Friday, May 28, 2010

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 119

Week # 119, Dated 8-14 May 2010

GCC

Geo-strategic Front:

Top leaders of member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council started their 12th consultative summit meeting in Saudi Arabia last week. Main areas of focus remained Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, Iraqi elections and Iran’s nuclear issue apart from general political, economic and security issues being faced by the member states. All the while Saudi Foreign Minister reiterated the Arab stand regarding guaranteeing the rights of all countries in the region to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Kuwait took a similar stand while also asking Israel to open its nuclear facilities to IAEA.

Economic Front:

Bahrain has advocated the peaceful use of nuclear energy to serve economic development. Growing Chinese economic ties with the Arab world also seem to be important. Meanwhile amendments to the US-Bahrain FTA have been approved by the Shura Council.

Social Front:

Qatar-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Yousuf al-Qaradawi has urged those European countries which are considering outlawing the full veil (niqab) to review their plans, saying that such a move might prompt some Muslims to campaign for imposing a “modest dress code” on foreigners living in Muslim countries.

Floods in Jeddah have caused severe damage to lives and properties of residents. Meanwhile the media has declared corruption to be the main cause of poor infra-structure being badly affected by floods.

An annual Reports released by UAE’s National Committee to combat Human Trafficking has clearly evinced remarkable performance of the state in controlling such activity.

FERTILE CRESCENT

Political Front:

Egyptian Parliament has approved a two-year extension of an amended emergency law despite vociferous objections from opposition and independent MPs.

Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the IAEA has issued a public call for political change in Egypt ahead of presidential elections planned for next year. He has also denied emergency law that bans gatherings critical of the government of Hosni Mubarak. Meanwhile Human Rights activists and opposition parties mainly Muslim Brotherhood have also condemned government’s implementation of the emergency law.

Following the March elections in Iraq a functional government is yet to be established. Existing uncertainty has led jihadi groups to fuel their activities. Meanwhile an effort on the part of Shia parties to form government risks the fear of marginalization of the Sunni minority. Meanwhile the recount of votes in Baghdad hasn’t brought any remarkable change in over all election results.

In the run-up to the 2009 parliamentary election in Lebanon reportedly an estimated $35 million was spent on election-related activities by different political parties. Meanwhile a further $32 million was spent on political advertising and media in the period from August 2008 and July 2009.

Geo-strategic Front:

Four African countries i.e. Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania have signed a new treaty on the equitable sharing of the Nile waters despite strong opposition from Egypt and Sudan who have the lion's share of the river’s water.

Meanwhile Israelis and Palestinians have finally started indirect talks regarding the Middle East Peace Process.

Economic Front:

The UN FAO seems optimistic about wheat production in Iraq this year mainly because of suitable weather conditions.

Social Issues:

Egypt’s National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority has announced to block Skype’s voice over Internet protocol, via mobile phones. Cairo said Skype was violating Egyptian law by providing international calling outside the “approved gateways.”

Meanwhile active participation of Lebanese women in local elections clearly indicates progress in the country.

CENTRAL ASIA

Political Front:

The top military commander in the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh has dismissed Azerbaijan's continuing threats to take back the disputed region by force.

Kazakh lower and upper houses of Parliament have approved constitutional amendments, one after the other, granting President Nursultan Nazarbaev the status of "leader of the nation”. Opposition however has strongly condemned this major amendment.

Supporters of Kyrgyzstan's interim government have clashed with supporters of ousted President Bakiev in the south of the country, where Bakiev loyalists have already occupied several regional government buildings. Meanwhile large numbers of protestors have launched demonstrations in the capital city and have demanded trial of the ousted President. Under enormous pressure, interim government has requested Latvian government to detain the son of their ousted President Bakiev. Meanwhile a difference of opinion has emerged among the members of ruling regime over the issue of constitutional changes.

The Tajik President has reinstated the State Committee on Religious Affairs to oversee the country's religious organizations.

The Turkmen parliament has approved a new edition of the country's Criminal Code that reduces the maximum sentence for the most serious crimes.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov has signed a decree to abolish private notary offices in order to avoid criminal situations.

Geo-strategic Front:

The Kyrgyz-Kazakh border remains closed despite an agreement between the two countries' leaders to reopen it.

The US has demanded greater transparency in the supply of aviation fuel to a key U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan.

Meanwhile Iran has offered to play the role of a mediator between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Turkmenistan has expressed keenness to enhance ties with CIS countries.

Economic Front:

Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania have signed a Protocol on the Export of Liquefied natural gas to Europe.

Kazakhstan has invited India to join its industrial program. Russian companies also seem keen to start energy projects in the Kazakh oil and gas sectors. Meanwhile China has lifted a ban on grain exports from the country.

Tajikistan and Pakistan have discussed ways to expand their bilateral economic and trade ties.

Social Front:

Floods in South eastern part of Azerbaijan have compelled a large number of people to leave their homes.

Meanwhile floods in Tajikistan have reportedly caused deaths of more than 20 people. The President has expressed serious concerns regarding coping with the issue effectively.

In a separate development the Tajik government has suspended a ban on advertisement of mobile phones.

SOUTH ASIA

Political Front:

The BNP led regime has been declared as the main reason behind emergency rule that was imposed in Bangladesh in January 2007, by ruling regime.

Meanwhile in Nepal, Maoists have resumed their hard-line approach over the issue of integration of Maoist cadres into the Royal Army. They carried out a six days strike to mount pressure on the government. The Business communities have also called for an end to the ongoing dispute. Amidst such pressure it seems unlikely that the government would succeed in promulgating the new constitution by May 28. Meanwhile the EU has asked Nepalese PM to quit his seat in order to restore stability.

Geo-strategic Front:

Saudi Arabian Airlines suspended all its flights from the Kingdom to Bangladesh last week following a strike by air fuel station workers in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile Bangladesh and South Korea held a summit on May 18 to discuss bilateral economic cooperation.

The Foreign Minister of Maldives discussed bilateral ties as well as regional issues with the Pakistani government during his visit to the nation last week.

The Maldivian Minister of Home Affairs has promised to allow International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) officials to enter the island state without a visa.

India and Nepal have signed two MoUs that aim to enhance economic ties between the two countries.

Sri Lankan President has urged the international community to be aware of the threats being faced by the nation at the hands of remnants of the subdued Tamil tigers.

Economic Front:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has devised a costly lending program for Bangladesh this year as it has increased its hard-term loans up from the softer ones in the revised aid scheme.

Economic growth in Bhutan slowed sharply last year to 6% as tourist numbers fell. Meanwhile according to the World Bank's report Sri Lanka's economy expanded by 3.3% in the second half of 2009, the fastest rate recorded since 2002 showing stability despite a weak global economy.

Social Front:

According to reports Bangladesh has announced to send its first all-female contingent of police officers on a United Nations peacekeeping mission, to help with reconstruction in quake-devastated Haiti.

Nepal is suffering from food shortage of 316,465 metric tones, affecting over 1.6 million people this year.

INDIA

Political Front:

BJP national president Nitin Gadkari has strongly criticized the Congress-led UPA government for being soft on terrorists and their sympathizers because of vote bank politics. He blamed UPA for price rise and increasing Naxal insurgency in the country. He also condemned Samajwadi party for betraying opposition parties during cut-motions in the parliament.

Recently made remarks by the Indian Environment Minister urging the need to lift restrictions over Chinese investments, have brought huge criticism against him mainly by opposition parties and to certain extent by Congress as well.

The Election Commission of India (EC) has announced the poll schedule for the biennial election to 11 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh as eleven members of the Rajya Sabha from the state will retire on July 4.

Meanwhile 7 police jawans have been added to the list of deceased this week at the hand of the Maoists.

Geo-strategic Front:

During a recently held meeting in Tehran, Indian Deputy NSA has asked Iran to extend cooperation in order to bring stability in Afghanistan. They however remained quiet about security-related issues.

Meanwhile The US administration has named India's oil and gas flagship ONGC and Indian Oil Corp (IOC) among the 41 firms worldwide having energy ties with Iran, an act for which it may impose sanctions on them.

Indian government has extended the ban on LTTE by another two years following intelligence reports that remnants of the Sri Lankan Tamil terror outfit were trying to re-group in Tamil Nadu.

Economic Front:

Last week the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex registered its biggest single day gain of 561 points in ten months after EU and IMF agreed on a 1 trillion dollar emergency fund for the Union to help contain the region's credit crisis.

Social Front:

Strong criticism by media and civil society against Darul Uloom Deoband’s statement that women should not work with men; led Darul Uloom to withdraw from its stance.

Meanwhile a faction of the Gujjars has warned to launch a fresh agitation against the 1% additional quota offered to the community by the government, saying it was not ready to settle for anything less than the 5 % separate reservation.

Meanwhile an increase in the number of cases of honor killings has been observed in Indian Punjab.

EAST ASIA

Political Front:

A group of militants has been arrested by the Indonesian police during raids.

Meanwhile in Malaysia the campaign for bi-elections of mainly urban and ethnic Chinese parliament seat of Sibu has led to a historic win where Malaysia's opposition snatched the parliamentary seat in a ruling coalition stronghold.

Besides that Anwar Ibrahim’s ongoing trial has increased tension between ruling regime and opposition party.

The Thai Prime Minister has put forward a plan to end the rallies that have crippled Bangkok but it remained in limbo as talks dragged on over the details, including a proposed early election in mid-November. Opposition Parties have agreed to accept government’s plan but warned to continue their sit-in protest as until the government allows their satellite television to go back on the air and until key government leaders face charges related to bloody April 10 clashes in which 25 people were killed and more than 800 others wounded.

Finally elections have been held in Philippines. More than 85,000 candidates have contested elections for 17,000 seats. Meanwhile President-apparent Benigno Aquino III refused to take an oath of office before the new chief justice, alleging impropriety in the appointment by the outgoing president in the ending days of her term.

Geo-strategic Front:

The Cambodian government has recently signed a treaty with China to enhance cooperation. Meanwhile Southeast Asian leaders have raised concerns about regional stability in the wake of Thailand's political crisis.

Economic Front:

Indonesia's economic growth has accelerated in the first quarter to its fastest pace since the third quarter of 2008. In the 2010 budget, government of Indonesia has allocated Rp. 9 billion for modernization of old textile and leather machineries in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Indo-Indonesian trade has expanded by over 20 % in the first two months of 2010. Sino-Thai links too have further enhanced. Economists hope to witness economic growth in the post election scenario. Meanwhile Vietnam has announced to invest around US$8.6 billion in island infrastructure to boost national defense and economic development on its remote ocean outposts.

Social Front:

In recently held elections in Philippines nine people were killed. Despite such election violence it should be noted that poverty and disease have decreased significantly in the country, but people are still at risk from crime, road accidents, food safety, pollution, human trafficking, drugs, domestic and sexual violence, the destruction of natural resources, and political disorder.

AFGHANISTAN

Political Front:

The United Nations has agreed to provide $149 million to Afghanistan's election commission for the upcoming parliamentary polls. Meanwhile the Southern Province of Afghanistan remained the hub of violence as 3 NATO soldiers, 1 former police chief and his 2 body guards along with 20 Taliban fighters were killed. In the Western Province too 5 pro-government militiamen were killed by the Taliban. In eastern province the US has killed 15 Afghan civilians.

Geo-strategic Front:

Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai has asked foreign troops to pay more attention to securing civilian lives in the fight against insurgents. Karzai and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have vowed to put aside their differences and work together to build a stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

Meanwhile Estonia has announced to keep its troops in Afghanistan as long as their presence is required.

Social Front:

More than 2 dozen people were killed in Northern Afghanistan because of heavy floods.

Meanwhile the Counter-Narcotics Ministry has lashed out at the Kandahar governor for not cooperating in efforts at eradicating opium poppies from the troubled southern province.

CHINA

Political Front:

Chinese Mainland has once again urged Taiwan to give up its pro-independence stance.

Meanwhile China has also started putting efforts to reforms in its judicial system. Also the Chinese Vice President has asked Communist Party officials to eradicate political jargons from their speeches.

Geo-strategic Front:

Chinese President paid a visit to Russia last week at the occasion of their Celebration Day in the memory of their victory against Germany. Both States discussed areas of bilateral cooperation. Chinese growing ties with Sweden, Denmark Cambodia and Namibia also remained significant.

China has urged the international community to enhance cooperation to deal with the global financial crisis in an effective manner. Meanwhile China has also expressed its intention to maintain peace and stability at the Indo-Sino border. Improvement in Chinese ties with Japan as well as South Korea has also been observed.

China has rejected U.S. President Barrack Obama's recent accusation that the country's press was not free. At the same time the US has expressed its desire to work with China in order to expand global economy.

China has welcomed the start of indirect talks between Israel and Palestine. The Chinese government has also congratulated Philippines over smooth conduct of their general elections.

This week Chinese close cooperation with the Arab world and African countries also grabbed attention.

Economic Front:

Chinese government has been putting efforts to improve environment for foreign direct investments. China has asked developed nations to assist the developing world in its green economy endeavor by technology transfer, financial assistance and market liberalization.

China's fiscal revenue in April rose 34.4% year on year to 792.6 billion Yuan (116.03 billion U.S. dollars), boosted by rising tax revenues and domestic prices. Meanwhile China's government has opened a new range of government-run industries to the private sector, either through investment in existing companies or establishment of new firms.

China has made an Exhibition Centre to increased imports of African commodities.

President of the Asian Development Bank has said that exchange rate of Yuan is China’s internal affair.

China has asked banks to freeze more money from lending through a higher reserve requirement. However despite droughts, agricultural price increases and other unfavorable factors, China's agricultural exports have seen a 20 % growth in the first quarter of 2010.

Social Front:

The Chinese government has set up environmental protection agencies to build capacity with the confidence to balance economic growth and protection of environment.

According to reports the world's most populous nations, China and India, have improved the lives of more slum dwellers than any other country. Meanwhile China is engaged in efforts to stop floods.

Internet services have been resumed in North-West China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region after 10 months, originally stalled after a riot in Urumqi on July 5 last year. §
________________________________________________________
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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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 118

Week # 118, Dated 1 May to 7 May 2010

TURKEY

Political Front:

The Ruling regime has expressed optimism about getting 330 to 367 votes from the Turkish Parliament regarding constitutional reform package.

Geo-strategic Front:

Turkey’s continuous criticism of Israel has further deteriorated relation of the two countries.

Meanwhile the Defense Ministry of Ukraine, the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Turkey, and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) under a NATO agreement have agreed to exchange data on air traffic control.

President of Uganda paid a visit to Turkey last week in order to enhance economic relations between the two states.

The newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader has expressed keenness to resume peace talks about reunification of the divided island.

Economic Front:

Turkey expects 5.5% economic growth in the year 2010. Meanwhile inflation has further increased both in consumer and producer prices. Turkish growing economic ties with Syria, Botswana and Germany also remained significant.

Social Front:

The temperature has increased in western Turkish provinces however heavy rainfall and snow has been forecasted in the eastern provinces. Also the Turkish government, engaged in its efforts to join the EU, celebrated Europe Day on 9th May with great pomp and show.

GCC

Geo-strategic Front:

The 11th consultative session of GCC Interior Ministers was held in Kuwait last week. During the session GCC Ministers appreciated the successful Saudi efforts to defend their land and people along the Yemeni border against rebels. They further hailed the efforts of UAE security forces for their successful investigation of the assassination of Palestinian Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh. The Ministers also discussed a whole range of security issues currently confronting the Gulf region, as well as plans and policies to tackle terror cells, drug traffickers, pirates and swindlers.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held talks with the Saudi King over regional affairs. Meanwhile Saudi Foreign Minister during his visit to Egypt discussed prospects of Middle East peace process with the Egyptian President.

While addressing the General Debate of the 2010 Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty, UAE foreign Minister claimed that every state has got the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in a responsible manner. In the meanwhile UAE-Morocco relations also remained significant.

Economic Front:

A Kuwait Energy Company has discovered an oil field in Ras Qattarah block in the Egyptian Western desert; the discovery is the seventh of its kind.

Omani-Qatari Joint Business Council held its third meeting in Doha and discussed various areas of joint cooperation between the two countries.

Bahrain expects an economic growth of 4% in the year 2010. Meanwhile the kingdom has started issuing bonds as an income source.

Social front:

The Ministry of Labor in Kuwait has implemented a new mechanism to solve workers’ complaints and problems by introducing dispute settlement systems. In accordance with the system disputes and complaints would be examined and solved within three days from the date of being lodged and registered at the Labor Relations Department.

FERTILE CRESCENT

Political front:

The Egyptian Movement for Change (Kefaya) has called on citizens to pursue a policy of civil disobedience as a means of resistance, while urging them to boycott all elections, starting with the Shura Council election due to be held in June this year to elect members of the Upper House of Parliament. Submission of candidacy applications for the mid-term Shura Council elections has started. Meanwhile the Egyptian PM has called the wave of demonstrations that has recently swept the street to be a new mode for citizens to express their demands and thus has no political dimension.

The recount of Baghdad votes that began last week was being monitored by EU and UN observers; where Iraq's election commission too was involved in manually recounting around 2.5 million ballots cast in Baghdad during the country's parliamentary election almost two months ago. The political bloc of Nouri al-Maliki, the incumbent Iraqi prime minister, has joined hand with its main Shia rival, the Iraqi National Alliance (INA), leaving the newly-formed coalition just four seats short of a parliamentary majority.

Rival politicians in Lebanon have set their differences aside and reached a consensus in many areas as municipal elections begun last week.

Geo-strategic Front:

Egypt and Sudan have refused to sign the agreement on the sharing of the Nile waters. However Uganda and the rest of the Nile Basin countries have expressed readiness to sign the protocol called the Co-operative Framework Agreement.

Iran has agreed to ship 1.5 million liters of fuel to breathe life into some Iraqi power plants.

The Professional Associations Complex in Jordan has started a campaign to ensure that the Jordanian markets do not carry any Israeli products. Meanwhile the Israeli Authorities deported a Palestinian resident of the West Bank to Jordan after the army claimed he was illegally staying in the country.

The U.S. President, Barrack Obama, has given Israel verbal and written guarantees that the United States would not allow the Palestinians to conduct any unilateral steps during indirect talks, or in the case of failure of such talks. The sources did not mention any guarantees that would prohibit Israel from continuing its unilateral measures especially settlement activities in occupied East Jerusalem. Meanwhile the Palestinian Librations Organization Executive Committee has decided to convene a meeting in order to discuss plans for resuming indirect talks with Israel mediated by Washington.

Economic Front:

The survey of 14 economists predicted that gross domestic product (GDP) of Egypt would have grown by 4.7 % in the fiscal year that ends in 2 months time, ahead of other gulf nations, except the regional-leader Qatar.

Social front:

The annual report produced by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom has strongly criticized Egypt over problems of discrimination, intolerance, and other human rights violations against members of religious minorities.

Meanwhile Egypt's Communications Ministry has launched its first Internet domain name using Arabic letters to try to boost e-services and the number of people online in the most populous Arab nation. In other news the editorial dispute regarding the popular site, Islam on line still persists.

IDPs and refugees have asked the government of Iraq to facilitate the process of their return. Meanwhile about one-third of Iraq's 1 million Christians have fled the country since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

IRAN

Political Front:

A large number of university students from all Iranian universities have called for the resignation of U.S. President Barrack Obama while protesting his recent atomic threats against Iran. Meanwhile the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Undersecretary for International Affairs and Foreign Policy Ali Baqeri has strongly rejected the possibility for suspending Iran's peaceful nuclear activities.

Geo-strategic Front:

A French court has turned down a U.S. request for the extradition of an Iranian engineer who has been accused of violating an export embargo by purchasing U.S. technology for military firms involved in Iran's nuclear program.

Iran and Pakistan have agreed to coordinate their positions to support sustainable peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. Amid a U.S.-led drive to impose fresh sanctions on Iran, two powers of the UN Security Council, China and Russia, have also decided to discuss Iran's nuclear issue. Meanwhile the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held a discussion about Brazil's proposal on exchanging nuclear fuel.

Economic Front:

Iranian gasoline imports have declined sharply this month. Meanwhile petrochemical exports have observed a remarkable increase. Meanwhile Pakistan as well as the EU has expressed keenness to enhance economic collaboration with Irsan.

CENTRAL ASIA

Political Front:

Three Kazakh parliament deputies have proposed giving President Nursultan Nazarbaev the official title "Leader of the Nation".

Investigations have been launched against the son of Kyrgyz ousted President over a corruption case. Meanwhile the Kyrgyz interim government has launched a criminal inquiry into firms supplying fuel to the U.S. air base in the Central Asian nation.

Geo-strategic Front:

A new Russian top negotiator has recently paid a visit to Armenia in order to discuss the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. Meanwhile Turkey has reiterated its commitment to support Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

The Kazakh-Kyrgyz border remained closed despite talks via phone between leader of the Kyrgyz interim government and the Kazakh President. Meanwhile Kyrgyzstan's interim government has ordered prosecutors to seek the extradition of former President Bakiev.

Iran has officially proposed introducing visa-free travel between Tajikistan and Iran however Tajikistan rejected the offer.

China and Turkmenistan held talks to enhance bilateral relation. Meanwhile the Uzbek President too held a meeting with the Chinese Finance Minister and discussed areas of cooperation.

Azerbaijan and Israel have decided to hold political talks this week.

Economic Front:

Turkey and Azerbaijan have reached an agreement for the price of natural gas on the European Union-backed Nabucco gas pipeline project.

In a recent report the IMF has given a positive assessment of socio-economic developments in Turkmenistan.

Social Front:

Dozens of youths have been arrested in Baku, Azerbaijan as they attempted to mourn the victims of a mass killing at the State Oil Academy a year ago.

Polio has emerged as a potent social issue in Tajikistan. Meanwhile strong rains have caused floods that have killed at least 20 people in Southern Province of the country.

EAST ASIA

Political Front:

The Malaysian government has made a plan to construct a nuclear power plant for energy purpose in the next 12 to 15 years. IAEA approval however is required to proceed with the plans.

According to recent polls, Aquino, the son of Philippines’ former President enjoys a 12 to19 point lead for the upcoming Presidential elections. Meanwhile Philippines' President's election lawyer has called for the May 10 elections to be postponed by calling it the only remedy to prevent elections from failing.

Amidst unrest in Thailand the Thai PM has announced to take effective measures to counter red-shirt protestors.

Geo-strategic Front:

China has announced to donate more than 250 trucks to Cambodia just weeks after the United States withheld a shipment of military vehicles in response to Cambodia's recent expulsion of 20 Uighur refugees.

Economic Front:

World Bank has appreciated the extra-ordinary performance of Indonesian Finance Minister while nominating her to the post of Managing Director of the World Bank. Indonesia’s exports have increased by 54 % year-on-year during the first quarter, and 13 % during March clearly indicating smooth economic recovery. Meanwhile Indonesia's banking sector, comprising mainly small to mid-sized banks, has been increasingly attracting foreign investors while domestic consolidation has been relatively slow.

The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a $100M concessional loan to rehabilitate one of Vietnam’s oldest and largest irrigation and drainage systems located in the heart of the Red-Thai Binh river basin. Meanwhile Vietnam’s economy has been “relatively stable” so far this year, a trend that the government intends to continue supporting.

Social Front:

Palm oil producers from Malaysia have formed a coalition with their counterparts in Indonesia to counter intensified campaigns that blame the industry for rapid deforestation. Meanwhile the Indonesian president officially opened the 5th Indonesian Muslim Congress in East Jakarta last week.

SOUTH ASIA

Political Front:

A fierce clash last week between the activists of Bangladesh's ruling party Awami League and the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) left one person dead and 200 injured.

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has claimed that no terrorist group has set up a training base in any part of the country.

Maoists have finally launched a general strike in Katmandu, Nepal and have asked the PM to resign. Amidst the unrest four journalists were injured, meanwhile the coalition parties have also asked PM to resign in order to lessen tensions.

Sri Lanka's parliament has voted to scale back a tough state of emergency laws that were first introduced 27 years ago to deal with separatist Tamil rebels.

Geo-strategic Front:

Bangladeshi authorities have handed over Ranjan Daimary, chief of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), to India where he is wanted for ordering bomb attacks. Meanwhile The cabinet has assigned two ministers and an adviser to the prime minister to scrutinize a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the import of electricity from India which was signed between the two neighboring countries during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina''s visit to India in January this year.

Economic Front:

The World Bank has approved $292 million in loans to finance two infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. Meanwhile a constant increase in Bangladeshi exports has been observed showing economic recovery.

Strikes have adversely affected tourist industry in Nepal rendering a big blow to the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile the International Monetary Fund has urged the Sri Lankan government to speed up fiscal reforms and produce a more comprehensive deficit cutting plan if it wants to get a multi-billion dollar loan back on track. The UN Economic and Social Commission has appreciated Sri Lanka's economic development. Meanwhile sharp increase in the nation’s shares has also been observed.

Social front:

Bangladesh has imposed a ban on the import of poultry from India due to reported cases of bird flu in the country.

A local American church has been helping to make the transition to the country a little easier for 100 refugees from Bhutan.

Meanwhile Maldives has expressed joy on having built one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in the region.

INDIA

Political front:

UPA government has expressed desire to restore caste-based census in order to implement Mandal commission recommendations for OBCs and minorities. Opposition parties however criticized the idea. Maoists have targeted government-run girl’s school and also damaged railway-track in Northern Bihar.

Hürriyet Leader, Syed Ali Gillani called a march to the office of the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan to submit a memorandum, seeking U.N. intervention to grant the people of Kashmir the right to self-determination. In response the government kept him along with a few other leaders under house arrest, a move that led to the launch of anti-government protests in the streets of Kasshmir.

Meanwhile Ajmal Kasab has been delivered a death sentence following the court’s conviction regarding his involvement in the Mumbai attacks.

At the regional front BJP has agreed to pleas made by JMM leaders and let Shibu Soren continue as Chief Minister of Jharkhand for some more time, putting on hold a decision on the transfer of power for now.

The leader of Trinamool Congress has announced his intention to contest anti-Congress elections in West Bengal after holding Congress responsible for breaking their alliance.

Geo-strategic Front:

India and the EU have started working on elimination of differences through negotiations in order to sign FTA later this year.

Meanwhile a sharp decrease in the number of Pakistanis visiting India has been observed last year primarily because of 26/11.

The radiation-related death of a scrap metal worker has raised concerns over nuclear safety in India. Authorities have launched a probe into the unauthorized disposal of a disused machine from the chemistry department of Delhi University, which contained the radioactive material cobalt-60 and ended up in a scrap metal hub in the capital.

Economic Front:

In the year 2008-2009 Indian exports amounted to USD 185 billion. This year a slight decline may occur however economists hope to observe exports of $170 billion.

Meanwhile the CII Business Outlook Survey based on response from 458 companies said that India Inc expects the economy to grow by 7.5 to 8.5 % during the current fiscal fuelled mainly by rising capital investment and expanding exports. The industry optimism was also expressed in the Business Confidence Index that rose to 67.6 points for April-September 2010-11, compared to 66.1 points during the second half of 2009-10.

JAPAN

Political Front:

Backtracking on a prominent campaign pledge, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has told angry residents of Okinawa that it was unrealistic to expect the United States to move its entire Marine Corps air base off the island. His delays and apparent flip-flopping on the issue have fed a growing feeling of disappointment in the prime minister’s leadership, driving his approval ratings below 30%.

Meanwhile Japan has restarted a costly fast-breeder nuclear reactor for the first time since it was shut down 14 years ago because of a major accident and cover-up.

Economic Front:

The Japanese economy has been growing smoothly as various known companies have witnessed an increase in sale. Meanwhile fluctuation in stock exchange has also been observed.

Social Front:

The number of children under age 15 in Japan has fallen to 16.9 million, down 190,000 from a year earlier.

KOREA

Political Front:

South Korean President has been a popular figure among his people however the recent ship-sinking incident has put his position in doubt.

Geo-strategic Front:

China seems optimistic about North Korea’s readiness to end their nuclear program in exchange for economic aid and better global standing. However South Korea has ruled out chances of holding nuclear talks with North Korea before resolving the Ship-sinking issue. Meanwhile North Korean leader Kim has paid a visit to China to seek the latter’s support regarding the ship-sinking issue.

Economic Front:

Sales of South Korean Kia and Hyundai motors have increased remarkably. Meanwhile growth in South Korean stock exchange has also been noticed. Exports of South Korea have also observed marked growth.

Social Front:

Korean children and teenagers have been surveyed as the least happy or content with their lives among their peers in OECD member states mainly because of academic issues. In a serious breach of human rights, young female North Koreans have become a commodity in China, where they can be purchased at around $1,500 per head. §

________________________________________________________
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.