Myanmar Overtakes Afghanistan as World’s Biggest Opium Producer: UN
The Irrawaddy | 12thDecember
Myanmar became the world’s biggest producer of opium in 2023, overtaking Afghanistan after the Taliban government’s crackdown on the trade, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday.
Myanmar produced an estimated 1,080 metric tonnes of opium—essential for producing heroin—this year, according to the latest report by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Lanka and ADB sign USD 200 mln loan agreement to help stabilise finance
The Island | 12th December
Two policy-based loans (PBLs) have been arranged following discussions between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Sri Lankan government, the Ministry of Finance said.
Accordingly, the PBLs are slated to be used for the implementation of the Financial Sector Stability and Reform Programme, in a bid to create a stable financial system that provides access to finance for businesses in various sectors of the economy.
Economic revival, CPEC and Agenda 2047 – II
The ruling elite will have to realise that without overhauling its governance system and business environment, it can neither revive the economy nor achieve the goals of Agenda 2047. Thus, whether they like it or not, things will have to undergo drastic changes.
After analysing the ground realities and setting targets, we have identified a few areas for immediate reforms and overhaul. These have been divided into two categories – governance and business. Let’s start with governance and institutional reforms.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan ‘deeply disappointed’ after US vetoes Gaza ceasefire resolution
The News | 9th December
Pakistan on Saturday expressed “deep disappointment” after the US vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as Israeli bombardment of the besieged territory continues.
In a statement issued today, the Foreign Office said, “Despite the invocation of Article-99 of the UN Charter by the Secretary-General and his warnings of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the UNCS has failed to perform its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security.”
Pakistan likely to receive inflows from international financial institutions in months
The Nation | 10th December
Pakistan is expecting to receive inflows from International financial institutions in next couple of months as the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Executive Board would meet on January 11 next year to approve next tranche worth of $700 million for Pakistan.
“We are pleased to confirm that the IMF’s Executive Board Meeting is scheduled to consider the first review under Pakistan’s current Stand-By arrangement on January 11, 2024” said IMF Resident Representative Eisther Perez Ruiz.
SRI LANKA
Government greenlights major energy venture
Daily Mirror | 12th December
Government approval was granted for a power purchase agreement with United Solar Group of Australia for a 700 MW solar power project integrated with a 1500 MWh battery energy storage system, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.
He said the solar power project will be installed on the surface of the Poonakary Tank in the Killinochi district, with a foreign direct investment of USD 1,727 million.
Sri Lankan mercenaries in Ukraine: FM says govt. has no control over what they do
The Island | 8th December
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, yesterday (07) said that the government could not do anything about the activities of ex-military officers overseas.Minister Sabry said so in response to The Island query whether the Sri Lankan law prohibited Sri Lankans from joining the armed forces of Ukraine. Three ex-military personnel including a former Special Forces officer serving with what is widely referred to as Ukrainian Foreign Legion aka International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine were killed in a Russian artillery strike early this week.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan exports $70 million worth of Hing plant
The Khaama Press | 11th December
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Afghanistan has announced that they have exported Hing plants worth 70 million dollars to foreign countries in the past six months.
The Bakhtar News Agency, under the control of the Taliban, reported on Monday, citing the Ministry of Industry and Trade, about this matter.
According to the ministry, the Hing plant has been exported to countries like the United States, India, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Doha Forum addresses urgent need for Afghan women’s education
Afghanistan Times | 11th December
Global leaders gathered at the Doha Forum to discuss the critical imperative of rebuilding education for women in Afghanistan. The session focused on strategies to empower Afghan women through education, highlighting both the moral duty and strategic necessity of investing in the nation’s educational sector.
Rina Amiri, Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights at the U.S. Department of State, underscored that investing in Afghanistan’s education is not only a moral duty but a strategic necessity.
UNSC Discuss Afghanistan’s Situation Behind Closed Doors
TOLO News | 11th December
The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting on Afghanistan.
In the meeting hosted by Switzerland, members of the council also discussed the assessment of the situation in Afghanistan conducted by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, special coordinator of the UN for Afghanistan.
Some Afghan women were also invited to the meeting.
“On December 11, security council members will hold a closed-door on the recommendation of the UN assessment on Afghanistan, this time there will be a few Afghan women in the room, but we are still concerned about the lack of transparency in this process.
BANGLADESH
COP 28: Bangladesh seeks science-based solution to global climate crisis
Dhaka Tribune | 11th December
The Bangladesh delegation in COP28 has called for a scientific solution to the ongoing climate change crisis.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the prime minister’s special envoy for climate change, emphasised on effective decision-making regarding the use of fossil fuels on the basis of science.
“To keep global temperature rise under the 1.5° threshold, tough decisions on fossil fuels need to be made. A lot of countries are talking a lot. But we need to focus on what the science says.
Over 5 lakh children to get vitamin A+ capsules in Dhaka
Bangladesh Post | 12th December
A total of 5,26,240 children in six upazilas ofDhaka district will be administered vitamin A plus capsules today.
“Children aged 6-11 months will be fed blue color capsules while children aged 12-59 months will be administered red color capsules,” Dr Yasmin Nahar, deputy civil surgeon of Dhaka district, told at a press briefing at the Dhaka district civil service office.
She said, “78,082 children aged between six and 11 months will be fed blue color capsule and 4,52,158 children aged 12-36 months will be administered red color capsule.”
Writ seeking postponement of election schedule dismissed
Prothom Alo | 11th December
The High Court has outright rejected a writ petition seeking postponement of announced election schedule for the 12th parliamentary election.
A High Court bench of Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah passed the order on Monday.
On 15 November, the chief election commissioner announced the election schedule setting 7 January 2024 as voting day.
Younus Ali Akanda filed a writ petition challenging the legality of this election schedule on 29 November.
BHUTAN
Change in Australia’s immigration rule concerns Bhutanese
Kuensel | 13th December
The Australian government’s new migration strategy for the next 10 years is expected to affect a lot of Bhutanese students applying for international student visas.
According to media reports, the revised strategy aims to reduce the annual intake to approximately 250,000 by June 2025, aligning with the pre-pandemic levels. This reduction involves tightening visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers to reduce the pressure on housing and infrastructure.
One of the new measures include stricter minimum English-language requirements for international students, with the requirement score for student visa increasing from IELTS or equivalent scores from 5.5 to 6.0.
Bhutanese team shows BLA windows to invest in Bhutan
Business Bhutan | 11th December
Representatives of financial institutions (FIs) and the Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan (RSEB) are currently in Australia to share information and create awareness of the different products that are available for Bhutanese Living Abroad (BLA) to invest in Bhutan.
Speaking to the paper from the Australian Capital, Canberra, chief executive officer (CEO) of RSEB, Dorji Phuntsho said the response from the Bhutanese diaspora in Perth and Brisbane has been very positive.
“There is a perception that we are here to entice Bhutanese to invest in Bhutan. While this would be very good, our main purpose here is to educate Bhutanese here of the products that are available for investment, including the stock exchange,” he said.
MALDIVES
Maldives secures USD 75m in investments for renewable energy project
Sun | 13th December
Maldives has signed agreements totaling USD 75 million with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop sustainable renewable energy systems.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, the agreements include USD 57 million in grants and USD 18.5 million in loans respectively. The seven agreements signed are:
· A grant agreement concerning an amount of USD 41,500,000 (United States Dollars Forty One Million Five Hundred Thousand) from ADB
Maldives raise concern over US vetoing Gaza ceasefire
The Edition | 12th December
The Maldives has raised concern over the United States’ recent decision to veto the resolution seeking immediate ceasefire in Gaza submitted to the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer expressed his concerns during his meeting with the US Ambassador to the Maldives Hugo Yon.
The minister in his post on X, said that he raised concerns about the recent UN Security Council vote on Gaza, and reiterated the Maldivian government’s call for an immediate ceasefire and opening of humanitarian aid corridors.
MYANMAR
World Bank: Myanmar’s Growth to Fall to 1 Percent
The Irrawaddy | 12th December
The World Bank has forecast economic growth for Myanmar for the 2023-24 fiscal year at 1 percent.
Tuesday’s Myanmar Economic Monitor’s “Challenges Amid Conflict” report said “near-term growth prospects have weakened further” growth prospects from the financial year ending in March 2024.
Economic conditions have deteriorated in the past six months with the signs of recovery observed in the first half of 2023 proving to be fragile and short-lived, said the World Bank.
China Says Peace Talks Held Over North Myanmar Conflict With ‘Positive Results’
The Irrawaddy | 11th December
China said Monday that peace talks had been held over the conflict in northern Myanmar and yielded “positive results”, after weeks of fighting between the country’s junta and ethnic minority armed groups.
“China is happy to see the parties to the conflict in northern Myanmar hold peace talks and achieve positive results,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.
Beijing would “continue to provide support and facilitation to this end”, she added.
NEPAL
Nepal, China to discuss implementation modality for cross-border power line
The Kathmandu Post | 11th December
Nepal and China are set to discuss the implementation modality of the proposed 220kV Jilong/Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime Cross-Border Power Transmission line as the two sides engage to fix a joint mechanism meeting.
When Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal visited China in September, the two sides had signed an agreement that China would provide grants to construct the cross-border power line.
“The two sides will launch the construction of the Jilong/Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime 220kV Cross-Border Power Transmission line at an early date,” said the joint statement issued during the visit.
Operational scenario and challenges in Nepal’s provincial government
Onlinekhabar | 9th December
The provincial government was introduced under the provincial system with the hope that the provinces would be powerful; the state authority would be properly utilised and the development would be competitive amongst the provinces before being developed as a whole nation.
The number of provinces was discussed many times and finally, all the parties agreed on seven provinces. So, how did the seven provinces contribute to development as expected? Did the province boost both its internal revenue and national economic growth?
Government initiates process to amend Medical Education Act: Minister Basnet
The Himalayan Times | 11th December
Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet today said the government had initiated the process of amending the Medical Education Act. Talking to media-persons here, he said the amendment of the Act was being discussed at the Council of Ministers. The existing provision in the Act has prevented the health education from advancing as expected, he argued. “Prime Minister is ready about the amendment. The Cabinet now will discuss the matter.”
Mentioning that the meeting was called two times to discuss the issue, he said the amendment process had been carried forward.
