VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 9th August, 2018

PAKISTAN
Pakistan running $2bn deficit a month, says Asad: Dawn
August 9, 2018

Asad Umar, a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader who is expected to be next finance minister, said on Wednesday that Pakistan had been running a current account deficit of $2 billion a month for the last three months. Addressing a US think-tank from Islamabad, Mr Umar suggested resolving the Afghan dispute to improve Pakistan’s economic prospects and disagreed with those who say that political governments cannot make decisions about Afghanistan. The PTI leader, who came straight to Skype from Imran Khan’s meeting with the acting US ambassador, said that Washington agrees with PTI’s observation that Afghanistan was moving closer to a permanent peace. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan to Increase Troop Numbers Along Durand Line: Tolo News
August 9, 2018

Pakistan will add 60,000 troops to boost its patrols along its disputed border with Afghanistan in an effort to curb the flow of insurgents passing between the two nations, according to military officials familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported. Forty percent of the troops have already been recruited in the exercise, which is expected to take two years, the officials told Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. About 13 percent of a fence planned along the disputed border has also been completed, they said. The move will consolidate Pakistan’s border operations, which have been stepped up in recent years. Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL
Nepal to push for more Indian investments: Kathmandu Post
August 9, 2018

The government is proposing to attract Indian investment in the Nepal-Indian Trade Treaty itself as two sides sit for a comprehensive review of bilateral trade in New Delhi starting Thursday. While promotion of exports from Nepal and trade facilitation are also amongst the agenda, Nepali side will focus more on Indian investments to balance trade between the two countries during the meeting scheduled for August 9-10. Government officials said trade deficit with India could be addressed if Nepal gets more investments from India. They are of the view that without bringing investments from India, import substitution and bringing down the alarming trade deficit with southern neighbour is not possible. Click here to read.... [4]

CHINA
Beijing hits back at new tariff: China Daily
August 09, 2018

China will impose a 25 percent tariff on $16 billion in imports of goods from the United States on Aug 23, the latest countermeasure to defend its legitimate interests and the multilateral trading system, the Ministry of Commerce announced late on Wednesday. The latest US move has unreasonably put its domestic law above international law again, the ministry said in a statement. China will implement its tariff simultaneously with the US measure, the statement said. Click here to read.... [5]

Chinese premier meets UNGA president-elect: Xinhuanet
August 08, 2018

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with the president-elect of the 73rd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Wednesday afternoon at Beidaihe, a seaside resort in north China's Hebei Province. As a founding member of the United Nations, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and the largest developing country, China consistently supports the UN's work, said Li, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping successfully visited the UN headquarters in 2015 and attended a series of summits for the 70th anniversary of the UN. Click here to read.... [6]