Neighborhood News Digest- 08 July 2024

Afghanistan

Changes in Govt Positions Announced by Islamic Emirate-Tolo News

Based on the decree of the leader of the Islamic Emirate, officials of various departments have been changed. Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, called the changes in governance a routine process and said these changes have been made to improve the work process. Click here to read... [2]

Islamic Emirate Seeks to Strengthen Ties with Iran under New Leadership-Tolo News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate has expressed hope that with the inauguration of the new president in Iran, relations between Kabul and Tehran will be strengthened and expanded in various areas. In a statement, the ministry also congratulated the citizens of Iran on the election of their new President. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan: Electronic ID Distribution Center opens in UAE- The Khaama Press

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan has announced the opening of an electronic ID distribution center in the United Arab Emirates. According to a press release on Sunday, July 7, the authority inaugurated the center in Abu Dhabi. Click here to read... [4]

President Emomali Rahmon emphasizes development of China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan transport corridor-The Khaama Press

President Emomali Rahman of Tajikistan has emphasized that the development of transport corridors between China, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan will enhance regional connectivity and trade. According to reports, President Rahman made these remarks on Monday, July 7, during a press conference following his meeting with Xi Jinping, the President of China. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Dhaka, Beijing to ink 20 MoUs but loan deal unlikely - The Daily Star

Dhaka and Beijing will sign around 20 MoUs, including some on trade and economic cooperations, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to China that begins today. Click here to read... [6]

Annual inflation hits 12-year high despite easing in June – The Daily Star

The annual average price spike in Bangladesh surged to its highest level in 12 years in the just-concluded fiscal year despite easing in June, reflecting the persistent erosion of real income and the deterioration of the living standards of low-income groups. Click here to read... [7]

PM Hasina leaves for China on Monday – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to leave for Beijing on Monday, marking her first visit to China after securing a fourth consecutive term in office, to elevate the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and China to a “new level”. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Indian businesses explore investments in Bhutan through Gelephu Mindfulness City - Bhutan Broadcasting Services

Indian businesses are exploring opportunities to expand investments in Bhutan through the Gelephu Mindfulness City. They are also keen on establishing data centres in Bhutan. These were discussed during a meeting between a 28-member delegation from the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Bhutanese business owners on Tuesday. The networking event organised by the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) also discussed measures to further enhance trade between the two countries. The members of the Indian delegation come from diverse sectors such as real estate, media, horticulture, healthcare, education and food processing among others. Click here to read... [9]

Government to work with telecom operators to reduce charges by 50 per cent this fiscal year – Bhutan Broadcasting Services

Telecommunication costs in the country are higher compared to neighbouring countries. To address this, the government will work with the two telecom operators to reduce talk time costs, data charges, and internet rates by 50 per cent within this fiscal year. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay shared this during the National Assembly’s question hour session. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan to host global thought leaders at Bhutan Innovation Forum centred on GMC this October – The Bhutanese

The Inaugural Bhutan Innovation Forum is set to be held at Dungkar Dzong in Pangbisa from 1-3 October, 2024. It will bring together the world’s most eminent thought-leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, philosophers, scientists, philanthropists, and investors to build pathways for impact in Bhutan. Guided by a shared commitment to mindfulness, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability, the Forum will serve as an incubator of innovations in digital technology, ecology and environment, education, health, urban planning, economic transformation and aesthetic appreciation in Bhutan and beyond. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Pres. Muizzu congratulates UK’s PM-elect and Labor Party following election win – Sun International

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has congratulated UK’s Prime Minister-elect Keir Starmer and the Labor Party following their landslide victory in the general elections. The President, in his congratulatory post on X, expressed confidence that UK will see a new dawning of prosperity under Starmer’s leadership. He also expressed eagerness to work closely to enhance the existing close ties between the UK and the Maldives and address global challenges. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

Junta under pressure as fierce fighting breaks out in northeastern Myanmar -The Hindu

New fighting has broken out in northeastern Myanmar, bringing an end to a Chinese-brokered ceasefire and putting pressure on the military regime as it faces attacks from resistance forces on multiple fronts in the country’s civil war. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar, China to promote cooperation in partnership relations and multi-strategic cooperation- GNLM

Myanmar and China discussed cooperation in taking full security for ensuring peace and stability in border regions and implementation of relevant projects between two countries. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

New coalition for economic drive: Chair Oli – Nepal News

CPN UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said the new coalition was for giving a boost to the national economy that has been dented for some time. He made it clear that UML was forming a new government with NC as a ruling partner so that national economy could be revived. During his address to the parliamentary party meeting held at parliament building, New Baneshwor on Sunday, Chairman Oli argued it is a national need to intensify development works, for which coalition government with NC was required. Click here to read... [15]

PM decides to seek confidence vote on July 12 – Nepal News

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is to seek a vote of confidence on July 12. The Prime Minister today dispatched a letter to the Federal Parliament Secretariat about his preparations for seeking the confidence vote on July 12, urging the Secretariat to make arrangements towards that end accordingly. The Prime Minister chose to seek the confidence vote with the major coalition partner CPN (UML) withdrawing its support to the CPN (Maoist Centre)-led government on July 3 following its July 1 agreement with the Nepali Congress to form a new government. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

ECP ‘modification’ of poll-related records raises questions-Dawn

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently ‘modified’ the results of at least 41 national and provincial assembly constituencies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by updating the Form 45s stored on its official Google Drive. Although it is not clear what modifications have been made to the documents, the move has raised questions on the transparency of the electoral process, especially at a time when several disputes have been placed before election tribunals for adjudication. Click here to read... [17]

Hike in taxes ‘must to break IMF bailout cycle’-The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has warned that the country would continue seeking financial assistance packages from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if the government failed to significantly boost its tax revenues. Click here to read... [18]

Supplementary grants hit record amid ‘austerity’-Dawn

As parliament authorised the federal government on June 28 to impose over Rs1.7 trillion in additional taxes for the current fiscal year, it was also compelled to retrospectively approve a record Rs9.4tr for expenditure overruns and re-appropriations, nearly five times more than the previous year’s amount. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka must create a conducive environment for rating upgrade: Semasinghe – Daily Mirror

With the completion of three key steps in its debt restructuring— the finalisation of Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO), inking agreements with the Official Creditor Committee and China Exim Bank, and reaching consensus with bondholders—Sri Lanka is now poised for a rating upgrade. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka’s sea bed expansion bid hits snag - Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s bid for the extension of its continental shelf beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone has hit a snag since India has also made overlapping claims prompting both the countries to seek bilateral engagement for the resolution of it, a top source said. Click here to read... [21]

US$ 8bn debt relief paves way for Sri Lanka to pursue new economic direction: Prez – Daily Star

As Sri Lanka secures US$ 8 billion in debt relief, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the island nation is now free to pursue a new economic direction. To achieve positive growth, the necessary legal framework has been submitted to parliament to create an export-oriented economy, he said, emphasising that Sri Lanka’s economic challenges have stemmed from an import-oriented approach. Click here to read... [22]