Nepal PM Oli set to visit China next month

28 Oct 2024 CW Team

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is slated to visit China in November, as confirmed by officials from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Foreign Ministry. This visit follows his recent completion of 100 days in office, during which he has instructed officials to update him on the status of Chinese projects in Nepal, particularly those related to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

A Foreign Ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, “The Foreign Ministry has been directed to report on the progress of the BRI and other agreements between Nepal and China. This briefing will occur within the week, and preparations for the Prime Minister's visit have also begun.”

Despite the signing of the BRI agreement in 2017, details of the deal remain largely undisclosed by both parties. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has indicated that projects such as the second phase of the Ring Road, the Hilsa-Simikot Road, the fourth phase of the Araniko Highway, and the Integrated Check Post in Korala, Mustang, are progressing under the BRI framework.

In addition to BRI discussions, Prime Minister Oli is expected to address topics related to energy and trade during his visit, leading a delegation to China in the third week of November.

Oli, who leads the CPN-UML party, assumed office for the fourth time in July after forming an alliance with the Nepali Congress, the largest party in parliament. Following his inauguration, he attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, where he met with various state and government leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ET)

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..