Agro-price dives further

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DHANGADI, Oct 12 - Price of domestic paddy and wheat, which had sharply dropped in the past few months, has received yet another setback with a further dip of over 50 percent and 60 percent respectively.

Paddy, whose price was almost Rs 800 per quintal till recently has fallen to as low as Rs 350 and wheat that cost almost Rs 900 per quintal has gone done to Rs 650.

The sudden drop in price during the festivals caused uproar among the farmers who were forced to sell their produce at loss in order to celebrate the Dashain festival.

Prem Raj Joshi, activist with Forum for Protection of Farmers’ Rights (FPFR), talking to The Kathmandu Post stressed that the government must provide relief to the farmers through the resumption of subsidy in irrigation and fertilizers, and by fixing the minimum support price for their produce.

The cause of the recent decline in price of domestic agriculture output is primarily due to the flooding imports of agro-products from India, which pulled down the price in the domestic market.

Indian agriculture products are comparatively cheaper than Nepalese output, and the subsidized Indian agriculture output is killing the market for domestic produce, farmers lamented.

In addition, existing stock of paddy and wheat with businessmen in huge quantities has also played a part in bringing down their prices.

FPFR for the past three months have been demanding with the government to fix the support price of fine paddy at Rs 1000, common paddy and maize at Rs 900 and sugarcane at Rs 140 per quintal.

The forum had put forward its demands to the government by submitting a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel during his visit to Dhangadi.

Last year Kailali district alone produced over 217 thousand tons of paddy.

TV imports up by 150 pc

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BIRGUNJ, Oct 12 - The import of television sets and related parts from India and third countries in the fiscal year 1999/2000 has increased by more than one hundred fifty percent as compared to the previous fiscal year.

During the fiscal year 1998/99 television sets and parts worth Rs 105 million were imported through Birgunj customs. However, the figure registered a dramatic jump in the fiscal year 1999/2000 to touch Rs 267.7 million.

"The main reasons behind such majestic increment on the imports by businesspersons is based on the hope that sales would go up on the eve of Olympic games," Ashok Baidya, an export import businessman said.

Of the total import of Rs 105 million in the fiscal year 1998/99, ten thousand seventy three television sets worth over Rs 30 million were imported. Rest of the imports consisted of spare parts.

However, despite the normal increment in the import of television sets during the last fiscal year, the impressive imports of spare parts, which touched Rs 142 million in the same year caused the total import amount of television to skyrocket.

Nepalese delegates in Japan

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KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - A ten-member delegation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) left for Japan to take part in Global Business Opportunities Convention 2000 and International Fair 2000, states a press release issued here today.

While the convention is to be held in Osaka from October 16-18, the fair will be held in Matsuyama from October 13-15, the release says.

According to the release, the delegation headed by Surendra Bir Malakar, second vice-president of NCC, comprises of businessmen from ten different business firms.

The convention is organized by Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), the release adds.

The release says that the convention would act as a forum for the active promotion of Nepalese products in the international markets.

Similarly, the release states that the Nepalese stall at the International Fair in Matsuyama would display various Nepalese products for the scrutiny of foreign buyers. The products to be displayed include Pashmina, Handicrafts, readymade garments and medicinal herbs, among others.

Nepal has been participating in the fair since the past four years, the release says.

‘I love Lalitpur’ campaign to kick off on October 19

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KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - A week long ‘I Love Lalitpur’ campaign, first of its kind to be implemented in the country, is to kick off from October 19.

According to a press release issued here today, the objective of the program is to boost the image of Lalitpur as the city for tourism, festivals, shopping and dining, and the program would seek to attract more tourists and valley resident to the city.

The campaign will also highlight the positive aspects of Lalitpur such as better prices, convenience and excellent selection for shopping, among others.

The week long program will also feature various schemes and daily events.

The major events organized for the week are the Patan Night Market in Mangal Bazar, the Tihar Fun Fair at Jawalakhel, the Newari Jhoe Bhoe and Music, and an Art Exhibition at Akesheshwor Mahavihar, the release says.

The program is organized by Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in close cooperation with the Lalitpur Metropolitan Municipality, District Development Committee, Chief District Office and Patan Tourism Development Organization, including various clubs and associations of Lalitpur, the release states.

The sponsors of the program include Gorkha Brewery, Jawalakhel Distillery, Bottlers Nepal, De-Luxe Radio Service, Town Top Catering and Nepal Business Yellow Pages, the release concludes.

Yeti Airlines acquires new aircraft

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KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - Yeti Airlines has announced to introduce flight services by a 30-seater EMB 120 aircraft, which arrived here recently.

It is first of the two aircrafts that the airline has acquired to add in its present fleet of four DHC 6/300s twin otters.

According to a press release received here today, EMB 120 will be the fastest aircraft in domestic operation in Nepal after entering into the service.

Manufactured by Embraer Aircraft Corporation, world’s fourth largest aircraft manufacturer, EMB 120 aircrafts are one of the most reliable aircrafts operating successfully around the globe, the release adds.

With the addition of the new aircraft, Yeti Airlines would add its services to Biratnagar, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa. Daily Everest sightseeing flights would also be operated by the newly arrived aircraft, the release concludes.