Submit your Article

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said the present situation was not worrisome as efforts were underway to bring improvements in the country's economy by addressing the problems. There was panic created among people alleging a looming economic crisis, but the situation is not like that and such anxiety has been gradually diminishing, he said while addressing the Nepal Trade Summit-2023 here. "Last year, panic was created alleging that Nepal's economy is about to go bankrupt like that of Sri Lanka. But now, there is no such situation. Presently, we do not mention an example of Sri Lanka. There is a serious economic problem. But the situation has not reached the point where panic has been created. The government has focused on how to ease the economic situation." He blamed the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and various global political and economic episodes for Nepal's affected economy while urging all to be responsible and put in efforts for economic improvement. The PM also stressed the need for all sectors including the government, respective sectors, development partners, main political parties and other stakeholders to come together to expedite economic activities of the country. To make the economy vibrant in the crisis is one of the prime needs of the hour, according to the Prime Minister who said the government was cautiously trying to achieve economic growth with the acceleration of economic activities. "Amidst vivid challenges, the nation's economy is gradually taking a path of improvement and it has been reflected in national and international data." Despite the projections of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank about the possibility of economic slowdown in other developed and developing countries, Nepal's economy is gradually improving, the Prime Minister claimed. "We observed the balance of payment surplus for some time and the status of Forex has improved, the quantity of imports has decreased and the rise in remittance inflow is encouraging. Overall, the external indicators of the nation's economy are improving. " As he said, the maximum utilization of internal resources to advance towards economic prosperity should be the priority of the government's upcoming policies and programs and the budget. "Nepal is rich in water, land and other means of natural resources including forest productions and herbs.  In addition to this, it is enriched by the youth force. Exploration of abundant possibilities in these sectors and their proper utilization is vital to build a prosperous Nepal. "There is a need to increase domestic and foreign investment in agriculture and forest, hydropower, tourism and IT, the areas with abundant potential to achieve rapid economic growth." According to the Prime Minister, the government prioritizes the agricultural sectors and has the policy of promoting agriculture, tourism, hydropower and entrepreneurship to promote domestic improvement and improve exports, keeping the economy vibrant.  As he said, the government is serious towards taking efforts aiming to improve economic indicators.

The budget session of the Federal Parliament is beginning today. President Ram Chandra Paudel had summoned the session as per Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal. The meeting is taking place at 4 pm. Government's policy and programs and annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year would be tabled in this session of the House. In today's House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat is scheduled to table a proposal on the Principle and Priorities of Appropriation Bill for discussions.  

President Ram Chandra Paudel has sent a message of congratulations to His Majesty King Charles III on His Majesty’s Coronation as the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In his message on Saturday, President Paudel has mentioned about the valuable works of His Majesty in the past as the Prince of Wales on important global agendas such as environment conservation and sustainable development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said issuing a press statement. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President has recalled His Majesty’s connection with Nepal which was demonstrated by the number of visits His Majesty paid to Nepal as the Prince. Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Nepal and the United Kingdom, the President has stated that the spheres of cooperation between the two countries have been growing over the years to encompass multiple areas of mutual interest. Likewise, in a separate message, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has extended congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty King Charles III on behalf of the people and Government of Nepal. Mentioning that this year marked the centenary of the Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923, the PM Dahal has stated that the relations between the two countries are characterized by goodwill, mutual respect and cooperation. Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud attended the Coronation Ceremony in London on Saturday representing Nepal.

Locals of Mahagadhimai Municipality, Bara burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday. Hundreds of locals burnt the effigy of the prime minister saying that the government did not show interest even when the services at the municipality were affected for four months due to the absence of a chief administrative officer. When the locals started chanting slogans by burning the effigy of Prime Minister Dahal, a team of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel put off the fire. Locals also demanded the resignation of Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Aman Lal Modi. They shouted slogans saying that the minister, who could not send a chief administrative officer, should resign immediately. At least 658 workers including municipality staffers, teachers and health workers have not got their salaries for four months and the municipality’s projects have also been affected in the absence of a chief administrative officer. Mahagadhimai Municipality Chief Upendra Prasad Yadav is currently in Kathmandu to demand a chief administrative officer.