Australia seeks stronger co-op with Bangladesh
Bangladesh Post | 21st May
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday pledged to have “deeper cooperation” with Bangladesh on key fronts and address the shared challenges of climate change, regional maritime security and people smuggling.
“One of the things we want to do is to have deeper cooperation between our coastguards…..we understand it is a shared challenge,” she said while responding to a question from UNB at a joint briefing at state guesthouse Padma.
Earlier, she had separate meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at Gonobhaban and state guesthouse Padma respectively.
Pakistan geostrategic location suits SCO trade: Ishaq Dar
The Nation | 22nd May
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said yesterday that Pakistan’s geostrategic location offered an ideal trade and transit hub for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region. Addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, Dar highlighted the significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for regional connectivity and economic integration. He reiterated Pakistan’s firm adherence to the SCO Charter and explained its priorities as Chair of SCO Council of Heads of Government including promotion of connectivity, transport links, youth empowerment, poverty alleviation, and enhanced practical cooperation among SCO states.
Russian entrepreneur targeting over Rs. 7 billion investment in SL’s healthcare sector
The Island | 22nd May
In a significant development for Sri Lanka’s tourism and healthcare industries, a Russian investor has announced ambitious expansion plans, running into over Rs. 7 billion, following the success of the Palm Garden Ayurveda Resort, Group’s Consultant Dr. Sohan Harsha Fernando told The Island Financial Review.
The Palm Garden Ayurveda Resort, a 6 million USD project, includes a separate spice garden which supplies produce for its dedicated Ayurveda center, spearheaded by the same investor. It has emerged as a beacon of wholeness in the country’s tourism sector.
Building upon this success, the investor now intends to invest a staggering Rs. 7.2 billion in further ventures across the country.
PAKISTAN
Farmers rally countrywide to press govt on wheat purchase
Dawn | 22nd May
On the call of Pakistan Kisan Rabita Committee, farmers held protest demonstrations in 30 different districts of the country demanding start of the purchase of wheat from growers and arrest of the people involved in the wheat scandal.
In Punjab, the protests were held in Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Jhang, Pakpattan, Chiniot, Kasur, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Burewala, Chishtian and Jampur.
In Sindh, the farmers took to streets in Karachi, Shikarpur, Nawabshah, Qamber Shahdadkot, Nowshehru Feroze, Mirpurkhas, Dadu, Sanghar and Shahpur Chakar.
PM Shehbaz to attend funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran
The Express Tribune | 21st May
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to depart for Tehran on Wednesday to attend the funeral of slain Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19.
According to a statement issued by Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz would participate in the funeral ceremony in Tehran, where leaders from around the world, including Muslim-majority countries, are expected to attend.
Pakistan aiming to secure UNSC seat for eighth time
The News | 19th May
Pakistan’s Permanent Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram has said that the country will be contesting in the upcoming elections for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to secure a seat for the eighth time.
In a virtual interaction with the US-based Pakistan Students Association Coalition (PSA), Ambassador Akram expressed hope that Islamabad will be elected as a non-permanent UNSC member on June 6 which will then bring a lot of responsibilities.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka launches probe into alleged ISIS links
Daily Mirror | 21st May
Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence has launched an immediate probe to obtain further information on the four Sri Lankan individuals alleged to be ISIS suspects who had travelled to India in recent days and were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad upon arrival at Ahmedabad Airport, the Daily Mirror learns.
According to highly placed defence officials, Sri Lanka’s state intelligence has asked for further information from India’s state intelligence in order to verify the background of these alleged suspects, as well as to probe if they are actually linked to the ISIS network.
National consumer prices rise 2.7% in April as both food & non-food prices remain soft
Daily Mirror | 22nd May
Consumer prices measured nationally rose by 2.7 percent in April from a year ago, slightly higher from 2.5 percent in through March as the non-food prices rose somewhat faster.
However, the prices still came down by 0.9 percent in April measured on a monthly basis, supported by decline in the prices of both food and non-food prices from a month ago.
AFGHANISTAN
US, UAE officials discuss UNSC Resolution implementation on Afghanistan
The Khaama Press | 21st May
Thomas West, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with Lana Nusseibeh, the new Deputy Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, on Monday.
They emphasized the importance of joint cooperation in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2721 and assisting the people of Afghanistan, particularly Afghan women.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on its social media platform X that the two sides discussed “cooperation in ensuring security, stability, and prosperity for all Afghan people, especially Afghan women.”
Turkey-Pakistan Talks Focus on Afghan Border and Security Issues
TOLO News | 21st May
During a meeting in Islamabad, the foreign ministers of Turkey and Pakistan emphasized the importance of enhancing stability and security in Afghanistan.
Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, who traveled to Pakistan, stated that he and his Pakistani counterpart discussed security issues, as well as border concerns between Kabul and Islamabad, and the issue of terrorism.
In a joint press conference, Hakan Fidan remarked, “Our mutual goal is for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan to experience lasting peace and security.
200 tons of Uzbekistan aid arrives in Afghanistan for flood victims
The Khaama Press | 21st May
The Foreign Ministry of the Taliban announced that the Uzbekistan government is providing aid to the flood victims in Afghanistan and added that 200 tons of food and non-food items have arrived in Balkh.
According to the statement released by the Ministry on its social media platform X, this aid includes flour, rice, oil, wheat, meat, water tanks, tents, and some other items.
Ismatullah Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs, has arrived in Balkh and asked the officials to deliver aid to the country’s recent flood victims.
BANGLADESH
Empowering Bangladesh with clean energy today means a brighter, sustainable future: Peter Haas
Prothom Alo | 21st May
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday said it will take contributions from the government, private sector, and civil society to achieve a just energy transition in Bangladesh.
It will require good policies in place to incentivize smart investments and cross-border electricity trade, privatization of underperforming state-owned assets, adoption of new technologies, and a phasing out of the most damaging fossil fuel power generation facilities, he said.
EU grants over 2C for heatwave relief in Bangladesh
Dhaka Tribune | 21st May
The European Union is providing €175,000 equivalent to over Tk2.22 crore in humanitarian funding to support the most vulnerable people exposed to the severe heatwave Bangladesh is facing.
This EU funding supports the Bangladesh Red Crescent’s ongoing efforts to deliver relief assistance to 500,000 people affected by the heatwave.
Teams of volunteers disseminate awareness messages on heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them; run cooling stations; provide ambulance and first aid services, and distribute drinking water, umbrellas, and caps.
BHUTAN
Bhutan and Thailand set to finalise free trade agreement within two years
Kuensel | 22nd May
Bhutan and Thailand launched Free Trade of Agreement (FTA) negotiations last week in Thimphu.
During the first negotiation round, the two governments finalised the structure and outline of the FTA, identified the various working groups, focal points, and agreed on a workplan for the negotiations.
The FTA aims to provide better market access and enhance bilateral trade and economic co-operation between the two countries.
The director of the Department of Trade, Sonam Tshering Dorji, said that there were ten chapters the FTA that would create eight working groups between the two governments.
Economy remains stable with steady GDP growth
Business Bhutan | 22nd May
The National Statistics Bureau (NSB) has released the latest economic indicators for Bhutan, revealing a stable financial landscape with several notable trends from the 4th quarter of 2023 to the 1st quarter of 2024.
Bhutan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reached Nu 227,813.72 million, unchanged from the previous period, signaling continued economic stability. The per capita GDP in USD has slightly increased to USD 3,833.03, equivalent to Nu 297,411.72 at the current exchange rate of 1 USD to Nu 78.60. The GDP growth rate has remained steady, with a slight increase of 0.71%, reaching 5.21% in the first quarter of 2024.
MALDIVES
OpEd: Australia and Maldives: Indian Ocean Partners
The Edition | 22nd May
Today marks the first anniversary of the opening of Australia’s High Commission in the Republic of Maldives. As Australia’s first resident High Commissioner based in Malé, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome extended to me and the High Commission staff.
With Australia now having a permanent presence in Maldives, I am committed to further strengthening the bonds between our peoples and to broadening the scope of cooperation between our governments.
This year we mark fifty years of diplomatic relations, but our history goes back much further. It is no great surprise that some of the earliest contact between Australia and Maldives arose from us being neighbours across the Indian Ocean.
Maldives and China sign feasibility study agreement for Vilimale’ hospital
Sun | 22nd May
maldives and China signed a letter of exchange on Wednesday, regarding conducting a feasibility study for a project to develop a 100-bed hospital in suburban Vilimale’.
The agreement was signed by Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib and Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin in a ceremony held at the Dharumavantha Hospital on Wednesday morning.
Maldivian Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel announced the decision to build a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Vilimale’ on December 27.
And in January, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that the Chinese government had offered grant assistance to fund the project.
Gov’t to organize exhibition to improve economy, productivity
Raajje | 21st May
An exhibition is to be held to improve economic growth and productivity across the island nation.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu reached the decision to organize an exhibition aimed at boosting the country’s productivity and fostering economic growth, on Sunday.
The decision stemmed from deliberations on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, during a Cabinet Meeting held on Sunday.
MYANMAR
Myanmar Dictator Seeks Russian Help to Develop an Aerospace Industry
The Irrawaddy | 20th May
Min Aung Hlaing wants to develop an aerospace industry in Myanmar.
On Sunday, the junta boss met with Roscosmos deputy director general Savelyev Sergey Valentinovich to discuss cooperation in aerospace technology between Russia and Myanmar. Roscosmos is the Russian state corporation responsible for space flights, astronautic programs, and aerospace research.
Joining Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting in Yangon were Ye Win Oo, the joint secretary of the junta’s governing body, the State Administration Council (SAC), and SAC Office minister former navy chief Moe Aung.
UN Warns of Further Atrocities in Myanmar’s Rakhine
The Irrawaddy | 20th May
The UN human rights chief said Sunday he is “deeply alarmed” by a resurgence of violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and warned of further “atrocities”.
Clashes have rocked Rakhine since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since the 2021 military coup.
“I am deeply alarmed by reports of renewed violence and property destruction in Buthidaung Township in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine State, resulting in the displacement of potentially tens of thousands of civilians, mainly Rohingya,” Volker Turk said in a statement.
NEPAL
Children from impoverished families missing school or struggling with attendance
The Kathmandu Post | 22nd May
Manisha Bhat, a 14-year-old girl from ward 5 of Mangalsen Municipality in Achham district, studies in grade six. She had been enrolled in school at the age of eight, but does not go to school regularly due to the poor financial condition of her family.
Manisha has seven siblings, but none of them attend school regularly since they have to support their parents with household chores and also work outside to earn money for the family.
Manisha’s brother, aged 16, went to India for work a few months ago as the Bhat family could not afford to pay for his school fee and stationery.
Birgunj Metropolis collects Rs 400 million in revenue
Onlinekhabar | 21st May
Birgunj Metropolis has collected nearly Rs 400 million in revenue in the last 10 months of the current fiscal year. It was able to collect Rs 398 million. The revenue collected increased by Rs 31.8 million as compared to the same period of the last fiscal year.
Revenue division chief of Birgunj Metropolitan City Office, Manoj Karna, however, said they had aimed at collecting Rs 700 million in revenue; it was only Rs 400 million so far. The existing budget was revised last January.
Nepal expresses grief over passing of Iranian President, Foreign Minister
The Himalayan Times | 20th May
The Government of Nepal has expressed sorrow over the passing of President of Iran, Dr Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Sunday. “We are deeply saddened to know about the passing away of His Excellency Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President, and His Excellency Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the helicopter crash yesterday,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on the social platform, X, today. The Ministry also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, and the government and people of Iran.
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