Author: News Desk

South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has partially relaxed its ban on poultry imports from Brazil to ease the growing concerns over food shortages and rising prices caused by the earlier suspension. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed the partial lifting of the ban on poultry and poultry product imports from Brazil starting Thursday following the effective containment of the avian influenza outbreak in Brazil. In May, South Africa implemented a ban on poultry imports from Brazil after an avian flu outbreak was reported in the Rio Grande do Sul region. The decision sparked concern among local producers, with major industry leaders…

The Dangote Refinery, the largest crude processing plant in Africa, is preparing to ship its first gasoline cargo beyond the continent, with a vessel reportedly bound for Asia, a source told Reuters on Wednesday. The 90,000-metric-ton cargo is scheduled to be loaded on June 22 by Swiss oil trading firm Mercuria Energy Group. According to the source, this marks the refinery’s first gasoline export outside West Africa since it launched commercial fuel production. Launched in 2024 with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery has concentrated its exports within West Africa. Its latest move suggests a broader ambition…

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has stressed the need for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, highlighting it as a key step toward boosting trade and investment ties between the nations. The chamber emphasized that Sri Lanka’s strengths in the maritime economy, deep-sea fishing, and port management could significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s capabilities in these vital areas through technical collaboration. DCCI shared the insight during a business dialogue with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, held as part of a delegation visit by DCCI representatives, according to an official…

Brussels has outlined further details on its plan to ban Russian gas imports by 2027 as part of efforts to break the European Union’s long-standing reliance on Russian energy—a challenge that has grown more urgent since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. During an address in Strasbourg on Tuesday, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen presented a comprehensive plan to end fossil fuel imports from Russia by 2027 after receiving approval from the senior leadership team led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The European Commission confirmed that no new Russian gas contracts will be allowed after January 1, 2026, while existing…

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba were unable to finalize a trade deal during the G7 summit in Canada, deepening worries about Japan’s economic outlook as tariffs continue to impact vital sectors, especially the automotive industry. Ishiba and Trump concluded the meeting without reaching a trade agreement, instead choosing to have their negotiating teams continue discussions. Ishiba had aimed to secure a preliminary deal during the talks, but with no breakthrough, the timeline for a potential agreement remains uncertain. Speaking to reporters, Ishiba acknowledged that disparities remain between the two sides, with no clear timeline for…

U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday declared the signing of a trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on British automotive and aerospace imports, as reported by The Associated Press. However, negotiations are still ongoing regarding the treatment of steel production within the deal. During a press briefing at the G7 Summit in Canada, President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented what Trump described as a long-anticipated trade agreement. Trump stood by the agreement, declaring it a ‘fair deal for both’ and forecasting it would “produce a lot of jobs, a lot of income.”…

Russian Foreign Ministry (MFA) spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Monday that the United States has called off the next round of Trade Talks with Russia, which were intended to restore the diplomatic ties between the nations. “As of today, the next round of bilateral consultations aimed at resolving complications and normalizing the work of both countries’ diplomatic missions has been canceled at the initiative of the American negotiators,” Zakharova said in a brief statement on the Foreign Ministry’s website. “We hope that the pause they have taken won’t last too long,” she added. Zakharova’s remarks came one week after Deputy…

Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, issued an ultimatum to Thailand on Monday to lift its current border crossing restrictions or to face a nationwide ban on Thai fruit and vegetable imports. The warning marks the latest escalation in the ongoing border dispute between the two nations. Sen’s statement underscored Cambodia’s readiness to retaliate economically if the restrictions remain in place. On May 28, a Cambodian soldier was killed during a firefight between troops in the contested Emerald Triangle region, where Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos converge. Both the Thai and Cambodian militaries claimed the clash was a defensive response. Tensions between…

Singapore and Indonesia renewed the two nations’ commitment to deepening economic cooperation during a high-level bilateral meeting held in Singapore on Sunday. At the 15th Singapore-Indonesia Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups (6WG) Ministerial Meeting, Singapore and Indonesia reaffirmed their dedication to boost trade ties. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Gan Kim Yong, and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, co-chaired the 15th Ministerial Meeting. The Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups (6WG) serve as a key platform for enhancing economic collaboration between Singapore and Indonesia across various sectors, including the Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) region, special economic zones, investment,…

Japan’s chief trade envoy, Ryosei Akazawa, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick engaged in a 30-minute phone discussion on Saturday, focusing on the possibility of establishing a bilateral trade deal, as reported by Econo Times. According to an official statement from the Japanese government, the exchange was described as ‘very in-depth,’ with both parties exploring opportunities for a mutually advantageous agreement. The phone discussion came after Akazawa’s meetings in Tokyo with Lutnick and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday. Akazawa informed reporters that the meetings signaled progress toward reaching a possible trade agreement. The talks were strategically scheduled to…