Neighborhood News Digest - 24 June 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Welcomes Appointment of Nicaragua's Non-Resident Ambassador-Tolo News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate welcomed the appointment of Nicaragua's non-resident ambassador to Afghanistan. In a statement, the ministry mentioned that the Islamic Emirate views the establishment of diplomatic relations with Nicaragua as a positive development and hopes for the expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries. Click here to read… [2]

Islamic Emirate Responds Affirmatively to Russian Call for Dialogue-Tolo News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate welcomed the recent remarks by the Russian foreign minister regarding ongoing and genuine dialogue with the caretaker government of Afghanistan. In a statement, the ministry said that the Islamic Emirate has always emphasized comprehensive and result-oriented dialogues on common issues with the world. Click here to read… [3]

Kabul Urges UN to Hand over Seat to Interim Govt- Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate said that by assigning Afghanistan's seat to the representative of the interim government, issues such as imposed sanctions, frozen funds, and negative perceptions against the interim government will be resolved. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that the allocation of Afghanistan's seat at the United Nations is the right of the interim government and should be given to its representative. Click here to read… [4]

Taliban to relocate TTP fighters from border to other provinces of Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

Reports say that the Taliban are planning to relocate members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from border areas to other provinces in Afghanistan. This decision comes after months of discussions between the Taliban, Pakistan, and China. According to sources, the Taliban in Afghanistan are working to move TTP fighters from areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, particularly in Khost province, to other provinces in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

ADB to lend $20.8b to Bangladesh in four years - The Daily Star

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expected to provide $20.8 billion in loans to Bangladesh in the next four years as the country looks to accelerate economic growth and attain the upper-middle-income status in less than a decade. Click here to read… [6]

Chinese Minister Liu Jianchao in Dhaka – The Daily Star

Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Liu Jianchao is visiting Bangladesh to discuss issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and China. Click here to read… [7]

Bangladesh-India ties: What direction are we heading towards? – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's second visit to India within the same month, which she labelled as unprecedented, stands out with the issuance of a "shared vision" instead of the usual joint statement, indicating a deeper level of cooperation. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Ministry in talks with Central Bank to lower lending rates: FM – Kuensel

The finance ministry and the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) are in talks to lower the lending rates, as directed by the Cabinet, finance minister, Lekey Dorji informed the National Assembly during the question-answer session on June 21. He added that the RMA is also coming with a comprehensive monetary policy. Questioning the minister on the high lending rates of financial institutions (FIs), Nanong-Shumar MP, Yeshey Jamtsho said that the bank’s lending rates have remained around 14 percent, while deposit rates have declined by more than three-quarters over the past two decades, resulting in substantial profits for FIs every year. Click here to read… [9]

Maldives

Foreign Minister Zameer travels to United States of America on an official trip – The Edition

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has left tonight for United States of America on an official trip during which deliberations will be held to further expand bilateral relations between Maldives and America. The Foreign Ministry said that the trip will last until July 27. During the trip, Minister Zameer will be meeting with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials of the State. Zameer will also be meeting with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power during his visit to Washington. Click here to read… [10]

Perishable goods to be imported to Addu city from India – Adhadhu

The import of perishable goods to Addu city from India is due to begin in July, the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has said. Efforts by MPL and the Hithadhoo regional port to ensure steady imports of perishable cargo needed by the people of Addu city have been successful, as stated by MPL CEO Mohamed Wajeeh. The service will become available from July 1 onward, Wajeeh assured. Goods will be transported to Addu city through India's Phoenix Group, the largest importer of perishable goods to the Maldives, MPL informed the media. Trips have been planned for a cargo boat to arrive in Addu city every 10 or 15 days, CEO Wajeeh said. Click here to read… [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar civil war: Bangladesh must be firm about territorial integrity - Bangi News

M Humayun Kabir, president of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and a former ambassador, talks to Tamanna Khan of The Daily Star about the implication of the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state between the country's military and the Arakan Army. It is a very complex and difficult situation because we have a problem with the Rohingya population that have taken shelter in Bangladesh. We have been bearing their responsibility for the last seven years. On top of that, a new problem has cropped up: the internal conflict in Myanmar that has now come to our border. Click here to read… [12]

EU boosts aid by €15 million for Myanmar’s internally displaced persons and refugees abroad - Asia News Network

The European Union (EU) announced on June 20 that it will provide an additional €15 million to help those who have fled their homes in the country and Myanmar refugees abroad due to the rise of armed conflicts in Myanmar. The additional €15 million will provide urgently needed food, clean drinking water, emergency health aid and clear dangerous landmines for those who have fled their homes due to the armed conflict, said the EU. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar earns USD1.19B from agricultural export - Borneo Bulletin

Myanmar earned USD1.19 billion from agricultural product export in almost three months of the current fiscal year 2024-25, according to the Ministry of Commerce yesterday. Between April 1 and June 14 this year, the figure increased from USD731 million reported during the same period last year, according to the ministry’s data. The Southeast Asian country mainly exports agricultural products, animal products, marine products, minerals, forest products and manufacturing goods. Click here to read… [14]

Myanmar records trade surplus of $109.633 million in current fiscal year - Eleven Myanmar

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar's foreign trade sector generated a trade surplus of US$109.633 million by June 14 of the current fiscal year. From April 1 to June 14 of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Myanmar's exports were valued at $2,919.539 million, while imports amounted to $2,809.906 million, resulting in a total trade volume of $5,729.445 million. Among these, exports exceeded imports by $109.633 million, leading to the reported trade surplus. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal

Economic Impact of Indian Labour Migration in Nepal

The movement of labor across international borders is a significant phenomenon in today's globalized world, with profound economic implications for both sending and receiving countries. One such noteworthy migration pattern is the flow of Indian labor into Nepal, which has far-reaching consequences for Nepal's economy, society, and the individuals involved. Click here to read… [16]

Chinese Vice Minister Sun arriving on Monday - Kathmandu Post

Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong is arriving in Kathmandu on Monday on a three-day official visit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday that Sun will attend the 16th meeting of the Nepal-China Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism, which is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Click here to read… [17]

Nepal’s Ambassador To The United Kingdom, Lokdarshan Regmi, Has Been Nominated As The New Nepalese Ambassador To India - Orissa Diary

Nepal’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Lokdarshan Regmi, has been nominated as the new Nepalese ambassador to India. Nepal has nominated ambassadors for eight countries, including India, a little over two weeks after recalling the incumbents. Regmi has earlier held positions of Home Secretary, Finance Secretary and Secretary at the Ministry of Land Reform and Management.Earlier on June 6, the Nepal government had recalled ambassadors from 11 countries, including those serving in India and the US and appointed under the Nepali Congress’ quota, three months after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ terminated his alliance with the party and joined hands with former prime minister KP Sharma Oli. Click here to read… [18]

Pakistan

Breakthrough as PML-N accepts most of PPP’s Punjab-centric demands-Dawn

The PPP, which is unhappy with the PML-N government on several issues, on Sunday said the latter has accepted most of its demands, including bringing an end to political victimisation of its workers and holding of local bodies’ elections in Punjab at an early date. Talking to Dawn, PML-N leader and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan confirmed that his party had accepted most of the PPP’s demands. Click here to read… [19]

Parliament to debate operation Azm-e-Istehkam-The Express Tribune

The government is going to offer an in-camera briefing to parliament on a new military operation against terrorists, as the opposition lawmakers on Sunday mounted a strong protest in the National Assembly, asserting that the parameters of the offensive should be set in parliament. Click here to read… [20]

Islamabad to re-engage with Kabul-The Express Tribune

Pakistan will mount fresh diplomatic efforts to persuade the interim Afghan Taliban government to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries as part of the new plan approved by the country’s civil and military leadership, people familiar with development revealed on Sunday. Click here to read… [21]

Punjab restricts NAB’s direct inquiry powers-The Express Tribune

In a significant development, the provincial government in Punjab has stopped the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from directly initiating inquiries against government officers. All complaints received by NAB will first be referred to the Accountability Facilitation Cell, recently established at Punjab’s Civil Secretariat. The secretariat will refer the complaint to the relevant department for an internal inquiry and then send its report to the cell, which will forward it to NAB. Click here to read… [22]

Sri Lanka

Political rhetoric on IMF programme to ease post-election: Ruchir Desai – Daily Mirror

Given the current economic realities, a top fund manager speculated that any political rhetoric on the IMF programme during the election campaign trail in Sri Lanka is likely to tone down once elections are concluded. Click here to read… [23]

SJB to take action against Fonseka this week – Daily Mirror

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to take disciplinary action against its Chairman Sarath Fonseka this week, Party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday. Click here to read… [24]

President to address nation on economic reforms – Daily Mirror

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will address the nation on Wednesday, June 26, to brief on the country's economic challenges and provide an update on the foreign debt restructuring efforts. Click here to read… [25]