Bangladesh eyes trade pacts with Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan after Doha collapse
DHAKA, 2008 (AFP) - Bangladesh is pursuing bilateral free trade deals with three neighbouring countries following the collapse of World Trade Organisation …
South Asia
South Asia SAARC ‘food bank’ to be housed in Bangladesh: Sri Lanka official
Aug 04, 2008 (LBO) - A South Asian 'food bank' to counter rising prices and perceived 'shortages' would be housed in Bangladesh, a Sri Lankan official said at …
Bangladesh, Bhutan call for freer trade for South Asia’s SAARC nations
August 3, 2008 (LBO) - Bhutan and Bangladesh, tried to fan the flame of free trade in South Asia as dismantling trade barriers went off the agenda, when …
South Asian SAARC summit to conclude amid regional rivalry
August 3, 2008 (AFP) - South Asian leaders will push for anti-terror measures and greater food security as they wrap up a summit Sunday, but efforts to boost …
Bhutan offers to host South Asian SAARC fund at Sri Lanka summit
August 3, 2008 (LBO) - The landlocked kingdom of Bhutan offered tax concessions to host a planned South Asia Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) …
Bhutan wins bid to host South Asian SAARC fund at Sri Lanka meet
Aug 03, 2008 (LBO) - Bhutan will host the secretariat of a South Asian regional fund that has already collected 307 million dollars in commitments at a summit …
Sri Lanka minister says South Asian telecom watchdogs should swiftly cut tariffs
Aug 03, 2008 (LBO) - South Asian telecommunications regulators should quickly move to bring down overseas telephone tariffs, Sri Lanka's foreign minister …
India-Pakistan tensions to overshadow South Asia Summit
August 2, 2008 (AFP) - A summit of South Asian leaders was set to open in Sri Lanka on Saturday, with tensions between India and Pakistan likely to eclipse …
Sri Lanka leader calls for lower international phone tariffs in south Asia
Aug 02, 2008 (LBO) - Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa called for lower international direct dial (IDD) tariffs to better integrate the people of south …
Sri Lanka south Asian leaders’ summit highlights action against terrorism
Aug 02, 2008 (LBO) – South Asian leaders have called for tough action against terrorism at their summit in Colombo this weekend where they are to sign an …
Two decades on, South Asian grouping still to prove relevance
July 31, 2008 (AFP) - South Asian leaders are set for a weekend summit in Colombo where they are expected to repeat pious platitudes, highlighting that the …
South Asian states to intervene for SAARC ‘food security’ despite policy conflicts
July 30, 2008 (LBO) - A summit meeting of South Asian leaders this weekend is placing 'food security' high on its agenda with promises of more state …
Japan foreign minister puts off South Asia trip
TOKYO, July 30, 2008 (AFP) - Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura has put off a visit to South Asia starting this weekend due to political uncertainties …
Pakistan should stop money printing to halt rupee slide: IMF
July 25, 2008 (LBO) - Pakistan should stop printing money to bridge budget gaps to avoid further currency depreciation and loss of foreign reserves, the …
Sri Lanka summit to consider trade, food security moves
July 22, 2008 (LBO) - South Asian leaders holding a summit in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo next months will consider setting up common standards for goods …
India govt hunts for support ahead of no confidence vote
NEW DELHI, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - The Indian government was scouring for support Monday, trying to shore up its position a day before a no-confidence vote in …
Woman would-be suicide bomber caught in Afghanistan: officials
GHAZNI, July 18, 2008 (AFP) - Police arrested a woman and a 13-year-old child they alleged were suicide bombers planning to kill a provincial governor in …
Central Bank chief takes over as Maldivian finance minister
July 15, 2008 (LBO) - Maldivian government Tuesday appointed the central bank chief Abdullah Jihad as the new minister of finance, the atoll's information …
Maldives finance minister resigns
July 11, 2008 (LBO) - The finance minister of Maldives has resigned amid speculation that he may launch his own presidential bid through a different party, …
Dubai’s Noor Islamic Bank to launch operations in Maldives
July 9, 2008 (LBO) - Dubai's Noor Islamic Bank has inked a deal to open up an Islamic banking unit in the Indian Ocean Island of Maldives, officials said. …