Nepal: open for business

After 10 years of civil war that caused untold suffering to the Nepali people, and a comparably trivial collapse in tourism, peace is in the air and holidays are on the agenda. Trekkers, climbers and rafters are particularly ecstatic that Nepal has calmed down. Nepal now has the chance to become an essential tourist destination. Considering how important tourism is to the Nepalese economy, the increase in numbers is very welcome. With greater tourist numbers, the local infrastructure can develop - especially domestic transport to main tourist locations like Lukla (below), starting point for the Everest base camp trek. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/asia/article5206787.ece

Joanna Lumley to present Gurkha petition to government

Joanna Lumley, whose late father served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles, started the petition in October following a landmark ruling by the High Court. Six claimants won the right to live in this country. They currently live in Nepal and Hong Kong. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3486948/6.15AM-Joanna-Lumley-to-present-Gurkha-petition-to-government.html

Utah businessman helping build hospital in Nepal

A Salt Lake businessman is spearheading an effort to build a hospital in Nepal. It's aimed at making a better life for burn victims and children with facial deformities. For two decades, the poorest of the poor in Nepal have been helped by a medical teams sponsored by a charity called Interplast. Besides burn injuries, the Interplast specialty is helping children with cleft lips and palates. The one thing they don't have in Nepal is a permanent modern hospital. That's what brings Rai to Foothill Oriental Rugs in Salt Lake. Owner Jim Webber has imported rugs for years from Nepal. He's leading the effort to build a two-story hospital. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4788312

Nepal and the credit crunch

Nepal's isolation from the world markets might make it less affected by the current international financial crisis. As South Asia’s poorest country, Nepal has no international banks, no foreign investments in stocks, only basic financial rules and no direct connections to the international markets. When falls in the US and European bourses pulled Asian equities down with them, Nepal’s market was largely unaffected. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f03dbda0-a9c2-11dd-958b-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Nepal to get $36 ml World Bank aid

The World Bank plans to provide $36 million aid package to Nepal to enhance its anti-poverty programme, including access to food and basic needs for vulnerable households in the impoverished nation. http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080070937&ch=11/2/2008%207:13:00%20PM

UN chief's visit to Nepal

The United Nations mission in Nepal will be extended after discussions between Ban Ki-moon and Nepal’s Maoist prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dhala "Prachanda", foreign minister Upendra Yadav and ceremonial president Dr Ram Baran Yadav. The extension period has not been confirmed.

The UN has allotted $10 million for the reintegration and other peace measures. Former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s Nepali Congress party has held up the formation of a special committee that will have the herculean task of integrating the Maoists’ People’s Liberation Army with the Nepal Army within six months by refusing to join it in its present form.

More information:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/UN_Mission_in_Nepal_to_stay_on_despite_Indias_reluctance/articleshow/3663101.cms