Jass new EBL chief

KATHMANDU: Jaspal Singh Jass has been appointed as the executive director of Everest Bank Ltd (EBL) who has over 30 years of banking experience and was in-charge of various branches of Punjab National Bank, the joint partner of Everest Bank. He also headed the Regional Rural Bank, Ambala as chairman for three years during 1998-2001. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in banking sector, Everest Bank will definitely benefit and grow to become the premier private sector bank in Nepal, states a EBL press release. — HNS

BNL to probe charge

KATHMANDU: Bottlers Nepal Ltd (BNL) is committed to investigate fully the allegations of racial discrimination by other employees towards a minority group of employees within its bottling operation in Terai, states a BNL’s press release. The release claims that BNL is an equal opportunity employer and does not engage in or support any racial, gender or religious discrimination with prospective or existing employees. — HNS

Russia’s WTO entry

MOSCOW: Russia’s trade minister said Tuesday there was a ‘real chance’ to complete the country’s entry into the WTO next year after striking a landmark bilateral deal with the US. German Gref, trade and economic development minister spoke four days after Russia secured a much-sought bilateral agreement with the US on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Hanoi, removing the last major obstacle in Moscow’s 13-year journey to join the WTO. — AFP

Japan’s trade surplus

TOKYO: Japan’s trade surplus in October fell by 24.8 per cent from a year earlier to $5.22 billion. The decline was larger than the 5.4 per cent slip to $6.57 billion estimated by economists surveyed by Dow Jones and Nikkei News and marked the seventh straight month of fall. In September, the nation’s trade surplus fell by 21.1 per cent. The continuing surplus, however, indicates that net exports may support growth in the fourth quarter. — AP