Chemical fertilizers procured from Bangladesh arrives

Nepal received the first consignment of the chemical fertilizer imported from Bangladesh on government-to-government (G2G) basis, though it has been too late for this year's planting season as the harvesting season has already started.

According to the Agriculture Inputs Company (AIC), some 2,500 tonnes -- of the total 50,000 tonnes of chemical fertilizers that the government of two countries reached a deal -- has arrived in Nepal today. The imported fertilizers will be kept at the depots of the company in Biratnagar, Birgunj and Bhairahawa, The AIC informed, adding that the company has now 40,000 tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), some 7,000 tonnes of Potash and 10,000 tonnes of urea in stock.

During December planting season, every year the farmers face the shortage of chemical fertilizer, which has forced the government this year to procure fertilizer from Bangladesh on G2G basis. Earlier, Nepal used to procure the fertilizer from India on G2G basis, but the fertilizer arrives always late due to government apathy.

The government signed an agreement with Bangladesh to purchase 50,000 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer in December to maintain fertilizer supply mainly during the paddy plantation season as the farmers, as always, faced severe shortage. 

Nepalis can go to Israel from next month

 The Israeli labour market has been opened for Nepali youth as Nepal and Israel today signed 'Implementation Protocol' of agreement.

“Nepali migrant workers can go to Israel as an 'Implementation Protocol' has been signed between Nepal and Israel today for the implementation of the agreement related to temporary employment of Nepali workers in the labour market of Israel,” according to a press note issued by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

Nepali ambassador to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya and Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gabi Ashkenazi had signed the labour pact five months ago on September 30, 2020.  

The protocol was today signed by the director general of the Department of Foreign Employment Kumar Dahal and Israeli ambassador to Nepal Hanan Godar – on behalf of their respective governments – at a programme organised at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

Expressing belief that diplomatic as well as labour relations between the two countries will be even more cordial in the days to come, labour minister Gauri Shankar Chaudhary said that a new dimension has been added to the bilateral relations between Nepal and Israel with the signing of the protocol.

He also urged the Israeli government to provide opportunities of employment to Nepali youths in other sectors except in caregiver sector.

Likewise, Dahal – after siging the protocol – said that the department will maintain transparency in the process of filling online applications for the implementation of the protocol. Nepali envoy to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya – who was presented virtually on the occasion – said that she was actively involved in opening the labour market of Israel to Nepalis since she reached Israel as the Nepali ambassador.

In the first phase, some 500 Nepalis will be able to go Israel – one of the most lucrative labour destinations – for caregiver job after signing of the protocol, the ministry explained, adding that Nepali youths will get employment as caregivers as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and daycare centers. “They will get perks and benefits according to the laboor related laws of Israel.”

According to the agreement, the Nepali youths will go for employment to Israel through government to government (G2G) arrangements of both countries, and the private sector will not be involved. 

Though, the ministry claimed that the employment in Israel has been made systematic and transparent as much as possible as the government is sending skilled and capable workers to Israel, the private sector still doubts. 

There are some 2,500 Nepalis in Israel currently, according to Nepali Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Ex-Gurkhas demand government start talks with Britain

The agitating British ex-Gurkhas have demanded the government to start bilateral talks – government-to-government (G2G) – immediately to finalise the compensation package for them.
The British Gurkha Satyagraha Samiti has also served an ultimatum – until February 15 – to the government and also British Governments to form a high-level talks team and start dialogue for addressing their demands.
The Samiti demanded to start immediate dialogue between the Nepal and Britain on the report of the Technical Committee that comprised ambassador of Nepal to UK, minister of defence (UK) and representatives of British Gurkha ex-servicemen’s association, according to a press note issued by the agitating ex-Gurkhas.
“A dialogue on the report should also be held with the International Relations Committee under the Parliament, as a guiding instrument,” the press note reads, adding that imposition of Indian Pay Code on British Gurkhas after 1948, which came in the name of Tripartite Agreement-1947, but with mutual understanding between India and Britain, was absolutely unfair, against the national sovereignty and independence of Nepal and contrary to the principles of right to self determination provided by international human rights laws; and was incompatible with other international laws including the Montevideo Treaty-1933, that defines the relations among the states and Article 2 of United Nations Charter.
If Nepal starts the dialogue with the British government, and claim the compensation, the British government is ready – on the basis of the Technical Committee report – to pay compensation to the ex-Gurkhas, they claimed, adding that the delay by Nepal is suspicious as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has also agreed – during their meeting in Baluwater some 9 months ago – to their demand.
They also warned that the movement of equality and dignity started by ex-Gurkha veterans against the British government will be spread across Nepal and also internationally in the form of patriotic movement. “The campaign is dedicated to human rights and dignity of Nepalis,” the press note reads, adding that the ex-Gurkhas have demanded an end to injustice and discrimination against Gurkha veterans and their families, and compensation to the families of thousands of soldiers, who had lost their lives in the past wars.

Government, Germany’s Munich Airport to negotiate, finally

Government is holding a final negotiation with Germany’s Munich Airport for operational management services at the second international airport in Bhairahawa.
A government team is scheduled to hold a final round of negotiation with Munich Airport to provide operational management services at the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa – located in south-central Nepal – according to director general at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Rajan Pokhrel. “The first round of negotiation with the company has been completed and the final negotiation will be held by the end of October,” he said, adding that they have invited the German company for the final round of negotiation. “The final negotiation will conclude the operation management fee and other services that the company will impart at the new airport.”
The much-talked airport – with a 3,000-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway – is expected to be completed by December-end and conduct test flights by March-end next year.
Pokhrel, who is also a member of the government committee that will deal with the company, said that the committee has also been working on launching an incentive package to attract international airlines at the new airport.
The government will also discuss the incentive package – including monetary incentives – with the Munich Airport, though Pokharel did not elaborate on incentive package – cash or free landing parking and other services – as there are several modalities.
The cabinet – in June – gave the Tourism Ministry approval to appoint international firms for the operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) operation of the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa through a government to government (G2G) deal following a proposal from Munich Airport including other international firms.
As only finishing the construction work will not assure operational readiness, operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) will play a big role in helping the new facility open on time. The ORAT is the best way to ensure that every aspect of a new facility functions flawlessly right from day one. ORAT consultants work with airport stakeholders to formulate new processes, train staff, and test every single new system and procedure from passenger and baggage handling to airside operations.
Construction work at Gautam Buddha International Airport began in January 2015. The CAAN awarded the Rs 6.22-billion contract to China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group in November 2013. Though, the airport was initially planned to be completed in December 2017, it is delayed and pushed back the completion deadline several times.

Nepal to buy fertilizers from India via G2G process

The government has decided to procure chemical fertilizers from India through G2G process.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Banskota informed that – during the regular press meet to announce government decisions – today the recent Cabinet has decided to procure chemical fertilizers from India through G2G process as the harvesting season is coming.
Every year, during the harvesting season, farmers face shortage of chemical fertilizer. The shortage of chemical fertilisers due to a delay in imports will hit paddy plantation.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, there are 10,000 tonnes of DAP in stock, not nearly enough to meet the country’s demand for even 15 days. The government imports chemical fertiliser worth Rs 16 billion annually that includes Rs 6 billion given for fertiliser subsidies.
The Agriculture Ministry had targeted to purchase 286,000 tonnes of chemical fertiliser this fiscal year, but due to the appreciation of the dollar and a price rise in the global market, it was only able to buy 225,000 tonnes. The four-month plantation period alone requires 150,000 tonnes of chemical fertiliser. However, there has been a deficit of 50,000 tonnes this year.

Japan formally opens door for employment for Nepalis in 14 sectors

Nepal and Japan today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for sending 'specified skilled workers' (SSW) paving the way for Nepali workers to go to Japan for employment in 14 specified sectors, though number of Nepali workers Japan will take and cost has yet not been disclosed.
Officiating secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), Ram Prasad Ghimire and Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo signed the MoC on behalf of their respected governments in capital today. The MoC will come into force from April 1, 2019.
Nepal has been sending youths to South Korea through the government-to-government (G2G) agreement under Employment Permit System (EPS), which is much safer and most lucrative destination for Nepali youths. Now, the successful and safer process of migration will be replicated with Japan too. 
After signing the MoC, Nepal has joined the list of eight countries authorised to send specified skilled workers to Japan after latter decided last year to loosen the restriction of entry for foreign workers. According to Japanese envoy Saigo, Japan estimates to recruit nearly 304,000 workers in five years from the eight countries including Nepal. "The foreign workers will receive treatment on par with the domestic workers in Japan including remuneration, medical care and other issues," he added.
The new policy of the second biggest economy of Asia will give the foreign workers the status of residence is aimed at addressing the serious labour shortage in Japan by accepting experienced foreign human resources with specific expertise and skills. Under the new programme, Japan will accept skilled workers from eight countries including Nepal in 14 specified sectors ranging from nursing care to aviation industry, according to the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.
There are two categories for SSW, who will be recruited under the new policy. Under the first category, workers with required skills will be allowed to stay in Japan for up to five years in total. Workers recruited under this category must have proficiency in Japanese language for daily life and at the workplace.
Similarly, the second category will allow foreigners with expert level skills to work in Japan while being accompanied by their family members.
The recruitment of Nepali workers based on the demand of employers in Japan will be carried out by a separate unit established under the Department of Foreign Employment, according to the ministry that will facilitate the recruitment process through a separate unit. "The unit will call for applicants, facilitating the Japanese side to conduct the language and skills tests and oversee the deployment of the successful applicants to Japan," the ministry added. "The applicants must pass language and sector-specific skills exams which will be conducted by the Japanese side."
According to the ministry, a joint task force has been formed to finalise the mechanism, process and remaining issues on sending Nepali workers. The MoC to send Nepali workers to Japan will establish a basic framework for information partnership in order to ensure smooth and proper sending and accepting specified skilled workers, states a press issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu after the signing labour deal between the two countries. "This deal will eliminate malicious intermediary organisations and will resolve the problems of sending, accepting and residing in Japan of specified skilled workers," the press note reads, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan enhances the mutual benefits of both countries, through cooperation for proper operation of the system, in collaboration with the relevant ministries and agencies of Japan.

Nepal, Japan to hold talks on labour pact

Tokyo and Kathmandu is holding an extensive discussion on a bilateral labour agreement between the two counties.
A high-level Japanese government technical team has arrived in Kathmandu today to hold the discussion with Nepal. The four-member Japanese team that includes two representatives each from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice will hold discussions on labour quota that Japan intends to allocate for Nepal, sectors that will absorb Nepali workers and whether the government or the private sector will oversee the migration process to Japan with Nepal.
According to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, both the nations are scheduled to hold discussions on the memorandum of cooperation – which mentions the minimum requirement for Nepali migrants to be eligible to seek jobs in Japan – that had already sent to Nepal by the Japanese government.
The teams will also finalise the modality of supplying workers and other legal issues, though the priority of the Nepal is to adopt a government-to-government (G2G) model to recruit Nepali migrant workers for various technical and non-technical jobs in Japan. Nepal had formally proposed Japan – on April 4 last year – to follow South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS) model to recruit Nepali workers.
On January 9, foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali had held talks with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono – during Kono's two-day official visit to Kathmandu – and they both had agreed to hold extensive discussions on bilateral labour issues.