Category: South Asia
India plans expanded missile export drive, with China on its mind
June 9 (Reuters) – India has stepped up efforts to sell an advanced cruise missile system to Vietnam and has at least 15 more markets in its sights, a push experts say reflects concerns in New Delhi about China’s growing military assertiveness. Selling the supersonic BrahMos missile, made by an Indo-Russian joint venture, would mark […]
La Nina may give India heavy monsoon, Sri Lanka expects usual monsoon
May 25, 2016 (LBO) – India may have the highest monsoon rainfall in 22 years with La Nina on the cards, according to a private weather forecaster, boosting agricultural production and easing a shortage of drinking water. Although the prediction by Skymet Weather Services Pvt., a New Delhi-based private forecaster, is higher than the forecast […]
India to turn Iranian port into transit hub bypassing Pakistan
May 24, 2016 (LBO) – India, Iran and Afghanistan have signed a tripartite agreement to turn the Iranian Chabahar port into a transit hub bypassing Pakistan, foreign media reported. The agreement will significantly increase the use of Chabahar port and connect India to Central Asia through Afghanistan and also provide Afghanistan access to India through […]
‘s Lagarde
New Delhi, Mar 12, 2016 (LBO) – Even-greater trade integration can support more sustained growth, especially for countries in South Asia, observed Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund. Lagarde made these remarks at the opening session of a three-day high-level conference in New Delhi themed “Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future”. The conference is […]
Bangladesh alleges USD100mln stolen from NY Fed, transferred to Sri Lanka
Mar 09, 2016 (LBO) – Bangladesh’s government says it plans to sue the Federal Reserve Bank of New York after hackers allegedly stole nearly USD 100 million from a reserve account and transferred funds to Philippines and Sri Lanka. Suspected hackers stole the money from Bangladesh’s foreign exchange account on February 5, according to a […]
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to visit Sri Lanka
Feb 03, 2016 (LBO) – Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 5-6 February 2016 for the Ninth Session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission. The Joint Commission, co-chaired by the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and his Indian counterpart will be held on 5 February 2016 in […]
Growth in developing economies forecast at 4.3-pct for 2016: IMF
Jan 20, 2016 (LBO) – Growth in emerging market are projected to increase from four percent in 2015 to 4.3 and 4.7 percent in 2016 and 2017, respectively, the latest International Monetary Fund’s global forecast says. “Growth in China is expected to slow to 6.3 percent in 2016 and 6.0 percent in 2017, primarily reflecting […]
Emerging Asia leverage, capital outflows constrain policy space: Fitch
Jan 08, 2015 (LBO) – Emerging Asia’s private consumption has remained resilient in the face of weaker external demand but investment has slowed down more substantially, particularly in the private sector, Fitch ratings said. The full statement follows Fitch Ratings-Hong Kong-07 January 2016: Fitch Ratings says Emerging Asia’s (EM Asia) private consumption has remained resilient in the […]
Pakistan PM on three-day visit to Sri Lanka
Jan 04, 2015 (LBO) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be in Sri Lanka this week on a three-day visit for bilateral talks with the government and to launch a single country exhibition. Among topics to be discussed include the existing Free-Trade Agreement and cooperation in several areas including health, science and technology, money […]
Sharp China slowdown would hit global growth hard: Fitch
Dec 15, 2015 (LBO) – A sharp slowdown in China’s GDP growth rate to 2.3% during 2016-2018 would disrupt global trade and hinder growth, with significant knock-on effects for emerging markets and global corporates, according to a hypothetical study by Fitch Ratings. In turn, this would keep short-term interest rates and commodity prices lower for […]
Sri Lanka on UNESCO executive board
Nov 16, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has been elected to the executive board of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) during the 38th General Conference in Paris, the foreign ministry said. “Sri Lanka was one of six countries that qualified to serve on the Executive Board from the Asia and Pacific Group […]