May 24, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Alexander Van der Bellen elected as President of Austria. Image credit - pajche / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
South Korea to fund development project in SL
The South Korean government is planning to sign a deal with Sri Lanka to develop of a science and technology hub in Malabe, and a new housing scheme near the Bandaranaike International Airport.
The partnership is part of Sri Lanka’s plan to develop nine new zones in Greater Colombo by 2030, at an estimated cost of USD 63 billion.
Speaker of the Parliament meets Burmese State Councillor
The Speaker of the Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, has met the State Councillor of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi.
The meeting focused on the religious, cultural, and economic relationships between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Thai fishing company invests in SL
One of Asia’s largest fish canneries, Anusorn Group, will invest an estimated USD 200 million to open its first overseas fish canning and dry ice manufacturing plant.
The total investment will include a fleet of 500 fishing vessels, a USD 50 million factory, and a training program for Sri Lankan fishermen.
Afghanistan, India, and Iran sign trade corridor deal
Afghanistan, India, and Iran have signed an agreement to turn the Iranian Chabahar port into a transit hub.
India pledged an investment of USD 500 million to develop the strategically important port, which would open a new transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asia for Indian goods, bypassing Pakistan.
Austria elects new President
Alexander Van der Bellen has won the Austrian presidential election with 50.3% of the votes, following the narrow defeat of the far-right candidate Norbert Hofer.
President Van der Bellen, who ran as an independent candidate, said that he would try to be ‘a non-partisan president for all the people in Austria’.
UN World Humanitarian Summit takes place in Turkey
Representatives of governments, aid organizations, and UN agencies are in Istanbul to improve response mechanisms to ongoing humanitarian crises. At present, conflicts and natural disasters have left over 130 million people in need of aid.
The Special Envoy of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Forest Whitaker, called on individuals, governments, and international organizations to act collectively to improve humanitarian action and to further invest in development aid.
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