US, EU to open skies

WASHINGTON: The US and EU on Tuesday revived talks on an ‘open skies’ deal to liberalise transatlantic air traffic, two months after Washington threw a large spanner in the wo-rks. US transportation secretary and EU transport commissioner sat down for a new round after Peters in early December to offer foreign investors a greater say in US airlines. The EU had said it ‘deeply regretted’ that move, which cast doubt over a 2005 pact to deregulate lucrative airline routes between the US and Europe. — AFP

BoE to freeze rates

LONDON: Bank of England (BoE) policymakers are forecast to keep rates at 5.25 per cent but the outlook has been clouded by January’s shock hike that was aimed at tackling higher inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee convenes for monthly two-day deliberations and will have advance access to crucial inflation data for January. Since August last year, BoE has raised rates three times as it seeks to combat rising annual inflation which leapt to a decade-high of three per cent in December. — AFP

Taiwan, US FTA talks

WASHINGTON: Taiwan asked the US to use a special law that commits American defence to Taipei as a framework for forging a FTA. Taiwan has FTA only with economies with which it enjoys diplomatic relations and Washington is in a dilemma on how to, without angering China, forge a FTS with its poster child for democracy in Asia. Taiwan’s deputy minister of economic affairs said the US could use the Taiwan Relations Act as an ‘innovative approach’ to frame a bilateral FTA. — AFP

Industrial output dips

BERLIN: Industrial output in Germany declined by 0.5 per cent in December, after expanding by two per cent the previous month. The decrease resulted from a drop in output in the key manufacturing and energy sectors, while construction output increased. Construction output was up by one per cent, while energy output declined by 0.2 per cent and manufacturing output was down by 0.7 per cent. Using a two-month comparison to iron out short-term fluctuations, pan-German industrial output expanded by 1.2 per cent. — AFP

US, Malaysia FTA row

KUALA LUMPUR: Dozens of activists called for an end to negotiations between the US and Malaysia on a FTA, at a peaceful protest. Flanked by security guards and police in riot gear, protestors chanted ‘Down with FTA’ and ‘No FTA with USA’ and held placards depicting Malaysians being run over by steamrollers driven by US symbol Uncle Sam. The two countries are currently in most crucial round of negotiations on the free trade deal and activists cited concerns such as competition from cheaper US agricultural goods. — AFP

Inflation may rise

MANILA: Philippine CPI should rise by a ‘benign’ four to five per cent this year and four per cent in 2008. Inflation hit a 39-month low of 3.9 per cent in January, the government announced on Tuesday, which was at the lower end of the central bank’s 3.9-4.6 per cent forecast range. Inflation averaged 6.2 percent in 2006. Subsiding base effects, the strengthening peso and generally lower retail prices of petroleum products helped keep inflation pressures at bay. — AFP

HAN apprises Gyawali

KATHMANDU: Hotel Association, Nepal (HAN) has expressed serious concern over recent incidents and its negative impact in the tourism sector and in hotel industry in particular. A team led by HAN president Prakash Shrestha met with Pradeep Gyawali, minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation and apprised him on various problems. — HNS

NDBL gets ISO

KATHMANDU: Nepal Development Bank Ltd (NDBL) has awarded with an ISO 9001:2000 certificate for its quality management and services. Moodi International Certification Ltd, a UK-based certification agency after being satisfied with management and services of the bank, awarded the quality certification, states a NDBL press release. — HNS

Best manager’s award

KATHMANDU: Management Association of Nepal (MAN) is set to announce ‘Best Manager 2006’ and ‘Best Female Manager-2006’ at its 26th national convention scheduled for February 9. — HNS