Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Budget to come through ordinance

Kathmandu, May 24

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Sunday said that the budget of the coming fiscal year 2021/22 would be announced through ordinance.

Speaking with journalists at the PM’s residence, he said that the budget would be announced on the same date as mentioned in the constitution and would be read by the President as an ordinance.

"Budget will be designed in a responsible manner. The programmes, projects and policies that I had announced earlier would be included in the programme," he said, "But the main focus of the budget would be the control and treatment of COVID-19 pandemic."

According to him, major development programmes and projects would be continued but no new projects would be announced since the focus would be controlling the pandemic.

As the Parliament is dissolved as per the Article 76(5) of the constitution and the date of the election is announced, the government has no other way to announce the budget.

Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has almost completed the new budget with priority to control COVID-19, infrastructure development and economic revival.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 May 2021.

New isolation centre opens at Pulchok

Kathmandu, May 23

An isolation centre for the COVID-19 patients established by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in Pulchowk of Lalitpur Metropolitan City has come into operation from Sunday.

This is a dry isolation without the facility of oxygen and emergency treatment. The facility is created in coordination with Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in cooperation with Arambha Foundation and Aksheshwor Mahavihar,

Arambha will provide health related services while Mahavihar has provided space for the isolation centre. The centre has 30 beds and more would be added as per the requirement in the days to come, said the business body in a statement.

Patients residing in the centre will get nutritious food and health services free of cost. Medicines required for the centre are provided by the Central Committee Member of the FNCCI Prabal Jung Pandey and Immediate Past Vice-president Umesh Lal Shrestha, masks and sanitisers by member Ananda Bagaria, foods by member Sandip Agrawal (Gadia), and sanitizer and hand washing soap by Pawan Chaudhary.

Likewise, Ballav Sigdel has supported the centre with Dettol soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, and harpic, Ajaya Singh Karki supported drinking water, Sewa Pathak provided internet and Bidushi Rana provided slippers.

The FNCCI said that the centre was established to support people of low-income group and people with COVID-19 without symptoms in order to check the spread of virus.

If any patient in the centre experienced health complexities, the FNCCI will facilitate in taking them to the hospital but the treatment cost should be borne by the patient.

However, it said that in the beginning the centre could not provide service to infected single woman due to some technical and security sensitivity.

President of FNCCI Shekhar Golchha said that the centre would be helpful for the people of lower class.

Prior to this, the FNCCI has established and run isolation centres at Jain Niketan, Kamalpokhari and old Gorakha Hospital building in Kshetrapati. These centres established with the support from Jain Niketan Gyaneshwork and Arambha Foundation, and Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward No. 17. They have 50 beds each.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 May 2021. 

World Vision supports oxygen cylinders, concentrators

Kathmandu, May 22

World Vision has supported the government with 1,400 oxygen cylinders, 20 oxygen concentrators, 1,225 PPE sets, 1012 Infrared (IR) thermometers, 1,012 pulse oximeters and 25 beds.

It handed the support materials to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) on Friday.

Minister for Health and Population Hridayash Tripathi, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Julie Kumari Mahato and Member Secretary of Social Welfare Council Pushkar Khati were present on the occasion, it said in a statement on Saturday.

The hand over that took place at the premises of the MoHP in Kathmandu was a part of World Vision’s 90-day response plan against the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.  

Minister Tripathi stated that development organisations including World Vision’s support is highly appreciable at this time of need.

Acting National Director of World Vision International (WVI) Nepal Anubhav Adhikari said that the medical equipment will help to meet the urgent needs at government health facilities and protect frontline workers as the situation continues to change.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 May 2021. 

FDI-based cement industries manage finance from domestic banks

Kathmandu, May 22

A study of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) published this week has found that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)-based cement industries have raised significant amount of debt from the local banks in Nepal.

The report titled 'Foreign direct investment in cement industry in Nepal: A study on socio-economic impact', suggested allowing FDI in cement industries only on condition that local investors also hold certain minimum per cent of equity.

"FDI helps in bringing new technology into the country and promotes the competition forcing domestic industries to be more efficient. This would help in the transfer of both technical and managerial know-how from foreign investors to local stakeholders," read the report.

The FDI in cement industries stands at Rs. 56.97 billion, while the total capital of domestic cement industries amounts to Rs. 122.33 billion as of 2018/19, according to the Department of Industry.

At present, 55 cement industries are operational in Nepal of which three are FDI-based, two government owned and 50 locally and privately owned. Two FDI-based industries are under construction.

Hongshi-Shivam Cement has 70 per cent FDI, Arghakhanchi Cement has 18 per cent and Maruti Cement has 21 per cent FDI while under-construction Tianyi Cement Industries and Huaxin-Narayani Cement has 70 per cent and 100 per cent FDI respectively.

According to the report, the operation of large FDI-based cement manufacturers like Hongshi-Shivam Cement Industry (with the daily production capacity of 6000 metric tons) which is also supplying clinker to several other cement industries has been helping significantly in narrowing the gap between the domestic demand and the production of cement in the country.

The FDI in cement industries in Nepal stands at Rs. 56.97 billion, while the total capital investment in cement industries is Rs. 122.33 billion as of 2018/19.

Average daily production capacity of three FDI-based industries is 2783 tonnes while that of twi government owned and 50 locally and privately owned industries is 820 tonnes and 622 tonnes respectively.

Likewise, FDI-based cement industries are found to be more efficient and profitable than government owned or locally owned cement industries.

In order to produce one ton of cement, while the FDI-based cement industries use 0.99 metric tons of limestone on average, the government-owned cement industries use 1.45 metric tons. Similarly, the production cost to the sales ratio of the FDI-based cement industry is about 46.63 per cent compared to 48.95 per cent and 82.18 per cent of locally owned and government owned cement industries.

The economies of scale owing to larger size and the superior technology of the FDI-based cement industries are the reasons behind their higher efficiency, concluded the study.

FDI-based industries are paying better to their employees as well. Most of the employees, especially working in FDI-based cement industries, receive benefits like bonus, provident fund and insurance besides salary. The majority of the workers work for eight hours and earn more than Rs. 40,000 per month in government owned and FDI-based cement factories.

The study finds that the annual actual production is around half (7.49 million metric tons) of the annual installed capacity (15 million metric tons) of the existing cement industries in operation with 9.05 million metric tons of domestic consumption demand in 2018/19.

"Around 1.56 million metric tons of cement was imported from India in that year. The mega projects in Nepal often import cement from India due to issues of certification, quality consistency and ability for bulk supply related to domestic cement suppliers," read the report.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 May 2021. 

PM seeks fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

Kathmandu, May 21

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that since the vulnerable countries and societies have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic, international community should consider some sort of pandemic response fund so as to help recover the severely affected nations.

"It will be difficult for them to stand back in the absence of robust, meaningful and enhanced global partnership," he said while speaking at the 26th International Conference on the future of Asia that concluded on Friday.

Stating that at a time of worldwide humanitarian crisis, all must rise to the challenge in addressing it collectively, he called upon the governments of the advanced nations to come forward with maximum flexibility in, for example, fair distribution of vaccines and waiving intellectual property rights for production of vaccines in developing countries.

"‘Whole of the government’ and ‘whole of society’ approach may not be sufficient to overcome the massive crises we are facing. It is the ‘whole of the region’ and ‘whole of the world’ approach that is critically required," said Prime Minister Oli.

According to him, the virus has also reinforced that in this connected world, nobody is safe until everybody is safe. 

"On the face of this unprecedented difficulty, the time-tested Asian values of fraternity, peaceful co-existence and sense of equity and justice are proving once again their merit. These values were born out of our collective, civilisational conviction on harmony, discipline and primacy of the larger public good and interest," he said.

He took the opportunity to invite the private sector from countries around the world who can capitalise on Nepal’s vast investment potentials and contribute to our growth.

He said that in order to fulfil the national development aspiration, Nepal sought continuous support from its close friends, development partners, and regional and multilateral financial institutions. 

"We seek to maintain and further consolidate our relations with the neighbouring countries, development partners and other friendly countries on the basis of sovereign equality, justice, mutual respect and mutual benefit," he said.

PM Oli said that confronted by this colossal threat, he had made an appeal to the international community and philanthropic organisations around the world to provide Nepal with vaccines, diagnostic tools, oxygen kits, critical care medicines and equipment to help us protect its people’s lives.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2021. 

Jeevee, NYEF offer free COVID-19 consultancy

Kathmandu, May 21

Jeevee Health Pvt. Ltd. and Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs Forum (NYEF) have collaborated for free consultancy service for COVID-19 patients on Jeevee’s App platform.

Specialists with qualifications above MD and DM are available for a free online video consultancy service twice a week.

People seeking the consultancy service need to download Jeevee app from the Playstore or App Store, register as a user and book a free consultation through their Namaste Doctor feature.

The NYEF said that the service is launched under the company's existing service called Namaste Doctor where video consultations can be made with more than 1000 specialists, including endocrinologists and dermatologists.

Namaste Doctor was launched in 2020 in an effort to bridge the lack of access to clinical assistance during the pandemic.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2021. 

Ncell gives oxygen concentrators to govt hospitals

Kathmandu, May 21

Ncell Axiata Limited on Friday handed the first batch of over 150 oxygen concentrators to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), extending its support to the government to mitigate the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As part of its continued corporate social responsibility (CSR) in collaboration with the MoHP against the COVID-19, Ncell has pledged to support the government with a total of over 150 units of portable oxygen concentrators, the company said in a statement on Friday.

Supplemental oxygen is a basic medical requirement for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with low blood oxygen levels.


Andy Chong, Chief Executive Officer of Ncell, handed over
the oxygen concentrators on Friday to Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, Chief Specialist at the MoHP.

These oxygen concentrators will be handed over to district level hospitals that are facing acute shortage of the life-saving oxygen gas.


Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, Spokesperson of the MoHP, said, “The support that has come in as a part of Ncell’s CSR in collaboration with MoHP will help save lives of severely ill patients with respiratory distress during this pandemic and contributes in enhancing the medical infrastructure of government hospitals especially at the district level.”


Ncell since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020,  has supported the government with the sum of Rs. 100 million towards COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Treatment Fund.

As a part of COVID response, we are also operating Ncell COVID-19 Hotline in collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital, providing 24/7 COVID consultation and daily health teleconsultation free of costs to all those who are in home isolation, said Chong.

 

In Ncell’s COVID-19 Hotline Service 9805554500, people can call free of charge for any COVID-related health consultation with doctors and health professionals.

From a call centre set up at Dhulikhel Hospital, COVID patients staying in home isolation across the country will also be provided daily health consultations delivered by qualified medical professionals.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2021. 

Australia to provide $7 million to Nepal’s COVID-19 response

Kathmandu, May 21

Australia will provide an additional Australian $7 million (Rs. 635 million) to Nepal to support the response to COVID-19. 

This funding is part of an Australian $17.5 million package to support Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, to strengthen the resilience of the South Asian region, said the Embassy of Australia in Kathmandu.

"Australia’s contribution will boost Nepal’s ability to address COVID-19, including through the procurement of essential equipment and health supplies, such as oxygen for provincial hospitals and personal protective equipment for health workers," the embassy said in a statement on Friday. 

The financial support would be mobilised through its partners in Nepal in coordination with other donors like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and United Nations agencies.

Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, Felicity Volk, said that Australia is working to support the most heavily impacted communities in Nepal. 

“With this assistance, we will partner with the Government of Nepal to respond to urgent health needs, including providing support to regional hospitals and vulnerable communities,” she said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2021.  

Govt to facilitate the import of health items

 Kathmandu, May 21

The government has issued a new procedure to facilitate the imports of goods used in the prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Customs issued the procedure as per the provision of Article 93 of the Customs Act, 2007.

The procedure had included 21 different products and items like medical grade oxygen, oxygen cylinders that would receive fast-track customs clearance.

Necessary items required for the treatment of COVID-19 that would get special treatment at the customs are oxygen canister, concentrators, filling systems and spare parts for oxygen cylinders, Remdesivir, humidifiers and viral filters for ventilators, ICU monitor, and ICU beds.

These items will also get discounts in customs duties. A Rapid Response Team coordinated by Deputy Director General of the Department will be formed to facilitate in the process.

However, the goods being imported should have proven quality. If the quality is not proven, the customs office can pass the goods after the recommendation of the Ministry of Health of Population and designated agencies.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 May 2021. 

Tibet to send oxygen equipment to Nepal

Kathmandu, May 20

Tibet Autonomous Region of China is sending emergency COVID-19 support to Nepal.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, the support includes 30,000 litres of liquid oxygen, 800 filled oxygen cylinders, 10 oxygen concentrators, five ventilators, 200 ICU beds and 15,000 antigen kits.

"This is the first time that any foreign country provided liquid oxygen to Nepal," said the embassy in a statement on Thursday.

Meanwhile, our correspondent in Sindhupalchowk reported that there was a regular import of oxygen cylinders from China to Nepal via the Tatopani border.

Chief of Tatopani Dry Port and Customs Office Narad Mani Gautam said that 560 oxygen cylinders of 40 litre capacity each were imported on Wednesday.

Earlier, 680 cylinders with 40 litre and 2,500 cylinders with 10 litre capacity each were imported on Tuesday and Monday.

These cylinders have reached Kathmandu, said Gautam.

President of Silk Transport Company Ramesh Sherpa said that Nepali traders have been preparing to import thousands of oxygen cylinders from China.

Meanwhile, 18,000 cylinders provided by China to Nepal in grant are yet to arrive in Nepal.

Publshed in The Rising Nepal daily on The Rising Nepal daily on 21 May 2021. 

CAN suggests govt to allow home delivery of goods

Kathmandu, May 20

Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) Federation had expressed its concerns over the government restrictions to the home delivery of goods purchased from online shopping platforms.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, it urged the government to give priority to the home delivery service in line with the postal services.

"Online shopping and home delivery helps prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic as it reduces the movement of people as they can manage the essential goods while sitting in their homes," said the Federation, "Therefore, the government should make arrangements for this facility."

It said that countries like China and India could implement lockdown effectively with the permission to online shopping and home delivery.

Likewise, it has expressed serious concerns over the government's indifference to including the communication and information technology (ICT) sector to the essential services.

"Telecommunication is included in essential services' list but sales of computer-related goods and equipment is closed while 'work from home' and 'home schooling' is in practice. This has created problems to the sales of mobile and maintenance of mobile and computers needed for work and education," read the statement.

It would create problems to the people as well as students, it said.

Similarly, the CAN Federation has suggested the government to give the health update in real-time, at least in an hour's gap.

It said that the current practice of announcing the update in a day is not helping the people who needed it the most.

"Health Management Information System should be updated in real time so that the people, health workers and hospitals could use it to obtain and provide health services in effective manner," said the CAN.

The objective of information should be saving the lives of people, according to it.

It said that while other many sectors were digitalised, it was unfortunate that the most crucial health sector was not adopting the latest changes in technology.

CAN Federation has also pledged its support to the government in terms of information management and other required services. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 May 2021. 

NIFRA proposes to establish power trading compnay

Kathmandu, May 19

Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) has proposed to establish a power trading company to ease the energy trade.

According to a statement issued by the bank on Wednesday, the company would be established with the participation of the government, bank and financial institutions and private sector companies.

“To make the company technically capable and maintain professionalism as well as facilitate in arranging a large-scale investment in the future, government, private sector companies and public are proposed as the investors,” read the statement.

The bank also said that it was putting its efforts to bring in Indian and Bangladeshi companies as the investors to the company.

“The proposed company will not affect any Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and import and export modalities implemented now. It will facilitate in the PPA, production and export of large-scale hydroelectricity projects being developed in the Karnali, Bheri and Seti corridors,” said the bank.

The bank has said that since the NIFRA is investing 50 per cent of its fund in hydroelectricity development and other banks and financial institutions have already invested Rs. 500 billion in the sector, entire banking sector would be collapsed if there is no proper mechanism for the marketing and trading of the energy produced by the government and the private sector companies.

The power purchase mechanism is extremely crucial for about 4,500 megawatt electricity that would be produced by Phukot Karnali, Betan  Karnali, Jagdulla, Bheri, West Seti, Tila 1 and Tila 2 projects, read the statement.

“The proposed company would facilitate in mobilising investment in these projects. It will help the NEA as well,” said the bank.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 May 2021. 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Local levels take steps to tackle pandemic

Kathmandu, May 16

As the deadly second wave of COVID-19 pandemic began to engulf every corner of the country, local bodies across the nation have come forth to manage oxygen plants, isolation wards and quarantine centres.

Shortage of oxygen has resulted in increased deaths across the country. The rural areas that were considered safer than the urban centres during the first wave of the pandemic last year are now witnessing a huge number of COVID-19 positive cases owing to the celebration of family functions and social activities without following strict health measures.

In response, many local bodies have established coronavirus treatment centres and managed oxygen plants.

According to our Lumbini correspondent, a meeting of chiefs of local bodies and concerned organisations in Rupandehi organised by Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has decided to establish a large oxygen plant in the district.

The meeting had deliberated over the installation and operation of the oxygen plant under the leadership of the local bodies.

A seven-member committee led by the Mayor of Butwal Shivaraj Subedi is formed for the same. Spokesperson of Butwal Ram Prasad Regmi said that another executive mechanism would be formed soon to steer the project further.

The meeting was attended by the chiefs of Sainamaina, Devdaha, Tilottama, Siyari, Marchawari and Suddhodan. Butwal will invest Rs. 10 million, other municipalities Rs. 5 million each and rural municipalities will mobilse Rs. 2 million each for the project.

Likewise, our Gorkha correspondent has reported that an oxygen plant is installed in the Gorkha Hospital. The hospital was planning to install the plant in its new building but for the time being it has decided to use if for the isolation beds, said Krishna Dhakal, Information Officer of the hospital.

Procured at Rs. 4.9 million, the plant can produce 80 litres of oxygen per minute. However, the produced oxygen can't be filled in the cylinders. It goes to the isolation with HDU beds through the pipeline. The hospital has urged the Ministry of Health and Population to send the technicians to install the pipeline.

 The hospital is operating 14 isolation beds and adding 18 more. Gorkha Municipality has allocated Rs. 4.5 million for the isolation beds in the hospital.

Nine local bodies in the district are running isolation in COVID hospitals but they don't have oxygen supply. The district has only 100 cylinders. However, Gandaki Rural Municipality has 10-bed COVID hospital with oxygen facility. Chair of Gandaki Hom Bahadur Rana said that the hospital has a team of medical staff led by a doctor.

Kavre correspondent of The Rising Nepal has reported that the local bodies in the district are collecting swabs at ward-level. Panauti, Panchkhal and Mandan Deupur municipalities are leading the drive in running the mobile swab collection centres. All local bodies in the district are witnessing a surge in coronavirus infection.

Likewise, an oxygen plant is being established in Dolakha. Our Charikot reporter reported that District COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre and all nine local bodies have decided to establish the facility.

District Coordination Committee's chief Dabal Pandey said that consultations had started to establish the plant either at Charikot Hospital or Jiri Hospital. The plant would have the capacity to fill at least 100 cylinders a day. Dolakha has also started PCR test in the district and working to convert the Singati Hospital as a COVID hospital.

District Police Office has collected 27 filled and 31 empty oxygen cylinders from hydroelectricity projects, vehicle workshops and crusher industries and handed them over to the Charikot Hospital.

Similarly, Hariharpurgadhi Rural Municipality of Sindhuli district has established a temporary COVID-19 hospital at its Conference Hall. Our correspondent from Sindhulimadi reported that the hospital was established at a cost of Rs. 650,000.

The local body has mobilised four health workers at the hospital and is trying to bring in an MBBS doctor, said Raju Uprety, Secretary of Ward No. 7 of Hariharpurgadhi.

Meanwhile, Chitwan Medical College's Managing Director Dr. Harish Chandra Neupane has posted a status on Facebook that the hospital has run out of oxygen and is unable to take in new patients.

According to our Bharatpur correspondent, the hospital has its own oxygen plant with 500 litres per minute capacity but with the growing number of patients the hospital is buying about 400 oxygen cylinders daily.

Oxygen plants in the hospitals and a private sector company in the district produce about 880 cylinders in a day. Bharatpur Hospital produces 75 cylinders but consumes more than 200 cylinders. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 May 2021. 

Poco X3 Pro of Xiaomi lunched

Kathmandu, May 16

Xiaomi has launched its latest smartphone Poco X3 Pro in Nepal.

"We are introducing the most powerful smartphone in Nepal," Sourabh Kothari, Country General Manager of Xiaomi Nepal, said in a statement on Sunday.

The smart phone offers an impressive quad camera setup, consisting of a Computer Vision Image signal processor, a 48MP primary sensor with F/1.79 aperture, 8MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.2 aperture and 118° FoV, 2MP macro camera and a depth sensor for portraiture.

X3 Pro boasts a 5160mAh battery.

The phone will be available in three color variants: graphite black, steel blue, and golden bronze at a price of Rs. 31,999 (6GB +128GB) and Rs. 36,999 (8GB +256GB) across authorized Stores, online and retail partners From Monday.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 May 2021. 

Five more companies eligible for book building

Kathmandu, May 16

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has allowed additional five companies to work as institutional investors in the public offerings made through book building method.

It has given approval to CBIL Capital Limited, Citizens Mutual Fund 1 and 2, NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited, and Kumari Equity Fund on Sunday.

With this, the total number of companies that can participate in book building has reached 88.

Institutional investors like fund managers offer their bid for the quantity of shares and the price they would pay for them and help the underwriter to build a book for the IPO in book building.

"The board has given approval to these new five investors according to its policy to increase the institutional investors in the book building method," said the SEBON in a statement.

Earlier on April 16, the SEBON had given approval to nine companies: Siddartha Insurance, Jaya Ganesh Investment Company, ICFC Finance, J-Nex Investment, Muktinath Bikas Bank, Pokharar Finance Limited, Swabhiman Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha, Shree Investment and Finance, and Nepal Bank Limited. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 May 2021. 

Karuna Foundation hands over oxygen concentrators

Kathmandu, May 16

Karuna Foundation Nepal has handed over 30 oxygen concentrators to five different hospitals across the country.

The foundation distributed the machines collected by helping hands in the Netherlands to them on Friday.

Foundation chairman Dr. Bhagwan Koirala and Executive Director Dipak Raj Sapkota handed over eight concentrators weighing 7 kilograms each to Dhulikhel Hospital, eight to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, 10 to Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, two each to Tikapur Hospital and Adara Humla.

It also said that initiatives were being taken to arrange more oxygen concentrators.

"Our efforts are focused on arranging the life-saving items," said Sapkota.

The organisation had also handed over various equipment, including ICU beds, PPE sets, medical kits and food items to different organisations and individuals during the previous lockdown. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 May 2021. 

Govt recommends ambassadors for 11 countries

 Kathmandu, May 15

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has recommended ambassadors for 11 countries.

Of the 11 candidates, two are career diplomats and the rest are politicians, university professors and others.

Nirmal Raj Kafle and Jeevan Prakash Shrestha are recommended from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Austria and Egypt respectively.

Kafle is the Chief of Europe America Division at the ministry and Shrestha is the Director General of Department of Consular Services.

Likewise, Krishna Chandra Sharma is recommended for South Korea, Ramesh Chandra Poudel for Sri Lanka, Kul Prasad Nepal for Brazil, Sumnima Tuladhar for Australia, Yubaraj Karki for Bahrain, Sumitra Subedi for Denmark, Narayan Prasad Sangraula for Myamnar, Janga Bahadur Chauhan for Russia and Mehraj Musalman for Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry has recommended the names for parliamentary hearing. The list is sent to the Parliament Secretariat, said Sewa Lamsal, Spokesperson of the MoFA.

Meanwhile, the MoFA is expecting positive news from the Nepali diplomatic missions regarding the management of oxygen, vaccines and other essential health equipment.

Last week, the Ministry had directed the embassies, permanent missions and consul generals to arrange the essential health items to tackle the current crisis.

"There is a significant progress in terms of managing the necessary items. We are expecting good news from the United States of America and European nations," said Lamsal. The European Union has expressed its commitment with Nepali Ambassador to the EU Gahendra Rajbhandari to provide health items worth two million Euros.

However, the Eid holiday in the Gulf and other Muslim nations has delayed the process in those places.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali held a virtual meeting with heads of Nepali diplomatic missions based in select 13 capital cities abroad today.

Minister, while informing the Ambassadors about the most recent initiatives taken within the country to address the ongoing crisis of the Covid 19 pandemic, received updates from the respective Ambassadors on the efforts made for the mobilization of international cooperation of vaccines, oxygen related items, medicines and other health related supplies.

Minister instructed the Embassies to maximize efforts towards that direction and to explore further avenues of support at the bilateral and multilateral levels as well as through philanthropic organizations, private sector and Nepali diaspora.

He also advised the heads of missions to continue giving high priority to the protection and well-being of Nepali nationals abroad.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 May 2021. 

Merchant banks to suspend physical service delivery

Kathmandu, May 15

Merchant banks have stopped all services except the services needed to run securities transactions online.

Merchant Banker Association of Nepal (MBAN) said in a statement on Saturday that the services were stopped as per the directives of the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) which directed the banks to run only the essential services.

The board on Thursday had directed the merchant banks to run services needed for securities transactions, stop physical service delivery and make payments of the share transactions made by small investors.

MBAN said that all services that require physical presence of the staff and customers are stopped.

"Since the government has restricted people to go out unless they have urgent work and the SEBON directed us not to keep more than three staff in the office and run services through work from home, we urge all investors to give priority to online services for the lockdown period," read the statement.

It has urged the investors to make share transactions online and use EDIS (Electronic Deposit Instruction Slip) while selling the shares. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 May 2021. 

'Selfie with Daughter' campaign launched

 Kathmandu, May 15

Nepal Internet Foundation has launched a 'Selfie with Daughter' campaign in Nepal in collaboration with Selfie With Daughter Foundation, India.

They launched it through a virtual programme earlier this week.

President of NIF, Bikram Shrestha, said that this campaign would help to raise awareness about the rights of daughters and their importance in the society where 'Chhaupadi' system still prevails.

Participants of the programme had presented various challenges to women in Nepali society. They discussed about crimes like rape, acid attack, discrimination against women and suicide.

Any Nepali can participate in the campaign with a selfie with their daughter(s). The best photograph will get prizes where the first will get a certificate and a purse of Rs. 21,000. Likewise, second and third photos will get Rs. 11,000 and Rs. 5,100 respective and certificates.

To participate in the competition people can post a smiling selfie with their daughter and mention #selfiewithdaughter. Such photographs can also be sent to WhatsApp number 9801000044 or post at selfiewithdaughter.in.

This campaign was initially launched by Sunil Junglan in India with the aim of achieving gender equality. He said that the campaign had been effective in creating awareness about the importance and rights of daughters even in rural India. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 May 2021. 

Paudel assumes office, allocates Rs. 58.3 million for oxygen plants

Kathmandu, May 14

Assuming his office at the Ministry of Finance on Friday, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel decided to provide Rs. 58.3 million to three hospitals to install oxygen plants and pipeline.

The budget will be given to Dadheldhura Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences and Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj.

On the occasion, Minister Paudel said that the budget of the coming fiscal year 2021/22 will be focused on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the preparation of the budget was on the final stage and the government will bring it with a motion of rehabilitating the economy and making it more dynamic.

He also expressed commitment to put all efforts for the testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 May 2021. 

Xiaomi unveils Redmi 10 Note Pro in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 14

Xiaomi launched Redmi Note 10 Pro in Nepal on Friday.

According to the company, the new phone comes with the best-in-class features such as 108 MP Camera, 120HZ Super Amoled display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, and EVOL design, according to Sourabh Kothari, Country General Manager, Xiaomi Nepal.

Note 10 Pro has a quad camera setup featuring a 108MP primary camera, 8MP Ultrawide lens, 5MP Super-Macro and a 2MP depth sensor.

Redmi Note 10 Pro that features the latest 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM2 camera sensor, will be available at Rs. 33,999 across authorised Mi Stores, online and retail partners starting May 17, 2021, said Kothari.

It also boasts a dual stereo speaker setup that gives loud, clear, and immersive sound.

The phone features a 5020mAh battery that lasts for more than one day under moderate usage conditions.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 May 2021. 

Zonta donates four oxygen concentrators to Paropakar

Kathmandu, May 14

As a response to the increasing COVID cases, Zonta Club of Kathmandu has donated four oxygen concentrators to the Paropkar Maternity and Women's Hospital (Prasuti Griha) in Thapathali.

The four oxygen concentrators were handed over yesterday to Dr. Subedi, Head Covid Wing In-charge at the hospital, said the club in a statement on Friday.

"The recent surge in COVID cases has resulted in a shortage of oxygen in hospitals across the country. This situation has been particularly grave for pregnant and new mothers who are infected with COVID-19," read the statement.

Seema Golchha, President of the club, said, "With the mission of working towards the betterment of women and children, we hope that this support helps those in need."

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 May 2021. 

Tax increase in tobacco can help save life, revenue

Kathmandu, May 13

Cigarette smoking has caused a loss of about Rs. 40 billion, 1.04 per cent of the total Gross Domestic Product to the economy in 2020, concluded a recent research of Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI).

The loss incurred in the treatment of diseases caused by tobacco products and due to the loss of productivity in people and untimely death.

If we add the damage done by the non-smoking tobacco items, the amount could be much higher, said NDRI Executive Director Dr. Jaya Kumar Gurung at a virtual press meet organised on Thursday to publish the findings of a three-year study.

However, the total revenue collection from the tobacco and related products was only Rs. 18.55 billion in 2020. At the same time, consumers of tobacco products range about 32 per cent of the total population and are continuously growing, said the NDRI.

It suggested increasing tax on tobacco products in order to discourage consumption, including the new beginners, and collect higher revenue.

"Tax on tobacco products in Nepal is only 30 per cent (excise duty 16.18 per cent, value added tax 11.5 per cent and health tax 2.39 per cent) while the World Health Organisation has set a standard of 70 per cent," concluded the study.

 According to it, Nepal has the lowest tax on retail price of the tobacco products in South Asia against 71 per cent in Bangladesh, 68.73 per cent in the Maldives, 66.17 per cent in Sri Lanka, 56.63 per cent in Pakistan and 54.04 per cent in India.

The share of excise duty from tobacco products was 2.54 per cent in 2009/10 which has gone down to 1.82 per cent in 2018/19.

The study has suggested that the increased tax would result in decreased consumption and increased revenue. The move would also help in better public health and help reduce the health expenditure in the long run.

Dr. Gurung said that people tend to increase the consumption of tobacco-related products during difficult times like COVID-19 pandemic which causes more negative impacts on health conditions.

"We would like to urge the government to address the issue through the budget of the next fiscal year 2021/22. The tax on tobacco products should be increased by 50 to 70 per cent and in the next three years, it should be brought to the level of India," he said.

An increase by 50-70 per cent in tobacco tax would help collect Rs. 8 billion to Rs. 12 billion in a year and reduce consumption by 1.4 per cent to 6.9 per cent, according to the study. It said that about one-fourth of youth in Nepal consume tobacco related products, therefore, retail selling of cigarette should be strictly controlled.

Speaking on the occasion former Minister for Science and Technology Ganesh Shah said that there was a need for launching an anti-tobacco campaign in the country.

Manufacturers of the tobacco products at times present the excuse of employment generation but the government should take a policy deviation in terms of industrial priority since the jobs created by this sector is nominal, he said.

Health Economist Dr. Devi Prasad Prasai said that Nepal loses Rs.18 billion revenue and 1000-2000 lives in a year because of low tax on tobacco.

He also said that the impact of tobacco industry on employment generation is not significant.

"They claim of producing jobs for about 2,000 people in formal sector. This is an insignificant number given the negative impact of tobacco products. Life of about 2,000 people could be saved if the tax-rates are raised. It will also discourage the new users from smoking and chewing tobacco," said. Dr. Prasai.

Kunj Joshi, Senior Health Administrator at the National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC), said that controlling tobacco products should be the cross-cutting agenda and considered important by all the ministries. This is the only way to control the pervasive use of tobacco products, he said.

The study was jointly carried out by the NDRI, NHEICC, Nepal Health Research Council, Nepal Cancer Relief Society, and Equal Access.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 May 2021. 

Nepal Investment, Himalayan Bank sign merger deal

Kathmandu, May 13

Nepal Investment Bank Ltd. (NIBL) and Himalayan Bank Ltd. (HBL) have signed an Memorandum of Understanding to go into a merger.

Chairman of Nepal Investment Bank Prithvi Bahadur Pandé and chairman of Himalayan Bank Tulsi Prasad Gautam signed the MoU on Thursday, the banks said in a joint press statement.

"This development has officially paved the way to complete formalities before the process of the start of joint operations between the two commercial banks," read the statement.

After the merger, the new company will be known by Himalayan and Nepal Investment Bank Ltd. Pandé will be chairman of the bank while Ashoke Shamsher Rana will be Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Rana is the incumbent CEO of the HBL.

Similarly, the Board members’ post- merger will be comprised of three members each from both banks while also accommodating an independent member thus making it a seven-member Board.

Merger of the two 'A' class commercial banks will make the biggest bank in the history of Nepalese banking industry.

At present the paid up capital of NIBL stands at Rs. 16.26 billion whereas HBL's paid up capital amounts to Rs. 10.68 billion.

After the merger the combined paid up capital of the banks will reach a staggering Rs. 26.14 billion making it the bank with the highest paid up capital in the country.

"Similarly, combining the assets, loans and deposits of both banks will elevate the bank into unparalleled heights," said the banks.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 May 2021. 

Remittance inflow up, trade deficit widens

Kathmandu, May 12

Remittance inflow to Nepal by the end of the third quarter of the current fiscal year 2020/21 has gone up by 16.5 per cent to Rs. 729.02 billion despite a gradual fall in the number of migrant workers. The remittance inflow had witnessed a fall of 4.2 per cent in the corresponding period the previous fiscal year.

According to the 'Current macroeconomic and financial situation' report of the Nepal Rastra Bank, in the US Dollar terms, remittance inflow increased by 13.0 per cent to 6.19 billion in the first nine months of this fiscal year against a decrease of 4.9 per cent in the same period the previous year.

However, the number of Nepali workers (institutional and individual-new and legalised) taking approval for foreign employment decreased by 66.7 per cent during the review period. It had increased by 10.2 per cent in the same period the previous year.

Likewise, the number of Nepali workers (renewed entry) taking approval for foreign employment fell by 55.7 per cent during the review period.

 

Trade deficit up

Total trade deficit increased by 12.5 per cent to Rs.1016.63 billion in the first nine months of 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased by 8.9 per cent in the same period the previous year.

Export-import ratio went up by 8.5 per cent during the review period from 8.0 per cent in the same period the previous year.

The report stated that the merchandise  exports   increased by  20.2  per cent  to Rs.94.77 billion compared to an increase of 12.9 per cent  in  the  same  period  the  previous year.

Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased by 23.5 per cent   and   14.5 per cent respectively whereas exports to China decreased by 27.3 per cent.

Export of the soybean oil, cardamom,   jute   goods,   polyester   yarn   and threads and   pashmina,   among   others,   increased whereas exports of palm oil, pulses, zinc sheet, wire and cattle feed decreased.

Similarly, merchandise imports increased by 13.1 per cent to Rs.1111.40 billion against a decrease of 7.5 per cent a year ago.

Destination-wise, imports from India and China increased by 20.3 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively whereas imports from other countries decreased by 2.3 per cent.

Import of transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, M.S. billet, rice, telecommunication equipment and parts increased whereas imports of aircraft spare parts, petroleum products, crude palm oil, video television and parts, and silver decreased in the review period.

 

Current account deficit widened

The current account remained at a deficit of Rs.207.41 billion during the review period compared to a deficit of Rs.126.09 billion in the same period the previous year.

During the review period, capital transfer increased by 10.7 per cent to Rs.12.86 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) decreased by 25.0 per cent to Rs.12.35 billion.

In the same period the previous year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs.11.62 billion and Rs.16.48 billion respectively.

Balance of Payments (BOP) registered a surplus of Rs.42.54 billion in the review period as compared to a surplus of Rs.36.61 billion in the same period the previous year.

Gross foreign exchange reserves increased by 2.2 per cent to Rs.1433.27 billion in mid-April 2021 from Rs.1401.84 billion in mid-July 2020. Deposit in banks and financial institutions increased by 13.7 per cent during the review period compared to a growth of 9.7 per cent in the corresponding period the previous year.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 May 2021. 

CNI donates oxygen concentrators to govt

Kathmandu, May 12

Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has donated 200 pieces of oxygen concentrators to the government. Each concentrator is of eight litres capacity.

CNI has provided support worth Rs. 20 million through its member organisation Hongshi Shivam Cement.

Accepting the equipment the other day Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi said that the equipment would be an alternative to the oxygen cylinders during the acute shortage of the life-saving gas.

CNI's President Satish Kumar More said that the private sector was with the government during this period of national crisis. Speaking on the occasion he promised more support in the days to come and appealed to the industries to provide oxygen cylinders to the government.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 May 2021.

Recharger offers discount on oxymeter for Friday

Kathmandu, May 12

Recharger, an e-commerce platform, has announced discounts in price of items used in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and free home delivery on this Friday, May 14.

The company is supplying the items in collaboration with e-payment company e-sewa.

"The company is providing oxymeter, can oxygen, mask, face shield, sanitizer, PPE set and other items in discounted price and offering free delivery service," said the company in a statement on Wednesday.

Consumers can obtain the discount on Friday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM.

Pulse oximeter will be available at Rs. 999 and one customer can order maximum five oximeters. However, to obtain the discount customers should pay the cost via e-sewa, said the company.

Likewise, portable oxygen concentrator of up to 7 litres is available at Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 82,000, Oxi 99 can oxygen at Rs. 549, surgical mask at Rs. 5 per piece, K95 mask at Rs. 15, Korean mask at Rs. 35 and face shield at Rs. 55.

Similarly, 100 ml hand sanitizer would cost Rs. 75 and 5 litre sanitizer Rs. 799 to Rs. 999.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 May 2021. 

Featured Story

Govt prepares primary draft of DRR Policy

Kathmandu, Apr. 29: The government has prepared the preliminary report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy and Strategic ...