Opium Cultivation Ban Costs Afghan Farmers $1.3 Billion, World Bank Reports
Afghanistan Times | 5th May
According to a new report by the World Bank, the ban on opium cultivation in Afghanistan has resulted in a substantial loss of $1.3 billion for farmers, equivalent to approximately 8 percent of the nation’s GDP. The report highlights a 26 percent contraction in Afghanistan’s real GDP over the past two fiscal years, with an uncertain economic outlook persisting until at least 2025, posing the threat of stagnation. Structural deficiencies in the private sector and declining international support for essential services are anticipated to hinder economic progress, as noted in the report.
PM Hasina urges IOM to raise more funds for Rohingyas
Prothom Alo | 7th May
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday urged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to raise more funds from newer sources for assistance of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh as its Director General (DG) Amy Pope paid a courtesy call on her.
“As the fund for the assistance of Rohingya (in Bangladesh) decreased, the IOM should find new partners to raise more funds to help the displaced Myanmar nationals,” prime minister’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam quoted her as saying to Amy Pope at their meeting in Ganabhaban.
IMF demands Rs1.3tr in new taxes
The Express Tribune | 7thMay
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to impose additional taxes of around Rs1.3 trillion in the next budget which, if accepted, would take the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) annual target to a whopping Rs12.3 trillion.
The Rs1.3 trillion additional taxes are equal to 1% of the size of the next year’s economy.
The global lender is asking to recover half of the additional taxes from salaried and business individuals, the government sources told The Express Tribune.
The sources said that the IMF shared its final Tax Diagnostic report with the government in which it has retained the recommendation that deals with reducing the number of income tax slabs for the salaried individuals to four.
PAKISTAN
Power division seeks Rs130bn for subsidy
Dawn | 7th May
The Power Division has sought immediate disbursement of about Rs130 billion on account of subsidy payments against K-Electric and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
As the fiscal year approaches its end, various ministries and divisions have accumulated a series of supplementary grants for approval by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet at a meeting to be presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday.
On top of the list is a request from the Power Division to release Rs70bn advance subsidy in respect of K-Electric’s arrears, followed by Rs55bn on account of tariff differential subsidy arrears of AJK. The Power Division has also sought another technical supplementary grant of Rs2.5bn.
Saudi minister terms Pakistan ‘suitable’ country for investments
The News | 6th May
A two-day Pakistan-Saudi Arabia investment conference commenced in Islamabad on Monday during which Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Investment Minister Ibrahim Almubarak termed Pakistan a “suitable country for investments”.
The Saudi minister’s remarks come as he leads the Kingdom’s 50-member high-level delegation which arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to explore various avenues of trade and investment.
The conference, organised following the decisions taken in the meetings between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to boost bilateral trade and investment as Islamabad strives to attract investments to strengthen country’s economy amid prevailing financial crunch.
Pakistan highly values its multifaceted ties with Italy: PM
The Nation | 6th May
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan deeply valued its multifaceted relations with Italy spanning over many decades, which had always been marked by goodwill and trust.
The prime minister expressed his views during a meeting with ambassador of Italy Marilina Armellin who paid a courtesy call on him at the PM House.
The prime minister said that the two sides also shared similar views on a number of important regional and global issues.
Expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Italy bilateral relations, the prime minister urged the two sides to enhance cooperation in the fields of education, trade and investment, legal migration, as well as cultural exchanges.
SRI LANKA
Japan to provide vessel with underwater sonar
Daily Mirror | 5th May
The Japanese government has finalized a plan to provide Sri Lanka with a vessel equipped with underwater sonar for detecting the location of other vessels in order to improve the country’s oceanographic survey capabilities, according to Japanese Deputy Press Secretary Kaneko Mariko.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa informed Sri Lanka of the decision during a foreign ministerial bilateral discussion on Saturday.
The Japanese government will provide Sri Lanka with a vessel and sonar system worth about 01 billion Yen in total.
Govt. approves 20-year power purchase agreement with Adani Group of India
The Island | 8th May
The government has approved a 20-year power purchase agreement between Sri Lanka and India’s Adani Green Energy for the development of 484 megawatt wind power stations.
“The negotiated tariff rate of USD 0.0826 per kilowatt hour is to be paid in local rupees on the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment,” Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara has said in a post on social media platform X.
Wijesekera has said that the purchasing cost will be below the current average cost of energy at 39.02 Sri Lanka rupees per kilo watt hour.
AFGHANISTAN
Over 10 contracts signed between Afghan and Turkmen companies
The Khaama Press | 7th May
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan has announced the signing of more than 10 contracts and two memoranda of understanding between companies from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
In a press release on Monday, May 6th, the ministry stated that these contracts were signed between traders from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in Herat.
According to the press release, these agreements cover sectors such as construction materials, including steel bars, repair paints, marble, and food products.
In First, Islamic Emirate Attends OIC summit, Pledges Cooperation
TOLO News | 7th May
The Islamic Emirate responded to the final resolution of the 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Gambia, stating that the measures concerning Afghanistan, as outlined in the resolution, have already been enacted by the interim government.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that the participation of representatives of the Islamic Emirate in this summit marks the commencement of the interim government’s interactions with Islamic countries.
BANGLADESH
UK Minister for boosting economic partnership
Bangladesh Post | 6th May
UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday on a two-day visit in an effort to “strengthen modern economic, security and migration partnership” between Bangladesh and the UK.
Director General (North America and acting in charge of West Europe & EU) Khandker Masudul Alam warmly welcomed her at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The British Minister of State is expected to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and meet with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Education Minister, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister, and attend other official engagements during the visit, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
PM: Strong leadership needed for a more resilient world against pandemics
Dhaka Tribune | 7th May
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said strong and decisive leadership will be essential in shaping a more resilient and prepared world against future pandemics.
“As we navigate the complexities of future pandemics, strong and decisive leadership will be essential in shaping a more resilient and prepared world,” she said.
The premier made the remarks joining a virtual meeting with Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand and Co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, from Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
BHUTAN
Bhutan to host 1st Agrifood Trade and Investment Forum
Kuensel | 7th May
The inaugural session of Bhutan Agrifood Trade and Investment Forum (BATIF) 2024 in Thimphu will showcase the immense potential within Bhutan’s agri-food sector, highlighting high-value products cultivated in its unique geographical environment.
The event, scheduled from May 15 to 19, provide a platform for policymakers, entrepreneurs,and businesses to present investment opportunities to a wide audience, including, investors from foreign countries, multilateral development banks, and the private sector.
According to officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, with strategic investments across priority value chains, Bhutan aims to boost its national economic development.
Rankings Do Not Give a Reason to Celebrate: PM
Business Bhutan | 4th May
Addressing the gathering at the World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Thimphu yesterday (May 3rd), Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay engaged in a candid reflection on Bhutan’s press freedom landscape. Expressing concern over the country’s declining press freedom rankings in recent years, the Prime Minister posed a thought-provoking question: Is there truly a cause for celebration amidst this downward trend?
Rather than merely lamenting the challenges, the Prime Minister issued a rallying cry to the media fraternity, urging them to channel their energies towards constructive dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
MALDIVES
Indian market is important and welcome in Maldives: Faisal
The Edition | 7th May
Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Faisal has stated that the Indian market is very valuable to Maldives and declared that Indian tourists will always be welcome in the country.
Speaking during an interview given to the Indian newspaper, Press Trust of India (PTI) amid the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) fair currently ongoing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Minister Faisal stated that Maldives promotes safety and peace first and foremost in the tourism industry and that therefore, Indian tourists are also ensured safety in the country.
He asserted that while India is a country with an extensive population, it is also a very valuable market to Maldivian tourism.
Foreign Minister to travel to India on official visit
Sun | 7th May
Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer is expected to fly to India on Wednesday on an official visit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Minister Zameer is scheduled to return back after concluding his trip on upcoming Friday.
During his official visit, the minister is expected to meet the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
In the meeting, the two would hold discussions on strengthening long-sustained mutual ties between the Maldives and India by way of cooperative efforts.
Discussions held on long-standing ties between Maldives, UAE
Raajje | 3rd May
Discussions have been held on the long-standing bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The discussions were held between Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The meeting saw FM Zameer expressing gratitude for the closeness accorded to the government of Maldives by the government of UAE.
MYANMAR
Cambodia’s Hun Sen Asks Myanmar Junta for Talks With Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
The Irrawaddy | 8th May
Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen said Tuesday he has asked the head of Myanmar’s junta for a video meeting with jailed civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades before stepping down last year, held video talks Tuesday with Min Aung Hlaing as the Myanmar military struggles to quell widespread resistance to its rule.
Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence imposed by a junta court after a trial condemned by rights groups as a sham to shut her out of politics.
Myanmar Remains Dangerous Country for Journalists: RSF
The Irrawaddy | 3rd May
Myanmar remains a dangerous country for journalists with a significant risk of being tortured, jailed and murdered, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
RSF’s press freedom index, marking World Press Freedom Day on Friday, ranked Myanmar 171 among 180 countries.
The country is the world’s second-worst jailer of journalists after China with the regime raiding media offices, revoking publication licenses and arresting journalists in the wake of the 2021 coup.
Many media outlets, including The Irrawaddy, are operating in exile.
NEPAL
Bagmati Government to bring Ordinance on education
The Himalayan Times | 6th May
Bagmati Province government has decided to issue an ordinance to amend the Province Higher Education Act, 2078. Minister of Internal Affairs and Law, Ganganarayan Shrestha, who is also the Spokesperson of the Provincial Government, shared that the meeting of the Provincial Council of Ministers held on Sunday decided to issue an ordinance to amend the Provincial Higher Education Act, 2078. He said that this decision was taken to amend Section 13 (5) of the Act.Similarly, the cabinet has decided to provide relief support of one hundred thousand rupees each to the three families who lost their loved ones while trying to control the forest fire in Lalitpur and Ramechhap district.
PM Dahal assures of making diplomatic efforts to repatriate Nepalis serving in Russian army
The Kathmandu Post | 7th May
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday expressed his commitment to make high-level diplomatic efforts aimed at repatriating Nepalis serving in the Russian Army.
Prime Minister Dahal made these remarks during a meeting with members of a campaign aimed at saving the lives of Nepalis in the Russian forces.
“The Office of the Prime Minister is committed to addressing your demands,” he assured. “The government has been continuously making efforts.”
Saying the government is making efforts to safeguard the lives of Nepali citizens, the prime minister stressed his unwavering commitment to addressing their demands.
Japanese foreign minister Kamikawa Yoko arrives
Onlinekhabar | 5th May
Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa Yoko, arrived this afternoon on an official visit to Nepal. The Minister arrived during the visit at the cordial invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha.
Foreign Service Secretary Sewa Lamsal received the Japanese Minister at Tribhuvan International Airport. This marks her first visit to Nepal after she was appointed to the post. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japanese Minister is scheduled to pay a separate courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
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