Security agencies to run Hetauda Textile Mills

Kathmandu, Oct. 27:  The government on Thursday took a decision to run the Hetauda Textile Mills in collaboration with the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force.

 Similarly, it plans to call upon the private sector to run the Butwal Spinning Mills and Birgunj Sugar Factory.

Minister for Industry Nabindra Raj Joshi told a press meet that the three security agencies would run the textile mill in the first phase and produce uniforms for their personnel and school students.

“About 40 per cent of the equipment of the factory is still in sound condition. Therefore, the security agencies will invest Rs. 100 million each to run the factory by installing the other machines,” he said.

Minister Joshi said that the government was also planning to include the private sector in the mill. According to him, management team comprising representatives from the government, the Nepalese Army, Nepal Police and APF as well as independent management experts would run the industry.

The Ministry of Industry (MoI) had formed a 9-member task force, led by former National Planning Commission member Dr. Pushkar Bajracharya, to study the status of Hetauda Textile Mills a couple of weeks ago.

The task force had submitted its report and suggested that there was a possibility of running the industry in a profitable way.

 Established about four decades ago, the Hetauda Textile Mills has a capacity to produce approximately 36,000 metres of cloth per day.

The company has already been liquidated and merged into the Industrial District Management Limited.

Minister Joshi said that the Butwal Spinning Mills and Birgunj Sugar Factory would be leased out to the private sector.

To attract investors to run the industries, the government has decided not to charge rental payment to the prospective lessees until the factory comes into operation.

The government has given priority to Agriculture Inputs Company Limited, Nepal Metal Company, Nepal Oriend Magnesite Company, Birgunj Sugar Factory, Nepal Drugs Limited, Butwal Spinning Mills and Gorakhkali Rubber Udyog (producing tyres) for re-operation.

Minister Joshi said that other industries would also be brought into operation in collaboration with the private sector. Gorakhkali Rubber Udhyog is to be run under the Public-Private-Partnership model.

For the past few weeks, the ministry had been trying to finalise the modality to run the state-owned industries that had long been shut down.

 “We will call for proposals from the investors after the finalisation of the modality,” said Joshi.

Meanwhile, the ministry has formed a task force to study the present condition of Udayapur and Hetauda Cement factories, both government-run entities.

Dr. Pushkar Bajracharya is leading the team to study Hetauda Cement Factory while Bijaya Ghimire is leading another team to study Udayapur Cement.

 The teams will study the human resources and condition of the machines before submitting their reports in two weeks.

“After receiving reports from the task force, the government will decide what to do with them,” said Joshi. 

Pokharel presents his Letters of Credence

Kathmandu, Oct. 28

Ambassador of Nepal to Brazil Tara Prasad Pokharel presented his Letters of Credence to Brazilian President Michel Temer amidst a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Brasilia on Thursday.

According to a press statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Brasilia, while receiving the Letters of Credence, President Temer welcomed Pokharel as the ambassador of Nepal to Brazil.

On the occasion, Pokharel conveyed the greetings and best wishes from President Bidya Devi Bhandari to Temer for his personal health, happiness and for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Brazil.

At a courtesy meeting following the ceremony, Temer recalled his recent meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda during the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit held in Goa, India.

Pokharel highlighted the significance of the event like the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit for regional cooperative initiatives in the region.

While referring to the bilateral relations subsisting between the two countries, he stated that the establishment of residential missions in Kathmandu and Brasilia and conclusion of some important agreements had significantly broadened the prospects for cooperative relations between the two countries for mutual benefit.

"President Temer said that Brazil was ready to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries, and assured full cooperation to promote partnership," read the statement.

Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and first secretary and deputy chief of mission at the Embassy Rishi Raj Acharya and attaché of the embassy Chandra Kanta Parajuli had attended the ceremony. 

Govt to establish fund for tech education

Kathmandu, Oct. 26: The government is planning to establish a separate fund for technical education and vocational training.

As various 17 ministries are implementing skill development programmes on their own without coordination with each other, the government has been planning to run such programmes through a central fund with greater collaboration and coordination with the ministries.

According to joint secretary of the Ministry of Education (MoE) Baikuntha Prasad Aryal, government, private sector, non-government organisations and donor agencies cumulatively spent about Rs. 17 billion annually on technical education, skill development and training.

"The Fund will be established by April next year," Aryal said in an interaction on the role of private sector in skill development organized by Support to Knowledge and Lifelong Learning Skills (SKILLS) programme of UNDP and Society of Economic Journalists – Nepal (SEJON).

Speaking at the programme, stakeholders suggested that the technical education and vocational training was essential for the economic upliftment of the people and it should be expanded to every district in the country to facilitate in creating entrepreneurs and businessmen. 

Assistant country director of the UNDP Heema Devi Khadka said that vocational skill development programmes should be connected with the entrepreneurship.

"Such trainings should be demand-driven. Only then such trainings will prove successful with the trainees employed at various companies or run their own enterprise," she said.

Vice-chairman of the Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) Kul Bahadur Basnet said that the skill development training did not only help the youth to be self-employed but would have resulted in more remittance as Nepal could send skilled workers to overseas.

Vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Kishor Pradhan said that as the private sector had an important contribution in creating employment, the government should work in collaboration with them while designing and implementing skill based training.

"The FNCCI believes that the private sector not only creates employment but it also promotes small enterprises in the value chains of the large industries and helps in entrepreneurship development at the local level," he said.

Presenting a paper on the role of private sector in technical education and vocational training, former secretary of the MoE Mahashram Sharma said that the current programmes for skill training were insufficient to address the ever increasing manpower that enters the labour market every year.

"Approximately 450,000 people enter into the labour market every year but only about 100,000 people are being trained on technical education and vocational training," he said.

He said that although the government and donor agencies were running skill development trainings, the Nepalese private sector seldom called for the human resources it needed.

Damage survey in 45 days: CBS

Kathmandu, Oct. 26: Director general of Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) Suman Raj Aryal Wednesday said that the Bureau was capable of conducting survey of quake-damaged houses in the remaining 17 districts in next 45 days.

Speaking at the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA)'s Steering Committee meeting at Singha Durbar, Aryal said, "We have begun the orientation programme for the information officerS of the 17 quake-hit districts. In addition to it, the CBS has experience of survey carried out in 11 severely-hit districts and the Kathmandu Valley."

The government has begun the primary works for data collection in those districts.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda termed the 45 days special campaign launched to distribute the first installment of the house reconstruction grant as successful.

He directed the line ministries and authorities to make necessary arrangement to implement damage assessment, school and heritage reconstruction, grievance hearing, monitor the activities of the non-government organization and relocation of settlement at the earliest.

 Vice chairman of the CPN-UML Bhim Rawal asked for the mobilization of additional resources and carry out the reconstruction works on war footing.

Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Shanta Raj Subedi said that the government had approved Rs. 20.81 billion for reconstruction and assured that there wouldn't be shortage of budget for the post-quake construction.

According to secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, due to problems on relocation of settlements, address the complaints and land ownership, grand agreement couldn't be forged with thousands of families.

He asked for legal and policy provisions to address those problems.

NRA CEO Sushil Gyawali said that additional facilities should be provided to human resources mobilized in the remote areas in order to motivate them to work in the difficult geographical locations.

The meeting will continue on Thursday. 

CNI establishes Think Tank

Kathmandu, Oct. 27:

Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has established CNI-Think Tank.

CNI president Hari Bhakta Sharma informed that the Think Tank was formed to suggest on policy formulation and advocacy, and create trust and understanding between the government and private sector in order to attract investment in industrial sector and expedite the process of economic development.

He expressed confidence that the Think Tank would assist CNI in multiple fronts.

The Think Tank is coordinated by the former Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Prof. Dr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada and constitutes of former Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala, former minister Umakanta Jha, former vice chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and Ambassador to the United States Shankar Sharma and former NPC vice chairman Prof. Dr. Govinda Raj Pokharel.

Similarly, other members of the Think Tank are Dr. Bindu Lohani, Purushottam Ojha, Krishna Gyawali, Kishor Thapa, Suresh Man Shrestha, Prof. Dr. Subash KC, Himalaya Thapa, Dr. Govinda Prasad Thapa, Prof. Dr. Mina Vaidya Malla and Dr. Bishwo Poudel.

CNI informed in a press statement that the Think Tank would work to create investment environment in the country and apply innovative concepts to attract investment.

 "The objectives of forming the Think Tank is to establish 'economy first' concept, provide neutral and professional suggestions to the government in policy formulation, and help CNI to run advocacy campaigns for the development of private sector," read the statement. 

House panel slams Ministry for poor roads

Kathmandu, Oct. 25: The Development Committee of the Legislature-Parliament Tuesday blamed the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) for failing to improve the condition of roads that have gone to rack and ruin.

Likewise, the House committee rapped the National Vigilance Centre (NVC) for failing to punish the people involved in misappropriating the budget allocated for development activities.

Committee chairman Rabindra Adhikari said that the NVC should stay vigilant to improve the performance of government agencies.

"It should be more active and watch the infrastructure sector," he added.

Expressing serious concern about the deteriorating condition of the national highways and strategic roads, the Committee directed the government to ensure road safety through their timely maintenance and repair.

The Committee directed the MoPIT and Department of Roads (DoR) to ensure better roads to minimise accidents and manage the traffic in a better way.

The Committee meeting held discussion with the stakeholders about the status, maintenance, upgradation and work progress of the Rasuwagadhi road, Pokhara-Beni-Jomsom-Korola road, Araniko Highway, Karnali Corridor, Chainpur-Taklakot road and Postal Highway.

 "The road network has not been properly upgraded and maintained while the number of vehicles is ever increasing, which have resulted in the rise of accidents in recent years," said Adhikari.

He directed the ministry to be more sensitive about infrastructure development and result oriented.

The Committee asked the government to develop and expand the East-West Highway to make it safe and modern and upgrade the first phase of the Postal Highway into a dedicated double lane highway.

"The government should establish a Mobile Maintenance Division for the repair of roads, fill up manholes and carry out other necessary works," said Adhikari.

Similarly, it asked the government to expedite the construction of the Mid-Hill Highway.

The meeting expressed concern about the roads connecting the northern border points and directed the government to provide sufficient budget and expedite construction of the Jomsom-Hilsa road, Manang-Mustang-Dolpa-Jumla road, Benighat-Arughat-Larke road, Mahakali Corridor and Beni-Jomsom road.

The Committee has decided to form seven sub-committees to study the status of roads in the seven provinces and asked the NVC to provide technical assistance for the study. 

Melamchi in Kathmandu by next October

Kathmandu, Oct. 24 The Development Committee of the Legislature-Parliament Monday directed the government to complete the construction the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) and distribute water of Melamchi river in the Kathmandu Valley by October next year.

Chairman of the Committee Rabindra Adhikari asked the government, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation (MoWSS) and MWSP to expedite the construction works to complete the work in time instead of extending the deadline.

The project has been delayed by a decade than its targeted time.

The MWSP was launched in 2001 with an aim of completing it by 2007.

But, the project failed to meet its deadlines which were extended twice.

According to the second revised date, it was to be completed by September this year.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, during an on-site inspection of the project in Sindhupalchowk last month, directed the authorities to complete the project before the deadline.

The MWSP, a national pride project, has been financed by the Asian Development.

 Project chief Ghana Shyam Bhattarai informed that still about 7-km long tunnel was to be constructed while there was only 40 per cent progress in the construction head works.

The total length of the tunnel is 27.58-km.

However, construction of 20-km access road, 21-km audit access road and 6 site offices were completed and the progress at the water treatment plant construction is 96 per cent.

Bhattarai assured the lawmakers that water from Melamchi would be distributed inside the Ring Road area before October 2017. 

Adhikari directed the government to efficiently mobilise the human resource, construction equipments and management team, expedite the construction of tunnel, head works and water treatment plant and ensure locally available construction materials.

He also asked the government to take pre-caution not to let people encroach the land that the project acquired earlier.

According to Bhattarai, the land acquired for the project was being encroached time and again. The project had to publish a public notice, calling the people to abandon the encroached land.

"As the water of Melamchi River, 170 million litre per day, will be insufficient to meet the demand of the growing demand in the valley, the government should bring water from Yangri and Larke rivers which are en route of the Melamchi pipe line," said Adhikari.

He directed the government to initiate the preparation of detailed project report (DPR) and construction of infrastructure required to bring the water of Yangri and Larke rivers, and identify the Phase II of the MWSP as the national pride project.

Secretary of the MoWSS Dr. Sanjay Sharma said that complex topography, earthquake, blockade, limited capacity of the technical manpower and inter-basin transfer were the major obstacles in the project development.

The project will bring 170 million litres water from Melamchi and 340 million litres water from Larke and Yangri rivers. 

Neha Dhupiya launches new Puma outlet

Kathmandu, Oct. 24: The sportswear brand Puma Monday launched its new store at Durbarmarga.

Bollywood actress Neha Dhupiya launched the new store amidst a programme.

The store houses a wide range of Puma's latest performance and sport style products ranging from lifestyle to football, running gear and gym wear.

The products are divided into different categories and displayed at the story.

Dhupia said that she used the Puma sportswear even before her association with the brand as the brand ambassador.

"It's comfortable and stylish. You can use it in any occasion," she said.

Talking about the new store Puma India's managing director Abhishek Ganguly said, "We are thrilled to expand our footprints in Nepal. It is an important market for us and we are hoping that these will prove to be our first few steps in the larger scheme of thing to come."

He claimed that the company wanted to provide the most stylish products.

The German brand distributes its products in more than 120 countries. 

Committee formed to coordinate development assistance

Kathmandu, Oct. 23:

In the light of sluggish post earthquake reconstruction drive, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Sunday formed a committee to coordinate the development assistance.

PM Prachanda formed the Development Assistance Coordination and Facilitation Committee (DACFC) as per the decision of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Consultation Council meeting held on October 4.

The committee will coordinate with the national and international development partners and civil society that have been involved in the reconstruction works being implemented with development assistance.

It will facilitate the reconstruction works and organisations involved, if necessary.

Although one and a half years passed since the quake damaged more than 900,000 houses and other buildings, there has been negligible progress in terms of reconstruction of the destroyed structures.

As the reconstruction body does not have proper monitoring mechanism, the government and development partners don't know the progress of house reconstruction.

The committee has aimed at motivating national and international development partners, civil society and private sector willing to mobilize necessary financial, technical and other assistance for the rehabilitation of the individuals and families affected by the devastating earthquake in the April and May last year.

Assistance to reconstruct the quake damaged structures will also be sought by the committee.

According to the NRA, the DACFC will monitor and evaluate the work progress, and offer necessary suggestions and solutions to the government, the NRA, respective development partner and other stakeholders.

"We hope that such activities of the committee will expedite the reconstruction works and make it more effective and transparent," said the NRA.

The committee will work to harmonize and remove duplication while implementing the reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes with the help from development assistance, and scrutinize the activities whether they were as per the guidelines of the NRA.

The DACFC is enabled to set its own plan of action and form sub-committees and task forces.

The committee is led by the chief executive officer of the NRA and will have one representative each from India, China, World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Similarly, there will be two members from the Nepal-based international development partner organisation groups and president or representative from the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), NGO Federation and Association of International NGOs in Nepal in the committee.

Secretary or representative from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Planning Commission, and auditor general or his representative will be invited in the committee. 

Shrestha appointed Honorary Consul of Vietnam

Kathmandu, Oct. 23 President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) Rajesh Kazi Shrestha has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Vietnam for Nepal.

Vietnamese Ambassador based in New Delhi, who is also accredited to Nepal, Ton Sinh Thanh inaugurated the office of the Honorary Consul amidst a ceremony at Lazimpat here.

Thanh hoisted the flag of Vietnam and observed religious rituals.

"Opening of the consul in Kathmandu has marked as a milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between Vietnam and Nepal," he said.

He expressed his hope that the consul would act as a bridge between the two countries in promoting trade, tourism and investment.

Shrestha also sought cooperation in trade, tourism and investment from Vietnam in the days to come.

"We will exchange trade delegation and participate in international trade and tourism expos in both of the countries. Our aim is to enhance tourism and attract Vietnamese investment in Nepal," he said.

Shrestha runs Nepal international Business, Constant Business Group and Status Trading.

He is chairman of Nepal China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, International Chamber of Commerce, Nepal and Nepal Vietnam chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Similarly, he is chief advisor of Export Council of Nepal and advisor of various bilateral chambers of commerce and other organisations. 

Soaltee Hotel celebrates 50th anniversary

Plans to launch 4-star hotel in Nepalgunj

Kathmandu, Oct. 20: Soaltee Hospitality Limited, a subsidiary of Soaltee Hotel Limited, is planning to launch a four star hotel in Nepalgunj with its brand name in March/April 2017.

The hotel will have 81 rooms, banquet with the capacity to accommodate 250 people, spa and skill centre.

"After the soft launch of the hotel in Nepalgunj, the company will commence construction of another four star hotel in Pokhara," chairman emeritus of the company Prabhakar Shumsher Rana information as he was speaking at a press conference organized to announce the company's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

The company has already procured a land at Khapaundi, Pokhara to build a hotel.

However, Rana maintained that the company had decided to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the company modestly as the country was still not recovered from the devastating earthquakes that rocked the country last year.

He said that Soaltee had become the synonym of success in Nepal's hospitality industry.

"We went to public only after making the company profitable. That was a time when reaching to public for financing was not seen as favourable. But, our experiment proved successful," he said.

Dinesh Bahadur Bista, executive chairman of the company, said that the hotel was also mulling over establishing hotels in the Soaltee brand in other cities as well.

Member of the Board of Directors of the company and former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ravi Bhakta Shrestha said that Soaltee had helped in promoting Nepalese tourism and claimed that it would be established as a national brand.

Soaltee Hotel was founded by late prince Himalaya Shah and late princess Princep Rajya Laxmi Shah in 1995.

It was inaugurated in 1966 with 104 rooms.

It was converted to a public limited company in 1975.

The company was rebranded as Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu in 1998.

In 2014 it incorporated Soaltee Hospitality Limited as its subsidiary to increase the portfolio of operational properties throughout the country. 

Junko Tabei dies at 77

Kathmandu, Oct. 22 Junko Tabei, the first women to conquer Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), has died at the age of 77. 

According to Japanese newspaper Mainichi, she died of peritoneal cancer at Saitama Hospital Thursday morning.

The Japanese government disclosed her only on Saturday.

Tabei climbed the world's highest peak in 1975 at the age of 35, and did not take a rest until she reached atop the highest mountains each of the seven continents.

"In 1972, she became the first woman to complete the 'seven summits'," writes Maichini.

 On 16^th May, 1975, the woman from Fukushima climbed Mt. Everest with her guide Ang Tshering Sherpa.

Tabei's success served as a great feat for the women around the globe.

Her achievement was also heralded as a symbol of the huge strides the Japanese women had made in their long struggle for equality and freedom of choice, The Japan Times wrote four years back.

Tabei was born on September 22, 1939 in Fukushima.

She was a graduate of Showa Women's University in English and American Literature, and completed master's course in comparative social culture from Kyushu University.

Her study theme for the master's degree was 'Garbage problem in the Himalayas', writes www.junko-tabei.jp.  

In 1969, she established 'Ladies Climbing Club – Japan' with the slogan – Let's go on an overseas expedition by ourselves.

Tabei's club had a 15-member team called Japanese Women's Everest Expedition (JWEE) prepared to climb the Mt. Everest.

She had climbed the highest peaks of 56 countries by March 2008.

She was awarded with Nepal's highest medal, Gorkha Dakshin Bahu in 1975.

Japan awarded her with various medals and awards, including Distinguished Service Medal of the Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and Technology, Prime Minister's Award and Environment Minister's Award.

She had been involved in various initiatives for protecting the mountain environment.

She wrote seven books on mountaineering and her experience on climbing the mountains.

Tabei served as the chairperson of Himalayan Adventure Trust of Japan, council member of Japanese Alpine Club, member of Central Environment Council at the Ministry of Environment, director of Japan Trekking Association and board member of Showa Women's University. 

Balgopaleshwor to be reconstructed by DoA

Kathmandu, Oct. 21: The Department of Archaeology (DoA) will reconstruct the Balgopaleshwor Temple at Ranipokhari here.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Office had been rebuilding the temple.

According to a press statement issued by the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), due to technical reasons, the KMC faced obstacles while reconstructing the temple as per the design prescribed by the DoA, therefore the Department took the responsibility upon itself.

File Photo

The DoA will rebuild the temple as per the earlier design it had prescribed.

A meeting of NRA chief executive officer (CEO) Sushil Gyawali and a taskforce involved in heritage reconstruction, DoA director general Bhesh Narayan Dahal and KMC CEO Rudra Singh Tamang on Wednesday took the decision to this effect.

KMC will continue to work on other structures than the Balgopaleshwor temple.

According to NRA spokesperson Ram Prasad Thapaliya, the temple reconstruction work was halted after the DoA said the KMC did not adhere to the standards of heritage reconstruction.

The meeting decided that the KMC would make arrangements for the devotees to visit the temple on the day of Bhai Tika.

Likewise, the NRA will expedite the process to prepare the master plan for the management of the Kathmandu Durbar Square in coordination with the KMC, DoA and other stakeholders.

Women formal participation in economy required: Deuba

Kathmandu, Oct. 19: Nepali Congress president and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba Wednesday said that women’s formal participation in the workforce should be encouraged for its intrinsic merit and instrumental value.

Addressing a two-day conference on ‘Women, leadership and the economy in South Asia’ organized by the South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF), he said, “By opening new economic opportunities, pursuing equality at work, and ensuring protection and voice, we can bread barriers and close divides.”

The former PM remarked that the patriarchy across South Asia had narrowed the span of economic possibilities and said that fewer women in business meant products not made, taxes unpaid, and jobs not created.

He quoted a recent study by the McKinsey Global Institute which concluded that if women participated in the economy on a par with men, annual global output would increase by nearly 30 trillion dollars in 2025, and said that to realize these gains the societies should shift in social norms, expand quality education and build an enabling legal and institutional architecture.

According to Deuba, in South Asia, women owned less than 10 per cent of small and medium enterprises while over three fourths of working women were engaged in jobs that are vulnerable.

Speaking on a different note, Deuba said that the new constitution had affirmed improved gender parity in education, health and social protection.

“While several provisions will no doubt be reformed over time through democratic process, this constitution is the most progressive in Nepal’s modern history of nearly 250 years,” he said.

He stated that every woman had equal right to lineage without discrimination and the constitution had guaranteed right to property, safe motherhood, and protection from violence.

Deuba said that the women’s participation in politics would help improve governance.

“When the laws of the land nudge talented women to join the political process for change, our governance will improve, people’s trust in the institutions will grow and our diverse national life shall be enriched,” he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said that the women should be provided with equal opportunities in every walk of life, including business and economic activities.

“If we leave women behind, we many not be able to harness the full potential of SAARC region,” he said.

President of SAWDF Pramila Acharya Rijal said that the objective of the conference was to provide an opportunity to build a common strategy for promoting women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship in South Asia.

She said that poverty could be alleviated through private sector development and urged that the women should be enabled to take up their own business initiatives.

Senior rural development specialist for the South Asia Region at the World Bank Melissa Williams said that the region needed better jobs.

“Thousands of new workers enter into the market every day. In order to address the unemployment, governments should help the micro-enterprises to grow,” she said.

She urged to identify the knowledge gaps and move the women’s agenda forward.

Nepal committed to create sustainable cities: KC

Kathmandu, Oct. 19: Minister for Urban Development Arjun Narasingha KC expressed commitment to creating inclusive and sustainable cities through and implementation of Nepal’s Habitat III National Report, said a press statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York.

Addressing the third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador, he said that the effective implementation of the report, which was prepared through a wide consultation with relevant stakeholders, would help realise the objectives of the New Urban Agenda and ultimately contribute to sustainable development of the country.

The National Report was published under the theme of ‘Inclusive cities: resilient communities’ in synergy with the New Urban Agenda and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specially the SDG 11.

Referring to the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal last year and Ecuador earlier this year, Minister KC underscored the need to pay attention to disaster resilience which needed to be considered right from planning phase incorporating the principle of build-back-better.

He also added that the very idea built into the reconstruction plan of Nepal.

Minister KC highlighted that the new constitution of Nepal guaranteed basic rights of housing, adding that there was progress in establishing a new urban governance structure at local, provincial and federal level.

He also participated in a sideline event ‘Urban dignity: equal access to sanitation and hygiene in public spaces’ organized by Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC).

President of Ecuador Rafael Correa, UN general secretary Ban Ki-Moon and other international personalities addressed the conference.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by many Heads of State/Governments, Vice-Presidents, Ministers, and representatives of member states; heads and representatives of various United Nations organs; representatives of the civil society, private sector, business community and other city actors.

The four-day Habitat III that began Monday will conclude tomorrow by adopting “the New Urban Agenda” the text of which was finalized through intense intergovernmental negotiations, and its Quito Implementation Plan.

The New Urban Agenda envisions sustainable, inclusive and resilient societies through the implementation of the Agenda in synergy and coherence with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Alma Lasers comes to Nepal

Kathmandu, Oct. 19: Alma Medical Pvt. Ltd., the Asian subsidiary of Alma Lasers, Wednesday launched its marketing operations in Nepal.

Alma is known as the innovator of laser, light-based, radio frequency and ultrasound solutions for the aesthetic and surgical markets.

The devices range from body hair removal to pigmentation correction to body contruring to treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo, and are marketed by Central Surgical Concern.

Pradip Rayamajhi, managing director of the Concern, said that the range of products approved by the United States Federal Drug Authority were available in Nepal.

The company launched its products at the SAARC Association of Aesthetics Dermatology (SAARC AAD) conference in Kathmandu.

Global director for business development of Alma Lasers, Eyal Buchbinder, said that initiation of business in Nepal was a yet another step toward the company’s commitment to the region.

Alma has its network in 80 countries around the globe.

Dr. Lalan Khatiwada of Nepal Skin Hospital said, “In vitiligo Alma’s 308 Excimer has proven to successfully stimulate the production of new pigment and in psoriasis the monochromatic light of the machines makes the symptoms to disappear.”

SAARC AAD is a one day conference which will be followed by three-day international conference of dermatology. 

Nepal to collaborate with Peru to stop human trafficking

Kathmandu, Oct. 18: Permanent representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York Durga Prasad Bhattarai Monday discussed possible collaboration in dealing with the human trafficking of unsuspecting Nepali nationals through Peru with director general for Asia at Peruvian Foreign Affairs Ministry Jose Antonio Bellina.

In a meeting with in Lima, Bhattarai and Bellina also talked about continuing the collaborative work of the two countries at the UN.

Earlier on Monday, Bhattarai presented his Letters of Credence as ambassador of Nepal to Republic of Peru to Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski Godard amidst a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Lima.

Bhattarai is concurrently accredited as ambassador to Peru. 

According to a press statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN, Bhattarai conveyed compliments and greetings as well as best wishes to Peruvian President from his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Peru.

President Godard extended his best wishes for the continued peace and prosperity of the people of Nepal.

“He showed interest in the situation of development in Nepal especially after the earthquake and also expressed his desire for working together on matters of mutual interest. The ambassador underscored the importance of the joint work of Nepal and Peru in areas of mountain and glaciers vis-à-vis climate change, UN peacekeeping, peace and disarmament and tourism, among others,” read the statement.

Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Ricardo Luna Mendoza was present at the ceremony and courtesy meeting.

This year marks the 40^th year of the establishment of bilateral relations between Nepal and Peru.

Nepal and Peru established bilateral diplomatic relations on 28 January 1976. 

US wants reforms in FDI policy

Kathmandu, Oct. 18: Ambassador of the United States to Nepal Alaina B. Teplitz Tuesday expressed concerns of the US over the facilities that the country was offering to the foreign investors.

In a meeting with the Minister for Commerce Romi Gauchan Thakali at the latter’s office at Singha Durbar, she suggested that the one stop service (single window) for investors, clarity on the area of investment to be made by the foreign investors and possible amount of return to be take back by the investors to be well reflected in the proposed legislation of Foreign Investment Act.

She affirmed that the US was ready to support Nepal in its development efforts.

Welcoming Minister Thakali’s statement at the BIMSTEC Business Summit held in New Delhi on 14^th October, she noted that the BIMSTEC process would be helpful for Nepal to enhance its connectivity and trade to other members of the region.

During the meeting, issues relating to promoting bilateral trade and investment and development cooperation between the two countries were discussed, the Ministry informed in a press statement.

Minister Thakali requested the US to increase investment to promote bilateral trade.

He also called upon the US to extend investment along with transfer of technology in Nepal so as to increase the production and productivity of those products which have high export potentials in the US market.

“As the new constitution adopts liberal economic policy as the state’s main directive principle for economic advancement, the US investors and entrepreneurs need to capitalize Nepal’s conducive economic environment as ensured by the constitution,” read the statement.

He cited tourism, hydro-power and agro-processing as the sectors having high potentials for the producers and exporters.

The US ambassador recalled the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) as the milestone document and hoped that it would bring tremendous opportunities for the businessmen and entrepreneurs from both sides in the days to come.

TIFA between Nepal and the USA entered into force on 15^th April 2011.

She assured the Minister to convey his message to American investors and entrepreneurs to increase their investment in the area of tourism, hydro-power and agro-processing industries.

Teplitz also informed US’s interest in extending support in value chain in the agriculture, intellectual property among others. 

Symposium on transformative education from Friday

Kathmandu, Oct. 18: An international conference on ‘Transformative education and sustainable development’ will be held in Dhulikhel of Khavre from 21^st to 23^rd October.

Transformative Education Study Centre of Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED) is organizing the conference in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Murdoch University Australia.

According to a press statement issued by the KUSOED, more than 120 experts and delegates from 14 countries will participate in the conference and deliberate on the topics like quality of education, equality and suitability of education.

In the conference, experts will discuss on the type of transformation in the education sector of the countries that have linguistic and cultural diversity.

Topics like system of education in diverse society and role of stakeholders will also be discussed in the seminar.

An international association of the stakeholders involved in transformative education in various universities will be formed on the last day of the conference.

“This is a good opportunity for Nepal because we are also deliberating on transformation of the education sector. Along with the changes in sociopolitical and cultural sectors, education sector should also be able to cater the need of the changed context,” said Bal Chandra Luintel, associate dean of the KUSOED. 

MFN scheme for foreign investors

Kathmandu, Oct. 16: The government is devising a legal framework to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to those countries that come to invest here.

The government has proposed new legal provisions to treat such countries as Most Favoured Nation and provide equal national treatment to foreign investment in Nepal.

This has come as an effort to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with an aim of generating employment and enhancing the contribution of the industrial sector to the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

The New Draft of the Foreign Investment (Amendment and Integration) Bill has proposed such special treatment to foreign investment and source countries.

The draft is being prepared to amend the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 1992.

According to the draft, MFN treatment would be extended to the source countries for their FDI, technology transfer or profitable intellectual property, foreign buyers of Nepalese industries, investment management or reinvestment, and establishment of branches of foreign companies.

However, such companies must repatriate their profits or income from other sources through legal channels.

It has proposed that foreign investors can send back the money in the same currency through which they have made investment in the country.

“Foreign investors can take back the money earned from the partial or full transaction of shares, profits or dividend, profits as per the technology transfer agreement, lease rent of lease investment, and the remaining capital after the liquidation of the company,” reads the draft.

Likewise, foreign experts, managers and other workers can take back 75 per cent of their income from salary and other benefits.

The proposed law has promised not to nationalise businesses and industries with foreign investment, and if the government needs to acquire the properties of such investment in greater public interest, it will provide appropriate compensation as per the existing law.

In the draft, the government has proposed allowing foreign investors or Non-Resident Nepalese to buy securities of those companies listed at the Nepal Stock Exchange.

If the Bill is ratified as it is, foreign investors can establish a venture capital fund to make equity investment in Nepalese companies, and they can buy any company in operation with government approval.

It has proposed the removal of the cap on foreign investment while investment can be made in convertible foreign currency or Indian rupees.

The draft has proposed complete income tax waiver for a specific period for hydroelectricity generation and transmission project, manufacturing industry, mines, tourism and international airlines with foreign investment.

Similarly, tax waiver will be offered to those companies that invest in research and development of agriculture, minerals and other specified technology sector.

NRA to train 60,000 on construction

Kathmandu, Oct. 15: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has said that the post-quake reconstruction might hit a snag due to the shortage of construction workers.

More than 100,000 masons and carpenters are urgently needed to carry out the reconstruction works.

But, it is estimated that there are only about 40,000 masons and carpenters in the quake-hit areas.

Those construction workers lack the know-how on the quake-resistant building or construction measures.

However, NRA chief executive officer Sushil Gyawali said that the reconstruction body had planned to produce about 60,000 construction workers by the end of current fiscal year 2016/17.

According to the NRA, it was planning to build a model house in every ward of the quake-damaged village and municipalities.

 These houses will be constructed in the course of training to generate the skilled manpower required for the reconstruction works.

The trainees of masonry, carpentry and other skilled based training will build the model houses.

It has trained about 15,000 construction workers so far.

The devastating earthquakes in April and May last year completely damaged about 800,000 houses and 200,000 thousand houses were partially damaged.

Similarly, 7,923 school buildings, 1,100 health facilities, 700 heritages and about 6,000 government building buildings were damaged in the tremors.

Therefore, if construction works begun simultaneously in all the districts, the country might need more than 2 million construction workers.

As the monsoon is over and about 450,000 households have received the first installment of the house reconstruction grant, Rs. 50,000, house reconstruction would be expedited which will demand more construction workers and construction materials.

The NRA has proposed fixing the minimum wage of the construction workers so that the youth from other districts and working abroad can be attracted to the reconstruction works.

“Our main focus is to train the local people on construction skills. This will ensure that the trained skilled manpower involves in the construction work and will create more employment at the local level,” said Gyawali.

He urged the government to ensure that there would be no shortage of the construction materials specially stones, sand, bricks and timber. 

NRNA to attract 1.6 million tourists to Nepal

Kathmandu, Oct. 6: The Non-Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) has launched a campaign to attract 1.6 million tourists to Nepal by the end of 2017.

It announced the campaign amidst a programme organized in Kathmandu.

As per the agreement with the government last year on tourism promotion programme, ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, the NRNA has prepared an action plan to attract more tourists to Nepal.

“As per the programme we are initiating a campaign of sending three foreign friends by one non-resident Nepalese,” said vice president of the NRNA and committee on the Promotion of Tourism in Nepal Bhavan Bhatta.

He informed that there were more than 5 million Nepalese in 75 countries across the globe and they would play a crucial role to promote Nepal in the international market.

Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Shankar Prasad Adhikari appreciated the NRNA’s efforts in tourism promotion and said that the government was ready to cooperate and coordinate with the Association.

Chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board Dipak Raj Joshi and NRNA president Shesh Ghale expressed their commitment to work together in the future.

Joshi said that Nepal had the potentials in medical, entertainment, religious and other tourism.

Tourism Promotion ambassadors for Denmark and Russia Som Nath Sapkota and Sapila Rajbhandari respectively presented paper on the campaign. 

Nepal submits ratification of PACC to UN

Kathmandu, Oct. 6: The Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York Wednesday deposited the instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change with the Secretary-General of the UN today.

According to a press statement issued by the Mission, it had submitted the instrument of ratification on behalf of the government of Nepal.

“Following the decision of the Legislature-Parliament of Nepal on 4 October, the instrument of ratification was sent to the Permanent Mission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday together with the registration of Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn by the Ministry of Population and Environment,” read the statement.
The instrument of ratification has been signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat.
The deposition of the instruments of ratification by Nepal and other countries so far fulfilled the requirement necessary for the Paris Agreement to come into force.

The Agreement is now set to be in force on the thirtieth day, on 4 November.

The Agreement has been ratified by 72 States accounting for 56.75 per cent of the global green house gas (GHG) emissions.

As per the requirement, at least 55 per cent GHG emission countries should submit the instrument of ratification for the implementation of the agreement.

“Nepal highlights that the Paris Agreement is a living instrument meant for serious implementation, in tandem with 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and hopes that its sincere implementation would help us adapt and mitigate the recurring problems such as landslides, floods, melting of glaciers, erratic and extreme weather patterns, and loss of biodiversity directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people,” said the mission.

According to the Mission, in view of the fact that Climate Change vulnerability of Nepal as LDC, LLDC and mountainous country was very high and its pathway for sustainable development was both difficult and costly, Nepal maintained that an easy, transparent and direct access to climate finance and technology should be ensured for the countries like Nepal, in addition to the development cooperation and support, as provisioned in the Paris Agreement and other instruments.