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  • MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism

    In Q1 2025, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion and adjusted net profit of RMB 788 million, marking YoY increases of 13.2% and 41.1%, respectively. Amid a macro recovery marked by YoY growth in both travel volume and consumer spending, ly.com has tapped into the tourism potential of non-first-tier markets, demonstrating strong demand beyond first-tier cities. While consolidating its core OTA business, the company has expanded into air tickets, hotels, and international operations, achieving diversified growth. By integrating AI strategies to drive cost reduction and efficiency, it is accelerating technological transformation and showcasing long-term growth resilience. Looking ahead, the mass-market tourism sector presents substantial upside potential. OTA platforms that can deliver both inclusive accessibility and elevated service quality are well-positioned to capitalize on structural opportunities within the industry.

    I. Operational Performance: Revenue and Profit Growth Driven by Multi-dimensional Expansion and Optimized Business Mix

    In Q1, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion, increased by 13.2% YoY. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached RMB 1.159 billion, while adjusted net profit rose to RMB 788 million, both growing by over 41% YoY. From a business segment perspective, ly.com’s growth is primarily driven by its core services such as accommodation booking and transportation ticketing, along with the expansion of other emerging businesses. This has enabled the company to build a synergistic model of “transportation + accommodation + vacation” and “domestic + international” operations, leading to a more balanced and healthier business structure.

    1.         OTA remains the core revenue driver with significant growth: In Q1, revenue from ly.com’s online travel platform segment grew by 18.4% YoY to RMB 3.792 billion, accounting for approximately 86.6% of total revenue. Among these, accommodation booking services led with a YoY growth rate of 23.3%, while transportation ticketing revenue also rose by 15.2% YoY. This growth was mainly driven by ly.com’s continued efforts in Q1 to diversify and innovate value-added products for flights and hotels, enhance end-to-end service capabilities for mass-market travel, and attract users through strong promotional offers, effectively capturing demand arising from the broader macroeconomic recovery. For instance, multi-section transfer products like “train-to-train” and “air-to-air” connections offered competitive and cost-effective travel solutions, resulting in YoY booking increases of 22% and 44%, respectively.
    2.         Diversified revenue streams expand, though vacation business sees a dip: Other revenues rose 20% YoY in Q1 to RMB 603 million, driven by growth in hotel management services and Property Management System (PMS) operations, emerging as a meaningful contributor to ly.com’s top line. At the macro level, the development and upgrading of mass tourism have driven growing demand for leisure travel, with vacationing becoming a preferred choice for more travelers. Ly.com has responded by launching scenario-based innovations such as small-group and customized tours, effectively unlocking users’ leisure and holiday needs. However, due to safety concerns in Southeast Asia, vacation-related revenue declined by 11.8% YoY in Q1.
    3.         Outbound travel drives performance with strong momentum: In recent years, ly.com has consistently expanded its international business by introducing airport transfer services abroad, launching an international travel booking platform and localized apps, establishing overseas physical stores and customer experience centers, and partnering with global airlines and hotels. These efforts aim to seize the growth opportunities in outbound tourism and enhance the company’s penetration rate in overseas markets. According to the financial report, in Q1 2025, driven by a surge in outbound travel among users from non-first-tier cities, ly.com recorded a YoY increase of over 40% in international air ticket bookings and over 50% in international hotel room nights. Looking ahead, the deeper penetration of outbound travel services in non-first-tier markets is expected to make international air, hotel, and vacation businesses a new engine for driving performance growth.

    II. Business Developments: Focusing on Mass-market Tourism Consumption Demand and Accelerating AI Capabilities

    1.         Deepening Commitment To Mass-market Tourism To Build Scale and Amplify User Value
    With a strategic focus on the mass-market tourism sector, ly.com targets consumers in non-first-tier cities, an audience with vast growth potential. By leveraging high-frequency UV entrances, offering one-stop services across full travel scenarios, and delivering cost-effective products to match the mass-market tourism consumption demand, the company continues to expand its user base and enhance user value. According to its financial report, as of the end of Q1 2025, ly.com had served a cumulative 1.96 billion trips and reached 247 million paying users, both representing over 7% YoY growth. Notably, users from non-first-tier cities accounted for 87% of total registered users, highlighting the success of its penetration strategy in markets in lower-tier cities.

    ①         UV entrances and service scenarios aligned with mass-market tourism consumers: In addition to its proprietary app, ly.com has embedded itself deeply into the WeChat ecosystem, using lightweight applets and high-frequency ticketing demands to reach consumers, to form stable UVs and further penetrate the markets in lower-tier cities. In Q1, ly.com continued to optimize operational efficiency within WeChat ecosystem; Between January and April, its “City Pass” WeChat applet expanded into Beijing and Guangzhou, covering urban transit scenarios. Through applet channels and City Pass business integration, ly.com further diversified its UV entrances and ecosystem touchpoints. According to MoonFox Data, WeChat applets maintain a leading share within ly.com’s overall UV landscape.

    ②         Supply chain integration enhances one-stop & cost-effective offerings: Through upstream and downstream supply chain integration, ly.com has extended its reach across the entire travel ecosystem, leveraging innovation and synergy to drive user engagement. By continuously enriching its “Air Travel +” product portfolio, the company has expanded its service coverage and strengthened price competitiveness to boost user spending and repeat purchases. In Q1 2025, ly.com partnered with multiple global airlines, airports, and international hotel groups such as Marriott and Hilton, further building its supply chain advantage in outbound tourism and helping reduce travel costs for users. On April 17, ly.com announced the acquisition of 100% equity in Wanda Hotel Management Co. Limited. The move is expected to “complement” its high-end hotel brand portfolio through Wanda’s brand matrix and resource base, enhancing its competitiveness in the hotel management sector.
    ③         Inclusive services and membership program drive user retention: In January 2025, ly.com partnered with several domestic airports to launch the “Worry-free First Trip” initiative, which officially rolled out to all users in mid-March. Designed to reduce travel barriers for elderly, students, and foreign travelers, the program supports new user acquisition and paid user growth. Meanwhile, the company upgraded its Black Card membership system, adding over 50 new benefits such as free hotel cancellation/modification and full-point redemption for room bookings. These enhancements are intended to boost loyalty among high-value users and better meet the rising demand for premium travel from non-first-tier markets, capitalizing on the consumption upgrade trend in mass-market tourism.
    2. Deep Integration with DeepSeek to Advance AI-Powered Efficiency and Experience
    On February 28, ly.com announced that its proprietary large vertical large model for the travel industry, “Chengxin”, would be fully integrated with DeepSeek. In March, the company launched an upgraded version, Chengxin AI, alongside DeepTrip, an AI agent that delivers real-time travel planning and booking services. This intelligent system understands user intent, inspires travel ideas, and dynamically generates personalized itineraries and booking options, creating an intelligent one-stop service flow of “travel need → personalized plan → product consumption”. Since its launch in December 2024, Chengxin AI has already served over 200,000 users. Its integration with DeepSeek is expected to further enhance user decision-making efficiency and elevate the smart travel experience. Looking ahead, ly.com plans to embed DeepTrip across its major booking scenarios, which is likely to increase the effectiveness of its cross-selling strategies.
    AI also brings broader operational value. By leveraging AI technology, ly.com has reduced labor costs by 20% and significantly improved operational efficiency. On the B2B side, it exports AI capabilities via its intelligent hotel solutions, enabling hospitality partners to lower costs and expand digital empowerment boundaries.
    III. Strategic Insights: Growth Trajectories for OTA Platforms Amid the “Mass Tourism” Trend
    According to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic travel in China reached 1.794 billion trips in Q1 2025, with total travel-related spending hitting RMB 1.80 trillion, increased by 26.4% and 18.6% YoY, respectively. Residents in non-first-tier cities represent a massive consumer base, and with room to improve in both online OTA conversion rates and average revenue per user (ARPU), this demographic is expected to unleash long-term growth potential as travel frequency and spending power continue to rise, injecting both UVs and value into the industry.

    At present, mass-market tourism consumption is undergoing segmentation and diversification. A wide array of consumer groups is seeking differentiated, immersive travel experiences, where high quality and high cost-effectiveness coexist. In this context, OTA platforms must focus on customer segmentation and industry chain integration. According to iMarketing of MoonFox Data, as of April 2025, users aged 46 and above and those 25 years and younger accounted for 28% and 22.7%, respectively, of all installed users across online travel platform apps, making them key contributors to tourism consumption. To better serve these audiences, OTAs must develop differentiated services and content ecosystems that align with specific demographic preferences. For instance: Design elderly-friendly interfaces and develop wellness-themed travel products for older users. Partner in creating cultural tourism IPs and personalized itineraries, using short videos and live streaming to inspire younger travelers. On the product and service side, given mass-market consumers’ dual demands for quality and affordability, OTA platforms should further integrate the supply chain, expanding their core inventory of accommodation and transport resources while strengthening pricing leverage. Bundled offerings such as premium air-hotel packages and county-level attraction combo passes can simultaneously enhance both product quality and perceived value.

    In parallel, platforms should capitalize on surging outbound tourism. This includes proactive involvement in overseas destination marketing campaigns and a keen focus on the specific needs and pain points of outbound travelers from non-first-tier cities, an area poised for the next wave of growth. At the same time, leveraging advancements in large models, OTAs can embed AI technologies into real-world travel scenarios to drive long-term cost reduction, operational efficiency, and upgrades in user experience.

    About MoonFox Data
    MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

    For Media Inquiries:
    Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism

    In Q1 2025, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion and adjusted net profit of RMB 788 million, marking YoY increases of 13.2% and 41.1%, respectively. Amid a macro recovery marked by YoY growth in both travel volume and consumer spending, ly.com has tapped into the tourism potential of non-first-tier markets, demonstrating strong demand beyond first-tier cities. While consolidating its core OTA business, the company has expanded into air tickets, hotels, and international operations, achieving diversified growth. By integrating AI strategies to drive cost reduction and efficiency, it is accelerating technological transformation and showcasing long-term growth resilience. Looking ahead, the mass-market tourism sector presents substantial upside potential. OTA platforms that can deliver both inclusive accessibility and elevated service quality are well-positioned to capitalize on structural opportunities within the industry.

    I. Operational Performance: Revenue and Profit Growth Driven by Multi-dimensional Expansion and Optimized Business Mix

    In Q1, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion, increased by 13.2% YoY. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached RMB 1.159 billion, while adjusted net profit rose to RMB 788 million, both growing by over 41% YoY. From a business segment perspective, ly.com’s growth is primarily driven by its core services such as accommodation booking and transportation ticketing, along with the expansion of other emerging businesses. This has enabled the company to build a synergistic model of “transportation + accommodation + vacation” and “domestic + international” operations, leading to a more balanced and healthier business structure.

    1.         OTA remains the core revenue driver with significant growth: In Q1, revenue from ly.com’s online travel platform segment grew by 18.4% YoY to RMB 3.792 billion, accounting for approximately 86.6% of total revenue. Among these, accommodation booking services led with a YoY growth rate of 23.3%, while transportation ticketing revenue also rose by 15.2% YoY. This growth was mainly driven by ly.com’s continued efforts in Q1 to diversify and innovate value-added products for flights and hotels, enhance end-to-end service capabilities for mass-market travel, and attract users through strong promotional offers, effectively capturing demand arising from the broader macroeconomic recovery. For instance, multi-section transfer products like “train-to-train” and “air-to-air” connections offered competitive and cost-effective travel solutions, resulting in YoY booking increases of 22% and 44%, respectively.
    2.         Diversified revenue streams expand, though vacation business sees a dip: Other revenues rose 20% YoY in Q1 to RMB 603 million, driven by growth in hotel management services and Property Management System (PMS) operations, emerging as a meaningful contributor to ly.com’s top line. At the macro level, the development and upgrading of mass tourism have driven growing demand for leisure travel, with vacationing becoming a preferred choice for more travelers. Ly.com has responded by launching scenario-based innovations such as small-group and customized tours, effectively unlocking users’ leisure and holiday needs. However, due to safety concerns in Southeast Asia, vacation-related revenue declined by 11.8% YoY in Q1.
    3.         Outbound travel drives performance with strong momentum: In recent years, ly.com has consistently expanded its international business by introducing airport transfer services abroad, launching an international travel booking platform and localized apps, establishing overseas physical stores and customer experience centers, and partnering with global airlines and hotels. These efforts aim to seize the growth opportunities in outbound tourism and enhance the company’s penetration rate in overseas markets. According to the financial report, in Q1 2025, driven by a surge in outbound travel among users from non-first-tier cities, ly.com recorded a YoY increase of over 40% in international air ticket bookings and over 50% in international hotel room nights. Looking ahead, the deeper penetration of outbound travel services in non-first-tier markets is expected to make international air, hotel, and vacation businesses a new engine for driving performance growth.

    II. Business Developments: Focusing on Mass-market Tourism Consumption Demand and Accelerating AI Capabilities

    1.         Deepening Commitment To Mass-market Tourism To Build Scale and Amplify User Value
    With a strategic focus on the mass-market tourism sector, ly.com targets consumers in non-first-tier cities, an audience with vast growth potential. By leveraging high-frequency UV entrances, offering one-stop services across full travel scenarios, and delivering cost-effective products to match the mass-market tourism consumption demand, the company continues to expand its user base and enhance user value. According to its financial report, as of the end of Q1 2025, ly.com had served a cumulative 1.96 billion trips and reached 247 million paying users, both representing over 7% YoY growth. Notably, users from non-first-tier cities accounted for 87% of total registered users, highlighting the success of its penetration strategy in markets in lower-tier cities.

    ①         UV entrances and service scenarios aligned with mass-market tourism consumers: In addition to its proprietary app, ly.com has embedded itself deeply into the WeChat ecosystem, using lightweight applets and high-frequency ticketing demands to reach consumers, to form stable UVs and further penetrate the markets in lower-tier cities. In Q1, ly.com continued to optimize operational efficiency within WeChat ecosystem; Between January and April, its “City Pass” WeChat applet expanded into Beijing and Guangzhou, covering urban transit scenarios. Through applet channels and City Pass business integration, ly.com further diversified its UV entrances and ecosystem touchpoints. According to MoonFox Data, WeChat applets maintain a leading share within ly.com’s overall UV landscape.

    ②         Supply chain integration enhances one-stop & cost-effective offerings: Through upstream and downstream supply chain integration, ly.com has extended its reach across the entire travel ecosystem, leveraging innovation and synergy to drive user engagement. By continuously enriching its “Air Travel +” product portfolio, the company has expanded its service coverage and strengthened price competitiveness to boost user spending and repeat purchases. In Q1 2025, ly.com partnered with multiple global airlines, airports, and international hotel groups such as Marriott and Hilton, further building its supply chain advantage in outbound tourism and helping reduce travel costs for users. On April 17, ly.com announced the acquisition of 100% equity in Wanda Hotel Management Co. Limited. The move is expected to “complement” its high-end hotel brand portfolio through Wanda’s brand matrix and resource base, enhancing its competitiveness in the hotel management sector.
    ③         Inclusive services and membership program drive user retention: In January 2025, ly.com partnered with several domestic airports to launch the “Worry-free First Trip” initiative, which officially rolled out to all users in mid-March. Designed to reduce travel barriers for elderly, students, and foreign travelers, the program supports new user acquisition and paid user growth. Meanwhile, the company upgraded its Black Card membership system, adding over 50 new benefits such as free hotel cancellation/modification and full-point redemption for room bookings. These enhancements are intended to boost loyalty among high-value users and better meet the rising demand for premium travel from non-first-tier markets, capitalizing on the consumption upgrade trend in mass-market tourism.
    2. Deep Integration with DeepSeek to Advance AI-Powered Efficiency and Experience
    On February 28, ly.com announced that its proprietary large vertical large model for the travel industry, “Chengxin”, would be fully integrated with DeepSeek. In March, the company launched an upgraded version, Chengxin AI, alongside DeepTrip, an AI agent that delivers real-time travel planning and booking services. This intelligent system understands user intent, inspires travel ideas, and dynamically generates personalized itineraries and booking options, creating an intelligent one-stop service flow of “travel need → personalized plan → product consumption”. Since its launch in December 2024, Chengxin AI has already served over 200,000 users. Its integration with DeepSeek is expected to further enhance user decision-making efficiency and elevate the smart travel experience. Looking ahead, ly.com plans to embed DeepTrip across its major booking scenarios, which is likely to increase the effectiveness of its cross-selling strategies.
    AI also brings broader operational value. By leveraging AI technology, ly.com has reduced labor costs by 20% and significantly improved operational efficiency. On the B2B side, it exports AI capabilities via its intelligent hotel solutions, enabling hospitality partners to lower costs and expand digital empowerment boundaries.
    III. Strategic Insights: Growth Trajectories for OTA Platforms Amid the “Mass Tourism” Trend
    According to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic travel in China reached 1.794 billion trips in Q1 2025, with total travel-related spending hitting RMB 1.80 trillion, increased by 26.4% and 18.6% YoY, respectively. Residents in non-first-tier cities represent a massive consumer base, and with room to improve in both online OTA conversion rates and average revenue per user (ARPU), this demographic is expected to unleash long-term growth potential as travel frequency and spending power continue to rise, injecting both UVs and value into the industry.

    At present, mass-market tourism consumption is undergoing segmentation and diversification. A wide array of consumer groups is seeking differentiated, immersive travel experiences, where high quality and high cost-effectiveness coexist. In this context, OTA platforms must focus on customer segmentation and industry chain integration. According to iMarketing of MoonFox Data, as of April 2025, users aged 46 and above and those 25 years and younger accounted for 28% and 22.7%, respectively, of all installed users across online travel platform apps, making them key contributors to tourism consumption. To better serve these audiences, OTAs must develop differentiated services and content ecosystems that align with specific demographic preferences. For instance: Design elderly-friendly interfaces and develop wellness-themed travel products for older users. Partner in creating cultural tourism IPs and personalized itineraries, using short videos and live streaming to inspire younger travelers. On the product and service side, given mass-market consumers’ dual demands for quality and affordability, OTA platforms should further integrate the supply chain, expanding their core inventory of accommodation and transport resources while strengthening pricing leverage. Bundled offerings such as premium air-hotel packages and county-level attraction combo passes can simultaneously enhance both product quality and perceived value.

    In parallel, platforms should capitalize on surging outbound tourism. This includes proactive involvement in overseas destination marketing campaigns and a keen focus on the specific needs and pain points of outbound travelers from non-first-tier cities, an area poised for the next wave of growth. At the same time, leveraging advancements in large models, OTAs can embed AI technologies into real-world travel scenarios to drive long-term cost reduction, operational efficiency, and upgrades in user experience.

    About MoonFox Data
    MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

    For Media Inquiries:
    Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MoonFox | Bilibili: A “Forever Young” Platform with a Long-term Vision

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Since Q3 2024, Bilibili has achieved profitability for three consecutive quarters, marking an acceleration in its commercialization efforts. 
    Over the past few years, the explosive growth of short video has significantly disrupted traditional content production and marketing models. As a leading platform for medium-to-long video, Bilibili bore the brunt of these shifts, and its relatively slow commercialization was frequently questioned. However, it’s clear that Bilibili has consistently sought a balance between community-driven content and commercial monetization — striving to enhance its revenue capabilities while preserving its signature user experience and community atmosphere.
    With the release of its Q1 2025 financial reports, Bilibili has successfully initiated a positive feedback loop between commercialization and content innovation. As the internet UV dividend reaches its ceiling, we have to re-evaluate Bilibili’s true marketing value.

    I.         Evolution of User Value: Still Youth-oriented, with Upgraded Consumption Vitality
    As one of China’s earliest ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games) communities, Bilibili has long attracted passionate niche enthusiasts, building a culture where users “Powered by Love”. This grassroots, interest-based social environment has continuously drawn waves of young creators. Compared to 2021 (when the average user age was 23 and users under 25 made up 50.08%), the platform’s user base has aged slightly, with an average age of 26 in 2025. However, its core user value remains clear: youthful, highly engaged, and increasingly capable of spending.
    The platform’s mass-market evolution has not diluted its youth-oriented DNA. Beyond the core ACGN demographic, students and young professionals fresh out of college continue to inject new vitality into the community.

    • According to MoonFox Data, as of April 2025, Bilibili’s monthly active users had an average age of 26. Among them, 62.25% were aged 16-35. Among new users added in April, 70.82% were in the 16-35 age group.
    • In contrast, back in April 2021, the age structure of users was younger. According to MoonFox Data, as of April 2021, Bilibili’s monthly active users had an average age of 23. At that time, 50.08% of active users were under 25, while users over 35 made up only 16.18%, which was 15 percentage points lower than in 2025.

    According to MoonFox Data, Bilibili is also seeing a growing presence of female users. In April 2025, women accounted for 44% of active users, increased by 1 percentage point YoY. Notably, female new users significantly outpaced male users throughout the past year. This influx has driven growth in content consumption, especially in lifestyle-related verticals, though challenges remain in sustaining long-term retention and monetization of these new cohorts.
    According to the 2024 financial report, views in the maternity and parenting category content rose 76% YoY, significantly outpacing other categories. In addition, content related to home decoration, beauty & fashion, automotive, and sports & fitness also showed rapid growth.

    Over the past three years, both Bilibili’s monthly active users and the number of paid Premium Members have continued to rise steadily. User stickiness keeps increasing. Since Q3 2023, the platform has maintained a daily active user base of over 100 million, with average daily usage time stabilizing between 100-110 minutes.

    Whether measured against long-form video platforms or mainstream social media apps, Bilibili continues to exhibit strong competitiveness in terms of user time spent. As the platform expands to reach a broader audience, its user retention and engagement have remained robust. These “high levels of stickiness” reflect Bilibili’s consistent strength in content creation and community value.

    II. Evolution of Content Value: “Professional Production + Youthful Expression” as a Strategic Moat
    1.         Deepening OGV Strategy to Build a Robust IP Matrix
    In terms of content formats and production models, leading social platforms such as Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Bilibili all offer broad creative ecosystems. Content ranges from UGC (User-Generated Content), PUGC (Professionally User-Generated Content), PGC (Professionally Generated Content), to OGV (Occupationally Generated Video), delivered via short videos and medium-to-long videos, live streaming, images, and audio, often cross-distributed across platforms. Among these, OGV represents Bilibili’s key strategic lever for deepening content value and building platform differentiation. The continued premiumization and IP-ification of OGV not only enhances Bilibili’s brand but also creates more monetization opportunities for other content creators by expanding content categories and formats.
    Bilibili’s OGV ecosystem now follows a clear incubation path: “Premium Content” → “Evergreen IP” → “Cross-platform Phenomenal IP”. Premium Content includes high-quality documentaries, original Chinese animation, music variety shows, and short drama series, giving rise to new breakout titles each year. “Evergreen IPs” emerge from long-tail influence and continued investment in premium content. A select few IPs break through platform boundaries, achieving phenomenal widespread social impact.

    2.         Unique Variety and Documentary Styles: Bilibili’s “Methodology” for Cross-demographic Breakthroughs
    Bilibili’s variety and documentary programming stands out for its youth-centric storytelling and emotional resonance, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. A standout case is Guarding Jiefang West Road, which debuted in 2019. This documentary-variety hybrid follows real cases from a local police station on the streets of Changsha City, adopting a reality TV style to deliver legal education. In a series of hilarious and absurd real events, legal knowledge is conveyed to the audience. The series was dubbed “a hand-drawn scroll of urban life” by the Bilibili users and went viral, eventually airing on CCTV and regional television networks.
    The vivid portrayal of everyday life infused with a lively local atmosphere, the integration of Changsha’s cultural and tourism elements, and the personalized expression shaped by the reality show format have not only inspired organic sharing among young audiences and prompted offline check-ins, but also created opportunities for commercial partnerships in future IP series. The exclusive title sponsorship spans a wide range of industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, insurance, and automotive. In addition, the program collaborates with professional content creators to interpret legal knowledge and analyze real-life cases, generating secondary dissemination and enabling multi-channel brand integration.
    In 2023, Bilibili and Shenzhen Media Group partnered with the same production company of Guarding Jiefang West Road, TVZONE, to launch The Glorious Pediatricians, an innovative medical documentary series. The IP leveraged nearly the same commercialization playbook as Guarding Jiefang West Road, from narrative tone to brand partnerships and cross-channel distribution.
    Beyond large IPs, Bilibili has also cultivated a range of niche, small-format shows that deeply explore social issues and Gen Z lifestyles, capturing mindshare within specific subcultures. These titles often go viral thanks to a content strategy combining OGV (full-length programs) + PUGC (expert content) + UGC (cross-industry uploader content). Examples include the 2024 “International Chinese Debating Competition”, the 90’s Dating Agency launched in 2021, and the upcoming 00’s Career Agency and 90’s Rental Agency in 2025.
    3.         Doubling Down on Original Chinese Animation to Strengthen Predictable Revenue Streams
    In 2023, Bilibili’s senior leadership revealed that 67% of Bilibili’s ACG users had begun actively consuming original Chinese animation, with users watching an average of 10 series each, totaling over 700 million hours of view time and 5 billion user interactions. Bilibili’s deep understanding and sensitivity to the ACG industry forms a key moat in its original Chinese animation strategy. In turn, this strengthens user stickiness and drives monetization through membership subscriptions, advertising, derivative products, and offline events.
    At the end of 2024, Bilibili announced a lineup of 43 upcoming original Chinese animations, backed by a clearer and more strategic release schedule compared to previous years. In 2025, IP sequels, female-centric IPs, and original animation have become core highlights. Among the 12 original series, several are continuations or expansions of existing hit IPs, such as Yao-Chinese Folktales 2 and Link Click: Yingdu Chapter. To Be Hero X, which launched globally in April, marks Bilibili’s first original Chinese animation released simultaneously worldwide. As of May 27, the series was still ongoing, having amassed 97.51 million views on its Mandarin dub and over 6 million views on the Japanese dub, outperforming earlier entries like To Be Hero: BABA and To Be Hero: LEAF.
    In addition to originals, adaptations of popular comics and novels remain pillars of the original Chinese category. Notably, in 2025 Bilibili has moved beyond its traditional “male-oriented action drama IPs”, tapping into content that resonates with female viewers. For example, the adaptation of The Legend of Princess Chang-Ge, which premiered in February, and the upcoming animation First Frost, both reflect a shift towards more emotionally driven storytelling. This shift reflects not only the platform’s broader approach to content themes, but also a subtle response to the evolving needs driven by the growth of its female user base. However, The Legend of Princess Chang-Ge failed to meet audience expectations, receiving an average rating of 7.6, significantly lower than its fantasy-genre peers. Viewer criticism cited plot alterations and stiff 3D character modeling as major issues, indicating that female-oriented IP adaptations still pose notable creative challenges for Bilibili’s original Chinese animations.
    4.         The Uploader Ecosystem: Connecting with Users through “Content Quality”
    While Bilibili, like other platforms, employs “interest-based” content recommendations, its waterfall-style feed gives users greater control over final content selection. This increases visibility for mid- and long-tail uploaders, making content quality the core driver of user retention. This more decentralized distribution mechanism has fostered a healthy creative environment, enabling UP creators to build lasting relationships with their audience through consistent, high-quality output. According to Jiemian.com, nearly 90% of Bilibili Power Up 100 in 2024 had been publishing content for over 5 years. Over 2 million creators have been active on the Bilibili for 5+ years,
    This robust creator(uploader) ecosystem fuels diversified content demand, while Bilibili’s active community feedback loop helps scale content innovation and creator growth.
    As of now, Bilibili’s homepage features 36 primary content categories, and official data indicates that more than 2 million subcultural tags exist on the platform. In 2024, its daily video views averaged 4.8 billion. From the annual report data, it is evident that content in emerging sectors such as maternity & childcare, sports & wellness, travel, and AI is also growing rapidly on Bilibili.

    In Q1 2025 alone, viewing time for AI-related content increased by 130%. Notable uploads include: A 10,000-Word Deep Dive: What Are AI Agents?, posted in March by @qiuzhi2046, which garnered over 440,000 views. A 2022 upload from @xiao_lin_shuo, titled How Advanced Is AI? Isn’t It Growing Too Fast?, which continues to gain traction, now surpassing 1.55 million views as of late May. These videos combine technical insights with a relaxed, humorous delivery. In addition, Q1 saw a rapid surge in paid courses on AI fundamentals, Python, and practical AI tools, reflecting strong demand. Uploaders, through youthful and accessible communication styles, help demystify complex topics. As a result, new technologies and product innovations can quickly reach and resonate with younger demographics, building early-stage trust and engagement.

    III. Evolution of Marketing Value: From “UV Pool” to “Endorsement Pool”
    1.         “Trust Endorsement” Through Cultural Identity
    By investing deeply in OGV content, Bilibili has built a rich matrix of cultural IPs, fostering a strong sense of trust and identity among users. When brands participate as title sponsors or co-creators, they are seen as part of the “Powered by Love” community. In recent years, numerous emerging consumer brands have embedded themselves into Bilibili’s ecosystem by “playing” with users, blending in naturally with youth subcultures and communities.
    For example, in the automotive sector, Wuling Motors sponsored the popular interview show Wuling Auto, and collaborated with top auto uploaders to showcase product strength. Its official account, @Wuling Silver Mark, has amassed 970,000 followers. In 2024, the game Black Myth: Wukong went viral, driving fans to visit real-life filming locations. This cross-industry linkage was dubbed a “pilgrimage tour” by Bilibili users. The official account @Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province launched a series of culture and tourism video campaign titled “Travel Shanxi with Wukong”, with single episodes surpassing 1.2 million views, effectively promoting local culture and landscapes in multiple aspects.
    2.         Long-term “Companion Marketing”
    While 5G online surfing and memes thrive in Gen Z culture, Bilibili’s connection of “Youthful Expression” with young users goes beyond trend-chasing. What really sets the platform apart is its ability to deliver deep emotional value through companionship and shared growth. “Companionship and personal growth” are key themes that enable Bilibili’s content to resonate with younger audiences. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to build long-term user engagement and embed brand perception early in the consumer journey. Popular content IPs span key moments such as college entrance exams, graduation season, summer holidays, and Youth Day, offering brands concrete scenarios to expand their influence and revitalize their image.
    In the consumer goods sector, Dreame, Guyu, and Laifen, among other emerging Chinese brands, have all established content matrices on Bilibili to engage young consumers. In the food &beverage industry, Uni-President Group sponsored the Bilibili Graduation Concert for three consecutive years (2022-2025), while also investing in original comedy content and foodie uploaders. These efforts gradually reshaped its brand image, increasing penetration among younger audiences.
    3.         “Authenticity” as a Driver of High Conversion
    Bilibili’s highly participatory user base, known for their “real human” feel, raises the bar for brand marketing & endorsement, but it also creates valuable opportunities for small and mid-sized brands. Bilibili’s community atmosphere amplifies the weight of user feedback. Metrics such as the number of danmaku, video completion rate, and the “triple interaction”(likes, coins, and sharing), and favorites serve as concrete indicators of content quality. At the same time, the higher threshold for user engagement makes interactions more meaningful. Because of this high bar for interaction, Bilibili has been seen as harder for advertisers’ endorsement and slower in conversion compared to platforms like Xiaohongshu or Douyin.
    However, during the 2023 “618” Shopping Festival, beauty brand PROYA achieved a live streaming ROI of 2.69, among the highest in the industry, challenging traditional perceptions. In e-commerce monetization on Bilibili platform, home & lifestyle uploader @Mr.MiDeng generated over RMB10 billion in GMV in 2023, while fashion uploader @Yingwuli achieved RMB 50 million in a single live session in 2024 and now hosts monthly live sales. A series of best-selling new product categories shows that users on Bilibili still possess strong untapped purchasing power. At the same time, when we look at the sources of these best-selling products, many “niche yet high-quality” brands have successfully generated endorsement and achieved strong conversion rates.
    Whether it’s @Mr.MiDeng or @Yingwuli, their sales are driven by long-form videos or live streaming rich in industry insights and in-depth product explanations, covering everything from product colors, materials, and manufacturing processes to after-sales service and issue resolution. Compared to the brand endorsement and marketing premium brought by major labels, smaller brands with reliable quality and durable products are often more likely to gain popularity under the influence of content uploaders.

    IV. Conclusion: Bilibili Is Redefining the Future of “Youth Marketing” through a Positive “Content – User – Commerce” Cycle
    From a niche ACG vertical community “Powered by Love” to a profitable content platform with three consecutive profitable quarters, Bilibili has preserved its youthful DNA. Yet it has also evolved into a more inclusive space, welcoming diverse interests from female users to lifestyle enthusiasts. Its expansion into OGV content, while maintaining strong creator ecosystems, positions Bilibili as a comprehensive video platform, one that deepens premium content moats, strengthens user stickiness, and broadens commercial possibilities.
    For brands, Bilibili’s value extends far beyond being a mere “UV Pool”. It serves as a cultural and emotional companion to multiple youth cohorts, and has become an irreplaceable space for both emerging and mid-tier brands looking to connect authentically with young audiences. As users cast their votes through the triple interaction, their danmaku comments also convey a strong authenticity sense toward the product. The collaboration between brands and creators feels more like an in-depth dialogue rather than a hard-sell ad driven purely by UVs.
    For Bilibili, sustained profitability may only be the beginning. By leveraging content to win the hearts of young users, its business model is in turn fueling a virtuous cycle—reinvesting in the very content ecosystem that brought them there. This positive flywheel is laying a long-term foundation for the platform’s future growth.

    About MoonFox Data
    MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

    For Media Inquiries:
    Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | “New Consumer Trends F4” Soar in Hong Kong Stock Market; Pop Mart’s Mark Value Hits All-Time High

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fueled by the global explosion in popularity of LABUBU, Pop Mart, one of the so-called “New Consumer Trends F4” stocks on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, has seen its share price skyrocket. As of market close on June 9, Pop Mart’s market capitalization reached HKD 336.8 billion, setting a new all-time high. With a 48.73% ownership stake, founder Wang Ning has now become the richest individual in Henan province.

    According to MoonFox Data, Pop Mart’s monthly average DAU (daily active users) on mobile surged 257% since the beginning of the year, while its customer UV index at offline retail stores rose 11%. The continued rise in its share price is a direct reflection of the company’s comprehensive growth across all operational metrics. Behind this momentum lies a meticulously planned commercial strategy that has laid a solid foundation for sustained growth.

    Building and Operating the Pop Mart IP Universe

    A global co-creation network of artists: POP MART has built a global creative network of over 200 designers, operating under a dual-track model of “emerging talent discovery + master collaborations.” By working closely with prominent artists such as Hong Kong designer Kenny Wong (creator of the “MOLLY” IP) and Dutch illustrator Kasing Lung (creator of the “LABUBU” IP), the company transforms artistic concepts into commercial value through a full industrialized pipeline of “concept sketches → 3D modeling → mass production → retail”.

    Emotionally resonant design: Take CRYBABY as an example: its core design concept revolves around “crying as therapy” and the idea that “everyone has moments when they need to cry”. It aims to encourage people to move forward with courage after releasing their emotions. By conveying the core message of emotional freedom, it provides emotional value to fans and evokes deep resonance, making it Pop Mart’s fastest-growing emerging IP in 2024, with a YoY revenue increase of over 1,537.2%.

    Continued development of core IPs: Classic IPs such as MOLLY and DIMOO continue to iterate with new themes, while emerging IP THE MONSTERS (which includes LABUBU) has expanded beyond static pop toys and figurines into plush accessories and interactive companions through diverse product designs and performances featuring park character interactions. These efforts have strengthened emotional bonds with fans, driving a remarkable 726.6% YoY revenue growth in 2024.

    Tiered pricing strategy across consumer scenarios:

    Blind Box Economy (RMB 59-69): By lowering the threshold to trigger impulse purchases, it enhances interactive fun through “hidden edition mysticism” and “blind box strategies”, stimulating desire to buy with the unpredictability of content and the scarcity of hidden editions.

    Mega Collection (RMB 1,000-10,000+): The MEGA series (e.g., 1000% SPACE MOLLY) targets high-spending collectors with an emphasis on art investment. Collaborations with institutions like the Van Gogh Museum and artists like Mika Ninagawa elevate the brand’s cultural cachet and pricing power, appealing to sophisticated buyers seeking both emotional and investment value.

    Understanding core consumers and capturing emotional demand:

    According to Pop Mart’s active user portrait, the core consumer group consists primarily of women aged 16 to 35, with Generation Z and young white-collar workers as the dominant force. These users are mainly concentrated in first- and second-tier cities with developed consumer markets. They are highly receptive to new trends, willing to pay for emotional value, possess a certain level of economic stability, and demonstrate strong purchasing intent. As both primary buyers and key nodes in social sharing, they play a central role in driving consumption and brand communication.

    The rise of Pop Mart’s commercial empire lies in its deep understanding and precise grasp of the consumer psychology of its target audience. By skillfully leveraging various psychological mechanisms, Pop Mart transforms the act of purchasing pop toys into an experience rich in fun and emotional connection. The unpredictability of blind boxes offers instant gratification; IP collectibles serve as symbols of self-expression for young consumers; and the exclusivity of hidden editions fosters a sense of group identity and pride. Together, these elements cater to a wide range of emotional needs, including comfort, individuality, surprise, achievement, and social connection.

    Omni-channel Reach and Precision Operations

    Offline Retail Expansion and Store Functionality Upgrade

    Retail Stores: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had opened 401 stores across Mainland China, primarily located in high-traffic commercial districts. With an emphasis on immersive store design, each outlet serves not just as a point of sale but also as a powerful channel for brand storytelling and customer engagement. According to MoonFox Data, the offline customer UV index in 2024 increased by 47.7% YoY, showing a strong correlation with in-store revenue.

    ROBOSHOPS: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had deployed 2,300 ROBOSHOPS, with a net increase of 110 units during the year. These automated vending machines, with their low operating costs and flexible deployment, have accelerated enterprises’ penetration into multi-tier cities and high-frequency consumption scenarios such as commercial complexes and transportation hubs, significantly enhancing the efficiency of consumer reach.

    Online Omni-channel Expansion and Development

    Self-owned Platforms: Pop Mart Official Mall and Pop Mart Blind Box Machine (WeChat applet) are the company’s core proprietary online channels. The Pop Mart Blind Box Machine simulates the offline blind box experience, enhancing user engagement and purchase satisfaction, and has demonstrated strong sales growth. According to MoonFox Data, the Pop Mart Blind Box Machine’s MAU grew by 58.5% throughout 2024, with revenue increasing 52.7% YoY.

    Additionally, following the online release of LABUBU 3.0 on April 24, Pop Mart saw an explosive short-term spike in market buzz and DAU, which was soon followed by a sustained upward trend in its share price, with growth momentum significantly accelerating in June.

    Third-Party E-commerce Platforms: Pop Mart has established official flagship stores on mainstream e-commerce platforms such as Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin. According to its 2024 financial report, its overall revenue from online channels rose 76.9% YoY, with Douyin and Tmall seeing particularly strong growth.

    Membership System Development and Value

    Pop Mart has built a large and highly active membership ecosystem. By implementing a tiered membership system and offering exclusive benefits such as points redemption, birthday gifts, and early access to new products, the brand has significantly boosted customer loyalty and lifetime value. According to the financial report data of 2024, the number of registered members in mainland China reached 46.083 million, with members contributing 92.7% of total sales. The repurchase rate stood at 49.4%. User behavior data from the app side also indicates growing frequency and duration of use.

    Meanwhile, Pop Mart is accelerating both the diversification of its IP portfolio and its global expansion. The company is undergoing a transformative shift from a “pop toy manufacturer” to a global IP ecosystem operator. Several major international investment banks have expressed bullish views on Pop Mart. Deutsche Bank, for instance, issued a report stating that Pop Mart’s potential market size is significantly larger than previously estimated, maintaining a “Buy” rating and raising its target price from HKD 200 to HKD 303.

    Looking ahead, the key challenges for Pop Mart will include sustaining the creative momentum of its IP lifecycle, addressing delayed tech integration, and restoring community trust. To maintain the emotional engagement of its 40 million users, the company must ensure that the “emotional deposit interest rate” on their emotional deposits keeps pace with “emotional inflation”. For investors, Pop Mart’s rise represents a “collective reckoning” within the investment community, an opportunity in the new consumer trends to step beyond traditional frameworks and develop a deeper understanding of consumer culture, identity, and behavioral trends behind each channel. In many ways, these qualitative insights may prove more predictive than financial report figures alone.

    About MoonFox Data

    MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

    For Media Inquiries:

    Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | “New Consumer Trends F4” Soar in Hong Kong Stock Market; Pop Mart’s Mark Value Hits All-Time High

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fueled by the global explosion in popularity of LABUBU, Pop Mart, one of the so-called “New Consumer Trends F4” stocks on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, has seen its share price skyrocket. As of market close on June 9, Pop Mart’s market capitalization reached HKD 336.8 billion, setting a new all-time high. With a 48.73% ownership stake, founder Wang Ning has now become the richest individual in Henan province.

    According to MoonFox Data, Pop Mart’s monthly average DAU (daily active users) on mobile surged 257% since the beginning of the year, while its customer UV index at offline retail stores rose 11%. The continued rise in its share price is a direct reflection of the company’s comprehensive growth across all operational metrics. Behind this momentum lies a meticulously planned commercial strategy that has laid a solid foundation for sustained growth.

    Building and Operating the Pop Mart IP Universe

    A global co-creation network of artists: POP MART has built a global creative network of over 200 designers, operating under a dual-track model of “emerging talent discovery + master collaborations.” By working closely with prominent artists such as Hong Kong designer Kenny Wong (creator of the “MOLLY” IP) and Dutch illustrator Kasing Lung (creator of the “LABUBU” IP), the company transforms artistic concepts into commercial value through a full industrialized pipeline of “concept sketches → 3D modeling → mass production → retail”.

    Emotionally resonant design: Take CRYBABY as an example: its core design concept revolves around “crying as therapy” and the idea that “everyone has moments when they need to cry”. It aims to encourage people to move forward with courage after releasing their emotions. By conveying the core message of emotional freedom, it provides emotional value to fans and evokes deep resonance, making it Pop Mart’s fastest-growing emerging IP in 2024, with a YoY revenue increase of over 1,537.2%.

    Continued development of core IPs: Classic IPs such as MOLLY and DIMOO continue to iterate with new themes, while emerging IP THE MONSTERS (which includes LABUBU) has expanded beyond static pop toys and figurines into plush accessories and interactive companions through diverse product designs and performances featuring park character interactions. These efforts have strengthened emotional bonds with fans, driving a remarkable 726.6% YoY revenue growth in 2024.

    Tiered pricing strategy across consumer scenarios:

    Blind Box Economy (RMB 59-69): By lowering the threshold to trigger impulse purchases, it enhances interactive fun through “hidden edition mysticism” and “blind box strategies”, stimulating desire to buy with the unpredictability of content and the scarcity of hidden editions.

    Mega Collection (RMB 1,000-10,000+): The MEGA series (e.g., 1000% SPACE MOLLY) targets high-spending collectors with an emphasis on art investment. Collaborations with institutions like the Van Gogh Museum and artists like Mika Ninagawa elevate the brand’s cultural cachet and pricing power, appealing to sophisticated buyers seeking both emotional and investment value.

    Understanding core consumers and capturing emotional demand:

    According to Pop Mart’s active user portrait, the core consumer group consists primarily of women aged 16 to 35, with Generation Z and young white-collar workers as the dominant force. These users are mainly concentrated in first- and second-tier cities with developed consumer markets. They are highly receptive to new trends, willing to pay for emotional value, possess a certain level of economic stability, and demonstrate strong purchasing intent. As both primary buyers and key nodes in social sharing, they play a central role in driving consumption and brand communication.

    The rise of Pop Mart’s commercial empire lies in its deep understanding and precise grasp of the consumer psychology of its target audience. By skillfully leveraging various psychological mechanisms, Pop Mart transforms the act of purchasing pop toys into an experience rich in fun and emotional connection. The unpredictability of blind boxes offers instant gratification; IP collectibles serve as symbols of self-expression for young consumers; and the exclusivity of hidden editions fosters a sense of group identity and pride. Together, these elements cater to a wide range of emotional needs, including comfort, individuality, surprise, achievement, and social connection.

    Omni-channel Reach and Precision Operations

    Offline Retail Expansion and Store Functionality Upgrade

    Retail Stores: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had opened 401 stores across Mainland China, primarily located in high-traffic commercial districts. With an emphasis on immersive store design, each outlet serves not just as a point of sale but also as a powerful channel for brand storytelling and customer engagement. According to MoonFox Data, the offline customer UV index in 2024 increased by 47.7% YoY, showing a strong correlation with in-store revenue.

    ROBOSHOPS: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had deployed 2,300 ROBOSHOPS, with a net increase of 110 units during the year. These automated vending machines, with their low operating costs and flexible deployment, have accelerated enterprises’ penetration into multi-tier cities and high-frequency consumption scenarios such as commercial complexes and transportation hubs, significantly enhancing the efficiency of consumer reach.

    Online Omni-channel Expansion and Development

    Self-owned Platforms: Pop Mart Official Mall and Pop Mart Blind Box Machine (WeChat applet) are the company’s core proprietary online channels. The Pop Mart Blind Box Machine simulates the offline blind box experience, enhancing user engagement and purchase satisfaction, and has demonstrated strong sales growth. According to MoonFox Data, the Pop Mart Blind Box Machine’s MAU grew by 58.5% throughout 2024, with revenue increasing 52.7% YoY.

    Additionally, following the online release of LABUBU 3.0 on April 24, Pop Mart saw an explosive short-term spike in market buzz and DAU, which was soon followed by a sustained upward trend in its share price, with growth momentum significantly accelerating in June.

    Third-Party E-commerce Platforms: Pop Mart has established official flagship stores on mainstream e-commerce platforms such as Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin. According to its 2024 financial report, its overall revenue from online channels rose 76.9% YoY, with Douyin and Tmall seeing particularly strong growth.

    Membership System Development and Value

    Pop Mart has built a large and highly active membership ecosystem. By implementing a tiered membership system and offering exclusive benefits such as points redemption, birthday gifts, and early access to new products, the brand has significantly boosted customer loyalty and lifetime value. According to the financial report data of 2024, the number of registered members in mainland China reached 46.083 million, with members contributing 92.7% of total sales. The repurchase rate stood at 49.4%. User behavior data from the app side also indicates growing frequency and duration of use.

    Meanwhile, Pop Mart is accelerating both the diversification of its IP portfolio and its global expansion. The company is undergoing a transformative shift from a “pop toy manufacturer” to a global IP ecosystem operator. Several major international investment banks have expressed bullish views on Pop Mart. Deutsche Bank, for instance, issued a report stating that Pop Mart’s potential market size is significantly larger than previously estimated, maintaining a “Buy” rating and raising its target price from HKD 200 to HKD 303.

    Looking ahead, the key challenges for Pop Mart will include sustaining the creative momentum of its IP lifecycle, addressing delayed tech integration, and restoring community trust. To maintain the emotional engagement of its 40 million users, the company must ensure that the “emotional deposit interest rate” on their emotional deposits keeps pace with “emotional inflation”. For investors, Pop Mart’s rise represents a “collective reckoning” within the investment community, an opportunity in the new consumer trends to step beyond traditional frameworks and develop a deeper understanding of consumer culture, identity, and behavioral trends behind each channel. In many ways, these qualitative insights may prove more predictive than financial report figures alone.

    About MoonFox Data

    MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

    For Media Inquiries:

    Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: New Development Bank appoints Tshepiso Moahloli as regional DG

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The New Development Bank (NDB) has appointed Tshepiso Moahloli as the new Africa Regional Centre (ARC) Director-General, following an international competitive recruitment process. 

    Moahloli’s appointment took effect on 20 June 2025. 

    Moahloli’s role will entail managing the Bank’s African regional operations and leading the African continent, with a focus on project origination, preparation, and implementation supervision. She will also serve as a primary interface between the NDB and key project stakeholders in the region.

    The NDB is celebrating 10 years of operations this year. Since its inception in 2015, the Bank has approved 15 infrastructure projects in South Africa, valued at a total of US$7.3 billion. 

    These projects focus on addressing crucial infrastructure needs in sectors sincluding water, energy, transport and logistics networks.

    “Moahloli is a former National Treasury Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Asset and Liability Management and has amassed more than a decade of experience in the National Treasury providing operational and strategic leadership in Debt Management, Risk Management and Stakeholder Relations.

    “Prior to this appointment, Moahloli provided consulting services on various projects related to public debt, climate financing and broad infrastructure development. Moahloli provided strategic expertise at the newly formed Oman Debt Management Office,” National Treasury said.

    In partnership with the World Bank, she has also provided consulting support for the NDB in mapping out requisite reforms in infrastructure delivery for the National Treasury.

    Moahloli holds a Master of Business Administration in Executive Management from the University of Cape Town, and a Master of Commerce Economic Science (with Distinction) from the University of the Witwatersrand.

    National Treasury Director-General, Dr Duncan Pieterse, who is also South Africa’s representative on the NDB Board of Directors, wishes Moahloli well in her new role as she leads the expansion of the NDB Project Portfolio in South Africa and the broader African region for greater development impact. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Health and Social Care Secretary speech on health inequalities

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Health and Social Care Secretary speech on health inequalities

    Wes Streeting spoke at Blackpool Football club on reducing health inequalities.

    Thank you very much, Simon. And thanks to all of you for coming to join us this morning here at Bloomfield Road. 

    I just want to echo, first of all, what Simon said about the club and about the impact it has through the trust of people in the community, particularly in terms of the work it does with young people, giving people opportunities or better life chances. 

    It’s a reminder that it’s something that government has to do, and I believe very strongly we can’t do without a good and active government. 

    But it’s also a reminder that whether we’re talking about creating health or education and life chances, the government can’t do it on our own. 

    And if we try to, we won’t have as much impact as if we work with partners. 

    So I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone here at the club for the work that you do as a proper community-rooted club. 

    This is a town that occupies a special place in my heart through a lot of happy memories from visits to Pleasure Beach as a kid. 

    I’ve got family up the road in Preston, too. And National Union of Students conferences in Winter Gardens during my student years, some of which I can still remember. 

    But as Health and Social Care Secretary, Blackpool is on my mind for less happy reasons: its health outcomes, which are not only poor, but unjust.   

    England is not an especially large nation. Yet the inequalities between us are huge.  

    Travel 30 miles down the road to Ribble Valley and men live for 8 years longer. 

    A baby girl born here in Blackpool will live 7 years less than one born in Wokingham.

    She will fall into ill health 18 years earlier in life. 

    As the report by the Chief Medical Officer on health in coastal communities puts it, in many working-class towns like this one, people are growing old before their time.  

    [Political content removed] 

    And the gap between the health of the poorest and wealthiest parts of our country have widened. 

    These stark health inequalities are not just down to the health service alone.  

    They are also caused by poverty, a lack of good work, damp housing, dirty air, and the sporting, travel and cultural opportunities which are afforded to the privileged few being denied to the many. 

    It is why I have been driving the NHS so hard to reform, improve productivity and cut waste.  

    Because every pound spent on diagnosing and treating illness is a pound that can’t be spent on tackling the causes of ill health.  

    In the coming days, we will be publishing our 10 year plan, which will set out how this mission-driven government will tackle illness, keep disease at bay, and reduce the health inequalities that shame our society.  

    Our 10 year plan will not just be a plan for the NHS, but a plan for health.  

    It will tackle illness at source through a whole-society approach, with a shift in focus from treating sickness to preventing it in the first place. 

    Already this government is taking action. The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, is rolling out primary school breakfast clubs and free school lunches to millions of children, so they walk into the classroom with hungry minds not hungry bellies.  

    Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, is building a new generation of homes, and along with our Business Secretary, Jonny Reynolds, introducing sick pay from day one in the job. 

    The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has given workers on the minimum wage a £1,400 pay rise this year. 

    The Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, is giving disabled people the right to work, so they can take up a job opportunity, knowing if things go wrong they can go back to the support they had before without the jeopardy or fear of missing out or being back to square one.   

    Our Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, is extending the Warm Home Discount, helping keep millions more households warm this winter. 

    And our Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, is cleaning up our rivers and seas from sewage. 

    So, you can see that just those steps we’ve already taken less than a year in office that Keir Starmer’s government is determined to lift people out of poverty, tackle inequality and improve the health of our society. 

    [political content removed] 

    Today, I want to set out how our reforms to the NHS will fundamentally improve the health of working-class communities. 

    NHS founded on principle of equity 

    The National Health Service was founded to end grotesque inequality in access to healthcare.  

    Before 1948, working people avoided the doctor unless they absolutely needed to see one, because of the costs being so prohibitive.  

    Diseases such as rickets, scurvy and diphtheria were common amongst children. 

    The solution was revolutionary – universal healthcare, publicly funded, free at the point of need.  

    And as the NHS’s founder, my predecessor, Nye Bevan, promised, the NHS lifted the shadow from millions of homes and eradicated the fear of illness from people’s hearts.  

    It has been one of the great levellers of our society. The greatest institution this country has ever built. 

    But as the NHS was neglected and left to decline after 2010, it contributed toward the widening gap between rich and poor. 

    Two-tier healthcare 

    Waiting times soared, and a 2-tier healthcare system emerged, where those who can afford it pay to go private, and everyone else was being left behind. 

    [political content removed] 

    The NHS was never intended to just be a safety net for those who cannot afford to pay.  

    Such a system would be doomed to ever-declining quality care. 

    Taxpayers would question why they continue to pay for a service they don’t use.  

    Inevitably, the NHS would become a poor service for poor people. 

    Since its foundation, we have always aspired to an NHS that is universal in provision so that everyone receives high-quality care.  

    [Political content removed] 

    With our Plan for Change, the NHS is on the road to recovery. Since the general election, we have: 

    • recruited an extra 1,700 GPs to the frontline 

    • delivered an extra 3.6 million appointments for planned care and delivered on our promised 2 million in our first year 

    • diagnosed an extra 187,000 suspected cancer patients on time 

    • cut waiting lists in the month of April for the first time in 17 years 

    • cut waiting lists to their lowest level in 2 years 

    • cut waiting lists by almost a quarter of a million patients

    Each one of those patients we have taken off the waiting list is free from pain and in some cases disability, because of the decisions this government has taken. 

    I’m not here to do victory laps. I know that for the almost a quarter of a million people who have received faster treatment, there are more than 7 million cases still waiting.  

    We’ve done a lot but there’s so much more to do. Especially for towns like Blackpool. 

    Tackling inequalities 

    While there are so many social determinants of ill-health that need to be addressed, the fact is that the NHS doesn’t do enough to address the unjust, unequal way in which illness presents itself in our country.  

    In fact, it sometimes entrenches it. 

    General practice was neglected and declined across the board for more than a decade [political content removed].  

    But that doesn’t explain why there are 300 more patients per GP in the poorest communities, compared with the richest. 

    As I spoke about on Monday, far too many parents and their babies have been failed by maternity services.  

    But failing services don’t explain why Black women are almost 3 times more likely to die from childbirth than White women. 

    Black men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer than White men.  

    But given we know the risk is greater, and given we know how to catch cancer early, that doesn’t explain these sorts of inequalities given the evidence is there. 

    For those in greatest need often receive the worst-quality healthcare.  

    This fact flies in the face of the values upon which the NHS was founded.  

    A core ambition of our 10 year plan is to restore the promise of the NHS, to provide first class healthcare for everyone in our country. 

    Whoever you are, whatever your background, wherever you live. 

    NHS solutions 

    [Political content removed] 

    It has fallen to this government to rebuild the NHS for all of us.  

    We are starting where the need is greatest. 

    [Political content removed] 

    We’ve sent crack teams of top clinicians to hospitals around the country, where the highest numbers of people are off work, off sick, to help them cut waiting lists faster. Therefore, getting people not just back to health but back to work. 

    We are delivering on our manifesto commitment to fill in dental deserts, by paying dentists extra to come to work in underserved areas. 

    And today I can announce that we will go further. 

    In recent years, billions of pounds have been put aside for NHS trusts who let their spending get out of control and run up deficits.  

    It’s essentially a bailout fund for poor financial management.  

    I am working with Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of the NHS, to end that culture of rewards for failure. 

    Thanks to the reforms we’ve made to bear down on wasteful spending, the fund will not go to trusts which run deficits this year. 

    We can reinvest that money in the frontline, so it isn’t spent on rewarding poor performance but to improving poor health. 

    The £2.2 billion will fund more effective care – such as innovative medicines, modern technology and services that keep people out of hospital – all going to the places where they are most needed. 

    GP practices serving more deprived areas receive 10% less funding per needs-adjusted patient than poorer parts of our country and have 300 more patients per GP as a result.  

    So, working with the British Medical Association, we will review how health need is reflected in funding for general practice (known to the wonks in the room as the Carr-Hill formula), with a sharp focus on money following need. 

    Where health needs are greatest and GPs fewest, we will prioritise investment to rebuild your NHS and rebuild the health of your community. 

    NHS as anchor institution 

    I said in my first week in this job, the NHS has a part to play in dragging our country out of the sluggish growth and low productivity the government inherited. 

    It is the biggest employer in many towns in England.  

    In coastal towns like Blackpool, where far more people are off work due to long-term sickness, the NHS has a dual role to play.  

    Not just getting patients off waiting lists and back to work, although we are doing that. 

    The health service should also act as an engine of local economic growth, giving opportunities in training and work to local people. 

    Working in the NHS is rightly seen as a high status, secure job.  

    But many people see it as unachievable and out of their reach. 

    On a visit to King George Hospital in my own neck of the woods, I saw first-hand a brilliant programme, Project SEARCH, that supports 17 to 19 year olds who are learning disabled and/or autistic, with internships that give them experience of a wide range of paying jobs, as well as coaching on things like preparing a CV and interview skills.  

    One of them, Muhammed Patel, shared with me how much he had loved the experience and hoped for a career in the NHS.  

    Months later, he messaged me on Instagram to tell me he’s got a job.  

    He’s not the only one.  

    Project SEARCH aims to get every young person on their programme a job in the NHS or with another employer and is succeeding.  

    So today we are launching a new pilot, backed by £5 million, to help recruit an additional 1,000 people to the NHS from areas worst hit by unemployment. 

    The programme will offer a ladder into the world of work for people who find it hardest to break out of unemployment, including over 50s, unpaid carers and disabled people. 

    They will gain the skills needed in health and care, alongside support with job applications and work placements, kickstarting what will hopefully be a long-term and rewarding career in our health and care sectors, where they will more than repay the investment we’re making in them today. 

    Patient power revolution 

    Finally, our 10 year plan will address one of the starkest health inequalities, which is often written out of this conversation. 

    It is the unequal access in our society to information, choice and control over our own healthcare. 

    When I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, colleagues in Parliament asked where I was being treated and who my surgeon was.  

    They just wanted to make sure I was receiving the best possible care.  

    Luckily, the NHS had already assigned me a world-class surgeon who saved my life.  

    But those are questions that my mum, a cleaner here in Lancashire, would never think to ask and would certainly never ask. 

    When the wealthy receive a diagnosis, they already know the best surgeons and can push to get the best care.  

    But working-class people can’t.  

    If the wealthy are told to wait months for treatment, they can shop around. But working-class people can’t.  

    And if the wealthy want instant information about their own health, they can pay for an app that allows them to speak to a doctor over the phone, 24/7.  

    But working-class people can’t. 

    This is not just grossly unfair. It presents an existential risk to the health service. 

    More than any other age group, this generation of young people are prepared to opt-out of the NHS.  

    Last year the biggest increase in private hospital admissions was for people under the age of 40.  

    Almost half of young people say they would consider going private if they needed care.  

    The NHS feels increasingly slow and outdated to the generation that organises their lives at the touch of a button.  

    If you get annoyed at Deliveroo not getting your dinner to you in less than an hour, how will you feel being told to wait a year for a knee operation? 

    A failure to modernise risks this generation walking away from the NHS, first for their healthcare and then with their taxes.  

    People won’t accept paying higher and higher taxes to fund a health service that no longer meets their needs. 

    And the lack of control people feel over their own lives is made worse by an analogue, ‘computer says no’, NHS. 

    We can only close this inequality and shut down this risk to the NHS’s future through a revolution in patient power.  

    The ambition of our 10 year plan is nothing less than to provide NHS patients with the same ease, convenience, power, choice and control that’s afforded to private patients. 

    The good news is that technology gives us the opportunity to democratise healthcare in a way never before possible.  

    It can empower patients with choice and control and make managing our healthcare as convenient as doing our shopping or banking online.  

    Technology can be the great leveller. 

    Look at what Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert, has done for personal finances.  

    For ordinary people who sign up to his newsletter – and I’m one of them – who could never afford their own financial adviser, it is simple and easy to make your hard-earned money go further – if you’ve got access to the right advice.  

    Our 10 year plan for health will do the same for NHS patients, giving them easy access to information to help them improve their health. 

    We will introduce a tool on the NHS App called My Companion.  

    It will provide all patients with information about their health condition, if they have one, or their procedure, if they need one.  

    It will get patients answers to questions they forgot or felt too embarrassed to ask in a face-to-face appointment.  

    So, the next time you’re at an appointment and you’re told something that doesn’t sound right, you will have at your fingertips the information you need to speak up confidently. 

    And we will give every patient meaningful choice, through a new tool called My Choices.  

    It will show patients everything from their nearest pharmacy to the best hospital for heart surgery across the country, with patients able to choose based on their preference.  

    If NHS providers know that their waiting times, health outcomes of their patients, and patient satisfaction ratings will all be publicly available, they will be inspired to respond to patient choice, raise their game and deliver services that patients value. 

    Not everyone will want a choice.  

    Many just want their local hospital.  

    That’s fine and will always be a default option.  

    But we know that at the root of many inequalities in health outcomes is a failure to listen to patients.  

    A ‘one size fits all’ approach often misses the distinct needs of women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds or people living in rural communities.  

    And we will only deal with the grotesque health inequalities in our society by empowering all patients. 

    Conclusion 

    In the months leading up to the founding of the NHS, Nye Bevan said: 

    For a while it may appear that everything is going wrong.  

    As a matter of fact, everything will be going right because people will be able to complain.  

    They complain now, but no one hears about it. 

    He promised that a National Health Service would put a “megaphone to the mouth of every complainant, so that it can be heard all over the country.”

    [political content removed] 

    We have always believed that public services exist to serve the interests of the pupil, the passenger, the patient above all else.    

    And the driving force behind the work this government does every day is the principle that whatever class you come from, everyone deserves world-class services. 

    We expect nothing less from what we expect for ourselves, and that is why we’re determined to get our NHS back on its feet, to make sure it’s fit for the future and put power in the hands of every patient. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s non-financial ODI up 2.3% in first five months

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

    China’s non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) rose 2.3 percent year on year in the first five months this year, official data showed Thursday.

    Total non-financial ODI of the country amounted to 61.6 billion U.S. dollars during the period, according to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Synergy of Practice and Science: IPMET at the Main Economic Forum of the Country

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    Teachers, scientists, postgraduates and students of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade took an active part in the work of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Polytechnic representatives conducted professional examinations, spoke at panel sessions, attended open lectures, master classes and platforms of industrial partners.

    IPMEiT employees worked as accredited experts of the Roscongress Foundation. Dmitry Rodionov, Director of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics, acted as an expert in two sections that were in the sphere of professional and scientific interests of VIES: “Development of Russian Regions: Partnership between the State and Business to Achieve National Goals?” and “Universities on the Path to a New Model of Higher Education”. Analytical expertise of discussions related to strengthening the financial culture in terms of long-term savings, as well as ensuring the development of technological leadership in cooperation between universities and industry, was carried out by VIES Associate Professor Daria Krasnova. Olga Kalinina, Director of the Higher School of Industrial Management, worked as an expert in the specialized sections “Cooperation of Universities and Industries to Achieve Technological Leadership Goals” and “Modern Labor Market: Search for Answers to Global Challenges”.

    SPIEF gives the university a key advantage – an exit from the academic environment into the real sector. Collaborations are born here that translate theoretical research into the practical plane, – notes VIES Director Dmitry Rodionov.

    A regular participant of the SPIEF, director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Information Technologies and Business Analysis of Gazprom Neft, and professor at VIESH Irina Rudskaya noted that participation in the forum for the university is not just a status event, but a strategic opportunity.

    The forum allows us not only to evaluate our competencies, but also to integrate into the global expert-business agenda, find practical application for scientific developments and form long-term partnerships with industry leaders, says Irina Andreevna.

    Head of the System Dynamics Research Laboratory Angi Skhvediani conducted expert work in the sections “Bioeconomics in the global agenda” and “Artificial intelligence: from discussion to implementation”. Professor Tatyana Kudryavtseva carried out expertise in sections devoted to the digitalization of the contract system of Russia and discussion of forms of financing infrastructure projects necessary to maintain economic growth. Senior researcher of the laboratory Valeria Arteyeva acted as an expert in sections where the current state of the labor market and prospects for the emergence of new professions were discussed.

    During the work at the forum, we identified relevant and promising areas for conducting fundamental and applied research in areas such as the implementation of AI, analysis and forecasting of the labor market, and the development of the public procurement system. This knowledge will make the results of the laboratory’s work more in demand both in the academic and business environments, – comments the head of the Scientific Research Laboratory “System Dynamics” Angi Skhvediani.

    Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Sergey Barykin worked as an expert in two sections: “Cross-border electronic trade: launching new rules” and “Cyclic industries in the Russian economy and its development”.

    The results of the examinations will be published in the Roscongress Information and Analytical System, as well as on other information resources of the Roscongress Foundation and public publications.

    Director of the Higher School of Political Science Olga Kalinina and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Economics Daria Krasnova took part in the panel discussion as experts from the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) with the aim of collecting feedback on the main substantive and organizational aspects of the forum, where they shared their experience of conducting examinations, and also conducted an analysis of the activity and demand for visiting youth sections.

    Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Sergey Barykin took part in the session of the section “Neoethics in the era of neurotechnology” with the aim of developing theoretical approaches for socio-economic development based on neural network technologies for the development of the scientific school of the Higher School of Service and Trade “Socio-economic forecasting and improving the quality of life of the population”. He took part in the discussion about the importance of robotics for improving the quality of life of the population at the stand of the Association of Data Processing Centers, and also took part in the meeting with the delegation of Turkmenistan on the issue of expanding international cooperation of the scientific and pedagogical school of the Higher School of Service and Trade.

    Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics and Technology for work with students, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Economics and Technology Maxim Ivanov took part in several events of the SPIEF as part of the development of cooperation between the university and the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SPbCCI) and the city’s executive authorities.

    For the forum, the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry prepared a special issue of the magazine “Guide to Russian Business in St. Petersburg”, which was distributed throughout the event at the St. Petersburg stand. In the special issue “St. Petersburg: City of Meanings, Solutions and the Future”, the authors of the Polytechnic University, including Vice-Rector for Educational Activities Lyudmila Pankova, Director of the Higher School of Management Olga Kalinina, Deputy Director of the Institute of Mechanics and Technology Maxim Ivanov, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Management Tamara Selentyeva and Professor of the UNESCO Department “Quality Management in Education for Sustainable Development”, Chairman of the Human Resources Committee of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladislav Raskovalov prepared a publication “The Role of Mentoring at the University for the Development of the Region’s Human Resource Potential”, which revealed the main trends in the formation of the mentoring institution at the university level and its impact on the sustainable socio-economic development of the region.

    IPMEiT also actively participated in the International Youth Economic Forum “Day of the Future”, held as part of SPIEF-2025. The delegation of the Higher School of Industrial Management, consisting of Director Olga Kalinina, teachers Victoria Vilken, Anton Shaban, Anna Timofeeva, Artem Ivaschenko and twenty students and postgraduates, visited the exhibition stands of the largest companies, got acquainted with new technologies and initiatives in the field of digital economy, sustainable development and regional entrepreneurship. Of particular interest were the discussion sessions: “Marketplaces as a factor in sustainable economic development of regions” and “Hype Economy: Trends vs. Strategies”, where students not only broadened their horizons, but were also able to ask questions to market experts.

    Such events are more than just a forum. They are an environment in which the thinking of future managers is formed. We see how quickly the economic agenda is changing, and it is important that our students are not observers, but active participants in these changes. We are confident that each member of our team took away from the forum new ideas, contacts and motivation for development, – comment GSPM teachers Victoria Vilken and Anton Shaban.

    The Higher School of Business Engineering was represented by Master’s students in the Business Informatics program, Zhasurbek Toshkanov and Alexander Shtern. The students passed the competitive selection at Roscogress and got to the SPIEF as part of the business program “EAEU Model”, the sessions “Dialogue without Borders: Youth Cooperation for the Future” and “Formation of Personal Brand Value: New Tools with the Support of RWB”.

    The forum atmosphere charged us with motivation and inspired us to develop further, opening up new perspectives on personal growth and opportunities! We can confidently say that such events provide a unique opportunity to exchange experiences, make new contacts and get a fresh look at current issues of business development and international cooperation, – note Zhasurbek and Alexander.

    Bachelors of the Higher School of Business Engineering in the Business Informatics program also took part in various events of the forum: Ivan Golikov became a participant of the SPIEF and a resident of the SPIEF Academy, Elena Novokhatskaya took part in the youth day, including the session “Business does not sleep: 360 reviews”, Andrey Shestopalov was a forum employee, and Daria Dolgushina took part in the youth day as part of the Severstal delegation.

    Students of the Higher School of Public Administration also took part in the Youth Day of the forum.

    Participation in SPIEF has become an invaluable experience for me and a real driver of development! This is a unique platform where I was able to immerse myself in the atmosphere of large-scale discussions, meet leading experts and top managers, representatives of business and government, – Arina Shikhova, a master’s student in the direction of “State and Municipal Administration”, shares her impressions.

    Students of the Higher School of Service and Trade, majoring in Trade: Alexander Goncharenko participated in the work of the negotiation rooms, and Alexander Dronov participated in open dialogues at youth meetings.

    The organizers of the SPbPU Case Club, students of the “State and Municipal Administration” and “Management” programs Daria Tomishinetz and Tatyana Izidorova, worked in the sections “Industrial City of the Future: How the Young Can Change Reality” and “Youth Communities as a Tool of HR Policy”. Activists of the “Keen On” conversation club, led by the head of the club, a student of the “Management” program Elina Goricheva, attended the events “Lessons Learned: Successes and Failures in the Business Environment”, “Business Doesn’t Sleep: 360 Analysis” and others.

    Students of IPMEiT also took part for the first time in the SPIEF Academy project, a special platform for students aimed at developing professional skills and leadership potential, as well as creating a dialogue between young professionals and representatives of government, business, culture, sports and other areas.

    For our students, participation in the events of the SPIEF Youth Day becomes an important event every year. This is not just an opportunity to see large-scale business processes from the inside, but also a chance to prove yourself, to communicate with professionals from all over the country and the world. It is important to note that the participation of final-year students opens up additional prospects for employment and professional growth for them, – emphasizes Tamerlan Tuganov, responsible for work with youth and graduates of IPMET.

    Our institute annually takes part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. We approach this event systematically in order to conduct high-quality expert assessment work, speak at panel discussions, and prepare our students and postgraduates for the Youth Day. Students’ interest in the forum is growing from year to year. The forum events have truly become a point of attraction for proactive and talented young people who strive to realize themselves in economics, management, technology, sustainable development, and international cooperation. I would also like to note that the active participation of all Higher Schools indicates high professional interest and demand for the events held at SPIEF-2025. For our institute, the forum has also become a platform for establishing contacts with representatives of business, specialized communities, and government bodies, — Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the IPMEiT, summed up the results of the institute’s participation in the forum.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Visitors to the Moscow Estates festival can take quizzes in the Russpass game

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Residents and visitors of the capital will be able to test their knowledge of Moscow in quizzes of a virtual game, which is available in a mobile application tourist service Russpass. Completing them will help you earn bonuses faster to buy tickets to museums and other venues with a discount of up to 99 percent within the Russpass bonus program. You can go on your first game journey to the festival venues of the Moscow Estates project.

    How to participate in the quiz

    Virtual characters of the game – cartoons – live near historical landmarks, on the capital’s streets and in parks. You can find them using your smartphone and explore the city from a new angle. It is absolutely necessary to complete a quiz if such a task is offered by a cartoon. But in this case, more bonuses are awarded than just for catching cartoon characters.

    The quiz questions are about museum exhibits, the histories of masterpieces, architectural innovations and features of estates. For example, where does the name “Basmanny” come from? What architectural innovation emphasized the status of houses in the Arbatsky district in the 19th century? What is unique about the building of the Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate in Khamovniki?

    To get a bonus, it is enough to answer at least two questions correctly. One quiz can be taken three times. Hints are available – the correct answers are on the exhibition stands inside the estate clusters. Hints can also be found on a special page of the service Ruspassdedicated to the festival. In order not to miss new quizzes, on the map with cartoons in the filter you should put a tick next to the swan icon.

    Residents of the capital and tourists over the age of 14 can take part in the game. To do this, you need to download the application Ruspass. After registration, a map of Moscow will open with the habitats of cartoons in different districts. The game sites are constantly changing so that the characters can visit different iconic places of the city. Bonuses received in the game can be spent on buying tickets to museums – partners of Russpass, on attractions, trips to master classes and more. Recently, the game became interregional: cartoons can be caught in St. Petersburg and Kazan.

    In addition, the augmented reality game based on the Russpass mobile application has been replenished with new summer cartoons that can be caught on the streets of the capital near the sights. They are created in the special style of the Summer in Moscow project. Among them are a butterfly, a bird, a squirrel, a robot and a cat — the mascot of the Russpass service. The cartoons will appear at more than 90 sites of the main project of the season — in parks, swimming pools, near the Made in Moscow art pavilions, on boulevards and central streets.

    Interesting Moscow

    The large-scale project “Moscow Estates”, which is held as part of the “Summer in Moscow” project, introduces city residents and tourists to the rich history and cultural heritage of the capital. In the new season, visitors will enjoy masterpieces of classical music, immersive performances, master classes for the whole family and other interactive formats that will help immerse themselves in the atmosphere of ancient estates – more than two thousand events in total. This summer, the number of venues increased to 50, and the festival program united three estate clusters in Khamovniki, on Arbat and in the Basmanny District.

    In 2020, the digital tourism service Russpass began operating. It was created on the initiative of the Moscow Government. The project is supervised by the capital Tourism Committee together withDepartment of Information Technology.

    Since its creation, the Russpass service has grown into a full-fledged ecosystem. Thanks to the service, it is easy to plan a trip, book tickets and a hotel, and select excursions. The online publication “Russpass-magazine” will help you learn everything about traveling around Russia. And for representatives of the tourism industry, the portal “Russpass. Business” has been operating since June 2023.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and the new season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Children will be able to explore the capital’s sights as part of “Summer in Moscow”

    Quickly find out the main news of the capital inofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155869073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • India’s strategic partnership with G7 to boost world trade: Study

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A strategic collaboration in areas including clean and renewable energy, climate finance, Digital Public Infrastructure, trade and supply chain resilience, as well as, healthcare and pharma will drive a mutually beneficial growth trajectory between India and the G7 advanced countries, according to a study released on Thursday.

    The study released by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry also mentioned the importance of maritime and Indo-Pacific security as a strategic factor that further cements the relationship between India and the G7 countries.

    The report highlighted that India’s merchandise trade with G7 countries has surged by 61 per cent, rising from $154 billion in FY 2020–21 to $248 billion in FY 2024–25, maintaining a steady trade surplus. This reflects India’s growing export competitiveness as indicated by the commodity net export price index, bolstering its external sector resilience, the report pointed out.

    “India’s consistent real GDP growth makes the country a key growth driver for the world economy. The transformative reforms, including GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Act, Production Linked Incentive Scheme, growing digital infrastructure (Aadhaar, UPI) and ‘Make in India’ are strengthening India’s ascendancy in the World,” said Hemant Jain, president, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

    With an average real GDP growth of more than 8 per cent from 2021 to 2024, India has consistently outpaced all G7 members. IMF’s 2025 projections indicate that India will maintain an average growth trajectory above 6 per cent through 2029, supported by robust domestic demand, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and its demographic dividend.

    In terms of purchasing-power-parity (PPP) terms, India’s share in global GDP has surged from 7 per cent in 2020 to 8.3 per cent in 2024, and is anticipated to exceed 9 per cent by 2029, the report points out.

    A crucial underlying factor is the demographic divergence between India and the G7. India’s working-age population (15–64 years) is projected to increase in the coming years, with over 68 per cent of its population currently between 15-64 years. This demographic dividend supports labour supply expansion, boosts domestic consumption, and enhances the innovation ecosystem through a vibrant startup culture and rising tertiary education enrolment, the report states.

    Further, India’s share of the total population aged 65 and above constitutes less than 5 per cent (2025). Conversely, G7 nations are confronting demographic headwinds as their share is more than 10 per cent, highlighting rapidly ageing populations, shrinking labour pools, and rising old-age dependency ratios.

    By 2030, this share is expected to double or more than double for the G7 economies. This is likely to slow potential output, reduce consumer demand, and increase fiscal burdens related to pensions and healthcare, the report further states.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address at the G7 summit, underscored India’s leadership in clean energy transition, climate action, and digital innovation. Key global initiatives led by India – the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE, and the Global Biofuels Alliance – are shaping a greener, more inclusive world.

    In the technology and digital governance space, India highlighted its commitment to a human-centric and ethical approach to AI, showcasing initiatives like BHASHINI and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as global models, he said.

    The Prime Minister urged for global cooperation on AI governance, resilient tech supply chains, and curbing the misuse of emerging technologies.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • India’s strategic partnership with G7 to boost world trade: Study

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A strategic collaboration in areas including clean and renewable energy, climate finance, Digital Public Infrastructure, trade and supply chain resilience, as well as, healthcare and pharma will drive a mutually beneficial growth trajectory between India and the G7 advanced countries, according to a study released on Thursday.

    The study released by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry also mentioned the importance of maritime and Indo-Pacific security as a strategic factor that further cements the relationship between India and the G7 countries.

    The report highlighted that India’s merchandise trade with G7 countries has surged by 61 per cent, rising from $154 billion in FY 2020–21 to $248 billion in FY 2024–25, maintaining a steady trade surplus. This reflects India’s growing export competitiveness as indicated by the commodity net export price index, bolstering its external sector resilience, the report pointed out.

    “India’s consistent real GDP growth makes the country a key growth driver for the world economy. The transformative reforms, including GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Act, Production Linked Incentive Scheme, growing digital infrastructure (Aadhaar, UPI) and ‘Make in India’ are strengthening India’s ascendancy in the World,” said Hemant Jain, president, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

    With an average real GDP growth of more than 8 per cent from 2021 to 2024, India has consistently outpaced all G7 members. IMF’s 2025 projections indicate that India will maintain an average growth trajectory above 6 per cent through 2029, supported by robust domestic demand, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and its demographic dividend.

    In terms of purchasing-power-parity (PPP) terms, India’s share in global GDP has surged from 7 per cent in 2020 to 8.3 per cent in 2024, and is anticipated to exceed 9 per cent by 2029, the report points out.

    A crucial underlying factor is the demographic divergence between India and the G7. India’s working-age population (15–64 years) is projected to increase in the coming years, with over 68 per cent of its population currently between 15-64 years. This demographic dividend supports labour supply expansion, boosts domestic consumption, and enhances the innovation ecosystem through a vibrant startup culture and rising tertiary education enrolment, the report states.

    Further, India’s share of the total population aged 65 and above constitutes less than 5 per cent (2025). Conversely, G7 nations are confronting demographic headwinds as their share is more than 10 per cent, highlighting rapidly ageing populations, shrinking labour pools, and rising old-age dependency ratios.

    By 2030, this share is expected to double or more than double for the G7 economies. This is likely to slow potential output, reduce consumer demand, and increase fiscal burdens related to pensions and healthcare, the report further states.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address at the G7 summit, underscored India’s leadership in clean energy transition, climate action, and digital innovation. Key global initiatives led by India – the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE, and the Global Biofuels Alliance – are shaping a greener, more inclusive world.

    In the technology and digital governance space, India highlighted its commitment to a human-centric and ethical approach to AI, showcasing initiatives like BHASHINI and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as global models, he said.

    The Prime Minister urged for global cooperation on AI governance, resilient tech supply chains, and curbing the misuse of emerging technologies.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCED at US Independence Day reception (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the United States of America (US) Independence Day reception today (June 26):
     
    Consul General May (Consul General of the US in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Gregory May), ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you all today. This is a special occasion to acknowledge the deeply rooted ties between Hong Kong and the US. In fact, this year marks the 182nd anniversary of the US’s diplomatic presence in Hong Kong. The longstanding ties that connect Hong Kong and the US, in the fields of economics, trade, culture, and many more, are very important.
     
    In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong’s global competitiveness rises by another two places to third globally. And in the 2025 Business Sentiment Survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham), 75 per cent of respondents viewed Hong Kong as highly competitive or competitive as an international business hub. Hong Kong adds value to US enterprises and business people, their services and their future.
     
    In the area of trade, over the past decade alone, the US has enjoyed a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong, one of the highest among the US’s trading partners. Also, in 2024, the number of US regional headquarters, regional offices and local branches in Hong Kong has increased from around 1 200 to 1 390. According to AmCham, the US’s trade in goods with Hong Kong supports about 140 000 jobs in the US, covering a wide range of sectors from agriculture to fashion and manufacturing. The US enjoys significant economic benefits in Hong Kong.
     
    The figures I just outlined speak for the fact that free trade unimpeded by protectionist measures, including the so-called reciprocal tariff, is the formula for growth and mutual benefits. As the freest economy in the world, we have all along supported and practised free trade. We strongly disapprove of the additional duty imposed by the US on products from Hong Kong, which is illogical given Hong Kong’s status as a free port. It harms the interests of both sides and is inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules. We call for the early rectification of these unfair and unjustified trade-impeding measures.
     
    Notwithstanding the challenges brought by an uncertain global economic outlook and the impact of geopolitics, we remain firmly committed to the rules-based multilateral trading system and free trade. The continued implementation of free trade policies and zero-customs tariffs provides the much needed certainties for businesses in Hong Kong. We will continue to strengthen our international ties and open up more overseas markets.
     
    In 2024, Invest Hong Kong assisted 539 enterprises in establishing and expanding their businesses in Hong Kong, representing an increase of over 40 per cent as compared with the full year figure of 2023. Apart from the Mainland being the largest place of origin, the US ranked second. I would like to assure all of you that Hong Kong welcomes all sorts of overseas investments including those from the US, and we remain your trusted partner and the preferred platform for collaboration in international trade and businesses.
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, the shared interests between Hong Kong and the US have allowed us to develop a multifaceted and longstanding relationship over the past 182 years. Though there are differences, we may set our eyes on our shared interests based on the principles of mutual respect and fairness, which are instrumental in the mutual success of Hong Kong and the US. We hope our friends in the US will share this thought and join us to navigate the Hong Kong-US relationship into a better future.
     
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Investment mission takes off to Singapore and Malaysia

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    In April, the Albanese Labor Government pledged to send five new trade and investment missions to priority markets. I am pleased this week to see the third mission get underway with a delegation visiting Singapore and Malaysia.

    Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid economic growth, and Singapore and Malaysia serve as vital gateways to access these markets for Australian exporters, investors and businesses.

    Delegates on this investment mission will gain firsthand insights into Singapore’s role as a regional industrial and investment hub and Malaysia’s emergence as a key industrial and trade gateway in Southeast Asia.

    The mission brings together representatives from 16 leading Australian companies. It is led by Shayne Elliott, Australia’s Business Champion to Singapore and former CEO of ANZ Bank, and Tony Lombardo, Business Champion for Malaysia and Group CEO of Lendlease.

    Since the launch of our government’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, the $2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility, and the deployment of dedicated Investment Deal Teams, engagement with the region has surged.

    Australian businesses supported by Austrade recorded more than $1 billion in trade outcomes across Southeast Asia last year, a 45% increase on previous years.

    When Australian businesses grow their footprint in Southeast Asia, the benefits flow back home creating jobs, opening markets, and strengthening our economy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Out of Over $628,000

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah entrepreneur was sentenced today to 18 months’ imprisonment after he fraudulently obtained $628,307 from a COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan in 2021 by submitting a fraudulent loan application in the name of his business.

    The COVID-19 PPP Loans were provided to small businesses for funding to meet specific obligations, including payroll and rent during the pandemic.

    Marcelo Federico Torre, 42, of Draper, Utah, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and possession of stolen mail on April 10, 2025. In addition to his sentence, and credit for time served, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups sentenced Torre to three years’ supervised release and ordered him to pay $628,307 in restitution. Torre also forfeited a money judgement in the amount of $628,307.

    According to court documents and statements made at Torre’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from April 27, 2021 to May 5, 2021, Torre fraudulently submitted a PPP Loan application through U.S. Bank for approximately $628,307 on behalf of his company, Offerworks Inc., a company he owned and controlled. By fraudulently submitting the Loan application, he lied to U.S. Bank and the United States government in order to be approved for the PPP Loan. Some of the false statements Torre made on the PPP Loan application included that his company, Offerworks Inc., had been in operation as of February 15, 2020, when it had not; his company had 37 employees, when it did not; and that Offerworks Inc., had an average monthly payroll of $251,323 in 2020, when it did not.

    “The amount of money Mr. Torre stole from the U.S. government and taxpayers, which was intended to keep businesses open and provide salaries for employees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, is significant and his fraud and will not go unpunished,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “It is our hope Mr. Torre’s sentence will deter him and others who seek to take criminal advantage of government programs meant to help honest and hardworking business owners and their employees during a crisis.”

    The case was investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service, Draper City Police Department, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Salt Lake City Police Department, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

    Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

    Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Out of Over $628,000

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah entrepreneur was sentenced today to 18 months’ imprisonment after he fraudulently obtained $628,307 from a COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan in 2021 by submitting a fraudulent loan application in the name of his business.

    The COVID-19 PPP Loans were provided to small businesses for funding to meet specific obligations, including payroll and rent during the pandemic.

    Marcelo Federico Torre, 42, of Draper, Utah, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and possession of stolen mail on April 10, 2025. In addition to his sentence, and credit for time served, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups sentenced Torre to three years’ supervised release and ordered him to pay $628,307 in restitution. Torre also forfeited a money judgement in the amount of $628,307.

    According to court documents and statements made at Torre’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from April 27, 2021 to May 5, 2021, Torre fraudulently submitted a PPP Loan application through U.S. Bank for approximately $628,307 on behalf of his company, Offerworks Inc., a company he owned and controlled. By fraudulently submitting the Loan application, he lied to U.S. Bank and the United States government in order to be approved for the PPP Loan. Some of the false statements Torre made on the PPP Loan application included that his company, Offerworks Inc., had been in operation as of February 15, 2020, when it had not; his company had 37 employees, when it did not; and that Offerworks Inc., had an average monthly payroll of $251,323 in 2020, when it did not.

    “The amount of money Mr. Torre stole from the U.S. government and taxpayers, which was intended to keep businesses open and provide salaries for employees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, is significant and his fraud and will not go unpunished,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “It is our hope Mr. Torre’s sentence will deter him and others who seek to take criminal advantage of government programs meant to help honest and hardworking business owners and their employees during a crisis.”

    The case was investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service, Draper City Police Department, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Salt Lake City Police Department, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

    Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

    Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Blanchard Woman Sent to Federal Prison for 22 Months, Ordered to Pay $727,300 in Restitution for Filing Fraudulent PPP Loan Application

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – SHERI LYNN VICKERY, 40, of Blanchard, has been sentenced to serve 22 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $727,300 in restitution for making a false statement to a financial institution, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    According to public record, from April 2020 through December 2021, Vickery worked as an office manager for Coil Chem LLC, a chemical manufacturing company based in Washington, Oklahoma. On April 7, 2020, Vickery submitted an application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) on behalf of Coil Chem. The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The Indictment alleges that Vickery inflated Coil Chem’s total payroll costs and misrepresented what the PPP loan proceeds would be used for, ultimately causing $727,300 to be transferred into Coil Chem’s operating bank account. Vickery then used the proceeds for impermissible purposes, including to pay off a family member’s personal debts.

    On September 10, 2024, Vickery pleaded guilty, and admitted she knowingly submitted a PPP loan application that contained false representations.

    At the sentencing hearing on June 16, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced Vickery to serve 22 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and ordered Vickery to pay $727,300 in restitution. In announcing the sentence, the court noted the nature and circumstances and seriousness of the offense.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry prosecuted the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    • Amnesty visits more than 50 scamming compounds in 18-month long research
    • Testimony from survivors details human trafficking, slavery and forced labour affecting thousands
    • Findings point towards state complicity in abuses carried out by Chinese criminal gangs.

    The Cambodian government is deliberately ignoring a litany of human rights abuses including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture being carried out by criminal gangs on a vast scale in more than 50 scamming compounds located across the country, Amnesty International said in a new report published today: (ref. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa23/9447/2025/en/ )

    Survivors interviewed for the report, “I Was Someone Else’s Property”, believed they were applying for genuine jobs but were instead trafficked to Cambodia, where they were held in prison-like compounds and forced to conduct online scams in a billion-dollar shadow economy defrauding people around the world.

    “Deceived, trafficked and enslaved, the survivors of these scamming compounds describe being trapped in a living nightmare – enlisted in criminal enterprises that are operating with the apparent consent of the Cambodian government,” Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard said.

    “Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organized gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    “Amnesty’s research reveals the horrifying magnitude of a crisis the Cambodian authorities are not doing enough to stop. Their failures have emboldened a criminal network whose tentacles extend internationally, with millions of people impacted by the scams.”

    Amnesty’s findings suggest there has been coordination and possibly collusion between Chinese compound bosses and the Cambodian police, who have failed to shut down compounds despite the slew of human rights abuses taking place inside.

    ‘High salary and swimming pool’

    In the most comprehensive documentation yet of the issue, Amnesty’s 240-page report identified at least 53 scamming compounds in Cambodia and interviewed 58 survivors of eight different nationalities, including nine children. Amnesty also reviewed the records of 336 other victims of Cambodian compounds. Those interviewed had either escaped from compounds, been rescued or had a ransom paid by their families.

    The interviewees’ testimony gives a detailed insight into a sprawling, violent criminal operation that is taking place often with the full knowledge of the Cambodian authorities, whose woefully ineffective – and at times corrupt – response to the scamming crisis demonstrates its acquiescence and points towards state complicity in the human rights abuses taking place.

    One survivor, *Lisa, who was 18 and looking for work during a break from school in Thailand when she was trafficked, said: “[The recruiters] said I would work in administration… they sent pictures of a hotel with a swimming pool… the salary was high.”

    Instead, Lisa was taken across a river at night into Cambodia, where she spent 11 months held against her will by armed security guards and forced to work on scams. When she tried to escape, she was severely beaten.

    “There were four men… three of them held me down while the boss hit me on the soles of my feet with a metal pole… They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop,” she said.

    ‘They kept beating [them] until their body was purple’

    As part of its 18-month long research, Amnesty International visited all but one of the 53 scamming compounds located in 16 towns and cities across Cambodia, as well as 45 similar sites also strongly suspected to be scamming compounds. Many of the buildings were formerly casinos and hotels repurposed by criminal gangs – mostly from China – after Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019.

    Compounds appeared designed to keep people inside, with features such as surveillance cameras, barbed wire around perimeter walls and large numbers of security personnel, often carrying electric shock batons and in some cases firearms. Survivors reported that “escape was impossible”.

    Most victims had been lured to Cambodia by deceptive job advertisements posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. After being trafficked, survivors said they were forced to contact people using social media platforms and begin conversations aimed at defrauding them. These included fake romances or investment opportunities, selling products that would never be delivered, or building trust with victims before financially exploiting them – known as “pig-butchering”.

    All but one of the survivors interviewed were victims of human trafficking, while everyone had been subjected to forced labour under the threat of violence. In 32 cases, Amnesty International concluded the survivors were victims of slavery as defined under international law, with compound managers exerting a level of control over them that amounted to de facto ownership. Survivors also reported being sold into compounds or witnessing the sale of other people. Many others were told they owed a debt to the compound which they had to work to repay.

    Forty of the 58 survivors interviewed had suffered torture or other ill-treatment – almost always carried out by compound managers. Some compounds had specific rooms – often known as “dark rooms” – which were designated places for torture of people who did not or could not work or meet work targets, or who contacted the authorities.

    Survivors frequently mentioned deaths inside the compounds or nearby; one survivor described hearing a body hitting the roof of a building. Amnesty International also confirmed the death of a Chinese child inside a compound.

    Survivor *Siti described seeing a Vietnamese person beaten by compound bosses for around 25 minutes. He said: “They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton. Beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up…then the boss tell me that they wait until another compound want to buy him.”

    Of the nine children interviewed, five were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. *Sawat, a 17-year-old Thai boy, was beaten by several managers before being told he would be stripped and forced to jump off the building.

    Cambodian government’s glaring failures

    Amnesty International’s report found that the Cambodian government has failed to adequately investigate widespread human rights abuses at scamming compounds despite being repeatedly made aware of them.

    “The Cambodian authorities know what is going on inside scamming compounds, yet they allow it to continue. Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raises questions about the government’s motivations,” Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said.

    The government has claimed to be addressing the scamming crisis through its National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCT) and a number of ministerial task forces, which have overseen a series of police “rescues” of victims from compounds. However, more than two thirds of the scamming compounds identified in the report continued to operate even after police raids and “rescues”. At one compound in Botum Sakor, human trafficking has been widely reported by media and police have intervened multiple times to rescue victims, yet the site remains open.

    Police failings stem from their collaboration or coordination with compound bosses. For example, in many of the “rescues”, instead of entering the compounds and investigating, police would simply meet a manager or security guard at the gate, where they would be handed the individual(s) who had called in for help. Business then continued as usual.

    In other instances, several survivors said they were punished with beatings after their secretive efforts to contact police for help were somehow uncovered by bosses. One Vietnamese survivor told Amnesty International that police “work for the compound and will report requests for help back to the compound bosses”.

    Those “rescued” from compounds were often subsequently detained in immigration detention centres in poor conditions for months at a time – the Cambodian authorities having failed to recognize them as victims of human trafficking and provide them with the support required under international law.

    Meanwhile, the authorities have targeted others speaking out about scamming compounds. Several human rights defenders and journalists working on the issue have been arrested, while the news outlet Voice of Democracy was closed in 2023 in apparent retaliation for its reporting on the scamming crisis.

    Amnesty International sent its findings to the NCCT, which responded by sharing vague data on interventions at compounds, none of which clarified whether the state has identified, investigated or prosecuted individuals for human rights abuses other than deprivation of liberty. It also did not respond to Amnesty International’s list of scamming compounds or suspicious locations.

    “The Cambodian government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to. The police interventions documented appear to be merely ‘for show’,” Montse Ferrer said.

    “Cambodia’s authorities must ensure no more jobseekers are trafficked into the country to face torture, slavery or any other human rights abuse. They must urgently investigate and shut down all scamming compounds and properly identify, assist and protect victims. Slavery thrives when governments look away.”

    Survivors interviewed for Amnesty International’s report were from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ethiopia, but Amnesty International also had access to records of hundreds of others who are nationals of India, Kenya, Nepal and the Philippines among many more.

    Background

    Under international human rights law, the Cambodian state has a duty to ensure that no one is held in slavery or servitude or required to perform forced labour. It is obligated to protect children from economic exploitation and must prevent, prohibit, investigate and prosecute acts of torture. The Cambodian government must also effectively investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking whether committed by governmental or non-state actors; it must identify trafficking victims and provide remedy; and it must implement measures to ensure that “rescue” operations of trafficked persons do not further harm their rights and dignity.

    *All survivors using pseudonyms for security reasons

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK trade envoy visit strengthens trade ties with Costa Rica

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK trade envoy visit strengthens trade ties with Costa Rica

    UK trade envoy visits Costa Rica to boost trade ties and engage with British businesses.

    Ambassador Ben Lyster-Binns; Trade Envoy Jess Morden MP; Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel Tovar and Sara Wheeler MBE, UK Trade Envoy Senior Relationship Manager.

    The UK trade envoy to Central America, Jessica Morden MP, undertook her first official visit to Costa Rica from 11 to 13 June 2025. The visit aimed to strengthen the UK Costa Rica trade relationship, reinforce UK commercial interests, and highlight the UK’s global leadership on climate resilience and sustainable finance.

    During her programme, the trade envoy met with key government officials, business leaders and representatives from British companies to explore new opportunities to advance trade and investment. This included a meeting with Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, where she reaffirmed the UK’s support for Costa Rica’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The UK formally became a member of CPTPP in December 2024.

    The trade envoy also engaged with British companies operating in Costa Rica to gain insight into the investment landscape and identify opportunities for growth. A meeting with the British-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce provided further perspective on the Chamber’s role in supporting UK businesses interests in the country.

    The trade envoy visited UK firms Smith & Nephew and AstraZeneca, to discuss how the Department for Business and Trade could continue to support their growth in Costa Rica. She concluded her visit with a stop at Country Day School, part of the UK-headquartered Nord Anglia Education group, touching on how the UK could support the delivery of British educational excellence in Costa Rica.

    Speaking at the King’s Birthday Party reception in San José, the trade envoy said:

    This visit offers me a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our extensive trade and investment ties, and to engage with many of you who are so passionate about the opportunities to boost bilateral prosperity.

    The UK Government’s number one mission is clear: economic growth. Our new industrial and trade strategy reflects this priority – grounded in long-term stability, a renewed commitment to free and fair trade, and a pro-business approach.

    The United Kingdom’s trade envoy programme is a network of parliamentarians integral to supporting the government’s growth mission by providing additional international trade and investment support to ministers.

    They play a crucial role in supporting the Department for Business and Trade’s growth priorities, in particular through helping deliver the industrial and trade strategies and attracting foreign direct investment to every region in the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kenyan President Urges Restraint as New Protests Rise

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    NAIROBI, June 26 (Xinhua) — Kenyan President William Ruto called for calm and restraint after protests erupted in major cities of the east African country on Wednesday.

    “I call on all citizens to renounce violence and the destruction of public property. We have only one Kenya to build and its progress depends on our collective restraint,” Ruto said.

    While the Kenyan government has not yet released any casualty figures, local media reported that the chaos left two people dead, dozens of others injured and millions of dollars’ worth of property destroyed.

    Protests broke out in various cities, with thousands of people taking to the streets holding placards and chanting songs.

    According to local Citizen TV channel, one person was killed after police opened fire on protesters in Matuu town in Machakos county, while a student was killed in Molo town in Nakuru county.

    The protests were reported to coincide with a year in which Kenyans expressed their opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 through mass demonstrations, which eventually forced Ruto to scrap the bill.

    “We are here to remember those who died in 2024. It’s been a year since the protests began. People are still being kidnapped. It seems like nothing has changed,” said Cyril Kadome, one of the protesters.

    Business has been suspended in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, as well as other major cities including Nyeri, Eldoret, Machakos, Mombasa, Kakamega, Narok, Kajiado and Kisii. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • E-Commerce to drive India’s $1 trillion digital opportunity by 2030: report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s online commerce sector, which stood at $30 billion in 2020, is projected to grow tenfold to $300 billion by 2030, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s $1 trillion digital economy, according to a new report released on Thursday.
     
    The report by Bessemer Venture Partners highlights that online commerce is no longer a niche sector catering to a select few but has evolved into a dominant force within India’s retail ecosystem, serving an expanding and diverse consumer base.
     
    “India presents a $1 trillion digital opportunity. The emergence of multiple consumer marketplaces, platforms, and new-age brands over the past decade reflects the growing aspirations of a rising India. This makes us exceptionally optimistic about the potential for many more consumer-focused ventures to emerge,” said Anant Vidur Puri, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners.
     
    According to the report, a “tailwind trifecta”—comprising rising internet penetration, evolving demographics, and supportive policy reforms—has laid the foundation for this growth. Going forward, the continued evolution of commerce marketplaces, content platforms, and consumer behavior will drive the next wave of innovation and opportunity.
     
    Quick Commerce: A New Retail Frontier
    India’s booming online commerce landscape has recently seen the rise of quick commerce (q-commerce), reshaping consumer expectations around delivery speed and convenience. Platforms like BigBasket, Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zepto are leading the charge, validating the demand for ultra-fast delivery models.
     
    The report also points to the emergence of verticalised q-commerce, with startups such as Snabbit, Swish, and Slikk targeting niche consumer needs, further diversifying the sector.
     
    D2C Brands and the Rise of Aspirational Consumers
    India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands are increasingly serving a mass-premium audience—consumers seeking high-quality, affordably priced, and innovative products. These brands are capitalizing on rising demand for goods that align with modern lifestyles and preferences.
     
    Content, Microtransactions, and Monetisation Trends
    The report also underscores a “content revolution” in India, driven by growing demand for entertainment, education, and gaming content. With shorter attention spans and a wide range of accessible content across languages, genres, and price points, user engagement is surging.
     
    Short-form video platforms, in particular, have seen 3.6X growth in daily active users over the past five years, competing directly with mainstream digital platforms.
     
    Monetisation models are also shifting. The rise of UPI-based microtransactions, including virtual tipping and autopay subscriptions, is enabling new revenue streams for content platforms. This segment is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2029, marking a significant shift from ad-based models to more diversified income strategies.
     
    Wellness and Health-Driven Consumption on the Rise
    Spending on organic food, protein supplements, fitness gadgets, preventive healthcare, and wellness services is on the rise. Health-focused food and beverage (F&B) consumption has increased from 11% to 16% of total F&B spending, with brands quickly adapting to this evolving demand, the report noted.
     
    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Embassy Manila Celebrates the King’s Birthday 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    British Embassy Manila Celebrates the King’s Birthday 2025

    The British Embassy Manila hosted the King’s Birthday Party on 17 June to celebrate the 77th birthday of King Charles III.

    British Ambassador Laure Beaufils (right) and Incoming Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro (left) toast to the health of HM King Charles III and to the prosperity of the Filipino people.

    Nearly 600 guests including dignitaries from the Philippine Government, diplomatic missions, business leaders, and notable figures from the education, arts, sports, health, and civil society sectors attended the reception, which showcased the best of British   food, drink, culture, and tradition.

    The programme opened with the singing of the British and Philippine national anthems by renowned Filipino performing artist Carla Guevarra Laforteza. 

    Before the symbolic cutting of cake, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils led the celebratory toast to His Majesty, King Charles III. She stated:

    The UK and the Philippines are like-minded countries looking in the same way and pulling in the same direction, with shared values and shared outlook on the world. We believe in freedom, human dignity, the rule of law, democracy, and we believe that international law and the Rules-Based International System are the scaffolding that hold our world together.

    The celebration comes at a significant time in UK-Philippine bilateral relations, following the signing of the Joint Framework of Enhanced Partnership earlier this year. This agreement established a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation across political, economic, maritime, science and technology, and climate environment cooperation – reflecting the deepening strategic alignment between the two nations.

    Incoming Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Maria Theresa Lazaro remarked:

    Our Enhanced Partnership, launched in 2021 and its Joint Framework, signed in March this year, provides great promise to our sectoral cooperation. It allows to deliver respective gains that will further underscore practical cooperation between our agencies and promote our shared values in the region.

    The event also commemorated the culmination of Ambassador Beaufils’ posting in the Philippines. She noted:

    I know that UK-Philippines relationship will continue to thrive and grow in the years ahead – and while I may no longer be the UK ambassador to the Philippines, I will forever be an ambassador for the Philippines.

    The reception which was hosted by Filipino British actress Bela Padilla also featured a parade of waiters, serving signature dishes and drinks from Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines. Musical performances inspired by British West End Musicals by Carla Guevarra Laforteza together with performer Gian Magdangal, and acclaimed Filipino musical director Rony Fortich concluded the formal ceremonies.

    This year’s King’s Birthday Party has been organised with the support of the following: San Miguel Corporation; PRU Life UK; BAE Systems; Shell Philippines; VFS; Standard Chartered; Pandiman; HSBC; BPI; BDO; Unilever. And in kind, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines, Diageo, Emperador Distilleries, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Jollibee Foods Corporation with samplings by English Tea Shop, Hattingley Valley and British Chamber of Commerce.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: EIT master’s graduate comes full circle after starting studies offshore

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

    12 minutes ago

    When Vanessa Santos first studied with EIT through a screen in the Philippines, she never imagined she would one day be sitting in one of those classrooms in person as the guest speaker.

    The EIT graduate returned to EIT’s Auckland campus this month to speak to students in the Sustainable Organisations course that helped reshape her career direction and reignite a lifelong passion.

    Vanessa Santos returned to EIT to speak to current students after graduating with a Master of Digital Business two years ago.

    Vanessa began her Master of Digital Business in May 2021, studying online during the COVID-19 pandemic while borders remained closed.

    After arriving in New Zealand in October 2022 with her husband Jeffrey, she completed her studies on-campus and graduated the following year.

    “Just two years ago, I was one of those students, uncertain whether a mid-career pivot into sustainability was even possible. Being invited back to speak felt like a full circle moment.”

    The 41-year-old’s path to sustainability wasn’t a straight one. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a background in human resources for IHG Hotels and Resorts, Vanessa initially worked in the corporate sector in the Philippines before shifting to freelance work with US-based clients in e-commerce, podcast production and various other digital projects.

    “I’ve always been interested in tech. If I hadn’t gone into HR, I probably would’ve studied IT. Freelancing allowed me to explore that while building a flexible, remote career.”

    She first visited New Zealand in 2012 with her husband and friends.

    “We thought it would be a great country to live in. Our same friends actually moved here five years later and encouraged us to join them, but at the time we weren’t quite ready.”

    Years later, a webinar about study options in New Zealand changed everything.

    “EIT was one of the featured institutions. I was impressed by what they presented. I also had a friend who studied at EIT, so I thought, why not?”

    It was during her studies at EIT that her passion for sustainability moved from personal lifestyle to professional goal. A paper on sustainable organisations, led by Associate Professor Dr Pii-Tuulia Nikula, became a turning point.

    “She’s very inspiring. When she taught the class, it rekindled my passion for environmental sustainability and that’s when I thought that I wanted to try and pursue a career in sustainability.”

    In February 2024, Vanessa joined Reclaim, New Zealand’s largest privately owned processor of recyclable materials, in a part-time communications role to help mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary.

    She is now working full-time at the company as a Sustainability Advisor in Auckland.

    Returning to EIT to share her story with current students felt “pretty special”.

    “Back then, I didn’t know if I’d find work in a new country or if I could ever break into sustainability. To be able to stand there now, as someone who’s done it, it felt pretty special.”

    Vanessa encouraged students not to be afraid of change or late pivots. “It’s never too late to pursue your passion.”

    Associate Professor Dr Pii-Tuulia Nikula, School of Business, said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our EIT graduates step into professional sustainability roles and return to share their insights as guest speakers”.

    “Vanessa’s experience is a testament to the transformative power of education. I’m humbled to have mentored her on this journey and look forward to celebrating her continued professional success in the years to come.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly questions Secretary Kennedy’s decision to reverse COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women, children

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (Il-02) forcefully questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today as he appeared before the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. She challenged his guidance change, announced through a video on X, ending COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and children.

    “It is clear that Health Secretary Kennedy received no serious input from medical experts in his unilateral decision to reverse COVID-19 vaccine recommendations,” said Rep. Kelly. “What concerns me is his lack of care for the consequences of his decision. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to COVID – we saw that firsthand just a couple years ago when maternal deaths spiked during the pandemic.  Vaccines are safe, effective, and the best medicine to prevent outbreaks.”

    “Secretary Kennedy’s actions are proof that he is not fit for the job,” continued Rep. Kelly. “To the American people, take what Secretary Kennedy said to heart: do not take medical advice from him.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow — a city of youth: how the capital supports young entrepreneurs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow is a city of youth. In the capital, all areas for a comfortable and productive life are regularly developing – from education and career to leisure and self-realization. According to the Federal Tax Service andDepartment of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow, more than a quarter of individual entrepreneurs (IE) in the capital are young people under 35. Among company managers, their share is about 17 percent.

    Youth entrepreneurship is becoming an important part of the Moscow economy. Business representatives under 35 are increasingly developing their businesses, using the capital’s support measures to achieve this goal. They receive active assistance from the city at the start and a real opportunity to turn their enterprise into a successful company.

    Support by surety

    One of the most popular instruments remains surety Moscow Guarantee FundThey significantly simplify access to the necessary financing and make it possible to obtain it even without sufficient collateral, especially in such capital-intensive areas as manufacturing and construction.

    In the first five months of 2025, for companies managed by executives under 35, the volume of financing attracted under the fund’s guarantee amounted to 1.3 billion rubles. This is 32 percent more than in the same period of 2024. Then the amount reached 983 million rubles. The data indicate an increase in trust in support tools and the active participation of young entrepreneurs in the development of Moscow business.

    The majority of the funds raised were directed towards the development of production projects – 43 percent of the total volume. Another 22 percent went to the trade sector, 12 percent to construction, and the remaining 23 percent was distributed among companies in other industries.

    Young Entrepreneurs: Success Stories

    Anton Ivanov, the founder of a Moscow company that produces sportswear under its own brand, has used the support of the Moscow Guarantee Fund twice. This allowed him to increase turnover and expand production. In two years, the company’s revenue has grown almost fourfold – from 66 to 289 million rubles.

    Another striking example is a company that produces nut butters and bars under its own trademarks. Since 2022, entrepreneur Yuliana Nikolaeva has regularly received support from the Moscow Guarantee Fund to attract the necessary financing, which has allowed the business to grow fourfold – without interrupting production or reducing product quality.

    The city provides young entrepreneurs not only with financial but also non-financial assistance. Thus, 14-year-old Lyudmila Sukhova, the owner of a playroom in one of the capital’s shopping centers, received support. Her interest in working with children was supported by her parents, who in the fall of 2024 helped her acquire a business and obtain the status of an individual entrepreneur. Specialists of the State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow” (MBM) consulted Lyudmila. They told her about tax regimes, reporting and existing support measures, and also helped her obtain the status of a social entrepreneur. Now the playroom is regularly visited by an average of 25 children or more every week.

    Andrey Archakov is an 18-year-old general director of a film company, a screenwriter and a director. Having started with dubbing at the age of 11, he has already shot two historical short films and registered an individual entrepreneurship to work on a full-length film. MBM specialists helped him with registration, documents and choosing a tax regime. Andrey is currently studying at the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov and is working on a new film and a project based on a book by Sergei Lukyanenko.

    “Made in Moscow” as an opportunity to make a name for yourself

    The Made in Moscow project also provides free support to young entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs can participate in industry exhibitions and large-scale city projects, such as “Summer in Moscow” and “Winter in Moscow”. And also to receive information support through special projects in the media and social networks. This allows them to place their products on the shelves of art pavilions and tell a wide audience about themselves in the media.

    The brand of high-tech clothing by 20-year-old Andrey Kolosov has become one of the examples of successful business development with the help of the Made in Moscow project. Andrey created the first batch of brand T-shirts with a grant of 50 thousand rubles, and then began to increase production capacity. Now his products can be purchased at the Green Market pavilion on Bolotnaya Square. The entrepreneur regularly participates in city events and demonstrates consistently high sales. The company’s income has grown from 50 thousand rubles in 2022 to three million rubles in 2024.

    In addition, in the “Green Market” and in the art pavilion “Bus of Beauty” you can find products of the brand, whose founder is 25-year-old Daria Yakovleva. The entrepreneur creates stylish accessories from velvet – cosmetic bags, folders for laptops and convenient shoppers. Thanks to the “Made in Moscow” project, the brand has already reached a new audience, increased recognition and increased revenue by 1.5 times.

    17-year-old businessman Dmitry Kalinin creates unique, hand-painted T-shirts. His brand’s products are distinguished by an exclusive pattern on each item. In the summer of 2024, his income reached 200 thousand rubles, which significantly exceeded the previous figure of 60 thousand rubles. In winter, the brand’s products could be found as part of the Winter in Moscow project at the Magic Market site on Bolotnaya Square.

    City of Opportunities

    Moscow is a city of youth. The capital offers wide opportunities for its development, creative self-expression, comfortable life and interesting leisure. The city has created the appropriate infrastructure, thousands of events of different scale and focus are held.

    In honor of Youth Day, themed events will be held at more than 250 city venues. As Sergei Sobyanin reported earlier, the flagship event will be festival, which will take place on June 28 and 29 at Bolotnaya Square. You can find more detailed information and a map with all city events on the portal “Youth of Moscow”.

    More information about opportunities for young residents of the capital can be found on the portal “Youth of Moscow” and its pages in social networks.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155821073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell on Senate Floor: “The Medicaid Expansion Literally Kept People Alive. We Should Not Reverse That.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    06.25.25
    Cantwell on Senate Floor: “The Medicaid Expansion Literally Kept People Alive. We Should Not Reverse That.”
    Shares story of five-year-old Leda Winterrose of Richland, who depends on Medicaid for life-sustaining medical supplies; Cantwell warns of higher premiums for everyone: “When you increase the cost of uncompensated care … you increase everyone’s cost.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, urged her colleagues to vote against cuts to Medicaid that would effectively reverse the expansion of the program under the Affordable Care Act.
    “The Medicaid expansion literally kept people alive. We should not reverse that. We’ve made great progress in the past 15 years to keep Americans healthier and financially secure,” said Sen. Cantwell in a speech on the Senate floor. “Allowing 16 million people, including 306,000 people from the state of Washington, to become uninsured is a bad idea. Without any alternatives, this will be a shock to our health care system. It will bring it to the breaking point and threaten the very lives of our constituents.”
    Sen. Cantwell also read a letter from Britton Winterrose of Richland, WA, father to five-year-old girl Leda Winterrose.
    Leda was born with a rare sleep disorder. “If she falls asleep without oxygen, she simply stops breathing, and will die,” her father wrote Sen. Cantwell. Leda spent the first 45 days of her life in intensive care.
    “The only path out of the hospital was a Medicaid waiver that paid for in-home nursing and life-support equipment,” wrote Britton Winterrose. “Medicaid gave us the opportunity to bring her home, surrounded by her siblings, surrounded by the normalcy and safety of parents that love her.”
    Sen. Cantwell warned that the uncompensated care costs created by stripping insurance coverages from millions of Americans will hurt everyone’s pocketbooks: “Hospital providers will have to shoulder an additional $36 billion in uncompensated care costs, and a portion of the costs will be recouped by increased premiums on employment-based insurance coverage,” the Senator said. “As a result, people with employment-based insurance will also see an additional anywhere from [$182] to $485 in annual cost increases. That’s what happens when you increase the cost of uncompensated care, and the system has to make up for it somewhere, you increase everyone’s cost.”
    Medicaid, known as Apple Health in Washington state, covers over 1.9 million Washingtonians. Sen. Cantwell has held events across the state to hear about the impact of the proposed cuts on Washingtonians and released three reports detailing the cuts’ significant negative impacts.  
    On May 2, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that Medicaid cuts would have on Washington state’s highly-ranked long-term care system for seniors and people with disabilities. In February, she released a snapshot report that demonstrated how cuts would harm health care access in Washington state, and she followed up with a report in March that dove into impacts on the Puget Sound region. This week, the Senator released a fact sheet that warned of dire consequences for reproductive health care in Washington state if the Republican reconciliation bill is passed.
    Highlights of those snapshot reports include:
    In Washington state, WA-04 (Central Washington) and WA-05 (Eastern Washington) have the highest proportions of adults and total population on Medicaid (Apple Health). In District 4, 70% of children are on Medicaid.
    In the Puget Sound region, children in Seattle’s blue-collar strongholds would feel the deepest pain from Medicaid cuts. More than half of children in Burien, SeaTac, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Renton, and Rainier Valley depend on Medicaid.
    In an exclusive survey of 68 WA nursing homes, 67 of 68 would cut services if Medicaid were cut by 5% or more, and 65% would consider closing.
    Sen. Cantwell also toured the state to hear from folks who would be directly impacted by cuts to Medicare. Doctors, patients, and health care providers in Seattle, Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Wenatchee warned that such cuts would devastate Washington state’s health care system and limit access to lifesaving care.
    On May 21, Sen. Cantwell joined Washington state health care professionals for a virtual press conference to highlight statewide alarm and opposition to proposed Medicaid cuts. That same day, 23 Republican members of the Washington state legislature sent a letter to the entire Washington state federal Congressional delegation, urging the delegation to “protect Medicaid funding for Washington State.”
    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s floor speech is HERE; a transcript is HERE.
    A full timeline of Sen. Cantwell’s actions to defend Medicaid from cuts is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BIK Data Analysis indicates: Including BNPL Transaction Data in Credit History Could Help Almost Every Second “Thin-file Customer” Improve their Creditworthiness

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WARSAW, Poland, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BNPL payments are no longer just a way of financing purchases, but also constitute an innovative factor supporting the development of the Polish credit market. An analysis carried out by the Polish credit bureau BIK found that BNPL users are good at repaying their debts. For 40 percent of “thin-file bank customers” who also use BNPL, combining the two data sources may improve their creditworthiness. The degree of such an improvement can have a significant impact on credit decisions. It is also worth noting that this analysis was made possible by the unique data gathered by BIK and by the reporting standards for BNPL transactions developed together with the financial sector.

    In the sections that follows, we present:

    • the positive aspects of reporting BNPL data to the credit bureau
    • how using BNPL will either have no impact on or could raise the creditworthiness of as many as two thirds of borrowers who use this product
    • the significance of BNPL as a service supporting the development of the financial sector and accounting for 16 percent of new customer acquisition
    • how BNPL data can facilitate broader access to the credit market for consumers
    • whether there is a risk of over-indebtedness for people using BNPL

    The customer base actively using bank loans in Poland has been declining for approximately three years. As of now, 14.2 million individuals hold loans or credit in the banking sector, which is 7% fewer than at the end of 2019.

    One indisputable source of new customers entering the market is the “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) product. This conclusion is based on BIK’s analysis of the database of BNPL transactions systematically submitted and reported to it. The BIK credit bureau aggregates such data from the banking sector as well as lending institutions, whose full reporting to BIK came into effect in May 2023. Over 16 percent of new customers on Poland’s financial market in 2025 used BNPL as their first financial product, and over 55 percent of them were customers aged up 24 years old.

    It is worth emphasising that there are two types of deferred payment (BNPL) products in use on the Polish market: instalment-based and revolving. Instalment BNPL refers to transactions that finance the purchase of specific goods over a short, interest-free period of up to 35 days (grace period), after which the debt is repaid. If the amount is then spread across a set number of instalments, additional costs may apply. The second type of transaction – revolving BNPL – allows purchases to be made within a renewable limit agreed upon with the bank.

    Although the BNPL service is still relatively new, it is experiencing rapid growth. The value of financing via “Buy Now Pay Later” options in Poland, provided mainly by non-bank institutions, reached a level of EUR 2.54 bn (PLN 10.8 bn) in 2024, while the figures for Q1 2025 – of EUR 0.68 bn (PLN 2.9 bn) – showed growth of 24.5 percent in comparison to Q1 2024. This form of payment has already been used by 2.7 million people, among whom the biggest group is that of young people (34 percent under 54 years old). These transactions are predominantly for small amounts of under EUR 50 (PLN 200). BIK’s analyses from the past 12 months show that 74 percent of BNPL transactions are paid off within the grace period, while 26 percent are repaid in instalments.

    According to BIK data, the quality of BNPL repayments is significantly higher than among users of other credit products. At the same time, there is clearly a great deal of potential in BNPL transactions, which could serve as a valuable addition to the risk assessment modelling process – benefiting both lenders and borrowers.

    Data on BNPL transactions collected by BIK enables a broader spectrum of customer insights (customer intelligence)

    BIK’s analysis covered credit applications submitted by consumers to banks and lending institutions who had at least one credit product in the Consumer Finance category, such as instalment loan, cash loan, BNPL, payday loan, revolving credit, or credit card. The findings indicate that customers using BNPL have a strong repayment history as well as a lower probability of default (PD) than the overall customer base.

    Including all BNPL transactions – both active and closed – in credit histories can improve or maintain the creditworthiness of the majority of BNPL customers in the Consumer Finance market. For example, in the case of cash loan applications, as many as 40 percent of customers on the verge of acceptance – who were previously more likely to be rejected due to elevated risk – could improve their creditworthiness and gain access to financing. At the same time, more precise credit risk assessments are possible for current Consumer Finance customers who are already receiving financing. Taking BNPL data into account could help warn and prevent around 1 percent of individuals from falling into over-indebtedness. A more robust assessment based on credit data is possible if, among other things, additional information on repaid BNPL obligations is included. Customers themselves could then also enhance their credit standing by consenting to the processing of such data.

    In general, the credit risk among customers using BNPL is low, even for heavy users of this form of financing. At the same time, it is worth noting that customers who simultaneously spread multiple liabilities across instalments are at an increased risk of over-indebtedness. For this customer group, the risk level is more than twice as high as for customers who rarely choose to repay their debt by instalments. However, the level is still relatively low. BNPL operators, out of concern for the customer, should analyse customer behaviour and actively monitor credit portfolios, which is possible thanks to the data reported to the BIK credit bureau.

    Key role of the credit bureau in establishing an effective ecosystem around BNPL (the BIK model)

    Comprehensive approach irrespective of the service model – The idea at BIK was to take a comprehensive approach to the scope of BNPL information processed and the way it is presented, so as to ensure a secure process of using this product in its numerous variants. The data standardisation model developed allowed unique types of transaction and information to be collected, processed, and made available to other market participants. Moreover, BIK’s actions were one step ahead of another emerging need: the proper interpretation of the reported data.

    Intensive dialogue with market participants – Workshop sessions were attended by both banks and e-commerce market entities. Thanks to the agreements reached during joint meetings, the adopted standardisation now helps prevent the misinterpretation of data.

    Consumer protection and education – Given its key role in the process of ensuring the informed and secure use of deferred payments (BNPL), the BIK credit bureau has focused on properly protecting and informing consumers, as well as highlighting the impact of BNPL purchases on their credit history and, in turn, their creditworthiness in the eyes of financial institutions that use BIK’s database.

    A cautious approach to the future inclusion of BNPL data in banking models – It was agreed that BNPL transactions would be temporarily excluded from operational scoring models. This solution ensures that BNPL activity does not negatively affect consumers’ creditworthiness. Transparency in the use of BNPL loans, which is essential for both banks and lending institutions, has thus been maintained. This is particularly important during the transition period, until there is a proper credit history and long-term analysis of the impact on customer behaviour.

    Measures to protect consumers from potential over-indebtedness

    Not only financial institutions benefit from the information resources held by BIK. Borrowers themselves also have the ability to view their own data. This represents another step in line with good market practices that BIK has adopted in its consumer and media communications.

    “The reporting of BNPL transaction data to BIK has enabled us to gather unique data thanks to which it is possible to draw conclusions on the significance of this innovative form of payments for the financial sector as a whole. The influx of new customers entering the sector and beginning their credit history by using BNPL is particularly important. I am pleased that we can support the process of education and make it possible for BNPL operators to provide more effective protection for customers against over-indebtedness. At the same time, it is worth emphasising that reporting to BIK enables the full assessment of customers as a whole, including those using BNPL, which can lead to them obtaining a better evaluation from financial institutions, ultimately providing access to greater financial opportunities,” noted Mariusz Cholewa, the President of the Management Board of BIK.

    BIK S.A. – the only credit information agency in Poland and a leading expert in scoring and data science – supports financial institutions and their clients by providing a secure system for the exchange of credit and economic information, as well as advisory services, innovative analyses, and anti-fraud solutions. BIK’s portfolio consists of several sector-specific antifraud tools and the new ESG BIK Platform. The company collects and provides data on the credit histories of individual customers and entrepreneurs across the entire Polish credit market, along with data on non-bank loans. The BIK database contains information on 323 million accounts held by 25.2 million individual consumers and 6.6 million accounts held by 1.7 million entrepreneurs. BIK is an active member of ACCIS – the largest group of credit reference agencies in the world – and is part of the BIK Group, which also includes the following subsidiaries: BIG InfoMonitor S.A. – the Economic Information Bureau, and Digital Fingerprints S.A.

    Media contact:
    Aleksandra Stankiewicz-Billewicz
    BIK Press Officer

    mob.: + 48 512 164 131
    aleksandra.stankiewicz-billewicz@bik.pl

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to Promote High-Quality Gold Mining Development

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — China will promote high-quality, intelligent, green and safe development of its fast-growing gold mining industry, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said.

    Recently, the MPI, together with eight departments including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Natural Resources, released an action plan for the high-quality development of the gold mining industry for 2025-2027.

    According to the MPI, the implementation of the action plan aims to unify the work to ensure high-quality development and high security, and to maximize China’s advantages in the scale of gold smelting and processing, business management and other aspects.

    According to the plan, by 2027, China’s gold resource capacity and the innovation level of its industrial chains will be significantly enhanced. During this period, the country’s gold reserves will increase by 5-10 percent, and gold and silver production by more than 5 percent.

    China will promote green and efficient use of resources through measures such as building green mines and factories, and accelerate digital transformation by adopting artificial intelligence and other technologies, the plan says.

    According to data from the China Society of Gold Miners, China’s gold production was 377.24 tons in 2024, while its consumption of the yellow metal was 985.31 tons. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 06/25/2025 Blackburn Praises Commerce Committee’s Passage of Her Bipartisan Bill to Hold World Anti-Doping Agency Accountable for Chinese Doping Scandal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the Senate Commerce Committee advanced her bipartisan Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act, which would permanently provide the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) the authority to withhold membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if the organization fails to ensure athletes are competing in drug-free Olympic and Paralympic Games.
    Last week, Senator Blackburn led a hearing to hold WADA accountable for its refusal to investigate Chinese swimmers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs before the Tokyo Olympics.
    “Since the Chinese doping scandal came to light, WADA has done everything it can to intimidate advocates for fair play and stonewall Congress,” said Senator Blackburn. “With the Commerce Committee passing my bipartisan Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act, we have sent a message to WADA that accountability and oversight are coming. We won’t be silenced by WADA or any international organization that tries to strong arm the United States in our mission to promote fair play in sports.”
    RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY ACT
    Last year, reporting revealed that more than two dozen Chinese swimmers tested positive for performance enhancing drugs one month before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency secretly cleared the swimmers of the doping.
    When WADA learned of these positive tests, the agency chose not to intervene or require China to follow WADA rules. Over a dozen of these swimmers competed in the 2021 Olympic Games, winning several medals, including gold.
    Last summer, new reporting revealed two additional Chinese swimmers – including one who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics – tested positive in 2022 for a banned drug but were secretly cleared of doping by Chinese authorities.
    The Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act would: 
    Allow the ONDCP to withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to WADA. The U.S. is the WADA’s greatest contributor, which makes this a powerful tool.
    Authorize ONDCP to use all available tools to ensure that WADA fully implements all governance reforms, including a proper conflict-of-interest policy, and that independent athletes from the United States and other democratic countries, or representatives of such athletes, have a decision-making role on WADA’s Executive Committee and governing bodies.
    The Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.). It was introduced in the House by Representatives John Moolenar (R-Mich.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.).
    Click here for bill text.
    RELATED

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ SUPER FUND STAKEHOLDER UPDATE

    Source: New Zealand Super Fund

    Portfolio Update – The value of the NZ Super Fund has mirrored the performance of global risk assets over the past couple of months, dropping to $74 billion following US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements on 2 April and subsequently recovering to pass $83 billion.

    Periods of volatility are part and parcel of running a growth-focused portfolio, which we continue to believe is the investment strategy best suited to our mandate and to our purpose, Sustainable Investment Delivering Strong Returns to All New Zealanders.

    As a long-term investor, we are able to ride out, and even take advantage of, short-term market volatility. For example, one of our most successful active strategies over the past few years is Strategic Tilting. This strategy is based on our belief that investments tend to return to fair value over time and that, given our long-term investment horizon, we can improve our risk-adjusted returns by reducing our exposure to assets we believe are over-priced assets in favour of holding assets we believe offer value.

    As we have seen during the GFC and at the outset of the Covid pandemic, this strategy can generate losses over the short to medium term: our operational independence and our clearly defined governance model are essential to the success of this strategy.

    Market Conditions

    Financial markets remain closely attuned to developments in U.S. trade policy and ongoing tariff negotiations under the Trump Administration. These policy uncertainties, combined with concerns over the recently released federal budget – which is projected to significantly widen the U.S. fiscal deficit – have heightened investor caution.

    As a result, long-term U.S. Treasury yields have risen, driven in part by increased investor demand for alternative sovereign debt instruments. Notably, Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) have seen a pickup in yields, offering a relatively attractive option for investors seeking safety and yield diversification. This shift in sentiment has also contributed to a modest depreciation of the U.S. dollar against major currencies.

    Global economic activity expanded at a moderate pace in Q1, but recent indicators suggest a softening in momentum across several economies. Inflation remains broadly in line with central bank targets, helped by subdued energy prices. In response to the cooling outlook, central banks in New Zealand, Australia, and the Eurozone have eased monetary policy, while the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady.

    Adding to global uncertainty, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have driven a sharp increase in commodity prices, particularly in oil markets. These developments are likely to be a key source of market volatility in the near term.

    The NZ Super Fund in the Budget

    The amount of money the government is required to contribute to the Super Fund is determined by a formula set out in Section 43 of our Act (the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001).

    It is a complicated-looking calculation, but the most important inputs are the expected nominal GDP and net cost of superannuation over the following 40 years and the size of the Super Fund.

    If nominal GDP or the size of the Super Fund is higher than expected (or if the net cost of superannuation is lower), the Government is required to contribute a lower amount.

    These forecasts are updated by Treasury every six months at the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) and the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU).

    At the last HYEFU, Treasury forecast that the government would be able to make its first withdrawal from the Super Fund in 2031 ($96 million).

    Last month’s updated numbers, published alongside Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s 2025 Budget, forecast that the first withdrawal would come in 2028 ($32 million). 2036 remains the year where withdrawals are forecast to pass $1 billion for the first time.

    Reductions in forecast government contribution have been a trend for the past few years, driven by higher-than-expected returns from the Super Fund and lower-than-previously-expected future net superannuation costs.    

    The Elevate Fund

    The Budget also contained the news that the Government would divert this year’s capital contribution of $61 million to the Elevate Fund, along with a further $39 million from the government’s capital allowance.

    This $100 million commitment provides some welcome certainty for NZGCP, whom the Guardians appointed to manage Elevate in line with the legislation that established the fund in 2019 (the Venture Capital Fund Act), and matches the approach taken by the previous government when it first set up Elevate.

    We look forward to continuing to work with NZGCP to maintain Elevate’s contribution to increasing the venture capital available to New Zealand entities and developing New Zealand’s venture capital markets to function more effectively. 

    Minister of Finance’s Letter of Expectations

    We have now published our response to the Letter of Expectations 2025/26 that we received earlier this year from Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

    Click here to read the Minister’s letter, and here to read our response. 

    Guardians staffer elected to ILPA board

    Del Hart, our Head of External Investments and Partnerships, was recently elected to the Board of the Institutional Limited Partners Association. With 618 institutional members drawn from 50 countries, the ILPA is an important industry advocate and thought leader.

    Private markets are growing and changing rapidly. Del’s perspective will be of great value as we continue to refine our thinking about investing in this asset class.

    Industry recognises Leadership Team member’s career and contribution

    Paula Steed, recently appointed as Guardians GM Technology (and previously GM Strategy and Shared Services), has been inducted as a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Association of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Fellowships are given for outstanding career achievements or contributions to the profession, as decided by CAANZ members.  

    NZ Super Fund Scholarship winner

    Avondale College alumna Chana Malungahu is the latest recipient of the NZ Super Fund AUT Business Scholarship – Pacific. Chana, who enrolled at AUT in the second semester last year, is currently studying business strategy, international business management, and entrepreneurship and innovation, and working towards a Bachelor of Business degree. 

    AUT Business School announced the award of this scholarship via their LinkedIn page.

    Annual Report voted best in Australasia

    For the fourth time in five years the Guardians’ annual report has been named Report of the Year at this year’s ARA awards. Judges described the report as “designed to engage readers and effectively communicate the organisation’s messages … customer centric and easy to understand.”

    Read our Annual Report for FY24 here.

    The Judges’ comments and a full list of award winners can be found on the ARA website.

    In the news

    Guardians Board member (and former Senior Investment Strategist at the NZ Super Fund) Sue Brake and CalPERS Chief Investment Officer (and former Chief Investment Officer at the NZ Super Fund) Stephen Gilmore talk about the Total Portfolio Approach to investing with Thinking Ahead Institute Associate Director Isabella Martin – the latest in Isabella’s Investing for the Future series of podcasts.

    The Guardians is gearing up to combine a multitude of investment data models across the organisation into a central model-of-models, which should lead to better investment decisions and cost savings. Maaike van Tol, our Director of Portfolio Design, recently sat down with the Investment Innovation Institute’s Director of Content, Wouter Klijn, to talk about how a comprehensive data analytics function can lead to more meaningful conversations, better investment decisions, and lower costs. Read Wouter’s report here.   

    Sustainable Investment Analyst Laumanu Mafi recently featured on RadioNZ’s Pacific Waves programme, where she and host Susana Suisuiki discussed some of the difficulties Pacific women face in accessing the retirement benefits they need. An economist by training, Laumanu spent three years on the investment team at Tonga’s Retirement Fund Board before joining the Guardians two years ago. Go to RNZ Pacific to listen to their conversation.

    Congratulations to former Guardians Board member Mark Tume, winner of the Invest New Zealand – Te Tohu Kahukura Māori Leadership in Finance Award at the recent INFINZ awards. A full list of award winners can be found here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –