NewzIntel.com

Category: Banking

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Colleagues Demand USDA Reverse $1 Billion in Canceled Local Food Purchases for Maine Schools, Farmers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King is demanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reverse its cancelation of food purchase programs for food banks, schools and childcare centers in Maine and across the United States. In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins from King and a number of his colleagues, the Senators said the reported $1 billion in cancelled purchases by the USDA adds further pain at a time of high food prices and instability within U.S. agricultural markets. 

    “We ask that you reverse the cancellation,” the Senators wrote. “We have grave concerns that the cancellation…poses extreme harm to producers and communities in every state across the country. At a time of uncertainty in farm country, farmers need every opportunity to be able to expand market access for their products.” 

    In Maine, cancelation of purchases through USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) puts more than $1.3 million in local food purchases for food-insecure Maine people at risk in Fiscal Year 2025. 

    “At Good Shepherd Food Bank, we use LFPA funding to purchase fresh local produce from dozens of Maine farmers,” said Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “The reduction of these funds will have a significant negative impact on farmers who plan on this income continuity, and neighbors who benefit from this nutritious local produce. We appreciate [Senator King’s] consideration for reinstating this LFPA25 extension.”

    “The Maine School Nutrition Association would like to extend their gratitude and support of the letter that Senator King has sent to the USDA asking to reinstate Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) funds,” said Caroline Trinder, Maine School Nutrition Association President Elect. “These funds have been beneficial to both our students and farmers, with 119 districts in all 16 counties in Maine buying local. School districts have been able to source local fish, beef, dairy, and produce from our farmers and fishermen here in Maine. This food provides our children healthy, minimally processed foods that we are proud to serve in our cafeterias! Thank you, Senator King, for advocating for our students and farmers!”

    The full letter sent to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins can be found here and below.

    +++

    Dear Secretary Rollins:  

    We write to express serious concerns regarding the cancellation of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs supporting local and regional food purchases providing assistance to those in need. These successful programs, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), allow states, territories, and Tribes to purchase local foods from nearby farmers and ranchers to be used for emergency food providers, schools, and child care centers.  

    At a time when food insecurity remains high, providing affordable, fresh food to food banks and families while supporting American farmers is critical. Notably, LFPA and LFS have benefitted producers and consumers by providing funding for purchases through all 50 states, four territories, and 84 tribal governments. Through LFPA and LFS, USDA has prioritized the procurement and distribution of healthy, nutritious, domestic food. It has also taken an important step towards igniting rural prosperity by expanding and strengthening markets among farmers and rural economies. As of December 2024, the programs had supported over 8,000 producers, providing increased marketing opportunities.  

    Most importantly, we ask that you reverse the cancellation of LFPA and LFS. We also ask that you provide a thorough and complete update on USDA’s implementation of LFPA and LFS, including answers to the following questions:  

    1.        What is the status of reimbursements for entities that have agreements with USDA through LFPA and LFS? What is the last date for which states, territories, and Tribes received reimbursements for food purchases under LFPA and LFS?  

    2.        Has the Administration conducted any assessments of how these program cancellations will impact producers and recipient organizations (e.g., food banks, schools, child care centers)? If so, please provide a copy of any such assessments.  

    We have grave concerns that the cancellation of LFPA and LFS poses extreme harm to producers and communities in every state across the country. At a time of uncertainty in farm country, farmers need every opportunity to be able to expand market access for their products.  

    Please provide responses to the information requested in our questions no later than Friday, April 4. Thank you for your attention to this urgent and important matter.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Supports Developer Success With Mobile Cloud Gaming Platform

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics continues to push the boundaries of gaming on Galaxy devices with groundbreaking advancements. Through its mobile cloud gaming platform, Samsung is empowering mobile game developers and publishers of all sizes to expand their reach, maximize revenue potential and streamline game development with a comprehensive suite of software development kits (SDKs) and tools.
     
     
    Industry-Leading User Acquisition for Developers and Publishers
    In November 2024, Samsung officially commercialized its mobile cloud gaming platform in North America — providing developers and publishers with efficient new ways to reach millions of Galaxy device users while allowing players to instantly access games without waiting or downloading.
     
    The platform is already demonstrating significant value within the gaming community, as highlighted by a recent case study from VIZOR, the developer behind mobile title Klondike Adventures. After launching Klondike Adventures on Samsung’s mobile cloud gaming beta in July 2024, VIZOR experienced substantial growth in user acquisition — with millions of new players joining in less than a year. Additionally, the 60-day return on ad spend (ROAS) for VIZOR’s campaigns on Samsung’s platform was 25% higher than its standard ROAS for comparable campaigns during the same period.
     

     
    “VIZOR is constantly looking for new channels to attract players to its flagship game, Klondike Adventures,” said Helen Kostina, Chief Marketing Officer of VIZOR. “The results we have achieved together with Samsung’s mobile cloud gaming platform have exceeded our expectations, proving the potential of cloud technology. Moving forward, Samsung will remain an important part of our strategy to reach a wider audience.”
     
    “Our cloud gaming platform is changing the mobile landscape for both publishers and players,” said Jong Woo, Vice President and Head of Game Services at Samsung Electronics. “By converting an ad click directly into gameplay and eliminating the need for app store downloads, we are significantly increasing top-of-funnel conversion rates for publishers’ user acquisition campaigns and driving higher returns on their advertising investments. This increased efficiency is redefining how publishers scale their games while expanding the user base on Galaxy devices. For players, eliminating the wait time for downloads and installations also provides a new kind of discovery and play experience — one that is easy, instant and fun.”
     

    A New Approach to Performance Metrics in Cloud Gaming
    Samsung’s mobile cloud gaming platform also introduces a new cloud-based attribution solution in collaboration with leading mobile measurement partners (MMPs).
     
    Traditionally, user acquisition campaign attribution has depended on apps being installed and opened directly on a user’s device. This approach has been the industry standard for game publishers to track new app installs from their ad campaigns, allowing them to measure ROI based on the overall monetization of acquired users.
     
    With cloud gaming, players can instantly jump into gameplay without installing an app — disrupting traditional attribution models. To address this challenge, Samsung partnered with leading MMP AppsFlyer to develop a first-of-its-kind solution that attributes an ad click and the resulting cloud-based gameplay as an app install.
     
    “Cloud gaming is transforming how players access and experience games, and attribution needs to evolve alongside it,” said Adam Smart, Director of Product, Gaming at AppsFlyer. “AppsFlyer has partnered with Samsung to redefine what an install means in a cloud environment. As our technologies evolve, our measurement capabilities must adapt as well. Together, we have pioneered an entirely new way for developers and publishers to track and optimize ad campaign performance — without requiring players to physically install a game.”
     
    Beyond initial attribution, the cloud-based solution allows developers and publishers to track in-game performance including purchases.
     

    New Benefits and Opportunities With Galaxy Store

     
    Unlocking the benefits of Samsung’s mobile cloud gaming platform on Galaxy devices is seamless, thanks to its integration with the existing Galaxy Store infrastructure. Developers and publishers can leverage Samsung’s suite of SDKs and tools to easily build on the platform. Furthermore, the platform supports existing in-game monetization models for a smooth transition and full compatibility with current operations.
     
    Building on this commitment to developers and publishers, Samsung is updating its public terms to put more revenue back into their hands — introducing an 80/20 revenue share model for games on the Galaxy Store. This structure also applies to titles built on Samsung’s cloud gaming platform, providing even greater opportunities for partners. The new revenue share model will take effect on May 15, 2025.
     
    Samsung’s mobile gaming ecosystem — spanning its cloud platform and the Galaxy Store — provides premium promotional support and direct distribution to millions of pre-loaded Galaxy devices worldwide. This integrated approach drives unmatched efficiency and profitability for both developers and publishers.
     
    Those interested in learning more about the Galaxy Store terms and expanding their mobile game distribution with Samsung’s cloud technology can visit Samsung’s Developer page.
     
    For more information and updates on the Galaxy Store, visit https://galaxystore.samsung.com/games.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why has the Gaza ceasefire collapsed? Why has the US launched aistrikes in Yemen? Middle East expert Q&A

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin

    For the past few weeks, the world’s attention has been focused on the prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine and the diplomatic manoeuvrings that has entailed. But while Donald Trump has been focusing on negotiations with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, the ceasefire deal in Gaza he had a hand in getting over the line appears to have fallen apart.

    After negotiations with Hamas broke down, Israel cut off all humanitarian aid to Gaza at the beginning of March, then cut off power, and overnight on March 17 launched massive airstrikes across the Strip, killing more than 400 people.

    Meanwhile, the US has responded to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea with massive airstrikes against the Iran-back Houthi rebels. This has been widely interpreted as a message to Iran’s leaders from Trump, who is putting pressure on the Iranian government to negotiate a new nuclear deal to replace the one struck in 2013 which was rejected by the US president in 2018.

    Scott Lucas, a Middle East expert at University College Dublin, addresses some of the key issues involved.

    Do the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza mean the ceasefire deal is officially dead?

    Yes. This is the end of the two-month ceasefire that paused Israel’s open-ended war on Gaza. The six-week phase one of the ceasefire officially ended on March 1, after some hostages held by Hamas were exchanged for some Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

    There never was a possibility of a phase two. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing pressure from hard-right groups inside and close to his government and still vowing to destroy Hamas, was never going to accept a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas remaining in the Strip. Hamas was never going to accept eviction – and there was no prospect of agreement on a successor Palestinian government for Gaza.

    So Netanyahu, also being pressed by families of the remaining 59 hostages, sought an extension of phase one with the return of all those dead or alive. Hamas, whose last leverage is retaining those hostages, demanded a phase two.

    Israel cut off humanitarian assistance earlier this month. Returning to the aerial assault was the next step. The renewal of ground attacks will be next.



    Read more:
    Gaza ceasefire deal looks doomed as Israel blockades Strip and bars entry of humanitarian aid

    What is Israel’s long-term plan for Gaza?

    There is no long-term plan at the moment. Netanyahu needs a short-term return of the hostages to escape his political bind, not to mention his ongoing bribery trial.

    Israel’s hard right – and Donald Trump – may envisage a depopulated Gaza under Israeli military rule. But all such ambitions will be suspended as the death and destruction continues.

    What has been overshadowed is the possibility of a long-term plan in the West Bank, where Israel has been stepping up military operations and violence is escalating. As the world watches Gaza, the Israelis may seek to expand and consolidate their de facto rule through settlements in a programme which will be tantamount to annexation.

    Donald Trump saw the Gaza ceasefire as his deal. How will he react to Netanyahu breaking it?

    Trump was happy to grab the immediate, self-proclaimed glory of “peacemaker” for phase one.

    Since there was no possibility of being a peacemaker for a phase two, Trump set this aside for the fantasy of Trump Gaza and his golden statue on the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

    Now he will be content to blame and bash Hamas.

    Meanwhile the US has been attacking the Houthis in Yemen. What is Trump’s strategy here?

    The airstrikes are, in part at least, Trump speaking to the American public. He poses as a “peacemaker” at times, but he enjoys playing the tough guy. And, at a time when economic issues and Musk-inflicted chaos may dent his approval rating, he could rally support with the bombing.

    At the same time, Trump has carried out his standard ploy with Iran’s leaders: give me a photo opportunity for the “art of the deal” or I’ll “rain hell on you”.

    A direct strike on Tehran would unleash repercussions throughout the Middle East. Even though Iran has been weakened in the past year, it still has the capability to strike Americans in the region.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    So the low-cost option is to fire on Iran’s ally in Yemen. Some officials in the Trump administration will favour this as a way of putting pressure on the Iranians ahead of any potential talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Others will see this as part of backing for Israel amid the open-ended war in Gaza, and still others could endorse the step as a bolstering of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. And there is always the argument that the strikes could deter Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

    The Iranian response has been fairly muted. Why is that?

    Iran’s leadership is embroiled in a combination of economic, social and regional problems, perhaps the most serious situation since the mass protests after the disputed 2009 presidential election.

    Tehran’s projection of power has been shaken by the fall of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the decimation of Hezbollah in Lebanon last year, and an eroding position in Iraq, where Iran’s influence over the government of prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is looking increasingly tenuous.

    The economy is in a parlous state. In early 2018, the exchange rate was 45,000 Iranian rial to the dollar. Now it is approaching 1 million to the dollar.

    Inflation is officially at 36%, but is far higher in reality, particularly for food and other essentials. Unemployment is rising and infrastructure is crumbling. There are shortages of electricity in a country that is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer.

    Having faced the “Woman, life, freedom” protests since September 2022, the regime is caught between making accommodations to public discontent and cracking down on rights. Some political prisoners have been released, but authorities are pursuing a draconian campaign against women who dare not to wear the hijab.

    Hardliners are trying to curb the centrist government, forcing out the economy minister, Abdolnaser Hemmati, and the foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was central in the 2015 agreement that restricted Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Pursuing both that domestic campaign and confrontation abroad is a tall order.

    What does this mean for a new nuclear deal with Iran?

    Some Trump advisers may believe they can use the sledgehammer in Yemen to bludgeon Iran to the negotiating table and Trump’s photo opportunity with the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, or Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

    Good luck with that. Iran may be weakened, but Khamenei is not going to negotiate at the point of an American weapon. Responding to news of a Trump letter to Tehran that threatened, “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal,” last week Khamenei dismissed the idea of talking with the Trump administration.

    He said: “When we know they won’t honour it, what’s the point of negotiating? Therefore, the invitation to negotiate … is a deception of public opinion.”

    Recent history is instructive. In 2013, Khamenei finally relented to nuclear deal talks when told by the then president, Hassan Rouhani, of an imminent economic collapse if Iran held out. More than five years later, however, the Iranian leadership was prepared to withstand Trump’s “maximum pressure” and withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.

    Iran’s idea for talks was based on a cautious process beginning with confidence-building measures on both sides. But a US approach predicated on bombing and bluster has effectively sidelined that.

    Scott Lucas does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why has the Gaza ceasefire collapsed? Why has the US launched aistrikes in Yemen? Middle East expert Q&A – https://theconversation.com/why-has-the-gaza-ceasefire-collapsed-why-has-the-us-launched-aistrikes-in-yemen-middle-east-expert-qanda-252532

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: The recording of Šiaulių Bankas Investor Conference Webinar on Rebranding

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    During the Investor Conference Webinar Vytautas Sinius, CEO and Raimonda Gudaitė, CMO introduced new Bank’s brand and answered questions of participant afterwards.

    The recording of it can be found on Šiaulių Bankas YouTube channel here.

    Presentation and the recording of webinar are also posted on the Bank’s website https://www.sb.lt/en/investors

    Šiaulių bankas thanks all participants.

    If you would like to receive Šiaulių Bankas news for investors directly to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.

    Additional information:

    Tomas Varenbergas

    Head of Investment Management Division

    tomas.varenbergas@sb.lt

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: From student to professional: internship at the Bank of Russia

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    Bank of Russiainvites you to an autumn internshipfull-time students, starting from the 2nd year of a bachelor’s degree, specialist degree, as well as master’s degree students. Applications can be submitted until May 4, 2025 in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk and 10 other cities. The start of the internship is scheduled for September 2025.

    Candidates will go through several selection stages: questionnaires, online testing, video interviews and a final interview with their future manager. This will allow their professional skills to be assessed and the areas in which they will work during their internship to be determined.

    Applicants who successfully pass the competitive tests will become interns at the Bank of Russia for up to 6 months. They will be able to work from 20 hours a week and will receive a salary. In agreement with the manager, they will be given an individual schedule so that it is convenient to combine work and study; remote work is also possible. The most successful interns will then be able to continue their career at the Bank of Russia.

    Last autumn, more than 190 students completed internships in the regulator’s branches throughout Russia.

    Preview photo: Megaflopp / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23466

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On March 21 at 15:00 there will be a press conference on the results of the meeting of the Board of Directors on monetary policy

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    The event will be attended by the Chairman of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina and the Deputy Chairman of the Bank of Russia Alexey Zabotkin.

    Elvira Nabiullina will make a statement on monetary policy.

    The press conference will be held at the Bank of Russia press center. The broadcast of the speech will be available on our website, channel inTelegram, as well as on the official page inVKontakte.

    Accreditation for journalists is open until 17:00 on March 19 at the following address: Media@kbr.ru.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23467

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Mobile applications of large banks will be supplemented with functionality for victims of fraudsters

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    From October 1, 2025 large banks, including on the market payment services, will be required to add functionality to their mobile applications that will allow customers to promptly report a fraudulent transfer. Victims will also be able to receive an electronic certificate from the bank about such a transaction to contact the police.

    New requirements are provided position Bank of Russia. They will simplify the procedure for filing an application with law enforcement agencies.

    Clients of these banks will also be able to answer the credit institution’s question in the mobile application whether they carried out the transaction for which the bank received a request from the regulator under the influence of fraudsters. This order of interaction is possible in cases where victims directly contact the police, and law enforcement officers request data at the Bank of Russia.

    In addition, from October 1 of this year, all banks must accept applications from citizens who transferred cash to fraudsters’ accounts through an ATM using tokenized (digital) cards. It does not matter whether the victim is a client of this bank or not. Theft of money through tokenized cards is now one of the most common methods of fraud.

    From March 29 this year, all banks will also be required to notify parents or legal representatives of minor clients aged 14 to 18 about the issuance of a card to them, as well as about all transactions on the child’s account. Notification and its method are specified in the agreement with the bank.

    Preview photo: Ken stocker / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23465

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/18/2025, 12:28 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JVUY9 (TBankBO8) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/18/2025

    12:28

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on March 18, 2025, 12:28 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 103.23) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1092.82 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 15.0%) of the security RU000A0JVUY9 (TBankBO8) were changed.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 18 March 2025 Departmental update New Health Investment Platform to improve primary health care convenes its first Steering Committee

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Yesterday the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP) held its inaugural Steering Committee meeting, marking a significant milestone in advancing innovative financing for global health. As the Platform’s highest decision-making body, the Committee – consisting of representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Investment Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank – reviewed progress, endorsed key governance and operational priorities, and provided strategic guidance on HIIP’s efforts to expand primary health care (PHC) services in low- and middle-income countries. The meeting represents a significant step forward in advancing sustainable financing solutions for global health.

    The HIIP was unveiled during the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris in 2023, and is a landmark partnership between WHO, multilateral development banks and beneficiary countries. Amid a US$ 371 billion annual health financing gap for health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a US$ 31.1 billion annual funding requirement for pandemic preparedness, the Platform innovates multilateral solutions to increase the share of development funding going to the health sector. Integrating technical expertise, financial resources and local knowledge into impactful, country-driven investments in vulnerable communities, the Platform has mobilized over US$ 30 million of investment for WHO to support countries in developing prioritized investment plans for potential support from MDBs and donors.

    The Platform aims to use these plans to generate over US$1.5 billion funding for low- and middle-income country governments to build resilience against pandemic threats and the climate crisis.

    “Primary health care is the cornerstone of equitable, cost-effective, and inclusive health systems,” said Catharina Boehme, Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization. “The Health Impact Investment Platform is a transformative initiative to mobilize financing for climate-adaptive and crisis-resilient primary health care in the countries that need it most. WHO is proud to partner with multilateral development banks and countries to ensure these funds deliver tangible impact for the communities we serve.”

    The First Steering Committee builds on months of progress since the Platform’s official launch in September 2024, with early-stage engagements in more than 10 countries. During the meeting, Committee members approved key operational documents for the platform, reviewed Concept Notes developed to operationalize primary health care investments in Burundi, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Morocco and Zambia and formally approved the Proposal for Action in Ethiopia, unlocking funding to support the finalization of its national PHC investment plan. Members reinforced the platform’s core focus on scaling primary health care investments, accelerating progress toward universal health coverage, and strengthening health system resilience in low- and middle-income countries.

    Issa Faye, Director General of Global Practice and Partnerships at the Islamic Development Bank noted, “We are committed to catalyzing impactful, sustainable investments that strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Today’s discussions reaffirmed our shared vision and commitment to scaling up investment in primary health care, ensuring that no country is left behind in achieving universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness.”

    The next Steering Committee meeting will convene on the margins of the Seventy-Eighth World Health Assembly (19–27 May 2025), where progress on Ethiopia’s investment plan and new country engagements will be reviewed.

    Thomas Östros, Vice President at the European Investment Bank and the newly appointed Chair of the Steering Committee emphasized, “The Health Impact Investment Platform is a unique opportunity to bridge the health financing gap and drive sustainable investments where they are most needed. As we look ahead to the next Steering Committee, our focus remains on turning commitments into action. We call on all stakeholders to join us in expanding access to quality primary health care, ensuring that investments today translate into stronger, more resilient health systems for the future.”

    Going forward, the HIIP will deepen engagements with the first wave of applicants and expand support to other interested countries. Eligible countries for the HIIP include low- and middle-income countries which are a country of operation for at least one of the partner Multilateral Development Banks. Governments seeking to strengthen PHC through tailored technical assistance and investment support are invited to express their interest via an email addressed to hiip_secretariat@who.int.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Growers Edge, Compeer Financial, and Evergreen Bank Group Partner to Deliver Rapid Input Financing Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JOHNSTON, Iowa, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Growers Edge, a technology firm that provides modern financial products and data-driven tools for agricultural retailers, manufacturers and lenders, today announced a new partnership with Evergreen Bank Group and Compeer Financial.

    Faced with low profit margins and high interest rates, agricultural retailers and manufacturers have embraced in-house input financing programs to increase wallet share and better serve their grower customers. In-house input financing helps retailers and manufacturers retain sales opportunities and valuable data, unlike other lines of credit (like local operating loans), which can be used elsewhere.

    Together, Compeer Financial, Evergreen Bank Group and Growers Edge provide funding liquidity and a partner branded SaaS platform that simplifies the application, credit decisioning, and loan management process. By empowering agricultural retailers and manufacturers to provide growers with instant financing decisions at competitive rates, the partnership helps growers manage risk and defer payment on new, innovative crop inputs.

    “Given the current state of the ag economy, input financing is a powerful sales tool,” said Andy Flores, Business Development Director at Growers Edge. “Our customer agronomists report that financing conversations are often initiated by growers. They’re willing to try new inputs, but they need their retailer partners to help mitigate the risk.”

    Aligned in their missions of supporting rural communities, Compeer Financial, Evergreen Bank Group and Growers Edge will also partner in the development of other financial products and new digital tools that help growers maximize output, achieve peace of mind and secure their economic futures.

    “This partnership brings financing options to farmers when and where they need it,” said Kelly Miller, Director of AgTech at Compeer Financial. “Growers Edge and Evergreen Bank Group understand the importance of making it easier for clients to do business in their local communities and Compeer Financial is proud to provide a cutting-edge option to do just that.”

    The landmark partnership follows a series of major achievements for Growers Edge. In addition to serving four of the top ten largest retailers in the country with the Crop Plan Warranty, Growers Edge has partnered with organizations like Nutrien, PepsiCo, Mondelez and Helena Agri-Enterprises to boost sustainable agriculture practices.

    In 2024, Growers Edge acquired AQUAOSO Technologies, which offers its services under the Agcor brand and provides mapping, data, and analytics software for agricultural lenders, and expanded its farmland valuation tool to cover more than 144 million acres of land across nine states. Earlier this year, Growers Edge announced it protected over 1 million acres of American farmland from downside risk through its crop plan warranty program.

    To request an input financing platform demo from Growers Edge and request a term sheet, go demo at Growers Edge.

    About Growers Edge

    Growers Edge provides modern financial products and data-driven tools that help forward-thinking agriculture retailers, manufacturers, and lenders reduce their growers’ risks and costs when adopting newer innovative solutions and practices. The company’s crop plan warranties and input financing solutions are trusted by dozens of retailers and manufacturers to assist hundreds of growers affordably purchase their products and guarantee yields on over one million acres of cropland.

    About Compeer Financial

    Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $33.1 billion organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry.

    About Evergreen Bank Group

    Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Oak Brook, IL, Evergreen Bank Group is a leading tech-savvy community bank serving the greater Chicago area and beyond. In addition to its retail and commercial banking services, Evergreen is a national leader in niche lending markets, including collector car, powersports, and manufactured housing loans. With a focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences through innovative digital platforms, Evergreen is redefining community banking for the modern era.

    Media Contact
    Sergut Dejene
    sergut@propllr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SECU Foundation Awards $150,000 to Rural Investment Collaborative for Improving Rural Leadership and Economic Opportunities in Appalachian Region of North Carolina

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rural Investment Collaborative (RIC), a program of Appalachian Community Capital, has received a $150,000 challenge grant from SECU Foundation. The funding will support a two-year pilot program to improve leadership and economic opportunities for rural communities across North Carolina.

    RIC was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and is a collective of foundations, financial centers, educational institutions, and government agencies working cooperatively to enhance the workforce and economic outcomes for rural communities.

    “We are thrilled to provide essential funding to help the Rural Investment Collaborative expand access to needed resources and systems to foster long-term change,” said SECU Foundation Board Vice Chair Mona Moon. “We look forward to seeing the positive impacts as the participating groups work to address rural infrastructure, social determinants of health, access to care, disaster recovery, and healthy living in their communities.”

    “The SECU Foundation’s generous support of the Richmond Federal Reserve’s Rural Investment Collaborative has been critical to ensuring the success of the program,” said President and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital Donna Gambrell. “The Foundation’s grant is assisting community leaders from small towns and rural areas in North Carolina to develop investment-ready project proposals and to make access to funding easier.” 

    About SECU and SECU Foundation
    A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 87 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $53 billion in assets. It serves more than 2.8 million members through 275 branch offices, 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, www.ncsecu.org, and the SECU Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $300 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

    Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director, secufoundation@ncsecu.org

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/720d3f26-4426-401d-9148-bf0b71d93183

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Preferred Bank Announces Approval to Continue Share Repurchase Plan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Preferred Bank (NASDAQ: PFBC), (“the Bank”), an independent commercial bank, today announced that the Bank has received regulatory approval to continue its shareholder-approved $150 million stock Repurchase Plan, (“the Plan”). Thus far in the Plan, the Bank has repurchased $84.3 million of its common stock during 2023 and 2024, however regulatory approval expired in January of 2025. As a state, non-member Bank that issues its common stock at the bank level (no holding company), Preferred Bank is required to seek regulatory approval to engage in transactions that either increase or decrease capital. The shareholder and regulatory approvals to repurchase the remaining $65.7 million of common stock will expire in May of 2025.

    During this repurchase program, the Bank has repurchased 1.3 million shares at an average price of $63.94 per share. Stock repurchases under this Plan will be made in the open market.

    About Preferred Bank

    Preferred Bank is one of the larger independent commercial banks headquartered in California. The Bank is chartered by the State of California, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Bank conducts its banking business from its main office in Los Angeles, California, and through twelve full-service branch banking offices in California (Alhambra, Century City, City of Industry, Torrance, Arcadia, Irvine (2), Diamond Bar, Pico Rivera, Tarzana and San Francisco (2)). The Bank also operates a branch in Flushing, New York and in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Texas as well as a Loan Production Office in Sunnyvale, California. Preferred Bank offers a broad range of deposit and loan products and services to both commercial and consumer customers. The Bank provides personalized deposit services as well as real estate finance, commercial loans and trade finance to small and mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, real estate developers, professionals and high net worth individuals. Although originally founded as a Chinese-American Bank, Preferred Bank now derives most of its customers from the diversified mainstream market but does continue to benefit from the significant migration to California of ethnic Chinese from China and other areas of East Asia.

    AT THE COMPANY:   
    Edward J. Czajka               
    Executive Vice President 
    Chief Financial Officer     
    (213) 891-1188

    AT FINANCIAL PROFILES:        
    Jeffrey Haas
    General Information
    (310) 622-8240
    PFBC@finprofiles.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Swiss Re to sell 10.05% stake in Definity Financial for CAD 655 million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Swiss Re announced an agreement to sell 11,647,217 common shares (“Common Shares”) of Definity Financial Corp. (TSX: DFY) (“Definity”) representing approximately 10.05% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of March 17, 2025 (the “Offering”).

    The Common Shares are being sold by Swiss Re Investment Holdings Company Ltd on an underwritten block trade basis at a price of CAD 56.20 per Common Share for aggregate cash proceeds of approximately CAD 655 million. The Offering has been underwritten by CIBC Capital Markets and National Bank Financial Inc. (the “Underwriters”) and is expected to close on March 19, 2025.

    Immediately before the Offering, Swiss Re owned 11,647,217 Common Shares, representing approximately 10.05% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. After giving effect to the Offering, Swiss Re will no longer hold any Common Shares.

    “We are very impressed with the significant progress Definity has made since its IPO in November 2021 and continue to value the ongoing business relationship with the Company. Swiss Re continues to be a strong believer in Definity’s path towards becoming a leading P&C insurer in Canada,” said Andreas Berger, Swiss Re’s Group Chief Executive Officer. “The sale was done in the context of a regular review and rebalancing of Swiss Re’s investment portfolio and is consistent with the Group’s overall investment strategy across equity and alternative investments.”

    Swiss Re’s head office is located at Mythenquai 50/60 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Swiss Re will file an early warning report with the securities regulators in each of the provinces and territories of Canada with respect to the foregoing matters pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 – The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, in connection with the Common Shares sold, a copy of which will be available under Definity’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. For further information and/or a copy of the related early warning report to be filed, please contact James Raphael at +1 212 317 5428. Definity’s head office is located at 111 Westmount Road South, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 2L6.

    About Swiss Re
    The Swiss Re Group is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. It anticipates and manages risk – from natural catastrophes to climate change, from ageing populations to cyber crime. The aim of the Swiss Re Group is to enable society to thrive and progress, creating new opportunities and solutions for its clients. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1863, the Swiss Re Group operates through a network of around 70 offices globally.

    Media Relations
    Zurich
    Telephone +41 43285 7171

    New York
    Telephone +1 914 828 6511

    Investor Relations
    Telephone +41 43 285 4444

    Swiss Re Ltd
    Mythenquai 50/60
    CH-8022 Zurich
    Telephone +41 43 285 2121

    www.swissre.com
    @SwissRe

    Contact person
    Mark Bonthrone
    Mark_Bonthrone@swissre.com
    +1 646 662 0212

    Additional information
    For press releases, logos and photography
    of Swiss Re executives,
    directors or offices go to
    www.swissre.com/media

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SEON Accelerates Global Growth with Key Leadership Appointments 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SEON, the leader in digital fraud prevention and compliance, today announced the appointments of Troy Nyi Nyi as SVP & GM, APAC, Adrian Jenkins as Head of Sales, EMEA, and Dan Webb as VP of Global Partnerships.

    Troy brings two decades of expertise in financial services, payments and eCommerce, with a focus on data-driven fraud risk management and AML solutions. Prior to SEON, he served as Global Head of Commercial at BPC Banking Technologies, where he led its Enterprise Fraud Management product line. Previously, he led regional operations for trust & identity intelligence companies Forter and TeleSign.

    Jenkins, an expert in scaling global SaaS revenue teams, was most recently Managing Director, Fintech at Fenergo and previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Sentinels, where he drove 244% ARR growth. He has also held leadership roles at Arkose Labs.

    A seasoned channel chief, Webb most recently served as Vice President of Global Channel Sales and Alliances at Expel, where he grew partner-sourced business from 9% to 47% of global bookings in four quarters, forming key alliances with Visa and Wiz. At Alert Logic, he pioneered ISV co-sell success with AWS, generating tens of millions in Marketplace revenue. Webb previously led EMEA strategic alliances at RSA Security, forging joint ventures, including a Fraud Prevention offering with Deloitte UK.

    “With deep regional and global experience in scaling SaaS-based fintechs, Troy, Adrian and Dan will play a critical role in accelerating our expansion across key regions and markets,” said Matt DeLauro, President, GTM, SEON. “Their expertise in fraud and AML, combined with their impressive track records of growth, will be invaluable as we strengthen our presence worldwide and help more businesses fight fraud effectively.”

    About SEON
    SEON helps top-tier risk teams detect and stop fraud. By combining real-time digital footprint analysis, device intelligence and AI-driven rules, SEON empowers over 5,000 businesses globally to prevent threats before they occur. SEON operates from Austin, London, Budapest and Singapore. Learn more at seon.io.

    Media
    Press@seon.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Registration for the qualifying round of the International Financial Security Olympiad is open

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    The Olympiad is organized by Rosfinmonitoring jointly with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Education of Russia, as well as universities of the International Network Institute in the field of AML/CFT, including the Higher School of Economics. This year, HSE experts took methodological part in developing the tasks of the invitational round. Schoolchildren and students who registered for the selection round before March 30 are allowed to participate.

    International Financial Security Olympiad — is an intellectual competition that is held annually on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Its main objectives include popularizing financial security as a norm of life, minimizing the risks of involving young people in illegal activities and forming a new type of thinking: from the financial security of an individual to the financial security of the state and the commonwealth of states. Over the four years of its existence, the Olympiad has already united over 6 million people from 36 countries!

    The Olympiad is held for students in grades 8–10 in the unified profile “financial security” based on such school subjects as mathematics, computer science and social studies, and for students (1–3 years of bachelor’s degree, 1–4 years of specialist degree and 1st year of master’s degree) — in separate areas of training:

    jurisprudence;

    Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Fundamental Computer Science and Information Technology, Computer Science and Computer Engineering, Applied Computer Science, Information Security, Business Computer Science;

    economics, finance and credit, economic security;

    international relations, foreign regional studies.

    The International Financial Security Olympiad is held in several stages. The first of them is an invitational one, which allows you to get acquainted with the format of the tasks, study additional materials and prepare for the new cycle. The second stage is a qualifying one. It is organized in the form of two rounds – from March 31 to April 4 and from April 9 to 15 – in an online format using the Sodruzhestvo platform. You can start completing the tasks only after registration, which must be completed before March 30.

    The third important stage is the qualification stage, which is scheduled for the period from August 1 to September 3.

    The final will take place from September 28 to October 3 at the Siberian Federal University (Russia, Krasnoyarsk).

    Winners and prize winners of the Olympiad will receive advantages when entering a university and offers for practical training and internships with the possibility of further employment from Rosfinmonitoring, the Bank of Russia, PAO Promsvyazbank, MUMCFM, leading financial organizations and partners. Schoolchildren who show high results will be able to enroll in a bachelor’s/specialist’s degree at the Higher School of Economics without entrance examinations or get 100 points for the entrance examination. The benefits apply to the programs of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow.Information security“, “Computer security” And “Jurisprudence: Digital Lawyer“, as well as to the relevant programs in Nizhny Novgorod And Perm.

    “We invite students not only to test themselves by participating in the Olympiad, but also to delve into the issues of financial security in more detail! For this purpose, in 2025 we are launching a minor”Financial Security and Computer Investigations”. You will be able to obtain the necessary knowledge base and form a framework of important legal, financial and digital competencies, and upon completion – an official document confirming the additional qualification received. Thanks to this, new career opportunities in this field will open up for you,” comments Alexander Chepovsky, Director of Strategic Work with Applicants.

    The micro-qualification obtained by the minor is “specialist (expert) in the field of financial and information security”. It will allow you to be a sought-after employee in the corporate sector, government agencies, budgetary organizations and non-profit organizations.

    Minor Selection Campaign will take place in the near future: March 20 and 21 – the first wave, March 25 – the second.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Double blocking: banks propose freezing money in fight against fraudsters

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Sours: Mainfin Bank –

    How will the blocking of receipts proposed by banks work?

    It is proposed to freeze money credited to recipients’ accounts in order to protect Russians from the actions of criminals. Banks, who sent a letter to the regulator, put forward a number of conditions for blocking:

    Transfers in the amount of 10 to 50 thousand rubles are proposed to be blocked for 24 hours; transfers in the amount of over 50 thousand rubles will be frozen for two days; banks will be able to introduce automatic restrictions at the request of the sender; for the duration of the investigation, a ban on closing an account and transferring funds will be established.

    “The mechanism for blocking recipients’ accounts is currently imperfect – fraudsters manage to withdraw money in the shortest possible time, and the victim does not even have time to come to their senses and file a complaint about the fraud,” the expert notes.

    The Bank of Russia promised to consider the appeal in the established manner: the proposal is fully consistent with the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, since the law provides for the processing of the transfer within three days – blocking the operation for 48 hours will not violate the specified requirement.

    Will the proposed mechanism help protect Russians from fraudsters?

    Existing security measures are not effective enough – last year, fraudsters managed to steal over 27 billion rubles from citizens’ accounts, of which less than 10% was returned. Blocking transfers not only on the sender’s side, but also on the recipient’s side will help protect Russians. Experts believe that the initiative will increase the chances of returning stolen funds.

    At the same time, bona fide individuals and those citizens who unknowingly became drops may also suffer from blocking. To implement the proposal, it will be necessary to launch an automatic monitoring system that will track suspicious activity on the account, for example, multiple receipts from third parties or large transfers. Discussion of the initiative will continue in the near future – after consideration by the Bank of Russia.

    12:30 03/18/2025

    Source:

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //Mainfin.ru/novosti/dwan-blocker-banques-subject-abstract-de-money-in-burging-mosenniki

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: BiorBank Set to Launch as a Crypto-Focused Banking App

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BiorBank Out-Competes Wallets & Banks with True Web3 Banking

    BERGEN, Norway, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BiorBank, a revolutionary non-custodial Web3 banking platform, has announced the launch of its Ethereum-based token on March 20th and its mobile app on March 24th for iOS and Android after successful beta-testing. The platform is set to disrupt the industry by merging crypto wallet functionality with real-world banking tools—something no other platform has successfully done.

    “For years, users have been stuck choosing between crypto wallets that do too little and banks that control too much,” said CEO & co-founder, Hassen Kadhim, of BiorBank. “We’re launching BiorBank to put real control back into users’ hands while giving them the banking features they actually need.”

    Addressing the Gaps in Crypto Wallets and Banking Apps

    Let’s be real—traditional crypto wallets aren’t built for the future. MetaMask, Phantom, and Trust Wallet? They’re just glorified key storage tools. They let you hold assets, sure—but they don’t help you actually use them. Need a multi-chain experience? Need built-in financial tools? Need a way to actually integrate crypto into daily life? Good luck.

    And banks? Worse. Revolut and other so-called “crypto-friendly” banking apps let you “buy” crypto, but you don’t own it. Try withdrawing large amounts of “your” Bitcoin off their platform. Try swapping tokens freely. You can’t—because it’s not really yours. They hold it. They control it.

    That’s the problem. No single solution gives users full control over their assets while also offering the convenience of real-world banking tools.

    BiorBank: Combining Web3 with Banking Functionality

    BiorBank is what crypto wallets should have been all along.

    • Non-custodial—You control your assets. No third-party risk. No restrictions.
    • Multi-chain—Supports Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, Cosmos, and more.
    • Built-in DEX Aggregator—Access to 2000+ liquidity pools with low slippage.
    • Social Logins—Forget seed phrases. Use Google/Twitter to sign in securely.
    • AI-Powered Support—Real-time assistance inside the app.
    • Web3 + Banking Features—Virtual cards, bill payments, and on/off-ramp (coming soon).

    It’s not just a wallet. It’s a Web3 bank.

    Why Now? The Shift Towards Self-Custody

    With increasing concerns over centralized exchange failures and evolving regulations, more users are seeking self-sovereign financial solutions. BiorBank is launching at a time when demand for decentralized asset management is growing.

    • Token launch: March 20th (Ethereum Network)
    • App launch: March 24th (iOS & Android)

    This isn’t just another crypto wallet launch. It’s the start of financial autonomy that actually puts users in control.

    BiorBank vs. Everyone Else

    About BiorBank

    BiorBank is a non-custodial Web3 banking platform designed to provide users with full control over their digital assets while integrating essential financial tools. Built to support multiple blockchain networks, BiorBank aims to make decentralized finance more accessible and practical for everyday use. The platform prioritizes security, user experience, and financial autonomy, bridging the gap between crypto and real-world banking services.

    The future of finance is non-custodial, multi-chain, and user-friendly and BiorBank is leading that charge.

    For media enquiries and partnerships Contact:
    Hassen Kadhim
    contactus@biorbank.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by BiorBank. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8a15f4e-b80c-47af-a474-645a32b78037

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/672067d8-fd63-48a1-8fd1-fe979366da6b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Open Market Operation (OMO) – Purchase of Government of India Securities held on March 18, 2025: Cut-Offs

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Security 7.10% GS 2029 7.26% GS 2032 7.26% GS 2033 7.73% GS 2034 7.40% GS 2035 7.41% GS 2036
    Total amount notified Aggregate amount of ₹50,000 crore
    (no security-wise notified amount)
    Total amount (face value) accepted by RBI (₹ in crore) 8,805 7,499 14,168 11,656 3,326 4,546
    Cut off yield (%) 6.6577 6.7863 6.7869 6.8279 6.8579 6.8896
    Cut off price (₹) 101.55 102.72 102.84 106.33 104.00 104.13
    Detailed results will be issued shortly.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2403

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Reserve Bank of India and Bank of Mauritius Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Use of Local Currencies for Bilateral Transactions

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Mauritius (BOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing a framework to promote the use of local currencies, viz., the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) for cross-border transactions. The MoU was signed by the Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Shri Sanjay Malhotra and the Governor, Bank of Mauritius, Dr. Rama Krishna Sithanen G.C.S.K. The MoU documents were exchanged in Port Louis, Mauritius in the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and the Honourable Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

    2. The MoU aims to promote the use of INR and MUR in bilateral trade. The MoU covers all current account transactions and permissible capital account transactions as agreed upon by both the countries. This framework would enable exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their respective domestic currencies, which in turn, would enable the development of a market in the INR-MUR pair. Use of local currencies would optimise costs and settlement time for transactions.

    3. This collaboration marks a key milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation between RBI and BOM. Use of local currencies in bilateral transactions will eventually contribute to promoting trade between India and Mauritius as well as deepen financial integration and strengthen the historical, cultural, and economic relations between India and Mauritius.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2404

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CBB 12 Month Treasury Bills Issue No. 126 Oversubscribed

    Source: Central Bank of Bahrain

    CBB 12 Month Treasury Bills Issue No. 126 Oversubscribed

    Published on 18 March 2025

    Manama, Bahrain –18th March 2025 – This week’s BD 100 million issue of Government Treasury Bills has been oversubscribed by 197%.

    The bills, carrying a maturity of 12 months, are issued by the CBB, on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

    The issue date of the bills is 20th March 2025, and the maturity date is 19th March 2026.

    The weighted average rate of interest is 4.88% compared to 5.26% of the previous issue on 20th February 2025.

    The approximate average price for the issue was 95.299% with the lowest accepted price being 94.913%.

    This is issue No. 126 (ISIN BH00030F6I98) of Government Treasury Bills. With this, the total outstanding value of Government Treasury Bills is BD 2.110 billion.

    Share this

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: BOBC Auction Results – 18 March 2025

    Source: Bank of Botswana

    The Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) was unchanged at 1.9 percent of the previous week, for a paper maturing on 26 March 2025. The summarised results of the auction held on 18 March 2025, are attached below:

    BOBC Auction Results – 18 March 2025_0.pdf

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB, Vinschool Sign First Sustainability-Linked Loan in Viet Nam’s Education Sector

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    HA NOI, VIET NAM (18 March 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has led and signed a $150 million syndicated sustainability-linked loan with Vinschool Joint Stock Company. The loan will be used to expand the Vinschool education system, providing educational facilities for 20,400 students in urban areas of Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), and Hung Yen.   

    “This project marks ADB’s first private sector investment in Viet Nam’s education sector and highlights our commitment to fostering sustainable development in the country,” said ADB Country Director for Viet Nam Shantanu Chakraborty. “By supporting the country’s first sustainability-linked loan in the education sector, we aim to enhance educational infrastructure while contributing to new residential hub development in the country.”

    As the mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, ADB has syndicated and structured a financing package that includes a $40 million loan from ADB Ordinary Capital Resources, a $35 million loan from the Leading Asia’s Private Sector Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2) administered by ADB, and $75 million in parallel loans.  

    The parallel loans comprise $40 million from ILX, an Amsterdam-based emerging market asset manager, and $35 million from the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund, an emerging market infrastructure debt fund established by the Private Infrastructure Development Group and managed by NinetyOne. The loan has been validated through a second-party opinion from DNV Business Assurance Vietnam Co., Ltd.

    Viet Nam has made significant progress in expanding education coverage, achieving an impressive 98% literacy rate and over 98% primary education enrollment. However, as the nation strives to transition from a developing to a middle-income country, there is a critical need to improve education quality and enhance education access in rapidly urbanizing cities. The private sector, including institutions like Vinschool, is vital in bridging this gap.

    “We are delighted to partner with ADB and other impact focused lenders on this groundbreaking initiative. This investment will enable us to provide high-quality learning opportunities to more students while setting a benchmark for sustainable education in Viet Nam,” said Vinschool Chief Executive Officer Phan Ha Thuy. “This is a project that underscores Vinschool’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance principles, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable development.”

    LEAP 2 is an ADB-managed fund with a $1.5 billion commitment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It focuses on sustainable private sector infrastructure projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and provide affordable health care, education, and communication services to ADB’s developing member countries.

    Established in 2013, Vinschool is the largest private school system in Viet Nam, offering high quality education from kindergarten to high school. Vinschool currently serves more than 48,000 students across 54 campuses in Ha Noi, HCMC, and four other provinces, offering both national curriculum and Cambridge bilingual programs. Vinschool is a subsidiary of Vingroup Joint Stock Company, one of Viet Nam’s largest conglomerates. 

    ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NAXALITE ACTIVITIES AND VIOLENCE

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

    To address the LWE problem holistically, a “National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE” was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi-prolonged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc.

    While on security front, the Government of India (GoI) assists the LWE affected States for capacity building by providing Central Armed Police battalions, training & funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc; 

    • Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme, assistance is provided for recurring expenditure relating to operational and training needs of security forces, expenditure incurred by the states for the rehabilitation of the surrendered LWE cadres, community policing, village defense committees and publicity material etc. During 2014-15 to 2024-25, Rs. 3260.37 crore has been released under this Scheme. 
    • Under Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), funds are provided for strengthening of State Intelligence Branches (SIBs), Special Forces, District Polices and Fortified Police Stations (FPSs).  Under the SIS, Rs. 1741 crore have been sanctioned.  221 Fortified Police Stations have been constructed under the Scheme with a total of 621 FPS have been constructed.
    • Further, Rs. 1120.32 crore has been given to Central Agencies during the period 2014-15 to 2024-25 for helicopters and addressing critical infrastructure in security camps in LWE affected areas, under Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM) Scheme.

    On development side, apart from flagship schemes, GoI has taken several specific initiatives in LWE affected States, with special thrust on expansion of road network, improving telecommunication connectivity, skilling and financial inclusion.

    • For expansion of road connectivity, 14,607 Km roads have been constructed.
    • For improving telecom connectivity in LWE affected areas, 7,768 towers have been commissioned.
    • With regard to Skill Development, 46 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 49 Skill Development Centres (SDCs) have been made functional.
    • For quality education in tribal areas 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) have been made functional.
    • For Financial Inclusion, department of Posts has opened 5731 Post Offices with banking services in LWE affected districts. 1007 Bank Branches & 937 ATMs have been opened and 37,850 Banking Correspondences (BCs) have been made operational in Most LWE affected districts.
    • For further impetus to development, Under Special Central Assistance (SCA), funds are provided for filling critical gaps in Public infrastructure. Till now, Rs 3563 Crore have been released since the inception of Scheme in 2017.

    As a result of the strict implementation of the policy, incidents of LWE violence which had reached its highest level i.e. 1936 in 2010 have reduced to 374 in 2024 i.e. a reduction of 81 per cent. The total number of deaths (civilian + security forces) has also reduced by 85 per cent during this period i.e. from 1005 deaths in 2010 to 150 in 2024.

    During the last 10 years, incidents of LWE violence which were 1091 in 2014 have reduced to 374 in 2024 i.e. a reduction of 65.7 per cent. The total number of deaths (civilian + security force) has also reduced by 52 per cent during this period i.e. from 310 deaths in 2014 to 150 in 2024.

    There has also been a sharp decline in the number of districts affected by LWE.  The LWE affected districts have been reduced from 126 to 90 districts by April 2018, further to 70 by July 2021 and then to 38 by April 2024.

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    ***

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2112250) Visitor Counter : 53

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cooperative Societies and Cooperative Banks

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 3:18PM by PIB Delhi

    As per National Cooperative Database (NCD), the total number of cooperative societies, state-wise, as of 01-03-2025, is attached as Annexure-1. The state-wise number of State cooperative Banks, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCB) and Urban Cooperative Banks (UCB) is attached as Annexure-2.

    The details of funds allocated by the Government for Computerization of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies during last three years are at Annexure 3 and details of financial assistance disbursed by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for the development of cooperatives societies including cooperative banks during the last three years are given at Annexure 4.

    All the cooperative banks under the supervision of NABARD have been digitized and are functional on Core Banking Solution (CBS) platform.

     Cooperative banks are inherently cooperative societies which are registered under the Cooperative Societies Act of the State concerned or under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 (amended in 2023). When cooperative societies carry on the business of banking, they come under the regulatory purview of RBI and they are licensed under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (as applicable to cooperative societies).

    S.No

    State

    Number of Societies

    1

    ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

    2231

    2

    ANDHRA PRADESH

    17884

    3

    ARUNACHAL PRADESH

    1302

    4

    ASSAM

    11325

    5

    BIHAR

    26324

    6

    CHANDIGARH

    476

    7

    CHHATTISGARH

    10980

    8

    DELHI

    5944

    9

    GOA

    5499

    10

    GUJARAT

    83748

    11

    HARYANA

    33300

    12

    HIMACHAL PRADESH

    5439

    13

    JAMMU AND KASHMIR

    10124

    14

    JHARKHAND

    11683

    15

    KARNATAKA

    45292

    16

    KERALA

    18209

    17

    LADAKH

    273

    18

    LAKSHADWEEP

    43

    19

    MADHYA PRADESH

    53740

    20

    MAHARASHTRA

    222864

    21

    MANIPUR

    11458

    22

    MEGHALAYA

    3152

    23

    MIZORAM

    1320

    24

    NAGALAND

    8017

    25

    ODISHA

    7598

    26

    PUDUCHERRY

    461

    27

    PUNJAB

    19237

    28

    RAJASTHAN

    41095

    29

    SIKKIM

    3797

    30

    TAMIL NADU

    22793

    31

    TELANGANA

    60517

     

    32

    THE DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND

    DAMAN AND DIU

     

    566

    33

    TRIPURA

    3213

    34

    UTTAR PRADESH

    44933

    35

    UTTARAKHAND

    5572

    36

    WEST BENGAL

    31779

     

    Total

    832188

    Source: NCD portal as of 01-03-2025

     

    S.No

    State

    State Cooperative Banks

    District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCB )

    Urban Cooperative Banks

    (UCB)

     

    1

    ANDAMAN AND

    NICOBAR ISLANDS

     

    1

     

    0

     

    2

    ANDHRA PRADESH

    1

    13

    39

    3

    ARUNACHAL PRADESH

    1

    0

     

    4

    ASSAM

    1

    0

    7

    5

    BIHAR

    1

    23

    2

    6

    CHANDIGARH

    1

    0

    2

    7

    CHHATTISGARH

    1

    6

    12

    8

    DELHI

    1

    0

    17

    9

    GOA

    1

    0

    5

    10

    GUJARAT

    1

    18

    212

    11

    HARYANA

    1

    19

    7

    12

    HIMACHAL PRADESH

    1

    2

    5

    13

    JAMMU AND KASHMIR

    1

    3

    4

    14

    JHARKHAND

    1

    1

    2

    15

    KARNATAKA

    1

    20

    279

    16

    KERALA

    1

    0

    39

    17

    LADAKH

    0

    0

     

    18

    LAKSHADWEEP

    0

    0

     

    19

    MADHYA PRADESH

    1

    38

    38

    20

    MAHARASHTRA

    1

    31

    448

    21

    MANIPUR

    1

    0

     

    22

    MEGHALAYA

    1

    0

    3

    23

    MIZORAM

    1

    0

     

    24

    NAGALAND

    1

    0

     

    25

    ODISHA

    1

    17

    10

    26

    PUDUCHERRY

    1

    0

    1

    27

    PUNJAB

    1

    20

    9

    28

    RAJASTHAN

    1

    29

    38

    29

    SIKKIM

    1

    0

    1

    30

    TAMIL NADU

    1

    24

    101

    31

    TELANGANA

    1

    9

    70

     

     

    32

    THE DADRA AND

    NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU

     

     

    1

     

     

    0

     

    33

    TRIPURA

    1

    0

     

    34

    UTTAR PRADESH

    1

    50

    55

    35

    UTTARAKHAND

    1

    10

    6

    36

    WEST BENGAL

    1

    5

    42

    Total

    32

    338

    1454

    Source: NCD portal as of 01-03-2025

    (Amount in Rs. Crore)

    States/UTs

    BE allocated for FY 2022-23

    BE allocated for FY 2023-24

    BE allocated for FY 2024-25

    Maharashtra

    87.95

    134.58

    27.81

    Rajasthan

    23.78

    78.06

    52.42

    Gujarat

    0

    106.7

    44.37

    Uttar Pradesh

    11.28

    43.87

    50.88

    Karnataka

    40.25

    61.58

    21.17

    Madhya Pradesh

    33.23

    50.85

    0

    Tamil Nadu

    33.2

    49.84

    24.95

    Bihar

    32.95

    50.41

    29.32

    West Bengal

    30.54

    46.73

    40.49

    Punjab

    25.52

    39.05

    13.32

    Andhra Pradesh

    14.93

    22.84

    18.12

    Chhattisgarh

    14.86

    22.75

    20.41

    Himachal Pradesh

    9.56

    14.64

    6.18

    Jharkhand

    10.99

    16.83

    15.1

    Haryana

    4.85

    8.33

    3

    Uttarakhand

    0

    0

    7.03

    Assam

    6.41

    9.81

    6.6

    J&K

    5.25

    8.03

    3.71

    Tripura

    2.95

    4.5

    3.03

    Manipur

    2.55

    3.9

    3.86

    Nagaland

    0.36

    0.56

    3.2

    Meghalaya

    1.23

    1.13

    1.97

    Sikkim

    1.18

    1.8

    0.79

    Goa

    0.32

    0.5

    0.44

    ANI

    0

    1.33

    0.84

    Puducherry

    0.44

    0.67

    0.29

    Mizoram

    0.27

    0.43

    0.44

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0.15

    0.24

    0.09

    Ladakh

    0

    0.31

    0.04

    DNH&DD

    0

    0

    0.12

    Funds disbursed by NCDC for cooperative societies and banks (Annexure 4)

    (Amount in Rs. Crore)

    S.No.

    Name of the State

    FY 2022-23

    FY 2023-24

    FY 2024-25*

    1

    A & N

    0

    1.69

    0.56

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    9734.7

    13,280.13

    14732.69

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0.38

    –

    0.16

    4

    Assam

    17.48

    0.89

    1.86

    5

    Bihar

    4053.75

    815.83

    6.31

    6

    Chandigarh

    0.03

    –

    0.00

    7

    Chhattisgarh

    8502.24

    18,991.35

    28081.03

    8

    Daman & Diu

    0

    0.11

    0.03

    9

    Goa

    0

    –

    0.03

    10

    Gujarat

    370.8

    586.99

    297.89

    11

    Haryana

    6655.24

    9,887.36

    12380.50

    12

    Himachal Pradesh

    12.91

    1.85

    4.12

    13

    J&K

    0.58

    0.71

    0.80

    14

    Jharkhand

    4.63

    2.54

    28.34

    15

    Karnataka

    112.54

    261.35

    432.13

    16

    Kerala

    704.74

    275.89

    736.78

    17

    Lakshadweep

     

     

    0.06

    18

    Madhya Pradesh

    284.4

    322.86

    290.07

    19

    Maharashtra

    751.16

    2,101.42

    3278.36

    20

    Manipur

    30.38

    6.60

    0.39

    21

    Meghalaya

    0.14

    0.22

    0.12

    22

    Mizoram

    4.23

    3.24

    1.16

    23

    Nagaland

    1.2

    0.67

    0.52

    24

    Odisha

    1.61

    3.24

    3.47

    25

    Punjab

    0.42

    1,650.44

    2000.22

    26

    Puducherry

    0.06

    –

    0.11

    27

    Rajasthan

    4.91

    66.09

    67.33

    28

    Sikkim

    0.14

    0.22

    0.05

    29

    Tamil Nadu

    30.49

    4.28

    19.29

    30

    Telangana

    9304.97

    12,174.11

    20982.36

    31

    Tripura

    12.35

    1.55

    1.27

    32

    Uttar Pradesh

    350.24

    13.04

    207.58

    33

    Uttarakhand

    10.5

    149.13

    4.56

    34

    West Bengal

    63.36

    4.96

    2.94

    35

    Delhi + Others**

    10.82

    9.71

    1016.55

     

    Total

    41,031.40

    60,618.47

    84579.64

    *Data for FY 2024-25 is as on 28.01.2025**Others includes cooperative federations registered under the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act 2002

    This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    ****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2112226) Visitor Counter : 21

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sahkar se Samriddhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Cooperation

    Sahkar se Samriddhi

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 3:15PM by PIB Delhi

    To achieve the prosperity in the country through the mantra of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” given by the Prime Minister, a pilot project to promote ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives’ was launched by Union Minister of Home and Cooperation on 21st May,2023 in Banaskantha and Panchmahal District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) of Gujarat to promote all financial transactions of Primary Dairy Cooperative Societies (PDCSs) with Rural Cooperative Banks and to strengthen and make the cooperative sector Aatma Nirbhar. Activities taken up under the pilot project are as under:

    1. Dairy cooperative societies were made Bank Mitras of DCCBs: To ensure ease of doing business of PDCSs through digital financial transactions and to promote financial inclusion, micro-ATMs were given to these Bank Mitra PDCS with support from NABARD’s Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) to provide doorstep financial services.
    2. Rupay KCC through DCCBs: To expand the business and reach of DCCBs and to provide necessary liquidity/credit to the members of dairy cooperative societies, RuPay Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) were issued by DCCBs to the members of PDCS and other societies for providing timely credit at comparatively lower interest rates and enabling other financial transactions.
    3. Awareness about the campaign was created through Financial Literacy Camps (FLCs) which was also supported through FIF.

    On the basis of learnings during the pilot project, the campaign was expanded and launched in all districts of Gujarat from 15th January 2024. Achievements during the campaign in the state of Gujarat are provided below:-

    • Over 2,23,994 new RuPay KCCs were issued by DCCBs.
    • 6446 micro-ATMs were distributed to new Bank Mitra PDCS
    • 6529 Bank Mitras were enrolled
    • More than 23 lakh deposit accounts opened
    • Total amount deposited was Rs. 8329 crore

    A Standard Operating Procedure for the nation-wide implementation of the Campaign on ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives’ was launched on 19.09.2024.

    Ministry of Cooperation with active participation of various States/ UTs has taken various initiatives to revitalize and strengthen the cooperative sector across the country ensuring uniform development of Cooperative Societies across all the States, which are enclosed at Annexure. These initiatives also include the measures taken to strengthen cooperative societies in those States where the cooperative movement is not in good position at present.

    To enhance international market access for cooperative based products, Ministry of Cooperation has set up National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL). NCEL will focus on exporting the surpluses available in the Indian cooperative sector by accessing wider markets beyond the geographical contours of the country, thereby, increasing the demand of Indian Cooperative products/services across the globe and fetch best possible prices for such products/services. It will promote exports through various activities including procurement, storage, processing, marketing, branding, labelling, packaging, certification, research and development, etc, and trading of all types of goods and services produced by cooperative societies. 8,863 cooperatives have become member of NCEL.

    *****

    ANNEXURE

    Progress on major initiatives taken by Ministry of Cooperation

    Ministry of Cooperation, since its inception on 6th July, 2021, has undertaken several initiatives to realize the vision of “Sahakar-se-Samriddhi” and to strengthen & deepen the cooperative movement from Primary to Apex level Cooperatives in the country. List of initiatives taken and progress made so far are as follows:

    A. Making Primary Cooperatives economically vibrant and transparent

    1. Model Bye-Laws for PACS making them multipurpose, multidimensional and transparent entities: Government, in consultation with all the stakeholders, including States/ UTs, National Level Federations, State Cooperative Banks (StCBs), District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), etc., has prepared and circulated Model Bye-laws for PACS to all the States/ UTs, which enable PACS to undertake more than 25 business activities, improve governance, transparency and accountability in their operations. Provisions have also been made to make the membership of PACS more inclusive and broad-based, giving adequate representation to women and Scheduled Castes/Schedules Tribes. So far, 32 States/ UTs have adopted Model Bye-laws or their existing bye-laws are in line with Model Bye-laws.
      1. Strengthening of PACS through Computerization: In order to strengthen PACS, project for Computerization of functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore has been approved by the Government of India, which entails bringing all functional PACS in the Country onto a common ERP based national software, linking them with NABARD through StCBs and DCCBs. A total of 67,930 PACS from 30 States/ UTs have been sanctioned under the project. A total of 50,455 PACS have been onboarded on ERP Software and hardware has been procured by 30 States/UTs.
      1. Establishing New Multipurpose PACS/ Dairy/ Fishery Cooperatives in covering all the Panchayats: The Government of India has approved the plan to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives, aiming to cover all panchayats and villages in the country over the next five years. This initiative is supported by NABARD, NDDB, NFDB and State/UT Governments. For effective implementation of the initiative, ‘Margadarshika’ has been launched on 19.9.2024, indicating the targets and timelines for stakeholders. As per National Cooperative Database, a total of 12,957 new PACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperative Societies have been registered as on 27.1.2025 across the country since the approval of the plan on 15.2.2023.
      1. World’s Largest Decentralized Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative sector: Government has approved a plan to create warehouses, custom hiring centers, primary processing units and other agri-infrastructure for grain storage at PACS level, through convergence of various GOI schemes, including AIF, AMI, SMAM, PMFME, etc. This will reduce wastage of food grains and transportation costs, enable farmers to realize better prices for their produce and meet various agricultural needs at the PACS level itself. Under the pilot project, construction of godowns in 11 PACS of 11 States has been completed.
      2. PACS as Common Service Centers (CSCs) for better access to e-services: An MoU has been signed between Ministry of Cooperation, MeitY, NABARD and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited for providing more than 300 e-services such as banking, insurance, Aadhar enrolment/ updation, health services, PAN card and IRCTC/ Bus/ Air ticket, etc. through PACS. So far, 42,080 PACS have started providing CSC services to rural citizens.
      1. Formation of new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by PACS: Government has allowed 1100 additional FPOs to be formed by PACS with the support of NCDC, in those blocks where FPOs have not yet been formed or the blocks are not covered by any other implementing agency. Against this allocation of 1100 blocks, 958 FPOs have been registered/ on-boarded as on 27.01.2025. Apart from this, 730 FPOs have already been formed by NCDC in cooperative sector. As on date, a total of 1,688 FPOs have been registered / on-boarded by NCDC in cooperative sector. This will be helpful in providing farmers with necessary market linkages and get fair and remunerative process for their produce.
      1. PACS given priority for Retail Petrol/ Diesel outlets: Government has allowed PACS to be included in the Combined Category 2 (CC2) for allotment of retail petrol/ diesel outlets. As per information received from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), 286 PACS from 25 States/UTs have applied online for retail petrol/ diesel outlets.
      1. PACS given permission to convert bulk consumer petrol pumps into retail outlets: The existing bulk consumer licensee PACS have been given a one-time option by Oil Marketing Companies to convert into retail outlets. As per information shared by OMCs, 116 wholesale consumer pump licensee PACS from 5 States have given consent for conversion into Retail Outlets, out of which 56 PACS have been commissioned by the OMCs.
      1. PACS eligible for LPG Distributorship for diversifying its activities: Government has now allowed PACS to apply for LPG Distributorships. This will give PACS an option to increase their economic activities and diversify their income stream. As of now, 2 PACS from the state of Jharkhand have applied for LPG distributorship under CC Category.
      1. PACS as PM Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra for improving access to generic medicines at rural level: PACS have been allowed to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanaushadhiKendras (PMBJKs), which will provide additional income source to them and ease the access to quality generic medicines for rural citizens. So far, 4,523 PACS/ cooperative societies have applied online for PMBJKs, out of which 2,744 PACS have been given initial approval by Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) and 785 PACS have received drug license from State Drug Controllers and 716 PACS have got store codes from PMBI which are ready to function as PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
      1. PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK): PACS have been enabled to operate PMKSK for ensuring easy accessibility of fertilizer & related services to farmers in the country. As per the information shared by Department of Fertilizers (GOI) and States/ UTs, a total of 36,193 PACS are functioning as PMKSK.
      1. PACS to carry out O&M of rural piped water supply schemes (PWS): PACS have been made eligible to carry out the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) of PWS in rural areas. As per information received from States/ UTs, 934 PACS have been identified/ selected by 13 States/ UTs to provide O&M services at Panchayat/ Village level.
      1. Convergence of PM-KUSUM at PACS level: Farmers associated with PACS can adopt solar agricultural water pumps and install photovoltaic modules in their farms.
      2. Micro-ATMs to Bank Mitra Cooperative Societies for providing doorstep financial services: Dairy and Fisheries cooperative societies can be made Bank Mitras of DCCBs and StCBs. To ensure their ease of doing business, transparency and financial inclusion, Micro-ATMs are also being given to these Bank Mitra Co-operative Societies with support from NABARD to provide ‘Door-step Financial Services’. To facilitate effective implementation of the initiative, an SOP has been launched on 19th September 2024. So far, 8,322 Micro-ATMs have been distributed to Bank Mitra cooperative societies in Gujarat.
      1. Rupay Kisan Credit Card to Members of Milk Cooperatives: In order to expand the reach of DCCBs/ StCBs and to provide necessary liquidity to the members of Dairy Cooperative societies, Rupay Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) are being distributed to the members of cooperatives for providing credit at comparatively lower interest rates and to enable them to carry out other financial transactions. To facilitate effective implementation of the initiative, an SOP has been launched on 19th September 2024. So far, 7,43,810 Rupay KCC have been distributed in the State of Gujarat.

    16. Formation of Fish Farmer Producer Organization (FFPO): In order to provide market linkage and processing facilities to fishermen, NCDC has registered 70 FFPOs in the initial phase. In addition, Department of Fisheries, Government of India has allocated the work of converting 1000 existing fisheries cooperative societies into FFPOs to National Cooperative Development Corporation. National Cooperative Development Corporation has identified 997 Primary Fisheries Cooperatives Societies to strengthen as FFPOs, with an approved outlay of Rs. 280.65 crore.

      1. White Revolution 2.0: The Ministry of Cooperation has launched an initiative to usher Cooperative-led “White Revolution 2.0” aimed at expanding cooperative coverage, employment generation and women’s empowerment with an objective “To increase the milk procurement of dairy cooperatives by 50% from the present level over next five years by providing market access to dairy farmers in uncovered areas and increasing the share of dairy cooperatives in organised sector.” The SOP for White Revolution 2.0 was launched on 19.11.2024 by Hon’ble Home & Cooperation Minister in presence of Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. On 25.12.2024 Hon’ble Home & Cooperation Minister in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying inaugurated 6,600 newly set up Dairy Cooperative Societies. So far, 8,294 DCSs have been registered in 27 States/UTs.
      2.  Atmanirbharta Abhiyan: Ministry of Cooperation has launched the initiative to incentivize production of pulses (tur, masur and urad) to reduce dependency on imports, and production of maize to be used for production of ethanol for meeting the goal of Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) through National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). Both have developed their own web portal i.e. e-samyukti and e-samridhi respectively for registration of farmers through cooperatives. Both have assured pre-registered farmers of tur, urad, masur and maize to procure 100% of their produce at Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, if market prices exceed the MSP, farmers are free to sell their produce in the open market. A total of 12,64,212 farmers have already registered on the e-samyukti portal of NCCF. Similarly, 6,75,178 farmers have registered themselves on the e-samridhi portal of NAFED.

    B. Strengthening the Urban and Rural Cooperative Banks

    1. Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) have been allowed to open new branches to expand their business: UCBs can now open new branches up to 10% (maximum 5 branches) of the existing number of branches in the previous financial year without prior approval of RBI.
    1. UCBs have been allowed by RBI to offer doorstep services to their customers: Door step banking facility can now be provided by UCBs. Account holders of these banks can now avail various banking facilities at home such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, KYC, demand draft and life certificate for pensioners, etc.
    1. Cooperative banks have been allowed to make one-time settlement of outstanding loans, like Commercial Banks: Co-operative banks, through board-approved policies, can now provide the process for settlement with borrowers, along with technical write-off.
    1. Time limit increased to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets given to UCBs: RBI has extended the timeline for UCBs to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets by two years i.e., up to March 31, 2026.
    1. A Nodal Officer designated in RBI for regular interaction with UCBs: In order to meet the long pending demand of the cooperative sector for closer coordination and focused interaction, RBI has notified a nodal officer.

    24. Individual housing loan limit more than doubled by RBI for Rural and Urban Cooperative Banks:

      1. Housing loan limit of Urban Cooperative Banks has now been doubled from Rs. 30 lakhs to Rs.60 lakhs.
      2. Housing loan limit of Rural Cooperative Banks has been increased to two and a half times to Rs.75 lakhs.

    25. Rural Cooperative Banks will now be able to lend to commercial real estate/ residential housing sector, thereby diversifying their business: This will not only help Rural Cooperative Banks to diversify their business, but will benefit Housing cooperative societies also.

    1. License fee reduced for Cooperative Banks: License fee for onboarding Cooperative Banks to ‘Aadhaar Enabled Payment System’ (AePS) has been reduced by linking it to the number of transactions. Cooperative financial institutions will also be able to get the facility free of cost for the first three months of the pre-production phase. With this, farmers will now be able to get the facility of banking at their home with through biometrics.
    1. Non-scheduled UCBs, StCBs and DCCBs notified as Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) in CGTMSE Scheme to increase the share of cooperatives in lending: Cooperative banks will now be able to take advantage of risk coverage up to 85 percent on the loans given. Also, cooperative sector enterprises will also be able to get collateral free loans from cooperative banks now.
    1. Notification of Scheduling norms for including Urban Cooperative Banks: UCBs that meet the ‘Financially Sound and Well Managed’ (FSWM) criteria and have maintained the minimum deposits required for classification as Tier 3 for the last two years are now eligible to be included in Schedule II of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and get ‘Scheduled’ status.
    1. Monetary ceiling doubled by RBI for Gold Loan: RBI has doubled monetary ceiling from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs.4 lakhs, for those UCBs that meet the PSL targets.
    1. Umbrella Organization for Urban Cooperative Banks: RBI has accorded approval to the National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies Ltd. (NAFCUB) for the formation of an Umbrella Organization (UO) for the UCB sector, which will provide necessary IT infrastructure and operational support to around 1,500 UCBs.

    C. Relief to Cooperative Societies in the Income Tax Act

    1. Surcharge reduced from 12% to 7% for co-operative societies having income between Rs. 1 to 10 Cr.: This will reduce the burden of Income Tax on Cooperative Societies and more capital will be available with them to work for the benefit of their members.
    1. MAT reduced for cooperatives from 18.5% to 15%: With this provision, now there is parity between Cooperative Societies and Companies in this regard.
    1. Relief in cash transactions under section 269ST of the Income Tax Act: In order to remove difficulties in cash transactions by cooperatives under Section 269ST of IT Act, Government has issued a clarification that cash transaction of less than Rs. 2 lakhs done by a cooperative society with its distributor in a day will be considered separately, and will not be charged with income tax penalty.
    2. Tax cut for new manufacturing Cooperative societies: Government has decided that a flat lower tax rate of 15% will be charged, compared to an earlier rate of up to 30% plus surcharge, for new cooperatives commencing manufacturing activities by March 31, 2024. This will encourage the formation of new cooperative societies in the manufacturing sector.
    1. Increase in limit of Cash Deposits and Cash Loans by PACS and PCARDBs: Government has enhanced the limit for Cash Deposits and Cash Loans by PACS and Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs) from Rs. 20,000 to Rs.2 lakh per member. This provision will facilitate their activities, increase their business and benefit members of their societies.
    1. Increase in the limit of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) in Cash Withdrawal: Government has increased the cash withdrawal limit of cooperative societies without deduction of tax at source from Rs.1 crore to Rs.3 crore per year. This provision will save Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) for cooperative societies, which will enhance their liquidity.

    D. Revival of Cooperative Sugar Mills

    1. Relief from Income Tax to Sugar Cooperative Mills: Government has issued a clarification that cooperative sugar mills would not be subjected to additional income tax for paying higher sugarcane prices to farmers up to Fair and Remunerative or State Advised Price, from April, 2016 onwards.
    1. Resolution of decades old pending issues related to Income Tax of Sugar Cooperative Mills: Government has made a provision in its Union Budget 2023-24, wherein Sugar cooperatives have been allowed to claim as expenditure their payments to sugarcane farmers for the period prior to assessment year 2016–17, giving them a relief of more than Rs.46,000 crore.
    1. Rs.10,000 crore loan scheme launched for strengthening of Sugar Cooperative Mills: Government has launched a scheme through NCDC for setting up ethanol plants or cogeneration plants or for working capital or for all three purposes. So far, the Ministry has released Rs. 875 crore to NCDC (Rs. 500 crore in FY 2022-23 and Rs. 375 crore in FY 2024-25) under the scheme and as of now, NCDC has sanctioned 80 loans amounting to Rs.9,169.76 crore to 44 CSMs.
    1. Preference to Cooperative Sugar Mills in purchase of ethanol: Cooperative Sugar Mills have now been put at par with private companies for ethanol procurement by Government of India under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).
    1. Strengthening of Cooperative Sugar Mills by converting their molasses-based ethanol plants into multi feed ethanol plants: Ministry of Cooperation has taken initiative in consultation with National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. (NFCSFL) for conversion of existing molasses-based ethanol plants of CSMs into multi feed ethanol plants. The Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs) also produce ethanol from molasses and sugar syrup by installing ethanol production plants. However, the availability of raw material i.e., molasses and sugar syrup for production of ethanol is limited by many factors viz, Government Policy on diversion of sugarcane syrup, B heavy molasses for production of ethanol and duration of sugar cane crushing season and availability of sugarcane depending on rainfall, etc. On account of these limiting factors, the CSMs having ethanol plants are not able to operate them at full capacity round the year. The Government of India has prioritized maize for production of ethanol, therefore, it is prudent for CSMs to convert their existing ethanol production units into multi feed ethanol production units so that they are able to produce ethanol by using maize as raw material.
    1. Reduction in GST on molasses from 28% to 5%: Government has decided to reduce the GST on molasses from 28% to 5% which will enable cooperative sugar mills to earn more profits for their members by selling molasses to distilleries with higher margins.

    E. Three new National Level Multi-State Societies

    43. New National Multi-State Cooperative Seed Society for certified seeds: Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative seed society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) as an umbrella organization for quality seed cultivation, production and distribution under a single brand. During the Rabi 2024-25 season, 57 Varieties of 12 Crops were sown/ planted in 5,596 hectares. Similarly, during the Kharif 2024 season, 23 varieties of 8 Crops have been planted on 176.59 hectare of land. So far, 17,425 PACS/ Cooperative Societies have become members of BBSSL.

    1. New National Multi-State Cooperative Organic Society for organic farming: Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative organic society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) as an umbrella organization to produce, distribute and market certified and authentic organic products. So far, 5,184 PACS/ cooperative societies have become members of NCOL. NCOL has launched 13 products i.e., Whole Wheat Flour, Moong Dhuli, Moong Whole, Moog Chilka Dal, Moog Split, Arhar/ Toor Dal, Urad Whole, Urad Dal, Masoor Whole, Masoor Malka, Brown Chana, Rajma Chitra, Chana Dal under ‘Bharat Organics Brand’.
    1. New National Multi-State Cooperative Export Society for promoting exports: Government has established a new apex multi-state cooperative export society under the MSCS Act, 2002, namely National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL) as an umbrella organization to give thrust to exports from cooperative sector. So far, 7,933 PACS/ cooperative societies have become members of NCEL. Till date, NCEL has achieved a total export quantity of commodities (rice, sugar, onion, wheat, maize and Jeera) of 12,52,083 Metric tonnes with an exported value of Rs. 5,099.24 crore.

    F. Capacity Building in Cooperatives

    1. Promotion of training and awareness through National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT): By increasing its reach, NCCT has conducted 2,872 training programs and provided training to 2,35,060 participants till December 2024.

    G. Use of Information Technology for ‘Ease of Doing Business’

    1. Computerization of the Central Registrar’s Office: Central Registrar’s office has been computerized to create a digital ecosystem for Multi-State Cooperative Societies, which will assist in processing applications and service requests in a time bound manner.
    1. Scheme for computerization of office of RCSs in States/ Union Territories: To increase ‘ease of doing business’ for cooperative societies and create a digital ecosystem for transparent paperless regulation in all the States/ UTs, a Centrally Sponsored Project for Computerization of RCS Offices has been approved by the Government. Grants are provided for the purchase of hardware, development of software, etc. to the States/ UTs. So far, proposals received from 35 States/ UTs have been sanctioned by GOI.
    1. Computerization of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs): To strengthen the long-term cooperative credit structure, the project of computerization of 1,851 units of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) spread across 13 States/ Union Territories has been approved by the Government. NABARD is the implementing agency for the project. So far, proposals from 10 States/UTs have been received and sanctioned. Further, GOI share amounting to Rs 5.08 crore has been released to 9 States/UTs in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 for procurement of hardware, digitization and setting up of support system.

    H. Other Initiatives

    1. New National Cooperative Database for authentic and updated data repository: A database of cooperatives in the country has been prepared with the support of State Governments to facilitate stakeholders in policy making and implementation of programmes/ schemes related to cooperatives across the country. So far, data of more than

    8.2 lakh cooperatives across 30 sectors, with approximately 30 crore members, has been captured in the database.

    1. Cooperative Ranking Framework: The Government launched the Cooperative Ranking Framework on 24th January 2025 to rank cooperatives State-wise and sector-wise. The ranking framework enables State RCS to assess Cooperative Societies’ performance based on key parameters, including audit compliance, operational activities, financial performance, infrastructure, and basic identity information. The RCS of the States/ UTs, through login on NCD portal, can generate ranks of Cooperative Societies, initially of 7 major sectors namely PACS, Dairy, Fishery, Urban Cooperative Banks, Housing, Credit and Thrift, and Khadi and Gram Udyog. This ranking system aims to enhance transparency, reliability and competitiveness among cooperative societies, ultimately fostering their growth. Furthermore, top-performing cooperative societies in each sector will be recognized and honoured by the Ministry of Cooperation and respective State/ UT authorities, aligning with the objectives of the International Year of Cooperatives.
    1. International Year of Cooperatives – 2025 in India: The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025) to highlight the role of cooperatives in economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainability. The Ministry of Cooperation has developed an action plan in collaboration with National Cooperative Federations, State Governments, Central Ministries and other stakeholders emphasizing transparency, policy reforms, and rural economic transformation through PACS. Activities include training, board meetings, cooperative flag hoisting, exhibitions, and business expansion workshops at District, State, and National levels. To ensure effective execution, committees at national, state, and district levels have been formed. The National Execution Committee (NEC) and National Cooperative Committee (NCC) will oversee coordination and financial mobilization. State Apex Committees (SAC), along with State and District Cooperative Development Committees (SCDC & DCDC), will organize and manage State/ District/ Village level programs.
    1. Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023: Amendment has been brought in the MSCS Act, 2002 to strengthen governance, enhance transparency, increase accountability, reform electoral process and incorporate provisions of 97th Constitutional Amendment in the Multi State Cooperative Societies.
    1. Cooperative Ombudsman: Following the amendment in the Multi–State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, Cooperative Ombudsman has been appointed under Section 85A of the said Act vide gazette notification dated 05.03.2024. The Ombudsman office is fully functional and deals with complaints or appeals, from members of the MSCS regarding their deposits, equitable benefits of the Multi–State Co-operative Society’s functioning or any other issue affecting the individual rights of the concerned member.
    1. Cooperative Election Authority (CEA): Following the amendment in the Multi–State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, the Cooperative Election Authority has been set up to strengthen governance and accountability, with a mandate to conduct free and fair election in all MSCSs. Elections in more than 80 MSCS have been conducted successfully up to December, 2024.
    2. Inclusion of Cooperatives as ‘buyers’ on GeM portal: The Government has permitted cooperatives to register as ‘buyer’ on GeM, enabling them to procure goods and services from over 67 lakh vendors to facilitate economical purchases and greater transparency. So far, 574 cooperative societies have been onboarded on GeM as buyers.
    3. Expansion of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to increase its range and depth: NCDC has launched new schemes in various sectors such as ‘Swayamshakti Sahkar’ for SHGs; ‘Deerghavadhi Krishak Sahkar’ for long term agricultural credit and ‘Dairy Sahkar’ for dairy. During the current FY 2024-25, so far, total financial assistance of Rs. 84,673.70 crores has been disbursed by NCDC.
    4. Financial assistance by NCDC for Deep Sea Trawlers: NCDC is providing financial assistance for projects related to deep sea trawlers in coordination with the Department of Fisheries, Government of India. NCDC has already sanctioned financial assistance of Rs.

    25.95 crore for purchase of total 44 deep sea trawlers for the Fisheries Cooperative Societies of Maharashtra and Gujarat State.

    1. National Cooperation Policy (NCP): The formulation of New National Cooperation Policy (NCP) has been envisaged to fulfil the mandate of the Ministry of Cooperation – “Sahakar se Samriddhi.” A National level committee was constituted on 2.9.2022 under Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu with experts of the cooperative sector, representatives from National/ State/ District/ Primary level cooperative societies, Secretaries (Cooperation) and RCSs from States/ UTs and officers from Central Ministries/ Departments to formulate the New Cooperation Policy to provide a framework to unlock the true potential of the Cooperative sector. The Committee conducted four regional workshops throughout the country to elicit suggestions from stakeholders. The received suggestions have been incorporated into the draft policy appropriately. The draft policy has been prepared and is under finalization.
    2. Refund to Investors of Sahara Group of Societies: A portal has been launched for making payments to the genuine depositors of the cooperative societies of Sahara Group in a transparent manner. Disbursements have already started after proper identification and submission of proof of their deposits and claims. So far, Rs. 2,025.75 crores have been disbursed to 11.61 lakh applicants.

    This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    ****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2112225)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Brainstorming Session for Leveraging Non-conventional Data Sources for Official Statistics to be held on 20th March, 2025 in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 1:59PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is organising a brainstorming session on Leveraging Non-Conventional Data Sources for Official Statistics on 20th March, 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The session aims to deliberate upon the ways and means of using the non-conventional data along with the conventional data generated through the censuses, surveys, and administrative records.

    The rapid advancements in technology have given rise to non-conventional data sources, offering new opportunities for data-driven decision-making. The non-conventional data sources come from earth observation (satellite images); Mobile telecommunications (call records); social networks (sentiment analysis), and citizen-generated data (civil society data). Many of these are considered big data, large volumes of unstructured information that require new capacities for their analysis. The non-conventional data sources become an opportunity to complement the existing official data available with the statistical community.

    In recent years there has been a need for better convergence of data arising from these two types of sources, conventional and non-conventional. Discussions about what official statistics are currently measuring and the types of data being used for these measurements have been taking place at the Statistical Institutions of different countries. The time is thus opportune to bring the relevant stakeholders at one platform and ponder upon the right set of frameworks, and systems to confluence the non-conventional data with the conventional data in official statistics.   

    The event congregates domain experts, policymakers, data scientists, and statisticians to discuss opportunities, challenges, and strategies for supplementing alternative data sources with the conventional data, thereby enhancing the scope, accuracy, and timeliness of official statistics. The panelists of the technical session will delve into various emerging data sources, their features- structural and transactional, and possibility of their integration with the conventional datasets.

    The keynote on the brainstorming session will be delivered by Sri Kris Gopalkrishnan, one of the co-founders of Infosys, recognized as a global business and technology thought leader. Mr. Gopalakrishnan serves on the Board of Governors of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), is the Chairman, The Council, IISc Bangalore, and is the Chairman, Board of Governors of IIIT, Bangalore.

    In addition, the brainstorming session would be addressed by Sri Rana Hasan, Regional Lead Economist, South Asia, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), and Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

    The panelists of the technical sessions are the representatives from UN agencies, Governments and Private Institutions, namely, Survey of India (Department of Science & Technology), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC: Department of Space), UIDAI (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), IIT, Kanpur, World Bank, IDinsight, GDi, and Great Lakes Institute of Management.

    The event is likely to be attended by the representatives of the central Ministries/Departments, UN agencies, Think Tanks, Independent organisations, and Universities and research institutions.

    The outcomes of the brainstorming session are likely to be instrumental in understanding methodologies for better use of non-conventional data sources, as also in evolving an institutional arrangement for data integration generated through the conventional and non-conventional sources.    

    ***

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2112154) Visitor Counter : 43

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne

    When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated negotiations, have now been cast aside by new Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes came after Hamas’ “repeated refusals” to “release our hostages”, and the group’s rejection of all proposals presented by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

    Even before Israel cut off all humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza in the past two weeks, Hamas claimed it had not met the levels of humanitarian aid, shelter and fuel it agreed to provide in the terms of the ceasefire. However, this is a distraction from a larger issue.

    This ceasefire was always more like a strangle contract than a negotiated agreement between equal parties. Israel, as the party with far greater military and political power, has always had the upper hand.

    And while the first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, saw the successful release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, the ceasefire also enabled Israel to use it for its own political and military ends.

    Buying time

    The most common conventional concern about ceasefires is that the parties to a conflict will use them for their own ends.

    Typically, the worry is that non-state armed groups, such as Hamas, will use the halt in violence to buy time to regroup, rearm and rebuild their strength to continue fighting.

    But states such as Israel have this ability, too. Even though they have standing armies that might not need to regroup and rearm in the same way, states can use this time to manoeuvre in the international arena – a space largely denied to non-state actors.

    Trump’s rise to power in the US has seemingly given the Israeli government carte blanche to proceed in ways that were arguably off limits to previous US presidents who were also largely supportive of Israel’s actions.

    This includes the plan of forcing Gaza’s population out of the strip. This plan was raised earlier in the war by Trump advisor Jared Kushner and Israeli officials as a supposed humanitarian initiative.

    Trump has now repeated the call to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan – or possibly other parts of Africa – and for the US to take “ownership” of the coastal strip and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

    On the face of it, this plan would be a war crime. But even if it is never fully implemented, the fact it is being promoted by Trump after many years of domestic Israeli and international opprobrium shows how political ideas once thought unacceptable can take on a life of their own.

    Political and military maneouvering

    Israel has also used the ceasefire to pursue larger political and military goals in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon and Syria.

    Even though the ceasefire did reduce overall levels of violence in Gaza, Israel has continued to carry out attacks on targets in the strip.

    It has also escalated the construction of settlements and carried out increasingly violent operations in the West Bank. In addition, there have been egregious attacks on Palestinian residents in Israel.

    And though nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners were released during the ceasefire, Israel was holding more than 9,600 Palestinians in detention on “security grounds” at the end of 2024. Thousands more Palestinians are being held by Israel in administrative detention, which means without trial or charge.

    During the ceasefire, Israel also accelerated efforts to evict the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, from its headquarters in East Jerusalem. And the Israeli government has also proposed increasingly draconian laws aimed at restraining the work of Israeli human rights organisations.

    On the military front, the ceasefire arguably alleviated some pressure on Israel, giving it time to consolidate its territorial and security gains against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and in Syria.

    In the past two months, two deadlines for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon passed. Israel has instead proposed establishing a buffer zone on Lebanese territory and has begun destroying villages, uprooting olive trees and building semi-permanent outposts along the border.

    In a speech in February, Netanyahu also demanded the “complete demilitarisation of southern Syria” following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. And Defence Minister Israel Katz said this month Israel would keep its troops in southern Syria to “protect” residents from any threats from the new Syrian regime.

    Be careful what you wish for

    While Palestinians are known for their sumud – usually translated as steadfastness or tenacity – there is a limit to what humans can endure. The war, and subsequent ceasefires, have created a situation in which Gazans may have to put the survival and wellbeing of themselves and their families above their desire to stay in Palestine.

    There is a general assumption that ceasefires are positive and humanitarian in nature. But ceasefires are not panaceas. In reality, they are a least-worst option for stopping the violence of war for often just a brief period.

    A ceasefire was never going to be the solution to the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Instead, it has turned out to be part of the problem.

    Marika Sosnowski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered – https://theconversation.com/the-israel-hamas-ceasefire-didnt-resolve-any-deep-seated-issues-now-its-shattered-249944

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne

    When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated negotiations, have now been cast aside by new Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes came after Hamas’ “repeated refusals” to “release our hostages”, and the group’s rejection of all proposals presented by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

    Even before Israel cut off all humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza in the past two weeks, Hamas claimed it had not met the levels of humanitarian aid, shelter and fuel it agreed to provide in the terms of the ceasefire. However, this is a distraction from a larger issue.

    This ceasefire was always more like a strangle contract than a negotiated agreement between equal parties. Israel, as the party with far greater military and political power, has always had the upper hand.

    And while the first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, saw the successful release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, the ceasefire also enabled Israel to use it for its own political and military ends.

    Buying time

    The most common conventional concern about ceasefires is that the parties to a conflict will use them for their own ends.

    Typically, the worry is that non-state armed groups, such as Hamas, will use the halt in violence to buy time to regroup, rearm and rebuild their strength to continue fighting.

    But states such as Israel have this ability, too. Even though they have standing armies that might not need to regroup and rearm in the same way, states can use this time to manoeuvre in the international arena – a space largely denied to non-state actors.

    Trump’s rise to power in the US has seemingly given the Israeli government carte blanche to proceed in ways that were arguably off limits to previous US presidents who were also largely supportive of Israel’s actions.

    This includes the plan of forcing Gaza’s population out of the strip. This plan was raised earlier in the war by Trump advisor Jared Kushner and Israeli officials as a supposed humanitarian initiative.

    Trump has now repeated the call to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan – or possibly other parts of Africa – and for the US to take “ownership” of the coastal strip and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

    On the face of it, this plan would be a war crime. But even if it is never fully implemented, the fact it is being promoted by Trump after many years of domestic Israeli and international opprobrium shows how political ideas once thought unacceptable can take on a life of their own.

    Political and military maneouvering

    Israel has also used the ceasefire to pursue larger political and military goals in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon and Syria.

    Even though the ceasefire did reduce overall levels of violence in Gaza, Israel has continued to carry out attacks on targets in the strip.

    It has also escalated the construction of settlements and carried out increasingly violent operations in the West Bank. In addition, there have been egregious attacks on Palestinian residents in Israel.

    And though nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners were released during the ceasefire, Israel was holding more than 9,600 Palestinians in detention on “security grounds” at the end of 2024. Thousands more Palestinians are being held by Israel in administrative detention, which means without trial or charge.

    During the ceasefire, Israel also accelerated efforts to evict the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, from its headquarters in East Jerusalem. And the Israeli government has also proposed increasingly draconian laws aimed at restraining the work of Israeli human rights organisations.

    On the military front, the ceasefire arguably alleviated some pressure on Israel, giving it time to consolidate its territorial and security gains against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and in Syria.

    In the past two months, two deadlines for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon passed. Israel has instead proposed establishing a buffer zone on Lebanese territory and has begun destroying villages, uprooting olive trees and building semi-permanent outposts along the border.

    In a speech in February, Netanyahu also demanded the “complete demilitarisation of southern Syria” following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. And Defence Minister Israel Katz said this month Israel would keep its troops in southern Syria to “protect” residents from any threats from the new Syrian regime.

    Be careful what you wish for

    While Palestinians are known for their sumud – usually translated as steadfastness or tenacity – there is a limit to what humans can endure. The war, and subsequent ceasefires, have created a situation in which Gazans may have to put the survival and wellbeing of themselves and their families above their desire to stay in Palestine.

    There is a general assumption that ceasefires are positive and humanitarian in nature. But ceasefires are not panaceas. In reality, they are a least-worst option for stopping the violence of war for often just a brief period.

    A ceasefire was never going to be the solution to the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Instead, it has turned out to be part of the problem.

    The Conversation

    Marika Sosnowski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered – https://theconversation.com/the-israel-hamas-ceasefire-didnt-resolve-any-deep-seated-issues-now-its-shattered-249944

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire failed to resolve many deep-seated issues. Now, it appears to be shattered

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne

    When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated negotiations, have now been cast aside by new Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes came after Hamas’ “repeated refusals” to “release our hostages”, and the group’s rejection of all proposals presented by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

    Even before Israel cut off all humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza in the past two weeks, Hamas claimed it had not met the levels of humanitarian aid, shelter and fuel it agreed to provide in the terms of the ceasefire. However, this is a distraction from a larger issue.

    This ceasefire was always more like a strangle contract than a negotiated agreement between equal parties. Israel, as the party with far greater military and political power, has always had the upper hand.

    And while the first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, saw the successful release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, the ceasefire also enabled Israel to use it for its own political and military ends.

    Buying time

    The most common conventional concern about ceasefires is that the parties to a conflict will use them for their own ends.

    Typically, the worry is that non-state armed groups, such as Hamas, will use the halt in violence to buy time to regroup, rearm and rebuild their strength to continue fighting.

    But states such as Israel have this ability, too. Even though they have standing armies that might not need to regroup and rearm in the same way, states can use this time to manoeuvre in the international arena – a space largely denied to non-state actors.

    Trump’s rise to power in the US has seemingly given the Israeli government carte blanche to proceed in ways that were arguably off limits to previous US presidents who were also largely supportive of Israel’s actions.

    This includes the plan of forcing Gaza’s population out of the strip. This plan was raised earlier in the war by Trump advisor Jared Kushner and Israeli officials as a supposed humanitarian initiative.

    Trump has now repeated the call to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan – or possibly other parts of Africa – and for the US to take “ownership” of the coastal strip and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

    On the face of it, this plan would be a war crime. But even if it is never fully implemented, the fact it is being promoted by Trump after many years of domestic Israeli and international opprobrium shows how political ideas once thought unacceptable can take on a life of their own.

    Political and military maneouvering

    Israel has also used the ceasefire to pursue larger political and military goals in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon and Syria.

    Even though the ceasefire did reduce overall levels of violence in Gaza, Israel has continued to carry out attacks on targets in the strip.

    It has also escalated the construction of settlements and carried out increasingly violent operations in the West Bank. In addition, there have been egregious attacks on Palestinian residents in Israel.

    And though nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners were released during the ceasefire, Israel was holding more than 9,600 Palestinians in detention on “security grounds” at the end of 2024. Thousands more Palestinians are being held by Israel in administrative detention, which means without trial or charge.

    During the ceasefire, Israel also accelerated efforts to evict the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, from its headquarters in East Jerusalem. And the Israeli government has also proposed increasingly draconian laws aimed at restraining the work of Israeli human rights organisations.

    On the military front, the ceasefire arguably alleviated some pressure on Israel, giving it time to consolidate its territorial and security gains against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and in Syria.

    In the past two months, two deadlines for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon passed. Israel has instead proposed establishing a buffer zone on Lebanese territory and has begun destroying villages, uprooting olive trees and building semi-permanent outposts along the border.

    In a speech in February, Netanyahu also demanded the “complete demilitarisation of southern Syria” following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. And Defence Minister Israel Katz said this month Israel would keep its troops in southern Syria to “protect” residents from any threats from the new Syrian regime.

    Be careful what you wish for

    While Palestinians are known for their sumud – usually translated as steadfastness or tenacity – there is a limit to what humans can endure. The war, and subsequent ceasefires, have created a situation in which Gazans may have to put the survival and wellbeing of themselves and their families above their desire to stay in Palestine.

    There is a general assumption that ceasefires are positive and humanitarian in nature. But ceasefires are not panaceas. In reality, they are a least-worst option for stopping the violence of war for often just a brief period.

    A ceasefire was never going to be the solution to the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Instead, it has turned out to be part of the problem.

    Marika Sosnowski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire failed to resolve many deep-seated issues. Now, it appears to be shattered – https://theconversation.com/the-israel-hamas-ceasefire-failed-to-resolve-many-deep-seated-issues-now-it-appears-to-be-shattered-249944

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it appears to be shattered

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne

    When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated negotiations, have now been cast aside by new Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes came after Hamas’ “repeated refusals” to “release our hostages”, and the group’s rejection of all proposals presented by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

    Even before Israel cut off all humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza in the past two weeks, Hamas claimed it had not met the levels of humanitarian aid, shelter and fuel it agreed to provide in the terms of the ceasefire. However, this is a distraction from a larger issue.

    This ceasefire was always more like a strangle contract than a negotiated agreement between equal parties. Israel, as the party with far greater military and political power, has always had the upper hand.

    And while the first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, saw the successful release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, the ceasefire also enabled Israel to use it for its own political and military ends.

    Buying time

    The most common conventional concern about ceasefires is that the parties to a conflict will use them for their own ends.

    Typically, the worry is that non-state armed groups, such as Hamas, will use the halt in violence to buy time to regroup, rearm and rebuild their strength to continue fighting.

    But states such as Israel have this ability, too. Even though they have standing armies that might not need to regroup and rearm in the same way, states can use this time to manoeuvre in the international arena – a space largely denied to non-state actors.

    Trump’s rise to power in the US has seemingly given the Israeli government carte blanche to proceed in ways that were arguably off limits to previous US presidents who were also largely supportive of Israel’s actions.

    This includes the plan of forcing Gaza’s population out of the strip. This plan was raised earlier in the war by Trump advisor Jared Kushner and Israeli officials as a supposed humanitarian initiative.

    Trump has now repeated the call to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan – or possibly other parts of Africa – and for the US to take “ownership” of the coastal strip and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

    On the face of it, this plan would be a war crime. But even if it is never fully implemented, the fact it is being promoted by Trump after many years of domestic Israeli and international opprobrium shows how political ideas once thought unacceptable can take on a life of their own.

    Political and military maneouvering

    Israel has also used the ceasefire to pursue larger political and military goals in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon and Syria.

    Even though the ceasefire did reduce overall levels of violence in Gaza, Israel has continued to carry out attacks on targets in the strip.

    It has also escalated the construction of settlements and carried out increasingly violent operations in the West Bank. In addition, there have been egregious attacks on Palestinian residents in Israel.

    And though nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners were released during the ceasefire, Israel was holding more than 9,600 Palestinians in detention on “security grounds” at the end of 2024. Thousands more Palestinians are being held by Israel in administrative detention, which means without trial or charge.

    During the ceasefire, Israel also accelerated efforts to evict the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, from its headquarters in East Jerusalem. And the Israeli government has also proposed increasingly draconian laws aimed at restraining the work of Israeli human rights organisations.

    On the military front, the ceasefire arguably alleviated some pressure on Israel, giving it time to consolidate its territorial and security gains against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and in Syria.

    In the past two months, two deadlines for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon passed. Israel has instead proposed establishing a buffer zone on Lebanese territory and has begun destroying villages, uprooting olive trees and building semi-permanent outposts along the border.

    In a speech in February, Netanyahu also demanded the “complete demilitarisation of southern Syria” following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. And Defence Minister Israel Katz said this month Israel would keep its troops in southern Syria to “protect” residents from any threats from the new Syrian regime.

    Be careful what you wish for

    While Palestinians are known for their sumud – usually translated as steadfastness or tenacity – there is a limit to what humans can endure. The war, and subsequent ceasefires, have created a situation in which Gazans may have to put the survival and wellbeing of themselves and their families above their desire to stay in Palestine.

    There is a general assumption that ceasefires are positive and humanitarian in nature. But ceasefires are not panaceas. In reality, they are a least-worst option for stopping the violence of war for often just a brief period.

    A ceasefire was never going to be the solution to the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Instead, it has turned out to be part of the problem.

    Marika Sosnowski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it appears to be shattered – https://theconversation.com/the-israel-hamas-ceasefire-didnt-resolve-any-deep-seated-issues-now-it-appears-to-be-shattered-249944

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –