Latest news with #ShakirHusain
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Japan To Provide Us$1 Billion To Bangladesh In Budget Support, To Upgrade Rail Line
By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, May 30 (Bernama) -- Japan will offer US$1 billion to Bangladesh in budgetary support and to upgrade a key railway line. The financial package was agreed during Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus's visit to Tokyo, where he held talks on bilateral and regional issues with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday. bootstrap slideshow 'Of the total, Japan will provide US$418 million as a Development Policy Loan for Bangladesh's economic reforms and climate resilience. 'Tokyo will also lend US$641 million for upgradation of Joydevpur-Ishwardi into a dual-gauge double railway track and another US$4.2 million as grants for scholarships," his office said in a statement on Friday. In a joint statement, Ishiba reiterated Japan's support to the Bangladesh interim government in its "nation-building efforts, its reform initiatives, and its endeavour towards a peaceful transition". The two leaders emphasised the need to resolve the Myanmar humanitarian crisis, which has forced more than 1.2 million people of the Rohingya ethnic community to flee to Bangladesh. "Both sides shared the view that a sustainable, safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the displaced persons to Myanmar is the ultimate solution to this crisis for peace and stability across the region. Both sides also recognised the importance of sincere dialogue among all relevant stakeholders to resolve the crisis," the statement stated. Yunus, who arrived in Japan on Wednesday on a four-day visit, engaged with Japanese businesses, prominent figures and organisations.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Digital Payment Deal Boosts Malaysia-Algeria Fintech Cooperation
By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, May 29 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian fintech firm has partnered with an Algerian conglomerate to launch a digital payment platform in Algeria, marking a major stride in advancing Malaysia-Algeria fintech collaboration. Malaysia's BerryPay and Algeria's DIGITEC, a subsidiary of ABD Invest Group, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a payment solutions platform tailored to Algerian needs. bootstrap slideshow The agreement was inked by BerryPay founder and Group CEO Azrin Hadi Abdullah and DIGITEC's ICT and strategy leader Bousbiaa Abdelhak in Algiers, Algeria and was witnessed by Malaysian Ambassador to Algeria Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan "This MoU marks a significant milestone in Malaysia-Algeria fintech cooperation," Rizany told Bernama. The venture, launched with BerryPay's participation, will offer services through a user-friendly mobile application. It is expected to enhance financial inclusion, improve cross-border remittance flows and support the growth of domestic payment systems and e-commerce. Rizany said that although Algeria is still in the early stages of digital financial development, it is making notable strides in expanding e-payment methods and digital banking services. He said Algeria's ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital banking infrastructure, including the Bank of Algeria's introduction of a regulatory framework for digital banks and payment service providers, were aimed at ensuring a secure and structured financial ecosystem.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Algeria Emerges as Attractive Market for Malaysian Palm Oil
By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, May 21 (Bernama) -- Algeria has emerged as an attractive market for Malaysian palm oil due to its vibrant and growing food industry, Malaysia's ambassador to Algeria said. Malaysian palm oil exports to Algeria grew almost 82 per cent to reach about 79,000 tonnes in 2024. bootstrap slideshow Despite palm oil's share not being large in Algeria's annual cooking oil imports of 980,000 tonnes, future demand is likely to be fuelled by the country's expanding processed food industry. "Algeria offers significant potential for palm oil use in cooking, margarine products, speciality fats, palm-based cheese, confectionery, snacks, and non-dairy creamers," Ambassador Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan said. Algeria depends on imports for 75 per cent of its annual cooking oil consumption. The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and four Malaysian companies in April participated in Djazagro, Algeria's largest agriculture industry exhibition, to explore trade and business opportunities. The trade fair held in Algiers attracted 540 exhibitors from 38 countries. "Algeria is one of the leading economies in the Middle East and North Africa region and Malaysia is committed to enhancing trade ties with it," Rizany told Bernama.
Barnama
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysian And Pakistani Foreign Ministers Discuss Tense South Asia Situation
By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, May 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his Pakistan counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed the tense South Asia situation in a telephone conversation. Dar, who is also Pakistan's deputy prime minister, briefed the Malaysian minister "on the current regional developments" and tensions with India, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday. bootstrap slideshow India and Pakistan have experienced a deterioration in relations following a terror attack in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir on April 22. Among other issues, Pakistan told Malaysia about India's unilateral decision to hold their 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The Malaysian minister called for restraint by all parties as Dar underscored Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and security, the statement said. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Malaysia next week. Malaysia and Pakistan will discuss enhancing bilateral relations across various sectors, including boosting trade and investments. -- BERNAMA
Barnama
24-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Pahalgam Incident : Pakistan Takes Reciprocal Steps In Response To India
By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, April 24 (Bernama) -- Pakistan on Thursday announced a set of reciprocal measures in response to recent developments with India, following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir's Pahalgam that has heightened tensions between the two neighbours. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee in Islamabad to decide on his country's response to India's downgrading of diplomatic relations, revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals, and holding the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 "in abeyance". bootstrap slideshow Pakistan announced that it will close its airspace to all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines, and all trade with India, including trade with any third country through Pakistan, will be suspended with immediate effect. Both countries have declared each other's military advisors posted at their diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Islamabad persona non grata. The strength of their respective High Commissions will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members. India and Pakistan have also announced visa revocation and suspensions. While suspending all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals, Pakistan made an exception for Sikh religious pilgrims. The Wagah-Attari border post has been closed.
