Indian mission in UAE:

DUBAI: The Indian mission here is making arrangements to set up special counters where Indians can submit documents related to their work permits. This follows the announcement by the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) government Sunday of a three-month deadline to all illegal expatriate workers to regularise their work permits or face stiff penalty. The government warned employers with action if they employ illegal workers. Indian officials said the mission is setting up collection centres across the UAE to receive relevant documents from Indian nationals. — HNS

Aussie economy up:

SYDNEY: Australia’s economic growth surged 1.6 pe rcent in the March quarter, sending the Australian dollar to a 17-year high and raising the prospect of a pre-election rate hike. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said the economy posted its strongest quarterly growth in more than three years, taking annual growth to 3.8 percent on a year-by-year basis. — AP

UK firm in Indonesia:

JAKARTA: British Petroleum is planning a bio-fuel project in Indonesia aimed at meeting future demand for cleaner energy, the company said Wednesday. “The plan is

still at an early stage. We want to look at existing regulations and how the government will support the bio-fuel industry here,” British Petroleum spokesperson Niko Kanter said.

Kanter was accompanying the president of BP’s global bio fuels business, Philip New. — AFP

‘Too Feminine Spring’:

KATHMANDU: Etienne Aigner Cosmetics GMBH has launched a new fresh fragrance for women ‘Too Feminine Spring’ in the market. The perfume is for women who believe that spring and nature is a never-ending inspiration for poetry, states a company press release here. The product is aimed for sensible and sensual women. Aigner Too Feminine Spring Eau de Parfum natural spray, which is available in 60ml/ 2FL.OZ, projects a fresh look with its colour and flowery designed enclosure that compliments its fragrance. — HNS

KBL opens 8th branch:

KATHMANDU: Kumari Bank Ltd (KBL) has opened its eighth branch at Kumaripati, Lalitpur. Noor Pratap JB Rana, chairman of the bank inaugurated the new branch today. According to the bank management, KBL has been able to serve 30,000 plus customers with a total deposit of almost Rs 10 billion, while loans and advances stand at nine billion rupees. The bank earned an operating profit of Rs 220 million in the first nine months of the current fiscal, which is up by 89 per cent compared to the same period last year. The bank plans to expand branch network at Durbar Marg and New Bus Park in Kathmandu, and Narayanghat, states a bank press release here. — HNS