Category: Commerce

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India – New Zealand announce launch of FTA negotiations

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 16 MAR 2025 3:23PM by PIB Delhi

    India and New Zealand share a longstanding partnership founded on shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and economic complementarities. Both countries have continuously worked towards building their bilateral relationship encompassing trade and investment.

    On the occasion of the visit of Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon to India from 16th to 20th March, 2025, and in the spirit of deepening our economic co-operation, the two nations are pleased to announce the launch of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. This significant step was marked by a meeting between Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry, and Hon’ble Mr. Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, on March 16th, 2025, laying the foundation of a momentous partnership towards strengthening the economic and trade ties between the two countries.

    The India-New Zealand FTA negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access. This milestone reflects a shared vision for a stronger economic partnership, fostering resilience and prosperity.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal

    (Release ID: 2111608) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Voting Against GOP’s Continuing Resolution Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    03.14.25

    Cantwell Statement on Voting Against GOP’s Continuing Resolution Bill

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate voted on a Continuing Resolution (CR) bill written by House Republicans that would fund the government through Sept. 30, while making cuts to important programs and ceding more authority over federal spending to the Trump Administration.

    U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, voted against the CR. She gave the following statement:

    “I am not going to vote for a partisan funding bill that makes deep cuts to essential government functions. This bill endangers the health of Americans by cutting $280 million from the National Institutes of Health; jeopardizes the state of Washington’s maritime economy by slashing the Army Corps of Engineers by 44 percent; and impacts our farmers by cutting $57 million from important USDA’s Agriculture Research Services account. A bipartisan congressional effort to finish all appropriations bills would have delivered better results for taxpayers.

    Congress has the authority and responsibility to direct federal spending based on the needs of their constituents. Turning that work over to the White House puts important programs like NOAA experts working on salmon recovery or creating weather forecasts at risk.”



    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Bank of Russia opens applications for participation in the spring ESG school

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    April 16–18 will pass Spring School “ESG, Sustainable Development and Climate Change” is an intensive full-time educational program of the Bank of Russia and the Higher School of Business of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. Students and postgraduates of Russian universities of any year and specialty who have passed the competitive selection can become its participants.

    Applicants will need to pass online program, which will introduce listeners to the basic concepts and principles of sustainable development. It is also required to write an essay on one of the proposed topics and prepare a summary.

    Submit an application can be done through your personal account on the event website until March 27. The results of the competitive selection will be known by April 4.

    The ESG school offers its students a more in-depth study of sustainable development and climate change issues. The curriculum includes lectures by experts from the Bank of Russia, the Higher School of Business, representatives of the banking sector and companies that are leaders in sustainable development. Students will also analyze practical cases on assessing climate risks and processing ESG data, study international experience and take part in brainstorming sessions.

    All ESG school graduates will receive certificates of completion of training.

    Preview photo: Marina Lysceva / TASS

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

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

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23463

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Efforts to make ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India has taken several initiatives in the field of official statistical system, towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. As part of the initiative towards strengthening the National Statistical System, the Ministry has taken various reforms to ensure timely availability of quality data on various facets of economy for data driven decision making, which inter-alia include, improving data collection, data processing, data dissemination and data infrastructure. Some of the initiatives are as under:

    (i) To assess the development and to support evidence based interventions on socio-economic fronts, MoSPI has conducted sample surveys on various socio-economic subjects such as health, education, labour & employment etc., on all-India basis, both at the national and State/UT level.

    (ii) To reduce time lag, MoSPI is using Digital platforms, with in-built validation mechanism in sample surveys for data collection.

    (iii) Estimates of key macroeconomic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Consumer Price Index (CPI), Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released as per Advance Release Calendar (ARC) with minimum time lag.

    (iv) In order to facilitate ease of Data management for Official Statistics, eSankhyiki portal was launched. This portal provides time series data of important macro indicators and a catalogue of major data assets of the Ministry.

    (v) Grant in Aid were provided to States/UTs under the ongoing central sector sub-scheme Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) to strengthen the statistical capacity and operations of state statistical system.

    This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2111772) Visitor Counter : 54

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Surveys conducted by Government

    Source: Government of India (2)

    1

    Household Consumer Expenditure Survey

    January, 2004 – June, 2004

    Report No. 505: Household Consumer Expenditure in India

    2

    Employment and Unemployment Survey

    January, 2004 – June, 2004

    Report No. 506: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India

    3

    Survey on Morbidity and Health care

    January, 2004 – June, 2004

    Report No. 507: Morbidity, Health Care and the Condition of the Aged

    4

    Household Consumer Expenditure Survey

    July, 2004 – June, 2005

    Report No. 508: Level and Pattern of Consumer Expenditure, 2004-05

    Report No. 509: Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India, 2004-05

    Report No. 510: Public Distribution System and Other Sources of Household Consumption, 2004-05

    Report No. 511: Energy Sources of Indian Households for Cooking and Lighting, 2004-05

    Report No. 512: Perceived Adequacy of Food Consumption in Indian Households 2004-2005

    Report No. 513: Nutritional Intake in India 2004-2005

    Report No. 514: Household Consumer Expenditure Among Socio-Economic Groups: 2004 – 2005

    5

    Employment and Unemployment Survey

    July, 2004 – June, 2005

    Report No. 515: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India 2004-05

    Report No. 516: Employment and Unemployment Situation Among Social Groups in India 2004-05

    Report No. 517: Status of Education and Vocational Training in India 2004-05

    Report No. 518: Participation of Women in Specified Activities along with Domestic Duties 2004-2005

    Report No. 519: Informal Sector and Conditions of Employment in India 2004-05

    Report No. 520: Employment and Unemployment Situation in Cities and Towns in India

    Report No. 521: Employment and Unemployment Situation among Major Religious Groups in India

    6

    Employment & Unemployment

    July 2005 – June 2006

    Report No. 522: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India

    7

    Consumer Expenditure

    July 2005 – June 2006

    Report No. 523: Household Consumer Expenditure in India, 2005-06

    8

    Household Consumer Expenditure

    July 2006 – June 2007

    Report No. 527: Household Consumer Expenditure in India, 2006-07

    9

    Household Consumer Expenditure

    July 2007 – June 2008

    Report No. 530: Household Consumer Expenditure in India

    10

    Employment & Unemployment and Migration Particulars

    July 2007 – June 2008

    Report No. 531: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India, 2007-08

    Report No. 533: Migration in India, 2007-2008

    11

    Participation and Expenditure on Education

    July 2007 – June 2008

    Report No. 532: Education in India: 2007-08 Participation Expenditure

    12

    Particulars of Slum

    July 2008 – June 2009

    Report No. 534: Some Characteristics of Urban Slums, 2008-09

    13

    Housing Condition

    July 2008 – June 2009

    Report No. 535: Housing Condition and Amenities in India, 2008-09

    14

    Domestic Tourism

    July 2008 – June 2009

    Report No. 536: Domestic Tourism in India, 2008-09

    15

    Employment and Unemployment

    July 2009 – June 2010

    KI(66/10): Key Indicators of Employment and Unemployment in India, 2009-10

    Report No. 537: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India, 2009-10

    Report No. 539: Informal Sector and Conditions of Employment in India

    Report No. 543: Employment and Unemployment situation among Social Groups in India

    Report No. 548: Home-based Workers in India

    Report No. 550: Participation of Women in Specified Activities along with Domestic Duties, 2009-10

    Report No. 551: Status of Education and Vocational Training in India

    Report No. 552: Employment and Unemployment situation among Major Religious Groups in India

    Report No. 553: Employment and Unemployment situation in cities and towns in India

    16

    Household Consumer Expenditure

    July 2009 – June 2010

    KI (66/1.0): Key Indicators of Household Consumer Expenditure India, 2009-10

    Report No. 538: Level and Pattern of Consumer Expenditure

    Report No. 540: Nutritional Intake in India

    Report No. 541: Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India

    Report No. 542: Energy Sources of Indian Households for Cooking and Lighting

    Report No. 544: Household Consumer Expenditure across Socio-Economic Groups

    Report No. 545: Public Distribution System and Other Sources of Household Consumption

    Report No. 547: Perceived Adequacy of Food Consumption in Indian Households

    17

    Consumer Expenditure

    July 2011 – June 2012

    KI (68/1.0): Key Indicator of Household Consumer Expenditure in India

    Report No. 555: Level and Pattern of Consumer Expenditure, 2011-12

    Report No. 558: Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 560: Nutritional Intake in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 562: Household Consumer Expenditure across Socio- Economic Groups, 2011-12

    Report No. 565: Public Distribution System and Other Sources of Household Consumption, 2011-12

    Report No. 567: Energy Sources of Indian Households for Cooking & Lighting, 2011-12

    18

    Employment and Unemployment

    July 2011 – June 2012

    KI (68/10): Key Indicator of Employment and Unemployment in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 554: Employment & Unemployment Situation in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 557: Informal Sector and Conditions of Employment in India

    Report No. 559: Participation of Women in Specified Activities along with Domestic Duties

    Report No. 563: Employment and Unemployment situation among Social Groups in India

    Report No. 654: Employment and Unemployment situation Towns in India

    Report No. 566: Status of Education and Vocational Training in India

    19

    Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition

    July 2012 – December 2012

    KI (69/1.2): Key Results of Survey on Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition in India

    Report No. 556: Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition in India

    20

    Particulars of Slums

    July 2012 – December 2012

    KI (69/0.21): Key Indicators on Urban Slums in India

    Report No. 561: Urban Slums in India, 2012

    21

    Land and Livestock Holdings

    January 2013 – December, 2013

    KI (70/18.1): Key Indicators of Land and Livestock Holdings in India

    Report No. 571: Household Ownership and Operational Holdings in India

    Report No. 572: Livestock Ownership in India

    22

    All India Debt and Investment

    January 2013 – December, 2013

    KI (70/18.2): Key Indicators of Debt and Investment in India

    Report No. 570: Household Assets and Liabilities

    Report No. 577: Household Indebtedness in India

    Report No. 578: Household Assets and Indebtedness among Social Groups

    Report No. 579: Household Capital Expenditure in India

    23

    Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households

    January 2013 – December, 2013

    KI (70/33): Key Indicators of Situation of Agricultural Households in India

    Report No. 569: Some Characteristics of Agricultural Households in India

    Report No. 573: Some Aspects of Farming in India

    Report No. 576: Income, Expenditure, Productive Assets and Indebtedness of Agricultural Households in India

    24

    Social consumption: Health

    January 2014 – June, 2014

    KI (71/25.0): Key Indicators of Social Consumption: Health

    Report No. 574: Health in India

    25

    Social consumption: Education

    January 2014 – June, 2014

    KI (71/25.2): Key Indicators of Social Consumption: Education in India

    Report No. 575: Education in India, 2014

    26

    Domestic Tourism Expenditure

    July, 2014 – June, 2015

    KI (72/21.1): Key Indicators of Domestic Tourism in India

    Report No. 580: Domestic Tourism in India

    27

    Household Expenditure on Services and Durable Goods

    July, 2014 – June, 2015

    KI (72/1.5): Key Indicators of Household Expenditure on Services and Durable Goods

    28

    Manufacturing sector enterprises

    July 2005 – June 2006

    NSS Report No. 524: Operational Characteristics of Unorganised Manufacturing Enterprises in India, 2005-06

     

    NSS Report No. 525: Unorganised Manufacturing Sector in India, 2005-06 – Employment, Assets and Borrowings

     

    NSS Report No. 526: Unorganised Manufacturing Sector in India, 2005-06 – Input, Output and Value Added

    29

    Service sector enterprises excluding Trade

    July 2006 – June 2007

    NSS Report No. 528: Service Sector in India (2006-07): Operational Characteristics of Enterprises

     

    NSS Report No. 529: Service Sector in India (2006-07): Economic Characteristics of Enterprises

    30

    Unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises in

    manufacturing, trade and other service sector

    (excluding Construction)

    July 2010 – June 2011

    KI (67/2.34): Key Results of Survey on Unincorporated Non-agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India

     

    NSS Report No. 546: Operational Characteristics of Unincorporated Non-agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India

     

    NSS Report No. 549: Economic Characteristics of Unincorporated Non-agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India

    31

    Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)

    Continuous annual Survey conducted for every financial year from 2003-04 to 2013-14

    Reports released for all surveys of ASI conducted for every financial year from 2003-04 to 2013-14.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Boosting of Leisure Tourism in India

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:49PM by PIB Delhi

    As per data from the Bureau of Immigration, India recorded 9.52 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2023, reflecting a 47.90% increase compared to 2022. The number of FTAs for Leisure, Holiday, and Recreation in 2023 was 4.40 million, registering an 86.96% growth compared to 2022. Similarly, FTAs for Business and Professional purposes stood at 0.98 million in 2023, marking a 49.66% increase from the previous year.

    FTAs have recovered to 87.1% of the pre-pandemic levels closely aligning with the global recovery rate of 88.8% and surpassing the Asia-Pacific region’s recovery rate of 65.4%.

    The growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) is mainly driven by the post-pandemic revival of global travel and increasing confidence in India as a diverse and culturally rich destination. Enhanced air connectivity has improved accessibility to key tourist spots, while continuous development of tourism infrastructure has elevated the visitor experience. Additionally, targeted domestic and international marketing campaigns have strengthened India’s global appeal, positioning it as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.

    Ministry of Tourism has taken several measures/initiatives over the years to increase tourist arrivals in the country, details of which are:

     

    ●       The Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations/ Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.

    ●       Ministry of Tourism through its various campaigns and events promotes various tourism destinations and products of India in domestic and international markets. Some of the initiatives are Dekho Apna Desh campaign, Chalo India campaign, International Tourism Mart, Bharat Parv.

    ●       The Incredible India Content Hub was launched which is available in the public domain. Promotions are also carried out through the web-site – www.incredibleindia.org and social media handles of the Ministry.

    ●       Thematic tourism like wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural, eco-tourism, etc. amongst other niche subjects are promoted so as to expand the scope of tourism into other sectors as well.

    ●       Enhance the overall quality and visitor experience through initiatives focused on capacity building, skill development such as ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’ ‘Incredible India Tourist Facilitator’ (IITF), ‘Paryatan Mitra’ and ‘Paryatan Didi’.

    ●       For improving air connectivity to important tourist destinations, Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with Ministry of Civil Aviation under their RCS-UDAN Scheme. As on date, 53 tourism routes have been operationalized.

    ●       e-Visa scheme is now available to 167 countries and it is available for 9 sub-categories:

     

    i.        e-Tourist Visa

    ii.       e-Business Visa

    iii.      e-Medical Visa

    iv       e-Conference Visa

    v.       e-Medical Attendant Visa

    vi.      e-Ayush Visa

    vii.     e-Ayush Attendant Visa

    viii.   e- Student Visa

    ix.      e-Student X Visa

     

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2111811) Visitor Counter : 19

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Tower Semiconductor Recognized by Northrop Grumman with Supplier Excellence Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel, March 17, 2025 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has recognized Tower Semiconductor as one of its top supplier partners during the company’s Supplier Excellence Awards Ceremony held recently.

    “Tower Semiconductor has supported Northrop Grumman in delivering technologies that enhance national security for the U.S. and our allies,” said Ken Brown, Vice President, Enterprise Global Supply Chain, Northrop Grumman. “The high-quality performance, dedication and partnership of our supplier teams drive operational excellence to ensure warfighters have next generation advantages in advanced weapons, aircraft, missile defense and space.”

    Recognized for Performance Excellence, Tower Semiconductor is instrumental in supporting Northrop Grumman with delivering innovative and cost-effective military and security solutions to give its customers a competitive advantage in a complex field.

    “It is an honor to once again receive the Northrop Grumman Supplier Excellence Award. This recognition underscores Tower Semiconductor’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional quality, reliability, and service to our Aerospace & Defense customers,” said Mike Scott, Sr. Director and General Manager of Aerospace & Defense Business Unit, Tower Semiconductor. “We take great pride in supporting Northrop Grumman and the broader defense community with our advanced technologies, manufacturing capabilities and dedicated A&D organization.”

    About Tower Semiconductor         

    Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), photonics, and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor owns one operating facility in Israel (200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), two in Japan (200mm and 300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo, shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy with STMicroelectronics as well as has access to a 300mm capacity corridor in Intel’s New Mexico factory. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.

    Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements. A complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect Tower’s business is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Tower’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F, F-3, F-4 and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority. Tower does not intend to update, and expressly disclaim any obligation to update, the information contained in this release. 

    ###

    Tower Semiconductor Company Contact: Orit Shahar | +972-74-7377440 | oritsha@towersemi.com

    Investor Relations Contact: Liat Avraham | +972-4-6506154 | liatavra@towersemi.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: SAIC Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Q4 FY25 revenues of $1.84 billion, 5.8% organic growth(1); FY25 revenues of $7.48 billion, 3.1% organic growth(1); organic growth adjusted for divestitures
    • Q4 FY25 net income of $98 million, adjusted EBITDA(1) of $177 million or 9.6% of revenue; FY25 net income of $362 million, adjusted EBITDA(1) of $710 million or 9.5% of revenue
    • Q4 FY25 diluted earnings per share of $2.00, adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) of $2.57; FY25 diluted earnings per share of $7.17, adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) of $9.13
    • Q4 FY25 cash flows provided by operating activities of $115 million, free cash flow(1) and transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) of $236 million; FY25 cash flows provided by operating activities of $494 million, free cash flow(1) of $499 million, transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) of $507 million
    • Q4 FY25 net bookings of $1.3 billion; book-to-bill ratio of 0.7; trailing twelve months book-to-bill ratio of 0.9
    • FY26 guidance introduced above prior targets for revenues, adjusted EBITDA(1), adjusted EBITDA margin(1), and adjusted diluted EPS(1)

    RESTON, Va., March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Science Applications International Corporation (NASDAQ: SAIC), a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation’s digital transformation across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended January 31, 2025.

    “I am proud of the results we delivered in the quarter with revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow ahead of guidance,” said Toni Townes-Whitley, SAIC Chief Executive Officer. “Subsequent to quarter close, we received a $1.8 billion award for our largest recompete win in recent years, the System Software Lifecycle Engineering program. This important win along with a backlog of submitted bids valued at approximately $20 billion reflect the momentum we are building inside the company. I want to thank the team for a strong finish to the year and for their commitment and dedication to our customers’ mission during these uncertain times.”

    Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2025: Summary Operating Results

      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        Percent
    change
        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        Percent
    change
        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Revenues $ 1,838     %   $ 1,737     $ 7,479     —  %   $ 7,444  
    Operating income   138     75  %     79       563     (24 )%     741  
    Operating income as a percentage of revenues   7.5 %   300 bps     4.5 %     7.5 %   -250 bps     10.0 %
    Adjusted operating income(1)   176     42  %     124       705     %     659  
    Adjusted operating income as a percentage of revenues   9.6 %   250 bps     7.1 %     9.4 %   50 bps     8.9 %
    Net income   98     151  %     39       362     (24 )%     477  
    EBITDA(1)   175     48  %     118       708     (21 )%     891  
    EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.5 %   270 bps     6.8 %     9.5 %   -250 bps     12.0 %
    Adjusted EBITDA(1)   177     39  %     127       710     %     668  
    Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.6 %   230 bps     7.3 %     9.5 %   50 bps     9.0 %
    Diluted earnings per share $ 2.00     170  %   $ 0.74     $ 7.17     (19 )%   $ 8.88  
    Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) $ 2.57     80  %   $ 1.43     $ 9.13     16  %   $ 7.88  
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 115     83  %   $ 63     $ 494     25  %   $ 396  
    Free cash flow(1) $ 236     143  %   $ 97     $ 499     21  %   $ 414  
    Transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) $ 236     98  %   $ 119     $ 507     %   $ 486  

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    The Company utilizes a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Friday closest to January 31, with fiscal quarters typically consisting of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2025 and 2024 both consisted of 52 weeks.

    Fourth Quarter Summary Results

    Revenues for the quarter increased $101 million compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to ramp up in volume on new and existing contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Operating income as a percentage of revenues increased to 7.5% for the quarter as compared to 4.5% in the comparable prior year period primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Adjusted EBITDA(1) as a percentage of revenues for the quarter was 9.6%, compared to 7.3% for the prior year quarter primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Diluted earnings per share for the quarter was $2.00 compared to $0.74 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) was $2.57 for the quarter compared to $1.43 in the prior year quarter. The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the quarter decreased to 49.0 million shares from 52.7 million during the prior year quarter.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Fiscal Year 2025 Summary Results

    Revenues for the fiscal year increased $35 million compared to the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume in existing and new contracts. This was partially offset by the sale of the Supply Chain Business ($188 million) in the prior year, and contract completions. Adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, revenues grew approximately 3.1%.

    Operating income as a percentage of revenues for the fiscal year decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to a $233 million gain recognized from the sale of the Supply Chain Business and a $7 million gain recognized from the deconsolidation of FSA in the prior year. This was partially offset by improved profitability across our contract portfolio, the resolution of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle (“AAV”) contract termination, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Adjusted EBITDA(1) as a percentage of revenues for the fiscal year increased compared to the prior year. The increase was driven by improved profitability across our contract portfolio, the resolution of the AAV contract termination, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Diluted earnings per share for the year was $7.17 compared to $8.88 in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) was $9.13 for the year compared to $7.88 in the prior year. The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the year decreased to 50.5 million shares from 53.7 million shares during the prior year.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Cash Generation and Capital Deployment

    Total cash flows provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter were $115 million, an increase of $52 million compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower tax payments in the current quarter, timing of vendor payments, and other changes in working capital, partially offset by higher cash outflows from the usage of the Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (“MARPA Facility”) with MUFG bank, LTD.

    Total cash flows provided by operating activities for the year were $494 million, an increase of $98 million from the prior year, primarily due to higher tax payments in fiscal 2024 from the sale of the Supply Chain Business and other changes in working capital, partially offset by higher incentive-based compensation payments in the current year.

    During the quarter, SAIC deployed $163 million of capital, consisting of $130 million of share repurchases in accordance with established repurchase plans, $18 million in cash dividends to shareholders, and $15 million of capital expenditures. For the year, SAIC deployed $638 million of capital, consisting of share repurchases of $527 million (approximately 4.2 million shares) in accordance with established repurchase plans, cash dividends of $75 million to shareholders, and $36 million of capital expenditures.

    Quarterly Dividend Declared

    As previously announced, subsequent to fiscal year-end, the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board of Directors”) declared a cash dividend of $0.37 per share of the Company’s common stock payable on April 25, 2025 to stockholders of record on April 11, 2025. SAIC intends to continue paying dividends on a quarterly basis, although the declaration of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors each quarter and will depend on earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors.

    Backlog and Contract Awards

    Net bookings for the quarter were approximately $1.3 billion, which reflects a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 0.7. Net bookings for the year were approximately $6.6 billion, which reflects a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 0.9.

    SAIC’s estimated backlog at the end of fiscal year 2025 was approximately $21.9 billion of which $3.4 billion was funded.

    SAIC was awarded the following contracts during the quarter:

    Notable New Awards:

    Department of Defense: During the quarter, SAIC was awarded the Defense Readiness Reporting System (“DRRS”) Sustainment task order under the recently awarded Personnel and Readiness Infrastructure Support Management (“PRISM”) Multiple Award Task Order Contract (“MATOC”) vehicle to support the Department of Defense (“DoD”) and its need to obtain critical services in a shorter time frame. The $187 million task order has a 3-year period of performance (one-year base, plus two, one-year options), tasking SAIC with modernizing DRRS to create a predictive, proactive readiness management tool for the DoD.

    Notable Recompete Awards:

    U.S. Space and Intelligence Community: During the quarter, SAIC was awarded approximately $480 million of contract awards by space and intelligence organizations. These awards represent a combination of new business and recompetes.

    Notable Awards Subsequent to Period End (not included in current quarter bookings):

    U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC): Subsequent to the end of the quarter, SAIC was awarded the System Software Lifecycle Engineering contract, a five-year (one year base, plus four, one-year option periods) $1.8 billion contract to continue mission engineering, integration, software development, and other life cycle support to CCDC-AvMC. Under the five-year award, SAIC will continue to develop and integrate advanced technologies throughout the software life cycle, including software development and maintenance.

    Fiscal Year 2026 Guidance

    The Company’s outlook for fiscal year 2026 is being provided. The table below summarizes fiscal year 2026 guidance and represents our views as of March 17, 2025. 

      CURRENT Fiscal Year PRIOR Fiscal Year
      2026 Guidance 2026 Targets
    Revenue $7.60B – $7.75B $7.55B – $7.75B
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) $715M – $735M ~$720M
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin %(1) 9.4% – 9.6% 9.3% – 9.5%
    Adjusted Diluted EPS(1) $9.10 – $9.30 $8.90 – $9.10
    Free Cash Flow(1) $510M – $530M $510M – $530M

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Webcast Information

    SAIC management will discuss operations and financial results in an earnings conference call beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern time on March 17, 2025. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously to the public through a link on the Investor Relations section of the SAIC website (investors.saic.com). We will be providing webcast access only – “dial-in” access is no longer available. Additionally, a supplemental presentation will be available to the public through links to the Investor Relations section of the SAIC website. After the call concludes, an on-demand audio replay of the webcast can be accessed on the Investor Relations website.

    About SAIC

    SAIC is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

    We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion.​​​​ For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

    Contacts

    Investor Relations: Joe DeNardi, joseph.w.denardi@saic.com 

    Media: Kara Ross, kara.g.ross@saic.com 

    GAAP to Non-GAAP Guidance Reconciliation

    The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted diluted EPS to GAAP diluted EPS or adjusted EBITDA margin to GAAP net income due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Because certain deductions for non-GAAP exclusions used to calculate net income may vary significantly based on actual events, the Company is not able to forecast GAAP diluted EPS or GAAP net income with reasonable certainty. The variability of the above charges may have an unpredictable and potentially significant impact on our future GAAP financial results.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC’s expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

    Schedule 1:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Revenues $       1,838     $ 1,737     $       7,479     $ 7,444  
    Cost of revenues           1,606       1,545               6,587       6,572  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses               94       114                 339       373  
    (Gain) loss on divestitures, net of transaction costs                —                          —       (240 )
    Other operating (income) expense                —       (1 )                (10 )     (2 )
    Operating income             138       79                 563       741  
    Interest expense, net               29       32                 126       120  
    Other (income) expense, net                 2       (1 )                   9       1  
    Income before income taxes             107       48                 428       620  
    Provision for income taxes                (9 )     (9 )                (66 )     (143 )
    Net income $           98     $ 39     $          362     $ 477  
                   
    Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:              
    Basic            48.6       52.0                50.1       53.1  
    Diluted            49.0       52.7                50.5       53.7  
    Earnings per share:              
    Basic $         2.02     $ 0.75     $         7.23     $ 8.98  
    Diluted $         2.00     $ 0.74     $         7.17     $ 8.88  

    Schedule 2:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited)
      January 31,
    2025

      February 2,
    2024
      (in millions)
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $              56   $ 94
    Receivables, net             1,000     914
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                 98     123
    Total current assets             1,154     1,131
    Goodwill             2,851     2,851
    Intangible assets, net                779     894
    Property, plant, and equipment, net                104     91
    Operating lease right of use assets                164     152
    Other assets                194     195
    Total assets $         5,246   $ 5,314
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $            744   $ 711
    Accrued payroll and employee benefits                339     370
    Debt, current portion                313     77
    Total current liabilities             1,396     1,158
    Debt, net of current portion             1,907     2,022
    Operating lease liabilities                173     147
    Deferred income taxes                 24     28
    Other long-term liabilities                169     174
    Equity:      
    Total stockholders’ equity             1,577     1,785
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $         5,246   $ 5,314

    Schedule 3:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Cash flows from operating activities:              
    Net income $            98     $ 39     $          362     $ 477  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation and amortization               36       36                  140       142  
    Deferred income taxes               12       16                    (3 )     (17 )
    Stock-based compensation expense               15       26                   53       68  
    Gain on divestitures                —                          —       (247 )
    Other                 2       (2 )                  (7 )     (6 )
    Increase (decrease) resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of the acquisitions and divestitures:              
    Receivables               22       96                  (86 )     (46 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                (7 )     (56 )                 24       (43 )
    Other assets                (9 )     (19 )                   1       (14 )
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities              (71 )     (128 )                 48       13  
    Accrued payroll and employee benefits               28       53                  (31 )     49  
    Operating lease assets and liabilities, net                 1       (1 )                  (6 )     (4 )
    Other long-term liabilities              (12 )     3                    (1 )     24  
    Net cash provided by operating activities   115       63                  494       396  
    Cash flows from investing activities:              
    Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment              (15 )     (11 )                (36 )     (27 )
    Purchases of marketable securities                (3 )     (2 )                (14 )     (8 )
    Sales of marketable securities                 2       1                   12       6  
    Proceeds from sale of equity method investments                —                         10        
    Proceeds from divestitures                —                          —       356  
    Cash divested upon deconsolidation of joint venture                —                          —       (8 )
    Other                (4 )     2                    (7 )     (5 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities              (20 )     (10 )                (35 )     314  
    Cash flows from financing activities:              
    Principal payments on borrowings            (325 )     (166 )           (1,381 )     (441 )
    Proceeds from borrowings              385                     1,499       160  
    Stock repurchased and retired or withheld for taxes on equity awards            (133 )     (89 )              (558 )     (382 )
    Dividend payments to stockholders              (18 )     (19 )                (75 )     (79 )
    Issuances of stock                 6       4                   20       17  
    Other                —                          (3 )      
    Net cash used in financing activities              (85 )     (270 )              (498 )     (725 )
    Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash               10       (217 )                (39 )     (15 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period               54       320                  103       118  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $            64     $ 103     $            64     $ 103  

    Schedule 4:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025
        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025
        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Revenues              
    Defense and Intelligence $ 1,360     $ 1,352     $ 5,726     $ 5,817  
    Civilian   478       385       1,753       1,627  
    Total revenues $ 1,838     $ 1,737     $ 7,479     $ 7,444  
                   
    Operating income (loss)              
    Defense and Intelligence $ 96     $ 100     $ 440     $ 436  
    Civilian   63       19       168       158  
    Corporate   (21 )     (40 )     (45 )     147  
    Total operating income $ 138     $ 79     $ 563     $ 741  
                   
    Operating margin              
    Defense and Intelligence   7.1 %     7.4 %     7.7 %     7.5 %
    Civilian   13.2 %     4.9 %     9.6 %     9.7 %
    Total operating margin   7.5 %     4.5 %     7.5 %     10.0 %
                   
    Adjusted operating income (loss)(1)              
    Defense and Intelligence $ 113     $ 117     $ 509     $ 504  
    Civilian   75       31       216       206  
    Corporate   (12 )     (24 )     (20 )     (51 )
    Total adjusted operating income(1) $ 176     $ 124     $ 705     $ 659  
                   
    Adjusted operating margin(1)              
    Defense and Intelligence   8.3 %     8.7 %     8.9 %     8.7 %
    Civilian   15.7 %     8.1 %     12.3 %     12.7 %
    Total adjusted operating margin(1)   9.6 %     7.1 %     9.4 %     8.9 %


    Defense and Intelligence Results

    Revenues in the fourth quarter increased $8 million or 0.6% compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Revenues in the fiscal year decreased $91 million or 2% compared to the prior year primarily due to the sale of the Supply Chain Business ($188 million) in the prior year, and contract completions. This was partially offset by ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts. Adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, revenues grew 1.7%.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fourth quarter decreased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to timing and volume mix.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fiscal year increased from the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, and the resolution of the AAV contract termination, partially offset by contract completions and the gain on sale of the Supply Chain Business in the prior year.

    Civilian Results

    Revenues in the fourth quarter increased $93 million or 24% compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Revenues in the fiscal year increased $126 million or 8% compared to the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fourth quarter increased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fiscal year decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to timing and volume mix.

    Corporate Results

    Operating loss and adjusted operating loss(1) in the fourth quarter decreased $19 million and $12 million, respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower incentive-based compensation expense, including acceleration of stock-based compensation related to the reorganization and executive transition in the prior year.

    Operating loss in the fiscal year increased $192 million compared to the prior year primarily due to gain on the sale of the Supply Chain Business in the prior year ($233 million) and the gain recognized from the deconsolidation of FSA ($7 million) in the prior year, partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Adjusted operating loss(1) in the fiscal year decreased $31 million compared to the prior year primarily due to lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Schedule 5:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    BACKLOG
    (Unaudited)
     
    The estimated value of our total backlog as of the dates presented was:
     
      January 31, 2025   February 2, 2024
      Defense and
    Intelligence
    Civilian Total SAIC   Defense and
    Intelligence
    Civilian Total SAIC
      (in millions)
    Funded backlog $ 2,599 $          845 $ 3,444   $ 2,707 $ 832 $ 3,539
    Negotiated unfunded backlog   15,341           3,072   18,413     16,316   2,908   19,224
    Total backlog $ 17,940 $       3,917 $ 21,857   $ 19,023 $ 3,740 $ 22,763


    Backlog represents the estimated amount of future revenues to be recognized under negotiated contracts and task orders as work is performed and excludes contract awards which have been protested by competitors until the protest is resolved in our favor. SAIC segregates backlog into two categories, funded backlog and negotiated unfunded backlog. Funded backlog for contracts with government agencies primarily represents contracts for which funding is appropriated less revenues previously recognized on these contracts, and does not include the unfunded portion of contracts where funding is incrementally appropriated or authorized by the U.S. government and other customers even though the contract may call for performance over a number of years. Funded backlog for contracts with non-government agencies represents the estimated value of contracts which may cover multiple future years under which SAIC is obligated to perform, less revenues previously recognized on these contracts. Negotiated unfunded backlog represents the estimated future revenues to be earned from negotiated contracts for which funding has not been appropriated or authorized, and unexercised priced contract options. Negotiated unfunded backlog does not include any estimate of future potential task orders expected to be awarded under indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) schedules or other master agreement contract vehicles, with the exception of certain IDIQ contracts where task orders are not competitively awarded and separately priced but instead are used as a funding mechanism, and where there is a basis for estimating future revenues and funding on future anticipated task orders.

    Schedule 6:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    This schedule describes the non-GAAP financial measures included in this earnings release. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in evaluating our financial information, they should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations, definitions, and how we believe these measures are useful to management and investors are provided below. Other companies may define similar measures differently.

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Revenues $ 1,838     $ 1,737     $ 7,479     $ 7,444  
    Net income   98       39       362       477  
    Interest expense, net and loss on sale of receivables   32       34       140       129  
    Provision for income taxes   9       9       66       143  
    Depreciation and amortization   36       36       140       142  
    EBITDA(1) $ 175     $ 118     $ 708     $ 891  
    EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.5 %     6.8 %     9.5 %     12.0 %
    Acquisition and integration costs               (2 )     1  
    Restructuring and impairment costs   4       15       8       23  
    Depreciation included in restructuring and impairment costs   (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )
    Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs   (1 )     (5 )     (3 )     (6 )
    Gain on divestitures, net of transaction costs                     (240 )
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 177     $ 127     $ 710     $ 668  
    Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.6 %     7.3 %     9.5 %     9.0 %


    EBITDA is a performance measure that is calculated by taking net income and excluding interest and loss on sale of receivables, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is a performance measure that excludes the impact
    of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Operating Income

      Three Months Ended January 31, 2025
      GAAP
    results

        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring and
    impairment costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

        Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
     
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $          96     $   $     $     $ 1   $ 16   $ 113     8.3 %
    Civilian             63                           12               75     15.7 %
    Corporate            (21 )     4     (1 )     (1 )     7                  (12 )   NM
    Total $        138     $            4   $             (1 )   $               (1 )   $              8   $          28   $        176     9.6 %
      Three Months Ended February 2, 2024
      GAAP
    results

        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

        Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
     
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $        100     $   $     $     $   $ 17   $ 117     8.7 %
    Civilian             19                           12               31     8.1 %
    Corporate            (40 )     15     (1 )     (5 )     7                  (24 )   NM
    Total $          79     $          15   $              (1 )   $              (5 )   $              7   $          29   $        124     7.1 %


    Adjusted operating income is a performance measure that primarily excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment relates to property, plant, and equipment specifically identifiable for each segment. Adjusted operating income also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Operating Income

      Year Ended January 31, 2025
      GAAP
    results

        Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration
    costs and
    restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

        Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
     
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $     440     $          —     $          —   $         —     $              —     $             2   $          67   $        509     8.9 %
    Civilian         168                  —                 —               —                      —                   —                48             216     12.3 %
    Corporate         (45 )                (2 )                 8               (1 )                    (3 )                 23                —              (20 )   NM
    Total $     563     $          (2 )   $           8   $         (1 )   $              (3 )   $           25   $        115    $        705     9.4 %
      Year Ended February 2, 2024
      GAAP
    results
      Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
      Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration
    costs and
    restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
      Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Gain on
    divestitures,
    net of
    transaction
    costs
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)
      Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $   436   $       —   $          —   $         —     $            —     $          1   $        67   $          —     $    504     8.7 %
    Civilian       158             —               —               —                    —                 —              48               —            206     12.7 %
    Corporate       147              1               23               (1 )                  (6 )              25              —            (240 )          (51 )   NM
    Total $   741   $         1   $         23   $         (1 )   $            (6 )   $        26   $      115    $      (240 )   $    659     8.9 %


    Adjusted operating income is a performance measure that primarily excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment relates to property, plant, and equipment specifically identifiable for each segment. Adjusted operating income also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

      Three Months Ended January 31, 2025
      As Reported
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $                107     $ 4     $ (1 )   $ 28     $                138  
    Income tax expense                       (9 )     (1 )           (2 )                       (12 )
    Net income $                  98     $ 3     $ (1 )   $ 26     $                126  
                       
    Diluted EPS $               2.00     $ 0.06     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.53     $               2.57  
      Three Months Ended February 2, 2024
      As Reported
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Gain on
    divestitures,
    net of transaction
    costs
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $                  48     $ 15     $ (5 )   $ 29     $   $                  87  
    Income tax expense                       (9 )     (1 )     1       (5 )     2                       (12 )
    Net Income $                  39     $ 14     $ (4 )   $ 24     $ 2   $                  75  
                           
    Diluted EPS $               0.74     $ 0.27     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.46     $ 0.04   $               1.43  


    Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a performance measure that excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Comp
    any’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Adjusted diluted earnings per share also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that this performance measure provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

      Year Ended January 31, 2025
      As Reported
        Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $              428     $ (2 )   $ 8     $ (3 )   $ 115     $              546  
    Income tax expense                  (66 )           (1 )           (18 )                    (85 )
    Net income $              362     $ (2 )   $ 7     $ (3 )   $ 97     $              461  
                           
    Diluted EPS $            7.17     $ (0.04 )   $ 0.14     $ (0.06 )   $ 1.92     $            9.13  
      Year Ended February 2, 2024
      As
    Reported

        Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
      Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Gain on
    divestitures,
    net of
    transaction costs
        Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $          620     $ 1   $ 23     $ (6 )   $ 115     $ (240 )   $            513  
    Income tax expense            (143 )         (2 )     1       (21 )     75                    (90 )
    Net Income $          477     $ 1   $ 21     $ (5 )   $ 94     $ (165 )   $            423  
                               
    Diluted EPS $        8.88     $ 0.02   $ 0.39     $ (0.09 )   $ 1.75     $ (3.07 )   $          7.88  


    Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a performance measure that excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing o
    perating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Adjusted diluted earnings per share also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that this performance measure provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Free Cash Flow

      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 115     $ 63     $          494     $ 396  
    Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment              (15 )     (11 )                (36 )     (27 )
    Cash used (provided) by MARPA Facility              136       45                   41       45  
    Free cash flow(1) $          236     $ 97     $          499     $ 414  
    L&SCM divestiture transaction fees                —                          —       7  
    L&SCM divestiture cash taxes                —       18                    —       74  
    L&SCM divestiture transition services                —       4                     8       (9 )
    Transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) $          236     $ 119     $          507     $ 486  
      FY26 Guidance
      (in millions)
    Net cash provided by operating activities $545M to $565M
    Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment Approximately $35M
    Free cash flow(1) $510M to $530M


    Free cash flow is calculated by taking cash flows provided by operating activities less expenditures for property, plant, and equipment and less cash flows from our Master Accounts Receivable Purchasing Agreement (MARPA Facility) for the sale of certain designated eligible U.S. government receivables. Under the MARPA Facility, the Company can sell eligible receivables up to a maximum amount of $300 million. Transaction-adjusted free cash flow excludes cash taxes, transaction fees, and other costs related to the divestiture of the logistics and supply chain management business from free cash flow as previously defined. We believe that free cash flow and transaction-adjusted free cash flow provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our cash flows and in comparing them to other peer companies, many of whom present similar non-GAAP liquidity measures. These measures should not be considered as a measure of residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.

    (1)Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Elevates Home Art Experiences With New Art Basel Hong Kong Collection

    Source: Samsung

    ▲ Zhu Jinshi’s This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room (2023) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.
     
    Samsung Electronics, the Official Art TV of Art Basel, today announced that it is bringing contemporary masterpieces from galleries exhibiting at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 to a global audience. Starting today, subscribers of the Samsung Art Store, a premium digital art platform exclusively available on Samsung TVs, will have access to a curated collection of 23 select works from Art Basel’s galleries, some of which will be displayed at the highly anticipated fair, taking place from March 28-30,1 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
     
    The Samsung Art Store is home to 3,000+ works from world-renowned museums, galleries and artists. Subscribers can explore expertly curated masterpieces in stunning 4K resolution to bring the program of Art Basel galleries into their homes. The Art Basel Hong Kong collection includes renowned artworks such as Zhu Jinshi’s “This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room,” Ticko Liu’s “Enduring as the Universe,” Jimok Choi’s “Shadow of the Sun,” Bae Yoon Hwan’s “Green Bear,” and more.
     
    “Samsung Art Store is making fine art more accessible than ever, bringing the premier artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel Hong Kong directly into people’s homes,” said Bongjun Ko, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business. “We are proud to expand this experience to more Samsung TV owners worldwide, allowing them to enjoy world-class artwork in stunning 4K quality with just a few clicks.”
     
     
    Bringing the Art Basel Experience to Samsung TVs
    ▲ Ticko Liu’s Enduring as the Universe (2024) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.
     
    Art Basel stages the world’s premier art shows for modern and contemporary art, sited in Hong Kong, Basel, Paris and Miami Beach. Through the Samsung Art Store, a curated selection of these masterpieces is now available beyond the exhibition halls, allowing art lovers worldwide to experience select artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel – all from the comfort of their homes.
     
    To further highlight the intersection of art and technology, Samsung will present an interactive lounge, titled ArtCube,2 at Art Basel Hong Kong on March 28-30. The showcase will demonstrate how The Frame, MICRO LED and Neo QLED 8K redefine digital art experiences by displaying artwork, including those from the Art Basel collection in breathtaking detail. Under the theme “Borderless, Dive into the Art,” ArtCube visitors will engage with Samsung Art Store’s exclusive collections, bridging the gap between physical and digital art.
     
    In addition to its ArtCube Lounge experience, Samsung presents a series of panel discussions highlighting influential voices from the contemporary art scene. Daria Greene, Head of Content and Curation at Samsung leads each engaging one-on-one dialogue. The conversations feature Hayley Romer, Chief Growth Officer of Art Basel, and Marc Dennis, an American artist known for his hyper-realistic paintings.
     
     
    Expanding Samsung’s Digital Art Leadership
    While previously exclusive to The Frame and MICRO LED, the Samsung Art Store will soon be available on 2025 Samsung AI-powered Neo QLED and QLED TVs,3 as part of Samsung’s mission to bring world-class art to an even bigger audience. In addition to the Art Basel Hong Kong collection, Samsung will continue its partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs by introducing exclusive artworks from Art Basel’s Basel and Paris collections later this year.
     
    “We are proud to partner with Samsung Art Store on the 2025 Art Basel Hong Kong collection – extending Art Basel Hong Kong’s best-in-class cultural experience beyond the halls of the show, and creating new, year-round opportunities for ever broader audiences to engage with Art Basel’s distinguished international program of galleries and their artists,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel.
     
    The Art Basel Hong Kong collection features works from 17 globally acclaimed artists, including Jimok Choi, Bae Yoon Hwan, Stephen Wong Chun Hei, Ticko Liu, Alasie Inoue, Tromarama, Damian Elwes, Zhu Jinshi, Nakai Katsumi, Cao Yu, Hamra Abbas, Nabil Nahas, Owen Fu, Sophie von Hellermann, Chow Chun Fai, Gillian Ayres and Gongkan.
     
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    * The content has been revised to provide more accurate information.
     
     
    About Art Basel
    Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms including the Art Basel App and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Art Basel Awards. Art Basel’s Global Lead Partner is UBS. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.
     
     
    1 Event is open to the public from March 28-30, after VIP opening from March 26-27.2 Samsung Lounge ‘ArtCube’ will be located in L3, the main exhibition floor inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.3 For models Q7F and above.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung To Showcase Diverse HVAC Solutions at ISH 2025 Under ‘Connected Flow’ Theme

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced its participation in ISH 2025,1 the world’s leading trade fair for the sanitary and HVAC industries, to be held March 17-21 in Frankfurt. Samsung will showcase innovative solutions designed to enhance comfort, convenience and connectivity across residential and commercial environments.
     
    “This year marks our second time participating in ISH after our debut in 2023, and we’re excited to present more advanced products along with a variety of smart solutions such as SmartThings Pro and b.IoT Lite,2 that align with the ‘Connected Flow’ theme,” said Wim Vangeenberghe, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Air Conditioner Europe B.V. “It’s a meaningful opportunity to showcase our next-generation innovations and underline our commitment to delivering smarter living experiences.”
     
     
    Product Exhibition: Highlighting Advanced HVAC Solutions

     
    At ISH 2025, Samsung will display a wide array of systems and solutions, including Slim Fit EHS ClimateHub and Mono R290, touch controllers, Wi-Fi modules and other solutions. One of the key highlights will be the unveiling of the new Bespoke AI WindFree air conditioner models, which have been designed to elevate comfort and usability.
     
    The new Bespoke AI WindFree air conditioners for 2025 feature AI3 Fast & Comfort Cooling, which employs AI technology to provide rapid cooling and meet users’ preferences. When turning on the mode, Fast Cooling quickly lowers the room temperature first. AI technology then continuously analyzes the indoor and outdoor environments to detect if it’s reaching the user’s preferred temperature, and then it switches its mode into WindFree Cooling.
     

     
    Additionally, new Comfort Drying technology enables dehumidification without cold drafts. While conventional dry modes reduce the set temperature for dehumidification, Comfort Drying maintains a comfort humidity level under temperatures set by the user, satisfying customers who do not want to feel cold during dehumidification. Also, users can utilize AI Energy Mode in SmartThings application to reduce energy use by up to 30%.4 This is possible as the compressor’s rotating frequency is controlled by AI analysis, preventing sudden stops or increases.
     
     
    Design Excellence Recognized

     
    Samsung also announced that its Slim Fit EHS ClimateHub indoor units — the ClimateHub Mono and the Hydro Unit Mono5 — have won the prestigious Designplus Award in the “Water & Efficiency +” category at ISH 2025. This award acknowledges products that combine innovative design with technology, with a focus on new concepts that deliver added value through technological advancements.
     
    These models have a slim fit design6 that allows the product to be installed in various locations and coordinates with anywhere in the house. Despite the slim fit design, key components like magnetic filters, three-way valves and an expansion vessel for space heating are all included as standard features, which ensures timely installation. Moreover, they come with the 7” AI Home,7 an expansive screen that significantly improves convenience. It allows users to intuitively control the temperature and settings. Additionally, users can monitor the status and energy usage8 of connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems using the zone overview, as well as control other SmartThings-connected appliances.9

     
     
    Seamless Integration: SmartThings Pro for Advanced Business Environment
    In line with the “Connected Flow” theme, Samsung will also demonstrate the benefits of smart solutions utilizing SmartThings Pro10 through various scenarios and spaces. Visitors will see how SmartThings Pro makes it easy to create a customized business environment with Samsung appliances and some third-party devices — like light bulbs and solar cells — and facilitates comprehensive energy monitoring across the entire home.
     
    Additionally, Samsung will showcase SmartThings Pro and b.IoT Lite for business environments and solutions for commercial spaces like hotels and retail stores. These solutions enhance operational efficiency, enabling smarter management of heating, cooling and energy consumption.
     
    Samsung remains committed to expanding its HVAC business globally and continue to innovate and provide innovative climate solutions to customers worldwide. Visitors to Samsung’s booth at ISH 2025 will have the opportunity to explore new products packed with these technologies, engage with representatives and experience the future of HVAC solutions firsthand.
     
     
    1 The “Internationale Sanitär- und Heizungsmesse” (ISH) translates from German to “International Sanitation and Heating Fair.”2 b.IoT Lite is an integrated control solution designed to optimize the operation of VRF systems in small to medium-sized buildings. As a server-based platform, it provides advanced functionality such as predictive maintenance and energy management.3 To use AI Auto Cooling, a Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account SmartThings are required.4 The testing was conducted in Samsung’s 132m² residential environment laboratory at a temperature of 35°C / 24°C (dry bulb/wet bulb, KS C 9306: air conditioner). Results provided to and interpreted by Intertek, comparing the power consumption between AI energy mode on and off in AI comfort mode of AR07D9181HZN model. Actual savings may vary by usage patterns and environment and the set temperature may increase by up to 2 degrees. Requires the use of the SmartThings App and a Samsung account.5 The ClimateHub Mono has an integrated water tank, while the Hydro Unit Mono is a wall-mounted unit without a water tank.6 Dimensions: ClimateHub Mono = 598(W) x 1,850(H) x 600(D) mm, Hydro Unit Mono = 530(W) x 840(H) x 350(D) mm.7 AI Home refers to the 7’’ LCD screen on the product. Does not mean all services available on the AI Home are AI or generate information or outcome using AI. Certain functions accessible through the AI Home utilize AI-based algorithms, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy. AI-based algorithms may generate incomplete or incorrect information. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. You may need to use a separate device e.g. your laptop/desktop or mobile device, to create/log into a Samsung Account. If you choose not to log-in, you will not be able to enjoy any features available on AI Home, such as the services available on the SmartThings App.8 Requires a connection between the EHS and PV system and is activated using the PV function in AI Home.9 Requires a Samsung account. Appliances must be connected to the Wi-Fi network and registered in the SmartThings App.10 Must download the SmartThings app available on Android and iOS. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Field Trials for PIMTO Mobile Robot Vending Service to be Conducted at Narita International Airport

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Field Trials for PIMTO Mobile Robot Vending Service to be Conducted at Narita International Airport

    March 17, 2025 – Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD), Mashup Inc. (Mashup), and Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) today announced that they will conduct field trials using PIMTO, a mobile robot vending service, in the area after outbound passport control in Narita International Airport Terminal 1 for 10 days from March 21 to 30, 2025. The field trials will involve the sale of local specialty products, subculture items, and other products that highlight the charm of Japan to passengers departing from Narita Airport.
    Narita Airport serves as a hub airport in Asia with an extensive network connecting 120 cities—102 overseas and 18 in Japan. The annual number of foreign passengers using international flights in 2024 was 21.79 million, the highest since the airport opened. To study a potential new service for foreign passengers, whose numbers are expected to continue growing, the companies will conduct field trials using Panasonic HD’s PIMTO mobile robot vending service, which moves within the area near the boarding gates to sell products. The product lineup, developed in collaboration with Mashup, one of the companies operating the field trials, will feature local products and subculture items that provide a uniquely Japanese feel. The field trials aim to increase customer satisfaction by offering memorable purchasing experiences and appealing products to passengers, including foreign visitors to Japan, just before their departure from Narita Airport.

    Field trial period: From Friday, March 21 to Sunday, March 30, 2025
    * Field trials may be suspended due to unforeseen circumstances.
    Location: Narita International Airport Terminal 1 (Area after outbound passport control)Products: exclusive products available only at Narita Airport, local products, and subculture items that offer a uniquely Japanese feel

    PIMTO mobile robot vending service

    1. Utilization of unmanned vending robots

    Panasonic HD will provide mobile unmanned vending robots that can increase the number of sales outlets without requiring store construction or additional equipment installation. A variety of items that fit within the designated boxes can be sold, with payments accepted via credit cards, QR codes, and transportation IC cards. Since there is no need to continuously move robots around the airport, it was concluded that autonomous travel or advanced preparation for that purpose would not be necessary. Therefore, the robots will be operated solely through manual control using a wired controller connected to the robot or remote control, considering its cost advantages in terms of the robot units and service operations.In the field trials, the robots move to high-traffic areas depending on which boarding gates are in use, improving customer convenience and sales. The robots are basically operated by a wired controller, although remote control will also be tested.

    2. Proposal for experience design

    Robots (vending spots) that best suit the customers, location, and other circumstances are proposed.Based on marketing research, including identifying the needs of inbound visitors, the field trials use robots with creative features, such as control buttons and the robot’s appearance, allowing foreign customers to select products as if they were playing a game, and enhance their purchasing experience, as well as messages displayed on the robot’s body in 11 languages to attract passengers’ interest in their native language.

    3. Merchandising support

    Products that best suit the passengers, location, and other circumstances are proposed.For the field trials, Panasonic HD, Mashup, NAA, and gray park, Inc. collaborated to design a purchasing experience themed Wings & Wonders, aiming to increase customer satisfaction with the services near the departure gates. Based on this, a product lineup has been developed featuring original products available only at Narita Airport, local specialty products, 3D molded chocolates, and a wide range of subculture items rich in Japanese charm, such as soft vinyl figures, and capsule toys. A range of uniquely Japanese products will provide passengers a last-minute surprise and excitement just before departure.

    4. Contribution to supported employment

    Panasonic HD can collaborate with welfare facilities to achieve universal design from a work perspective, helping create an environment where people with disabilities or mental health concerns can participate in the operations of unmanned sales and other services.In the field trials, the remote operation of robots is outsourced to ASU-TRi, an employment transition support office in Kumamoto Prefecture, while product packaging is outsourced to Kujira Co., Ltd. a Type A employment continuation supporter in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. The product lineup also includes the Okinawa souvenir set, produced at welfare support facilities in Okinawa Prefecture and supplied by the Okinawa SELP Center Foundation.

    5. Provision of operational support application

    The PIMTO UI operational support application will be provided, enabling users to easily check sales status, receive sold-out notifications, play pre-recorded sounds from robots, and request remote operators to relocate the robot from any location.

    Inquiries:

    (Inquiries regarding the PIMTO mobile robot vending service)Panasonic Holdings CorporationMobility Business Strategy Officemobility_info@ml.jp.panasonic.com

    About the Panasonic Group
    Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022 with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of 8,496.4 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2024. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Elevates Home Art Experiences With New Art Basel Hong Kong Collection

    Source: Samsung

    ▲ Zhu Jinshi’s This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room (2023) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.
     
    Samsung Electronics, the Official Art TV of Art Basel, today announced that it is bringing contemporary masterpieces from galleries exhibiting at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 to a global audience. Starting today, subscribers of the Samsung Art Store, a premium digital art platform exclusively available on Samsung TVs, will have access to a curated collection of 23 select works from Art Basel’s galleries, some of which will be displayed at the highly anticipated fair, taking place from March 28-30,1 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
     
    The Samsung Art Store is home to 3,000+ works from world-renowned museums, galleries and artists. Subscribers can explore expertly curated masterpieces in stunning 4K resolution to bring the program of Art Basel galleries into their homes. The Art Basel Hong Kong collection includes renowned artworks such as Zhu Jinshi’s “This Triptych is as Gorgeous as the Autumn in a Scented Room,” Ticko Liu’s “Enduring as the Universe,” Jimok Choi’s “Shadow of the Sun,” Bae Yoon Hwan’s “Green Bear,” and more.
     
    “Samsung Art Store is making fine art more accessible than ever, bringing the premier artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel Hong Kong directly into people’s homes,” said Bongjun Ko, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business. “We are proud to expand this experience to more Samsung TV owners worldwide, allowing them to enjoy world-class artwork in stunning 4K quality with just a few clicks.”
     
     
    Bringing the Art Basel Experience to Samsung TVs
    ▲ Ticko Liu’s Enduring as the Universe (2024) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.
     
    Art Basel stages the world’s premier art shows for modern and contemporary art, sited in Hong Kong, Basel, Paris and Miami Beach. Through the Samsung Art Store, a curated selection of these masterpieces is now available beyond the exhibition halls, allowing art lovers worldwide to experience select artworks presented by leading international galleries at Art Basel – all from the comfort of their homes.
     
    To further highlight the intersection of art and technology, Samsung will present an interactive lounge, titled ArtCube,2 at Art Basel Hong Kong on March 28-30. The showcase will demonstrate how The Frame, MICRO LED and Neo QLED 8K redefine digital art experiences by displaying artwork, including those from the Art Basel collection in breathtaking detail. Under the theme “Borderless, Dive into the Art,” ArtCube visitors will engage with Samsung Art Store’s exclusive collections, bridging the gap between physical and digital art.
     
    In addition to its ArtCube Lounge experience, Samsung presents a series of panel discussions highlighting influential voices from the contemporary art scene. Daria Greene, Head of Content and Curation at Samsung leads each engaging one-on-one dialogue. The conversations feature Hayley Romer, Chief Growth Officer of Art Basel, and Marc Dennis, an American artist known for his hyper-realistic paintings.
     
     
    Expanding Samsung’s Digital Art Leadership
    While previously exclusive to The Frame and MICRO LED, the Samsung Art Store will soon be available on 2025 Samsung AI-powered Neo QLED and QLED TVs,3 as part of Samsung’s mission to bring world-class art to an even bigger audience. In addition to the Art Basel Hong Kong collection, Samsung will continue its partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs by introducing exclusive artworks from Art Basel’s Basel and Paris collections later this year.
     
    “We are proud to partner with Samsung Art Store on the 2025 Art Basel Hong Kong collection – extending Art Basel Hong Kong’s best-in-class cultural experience beyond the halls of the show, and creating new, year-round opportunities for ever broader audiences to engage with Art Basel’s distinguished international program of galleries and their artists,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel.
     
    The Art Basel Hong Kong collection features works from 17 globally acclaimed artists, including Jimok Choi, Bae Yoon Hwan, Stephen Wong Chun Hei, Ticko Liu, Alasie Inoue, Tromarama, Damian Elwes, Zhu Jinshi, Nakai Katsumi, Cao Yu, Hamra Abbas, Nabil Nahas, Owen Fu, Sophie von Hellermann, Chow Chun Fai, Gillian Ayres and Gongkan.
     
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    * The content has been revised to provide more accurate information.
     
     
    About Art Basel
    Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms including the Art Basel App and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Art Basel Awards. Art Basel’s Global Lead Partner is UBS. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.
     
     
    1 Event is open to the public from March 28-30, after VIP opening from March 26-27.2 Samsung Lounge ‘ArtCube’ will be located in L3, the main exhibition floor inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.3 For models Q7F and above.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung To Showcase Diverse HVAC Solutions at ISH 2025 Under ‘Connected Flow’ Theme

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced its participation in ISH 2025,1 the world’s leading trade fair for the sanitary and HVAC industries, to be held March 17-21 in Frankfurt. Samsung will showcase innovative solutions designed to enhance comfort, convenience and connectivity across residential and commercial environments.
     
    “This year marks our second time participating in ISH after our debut in 2023, and we’re excited to present more advanced products along with a variety of smart solutions such as SmartThings Pro and b.IoT Lite,2 that align with the ‘Connected Flow’ theme,” said Wim Vangeenberghe, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Air Conditioner Europe B.V. “It’s a meaningful opportunity to showcase our next-generation innovations and underline our commitment to delivering smarter living experiences.”
     
     
    Product Exhibition: Highlighting Advanced HVAC Solutions

     
    At ISH 2025, Samsung will display a wide array of systems and solutions, including Slim Fit EHS ClimateHub and Mono R290, touch controllers, Wi-Fi modules and other solutions. One of the key highlights will be the unveiling of the new Bespoke AI WindFree air conditioner models, which have been designed to elevate comfort and usability.
     
    The new Bespoke AI WindFree air conditioners for 2025 feature AI3 Fast & Comfort Cooling, which employs AI technology to provide rapid cooling and meet users’ preferences. When turning on the mode, Fast Cooling quickly lowers the room temperature first. AI technology then continuously analyzes the indoor and outdoor environments to detect if it’s reaching the user’s preferred temperature, and then it switches its mode into WindFree Cooling.
     

     
    Additionally, new Comfort Drying technology enables dehumidification without cold drafts. While conventional dry modes reduce the set temperature for dehumidification, Comfort Drying maintains a comfort humidity level under temperatures set by the user, satisfying customers who do not want to feel cold during dehumidification. Also, users can utilize AI Energy Mode in SmartThings application to reduce energy use by up to 30%.4 This is possible as the compressor’s rotating frequency is controlled by AI analysis, preventing sudden stops or increases.
     
     
    Design Excellence Recognized

     
    Samsung also announced that its Slim Fit EHS ClimateHub indoor units — the ClimateHub Mono and the Hydro Unit Mono5 — have won the prestigious Designplus Award in the “Water & Efficiency +” category at ISH 2025. This award acknowledges products that combine innovative design with technology, with a focus on new concepts that deliver added value through technological advancements.
     
    These models have a slim fit design6 that allows the product to be installed in various locations and coordinates with anywhere in the house. Despite the slim fit design, key components like magnetic filters, three-way valves and an expansion vessel for space heating are all included as standard features, which ensures timely installation. Moreover, they come with the 7” AI Home,7 an expansive screen that significantly improves convenience. It allows users to intuitively control the temperature and settings. Additionally, users can monitor the status and energy usage8 of connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems using the zone overview, as well as control other SmartThings-connected appliances.9

     
     
    Seamless Integration: SmartThings Pro for Advanced Business Environment
    In line with the “Connected Flow” theme, Samsung will also demonstrate the benefits of smart solutions utilizing SmartThings Pro10 through various scenarios and spaces. Visitors will see how SmartThings Pro makes it easy to create a customized business environment with Samsung appliances and some third-party devices — like light bulbs and solar cells — and facilitates comprehensive energy monitoring across the entire home.
     
    Additionally, Samsung will showcase SmartThings Pro and b.IoT Lite for business environments and solutions for commercial spaces like hotels and retail stores. These solutions enhance operational efficiency, enabling smarter management of heating, cooling and energy consumption.
     
    Samsung remains committed to expanding its HVAC business globally and continue to innovate and provide innovative climate solutions to customers worldwide. Visitors to Samsung’s booth at ISH 2025 will have the opportunity to explore new products packed with these technologies, engage with representatives and experience the future of HVAC solutions firsthand.
     
     
    1 The “Internationale Sanitär- und Heizungsmesse” (ISH) translates from German to “International Sanitation and Heating Fair.”2 b.IoT Lite is an integrated control solution designed to optimize the operation of VRF systems in small to medium-sized buildings. As a server-based platform, it provides advanced functionality such as predictive maintenance and energy management.3 To use AI Auto Cooling, a Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account SmartThings are required.4 The testing was conducted in Samsung’s 132m² residential environment laboratory at a temperature of 35°C / 24°C (dry bulb/wet bulb, KS C 9306: air conditioner). Results provided to and interpreted by Intertek, comparing the power consumption between AI energy mode on and off in AI comfort mode of AR07D9181HZN model. Actual savings may vary by usage patterns and environment and the set temperature may increase by up to 2 degrees. Requires the use of the SmartThings App and a Samsung account.5 The ClimateHub Mono has an integrated water tank, while the Hydro Unit Mono is a wall-mounted unit without a water tank.6 Dimensions: ClimateHub Mono = 598(W) x 1,850(H) x 600(D) mm, Hydro Unit Mono = 530(W) x 840(H) x 350(D) mm.7 AI Home refers to the 7’’ LCD screen on the product. Does not mean all services available on the AI Home are AI or generate information or outcome using AI. Certain functions accessible through the AI Home utilize AI-based algorithms, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy. AI-based algorithms may generate incomplete or incorrect information. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. You may need to use a separate device e.g. your laptop/desktop or mobile device, to create/log into a Samsung Account. If you choose not to log-in, you will not be able to enjoy any features available on AI Home, such as the services available on the SmartThings App.8 Requires a connection between the EHS and PV system and is activated using the PV function in AI Home.9 Requires a Samsung account. Appliances must be connected to the Wi-Fi network and registered in the SmartThings App.10 Must download the SmartThings app available on Android and iOS. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Field Trials for PIMTO Mobile Robot Vending Service to be Conducted at Narita International Airport

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Field Trials for PIMTO Mobile Robot Vending Service to be Conducted at Narita International Airport

    March 17, 2025 – Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD), Mashup Inc. (Mashup), and Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) today announced that they will conduct field trials using PIMTO, a mobile robot vending service, in the area after outbound passport control in Narita International Airport Terminal 1 for 10 days from March 21 to 30, 2025. The field trials will involve the sale of local specialty products, subculture items, and other products that highlight the charm of Japan to passengers departing from Narita Airport.
    Narita Airport serves as a hub airport in Asia with an extensive network connecting 120 cities—102 overseas and 18 in Japan. The annual number of foreign passengers using international flights in 2024 was 21.79 million, the highest since the airport opened. To study a potential new service for foreign passengers, whose numbers are expected to continue growing, the companies will conduct field trials using Panasonic HD’s PIMTO mobile robot vending service, which moves within the area near the boarding gates to sell products. The product lineup, developed in collaboration with Mashup, one of the companies operating the field trials, will feature local products and subculture items that provide a uniquely Japanese feel. The field trials aim to increase customer satisfaction by offering memorable purchasing experiences and appealing products to passengers, including foreign visitors to Japan, just before their departure from Narita Airport.

    Field trial period: From Friday, March 21 to Sunday, March 30, 2025
    * Field trials may be suspended due to unforeseen circumstances.
    Location: Narita International Airport Terminal 1 (Area after outbound passport control)Products: exclusive products available only at Narita Airport, local products, and subculture items that offer a uniquely Japanese feel

    PIMTO mobile robot vending service

    1. Utilization of unmanned vending robots

    Panasonic HD will provide mobile unmanned vending robots that can increase the number of sales outlets without requiring store construction or additional equipment installation. A variety of items that fit within the designated boxes can be sold, with payments accepted via credit cards, QR codes, and transportation IC cards. Since there is no need to continuously move robots around the airport, it was concluded that autonomous travel or advanced preparation for that purpose would not be necessary. Therefore, the robots will be operated solely through manual control using a wired controller connected to the robot or remote control, considering its cost advantages in terms of the robot units and service operations.In the field trials, the robots move to high-traffic areas depending on which boarding gates are in use, improving customer convenience and sales. The robots are basically operated by a wired controller, although remote control will also be tested.

    2. Proposal for experience design

    Robots (vending spots) that best suit the customers, location, and other circumstances are proposed.Based on marketing research, including identifying the needs of inbound visitors, the field trials use robots with creative features, such as control buttons and the robot’s appearance, allowing foreign customers to select products as if they were playing a game, and enhance their purchasing experience, as well as messages displayed on the robot’s body in 11 languages to attract passengers’ interest in their native language.

    3. Merchandising support

    Products that best suit the passengers, location, and other circumstances are proposed.For the field trials, Panasonic HD, Mashup, NAA, and gray park, Inc. collaborated to design a purchasing experience themed Wings & Wonders, aiming to increase customer satisfaction with the services near the departure gates. Based on this, a product lineup has been developed featuring original products available only at Narita Airport, local specialty products, 3D molded chocolates, and a wide range of subculture items rich in Japanese charm, such as soft vinyl figures, and capsule toys. A range of uniquely Japanese products will provide passengers a last-minute surprise and excitement just before departure.

    4. Contribution to supported employment

    Panasonic HD can collaborate with welfare facilities to achieve universal design from a work perspective, helping create an environment where people with disabilities or mental health concerns can participate in the operations of unmanned sales and other services.In the field trials, the remote operation of robots is outsourced to ASU-TRi, an employment transition support office in Kumamoto Prefecture, while product packaging is outsourced to Kujira Co., Ltd. a Type A employment continuation supporter in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. The product lineup also includes the Okinawa souvenir set, produced at welfare support facilities in Okinawa Prefecture and supplied by the Okinawa SELP Center Foundation.

    5. Provision of operational support application

    The PIMTO UI operational support application will be provided, enabling users to easily check sales status, receive sold-out notifications, play pre-recorded sounds from robots, and request remote operators to relocate the robot from any location.

    Inquiries:

    (Inquiries regarding the PIMTO mobile robot vending service)Panasonic Holdings CorporationMobility Business Strategy Officemobility_info@ml.jp.panasonic.com

    About the Panasonic Group
    Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022 with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of 8,496.4 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2024. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Radical action plan to cut red tape and kickstart growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Radical action plan to cut red tape and kickstart growth

    The Chancellor will meet top regulator bosses in Downing Street today (Monday 17 March) as she unveils an action plan to deliver on the pledge to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter, make Britain the best place to do business and drive economic growth.

    • Chancellor meets regulators in Downing Street as she unveils action plan to cut red tape as part of Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth.

    • Radical shake up will boost infrastructure building by simplifying guidance to protect bat habitats that blocks vital new homes and infrastructure.

    • Business to save billions as more regulators are axed and core legal duties are streamlined.

    • Action plan comes alongside 60 growth-boosting measures from watchdogs designed to make it easier to do business in the UK and delivers on the Prime Minister’s pledge to cut administration costs for businesses by a quarter.

    The radical shake up will cut costly red tape that fails to deliver for local communities, such as hundreds of pages of guidance on protecting bat habitats – which goes far beyond legal requirements, needlessly costs businesses money and slows down planning decisions for major infrastructure projects.  

    A streamlined process for environmental regulations will also be put in place for major projects. This could include Lower Thames Crossing, subject to planning approval, as well as future schemes like Heathrow expansion. The new system will require just one point of contact and will end the merry-go-round of developers seeking planning approvals from multiple authorities who often disagree with each other.  

    This Action Plan will save businesses across the country billions of pounds by cutting the number of regulators, streamlining their core legal duties and cracking down on complexity in the regulatory system. 

    The Plan comes after the Prime Minister set out his vision for a more lean and agile state in a speech last week, abolishing the world’s biggest quango – NHS England – to scrap duplication and give more power and tools to local leaders so they can better deliver for their communities. The Prime Minister and Chancellor are clear that regulators must work for the people of Britain, not get in the way of progress.  

    Following weeks of intense negotiations, watchdogs have signed up to 60 growth boosting measures – including:  

    • Fast-tracking new medicines to market through a new pilot to provide parallel authorisations from key healthcare regulators, so that patients can access the medicine they need quicker;

    • Attracting more investment from international financial services firms by setting up a bespoke ‘concierge service’ to help them get to grips with UK regulations, making it easier to do business in the UK;

    • Paving the way for package deliveries by drone, as the Civil Aviation Authority permits at least two more large drone-flying trials in the coming months – which have already helped cut travel times for blood samples from 30 minutes down to 2 minutes between hospitals – and streamlines the regulatory process for manufacturing drones;

    • Allowing families to manage their spending safely as the Financial Conduct Authority reviews contactless payment limits, including the £100 cap on individual payments, while speeding up queues at checkout.

    • Support for homeownership as the Financial Conduct Authority simplifies mortgage lending rules, including making it easier to re-mortgage with a new lender and reduce mortgage terms.

    • Helping start-ups secure funding to grow through the Financial Conduct Authority issuing more notices where they are likely to approve applications from budding entrepreneurs.

    The government will continue to work closely with regulators to ensure they are regulating for growth, not just risk. Cabinet Ministers will report back to the Chancellor in the summer with further suggestions for streamlining the regulatory landscape and better regulation will be a key part of the upcoming Modern Industrial Strategy.    

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: 

    “The world is changing and that’s why we must go further and faster to deliver on our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth. Today we are taking further action to free businesses from the shackles of regulation. By cutting red tape and creating a more effective system, we will boost investment, create jobs and put more money into working people’s pockets.”  

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 

    “Unnecessary regulation chokes competition and stifles business – that’s why we’re taking action to unleash industry right across the UK to go for growth.  

    “With a regulatory system that encourages innovation and economic growth combined with our Industrial Strategy, our Plan for Change can make the UK the best place to startup, invest and thrive.”  

    Further pro-business measures announced today include cutting red tape that blocks new housing and infrastructure.  

    It should not be the case that to convert a garage or outbuilding you need to wade through hundreds of pages of guidance on bats.  Environmental guidance, including on protecting bats, will be looked at afresh. Natural England has agreed to review and update their advice to Local Planning Authorities on bats to ensure there is clear, proportionate and accessible advice available.  

    We will make it simpler and faster for projects to agree environmental permits, in some case removing them altogether for low-risk and temporary projects, putting an end to delays that can slow down decisions needed to get spades in the ground. Combined with the appointment of a single lead environmental regulator, this will speed up approvals and save businesses millions in time and resource.    The government will also consult on allowing regulators to be more agile in making sensible decisions on which low-risk activities should be exempt from environmental permits. This will allow them to focus on high-impact, high-priority areas, such as low-carbon infrastructure – while ensuring nature protections are not weakened.    

    These come alongside action to crack down on complexity in the UK regulatory system, with the Chancellor promising to significantly cut the number of regulators by the end of the Parliament to reduce overlap.    

    Regulators will be summoned for performance reviews twice a year from the relevant Secretary of State and will be judged against a set of targets agreed with the businesses they affect, which could how quickly they make decision on planning applications and new licenses for businesses and products. The regulators will immediately begin discussing these targets with businesses and publish them by June. 

    Following the decision to primarily consolidate the Payment Systems Regulator into the Financial Conduct Authority, the Regulator for Community Interest Companies will be folded into Companies House to avoid duplicative disclosure requirements for companies which provide a benefit to their community. Cabinet ministers will report back to the Chancellor by the summer with further suggestions to cut numbers and create a more effective system.  

    Major regulators will also have their legal duties slimmed down, so that they do not waste time satisfying redundant duties that do not align with their core purpose or the public’s priorities. This work will begin with the financial services regulators, energy watchdog Ofgem, water regulator Ofwat and the Office for Road and Rail.  

    The Treasury will also explore ways to streamline financial services regulators’ ‘have regards’ to improve predictability and business confidence. The role of the Financial Ombudsman Service will also be reviewed to ensure that it is acting as an impartial service that provides quick and predictable resolutions to disputes – not as a quasi-regulator.   

    The new system will also support businesses to innovate instead of putting obstacles in the way, led by Lord Willetts as Chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO). The RIO works with businesses and regulators to embed a pro-innovation regulatory system that enables ground-breaking new technologies to reach the market quicker.   

    The RIO is focused on ensuring regulation supports transformative applications of emerging technologies, for example using AI to improve the efficiency and accuracy of radiology reporting, and the use of engineering biology by world leading UK companies developing innovative foods like lab grown meats.  

    Stakeholder quotes: 

    Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the CBI, said:   

    “The UK’s Gordian knot of regulations hinders investment with compliance costs that are too high, leaving us trailing the international competition. Today’s announcement signals a shift towards a more proportionate, outcomes based approach that should deliver more sustainable growth and investment.  

    “Smart, proportionate regulation could be the UK’s international calling card once more, bringing confidence and easing the burden on many sectors.   

    “This announcement builds on the welcome commitment from the Prime Minister to reduce the thicket of regulation, and it is critical that this approach is reflected across the board including finding a landing zone for the Employment Rights Bill that supports growth, investment, and jobs.” 

    Irene Graham OBE, CEO of the ScaleUp Institute, said: 

    “It is excellent to see the Government turning its Plan for Change into real practical action. 

    “Scaling businesses have long cited infrastructure constraints and regulatory hurdles as hampering their growth. The practical initiatives set out in this Action Plan on planning reforms, the fast tracking, simplifying and streamlining of regulatory approvals and processes, and the emergence of concierge services should collectively have a significant impact in propelling the growth of these innovative firms forward across every sector and local economy.  

    “We look forward to continuing to work with the government on the next steps of this pro-growth regulatory agenda.” 

    David Postings, Chief Executive of UK Finance, said: 

    “We need a regulatory environment that supports investment and is internationally competitive. I’ve been delighted to see the progress already made by government and regulators, who are listening to the ideas put forward by UK Finance and industry and taking bold action. Today’s announcement builds on that progress, most notably reviewing how the Financial Ombudsman Service operates. It currently acts as a quasi-regulator, which was not the original intention, and addressing this issue is a key one for our sector. I look forward to continuing to work with the government to ensure financial services helps deliver growth up and down the country.” 

    Debbie Crosbie, CEO of Nationwide, said: 

    “I welcome the government’s decisive action to deliver better regulation. Clear and predictable rules will help firms focus on growth and innovation for the benefit of consumers. The target to reduce the administrative cost of regulation by 25% could make a meaningful difference to the regulatory burden and economic growth.”  

    Craig Beaumont, Executive Director of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: 

    “Today’s announcement shows the Chancellor is willing to put in the hard yards to let businesses do what they do best. Business owners are not bureaucrats. The delays, time wasting and sheer stress from having to handle layers of poorly designed regulation makes it harder and harder for small businesses to grow, generate jobs and provide for their customers. 

    “Every month a project might be delayed makes it harder to go ahead, and every second wasted on unnecessary forms is time away from business, staff and family. We have made clear recommendations to CEOs of the regulators visiting No.10 today, to transform regulation so they help, not hinder, small business growth and investment.  This is a necessary pre-condition for increasing living standards, building a stronger economy and creating new jobs.” 

    Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

    “This is an eye-catching package of measures which has a real potential to speed up decision-making and give businesses more certainty. 

    “Changes that would fast-track major infrastructure projects, such as the Lower Thames Crossing and Heathrow expansion, are especially welcome. 

    “Over half of firms tell us they are planning to raise prices, and with fresh uncertainty around tariffs, a 25 percent cut in the cost of regulation would be very welcome.” 

    Notes to editors 

    • The Action Plan can be found here. This sets out the strategic vision and actions that will be taken to create a regulatory system that drives growth while continuing to protect millions of people.

    • Regulators in attendance at the meeting:

    • Financial Conduct Authority

    • Prudential Regulation Authority

    • Environment Agency

    • Natural England

    • Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

    • Health and Safety Executive

    • Information Commissioner’s Office

    • The Regulatory Innovation Office

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First meeting of Great British Energy board members

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    First meeting of Great British Energy board members

    Inaugural meeting of the Great British Energy start-up board takes place in Aberdeen to drive the UK’s clean energy future.

    • Great British Energy start-up board meet for the first time in Aberdeen 

    • Publicly owned company will drive forward the government’s Plan for Change and clean energy superpower mission, backed by £8.3 billion  

    Great British Energy’s start-up board members will meet in Aberdeen today (Monday 17 March) to discuss scaling up the company and kickstarting investments, to deliver the government’s Plan for Change and clean energy superpower mission. 

    Great British Energy is owned by the British people, for the British people, and will own and invest in clean energy projects across the UK to create good, skilled jobs and growth.    

    Energy Minister Michael Shanks will convene the meeting alongside Start-up Chair Juergen Maier and interim CEO Dan McGrail to discuss next steps for the organisation and building up an investment portfolio that will return a profit for the British people. 

    Great British Energy has already begun engaging with the market on potential collaborations to ensure it can quickly start delivering for the British taxpayer once it is fully established, backed by £8.3 billion over this Parliament.  

    Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: 

    We now have a fantastic team in place to lead Great British Energy and establish the company in Aberdeen. 

    By unlocking homegrown clean power projects, Great British Energy will support thousands of well-paid jobs in Scotland and across the country, and deliver energy security for the British people. 

    Today’s meeting of the new board members marks another step forward for the company as it gears up to make its first investments. 

    Great British Energy Start-up Chair Juergen Maier said: 

    We are working on a plan to invest in and deliver homegrown clean power, supporting the next generation of energy jobs.  

    We are already engaging with industry on exciting investment opportunities so we can hit the ground running once Great British Energy is fully established. 

    Together we will back British innovation and support the creation of thousands of jobs in clean energy projects and their supply chains in the North East of Scotland alone. 

    Interim Great British Energy CEO Dan McGrail said: 

    Great British Energy is perfectly placed to take advantage of the clean energy revolution for the benefit of the British people. As I take up post as interim CEO today, I’m pleased to bring our new board members together in Aberdeen to discuss our plans to invest in secure, homegrown clean power – unleashing jobs and crowding in private investment. 

    It follows the appointment of the interim CEO, five non-executive directors, and chair to the company’s start-up board. On Tuesday 18 March, Juergen Maier will convene a skills roundtable to work with industry to help oil and gas workers in north-east Scotland access opportunities in clean energy jobs. The roundtable is due to be attended by organisations including Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Trades Union Congress, Green Free Ports Cromarty and Leith, ETZ Ltd and Aberdeen & Grampian Chambers of Commerce.  

    Background

    Great British Energy start-up board members include: 

    • Chair of Great British Energy Juergen Maier 

    • Interim CEO of Great British Energy Dan McGrail 

    • Minister for Energy Michael Shanks 

    • Non-Executive Directors of Great British Energy: 

    • Frances O’Grady  

    • Frank Mitchell  

    • Kate Gilmartin  

    • Dr. Nina Skorupska CBE FEI  

    • Valerie Todd CBE

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: GTreasury Pioneers a New Era for CFOs with Adaptable Treasury Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GTreasury, the pioneer and global leader in Digital Treasury Solutions for the Office of the CFO, today announced its uniquely adaptable approach to treasury management software, leading a new era in treasury and finance operations. GTreasury’s vision is to empower CFOs and treasurers to adapt, evolve, and conquer both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities with solutions that can be used both independently and in concert through shared data and workflows.

    In an increasingly volatile market, achieving strategic financial advantages requires more than just connecting disparate financial data or optimizing individual outcomes—it demands true clarity and decisive action. Yet CFOs and Treasurers often face a daunting choice between costly, monolithic systems that take months or years to implement or limited point solutions that constrain future growth.

    “We’ve heard from countless CFOs about their desire for a balance of best-of-breed solutions and the scalability of a single platform. Many felt trapped in a binary choice between a large, rigid system or deploying multiple fragmented point solutions. What they truly want is an adaptable solution platform that grows with their business,” said Renaat Ver Eecke, Chief Executive Officer, GTreasury. “We have revolutionized the way we build and deliver solutions to provide immediate value with long-term scalability, empowering organizations to move quickly while building for the future.”

    Because each organization faces unique treasury and finance complexities, GTreasury supports every stage of treasury maturity—from cash visibility and forecasting to risk, debt, investments, payments, and netting. Through comprehensive bank and ERP connectivity and agent-driven data insights, GTreasury creates an orchestrated data environment that enables select solution implementations to go live as soon as 90 days, not months or years. Organizations can start with the solutions they need today and seamlessly adapt as their needs evolve.

    “Businesses today need solutions that deliver both immediate impact and flexibility to support future growth—without compromise,” said Jason Baldree, Chief Customer Officer, GTreasury. “Our adaptable platform connects to any bank, any ERP, anytime and provides interoperable workflows—ensuring customers can realize immediate value while maintaining the flexibility to grow with their business.”

    Serving more than 1,000 customers across 30+ industries and 160+ countries, GTreasury combines industry-leading technology with deep treasury expertise to deliver The Clarity to Act. To learn more about GTreasury’s adaptable treasury solutions, visit https://gtreasury.com/

    About GTreasury

    GTreasury provides CFOs and Treasurers with The Clarity to Act on strategic financial decisions with the world’s most adaptable treasury platform, empowering them to face the challenges of today and tomorrow. Our industry leading solutions are purposefully designed to support every stage of treasury complexity, from Cash Visibility and Forecasting to Payments, Risk, Debt, and Investments. With GTreasury, financial leaders gain comprehensive connectivity across all banks and ERPs to build an orchestrated data environment, enabling rapid value realization with implementations up and running in weeks. Plus, our unmatched industry expertise ensures clients’ continued success through dedicated guidance and top-tier support. Trusted by over 1,000 customers across 160 countries, GTreasury provides treasury and finance teams with the ability to connect, compile, and manage mission-critical data to optimize cash flows and capital structures. To learn more, visit GTreasury.com.

    GTreasury is headquartered in Chicago, with locations serving EMEA (Dublin and London) and APAC (Sydney, Singapore, and Manila).

    Contact
    Kyle Peterson
    kyle@clementpeterson.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: c/side Launches Availability in AWS Marketplace

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — c/side, a cybersecurity company specializing in browser-side third-party scripts, is now available in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog with thousands of software listings from independent software vendors that make it easy to find, test, buy, and deploy software that runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS).

    c/side’s availability in AWS Marketplace allows organizations to quickly implement important protection against one of the most vulnerable and most accelerating attack vectors: third-party web scripts. Through c/side’s man-in-the-middle proxy and AI-powered detection engine, organizations can monitor script behavior in real time, proactively block malicious code before it reaches users’ browsers, and maintain comprehensive visibility across their web supply chain.

    c/side provides AWS customers with the ability to streamline the purchase and management of its solution within customers’ AWS Marketplace account.

    “Businesses large and small are increasingly aware that their websites are only as secure as the third-party scripts they rely on for everything from payment processing to analytics to chatbots,” said Mike Kutlu, Head of GTM Operations, c/side. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing attackers increasingly target vulnerable third-party scripts as an easy way to compromise thousands of websites at once, as headlines continue to show. By offering deployment in AWS Marketplace, we’re making it easier than ever for organizations to close this zero-day security gap. Particularly as businesses race to meet PCI DSS 4.0.1 compliance requirements ahead of the March deadline, c/side offers a seamless solution that checks compliance boxes and can be deployed in minutes in AWS Marketplace.”

    c/side’s platform allows organizations to:

    • Monitor and secure third-party web scripts in real-time
    • Block any malicious JavaScript code before it reaches users’ browsers
    • Track and analyze all script versions with AI-powered explanations
    • Meet PCI DSS 4.0.1 compliance requirements
    • Optimize web script performance with up to 22x faster delivery

    c/side is now available in AWS Marketplace. For more information on c/side and its web security solutions, please visit https://cside.dev/.

    About c/side

    c/side is a venture-backed cybersecurity company specializing in browser-side threat detection and protection. The company’s platform provides complete visibility and control over vulnerable first- and third-party scripts running on websites, protecting sensitive visitor data while ensuring optimal website performance. c/side’s innovative technology enables customers to secure their web supply chain against sophisticated attacks and streamlines compliance with regulations such as PCI DSS 4.0.1.

    Contact
    Kyle Peterson
    kyle@clementpeterson.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia strengthens Worldstream’s hosting security with advanced DDoS Protection in the Netherlands

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia strengthens Worldstream’s hosting security with advanced DDoS Protection in the Netherlands

    • Enterprise customers using hosting services will benefit from fast network-based mitigation of most complex and high-volume cyberattacks and AI-driven threats.
    • Real-time, automated, next-generation DDoS protection to keep businesses running and unaffected during an attack.
    • Enhanced network resilience with Nokia Deepfield Defender and 7750 SR routers.

    17 March 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that Worldstream, a leading cloud infrastructure provider, will use Nokia’s network security technology to protect businesses in the Netherlands and globally against large-scale DDoS attacks. Nokia Deepfield Defender and 7750 SR routers have been deployed across Worldstream’s network to offer an eightfold increase in DDoS mitigation capacity. With this network security upgrade, Worldstream customers can now rely on fast network-based mitigation of even the most complex and high-volume cyberattacks and AI-driven threats.

    “Cybercrime is evolving, and with the rise of AI in particular, security solutions need to evolve faster than ever before. We see that for hosting providers, traditional DDoS mitigation methods are no longer sufficient. With the Nokia Deepfield solution, Worldstream is now equipped with high-capacity, network-based protection that reacts instantly, rapidly detecting and eliminating threats before they impact businesses,” commented Matthieu Bourguignon, Senior Vice President for Network Infrastructure, Europe at Nokia.

    Prior to the deployment, Worldstream was limited in its defense against large-scale carpet-bombing attacks – which target multiple IP addresses – that could disrupt entire customer networks. With Nokia Deepfield Defender and 7750 SR routers, Worldstream now provides real-time, automated, next-generation DDoS protection that scales with the network, ensuring that businesses stay unaffected and without costly traffic diversion or latency introduced by legacy protection.

    “Security has become just as critical as performance in hosting services. Businesses expect resilience, and they need to trust that their infrastructure won’t be taken down by a single attack. With Nokia DDoS technology, we’ve made a major leap in protection. Our customers now benefit from ultra-fast mitigation, ensuring that their digital services remain available no matter what’s thrown at them,” said Ruben van der Zwan, CEO of Worldstream.

    Nokia Deepfield Defender, combined with the 7750 SR routers, ensures that Worldstream’s hosting customers benefit from real-time threat detection and mitigation in seconds. The solution offers line-rate protection across all peering interfaces, eliminating restrictions associated with single-server DDoS mitigation. Ultra-fast DDoS also provides protection for all DDoS types, including complex TCP-based application floods and botnet and proxy-based attack types, defending several customers against large-scale attacks at once.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news
    Product Page: Nokia Deepfield Defender
    Product Page: Nokia 7750 Service Router

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About Worldstream
    Founded in 2006 by childhood friends who shared a passion for gaming, Worldstream has evolved into an international cloud infrastructure provider. Since its founding, its mission has been to keep basic infrastructure predictable and transparent.

    It offers affordable cloud infrastructure, with transparent and predictable pricing, to help IT business leaders confidently grow their IT maturity. Through its commitment to high-quality infrastructure, down-to-earth support, and straightforward pricing models, it empowers IT leaders with the ability to regain control over the security and costs of their digital workloads.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Key regulatory changes for the telecommunications sector: new SoCI rules incoming, and Telco Bill introduced into Parliament

    Source: Allens Insights

    Over the past few months, the Government has introduced a number of important reforms to the Australian telecommunications regulatory landscape. These reforms will have a significant impact on all carriers and many carriage service providers. Taken together with the current Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code amendment process, they constitute a significant uplift in regulatory obligations applicable to the sector.

    The legislative reforms comprise:

    • Amendments to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2024 (Cth) (SoCI Act), which transfer and uplift certain obligations that apply to telecommunications providers under the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) (Telco Act) and take effect on 4 April 2025.
    • Rules that ‘switch on’ the obligation for carriers and certain carriage service providers (CSPs) to implement and maintain a Telecommunications Security and Risk Management Program (TSRMP Rules)1 have been made and will commence on 4 April 2025.
    • The Security of Critical Infrastructure Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Rules 2025 (Cth) (Amended Application Rules) which amend the Security of Critical Infrastructure (Application) Rules (LIN 22/026) 2022 (Cth) (Application Rules) have been made. Once these amendments take effect on 4 April 2025, they will have the effect of switching on the Asset Registration and Cyber Security Incident Notification Rules under the SoCI Act. 
    • On 12 February 2025, the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards Bill) was also introduced into Parliament but has not yet been passed. If passed, this Bill would have the effect of:
      • establishing a requirement for eligible CSPs to be registered as a condition of being permitted to supply services;
      • enabling the direct enforcement of industry codes by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA); and
      • amending and increasing the penalty amounts for infringement notices and civil penalties.

    Key takeaways

    Security regulation for critical telecommunications assets

    Who will be captured?

    All carriers and a subset of CSPs will be subject to all three positive security obligations under the SoCI Act with resect to critical telecommunications assets (as opposed to being subject to parallel obligations which are currently enlivened pursuant to the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Conditions—Security Information) Declaration 2022 (Cth) and the Telecommunications (Carriage Service Provider—Security Information) Determination 2022 (Cth) (the Telco Security Information Instruments) with respect to asset registration and incident notification).

    The subset of CSPs to be caught under these new rules (‘relevant carriage service provider asset’) are:

    • CSPs that meet the prescribed threshold of 20,000 active carriage services; and
    • CSPs that supply to the Government (except for bodies established by a law of the Government).

    What will be captured?

    The definition of Critical Telecommunication Asset has been expanded to include:

    ‘(b) any other asset that is:

    (i) owned or operated by a carrier or a carriage service provider; and
    (ii) used in connection with the supply of a carriage service’ (emphasis added)

    Consistent with reforms to the SoCI Act implemented in December 2024, the effect of this amendment is to ensure that assets owned and operated by carriers/CSPs which are used in connection with the supply of a service (rather than used directly in the supply a service) are captured under the SoCI Act. This would include, for example, CRM systems and corporate IT networks that were not previously clearly captured.

    Positive security obligations

      CARRIER ASSETS  ‘RELEVANT CSP’ ASSETS OTHER CSP ASSETS
    Risk Management Program obligations

    Obligation to protect asset3

    Notification of changes4

    Asset Registration obligation

    Mandatory Cyber Incident Reporting

    Government assistance, directions and information-gathering powers

    The TSRMP Rules largely mirror the existing Security of Critical Infrastructure (Critical infrastructure risk management program) Rules (LIN 23/006) 2023 (Cth) with additions to reflect telecommunications-specific risks, including risks relating to the compromise, theft or manipulation of communications.

    Some key points in the draft TSRMP Rules stand out in particular:

    • Carriers and Relevant CSPs will have until 3 October 2025 (ie, six months from 4 April 2025) to develop and implement their risk management program to address the following hazard vectors:
      • cyber and information security hazards
      • personnel hazards
      • supply chain hazards
      • physical security hazards and natural hazards.
    • With respect to cyber and information security hazards, the requirement to meet minimum cybersecurity maturity frameworks goes beyond that currently provided for under the existing CIRMP Rules for other asset classes. For both carriers and Relevant CSPs, maturity indicator 1 for the prescribed framework must be achieved by 3 October 2026. However for carriers only, maturity indicator 2 with respect to one of the following frameworks must be achieved by 3 October 2027:
      • Essential Eight;
      • Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (published by the US Department of Energy); or
      • 2020‑21 AESCSF Framework Core published by Australian Energy Market Operator Limited.
    • We understand that the obligation to achieve maturity indicator 2 is something that smaller carriers (unsuccessfully) tried to resist during the consultation process owing to the fact that it would result in an increase in their operating costs. However, the Government is of the view that, given the criticality of telecommunications networks to the economy, the higher maturity indicator is necessary. It is not a stretch to imagine that the obligation to achieve maturity indicator 2 might be imposed on other classes of critical infrastructure assets in the near future.
    • The TSRMP Rules will relate to all assets owned or operated by carriers and Relevant CSPs. This is materially broader than the existing concept of a ‘critical telecommunications asset’ which relates to those assets owned by a carrier/CSP and used to provide a carriage service. The effect of this is that the TSRMP must address both assets relating to a carriers/CSPs telecommunications network as well as those assets which do not (e.g. billing and charging systems).
    • Carriers and Relevant CSPs will need to provide an annual attestation in relation to their compliance with their risk management program.

    The Amended Application Rules will transfer the existing registration obligations for carriers and CSPs, which are currently applicable by virtue of the Telco Security Information Instruments, to the SoCI Act. As per the above table, the obligation to provide ownership, operation, interest and control information to the Register of Critical Infrastructure Assets will apply to carriers and Relevant CSPs.

    We understand that the existing equivalent obligations made under the Telco Security Information Instruments will continue to be in effect until 7 July 2025.

    The reforms to the SoCI Act also transfer elements of the TSSR currently contained in Part 14 of the Telco Act into a new Part 2D of the SoCI Act.

    • Obligation to protect asset: the current obligation in section 313(1A) of the Telco Act requires carriers and CSPs to ‘do their best’ to protect their telecommunications networks and facilities from unauthorised interference or unauthorised access. The new section 30EB of the SoCI Act requires the responsible entity for a critical telecommunications asset prescribed by the rules to protect the asset, ‘so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so’ for the purposes of: (a) security; and (b) the protection of the asset from any hazard where there is a material risk that the occurrence of the hazard could have a relevant impact on the asset. This obligation will apply with respect to all critical telecommunications assets.
    • Notification of changes: all carriers will be required to notify the Secretary of certain changes, and proposed changes, to telecommunications services or telecommunications systems if the change, or proposed change, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the entity’s capacity to comply with the obligation to protect the asset for the purposes of security. The kinds of changes to be notified mirror those currently specified in section 314A(2) of the Telco Act. The TSRMP Rules (rule 17) prescribe a list of information that carriers must provide to the Secretary when notifying them of such a change or proposed change. In large part, this has the effect of codifying much of the information that was previously required to be provided under the CISC’s sample notification form.
    • Compliance with Minister’s directions to cease supply: the new section 30EF of the SoCI Act largely replicates the existing section 315A of the Telco Act, which enables the Minister for Home Affairs to issue a direction requiring a carrier or carriage service provider ‘not to use or supply, or to cease using or supplying’ a particular service that the Minister considers to be ‘prejudicial to security’. This obligation applies generally to responsible entities of a critical telecommunications asset and does not rely upon any rules prescribing the application of this section.

    Other TSSR components that would be repealed from the existing Telco Act, including other direction-making powers of the Minister for Home Affairs, the Secretary of Home Affairs’ information gathering powers and requirements in relation to security capability plans are not proposed to be replicated into the SoCI Act.

    However, the existing SoCI Act’s direction-making, information-gathering powers are broadly equivalent to these provisions.

    New CSP registration requirements and enforcement powers for telco regulator

    The Enhancing Consumer Safeguards Bill has been introduced by the Government to improve compliance and enforcement of telecommunications consumer protection rules for the benefit of consumers.6

    These proposed reforms coincide with a review by the ACMA of the TCP Code and a draft revised version that has been the subject of public consultation (and much debate).

    Registration of CSPs

    Currently, there is no licensing or other registration framework that applies to CSPs under the Telco Act (unlike carriers, that must register a carrier licence with the ACMA).

    The Enhancing Consumer Safeguards Bill proposes to establish a CSP registration scheme prohibiting:

    • CSPs from providing a listed carriage service to the public unless it is registered; and
    • carriers or wholesale CSPs from supplying listed carriage services to CSPs that are not registered.

    The CSP registration scheme is proposed to apply to ‘eligible carriage service providers’, being CSPs that enter into the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) scheme and supply:

    • a standard telephone service;
    • public mobile telecommunications service; or
    • a carriage service that enables end-users to access the internet.7

    ACMA will also have the power to:

    • impose conditions on the registration of CSPs;
    • refuse a CSP’s registration based on prescribed grounds for refusal (eg the application contains false or misleading material, the applicant has engaged in or is likely to engage in a contravention of the TIO scheme, or the applicant has engaged in conduct that poses a significant risk to consumers); and
    • revoke the registration of a registered CSP.

    Mandatory industry codes

    The ACMA does not currently have the power to directly enforce industry codes rather, it must first direct a provider to comply with the code or issue a formal warning.8 The ACMA can currently only take stronger enforcement action if the provider continues to not comply with its directions or warnings.

    The Enhancing Consumer Safeguards Bill proposes to make compliance with an industry code mandatory and to make breaches of the obligation to comply with registered industry code a civil penalty provision that is directly enforceable by the ACMA at first instance.

    Pecuniary penalties

    Currently, maximum civil penalties differ greatly across the Telco Act and the current maximum civil penalty for non-compliance with a direction by the ACMA to comply with a registered industry code is $250,000.9

    The Enhancing Consumer Safeguards Bill proposes to increase maximum penalties that can be ordered by the court for individual contraventions to the greater of:

    • 30,300 penalty units (~$9.999 million);
    • three times the benefit obtained by the relevant entity and its related bodies corporate from the contravening conduct; or
    • if the court cannot determine the benefit, 30% of the adjusted turnover of the body corporate during the breach turnover period for the contravention.

    Infringement notices given to bodies corporate

    Currently the Telco Act only permits the Minister for Communications to increase infringement notice penalties for breaches of either the general carrier licence conditions or CSP rules.

    The proposed amendments to the Telco Act will allow the Minister for Communications to increase infringement notice penalty amounts for any breach where the ACMA can already issue an infringement notice.

    What’s next?

    Organisations in the telecommunications sector should consider the steps required to ensure compliance with the latest reforms. This might include:

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Unregistered builder convicted

    Source: Government of Victoria 2

    Unregistered builder Mark (Najy) Rayes has been convicted and fined for taking more than $100,000 in payments from customers for services he did not provide.

    Rayes, 47, was running an unregistered building and landscaping business when he committed the offences, between 2021 and 2023.

    Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) investigated Rayes after receiving customer complaints. He was convicted and fined $15,000 for offences under the Australian Consumer Law and $1,000 for breaches of the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995.

    People are reminded that when hiring someone to do a renovation, extension, repairs or other building work worth more than $10,000, the contractor must be registered as a building practitioner and provide a written contract.

    Registered builders are subject to professional standards, which means consumers are more likely to end up with a job they are happy with.

    Hiring someone who isn’t registered risks hiring someone who isn’t skilled and consequently, consumers may end up with poor quality work, as well as limited recourse if the builder walks away.

    Jobs worth more than $16,000 must also be covered by domestic building insurance, which protects consumers if the builder dies, disappears or is declared insolvent. For this work, builders must provide:

    • a copy of the domestic building insurance policy, and
    • a certificate of currency covering the property.

    CAV Director Nicole Rich is urging people who are renovating or getting building work done to make sure they are covered.

    “For more complex jobs, it’s essential to make sure you only hire practitioners with the right cover and qualifications,” she said.

    “The law is there to protect you. Doing your due diligence can help ensure the build or reno is completed to the standard you want and expect.”

    Find a registered builder on the Victorian Building Authority website.

    For more about planning a renovation or build, including what to do if things go wrong, go to our Building and renovating information.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI: Draft resolutions suggested by the Board of Urbo Bankas UAB for the ordinary general shareholders meeting for the year 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Urbo bankas UAB (hereinafter – “the Bank”), company code 112027077, address: Konstitucijos pr.18B, Vilnius.

    The draft resolutions suggested by the Board of Urbo Bankas UAB on the items of the agenda of the ordinary general shareholders meeting of Bank for the year 2025 (see an attachment).

    The Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of  Bankas is convened in 2025 March 21, 11 a.m. at Konstitucijos pr. 18B, Vilnius (4th floor).

    For more information please contact: Head of Business Division Julius Ivaška, ph.: +370 601 04 453, e-mail: media@urbo.lt

    Attachments

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Nanzih Technology Industrial Park’s first quarter employment recruitment event kicks off on March 21. Six major enterprises will offer over 100 job vacancies.

    Source: Republic Of China Taiwan 2

    The Nanzih Technology Industrial Park (NTIP) will host the first-quarter on-site employment recruitment event on Friday, March 21, bringing together six well-known enterprises, including OSE, ASE Semiconductor, WinWay Technology, Ralec, Taiwan SumiKo Materials Co., LTD., and Sinso Enterprise Co., LTD., offering 139 job vacancies. Salaries go up to NT$42,000 per month, covering positions such as process engineers, equipment maintenance engineers, and environmental management personnel, aiming to attract professionals with relevant backgrounds.
    The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) stated that this employment recruitment event not only provides technical and managerial positions but also includes a comprehensive training program to help job seekers integrate into the workplace quickly. Among them, OSE offers positions such as process engineers, quality assurance engineers, and product engineers, with starting salaries of NT$37,000, targeting talents with electronics, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering backgrounds. Meanwhile, Sinso Enterprise Co., LTD. offers 50 environmental management positions with salaries of up to NT$42,000 per month, along with vacancies for cleaning management supervisors and on-site administrators.
    The employment recruitment event also underscores corporate social responsibility, with OSE establishing a dedicated section for job seekers with disabilities, offering suitable positions tailored to their expertise. This initiative not only expands employment opportunities but also promotes workplace diversity and inclusion.
    The BIP of MOEA emphasized that as NTIP continues to develop as a high-tech industrial hub in southern Taiwan, this employment recruitment event serves as an effective platform for connecting companies with job seekers. Businesses can use this opportunity to recruit top talent, while job seekers can secure employment quickly, creating a win-win situation for all parties.
    Interested job seekers are encouraged to bring their resumes and attend on-site interviews at the New Employee Service Center of Nanzih Technology Industrial Park (3rd Floor, Rooms 304 & 305, No. 8, Xinjian South Road, Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City) on March 21. For more details, visit the event website: https://pse.is/76umpu or contact Ms. He at the Nanzi Employment Service Desk of the Training and Employment Center (07-3640508).

    Contact Person: Liang, Shu-Juan (Industrial Safety and Labor Affairs Section of the Environment and Labor Affairs Division)
    Contact Number: 886-7-3611212 ext. 418
    Email: ab0413@bip.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Non-compete agreements and other restraints can end up hurting Australian workers – and all of us pay the price

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paula McDonald, Professor of Work and Organisation, Queensland University of Technology

    Twinsterphoto/Shutterstock

    Australian workers have to overcome some significant barriers in navigating their careers.

    Some may lack the training or work experience opportunities needed to make themselves stand out and take the next step. Others may be extensively qualified, but face limited new job or promotional opportunities relevant to their skill set.

    But there’s another common barrier that’s often overlooked: post-employment restraints. Among the most well-known are non-compete clauses, but these aren’t the only kind.

    These tools are designed to protect employer interests. But their widespread use has far-reaching consequences for job mobility, wages and innovation across Australia.

    Our new research, which was commissioned by the Department of Treasury and conducted by researchers at Queensland University of Technology, set out to examine how these agreements are impacting Australia’s workforce.

    We zeroed in on two very different occupational groups – hairdressers and IT professionals. Our findings point to an urgent need for regulatory reform in Australia. But we also offer solutions that could better balance business needs with worker rights.

    What are post-employment restraints?

    Post-employment restraints are contractual clauses that restrict what workers can do after leaving their jobs.

    One common type are non-compete clauses, which prevent workers from joining competitors or starting their own businesses, usually (though not always) in the same industry.

    Signing a non-compete agreement often prevents you from working for a competing business.
    G.Tbov/Shutterstock

    There are also non-solicitation agreements, which restrict them from approaching former clients or colleagues.

    And non-disclosure obligations can limit the use of confidential information concerning the employer’s business – even when created by workers themselves.

    Businesses argue these clauses help them safeguard their proprietary interests, such as hard-won client relationships, trade secrets and intellectual property.

    However, their application is not limited to high-level executives or sensitive roles. Such restraints are more common than many realise.

    Data cited in our report from businesses with 200 employees or less confirms previous Australian research: at least one in five businesses use non-compete, non-solicitation of clients and non-solicitation of co-workers clauses. The number is even higher if non-disclosure agreements are included in the list of restraints.

    Overall, half of all Australian workers are reported to have post-employment restraints – including many in low-paid jobs.

    As former Fair Work Commission President Iain Ross has pointed out, this raises critical questions about fairness and the broader impacts on the labour market.

    A tangle of restrictions in hairdressing

    Hairdressing is a predominantly female, low-wage profession. Our interviews with hairdressers reveal the outsized impact that post-employment restraints can have on vulnerable workers.

    Restrictions typically include bans on working within a certain radius of their former salon, taking clients to a new employer, or starting their own business.

    Many interviewees only learned about these restrictions after accepting a position or deciding to leave. Some reported being barred from telling clients of their departure or facing demands to pay penalties if clients followed them to a new salon.

    The personal relationships hairdressers form with their clients are central to their work and professional identity. However, these relationships often become battlegrounds when employment ends.

    Hairdressers explained the difficulties that often arose from becoming “friends” with clients. As one put it:

    As soon as you leave, it’s almost harder than a breakup.

    Client relationships are a prized asset in the hairdressing industry.
    MarijaBazarova/Shutterstock

    Chained to the chair

    Financially, these restrictions exacerbate the already precarious conditions in the hairdressing industry.

    With limited opportunities for wage growth, many hairdressers establish their own businesses or rent chairs in salons for greater independence.

    Yet, non-compete clauses often delay these plans. Hairdressers are then forced to accept lower-paying positions or leave the profession entirely.

    Social media has added a whole new layer of complexity. Hairdressers are often required to use their personal social media accounts to promote their employer’s business, only to have their posts deleted or accounts locked when they leave. This can erase years of professional work and connections.

    Many young hairdressers we spoke to expressed particular frustration that their social media presence, cultivated under the salon’s brand, could not be carried forward to new roles.

    Holding back innovation

    Our study found while hairdressers face restrictions on their mobility and client relationships, IT professionals face obstacles that limit their ability to innovate.

    IT professionals often develop new technologies, software or processes, sometimes in their own time. However, contracts often claim ownership of these innovations for the employer.

    We found non-disclosure agreements, non-compete clauses and intellectual property ownership terms are all common in the industry.

    This environment discourages entrepreneurial ventures and independent projects, even as the industry demands agility and creativity.

    As one participant explained:

    It’s made me pause multiple times, made me think about not developing a code that you’re interested in just for your own development.

    Professionals reported feeling “locked in” to roles, unable to pursue side projects or start their own businesses without risking legal action.

    Non-compete clauses in IT contracts also restrict job mobility when professionals cannot join competitor companies or use their expertise in new roles.

    This impacts not only individual workers but also the broader industry, as firms struggle to recruit skilled talent.

    Paradoxically, some employers actively poach talent from competitors while enforcing non-compete clauses against their own staff.

    Intellectual property restrictions can discourage IT professionals from working on their own innovative projects.
    Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

    The way forward

    By limiting job mobility, post-employment restraints contribute to wage stagnation and reduce workers’ bargaining power.

    Australia’s regulatory approach to this issue lags behind other countries. There are no formal limits on the length or breadth of restraints, just a vague test of “reasonableness” that makes it hard to know what is permissible, without costly litigation.

    In the United States, California has banned non-compete clauses outright, fostering a thriving tech industry. In Europe, companies like Germany impose strict limits on the duration of restraints and require employers to compensate workers during the restricted period.

    These models demonstrate that balancing employer interests with worker rights is possible and can yield positive outcomes.

    One option for policymakers in Australia would be to impose new restrictions on the scope and duration of restraints to ensure they serve legitimate business interests without unduly restricting workers.

    Employers could be required to provide plain-language explanations around these restrictions at the time of hiring and compensate workers for the duration of any restraint, as seen in some European models.

    Post-employment restraints are a double-edged sword. While they may protect legitimate business interests, their overuse undermines job mobility, innovation and worker wellbeing.




    Read more:
    Would a mandatory five-day working week solve construction’s work-life balance woes?


    Paula McDonald receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Commonwealth Department of Treasury.

    Andrew Stewart receives funding from Commonwealth Department of Treasury.

    ref. Non-compete agreements and other restraints can end up hurting Australian workers – and all of us pay the price – https://theconversation.com/non-compete-agreements-and-other-restraints-can-end-up-hurting-australian-workers-and-all-of-us-pay-the-price-247449

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI China: How China is lifting consumer spending to boost its growth

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Vowing to make domestic demand “the main engine and anchor of economic growth”, China’s policymakers have sent fresh and firm signals on empowering the vast number of consumers to spend, countering skepticism about the country’s shift toward a consumption-driven economy.

    China will “place a stronger economic policy focus on improving living standards and boosting consumer spending”, according to this year’s Government Work Report submitted on March 5 to the National People’s Congress, the national legislature, for deliberation.

    Boosting consumption is hardly a fresh concept in the Chinese policy toolbox, and consumer spending has played an increasingly vital role in China’s economy. In 2024, final consumption contributed 44.5 percent to China’s economic growth, surpassing investment and exports, and drove GDP up by 2.2 percentage points.

    This year, however, the push has been particularly important as China’s economy contends with rising trade protectionism and global headwinds, while the domestic shift from traditional growth drivers, such as real estate, to new and more sustainable ones poses new challenges.

    “Expanding domestic demand through stimulating consumption can effectively counter external uncertainties, and it stabilizes short-term growth while aiding structural shifts over time,” said Yang Decai, a national political advisor and economics professor at Nanjing University, during the annual meetings of China’s top legislature and political advisory body, known as the two sessions.

    To support this pivotal transition, the Government Work Report unveiled stronger supportive measures, including issuing ultra-long special treasury bonds of 300 billion yuan ($41.3 billion) to back the consumer goods trade-in program, doubling the scale from last year.

    The trade-in program, launched a year ago, has played a vital role in revitalizing consumer markets. In 2024, it led to sales exceeding 1.3 trillion yuan, including over 6.8 million vehicles, 56 million home appliances and 1.38 million e-bikes. More items have been added to the list of subsidized products this year.

    “The trade-in program is more than just an economic policy,” Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao told a news conference on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th NPC on March 6, noting that it has fostered new development engines and improved the quality of life for millions of households.

    Wang pointed out that the primary issue constraining goods consumption is the ability and willingness to spend, while the main challenge for services consumption is the lack of high-quality supply.

    To tackle these weaknesses, the Chinese government, in addition to clinching cheaper deals for consumers, aims to lift consumer confidence by bolstering people’s well-being, with a focus on creating jobs, raising incomes and easing their financial burdens.

    More funds and resources will be used to serve the people and meet their needs, according to the Government Work Report.

    Targeting over 12 million new urban jobs this year, the government will provide stronger support for full and higher-quality employment, according to the report. It also pledged to raise the minimum basic old-age benefits for rural and non-working urban residents as well as the basic pension benefits for retirees.

    “Raising farmers’ pension payments may be the most effective way to boost consumption because it will significantly reduce the savings rate and boost consumption for half of China’s population,” said Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura, who expects more will be done in this regard in coming years.

    Government spending on education will rise by 6.1 percent this year and that on social security and employment by 5.9 percent, with strong gains also expected in healthcare and housing, Finance Minister Lan Fo’an revealed at the news conference on March 6.

    Chinese policymakers have also tied consumption to lifestyle upgrades, not just spending volume, as the Government Work Report highlighted the need to create new consumption scenarios to accelerate the growth of digital, green, smart, and other new types of consumption.

    It promised to improve the leave system and ensure its implementation to unlock consumption potential in sectors like culture, tourism and sports, which are among the most powerful service consumption engines.

    Meanwhile, new consumption trends, from winter sports boom to silver-haired consumer spending upsurge, are already stoking fresh growth.

    The silver economy, which caters to China’s aging population, could reach 30 trillion yuan by 2035 and create at least 100 million jobs by 2050, according to national political advisor Jin Li, vice-president of Southern University of Science and Technology.

    Sun Guangzhi, head of the provincial culture and tourism department of the ice and snow-rich Jilin province, said the northeastern province sparked over 100 million yuan in direct spending by issuing consumption vouchers in the latest snow season.

    “This demonstrates the combined benefits of policy incentives and local resource strength,” said Sun, a national lawmaker.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai seeks to become global hub for ‘firsts’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Shanghai government on Sunday announced a series of measures and activities aimed at promoting the high-quality development of what it calls the “debut economy”, as the East China metropolis works to become a global consumption hub, according to official sources.

    The latest policy package seeks to optimize the business environment in the city and encourage the introduction of more “first” stores, debut products, shows and exhibitions.

    According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, a series of “first “events is set to take place in Shanghai and other cities aiming to unleash market potential and promote the integration of domestic and international trade.

    “We hope Shanghai will continue to lead the development of the debut economy nationwide and drive high-quality economic growth to a higher level,” Wang said.

    Since introducing policies to boost the debut economy in 2018, Shanghai has become a top destination for domestic and international brands to launch their first stores, debut products and host shows and exhibitions, said Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng.

    To maintain its appeal as a consumption hub, Shanghai will continue to attract high-quality brands to open their first stores, create new consumption experiences and scenarios, and enhance the business environment, Gong said.

    With the aim of creating “First in Shanghai” as a city brand, the measures seek to attract more high-profile events, position the initiative as a global consumption bellwether and make Shanghai the top choice for international brands entering the Chinese market, said the city’s Vice-Mayor Hua Yuan.

    More than 3,500 domestic and international brands have held debut activities in the city as of the end of 2024, with 1,269 first stores opening in Shanghai last year, Hua said. These included 14 first stores across Asia or beyond and 202 debut stores at the national or Chinese mainland level — leading Chinese cities in both quantity and quality, he added.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese delegation visits Austria for business cooperation

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

    VIENNA, March 16 — A Chinese business delegation, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), visited Austria from March 13 to 16.

    It has been the first large-scale Chinese delegation to visit Austria since the establishment of the new Austrian government.

    Businesses from both sides had in-depth exchanges on industries including automobile, agriculture and food processing, and reached multiple cooperation intentions.

    During the visit, Ren Hongbin, chairman of the CCPIT, made extensive interactions with local political and business representatives and those of relevant UN agencies, highlighting that China stands ready to work with all parties to enhance economic and trade cooperation and promote the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains.

    Representatives of the Austrian business community expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese business community and jointly oppose trade protectionism, and they hoped that more Chinese enterprises will invest and do business in Austria.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – Electricity Authority shines new spotlight on the retail market

    Source: Electricity Authority

    The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) is introducing mandatory retailer reporting of domestic and small business customer data to increase transparency and accountability in New Zealand’s retail electricity market. Towards the end of 2025 the Authority will begin publishing aggregated retail data and insights on its website.
    Authority General Manager Retail and Consumer Andrew Millar says increased retail reporting will enable the Authority to protect consumers’ interests, make proactive regulatory changes that support their needs, and hold the industry to account to ensure vulnerable customers are protected and promote competition.
    “As we build a comprehensive and reliable data set over time, we’ll be able to identify and communicate trends and issues to help inform policy decisions, and share these insights with industry, investors and consumers,” says Millar.
    “Improved oversight of retail plans and prices will enable us to assess the barriers that consumers face, promote retail competition and shine a light on retailer performance.”
    Importantly, retailers will be required to provide information about medically dependent and prepay consumers and disconnections to enable robust compliance monitoring of the new mandatory Consumer Care Obligations.
    “We are putting consumers at the forefront of our decisions to protect their interests, increase their choices, and give people greater control over their electricity use and costs,” Millar said.
    The Authority is providing retailers with a five-month implementation period for the new reporting requirement, to enable them to make any necessary operational changes. As the Authority’s need for retail market information and data continues to increase, this more streamlined, automated process will reduce long-term regulatory burden. Retailers with fewer than 1000 domestic and small business customer connections are excused from some of the new requirements.
    When developing its approach, the Authority confirmed that the long-term benefits for consumers will outweigh any costs. The Authority will work with retailers to respond to questions and implementation challenges if they arise, as they prepare to provide their first report in August 2025.
    The Authority has powerful information gathering powers under the Electricity Industry Act 2010 and in the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (the Code). This new requirement, implemented under clause 2.16 of the Code, supports the Authority’s statutory function to monitor the industry and electricity markets, and make data, information and tools available to help improve participation in and understanding of the electricity markets by consumers and industry participants.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Airports report record aeronautical revenues despite slower growth in passenger numbers

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    Click to enlargeAustralia’s four largest airports, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, each reported their highest ever aeronautical revenues in 2023-24, the ACCC’s latest Airport Monitoring Report shows.

    The 24.3 per cent increase in revenues to $2.6 billion occurred despite the four major airports collectively handling fewer passengers than before the pandemic. While domestic and international passengers grew by 13.7 per cent to 114.6 million since 2022-23, passenger numbers remained 4.7 per cent below 2018-19 levels.

    “The increase in aeronautical revenues in 2023-24 was driven in large part by the continued recovery in international passenger numbers, which rose by 32.1 per cent at the four airports monitored in our report,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    “Domestic passenger numbers also grew by 6.7 per cent.”

    Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne airports also substantially increased their operating profits from aeronautical activities in 2023-24.

    “Sydney Airport was once again clearly the most profitable of the four major airports for aeronautical services in 2023-24, both in aggregate and on a per-passenger basis,” Ms Brakey said.

    In 2023-24 Sydney Airport recorded an aeronautical operating profit of $570.5 million, which represented a 20.2 per cent return on its aeronautical assets. Sydney Airport advised that both its aeronautical revenues and operating profits in the year were inflated by back-payments received during the 2023-24 financial year from its contractual agreements with airlines. The agreements started on 1 July 2022, but the terms were not agreed to until the 2023-24 financial year.

    Brisbane and Melbourne airports reported aeronautical operating profits of $194.7 million and $198.9 million respectively, despite Brisbane Airport catering to far fewer passengers than Melbourne Airport. Both airports reported a 64.1 per cent increase in aeronautical operating profit in 2023-24.

    Perth Airport was the only monitored airport to report a fall in aeronautical profits, down by 29.1 per cent to $70.7 million after a significant increase in security and depreciation expenses.

    Car parking profits and ‘landside access’ revenues up

    Operating profits from car parking grew for all four airports in 2023-24. Brisbane Airport made the largest profits, increasing by 21.1 per cent to $113.4 million. Melbourne Airport made an operating profit of $108.1 million from car parking, followed by Sydney Airport with $95.6 million and Perth Airport with $70.7 million.

    All four monitored airports reported operating profit margins above 60 per cent for the second year in a row for their car parking operations.

    “Car parking remains a very profitable business for the monitored airports as they report strong demand for parking,” Ms Brakey said.

    “Brisbane Airport made an operating profit of 76.6 cents for every dollar of revenue it collected from car parking.”

    Sydney Airport was the most expensive for 30 to 60 minute parking and parking for up to 24 hours at the terminal, while Melbourne Airport was the cheapest in both categories.

    Long-term parking at a distance from the terminal booked online was most expensive at Perth and Sydney airports and cheapest at Melbourne Airport.

    “To save money, motorists are encouraged to book online, if possible, instead of paying the drive-up rates, and should consider using free waiting zones at the airports,” Ms Brakey said.

    Revenues from landside transport access services, such as rideshare operators, taxis and buses, grew by 18 per cent to $69.6 million, as vehicle numbers rebounded. All four airports continued to report a growth in rideshare services.

    Airports maintain their ‘good’ quality of service rating, despite falling satisfaction from airlines

    All four airports maintained an average overall rating of ‘good’ for the quality of service and facilities in 2023-24.

    These results were mainly due to high ratings by passengers, continuing consistent trends over the last 10 years.

    Ratings by airlines generally fell, and all four airports received only a ‘satisfactory’ result. The most common airline concerns related to aircraft parking facilities, baggage facilities, common user check-in facilities, aerobridges and public amenities.

    “The airports all maintained their ‘good’ rating for quality of service, which is based on surveys of passengers and airlines, as well as objective measures such as the number of check-in kiosks per passenger,” Ms Brakey said.

    “However, the falling satisfaction from airlines indicates the airports have some work to do.”

    Airports have recommenced investment after Covid

    After years of relatively little investment due to the pandemic, the airports have invested $985.1 million in aeronautical facilities in 2023-24, a figure set to increase in coming years.

    Melbourne airport’s $502.3 million investment accounted for more than half the total investment in aeronautical assets in 2023-24. This included work on runway overlays, taxiways and terminals, such as the replacement of passenger screening equipment as well as works to resurface the north-south runway and replace the lighting system.

    Other major projects underway, or recently announced, include new runways for Melbourne and Perth, new terminals for Perth and Brisbane, upgrades to terminals in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

    A new airport will also open at Western Sydney in 2026.

    “While the four major airports held back on investment during the pandemic period, this is starting to change now there is more certainty around demand for travel,” Ms Brakey said.

    “These significant capital works should help increase capacity at our major airports, leading to more flight options for travellers.”

    Background

    Under direction from the Australian Government, the ACCC monitors the prices, costs and profits of aeronautical and car parking services at Australia’s four largest airports. The ACCC also monitors the quality of these services under the Airports Act.

    The possible ratings for airport quality of services are ‘very poor’, ‘poor’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

    The ACCC measures operating profit by earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA). Operating profit margin is EBITA as a percentage of revenue.

    Aeronautical operations are those that directly relate to providing aviation services, including runways, aprons, aerobridges, departure lounges and baggage handling equipment.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI China: China unveils plan on special initiatives to boost consumption

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Consumers learn about relevant policies during a consumer goods trade-in event in Qingdao City, east China’s Shandong Province, May 17, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China on Sunday made public a plan on 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, issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, aims to vigorously boost consumption, stimulate domestic demand across the board, and increase spending power by raising earnings and reducing financial burdens.

    It also aims to generate effective demand through high-quality supply, improve the consumption environment to strengthen consumer willingness to spend, and address prominent constraints on consumption.

    The plan, organized into eight major sections, adopts a holistic approach by simultaneously addressing factors such as income growth, service consumption quality enhancement, big-ticket consumption upgrading, and consumption environment improvement.

    The plan aims to promote reasonable wage growth by strengthening employment support in response to economic conditions and improving the minimum wage adjustment mechanisms. China will expand property income channels through measures to stabilize the stock market and develop more bond products suitable for individual investors.

    The plan calls for exploring ways to unlock the values of houses legally owned by farmers through rental arrangements, equity participation and cooperative models.

    Notably, the plan emphasizes both traditional consumption sectors like housing and automobiles, alongside emerging categories such as artificial intelligence-powered products, low-altitude economy and silver tourism.

    China will accelerate the development and application of new technologies and products including autonomous driving, smart wearables, ultra-high-definition video, brain-computer interfaces, robotics and additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, to create new high-growth consumption sectors.

    These measures reveal a geographically nuanced approach, with targeted policies for rural areas, regions rich in ice and snow resources, and urban centers — allowing local authorities flexibility via implementation based on regional conditions.

    Support will be given to ice and snow resource-rich regions to help them develop into globally recognized winter tourism destinations. The plan also emphasizes developing inbound consumption by systematically expanding unilateral visa-free arrangements and optimizing regional visa-free entry policies.

    By connecting consumer spending to broader social goals like elderly care improvement, childcare support and work-life balance, the plan embeds consumption growth within China’s wider development objectives, signaling that consumption is being positioned not just as an economic target but as a means to enhance quality of life.

    Accordingly, China will consider establishing a childcare subsidy system. It will guide eligible regions to include individuals in flexible employment, rural migrant workers, and those in new forms of employment who are covered by the basic medical insurance for employees, in the country’s childbirth insurance program.

    Regarding elderly care, the country will in 2025 increase the fiscal subsidies for basic old-age benefits and basic medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents. Additionally, basic pension benefits for retirees will be appropriately raised.

    The country will work to strictly implement the paid annual leave system — ensuring that workers’ rights to rest and vacation are legally protected. It will also prohibit the unlawful extension of working hours.

    Financial institutions will be encouraged to increase the issuance of personal consumption loans, provided risks are controllable. They should reasonably set loan limits, terms and interest rates, according to the plan.

    Zou Yunhan, a researcher with the State Information Center, said consumption is playing an increasingly important role in boosting economic growth, but that some challenges still remain in the quest to further unlock consumer potential.

    Looking ahead, Zou called for collective efforts from all sectors to fully implement the action plan and ensure its effectiveness. “Driven by innovation and supportive policy initiatives, China’s consumer market is poised for steady growth this year. New opportunities are emerging, which will provide a strong impetus for the country’s high-quality economic development.”

    MIL OSI China News