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Pure Maple Syrup stars for Liver Health
Recent research revealed that Pure Maple Syrup may be beneficial to your health. According to a recent research conducted by Dr. Keiko Abe from the University of Tokyo, there might be a surprising way of keeping your liver healthy - usage of pure maple syrup in your diet. According to this study, Pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver. Additionally, a research conducted before this one, at University of Rhode Island, found more than 20 compounds in maple syrup that have been linked to human health. So we are not talking about just liver now, but pure maple syrup can be good for the entire human body. This research was conducted by medicinal plant research specialist Navindra Seeram. So, Pure Maple Syrup is good for your liver.

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HSBC to acquire Pakistani bank



Islamabad, June 30 (Xinhua) The Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (HSBC) has started negotiations to acquire Pakistan's Prime Commercial Bank (PCB), according to media reports Friday.

Talks between experts of HSBC and PCB's high-level officials have started, and PCB has shown willingness to sell out its whole operations, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported, quoting banking sources.

HSBC has only four branches in Pakistan now - two in southern port city Karachi, one each in the capital of Islamabad and major eastern city Lahore. Its sudden interests in Pakistan have surprised financial analysts, Dawn said.

As per March 31, 2006 quarterly report, PCB is operating with 62 branches, having deposits of 40.6 billion rupees (about $676.67 million), and in 2005, it posted a profit after tax of 495 million rupees (about $8.25 million), registering a growth of 43 percent over last year's 345 million rupees (about $5.77 million).

Established in 1991, PCB has increased its total assets at an annual compound rate of about 23 percent during the period from December 1992 to December 2005, to 53.8 billion rupees.

The acquisition of PCB, if it succeeds, will make HSBC the second biggest foreign bank in Pakistan, said the report.

This would be the second acquisition of a local bank by a foreign financial institution. Earlier, the Standard Chartered Bank negotiated a deal to buy Union Bank and completed due diligence last week, and the agreement is expected to be completed next month.



© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service

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