Nepal Weekly Roundup

The much-anticipated 'Asian Highway' project, aimed at connecting Asian countries through a vast road network, is finally picking up pace! 🚜💨 In the year since the construction agreement was signed, 12% of the work has been completed. 🏗️🔨

While the initial plan was to upgrade 120 km of road from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi under Asian Highway No. 2, work is currently progressing on 95.76 km of the stretch. The project is divided into two sections: Eastern Section (45 km from Kakarbhitta to Sitapur) and Western Section (Sitapur to Itahari West Pachrukhi).

The goal for this fiscal year is to blacktop at least 30 km of road—20 km in the eastern section and 10 km in the western section. The highway will connect Nepal to Bangladesh via India in just 27 km, enhancing international trade. According to Rajendra Raut (FNCCI Koshi Province), this development will make imports and exports cheaper while integrating rural businesses into the global market.

Key infrastructure developments include 48 bridges, 10 overpasses, and six 'Signature' bridges at key locations. Chinese companies are collaborating with Nepal's Kalika and Tungi Construction to bring this grand project to life.

The all-time blockbuster 'Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi' is celebrating its 100th day in theaters this Friday! 🥳🎥 The film continues to run in 10 cinemas across Nepal, including QFX City Square, Rising Mall, Ranjana Cineplex, Friends Cinemas, and Shubhava Cinema.

According to distributor Manoj Rathi, the movie has grossed an impressive Rs 492.522 million nationwide in just 42 days! On the international stage, the film has already raked in Rs 233 million (≈ $1.73 million) from seven foreign markets. Combining both domestic and overseas earnings, the film's total global box office stands at Rs 726.022 million (≈ $5.33 million).

To mark the 100-day milestone, several theaters are offering special Rs 100 tickets for moviegoers! This achievement puts 'Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi' among legendary Nepali hits like 'Jaari', 'Dimaag Kharab', 'Shatru Gate', and 'Chhakka Panja', which also celebrated 100 days in cinemas.

Despite Nepal's efforts to improve its healthcare system, many doctors are choosing to go abroad due to low salaries, lack of specialized facilities, and uncertain career growth. 📉💉 Becoming a doctor in Nepal is a long and expensive journey—taking up to 15 years of study and costing crores of rupees. However, after all this effort, doctors face poor job opportunities, limited medical equipment, and inadequate service facilities.

According to the Nepal Medical Council, the number of Nepali doctors seeking international opportunities is rising each year: 2,318 in 2023, 1,954 in 2022, and 1,327 in 2021. More than 70% of those obtaining certificates to work abroad actually leave Nepal.

Key reasons for this mass exodus include: low salaries & lack of job security, limited research & career development opportunities, violence & threats in healthcare institutions, and shortage of advanced hospitals & medical equipment.

Experts suggest that Nepal's government must take urgent steps to retain skilled medical professionals by improving salaries, ensuring career stability, and enhancing healthcare infrastructure.

Nepal's total trade deficit has surged to Rs 723.58 billion, marking a 4.4% increase in the first six months of the current fiscal year, as per Nepal Rastra Bank. 📈💸

Exports saw a 31.8% boost, reaching Rs 98.79 billion, with major growth in shipments to India (+46.1%), China (+19.7%), and other countries. Key exports like soybean oil, tea, polyester yarn, and cardamom rose, while palm oil, zinc sheets, and garments declined.

Meanwhile, imports jumped by 7.1% to Rs 822.37 billion, with increased purchases of vehicles, soybean oil, and transportation equipment, while imports of petroleum products, gold, and fertilizers declined.

The export-import ratio improved to 12%, up from 9.8% last year. However, Nepal still heavily relies on imports, with Rs 88.56 billion worth of goods from India being paid through convertible foreign exchange. With a rising deficit, Nepal faces the challenge of boosting domestic production and reducing import dependency.

In a major step towards sustainability, the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) has signed an agreement to generate Rs 1 billion annually from carbon trading. The deal, signed with ProClaim, will facilitate the acquisition of International Renewable Energy Certificates (IRECs), boosting Nepal's private sector energy market.

The agreement was formalized by IPPAN Chairman Ganesh Karki and ProClaim CEO Kabin Kumar Kandasamy. This initiative will initially make 2,000 megawatts of privately generated electricity eligible for carbon trading, with the potential to expand further.

Experts highlighted that nations like India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka are already profiting from carbon trading, and now Nepal is set to capitalize on this opportunity. The launch of the IRIX calculator by Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital is another milestone. With Nepal generating 2,700 megawatts of electricity from the private sector, this move unlocks a huge revenue stream.