Business

13 Jan 2019; MEMO: US President Donald Trump said that he made Saudi Arabia pay the US for the increased presence of American service personnel in the region as a result of the regional tensions.

In an interview with the American TV channel Fox News, Trump said: “Saudi Arabia is paying us for [our troops]. We have a very good relationship with Saudi Arabia.”

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 13 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s shadow economy accounts for 21 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and amounts to an estimated RM300 billion, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the strong underground economy, which he attributed to illegal activities that are difficult to track down, should be tackeld effectively.

KABUL, Jan 12 (NNN-XINHUA) – Afghan farmers harvested 22 percent more saffron last year than in 2018, hoping the golden spice become a legitimate replacement to poppy opium, in the war-affected country.

This year’s saffron harvests, according to Afghans involved in saffron business, reached to over 19 tonnes, showing 22 percent increase, compared to only 16 tonnes in 2018.

Islamabad, Jan 11, IRNA -- Iran's newly appointed Ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Ali Hosseini emphasizing on constructive approach of the Islamic Republic for de-escalation in the region said on Saturday that consultations between Tehran and Islamabad must be enhanced further keeping in view the regional situation.

Mohammad Ali Hosseini in his first ever interview to IRNA on Saturday after assuming charge of ambassador touched upon Iran-Pakistan ties, cooperation of the two countries on regional situation and US aggressive moves in the region.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia and Japan are well on the way to bringing their ties to new heights in the next few years with the rejuvenation of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s ‘Look East Policy’, says Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Hiroshi Oka.

“(I am) happy to see the Look East Policy re-energised with Mahathir (coming) back to Prime Minister’s office…we would like to deepen and strengthen the mutual friendship between Malaysia and Japan in all fields namely business, politics, culture and perhaps education.

SINGAPORE, Jan 10 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia and Singapore are committed to concluding the agreement on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project by April this year.

This was disclosed by Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke in his official Facebook page today.

Loke was here in Singapore visiting his counterpart Khaw Boon Wan.

BEIJING, Jan 11 (NNN-XINHUA) – Hu Huaibang, ex-chairman of China Development Bank (CDB), has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC), over serious violations of Party discipline and law, the top anti-graft body announced today (Saturday).

PARIS, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France’s premier will present new proposals on Saturday on the government’s hotly-contested pensions overhaul, seeking to appease unions waging a damaging, weeks-long transport strike.

After a day of meetings with labour bosses which he described as “very frank, very constructive and, I think very useful,” Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he would unveil “concrete proposals” Saturday “which could be the foundation of the compromise” being sought.

BOGOTA, Jan 11 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Colombia, a top source of coca, the base ingredient in cocaine, eradicated more than 100,000 hectares of the crop last year, President Ivan Duque said.

The Andean country has come under repeated pressure from the United States, an important destination for cocaine shipments, to reduce coca cultivation, especially as crop figures shot up in recent years.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has praised Duque’s stepped-up eradication efforts. The Colombian government set out to eradicate 80,000 hectares last year.

Kochi, Jan 10 (PTI) Kerala has attracted Rs 1 lakh crore investment proposals going by entrepreneur feedback at the Global Investors Meet, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday at the conclusion of the event here held with the aim of enhancing ease of doing business in the state.

Overall, the two-day ASCEND 2020 event received 164 investment proposals, Vijayan said.

The Kerala Infrastructure Management Ltd has promised to invest Rs 8,110 crores, while the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Rs 66,900 crore, he said.