Afghanistan
Ministry: Afghanistan-Kyrgyzstan Trade Reached $66M in 1403-Tolo News
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced that Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan recorded $66 million in trade during the past solar year (1403). Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, emphasized that $7 million of this figure represents Afghan exports, while the remaining amount was imports. Click here to read...
Russian Companies Considering Investment in Afghan Gold, Emerald Mines-Tolo News
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced that several Russian investors have expressed interest in investing in Afghanistan's mineral resources. During a meeting with the deputy minister of policy at the ministry, the Russian company representatives stated their intention to invest particularly in gold panning and emerald mining in Afghanistan. Click here to read...
Islamic Emirate, Qatar Discuss Joint Anti-Narcotics Cooperation-Tolo News
Abdulhaq Akhund, deputy minister for counter-narcotics at the Ministry of Interior, met with officials from Qatar’s Ministry of Interior during his visit to the country. According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the two sides exchanged views and held discussions on bilateral cooperation in the fight against narcotics and drug control. Click here to read...
China to invest $50 million in Vehicle Manufacturing Plant in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press
A Chinese company plans to invest $50 million in Afghanistan to build a vehicle manufacturing plant, creating thousands of jobs. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the interim administrtaion has announced a major investment in the country’s automotive sector. A Chinese investor plans to invest $50 million to establish a vehicle manufacturing plant in Afghanistan. Click here to read...
Bhutan
Bhutan showcases GNH at World Expo 2025 in Japan – Kuensel
The Bhutan Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Yumeshima, Osaka, Japan saw over 10, 000 visitors in the first weeks. Bhutan is taking part in the Expo at the invitation of the Government of Japan. The event brought together diverse perspectives, foster collaborations, and generate innovative solutions to address global challenges. Click here to read...
GovTech to train 400,000 Bhutanese in digital skills by 2029 – Kuensel
Bhutan will roll out an ambitious digital literacy initiative this fiscal year to equip more than 400,000 Bhutanese with essential digital skills and the ability to safely navigate online services by 2029. The programme will deliver targeted training in key sectors and offer globally recognised certifications. GovTech agency, which is spearheading the initiative, said that in addition to in-person training, new online learning platforms are in development to ensure nationwide access to digital skilling resources. Click here to read...
Maldives
US and Maldives begin joint military exercise – Adhadhu
The US Montana National Guard and the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) have launched the fifth edition of the joint military exercise, "Black Marlin." The ceremony was inaugurated by MNDF Marine Corps Commander Brigadier General Abdullah Zuhry. US Ambassador to the Maldives Hugo Yon and Montana National Guard Adjutant General Major General Peter Hronek also attended the ceremony. The exercises will continue from today until May 27. "This edition will include five SMEE (Subject Matter Expert Exchange) programs. These include intelligence, logistics, medical, EOD, and infantry-related SMEE," the MNDF said. Click here to read...
President Muizzu Discusses Strengthening Economic Ties with President of MBS Global Investments – PSM News
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has discussed the enduring diplomatic ties between Maldives and Qatar with the President of MBS Global Investments Co. LLC, Nayef bin Eid Al Thani. Sheikh Nayef bin Eid Al Thani, a member of Qatar’s royal family, paid a courtesy call on President Muizzu at the President’s Office on Monday. During the call, the President highlighted the strong diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Qatar, built on close friendship, mutual respect and goodwill and stable development cooperation. At the conclusion of the call, both leaders expressed their hope to see collaboration between the Maldives International Financial Centre (MIFC) and MBS Global Investments grow and strengthen in the future. MBS Global Investments is a Dubai-based investment firm that focuses on collaborative investments across various sectors. The firm is leading a USD 8.8 billion initiative to develop MIFC. Click here to read...
Myanmar
US Sanctions the Myanmar Militia Linked to Cyber Scam Centres – Reuters
The United States imposed sanctions on Monday on a Myanmar warlord, his two sons and the militia he leads, for facilitating cyber scams, human trafficking and cross-border smuggling, the Treasury Department said. The Treasury said the warlord, Saw Chit Thu, is a central figure in a network of illicit and highly lucrative cyberscam operations targeting Americans. Hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked by criminal gangs across Southeast Asia in recent years and forced to work in the scam operations, according to the United Nations. Click here to read...
Chinese-brokered talks between Myanmar junta and Ta’ang army end in deadlock for second time – Myanmar Now
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said that Chinese-brokered talks with Myanmar’s military have broken down for the second time over demands that the group withdraw from five towns in northern Shan State that it captured last year. During the meeting, held in China’s Yunnan Province on April 28 and 29, the TNLA was told that it would have to pull out of the five towns—Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Mongmit, Mogok, and Hsipaw—as a condition of any deal. “The negotiation ended as we are unable to comply with their demand,” a spokesperson from ethnic Ta’ang armed group told Myanmar Now on Friday, adding that another meeting would be held at the end of August. Click here to read...
Pakistan
Pakistan-India tensions hit tourism in AJK valley-Dawn
Hotels are empty and roads deserted at the start of what is normally peak tourist season amidst the towering peaks and lush valleys of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as the threat of attack from India looms. High season in the cooler climes of the Neelum Valley, the tourist centre of AJK, begins in May as temperatures around the rest of the country rise. Click here to read...
Finance minister departs for London to meet British officials and investors-The Express Tribune
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, has departed for a three-day official visit to London aimed at deepening economic ties, attracting foreign investment, and engaging with British government officials, global financial institutions, and business leaders. During his stay, the finance minister is scheduled to address several investment forums and seminars, where he will present a clear and updated picture of Pakistan’s economic outlook, Express News reported. Click here to read...
Chenab parched after India reduces flows manifold-Dawn
NEARLY a week after its unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, India on Monday virtually stopped water discharges from the Chenab River into Pakistan without prior notice, reducing flows in the river manifold. Water flows in the Chenab, recorded at the Marala headworks, decreased from up to 35,000 cusecs on Sunday to about 3,100 cusecs on Monday morning. Click here to read...
