BIZ BRIEFS

People's Bank Rata Salli Vasana promotion

The People's Bank Rata Salli Vasana promotion rewarded customers who received remittances through People's e-Remittance, Swift or Telex services. 'Remittance' customers were eligible to receive a daily prize of a mobile phone and a monthly prize of Rs. 25,000 for six months before the grand draw which was held in July.

Three grand prize winners won prize money worth Rs. 1.75 million from the People's Bank Overseas Customer Service Unit.

"The Overseas Customer Service Unit enables banking convenience that is fast and easy; the Ethera Isura NRFC Account is exclusively for saving and earning interest on your hard-earned foreign exchange," a bank spokesman said.

'Hutch Safari' winners fly to Bangkok

'Hutch Safari' was a retailer promotion that was open to all Hutch retailers across the island from November 2012 to January 2013. More than fifteen retailers were eligible to tour Bangkok however only seven opted for it and the balance opted for a Camcorder.

The selected retailers took wing to Bangkok recently which encompassed airfare, accommodation, breakfast and spending money. The retailers were at leisure to spend the money on sightseeing, shopping or enjoying rides at Dream World or Ice World. Fazeel of Akkaraipattu said, "I am happy to see that Hutch is a company that always keeps its promises.''

Indian currency declines 20%

India's currency has declined 20% against the US dollar since May and its growth rate has fallen to a ten-year low.

Analysts said that stemming the decline in the rupee would be the first issue for the new head of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan. "The rupee will be Rajan's first and key challenge," said a senior foreign exchange dealer at Andhra Bank, Vikas Babu Chittiprolu. For his part, Rajan - known for having predicted the 2008 global financial crisis - has said that "all options were on the table" to stabilise the currency.

-BBC