Viber launches Nepal's first horoscope bot ‘HamroRashifal’

The popular messaging app Viber has partnered with HamroPatroRashifal to launch the HamroRashifalchatbot - a customised user-friendly, text-based feature that will cater to the user’s requirement anytime, anywhere.
Nepali consumers can now avail horoscope at their fingertips with Viber, according to a press note issued by the HamroPatro. “The instant calling and messaging app seeks to create new experiences and build a loyal base of enthusiastic and avid users of the platform,” it reads, adding that Viber will bring HamroPatro’s expertise and credibility to the fore and aims to provide deep value to users via this services. “Viber users can now receive, explore and share daily, weekly, monthly and yearly horoscope updates via direct subscription free of charge and there will be no additional fee attached with this service.”
Announcing the collaboration founder and chief executive officer of HamroPatro Shankar Uprety said that the company constantly strives to offer services on its platform that enables its users to receive vital information for their day-to-day activities and remain engaged with the community.
“As a pioneer of the Nepali Mobile-App industry,” he said, adding that the company is happy to partner with Rakuten Viber and enable its users from across the country to receive their horoscope predictions and updates on the Viber app.
Likewise, commenting on the collaboration, senior director at the Rakuten Viber Anubhav Nayyar said that Astrology is an intrinsic part of Nepal’s culture and we are honoured to work with HamroPatro and bring horoscope to the fingertips of our Nepali users. “Nepal is an important market for us and this initiative is aimed at further strengthening our position,” he said, adding that the company wants to create experiences that are relevant and contextual for its users. “We are certain that the latest addition will bring additional and meaningful value to our users on the platform.”

Certificate of Origin to be issued online

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) will be issuing Certificates of Origin (CoO) through online.
The NCC today organised a soft launch of the online system, whereas the FNCCI and CNI have already launched the system to make it easier for the exporters. CoO is necessary for the exporters to certify that the exportable products are originated from Nepal.
“Earlier, the traders had to wait for the office hours to issue the certificate,” NCC president Rajesh Kaji Shrestha said, adding that with the beginning of online system, the process can be completed within few hours during any time of the day.
“Though the online is yet to be integrated with payment mechanism, it will be collaborating with digital payment platforms like e-Sewa and Khalti soon,” according to Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) that has developed the online system of CoO for the FNCCI, CNI, and NCC. “The traders have to pay through banks and attach the voucher with the certificate for the time being.”
The private sector has hired staff to help traders with the system and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has also given them a month to get used to with the system. “From mid-August, using an online system will be mandatory to issue CoO, according to the ministry.
The system will also help the Department of Customs, Department of Industries, and central bank in checking the details on exports and transactions, Shrestha added, on the occasion.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the online system is a good step towards making paperless trade, and reduce hassles with no human face involved.
The Department of Customs – implementing a single-window system to facilitation trade and create business-friendly environment – has been integrating business processes with technology. The department has already been linked with 15 agencies in this integration process, and Vehicle Tracking Consignment System (VCTS) is one of its initiatives. The VCTS has been recently introduced as a trial for three months.