Category: Asia

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Buddhist Thematic Circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:56PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ extends financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for development of Buddhist Tourism. The ‘Buddhist Circuit’ has been identified as one of the thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Details of projects sanctioned under the Buddhist thematic circuit is at Annexure.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture undertakes conservation and preservation of protected monuments as well as take action for providing public amenities such as toilets, drinking water, parking, pathways, signage, benches, ramps, wheel chairs etc. at various monuments including protected Buddhist Sites, under the Annual Conservation program. Providing public amenities and improving them is a regular activity.

The 1^st Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS), was organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi, a grantee body of this Ministry. The said summit was based on Asian spirit tradition and cultural & religious cooperation among Asian Nations. The 1^st Asian Buddhist Summit witnessed presence of more than 650 delegates including 130 foreign delegates from 26 Asian countries, diplomats from 12 countries and 40 Monks each from Mahayana and Theravada traditions. It has been decided to hold Asian Buddhist Summit in alternate years.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

Annexure

Details of projects sanctioned under the Buddhist thematic circuit:

S. No.	State/UT	Circuit	Sanction Year	Name of the Project	Amount Sanctioned (₹ Cr.)	Amount Released/ Authorized (₹ Cr.)*
1	Andhra Pradesh	Buddhist Circuit	2017-18	Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda -Amravati- Anupu	35.24	30.02
2	Bihar	Buddhist Circuit	2016-17	Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya	95.18	95.18
3	Gujarat	Buddhist Circuit	2017-18	Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana	26.68	22.28
4	Madhya Pradesh	Buddhist Circuit	2016-17	Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar	74.02	72.75
5	Uttar Pradesh	Buddhist Circuit	2016-17	Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu	87.89	72.56

* Includes amount of authorization to CNA through TSA Model I for Central Sector Scheme.

Under the PRASHAD Scheme, ‘Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints at Yuksom, Sikkim’ project was sanctioned for an amount of Rs.33.32 Crore in the year 2020-21.

Under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, the operational guidelines for Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale were issued by the Ministry of Tourism. In line with the guidelines, on 26.11.2024 Government of India has approved a Project ‘Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti’ in Uttar Pradesh for a cost of Rs. 80.24 Crore.

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(Release ID: 2111822) Visitor Counter : 67

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Global Engagement Scheme to promote Indian Art and Culture
Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:54PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Culture implements “Global Engagement Scheme” to promote India’s rich cultural heritage internationally and enhance India’s global image.

The key Scheme objectives include strengthening cultural ties with foreign nations, promoting bilateral cultural contacts, projecting India’s cultural identity on the world stage and encouraging inbound tourism. The Global Engagement Scheme is administered through Indian Missions abroad to achieve its objective through following components:
1. Festival of India:
The artists practicing Indian art forms, are given opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of ‘Festival of India’. The artists from diverse cultural fields such as Folk Art including Folk Music, Folk Dance, Folk Theatre & Puppetry, Classical and Traditional Dance, Experimental/Contemporary Dance, Classical/Semi Classical Music, Theatre etc. perform in the ‘Festivals of India’ abroad.
1. Grant in aid to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies:
Grant in aid is released to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies actively functioning in foreign counties through our Indian Missions with the object of fostering closer friendship and cultural contacts between India and foreign country concerned.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous organisation under Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), promotes Indian culture (including folk arts & culture) worldwide through its Cultural Centres and Missions/Posts abroad. Activities conducted by them include inter-alia, teaching of Yoga, Dance, Music (vocal and instrumental), Sanskrit and Hindi; organising/supporting Conferences/ Seminars/ Workshops in different fields of Indian culture; supporting Chairs of Indian Studies in foreign universities; gifting of busts/statues of Mahatma Gandhi and other national icons, exchanging visual arts exhibitions, celebrating International Day of Yoga and Indian festivals, hosting visitors under various Visitors Programmes (Academic / Distinguished /Important /Gen. Next Democracy Network); and sponsoring scholarships to foreign students under different scholarship schemes.

ICCR has also concluded MoUs with various State Governments to promote their culture abroad and to facilitate cultural exchanges with foreign countries. ICCR also hosts incoming foreign cultural troupes to enable Indians to discover various foreign cultures.

Ministry of Culture has empaneled 627 artists/groups under various art forms and artists are selected from the empaneled list for deputing to perform in the Festivals of India abroad. The Folk artists are paid performance fee @ Rs. 35,000/- (to leader/main artist) and @ Rs. 7000/- (to accompanying artist) for each performance in Festival of India.

Also, the Ministry of Culture administers a Scheme by the name of ‘Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists’ with the objective to support old and poor artists aged 60 and above, who have contributed significantly in their specialized ﬁelds of arts, letters including folk art or are still contributing. Financial assistance under this scheme is provided maximum up to Rs. 6000/- per month to the selected artists after adjusting the amount of State artists pension received, if any.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2111820) Visitor Counter : 60

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tourism Development in Backward and Rural Areas

Source: Government of India (2)

S. No.	State/ UT	Circuit / Sanction Year	Name of the Project	Amount Sanctioned
	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Coastal Circuit 2016-17	Development of Long Island-Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair	27.57
	Andhra Pradesh	Coastal Circuit 2014-15	Development of Kakinada – Hope Island – Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary – Passarlapudi – Aduru – S Yanam – Kotipally	67.83
	Andhra Pradesh	Coastal Circuit 2015-16	Development of Nellore – Pulikat Lake – Ubblamadugu Water Falls – Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu – Ramateertham – Iskapalli	49.55
	Andhra Pradesh	Buddhist Circuit 2017-18	Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda -Amravati- Anupu	35.24
	Arunachal Pradesh	North-East Circuit 2014-15	Development of Bhalukpong- Bomdila and Tawang	49.77
	Arunachal Pradesh	North East Circuit 2015-16	Development of Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha	96.72
	Assam	Wildlife Circuit 2015-16	Development of Manas– Probitora– Nameri– Kaziranga– Dibru– Saikhowa	94.68
	Assam	Heritage Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tezpur – Majuli – Sibsagar	90.98
	Bihar	TirthankarCircuit 2016-17	Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri	33.96
	Bihar	Spiritual Circuit 2016-17	Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj – Dharmshala- Deoghar	44.76
	Bihar	Buddhist Circuit 2016-17	Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya	95.18
	Bihar	Rural Circuit 2017-18	Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia	44.27
	Bihar	Spiritual Circuit 2017-18	Development of Mandar Hill &Ang Pradesh	44.55
	Chhattisgarh	Tribal Circuit 2015-16	Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur – Maheshpur -Kurdar – Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh	96.10
	Goa	Coastal Circuit 2016-17	Development of Sinquerim-Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort and Aguada Jail	97.65
	Goa	Coastal Circuit 2017-18	Development of Coastal Circuit II: Rua De Orum Creek – Dona Paula -Colva – Benaulim	99.35
	Gujarat	Heritage Circuit 2016-17	Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar –Bardoli- Dandi	59.17
	Gujarat	Heritage Circuit 2016-17	Development of Vadnagar- Modhera	91.12
	Gujarat	Buddhist Circuit 2017-18	Development of Junagadh- GirSomnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana	26.68
	Haryana	Krishna Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tourism Infrastructures at places related to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra	77.39
	Himachal Pradesh	Himalayan Circuit 2016-17	Development of Himalayan Circuit: Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba	68.34
	Jammu & Kashmir	Himalayan Circuit 2016-17	Development of Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh	77.33
	Jammu & Kashmir	Himalayan Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama.	81.60
	Jammu & Kashmir	Himalayan Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tourist Facilities – Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package	90.43
	Jammu & Kashmir	Himalayan Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev	91.99
	Jammu & Kashmir	Himalayan Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tourist facilities at Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-ZanskarPadum – Daksum – RanjitSagar Dam	86.39
	Jammu & Kashmir	Himalayan Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla- Kupwara- Kargil – Leh	91.84
	Jharkhand	Eco Circuit 2018-19	Development of Eco Tourism circuit: Dalma- Betla National park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat	30.44
	Kerala	Eco Circuit 2015-16	Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady	64.08
	Kerala	Spiritual Circuit 2016-17	Development of Sabarimala – Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam	46.54
	Kerala	Spiritual Circuit 2016-17	Development of SreePadmanabhaArnamula	78.08
	Kerala	Rural Circuit 2018-19	Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project	57.35
	Kerala	Spiritual Circuit 2018-19	Development SivagiriSree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- KunnumparaSreeSubrahmania- ChembazhanthiSree Narayana Gurukulam	66.42
	Madhya Pradesh	Wildlife Circuit 2015-16	Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench	92.10
	Madhya Pradesh	Buddhist Circuit 2016-17	Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar	74.02
	Madhya Pradesh	Heritage Circuit 2016-17	Development of Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Chanderi – Bhimbetka – Mandu	89.82
	Madhya Pradesh	Eco Circuit 2017-18	Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- BhedaGhat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River	93.76
	Maharashtra	Coastal Circuit 2015-16	Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit – Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav	19.06
	Maharashtra	Spiritual Circuit 2018-19	Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad	45.47
	Manipur	North-East Circuit 2015-16	Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom	72.23
	Manipur	Spiritual Circuit 2016-17	Development of Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri BijoyGovindajee Temple – Shri Gopinath Temple – Shri Bungshibodon Temple – Shri Kaina Temple	45.34
	Meghalaya	North East Circuit 2016-17	Development of Umium (Lake View), U LumSohpetbneng-Mawdiangdiang – Orchid Lake Resort	99.13
	Meghalaya	North East Circuit 2018-19	Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot – Khudoi&Kohmang Falls – Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, KattaBeel, Siju Caves)	84.97
	Mizoram	North East Circuit 2015-16	Development of Thenzawl& South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek.	92.26
	Mizoram	Eco Circuit 2016-17	Development of Eco-Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip – Khawhphawp – Lengpui – Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang – Muthee – Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield – Hmuifang	66.37
	Nagaland	Tribal Circuit 2015-16	Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha	97.36
	Nagaland	Tribal Circuit 2016-17	Development of Mokokchung-Tuensang-Mon	98.14
	Odisha	Coastal Circuit 2016-17	Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara	70.82
	Puducherry	Coastal Circuit 2015-16	Development of Dubrayapet – Arikamedu – Veerampattinam – Chunnambar – Nallavadu/Narambai – Manapet- Kalapet – Puducherry – Yanam	58.44
	Puducherry	Heritage Circuit 2017-18	Development of Franco- Tamil Village, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam	49.44
	Puducherry	Spiritual Circuit 2017-18	Development of Spiritual Circuit in Puducherry	34.96
	Punjab	Heritage Circuit 2018-19	Development of Anandpur Sahib – Fatehgarh Sahib – Chamkaur Sahib – Ferozpur – Khatkar Kalan – Kalanour – Patiala	85.32
	Rajasthan	Desert Circuit 2015-16	Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations	50.01
	Rajasthan	Krishna Circuit 2016-17	Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), KhatuShyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)	75.80
	Rajasthan	Spiritual Circuit 2016-17	Development of Spiritual Circuit– ‘Development of Churu (SalasarBalaji)-Jaipur (Shri SamodkeBalaji, GhatkeBalaji, BandhekeBalaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) – MehndipurBalaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji)	87.05
	Rajasthan	Heritage Circuit 2017-18	Development of Heritage Circuit Development of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort) – Jaipur (Facade Illumination in Jaipur and Nahargarh Fort) -Jhalawar (Gagron Fort) – Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort) – Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Fort) – Hanumangarh (Gogamedi) – Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra) – Dholpur (Bagh-I-Nilofor and PuraniChawani) – Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak, Merta) – Tonk (SunehriKothi)	70.61
	Sikkim	North East Circuit 2015-16	Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) – Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-TuminLingee- Singtam (exit)	98.05
	Sikkim	North East Circuit 2016-17	Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam– Maka- Temi-BermoikTokel- Phongia- Namchi –Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit)	95.32
	Tamil Nadu	Coastal Circuit 2016-17	Development of (Chennai- Mamamallapuram – Rameshwaram – Manpadu – Kanyakumari)	73.13
	Telangana	Eco Circuit 2015-16	Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district	91.62
	Telangana	Tribal Circuit 2016-17	Development of Mulugu-Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls	79.87
	Telangana	Heritage Circuit 2017-18	Development of QutubShahi Heritage Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond’s Tomb	96.90
	Tripura	North East Circuit 2015-16	Development of Agartala – Sipahijala – Melaghar – Udaipur – Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat– Dumboor- NarikelKunja- Gandachara– Ambassa	82.85
	Tripura	North East Circuit 2018-19	Development of SurmaCherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati – Bhunaneshwari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra	44.83
	Uttar Pradesh	Buddhist Circuit 2016-17	Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, &Kapilwastu	87.89
	Uttar Pradesh	Ramayana Circuit 2016-17	Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur	69.45
	Uttar Pradesh	Spiritual Circuit 2016-17	Development of Ahar-Aligarh-Kasganj-Sarosi (Unnao)-Pratapgarh- Kausambi-Mirzapur-Gorakhpur-Domariyaganj-Basti-Barabanki-Azamgarh-Kairana- Baghpat- Shahjahanpur	71.91
	Uttar Pradesh	Spiritual Circuit 2016-17	Development of Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi	67.51
	Uttar Pradesh	Heritage Circuit 2016-17	Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- MagharDham (SantKabir Nagar)- ChauriChaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- MahuarshaheedSthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut)	36.65
	Uttar Pradesh	Ramayana Circuit 2017-18	Development of Ayodhya	127.21
	Uttar Pradesh	Spiritual Circuit 2018-19	Development of Jewar-Dadri-Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja-Banda	12.03
	Uttar Pradesh	Spiritual Circuit 2018-19	Development of Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj)	18.30
	Uttarakhand	Eco Circuit 2015-16	Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, and Associated Tourism Related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri	69.17
	Uttarakhand	Heritage Circuit 2016-17	Integrated Development of Heritage Circuit in Kumaon Region – Katarmal -Jogeshwar-Baijnath-Devidhura	76.32
	West Bengal	Coastal Circuit 2015-16	Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj-Bakkhlai- Henry Island	67.99
	–	Wayside Amenities 2018-19	Development of Wayside Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at Varanasi-Gaya; Kushinagar-Gaya- Kushinagar in collaboration with MoRTH	15.07
Total				5287.90

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Boosting of Leisure Tourism in India

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:49PM by PIB Delhi

As per data from the Bureau of Immigration, India recorded 9.52 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2023, reflecting a 47.90% increase compared to 2022. The number of FTAs for Leisure, Holiday, and Recreation in 2023 was 4.40 million, registering an 86.96% growth compared to 2022. Similarly, FTAs for Business and Professional purposes stood at 0.98 million in 2023, marking a 49.66% increase from the previous year.

FTAs have recovered to 87.1% of the pre-pandemic levels closely aligning with the global recovery rate of 88.8% and surpassing the Asia-Pacific region’s recovery rate of 65.4%.

The growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) is mainly driven by the post-pandemic revival of global travel and increasing confidence in India as a diverse and culturally rich destination. Enhanced air connectivity has improved accessibility to key tourist spots, while continuous development of tourism infrastructure has elevated the visitor experience. Additionally, targeted domestic and international marketing campaigns have strengthened India’s global appeal, positioning it as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.

Ministry of Tourism has taken several measures/initiatives over the years to increase tourist arrivals in the country, details of which are:

●       The Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations/ Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.

●       Ministry of Tourism through its various campaigns and events promotes various tourism destinations and products of India in domestic and international markets. Some of the initiatives are Dekho Apna Desh campaign, Chalo India campaign, International Tourism Mart, Bharat Parv.

●       The Incredible India Content Hub was launched which is available in the public domain. Promotions are also carried out through the web-site – www.incredibleindia.org and social media handles of the Ministry.

●       Thematic tourism like wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural, eco-tourism, etc. amongst other niche subjects are promoted so as to expand the scope of tourism into other sectors as well.

●       Enhance the overall quality and visitor experience through initiatives focused on capacity building, skill development such as ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’ ‘Incredible India Tourist Facilitator’ (IITF), ‘Paryatan Mitra’ and ‘Paryatan Didi’.

●       For improving air connectivity to important tourist destinations, Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with Ministry of Civil Aviation under their RCS-UDAN Scheme. As on date, 53 tourism routes have been operationalized.

●       e-Visa scheme is now available to 167 countries and it is available for 9 sub-categories:

i.        e-Tourist Visa

ii.       e-Business Visa

iii.      e-Medical Visa

iv       e-Conference Visa

v.       e-Medical Attendant Visa

vi.      e-Ayush Visa

vii.     e-Ayush Attendant Visa

viii. e- Student Visa

ix.      e-Student X Visa

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2111811) Visitor Counter : 19

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Integrated Tourism Policy

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:48PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Tourism had earlier been working towards formulating a draft National Tourism Policy with a view to keep the sector updated with the latest developments. However, in due course of time, elements and action areas highlighted in the draft policy document have been suitably incorporated in all the schemes and guidelines and Ministry is open to continuous engagement with all stakeholder. In view of this, a separate tourism policy is not envisaged at this point in time.

Various schemes, programs, and initiatives, such as Swadesh Darshan, Challenge Based Destination Development, PRASHAD, Dekho Apna Desh, Chalo India, Meet in India, Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi, Hunar Se Rozgar Tak etc. have been actively addressing issues related to the tourism promotion and development, industry competitiveness, skill development, tourism infrastructure development, sustainability etc. The Ministry has also been working in close coordination with relevant stakeholders, including other Central Ministries, State/UT Governments and Tourism & Hospitality industry, ensuring a whole-of-government approach for sectoral growth.

At present, the focus remains on strengthening and effectively implementing these ongoing initiatives rather than formulating a separate policy document. The Ministry continues to monitor the evolving needs of the tourism sector and remains open to further enhancements in alignment with national priorities and stakeholder inputs.

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2111810) Visitor Counter : 22

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Promotion of Sustainable Tourism

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:46PM by PIB Delhi

Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including sustainable tourism and traditional art forms is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and promoting various tourism products of the country, including sustainable tourism and traditional art forms through various schemes and initiatives.

Environmental Sustainability and Socio-Cultural Sustainability are two key pillars in the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism formulated by the Ministry. In line with the strategy, Travel for LiFE programme has been initiated to promote sustainable tourism in the country and to encourage tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations following a tourist & destination centric approach. The Scheme encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism including environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability.

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2111808) Visitor Counter : 27

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Development of Selected Tourism Destinations under CBDD

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:45PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Tourism under its Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme has identified 42 destinations in the country under 4 categories as per the details given below:

S. No.	Thematic Category	No. of destinations selected
1	Spiritual Tourism	11
2	Culture & Heritage	16
3	Vibrant Village Program	5
4	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites	10
Total		42

Details of the 42 identified destinations under CBDD is annexed.

The Ministry of Tourism has also shared a template to the State Governments/UT Administrations for formulation of detailed action plan to submit project proposals.

As per the procedure, the proposals received under the scheme are examined on the given parameters & scheme guidelines and thereafter appraised by the Ministry of Tourism and considered for sanctioning. Under the CBDD scheme, adequate focus has also been given to include softer interventions in addition to hard components while appraising the project.

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

ANNEXURE

List of 42 identified destinations under ‘Challenge Based Destination Development’

S.No.	State	Destination	Category
	Andhra Pradesh	Nagarjuna Sagar	Culture & Heritage
	Adhra Pradesh	Ahobilam Temple	Spiritual Tourism
	Arunachal Pradesh	Kibitho	Vibrant Village Programme
	Arunachal Pradesh	Bichom Dam Site	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Assam	Sivasagar	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Bihar	Bhagalpur	Culture & Heritage
	Bihar	Saran District (Sonepur Fair)	Culture & Heritage
	Chhattisgarh	Mayali Bagicha	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Goa	Mayem Village	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Gujarat	Porbandar	Spiritual Tourism
	Gujarat	Thol Village	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Gujarat	Vadnagar	Culture & Heritage
	Himachal Pradesh	Kaza	Culture & Heritage
	Himachal Pradesh	Rakchham, Chhitkul	Vibrant Village Programme
	Jharkhand	RamrekhaDham	Spiritual Tourism
	Kerala	Varkala	Culture & Heritage
	Kerala	Thalassery	Spiritual Tourism
	Karnataka	Bidar	Culture & Heritage
	Karnataka	Udupi	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Ladakh	Mushkoh Village	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Lakshadweep	Lakshadweep	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Madhya Pradesh	Mandu	Culture & Heritage
	Madhya Pradesh	Orchha	Spiritual Tourism
	Maharashtra	Ahmednagar	Culture & Heritage
	Manipur	LangthabalKonug	Culture & Heritage
	Meghalaya	Nartiang Village	Spiritual Tourism
	Meghalaya	Mawphlang Village	Culture & Heritage
	Nagaland	Doyang Reservoir	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Nagaland	Impur Village	Spiritual Tourism
	Puducherry	White Town	Culture & Heritage
	Punjab	Ferozpur (Hussainiwala Border)	Culture & Heritage
	Punjab	Rupnagar (Anandpur Sahib)	Spiritual Tourism
	Sikkim	Gnathang Village	Vibrant Village Programme
	Sikkim	Kabi	Spiritual Tourism
	Tamil Nadu	Rameswaram Island	Spiritual Tourism
	Tamil Nadu	Thanjavur	Culture & Heritage
	Telangana	Nalgonda	Culture & Heritage
	Telangana	Kamareddy	Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites
	Uttar Pradesh	Mahoba	Culture & Heritage
	Uttarakhand	Mana Village	Vibrant Village Programme
	Uttarakhand	Jadung	Vibrant Village Programme
	Uttarakhand	Kainchidham	Spiritual Tourism

*****

(Release ID: 2111806) Visitor Counter : 30

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM VIKAS SCHEME FOCUSES ON UPLIFTMENT OF MINORITIES

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:39PM by PIB Delhi

The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a flagship Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘Hamari Dharohar’ and ‘USTTAD’; and focuses on upliftment of six notified minority communities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership of minority women; and education support for school dropouts. The scheme also provisions to facilitate credit linkages by connecting beneficiaries with loan programs offered by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC). Under the scheme, the Ministry has received some proposals and is in the process of shortlisting and finalising the projects.

Ministry initiatives like Hunar Haat and Lok Samvardhan Parv aim at promoting entrepreneurship among traditional artisans through showcasing and marketing their products. Since 2015 to till date, 43 such events have been organised by the Ministry across the country.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today

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SS/ISA

(Release ID: 2111797) Visitor Counter : 69

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Carbon Emissions in Mining Operations
Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:37PM by PIB Delhi

In line with India’s Panchamrit & Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments, Ministry of Coal is promoting sustainable coal mining and reduction in carbon footprint by encouraging the following:
- Greening Initiatives—Bio-Reclamation/Plantation: The Coal/Lignite PSUs have been constantly making efforts to minimize the footprints of coal mining through sustained reclamation and afforestation of areas in and around their operating mines.
- Energy Efficiency Measures: Coal/Lignite PSUs have been taking various energy conservation and efficiency measures over the years to reduce carbon intensity such as replacement of conventional lights with LED lights, installation of energy-efficient air conditioners, super fans, deployment of EVs and installation of efficient water heaters, energy-efficient motors for pumps, auto timers in street lights etc.
- Green Credit Programme: Coal PSUs are also participating in extensive plantation under Green Credit Program launched by MoEF&CC.
- First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects: The Coal PSUs have taken steps to upgrade the mechanized coal transportation and loading system under ‘First Mile Connectivity’ projects. Commissioning of FMC projects in coal mining areas reduces consumption of diesel significantly and therefore reduces carbon emissions.
- Deployment of Blast free technology in coal mining: Coal companies are deploying modern equipment having environment friendly features, like Surface Miner, Continuous Miner in coal mining, which eliminates the drilling, blasting and crushing operations in coal and hence, in turn, obviates pollution caused due to these operations. Rippers are also being deployed for blast-less removal of overburden in some mines.
- Renewable Energy and clean coal initiatives: Coal PSUs have also started commissioning Renewable Energy power projects. Additionally, they are venturing into various clean coal technologies like Coal gasification, Coal Bed methane (CBM) etc.
Sustainable coal production is being promoted by ensuring compliance with applicable environmental laws like prior Environmental Clearance (EC), Forest Clearance (FC), Consent to Operate (CTO), Consent to Establish (CTE) etc. In addition, the steps adopted to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact due to coal mining includes:
- Use of surface miners, continuous miners, highwall / longwall mining, etc.
- Increasing installation & usage of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiatives to reduce coal transport via roads.
- Improving energy efficiency across coal mining projects.
- Reclamation and eco-restoration of mined-out areas including development of eco-parks, mine tourism sites, etc.
- Conceptualizing re-purposing of de-coaled areas for sustainable uses like installation of renewable energy generation plants, development of agricultural avenues for surrounding communities, development of mine sumps, etc.
At present, there is no specific directive / guideline stipulating the number of times mining companies are required to review their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), particularly with reference to carbon emissions.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Shuhaib T

(Release ID: 2111792) Visitor Counter : 66

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM’S NEW 15 POINT PROGRAMME AIMS TO ENSURE THAT UNDERPRIVILEGED AND WEAKER SECTIONS OF MINIORITY COMMUNITIES HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AVAILING VARIOUS GOVERNMENT WELFARE SCHEMES

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:37PM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for welfare of Minorities is implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs since its launch in the year 2006. It is an overarching programme which covers various schemes/initiatives of the participating Ministries/Departments with an aim to ensure that the underprivileged and weaker sections of six centrally notified minority communities have equal opportunities for availing the various Government welfare Schemes and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the Country.

The schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs covered under the 15 Point Programme are exclusively meant for notified minorities. Further, 15% of the outlays and targets, to the extent possible, of schemes/ initiatives implemented by other participating Ministries/ Departments are earmarked for notified minorities. The schemes of Ministry of Minority Affairs and other participating Ministries included in the Programme, including schemes for education and employment, are as under:

i. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of Minority Affairs)

ii. Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of Minority Affairs)

iii. Merit-cum- Means based Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of Minority Affairs)

iv. National Minorities Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Loan Schemes

v. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan (M/o Education)

vi. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM) (M/o Rural Development)

vii. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana (M/o Rural Development)

viii. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (M/o Rural Development)

ix. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Urban Livelihoods Mission (M/o Housing & Urban Affairs)

x. Priority Sector Lending by Banks (Department of Financial Services)

xi. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (Department of Financial Services)

xii. POSHAN Abhiyaan (Ministry of Women & Child Development)

xiii. National Health Mission (Department of Health & Family Welfare)

xiv. Ayushman Bharat (Department of Health & Family Welfare)

xv. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (Jal Jeevan Mission), (Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation)

The schemes included in the 15 Point Programme are monitored at various levels by the participating ministries and Ministry of Minority Affairs in its role as the nodal Ministry, coordinates the implementation of relevant schemes of other Ministries/Departments under the Programme to facilitate the achievement of saturation levels. Under the saturation approach of Government many of the components have achieved mainstreaming. Furthermore, consistent efforts are being made to improve the full delivery of benefits in the various relevant schemes for minority communities.

No modifications are proposed at present for the programme.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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SS/ISA

(Release ID: 2111794) Visitor Counter : 76

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP updates on clusters of students participating in exchange tours who developed gastroenteritis symptoms

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CHP updates on clusters of students participating in exchange tours who developed gastroenteritis symptoms
     The latest cluster involves a secondary school in Kwun Tong District. A total of 36 teachers and students participated in an exchange tour to Xiamen between March 13 and 15, during which six students developed AGE symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, from about 9pm on March 14 to about 7am the next morning. Five of them sought medical attention in Xiamen, and none required hospitalisation.

     The CHP is investigating the source of this AGE outbreak from different aspects. Preliminary epidemiological investigations revealed that all six affected persons had not consumed any common food items other than the group meals and had no other common exposure history in Hong Kong prior to their departure. Hence, at this stage, the CHP could not rule out the possibility that the cases were infected by consuming contaminated food. The CHP has notified the Mainland health authority of the relevant epidemiological investigations and information regarding the restaurants concerned. The CHP is collecting stool specimens from the patients for laboratory testing and has notified the EDB of the relevant assessment.

     Regarding the three clusters of students participating in exchange tours to Shaoguan who developed gastroenteritis symptoms
Apart from the Mainland, there have been recent outbreaks of AGE in other popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens. In Japan, the number of patients seeking medical attention for infective gastroenteritis has increased in recent weeks, and large-scale food poisoning outbreaks caused by norovirus have been reported in various places in recent months. In Singapore, the number of medical consultations related to acute diarrhoeal illnesses was higher than the same period last year. In Taiwan, the number of medical consultations related to diarrhoea has remained high in recent months, reaching a record high over the same period in the past five years. Test results showed that the majority of the outbreaks were caused by norovirus. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of being infected while travelling.

Viral gastroenteritis is more commonly seen in cooler months and can be caused by a variety of viruses, most commonly norovirus and rotavirus. The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are diarrhoea and vomiting. Other symptoms include headache, fever, and abdominal cramps. In general, the symptoms begin one to two days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis. Depending on the type of viruses causing the illness, however, the symptoms may last for one to 10 days.

Alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses frequently causing AGE, for example, norovirus. To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are advised to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene. When eating out, the following points should be observed:
???The public may visit the CHP’s website for more information and preventive advice on

viral gastroenteritis
Issued at HKT 18:15

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Categories24-7, Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Government special administrative region, MIL OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Coal Supply and Logistics to Meet Electricity Demand

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:36PM by PIB Delhi

There is adequate availability of coal in the country. The focus of the Government is on increasing the domestic production of coal to meet the energy requirement of the country. The country has witnessed highest ever coal production in the year 2023-24. The all-India domestic coal production in the year 2023-2024 was 997.826 MT in comparison to 893.191 MT in the year 2022-2023 with the growth of about 11.71 %.

In the current year 2024-25, the country has produced 929.15 MT (provisional) of coal (upto February, 2025) in comparison to 881.16 MT in the corresponding period of the last year 2023-24 with a growth rate of 5.45%.

Ministry of Power communicated their domestic coal requirement of 906.1 million tonnes (MT) for the financial year 2025-26, against which Ministry of Coal (MOC) has conveyed the domestic coal supply plan of 906.1 million tonnes (MT) to the power sector for FY 2025-26.

As per Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the coal stock at domestic coal-based power plants stands at 53.49 million tonne (MT) as on 10.03.2025, in comparison to 44.51 MT in the corresponding day of the last year 2023-24 with a growth rate of 20.20%. The current coal stock is sufficient for about 20 days at 85% Plant load factor (PLF).

The supply of coal to the power plants is a continuous process. Coal supply is continuously monitored by the coal companies and also by an Inter-Ministerial Sub-Group comprising of representatives from Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) which meet regularly to take various operational decisions to enhance supply of coal to Thermal Power Plants.

Besides, an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been constituted comprising of Chairman, Railway Board; Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Secretary, Ministry of Power; to monitor augmentation of coal supply and power generation capacity. Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Chairperson, CEA are co-opted as Special Invitees as and when required by the IMC.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Shuhaib T

(Release ID: 2111791) Visitor Counter : 62

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri meets US Director of National Intelligence in New Delhi

Source: Government of India

Raksha Mantri meets US Director of National Intelligence in New Delhi

Both countries explore avenues for collaboration in cutting-edge defence innovation & niche technologies

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a productive meeting with the Director of National Intelligence of the United States Ms Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on March 17, 2025. Drawing from the Joint Statement issued after the recent meeting of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with US President Mr Donald Trump, the discussions reaffirmed the growing strength of the India-US bilateral defence partnership.

Both leaders emphasised that strategic security remains a vital pillar of the comprehensive global strategic cooperation between the two nations. Shri Rajnath Singh and Ms Tulsi Gabbard reviewed the significant strides made in the areas of military exercises, strategic cooperation, integration of defence industrial supply chains and information-sharing cooperation, especially in the maritime domain, between India and US.

The two leaders explored avenues for collaboration in cutting-edge defence innovation and niche technologies, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing mutual strategic interests. Additionally, they addressed key areas such as enhancing interoperability and fostering greater integration of defence industrial supply chains to bolster resilience and innovation.

Raksha Mantri expressed gratitude to the US Director of National Intelligence for her steadfast goodwill and admiration for Indian culture and heritage, noting that such sentiments further deepen the bonds of friendship between India and US.

Happy to have met the US Director of National Intelligence Ms @TulsiGabbard in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues which include defence and information sharing, aiming to further deepen the India-US partnership. pic.twitter.com/DTUgJIgeCN

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 17, 2025

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VK/Savvy

(Release ID: 2111789) Visitor Counter : 49

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Tower Semiconductor Recognized by Northrop Grumman with Supplier Excellence Award
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel, March 17, 2025 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has recognized Tower Semiconductor as one of its top supplier partners during the company’s Supplier Excellence Awards Ceremony held recently.

“Tower Semiconductor has supported Northrop Grumman in delivering technologies that enhance national security for the U.S. and our allies,” said Ken Brown, Vice President, Enterprise Global Supply Chain, Northrop Grumman. “The high-quality performance, dedication and partnership of our supplier teams drive operational excellence to ensure warfighters have next generation advantages in advanced weapons, aircraft, missile defense and space.”

Recognized for Performance Excellence, Tower Semiconductor is instrumental in supporting Northrop Grumman with delivering innovative and cost-effective military and security solutions to give its customers a competitive advantage in a complex field.

“It is an honor to once again receive the Northrop Grumman Supplier Excellence Award. This recognition underscores Tower Semiconductor’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional quality, reliability, and service to our Aerospace & Defense customers,” said Mike Scott, Sr. Director and General Manager of Aerospace & Defense Business Unit, Tower Semiconductor. “We take great pride in supporting Northrop Grumman and the broader defense community with our advanced technologies, manufacturing capabilities and dedicated A&D organization.”

About Tower Semiconductor

Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), photonics, and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor owns one operating facility in Israel (200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), two in Japan (200mm and 300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo, shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy with STMicroelectronics as well as has access to a 300mm capacity corridor in Intel’s New Mexico factory. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.

Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements. A complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect Tower’s business is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Tower’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F, F-3, F-4 and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority. Tower does not intend to update, and expressly disclaim any obligation to update, the information contained in this release.

###

Tower Semiconductor Company Contact: Orit Shahar | +972-74-7377440 | oritsha@towersemi.com

Investor Relations Contact: Liat Avraham | +972-4-6506154 | liatavra@towersemi.com

Attachment
- NGC_Tower_2025 _Supplier_Excellence_Award_FINAL
The MIL Network –
March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Descartes Study: 39% of High-growth Companies Leverage Trade Compliance as Competitive Advantage

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ATLANTA and LONDON, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released findings from its study Top Three Traits of Companies with a Successful Approach to Trade Compliance. The study showed that 39% of fast-growing companies (those expecting greater than 15% growth over the next two years) consider trade compliance to be a competitive advantage and not only a regulatory requirement, compared to 22% of slower-growing companies (those with less than 5% growth expectations).

Furthermore, 57% of companies surveyed believe technology is also very or extremely important for competitive advantage in trade compliance strategies (see Figure 1). This view is even more pronounced in growth businesses versus non-growth companies: 72%, or almost three quarters, of fast-growing companies believe technology is a valuable competitive differentiator, compared to just 41% of businesses predicting shrinking, limited, or no growth.

Figure 1: Importance of technology for competitive advantage in trade compliance strategies

Source: Descartes/SAPIO

The study also revealed that 86% of fast-growing companies indicated technology is fundamental or highly important to growth strategies. Underscoring a strong link between technology, business expansion and trade compliance, 47% of fast-growing companies confirm investing in technology is the top approach to tackling international trade challenges—compared to just 18% of those expecting shrinking, limited, or no growth.

In addition to gaining competitive advantage by leveraging trade compliance and investing in technology, higher-growth companies are focused on building a well-resourced compliance team. The study found that companies with greater than 15% expected growth in the next two years allocate an average of eight people to trade compliance activities, compared to six people in companies anticipating shrinking, limited, or no growth.

“Given the volatility of the current trade landscape, rife with evolving tariffs, trade barriers, sanctions and regulations, effective and efficient global trade compliance is a distinct competitive differentiator,” said Jackson Wood, Director, Industry Strategy at Descartes. “Companies that invest in building their compliance teams view compliance as a strategic advantage. They leverage leading technologies to turn compliance into an engine for growth while creating more resilient supply chain operations.”

Descartes and SAPIO Research surveyed 887 corporate decision makers in international trade compliance and/or supply chain intelligence across Argentina, Benelux, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, UK and USA. The goal was to understand the strategies, tactics and technologies used by companies involved in international trade to help gain a competitive advantage and ensure continued business growth, and to identify if these varied by factors such as country, industry, company size and business growth. Respondents are members of company leadership teams, from management level to Chief Executive Officer or Owner. To learn more, read the study Top Three Traits of Companies with a Successful Approach to Trade Compliance.

Learn more about Descartes’ global trade intelligence solutions.

About Descartes

Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Global Media Contact
Cara Strohack
cstrohack@descartes.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”) that relate to Descartes’ global trade intelligence solution offerings and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, “Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results” in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada including Descartes’ most recently filed management’s discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2458abe4-87e5-4a31-8a58-b127eacde619

The MIL Network –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Annual Closing of Government Accounts – Transactions of Central / State Governments – Special Measures for the Current Financial Year (2024-25)

Source: Reserve Bank of India

With a view to providing greater convenience to taxpayers, it has been decided to keep the branches of Agency banks, dealing with Government business, open for transactions on March 31, 2025 (Monday-Public Holiday).

In order to facilitate accounting of Government receipts and payments in the current financial year itself, necessary arrangements have also been made to conduct special clearing operations across the country. Special clearing will be conducted for government cheques on March 31, 2025 for which the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS), RBI will issue necessary instructions.

Notwithstanding the facilitations outlined above, the taxpayers are hereby exhorted to complete their transactions in respect of their tax payables, well in advance.

Instructions to agency banks for Annual Closing has been issued separately.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/2395

MIL OSI Economics –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN

Source: ASEAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. Kiya Masahiko, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. They exchanged views on ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as preparations for the 2025 Osaka World Expo, where ASEAN Secretariat is expected to take part in this major event.

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets with Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN

Source: ASEAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Ms. Elizabeth T. Te, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the meeting, they engaged in constructive discussions on early preparations for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, as well as discussed other key regional issues. Both sides also reviewed ongoing cooperation and preparations for upcoming ASEAN key events in 2025, including those at ministerial and leader’s levels.

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets with Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Jogindra Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Himachal Pradesh

Source: Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 12, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh (Rupees One Lakh only) on Jogindra Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Himachal Pradesh (the bank) for contravention of provisions of Section 20 read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act). This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the BR Act.

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of contravention of statutory provisions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said provisions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

The bank had sanctioned/renewed director related loans in contravention of Section 20 of the BR Act.

This action is based on deficiencies in statutory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/2391

MIL OSI Economics –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN attends working lunch hosted by the Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of the United States Mission to ASEAN

Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended a working lunch hosted by Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of the United States Mission to ASEAN, Kate Rebholz, at the Residence of the United States Chief of Mission to ASEAN. They discussed the latest developments in the ASEAN-United States Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including the development of the successor document to the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-United States Strategic Partnership (2021-2025).

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends working lunch hosted by the Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of the United States Mission to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Panasonic forms the first capital and business alliance with tado°, an IoT-based home energy management platform provider, as a heating equipment manufacturer

Source: Panasonic

Headline: Panasonic forms the first capital and business alliance with tado°, an IoT-based home energy management platform provider, as a heating equipment manufacturer

Osaka, Japan, March 17, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation today announced that its Heating & Ventilation A/C Company entered into an agreement to work with tado° GmbH, a German based vendor agnostic European leader in home energy management solutions for the first time*1 as a heating equipment manufacturer. Through a €30 million equity investment, Panasonic will strengthen its collaboration with tado°. Panasonic will also take a seat on tado°’s board, deepening operational collaboration to drive greater synergies and accelerate innovation.
Air-to-water (A2W) heat pumps extract heat from the ambient air to produce hot water, which is then circulated throughout buildings for heating. Compared to fossil fuel-based heating systems, A2W significantly reduces CO2 emissions and environmental impact, attracting increasing public attention in recent years.
Panasonic leveraged its over 60 years of expertise in heat pump technology to launch its Aquarea Heat Pumps for residential use in Europe in 2008. A key strength of Panasonic’s Aquarea is its unique ability to maintain heating performance even in extremely cold climates. In May 2023, Panasonic became the first Japanese manufacturer to adopt R290, a natural refrigerant with an ultra-low global warming potential, aligning with Europe’s strong environmental focus.
In March 2024, Panasonic announced a business alliance with tado°, which is a leading vendor of Smart Thermostats (electronic device that remotely controls air-conditioning systems based on weather and temperature settings via an application), and also a provider of dynamic tariff in Europe. tado° is the industry’s leading start-up founded in 2011 with approximately one million household customers. It was nominated for the Tech Tour Growth 50 – List 2025*2 as a potential European unicorn company, demonstrating remarkable growth in recent years.
Linking Panasonic’s A2W and tado°’s Smart Thermostats and Heat Pump Optimizer will optimally control the temperature and amount of hot water generated by A2W, reducing energy consumption by up to approximately 20% based on various information, including the room temperature, user’s temperature settings, weather, and electricity rate. Furthermore, through this capital and business alliance, both companies will collaborate to accelerate innovation in energy-efficient solutions. By sharing product and service specifications, Panasonic and tado° will jointly develop advanced operation control software for Panasonic Aquarea Heat Pumps. Utilizing real-world user data and field test insights, this software will enhance system efficiency and optimize performance. Scheduled for release via a software update in September 2025, it aims to achieve up to a 30% reduction in energy consumption.
A recent survey of tado° customers in August 2024*3 revealed that approximately 75% of households still rely on gas or oil heating systems. Efforts to incorporate a Panasonic-specific design in tado°’s application are already underway, and the two companies will propose the unique combination of Panasonic’s A2W heat pump and tado° solutions by promoting joint marketing through the use of applications and direct mail and introducing Panasonic’s trusted installation partners.
Through collaboration with tado°, Panasonic will contribute to achieving both a comfortable life and a sustainable global environment.

Notes:
*1: Regarding the capital and business alliance between tado° and a manufacturer of heating equipment, such as A2W and boilers. As of March 17, 2025, according to Panasonic’s research.
*2: The Tech Tour Growth 50 Listing recognizes Europe’s most promising high-growth companies.
*3: n = 12,495. The survey was conducted between August 2 and 19, 2024.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

March 17, 2025

MIL-OSI Banking: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Gurdaspur Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Gurdaspur, Punjab

Source: Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 12, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh (Rupees One Lakh only) on The Gurdaspur Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Gurdaspur, Punjab (the bank) for contravention of provisions of Section 20 read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act). This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the BR Act.

The bank had sanctioned/renewed director related loan in contravention of Section 20 of the BR Act.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/2388

MIL OSI Global Banks –

March 17, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Baramulla Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Jammu and Kashmir

Source: Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 12, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹5.00 lakh (Rupees Five Lakh only) on The Baramulla Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Jammu and Kashmir (the bank) for non-compliance with specific directions issued by RBI prohibiting acceptance of fresh deposits. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

The bank had accepted fresh deposits in violation of specific directions issued by RBI.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/2389

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Anantnag Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Jammu and Kashmir

Source: Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 12, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh (Rupees One Lakh only) on The Anantnag Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Jammu and Kashmir (the bank) for non-compliance with specific directions issued by RBI prohibiting acceptance of fresh deposits. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

The bank had accepted fresh deposits in violation of specific directions issued by RBI.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/2390

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN presides over the IAI Attachment Programme welcoming Timor-Leste’s Participation for the first time

Source: ASEAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today officially launched the IAI Attachment Programme, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat by welcoming a new batch of Attachment Officers (AOs) from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam (CLMV), and Timor-Leste, for the first time. Supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the programme aims to enhance the capacity of government officials from CLMV and Timor-Leste by immersing them in the work of the ASEAN Secretariat.

This year marked a historic milestone with the participation of Timor-Leste for the first time, reflecting ASEAN’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s capacity-building as it prepares for full ASEAN membership.

In his opening remarks, SG Dr. Kao highlighted the importance of the IAI Attachment Programme in strengthening institutional capacities and fostering regional integration. He emphasised that the knowledge and experiences gained through this programme will enable AOs to contribute more effectively to their respective countries. He further expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for its long-standing support in narrowing development gaps within ASEAN.

Japan’s Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Ambassador Kiya Masahiko, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to ASEAN’s integration efforts. He underscored the critical role of human resource development in enhancing ASEAN’s competitiveness and sustainability, reaffirming Japan’s support for inclusive development and capacity building initiatives.

The one-year IAI Attachment Programme provides AOs with first-hand experience in various divisions under the ASEAN Political-Security Community Department, ASEAN Economic Community Department, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Department, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of ASEAN processes, policies, and cooperation mechanisms. The initiative is part of the broader IAI Work Plan IV (2021-2025), which seeks to support ASEAN’s goal to narrow the development gaps in the region.

Download the full remarks here.

###

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN presides over the IAI Attachment Programme welcoming Timor-Leste’s Participation for the first time appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN attends working lunch hosted by the Chargé d’affaires, a

Source: ASEAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended a working lunch hosted by Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of the United States Mission to ASEAN, Kate Rebholz, at the Residence of the United States Chief of Mission to ASEAN. They discussed the latest developments in the ASEAN-United States Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including the development of the successor document to the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-United States Strategic Partnership (2021-2025).

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends working lunch hosted by the Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of the United States Mission to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Elevates Home Art Experiences With New Art Basel Hong Kong Collection

Source: Samsung

▲ Zhu Jinshi’s This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room (2023) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.

Samsung Electronics, the Official Art TV of Art Basel, today announced that it is bringing contemporary masterpieces from galleries exhibiting at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 to a global audience. Starting today, subscribers of the Samsung Art Store, a premium digital art platform exclusively available on Samsung TVs, will have access to a curated collection of 23 select works from Art Basel’s galleries, some of which will be displayed at the highly anticipated fair, taking place from March 28-30,1 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The Samsung Art Store is home to 3,000+ works from world-renowned museums, galleries and artists. Subscribers can explore expertly curated masterpieces in stunning 4K resolution to bring the program of Art Basel galleries into their homes. The Art Basel Hong Kong collection includes renowned artworks such as Zhu Jinshi’s “This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room,” Ticko Liu’s “Enduring as the Universe,” Jimok Choi’s “Shadow of the Sun,” Bae Yoon Hwan’s “Green Bear,” and more.

“Samsung Art Store is making fine art more accessible than ever, bringing the premier artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel Hong Kong directly into people’s homes,” said Bongjun Ko, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business. “We are proud to expand this experience to more Samsung TV owners worldwide, allowing them to enjoy world-class artwork in stunning 4K quality with just a few clicks.”

Bringing the Art Basel Experience to Samsung TVs
▲ Ticko Liu’s Enduring as the Universe (2024) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.

Art Basel stages the world’s premier art shows for modern and contemporary art, sited in Hong Kong, Basel, Paris and Miami Beach. Through the Samsung Art Store, a curated selection of these masterpieces is now available beyond the exhibition halls, allowing art lovers worldwide to experience select artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel – all from the comfort of their homes.

To further highlight the intersection of art and technology, Samsung will present an interactive lounge, titled ArtCube,2 at Art Basel Hong Kong on March 28-30. The showcase will demonstrate how The Frame, MICRO LED and Neo QLED 8K redefine digital art experiences by displaying artwork, including those from the Art Basel collection in breathtaking detail. Under the theme “Borderless, Dive into the Art,” ArtCube visitors will engage with Samsung Art Store’s exclusive collections, bridging the gap between physical and digital art.

In addition to its ArtCube Lounge experience, Samsung presents a series of panel discussions highlighting influential voices from the contemporary art scene. Daria Greene, Head of Content and Curation at Samsung leads each engaging one-on-one dialogue. The conversations feature Hayley Romer, Chief Growth Officer of Art Basel, and Marc Dennis, an American artist known for his hyper-realistic paintings.

Expanding Samsung’s Digital Art Leadership
While previously exclusive to The Frame and MICRO LED, the Samsung Art Store will soon be available on 2025 Samsung AI-powered Neo QLED and QLED TVs,3 as part of Samsung’s mission to bring world-class art to an even bigger audience. In addition to the Art Basel Hong Kong collection, Samsung will continue its partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs by introducing exclusive artworks from Art Basel’s Basel and Paris collections later this year.

“We are proud to partner with Samsung Art Store on the 2025 Art Basel Hong Kong collection – extending Art Basel Hong Kong’s best-in-class cultural experience beyond the halls of the show, and creating new, year-round opportunities for ever broader audiences to engage with Art Basel’s distinguished international program of galleries and their artists,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel.

The Art Basel Hong Kong collection features works from 17 globally acclaimed artists, including Jimok Choi, Bae Yoon Hwan, Stephen Wong Chun Hei, Ticko Liu, Alasie Inoue, Tromarama, Damian Elwes, Zhu Jinshi, Nakai Katsumi, Cao Yu, Hamra Abbas, Nabil Nahas, Owen Fu, Sophie von Hellermann, Chow Chun Fai, Gillian Ayres and Gongkan.

For more information, visit www.samsung.com.

* The content has been revised to provide more accurate information.

About Art Basel
Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms including the Art Basel App and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Art Basel Awards. Art Basel’s Global Lead Partner is UBS. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.

1 Event is open to the public from March 28-30, after VIP opening from March 26-27.2 Samsung Lounge ‘ArtCube’ will be located in L3, the main exhibition floor inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.3 For models Q7F and above.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Ambassador of the French Republic to ASEAN

Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this morning met with Ambassador of the French Republic to ASEAN, H.E. Fabien Penone, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides exchanged ideas on ways and means to strengthen the ASEAN-France Development Partnership through meaningful activities on mutually beneficial cooperation areas, as well as discussed on the preparations for the State visit of the President of the French Republic, H.E. Emmanuel Macron, to the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in the coming months.

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Ambassador of the French Republic to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Field Trials for PIMTO Mobile Robot Vending Service to be Conducted at Narita International Airport

Source: Panasonic

Headline: Field Trials for PIMTO Mobile Robot Vending Service to be Conducted at Narita International Airport

March 17, 2025 – Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD), Mashup Inc. (Mashup), and Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) today announced that they will conduct field trials using PIMTO, a mobile robot vending service, in the area after outbound passport control in Narita International Airport Terminal 1 for 10 days from March 21 to 30, 2025. The field trials will involve the sale of local specialty products, subculture items, and other products that highlight the charm of Japan to passengers departing from Narita Airport.
Narita Airport serves as a hub airport in Asia with an extensive network connecting 120 cities—102 overseas and 18 in Japan. The annual number of foreign passengers using international flights in 2024 was 21.79 million, the highest since the airport opened. To study a potential new service for foreign passengers, whose numbers are expected to continue growing, the companies will conduct field trials using Panasonic HD’s PIMTO mobile robot vending service, which moves within the area near the boarding gates to sell products. The product lineup, developed in collaboration with Mashup, one of the companies operating the field trials, will feature local products and subculture items that provide a uniquely Japanese feel. The field trials aim to increase customer satisfaction by offering memorable purchasing experiences and appealing products to passengers, including foreign visitors to Japan, just before their departure from Narita Airport.

Field trial period: From Friday, March 21 to Sunday, March 30, 2025
* Field trials may be suspended due to unforeseen circumstances.
Location: Narita International Airport Terminal 1 (Area after outbound passport control)Products: exclusive products available only at Narita Airport, local products, and subculture items that offer a uniquely Japanese feel

PIMTO mobile robot vending service

1. Utilization of unmanned vending robots

Panasonic HD will provide mobile unmanned vending robots that can increase the number of sales outlets without requiring store construction or additional equipment installation. A variety of items that fit within the designated boxes can be sold, with payments accepted via credit cards, QR codes, and transportation IC cards. Since there is no need to continuously move robots around the airport, it was concluded that autonomous travel or advanced preparation for that purpose would not be necessary. Therefore, the robots will be operated solely through manual control using a wired controller connected to the robot or remote control, considering its cost advantages in terms of the robot units and service operations.In the field trials, the robots move to high-traffic areas depending on which boarding gates are in use, improving customer convenience and sales. The robots are basically operated by a wired controller, although remote control will also be tested.

2. Proposal for experience design

Robots (vending spots) that best suit the customers, location, and other circumstances are proposed.Based on marketing research, including identifying the needs of inbound visitors, the field trials use robots with creative features, such as control buttons and the robot’s appearance, allowing foreign customers to select products as if they were playing a game, and enhance their purchasing experience, as well as messages displayed on the robot’s body in 11 languages to attract passengers’ interest in their native language.

3. Merchandising support

Products that best suit the passengers, location, and other circumstances are proposed.For the field trials, Panasonic HD, Mashup, NAA, and gray park, Inc. collaborated to design a purchasing experience themed Wings & Wonders, aiming to increase customer satisfaction with the services near the departure gates. Based on this, a product lineup has been developed featuring original products available only at Narita Airport, local specialty products, 3D molded chocolates, and a wide range of subculture items rich in Japanese charm, such as soft vinyl figures, and capsule toys. A range of uniquely Japanese products will provide passengers a last-minute surprise and excitement just before departure.

4. Contribution to supported employment

Panasonic HD can collaborate with welfare facilities to achieve universal design from a work perspective, helping create an environment where people with disabilities or mental health concerns can participate in the operations of unmanned sales and other services.In the field trials, the remote operation of robots is outsourced to ASU-TRi, an employment transition support office in Kumamoto Prefecture, while product packaging is outsourced to Kujira Co., Ltd. a Type A employment continuation supporter in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. The product lineup also includes the Okinawa souvenir set, produced at welfare support facilities in Okinawa Prefecture and supplied by the Okinawa SELP Center Foundation.

5. Provision of operational support application

The PIMTO UI operational support application will be provided, enabling users to easily check sales status, receive sold-out notifications, play pre-recorded sounds from robots, and request remote operators to relocate the robot from any location.

Inquiries:

(Inquiries regarding the PIMTO mobile robot vending service)Panasonic Holdings CorporationMobility Business Strategy Officemobility_info@ml.jp.panasonic.com

About the Panasonic Group
Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022 with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of 8,496.4 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2024. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

MIL OSI Economics –

March 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Elevates Home Art Experiences With New Art Basel Hong Kong Collection

Source: Samsung

▲ Zhu Jinshi’s This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room (2023) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.

Samsung Electronics, the Official Art TV of Art Basel, today announced that it is bringing contemporary masterpieces from galleries exhibiting at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 to a global audience. Starting today, subscribers of the Samsung Art Store, a premium digital art platform exclusively available on Samsung TVs, will have access to a curated collection of 23 select works from Art Basel’s galleries, some of which will be displayed at the highly anticipated fair, taking place from March 28-30,1 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The Samsung Art Store is home to 3,000+ works from world-renowned museums, galleries and artists. Subscribers can explore expertly curated masterpieces in stunning 4K resolution to bring the program of Art Basel galleries into their homes. The Art Basel Hong Kong collection includes renowned artworks such as Zhu Jinshi’s “This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room,” Ticko Liu’s “Enduring as the Universe,” Jimok Choi’s “Shadow of the Sun,” Bae Yoon Hwan’s “Green Bear,” and more.

“Samsung Art Store is making fine art more accessible than ever, bringing the premier artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel Hong Kong directly into people’s homes,” said Bongjun Ko, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business. “We are proud to expand this experience to more Samsung TV owners worldwide, allowing them to enjoy world-class artwork in stunning 4K quality with just a few clicks.”

Bringing the Art Basel Experience to Samsung TVs
▲ Ticko Liu’s Enduring as the Universe (2024) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.

Art Basel stages the world’s premier art shows for modern and contemporary art, sited in Hong Kong, Basel, Paris and Miami Beach. Through the Samsung Art Store, a curated selection of these masterpieces is now available beyond the exhibition halls, allowing art lovers worldwide to experience select artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel – all from the comfort of their homes.

To further highlight the intersection of art and technology, Samsung will present an interactive lounge, titled ArtCube,2 at Art Basel Hong Kong on March 28-30. The showcase will demonstrate how The Frame, MICRO LED and Neo QLED 8K redefine digital art experiences by displaying artwork, including those from the Art Basel collection in breathtaking detail. Under the theme “Borderless, Dive into the Art,” ArtCube visitors will engage with Samsung Art Store’s exclusive collections, bridging the gap between physical and digital art.

In addition to its ArtCube Lounge experience, Samsung presents a series of panel discussions highlighting influential voices from the contemporary art scene. Daria Greene, Head of Content and Curation at Samsung leads each engaging one-on-one dialogue. The conversations feature Hayley Romer, Chief Growth Officer of Art Basel, and Marc Dennis, an American artist known for his hyper-realistic paintings.

Expanding Samsung’s Digital Art Leadership
While previously exclusive to The Frame and MICRO LED, the Samsung Art Store will soon be available on 2025 Samsung AI-powered Neo QLED and QLED TVs,3 as part of Samsung’s mission to bring world-class art to an even bigger audience. In addition to the Art Basel Hong Kong collection, Samsung will continue its partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs by introducing exclusive artworks from Art Basel’s Basel and Paris collections later this year.

“We are proud to partner with Samsung Art Store on the 2025 Art Basel Hong Kong collection – extending Art Basel Hong Kong’s best-in-class cultural experience beyond the halls of the show, and creating new, year-round opportunities for ever broader audiences to engage with Art Basel’s distinguished international program of galleries and their artists,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel.

The Art Basel Hong Kong collection features works from 17 globally acclaimed artists, including Jimok Choi, Bae Yoon Hwan, Stephen Wong Chun Hei, Ticko Liu, Alasie Inoue, Tromarama, Damian Elwes, Zhu Jinshi, Nakai Katsumi, Cao Yu, Hamra Abbas, Nabil Nahas, Owen Fu, Sophie von Hellermann, Chow Chun Fai, Gillian Ayres and Gongkan.

For more information, visit www.samsung.com.

* The content has been revised to provide more accurate information.

About Art Basel
Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms including the Art Basel App and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Art Basel Awards. Art Basel’s Global Lead Partner is UBS. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.

1 Event is open to the public from March 28-30, after VIP opening from March 26-27.2 Samsung Lounge ‘ArtCube’ will be located in L3, the main exhibition floor inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.3 For models Q7F and above.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

March 17, 2025

Category: Asia

Raksha Mantri meets US Director of National Intelligence in New DelhiBoth countries explore avenues for collaboration in cutting-edge defence innovation & niche technologies

Raksha Mantri meets US Director of National Intelligence in New Delhi

Both countries explore avenues for collaboration in cutting-edge defence innovation & niche technologies