Hoteliers’ get-together

KATHMANDU: Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management (SMSHM) organised a get together for hoteliers’ at its premises on Saturday. Sandipa Thapa Basnyat, director of the marketing and admission of SMSHM said, “The programme is organised to share ideas and meet the colleagues in a relaxed and non-competitive environment.” — HNS

Peter England’s offer

KATHMANDU: Peter England, an international premium-clothing brand, has launched its new lines of suits and blazers in the market. Business Line Suits and Blazers, made of fine wool and polyester materials, have been unveiled. —HNS

Bush urges trade deal

CHICAGO: US president George W Bush pledged on Friday to press for a global agreement to liberalise trade under the WTO Doha Round and seek additional bilateral free-trade deals that he said boosted economic growth. In a speech in Chicago, Bush said a free-trade agreement under the auspices of the WTO would be positive for the world’s economic growth and derided the views of ‘isolationists’ trying to block such a deal. — AFP

‘Share in our growth’

HYDERABAD: The Indian economy is poised to make a quantum leap in a decade-and-a-half and this provides the country’s vast diaspora a window to participate in the process. “Partner with us in India’s exciting march to progress and prosperity,” Indian minister for overseas Indian affairs Oscar Fernandes said at the inaugural session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual event that seeks to connect the country with its 25 million strong diaspora. — HNS

Jobless rate rises

OTTAWA: Canada’s unemployment rate increased in December to 6.5 per cent from the previous month. The economists had expected to see job growth. Canada lost a net 2,100 jobs last month. Economists had predicted some 20,000 more jobs would be created last month, after sharp gains in November. — AFP