PM seeks more ADB support for people’s socioeconomic development
Bangladesh Post | 31st March
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday sought further robust support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expedite Bangladesh’s endeavor for its people’s socioeconomic development as ADB Vice President (Sector and Themes) Fatima Yasmincalled on her in the capital city of Dhaka.
“Our main goal is people’s socioeconomic development and inclusive advancement as the government is especially prioritising rural people’s development,” PM’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul …
Islamic Emirate Says Expanding Intl Relations Top Priority
TOLO News | 1st April
The political deputy of the prime minister, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, in a meeting with some acting ministers, spoke about the expansion of relations between the Islamic Emirate and the world.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, quoting Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, said that the Arg is striving to improve balanced policies with regional and global countries.
According to Mujahid, interacting with the world is among the most important political goals of the Islamic Emirate.
In response to Biden’s letter, Shehbaz says ready to engage with US for world peace, security
The News | 31st March
Giving a “positive” response to a letter of US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Islamabad attached great importance to its ties with Washington.
“Pakistan desires to work with the US for the achievement of shared goals of global peace and stability as well as regional progress and prosperity,” the premier said in his letter to the US president on Sunday.
He also said that both countries have been working together on various …
PAKISTAN
President Zardari calls for transit trade deal with Turkmenistan
Dawn | 2nd April
President Asif Ali Zardari, on Monday, called for the Transit Trade Agreement with Turkmenistan, to be finalised at the earliest, in order to further boost bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
The president expressed these views in a meeting with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov, who called on him at Aiwan-i-Sadr. Mr Zardari said that the agreement, once signed, would help expand trade, promote regional connectivity and enhance economic activities in the region.
Govt okays expensive $500m ADB loan
The Express Tribune | 2nd April
The government, on Monday, greenlit the acquisition of a hefty $500 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aimed at fostering an ‘enabling environment to attract private investment’. This strategy, while addressing immediate fiscal requirements, is also driving Pakistan further into the debt trap.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) endorsed the “concept proposal” for the $500 million loan under the Promoting Sustainable Public-Private Partnership Programme, according to the Planning Ministry. Chaired by Deputy Chairman Dr Jehanzeb Khan, the CDWP meeting facilitated this decision.
Pakistan-China border reopens for trade, tourism after 4-month closure
The Nation | 2nd April
After a closure spanning four months due to harsh winter conditions, the Pakistan-China Khunjarab border has once again opened its gates to facilitate commercial and tourist activities. The border closure, in accordance with the bilateral agreement, typically occurs from December 1 to March 31 each year, attributing to cold weather and heavy snowfall.
The reopening of this vital border crossing is anticipated to invigorate bilateral trade and tourism between the two nations. During the closure period, while trade and tourism activities were halted, essential goods for Pakistan’s development projects continued to be transported across the border.
SRI LANKA
Inflation likely to rise in April as favourable base effects disappear
Daily Mirror | 2nd April
Inflation, measured by the officials’ preferred gauge Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), falling to a surprisingly lower level of 0.9 percent in the year through March 2024, from 5.9 percent in February, has left many questioning the validity of the numbers. Reason is, it is too good to be true, given that the majority have not felt this impact on their pocketbooks.
However, this is in fact the true inflation in Sri Lanka, as inflation is the pace of price increases and its decline doesn’t mean that the sticker prices of the goods and services that one purchases have to necessarily come down. There is the exception of a few, which in fact, came down.
New trend among some SL parents not to have infants vaccinated
The Island | 2nd April
There is a trend among some Sri Lankan parents not to have their infants vaccinated and this could lead to disastrous consequences, officials from National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases (NPTCCD) says.
In certain developed nations, some parents start vaccinating their children only after a year or so after they were born and Sri Lankan parents who find out about this on the Internet, had also started delaying vaccinations, the official said.
AFGHANISTAN
CNN: ‘Taliban’s Pashto chauvinism helps ISIS-K’ recruitment from other ethnic groups
The Khaama Press | 1st April
Edmund Fitton-Brown, a senior adviser to the New York-based Counter Extremism Project, told CNN that ISIS-K “has the desire and a growing ability to project beyond Afghanistan and carry out regional attacks” in Pakistan, Iran and Central Asia, bolstered by a robust media output in Tajik, Uzbek and Russian. Fitton-Brown said that in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s “Pashto chauvinism has helped ISIS-K recruit from other Afghan ethnic groups.”
CNN, citing a senior advisor to the new-York-based extremism project, said that the Taliban’s Pashtun extremist nationalism has facilitated the recruitment of other Afghan ethnic groups into ISIS Khorasan.
Russian company signs contract for Khaf-Herat Railway Project
Afghanistan Times | 31st March
The final part of the fourth section of the Khaf-Herat railway in Afghanistan will be implemented by a Russian company, as per the contract recently signed. This section, spanning 47 kilometers and costing $53 million, is expected to be completed within the next two years, according to the country’s Railway Authority.
Bakht Rahman Sharafat, the Head of the Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA), highlighted the significance of this project, stating that it will connect Afghanistan to Europe via railway upon completion. He emphasized the project’s strategic importance, given its proximity to Central Asia and Russia, and noted Russia’s support for the initiative.
BANGLADESH
Bribery, corruption key barriers to trade, investment in Bangladesh: US
Prothom Alo | 31st March
The United States (US) has encountered various setbacks in government procurement, intellectual property protection, digital trade, investment and labour rights while conducting trade and investment in Bangladesh.
Besides, bribery and corruption appeared as key barriers to the advancement of trade and investment in Bangladesh, according to a latest report of the US on foreign trade barriers.
The office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) released the report – 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade and Barriers – on 29 March and uploaded it on their website.
Dhaka ranks 11th among cities with worst air quality
Dhaka Tribune | 1st April
Dhaka’s air quality was in the unhealthy zone on Monday morning. With an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 142 at 9am, Dhaka ranked 11th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Thailand’s Chiang Mai, Vietnam’s Hanoi and Indonesia’s Jakarta occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 177, 164 and 161, respectively.
An AQI score between 101 and 150 is considered 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-Bangladesh Relations: Shared Aspirations and Enduring Bonds
Business Bhutan | 1st April
The early 1970s marked a tumultuous period for the inhabitants of what was then East Pakistan (Bangladesh). In November 1970, the region was devastated by Cyclone Bhola, a catastrophic natural disaster that remains one of the deadliest tropical cyclones in recorded history. The cyclone, accompanied by a storm surge, wreaked havoc across East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) and parts of India’s West Bengal, claiming the lives of at least 300,000 people, with estimates suggesting the toll may have reached as high as 500,000.
Saima Wazed lauds Bhutan’s health system
Kuensel | 2nd April
The World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO) regional director, Saima Wazed, concluded her five-day visit to Bhutan yesterday.
According to WHO’s press release, the visit, which is the first to a member state by Saima Wazed since assuming the position, underscores WHO’s commitment to supporting Bhutan’s healthcare and public health development.
Saima Wazed was welcomed at Paro International Airport, followed by a series of high-profile meetings, facility visits, and engagements that showcased the strides Bhutan is making in healthcare.
MALDIVES
Sun Travels & Tours pays USD 31 million to Hilton as per arbitral award
The Edition | 2nd April
Sun Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd has paid the total sum of USD 31 million (more than MVR 480 million) to Hilton International Manage (Maldives) Pvt Ltd as per the arbitral award issued in regard to the termination of the agreement between the companies for the management of Irufushi Beach and Spa Resort in Noonu Atoll.
The dispute arose when the management agreement regarding the running of Irufushi Beach and Spa Resort between Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) Leader and Member of Parliament for Meedhoo constituency Ahmed Shiyam Mohamed’s Sun Travels and Hilton was terminated by Sun Travels in 2013.
Food to be donated to Palestinians in Gaza from Zakat Fund
Sun | 1st April
Fund from Maldives Zakat Fund will be utilized to donate food to Palestinians living in besieged Gaza.
Islamic Minister Dr. Shaheem Ali Saeed, in a post on X, announced efforts have been initiated under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s instructions to donate food for Palestinians through the Zakat Fund.
Sharing further information regarding the initiative, an official from the Islamic Ministry said works, in this trajectory, were proceeding at a fast pace within the Ministry.
Singapore Airlines celebrates 40 years of operations in Maldives
Raajje | 30th March
Singapore Airlines has celebrated 40 years of flight operations, in the Maldives.
The airline held a special ceremony to commemorate the occasion on Thursday evening.
Taking the podium at the event, senior officials of Singapore Airlines highlighted that 40 years of operating flights to the Maldives, is a remarkable achievement.
The ceremony saw mementos presented to those who have been in service for a long time and those who have contributed in several ways to the delivery of Singapore Airlines’ services.
MYANMAR
China Holds Military Drills Along Myanmar’s Border
The Irrawaddy | 2nd April
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting a two-day military exercise on Tuesday and Wednesday along the border near Laiza and Lwelgel in Kachin State.
A Southern Theater Command statement said the live-firing exercise would end at 6pm on Wednesday. Military spokesman Tian Junli said on WeChat that the drills would test rapid maneuvers and safeguard national sovereignty, border stability, people’s lives and property.
China’s special envoy to Myanmar Deng Xijun met junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Monday. The junta media said they discussed Myanmar’s “peace process”, bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking, online gambling and fraud and border trade.
Chinese Ambassador Meets Myanmar Junta Officials as Clashes Resume in Shan
The Irrawaddy | 29th March
Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai met separately with junta Foreign Minister Than Swe and National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee secretary Lieutenant General Min Naing in Naypyitaw on Thursday.
The meeting followed months of fierce fighting between the regime and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State, where China has huge interests, as well as fresh fighting between the regime and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) near Lashio in northern Shan State.
NEPAL
World Bank projects Nepal’s economic growth to be 3.3 percent in FY24
The Himalayan Times | 2nd April
The World Bank (WB) has said that Nepal’s economy is expected to grow by 3.3% in FY24, driven by revived tourism and a pickup in hydropower exports. On the demand side, private consumption will drive growth, supported by a substantial increase in remittance inflows, according to the World Bank’s twice-a-year country development update. In its latest Nepal Development Update, the WB stated that the country’s economy is on a recovery path, but private investment remains low while projecting a further rebound in growth of 4.6% in FY25.
USAID and Nepal Tourism Board launch 2024 International Tourism Campaign
The Kathmandu Post | 2nd April
Nepal Tourism Board and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have jointly launched the 2024 International Tourism Campaign, a collaborative effort between USAID and the Board, in partnership with Steller, a global travel-inspired storytelling platform.
“This campaign aims to showcase Nepal’s rich history, cultural diversity, and abundant tourism opportunities to a global audience, building upon the success of the 2023 campaign which reached over 16.3 million travelers and achieved $15.8 million in earned media value,” the US Embassy in Nepal said in a statement on Monday.
China positive to provide free visa to Nepali: Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha
Onlinekhabar | 1st April
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha has requested the Chinese side to provide free visas to Nepalis who want to visit China. Minister Shrestha informed that the Chinese side had a positive response to this request.
Minister Shrestha, who returned to Kathmandu on Monday morning after completing a seven-day visit to China, gave this information.
In a press conference at Tribhuvan International Airport, he said, “Nepal has been providing free visas to Chinese tourists visiting Nepal since 2016.
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