Author: lbostgadmin
” in South Asia
NEW DELHI, September 7, 2010 (AFP) – China is seeking to expand its influence in South Asia and gain a “foothold” in the region, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in remarks published Tuesday. “China would like to have a foothold in South Asia and we have to reflect on this reality,” Singh was quoted […]
” says watchdog head
NEW DELHI, September 8, 2010 (AFP) – Almost one-third of Indians are “utterly corrupt” and half are “borderline”, the outgoing head of the country’s corruption watchdog has said, blaming increased wealth for much of the problem. Pratyush Sinha, who retired as India’s Central Vigilance Commissioner this week, said the worst part of his “thankless job” […]
Bangladesh exports soar as orders shift from China: industry
DHAKA, September 8, 2010 (AFP) – Bangladesh said Wednesday exports leapt more than 25 percent year on year in July, with manufacturers linking the jump to a shift in orders from China to the low-cost South Asian country. In July, the first month of its financial year, Bangladesh shipped 1.82 billion dollars of goods — […]
Rate Trends
Sept 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank does not see a need to cut rates next week, following two rates cuts over two months, a media report has suggested. In 2009 private credit shrank as the government ran a deficit of around 10 percent of gross domestic product. The government has promised to […]
Sri Lankan stocks close up 1.32-pct
Sept 08, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks rallied and passed the 5,900 points mark Wednesday, from price gains on index heavy John Keells Holdings (JKH), Hatton National Bank (HNB), Commercial Bank and Distilleries Company, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 5,962.62, up 1.32 percent (77.63 points) while the more liquid Milanka […]
Sri Lanka investment agency awaits tax policy in budget
Sept 07, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state investment promotion agency is waiting for the harmonization of a tax regime in the island following a budget later this year and it is also likely to undershoot an investment target for the year, an official said. Sri Lanka has a bloated state sector, with more than […]
‘s third-term bid
September 7, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Mahinda Rajapakse to run for a third term in office, saying the constitution can be changed by a vote in parliament, officials said Tuesday. Rajapakse, who oversaw the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels last year after decades of civil […]
India to sell stakes in two energy companies
NEW DELHI, September 6, 2010 (AFP) – India said Monday it aims to sell stakes in two more state-run energy firms as part of its plans to speed reforms and raise funds to combat poverty. The Congress-led government is looking to sell 10 percent of its stake in Indian Oil Corp and a five-percent stake […]
Erratic global weather threatens food security: experts
STOCKHOLM , September 7, 2010 (AFP) – The drought in Russia and floods in Pakistan are part of a global trend of unpredictable weather patterns and rainfall that threaten food security, experts gathered in Stockholm said. Pointing out that there have been periods of extreme weather patterns before, he said: “These kinds of fluctuations are […]
Shock Absorber
Sept 07, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will increase minimum capital requirements of banks to increase their resilience to shocks and also require unlisted private banks to list on the Colombo bourse, the Central Bank said. This was to meet “the need for enhancing the ability of banks to raise additional capital in a more […]
Easier Access
Sept 07, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Customs department has doubled the number of gates at Colombo port to four to ease congestion and speed up the flow of cargo, a Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) official said. Truckers have had to wait for lengthy periods to move in and out of the port because […]
Sri Lankan stocks close up 0.45-pct
Sept 07, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks recovered Tuesday, from high investor interest on hotel sector shares, while large private deals on John Keells Hotels and Aitken Spence boosted turnover to almost six billion rupees, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 5,884.99, up 0.45 percent (26.45 points) while the more liquid […]