ISLAMABAAD
The inaugural cohort of visiting scholars under the Belt and Road Meteorological Visiting Scholar Program officially commenced their year-long research and training program in China, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Sunday.The group consists of seven scholars from meteorological departments and research institutions in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Thailand, and Seychelles. Their focus areas include climatology, climate change, satellite remote sensing, disaster monitoring, meteorology, numerical weather prediction, urban meteorology, and aviation meteorology.
The Belt and Road Meteorological Visiting Scholar Program was launched last September. The program aims at joint cultivation of senior meteorological operational and management staff in satellite meteorology, numerical weather forecasting, climate change and disaster prevention and mitigation.
As per source from China Meteorological Administration (CMA), international training course on meteorology has been held consecutively since 2003. So far China Meteorological Administration Training Centre (CMATC) – which is also designated as WMO Regional Training Centre in Beijing (WMO RTC-Beijing) – has carried out 86 international training courses benefiting a total of 1,368 trainees from more than 135 countries.
Meanwhile, In Pakistan, growth is forecast to rise at 1.9% in FY2024 (ending on 30 June 2024) and 2.8% in FY2025, up from the 0.2% contraction last fiscal year. Gwadar Pro stated on Sunday quoting Asian Development Bank (ADB) economic forecasts report for Asia April 2024.
According to the report, the shift back to positive growth will come from a recovery in both agriculture and industry. However, domestic demand will remain constrained by the surge in living costs and tight macroeconomic policies.
Growth is projected to remain subdued in FY2024 and pick up in FY2025, provided economic reforms take effect. Real GDP is projected to grow by 1.9% in FY2024 driven by a rebound in private sector investment linked to progress on reform measures and transition to a new and more stable government.
An expansion in private consumption and a rise in workers’ remittances from a move toward a market-determined exchange rate should buttress growth. However, low confidence, to support recovery in industrial output in the latter half of the year.
Construction will remain weak due to elevated construction costs, higher tax rates on property transfers implemented in the FY2024 budget, and rationalization of public investment to consolidate the fiscal position. Growth in services is projected to strengthen in FY2024 as recovery in agriculture and industry benefit services.
If reforms are implemented, growth is forecast to restart gradually this fiscal year and improve slightly next year. Inflation is projected to moderate somewhat this year, and more next year, under stabilization policies. Improving women’s financial inclusion is critical to strengthen growth.
