NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Allens advises lenders on reaching financial close for BCI Minerals’ $981m Mardie Project financing

    Source: Allens Insights

    Allens has advised the lenders on the successful financial close of BCI Minerals’ $981 million financing for the Mardie Salt Project (the Mardie Project), marking a significant milestone in the development of Australia’s first large-scale salt project in decades.

    The syndicate of lenders includes Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, Export Finance Australia, Export Development Canada, Westpac Banking Corporation, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited.

    The financing package comprises $830 million for construction loans, $70 million for bank guarantees, and $81 million for potential cost overruns. The Mardie Project has been accredited as a Green Loan aligned with the Green Financing Framework.

    ‘We are proud to have played a key role in this significant financing deal for the Mardie Project,’ said lead Partner Ben Farnsworth.

    ‘This not only represents a major investment but also highlights the growing importance of sustainable financing in the global market. The Green Loan accreditation underscores the project’s commitment to environmental sustainability and economic growth.’

    Financial close was reached on 4 October. Allens continues to work with Lenders and BCI on satisfying the further conditions to the first drawdown of the construction loan facilities.

    Allens legal team

    Banking & Finance

    Ben Farnsworth (Partner), Louise Barbato (Senior Associate), Madeleine Ninkov (Associate), Megan Lee (Associate), Mariella Panegyres (Lawyer)

    Real Estate & Development

    Naomi Bergman (Partner), Layth Zumot (Associate)

    Projects

    Jodi Reinmuth (Partner), Lewis Pope (Associate)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: World’s Largest Debt Conversion for Conservation of a River and its Watershed Completed in El Salvador

    Source: CAF Development Bank of Latin America

    All savings generated by the transaction will be applied over time to support conservation, water security, and ecosystem restoration in the Lempa River (Rio Lempa) watershed. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. acted as sole arranger and lender for the loan and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as dealer manager in the tender offer for El Salvador’s bonds.

    DFC, the U.S. Government’s international development bank, is providing $1 billion in political risk insurance (PRI) while CAF is providing a $200 million standby letter of credit (SBLC). The combination of the DFC PRI and the CAF SBLC will provide integral credit enhancements that support the transaction, which in turn catalyzes the additional investment in El Salvador’s conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Rio Lempa watershed. ArtCap Strategies acted as financial advisor and global coordinator for the transaction.

    The Rio Lempa watershed is one of the longest rivers in Central America and plays an important role in the well-being of cities, communities and the economy in El Salvador by providing drinking water, as well as supporting industry and hydropower generation, and irrigation. It also supports diverse ecosystems that represent a large portion of the country’s environmental heritage. Projects funded by the savings from the transaction are expected to enhance water quality, quantity, and reliability; strengthen climate resilience; protect the watershed’s natural ecosystem; and mitigate water security risk in the region.

    Through this transaction, the Government of El Salvador will realize more than $352 million in lifetime savings through a combination of immediate notional debt savings and material reductions in debt service costs. $350 million of these savings will be applied to the Rio Lempa Conservation and Restoration Program (the “Program”) over the next 20 years in support of the country’s commitment to watershed conservation in the Rio Lempa basin. Specifically, $200 million, or an average of $9.75 million annually over 20 years, will fund the Program directly, while $150 million, or approximately $7 million per year, will fund an endowment. The funds in the endowment will be invested and are intended to become a source of ongoing funding for the Program beyond 2044. This $350 million allocation represents the largest funding commitment a country has ever made for conservation in a debt conversion transaction.

    CRS and FIAES will jointly manage the Program and will collaborate with key government water and environmental agencies to enhance water security and watershed health, promote biodiversity, stimulate economic development through regenerative agriculture, and strengthen planning and management capacities in the Rio Lempa watershed. The Program will make grants to non-governmental organizations operating in El Salvador in support of these goals, with initial grants set to disburse in 2025.The Program will be governed by a seven-member Board of Directors that includes one representative from the Government of El Salvador, one representative from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and five non-governmental representatives.

    In addition, the Government of El Salvador has committed to: (i) establish a zonal organization to oversee conservation and restoration of the Rio Lempa watershed; (ii) approve a National Integrated Water Resources Plan; (iii) establish a water resources data monitoring system for the Rio Lempa watershed; (iv) develop protocols for issuing water use permits; (v) establish a public feedback and complaint mechanism for violations of the National Water Resources Law and Environmental Law; (vi) contribute to the decision-making process by developing standards for calculating costs related to drinking water and sanitation services; and (vii) declare 75,000 hectares of protected aquifer recharge zones throughout the watershed by 2044.

    White & Case LLP acted as legal adviser to the Republic.

    “This debt conversion represents the most ambitious and impactful environmental action in El Salvador’s history. It not only reaffirms this government’s commitment to economic growth, it also enables us to achieve this growth while preserving one of our most precious natural resources: the Lempa River watershed. With support from international parties, we are executing the largest debt conversion transaction of its kind to date. This debt conversion project promotes sustainable development for our communities, strengthens our water security, and protects our ecosystems to secure the well-being of this generation and those to come. With this debt conversion, we aim to transform the environmental and economic future of El Salvador,” said Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador.

    “Since its inception, DFC has been a pioneer in the field of debt conversions. Today’s announcement presents the world’s first-ever debt conversion for watershed conservation and water security. This transaction will protect critical resources while helping unburden the Salvadoran economy and promoting the growth of a vibrant private sector that will create more opportunities for Salvadoreans to find employment in their communities. DFC is committed to continuing to leverage our unique financial tools in innovative ways in pursuit of our developmental priorities around the world,” said DFC CEO Scott Nathan. 

    “At CAF, we are committed to becoming the green bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. Therefore, we are investing $25 billion by 2026 to finance environmental, climate change, and biodiversity initiatives, such as the one we are announcing today in partnership with the Government of El Salvador, DFC, CRS, and FIAES. This historic financing demonstrates that, through joint efforts, we can advance innovative financial mechanisms that accelerate sustainable development,” said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF. 

    “CRS is excited to be part of this transformative program in El Salvador, which sets a new standard for the scale and long-term funding needed to restore and protect critical water resources for current and future generations. This program came together because of bold leadership and collective action by a dynamic and diverse team,” said Carla Fajardo, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Catholic Relief Services.

    “FIAES is pleased to participate in the Rio Lempa Conservation and Restoration Program, acting as a strategic partner of the Government of El Salvador and the Government of the United States of America, as a fund administrator and program co-manager. The Río Lempa watershed is a valuable natural resource for our country since it covers 49 percent of the territory and supplies 68 percent of the national water needs; therefore, its preservation is essential to guarantee the sustainability of its ecosystem services”, said Jorge Oviedo, Executive Director of FIAES. 

    “ArtCap is proud to have spearheaded the coordination of this landmark transaction, uniting public and private stakeholders to help develop a comprehensive financial and conservation strategy. This program will deliver an important source of long-term funding for projects focused on the Rio Lempa watershed.  By acting as a private sector catalyst, ArtCap was able to set a new precedent for collaboration among public and private stakeholders that helped to achieve a program with an impressive scale. We hope the success of this transaction will encourage further innovation in conservation finance,” said Antonio Navarro, Managing Partner, ArtCap Strategies. 

    About DFC:

    The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and small business and financial services. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.

    About CAF:

    CAF – Development Bank of Latin American and Caribbean – has the mission to promote sustainable development and regional integration by financing public and private sector projects, providing technical cooperation, and offering other specialized services. Established in 1970 and currently composed of 21 countries – 19 from Latin America and the Caribbean, along with Spain and Portugal – and 13 private banks, it is one of the main sources of multilateral financing and a significant knowledge generator for the region. 

     

    About Catholic Relief Services:

     Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS works at the nexus of sustainable agriculture, watershed management, and water supply to support governments, partners, communities, and all stakeholders to provide truly sustainable solutions that increase crop production, improve water for human health, and mitigate climate change. CRS has worked in El Salvador for over 50 years, supporting a network of local partners.

     

    About FIAES:

     FIAES was launched in 1993 as a Conservation Trust Fund as a result of a debt-for-nature swap between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of El Salvador to support the restoration and conservation of natural resources in El Salvador. FIAES manages multiple funds including several debt-for-nature swaps, environmental compensation funds from the Government of El Salvador, and several conservation grants from international organizations. Over the past 31 years, FIAES has invested more than $90 million in conservation and restoration of coastal marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

     

    About ArtCap Strategies:

    ArtCap Strategies is a private credit fund and a leading financial advisory firm specializing in innovative, sustainable financing solutions for public and private sector clients (among other strategies). With a focus on structuring and investing in deals that address global challenges such as climate resilience, water security, and sustainable development, ArtCap works closely with governments, multilateral institutions, and private investors to create impactful financial strategies. ArtCap’s expertise lies in coordinating complex transactions that not only generate economic value, but also drive environmental and social progress, setting new standards in responsible finance.  

    This announcement may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on El Salvador’s current plans, estimates, assumptions, and projections. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and El Salvador undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events. This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution in or into, or to any person located or resident in, any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to release, publish or distribute such announcement.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Following in father’s footsteps at EIT sets student up for career in mechanical engineering | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    35 seconds ago

    Braydon Gregory is enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3).

    Following in his father’s footsteps by studying at EIT, is setting a student up for a career in mechanical engineering.

    Braydon Gregory, 17, is currently doing his apprenticeship and is enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) at EIT – the same programme his father Aaron completed in the early 2000s.

    Braydon left Napier Boys’ High halfway through Year 13 this year with a very clear plan of enrolling in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) and doing his apprenticeship at his father’s company, Gregory Innovations Limited.

    He says that he is a third generation product of Napier Boys’, but that mechanical engineering has also been a part of his life since he was young.

    “I’ve pretty much been doing it since I was ten, and then I got top of engineering two years in a row at school.”

    “It was then that I decided that I would get a head start by leaving school early and starting the EIT programme. Dad then offered me an apprenticeship opportunity.”

    As part of this apprenticeship, Braydon is working with his father on contract work for Dennis Glenn Logging.

    “The work we are doing is working on big diggers, big loaders and trucks. It is a wide variety of work.”

    It is a busy time for Braydon, whose family has a farm in Puketapu. Not only does he work as a part-time shepherd (he has his own dog) for a neighbour, but he also works at Pan Pac Forest Products outside Napier on a Sunday.

    Braydon says that his career path has been planned from the beginning, including studying at EIT.

    “My father said that it’s a really good place to learn all the basic skills that you’ll carry on for the rest of your life, like sharpening a drill bit.”

    “He said that if you went into industry straight away, they would just overlook it and not teach you. At EIT, you weld for as long as you want to get it right before going out into the industry.”

    The aim after he has studied is to eventually take over the family business. However, before then, he plans to go on an OE.

    “With my engineering qualifications I will probably travel with engineering, so either go to Australia for the big shutdowns or over to America where they do big pipelines. But the aim is definitely to take over the family business and carry that on.”

    Asked what he enjoyed about EIT, Braydon said that the tutors made all the difference.

    “It is more than a job for them, they really enjoy engineering and passing that knowledge on to us.”

    He has no hesitation in recommending EIT as a place to study.

    EIT’s Head of the School of Trades and Technology said: “The engineering industry are a big supporter of EIT’s Mechanical Engineering programme and provide excellent graduate pathways, it is fantastic to see one of our graduates pathway into the industry.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: With reports Kamala might join Joe Rogan for a chat, the US election is showing the power of podcasting

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lea Redfern, Lecturer, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney

    Call Her Daddy/YouTube

    It was big news in the podcasting world when US Vice-President Kamala Harris recently sat down with Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy for an extended interview. This was not just because it was one of the few times Harris has opened herself up to direct media scrutiny, but also because it signalled podcasting’s coming of age.

    Now there are fresh reports she could sit down with Joe Rogan for his top-rated show. Former president Donald Trump has also said he’ll record with Rogan before election day.

    High-stakes interviews are no longer solely the domain of legacy media. Politicians, like celebrities with a story to tell or a film to sell, can pop onto a podcast with a hopefully sympathetic host to reach vast and potentially new audiences. (That said, Harris also did interviews with CBS News, 60 Minutes, The View and CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert the same week.)

    So for the VP and Democratic presidential candidate, is this about finding new audiences or answering to a different, perhaps softer style of interview?

    Call her who?

    If you haven’t heard of Call Her Daddy, note the show’s emphasis is on sex and female empowerment. Cooper’s listeners are 70% women and 76% of them are aged under 35. It is often compared to the Joe Rogan Experience, a comparison Cooper hates. Cooper has also been called the Oprah Winfrey of her generation, which may say something about her interviewing skills or her market value.

    The comparisons to Rogan are hard to avoid. Call Her Daddy has been running since 2018. In 2020, Cooper split with her co-host and took the program to Spotify, also home to the Joe Rogan Experience. There, Call Her Daddy rose to be the second most-listened-to podcast globally, behind Rogan, with an average of 5 million weekly listeners. Spotify gave Cooper US$60 million to Rogan’s rumoured $250 million. This particular gender pay gap was recently reduced when Cooper took the podcast to SiriusXM for $125 million.

    A Harris appearance on Rogan’s podcast could give her a larger audience than Cooper’s and parallel access to young male listeners.

    ‘Here’s the thing …’

    Soft or smart?

    Harris’ decision to be interviewed on a podcast aimed at young women brought criticism from those who saw it as the “soft option”, as well as those who don’t rate young women or approve of talk of sex.

    The same commentators seem to have overlooked that for the last year, Trump has been wooing the “manosphere” and has called in to friendly bro-casts such as This Past Weekend with Theo Von. In other podcasts like Full Send, Trump has had scope for friendly freewheeling banter on topics from Ice Spice to golf.

    Cooper says she also invited the former president onto her show to discuss women’s rights.

    In the journalistic tradition of podcasts since Serial, Cooper revealed her process and opened her interview with Harris by sharing the reasoning behind her line of questioning. “Let’s be real, I’m probably not the one to be having the fracking conversation,” she deadpanned.

    Harris said she went on the podcast “to be real, you know, and to talk about the things that people really care about”. There were moments of genuine emotion, such as anger and compassion at the death of a young woman, Amber Thurman, in Georgia in the wake of the US’s newly restrictive abortion laws. Yet at times Harris still sounded rehearsed, in the manner of people in the public eye required to repeatedly answer similar questions and give similar speeches.

    The risk to a politician is that the authenticity and intimacy for which podcasting is known could just as well work against them – a lack of “realness” becomes amplified through headphones, straight into the listeners’ ears.

    While Harris’ cadence sounded like familiar speechifying near the end, perhaps her anecdotes were new to sections of Cooper’s audience. For all the claims that a focus on the concerns of women made for a “soft interview”, it was also a timely reminder of the centrality of reproductive freedom to women’s lives and the election.

    The risks of the interview were more Cooper’s, who hinted at the prospect of losing listeners by interviewing a politician while wanting Call Her Daddy to be “a place where everyone feels comfortable tuning in”. This is a pertinent concern for her as much of the program’s initial popularity was built on Barstool, a media company known for its conservative leanings.

    A different listener

    The question remains: is appearing on extremely popular podcasts with young audiences a good political strategy for Harris? The positives of appearing on Call Her Daddy were clear, given Cooper’s main audience of young women is generally more politically engaged and motivated to vote than young men.

    Rogan’s audience is 81% male with 34% aged 18–35. Making a connection with young men could prove trickier for Harris within the “bro-ey”, jokey framework of the Joe Rogan Experience than it was with Cooper.

    A lot will depend on Harris’ interaction with the host, but Rogan is not known for hostile interviewing and Harris is experienced in connecting with people from a range of backgrounds. And her recent spot on shock jock Howard Stern’s radio show gave her a chance to share her love of car racing.

    In a tight election, which could come down to swing voters in six or seven states, such skills, showcased in the podcasting space, could impact the election. The potential gains seem worth any risks.

    Lea Redfern 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. With reports Kamala might join Joe Rogan for a chat, the US election is showing the power of podcasting – https://theconversation.com/with-reports-kamala-might-join-joe-rogan-for-a-chat-the-us-election-is-showing-the-power-of-podcasting-241462

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Thou Shalt Not Steal: new Stan series is a perversely funny road trip through Central Australia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly McWilliam, Associate Professor of Communication and Media, University of Southern Queensland

    Stan/Ian Routledge

    Stan Original’s newest series is coming to smaller screens, having premiered its first three episodes in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

    Thou Shalt Not Steal follows Aboriginal teen Robyn (played by the immensely talented Sherry-Lee Watson). She escapes juvenile detention and embarks on a defiant road trip from Alice Springs to Adelaide to uncover a long-held family secret.

    Fellow outsider Gidge (Will McDonald) comes along for the ride. He has run away from his dodgy preacher dad Robert (Noah Taylor, clearly enjoying his character’s exaggerated grossness, from a perpetually stained singlet to overflowing ashtrays).

    In hot pursuit are two incongruous duos. First come detectives Burke and Wills (Shari Sebbens and Darren Gilshenan). Then Robert teams up with the decidely crooked Maxine (played menacingly by Miranda Otto). Where Robert’s deceits are lazily self-serving, Maxine is an outback madam who poses very real dangers to the young people.

    ‘Some bastards have it coming …’

    Thou shalt never go to Coober Pedy

    Each episode begins with a tongue-in-cheek lesson from Robyn’s past. These range from the eponymous “thou shalt not steal” to “thou shalt never go to Coober Pedy”.

    This deadpan humour cleverly introduces significant issues. There are the inordinate rates of incarceration of Indigenous youth, alcoholism, assault, toxic masculinity, bullying and weaponised religion, among others.

    These themes are particularly pertinent in the Northern Territory, where Thou Shalt Not Steal was both set and shot. Earlier this year the NT city of Alice Springs initiated a youth curfew and the territory has now reportedly lifted its ban on using “spit hoods” on young people.

    This context means some of the laughs in the series are uncomfortable. But comedy is a well-established vehicle for social justice and the show remains focused on the heroes’ journey, albeit within an important socio-political context.

    Over the first six of its eight short episodes, Thou Shalt Not Steal maintains a balance between acerbic comedy and perilous road trip. Its final episodes revel in a series of over-the-top scenarios that nevertheless tie up narrative loose ends in an enjoyable way.

    Indeed the shift to outright absurdity reveals the show’s gentler message: about finding a chosen family.

    Miranda Otto and Noah Taylor’s characters are dangerous for different reasons.
    Stan

    Alice Springs (Mparntwe)

    If the tone and topic of the show – described elsewhere as “End of the F…ing World meets Fargo” – sound familiar, it’s because it draws from director, co-writer and co-creator Dylan Rivers’ earlier multi-award-winning Robbie Hood (2019).

    In that show, the Robin Hood mythology falls to 13-year-old Alice Springs’ local, Robbie (Pedrea Jackson). The same desert-dry humour articulates the charming teen’s well-intentioned misadventures through a variety of legal and familial landscapes.

    Alice Springs (Mparntwe) is not just a recurrent muse for Rivers; it is also where he grew up, as the son of award-winning filmmakers Penelope McDonald and Warwick Thornton. Rivers has noted that, while his family actively supports each other, they are also “competitive”, pushing each other to produce their best work.

    The series is set in Central and Southern Australia in the winter of 1980.
    Stan/Ian Routledge

    Slick and self-aware

    Having worked previously with his parents on multiple productions, Thou Shalt Not Steal is also something of a family affair. Co-created and co-written with cousin Tanith Glynn-Maloney, who also serves as executive producer, Thou Shalt Not Steal was developed during COVID lockdowns. The duo slowly developed the premise and the first two episodes over two years, before securing investment and support.

    The result is a slick, well-made series with terrific attention to detail. The gorgeous landscapes contrast with the dank, grimy spaces occupied by the antagonists. The soundtrack is its own treasure trove, ranging from Slim Dusty to the Yamma Family and the Warumpi Band, and always in perfect alignment to the scenes. The chorus of “almost the end, almost the end!” is a highlight in the last episode.

    Rivers says he tried not to

    […] shy away from being a bit cheesy, being a bit self-aware, and being over the top at times. Hopefully there’s twists and turns that people don’t expect. But it was very consciously, like, let’s have fun.

    Thou Shalt Not Steal is most definitely a fun ride.

    Thou Shalt Not Steal is streaming on Stan from today.

    Kelly McWilliam 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. Thou Shalt Not Steal: new Stan series is a perversely funny road trip through Central Australia – https://theconversation.com/thou-shalt-not-steal-new-stan-series-is-a-perversely-funny-road-trip-through-central-australia-241353

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Anthem Citizen Real Estate Development Trust Files Initial Public Offering Final Prospectus and Sets Closing Date for Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

    The final long form prospectus is accessible through SEDAR+

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anthem Citizen Real Estate Development Trust (the “REDT”) announced today that it has received expressions of interest and commitments that in the aggregate are expected to achieve the maximum offering amount of C$82 million and has filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, and obtained a receipt for, a final prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for an initial public offering of its trust units (the “Offering”).

    It is expected that the Offering will close on October 29, 2024.

    The REDT is a newly created, unincorporated investment trust and was established for the primary purpose of indirectly owning an interest in a mixed-use, transit-oriented development project (the “Project”) located in Burnaby, British Columbia. The Project comprises 372 condominium units, 200 market rental units, 73 non-market, affordable rental units, 176 hotel suites and 4,881 square feet of retail space. The Project is currently beneficially owned by a subsidiary of Anthem Developments (Canada) Ltd. and its non-managing, co-investment partner.

    CIBC World Markets Inc. (the “Agent”) is the sole agent for the Offering.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of the REDT in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities of the REDT in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

    This Offering is only being made to the public by prospectus. Access to the Prospectus and any amendment to the Prospectus is provided in accordance with securities legislation relating to procedures for providing access to a prospectus and any amendment. The Prospectus is accessible on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.com. An electronic or paper copy of the Prospectus and any amendment to the Prospectus may be obtained, without charge, from CIBC World Markets Inc. by telephone at 1-416-956-6378 or by email at mailbox.canadianprospectus@cibc.com, by providing such contact with an email address or address, as applicable. Investors should read the prospectus before making an investment decision.

    Anthem Citizen Real Estate Development Trust

    Anthem Citizen Real Estate Development Trust was formed for the primary purpose of indirectly owning an interest in the development of a mixed-used, transit-oriented development project in Burnaby, British Columbia expected to develop and operate a building containing 372 condominium units, 200 market rental units, 73 non-market, affordable rental units, 176 hotel suites and 4,881 square feet of retail space.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains statements that include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the REDT regarding future events, including statements concerning commitments and expressions of interest in connection with the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering, the timing of closing of the Offering, and expectations with respect to the development of the Project. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “occur”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “seek”, “aim”, “estimate”, “target”, “project”, “predict”, “forecast”, “potential”, “continue”, “likely”, “schedule”, or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

    Material factors and assumptions used by management of the REDT to develop the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the REDT’s current expectations about: real property ownership and revenues; construction and development risk; obtaining necessary building permits for the Project; the realization of property value appreciation and timing thereof; the inventory of mixed-use properties; competition from developers of mixed-use properties; the Burnaby, British Columbia real estate market; government legal and regulatory changes; property encumbrances relating to the Project; significant fixed expenditures and fees in connection with the maintenance, operation and administration of the Project; closing and other transaction costs in connection with the acquisition and disposition of the Project; the availability of financing and current interest rates; revenue shortfalls; assumptions about rental growth rates, hotel occupancy and average daily rates in the Canadian mixed-use real estate market; demographic trends; fluctuations in interest rates; litigation risks; the relative illiquidity of real property investments; the Canadian economic environment; the geographic concentration of the REDT’s business; natural disasters and severe weather; demand levels for mixed-use properties in the metro Vancouver area and local economic conditions; negative geopolitical events; public health crises; the capital structure of the REDT; distributions; capital depletion; potential conflicts of interest; reliance on the good faith and ability of the Project’s project manager to manage and operate the Project; reliance on property management companies; the limited operating history of the REDT; the limited experience of management of the REDT with respect to managing a reporting issuer; the limited liquidity of the Class A Units and Class F Units; and tax laws. While management of the REDT considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on currently available information, they may prove to be incorrect.

    Although management believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable and represent the REDT’s internal projections, expectations and beliefs at this time, such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities may not be achieved. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond the REDT’s control, could cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from current expectations of estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include the risks identified in the Prospectus, including under the heading “Risk Factors” therein. Readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable Canadian securities laws, the REDT undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    Additional information regarding Anthem Citizen Real Estate Development Trust is available at http://www.citizenbyanthemdevtrust.com and on http://www.sedarplus.com.

    About Anthem Properties

    Anthem is a real estate development, investment and management company that strives, solves and evolves to create better spaces and stronger communities, with more than 385 residential, commercial, and retail projects. Founded in 1991, Anthem is a team of 800 people, with a diverse portfolio consisting of 41,700 homes, 11.5 million square feet of retail, industrial and office space and has developed more than 60 communities across 9,800 acres of land across in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and California. We are Growing Places.

    Contact:

    Elisha McCallum
    Vice President, Communications
    Phone: 604.488.3612 Mobile: 778.668.0185
    Email: emccallum@anthemproperties.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Kazakhstan’s Resource Economy: Diversification Through Global Value Chains

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    The report details how mining and metals made up over 80% of Kazakhstan’s gross exports in 2021 and explains the need for the country to develop secondary and tertiary sectors. It outlines the steps Kazakhstan could take to invest in infrastructure and human capital, reform its financial systems, and finetune trade agreements to help boost its global competitiveness and reduce its exposure to external shocks.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: The Wall Street Journal Sounds the Alarm on Harris-Biden Administration For $5 Billion Election Year Prescription Drug Bribe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    “Democrats failed to appreciate that there’s no such thing as a free entitlement expansion.”
    Washington, D.C. – The Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board recently published a piece titled, “A Medicare Election Bribe for Seniors.” In the piece, the Editorial Board exposes a new Harris-Biden Administration subsidy for large insurance companies as a deficit-busting, cynical attempt at influencing American seniors ahead of the November election. 

    You may click HERE or on the image above to read the Editorial Board’s take on this Harris-Biden Administration policy.
    Topline takeaways from the article: 

    The Biden-Harris Administration “announced lower Medicare prescription drug premiums, which will naturally be paid for by taxpayers.”
    “The political irony is that Biden officials are increasing subsidies to insurers they otherwise vilify to mitigate pre-election harm from the Inflation Reduction Act.”
    “CMS uses a complicated formula to subsidize premiums, but healthcare analysts projected that premiums would rise by hundreds of dollars.”
    “Insurers projected that Part D premiums would balloon next year, when the $2,000 cap and other freebies kick in. Providing basic Part D benefits next year is estimated to cost $179.45 a month on average, up from $64.28 this year and $34.71 in 2023, according to CMS.”
    “Some insurers warned they might exit the market to avoid losing money. Seniors are notified of the premium spikes before open enrollment begins in mid-October. Talk about a surprise bill.”

    The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this plan would cost taxpayers an extra $5 billion next year alone. You may click HERE to read CBO’s analysis of this policy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity of Singapore over breakfast

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, had a breakfast meeting with H.E. Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity of Singapore and the host of the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity. They exchanged views on the ASEAN Digital economy and digital transformation agenda, including key initiatives on cybersecurity, among others.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity of Singapore over breakfast appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2024 China Toy Expo kicks off in Shanghai

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    2024 China Toy Expo kicks off in Shanghai

    Updated: October 17, 2024 10:15 Xinhua
    Staff of an exhibitor promote their products through live-streaming during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. The three-day 2024 China Toy Expo kicked off at Shanghai New International Expo Centre Wednesday, attracting more than 2,500 companies of the toy industry from home and abroad. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A visitor walks past a car model display cabinet during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors are seen at the exhibition booth of a jigsaw enterprise during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member (2nd R) of an exhibitor introduces their products to customers during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors are seen at the exhibition booth of a wood toy enterprise during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A visitor touches a stuffed squirrel toy during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors play an educational board game during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors look at miniatures displayed during the 2024 China Toy Expo in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Shining at the Paris Motor Show丨SEVB’s Core products open a new chapter of globalization

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PARIS, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From October 14 to October 21, Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “SEVB”), a leading Chinese power battery provider, made a significant appearance at the Paris Motor Show, showcasing its core products. Concurrently, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony at its manufacturing base in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion.

    SEVB Chairman Mingwang Wang stated, “Our participation in the Paris Motor Show showcases the company’s five core strengths: leading technology, superb intelligent manufacturing, ultra-high quality, reliable delivery, and extensive service experience for major customers. SEVB will leverage nearly 30 years of lithium battery expertise and the local service advantages of our Hungarian base to continue providing first-class solutions for our European customers.”

    SEVB presented a range of products at this year’s Paris Motor Show, including its HEV batteries, PHEV batteries, the globally launched 6C Super-fast Charging Battery 3.0, as well as cutting-edge solid-state and sodium-ion batteries.

    Among these, the Dacia Spring model, powered by SEVB’s HEV battery, was previously awarded the title of “Best-Selling Electric Vehicle in Italy” and ranked second in electric vehicle sales in France. The 6C Super-fast Charging Battery 3.0, making its global debut, can charge to 80% SoC in just 10 minutes, significantly easing charging anxiety. The PHEV batteries, known for its practicality and environmental benefits, holds strong value in Europe, where usage of electric vehicles has slowed, and environmental standards are high.

    To align our global strategy with “REGULATION (EU) 2023/1542”, SEVB is, firstly, strengthening its supply chain management system and enhancing carbon emission controls. Secondly, promoting the implementation of a “China Battery Passport,” aligning domestic battery systems with international standards. Thirdly, expanding into battery recycling.

    To date, SEVB has established 12 manufacturing bases worldwide. The company has reached Benchmark’s top tier EV battery cell manufacturer status and was recognized as a “Greater Bay Area New Energy Innovation Enterprise” by KPMG. According to SNE Research, from 2021 to 2023, SEVB ranked first in China for HEV battery installations, and in H1 2024, it entered the global top ten for power battery installations.

    In the future, SEVB will continue to base itself in China and look to the world, promoting the globalization of its power battery and energy storage battery solutions to empower customers with world-class products and services.

    Photo: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc4cb4bb-af82-4156-be23-22ccbd72bd46

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Powerful performances by artists with disabilities to celebrate diversity at 2024 OzAsia Festival

    Source: University of South Australia

    17 October 2024

    Photo by Matt Byrne.

    Two films celebrating the dedication and tenacity of Korean and South Australian performers with and without disability will hit the big screen as part of the Asia-focused arts festival OzAsia.

    Counterpoise, which features nine artists from Adelaide-based Restless Dance Theatre and the Korean 29Dong Dance Theatre, is a contemporary black and white dance film created at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Directed by Larissa McGowan and Matt Byrne, the 20-minute dance film highlights the noise of life, as well as quiet loneliness within ourselves. Counterpoise’s detailed choreography melded with electrifying music by KOREAN MUSIC PROJECT using a combination of traditional and western instruments embedded with digital technology.

    Dancing Against the Odds, a documentary directed by Adelaide filmmaker Matt Byrne, follows the innovative and inclusive journey of making Counterpoise over three years. Produced by University of South Australia arts management experts Dr Boram Lee and Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM, the 60-minute film embraces diversity, inclusion and self-expression.

    Both films will screen on 29 October as part of the Adelaide Film Festival and OzAsia.

    The project began in 2020, when dancers could only collaborate virtually due to COVID-19. It wasn’t until 2022, when members from the three companies – Restless, 29Dong Dance Theatre, and KOREAN MUSIC PROJECT – could meet face-to-face in Adelaide for the first time and continue the bonds formed online.

    In 2023, Restless Dance Theatre had the opportunity to travel to Seoul, reuniting the team for a public preview of Counterpoise and workshops with Korean artists with and without disabilities. This journey not only expanded the project’s reach but also nurtured community connections, inspiring a deeper appreciation for inclusive arts.

    Dr Boram Lee says the project connected people across Australian and Korean borders to help foster a network of inclusivity and diversity through the arts.

    “After a three-year saga of overcoming international borders, language barriers, and perceptions of disability, we’ve transformed the impossible into a breathtaking reality,” she says.

    “This collaboration showcases the incredible power of public initiatives, made possible by the steadfast support of the Korean and Australian governments and our diverse partners.

    “With multiple layers of collaboration among dancers, musicians, academics and filmmakers, we’ve fostered deep people-to-people connections, and we’re excited to share our learning with communities around the world.”

    Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM says the project embraced diversity, inclusion and self-expression to help shift stereotypes around the capabilities of artists with disability.

    “These films present disability in a new light. They showcase what the dancers can do rather than focusing on what they can’t do,” she says.

    Counterpoise and Dancing Against the Odds is supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and KOFICE as part of Kore·A·Round Culture 2023, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program, Australia-Korea Foundation, and Arts South Australia.

    Screening of the two films Counterpoise and Dancing Against the Odds

    When: Tuesday 29 October, 5:45pm

    Where: Palace Nova East End, Adelaide

    The screening will be followed by an artists’ talk moderated by Prof Ruth Rentschler and including selected dancers in the film, and Dr Boram Lee.

    More information available on the Adelaide Film Festival and OzAsia websites.

    Images

    Trailer

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contacts for interview:

    Dr Boram Lee, Senior Lecturer in Arts and Cultural Management, UniSA E: boram.lee@unisa.edu.au

    Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM, Professor in Arts and Cultural Leadership, UniSA

    E: Ruth.Rentschler@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Melissa Keogh, UniSA Media M: +61 403 659 154 E: Melissa.Keogh@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Supply of four compact fluorescent lamp models, one washing machine model and three induction cooker models forbidden in HK (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (October 17) removed four compact fluorescent lamp models, one washing machine model and three induction cooker models from the record of listed models under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (the Ordinance). Supply of such products is no longer allowed in Hong Kong with immediate effect.
     
         Details of the products are as follows:
     
    Compact fluorescent lamp

    Importer/
    Hotline/
    Email
    Brand
    Model
    Reference number

    Beauty Shadow Co Ltd.
    2402 1920
    info@beautyshadow.com
    Sunshine
    3U-06 11W E27 6400K
    U2-L090061

    Sunshine
    3U-06 11W E14 6400K
    U2-L090063

    Smart Design
    3U-06 11W E27 6400K
    U2-L100263

    Select
    3U-06 11W E27 6400K
    U2-L120038

     
    Washing machine

    Importer/
    Hotline/
    Email
    Brand
    Model
    Reference number

    Uneedpro Electric Trading Company Limited
    2394 6060
    company@uneedpro.com.hk
    Thomson
    TM-FW1280
    U1-W230031

     
    Induction cooker

    Importer/
    Hotline/
    Email
    Brand
    Model
    Reference number

    Goldenwell Electrical Appliance Limited
    2690 9731
    goldenwell@wahfathong.com.hk
    Golden Well
    GW-IH2800
    I210036

    Toptech Co. Limited
    8203 1488
    info@toptech.com.hk
    ASKO
    HI1355G
    I220020

    E.P.S.A. Corporation Limited
    2235 0333
    cs@epsa.com.hk
    ecHome
    IDC2010T
    I230033

     
         The EMSD administers the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance and selects samples of the listed models regularly for conducting compliance monitoring tests to check whether they conform with the energy efficiency and performance characteristics submitted to the EMSD. As the test results of the products concerned showed that they failed to reach the relevant energy efficiency and/or performance characteristics, the EMSD has decided to remove such products from the record of listed models.
     
         The EMSD has served notices under the Ordinance to the importers concerned. The importers will publish newspaper notices to announce the termination of supply of the products concerned.
     
         Members of the public can contact the above importers for enquiries.                                    

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Emerging market buyers embrace Canton Fair

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Buyers from emerging markets are steadily taking the lead at the 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, replacing those from Europe and North America as the primary participants, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

    The global trade event, held twice a year in Spring and Autumn, is being held from Tuesday through Nov 4, in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province.

    A total of 125,000 overseas buyers had registered for the 136th session of the fair by Oct 9. Among them, about 76 percent are from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, while 12.5 percent are from North America and Europe, said the Ministry of Commerce.

    The driving forces behind this trend include the diversification of China’s export markets, rising business and consumer demand in emerging markets and shifting global trade dynamics, as economies in Southeast Asia, North Africa and South America become increasingly integral to global supply chains.

    “These economies often show strong demand for the industrial products and consumer goods available at the Canton Fair,” said Chu Shijia, director of the Guangzhou-based China Foreign Trade Center under the Ministry of Commerce, one of the Canton Fair organizers.

    As China is in the midst of a green transformation, its traditional exports — like household appliances and industrial equipment — are also making room for a fresh wave of technologically advanced and eco-friendly products, further meeting the needs of buyers from both developed and developing markets, said Han Yonghui, a professor specializing in foreign trade at Guangzhoubased Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

    Emerging markets represented by Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, with their vast market potential and promising development prospects, are attracting a growing number of Chinese enterprises seeking business opportunities, according to a report jointly released by Deloitte and WorldFirst, an international payment services provider.

    As the internationalization of Chinese manufacturers and traders reaches a more mature stage, an increasing number of enterprises are embarking on a deeper level of internationalization — transitioning from product exports to establishing operations overseas — according to the report released on Monday in Guangzhou.

    This involves contract fulfillment supported by the integration of “local entities, local operations and local supply chains”. For instance, according to data from WorldFirst, the number of Chinese merchants using the payment platform to expand their overseas operations in the first quarter surged 56 percent year-on-year.

    Between 2018 and 2023, China maintained high growth rates of exports to its major trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East and Latin America, with compound annual growth rates generally exceeding 10 percent, according to the report.

    “Over years of development, we have seen an increased number of trade partners from emerging markets,” said Li Zhaoying, CEO of ChillSun Technology Co.

    The company, based in Huizhou, Guangdong, is attending the Canton Fair. “In addition to maintaining sustainable growth in developed markets, we are making efforts to reach more trade deals with buyers from emerging markets, especially those from member countries of ASEAN,” said Li.

    Xiao Lu, deputy director of the department of foreign trade at the Ministry of Commerce, said China’s new trade growth drivers are gaining momentum. Armed with accumulated capital and technology, Chinese companies are eager to demonstrate their innovation and technological strengths, leveraging digital and green concepts to shape the future direction of the market.

    “For instance, China-made new energy vehicles are now reaching over 170 countries and regions worldwide,” Xiao said.

    Over a million new products and items with proprietary intellectual property rights will be showcased at the Canton Fair this time, including a range of humanoid robots, smart devices and autonomous driving products making their debut, said the Ministry of Commerce.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 16, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,40,974.48 6.30 5.00-6.50
         I. Call Money 8,755.18 6.44 5.10-6.50
         II. Triparty Repo 3,90,913.55 6.28 5.90-6.43
         III. Market Repo 1,40,357.75 6.33 5.00-6.50
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 948.00 6.45 6.40-6.50
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 1,906.22 6.43 5.85-6.50
         II. Term Money@@ 645.00 – 6.65-6.90
         III. Triparty Repo 210.00 6.45 6.40-6.45
         IV. Market Repo 1,637.29 6.56 6.49-6.60
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 38,133.00 6.49
    3. MSF# Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 5,872.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 73,858.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,06,119.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 04/10/2024 14 Fri, 18/10/2024 44,275.00 6.49
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Tue, 15/10/2024 2 Thu, 17/10/2024 26,060.00 6.49
      Mon, 14/10/2024 4 Fri, 18/10/2024 24,070.00 6.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    5. On Tap Targeted Long Term Repo Operations€ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 250.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 2,275.00 4.00
    6. Special Long-Term Repo Operations (SLTRO) for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)£ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 105.00 4.00
    Mon, 22/11/2021 1095 Thu, 21/11/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 29/11/2021 1095 Thu, 28/11/2024 305.00 4.00
    Mon, 13/12/2021 1095 Thu, 12/12/2024 150.00 4.00
    Mon, 20/12/2021 1095 Thu, 19/12/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 255.00 4.00
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,222.87  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -83,642.13  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,89,761.13  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 16, 2024 9,76,272.62  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending October 18, 2024 10,01,756.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ October 16, 2024 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on September 20, 2024 4,18,318.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    € As per the Press Release No. 2020-2021/520 dated October 21, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/763 dated December 11, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/1057 dated February 05, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/695 dated August 13, 2021.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    £ As per the Press Release No. 2021-2022/181 dated May 07, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/1023 dated October 11, 2021.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1312

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Tripleplay and quadrupleplay to drive overall multiplay services market in South Korea during 2023-2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Tripleplay and quadrupleplay to drive overall multiplay services market in South Korea during 2023-2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    South Korea’s multiplay services market is set for steady growth between 2023 and 2028, driven primarily by tripleplay and quadrupleplay bundles. Increased demand for high-speed fiber broadband and value-added services like IPTV and OTT video will boost household spending on these packages. While doubleplay remains dominant, quadrupleplay is projected to see the fastest growth, supported by fixed-mobile convergence adoption, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s South Korea Multiplay Forecast Model (Q1 2024) reveals that South Korea’s multiplay service revenue is expected to see a gradual yet consistent increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1% from $6.2 billion in 2023 to $6.6 billion in 2028.

    The aggregate increase in total multiplay households will be supported by operators discounted multiplay bundles centered on high-speed fiber broadband services. The growth in multiplay households will however remain tepid i.e., at a CAGR of 0.3% over the forecast period, given the growing popularity of OTT video services that are often bundled with fiber broadband plans.

    Hrushikesh Mahananda, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The average monthly household spend on overall multiplay bundles is forecast to increase from $27.09 in 2023 to $28.02 in 2028, driven by the growing adoption of relatively high-cost tripleplay and quadrupleplay services and service bundles offerings inclusive of IPTV services and value-added OTT services.”

    Doubleplay services will account for majority of the multiplay households through 2028. Quadrupleplay services, on the other hand, are estimated to increase at the fastest rate over the forecast period and are expected to garner about 23% share of the total multiplay households by the end of 2028, owing to the growth in fixed mobile convergence household penetration.

    Mahananda concludes: “The three major operators KT Corp, SK Telecom, and LG Group are offering discounts on fixed broadband and multiplay plans with a goal to bring down churn and increase revenue-generating units (RGUs). KT Corp will lead the overall multiplay services market through 2028, given its strong subscriber base in triple-play and quad-play services.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Consumer sustainability demands drive Thailand’s food and beverage companies to shift to circular packaging, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Consumer sustainability demands drive Thailand’s food and beverage companies to shift to circular packaging, says GlobalData

    Posted in Consumer

    Thailand’s food and beverage (F&B) industry is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability as regulatory pressures and consumer demands for eco-friendly packaging continue to rise. With sustainability increasingly at the forefront of business strategies, industry leaders like Tetra Pak Thailand are taking significant steps to drive the adoption of circular packaging solutions. Underlining the trend, 90% of respondents in a recent survey stated that they choose sustainable feature as essential/nice to have when deciding to make a purchase*, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    In response to growing environmental concerns, the Thai government has implemented stronger regulations targeting waste reduction and promoting circularity. The Second National Action Plan on Plastic Waste (2022-2027) and the Sustainable Packaging Act are part of the government’s broader effort to tackle plastic waste and improve recycling rates. These regulations compel F&B manufacturers to adopt Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, ensuring that packaging is responsibly managed from production through disposal.

    Kakarlapudi Karthik Varma, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “With sustainability becoming a priority for consumers, brands are adapting to meet these expectations. F&B manufacturers are increasingly turning to renewable and recyclable materials as they seek to meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.

    “Tetra Pak Thailand has been at the forefront of circular packaging innovations, offering solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also align with consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging. Other manufacturers have also taken initiatives, such as Kao Industrial Thailand’s partnership with SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd (SCGC) and Dow Thailand Group to create recyclable, low-carbon packaging.”

    Francis Gabriel Godad, Consumer Business Development Manager, GlobalData India, adds: “Tetra Pak’s four-step approach—focused on resource conservation, energy recovery, operational efficiency, and environmentally neutral production processes—highlights the company’s commitment to advancing sustainability in the F&B industry. Their packaging materials, including FSC-certified paperboard, contribute to the shift towards a circular economy by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.”

    Varma concludes: “With the introduction of the Sustainable Packaging Act and the continuous pressure from consumers, Thailand’s packaging industry is at a turning point. Collaboration among businesses, government entities, and industry leaders like Tetra Pak is crucial in creating a future where packaging is no longer considered waste but a valuable resource within the circular economy.

    “The shift towards 100% recyclable and renewable packaging is on the horizon, and stakeholders in the F&B sector must proactively stay ahead of regulatory trends and consumer demands.”

    *GlobalData 2024 Q2 Consumer Survey – Thailand was conducted with 502 participants

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines to enhance India’s maritime security in IOR, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines to enhance India’s maritime security in IOR, says GlobalData

    Posted in Aerospace, Defense & Security

    In a significant move towards bolstering maritime security, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently approved the indigenous construction of two Project 75-Alpha nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The procurement of indigenous nuclear-powered submarines capable of undertaking hunter-killer operations positions the Indian Navy as a formidable force capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s report, “Global Submarine Market Analysis and Forecast to 2033”, reveals that India will be spending about $31.6 billion on procuring various types of submarines over the next 10 years. Out of which, 30.5% will be directed towards the procurement of Project 75-Alpha SSNs during the same period. India is expected to procure a total of six SSNs under this program at an estimated value of $17 billion.

    Udayini Aakunoor, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The acquisition of SSNs is a strategic move by India to modernize its Navy and tackle regional security challenges. To be built at the Ship Building Centre located in Vishakhapatnam with participation from the domestic private sector, they are expected to boost the country’s autonomy in complex naval shipbuilding.

    “Designed to operate at greater depths and for longer durations than conventional submarines, the SSNs will enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to perform multiple roles, ranging from offensive operations to intelligence gathering, while also enabling it to maintain a continuous and discreet presence in strategically important maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf.”

    With their unlimited underwater endurance and offensive power, the SSNs will enable India to project power in the Indo-Pacific region while supporting self-reliant advancements in critical defense technologies. These advanced SSNs, coupled with the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, would enhance the service’s ability to detect and track Chinese submarines operating in the IOR.

    Aakunoor concludes: “India will also likely use these Project 75-Alpha SSNs to protect its in-service Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which serves as the sea-based leg of the country’s nuclear triad. This, in turn, will enhance India’s second-strike capability as the survivability of its fleet of Arihant-class SSBNs will increase significantly owing to the protection provided by the Project 75-Alpha SSNs.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Boards Appointment

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed the appointment of Fletcher Tabuteau as Chair of the Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) Board. 

    Mr Tabuteau (Ngāti Ngāraranui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue) was a teacher at Rotorua Boys’ High School, a lecturer in Economics, and head of the Business School at Waiariki Institute of Technology. He now runs Hoporona Consulting and serves as Director of Capital Government Relations and Communications. 

    “I want to congratulate Fletcher on his appointment to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Board,” says Mr Potaka.

    “His experience in governance, management, and business will be an asset to the Board and the important work they do to encourage and promote ahurea and toi Māori.”

    Located in Rotorua, NZMACI is home to Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau (National Wood Carving School), Te Takapū o Rotowhio (National Stone and Bone Carving School), and Te Rito o Rotowhio (National Weaving School).

    With a 60-year legacy, NZMACI has a strong history of producing highly skilled crafts people. 

    “At its core, NZMACI fosters the protection and transfer of mātauranga Māori. It is an integral part of the Rotorua economy and the wider Māori economy, contributing to the sustainable development of scenic and tourist attractions in the Rotorua district and across the motu.”

    He Whakatūnga ki Te Puia

    Kua whakatūturungia e te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, e Tama Potaka, te whakatūngia o Fletcher Tabuteau hei Upoko o te Poari o Te Puia (NZMACI).

    He pouako o mua a Mr Tabuteau (Ngāti Ngāraranui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue) i Te Kura Tuarua mō ngā Taitama o Rotorua, he pūkenga i te Mātai Ōhanga, ko ia hoki te upoko o te Kura Pakihi i Te Whare Takiura o Waiariki. Ko tāna i āianei he whakahaere i te Hoporona Consulting, he noho hoki hei Kaiarataki i ngā Hononga Rawa ā-Kāwanatanga me ngā Pāpāhotanga.

    “E tōmina ana au ki te whakamānawatanga o Fletcher i tāna whakatū atu ki te Poari o Te Puia,” te kupu a Potaka.

    “Ka whai hua mārika te Poari i ōna wheako i ngā ao o te kāwanatanga, te whakahaerenga, me te pakihi, ā, ka whai hua hoki ki ā rātou mahi i te akiākina me te whakatairangahia o te ahurea me te toi Māori.”

    Kei Rotorua te NZMACI, ā, koia tērā ko te kāinga o Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau, Te Takapū o Rotowhio, me Te Rito o Rotowhi.

    E 60 tau te whakapapa o NZMACI, ā, kua roa nei tāna whakaputanga i ngā pūkenga me ngā ringa rehe.

    “I tōna iho, ko tā NZMACI he poipoi i te tiakina me te whāngaia o te mātauranga Māori. He wāhanga hirahira hoki nō te ōhanga o Rotorua me te ōhanga Māori whānui, nā, e whāngai ana i te whanaketanga toitūtanga o ngā whakapoapoatanga ā-taiao, ā-tūruhi hoki i Rototua, puta hoki nei i te motu.

    “Mā te whakatū ngā mātanga pūmanawa ki ngā taraipiunara me ngā poari e kino ai te painga o te whakapakarihia o te ōhanga, me te tukuna o ngā ratonga tūmatanui pai ake.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Stimulus plan seen around 10 trln yuan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s much-anticipated fiscal stimulus package could amount to somewhere around 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion), which would represent reasonable and moderate funding to address the most immediate issues facing the world’s second-largest economy, policy researchers and advisers said.

    They underlined the need for policymakers to avoid any overly massive stimulus that could come at a heavy cost, but instead advance deeper, wider reforms along with the stimulus package to secure a more sustainable transition in growth drivers.

    Sheng Zhongming, a research fellow at CF40 Institute, affiliated with the China Finance 40 Forum think tank, said China must confront the key structural issues of local debt risks, government outstanding payables to businesses, real estate concerns and the recapitalization needs of banks.

    Effectively addressing these issues will require at least 10 trillion yuan in additional public funds over several years, Sheng said, adding that he anticipates an annual debt swap program of around 2 trillion yuan, with a cumulative total of 5 to 6 trillion yuan required to substantially reduce the debt load in heavily indebted regions.

    Charlie Zheng, chief economist at Samoyed Cloud Technology Group Holdings, said that a fiscal stimulus package of around 10 trillion yuan may be essential in 2025 to tackle the key issues highlighted by the finance minister.

    The proposed package, which could be financed by ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, would primarily focus on local debt swaps and bank recapitalization, while alleviating the property sector’s challenges and supporting people in difficulties, Zheng said.

    However, he emphasized that China should not rely solely on stimulus measures to revive the economy, warning of the potential for high inflation and an imbalance between the State-owned and private sectors that could result from overreliance on government spending.

    China must advance reforms to boost the private economy at the same time, Zheng said, urging policy clarity for private entrepreneurs that any business is permissible unless prohibited by law, while explaining to government officials that any governmental behavior is infeasible without legal authorization.

    Discussions of the size of China’s stimulus package heated up after Finance Minister Lan Fo’an said on Saturday that the country plans to increase the debt limit by a large scale and replace local government hidden debt, while recognizing there is “relatively large space” for the central government to raise debt and increase the deficit.

    The market is waiting for the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress — the country’s top legislature — to convene in late October or early November to approve the specifics of the plan.

    Gong Liutang, a professor of applied economics at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, said that if the stimulus package comes to about 10 trillion yuan, it won’t be “overly aggressive” given that China’s annual GDP has reached 126 trillion yuan.

    “The key is for the government to comprehensively communicate with the public regarding details of the package as soon as possible so as to provide more certainty to the market and ensure a steadier recovery in confidence,” said Gong, who is also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body.

    Compared with the stimulus program initiated in 2008, Gong said the latest round of policy buffer should focus more on enhancing consumption and preventing resource misallocation, with increased spending on education, healthcare and social protection, as well as subsidies for low-income and unemployed individuals.

    Upon the recent bigger-than-expected policy stimulus announcement, Goldman Sachs has raised its forecast for China’s real GDP growth from 4.7 percent to 4.9 percent this year and from 4.3 percent to 4.7 percent in 2025.

    “The Chinese government has clearly made a turn on cyclical policy management and increased its focus on growth,” a Goldman Sachs report said, adding that a significant policy offset is needed next year due to the property market’s lingering drag on GDP growth and the possibility of slowing export growth.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Housing market in major Chinese cities heating up over stimulus

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken from Jingshan Hill on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the skyscrapers of the central business district (CBD) on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Home sales in major Chinese cities are ticking up this month, as a series of recent stimulus measures have boosted homebuyer sentiment.

    The early signs of recovery in the housing market in big cities offer some relief as Chinese authorities seek to stimulate the world’s second-largest economy by stabilizing the property market.

    The struggling property sector has been a major drag on China’s economy over the past few years, with cash-strapped developers and high inventories of unsold homes and unfinished projects.

    In a bid to prop up the housing market, Chinese authorities in late September ordered to cut mortgage rates for existing loans, lower down payment ratios and relax purchase restrictions.

    The cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen introduced their versions of stimulus measures for local housing markets just before the National Day holiday.

    This came in late September, when a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee underlined the need for efforts to reverse the real estate market downturn and stabilize the market.

    The stimulus package has proven effective in boosting homebuyer sentiment in big cities quickly. This month, many housing sales centers in major cities are packed with clients as many once hesitant homebuyers are again jumping into the market.

    On Sunday, 744 customers signed up to vie for 332 flats in a Shenzhen housing project, and all the flats were sold out in three and a half hours, a rarity before the stimulus package was announced.

    The market rebound started with the week-long National Day holiday from Oct. 1 to 7. According to Leyoujia, a housing agency in Shenzhen, the conversion rate of home buyers for new homes — the ratio of finalized deals to all customers who have visited a real estate project — jumped to 12 percent from 2 percent.

    Liu Xiaofei, a sales manager at property developer LVGEM Group in Shenzhen, said the new stimulus has greatly boosted the market and confidence, helping to increase the conversion rate and shorten the decision-making process.

    During the holiday, buyers in Shenzhen signed initial purchase contracts for 1,841 new homes, up 664.1 percent from a year earlier, local data showed. Meanwhile, homebuyers signed contracts for 2,316 second-hand homes last week, a weekly transaction record in nearly three years, according to housing agency Leyoujia.

    Liu believes the housing market is stabilizing after hitting a trough, but more measures are needed to further boost consumer confidence.

    In Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, homebuyers had signed initial purchase contracts for 6,687 new homes, up 137 percent year on year, after home purchase restrictions were lifted on Sept. 29, the Guangzhou Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau said on Oct. 12. The bureau attributed the strong growth to policy incentives and sales promotions by developers.

    In Shanghai, 1,334 second-hand homes were traded on Sunday, the daily record in more than a year, according to the website of the Shanghai Real Estate Trading Center.

    The daily number of more than 1,000 shows that second-hand home transactions are very active in Shanghai, said Lu Wenxi, an analyst with real estate agency Centaline Property.

    A Shanghai homebuyer, surnamed Zhang, was a beneficiary of the stimulus. The down payment ratio for second-home purchases was lowered to 25 percent, allowing him to improve his living conditions much sooner, Zhang said.

    The market also heats up in Beijing. The number of second-hand home transactions here nearly doubled from the previous month and surged more than 150 percent year on year from Oct. 1 to 15, according to Leng Hui, an analyst with the research institute of Lianjia, a major second-home realtor.

    Li Yifeng, deputy research chief at China Index Academy, said Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen still have room to loosen housing policies to further stabilize the property market in the future.

    Economic fundamentals are key to stabilizing the property sector and expectations, and if the economic recovery accelerates in the fourth quarter with stimulus measures, the property market in key cities could stabilize, and a similar result could even be expected for the market nationwide, Li said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hainan to issue dim sum bonds in HK

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The country’s southernmost province of Hainan plans to issue up to 3 billion yuan ($421.8 million) in offshore renminbi bonds in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, marking its third consecutive year of tapping the dim sum bond market.

    The People’s Government of Hainan and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority jointly hosted an investor roadshow on Wednesday to promote the bond sale. This follows Hainan raising 5 billion yuan through a mix of green, blue and sustainable bonds last year, and a 5 billion yuan offering in 2022.

    This year’s bond sale is expected to include three tranches: a three-year green bond for environmental and social sustainability projects, a five-year bond for general government use, and a 10-year blue bond focusing on ocean-related initiatives.

    The pricing of the bonds is expected to take place on Thursday.

    Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR government Joseph Chan Ho-lim said that the sale “marks Hainan’s first 10-year long-term offshore renminbi bond, further enriching Hong Kong’s renminbi financial product offerings and supporting the internationalization of renminbi”.

    “For years, Hong Kong has been Asia’s largest international bond issuance center and hosts the world’s largest offshore renminbi liquidity pool,” he added.

    Chan noted that Hainan’s bond issuance in Hong Kong demonstrates the SAR’s crucial role as a “superconnector” between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, and “super value-adder” in international finance.

    Kenneth Hui Wai-chi, the executive director (external) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said the bond structure reflects the mainland authorities’ commitment to sustainable development and the national “30/60 dual carbon” goal, referring to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

    Hui noted the fundraising amount will be used for critical areas such as marine protection, water pollution control, and projects supporting public welfare in healthcare and education.

    The island province posted a 766 billion yuan GDP last year, marking an increase of 9.2 percent year-on-year.

    Li Lei, deputy director of the Department of Finance of Hainan province, said that Hainan’s local government debt balance stood at 410.6 billion yuan in 2023, accounting for 54.4 percent of the province’s GDP.

    From 2020 to June this year, the Hainan free trade port recorded duty-free imports totaling 20.75 billion yuan, with total tax exemptions reaching 4 billion yuan, Li added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How can Australia make housing affordable for essential workers? Here are 4 key lessons from overseas

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicky Morrison, Professor of Planning and Director of Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University

    GettyImages

    Essential workers such as teachers, health workers and community safety staff play a vital role in ensuring our society works well. Yet soaring housing costs in cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are squeezing essential workers out of the communities they serve.

    The issue is reaching crisis point across Australia. Anglicare Australia yesterday released a special edition of its Rental Affordability Snapshot focused on essential workers in full-time work. Housing costs under 30% of household income are considered affordable. In a survey of 45,115 rental listings, it found:

    • 3.7% were affordable for a teacher
    • 2.2% were affordable for an ambulance worker
    • 1.5% were affordable for an aged care worker
    • 1.4% were affordable for a nurse
    • 0.9% were affordable for an early childhood educator
    • 0.8% were affordable for a hospitality worker.

    This trend is creating unsustainable patterns of urban sprawl and long commutes. It erodes workers’ quality of life. It also undermines public service delivery by making it harder to recruit and retain these workers in high-cost areas.

    International experience, particularly in the UK where I have advised on similar policies, shows there are solutions to this crisis. These global lessons fall into four categories.

    Essential workers face long commutes from home when they can’t afford to live in the communities they serve.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    1. Define essential worker housing

    Essential worker housing typically targets front-line public sector workers on low to middle incomes. Yet eligibility should extend to support roles, such as ambulance drivers, porters and medical receptionists, who play a vital part in enabling front-line services. They too struggle to find affordable housing near their workplaces.

    Conditions of eligibility should also include a cap on household earnings.

    The UK experience highlights the importance of providing both rental and ownership options. To keep key worker housing affordable and accessible over time, both types need to be priced appropriately.

    Australian cities could adopt similar approaches, by requiring housing developers and community housing providers to allocate affordable housing for essential workers. Prices would be below market rates for both rentals and home ownership for the long term, and not revert to market rates. This ensures stability for public service workers.

    2. Financial innovations focused on long-term affordability

    Innovative financial models, such as shared equity schemes, have succeeded in the UK. These allow workers to gradually buy into their homes, creating long-term stability.

    Shared equity involves the government or another investor covering some of the cost of buying the home in exchange for an equivalent share in the property. Australia could explore similar schemes to provide immediate relief while ensuring sustained affordability for future essential workers.

    This approach could build on the Commonwealth’s proposed Help to Buy scheme, currently before the Senate, and existing state and territory shared equity programs. These may need refinement to better serve essential workers by, for example, adjusting income thresholds and eligibility criteria to ensure they qualify. These schemes also need to expand to cover all urban areas where housing affordability is most strained.

    3. Leverage planning systems

    Countries like the UK have leveraged their planning systems to deliver affordable housing for key workers. In England, planning authorities use mechanisms such as Section 106 agreements to ensure a portion of new developments is reserved for key worker housing as a condition of planning approval.

    Australian states could adapt this model, setting targets within existing planning frameworks. For example, they could use Voluntary Planning Agreements to prioritise essential worker housing.

    Yet essential worker housing should not displace housing for other people in urgent need. They include people who are homeless, low-income families, people with disabilities, the elderly, those at risk of domestic violence, veterans and youth leaving foster care.

    4. Use public land for housing development

    The use of surplus public land for essential worker housing has proven successful in several cities, including London, Amsterdam and San Francisco.

    Earmarking land owned by the public sector, such as hospital or education sites, is a strategic way to deliver affordable housing near key public sector employers. It also allows staff to travel to work nearby using sustainable transport instead of cars.

    Affordable housing has profound benefits

    Without action, essential workers are likely to be forced into lower-quality, high-cost housing, shared accommodation, or long commutes from more affordable areas. Over time, these patterns of job-housing imbalances and urban sprawl are unsustainable. These issues are the focus of my current research, particularly in Western Sydney.

    The New South Wales government has set up a parliamentary select committee to inquire into options for essential worker housing. It’s bringing much-needed attention to the housing crisis affecting key public sector roles.

    Tackling these issues through targeted housing solutions has many benefits. It can help create more sustainable communities, reduce recruitment and retention difficulties for employers and ease the strain on infrastructure and services.

    The key takeaway from the UK and other countries is the importance of long-term, sustainable solutions that do not shift the focus away from those most in need of housing. Australia has the opportunity to strike this balance. We need to ensure essential workers can afford to live near their workplaces while not sidelining everyone else in need of affordable housing.

    Nicky Morrison 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. How can Australia make housing affordable for essential workers? Here are 4 key lessons from overseas – https://theconversation.com/how-can-australia-make-housing-affordable-for-essential-workers-here-are-4-key-lessons-from-overseas-239934

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Death of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication, University of Technology Sydney

    Former One Direction band member and solo artist Liam Payne has been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, media reports have confirmed. Payne was just 31 years old – a loved friend and father.

    Alongside his former One Direction band mates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, Payne had a huge influence on popular culture in his home country of the United Kingdom and internationally.

    The group formed in 2010 on the British talent show X Factor and stayed together for about five years before officially splitting in 2016. Throughout this time, Payne remained a valuable member of the band and a clear talent in his own right.

    Although each member auditioned seperately, they were eventually hand-picked by Simon Cowell to form a group.

    After the split (and a brief hiatus from music-making), Payne continued to release music periodically as both a songwriter and collaborator. He most recently released the single Teardrops in March, ahead of an anticipated second solo album.

    News of Payne’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes. Like many young people thrust into stardom seemingly overnight, his life wasn’t without controversy. But the response to his death by fans and industry colleagues alike is proof of the impact he had.

    The making of a pop supergroup

    While One Direction may have not been together for as long as other globally successful acts, their influence far exceeded bands that have been together for decades. They released five studio records – and broke many more, including six Guinness World Records. And even though they didn’t make it to their 10th anniversary together, they had still sold some 70 million records by 2020.

    In the years since the split, fans continued to gather, listen and celebrate – with the most recent anniversary (14 years) seeing fan-led events held in Australia and the rest of the world.

    It’s easy to dismiss pop music and its influence, especially in the face of what feel like increasingly dire global circumstances. But pop, like many other forms of entertainment, provides a practical way for people to gain momentary pleasure and comfort.

    It also provides connection with others – and relief from politics and other daily pressures. For example, one of One Direction’s biggest hits, That’s What Makes You Beautiful, sought to empower young people who might otherwise be overwhelmed by negative messaging.

    Within a year of their debut, the group was met with massive crowds of fans almost everywhere they want.

    One Direction has been compared to The Beatles in terms of their influence on young people – and female and queer fans in particular.

    The impact on fans when their idol dies

    The loss of life, especially a young person’s life, is always a tragedy.

    For some young fans, this might be the first person they “know” who has died. While it may not be the same as losing a family member or close friend, the feeling of loss is significant. Young fans will need support. And in 2024, many will find this support through social platforms and online forums.

    I still remember the impact the deaths of stars such as Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley had on people like me who were teenagers in the 1990s. These were artists I admired and listened to – and whose art I relied on during times of pleasure and pain.

    A similar pang was felt when artists such as George Michael, Aretha Franklin and David Bowie died, albeit later in my life and theirs.

    The experience of losing a music idol is in many ways a universal one. People whose art we attach to our own life experiences become inseparable from our lives. And when they die, it can feel like those experiences are over too.

    After news of Payne’s death broke, hundreds of fans took to the streets of Palermo in Buenos Aires, where Payne had been visiting. They held a vigil, cried and consoled one another in front of the Casa Sur hotel where Payne had been staying.

    One fan, 25-year-old Yamila Zacarias, probably spoke for many when she said:

    He meant a lot to me because the band came into my life at this time when you’re trying to be a part of something, and being a One Direction fan became that something for me.

    Lifelong fandom and memories

    There’s a stereotype of “fans” as hordes of screaming girls, which can really take away from the depth of fandom.

    Anyone at any stage of life can be a fan of just about anything. And the best thing about fandom is that it can, and often does, allow lots of different types of people an outlet for connection throughout their lives.

    Many fans have left comments on old music videos.
    YouTube/screenshot

    The death of US actress Betty White in 2021, as sad as it was, brought people across generations and walks of life together. And not just those who knew her personally, but those who had connected with each other through their love of her work. It reminded me of my own family, including my Nan and Dad, now gone, and the laughs we’d share as we watched her.

    As more details and tributes to Payne’s life and death emerge, the fans will have each other to lean on. If you yourself know someone who is a fan of Payne or One Direction, even reaching out to just acknowledge that person’s grief and experience is important. It says to them, “what you love is valid, and so are you”.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Liz Giuffre 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. Death of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music – https://theconversation.com/death-of-an-idol-response-to-liam-paynes-death-highlights-the-power-of-childhood-and-music-241554

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: 12 new metro stations are planned to be built in Moscow in three years

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The development of transport infrastructure is the largest section of the Targeted Investment Program both in terms of the amount of funds spent and the expected results. In 2025–2027, it is planned to commission 28.4 kilometers of lines, 12 stations, and two electric depots of the Moscow Metro. Sergei Sobyanin reported this on his Telegram channel.

    “We will continue construction of the Troitskaya line – four stations on the ZIL – Novatorskaya section. A new Rublevo-Arkhangelskaya line will appear on the map – we will build eight stations on the Shelepikha – Ilyinskaya section,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    The Biryulevskaya line, the Golyanovo station of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line and the Dostoyevskaya (Suvorovskaya) station of the Circle Line will also be built.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11904050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dad is Near: How to Celebrate Father’s Day at VDNKh

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the third Sunday of October, our country celebrates Father’s Day. In honor of the holiday, VDNKh has prepared a special promotion, within the framework of which on October 20, fathers with children will be able to receive a 30 percent discount when visiting several exhibition spaces. Guests will also enjoy thematic excursions at the sites of the VDNKh Museum City, events at the robot exhibition “Robostation”, in the robotics and innovation center “Kulibin Pro” and at the “City Farm”. And in the pavilion “House of Russian Cuisine”, fathers who are cooks with many children will hold master classes on preparing various dishes from the cuisines of the peoples of Russia.

    On October 20, a 30 percent discount can be received when visiting two facilities of the Orion family amusement park: the Aerial Tram cable car and the House of Fears attraction. And also the City Farm, the Museum of the Special Purpose Garage of the Federal Protective Service of Russia, the exhibitions In the Galaxy Far, Far Away, Terracotta Army. Immortal Warriors of China and Find Banksy, the SkyTown rope park, the Robostation and the Kulibin Pro center. To receive a discount at the box office, fathers with children must say the code phrase “it’s not scary with dad” and present identification documents, as well as proof of relationship. You can read the terms of the promotion on the VDNKh website.

    Interesting excursions

    On October 20 at 10:30, 13:00, 15:30 and 18:00 you can visit thematic excursions around the territory of the country’s main exhibition “Male images of VDNKh”. Guests will learn little-known facts about the people who left their mark on the history of VDNKh: for example, who was its first director or in whose honor the first chestnut tree was planted on the Cosmonauts’ Alley. Guests will gather at the VDNKh Museum.

    At 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00 the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center invites you to thematic excursions “Space Fathers”. Tour guides will tell you about the children of famous cosmonauts who followed in their fathers’ footsteps, about the founders of cosmonautics itself and the difficulties of orbital flight.

    And at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00 in the pavilion “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman” thematic excursions will take place “Father’s Day at VDNKh: Inspiration and Traditions”. We will talk about who became the architect of this pavilion, who was the inventor in the field of cinema technology for the unique cinema at the main exhibition of the country, thanks to whom the revival of VDNKh took place.

    At 19:00, guests of the Museum of Slavic Literature “Slovo” are invited to a thematic excursion “Where there is a good father, there is a good son”. The father always served as an unconditional example for the younger generation, which was reflected in numerous Russian epics, fairy tales, sayings, proverbs and chronicles. You can learn about this and much more on the excursion.

    Celebration at the “Robostation” and in the “Kulibin Pro” center

    In honor of Father’s Day, the largest robotics exhibition “Robostation” (Pavilion No. 2) printed more than five thousand festive keychains on a 3D printer, which all guests will receive. On October 20 at 13:00, there will be a master class where children will make a gift for dad with their own hands and learn the basics of robotics and soldering. At the same time, there will be a master class “Constructor from Childhood”, where dads will be able to reminisce and assemble a Soviet metal constructor. At 14:00, as part of the karaoke guessing game, guests will be divided into two teams and will sing the famous song “Papa Can”, but they must remember the correct words and sing them instead of the gaps. The winners will be determined by the least number of mistakes, and everyone will receive gifts for participation.

    Throughout the day, there will be sparring sessions between dads and kids, where they will control robot boxers. The winners will receive gifts printed on a 3D printer. To participate in the activities, you must purchase entrance ticket to the exhibition.

    The Kulibin Pro Robotics and Innovation Center, which is located in the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center at VDNKh, has also prepared a festive program for Father’s Day. On October 20 at 1:00 p.m., a master class on construction for fathers and children will be held, during which guests will be able to assemble a suspension bridge from construction set parts. At 2:00 p.m., you can listen to a lecture entitled “Calling – Inventor.” Throughout the day, all fathers will be congratulated by Boris the Robot. To participate, you must purchase an entrance ticket to the center. “Cosmonautics and Aviation”.

    Walking with animals

    The “City Farm” at VDNKh has prepared its own festive program. The main characters will be not only human dads, but also animal fathers: alpaca Pedro, goat Ivan and goose Vasily. On October 19 and 20, guests will enjoy master classes and farm games. Walks with animals will also be organized. Over the course of two days, from 11:00 to 18:00, there will be master classes “Postcard for Dad”, “Autumn Craft”, “Toy for Animals”, “Animal Portraits”. At the same time, you can take part in the sports relay race “My Dad and Me”. At 13:00 and 16:00, there will be an interactive lecture “The Best Fathers in the Animal World”, and at the end of the event – a quiz.

    In addition, on October 19 and 20, guests of the City Farm will be able to walk with animals: a donkey (from 11:00 to 11:30), a sheep (from 12:00 to 12:30), goats (from 12:00 to 12:30, from 14:00 to 14:30 and from 16:00 to 16:30), an alpaca (from 15:00 to 15:30), and a reindeer (from 17:00 to 17:30).

    During the holiday weekend, you can also watch the feeding of nutria (at 11:00), poultry (at 16:00), goats, sheep, reindeer, alpacas and donkeys (from 17:30). Participation in all events is subject to an entrance ticket to the “City Farm”. The cost can be found out on the website.

    Master classes by fathers-chefs

    On October 20, the House of Russian Cuisine pavilion at VDNKh invites you to International Chef’s Day and Father’s Day. In 2024, these dates coincided, and in honor of this, regional entrepreneurs and chefs of the House of Russian Cuisine, and part-time fathers of many children, will hold free master classes from 12:00. They will dedicate them to preparing dishes from the cuisines of the peoples of Russia. Among the presenters are Mikhail Gavrilov (chef of the V Karelia Yest corner and father of three children), Alexander Volkov-Medvedev (chef of the Ruski restaurant and father of three children), Danila Kozlov (founder of a chain of northern delicacies stores, brand chef of the Azbuka Severa corner of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), father of three children), Alexey Votintsev (founder of the Perepechkin Udmurt cuisine chain, author and inventor of the mobile Russian stove, father of five children), Damdin Dashiev (founder of the Orda Buryat cuisine restaurants, father of four children).

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145398073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three important steps for a hotelier: Mosturism has prepared instructions for opening a hotel

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The number of tourists visiting Moscow is constantly growing and has already approached pre-pandemic levels: 24.5 million people visited it last year. Due to the increase in tourist flow, the capital will need to expand its hotel stock by 25.7 thousand rooms by 2030. This means that the hotel business is expecting a new rise, and opening hotels remains a profitable investment. But where should an entrepreneur who wants to work in the hospitality industry start? Head of the Hotel Management Department of Mostourism Ekaterina Kirillova has prepared step-by-step instructions for those planning to open a new hotel.

    Opening a hotel is not only a significant financial investment, but also the competent execution of the necessary documents. It is important to take into account all the nuances: from the design of rooms and public areas to the selection of a suitable location. Investors are responsible for the funds, desire and opportunities when opening a hotel, and the city will help with the solution of bureaucratic and technical issues. If any questions arise, including after studying the checklist, you can contact the specialists of Mosturism, who provide online consultations.

    The first step will be to calculate the financial business model. To begin with, the investor must determine the required (desired) capacity of the room stock and the category of the future hotel. In Moscow, guests’ expectations even from a three-star hotel are already quite high. Therefore, during construction, it is worth considering even the smallest details, without trying to save on quality. Moreover, such requirements are becoming even more relevant for four- and five-star hotels.

    You can build a hotel yourself or organize the redevelopment of your inefficiently used building (or purchase such a building with various rights of use).

    The location plays a vital role here. Here are the main points to consider in the infrastructure of the chosen area:

    transport accessibility (availability of nearby metro stations, convenient transfer from airports and train stations to the hotel and back); availability of nearby business centers, attractions, etc.; proximity to the city center.

    The second step is to determine the possibility of using the territory for a hotel. Mosturism draws the attention of investors to the fact that financing the creation of a hotel facility does not cancel the rules of use provided for in a specific territory. The purpose for which the land plot will be used in the future is determined only by the urban development regulations of a specific territory. Therefore, it is very important to first familiarize yourself with the extract on the land plot, which will indicate the possible type of permitted use.

    If the required type of permitted use is not available (4.7. “Hotel services”), changes must be made to the land use and development regulations. How to do this, Mosturism will tell you.

    To obtain detailed information, you need to be honest about your plans. In the future, by attaching a concept of a hotel project indicating the planned hotel category, number of rooms and management contract with a hotel operator, you will be able to obtain a conclusion from Mosturism.

    The third step is construction. After receiving all the necessary permits, it is necessary to start construction on time, designing the hotel in accordance with the technical specifications.

    Due to the fact that tourists’ interest in the capital is constantly growing, the demand for comfortable and cozy small hotels with the best price-to-service ratio is also increasing. Since tourism is a priority industry, the Moscow Government is interested in building new high-quality hotels of three-star categories. Good hotels meet the high expectations of guests from the Russian capital and support Moscow’s reputation as one of the most progressive cities in the world.

    The city provides comprehensive support to the hotel industry as an important part of the tourism infrastructure and is constantly in dialogue with the hotel business, responding to industry requests. Moscow provides various preferential programs to investors opening new hotels. For example, they can receive the right to preferential rent of buildings and premises at a cost of one ruble per square meter per year. New facilities also appear thanks to the concession mechanism – one of the forms of public-private partnership, which makes it possible to develop hotel infrastructure through investor investments. The Moscow City Tourism Committee forms an up-to-date information field on the dynamics of tourism development in the capital.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145395073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Palace of Science: What Opportunities Does the Lomonosov Cluster Open for Innovators

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Cluster “Lomonosov” — one of the leading innovation platforms of the capital. It has become the flagship of the scientific valley of the Moscow State University (MSU) named after M.V. Lomonosov. 66 companies — residents of the cluster are engaged in developments in medicine, information and biotechnology, industry, service infrastructure and other areas. They have at their disposal production sites and laboratories, offices and coworking spaces, conference halls and lecture halls.

    A mos.ru correspondent went to the scientific valley and found out how the Lomonosov cluster is structured, what it offers to Moscow companies and what innovative production facilities are located there.

    Driver of Innovation

    The Lomonosov cluster opened in 2023. On behalf of Sergei Sobyanin, the building concept was developed by the chief architect of Moscow Sergey Kuznetsovand architect Ivan Grekov. Lomonosov became one of nine future clusters of the innovative scientific and technological center of Moscow State University “Vorobyovy Gory”. The ten-story building with mirrored facades was erected in less than two years.

    “The Lomonosov Cluster is a project of the Moscow Government, which is being implemented by the Moscow Innovation Cluster Foundation. This is a territory for the development of innovative and high-tech companies. Here, scientists and entrepreneurs create new products and services, improve existing ones, find partners and investors. At the same time, the cluster provides tax benefits to resident companies,” notes Alexander Ulanov, Deputy General Director of the Foundation.

    “Moscow Innovation Cluster”.

    Residents of Lomonosov can reduce their tax burden by up to 30 percent. They are exempt from paying income taxes, value-added tax, and property tax for 10 years. In addition, they are subject to reduced insurance premium rates, and they can also reimburse customs duties paid.

    Capital companies with useful and innovative projects were able to become residents of the cluster. Their developments were related to science, brought new ideas and helped the city. The declared projects passed the examination, and based on its results, the companies were granted the status of a resident.

    Today, Lomonosov’s production facilities employ more than two thousand people. They have original ideas, modern technologies and know-how in their arsenal that can compete with both Russian and foreign products. The inventions of the cluster residents not only help develop the city’s economy, but also make a major contribution to import substitution. For example, the capital’s factories are already using innovative air purification filters manufactured in Lomonosov, and the Arctic seas of Russia are using a hardware and software complex for seismic research.

    Vladimir Putin and Sergei Sobyanin opened the Lomonosov cluster, the flagship of the Moscow State University innovation centerSergei Sobyanin: The Lomonosov Cluster has united the best innovators of the capital

    Offices, laboratories and engineering workshop

    The Lomonosov cluster is located on Ramensky Boulevard (building 1), not far from the Ramenki and Universitet metro stations. Sharp angles, straight projections, and even ribbons of rectangular windows make the building look like a spaceship.

    In front of the main entrance there is an installation of two hemispheres with a truncated lower base, reminiscent of a core divided into two. On the first floor of the building you can examine a model of the future scientific valley, drink coffee and work, sitting in soft chairs with a noise-insulating effect. Here, the cluster employees meet guests and relax at lunchtime. Some go out for a walk in the courtyard.

    We walk to the escalator along the bright interactive signs and go up to the second floor. In front of us is the cluster’s scientific treasure trove with spacious lecture halls and halls. The largest of them is the Molecule hall, where up to 650 people can sit in front of a huge screen. Forums, conferences and congresses are held here.

    Then we take the elevator up. Resident companies rent premises from the cluster and equip them for their needs. Some organize a laboratory, others — an office, an engineering center or a design bureau. The companies also purchase equipment at their own expense.

    “Our main task is to provide residents with the opportunity to create and develop, to unite them in one place so that they can grow together, exchange specialists, developments, suppliers, create joint projects and use each other’s infrastructure. Such an effective synergy,” emphasizes Alexander Ulanov.

    The corridors are spacious and green, plants stretch along the walls, decorating the space. There are logos of residents on the doors. On the fourth floor, we are met by Svyatoslav Krivozubov, the CEO of Adaptto. He opens one of the office doors, and we find ourselves in a small production workshop. Here, electric drives for electric transport are manufactured.

    Engineers have everything they need. The laboratory has a complete cycle of electronic product manufacturing — from applying solder paste to soldering and testing the manufactured devices. Special equipment is used for this: a printer, a component arranger, and a furnace. Manufacturing processes are controlled through a control system.

    “Our flagship products – controllers – have a record high specific power. At peak, the equipment can pump up to 50 kilowatts. In this indicator, we are ahead of manufacturers not only in Russia, but also in the world. And our controllers are four times lighter than their analogues. Such equipment weighs about a kilogram, and can power a two-ton vehicle,” says Svyatoslav Krivozubov.

    The company’s electric drive powers excursion buses, ATVs and snowmobiles, as well as the Muscovites’ favorite wireless robot cleaner “Pixel”You can see such an assistant in the parks “Kuzminki”, “Sokolniki” and 50th Anniversary of October.

    Drug development and shampoo for astronauts

    The specialists of the company “Simurgpharm” work in the neighboring office. It became one of the first residents of the cluster.

    “We develop software for analyzing biomedical data. They are obtained during the testing of new drugs. The Simurg platform created by the company is the first software in Russia for clinical drug development and comprehensive data analysis,” says Kirill Zhudenkov, the company’s CEO.

    The experts work in a modern, high-tech office with panoramic windows and their own lounge. There you can take a break from complex tasks and play table football or guitar.

    “To achieve results, you need to not only work in science, you need to live it. And team spirit and the desire to invest in a common cause are also very important. That is why our work areas are united. There is a feeling of unity. This corresponds to our mission – to create and implement new technologies in the development of domestic drugs. By the way, the cluster itself is organized in a similar way. You can find partners literally in the neighborhood,” emphasizes Kirill Zhudenkov.

    Dmitry Kurshin, CEO of Intersen-Plus, also speaks about the power of common opportunities. Together with another resident of the cluster, they began to produce a line of skin care cosmetics with peptides.

    “Conferences, meetings and other events held in Lomonosov help to unite forces. For example, our company organized about five scientific events in the cluster this year. There you can tell about yourself and meet other residents,” says Dmitry Kurshin.

    The company is located in a small room on the eighth floor. At the entrance, there are long shelves with vessels of different sizes – from jars to canisters. Each has its own valuable product. Behind the glass doors is a laboratory with a picturesque view of Moscow. On the tables are test tubes, flasks, and vials. Experts painstakingly mix the compositions and create new formulas.

    It also produces biopreparations, disinfectants, cosmetics for palliative care and smart hand sanitizer dispensers with the ability to control the flow rate of liquid. In addition, the company’s experts have created a one-of-a-kind desiccant meter for mixing and dosing working solutions of disinfectants.

    “We have also developed a leave-in shampoo for astronauts. It will allow them not to waste a valuable resource in zero gravity — water. The products are currently being tested in the SIRIUS space flight experiment. It is important to note that the cluster provides everything necessary for testing. This is very valuable for companies. And in general, supporting production allows them to grow faster. Therefore, we can say that the Lomonosov cluster is a palace of science and a source of advanced opportunities,” the mos.ru source notes.

    Companies from the fields of IT, biomedicine and robotics have become residents of the Lomonosov clusterSobyanin: Moscow’s innovative infrastructure has grown by a quarter in five yearsPlace of Innovation: How New Developments Are Tested in the Lomonosov ClusterGeneration of Machines, or How Robots Help MoscowSergei Sobyanin presented Moscow awards in the field of architecture and construction

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145307073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow company carries out major repairs at one of the largest energy enterprises in Donbass

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow entrepreneurs help to establish life in new territories of Russia by restoring industrial and infrastructure facilities. Thus, a Moscow engineering company is carrying out major repairs at one of the largest energy-generating enterprises in Donbass under a state contract. The mechanism of guarantee support for small and medium-sized enterprises is used to finance these works.

    The company has 20 years of experience in implementing projects of varying levels of complexity. Its specialists build, reconstruct, repair and modernize structures and facilities throughout Russia. The enterprise has a powerful design and production base and uses modern technologies.

    The Moscow Guarantee Fund provided a guarantee in the amount of 52.5 million rubles (70 percent of the bank guarantee amount) for the return of an advance payment under a government contract for the execution of major repairs of an important energy facility.

    The fund helps enterprises in various industries obtain financing and solve the problem of a lack of their own collateral by providing guarantees for loans, bank guarantees, letters of credit, leasing and factoring in the amount of up to 70 percent of the transaction amount, but not more than 100 million rubles.

    The Moscow Guarantee Fund was established by the Government of Moscow and is subordinate to the capital Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development. During its operation, the fund has issued more than 20 thousand guarantees, under which small and medium-sized businesses received financing in the amount of over 370 billion rubles.

    Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the national project “Small and medium entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiatives”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145371073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The hotline for receiving meter readings has received more than 27 million calls over 12 years

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Over the 12 years of operation, the hotline for registering readings of individual metering devices of the citywide contact center (CCC) has received more than 27 million calls from residents of the capital.

    “Every year, the demand for a hotline for transmitting meter readings is growing. If in the first year of operation it received 67 thousand calls from residents, then since the beginning of 2024 alone – more than four million. This is the most robotic line of the OKC – up to 99 percent of calls on it are received by a voice assistant without involving operators. The use of artificial intelligence technologies allows saving citizens’ time and makes the process of transmitting meter readings convenient and fast,” said Andrey Savitsky, head of the citywide contact center.

    As noted inDepartment of Information Technology of the City of Moscow, the voice assistant has been receiving readings from water meters since September 2012, and from electricity meters since October 2023. Over the year, residents transmitted electricity meter readings by phone about 200 thousand times, of which more than 122 thousand were with the help of the voice assistant.

    Artificial intelligence can not only register data, but also help prevent errors when transmitting information. For example, if a person names a number much higher or lower than previously transmitted readings, the virtual assistant will report this and offer to clarify the information.

    How to transmit meter readings by phone

    To submit water or electricity meter readings, you need to call the hotline of the citywide contact center: 7 495 539-25-25. Calls are received around the clock by a voice assistant. You need to tell the virtual assistant your personal account number, apartment and meter, and then provide the current readings. Artificial intelligence will record them and automatically redirect them to the system. If the data cannot be transmitted, the voice assistant will prompt the reason, for example, it will report a malfunction of the meter or the need for a scheduled inspection. In addition, it can inform you where to go to resolve these issues. If necessary, the voice assistant will connect you to a contact center operator.

    Water consumption data must be submitted from the 15th of the current month to the third of the following month inclusive, and electricity meter readings must be submitted monthly from the 15th to the 26th.

    This can also be done online on the city portal mos.ru, in the Telegram messenger using a bot @mos_services_here and in the mobile applications “My Moscow” and “Gosuslugi Moskvy” using the service “Receiving readings and paying for electricity”. You can independently submit readings at the “My Documents” government service centers, in the premises of the control room of your district or the management company.

    If the meters are equipped with an automated information and measuring system for commercial metering, the data is entered into the system automatically.

    The citywide contact center has been operating in Moscow since 2011 and includes more than 70 hotlines. Every month, it receives about five million calls from residents. Half of the calls are processed by artificial intelligence without involving operators. In just 12 years, Muscovites have called the citywide contact center more than 365 million times, including over 40 million this year. Residents contact to clarify the status of document processing and public transport schedules, make an appointment with a doctor, call a technician to fix utility problems, and for other issues.

    The implementation of digital solutions in public administration corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in the capital can be found Here.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145304073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –