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Nepal’s first AI-powered integrated digital ecosystem, “Global Diary,” has officially come into operation.

This platform aims to connect citizens, businesses, community and government agencies on a single secure and reliable digital platform.

Developed in Nepal, the platform was introduced at a press conference in Kathmandu today.

Designed to serve the general public, entrepreneurs and government institutions, the Global Diary aims to create a unified digital space that improves service delivery, promotes business and increases public engagement, said the officials of the Global Diary.

The newly launched platform enables businesses to enhance its digital presence at a website-level standard, reduce marketing expenses and communicate directly to customers, reads the press statement handed out during the press meet. 

By allowing direct interaction between the service providers and consumers, it helps lower advertising and operating expenses significantly, benefiting both parties, it is stated. 

Speaking at the program, Dr Binod Aatreya, former Executive Director of the Nepal Rastra Bank, shared that the platform combines features similar to social media to connect people with opportunities, trade and services. 

Likewise, Shekhar Aryal, Chairperson of the Global Diary touted the platform as a national pride and claimed that it can expand Nepal’s digital reach internationally. 

He called on consumers, businesses, media and government bodies to rope themselves in the platform, emphasizing its potentials in driving the country's digital growth and economic prosperity.

Shedding light on the newly launched platform, Bhagawandas Agrahari,  Founder and CEO of the Global Diary, mentioned that the platform is more than a social network, e-commerce site or job portal. 

According to him, the platform is a complete digital eco-system. Powered by advanced AI, it helps users find verified service providers, access reviews, receive job recommendations and ensure data privacy while preventing fraudulent activities.

The government has projected the country's economic growth rate to be limited to 3.5 percent. 

This projection was made in the mid-year review of the current fiscal year's budget. 

The annual growth rate of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the current year was estimated to be six percent.

However, due to the decrease in rice production, area and productivity, slowdown in the construction sector, and decline in real estate and land transactions, among other reasons, a new projection has been published in the mid-year review, indicating that the economic growth rate will shrink to 3.5 percent.

Last fiscal year's total GDP growth rate is estimated to be 4.6 percent.

As per the mid-year evaluation report of the budget, the preliminary estimate shows that the GDP at basic prices increased by three percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The revised estimate suggests that the GDP at basic prices increased by 2.9 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

It is estimated that the total value addition of the agricultural sector in the first quarter of the current fiscal year will expand by 1.36 percent compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Particularly, based on the expectation of a decrease in rice production and an increase in livestock, vegetable, and fruit production, the growth rate of the value addition to the agricultural sector is expected to be relatively low.

In the current fiscal year, the production of food crops such as maize, millet, and buckwheat is expected to increase. In the previous fiscal year, the production of food crops like paddy, wheat, and maize is estimated to have increased by 2.67 percent and the production of cash crops by 2.01 percent.

The total value addition of the industrial sector is expected to increase by 5.44 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period of the previous year. The expansion of activities in the energy and construction sectors in the current fiscal year is expected to have a positive impact on the overall industrial sector.

In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the total value addition of the production-based industries is expected to grow by 1.52 percent. During the same period, the total value addition of the service sector is expected to increase by 3.03 percent compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

It is estimated that the expansion in wholesale and retail trade, financial intermediation, general administration and defence, tourism activities, and personal services will have a positive impact on the overall service sector in the current fiscal year.

According to the mid-year budget review report, the average inflation for the first six months of the current fiscal year is 1.7 percent. In the same period last year, inflation was 4.97 percent.

A jeep en route to Tulsipur from Rukum Purba met with an accident at Chorkhola in Kapurbot Rural Municipality -3, Dang, killing the driver on the spot. 

Three others travelling in the jeep (Ja 1 Jha 5661) were injured in the accident that occurred this morning. 

Police said that jeep driver, Bijay BK (34) from Sisne Rural Municipality of Rukum Purba died on the spot, while three others injured in the incident have been taken to Rapti Provincial Hospital for treatment. 

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) is being observed across the globe today.

The Day underscores the urgency of increasing participation of women and girls in science and technology to close the gender gap and spur inclusive development.

The United Nations had passed a resolution on December 22, 2015 to mark the IDWGS every year on February 11. 

The Day has been marked since 2016. The theme of the Day for this year is, 'Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls'. 

Giving a message on this occasion, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres underlined, "We must ensure that every girl can imagine a future in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and that every woman can thrive in her scientific career." 

According to UNESCO, women, however, comprise less than one third of the world's researchers.