SOUTH ASIA
Political Front: Bangladesh BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain has urged President Zillur Rahman to arrange roundtable talks with all political parties to resolve existing crises in the country. Meanwhile Khandaker has also accused the country’s Parliament for character assassi
nation of opposition leaders. Major task for Sri Lankan government still seems to be rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs. Government of Nepal has warned Maoists not to turn violent during their protests. Opposition party has accused ruling regime of Maldives for curbing women’s rights. Meanwhile Maldives Democratic Party’s (MDP) national council has passed a resolution to undertake a nationwide protest against the main opposition, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), in order to protect the lawfully elected government. A delegation of senior U.S. officials arrived in Myanmar for Washington's highest-level talks with the reclusive military regime in 14 years. The Obama administration's move to engage the junta appears focused on pushing for free and fair elections next year.
Geo-strategic Front: As tension continues to mount on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, China, a common friend is proposing resolution through negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister has recently paid a visit to Sri Lanka enhancing diplomatic ties. The Chinese government has expressed commitment to increase its grant assistance to Nepal by 50%. Meanwhile President of Maldives held a meeting with Indian PM in New Delhi discussing a range of issues, including climate change, economy, and security. In the meantime South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries has won a US$1.4 billion deal to build an offshore gas platform in Myanmar.
Social Front: Malnutrition has emerged as a major social challenge for the Bangladesh government.
Political Front: Bangladesh BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain has urged President Zillur Rahman to arrange roundtable talks with all political parties to resolve existing crises in the country. Meanwhile Khandaker has also accused the country’s Parliament for character assassi
nation of opposition leaders. Major task for Sri Lankan government still seems to be rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs. Government of Nepal has warned Maoists not to turn violent during their protests. Opposition party has accused ruling regime of Maldives for curbing women’s rights. Meanwhile Maldives Democratic Party’s (MDP) national council has passed a resolution to undertake a nationwide protest against the main opposition, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), in order to protect the lawfully elected government. A delegation of senior U.S. officials arrived in Myanmar for Washington's highest-level talks with the reclusive military regime in 14 years. The Obama administration's move to engage the junta appears focused on pushing for free and fair elections next year.Geo-strategic Front: As tension continues to mount on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, China, a common friend is proposing resolution through negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister has recently paid a visit to Sri Lanka enhancing diplomatic ties. The Chinese government has expressed commitment to increase its grant assistance to Nepal by 50%. Meanwhile President of Maldives held a meeting with Indian PM in New Delhi discussing a range of issues, including climate change, economy, and security. In the meantime South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries has won a US$1.4 billion deal to build an offshore gas platform in Myanmar.
Social Front: Malnutrition has emerged as a major social challenge for the Bangladesh government.
Economic Front: German investors expressed interest to invest in Bangladesh's gas exploration, renewable energy, bio-gas, coal mining and photovoltaic sectors. Meanwhile loan interest rates of state banks in Sri Lanka have been reduced for the convenience of the common man. Maldivian President claims that Indian companies are keen to invest in Maldivian markets.
EAST ASIA
Political Front: Malaysian PAS has failed to reach at a consensus causing a split in the party. Meanwhile UMNO has offered to start unity talks but PM Najib seems pessimistic.
Thailand plans to review all bilateral agreements and cooperation projects with Cambodia after the two countries recalled their ambassadors in an escalating diplomatic spat over fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin.
Geo-strategic Front: Malaysia has announced to extend full support at Pakistan’s request for a full dialogue partnership in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Meanwhile Cambodia has refused to extradite former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra; despite Thai government's request. Singapore has asked Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their border issue through peaceful negotiations to avoid destabilizing the whole region.
Social Front: Various opinion polls have indicated that Indonesians have very little faith in their police and courts. The release of some tapes damaging the image of these institutes would strengthen this perception. Economic Front: Indonesian consumer confidence has steadily increased over the last six months. According to a survey by Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Malaysian businesses were the least affected by the global economic downturn compared with their counterparts in Singapore and Hong Kong. Meanwhile Malaysia has expressed interest in signing trade agreement with New Zealand. Also Islamic finance is being regarded as the fastest growing sector in Malaysia. Thailand’s industrial production unexpectedly rose for the first time in 11 months as electronics and automotive companies received more orders. Business sentiment among manufacturers has remarkably improved in Singapore as well.
Sri Lankan President and his Vietnamese counterpart have agreed to encourage bilateral trade and set the target of US$ 100 million for two-way trade volume by 2012.
Thailand plans to review all bilateral agreements and cooperation projects with Cambodia after the two countries recalled their ambassadors in an escalating diplomatic spat over fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin.
Geo-strategic Front: Malaysia has announced to extend full support at Pakistan’s request for a full dialogue partnership in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Meanwhile Cambodia has refused to extradite former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra; despite Thai government's request. Singapore has asked Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their border issue through peaceful negotiations to avoid destabilizing the whole region.
Social Front: Various opinion polls have indicated that Indonesians have very little faith in their police and courts. The release of some tapes damaging the image of these institutes would strengthen this perception. Economic Front: Indonesian consumer confidence has steadily increased over the last six months. According to a survey by Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Malaysian businesses were the least affected by the global economic downturn compared with their counterparts in Singapore and Hong Kong. Meanwhile Malaysia has expressed interest in signing trade agreement with New Zealand. Also Islamic finance is being regarded as the fastest growing sector in Malaysia. Thailand’s industrial production unexpectedly rose for the first time in 11 months as electronics and automotive companies received more orders. Business sentiment among manufacturers has remarkably improved in Singapore as well.
Sri Lankan President and his Vietnamese counterpart have agreed to encourage bilateral trade and set the target of US$ 100 million for two-way trade volume by 2012.
CENTRAL ASIA
Political Front: With upcoming municipal elections in Azerbaijan the Azerbaijan Islamic Democratic Party (AIDP) is seriously considering a proposal to join the opposition. The delegates to a congress of the two major Kazakh opposition parties, the National Social-Democratic Party and Azat (Freedom), have decided to merge into one party called National Social Democratic Party Azat. Meanwhile Kazakhstan's financial police have launched a criminal investigation against an opposition newspaper critical of the authorities. Kyrgyz opposition has spread an official statement, harshly criticizing the recent governmental reforms pushed by the president Bakiev. After bringing reforms Kyrgyz President assigned his son to head the central agency for development, investment, and innovations. Meanwhile new members of Kyrgyz cabinet have taken oath to office in the Parliament house. President of Tajikistan has promised to ensure holding of the upcoming parliamentary elections within the framework of law.
Geo-strategic Front: Azeri ruling party has asked OSCE Minsk Group to recognize Armenia as aggressor state in order to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Meanwhile Turkish delegation has paid visit to Azerbaijan. Azeri-US Security Dialogue also grabbed attention. Apart from this Azeri decision to increase number of peacekeepers in Afghanistan and Palestinian decision to open embassy in Azerbaijan remained significant. Turkey has started seeking strong relations with Central Asia. Kazakhstan has expressed keen interest in promotion of a common security vision under its chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010. In the meantime a U.S. official has called on Kazakhstan to fulfill its obligations before it assumes the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Kyrgyzstan has announced plan to strengthen its ties with Russia within the intergovernmental commission. Tajik President held various meetings with his Russian counterpart but without any significant results. Meanwhile U.S. CENTCOM commander also paid a visit to Tajikistan. A regional training on preventive diplomacy for Central Asia started in Turkmenistan. Pakistani troops have surrounded Kaniguram, a key base for Uzbek Islamic militants in South Waziristan region. Meanwhile 27 individuals have been arrested in Uzbekistan on suspicion of religious extremism.
Social Front: Rapid increase in the number of swine flu victims in Azerbaijan has been observed. In this regard World Health Organization has sent special vaccine against swine flu. All the while some mosques in Baku have lowered the volume of their morning call to prayer because of environmental considerations. Leading Kazakh human rights activist Yevgeny Zhovtis has been transferred from Almaty to a labor camp in northeastern Kazakhstan. The US has criticized Kazakh treatment of the human rights activist. All the while whereabouts of a Kazakh asylum seeker deported from the Czech Republic to Almaty remain unknown. About 88% internal migrants of Kyrgyzstan have moved in search of jobs. Meanwhile monitoring of scale and nature of gender violence showed that 83 % of women in Kyrgyzstan face violence at ongoing basis. Kidnapping of brides also seems to be on rise in the country. Police in the Central Asian state of Turkmenistan have arrested a prominent environmental activist in what appears to be a politically motivated action. In this regard activists launched demonstration at the Turkmen Embassy in Moscow. The European Union has lifted sanctions on Uzbekistan, despite concerns about human rights.
Economic Front: Agreements on financing of 50 projects totaling $2.607 billion were signed during the period of the World Bank operations in Azerbaijan. The joint session of parliamentary committees has started discussing the State Budget Bill for 2010. Kazakhstan claimed to supply gas for Nabucco project in case of availability of required gas volumes. At the signs of economic revival Kazakhstan is returning to commercial banking. Kyrgyzstan has been ranked among CIS with highest industrial decline rates. Delegation of the World Bank outlined high level of private industry and infrastructure development in Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile World Bank has approved loans totaling $34 million. Russia made plan to build three small hydropower plants in Tajikistan. Iran’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Hamid Chitchian, paid a two-day visit to get acquainted with the process of implementation of the Iran-sponsored projects in Tajikistan. Turkmenistan has completed construction on its 188-km section of a 7,000-km natural gas pipeline that extends from Turkmenistan to China. Uzbek Parliament has promised to create one million jobs by 2010. The loan agreement was signed in Tashkent between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Government of Uzbekistan to finance rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage networks in various regions of Uzbekistan.
GCC- Gulf Cooperation Council
Political Front: Kuwait's constitutional court rejected a petition brought by four voters to declare invalid the election of two women MPs because they refuse to wear the Hijab.
Geo-strategic Front: To further boost regional integration, Gulf States have agreed in principal to extend their multi-billion dollar railway project to Yemen. Saudi Arabia has made plan to inject carbon dioxide into the world’s biggest oil field by 2013 to trap climate-warming gas and improve oil production. Meanwhile first Saudi relief plane arrived in Niger for people affected by the torrential rains. The UAE has recently established diplomatic ties with Haiti. Meanwhile Syrian people and Government show their full support to the right of the UAE to sovereignty on the three Islands - Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb - occupied by Iran. United Arab Emirates urged the General Assembly of the United Nations to adopt the recommendations of Goldstone report that was approved by the Human Rights Council at its 12th special session, on the crimes committed by Israel during its war on Gaza Strip. Meanwhile Kuwait called for the implementation of recommendations of the Goldstone report on the Israeli crimes against civilians in Gaza. Bahrain and Qatar have also strongly condemned Israeli acts of aggression against Palestinians. UAE has urged international community to take serious action against Israeli nuclear assets. Besides that responding to the comments made by a number of Iranian officials on Hajj this year, Al-Asheikh said the Kingdom would not allow any party to undermine security during the annual pilgrimage and create division among Muslims. Officials from the Kingdom refuted statements by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, who recently said that Saudi Arabia might abuse Iranian pilgrims during the Hajj. Meanwhile Saudi jets pounded Shiite rebel camps in northern Yemen after the killing of a Saudi border guard.
Social Front: In Saudi Arabia, an advisor to the Royal Council, a prominent Islamic scholar has launched an outspoken attack on judges for handing out excessive prison and lashing sentences. Meanwhile the Interior Ministry has seized 281 Kalashnikov rifles, 55 boxes of ammunition and 250 magazines from a rest house located in the outskirts of Riyadh.
Economic Front: According to a GCC Investor Sentiment Report Real Estate, Construction & Materials sector has improved dramatically since the beginning of the year. According to IMF the current situation of the UAE economy seems to be much better than that of last year. Bahrain has started talks with oil giant Saudi Armco over plans to move ahead with constructing a new pipeline between the two countries. Meanwhile China has shown keen interest in getting liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar. Rising oil prices are contributing to the region’s recovery.
Geo-strategic Front: To further boost regional integration, Gulf States have agreed in principal to extend their multi-billion dollar railway project to Yemen. Saudi Arabia has made plan to inject carbon dioxide into the world’s biggest oil field by 2013 to trap climate-warming gas and improve oil production. Meanwhile first Saudi relief plane arrived in Niger for people affected by the torrential rains. The UAE has recently established diplomatic ties with Haiti. Meanwhile Syrian people and Government show their full support to the right of the UAE to sovereignty on the three Islands - Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb - occupied by Iran. United Arab Emirates urged the General Assembly of the United Nations to adopt the recommendations of Goldstone report that was approved by the Human Rights Council at its 12th special session, on the crimes committed by Israel during its war on Gaza Strip. Meanwhile Kuwait called for the implementation of recommendations of the Goldstone report on the Israeli crimes against civilians in Gaza. Bahrain and Qatar have also strongly condemned Israeli acts of aggression against Palestinians. UAE has urged international community to take serious action against Israeli nuclear assets. Besides that responding to the comments made by a number of Iranian officials on Hajj this year, Al-Asheikh said the Kingdom would not allow any party to undermine security during the annual pilgrimage and create division among Muslims. Officials from the Kingdom refuted statements by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, who recently said that Saudi Arabia might abuse Iranian pilgrims during the Hajj. Meanwhile Saudi jets pounded Shiite rebel camps in northern Yemen after the killing of a Saudi border guard.
Social Front: In Saudi Arabia, an advisor to the Royal Council, a prominent Islamic scholar has launched an outspoken attack on judges for handing out excessive prison and lashing sentences. Meanwhile the Interior Ministry has seized 281 Kalashnikov rifles, 55 boxes of ammunition and 250 magazines from a rest house located in the outskirts of Riyadh.
Economic Front: According to a GCC Investor Sentiment Report Real Estate, Construction & Materials sector has improved dramatically since the beginning of the year. According to IMF the current situation of the UAE economy seems to be much better than that of last year. Bahrain has started talks with oil giant Saudi Armco over plans to move ahead with constructing a new pipeline between the two countries. Meanwhile China has shown keen interest in getting liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar. Rising oil prices are contributing to the region’s recovery.
CHINA
Political Front: The Communist Party of China (CPC) issued four documents calling for an improved evaluation system for Party and government. Meanwhile government intends to evaluate civil servants in an improved and more democratic way.
Geo-strategic Front: China and New Zealand have pledged to promote free trade and to fight against protectionism. Meanwhile Chinese and Australian PMs have called for early FTA deal. Chinese growing ties with Mongolia, Ukraine, Africa, Albania, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Estonia, Egypt and Arab countries also remained significant. In the meantime, Chinese vice Premier Wang Qishan called on beefed-up Sino-U.S. coordination and cooperation in fighting the global financial crisis. China has requested the US to lift embargo against Cuba. All the while China has firmly opposed arms sales to Taiwan by the United States and any other country. At the same time, Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou called for resolution of the conflict with China through negotiation. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan have agreed to start formal talks on signing an economic cooperation agreement by the end of this year. Police in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has been ordered to "strike hard" at criminals in the wake of deadly riots in the capital, four months ago.
Hong Kong & Macau: An interpretation service to facilitate ethnic minorities in accessing local public services has been launched by the government of Hong Kong.
Social Front: Representative of WHO has declared Chinese-made swine flu vaccine to be safe and effective as more than 300,000 people have been vaccinated since late September. Meanwhile in a new medium, Kidneys are being freely traded on the Internet providing huge profits for the organ brokers. The world's largest Internet search engine has been in negotiations with China's copyright watchdog for scanning works for its online library without permission. China's Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu has called for full application of the information technology in improving the police force's crime prevention and control system. At environmental front China has been putting serious effort to increase use of solar energy. Meanwhile, major State-owned companies have taken great leaps to cut down on their carbon emissions, in a key boost to the government's campaign to combat climate change. Thousands of residents in the Panyu district have signed a petition opposing construction of a garbage incinerator in their neighborhood.
Economic Front: Economic and Trade Ministers of China, Japan and South Korea vowed to oppose trade protectionism in all forms. Meanwhile China and the United States said that they would not stage any new trade protection measures against each other. Chinese investment abroad surged 190.4 % to US$20.47 billion in the third quarter. Chinese legislators have started discussing a draft law on the protection of oil and gas pipelines, facing growing problems due to rapid urbanization and the expansion of pipeline networks. Meanwhile China's manufacturing sector expanded for the 8th straight month in October.
Hong Kong & Macau: Hong Kong stocks went down on three consecutive days, plunging 496.59 points, or 2.28%.
FERTILE CRESCENT
Political Front: Iraqi scholars have called on members of parliament to end a protracted deadlock over a key election law that threatens to delay polls scheduled for January. National leaders did agree on a new draft amendment but a vote to approve that law got postponed. After five months of parliamentary election, country is still without government as a political deadlock between the majority and the opposition continues. Palestinian Resistance Movement, Hamas, stated that the Abbas’ decision not to run for president is being considered as political bankruptcy.
Geo-strategic Front: Egypt has reiterated its support for the “Comprehensive Peace Agreement”, of 2005 that ended two decades of war between north and south Sudan. Jordan and Syria have agreed to reciprocally exempt their citizens traveling between the two countries via land.
Social Front: The Egyptian government’s respect for religious freedom has somewhat declined due to the failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of increased incidents of sectarian violence. Meanwhile Lebanese government seems to be seriously inclined towards banning smoking.
Economic Front: Revenues of Jordan’s exports to Israel have declined by 50% in the first eight months of 2009.
TURKEY
Political Front: The government halted the return of PKK members to Turkey which was triggering resentment within public and opposition parties. The Prime Minister has decided to hold a summit to discuss Kurdish issue. While accusing the Military of planning to intervene in political affairs, civil society organizations launched a three-day rally. In the meantime Turkish PM has denied any chances of early elections.
Geo-strategic Front: Turkish PM during his visit to Pakistan emphasized close ties at all fronts. Meanwhile Turkish cordial ties with Iran also remained prominent. Turkish-Israeli ties seem be at their lowest ebb. Some 500 pro-Islamic Turks have recently held an anti-Israel protest in Istanbul over violence at a Jerusalem holy site claimed by both Arabs and Jews. All the while Turkish growing ties with Serbia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Iraq and South Africa remained significant. Despite positive progress at the EU front the ICJ convicted Sudanese President’s planned visit to Turkey has again halted the process. Meanwhile a peace settlement in Cyprus is also on the EU’s radar.
Social Front: With an increasing death toll of swine flu victims vaccination has been started in schools.
Economic Front: Turkish companies consider Russia and Germany the most attractive international markets to invest in. Turkish exports increased by 4.62 % in October as compared to last October, reaching $9.95 billion. Meanwhile inflation figures for basic goods and services were at the lowest level in the first nine months of 2009 when compared to figures in recent history.
Economic Front: Turkish companies consider Russia and Germany the most attractive international markets to invest in. Turkish exports increased by 4.62 % in October as compared to last October, reaching $9.95 billion. Meanwhile inflation figures for basic goods and services were at the lowest level in the first nine months of 2009 when compared to figures in recent history.
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
Please Preview your comments before posting.
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