South Asia Investor Review

Shaikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, recently visited New Delhi to seek political and economic assistance from the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This summit was preceded by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen's trip to India where he said,  "I've requested Modi government to do whatever is necessary to sustain Sheikh Hasina's government".  Upon her return from India, Sheikh Hasina  told the news media  in Dhaka, "They (India) have shown much sincerity and I have not returned empty handed". It has long been an open secret that Indian intelligence agency  RAW  helped install Shaikh Hasina as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and her Awami League party relies on New Delhi's support to stay in power. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen has described India-Bangladesh as one between husband and wife. In an interview with Indian newspaper 'Ajkal,' he said, "Relation between the both countries is very cordial. It's muc...

Rising demand and soaring prices of cooking oil raised Pakistan's edible oil import bill to  $4.5 billion  in fiscal year 2021-22, according to government sources. Pakistan is the world's  third largest importer  of palm oil after India and China. Total cooking oil imports add up to  3.7 million tons  while the total annual edible oil consumption is about 5 million tons. Pakistan's palm oil imports are the second biggest commodity import after more than  $20 billion  in energy imports, accounting for a significant chunk of Pakistan's growing trade and current account deficits.   Sources of Palm Oil Imports in Pakistan. Source: Dawn Pakistan Palm Oil Consumption Growth. Source: NationMaster Pakistan's edible oil consumption has been rising over the years. It is now about 24 Kg per person which is among the highest in the world, according to analysts quoted by  Dawn newspaper .  Combined with rising prices, the total imports of p...