Highlights from the local media of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

October 12th, 2015 | Volume: 1 - 7/10

BANGLADESH BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia conspiring to destabilise country: PM Sheikh Hasina Prothom Alo | 10th October The prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on Saturday said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is conspiring from abroad to destabilise the country through killing foreigners living in Bangladesh, reports UNB news agency. She said Khaleda has changed her agitation programme plan. "What’s their new technique? BNP-Jamaat clique engaged lobbyists in various countries, including the European ones, the UK and the USA to spread negative propaganda against the country," Hasina added. Dr Atiur Rahman named 'Central Bank Governor of the Year- Asia 2015' The Financial Express | 10th October Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Atiur Rahman has become 'Central Bank Governor of the Year, Asia 2015' for his contribution to the country's financial inclusion. Financial inclusion campaign, initiated by Bangladesh Bank to bolster inclusive growth model of the government, has been very successful in recent years in offering basic financial services to broader mass of population, particularly the disadvantaged, unserved and underserved with the aid of rapidly expanding information and communications technology (ICT). Govt beefs up security for foreigners The Financial Express | 10th October Security has been beefed up for foreign consultants and technicians working in road sector mega projects including the one involving the Padma Bridge, officials said. Officials said since the two incidents of killing of an Italian and a Japanese national occurred within a gap of only five days, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) and the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) felt the need for ensuring security of their respective foreign consultants and company officials engaged in different projects. Lack of skilled workforce blamed for power, energy crisis the independent | 11th October The state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, has said that the power and energy crisis could not be resolved immediately mainly due to lack of skilled human resources in this sector. “The human resources in power and energy is very weak, which is the main obstacle in improving the sector rapidly,” he said while addressing a seminar as chief guest. Myanmar law enforcers pick up 6 Bangladeshi fishermen Dhaka Tribune | 11th October Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) have detained six fishermen from Teknaf upazila in Cox's Bazar on Sunday afternoon. Locals said BGP members detained the fishermen and seized three of their trawlers when they went fishing in the river. BHUTAN Electricity import to increase KUENSEL | 10th October Power imports for Bhutan, a hydropower rich nation, is likely to further increase as the construction of 118MW Nikachhu and 600MW Kholongchhu hydropower projects gain momentum. Coupled with establishment of a few small-scale industries in the east and the 26MW power guzzler, Dungsam Cement plant, the import of power through the Kurichhu system, the main generator of power in the east, is expected to increase. Great expectations after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s visit KUENSEL | 10th October West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured full cooperation and support in enhancing business links and in providing the necessary transit facilities for Bhutan’s trade with third countries. West Bengal is the most important adjoining state in India with which Bhutan has strong trade, economic and cultural relations. Bhutan Foreign minister Damcho Dorji, who held a separate meeting with the chief minister, told Kuensel that the two sides also agreed to strengthen security along the Indo-Bhutan border. He said the visit has greatly enhanced friendship, understanding and cooperation between Bhutan and West Bengal. Information minister to attend global ICT forum KUENSEL | 10th October Information and communications minister D N Dhungyel is leading a delegation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2015 that is being held in Budapest, Hungary from October 12 to 15. The ITU Telecom World is a global ICT event held annually and is an exhibition for digital solutions, forum for sharing knowledge, and a networking hub for governments and industry including research institutions and academia. MALDIVES President says 'India first' as Maldives, India look to ink trade pacts Haveeru Online | 11th October Maldives has a policy of "India First", the country's president told India’s top diplomat Sunday as the two neighbours take on the task of ramping up ties especially in trade and investment. In a statement, the Indian high commission in Male said President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom made the remark during his meeting with visiting Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj Sunday morning. Speaking at the meeting, President Yameen said the two neighbours needed to bolster ties, especially in areas such as trade and investment. He conveyed that the Maldives would hold a forum in India next year to scout potential investors Maldives president defiant, says won't allow foreign interference in domestic affairs Haveeru Online | 11th October Maldives president appeared defiant Sunday amid mounting pressure over the imprisonment of the country's former president Mohamed Nasheed, as he told neighbouring India's top diplomat that he would not tolerate foreign parties to interfere with domestic issues. In a statement, the President’s Office in Male said President Abdulla Yameen Abdulla Gayoom made the remark during his meeting with visiting Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj Sunday morning. The Maldives and India signs two MoU Sun Online | 11th October The Maldives and India has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU). An official from the Government told Sun Media today that the two MoU signed today were to support the Maldives in the sports sector and the Foreign Institute at the Foreign Ministry. The official did not give any further details of the MoU. The official said that trade, connectivity, education, health and heritage relations between the two countries were discussed along with the environment at the Maldives-India Joint Commission meeting today. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) holds march calling for former president Nasheed’s release Sun Online | 9th October Main opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has held a march in Malé calling for the release of former president Mohamed Nasheed. They called for Nasheed’s release, as recently urged by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. NEPAL KP Sharma Oli is Nepal’s new Prime Minister The Himalayan Times | 11th October CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has been elected the 38th Prime Minister of the nation, defeating Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala. In the voting held at the Parliament meeting today, Oli garnered 338 votes, 39 more than 299 votes that he needed to be elected as the Prime Minister. Indian PM Modi invites Oli to visit India, assures of resolving crisis in Nepal The Kathmandu Post | 11th October Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited the newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, to visit India. India gifts 800 kg veggie seeds to Nepal The Kathmandu Post | 10th October Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday handed over 800 kilograms of vegetable seeds of tomato, radish and onion worth Rs 250 million to Nepal as part of post-earthquake relief assistance. Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC): 10 companies interested to supply petroleum products The Kathmandu Post | 10th October A day after Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) invited bids for supplying petroleum products to ease the ongoing fuel crisis, a total of 10 companies have expressed their initial interest. NOC officials said 10 companies have enquired them regarding the bids. “Three companies contacted us on Thursday and seven others on Friday,” said an NOC source, adding that most of them are foreign firms. Nepal LP Gas Industry Association proposes to import LPG from Nyalam, China The Kathmandu Post | 10th October Nepal LP Gas Industry Association has proposed importing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Nyalam, China, which is 35km from the Tatopani customs. Shiva Ghimire, president of the association, said a Nyalam-based distributor had expressed its interest to supply LPG to Nepal. PAKISTAN 22 terrorists killed in North Waziristan air strikes The News | 11th OctoberAccording to the Inter Services Public Relations the air strikes took place in Datta Khel near the Pak-Afghan border. PML-N reclaims NA-122 with lower margin The Nation|12th October PML-N candidate Sardar Ayaz Sadiq yesterday defeated the PTI contender Aleem Khan in the neck-to-neck race for by-election of NA-122, according to unofficial results. Entry of 190 ulema in Pindi division during Muharram banned DAWN|12th October The Punjab government has banned the entry of 190 ulema and Zakirs in the Rawalpindi division during Muharram. The inter-provincial movement of religious leaders is already banned during the month. Security assistance to Pakistan promotes ‘inter-operability’, says US DAWN |12th October The United States has indicated that it would continue its security assistance to Pakistan as it promotes “inter-operability” between the two allies in the war against terrorism.  SRI LANKA World Bank, IMF pledge support for Sri Lanka's economic development Colombo Page | 11th October The heads of the two agencies have agreed to support Sri Lanka's programs during discussions held with Finance Minister Karunanayake before the commencement of the Annual Meeting of World Bank and International Monitory Fund at Lima in Peru on Friday Indian Tamil party leader urges central government to get fishermen released Colombo Page | 11th October A Member of Parliament representing the Tamil Maanila Congress from Tamil Nadu, member of parliament G .K.Vasan on Saturday urged the Central and State governments to take steps to secure the release of 19 fishermen from Nagapattinam arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. Sri Lanka reaffirms commitment to bring relations with China to a higher level Colombo Page | 10th October Sri Lanka has reiterated the new government's efforts to bring the relations with China to a higher level when the Special Envoy and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Liu Zhenmin called on Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera Friday. Government seeks Chinese help to revive port Colombo Gazette | 11th October The new Government is banking on Chinese investment to revive a port project that became a symbol of the previous government’s excesses bankrolled by China, the South China Morning Post reported. Poland to partner with energy and ICT sectors in Sri Lanka The Island | 11th October "We are in Sri Lanka due to the decision and realisation that it is wiser for us to go beyond EU for global partnerships. Poland believes there is big potential for bilateral trade cooperation with Sri Lanka" said Leszek Soczewica (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland) recently in Colombo.

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