Ncell has successfully created one more milestone by upgrading to a world class next generation technology, according to the company.
“The technology is being used only by some developed countries of the world and Ncell is the first service provider to use it among TeliaSonera Group within 20 country operations,” CEO of Ncell Pasi Koistinen said, adding that more than 250 professionals took nine months to implement and cut over to new system.
“However, the evolution caused a minor side effect as huge data transfer created some hitches, according to the Ncell. “After cut over to new system, some customers have faced recharge problems and Ncell also faced a longer than normal waiting time for the customer care,” according to the company.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
NRB mulls steps to revive stock market
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said on Thursday that the central bank is mulling to take steps for the revival of capital market which has been witnessing a protracted slowdown.
“Capital market has come to a proper shape after continued decline. NRB is preparing to come up with a plan to revitalize the share market,” said Khatiwada while inaugurating Central Depository System (CDS) and Clearing Ltd, which provides online-based trading in stock market.
On the occasion, Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood handed over the CDS application software and Clearing system to Tanka Prasad Paneru, chairman of Clearing Ltd.
India has provided a total assistance worth Rs 147.2 million to the company -- a subsidiary of Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) -- in the form of consultancy service and software application to modernize trading and transfer of securities in Nepal´s sole capital market.
On the occasion, Governor Khatiwada said CDS would prove to be instrumental in expanding and modernizing Nepal´s capital market.
On the occasion, ambassador Sood expressed hope that risks associated with paperwork and transaction costs of securities will be considerably reduced once CDS comes into operation.
Surbir Poudel, chairman of Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) and Nepse general manager Shankar Man Singh also expressed confidence that ill-practices and procedural delay would end with the introduction of CDS in the capital market.
“Capital market has come to a proper shape after continued decline. NRB is preparing to come up with a plan to revitalize the share market,” said Khatiwada while inaugurating Central Depository System (CDS) and Clearing Ltd, which provides online-based trading in stock market.
On the occasion, Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood handed over the CDS application software and Clearing system to Tanka Prasad Paneru, chairman of Clearing Ltd.
India has provided a total assistance worth Rs 147.2 million to the company -- a subsidiary of Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) -- in the form of consultancy service and software application to modernize trading and transfer of securities in Nepal´s sole capital market.
On the occasion, Governor Khatiwada said CDS would prove to be instrumental in expanding and modernizing Nepal´s capital market.
On the occasion, ambassador Sood expressed hope that risks associated with paperwork and transaction costs of securities will be considerably reduced once CDS comes into operation.
Surbir Poudel, chairman of Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) and Nepse general manager Shankar Man Singh also expressed confidence that ill-practices and procedural delay would end with the introduction of CDS in the capital market.
Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) hikes milk price by Rs 4 per liter
State-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) has increased the price of pasteurized milk by Rs 4 to Rs 44 per liter (Rs 22 per 500 gram packet) effective from Thursday. The board meeting of DDC held on Tuesday took the decision.
With the rise in price, farmers and DDC will get Rs 3 per liter and Re 1 per liter respectively.
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) -- the dairy sector regulator -- had recommended the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) to increase the price, citing rising cost of milk production.
“With the consent of MoAC, we have decided to raise milk price by Rs 4 per liter,” Siyaram Singh, deputy general manager of DDC, told Republica on Wednesday. Singh said the price of 500 ml non-skimmed (green packet) and skimmed (blue packet) milk has reached Rs 25 and Rs 22 respectively.
Singh said farmers had long been pushing for price hike, citing deepening deficit of milk in the domestic market. To cope with the supply deficit, DDC has been importing around 25,000 to 30,000 liters of fresh milk from Patna Dairy Project -- an undertaking of India´s Bihar government, every day.
“We made recommendation to raise milk price by Rs 4 per liter, taking into consideration rising prices of milking cattle, feeds, nutrients, wages of workers, fuel and interest on bank loan,” D N Pathak, executive director of NDDB said. He further added that the country was facing milk deficit of 400,000 liters.
Daily demand for milk hovers around 1.2 million liters. DDC had last hiked milk price by Rs 2 per liter on May 15 last year.
Ram Kumar Khadka, president of Private Dairies´ Association, said private dairies have no option but to hike milk price as the DDC, which commands more than 40 percent share in domestic market, has already increased price of its products.
“We will take formal decision on price hike within a couple of days. We will raise price in line with the DDC´s pricing,” Khadka added. He said farmers would get at least Rs 28 to Rs 40 per liter depending on fat and solid not fat (SNF) contain in the milk.
Around 300 small and big private dairies are operating across the country.
With the rise in price, farmers and DDC will get Rs 3 per liter and Re 1 per liter respectively.
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) -- the dairy sector regulator -- had recommended the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) to increase the price, citing rising cost of milk production.
“With the consent of MoAC, we have decided to raise milk price by Rs 4 per liter,” Siyaram Singh, deputy general manager of DDC, told Republica on Wednesday. Singh said the price of 500 ml non-skimmed (green packet) and skimmed (blue packet) milk has reached Rs 25 and Rs 22 respectively.
Singh said farmers had long been pushing for price hike, citing deepening deficit of milk in the domestic market. To cope with the supply deficit, DDC has been importing around 25,000 to 30,000 liters of fresh milk from Patna Dairy Project -- an undertaking of India´s Bihar government, every day.
“We made recommendation to raise milk price by Rs 4 per liter, taking into consideration rising prices of milking cattle, feeds, nutrients, wages of workers, fuel and interest on bank loan,” D N Pathak, executive director of NDDB said. He further added that the country was facing milk deficit of 400,000 liters.
Daily demand for milk hovers around 1.2 million liters. DDC had last hiked milk price by Rs 2 per liter on May 15 last year.
Ram Kumar Khadka, president of Private Dairies´ Association, said private dairies have no option but to hike milk price as the DDC, which commands more than 40 percent share in domestic market, has already increased price of its products.
“We will take formal decision on price hike within a couple of days. We will raise price in line with the DDC´s pricing,” Khadka added. He said farmers would get at least Rs 28 to Rs 40 per liter depending on fat and solid not fat (SNF) contain in the milk.
Around 300 small and big private dairies are operating across the country.
Nepal Oil Cooperation to seek loans of Rs 1.77b soon
Even as the government is yet to release already committed loans of Rs 1.5 billion to Nepal Oil Corporation to finance imports, the state-owned petroleum monopolist has declared it will need another Rs 1.77 billion in loans to keep supply going in May.
The situation emerged mainly after fresh pricing issued by the Indian Oil Corporation on Friday further soared up the corporation´s loss, and officials doubt over government taking bold step to adjust prices.
“We will need another tranche of loans again soon if the government did not act immediately to plug the loss,” said an official at NOC.
Referring to the new import rates, NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Dhungel said the corporation´s loss for this is calculated to jump to Rs 1.77 billion. “Loss on petrol has narrowed down to Rs 3.75 per liter from Rs 4.30,” said Dhungel, adding, “However, loss on diesel has jumped to Rs 20.96 from over Rs 19 per liter.”
NOC´s loss on kerosene has increased to Rs 11.25 from Rs 4.50 per liter, while import-sales gap on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has widened to Rs 288.79 per cylinder (of 14.2 kg) from Rs 254.
Since diesel makes up more than two-thirds of the total fossil fuel that the country consumes, Dhungel said at the present rate, NOC is poised to suffer a loss of over Rs 1.42 billion on diesel trade alone. Loss from LPG, consumed by urban upper and middle class, hotels, restaurants and manufacturing industries, too is calculated to cross Rs 317.6 billion. Kerosene will generate additional loss of around Rs 50 million in April.
Aviation fuel is the only product in which NOC is making profit. However, even the profit in this product has shrunk to Rs 9.20 per liter from Rs 15.73 per liter under the new rates, according to Dhungel.
As crude continue to remain volatile to unrest in middle-east and growing demand in Japan and other countries, Nepal has been passed on the crude rate of around $102 per barrel. However, domestic fuel rates are equivalent to crude price of $77.
“This is a huge gap. Unless the government dares to plug it, we will have no other option but to continue seeking loans from the government,” said another NOC official.
NOC has already acquired Rs 2.44 billion in loans from the government over the first eight months of the current fiscal year. The government is in the process of releasing it another Rs 1.50 billion to finance import. Apart from that, NOC has also borrowed additional Rs 500 million from different financial institutions to maintain supplies.
“Our outstanding loans have now accumulated to about Rs 15 billion,” the official said, elaborating that the figure will continue to soar unless the government ends the faulty policy immediately.
Although high-level commission and experts have repeatedly pin pointed that Nepal cannot afford to provide subsidy on petroleum products, the government has continued to remain apathetic to automatic pricing mechanism under which prices are adjusted in line with the international trend.
“The faulty policy has already drained away huge state resources. Unfortunately, it will continue further because the government will simply not be able to raise prices to the extent it needs to plug the loss,” said the official.
Loss per liter
Petrol Rs 3.75
Diesel Rs 20.96
Kerosene Rs 11.25
LPG Rs 288.79
Aviation Fuel Profit Rs 9.20 per liter
The situation emerged mainly after fresh pricing issued by the Indian Oil Corporation on Friday further soared up the corporation´s loss, and officials doubt over government taking bold step to adjust prices.
“We will need another tranche of loans again soon if the government did not act immediately to plug the loss,” said an official at NOC.
Referring to the new import rates, NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Dhungel said the corporation´s loss for this is calculated to jump to Rs 1.77 billion. “Loss on petrol has narrowed down to Rs 3.75 per liter from Rs 4.30,” said Dhungel, adding, “However, loss on diesel has jumped to Rs 20.96 from over Rs 19 per liter.”
NOC´s loss on kerosene has increased to Rs 11.25 from Rs 4.50 per liter, while import-sales gap on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has widened to Rs 288.79 per cylinder (of 14.2 kg) from Rs 254.
Since diesel makes up more than two-thirds of the total fossil fuel that the country consumes, Dhungel said at the present rate, NOC is poised to suffer a loss of over Rs 1.42 billion on diesel trade alone. Loss from LPG, consumed by urban upper and middle class, hotels, restaurants and manufacturing industries, too is calculated to cross Rs 317.6 billion. Kerosene will generate additional loss of around Rs 50 million in April.
Aviation fuel is the only product in which NOC is making profit. However, even the profit in this product has shrunk to Rs 9.20 per liter from Rs 15.73 per liter under the new rates, according to Dhungel.
As crude continue to remain volatile to unrest in middle-east and growing demand in Japan and other countries, Nepal has been passed on the crude rate of around $102 per barrel. However, domestic fuel rates are equivalent to crude price of $77.
“This is a huge gap. Unless the government dares to plug it, we will have no other option but to continue seeking loans from the government,” said another NOC official.
NOC has already acquired Rs 2.44 billion in loans from the government over the first eight months of the current fiscal year. The government is in the process of releasing it another Rs 1.50 billion to finance import. Apart from that, NOC has also borrowed additional Rs 500 million from different financial institutions to maintain supplies.
“Our outstanding loans have now accumulated to about Rs 15 billion,” the official said, elaborating that the figure will continue to soar unless the government ends the faulty policy immediately.
Although high-level commission and experts have repeatedly pin pointed that Nepal cannot afford to provide subsidy on petroleum products, the government has continued to remain apathetic to automatic pricing mechanism under which prices are adjusted in line with the international trend.
“The faulty policy has already drained away huge state resources. Unfortunately, it will continue further because the government will simply not be able to raise prices to the extent it needs to plug the loss,” said the official.
Loss per liter
Petrol Rs 3.75
Diesel Rs 20.96
Kerosene Rs 11.25
LPG Rs 288.79
Aviation Fuel Profit Rs 9.20 per liter
Voice over Broadband Service within two years: NTA
Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) is shortly calling a global tender for Voice over Broadband services (VoBS), a service which once into operation will allow consumers to receive overseas call via internet and also make internet service cheaper. Under the current technology, receiving call from abroad via internet in telephone or mobile phone is illegal.
Purushottam Khanal, director at NTA - the telecom service regulator - told Republica that the bidding document has been forwarded to the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC).
“After the approval from the ministry, the document will be sent to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for final approval,” he added.
ADB is providing $6 million to the operator that wins the bid. To participate in the global tender, interest firms should have net worth of at least $4 million and should be capable of providing the service in at least 25 districts, including 1,300 VDCs.
Khanal said the service is likely to be available within two years. “We are targeting rural sector to overcome the existing digital divide,” he said, adding that the first operator will also get subsidies.
Apart from the winning bidder, NTA can also license other firms to operate VoBS. “Firms meeting our pre-requisites can apply for the license. But they won´t get any subsidy,” said Khanal.
NTA is planning to introduce the service in urban areas after covering rural areas. The service will allow customers to use high speed internet through telephone line. NTA officials are hopeful that the service would help minimize illegal use of VoIP.
Purushottam Khanal, director at NTA - the telecom service regulator - told Republica that the bidding document has been forwarded to the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC).
“After the approval from the ministry, the document will be sent to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for final approval,” he added.
ADB is providing $6 million to the operator that wins the bid. To participate in the global tender, interest firms should have net worth of at least $4 million and should be capable of providing the service in at least 25 districts, including 1,300 VDCs.
Khanal said the service is likely to be available within two years. “We are targeting rural sector to overcome the existing digital divide,” he said, adding that the first operator will also get subsidies.
Apart from the winning bidder, NTA can also license other firms to operate VoBS. “Firms meeting our pre-requisites can apply for the license. But they won´t get any subsidy,” said Khanal.
NTA is planning to introduce the service in urban areas after covering rural areas. The service will allow customers to use high speed internet through telephone line. NTA officials are hopeful that the service would help minimize illegal use of VoIP.
Laxmi completes 9 yrs
Laxmi Bank has completed nine years of operation on Friday. The bank established in April 2002 has emerged as a key player in all business lines: Retail, corporate, treasury and small business financial services, said the bank. The bank has a balance sheet size of Rs 20.8 billion and CD ratio at 85 per cent, Capital Adequacy ratio at 13.05 per cent. With its 26 branches around the country, Laxmi Bank serves a wide range of customers with latest products like Mobile Money.
THT Live on Smart
Interactive SMS service from THT Live (2722) is now available on Smart Cell. Smart Cell customers can type keywords and send SMS to 2722 to get news, SLC and plus-two exam results, forex rate, horoscope, match score, ring tones, weather forecast and play different games, said the company. “Customers can also participate in Ooltobolee as well.”
NTY 2011 stickers for tourist buses soon
Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 committee is going to issue its sticker from this month to confirm security to tourists arriving from border areas.
“We are going to issue NTY 2011 sticker for tourist vehicles entering Nepal from the border areas,” said Dhruba Narayan Shrestha, member of NTY 2011 working committee.
According to Shrestha, the sticker was supposed to be issued from January but the delay in response from ministries of finance and home has delayed the process.
“We are hopeful that within this month, we will issue stickers for tourist vehicles at border areas,” said Shrestha.
The NTY 2011 national campaign has targeted about 300,000 Indian tourists to visit Nepal during the year. “Till March, total tourists arriving from border areas have already crossed 30,000,” he said.
“We are going to issue NTY 2011 sticker for tourist vehicles entering Nepal from the border areas,” said Dhruba Narayan Shrestha, member of NTY 2011 working committee.
According to Shrestha, the sticker was supposed to be issued from January but the delay in response from ministries of finance and home has delayed the process.
“We are hopeful that within this month, we will issue stickers for tourist vehicles at border areas,” said Shrestha.
The NTY 2011 national campaign has targeted about 300,000 Indian tourists to visit Nepal during the year. “Till March, total tourists arriving from border areas have already crossed 30,000,” he said.
Silver rises to record high of Rs 1‚042 a tola
Silver broke all time record once again in the local market this week as a tola of silver was priced at Rs 1,042 per tola (11.664 gram).
In the domestic market, the price of silver crossed the threshold of Rs 1,000 for a tola three weeks ago. Ever since, it has been climbing steadily. The week saw silver rise from Rs 1,039 per tola last Friday to Rs 1,042 on Sunday, a new record-high. It fell to Rs 1,035 per tola on Wednesday but by the end of the week, silver once again stood at Rs 1,042 for a single tola.
Silver is used for industrial purposes, photography, jewellery and silverware. Together, these three categories represent more than 95 per cent of annual silver consumption.
Silver is likely to keep outperforming gold this season, according to the commodity market analysts.
However, the domestic market did not see any major price fluctuation in gold. At the end of the week, the price for a tola (11.664 gram) of gold today retreated to Rs 40,000 from Sunday’s opening of Rs 40,153.
It is being believed that gold could climb $1,500 an ounce in the second quarter of 2011. Similarly, at the beginning of the week the exchange rate for a US dollar in terms of Nepali rupee stood at Rs 71.19 on Sunday and closed at Rs 70.99 on Friday.
In the domestic market, the price of silver crossed the threshold of Rs 1,000 for a tola three weeks ago. Ever since, it has been climbing steadily. The week saw silver rise from Rs 1,039 per tola last Friday to Rs 1,042 on Sunday, a new record-high. It fell to Rs 1,035 per tola on Wednesday but by the end of the week, silver once again stood at Rs 1,042 for a single tola.
Silver is used for industrial purposes, photography, jewellery and silverware. Together, these three categories represent more than 95 per cent of annual silver consumption.
Silver is likely to keep outperforming gold this season, according to the commodity market analysts.
However, the domestic market did not see any major price fluctuation in gold. At the end of the week, the price for a tola (11.664 gram) of gold today retreated to Rs 40,000 from Sunday’s opening of Rs 40,153.
It is being believed that gold could climb $1,500 an ounce in the second quarter of 2011. Similarly, at the beginning of the week the exchange rate for a US dollar in terms of Nepali rupee stood at Rs 71.19 on Sunday and closed at Rs 70.99 on Friday.
Tourist arrivals keep up with growth trend
Propelled by the robust growth of the South Asian arrivals, the tourist arrivals in the third month of this year has registered sustained positive growth in the international visitor arrivals.
According to figures released by Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), visitor arrivals in March compared to the same month last year have increased by 4.6 per cent to 46,491. India, which constitutes the major market for Nepal, has recorded a positive growth of 28 per cent along with Sri Lanka and Pakistan with 38.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively.
However, the arrivals from Bangladesh have declined by 2.5 per cent. In aggregate, the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 22.5 per cent though all the regions have shown positive growth.
Arrivals from Asia, except South Asia, have also recorded a positive growth of 15.1 per cent in aggregate. The arrivals from China have increased by 15.2 per cent. Japan after being struck by natural disaster has also registered an increase in arrivals by 9.6 per cent.
Similarly, arrivals from South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have also increased by 12.1 per cent, 51.9 per cent, 16.2 per cent and 10.8 per cent respectively. However, an overall negative growth of 12.6 per cent has been observed from the European markets.
“Arrivals from markets such as France, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Denmark are up by 28.8 per cent, 8 per cent, 36.2 per cent, nine per cent and 13.5 per cent,” the data revealed, adding that arrivals from the major markets such as UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland have registered negative growth by 27 per cent, 16.1 per cent, 20.3 per cent, 43 per cent, and 7.7 per cent, respectively.
According to figures released by Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), visitor arrivals in March compared to the same month last year have increased by 4.6 per cent to 46,491. India, which constitutes the major market for Nepal, has recorded a positive growth of 28 per cent along with Sri Lanka and Pakistan with 38.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively.
However, the arrivals from Bangladesh have declined by 2.5 per cent. In aggregate, the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 22.5 per cent though all the regions have shown positive growth.
Arrivals from Asia, except South Asia, have also recorded a positive growth of 15.1 per cent in aggregate. The arrivals from China have increased by 15.2 per cent. Japan after being struck by natural disaster has also registered an increase in arrivals by 9.6 per cent.
Similarly, arrivals from South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have also increased by 12.1 per cent, 51.9 per cent, 16.2 per cent and 10.8 per cent respectively. However, an overall negative growth of 12.6 per cent has been observed from the European markets.
“Arrivals from markets such as France, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Denmark are up by 28.8 per cent, 8 per cent, 36.2 per cent, nine per cent and 13.5 per cent,” the data revealed, adding that arrivals from the major markets such as UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland have registered negative growth by 27 per cent, 16.1 per cent, 20.3 per cent, 43 per cent, and 7.7 per cent, respectively.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Ministry of Commerce and Supplies preparing new law to end NOC monopoly
Ministry also wants to set up a Petroleum Board. The Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) is gearing up to introduce a new set of laws to regulate the petroleum business in the country. The new laws will aim at ending the monopoly of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), ministry sources, said. T h e ministry h a s formed a committee to prepare the draft of the prop o s e d regulation. The committee is headed by Ganesh Kumar Dhakal, joint secretary at the ministry and Raju Man Singh Malla, Sushil Bhattarai and Matrika Prasad Marasini are the members.
The draft of proposed law will try to ensure competition in the petroleum business, according to Matrika Prasad Marasini, under secretary at the ministry.
The committee is mulling to propose setting up of a Petroleum Board to monitor the price, quality, supplies and market as a whole, he said.
Another key part in the new regulation will be the clause of liabilities, he said, adding that the new law will endorse the system of compensation if any loss or harm is caused by accident due to petroleum products. “Since petroleum products are highly inflammable and risky, this clause will be crucial from the consumers point of view,” he said.
Similarly, the new law will mention the investment and infrastructure requirements to
operate the petroleum business, he said, adding that security measures will be mentioned in the law.
The draft will be forwarded to the Ministry of Law for recommendation and further action, Marasini said, adding that the draft will be finished within two weeks by the committee.
The ministry had forwarded the Petroleum Act to Parliament in 2007.
However, the house was dissolved before a decision was taken on the matter.
The draft of proposed law will try to ensure competition in the petroleum business, according to Matrika Prasad Marasini, under secretary at the ministry.
The committee is mulling to propose setting up of a Petroleum Board to monitor the price, quality, supplies and market as a whole, he said.
Another key part in the new regulation will be the clause of liabilities, he said, adding that the new law will endorse the system of compensation if any loss or harm is caused by accident due to petroleum products. “Since petroleum products are highly inflammable and risky, this clause will be crucial from the consumers point of view,” he said.
Similarly, the new law will mention the investment and infrastructure requirements to
operate the petroleum business, he said, adding that security measures will be mentioned in the law.
The draft will be forwarded to the Ministry of Law for recommendation and further action, Marasini said, adding that the draft will be finished within two weeks by the committee.
The ministry had forwarded the Petroleum Act to Parliament in 2007.
However, the house was dissolved before a decision was taken on the matter.
Deposit and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DCGC) cover for United Finance
United Finance Ltd has insured individual deposits up to Rs 200,000 with Deposit and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DCGC) on Sunday. The finance company has also introduced a new fixed deposit plan of six-month duration. The fixed deposit will yield 14 per cent interest and can be opened with a minimum deposit of Rs 20,000. The interest will be provided on quarterly basis,
Monday, February 21, 2011
HTC brings HD mini
HTC Corporation — a global designer of smartphones — today introduced the HTC HD mini, an HTC Sense-based Windows Phone focused on delivering the popular experience of the HTC HD2 in a more compact design.
"The integration of HTC Sense and Windows Phone on HD mini and HD2 gives customers an additional choice for an advanced Windows Mobile phone that is sleek, well crafted and easy to use," said Jack Tong, vice president of HTC Asia.
The HTC HD mini sports a high degree of usability along with its own unique and beautiful design. The strong design ethos continues under the battery cover where a bright yellow internal structure, offers an unexpected surprise when the phone is opened.
The HTC HD mini utilises HTC Sense, a user experience focused on putting people at the centre by making the phone work in a more simple and natural way. This experience revolves around three fundamental principles that were developed by observing and listening to how people live and communicate.
Like the HTC HD2, the HTC HD mini continues the same focus on people-centric communication with complete Outlook integration. It helps you stay close to the important friends and colleagues in your life by providing a single contact view that displays individual communication snapshots of your conversations regardless of whether it was a call, text, status update or email.
HTC HD mini includes capacitive touch for viewing, zooming and resizing websites, Microsoft® Office files, PDF documents and pictures with just a pinch of your fingers. Leveraging its 3G broadband connectivity, it also offers personal Wi-Fi anywhere for your computer or other devices. Marketplace for Mobile.
The new HTC HD mini will be available from
early May at all authorised resellers at a suggested retail price of Rs 38,888. Standard retail HTC HD mini package will come with a 2GB microSD™ card.
"The integration of HTC Sense and Windows Phone on HD mini and HD2 gives customers an additional choice for an advanced Windows Mobile phone that is sleek, well crafted and easy to use," said Jack Tong, vice president of HTC Asia.
The HTC HD mini sports a high degree of usability along with its own unique and beautiful design. The strong design ethos continues under the battery cover where a bright yellow internal structure, offers an unexpected surprise when the phone is opened.
The HTC HD mini utilises HTC Sense, a user experience focused on putting people at the centre by making the phone work in a more simple and natural way. This experience revolves around three fundamental principles that were developed by observing and listening to how people live and communicate.
Like the HTC HD2, the HTC HD mini continues the same focus on people-centric communication with complete Outlook integration. It helps you stay close to the important friends and colleagues in your life by providing a single contact view that displays individual communication snapshots of your conversations regardless of whether it was a call, text, status update or email.
HTC HD mini includes capacitive touch for viewing, zooming and resizing websites, Microsoft® Office files, PDF documents and pictures with just a pinch of your fingers. Leveraging its 3G broadband connectivity, it also offers personal Wi-Fi anywhere for your computer or other devices. Marketplace for Mobile.
The new HTC HD mini will be available from
early May at all authorised resellers at a suggested retail price of Rs 38,888. Standard retail HTC HD mini package will come with a 2GB microSD™ card.
MEX adds commodity
KATHMANDU: MEX has introduced two new products — Platinum and Palladium — and one contract — small gold — for providing variety of products to the market. The contract size of both Platinum and Palladium is 1,000-gm and small gold is 100-gm, said the commodity exchange that has fixed the initial margin for the platinum, palladium and small gold is Rs 100,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 12,000, respectively. The trading timing for all the contracts will be from 04:45am to 03:45 am next day for a period of 23 hours, said company.
Qatar to fly to Shiraz
KATHMANDU: Qatar Airways on Monday announced plans to launch flights to the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. The airline will commence twice weekly flights from its Doha hub to Shiraz International Airport from June 5. Shiraz will become the airline’s 101st global destination and third route to Iran. The carrier already operates double daily services to the capital city of Tehran and five-flights-a-week to Mashad in northern Iran. News of the new route further enhances Qatar Airways’ commitment to Iran, where it first began operating services in 2004 with the launch of the Tehran route, followed a year later by Mashad.
Qatar to fly to Shiraz
KATHMANDU: Qatar Airways on Monday announced plans to launch flights to the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. The airline will commence twice weekly flights from its Doha hub to Shiraz International Airport from June 5. Shiraz will become the airline’s 101st global destination and third route to Iran. The carrier already operates double daily services to the capital city of Tehran and five-flights-a-week to Mashad in northern Iran. News of the new route further enhances Qatar Airways’ commitment to Iran, where it first began operating services in 2004 with the launch of the Tehran route, followed a year later by Mashad.
Ministry mulls to shift casinos
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) is studying possible ways to phaseout the casinos out of the Valley.
“The ministry is forming a separate committee for a detailed technical and feasibility study of the shifting process after February 27,” said secretary at the ministry Kishore Thapa.
“The idea to shift casinos is a good one from every aspect including that of security concern of the Valley. “However, the ministry needs to have a detailed study, he said.
Appropriate venue, possibilities of security measures and chances of infrastructure construction will be taken into consideration before taking decision, according to him. “Since casinos are targeted to high-end tourists, the possibility of building a new airport along with other basic facilities is a must at the site.”
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under Legislature-Parliament had on February 2 directed ministries concerned to
shift the casinos outside the Valley, gradually. The PAC members had also accused the casinos for posing security threat and compelling Nepalis to go bankrupt overnight by giving them illegal entry.
Finance secretary Rameshwor Prasad Khanal had suggested to create a separate ‘casino-city’ outside the Valley. Speaking at the PAC, he had assured that the finance ministry will make necessary arrangement within six months, if the government decides to shift the casinos outside the valley.
“The ministry is forming a separate committee for a detailed technical and feasibility study of the shifting process after February 27,” said secretary at the ministry Kishore Thapa.
“The idea to shift casinos is a good one from every aspect including that of security concern of the Valley. “However, the ministry needs to have a detailed study, he said.
Appropriate venue, possibilities of security measures and chances of infrastructure construction will be taken into consideration before taking decision, according to him. “Since casinos are targeted to high-end tourists, the possibility of building a new airport along with other basic facilities is a must at the site.”
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under Legislature-Parliament had on February 2 directed ministries concerned to
shift the casinos outside the Valley, gradually. The PAC members had also accused the casinos for posing security threat and compelling Nepalis to go bankrupt overnight by giving them illegal entry.
Finance secretary Rameshwor Prasad Khanal had suggested to create a separate ‘casino-city’ outside the Valley. Speaking at the PAC, he had assured that the finance ministry will make necessary arrangement within six months, if the government decides to shift the casinos outside the valley.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Nepal Oil Corporation loss to touch Rs 1billion in Feb
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said that its loss in January could jump to Rs 968.3 million in February, as the sole supplier of fuel for Nepal -- Indian Oil Corporation -- jacked up the supply rates citing rise in crude prices.
“The loss has jumped to almost Rs 1 billion, but the government still continues to turn deaf ears to our calls to adjust prices,” said Digambar Jha, managing director of NOC.
The corporation has estimated the loss based on its projection that it will import 111,000 kiloliters of fossil fuel during the month.
According to the import rates issued by the IOC on Tuesday, NOC´s loss on petrol has jumped to Rs 4.94 per liter, widening by more than a rupee than what it was seeing in January. Likewise, loss on diesel too has widened by more than Rs 2 to Rs 9.06 per liter. “This is a massive loss, especially given that more than two-thirds of fuel we consume is diesel,” Jha added.
The new rate has shrunk NOC´s loss on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). But the shrink is too nominal to make significant positive impact. According to the new rates, NOC will now suffer a loss of Rs 357 per cylinder (14.2 kg) of LPG, down from previous loss of Rs 363 per cylinder.
While the new rates have widened loss on major products, it has also reduced profit margin that NOC was enjoying on products like kerosene and aviation fuel.
“Our profit on kerosene has dropped to 80 paisa per liter from Rs 5 per liter,” said Jha.
Likewise, the profit on aviation fuel too has shrunk to Rs 11.40 per liter.
“The new rates have made petrol in Nepal cheaper by Rs 10.73 per liter than in bordering Indian towns. We fear this will trigger illegal outflow of the fuel to India,” said Jha.
The new rates have also made aviation fuel in Nepal cheaper by Rs 13.59 per liter than India. This could encourage international airlines to refill more fuel in Nepal, adding pressure on NOC´s weak supply capacity.
Given the situation, NOC has requested the government to allow it adjust fuel prices, mainly petrol.
“Clearly, NOC neither has the capacity to absorb loss nor manage the impact the loss will have on import and inventory management,” Jha said, urging the government to take a concrete decision at the earliest.
“The loss has jumped to almost Rs 1 billion, but the government still continues to turn deaf ears to our calls to adjust prices,” said Digambar Jha, managing director of NOC.
The corporation has estimated the loss based on its projection that it will import 111,000 kiloliters of fossil fuel during the month.
According to the import rates issued by the IOC on Tuesday, NOC´s loss on petrol has jumped to Rs 4.94 per liter, widening by more than a rupee than what it was seeing in January. Likewise, loss on diesel too has widened by more than Rs 2 to Rs 9.06 per liter. “This is a massive loss, especially given that more than two-thirds of fuel we consume is diesel,” Jha added.
The new rate has shrunk NOC´s loss on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). But the shrink is too nominal to make significant positive impact. According to the new rates, NOC will now suffer a loss of Rs 357 per cylinder (14.2 kg) of LPG, down from previous loss of Rs 363 per cylinder.
While the new rates have widened loss on major products, it has also reduced profit margin that NOC was enjoying on products like kerosene and aviation fuel.
“Our profit on kerosene has dropped to 80 paisa per liter from Rs 5 per liter,” said Jha.
Likewise, the profit on aviation fuel too has shrunk to Rs 11.40 per liter.
“The new rates have made petrol in Nepal cheaper by Rs 10.73 per liter than in bordering Indian towns. We fear this will trigger illegal outflow of the fuel to India,” said Jha.
The new rates have also made aviation fuel in Nepal cheaper by Rs 13.59 per liter than India. This could encourage international airlines to refill more fuel in Nepal, adding pressure on NOC´s weak supply capacity.
Given the situation, NOC has requested the government to allow it adjust fuel prices, mainly petrol.
“Clearly, NOC neither has the capacity to absorb loss nor manage the impact the loss will have on import and inventory management,” Jha said, urging the government to take a concrete decision at the earliest.
Tourist Arrivals up by 26 percent in January
Visitors arrivals in the first month of 2011 show a prospect of the country recording a significant growth in tourist arrival during Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
Tourist arrivals via air in January increased by 26.2 percent as compared to the arrival figures of the same period last year.
According to the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the country received a total of 32,914 foreign visitors in January with positive growths from all regions.
Arrivals from India -- Nepal´s largest tourist generating country -- increased by a whopping 35.5 percent. The arrivals from Bangladesh and Pakistan also registered positive growth of 10.3 and 13.3 percent respectively. Although the arrivals declined from Sri Lanka, overall arrivals from the SAARC region grew by 28.8 percent.
Similarly, arrivals from Asia, excluding the SAARC region, grew by 36.6 percent. Arrivals from Europe also grew by 14.6 percent as compared to arrival figures of January, 2009.
Tourist arrivals via air in January increased by 26.2 percent as compared to the arrival figures of the same period last year.
According to the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the country received a total of 32,914 foreign visitors in January with positive growths from all regions.
Arrivals from India -- Nepal´s largest tourist generating country -- increased by a whopping 35.5 percent. The arrivals from Bangladesh and Pakistan also registered positive growth of 10.3 and 13.3 percent respectively. Although the arrivals declined from Sri Lanka, overall arrivals from the SAARC region grew by 28.8 percent.
Similarly, arrivals from Asia, excluding the SAARC region, grew by 36.6 percent. Arrivals from Europe also grew by 14.6 percent as compared to arrival figures of January, 2009.
Cable operators submit memo to govt
Cable TV operators have requested the government to scrap fifth amendment to the National Broadcast Regulation 2010, saying that it was not in favor of cable operators.
Speaking at a press meet in the capital on Tuesday, the cable operators demanded the government not to make it mandatory for cable operator to get a new license while switching to digital transmission.
Speaking on the occasion, Dinesh Subedi, past president of Nepal Cable Association, alleged the government of showing bias in favor of DTH companies.
The cable TV operators also forwarded a memorandum to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, putting forth 21-point demand. The demands include waiving off existing royalty amount, legal provision for television scroll advertisement and shutting DTH operation by foreign companies.
The operators have threatened of launching nationwide protest if their demands were not addressed within a week.
Speaking at a press meet in the capital on Tuesday, the cable operators demanded the government not to make it mandatory for cable operator to get a new license while switching to digital transmission.
Speaking on the occasion, Dinesh Subedi, past president of Nepal Cable Association, alleged the government of showing bias in favor of DTH companies.
The cable TV operators also forwarded a memorandum to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, putting forth 21-point demand. The demands include waiving off existing royalty amount, legal provision for television scroll advertisement and shutting DTH operation by foreign companies.
The operators have threatened of launching nationwide protest if their demands were not addressed within a week.
Telecom launches campaign against Indian PCOs
Nepal Telecom has started a campaign with the help of the local administration against Indian PCOs being run illegally at different places in Biratnagar.
According to Chief of Telecome Birgunj Ramakanta Karna, the campaign against Indian PCOs, illegally running PCOs in different places here by evading tax, has started from Monday.
Karna said that action was taken against four PCOs on Monday and their owners were arrested.
It is said that the campaign was started to seize Indian phones and mobiles.
Telecom started the campaign after its revenue collection decreased.
Meanwhile, donation collection in the name of Swaraswoti Puja has increased in different places in Birgunj.
Locals complained that people are collecting money from industrialists and businessmen by putting logs on roads.
According to Chief of Telecome Birgunj Ramakanta Karna, the campaign against Indian PCOs, illegally running PCOs in different places here by evading tax, has started from Monday.
Karna said that action was taken against four PCOs on Monday and their owners were arrested.
It is said that the campaign was started to seize Indian phones and mobiles.
Telecom started the campaign after its revenue collection decreased.
Meanwhile, donation collection in the name of Swaraswoti Puja has increased in different places in Birgunj.
Locals complained that people are collecting money from industrialists and businessmen by putting logs on roads.
Broadlink CAN Info-Tech kicks off
Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) has proposed the government to declare the year 2013 as ´Information Technology Year´. CAN President Suresh K Karna made such a proposal during the inauguration of 17th Broadlink CAN Info-Tech here on Tuesday.
Karna requested the government to come up with necessary strategy by 2012 and observe 2013 as Information Technology Year.
He urged the government and the private sector to work together for the development of ICT sector. Karna also informed that CAN was working in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Communications to publish an IT Directory.
Inaugurating the six-day event, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said the government was planning to include computer education in secondary level school curriculum as a compulsory subject. The PM also said the government was benefiting from the Government Integrated Data Centre (GIDC). The data center was set up to store government data. It has the capacity of storing data of all government offices for 15 years.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel said IT holds a great prospect for developing countries like Nepal.
Surendra Bir Malakar, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, said the event would provide a platform for new generation to come up with newer innovations.
More than 100 companies are displaying their products and services in 300 stalls at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall. The event showcases IT related products like notebooks, tablets PCs, software solution, computer accessories, mobile sets and power solution, among others.
Companies have been showcasing their products in lavishly designed stalls and also offering special rates to attract more visitors. Hi-Tech Engineering - the sole authorized distributor of DIGICOM in Nepal - was able to grab the attention of visitors with artistically built one-storied stall.
Visitors were seen attracted toward products like notebooks, tablet PC and other newly launched products.
CAN is organizing ICT Conference on Wednesday and Thursday. The first day of the conference will feature a discussion program on the theme ´Building e-Nepal: Prospects and Challenges”.
The association is expecting a total of 400,000 visitors. More than 56,000 people visited the Info-Tech on the first day, according to CAN General Secretary Narayan Neupane.
“We are very much encouraged with the overwhelming turnout of visitors in the first day. We expect to welcome more visitors in the next four days,” Neupane added. The final day of the event will be business day.
CAN has been organizing Info-Tech for the last 16 years to share knowledge on latest innovations in information technology.
Karna requested the government to come up with necessary strategy by 2012 and observe 2013 as Information Technology Year.
He urged the government and the private sector to work together for the development of ICT sector. Karna also informed that CAN was working in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Communications to publish an IT Directory.
Inaugurating the six-day event, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said the government was planning to include computer education in secondary level school curriculum as a compulsory subject. The PM also said the government was benefiting from the Government Integrated Data Centre (GIDC). The data center was set up to store government data. It has the capacity of storing data of all government offices for 15 years.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel said IT holds a great prospect for developing countries like Nepal.
Surendra Bir Malakar, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, said the event would provide a platform for new generation to come up with newer innovations.
More than 100 companies are displaying their products and services in 300 stalls at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall. The event showcases IT related products like notebooks, tablets PCs, software solution, computer accessories, mobile sets and power solution, among others.
Companies have been showcasing their products in lavishly designed stalls and also offering special rates to attract more visitors. Hi-Tech Engineering - the sole authorized distributor of DIGICOM in Nepal - was able to grab the attention of visitors with artistically built one-storied stall.
Visitors were seen attracted toward products like notebooks, tablet PC and other newly launched products.
CAN is organizing ICT Conference on Wednesday and Thursday. The first day of the conference will feature a discussion program on the theme ´Building e-Nepal: Prospects and Challenges”.
The association is expecting a total of 400,000 visitors. More than 56,000 people visited the Info-Tech on the first day, according to CAN General Secretary Narayan Neupane.
“We are very much encouraged with the overwhelming turnout of visitors in the first day. We expect to welcome more visitors in the next four days,” Neupane added. The final day of the event will be business day.
CAN has been organizing Info-Tech for the last 16 years to share knowledge on latest innovations in information technology.
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