Tag: World

  • Rising global oil prices amid world turmoil spark diplomatic discussions among major powers

    Rising global oil prices amid world turmoil spark diplomatic discussions among major powers


    Thursday saw a surge in crude oil prices, driven by global economic uncertainties due to ongoing conflicts. Despite some easing of concerns about Red Sea shipping disruptions, tensions persist in the Middle East, supporting oil prices.

    In the Comex division of IC Exchange in London, Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 0.1% to $79.75 per barrel. Meanwhile, WTI prices in the New York Mercantile Exchange’s Comex division dipped slightly to $74.06 per barrel.

    Major geopolitical events, such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, have intensified oil diplomacy among key economies: the United States, China, Russia, and India. Facing Western sanctions, Russia has shifted fuel exports to China and India, reducing its European market share.

    China has become a pivotal player, with 45-50% of its oil imports now sourced from Russia, surpassing Saudi Arabia as its primary supplier. India, previously a minor buyer, now obtains nearly 40% of its oil from Russia.

    To counter sanctions, Russia has expanded its oil exports, reportedly refining Russian crude in India and selling it to European customers through alternative routes. Moscow aims to explore new markets for natural gas and oil exports, expecting significant revenue despite sanctions.

    While major shipping companies, including Maersk, have resumed Red Sea operations, ongoing Middle East tensions, along with Iran’s involvement, add complexity to the oil supply landscape.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed a strengthening of ties with India during a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. As global uncertainties persist, geopolitical events continue to influence global oil dynamics, underscoring the interconnectedness of economic and diplomatic factors.

  • Becoming an Investor in Nepal

    Becoming an Investor in Nepal


    Before we get into how to become an investor in Nepal, it’s important to understand who an investor is. An investor is someone who puts money into something with the hope of profiting in the future. A return is the benefit derived from such an investment. Investors are always on the lookout for high-yielding investment opportunities.

    What distinguishes an investor from others?

    Based on a book written by Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad Poor Dad, people can be divided into four distinct categories in terms of generating income. They are:

    1. Employee (Salary-based) are those who work for others in order to meet their needs. They are paid at the end of the month for their work. Job holders are included in this category. Employees benefit from security because they know they will be paid at the end of the month. The main disadvantage of being an employee is the lack of freedom.

    2. Self-employed are individuals who work for themselves. They have more freedom than salaried employees, but they must work like salaried employees to meet their demands.

    3. Businessmen are the owners of the company Business owners hire others to work for them. They create products and services in order to make money.

    4. Investors invest in businesses and stocks for profit.

    According to the book, in order to become wealthy, you must be either a businessman or an investor, or both.

    Investing characteristics

    Not all of your money can be considered an investment. There are a few factors that distinguish between spending and investing. The following are the two most important characteristics that every investor should possess:

    1. Safety of principal

    The principal is your machine, which can print money for you. It is in your best interest to keep your machine in good working order. When you lose your principal, you can’t make money off of it. As a result, the safety of the principal should be your top priority.

    2. Adequate return

    When you put your money into a good business, you get something in return. Your return can take the form of cash, shares, or stocks. What you should remember is that your principal earns you some level of return. You should not expect a return on your investment that is exponential or even out of the realm of possibility. Investing with a non-realistic expectation of return is gambling. Never put your principal at risk. It is all you have.

    Benefits of being an investor

    1. Beating inflation

    Inflation is a term used to describe the gradual decline in the purchasing power of money. A popular saying goes, “A dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow.” As an investor, you have the ability to outperform inflation and keep your money’s value constant. You should always keep an eye on inflation and strive to outperform it. Your investment return should always be greater than your country’s inflation rate.

    2. Own businesses of different types

    It is yet another advantage of being an investor. You can own as many and as varied businesses as you want. What you should have are some investing principles that you can use before you start investing. After you’ve established your investing principle, the world is yours to explore.

    A popular investing field in Nepal

    There are three main popular fields of investing in Nepal. They are:

    Land and Real estate

    Real estate is and has always been the best investment opportunity. Real estate investment generates income from two sources: renting and selling real estate. It can be both active and passive investment. You can actively buy and sell properties, or you can simply invest in real estate and let time do the work of calculating your income. You can always expect your property’s value to rise over time. In the meantime, you can use the money you earn from renting to cover your day-to-day expenses.

    Interest yielding deposits

    Banks in Nepal offer competitive interest rates on fixed deposit savings. You can protect your principal by using fixed-deposit schemes offered by commercial banks or development banks in Nepal. While cooperative companies in Nepal have high rates of return, they have a bad reputation for fraud or scams. It is not a good idea to put all of your money in cooperatives.

    In Nepal, there is also peer-to-peer lending. It pays a higher interest rate on your money than institutions, but it also carries a higher risk.

    Interest-bearing deposits are one of the best passive income ideas in Nepal, regardless of where you choose to invest.

    Nepal Stock Exchange

    Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is the country’s sole stock exchange. If you are new to this, you can read the NEPSE beginner’s guide. Investing in stocks provides you with two significant benefits. You can be a shareholder in any company you want, and you will receive an annual return. Alternatively, you can sell your stocks if the price rises. Stock investing, like real estate investing, allows you to be either an active trader or a passive investor. Stock investing can begin with as little as 100 rupees. Stocks could be the next best small business in Nepal for you.

    Furthermore, the best investment you can make is in yourself. Always seek to broaden your knowledge. Read books, websites, and news to stay current. One thing that all of the best investors have in common is that they are voracious readers. As the saying goes, the more you learn, the more you earn.

    Lastly…

    It is not easy to become an investor. To become a good investor in Nepal and other countries, a certain set of principles and hard work are required. However, it is not as difficult as learning rocket science. Anyone can become a good investor with careful planning and dedication. There are a few things you should never forget and a few things you should never forget. Best wishes for your investment.

  • Is cryptocurrency legal in Nepal?

    Is cryptocurrency legal in Nepal?


    So far, cryptocurrencies are illegal in a few countries, whereas the rest of the world either sees it as fitting to utilise these ‘monies’, or keeps them in a grey area of financial law. Similarly, though most countries in the world do not criminalise cryptocurrencies, they have yet to define their usage as monies or commodities, thus making varied classifications all over the world.

    Is cryptocurrency legal in Nepal? 7

    Nepal Rastra Bank has already made it clear in its notice dated August 13, 2017, that all transactions related to or regarding Bitcoins are illegal. But it allied Bitcoins to “Foreign Exchanges”, though cryptocurrencies have no foreign central authority to regulate them. This is where the confusion is. Bitcoin is a decentralised digital currency that is traded from one individual to the other, not through banks. It has no issuing or regulating country, and these bitcoins are converted into US dollars simply because dollars are used as an international exchange rate.

  • Ex-pat Nepalese get Rs 400 incentive while sending money to NICA accounts via World Remit

    Ex-pat Nepalese get Rs 400 incentive while sending money to NICA accounts via World Remit


    Ex-pat Nepalese who send money to NIC ASIA Bank accounts in Nepal using World Remit would receive a bonus of Rs 400.

    The scheme will run from Aswin 11 to Kartik 10, 2078, with just the first transaction eligible for the bonus.

    The bank now has 356 branches, 472 ATMs, 70 extension counters, and 81 branchless banking units across the country.

    Additionally, receive $20 bonus if you send money to Nepal using Word Remit by clicking on the link below.

    Send Money to Nepal now