International Funding

Officials said that development partners reduced grants for infrastructure projects following Bangladesh's graduation from Lower- Income Countries (LIC) status to Lower Middle- Income Country (LMIC) in 2013.

SOEs, including SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Telecom, and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, have long been plagued by mismanagement and inefficiencies, burdening taxpayers.

In May, temperatures in the Philippines and Thailand topped 50 degrees Celsius as an intense heatwave gripped South and South-East Asia.

Countries that are the least responsible for climate change are expected to suffer the greatest economic and environmental impacts as they have the fewest resources “to adapt to its impacts.”

Beyond the budget support, the World Bank has approved $379 million for the health and nutrition sector and $280 million for the development of the water supply system in Chattogram.

The SCL Act, which covers 63 items, imposes taxes at high rates on staple foods such as rice, potatoes, and maize. Critics argue that while these taxes protect domestic agriculture, they also make basic foods costly, exacerbating malnutrition among poor families.

Indian students now form the largest group of international students in Germany, comprising 12.3 per cent of the international student body – a remarkable 49,000 students in the 2023 winter semester alone. This demographic shift underscores Germany’s growing appeal as an education destination, with institutions offering affordable, high-quality education and pathways to employment.

Despite the political transition, Sri Lanka has maintained its economic policies, providing reassurance to investors. Analysts suggest the stability and anti-corruption stance of the new government could further bolster investor confidence.