Category: Country Reports
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August 2022
Overview. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that the government is intentionally keeping population figures low in the 2022 census to show higher per capita GDP figures. Bangladesh’s stimulus package for large industries has started its third phase, with funding going fully towards entities with joint local and foreign ownership.…… Read the…
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August 2022
Political instability continues to plague the country. The US dollar hit an all-time high of PKR 239 for first time in history. Apart from the on-going political fracas, economists cite the country's depleting foreign reserves, rising imports, and the government's "reluctance" to take decisions on some International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, as key factors behind…
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August 2022
Overview. The Ministry of Kazakhstan invited all interested parties to participate in the auctions on a selection of projects for the construction of renewable energy generation facilities. Kazakhstan is pursuing EU strategic partner status, replacing Russia in oil, gas, and coal supply. C19. As the month closed the RoK reported 2500+ new cases a day…
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August 2022
Overview. Iran comes out unequivocally on the side of Russia in the Ukraine conflict, having previously sat on the fence. Access to Russian wheat supplies and Putin’s pledge of investment in the Iranian energy sector probably influenced the course correction. Meanwhile the round of JCPOA revival talks in Doha produced no definitive results but hinted…
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August 2022
Overview. President Sisi was busy in July. He attended a summit in Saudi Arabia and visited his counterparts in both France and Germany. He received the Russian Foreign Minister and made numerous phone calls with other foreign leaders. He continues to walk the fine line of strategic foreign partnerships that sees him both court Russia…
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July 2022
Overview. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that it is BNP’s character to call into question the legitimacy of elections in Bangladesh by constantly questioning the Election Commission and election results. A record USD 76 billion budget was announced for the next fiscal year in June, with the government projecting a 7.5% GDP…
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July 2022
Twin economic and political challenges continue to plague the country but on a positive note the number of terrorist attacks across the nation has fallen this month thanks to a TTP ceasefire, and Pakistan finally looks set to exit the FATF grey list. How the mighty have fallen. It is saddening to see a…
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July 2022
Overview. A nationwide referendum on the introduction of changes to the current Constitution took place on 5th June. Amendments to Article 33 of the Main State Law reduce the power of the president, strengthen the role of Parliament, recreate the Constitutional Court, and strengthen human rights. After January’s events, Kazakhstan is building a ‘new Kazakhstan’…
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July 2022
Overview. The politicking continues but is somewhat overshadowed by global events such as the conflict in Ukraine, and the compounding outcomes such as the cost of trade, commodities, inflation and debt. Some large retail and production companies have folded this month as they have felt the impact. The new Nairobi superhighway has opened successfully, but…
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July 2022
Overview. The prospects for the renewal of the JCPOA look bleak (again) this month as the stalemate drags on; but neither party want to be the spoiler. The Supreme Leader is forced to comment publicly on protests which continue as the cost-of-living crisis accelerates. JCPOA. Iran is further escalating its uranium enrichment process by preparing…