Her Majesty inaugurates Agroexpo 2002

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Sept. 18: Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah inaugurated the Agroexpo 2002 at the Birendra International Convention Centre today. The Agroexpo, whose theme is 'Economic prosperity through agriculture', is being organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Agro Enterprises Centre (AEC), and coordinated by the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN). The five-day exhibition has 110 stalls displaying agri-cultural products, including medicinal and aromatic herbs, beverages like tea and coffee and beekeeping and horticulture products.

"Agriculture accounts for 40 per cent of the country's gross domestic product," said Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, President of theFNCCI. But despite the huge possibility of agriculture supplying raw materials for the industrial sector, we have not been able to utilise the potential. "The country's economic condition is critical and the population is growing at more than 2 per cent. But agriculture production, which is growing at only 1 per cent, has failed to catch up," he added.

Speaking at the inaugural programme, Laxman Prasad Mehta, Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives said that unless we commercialise agriculture, we cannot alleviate poverty. "The AEC of the FNCCI could help farmers in this endeavour," he said. The centre was established 11 years ago with US aid.

Krishna Prasad Tamrakar, president of the AEC, said that if organisations like the FNCCI were to manage the market, it would benefit the farmers who, at present, face market problems or do not get good returns.

This is the first ever agriculture fair here covering all aspects of agriculture, adds RSS. Nepal's agricultural produce, seeds and seedlings, flowers, honey, tea, coffee, non-seasonal vegetables, dairy products, fruits, herbs and cocoon products are on display at the fair. In addition, glimpses of the advancements brought about in the agriculture sector and pertinent information about prospects of agro-enterprises in the development of rural economy and untapped opportunities in agriculture will be given to visitors, it is stated.

The flower show organised annually in the capital has also been amalgamated into the fair. It is believed that the fair will be instrumental not only in bringing producers, manufacturers, sellers and consumers at one place but also in fostering awareness about markets, innovative technologies, product mix and market diversification.Entities participating in the fair will last till September 22.

Imposing authoritarianism daydream of Maoists: Deuba

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept. 18: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that at a time when all security forces including the Royal Nepal Army have been mobilised to save the country and countrymen from ruthless assault by the Maoist terrorists, it is a matter of great prestige and an achievement for officer cadets to join the army out of their longing to serve the nation.

The Prime Minister was commissioning officer cadet graduates of the Royal Nepal Army Academy at Kharipati, Bhaktapur at a function held at the Royal Nepal Army headquarters today.  Deuba said that the terrorists who call themselves Maoists are trying to spread violence, murder and anarchy in the country, they have shattered the developmental infrastructure and attacked essential services like transport, communications, health care, education and drinking water, innocent citizens have become victims of their depredation, and they day dream of imposing their ruthless authoritarianism on the Nepalese people.

The commitment to service of the nation reflected in the proud faces of the newly commissioned officers will bring renewed energy and success to the national campaign against terrorism, he added.
He also expressed confidence that the newly commissioned officers would be inspired in their every step by concepts like the sovereignty of the nation, national integrity and sanctity and the safeguarding of the constitutional rights of the Nepalese.

Offering heartfelt tributes on behalf of the Nepalese people to the brave sons of Nepal who have sacrificed themselves from the time of the unification of the country to the war against terrorism, he said bearing that selfless sacrifice in mind His Majesty's Government would spare no effort to ensure success in each and every step taken by the Royal Nepal Army towards the security of the nation.
At the function the Prime Minister presented a Khukuri to Shailenda Basnet who stood first among the six participants in the training.

Also present on the occasion were Chief of the Army Staff General Pyar Jung Thapa, former chiefs of the army staff, generals and other senior officers as well as families of the newly commissioned officers.

'India not giving shelter to Maoists'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Sept.18: Acting Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ashok Kumar has flatly denied his government was providing shelter to Nepalese Maoist terrorists in India. "We welcome any information that helps us to detain such terrorists," he said at a face to face programme organised by the Reporters' Club here today.

The denial has come after repeated reports in the press that Maoist leaders were freely operating from India. Many Nepalese political leaders are also believed to have gone to India to meet senior leaders of the terrorist organisation.

Kumar said that his country had beefed up security along the Indo-Nepal border as part of India's support to this country. "India has given full support to Nepal in its fight against the Maoist terrorists. India understands Nepal's pain and destruction caused by the ongoing terrorist activities," he added.
He said India had provided two helicopters, light weapons, arms and ammunitions, transport and communications equipment to fight the Maoists in Nepal. It has also provided training to the security forces to strengthen their capacity to combat the terrorists.

Talking about India's help in settling the longstanding Bhutanese refugee problem, Kumar said that it was a bilateral issue between the two small Himalayan kingdoms, both of whom are India's close friends.
Nepal is passing through a challenging time. India will continue to stand by Nepal in its effort to maintain peace and security, he said. "India would like to see Nepal become economically self-reliant," he added.

"Relations with Nepal is our priority," he said. "This year has been extraordinary in terms of the interactions we have already experienced between our two countries." His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev paid his first state visit to India after ascending the throne. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba also paid an official visit.

Similarly, Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha visited Nepal last month during the SAARC ministerial meeting. The Indo-Nepal trade treaty was renewed early this year. "There are many other areas in which we have extended our cooperation. All these have enriched and strengthened our bilateral ties," said Kumar.

"I cannot envisage a future without problems in our relations. But I can envisage solutions led by discussions and mutual understanding," Kumar said talking about the future of Indo-Nepal relations.

SAARC, ASEAN ministers discuss cooperation

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept. 18: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh and Foreign Minister of the Philippines Bias F. Ople co-chaired the SAARC-ASEAN dialogue at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday. The interactive session was attended by Foreign Ministers and representatives of SAARC and ASEAN member countries.

During the meeting, ministers and representarives of the two associations briefed each other on the recent developments in their associations and shared views on contemporary international issues of relevance to them.

Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya briefed the meeting on the important decisions and the highlights of the 11th SAARC summit and that of the inter-summit ministerial meeting held in Kathmandu in January and August respectively this year. They have agreed to intensify cooperation in international fora on supporting each other's common positions on major international issues and on ensuring effective implementation of the commitments made at international conferences.

They also agreed to explore cooperation in various areas such as tourism, science and technology, preferential trading regimes and human resources development. During the meeting the secretary- generals of both the organisations presented possible areas of cooperation between the two associations at the organisational level.

It was also agreed to enhance cooperation between the two secretariats in the agreed areas, so that they could share each other's best practices and experiences in the days ahead. The SAARC-ASEAN dialogue was attended by Murari Raj Sharma, permanent representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Madhu Raman Acharya, Foreign Secretary, Gyan Chandra Acharya, joint secretary at the Foreign Ministery and Durga Prasad Bhattarai, deputy permanent representative of Nepal at the United Nations.

Nepal supported for WTO entry

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept. 18: The second task force meeting of Nepal's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the bilateral talks on market access held at the WTO secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland concluded on Monday. According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the talks focused on Nepal's proposal for reform customs rates, commitment on opening up services sectors and reforming Nepali laws as per the WTO provision.

At the meeting representatives of 20 countries including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the United States of America, Bangladesh, the European Union, Australia, Zambia, Thailand, Haiti, China, Cuba, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Mongolia and Republic of Korea, Zibuti supported Nepal's accession to the WTO on the basis of a flexible policy for being a least developed country.
The member countries were also of the view that conditions and commitment should be asked for from Nepal only that Nepal's rate of economic development can withstand.

According to the Ministry, Zambia on behalf of the least developed countries, other LDCs Bangladesh, Haiti and Zibuti and under developed countries India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba and Mongolia gave especial emphasis entry into the WTO. They also commented that the present proposal along with the reform customs rates and commitment in the service trade sector was very positive in comparison to preliminary proposal presented in September, 2000.

However, some member countries demanded that the proposed customs rates should be brought closer to the current customs rate and other taxes like special tax, agriculture development tax and local development tax should be demarcated at zero. Likewise, demands were also made to liberalise the financial and banking sector, legal and accounts business, hydro electricity, construction business, distribution services and other areas of services. Responding to their demands, Nepal agreed at the meeting to finalise the above issues following discussion with the concerning sectors and then inform the member countries about it, adds the Ministry.

More peaks opened for mountaineering

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept, 18: His Majesty's Government has opened up 13 mountain peaks for mountaineering to mark the Destination Nepal Year 2002-03 and the Golden Jubilee of the first conquest of Mt. Sagarmatha or Everest.

The summits opened up for expedition are Tashi Kang, Tsartse, Khatung Kang, Norbu Kang, Kanta Gaton, Danfe Sail, Nemjung, Ghenye Liru, Mera South, Naulekh, Khangri Shar, Khangri West and Lung Sampa.

The total number of peaks opened up for mountaineering has now reached 276. HMG has delegated the power of granting permission for trekking and mountaineering of 15 peaks below the height of 6,500 metres and technically easier after charging necessary fee to Nepal Mountaineering Association for five years.

Additional peaks for which Nepal Mountaineering Association can issue permits are Mt. Chholatse, Mt. Machermo, Mt. Kyazo Ri, Mt. Nirekha, Mt. Langsisa Ri, Mt. Ombigaichen, Mt. Bokta, Mt. Chekigo, Mt. Phari Lapcha, Mt. Lobuje West, Mt. Larkya Peak, Mt. A.B.I., Mt. Yubra Himal, Mt. Yala and Mt. Chhukung Ri. The number of peaks for which permission has to be obtained from the association has now reached 33.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the mountaineering fee should not be less that 50 per cent of the specified royalty depending on the number of the members of the expedition.

Resource crunch hits TU library expansion

By Bhuwaneshor Sharma

KATHMANDU, Sept. 18: 'A library is a big bank of books and brains - a source of knowledge and intellect. A good library is a knowledge industry. Who knows they sometimes are mightier than minds and missiles'. So says a quote.

Despite this food for thought, the country's biggest brain bank, Tribhuvan University's Central Library, does not have the resources to buy many important publications, which it used to, says chief librarian Krishna Mani Bhandari. Its budget has not increased in the past five years.

This library has helped thousands of students to graduate, many of whom have gone on to become eminent personalities both in the country and abroad. Ironically, no one has stepped forward to develop and expand this library, he said. Bhandari doesn't blame the government alone for this state.
"Students who make it big after graduating make donations to such libraries in other countries. We lack a culture of voluntarily investing in such a national treasury of knowledge." He also stressed the need for a separate library act to promote library activities.

"This is the only library in the country that has produced many millionaires, leading politicians, outstanding economists, good bureaucrats and dexterous diplomats and what not," said Bhandari.
With four new subjects introduced at the Masters' level recently, there is only a budget of Rs. 800,000 to purchase new books. Similarly, the annual budget for purchasing magazines, periodicals, newspapers and development publications has remained unchanged at Rs. 3 million for the past five years.

However, the cost of these publications keep on increasing every year, and new publications are coming in the market. "We must buy at least a copy each of all good publication as it is the central library," says Bhandari.

The library has stopped purchasing Physics Abstract, an annual compilation of all new developments in the field of physics, since 1998. The abstract is essential material while working on one's Master's and doctoral theses. The abstract costs $ 2500.

The library has 250,000 books, of which 30,000 titles have been entered in its website. The library opened in 1960 with just 1,200 books and moved to Kirtipur from Tripureswor in 1967. In recent years, there has been a growing number of readers coming to the library.

The TU Central Library, which spreads over an area comprising 50,000 square feet, has a staff of 100, including 15 librarians. Six hundred people can study in the library at any given time. Altogether 160,000 students study in the 61 colleges affiliated with the TU, which accounts for 90 per cent of the students enrolled in higher education. The TU conducts Master's level classes in 35 subjects.

Of the Rs. 1.21 billion budget the government has earmarked for the university this year, Rs. 1.2 billion will go to pay the salaries to its 14,000 staff members. Is it possible to manage all its other needs with the remaining Rs.10 million?" questions Bhandari. There are 61other libraries in the 61 colleges affiliated to the TU.

More money poured into relief fund

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept. 18: Lalitpur CDO Dhruva Prasad Sharma handed over a cheque for Rs. 331,965 to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at the latter's office at Singha Durbar today.

The money for the victims of flood and landslide had been raised from the employees working in Nepal Mine Industries' Association of Lalitpur, Khumaltar Locality Improvement Committee, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City and various other institutions and organisations of the district.

Likewise, chairman of Manang Society Services Committee Kapli Gurung handed over a cheque of Rs. 321,965 on behalf of the committee to Prime Minister Deuba to be deposited in the Prime Minister's Natural Disaster Relief Fund.

The committee also handed over some relief materials to him. Meanwhile, Kanchanjunga Tourism Entrepreneurs' Relief Fund has distributed Rs. 253,712 in cash and Rs. 431,835 in kinds to the people of various VDCs including Hangdeba, Furumbu, Lingkhim and Sabadin of Taplejung district displaced by flood and landslide.

Nepal supported for WTO entry

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept. 18: The second task force meeting of Nepal's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the bilateral talks on market access held at the WTO secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland concluded on Monday.

According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the talks focused on Nepal's proposal for reform customs rates, commitment on opening up services sectors and reforming Nepali laws as per the WTO provision.

At the meeting representatives of 20 countries including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the United States of America, Bangladesh, the European Union, Australia, Zambia, Thailand, Haiti, China, Cuba, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Mongolia and Republic of Korea, Zibuti supported Nepal's accession to the WTO on the basis of a flexible policy for being a least developed country.
The member countries were also of the view that conditions and commitment should be asked for from Nepal only that Nepal's rate of economic development can withstand.

According to the Ministry, Zambia on behalf of the least developed countries, other LDCs Bangladesh, Haiti and Zibuti and under developed countries India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba and Mongolia gave especial emphasis entry into the WTO.

They also commented that the present proposal along with the reform customs rates and commitment in the service trade sector was very positive in comparison to preliminary proposal presented in September, 2000.

However, some member countries demanded that the proposed customs rates should be brought closer to the current customs rate and other taxes like special tax, agriculture development tax and local development tax should be demarcated at zero.

Likewise, demands were also made to liberalise the financial and banking sector, legal and accounts business, hydro electricity, construction business, distribution services and other areas of services.
Responding to their demands, Nepal agreed at the meeting to finalise the above issues following discussion with the concerning sectors and then inform the member countries about it, adds the Ministry.