Articles for tag: ASEAN, Asia, cross-border investments, economic stability, escape, eu, foreign investments, infrastructure, Market Access, Poverty, regional, Regional Integration, South, Trade, trade facilitation, trap

January 13, 2025

Can South Asia escape the poverty trap through regional trade?

Listen to the article LONDON: After Donald Trump’s victory in the US election, many scholars believe that the world has entered a new era of global economic and political order, as other Western countries experience a similar wave of populism. This article discusses that in the context of global populism, regional trade could be a more effective substitute for achieving comparative advantages in international trade and enhancing prosperity. Trump and other populist leaders in the West share a common goal: industrial policy (IP). IPs are state-led government programs – such as trade protection, subsidies, tax incentives and R&D funding –

January 13, 2025

News Desk

Business

Indonesia Joins BRICS: A New Era?

Listen to the article KARACHI: BRICS continues to grow as Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country with a strong economic base, has become a full member. Anadolu Ajansi quoted Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono as saying, “As a BRICS member, Indonesia wants to become a bridge for the interests of developing economies and Indo-Pacific countries. We will continue to remain active in preventing further escalation to geographical economic and geopolitical rivalry’. Brazil is the current chair of the bloc, which has 11 full members, including China, Egypt, Russia, India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and

January 13, 2025

News Desk

Business

A road map to economic recovery

Listen to the article KARACHI: The year 2025 started on an optimistic note. Notable economic indicators show the right upward trend, though rising from a low base, but modest and encouraging. For calendar year 2025, Team Finance must clearly focus on the following top twenty-five priorities: 1. Keep the currency stable: Not artificially, but by controlling imports and maintaining a contractionary monetary policy avoiding undue consumer incentives to import final non-economic value-added goods. 2. Keep interest rates in double digits: Yes, contrary to what the top leadership (myself included) wants, we are just not there to push borrowing costs into

December 5, 2024

The Pakistan Daily

Armed men attack anchorperson Muzammil Shah’s house

Prominent young journalist and anchorperson, Syed Muzammil Shah has revealed that two armed individuals, reportedly from his neighbourhood, attacked his residence and fired shots in the air based on his recently expressed political views in various vlogs. In a statement shared on the social media platform ‘X,’ Shah disclosed that the attackers attempted to break into his house, causing significant distress. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, with the assailants reportedly carrying automatic weapons. Shah informed that when his family notified the police, the assailants fired at them as well before fleeing the scene. The journalist confirmed that two separate

October 31, 2024

Tahir Khan

In a significant move Afghan, Chinese officials inaugurate freight train

ISLAMABAD: Afghan and Chinese officials on Thursday re-launched the direct China-Afghanistan Freight Train Service in a significant move to boost trade and economic ties. Special envoy for Afghan affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Dr Yue Xiaoyong, and Afghan Ambassador Bilal Karimi were also present on the occasion, according to officials of the two countries. “Together with Afghanistan Amb. #BilalKamiri# in Nantong, one of the BRI (Built and Road Initiative) hub cities, north of Shanghai, celebrating the relaunching of China-Afghanistan direct freight train service,” the Chinese special envoy wrote on X. “Happily delivered a congratulation message this morning 31/10/’24 on

September 12, 2024

News Desk

Business

Government withdraws 250 million rupees grant for infrastructure

Islamabad: The federal government on Wednesday reversed its decision to give a quarter of a billion rupees to a private foundation for an infrastructure project, which it had earlier allocated in a non-transparent manner using inflation-biting taxpayers’ money. The government had allocated funds for the Noorani Foundation (TNF) without setting any criteria and despite the fact that the social sector was not the responsibility of the center under the constitution. Last month, the Finance Ministry approved a grant of Rs 250 million for the Noorani Foundation to construct a school building. The funding was approved under grant number 45, which

August 28, 2024

News Desk

International

30 dead in Sudan dam collapse: UN

SUDAN: At least 30 people have been killed in a dam collapse in Sudan, the UN said on Monday, citing local officials, adding that the total number could be much higher. Twenty villages were also destroyed after the dam collapsed and 50,000 homes were destroyed or damaged. Overflowing waters have breached a dam, wiped out at least 20 villages and left at least 30 people dead but possibly many more in eastern Sudan, the United Nations said on Monday, devastating a region already reeling from months of civil war. Torrential rains caused floods that overwhelmed the Arbaat Dam on Sunday,

August 26, 2024

News Desk

International

Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been hit by a massive Russian missile and drone attack

Kyiv: Russia launched about 200 missiles and drones into Ukraine on Monday, killing five people and hitting energy facilities nationwide, Kiev said, while neighboring NATO member Poland said a drone likely entered its airspace. Power outages and water outages were reported in many areas, including parts of Kiev, as officials said the attack – 2-1/2 years after Russia’s full-scale invasion – targeted electricity or other critical infrastructure in at least 10 areas. Russia dramatically stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s electricity grid in March, in what Kiev said looked like a concerted effort to degrade the system ahead of next winter,

July 29, 2024

News Desk

Business

Using Sukuk to develop critical infrastructure

KARACHI: Infrastructure development is a critical driver of economic growth, prosperity and improved living standards. However, financing infrastructure projects can be a significant challenge, especially in developing economies. Governments around the world are constantly looking for efficient and sustainable financing mechanisms to support these large-scale projects. This is where Sukuk, a Sharia-compliant financial instrument, comes into play. Sukuk has emerged as a vital tool for financing infrastructure projects, offering numerous benefits to governments, investors and society as a whole. This article explores the importance of Sukuk in infrastructure development, particularly for government-sponsored projects, and examines why Sukuk are often considered

June 27, 2024

News Desk

Business

The government has asked to rapidly develop the digital infrastructure

LAHORE: Pakistan needs to take firm steps to strengthen reforms related to market-driven data sharing and accelerate the construction of digital infrastructure, including industrial internet and computing power networks, said Moazzam Ghurki, President of the Joint Chamber of Commerce Pakistan-China and Industry (PCJCCI). These steps should be part of the broader push towards a ‘Digital Pakistan’ initiative, just like a ‘Digital China’, Ghurki said in a statement. He pointed out that China unveiled a comprehensive digital development plan last year, promising to make significant progress in implementing the Digital China program by 2025. “We can get help from this model.

Can South Asia escape the poverty trap through regional trade?

Indonesia Joins BRICS: A New Era?

A road map to economic recovery

In a significant move Afghan, Chinese officials inaugurate freight train

Government withdraws 250 million rupees grant for infrastructure

30 dead in Sudan dam collapse: UN

Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been hit by a massive Russian missile and drone attack

Using Sukuk to develop critical infrastructure

The government has asked to rapidly develop the digital infrastructure

Asif Khaliq drives blue-eyed Chaiwala Arshad Khan’s London success

Munir and Naqvi Join Makkah Pact Talks in Tehran

Iran Says the Border Is Open as Pakistan Ships LPG by Sea