Author: Senin Mamat

The quality of the internet has been severely compromised by restrictions placed on the market. The first step to solving a problem is admitting that it exists. Telecommunications regulators in Tajikistan have taken a surprising step in that direction by reportedly admitting this week that a staggering 95 percent of the country’s territory is covered by only outdated 2G mobile connections. This situation is in no small part due to the State Communications Service itself. In addition to regulating the sector, the service and the people running it are also major market players, albeit in highly nebulous ways that would be unthinkable…

Japanese marines in amphibious assault vehicles stormed an island beach at the edge of the East China Sea on Sunday in a simulated attack to dislodge invaders from territory that Tokyo worries is vulnerable to attack from China. As tensions run high with neighbours China, Russia and North Korea, the drill on the southwest island of Tokunoshima capped an 11-day series of exercises nationwide dubbed 05JX, meant to show the readiness of ground, sea and air forces to defend Japan’s territory and infrastructure, including nuclear power plants. “The goal of JX is to show that if there is an emergency situation resulting from an attack, that we…

The GDP growth forecast from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) October 2023 World Economic Outlook for the next year shows that the country will be among the top 15 fastest-growing economies. The IMF predicts the Cambodian economy to grow at 6.1 percent, which is the highest in the Asean region. Cambodia is ranked 14 on the list which is topped by Macao SAR (27.2 percent growth). Guyana (26.6 percent) stands second in the list followed by Palau (12.4 percent), Niger (11.1 percent), Senegal (8.8 percent), Libya (7.5 percent), Rwanda (7 percent), Cote d’Ivoire (6.6 percent), Burkina Faso (6.4 percent), Benin…

The region is contending with a strong dollar, rising oil prices and a weaker Chinese economy A potent combination of factors, including a stronger US dollar, a weaker Chinese economy, and rising oil prices, is creating a dangerous cocktail that threatens to disrupt the stability of Southeast Asian economies. A strong dollar makes servicing dollar-denominated debt more expensive, increasing the burden on countries with substantial external debt.  Additionally, it could lead to capital outflows as investors seek higher returns in the US, putting downward pressure on currencies of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As a result,…

Frankfurt (11/09 – 20) Two international human rights organizations have called on the Tajikistan government to immediately release jailed lawyer and human rights activist Manuchehr Kholiknazarov, as well as other activists and journalists. The International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and the international non-profit organization CIVICUS, which bills itself as “a global alliance aimed at strengthening the action of citizens and civil society around the world,” in their message published specially on the eve of Independence Day, September 8, focus on the fact that Tajik human rights activist and civil society activist Manuchehr Kholiknazarov was falsely sentenced to a long…

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday presented his government’s 2024 budget, emphasising the need for tough reforms until the full recovery of the cash-strapped island nation’s economy. Although Sri Lanka has managed to control its hyperinflation in the ongoing economic crisis, its economy is far from being fully recovered. “We have been able to put back on the rails the derailed economy. Still, people undergo suffering,” Wickremesinghe, who is also the Finance Minister, said. “The inflation which was 70 per cent in September 2022 has been reduced to 1.5 per cent in October this year,” the minister said. He…

Beijing blames Washington for the incident that almost caused an accident as the two compete for influence in the region. A Chinese fighter jet has come within three metres (10 feet) of a US B-52 bomber while flying over the South China Sea, according to the United States military, as Beijing blames Washington for the incident. The move almost caused an accident, said a US Indo-Pacific Command statement on Thursday evening, underscoring the potential for a mishap at a time when both countries are competing for influence in the region. In the night intercept, the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine fighter jet closed on…

KUCHING (Oct 25): Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) will be a Gold Sponsor for the upcoming Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2023. Petronas in a statement today explained that this will be its seventh year of sponsorship for the event. The company will also sponsor the prestigious ‘Piala Petronas’ longboat race competition to be held from Oct 27 to Nov 5, which has attracted around 60 teams from Malaysia and 20 other countries this year. During the festival, visitors will be able to visit the Petronas booth at Kuching Waterfront where a range of merchandise will be made available, including Petronas-Sarawak Regatta…

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ASEAN-India summit and unveiled a 12-point proposal to enhance collaboration with ASEAN member countries. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits in Indonesia, unveiling a 12-point proposal to enhance collaboration between India and ASEAN. This highlights the importance of monitoring India-ASEAN developments for businesses seeking growth opportunities in the region. Additionally, joint statements on Maritime Cooperation and Food Security were adopted during the summit, signaling significant progress in the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India-ASEAN Collaboration: Enhancing Partnership for Growth India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently attended the annual…

Paris (08/11 – 75) Sri Lanka’s economic and political crisis of 2022 left the country bankrupt. Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as President of Sri Lanka in July 2022 when the country was in the middle of its worst economic and political crisis since independence in 1948. His predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, had been forced out of power after facing mass protests prompted by 12-hour power cuts and persistent fuel and food shortages. The nation was bankrupt.Wickremesinghe brought in the International Monetary Fund and has focused on reaching macroeconomic stability and driving tough but much-needed structural reforms. Today, as Sri Lanka embarks…