19. Tests were conducted again when they showed symptoms resembling COVID-19. <br /> Joint-spokesperson Adhikari said both of them are kept in isolation as per the standard set by the government and are recuperating at present. They are not showing any symptom now and are under the supervision of the health workers. <br /> Meanwhile, PCR tests carried on 66 persons who were included in 'contact tracing' of the two infected ones showed negative report. <br /> Dr Adhikari said that surveillance and contact tracing would be made more effective after the variant was reported in the country. <br /> As part of the government's efforts to curb the virus, it requires negative PCR reports and COVID-19 vaccination certificate for passengers to enter the country through the Tribhuvan International Airport and various transit points with neighbouring India and China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In a bid to curb the spread of the variant, a cabinet meeting on November 29 had decided not to grant entry to Nepal for people coming from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Hong Kong where the virus variant has been reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Research about the scientific fact regarding the transmission rate of Omicron virus and medical complications due to infection is underway. There are many variants of Omicron and some of them are of concern. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The ministry has requested all to follow health protocols (appropriate use of mask, maintain social distancing, washing hands) and to participate in vaccination campaign to remain safe from Omicron variant as like other variants of COVID-19. <br /> According to the ministry, Omicron variant has already spread in 35 countries of the world. A total of 574 people have been infected with Omicron virus in these countries so far. <br /> Preliminary assessment by the World Health Organisation has mentioned that South East Asia is at high risk of Omicron. Omicron has already been confirmed in some of the countries of South Asia. Omicron was confirmed in India on Friday. <br /> The first coronavirus infection case was detected in Nepal on January 23, 2020. It was found in a person who had come to Nepal from Wuhan of China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14176', 'image' => '20211207110103_bb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 11:00:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14445', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Commits to Reduce Tax Contribution of Auto Industry', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Inaugurating the 45th Annual General Meeting of NADA on Wednesday, he pledged to reduce the direct taxes imposed on automobiles below 25 percent but to increase the overall contribution to 50 percent by imposing indirect taxes. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Sharma said that emphasis should be laid on vehicle production in Nepal rather than importing them. "I am less literate on economics, but I have heard people who do not know economics run the finance ministry. However, I know the way to make this country self-reliant," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the people will not get benefits without the country becoming prosperous and self-reliant, he said that no changes will occur without moving the business sector forward. "Imports cannot be banned, not even by the means of various laws, but imports can be reduced by making domestic production more competitive," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the government will provide subsidies on electricity and also allocate land if investors are willing to set up industries to produce vehicles within the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government will address the issue of instable policy, Minister Sharma said that the focus will now be on building electric charging stations. "All petrol pumps have to be converted into electric charging stations,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged the government to update the traditional policies on time for the rapid economic development of the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not just about the automobile sector. It is in the interest of all parties to change the old policies by discussing with the stakeholders and incorporating the suggestions of the private sector as a whole,” he said, adding that the state should move ahead. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He thanked the government for providing additional facilities to the assembling plants and said, "Batteries used in electric vehicles can be produced in Nepal. Such industries should be encouraged."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA Vice President Karan Chaudhary urged the government to help the auto dealers. Chaudhary said that although the establishment of the auto industry was encouraging, the state is not able to put in all the efforts immediately. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NADA general assembly will elect a new executive committee. A still competition is expected between the panels led by Karan Chaudhary and Dhruva Thapa as there is no consensus for a new leadership.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14190', 'image' => '20211209122607_20150914010543_travel-map.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 12:25:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14444', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Senior Citizens to get Booster Dose', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry, on the basis of the recommendation made by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, is going to provide booster dose to the senior citizens above 60 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, shared that senior citizens above 60 years including those already vaccinated with full-dose of vero cell, will start getting the booster dose in the first phase. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">At a regular press brief organised at the ministry on Wednesday, he said that the WHO has recommended administering booster dose to those citizens who have already received full-dose of vero cell vaccine and are above 60 years. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14189', 'image' => '20211209082127_20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:20:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14443', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Postal Tickets with Rastrakavi’s Image Unveiled', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. ', 'content' => '<p> <em> Photo: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, unveiled the new tickets in honour of the late poet on Wednesday, December 8. On the occasion Minister Karki said that poet Ghimire took Nepal’s national glory to a new height. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Born in Lamjung on September 23, 1919, poet Ghimire had died at the age of 101 on August 18, 2020. Ghimire is known as the poet representing the trend of romanticism. Ghimire was conferred the title of ‘Rastrakavi’ 18 years ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He was born during the Rana regime, when people were banned from writing poems. It was during those days that he wrote some revolutionary and inspirational poems like Nava Yubak, a youth who has the power to change the society.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He once said in an interview that it is quite strange that the Rana regime had banned them from writing in a free manner but interestingly great poets were born during that very period. He was inspired by the poems of LekhnathPoudel and was very fond of the poems written by Kalidas and RabindraNath Tagore.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Wednesday's programme, Minister Karki urged everyone to contribute from their sides to realize the dream of the late poet, and the visions in his poems. “Rastrakavi was loved by all. He was an inspiring figure to all. He is eternal indeed,” Minister Karki reminded, adding that postal stamp is therefore commemorative to the national luminary. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14188', 'image' => '20211209081714_RS_KTM_ministerkarki-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:15:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14442', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Three Taskforces formed to Address Issues of Employment Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been formed under the leadership of joint secretaries Badri Nath Adhikari, Ram Chandra Dhakal and Shesh Narayan Poudel. The objectives include making labour administration efficient, creating employment opportunities within the country, producing skilled workforce and addressing the challenges in the foreign employment sector, said the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been tasked with providing advices for running skill development trainings through an integrated structure, managing foreign employment and making policy level reforms and labour diplomacy effective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforce will submit separate reports to the ministry with necessary recommendations within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Joint secretary Adhikari leads a six-member taskforce comprising representatives from various ministries and the National Planning Commission. It deals with the creation of job opportunities and vocational and skill-enhancement training. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, another six-member taskforce led by joint secretary Dhakal will look after the organisational situation of the ministry and its sub ordinate bodies. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also, another seven-member taskforce led by joint secretary Poudel will deal with foreign employment management and its overall work system. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14187', 'image' => '20211208073207_20211005120055_20201125033543_20200315123851_1111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 19:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14441', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Huaxin Cement to begin Test Production in 3 Weeks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks. The industry has stated that necessary preparations are being made to this end.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are in the process of finalizing the test production. Necessary equipment have been connected, and only some basic works remain. They will be completed in a few days,” said Dilliraj Pokharel, deputy general manager of Huaxin Cement Industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Electricity has been made available to the industry since Monday. The cement factory will start operation with the joint investment of Nepalese and Chinese businessmen. The industry has received electricity from the Marshyangdi-Kathmandu 132 KV transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry has invested Rs 1 billion for the construction of the transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cement industry will get a total of 20 MW of electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is requesting industries to demand additional electricity as per their capacity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising said that they are making efforts to ensure that the industries consume more electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Monday, the Benighat Rorang Municipality had requested the locals not to go around the tower saying that the transmission line was about to come into operation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry under construction in Taldi of Benighat Rorang rural municipality has constructed a switching station for transmission of electricity within a year. About 14 kilometers of transmission line and 132 KV substation have been constructed from the switching station to the industrial complex. Switching stations and substations have been constructed with the technical assistance and supervision of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Ghising, the power supply in Dhading has improved after the construction of the switching station.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the operation of the switching station, it has become easy to provide electricity to other industries that are about to open in the Naubise area of Dhading Gorge. Dozens of new industries are opening in the highway area as the capital is close to Kathmandu.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA's infrastructure has also been prepared to provide electricity to these industries easily.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the supply of quality and reliable electricity in the highway area, the revenue of NEA is also expected to increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies has taken a policy to build a transmission line to the industrial complex, Huaxin has prepared the structure itself to expedite the work</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Covid pandemic, natural disasters, and other factors have increased the cost of the industry. While making the initial agreement with the Investment Board, the cement industry had estimated to pour in Rs 14.40 billion, but due to various reasons the cost has increased by an additional Rs 3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board had signed an agreement with Huaxin to produce quality cement in Nepal. Another cement industry with Chinese investment, Hongsi, has been producing cement regularly for the past three years. The industry has been receiving 30 MW of electricity for some time now. Cement will be available in the Nepali market at a cheaper price with the operation of these industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Pokharel, their main duty is to provide quality cement to the country which is moving ahead with the pace of economic development. The Huaxin Cement Industry will produce 3,000 metric tons of cement daily. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Maha Prasad Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, and Xu Gang, Vice-Chairman of Huaxin Cement, signed the agreement on 6 June 2018 in Beijing, China. Although the agreement says to set up the factory within six months, it has taken a long time due to various reasons.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board estimates that 350 people will get direct employment and 1,000 people will get indirect employment from the industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Nepal currently has a demand of about 3.5 million metric tons of cement. The production capacity of the cement industries established in Nepal has reached 5.5 million metric tons annually. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14186', 'image' => '20211208015835_fbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:57:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14440', 'article_category_id' => '257', 'title' => 'Nepal and IMF reach Understanding for a Loan of $400 Million', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is providing the loan to Nepal under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The government is preparing to resolve the current financial crisis faced by the banking institutions of the country through this credit facility.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An agreement has already been reached between officials of the Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank and the IMF to receive this credit facility. IMF said that the government officials of Nepal have repeatedly discussed this issue with the team including the head of the IMF's mission Robert Gregory and they are now in the final stage to release the loan amount.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF team, including Gregory, visited Nepal in October 20-29, November 17-18, and November 30-December 2. The team also met Finance Minister Janardan Sharma last week and discussed about the loan facility. The loan is yet to be approved by the IMF's executive board meeting. The IMF is providing the loan for a time period of thirty eight months. Generally, IMF provides the ECF when the balance of payments is in deficit due to declining foreign exchange reserves. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The loan will be utilized on various programs to uplift the economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, maintain macroeconomic and financial stability and reduce poverty. According to a statement released by IMF, the pandemic has had a major impact on Nepal's economy, adversely affecting people's health and livelihoods. Nepal experienced a slump in GDP in 2019/20, faced a devastating second wave of the pandemic in 2021, affecting the economic recovery.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF has made it clear that the loan should be used to increase revenue and public spending, financial sector regulation, supervision and financial transparency, as well as various anti-corruption efforts and administrative capacity building. Due to declining remittances, foreign investment and increasing trade deficit, Nepal's foreign exchange reserves have been declining recently. The government is preparing to bring ECF as the balance of payments came under pressure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the pandemic, foreign exchange reserves is continuously declining and has created a foreign exchange crisis. Nepal has been borrowing mainly from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The interest on such foreign loans has to be paid in dollars and not in Nepali currency. This also affects reserves, says economist Bishwambhar Pyakurel. “Internal debt can be repaid in Nepali currency. However, external debt has to be paid in dollars which is difficult to handle,” said Pyakurel.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14185', 'image' => '20211208014213_1638919369.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14439', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Unilever and Maiti Nepal Collaborate to Support Victims of Human Trafficking', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. The collaboration aims to enhance their social, economic and legal capacity by providing the victims, especially women, with adequate training.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The main aim of this collaboration is to provide opportunities to generate sustainable income for targeted women. Training programs for women will be conducted under the guidance of experts for running beauty parlors as well as for excavator operation and sales training. As per the agreement, arrangements have been made for the trainee women to stay at the Rehabilitation Center of Maiti Nepal during the training period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both organizations believe that women’s employment will improve their living standards along with their families and communities. The training program was inaugurated by Anuradha Koirala, the chairperson of Maiti Nepal and Amlan Mukherjee, the managing director of Unilever Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the society, more than what we have received from the society. We encourage women for a long term sustainable journey by providing them necessary skills for the future. It will contribute to building a socially inclusive world. We will continue to serve the community through similar initiatives in future as well,” said Mukherjee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14184', 'image' => '20211208013149_Unilever-Nepal-Maiti-Nepal-Asha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:31:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14438', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Budhigandaki Hydel Project ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing the Tripurasundari fair in Dhading, Minister Sharma vowed to initiate the Budhigandakri project. The Nwagi area of Tripurasundari in Dhading district is a catchment area of the project and would be inundated after the project development. The owners of the land plots there have received compensation for land acquisition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Sharma assured to allocate budget to blacktop the road from Tripurasundari to Salyankot. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seeking public support to carry out the development works, Minister Sharma pledged to complete the development of Mid-Hill Highway. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14183', 'image' => '20211208114508_hydro.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:44:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14437', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alleged Investor of 33 KG Gold Scam Released on Bail', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court Judge Bharat Lamsal of Morang on Tuesday issued an order to release Agrawal on a bail of Rs 200,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court official Tikendra Bir Jung Rana told New Business Age that Agrawal, who is also known as Kale, posted the bail amount and was released as per the judge’s order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investigations had revealed that Agrawal was the main investor involved in smuggling gold into Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport. The gold imported through the airport customs went missing and a carrier named Saman Shakya of Urlabari was killed by the smugglers’ group allegedly led by Chudamani Upreti. Eight people including Upreti have convicted of Shakya’s murder and sent to prison. He was deported to Nepal from the UAE with support from INTERPOL. Others accused in the scam have been released by the court. Cases were filed against a total of 77 people including high-ranking police officials in connection to this case. While convicting the eight people involved in the crime, the District Court Morang released 48 others. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14182', 'image' => '20211208113313_20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14436', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Working to Ensure Aviation Safety: Tourism Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Tourism Minister made such remark during a programme organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on the occasion of the International Civil Aviation Day-2021 on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am firm in my stand and goal. The cabinet meeting convening in six days would endorse the programme and budget for the aviation safety," said Minister Ale.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that the concerned agencies should be aware to control the prospects of risks for aviation related accidents, he urged the experts to provide recommendations so as to reform the aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, former director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Hari Bhakta Shrestha and vice-chairperson of Himalayan Airlines, Bijaya Shrestha, among others presented papers on how the flights could be made safe from accidents that occur due to wild animals and birds, especially in airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Tourism Secretary Maheshwor Neupane directed the subordinated bodies to present action plans on how the aviation sector could be made safe from wildlife and birds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The International Civil Aviation Day is observed to commemorate the first successful flight made by the American Wright Brothers on December 7 in 1903. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14181', 'image' => '20211208081616_20190213013056_pinterest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 08:15:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14435', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Booking of Tourists put on Hold amid Fears of Omicron Outbreak', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis. According to hoteliers, tourists have kept their booking on hold after the Omicron variant was detected in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In November 2021, more tourists visited Nepal than the previous month. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 26,135 tourists visited Nepal in November compared to 23,284 in October. As the number of tourists was gradually increasing, Omicron variant has once again created panic. Therefore, various countries have banned flights and travel, while Nepal has also banned people coming from nine countries from entering Nepal, including South Africa and Hong Kong.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yogendra Shakya, a tourism entrepreneur who is also the executive chairman of Ace Hotel and Resort, said that the overall occupancy of hotels on average is 30 percent in 2021. He said that the booking could freeze till January, February, and spring.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that India has stopped tourists from entering India from Lumbini, he said that there is a situation of ‘wait and see’ for some time now. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“While the surge of Covid-19 has started to grow, we had projected that we would have to wait until 2024 for the tourism to return to normalcy,” said Shakya. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that tourists are now waiting and watching the impact of Omicron. "Tourists are in a hold-on situation right now," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Tourism Board, on the other hand, has claimed that it will continue the work of tourism promotion and publicity. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board Dhananjay Regmi said that the current publicity will get continuity by adopting caution. "We were horrified at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, but it didn't create a catastrophe for this sector," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the board will organize tourist marts in all seven states and continue the promotion of Border City. He said that the board will work to increase the number of tourists now. With the identification of the new variant that appeared in the country, the board has resorted to the strategy of attracting tourists from India more than other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14180', 'image' => '20211207050643_1638833065.1 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 17:05:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14434', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ghodepani-Poonhill Trek Features New Tourism Infrastructure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. The Ghodepani-Poonhill route is one of the 100 new tourist destinations identified by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for infrastructure development. The local communities too are attracted to invest for the development of physical infrastructures along this renowned trekking route as the tourist arrival here is encouraging these days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Twenty-three solar lamps have been fixed along the route to illuminate it during the night time. A three-room concrete building has been built at Poonhil to provide a safe resting place for visitors during rain and snowfall. Moreover, an RCC building has been constructed for the Magar Museum at Ghodepani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The cleanliness of community and a courtesy to visitors have been the priorities of locals. A newly constructed trekking route of around two kilometers stretches from Poonnhil to Ghandruk via Mohare, Ghodepani, Chitre and Khiwang. It seems that investors of Ghodepani are competing to attract tourists through better accommodation facility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Ghodepani Hotel Management Committee, the hotels here had capacity to accommodate 500 people daily six year ago while the capacity of these hotels has now increased to accommodate 1,000 people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of Hotel Management Sub-Committee, Mina Pun, said that a four-kilometer road connecting Ghodepani via Chitre has been graveled. Gandaki Provincial government invested Rs 270 million to blacktop the 18-kilometer road linking Pokharebagar to Chitre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A hotel to accommodate 40 people has been brought into operation at Khopara under a new concept of taking tourism benefit to community for the first time in Nepal. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14179', 'image' => '20211207030300_468356_589584351065292_436622630_o.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 15:02:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14433', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Panels to vie for NADA’s new Leadership', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. The election for the new executive committee and 45<sup><span style="font-size:7.0pt">th</span></sup> General Assembly of NADA is going to be held on December 8 and 9. They are now preparing for the election by forming their own panels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA's presidential candidate Karan Chaudhary is the official dealer of Suzuki cars in Nepal and the executive director of CG MotoCorp, the automotive division under CG Holdings. Likewise another contender Dhruba Thapa is the official dealer of Force Motors in Nepal and the president of the Himalayan Organization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary, who represents a big business house, has support of big businessmen while small businessmen are in support of Thapa. At present, both the groups are in the race to win the election.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both Chaudhary and Thapa say they are ready for consensus. Both of them are holding discussions for consensus along with election publicity. Current president Krishna Prasad Dulal was elected unanimously.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary is also an auto dealer with his own network. The Suzuki brand is in a position to help him in the election. Many officials of NADA are also seen supporting Chaudhary. NADA Secretary Anup Baral, General Secretary Sunil Rijal, Surendra Upreti, Prakash Kapuri and others have already announced to contest election from Chaudhary's panel. He also has the support of CEO of Sipradi Trading Company Rajan Babu Shrestha, Yamaha, Hero, and IME Motors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Dhruba Thapa has support from small and big businessmen alike. Thapa is backed by Nirakar Shrestha, Hyundai's official dealer and director of Laxmi Group. NADA vice-president Aakash Golchha is also on his panel. He is also the official dealer of Ford Motors for Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, BN Pathak, president of Nepal Recondition Association, Dipendra Mishra of Satyadeep International and Rajan Poudel of Poudel Enterprises have also been included in Thapa's panel. Thapa also has the support of auto dealers in Pokhara. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA has 3,365 members. Election will be held for 20 posts of the Central Working Committee. According to the amended statute of NADA 2077, the chairpersons of eight associated bodies will automatically be represented in the central working committee. Similarly, the first meeting of the elected committee will select the four vice-presidents, general secretary, secretary, treasurer and vice-treasurer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14178', 'image' => '20211207020212_540X360resize_krishna-prasad-dulal-the-new-president-of-nada0.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 14:01:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14432', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Hearings Committee Endorses Ambassadors for 3 Countries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK. A meeting of the hearings committee held on December 6, unanimously approved the names of the proposed ambassadors to these three countries. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Sharma, Shridhar Khatri and Gyan Chandra Acharya have been appointed as ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK respectively. According to Laxman Lal Karna, chairperson of the committee, the proposed ambassadors were summoned to the committee meeting for hearings before approving of their appointment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the hearings, the proposed Ambassador to India, Sharma said that a relationship of trust should be built between Nepal and India. He stressed on the need to build a cordial relationship between the two countries for mutual, financial, social and political reforms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Responding to questions asked by the lawmakers during the hearing, Sharma said, "A level of trust is needed for the development of economic, social and political sectors of the two countries. If the relationship of trust is established, a lot of things can be achieved easily."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma said that he would use the opportunities available in India for the prosperity of Nepal. Similarly, Shridahar Khatri, the proposed Nepali Ambassador to the United States, said that linking the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact with the Indo-Pacific Strategy was somewhat wrong. He also said mistakes on part of both the countries helped to connect the MCC with the Indo-Pacific Strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/MCC.jpg" style="height:225px; width:400px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri said MCC was a grant for development and that the United States has clarified the issues raised in the agreement. Stating that the MCC agreement has been embroiled in disputes between the political parties and within the country, he said, "We need to be clear about whether to accept it or not."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Chandra Acharya, the proposed Ambassador to the UK, said during the hearing that he would work towards strengthening the relationship between the two countries if he was to be appointed the ambassador. He also said that he would lobby for the rights of Gukha soldiers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee meeting endorsed the names of the nominated ambassadors and also directed the government to make the ambassador's recommendation inclusive.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14177', 'image' => '20211207123800_file-20180611-191965-137dlfq (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 12:37:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14431', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government on High Alert after Omicron Variant Detected in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal. The new variant, which the WHO has labeled as 'of concern' has been found in two persons in Nepal 12 days after it was first reported in South Africa on November 24. <br /> Joint-spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Samir Adhikari confirmed that the new variant was found in samples taken from two suspected persons. The tests were conducted on Sunday at the National Public Health Laboratory. <br /> He said that the new variant was confirmed in a 66-year-old foreign national and a 71-year-old Nepali who had come in contact with the foreigner. They had arrived in Nepal from South Africa via Tribhuvan International Airport. <br /> The Omicron variant was confirmed through gene sequencing test in the laboratory. <br /> Initially, the PCR test carried out on the foreigner showed negative result when he first came to Nepal. It was found that he had also taken full dose of vaccine against COVID-19. Tests were conducted again when they showed symptoms resembling COVID-19. <br /> Joint-spokesperson Adhikari said both of them are kept in isolation as per the standard set by the government and are recuperating at present. They are not showing any symptom now and are under the supervision of the health workers. <br /> Meanwhile, PCR tests carried on 66 persons who were included in 'contact tracing' of the two infected ones showed negative report. <br /> Dr Adhikari said that surveillance and contact tracing would be made more effective after the variant was reported in the country. <br /> As part of the government's efforts to curb the virus, it requires negative PCR reports and COVID-19 vaccination certificate for passengers to enter the country through the Tribhuvan International Airport and various transit points with neighbouring India and China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In a bid to curb the spread of the variant, a cabinet meeting on November 29 had decided not to grant entry to Nepal for people coming from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Hong Kong where the virus variant has been reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Research about the scientific fact regarding the transmission rate of Omicron virus and medical complications due to infection is underway. There are many variants of Omicron and some of them are of concern. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The ministry has requested all to follow health protocols (appropriate use of mask, maintain social distancing, washing hands) and to participate in vaccination campaign to remain safe from Omicron variant as like other variants of COVID-19. <br /> According to the ministry, Omicron variant has already spread in 35 countries of the world. A total of 574 people have been infected with Omicron virus in these countries so far. <br /> Preliminary assessment by the World Health Organisation has mentioned that South East Asia is at high risk of Omicron. Omicron has already been confirmed in some of the countries of South Asia. Omicron was confirmed in India on Friday. <br /> The first coronavirus infection case was detected in Nepal on January 23, 2020. It was found in a person who had come to Nepal from Wuhan of China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14176', 'image' => '20211207110103_bb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 11:00:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14445', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Commits to Reduce Tax Contribution of Auto Industry', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Inaugurating the 45th Annual General Meeting of NADA on Wednesday, he pledged to reduce the direct taxes imposed on automobiles below 25 percent but to increase the overall contribution to 50 percent by imposing indirect taxes. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Sharma said that emphasis should be laid on vehicle production in Nepal rather than importing them. "I am less literate on economics, but I have heard people who do not know economics run the finance ministry. However, I know the way to make this country self-reliant," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the people will not get benefits without the country becoming prosperous and self-reliant, he said that no changes will occur without moving the business sector forward. "Imports cannot be banned, not even by the means of various laws, but imports can be reduced by making domestic production more competitive," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the government will provide subsidies on electricity and also allocate land if investors are willing to set up industries to produce vehicles within the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government will address the issue of instable policy, Minister Sharma said that the focus will now be on building electric charging stations. "All petrol pumps have to be converted into electric charging stations,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged the government to update the traditional policies on time for the rapid economic development of the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not just about the automobile sector. It is in the interest of all parties to change the old policies by discussing with the stakeholders and incorporating the suggestions of the private sector as a whole,” he said, adding that the state should move ahead. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He thanked the government for providing additional facilities to the assembling plants and said, "Batteries used in electric vehicles can be produced in Nepal. Such industries should be encouraged."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA Vice President Karan Chaudhary urged the government to help the auto dealers. Chaudhary said that although the establishment of the auto industry was encouraging, the state is not able to put in all the efforts immediately. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NADA general assembly will elect a new executive committee. A still competition is expected between the panels led by Karan Chaudhary and Dhruva Thapa as there is no consensus for a new leadership.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14190', 'image' => '20211209122607_20150914010543_travel-map.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 12:25:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14444', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Senior Citizens to get Booster Dose', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry, on the basis of the recommendation made by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, is going to provide booster dose to the senior citizens above 60 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, shared that senior citizens above 60 years including those already vaccinated with full-dose of vero cell, will start getting the booster dose in the first phase. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">At a regular press brief organised at the ministry on Wednesday, he said that the WHO has recommended administering booster dose to those citizens who have already received full-dose of vero cell vaccine and are above 60 years. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14189', 'image' => '20211209082127_20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:20:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14443', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Postal Tickets with Rastrakavi’s Image Unveiled', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. ', 'content' => '<p> <em> Photo: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, unveiled the new tickets in honour of the late poet on Wednesday, December 8. On the occasion Minister Karki said that poet Ghimire took Nepal’s national glory to a new height. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Born in Lamjung on September 23, 1919, poet Ghimire had died at the age of 101 on August 18, 2020. Ghimire is known as the poet representing the trend of romanticism. Ghimire was conferred the title of ‘Rastrakavi’ 18 years ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He was born during the Rana regime, when people were banned from writing poems. It was during those days that he wrote some revolutionary and inspirational poems like Nava Yubak, a youth who has the power to change the society.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He once said in an interview that it is quite strange that the Rana regime had banned them from writing in a free manner but interestingly great poets were born during that very period. He was inspired by the poems of LekhnathPoudel and was very fond of the poems written by Kalidas and RabindraNath Tagore.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Wednesday's programme, Minister Karki urged everyone to contribute from their sides to realize the dream of the late poet, and the visions in his poems. “Rastrakavi was loved by all. He was an inspiring figure to all. He is eternal indeed,” Minister Karki reminded, adding that postal stamp is therefore commemorative to the national luminary. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14188', 'image' => '20211209081714_RS_KTM_ministerkarki-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:15:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14442', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Three Taskforces formed to Address Issues of Employment Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been formed under the leadership of joint secretaries Badri Nath Adhikari, Ram Chandra Dhakal and Shesh Narayan Poudel. The objectives include making labour administration efficient, creating employment opportunities within the country, producing skilled workforce and addressing the challenges in the foreign employment sector, said the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been tasked with providing advices for running skill development trainings through an integrated structure, managing foreign employment and making policy level reforms and labour diplomacy effective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforce will submit separate reports to the ministry with necessary recommendations within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Joint secretary Adhikari leads a six-member taskforce comprising representatives from various ministries and the National Planning Commission. It deals with the creation of job opportunities and vocational and skill-enhancement training. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, another six-member taskforce led by joint secretary Dhakal will look after the organisational situation of the ministry and its sub ordinate bodies. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also, another seven-member taskforce led by joint secretary Poudel will deal with foreign employment management and its overall work system. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14187', 'image' => '20211208073207_20211005120055_20201125033543_20200315123851_1111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 19:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14441', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Huaxin Cement to begin Test Production in 3 Weeks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks. The industry has stated that necessary preparations are being made to this end.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are in the process of finalizing the test production. Necessary equipment have been connected, and only some basic works remain. They will be completed in a few days,” said Dilliraj Pokharel, deputy general manager of Huaxin Cement Industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Electricity has been made available to the industry since Monday. The cement factory will start operation with the joint investment of Nepalese and Chinese businessmen. The industry has received electricity from the Marshyangdi-Kathmandu 132 KV transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry has invested Rs 1 billion for the construction of the transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cement industry will get a total of 20 MW of electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is requesting industries to demand additional electricity as per their capacity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising said that they are making efforts to ensure that the industries consume more electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Monday, the Benighat Rorang Municipality had requested the locals not to go around the tower saying that the transmission line was about to come into operation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry under construction in Taldi of Benighat Rorang rural municipality has constructed a switching station for transmission of electricity within a year. About 14 kilometers of transmission line and 132 KV substation have been constructed from the switching station to the industrial complex. Switching stations and substations have been constructed with the technical assistance and supervision of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Ghising, the power supply in Dhading has improved after the construction of the switching station.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the operation of the switching station, it has become easy to provide electricity to other industries that are about to open in the Naubise area of Dhading Gorge. Dozens of new industries are opening in the highway area as the capital is close to Kathmandu.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA's infrastructure has also been prepared to provide electricity to these industries easily.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the supply of quality and reliable electricity in the highway area, the revenue of NEA is also expected to increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies has taken a policy to build a transmission line to the industrial complex, Huaxin has prepared the structure itself to expedite the work</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Covid pandemic, natural disasters, and other factors have increased the cost of the industry. While making the initial agreement with the Investment Board, the cement industry had estimated to pour in Rs 14.40 billion, but due to various reasons the cost has increased by an additional Rs 3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board had signed an agreement with Huaxin to produce quality cement in Nepal. Another cement industry with Chinese investment, Hongsi, has been producing cement regularly for the past three years. The industry has been receiving 30 MW of electricity for some time now. Cement will be available in the Nepali market at a cheaper price with the operation of these industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Pokharel, their main duty is to provide quality cement to the country which is moving ahead with the pace of economic development. The Huaxin Cement Industry will produce 3,000 metric tons of cement daily. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Maha Prasad Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, and Xu Gang, Vice-Chairman of Huaxin Cement, signed the agreement on 6 June 2018 in Beijing, China. Although the agreement says to set up the factory within six months, it has taken a long time due to various reasons.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board estimates that 350 people will get direct employment and 1,000 people will get indirect employment from the industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Nepal currently has a demand of about 3.5 million metric tons of cement. The production capacity of the cement industries established in Nepal has reached 5.5 million metric tons annually. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14186', 'image' => '20211208015835_fbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:57:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14440', 'article_category_id' => '257', 'title' => 'Nepal and IMF reach Understanding for a Loan of $400 Million', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is providing the loan to Nepal under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The government is preparing to resolve the current financial crisis faced by the banking institutions of the country through this credit facility.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An agreement has already been reached between officials of the Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank and the IMF to receive this credit facility. IMF said that the government officials of Nepal have repeatedly discussed this issue with the team including the head of the IMF's mission Robert Gregory and they are now in the final stage to release the loan amount.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF team, including Gregory, visited Nepal in October 20-29, November 17-18, and November 30-December 2. The team also met Finance Minister Janardan Sharma last week and discussed about the loan facility. The loan is yet to be approved by the IMF's executive board meeting. The IMF is providing the loan for a time period of thirty eight months. Generally, IMF provides the ECF when the balance of payments is in deficit due to declining foreign exchange reserves. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The loan will be utilized on various programs to uplift the economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, maintain macroeconomic and financial stability and reduce poverty. According to a statement released by IMF, the pandemic has had a major impact on Nepal's economy, adversely affecting people's health and livelihoods. Nepal experienced a slump in GDP in 2019/20, faced a devastating second wave of the pandemic in 2021, affecting the economic recovery.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF has made it clear that the loan should be used to increase revenue and public spending, financial sector regulation, supervision and financial transparency, as well as various anti-corruption efforts and administrative capacity building. Due to declining remittances, foreign investment and increasing trade deficit, Nepal's foreign exchange reserves have been declining recently. The government is preparing to bring ECF as the balance of payments came under pressure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the pandemic, foreign exchange reserves is continuously declining and has created a foreign exchange crisis. Nepal has been borrowing mainly from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The interest on such foreign loans has to be paid in dollars and not in Nepali currency. This also affects reserves, says economist Bishwambhar Pyakurel. “Internal debt can be repaid in Nepali currency. However, external debt has to be paid in dollars which is difficult to handle,” said Pyakurel.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14185', 'image' => '20211208014213_1638919369.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14439', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Unilever and Maiti Nepal Collaborate to Support Victims of Human Trafficking', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. The collaboration aims to enhance their social, economic and legal capacity by providing the victims, especially women, with adequate training.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The main aim of this collaboration is to provide opportunities to generate sustainable income for targeted women. Training programs for women will be conducted under the guidance of experts for running beauty parlors as well as for excavator operation and sales training. As per the agreement, arrangements have been made for the trainee women to stay at the Rehabilitation Center of Maiti Nepal during the training period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both organizations believe that women’s employment will improve their living standards along with their families and communities. The training program was inaugurated by Anuradha Koirala, the chairperson of Maiti Nepal and Amlan Mukherjee, the managing director of Unilever Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the society, more than what we have received from the society. We encourage women for a long term sustainable journey by providing them necessary skills for the future. It will contribute to building a socially inclusive world. We will continue to serve the community through similar initiatives in future as well,” said Mukherjee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14184', 'image' => '20211208013149_Unilever-Nepal-Maiti-Nepal-Asha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:31:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14438', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Budhigandaki Hydel Project ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing the Tripurasundari fair in Dhading, Minister Sharma vowed to initiate the Budhigandakri project. The Nwagi area of Tripurasundari in Dhading district is a catchment area of the project and would be inundated after the project development. The owners of the land plots there have received compensation for land acquisition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Sharma assured to allocate budget to blacktop the road from Tripurasundari to Salyankot. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seeking public support to carry out the development works, Minister Sharma pledged to complete the development of Mid-Hill Highway. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14183', 'image' => '20211208114508_hydro.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:44:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14437', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alleged Investor of 33 KG Gold Scam Released on Bail', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court Judge Bharat Lamsal of Morang on Tuesday issued an order to release Agrawal on a bail of Rs 200,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court official Tikendra Bir Jung Rana told New Business Age that Agrawal, who is also known as Kale, posted the bail amount and was released as per the judge’s order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investigations had revealed that Agrawal was the main investor involved in smuggling gold into Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport. The gold imported through the airport customs went missing and a carrier named Saman Shakya of Urlabari was killed by the smugglers’ group allegedly led by Chudamani Upreti. Eight people including Upreti have convicted of Shakya’s murder and sent to prison. He was deported to Nepal from the UAE with support from INTERPOL. Others accused in the scam have been released by the court. Cases were filed against a total of 77 people including high-ranking police officials in connection to this case. While convicting the eight people involved in the crime, the District Court Morang released 48 others. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14182', 'image' => '20211208113313_20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14436', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Working to Ensure Aviation Safety: Tourism Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Tourism Minister made such remark during a programme organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on the occasion of the International Civil Aviation Day-2021 on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am firm in my stand and goal. The cabinet meeting convening in six days would endorse the programme and budget for the aviation safety," said Minister Ale.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that the concerned agencies should be aware to control the prospects of risks for aviation related accidents, he urged the experts to provide recommendations so as to reform the aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, former director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Hari Bhakta Shrestha and vice-chairperson of Himalayan Airlines, Bijaya Shrestha, among others presented papers on how the flights could be made safe from accidents that occur due to wild animals and birds, especially in airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Tourism Secretary Maheshwor Neupane directed the subordinated bodies to present action plans on how the aviation sector could be made safe from wildlife and birds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The International Civil Aviation Day is observed to commemorate the first successful flight made by the American Wright Brothers on December 7 in 1903. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14181', 'image' => '20211208081616_20190213013056_pinterest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 08:15:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14435', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Booking of Tourists put on Hold amid Fears of Omicron Outbreak', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis. According to hoteliers, tourists have kept their booking on hold after the Omicron variant was detected in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In November 2021, more tourists visited Nepal than the previous month. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 26,135 tourists visited Nepal in November compared to 23,284 in October. As the number of tourists was gradually increasing, Omicron variant has once again created panic. Therefore, various countries have banned flights and travel, while Nepal has also banned people coming from nine countries from entering Nepal, including South Africa and Hong Kong.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yogendra Shakya, a tourism entrepreneur who is also the executive chairman of Ace Hotel and Resort, said that the overall occupancy of hotels on average is 30 percent in 2021. He said that the booking could freeze till January, February, and spring.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that India has stopped tourists from entering India from Lumbini, he said that there is a situation of ‘wait and see’ for some time now. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“While the surge of Covid-19 has started to grow, we had projected that we would have to wait until 2024 for the tourism to return to normalcy,” said Shakya. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that tourists are now waiting and watching the impact of Omicron. "Tourists are in a hold-on situation right now," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Tourism Board, on the other hand, has claimed that it will continue the work of tourism promotion and publicity. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board Dhananjay Regmi said that the current publicity will get continuity by adopting caution. "We were horrified at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, but it didn't create a catastrophe for this sector," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the board will organize tourist marts in all seven states and continue the promotion of Border City. He said that the board will work to increase the number of tourists now. With the identification of the new variant that appeared in the country, the board has resorted to the strategy of attracting tourists from India more than other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14180', 'image' => '20211207050643_1638833065.1 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 17:05:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14434', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ghodepani-Poonhill Trek Features New Tourism Infrastructure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. The Ghodepani-Poonhill route is one of the 100 new tourist destinations identified by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for infrastructure development. The local communities too are attracted to invest for the development of physical infrastructures along this renowned trekking route as the tourist arrival here is encouraging these days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Twenty-three solar lamps have been fixed along the route to illuminate it during the night time. A three-room concrete building has been built at Poonhil to provide a safe resting place for visitors during rain and snowfall. Moreover, an RCC building has been constructed for the Magar Museum at Ghodepani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The cleanliness of community and a courtesy to visitors have been the priorities of locals. A newly constructed trekking route of around two kilometers stretches from Poonnhil to Ghandruk via Mohare, Ghodepani, Chitre and Khiwang. It seems that investors of Ghodepani are competing to attract tourists through better accommodation facility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Ghodepani Hotel Management Committee, the hotels here had capacity to accommodate 500 people daily six year ago while the capacity of these hotels has now increased to accommodate 1,000 people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of Hotel Management Sub-Committee, Mina Pun, said that a four-kilometer road connecting Ghodepani via Chitre has been graveled. Gandaki Provincial government invested Rs 270 million to blacktop the 18-kilometer road linking Pokharebagar to Chitre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A hotel to accommodate 40 people has been brought into operation at Khopara under a new concept of taking tourism benefit to community for the first time in Nepal. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14179', 'image' => '20211207030300_468356_589584351065292_436622630_o.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 15:02:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14433', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Panels to vie for NADA’s new Leadership', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. The election for the new executive committee and 45<sup><span style="font-size:7.0pt">th</span></sup> General Assembly of NADA is going to be held on December 8 and 9. They are now preparing for the election by forming their own panels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA's presidential candidate Karan Chaudhary is the official dealer of Suzuki cars in Nepal and the executive director of CG MotoCorp, the automotive division under CG Holdings. Likewise another contender Dhruba Thapa is the official dealer of Force Motors in Nepal and the president of the Himalayan Organization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary, who represents a big business house, has support of big businessmen while small businessmen are in support of Thapa. At present, both the groups are in the race to win the election.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both Chaudhary and Thapa say they are ready for consensus. Both of them are holding discussions for consensus along with election publicity. Current president Krishna Prasad Dulal was elected unanimously.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary is also an auto dealer with his own network. The Suzuki brand is in a position to help him in the election. Many officials of NADA are also seen supporting Chaudhary. NADA Secretary Anup Baral, General Secretary Sunil Rijal, Surendra Upreti, Prakash Kapuri and others have already announced to contest election from Chaudhary's panel. He also has the support of CEO of Sipradi Trading Company Rajan Babu Shrestha, Yamaha, Hero, and IME Motors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Dhruba Thapa has support from small and big businessmen alike. Thapa is backed by Nirakar Shrestha, Hyundai's official dealer and director of Laxmi Group. NADA vice-president Aakash Golchha is also on his panel. He is also the official dealer of Ford Motors for Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, BN Pathak, president of Nepal Recondition Association, Dipendra Mishra of Satyadeep International and Rajan Poudel of Poudel Enterprises have also been included in Thapa's panel. Thapa also has the support of auto dealers in Pokhara. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA has 3,365 members. Election will be held for 20 posts of the Central Working Committee. According to the amended statute of NADA 2077, the chairpersons of eight associated bodies will automatically be represented in the central working committee. Similarly, the first meeting of the elected committee will select the four vice-presidents, general secretary, secretary, treasurer and vice-treasurer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14178', 'image' => '20211207020212_540X360resize_krishna-prasad-dulal-the-new-president-of-nada0.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 14:01:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14432', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Hearings Committee Endorses Ambassadors for 3 Countries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK. A meeting of the hearings committee held on December 6, unanimously approved the names of the proposed ambassadors to these three countries. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Sharma, Shridhar Khatri and Gyan Chandra Acharya have been appointed as ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK respectively. According to Laxman Lal Karna, chairperson of the committee, the proposed ambassadors were summoned to the committee meeting for hearings before approving of their appointment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the hearings, the proposed Ambassador to India, Sharma said that a relationship of trust should be built between Nepal and India. He stressed on the need to build a cordial relationship between the two countries for mutual, financial, social and political reforms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Responding to questions asked by the lawmakers during the hearing, Sharma said, "A level of trust is needed for the development of economic, social and political sectors of the two countries. If the relationship of trust is established, a lot of things can be achieved easily."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma said that he would use the opportunities available in India for the prosperity of Nepal. Similarly, Shridahar Khatri, the proposed Nepali Ambassador to the United States, said that linking the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact with the Indo-Pacific Strategy was somewhat wrong. He also said mistakes on part of both the countries helped to connect the MCC with the Indo-Pacific Strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/MCC.jpg" style="height:225px; width:400px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri said MCC was a grant for development and that the United States has clarified the issues raised in the agreement. Stating that the MCC agreement has been embroiled in disputes between the political parties and within the country, he said, "We need to be clear about whether to accept it or not."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Chandra Acharya, the proposed Ambassador to the UK, said during the hearing that he would work towards strengthening the relationship between the two countries if he was to be appointed the ambassador. He also said that he would lobby for the rights of Gukha soldiers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee meeting endorsed the names of the nominated ambassadors and also directed the government to make the ambassador's recommendation inclusive.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14177', 'image' => '20211207123800_file-20180611-191965-137dlfq (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 12:37:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14431', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government on High Alert after Omicron Variant Detected in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal. The new variant, which the WHO has labeled as 'of concern' has been found in two persons in Nepal 12 days after it was first reported in South Africa on November 24. <br /> Joint-spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Samir Adhikari confirmed that the new variant was found in samples taken from two suspected persons. The tests were conducted on Sunday at the National Public Health Laboratory. <br /> He said that the new variant was confirmed in a 66-year-old foreign national and a 71-year-old Nepali who had come in contact with the foreigner. They had arrived in Nepal from South Africa via Tribhuvan International Airport. <br /> The Omicron variant was confirmed through gene sequencing test in the laboratory. <br /> Initially, the PCR test carried out on the foreigner showed negative result when he first came to Nepal. It was found that he had also taken full dose of vaccine against COVID-19. Tests were conducted again when they showed symptoms resembling COVID-19. <br /> Joint-spokesperson Adhikari said both of them are kept in isolation as per the standard set by the government and are recuperating at present. They are not showing any symptom now and are under the supervision of the health workers. <br /> Meanwhile, PCR tests carried on 66 persons who were included in 'contact tracing' of the two infected ones showed negative report. <br /> Dr Adhikari said that surveillance and contact tracing would be made more effective after the variant was reported in the country. <br /> As part of the government's efforts to curb the virus, it requires negative PCR reports and COVID-19 vaccination certificate for passengers to enter the country through the Tribhuvan International Airport and various transit points with neighbouring India and China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In a bid to curb the spread of the variant, a cabinet meeting on November 29 had decided not to grant entry to Nepal for people coming from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Hong Kong where the virus variant has been reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Research about the scientific fact regarding the transmission rate of Omicron virus and medical complications due to infection is underway. There are many variants of Omicron and some of them are of concern. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The ministry has requested all to follow health protocols (appropriate use of mask, maintain social distancing, washing hands) and to participate in vaccination campaign to remain safe from Omicron variant as like other variants of COVID-19. <br /> According to the ministry, Omicron variant has already spread in 35 countries of the world. A total of 574 people have been infected with Omicron virus in these countries so far. <br /> Preliminary assessment by the World Health Organisation has mentioned that South East Asia is at high risk of Omicron. Omicron has already been confirmed in some of the countries of South Asia. Omicron was confirmed in India on Friday. <br /> The first coronavirus infection case was detected in Nepal on January 23, 2020. It was found in a person who had come to Nepal from Wuhan of China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14176', 'image' => '20211207110103_bb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 11:00:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14445', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Commits to Reduce Tax Contribution of Auto Industry', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 9: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the contribution of the automobile sector in revenue should be reduced below 25 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Inaugurating the 45th Annual General Meeting of NADA on Wednesday, he pledged to reduce the direct taxes imposed on automobiles below 25 percent but to increase the overall contribution to 50 percent by imposing indirect taxes. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Sharma said that emphasis should be laid on vehicle production in Nepal rather than importing them. "I am less literate on economics, but I have heard people who do not know economics run the finance ministry. However, I know the way to make this country self-reliant," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the people will not get benefits without the country becoming prosperous and self-reliant, he said that no changes will occur without moving the business sector forward. "Imports cannot be banned, not even by the means of various laws, but imports can be reduced by making domestic production more competitive," he said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the government will provide subsidies on electricity and also allocate land if investors are willing to set up industries to produce vehicles within the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government will address the issue of instable policy, Minister Sharma said that the focus will now be on building electric charging stations. "All petrol pumps have to be converted into electric charging stations,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged the government to update the traditional policies on time for the rapid economic development of the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"It's not just about the automobile sector. It is in the interest of all parties to change the old policies by discussing with the stakeholders and incorporating the suggestions of the private sector as a whole,” he said, adding that the state should move ahead. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He thanked the government for providing additional facilities to the assembling plants and said, "Batteries used in electric vehicles can be produced in Nepal. Such industries should be encouraged."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA Vice President Karan Chaudhary urged the government to help the auto dealers. Chaudhary said that although the establishment of the auto industry was encouraging, the state is not able to put in all the efforts immediately. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NADA general assembly will elect a new executive committee. A still competition is expected between the panels led by Karan Chaudhary and Dhruva Thapa as there is no consensus for a new leadership.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14190', 'image' => '20211209122607_20150914010543_travel-map.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 12:25:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14444', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Senior Citizens to get Booster Dose', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 9: The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to administer booster dose of vaccine against coronavirus to senior citizens, who have already been received the full-dose of vaccine. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry, on the basis of the recommendation made by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, is going to provide booster dose to the senior citizens above 60 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, shared that senior citizens above 60 years including those already vaccinated with full-dose of vero cell, will start getting the booster dose in the first phase. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">At a regular press brief organised at the ministry on Wednesday, he said that the WHO has recommended administering booster dose to those citizens who have already received full-dose of vero cell vaccine and are above 60 years. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14189', 'image' => '20211209082127_20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:20:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14443', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Postal Tickets with Rastrakavi’s Image Unveiled', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. ', 'content' => '<p> <em> Photo: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Postal tickets bearing the image of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire have been published in recognition to his contribution to Nepali literature. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, unveiled the new tickets in honour of the late poet on Wednesday, December 8. On the occasion Minister Karki said that poet Ghimire took Nepal’s national glory to a new height. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Born in Lamjung on September 23, 1919, poet Ghimire had died at the age of 101 on August 18, 2020. Ghimire is known as the poet representing the trend of romanticism. Ghimire was conferred the title of ‘Rastrakavi’ 18 years ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He was born during the Rana regime, when people were banned from writing poems. It was during those days that he wrote some revolutionary and inspirational poems like Nava Yubak, a youth who has the power to change the society.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He once said in an interview that it is quite strange that the Rana regime had banned them from writing in a free manner but interestingly great poets were born during that very period. He was inspired by the poems of LekhnathPoudel and was very fond of the poems written by Kalidas and RabindraNath Tagore.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Wednesday's programme, Minister Karki urged everyone to contribute from their sides to realize the dream of the late poet, and the visions in his poems. “Rastrakavi was loved by all. He was an inspiring figure to all. He is eternal indeed,” Minister Karki reminded, adding that postal stamp is therefore commemorative to the national luminary. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-09', 'modified' => '2021-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14188', 'image' => '20211209081714_RS_KTM_ministerkarki-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-09 08:15:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14442', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Three Taskforces formed to Address Issues of Employment Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formed three separate taskforces in a bid to address the problems that persist in the creation of employment opportunities within the country and in the foreign employment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been formed under the leadership of joint secretaries Badri Nath Adhikari, Ram Chandra Dhakal and Shesh Narayan Poudel. The objectives include making labour administration efficient, creating employment opportunities within the country, producing skilled workforce and addressing the challenges in the foreign employment sector, said the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforces have been tasked with providing advices for running skill development trainings through an integrated structure, managing foreign employment and making policy level reforms and labour diplomacy effective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The taskforce will submit separate reports to the ministry with necessary recommendations within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Joint secretary Adhikari leads a six-member taskforce comprising representatives from various ministries and the National Planning Commission. It deals with the creation of job opportunities and vocational and skill-enhancement training. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, another six-member taskforce led by joint secretary Dhakal will look after the organisational situation of the ministry and its sub ordinate bodies. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also, another seven-member taskforce led by joint secretary Poudel will deal with foreign employment management and its overall work system. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14187', 'image' => '20211208073207_20211005120055_20201125033543_20200315123851_1111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 19:31:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14441', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Huaxin Cement to begin Test Production in 3 Weeks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Huaxin Cement Industry is set to start production of cement on trial basis within the next three weeks. The industry has stated that necessary preparations are being made to this end.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"We are in the process of finalizing the test production. Necessary equipment have been connected, and only some basic works remain. They will be completed in a few days,” said Dilliraj Pokharel, deputy general manager of Huaxin Cement Industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Electricity has been made available to the industry since Monday. The cement factory will start operation with the joint investment of Nepalese and Chinese businessmen. The industry has received electricity from the Marshyangdi-Kathmandu 132 KV transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry has invested Rs 1 billion for the construction of the transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cement industry will get a total of 20 MW of electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is requesting industries to demand additional electricity as per their capacity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising said that they are making efforts to ensure that the industries consume more electricity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On Monday, the Benighat Rorang Municipality had requested the locals not to go around the tower saying that the transmission line was about to come into operation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industry under construction in Taldi of Benighat Rorang rural municipality has constructed a switching station for transmission of electricity within a year. About 14 kilometers of transmission line and 132 KV substation have been constructed from the switching station to the industrial complex. Switching stations and substations have been constructed with the technical assistance and supervision of NEA.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Ghising, the power supply in Dhading has improved after the construction of the switching station.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the operation of the switching station, it has become easy to provide electricity to other industries that are about to open in the Naubise area of Dhading Gorge. Dozens of new industries are opening in the highway area as the capital is close to Kathmandu.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEA's infrastructure has also been prepared to provide electricity to these industries easily.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">With the supply of quality and reliable electricity in the highway area, the revenue of NEA is also expected to increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies has taken a policy to build a transmission line to the industrial complex, Huaxin has prepared the structure itself to expedite the work</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Covid pandemic, natural disasters, and other factors have increased the cost of the industry. While making the initial agreement with the Investment Board, the cement industry had estimated to pour in Rs 14.40 billion, but due to various reasons the cost has increased by an additional Rs 3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board had signed an agreement with Huaxin to produce quality cement in Nepal. Another cement industry with Chinese investment, Hongsi, has been producing cement regularly for the past three years. The industry has been receiving 30 MW of electricity for some time now. Cement will be available in the Nepali market at a cheaper price with the operation of these industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Pokharel, their main duty is to provide quality cement to the country which is moving ahead with the pace of economic development. The Huaxin Cement Industry will produce 3,000 metric tons of cement daily. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Maha Prasad Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, and Xu Gang, Vice-Chairman of Huaxin Cement, signed the agreement on 6 June 2018 in Beijing, China. Although the agreement says to set up the factory within six months, it has taken a long time due to various reasons.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board estimates that 350 people will get direct employment and 1,000 people will get indirect employment from the industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Nepal currently has a demand of about 3.5 million metric tons of cement. The production capacity of the cement industries established in Nepal has reached 5.5 million metric tons annually. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14186', 'image' => '20211208015835_fbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:57:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14440', 'article_category_id' => '257', 'title' => 'Nepal and IMF reach Understanding for a Loan of $400 Million', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: The Government of Nepal has reached an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive a loan of $400 million amid the current financial crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is providing the loan to Nepal under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The government is preparing to resolve the current financial crisis faced by the banking institutions of the country through this credit facility.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">An agreement has already been reached between officials of the Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank and the IMF to receive this credit facility. IMF said that the government officials of Nepal have repeatedly discussed this issue with the team including the head of the IMF's mission Robert Gregory and they are now in the final stage to release the loan amount.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF team, including Gregory, visited Nepal in October 20-29, November 17-18, and November 30-December 2. The team also met Finance Minister Janardan Sharma last week and discussed about the loan facility. The loan is yet to be approved by the IMF's executive board meeting. The IMF is providing the loan for a time period of thirty eight months. Generally, IMF provides the ECF when the balance of payments is in deficit due to declining foreign exchange reserves. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The loan will be utilized on various programs to uplift the economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, maintain macroeconomic and financial stability and reduce poverty. According to a statement released by IMF, the pandemic has had a major impact on Nepal's economy, adversely affecting people's health and livelihoods. Nepal experienced a slump in GDP in 2019/20, faced a devastating second wave of the pandemic in 2021, affecting the economic recovery.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The IMF has made it clear that the loan should be used to increase revenue and public spending, financial sector regulation, supervision and financial transparency, as well as various anti-corruption efforts and administrative capacity building. Due to declining remittances, foreign investment and increasing trade deficit, Nepal's foreign exchange reserves have been declining recently. The government is preparing to bring ECF as the balance of payments came under pressure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the pandemic, foreign exchange reserves is continuously declining and has created a foreign exchange crisis. Nepal has been borrowing mainly from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The interest on such foreign loans has to be paid in dollars and not in Nepali currency. This also affects reserves, says economist Bishwambhar Pyakurel. “Internal debt can be repaid in Nepali currency. However, external debt has to be paid in dollars which is difficult to handle,” said Pyakurel.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14185', 'image' => '20211208014213_1638919369.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14439', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Unilever and Maiti Nepal Collaborate to Support Victims of Human Trafficking', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 8: Unilever Nepal Limited and Maiti Nepal have announced collaboration to create employment opportunities for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in the country. The collaboration aims to enhance their social, economic and legal capacity by providing the victims, especially women, with adequate training.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The main aim of this collaboration is to provide opportunities to generate sustainable income for targeted women. Training programs for women will be conducted under the guidance of experts for running beauty parlors as well as for excavator operation and sales training. As per the agreement, arrangements have been made for the trainee women to stay at the Rehabilitation Center of Maiti Nepal during the training period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both organizations believe that women’s employment will improve their living standards along with their families and communities. The training program was inaugurated by Anuradha Koirala, the chairperson of Maiti Nepal and Amlan Mukherjee, the managing director of Unilever Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the society, more than what we have received from the society. We encourage women for a long term sustainable journey by providing them necessary skills for the future. It will contribute to building a socially inclusive world. We will continue to serve the community through similar initiatives in future as well,” said Mukherjee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14184', 'image' => '20211208013149_Unilever-Nepal-Maiti-Nepal-Asha.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 13:31:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14438', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Budhigandaki Hydel Project ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has promised to develop Budhigandaki Hydropower Project and begin the construction works during his tenure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing the Tripurasundari fair in Dhading, Minister Sharma vowed to initiate the Budhigandakri project. The Nwagi area of Tripurasundari in Dhading district is a catchment area of the project and would be inundated after the project development. The owners of the land plots there have received compensation for land acquisition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Sharma assured to allocate budget to blacktop the road from Tripurasundari to Salyankot. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seeking public support to carry out the development works, Minister Sharma pledged to complete the development of Mid-Hill Highway. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14183', 'image' => '20211208114508_hydro.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:44:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14437', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alleged Investor of 33 KG Gold Scam Released on Bail', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 8: Krishna Gopal Agrawal, who is allegedly the main investor of the 33.5 kilogram gold scam, has been released on bail.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court Judge Bharat Lamsal of Morang on Tuesday issued an order to release Agrawal on a bail of Rs 200,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">District Court official Tikendra Bir Jung Rana told New Business Age that Agrawal, who is also known as Kale, posted the bail amount and was released as per the judge’s order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investigations had revealed that Agrawal was the main investor involved in smuggling gold into Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport. The gold imported through the airport customs went missing and a carrier named Saman Shakya of Urlabari was killed by the smugglers’ group allegedly led by Chudamani Upreti. Eight people including Upreti have convicted of Shakya’s murder and sent to prison. He was deported to Nepal from the UAE with support from INTERPOL. Others accused in the scam have been released by the court. Cases were filed against a total of 77 people including high-ranking police officials in connection to this case. While convicting the eight people involved in the crime, the District Court Morang released 48 others. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14182', 'image' => '20211208113313_20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 11:32:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14436', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Working to Ensure Aviation Safety: Tourism Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said that the government has been working to ensure safety of aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Tourism Minister made such remark during a programme organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on the occasion of the International Civil Aviation Day-2021 on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"I am firm in my stand and goal. The cabinet meeting convening in six days would endorse the programme and budget for the aviation safety," said Minister Ale.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that the concerned agencies should be aware to control the prospects of risks for aviation related accidents, he urged the experts to provide recommendations so as to reform the aviation sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, former director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Hari Bhakta Shrestha and vice-chairperson of Himalayan Airlines, Bijaya Shrestha, among others presented papers on how the flights could be made safe from accidents that occur due to wild animals and birds, especially in airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Tourism Secretary Maheshwor Neupane directed the subordinated bodies to present action plans on how the aviation sector could be made safe from wildlife and birds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The International Civil Aviation Day is observed to commemorate the first successful flight made by the American Wright Brothers on December 7 in 1903. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-08', 'modified' => '2021-12-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14181', 'image' => '20211208081616_20190213013056_pinterest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-08 08:15:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14435', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Booking of Tourists put on Hold amid Fears of Omicron Outbreak', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: At a time when arrival of tourists is growing in Nepal, a new variant of coronavirus is expected to push the tourism sector towards another crisis. According to hoteliers, tourists have kept their booking on hold after the Omicron variant was detected in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In November 2021, more tourists visited Nepal than the previous month. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 26,135 tourists visited Nepal in November compared to 23,284 in October. As the number of tourists was gradually increasing, Omicron variant has once again created panic. Therefore, various countries have banned flights and travel, while Nepal has also banned people coming from nine countries from entering Nepal, including South Africa and Hong Kong.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Yogendra Shakya, a tourism entrepreneur who is also the executive chairman of Ace Hotel and Resort, said that the overall occupancy of hotels on average is 30 percent in 2021. He said that the booking could freeze till January, February, and spring.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that India has stopped tourists from entering India from Lumbini, he said that there is a situation of ‘wait and see’ for some time now. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“While the surge of Covid-19 has started to grow, we had projected that we would have to wait until 2024 for the tourism to return to normalcy,” said Shakya. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that tourists are now waiting and watching the impact of Omicron. "Tourists are in a hold-on situation right now," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Nepal Tourism Board, on the other hand, has claimed that it will continue the work of tourism promotion and publicity. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board Dhananjay Regmi said that the current publicity will get continuity by adopting caution. "We were horrified at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, but it didn't create a catastrophe for this sector," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He added that the board will organize tourist marts in all seven states and continue the promotion of Border City. He said that the board will work to increase the number of tourists now. With the identification of the new variant that appeared in the country, the board has resorted to the strategy of attracting tourists from India more than other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14180', 'image' => '20211207050643_1638833065.1 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 17:05:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14434', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ghodepani-Poonhill Trek Features New Tourism Infrastructure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Ghodepani and Poonhill areas along the Annapurna Circuit now feature new tourism infrastructures constructed in collaboration between the government and the local community. The Ghodepani-Poonhill route is one of the 100 new tourist destinations identified by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for infrastructure development. The local communities too are attracted to invest for the development of physical infrastructures along this renowned trekking route as the tourist arrival here is encouraging these days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Twenty-three solar lamps have been fixed along the route to illuminate it during the night time. A three-room concrete building has been built at Poonhil to provide a safe resting place for visitors during rain and snowfall. Moreover, an RCC building has been constructed for the Magar Museum at Ghodepani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The cleanliness of community and a courtesy to visitors have been the priorities of locals. A newly constructed trekking route of around two kilometers stretches from Poonnhil to Ghandruk via Mohare, Ghodepani, Chitre and Khiwang. It seems that investors of Ghodepani are competing to attract tourists through better accommodation facility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Ghodepani Hotel Management Committee, the hotels here had capacity to accommodate 500 people daily six year ago while the capacity of these hotels has now increased to accommodate 1,000 people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Vice-Chairperson of Hotel Management Sub-Committee, Mina Pun, said that a four-kilometer road connecting Ghodepani via Chitre has been graveled. Gandaki Provincial government invested Rs 270 million to blacktop the 18-kilometer road linking Pokharebagar to Chitre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A hotel to accommodate 40 people has been brought into operation at Khopara under a new concept of taking tourism benefit to community for the first time in Nepal. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14179', 'image' => '20211207030300_468356_589584351065292_436622630_o.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 15:02:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14433', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Panels to vie for NADA’s new Leadership', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: A tough competition is likely to happen between Karan Chaudhary and Dhurba Thapa for the new leadership of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. The election for the new executive committee and 45<sup><span style="font-size:7.0pt">th</span></sup> General Assembly of NADA is going to be held on December 8 and 9. They are now preparing for the election by forming their own panels.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA's presidential candidate Karan Chaudhary is the official dealer of Suzuki cars in Nepal and the executive director of CG MotoCorp, the automotive division under CG Holdings. Likewise another contender Dhruba Thapa is the official dealer of Force Motors in Nepal and the president of the Himalayan Organization.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary, who represents a big business house, has support of big businessmen while small businessmen are in support of Thapa. At present, both the groups are in the race to win the election.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Both Chaudhary and Thapa say they are ready for consensus. Both of them are holding discussions for consensus along with election publicity. Current president Krishna Prasad Dulal was elected unanimously.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chaudhary is also an auto dealer with his own network. The Suzuki brand is in a position to help him in the election. Many officials of NADA are also seen supporting Chaudhary. NADA Secretary Anup Baral, General Secretary Sunil Rijal, Surendra Upreti, Prakash Kapuri and others have already announced to contest election from Chaudhary's panel. He also has the support of CEO of Sipradi Trading Company Rajan Babu Shrestha, Yamaha, Hero, and IME Motors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Dhruba Thapa has support from small and big businessmen alike. Thapa is backed by Nirakar Shrestha, Hyundai's official dealer and director of Laxmi Group. NADA vice-president Aakash Golchha is also on his panel. He is also the official dealer of Ford Motors for Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, BN Pathak, president of Nepal Recondition Association, Dipendra Mishra of Satyadeep International and Rajan Poudel of Poudel Enterprises have also been included in Thapa's panel. Thapa also has the support of auto dealers in Pokhara. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NADA has 3,365 members. Election will be held for 20 posts of the Central Working Committee. According to the amended statute of NADA 2077, the chairpersons of eight associated bodies will automatically be represented in the central working committee. Similarly, the first meeting of the elected committee will select the four vice-presidents, general secretary, secretary, treasurer and vice-treasurer.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14178', 'image' => '20211207020212_540X360resize_krishna-prasad-dulal-the-new-president-of-nada0.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 14:01:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14432', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Hearings Committee Endorses Ambassadors for 3 Countries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 7: The Parliamentary Hearings Committee has endorsed the names of the proposed candidates as Nepal’s ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK. A meeting of the hearings committee held on December 6, unanimously approved the names of the proposed ambassadors to these three countries. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shankar Sharma, Shridhar Khatri and Gyan Chandra Acharya have been appointed as ambassadors to India, the USA and the UK respectively. According to Laxman Lal Karna, chairperson of the committee, the proposed ambassadors were summoned to the committee meeting for hearings before approving of their appointment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the hearings, the proposed Ambassador to India, Sharma said that a relationship of trust should be built between Nepal and India. He stressed on the need to build a cordial relationship between the two countries for mutual, financial, social and political reforms.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Responding to questions asked by the lawmakers during the hearing, Sharma said, "A level of trust is needed for the development of economic, social and political sectors of the two countries. If the relationship of trust is established, a lot of things can be achieved easily."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma said that he would use the opportunities available in India for the prosperity of Nepal. Similarly, Shridahar Khatri, the proposed Nepali Ambassador to the United States, said that linking the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact with the Indo-Pacific Strategy was somewhat wrong. He also said mistakes on part of both the countries helped to connect the MCC with the Indo-Pacific Strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/MCC.jpg" style="height:225px; width:400px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khatri said MCC was a grant for development and that the United States has clarified the issues raised in the agreement. Stating that the MCC agreement has been embroiled in disputes between the political parties and within the country, he said, "We need to be clear about whether to accept it or not."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Chandra Acharya, the proposed Ambassador to the UK, said during the hearing that he would work towards strengthening the relationship between the two countries if he was to be appointed the ambassador. He also said that he would lobby for the rights of Gukha soldiers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee meeting endorsed the names of the nominated ambassadors and also directed the government to make the ambassador's recommendation inclusive.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14177', 'image' => '20211207123800_file-20180611-191965-137dlfq (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 12:37:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14431', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government on High Alert after Omicron Variant Detected in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 7: The new variant of the novel coronavirus, Omicron, has been detected in Nepal. The new variant, which the WHO has labeled as 'of concern' has been found in two persons in Nepal 12 days after it was first reported in South Africa on November 24. <br /> Joint-spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Samir Adhikari confirmed that the new variant was found in samples taken from two suspected persons. The tests were conducted on Sunday at the National Public Health Laboratory. <br /> He said that the new variant was confirmed in a 66-year-old foreign national and a 71-year-old Nepali who had come in contact with the foreigner. They had arrived in Nepal from South Africa via Tribhuvan International Airport. <br /> The Omicron variant was confirmed through gene sequencing test in the laboratory. <br /> Initially, the PCR test carried out on the foreigner showed negative result when he first came to Nepal. It was found that he had also taken full dose of vaccine against COVID-19. Tests were conducted again when they showed symptoms resembling COVID-19. <br /> Joint-spokesperson Adhikari said both of them are kept in isolation as per the standard set by the government and are recuperating at present. They are not showing any symptom now and are under the supervision of the health workers. <br /> Meanwhile, PCR tests carried on 66 persons who were included in 'contact tracing' of the two infected ones showed negative report. <br /> Dr Adhikari said that surveillance and contact tracing would be made more effective after the variant was reported in the country. <br /> As part of the government's efforts to curb the virus, it requires negative PCR reports and COVID-19 vaccination certificate for passengers to enter the country through the Tribhuvan International Airport and various transit points with neighbouring India and China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In a bid to curb the spread of the variant, a cabinet meeting on November 29 had decided not to grant entry to Nepal for people coming from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Hong Kong where the virus variant has been reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Research about the scientific fact regarding the transmission rate of Omicron virus and medical complications due to infection is underway. There are many variants of Omicron and some of them are of concern. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The ministry has requested all to follow health protocols (appropriate use of mask, maintain social distancing, washing hands) and to participate in vaccination campaign to remain safe from Omicron variant as like other variants of COVID-19. <br /> According to the ministry, Omicron variant has already spread in 35 countries of the world. A total of 574 people have been infected with Omicron virus in these countries so far. <br /> Preliminary assessment by the World Health Organisation has mentioned that South East Asia is at high risk of Omicron. Omicron has already been confirmed in some of the countries of South Asia. Omicron was confirmed in India on Friday. <br /> The first coronavirus infection case was detected in Nepal on January 23, 2020. It was found in a person who had come to Nepal from Wuhan of China. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-12-07', 'modified' => '2021-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '14176', 'image' => '20211207110103_bb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-12-07 11:00:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
