NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI: CBL International Limited Reports 2024 Full-Year Results: Revenue Soars 35.9% to $592.5 Million Amid Global Expansion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CBL International Limited (NASDAQ: BANL) (the “Company” or “CBL”), the listing vehicle of Banle Group (“Banle” or “the Group”), a leading marine fuel logistic company in the Asia-Pacific region, today announced its annual financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    Financial Performance Overview

    The company reported consolidated revenue of $592.52 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, marking a 35.9% increase from $435.90 million in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by a 38.1% increase in sales volume, supported by the addition of new customers during the year, expansion of our supply network to cover more ports, and a broader customer base that now includes bulk carriers and oil and gas tankers in addition to container liner operators.

    Due to challenging market conditions, the Company reported a net loss of $3.87 million in 2024, compared to a net income of $1.13 million in 2023, mainly attributed to a 25.5% decrease in gross profit to $5.37 million in 2024 from $7.21 million in 2023 and a 56.8% rise in operating expenses to $8.70 million in 2024 from $5.55 million in 2023. The Company adopted a volume-driven growth strategy that involved offering more competitive pricing in a market characterized by intensified competition and pricing pressure. While this approach supported increased sales volume and market share, it also contributed to narrower profit margins.

    In addition to reduced gross margins, the net loss was impacted by increased expenses for business expansion, biofuel operation, additional expenses to enhance ESG, and a rise in interest expenses. These were partially offset by a reduction in income tax expenses. The financial outcome reflects both the dynamic nature of the bunkering industry and the Company’s ongoing investment in client base development and geographic growth, which are expected to enhance long-term positioning as market conditions normalize.

    Earnings per share (EPS) reflected this, decreasing to $(0.136) in 2024 from $0.045 in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents increased by 8.3% to $8.02 million as of December 31, 2024 from $7.40 million as of December 31, 2023.

    Business Expansion in Challenging Times

    CBL International’s operational expansion was a key focus in 2024, particularly in a challenging industry environment marked by geopolitical tensions, such as the Red Sea crisis and broader Middle East tensions. The company grew its service network from 36 ports at the time of its IPO in March 2023 to over 60 ports by year-end 2024, covering Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Central America. Revenue growth year-on-year was notable across China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea.

    Key new ports included Mauritius, Panama, and India, enhancing its global reach. This expansion was supported by servicing nine of the world’s top 12 container shipping lines, representing nearly 60% of global container fleet capacity. The Company’s European expansion focused on strengthening cross-regional service offerings for Euro–Asia trade routes. Growth was supported by a stronger presence in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region and a new Ireland office established in late 2023, enhancing local sourcing capabilities.

    Customer diversification was another priority, with the share of non-container liners in total revenue increased, and sales concentration among the top five customers declined in fiscal year 2024.

    A significant highlight was the company’s push towards sustainability, with biofuel sales surging by 628.8% and volume by 603.0%. The introduction of B24 biofuel (76% fossil fuel, 24% used cooking oil methyl ester) in Hong Kong, China, and Malaysia reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, supported by ISCC EU and ISCC Plus certifications secured in 2023. This aligns with global trends towards greener shipping solutions and positions CBL as a leader in sustainable fuel logistics.

    Strategically, CBL enhanced its IT systems, implementing real-time order tracking, data analytics, and workflow automation to improve efficiency. Credit risk management was strengthened, and working capital management improved with increased factoring facilities and a cash balance rise, navigating macroeconomic challenges through pricing strategies and port network adjustments. Additionally, CBL expanded its funding sources by accessing capital markets, such as private placement, increasing financial flexibility to support growth initiatives.

    Bullish Outlook and Customer Loyalty Strategy

    Despite the net loss, CBL’s management remains optimistic about the future, viewing current industry challenges as an opportunity to build resilience and enhance customer loyalty. While prudently evaluating the impact of the latest U.S. tariff policy, among other macro incidents such as geopolitical tensions, regulatory changes, and shifting global trade dynamics, on the economy and the bunkering sector, CBL believes its broad global network, primarily focused on intra-Asia and Euro-Asia trade routes, helps mitigate potential adverse effects. Since the Company has no operation on U.S. ports, the impact of such policies may be limited in the near future.

    The Company’s strategic expansion of ports, diversification of its client base, and commitment to sustainable initiatives are designed to position it for growth when market conditions improve. By investing in new ports and expanding relationships with key industry players, CBL aims to secure long-term partnerships that will strengthen its market position as global trade stabilizes and profitability improves.

    Management Commentary and Future Outlook

    Dr. Teck Lim Chia, Chairman and CEO of CBL International Limited, stated, “We are confident in our strategy to expand our service network, maximize sales volume and explore sustainable offerings, even in these challenging times. Our investments in new ports, diversified clients, and sustainable fuels are building a foundation for future growth. We believe that by demonstrating our capabilities at present, we will earn customer loyalty that will yield substantial benefits as the market recovers, positioning CBL International for significant success in the years ahead.”

    Looking ahead, CBL remains focused on expanding its market presence, particularly in biofuels, and enhancing its global supply network. The company is committed to driving operational efficiency and delivering sustainable growth.

    Webcast Details

    CBL International Limited (Nasdaq: BANL) cordially invites you to participate in a webcast to discuss its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    About the Banle Group

    CBL International Limited (Nasdaq: BANL) is the listing vehicle of Banle Group, a reputable marine fuel logistic company based in the Asia Pacific region that was established in 2015. We are committed to providing customers with one-stop solution for vessel refueling, which is referred to as bunkering facilitator in the bunkering industry. We facilitate vessel refueling mainly through local physical suppliers in over 60 major ports covering Belgium, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Panama, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam, as of 16 April, 2025. The Group actively promotes the use of sustainable fuels and is awarded with the ISCC EU and ISCC Plus certifications.

    For more information about our company, please visit our website at: https://www.banle-intl.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “future,” “outlook,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. They involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release and on current expectations of BANL’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of BANL. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements could include changes in domestic and foreign business, fuel prices and tariffs, market, financial, political and legal conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    CBL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    (Incorporated in Cayman Islands with limited liabilities)

    For more information, please contact:
    CBL International Limited
    Email: investors@banle-intl.com

    Strategic Financial Relations Limited
    Shelly Cheng
    Iris Au Yeung
    Email:    		 Tel: (852) 2864 4857
    Tel: (852) 2114 4913
    sprg_cbl@sprg.com.hk 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Athene Announces Fixed Income Investor Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene”), a subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), announced it will host a Fixed Income Investor Call on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 10:00AM ET.

    The call will feature members of Athene’s senior management team, who will provide an update on current business trends, new business origination, the investment portfolio, and capital.

    An accompanying presentation, live webcast, and webcast replay will be available on the Investor Relations section of Athene’s website at ir.athene.com.

    Conference Call Details:
    Dial-in: Toll-free at 877-404-1236 (domestic) or + 1 215-268-9888 (international)

    About Athene
    Athene is the leading retirement services company with over $360 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2024, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.

    Contact:
    Jeanne Hess
    Vice President, External Relations
    +1 646 768 7319
    jeanne.hess@athene.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Newsweek Op-Ed: Trump Tariffs Gave America Leverage for Better Trade Deals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    AUBURN – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) penned an op-ed in Newsweek about how President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs are already delivering results for Alabama manufacturers, businesses, workers, and producers.
    Read excerpts from the piece below or read the full piece here.
    “It’s been two weeks since President Donald Trump announced tariffs on more than 180 countries and territories that have been ripping us off for decades. A full-blown meltdown followed that day. But those of us who have been following President Trump for a long time knew better than to panic. The president is a master negotiator—and if there’s one thing he understands, it’s how to create leverage.
    That leverage is clearly working, as more than 75 countries have come crawling to the United States begging to negotiate better trade deals in exchange for the president lowering tariffs. Only Democrats and their friends in the media would find a reason to be upset about that. Sadly, I’m convinced that many Democrats and woke media would rather see America fail than watch us succeed with President Trump. It’s clear that the president is using tariffs as a bargaining chip to level the playing field with our trade partners. Trump is a skilled dealmaker, and his strategy is already delivering results for the American people.
    President Trump understands that America boasts the strongest economy in the world—and other countries would fall apart without trade deals with the United States. But President Trump also, like me, believes that America has been taken advantage of by unfair trade deals for decades.
    The truth is, the international trade system has been stacked against the United States for years. Since 1976, $20 trillion of American wealth has been transferred into foreign hands. That’s more than 60 percent of the U.S. GDP in 2024. Can you believe that? This country is getting robbed in broad daylight.
    Countries like Vietnam and India are prime examples of ‘trade partners’ who have been ripping us off. In Alabama, we have seen some of the effects firsthand. For years, Vietnamese and Indian exporters have been adulterating honey with cane, rice, and corn sweeteners before dumping it on the U.S. domestic market. Additionally, Vietnam has been dumping billions of dollars’ worth of catfish from sewage-polluted water into U.S. markets, while India is doing the same with shrimp—flooding the markets and driving down prices for our high-quality domestic products. Alabama’s honey, catfish, and shrimp producers have had a hard time competing as a result.
    With simply the threat of President Trump imposing various tariff rates, Vietnam and India are crawling to the negotiating table. The end result will hopefully give Alabama producers a fair shot to compete. Vietnam and India aren’t the only countries caving to President Trump, however. More than 75 have announced their intention to negotiate with the U.S., leading President Trump to announce a 90-day pause on most tariffs, with a 10 percent blanket duty on almost all U.S. imports. The president’s plan is unfolding just as he expected.
    China is a different beast. When President Trump levied heavy tariffs on China, he made it clear that if Beijing retaliated, the tariffs will escalate. Predictably, China didn’t back down—it imposed steep retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. But if China thinks it can intimidate President Trump, it should think again. China has a choice here—it can either renegotiate a fair trade deal, or it can pay the piper. My money is on President Trump to win in the end.”
    MORE:
    Tuberville Celebrates President Trump’s “Liberation Day” on Senate Floor
    ICYMI: Tuberville Joins Kudlow to Discuss How President Trump’s Tariffs Strategy is Working for Alabama
    Yellowhammer News: Tuberville says tariffs will help Alabama’s catfish farmers
    ICYMI: Tuberville in Yellowhammer: President Trump’s tariffs are Making America Great Again
    Tuberville Praises President Trump for Making Tariffs Great Again
    Newsmax: Sen. Tuberville: Cut Spending, Boost Manufacturing to Cut Debt
    Tuberville Speaks on Importance of Boosting U.S. Economy to Help Struggling Seniors
    1819 News: ‘A big relief’: Tuberville claims victory, says Alabama’s catfish industry safe from Biden administration proposal
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Privacy Regulators Assemble: Attorney General Bonta Announces Bipartisan Consortium of Privacy Regulators

    Source: US State of California

    Continues commitment to protecting Californians’ privacy rights 

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced an agreement of formal collaboration between six states and the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) to promote collaboration and information sharing in the bipartisan effort to safeguard the privacy rights of consumers. Known as the Consortium of Privacy Regulators, the group regularly discusses developments in privacy law, shared priorities, and coordinates enforcement, as appropriate, based on the members’ common interest. In forming the Consortium of Privacy Regulators, Attorney General Bonta joins the CPPA and the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, and Oregon.

    “Data knows no borders — state and nationwide coordination is vital for protecting consumers’ rights, especially in our data-driven world,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Collaborating with partners across the country provides another tool in the toolbox for my office to tackle enforcement priorities and continue safeguarding the privacy rights of Californians.”

    Privacy matters because when information or data falls into the wrong hands, it can harm people, businesses, and organizations, often financially. The risk of harm continues to grow as more consumers conduct essential tasks online, like banking, shopping, or managing medical care. Businesses that collect this personal information also create the risk of data breaches when they fail to safeguard it. Lapses in upholding privacy laws can threaten to disclose information like our financial condition, health status, and sensitive aspects of our personal lives. Anyone can become vulnerable.  

    California’s Landmark Privacy Law: The CCPA

    The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) secures increased privacy rights for California consumers, such as the right to know how businesses collect, share, and disclose their personal information. Businesses that are subject to the CCPA have specific responsibilities, including responding to consumer requests to exercise these rights and giving consumers certain notices explaining their privacy practices. Under the CCPA’s right to opt-out, businesses that sell personal data or share personal information for targeted advertising must permit consumers the right to opt-out. Exercising this right should be easy and involve minimal steps.

    Our Recent Work to Protect Californians’ Privacy 

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to educating California consumers about their right to privacy and enforcing the nation’s toughest data privacy law.  

    Last month, Attorney General Bonta issued a consumer alert to customers of 23andMe, reminding Californians of their right to direct the deletion of their genetic data under the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) and the CCPA. Also last month, Attorney General Bonta announced an ongoing investigative sweep into the location data industry, which collect and share detailed data on consumers’ location. The risk posed by the widespread collection and sale of location data has become particularly relevant given federal threats to California’s immigrant communities, and to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. In January, Attorney General Bonta reminded Californians of their right to stop or “opt-out” of the sale and sharing of their personal information under the CCPA.

    Attorney General Bonta has filed three enforcement actions involving alleged violations of the CCPA: 

    • In 2022, he announced a settlement with Sephora resolving allegations that it failed to disclose to consumers that it was selling their personal information and failed to process opt-out requests via user-enabled global privacy controls in violation of the CCPA.
    • In 2023, he secured a settlement with DoorDash after it sold the personal information of its customers without providing notice or the opportunity to opt-out.
    • In 2024, he worked with local partners to secure a settlement with video game developer Tilting Point Media for violating state and federal privacy laws by illegally collecting and sharing children’s data.   

    For more information about the CCPA, visit www.oag.ca.gov/ccpa. To report a violation of the CCPA to the Attorney General, consumers can submit a complaint online at www.oag.ca.gov/report.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight Defendants Indicted in International Conspiracy to Bill $10 Million for Fraudulent Market Survey Data

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    CONCORD – An indictment has been unsealed charging eight defendants in connection with an international scheme to bill $10 million in fraudulent market survey data, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

    Each of the following defendants has been indicted on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud:

    1. Frank Hayden, 57, of Evanston, Illinois.
    2. Daniel Harriman, 38, of Huntsville, Alabama.
    3. Frank Nappo, 55, of Rye, New Hampshire.
    4. Ryan Stoudt, 38, of Dallas, Texas.
    5. Katarina Grubljesic, 46, of Belgrade, Serbia.
    6. Strahinja Grubljesic, 38, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
    7. Archie Ignacio, 46, of Verona, New Jersey.
    8. Arvind Iyer, a/k/a S. Aravindan, of Delhi, India.

    According to the indictment, Op4G and Slice were market research companies based in the United States. Clients would hire the companies to conduct market research surveys. As part of their business model, Op4G and Slice maintained “panels” consisting of individuals potentially eligible to take surveys. In 2014, Hayden, Harriman, and Nappo, who were senior leaders at Op4G, decided to increase company revenues by generating fabricated survey data. To execute the scheme, some of the defendants recruited “ants”, who pretended to be legitimate survey takers but instead were paid a nominal fee for completing surveys that produced fraudulent market research data. Some of the defendants even served as “ants” and fraudulently took large quantities of surveys themselves and received significant payment for their “ant” work.

    In or around 2018, Nappo, Hayden and others, decided that Op4G should move the fraudulent survey operation to a new company, which became Slice. By 2019, Op4G and Slice began conspiring with Iyer, a senior leader at an international company, SNWare. By 2021, Katarina Grublijesic left Op4G, but she continued to conspire with the defendants using her international company, Bright Analytic Consulting.

    To evade detection, the defendants, including Stoudt and Ignacio, exchanged instructions with each other and the “ants.” These instructions included directions on how to answer survey screener questions, provided parameters on how long “ants” should remain on surveys, and encouraged the use of virtual private network (VPN) services to conceal real IP addresses.

    Hayden, Harriman, Nappo, Stoudt, and Ignacio will appear in federal court at a later date.

    The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    The FBI led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

    Companies that purchased survey data from Op4G or Slice between 2014-2024 are encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s office at usanh.webmail@usdoj.gov with the subject line “Slice”.

    The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: ACM Research to Release First Quarter 2025 Preliminary Revenue Range on April 29, 2025 and Full Financial Results on May 8, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACM Research, Inc. (“ACM”) (NASDAQ: ACMR) announced today that it will release its preliminary revenue range for the first quarter of 2025 before the U.S. market open on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to coincide with reporting obligations of ACM Research (Shanghai), Inc., ACM’s principal operating subsidiary, to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

    ACM will release its full financial results for the first quarter of 2025 before the U.S. market open on Thursday, May 8, 2025. ACM will conduct a corresponding conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. China Time) to discuss the results.

    What: ACM First Quarter (ended March 31, 2025) Earnings Call
    When: 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 8, 2025
    Webcast: ir.acmr.com/news-events/events

    To join the conference call via telephone, participants must use the following link to complete an online registration process. Upon registering, each participant will receive email instructions to access the conference call, including dial-in information and a PIN number allowing access to the conference call. This pre-registration process is designed by the operator to reduce delays due to operator congestion when accessing the live call.

    Online Registration: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI300a7bc629bd43d98fcb1268d481b156

    Participants who have not pre-registered may join the webcast by accessing the link at ir.acmr.com/news-events/events.

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investors section of ACM’s website at www.acmr.com.

    About ACM Research, Inc.

    ACM develops, manufactures and sells semiconductor process equipment spanning cleaning, electroplating, stress-free polishing, vertical furnace processes, track, PECVD, and wafer- and panel-level packaging tools, enabling advanced and semi-critical semiconductor device manufacturing. ACM is committed to delivering customized, high-performance, cost-effective process solutions that semiconductor manufacturers can use in numerous manufacturing steps to improve productivity and product yield. For more information, visit www.acmr.com.

    © ACM Research, Inc. The ACM Research logo is a trademark of ACM Research, Inc. For convenience, this trademark appears in this press release without a ™ symbol, but that practice does not mean that ACM will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to such trademark.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In the United States: The Blueshirt Group
      Steven C. Pelayo, CFA
      +1 (360) 808-5154
      steven@blueshirtgroup.co
    In China: The Blueshirt Group Asia
      Gary Dvorchak, CFA
      +86 (138) 1079-1480
      gary@blueshirtgroup.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Raises Concerns About Defense Supply Chain Impacts of Administration’s Trade War, Demands Swift Response from Secretary Hegseth

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a top member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth detailing her concerns about the impact of President Trump’s trade war on America’s national defense and military readiness. Specifically, Shaheen expressed how the administration’s announced tariffs on imports from virtually every country in the world will increase prices for the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) defense acquisitions – harming DOD’s purchasing power, weakening supply chains and raising costs on small businesses. Shaheen called on Secretary Hegseth to explain how DOD is addressing the threats to military readiness and preventing cost overruns no later than April 30. 

    Senator Shaheen wrote, in part: “In the short term, the announced tariffs alone will increase costs for U.S. defense industrial supply chain companies. […] In the long term, tariffs will drive up DOD’s contracting and procurement costs, limit DOD buying power and ultimately harm the warfighter and our military readiness.” 

    She continued: “Additionally, we are concerned about DOD’s ability to secure its own supply chains and fully assess how much of its industrial base is foreign-sourced. […] With the globalization of supply chains, these suppliers and their goods come from a wide array of places. Some foundational industrial supply chain sectors, like optical instruments, mechanical gears, welding equipment and printed circuit boards source a large part of their components from outside North America.” 

    Senator Shaheen concluded: “I request answers to the following questions no later than April 30, 2025: 1.) What critical imported supplies are currently subject to new tariffs this year? 2.) How do you calculate the monetary impact of tariffs on DOD contracts? 3.) How is DOD factoring increased costs due to tariffs into fixed-price contracts? 4.) What is the impact of increased costs due to tariffs on DOD’s purchasing power? 5.) Can DOD defense industrial base contractors continue to use Chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to purchase critical materials without duties under all tariff actions this year? If not, which actions does this apply to?” 

    The full text of the letter can be found here and below. 

    Dear Secretary Hegseth:  

    I write out of concern regarding the impact of President Trump’s trade war on our defense industrial base (DIB) and military readiness. So far this year, new tariffs have been placed on imports from virtually every country in the world, including allies like Canada, the European Union and Japan, in addition to product-specific tariffs on aluminum, and more tariffs are expected. According to the Chamber of Commerce’s Defense and Aerospace Council, “prices will increase” for DOD’s defense acquisitions due to these tariffs, and I am concerned these increased costs will hurt both DOD’s purchasing power and small contractors.  

    As you may know, these tariffs would come on top of the pressing budgetary pressures highlighted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in a November 2024 report on the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) for Fiscal Year 2025. According to CBO, if the Department’s costs grow at rates consistent with CBO’s economic forecast (in areas such as compensation) or historical trends (in areas such as weapons acquisition), they would be about 4 percent higher from 2025 to 2029 and about 5 percent higher from 2025 to 2039. To accommodate those higher costs, CBO said the Department of Defense (DOD) would need to scale back its plans or request larger budgets than are anticipated in the 2025 FYDP.  

    Adding unexpected tariffs on top of the budgetary risks cited by CBO will place even more unnecessary burdens on the DIB. In the past decade, more than 40 percent of small businesses left the DIB supply chain, and over 15,000 U.S. suppliers are at risk of leaving the defense industrial supply chain in the next decade, according to the Government Accountability Office. In the short term, the announced tariffs alone will increase costs for U.S. defense industrial supply chain companies. DIB companies and their suppliers may be forced to absorb those costs which could drive more companies and jobs out of the defense industrial supply chain, stifling innovation. In the long term, tariffs will drive up DOD’s contracting and procurement costs, limit DOD buying power and ultimately harm the warfighter and our military readiness. 

    Moreover, without proper planning and thoughtful consideration of U.S. productive capacity, these tariffs have the potential to balloon the DOD budget far beyond CBO’s expected increases. According to a former Pentagon acquisition official, “[t]here’s going to be shortages of supplies… [s]ome potentially vital supplies are either going to cost a whole heck of a lot more than what they did or they’re just not going to be available.” 

    Additionally, we are concerned about DOD’s ability to secure its own supply chains and fully assess how much of its industrial base is foreign-sourced. The average American aerospace company relies on roughly 200 first tier suppliers. The second and third tiers have more than 12,000 companies. With the globalization of supply chains, these suppliers and their goods come from a wide array of places. Some foundational industrial supply chain sectors, like optical instruments, mechanical gears, welding equipment and printed circuit boards source a large part of their components from outside North America. 

    Lastly, Chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule typically allows for duty-free entry of material procured by authorized agencies and certified by the Commissioner of Customs. However, given the number of different tariff actions announced this year, it is unclear how widely Chapter 98 applies. Providing clarity on this front would help businesses throughout the defense supply chain.  

    Therefore, it is critical that the Department keep an account of these actions to prevent cost overruns. I request answers to the following questions no later than April 30, 2025: 

    • What critical imported supplies are currently subject to new tariffs this year? 
    • How do you calculate the monetary impact of tariffs on DOD contracts? 
    • How is DOD factoring increased costs due to tariffs into fixed-price contracts? 
    • What is the impact of increased costs due to tariffs on DOD’s purchasing power? 
    • Can DOD defense industrial base contractors continue to use Chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to purchase critical materials without duties under all tariff actions this year? If not, which actions does this apply to?  

    Thank you for your timely response to my questions. 

    Senator Shaheen is helping lead efforts in Congress to mitigate the harmful impacts of President Trump’s tariffs. Earlier this month, Shaheen took to the Senate floor to highlight the devastating impacts that President Trump’s tariffs and trade war will have on American families and the economy. In January, Shaheen introduced the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act which would limit the president’s ability to leverage sweeping tariffs that increase costs for American consumers and families. Her effort to pass this bill by unanimous consent was blocked by Senate Republicans. In recent months, Shaheen has traveled across the Granite State to visit businesses including Chatila’s Bakery, C&J, DCI Furniture, Mount Cabot Maple and American Calan Inc. to hear directly from Granite Staters impacted by the administration’s tariffs.    

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Mast Applauds Ending of Biden-Era Censorship Program

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast issued the following statement in response to Secretary Rubio’s actions to protect free speech and ensure that the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office—formerly the Global Engagement Center (GEC)—remains relegated to the dustbin of history.

    “The GEC was an un-American assault on free speech and a chilling warning about what can happen when far-left ideology takes root in the very institution charged with promoting our values abroad,” Chairman Mast said. “Secretary Rubio is taking the decisive action needed to ensure taxpayer dollars are not being used to silence American voices. Congress will codify permanent First Amendment safeguards into law to ensure the State Department will never again be able to censor Americans.”

    Last Congress, Chairman Mast led a subcommittee hearing and released an Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee report exposing the GEC’s censorship of Americans. Following the Republican-led effort to abolish the GEC, the Biden State Department restructured the office under the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office, continuing its censorship mission against the will of the American People.

    Earlier this month, the South and Central Asia Subcommittee—which oversees the State Department’s R family of bureaus and offices—held a hearing to further examine the activities of both the GEC and the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office in censoring Americans.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Paul Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Paying and Directing a Woman in the Philippines to Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – Jason Speed of St. Paul, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 292 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for solicitation and production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, between January 2020 through February 2024, Jason Miller Speed, 42, solicited the production of child pornography over the internet. During that time, Speed conducted an online relationship with an adult woman located in the Philippines. In exchange for money from Speed, and under his direction, the woman produced CSAM content featuring minor victims under the age of 12. Speed was aware the victims were minors. Through cooperation with the FBI’s International Operations division, local authorities were able to rescue the minor victims.

    “Child predators are conniving, creative, and profoundly dangerous. Speed lived in our community and lurked in the dark corners of the internet. From his perch in St. Paul, Speed victimized little children halfway around the world,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “While I am appalled at Speed’s predation, I am extraordinarily proud of the above-and-beyond efforts of law enforcement in this case. Because of the heroic efforts of the FBI and AUSA Will Mattessich, the young victims in the Philippines were rescued from a life of sexual torture.”

    “Speed’s actions were calculated, exploitative, and deeply disturbing,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “He knowingly financed and directed the creation of content that victimized innocent children. The FBI, in close coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue those who exploit minors. We remain unyielding in our commitment to identifying offenders, dismantling these networks of abuse, and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.”

    Speed pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the production of child pornography. He was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan. In handing down the sentence Judge Bryan noted, “What happened to the two minor children is appalling and it is horrific.”

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Maplewood Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, and the Carver County Sheriff’s Office. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Mattessich prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tokio, ND, Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Child Neglect in the Death of a Three-Year Old Child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Fargo – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl announced that on April 14, 2025, Austin Ray Lester, age 29 of Tokio, ND, appeared in United States District Court and pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Peter Welte to Involuntary Manslaughter and two counts of Child Neglect in Indian country, as well as Assault of a Child with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian country. Lester’s sentencing date is scheduled for August 5, 2025.

    The charges are related to the August 2022 neglect and death of three-year-old child within the boundaries of the Spirit Lake Reservation.  A co-defendant, Krissy Louise Hinsley was also charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Neglect in Indian country and is scheduled for a change of plea and sentencing hearing on July 28, 2025.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of North Dakota, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Conroy.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Matsuyama City

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Matsuyama City is the local government of the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku Island. Matsuyama City provides public services to the citizen of the city. 

    　Estimated population as of April 1, 2022 (based on the most recent census, with additions and subtractions of births, deaths, and in- and out-migration data)

    • Total population: 503,123
    • Men: 235,901
    • Women: 267,222
    • Number of households: 239,436
    • Average household size: 2.10
    • Population density: 1,172 people/km2
    • Matsuyama City has an area of
      ​​429.35 square kilometers

    DRR activities

    　Matsuyama City has a warm Seto Inland Sea climate, with an average annual temperature of 16.8°C. The annual precipitation is about 1,300mm, with most rain in June and little rain in December.
    　Overall, the city enjoys mild and favorable climatic conditions, with little precipitation, very little snowfall, and fewer typhoons than Kochi Prefecture and Tokushima Prefecture on the Pacific coast.

    Matsuyama City is actively implementing various DRR activities and also has joined the MCR2030 of UNDRR in the year 2023. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation: Coherence pathways in Europe and Central Asia

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    The overarching goal of the report is to assess the state of policy coherence between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) across 16 countries in Europe and Central Asia, and to support the development of coherent approaches in line with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This report identifies gaps, showcases emerging good practices, and provides actionable recommendations to foster greater policy coherence – helping governments to avoid maladaptation, improve resource efficiency, and enhance resilience-building efforts across sectors.

    Despite significant progress in individual DRR and CCA initiatives, there remains a gap in integrating these efforts across Europe and Central Asia. Enhancing policy coherence can lead to more effective and efficient resource use, improved resilience, and better outcomes for sustainable development. Key recommendations to strengthen coherence in the region proposed by this report include:

    • Strategic alignment: Align and integrate DRR and climate action planning into existing mechanisms and use resilience as framework to broadly engage and mobilize stakeholders and institutions.Institutional coordination: Improve institutional coordination to overcome siloed approaches and establish dedicated plattforms for coordination and to ensure DRR stakeholders are included in climate action, sustainable development and residence decision making spaces.
    • Technical collaboration: Promote technical collaboration through data sharing and implementing cross-cutting actions e.g. through joint action plans, especially in common areas between DRR and CCA such as early warning systems and agrifood systems.
    • Financial integration: Integrate risk reduction principles into government investment decisions, promote joint financing mechanisms between DRR and climate action and capitalize on both domestic and international climate finance opportunities.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global trade faces setback amid rising tariffs

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The WTO Secretariat’s latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, issued today (16 April), comes at a time of growing uncertainty for the global economy – and with it, a sharp deterioration in the prospects for world trade.

    Following a strong performance in 2024, global trade is now facing headwinds from a surge in tariffs and rising trade policy uncertainty. The volume of world merchandise trade is projected to decline by 0.2 per cent in 2025 – almost three percentage points lower than it would have been without the recent policy shifts. A modest recovery of 2.5 per cent is expected in 2026.

    This marks a notable reversal from forecasts earlier this year, when WTO economists anticipated continued trade expansion, supported by improving macroeconomic conditions.

    There are also important downside risks that could lead to a steeper decline in world trade. These include the possible implementation of the currently suspended “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States, as well as the potential for a broader spillover of trade policy uncertainty to other trading relationships.

    If enacted, reciprocal tariffs would reduce global merchandise trade growth by an additional 0.6 percentage points. A wider spread of trade policy uncertainty could cut growth by a further 0.8 percentage points. Taken together, these risks would lead to a 1.5 per cent decline in world merchandise trade volume in 2025.

    The impact of recent trade policy changes varies sharply across regions.

    According to our current forecast, North America now subtracts 1.7 percentage points from global merchandise trade growth in 2025, turning the overall figure negative. Asia and Europe continue to contribute positively but less than in the baseline “low tariff” scenario, with Asia’s contribution halved to 0.6 percentage points. Meanwhile, the combined contribution of other regions – Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Middle East, and South and Central America and the Caribbean – also declines somewhat but remains positive. An important driving force behind these changes is the decoupling between China and the United States, resulting from tariffs that now well exceed 100 per cent.

    The disruption in United States–China trade is also expected to trigger significant trade diversion, raising concerns among other markets about increased competition from China. As trade is redirected, Chinese merchandise exports are projected to rise by between 4 and 9 per cent across all regions outside North America. At the same time, US imports from China are expected to fall sharply in sectors such as textiles, apparel and electrical equipment, creating new export opportunities for other suppliers able to fill the gap. This could open the door for some least-developed countries to increase their exports to the US market.

    Services trade, while not directly subject to tariffs, is also expected to be adversely affected. Declines in goods trade are likely to reduce demand for related services, such as transport and logistics, while broader uncertainty is likely to dampen discretionary spending on travel and to slow investment-related services.

    As a result, the volume of global services trade is now forecast to grow by 4.0 per cent in 2025 and 4.1 per cent in 2026 – well below the baseline projections of 5.1 per cent and 4.8 per cent. These figures are part of a new element in our analysis: for the first time, this report includes projections for commercial services trade in volume terms, complementing our long-standing merchandise trade estimates.

    The broader economic picture is also affected. World GDP is now expected to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025 – 0.6 percentage points below the baseline prediction – before recovering slightly to reach 2.4 per cent in 2026. The largest impact will again be in North America, where growth is projected to slow by 1.6 percentage points, followed by Asia (down by 0.4 percentage points) and South and Central America and the Caribbean (down by 0.2 percentage points).

    While reciprocal tariffs alone would have a limited effect on global GDP, a wider spread of trade policy uncertainty could nearly double the projected GDP loss, bringing it to 1.3 percentage points below the baseline scenario.

    All of this follows a notably strong year for trade. In 2024, the volume of world merchandise trade grew by 2.9 per cent, and commercial services trade expanded by 6.8 per cent. With global GDP growing 2.8 per cent at market exchange rates, 2024 was the first year since 2017 – excluding the post-COVID-19 rebound – in which merchandise trade growth outpaced GDP growth. In value terms, merchandise exports rose 2 per cent, to US$ 24.43 trillion, and services exports increased by 9 per cent, to US$ 8.69 trillion, supported by strong global demand.

    Although the current outlook is challenging, it is worth recalling that the trajectory of world trade will not be determined by any single economy or bilateral relationship. Much will depend on how the broader international community responds. The fact that 87 per cent of global merchandise trade takes place outside the United States – and that bilateral trade between the United States and China accounts for around 3 per cent – is a reminder of the importance of other trading relationships.

    Open, predictable and cooperative trade policies remain essential – not just for trade itself, but for global economic resilience.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Temporary tariff pause mitigates trade contraction, but strong downside risks persist

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to decline by 0.2% in 2025 under current conditions, nearly three percentage points lower than what would have been expected under a “low tariff” baseline scenario, according to the WTO Secretariat’s latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report released on 16 April.  This is premised on the tariff situation as of 14 April. Trade could shrink even further, to -1.5% in 2025, if the situation deteriorates.

    Services trade, though not directly subject to tariffs, is also expected to be adversely affected, with the global volume of commercial services trade now forecast to grow by 4.0%, slower than expected.

    Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “I am deeply concerned by the uncertainty surrounding trade policy, including the US-China stand-off. The recent de-escalation of tariff tensions has temporarily relieved some of the pressure on global trade. However, the enduring uncertainty threatens to act as a brake on global growth, with severe negative consequences for the world, the most vulnerable economies in particular. In the face of this crisis, WTO members have the unprecedented opportunity to inject dynamism into the organization, foster a level-playing field, streamline decision-making, and adapt our agreements to better meet today’s global realities.”

    At the start of the year, the WTO Secretariat expected to see continued expansion of world trade in 2025 and 2026, with merchandise trade growing in line with world GDP and commercial services trade increasing at a faster pace. However, the large number of new tariffs introduced since January prompted WTO economists to reassess the trade situation, resulting in a substantial downgrade to their forecast for merchandise trade and a smaller reduction in their outlook for services trade.

    Risks to the forecast

    Risks to the merchandise trade forecast persist, particularly from the reactivation of the suspended “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States, as well as the spread of trade policy uncertainty that could impact non-US trade relationships. If realized, reciprocal tariffs would reduce global merchandise trade volume growth by 0.6 percentage points in 2025 while spreading trade policy uncertainty could shave off another 0.8 percentage points. Together, reciprocal tariffs and spreading trade policy uncertainty would lead to a 1.5% decline in world merchandise trade in 2025. These scenarios are explored in detail in the Analytical Chapter of the report. Risks to services trade related to the escalation in trade tensions are not currently captured in the forecast.

    “Our simulations show that trade policy uncertainty has a significant dampening effect on trade flows, reducing exports and weakening economic activity,” WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa said. “Moreover, tariffs are a policy lever with wide-ranging, and often unintended consequences. In a world of growing trade tensions, a clear-eyed view of those trade-offs is more important than ever.”

    Regional goods trade forecasts

    The latest forecast marks a reversal from 2024, when the volume of world merchandise trade grew 2.9%, while GDP expanded by 2.8%, making 2024 the first year since 2017 (excluding the rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic) where merchandise trade grew faster than output.

    In 2025, the impact of recent tariff measures on merchandise trade is expected to differ sharply across regions.

    Under the current policy landscape, North America is expected to see a 12.6% decline in exports and 9.6% drop in imports in 2025. The region’s performance would subtract 1.7 percentage points from world merchandise trade growth in 2025, turning the overall figure negative. Asia is projected to post modest growth in both exports and imports this year (1.6% for both), along with Europe (1.0% export growth, 1.9% import growth). Both regions’ contributions to world trade growth would remain positive under current policies, albeit smaller than in the baseline low tariff scenario. The collective contribution to world trade growth of other regions would also remain positive, in part due to their importance as producers of energy products, demand for which tends to be stable over the global business cycle.

    The disruption in US-China trade is expected to trigger significant trade diversion, raising concerns among third markets about increased competition from China. Chinese merchandise exports are projected to rise by 4% to 9% across all regions outside North America, as trade is redirected. At the same time, US imports from China are expected to fall sharply in sectors such as textiles, apparel, and electrical equipment, creating new export opportunities for other suppliers able to fill the gap.

    Additionally, the reinstatement of US tariffs could have severe repercussions for export-oriented least-developed countries (LDCs) whose economies are particularly sensitive to external economic shocks due to their concentration of trade on a small number of products as well as their limited resources to deal with setbacks. Under the current situation with the pause on US’ “reciprocal” tariffs, LDCs may benefit from trade diversion as their export structure is similar to China’s, especially in textiles and electronics.

    Commercial services trade

    In 2024, services accounted for 26.4% of global trade based on balance of payments statistics, the highest share since 2005. Rising demand for services and advances in digitalization have helped expand the contribution of services to global trade. In 2024, services trade totalled US$ 8.69 trillion, increasing by 9% and mirroring the growth registered in 2023. This is in sharp contrast to goods trade, which rose by only 2% in value terms in 2024.

    Although the high tariffs are limited to goods, their effects are expected to ripple across the broader economy, including on services trade.

    High tariffs will directly affect the volume of goods traded, leading to weaker demand for freight shipping and logistics services in ports and airports, which account for the bulk of overall transport. International travel, particularly leisure travel, may be the first sector impacted by economic uncertainty, as discretionary spending on trips and accommodations can easily be curtailed. Furthermore, various intermediate services supporting goods trade and other services such as professional, research and development, and information technology services, will likely face declining demand in the current economic climate.

    Most services growth in 2025 will originate from Europe, where exports are expected to grow by 5.0% under current policies. European growth will continue at 4.4% in 2026. Asian economies’ services exports are projected to increase by 4.4% in 2025 and by 5.1% in 2026. Growth in services exports of North America will slow to 1.6% in 2025 but then accelerate to 2.3% in 2026. For the Middle East, services exports are expected to grow by 1.7% in 2025 and 1.0% in 2026. In the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), growth of 1.1% in 2025 and of 3.5% in 2026 is anticipated. The outlook for 2025 is subdued for Africa and for South and Central America and the Caribbean, both of which are expected to record declines in 2025.

    The full report is available here.

    Detailed annual, quarterly and monthly trade statistics can be downloaded from the WTO Stats portal. Our interactive user-friendly tools are also available for a more in-depth look at the data: WTO World Trade Statistics, Key Insights and Trends in 2024 and WTO Global Services Trade Data Hub.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: COMMEMORATION OF BIRTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE MARSHAL OF THE INDIAN AIR FORCE ARJAN SINGH PADMA VIBHUSHAN, DFC

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 4:26PM by PIB Delhi

    On 15 April 2025, to commemorate the 106th Birth Anniversary of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Padma Vibhushan, DFC, a bust was unveiled at Astha, Senior Citizen Home, Tughlakabad, Delhi by Air Mshl Vijay Kumar Garg, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command and Air Mshl Jagjeet Singh (Retd) Senior Vice President Air Force Association. The event was attended by Mrs Ritu Garg, President AFFWA(R), lAF veterans and Personnel of Air Force Station, Tughlakbad.

    The event was a tribute casted in the form of unveiling of the Marshal’s bust, symbolising his enduring courage, visionary leadership and selfless service to the nation. The audience was reminded of his strategic brilliance and unflinching resolve shown as the Chief of the Air Staff during 1965 war. Under his leadership, the Indian Air Force provided the decisive close air support to pulverise the Pakistani Armoured thrust in the Akhnoor sector which changed the course of the war in India’s favour. He is the only Five-star officer of the lAF, who is an institution by himself and shall remain a guiding beacon to follow for generations to come.

    During the event, the AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command and President AFFWA (R) also interacted with the senior citizens and enquired about their wellbeing. The Air Force personnel also had the opportunity to interact with veterans who had served with the Marshal. Their real life narrative revived the heroic life of the legend.

    106th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Padma Vibhushan, DFC.

     *** 

    VK/IN/PC/CV

    (Release ID: 2122108) Visitor Counter : 118

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Inaugurate Newly Developed 220-Bedded ESIC Hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand Tomorrow

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Inaugurate Newly Developed 220-Bedded ESIC Hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand Tomorrow

    Union Minister to Give Cash Benefits Certificates/Sanction Letters to ESI beneficiaries and Felicitate Construction Workers

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 4:14PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will inaugurate the newly developed 220-bedded ESIC Hospital at Namkum, Ranchi, Jharkhand on 17th April 2025. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in strengthening healthcare delivery under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme in the state of Jharkhand. Union Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth along with Shri Pradip Verma, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Shri Rajesh Kachhap, MLA, Khijri, Ranchi and senior officers of ESIC will also be present on the occasion.

    During the programme, Dr. Mandaviya will felicitate and give Cash Benefits Certificates/Sanction Letters to ESI beneficiaries. He will also felicitate construction workers who were involved in the construction of hospital.

    Originally established in 1987, the ESIC Hospital in Namkum was founded with the primary objective of providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to insured workers and their families. For over four decades, it has played a vital role in serving the healthcare needs of industrial workers in Ranchi and the surrounding areas.

    To further enhance healthcare services in the region, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) approved the construction of a 200-bed hospital in June 2018. Construction commenced on 31st May 2018 and has since been completed, with the facility now upgraded to a 220-bedded hospital. In a significant development, ESI Corporation also approved the establishment of a Medical College with 50 MBBS seats in October 2024, with operations set to begin in near future.

    The hospital is well-equipped with essential departments such as General Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology (Eye), and Dental, along with various support services. It offers both Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient (IPD) care, effectively meeting the medical needs of ESI beneficiaries. The upgraded hospital will now also offer speciality and super-speciality treatments, greatly improving access to advanced healthcare services for residents of Ranchi and neighbouring districts.

    The modernised facility is expected to benefit over 5 lakh Insured Persons (IPs) and their dependents, offering improved infrastructure and a broader range of medical services. The hospital complex features a Basement, Ground Floor, and four additional floors, spread across a 7.9-acre campus. New building has been constructed with a cost of 99.06 crore and spread 17559 sq meter area. It is a 4 storey building equipped with 03 modern Operation Theatres (OTs) and provision for one additional Operation Theatres (OTs). It has 34 wards and 6 isolation wards, 40 OPD rooms and enough space for all doctors, administrative officers and staff.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2122101) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DSD wins eight awards at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Drainage Services Department (DSD) achieved outstanding results at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, winning one gold medal with the congratulations of jury, one gold medal, four silver medals and two bronze medals.

    The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said today (April 16), “The DSD won a total of eight awards at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. Among them, an in-house developed project – the Mosaic Model Map (M³) received a gold medal with the congratulations of jury. Additionally, the Flood Alert System for Tomorrow (FAST), which received a silver medal, was the first collaborative achievement between the DSD and the Pearl River Water Resources Research Institute of the Pearl River Water Resources Commission in an international competition. These accomplishments underscore the department’s commitment to research and the application of innovative technologies, driving the development of a smart city.”
     
    The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is one of the most significant global annual events on inventions. Around 1 050 inventions from 35 countries and regions were evaluated by an international jury of specialists.

    The DSD’s winning projects are:

    Gold medal with the congratulations of jury

    • Mosaic Model Map (M³) – Real-time territorial flood risk visualisation system leveraging Hydraulic Model Pre-run, Scenario Mapping and Mosaic Compilation technologies

    ​Gold medal 

    • The Smart Structural Integrity Monitoring System

    Silver medals

    • CRISmart – CRISPR-based Smartphone Microbial Assay for Rapid Testing
    • Flood Alert System for Tomorrow (FAST) – Intelligent Flood Alert and Emergency Response System
    • MAESTRO – Machinery Analysis & Early System Trouble Resolution Operator
    • Automated Software for Drainage Network Detailed Design

    ​Bronze medals

    • MoShark Water Surface Mowing Robot – Wireless AI-powered Remote-controlled River Cleaning Robot
    • RAPID – Real-time Alert Platform for Inundation Detection

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2025 Gala Dinner (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2025 Gala Dinner today (April 16):

    Mr Michael Lee, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Guo Huaigang, Secretary General of WTCF, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen and friends from the global tourism community,

    Good evening, everyone!

    Over the past few days, we have witnessed together a rich and colourful array of Summit activities, from experiencing Hong Kong’s diversified and unique tourism resources through visiting tourists attractions, to engaging in in-depth fora and meetings about the latest developments, trends, and insights of the tourism industry, on top of deepened mutual understanding and strengthened friendship, I know that we also reached valuable consensus covering many aspects on tourism development. Through exploring innovative strategies and best practices that can elevate our respective destinations and enhance the experiences we offer to visitors from around the globe together, I am confident that we shall meet our common goal and achieve high-quality development of the tourism economy.

    As far as Hong Kong is concerned, we boast significant traditional strengths: world-class tourist attractions, vibrant culinary scene, efficient urban management and unparalleled transport systems, to name just a few. Some of you have experienced first hand the tourism assets of Hong Kong earlier this week and just now in the afternoon. But Hong Kong is a city that never stands still. We are working in full steam to strengthen these assets, as well as unearthing new tourism resources to consolidate our position as a world-class premier tourist destination. One of our key strategies is to press ahead with the four “+ Tourism” directions, which integrates culture, sports, ecology and mega events into our tourism offerings. And tonight we are enjoying the breathtaking ambiance of the iconic Happy Valley racecourse, which is a perfect example for illustrating this approach. 

    Horse racing has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s cultural identity for over a century. It is a game, a sport and so much more. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is Hong Kong’s largest charitable donor, and the various sectors under my purview – sports, culture and tourism, benefit tremendously from the generosity of the Jockey Club. And as you can see and feel for yourselves, horse-racing is also a vibrant social event that brings people together, and people are enjoying themselves no doubt. We are further enriching this activity with cultural experiences, culinary delights, and entertainment. Unique tourism products, integrating different offerings, are being developed to bring holistic experience to visitors. Similarly, we are also crafting a series of distinctive and attractive tourism products and projects under the four “+ Tourism” directions to showcase Hong Kong’s unique and diversified characteristics in new and exciting ways.

    Tourism is an important dynamo for economic development, and an important bridge that connects people and culture. In the face of future challenges and opportunities, we need to unite more closely and jointly explore new friends, areas and paths in tourism. I believe that with the friendship we developed in the last few days, and our concerted efforts, we can together foster brighter and sustainable development of the global tourism industry. 

    Once again, please accept my sincere gratitude for your active participation in this episode of the Fragment Hills Tourism Summit, and your unwavering dedication to advancing the tourism sector. 

    I would also like to take this opportunity to express my special and heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Chairman Michael and CEO Winfried, for the Club’s generous sponsorship of this wonderful evening.

    Thank you so very much, and enjoy the rest of your evening!

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi receives a telephone call from the President of the Republic of Finland H.E. Mr. Alexander Stubb

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The leaders review ongoing bilateral collaboration and reiterated commitment to  to further deepen the partnership.

    They exchanged view on regional and global issues

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with the President of the Republic of Finland H.E. Mr. Alexander Stubb today.

    The leaders reviewed the ongoing collaboration between the two countries including in the areas of digitalization, sustainability and mobility. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and deepen the partnership including  in the areas of quantum, 5G-6G, AI and cyber-security. 

    The leaders also exchanged the views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine.  President Stubb expressed Finland’s support for closer  
    India- EU relations and conclusion of a mutually beneficial FTA at the earliest.  

    The two leaders agreed to remain in touch. 

    ******

    MJPS/SR/SKS

    (Release ID: 2122157) Visitor Counter : 53

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NADA India Hosts National Conference on ‘Building Together a Clean Sport Ecosystem’

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India successfully organized a conference on “Building Together a Clean Sport Ecosystem” today at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The event, held as part of Play True Week 2025, brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders committed to fostering a clean, fair, and values-based sporting environment in India.

    In the inaugural session, Secretary, Department of Sports, Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi emphasised that as India is bidding to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, we must anchor our sporting ambition with a robust anti-doping system to ensure fairness, integrity, and commitment to clean sport.

    Dr. Mayumi Yaya Yamamoto, Director, Asia/Oceania Office, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commended NADA India’s and national stakeholders’ efforts in this year’s global Play True Campaign. She underscored the importance of the ‘It Starts With Me’ campaign and highlighted the shared responsibility and unity required to build a clean sport ecosystem together.

    One of the key moments of the inaugural session was the unveiling of “NADA India’s Fair Play Guide” in ten different regional languages, aimed at making clean sport education more accessible to athletes and stakeholders across the nation. Participants also engaged in a pledge signing ceremony to reaffirm their commitment to fair play and doping-free sport.

    The conference featured engaging panel discussions on critical themes including anti-doping policy, enhancing education and testing, and increasing awareness about athlete rights & responsibilities, particularly in the context of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). Experts from national sports federations, medical institutions, and international organizations shared practical insights and actionable strategies to strengthen India’s anti-doping system.

    The event witnessed participation from sport administrators, athletes, coaches, educators, and medical experts, and created a space for collaboration, idea exchange, and future-oriented planning.

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    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2122152) Visitor Counter : 60

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Retail Inflation Hits Six-Year Low

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

    2024-25 Retail Inflation Drops to 4.6%, March Sees YoY Dip to 3.34%

    Introduction

    Retail inflation in India, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which reflects the cost of everyday goods and services, fell to a remarkable 4.6% in the fiscal year 2024-25, the lowest since 2018-19. This milestone highlights the effectiveness of the Reserve Bank of India’s pro-growth monetary policy, which has successfully balanced economic expansion with price stability. Notably, the year-on-year inflation rate for March 2025 dropped to 3.34%, a decline of 27 basis points from February 2025, marking the lowest monthly inflation rate since August 2019. These figures demonstrate a sustained effort to curb price rises while fostering economic growth.

    The government’s strategic interventions have been pivotal in achieving this outcome. Key measures include bolstering buffer stocks of essential food items and releasing them periodically in open markets, alongside subsidised retail sales of staples like rice, wheat flour, pulses, and onions. Simplified import duties on critical food items, stricter stock limits to prevent hoarding, and reduced GST rates on essentials have further eased price pressures. Targeted subsidies, such as LPG support under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, have protected vulnerable households from rising food grain costs, ensuring that the benefits of lower inflation reach those who need it most.

    What is Consumer Price Index?

    The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most important economic indicators used to measure changes in the general level of retail prices over time. It reflects how much households need to spend on a fixed basket of goods and services they typically consume, such as food, clothing, housing, and fuel. In India, the CPI is compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and is currently calculated using the base year 2012. By tracking the cost of this basket over time, the CPI shows how prices rise or fall, affecting the purchasing power of consumers and their overall welfare.

    The CPI measures price changes by comparing the current cost of this fixed basket of goods and services to what it cost in a previous period. Since the contents of the basket are kept constant in terms of quantity and quality, any change in the index reflects only the change in prices. When prices increase, the CPI goes up, signalling inflation; when they fall, the CPI declines, indicating lower inflation or deflation.

    Originally, CPI figures were developed to track changes in the cost of living for workers so that their wages could be adjusted in line with price movements. Over time, however, the CPI has evolved into a widely used macroeconomic tool. It is now a key benchmark for targeting inflation, monitoring price stability, and guiding monetary policy decisions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It also serves as a deflator in the National Accounts to measure real economic growth.

    In India, along with the general CPI (CPI–Combined), segment-specific indices are also published to cater to different population groups:

    • CPI (IW) – Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers
    • CPI (AL) – Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers
    • CPI (RL) – Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers

    These indices help in wage revisions, rural planning, and understanding inflation trends in specific segments of the population.

    Key Highlights for March 2025

    • Food Inflation: The year-on-year food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 2.69% in March 2025, the lowest since November 2021. This marks a sharp decline of 106 basis points from the previous month.
    • Rural food inflation: 2.82%
    • Urban food inflation: 2.48%

     

    • Drivers of Decline: The overall moderation in food prices was led by a drop in inflation across key categories such as vegetables, eggs, pulses and products, meat and fish, cereals and products, and milk and products.

     

    • Rural Inflation: A notable fall was recorded in both headline and food inflation in rural areas.

     

    • Headline inflation fell from 3.79% in February to 3.25% in March
    • Food inflation dropped from 4.06% to 2.82%

     

    • Urban Inflation: Headline inflation in urban areas saw a marginal rise to 3.43% in March, up from 3.32% in February. However, food inflation declined significantly from 3.15% to 2.48%.
    • Housing Inflation: For the urban sector, housing inflation rose slightly to 3.03% in March 2025 from 2.91% in February.
    • Fuel & Light: Inflation in this category rebounded to 1.48% in March from -1.33% in February, covering both rural and urban areas.
    • Education Inflation: A moderate increase was noted in education-related inflation, rising to 3.98% from 3.83% the previous month.
    • Health Inflation: Prices in the health segment saw a mild rise, with inflation at 4.26% in March, up from 4.12% in February.
    • Transport & Communication: Inflation in this category increased to 3.30% in March 2025 compared to 2.93% in February.
    • Items with Highest Inflation: In March 2025, the top five items with the highest year-on-year inflation were coconut oil (56.81%), coconut (42.05%), gold (34.09%), silver (31.57%), and grapes (25.55%).
    • Items with Lowest Inflation: The items witnessing the steepest decline in prices were ginger (-38.11%), tomato (-34.96%), cauliflower (-25.99%), jeera (-25.86%), and garlic (-25.22%).

    Retail Inflation Eases for Third Year in a Row

    Retail inflation in India has followed a steady downward path over the past three financial years, falling from 6.7 percent in 2022–23 to 5.4 percent in 2023–24, and further to 4.6 percent in 2024–25. This consistent moderation highlights the combined impact of the Reserve Bank of India’s calibrated monetary policy and the Government of India’s focused interventions to ease supply-side constraints and stabilise prices of essential commodities. The declining trend has helped ease cost-of-living pressures and fostered a more stable environment for economic growth.

    From High Prices to Stability: A Decade of Inflation Control

    Between 2009–10 and 2013–14, India faced a prolonged period of high inflation, with the average annual rate remaining in double digits. Households across the country bore the brunt of steep increases in food and fuel prices, which eroded purchasing power and created a challenging environment for both consumers and businesses. Looking at a broader timeframe, the average annual inflation between 2004–05 and 2013–14 stood at 8.2 percent, reflecting a decade marked by considerable volatility in retail prices.

    In sharp contrast, the ten-year period from 2015–16 to 2024–25 witnessed a marked decline in inflationary pressures, with the average rate coming down to 5 percent. This significant moderation reflects the sustained efforts of both the Government and the Reserve Bank of India to improve price stability through better supply-side management, fiscal prudence, and inflation-targeting monetary policy. The shift from a high-inflation era to a more stable pricing environment has provided greater certainty for consumers and strengthened the foundation for long-term economic growth.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the steady decline in retail inflation over recent years marks a crucial milestone in India’s economic journey, reflecting the success of coordinated efforts by the Government of India. From proactive monetary policies to targeted fiscal measures that safeguard consumers, especially the vulnerable, from volatile price swings, the approach has been both inclusive and effective. With inflation now at its lowest since 2018–19, India has not only reinforced macroeconomic stability but also created an enabling environment for sustainable growth. This trajectory underscores the country’s resilience and commitment to ensuring price stability without compromising on development goals.

    References:

    Click here to see PDF.

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    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Saurabh Kalia

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Launch of the Compilation of Prime Minister’s Speeches on Culture – ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’ at IGNCA on 18th April 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:01PM by PIB Delhi

    The compilation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s thoughts and speeches on culture, titled ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’, is now being presented to readers in the form of a book. The formal launch ceremony of the book will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Samvet Auditorium, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), located at Janpath, New Delhi.

    The book will be formally released by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, the head of the Juna Akhara. The event will be presided over by Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman of IGNCA, will be present as the Guest of Honour.

    ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’ is a curated collection of speeches by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered on various occasions, highlighting Indian culture, traditions, spiritual values, and cultural heritage. The foreword of the book is written by Shri Ram Bahadur Rai and the compilation has been done by Dr. Prabhat Ojha. The book has been published by Prabhat Prakashan.

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    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Governance of Hospital Authority

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ17: Governance of Hospital Authority 

      

     (3) The HA Board endorsed the Extending Employment Beyond Retirement (EER) policy in September 2021 so as to attract more retirees who wish to continue to serve in the HA after retirement for training and knowledge transfer, as well as to alleviate the manpower issues. The numbers of staff working on a full-time (Note 2)/part-time (Note 3) terms after their retirement as at December in the past five years (i.e. from 2020 to 2024), by rank, are set out below:
     

    Staff RankIssued at HKT 19:22

    NNNN

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India poised to become a trusted bridge of global connectivity through India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): Shri Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

     India poised to become a trusted bridge of global connectivity through India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): Shri Piyush Goyal

    IMEC to reduce logistics costs by up to 30% and transportation time by 40%, boosting global trade: Shri Goyal

    Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal addresses High-Level Roundtable on IMEC

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 10:52PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) High-Level Roundtable on Connectivity and Economic Growth in New Delhi today.

    Shri Goyal said that the IMEC is a powerful endorsement of the leadership and partnership of India and Middle East and East Europe a very forward and visionary concept that has caught the fancy of the world, he noted.

    The Minister stated that IMEC is not merely a trade route, but a modern-day Silk Route — a partnership of equals — that fosters synergy, connectivity, and inclusive prosperity. “It will bring down logistics costs by up to 30%, reduce transportation time by 40%, and create seamless trade linkages across continents,” he said. “We will not only be linking trade; we will be linking civilizations and cultures — from Southeast Asia to the Gulf, from the Middle East to Central Europe.”

    Highlighting its potential reach, Shri Goyal added that IMEC could even enhance connectivity to Africa through the Middle East. The corridor would include railways, roadways, energy pipelines, and clean energy infrastructure, including undersea cables. “India is already in discussions with Singapore on clean energy transmission. We are also engaged in dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” he shared.

    Shri Goyal underscored the corridor’s emphasis on sustainability and digital connectivity. “This initiative respects sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is not about dominance or creating economic unions. It is a partnership built on mutual trust, inclusivity and sustainability,” he said.

    He further outlined five key suggestions as a way forward for the IMEC initiative. First, Shri Goyal stressed the importance of viewing IMEC through the lens of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). He emphasized that leaving the initiative solely to the government would limit its efficiency and financial viability. Instead, he called for a collaborative model where the private sector leads, bringing to the table its real-world expertise, needs, and innovative capabilities. This approach, he noted, would ensure smarter and more cost-effective planning, as the private sector can propose solutions that reflect practical utility. It would also allow policymakers to think systematically while the private sector introduces flexibility and innovation, ensuring the corridor remains viable, efficient, and sustainable in its execution.

    Second, he highlighted the need to focus on Regulatory Connectivity, going beyond just physical infrastructure. Shri Goyal advocated for greater alignment in trade processes, customs procedures, and paperwork among participating nations. He cited India’s ongoing regulatory collaboration with the UAE as an example and pointed out that successful implementation of the corridor would require seamless cross-border movement without excessive checkpoints. Interoperable systems, digitization, electric vehicle charging ecosystems, and synchronized regulations would be key to unlocking economies of scale. He suggested that common digital payment systems, such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), could serve as a model for enabling seamless financial transactions. With periodic settlement in globally accepted reserve currencies, such mechanisms could reduce transactional friction and banking costs. He proposed that such innovations, combined with virtual trade corridor frameworks like the India-UAE initiative, could be extended through IMEC. These would support broader agreements such as FTAs with GCC and EU countries and bolster joint work in green hydrogen, renewable energy, and supply chain resilience.

    Third, Shri Goyal underlined the need for Innovative Financing Models to support both the development of the corridor and the trade it will generate. He called for active involvement of multilateral financial agencies and suggested exploring instruments like green bonds and the creation of long-term “IMEC Bonds”, to fund this transcontinental infrastructure in a sustainable and future-proof manner.

    Fourth, he recommended active engagement with industry bodies and trade associations, asserting that their insights are essential for designing a corridor that aligns with the real needs of businesses. Such collaboration would help identify existing bottlenecks, promote best practices, and better integrate economies by removing trade frictions.

    Lastly, Shri Goyal proposed bringing in Think Tanks and Academia to the visioning and design process. These institutions, he noted, bring creativity, research strength, and long-term thinking. Their involvement would support policy advocacy, contribute to out-of-the-box solutions, and assist in capacity-building efforts along the corridor. He called this a well-rounded package of five initiatives that could help IMEC evolve into a robust, viable, and inclusive project. Reiterating India’s clear and committed vision, he said the country is ready to act as a trusted, reliable bridge connecting regions and catalyzing global cooperation, under the guiding spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.

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    Abhishek Dayal/ Nihi Sharma/ Ishita Biswas

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LOK SABHA SPEAKER OUTLINES ROADMAP FOR VIKSHIT BHARAT 2027, CALLS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT

    Source: Government of India

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER OUTLINES ROADMAP FOR VIKSHIT BHARAT 2027, CALLS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT

    PRESENT ERA IN INDIA IS AN ERA OF ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND INNOVATION: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INDIA’S ‘DEVELOPMENT-ORIENTED POLICIES’ ARE PROVIDING NEW ENERGY TO OUR INDUSTRIES TODAY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    PHDCCI IS ACTING AS A STRONG BRIDGE BETWEEN INDUSTRIES AND POLICY MAKERS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER ADDRESSES MEMBERS OF PHD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY IN NEW DELHI

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 9:56PM by PIB Delhi

    New Delhi; 16 April, 2025: Shri Birla today emphasises that the pillars of industry and commerce occupy a pivotal place in the Indian leadership’s resolute commitment to transforming India into a fully developed nation by the year 2047. To realize this national aspiration, Shri Birla called upon all stakeholders to embrace a model of development that is not only sustainable and enduring, but also inclusive, anchored firmly in the spirit of research, innovation, and forward-thinking enterprise. Addressing at an event to mark at the 120th anniversary of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi today, Shri Birla observed that ‘development-oriented policies’ of the Government of India are providing new energy to our industries today, adding that present era in India is an era of economic empowerment and innovation.

    Outlining the roadmap for ‘Vikshit Bharat 2047’, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla said that nation’s trade policy today is deeply rooted in the grand vision of a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and reflects India’s growing stature on the global stage.

    Shri Birla underlined that contemporary India has emerged as a beacon for global investors—a land where the ease of doing business is not merely an aspiration, but a reality. He noted with pride that India’s remarkable economic resurgence following the global pandemic serves as a source of hope and inspiration for the developing world, showcasing the nation’s resilience and its unwavering march toward inclusive growth and prosperity.

    He observed that flagship programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Gati Shakti, Bharatmala Pariyojana, Udaan Yojana, and the development of electronic manufacturing clusters are weaving a robust tapestry of industrial and commercial infrastructure across the nation. He further remarked that the simplification of industrial policies, the establishment of a transparent and investor-friendly tax regime, and the adoption of a single-window clearance system have significantly nurtured and emboldened the spirit of entrepreneurship in the country.

    Shri Birla remarked that the nation is swiftly transcending its traditional role as a consumer-driven economy to emerge as a vibrant cradle of innovation and ingenuity. He lauded the transformative contributions of Indian enterprises—especially the dynamic ecosystem of Start-Ups—which, with their fresh perspectives and groundbreaking ideas, are paving the way for sustainable development and propelling India toward becoming a global superpower.

    Shri Birla further highlighted the dawn of a new economic era in India—an era defined by the confluence of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and a surge in innovation-led productivity. This synergy, he noted, is not only driving robust economic growth but also fostering a culture of transparency and efficiency. Turning to the digital revolution sweeping through the nation, Shri Birla drew attention to the phenomenal rise in digital transactions across the commercial landscape. He observed that this digital momentum is ushering in an unprecedented era of economic inclusion—one that is bridging the gap between remote regions and the heart of India’s mainstream economy, thereby illuminating even the most distant corners of the country with the promise of progress and prosperity.

    Shri Birla lauded PHDCCI for acting as a strong bridge between industries and policy makers, bringing forth informed insights and thoughtful recommendations that can guide the Government in crafting forward-looking, responsive policies. Shri Birla appreciated the commendable efforts of PHDCCI in nurturing and empowering the dynamic spirit of Indian women through visionary initiatives such as the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and Networking and Mentoring platforms. These initiatives, he noted, have played a pivotal role in unlocking the vast potential of Nari Shakti, enabling women to emerge as powerful and influential participants in the realms of commerce and industry. He further observed that today, the presence and leadership of women in the economic landscape are no longer exceptions but a growing force that is shaping the future of Indian enterprise. Shri Birla emphasized that institutions like PHDCCI possess an intrinsic understanding of the aspirations, strengths, and challenges of the industrial ecosystem.

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    AM

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM hails the inauguration of Amravati airport

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 9:18PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today hailed the inauguration of Amravati airport as great news for Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha region, remarking that an active airport in Amravati will boost commerce and connectivity.

    Responding to a post by Union Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on X, Shri Modi said:

    “Great news for Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha region. An active airport in Amravati will boost commerce and connectivity.”

     

     

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    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2122267) Visitor Counter : 87

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Uttar Pradesh Governor meets Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 9:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel met the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi today.

    The Prime Minister’s Office handle posted on X:

    “Governor of Uttar Pradesh, @anandibenpatel Ji met Prime Minister @narendramodi.

    @GovernorofUp”

     

     

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    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2122262) Visitor Counter : 11

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Conclave on PM Vishwakarma–National SC-ST Hub organised in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha

    Source: Government of India

    Conclave on PM Vishwakarma–National SC-ST Hub organised in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha

    Co-chaired by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of MSME, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha.

    An endeavour to promote and empower MSMEs in the State and create synergys

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised the ‘PM Vishwakarma – National SC-ST Hub Conclave’ on 16 April, 2025, at the Convention Hall, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

    The event commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition and brought together stakeholders, beneficiaries, and government officials to highlight key initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and the National SC-ST Hub.

    The Conclave was co-chaired by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Union Minister of MSME, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha. The dignitaries inaugurated the Conclave with a ribbon-cutting and lamp-lighting ceremony.

     The gathering was also graced by Shri Gokulananda Mallick, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSME, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & MSME Department, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Prakash Soren, Hon’ble MLA, Baripada, Govt. of Odisha; Ms. Mamata Mohanta, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha;
    Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Minister of State (IC)Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Labour, Labour & Employees State Insurance, Govt.of Odisha; Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister, Housing and Urban Development, Public Enterprises, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Hon’ble MP, Lok Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and other senior officials of the Ministry.

    The conclave began with the welcome address by Dr. Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, ADC, DC(MSME), followed by a welcome address and a presentation on role of Ministry’s Schemes and MSMEs growth in Odisha State by Dr. Rajneesh, AS & DC, DC(MSME). The event featured experience-sharing by beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, and SC-ST Hub initiatives. To empower entrepreneurs, e-certificates were distributed to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, along with the distribution of credit cheques. Certificates were also awarded to National SC-ST Hub beneficiaries and PMEGP beneficiaries.
    Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Minister for MSME, Government of India, spoke about the significant role the MSME sector playing in job creation and improving livelihoods. He highlighted the importance and role of the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub schemes, along with the contributions of the Coir Board and Khadi, in empowering individuals and improving livelihoods.

    “I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, whose guidance has brought me here to Odisha, her region, with the purpose of promoting MSMEs. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi envisions India becoming a developed nation, and by the year 2027-28, it will become the world’s third-largest economy,” the Hon’ble Minister said.

    Shri Manjhi said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave us a Ministry of a vision — and the Ministry of MSME is truly a ministry of vision. I am 200% sure of this. I feel extremely grateful to be working for the MSME sector. This Ministry is the greatest department, and every entrepreneur aspires to grow through it.”
    “Odisha is doing very well and the MSME sector in the state is progressing impressively. Because of MSME initiatives, today every enterprise is registered on the Udyam Registration Portal. The MSME sector in Odisha will continue to grow through our Ministry’s efforts, contributing to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India,” he further added.
    Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, highlighted the achievements of the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub schemes, and how the people of the state has benefited from the support of the Ministry and its initiatives.

    “PM Vishwakarma is playing a key role in the life of middle class. The Ministry of MSME has given a special focus to Odisha and organised the PM Vishwakarma- National SC-ST Hub Conclave here,” the Hon’ble Chief Minister said.
    Launched on September 17, 2023, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme supports traditional artisans and craftspeople with skill development, financial aid, and toolkits. Meanwhile, the National SC-ST Hub, launched in October 2016, empowers SC/ST entrepreneurs through capacity building, market linkages, and access to technology and credit.

    The MSME sector, comprising over 6.25 crore enterprises and employing 26.7 crore individuals, plays a crucial role in India’s economic development, contributing nearly 30% to GDP and over 45% to exports.

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    SK

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Ayush Organises Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Ayush conducted a session of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme at Ayush Bhawan today, aimed at enhancing the service orientation and professional skills of its employees. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission under the Mission Karmayogi framework.

    Earlier on 18th of March, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, inaugurated the first phase of the session wherein he highlighted the importance of building a workforce that is responsive and efficient. He had also encouraged participants to apply the training in their day-to-day responsibilities to improve service delivery.

    The second phase of the session, led by Programme Director Dr. Subodh Kumar and facilitated by Ms. Shipra Singh, adopted an interactive format, focusing on practical learning rather than traditional lectures. Discussions, team exercises, and problem-solving activities were incorporated to help employees reflect on their roles and contributions.

    The programme included four focused sessions covering themes such as self-awareness, motivation, and leadership. Case studies from ongoing initiatives in Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional medicine systems were shared to provide practical context.

    Ministry officials actively participated in the programme, which aimed to build awareness of individual responsibilities and the broader impact of public service. The Ministry of Ayush continues its efforts to strengthen capacity and efficiency within its workforce.

    ****

    MV/AKS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVEX 2025 broadens Eligibility, extends Application Deadline to April 21

    Source: Government of India

    WAVEX 2025 broadens Eligibility, extends Application Deadline to April 21

    Flagship media-tech startup event opens doors to older ventures and draws nationwide interest

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:47PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 16 April 2025

     

    The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), has announced two major updates for WAVEX 2025, India’s premier platform for startups in the media and entertainment technology space. In a bid to foster wider participation and amplify innovation, the eligibility criteria have been expanded, and the application deadline has been extended.

    Startups incorporated from 2016 onwards are now eligible to apply for WAVEX 2025. This marks a significant shift from the earlier criteria, which restricted entry to startups founded in 2020 or later. The move is expected to attract a broader pool of participants, particularly those with a track record of resilience, growth, and impact in the media-tech sector.

    In response to strong interest and requests from entrepreneurs across the country, the application deadline has also been pushed to April 21, 2025. The extension gives aspiring media-tech innovators additional time to submit their proposals and secure a chance to feature on a national stage.

    WAVEX 2025 Investment pitches will take place on May 2nd and May 3rd at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai during the Waves 2025 summit. A flagship segment of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), WAVEX is positioned as a high-stakes launchpad for startups working in areas such as gaming, animation, XR, metaverse, generative AI, and content technologies.

    Selected startups will participate in closed room pitching sessions and gain visibility among top venture capital firms and high-profile angel investors. They will also benefit from mentorship by leading industry experts, exposure to global stakeholders, and opportunities to collaborate with prominent technology and media companies.

    WAVEX 2025 is designed not merely as a showcase of emerging ideas, but as a strategic platform to accelerate how content is created, delivered, and monetized in the digital era.

    Applications can be submitted through the official WAVEX portal at https://wavex.wavesbazaar.com.

     

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

    Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

    Have questions? Find answers here  

    Stay updated with the latest announcements from PIB Team WAVES

    Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now

     

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    PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Edgar/ Darshana | 95

     

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