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  • MIL-OSI: Alm. Brand A/S share buy-back program is concluded – transactions week 5

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Alm. Brand A/S share buy-back program is concluded – transactions week 5

    On 15 August 2024, Alm. Brand A/S announced a share buy-back program of up to DKK 150 million, as described in company announcement no. 40/2024. On the 7th of November 2024, Alm. Brand A/S announced an increase of the existing share buy-back programme by DKK 70 million to DKK 220 million and extension of the period for the programme until and including 31 January 2025. The purpose of the increase was purchasing shares for the employee share scheme in 2025.

    The share buy-back program is now concluded, during which 16,485,366 own shares were purchased with a transaction value of approximately 220 million DKK.

    The program was carried out in accordance with the Regulation No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, also referred to as the Safe Harbour Regulations.

    The following transactions were made under the share buy-back program during week number 5:

      Number of shares bought Average
    purchase price    		 Amount (DKK)
    Accumulated, last announcement 16,116,190 13.31 214,455,306
    27 January 2025 48,259 14.94 720,777
    28 January 2025 18,995 14.97 284,429
    29 January 2025 120,000 15.00 1,800,252
    30 January 2025 114,422 15.01 1,717,554
    31 January 2025 67,500 15.01 1,013,236
    Total, week number 5 369,176 15.00 5,536,248
    Accumulated under the program 16,485,366 13.35 219,991,555

    With the transactions stated above Alm. Brand A/S holds a total of 39,575,639 own shares corresponding to 2.57 % of the total number of outstanding shares.

    Contact
    Please direct any questions regarding this announcement to:

            

    Head of IR, Rating and ESG reporting        
    Mads Thinggaard                 
    Mobile no. +45 2025 5469                

    Attachments

    • AS 6 2025 – Alm. Brand AS share buy-back program is concluded – transactions week 5
    • Alm Brand_Share buyback week #5 2025

    The MIL Network –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Danske Bank share buy-back programme completed: Transactions in week 5

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 5 2025   Group Communications
    Bernstorffsgade 40
    DK-1577 København V
    Tel. +45 45 14 14 00

    3 February 2025

    Danske Bank share buy-back programme completed: Transactions in week 5

    Danske Bank’s share buy-back programme of DKK 5.5 billion, which was announced on 2 February 2024 and scheduled to end on 31 January 2025 at the latest, has now been completed. Under the programme,27,189,496 own shares were repurchased at a transaction value of approximately DKK 5.5 billion during the period up to termination of the programme. Repurchased shares are expected to be cancelled subject to approval by the annual general meeting to be held on 20 March 2025.

    The purpose of the share buy-back programme was to reduce the share capital of Danske Bank A/S. The programme was carried out under Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 and the Commission’s delegated regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016, also referred to as the Safe Harbour Rules.

    The following transactions were made under the share buy-back programme in week 5:

      Number
    of shares    		 VWAP
    DKK    		 Gross value
    DKK
    Accumulated, last announcement 26,612,542 201.9820 5,375,255,190
    27/01/2025 120,000 214.3033 25,716,396
    28/01/2025 115,000 214.9317 24,717,146
    29/01/2025 110,000 217.4796 23,922,756
    30/01/2025 115,000 217.8401 25,051,612
    31/01/2025 116,954 216.6392 25,336,821
    Total accumulated over week 5 576,954 216.2126 124,744,730
    Total accumulated during the share buy-back programme 27,189,496 202.2840

    5,499,999,920

    With the transactions stated above, the total accumulated number of own shares under the share buy-back programme corresponds to 3.15% of Danske Bank A/S’ share capital.

    We enclose share buy-back transaction data in detailed form of each transaction in accordance with the Commission’s delegated regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016.

    Danske Bank

    Contact: Helga Heyn, Head of Media Relations, tel. +45 45 14 14 00

    Attachments

    • Individual Transactions Week 5
    • Company announcement no 5 2025

    The MIL Network –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Circular re Share Premium Account

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORESIGHT TECHNOLOGY VCT PLC

    LEI: 21380013CXOR8N6OD977

    Foresight Technology VCT plc has issued a circular dated 31 January 2025 (“the Circular”) detailing a proposal to cancel the Company’s share premium account.

    The Circular will shortly be available for inspection at the National Storage Mechanism, which is located at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism
    and on the Company’s website: https://www.foresight.group/products/foresight-technology-vct-plc

    For further information please contact:

    Gary Fraser, Foresight Group: 020 3667 8181

    The MIL Network –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA asks for views on proposed guidance to support the safe regulation of new personalised cancer therapies  

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The draft MHRA guidance aims to clarify and streamline pathways for bringing these therapies through to patients, without compromising on robust safety principles

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today launched a consultation on regulatory guidance for individualised mRNA cancer immunotherapies (colloquially referred to as cancer vaccines). This is an important step in bringing these promising therapies closer to clinical practice.

    The eight-week consultation was launched today and will run until 31 March 2025. The MHRA is asking all stakeholders, including developers of these medicines, to provide comments, after which the guidance will be updated. The UK regulator also welcomes comments from members of the public including people affected by cancer. 

    The guidance aims to streamline pathways for bringing these therapies through to patients, without compromising on robust safety principles.

    Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access said:

    “Individualised cancer immunotherapies, while still being tested in clinical trials, are a very exciting development in our hunt to find new and better ways to treat cancer, which is a leading cause of death worldwide.

    “Because these treatments are tailored to an individual’s tumour, they pose unique scientific questions on how they should be regulated.”

    June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive said:

    “As an enabling regulator, we do not wish to keep patients waiting unnecessarily for important new medicines such as personalised immunotherapies.

    “We are asking all stakeholders to comment on draft guidance that addresses the questions this new regulatory pathway raises.”

    Minister for Public Health, Andrew Gwynne, said:

    “More people than ever are being diagnosed with cancer so it’s vital that we push the boundaries of science to develop the treatments of the future.

    “Personalised immunotherapies could revolutionise our approach by helping patients fight cancer cells in their bodies.

    “As government ramps up the use of groundbreaking technologies and medicines across the board, this guidance will be fundamental to achieving our goal of moving from sickness to prevention. And it is yet another example of Britain leading the way on cancer research, transforming cancer care to save lives and support the NHS.”

    Individualised mRNA cancer immunotherapies are a new type of cancer treatment that use mRNA technology.  mRNA acts as a messenger in the body and tells cells how to make a specific protein. When used in medicines, specific mRNA molecules can teach the body how to fight diseases.  

    Unlike conventional cancer therapies, for these medicines each patient receives a version of the mRNA therapy that has been matched to their unique tumour fingerprint using artificial intelligence (AI). In this way, the therapy aims to teach the patient’s immune system to target and destroy their specific tumour cells. 

    These highly innovative therapies are currently in clinical trials. They pose unique questions on how they should be safely regulated.  With this guidance, the MHRA aims to facilitate patient access to these novel individualised cancer therapies by outlining a clear and streamlined regulatory pathway to approval.

    The guidance covers product design and manufacture, evidence needed show safety and effectiveness, and post-approval safety monitoring. The MHRA aims to expand the guidance in due course to cover other types of highly personalised therapies, including for rare diseases. 

    This guidance has been developed with independent scientific advice from the Highly Personalised Medicines Expert Working Group of the Commission on Human Medicines, including patient experts.

    Notes to editors

    1. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 
    2. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 
    3. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic students reach semi-finals of XI All-Russian engineering competition

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The selection round of the XI All-Russian Engineering Competition has ended. Experts evaluated over 12,000 projects and scientific research. 751 graduates from universities across the country, including SPbPU, reached the semi-finals. The All-Russian Engineering Competition is an annual intellectual competition that has been held since 2014. The organizer is the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The operator of the competition is the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.

    The objectives of the competition are to develop the human resources potential of high-tech industries, to attract young people to solve promising production, technical, and economic problems of strategic importance for the development of Russian industry, and to improve the quality of engineering education by creating tools for interaction between engineering educational organizations and high-tech enterprises in the real sector of the economy.

    Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University will be represented in the semi-final of VIK 24/25 by 11 students, including 5 master’s students from the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering”:

    Alena Aquentieva, student of the Higher Engineering and Economic School of IPMEIT SPBPU. The theme of the project “Financial pyramids, modern methods of fraud: analysis and measures to reduce them”, the direction of the competition “Countering technogenic, biogenic, sociocultural threats, terrorism and extremist ideology, destructive foreign information and psychological impact, as well as cyberosis and other danger to society , economics and state ”;
    Anna Gaina, student of the Higher School of Management of Cyber-Physical Systems of the ICNK SPBPU. The theme of the project “Universal system of temperature control of laser radiation parameters during hardening steel”, the direction of the competition “Intellectual transport, energy and telecommunication systems”;
    Iona Gesin, student of the advanced engineering school of SPBPU “Digital Engineering”. The theme of the project “Study of the behavior of through cracks in elastic-high bodies”, the direction of the contest “Advanced digital technologies for designing and creating high-tech products”;
    Natalia Grozova, student of the advanced engineering school of SPBPU “Digital Engineering”. The theme of the project “Development of radiation -resistant polymer composite materials to protect solar elements”, the direction of the competition “New materials, chemical compounds and design methods;
    Ilya Ermilov, student of the advanced engineering school of St. Petersburg State University “Digital Engineering”. The theme of the project “Development of a virtual test stand for validation of the model of compositional material under the action of centrifugal force”, the direction of the contest “Advanced digital technologies for designing and creating high -tech products”;
    Ekaterina Isupova, student of the Higher School of Applied Physics and Space Technologies IEIT SPBPU. The theme of the project “Universal temperature control system for high -precision measurements in frequency standards”, the direction of the competition “Advanced digital design and creation of high -tech products”;
    Julia Kolesnikova, student of the Higher Engineering and Economic School of IPMEIT SPBPU. The theme of the project “Using new technologies for illegal purposes”, the direction of the competition “Combating technogenic, biogenic, sociocultural threats, terrorism and extremist ideology, destructive foreign information and psychological impact, as well as cyberosis and other danger to society, economy and state”;
    Nikita Piskun, a student of the advanced engineering school of St. Petersburg State University “Digital Engineering”. The theme of the project “Synthesis of non -linear models of reduced order based on the method of final elements in the tasks of rotary dynamics”, the direction of the contest “Advanced digital design technologies and the creation of high -tech products”;
    Elena Porfiryeva, student of the Higher School of Management of Cyber-Physical Systems of the ICNK SPBPU. The theme of the project “A new non -invasive method for determining the coefficients in ESCCO technology for the reliable diagnosis of the patient’s heart release in real time”, the direction of the “High -tech healthcare contest and health technology, including the rational use of drugs (primarily antibacterial) and the use of genetic data and technologies” ;
    Yana Sprygina, student of the advanced engineering school of SPBPU “Digital Engineering”. The theme of the project “Development and training of a prototype of the language model to adapt the requirements in the machine-readable IDS format (Information Delivery Specification)”, the direction of the “Tim-modeling in construction” contest;
    Lina Sycheva, student of the Higher School of Management of Cyber-Physical Systems of the ICNK SPBPU. The theme of the project “Automatic management system of a special climatic camera”, the direction of the contest “Advanced digital technologies for designing and creating high -tech products”.

    The development of modern protective coatings for solar cells used in the space industry is an important problem in the field of materials science. Glass coatings currently used have significant drawbacks. A promising direction is the use of polymer and composite materials that are highly flexible, low density and have excellent optical characteristics. The key challenge remains increasing the resistance of such materials to radiation, which requires the creation of fundamentally new composite materials. This is the task that was set during the project. Thanks to the equipment laboratories “Polymer composite materials”, as well as the competencies of the project curator, research fellow of the laboratory “Modeling of technological processes and design of power equipment” of the SPbPU PISh “Digital Engineering” Elizaveta Bobrynina, I managed to develop and test the technology for obtaining optically transparent composite materials based on thermoplastic polyurethane and glass flakes to protect solar cells, – shared 2nd year master’s student of the SPbPU PISh Natalia Grozova.

    I submitted a project for the All-Russian engineering competition, “Development of a virtual test bench for validation of a composite material model under centrifugal force”, prepared in the interests of the industrial partner of the SPbPU PIS “Digital Engineering”, CentroTech-Engineering LLC, under the supervision of the curator, associate professor of the Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies of the SPbPU PIS Ilya Keresten and scientific consultant, engineer of the power engineering department of the SPbPU PIS “Digital Engineering” Daria Ozhgibesova. The goal of the work is to create a VIS for conducting virtual tests, which will allow obtaining a degradation curve of the mechanical properties of the material based on experimental data of structurally similar samples. The result of the work is necessary to obtain a highly accurate digital model of the material required for the calculation justification of the design elements of high-speed rotor systems, and the modeling technique will reduce the number of tests of prototypes of new design solutions, said Ilya Ermilov, a second-year master’s student at the Digital Engineering School.

    On February 1, an extensive business program started for the participants: in-person events for the semi-finalists will be organized together with the competition’s partner employers, including career consultations, trainings and master classes aimed at developing professional skills, as well as effective planning of work on engineering projects. The semi-final will include a “Job Auction” – a competition in which participants will be able to compete for the best offers from leading employers.

    The final of the competition will be held in the format of defending final and scientific qualification works before state examination (expert) commissions headed by the top officials of high-tech corporations. Based on the results of the defenses, the winners and prize-winners of VIK 24/25 will be determined.

    The best participants will be able to receive exclusive job offers, cash prizes from Rosatom State Corporation, a trip to the cosmodrome from Roscosmos State Corporation and advantages when entering the next level of education. Winners and prize winners will be included in the state information resource about individuals who have demonstrated outstanding abilities of the Talent and Success educational foundation.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Minister Hussen on International Development Week: Building a Better World Together

    Source: Government of Canada News

    “In our increasingly complex and interconnected world, Canada has a responsibility do our part to build a brighter future for everyone. From tackling climate change to strengthening health systems, international assistance is an investment that will create stronger communities for generations to come. When people have the tools to lift themselves out of poverty and strengthen local economies, it not only impacts individuals and their communities, it also benefits the global economy and our security and prosperity here at home.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to hold a technical briefing on Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Government of Canada will host a media technical briefing regarding Canada’s response to the tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian goods. Government officials in attendance will be available to answer questions from journalists. Their responses will be provided on a not-for-attribution basis.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada announces next steps in its response plan to unjustified U.S. tariffs

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Canada will not stand by as the United States imposes unjustified and unreasonable tariffs on Canadian goods. In response, we are moving forward with 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of imported U.S. products. We will protect Canadian interests and support our workers and industries.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Co-Chairs of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children mark the first anniversary of its launch in Kyiv

    Source: Government of Canada News

    One year ago today, Ukraine and Canada launched the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and held its first plenary meeting in Kyiv. Since then, 41 States as well as the Council of Europe have joined the Coalition in a collective commitment to bring Ukrainian children home.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: PacifiCan invests $17 million to support business growth across B.C.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced over $17 million in PacifiCan funding for 10 organizations to help businesses in key sectors, such as life sciences, clean technology, and construction, scale up their operations.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Registration – Minister David McGuinty, Minister Mélanie Joly and Minister Marc Miller to hold a virtual media availability in Washington D.C.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a virtual media availability on January 31, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Advisory: Transit Announcement in Waterloo

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Members of the media are invited to a transit announcement with the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo, alongside Karen Redman, Regional Chair, Region of Waterloo.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Advisory: Transit Announcement in Hamilton

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Members of the media are invited to a transit announcement with the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Lisa Hepfner, Member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain, Chad Collins, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, alongside Her Worship Andrea Horwath, Mayor of the City of Hamilton.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada announces $155B tariff package in response to unjustified U.S. tariffs 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada is moving forward with 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of goods in response to the unjustified and unreasonable tariffs imposed by the United States (U.S.) on Canadian goods.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Source: Government of Canada News

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the Rwanda-backed M23 offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in particular, the capture of Minova, Saké and Goma.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Committee on Internal Trade discusses bold actions to enhance Canada’s internal market

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Yesterday, at the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, and her provincial and territorial counterparts discussed bold, transformative actions to eliminate regulatory barriers to internal trade, encourage free movement of labour and further standardize regulations across Canada.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement from the Minister of National Defence to mark Black History Month 2025

    Source: Government of Canada News

    This year marks 30 years since the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada. Throughout the month of February and all-year round, I am honoured to recognize and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Black Canadians, including Black Defence Team members.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CRTC Broadband Fund: Project selected in January 2025

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The CRTC is committing over $14 million to CityWest Cable and Telephone Corp. to build approximately 250 kilometres of new transport fibre infrastructure. This project will connect the communities of Jade City and Good Hope Lake (Dease River) in British Columbia and Upper Liard in the Yukon to high-speed Internet.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia to announce community mental health funding

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, and the Honourable Brian Comer, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, will make an announcement to improve community mental health supports in Nova Scotia.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM congratulates musician Chandrika Tandon on winning Grammy award

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 2:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister today congratulated musician Chandrika Tandon on winning Grammy award for the album Triveni. He commended her passion towards Indian culture and accomplishments as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and musician.

    In a post on X, he wrote:

    “Congratulations to @chandrikatandon on winning the Grammy for the album Triveni. We take great pride in her accomplishments as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and ofcourse, music! It is commendable how she has remained passionate about Indian culture and has been working to popularise it. She is an inspiration for several people. 

    I fondly recall meeting her in New York in 2023.”

     

    Congratulations to @chandrikatandon on winning the Grammy for the album Triveni. We take great pride in her accomplishments as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and ofcourse, music! It is commendable how she has remained passionate about Indian culture and has been working to…

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2025

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2099101) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product for fourth quarter and whole year of 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (February 3) the advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2024.
     
         According to the advance estimates, GDP increased by 2.4% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 1.9% in the third quarter. For 2024 as a whole, GDP increased by 2.5% in real terms over 2023.
     
         Analysed by major GDP component, private consumption expenditure (PCE) decreased by 0.2% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024 from a year earlier, narrowed from the decrease of 1.3% in the third quarter. For 2024 as a whole, PCE decreased by 0.6% in real terms from 2023.
     
         Government consumption expenditure (GCE) measured in national accounts terms recorded an increase of 1.9% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 1.7% in the third quarter. For 2024 as a whole, GCE increased by 0.9% in real terms over 2023.
     
         Gross domestic fixed capital formation (GDFCF) decreased by 0.9% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024 from a year earlier, as against the increase of 5.7% in the third quarter. For 2024 as a whole, GDFCF increased by 2.4% in real terms over 2023.
     
         Over the same period, total exports of goods measured in national accounts terms recorded an increase of 1.2% in real terms over a year earlier, moderated from the increase of 4.0% in the third quarter. Imports of goods measured in national accounts terms grew by 0.1% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with the increase of 2.8% in the third quarter. For 2024 as a whole, total exports of goods and imports of goods recorded increases of 4.7% and 2.3% respectively in real terms over 2023.
     
         Exports of services rose further by 5.6% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, after the increase of 2.9% in the third quarter. Imports of services increased by 8.7% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with the increase of 8.9% in the third quarter. For 2024 as a whole, exports of services and imports of services recorded increases of 4.8% and 11.8% respectively in real terms over 2023.
     
         On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison basis, GDP increased by 0.8% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024 when compared with the third quarter.
     
    Commentary
     
         A Government spokesman said that the Hong Kong economy grew at an accelerated pace in the fourth quarter of 2024 over a year earlier. According to the advance estimates, real GDP expanded by 2.4% year-on-year in the fourth quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, real GDP turned to growth of 0.8%.
     
         For 2024 as a whole, real GDP posted moderate growth of 2.5%, further to 3.2% growth in 2023. Total exports of goods resumed growth amid improved external demand. Exports of services continued to increase, driven by further growth of visitor arrivals and improvement in other cross-border economic activities. Overall investment expenditure showed a further increase as the economy continued to expand. However, private consumption expenditure recorded a slight decline, affected by the change in residents’ consumption patterns.
     
         Looking ahead, the Hong Kong economy is expected to register further growth in 2025 despite heightened uncertainties in the external environment. Trade protectionist policies implemented by the US may disrupt global trade flows and adversely affect Hong Kong’s goods exports. They may also lead to a slower pace of interest rate cuts in the US and keep the Hong Kong dollar strong for longer. Nevertheless, the Mainland’s proactive policy to boost its economy will help bolster market confidence and benefit a wide spectrum of economic segments in Hong Kong. The Central Government’s various measures benefitting Hong Kong, coupled with the SAR Government’s wide range of initiatives to promote economic growth, will also provide support to various economic activities.
     
         The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2024, as well as the real GDP growth forecast for 2025 will be released on February 26, 2025 when the 2025-26 Budget is announced.
     
    Further information
     
         The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP and selected major expenditure components in real terms from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2024 are shown in Table 1.
     
         When more data become available, the C&SD will compile revised figures on GDP. The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2024 will be released at the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode250.html) and the Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component report (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1030001&scode=250) on February 26, 2025.
     
         For enquiries about statistics on GDP by expenditure component, please contact the National Income Branch (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5077 or email: gdp-e@censtatd.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Credit Conditions for fourth quarter 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Credit Conditions for fourth quarter 2024
    Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Credit Conditions for fourth quarter 2024
    ***************************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (February 3) the results of Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)’ Credit Conditions for the fourth quarter of 2024. According to the survey, SMEs’ credit conditions remained broadly stable.           Regarding SMEs’ perception of banks’ credit approval stance relative to 6 months ago, excluding respondents who answered “no idea/ don’t know”, 70 per cent perceived a “similar” or “easier” credit approval stance in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 76 per cent in the previous quarter (Chart 1 in the Annex). 30 per cent perceived a “more difficult” credit approval stance, compared to 24 per cent in the previous quarter. The perception of a more difficult credit approval stance may not necessarily reflect actual difficulties faced by SMEs in obtaining bank credit as the perception could be affected by a number of factors, such as media/news reports, business conditions and opinions of relatives and friends.           Among respondents with existing credit lines, 0 per cent reported a “tighter” banks’ stance, down further from 1 per cent in the previous quarter (Chart 2 in the Annex). In this survey, a tighter stance on existing credit lines denotes a range of possible measures or arrangements, such as reducing unused and used credit lines, raising the interest rate, imposing additional collateral requirements, or shortening loan tenor. Therefore, respondents’ indication of banks’ stance on existing credit lines may not directly reflect banks’ supply of credit to SMEs.            The survey also gauged the results of new credit applications from SMEs. 4 per cent of the respondents reported that they had applied for new bank credit during the fourth quarter of 2024. Among the respondents who had already known their application outcomes, 77 per cent reported fully or partially successful applications, down from 79 per cent in the previous quarter (Chart 3 in the Annex).           Owing to small sample sizes of SMEs with existing credit lines (26 per cent of surveyed SMEs) and with new credit applications (4 per cent of surveyed SMEs) during the quarter, the results could be prone to large fluctuations, and hence should be interpreted with care.About Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)’ Credit Conditions           In light of the importance of SMEs to the Hong Kong economy and concerns about potential funding difficulties facing SMEs over the past few years, the HKMA has appointed the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to carry out this survey, starting from the third quarter of 2016. This survey is conducted on a quarterly basis, covering about 2 500 SMEs from different economic sectors each time. The results of this survey can help monitor the development of SMEs’ access to bank credit from a demand-side perspective.           The results of this survey should be interpreted with caution. Similar to other opinion surveys, views collected in this survey may be affected by changes in sentiment due to idiosyncratic events that occurred over the survey period, which can make the results prone to fluctuations. Readers are advised to interpret the results together with other economic and financial information. In addition, views collected are limited to the expected direction of inter-quarter changes (e.g. “tighter”, “no change” or “easier”) without providing information about the magnitude of these changes.           Detailed tables and technical information of this survey are published on the website of the HKPC (smecc.hkpc.org).

     
    Ends/Monday, February 3, 2025Issued at HKT 16:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Provisional statistics of retail sales for December 2024 and whole year of 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (February 3).

         The value of total retail sales in December 2024, provisionally estimated at $32.8 billion, decreased by 9.7% compared with the same month in 2023. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in November 2024 decreased by 7.3% compared with a year earlier.

         Of the total retail sales value in December 2024, online sales accounted for 7.2%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.4 billion, decreased by 17.2% compared with the same month in 2023. The revised estimate of online retail sales in November 2024 decreased by 7.2% compared with a year earlier.

         After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in December 2024 decreased by 11.5% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in November 2024 decreased by 8.4% compared with a year earlier.

         Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing December 2024 with December 2023, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts decreased by 13.8%. This was followed by sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (-2.9% in value); commodities in supermarkets (-3.1%); wearing apparel (-11.1%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-0.6%); commodities in department stores (-8.9%); medicines and cosmetics (-2.2%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (-20.2%); motor vehicles and parts (-36.3%); fuels (-11.2%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-4.9%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-2.2%); furniture and fixtures (-22.0%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-9.6%); and optical shops (-7.5%).

         Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales decreased by 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales decreased by 0.2%.

         For 2024 as a whole, the value of total retail sales was provisionally estimated at $376.8 billion, decreased by 7.3% in value and 9.0% in volume compared with 2023. The value of online retail sales was provisionally estimated at $31.7 billion, decreased by 2.6% over 2023.
     
         Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing the whole year of 2024 with the whole year of 2023, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts decreased by 14.5%. This was followed by sales of commodities in supermarkets (-1.5% in value); wearing apparel (-10.6%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-3.2%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (-11.3%); commodities in department stores (-13.9%); motor vehicles and parts (-17.2%); fuels (-11.4%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-7.5%); furniture and fixtures (-14.4%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-14.8%); and optical shops (-13.6%).

         On the other hand, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 0.4% in 2024 compared with 2023. This was followed by sales of medicines and cosmetics (+4.4% in value); and books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+4.7%).

    Commentary

         A government spokesman said that the value of total retail sales declined further in December from a year earlier, partly reflecting the impact of residents’ increased outbound trips during the holidays. For the fourth quarter as a whole, the value of total retail sales fell by 6.7% year-on-year, narrower than the 9.6% decrease in the preceding quarter.

         Looking ahead, the spokesman said that the near-term performance of the retail sector would continue to be affected by the change in consumption patterns of visitors and residents. Nevertheless, the introduction of various measures by the Central Government to boost the Mainland economy and benefit Hong Kong, together with the SAR Government’s proactive efforts to promote tourism development and boost market sentiment, as well as increasing employment earnings, would benefit the retail sector.

    Further information

         Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for November 2024 as well as the provisional figures for December 2024. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the whole year of 2024 are also shown.

         Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for November 2024 as well as the provisional figures for December 2024. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the whole year of 2024 are also shown.
     
         Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for November 2024 as well as the provisional figures for December 2024. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the whole year of 2024 are also shown.

         Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

         The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

         These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail establishments through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

         The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

         Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component” for more details.

         More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).

         Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email : mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Harnessing Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 1:41PM by PIB Delhi

    In order to harness the potential and to optimally tap constructive and creative energies of the youth, the Department of Youth Affairs pursues the twin objectives of personality-building and nation-building, that is, developing the personality of youth and involving them in various nation-building activities through its field organizations and various schemes.

    National Service Scheme (NSS) is engaged in developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service. ‘Education through Service’ is the purpose of the NSS.

    Similarly, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) through its various programmes and interventions is reaching out to the rural youth for their empowerment and civic engagement.

    Moreover, recently, an overarching enabling mechanism- Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), an autonomous body under the Department of Youth Affairs has been established, which is powered by technology, for youth development and youth led development through ‘Kartavya Bodh’ and ‘Seva Bhaav’, during the Amrit Kaal.

    A digital platform for MY Bharat (https://www.mybharat.gov.in/) has been developed on which the youth across the country can register and signup for various volunteering opportunities being made available on the portal. The envisioned phygital (physical + digital) ecosystem is to empower young individuals to become catalysts for community transformation. So far, more than 1.65 Crore Youth have registered on the MY Bharat Portal.

    To advance the goal of developed India by 2047 among youth, the “Yuva Connect” program has been conceptualized with the aim to foster youth engagement and leadership in the developmental transformation of India. The events are organised around discussions on the concept of Viksit Bharat with young people in educational institutions throughout India. Youth also get an opportunity to interact with eminent speakers.

    Through these programs, emphasis is laid on values such as national identity, civic engagement, social cohesion, human capital development, critical thinking, and empowerment, so that students are better prepared to contribute positively to their societies. These interactions not only enhance individual growth but also strengthen the fabric of the nation as a whole. 

    This information was given by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2099075) Visitor Counter : 78

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CFS urges public not to feed infants with several kinds of prepackaged baby food imported from US

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CFS urges public not to feed infants with several kinds of prepackaged baby food imported from US
    CFS urges public not to feed infants with several kinds of prepackaged baby food imported from US
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         ​The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 3) urged the public not to feed infants with several kinds of prepackaged baby food imported from the United States (US), as the products may pose a choking hazard. The trade should stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess any of them.     Details of the products are as follows:Product name:(1) Gerber Soothe ‘N’ Chew Teething Sticks – Strawberry Apple (Net weight: 90 grams per pack)(2) Gerber Soothe ‘N’ Chew Teething Sticks – Banana (Net weight: 90g per pack)(3) Gerber Soothe ‘N’ Chew Teething Sticks – Banana (Net weight: 45g per pack)Brand: GerberPlace of origin: USBatch: all lotsImporter: Nestle Hong Kong Limited     ​A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS noted notices issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the US and the Canadian authorities respectively that the above-mentioned products are under recall as they possess a choking hazard. The CFS confirmed that the above-mentioned importer has imported the products concerned into Hong Kong.”     The importer has stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected products and initiated a voluntary recall. Members of the public may call the hotline of the importer at 2179 8333 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the products concerned.     ​The CFS has alerted the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 3, 2025Issued at HKT 16:02

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2025
    Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2025
    **********************************************************************

         The Transport Department (TD) today (February 3) reminded members of the public that, to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Marathon 2025 this Sunday (February 9), temporary road closures will be implemented at various locations in phases from Saturday (February 8) at 11.30pm and will be reopened subject to the progress of the race. It is anticipated all closed roads will be reopened by about 2pm on Sunday.      This year, the full and half marathon races will start at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The full marathon race will route through major road sections including Nathan Road (from Granville Road to Argyle Street), Argyle Street, Lin Cheung Road, West Kowloon Highway, Stonecutters Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC), Connaught Road West flyover, Lung Wo Road, Expo Drive, Hung Hing Road, Lockhart Road, Percival Street, Hennessy Road, Yee Wo Street and Sugar Street, and finish at Victoria Park. The half marathon race route will follow that of the full marathon race from the starting point at Nathan Road to Lin Cheung Road with the turning point at Tsing Kwai Highway and then rejoin the full marathon race route at West Kowloon Highway.      As for other races, the starting point will be set at different locations on Hong Kong Island while all the finishing points will be set at Victoria Park. The 10-kilometre race will start at the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) near the exit/entrance of Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel (CWBT) and run along the IEC eastwards to the turning point near Oi Tak Street and then return to the finishing point. The 10-kilometre wheelchair race will start at Wan Chai Sports Ground and route through Hung Hing Road, Expo Drive, Lung Wo Road and Central Ferry Piers area and then return to run along Lung Wo Road, Hung Hing Road, Marsh Road, Lockhart Road and Hennessey Road heading for the finishing point. The Wheelchair Trial and Leaders Cup will also start at Wan Chai Sports Ground and route through Hung Hing Road and Marsh Road and then rejoin the 10-km wheelchair race route heading for the finishing point.      According to the arrangements for the full and half marathon race routes, temporary closures of major road sections and their vicinities in Yau Tsim Mong area will be implemented extensively, including (i) the whole section of Nathan Road (in both directions) between Salisbury Road and Gascoigne Road, (ii) the northbound carriageway of Nathan Road between Gascoigne Road and Argyle Street, and (iii) the westbound carriageway of Argyle Street between Nathan Road and Tong Mi Road. The above road sections will be reopened at or before about 10.30am in phases, subject to the progress of the races. At the same time, public transport services in this area will also be subject to extensive adjustments. Members of the public heading to this area are advised to use railway services.      Moreover, since the full marathon will use the Kowloon-bound carriageways of Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Nam Wan Tunnel as the race route, vehicles on Lantau Link (Tsing Ma Bridge) heading to Kowloon will be diverted to use North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road. It is anticipated that traffic congestion along North Lantau Highway, Tsing Ma Bridge and the vicinity of North West Tsing Yi Interchange may occur.      The above road closures will not affect vehicles from Hong Kong Island/Kowloon/New Territories East heading for Hong Kong International Airport and Lantau Island. Vehicles from the New Territories West to the airport and Lantau Island could travel via Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel. Due to the closure of the Kowloon-bound carriageway of Ting Kau Bridge, vehicles travelling via Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel to the airport and Lantau Island will be diverted to use Tsuen Wan Road, Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsing Tsuen Bridge and Tsing Yi North Coastal Road to enter Tsing Ma Bridge.      During the races, the Kowloon-bound tube of the WHC will remain opened, while the Hong Kong-bound tube of the WHC will be temporarily closed from 0.45am on Sunday till about 1.15pm, subject to the progress of the races. Motorists in Kowloon West heading for Hong Kong Island are advised to use the Cross-Harbour Tunnel or Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC). For the race routes in Causeway Bay, Yee Wo Street eastbound will be temporarily closed to serve as a race route. Most of the public transport services operating along Yee Wo Street (in the direction of North Point) will be diverted to use Percival Street, Leighton Road and Pennington Street during the closure period.      According to the arrangements for the 10-km race, both bound carriageways of the IEC between Victoria Park Road and Shau Kei Wan, and the CWBT linking to and from the IEC will be closed from 1.15am on Sunday in phases, and traffic will be diverted via appropriate alternative routes such as Connaught Road Central, Gloucester Road, King’s Road, Shau Kei Wan Road, etc. Traffic to and from the EHC will be diverted to the Sai Wan Ho or Kornhill exit/entrance. Depending on the progress of the races, different sections of the CWBT will be reopened in phases to minimise the impact on traffic. Upon the anticipated reopening of the IEC before noon, the section of the CWBT between Central and North Point will be reopened while the Wan Chai North exit from and entrance to the CWBT will be closed for most of the race time.      In connection with the road closure arrangements, starting from 11.15pm on Saturday until the reopening of the roads, 211 daytime bus routes and 33 daytime green minibus (GMB) routes will be subject to suspension, truncation or diversion, and the stopping points concerned of the affected bus and GMB services will be relocated accordingly in phases. Also, 49 overnight bus routes and six overnight green minibus routes to be affected by the road closures will be subject to the associated service adjustments. These affected bus routes include the cross-harbour routes and bus services operating in the following areas:     Hong Kong Island – bus routes operating along the IEC, the CWBT, in Central and Western District, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay areas;     Kowloon – bus routes operating along Nathan Road, Argyle Street, Shanghai Street, Jordan Road and Yau Tsim Mong areas; and New Territories – bus routes operating along Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Nam Wan Tunnel.     The following bus termini and public transport interchanges on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon will be suspended: Hong Kong Island – Tin Hau Station Public Transport Interchange, Expo Drive East Bus Terminus, Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus and Whitfield Road Bus Terminus; and      Kowloon – China Ferry Terminal Public Transport Interchange and Star Ferry Bus Terminus.     To enable participants of the full/half marathon and 10-km races that start in the early morning to go to Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay, the first departures of eight rail lines of MTR services will be advanced suitably on Sunday, with the first departures on the Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line to be operated at 3.25am. In addition, 28 special bus routes will also be operated to serve participants going to Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay on Sunday.      During the road closure period, bus stops, taxi stands, taxi pick-up/drop-off points, public light bus/GMB stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks within the closed roads and their vicinities may be suspended subject to the situation.      The commencement time of the pedestrian precinct on Lockhart Road, East Point Road and Great George Street in Causeway Bay will be postponed to 3pm on Sunday subject to the road reopening situation in the vicinity of Causeway Bay.     Members of the public and tourists heading for Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station of the Airport Express Line, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, China Ferry Terminal (China Hong Kong City) or Ocean Terminal are advised to plan their journeys early to avoid any delays caused by road closures and traffic diversions.      The TD anticipates that the traffic at various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon and the New Territories will be more significantly congested when compared with normal Sundays, including:     Hong Kong Island – King’s Road, Shau Kei Wan Road, Victoria Park Road, Leighton Road, Hennessy Road, Gloucester Road, Queensway, Connaught Road Central, Aberdeen Tunnel (Wan Chai bound) and Central Ferry Piers areas;     Kowloon – Nathan Road and its vicinity, Argyle Street, Wylie Road, Gascoigne Road flyover, West Kowloon Corridor and Cross-Harbour Tunnel (both bounds), with a higher chance of long traffic queues along Gascoigne Road flyover and West Kowloon Corridor; and     New Territories – Lantau Link (Kowloon bound) and North West Tsing Yi Interchange.     Motorists should avoid driving to the above affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, they should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on-site.      Members of the public should plan their journeys early and use alternative routes to avoid unexpected delays, and take railway services as far as possible. Public transport users are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions and changes of stop locations.      Other ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures, including adjusting the extent of road closures, traffic diversions, alterations and suspensions of public transport services, may be implemented by the Police on-site at short notice depending on the actual traffic and crowd conditions. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media.      For information about the above special traffic and transport adjustments, members of the public may browse the TD’s website at www.td.gov.hk or the “HKeMobility” mobile application.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 3, 2025Issued at HKT 15:45

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bureau of Indian Standards strengthens engagement with African and Latin American Nations on Standardization

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 1:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hosted a high-level roundtable discussion to foster collaboration in the field of standardization with African and Latin American nations. The event saw participation from Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and representatives of over 25 countries from these regions, along with officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

    Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India and Mr. Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS, led the discussions alongside senior officials from Bureau.

    Consumer Affairs Secretary acknowledged BIS’s comprehensive standards ecosystem, which ensures product quality and safety while facilitating seamless trade across borders. She underscored the importance of harmonizing standards to strengthen international trade and quality infrastructure.

    Smt. Khare said that BIS plays a crucial role in facilitating international trade by setting standards that ensure compatibility, safety, and quality. She emphasized India’s strong commitment to international standardization and its active participation in ISO and IEC at both technical and governance levels. With seven decades of expertise in standardization, BIS continues to lead in this domain.

    She highlighted how BIS has been organizing capacity-building programs for developing countries under the ITEC program. So far, 30 African nations and 10 Latin American countries have benefited from these initiatives. Additionally, BIS has established Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with these countries to facilitate knowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practices.

    The Secretary reiterated BIS’s commitment to extending cooperation to any interested country, offering support on standardization principles and sector-specific matters. The organization has also developed comprehensive codes for the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC), which contribute to safe and sustainable infrastructure development.

    For developing countries with limited resources and expertise, she stressed that there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they can adopt Indian standards through harmonization, benefiting from the experience and expertise that BIS has cultivated.

    All dignitaries present appreciated the efforts and support provided by BIS. The representatives encouraged more such programs in collaboration with National Standards Bodies (NSBs). African and Latin American countries expressed keen interest in furthering mutual cooperation with BIS, strengthening their standardization frameworks.

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    Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma

    (Release ID: 2099057) Visitor Counter : 74

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of the Chairman’s Opening Remarks at Commencement of 267th Session of Rajya Sabha

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 12:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Hon’ble Members, the 267th Session of the Rajya Sabha is a milestone in the constitutional journey of Bharat, being the first one convened as we march into the last quarter of the century of adoption of our Constitution on November 26, 1949.

    An occasion of expression of profound gratitude to visionary founding fathers, whose wisdom and foresight endowed us with a Constitution that has remarkably shaped the destiny of our Republic.

    In this journey of 75 years, we have embraced modernity without forsaking our timeless wisdom and heritage. Our collective dreams and aspirations have enabled strides in digital innovation and sustainable development to space exploration and infrastructure.

    Guided by the mantra of Vikas with Virasat, the march forward towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047 must be the north star that anchors our collective efforts. It is incumbent upon us, as members of this august House, to rise to this calling with unwavering resolve.

    As the Council of States—the House of Elders—we must serve as both guardians of constitutional values and torchbearers of progressive thought. Let us emulate our founding fathers, and seize this moment in history to leave our indelible footprints upon the sands of time.

    Our conduct must be exemplary; our deliberations, wise and constructive; and our actions, driven by the welfare of the 1.4 billion citizens who place their faith in us.

    A vibrant and functional Parliament is the lifeblood of democracy. In this sacred chamber, the voices of a pluralistic, dynamic, and aspirational society converge, particularly those of our youth, who represent our nation’s boundless energy and dreams. By empowering youth with education, opportunity, and a sense of responsibility, we can craft a more inclusive and sustainable future.

    The great Mahakumbh, a resplendent celebration of India’s spiritual and cultural essence, offers profound lessons for our journey—unity in diversity, collective well-being, and an abiding commitment to truth, tolerance, and harmony.

    As we engage with the global community, let these principles remain the touchstones of our actions, ensuring that the well-being of every citizen remains at the heart of our endeavours.

    Hon’ble Members, our task is monumental, so has to be our resolve. Let us pledge to uphold the sanctity and dignity of this House. Let our debates and decisions be guided by the noble aspirations of service to the nation. Let us work together, across all divides, to forge policies that elevate Bharat’s standing on the global stage.

    In the words of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution: “Democracy is not merely a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards our fellow men.”

    May we be ever mindful of this wisdom.

    As we embark upon this session, let us deliberate with purpose, cooperate with dignity, and legislate with vision—mindful always that we carry the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.

     Together, let us chart a course toward a future that fulfills the promise made in the Constitution.

    ***

    (Release ID: 2099044) Visitor Counter : 85

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Registrations and nominations invited for Labour Advisory Board By-election of Employee Representative

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Registrations and nominations invited for Labour Advisory Board By-election of Employee Representative
    Registrations and nominations invited for Labour Advisory Board By-election of Employee Representative
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         The Labour Department (LD) is inviting employee unions registered under the Trade Unions Ordinance (TUO) to register as electors, appoint authorised representatives to vote and nominate candidates for the 2025 Labour Advisory Board (LAB) By-election of Employee Representative.     “Registration as electors, appointment of authorised representatives and nomination of candidates start today (February 3) and will close on February 25, 2025 (Tuesday),” a spokesman for the LD said.     The LAB is a tripartite consultative body comprising representatives of employees and employers to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters. There is a vacancy in the current 2025-2026 term of the LAB arising from the resignation of an elected employee representative.     The 2025 LAB By-election of Employee Representative will be held at Function Rooms, 3/F South Tower, The Salisbury – YMCA of Hong Kong, 41 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, on March 29 (Saturday). Authorised representatives may cast their votes at the above polling station between 9am and 5pm. Upon the appointment by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare with authority delegated by the Chief Executive, the elected representative will become an LAB member for the current term up to December 31, 2026.     Employee unions registered as electors in the LAB elections held in 2006 or thereafter need not re-register as electors but have to submit forms to appoint authorised representatives in order to vote in the by-election.     “We have sent out today related forms and copies of the rules and procedures for the by-election to all employee unions registered under the TUO,” the spokesman said.     Enquiries on matters relating to the by-election can be made at 2852 4024.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 3, 2025Issued at HKT 15:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mineral and non-ferrous Metal Production on Growth Track in FY 2024-25 (April-December)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Mineral and non-ferrous Metal Production on Growth Track in FY 2024-25 (April-December)

    Robust Growth in Production of Key Minerals and non-ferrous Metals

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 12:16PM by PIB Delhi

    Production of some key minerals in the country has continued to witness strong growth during FY 2024-25 (April-December), after reaching record production levels in FY 2023-24. Iron ore accounts for 69% of the total MCDR mineral production by value. Production of iron ore was 274 million metric tonne (MMT) in FY 2023-24.

    As per provisional data, production of iron ore has increased from 203 MMT in FY 2023-24 (April-December) to 208 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April- December), showing a healthy 2.5% growth. Production of manganese ore has risen by 8.3% to 2.6 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April- December) from 2.4 MMT during the corresponding period of previous year. Production of Chromite has risen by 9.5% to 2.3 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April- December) from 2.1 MMT during the corresponding period of previous year. Additionally, production of bauxite has also risen by 6.5% to 18.1 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April- December) from 17.0 MMT in FY 2023-24 (April- December).

    In the non-ferrous metal sector, primary aluminium production in FY 2024-25 (April- December) posted a growth of 1.6% over the corresponding period last year, increasing to 31.56 lakh ton (LT) in FY 2024-25 (April- December) from 31.07 LT in FY 2023-24 (April- December). During the same comparative period, refined copper production has grown by 7.3% from 3.69 LT to 3.96 LT.

    India is the 2nd largest Aluminium producer, among top-10 producer in refined copper and 4th largest iron ore producer in the world. Continued growth in production of iron ore in the current financial year reflects the robust demand conditions in the user industry viz. steel. Coupled with growth in aluminium and copper, these growth trends point towards continued strong economic activity in user sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive and machinery.

     

    ****

    Shuhaib T

    (Release ID: 2099042) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 3, 2025
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