The IMF office in Nepal has released the latest macro-economic highlights: www.imf.org/en/Countries/ResRep/NPL. The figures show that Nepal’s remittances were at $586 million in September, up 3% from last year. GDP growth went up to 7.5% in 2017-17. Inflation was 3.4%, and imports were up 11% and exports down by 5%. The trade deficit widened, but was kept in check because of remittances. FDI inflows remain the lowest in South Asia.
Turkish united for wildlife
Turkish Airlines has signed the United for Wildlife Buckingham Palace Declaration (UFW) pledging zero-tolerance regarding the illegal wildlife trade. UFW was on the agenda of the IATA Annual General Meeting in Cancun last June, and has been signed by 41 airlines. The declaration hopes to stop the illegal wildlife trade as well as increasing passenger awareness about wildlife trafficking.
10 years of Etihad
Etihad Airways celebrated 10 years of scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Kathmandu at Hotel Annapurna on
8 November. The airline flew its first scheduled flights to and from Nepal in October 2007 starting with four flights a week, increasing to two flights a day in 2013.
University of Coffee
Università del Caffè (The University of Coffee), Italy, inaugurated its branch at Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management on 6 November, where it will provide four complete courses for barista professionals. The Università del Caffè is the only coffee university in the world with 28 branches in various countries.
Qatar hat trick
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker was awarded Aviation Executive of the Year by CAPA Centre for Aviation in Singapore, while the company was awarded Best Full Service Airline in West Asia at the Future Travel Experience Asia 2017. Doha’s Hamad International Airport was named Best Airport in West Asia at the event.