VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 28, 2022

Afghanistan

Afghan Exports Surge in Past Three Months: Tolo News

Afghanistan’s exports doubled over the past three months compared to the same period in previous years, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said. According to the ACCI, during the first three months of the solar year of 1401, exports exceeded $400 millionClick here to read... [2]

Second Phase of Kajaki Power Dam Completed: Tolo News

The second phase of the Kajaki power dam, now providing 100 megawatts of power, was inaugurated on Wednesday with senior officials of the Islamic Emirate and a top Turkish diplomat attending. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan Economic Stabilization World Interest: U.S. Envoy: The Khaama Press

The United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West said that the United States is ready to support dialogue among Afghans, exclaiming such is the “world’s interest to stay focused on Afghanistan economic stabilizationClick here to read... [4]

German FM Says ‘Every Human Right Has Been Taken From Women and Girls in Afghanistan’: The Khaama Press

Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan is experiencing the “biggest women’s rights violations on Earth,” according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. German media reported on Tuesday, July 26, that Annalena Baerbock, the foreign minister of Germany, had said that the Taliban’s rule over Afghanistan was a unique instance of egregious human rights abuses. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Solar irrigation pumps prove a boon for farmers- The Daily Star

Farmers who depend on rainwaters to grow Aman paddy in Dinajpur have been left distraught from early July owing to a drought-like situation in the absence of rains. Click here to read... [6]

Land crisis key barrier- The Daily Star

Scarcity of land is the main obstacle to establishing playgrounds and parks in the capital, said Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh yesterday. Click here to read... [7]

Govt may not remove interest rate caps- The Daily Star

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday indicated that the government would be unwilling to remove the interest rate cap on loans and deposits, which is expected to be a condition tagged by the International Monetary Fund with its support package. Click here to read... [8]

Barapukuria mine: Coal production resumes after three month- The Daily Star

Production at Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) resumed yesterday after three months. Click here to read... [9]

Forex reserves enough for 6-9 months’ food import: PM- The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh would be able to meet six to nine months' food import expenditures with its current forex reserves. Click here to read... [10]

“No shortage in fuel stock, don’t pay heed to rumours”- The Daily Star

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid has called upon the public to not pay heed to any rumours regarding shortage in fuel stock in the country. Click here to read... [11]

Preferential Trade Agreement among D-8 to be operational by October- The Daily Star

Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) among the D-8 countries is going to be operational by October this year, which could significantly boost trade in the bloc. Click here to read... [12]

Bhutan

Supreme Court orders 7 workshop operators to vacate in 6 months- Kuensel

After nearly three years of litigations at various courts, the Supreme Court on July 20 finally decided that seven automobile workshop operators at Olakaha, Thimphu, have to vacate the properties. Click here to read... [13]

Health ministry vigilant against monkeypox- Kuensel

With international borders opening for visitors from September 23, Bhutan strengthened its surveillance against monkeypox spread, according to officials of the health ministry. Click here to read... [14]

Fuel price increases- Kuensel

Petrol price increased by Nu 1.57 per litre and diesel by chhetrum 59 per litre from midnight after the independent fuel pricing committee reviewed the appeal on the domestic fuel price model. Click here to read... [15]

More than 3,500 holders of tourism licenses must compete- Bhutan Times

In order to compete, more than 3,500 licensed operators will need to offer high-quality services, programs, and facilities while providing tourists autonomy over their itineraries. Click here to read... [16]

Maldives

Maldives government's economic measures are good: IMF - Avas

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised the Maldives government's efforts to improve the country's reserves. A delegation from IMF visited the Maldives in late June to assess the country's economic situation. Click here to read... [17]

Maldives added to Indonesia's on-arrival visa list - Raajje

The government of Indonesia has added Maldives to the list of countries granted visa-on-arrival. This was revealed by the Immigration department of Indonesia. The authority revealed that with the addition of Maldives to the list of countries granted on-arrival visa by the country, the list currently includes 75 countries. Click here to read... [18]

A Single Use Plastics Free Maldives: Turning the Tide of Waste into Wealth - YouTube

Poorly managed plastic waste is threatening the marine ecosystem and economy of the Maldives, with over 860 metric tons of waste—the majority plastic—generated daily. In response, the government has adopted a waste to wealth approach, shifting from a linear “use and dispose” system of waste management to a circular economy. Two World Bank-financed projects, also supported by PROBLUE, have been helping the country develop a sustainable waste management system, build capacity, and teach youth to lay the groundwork for a cleaner and safer Maldives. Click here to read... [19]

Myanmar

Myanmar Regime’s Brutality Began Long Before The Coup – Analysis - Eurasia Review

For over a year, members of the Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military, have been fighting a civil war against the country’s people. After the overthrow in 2021 of the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, remnants of her party, the National League for Democracy, and armed groups it is linked to under the umbrella People’s Defense Force, have been leading a tenacious resistance against the junta. Click here to read... [20]

Asean must recognise hard truths about Myanmar - NST

THE Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) next week will see more discussions on one of its most intractable conundrums — how the regional organisation manages its relationship with Myanmar's military junta, which is murdering its own dissenting population. Click here to read... [21]

Asean foreign ministers urged to keep Rohingya issue in sight - Malaysia Now
The special envoy of the United Nations secretary-general on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer has urged Asean foreign ministers to keep the Rohingya issue high on their agendas, highlighting as well the community's need for education to prevent a "lost generation". Click here to read... [22]

In Myanmar and abroad, anti-junta protests continue after executions of four pro-democracy activists - France 24

The executions of four pro-democracy activists in Myanmar by the military junta not only attracted international condemnation but also fuelled anti-junta demonstrations that have been taking place in the country since early 2021. The FRANCE 24 Observers spoke to demonstrators in Myanmar and abroad for whom the junta’s brutality only served as a catalyst for their determination to achieve democracy. Click here to read... [23]

Nepal

Monetary Policy to uplift economy, but has its own challenges: CBFIN- Himalayan Times

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has taken into consideration the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, various world events, country's economic indicators and aspirations of the general public. Click here to read... [24]

President appoints ambassadors to various countries- Himalayan Times

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has appointed ambassadors of Nepal to various countries in accordance with Article 282 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal and on the recommendation Of the Council of Ministers. Click here to read... [25]

Top American official arriving today amid row over US State Partnership Program- Kathmandu Post

Donald Lu, who played a crucial role in the passage of MCC compact, is visiting Kathmandu weeks after Nepal’s decision not to participate in the SPP. Click here to read... [26]

Nepal’s import of agricultural products jumps more than double to around Rs 379 billion in the past seven years- Republica

Nepal imported agriculture products worth Rs 378.60 billion in 2021/22, which was Rs 55 billion more than the import expenses on the headings of the previous year. Click here to read... [27]

Living with climate anxiety- Nepali Times

Coming to terms with climate inaction and hypocrisy, while working professionally to avert a global emergency. Click here to read... [28]

Pakistan

Pakistan's current account deficit swells to $17.4bn: Dawn

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday reported that the country recorded a CAD of $17.406bn in FY22 compared to a gap of just $2.82bn in FY21.
The massive CAD speaks a lot about the severe problem of the balance of payments. The PML-N-led coalition government posted a CAD of $4.323bn in the April-June period of 2021-22, which was the second highest quarterly deficit of the fiscal year that ended on June 30. Click here to read... [29]

Petroleum levy set to rise on IMF demand: The Express Tribune

Pakistan was ready to meet the remaining one prior condition of a further increase in the levy on all petroleum products that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had set for calling the board meeting to revive the programme, said Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Wednesday. Click here to read... [30]

Pakistani clerics, Afghan PM discuss bilateral ties in Kabul: The Express Tribune

A delegation of Pakistani religious scholars, headed by Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani, on Wednesday met acting Afghan prime minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund at the Arg Palace. Mufti Usmani conveyed to the Afghan premier that “Afghanistan and Pakistan are two Islamic countries and called for solidarity and good relations between the two neighbours. Click here to read... [31]

Can talk with TTP and Baloch, Sindhi nationalists but not with thieves: Imran Khan: The News

PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan Thursday said he could talk to the banned terrorist outfit TTP and Baloch and Sindhi nationalists but the day “you strike a deal with thieves, the entire society comes crashing down.” He expressed these views while addressing the main thanksgiving function on a video link at the F-9 Park here. Click here to read... [32]

PDM will deliberate on Nawaz proposal for quitting govt forthwith: The News

The Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDA) in its summit meeting today (Thursday) will deliberate the suggestion put up by Quaid of the PML-N Nawaz Sharif for quitting the government at the earliest and make movement for holding fresh poll in the country. Click here to read... [33]

Sri Lanka

Foreign financial assistance sought to electrify Kelani Valley railway line- The Daily Mirror

Amid the growing demand for public transport, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardane is planning to seek foreign funds to electrify the Kelani Valley (KV) railway line. Click here to read... [34]

Demanding to dissolve parliament- The Daily Mirror

The Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC) today staged a protest opposite the Fort Railway station under the theme "Allow new public opinion' and demanded to dissolve the parliament. Click here to read... [35]

Parliament approves emergency regulations- The Daily Mirror

The emergency regulations declared by the then Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe were approved in Parliament today with 120 MPs voting for it and 63 against. Click here to read... [36]

US Amb. meets President to discuss SL’s economic and political crisis- The Daily Mirror

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said that she met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss how Sri Lanka arrived to this point of economic and political crisis, and how they can work together to navigate towards a brighter future for all. Click here to read... [37]

Dinouk Colombage appointed Director, Int’l Affairs at President’s Office- The Daily Mirror

Journalist Dinouk Colombage has been appointed as the Director, International Affairs at the President's Office, the President's Office said today. Click here to read... [38]