VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 11, 2019

PAKISTAN

GDP growth rate falls to 3.29pc in FY19; agricultural, industrial growth registers sharp slowdown: Dawn
June 11, 2019

The economy grew at an average rate of 3.29 per cent (provisional) in fiscal year 2018-19 against an ambitious target of 6.2pc set in last year's budget, the Pakistan Economic Survey revealed on Monday.
Sector-wise growth rates:
Agriculture: 0.85 per cent (against target of 3.8pc)
Industry: 1.4pc (against target of 7.6pc)
Services 4.7pc (against target of 6.5pc) Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Govt Releases 170 Taliban Prisoners Amid Peace Efforts: Tolo News
June 11, 2019

Sources said on Monday that the Afghan government has released at least 170 Taliban inmates from the Pul-e-Charkhi jail and that 130 others are expected to be freed on Tuesday. According to the sources, the released prisoners were imprisoned on charges of membership and cooperation with the Taliban and were sentenced to years of prison. The announcement on the release of the prisoners was made by President Ghani on the closing day of the grand council on peace earlier in May. Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

After a brief pause, Chinese authorities allow Humla residents to reenter Tibet: Kathmandu Post
June 11, 2019

After a push from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese authorities on Friday finally allowed Humla residents to cross into Tibet for work and business. Residents of Humla have long relied on Tibet for their livelihoods, but the killing of a Tibetan woman about a month ago by a Humla local in Tibet’s Taklakot had prompted the Chinese to bar locals from entering. Following the Post’s report on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry had taken up the matter with the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, after which Humla locals were allowed to resume trade and business across the border, according to Mahesh Kumar Pokhrel, assistant chief district officer at the Humla District Administration Office. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar delegation visits India to boost bilateral relations, tourism: DNA
June 11, 2019

A delegation of officials from Myanmar visited New Delhi on Monday in a bid to boost bilateral relations and cross border culture and tourism between the two neighbouring countries. Myanmar Ambassador to India, Moe Kyaw Aung, who led the official delegation, told ANI, "We have very good relations between India and Myanmar. I hope this meeting will be conducive for the promotion of bilateral relations. Click here to read.... [5]

CHINA

Xi's neighborhood diplomacy to forge closer community with shared future: People's Daily
June 11, 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Central Asia from Wednesday to Sunday for state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and for the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and that of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Against the backdrop of growing uncertainties worldwide, his trip is expected to further consolidate multi-dimensional cooperation within the frameworks of the SCO and the CICA and pool efforts to create a shared future of security and prosperity for all countries in the region. Click here to read.... [6]

Rare-earth exports fall 16% in May: China Daily
June 11, 2019

China, the world's largest producer of rare earths, saw a 16 percent monthly drop in those exports in May amid an increased focus on domestic resources conservation and high-quality development of commodities, officials and experts said. Click here to read.... [7]