South Asia
Supporters clash with cops at PTI rally as leaders demand Imran’s release
PTI leaders rallied on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday, demanding the “immediate release” of their founder, Imran Khan, while criticising the government for marginalising the party as police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
China’s underwhelming data dampens hope of economic recovery
Chinese industrial production growth slowed in July while unemployment rose, official data showed Thursday, highlighting an uneven recovery in the world’s second-largest economy despite recent government measures to try to stimulate expansion.
Japan’s economy rebounds in Q2
Japan’s economy has rebounded, government data showed Thursday, in welcome news for its next prime minister following Fumio Kishida’s decision to quit.
Marico’s profit jumps 30% in April-June quarter
Marico Bangladesh Ltd, a listed multinational company, said its profit soared 30 percent year on year to Tk 172.57 crore in the April-June quarter.
IMF, World Bank warn Gaza war, Red Sea attacks imperil global economy
The IMF and World Bank warned on Monday that the Gaza war and the related attacks on shipping through the Red Sea pose threats to the global economy.
World's No.2 sugar producer India may need imports in 2025
India is set to ban exports in the crop year that started in October and may even be forced to import in the following year as farmers turn to other crops
Poor governance hampers economic growth
The socioeconomic development of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is being hampered by the prevalence of poor governance and institutional weakness in the three South Asian nations, according to analysts.
China’s deflation pressures ease, more steps expected to spur demand
China’s consumer prices returned to positive territory in August while factory-gate price declines slowed, data showed on Saturday, as deflation pressures ease amid signs of stabilisation in the economy.
Japan enacts record extra budget to boost virus-hit economy
Japan’s parliament enacted a record supplementary budget worth over $300 billion on Monday as part of measures to bolster the world’s third largest economy as the pandemic threat drags on.
Sri Lanka hikes fuel prices as economic crisis worsens
Sri Lanka raised fuel prices Tuesday and warned of possible petrol rationing with importers struggling to pay for oil, in a worsening economic crisis that has also sparked food shortages.
Sri Lanka economy slumps in face of forex crisis
Sri Lanka’s economy shrank in the third quarter as a foreign exchange crisis wrecked its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, official data showed Thursday.
Preferential trade deal with Nepal soon
The government will sign a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Nepal soon to boost trade between the two South Asian nations, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said yesterday.
ADB trims Asia growth forecasts
The Asian Development Bank warned Tuesday that the highly mutated Omicron coronavirus variant could have a “substantial” economic impact, as it trimmed its 2021 and 2022 growth forecasts for developing Asia.
Toyota boosts electric vehicle sales target
Toyota hiked its electric vehicle sales goal by 75 per cent on Tuesday, unveiling a more ambitious plan for the sector as part of efforts to drive down carbon emissions.
Asia stocks steady after Wall St rally
Asia stocks held steady yesterday, despite a record-smashing lead from Wall Street, ahead of a week of major monetary policy announcements around the world.
Afghan currency slides on bank collapse fears
Afghanistan’s currency hit 100 to the US dollar Tuesday, losing five percent of its value in one day in a panic triggered by fears that one of the country’s biggest banks could collapse, traders said.
Japan PM seeks to boost workers’ wages
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed on Monday to ensure worker wage hikes to protect the economy from rising global inflation, while strengthening the country’s defences as it deals with an assertive China and unpredictable North Korea.
Vietnam police smash $3.8b cryptocurrency ring
Vietnamese police have smashed a huge cryptocurrency ring worth around $3.8 billion, state media said Friday, as authorities battle rampant illegal gambling in the country.