Farmers switching to Fish Farming due to High Rate of Return

BHAIRAHAWA, Jan 26: Lured by fast cash, more farmers in Rupandehi are turning to commercial fish farming.

Many farmers in the district are shifting from traditional food crop to fish farming as the rate of return on the latter is high.

According to District Agriculture Office (DAO) Rupandehi, commercial fish farming is done in around 900 hectares in the district. In Chapiya of Dayanagar-8 alone, commercial fish farming is done in over 200 hectares.

Gopal Prashad Pandey, a farmer from Chapiya, told Republica that farmers are shifting to commercial fish farming as crop yields cannot meet even their daily needs. “Many farmers here have become financially successful through fish farming,” Pandey, who is also the chairman of Jaldevi Fish Production Cooperative, said.
According to Pandey, overseas returnees are also involved in commercial fish farming.

Not only the farmers of Chapiya, the popularity of fish farming has gripped the Maanmateriya VDC also. Punya Prashad Chaudhary, a farmer of Maanmateriya, said he recently fish farming from 0.20 hectare to 4 hectares. “Unlike traditional crops, fish farming ensures regular income throughout the year,” he added.

Farmers say they do not have problem finding market for their production. “We do not have to stroll in the city to sell our products as merchants come to our village itself,” Faudar Tharu, a farmer at Bhaglapur, said.

Apart from 900 hectares of land, commercial fish farming is also being done in 126 natural ponds in the district. According to DAO Rupandehi, 3,510 tons of fish is produced in the district annually.

Source: myrepublica.com,  26th Jan 2014
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Latest Cinema Experience - Dine while you watch movie

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Latest Cinema Experience - Dine while you watch movie

KATHMANDU, Jan 18: With an objective to provide a different cinema viewing experience to the customers, a new multiplex with dining experience is coming up at CTC Mall in Sundhara.

 Cine de Chef Company is opening a new cinema hall named Cine de Chef within next two weeks which provides movie goers with the experience of latest movie as well as mouth-watering food while watching the movie.

The company claims that it is the first of its kind cinema hall in Nepal which has a built-in kitchen that serves full breakfast, lunch and dinner besides just tit-bits that the cinema halls are serving currently.

“At a time when state-of-the art cinema halls are turning into the most appealing destination for moviegoers, we have tried to enhance their experience by providing various new facilities like introducing latest electronic menu to order food, recliner chairs to tilt according to the need, mini freezers in the chair, Meyer EXP sound system and Christie Digital 2K and 4K projectors among others,” said Gaurav Goel, managing director of the company adding that all these facilities are introduced for the first time in Nepal.

The multiplex will have two different theatres: Cine Dine and Cine with capacity of 58 seats and 169 seats respectively. According to Goel, at Cine Dine, customers can order their food from the electronic menu through a tablet where in they can select the food item and set their time of receiving the food which will directly be forwarded to the kitchen.
At Cine Dine waiters will be at customers´ service while in Cine customers have to go and order their food and get it themselves.

Cine Dine is equipped with leather recliner chairs which can be tilted to 150 degrees and is equipped with touch sensors, back massager inbuilt in the chair, mini freezer, space, waiter call button and lamps among others. Cine will have 30 luxury sofa and 139 normal chairs.

Customers can experience the Meyer EXP sound system which helps to create soundtracks with greater nuance and precision, and give cinema operators the ability to reproduce these soundtracks without distortion to every seat in the theatre.

Goel claims that only 4 to 5 movie theaters across the globe has used Meyer which is the official sound sponsor of Metallica and Beijing Olympics held in 2008.
The Christie Digital Projectors is being introduced for the first time in Nepal provides precise and clear image viewing experience to the viewers.

Besides all these, the theatre has two bars that serve organic cocktail and mocktails and the lobby area has been made interactive where touch screen displays have been installed. Customers can play games and watch movie trailers through 42-inch displays.

According to the company, customers will have to pay Rs 600 to Rs 1,500 for enjoying movie at Cine Dine and Rs 400 to Rs 700 to enjoy movie at Cine depending upon the time of the show and days. The tickets include complimentary food items. The company is also planning to open Cine de Chef inside the valley within this year.

Source:myrepublica.com,  18th Jan 2014
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Nepal Urges Asian Neighbours to Invest in Nepal

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Nepal urges Asian neighbours to invest in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Jan 10: Government officials have urged foreign investors to increase trade and investment cooperation in Nepal.

Nepal has put high priority on attracting foreign investment in crucial sectors such as hydropower, tourism, road transport and agriculture for the past few years.

Speaking at an interaction organized in Kolkata on Thursday, Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Nepali Consul General in Kolkata, said investors would benefit greatly by putting their money in Nepal which is strategically located between two Asian economic giants -- India and China.

“I want to urge foreign investors, specially prominent Indian investors, to invest in Nepal which enjoys duty free access to Indian and Chinese markets for large numbers of products,” Ghimire said at a conclave on “Bilateral Trade: Opportunities and Challenges” organized by Bharat Chamber of Commerce Kolkata Chapter.

The program also saw participation of consul generals of other neighboring countries like China, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
At the conclave, participants from different countries exchanged their views on increasing trade and investment relation between India and their respective countries.

India, which has already emerged as the Asia´s third largest economy after China and Japan, is heading toward becoming one of the world´s economic superpower.
On the occasion, Ghimire informed the participants about the progress that Nepal has made in different sectors like education, telecommunication, infrastructure and media, despite prolonged political instability.

He also said Nepal has been offering different incentives to lure big investment in hydropower, agro-processing, tourism, carpet, garment, cement, herbal processing, tea, coffee, medical, engineering, education and Information Technology, among others.

Nepal has allowed foreign investment of up to 80 percent in telecom, 90 percent in aviation, 51 percent in consultancy services and 100 percent in industries other than cottage firms, travel and tour agencies and some restricted business.

“Nepal is one of the liberal and appropriate destinations for investments in South Asia,” claimed Ghimire.  Other participants stressed the need to remove tariff as well as non-tariff barriers and enhance transport connectivity between partner countries to boost bilateral trade.

They also suggested that the host countries develop trade infrastructure and simplify visa system to facilitate foreign investors.

Source: myrepublica.com, Jan 10th 2014
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Tax Dodgers in Nepal to face stern action

KATHMANDU, JAN 11 -

 

After failing to attract expected number of tax payers under a special scheme that offers a certain tax exemption, the government on Friday said it will take stern action against tax evaders.

 

The Financial Ordinance 2013 has offered different levels of tax exemptions to different types of tax payers, provided they pay outstanding tax es within mid-January 2014. The targeted tax payers are private institutions, small traders, cooperatives, professionals and other individuals. The scheme has been designed for both income tax payers and VAT payers.

 

Under the scheme, tax payers who have registered with tax office for years have been allowed to register by paying the tax for the last two years only. Although the private sector has been demanding an extension to the deadline, the government on Friday made it clear the deadline will not be extended, warning of a sterner action after the deadline ends.

 

Speaking at an interaction with the regulators such as Insurance Board and Securities Board of Nepal, Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala told those not responding to the government’s scheme not to expect a deadline extension. “After the current deadline ends, the revenue authority will reach to your doorstep to take a legal action,” he said.

 

According to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), around 4,400 small traders having annual transaction of less than Rs 2 million, who were facing problem of mismatch in tax records, were supposed to avail facility. “But only 1,000 such traders have come forth,” said IRD General Director Tanka Mani Sharma.

 

Under programme, traders have been asked to pay income tax for fiscal year 2010-11 and 2011-12 

within mid-January 2014 to get exemptions in tax , fees and interest. The facility was announced after traders’ complaints about record mismatch.

 

According to the IRD, only around 600 professionals took the benefit of the scheme, IRD officials termed disappointing. The Financial Ordinance has told the professionals—who are liable to pay tax es but have not acquired Personal Account Number (PAN) and have failed to pay income tax until fiscal year 2011-12—to pay the tax es for fiscal year 2010-11 and fiscal year 2011-12 within mid-January 2014. If they do so, they will be exempted from paying income tax es for previous fiscal years, fee and interest. 

 

Sharma said although there are some 30,000 cooperatives, only 15,000-16,000 have been registered with the tax authority.

 

He said those failing to apply for the current facility will be penalised and asked to pay their entire tax liability. 

 

During the interaction, government officials asked the regulators to help increase the number of tax payers as well as recover tax es through a mechanism under 

which transactions of tax payers would be affected if they fail to clear their tax es.

 

 Finance Minister Koirala asked the regulator to make mandatory that those seeking to register with the regulator should first register with the tax authority.

 

 Finance Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi asked the regulators to tell their licensees that they would not be able to defend them if the tax authority initiates action.

Source: ekantipur.com, Jan 11th 2014

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Malaysia no longer allows foreign workers in restaurants and fast food chains

MALAYSIA, JAN 11 -

 

With fast-food restaurant operators in Malaysia no longer allowed to hire foreign workers, it is likely to have an adverse effect on prospective Nepali migrant workers.

 

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Im migrant s of Malaysia chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin recently took a decision to this effect with an aim to encourage the local work force in the sector.

 

There has been a growing demand of Nepalis in international food chains like KFC. And, the decision could affect thousands of Nepali aspirants who are preferred for such frontline office jobs, including waiter and cashier. Most of the Nepalis working in Malaysian restaurants serve as cook, kitchen help and cleaner, among others. 

 

Although the Malaysian government has said it won’t entertain foreign workers, no further details have been given. An official at Nepal’s embassy in Malaysia told 

the Post he came to know about the issue through the media and is yet to get detailed information. 

Restaurants and fast food chains are among the most soft after employers in Malaysia after, security jobs. It has been learnt the Malaysian government took the decision considering the youngsters’ attraction towards the sector. 

 

One of the manpower agents said as the number of foreign workers in fast food chains and restaurants is already less, it won’t have a big impact on Nepali workers. “Most of the restaurants and fast food chains have native workers. Therefore, it won’t have a big impact on Nepalis.”

 

“Fast food restaurant operators are barred off deploying foreign workers, as many locals are attracted towards this profession,” Yassin was quoted in news carried by local newspaper New States Times. 

 

“We should prioritize locals in this sector.”

The Malaysian government had permitted foreign workers in fast food restaurants, newspaper shops and as cleaners in Dec 27, 2011. 

 

Since it is easier to work in the services sector compared to others, the locals aren’t much interested sectors like construction and agriculture.

 

In a bid to cut the number of foreign workers and manage them properly, Malaysia had introduced a blanket amnesty and validation schem in 2011.

 

ID cards for migrant s

MALAYSIA: The Malaysian government has said it will provide identity cards to around 2.3 million migrant workers. The cards, which will have thumb prints of the holders, will be different in colour based on the sectors the cardholders work in. The card is likely to come into the practice from November 15. (PR)

 

Source: ekantipur.com, Jan 11th 2014

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Operating Capacity of Nepalese Industries at 57.83%

KATHMANDU, JAN 12 -

Capacity utilisation of Nepali manufacturing industries could not go up in the last fiscal year, thanks to poor industrial environment as a result of protracted political transition, power crisis and skilled labour shortage.

The average capacity utilisation of industries stood at 57.83 percent, according to a study carried out by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) in eight major cities and surrounding areas covering 47 districts. Industrialists have also termed the level of capacity utilisation poor.

The study was carried out on industries producing 23 products in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Pokhara, Siddharthanagar, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi and surrounding areas.
Industries manufacturing vegetable ghee, cooking oil, rice, wheat flour, biscuits, sugar, noodles, animal feed, processed tea, beverages, liquor and cigarette were surveyed. Other surveyed were those producing of cotton textiles, woollen garment, pashmina, garment, paper, soap, brick, cement, iron and steel and electric wire.

The level of capacity utilisation last year is almost same to that of the previous fiscal year 2011-12 when the figure was at 57.79 percent. However, the previous fiscal year’s survey was done on 18 products in 42 districts, including all the aforementioned cities.

According to the NRB report named “Economic Activity Report 2012-13”, noodles factories witnessed the highest capacity utilisation of 87.4 percent, while rice factories posted the poorest 22.1 percent.

Hari Bhakta Sharma, vice president of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), said the main constraint for domestic industries to run at full capacity is energy crisis. “Most of the industries are not being able to operate due to power shortage,” said Sharma. “This has also increased the cost of production and operational costs.”

Labour-related issues, other local-level problems and the government’s failure to maintain efficient supply chain have also affected industries . “There is no efficient supply chain in Nepal. Some this or the other is also affecting industrial operation,” he said. “Take an example of problems created by truck entrepreneurs now.”

Sharma urged the government to shift its focus to the industrial sector and provide necessary support for its sustainable growth.

According to the NRB study, a big downfall in paddy production last fiscal year contributed to the dismal performance of rice factories. The report, however, said the state of rice industries this year will be better as rice production is forecast to be better this year. The report has said industries producing items like noodles, biscuits and light beverages will witness a positive growth, with improving living standard of the general people and changing consumption trend.

During the review period, industries manufacturing soybean oil, rice, wheat flour, animal feed, biscuit, sugar, noodles, refined tea, liquor, beer, refined leather, resin, medical products, plastic products, brick, cement, iron and steel, GI wire, metal utensils, aluminium products and footwear posted growth in terms production capacity. Industries witnessing fall in production capacity include those manufacturing vegetable ghee, mustard oil, dairy products, light beverage, thread, synthetic apparels, jute products, wooden products, paper, electric wire and cable, and tire and tube, among others.

The report has also identified major manufacturing items being produced in different regions. While Kathmandu and its surrounding primarily boasts of industries producing refined milk, pashmina, noodles and footwear, Biratnagar comprises mostly industries that manufacture ghee and oil, daily essentials, jute products, metal products and cement, among others. Janakpur area features industries producing sugar, liquor, paper and cement among others, whereas Birgunj mostly has factories making refined milk, animal feed, light beverage, cigarette, leather, apparels, cement, refined lather and medical items.

Pokhara mostly has biscuit, noodles and rubber industries ; Siddharthanagar wheat flour, light beverage and cement; Nepaljung mustard oil, wheat flour, rice; and Dhangadhi hosts industries making wheat flour and resin.
 
Economic activity report ’12-13
 
Top 5 industries with highest capacity utilisation

Industry    Utilisation
Noodles     87.35%
Refined tea     82.41%
Liquor     79.62%
Biscuit     71.99%
Light beverage     71.77%
 
Top 5 industries with lowest capacity utilisation
Industry    Utilisation
Rice     22.12%
Vegetable ghee     22.38%
Electric wire     38.13%
Pashmina     41.44%
Animal feed     44.36%

Source:ekantipur.com, Jan 12th 2014
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Nepalese businesses in Hongkong expanding to China

HONG KONG, Jan 9: A Hong Kong government official has said that Nepali businessmen who are established in Hong Kong are now expanding their businesses to China.

Speaking at the sixth anniversary of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) - Hong Kong, held on Tuesday, Director General of InvestHK Charles Ng said the government was aware about the Nepali companies doing good business in Hong Kong.

 InvestHK is the government body of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region responsible for foreign direct investment. “Nepali businessmen are now expanding their arm toward China after being established in Hong Kong,” he said.

Nepal´s Consul General to Hong Kong Mahesh Prasad Dahal urged the chamber to bring plans for promotion of Nepal-Hong Kong trade.

Similarly, Richard Vuylsteke, the president of American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said his group was ready to work with NCC-Hong Kong.

NCC-Hong Kong Chairman Dasu Ram Parajuli said NCC-Hong Kong would remain active in the coming days in encouraging Nepalis working in Honk Kong to start their own businesses and promote Hong Kong-Nepal trade.

Source:myrepublica.com, 9th Jan 2014
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