VIF Information Alerts - 23 Jan 2018

A quasi-sovereign Chinese fund focused on Southeast Asia is targeting raising up to $3 billion in a new dollar fund, adding to its firepower for planned investments under Beijing’s “Belt and Road” initiative, people close to the matter said. Click here to read... [4]

Donald Trump's tariff move to 'punish' China may be the biggest blow to renewables yet
Published – Economics Times
23 Jan 2018

President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines, angering trade partners as he took his first major protectionist move a year into his term.

The U.S. will impose new duties of as much as 30 percent on foreign-made solar equipment, the U.S. Trade Representative's office said Monday. The president also approved tariffs starting as high as 50 percent on imported washing machines. China and South Korea condemned the steps, with the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing calling them a "misuse" of trade measures. Click here to read... [5]

China donates over 32,000 solar power generators to Nepal
Published – The Asian Age
22 Jan 2018

China has donated over 32,000 solar power generating systems to Nepal to enhance its domestic capacity and to provide electricity to communities that have been without power since the 2015 earthquake.

The donated items included 32,000 sets of household solar power generation systems and 325 sets of solar power generation systems, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday. Click here to read... [6]

India, Japan to introduce artificial intelligence, robotics in defence sector
Published – Gadgets Now
22 Jan 2018

India and Japan will work together to introduce artificial intelligence and robotics in the defence sector, the next level of strategic cooperation between the two Asian partners.

Kentaro Sonoura, Japan's state minister for foreign affairs and a close adviser to PM Shinzo Abe, told TOI in an exclusive chat, "You should expect to see increased bilateral cooperation between us to develop unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and robotics." Click here to read... [7]

Maldives ex-leader says Chinese projects akin to land grab
Published – Tribune India
22 Jan 2018

The exiled former leader of the Maldives says this year’s presidential election could be the last chance to extricate his country from increasing Chinese influence, which he claims amounts to a land grab in the guise of investments in island development.

Mohamed Nasheed told reporters in Sri Lanka’s capital on Monday that current President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has opened the doors to Chinese investment without any regard for procedure or transparency. Click here to read... [8]

US will carry on with Pak military training
Published – Tribune India
19 Jan 2018

The US has conveyed to Pakistan that the military training component of the aid will continue despite suspension of the security assistance package, media reports said on Thursday.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua informed the Senate’s foreign affairs committee on Wednesday that the US will continue funding the aid components that support their national interest, including the International Military Education and Training (IMET) part, Dawn reported. Click here to read... [9]