A majority of 70 percent respondents think that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is doing “a good job.”  Washington-based International Republican Institute (IRI), conducted the survey. Findings from the national survey of Bangladesh, conducted between March and April 2023, are posted on the IRI website.  IRI is an American nonprofit organization funded and supported by the United States federal government. Most of its board is drawn from the Republican Party. According to a latest survey, 40 percent think that Sheikh Hasina's work is 'Very good'. 30 percent of the participants think that Sheikh Hasina's work is 'somewhat good'. 20 percent of participants rated Sheikh Hasina's performance as 'somewhat bad'. Apart from this, 10 percent of the participants think Sheikh Hasina's work is "Very bAd".  On the other hand, Some 53 per cent of the voters in Bangladesh think the country is headed in the wrong direction and 50 per cent of them believe that the price hike is the main reason behind that. 92 percent of survey respondents said they were likely to vote in the next national election. 57 percent of respondents said they would be "very likely" to vote. Those who do not want to vote cite electoral fraud and voter registration issues as the main barriers to voting.

About Fifty Three farmers of Padu Ebeng village in Upper Siang district participated in a training programme on ‘Good Agricultural Practices on Assam Lemon’ on Tuesday. The programme was conducted by Pasighat-based College of Horticulture & Forestry (CHF), in collaboration with the Digital India Corporation of the Ministry Electronics & Information Technology, GOI. CHF Dean Prof. B.N. Hazarika appraised the farmers on the scientific production technology of Assam Lemon with modern nursery management, Planting methods, spacing, intercropping, integrated disease and pest management, and encouraged the farmers to start horti–based enterprise and forming FPO.  He has also emphasized on the agro-climatic condition is suitable for proper growth and yield of Assam lemon in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. He has also informed the broad objective of the M4 agri project is to provide right information at the right time and empower the farmers in taking informed decision to enhance their livelihood through mobile-based agro advisory services in the local dialect. CHF Social Science Head Dr Lakshmi Dhar Hatai appraised the farmers of the project’s prime focus and objectives, and of the locations to be covered under the project- Arik-Abik-Lunom. The project is being implemented in nine districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Hatai further informed the farmers about the economic feasibility, economic cost & returns of Assam Lemon production, “such as lemon nursery seedling, and efficient marketing system of fresh lemon and value added products of Assam lemon for enhancing farmers’ income as well as sustainable livelihood to small and marginal farmers.” Agro Associate Vijay Saroh and Arik-Abik-Lunom project Field Manager Ojing Tayeng and Field coordinator Nung Tayeng imparted hands-on training on using the M4-agri and UMANG apps. Source: Arunachal24.in

Calling Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda's four-day India trip a "goodwill visit", Nepal ambassador Shankar P Sharma on Wednesday said the visit "will bring Nepal and India's relations to a good height." "This is basically the goodwill visit. I think we have done so many activities in the last one year between Nepal and India. Some of them will be initiated this time and some of them will be inaugurated, some of them will be groundbreaking and some of them will be agreement. So, there are so many things on the plate. We are hoping that this visit will bring Nepal and India's relations to a good height," Sharma told. On being asked whether any talks on border issues will be discussed during Prachanda's India visit, Sharma said, "You ask with the PM, I think we still have to see that." Kickstarting his four days India visit, Nepal PM arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he received a warm welcome from Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi. "PM @cmprachanda of Nepal arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assumption of office. Warmly welcomed by MoS @M_Lekhi at the airport. The visit will impart renewed momentum to the close and unique India-Nepal relationship," the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi tweeted. In addition to the official engagements, Nepal PM will also visit Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit. Prachanda, who took office last December, is visiting India from May 31 to June 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today in Delhi, the Nepal Prime Minister met with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. The meeting between Dahal and PM Modi on Thursday would provide an opportunity to address the full range of the relationship between India and Nepal. A Ministry of External Affairs release said earlier that the visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries in furtherance of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

Nepal's Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud on Wednesday said that his country has very good relations with India and mentioned that his Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is visiting the country for the fourth time. He said Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is visiting India for the fourth time. "Our prime minister is visiting India for the fourth time. This is the first visit after being Prime Minister. We have very good relations with India. We are having discussions on various fields, trade, transit and other fields as well. We will also discuss hydroelectricity projects. All issues are going to be discussed," Saud said on Wednesday. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda who assumed office in December last year is in India from May 31-June 3 at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met Nepal PM Prachanda in the national capital. Nepal PM is set to meet his Indian counterpart PM Modi on Thursday (tomorrow) and the engagement between the two Prime Ministers will be an opportunity to discuss the entire gamut of the multifaceted relationship between India and Nepal. During the visit, both sides will build on the successes achieved by India and Nepal in the bilateral partnership during previous high-level visits [Prime Minister Deuba to New Delhi (April 2022) and Prime Minister Modi to Lumbini (May 2022).] During his visit, Prachanda will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Nepal Prime Minister upon his arrival to India received a warm welcome from Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi. "PM @cmprachanda of Nepal arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assumption of office. Warmly welcomed by MoS @M_Lekhi at the airport. The visit will impart renewed momentum to the close and unique India-Nepal relationship," MEA Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. In addition to the official engagements, he will also visit Ujjain and Indore as part of his visit.

The Taliban on Thursday welcomed India's Union Budget 2023-2024, and said the aid announcement by India for Afghanistan would help to improve ties and trust between the two nations, Khaama Press reported. The Taliban's remarks came after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a $25 million development aid package for Afghanistan in the Union Budget. India has pledged Rs 200 crore in development aid to Afghanistan. This is India's second year of support after the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan. The initial announcement was made in the budget last year, according to Khaama Press. Welcoming India's budget, Suhail Shaheen, former Negotiations Team Member for the Taliban said, "We appreciate India's support for Afghanistan's development. It will help to improve ties and trust between the two nations." When the Taliban seized power in Kabul in August 2021, relations between Afghanistan and India were strained, and most initiatives supported by India came to a halt. Regarding this, Shaheen said, "There were various projects in Afghanistan which India was funding. If India resumes work on these projects, it will boost relations between the two countries and eliminate distrust", Khaama Press reported.

Balochistan is widely acknowledged as the poorest province in Pakistan. Various studies conducted over the years support the view. As much as 10-11 percent of Pakistan’s total population living in poverty resides in Balochistan. According to the 2016 Report on Multidimensional Poverty, three out of four individuals in the province live below the poverty line. Despite the dire situation, the province is not receiving its fair share of poverty alleviation funds under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). A series of messages exchanged between officials of the Balochistan government and the federal government show that Balochistan’s share of total beneficiaries of the BISP who receive unconditional transfers is a mere 4 percent. There are only 230,000 such beneficiaries in Balochistan. Discounting for a moment that it is poorer than the other provinces, Balochistan receives even less than its share according to population (6 percent). This is exacerbating the problems faced by Balochistan which is already receiving less funds from the federal divisible pool due to under-reporting of poverty in the region. At present, Balochistan’s share in the NFC Award is 9.09 percent; it should be 10.41 percent if the most recent poverty figures from the 2016 Report on Multidimensional Poverty are taken into account. Against this backdrop, the Balochistan government has requested the federal government to raise the province’s share in the BISP programme. On April 23, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced in Quetta that an additional 500,000 households would be added to the existing list of BISP beneficiaries. He reaffirmed this commitment on June 3 and announced that the poor households in Gwadar will be added to the BISP list. Although nearly nine months have passed since the prime minister announced this commitment, the BISP has not implemented it. Officials of the Balochistan government have reminded the BISP of this commitment in three letters. On June 28, the chief minister wrote to the prime minister again and urged him to honour his commitment to raise the number of BISP beneficiaries in Balochistan. Instead of raising the number of beneficiaries by 500,000 as previously announced by the prime minister, BISP officials now intend to raise the number from 230,000 to 500,000, according to information shared with The News on Sunday by an official in the federal government. This means an increase of 270,000 beneficiaries in Balochistan, as opposed to the 500,000 announced by the prime minister. BISP officials have not responded to questions from The News on Sunday. Unprecedented rainfall and flash floods have destroyed many parts of Balochistan, most notably in Naseerabad, where many areas remain inundated. The flood victims require ongoing support rather than the one-time cash transfer that has already been made. In light of this situation, it is imperative that the BISP and the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division take immediate steps to fulfill the prime minister’s pledge. The Minister Shazia Marri should personally take up this issue and raise the number of BISP beneficiaries in Balochistan. The people of the province expect her to take an active role in this matter, with the ultimate goal of fulfilling the prime minister’s commitment. A source in the federal government revealed to The News on Sunday that the financial impact of adding 500,000 new beneficiaries would be Rs 12 billion. This is an amount the federal government should easily be able to transfer to the BISP. Additionally, the assistance received from the global community for flood relief and rehabilitation can also be used. The impoverished people of Balochistan deserve this proposed increase in the number of beneficiaries. Any efforts to delay or impede the implementation of the decision would be a severe injustice to the people. The BISP, the federal government and the Balochistan government should work together on a war-footing to resolve this issue. Write up: Adnan Aamir Source: thenews.com.pk

India has expressed disappointment and concerns about some reference in TRIPS document draft presented at the 12th ministerial meet that does not include effective measures to combat challenges posed by pandemic, especially for the developing countries and least developed countries, and profits of pharmacy companies prevailing over global good. Commerce and Industry Minister of India, Piyush Goyal said if it's only vaccines that were being looked at, it's too late in the day for the pandemic has run its initial course. "In the course of my discussions, it has been indicated that favor was being done to the developing countries. Well, if it's only vaccines that we are looking at providing, I think it's too late in the day for that the pandemic has run its initial course, currently vaccines are not in short supply. "And if you're not even able to look at the near term future and the requirements of that period, then I think it's pretty much clear that rather than concern for humanity for the hundreds of thousands of lives lost or the millions affected, it is sad that the super-profits of a few pharmaceutical companies prevail over global good," he said. India said its response document is inextricably linked to the TRIPS document "The response document is the only clean negotiated document to be submitted to the MC and is a testament to the good process that it has come through," Piyush Goyal said. He highlighted at the thematic session that India has made several compromises along the way to make this possible, like the TRIPS automaticity clause, which was not accepted, extensive dilution of the language on IP and tech transfer; a muted ambition on food security and economic resilience, compromises on a strong forward-looking agenda on these issues, resolution of the issue of developing countries and LDCs, acceptance of issues and language India has not been comfortable with in areas of transparency, export restriction, market openness and developing countries etc. He said "disturbing this delicately poised document even slightly would unravel the months-long complex negotiations" and will run the risk of failing an outcome we are close to achieving. "This document, however, has an inextricable link with the satisfactory resolution of the TRIPS document. One cannot go through without the other and they both should be finalized together," he added. India has expressed concern on a reference to "some developing country members, and especially LDCs" at some places in the draft declaration of June 10, 2022. "The Marrakesh Agreement refers to 'developing countries and especially LDCs'. This formulation is a simple recognition that within the larger set of developing countries, LDCs may be more affected. The draft declaration uses this phrasing in several places. This is acceptable," Piyush Goyal said. "However, some developing countries appear to be differentiating among developing countries, which we feel is best omitted at this stage. The current formulation in a way rephrases the original intent of the Marrakesh Agreement," he added. India also raised concerns about food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentioning the success of India's national food security program which provided free food grains to 800 million poor and vulnerable during the pandemic, Piyush Goyal said this was only possible because of the robust public stockholding program, which India runs. Unfortunately, 22nd draft of the declaration does not mention public stock holding for food security purposes. India at the thematic session also urged WTO members to open negotiations on diagnostics and therapeutics. Source: ANI

The Indian economy is in good shape as the country's GDP growth rate and foreign exchange reserve are high, former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan said on Thursday. Notwithstanding economic uncertainties triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war that is also impacting the global supply chain, Jalan said it is not going to affect India's economic performance.   "India's current macroeconomic situation is quite positive in the sense that the rate of growth is high. India's foreign exchange reserve is also very high," he told PTI in an interview.   "India (Indian economy) is in good shape," Jalan added.   Asia's third-largest economy is projected to grow 8.9 per cent in 2021-22, according to recent government data. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has pegged the economic growth rate for 2022-23 at 7.8 per cent.   The former RBI governor, however, stressed that unemployment is high, which is a matter of concern. As the Russia-Ukraine crisis is concerned, Jalan said obviously, it will have an impact all over the world. "But so far India is concerned, its relationship with Russia was quite good but exports-imports was not very much," he said, adding that it was less than 2 per cent. While observing that development in Ukraine is a matter of concern, Jalan said it is not going to affect India's economic performance. Russia started its military offensive against Ukraine on February 24. Western nations, including the US, have imposed major economic and various other sanctions on Russia following the offensive. Jalan noted that high inflation is a problem. Retail inflation hit an eight-month high of 6.07 per cent in February, remaining above the RBI's comfort level for the second month in a row, while wholesale price-based inflation soared to 13.11 per cent on account of the hardening of crude oil and non-food item prices. Asked should India use its foreign reserves for infrastructure as proposed by Union minister Nitin Gadkari, he said as far as infrastructure development is concerned, it has to be done in rupees. "Foreign exchange reserves have to be used for doing something in foreign exchange...if there is a shortage of money, then foreign exchange reserves can also be liquefied," he suggested. Regarding high petrol and diesel prices, Jalan said the government has already cut some taxes on petrol and diesel.   "And some more taxes if they can reduce, (then) that is desirable," the former RBI governor said. Rates of petrol and diesel are rising and vary from state to state depending upon the incidence of local taxation.   Source: The Economic Times

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Friday) urged the world community to forge a strong partnership for common good of global humanity seizing the current Covid-19 situation. Addressing a function at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on the occasion of 75th founding anniversary of the UN body, the Bangladesh premier said her government has been disseminating the message of peace through instilling tolerance and respect. "To do this, we have chosen education, science, culture and communications as effective tools," she added. UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay chaired the function. Sheikh Hasina said the 75th anniversary is a unique moment “to celebrate our achievements” and it is also an important occasion to introspect and revisit the organization’s activities for the next 25 years leading to its centenary. “Bangladesh’s commitment to the principles of UNESCO is reflected by our early membership in 1972,” she added. "We consider this organization as one of the most effective platforms for promoting global peace and collective prosperity," said the premier.   Guided by the peace-centric foreign policy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh always remains at the forefront of global peace initiatives, she said, adding, “Our participation in UN peacekeeping as the top contributor is one such case.” Sheikh Hasina said, "Our investment is particularly enormous in education with targeted interventions like stipends, gender-sensitive approach, school feeding programmes and ICT education."   She said that her government is distributing 400 million free textbooks among around 42 million students at the beginning of school years.   “Our Digital Bangladesh vision has been preparing, through ICT based learning, our future generations for the 4th Industrial Revolution,” she added.   "We have launched ICT in our Education Master Plan under which about 83,000 schools were provided ICT devices, and 3,26,936 teachers trained," she continued. The premier has greeted the UNESCO Director-General for inviting her to this historic 75th Anniversary of UNESCO event. "In these years, UNESCO has become a symbol of hope and peace for the world," she opined. This commemoration is significant for Bangladesh as it coincides with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the country’s independence and the birth centenary of its Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said.   Sheikh Hasina said her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a champion of peace and a firm believer of humanity. "His (Bangabandhu's) deep “faith in the indomitable spirit of man-in the capacity of the people to achieve the impossible and to overcome insurmountable odds” resonates the very spirit of the UNESCO," she said.   Referring to her joining Thursday's award giving ceremony of UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the "Creative Economy", the Prime Minister said, "This international prize will surely encourage development of creative entrepreneurship." Sheikh Hasina also said that she is grateful that UNESCO declared the historic 7th March Speech of the Father of Nation in the Memory of the World International register as a documentary heritage. “I thank UNESCO for paying such rich tribute to this people’s leader,” she added. Mentioning that the pandemic menace “has taken lives, and changed our life”, Sheikh Hasina said it has also taught us to survive through innovative acts and speed. The Prime Minister put forth four suggestions before the world as it is now moving on way to recovery from the pandemic. Placing the suggestions, she said: "Let us seize the moment to forge strong partnership for the common good of our global humanity." In her first suggestion, the Prime Minister said that the pandemic has severely disrupted the education system. "For recovery, we need a global plan to prioritise learning by investing in digital tools and services, access to internet, digital contents, and capacity building of teachers," she added. Secondly, she said, public-private partnership must be forged for creating a technology-assisted meaningful learning environment. The premier thirdly suggested that the COVID-19 vaccine must be considered a global public good, saying, "We must ensure its access to all, especially to students and educators worldwide." In the fourth and last suggestion, she said, “We must harness the benefit of science and scientific researches for the welfare of our peoples, with technology transfer at the core.” Source: BSS AH

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal today (Wednesday) reiterated that the economy of Bangladesh is in good shape as it is getting more dynamic and stronger day by day and there is no mismatch or distortion in the economy. “We’re immuned, our debt to GDP ratio is less and we never fail in debt servicing. Our fiscal and monetary policy is aligned to the national budget and the five-year plan. There is no distortion or mismatch, so I think we’re in good shape. We’re aware fully about the demands of our people and thus we’re working for their satisfaction,” he said. The finance minister was talking to reporters virtually after the day’s meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP). Turning to the buoyancy in inward remittance flow, he said that over Taka 40,000 crore remittance came to Bangladesh over the last six months and at the year-end, this amount would reach around Taka 70,000 to Taka 80,000 crore. “Since remittances are now coming through official channel, a great dynamism has been infused in the economy which has also some multiplier impact. The country’s economy is getting more dynamic and stronger and I think we’ve become successful in most of the cases,” he said. Asked about the possible challenges of the economy in the current year, he said the economy of a country is dependent on many parameters, but there have been some changes in thoughts considering the present pandemic situation and thus the current budget will be recast which is also very much rational. “The whole of the world knows very well the current situation and our goal is to harness and exploit the available resources to the satisfaction of the government and the country’s people and thus try to gain maximum which the government is doing nicely under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said. The finance minister said compared to other neighboring countries, Bangladesh is doing well and would continue to do well as the premier has been planning things in a pragmatic way so that it becomes conducive to the welfare of the people of the country. He went on saying, “As a member of her team, we’re doing our works with the available resources.” Ruling out the possibility of major deficit in the macroeconomic indicators, Kamal said there would not be any such deficit, adding that the customs duty has come down due to downtrend in imports. He, however, noted that the other sectors are well as direct taxation either from individual or corporate is having a good growth rate. “Of late, we’ll start having a very good growth rate in VAT. We’re comparatively ahead of other economies as our economy is immuned,” Asked about the trend of whitening undisclosed money in the current fiscal year (FY21) as over Taka 10,000 crore was disclosed in tax returns, Kamal said the government wants that the undisclosed money to come into the mainstream of economy for which such provision has been kept in the budget. He said such provision has been allowed in the real estate sector since it is a big area of the economy while stamp duty has been reduced so that the government could get more revenue from flat registration purpose. He also said that more undisclosed money is also being whitened in the capital market availing of the opportunity given by the government. The finance minister said although interest rates and tax rates were supposed to remain higher earlier in the country, the interest rate has now come down. But it is still higher than some economies. “We’ve been successful in this regard and we’ll have to consider the positive sides of these.” Replying to another question over the non-submission of tax returns by all TIN holders, Kamal said that the government would have to go for full automation of the revenue sector, adding, “Until we’re successful in digitizing our system, the problems will persist. But we’re giving highest priority to full automation of our revenue sector.” When asked to evaluate his performances as he completed two years as the finance minister, Kamal left the matter to the people, saying that he had been working relentlessly for the country and its people. Source: BSS AH