Pakistan, India exchange lists of detained citizens
Dawn | 2nd July
India and Pakistan on Monday committed to prioritising humanitarian issues as they exchanged lists of hundreds of civilian prisoners and fishermen detained in each other’s jails, continuing a biannual tradition under a 2008 consular access agreement.
“The Government of Pakistan is committed to addressing humanitarian matters as a priority,” the Foreign Office said in a statement on the exchange of lists.
Delhi also expressed a similar resolve saying India remains committed to addressing all humanitarian matters on priority, including issues pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.
Experts call for structural reforms to boost Sri Lanka’s trade success
Daily Mirror | 2nd July
Amid the intensified government efforts to capitalise on trade liberalisation through new preferential agreements, international trade experts stress the need for structural changes in Sri Lanka’s production sector before pursuing new pacts.
Despite decades of efforts, the country’s production sector, particularly the small and medium-sized enterprise ventures, remains inadequately prepared to meet the modern trade requirements and is yet to fully leverage the benefits of global networks, experts say. Various challenges such as policy inconsistencies and a predominant inward focus over exports have hindered Sri Lanka’s competitiveness and integration on the global stage.
Dhaka, Riyadh emphasise boosting Saudi investment
Prothom Alo | 1st July
Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia emphasised increasing Saudi investment in Bangladesh during the second round of political consultations between the two countries held on Monday in Riyadha foreign ministry’s press release said.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, led their respective delegations during the consultation meeting.
The discussions focused on enhancing Saudi investment in Bangladesh’s special economic zones and exploring opportunities for Saudi funds to be deposited in Bangladesh’s offshore accounts.
PAKISTAN
Economy on course to stability, claims PM
The Express Tribune | 2nd July
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the government’s business friendly policies had stabilised the country’s economy and restored confidence of foreign investors.
He said that the country was moving on the right path towards economic stability, adding steps were taken to provide relief to the public in the current fiscal budget.
The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of leading businessmen that called on him, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The delegation included Shahzad Saleem, Zaid Bashir, Mussadiq Zulqarnain and Sheharyar Chishti.
Masood stresses for persevering efforts to boost Pak-US bilateral ties
The News | 1st July
Masood Khan, the outgoing Pakistani envoy to America, Sunday stressed for persevering efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.
Pakistan on June 28 announced to appoint Additional Foreign Secretary Middle East Rizwan Saeed Sheikh as its ambassador to the US replacing Khan.
Addressing the farewell dinner organised in honour of Khan’s services, United States Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst Friday praised Khan, for his efforts towards building “bridges between Islamabad and Washington”.
CPEC emerges as catalyst for investment, technology transfer, says Gilani
The Nation | 2nd July
Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become a catalyst for not only investment but technological transfer, skill development, and knowledge sharing between the two friendly nations.
He was addressing the launch ceremony of the “China Chamber of Commerce Sustainable Development Report 2023” of CCCPK (formerly “All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises’ Association APCEA), co-organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) Hall.
SRI LANKA
Forbes Marshall Lanka’s commitment to sustainable industrial operations
The Island | 30th June
Forbes Marshall Lanka Pvt Ltd recently conducted a seminar on “Partnering KPI Sustenance” with an insightful and glamorous event held on the 31 May at the Water’s Edge, Battaramulla, with the participation of over 500 eminent customers from various industry segments across Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The event consisted of two technical sessions, one focused on its approach for sustainability via sustenance of KPI solutions and the other, on its digital sustenance services. Forbes Marshall Lanka today is the market leader for steam boilers and steam accessories and control instrumentation systems in the country.
Sri Lanka strikes debt deals with bilateral lenders
Daily Mirror | 27th June
Sri Lanka yesterday marked a significant milestone in its economic recovery journey as it brought to close more than yearlong talks with the bilateral lenders.
The island nation was able to pull off deals for roughly US$ 5.8 billion worth of debt it owed to the lenders in Paris. A similar deal was signed with China’s Export Import Bank to restructure US$ 4.2 billion of its debt.
The country’s State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe shared the ‘happy news’ the entire nation was waiting for on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as he said he was pleased to announce the final agreement on debt restructuring between Sri Lanka and the Official Creditor Committee.
AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan and Uzbekistan emphasize urgency of the Afghanistan-Trans project
The Khaama Press | 2nd July
The Taliban delegation, led by Zabihullah Mujahid, discussed the Afghanistan-Trans project on the sidelines of the third Doha meeting with representatives from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Qatar.
As posted on his social media profile on the X platform, Mujahid underscored the importance of the quadrilateral dialogue among the delegates aimed at advancing the Afghanistan-Trans project.
The Afghanistan-Trans project is a joint initiative to construct a railway connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan, which is crucial for fostering connectivity between neighboring countries.
Canada’s Intl Affairs Agency Concerned With Absence of Women at Doha 3
TOLO News | 1st July
Canada’s International Affairs Agency stated in a press release that it is disappointed with the absence of Afghan civil society and women’s representatives at the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan.
The agency highlighted the absence of a Canadian representative at the third Doha meeting and reiterated that Canada has always emphasized the necessity of comprehensive participation in such meetings.
“The full, equal and meaningful participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting process is not only a core tenet of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, but fundamental to the achievement of a peaceful, stable and inclusive Afghanistan.
US commits $75 million for Agriculture livestock projects in Afghanistan
The Khaama Press | 30th June
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) of the United States has announced a commitment of $75 million to fund development projects in Afghanistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors.
This assistance, as stated on their official page on Saturday, June 29, will be directed through USAID offices in Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, and Kandahar. SIGAR aims to support projects that promote employment opportunities in agriculture, enhance agricultural productivity, and support women in the agricultural sector.
Recently, heavy rains have caused significant financial losses and damage to agricultural lands in several provinces of Afghanistan. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately ten thousand hectares of agricultural land have been affected by floods in recent months.
BANGLADESH
AIIB to provide $400m to Bangladesh as budget support
Bangladesh Post | 1st July
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will provide $400 million to Bangladesh as budget support for implementing the ‘Climate Resilient Inclusive Development Program- Subprogram1’.
In this regard, the government of Bangladesh signed a loan agreement of $400 million (JPY 62,773,999,681) as budget support with the AIIB on June 27 to implement the ‘Climate Resilient Inclusive Development Program- Subprogram1’.
Mirana Mahrukh, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) and Rajat Misra, Acting Vice President, Public Sector Clients Department, Region 1, signed the loan agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and the AIIB respectively. This Program has been taken by the Finance Division. The scope of the Program includes the following reform areas: (a) creating an enabling environment for implementing climate priorities across ministries; (b) facilitation of climate adaptation priorities; and (c) accelerating climate change mitigation actions.
Saber: Canada keen to deepen climate collaboration with Bangladesh
Dhaka Tribune | 1st July
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Monday said Canada will deepen ongoing environmental and climate collaboration with Bangladesh.
He made the remark when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls met him at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.
The environment minister highlighted the significance of global partnerships in combating climate change, commending Canada’s leadership and support.
During the meeting, he identified areas for closer collaboration, such as renewable energy and biodiversity conservation and emphasised on the potentials for knowledge exchange, technical assistance and joint projects.
BHUTAN
Kuensel | 2nd July
An outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has been confirmed in Punakha and Wangdue. The disease was confirmed in a commercial piggery farm in Zawakha, Daga Gewog, Wangdue, on June 28, and at Tshether Farm in Sirigang in Kabjisa Gewog, Punakha, on June 29.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) attributed the outbreak to movement of infected pigs and contaminated pig products and practice of swill feeding.
ASF is a highly lethal disease that affects pigs, often leading to disruptions in the livelihoods of pig farmers.
On June 28, the samples were sent to National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH) in Serbithang and the laboratory tests was conducted on June 29. The same day, the result confirmed the outbreak of African Swine Fever.
Thailand and Bhutan to Advance Bilateral Relations
Daily Bhutan | 28th June
He held a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on 26 June at Government House, where a joint press conference also took place. Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke stated that a fruitful discussion was made between the two prime ministers.
On trade and investment, Thailand and Bhutan agreed to foster closer bilateral trade relations by speeding up FTA negotiations and increasing trade volume to the targeted goal of 120 million USD as soon as possible.
Thailand is interested in exploring investment opportunities in Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), which promises to be a vibrant economic hub.
Bhutan takes strides towards educational transformation
Business Bhutan | 29th June
In a significant move towards modernizing Bhutan’s education system, the Ministry of Education and Skilled Development (MoESD) has embarked on comprehensive reforms aimed at meeting the challenges of the 21st century. The initiative follows a Royal Kasho issued during the 113th National Day celebration by His Majesty the King, emphasizing the urgency of adapting Bhutan’s educational landscape to global advancements.
Under the guidance of the Royal Kasho, the MoESD has initiated a steering committee to oversee the overhaul, marking a pivotal step towards realizing His Majesty’s vision for a forward-thinking education system. Minister Yeezang D. Thapa disclosed that since 2021, the committee has been diligently crafting a blueprint for educational reform, which is set to be unveiled later this year.
MALDIVES
Maldives signs SAMOA Agreement
The Edition | 1st July
The Maldives has signed the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS)’s Samoa Agreement.
The Samoa Agreement sets out the framework for the relationship between the European Union (EU), its member states, and the member states of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Belgium, Geela Ali, signed the Samoa Agreement on behalf of the Maldives government at a signing ceremony held at the OACPS Secretariat’s headquarters located in Brussels, Belgium today.
During the signing, a ‘declaration’ and ‘reservation’ were also submitted regarding the agreement’s provisions that conflict with the Maldives constitution.
Discussions held on exploring Maldives-Eritrea trade, economy cooperation
Raajje | 1st July
Discussions have been held on exploring cooperation on trade and economy between the government of Maldives and the government of Eritrea.
This was done during a meeting Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to the Maldives Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam held with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, following a ceremony to present his credentials.
The ceremony, held at the President’s Office on Monday, saw the Eritrean ambassador presenting his Letters of Credence to the Maldivian president.
Government wants to decrease MPs to 70
Sun | 2nd July
Many MPs representing ruling PNC, on Tuesday, have spoken out in support on capping the number of parliamentarians at 70 as a solution to bring a halt to the increase in the number of parliamentarians with each new assembly.
Article 71 of the Maldivian Constitution states two parliamentarians must be allocated for the first 5,000 residents registered for each administrative division and one additional parliamentarian for each 5,000 residents in excess of the initial 5,000 residents in each administrative division.
It also states that two parliamentarians must be allocated for each administrative division with less than 5,000 residents.
MYANMAR
In China, Thein Sein Likely Passed on Plea for Help From Junta Boss
The Irrawaddy | 2nd July
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Myanmar’s former President Thein Sein in Beijing on Saturday on the sidelines of commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the Chinese government’s foreign relations principles.
Myanmar junta-controlled state media said the Chinese foreign minister and former Myanmar president exchanged views on the existing friendly relations and cooperation between Myanmar and China, and recent developments inside Myanmar.
However, observers believe that during the meeting Thein Sein probably conveyed a request from Myanmar junta boss Min Aung Hlaing that China intervene in the recently resumed fighting in northern Shan State.
Myanmar’s Junta Escalates Attack on Business, Blacklists Cooking-Oil Importers
The Irrawaddy | 28th June
The junta’s latest attempt to reduce the shortage of cooking oil in Myanmar as well as the surging price of the staple will likely have the opposite effect, cooking oil importers and traders say.
They were speaking after it was announced earlier this week that eight cooking-oil importing companies had been blacklisted for “misconduct” and “non-compliance with rules and regulations” by the junta-controlled Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA).
The June 24 announcement from DICA did not specify the rules and regulations the companies allegedly violated or whether their owners would be arrested, as several cooking importers were in August of last year when the junta first began attempting to reduce the price of cooking oil.
NEPAL
UML, NC agreed to form national coalition govt : UML leader Pokhrel
The Himalayan Times | 2nd July
General-Secretary of the CPN (UML), Shankar Pokhrel, has said an agreement has been reached to form a national coalition government under leadership of CPM (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli. Taking to social site, Facebook, General Secretary Pokhrel shared that an agreement was reached between the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress to form the national coalition government under Oli’s leadership in order to amend constitution and formulating laws.Political parties supporting the CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress would be inducted in the national coalition government, he added.
Nepal’s economy has slowed down. Electric vehicle sales haven’t
The Kathmandu Post | 2nd July
In 2019-20, Nepal imported 236 units of passenger electric vehicles (EVs) from China worth some Rs674 million.
In the past five years, imports of EVs from China jumped 35 times, suggesting EV adoption in Nepal is now outpacing that of conventional combustion vehicles which use engines that burn fossil fuels, such as petrol or diesel.
The EVs have overtaken conventional combustion vehicles.
The imports of fossil fuel-consuming passenger vehicles were 10,310 units worth Rs9.24 billion in 2019-20. After four years, in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, imports of conventional combustion vehicles were down to 3,537 units worth Rs4.21 billion.
Prime Minister Dahal to take a vote of confidence
Onlinekhabar | 2nd July
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is going to face Parliament without resigning. Secretary of CPN-Maoist Devendra Poudel informed that the meeting of officials of the party with ministers held today about the latest political developments decided to take a vote of confidence.
“There is no way for the Prime Minister to give up. The Prime Minister has talked about facing Parliament and taking a vote of confidence,” he said.
“The party will also face the vote of confidence and talk with various parties, even with the Rastriya Swatantra Party, with the Congress and even if the UML itself has agreed now, it is a matter of talking with various parties and moving forward.”
Please consider donating today to support our work.
