MoI felicitation

KATHMANDU: Ministry of Industry (MoI), to commemorate 99th International Women’s Day felicitated on Friday women contributing to the promotion of small and cottage industry sector. MoI felicitated Indira Sapkota, Anjana Tamrakar, Bhawani Rana, Sabita Dhungana, Kunjana Mishra, Bijay Laxmi Livi, Kamrunissa Khatoon, Parbati Rai, Jasmaya Pun, Buddhi Maya Sunwar, and Laxmi Sharma for their contribution. — HNS

GBL’s 2nd AGM

KATHMANDU: Global Bank Ltd on Thursday conducted its second Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Birgunj. Ashwin Kumar Acharya and Pushpaman Shrestha were chosen representatives of general share-holders for the Bank Management Committee. — HNS

SMBFL rights shares

KATHMANDU: The third annual general meeting (AGM) of Sagarmatha Merchant Banking and Finance Ltd (SMBFL) decided to distribute its rights shares in the ratio of 1:1.5. According to a press statement, the company will distribute share of Rs 75 million with a face value Rs 100 each. Along with the distribution of its rights shares, its paid up capital will be Rs 125 million. — HNS

NIC’s 18th branch

KATHMANDU: NIC Bank Ltd inaugurated its 18th branch at Kirtipur on Friday. The bank has posted a growth of 49 per cent in operating profit to Rs 333 million in the first seven month of this fiscal compared to the same period last year. It recently opened a branch at Dhangadi. — HNS

Costly Asian cities

HONG KONG: Asian cities have shot up on the list of the world’s most expensive places as currency fluctuations bring down the relative cost of living in Europe, a survey found on Wednesday. Tokyo and Osaka leapfrogged Oslo and Paris to rank first and second respectively in the cost of living index by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Singapore jumped to 10th place while Hong Kong overtook London and Vienna to leap to 11th place in survey of costs in 140 cities around the world. — DPA

India’s inflation drops

NEW DELHI: India’s annual rate of inflation fell further to 2.43 percent for the week that ended on February 28 from 3.03 the week before, official data showed on Thursday. The inflation figure was the lowest since June 2002. The official wholesale price index, however, rose by 0.04 per cent during the week. While the index for primary articles rose by 0.2 per cent, that for manufactured products fell marginally by 0.1 per cent. — HNS