Submit your Article

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel held a meeting with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Alice P. Albright in Washington DC, USA on Thursday.

The Embassy of Nepal in Washington DC stated that discussions were held regarding the MCC projects in Nepal being implemented under the MCC Compact Agreement since last year and the cross-border transmission line.

Likewise, the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bo Li, held a meeting with Minister Paudel on Thursday.

During the meeting, discussions were held on the issues of financing, consultation and technical assistance.

On the occasion, Deputy Managing Director Bo said Nepal's economic progress was satisfactory.

Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari, Finance Secretary Ram Prasad Ghimire and Charge' d'Affaires of Nepal Embassy Kumarraj Kharel were present at the meeting. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel has urged international investors to invest in Nepal's information technology (IT) sector with confidence adding that there is immense potential for investment and high returns in this sector.

At an interaction program organized by the American Chamber of Commerce and Industries today, Minister Paudel urged the investors to invest in Nepal's physical infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, energy and other sectors, and take benefits from the investment.

Likewise, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Dhakal shared that there are good investment opportunities in Nepal's hydropower and tourism sectors while asking American investors to invest in those areas.

Representatives from multinational companies including Google, Meta, Coca-Cola and others were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s claim that his government achieved 70 percent of its goals in the first 100 days highlights underlying challenges in governance. The period saw some important developments, particularly in governance reforms and handling of the economy. Oli said the government could have performed even better if it were not for the devastating floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains toward the end of September.

Although the floods and landslides wreaked havoc, claiming 391 lives, and affecting over 2,555 families, the government swiftly responded by offering financial assistance. Essential services like water, electricity and communication were restored within 15 days in affected areas. Economic reforms formed a cornerstone of Oli’s early tenure. Long-pending payments to dairy and sugarcane farmers were cleared. The government also facilitated release of outstanding payments worth around Rs 6.75bn to different construction entrepreneurs, which is expected to stimulate development projects. The government also launched an innovative youth startup loan program, offering collateral-free loans of up to Rs. 2.5m to 165 young entrepreneurs, aiming to boost youth-led businesses and employment.

Authentication of the Transitional Justice Bill and the formation of a recommendation committee to establish two transitional justice commissions show the government is serious about taking the peace process, which began 17 years ago, to its logical end.

On the broader economic front, signs of recovery were visible, with the formation of an Economic Advisory Commission fostering confidence in the private sector. A significant achievement during this period was securing investment commitments worth Rs 34bn in over 200 new industries. Federal government spending saw a modest increase, reaching Rs. 329bn, while revenue mobilization grew by 13.3 percent, totaling Rs. 248bn. These figures reflect a cautious but steady recovery from earlier economic instability.

Oli’s government also made strides in healthcare and social welfare. Free treatment for burn victims and the expansion of cancer treatment services to all seven provinces were notable achievements. The government increased compensation for the families of deceased migrant workers to Rs 1m, up from Rs. 700,000, and extended the benefit to families of those who died after returning to Nepal.

In energy and infrastructure, the trilateral agreement reached with India and Bangladesh for the export of 40 MW of hydropower to Bangladesh is an important milestone in regional energy cooperation. Tunneling breakthroughs in three major road projects have also been listed as achievements of the government. Additionally, over 4,000 km of roads were repaired, and 32.5 km were blacktopped.

Oli’s government also prioritized digital and banking inclusion, extending fiber-optic internet (FTTH) to all 77 districts and ensuring banking access in all 753 units. On the international front, streamlined procedures allowed foreign investors to gain approvals quickly, which has helped position Nepal as a more business-friendly destination.

Despite facing criticism and rumors of instability, the government has focused on systemic reforms rather than populist measures. However, the true measure of success will be in transforming these initiatives into visible improvements in people’s lives.

Nepal has started witnessing the effects of cyclone 'Dana', according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

There is a possibility of light rainfall in the eastern part of the country till Friday as a result. 

Meteorologist at the Division Min Kumar Aryal said light rainfall has been predicted at some places of Koshi and Madhes Provinces due to the impact of the cyclone.

"The effect of the cyclone will be seen in eastern parts of the country. It developed at Bay of Bengal few days ago", he shared.

EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo has suggested that Nepal could spur knowledge and adopt the measures of waste management at local level and schools.

She appreciated the role played by the Green Shift Campaign to this end.

Ambassador Lorenzo was speaking at a review program organized by Creasion Nepal with the assistance of the EU.

The program also featured experience sharing on the project. "If the youths launch innovative projects, they can realize change. Youths are indeed the precursor of change," she added.

According to her, waste management and a circular economy could be significant for Nepal. If Nepal works devotedly on green energy, it could emerge a regional champion in this sector, she believed.

On the occasion, Creasion Nepal's Founder Chair Anand Mishra said green shift was not a mere project but a comprehensive campaign.

The GreenShift Nepal project, aimed at promoting a circular economy and tackling plastic waste, has completed its first year. The four-year initiative, funded by the European Union, spans nine municipalities across the Bagmati, Madhes, and Lumbini provinces. The project is being led by the Centre for Research and Sustainable Development (CREASION) in collaboration with consortium partners Restless Development and Youth Innovation Lab.

During its first year, GreenShift launched in Bardibas, Nepalgunj, and Lalitpur, partnering with schools, youth groups, waste management enterprises, and local governments. “Through a collaborative spirit, the project has already begun to make waves, shifting mindsets, behaviors, and local systems to embrace the principles of circular economy,” according to a press statement issued by CREASION.

One of the project’s key pillars, the Climate Smart School (CSS) program, empowered over 6,000 students in 12 schools, leading them to spearhead 95 green initiatives that inspire eco-conscious behavior in their communities. Additionally, three youth groups received grants to implement 34 community projects, ranging from waste mapping to organizing clean-up campaigns.

“GreenShift Nepal has also made strides in policy development, drafting waste management policies for Lalitpur, Bardibas, and Nepalgunj, which are set to be adopted in the project’s second year,” the statement added. “The project has already impacted thousands of students and individuals, training 79 local government officials on sustainable waste management practices, embedding the principles of circular economy across the provinces.”

A two-day event was held for the annual review and experience-sharing, where the European Union (EU) ambassador to Nepal, Veronique Lorenzo, emphasized the importance of the GreenShift campaign for climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable development. She highlighted the role of youth in bringing about positive changes in society through the GreenShift campaign.

“The campaign is close to my heart, and every change the youth wants is possible,” she said. “Youth are the agents of change; they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. The achievements of this project in just one year are a vivid example.”

Encouraging the young students and teachers present, Ambassador Lorenzo stated, “You are the center of hope for change, and I call on everyone to work together for the protection and development of our environment.” She further stressed the need for the compulsory implementation of waste management and circular economy frameworks, noting that the circular economy holds significant potential for Nepal to become a regional leader in green energy.

Aanand Mishra, founder and president of CREASION, described GreenShift as more than just a project—it’s a comprehensive campaign. He highlighted the success of uniting all three levels of government, schools, students, teachers, youth groups, private waste entrepreneurs, and sanitation workers under a common goal, driven by collective leadership and a shared vision.

Pradeep Khatiwada, executive director of Youth Innovation Lab, praised the contribution of Waste Smart Fellows in creating data-driven policies, emphasizing the importance of data-based advocacy.

Anjali Bajracharya, deputy mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan Municipality, expressed gratitude to the EU, CREASION, and other organizations for conducting the project in the city, and highlighted the need to expand such campaigns on a larger scale.

The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu has urged all to celebrate festivals in a decent atmosphere.

Issuing a notice today, Kathmandu's Assistant Chief District Officer, Anil Paudel, has called on the public to not engage in activities capable of affecting peace and order, and jeopardizing social harmony while celebrating upcoming festivals Tihar, Nepal Sambat and Chhath.

The office has wanted the public to refrain from unlawful activities including gambling, bursting of firecrackers and its transportation, liquor consumption and related activities during festivals.

It has warned that engagement in activities prohibited by laws is punishable. 

The DAO has also urged locals to report to police or the Office (mobile phone number 9851281341 of information officer) if anyone is found violating the law in the course of observing festivals.

Various programs were organized to observe World Polio Day on Thursday.

In his video message on this occasion, Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has urged one and all to contribute to the global campaign to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio).

Through the message, he has called on all parents/guardians to ensure a full-course of polio vaccination for their children within a year of the birth, supporting make the campaign successful.

Expressing his concerns over the detection of sporadic cases of polio in the country, the minister said this suggests the polio risk in the country.  He added that some countries in the world have also reported the presence of poliovirus, highlighting its global risk. He insisted on its eradication across from the world.

The poliovirus is spread person-to-person through a fecal-oral route and by the consumption of polluted food and water.

The oral polio vaccine is administered to a child at six, 10 and14 weeks and the inactivated polio vaccine is given twice: at 14 weeks and nine months.

Chief of Child Health and Immunization Section, Department of Health Services, Dr Abhiyan Gautam, said though people of all age groups may get polio, it mainly affects children under five.

This devastating disease is highly contagious and its symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, body ache and fatigue and the severity can lead to irreversible paralysis and even death.

It can be prevented through vaccination and the maintenance of personal hygiene; intake of purified water and hygienic food are recommended for minimizing its risk.

It may be  noted that with the detection of poliovirus in sewage samples collected from Teku, the confluence of Tukucha and Bagamti rivers last July, the government had launched a special polio vaccination drive, targeting children under five in the three districts of Kathmandu  Valley.