Kathmandu, July 12 -- KEY POLICY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Benchmark policy rate cut from 5 percent to 4.5 percent.

Upper limit of the interest rate corridor reduced to 6 percent.

Deposit collection rate lowered to 2.75 percent.Inflation target set at 5 percent; economic growth targeted at 6 percent.

Forex facility for Nepalis travelling abroad (except India) raised to $3,000 per trip.

Home loan ceiling raised to Rs30 million.

The share loan ceiling for a single borrower raised to Rs250 million.

Foreign currencies like Bangladeshi taka and Sri Lankan rupee to be made convertible.

Loans up to Rs30 million for certified hotels/restaurants along postal and mid-hill highways.

BFIs allowed to self-assess crop and land values for agri-loans up to ...