Briefs (Spotlight Weekly)

AS PER AN EMERGENCY OFFER extended by the Asian Devlopment Bank (ADB) recently, some of the Asian countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal are to get technical grant assistance to contain Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, following proposals from these countries to the ADB. According to statement from ADB, the bank has approved 2 million USD as regional technical assistance grant to provide regional support to prevent and contain SARS by financing the vital first steps in a medium to long term efforts to boost health system.

THE SPREAD OF UNKNOWN DISEASE HAS affected life in various parts of the country. In Nawalparasi district one woman has died and hundred children are affected with the unknown disease. In Dolakha district, a school has been closed down as 70 of its students took ill. Likewise, in Mahottari district, schools have been closed down as the disease spread. The patients show symptoms like headache, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, cold and cough. Meanwhile, the outbreak of typhoid has affected hundreds of people in Arghakhanchi district. Nine people have already died of gastroenteritis in Butwal. Every year, during summer and monsoon, outbreaks of various diseases including gastroenteritis and viral influenza kill scores of people in the country.

THE DELUGE OF CHEAP INDIAN SUGAR has injured Nepalese sugar industries in both the public and private sector. These Nepalese sugar industries, with the total annual capacity of 130,000 metric tons, had produced 90,000 metric tons of sugar last year. But with the decline in the prices of sugarcane and sugar in India, thousands of tons of sugar have been smuggled into Nepal affecting these industries. The government-owned Birgunj Sugar Factory has already closed down and another government-owned Lumbini Sugar Factory is on the verge of bankruptcy as it could not sell its sugar. According to Hemanta Golchha, of sugar producers' association, 10 factories of the private sector have a large stock of unsold sugar — around 30,000 metric tons - and are seriously hurt. Likewise, National Trading Corporation and Salt Trading Corporation, too, have 18,000 metric tons of sugar lying in stock.

THE PERSISTING INSTABILITY IN THE international sector has triggered fluctuation in the prices of bullion. Last week when the market opened on Sunday, the price of gold per 10 gram was Rs 9010, which changed to Rs 8974 on Monday, Rs 9045 on Tuesday ending on Rs 9050 on Friday (June 6). According to Tej Ratna Shakya, president of Nepal Gold Silver Dealers' Association, the fluctuation of gold price in the world market is due to instability in international share market, depreciation of US dollar, effects of SARS on economies of South East Asian countries.

SIR JEFFREY JAMES, SPECIAL BRITISH ENVOY for Nepal, arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday (June 7) for a week-long visit to Nepal. The British government had appointed Sir James to coordinate international efforts to help Nepal in its effort to tide over the present problems. This is the second time Sir James has come to Nepal since his appointment a few months ago.

A DAY AFTER THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT deplored the deportation of 18 Tibetan asylum seekers by Nepal to China, the government of China said that they were not refugees but illegal immigrants who violated laws and regulations of immigration of both the countries. In a press statement issued by Chinese Embassy on Tuesday (June 3), China has defended Nepal's action saying, "Nepal made the decision to repatriate these people in accordance with the relevant laws." Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and Amnesty International deplored the deportation of refugees.

THE HOME WORKS AND INITIATIVES to form the new budget for the fiscal year 2060/61 gained speed with the appointment of new Prime Minister after a lull of few days due to political instability. The activities at the National Planning Commission (NPC) and Finance Ministry are speeding up to frame the document. Authorities say that the volume of foreign assistance will increase and recommendations of the private sector will be incorporated in the forthcoming budget. "The budget is being prepared based on the Tenth Plan. It will be presented as Ordinance in the last week of Asar (second week of July)," said a source. Based on commitments, the budget will have 8-10 billion rupees as budgetary support from foreign assistance. The private sector has recommended for bringing down tax rates, rehabilitation of sick industries and export promotion.