Category: Commerce

MIL-OSI Economics: Bank of America’s multifaceted advertising strategy emphasizes financial empowerment, digital convenience, and business support, reveals GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

Bank of America’s multifaceted advertising strategy emphasizes financial empowerment, digital convenience, and business support, reveals GlobalData

Posted in Business Fundamentals

Bank of America’s YouTube ad campaigns from the last six months (October 2024 to March 2025), strategically allocated resources to enhance financial literacy, digital banking experiences, and entrepreneurial growth. By leveraging educational platforms, streamlined mobile applications, and bespoke business solutions, Bank of America’s approach reflects an intent to function as a significant contributor to financial empowerment across a diverse customer base, according to Global Ads Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Sagar Kishor, Ads Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Bank of America’s advertising demonstrates a deliberate effort to balance transactional efficiency with knowledge dissemination, showcasing efficient digital services (mobile transfers, online banking) alongside educational initiatives like “Better Money Habits.” The campaigns feature direct, functional demonstrations of these digital tools with platforms designed to increase financial literacy. This dual approach, using both practical instruction and educational content, aims for the bank to be seen as a source of immediate solutions and sustained financial growth.”

GlobalData’s Global Ads Platform reveals the key focus areas of Bank of America’s advertisements below:

Convenient Mobile Banking: Bank of America’s mobile banking emphasizes convenience and ease of use through its app, offering features like quick money transfers between accounts and integrated services like Zelle for peer-to-peer payments. These features target existing customers, tech-savvy individuals, and busy professionals, highlighting the app’s user-friendliness, efficiency, and seamless integration for managing finances on the go and facilitating quick, free transactions with contacts.

Centralized Business Finance: Bank of America’s Connected Apps offer a centralized online dashboard for businesses to manage finances, track key metrics, and integrate third-party services. Targeting small business owners and financial decision-makers, the ads highlight efficiency, growth enablement, and enhanced financial control through this streamlined platform.

Rewards and Personalized Service: The Preferred Rewards program is showcased as a tiered benefits system for existing customers, offering enhanced rewards, relationship bonuses, and personalized service. The advertisements highlight the program’s ability to maximize financial potential and reward customer loyalty, designed for current clients, affluent individuals, and those pursuing financial advancement.

Financial Education and Empowerment: Bank of America’s Better Money Habits platform is promoted as a free resource, empowering individuals to take control of their finances through knowledge and personalized guidance on budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. The ads highlight empowerment, support, and opportunity, aimed at those seeking to improve their economic independence.

Community Support and Inclusion: The ‘Business Owner Spotlight’ campaign showcases Bank of America’s backing of diverse communities, particularly Hispanic entrepreneurs. This initiative illustrates the bank’s dedication to inclusivity and community development, highlighting the bank’s provision of support for underrepresented business owners.

MIL OSI Economics –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Goldman Sachs and PwC top M&A financial advisers in Europe in Q1 2025, reveals GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

Goldman Sachs and PwC top M&A financial advisers in Europe in Q1 2025, reveals GlobalData

Posted in Business Fundamentals

Goldman Sachs and PwC were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financial advisers in Europe during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 by value and volume, respectively, according to the latest financial advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s Deals Database has revealed that Goldman Sachs achieved its leading position in terms of value by advising on $17.6 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, PwC led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 29 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “PwC registered improvement in the total number of deals advised by it during Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024. Resultantly, it went ahead from occupying the fourth position by volume in Q1 2024 to top the chart by this metric in Q1 2025.

“Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs, which was the top adviser by value in Q1 2024, also managed to retain its leadership position by this metric in Q1 2025 as well. Despite a fall in the total value of deals advised by it in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, Goldman Sachs stayed much ahead of its peers. During Q1 2025, it advised on five billion-dollar deals*. Involvement in these big-ticket deals helped Goldman Sachs secure the top spot by value. Apart from leading in terms of value, it also occupied the seventh position by volume in Q1 2025.”

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Jefferies occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $12.4 billion worth of deals, followed by Bank of America with $11.1 billion, Barclays with $7.9 billion, and Lazard with $7.2 billion.

Meanwhile, Clearwater occupied the second position in terms of volume with 21 deals, followed by Ernst & Young with 20 deals, Deloitte with 18 deals, and Rothschild & Co with 17 deals.

*Valued more than or equal to $1 billion

MIL OSI Economics –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Kirkland & Ellis and CMS top M&A legal advisers in Europe in Q1 2025, reveals GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

Kirkland & Ellis and CMS top M&A legal advisers in Europe in Q1 2025, reveals GlobalData

Posted in Business Fundamentals

Kirkland & Ellis and CMS were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers in Europe during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 by value and volume, respectively, according to the latest legal advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s Deals Database has revealed that Kirkland & Ellis achieved its leading position in terms of value by advising on $16.9 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, CMS led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 48 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Despite a decline in the number of deals advised by CMS in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, it managed to maintain its lead and remain much ahead of its peers in terms of deal volume. In fact, it fell short of only two deals from hitting the 50-deal volume mark during Q1 2025.

“Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis registered more than a double-fold jump in the total value of deals advised by it during Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024. Resultantly, its ranking by value also took a leap from 13^th position in Q1 2024 to the top position in Q1 2025. Involvement in three billion-dollar deals during the quarter played a pivotal role for Kirkland & Ellis in registering the massive growth in value as well as improvement in its ranking by this metric.”

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $13.7 billion worth of deals, followed by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer with $11.2 billion, Arthur Cox with $9.8 billion, and Gilbert + Tobin with $8.8 billion.

Meanwhile, White & Case occupied the second position in terms of volume with 26 deals, followed by Cuatrecasas with 23 deals, Allen & Overy with 19 deals, and Clifford Chance with 16 deals.

*Valued more than or equal to $1,000 million

MIL OSI Economics –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Boat Race row is just the latest example of a century of academic dispute over teacher education

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Oliver Mumford, PhD Candidate in History of Education, Liverpool Hope University

When the men’s and women’s boats took to the water for the 2025 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, a few students who would have hoped to be part of the crews were missing.

Matt Heywood, Molly Foxell and Kate Crowley, all of Cambridge, did not take part after a complaint from Oxford University Boat Club over their eligibility was upheld by an independent panel. All three students are studying at Cambridge for PGCEs, a teacher training qualification. Oxford University Boat Club had argued that a PGCE “is a diploma … not a degree”.

The decision seems to reflect a specific ideal of the university as a place of scholarly focus unencumbered by more practical vocational qualifications. It’s also far from a new attitude towards teacher education as an academic discipline.

My ongoing PhD research into the history of teacher training shows that for a century, teacher education has maintained a complex and often conflicting relationship with the ivory and red brick towers of higher education.

This has been reinforced by over a century of numerous gender- and class-based prejudices. Teaching has historically been, and continues to be, a female-dominant profession.

Significantly, training colleges and university education departments were one of the few places where women could partake in intellectual and professional development, an opportunity which linked them to transnational, and colonial networks.

Formalising teacher training

From the 1840s, Christian residential colleges of varying denominations had come to dominate the training of teachers. These primarily provided courses of around two years for mostly female non-graduates.

From the 1890s, English universities began their own involvement with professional teacher education. The university training departments offered a one-year postgraduate certificate course following three years of degree study – today the PGCE.

In the complex mix of training colleges and university education departments, formalised teacher training occupied an uneasy position. It was not considered a “pure” subject like history or mathematics. It was also distinct from the traditionally male “applied” subjects, like medicine, engineering and law.

In 1925, the Burnham report on teacher training considered the desirable balance between the intellectual and professional development of teachers. The majority opinion of the report considered teacher training as primarily vocational. It cautioned against undergraduate degrees for most trainee teachers.

But it did lead to the establishment of a system whereby students were certified as teachers by a board of examiners drawn from universities and training colleges. This was the beginning of a set teaching qualification and brought teacher training into a closer relationship with universities.

In 1944, another report contemplated the relationship between universities and teacher training. The members of the report committee held a range of views. Sir Arnold McNair, chancellor of the University of Liverpool, who chaired the report, feared vocational qualifications such as teaching could erode the purpose of universities. He was concerned that universities would become institutions of training, not education.

But others thought differently. The report claimed that bringing together these two teacher training institutions – the colleges and universities – would improve the standard of teaching and the profession. Following the McNair report, institutes of education were established in the main universities of England and Wales alongside area training organisations. In this closer relationship, universities often assumed the senior positions.

Teacher education in universities

By the 1960s, a still closer relationship was forming between universities and teacher training, from both academic and administrative perspectives. University staff played greater roles teaching in teacher training colleges, for instance. An undergraduate teaching degree programme, the BEd, was introduced.

Teaching became increasingly professionalised. From the 1970s, teacher training was transformed into an all-graduate profession, and later systematically dismantled. Many of the teacher training colleges faced closure, amalgamation or incorporation to polytechnics and universities. But dissenting opinions around the level of education – as opposed to vocational training – teachers should receive remained.

Teaching became a graduate profession.
Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock

The preface to Cambridge academic Sheila Lawlor’s 1990 pamphlet, titled Teachers mistaught, bemoaned the rise of education as a subject and its presence in, rather than an adjunct to, higher education. In the pamphlet, Lawlor called for graduates to learn to be teachers “on the job”.

The debate on the position of teacher training has remained remarkably consistent – unlike other subjects with vocational elements.

Business schools feature courses taught and directed by companies. Business courses include vocational industry placements and are designed with employment in mind. But they do not so readily have their academic status or place in a university called into question. As this year’s Boat Race shows, the question over the value of vocational and academic education in teacher training is still very much alive.

Oliver Mumford receives funding from Liverpool Hope University (Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship). He is the 2025 Ruth Watts Fellow with the History of Education Society UK.

– ref. Boat Race row is just the latest example of a century of academic dispute over teacher education – https://theconversation.com/boat-race-row-is-just-the-latest-example-of-a-century-of-academic-dispute-over-teacher-education-254250

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Key takeaways from the first ICC WCF African Summit 2025

Source: International Chamber of Commerce

Headline: Key takeaways from the first ICC WCF African Summit 2025

With support from 20 National Committees and more than 130 chamber members, the event underscored the expanding influence of ICC in the region. It provided a valuable space for African businesses to engage in international trade and foster connections that will drive future growth.

In an inspiring opening keynote, the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. DR. William Ruto, said:

“Africa is becoming more connected, integrated and entrepreneurial. Our success will depend on how ready we are to embrace change. Hosting this first ever WCF Africa Summit, it is such an honour. Chambers of commerce are indispensable because they bring smart solutions to business and help them navigate the world complexity.”

ICC Chair Philipe Varin added :

“The International Chamber of Commerce is firmly committed to working with individual African countries and pan-African organisations to ensure that the full potential of the continent can be fully realised – in line with the objectives set forth in the Agenda 2063, the continent’s blueprint for sustainable development.”

Making business work for Africa

This landmark event was organised under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework to foster economic growth, innovation, and collaboration. The two-day event highlighted Africa’s growing investment potential and innovative ecosystems while showcasing the region’s leadership in sustainable development.

Two key workshops were held focusing on the digitalisation of trade and the impact of global policy changes on Africa.

A masterclass led by Managing Director of ICC Digital Standards Initiative Pamela Mar, addressed major challenges in digital trade, including standards interoperability, digital trust, and legal frameworks. It highlighted the importance of policy and legal reforms in supporting Africa’s digital trade transformation.

Another masterclass on the recent U.S. tariff changes, was led by ICC Head of Trade, Valerie Picard, and explored recent tariffs’ impact on African exporters and trade policy. The session emphasised the role of chambers in helping members adapt and shape a responsive trade agenda for Africa.

The sessions aimed to provide African businesses and chambers with the tools to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.

The African Summit was full of valuable insights into digitalisation of trade and shifting global policies. As the first major WCF event in 20 years held in Africa, the summit marked a crucial step in strengthening the continent’s trade position.

The next WCF event will be held in Melbourne, the host city for the 14^th World Chambers Congress.

MIL OSI Economics –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Turtle Bay crowned overall winner at Coventry’s Best Bar None Awards for second successive year

Source: City of Coventry

An award ceremony saw bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants in Coventry celebrate achieving a leading industry accreditation – with Turtle Bay taking home the top prize for a second year running.

The city’s hospitality sector came together at Drapers Hall to celebrate their work in providing safe experiences for customers, with 14 venues receiving ‘Best Bar None’ accreditation.

Best Bar None is an accreditation scheme supported by the Home Office and drinks industry that aims to improve standards in licensed premises.

It is the industry gold standard and is delivered in the city by Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) and Coventry City Council’s Licensing Team. The accreditation highlights to customers that a venue excels in safety, training, management and customer experience.

The ceremony welcomed John Miley, from the national Best Bar None scheme, to speak to the businesses and present awards. He was joined by representatives from Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police and Dal Dhillon, founder of Dhillon’s Brewery and representative of Coventry’s Pubwatch scheme.

Venues to be recognised as Best Bar None accredited for this year include The Earl of Mercia, Las Iguanas, Turtle Bay, The Phoenix, Club Heat, The City Arms, Dhillon’s Brewery, Mr Shenanigans, Genting Casino, The Spon Gate, Samoan Joes, The Flying Standard, Putt Putt Social and The Yard.

Turtle Bay was named the overall winner at the Best Bar None Award ceremony, recognising the Caribbean-inspired bar and restaurant achieving the highest score across all the key assessment metrics.

The night also saw the presentation of five category awards to recognise excellence in specific areas.

Club Heat and The City Arms were joint winners of the Venue Management award, with The Flying Standard taking home the trophy for Staff Training.

The Spon Gate came away with the award for Customer Safety and Welfare and Dhillon’s Brewery was recognised with the Customer Experience prize.

This year saw the inaugural presentation of the Best Newcomer Award, as the accreditation scheme continues to attract new venues across the city.

Putt Putt Social, The Phoenix and Las Iguanas are all new to the Best Bar None scheme this year – with Las Iguanas and Putt Putt Social sharing the honours for the Best Newcomer award.

Joanne Glover, Chief Executive of Coventry BID, said:

“Best Bar None isn’t just about recognition, it is about raising standards, promoting safety and ensuring that Coventry remains a thriving and inclusive place for all everyone that lives, works or visit here.

“This is the third time we have hosted the Best Bar None award ceremony and each year we see higher scores on assessments from existing venues and welcome new businesses to join the scheme.

“We would like to congratulate and thank every venue that has taken part this year – they are what makes this city so special and their commitment to a vibrant, welcome and safe nighttime economy is unrivalled.”

Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities and Chair of the Coventry Police and Crime Board, said:

“This scheme is one of a number of really important projects that relies on a whole range of partner agencies and businesses to be a part of.

“Best Bar None and other schemes help create a better and safer experience for customers visiting the city, and I’m really grateful for the efforts of everyone involved – especially those businesses in the city’s hospitality sector.”

Councillor Faye Abbott, Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee at Coventry City Council, said:

“I would like to congratulate all the venues that achieved Best Bar None accreditation for 2025, it is an absolutely fantastic achievement.

“This accreditation is an important measure of the improvement of standards. When people feel secure and welcome in any setting it is better for everyone, and contributes to a vibrant city where everyone can enjoy great experiences.”

Deklin Kinsella, from West Midlands Police, said:

“Congratulations to all of the venues that have achieved accreditation this year, their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. It’s important we all continue to work together to make nightlife in Coventry the best and safest experience it can be. We are proud to be partners in the Best Bar None scheme to make Coventry and its night-time economy a safe space for everyone.”

To find out more about Best Bar None accreditation contact admin@coventrybid.co.uk

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: CRI Enters Into Binding LOI to Acquire Black Raven Past-Producer Antimony-Gold Property, NL
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Churchill Resources Inc. (“Churchill“) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent dated April 14, 2025 (the “LOI”) to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Black Raven Antimony Property, located approximately 60 km northwest of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, from property owners Eddie and Roland Quinlan. The property encloses two small-scale past producing mines which operated between 1890 and 1918 exploiting stibnite, gold and arsenopyrite. These past producers and two related occurrences constitute gold, antimony, silver +/- copper, zinc and lead targets in veins and stockworks. The historical mines and other occurrences are located within close proximity to each other, in a larger-scale geological environment containing intense veining and alteration associated with felsic intrusions within a mafic volcanic domain.

Antimony is a critical element for the energy, transportation, and military industries with China, Russia, Tajikstan, and Burma generating over 90% of world production. Since China’s recent export ban (September 15, 2024), the price of antimony has increased roughly five-fold to >$50,000/tonne which is approximately 3x the current price of nickel. Churchill’s Taylor Brook Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Vanadium-Titanium Property, and Florence Lake Nickel Property, are both in good standing for a number of years, such that further exploration and development can await improved market conditions sentiment while the Company focuses on high-grade antimony-gold and other critical minerals.

The Beaver Brook Antimony Mine owned by China Minmetals, and currently on care and maintenance due to declining resources, is located ~100 km south of Black Raven. It is reported that the owners are actively exploring for more deposits to feed the mill. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/antimony-mine-closure-1.6703205)

The two past-producing mines, as well as the Taylors Room prospect and Western Head porphyry target, are described within the Government of Newfoundland’s Mineral Occurrence Data System (“MODS”), and in assessment reports, as summarized below:

Frost Cove Antimony Mine (MOD # 002E10 SB001) –
- sporadic production between 1890-1918
- Two adits extend ~65m along Sb-Au veins, at 3m and 20m above sea-level and are still accessible
- Vein system/host felsic intrusion traced and sampled on surface for 800m
- Channel sample of 2.85% Sb, 0.05g/t Au, 1.6g/t Ag over 1.6m reported at adit entrance by Golden Hind Ventures along with 30% Sb, 28.27 g/t Au, 44.8g/t Ag over 0.43m, 800m along strike. (Sheppard, 1984, Assessment Report)
Stewart Gold-Antimony Mine (MOD # 002E10 AU001) –
- sporadic production from 1890 to 1916
- Shaft to ~30m depth and some development along main stockwork/vein trend
- Samples from the ore dump assayed up to 18 g/t Au, 7% zinc and 14g/t gold by Pleasant Ridge Resources Inc. (Kruse, 2014, Technical Report)
- 2014 due-diligence sample by Kruse graded 8.10g/t Au and 926ppm Cu.
Taylors Room Gold Prospect (MOD # 002E10 AU002) –
- shaft to ~50m depth with some development reported
- Swarm of ~50 small qtz-asp-py-sb veins ~300m long by several metres wide
- Numerous trenches to be cleaned out and sampled
- Quinlan grab samples up to 32.2 g/t Au, 22opt Ag, 10% zinc and 1.4 % Cu (Quinlan 2013 Assessment Report).
Western Head Cu-Mo Porphyry Target (MOD # 002E10 CU005) –
- porphyry body ranges over ~1000m in diameter
- Consistent soil/rock geochem anomalies in Cu, Mo, Au and Ag, no drilling
- Chip sampling in 1967 by Newmont (returned 0.13% Cu, 300ppb Au over 61m and 0.42% Cu, 600ppm Au over 13m (Fogwill, 1968, Report on Western Head Cu Prospect)
- Quinlan continuous channel of 57m assayed 0.22% Cu, 37 ppb Au & 37 ppm Mo incl 22m of 0.41% Cu, 59 ppb Au, 73 ppm Mo (Quinlan, 2013 Assessment Report)
- Quinlan 2024 Winkie 4 holes to 50-60m at 45o in four compass directions – all hit mineralized Cu-Au-Ag stockwork in altered felsics (0.1-0.3% Cu, 50-350ppb Au plus Ag) (Quinlan, 2024 Assessment Report)
Churchill intends to immediately conduct a re-sampling program on the surface showings and any accessible historical workings, and compilations of all historical data already in progress. The entire property requires modern, helicopter-borne geophysical and LiDAR surveys and Churchill has identified a leading contractor to do this work. Follow-up prospecting and systematic trenching, with channel sampling work as required, are being planned with initiation this coming Spring; the derived geological and geochemical data will used to outline targets along strike and at depth to the historical workings.

The data reported in this News Release is historic in nature and has not yet been verified by a Qualified Person. Churchill has relied on the information supplied in the Government of Newfoundland filed assessment reports and from information found in MODS published by the Newfoundland Department of Natural Resources. The surface grab samples described in this news release are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades of the property. Historical surface antimony and gold results are presented in the following figures.

Black Raven Property

The Black Raven Property is comprised of nine map-staked licenses constituting a single contiguous block of 125 claims that in total which cover 3,125ha or 31.25km². Churchill and the vendors have agreed to a 4km wide area of interest around the property boundaries as part of this agreement.

LOI Terms

Under the terms of the LOI, the Company shall have the exclusive option for a period of 24 months to acquire an undivided 100% ownership interest in the Black Raven Antimony Property by:
1. issuing an aggregate of 2,000,000 common shares in the capital of Churchill (“Common Shares”) to the Quinlans upon the execution date of a definitive option agreement (“Option Agreement”) and making a cash payment of $20,000;
2. incurring a minimum of $1,200,000 in exploration expenditures within 24 months following the execution date of the Option Agreement, provided that a minimum of $400,000 in exploration expenditures is incurred on or prior to the date that is 12 months following the execution date of the Option Agreement
3. issuing an aggregate of 4,000,000 Common Shares to the Quinlans on or prior to the date that is 12 months following the execution of the Option Agreement and making a cash payment of $40,000; and
4. issuing an aggregate of 6,000,000 Common Shares to the Quinlans on or prior to the date that is 24 months following the execution of the Option Agreement and making a cash payment of $60,000.
Following the date that the option is deemed to have been exercised in accordance with its terms, Churchill will issue and grant to the Quinlans a 2.0% net smelter royalty on any minerals produced from the claims comprising the Black Raven Antimony Property. If the option is exercised, Churchill will also make a one-time cash payment to the Quinlans in the amount of $100,000 on or prior to the date that is the sixth anniversary of the execution of the Option Agreement.

The transaction, including the issuance of Common Shares to the Quinlans, is subject to all the necessary approvals from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”). Any securities issued in connection with the transaction will be subject to applicable statutory hold periods.

The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Derek H.C Wilton, P.Geo., FGC, who is a “qualified person” as defined under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). Mr. Wilton is an honourary research professor of Economic Geology at Memorial University in St. John’s and is independent of the Company for the purposes of NI 43-101.

References:

Fogwill, W.D., 1968. Report on a copper prospect at Western Head, Moreton’s Harbour in the Notre Dame Bay Area, Newfoundland. Newfoundland and Labrador Geological Survey, Assessment File 2E/10/0350, 1968, 48 pages

Kruse, Stefan, 2014. Technical Report on the Black Raven Property, Moreton’s Harbour Area Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for Pleasant Ridge Resources Inc., May 14, 2014

Quinlan E, 2013. First Year Assessment Report for 019872M, Ninth Year Assessment Report for 015553M, and Third Year Assessment Report for 017787M for Exploration within the Black Raven Property, NTS Map Sheet 2E/10. Newfoundland and Labrador Geological Survey Assessment Report, 69 pages

Sheppard, B., 1984. First Year Assessment Report on Geological, Geochemical and Geophyisical Exploration on License 2363 on Claim Blocks 3533-3534 in Moreton’s Harbour Area on New World Island, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador Assessment File 2E/10/0507, 1984, 28 pages.

About Churchill Resources

Churchill Resources Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on strategic, critical minerals in Canada, principally at its prospective Taylor Brook, Florence Lake, and Black Raven properties in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Churchill management team, board, and advisors have decades of combined experience in mineral exploration and in the establishment of successful publicly listed mining companies, both in Canada and around the world. Churchill’s Newfoundland and Labrador projects have the potential to benefit from the province’s large and diversified minerals industry, which includes world class nickel mines and processing facilities, and a well-developed mineral exploration sector with locally based drilling and geological expertise.

Further Information

For further information regarding Churchill, please contact:

Churchill Resources Inc.
Paul Sobie, Chief Executive Officer
psobie@churchillresources.com
Tel. 416.365.0930 (o)
647.988.0930 (m)

Alec Rowlands, Business Development & IR
Alec.rowlands1@gmail.com
Tel. 416.721.4732 (m)

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about Churchill’s objectives, goals and exploration activities proposed to be conducted on its properties; future growth potential of Churchill, including whether any proposed exploration programs at any of its properties will be successful; exploration results; and future exploration plans and costs. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the entering into of a definitive Option Agreement and other ancillary transaction documents with respect to the Black Raven Antimony Property and the exercise of such option; the number of Common Shares that may be issued in connection with the transactions discussed herein, closing conditions and receive necessary regulatory approvals These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: exploration results on the Black Raven Antimony Property; the expected benefits to Churchill relating to the exploration proposed to be conducted on its properties; receipt of all regulatory approvals in connection with the transaction contemplated herein; failure to identify any additional mineral resources or significant mineralization; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on the Churchill’s properties, if required; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining and mineral exploration; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); the unlikelihood that properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; soil sampling results being preliminary in nature and are not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit; and title to properties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Churchill cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Churchill assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9356bd16-4799-4797-a465-84fafebf0cf5

The MIL Network –
April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Artificial Intelligence fuels rise of hard-to-detect bots that now make up more than half of global internet traffic, according to the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report
Source: Thales Group

Headline: Artificial Intelligence fuels rise of hard-to-detect bots that now make up more than half of global internet traffic, according to the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report

15 Apr 2025

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- Rise in accessible AI tools significantly lowered the barrier to entry for cyber attackers, enabling them to create and deploy malicious bots at scale.
- For the first time in a decade, automated traffic surpassed human activity, accounting for 51% of all web traffic.
- API-directed attacks surged to 44% of advanced bot traffic, with the travel sector topping the list for bot attacks overall.
Thales, the leading global technology and security provider, today announced the release of the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report, a global analysis of automated bot traffic across the internet. This year’s report, the 12^thannual research study, reveals that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the development of bots, allowing less sophisticated actors to launch a higher volume of bot attacks with increased frequency. Today’s attackers are also leveraging AI to scrutinize their unsuccessful attempts and refine techniques to evade security measures with heightened efficiency, amidst a growing Bots-As-A-Service (BaaS) ecosystem of commercialized bot services.

Automated bot traffic surpassed human-generated traffic for the first time in a decade, constituting 51% of all web traffic in 2024. This shift is largely attributed to the rise of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), which have simplified the creation and scaling of bots for malicious purposes. As AI tools become more accessible, cyber criminals are increasingly leveraging these technologies to create and deploy malicious bots which now account for 37% of all internet traffic – a significant increase from 32% in 2023. This is the sixth consecutive year of growth in bad bot activity, posing security challenges for organizations striving to safeguard their digital assets.

Both the Travel and the Retail sectors face an advanced bot problem, with bad bots making up 41% and 59% of their traffic respectively. In 2024, the travel industry became the most attacked sector, accounting for 27% of all bot attacks, up from 21% in 2023. The most notable shift in 2024 is the decline in advanced bot attacks targeting the travel industry (41%, down from 61% in 2023) and the sharp increase in simple bot attacks (52%, up from 34%). This shift indicates that AI-powered automation tools have lowered the barriers to entry for attackers, allowing less sophisticated actors to initiate more basic bot attacks. Rather than relying exclusively on sophisticated techniques, cybercriminals are increasingly utilizing high volumes of simpler bots to inundate travel sites, resulting in more frequent and widespread attacks.

The Rise of AI-Driven Bots: A New Era of Cybersecurity Challenges

The emergence of advanced AI tools, including ChatGPT, ByteSpider Bot, ClaudeBot, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, and Cohere AI, are transforming not just user interactions but also the methods by which attackers execute cyber threats. According to the Imperva Threat Research team, widely used AI tools are being leveraged for cyberattacks, with ByteSpider Bot alone responsible for 54% of all AI-enabled attacks. Other significant contributors include AppleBot at 26%, ClaudeBot at 13%, and ChatGPT User Bot at 6%.

“The surge in AI-driven bot creation has serious implications for businesses worldwide,” said Tim Chang, General Manager of Application Security, Thales Cybersecurity Products. “As automated traffic accounts for more than half of all web activity, organizations face heightened risks from bad bots, which are becoming more prolific every day.”

As attackers become more adept at utilizing AI, they can execute a variety of cyber threats—ranging from DDoS attacks to custom rules exploitation and API violations. While bot-driven attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, they pose significant challenges for detection efforts.

“This year’s report sheds light on the evolving tactics and techniques utilized by bot attackers. What were once deemed advanced evasion methods have now become standard practice for many malicious bots,” Chang said. “In this rapidly changing environment, businesses must evolve their strategies. It’s crucial to adopt an adaptive and proactive approach, leveraging sophisticated bot detection tools and comprehensive cybersecurity management solutions to build a resilient defense against the ever-shifting landscape of bot-related threats.”

Bad Bots Targeting API Business Logic Pose Increased Threat to Modern Enterprises

Recent findings from the Imperva Threat Research team reveal a significant surge in API-directed attacks, with 44% of advanced bot traffic targeting APIs. These attacks aren’t just limited to overwhelming API endpoints; rather, they target the intricate business logic that defines how APIs operate. Attackers deploy bots specifically designed to exploit vulnerabilities in API workflows, engaging in automated payment fraud, account hijacking, and data exfiltration.

Analysis in the report reveals a deliberate strategy by cyber attackers to exploit API endpoints that manage sensitive and high-value data. Implications of this trend are especially impactful for industries that rely on APIs for their critical operations and transactions. Financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce sectors are bearing the brunt of these sophisticated bot attacks, making them prime targets for malicious actors seeking to breach sensitive information.

APIs serve as the backbone of modern applications, enabling connectivity across services, streamlining operations, and delivering personalized customer experiences at scale. They underpin essential functions such as payment processing, supply chain management, and AI-driven analytics, making them indispensable for enhancing efficiency, accelerating product development, and unlocking new revenue streams.

“The business logic inherent to APIs is powerful, but it also creates unique vulnerabilities that malicious actors are eager to exploit,” Chang said. “As organizations embrace cloud-based services and microservices architectures, it’s vital to understand that the very features that make APIs essential can also leave them susceptible to risk of fraud and data breaches.”

Financial Services, Healthcare, and E-commerce Industries Face Heightened Risk

The 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report provides an in-depth analysis highlighting the industries most at risk. Financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce are the most affected sectors, industries that rely on APIs for critical operations and sensitive transactions, making them attractive targets for sophisticated bot attacks.

The financial services sector was the most targeted industry for account takeover (ATO) attacks, accounting for 22% of all incidents, followed by Telecoms and ISPs with 18%, and Computing & IT with 17%. Financial Services has long been a prime target for ATO attacks due to the high value of accounts and the sensitive nature of the data at stake. Banks, credit card companies, and fintech platforms possess vast amounts of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including credit card and bank account details, which can be profitably sold on the dark web. Additionally, the growing proliferation of APIs within the industry has broadened the attack surface, allowing cyber criminals to exploit vulnerabilities such as weak authentication and authorization methods, thereby facilitating account takeovers and data theft.

About the Research

The 12th Annual Imperva Bad Bot Report is based on insights from our Threat Research and Security Analyst Services (SAS) teams. Our analysis draws from data collected from across the Imperva global network in 2024, including the blocking of 13 trillion bad bot requests across thousands of domains and industries. This dataset provides key insights into bot activity to help organizations understand and address the growing risks of automated attacks.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
MIL OSI Economics –
April 15, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Obama praises Harvard for ‘setting example’ to universities resisting Trump

Asia Pacific Report

Former US President Barack Obama has taken to social media to praise Harvard’s decision to stand up for academic freedom by rebuffing the Trump administration’s demands.

“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions — rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect,” Obama wrote in a post on X.

He called on other universities to follow the lead.

Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and… https://t.co/gAu9UUqgjF

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2025

Harvard will not comply with the Trump administration’s demands to dismantle its diversity programming, limit student protests over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, and submit to far-reaching federal audits in exchange for its federal funding, university president Alan M. Garber ’76 announced yesterday afternoon.

“No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” he wrote, reports the university’s Harvard Crimson news team.

The announcement comes two weeks after three federal agencies announced a review into roughly $9 billion in Harvard’s federal funding and days after the Trump administration sent its initial demands, which included dismantling diversity programming, banning masks, and committing to “full cooperation” with the Department of Homeland Security.

Within hours of the announcement to reject the White House demands, the Trump administration paused $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contracts to Harvard in a dramatic escalation in its crusade against the university.

More focused demands
On Friday, the Trump administration had delivered a longer and more focused set of demands than the ones they had shared two weeks earlier.

It asked Harvard to “derecognise” pro-Palestine student groups, audit its academic programmes for viewpoint diversity, and expel students involved in an altercation at a 2023 pro-Palestine protest on the Harvard Business School campus.

It also asked Harvard to reform its admissions process for international students to screen for students “supportive of terrorism and anti-Semitism” — and immediately report international students to federal authorities if they break university conduct policies.

It called for “reducing the power held by faculty (whether tenured or untenured) and administrators more committed to activism than scholarship” and installing leaders committed to carrying out the administration’s demands.

And it asked the university to submit quarterly updates, beginning in June 2025, certifying its compliance.

Garber condemned the demands, calling them a “political ploy” disguised as an effort to address antisemitism on campus.

“It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” he wrote.

“Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the ‘intellectual conditions’ at Harvard.”

The Harvard Crimson daily news, founded in 1873 . . . how it reported the universoity’s defiance of the Trump administration today. Image: HC screenshot APR

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs)

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 15 APR 2025 3:13PM by PIB Delhi

Key Takeaways

India contributes 7.1% to global GDP through its automotive sector and ranks 4th in global vehicle production.
Despite a strong manufacturing base, India holds only 3% share in global traded auto components, highlighting a vast scope for expansion.
The Vision 2030 roadmap aims to scale production to $145bn, exports to $60bn, and generate 2–2.5 million jobs.
Government schemes like FAME, PM E-Drive, and PLI have mobilized ₹66,000+ crore to support EVs and localization.
With targeted reforms and GVC integration, India can raise its global component trade share from 3% to 8% by 2030.

On 11^th April 2024, NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains’, launched by Vice Chairman Shri Suman Bery, senior members, and the CEO of NITI Aayog. The report outlines India’s Global Value Chain (GVC) potential in the automotive sector and highlights strategic pathways for global leadership.

India’s automotive industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s manufacturing and economic growth, contributing 7.1% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 49% to manufacturing GDP. As the fourth-largest automobile producer globally, India possesses the scale and strategic depth to emerge as a global leader in the automotive value chain. The sector spans a vast ecosystem, from vehicle assembly and auto component manufacturing to deep interlinkages with critical industries such as steel, electronics, rubber, IT, and logistics. In recent years, India has seen exponential growth in vehicle production, with over 28 million units manufactured in 2023–24 alone. The industry’s contribution goes beyond industrial output, and it supports millions of direct and indirect jobs, spurs innovation, and is central to India’s green mobility transition, industrial ambitions, and trade strategy.

The global automotive component market was valued at $2 trillion in 2022, with $700 billion traded across borders. Despite India’s strong manufacturing base, its share in the globally traded auto component market remains at just 3% (~$20 billion), highlighting a vast scope for expansion. India’s trade ratio in auto components is near-neutral (~0.99), with exports and imports nearly balancing each other. This also underlines the domestic sector’s limited penetration in high-value, high-precision segments such as engine and engine components, along with drive transmission and steering systems, where India holds just 2–4% of the global trade share. Bridging this gap requires structural reforms, strategic investments, and a coordinated industrial policy approach. With the right enabling conditions, India can triple exports to $60 billion, generate a $25 billion trade surplus, and create over 2-2.5 million direct jobs by 2030, propelling it toward becoming a globally competitive, innovation-driven manufacturing hub.

Strategic Importance of the Automotive Sector

Contributes 7.1% to India’s GDP and 49% to manufacturing GDP.
Employs millions and supports critical linkages across steel, electronics, and IT sectors.
India’s current share in globally traded auto components is approximately 3% or 20 billion.

India’s Vision for Automotive Industry

This vision aligns with India’s aspirations to become a global manufacturing hub under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

Global Trends Shaping the Sector

1. Rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs):

EVs are reshaping manufacturing priorities, with China producing over 8 million EVs in 2023.
The EU and the US are accelerating EV adoption through regulatory mandates and subsidies.
EVs are increasing the demand for batteries, semiconductors, and advanced materials.

2. Digital and Advanced Manufacturing:

Integration of AI, robotics, digital twins, Internet of Things (IoT), and 3D printing is driving efficiency.
Many global automakers are investing heavily in creating smart factories, where AI, IoT, and robotics are integrated into every aspect of the production process. Countries like Germany and South Korea are leading in smart factory adoption.

3. Sustainability and Circular Economy:

Automakers are moving toward carbon neutrality, material recycling, and energy efficiency.
Examples: BMW’s EV battery recycling and Volkswagen’s renewable energy sourcing.

4. Sectoral Interdependence:

Auto industry is a major consumer of steel, electronics, rubber, glass, textiles, and IT services.
Increasing reliance on semiconductors and AI-driven software for innovative mobility solutions.

Major Government Interventions

1. Make in India: Launched in 2014, the Make in India initiative has provided a significant boost to the country’s manufacturing sector, particularly in automobiles. This policy promotes domestic manufacturing, reduces reliance on imports, and encourages foreign direct investment.

2.Atmanirbhar Bharat: The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aims to foster self-sufficiency in manufacturing and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign components. In the automotive sector, this has resulted in increased domestic production of critical components such as engines, transmissions, and EV batteries. The government has also extended support to start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive space, helping them integrate into global supply chains.

3.FAME India Scheme (Phases I & II): The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme has been pivotal in promoting clean mobility in India. Phase II, with an outlay of ₹11,500 crore, focuses on demand incentives for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, and the development of public charging infrastructure. It also aims to promote technology platforms for EVs and create a robust domestic EV ecosystem.

4. PM E-Drive Scheme (2024–26): Launched to accelerate EV adoption and reduce urban pollution, this scheme has a budget of ₹10,900 crore and targets large-scale procurement of electric vehicles:

24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers
3.2 lakh electric three-wheelers
Procurement of 14,028 electric buses by State Transport Undertakings (STUs)/public transport agencies
₹2,000 crore earmarked for national-level charging infrastructure expansion.

5. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Auto and ACC Batteries: With a total allocation of ₹44,038 crore (PLI scheme- INR 25,938 crore, PLI scheme for ACC Battery Storage- INR 18,100 crores), this flagship initiative aims to boost the domestic manufacturing of advanced automotive technologies, including EVs, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and advanced battery storage solutions. It provides financial incentives to OEMs and component manufacturers for investing in cutting-edge technologies, achieving economies of scale, and integrating into global supply chains. The scheme also prioritises domestic value addition, export readiness, and job creation through technology-driven innovation.

Key Challenges Hindering the Global Value Chain’s Integration

10% cost disadvantage for India versus China due to:
- Higher raw material and machinery costs
- 100% depreciation rate vs 50% in China (~3.4% cost burden)
- High logistics, financing, and energy costs

Underperformance in high-precision segments:
- India’s global share: Only 2–4% in engine and engine components, along with drive transmission and steering systems
Inadequate R&D ecosystem and limited IP ownership

Proposed Interventions for GVC Integration

Fiscal Measures:

Operational Expenditure (Opex) Support: To scale up manufacturing capabilities, with a focus on capital expenditure (Capex) for tooling, dies, and infrastructure.
Skill Development: Initiatives to build a talent pipeline critical for sustaining growth.
R&D, Government facilitated IP transfer and Branding: Providing incentives for research, development, international branding to improve product differentiation and empowering MSMEs through IP transfers.
Cluster Development: Fostering collaboration between firms through common facilities such as R&D and testing centers to strengthen the supply chain.

Non-Fiscal Reforms:

Industry 4.0 Adoption: Encouraging the integration of digital technologies and enhanced manufacturing standards to improve efficiency.
International Collaboration: Promoting joint ventures (JVs), foreign collaborations, and free trade agreements (FTAs) to expand global market access.
Ease of Doing Business: Simplifying regulatory processes, worker hour flexibility, supplier discovery & development and improving business conditions for automotive firms.

Conclusion

India’s automotive sector stands at a decisive inflection point, where focused reforms, policy clarity, and industry alignment can elevate it into the league of global leaders in automotive manufacturing. With the world shifting rapidly towards clean, smart, and connected mobility, India must accelerate its integration into global value chains by building competitiveness in high-precision components, fostering innovation, and deepening its export footprint. Over the next five years, the effective execution of planned interventions—ranging from skilling and infrastructure to R&D and global partnerships- will determine whether India becomes a hub for high-value auto components or remains a low-cost player in traditional segments. With the right mix of ambition and action, India can become a globally recognised supplier of next-generation mobility solutions.

References

· REPORT – Automotive Industry: Powering India’s participation in Global Value Chains –https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-04/Automotive-Industry-Powering-India-participation-in-GVC_Non-Confidential.pdf

· https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120977

Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs)

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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena / Vatsla Srivastava

(Release ID: 2121826) Visitor Counter : 122

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Review of Statutory Minimum Wage rate

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Minimum Wage Commission:

The Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) will submit to the Chief Executive (CE) in Council its recommendation report on the Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate by the end of February 2026 at the latest.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, in exercise of the authority delegated by the CE, has required the MWC to submit its recommendation report on the SMW rate on or before February 28, 2026, in accordance with the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Cap. 608).

The CE in Council has approved the implementation of the new annual review mechanism of the SMW including the following formula for deriving the SMW rate:

The annual rate of adjustment in the SMW (%) = Headline Consumer Price Index (A) (CPI(A)) inflation# (subject to a lower bound of zero) + [(the growth rate of the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the latest year – the trend growth rate of the real GDP in the latest decade) × 20%] (economic growth factor*)
# It refers to the year-on-year rate of change in the headline CPI(A).
* The economic growth factor is subject to an upper bound of one percentage point and a lower bound of zero.

The Government expects that the first SMW rate derived under the new mechanism will take effect on May 1, 2026. The MWC will assist the Government in implementing the new mechanism.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA to Host Webinar with Small Business Administration Leadership

Source: NASA

NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs will host the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the first time at its monthly webinar for small businesses at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 16.
The webinar, currently open for registration, will focus on a new SBA manufacturing initiative and provide information about SBA’s flagship 7(a) loan program in addition to small business program updates from NASA.
Participants in the webinar include:

Casey Swails, deputy associate administrator, NASA
Dwight Deneal, assistant administrator, Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), NASA Headquarters in Washington
Charles Williams, program manager, NASA OSBP
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler
Dianna Seaborn, deputy associate administrator, Office of Capital Access, SBA

The NASA OSBP Learning Series is a collection of webinars that provide small businesses with an opportunity to receive training and ask questions to experts at the agency. Upcoming webinars are listed on OSBP website. Previous webinars the office has hosted can be found on the OSBP Learning Series Archives.
For more information about NASA OSBP’s learning series and other outreach events, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/osbp
-end-

MIL OSI USA News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Welcomes UK Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh MP to Manchester Training Centre to Discuss Growing Demand for Heat Pumps and the Workforce of the Future

Source: Samsung

Samsung welcomed the Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh MP to the Manchester Training Centre to discuss the growing heat pump industry and the opportunity for upskilling the workforce of the future, particularly around apprenticeships.

Minister Fahnbulleh spoke to Samsung Technical Degree Apprentice Joshua Long, who is currently in his third year of a Building Services Design Engineering Degree at London Southbank University while working on the design and specification of heating and cooling systems at Samsung. The Minister also met with the Samsung Climate Solutions team and toured the training facility in Sale, learning about the range of products, training offered and future plans.

Collaboration between government and industry is central to hitting government targets for heat pump installs and reaching Net Zero by 2050. This is reflected in the current growth in installs, as February 2025 saw a 68% increase in Boiler Upgrade Scheme vouchers issued compared to February 2024.[1] Training the workforce is essential to meet the rising demand and Samsung is committed to delivering continued growth in 2025 following an increase in its training numbers in the UK by almost 70% in 2024 compared to 2023[2].

Minister Fahnbulleh said: “The figures for our Boiler Upgrade Scheme speak for themselves. Heat pump demand is rising rapidly, meaning we need a growing, highly-skilled workforce to deliver thousands more installations. It was fantastic to visit Samsung and hear from apprentices about the brilliant work being done to train the next generation of heat pump installers.”

Joshua Long commented: “I really valued the opportunity to meet the Minister and discuss why apprenticeships are such an important part of ensuring we have the skills needed for the transition towards Net Zero. For me, my apprenticeship has opened up a new career path to learn from my experienced colleagues as well as earn my degree. I chose this apprenticeship because I wanted to be part of the bigger picture of changing the way we use energy and heat our buildings in the UK. This is a really exciting time to join the sector, and I’m proud to be part of the growth and development of heat pumps.”

[1]https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/boiler-upgrade-scheme-statistics-february-2025
[2]Training data from internal records at Samsung Climate Solutions

MIL OSI Economics –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Canton Fair kicks off with record number of export exhibitors

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

GUANGZHOU, April 15 — The 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, kicked off on Tuesday, with the number of export exhibitors exceeding 30,000 for the first time in the history of this famous event.

Scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 5 in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou, this edition of the fair has attracted about 31,000 participating firms, up by nearly 900 compared with the previous fair.

More than 200,000 overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions have preregistered, with the lineup featuring the likes of retail giants Walmart and Target from the United States, Carrefour from France, Tesco and Kingfisher from Britain, and Germany’s Metro.

This edition of the fair is divided into three phases. The first will focus on advanced manufacturing, the second on quality home furnishings, and the third on products that promote a better quality of life.

The event will involve 172 product zones, including, for the first time, a special zone for service robots focused on showcasing the latest achievements of China’s AI development efforts.

Xinhua reporters at the fair witnessed an exhibition hall becoming packed with participants just after 9 a.m. Notably, the exhibition area focusing on service robots was especially busy. Many overseas buyers used their mobile phones to capture images of robotic dogs, industrial exoskeleton equipment, automatic cruise robots, coffee-making robots and other products, while asking exhibitors for more details about their functions.

“This Canton Fair is held in the year when China’s ’14th Five-Year Plan’ nears completion — which is of great significance in promoting the innovative development of trade, thus ensuring stable foreign trade volume and improving foreign trade quality,” said Zhang Sihong, deputy director of the China Foreign Trade Center.

He noted that the large gathering of global buyers at the fair underlined the trust of the international business community in made-in-China products.

Guo Yanhu with Gree, a leading home appliances enterprise, said that through green technology innovation and AI intelligent upgrading, the company provides users with efficient and low-carbon solutions, having sold products to more than 190 countries and regions in 2024.

The Canton Fair has always been an important driver of global trade, said Andre Rocha, president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Goias, Brazil. Here, people can learn about the major global development trends and cutting-edge technologies, as well as solutions that can actually boost industrial development, he added.

Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China and has been hailed as the barometer of China’s foreign trade.

Despite the weak momentum of global economic growth, intensified trade protectionism and geopolitical tensions, China’s foreign trade has maintained stable growth.

According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025. China’s exports rose 6.9 percent to 6.13 trillion yuan (about 850.1 billion U.S. dollars) during this period, while imports fell 6 percent to 4.17 trillion yuan.

In addition, the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo, being held on the tropical island province of Hainan in south China this week, has also reaffirmed China’s position as a vital marketplace for global enterprises. It has drawn record participation from over 4,100 brands across 71 countries and regions, reflecting the expanding international appetite for engagement with China’s vast consumer market and its evolving landscape.

MIL OSI China News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council’s business growth team provides support to hundreds of city businesses

Source: City of Wolverhampton

Forty five businesses benefitted through its grants programme – leading to the creation of 83 new jobs and the safeguarding of a further 179 jobs in Wolverhampton.

The business growth team exceeded its targets using the £1.3 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) government funding it was allocated through Business Growth West Midlands to help companies with capital investment and energy efficiency measures.

The total projected growth in turnover of the businesses it supported with grants is expected to equate to around £14.5 million in the year ahead.

Also providing free local diagnostic and business support service, the team dealt with 700 business enquiries over the past 12 months and 200 diagnostic checks were carried out.

Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “In Wolverhampton, we are utilising the UKSPF funding to support SMEs in maximising their offer and capitalising on opportunities being generated by investment in our city.

“Throughout 2024/25 our business growth team has collaborated with small but highly ambitious businesses to help them make and secure investment, create and sustain jobs, develop new products and services, and access new UK and overseas markets.

“Our city economy is underpinned by creative thinking, innovation, ambition, skills, and sheer hard work and we want to do everything we can to support this through our grants programme.

“I would urge businesses to head to the business growth webpage and find out exactly what funding is available to them.”

Gabitie and Ceandess are 2 of the Wolverhampton businesses supported by the grants.

Metal processing company Gabitie specialises in steel structures and fabrications. Grant support towards the acquisition of a laser cutter and a standing seam cladding machine will enable the business to launch new ranges such as garden offices, and to focus on entering the lucrative domestic extensions market.

Ceandess supplies and manufactures a range of fuel and oil fillers, base and filler assemblies, and fuel engine and hydraulic filter caps. The acquisition of a tube bending and forming machine will provide them with a strong platform to access the lucrative Australian and Canadian mining markets by offering formed tubes alongside their existing range.

The window for expressions of interest in Wolverhampton Council’s latest round of business grants to support city businesses with capital investment and low carbon projects is now open and will close on 30 April, 2025.

It is likely the average grant available will be up to £20,000 for projects costing £40,000 or more.
Higher grants could be available depending on the impact of the investment – but grants will be capped at no more than 50% of the project cost.

Full details of grant eligibility, impact measures and the application processes, along with details of some of the other new business support programmes, can be found at Business Growth Wolverhampton.

Applications for the grants are on a competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, and distributed at the discretion of the council.

If you need help with your grant application or have a general query, you can get in touch by emailing business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk or calling the business support phone line on 01902 555572 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday or from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Education Secretary visits University of Dundee
Source: Scottish Government

Taskforce membership is announced.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has met with staff and students as she visited the University of Dundee’s School of Life Sciences.

It came as the wider membership of an external Taskforce, set up to advise the University on its current financial challenges, was announced, including business and industry organisations, trades unions, enterprise agencies, NHS and academic representatives.

Visiting the Drug Discovery and Medical Research units at the school, Ms Gilruth heard about how its work has helped contribute to the treatment of conditions like Parkinson’s Disease.

The university was ranked top in Biological Sciences in the most recent Research Excellence Framework, a UK-wide assessment of research quality at higher education institutions.

Meeting with university Principal Shane O’Neill, the Education Secretary underlined the Scottish Government’s determination to support the University through its current financial challenges, with a wide-ranging package of financial support and expertise in place to help secure its future.

Ms Gilruth said:

“It was inspiring to hear about the world-leading and life changing work being undertaken at the Life Sciences school here at Dundee. This is vitally important research which underlines the strength of academic excellence and innovation in Scotland

“This work and research also has a major impact on inward investment for the area and the Scottish Government is clear it should be a vital component of our knowledge economy for the coming generations.

“We know that this unit and the wider Life Sciences school at Dundee attracts students, researchers and cutting-edge companies from across the globe to the city.

“That’s why this Government has been clear in our determination to ensure that the University of Dundee is fully supported and the wider membership of the taskforce we are setting out today will provide the right mix knowledge and experience to help advise on the current financial challenges.”

Professor Shane O’Neill, Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said:

“We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government for their continued support and we have been delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary today to see first hand the impactful work of our researchers in Life Sciences.

“We will continue to work with the Government and the Scottish Funding Council towards a secure and successful future for the University, and we will also engage fully with the Advisory Taskforce regarding our wider impact on Dundee, the Tay Cities region and beyond.”

Background

In addition to the Chair Alan Langlands University of Dundee, City of Dundee Council, Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government, the membership of the Taskforce will include:
- Universities Scotland
- Abertay University
- University of St Andrews
- Dundee and Angus College
- Trade Unions representation
- Student Union representation
- Tay Cities Regional Economic Partnership / City Deal
- Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce
- Scottish Enterprise
- Skills Development Scotland
- NHS Education for Scotland
- Business representation
- Alumni/graduates representation
The Scottish Government has provided £25 million to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to support universities like Dundee facing immediate financial challenges. This is on top of £1.1 billion of investment already in the budget for university teaching and research

Deputy First Minister chairs a regular cross-government group in support of SFC and to consider the issues

REF 2021 in Life Sciences | University of Dundee, UK
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile’s EngageLab Powers the Success of a Leading Chinese Cross-Border B2B E-Commerce Platform Amid U.S. Market Surge

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SHENZHEN, China, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that its subsidiary EngageLab, a world-leading provider of AI-powered omnichannel customer engagement solutions, is honored to support the remarkable growth of a prominent Chinese cross-border B2B e-commerce platform, which recently surged to the #2 spot on the U.S. free iPhone app rankings, second only to ChatGPT. This unprecedented rise highlights the platform’s growing influence in the U.S. market and underscores the importance of cutting-edge email solutions in driving its success.

The platform’s rapid ascent comes amidst heightened interest in Chinese cross-border e-commerce, fueled by viral TikTok videos showcasing Chinese factories and their role in global manufacturing. This surge in visibility has led to a dramatic increase in app downloads, with U.S. downloads growing by 940% in just a few days. EngageLab’s advanced email solutions have played a pivotal role in helping the platform capitalize on this momentum, ensuring seamless communication with its global customer base and driving sustained engagement.

About Aurora Mobile Limited
Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:
Aurora Mobile Limited
E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn

Christensen
In China
Ms. Xiaoyan Su
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

The MIL Network –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: EngageLab Powers the Success of a Leading Chinese Cross-Border B2B E-Commerce Platform Amid U.S. Market Surge
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SINGAPORE, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EngageLab, a world-leading provider of AI-powered omnichannel customer engagement solutions, is proud to support the remarkable growth of a prominent Chinese cross-border B2B e-commerce platform, which recently surged to the #2 spot on the U.S. free iPhone app rankings, second only to ChatGPT. This unprecedented rise highlights the platform’s growing influence in the U.S. market and underscores the importance of cutting-edge email solutions in driving its success.

The platform’s rapid ascent comes amidst heightened interest in Chinese cross-border e-commerce, fueled by viral TikTok videos showcasing Chinese factories and their role in global manufacturing. This surge in visibility has led to a dramatic increase in app downloads, with U.S. downloads growing by 940% in just a few days. EngageLab’s advanced email solutions have played a pivotal role in helping the platform capitalize on this momentum, ensuring seamless communication with its global customer base and driving sustained engagement.

EngageLab: Empowering Cross-Border E-Commerce Success

As a trusted partner, EngageLab provides the platform with world-class email services designed to address the unique challenges of cross-border e-commerce. These include optimizing email deliverability, enhancing customer engagement, and supporting personalized communication at scale.

Key advantages of EngageLab’s email solutions include:
- Unmatched Deliverability: A 99.97% inbox placement rate, achieved through advanced domain preheating, sender certification, and intelligent routing, ensures critical messages reach their intended audience.
- Global Infrastructure: Strategically distributed servers and outbound IPs enable high delivery rates and compliance with local regulations, meeting the demands of a global business.
- Personalized Engagement: Advanced user tagging and segmentation tools allow for tailored email campaigns that resonate with diverse customer segments, driving higher engagement and conversions.
Driving Results in a Competitive Market

The platform’s recent success in the U.S. market demonstrates the power of combining innovative marketing strategies with robust technology. With EngageLab’s support, the platform has achieved:
- Over 90% email deliverability, ensuring messages consistently reach inboxes worldwide.
- A 99% inbox placement rate, far exceeding industry standards.
- A 40% email open rate, driven by optimized sender certification and domain reputation management.
These results have enabled the platform to effectively engage with its growing customer base, foster loyalty, and drive sustainable growth in one of the world’s most competitive markets.

The Future of Cross-Border E-Commerce

As Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms continue to gain traction globally, the importance of seamless, AI-powered customer engagement solutions cannot be overstated. EngageLab remains committed to empowering businesses with the tools they need to succeed in dynamic and fast-evolving markets.

For enterprises seeking to elevate their customer engagement and operational efficiency, EngageLab offers not just technology, but a partnership in achieving sustainable growth.

About EngageLab

EngageLab is a world-leading provider is a leading AI-powered omnichannel customer engagement solution provider, unites technology and versatility to offer seamless customer interactions across every channel, including Email, AppPush, WebPush, OTP, SMS and WhatsApp. It empowers businesses to build lasting relationships and achieve higher conversions and retention. With a strong focus on innovation and performance, EngageLab supports businesses in over 220 countries and regions, delivering more than 1 million messages every second across various channels.

For more information about EngageLab and its suite of solutions, visit www.engagelab.com.

For Media Inquiries:
Contact: marketing@engagelab.com
Website: www.engagelab.com

The MIL Network –
April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Neighborhood diplomacy takes center stage as Xi begins visit to Southeast Asia

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

HANOI, April 15 — In a world grappling with growing uncertainty and instability fueled by rising protectionism and unilateralism, China has reaffirmed the continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy and its vision for lasting peace and shared development in Asia.

That was the message delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, as he arrived in Vietnam on Monday for a state visit, the first leg of his five-day, three-nation tour of Southeast Asia. It is also his first overseas trip this year.

“We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbours. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia’s modernization,” Xi said in a signed article published Monday in the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam.

Pham Phu Phuc, former deputy head of the World News Desk at the Vietnam News Agency, welcomed China’s diplomatic approach.

In light of unexpected and uncertain changes in the region and across the world in recent years, this vision emphasizes peace, sincerity, mutual benefit and shared development through cooperation, he said.

Xi’s visit came as China and Vietnam mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. During his talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam on Monday, Xi said that facing the changing and turbulent world, China and Vietnam have stayed committed to peaceful development and deepened their friendly cooperation, bringing much-needed stability and certainty to the world.

In interviews with Xinhua, observers noted that the China-Vietnam partnership embodies a broader Asian ethos championed by China, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation, partnership over rivalry, and development over division.

The Chinese leader’s visit underscores the commitment of both Vietnam and China to peaceful development and regional stability, said Bui Minh Long, managing editor of the Vietnamese daily newspaper Tien Phong (Pioneer). “I believe that closer Vietnam-China relations will become a stabilizing force in Southeast Asia.”

A SHARED VISION

During Xi’s visit to Vietnam in December 2023, the bilateral relationship reached a new height when both sides agreed to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance on the basis of deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

On Monday, Xi proposed six measures to deepen the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, including lifting strategic mutual trust to a higher level, building stronger security safeguards, expanding higher quality mutually beneficial cooperation, tightening the bond of people-to-people ties, conducting closer multilateral coordination, and engaging in more constructive maritime interactions.

Building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future carries great global significance, Xi said in his meeting with To Lam, noting that as the two countries jointly pursue peaceful development, their combined population of over 1.5 billion is jointly advancing toward modernization, which will contribute to regional and global peace and stability while promoting common development.

For Vietnamese scholars, Xi’s emphasis on the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future underscores a core pillar of China’s neighborhood diplomacy — forging strong partnerships with neighboring countries based on mutual respect, win-win cooperation and long-term commitment.

This approach, they said, reflects China’s broader vision of a peaceful and prosperous region.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, a researcher at the Institute for Asia-Pacific Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said the effort to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance reflects both the continuation and the deepening of the enduring friendship between the two countries.

“It is built on the foundation of political trust, the promotion of commonalities and especially the sharing of benefits and mutual concerns,” she said. “The ultimate goal is to bring benefits to the people of both nations, support each country’s development and contribute to regional peace and stability.”

GREATER COMMON DEVELOPMENT

Over the past year, the agreement on building the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance has already injected fresh momentum into the bilateral relationship, said Nguyen Vinh Quang, vice president of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association, noting that businesses from both sides have demonstrated increased confidence in each other.

Chinese direct investment in Vietnam exceeded 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, maintaining strong growth, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade has surpassed 200 billion dollars for four consecutive years, reaching 260.65 billion dollars in 2024, a 13.5-percent increase year-on-year.

Noting that both countries are committed to opening up, Xi said during his meeting with To Lam on Monday that both countries have played a constructive role in maintaining the stability and smooth operation of regional industrial and supply chains, as well as contributing to the advancement of economic globalization.

Both China and Vietnam are beneficiaries of economic globalization, and the two sides should strengthen strategic resolve, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying practices, and work together to uphold the global free trade system and maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains, Xi said.

In recent years, the global governance system has faced serious challenges, as some nations have introduced regulations that contravene international law, said Tran Khanh, former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

China and Vietnam can work together to uphold the global order based on international law, including an international trade system based on established international norms, he said.

MIL OSI China News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Foreign enterprises eager to explore China’s vast consumer market via CICPE

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

Foreign enterprises eager to explore China’s vast consumer market via CICPE

Updated: April 15, 2025 17:16 Xinhua

Foreign enterprises attending the ongoing China International Consumer Products Expo have expressed aspirations to leverage the platform to engage in China’s vast consumer market.

MIL OSI China News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow-India Tourism Industry Congress to be held in Russian capital

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

From July 10 to 13, the capital will host the large-scale tourism congress OTOAI Convention for the first time. It is organized by the Association of Outbound Tourism Operators of India with the support of the Moscow Government. The forum will bring together hundreds of specialists from relevant departments and employees of leading Moscow and Indian companies.

“Business negotiations and expert presentations are planned. Foreign participants will be presented with opportunities for recreation in Moscow, and will be shown popular routes and sights on sightseeing tours,” she reported.

Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

She recalled that India is among the top three countries in terms of the number of travelers from distant countries coming to Moscow. In 2024, the city was visited by 1.4 times more citizens of this country than in 2023.

“The congress will be a significant event for India-Russia relations in the tourism sector. Moscow has an ideal combination of historical heritage and modernity. This is what Indian travellers are looking for today. Our partnership with the Moscow Tourism Committee will enable Indian visitors to go beyond traditional tourist destinations. Through the conference, we plan to create a platform for growth in mutual tourist flows, which will benefit tour operators from both countries and help position Moscow as a leading outbound tourism destination in India,” said Himanshu Patil, President of the Indian Association of Outbound Travel Operators.

Developing partnerships

In January, the capital’s delegation took part in a major industry exhibition, Outbound Travel Mart, in India. Moscow representatives held over 1,200 negotiations. Among the main events was the signing of an agreement on joint work to increase tourist flow between Moscow and Mumbai. In addition, a cooperation agreement was signed with one of the leading travel companies. Now, Indian colleagues will come to the Russian capital to discuss new projects.

Last year, Moscow hosted the international forum Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition. It brought together approximately 1.3 thousand business tourism industry specialists from the BRICS countries. The event included about two thousand meetings with potential partners.

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

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

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152607073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Services a major driving force behind China’s consumption growth: report

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

HAIKOU, April 15 — China’s services consumption is not only rebounding but evolving rapidly, becoming a key driver of overall consumption growth, according to a report released by the China Institute for Reform and Development.

The Hainan-based think tank published the report on Monday during this year’s China International Consumer Products Expo, the country’s only national-level exhibition focused on consumer goods, which is being held in the tropical island province.

The report forecasts that by 2030, the per capita services consumption of China’s urban and rural residents could exceed 20,000 yuan (about 2,773 U.S. dollars), accounting for more than half of total consumption. The shift toward a services-oriented consumer society is expected to drive sustainable economic growth and transform consumption patterns.

Services consumption has become a propeller of goods consumption, and a “goods-like services” trend is gaining momentum across the country, said Chi Fulin, head of the think tank.

The report shows that traditional sectors are leading the recovery. Established go-tos for fun and relaxation, such as ski holidays and blockbuster films, are back in full swing.

Winter tourism continues to gain popularity, particularly during peak travel periods. During the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, a total of 17.23 million visits were recorded across 934 ski resorts nationwide — a 10 percent increase from the previous year. For the 2024-2025 winter season, the number of people engaged in ice and snow tourism in China is estimated at 520 million.

Earlier this year, China’s film industry also made a notable comeback. The 2025 Spring Festival box office hit a record 9.51 billion yuan, with 187 million moviegoers nationwide. Daily box office sales also reached new highs during the holiday season. The animated film “Ne Zha 2” made history by becoming the first Asian film to break into the global top five and top the global animation box office.

While classic forms of services consumption like films and tourism continue to thrive, a new wave of digital experiences, led by generative artificial intelligence (AI), is rapidly reshaping China’s consumer landscape.

According to the report, generative AI is enhancing and upgrading the consumer-end user experience as it is integrated into common internet applications, including instant messaging platforms, office software, and online customer service and creative tools.

In December 2024, approximately 331 million people in China reported that they were aware of generative AI products, and about 249 million said they had used them. This surge in public engagement reflects the technology’s growing presence in everyday digital life, as well as its expanding influence on consumption patterns.

Jiang Ying, chair of Deloitte China, anticipates that China will leverage its strength in rapid technological innovation further to boost demand. “China encourages the integration of emerging technologies like AI to enhance consumer experiences and create new consumption scenarios,” she added.

In March, China made public a plan for special initiatives to increase consumption, as the world’s second-largest economy moves to make domestic demand the main engine and anchor of economic growth. The plan highlights services consumption quality enhancement.

Chi emphasized that the next five to 10 years will be a critical period for China’s economic growth. He suggested that significant investments in people should be made to transform services consumption into a major force in the economy, making consumption a critical engine of sustained economic growth.

MIL OSI China News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Pronounced spike in low-level crimes in Singapore Straits

Source: International Chamber of Commerce

Headline: Pronounced spike in low-level crimes in Singapore Straits

A total of 45 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first three months of 2025 – an almost 35 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Of the incidents reported, 37 vessels were boarded, four were hijacked and four had attempted attacks. The threat to crew safety remains high with 37 crew members taken hostage, 13 kidnapped, two threatened and one injured.

Rise of incidents in Singapore Straits

The Q1 report highlights a spike in recorded incidents in the Singapore Straits as 27 incidents were reported from vessels transiting these waters compared to seven for the same period in 2024.

While most incidents were considered low-level opportunistic crimes, crew members were at great risk with guns reported in 14 incidents. For the whole of 2024, guns were reported in 26 incidents globally. Ten crew members were taken hostage in six separate incidents, two were threatened and one was reported injured.

Ninety-two percent of all vessels targeted in the Singapore Straits were successfully boarded, including nine bulk carriers and tankers over 100,000 deadweight tonnage in size.

IMB Director Michael Howlett said:

“The reported rise of incidents in the Singapore Straits is concerning, highlighting the urgent need to protect the safety of seafarers navigating these waters. Ensuring the security of these vital routes is essential and all necessary measures must be taken to safeguard crew members.”

Caution advised in the Gulf of Guinea

Although the number of reported incidents within the Gulf of Guinea waters and adjoining littoral states continues to be at its lowest in nearly two decades, the IMB urges continued caution as crew members remain at risk.

All 13 kidnapped crew were reported in these waters in two separate attacks – with a total of six incidents reported in the first quarter of the year. In March, pirates hijacked a bitumen tanker southeast of Santo Antonio, in Sao Tome and Principe, kidnapping 10 crew members – while a fishing vessel south of Accra, Ghana, was boarded by armed pirates who kidnapped three crew members.

“While we welcome the reduction of incidents, the safety of crew members in the Gulf of Guinea remains at greater risk. It is essential to maintain a strong regional and international naval presence to address these incidents and ensure the protection of seafarers,”

Mr Howlett said.

Somali piracy threat remains

Between 7 February and 16 March 2025, two fishing vessels and a dhow were hijacked off the coast of Somalia. In these incidents, 26 crew members were taken hostage, demonstrating the continued capabilities of Somali pirates. Reports indicate all crew have been released along with the vessels.

The IMB advises ships navigating these waters to exercise caution and to strictly follow the latest version of the Industry Best Management Practice (BMP).

Download your copy of the 2025 Jan – Mar Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships report here.

About the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre

Since its founding in 1991, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre has served as a crucial, 24-hour point of contact to report crimes of piracy and lend support to ships under threat. Quick reactions and a focus on coordinating with response agencies, sending out warning broadcasts and email alerts to ships have all helped bolster security on the high seas. The data gathered by the Centre also provides key insights on the nature and state of modern piracy.

IMB encourages all shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted and suspected global piracy and armed robbery incidents to the Piracy Reporting Centre as a vital first step to ensuring adequate resources are allocated by authorities to tackle maritime piracy.

MIL OSI Economics –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Paul Lee appointed as new Chair of UK Endorsement Board
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Paul Lee appointed as new Chair of UK Endorsement Board

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds appoints Paul Lee to lead the UK Endorsement Board, replacing current Chair Pauline Wallace.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has today [15 April] appointed Paul Lee as the new Chair of the UK Endorsement Board (UKEB), replacing current Chair Pauline Wallace at the end of her term in September 2025.

The UKEB is the UK’s national standard setter for international accounting standards. It influences the development, and considers the adoption, of new or amended standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, part of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation.

Companies report using these standards to provide robust and comparable financial information.

The UKEB is committed to ensuring that the interests of the UK corporate reporters are effectively represented to ensure standards meet the needs of UK companies and investors.

Paul Lee brings extensive corporate reporting experience from his roles as Head of Stewardship and Sustainable Investment Strategy at Redington and Member of the Committee of Reference for the Premier Miton Ethical Fund. Paul is also currently a Non-Executive Member and one of the founding members of UKEB, bringing four years of UKEB experience to the Chair role.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

UKEB provide an invaluable service in scrutinising and adopting international accounting standards and representing our largest companies on an international stage.

Paul will bring strong leadership to UKEB as Chair and his extensive knowledge of corporate reporting standards as one of the Board’s founding members will be vital in driving growth in the sector and economy as part of our Plan for Change.

I would like to thank Pauline for her work over the past five years and look forward to continuing work with Paul.

Incoming Chair of the UK Endorsement Board, Paul Lee, said:

As an investor I understand the importance of international accounting standards and the role they play in supporting UK economic growth and inward investment. I also recognise the unnecessary burden that might be placed on companies if standards don’t achieve the right balance.

I was pleased to join the UKEB Board four years ago because I firmly believed that the organisation’s remit, to act as the voice of UK stakeholders in the development of comparable and proportionate standards that add value to the UK long-term public good, forms part of the core foundation of a strong and growing UK economy. I still believe that.

The UKEB has been robustly effective under Pauline’s thoughtful leadership, and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead the Board. I’m looking forward to getting started and deepening my work with our excellent Board and Secretariat.

There are economic challenges ahead, both in the UK and globally, and my focus, and that of the Board, will be on understanding, supporting and balancing the needs of all UK stakeholders as we navigate those challenges.

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Published 15 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Tips for avoiding common errors in MAAS and MATS reporting
Source: New places to play in Gungahlin
Members rely on ATO Online to make decisions about their superannuation. It’s important your reporting is accurate, so they can make informed decisions.

When lodging member account information through the MAAS:
- For reversionary accounts, complete all reporting before you submit a close MAAS for the deceased account holder. Then, wait 24 hours before you submit an open MAAS for the beneficiary.
- Report the full name of the member, don’t use Estate of or Deceased Estate in any of the name fields.
- Submit MAAS closures and MAAS opens in separate batches or files to ensure the data is consumed in the intended order.
- Report closed/open member accounts and any updates to these member accounts within 5 business days of when they occur. This allows us to send Government contributions and rollovers to the correct destination.
- Complete the mandatory fields; Contributions accepted, Inward rollovers accepted, Member outward rollovers accepted, and Government rollovers accepted correctly to ensure we only send the relevant member entitlements to you via SuperStream.
- Ensure the message timestamp is the current date and time for each MAAS lodgment, rather than reusing a timestamp from a previous lodgment.
- If you don’t hold a Tax File Number (TFN) for a member, leave the field blank. Don’t use a default or invalid TFN. Accurately report the TFN in the field if it is available.
When reporting MATS transactions for a member:
- Ensure you have successfully reported member account information through the MAAS, and all original identifiers match those you report on the MATS.
- Lodge new member account information through the MAAS prior to lodging a MATS transaction for the member
- When responding to a Commissioners commutation authority, lodge a transfer balance account report (TBAR) instead of using the MATS.
- Use MAAS and MATS online services only for real accounts with accurate names and information. Do not submit dummy accounts to test system operations, as this will create real records.
For assistance with reporting obligations, see the MAAS and MATS Business Implementation Guide at Superannuation (SPR) | Standard Business ReportingExternal Link.

Looking for the latest news for Super funds? – You can stay up to date by visiting our Super funds newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly Super funds newsletter and CRT alerts.
MIL OSI News –
April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Taskforce sweep targets rental breaches

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Rental properties across the Melbourne CBD, suburbs and regional centres were visited by our Consumer Affairs renting taskforce today in a pre-Easter inspection sweep to check they are advertised accurately and minimum standards.

The taskforce has targeted rental properties open for inspection to make sure they’re safe, secure and fit for renters to move into. Since being announced in March 2024, the taskforce has held inspections in St Kilda, Footscray, Werribee, Fitzroy and Clayton. More targeted inspections are planned throughout 2025.

The most common issues found by the taskforce include mould, windows without blinds or curtains, and heating that doesn’t meet the legal specifications.

It’s an offence to let a renter move into a property that doesn’t meet minimum standards. Maximum penalties of more than $11,000 for individuals and more than $59,000 for companies may apply.

Inspections are one part of the taskforce’s proactive approach to compliance. When an advertised rental doesn’t meet the standards, the taskforce works with agents and rental providers before a breach occurs.

Other priorities include making sure rentals are advertised with a fixed price, condition reports are provided, and bonds are lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.

They’re also making sure rental providers don’t try to re-let properties after issuing a notice to vacate on the grounds the property was to be sold, demolished or converted.

The taskforce has received more than 500 reports from the community via our online form. These reports, as well as market analysis, help the taskforce to work estate agents to get upgrades or repairs made so that the property meets minimum standards before a rental agreement is signed.

If you see a rental property advertised that you don’t think meets the minimum standards or doesn’t look like its marketing, you can report it anonymously through the online form.

Learn more about the renting taskforce.

MIL OSI News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Energy transition panel: the implications of US policy changes on Australia

Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

AFR Business Summit 2025

Partner and Head of Energy Kate Axup participated in a panel discussion at The Australian Financial Review Business Summit in March, joining industry leaders to explore the topic ‘Energy Transition: the Trump 2.0 effect and its potential impact on Australia’s 2030 climate goals and investment’.

Kate also shared her insights on the challenges of establishing a local nuclear industry, saying,

‘The entire regulatory regime you need to set up to underpin nuclear energy – there are international conventions on nuclear third-party liability, a web of regulation that every country that has a nuclear energy industry has put in place, and we’re absolutely nowhere on this’.

To learn more about Australia’s energy transition and the potential consequences of recent policy changes in the US, watch the full panel session recording above, courtesy of the Australian Financial Review.

MIL OSI News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Renting a home in Australia means handing over too much sensitive info. It’s a national security risk

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Moataz ElQadi, Adjunct Researcher, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University

Daria Nipot/Shutterstock

Our personal information is more valuable than ever. The most recent government cyber threat report warns that foreign state actors have an “enduring interest” in obtaining sensitive and personally identifiable information about Australians.

In recent weeks, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted “there is a cyber attack in Australia roughly every six minutes. This is a regular issue.”

In some situations, it can be difficult to protect our info even when we’re aware of the risks. Notably, in Australia many rental providers and their agents collect, store and disclose excessive personal information on potential tenants. Sometimes, they collect more info than what’s needed to get a government security clearance.

With about one-third of Australian households being renters, the handling of renters’ data is a major concern for Australia’s information security.

So what information are real estate agents collecting, and how can we mitigate the risks?

Steep competition for rentals

For several years now, Australia has faced a rental crisis. Low vacancy rates – below 1% in some capital cities – not only drive up rental prices, but can result in “bidding wars” over rentals.

With renters competing for housing, rental providers are empowered to command larger rent increases. They also require potential tenants to provide extensive personal information.

For tenants, sharing – or oversharing – of personal information in the hope of securing a home might seem acceptable.

However, the collection and handling of this information raises serious security concerns. If Australians’ sensitive personal data falls into the hands of cyber criminals, or foreign agents, this has security implications for the entire nation.

What info are renters asked for?

Potential tenants need to provide information to the satisfaction of the real estate agent and their client, the rental provider. This information is increasingly collected online via rental application websites where the form questions are controlled by real estate agents.

The websites themselves are subject to the Australian Privacy Act 1988, but the data is handed over to real estate agents and owners.

The rental application websites seem to recognise that this information is extensive: one rental application website started selling a privacy service where they vouch for the applicant instead of sharing their information with the real estate agents.

In some cases, the requested data matches or even exceeds the requirements for a government security clearance. The Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) has a clear public privacy statement. It explains how data is collected and handled and used only for the assessment of a security clearance. Rental providers don’t necessarily follow the same stringent rules.

Information collected by some rental application forms may include five or more years of address history. Others request five or more years of employment history. In addition, financial information such as payslips and bank statements are also required.

Other sensitive – and irrelevant – information includes vehicle registration numbers and pet names.

Potential tenants are also usually asked to attach personal identification documents including passports, driver licences and Medicare cards. They may be asked to list up to two personal and one business references.

A rental agent may require five years of employment history.
Author provided

If any of this information falls into the wrong hands, it easily exposes the person to social engineering, personalised scams or identity and account theft.

Who can access the info?

The names of family members and pet names are a common – albeit unsafe – choice of password. The rental application forms collect both. In Australia, research by Telstra and YouGov found that 20% of Australians used pets’ names as passwords, and 17% used their birth dates.

Pet names may be required on rental applications. This can give away some people’s passwords.
Author provided

If a rental provider, or their agent, shares applicant information with others, it can be a security breach. This makes the storage, handling and sharing of this information by private rental providers a major concern.

Rental agency agreements commonly state that personal information can be disclosed to “any person who maintains any record, listing or database of defaults by tenants.” This policy, which a tenant has to accept, is already loose.

More importantly, after the information is sent to the owner of the rental property, there is no visibility as to who that is, or what they do with the information.

Example of a privacy agreement on a rental application form.
Author provided

Too much info to rent a home

Having to share extensive personal information is more than an inconvenience for renters – it’s a serious security concern. The government should put explicit limits on personal information requested by rental providers.

One technological solution to this problem could be “access tokens” provided by banks. People in Australia are protected by the Consumer Data Right. This allows consumers to authorise a data holder, such as a bank, to share data with an accredited recipient.

Australian banks are held to strict information security requirements. They already handle highly sensitive data, such as client identity, income sources and other financial information.

If real estate agents require proof of this info to vet potential rental applicants, they could request it through an authorisation token with the applicant’s bank. This way, proof of identity and financial status could be shared without having to disclose actual sensitive personal information, limiting the cyber security risk.

In the meantime, rental providers and their agents should request the least possible amount of personal information – it’s the responsible thing to do.

The article gives the example of the Consumer Data Right, a government standard managed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Moataz ElQadi worked previously for the ACCC, in a different team.

– ref. Renting a home in Australia means handing over too much sensitive info. It’s a national security risk – https://theconversation.com/renting-a-home-in-australia-means-handing-over-too-much-sensitive-info-its-a-national-security-risk-254293

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Britain suspends import tariffs on 89 products

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

The British government has announced a temporary suspension of import tariffs on 89 types of goods to bolster domestic businesses and ease financial burden on consumers. The measure takes immediate effect and will remain in place until July 2027.

According to an official press release updated on Monday, the suspended tariffs apply to a wide array of items, ranging from everyday essentials such as pasta, fruit juices, spices, and coconut oil, to industrial materials like plywood and plastics used in construction and manufacturing. Seasonal goods such as agave syrup – popular among cocktail makers, and plant bulbs for gardening are also included.

The authority estimates that the tariff cuts will save British businesses at least 17 million pounds (about 22.42 million U.S. dollars) annually. Officials said the savings could be passed down to consumers through lower retail prices especially ahead of the summer season.

“Free and open trade grows economies, lowers prices and helps businesses to sell to the world, which is why we’re cutting tariffs on a range of products,” said British Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds. “From food to furniture, this will reduce the cost of everyday items for businesses, with savings hopefully passed onto consumers.”

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves also stressed the policy’s potential to address cost-of-living concerns. “In a changing world, we know families are anxious about the cost of living, and businesses are uncertain about their future. That’s why we’ve announced lower prices on imports of everyday essentials – helping businesses to thrive and pass on savings to customers,” she said.

The announcement comes amid mounting external trade pressures, including recent tariff increases imposed by the United States on a variety of British exports. The U.S. measures, which have affected sectors such as steel, automotive, and food products, have raised costs for exporters and strained transatlantic trade.

Industry groups warn that the American tariffs could further weigh on Britain’s manufacturing sector, which is already grappling with high input costs and sluggish global demand. Against this backdrop, the British government’s tariff suspensions are seen as a countermeasure to reinforce domestic competitiveness and economic resilience. (1 pound = 1.32 U.S. dollar)

MIL OSI China News –

April 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Energy savings start with a diagnosis: Taipower hosts major-user symposium, inviting 2,000 companies across Taiwan to deepen energy savings

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In support of the government’s Deep Energy Savings Promotion Plan, Taipower today (March 27) coordinated with its 24 regional offices across Taiwan to hold a major-user symposium. Nearly 2,000 companies from every industry were invited to participate. The event featured case studies in promoting deep energy-saving practices, and Taipower’s energy diagnosis services. A Taipower representative stated that the Company hopes more businesses will join efforts to save energy, reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and take the critical steps toward Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero transition.

On the morning of the 27th, Taipower held the major-user symposium, titled “Taipower Energy Diagnosis Now, Businesses Energy Savings Wow”, in coordination with regional offices all across Taiwan. In particular, the Taipei South Branch, designated as Taipower’s deep energy-saving demonstration site, attracted participation from over 100 companies. Taipower Vice President Chen Ming-Shu also attended the event, joining forces with Taipower’s energy-saving mascot Power Buddy to serve as energy diagnosis ambassadors and promote energy saving among businesses.

Businesses participating in deep energy-saving should begin with energy assessments and diagnosis supported by Taipower. Following this, businesses should collaborate with an Energy/Engineering Service Companies (ESCOs) to implement equipment upgrades, energy management measures, and other improvements that help reduce electricity costs and increase energy efficiency. A Taipower representative noted that, having completed initial diagnosis and then actual improvements, the Ministry of Finance office building now saves 380 MWh annually, the Grand Hotel saves 840 MWh per year, and Far East Century Park Phase I, home to many major tech companies, is saving an impressive 2 GWh per year.
A Taipower representative pointed out that in 2019, the Company established energy diagnosis centers in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. These centers use specialized measuring instruments to provide free energy-saving consultations for major electricity users (those contracted for 100 to 800 kW). In 2024, the centers delivered tailored energy-saving assessments to over 300 companies. If the recommended improvements are fully implemented, Taipower estimates that these businesses could collectively save 37 GWh of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity usage of more than 9,000 households, while also reducing approximately 18,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

In addition to offering free energy diagnosis services to major electricity users, Taipower is actively supporting the government’s Deep Energy Savings Promotion Plan. The Plan calls on state-owned enterprises and major medical institutions to lead by example, and Taipower has taken the initiative by implementing energy-saving improvement projects at six demonstration sites. These include the Company’s Headquarters Building; the Taiwan Power Research Institute (TPRI)’s Shulin Campus; the Linkou Training Center; and the Taipei Southern, Hsinchu, and Taichung regional offices. At the Taipei Southern Regional Office, for example, Taipower introduced ESCO services and fully upgraded the central air conditioning system, resulting in an estimated annual electricity savings of nearly 1 GWh.

Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Department of Business Director Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6650/0922-696-383
Email: u030573@taipower.com.tw

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 15, 2025

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Too much info to rent a home