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At a tourism promotion program organized by the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Gandaki Province with the assistance of Pokhara metropolis, discussion was held with Indian tourism entrepreneurs on the agendas such as tourism potentials of Pokhara and its hospitality services. On the occasion, tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara said Pokhara was a must-visit destination naturally and culturally. Likewise, tourism entrepreneurs of Patana had reflected their experience and feeling in Pokhara. On the occasion, Pokhara Tourism Council Chairperson Pom Narayan Shrestha said Pokhara was one of the beautiful destinations of the world, adding their notion of welcoming guests as God has added value to the tourism culture of the area. “Pokhara is a potential tourism destination where the general public of neighboring India can easily visit and take joy of its scenic beauty”, he said, adding, “Nepal has a geographical proximity with India. Besides, both the nations have enjoyed mutual fraternity since time immemorial”. Highlighting tourism activities, including sight-seeing of majestic Himalayan range and tourism adventures in Pokhara, he expressed readiness to ever welcome Indian tourists. NATTA Gandaki province chairperson Hariram Adhikari said India was the important tourism source market for Pokhara and Nepal. Pokhara was worth visiting and exploring in any season, he said, adding the objective of the promotional programme was to know problems experienced by Indian tourists during their visit to Pokhara if any and design solutions in coming days. Also speaking on the occasion, Secretary of Tourism Association of Bihar, Prakash Chandra termed Pokhara as one of their preferred destinations. Most of the Indian tourists generally spend a good amount of money during their visits, he suggested the entrepreneurs to make online payment easy and smooth in Pokhara. Senior tourism consultant of Patana, Sanjaya Sharma stressed the need to enhance Pokhara-Patana connectivity through direct flights. He highlighted the importance of efforts from both sides for direct air connectivity. He also suggested making road connectivity between Pokhara and Patana easier and convenient to promote tourism. Vice-chairperson of Pokhara Metropolis Tourism Development Committee, Rabindra Raj Poudel urged Indian tourists to come to Pokhara to take joy in diverse tourism activities including religious visits and adventurous tourism engagement. On the occasion, the entrepreneurs also discussed business to business (B2B) partnership and collaboration for tourism promotion. As informed, the Nepali delegation would reach Banaras today and discuss with the local tourism entrepreneurs and media persons. The delegation would return to Pokhara on April 21 after completing promotional programs in Ayodhya and Gorakhpur after Banaras.  

The gold is being traded at Rs 110, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 109, 500 per tola. However, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 1,435 per tola today.

Around 500 MW of electricity was added to the national grid in 2079 BS. With electricity generated from more than 20 power projects being connected to the national transmission system, the total installed capacity of hydropower plants operational in the country has reached 2,689 MW by mid-April 2023. The construction of the Solukhola (Dudhkoshi) Hydroelectricity Project, the largest hydropower project developed by the Nepali private sector, was completed in 2079 BS. Developed by Sahas Urja, the 86 MW project commenced its commercial production on March 1, 2023. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the country's total installed capacity would reach around 3,000 MW by the end of the current fiscal year 2022/23. The NEA has projected an additional 811 MW of electricity will be added to the national grid in the current fiscal year. The state-owned power utility expects the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 57.3 MW Sanjen and Upper Sanjen, 102 MW Madhya Bhotekoshi, and 54 MW Super Dordi to come online by the end of the current fiscal year. Until mid-July, 2023, the construction of additional 15 hydropower projects is expected to be completed. In 2079 BS, a total of 19 hydropower projects came into full operation while the test of nine others has reached the final stage. Projects with an accumulative capacity of 3,280 MW are under development and once they are completed, the national grid will have around 7,000 MW of electricity. The NEA is preparing to export around 1,200 MW in the coming monsoon season. According to Independent Power Producers Association Nepal (IPPAN), some projects promoted by the private sector are in the phase of trial production. Those projects will begin commercial production of power after the 15-day trial in the presence of NEA employees. The trial production of the 19.8 MW Upper Solu River Hydropower Project promoted by Beni Hydropower is in the final stage. According to the company's managing director Ganesh Karki, the project's power has been already connected to the national grid, and commercial production is likely within the next few days. Similarly, the 14.9 MW Mayakhola Project in the Sankhuwasabha district is also set for commercial production shortly. The other projects preparing for commercial production are the 5 MW Rukumgad Project in Rukum, and the Sindhupalchowk-based Ghattekhola Project. The 54 MW Super Dordi 'B' in Lamjung and the 2 MW Solar Power Project in Nawalparasi, the 6.8 MW Solar Power Project in Morang, and the 10 MW in Banke have already been connected to the national grid. The 10 MW Makarigad Project also started commercial production in 2079 BS. Meanwhile, NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising has directed the contractors to complete the construction of three projects, namely Rasuwagadhi (111 MW), Lower Sanjen (57.3 MW), and Madhya Bhotekoshi (102 MW), that are being developed by NEA's subsidiary companies, by the end of the current fiscal year. The domestic investors are preparing to go ahead with the construction of projects with a capacity of generating 1,553 MW, according to IPPAN's Executive Member Prakash Dulal. The government has registered a company and forwarded the process of building the Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project. Now, the government plans to hand over the 1,200 MW project to the NEA. On the transmission line part, the process of constructing the New Butwal-Gorakhpur 400 kV transmission line has moved ahead.  

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 23. 63 points to close at 1,908.05 points on Monday. Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 4. 87 points to close at 362. 87 points. A total of 3,144,573-unit shares of 267 companies were traded for Rs 920 billion. Meanwhile, Adarsha Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Sunrise Bluechip Fund was the top loser with its price dropped by 6. 25 percent. At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 78 trillion.