Bonus shares listed

KATHMANDU: Nepal Stock Exchange has listed 1.5 million-unit bonus shares of Kumari Bank Ltd. The total numbers of the bank’s share has gone to nine million units, including 1.5 million-unit bonus share, states a press release. — HNS

Indian inflation up

NEW DELHI: India’s inflation rate jumped by almost a full percentage point to hit a more than 10-month high dimming chances of an early interest rate cut to spur a slowing economy. Annual inflation leapt by 0.81 percentage points to 5.92 per cent for the week ended on March 8 from 5.11 per cent the previous week. — AFP

Tourism forecast

SINGAPORE: Tourism in the Asia-Pacific region is forecast to soar with nearly 500 million visitors arriving by 2010, generating $4.6 trillion, an industry report stated. The PATA said travel within Asia would account for two-thirds of all tourist arrivals around the region. The report attributed the growth of low-cost carriers and the opening up of the aviation sector to more choices for consumers with rising disposable income. — DPA