KATHMANDU: Economic Digest, a daily morning email digest, is basically a relatable summation of important business news from Nepal into easy-to-understand summaries.

Private sector contribute to relief fund

The private sector has been contributing in the COVID-19 fund established by the government.

Several corporate houses have contributed to the fund. Among others, Ncell, a telecom company, has already handed over a check of Rs 100 million to the fund.

Likewise, Global IME Bank, Himalayan Bank, Laxmi Group, Nepal Bank, Bhatbhateni Supermarket and Agricultural Development Bank, among others, have announced contribution in the fund.

The Vishal Group has also announced to contribute Rs 10 million worth of relief materials to the government such as sanitizers, N95 masks, personal protective equipment (PPEs) and infrared thermometers, among others.

Tata Sons commits additional Rs 1,000 crore to fight COVID-19

Tata Sons has announced an additional Rs 1,000 crore support towards fighting COVID-19.

This is in addition to the Rs 500 crore announced by the Tata Trusts. N Chandrasekharan, Chairman Tata Sons said, “The current situation in India and other parts of the world owing to the impact of COVID 19 is very worrisome and requires our very best action.”

Sunrise Bank provides PPEs

Sunrise Bank handed over 65 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Maharajgunj-based Nepal Police Hospital to the medical professionals working at the frontline against coronavirus.

Bank’s Chief Executive Officer Janak Sharma Poudel has handed over the PPEs to IGP Thakur Prasad Gyawali.

Govt seeks all sides’ efforts to cope up crisis: Minister Bhatta

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Lekhraj Bhatta, has stressed the need for cooperation from all sides to cope up with the current crisis of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Minister Bhatta highlighted the works carried out by the ministry. He also sought assistance from all sectors to brave the crisis. Minister Bhatta also urged people not to panic but remain prepared.

He strongly urged all sections of the society not to overstock the daily essentials to create an artificial shortage.

WTTC says COVID-19 pandemic puts 75 million tourism jobs at risk

A research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows that the the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to put some 75 million jobs in the global tourism industry at risk.

Moreover, the pandemic will create a loss of 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars in travel and tourism GDP to the world economy.

The findings show that around one million jobs are lost each day in the travel and tourism industry caused by the sweeping effect of the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Chinese kits donated to Nepal stopped midway over quality concerns

A Chinese company, Savanta Biotechnology, had donated 2,000 sets of coronavirus testing kits to Nepal’s Embassy in Beijing.

“The kits have arrived at Lhasa, Tibet,” a high-ranking official involved in the supply of kits to Nepal said, “The Chinese government has stopped the delivery of the kits midway after finding out the kits don’t fall under a list of half a dozen kits approved by National Medical Products Administration.”

Smart introduces additional offers to its customers

Smart, a telecom company in the country, has introduced additional offers and benefits for its customers in a bid to encourage its customers to stay at home and support in the effort to control the spread of novel Coronavirus.

The company has said it aims to make services accessible and beneficial for its customers.

Smart users will be able to enjoy 20GB of data pack at just Rs. 399 (exclusive of taxes), the company said.

The data pack will be made valid for 30 days. The company has also collaborated with various online payment partners such as eSewa, PayPoint, Khalti, and Enet Pay to make mobile top-ups possible from home.

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.