Author: lbostgadmin
Iran to have bigger budget despite 19 percent inflation amidst massive oil subsidies
TEHRAN, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday he was seeking a 17 percent spending increase in the budget for the next Iranian year, amid concerns the government’s expansionary policies are stoking inflation.Unveiling his budget plan to parliament, Ahmadinejad argued that ordinary people in OPEC’s number two oil producer needed to see […]
China defends sovereign wealth funds
BEIJING, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) – China defended the role of sovereign wealth funds, responding to fears that its own fund, China Investment Corp, might destabilise global markets, state media said Monday.It is in charge of 200 billion dollars — roughly one seventh of China’s forex reserves — and could potentially see even more funds […]
Maldive Island hopper jumps to India
January 07, 2008 (LBO) – The Republic Island of Maldives will resume international flights with state-run Island Aviation Services due to fly to the Indian city of Trivandrum later this month, officials said.Island Aviation Services (IAS), a domestic carrier, will operate daily schedule flights from January 25, using a turboprop DeHavilland Cananda ‘Dash8′ aircraft between […]
Sri Lankan Airlines less attractive without catering, ground handling: analysts
Jan 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Airlines is not an attractive opportunity for potential investors unless it comes with ground handling and catering, as airline operations alone were not very profitable, analysts said. (US$1=SLR 108.30) The Bloomberg newswire quoting presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga said a committee may be set up to look into options […]
Bunker Battle
Jan 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s army overran Tamil Tiger fortifications in north-western Mannar while also engaging them on two other fronts in clashes that killed 23 guerrillas and one soldier since Sunday, the military said. Media Center for National Security said fighting was reported on separate fronts in Mannar, north-central Vavuniya and the […]
Sri Lanka should fund sustainable agri changes instead of subsidies: think tank
Jan 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government should divert funds from agriculture subsidies to improving market linkages of rural farmers on the lines of successful models built by firms like Hayleys and MAS Tropical Food Processors, a new study said. The island has much potential to develop its spices sector mainly consisting of over […]
Sri Lanka bond yields fall, rupee gains against greenback
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government bonds rose on foreign buying and the rupee gained against the greenback to close at 108.30/40 Monday, dealers said. Bonds maturing in 15.03.09 which traded at yields as high as 19.85 fell to 19.30/40 levels in the secondary market. When yields fall the price of the bond […]
Sri Lanka scrapped peace deal donors to meet this week: report
Jan 06, 2007 (LBO) – Top donors to Sri Lanka who funded the island alongside a recently scrapped peace deal with the Tamil Tigers may meet this week to review their future course of action, a media report said. “It is likely that the Co-chairs would participate in a teleconference to review the situation that […]
‘s peace advisor quits
Jan 6, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s top advisor on the peace process quit Sunday, after the government scrapped an Oslo-brokered truce with Tamil Tiger rebels. Jayantha Dhanapala, a diplomat and former candidate for the post of UN secretary general who was appointed as peace advisor in December 2005, said he was […]
New Singapore terminal to bolster air hub status: analysts
SINGAPORE, Jan 6, 2008 (AFP) – Singapore will Wednesday open an ultra-modern new 1.2-billion-dollar airport terminal that industry analysts say will reinforce the city-state’s position as a regional aviation hub.Terminal 3, which boasts a five-storey vertical garden with waterfalls, will receive its first passengers just months after a new terminal opened in Hong Kong and […]
High oil price will last until March: OPEC president
ALGIERS, Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – The high price of oil will continue until the end of March 2008, the president of OPEC said Saturday.“The surge in price will probably endure until the end of the first quarter of 2008, before stabilising during the second quarter,” the Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil — who is […]