BoK’s ‘festivity loan’

KATHMANDU: Bank of Kathmandu (BoK) has launched ‘Festivity Loan’ scheme to meet customers expenses for social obligations like marriage, bratbandhas, Dashain and Tihar. Self-employed professionals and businessmen with regular income source like salary, house rents, can be benefited from the scheme. The bank will provide Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 15 lakhs loan, repayable at equated monthly instalment basis in 120 months. — HNS

Fitrite announces gifts

KATHMANDU: Birat Shoe Company has announced gift hampers and special discounts for SLC-passed students on its product, Fitrite shoes. According to a press release issued here today, it will provide 10 per cent discount on purchase of Fitrite shoes for the students securing 60 per cent and 20 per cent discount for those securing 80 per cent marks. The company has announced special Fitrite gift hampers to Top 5 students. — HNS

QA’s expansion plan

KATHMANDU: After a very detailed evaluation of aircraft requirements as well as current and future products, Qatar Airways (QA) is set to place a significant order worth $15.2 billion to acquire up to 80 aircrafts. Negotiations are underway with both Airbus and Boeing but subject to the resolution of certain important outstanding issues with each manufacturer. — HNS

Indian eyes WCO post

BRUSSELS: Chittaranjan Satapathy, a senior customs official from India, has emerged front-runner for the new post of director (capacity building) in World Customs Organisations (WCO). The Brussels-based WCO is an independent inter-governmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations. — HNS

China’s oil rich region

BEIJING: Northwestern China’s predominantly Muslim Xinjiang region, a scene of widespread ethnic strife, has started implementing a plan to become the country’s top oil producer. The area has last year produced 22 million tonnes of oil but hopes to boost output to 100 million

tonnes this year. — AFP

Cambodia upbeat

PHNOM PENH: The IMF is to revise forecasts for Cambodia’s economic growth this year from 2.5 per cent to five-six per cent as the country’s key garment industry fares-better-than expected despite the end of a global export quota system. — AFP