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Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said the Third Nepal Investment Summit-2024 has been a grand success.

The minister said this in his address to a sideline meeting with representatives from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and ambassadors of various countries to Nepal held earlier today under the Summit.

He said the government has been encouraged by the enthusiastic participation of development partners in the meeting and such participation made the Summit a grand success.  "The presence in the meeting is a testament to suggest that Nepal is one of the suitable and emerging destinations in the world for investment."

Pledging to further strengthen the cooperation with the development partners in the days ahead, he said the event sent a message to the world that Nepal is united in terms of efforts to build an atmosphere conducive to investment.

He said that the political presence, remarks, and commitments including from the major opposition leaders contributed to establishing the fact that Nepal presents ample investment opportunities. He thanked the development partners for their remarkable presence and commitments expressed during the Summit, contributing to making it successful.

He also expressed his happiness over the good attraction of development partners and investors towards the projects presented during the Summit.

He took time to say that the amendment of nine laws through an ordinance on the eve of the Summit to build an investment-friendly atmosphere has enhanced the level of confidence among investors. According to him, the process of Sovereign Credit Rating, one of the concerns of development partners, has been initiated.

The minister states that there are abundant opportunities for Nepal's energy, tourism, information technology, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.

As Nepal is progressing towards graduation to a middle-income developing country from the category of the least developed country and in this context, other capacity enhancements are the priorities of the government.

He said that Nepal situated in between two emerging nations: China and India suggest a great opportunity for domestic and foreign investment.

Minister Pun further said that Nepal's biological diversities and the abundant availability of natural resources make it a suitable zone for investment.  He pledged further policy and legal reforms and procedural simplification for investment in the days to come.

The finance minister utilized the forum to say that social justice, good governance, and prosperity are the priorities of the CPN (Maoist Centre)-led government, and the budget for an upcoming fiscal year will address these matters with much priority.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 0.07 points to close at 1,980.34 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1.14 points to close at 351. 95 points.

A total of 7,341,177-unit shares of 317 companies were traded for Rs 2. 95 billion.

Meanwhile, Pokhara Finance Ltd. (PFL) and Janaki Finance Company Limited (JFL) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, People's Power Limited (PPL) was the top loser as its price fell by 6.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 14 trillion.

Two persons died when a Bolero jeep met with an accident at Parakuwa in Dummana of Aamchowk Rural Municipality-8, Bhojpur on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Runa Rai (27) and Shanti Rai (33) of Pangcha, Aamchowk Rural Municipality-10.

The four-wheeler (Ko 1 Ja 2617) was heading towards Maiyutar from Balanka via Dummana when the tragedy occurred.

The injured have been taken to the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences for treatment, Inspector Dal Kumar Rai, Information Officer at the District Police Office, Bhojpur said.

Inspector Rai said that the jeep fell some 200 meters down the road.

Daman Bhandari of CPN-UML won the by-election in Bajhang.

Also, the District Committee Chairman of the UML, Bhandari defeated his closest contender Abhishekh Bahadur Singh of the Nepali Congress to emerge victorious in Province Assembly (A).

UML, Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (Unified Socialist) among other parties contested the by-election in Bajhang without forging electoral alliance.

Earlier, Prithvi Bahadur Singh had won the election in Province Assembly (A) in 2022.

The World Association of PPP Units and Professionals (WAPP) and the Nepalese Association of PPP Professionals and Practitioners (NAPPP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation.

The MoU was signed in the course of the Third Investment Summit underway in Kathmandu since Sunday.

WAPP President Ziad-Alexandre Hayek and NAPPP Chair Anup Kumar Upadhyay signed the document on behalf of their respective sides.

Both parties have agreed to collaborate in matters of mutual concerns and exchange knowledge and experiences regarding the public-private partnership.

Strengthening of physical infrastructure and PPP pipelines, preparations of PPP projects and programs, and collaboration for the promotion of international exercises in the implementation, hosting of joint gatherings and assemblies, and publications of joint journals are among the contents of the MoU.

NAPPP Chairperson Anup Kumar Upadhyay said the cooperation between the WAPP and NAPPP is expected to help Nepal enhance its knowledge and capacity regarding the PPP and strengthen projects on PPP.

WAPP President Hayek said Nepal has a long experience in the implementation of PPP-based projects and this approach has brought transformations mainly in the hydropower and clean energy sectors. Nepal's home-grown practices and its experiences are exemplary, he said.

WAPP with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, is a global non-governmental organization. It helps its members achieve their professional goals and promotes best practices in PPP to align with UN SDGs, the WAPP said.

NAPPP is said to be an association that brings together practitioners, professionals, and members from multiple sectors to promote collaboration, innovation, and efficiency in public-private partnerships and investment to contribute to sustainable development.

Meanwhile, Sakha and Company Private Limited and Anforman Group and BORE Hotel, China have signed an agreement worth Rs 100 million for cooperation in hotel business today itself.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Nepal Tourism Board jointly organized an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Nepal on April 28, 2024.

The joint team of Nepal and the Republic of Korea successfully climbed the Jugal Himal in Sindhupalchowk district.

A renowned Korean mountaineer and honorary Nepali citizen Um Hong Gil led the South Korean team and record-setter climber Dawa Yangzum Sherpa led the Nepali team in the expedition from April 5 to April 27, 2024.

The successful expedition of the joint team is a shining example of tourism collaboration between the Republic of Korea and Nepal is .

This historic achievement strengthened our bond of friendship and showcased the beauty of Nepal’s natural landscapes and the spirit of adventure. This journey highlighted the potential for collaboration in the field of tourism to create unforgettable experiences for travelers and promote cross-cultural understanding, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang attended the Korea- Nepal Friendship Expedition ceremony 2024 in Kathmandu on 28 April 2024.

Minister Tamang exchanged a congratulatory message on the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Republic of Korea.

He also pointed out that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries have always respected and trusted each other, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields have yielded fruitful results.

Park Tae-Young, ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Nepal, emphasized the 50-year journey as a tale of shared values and mutual respect, contributing to personal and economic development. “I have shared that the Korean government has designated Nepal as a priority cooperation country for 15 consecutive years in development cooperation focusing on vocational education, health, agriculture and ICT.”

The program was attended by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, lawmakers, diplomats, high level officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, media persons, businessmen from tourism sectors and all expedition team members.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 137, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 137, 600 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 136, 550 per tola. It was traded at Rs 136, 950 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1,665 per tola today.

CPN-UML candidate Suhang Nembang is leading the vote count in Ilam-2.

Of the 24, 738 votes counted so far, Nembang has secured 10, 300 votes.

Similarly, his closest contender Nepali Congress candidate Dambar Bahadur Khadka has received 6, 944 votes.

Likewise, independent candidate Dekendra Singh Limbu Thegim obtained 5, 591 votes while Milan Kumar Yonghang Limbu of Rastriya Swatantra Party garnered 1, 443 votes.

A total of 69, 287 cast their votes in the by-election held on Saturday.