Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (Photo: Dawn)

Political stability must for economic recovery, says Pakistan PM; calls for ‘Charter of Economy’

The IMF’s refusal to revive the $6 billion bailout package over the government’s initial refusal to implement austerity measures made things worse for the government. In recent weeks, the Sharif government has reduced fuel subsidies drastically and increased electricity tariffs.

World Bank cuts India’s 2022-23 growth to 7.5%, but will keep top spot; South Asia growth to get affected

In South Asia as a whole, the report said, “The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine has weighed on growth in the South Asia region (SAR) after a solid recovery in the second half of last year and amplified pre-existing vulnerabilities”

Pakistan plans IT park in Karachi to boost exports and create jobs

Significantly, the country’s IT exports are rising and has already crossed over $2 billion in the first eight months of the current financial year.  In 2021, the Overseas Investor Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) said in its report that the country had the potential of $10 billion in annual IT exports.

Power-surplus Nepal hopes to earn $100 million from electricity exports to India

From Thursday this week, Nepal started selling electricity, around 37 MW to Indian buyers, Nepal Electricity Corporation spokesperson Suresh Bhattarai confirmed to The Kathmandu Post. More bids are invited to sell 200 MW in India’s power exchange market on a long-term basis.

More on Economy-Business

India needs to expand trade with neighbours: Home Minister

India's Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the country needed to expand trade with the neighbouring countries as in the next ten years it would be among the top manufacturing countries. He, however, did not specify the countries

Sri Lanka to work with IMF, says President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; asks people to have faith in his actions amid economic hardship

Sri Lanka will seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced in a rare speech on Wednesday, where he acknowledged, for the first time, “sufferings” and “difficulties” faced by people as the island country faces one of its worst economic crises

'India's oil purchases from Russia won't violate US sanctions'; media reports talk of 'deep discount' in Russian sales

Accounting for under 3 per cent, Russia is not a major supplier of oil to India, which gets most of it from the Middle East, while the US is also emerging as an important source for energy products

Bangladesh brings 100% population under electricity coverage; joins Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan in South Asia

Dhaka has also been exploring trilateral cooperation in power sectors among India-Bhutan-Bangladesh and Nepal-India-Bangladesh

Bangladesh tops in women’s leadership in listed firms in South Asia

A new study conducted by the International Financial Corporation (IFC) and Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) puts Bangladesh at the top in South Asia when it comes to women’s leadership in listed firms. In 2021, women directors in listed firms were around six percent in comparison to five percent in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world.  

India’s expanding energy footprint: Sri Lanka awards two mega renewable power projects to the Adani Group

Sri Lanka last week signed a deal with India’s Adani Group, awarding the latter two mega renewable power projects in the northern part of the country, as Colombo faces its worst power crisis, primarily caused by the foreign exchange crisis, in decades

Ukraine war will have long-lasting impact on emerging economies

Amidst the Ukraine war, Indian exporters are worried about exports and have seen an early trend in declining orders for engineering goods and apparels

India will not experience oil shortage, assures minister

Despite the Russia-Ukraine war that has sent oil prices skyrocketing, there will be no shortage of crude oil in India, even though the country imports the bulk of its energy requirements, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured

Sri Lankan finance minister likely to visit India this month amid worsening energy crisis

Indian External Minister S Jaishankar and Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa held a telephonic conversation and the former assured that New Delhi will continue to assist the island country which has been going through perhaps its worst economic crises

India, Bangladesh to work on economic pact

In a further intent of their deepening ties and optimising bilateral connectivty, India and Bangladesh will conduct a joint study on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at a commerce secretary-level talks on Friday, according to an official statement

Poppy cultivation on the rise in southern Afghanistan: 'There is nothing else to cultivate', say farmers

Contrary to the Taliban’s previous assurances on banning poppy cultivation, the group this year seems to be actively encouraging opium production

Sri Lanka staring at an energy disaster; no money for fuel imports

Sri Lankan energy crisis, primarily caused by the severe foreign exchange shortage, has reached a dangerous level this week as the country struggles to manage multiple interlinked crises, forcing authorities to ration both electricity and fuel

Ukraine war to significantly impact tourism, says Maldives tourism minister; pins hopes on China to offset potential loss

The ongoing war in Ukraine will significantly impact the tourism industry,  said Maldives’ Tourism Minister Abdullah Mausoom, as tourists from Russia and Ukraine, the two countries at war now, comprise almost 20 percent of the country’s total tourists

Crisis-gripped Sri Lanka to hold talks with IMF and World Bank for assistance

Sri Lankan officials are expected to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for support as Colombo faces a severe economic crisis, including a shortage of fuel and essentials

Bangladesh to get $300 million from the World Bank to strengthen local governance

The World Bank has approved a proposal to provide $300 million to Bangladesh to help strengthen its local governance against the pandemic shock and make them resilient to future shocks