BoK’s credit card

KATHMANDU: Bank of Kathmandu (BoK) has launched ‘BoK Visa credit card’ for its customers to facilitate its customers and save them the bother of carrying cash. The credit card can be used in Nepal and India both. — HNS

GLI’s 1st AGM

KATHMANDU: The first annual general meeting (AGM) of Gurans Life Insurance took place at the central office of the company at Lal Colony Marg on Saturday. The company has sold 7348 insurance copies worth Rs 30.69 million within this September. The company has 17 branches in different parts of the country. Under the presidency of Moti Lal Dugad, Malchandra Dugad, Jyoti Kumar Begani and Him Bahadur Rawal were elected memberes of the executive committee. — HNS

Salt shortage

KHOTANG: Local consumers are hit by the shortage of salt in Khotang district. Entrepreneurs said the shortage of salt occurred because the transport of salt was stopped as none liked to go leading donkeys during the festive season. Customers are paying Rs 40 per kg to get salt. The poorly-off are worried at the hiked price of salt. . Donkeys have been the means of transportation in the district after Diktel-Bhojpur and Bhojpur-Dhankuta road sections were damaged due to rainfall. A goods shortage also prevails ithe n Diktel-Chamsitar road section as donkeys have to be used for transport. Service recipients blamed the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) for its failure to curb the price hike. — RSS

US eyes new FTA

WASHINGTON: The United States is beginning to lay the initial groundwork for talks to forge a free trade agreement (FTA) with Southeast Asia, ahead of President Barack Obama’s maiden trip to the region. A senior US senator will propose a resolution on Tuesday encouraging Obama administration officials to initiate the negotiations, warning about competition from China and other powers who have already sealed pacts with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “The US should proceed to develop a comprehensive strategy toward engaging ASEAN in serious FTA discussions,” said Senator Dick Lugar, the Republican party leader in the powerful Senate foreign relations committee. — AFP