VIF Neighborhood News Digest: February 4, 2020

PAKISTAN

Policies to check inflation will pay off in coming days: govt. : Dawn
February 4, 2020

The government on Monday said it was increasing the amount of stipend and number of its beneficiaries as policies and efforts to ease out inflation will start bearing fruit in the ‘coming days’. In a statement, the ministry of finance tried to explain the reasons behind the continuously increasing rate of inflation that hit 14.6pc in January after almost a decade and the related public criticism. It also reported how it was increasing the number of beneficiaries of the income support and other subsidies to a part of population. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Abdullah Opposes Palace’s Strict Conditions for Peace Talks: Tolo
February 4, 2020

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said that imposing new conditions to start intra-Afghan negotiations with the Taliban shows a lack of commitment to the process, and that there shouldn’t be any preconditions. He referred to the Presidential Palace’s insisting on a ceasefire by the Taliban. The Taliban, according to the latest reports, has offered a short-term reduction in violence, but has been asked by the US to commit to a long-term reduction in violence. The US, by all accounts, is not asking for a complete ceasefire before intra-Afghan talks begin. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

14-day joint military exercise by Indian, Bangladesh armies begins: Deccan Herald
February 4, 2020

A 14-day joint military training exercise by Indian and Bangladesh armies was flagged off on Monday here in Umroi in Meghalaya, Defense officials said. The exercise christened 'SAMPRITI-IX' is an important bilateral defense cooperation endeavor between India and Bangladesh, they said. This is the ninth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by the two countries, the officials said. The Bangladesh Army contingent is being led by Brigadier General Md. Shafiul Azam and both armies will familiarize each other in various tactical drills and procedures. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Govt. doubles down on internet shutdown in western Myanmar: Myanmar Times
February 4, 2020

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s government has ordered telecoms companies to reimpose an internet shutdown in parts of conflict-torn western Myanmar despite criticism by the UN, businesses and civil society. Norwegian Telenor Group said the transport and communications ministry has directed telecoms companies to “temporarily” suspend internet services in five Rakhine and Chin townships, citing security requirements and public interest in the ministry directive. The directive limits the blackout duration in the five townships to three months. Click here to read... [5]

NEPAL

Government focuses on Nepalis in Hubei, but travelers from rest of China are neither screened nor quarantined: The Kathmandu Post
February 4, 2020

The government plans to evacuate citizens from China’s Hubei, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China, but Nepalis from the rest of the country are already returning home on their own, that too in hordes. However, the country’s only international airport neither quarantines nor screens them or anyone else returning from China. As health experts express concern about the lack of a quarantine facility in the country, and the risk of virus spreading, the government is still undecided on where Nepali evacuees will be isolated after they are brought to Kathmandu. Click here to read... [6]

BHUTAN

Sluggish economic growth hits employment: Kuenselonline
February 4, 2020

A trading house based in Thimphu laid off 20 employees, closed two units of its business and has entered a steep cost-cutting mode recently. “We are struggling to stay afloat because of the downturn in the economy,” said the proprietor. “If the situation does not improve soon, we will be compelled to lay off more people. If this trend continues other companies and firms will also cut down their expenses.” With economic growth directly linked to job creation, the impact of a GDP growth rate that hit a four-year low at 3.4 percent, is being felt across all sectors. Click here to read... [7]

Sri Lanka

President mulls foreign aid to Wuhan: Daily Mirror
February 4, 2020

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will send a letter of solidarity to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week outlining Sri Lanka's firm support to China as it battles to contain coronavirus and will also discuss sending aid into the country, particularly for the people of Wuhan, informed government sources told Daily Mirror yesterday. President Rajapaksa is being kept up to date by the special task force set up to monitor and discuss preventive measures against coronavirus in Sri Lanka and will discuss with members of the task force on the possibility of sending aid to China. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Xi chairs leadership meeting on epidemic control: Xinhuanet
February 4, 2020

The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday held a meeting on the prevention and control of pneumonia epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the meeting and made an important speech. Click here to read... [9]

NDRC: Contagion's economic effects will be limited: China Daily
February 4, 2020

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak will have temporary, limited economic effects, but it won't leave a permanent mark on the Chinese economy due to the country's strong economic fundamentals, according to the nation's top economic regulator. Click here to read... [10]