Neighborhood News Digest - 30 September 2024

Afghanistan

World Bank Provides $1.7 Billion in Aid to Afghanistan-Tolo News

The World Bank said that it has provided $1.7 billion in aid to Afghanistan since August 2021. In its latest report, the World Bank added that key projects in Afghanistan include community stability and livelihood, emergency health response, emergency food security, support for civil society organizations' capacities, and empowerment of small loans. Click here to read... [2]

Afghan Business Council in UAE Holds Meeting on Economy, Employment-Tolo News

The Afghan Business Council in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that on the second day of their meeting, discussions were held regarding the economy and how to create job opportunities for the country’s citizens. Haji Obaidullah Sader Khail, head of the Afghan business council in the UAE, highlighted that holding such meetings is crucial for solving the country’s economic challenges. Click here to read... [3]

Farmers Struggle with Lack of Market in Kabul-Tolo News

Farmers who have brought their products from various provinces to Kabul for sale are complaining about the lack of a suitable market. Our main market should be towards Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, but unfortunately, those countries do not buy from us. Pakistan, which does buy from us, has problems; customs duties are high, and the routes are closed." Click here to read... [4]

UNAMA’s New Political Deputy arrives in Kabul to begin duties-The Khaama Press

The United Nations has announced that Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA’s new political deputy, has arrived in Kabul to begin her duties. This Canadian lawyer was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres earlier this month as the political deputy of the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Prof Yunus expresses resolve for quick reform, election – Prothom Alo

Chief adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed his determination to quickly advance reform and hold an election. Prof Yunus made the remarks in an interview with Tokyo based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York, where he went to attend the United Nations General Assembly, it reports on Sunday. Click here to read... [6]

Distressed loans soar to a record Tk 4.75 lakh cr – The Daily Star

Distressed loans at banks totalled over Tk 4.75 lakh crore at the end of 2023 – a revelation that makes for a sobering read of the actual health of this vital sector of the economy. The distressed loans amounted to almost 32 percent of the total outstanding loans of about Tk 15 lakh crore as of December 2023. The sum is a nearly Tk 1 lakh crore or 26 percent jump from a year earlier and close to the operating expenditure of the 2023-24 national budget. Click here to read... [7]

India cold-shoulders latest move by Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan to revive SAARC – Deccan Herald

Just a few weeks before the UN General Assembly, the chief advisor of the new interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, called for the revival of the SAARC. He had even stated in an interview with a news agency that he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would try to get the leaders of all the SAARC nations together in New York for a photo-op. Modi, however, returned to New Delhi after visiting Delaware in New York even before Yunus landed in the US, therefore his plan to have a photo-op of the SAARC leaders fell flat. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

BCCI highlights its role in economic revival post-Covid-Kuensel

The Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) highlighted significant milestones in private sector development during its 36th annual general meeting in Thimphu on September 27. BCCI President Tandy Wangchuk highlighted BCCI’s role in securing loan deferment for the private sector after Covid-19 to help in the economic recovery. Click here to read... [9]

Waste water treatment goes high-tech in Thimphu- Kuensel

As part of the Green Infrastructure and Open Spaces Plan under the new Thimphu Structure Plan, efforts are underway to transform the old sewerage ponds into a recreational or ecological park. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Advisor from US Committee to assess "threat" from Chinese Communist Party briefed on security interests of diplomatic partners– Adhadhu

Senior Advisor for Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Caroline Vik has arrived in Male' where she was briefed on the security interests of Maldives' diplomatic partners. Vik met with Deputy Minister of Defense Mizna Ali on September 1. She was accompanied by a three-member team and US Ambassador Hugo Yon. "Discussions focused on the economic, social and security interests and perspectives of the Maldives and its diplomatic partners," the Ministry of Defense said in a post on X. Click here to read... [11]

Pres Dr. Muizzu invites New Zealand investors to the Maldives– Avas

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has invited New Zealand investors to invest in the Maldives’ Special Economic Zone. The President extended the invitation during a meeting with New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Racing, Winston Peters, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. During the meeting, the President and the Deputy Prime Minister discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries, such as strengthening bilateral relations and trade. Click here to read... [12]

Pakistan

Lawyers call upon judges to ‘boycott constitutional court’-Dawn

Over 300 senior lawyers from across the country have urged judges of the superior judiciary not to become part of any proposed constitutional court even if such a bill is passed by parliament. Click here to read... [13]

Muttahida hints at quitting NA if quota system extended-Dawn

In an open warning to the government, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan on Sunday made it clear that it sees no use in staying in the parliament if controversial quota system is extended for another 20 years. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan ‘stands with Lebanon’ after Nasrallah’s assassination-Dawn

As Pakistan urged the United Nations to restrain Israel from ‘adventurism’ and violations of international law, thousands of people took to the streets across the country to protest the killing of Hassan Nasrallah — the Hezbollah leader who perished in an Israeli air strike in Beirut last week. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Japan to resume 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka - Daily Mirror

The Japanese government has pledged to resume the construction of 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka and has promised full support for the new government's development programme, the President Media Division (PMD) said. Ambassador Mizukoshi made these remarks during a meeting with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (26). Click here to read... [16]

General Election: Prez releases Rs. 11 Bn – Daily Mirror

The general election is expected to be held on November 14 2024 while the final day of nominations will be October 4. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has released Rs 11 billion for the general elections, Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake said yesterday. Click here to read... [17]

Political Maturity? Ranil’s Honourable Exit and NPP’s Reciprocal Approach – Daily Mirror

Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Executive Committee member of the National People’s Power, appeared on a TV talk show last Tuesday, where he expressed appreciation for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts in leaving the Treasury in a stable financial condition. Abeysinghe noted that Wickremesinghe’s prudent fiscal management ensured that the incoming administration, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, would have adequate financial resources to maintain government operations without facing immediate economic difficulties. Click here to read... [18]