Afghanistan
Trump imposes 10% tariff on Afghanistan-The Khaama Press
President Donald Trump announced that Afghanistan is among the countries subject to a baseline 10% tariff on all imports to the United States. According to U.S. government data, exports from the U.S. to Afghanistan will now face a 49% customs duty, significantly increasing trade costs. In 2024, total trade between the U.S. and Afghanistan was estimated at $34 million. U.S. exports to Afghanistan dropped sharply by 76.9% to $11.4 million. Click here to read…
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: 2nd Phase of Deportations Begins-Tolo News
A number of Afghan citizens in Pakistan have reported the deportation of Afghan refugees from Punjab and Lahore by the Pakistani police. Recently, Afghan refugees have stated that the Pakistani police are even arresting those who hold refugee cards. Click here to read…
Section of the CASA-1000 Project Launched-Tolo News
The presidents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan officially inaugurated a portion of the CASA-1000 project. This phase includes the commissioning of the 500-kilovolt transmission line in Tajikistan, which plays a key role in transmitting electricity from Kyrgyzstan through Afghanistan to Pakistan. According to Interfax News Agency, the CASA-1000 project is expected to be fully completed by 2027. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Gelephu International Airport construction set to begin in July-Kuensel
The preparatory work, including the master plan and detailed project report, for the highly anticipated Gelephu International Airport, a key component of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Special Administrative Region, is progressing rapidly, with construction slated to commence in July this year. Click here to read…
MoAL to boost domestic production to ensure food security-Kuensel
The inflation rate for agrifood in Bhutan has been increasing, affecting consumers preferences and choices. In the 13th Plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s (MoAL) plans to create enabling environment for investment, infrastructure development, and policy interventions to increase production and access to food. Click here to read…
Maldives
Maldives Sees Momentum in March Tourist Arrivals as China Leads Growth-PSM News
Tourist arrivals in the Maldives continued to climb in March, with 203,466 visitors recorded, a 4.8 percent increase from the 194,227 who visited during the same period last year, according to newly released data from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. China remains the Maldives’ largest source market, contributing 73,997 arrivals so far this year. Russia follows with 66,933 tourists, while the United Kingdom ranks third with 65,404 visitors. Italy and Germany round out the top five, with 57,955 and 44,266 tourists, respectively. Click here to read…
India increases staple goods, essential commodities supplies to Maldives-The Edition
India has increased its quota for staple goods and essential commodities under the bilateral agreement between India and Maldives. According to the Indian High Commission in Maldives, this marks the highest quota increase since the arrangement was established in 1981. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Breach Quake Ceasefire-The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s regime conducted airstrikes on Sagaing Region and Kachin State on Thursday, hours after it declared a ceasefire for earthquake relief operations. Five days after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, claiming over 3,000 lives, the junta on Wednesday announced a 20-day ceasefire until April 22. Click here to read…
PM Modi meets head of Myanmar’s military government-The Indian Express
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, as his country grapples with the aftermath of the massive earthquake that killed thousands last week. Modi met Senior General Min, the head of Myanmar’s military government, on the sidelines of the Summit meeting of the leaders of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Inflation drops to 57-year low-The Express Tribune
Pakistan's annual inflation rate slowed to just 0.7% in March, the lowest level in over 57 years, primarily due to a reduction in prices of perishable food items and some relief in electricity rates. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday reported that the price spiral significantly eased in March compared to a year ago. It was the lowest inflation rate since September 1968, when the country recorded an annual inflation rate below 0.7%. Click here to read…
Economists see hurdles and opportunities for Pakistan as US imposes 29pc tariff on country-Dawn
Analysts saw immediate hurdles and long-term opportunities for Pakistan after US President Donald Trump on Thursday imposed a 29 per cent tariff on goods the United States imports from Pakistan, along with duties on dozens of countries from rivals to allies, intensifying a global trade war. Click here to read…
PM's tariff move lifts stocks to record high-The Express Tribune
Pakistan's stock market on Thursday shot up to a record high as the prime minister's announcement of a tariff reduction of Rs7.41 per unit to revitalise the industrial sector triggered investor interest in attractive companies. Click here to read…
