VIF Neighborhood News Digest: January 30, 2020

PAKISTAN

Economic Coordination Committee defers gas tariff increase, waives Karkey’s port charges: Dawn
January 30, 2020

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday deferred decision on gas price increase for further consultations and waived about Rs195 million port charges to the Turkish firm Karkey as part of a $1.2 billion dispute settlement. The meeting, presided by PM’s Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh discussed the proposal for up to 15 per cent gas price increase and noted that some changes were required to minimize the burden on domestic consumers in line with Prime Minister’s guidelines. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Pentagon Identifies 2 Air Force Airmen Killed in Afghanistan: Tolo
January 30, 2020

The Pentagon on Wednesday released the names of two Air Force officers killed in the crash of their Bombardier E-11A electronic surveillance plane in Afghanistan. They were identified as Lt. Col. Paul K. Voss, 46, of Yigo, Guam, and Capt. Ryan S. Phaneuf, 30, of Hudson, New Hampshire. Voss was assigned to Air Combat Command headquarters at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. Phaneuf was assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The cause of Monday's crash is under investigation, but officials have said there is no indication the plane was downed by hostile action. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

PM: No country can progress without political commitment: Dhaka Tribune
January 30, 2020

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that no country can be developed without a political commitment and it has been now proved true in the case of Bangladesh. She said yesterday that coming to power after 21 long years, the Awami League government had started its journey with an aim to develop the country truly and fulfil the ideology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with which he had led the country to independence. She said, after the independence, the Father of the Nation had established and strengthened relations with different countries and development partners, reports BSS. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Foreign investments in power generation hit $800 million: Myanmar Times
January 30, 2020

Investments from China and Hong Kong in power generation projects in Myanmar have hit a total of almost US$800 million (K1.15 trillion) in just over three months government officials say. The Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) announced that, between November 2019 and January this year, that it had approved projects by a joint-venture between China National Technical Import and Export Corp and Hong Kong-listed VPower Group. Click here to read... [5]

NEPAL

Distressed and panicked, Nepalis in Hubei say they want to come home: The Kathmandu Post
January 30, 2020

Panic has set in among Nepali students and workers in the Chinese city of Wuhan and the greater Hubei province with the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rising to 132. At least 177 Nepali students and workers living in Hubei Province, including Wuhan, have asked the Nepali Embassy in Beijing to evacuate them, officials at the embassy told the Post. Click here to read... [6]

BHUTAN

Assembly proposes reserving 30% mining job to communities: Kuenselonline
January 30, 2020

The National Assembly adopted a new clause in the Mines and Minerals Bill 2020, which states that at least 30 percent of the employment opportunities should be provided to members of the local community. The Bill states that the lessee shall provide preference to eligible affected community for employment opportunities and procurement of goods and services. However, Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said that it would invite problems if the mining company cannot get the prescribed human resource requirement from the community. Click here to read... [7]

CHINA

Beijing slams Washington over passage of Tibet bill: China Daily
January 30, 2020

Beijing slammed Washington on Wednesday over the US House of Representatives passing a bill on Tibet, and it called on the United States to stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs. Click here to read... [8]

Xi: PLA must play key role against virus: China Daily
January 30, 2020

President Xi Jinping is calling on the People's Liberation Army to shoulder its responsibility and continue contributing to the country's uphill battle to control the recent novel coronavirus outbreak and prevent a pandemic. Click here to read... [9]