VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: April 10, 2019

PAKISTAN

Without reforms, Pakistan’s growth rate to remain at 2.5pc till 2024: IMF: Dawn
April 10, 2019

As Finance Minister Asad Umar leads a delegation to Washington to finalise a three-year bailout programme, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday forecast Pakistan’s growth to fall to 2.9 per cent and 2.8pc during the current and next fiscal year unless its programme was accepted. The delegation led by finance minister including State Bank of Pakistan Governor Tariq Bajwa, Finance Secretary Younas Dagha, Economic Affairs Division Secretary Noor Ahmed and senior officials from these institutions would attend the spring meetings (April 9 – 14) of the IMF and the World Bank and finalise a bailout package to stabilise macroeconomic fundamentals on the sidelines. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Abdullah Sees A Role For Taliban If They Quit Violence: Tolo
April 10, 2019

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah says the Taliban can be part of a political process and that they can represent the people of Afghanistan at any level if the group gives up violence. "The minute they joined the political process, they give up violence, they cut their ties with terrorist groups and organizations, they can be part of the political process," Abdullah said. "They can be representatives of the people if they were voted for. And they can represent the people of Afghanistan at any level." "My concern is that since they know that true elections, they might not have a chance because the people of Afghanistan don't want Talibanisation. They want peace, but they don't want to live like the way that the Taliban want them to live," Abdullah said. Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

Nepal is 19th largest receiver of remittances with $8.1 billion: Kathmandu Post
April 10, 2019

Nepali migrant workers sent home $8.1 billion in 2018, making it the 19th biggest beneficiary of funds sent by migrants around the world, according to a report released by World Bank on Monday. The remittances were up 16.39 percent year-on-year despite a drop in the number of departures. As a share of the gross domestic product for 2018, Nepal is among the top five recipient smaller economies, along with Tonga, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Haiti. Click here to read.... [4]

CHINA

Teamwork with Africa sees benefits worldwide, Xi stresses: China Daily
April 10, 2019

China and Africa's joint efforts to boost their traditional friendship, enhance exchanges and cooperation, and promote mutual learning among cultures will not only benefit their own populations, but also help contribute to world peace and development, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday. Click here to read.... [5]

Li calls for two-way opening-up with EU: China Daily
April 10, 2019

China is glad to see a united and prosperous Europe and hopes to expand two-way opening-up while safeguarding free trade, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday in Brussels. Click here to read.... [6]