Debt-to-revenue ratio rises – Can Bangladesh manage the pressure?

The government’s external debt burden is rising at a pace far outstripping revenue growth, pushing the debt-to-revenue ratio dangerously close to the IMF’s 18% threshold by the end of fiscal 2023-24, according to a recent Economic Relations Division (ERD) report. The debt-to-revenue ratio surged to 16.53% in FY24, up from just 12% a year ago, […]

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30 killed in clashes between army and terrorist groups in Pakistan

Two major clashes between the army and terrorists took place in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. At least 30 people were killed. Of these, 18 were soldiers and 12 were terrorists. The Anadolu Agency reported this news, citing the Pakistan Army. The Pakistani army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement on Saturday […]

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The Taliban have no legal right to multibillion dollar Afghan fund, says US watchdog

The watchdog for U.S. assistance to Afghanistan said the Taliban have no legal right to billions of dollars in funding set aside for the country because they are not recognized as its government and are under sanctions. In its latest report issued Friday, the office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, […]

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India increases aid to Maldives with MVR 1.06bn budget allocation

India is set to increase its financial aid to the Maldives for the upcoming year, with an allocation of MVR 1.06 billion in its 2025-2026 proposed budget. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration presented its 2025-2026 proposed budget to the Parliament on Saturday. According to the budget, which is published on the Indian Foreign Ministry’s […]

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MMBL-Money Transfer achieves record US $ 350.8mn in worker remittances in 2024

MMBL-Money Transfer was responsible for bringing in a record US $ 350.8 million in foreign exchange into Sri Lanka in 2024. This represents 5 percent of the total worker remittances that came into the country last year. This also accounts for 77 percent of the overall Western Union remittances to the country. MMBL-Money Transfer is […]

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Climate Crowdfunding Project in Protected Areas in Bhutan

Communities in two protected areas will soon benefit from targeted climate adaptation projects funded by the Climate Crowd Initiative, a global programme under the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). An incense processing unit will be established for communities living within Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP), which includes Soe Gewog and Yaksa village. Draagchukha in Punakha will […]

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Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About Nepal’s 1,200 MW Budhigandaki Hydropower Project

The Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project is a flagship National Pride Project of Nepal. It remains in limbo despite decades of planning and significant financial investment. With a planned capacity of 1,200 MW, the reservoir-type project is strategically located on the border of Gorkha and Dhading districts. While the government had spent over Rs 45 billion […]

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Myanmar rebel alliance splits, second-largest group joins junta

China’s diplomatic efforts to end the civil war in Myanmar have yielded results. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the second-largest armed group in the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has signed a ceasefire agreement with the country’s military junta government under Beijing’s mediation, The Irrawaddy reported. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, the group […]

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India hopes Bangladesh will respect border agreement

New Delhi hopes that all existing agreements reached between India and Bangladesh on the border based on mutual consent will be respected. Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in a regular briefing on Friday. The Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson highlighted the country’s position ahead of the Director General-level conference of Border Guard Bangladesh […]

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