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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 14.33 points to close at 1,980.27 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 2.62 points to close at 350. 80 points.

A total of 6,878,159-unit shares of 308 companies were traded for Rs 2. 68 billion.

Meanwhile, Pokhara Finance Ltd. (PFL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 02 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 19 trillion.  

Properties worth millions of rupees were destroyed when a fire broke in Sankhamul, Kathmandu on Sunday.

Police said that five shops were reduced to ashes and a house suffered partial damages in the fire that broke out near Dobhan Bridge in Sankhamul, Kathmandu today.

The fire was taken under control with the help of fire engines from Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and locals.

Full details of the damage caused by the fire are yet to come, police said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said Nepal is a suitable destination for investment, calling upon the investors from across the globe to seize the opportunity and be benefitted from this.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the Nepal Investment Summit 2024 here today.

On the occasion, the PM asserted that there are immense opportunities for investment in Nepal and it is a potential country for investment from legal, geographical and strategic perspective as well.

Stating that Nepal is fully committed to a liberal economic policy, he reassured that an investment-friendly environment has been created in the country.

The Prime Minister said Nepal is continuously moving ahead towards creating a friendly environment for the investors, industrialists, entrepreneurs and innovators. In this connection, he added, eight various laws related to business and investment have been reformed.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal has urged investors from around the world to seize the opportunity and invest in Nepal's burgeoning economy.

Addressing the Third Nepal Investment Summit 2024, he emphasized the country's colossal untapped sectors and its potential as an investment destination.

Dhakal highlighted Nepal's strategic location between the economic powerhouses of China and India, underscoring its significance as a gateway to vast markets.

He emphasized the abundant opportunities across various sectors, including tourism, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, technology, and ICT.

The FNCCI President particularly spotlighted the immense potential in renewable energy, citing recent agreements for power trade with India and Bangladesh as indicators of Nepal's capability in hydropower generation and regional trade.

He also underscored the need for modern infrastructure in tourism, agriculture, and technology sectors to harness Nepal's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and young, dynamic workforce.

Moreover, Dhakal emphasized the importance of investing in technical education to bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled human resources, thereby boosting both domestic employment and remittance inflows.

He commended the government's efforts in implementing business-friendly policies and initiatives to facilitate foreign investment, including recent amendments and bilateral investment agreements.

Highlighting FNCCI's role in boosting investor confidence through international business summits in New Delhi, Beijing, and Dubai, Dhakal assured continuous support and commitment from the Nepali private sector for joint ventures in all potential sectors.

He shared his belief in Nepal's emerging growth story and encouraged forging partnerships to chart a path towards sustainable development and prosperity.

Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has asserted that Nepal is an attractive destination for international investment.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Third Investment Summit today, he highlighted the key objectives of the Summit.

According to the Finance Minister, the key objectives of the Summit are: To project Nepal as an emerging destination for private sector investment; to highlight recent reforms in enhancing the investment climate and ensuring regulatory frameworks that support foreign as well as domestic investment, to showcase a wide range of projects across different sectors, including investment-ready projects; to facilitate productive negotiations and come up with a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between investors and stakeholders, advancing project development and management objectives; and to provide a platform for networking opportunities among the policymakers, investors, experts and other stakeholders to share ideas and views as well as encourage joint ventures in areas such as industry and infrastructure development.

The finance minister said there are multitudes of investment opportunities ahead, which will be further enhanced through this summit.

"Nepal has been able to achieve significant progress in recent years. Our macroeconomic indicators remain sound and stable. Nepal's economic landscape is evolving, complemented by a federal system of governance providing ample opportunities to foster growth and innovation," he said, adding that over the years, Nepal has witnessed significant achievements in the areas of clean energy, tourism, IT, agriculture, and agro-based industries as the drivers of its economic progress and prosperity.

Noting that as Nepal embarks on the journey of economic transformation, it is imperative to acknowledge that our existing technology and domestic markets alone are insufficient to sustain the high growth trajectory we hope to achieve, Finance Minister Pun observed that foreign investors in Nepal have made commendable achievements.

"Therefore, Nepal warmly welcomes foreign investment as a catalyst for industrial development, infrastructure development, job creation, export promotion, and knowledge, skill and technology transfer. The government is committed to collaborating with the private sector through private direct investment and various other models of public-private partnership. We are grateful to the development partners for their continuous support in creating an enabling environment for investment," he reiterated.

Stating that various policy reforms have been initiated with a view to improving the business environment and boosting investors' confidence, the finance minister said that these reforms include improving regulatory processes, reducing the time and cost of business, and ensuring transparency and accountability in public sector governance.

"Reform is an ongoing process; it will be continued in the days to come. Ladies and gentlemen, I am confident that this summit will serve as an important milestone for unleashing Nepal's tremendous investment potential and charting a path towards sustainable economic growth. Let us grab the opportunity to forge new partnerships, drive innovation, and create a brighter future for all," he added.

The Judges' Society Nepal, an organization of incumbent justices, has demanded action against sidhakura.com.

Saying that its serious attention has been drawn towards the news published by Sidhakura.com titled 'Secret deal to dismiss more than 400 corruption cases', the Judges Society said that the issues in the news were baseless and demanded that the news agency be brought under the law.

Issuing a statement on Sunday, the Judges’ Society Nepal said that publishing the news without checking the facts and involving a Supreme Court justice is not only an attack on particular justice but also on the entire judicial system.

ALSO READ: Press Council directs sidhakura to remove fake content

“This Judges’ Society Nepal’s serious attention has been drawn towards the news titled ‘Secret deal to dismiss 400 corruption cases’ broadcasted and published by Sidhakura.com on April 26, 2024,'' reads the statement issued by General Secretary Tek Narayan Kunwar. “If you think that the verdict delivered by a particular justice was against the law, you should have to find the treatment by adopting the procedure as per the law in the concerned authority, but to publish and broadcast the news without cross checking the facts and even by saying that there has been bias in the verdict by involving a justice is not only an attack on specific justice but also on the entire judicial system.”

Although Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai was dragged in on this issue, the Judges’ Society claimed that he was not in the panel when the decision was made.

The Society said that this type of fake news has created confusion over the judicial system and judiciary among the people.

ALSO READ: Govt should immediately take action against those involved in disseminating fake news: Media Society

Nepali citizens visiting China will get a free entry permit (visa). Now, the Nepalis will not have to pay for the visa.

The Chinese Embassy informed that the entry permits for the Nepalis visiting China have been made free of cost. However, certain service charges will be levied.

According to the Chinese Embassy, this rule will come into effect from May 1.

The Nepali Embassy said that the free visa system has been implemented to further strengthen the relations between Nepal and China.

The Nepal government, however, has been providing 150 days free visa to the Chinese nationals.

The Chinese Embassy said that the visa fee will not be charged for single and multiple entry.

The Embassy further informed that no fee will be charged even for multiple entry permits of six months and one year.

Author Laxmi Devi Rajbhandari has released three captivating books of English poetry : “The Bird of Paradise”, “Eternal Vigilance” and “Briar  Rose".  All of them are long poems (Khanda Kabya), each contributing  a rich narrative of her years of  life experience.

There is a deep undercurrent of spirituality in her poetry. She shares her beautiful experiences of awakening through her unique spontaneously expressed poems and offers a glimpse of the realm of spirituality in most touching simplicity inspiring to open one’s heart to the Truth

The books were released on Baisakh 14, 2081/April 14, 2024 by Laxmi Devi Rajbhandari,  Prof. Dr Mohan Prasad Lohani (Chairperson); Prof. Ganga Prasad Uprety (Chief Guest); Prof. Dr Padma Prasad Devkota; Prof. Dr Shreedhar Gautam; and Prof. Keshav Sigdel at Bougainvilla Events, Kathmandu.

Laxmi Devi Rajbhandari has published nineteen books of poetry (eight in Nepali, one in Newari, and ten in English (including the 3 released on Baisakh 14).  Her first publication Banda Kitab – Closed Book, a poem, was published in Matribhumi weekly by Govinda Biyogi jyu nearly 35 years ago. Her first publication in book form was Jeevan Yatra ka Chyan haru - Moments in Life Journey, published in 1990.