Sri Lanka

The business district of Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Markets

Bangladeshi watchdog monitors share sales to halt market slide

Moves follow investor protests but institutions remain wary

1 August 2019
Workers at a garment factory in Bangladesh. South Korean companies, whose transfer of technical know-how helped Bangladesh become the world’s second-largest textiles exporter, are looking at the potential of other emerging sectors. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Bangladesh aims to leap beyond textiles with help from South Korea

Garment export leader expands into tech, energy and other emerging industries

31 July 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan gives a speech by video link at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on April 26. In the foreground are models of China's Long March rockets.
International relations

Pakistani astronaut to board Chinese rocket in race with India

Beijing's help will contribute to the nation's defense, science minister says

29 July 2019
The iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery in the Paro Valley is Bhutan’s most famous tourist site. Founded in the eighth century, the Buddhist temple clings to a cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. (Photo by Phuntsho Wangdi)
Life

Bhutan's neighbors 'undermining' elite tourism strategy

Regional tourists are spoiling the fun for global big spenders, operators say

28 July 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump, right, greets Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House in Washington on July 22.
International relations

US and Pakistan mend ties as Washington seeks Afghanistan exit

Trump also surprises Khan with offer to mediate Kashmir dispute with India

23 July 2019
A Chinese Navy vessel prepares to depart Stonecutters Island, Hong Kong, in this 2017 file photo. Washington's security establishment has long claimed China's Belt and Road investments in ports and airfields around the globe have a strategic military component.
Asia Insight

China's Belt and Road ports raise red flags over military plans

Cambodia shows how Beijing's 'string of pearls' threatens US ties

23 July 2019
The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday will address growing concern over security in Afghanistan. (Reuters/AP)
International relations

Pakistan PM Khan to discuss Afghanistan peace deal with Trump

'Ice-breaking event' lets Islamabad reaffirm its value to US in vital region

21 July 2019
The government of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan cannot appeal the decision by the International Court for Settlement of Investment Disputes, but it can ask the court to review the amount of the fine.
International relations

China rescue option emerges as Pakistan slapped with $5.9bn fine

Gold and copper mine dispute brings another headache after IMF bailout deal

19 July 2019
People in Mumbai pray ahead of an international court's verdict in the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, whom Pakistan alleges is a naval officer-turned-spy.
International relations

India and Pakistan claim victory as ICJ rules in alleged spy case

Experts say the verdict helps nuclear-armed states avoid a major clash

18 July 2019
Supporters of Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav hold his photographs asking for his release from Pakistan during New Year's celebrations in Bangalore on Dec. 31, 2018.
International relations

International court to rule on India-Pakistan spy drama

Decision unlikely to ease tensions that have been boiling over since February

16 July 2019
Workers spray insecticide on a corn field infested with fall armyworms in Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
Agriculture

Tropical American pest devours corn fields across Asia

Fall armyworms spread over entire region in just a year, risking up to 20% of crops

15 July 2019
A shopping district in Dhaka. Private consumption comprises about 75% of Bangladesh’s more than $300 billion economy. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Bangladesh enjoys foreign investment tailwind for economic boom

Japan and China lead surge as consumption-dependent growth takes step forward

12 July 2019
In South Asia, cricket is a continuation of war by other means.
Opinion

Cricket world cup highlights South Asia's fault lines

Fans use matches to score political points against regional rivals

12 July 2019
As global average temperatures warm, glaciers are retreating.
Opinion

Himalayan states must unite to protect mountain environment

Time for a Himalayas Council to manage and safeguard vital water supplies

10 July 2019
Pakistani paramilitary soldiers gather after an attack by the Balochistan Liberation Army on the Chinese consulate in Karachi last November. 
International relations

US labels Pakistani insurgents 'terrorists' in victory for China

Experts see backdoor deal on anti-Chinese group targeting Belt and Road projects

5 July 2019
The decision to raise the gas price has sparked an outcry from businesses, consumer rights groups and opposition parties.
Economy

Record gas price spike puts squeeze on Bangladesh garment makers

Factory owners fret about growth stalling if they lose competitive edge

5 July 2019
Binod Chaudhary, Nepal's noodle king, is leading his CG Group conglomerate into telecommunications
Telecommunication

Nepal billionaire follows Ambani path into telecommunications

Chaudhary Group awards $100m 4G network contract to Huawei

4 July 2019
A fashion store in Islamabad: Pakistan's government hopes its drive to stamp out the Taliban and restore safety will help to rebuild the economy. 
Economy

Pakistan hopes security lures business along with British royals

Prince William and Kate's planned tour shows anti-terror success is getting noticed

3 July 2019
Rickshaws ply a street in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The new VAT has caught the country largely unprepared as regards compliance. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Economy

Bangladesh's VAT rollout confuses consumers and businesses

Government hopes new tax will raise one-third of $38.5bn revenue goal for 2020

2 July 2019
Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib in action in the team's Cricket World Cup match against England in Manchester, the U.K., on June 18
Tea Leaves

Afghanistan's 'can-do' journey from civil war to green oval

Country's rise in world cricket ranks lifts national pride

26 June 2019
Health care in Bangladesh suffers from a shortage of medical staff and a lack of investment.
Politics

Bangladesh PM lays plan for 'Hasinacare'

Government aims to bring universal health insurance to 155 million

25 June 2019
Opposition parties have attacked the Pakistani government over rising prices for consumer goods as the rupee has depreciated.
Economy

Pakistan central bank's ability to stabilize rupee questioned

Currency expected to slide further with IMF rescue

21 June 2019
Cuts to annual budgets for China-linked infrastructure projects in Pakistan come as Beijing seeks to encourage a more sustainable approach.
Belt and Road

Pakistan slashes annual funding for Belt and Road projects

Government struggles to balance finances under IMF bailout program

17 June 2019
Pakistan's Hasan Ali celebrates taking the wicket of India's Ravichandran Ashwin in the ICC Champions Trophy Final in London in June 2017. The two countries have not played a bilateral series since the deadly bombings in Mumbai in 2008, and now only play at international tournaments.
International relations

India and Pakistan to clash in cricket as Kashmir feud lingers

More than a billion people are expected to watch Sunday's World Cup match

15 June 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party won last year's election on a pledge to eliminate corruption.
Economy

Khan avoids talk of economy after Pakistan unveils tax targets

Prime minister focuses on tackling corruption as foundation for IMF loan

13 June 2019