Nepal Highlights

Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari has said the government will give top priority to economic agendas and formulate effective policies to boost the economy, Speaking at a Cottage and Small Entrepreneur's' meet being held in Butwal from Saturday with the aim to discuss the problems affecting cottage and small industries in the country, he said that the government is committed to support cottage and small industries as they are important for the country's economic health. As many people in the country lack good job opportunity, supporting cottage and small industries would increase employment opportunities to many people, he added. The two-day meet is being organised by Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI). Cottage and small entrepreneurs from 75 districts are expected to participate in the event.

The ruling CPN (UML) on Sunday decided to hold "decisive talks" with the main coalition partner Unified CPN (Maoist) to finalize the power-sharing issue and cabinet expansion very soon. A Standing Committee (SC) meeting of the party held at its parliamentary party office at Singha Durbar took a decision to this effect "We decided to hold decisive talks with the Maoists in order to give a full shape to the cabinet very soon," UML leader Ishwor Pokhrel said while informing about the decisions of the SC. According to Pokhrel, UML team would conduct serious discussions with the Maoist leaders either today or Monday to reach an agreement on the power-sharing issue. Pokhrel said the meeting also discussed whether or not the Ministry of Home Affairs should be given to the Maoists. "It was agreed during the meeting that UML should not give ministries related to security and defense to the UCPN (Maoist)," he said. During the meeting Prime Minster Jhala Nath Kha