- Monday, 20 April 2026
Kathmandu, Feb 21: President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal has expressed the belief that both India and Nepal should work towards deeper economic integration, smoother customs procedures, better standards alignment and stronger digital trade systems.
Speaking at the 2nd Indo-Nepal Trade Festival 2026 in New Delhi, India on Friday, he said MSMEs on both sides need easier access to finance, technology transfer and market information. “People-to-people ties remain our biggest strength. Cinema, culture, education exchanges and tourism build understanding beyond official meetings. When our entrepreneurs meet, when our young people collaborate, when our artists perform across borders, the foundation of economic cooperation becomes stronger.”
Nepal can also serve as a gateway between India and China, offering strategic advantages for trade and connectivity, he added.
Stating that Nepal is actively building a pipeline of bankable projects and long-term partnerships, he said the country is committed to delivering consistency, confidence and continuity. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry has been strongly advocating for predictable policies, responsible fiscal management and private sector–led growth.
Noting that India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and one of our biggest sources of investment, he said our open border, cultural closeness and deep family ties make our partnership unique in the world. “Today when the global economy is facing uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and regional tensions, it is even more important that neighbours work closely and support each other’s growth.”
Referring to the recent Union Budget of India that places strong emphasis on infrastructure, manufacturing, digital connectivity, green energy and support to MSMEs, he said India’s continued investment in railways, highways, logistics parks and digital public infrastructure will not only strengthen its own economy but also create opportunities for neighbouring countries like Nepal.
Dhakal also shared that Nepal is also focusing on economic reforms, infrastructure development and improving the investment climate. Nepal has immense potential in hydropower, tourism, agriculture, information technology, manufacturing and services.
Investment opportunities in Nepal are expanding. The government has simplified procedures in many sectors and is working to reduce bottlenecks. There are opportunities in industrial parks, special economic zones, cross-border logistics, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, education and health services.
The FNCCI Chair said the Indo-Nepal Trade Festival is not just an event but a platform to convert goodwill into business deals, ideas into projects and conversations into partnerships.
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07- 60 cameras installed for tiger counting go missing
Chitwan, Feb 21: Among 1,780 cameras installed inside the Chitwan and Parsa National Parks Complex for the tiger census this time, 60 have gone missing.
Likewise, 25 have turned dysfunctional, according to CNP information officer Abinash Thapa Magar. The tiger census that had kicked off on December 18, 2025 concluded on Thursday, February 19.
As information officer Magar said, the census was carried out by considering two parks as one complex which was divided into three blocks. The complex was categorized in 958 grids covering two kilometers of area each. The census details will be published later.
According to the 2022 tiger census, there were 355 adult tigers in Nepal: 128 in Chitwan, 125 in Bardiya, 25 in Banke, 41 in Parsa and 36 in Shuklaphanta.
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08- Two more arrested in Dang for allegedly burning UML flag
Dang, Feb 21: Police today arrested two more people on the charge of allegedly setting on fire a flag bearing the CPN (UML)’s election symbol ‘Sun’ in Tulsipur, Dang on Thursday night.
According to Resham Bohora, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) at the District Police Office, Dang, the arrested ones are Ramesh Rana Magar, 30, of Halwar in Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-4 and Bikram Pariyar, 24, of Gaidahar of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-6 in the district.
Earlier, Police had also apprehended Buddhi Bahadur Basnet, 55, of Kalakhola of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-7 in connection with the same incident.
DSP Bohora shared that police have launched an investigation into the incident. Three alleged culprits are currently in custody and a search is underway for others who may have been involved. According to police, a group of supporters of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) gathered at the Birendrachowk of Tulsipur reportedly burned down the UML party’s flag following the news of arrival of RSP President Rabi Lamichhane and its senior leader Balendra Shah, who were scheduled to attend a programme in Ghorahi of Dang.
The UML, condemning the act, has demanded legal action against those involved in the incident.
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09- International Mother Language Day today
Kathmandu, Feb 21: International Mother Language Day is being observed today across the world to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism.
As determined by the UNESCO, the theme for International Mother Language Day 2026 is “Youth voices on multilingual education.”
February 21 each year is observed as the International Mother Language Day as proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999.
The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002.
Today there is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in strengthening co-operation and attaining quality education for all, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and in mobilizing political will for applying the benefits of science and technology to sustainable development, the UNESCO cites.
Meanwhile, the Language Commission on Friday, on the eve of the International Mother Language Day held a programme in the presence of Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Anil Kumar Sinha. Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula (Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation) and Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Nepal, Shafiqur Rahman, were also present on the occasion.
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10- Indefinite curfew imposed in Gaur
Chandrapur (Rautahat), Feb 21: The District Administration Office, Rautahat has imposed an indefinite curfew in Gaur, district headquarters of Rautahat, effective from 1:00 PM today.
The local administration issued the curfew order after clashes broke out again between the two groups this morning at Sabgadha of Gaur Municipality-6.
The curfew order has been enforced within the area from Mudwalawa in the east of Gaur Municipality to the Lalbakaiya embankment in the west, from Bam canal in the north to Gaur Customs office area in the south.
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11- ‘Nepal Evening’ programme held in Canada
Kathmandu, Feb 21: The Nepali Embassy in Ottawa, Canada in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), recently organized a promotional programme themed ‘Nepal Evening’ in Toronto.
The programme was organized with the objective of expanding bilateral relations and establishing business partnerships between individuals and organizations active in the tourism sector of Nepal and Canada.
Delivering the keynote speech at the event, Nepali Ambassador to Canada, Bharatraj Paudyal, stated that Nepal is not merely a tourist destination but a transformative experience.
Highlighting the country’s unique combination of natural beauty, adventure tourism, culture, and spirituality, Ambassador Paudyal emphasized Nepal’s growing global recognition as a leading destination for wellness, meditation, and spiritual tourism.
On the occasion, Paudyal informed the participants that air connectivity between Canada and Nepal has been made convenient through major international transit hubs and that Canadian citizens benefit from visitor-friendly visa procedures, including visa-on-arrival and electronic travel authorization options.
Urging Canadian partners to collaborate with the Nepali Embassy in Canada, the Nepal Tourism Board, and Nepali tour operators to promote Nepal’s tourism across the Canadian market, the Nepali envoy pledged necessary support for this initiative.
The programme was attended by representatives of travel and tour operator companies from both Canada and Nepal, NTB officials, and tourism entrepreneurs among others.
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12- PM Karki visits Lumbini, directs for full preparations to ensure election will conclude impartially, peacefully
Rastriya Samachar Samiti ( RSS)
Lumbini, Feb 21: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed the concerned authorities to make full preparations for conducting the election to the House of Representatives (HoR) 2026 in an impartial and peaceful atmosphere.
The Prime Minister of the election government arrived here today to assess the overall election atmosphere, including preparations and security arrangements in Lumbini Province, and gave this directive during a province-level security meeting.
As voting under the HoR polls is taking place on March 5, the Prime Minister stressed that it is the shared responsibility of all concerned stakeholders to contribute to concluding the elections successfully, Chief of Lumbini Province Government, Krishna Prasad Kapri, told RSS after the meeting. The province-level integrated security meeting was held at the Mid-West Division Headquarters in Butwal.
The Prime Minister directed the district-based security committees to identify election-related challenges on time, prepare a security strategy accordingly, and implement it, Secretary Kapri said.
The district bodies have been urged to identify challenges related to polling stations, classify such centers according to the nature of the challenges they face, and implement an integrated security plan with the participation of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force. The Prime Minister was briefed about the security plans formulated by 12 districts across the province in view of the elections.
NA Divisional Chief Himmat Bahadur Bista, Nepal Police Province Chief DIG Bhupendra Bahadur Khatri, the Armed Police Force (APF) AIG, and chief district officers from various districts apprised the meeting of the status of election preparations and security plans in view of the election.
According to the briefing, polling stations across the province have been categorized as most sensitive, sensitive, and general polling centers, and preparations have been made accordingly.
As the Secretary said, the Prime Minister’s visit to the province and her directives to conclude the election impartially and peacefully have encouraged the concerned authorities to carry out their duties with greater confidence.
The meeting identified the open border system across 26 electoral constituencies in the Terai plains as one of the major challenges for the election. A total stretch of 414 kilometers, from West Nawalparasi to Bardiya, lies along the open border in the province. Similarly, it was assessed that there may be difficulties in communication and information gathering in Rukum East, the province’s only mountainous district.
The meeting also discussed potential challenges related to access, geographical diversity, and religious and ethnic factors that could affect the electoral process, it was said.
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13- PM Karki visits Maya Devi Temple
Lumbini, Feb 21: Prime Minister Sushila Karki today offered prayers at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
During her visit, PM Karki toured key sites within the Lumbini area including a monastery, museum, Bajrayana Temple and World Peace Pagoda constructed with support from the government of Thailand.
The PM arrived in Lumbini following her visit to various places across Rupandehi district where she took stock of the preparations relating to the March 5 election to House of Representatives from the concerned authorities.
Upon arrival here, PM Karki was received by Deepak Shrestha, member-secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust along with other officials who briefed her on the Lumbini Master Plan and Trust’s ongoing activities.
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14- Seven months’ foreign trade marked by Rs 955 billion deficit
Kathmandu, Feb 21: In the first seven months of the current fiscal year, the country’s foreign trade transactions stood at Rs 1,291.63 billion, while the deficit surpassed Rs 955 billion.
According to the Department of Customs, during the review period, imports amounted to Rs 1,123.48 billion, while exports were valued at Rs 168 billion. The data indicates the country’s ballooning trade deficit.
In the past seven months, trade with India amounted to Rs 629 billion in imports and Rs 137 billion in exports. The trade deficit with the southern neighbour alone amounts to Rs 491 billion, followed by over Rs 234 billion.
The details unveiled by the Department show that the trade deficit with Argentina stands at Rs 66.11 billion, followed by Rs 39.77 billion with the United Arab Emirates and Rs 12.64 billion with Indonesia.
Similarly, the country has trade profits with some countries. The trade profit with Romania during the review period reached at Rs 55.2 million while Nepal made trade profit totaling over Rs 33.3 million from Norway and over Rs 25.7 million from Iceland.
Towards the imports, a significant portion of Nepal’s import during this period is attributed to petroleum products. In the last seven months of the fiscal year, Nepal imported diesel worth over Rs 69.91 billion petrol valued at over Rs 38.13 billion and LPG cooking gas totaling over Rs 31.85 billion.
Likewise, import of essential commodities have risen with iron and iron related products amounting to over Rs 31.9 billion , smart phones valued at over Rs 21.32 billion , crude soybean oil at over Rs. 59.13 billion and gold worth Rs. 21.20 billion.
Similarly, on the export front, the report stated that soybean oil has led the way, with exports reaching an impressive Rs 66.78 billion. Other notable exports include black cardamom amounting to over Rs 8.6 billion , sun flower oil worth over Rs 5.7 billion and carpet worth over Rs 5.7 billion.
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