Indian defence industry interested in partnering with Bangladesh: Pranay Verma
Prothom Alo | 20th February
The High Commission of India in Bangladesh Tuesday organised a seminar in the capital city that highlighted the advances made by the Indian defence industry in the last decade and its interest in partnering with Bangladesh.
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma and Bangladesh Armed Forces Division Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General MR Shameem addressed the Seminar on Indian Defence Equipment (SIDE) 2024.
Agriculture and tourism key sectors for the nation’s swift recovery- President
The Island | 20th February
Addressing the 37th session of the Asia and Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Colombo today (20), President Ranil Wickremesinghe affirmed the government’s dedication to elevating Sri Lanka as a prominent exporter of agricultural produce through rapid agricultural sector transformation. He emphasized the pivotal role agriculture played in navigating Sri Lanka …
President calls for respecting mandate of people for stability
The Nation | 20th February
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that political inclusion is imperative for financial inclusion to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity. He hailed millions of young voters who had expressed their confidence in the democratic system. He added that if their confidence in the system was shaken, it would not be in the country’s interest, and called for respecting the mandate of the people.
PAKISTAN
Election tribunals likely to decide rigging disputes
The Express Tribune | 20th February
Despite the suspension of notification regarding the victory of three MNAs by the Islamabad High Court, the final fate of the alleged election-rigging disputes are likely to be decided by the election tribunals, which is a time-consuming process.
However, the current week is very significant as either the superior judiciary or the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will look into the matter or the matter will be referred to the election tribunals for trial.
The PTI candidates are trying to obtain relief either from the ECP through summary proceedings or the superior courts.
Pakistan calls out veto powers for failure to secure peace in Gaza, Ukraine
The News | 20th February
Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, has blamed the veto-wielding governments for the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) inability to bring about peace in Gaza and Ukraine.
“We are trying to curtail the veto power of the permanent members,” Akram said while speaking to Geo News.
Stressing that there are both pros and cons of permanent membership of the UNSC, owing to the veto powers enjoyed by a handful of nations, the envoy opposed the addition of another permanent member to the UN body.
SRI LANKA
February tourist arrivals exceed 138,000 in 18 days
Daily Mirror | 21st February
Sri Lanka’s tourism surge shows no sign of slowing down, with more than 138,000 international visitors exploring the island nation just in the first 18 days of February.
This figure already surpasses last year’s numbers for the entire month, when 107,639 tourists arrived, data from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed. If this pace continues, Sri Lanka is poised to exceed 200,000 visitors for the third consecutive month.
The daily arrival average has increased to 7,707, while the weekly arrival is around 53,000 for the month of February so far.
Sri Lanka busts oil spill using satellite surveillance for first time
Daily Mirror | 17th February
Following the initiative with the French government to detect oil spills in Sri Lankan waters using satellite surveillance, Sri Lanka has detected the first such incident and fined Rs. 15 million to the responsible company, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said.
According to the MEPA, on February 5, the CLS analysts (The French Company) reported the detection of significant oil pollution off their coasts, by an illegal discharge of the Global Crest, a 120-metre tanker cruising from Malaysia to the UAE.
AFGHANISTAN
UN Chief urges end to ban on Girls’s education and Employment in Afghanistan
The Khaama Press | 20th February
ntónio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, says that the outrageous ban on girls’ access to education and employment in Afghanistan must be lifted.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations on Tuesday said on its social media platform X that, “In Afghanistan, the outrageous ban on girls’ access to education & the ban on women’s employment must be reversed.”
He also emphasized that women and girls in Afghanistan should have meaningful participation in all aspects of life.
Afghanistan’s imports-exports surpass $7.5B in nine-month span
Afghanistan Times | 20th February
Afghanistan’s trade landscape has seen a significant surge over the past nine months, with imports and exports collectively soaring to a staggering $7.5 billion. Exports during this period amounted to $1.35 billion, while imports surged to $6.22 billion, marking a notable trade deficit for the country. National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) disclosed this data on Monday.
A comparative analysis with the preceding period reveals a marginal decline in exports from $1.37 billion to $1.35 billion, juxtaposed with a substantial rise in imports from $5.12 billion to $6.22 billion, underscoring the shifting trade paradigms.
Engagement with Afghanistan De Facto Govt ‘Important’: Russia
TOLO News | 20th February
The Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN said that the world’s engagement with the Islamic Emirate is important.
Speaking at a press briefing following the conclusion of the second Doha meeting on Afghanistan, Vasily Nebenzya said that although not recognized by Moscow, being engaged with Kabul is paramount.
“… We have no choice but to engage pragmatically with the de facto authorities of Afghanistan whom we did not recognize like nobody else. But the reality is there, we have to engage with those people who rule Afghanistan now,” said Vasily Nebenzya, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN.
BANGLADESH
India allows export of onions to Bangladesh
Bangladesh Post | 19th February
India has allowed exports of onions on government-to-government basis to some countries including Bangladesh, on recommendation of India’s External Affairs Ministry, according to a report published in the Economic Times on Monday.
One of the persons aware of the matter said a limited quantity of onion exports has been allowed for bilateral purposes though no decision has been taken on lifting a complete ban on onion exports. Details of the exporting agency could not be ascertained.
Another person said the Indian government has permitted exports of onions in limited quantities to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bahrain, Bhutan and Nepal, among others.
AQI: Dhaka air third most polluted in world
Dhaka Tribune | 21st February
Dhaka ranked third on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 167 at 10:30am on Wednesday.
Dhaka’s air was unhealthy, according to the Air Quality Index.
Uzbekistan’s Tashkent, Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the first, second and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 247, 195 and 166, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, between 150 and 200 is unhealthy, between 201 and 300 is said to be very unhealthy, while a reading of 301+ is considered hazardous, posing serious health risks to residents.
BHUTAN
Bhutan to receive USD 10M for FAO-led GEF projects
Business Bhutan | 20th February
In a significant development for Bhutan’s agricultural sector, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved two projects totaling USD 10.6 million under the Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP). Bhutan is one of the 14 Asian and Pacific countries benefiting from the GEF’s initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.
The projects, facilitated and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Bhutan office in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan, will address key challenges faced by the country’s agriculture sector.
Bhutan’s EV imports grab 20 percent of auto import value
Kuensel | 21st February
Bhutan imported automobiles worth Nu 944.37 million in the first nine months of last year, with electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for about 20 percent of the total value.
In absolute figures, the country imported 93 units of EVs and hybrid vehicles at a value of Nu 185.25 million in the same period from India and other countries, according to the Bhutan Trade Statistics.
The import of EVs share has jumped from 13 percent of the import value in 2022. Bhutan imported 190 units of EVs worth Nu 430.31 million the same year while the total vehicle import value stood at Nu 3.2 billion.
MALDIVES
National Mental Health Helpline established today
The Edition | 21st February
A helpline has been launched today to provide psychological first aid services.
In a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health, the helpline was inaugurated by Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu.
The helpline is 1677, and will provide service around the clock every day of the week.
The Ministry said that their aim in establishing this helpline is to provide support in overcoming various challenges faced in life and other different psychological difficulties faced by individuals through providing mental health first aid services via a phone call, and through this, promoting psychological wellbeing.
Shahid: Belittling India’s leaders will also disrupt relations with other countries
Sun | 21st February
Maldivian government officials belittling India’s leaders will not only disrupt Maldives-India ties, but also relations with other countries, says Abdulla Shahid, the leader of the main opposition MDP.
In an interview to RaajjeTV on Tuesday night, Shahid, the country’s former foreign minister, said that he finds disparaging remarks against countries deeply concerning.
He said that the Maldives, over the last 50 years, had established itself as a nation that can work closely with all foreign countries, and also stressed the country’s dependency on tourism.
February’s arrival figure sees 26 percent growth from last year
Raajje | 17th February
The arrival figure recorded so far in February 2024 is a 26.1 percent surge from the same period of 2023.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism through its latest daily tourist arrival statistics publicized on Wednesday.
As such, the ministry revealed that February’s arrivals so far are a 26.1 percent increase from the 81,342 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant growth from the 64,423 arrivals recorded in 2022.
Between February 1 – 13, a total of 102,538 arrivals were recorded.
Since the new year began, Maldives has welcomed a total of 294,923 visitors.
MYANMAR
Conscription Law Will Drive Myanmar Deeper Into War, Ethnic Armed Group Warns
The Irrawaddy | 20th February
Myanmar’s oldest ethnic rebel group, the Karen National Union (KNU), has condemned the junta’s enforcement of the conscription law, saying it will draw the entire country deeper into war and perpetuate the military dictatorship.
At the same time, however, an ethnic Shan armed group that signed the National Ceasefire Agreement with the regime, announced that it will get tougher on anyone who evades conscription in the territory it controls by traveling abroad, saying it will seize their property.
In About-Face, Myanmar Junta Boss Kowtows to China for New Year
The Irrawaddy | 19th February
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing kowtowed to China at the Chinese New Year celebration in Yangon on Sunday, in a marked turnaround from his indirect accusations a few months ago that the country was supporting the anti-regime offensive known as Operation 1027.
After losing control of a large swathe of territory in northern Shan State to the Brotherhood Alliance of three ethnic armies during the offensive, Min Aung Hlaing told an emergency meeting of the National Defense and Security Council on Nov. 8 that drones used by one of the Brotherhood Alliance members, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), to attack junta positions were made in China and could easily be bought in a market.
NEPAL
Japan to provide grant assistance for new health post in Sindhuli
The Himalayan Times | 21st February
The Japanese government is set to provide grant assistance for the construction of a new health post in Sindhuli. Kikuta Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, signed a grant contract with Siramala Tamang, Chairperson of Sahakarya Nepal, Sindhuli amidst a signing ceremony held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu today.In a press release issued by the Japan Embassy in Kathmandu, the project is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government and involves a grant of USD 73,747 (approximately NPR 9.7 million).
India allows Nepali visitors to obtain Indian SIM cards
The Kathmandu Post | 20th February
Nepali nationals, visiting India, will now be able to obtain an Indian SIM card that can be used during their stay in the southern country.
Issuing a statement on Monday, the Indian Ministry of Communications said that citizens of Nepal visiting India would be permitted to access mobile connections in India, given that the individuals provide valid proof of their identity.
The same arrangement has been made in regard to Bhutanese nationals as well.
Rising tourist arrivals boost listed hotel profits by 48%
Onlinekhabar | 19th February
The surge in tourist arrivals has resulted in a rise in the profits of hotels in Nepal. All hotels listed on the stock market have released their second-quarter financial statements. According to public financial statements, the net profit of hotels has increased by an average of 48 per cent compared to the same period last year.
There are six companies listed in the Hotel and Tourism group on NEPSE. Among these, Chandragiri Hills and Kalinchok Darshan primarily operate cable car services. However, the remaining four companies—Soaltee, Taragaon Regency, Oriental, and City—focus on the hotel business. Only the City Hotel group is experiencing losses, while all other companies have recorded profits.
