Standard Finance KATHMANDU: Standard Finance Ltd on Friday inaugurated its branch office at Adarshnagar, Birgunj. According to a press release, the company is planning to upgrade itself to an A grade commercial bank in the near future. — HNS

Xenon products KATHMANDU: Hansaraj Hulaschand and Co, the sole marketer of Xenon brand of Inverters, UPS and batteries, on Friday organized a discussion programme on business opportunities and to enhance credible after-sales services and other issues, according to a press release. Xenon is owned by Amara Raja Group of India. — HNS FHAN worried KATHMANDU: The Federation of Handicrafts Association of Nepal (FHAN) in a press statement voiced serious concern over the strike programme launched in Patan Industrial Area. FHAN called for an end to the protest and urged for talks between the workers and the managament in the industrial area. — HNS Groups back FCAN KATHMANDU: Private groups have joined the agitation of the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal (FCAN). The FNCCI, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Nepal Chambers of Commerce, Nepal Advisors’ Society, Nepal Engineers’ Association, Diploma Engineers’ Association Nepal and Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries are supporting FCAN which is protesting against the government decision to implement development works worth Rs 6 million through consumer committees since January 2009. — HNS

Yami off to Australia KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has assigned minister for general administration Pampha Bhusal to look after the ministry of tourism and civil aviation during the absence of minister for tourism and civil aviation Hisila Yami, who left for Australia and New Zealand on Friday, according to the PMO. — RSS

Dragon Air layoff HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s leading airlines Cathay Pacific and Dragonair on Friday invited nearly 20,000 employees to take between one and four weeks of unpaid leave as part of a raft of cost-cutting measures. Flight frequencies or seat capacity would be reduced on flights to Mumbai, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney, Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, and Dubai, Cathay Pacific announced. Dragonair will cut passenger capacity by 13 per cent, reducing services to Bengaluru, Busan, Sanya and Shanghai and suspending services to Fukuoka, Dalian, Shenyang, Guilin and Xian.— DPA