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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Economics: APAC automotive diesel engines market to register negative 2% CAGR over 2024-29, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    APAC automotive diesel engines market to register negative 2% CAGR over 2024-29, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Automotive

    The automotive engines market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is significantly influenced by increasingly stringent government regulations regarding exhaust emissions. Concurrently, in response to the growing trend of electrification, APAC governments are implementing policies and incentives designed to promote zero-emission vehicles. This shift is having a detrimental impact on the automotive diesel engines market. Against this backdrop, the APAC diesel engines market is expected to record a negative compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.0% over 2024-29, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Global Sector Overview & Forecast: Engines Q3 2024” reveals that the diesel engines market is estimated at 4.6 million units in 2024 and is forecast to decrease to 4.2 million units by 2029 in the APAC region.

    Madhuchhanda Palit, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Asian countries have demonstrated a proactive approach in implementing policies that foster the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market, aiming for environmental sustainability and enhanced competitiveness in the global automotive manufacturing and export sectors. This strategy is contributing to a declining demand for traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs).”

    While China has assertively positioned itself as the global leader in the EV market, other Asian nations are also making significant strides toward electrification. For example, Thailand has set an ambitious goal of transitioning 30% of its automotive production to EVs by 2030. To facilitate this transition, the Board of Investment (BOI) in Thailand introduced the Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Incentive Program in 2017. This program provides various incentives, including reductions in excise tax and exemptions from corporate income tax, to manufacturers that utilize locally produced batteries and components in their vehicles.

    Both the passenger and commercial vehicle segments are currently experiencing a trend toward electrification. However, diesel engines are expected to demonstrate a slower rate of decline in comparison to petrol engines. This dynamic is particularly significant in the context of the commercial vehicle segment, where the electrification process presents considerable economic challenges for fleet owners. The high initial investment required for electric fleets, which typically exceeds that of ICE counterparts, poses a substantial barrier.

    Palit adds: “When it comes to transporting heavy loads, ICE engines remain more advantageous. The battery systems needed to power heavy cargo trucks for long-distance hauls—such as Class 8 trucks, which typically require a battery capacity of 1-2 MWh—are considerably heavier than a full diesel tank. This additional weight diminishes the load-carrying capacity of the truck relative to that of an ICE vehicle, thereby impacting overall business efficiency. Inadequate charging infrastructure also works as a major restraint and reason for reluctance among fleet owners to shift towards electrification in countries such as India, Thailand, and Indonesia.”

    Due to slower EV adoption rates, several key automotive manufacturers have announced a delay in their ‘going-all-electric’ plan. For instance, Volkswagen has reduced one-third of the planned investment for EVs and has allocated that towards ICE-powered cars. Mercedes-Benz has announced its decision to discontinue the development of the forthcoming MB.EA platform, which was intended for mid- and full-sized electric vehicles. In a similar vein, Ford is reducing its financial commitments to electrification and has significantly decreased its orders for batteries. These developments may be perceived as advantageous for the engine market and could potentially mitigate the rate of market decline.

    Palit concludes: “In light of the numerous challenges associated with widespread electrification, which necessitates substantial investment and time, manufacturers are actively seeking solutions to comply with emission standards. The demand for turbocharged engines is increasing due to their ability to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

    “Furthermore, exhaust after-treatment solutions for ICEs, such as diesel particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction systems, are also witnessing rising demand as they effectively diminish harmful emissions. While it is anticipated that the market for ICE-powered vehicles may eventually face decline and transition towards full electrification in the APAC region, the timeline for this shift appears to be extending beyond initial expectations.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Votes for Disaster Aid Package to Support Vermont’s Flood-Impacted Communities 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Welch-championed disaster package will support Vermont’s flood-impacted communities, fund the government
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive disaster aid package shaped by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), which will help states like Vermont recover from extreme weather and climate disasters by delivering more than $100.4 billion of relief. The American Relief Act, 2025 will also fund the government through March 14, 2025. It now goes to President Biden’s desk for his signature. 
    Senator Welch released the following statement after the vote: 
    “As I said in the days after Vermont’s catastrophic flooding in July 2023 and again in July 2024, it is the federal government’s job to stand up and help our neighbors when—through no fault of their own—a disaster hits. Senator Sanders, Congresswoman Balint and I have worked with our colleagues in other disaster-impacted states, across the aisle, and across the Capitol to get comprehensive disaster aid to President Biden’s desk. This bill will help communities in Vermont recover stronger and more resiliently than before the floods—and help so many other communities across America that are also recovering from extreme weather disasters.  
    “This bill will help Vermont’s homeowners get the buyout they’re waiting for, farmers and small businesses access the assistance they need, and provide communities flexible recovery funding. It will replenish FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, rebuild our highways and bridges, reimburse states for the repairs made after storms, and so much more. It will also, importantly, keep the government funded—something that shouldn’t be up for debate, and shouldn’t be used as a political football in the 11th hour. 
    “I promised we would not abandon Vermonters. I promised we would do everything possible to help Americans who were caught in the path of terrible storms. I’m proud that a bipartisan group of my colleagues found a way to work together, through the chaos of the past week, to get this over the finish line for families counting on this relief. I look forward to President Biden signing our bill for flood-impacted Vermonters.”  
    Senator Welch and the Vermont Congressional Delegation have advocated for disaster aid funding since Vermont’s catastrophic floods of July 2023. It contains many of his top priorities for the State: dedicated help for Vermont’s flood-impacted farmers, flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief fund, money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for businesses through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), among so much more. 
    In addition to helping disaster victims the bill will fund the will also fund the government through March 14, 2025, extend portions of the Farm Bill, help farmers with emergency economic assistance, and renews some expiring public health and Medicare programs. 
    Senator Welch spoke on the Senate floor last night about the need to work together to pass disaster aid for Vermont and communities across America. Watch Senator Welch’s remarks here:  

    Background on the Comprehensive Disaster Aid in the Continuing Resolution:   
    $100.4 billion in disaster aid:   

    $29 billion will fund FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) 
    More than $33 billion is dedicated to supporting agriculture, which includes:   

    $21 billion for disaster assistance to farmers and producers, including dedicated funding set aside via block grants for Vermont disaster victims who experiences crop, timber, livestock and on-farm infrastructure losses for 2023-2024;   
    $920 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, to provide financial assistance to support debris removal and watershed restoration;  
    $362.5 million for the Rural Disaster Assistance Fund, to allow USDA Rural Development to quickly and flexibly address disasters-related needs using its existing programs, tailored to the specific needs of affected communities; and  
    $25 million in commodity assistance, which can help states with nutrition assistance.  

    The disaster aid funding also includes other funding:  

    $12 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief funds to help communities recover with flexible funding;   
    $8 billion for the Federal Highways Administration emergency relief to reimburse states impacted by natural disasters; and  
    $2.25 billion for SBA loans. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Germany’s Scholz urges swift deal with China over EV dispute

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gives an interview ahead of the European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 19, 2024. Scholz on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) to quickly reach a deal with China on the tariff dispute over electric vehicles (EVs). (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) to quickly reach a deal with China on the tariff dispute over electric vehicles (EVs).

    “It makes no sense to have conflicts about this. Therefore, I appeal to everyone to bring these negotiations to a good result now,” said the German chancellor Scholz upon arriving at the European Council summit.

    China hopes that the EU will take concrete steps as soon as possible to jointly advance consultations on a price commitment plan for Chinese EVs, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

    China always stands for the resolution of trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and has been doing its utmost in the price commitment talks, said the ministry’s spokesperson He Yongqian.

    Scholz also called on the European Commission to ease the enforcement of financial penalties for EU carmakers that fail to meet the region’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emission targets set for next year.

    “In the current global pressures facing the automotive industry, especially in Europe, it makes no sense to further burden companies with penalties for unmet targets in 2025,” Scholz said.

    “The Commission should find a way so that, if penalties become necessary, they do not impact the financial liquidity of the companies that now need to invest in electro-mobility, modern products, and vehicles,” he added.

    The European Green Deal aims for climate neutrality by 2050, including a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transport. To support this goal, stricter EU emissions rules for automakers will take effect from 2025, requiring average emissions of 93.6 grams of CO2 per kilometer or less. Automakers exceeding this limit face fines of 95 euros (about 98.45 U.S. dollars) per gram per car.

    Industry estimates suggest European automakers could face penalties totaling 15 billion euros for failing to meet the targets, with Germany’s Volkswagen, the region’s largest automaker, among the most exposed. (1 euro= 1.04 dollar)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pubgoers given choice to prove age with phones next year in boost for high street and hospitality sectors

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    People will be able to use digital ID’s on their phones to verify their age when purchasing alcohol in pubs, clubs, and shops from next year.

    • From next year, people can choose to use digital identities on their phones to prove their age when buying alcohol in high street pubs, clubs and shops – allowing landlords to serve pints more easily and reducing hassle in grocery queues.
    • Digital identity sector generated £2 billion in revenue in the UK last year and employed over 10,000 people – half of which were outside London – in a further boost to the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change which will secure economic growth and living standards.
    • The new laws will give people a voluntary, safe and secure way to prove their age without carrying physical documents, and make sure digital identities meet strict government standards.

    Christmas celebrations are set to get a digital upgrade next year, as the UK government plans to roll out a new law allowing pub and bar-goers, as well as shoppers, to use their phones to prove their age when buying alcohol, should they wish to do so. People can continue to use physical forms of ID if they prefer.  

    Digital identities could slash waiting times at bars and help avoid hold-ups at automated tills, allowing landlords to serve thirsty customers more quickly and easing frustrations for high street shoppers, with digital IDs set to drive economic growth that will ultimately put more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change. 

    The legal changes will also mean that, by the time festive cheer fills the air again, carrying a bulky wallet to your favourite high street pub or risking losing valuable documents could be a thing of Christmas past. It also means that women will be safer on nights out, as they won’t have to show their driving license which risks revealing their address to bad actors.  

    Under the new system, people will be able to present secure digital identities as proof of age when buying alcohol, if they choose to. These digital identities, already provided by a host of companies, will have to be independently certified against government standards.  

    New insight, published today, reveals that companies providing these services generated £2.05 billion in 2023/2024, and employed over 10,000 people – half of which were outside London.  

    Productivity in the sector is also 42% higher than average levels across the economy, with each employee generating almost £80,000 of “gross value added” to the UK economy – with further support, such as these legal changes, expected to bolster this further. 

    Existing measures proposed in the Data (Use and Access) Bill will support the sector to boost the UK economy by £4.3 billion over the next decade. 

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

    This change benefits both consumers and businesses spurring the economic growth we need to put more money in the pockets of working people as part of our Plan for Change.

    By next Christmas, you won’t need to carry a wallet or risk losing important documents like your passport or driver’s license when heading out to celebrate.

    With a certified digital identity on your phone, you can raise a glass in your local pub without hassle – a merry step forward in making age verification safer, easier, and more convenient for everyone.

    Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UK Hospitality, said:

    Digital ID can make life easier for both consumers and businesses, and we’re pleased to be supporting its introduction.

    There are fewer things more frustrating than realising you’ve forgotten your ID when heading to a pub, bar or restaurant, and hopefully these new measures will make that a thing of the past. I look forward to working with the government on its smooth implementation, which minimises additional costs for businesses.

    James Hawkins, from the British Beer and Pub Association (BPPA) said:

    This welcome change brings the Licensing Act in line with current technology and will make a visit to the pub easier for both customers and staff. 

    This additional way of carrying ID could be more convenient and reduce the risk of customers losing key ID documents when enjoying a night out.

    If they want to use it, landlords and retailers will be able to scan digital identities to verify a customer’s age without customers unnecessarily disclosing personal information like their name or address, as is often the case with driver’s licenses.  

    When a digital identity is presented in person, a quick programmatic check – like scanning a QR code or using NFC, the technology behind contactless bank cards which people use every day – will ensure everything is seamless and hassle-free.   

    Landlords will be able to choose from a host of digital verification service providers to help them check ages securely and quickly, with over 50 such companies already independently certified against the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework.  

    A recent consultation revealed support for updating the Licensing Act 2003 to allow digital identities to be used for alcohol sales. Respondents also endorsed the idea that providers of digital identity services should meet stringent government-approved standards under the framework.   

    To ensure stronger oversight, the Data (Use and Access) Bill, introduced in Parliament this year, seeks to place the framework on a statutory footing. Once passed, the Bill will pave the way for certified digital identities to be added to the list of accepted age verification methods, alongside traditional forms like passports and driver’s licenses.  

    By the time Britain is enjoying a festive tipple next year, landlords and retailers will have access to a public register on GOV.UK listing certified digital identity services. These digital identity services will offer a secure and convenient way to verify age for alcohol purchases, ensuring that celebrations can be merry, bright, and free from outdated processes.

    Notes to editors

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 December 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Long cold winter shows need for permanent protections from eviction

    Source: Scottish Greens

    21 Dec 2024 Housing

    Tenants must feel secure in their homes this winter and beyond.

    More in Housing

    Scottish Greens spokesperson for housing Ariane Burgess MSP is urging landlords to avoid evictions this winter to ensure that nobody is left out in the cold this Christmas. 

    Almost nine months since the moratorium was lifted, Scotland faces its first winter without an eviction ban in place leaving many tenants feeling less than festive as they face the risk of homelessness due to the rapidly increasing cost of living and rent fees. 

    Ms Burgess said: “Christmas is a time of togetherness and goodwill to all. This season should serve as a reminder to show compassion and kindness. 

    “It can be a very difficult time, and there are many families who will go without presents and Christmas day dinners to keep a roof over their heads this year.

    “The housing crisis in Scotland is getting worse; yet many homes and buildings lay empty that could be retrofitted and repurposed to create safe, sustainable, affordable social housing. 

    “Homelessness is on the rise as many cannot meet the soaring fees to rent privately, and I fear that this will increase over Scotland’s first winter since the temporary eviction protections that the Scottish Greens introduced came to an end.

    “We brought in a rent freeze and evictions ban in 2022 to ease the financial pressures and stress of insecure tenancies for people during the pandemic. 

    “Now, both the freeze and ban have ended. The forthcoming Housing Bill should offer stronger rights for tenants, but I fear that what we will get is a watered down version of the bill by the Scottish Government. 

    “This winter there is a real threat of more tenancies ending abruptly and more people facing homelessness as a result. That is why we need robust and permanent protections.

    “In the meantime I urge every landlord and others across the rental sector to be compassionate this winter; to avoid evictions and ensure that everyone has a warm, safe place to call home over the festive season and beyond.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Civil Aid Service Cadet Corps holds 145th New Cadets Passing-out Parade

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Civil Aid Service Cadet Corps holds 145th New Cadets Passing-out Parade
    Civil Aid Service Cadet Corps holds 145th New Cadets Passing-out Parade
    ************************************************************************

         The Civil Aid Service (CAS) Cadet Corps held the 145th New Cadets Passing-out Parade at the CAS Headquarters today (December 21). The parade was reviewed by the Associate Co-Director of the Academy for Applied Policy Studies and Education Futures and Director of the National Security and Legal Education Research Centre, Professor Gu Minkang.      Speaking at the parade, Professor Gu commended the new cadets for their remarkable endurance, perseverance, and co-operation skills. He believed that they will become committed and contributing citizens in the years to come. He stressed that young people are the future, hope, and pillars of Hong Kong, as well as the engine for driving the long-term development of society and the economy. He also thanked CAS staff, members, and instructors for their hard work in nurturing young leaders.       Over 200 cadets were reviewed at the parade. All of them are from schools participating in the 2024-25 School Partnership Scheme (the Scheme), which has the largest number of graduates this year. In addition, a total of 29 secondary schools have participated in the Scheme this year.      The CAS Cadet Corps has been encouraging young people over the years to participate in activities and training that are beneficial to the development of their mind and body, so they can acquire multifaceted skills while building their confidence and sense of responsibility. It will continue to strengthen co-operation with regional schools and diligently organise training activities related to national security education, such as Mainland exchanges and study programmes, and visits to the National Security Exhibition Gallery for its members. This will help foster their sense of national identity and enable them to contribute to the future of the country and Hong Kong.      Recruitment of CAS cadets is open for application throughout the year. Recruitment details and application forms are available on the CAS website (www.cas.gov.hk/eng/org/cadet_corps.html).

     
    Ends/Saturday, December 21, 2024Issued at HKT 16:32

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi stresses progress in advancing ‘one country, two systems’ at Macao SAR anniversary celebration, new gov’t inauguration

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

    Xi stresses progress in advancing ‘one country, two systems’ at Macao SAR anniversary celebration, new gov’t inauguration

    MACAO, Dec. 21 — A meeting to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome Friday morning. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the meeting and delivered an important speech.

    Over the past 25 years since Macao’s return to the motherland, an enormous success has been achieved in advancing the cause of “one country, two systems” with distinctive Macao features, Xi noted, stressing that Macao has undergone earthshaking transformation, and its international standing has increased significantly. He expressed expectations for the new government of the SAR to rally and lead the people of all walks of life in Macao in seizing opportunities, pressing ahead with reform, shouldering responsibilities and making greater contributions. This entails further leveraging the institutional strength of “one country, two systems,” and making new achievements in the high-quality advancement of the cause of “one country, two systems,” he said.

    Inside the venue, the atmosphere was solemn and warm. On the podium, the national flag and national emblem of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the regional flag of the Macao SAR were particularly eye-catching. When Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, entered the venue accompanied by Sam Hou Fai, the sixth chief executive of the Macao SAR, and his wife, Wong Ho Peng, the audience stood up and gave a warm round of applause.

    At 10:00 a.m., the celebration and inauguration ceremony began. All rose to their feet and sang the national anthem of the PRC.

    Xi ascended the podium to administer the oaths. Sam took the oath of office first. Facing the national flag, the national emblem, and the regional flag of the Macao SAR, he raised his right hand and solemnly took the oath in accordance with the Macao SAR Basic Law. After the oath, Xi and Sam shook hands firmly.

    Next, Xi administered the oath of office to the principal officials of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR, led by Sam. After the oath was completed, Xi shook hands with each of them.

    Then, Sam administered the oath of office to the members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR.

    Amid warm applause, Xi delivered an important speech. At the outset, on behalf of the central government and people of all ethnic groups across China, he extended cordial greetings to all Macao residents. He extended warm congratulations to Mr. Sam Hou Fai, the newly inaugurated sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR, and to principal officials of the sixth-term Macao SAR government and members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR. He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to all fellow Chinese, both at home and overseas, and foreign friends for their longstanding commitment to and support for the cause of “one country, two systems” and Macao’s prosperity, stability and development.

    He stressed that over the past 25 years since Macao’s return to the motherland, the systems for implementing the policy of “one country, two systems” have kept improving in the special administrative region, and national sovereignty, security and development interests have been effectively safeguarded; economic and social development has seen a historic leap, and residents in the region enjoy a much stronger sense of gain, happiness and security; external cooperation has continued to expand, and the SAR’s position as “One Center, One Platform, One Base” has grown steadily.

    The great achievements of Macao since its return to the motherland have proven to the world that the cause of “one country, two systems,” with its distinctive institutional strengths and strong vitality, is a good system that sustains the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, he said, adding it is a good system that facilitates endeavors to build China into a great country and achieve national rejuvenation, and it is a good system for ensuring peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between different social systems.

    “So we must stay committed to this cause. The values embodied in the cause of ‘one country, two systems,’ namely, peace, inclusiveness, openness and sharing, are relevant to not only China but also the whole world. These values should be cherished by us all,” Xi said.

    He emphasized that developments in Hong Kong and Macao since their return to the motherland tell us that to sustain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao and further advance the cause of “one country, two systems,” it is imperative to observe the following four principles. First, we should stay committed to the fundamental policy of one country and fully deliver the benefits of two systems. We should place our country’s sovereignty, security and development interests above everything else; we should implement the overall jurisdiction of the central authorities; and we should not deviate from this commitment under any circumstance. At the same time, we should respect the differences between the two systems, fully ensure a high degree of autonomy of the two SARs of Hong Kong and Macao, and continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the policy of “one country, two systems,” under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We should see that this policy is not changed, deviated from, bent or distorted.

    Second, we should ensure high-standard security and pursue high-quality development. Security underpins development, and development, in turn, ensures security. We must remain firm in both safeguarding security and promoting development. We should cherish the hard-won peace and stability we enjoy today, focus our energy on growing the economy and pursuing development, and continue to create new growth drivers and build new strengths. Third, we should leverage the unique strengths of Hong Kong and Macao and reinforce their connectivity with both the mainland and the world. Hong Kong and Macao should be more open and inclusive, expand international linkages, and raise their global standing and appeal. Hong Kong and Macao should fully align themselves with the national development strategies, accelerate integration into China’s overall national development, and better play their role as bridges in ushering in a new development paradigm. Fourth, we should carry forward our core values and boost inclusiveness and harmony. It is imperative to live by the core values of loving the country and Hong Kong and of loving the country and Macao, enhance exchanges and integration of diverse cultures, and rally full public support at home and abroad to create the greatest synergy in advancing the cause of “one country, two systems.”

    Xi expressed four hopes for the newly inaugurated government of the Macao SAR — first, Macao should endeavor to promote appropriate economic diversification; second, Macao should endeavor to enhance governance as a special administrative region; third, Macao should endeavor to build itself into a platform for higher-standard opening up; and fourth, Macao should endeavor to maintain social harmony and stability.

    The young people are the hope and future of Macao, Xi said, stressing that they are also a vibrant force in building Macao and building China. He expressed the hope that the young people in Macao will keep the SAR and the motherland close to their heart, set ambitious goals, take solid steps, advance and carry forward the cause of “one country, two systems,” and thus realize their potentials by fully engaging in endeavors to build a great motherland and a beautiful Macao.

    Xi pointed out that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At its Third Plenary Session, the 20th Central Committee of the CPC made a systematic decision to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. The cause of building China into a great country is being advanced across the board, with bright prospects unfolding. The Chinese nation is marching toward its great rejuvenation in unstoppable strides. I am convinced that with the full, faithful and resolute implementation of the policy of “one country, two systems,” with the concerted effort of the Macao SAR Government and all sectors of its society, and with the strong support of the great motherland, Macao will surely open up a new horizon and achieve new advances in development, and make even greater contribution to building a great country and moving toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

    While delivering remarks, Sam said as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR, he understands well the immense responsibility that comes with this glorious mission. “We will take the proclamation ‘Striving Together, Upholding Integrity and Innovating’ as our philosophy of administration. With our collective efforts, we will remain committed to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. We will fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the ‘one country, two systems’ policy,” he said. “We will spare no effort to maintain constitutional order in the SAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, faithfully implement the principle of “patriots administering Macao,” and continue to make new advances for the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ policy enriched with Macao characteristics,” he said. He stressed that with the staunch support of the motherland and the united efforts of all Macao residents to forge ahead, the SAR government is confident and capable of making Macao, “the apple of the eye” of the motherland, become more lustrous, thus playing a better role and making greater contribution to advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

    Senior officials including Cai Qi, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Wang Xiaohong, Wang Dongfeng and Xia Baolong attended the event.

    Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR John Lee, former chief executives of the Macao SAR — Chui Sai On and Ho Iat Seng, as well as representatives from various sectors of Macao and special guests also participated in the event.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Caitlin Johnstone: Where does the aggression really begin?

    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –

    COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone

    New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month.

    This news comes out at the same time as a Haaretz report titled “‘No Civilians. Everyone’s a Terrorist’: IDF Soldiers Expose Arbitrary Killings and Rampant Lawlessness in Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor.”

    The report contains testimony from Israeli troops that civilians are being murdered in Gaza and are then being retroactively designated as terrorists to justify their execution.

    “We’re killing civilians there who are then counted as terrorists,” a recently discharged officer told Haaretz.

    These two stories together say so much about the way the label “terrorist” is used under the US-centralised power umbrella.

    The guy who shot the health insurance CEO is a terrorist, but the people systematically slaughtering civilians in Gaza are not terrorists. The people fighting against those who are slaughtering the civilians are terrorists, and noncombatants are being categorized as belonging to this terrorist organisation in order to justify killing them. The al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria were terrorists, but now they’re a US puppet regime so soon they won’t be terrorists  —  but they need to be designated terrorists for a little while longer because the claim that Syria is crawling with terrorists is Israel’s justification for its recent land grabs there. The Uyghur militant group ETIM used to be a terrorist group, but now they’re not a terrorist group because they can be used to help carve up Syria and maybe fight China later on. The IRGC is a military wing of a sovereign nation, but it counts as a terrorist group because of vibes or something.

    Is that clear enough?

    Really the label “terrorist” is nothing more than a tool of imperial narrative control which gets moved around based on whether or not someone’s use of violence is deemed legitimate by the managers of the empire. Because Mangione’s alleged crime has ignited a public interest in class warfare, the label “terrorism” is being used to frame it as an especially heinous act of evil against an innocent member of the public.

    The empire’s favourite trick is to begin the historical record at the moment its enemies retaliate against its abuses. Oh no, a health insurance CEO was victimised by an evil act of terrorism. Oh no, Israel was just innocently minding its own business when it was viciously attacked by Hamas. Oh no, Iran attacked Israel completely out of the blue and now Israel must retaliate. Oh no, Russia just launched an entirely unprovoked war on Ukraine.

    Everything that led up to the unauthorised act of violence is erased from the record, because all of the violence, provocation and abuse which gave rise to the unauthorised act of violence were authorized by the empire. Authorised aggression doesn’t count as aggression.

    Whoever controls the narrative controls the world. If you control the narrative you can control not only when the historical record of violence begins but what kinds of violence qualify as violence. Killing people by depriving them of healthcare because denying healthcare services is how your company increases its profit margins? That’s not violence. Inflicting tyranny and abuse upon a deliberately marginalised ethnic group in an apartheid state? That’s not violence. Violence is when you respond to those forceful aggressions with forceful aggressions of your own.

    If we are to become a healthy society, we’re going to have to stop allowing some forms of violence, aggression and abuse to be redacted from the official records while others are listed and condemned. Those who care about truth and justice account for all forms of violence, aggression and abuse, not only those which inconvenience the rich and powerful.

    It is an act of aggression to do things which sicken and impoverish others in order to advance your own wealth.

    It is an act of aggression to pollute the biosphere we all depend on for survival in order to increase your profit margins.

    It is an act of aggression to use your wealth to manipulate your nation’s politics in ways which exacerbate inequality and injustice.

    It is an act of aggression to maintain an apartheid state which cannot exist without nonstop violence.

    It is an act of aggression to surround the earth with military bases and encircle nations which disobey your dictates.

    It is an act of aggression to try to rule the world using military violence, proxy conflicts, staged coups, threats, starvation sanctions, and financial and economic coercion.

    These are all acts of aggression, and any retaliation against them will never be an unprovoked attack. As we move into the future while these abuses exacerbate, it’s going to become very important to maintain an acute awareness of this.

    Caitlin Johnstone is an Australian independent journalist and poet. Her articles include The UN Torture Report On Assange Is An Indictment Of Our Entire Society. She publishes a website and Caitlin’s Newsletter. This article is republished with permission.

    This article was first published on Café Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Senate Passage of Social Security Fairness Act She Cosponsored

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Over 43,000 public sector employees in Washington state are affected by provisions the law will repeal
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on Senate passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, legislation she cosponsored that will restore full Social Security benefits for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public servants by repealing two provisions of current law—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—that unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits that public employees receive. Over 43,000 people in Washington state are affected by the WEP and GPO provisions. The Social Security Fairness Act previously passed the House and, after passing the Senate 76-20 tonight, heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
    “In Washington state and across the country, public servants including teachers, police officers, and local government workers are not receiving the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned through years of hard work—putting people in tough financial situations when they retire. This legislation will fix a fundamental unfairness in our current law and ensure that public service employees who work so hard to make our communities better can count on the retirement security they have earned and deserve. I’ve pushed for years to eliminate these two provisions that wrongfully penalize public employees—I’m thrilled the Senate was finally able to pass this bill and look forward to seeing it signed into law.”
    Senator Murray has advocated for years for the repeal of the WEP and GPO and has an extensive record of protecting Social Security benefits and fighting to secure essential funding for the SSA. In August, under Murray’s leadership as Chair, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act which includes $14.7 billion for the SSA—a $509 million increase over Fiscal Year 2024. Millions of Americans rely on Social Security and have earned benefits over lifetimes of work. Half of seniors rely on Social Security for most of their income and a quarter of seniors rely on Social Security for at least 90% of their income.   
    At a Budget Committee hearing in September, Senator Murray outlined how House Republican proposals over the years would undermine benefits overall, and undermine the SSA’s ability to help get those benefits to people. At another Senate Budget Committee hearing last July, Senator Murray outlined Democratic efforts to protect benefits, and strengthen Social Security’s long term financial footing while contrasting that with efforts from GOP leaders to slash funding. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chair Murray Statement on Senate Passage of Disaster Relief Package and CR

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on final passage of the disaster relief package and CR that cleared the Senate in an 85-11 vote.
    “Tonight, we prevented a needless shutdown before the holidays and finally delivered much-needed relief to help communities that have been struck by disasters all across the country. I worked hard to get these resources across the finish line—and to ensure that we meet the wide range of urgent needs across the country—because there are so many people still reeling from hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, flooding, and more that are counting on us to act. This relief will make such a critical difference for folks who have lost it all and are simply working to get their feet back underneath them.
    “But let’s be very clear: it should never have taken this long or required this much chaos to get this done, and the only reason it did is because House Republicans chose chaos and chose to be dragged around by the richest man in the world.
    “Bottom line: our government should not hang on the whims of an unelected billionaire and our policy should not be dictated by someone who has shown an incredible indifference over the last few days about working families’ lives. Whether or not we lurch toward a devastating shutdown that costs us money, hurts families, and sets back our economy should not depend on whether Elon Musk has the self-control to think for two seconds and do basic fact-checking before mistaking the most obvious Twitter trolls for policy experts. The American people want—and deserve—better than the chaos we got this week thanks to Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and House Republicans.”
    Senator Murray has been pushing to approve additional disaster relief funding for well over a year—and negotiated the bipartisan disaster relief package passed today. In November, she chaired a full committee hearing on the president’s updated disaster relief request, at which she again underscored the need to finally pass a robust disaster relief package, noting it has been one of the longest stretches in her memory that Congress has failed to provide such relief.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Safeguarding Green Spaces & Heavy Industries Push for Net Zero | WEF | Top Stories of the Week

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    This week’s top stories of the week include:

    0:15 How corruption damages society – Corruption is a pervasive issue that undermines societies, economies, and governance. Defined as the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain, it has far-reaching consequences that go beyond financial losses. Understanding its impact and adopting strategies to fight it are critical to creating more equitable and sustainable societies.

    4:29 Tips for safeguarding green spaces – Just 37% of the world’s 500 most populous cities have developed a dedicated strategy around nature and biodiversity preservation. Travis Beck is Chief Park Officer at the Presidio, a historic national park site in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. He discusses 3 ways the park is safeguarding its future under his watch.

    7:24 Heavy industries push for net zero – Eight heavy-emitting sectors account for around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These sectors play a key role in the global economy. Demand is set to rise more than 60% by 2050, so it’s imperative to make them more sustainable. How are they getting on? The Net Zero Industry Tracker has the answers.

    10:42 Impact of climate change on profits – Researchers have calculated the business risks posed by climate hazards such as extreme weather, which pose a threat to companies’ fixed assets such as property, machinery and equipment. Together, these losses could cut 7% from companies’ profits every year by 2035, half as much as the losses incurred during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    _____________________________________________

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
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    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
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    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFMqedrRYt8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/BANGLADESH – Advent of charity from Bangladeshi Catholics, to share the joy of Christmas

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 20 December 2024

    Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) – “I have received a gift from the Catholic community. I am grateful. I will share it at Christmas with my grandchildren,” says Maria Gomes, a 65-year-old widow, one of the beneficiaries of the Holy Rosary Conference of the Society of St.Vincent de Paul, in the parish of Tejgaon, Dhaka. Maria lost her husband and a son, and now lives with her daughters-in-law and grandchildren in a slum in Dhaka. In the gift package she received, there is a sum of money, a cake and 1 kg of rice. Another beneficiary, Raphael Biswas, who also lives in a slum in the old town of Dhaka, expresses his gratitude: “I am diabetic and cannot do heavy work because of my physical condition. I thank the Catholics of Tejgaon for their generous help this Christmas. May Almighty God bless you.”Like them, many others in need have received solidarity aid during the Advent season. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul supports many families in their basic material needs. The organization collects funds among local Catholics and distributes aid to those in need. Before Advent, the Society promoted a solidarity campaign and many Catholics responded generously. This effort highlights the spirit of generosity and compassion of the Catholic community in Dhaka, which, while preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, gives hope and joy to marginalized families.“The faithful of Bangladesh are preparing to welcome the Lord Jesus with gestures of compassion and charity. As part of this preparation, we are collecting clothing and financial contributions to help the poorest, and there are many of them,” says Bruno Dias, president of the Holy Rosary Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Dias stresses that financial difficulties do not hinder initiatives. “We overcome them thanks to God’s providence, to charitable people and to organizations that come to support us,” he says. “Committing ourselves to this mission of mercy and solidarity brings us peace and joy, that joy that lies in giving.”Elizabeth Rozario, one of the volunteers, adds that all this gives a deeper meaning to the Advent season. “Jesus Christ comes for all humanity. We are ready to welcome him,” she says. “During Advent, sharing one’s resources with those in need is a source of happiness.” Elizabeth is one of the people who have donated winter clothing to needy Christians who do not have adequate clothing for the cold season.The mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to accompany the spiritual life of its members in the witness of faith in Christ, sharing fraternal love with those who suffer or are in poverty. The organization helps people of all faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds.Father Joyanto Sylvester Gomes, parish priest of Tejgaon, praises the initiatives of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which has also donated 10,000 Tk (about 100 euros) to the parish to help the needy. “In my parish, people actively participate in charitable initiatives when asked. This is very positive and I hope it will continue in the future,” he says. The volunteers of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “do an important job helping the needy in the parish. They take care of them and I thank them on behalf of the parish community,” he adds.Along with active charity, spiritual preparation is not lacking among Catholics in Bangladesh. This is why the faithful approach the sacrament of confession and long queues form in front of the confessionals in churches. “For my spiritual life, I think it is essential to confess before Christmas, and I have done it,” says Tanmoy Cruze, a 35-year-old faithful from Dhaka. (FC/PA) (Agenzia Fides, 20/12/2024)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces new Chief Government Whip

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier, will serve as Chief Government Whip.

    Mona Fortier previously served as Deputy Government Whip. First elected in 2017, and re-elected twice, she has held various Cabinet positions, including President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance. Before entering politics, she worked as Chief Director of Communications and Market Development at Collège La Cité and managed her own strategic communications-consulting firm. Her community involvement has earned her various recognitions, including a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

    As Chief Government Whip, Ms. Fortier will work as part of a diverse team to deliver real, positive change for Canadians, including making life more affordable, growing the economy, and creating good middle-class jobs.

    Quote

    “Mona Fortier is an experienced leader with a keen understanding of the issues that matter most to Canadians and the values that guide our work in their service. I know she will continue to be a great asset in this new role, as we work together to build a better Canada for everyone.”

    Quick Fact

    • Each recognized party in the Parliament of Canada has a whip. Among other duties, the whips ensure that enough Members are in the chamber for debates and votes, determine which committees Members will sit on, and assign offices and seats in the House of Commons. Whips also work with Members to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament, Members’ offices, and service to constituents.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Indonesia’s BRICS agenda: 2 reasons Prabowo’s foreign policy contrasts with Jokowi’s

    Source: The Conversation – Indonesia – By Aswin Ariyanto Azis, Head of department of Politics, Government, and International Relations of Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Brawijaya

    Ilustrasi-ilustrasi bendera negara anggota BRICS dan mitra. justit/Shutterstock

    Indonesia’s decision to pursue membership in BRICS – an emerging economy bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – signals that President Prabowo Subianto is steering foreign policy in a direction contrasting with his predecessors.

    During Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s two-term administration, then-former Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi led efforts to integrate Indonesia’s economy with Western institutions by working to secure membership with the OECD.

    Since BRICS is an alternative to Western-dominated organisations, many observers scrutinised and questioned Indonesia’s nonalignment commitment. However, Foreign Minister Sugiono argued that BRICS aligns with Indonesia’s ‘free and active’ foreign policy, allowing Indonesia to collaborate widely without aligning too closely with any single bloc.

    For Sugiono, joining BRICS means paving the way to advance the new government’s goals of food security, energy independence, poverty alleviation, and human capital development. The bloc offers access to funding, technology, and trade opportunities to tackle key challenges in those sectors. BRICS, with its emphasis on fairness and cooperation, supports Indonesia’s vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

    The shift from Retno’s OECD focus to Sugiono’s BRICS approach reflects at least two visions. First, Indonesia seeks to reassess its strategic position as the leading economy in Southeast Asia. Second, the country seeks to switch from its nonalignment stance to multi-alignment. The later will help navigate partnerships with both developed and emerging economies, balancing traditional alliances with new opportunities.

    Joining BRICS can amplify Indonesia’s influence in its already strong ties with each of the member countries and unlock opportunities beyond one-on-one partnerships.

    Fear of missing out

    Indonesia’s pivot to BRICS reflects both its relationship with major powers, such as China and the US, and regional pressures.

    Neighbouring countries Malaysia and Thailand have recently expressed interest in BRICS, creating a sense of competition within Southeast Asia. Both countries joining the bloc could erode Indonesia’s leadership and influence in the region, especially in affecting global affairs.

    Through ASEAN, Indonesia has sought to act as a regional stabiliser and mediator amid rising polarisation between the West and China.

    As its de facto leader, Indonesia has historically championed initiatives like the South China Sea Code of Conduct and Myanmar’s peace process. Its G20 presidency further underscored its role as a mediator between global powers.

    This ‘fear of missing out’ has spurred Indonesia’s interest in BRICS.

    Joining BRICS ahead of its regional peers ensures that Indonesia maintains its leadership position in ASEAN. For Prabowo’s administration, BRICS offers a platform to advance Indonesia’s interests in maritime security, economic growth, and global governance. It is a strategic move beyond an economic decision to amplify its voice on global issues and prevent fellow Southeast Asian countries from overtaking it in shaping the bloc’s agenda.

    Bold (but not one) direction

    Indonesia’s BRICS membership announcement highlights the new administration’s foreign policy ambitions, centred on two key shifts: adopting a multi-alignment strategy and strengthening its ‘good neighbour’ policy.

    Prabowo envisions engaging with all nations, fostering friendly relations while opposing oppression. This approach resonates with Indonesia’s historical commitment to sovereignty and equality in international relations.

    Indonesia has traditionally adhered to a nonalignment principle. This virtue has aided the country navigating major power blocs without binding itself to any single alliance. However, the current geopolitical climate – marked by intensifying tensions between global powers, regional conflicts, and intricate challenges – demands a more flexible and strategic approach.

    By joining BRICS, Indonesia avoids taking sides and instead diversifies its partnerships to maximise benefits. This multi-aligned approach enables active participation in BRICS discussions on multilateral reform.

    Prabowo’s ‘good neighbour policy’ further underscores the importance of maintaining positive relations with all countries. It empowers developing nations and advocates for a more equitable global order and economic system. This strategy also facilitates Indonesia’s resilience by fostering partnerships in food and energy security, poverty alleviation, and human capital development.

    Such collaborations reduce reliance on Western financial systems and enhance Indonesia’s autonomy. Ultimately, these strategic directions position Indonesia as a sovereign and dynamic player capable of balancing global relationships while advancing its own priorities.

    What about the OECD?

    This move does not mean the OECD is off the table for Indonesia. Instead, Prabowo’s approach reflects a dual-track strategy that values both alliances for their respective benefits.

    The OECD remains a long-term objective to enhance Indonesia’s economic governance and regulatory standards. It serves the goal of providing the country with stable relationships within the Western economic framework. Meanwhile, BRICS offers an immediate avenue for Indonesia to deepen ties with equivalent economies and actively shape policies that impact the Global South.

    Sugiono’s statement in Kazan emphasised Indonesia’s commitment to engaging in other forums, including the G20 and OECD discussions. It highlighted the country’s flexibility in international alliances.

    This dual-track strategy reinforces Indonesia’s role as a bridge between developed and developing nations, maximising the benefits of both alliances without sacrificing its autonomy.

    What’s next for Indonesia?

    Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS marks a significant evolution in its foreign policy. By participating in BRICS, Indonesia positions itself as a critical player in global discussions on economic reform and development, asserting its voice within a multi-polar world order.

    Indonesia is charting a path that balances traditional alliances with emerging opportunities, reinforcing its role as a dynamic, independent player on the world stage.

    Aswin Ariyanto Azis tidak bekerja, menjadi konsultan, memiliki saham, atau menerima dana dari perusahaan atau organisasi mana pun yang akan mengambil untung dari artikel ini, dan telah mengungkapkan bahwa ia tidak memiliki afiliasi selain yang telah disebut di atas.

    – ref. Indonesia’s BRICS agenda: 2 reasons Prabowo’s foreign policy contrasts with Jokowi’s – https://theconversation.com/indonesias-brics-agenda-2-reasons-prabowos-foreign-policy-contrasts-with-jokowis-242920

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: IMF Management Approves a New Staff Monitored-Program with Haiti

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    December 21, 2024

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.

    • Management of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved on December 20, 2024, a Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) with Haiti covering the period through December 2025.
    • This new 12-month SMP is expected to contribute to strengthen macroeconomic stability to support well-being of people and to enhance economic resilience and governance. It will anchor the government’s macroeconomic priorities for the year ahead.
    • Fund management also welcomes the authorities’ commitment to publish the forthcoming Governance Diagnostic Report.

    Washington, DC–December 21, 2024: Management of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved on December 20, 2024, a Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) with Haiti which runs through December 19, 2025. The new 12–month SMP was designed by the Haitian authorities and IMF staff, keeping in mind Haiti’s fragility and capacity constraints while supporting the authorities’ economic policy objectives.

    SMPs are arrangements between country authorities and the IMF to monitor the implementation of the authorities’ economic program and to establish a track record of policy implementation that could pave the way for financial assistance from the Fund under the Upper Credit Tranche (UCT).

    Haiti faces a multidimensional crisis, a political transition, with a challenging outlook. The country is beset by both global and country-specific shocks, which have heightened its fragility. In addition to causing terrible human suffering, escalating gang violence has blocked the flow of goods and services. These events have further fueled inflation and left half the population suffering acute food insecurity. The supply-side shock caused by the security crisis will continue to suppress growth and feed inflation unless the security outlook improves.

    The top priority is to continue to restore security. This is a prerequisite for macroeconomic stability and for allowing growth to materialize. Despite domestic and global difficulties, the authorities are firmly committed to negotiating a new SMP and have managed to contain somewhat the impact of the various shocks, thereby averting even worse macroeconomic outcomes. Net international reserves were valued at nearly US$1billion at the end of September 2024. Despite the political instability, Haiti’s two key economic institutions (Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Central Bank of Haiti) have remained continuously engaged with the Fund. They have consistently attempted to adopt feasible measures to limit macroeconomic imbalances and ensure a reasonable level of economic activity in the country. They have also continued to provide data and information on previously agreed benchmarks, even when the previous SMP had lapsed.

    The SMP is an important anchor for signaling the authorities’ commitment to continue making progress toward macroeconomic stabilization and strengthen governance, and locking in macroeconomic gains accumulated over recent years, despite the many headwinds. Despite the delicate political context, and thanks to a highly inclusive consultative process, the authorities have been able to demonstrate full ownership and support for the SMP through the high-level Program Monitoring Committee (Comite du Suvie).

    The authorities have a narrow but important window of opportunity to implement reforms that can help Haiti build resilience and eventually restore its medium- and long-term potential. An urgent government priority is re-starting the mobilization of revenue, to support the country’s massive development needs and boost well-targeted spending. The measures under the new SMP should help achieve these goals.

    Continued strengthening of the social safety net is essential to cushion the impact of the shocks on the population and alleviate widespread poverty. The spending commitments previously indicated by the authorities using Food Shock Window resources should be audited in line with SMP commitments.

    The fiscal and monetary authorities’ commitment to keeping monetary financing of the deficit at zero is commendable and should continue. The FY2023 financial audit of the BRH is urgent and its eventual publication by June 2025 would be important for demonstrating transparency. The authorities’ careful pace of monetary tightening has been appropriate and consistent with the goal of fighting inflation.

    Advancing governance reforms is paramount to help Haiti exit from fragility, ensure inclusive growth and build trust with the private sector and development partners. In this vein, the authorities’ commitment to publish the Governance Diagnostic Report is commendable. It should provide a road map for reforms to enhance governance and will require capacity development support not only from the Fund but also from development partners.

    A government-led strategy to continue to strengthen the economy’s resilience to multiple shocks requires the financial support of the international community. This assistance is indispensable to allow quality spending, over the short, medium, and long term. Without it, Haiti will continue to suffer large import compression. External assistance should take the form of grants. The authorities should avoid contracting non-concessional loans, to ensure consistency with the SMP commitments. Non-concessional loans would not only be against SMP commitment. It would also undermine debt sustainability.

    In line with the Fund Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, IMF staff will also continue to coordinate closely with Haiti’s main development partners, particularly on governance and capacity development.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s largest ice-and-snow theme park opens on Winter Solstice in China’s ‘city of ice’

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

    World’s largest ice-and-snow theme park opens on Winter Solstice in China’s ‘city of ice’

    Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    HARBIN, Dec. 21 — Gliding down an over-500-meter-long ice slide, Zhang Jiajia felt like she was flying, and that her one-minute experience had been worth the hour-plus wait in line.

    “It’s super exciting. My heart soared with me,” said Zhang, a tourist from east China’s Zhejiang Province, after trying the Super Ice Slide at the iconic Harbin Ice-Snow World, which kicked off its annual run on Saturday.

    The world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, the 26th edition of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, officially opened at 10 a.m. in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province also known as the “city of ice.”

    Themed “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,” the park was built using 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow, incorporating elements inspired by the upcoming 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, which will open next February, right after China’s Spring Festival holiday. It is also the first major international ice and snow event hosted by China since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

    With an overall planned area of 1 million square meters, up from last year’s 800,000 square meters, the park is the largest in its 26-year history.

    The park features nine major zones, recreating landmark landscapes of 42 countries and 3 regions that are members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in the form of ice-and-snow structures that can be illuminated at night, including replicas of the Temple of Heaven in China, Osaka Castle in Japan and the Taj Mahal in India.

    The main tower stands on the main axis of the park, featuring towering ice columns that depict the official emblem of the OCA.

    “The ice sculptures are incredibly exquisite. It’s hard to imagine that they are made of ice blocks harvested from the Songhua River. Each piece of artwork showcases the superb craftsmanship of the artists,” said Zhong Xueying, another tourist from Zhejiang.

    The most popular attraction in the park, the Super Ice Slide, has increased the number of its lanes to 24, with a 300-meter-long windproof warm house mounted at the queuing area, allowing visitors to take a break from freezing weather while overlooking the park’s scenery.

    Saturday also marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The day not only means another solar term but also marks an important festive day on Chinese lunar calendar.

    Just one hour after the park opened, the queue for the Super Ice Slide stretched hundreds of meters.

    In addition to ice-and-snow landscapes, the park has added fantasy shows, virtual reality projects and an immersive digital art museum to its inventory of winter wonders, offering new and exciting experiences for both global and domestic visitors.

    The “Snow Disco” event, which attracted thousands of tourists last winter, will also be held at the Dream Stage in the park for this year’s edition.

    “How lucky! Today is the last day of my trip to Harbin, and I didn’t expect to witness the opening of the Ice-Snow World. I’m so happy that it feels like I’m celebrating the Lunar New Year in advance,” said Dai Xiaoqin, a tourist from Wuhan City in Hubei Province.

    “We wish to showcase the enthusiasm and confidence of the people in participating in ice-and-snow sports, and integrate a variety of new elements into this edition of the park,” said Guo Hongwei, Party secretary and chairman of Harbin Ice-Snow World Co., Ltd.

    An adult park ticket is priced at 328 yuan (about 45.6 U.S. dollars). The park also offers discounted tickets and free admission to certain groups of visitors.

    As an established ice-and-snow theme park, Harbin Ice-Snow World stands out as one of China’s iconic winter attractions. It surged in popularity on Chinese social media last winter, becoming an internet sensation as passion for winter sports and tourism continues to rise across the country.

    Last year, China recorded over 385 million winter leisure visits nationwide, a year-on-year increase of 38 percent, with related revenue up 50 percent.

    In Harbin alone, last snow season saw over 87 million visitors, up 300 percent year on year, and 124.8 billion yuan in tourism revenue, up 500 percent. The 25th edition of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, in particular, received over 2.7 million tourists.

    To accelerate growth of winter economy in the country’s northeastern region, the Chinese government has recently unveiled initiatives including establishing dedicated ice-and-snow holidays, increasing flight routes and optimizing visa-free policies, all aimed at attracting more domestic and international visitors.

    A tourist poses for photos at the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows tourists queuing at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows the emblem of the 9th Asian Winter Games made of ice at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members greet tourists at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] 
    Tourists enjoy an ice slide at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China combines policy tools to revitalize property sector

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 16, 2024 shows people waiting to receive the keys to their new homes at a relocation residential complex in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

    In a year of heightened challenges, China’s property market is showing clearer signs of recovery, bolstered by well-targeted policies that have restored confidence and rekindled demand.

    In late September, a key meeting convened by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee emphasized the need to stabilize the property market and reverse its downturn, calling for adjustments to housing purchase restrictions, reduction in interest rates on existing mortgage loans, and improvement to land, fiscal, tax and financial policies.

    In keeping with these imperatives, authorities have acted decisively to reduce home-buying costs, ease mortgage burdens, and provide critical support to first-time homebuyers and those looking to upgrade their housing.

    On September 29, the country’s central bank instructed commercial banks to reduce interest rates for existing housing loans, including first and second home mortgages, by no lower than 30 basis points below the loan prime rate (LPR), a market-based benchmark lending rate, by October 31, 2024, to ease financial burdens on property owners.

    Following this, major cities, including the Chinese capital of Beijing and the cities of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, have adjusted their real estate policies, unveiling a raft of measures to boost local property markets.

    These new initiatives represent a further step in the ongoing policy push, building on landmark measures announced on May 17 that included cutting minimum down payment ratios, setting up a relending facility for affordable housing, and pledging to deliver unfinished homes.

    Together, these efforts are swiftly reflected in the latest market data. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the decline in the prices of commercial residential homes in the country’s 70 large and medium-sized cities narrowed on a year-on-year basis in November.

    Home transactions also showed a turnaround in October, with new home transactions reversing a 15-month decline and rising 0.9 percent year on year. The total transactions of both new and second-hand homes grew by 3.9 percent, marking the first increase following eight months of drops.

    The market’s renewed confidence can be traced to several high-level meetings where a flurry of policies to support the property market were unveiled, sending a wave of optimism, said Lu Wenxi, a market analyst with the real estate agency Centaline Property, highlighting notably active second home transactions in major cities like Shanghai.

    The shift in market sentiment is palpable on the ground. In a bustling real estate office in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, a manager described the past two months as the busiest period of this year. “I sometimes have to take clients on seven viewings in a single day, barely having time for lunch,” he said.

    This rebound signals the start of a recovery, but long-term stability also hinges on rebuilding market confidence, particularly ensuring the timely delivery of housing projects.

    In this respect, the “white list” mechanism launched in January has played a pivotal role, offering targeted financial support to eligible real estate projects.

    As of the end of October, loans approved for “white list” real estate projects had exceeded 3 trillion yuan (about 417.24 billion U.S. dollars). By the end of this year, the approved loan amount for these projects is expected to reach 4 trillion yuan.

    The current rebound might be the strongest in two years, largely driven by restored market confidence, said Gao Yuan, director of the Beijing Lianjia Research Institute. He anticipated lasting momentum as buyers and sellers steadily return, pointing to a more sustainable recovery.

    The focus on stabilizing the property market is a part of the country’s broader drive to anchor expectations and secure economic growth. In its recent tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference, the country stressed the importance of “stabilizing expectations” as a key objective for the coming year.

    Analysts say these expectations — often the unseen force that drives market sentiment — are considered a linchpin for overall economic recovery.

    The latest business activity and expectation indices reflect growing optimism among market players. In October, the property sector’s business activity in the purchasing managers’ index rose by 2.5 percentage points month on month, while the business expectation index climbed by 1.8 percentage points.

    “With improved expectations, the market is sustaining a sound recovery from the previous downturn,” noted NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui at a press conference on Monday.

    After three years of adjustment, “the real estate market is starting to bottom out as the policies take effect,” the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development noted at a recent press conference.

    Beyond the goal of stabilization, China’s housing policies are also shifting focus towards quality and sustainability. The emphasis is no longer merely on “having a home” but on “having a better home,” aiming to ensure a resilient rebound capable of weathering future challenges.

    Urban renewal projects spearhead this transition, breathing new life into older neighborhoods and improving living conditions for millions. Over 66,000 such projects were implemented in 2023. In 2024, another 54,000 projects are set to revitalize aging residential areas.

    Looking ahead to 2025, a report by China Minsheng Bank noted that market confidence is the golden key to stabilizing the property sector, urging further efforts to foster confidence, guide expectations, and ensure the successful implementation of existing and upcoming policies. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Why EU cooperation is more important than ever

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Being an EU member has made Sweden stronger and wealthier. Through EU cooperation, we are better equipped today to meet the challenges and problems that our societies face. Continued support to Ukraine, criminality, competitiveness and the climate transition, sum up the Government’s priorities in its continued work in the EU.

    1. Continued support to Ukraine

    Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine will soon be entering its fourth year. Supporting Ukraine is the most important task of our generation. Russia’s actions are a threat to the security of Europe and the rules-based international order. The Russian regime is also attempting to undermine democracy in other European countries. This autumn, for instance, we saw, among other things, how Russia tried to affect the election outcome in Moldavia. It is clear that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own security. Individually and collectively.

    In Sweden, the Government is making record investments in civil and military defence. We have already reached the NATO target of spending at least two percent of GDP on defence. In the EU, we are pushing to systematically increase pressure on Russia, such as by imposing more and tougher sanctions, including against the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ and liquefied natural gas. We are also encouraging the Commission to present proposals on how to limit Russia’s influence within every political sphere, such as by imposing import tariffs on Russian goods. The Government is prepared to go further and use a larger amount of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. 

    Ukraine’s path to EU membership is crucial. In the coming months, the Government would like the EU to open accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova, who have taken impressive steps towards reform. Despite Russia’s war and pressure.   

    2. Criminality

    Criminality is a growing problem throughout Europe. Some 70 per cent of gangs in the EU operate in at least three countries. In Sweden we are making life harder for criminals. The same kind of offensive is needed in the EU. The Government is advocating close cooperation to help confiscate criminals’ assets and status items, and to stop the transfer of crime proceeds to third countries. During Sweden’s Presidency of the EU, we started the work to give national police authorities better access to digital information. This work must continue. Europol, the EU’s cooperation body for law enforcement, needs to have a more prominent role.

    Combatting criminality includes having control over migration. 50 per cent of gang members are not EU citizens. The Government wants the Commission to present concrete proposals on how irregular migration can be curbed and also how to make the return of those whose asylum applications have been rejected more efficient, including through the use of ‘return hubs’.

    3. Competitiveness

    Many of Sweden’s and Europe’s priorities require a growing economy. Yet the EU is lagging behind globally. 90 per cent of the world’s economic growth is expected to happen outside the EU. We are in danger of falling behind in the global techrace. The EU needs a deeper and wider internal market, greater investment in research, a continued strong free trade agenda, increased access to capital, and an aggressive simplification agenda to address red tape.

    4. Climate

    Climate change is a global challenge. Fit for 55, the world’s most ambitious climate package was adopted during Sweden’s EU Presidency. Now the work continues. When the EU decides on a new climate goal for 2040, the Government will support the Commission’s proposal that emissions should be reduced by 90 per cent by then, compared to 1990. This requires that the EU’s climate transition is implemented in a realistic and sustainable way, hand in hand with the work on strengthening EU competitiveness. The Government is working to ensure that EU’s regulatory framework promotes active forestry and the use of renewable forest raw materials, a fossil-free and technology-neutral energy policy that includes nuclear power and a cost-effective climate policy that is broadly accepted in society.

    Central to the EU’s climate transition is that all member states achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. The Government will not accept that countries who reach the zero-emissions climate goal are forced to compensate for those countries that do not. 

    The Government is protecting Swedish interests. At home and in the EU, we are driving a determined reform agenda. We are implementing purposeful initiatives to get more Swedes into EU institutions, so that important perspectives are taken into account. We are cooperating with others to solve joint problems. We are taking responsibility during troubled times. 

    The war in Ukraine, criminality, competitiveness and the climate. These are crucial issues that show why EU cooperation, 30 years in, is more important than ever. 

    Jessica Rosencrantz, Minister of EU Affairs 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: “Be honest with yourself”

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    Mr Bock, BaFin recently conducted a survey of more than 3,000 people on the topic of property financing. One area of focus was whether respondents could afford to repay their loans.

    Christian Bock: Yes, that’s correct. We asked consumers with property loans how often in the preceding 24 months they had faced difficulties making their monthly repayments while also covering their living costs with their regular income. We found that over half of them experience such difficulties. Many of them stated that this happened “rarely” or “sometimes”, while 13% said it occurred “frequently” or “always”.

    What do such borrowers do when they have difficulties making payments?

    Bock: Many dip into their savings, postpone or reduce planned expenses, work more or take on an additional job.

    What worries us is that more than half of respondents who experienced problems at least “rarely” said that they took on further debt, which has to be repaid in the short term. They stated that they pay bills late or by credit card and that they use overdrafts or exceed arranged overdraft limits. We view this as a problem because such short-term forms of credit are usually very costly.

    And that isn’t the only problem.

    Bock: Correct. Such consumers can lose track of their debts and slip into a debt spiral, meaning that they will no longer be able to repay their debts.

    Information from BaFin

    The BaFin website provides consumers with comprehensive information about property loans.

    What can borrowers do if they are struggling with loan payments?

    Bock: If anyone has difficulties making their monthly loan payments, they should seek professional support. This is especially important if borrowers are overindebted. In such cases, it can be helpful to look at the website of the German association of debt advisors (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Schuldnerberatung). This website informs consumers about where they can obtain advice and what assistance is on offer.

    How can consumers avoid getting into such situations?

    Bock: There are a few questions that borrowers need an answer to before taking out a property loan. No matter how alluring the property seems or how strong your desire to own it might be, the first step always has to be careful planning and asking yourself honestly: What are my regular expenses? What level of repayments can I actually afford? Loan payments need to be set at a level that leaves some money for savings.

    When seeking to buy a property, also remember that your life circumstances may change. This may be due to an accident or illness, for example, or perhaps due to separation. Various unplanned events could undermine your ability to finance the loan. In some cases, just a career change is enough.

    We also advise borrowers to agree to loans that allow for unscheduled repayments. If borrowers have money to spare, they can use it to reduce the interest they will pay over the long run. The resulting savings are often greater than the potential gains from conservative investments, in fixed-term deposits for example.

    Are longer periods at fixed interest rates advisable?

    Bock: Fixed interest rates for longer periods usually mean the interest rates are higher. The upside is that they provide borrowers with far greater certainty when planning. Anyone interested in a property loan should take these factors into account. After all, interest rates may change in the future. If they rise again, this could result in higher repayments and problems in obtaining follow-up financing.

    This is also reflected in the results of our survey. Of the respondents who were seeking follow-up financing in summer 2024, almost one quarter received one or more rejections in response to their enquires with banks. The most common reasons that banks provided were inadequate income levels and insufficient own funds. If borrowers need follow-up financing, they should leave themselves enough time to obtain it and to seek advice.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: When loan payments become a burden

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    Very few people can afford to buy a property without financial assistance. That is why so many want to take out loans. Do they think they received good advice? Were they granted the loan? Do they have problems making loan payments? And do they need follow-up financing? These are some of the questions that BaFin sought to answer in its survey of more than 3,000 consumers in summer 2024 (see info box).

    The key findings of the BaFin survey:

    Überwiegend gute Beratung zur Immobilienfinanzierung

    • Around four in five respondents seeking a property loan get professional advice. 88% believe that they are well informed about the risks associated with the loan.
    • Just under half of respondents with a current fixed-rate property loan will need follow-up financing. 40% of this subset will need it as early as 2025 or 2026.
    • Almost one in four people who made enquiries about conditions or applications for follow-up financing received one or more rejections.
    • More than half of the respondents with a property loan find it difficult to cover their costs of living alongside monthly loan payments.
    • Every fifth woman and every tenth man who is paying off a property loan on their own spends more than 40% of their monthly net income on loan payments.

    Advice on property financing generally good

    81% of respondents who were looking for a property loan when BaFin conducted its survey had sought professional advice from a bank, savings bank (Sparkasse), insurance company, Bausparkasse or credit intermediary. Almost all of them felt they were well informed. During discussions, respondents were almost always given a precise calculation of the loan payments that would suit their individual circumstances. Most respondents also thought they were well informed about how to safeguard financing arrangements against unfortunate life events, such as unemployment or illness. 88% believed they had been well informed by their advisor about the risks relating to property loans. However, that also means that more than one in ten respondents do not think they were well informed.

    Loans rejected if own funds are lacking and income is low

    71% of respondents who were looking for a property loan had made one or more loan applications or enquiries about conditions. Almost a third of them received at least one rejection. The rejection rate for applications for follow-up financing was somewhat lower (22%). When providers gave reasons for their rejection, the most frequently cited factors were insufficient own funds or insufficient income. Other reasons for rejection included bounced payments on bank statements, overdrafts exceeding agreed limits and negative Schufa scores.

    BaFin survey on property financing

    A representative sample of 3,060 people took part in BaFin’s online survey on property financing.

    • At the time of the survey, 21% (633) of the respondents were seeking a property loan, most commonly to buy or renovate an existing property.
    • 23% (706) of the respondents had a current property loan when the survey was conducted. Just under a quarter of them had two or more such loans.

    The main aims of BaFin’s study were to find out:

    • how respondents rate the quality of the advice they received;
    • how many loan applications are rejected and why;
    • whether payments of instalments cause financial difficulties for the respondents; and
    • the level of demand for follow-up financing as well as the amounts concerned.

    Financial shortfalls not unusual

    BaFin’s survey also looked into how often borrowers struggle to cover their costs of living alongside monthly loan payments using their regular income. The results showed that more than 50% have such problems at least “rarely” (see infographic 1). In order to cover their expenses, many people dip into savings, postpone planned spending or take on an additional job.

    Of the respondents who experienced payment difficulties, more than half stated that they had taken on additional short-term debt, e.g. by paying bills late or using credit cards and arranged overdrafts. “We view this as a problem because short-term borrowing like this is usually quite costly,” explains BaFin Consumer Protection Officer Christian Bock in an interview on the BaFin website. He also noted that consumers might also lose track of their debts and slip into a debt spiral.

    Of the respondents who had a property loan at the time BaFin conducted its survey, almost one quarter were concerned that they might not be able to finance it.

    Figure 1: Difficulties with loan repayments

    On the basis of 706 participants Source: BaFin

    High demand for follow-up financing

    Most borrowers (91%) had agreed a fixed interest rate for their current loan. Almost half will need follow-up financing to pay off the remaining debt. Of this amount, 40% will require such financing as early as 2025 or 2026. If mortgage interest rates do not fall significantly by then, many of these borrowers will have to obtain follow-up financing at a substantially higher interest rate, in particular those whose interest rate is currently fixed for a period of five or ten years. Durchschnittliche Kreditrate: 767 Euro

    Average monthly payment: €767

    The survey also revealed that 44% of respondents finance their loan jointly while 56% do so alone. The average monthly rate paid by the borrowers surveyed is €767. This equates to an average debt-to-income ratio of 27% in the case of those paying off loans alone and only 16% in the case of those paying off loans jointly.

    Higher debt-to-income ratio among women

    There is also a clear gender gap here. 20% of women paying off loans alone have a debt-to-income ratio of more than 40%. This is the case for just under one in ten men paying off debt alone (see figure 2). Regardless of gender, once they have made their repayments, these respondents have an average of €823 remaining from their net income to cover all other expenses. This group is therefore at a particular risk of becoming overindebted, especially if an unfortunate life event, such as an accident or job loss, further undermines their financial fitness.

    Figure 2: Debt-to-income ratio

    On the basis of 694 borrowers (167 female, 227 male) Source: BaFin

    Information from BaFin

    The BaFin website provides consumers with comprehensive information about property loans.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: More than 26 million trips were made by motorists on the M-12 “Vostok” in the year after the highway opened

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Highway M-12 “East”. Section Moscow – Kazan

    December 22, 2024

    Highway M-12 “East”. Section Moscow – Kazan

    December 22, 2024

    Highway M-12 “East”. Section Moscow – Kazan

    December 22, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Highway M-12 “East”. Section Moscow – Kazan

    A year ago, President Vladimir Putin launched the M-12 “Vostok” high-speed highway from Moscow to Kazan. Thanks to the implementation of this ambitious infrastructure project, travel time for motorists has been reduced by almost half. In addition, the modern highway has had a colossal effect on the socio-economic development of the regions located in its gravitational zone. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “We are building the M-12 Vostok highway on the instructions of the President, and we managed to complete its section to Kazan in the shortest possible time. This project has rightfully become the pride and asset of the country’s road industry, which has been rapidly gaining momentum in recent years. The new highway has helped relieve one of the most intensive federal roads, the M-7 Volga, which has directly affected traffic safety and made it possible to halve the number of accidents along the entire corridor from Moscow to Kazan. We see that the road is in demand among motorists: in just one year, they have driven along the M-12 more than 26 million times. Passenger traffic has exceeded 43 million people. And if at the beginning of this year, on average, about 6 thousand trips per day were recorded along the M-12, now it is 10 thousand, and during peak periods this figure exceeds 15 thousand. To ensure that trips are not only fast but also comfortable, we are carrying out large-scale work to create the most modern roadside service facilities. A year ago, when traffic on the M-12 opened to Kazan, there were already 18 multifunctional road service zones operating on the highway, and 6 more opened during the year. Today, a total of 24 MFSs provide all the necessary services for drivers and passengers on the M-12,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that the M-12 “Vostok” became an impetus for housing construction and an increase in the urban potential of the Moscow, Vladimir and Nizhny Novgorod regions, as well as the Chuvash Republic and Tatarstan. Thanks to the new road, unprecedented opportunities have opened up for the development of small and medium-sized businesses and the launch of new tourist routes.

    According to the head of the state company Avtodor, Vyacheslav Petushenko, road construction directly affects the improvement of the quality of life and well-being of Russians. And a striking example of this is the M-12 Vostok highway.

    “A developed road network has a multiplier effect not only on the regions through which it passes, but also on the economy of the entire country. In the first year alone, more than 70 million tons of cargo were transported along the M-12 “Vostok” from Moscow to Kazan. This confirms that high-speed roads provide fast transit transportation, help to form new logistics routes, which guarantees sustainable growth of entrepreneurial activity and the creation of new jobs. Also, with the opening of the M-12, domestic tourism is gaining popularity. For example, in the first half of 2024 alone, the number of tourist trips in the Nizhny Novgorod region increased by 33%,” said Vyacheslav Petushenko.

    The M-12 “Vostok” highway from Moscow to Kazan is driven without traffic lights and at-grade intersections with other roads. The entire highway is illuminated, and oncoming traffic flows are separated by a barrier fence. 323 artificial structures have been built on this section, including a cable-stayed bridge across the Oka, a monolithic bridge across the Sura, and a three-kilometer bridge across the Volga, as well as 19 interchanges with federal and regional highways.

    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 China: China beefs up fiscal support for disaster control, emergency management

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

    BEIJING, Dec. 22 — China has stepped up fiscal support for disaster control and emergency management, the country’s finance minister said Sunday.

    From 2019 to 2023, China’s general public budget spending on disaster prevention and reduction and emergency management reached 3.05 trillion yuan (about 424.2 billion U.S. dollars), with an average annual growth rate of 8.85 percent, said Finance Minister Lan Fo’an while delivering a report to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

    The report, detailing China’s fiscal spending on disaster prevention and reduction and emergency management, revealed that both central and local governments have made continuous efforts to provide solid financial support for the sector.

    For 2024, the central government has allocated about 334.3 billion yuan for disaster and emergency response, according to the report.

    China’s central government has issued an additional 1 trillion yuan of treasury bonds in 2023, with the aim of supporting post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, and addressing the deficiencies in disaster prevention, reduction and relief, Lan said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New protections for British food and drink in Japan

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    UK secures special protected status as geographical indications for a further 39 British food and drink products in Japan.

    Woman shopping for vegetables

    Diners in Japan will be tucking into authentic UK products this festive period after the country granted special protected status to nearly 40 British food and drink products.   

    Festive favourites such as Single Malt Welsh Whisky and Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese are just some of the products to receive the status, which means British businesses can export to Japan with confidence that their products are protected against imitation.  

    The news has been welcomed as an early Christmas present by food and drink businesses across the UK and could see a boost to British exports in Japan.

    Japan’s population of 124 million has a strong appetite for international food and drink and the country’s status as the world’s fourth largest economy in 2023 highlights the strength of its consumer market and the commercial opportunities for premium British products. 

    39 distinctive products from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, already protected and celebrated by the UK Government as geographical indications (GIs), have formally gained protection following the completion of Japanese scrutiny processes.  

    These protections will safeguard British food and drink products with a distinct local identity, supporting jobs and tourism in mainly rural areas and boosting local growth, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.  

    The latest batch of GIs follows 37 that gained protection in the country earlier this year, including Cornish Pasties and Anglesey Sea Salt.    

    Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner said:

     I’m thrilled to see there’s a taste for authentic British food and drink in Japan. We are committed to growing trade opportunities for British producers around the world as part of our Plan for Change, boosting growth and benefitting businesses across the country. 

    The UK is home to a feast of flavours from every corner of the British Isles. With the new agreement between the UK and Japan, consumers will now be able to chew over their choices with confidence, knowing they’re getting the quality and reputation that British food is known for – it’s the perfect recipe for success.

    Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said: 

    Iconic UK products such as Ayrshire New Potatoes and Carmarthen Ham will now benefit from protected status in Japan. From Sussex to Armagh we are securing protections for unique British food and drink products, ensuring Japanese consumers can rest assured that they are receiving authentic, high-quality British produce.

    This early Christmas present to British producers will give them confidence when exporting to Japan, helping them sell more, grow their business and ultimately drive economic growth.” 

    Co-founder of Rathfinny Wine Estate, Mark Driver said:

    We launched Rathfinny’s Traditional Method Sussex sparkling wines in Japan in 2023 and are delighted that the Sussex PDO will now be afforded protection in Japan. The Sussex PDO is a mark of both provenance and quality, ensuring any wine with ‘Sussex’ on the label has had to pass a stringent blind tasting and high analytical standards.

    Rathfinny’s Traditional Method Sussex sparkling wines are produced on a single-site vineyard, in the iconic South Downs near the Seven Sisters in East Sussex. They are now available across Japan through the specialist wine importer, Vin Passion.

    Chief Executive Officer of Penderyn Distillery, Stephen Davies said:     

    Japan is an important market for world-class single malt whisky, making it a key target market for Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky.      

    We have a great partner (Whisk-E) and together we plan to build awareness and reputation for our unique brand from Wales. The establishment of the geographical indication for Single Malt Welsh Whisky in 2022 was an important milestone in the development of the whisky industry in Wales and to have recognition in Japan will be a great achievement to support our export strategy.

    Co-Founder and Managing Director of Halen Môn, Alison Lea-Wilson said:   

    We are proud to have the name and method of Halen Môn recognised in Japan as authentic and possessing the special qualities that set it apart from other salts.   

    GI status offers brands such as Halen Môn protection against passing off and another way of differentiating ourselves from our competitors. We know that Japanese consumers recognise the premium quality of British brands and are keen to buy the authentic product, so it’s great to hear that Japan is recognising further GIs from the UK.

    Further British GIs have been recognised across the world in recent months, with fourteen UK GIs including Welsh Laverbread, Vale of Evesham Asparagus and London Cure Smoked Salmon granted protection in Iceland on 4 December under the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, and the Kingdom of Norway.  

    This followed new protections for Scotch Whisky in Brazil, South America’s largest economy, in August, tackling counterfeits and giving distillers the confidence to up their exports to Brazil.

    Further information 

    Geographical Indications 

    • A Geographical indication (GI) is an intellectual property right used on products that have qualities or characteristics attributable to a specific geographical origin. Examples include Scotch Whisky, Welsh Lamb and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies. 
    • Food, drink and agricultural products with a geographical connection or that are made using traditional methods can be registered and protected as intellectual property. 
    • Geographical indications protect the authenticity of many of our most prestigious food and drink products and give consumers confidence that international GI products are genuine articles. 
    • The UK’s annual GI exports are estimated to be worth over £6 billion and account for 25% of UK food and drink exports’ value.  

    UK food, drink, and agricultural products to be protected in Japan include:  

    • Armagh Bramley Apples
    • Ayrshire New Potatoes/Ayrshire Earlies
    • Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese
    • Bonchester Cheese
    • Buxton Blue
    • Cambrian Mountains Lamb
    • Carmarthen Ham
    • Cornish Sardines
    • Darnibole
    • Dovedale Cheese
    • Fal Oysters
    • Fenland Celery
    • Gloucestershire Cider
    • Gloucestershire Perry
    • Gower Salt Marsh Lamb
    • Lakeland Herdwick
    • New Season Comber Potatoes / Comber Earlies Potatoes
    • Newmarket Sausage
    • Orkney Beef
    • Orkney Lamb
    • Rutland Bitter
    • Scottish Wild Salmon
    • Shetland Lamb
    • Sussex Wine
    • Swaledale Ewes Cheese
    • Teviotdale Cheese
    • The Vale of Clwyd Denbigh Plum
    • Traditional Welsh Cider
    • Traditional Welsh Perry
    • Vale of Evesham Asparagus
    • West Wales Coracle Caught Salmon
    • West Wales Coracle Caught Sewin
    • Whitstable Oysters
    • Worcestershire Cider
    • Worcestershire Perry
    • Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb
    • New Forest Pannage Ham
    • Welsh Leeks
    • Welsh Whisky

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 December 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The year ahead in the Middle East: A weakened Iran has big implications for China

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Daniel Lincoln, Policy Research Analyst, Geopolitics, The China Institute, University of Alberta

    Iran’s diminished status in the Middle East means China will likely be compelled to develop stronger ties with other nations in the region, including Saudi Arabia. (Shutterstock)

    The wheels of history have been turning rapidly in the Middle East over the last year.

    For a significant period of time, Iran’s status as a rising power within the region has been regarded as a consistent reality in assessing Middle Eastern geopolitics. But events since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel have seen Iran’s position in the region erode substantially. The balance of power in the Middle East has consequently been irreversibly altered.

    A key pillar supporting Iran’s previously powerful status in the Middle East has been its cultivation of the “Axis of Resistance,” a group of Iranian allies across the region that acted together against Israeli and American interests.

    The members of the axis, in addition to Iran itself, include Hamas, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite militias, the Houthis and Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.



    Read more:
    Assad’s fall in Syria will further weaken Hezbollah and curtails Tehran’s ‘Iranization’ of region

    Axis decimation

    Israel’s relentless war in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack has seen several of the most important members of the axis severely diminished, if not entirely decimated.

    Both Hezbollah and Hamas have been humiliated through the destruction of their respective leaderships, and their operational capacities have been reduced significantly.

    The largest blow to Iran’s proxy network was arguably the recent ousting of Syria’s Assad, ending a decades-long regime that was regarded by top Iranian strategists as Iran’s most important regional ally.

    The adverse consequences of these developments for Iran’s grand strategy raises questions of how a significantly weakened Iran will affect the world at large, especially in terms of its impact on great power politics in the Middle East.

    This undoubtedly represents a welcome development in the United States given the long-standing animosity towards post-1979 Iran among the American foreign policy establishment. But China is likely to have a more nuanced outlook predicated upon its commitment to pragmatic foreign policy maneuvering in accomplishing its top global objectives.

    China’s engagement with Iran

    As China has grown richer and more powerful in recent decades, it’s turned its attention to increasing its diplomatic clout and economic presence throughout the world. Every region of the planet has been affected by this development, but the Middle East achieved a spot of particular importance for China.

    The Chinese government’s motivation to deeply engage in the Middle East has been — and continues to be — driven by several key considerations: the Middle East’s status as a powerhouse of oil production, its strategic geographic location bridging east and west, and its status as a long-standing pillar of American foreign policy.

    China has fostered bilateral partnerships across the entire Middle East, but one of its longest regional relationships has been with Iran. In Iran, Chinese authorities saw a country that provided it with an opportunity to help it achieve China’s main objectives in the region.

    Post-1979, Iran was inherently anti-American, which meant that China was more likely to be warmly received by Tehran, especially when compared to other regional powers like Saudi Arabia that had relatively warm relations with the U.S.

    Perhaps most importantly, Iran could be depended on — to an extent — to stymie American interests in the Middle East given its status as a rising regional power.

    This is not to say that Iran became a Chinese client state, but rather that China could provide diplomatic and economic support to Iran as the Iranians used their power to act disruptively in a region of great strategic importance to the U.S.

    China’s future moves

    Given the motivations underlying deep Chinese-Iranian ties historically, it’s clear that the evaporation of Iran’s clout will likely greatly alter the character of their relationship moving forward.

    In a nutshell, a significant portion of Iran’s appeal to Chinese policymakers has disappeared with the near annihilation of its regional network. This will likely encourage China to seek deeper ties with other Middle Eastern heavyweights, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in accomplishing its goals in the Middle East — chief among them, increasing its regional influence at the expense of the U.S.

    But it’s also unlikely China will entirely abandon Iran. While it may focus its most concerted efforts on developing deeper ties with other Middle Eastern countries instead of Iran, China would likely be hesitant to see Iran become even further isolated and therefore more predisposed to behaving aggressively.

    China was one of the main behind-the-scenes mediators of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal because it wanted regional tensions to dissipate via Iran’s abandonment of its nuclear program.

    Now that Iran is weakened, it has essentially been boxed into a corner, and has two main options moving forward: either it achieves a rapprochement with the West, or it reinvigorates its nuclear program and acts more aggressively.

    While Iran’s ultra-conservative factions that control the levers of power in the country may be tempted to take a more aggressive path, it is very possible China will attempt to use its substantial economic leverage over Iran to encourage them to pursue the rapprochement option.

    That’s because the Chinese need the Middle East as a source of petroleum to fuel their economy, and because China doesn’t want to be viewed by the West as an implicit accomplice to a bellicose and destabilizing Iran.

    China a moderating influence?

    On the contrary, China is currently attempting to repair relations with many western countries given the importance of the West’s markets to China’s ailing economy.

    In fact, China may wish to play a role in inducing Iran to strike a deal with the West in the near future, given that it would show the incoming Donald Trump administration — which is notoriously hawkish on China — that it can be trusted and worked with constructively.

    At the end of the day, China will seek the path that minimizes the likelihood of full-blown conflict in the Middle East given the importance of the region to the Chinese economy. The country has a strategic opportunity to signal trustworthiness and dependability to the West by working to prevent Iran from choosing a more aggressive path.

    Daniel Lincoln does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The year ahead in the Middle East: A weakened Iran has big implications for China – https://theconversation.com/the-year-ahead-in-the-middle-east-a-weakened-iran-has-big-implications-for-china-245649

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Businesses must stop caving to political pressure and abandoning their EDI commitments

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Simon Blanchette, Lecturer, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University

    EDI is good for business and good business: it is both the ethical choice and the smart business decision.
     (Shutterstock)

    Over the past year, several major corporations have scaled back their equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives amid shifting political pressures. Walmart is one of the latest major corporations to reduce its EDI programs following conservative backlash and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s re-election.

    Ford Motor Company, Lowe’s and Nissan have all announced plans to change their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. In the entertainment sector, Hollywood’s commitment to EDI has waned, with several studios and networks reducing or eliminating diversity programs.

    This growing trend reflects a broader corporate retreat from EDI commitments, as businesses navigate the complexities of the current political landscape. So far, many have chosen to respond by negating their commitment to inclusion and diversity.

    Given the close economic and cultural ties between the United States and Canada, this troubling shift could spill over into Canada. It would undermine years of progress towards achieving genuine workplace equity. Ultimately, no one will benefit in the long run — not even the people opposed to it — as they will miss out on the benefits of a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

    Walmart: From EDI commitment to rollback

    As the largest private employer in the world with over two million employees, Walmart has long been at the centre of debates about labour practices, workplace diversity and corporate responsibility.

    For years, the company championed EDI principles. In 2019, Walmart made a public commitment to boost diversity, pledging to increase the percentage of women and racialized people in managerial roles.

    Walmart also introduced initiatives to support underrepresented groups in the workforce, including diversity and inclusion training, the Women’s Resource Community, the OneTen Coalition program and partnerships to recruit people with disabilities.



    Read more:
    Employers miss out on talent by overlooking workers living with disabilities

    Walmart also tracked workforce representation by gender and ethnicity. Its 2023 report revealed that 20 per cent of promotions from hourly to management position were Black and racialized women. Over 86,000 employees completed race and inclusion training, and nearly 800 participated in Walmart’s Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Institute.

    However, amid a political climate marked by renewed attacks on corporate diversity initiatives and so-called “wokeness,” Walmart started rolling back its EDI policies and diversity training programs.

    For instance, the company has decided not to extend its racial equity centre, a five-year initiative that was launched in 2020. Additionally, it will discontinue the use of terms such as “LatinX” and “DEI” in official communications, opting instead to use the word “belonging.” But who truly belongs if, at the same time, they are cancelling EDI initiatives?

    Understand what EDI means

    This rollback of EDI initiatives reflects a growing trend within big business to selectively adopt social justice agendas when they are advantageous, then scale them back when the political climate changes. This “diversitywashing” mirrors greenwashing where companies claim to support social or environmental causes but retreat when faced with political or public pressure.

    At its core, EDI is about ensuring that all employees, customers and stakeholders have equitable access to work opportunities, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or socio-economic background.

    EDI policies and practices are essential for supporting equity-deserving groups — such as women, Black and racialized people, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ communities — who have historically faced systemic barriers to opportunity.

    Arguing for a meritocracy without first establishing equity is like trying to lift a sloped playing field instead of leveling it, while ignoring that one side is a mountain and the other is a canyon. It leaves existing barriers and inequities intact on the road to merit, telling people that hard work alone will lead to rewards, while ignoring that they need to work that much harder to achieve the same.

    The idea that we must create an even playing field first should not be controversial, and yet it is.

    The fear that EDI programs compromise competency is both common and unfounded; embracing diversity is about dismantling barriers that have unfairly limited opportunities for talented individuals, not lowering standards.

    EDI is about ensuring that all employees, customers and stakeholders have equitable access to work opportunities.
    (Shutterstock)

    Why corporations must commit to EDI

    EDI initiatives should never be reduced to political tools or marketing gimmicks. The true purpose of these policies is to foster an environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive.

    Organizations greatly benefit from the creativity, problem-solving and innovation that come with diversity.

    When corporations roll back these initiatives in response to political pressures, it signals to the world their commitment to EDI was merely a strategic move to improve their brand image during a period when social justice was a trending topic.

    This can damage a corporation’s reputation in the eyes of both employees and consumers, particularly those from equity-deserving groups who expect representation, as well as those who value diversity and inclusivity.



    Read more:
    How equity, diversity and inclusion policies are becoming a tool for capitalism

    It is essential for large corporations to recognize that adopting EDI policies is not just a moral imperative, but also a sound business strategy. The data is clear: diverse companies perform better, including from a profitability standpoint.

    Diversity related advantages create a competitive edge that drives growth. A McKinsey report revealed that companies with more diverse executive teams were 36 per cent more likely to have above-average profitability. Giving that up is simply bad business.

    As both a scholar and a practising strategy and organizational change consultant, I have never encountered a well-designed and effectively implemented EDI program that did not yield positive results for the organization.

    EDI is good for business and good business: it is both the ethical choice and the smart business decision.

    Walking the talk

    The way forward is clear: corporations, especially large ones, must make a genuine commitment to EDI — not just because it is the morally right thing to do, but because it is the key to long-term business success. Diversity fosters innovation, and innovation drives profitability.

    However, for employees of diverse backgrounds to truly thrive in their workplaces, organizations must go beyond surface-level representation and tokenism. They must build inclusive workplaces where diversity is genuinely respected, supported and embraced unconditionally and independent of political trends.

    By doing so, companies will not only contribute to a more equitable society, but also position themselves for success in an increasingly diverse global marketplace. Achieving this requires leaders who are courageous and prioritize long-term strategic goals over short-term political gains.

    Leading through fear is not leadership; it reflects a failure in strategic foresight. Talent is the defining competitive advantage of this century, and business leaders cannot afford to waste it.

    Simon Blanchette does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Businesses must stop caving to political pressure and abandoning their EDI commitments – https://theconversation.com/businesses-must-stop-caving-to-political-pressure-and-abandoning-their-edi-commitments-245450

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak congratulated power engineers on their professional holiday

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Alexander Novak congratulated power engineers on their professional holiday

    December 22, 2024

    Alexander Novak congratulated power engineers on their professional holiday

    December 22, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Alexander Novak congratulated power engineers on their professional holiday

    Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak took part in a ceremonial event on the occasion of Energy Day with the participation of industry veterans, SVO participants and energy workers working on the restoration of energy infrastructure in new regions and border areas. The Deputy Prime Minister read out a congratulatory message on Energy Day on behalf of President Vladimir Putin and noted that Russian energy is one of the most powerful in the world.

    “New power plants are being actively built, the electric grid complex is being developed, renewable energy sources, automated control systems, and digital technologies are being introduced. Energy is moving forward and is the basis, foundation, and foundation of our entire economy. There are big plans ahead, including those related to the implementation of the national goals set by the President of the Russian Federation in his Address to the Federal Assembly,” said Alexander Novak.

    The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the employees and veterans of the energy complex for their responsible work and presented state and departmental awards to the industry’s workers.

    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-Evening Report: From smaller homes to screen time, backyard cricket is facing challenges in modern Australia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University

    We are well and truly in cricket season.

    The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as is the Sheffield Shield.

    It is a packed summer schedule, with the Australian women’s cricket team competing in an Ashes series against England that will culminate in a historic Test at the MCG on January 30: the first women’s Test played at the venue since 1948–49.

    That match will also be the 90th anniversary of the first ever women’s Ashes series, when England toured Australia in the summer of 1934–35.

    It’s an exciting schedule for fans and one Cricket Australia will be looking to capitalise on.

    But is all this cricket driving participation?

    The changing face of cricket participation

    Like most sports, cricket faces a challenge to retain junior players in an oversaturated sports market. It is also competing with other entertainment offerings, increased screen time, financial pressures, and parent and guardian unavailability.



    Read more:
    No cash, no play? Have cost-of-living pressures impacted sports participation in Australia?

    Ahead of the 2024–25 summer, Cricket Australia released its annual report, which included 2023–24 participation numbers.

    On the whole, things are looking somewhat positive, with growth in junior cricket (ages 5-12) increasing 5%.

    For women and girls, the numbers are even more encouraging, with Cricket Australia reporting 18% growth for the 2023–24 season, attributed to a 44% rise in school competitions, 6% growth in social competitions and a record-breaking year of youth girls’ participation (ages 5–12).

    But Cricket Australia highlighted challenges in that next phase – the teenage years, with the governing body reporting an overall 5% drop in teenage participation.

    The death of backyard cricket?

    There has been reflection recently about the decline of junior participation in some demographics and a changing cricketing landscape.

    A query that often arises in these conversations is whether the sport’s traditional breeding ground, backyard cricket, is under threat.

    What is interesting is the nostalgia many cricket fans hold for the days of the iconic pastime and how it is central to a person’s, and maybe even our national, identity.

    Backyard cricket has long been a staple for many Australian families (and those in cricketing countries). It has attracted a certain rose-coloured nostalgia that fills the memories of generations – the sounds of a ball bouncing off a wheelie bin, the shouts of “car!” in quiet suburban streets and maybe sometimes, of smashed glass and the cries of angry parents to not play near the windows.

    Cricket fans can connect to stories of backyard cricket, reflecting on simpler times, mates made in the streets and maybe even how they perfected their action in narrow driveways, to avoid trees or to not lose the ball over the neighbour’s fence.

    Cricket lovers can not only recall their childhood and growing cricket fandom, but also imagine how their cricketing heroes were likely doing the exact same thing.

    In 2009, Steve Cannane wrote the book First Tests – Great Australian Cricketers and The Backyards That Made Them. The book is a testament to the romance of backyard cricket and how we can relate as fans to the icons of the game, who also experienced modest beginnings in similar streets. They were just like us.

    But recreation looks different to today’s teens, with the rise of technology and other entertainment options, as well as changing social patterns where organic interactions are less likely or not encouraged.

    This can make it hard to find fielders for those long cover drives down the driveway.

    I recently discussed this on ABC Radio’s The Conversation Hour. We discussed how children might be less likely to approach other children to play today, which might be a result of COVID restrictions or general concerns about children’s safety.

    Australia’s changing housing market is also affecting backyard cricket.

    Apartment living and smaller homes in urban areas with limited outdoor space make the activity not only very difficult but not visible to invite others in.

    Modern city planning appears focused on making cities more compact and experts note the loss of outdoor space could increase the risks of physical and mental health problems among city residents.

    It appears for many, the days of walking down a street, seeing kids playing a game and joining in until your parents called out “dinner” (or “tea” in the rural neighbourhood I grew up in) are long gone.

    Finding the fandom balance

    Kerry Packer’s 1977 World Series Cricket is what inspired CEO of Softball Australia Sarah Loh to pick up a cricket bat when her family migrated to Australia when she was six years old.

    She told ABC Radio Melbourne:

    There were those great characters, and that is when my love of sport and cricket came.

    While traditional cricket fans often bemoan new formats, flashy tournaments and increased commercialisation of cricket, for many, these innovations also offer entry points, drive interest and allow their fandom to grow.

    Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket James Allsopp has spoken of the need for more social forms of cricket to keep kids interested in the game and prevent the drop-off in teen years.

    A balance must be achieved in our rapidly changing society – the challenge for cricket’s administrators will now be to connect with kids, women, and diverse communities in ways that respond to their needs and bring them to the sport on their terms.

    They must also do this in a way that protects the history that has already brought so many people together every summer in front of televisions, in stadiums and in backyards across the country.

    Kasey Symons consults to and conducts research for a number of organisations across Australia. Her research has received funding from organisations including the Victorian Government, and national and state sport governing bodies including the Australian Football League and its clubs and the National Rugby League. Dr Symons is also one of the co-founders of Siren: A Women in Sport Collective.

    – ref. From smaller homes to screen time, backyard cricket is facing challenges in modern Australia – https://theconversation.com/from-smaller-homes-to-screen-time-backyard-cricket-is-facing-challenges-in-modern-australia-241351

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Statement: Official visit of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India to Kuwait (December 21-22, 2024)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 DEC 2024 7:46PM by PIB Delhi

    At the invitation of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Kuwait on 21-22 December 2024. This was his first visit to Kuwait. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait on 21 December 2024 as the ‘Guest of Honour’ of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

     His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait received Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Bayan Palace on 22 December 2024 and was accorded a ceremonial welcome. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed his deep appreciation to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for conferring on him the highest award of the State of Kuwait ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’. The leaders exchanged views on bilateral, global, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

    Given the traditional, close and friendly bilateral relations and desire to deepen cooperation in all fields, the two leaders agreed to elevate the relations between India and Kuwait to a ‘Strategic Partnership’. The leaders stressed that it is in line with the common interests of the two countries and for the mutual benefit of the two peoples. Establishment of a strategic partnership between both countries will further broad-base and deepen our long-standing historical ties.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. In light of the newly established strategic partnership, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations through comprehensive and structured cooperation in key areas, including political, trade, investment, defence, security, energy, culture, education, technology and people-to-people ties.

    The two sides recalled the centuries-old historical ties rooted in shared history and cultural affinities. They noted with satisfaction the regular interactions at various levels which have helped in generating and sustaining the momentum in the multifaceted bilateral cooperation. Both sides emphasized on sustaining the recent momentum in high-level exchanges through regular bilateral exchanges at Ministerial and senior-official levels.

    The two sides welcomed the recent establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC) between India and Kuwait. The JCC will be an institutional mechanism to review and monitor the entire spectrum of the bilateral relations between the two countries and will be headed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries. To further expand our bilateral cooperation across various fields, new Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been set up in areas of trade, investments, education and skill development, science and technology, security and counter-terrorism, agriculture, and culture, in addition to the existing JWGs on Health, Manpower and Hydrocarbons. Both sides emphasized on convening the meetings of the JCC and the JWGs under it at an early date.

    Both sides noted that trade has been an enduring link between the two countries and emphasized on the potential for further growth and diversification in bilateral trade. They also emphasized on the need for promoting exchange of business delegations and strengthening institutional linkages.

     Recognizing that the Indian economy is one of the fastest growing emerging major economies and acknowledging Kuwait’s significant investment capacity, both sides discussed various avenues for investments in India. The Kuwaiti side welcomed steps taken by India in making a conducive environment for foreign direct investments and foreign institutional investments, and expressed interest to explore investment opportunities in different sectors, including technology, tourism, healthcare, food-security, logistics and others. They recognized the need for closer and greater engagement between investment authorities in Kuwait with Indian institutions, companies and funds. They encouraged companies of both countries to invest and participate in infrastructure projects. They also directed the concerned authorities of both countries to fast-track and complete the ongoing negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

     Both sides discussed ways to enhance their bilateral partnership in the energy sector. While expressing satisfaction at the bilateral energy trade, they agreed that potential exists to further enhance it. They discussed avenues to transform the cooperation from a buyer-seller relationship to a comprehensive partnership with greater collaboration in upstream and downstream sectors. Both sides expressed keenness to support companies of the two countries to increase cooperation in the fields of exploration and production of oil and gas, refining, engineering services, petrochemical industries, new and renewable energy. Both sides also agreed to discuss participation by Kuwait in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme.

    Both sides agreed that defence is an important component of the strategic partnership between India and Kuwait. The two sides welcomed the signing of the MoU in the field of Defence that will provide the required framework to further strengthen bilateral defence ties, including through joint military exercises, training of defence personnel, coastal defence, maritime safety, joint development and production of defence equipment.

     The two sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and called for disrupting of terrorism financing networks and safe havens, and dismantling of terror infrastructure. Expressing appreciation of their ongoing bilateral cooperation in the area of security, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, information and intelligence sharing, developing and exchanging experiences, best practices and technologies, capacity building and to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug-trafficking and other transnational crimes. The two sides discussed ways and means to promote cooperation in cybersecurity, including prevention of use of cyberspace for terrorism, radicalisation and for disturbing social harmony. The Indian side praised the results of the fourth high-level conference on “Enhancing International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism and Building Resilient Mechanisms for Border Security – The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process,” which was hosted by the State of Kuwait on November 4-5, 2024.

     Both sides acknowledged health cooperation as one of the important pillars of bilateral ties and expressed their commitment to further strengthen collaboration in this important sector. Both sides appreciated the bilateral cooperation during the COVID- 19 pandemic. They discussed the possibility of setting up of Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Kuwait. They also expressed their intent to strengthen cooperation in the field of medical products regulation in the ongoing discussions on an MoU between the drug regulatory authorities.

     The two sides expressed interest in pursuing deeper collaboration in the area of technology including emerging technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. They discussed avenues to explore B2B cooperation, furthering e-Governance, and sharing best practices for facilitating industries/companies of both countries in the policies and regulation in the electronics and IT sector.

     The Kuwaiti side also expressed interest in cooperation with India to ensure its food-security. Both sides discussed various avenues for collaboration including investments by Kuwaiti companies in food parks in India.

     The Indian side welcomed Kuwait’s decision to become a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking a significant step towards collaboration in developing and deploying low-carbon growth trajectories and fostering sustainable energy solutions. Both sides agreed to work closely towards increasing the deployment of solar energy across the globe within ISA.

     Both sides noted the recent meetings between the civil aviation authorities of both countries. The two sides discussed the increase of bilateral flight seat capacities and associated issues. They agreed to continue discussions in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date.

    Appreciating the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2025-2029, which will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in arts, music, and literature festivals, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment on further enhancing people to people contacts and strengthening the cultural cooperation.

     Both sides expressed satisfaction at the signing of the Executive Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports for 2025-2028. which will strengthen cooperation in the area of sports including mutual exchange and visits of sportsmen, organising workshops, seminars and conferences, exchange of sports publications between both nations.

     Both sides highlighted that education is an important area of cooperation including strengthening institutional linkages and exchanges between higher educational institutions of both countries. Both sides also expressed interest in collaborating on Educational Technology, exploring opportunities for online learning platforms and digital libraries to modernize educational infrastructure.

     As part of the activities under the MoU between Sheikh Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwaiti Diplomatic Institute and the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), both sides welcomed the proposal to organize the Special Course for diplomats and Officers from Kuwait at SSIFS in New Delhi.

     Both sides acknowledged that centuries old people-to-people ties represent a fundamental pillar of the historic India-Kuwait relationship. The Kuwaiti leadership expressed deep appreciation for the role and contribution made by the Indian community in Kuwait for the progress and development of their host country, noting that Indian citizens in Kuwait are highly respected for their peaceful and hard-working nature. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed his appreciation to the leadership of Kuwait for ensuring the welfare and well-being of this large and vibrant Indian community in Kuwait.

     The two sides stressed upon the depth and importance of long standing and historical cooperation in the field of manpower mobility and human resources. Both sides agreed to hold regular meetings of Consular Dialogue as well as Labour and Manpower Dialogue to address issues related to expatriates, labour mobility and matters of mutual interest.

    The two sides appreciated the excellent coordination between both sides in the UN and other multilateral fora. The Indian side welcomed Kuwait’s entry as ‘dialogue partner’ in SCO during India’s Presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023. The Indian side also appreciated Kuwait’s active role in the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). The Kuwaiti side highlighted the importance of making the necessary efforts to explore the possibility of transforming the ACD into a regional organisation.

     Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated His Highness the Amir on Kuwait’s assumption of the Presidency of GCC this year and expressed confidence that the growing India-GCC cooperation will be further strengthened under his visionary leadership. Both sides welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers held in Riyadh on 9 September 2024. The Kuwaiti side as the current Chair of GCC assured full support for deepening of the India-GCC cooperation under the recently adopted Joint Action Plan in areas including health, trade, security, agriculture and food security, transportation, energy, culture, amongst others. Both sides also stressed the importance of early conclusion of the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement.

    In the context of the UN reforms, both leaders emphasized the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a UN reflective of contemporary realities, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. The two sides stressed the need for the UN reforms, including of the Security Council through expansion in both categories of membership, to make it more representative, credible and effective.

     The following documents were signed/exchanged during the visit, which will further deepen the multifaceted bilateral relationship as well as open avenues for newer areas of cooperation:● MoU between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Defence.

    ● Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Kuwait for the years 2025-2029.

    ● Executive Programme between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Sports for 2025-2028 between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Public Authority for Youth and Sports, Government of the State of Kuwait.

    ● Kuwait’s membership of International Solar Alliance (ISA).

     Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi thanked His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. The visit reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Kuwait. The leaders expressed optimism that this renewed partnership would continue to grow, benefiting the people of both countries and contributing to regional and global stability. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also invited His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait to visit India.

    *****

    MJPS/ST/SKS

    (Release ID: 2087074) Visitor Counter : 10

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, launches various initiatives to strengthen the cooperative sector in Tripura

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, launches various initiatives to strengthen the cooperative sector in Tripura

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, emphasis is being laid on cooperatives for the welfare of every farmer and poor of Tripura

    Farmers of Tripura should join hands with National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) to get their land and products certified

    Today, 8 initiatives, including a MoU between NCOL and Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency will give impetus to cooperatives in the state and it will open many dimensions for farmers

    Organic farming offers solutions to many problems; it enhances the prosperity of farmers and also helps in maintaining a higher groundwater level

    In the previous governments, cooperatives in Tripura were running at a loss, but since 2018, Tripura’s cooperatives have been earning profits

    Modi ji has launched the world’s largest food storage scheme, and now, there will not be a single tehsil in Tripura without a storage facility

    Out of the 57 initiatives taken by the Ministry of Cooperation, Tripura has made significant progress in implementing 41 initiatives, which is a major achievement

    Posted On: 22 DEC 2024 7:06PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today launched various initiatives to strengthen the cooperative sector in Tripura. On this occasion, the Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, and the Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, along with several other dignitaries, were present.

    In his address, Shri Amit Shah said under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, emphasis is being laid on cooperatives for the welfare of every farmer and poor of Tripura. He mentioned that the objective of the Ministry of Cooperation, established by Prime Minister Modi, is ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’. Shri Shah highlighted that Prime Minister Modi has elevated India’s economy from 11thto 5thposition, and by 2027, the country will attain the 3rdposition. He added that our goal is not only to achieve the 3rdposition but also to ensure the participation of 140 crore Indians in this process. Prosperity, happiness, education, and healthcare should reach every family and individual. He emphasized that the only path to achieve this is through cooperation.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that there are more than 8 lakh cooperatives in the country through which more than 350 million people are associated with cooperatives. Cooperatives like Amul, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, and NAFED have worked to connect people with cooperatives. He said, today, cooperatives exist in almost all sectors, including banking, agricultural financing, medical support, and fertilizer distribution.

    Shri Amit Shah said that we have launched Mobile Rural Marts through NABARD, and these marts will aim to provide pulses, rice, and wheat flour at affordable prices to people in five districts under the India brand, through NABARD. He mentioned that 50 primary cooperative societies of Tripura State Cooperative Bank have been provided with micro ATMs. Today, cooperative petrol pumps and a consumer store in Dhalai district have also been inaugurated in Tripura. Shri Shah further noted that eight initiatives have been taken today to boost cooperation, including the Smart Training Center of Tripura State Cooperative Union, the distribution of mini seed kits to 500 farmers through NCCF, and the MoU between National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency.

    Union Minister of Cooperation said that Tripura is traditionally a state that produces more than 70% organic products, but these products are not certified. He mentioned that Tripura’s farmers should connect with the NCOL through cooperative institutions, so that their land and products can be certified. Shri Shah stated that within two to three years, NCOL will help farmers secure at least 30% higher prices for their products. He further emphasized that organic farming not only enriches and preserves our land but also keeps the environment healthy and protects our bodies from various diseases. He added that organic farming solves many problems, increases the prosperity of farmers, and helps in maintaining a higher groundwater level.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the central government has established three national-level multipurpose cooperative societies to provide quality seeds, market organic products, and connect farmers’ produce to the global market. He mentioned that over 35 cooperative institutions from Tripura have applied for membership in these three societies. Shri Shah further stated that currently, there are 3,138 different types of cooperatives in Tripura, including dairy, fisheries, consumer cooperatives, livestock, and poultry cooperatives. He noted that previous governments established cooperatives but used them as a means to recruit their cadres, causing them to incur losses. He said in 2018 when his party formed government in the state, Tripura’s cooperatives started earning profits, and now, with the efforts of the Narendra Modi government, their profits are increasing.

      

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that farmers in Tripura can work through cooperatives for the prosperity of themselves and their families. He mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has launched the world’s largest food storage scheme, under which 2,000 metric ton capacity warehouses will be built on a cooperative basis in Tripura. He assured that there will not be a single tehsil in the state without a storage facility. Shri Shah added that out of the 57 initiatives taken by the Ministry of Cooperation, Tripura has made significant progress in implementing 41 of them, which is a major achievement.

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    RK/VV/ASH/PS

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Farmers’ Day

    Source: Government of India (2)

    National Farmers’ Day

    Empowering ‘Annadatas’ for a Prosperous Nation

    Posted On: 22 DEC 2024 4:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    Farmers, the lifeblood of the nation and revered as ‘Annadatas’, are the foundation of India’s prosperity. Their relentless toil feeds the nation, sustains the rural economy, and ensures the strength of every household. National Farmers’ Day, observed on 23rd December, celebrates their invaluable contribution. This day marks the birth anniversary of Shri Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister, renowned for his deep understanding of rural issues and unwavering advocacy for farmers’ welfare. It is a moment to honour our farmers’ unwavering dedication and recognise their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s progress.

    Recognising the vital role of farmers, the Government of India has introduced a suite of initiatives designed to support their socio-economic upliftment and ensure sustainable agricultural growth. These programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), are aimed at providing financial security, risk mitigation, and long-term social security for farmers. By addressing both immediate challenges and long-term needs, these schemes underscore the government’s commitment to nurturing the backbone of the nation and fostering a sustainable agricultural future. 

     

    Role of Farmers in Nation-Building

    India’s agricultural sector, employing nearly half of the nation’s population, remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy and a key driver of nation-building. It contributes 17.7% to the Gross Value Added (GVA) at current prices in FY 2023-24. With approximately 54.8% of the country’s 328.7 million hectares classified as agricultural land and a cropping intensity of 155.4% (as per the Land Use Statistics for 2021-22), farmers are the bedrock of this essential sector. Their role extends far beyond mere cultivation; they are the architects of rural development and nation-building, providing food security and sustaining the livelihoods of millions. Through their hard work and innovation, they play a pivotal role in shaping a resilient and prosperous India.

    In 2023-24, the country achieved a record total foodgrain production of 332.2 million tonnes, surpassing the previous year’s output of 329.7 million tonnes. This remarkable growth is a testament to the resilience and unwavering dedication of Indian farmers, who have continuously strived to ensure food security for the nation. Their efforts go beyond mere crop cultivation; they are the bedrock of rural livelihoods, shaping the economic landscape of countless communities. The success of Indian agriculture is deeply intertwined with the wellbeing of these ‘Annadatas’, who embody the spirit of hard work, innovation, and sacrifice.

    Key Schemes for Farmers in India

    Launched over the years, these key agricultural schemes reflect the Government of India’s commitment to supporting farmers and enhancing their livelihoods. PM-KISAN, PMFBY, PM-KMY, and other initiatives like the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) demonstrate a holistic approach to addressing the diverse needs of the agricultural sector. These schemes aim to provide financial assistance, insurance, affordable credit, and infrastructure development, empowering farmers with the resources needed for sustainable agricultural practices and economic security.

     

    Here are the key schemes for farmers’ welfare in India:

     

     

    Unprecedented Budget Allocation

    Since 2014, the government has significantly bolstered its commitment to agriculture by substantially increasing the budget allocation. In the 2013-14 fiscal year, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare had a budget of Rs. 21,933.50 crore. Over the years, this allocation has been raised more than five and a half times, reaching a remarkable Rs. 1,22,528.77 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25.

    This unprecedented increase reflects a strategic shift towards prioritizing the agricultural sector, addressing challenges faced by farmers, and ensuring sustainable development. The enhanced budget aims to improve rural infrastructure, promote modern farming techniques, facilitate access to credit, and provide financial support for various agricultural schemes and initiatives. Such a substantial allocation not only fosters farmer welfare but also aims to bolster agricultural productivity and rural prosperity, highlighting the government’s unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the agricultural sector.

     

    Other Notable Initiatives

     

    Namo Drone Didi: The Namo Drone Didi Scheme, approved for 2024-25 to 2025-26 with an outlay of ₹1,261 crore, aims to empower 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing drones for agricultural rental services, including fertiliser and pesticide application. The scheme offers 80% Central Financial Assistance of the cost of drones, accessories, and ancillary charges, up to a maximum of ₹8 lakh. As of December 3, 2024, ₹141.41 crore has been released for Kisan drone promotion.

     

    Soil Health Card Scheme: Launched in 2015, the Soil Health Card Scheme aims to improve soil health and promote efficient fertiliser use. Over 24.60 crore cards have been issued since launch, with 36.61 lakh generated in 2023-24. A strong laboratory network supports the scheme. In order to develop the soil fertility map, government plans to test 5 crore soil samples by 2025-26.

     

    Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs: In 2020, the government launched a scheme with a Rs. 6,865 crore budget to form and promote 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). So far, 9,411 FPOs have been formed involving 26.17 lakh beneficiary farmers, aiming to enhance collective farming and improve market access.

     

    Kisan Kavach: On 17th December, 2024, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled Kisan Kavach, Bharat’s first anti-pesticide bodysuit, designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure. This groundbreaking innovation is a major step forward in ensuring farmer safety and empowers the agricultural community through science and technology. The event also marked the distribution of the first batch of Kisan Kavach suits to farmers, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding farmers.

     

     

    Clean Plant Programme: The Union Cabinet approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) on 09.08.2024 with an outlay of Rs. 1,765.67 crore. The CPP aims to enhance the quality and productivity of horticulture crops by providing disease-free planting material, benefiting the dissemination and adoption of climate-resilient varieties with yield enhancement.

     

    Digital Agriculture Mission: The Union Cabinet approved the Digital Agriculture Mission on 2.9.2024 with an outlay of Rs. 2,817 crore, including the central share of Rs. 1,940 crore. This mission is conceived as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, including creating Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and other IT initiatives by the Central Government, State Governments, and academic and research institutions.

     

    Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR Based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF): The Government of India launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR Based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF) on 16 December 2024, providing a ₹1,000-crore corpus to support post-harvest financing for farmers. Under this scheme, farmers can access credit by pledging their produce stored in Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) accredited warehouses, backed by electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs).

     

     

    National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds): The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) on 3.10.2024 with a total outlay of Rs. 10,103 crore. The mission aims to boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils, to be implemented over a seven-year period from 2024-25 to 2030-31.

     

    National Mission on Natural Farming: The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 25.11.2024 as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 2,481 crore (Government of India share – Rs. 1,584 crore; State share – Rs. 897 crore), focusing on promoting chemical-free, natural farming practices across the country.

     

    Conclusion

    The initiatives and schemes introduced by the Government of India are a testament to the unwavering commitment to farmers’ welfare and the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector. Through schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and the Namo Drone Didi, the government not only ensures financial security but also enhances productivity and market access for farmers. The remarkable achievements in foodgrain production, coupled with the expansion of infrastructure and digital initiatives like the Digital Agriculture Mission and the Clean Plant Programme, are setting a strong foundation for a resilient and prosperous agricultural ecosystem. As we celebrate National , it is crucial to continue these efforts, ensuring that the ‘Annadatas’ remain empowered, secure, and integral to India’s development journey.

     

    References:

    National Farmers’ Day

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    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Saurabh Kalia

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