NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister greets everyone on Thaipoosam

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:14PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi greeted everyone today on the occasion of Thaipoosam.
    “May the divine grace of Lord Murugan guide us with strength, prosperity and wisdom. On this sacred occasion, I pray for happiness, good health and success for all”, Shri Modi remarked.  

    The Prime Minister posted on X;

    “Wishing everyone a joyous and blessed Thaipoosam!

    May the divine grace of Lord Murugan guide us with strength, prosperity and wisdom. On this sacred occasion, I pray for happiness, good health and success for all.

    May this day also bring peace and positivity into our lives!
    Vetrivel Muruganuku Arogara!”

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: USING OF STEEL FOR KUMBH MELA

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:09PM by PIB Delhi

    Steel is a de-regulated sector and the role of the Government is to facilitate the steel industry by laying down the policy guidelines and establishing the institutional mechanism/structure for creating conducive environment for fostering steel production, consumption and improving efficiency of the steel sector in the country. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has a dedicated marketing set-up responsible for marketing of carbon, alloy and special steel products produced by their steel plants.

    SAIL has supplied approximately 45,000 tonnes of steel for the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, being held in Prayagraj mostly to the Public Works Department (PWD), Uttar Pradesh State Bridges Corporation, Electricity Board and their suppliers.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INVESTMENT BY SAIL

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:08PM by PIB Delhi

    Capex of Rs. 5,700 crore and Rs. 7,500 crore have been approved for SAIL for financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 respectively. Capex includes expenditure against Milestone payments for completed schemes, progress payment for on-going schemes, Capital Repair/Spares and SAIL’s portion in capital expenditure in Joint Ventures.

    Steel industry has filed petitions to initiate investigations concerning imports with the designated authority on imports of flat steel products, CRNO and hot rolled coils.

    Steel is a de-regulated sector and the government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel sector. Decisions regarding setting up of steel plants are taken by the industry based on techno-commercial considerations taking into consideration factors such as raw material availability, ease of logistics, access to market etc.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NATIONAL STEEL POLICY, 2017

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:07PM by PIB Delhi

    Government of India has approved the infusion of ₹10,300.00 crore as equity capital in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) [including ₹500.00 crore already provided as emergency funds in September, 2024] and conversion of ₹1140.00 crore working capital loan as 7% Non-cumulative Preference Share Capital redeemable after 10 years, to keep RINL as a going concern.

    RINL at its full installed capacity has potential to produce 7.3 million tons of liquid steel and 6.7 million tons of saleable steel per annum.  India achieved 144.2 million tones steel production in 2023-24. The revival of RINL will help to achieve objectives of National Steel Policy, 2017.

    The approval of the Government is linked to increase in the capacity utilization of RINL from the current level of around 63% to 92.5% by the 3rd Quarter (October-December) of the Financial Year 2025-26. 

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WELFARE WORK UNDER CSR

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) carries out Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects conforming to provisions in Section 135 of Companies Act, 2013 and the CSR Rules and its amendments, mainly in the periphery of steel townships and mines. The thrust areas are promotion of education and health, women empowerment, sustainable income generation through self-help groups, assistance to divyangjan (people with special abilities), access to water and sanitation facilities, village development, environment sustenance, sports coaching, promotion of traditional art and culture. The details of SAIL’s CSR expenditure, thrust area-wise during the last three years is as follows: –

                                                                                                                            (Rs. Lakh)

    No.

    SAIL CSR Thrust Area-wise Expenditure

    21-22

    22-23*

    23-24*

    24-25 (H1)

    1

    Healthcare, Drinking Water, Sanitation & Social Security (Sr. Citizens & PwDs)

    6648

    4676

    3592

    357

    2

    Education

    850

    3041

    4398

    1157

    3

    Livelihood Generation/Skills Development and Women Empowerment

    333

    1574

    1739

    92

    4

    Sports, Art & Culture

    213

    2695

    3288

    124

    5

    Rural Development & Environment Sustenance

    1211

    3616

    2885

    98

    6

    Administrative Overheads, etc.

    169

    644

    291

    9

     

    Total

    9424

    16246*

    16193*

    1837

    *(includes Rs.51.73 cr. in FY 22-23 & Rs.78.26 cr. in FY 23-24 w.r.t. ongoing CSR projects)

    SAIL has undertaken CSR projects in the aspirational districts namely Kanker, Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon Districts in the state of Chhattisgarh; Bokaro, West Singhbhum and Ranchi Districts in the state of Jharkhand, and Banka District in the state of Bihar in the year 2023-24. In the state of Bihar, SAIL has taken three projects under CSR in the year 2023-24.

    To evaluate the overall impact of the CSR Programmes/Projects carried out by SAIL in terms of its alignment with the needs of society and the CSR policy of SAIL, impact assessment survey is undertaken for select projects.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ELECTRICAL VEHICLES IN RURAL AND SEMI-URBAN AREAS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:01PM by PIB Delhi

    As per the e-Vahan portal, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, as on 08/02/2025 the total EVs registered is 56.75 lakh and total registered vehicles are 3,897.71 lakhs.

    The PM E-DRIVE scheme ensures accessibility and affordability of electric vehicles (EVs) through targeted subsidies and demand incentives for e-2Ws and e-3Ws on pan-India basis including rural and semi-urban areas.  The scheme also has allocation of Rs.2,000 crore for installation of EV charging infrastructure across the country and address the issue of range anxiety among EV buyers.

    The PM E-DRIVE Scheme emphasis on providing affordable and environment friendly public transportation options for the masses.  Scheme is applicable mainly to vehicles used for public transport or those registered for commercial purposes in e-3W, e-trucks and other new emerging EV categories on pan-India basis including Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ENHANCEMENT OF E-VEHICLES

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The ₹10,900 crore PM E-Drive scheme aims to enhance electric mobility in India and contribute to the country’s environmental goals through several key strategies.  The scheme is available till 31.03.2026.  The scheme aims to achieve its objective in the following manner:

    1. Faster Adoption of EVs: The scheme seeks to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles by reducing their upfront costs through demand incentives.
    2. Charging Infrastructure: A significant focus is on establishing a robust charging infrastructure network to build confidence among EV users and support the growing EV fleet.
    3. EV Manufacturing Ecosystem: The scheme promotes the development of a local EV manufacturing ecosystem, ensuring long-term sustainability and reducing reliance on imports.
    4. Emphasis on Public Transport: Prioritising EVs for public transport and commercial use aims to provide environmentally friendly transportation options for the masses, thereby reducing overall emissions.
    5. Reduced Reliance on Fossil Fuels: By promoting electric mobility, the scheme intends to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and lower emissions from the transportation sector.

    The key benefits expected from the implementation of the PM E-Drive scheme for both consumers and manufacturers are as follows:

    1. For Consumers: Demand incentives lower the initial cost of EVs, making them more accessible for EV buyers.
    2. For Manufacturers: Demand incentives directly stimulate the demand for EVs, boosting sales and production volumes. The Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) supports the localisation of EV components, fostering domestic manufacturing capabilities.

    The steps taken under the scheme to support and incentivize the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) across different regions of India are as follows:

    1. Financial Support: Demand incentives of ₹5,000 per kWh in FY 2024-25 and ₹2,500 per kWh in FY 2025-26 are provided for e-2W and e-3W categories.  These incentives are capped at 15% of the ex-factory price.
    2. E-Buses: The scheme allocates ₹4,391 crore for the rollout of 14,028 e-buses.
    3. Prioritising Scrapping: For grants to deploy e-buses, cities/states that procure new e-buses after scrapping old STU buses through authorised RVSFs are to be preferred.

    To ensure the successful deployment and monitoring of the PM E-DRIVE scheme and to maximize its impact, Project Implementation and Sanctioning Committee (PISC), an inter-ministerial empowered committee, headed by the Secretary of Heavy Industries, is constituted. PISC does overall monitoring, sanctioning, and implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme. This committee is also responsible for removing any obstacles or difficulties that may arise during implementation.

    The scheme will facilitate the growth of the electric vehicle industry and create job Opportunities in the sector in the following manner:

    1. Domestic Manufacturing: The Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) mandates progressive localisation of EV components, boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing import dependence.
    2. Charging Infrastructure Development: Investment in charging infrastructure creates opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs in installation, maintenance, and operation.
    3. Incentives for local manufacturing: The minimum of 50% percentage of domestic value addition (DVA) in manufacturing of EV Charger is a boost for local component manufacturer.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDIAN CAPITAL GOODS SECTOR

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 12:59PM by PIB Delhi

    Under the Scheme for “Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase- II, Ministry of Heavy Industries has sanctioned a Common Engineering Facility Centre (CEFC) at Welding Research Institute (WRI), Trichy- BHEL for imparting skilling in Advanced Welding Technologies.  The total project cost is Rs. 87.06 Crore out of which sanctioned MHI grant is Rs. 69.648 Crore.  Under this project, so far more than 7000 welding professionals have been trained.  Further, this is a Pan India demand driven Scheme and state-wise distribution/ details are not mandated in the Scheme.

    The details of the funds allocated and its utilization under the Scheme for “Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase- I and II” is as given under:

    (Amount in Rs Crores)

    Financial Year

    Allocation at RE stage

    Funds released

    2014-15

    24.00

    2.80

    2015-16

    23.00

    22.87

    2016-17

    60.50

    59.97

    2017-18

    110.00

    109.72

    2018-19

    110.50

    110.4483

    2019-20

    102.30

    102.16184

    2020-21

    55.52

    54.2197

    2021- 22

    29.00

    28.933925

    2022-23

    199.60

    199.24

    2023-24

    187.20

    83.3431

    2024-25

    120.00/184.00 *

     (As on 03.02.2025) 134.55  

    * Current allocation

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM E-DRIVE SCHEME FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 12:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India has notified ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme’ on 29.09.2024 to provide impetus to the green mobility & development of EV eco-system in the country.  The scheme has an outlay of ₹10,900 crore over a period of two years from 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2026. The Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024 implemented for a period of six months from 01.04.2024 to 30.09.2024, is subsumed in PM E-DRIVE scheme.

    Salient features of PM E-DRIVE scheme:

    1. Introduction of E- Vouchers: – The Ministry of Heavy Industry (MHI) has introduced E-vouchers for Electric vehicle buyer to avail the demand incentive under the scheme.
    2. Introduction of new vehicle segments: – An allocation ₹500 crore each has been done for deployment of e-ambulances and e-trucks under the scheme.
    3. Upgradation of testing agencies: ₹780 Crore has been earmarked for upgradation of vehicles testing agencies, identified under the scheme.

    The scheme has following three components:

    1. Subsidies: ₹3,679 crore as demand incentives for approximately 28 lakh e-2W, e-3W, e-ambulances, e-trucks & other new emerging EV categories;
    2. Grants: ₹7,171 crore for creation of capital assets i.e., e-buses, establishment of network of charging stations & upgradation of vehicle testing agencies identified under this scheme; and
    3. Administration of Scheme including IEC (Information, Education & Communication) activities and fee for Project Management Agency (PMA).

    The PM E-DRIVE scheme includes incentives for consumers and not manufacturers.  It aims to boost demand for electric vehicles (EVs) through various incentives detailed below:

    1. Demand Incentives: These incentives directly reduce the upfront cost of EVs for consumers at the point of purchase.  The government reimburses the incentive amount to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
    2. Financial Support for Charging Infrastructure: The scheme allocates ₹2,000 crore for establishing public charging infrastructure for various vehicle categories.
    3. Grants for Capital Assets: The scheme has provisions of ₹4,391 crore as grants to support deployment of 14,028 e-buses by Public Transport Authorities and ₹780 crore as grants for the upgradation of vehicle testing agencies identified under the scheme. Vehicles which are registered as “Motor Vehicle” as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) will only be eligible for incentives. Vehicles fitted with only advanced batteries and satisfying performance criteria as notified under the scheme are eligible under the Scheme. 

    Yes, there is mechanisms in place to monitor and assess the implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme. Project Implementation and Sanctioning Committee (PISC), an inter-ministerial empowered committee, headed by the Secretary of Heavy Industries, is constituted for overall monitoring, sanctioning, and implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme.  This committee is also responsible for removing any obstacles or difficulties that may arise during implementation.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP conducts comprehensive investigation into suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection cluster at PMH

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CHP conducts comprehensive investigation into suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection cluster at PMH
    CHP conducts comprehensive investigation into suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection cluster at PMH
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         The Head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Albert Au, said today (February 11) that the CHP is conducting a comprehensive investigation into a suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection cluster, involving three doctors in the Oncology Department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), with one of them passed away on February 7.     After receiving notification from PMH yesterday (February 10), the CHP representatives, together with representatives from PMH and the Chair of Infectious Diseases of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, conducted an inspection of the workplace of the Oncology Department and other facilities of the hospital this morning.     “The case involves three oncologists at the hospital. Initial investigation revealed that they developed symptoms on February 4, 6 and 10 respectively. Symptoms included fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea. One of them, who had onset of symptoms on February 4, was admitted to PMH for treatment on February 6 and passed away the following day. The other two affected persons had mild symptoms,” Dr Au said.     “Preliminary test results showed that the stool specimen from one of the three affected persons tested positive for STEC, while that of the other two affected persons (including the deceased patient) tested negative. Taking into account the clinical and epidemiological information, the CHP tentatively believed that the cluster may be associated with STEC infection,” he said.      The CHP’s epidemiological and environmental investigations are ongoing. The CHP will continue to collaborate with the Hospital Authority and the Department of Microbiology of the HKU to investigate the incident and trace the potential source of infection.     PMH has strengthened the monitoring of the gastrointestinal symptoms among its staff and has requested any staff members with relevant symptoms to report immediately for laboratory tests. The PMH has also arranged comprehensive disinfection of the oncology office area.     In general, STEC infections are usually associated with the consumption of contaminated food or water, such as raw or undercooked meat products, contaminated fruits and vegetables, and unpasteurised dairy products. Direct person-to-person transmission through the faecal-oral route can also occur.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 11, 2025Issued at HKT 20:05

    NNNN

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRANSPARENCY IN WORKING OF NMDC

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 12:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has informed that the Government of India has implemented various measures through technological intervention to ensure transparency in the day to day administration such as Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS), Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System (Bhavishya), Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), Public Financial Management System (PFMS), Government e- Market (GeM), Foreign Visit Management System (FVMS), Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window (SPARROW), e- Leave Management System, Employee Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS), e-Office, etc.

    Ministry of Steel has informed that NMDC publishes the contact details of key officials, including official landline numbers and email IDs, on the official website of company to facilitate communication with stakeholders.  Mobile numbers of officials are not uploaded on company’s website to maintain data security, prevent misuse and comply with privacy regulations.

    Ministry of Steel has informed that NMDC has implemented several measures to ensure transparency, including:

    • Corporate Governance: NMDC adheres to the guidelines of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015 and the Companies Act, 2013, ensuring disclosures related to financial performance, board decisions, and risk management.
    • Public Disclosures: Financial results, project updates, and key policy decisions are regularly published on NMDC’s website and are in public domain.
    • CSR Initiatives: NMDC’s CSR activities are implemented in line with the Companies Act, 2013, with details of expenditures, projects, and impact assessments made available through annual reports and public disclosures.
    • Regular Public Consultations & Stakeholder Meetings at project locations.
    • Social Media & Digital Outreach for enhanced communication with the public.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s remarks at India Energy Week 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 12:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered his remarks at the India Energy Week 2025 via video message today. Addressing the gathering at Yashobhoomi, he emphasized that the attendees are not just part of the Energy Week, but are also integral to India’s energy ambitions. He extended a warm welcome to all participants, including distinguished guests from abroad, highlighting their crucial role in this event.

    Highlighting that experts worldwide are asserting that the 21st century belongs to India, Shri Modi remarked, “India is driving not only its growth but also the growth of the world, with the energy sector playing a significant role”. He emphasized that India’s energy ambitions are built on five pillars: harnessing resources, encouraging innovation among brilliant minds, economic strength and political stability, strategic geography making energy trade attractive and easier, and commitment to global sustainability. The Prime Minister noted that these factors are creating new opportunities in India’s energy sector.

    Underlining that the next two decades are crucial for a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister highlighted that several significant milestones will be achieved in the next five years. He noted that many of India’s energy goals are aligned with the 2030 deadline, including the addition of 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, achieving net zero carbon emissions for Indian Railways, and producing five million metric tons of green hydrogen annually. He acknowledged that these targets may seem ambitious, but the achievements of the past decade have instilled confidence that these goals will be attained.

    “India has grown from the tenth largest to the fifth largest economy in the past decade”, remarked Shri Modi. He highlighted that India’s solar energy generation capacity has increased thirty-two times in the last ten years, making it the third-largest solar power generating nation in the world. He noted that India’s non-fossil fuel energy capacity has tripled and that India is the first G20 country to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Prime Minister emphasized India’s achievements in ethanol blending, with a current rate of nineteen percent, leading to foreign exchange savings, substantial farmer revenue, and significant reductions in CO2 emissions. He highlighted India’s goal of achieving a twenty percent ethanol mandate by October 2025. He remarked that India’s biofuels industry is ready for rapid growth, with 500 million metric tonnes of sustainable feedstock. He further noted that during India’s G20 presidency, the Global Biofuels Alliance was established and is continuously expanding, now involving 28 nations and 12 international organizations. He highlighted that this alliance is transforming waste into wealth and setting up Centers of Excellence.

    Highlighting that India is continuously reforming to fully explore the potential of its hydrocarbon resources, Shri Modi highlighted that major discoveries and extensive expansion of gas infrastructure are contributing to the growth of the gas sector, increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix. He noted that India is currently the fourth largest refining hub and is working to increase its capacity by 20 percent.

    Pointing out that India’s sedimentary basins hold numerous hydrocarbon resources, some of which have already been identified, while others await exploration, the Prime Minister highlighted that to make India’s upstream sector more attractive, the Government introduced the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP). He emphasized that the Government has provided comprehensive support to the sector, including opening the Exclusive Economic Zone and establishing a single-window clearance system. Shri Modi noted that changes to the Oilfields Regulation & Development Act now offer stakeholders policy stability, extended leases, and improved financial terms. He emphasized that these reforms will facilitate the exploration of oil and gas resources in the maritime sector, increase production, and maintain strategic petroleum reserves.

    Prime Minister underlined that due to several discoveries and the expanding pipeline infrastructure in India, the supply of natural gas is increasing. He emphasized that this will lead to a rise in the utilization of natural gas in the near future. He also highlighted that there are numerous investment opportunities in these sectors.

    “India’s major focus is on Make in India and local supply chains”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He highlighted the significant potential for manufacturing various types of hardware, including PV modules, in India. The Prime Minister noted that India is supporting local manufacturing, with the solar PV module manufacturing capacity expanding from 2 gigawatts to approximately 70 gigawatts in the past ten years. He emphasized that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has made the sector more attractive, promoting the manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules.

    Highlighting the significant opportunities for innovation and manufacturing in the battery and storage capacity sector, the Prime Minister remarked that India is rapidly advancing towards electric mobility and emphasized the need for swift action to meet the demands of such a large country in this sector. Shri Modi noted that the current year’s budget includes numerous announcements supporting green energy. He highlighted that the Government has exempted several items related to the manufacturing of EV and mobile phone batteries from basic customs duty. This includes cobalt powder, lithium-ion battery waste, lead, zinc, and other critical minerals. He remarked that the National Critical Minerals Mission will play a crucial role in building a robust supply chain in India. He also highlighted the promotion of the non-lithium battery ecosystem. The Prime Minister emphasized that the current year’s budget has opened the nuclear energy sector, and every investment in energy is creating new jobs for the youth and generating opportunities for green jobs.

    “To strengthen India’s energy sector, the Government is empowering the public”, emphasised the Prime Minister. He highlighted that ordinary families and farmers have been made energy providers. He remarked that the PM Suryagarh Free Electricity Scheme was launched last year, and its scope is not limited to energy production. He noted that this scheme is creating new skills in the solar sector, developing a new service ecosystem, and increasing investment opportunities.

    Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to providing energy solutions that energize growth and enrich nature. He expressed confidence that this Energy Week would yield concrete outcomes in this direction. He encouraged everyone to explore every possibility emerging in India and extended his best wishes to all participants. 

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: COMPLETION OF MEHAR BABA COMPETITION-II

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 11:52AM by PIB Delhi

     IAF has been steering the second version of MBC-II. The competition was launched on 06 Apr 22 by honourable Raksha Mantri with theme as “Swarm Drone Based System to Detect Foreign Objects on Aircraft Operating Surfaces”. It got concluded on 29 Jul 24.

    Four out of initial 129 applicants, were shortlisted as finalists after rigorous assessments by a nominated Committee of Experts (CoE). It comprised of domain experts from IAF as well as civil institutes. The competition was held in four phases of which last phase was conducted in Jul 24. Based on the assessment, Ayaan Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Pune and Fleet RF Pvt Ltd, Greater Noida, have been declared as winner and first runner up respectively.

    IAF is undertaking niche technology development in the turf of Unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicles through its innovative initiative Mehar Baba Competition (MBC). The MBC is forerunner in bridging the gap between Indian industry, academia, and users by providing them common platforms.

    The competition has successfully forged a robust ecosystem, resulting in the capture of orders amounting more than thousand cores over the past three years from various industries including armed forces. This economic success is not just a testament to the MBC-II competitiveness but also underscores the potential for significant growth in the drone sector. An equally commendable achievement is the employment generation of thousands of individuals, predominantly fresh graduates from colleges and academia. The competition serves as a beacon, guiding the way for future advancements in UAV technology and reinforcing India’s position on the global stage and Honourable PM’s vision of Indian being a Global drone hub by 2030.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Auction of personalised vehicle registration marks this Saturday

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Auction of personalised vehicle registration marks this Saturday
    Auction of personalised vehicle registration marks this Saturday
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         The Transport Department (TD) today (February 11) reminded the public that an auction of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held this Saturday (February 15) in Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.      A total of 240 approved PVRMs will be put up for public auction. A list of the marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html.　　The reserve price of each of these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.      People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction are reminded to take note of the following points: (1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after successful bidding: (i) the identity document of the successful bidder;(ii) the identity document of the purchaser (if the purchaser and the successful bidder are different persons);(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the purchaser is a body corporate); and(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed. Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted. (2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted. (3) A PVRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate. (4) The display of a PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations. (5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed. (6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the PVRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the PVRM within 12 months, allocation of the PVRM will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.      “Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman said.      For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRM, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 11, 2025Issued at HKT 14:30

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Defence Secretary holds bilateral meetings on the sidelines of Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 11:51AM by PIB Delhi

    Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh held a bilateral meeting with Minister for the House of Lords, UK Lord Vernon Coaker on the sidelines of 15th Aero India in Bengaluru on February 11, 2025. They briefly reviewed the ongoing defence cooperation, particularly industrial collaboration, and the ongoing engagements in the maritime domain. They expressed satisfaction over the beginnings being made in key cooperation areas such as Electric Propulsion and aero engines. 

    Earlier, the Defence Secretary co-chaired a UK-India Business Council roundtable meeting with Lord Coaker and British High Commissioner to India Ms Lindy Cameron. This roundtable discussed the opportunities for Indian & UK defence companies to work together on ongoing and future joint projects. A large number of UK defence industries attended the roundtable while Indian industry was represented by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers leadership. 

    The Defence Secretary also held a bilateral meeting with Under Secretary of State for Defence, Italy Mr Matteo Perego Di Cremnago. They discussed ways & means to enhance the defence cooperation activities, including increased maritime and air exchanges, and joint project opportunities for Indian & Italian companies.

     ***

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2101615) Visitor Counter : 16

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESS RELEASE – Signing Ceremony of The Project for Construction of Training Centre of Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organizations under JAPAN’S GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR GRASS-ROOTS HUMAN SECURITY PROJECTS (GGP)

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    The Government of Japan in partnership with the Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organizations (SUNGO) has marked a significant milestone with the formal signing ceremony to approve funding under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP). H.E. Mr. SUZUKI Ryotaro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa signed over the grant of up to USD 137,222 (approximately SAT 367,755) to the CEO of SUNGO, Fuimaono Vaitolo Ofoia.

    The grant will facilitate the construction of a new single-story concrete training center (232.8㎡) in Vaitele-tai village, Upolu Island. This facility will include a large conference room, a small meeting room, an office with amenities, a storage room, a kitchen, and restrooms designed for accessibility. Serving as a vital hub, it will empower approximately 230 NGOs and community stakeholders, accommodating an estimated 50 training sessions throughout the year, with each session expecting between 30 to 60 participants.

    Additionally, the center will have a significant impact on village communities by enhancing their knowledge and skills to address key human security challenges. These training sessions will provide education on governance, civil society development, and climate change mitigation, equipping participants with the necessary skills to respond effectively.

    The Signing Ceremony not only formalizes the approved grant but also symbolises Japan’s enduring partnership with Samoa in promoting grass-roots development initiatives.

    The Government of Japan remains committed to supporting small-scale projects that directly benefit communities at the grass-roots level while contributing to the socio-economic development of the Independent State of Samoa through its GGP.

    Ends.

    SOURCE – Embassy of Japan in Samoa

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs on ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs on ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi

    Under the leadership of Modi Ji, the country is witnessing a ‘digital revolution’, to face the challenges of cyber security one needs to understand its size and scale

    AI will be used to identify and close the mule accounts before they are made operational

    To prevent cybercrime, Home Minister stresses on raising awareness on Modi Ji’s mantra of ‘Stop-Think-Taje Action’

    Modi government is moving forward with a four-pronged strategy to tackle cybercrimes: Convergence, Coordination, Communication, and Capacity

    Union Home Minister says that to prevent cybercrimes, there should be a greater focus on increasing awareness among the public and promoting the Cyber Helpline ‘1930’

    The three basic elements of cyberspace – software, services, and users are important in tackling cyber frauds

    The members gave suggestions on issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ and appreciated the steps taken by the Govt.

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 11:41AM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah  chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs on the topic of ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, members of the Committee, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The committee discussed various issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ during the meeting.

    Addressing the meeting, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that in recent years, there has been an expansion of digital infrastructure in India, which has naturally led to an increase in the number of cyber attacks. He said that when we look at cyberspace from a different perspective, it forms a complex network of ‘software,’ ‘services,’ and ‘users.’ He emphasized that until we consider controlling cyber fraud through ‘software,’ ‘services,’ and ‘users,’ it will be impossible to resolve the issues of cyberspace. Shri Shah further mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several significant steps towards making India a cyber-safe nation.

    Shri Amit Shah said that cybercrime has erased all geographical boundaries. He stated that it is a ‘borderless’ and ‘formless’ crime, as it has no limits or fixed form. He mentioned that India has witnessed a ‘digital revolution’ in the last decade. Without understanding the size and scale of the ‘digital revolution,’ we cannot face the challenges in the cyber domain.

    Union Home Minister said that today, 95 per cent villages in the country are digitally connected, and one lakh gram panchayats are equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots. In the past ten years, the number of internet users has increased by 4.5 times. He mentioned that in 2024, a total of 246 trillion transactions worth ₹17.221 lakh crore were made through UPI. In 2024, 48 per cent of the global digital transactions took place in India. He also said that in terms of the startup ecosystem, India has become the third-largest country in the world. In 2023, the contribution of the digital economy to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was around ₹32 lakh crore, which is 12 per cent, and nearly 15 million jobs were created.

    Shri Amit Shah said that today India has become the third-largest country in terms of digital landscape in the world. The digital economy contributes 20 per cent to the total economy of India. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ goal is to ensure zero cybercrime cases and their FIRs.

    Union Home Minister said that to tackle cybercrime, we have adopted four types of strategies, which include Convergence, Coordination, Communication, and Capacity. All of these are being implemented with clear objectives and a strategic approach. He mentioned that inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination within the Ministry of Home Affairs has been strengthened, ensuring seamless communication and smooth flow of information.

    Shri Amit Shah said that a healthy tradition of exchange of information between the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and IT, CERT-IN, I4C, and departments like Telecom and Banking has led to successfully tackling many cybercrime cases.

    Union Home Minister emphasized the importance of raising awareness among the public to prevent cybercrime and requested all the members of the committee to promote the I4C helpline number 1930. He stated that in light of cyber financial fraud, the ‘1930’ helpline provides a one-point solution offering various services, such as blocking cards.

    Shri Amit Shah said that efforts are underway to use Artificial Intelligence for identifying mule accounts, in coordination with the Reserve Bank and all banks, to establish a system for their detection. He mentioned that we will ensure the closure of mule accounts before they are even operational. Union Home Minister stated that the government has also ensured that people are made aware of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra ‘STOP-THINK-TAKE ACTION’ in order to make them more vigilant against cybercrimes.

    Union Home Minister stated that a total of 1 lakh 43 thousands FIRs have been registered on the I4C portal, and over 19 crore people have used this portal. He mentioned that, for national security reasons, 805 apps and 3,266 website links have been blocked based on I4C’s recommendations. Additionally, 399 banks and financial intermediaries have come on board. Over 6 lakh suspicious data points have been shared, more than 19 lakh mule accounts have been caught, and suspicious transactions worth ₹2,038 crore have been prevented.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Cyber Crime Forensic Training Labs have been established in 33 states and union territories. On the ‘CyTrain’ platform, a “Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)” platform, 101,561 police officers have registered, and over 78,000 certificates have been issued.

    The committee members gave their suggestions on issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ and appreciated the important steps taken by the government for enhancing cyber security.

    ***

    RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2101613) Visitor Counter : 46

    Read this release in: Hindi

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRDO showcases indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations at Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India

    DRDO showcases indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations at Aero India 2025

    Full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is on display

    Seminar on ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat: Make in India – Make for World’ to foster industry engagement, promote self-reliance in defence and provide boost to defence exports

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 10:47AM by PIB Delhi

                Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with an endeavour to integrate various stakeholders of defence R&D ecosystem in the country, is participating in the 15thedition of Aero India during February 10-14, 2025 at the Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. It will feature indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations in all formats, i.e., Indoor Pavilion, Outdoor Displays, India Pavilion and Flying display.

    DRDO for the first time is showcasing a full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) equipped with cutting-edge features at the India Pavilion. This Pavilion at Aero India 2025 will showcase India’s commitment to its Make-in-India initiative by displaying indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technologies ready for the global stage. The pavilion exemplifies the combined strength of India’s private industries, Defence PSUs, start-ups, and DRDO.

    Apart from this, visitors to this Pavilion will gain insight from 16 other DRDO developed products and technologies being displayed such as Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF); LCA Mk-2 Model; Air Droppable Container (ADC) -150; Advanced Light Weight Torpedo; Kaveri Derivate Aero Engine without afterburner , Naval Anti-ship missile – Medium Range and various other missiles.

                DRDO indoor pavilion at Hall-D at Aero India is meticulously divided into 9 themes, encompassing core areas of defence innovation. The themes are: ‘Airborne Surveillance Solutions’, ‘Naval Warfare’, ‘Next-Generation Missile Systems’, ‘Supremacy in the Skies – ADA’s 5th Gen Leap’, ‘Unmanned Aerial Systems’, ‘RadarScape: Mapping the Invisible’, ‘Maritime Sentinel: A New Era of Surveillance & Safety’, ‘Sensors Suite for Fighter Aircraft’ and ‘Rakshak’. The Pavilion is displaying over 330 products which are categorised into 14 technology zones. It will provide an in-depth exploration of key defence areas, namely Advanced Materials & Composites; Surveillance & Reconnaissance Technology; Antenna & Microwave Technology; Soldier Support Systems; Combat Aircraft Technology; Corporate Directorates; Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Security; Land Systems & Munitions; Missile Technology; Next-Gen Combat Vehicles & Tactical Mobility; Photonics, Laser and Quantum Technology; Electronic Warfare & Communication; Simulation & Training Technology; and Aero Propulsion Technology. The indoor pavilion is also displaying the products developed under Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme being executed by DRDO.

    The outdoor segment of DRDO pavilion is designed to demonstrate the real-world application of cutting-edge defence technologies featuring full-scale model of QRSAM Mobile Launcher Vehicle, Akash NG Launcher; Archer UAV 1:1 (Rustom-1); Air Droppable Survival and Rescue Kit (SARK); Emergency Escape Parachute System for Air Crew (EEPSA); Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS); Vehicle Mounted Jammer; Anti UAV (JAU) Entity of Project DHARASHAKTI, and VHF Radar. The demonstration of Dornier aircraft’s midlife upgrade is one of the main highlights of DRDO’s participation at the Aero Show. The upgraded Dornier is showcasing enhanced avionics, better fuel efficiency, advanced radar systems, enhanced manoeuvrability, integrated surveillance systems, and improved electronic warfare capabilities, reinforcing its role as a dependable asset of the Indian Air Force.

    DRDO will conduct a seminar with the theme ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat: Make in India – Make for World’ at Hall No. 2 on February 11, 2025. The seminar will foster industry engagement, promote self-reliance in defence and provide a boost to defence exports. Members of Academia, Indian Private Industry, StartUps, PSUs, and DRDO will participate in this seminar. Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event and will release the Revised Policy for ToT, DRDO Policy for Harnessing Innovative Startups in Defence R&D and Compendium of DRDO Products for Export. During the seminar, Handing Over of Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LATOT) to Industries will also take place. At the event, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. Samir V Kamat will chair a panel discussion on Opportunities for Industries in Defence Export to foster a collaborative environment for enhancing defence exports.

    Under the banner of Aero India 2025, an Indigenisation & Valedictory event themed as ‘SAMARTHYA’ will be organised on February 12 by Department of Defence Production (DDP), to recognise and felicitate the contributors of Indigenously developed cutting edge technologies. Five DRDO developed products have been recognised to be showcased and Team leader of these products will be felicitated by the Raksha Mantri.   The details are:

    1. Shri Y Dilip, Director ADE Bengaluru for Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)
    2. Dr MSY Siva Prasad, PD RudraM II, RCI Hyderabad
    3. Ms M Backialakshmi, CABS Bengaluru for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Receiver
    4. Smt T Sirisha, RCI, for Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range
    5. Shri Vishal Dwivedi, CFEES Delhi for Fire Wire for Integrated Fire Detection and Suppression System for BMP, T-72 and T-90.

    As a prelude to Aero India, DRDO also organised the 15th edition of the Biennial Aero India International Seminar in association with the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) during February 8-9, 2025 in Bengaluru. The theme of the seminar was ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies: Challenges in Design Validation’, covering emerging trends in futuristic aerospace technologies and military airworthiness & certification: challenges in design and testing. This seminar provided valuable insights about cutting-edge technologies, a platform to explore collaborative research opportunities and forge strategic partnerships, while advancing the future of aerospace and defence technologies.

    DRDO’s exhibition at Aero India 2025 is an excellent opportunity for the Indian aerospace community to foster the cause of indigenous development of military systems and technologies with the spirit of self-reliance & national pride. Working towards the vision of Samarth and Shashakt Bharat, DRDO is developing the indigenous capabilities of the country by equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art technologies/equipment, and bolstering the defence sector through collaboration with the private sector.

    *****

    VK/SR/KB

    (Release ID: 2101598) Visitor Counter : 76

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by Acting CE at media session before ExCo (with video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following are the remarks by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (February 11):

    Reporter: Good morning, Mr Chan. Some English questions. First about HKMAO Director Xia Baolong’s meeting with Hong Kong officials. How did the Government address Mr Xia on matters such as a budget deficit that Hong Kong is facing, and secondly, has the SAR Government formally filed a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding US tariffs on imports, and what further actions will the Government consider to take in response to the Trump administration’s move? Thank you.

    Acting Chief Executive: Thank you. Director Xia visited Hong Kong last Sunday, and he visited Hetao. I, together with other Principal Officials, reported to him the present situation of Hetao and also the future development of the Hetao area. Later on, in the afternoon, the Financial Secretary, together with some Principal Officials, attended a discussion session in Guangdong to report to Director Xia about the economic situation of Hong Kong. Director Xia is very concerned about Hong Kong. He highly recognised the work of the Hong Kong SAR Government under the leadership of the Chief Executive, and he also directed that we should try our very best to integrate into the Mainland’s national policies, especially the Greater Bay Area initiative. I think this is very important to Hong Kong. Of course, I think this is a very good occasion for us to communicate with Director Xia, so that we have a clear understanding of how the Central Government is thinking, especially how we should make good co-operation with our Guangdong counterparts.

         Regarding the US tariffs on Hong Kong, I think this is absolutely inconsistent with the WTO rules, of course, and also they have totally disregarded that Hong Kong is a separate customs territory. We will file a complaint with the WTO regarding this unreasonable arrangement.

    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing woman in Tin Sum (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appeal for information on missing woman in Tin Sum (with photo)
    Appeal for information on missing woman in Tin Sum (with photo)
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         Police today (February 11) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tin Sum.     Lau Suet-ying, aged 31, went missing after she got on a train towards Wu Kai Sha at MTR Hin Keng Station yesterday (February 10) morning. Her family then made a report to Police.          She is about 1.65 metres tall, around 70 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a dark grey jacket, a grey shirt, blue trousers, dark blue shoes and carrying a beige backpack.     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or 5217 5562 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 11, 2025Issued at HKT 11:38

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: City University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2025 to be introduced into LegCo for First Reading and Second Reading

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    City University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2025 to be introduced into LegCo for First Reading and Second Reading
    City University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2025 to be introduced into LegCo for First Reading and Second Reading
    ******************************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:      The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting tomorrow (February 12) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, City University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.      On Members’ motions, Mr Edmund Wong will move a motion on comprehensively reviewing the SAR Government’s use of resources to optimise its fiscal structure. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Tang Ka-piu will move an amendment to Mr Wong’s motion.      Dr Junius Ho will also move a motion on upholding the monogamous and heterosexual marriage system in Hong Kong. The motion is set out in Appendix 2.      Meanwhile, Dr Starry Lee will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure to take note of a report of the House Committee on consideration of subsidiary legislation and other instruments. The motion is set out in Appendix 3.      Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.      The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 11, 2025Issued at HKT 11:32

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESS RELEASE – Vodafone Samoa: Samoa’s Trusted Business Partner shares its Business Solutions with the Business Community

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    (6th February 2025)

    Apia, Samoa – The Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) held its first monthly Members Meeting for the 2025 calendar year on Monday 3rd February 2025. This meeting, hosted by Vodafone Samoa at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, shared Vodafone Samoa’s significant journey during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2024 and shared business products and solutions.

    The evening began with an opening prayer from SCCI Finance Manager Faraimo Leaia, followed by a policy presentation from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour consultant Leilani Vaa-Tamati on the Foreign Investment Amendment Bill 2025. This opportunity for dialogue strengthens

    SCCI’s Public-Private Partnership with the Government of Samoa and ensures future inclusion to provide feedback on relevant legislation.

    The meeting’s main event was a special presentation from Vodafone Samoa’s Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Tangavel Lutchmoodoo on Vodafone’s Business Solutions and new ICT services. As the Telecom and Digital Partner for CHOGM, Mr. Lutchmoodoo shared their CHOGM story where they played an important role in designing and developing the official website and registration portal as well as officially launching 5G during this period. Mr. Lutchmoodoo then presented Vodafone’s communications and enterprise solutions which included Vodafone as an authorized reseller for Starlink as well as its Cloud Hosting services. “The benefits of moving to Cloud are cost efficiency, innovation, transformation and performance. It will help minimize costs and maximize the return on your spending”, said Mr. Lutchmoodoo as he spoke on Vodafone’s Cloud Solutions.

    The SCCI Members Meetings serve as a forum for its members and the business community, to be given an update on the work conducted by the SCCI Executive Council and Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Chamber Vice President Tagaloa Nadia Meredith-Hunt and was followed by a networking session.

    ENDS

    SOURCE – Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESS RELEASE – PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS OF THE AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    (TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2025)

    His Excellency Mr Guillaume Lemoine presented his Letter of Credence to the Head of State of Samoa, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II at a presentation of credential ceremony held this morning at the Head of State’s official residence in Vailele accrediting His Excellency as the first resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Samoa.

    Samoa and France have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 1 March 1974. The Ambassador expressed that with over 50 years of diplomatic relations, the establishment of a permanent French Embassy in Apia is a historical step forward, which will contribute to strengthening the ties with Samoa and the French territories of French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna. The Head of State echoed the Ambassador’s sentiments and stated that the decision to set up an Embassy in Samoa “…places prominence on the recognition of our growing relations and the mutual respect we have for each other.”

    Both the Head of State and the Ambassador acknowledged the contributions of Ms Zita Martel as the French Honorary Consul in Samoa for the last 25 years in strengthening bilateral relations through the promotion of culture and friendship. Afioga Tuimalealiifano expressed that he is confident that the appointment of H.E Guillaume Lemoine as the first Ambassador of France to Samoa with residence in Apia, will further strengthen the existing relations between our two countries.

    His Excellency Mr Guillaume Lemoine holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science Management, a Post-graduate degree in Computerization of Organizations and is a former student of the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Mr Lemoine is a career diplomat who served in various diplomatic missions of France in Athens, Beirut, Kuwait and Lomé. Mr Lemoine was the Ambassador of France to Papua New Guinea prior to his appointment as the first resident Ambassador of France to Samoa. He was awarded distinctions in Medal of Honour of Foreign Affairs and as Knight of the National Order of Merit. Mr Guillaume Lemoine is married to Ms Olivia de Saint-Luc and they have three daughters.

    END.

    SOURCE – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

    Photos by the Government of Samoa (Leaosa Faaifo Faaifo)

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LD to hold exhibition on Employment Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LD to hold exhibition on Employment Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance
    LD to hold exhibition on Employment Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance
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         Members of the public are invited to visit an exhibition on the Employment Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance organised by the Labour Department in Southern District on February 13 and 14 (Thursday and Friday).     The exhibition will feature the main provisions of the Employment Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance, good human resource management measures, as well as employment rights and benefits for foreign domestic helpers. Related publications and souvenirs will be distributed and promotional videos will be shown.     The exhibition will be held at the Atrium, 1/F, West Commercial Block, Marina Square, 12A South Horizon Drive, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, from 11am to 6pm. Admission is free.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 11, 2025Issued at HKT 11:30

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Rajya Mantri holds a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 7:45AM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of 15thAero India in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025. In his meeting with Under Secretary of State for Defence, Italy Mr Matteo Perego Di Cremnago, both Ministers reviewed the various facets of bilateral defence cooperation including discussion about India’s growing capabilities in manufacturing equipment and development of indigenous systems. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the ties in all spheres.

    During the meeting with Minister for the House of Lords, UK Lord Vernon Coaker, both Ministers reviewed the bilateral defence cooperation and pledged to strengthen the relations. They also reiterated their commitment to work bilaterally and with other partners for peace, prosperity and rules-based world order, specifically in the Indo-Pacific & Indian Ocean Region wherein cooperation would ensure freedom of navigation and rule of law in the maritime & other domains.

    In his meeting with the Minister in Prime Minister’s Office (Defence and Security), Lesotho Mr Limpho Tau, both Ministers discussed the immense potential available in the field of defence exports and ways to expand the cooperation.

    *****

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2101574) Visitor Counter : 26

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LD to hold Youth Employment Expo

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Labour Department (LD) will hold the Youth Employment Expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on February 15 (Saturday). The Expo is an event jointly organised by the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Youth Employment Scheme, the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) and the Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.) of the LD, providing abundant opportunities to work locally and in GBA Mainland cities for young people aged 29 or below, as well as introducing the diverse youth employment services of the LD.
          
         The Chief Executive in the 2024 Policy Address announced measures to strengthen employment services and support for young people, including, starting from 2025, relaxing the eligibility requirements for the GBA Youth Employment Scheme to allow young people aged 29 or below with sub-degree or higher qualifications to join the Scheme and increasing the allowance granted to enterprises. Moreover, the upper age limit for YETP participants has been raised to provide employment support services to young people aged 15 to 29 with sub-degree or below qualifications.
          
         A total of 47 organisations from various industries, including airline services, hotels, banking, public services, retail, transport, construction, catering, tourism, security and technology, will join the Expo, providing over 1 200 on-the-job training vacancies for young people to work locally and in GBA Mainland cities. Eligible young job seekers are welcome to submit applications on the spot and may be invited for on-site interviews.
          
         The Expo also features career talks, sharing sessions, course introduction and demonstration of the programmes, employment consultation, interview preparation consultation, resume photo shooting, etc. Singers Ms Gin Lee and Mr Andy Lai will join the Expo and share their stories of pursuing their own career developments. The talk and sharing sessions will be conducted in Cantonese. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, the Youth Entrepreneurship Bazaar will also be run by business members of Y.E.S. at the Expo, selling a diverse range of handcrafted and innovative products. Members of the public are welcome to visit.
          
         The Expo will be held from 11am to 6pm at 3G Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Admission is free. Last admission time is 5.30pm. For details of the Expo, please visit the LD’s website www.labour.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Obesity market to reach $173.5 billion sales in 7MM by 2031, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Obesity market to reach $173.5 billion sales in 7MM by 2031, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    The number of patients living with obesity keeps growing, and following the recent advances in the therapeutic space, more patients are being prescribed pharmacotherapy on top of the usual diet and exercise lifestyle changes, which by themselves are often unsuccessful. With physicians and patients awareness expected to increase, sales of obesity medications are forecast to reach $173.5 billion in the seven major markets (7MM*) by 2031, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report “Obesity: Seven-Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis- Update” reveals that the revolution in obesity treatment is not over yet, and many changes are still needed to fulfill the unmet needs in the obesity space.

    Costanza Alciati, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The therapies available for obesity treatment are still limited, and many patients cannot access them due to their high cost. The most effective weight loss drugs on the market are currently Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro/Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide), which are expected to continue generating high sales for their respective manufacturers.”

    According to GlobalData, more than 200 million people currently live with obesity in 7MM, and the numbers will be growing at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.7% until 2031.

    Alciati continues: “Although Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are expected to maintain their role in the space, there is a big opportunity for new entrants. Pipeline therapies in development include drugs with new mechanisms of action, longer action resulting in a reduced number of treatment days, and oral candidates as potent as currently available injectables.”

    Alciati concludes: “Many promising new drugs are expected to reach the market in the next few years. This will not only continue revolutionizing the obesity space, but also the whole cardiometabolic diseases sector.”

    *7MM- US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and Japan

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Strengthens Its B2B Marketplace with Leading Furniture Suppliers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced a strong lineup of new suppliers joining its GigaCloud Marketplace, further solidifying its position as a trusted global B2B wholesale platform.

    New suppliers to the GigaCloud Marketplace include Purple Innovation Inc. (Nasdaq: PRPL), Homestyles, a brand of Flexsteel Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: FLXS), Corsicana Mattress Company, Restonic, Walker Edison, GhostBed, Simpli Home and others. These newly added suppliers have joined the GigaCloud Marketplace as new 3P sellers, encompassing a broad range of home furnishings, including living room furniture, bedroom bedding and furniture, dining room sets, and home office solutions. Many are known for their thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and versatility, appealing to a range of styles from contemporary to traditional.

    “This latest wave of new suppliers highlights the value and trust our platform brings to the evolving B2B market, demonstrating GigaCloud’s commitment to accelerating growth and product diversity,” said Larry Wu, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of GigaCloud. “By welcoming these esteemed suppliers, we continue to enhance our market leadership in large-parcel B2B ecommerce—empowering suppliers with expanded market reach, providing resellers with a broader selection of trusted products, and facilitating seamless global wholesale trade for businesses of all sizes.”

    “Partnering with GigaCloud has opened up exciting new avenues for Purple to extend our market presence,” said Mason Stephens, Vice President, Head of Wholesale at Purple Innovation Inc. “GigaCloud’s robust marketplace provides an efficient way to connect with a broader reseller base, enabling us to further drive our growth and bring Purple’s innovative comfort solutions to more businesses and their customers. We look forward to a promising future of growth and collaboration with GigaCloud.”

    “We are excited to partner with GigaCloud to bring our Homestyles brand to an innovative digital marketplace,” said Andrew Surdyka, VP of Strategic Accounts at Flexsteel Industries Inc. “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for us to enhance our digital presence and reach new customers while maintaining the high standards of quality and service that Flexsteel Industries is known for.”

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc 

    GigaCloud Technology Inc is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements  

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect our current view about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue” or similar expressions. 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. 

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact: 

    GigaCloud Technology Inc 
    Investor Relations 
    ir@gigacloudtech.com 

    PondelWilkinson, Inc. 
    Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com 
    George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: All Agency Banks to remain open for public on March 31, 2025 (Monday)

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    RBI/2024-25/112
    DOR.CO.SOG(Leg) No.59/09.08.024/2024-25

    February 11, 2025

    All Agency Banks

    Madam / Dear Sir

    All Agency Banks to remain open for public on March 31, 2025 (Monday)

    The Government of India has made a request to keep all branches of the banks dealing with Government receipts and payments open for transactions on March 31, 2025 (Monday-Public Holiday) so as to account for all the Government transactions relating to receipts and payments in the Financial Year 2024-25 itself. Accordingly, Agency Banks are advised to keep all their branches dealing with government business open on March 31, 2025 (Monday).

    2. Banks shall give due publicity about the availability of above banking services on this day.

    Yours faithfully

    (Sunil T S Nair)
    Chief General Manager

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to South African government again pressuring Taiwan to relocate liaison office

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to South African government again pressuring Taiwan to relocate liaison office

    February 2, 2025

    Since last October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been in communication with South Africa through diplomatic channels. In accordance with the principles of parity and dignity, MOFA has engaged with the South African government, seeking to understand its views on future bilateral relations while still staunchly refusing to accept unilateral changes to the status quo. In late January, however, the South African government sent another letter to the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa (TLO) demanding that it leave the capital city of Pretoria before the end of March. The South African government also attempted to downgrade the status of the TLO and have it renamed a trade office.

    Federal Chairperson Ivan Meyer of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, was recently sanctioned by the Chinese government for visiting Taiwan. That the South African government has yet again set a deadline for the TLO’s relocation out of Pretoria—despite ongoing negotiations with Taiwan—demonstrates that China is ramping up efforts to suppress Taiwan in South Africa. 

    Upon receiving a TLO report regarding the South African government’s repeated demand to relocate the office, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung again promptly convened a task force to discuss contingency measures. He remained in constant contact with the relevant MOFA officials both at home and abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday. He also instructed Director General Anthony Chung-yi Ho of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs to summon Representative Zakhele Mnisi of the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taiwan to convey the government’s serious concerns.

    MOFA reiterates that the Taiwan government remains steadfast in its refusal to accept the South African government’s unilateral violation of their bilateral agreement and that it will continue communicating with South Africa on the principles of parity and dignity. In line with the Taiwan government’s objectives, MOFA will adopt contingency measures depending on the South African government’s responses. It will also apprise the Taiwanese people and media of future developments at the appropriate times.

    MOFA once again solemnly urges the government of South Africa, which will host this year’s Group of 20 summit, to abide by the legal framework for bilateral relations signed in 1997. And before a consensus is reached through negotiations with Taiwan, MOFA calls on South Africa not to use coercive measures against the TLO or take any other action that could interfere with the TLO’s operations or services that it provides for Taiwanese abroad. 

    MIL OSI China News –