NTHBTA’s appeal

KATHMANDU: Nepal Trans Himalayan Border Trade Association (NTHBTA) has called closure of trading activities through Tatopani border on Thursday. The decision has been taken after government’s failure to ease the rule of mandatory passport and visa to enter the Sino-Nepal border market of Tatopani, implemented from January 1. — HNS

New units registration

DHADING: Some 68 new industries have been registered at Cottage and Small Industries Development Committee, Dhading in the first six months of the current fiscal year. Of the newly registered industries, five are related to production of goods, 22 to agriculture and forest products, 21 to construction and 19 to miscellaneous, according to the Office. Out of the total 1,844 firms registered, only 175 are operational at present. — RSS

Japan cuts output

TOKYO: Japanese industrial output rose by 1.3 per cent in December from November, below the initial estimate of 1.4 per cent growth but still a fifth monthly expansion. Year-on-year industrial production grew by 3.7 per cent, less than the previous reading of 3.8 per cent. Shipments in December were unrevised at a rise of 1.1 per cent from November, while inventories increased by 0.3 per cent, also unchanged. — AFP