Skoda’s new offer

KATHMANDU: Skoda MAW — the sole distributors of Skoda Auto — is organising an exchange offer from May 15 to 18 at its Thapathali showroom for premium 2009 models of Octavia and Laura. The new face-lifted standard version of the 2009 Laura comes loaded with unique features like full leather interior, eight-speaker surround sound system, dual a/c, rear parking sensor, xenon headlights with dynamic angle control and headlight washer, heated front seats, special rough road package. Octavia is the most economical luxury car with the lowest cost performance ratio. Both these diesel cars have TDI engines and high fuel efficiency at 16 and 15 km to the litre. Skoda ‘s modern service centre provides online support through VAS diagnostic system and readily available spares. — HNS

NBL in Dumre

KATHMANDU: Nepal Bank Ltd (NBL) has re-established its branch in Dumre of Tanahun district on Thursday. The re-established branch will provide banking services to the people of at least 40 VDCs in Tanahu district, said NBL’s chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Binod Atreya in his speech on the occaion of the branch’s reopening . The bank’s branch closed down at Dumre during the height of the decade-long Maoist insurgency due to insecurity reasons . Dumre branch was established in 2002. — HNS

Standard rights shares KATHMANDU: The 13th AGM of Standard Finance Limited decided to issue rights shares as per 1:5 ratio soon. Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) has granted permission for issuing rights shares, read a company statement. Shareholders listed in the share registration book on

May 21 will be entitled to apply for rights shares. — HNS

Panasonic’s loss

TOKYO: Panasonic Corp has suffered its first annual loss in six years because of shrinking demand and

harsh price competition amid the global economic downturn. Panasonic joined other Japanese electronics’ companies in reporting a net loss for the year that ended on March 31. It was in the red by 379 billion yen ($3.97 billion), which was a turnaround from a record profit of 281.88 billion yen the year before. As sales declined by 14 per cent from the previous year to 7.77 trillion yen, operating profits plunged by 86 percent to 72.9 billion yen. — DPA