Three Chinese firms in race for Pokhara airport contract

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has approved the technical proposals submitted by three prospective Chinese contractors for the construction of a regional international airport at Chinnedanda, Pokhara.

Among the 10 Chinese firms that had obtained bid documents, China CAMC Engineering Co, Sinohydro Corporation and China International Water and Electric Corporation returned the completed documents to CAAN. The technical proposals of all the three companies were okayed by the CAAN board on Sunday.

They were not able to fulfil one of the criteria related to technical experience, but CAAN waved them through fearing that the entire process might be scrapped if they were too strict. They did not have the required 10 years’ experience in developing airport projects, said CAAN board member Jyoti Adhikari, who represents the private sector. “However, building a regional international airport in Pokhara is not a big deal for them as they are competent, so we decided to be flexible with regard to the requirement,” he added. “These Chinese firms are involved in a number of infrastructure projects which are under construction in and outside China.”

Leniency on the part of the CAAN board means that the long-delayed airport in Pokhara will certainly be built. The project has been in limbo since 1975 when the government acquired more than 3,106 ropanis of land. CAAN director general Tri Ratna Manandhar said that all the Chinese firms were competent to execute the project, and that CAAN would proceed with the evaluation of their financial proposals.

The lowest bidder among the three will get the contract. Their financial proposals will be evaluated starting this week, according to CAAN. A six-member evaluation committee under the coordination of Mukunda Bhandari, chief of the engineering department at CAAN, will study their financial proposals.

The airport contract is subject to a loan agreement between the government of Nepal and the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank). CAAN will select the lowest bidder and recommend it to its line ministry. The ministry will then forward the selected firm’s name to the Finance Ministry which will then start loan negotiations with Exim Bank. The government plans to develop the airport with a soft loan of around US$ 145 million from Exim Bank. 

The government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency conducted a detailed study for the airport project in 1989. It had proposed a runway 2,500 m long and 50 m wide, a terminal and a cargo building. Construction of the airport, which was expected to be completed in four years, was estimated to cost of US$ 39.6 million at the time. A new study has estimated that the project will now cost more than US$ 180 million.

CAAN invited bids for execution of the project under the engineering procurement and construction model on Feb 9 and extended the deadline twice.

 Source ekantipur.com

Dubai city ..

Sheikh Zayed Road, the main and often clogged artery of Dubai. Taken from the 40th floor of the Sheraton Hotel's roof top, thanks to my visiting flickr friend Ann (annpar) who took me there! You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that "Bladerunneresque" view.

Pictures Are Collection by I love Dubai 

Here Come Dubai City

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dubai-marina

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Sabina Maharjan- Miss Jyapu 2012

21 years old Sabina Maharjan was crowned Miss Jyapu 2012 which is the beauty contest between women from Jyapu Community like caste of Suwal, Singh, Dangol, Maharjan, Prajapati, Awale, Munikar and Kisan etc. It was held on 17^th June at Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi and Sabina received Rs 25000 cash prize on winning the tile.

Likewise, Runa Maharjan, 23, won the title 1^st Runner Up and another Sabina Maharjan of 17 years old won the title 2^nd Runner Up. They received cash prize of Rs 15000 and Rs 10000 respectively. In this beauty peagant organized by Nasa Mandal, Miss Jyapu 2012 title owner Sabina also become Miss Talent and received additional Rs 5000 cash prize.

 Other title winners are:

Miss Personality- Runa Maharjan

Best Dress- Runa Maharjan

Miss Smile- Roshani Maharjan

Miss Friendship- Sarjuna Maharjan

Best Popularity- Shanta Dongol

Best Viewer’s Choice- Bidyalaxmi Maharjan

Miss Photogenic- Puja Maharjan

Miss Cultural- Amina Prajapati

Miss Discipline-Rojita Maharjan

Miss Agriculture- Rojina Dongol

Miss Traditional Food-Alisha Maharjan

Miss Nepal Bhasa- Kalpana Maharjan

Some new titles have been added in this contest.

(Photo Credit: Vinod Parihash Maharjan)

source xnepali.net

Bhat Bhateni to open in Pokhara

Bhat Bhateni Super Market which is headquartered in Kathmandu is scheduled to launch its outlet in Pokhara on Saturday. The shelves have been filled with stock and other preparations have been completed.

According to proprietor Min Bahadur Gurung, four floors will feature consumer goods while the two basement floors will offer toys for children and a parking area.

The complex has also allocated a separate space for the promotion and sales of local products of Pokhara. Bhat Bhateni presently has 1,200 varieties of products in its inventory. “One can get all kinds of products here including food, clothes, utensils, electronic appliances and many more. These products can be purchased at the same price as in Kathmandu,” Gurung said. Bhat Bhateni started construction of the complex two years ago. It has invested Rs 710 million in the new store including while Rs 400 million which was spent on the construction.

 source ekatipur.com

Former king Gyanendra wants to be reinstated

Nepal's deposed king, Gyanendra, has said for the first time that he wants to return to the throne.

Speaking to the News 24 television channel, he said that he had made an agreement six years ago with his country's political parties that he would be a constitutional monarch.

But the government abolished the monarchy in 2008.

The former king said he did not want to be active in Nepal's politics, but did want a largely ceremonial role.

His move comes at a time of political turmoil in Nepal.

A constituent assembly was recently dissolved after failing to reach agreement on a new constitution.

Fresh elections are planned for November, but in the meantime Nepal is in a political vacuum.

The BBC's John Narayan Parajuli in Kathmandu say that many ordinary Nepalis are also frustrated with the failure of their politicians to make progress on key issues like unemployment.

He says it is unclear how many would see the return of the king, even in a ceremonial role, as a welcome development.

In a rare interview, the former monarch, now known as Gyanendra Shah, told News 24 that he had been forced to make an agreement with opposition parties in 2006 after weeks of anti-government protests.

"This included the reinstatement of the dissolved parliament, the appointment of a prime minister from among the parties, and restoration of constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy," he said.

He said that the parties would have to answer for their behaviour.

Source ekantipur.com

Rs 250m invested in new hotels in Bhedetar, Hile

The popular hill stations of Bhedetar and Hile in Dhankuta district have been attracting an increasing number of investors in the hospitality sector. In the last two years, entrepreneurs have poured more than Rs 250 million into new hotels while existing hotels are being refurbished. 

Bhedetar, the gateway to the Arun valley, is becoming increasingly popular among visitors and has started to attract massive investment after suffering a huge setback during the conflict years. A view tower, picnic spots and stunning landscapes make Bhedetar an attractive destination for holidaymakers. More than 12 new hotels have been constructed in Bhedetar in the last two years.

Tourism entrepreneurs said that more than Rs 130 million has been invested in hotels in Bhedetar. “We have invested in hotels due to Bhedetar’s growing popularity among visitors,” said Govinda Karki, proprietor of Green Heaven Hotel. “Hotels get good returns on their investment here.”

Green Heaven has 18 rooms and was built with an investment of Rs 20 million. According to the owners, most of their guests are from Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa. Indian visitors arrive in large numbers during the summer. At present, tourist standard hotels and lodges in Bhedetar have a capacity of over 300 room nights. Jitendra Rumjhali, who built the Bhedetar View Tower with an investment of Rs 20 million, said the area lacks extensive promotion. Another three hotels—Hotel Himali, Hotel Makalu and Peace Zone Hotel—have been constructed with an investment of Rs 15 million each.

Similarly, Lauti Corner has spent Rs 10 million and Hotel Majestic has invested Rs 6.5 million. A number of new properties like the Mt Everest, Sapta Koshi, Sangam and Three Star have injected a huge amount of money in the district. Old hotels like the Tamor Valley, Arun Valley and others have been renovated. The rising number of hotels has also attracted MICE tourism to Bhedetar besides sightseers.

Meanwhile, the hill town of Hile Bazaar has also witnessed huge investments in the hospitality sector. Hile is the starting point for trekking around Kangchenjunga.

Rewat Bahadur Karki, board representative of the Nepal Tourism Board, said a new property—Horizon Mountain Guest House—would be coming soon in Hile Bazaar with an investment of Rs 30 million. The guest house will have 48 rooms.

The Hotel Kanjiroba has resumed operations with new investment. “We have invested Rs 30 million,” said proprietor Umesh Ghimire. Another two new hotels in Hile are the Hile View and Hotel Tourism which have been built with an investment of Rs 20 million each. Hotel Makalu has invested Rs 6 million.

Meanwhile, small hotels are also flourishing in Hile. “Opening of new properties has improved the standard of service and increa-sed income generating activities in Hile,” said Lalchan Gomba, president of the Dhankuta Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Source ekantipur.com

Samsung Galaxy SIII Hits Nepal

The wait is finally over. Just one month after its global launch, International Marketing Services (IMS) has brought Samsung Galaxy SIII available to the Nepali consumers. The most hyped Smartphone release since iPhone 4S was unveiled in Kathmandu by IMS Chairman Dipak Malhotra, CEO Bishal Acharya, and Miss Nepal 2012 first runner-up Nagma Shestha.
 
According to Malhotra, the new Smartphone would “redefine the Smartphone experience of Nepali users”. It is no doubt the Galaxy SIII is worthy of the attention with legion of new features. Powered by Ice Cream Sandwich, the android operating system; its wrapped in a polycarbonate shell, weighing just4.7 ounces, roughly 0.34 inch thin and sports a 4.8inch HD touch screen, offering an impressive 1280 x 720 resolution. Besides its physical sleek aesthetical beauty, the new SIII is packed with the most advanced voice command functions along with eye-recognition technology that keeps the screen from dimming, a 8 mega-pixel camera along with a 1.9 mega-pixel front facing camera and a powerful Quad-Core 1.4 GHz Cortex- A9 CPU.

Nepali consumers are already excited over the Galaxy SIII as out of the700 units imported in its initial batch, 300 have already been booked prior to the formal launch. IMS reports that the Samsung Galaxy SIII’s official carrier will be none other than Ncell and it will be providing the phone with easy payment facility by paying monthly installments of Rs. 6,499 for twelve months. The new Galaxy SIII owner will be required to have an account with Nabil Bank or Bank of Kathmandu. The Galaxy SIII will be available only with a Ncell Pro plan along with a new bundle package attached, which will be available for free for twelve months. Corporate communication manager for Ncell, Sanju Koirala announced that the Galaxy SIII consumers will get 700 minutes worth of local calls, along with 700 SMS, and up to 70 MB data service amounting to Rs.999 per month for free. Now that’s one more strong reason to get hold of SIII.


 Click here for more details »

Avani Limboo

Buddha Air signs $6.9m ATR-72 loan agreement with IFC

Leading domestic airliner Buddha Air on Tuesday signed a $6.9 million loan agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group to purchase a 72-seater ATR72-500 pressurised turboprop aircraft. The payback period of the loan is eight years.

“The new aircraft will be delivered by the end of September 2012 to consolidate service in the regional level,” said Birendra Bahadur Basnet, managing director of Buddha Air.

Buddha Air had taken a loan worth of $10 million in September 2008 to purchase two ATR42 planes and to build a closed-door hanger at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). “The new loan was possible as Buddha Air has been servicing the first loan on time and has been fulfilling all the covenants mentioned in the loan agreement, including anti-money laundering,” the carrier said.

On April 19, Buddha Air and European turboprop manufacturer ATR had signed an agreement for a lease-purchase of an ATR 72-500. The ATR 72-500 is the latest development of the ATR 72 series which costs $8 million.

According to TIA statistics, Buddha Air recorded the strongest growth in passenger movement, carrying 205,743 passengers in the first quarter of 2012, up 40.39 percent compared to the same period last year.

The airline’s fleet expansion drive has helped it consolidate its market share in domestic aviation. Established in 1997 with a single 18-seater Beech 1900D aircraft, the airline now owns three Beechcraft, three 47-seater ATR 42 and two 72-seater ATR 72 planes. It holds over 43 percent share in the domestic aviation market. The airline serves 10 domestic destinations.