NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Banking and Finance – ASB lowers rates following OCR decrease

    Source: ASB

    ASB is dropping interest rates across personal, business and rural lending following today’s decision by the RBNZ to decrease the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.50%. The move comes hours after ASB lowered its fixed mortgage rates across several popular terms.

    ASB’s variable home loan rate will fall by 50 basis points from 8.39% to 7.89%, while the Orbit rate drops from 8.49% to 7.99%.  ASB’s Business and Rural Floating Base Rate is moving from 6.69% to 6.19%.

    ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says “We’re pleased to be announcing substantial cuts to our floating home loans, as well as our business and rural rates, in response to the OCR decrease. The various rate reductions we’ve announced today will impact more than 120,000 customers and we hope this will take some pressure off our customers. We do expect this downward OCR trend to continue into 2025 which will provide further relief.”

    The OCR decrease is also being passed on to some of ASB’s savings rates. Savings On Call will move from 2.65% to 2.15% while ASB’s youth account, Headstart will shift from 4.75% to 4.15%.

     

     

    Home Loan* 

    Current Rates 

    New Rates 

    Rate Change 

    Housing Variable 

    8.39% 

    7.89% 

    – 0.50% 

    Orbit 

    8.49% 

    7.99% 

    – 0.50% 

    Back My Build 

    5.94% 

    5.44% 

    – 0.50% 

    Note – Back My Build applications are no longer open to new customers. 

     

    *These changes are effective from 17 October 2024 for new customers, and 24 October 2024 for current customers.

     

    Business Loan*

    Current Rates 

    New Rates 

    Rate Change 

    Business and Rural Floating Base Rate

    6.69%

     

    6.19%

     

    – 0.50%

    Business Base Rate

    13.52% 

    13.02% 

    – 0.50% 

    Rural Base Rate

    10.76% 

    10.26% 

    – 0.50% 

    Corporate Indicator Rate

    7.93% 

    7.43% 

    – 0.50% 

    Special Purpose Rate

    6.50%

    6.00%

    -0.50%

    * These changes are effective from 17 October 2024 for both new and existing customers.

     

    Savings 

    Band 

    Current Rates 

    New Rates 

    Rate Change 

    Savings On Call & ASB Cash Fund 

    All Balances 

    2.65% 

    2.15% 

    – 0.50% 

    Savings Plus 

    No Bonus 

    2.30% 

    1.70% 

    – 0.60% 

    Partial Bonus

    2.40%

    1.80%

    – 0.60%

     

    Full Bonus

    4.75%

    4.15%

    – 0.60%

    Headstart

    All Balances

    4.75%

    4.15%

    – 0.60% 

      *These changes are effective from 24 October 2024 for new and existing customers

     

    ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website (ref. https://www.asb.co.nz/home-loans-mortgages/preparing-for-rising-interest-rates.html ) as well support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub: https://www.asb.co.nz/banking-with-asb/financial-wellbeing.html

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Brighter days ahead for Kiwis

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Today’s cut in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 4.75 per cent is welcome news for families and businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. 

    “Lower interest rates will provide much-needed relief for households and businesses, allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned money and increasing the opportunities for businesses to invest and innovate.

    “New Zealanders have been doing it tough over the last few years with the economy in recession, high interest rates and sharply rising prices. 

    “That is changing as inflation falls towards the target level, interest rates come down and businesses have the confidence to invest and hire again. 

    “Last week’s ANZ Business Outlook showed that businesses are feeling more positive and looking to invest in the future which is good news for all Kiwis. The Mood of the Boardroom echoed this, showing that confidence in the economy has reached its highest level since 2016.

    “It’s early days and there is still more work to do, but our careful and deliberate plan to rebuild the economy is working. Like businesses, we are confident that brighter days are ahead,” Nicola Willis says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Reserve Bank of NZ reduces OCR to 4.75% – Monetary restraint reduced as inflation converges to target

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    9 October 2024 – The Monetary Policy Committee today agreed to cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 4.75 percent. The Committee assesses that annual consumer price inflation is within its 1 to 3 percent inflation target range and converging on the 2 percent midpoint.

    Economic activity in New Zealand is subdued, in part due to restrictive monetary policy. Business investment and consumer spending have been weak, and employment conditions continue to soften. Low productivity growth is also constraining activity.

    Some exporters have benefited from improved export prices. However, global economic growth remains below trend. The outlook for the United States and China is for growth to slow, while geopolitical tensions remain a significant headwind for world economic activity.

    The New Zealand economy is now in a position of excess capacity, encouraging price- and wage-setting to adjust to a low-inflation economy. Lower import prices have assisted the disinflation.

    The Committee agreed that it is appropriate to cut the OCR by 50 basis points to achieve and maintain low and stable inflation, while seeking to avoid unnecessary instability in output, employment, interest rates, and the exchange rate.

    Read the full statement and Record of meeting: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=96ff7a2970&e=f3c68946f8

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Council of Ministers meeting on 9 October 2024

    MIL OSI Translation. Timor-Leste Portuguese to English –

    Presidency of the Council of Ministers

    Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
    ……………………………………………. ……………………………………………. …………………….

    Press release

    Council of Ministers meeting on 9 October 2024

    The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and decided to grant full powers to the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, within the scope of development cooperation. The agreement is expected to be signed on October 11, during the official visit of Minister Gastão Francisco de Sousa to Jakarta.

    This memorandum of understanding covers several areas of development cooperation, including building basic infrastructure, promoting affordable renewable energy, creating sustainable cities and communities, fostering agriculture and rural development, encouraging tourism, improving the health and education sectors, stimulating private sector investment, promoting digital development, social inclusion, and climate change mitigation efforts. ENDS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: (Updated) NANO Nuclear Energy Reinforces its Nuclear Technology and Engineering Team Further with the Addition of Leading Researchers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, N.Y., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing portable, clean energy solutions, today announced that Professor Andrew W. Woods, Ph.D. and Alejandra de Lara, BSc, MPhil have joined its Nuclear Technology and Engineering Team.

    “It is a pleasure to see our Nuclear Technology and Engineering team grow with the additions of Dr. Woods and Alejandra,” said Prof. Ian Farnan, Lead for Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Radiation and Materials at NANO Nuclear Energy. “Their experience and unique expertise are a timely addition to the team and the next phase of the development of the ‘ODIN’ microreactor.”

    “We are very happy to welcome Dr. Woods and Alejandra to the team,” said Eugene Shwageraus, Lead of Nuclear Reactor Engineering of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The next steps in the development of ‘ODIN’ require a dedicated team of experts to ensure the technology is ready to meet regulatory requirements and progress towards commercialization. I am delighted to work alongside Dr. Woods and Alejandra and develop a portable, secure and reliable solution to the world’s growing energy needs.”

    Dr. Woods’ research focuses on developing simplified mathematical and experimental models to study complex fluid flow and heat transfer processes in single and multiphase flow. Applications of his work span various fields, including the dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions, geothermal power generation, carbon sequestration, and large scale, subsurface energy storage. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Woods was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2017. He is a Professor in the University of Cambridge.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Bolsters its Nuclear Technology and Engineering Team with the Additions of Professor Andrew W. Woods (left) and Alejandra de Lara, BSc, MPhil (right).

    Alejandra de Lara has submitted her Ph.D. for examination at the University of Cambridge. Her Ph.D. project was sponsored by Framatome and focused on adapting fuel behavior prediction codes to molten salt-cooled reactors and analyzing their benefits compared to Light Water Reactors.

    Her research demonstrated several fuel design features that would improve the performance of salt-cooled reactors. High-temperature operation of such reactors enables greater thermodynamic efficiency in power conversion using advanced cycles, while also allowing for the direct use of nuclear heat to drive industrial processes such as synthetic fuel production, hydrogen generation, and district heating.

    “The ‘ODIN’ team has grown rapidly in recent months, and it is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Woods and Alejandra,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer, and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “Dr. Woods is an experienced and well-versed leader in the field of complex fluid flow and heat transfer processes and I am certain his skills will be invaluable in the next steps of ‘ODIN’s” development. Similarly, Alejandra has proven herself as a leading young researcher and is the perfect example of the next generation’s excellence in nuclear science.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across four business lines: (i) cutting edge portable microreactor technology, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation and (iv) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s products in technical development are “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206
    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:
    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy TWITTER

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release or related events contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements (including the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of the engineering personnel described herein and statements regarding NANO Nuclear’s regulatory and licensing processes) mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) nuclear fuel manufacturing submission and the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, development of competitive technology, (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iii) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor technology, (iv) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (v) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the business of a start-up business operating a highly regulated industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and the NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at http://www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is special consideration for exams? How does it work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jill Colton, Program Director: Secondary Programs and Senior Lecturer: English and Literacy Education, University of South Australia

    Arrowsmith2/Shutterstock

    Many Year 12 students are preparing for final exams throughout October and November.

    What happens if something unexpected happens that makes final preparations or performance on the day more difficult?

    This is where special consideration or special provisions can help.

    How might you be eligible?

    Students who experience something unexpected during the exam period may be eligible for special consideration. This can minimise the impact on a student’s overall marks.

    To be eligible, incidents must be beyond the student’s control. For example, a serious illness, an accident, a family crisis or an interruption during the exam. It does not include family holidays, a teacher being away or mixing up exam dates.

    A student suffering a flare up of pain and fatigue because of glandular fever is likely to be eligible as long as they have a medical diagnosis and recent documentation such as a letter from their GP. Other unexpected illnesses might include gastro, flu or COVID.

    Unexpected mishaps or misadventure such as your home being flooded or a sporting accident that puts you into hospital can prevent you from participating in your exam. In cases like these you will need to provide evidence.

    A death of a close relative can also mean a student is considered eligible for special arrangements. Other family crises may also be included depending on the circumstances and how they affect you. It’s best to consult with your school to find out if you might be eligible.

    Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses can also apply for special consideration. This is something that must be organised earlier in the year through your school and helps teachers make adjustments that enable students to participate equitably.

    There are also a range of entry processes for university and other post-school training and education pathways. Check with the institution you are interested in for more information.

    If you get the flu or COVID during your exams, make sure you get documentation from your GP.
    JJ-stockstudio/Shutterstock

    What do you need to do to apply?

    The process of applying for special consideration for exams differs slightly depending which state or territory you live in. However, the same principles apply:

    • you will need documentary evidence – such as letters from your doctor, police reports, statutory declarations or a death certificate

    • it must be clear how the unexpected situation impacts your performance, such as being too sick to study or too unwell to attend the exam.

    Your school will then manage the process on your behalf and where relevant, submit the application to the local exam board.

    Make sure you let your school know as soon as possible if you think something has happened that will have an impact on your exams.

    What happens next?

    Special consideration aims to ensure a student’s final result is an accurate reflection of their expected achievement. Depending on what has happened, and when it happened, a student may be able to have:

    • additional reading or writing time

    • do their exam in another room

    • extensions to due dates

    • rest breaks, or

    • time to attend to medical needs without loss of test or exam time.

    If a student can’t do their exam or their participation was significantly impaired, a moderated school result or predicted mark will be used. This is a result based on performance during the year.

    This might happen in situations where a whole class is affected. For example, a fire alarm went off half way through an exam.

    Unexpected things happen to all of us at some stage in our lives. If something goes wrong in your life around exam time, talk to your school and gather your documentation. And be informed about how you can be supported to be graded fairly.

    For more state-specific information, you can go to your state’s exam board:

    • South Australia and Northern Territory (SACE)

    • Queensland (QCAA)

    • New South Wales (HSC)

    • Tasmania (TASC)

    • Western Australia (WACE)

    • Victoria (VCE)

    • Australian Capital Territory (BSSS).

    Jill Colton 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. What is special consideration for exams? How does it work? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-special-consideration-for-exams-how-does-it-work-240441

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese commerce minister, U.S. commerce secretary hold phone talk

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

    Chinese commerce minister, U.S. commerce secretary hold phone talk

    BEIJING, Oct. 8 — China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a telephone talk with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Tuesday, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.

    The two sides conducted candid, in-depth and pragmatic communication on economic and trade issues of respective concern, with a focus on the implementation of the important consensus reached between the two heads of state of China and the United States at the San Francisco meeting.

    The phone conversation is an arrangement under the communication mechanism between the two commerce departments.

    The San Francisco meeting has pointed out direction for the development of the China-U.S. economic and trade relations, said Wang.

    The commerce departments of the two countries have maintained close contact at different levels, said Wang, adding that positive progress has been made in expanding cooperation, managing differences, and addressing specific concerns of enterprises.

    China-U.S. economic and trade relations should become the “ballast” in bilateral relations, he said.

    Wang said that China is willing to work with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to jointly implement the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting, and put China-U.S. relations back on the right track.

    Wang expressed serious concerns about the U.S. semiconductor policy towards China and the restrictions on Chinese connected vehicles.

    It’s necessary to clarify the national security boundaries in the economic and trade field, as it is conducive to maintaining the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains, and creating a favorable policy environment for cooperation between the business communities from the two countries, Wang stressed.

    China urges the U.S. side to pay attention to the specific concerns of Chinese enterprises, promptly lift sanctions on Chinese companies, and improve the business environment for Chinese companies in the United States, Wang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Orr’s multi-billion dollar mea culpa

    Source: ACT Party

    This afternoon, the Reserve Bank made another cut to the Official Cash Rate, from 5.25% down to 4.75%. ACT Leader David Seymour responds:

    “Today’s rate cut is great news. Lower interest rates mean real relief for Kiwis with mortgages, also relieving pressure on rents, and freeing up spending cash to quench thirsty local businesses.

    “However, on the Reserve Bank’s part, a 50 basis-point cut is a multi-billion dollar mea culpa, and the latest twist of a nauseating three-year fiscal and monetary roller coaster.

    “Today’s cut bookends a series of excesses. The too-easy money of COVID times spiked house prices and inflation. Then, interest rates shot up, house prices crashed back down. Today, Kiwis are finally getting off a three-year fiscal and monetary rollercoaster, feeling nauseous for their troubles.

    “Kiwis have done the responsible thing. Interest rates were also driven up by Labour’s COVID spending blowout. Households responded by making spending sacrifices – and changing the Government.

    “Our efforts are paying off. Together, our prudent spending has seen inflation ease back and given the Reserve Bank room to cut interest rates. If we stay the course, we should expect further relief in the coming months.

    “However, interest rates are still painfully high compared with pre-COVID times. ACT is determined to speed the path back to lower rates, lower living costs, and real economic growth.

    “We must build on our progress in cutting the waste and red tape from Wellington. That is how we honour the efforts of households working to secure a prosperous future for themselves.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Sony Unveils New Technologies to Advance Autonomous Mobile Robots

    Source: Sony

    Tokyo, Japan — Sony Group Corporation (Sony Group) today announced that five research papers on robotic mobility published by Sony Group and Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (SIE) have been accepted at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2024, one of the top international conferences in the fields of AI and robotics.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN chief warns Lebanon is on verge of all-out war

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Oct. 6, 2024 shows the destruction caused by an Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Lebanon is “on the verge of an all-out war,” but there is still time to stop, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.

    Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said the Middle East “is a powder keg with many parties holding the match.”

    “I have warned for months of the risks of the conflict spreading,” said the UN chief, adding that the situation in the occupied West Bank is “boiling over,” and attacks in Lebanon are threatening the entire region.

    He said that over the last few days, exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and others in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have intensified across the Blue Line, in total disregard of Security Council resolutions 1701 and 1559.

    Guterres noted that large-scale Israeli strikes deep into Lebanon, including Beirut, have killed more than 2,000 people over the last year — and 1,500 in just the past two weeks alone, and attacks by Hezbollah and others south of the Blue Line have killed at least 49 people over the last year. In addition, Lebanese authorities report over 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, and 300,000 people have fled into Syria, while over 60,000 people remain displaced from northern Israel.

    “We are on the verge of an all-out war in Lebanon, with already devastating consequences. But there is still time to stop,” he said.

    “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected,” he stressed.

    The secretary-general commended the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, for continuing “to carry out their mandates to the extent possible,” and called on all actors to ensure their safety and security.

    Guterres said the past year “has been a year of crises — humanitarian crisis, political crisis, diplomatic crisis, and a moral crisis,” and “the nightmare in Gaza is now entering an atrocious, abominable second year.”

    Over the last year, following the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, “Gaza has become ground zero to a level of human suffering that is hard to fathom,” with over 41,000 Palestinians reportedly killed, mostly women and children, and thousands more missing, he said.

    “Virtually the entire population has been displaced — and no part of Gaza has been spared,” said Guterres. “No place is safe in Gaza and no one is safe.”

    He underscored that international law is unambiguous: “civilians everywhere must be respected and protected, and their essential needs must be met, including through humanitarian assistance,” and strongly condemned all violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.

    The UN chief reiterated the calls for an immediate ceasefire both in Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and immediate lifesaving aid to all those who desperately need it, and the calls for irreversible action for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: More policies in pipeline to boost economy

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    As there have been more signs recently of a bull run in the A-share market, including soaring indexes and the stratospheric level of the trading volume, more economic stimulus policies as well as investors’ patience are equally important to further consolidate the upward trend of Chinese equities, said experts.

    Resuming after the National Day holiday, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 4.59 percent to close at 3489.78 points on Tuesday, while the Shenzhen Component Index surged 9.17 percent. The technology-focused ChiNext in Shenzhen spiked 17.25 percent. Semiconductor, software development and securities companies led Tuesday’s rally.

    The combined trading value at the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses stood at 3.45 trillion yuan ($490 billion) on Tuesday, surpassing the previous record of 2.6 trillion yuan on Sept 30, the last trading day before the holiday.

    The A-share market’s rally on Tuesday came as officials of the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic regulator, said on the same day that the country will launch a batch of incremental policies to promote the sustained economic recovery and development.

    “China is confident of maintaining steady and healthy economic growth and achieve the full-year growth target,” said Zheng Shanjie, head of the NDRC, at a news conference on Tuesday, adding that more efforts will be made to strengthen the countercyclical adjustments for macroeconomic policies.

    The incremental policies released in late September attached greater importance to improving the quality of economic growth, supporting the real economy, facilitating the sound development of market entities, and coordinating high-quality development and high-level security, he said.

    Since Sept 24, the country’s top regulators have come up with supportive measures covering the financial sector, the property market, and support to the real economy, among others.

    The measures will be better used to spur more development potential and better achieve this year’s growth target, said Zheng.

    Meanwhile, continued efforts will be made to boost the capital market, according to Zheng. More effective and comprehensive measures will be introduced to vigorously guide the inflow of long-term capital. Blockages preventing the smoother entry of social security funds, as well as insurance and wealth management funds into the capital market should be removed.

    Public companies will be supported in mergers and acquisitions as well as restructuring. The reform of mutual funds should be advanced steadily, and efforts will be made to promulgate measures to protect individual investors, said Zheng, noting that these policies will be released at a faster pace.

    Liu Gang, managing director of China International Capital Corp, said the measures announced in September had exceeded market expectations and rekindled investors’ passion, emphasizing the financial measures’ support for the stock market.

    These have served as a driver for the recent bullish performance of the A-share market. But the market’s future performance will be determined by the pace and scale of successive policies, especially fiscal policies, Liu said.

    Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, said that fiscal and property market policies should better coordinate with the recently released monetary policies to stabilize investors’ confidence and expectations. Increasing the scale of this year’s budget deficit, accelerating the issuance of special bonds, granting subsidies to special groups of people and the issuance of additional treasury bonds can be possible options in terms of supportive fiscal measures, he said.

    China may adopt moderate fiscal stimulus of about 1.5 to 2 trillion yuan in the short term, which is also a reasonable level, said Wang Tao, chief China economist at UBS Investment Bank.

    Chen Guo, chief strategist at China Securities, said that the Chinese stock market’s recent bullish performance is supported by the revaluation of Chinese assets and recovered confidence. But a well-grounded overall bull run still needs time, especially the further improvement of economic fundamentals. Investors should have patience for the medium term, he said.

    Noting that the A-share market will enter a period of sustainable growth in the medium term, during which fluctuations cannot be avoided, Zhang Qiyao, chief strategist at Industrial Securities, said there is still room for a rise in the short run. Investors should watch for how long the bullish trend will last rather than focus on short-term peaks, he said.

    In a report released on Monday, analysts from Goldman Sachs raised 10 reasons to increase exposure to A-shares, including strong economic stimulus, upbeat investors’ mood, undervalued Chinese equities, companies’ improving earnings and a relaxed external environment.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: National Day holiday consumption displays China’s economic vitality, potential

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Tourists taste food at the Qianmen pedestrian street in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s just-concluded National Day holiday ignited a surge in consumer activity, fueled by a dynamic blend of travel demand and targeted incentives, highlighting the strong economic vitality of the world’s second largest economy.

    Over the seven-day holiday ending on Monday, more than 2 billion cross-regional trips were made nationwide, according to the Ministry of Transport, representing a 4.1-percent average daily increase compared to 2023.

    The surge in travel not only boosted tourism-related industries but also stimulated consumer spending across various sectors — highlighting the resilience of China’s domestic market during and beyond the holiday period.

    Local governments and businesses responded to the travel rush with innovative initiatives, such as consumer vouchers and home appliance trade-in programs, aimed at tapping into the holiday spirit and bolstering consumption.

    Tourism boom with inbound surge

    The holiday unleashed a travel frenzy. During the holiday period, a remarkable 765 million domestic trips were made, marking a 5.9 percent year-on-year increase, with total tourist spending surging 6.3 percent to 700.8 billion yuan (about 99.11 billion U.S. dollars).

    The travel boom was fueled by a growing demand for diverse tourism experiences, with domestic bookings of travel packages, including flights, hotels and dining, jumping by 40 percent, according to Fliggy, a popular travel platform.

    Data from Trip.com, another leading travel platform, showed that outbound travel orders had surpassed 2019 level, driven by trips to popular destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.

    Notably, inbound tourism exceeded outbound travel, with inbound orders skyrocketing by 60 percent year on year during the holiday, as more foreign tourists flocked to China, drawn by its unique blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks and vibrant modern attractions.

    The China Tourism Academy predicts that foreign arrivals in the second half of 2024 will exceed 15 million, with the inbound tourism market expected to return to 2019 level, marking the start of a new growth cycle.

    Cultural tourism flourished during the holiday, seeing activities like museum visits, exhibitions and immersive experiences becoming major highlights. Beijing, for instance, hosted over 900 cultural events, an 11-percent increase compared with last year.

    Fueled by the blockbuster video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” north China’s Shanxi has recently seen a phenomenal travel boom, as this province is home to many of the stunning locations featured in the game.

    Analysts expect that as more travelers engage with diverse cultures, the vibrant growth of China’s economy and the richness of its cultural heritage will be fully showcased.

    Spending boost with policy support

    The holiday also sparked a wave of consumer activity, with government-backed incentives playing a key role in heating up the market.

    China unveiled an action plan in March this year to implement a program of large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-ins of consumer goods to expand domestic demand, and stepped up policy support in July with an extra funds injection of 300 billion yuan via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    Encouraged by the trade-in policy and automaker discounts, the holiday period saw new car sales increase by 11.7 percent — with new energy vehicle sales surging 45.8 percent year on year.

    During the holiday, JD.com, a leading online retailer, reported an increase of 67 percent in home appliance sales compared with 2023, while home appliance retailer, Suning, saw trade-in orders rising by 132 percent year on year.

    According to the Ministry of Commerce, in the first three days of the holiday, 1.04 million consumers purchased 1.55 million home appliances under the trade-in program, contributing to sales of 7.36 billion yuan.

    Powered by the travel and tourism surge, the dining sector across China sizzled with energy. Data from Meituan, one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms for services, showed that from Oct.1 to 5, daily average dine-in consumption rose 33.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

    Audiences packed cinemas, with a total of 2.1 billion yuan in box office takings recorded during the holiday.

    Local governments rolled out policy measures to spur consumption. Shanghai, for instance, injected 5 billion yuan into vouchers for dining, entertainment and shopping, while cities including Chongqing hosted a variety of promotions to spark consumption.

    “The robust holiday consumption highlights China’s vast market, and its strong economic resilience and great potential,” said Xu Guangjian, a professor at the Renmin University of China.

    The accelerated integration of culture, sports and tourism, along with evolving business models, is creating new opportunities for sustained growth, further consolidating the role of consumption as a key driver of the economy, Xu noted.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, US commerce ministers hold phone talks

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a telephone talk with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Tuesday, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.

    The two sides conducted candid, in-depth and pragmatic communication on economic and trade issues of respective concern, with a focus on the implementation of the important consensus reached between the two heads of state of China and the United States at the San Francisco meeting.

    The phone conversation is an arrangement under the communication mechanism between the two commerce departments.

    The San Francisco meeting has pointed out direction for the development of the China-U.S. economic and trade relations, said Wang.

    The commerce departments of the two countries have maintained close contact at different levels, said Wang, adding that positive progress has been made in expanding cooperation, managing differences, and addressing specific concerns of enterprises.

    China-U.S. economic and trade relations should become the “ballast” in bilateral relations, he said.

    Wang said that China is willing to work with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to jointly implement the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting, and put China-U.S. relations back on the right track.

    Wang expressed serious concerns about the U.S. semiconductor policy towards China and the restrictions on Chinese connected vehicles.

    It’s necessary to clarify the national security boundaries in the economic and trade field, as it is conducive to maintaining the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains, and creating a favorable policy environment for cooperation between the business communities from the two countries, Wang stressed.

    China urges the U.S. side to pay attention to the specific concerns of Chinese enterprises, promptly lift sanctions on Chinese companies, and improve the business environment for Chinese companies in the United States, Wang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Turnover hits record high on China’s stock markets

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Oct. 8, 2024 shows the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The combined turnover of China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses reached 3.45 trillion yuan (about 487.92 billion U.S. dollars) on Tuesday, surpassing the 2.59 trillion-yuan turnover recorded on Sept. 30 and hitting a new high.

    The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index went up 4.59 percent to close at 3,489.78 points, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 9.17 percent higher at 11,495.1 points.

    Over 5,000 stocks ended higher, with the server-operating-system and semiconductor sectors leading the gains.

    The ChiNext Index, tracking China’s Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 17.25 percent to close at 2,550.28 points.

    The market sentiment rose strongly on the Chinese government’s announcement of a mix of policy measures including monetary stimulus and property market support policies to galvanize the economy’s rebound.

    On Sept. 24, the People’s Bank of China announced a cut in the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage points for financial institutions. On Sept. 29, it announced a reduction in the mortgage rates for first homes, second homes and more by no lower than 30 basis points below the loan prime rate by the end of this month.

    On the same day, China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development also vowed support to stabilize the real estate market, by encouraging municipal governments, especially those in the first-tier cities, to leverage their decision-making powers to regulate the real estate market, and adjust policies restricting housing purchases based on local conditions.

    China is confident of achieving the full-year growth target, while mulling new supporting policies to sustain the steady and healthy economic growth, the country’s top economic planner told a press conference Tuesday.

    More efforts will be made to bolster the capital market, by vigorously guiding medium and long-term funds into the capital market, promoting mergers and acquisitions among listed companies, as well as mulling over and introducing measures to protect small and medium-sized investors, said Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Heavy-duty gas turbine undergoes first ignition test

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A view of China’s self-developed 300 MW F-class heavy-duty gas turbine. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s independently developed 300 megawatt F-class heavy-duty gas turbine successfully completed its first ignition test on Monday in Shanghai’s Lingang area, underscoring the nation’s advancements toward enhanced energy security and sustainable development.

    The 300MW F-class unit, developed by China United Gas Turbine Technology Co, represents the largest and most technologically advanced heavy-duty gas turbine China has developed entirely through domestic efforts. Its technical indicators match those of mainstream international F-class turbine models currently in operation worldwide, according to the website of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

    The ignition validates the turbine’s overall design integrity, manufacturing quality and functionality of the testing systems, paving the way for comprehensive operational verification trials.

    “This breakthrough follows over eight years of intensive research and development,” said Minister Jin Zhuanglong. “This successful ignition is another milestone following the rollout of the first prototype in February, officially advancing the program into full machine testing and validation.”

    Mo Jingfei, director of the science and technology management department at China United Gas Turbine Technology, highlighted the unit’s generating capacity.

    “It is estimated that under a combined cycle configuration, a single set of this equipment could generate approximately 450,000 kilowatts per hour — equivalent to one-eighth of the average hourly electricity consumption in Beijing,” he was quoted by Xinhua News Agency.

    Compared with the generation efficiency of 35-46 percent for conventional thermal power, the generation efficiency of combined cycle power plants can reach 55 percent, and can be coupled with new energy to better meet user demands in peak adjustment, Mo added.

    As a type of internal combustion and a core engine in the energy sector, gas turbines generate power by burning fuel like natural gas mixed with air to spin turbine blades. They can operate continuously for long periods in high-temperature, high-stress and highly corrosive environments. Based on operating temperatures, the heavy-duty units are classified into E, F, G/H and J classes, with F-class representing the mainstream global model operating at around 1,400 C.

    Compared to traditional coal and oil-fired power plants, natural gas-fired turbines emit significantly lower levels of pollutants. Their carbon dioxide emissions are approximately half those of coal-fired power plants, making this cleaner, more sustainable technology essential for China and other nations striving to meet environmental goals. These turbines have widespread applications in ground-based power generation and peak shaving for power grids.

    However, developing huge, ultrahigh temperature gas turbines is widely regarded as an immense engineering challenge. As reported by local news portal The Paper, for about six decades, the global heavy-duty gas turbine market has been dominated by US, German and Japanese manufacturers, and China’s gas turbine industry has been plagued by latecomer challenges such as design complexity and restricted access to proprietary foreign technologies.

    The tide began to turn in 2012 when China’s State Council launched the national strategic program focused on aero engines and gas turbines. In 2014, major enterprises, including the former China Power Investment Corporation, joined forces to establish a united company in Shanghai to spearhead development efforts through independent design efforts and strategic technology cooperation.

    In 2017, the united company became China United Gas Turbine Technology Co, which was tasked with leading national R&D initiatives from fundamental research to prototype manufacturing and validation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government keeping the National Broadband Network in public hands

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Government is introducing legislation today to keep the National Broadband Network (NBN) owned by the Australian people – ensuring fast, reliable and affordable internet now and into the future for all Australians.
     
    Our Government committed at the election to deliver accessible internet for all, and today we continue to take that forward.  
     
    High speed broadband is essential to modern life – it allows Australians to work remotely, run their businesses more productively, video-conference with clients and colleagues, supply and receive telehealth services – while enjoying leisure with their families through streaming.
     
    The Coalition rushed to declare the NBN ‘complete’ so they could put it on the block for sale – selling out Australian consumers and regional communities.
     
    The Albanese Government won’t let that happen. This legislation will ensure the NBN is owned by who it belongs to – the Australian people.
     
    This is in addition to what we have already done: 

    1. Invested $2.4 billion to expand full fibre NBN access to an additional 1.5 million premises – including 660,000 rural and regional communities;
    2. From September next year, boosting download speeds by up to 5 times current speeds. A household or small business with a 100 Mbps plan in 2024 will benefit from 500 Mbps connectivity in 2025;
    3. Rolling out more fibre in the fixed line network, upgrading the fixed-wireless network and planning for future needs.

     
    These upgrades are already making a real difference in the lives of Australians through faster more reliable internet access. 
     
    Keeping the NBN in public hands will lock in affordable and accessible high speed internet for all Australians for generations to come.
     
    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 
     
    “All Australians deserve high quality and affordable services no matter their postcode. That includes access to the NBN.
     
    “Keeping the NBN in public hands means high speed broadband remains affordable for Australian families and businesses around the country.
     
    “Upgrades to the NBN are also a key part of our plan for a Future Made in Australia, but achieving this vision won’t happen without a reliable, high-speed National Broadband Network.
     
    “The Coalition made a mess of the NBN – my Government is getting on with the job of fixing it and making sure it stays in public hands, where it belongs.”
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher: 
     
    “The NBN is critical national infrastructure, and we know that having a faster, higher quality NBN network has a huge impact on Australia’s economy – delivering a $400 billion uplift in GDP by 2030.
     
    “Economic analysis commissioned by NBN Co shows that for every one megabit per second increase in average broadband speed, Australia’s productivity-driven GDP increased on average by 0.04 per cent.
     
    “The Albanese Government is delivering a better NBN for Australians, investing $2.4 billion in the October 2022-23 Budget to expand fibre access to 1.5 million premises by 2025.”
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland:
     
    “It is only a Labor Government that will ensure the NBN remains in public hands.
     
    “Communities across Australia have told us that the job of upgrading the NBN is not complete, which is why we’re investing in more fibre and fixed wireless upgrades. 
     
    “Australians don’t trust the Coalition not to flog off the NBN just like they did with Telstra, resulting in higher prices and poorer services, especially in the regions.
     
    “This Bill will ensure the NBN continues to deliver for all Australians – improving digital inclusion and price certainty for industry and consumers.
     
    “The Government is delivering on our election commitments to provide fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all Australians, and only by keeping the NBN in the ownership of the Australian people will that vision continue to be delivered.”
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Question time response – National Broadband Network

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Question – Federal Member for Chishlom, Dr Carina Garland

    How will keeping the National Broadband Network from public ownership deliver productivity, connectivity and cost-of-living benefits for Australians?
     

    Answer – Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP 

    I thank the Member for her question. Labor founded the National Broadband Network to provide fast and reliable and affordable wideband to all Australians and we are delivering on that vision for a world-class network. Only by keeping the NBN in public ownership, can that vision continue to be delivered.

    Mr Speaker, the NBN is critical infrastructure that reaches over 12 million premises across Australia. More than 8.6 million homes are currently connected to the NBN. On Government ownership of the NBN, it will help keep wholesale broadband prices more affordable for consumers than if the company was in private ownership. The Albanese Government is investing $2.4 billion over four years to give more households and businesses full-fibre access. 

    More than 70,000 km of new fibre has been rolled out. And, over 2300 fixed wireless towers have been upgraded. Mr Speaker, for the first time, this work is progressing on time and on budget. Fibre speeds can deliver speeds 18 times faster than the average connection and is less likely to drop out. 

    From next year, Mr Speaker, the NBN will be boosting download speeds by up to five times current speeds at no extra wholesale cost. Mr Speaker. The productivity and efficiency gains are significant. Research commissioned by NBN shows that Australians save more than 100 hours and $2580 per year in avoided travel time and costs in working from home and undertaking tasks online. 

    And, Mr Speaker, we know that the Coalition wants to sell the NBN just like they sold Telstra. Just like they sold Telstra. In fact, the former Minister declared in 2020, that the NBN was built and fully operational. Mission accomplished, he declared. Despite the fact that there were still millions of Australians on a fixed-line footprint, stranded on deteriorating Coalition copper. They took the first step in the NBN sale process. 

    This was the legacy of the ill-fated copper experiment that blew out the cost of the NBN from $29 billion to $41 billion and then $49 billion and then $57 billion and we know that the Liberals have fallen, selling off assets and leaving ordinary Australians with higher prices and poorer services and The Nationals two weeks to stand up to them.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How we partnered with local communities to halve skin sores among Aboriginal children in remote WA

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asha Bowen, Team Lead, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention, Telethon Kids Institute

    Aboriginal children living in remote communities have the highest rate of skin sores, or impetigo, in the world. Almost one in two have skin sores at any one time.

    Skin sores are a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that may be itchy and painful, but often go unnoticed by children. Parents are more likely to be concerned about the pus and thick crust that develops.

    Scabies, another skin infection, also disproportionately affects children in remote Indigenous communities in Australia (as many as one in three).

    In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Aboriginal children are 34 times more likely than non-Aboriginal children to be admitted to hospital with skin infections in their first year of life. Untreated, these skin infections can lead to other health issues including sepsis, rheumatic fever and kidney disease.

    With this in mind, we’ve been working for the past five years with nine communities in the Kimberley region on a comprehensive skin health program. Each of the communities has a remote health-care clinic staffed by a mix of nurses, Aboriginal health workers and doctors.

    Today, we’ve published two new studies outlining the progress we’ve made to reduce skin infections in children in these communities. Since we started the program, rates of skin sores have halved from around four in ten children to around two in ten.

    The SToP program

    We partnered with Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations and schools in the Kimberley region and co-designed a program called SToP. It stands for “See, Treat and Prevent”.

    Our initial focus was going to be on diagnosing and treating skin sores and scabies. However, community members highlighted the need to incorporate a strong focus on prevention and health promotion too.

    The SToP model included training health-care workers in the remote health clinics, community members and school staff to recognise skin infections. The health-care workers were also trained to provide the latest evidence-based treatment for patients with skin sores and scabies.

    The prevention activities included recording a hip-hop video with children, developing eight unique healthy skin books in local languages, and yarning with community members. They consistently highlighted the importance of investing in environmental health, including housing maintenance to support healthy living.

    Local children recorded a hip-hop video to promote healthy skin.

    As part of the SToP program, and to track its results, more than 770 children aged zero to 15 years received regular skin checks over four years from 2019 to 2022. We visited each of the nine communities up to three times each year and completed more than 3,000 skin checks.

    One limitation of our research is that the trial was completed during COVID. Regional travel bans forced it to pause for several months in 2020.

    The primary aim was to reduce the burden of skin sores by half in school-aged children. We also tracked impetigo and scabies burden in younger children up to age four, and overall clinic presentations for skin infections.

    Our results, published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health today, confirm skin sores decreased in school-aged children in the first year and improvements were sustained throughout the trial.

    Across all communities, skin sores reduced from four in ten children at the start of the study to two in ten children by the end. Most of this reduction occurred in 2019 when skin checks started.

    Scabies also declined, but was found in less than one in ten children throughout the study.

    The skin checks were the most important and likely most effective part of the study. Community members want these to continue for all age groups, to extend beyond just the children involved in the study.

    Presentations to the remote health clinics for skin infections in each community increased during the trial and stayed high. This suggests the community involvement and focus on healthy skin was reaching all age groups.

    Despite training and resource development, uptake of the recommended treatments at the clinic was low.

    We predicted at the start of the study that using treatment as prevention, supported by training on the latest evidence-based treatments available, would be the most effective strategy. This turned out to not occur at all. High turnover of clinic staff and longstanding treatment preferences may be the reason.

    A holistic approach

    While our research has been published today, the results were first presented to community members in 2023. More than 85 community members were able to share their interpretation of the SToP results with us. They strengthened the story we’ve been able to tell in our published papers.

    The second paper, in eClinical Medicine, provides a comprehensive, multi-methods evaluation of the trial. Through this process, community members and service providers helped our research team understand the trial results and the critical factors for success.

    Future studies should continue to partner with local Aboriginal communities and enable community voices to inform all aspects of the research.

    The SToP trial brought together Western medical approaches with community voices to better inform skin disease control where the burden of skin sores and scabies was high. The results have been positive.

    We hope there will be future opportunities to implement activities like this in more Indigenous communities across Australia. As a starting point, a variety of SToP resources are available to access. The healthy skin books have been shared with other communities to translate into local contexts and languages.

    The skin is the largest organ of the body and always visible. Improvements in skin health can prevent other, more serious health consequences, while also contributing to overall wellbeing.

    Asha Bowen receives funding from National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Healthy.

    Hannah M.M. Thomas, Lorraine Anderson, and Rachel Burgess do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How we partnered with local communities to halve skin sores among Aboriginal children in remote WA – https://theconversation.com/how-we-partnered-with-local-communities-to-halve-skin-sores-among-aboriginal-children-in-remote-wa-240663

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China studying measures to raise tariffs on imported large-engine fuel vehicles: ministry

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China is studying measures on increasing tariffs for imported fuel-powered cars with large-displacement engines, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Tuesday.

    China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries and enterprises, according to a spokesperson from the MOC.

    The MOC announced on Tuesday that it will impose temporary anti-dumping measures on brandy originating from the European Union (EU) in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, while adhering to World Trade Organization rules.

    China is also conducting the anti-dumping investigation into certain pork and pig by-products imported from the EU, as well as the anti-subsidy probe into certain imported EU dairy products, which will fully protect the rights of all stakeholders and make an objective and fair ruling based on the results of the investigations, the spokesperson added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: A-share market set to further buoy confidence

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Following the A-share market’s recent robust recovery buoyed by a number of stronger-than-expected stimulative policies, increasingly confident investors are attaching more attention to the stock market, whose upward momentum can be further consolidated by more supportive measures and the ongoing optimization of China’s economic growth, said industry experts.

    Preparations were made during the National Day holiday, which ended on Monday. The Shanghai Stock Exchange announced on Sunday that it will add an extra five minutes, from 9:25 to 9:30 on each trading day, for designated transactions. The new policy will take effect on Tuesday, the first trading day after the holiday.

    As explained by industry experts, a designated transaction is a step that an investor must take between opening a new stock account and commencing trading on the SSE.The latest adjustment at the SSE has been made to address the surging number of newly registered retail investors over the past few days and to facilitate trading efficiency once the market resumes, they said.

    The market’s upbeat sentiment can be felt at securities brokerages. Leading brokerages provided round-the-clock online account opening and consulting services during the recent holiday. Sinolink Securities said the account opening appointments they received during the holiday jumped 150 percent from a month earlier. Minsheng Securities said the number of daily requests for opening stock accounts over the past seven days was four times the amount before the holiday.

    To meet such surging demand, the securities account platform and identification information checking system at China Securities Depository and Clearing Co resumed operation on Sunday and Monday.

    Investor confidence has been supported by the A-share market’s recent strong rebound. Ever since the batch of incremental policies was introduced on Sept 24, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 20 percent by the end of September, with the Shenzhen Component Index up 29 percent. The combined trading value at the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges hit a new single-day record of 2.6 trillion yuan ($370 billion) on Sept 30.

    Laura Wang, chief China equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, said on Oct 3 that Chinese equities will gain another 10 to 15 percent on average if a new round of fiscal expenditure measures can be released in the following weeks.

    At a news conference scheduled for Tuesday, officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s top economic regulator, will explain their measures to better implement the range of supportive policies released in late September, in order to further advance economic growth and optimize China’s economic structure.

    Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said the 140-trillion-yuan Chinese household savings will provide more capital for the A-share market after the National Day holiday, providing more upward impetus for the indexes.

    The increase in the Hong Kong stock market has already overtaken that of the A-share market as the latter took more days off for the holiday, said experts at Shenwan Hongyuan Securities. Therefore, a continued rally can be expected from the A-share market in the short run to narrow the price gap with Hong Kong, they added.

    Dai Kang, managing director of the development research center at GF Securities, said private equity investment funds have increased their exposure to the A-share market, which has just seen the strongest rebound in months. Chinese policymakers have smartly used the time window of interest rate cuts made by the US Federal Reserve to introduce stronger-than-expected supportive measures, he said.

    Goldman Sachs upgraded its call on Chinese stocks to overweight, saying that recent stimulus measures have bolstered confidence, and Chinese equities’ valuations are below historical averages while their earnings could further improve.

    Qiu Xiang, joint chief strategist at CITIC Securities, said that the current A-share market rally is mainly supported by reversed market expectations, as a result of the innovative monetary policies and a relaxed grip on the property market announced in late September. A further market recovery can be expected, with companies showing improving earnings and those benefiting from a recovery in domestic demand offering more opportunities to investors, he added.

    Analysts from Huafu Securities also warned investors of the possibility of adjustments and fluctuations in the A-share market after it experienced a drastic increase. But the recent bull run is far from its end. The overall rise will last longer, they said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai gets ready for 7th CIIE

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    An attendee takes photos of a billboard during a pre-expo supply-demand matchmaking meeting for the Intelligent Industry & Information Technology Exhibition Area and Automobile Exhibition Area of the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in east China’s Shanghai, Aug. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    With less than 30 days left before the seventh China International Import Expo, due preparations are in place while multinational companies from around the world are looking forward to the annual expo to showcase their new products and technologies.

    During a meeting held by the executive committee of the 7th CIIE on Monday, Wang Wentao, minister of Commerce, said that efforts should be made help companies expand the impact of the show. The exhibition should also help to nurture new-quality productive forces and serve the country’s high-quality development, he said.

    By aligning with the world’s highest standards and best levels, Shanghai has stepped up its preparation for the 7th CIIE by addressing new issues and optimizing services in all aspects, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said at the Monday meeting.

    Various steps have been taken to further facilitate the entry and exit of people and exhibits.

    Shanghai has launched measures such as renewing valid visas for multiple entries and residence permits for this year’s CIIE.

    Customs clearance instructions and supportive measures have been released. The market supervision department continues to implement supportive policies such as exemption from China Compulsory Certification and temporary licenses for special food exhibitors.

    More convenient payment methods have been introduced. Dazhong Transportation (Group) Co Ltd, a taxi-hailing service provider in Shanghai, will complete the installation of 2,000 POS machines accepting foreign bank cards before the CIIE. All restaurants and catering service providers in the exhibition hall have installed POS machines accessible to foreign bank cards.

    Sustainability is another highlight of this year’s CIIE. The green construction rate and material recycling rate of the exhibition will achieve 100 percent. Up to 10 million kWh of green power will be used at the show.

    The 7th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. According to the exhibition’s organizer CIIE bureau, companies have signed up for over 360,000 square meters of exhibition area. More than 70 countries and international organizations will be present at the country exhibition area, overtaking last year’s scale. Norway, Slovakia, Benin, Burundi and Madagascar will participate in the country exhibition for the first time.

    The first inbound exhibit for this year’s show, the three-wheeled concept car made by Japanese manufacturer Yamaha Motor, arrived in Shanghai in September. It will make its debut to the Chinese market via this year’s CIIE.

    It is the seventh year in a row for French beauty giant L’Oreal at the CIIE. This year also marks the fifth consecutive time for the company to work as the chairman of the exhibition’s enterprise alliance.

    “It is both a testimonial of our belief in China and the fact that we want to continue to invest in China,” said Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oreal.

    As Hieronimus further explained, the CIIE is the “only event like this in the world” in which L’Oreal is so involved by introducing new brands, demonstrating the latest innovation results and showcasing technology breakthroughs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China requests WTO consultations over Türkiye’s EV tariffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China filed a request on Tuesday for consultations with Türkiye at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs and licensing measures for imported electric vehicles and other vehicles from China, the Ministry of Commerce said.

    Türkiye announced the imposition of a 40 percent additional tariff on imported electric vehicles and other vehicles from China, in addition to setting import license restrictions.

    “This discriminatory action is a violation of WTO rules and a typical protectionist practice,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.

    “We urge Türkiye to abide by its relevant commitments at the WTO and immediately correct its wrong practices,” said the spokesperson, adding that China will take all measures available to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its industries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Earns American Farm Bureau Federation’s “Friend of Farm Bureau” Award

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    EAU CLAIRE COUNTY, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) received the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) “Friend of Farm Bureau” award, recognizing her steadfast commitment to Wisconsin farmers and rural communities. Senator Baldwin accepted the award while visiting Messerschmidt Farms in Fall Creek, Wisconsin.

    “Wisconsin farmers are the backbone of our state’s economy and the fabric of our rural communities, and it’s my job to hear their concerns and fight for them in Washington,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I’m honored to be named a ‘Friend of Farm Bureau,’ and look forward to continuing to fight in Washington to give Wisconsin farmers and rural communities the tools they need to succeed for generations to come.”

    “The Wisconsin Farm Bureau supports Senator Tammy Baldwin for her continued dedication to Wisconsin’s agricultural community,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson. “Senator Baldwin has led efforts to enforce FDA labeling standards through the Dairy Pride Act and increased funding in Wisconsin businesses through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, which has directed almost $40 million to help Wisconsin dairy businesses. Her leadership on key legislation like the Meat Business Innovation Act and the Farmland Security Act reflects her commitment to the future of our farmers and rural communities. Senator Baldwin understands the unique challenges facing Wisconsin agriculture and has consistently been a strong voice in Washington, advocating for policies that promote sustainability and growth in our state’s farming industry.”

    AFBF gives the award to members of Congress who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors. Senator Baldwin was given the award based on her legislative efforts to support Wisconsin’s farm families and agriculture economy. Senator Baldwin has introduced several pieces of legislation backed by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, including:

    • Farmland Security Act, bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and oversight of foreign ownership in the American agricultural industry.
    • Protecting Future Farmland Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure that federal investments in rural energy projects prioritizes both land stewardship and responsible deployment of renewable energy to protect America’s farmlands for future cultivation.
    • Dairy Business Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, to help more American dairy farmers and processors add value to their businesses, including creating new products, expanding their markets, and modernizing their production facilities. Senator Baldwin successfully created the DBI Initiatives through the Dairy Business Innovation Act in 2018, which passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill and has since delivered $40 million to help Wisconsin dairy businesses innovate and reach new customers.
    • Meat Business Innovation Act, legislation that applies the successful model of the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives to the livestock farming and meat processing industry.
    • DAIRY PRIDE Act, bipartisan legislation to require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae to no longer be mislabeled with dairy terms such as milk, yogurt or cheese.

    Downloadable pictures from the visit and of Senator Baldwin receiving the award can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Sydney Dance Company’s momenta – a breathtaking study in perpetual motion

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvette Grant, PhD (Dance) Candidate and Dance History Tutor, The University of Melbourne

    SDC/Pedro Greig

    Artistic director Rafael Bonachela’s latest work for the Sydney Dance Company, momenta, had its Melbourne premiere on October 8 at the Playhouse Theatre in the Arts Centre.

    Bonachela says that he wanted the full-length work to represent both momenta – the plural form of momentum from the Latin movimentum – and moments.

    And it does exactly that.

    The work is a maelstrom of macro and microcosmic momentums, capturing mundane and monumental moments.

    The 17 dancers move through unmarked yet distinct worlds of perpetual motion.

    Sometimes they are suggestive of atoms under a microscope that collide and react, constantly forming new molecules and compounds. They randomly meet each other in physical entanglements, only to move on in a moment to another cluster of moving bodies.

    Other times they evoke the relentless rolling of the sea with waves of unison movement. These repetitively sweep in one line after another through the bodies as they traverse across the stage.

    Still other times they stand in distinct separation in a grid pattern with minimal but identical movements that beat like a collection of pumping hearts.

    The movement never stops. It gains momentum.

    Bodies connected in momenta.
    SDC/Pedro Greig

    The dancers become human and through a series of duets we encounter the momentum of relationships.

    A solo from within the crowd shows us the secret internal flows of emotion that are a relentless apsect of the human experience.

    Using lighting, one intimate scene seems to capture the flickering motion of old grainy film. It briefly transports the audience back in time to a voyeuristic peep show.

    Damien Cooper’s lighting design acts as the narrator throughout, directing our attention to small sections of the action or opening the whole stage. The lights are rigged on a large horizontal circle over one side of the stage. It starts near the stage’s surface and moves incrementally, upward scene by scene, sometimes tilting at angles. It is suspended and moves silently until it is no longer visible, at which point it begins its decent.

    The colour palette of the lighting – whites, yellows, browns, greens and blues – changes the mood from hot to cool, soft to hard, today to yesterday.

    Choreographer Rafael Bonachela based on the work on concepts of momentum, force, time and space.

    Elizabeth Gadsby and Emma White’s costumes are mostly neutral tones with some black accent pieces. They provide almost nude surfaces on which the lighting plays. As the work progresses some of the costumes of the male dancers are removed as they appear bare-chested, even more naked, implying an increasing emotional exposure.

    The dancers show extraordinary vulnerability, athleticism and stamina.

    There is a consistency and persistence to the movement quality in momenta: sweeping, sliding, extending and contracting in cyclical patterns which contain traces of elements of the patterns that came before them.

    It is breathtaking.

    At times warm lighting washes over the dancers.
    SDC/Pedro Greig

    Nick Wales’ score has the same cyclical nature with repeated music motifs. The score is varied in an imitation of life and includes musical solos on viola and piano, contrasted with orchestral pieces and percussive and electronic elements.

    In momenta’s penultimate scene dancers spread out evenly across the stage and dance in unison. The scene is very light but with a black background when suddenly silver sparkles begin to fall from above. There is a powerful sense of both the universe and the universal.

    This cuts to a final intimate and human solo exquisitely danced by Piran Scott. In and out of the light, he slides and turns and rolls sometimes with propulsion, other times with suspense.

    He brings us back to ourselves. Perpetually in motion.

    The Sydney Dance Company’s momenta is on until October 12 at the Arts Centre, Melbourne.

    Yvette Grant 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. Sydney Dance Company’s momenta – a breathtaking study in perpetual motion – https://theconversation.com/sydney-dance-companys-momenta-a-breathtaking-study-in-perpetual-motion-240320

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 08, 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) 524,659.73 6.24 2.00-7.30
         I. Call Money 9,875.51 6.42 5.10-6.50
         II. Triparty Repo 366,048.45 6.21 6.11-6.26
         III. Market Repo 147,457.77 6.29 2.00-6.45
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,278.00 6.46 6.39-7.30
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 103.00 6.26 5.95-6.75
         II. Term Money@@ 254.50 – 6.60-6.85
         III. Triparty Repo 267.00 6.35 6.35-6.37
         IV. Market Repo 206.06 6.60 6.60-6.60
         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 Tue, 08/10/2024 3 Fri, 11/10/2024 9,398.00 6.49
    3. MSF# Tue, 08/10/2024 1 Wed, 09/10/2024 5,308.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Tue, 08/10/2024 1 Wed, 09/10/2024 88,739.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -92,829.00  
    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 Mon, 07/10/2024 4 Fri, 11/10/2024 36,825.00 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$       6,300.46  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -71,259.54  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -164,088.54  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 08, 2024 988,113.30  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending October 18, 2024 1,001,756.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ October 08, 2024 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on September 20, 2024 418,318.00  
    @ 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: 2024-2025/1251

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: OCR decision a welcome relief for working people

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney said the decision by the Reserve Bank to cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points (0.5%) to 4.75% will be a welcome relief to workers facing higher unemployment and a struggling economy. “The Reserve Bank has been forced into a significant cut because the economy has failed to fire. Weak consumer spending, weak business investment, weak house prices, and a weakening labour market all put our economic recovery at risk.”

    “The Government is expecting the Reserve Bank to do all the work and support economic growth. Rather than supporting the economy and working people through difficult times, this Government has chosen to cut spending and investment, and is happy to see unemployment rise to levels not seen for a long time. These are choices, and the Government could invest now to deliver the growth we need for the future. Simply cutting interest rates returns to the economy of the past – and all the problems it already had”.

    “While many people will welcome lower interest rates, and some retailers will welcome the potential for additional spending, the rate cut is not a sign of strength in the economy but is a recognition of its weakness. We need to build a better economy,  one with good work and higher incomes. Nothing in the government’s plan for cuts delivers that.” Renney said.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sergei Sobyanin: A service for interaction between science and business has opened in Moscow

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow Innovation Cluster launched a service to establish connections between science and business R. He told about this Sergei Sobyanin in his telegram channel.

    “It will help to integrate scientific developments into the real sector of the economy more quickly and efficiently. Two scientific organizations and 14 universities of the capital have joined the service, eight of which have the special status of national research university,” the Mayor of Moscow noted.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    These include Lomonosov Moscow State University, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and N.E. Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

    Scientists and students conduct research for the subsequent implementation of developments at large businesses. Research teams have more than 400 laboratories equipped with advanced equipment at their disposal.

    More than 300 requests have already been received from oil refining, transport, medical, metallurgical, energy, railway, and electric grid companies. Each application is accompanied by experts and the necessary laboratory is selected to implement the project.

    Sobyanin: Lomonosov Cluster Plays Leading Role in Import Substitution Development

    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/11874050/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Develop emotional intelligence and become a master of producing: what will be taught in Technograd

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In October, the Technograd Innovation and Educational Complex at VDNKh invites everyone to face-to-face intensive courses for media industry experts. The meetings will be useful for those who want to get acquainted with creative techniques in producing and advertising, as well as master techniques for developing emotional intelligence. The events are designed for beginners and experienced representatives of the media and creative industries and for entrepreneurs who want to promote their business with the help of advertising and media content.

    The meetings will be held by the creative producer of the Gazprom-Media Holding group of companies Georgy Ryumin and the creative director of the ManaMake comics production studio Artem Zhukov.

    The events are free, but pre-registration is required. All meetings start at 6:00 PM.

    First intensive “Producing as a lifestyle” will take place on October 18. Georgy Ryumin will tell guests about the secrets of a producer’s work, key competencies of a specialist, reveal the basics of dramaturgy and teach how to look for ideas for a project. At the end of the meeting, visitors will learn interesting facts from the expert’s personal professional experience.

    The next lesson is called “Advertising, Original Content and Attention Management” will take place on October 24. Artem Zhukov will discuss with the audience the role of unusual ideas in advertising, methods of managing the audience’s attention and the latest trends in marketing. The audience will learn how advertising is created, information products are developed in companies of different levels and what tools are used to promote them.

    Third intensive “Emotional Intelligence, or How to Learn to Understand People” is scheduled for October 31. Artem Zhukov will help guests develop communication skills and gain confidence in communication. Participants will be told how to recognize other people’s emotions and influence them, how to avoid thinking errors and increase personal effectiveness.

    All intensive courses will be held in person at the Art. Technograd pavilion at the following address: Moscow, Prospekt Mira, Building 119, Building 318. Each meeting will last two hours. The number of places is limited.

    The Technograd Innovation and Educational Complex is a unique venue at VDNKh, offering a new format of career guidance, training and educational leisure for residents and guests of the capital. The Career Development Center is one of the Technograd divisions. Its specialists help with training, choosing a profession and career planning. The project is supervised by Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow.

    Read more on the project website.

    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/145011073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Impact Webinar 80: Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange for Enhanced Data Management

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Video | 09 October 2024

    SHARE THIS PAGE

    The wealth of available data and new data producers entering the scene present opportunities and challenges for traditional statistical agencies. To remain relevant, official statisticians are increasingly required to innovate while maintaining data quality. The special supplement of Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2024 highlights the benefits of adopting the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standard, which provides a comprehensive framework for structuring, managing, and exchanging statistical data. Key findings from the report and experience from ADB’s hands-on capacity building programs demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting SDMX in our region. A panel of experts from the National Statistical Office of Thailand and development partners will offer insights on the benefits of implementing SDMX for enhanced data accessibility.

    SHARE THIS PAGE
    Series
    Subjects

    The wealth of available data and new data producers entering the scene present opportunities and challenges for traditional statistical agencies. To remain relevant, official statisticians are increasingly required to innovate while maintaining data quality. The special supplement of Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2024 highlights the benefits of adopting the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standard, which provides a comprehensive framework for structuring, managing, and exchanging statistical data. Key findings from the report and experience from ADB’s hands-on capacity building programs demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting SDMX in our region. A panel of experts from the National Statistical Office of Thailand and development partners will offer insights on the benefits of implementing SDMX for enhanced data accessibility.

    “,
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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: OCI Holdings Accelerates Its Presence in Malaysia: Implementing a Targeted Localisation Strategy, including Sponsorship of Sports and Cultural events

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEOUL, KOREA, Oct. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OCI Holdings just announced on October 7 that it has made significant strides in strengthening its relationships with key figures and local residents in Sarawak, Malaysia, the production hub for its solar PV polysilicon.

    • To develop stronger relationships with key figures and local residents in Malaysia, a running event and badminton class were held in late September.
    • Announcing a new slogan ‘Envisioning a healthier future through life science and clean energy’
    • Online and offline training on Malay language and culture were provided for Korean employees in Seoul in late August.

    OCI Holdings plans to enhance its ties with the local community and conduct environmental, social, governance (ESG) activities in Malaysia to support its subsidiary OCI M. These initiatives aim to navigate the challenges posed by global economic uncertainties in the second half of this year, including the potential impact of the U.S. presidential election and U.S. tariffs on China, as well as a potential temporary slowdown in demand in the solar PV industry.

    Fostering stronger relationships with localresidents, led by sports star Lee Yong-dae

    OCI Holdings hosted a one-day badminton class at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus on September 29. The purpose of the event was to nurture young sports talents and promote health among local residents and featured Korean badminton legend Lee Yong-dae from the Leeyongdae Badminton Foundation.

    In the morning, Lee provided one-point lessons to 30 young players recommended by the Bintulu Badminton Association. He focused on various game situations and fundamental techniques, including the serve, smash, forehand step-in, and backhand return. In the afternoon, he engaged in friendly matches with badminton club members and local residents.

    The popular badminton legend drew a crowd of more than 300 spectators who filled the gymnasium with excitement. His star power rivals that of top idols with his widespread appeal.

    Given the widespread popularity of badminton in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and India, OCI Holdings partnered with Lee in consideration of his influence and expertise.

    Lee Yong-dae, a leading badminton star from Korea who won gold in mixed doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and bronze in men’s doubles at the 2012 London Olympics, was an active player in Indonesia near Sarawak in 2015.

    On September 27, Lee met with young players from Persatuan Badminton Bumiputra Sarawak (PBBS) comprised of ethnic Malays, and provided one-on-one coaching to support their aspirations.

    Joint eco-friendly running event organized with key Sarawak organizations

    OCI Holdings co-hosted the Kuching Green Run 2024 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia on September 28.

    The Kuching Green Run 2024, an inaugural eco-friendly cultural event held to raise community awareness of sustainable renewable energy and climate protection, was organized by the local social enterprise Green Generation in collaboration with OCI Holdings, Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU), and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).

    Several local companies, including the Malaysian national petroleum company PETONAS and China Communications Construction Company, participated as sponsors.

    The opening ceremony was attended by OCI Holdings Chairman Woo Hyun Lee, OCI M President Seong Gil Choi, and more than 20 key figures from Sarawak, including Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain and State Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts of Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting Yew.

    Despite the hot and humid weather, Chairman Lee, who had traveled from Seoul for the event, visited every area of the venue, encouraging participants along the way.

    He remarked, “It is meaningful for us to promote a healthy lifestyle with sports and engage with the local community. In line with our motto, ‘Envisioning a healthier future through life science and clean energy,’ OCI M, as a prominent company in Sarawak, will actively participate in various ESG initiatives including cultural events and scholarship programs.”

    On September 30, OCI M donated an ultrasound machine, valued at tens of millions of won, to Sarawak General Hospital in partnership with Sarawak Badan Amal Tenaga Isteri-Isteri (SABATI), a nonprofit charity organization led by the spouses of prominent figures in Sarawak, contributing to healthcare and well-being in the local community.

    In Korea, staff are learning the Malaysian greeting “Salam.”

    OCI Holdings organized a special lecture on Malaysian culture and history for its employees at the headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, in late August.

    Professors Ummi Hani Binti Abu Hassan and Kim Dong-hun from the Department of Malay-Indonesian Studies at Hankook University of Foreign Studies conducted the lecture to 100 employees.

    The lecture encompassed Malaysia’s history, its multicultural nature, and business etiquette with sessions streamed online for employees of domestic and international subsidiaries.

    Professor Ummi, a Malaysian, demonstrated the Muslim greeting “salam,” which involves raising the right hand to the left breast and lowering one’s head. Employees followed her example and learned the meaning behind the gesture: “I greet you with my heart.”

    Despite being a predominantly Muslim country, Malaysia is a multicultural state composed of various ethnic groups including Malays (57.9%), Chinese (22.6%), and Indians (6.6%). With this lecture, employees gained valuable insights into these cultural differences. For instance, only Malaysian Muslims have the word “Islam” on their identification cards.

    Yong-sun Cho, team manager of the Strategy Team I of OCI Holdings, who participated in the lecture, said, “It was a valuable opportunity to gain knowledge about Malaysia’s history and cultural nuances that I was previously unaware of. Thanks to the Malaysian lessons I have attended, I can now communicate more effectively with local Malaysians.”

    OCI Holdings has also offered a three-month basic Malaysian conversation course to employees at the team manager level and above starting in June.

    Media Contact

    Brand: OCI Holdings Company Ltd.

    Contact: +82-10-5591-8126

    Email: yunhs@ocihc.co.kr

    Website: https://www.oci-holdings.co.kr/en

    SOURCE: OCI Holdings Company Ltd.

    The MIL Network –