BERLIN, JUL 04 (DNA) – German car giant Volkswagen said Tuesday it was returning to the Iranian market for the first time in 17 years due to the lifting of economic sanctions. The company, maker of brands including VW, Porsche, Skoda and Seat, said it would resume selling cars in Iran from August after signing a deal with local importer Mammut Khodro. “By returning to Iran, the Volkswagen brand is filling in another blank spot on the global automotive map,” said Anders Sundt Jensen, project manager for the Iranian market at Volkswagen.
Perry John Calderwood : Canada, Pakistan dynamic partners
High Commissioner of Canada talks to Centreline and DNA
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Let us start with Canada, Pakistan relations, how would you describe these relations in the fields of politics, trade and economy and people to people contacts?
Canada and Pakistan have a broad relationship that spans many areas. It is a dynamic partnership and I believe that there is great potential for further strengthening of our ties in the years ahead. Our two countries maintain ongoing dialogue on many multilateral issues such as climate change and our shared commitment to United Nations Peacekeeping. Our trade relationship is growing. In 2016, two-way trade exceeded $1.4 billion Canadian dollars (about 110 billion PKR), the highest level ever. That said, I believe that there remains significant untapped potential to strengthen trade and investment relations.
70 years of US-Pakistan relations by David Hale
JUL 04 – In 1948, the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wrote to President Truman the first message to America from Pakistan for our Independence Day. Speaking of our two nations, he wrote that that the “common desire for order, justice and peace, and their equal wish to contribute to uplift suffering humanity are the best proof, which I hope will lead to the intimate and confident collaboration of our two countries in all matters for our mutual interests.
Yuan firms amid curbs on money flows, higher volatility seen ahead
SHANGHAI, JUN 19 (DNA) – China’s yuan firmed against the dollar on Monday, supported by a stronger midpoint fix and as data pointed to more balanced supply and demand in the forex market amid Beijing’s tougher crackdown on illegal capital outflows. Traders expect more volatility for the yuan in coming months, however, amid mounting expectations that the greenback could strengthen again as the United States tightens monetary policy while China’s economic growth slows.
Gulf little changed in early trade, oil price deters activity
DUBAI, JUN 18 (DNA) – Gulf stock markets were little changed in early trade on Sunday as low oil prices, with Brent crude just above $47 a barrel, deterred buying and diminished liquidity. The Saudi stock index rose 0.2 percent. MSCI will announce on Tuesday whether it is adding Saudi Arabia to a list for possible upgrade to emerging market status, which could attract fresh inflows of foreign money. Some stocks expected to benefit from such flows rose, with Saudi British Bank climbing 3.3 percent to its highest level since early January.
Saudi-Qatar crisis puts Syria rebels in tricky position
BEIRUT, JUN 17 (DNA) – A diplomatic crisis pitting Saudi Arabia against Qatar has put Syrian rebels in a difficult position, analysts say, after rivalries between Gulf backers had already weakened the opposition. Both Sunni-ruled monarchies sided with the protesters in March 2011, when the war started with the brutal repression of anti-government demonstrations. They continued supporting the mostly Sunni rebels when unrest spiralled into conflict between the armed opposition and troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, who hails from the country’s Alawite Shiite minority and is backed by Saudi Arabia’s arch-rival Iran.
CPEC to boost investment climate for decades
ISLAMABAD, JUN 15 (DNA) – Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) Thursday said investment climate has been improved slightly while the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would boost it for decades. “The economic corridor will not only boost Pakistan’s economy but will also contribute to the improved investment climate in the country,” Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt said.
Pakistan justifies its guest of honour status at Kunming’s fair
By Ansar M Bhatti in Kunming
KUNMING (CHINA), JUNE 15 (DNA) – Pakistan justified its nomination as “’guest of honour’ at the Kunming South and Southeast Asia Expo, 2017, as it businessmen came out in a big number this time, with new varieties of goods to attract local market , said the Expo’s organizers. Around 200 Pakistanis’ stalls at specially allotted Pavilion were the Center of attention for the visitors.Pakistan’s products particularly the leather and marble-made goods, besides traditional handicrafts were the eye-catching.
Pakistan to play key role in pushing forward Belt and Road plan
By Ansar M Bhatti in Kunming
KUNMING (CHINA), JUNE 14 (DNA): The fifth China-South and Southeast Asia Think Tank Forum held here praised high Pakistan’s commitment and a leading role in pushing forward Belt and Road’s initiative, through rapid implementation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC. Stating that the CPEC’s paves way for the success of President’s Xi Jinping initiative, they said that the Pakistan has proved its diplomatic and economic strength to carry it out for global connectivity through road, rail and sea links for shared prosperity.
Pakistan and regional countries pledge to upgrade sister-cities relationship
KUNMING, JUNE 13 (DNA) – Pakistan and other countries from South and Southeast Asia on Tuesday pledged that they would make greater efforts to promote sister-cities relationship, pushing forward the objectives of Belt and Road’s initiative. At an international forum of governments and business community’s representatives held at Chinese city of Kunming, they underlined the need of promoting connectivity and people-to-people contacts, through sister-city relationship for their shared development and prosperity.
