First-ever investment summit in Koshi
Koshi Province is all set to host its first-ever Investment Summit on May 1-2 in the provincial capital, Biratnagar. The provincial government aims to attract investments worth nearly Rs 175bn through the event, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, Saroj Koirala, CEO of the Provincial Investment Authority, said the summit marks a historic and result-oriented initiative for the prosperity and development of Koshi Province, which holds immense investment potential. The government will showcase 71 large-scale projects, each valued above Rs 100m, across eight key sectors including tourism, agriculture, industry, energy, infrastructure, and IT services.
According to Koirala, the total estimated cost of these showcased projects stands at Rs 173.49bn. To facilitate investment, the provincial government has amended eight key laws through ordinances, aimed at creating an investor-friendly legal framework.
On April 29, Province Chief Parshuram Khapung issued the ordinances, following the recommendation of the provincial cabinet. According to Rewatiraman Bhandari, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law and spokesperson of the provincial government, the amended laws include the Public Private Partnership and Investment Authority Act 2019, Provincial Cooperative Act, Provincial Transport Management Act, Provincial Building Act, Provincial Industrial Enterprises Act, Provincial Tourism Act, Koshi Province Private and Partnership Firm Registration Act, and the Provincial Forest Act.
Minister Bhandari said these legal reforms are expected to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and ease the investment process. Coordination has also been made with the federal government, which has already amended several related laws, and further legal initiatives are underway.
Investors from China, Russia, the United States, South Korea, India, along with non-resident Nepalis and prominent domestic industrialists, are expected to attend the summit. The event will feature six thematic panel discussions, covering areas such as agriculture and tourism potential, industrial production and marketing, infrastructure development and energy, and opportunities in health and medical education.
The opening day will include discussions on Koshi Province’s investment environment and intergovernmental coordination across Nepal’s three levels of government. To ensure the summit leads to tangible outcomes, the provincial government has also planned a pre-meeting and will conduct periodic follow-up meetings post-summit to address implementation challenges.
Koirala said the government is preparing to sign agreements to move forward with at least two dozen projects during the event.
Milk producers receive government subsidy
Dairy farmers in Bidur Municipality have started receiving subsidies under the ‘Milk Producer Promotion Program’ supported by the Bagmati Province Government. The initiative aims to encourage rural farmers engaged in regular milk production by providing financial incentives through the local government. As part of the program, Bidur Municipality has begun distributing subsidies to farmers who sell a minimum of 10 liters of milk daily to nearby dairies. Eligible farmers are receiving a grant of Rs 3.5 per liter of milk sold. The first phase of subsidy distribution has been carried out at Trishuli Dairy Suppliers in Devighat, Bidur-5, where many farmers regularly supply milk.
Mayor Rajan Shrestha personally visited the dairy to hand over the subsidies to farmers, reaffirming the municipality’s commitment to supporting the agricultural community through such initiatives. Deputy Mayor Prabha Bogati stated that the subsidies have boosted farmers’ morale and are expected to improve dairy production.
The financial support was provided based on data collected during the months of December to February. In the first phase, 51 farmers who met the daily milk supply threshold have received the incentive. According to the municipality, over 400 dairy farmers are active in Devighat alone, and more than nine dairies across Bidur are set to distribute subsidies to affiliated farmers.
During the handover event, local officials, including Acting Chief Administrative Officer Hari Pyakurel and ward chairs from Bidur-5 and Bidur-10, emphasized the continued collaboration of all three levels of government in supporting farmers. An interaction program was also held to discuss milk production, market management, and current challenges with local stakeholders and beneficiary farmers.
Government eases chemical fertilizer procurement process
The government has shortened the time required to procure chemical fertilizers by amending the Public Procurement Regulations 2064 for the 14th time, incorporating fertilizer procurement provisions for the first time. The revised regulations were published in the Nepal Gazette on April 28. The amendment specifies that for national or international bids, a notice must be issued at least seven days in advance, mentioning the venue, date, and time for opening financial proposals related to fertilizer procurement.
Additionally, a new provision requires bidders to clearly mention the validity period of their bid, which must remain valid for up to 30 days from the date of opening the technical proposal. Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Ramnath Adhikari said the amendment was made to simplify the previously lengthy fertilizer procurement process. The ministry stated that the revision aims to address the issue of rapid price fluctuations in the international market and ensure timely fertilizer imports.
Due to delays in procurement, fertilizers often could not be imported on time, causing shortages for farmers during the crucial planting seasons. Minister Adhikari said the amendment now paves the way for completing the fertilizer procurement process within a month.
Kenyan MP shot dead in 'targeted' attack in Nairobi
A Kenyan member of parliament has been shot dead in the streets of the capital Nairobi by gunmen on a motorcycle in a suspected assassination, BBC reported.
Police said the attackers had been trailing Charles Ong'ondo Were's vehicle before one of them got off the motorbike and shot him at close range.
"The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and predetermined," police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said in a statement.
The opposition MP had two months ago complained about threats to his life, local media reported, according to BBC.
After the shooting on late Wednesday, his driver and bodyguard, both unhurt, managed to rush the injured MP to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
