China ‘agrees’ on $2bn debt rollover to Pakistan
The Nation | 31st January
In a significant development, China has “agreed” on a rollover of $2 billion debt to Pakistan.
According to sources with the finance ministry, the $2 billion debt will be rolled over before the maturity date on the existing conditions.
Sources said that less than 2 percent interest will be applied on the deposit of $2 billion debt from China.
The maturity time of $2 billion debt will end on March 23, 2024, and a further $2 billion will be rolled over for one year, sources added.
‘Russia, Bangladesh trusted and tested friends forever’
Prothom Alo | 30th January
Russia and Bangladesh are forever faithful and tested friends, said Pavel Dvoychenkov, director of the Russian House in Dhaka. He also hoped that the cordial and strong relations between the two countries would continue for a long time in the future.
Pavel Dvoychenkov was addressing a discussion, jointly organised by the Russian House in Dhaka and the Bangladesh-Russia Friendship Society, to celebrate the 52ndanniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries Monday.
Kabul Summit Stressed ‘No Support’ for Insecurity in Region: Muttaqi
TOLO News | 30th January
Speaking at a press conference after the “Afghanistan’s Regional Cooperation Initiative” summit, the acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said that it was stressed in the meeting that there should be no support from any side for insecurity of the region.
He also said that the participants stated that the practical work on major projects in Afghanistanshould begin in cooperation with the regional countries.
PAKISTAN
IMF lowers Pakistan’s growth forecast to 2pc
Dawn | 31st January
Despite an improved global outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday lowered Pakistan’s economic growth forecast to two per cent for the current fiscal year, down 0.5 percentage points from its October estimate of 2.5pc.
In its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) report released on Tuesday, the Washington-based global lender also slightly revised downward (by 0.1pc) the next fiscal year’s growth forecast to 3.5pc.
The revised growth estimates are based on the Fund’s recent detailed quarterly review of Pakistan’s macroeconomic position as part of the ongoing $3bn Standby Arrangement (SBA), which is set to expire in March.
Pakistan, Bahrain hold joint exercise ‘Al-BADAR-VIII’
The Express Tribune | 29th January
The opening ceremony of Pakistan-Bahrain “Joint Exercise Al-BADAR-VIII” was held at National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, the military said.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), contingents from Pakistan Army and Bahrain National Guards are participating in the two-week-long exercise.
“The exercise is aimed at nurturing of joint employment and interoperability besides, harnessing the historic military to military relations among the brotherly countries,” the military’s media wing added.
Pakistan, Iran vow not to allow ‘spoilers to drive wedge’ between them
The News | 29th January
In a crucial meeting after a brief strain in Pakistan and Iran’s diplomatic ties, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian have renewed their commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the border region.
The army chief and the Iranian top diplomat also stressed collaborative efforts, better coordination and intelligence sharing to fight the common threat of terrorism.
The development came as the Iranian top diplomat called on the army chief at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday said.
SRI LANKA
’’If you want to take a holiday, go to Sri Lanka,’’ Jaishankar
Daily Mirror | 31st January
Addressing an event in India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, “My first advice to you, the next time you want to take a holiday, go to Sri Lanka. I’m serious. Please go to Sri Lanka. I say this to all of you.”
“I had visited Sri Lanka and saw firsthand the fuel queues and shortage of food and essential commodities. The only country that came forward at this time was India,” Minister Jaishankar reflected on the dire circumstances he had observed during his visit.
Sri Lanka’s export earnings decline slightly in 2023
The Island | 31st January
Sri Lanka’s total exports for 2023 were 14.49 billion U.S. dollars, a minor decline of 0.39 percent compared to 2022, data from the Export Development Board (EDB) showed on Monday.
The EDB said that cumulative merchandise exports in 2023 decreased by 9.54 percent to 11.85 billion dollars, compared to 2022.
On the other hand, the estimated value of services exports in 2023 increased by 63.1 percent compared to 2022, the EDB said.
The service imports for 2023 were around 3.1 billion dollars, the EDB said.
Health unions issue ultimatum to govt. to resolve salary anomaly by end of month
The Island | 31st January
Health workers would resort to trade union action on Thursday (01) against the government decision to increase the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance only for doctors. They belong to 72 trade unions.
The unions previously suspended their strike and gave the government time until 31 January to redress their grievances.
President of the Joint Council for Professions of Supplementary to Medicine, Ravi Kumudesh, told The Island yesterday (30) that two weeks back they had asked State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe and Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana to increase their salaries, using the same formula they had adopted to increase the salaries of doctors.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan exports surge to over $1.6 billion
Afghanistan Times | 28th January
Afghanistan’s exports have surpassed $1.6 billion in the past 10 months, according to the Ministry of Finance under Taliban administration. The ministry highlighted the diverse nature of these exports, with a substantial portion consisting of 43 billion Afghanis ($612 million) in fruits, 16 billion Afghanis ($217 million) in cotton, and 17 billion Afghanis ($231 million) in vegetables.
The primary recipients of Afghanistan’s exports are identified as Pakistan, India, and the United Arab Emirates, marking key trade relationships for the nation.
Polio Vaccination Campaign launches in 21 provinces of Afghanistan
The Khaama Press | 29th January
A polio vaccination campaign targeting over 7.5 million children under the age of five has been initiated in 21 provinces, as announced by the Ministry of Public Health.
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries globally with consistent reports of poliovirus cases.
Encouragingly, Afghanistan has not recorded a single polio case so far this year, marking a positive trend in the fight against the disease.
In 2023, Afghanistan reported a total of six polio cases, illustrating ongoing challenges in eradicating the virus.
BANGLADESH
Slovakia keen to strengthen trade ties with Bangladesh
Bangladesh Post | 30th January
Slovakia, a Central European country, is keen to strengthen bilateral trade ties with Bangladesh.
Robert Maxian, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi, emphasized potential collaboration in sectors such as automobile, aviation traffic management, shipping, railway, logistics, light engineering, chemical (Ethanol) sector where both Bangladesh and Slovakia, aim to enhance trade between the two nations.
Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia to elevate ties to higher level
Dhaka Tribune | 31st January
Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday agreed to take the existing excellent bilateral relations to a higher level.
This was expressed when President of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibraheem Al Sheikh called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban.
The prime minister’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhwat Moon briefed reporters after the call on.
BHUTAN
Bhutan to participate in high-level international UNFAO conference
Kuensel | 31st January
In a multilateral effort to reform agrifood systems across the Asia-Pacific region, Bhutan is leading a high-level delegation to participate in the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka hosted by the government of Sri Lanka.
The conference is convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO. Technical support for the delegation will be provided by the FAO Representative in Bhutan.
“The APRC will discuss critical issues such as food and nutrition security, agri-food systems transformation, and accelerating achievement of SDGs.
Health officials urge general public to practice Covid protocols
Business Bhutan | 31st January
Authorities say basic preventive measures remain vital, but there is no need for travel restrictions as of now
In a recent update regarding the emergence of the new omicron sub-variant, JN.1, health authorities and experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC) stressed the importance of implementing precautionary measures and maintaining high standards of hygiene.
Senior program officer from the Department of Public Health, Ugyen Tshering said, “Of course, WHO and RCDC said that there is still limited evidence regarding the new variant, but there is no need for a new solution or strategy to tackle these new variants.”
MALDIVES
IMF predicts Maldives economy to grow by five percent
The Edition | 31st January
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that the Maldives’ economy will grow by five percent this year.
According to the IMF’s Global Economic Outlook, the economy of developing countries, including the Maldives, is expected to grow by an average of 4.8 percent.
IMF states the economy grew by 8.1 percent last year. Hence, the economic growth forecast for the current fiscal year has been revised down by 3.3 percent.
Russia continues to top tourist arrival markets
Raajje | 31st January
Russia continues to top the tourist arrival markets of Maldives, as the first month of the new year draws to an end.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics publicized on Tuesday.
As such, while the new year began with Italy topping the tourist arrival markets of the island nation it has been replaced by Russia, contributing 10.6 percent of the market share with 18,561 arrivals.
Russia dominated the tourist arrival markets of the Maldives by the end of 2023 as well.
MYANMAR
US Imposes More Sanctions Targeting Associates of Myanmar Junta
The Irrawaddy | 1st February
The United States announced fresh sanctions Wednesday taking aim at entities and individuals with links to Myanmar’s military regime, shortly after the junta extended a state of emergency and further delayed elections.
The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since a February 2021 coup, which ended a 10-year experiment with democracy and sparked mass protests and a crackdown on dissent.
Three years after the coup, the junta is struggling to crush widespread armed opposition to its rule and on Wednesday extended a state of emergency by six months.
ASEAN Supports Thai Plan to Supply Myanmar Junta With Humanitarian Aid
The Irrawaddy | 30th January
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Myanmar’s junta have agreed to Thailand’s plan to create a “safe zone” on the Thai border to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.
Thailand’s foreign minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, achieved unanimous support for the deal at the bloc’s foreign ministers’ retreat in Luang Prabang on Monday.
“It is Thailand’s initiative to create a safe humanitarian zone between the Thailand-Myanmar border, and it has been welcomed by ASEAN members during the retreat,” Parnpree told the media, the Bangkok Post reported.
NEPAL
BRI implementation plan will be signed soon, DPM Shrestha says
The Kathmandu Post | 28th January
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha said on Saturday that Nepal and China will sign the implementation plan of the Belt and Road Initiative “very soon” without giving any specific details and dates. Signing of the BRI implementation plan is the key to negotiate and execute the projects under the initiative. Nepal and China signed the memorandum of understanding on BRI in 2017. Nearly seven years since, not a single project under the initiative has either been executed or negotiated.
’33pc of Nepal’s under 18s have a prevailing mental health issue’
The Himalayan Times | 28th January
Dr. Arun Raj Kuwar is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Nepal. He is the first child psychiatrist in the country and heads the Child and Adolescence Psychiatry Unit at Kanti Children’s Hospital in Maharajgunj. Dr. Arun earned his MD in Adult and General Psychiatry in 2003 and completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University at Syracuse in New York. He was fulltime Research Assistant Professor at SUNY (2005 to 2009) and was awarded “The Pilot Research Award” by American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2005 and “Young Investigator Award” by National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders (NARSAD) in 2008.
