Singapore’s DBS flags higher margins, plans capital return

Singapore’s biggest bank DBS Group (DBSM.SI), opens new tab said it expects group net interest income to improve this year and announced a capital return dividend plan on Monday as it posted a 10% rise in fourth-quarter net profit, matching expectations. Southeast Asia’s largest bank by assets said it now expected group net interest income […]

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vows to further develop nuclear forces

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticised trilateral military cooperation among the United States, Japan and South Korea for raising tensions in the region and vowed countermeasures, including the further development of nuclear forces. Kim said U.S. deployments of nuclear strategic assets, war exercises and military cooperation with Japan and South Korea were inviting military […]

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Trump wants US to own Gaza, could let Middle East states help rebuild

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he is committed to buying and owning Gaza, but could allow sections of the war-ravaged land to be rebuilt by other states in the Middle East. “I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the […]

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Bangladesh PMI rises to 65.7 driven by faster expansion in agri, construction, services sectors

The latest Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) readings for Bangladesh indicate that the country’s economy remains on an expansion trajectory for the fourth month, driven by growing exports, seasonal consumption trends, and an improved agro supply chain. The PMI for January has increased by four points from the previous month to 65.7, according to a press […]

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IMF mission visiting Pakistan to review governance, corruption risks: finance ministry

In order to add clarity to the reports circulating in the media, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue on Sunday said that the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) mission is visiting Pakistan to conduct a governance and corruption diagnostic assessment (GCDA). In a statement, a spokesperson for the finance ministry said that the IMF has long […]

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Tajikistan’s social insurance and pension budget surpasses 2024 target

In 2024, Tajikistan’s social insurance and pension budget received a total of 4.864 billion somoni ($448.4 million) in social taxes, exceeding the planned amount by 418.7 million somoni ($38.6 million). This was reported during a press conference of the Social Insurance and Pensions Agency under the Government of Tajikistan. The expenditure side of the agency’s […]

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Uzbekistan embarks on a journey to protect its landscapes and secure food systems

Wheat fields stretching to the horizon are a familiar sight across Uzbekistan, where the grain is more than just a staple – it’s a lifeline. Over the past 20 years, wheat production in the country has grown by a staggering 700%, ensuring food security and supporting livelihoods. However, this remarkable growth has come with a […]

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Abu Dhabi Fund for Development announces loan for Velana Airport in Maldives

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development announced an additional loan of US$40 million  to support the completion of the Velana International Airport project in the Maldives. This follows an earlier loan of US$50 million provided in 2017 for the project’s initial phases, highlighting the airport’s vital role in driving tourism, a key pillar of the Maldivian […]

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Sri Lanka begins 2025 with 17.5% increase in workers’ remittances

Remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad have continued to be strong providing much needed heft for the country’s strengthening external sector and thereby the broader economy. According to the data available through January 2025, Sri Lankans working abroad had sent back US$ 573.0 million via official channels, up sharply from the US$ 487.6 million recorded […]

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Bhutan’s Prime Minister assures that the government will reduce data costs by 50 percent

Reiterating the election campaign pledge, the Prime Minister said that the government will slash mobile charges by 50 percent at the meet-the-press session yesterday. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay assured that the price reduction will be carefully implemented to avoid affecting telecom operators or compromising service quality. A technical committee, chaired by the Ministry of Finance, […]

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