KATHMANDU: Economic Digest, a daily morning email digest, is basically a relatable summation of important business news from Nepal into easy-to-understand summaries.
Allo masks manufacturing begins in local market
The manufacturing of reusable masks has initiated in Dang following a shortage of medicated masks.
Various groups here have started manufacturing reusable masks after the shortage of masks with the spreading menace of coronavirus.
Lamahi is producing masks made up of cotton garment while Ghorahi is manufacturing masks made up of allo – a weaving thread. The allo-weaved masks have been made available in the market now.
Each mask costs Rs 80. Local people also have started manufacturing masks after its shortage at the local market.
71 Chinese workers placed in self-quarantine in Pokhara
The Pokhara regional airport has arranged a self-quarantine facility for 71 Chinese workers. As many as 190 Chinese workers are involved in the under-construction regional international airport here. Airport chief Binesh Munakarki shared that they were placed in the self-quarantine as preventive measures against the spread of deadly coronavirus.
The Chinese workers had stayed in quarantine for 14 days in China itself, he added, stating that they would now be in self-quarantine for ten days.
Earlier, 36 Chinese workers had stayed in self-quarantine and returned to regular work, according to Munakarki.
TIA reports around 50% fall in international passengers
The number of passengers for international flights from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the country’s sole international airport, has dropped by around 50 percent after the coronavirus creates a global health threat.
It has been estimated that there would be a decrease in the financial income of the airport due to a decreasing number of international passengers.
The Tribhuvan International Airport used to make an income of more than Rs 6 billion annually in terms of airport service, but it has been projected that the income of TIA will be Rs 4 billion due to the fallout of the global spread of the coronavirus.
Free dialysis service in Beni hospital
Regular dialysis service is to be rendered to kidney patients at Beni Hospital at the headquarters of Myagdi district.
The hospital will begin free of cost dialysis service from 14 March after the Gandaki state minister for social development provided necessary equipment along with the budget for the service delivery. Bel Bahadur Katwal, chair, Beni hospital management committee, said a hemodialysis unit has been set up at the hospital with six machines.
In order to regularize the service, the state government has provided four machines while Diaspora (Prabasi) Myagdi has aided two machines, he shared.
Thai Airways, Biman Bangladesh reduce flights to Kathmandu
Thai Airways has reduced the number of flights to Kathmandu from one per to only 5 flights per week.
Additionally, flights from Bangkok to Kathmandu and Kathmandu to Bangkok on March 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 have been canceled due to the coronavirus.
Similarly, Biman Bangladesh has also decided to reduce the number of flights to and from Kathmandu.
Gold price sets new record of Rs 82,700
Once again the price of gold has increased reaching an all-time high of Rs. 82,700 per tola on Wednesday.
The increase has been caused by increased investment in gold in Europe and the United States of America. The price of gold was predicted to go down but due to the coronavirus, gold has become a safe investment.
Suspension of food import from virus-hit nations
The government of Nepal is planning to suspend food import from coronavirus stricken countries as a precautionary measure. Import from Japan, China, South Korea, Iran and Italy might be halted if necessary. No official decision has been made yet.
DoTM bans use of Pathao and Tootle
The Department of Transport Management under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has banned the use of private vehicles for public transport after a protest from taxi drivers.
With this decision, Pathao and Tootle, which are currently operating in Kathmandu Valley to ferry people, have been affected. The Department has warned of stern action against those violating the ban.
(Compiled and prepared by Swastik Aryal and Nitish Lal Shrestha)
Nepal Economic Digest is a daily morning email digest, basically relatable summations of the most important business news, happenings from Nepal into easy-to-understand summaries. The Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR), Nepal’s independent think tank, and Khabarhub — Nepal popular news portal — have joined hands to disseminate news from Nepal in the form of Economic Digest.
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