Dilip Paudel

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

Youths increasingly attracted to startup ventures

Published On: March 16, 2024 08:55 AM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, March 16: While unemployment is increasing in the country, there is a growing interest in startups among the youth. Young people are drawn to startups as they can avail loans at concessional rates to initiate ventures.

Govt extends deadlines for projects worth Rs 400 billion

Published On: March 7, 2024 05:20 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, March 7: After the government amended the Public Procurement Rules, the deadlines of the contractual projects worth Rs 400 billion will be extended. The government has approved the 13th amendment to the Public Procurement Rules, 2080, and has legally opened the way to extend the deadline for projects that contractors have not completed on time.

Dairy industries struggle to sell milk products due to economic downturn

Published On: March 6, 2024 08:00 AM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, March 6: Dairy industries across the country are struggling to sell the milk produced by farmers as the consumption has decreased. The farmers’ representatives say that although they supply 3.1 million liters of milk to the market daily, dairy industries sell only 2.8 million liters of milk.

Increase in cement exports raises hope in Nepal’s foreign trade

Published On: March 4, 2024 09:30 AM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, March 3: Cement exports have raised hopes in foreign trade due to the government’s implementation of effective policies, at a time when the country’s a significant trade deficit. The government’s encouragement of cement exports has resulted in a five-fold increase this year compared to the previous year.

Govt amends Public Procurement Regulation to extend contract for over 1,000 projects

Published On: February 29, 2024 09:00 AM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Feb 29: The government is preparing to extend the contracts of projects that have failed to complete the work on time. The government has approved the 13th amendment to the Public Procurement Regulation, 2080, and has legally opened the way to extend the deadline for projects that contractors have not completed on time. The government reportedly amended the regulations under pressure from construction entrepreneurs.

All seven provincial governments fail to spend required budget

Published On: February 25, 2024 08:10 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Feb 25: At a time when there are complaints that the provincial structure has only increased the burden of expenses for the country, questions have been raised on the capacity of the provincial governments to work. All the seven provincial governments have failed to spend their budgets. Not being able to spend the budget means not being able to work as needed, say experts.

NC General Secretary Gagan Thapa commences 'Sambhad Yatra' from Jhapa

Published On: January 27, 2024 01:45 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Jan 27: Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Thapa has started 'Sambhad Yatra' from Jhapa today. General Secretary Thapa started his journey from Mechi Customs in Jhapa at 8 AM today.

Nepal's informal economy is 41 percent of GDP

Published On: January 27, 2024 08:30 AM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Jan 26: The USA, which is the world's largest economy, has an 'informal economy' of 7.3 percent, while China, the second largest economy, has 12.7 percent. However, the average size of Nepal's informal economy is around 40 to 42 percent.

NAC seeks Rs 135 billion loan at subsidized interest

Published On: January 24, 2024 05:45 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Jan 24: The national flag-carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has started looking for new loans at subsidized interest rates to purchase new aircraft and to pay the debt of the aircraft currently in flight. On Tuesday, the NAC made a public announcement and demanded a loan amount of Rs 135 billion from domestic and foreign institutions.

Adani Group shows interest in operations of int’l airports of Nepal

Published On: January 19, 2024 03:25 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Jan 19: The Adani Group of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani became interested after the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) started the process of operating and building four airports in Nepal under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

CAAN proposes operating, building int’l airports under PPP model

Published On: January 19, 2024 08:00 AM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Jan 19: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), which has been accused of being unable to operate the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) and Gautam Buddha (Bhairawa) International Airport (GBIA) built with loans, has proposed allowing four airports to be run under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Govt remains incapable of raising capital expenditure

Published On: January 15, 2024 09:45 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Jan 15: Due to procedural complications and complexities, the government is seen as incapable of spending capital expenditure.

Govt’s debt burden: Revenue collection falls short of covering recurrent expenditure

Published On: December 11, 2023 05:58 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Dec 11: Since the revenue collection has fallen short of the target, the government finds itself compelled to secure loans simply to cover its day-to-day expenses. Reviewing the financial data spanning until December 9 in the current fiscal year of 2023/24 (roughly five months), it is evident that the Rs 86 billion collected in revenue thus far is inadequate to meet even the recurrent expenditures of the government.

We caught 14 kg of gold after a week of surveillance: DoC Director General Poudel

Published On: December 8, 2023 08:41 AM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Dec 8: Huge amount of gold smuggled through Tribhuvan International Airport has been successfully recovered. Approximately 14 kg of gold was seized on Thursday night.

‘Ncell's enterprise value is Rs 53.20 billion’

Published On: December 7, 2023 04:10 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Dec 7: Various concerns have arisen surrounding the transparency of Ncell's share purchase and sale transactions, a private telecommunications company with foreign investment in Nepal. Ncell has asserted that the enterprise value of the 80 percent of shares sold by Axiata to Spectralite UK amounts to approximately 400 million US dollars or Rs 53.20 billion.

Carpets worth Rs 4 billion exported in four months of current FY

Published On: November 24, 2023 09:00 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Nov 24: Despite relying on imports for various goods, Nepal has achieved self-sufficiency in the carpet industry. In the first four months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2023/24, the country exported carpets and floor coverings worth around Rs 4 billion.

Contraction in Nepal's foreign trade, imports decreased by Rs 20 billion

Published On: November 23, 2023 06:00 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Nov 23: Despite being an import-based economy, Nepal's foreign trade has contracted. Imports have declined in the month of Kartik (mid-October to mid-November), despite an expected increase in consumption during the festivals of Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, and others.

NOC maintains petrol, diesel prices citing gas deficit as reason for non-adjustment

Published On: November 21, 2023 01:30 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Nov 21: Even though the price of diesel has decreased by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has not lowered its price. Despite a reduction of Rs 7 per liter for diesel and 80 paisa for petrol, NOC has justified its decision, citing a loss of Rs 280 per LPG cylinder.

TikTok expresses dissatisfaction after ban in Nepal

Published On: November 17, 2023 12:00 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Nov 17: The managing company of TikTok, has written a seven-point letter to Nepal expressing its displeasure over the government's ban on TikTok in Nepal.

Nepal exports ginger worth Rs 1.25 billion

Published On: October 16, 2023 07:30 PM NPT By: Dilip Paudel

KATHMANDU, Oct 16: Nepal heavily relies on agricultural products, many of which are imported to meet domestic demand.