Handicraft promotion

KATHMANDU: Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) and National Productivity and Economic Development Centre Ltd (NPEDCL) have agreed to form a joint task force to enhance productivity, study and observation, technology transfer, quality improvement, manufacturing cost reduction and other issues and work together as per the suggestions of the task force. Both the associations will also sign a MoU as per its suggestions. — HNS

Promoting Nepal

KATHMANDU: As part of annual activities of the Embassy of Nepal in Germany to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Nepal and Germany, the embassy in cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of Nepal in Frankfurt, organised an interactive luncheon programme on Nepal’s tourism potentials at the Frankfurt Press Club. About forty travel/tour operators, writers, Airlines representatives and journalists were present on the occasion. — HNS

Rice planting hit

KASKI: Paddy transplantation has been affected in 16 districts of the Western Region due to lack of irrigation in the hilly region and diesel in Tarai. About 35 per cent of land is still barren in hilly areas due to lack of irrigation and 65 per cent in the Tarai due to lack of diesel. By now paddy transplantation on 80 per cent of land would have been finished, said director of the Regional Agriculture Directorate. — RSS

Revenue collection up

BUTWAL: The Inland Revenue Office, Bhairahawa,collected Rs 771.805 million during the last fiscal year. The collection is up by Rs 15 million from the target. A year ago,the office had collected Rs 694 million. — RSS

Cottage industries

BHIMPHEDI: Small and Cottage Industry Office, Makwanpur, registered 144 new cottage industries during the past fiscal year. The office also registered 279 commercial firms including private firms, companies, business houses and retail shops. The office collected Rs 1.8 million from the registrations. — RSS