Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Applications are now being accepted for two internships in the Moscow Government

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Applications are now being accepted for two internships in the Moscow Government for young professionals. Graduates and students of specialized educational institutions are invited to join the program.

    The internship will last six months. Students will be able to combine it with their studies, because they themselves choose a convenient schedule – full-time or part-time. Official employment and salary are also provided.

    Moscow transport

    Graduating students will be able to become part of a large Moscow transport team and work on projects in one of seven areas: Information Technologies, Transport Environment, Transport Management, HR City, Media City, Legal Space, and Urban Economics and Finance.

    80 young specialists have already joined the first internship stream in Moscow transport. Since February, they have been gaining unique experience and helping to develop the most significant city projects, including driverless trams, a high-speed railway, the Big Circle Line of the metro, Moscow Parking, and river transport.

    The new stream, which will begin on August 1, promises to be no less informative. Beginning specialists will be able to learn all the intricacies of working in one of the best transport systems in the world and apply their knowledge, skills and talents to solve difficult but interesting problems.

    During the internship, each participant in the program will be supported by an experienced mentor who will help them adapt to the new place and teach them how to effectively handle all assignments.

    Applicants can apply for an internship on the Moscow Government career portalThen they will have to take a test, record a video business card and meet with the manager.

    Veterinary Internship

    Students and graduates of specialized colleges and universities will be able to gain their first experience in one of the 26 clinics of the State Budgetary Institution “Moscow Veterinary Association”. The organization is part of the State Veterinary Service of the capital and ensures the protection of citizens from the spread of diseases common to humans and animals, as well as the veterinary safety of food products.

    Beginning specialists will be able to choose one of four areas: medical and preventive, surgical, therapeutic and diagnostic. Under the guidance of experienced doctors, young people will learn how to conduct outpatient appointments, collect anamnesis, give injections, make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. In addition, interns will learn how to work with documents and electronic databases in the field of veterinary medicine. The most goal-oriented and responsible guys can become permanent employees of state veterinary clinics.

    Thus, Olga Kozyreva, a graduate of the veterinary faculty of the International Veterinary Academy named after K.I. Skryabin, was hired as an outpatient doctor after just one month of internship at the Station for the Control of Animal Diseases of the Eastern and South-Eastern Districts.

    “I always dreamed of treating animals and helping them. The decision to come to this internship was connected with the desire to gain practical experience, which is impossible to master only at a desk at the institute. I wanted to immerse myself in the real work of the clinic, learn to make decisions in stressful situations and understand how the process is organized from the inside,” said Olga Kozyreva.

    To take part in a veterinary internship, you need to fill out a questionnaire on the career portal Moscow Government and take several online tests on logic and motivation. The best candidates will advance to the second stage of the competition, during which they will spend a test day in one of the capital’s clinics.

    The Personnel Services Department has been running an internship program in the Moscow Government since 2011. During this time, more than 2.5 thousand young specialists have joined the work on capital projects and helped make our city even more convenient and comfortable to live in.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Like at the city’s leading enterprises: new workshops and laboratories will be created in Moscow colleges

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Large-scale modernization of workshops and laboratories continues in the capital’s colleges. They are equipped with the same equipment as modern enterprises in the city. This allows students to master the skills necessary for subsequent employment from their first year, the press service reported. Department of Education and Science of the City of Moscow.

    “Modern conditions for student training are being created together with partner employers. New laboratories and workshops are being opened in colleges, and innovative equipment will be installed in existing ones, like in the capital’s largest enterprises. 650 updated laboratories and workshops were modernized in colleges last year, and by the end of this year their total number will reach almost 1.5 thousand,” the department’s press service noted.

    So, inPolytechnic College named after P.A. Ovchinnikov digital metrology laboratories were updated. They were equipped with high-precision measuring instruments for quality control of products. Two new workshops with an automated surface mounting line and a full set of equipment for working with electronic boards were opened to train specialists in radio electronics.

    IN College of Communications No. 54 named after P.M. Vostrukhin The technical maintenance and repair area for power supply devices began operating. Here, students practice their skills in installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting industrial equipment, transformer substations, distribution devices, and overhead power lines. The college also opened the largest production line for assembling printed circuit boards and an electrical and radio assembly workshop, and modernized the quantum communications laboratory, which now has the latest quantum key encryption equipment.

    IN Moscow College of Business Technologies Six IT laboratories were modernized. They installed 180 high-performance computers with domestic software. With their help, students hone their professional skills in the field of creating mobile and web applications, analyzing network security, providing technical support to users, protecting data, backing up and restoring virtual, physical and cloud environments. The equipment allows working with several programs simultaneously and quickly processing graphics to create complex illustrations and animations.

    In the educational complex of urban development “Capital” opened two modern sites for practical training. In the laboratory of ornamental plant growing, students master the technologies of vertical gardening and plant care, using rare watering systems and special lighting. The soil science workshop was equipped with modern equipment – electronic scales and ion pH meters. Here, students analyze seed material, determine the quality of seeds and select optimal soils for industrial use.

    IN College of Automation and Information Technology No. 20 The electrical engineering and electronics laboratory was modernized. It was equipped with modern measuring instruments, including multimeters and oscilloscopes. Students learn to create and configure digital and analog circuits, gaining practical skills for work in the fields of IT, robotics, industrial automation and electronics.

    A new laboratory for practical training of forensic expert skills has opened in Police College. High-tech digital fingerprint scanners and expert lighting have appeared here. Thanks to the “Virtual Forensic Scientist” system, students can practice their investigative skills using virtual reality glasses.

    Detailed information about the in-demand professions and specialties taught in the capital’s colleges is available in the section “Colleges” on the portal“School. Moscow”, in the telegram channel “Colleges of Moscow” and the community of the same name on the social network “VKontakte».

    Practical classes for students of Moscow colleges are held in modern workshops and laboratories. This contributes to the formation and development of professional skills in students and corresponds to the objectives of the “Professionalism” project of the national project “Youth and Children”.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/153067073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two areas in Alekseevsky district will be improved under the integrated territorial development program

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Two sites with a total area of 0.44 hectares in the North-Eastern Administrative District will be reorganized under the program of integrated development of territories (IDT). The corresponding draft decision already posted on the Moscow Government website. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of City Property Maxim Gaman.

    “The integrated development project for the territories includes two sites in the north-east of the capital with a total area of 0.44 hectares. They will be landscaped and greened, and outdoor sports grounds will be equipped. The new place for walks, recreation and sports will become part of the already established infrastructure of the Alekseevsky District,” said Maxim Gaman.

    The plots are located at the following addresses: Yaroslavskaya Street, Building 12, and Kosmonavtov Street, Building 2a. The Cosmos Hotel and the VDNKh station of the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya metro line are located in close proximity to them.

    According to the KRT program, multifunctional city blocks are created, where roads, comfortable housing and all the necessary infrastructure are designed on the site of former industrial zones and inefficiently used areas. Currently, 302 KRT projects with a total area of about 4.2 thousand hectares are at various stages of development and implementation in the capital. The work is being carried out on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin.

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

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/153099073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A beach recreation area has been created at Pionersky Pond in Gorky Park

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A beach recreation area has been created on the bank of the Pionersky Pond in the Maxim Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure. This season, you can swim and sunbathe here.

    “This summer season, you can swim and sunbathe on Pionersky Pond. Despite its relatively small area, you can swim here, splash around in the water with your children, and sunbathe on comfortable loungers and deck chairs,” said the deputy head of the capital’s Department of Capital Repairs

    Sergey Dunaev.

    Gorky Park is one of the most popular in the capital. It is located in the very center of the city, combining natural areas, historical heritage and modern public spaces. Over time, Muscovites’ ideas about quality recreation have changed, so there was a need to create new infrastructure and expand the existing functionality of the park.

    One of the objects of improvement and rehabilitation was the Pioneer Pond. It appeared in the 19th century during the arrangement of the garden of the bourgeois school, which owned this territory. At that time, the pond was called Small. Actor Mikhail Chekhov fished here and singer Fyodor Shalyapin skated here.

    During the Soviet era, the pond was called Pionersky. In this picturesque place, you could go boating or feed the ducks. However, the pond was unsuitable for swimming. It was decided to change this and create a new beach recreation area literally two steps from the Garden Ring.

    The specialists cleared the bottom of silt and debris in the amount of 3.7 thousand cubic meters, and then arranged a sandy pond bed and a beach area with gentle slopes to the water. They restored more than 620 meters of the coastline. To make swimming not only pleasant but also safe, they equipped a mobile point for complex water purification with a bottom outlet.

    Along the shore, decking was installed. For this purpose, a metal frame with a decking covering of almost 4.6 thousand square meters was mounted on piles. Various chairs, chaise lounges and sun loungers for relaxation and sunbathing were placed on the decking. Benches and urns were also installed around the pond. In total, 356 small architectural forms appeared.

    Four pavilions were erected near the pond, which will house changing rooms, showers, toilets, a beach equipment rental point, administration offices and a cozy café with a terrace.

    In the sunbathing areas, wooden pergolas in pastel green were placed. Their contours resemble the arch of the main entrance with a central part and semicircular wings extending from it – circumferences.

    You can walk around the pond in cool weather, when the swimming season has not yet opened or has already ended. For this purpose, sidewalks made of concrete tiles with an area of 3.4 thousand square meters were made. The space is illuminated by 55 lanterns, made in a modern design, with energy-saving lamps.

    For the safety of vacationers, lifeguard towers were installed, an alert system and 25 CCTV cameras were mounted. The area around the pond was landscaped: almost 6.5 thousand square meters of lawn were laid out, more than 30 linden trees, maples and about 500 bushes were planted.

    About a thousand safety signs will be replaced on Moscow reservoirs

    A playground with a slide, a climbing frame, swings and an obstacle course was set up near the pond. A small recreation area with a pergola, comfortable chairs and tables was placed nearby. Parents will be able to sit there and watch their children play.

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ’s partnership with United Kingdom reinforced

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful three-day visit to the United Kingdom, where he met with His Majesty King Charles III and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

    “The UK is one of New Zealand’s most trusted partners, and I had a hugely productive day with Prime Minister Starmer,” Mr Luxon says. 

    The two leaders released a Joint Statement in which they pledged to do more to ensure the partnership remains robust in a rapidly changing world.

    “Prime Minister Starmer and I underlined our commitment to the international rules-based system. We also talked about boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially while the global economy is under such extreme pressure.”

    “Export growth will be critical to improving our economic prospects in the coming years so our businesses can create more jobs and lift incomes for Kiwis. 

    “Our free trade agreement provides New Zealand business with certainty of access to the high-value UK market where we have enjoyed export growth of more than 20 per cent in the last year.”

    Mr Luxon also hosted an investment roundtable with British business leaders to promote New Zealand as open for business.

    “Building on the success of our international investment summit earlier in the year, I continued to make the case for New Zealand as a place to invest, so we can get infrastructure built and grow our businesses to put more money in Kiwis’ pockets.

    “During my visit to London I also witnessed a number of commercial deals between UK and New Zealand companies, worth more than $120 million.”  

    The Prime Ministers agreed to refresh the Joint Statement on Defence Cooperation to ensure the partnership can respond to today’s global challenges. 

    Mr Luxon also announced New Zealand will extend the deployment of NZDF personnel to the UK and Europe to train Ukrainian soldiers until December 2026. 

    Mr Luxon visited some of those soldiers, met with representatives of the UK Government, the Leader of the Opposition and New Zealand and UK businesses. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI: Euronet Worldwide Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results – Highlighted by 18% Operating Income Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Record first quarter results – revenue, operating income and adjusted EBITDA
    • Operating margin expansion of 80 basis points
    • Continued expansion of its leading cross-border payments network

    LEAWOOD, Kan., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (“Euronet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EEFT), a leading global financial technology solutions and payments provider, reports first quarter 2025 financial results.

    Euronet reports the following consolidated results for the first quarter 2025 compared with the same period of 2024:

    • Revenues of $915.5 million, a 7% increase from $857.0 million (9% increase on a constant currency1 basis).
    • Operating income of $75.2 million, an 18% increase from $64.0 million (22% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted operating income2 of $75.2 million, an 18% increase from $63.6 million (23% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA3 of $118.7 million, a 9% increase from $108.8 million (12% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Net income attributable to Euronet of $38.4 million, or $0.85 diluted earnings per share, compared with $26.2 million, or $0.55 diluted earnings per share.
    • Adjusted earnings per share4 of $1.13 ($1.33 excluding a one-time operating tax charge of $0.20 per share) compared to $1.28 ($1.13 excluding a one-time operating tax benefit of $0.15 per share).

    See the reconciliation of non-GAAP items in the attached financial schedules.  

    “I am pleased that we achieved double-digit constant currency growth in adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA, highlighted by an 18% increase in adjusted operating income over the prior year. All segments contributed to the strong earnings.  Moreover, the contribution of double-digit earnings growth reflects the strength of our strategic focus on our global payment network which concentrates on high value, digital payments complemented by cross-border transactions.  On an apples-to-apples basis our adjusted EPS of $1.33 increased 18% from $1.13 in the first quarter of 2024,” stated Michael J. Brown, Euronet’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

    “I would offer that we do not see any direct impacts on our business as a result of the recent United States’ tariff actions.  With a good start to the year together with our diversified global business, we are reaffirming our expectation to produce 12% to 16% earnings growth for the year,” continued Mr. Brown.

    Segment and Other Results

    The EFT Processing Segment reports the following results for the first quarter 2025 compared with the same period or date in 2024:

    • Revenues of $232.5 million, a 7% increase from $217.2 million (10% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Operating income of $23.3 million, an 8% increase from $21.5 million (13% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted Operating income of $23.3 million, a 10% increase from $21.1 million (15% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $47.6 million, a 6% increase from $44.7 million (10% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Transactions of 3,463 million, a 38% increase from 2,502 million.
    • Total of 55,512 installed ATMs as of March 31, 2025, a 5% increase from 53,029. We operated 51,875 active ATMs as of March 31, 2025, a 5% increase from 49,290 as of March 31, 2024.

    Constant currency revenue, operating income, and adjusted EBITDA growth in the first quarter 2025 was driven by market expansion, growth across most existing markets and the addition of access fees and interchange fees in certain markets. 

    Moreover, the EFT Processing Segment launched operations in two additional countries — Dominican Republic and Peru.

    Transaction growth outpaced revenue growth due to continued growth in high-volume low-value transactions in India. 

    The epay Segment reports the following results for the first quarter 2025 compared with the same period or date in 2024:

    • Revenues of $267.4 million, a 4% increase from $257.1 million (8% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Operating income of $26.8 million, a 1% increase from $26.6 million (5% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $28.4 million, consistent with prior year (5% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Transactions of 1,134 million, a 19% increase from 953 million.
    • POS terminals of approximately 735,000 as of March 31, 2025, consistent with prior year.
    • Retailer locations of approximately 358,000 as of March 31, 2025, a 4% from 345,000.

    Constant currency revenue growth was driven by continued payments, digital media and mobile growth. Operating income and adjusted EBITDA growth did not keep pace with revenue growth due to the payment of $4.5 million to resolve a non-recurring, multi-year operating tax matter during the quarter. Excluding this item, adjusted operating income would have grown 22% over the first quarter 2024 – reflecting the benefit of revenue growth and effective expense management.

    epay’s transactions benefited as well from the continuation of strong growth in high-volume low-value transactions in India. 

    The Money Transfer Segment reports the following results for the first quarter 2025 compared with the same period or date in 2024:

    • Revenues of $417.7 million, a 9% increase from $384.6 million (10% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Operating income of $45.1 million, a 21% increase from $37.2 million (23% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $51.3 million, a 15% increase from $44.5 million (17% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Total transactions of 44.6 million, a 10% increase from 40.6 million.
    • Network locations of approximately 624,000 as of March 31, 2025, a 7% increase from approximately 583,000.

    Constant currency revenue growth was primarily driven by double-digit growth in cross-border transactions, partially offset by a decrease in intra-US transactions. Direct-to-consumer digital transactions grew by 31%, reflecting strong consumer demand for digital products. Operating income and Adjusted EBITDA growth outpaced revenue growth due to gross margin expansion, leverage of scale and effective expense management.

    Additionally, the Money Transfer segment continued to expand its industry leading global payments network to now reach 4.0 billion bank accounts, 3.2 billion wallet accounts and 624,000 payment locations.

    Corporate and Other reports $20.0 million of expense for the first quarter 2025 compared with $21.3 million for the first quarter 2024. The decrease in corporate expenses is largely from the decrease in long-term share-based compensation.

    Balance Sheet and Financial Position
    Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand was $1,393.6 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $1,278.8 million as of December 31, 2024. Total indebtedness was $2,202.5 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $1,949.8 million as of December 31, 2024. Availability under the Company’s revolving credit facilities was approximately $623.1 million as of March 31, 2025. The change in net debt is the result of share repurchases, the repurchase of the convertible notes, and working capital fluctuations, partially offset by cash generated from operations.

    The Company repurchased 0.6 million shares for $59.6 million during the First quarter, which will improve earnings per share by 1% for future periods.

    During the quarter, Euronet repurchased $492 million of convertible notes.

    Non-GAAP Measures
    In addition to the results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company presents non-GAAP financial measures, such as constant currency financial measures, operating income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted earnings per share. These measures should be used in addition to, and not a substitute for, revenues, operating income, net income and earnings per share computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors regarding the Company’s performance and overall results of operations. These non-GAAP measures are also an integral part of the Company’s internal reporting and performance assessment for executives and senior management. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The attached schedules provide a full reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

    The Company does not provide a reconciliation of its forward-looking non-GAAP measures to GAAP due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for GAAP and the related GAAP and non-GAAP reconciliation, including adjustments that would be necessary for foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and other charges reflected in the Company’s reconciliation of historic numbers, the amount of which, based on historical experience, could be significant.  

    (1) Constant currency financial measures are computed as if foreign currency exchange rates did not change from the prior period. This information is provided to illustrate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s results when compared to the prior period.

    (2) Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income excluding non-cash purchase accounting adjustments.  Adjusted operating income represents a performance measure and is not intended to represent a liquidity measure. 

    (3) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding, to the extent incurred in the period, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and other non-cash purchase accounting adjustment, non-operating or non-recurring items that are considered expenses or income under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA represents a performance measure and is not intended to represent a liquidity measure.

    (4) Adjusted earnings per share is defined as diluted U.S. GAAP earnings per share excluding, to the extent incurred in the period, the tax-effected impacts of: a) foreign currency exchange gains or losses, b) share-based compensation, c) acquired intangible asset amortization, d) non-cash income tax expense, e) non-cash purchase accounting adjustment f) non-cash investment gain g) other non-operating or non-recurring items and h) dilutive shares relate to the Company’s convertible bonds. Adjusted earnings per share represents a performance measure and is not intended to represent a liquidity measure. 

    Conference Call and Slide Presentation
    Euronet Worldwide will host an analyst conference call on April 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. The call may also include discussion of Company developments on the Company’s operations, forward-looking information, and other material information about business and financial matters. To listen to the call via telephone please register at Euronet Worldwide First Quarter 2025 Earnings Call. The conference call will also be available via webcast at http://ir.euronetworldwide.com. Participants should register at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the event. A slideshow will be included in the webcast. A webcast replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the event at  http://ir.euronetworldwide.com and will remain available for one year.

    About Euronet Worldwide, Inc.
    Starting in Central Europe in 1994 and growing to a global real-time digital and cash payments network with millions of touchpoints today, Euronet now moves money in all the ways consumers and businesses depend upon. This includes money transfers, credit/debit card processing, ATMs, POS services, branded payments, foreign currency exchange and more. With products and services in more than 200 countries and territories provided through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster and more secure for everyone. 

    A leading global financial technology solutions and payments provider, Euronet has developed an extensive global payments network that includes 55,512 installed ATMs, approximately 1,214,000 EFT POS terminals and a growing portfolio of outsourced debit and credit card services which are under management in 69 countries; card software solutions; a prepaid processing network of approximately 735,000 POS terminals at approximately 358,000 retailer locations in 64 countries; and a global money transfer network of approximately 624,000 locations serving – countries and territories. Euronet serves clients from its corporate headquarters in Leawood, Kansas, USA, and 67 worldwide offices. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.euronetworldwide.com.

    Statements contained in this news release that concern Euronet’s or its management’s intentions, expectations, or predictions of future performance, are forward-looking statements. Euronet’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including: conditions in world financial markets and general economic conditions, including impacts from pandemics; inflation; the war in the Ukraine and the related economic sanctions and tariffs; military conflicts in the Middle East; our ability to successfully integrate any acquired operations; economic conditions in specific countries and regions; technological developments affecting the market for our products and services; our ability to successfully introduce new products and services; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; the effects of any breach of our computer systems or those of our customers or vendors, including our financial processing networks or those of other third parties; interruptions in any of our systems or those of our vendors or other third parties; our ability to renew existing contracts at profitable rates; changes in fees payable for transactions performed for cards bearing international logos or over switching networks such as card transactions on ATMs; our ability to comply with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism, anti-bribery, consumer and data protection and privacy; changes in laws and regulations affecting our business, including tax and immigration laws and any laws regulating payments, including dynamic currency conversion transactions; changes in our relationships with, or in fees charged by, our business partners; competition; the outcome of claims and other loss contingencies affecting Euronet; the cost of borrowing (including fluctuations in interest rates), availability of credit and terms of and compliance with debt covenants; and renewal of sources of funding as they expire and the availability of replacement funding. These risks and other risks are described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Copies of these filings may be obtained via the SEC’s Edgar website or by contacting the Company. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, Euronet does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances. The Company regularly posts important information to the investor relations section of its website.  

     
     EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
     (in millions)
           
      As of    
      March 31,   As of
      2025   December 31,
      (unaudited)   2024
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,393.6   $ 1,278.8
    ATM cash 700.3   643.8
    Restricted cash 10.8   9.2
    Settlement assets 1,418.6   1,522.7
    Trade accounts receivable, net 330.5   284.9
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets 319.9   297.1
    Total current assets 4,173.7   4,036.5
           
    Property and equipment, net 337.4   329.7
    Right of use lease asset, net 146.1   132.1
    Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net 1,070.9   1,048.1
    Other assets, net 325.4   288.1
    Total assets $ 6,053.5   $ 5,834.5
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Settlement obligations $ 1,418.6   $ 1,522.7
    Accounts payable and other current liabilities 843.6   841.0
    Current portion of operating lease liabilities 50.8   48.3
    Short-term debt obligations 295.4   814.0
    Total current liabilities 2,608.4   3,226.0
           
    Debt obligations, net of current portion 1,906.0   1,134.4
    Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 97.8   87.4
    Capital lease obligations, net of current portion 1.1   1.4
    Deferred income taxes 57.3   71.8
    Other long-term liabilities 81.2   84.3
    Total liabilities 4,751.8   4,605.3
    Equity 1,301.7   1,229.2
    Total liabilities and equity $ 6,053.5   $ 5,834.5
     EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
     Consolidated Statements of Operations
     (unaudited – in millions, except share and per share data)
           
       Three Months Ended
      March 31,
      2025   2024
           
    Revenues $ 915.5     $ 857.0  
           
    Operating expenses:      
    Direct operating costs 561.0     533.7  
    Salaries and benefits 164.1     154.7  
    Selling, general and administrative 83.0     71.9  
    Depreciation and amortization 32.2     32.7  
    Total operating expenses 840.3     793.0  
    Operating income 75.2     64.0  
           
    Other income (expense):      
    Interest income 5.3     5.7  
    Interest expense (19.4 )   (14.9 )
    Foreign currency exchange (loss) (18.1 )   (12.5 )
    Other income (expense) 2.5     (0.1 )
    Total other income (expense), net (29.7 )   (21.8 )
    Income before income taxes 45.5     42.2  
           
    Income tax expense (7.1 )   (16.0 )
           
    Net income 38.4     26.2  
    Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests      
    Net income attributable to Euronet Worldwide, Inc. $ 38.4     $ 26.2  
    Add: Interest expense from assumed conversion of convertible notes, net of tax   1.0       0.9  
    Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation $ 39.4     $ 27.1  
    Earnings per share attributable to Euronet      
    Worldwide, Inc. stockholders – diluted $ 0.85     $ 0.55  
           
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 46,239,523     48,962,583  
           
     EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income (Expense) to Adjusted Operating Income (Expense) and Adjusted EBITDA
     (unaudited – in millions)
                       
      Three months ended March 31, 2025
                       
      EFT Processing   epay   Money Transfer   Corporate Services   Consolidated
                       
    Net income                 $ 38.4  
                       
    Add: Income tax expense                 7.1  
    Add: Total other expense, net                  29.7  
                       
    Operating income (expense)  $ 23.3     $ 26.8     $ 45.1     $ (20.0 )   $ 75.2  
    Add: Depreciation and amortization 24.3     1.6     6.1     0.2     32.2  
    Add: Share-based compensation          0.1     11.2     11.3  
    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation (Adjusted EBITDA) $ 47.6     $ 28.4     $ 51.3     $ (8.6 )   $ 118.7  
                       
      Three months ended March 31, 2024
                       
      EFT Processing   epay   Money Transfer   Corporate Services   Consolidated
                       
    Net income                 $ 26.2  
                       
    Add: Income tax expense                  16.0  
    Add: Total other expense, net                 21.8  
                       
    Operating income (expense) $ 21.5     $ 26.6     $ 37.2     $ (21.3 )   $ 64.0  
    Less: Non-cash purchase accounting adjustment (0.4 )               (0.4 )
    Adjusted operating income (1) 21.1     26.6     37.2     (21.3 )   63.6  
    Add: Depreciation and amortization 23.6     1.7     7.3     0.1     32.7  
    Add: Share-based compensation             12.5     12.5  
    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation, non-cash purchase accounting adjustment (Adjusted EBITDA) $ 44.7     $ 28.3     $ 44.5     $ (8.7 )   $ 108.8  

    (1) Adjusted operating income and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures that should be considered in addition to, and not a substitute for, net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

     
     EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
     Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings per Share
     (unaudited – in millions, except share and per share data)
           
       Three Months Ended
      March 31,
      2025   2024
           
    Net income attributable to Euronet Worldwide, Inc. $ 38.4     $ 26.2  
           
     Foreign currency exchange loss 18.1     12.5  
     Intangible asset amortization(1) 4.5     5.5  
     Non-cash purchase accounting adjustment(2)     (0.4 )
     Share-based compensation(3) 11.3     12.5  
     Income tax effect of above adjustments(4)     0.6  
     Non-cash investment gain(5) (3.0 )    
     Non-cash GAAP tax expense (benefit)(6) (19.3 )   2.5  
           
     Adjusted earnings(7) $ 50.0     $ 59.4  
           
     Adjusted earnings per share – diluted(7) $ 1.13     $ 1.28  
           
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (GAAP)   46,239,523     48,962,583  
    Effect of adjusted EPS dilution of convertible notes   (2,347,536 )     (2,781,818 )
    Effect of unrecognized share-based compensation on diluted shares outstanding    371,757     355,219  
    Adjusted diluted weighted average shares outstanding   44,263,744     46,535,984  

    (1) Intangible asset amortization of $4.5 million and $5.5 million are included in depreciation and amortization expense of $32.2 million and $32.7 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, in the consolidated statements of operations.

    (2) Non-cash purchase accounting expense adjustment of $0.4 million is included in operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, in the consolidated statement of operations.

    (3) Share-based compensation of $11.3 million and $12.5 million are included in salaries and benefits expense of $164.1 million and $154.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations.

    (4) Adjustment is the aggregate U.S. GAAP income tax effect on the preceding adjustments determined by applying the applicable statutory U.S. federal, state and/or foreign income tax rates. 

    (5) Non-cash investment gain of $3.0 million is included in other income in the consolidated statement of operations.

    (6) Adjustment is the non-cash GAAP tax impact recognized on certain items such as the utilization of certain material net deferred tax assets and amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets.

    (7) Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures that should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net income and earnings per share computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why AUKUS remains the right strategy for the future defence of Australia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Fellow, Naval Studies at UNSW Canberra, and Expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University

    Australian strategic thinking has long struggled to move beyond a narrow view of defence that focuses solely on protecting our shores. However, in today’s world, our economy could be crippled without an enemy boot stepping foot on Australian soil.

    Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines through AUKUS marks a shift in this mindset.

    It is not a strategy in itself, but a structural pivot: a recognition that our vital interests lie far beyond the coastline, and that defending them requires Australia to project its maritime power.

    Protecting our vital sea lanes

    Over a century ago, US naval officer Alfred Thayer Mahan observed that “wars are won by the economic strangulation of the enemy from the sea”.

    While not universally true, this maxim is directly relevant to an island nation like Australia – 99% of our international trade moves by sea.

    But not just any trade – our critical supplies of fuel, fertiliser and ammunition all come by sea. Australia’s economy and defences would be crippled if these things were stopped at sea.

    These vulnerabilities are compounded by our growing dependence on undersea cables for communications.

    Strategic concepts that rely on making Australia’s territory a hard target, such as the “strategic defensive”, fail to grapple with this reality, perpetuating a flawed understanding of how to defend Australia.

    Viewing Australia’s interests solely through the lens of avoiding or defeating a territorial attack overlooks the reality that an adversary could cripple the nation far more easily through the maritime, space or cyber domains.

    The ability to project power in the seas and oceans far from Australia’s shores is critical to protecting these seaborne supply lines and sustaining the national economy. This is where AUKUS comes in – the endurance and range of nuclear-powered submarines are a key element.

    Developing a future maritime strategy

    Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines would make adversary naval task groups vulnerable if they threatened our maritime trade routes.

    Much more is needed, however, to deliver a coherent maritime strategy. This includes:

    • expanding our surface combatant fleet

    • addressing the vulnerability of Australia’s limited number of resupply, mine warfare and hydrographic vessels

    • and resolving longstanding issues around our strategic fleet (commercial ships that could be requisitioned in a time of crisis).

    We must also expand our flagged merchant shipping fleet by reforming the Australian International Shipping Register. And we must strengthen our domestic maritime security through the establishment of a national coastguard.

    But AUKUS, as the centrepiece of our future undersea capability, is a good start.

    AUKUS’ critics

    AUKUS has attracted plenty of criticism — particularly following the new Trump administration’s moves away from the US’ traditional allies in Europe.

    Yet, despite claims the three-phase AUKUS submarine plan is failing, it remains remarkably on track.

    Like any complex defence acquisition, it carries risks. These risks include the continued political will to keep the deal on track, as well as the workforce, delivery schedule and cost pressures that come with building the submarines.

    But the relevant question is not whether risks exist — if that were the test, most defence programs wouldn’t proceed. The question is whether the risks around AUKUS are being effectively mitigated.

    And as the three phases of the AUKUS deal progress, these risks will continue to evolve. Australia must remain focussed on addressing them.

    Political will is firm

    The political risk has been most salient recently, given the Trump administration’s actions on Europe, Ukraine, foreign aid and tariffs. But while these disruptions are significant, they were largely foreshadowed.

    By contrast, the political signals coming out of Washington around AUKUS have been overwhelmingly positive. This is because AUKUS is in the US’ strategic interests as much as it is in Australia’s interests.

    Importantly, the political commitment to AUKUS in Canberra, Washington and London has already been demonstrated.

    The “optimal pathway” to guide the agreement into the 2030s was signed within 18 months of AUKUS’ launch in September 2021. And the AUKUS treaty that enables the US and UK to transfer nuclear submarine technology and equipment to Australia has since been signed and entered into force among all three partners.

    In Australia, bipartisan support has held for over three years, with no sign of weakening.

    Australia’s importance to the US

    Many critics have also focused on the risks posed by the US submarine industrial base and its ability to build nuclear-powered submarines quickly enough.

    The US would need to increase its production rate to two Virginia-class submarines per year by 2028 – and subsequently to 2.33 submarines per year – in order to reach the target US fleet of 66 submarines by 2054.

    But this does not preclude the sale of three Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the early 2030s. Australia is not just a recipient of submarines from the US — it will help enable the US’ undersea operations in the region.

    Our role as a rotational hub for US submarines and the longstanding support we can offer the US fleet through facilities such as the Harold E. Holt submarine communications station makes our contribution far more valuable than the notional loss of three submarines on paper.

    Could this change in the future? Like all international arrangements, of course it could. But there is no indication at present that it will.

    The defence of Australia is not simply about protecting our continent from attack — it is about safeguarding vital national interests. For an island nation, that means securing maritime trade routes and undersea infrastructure.

    Even for those concerned about the extremely unlikely prospect of invasion, a robust maritime strategy also enables threats to be defeated well before they reach our shores.

    Through its emphasis on maritime power projection, AUKUS reflects a fundamental shift in how we think about defending Australia in the decades ahead.


    This is the final part of a series on the future of defence in Australia. Read the other stories here.

    Jennifer Parker is a 20-year veteran of the Royal Australian Navy.

    ref. Why AUKUS remains the right strategy for the future defence of Australia – https://theconversation.com/why-aukus-remains-the-right-strategy-for-the-future-defence-of-australia-254985

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai delivers remarks at International Holocaust Remembrance Day event

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-04-23
    President Lai pays respects to Pope Francis  
    On the morning of April 23, President Lai Ching-te visited the Taipei Archdiocesan Curia to pay respects in a memorial ceremony for His Holiness Pope Francis. As officiant of the ceremony, President Lai burned incense and presented flowers, fruits, and wine to pay his respects to Pope Francis. At the direction of the master of ceremonies, the president then bowed three times in front of Pope Francis’s memorial portrait, conveying his grief and deep respect for the late pope. After hearing of Pope Francis’s passing on April 21, President Lai promptly requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express sincere condolences from the people and government of Taiwan to the Vatican. The president also instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to convey condolences to the Holy See’s Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan.  

    Details
    2025-04-23
    President Lai meets US CNAS NextGen fellows
    On the morning of April 23, President Lai Ching-te met with fellows from the Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Program (NextGen) run by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). In remarks, President Lai thanked the government of the United States for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan over the years, supporting Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its national defense capabilities and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The president pointed out that we will promote our “Taiwan plus one” policy, that is, new arrangements for Taiwan plus the US, and form a “Taiwan investment in the US team” to expand investment and bring about even closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, allowing us to reduce the trade deficit and generate development that benefits both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Ms. Michèle Flournoy, chair of the CNAS Board of Directors, is a good friend of Taiwan, and she has made major contributions to Taiwan-US relations through her long-time efforts on various aspects of our cooperation. I am happy to welcome Chair Flournoy, who is once again leading a NextGen Fellowship delegation to Taiwan. CNAS is a prominent think tank focusing on US national security and defense policy based in Washington, DC. Its NextGen Fellowship has fostered talented individuals in the fields of national security and foreign affairs. This year’s delegation is significantly larger than those of the past, demonstrating the increased importance that the next generation of US leaders attach to Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. The Taiwan Strait, an issue of importance for our guests, has become a global issue. There is a high degree of international consensus that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are indispensable elements in global security and prosperity. Facing military threats from China, Taiwan proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we are actively implementing military reforms, enhancing whole-of-society defense resilience, and working to increase our defense budget to more than 3 percent of GDP. Second, we are strengthening our economic resilience. As Taiwan’s economy must keep advancing, we can no longer put all our eggs in one basket. We are taking action to remain firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence and marketing worldwide. In these efforts, we are already seeing results. Third, we are standing side-by-side with other democratic countries to demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve our goal of peace through strength. And fourth, Taiwan is willing, under the principles of parity and dignity, to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China towards achieving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This April 10 marked the 46th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act. We thank the US government for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan over the years, supporting Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its national defense capabilities and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to Taiwan and the US continuing to strengthen collaboration on the development of both our defense industries as well as the building of non-red supply chains. This will yield even more results and further deepen our economic and trade partnership. The US is now the main destination for outbound investment from Taiwan. Moving forward, we will promote our “Taiwan plus one” policy, that is, new arrangements for Taiwan plus the US. And our government will form a “Taiwan investment in the US team” to expand investment. We hope this will bring Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation even closer and, through mutually beneficial assistance, allow us to generate development that benefits both our sides while reducing our trade deficit. In closing, thank you once again for visiting Taiwan. We hope your trip is fruitful and leaves you with a deep impression of Taiwan. We also hope that going forward you continue supporting Taiwan and advancing even greater development for Taiwan-US ties.  Chair Flournoy then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for making time to receive their delegation. Referring to President Lai’s earlier remarks, she said that it is quite an impressive group, as past members of this program have gone on to become members of the US Congress, leading government experts, and leaders in the think-tank world and in the private sector. She remarked that investing in this group is a wonderful privilege for her and that they appreciate President Lai’s agreeing to take the time to engage in exchange with them. Chair Flournoy emphasized that they are visiting Taiwan at a critical moment, when there is so much change and volatility in the geostrategic environment, a lot of uncertainty, and a lot of unpredictability. She stated that given our shared values, our shared passion for democracy and human rights, and our shared interests in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, this is an important time for dialogue, collaboration, and looking for additional opportunities where we can work together towards regional peace and stability.

    Details
    2025-04-18
    President Lai meets US delegation from Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific
    On the afternoon of April 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Senator Pete Ricketts, chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. In remarks, President Lai said we hope to promote our Taiwan plus one policy, that is, new industrial arrangements for Taiwan plus the US, to leverage the strengths of both sides and reinforce our links in such areas as the economy, trade, and technological innovation. The president said that by deepening cooperation, Taiwan and the US will be better positioned to work together on building non-red supply chains. He said a more secure and sustainable economic and trade partnership will allow us to address the challenges posed by geopolitics, climate change, and the restructuring of global supply chains. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome you all to Taiwan. I want to take this opportunity to especially thank Chairman Pete Ricketts and Ranking Member Chris Coons for their high regard and support for Taiwan. Chairman Ricketts has elected to visit Taiwan on his first overseas trip since taking up his new position in January. Ranking Member Coons made a dedicated trip to Taiwan in 2021 to announce a donation of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the US government. He also visited last May, soon after my inauguration, continuing to deepen Taiwan-US exchanges. Thanks to support from Chairman Ricketts and Ranking Member Coons, the US Congress has continued to introduce many concrete initiatives and resources to assist Taiwan through the National Defense Authorization Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, bringing the Taiwan-US partnership even closer. For this, I want to again express my gratitude. There has long been bipartisan support in the US Congress for maintaining security in the Taiwan Strait. Faced with China’s persistent political and military intimidation, Taiwan will endeavor to reform national defense and enhance whole-of-society defense resilience. We will also make special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP, up from the current 2.5 percent, so as to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. We look forward to Taiwan and the US continuing to work together to maintain peace and stability in the region. We will also promote our Taiwan plus one policy, that is, new industrial arrangements for Taiwan plus the US. We hope to leverage the strengths of both sides and reinforce our links in such areas as the economy, trade, and technological innovation, jointly promoting prosperity and development. We believe that by deepening cooperation through the Taiwan plus one policy, Taiwan and the US will be better positioned to work together on building non-red supply chains. A more secure and sustainable economic and trade partnership will allow us to address the challenges posed by geopolitics, climate change, and the restructuring of global supply chains. In closing, I wish Chairman Ricketts and Ranking Member Coons a smooth and successful visit. Chairman Ricketts then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his hospitality. He said that he and his delegation have had a wonderful time meeting with government officials, industry representatives, and the team at the American Institute in Taiwan. Highlighting that Taiwan has long been a friend and partner of the US, he said their bipartisan delegation to Taiwan emphasizes long-time bipartisan support in the US Congress for Taiwan, and though administrations change, that bipartisan support remains. Chairman Ricketts stated that the US is committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and that they want to see peace across the Taiwan Strait. He also stated that the US opposes any unilateral change in the status of Taiwan and that they expect any differences between Taiwan and China to be resolved peacefully without coercion or the threat of force. To that end, he said, the US will continue to assist Taiwan in its self-defense and will also step up by bolstering its own defense capabilities, noting that there is broad consensus on this in the US Congress. Chairman Ricketts stated that they want to see Taiwan participate in international organizations and memberships where appropriate, and encourage Taiwan to reach out to current and past diplomatic allies to strengthen those bilateral relationships. He pointed out that the long economic relationship between the US and Taiwan is important for our as well as the entire world’s security and prosperity. He also noted that there are many opportunities for us to continue to grow the economic relationship that will help create more prosperity for our respective peoples and ensure that we are more secure in the world. Chairman Ricketts emphasized that they made this trip early on in the new US administration to work with Taiwan to develop three points: security, diplomatic relations, and the economy. He stated that in the face of rising aggression from communist China, the US will provide commensurate help to Taiwan in self-defense and that they will continue to provide the services and tools needed. In closing, Chairman Ricketts once again thanked President Lai for the hospitality and said he looks forward to dialogue on how we can continue these relationships. Ranking Member Coons then delivered remarks. Mentioning that their delegation also visited the Philippines on this trip, he said that there and in Taiwan, they have been focused on peace, stability, and security, and the ways for deepening and strengthening economic and security relations. He noted that 46 years ago, the US Senate passed the Taiwan Relations Act, adding that it was strongly bipartisan when enacted and that support for it is still strongly bipartisan today. Its core commitment, he said, is that the US will be engaged and will be a partner in ensuring that any dispute or challenge across the strait will be resolved peacefully, and that Taiwan will have the resources it needs for its self-defense. Ranking Member Coons said that between people, friendships are deepest and most enduring when they are based not just on interests but on values, and that the same is true between the US and Taiwan. Free press, free enterprise, free societies, democracy – these core shared values, he said, anchor our friendship and partnership, making them deeper. He remarked that they are grateful for the significant investment in the US being made by companies from Taiwan, but what anchors our partnership, in addition to these important investments and investments being made by Taiwan in its own security, are the values that mobilize our free-enterprise spirit and our commitment to free societies. In Europe in recent years, Ranking Member Coons said, an aggressive nation has tried to change boundaries and change history by force. He said that the US and dozens of countries committed to freedom have come to the aid of Ukraine to defend it, help it stabilize, and secure its future. So too in this region of the world, he added, the US and a bipartisan group in the US Senate are committed to stable, secure, peaceful relations and to deterring any unilateral effort to change the status quo by force. In closing, he said he is grateful for a chance to return to Taiwan after the pandemic and that he looks forward to our conversation, our partnership, and the important work we have in front of us. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    Details
    2025-04-17
    President Lai meets New Zealand delegation from All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan  
    On the morning of April 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from New Zealand’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan. In remarks, President Lai thanked the government of New Zealand for reiterating the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait on multiple occasions since last year. He also stated that this year, the Taiwan-New Zealand economic cooperation agreement (ANZTEC) is being implemented in its complete form. The president expressed hope that deeper collaboration in such fields as smart agriculture, food manufacturing, biomedicine, the digital economy, and clean energy, as well as exchanges among our indigenous peoples, will allow our economies and industries to continue evolving as they adapt to the challenges arising from global changes. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I extend a warm welcome to all of our guests. New Zealand’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan was established in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the deepening of Taiwan-New Zealand relations. I would like to thank Members of Parliament Stuart Smith and Tangi Utikere for leading this delegation, and thank all our guests for demonstrating support for Taiwan through action. We currently face a rapidly changing international landscape. Authoritarian regimes continue to converge and expand. Democracies must actively cooperate and jointly safeguard peace, stability, and the prosperous development of the Indo-Pacific region. Since last year, the government of New Zealand has on multiple occasions reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for these statements and demonstrations of support. This year, ANZTEC is being implemented in its complete form. We look forward to exploring even more diverse markets with New Zealand. Deeper collaboration in such fields as smart agriculture, food manufacturing, biomedicine, the digital economy, and clean energy, as well as exchanges among indigenous peoples, will allow our economies and industries to continue evolving as they adapt to the challenges arising from global changes. Taiwan and New Zealand share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, and parliamentary diplomacy is a tradition practiced by democracies around the world. Looking ahead, our parliamentary exchanges and mutual visits are bound to become more frequent. This will enable us to explore even more opportunities for cooperation and further deepen and solidify the democratic partnership between Taiwan and New Zealand. Thank you once again for making the long journey to visit us. I wish you a fruitful and successful trip. I also hope that everyone can take time to see more of Taiwan, try our local cuisine, and learn more about our culture. I hope our guests will fall in love with Taiwan. MP Smith then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great pleasure and an honor to be received by President Lai. The MP, noting that President Lai already covered many of the points he planned to make, went on to say that New Zealand and Taiwan share many values. He indicated that both are trading nations that rely on easy access for imports and exports, and that is why freedom of navigation is so important. That is why New Zealand had a naval vessel sail through the Taiwan Strait, he said, to underline the importance of freedom of navigation and our mutual security. MP Smith said that they look forward to building stronger relationships and enhancing the trade between our two nations. He added that New Zealand has much to offer in the field of geothermal energy to assist Taiwan, and mentioned that New Zealand is third largest in terms of the number of rocket launchers for satellites, which could assist Taiwan with communications in the future. New Zealand has other products as well, he said, but looks for assistance from Taiwan’s technology and technological sector. Lastly, MP Smith stated that he looks forward to a long and prosperous relationship between Taiwan and New Zealand. MP Utikere then delivered remarks, indicating that like Taiwan, New Zealand is a nation that is surrounded by ocean, which means that they rely on strong partnerships with communities of interest all around the globe. He said that the all-party parliamentary friendship group that was established and that they are a part of goes a long way in ensuring that a secure relationship between our two parliaments can continue to prosper. The MP also thanked Taiwan’s Representative to New Zealand Joanne Ou (歐江安) and her team for their work, which has ensured the success of the delegation’s visit. He said that the delegation experienced meetings with ministers in Taiwan’s government, members of the legislature, and those from the non-government organization sector as well. He also said that they enjoyed the opportunity to visit Wulai, and that the strength of the connections between the indigenous peoples of Taiwan and the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand is something that certainly landed with members of the delegation. MP Utikere noted that he will take up President Lai’s offer on experiencing more of Taiwan, and will spend a few extra days in Tainan, which he understands has a very special place in the president’s heart, adding that he looks forward to his time and experiences there. The MP concluded his remarks by saying that this will be a relationship that continues to go from strength to strength. After their remarks, the New Zealand delegation sang the Māori song “Tutira Mai Nga Iwi” to extend best wishes to Taiwan. Also in attendance at the meeting were New Zealand Members of Parliament Jamie Arbuckle, Greg Fleming, Hamish Campbell, Cameron Luxton, and Helen White.  

    Details
    2025-04-15
    President Lai meets delegation led by Tuvalu Deputy Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone 
    On the afternoon of April 15, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Tuvalu Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Panapasi Nelesone and his wife. In remarks, President Lai thanked Tuvalu for its staunch and long-term backing of Taiwan’s international participation. The president said he looks forward to our nations deepening bilateral ties in such areas as agriculture, medicine, education, and information and communications technology and working together toward greater peace, prosperity, and development in the Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I extend a very warm welcome to Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone and Madame Corinna Ituaso Laafai as they lead this delegation to Taiwan. Our distinguished guests are the first delegation from Tuvalu that I have received at the Presidential Office this year. During my visit to Tuvalu last year, I met and exchanged views with Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone and the ministers present. I am delighted to meet you again today and thank you once again for the hospitality you accorded my delegation. The culture of Tuvalu and the warmth of its people are not easily forgotten. Tuvalu’s support for Taiwan has also touched us deeply. I want to take this opportunity to thank Tuvalu for staunchly backing Taiwan’s international participation over the past several decades. Our two countries have supported each other like family and have together made contributions in the international arena. Last Tuesday, I received the credentials of Ambassador Lily Tangisia Faavae and expressed my hope for Taiwan and Tuvalu continuing to deepen bilateral relations. This visit by Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone is an important step in that regard. Our two countries will be signing a labor cooperation agreement and an agreement concerning the recognition of training and certification of seafarers. This will expand bilateral cooperation at multiple levels and bring our relations even closer. Taiwan and Tuvalu are maritime nations and share the values of democracy and freedom. Our two countries have stood shoulder to shoulder to protect marine resources and address the challenges posed by climate change and authoritarianism, and we aspire to work toward greater peace, prosperity, and development in the Pacific region. Our nations have produced fruitful results in such areas as agriculture, medicine, education, and information and communications technology. I anticipate that, with the support of Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone and our distinguished guests, we can continue to employ a more diverse range of strategies to begin a new chapter in our diplomatic partnership. Together, we can make even greater and more concrete contributions to regional development. Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his kind words of welcome and the warm hospitality extended to his delegation. On behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu, he conveyed their gratitude to the president and the people of Taiwan for the generous support, as well as for the enduring friendship we share. He said that Taiwan’s steadfast commitment to our bilateral relationship has been instrumental in advancing our shared values of democracy, resilience, and sustainable development. From vital development assistance to cooperation in health, education, and climate change resilience, he added, Taiwan’s contributions have made a significant impact on the lives of the people of Tuvalu.  For Taiwan’s recent generous donation of shoes for Tuvaluan primary school students, Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone expressed thanks to President Lai. He commented that these gifts, which underscore a deep commitment to the welfare of their youth, transcend mere material support; they are symbols of care, friendship, and hope for the future generations. Noting that our bilateral relationship is built on mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for sustainable development in the Pacific, he expressed confidence that this partnership will continue to flourish and will serve as a beacon of cooperation and solidarity within our region.  The delegation also included Tuvalu Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade Paulson Panapa; Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure Development and Water Ampelosa Tehulu, and was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Tuvalu Ambassador Faavae.

    Details
    2025-04-06
    President Lai delivers remarks on US tariff policy response
    On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions.  However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods:  1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age.  4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 24, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 24, 2025.

    The ocean can look deceptively calm – until it isn’t. Here’s what ‘hazardous surf’ really means
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate, Beach Safety Research Group, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Over the Easter weekend, seven people drowned along the Australian coast. Most were swept off rock platforms – extremely dangerous locations that are increasingly prevalent in Australia’s coastal fatality data. The weather was

    The major parties have announced their plans to address domestic and family violence. How do they stack up?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor (Practice), Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University In the past week, at least seven women have been killed in Australia, allegedly by men. These deaths have occurred in different contexts – across state borders, communities and relationships. But are united by one truth:

    The biggest losers: how Australians became the world’s most enthusiastic gamblers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wayne Peake, Adjunct research fellow, School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University The story goes that the late billionaire Australian media magnate Kerry Packer once visited a Las Vegas casino, where a Texan was bragging about his ranch and how many millions it was worth.

    A golden era for personalized medicine is approaching, but are we ready?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nazia Pathan, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University Biobanks have become some of the most transformative tools in medical research, enabling scientists to study the relationships between genes, health and disease on an unprecedented scale (Piqsels/Siyya) If there’s a disease that seems to run

    The billions spent on NZ’s accommodation supplement is failing to make rent affordable – so what will?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Yiu, Associate Professor, School of Business, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Pixelbliss/Shutterstock New Zealand’s unaffordable housing market has left many low and middle-income families reliant on the accommodation supplement to cover rent and mortgage payments. But our new research has found the scheme, which costs

    Fossil teeth show extinct giant kangaroos spent their lives close to home – and perished when the climate changed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Laurikainen Gaete, PhD Candidate, University of Wollongong Chris Laurikainen Gaete Large kangaroos today roam long distances across the outback, often surviving droughts by moving in mobs to find new food when pickings are slim. But not all kangaroos have been this way. In new research published

    The billions spent on NZ’s accomodation supplement is failing to make rent affordable – so what will?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Yiu, Associate Professor, School of Business, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Pixelbliss/Shutterstock New Zealand’s unaffordable housing market has left many low and middle-income families reliant on the accommodation supplement to cover rent and mortgage payments. But our new research has found the scheme, which costs

    The gambling industry has women in its sights. Why aren’t policymakers paying attention?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simone McCarthy, Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Commercial Determinants of Health, Deakin University Wpadington/Shutterstock Whatever the code, whatever the season, Australian sports fans are bombarded with gambling ads. Drawing on Australians’ passion, loyalty and pride for sport, the devastating health and social consequences of gambling – including financial

    When ‘equal’ does not mean ‘the same’: Liberals still do not understand their women problem
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol Johnson, Emerita Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Adelaide “Women’s” issues are once again playing a significant role in the election debate as Labor and the Liberals trade barbs over which parties’ policies will benefit women most. In the latest salvo, the opposition

    Tremors, seizures and paralysis: this brain disorder is more common than multiple sclerosis – but often goes undiagnosed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Scrivener, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock Imagine suddenly losing the ability to move a limb, walk or speak. You would probably recognise this as a medical emergency and get to hospital. Now imagine the doctors

    The origin story of the Anzac biscuit is largely myth – but that shouldn’t obscure the history of women during the war
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato Australian Comforts Fund buffet in Longueval, France, 1916. Australian War Memorial The Anzac biscuit is a cultural icon, infused with mythical value, representing the connection between women on the home front and soldiers serving overseas during

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: historian Frank Bongiorno on dramatic shifts in how elections are fought and won
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra This election has been lacklustre, without the touch of excitement of some past campaigns. Through the decades, campaigning has changed dramatically, adopting new techniques and technologies. This time, we’ve seen politicians try to jump onto viral podcasts. To discuss old

    Albanese government announces $1.2 billion plan to purchase critical minerals
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A re-elected Albanese government will take the unprecedented step of buying or obtaining options over key critical minerals to protect Australia’s national interest and boost its economic resilience. The move follows US President Donald Trump’s ordering a review into American

    Why special measures to boost Fiji women’s political representation remain a distant goal
    RNZ Pacific Despite calls from women’s groups urging the government to implement policies to address the underrepresentation of women in politics, the introduction of temporary special measures (TSM) to increase women’s political representation in Fiji remains a distant goal. This week, leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa), Cabinet Minister Aseri Radrodro, and opposition

    Albanese government announces $1.2 billion in plan to purchase critical minerals
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A re-elected Albanese government will take the unprecedented step of buying or obtaining options over key critical minerals to protect Australia’s national interest and boost its economic resilience. The move follows US President Donald Trump’s ordering a review into American

    Flooding incidents in Ghana’s capital are on the rise. Researchers chase the cause
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Appiah Takyi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Urban flooding is a major problem in the global south. In west and central Africa, more than 4 million people were affected by flooding in 2024. In Ghana, cities suffer damage

    Australia needs bold ideas on defence. The Coalition’s increased spending plan falls disappointingly short
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University Just as voting has begun in this year’s federal election, the Coalition has released its long-awaited defence policy platform. The main focus, as expected, is a boost in defence spending to 3% of Australia’s GDP within the next decade.

    Sniping koalas from helicopters: here’s what’s wrong with Victoria’s unprecedented cull
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Hicks, Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne Roberto La Rosa/Shutterstock Snipers in helicopters have shot more than 700 koalas in the Budj Bim National Park in western Victoria in recent weeks. It’s believed to be the first time koalas have been culled in this way.

    Rather than short-term fixes, communities need flexible plans to prepare for a range of likely climate impacts
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Logan, Senior Lecturer Above the Bar of Civil Systems Engineering, University of Canterbury Dave Rowland/Getty Images As New Zealanders clean up after ex-Cyclone Tam which left thousands without power and communities once again facing flooding, it’s tempting to seek immediate solutions. However, after the cleanup and

    Why do Labor and the Coalition have so many similar policies? It’s simple mathematics
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabriele Gratton, Professor of Politics and Economics and ARC Future Fellow, UNSW Sydney Pundits and political scientists like to repeat that we live in an age of political polarisation. But if you sat through the second debate between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Bright victories and engineering achievements: the XI Tournament of young research engineers has ended

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University – On April 18, the final battles of the XI Tournament of Young Research Engineers took place in the auditoriums of the NSU Faculty of Information Technology “Inzhevika”. Intense struggle, bold decisions and real discoveries – participants competed in 13 tasks in 4 sections: “Neurotechnology”, “Programming”, “Electronics”, “Design”.

    Back in October 2024, schoolchildren received difficult tasks, and since then they have been working on solving them in order to brilliantly defend their projects before the jury. This year, about 100 participants and their mentors from 11 educational institutions of Novosibirsk and the Novosibirsk region competed for the title of the best young engineers.

    — The tournament consisted of two stages: preparatory (from October to April, when participants solve proposed problems and develop prototypes of devices) and the day of the final battles, when the participants meet offline, — said Boris Solomatin, head of the Inzhevika laboratory.

    The winners of the task battles were the following teams: — Biotechnology Lyceum No. 21, Koltsovo (task “Shock Control”) — Gymnasium No. 12, Novosibirsk (tasks “Labyrinth”, “Hand Music”) — Gymnasium No. 7 “Sibirskaya” (task “Tug of War”) — Lyceum No. 81, Novosibirsk (tasks “Radio Communication”, “Spark Generator”) — Lyceum No. 9, Novosibirsk (tasks “Trainer”, “Long-Worded”) — Novosibirsk Economic Lyceum (task “Color the Magic Picture”) — Technical Lyceum No. 176, Karasuk District (task “Tennis Trainer”) — School No. 9, Iskitim (tasks “Spark Generator”, “Walker”, “Glass Balls”)

    The winners of the Tournament by the number of victories in battles and maximum points for solutions were recognized as the teams: — Section “Neurotechnology”: Gymnasium No. 7 “Sibirskaya”, Novosibirsk — Section “Programming”: Lyceum No. 9, Novosibirsk — Section “Electronics”: Lyceum No. 81, Novosibirsk — Section “Design”: Secondary School No. 9, Iskitim

    The final protocol of the XI TYUI is available by link 

    — Winners of the Tournament of Young Research Engineers receive an additional 5 points in the subject of “computer science” when entering the training areas of the Physics, Mechanics and Mathematics Faculties, the Faculty of Information Technology, and the Institute of Intelligent Robotics, — shared Boris Solomatin.

    The development of original tasks, methodological support throughout the year and judging at the final fights were provided by the joint work of specialists from the Faculty of Information Technology, the Physics Faculty of NSU, Komsib LLC, the CMIT KYUT and Ledas LLC.

    Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all participants! See you in the new season!

    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: Giant panda pair arrives in Austria for 10-year stay

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

    A giant panda from China arrives at the Vienna Airport in Austria on April 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    VIENNA, April 23 — Two giant pandas from southwest China’s Sichuan Province arrived at Vienna’s Schoenbrunn Zoo on Wednesday, marking the start of a decade-long stay as symbols of friendship between China and Austria.

    The pandas – male He Feng and female Lan Yun – were both born in 2020. According to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, He Feng is energetic, while Lan Yun is known for her gentle nature. Their names refer to the freshness of lotus flowers and the fragrance of orchids, reflecting traditional Chinese symbolism.

    The pandas will be introduced to the public after completing a period of quarantine and acclimatization. Their arrival will be celebrated in an official ceremony, and the zoo’s newly designed panda enclosure will be reopened.

    A giant panda from China arrives at the Vienna Airport in Austria on April 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “We are very proud to be committed to the protection and preservation of the giant panda and its habitat,” said zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. “We are delighted that the new pair will now act as ambassadors for their endangered wild counterparts.”

    Ahead of the transfer, two Austrian keepers traveled to China to study the pandas’ behavior and dietary needs. A Chinese keeper and veterinarian have also accompanied the animals to Austria and will remain on-site to assist with their adjustment to the new environment.

    This latest exchange builds on more than two decades of cooperation between China and Austria. Since 2003, the two nations have collaborated on panda conservation, achieving progress in breeding, disease control, staff training, and public education.

    Giant pandas enjoy food at China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya’an, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Sept. 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM to attend bilateral, multilateral meetings in Kazakhstan, Brazil

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

    BEIJING, April 23 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the political bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will attend the Sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and hold the Second China-Kazakhstan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Kazakhstan, and attend the Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations and the 15th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Brazil from April 25 to 30, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced here Wednesday.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Transcript of April 2025 Fiscal Monitor Press Briefing

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 23, 2025

    Speakers:

    Vitor Gaspar, Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Davide Furceri, Division Chief, Fiscal Affairs Department

    Moderator: Tatiana Mossot, Moderator, Senior Communications Officer

    The Moderator: Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening for our viewers around the world. I am Tatiana Mossot with the IMF Communications Department, and I will be your host for today’s press briefing on the Spring Meetings 2025 Fiscal Monitor named “Fiscal Policy Under Uncertainty.” I am pleased to introduce the Director of the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department, Vitor Gaspar. He is joined by Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department, and Davide Furceri, Division Chief of the Fiscal Affairs Department. Good morning, Vitor, Era, and Davide.

    Before taking your questions, let me start our briefing by turning to Vitor for his opening remarks. Vitor, the floor is yours.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Good morning. Many thanks for your kind introduction. Thank you all for your interest in the Fiscal Monitor, covering fiscal policies around the world. Since the last Fiscal Monitor in October 2024, global economic prospects have significantly deteriorated and risks to the economic outlook are elevated and tilted to the downside. Uncertainty is very high, and confidence has been weakening. Financial markets have partially corrected, and financing conditions have tightened.

    Global public debt is very high and rising. According to the WEO reference projection in 2025, it will rise above 95 percent of GDP. It is higher and growing faster than pre‑pandemic. It will be approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade, surpassing the pandemic peak, but global numbers hide a wide diversity across countries. In the figure, every bubble represents a country. The larger the bubble, the larger the country’s GDP. The figure shows debt levels on the vertical axis and debt growth on the horizontal axis compared to pre‑pandemic. The higher the bubble in the figure, the more debt has increased compared to 2019.

    119 countries are above the horizontal axis. For these countries, public debt is higher than pre‑pandemic. The further to the right in the figure, the faster debt grows compared to pre‑pandemic trends. Bubbles as you can see are all over the chart. That illustrates a wide diversity across countries. Therefore, fiscal policies must vary in line with country‑specific factors and circumstances, but in the face of turbulent and threatening times ahead, resilience is needed everywhere. Countries should redouble efforts to keep their own fiscal house in order.

    Let us zoom in on the top, the right top quadrant. Countries in the quadrant have public debt higher and rising faster. This group includes 59 countries. That is about one third of the 175 countries in the chart. But their economies represent 80 percent of world GDP. Their economic weight makes them the main drivers of global trends. You can see many large bubbles in this quadrant. No surprise. Most large economies, including the largest, are there.

    Now, let us focus on the remaining two thirds of countries in the world. There are 116 countries in the group that represent about 20 percent of world GDP. In the chart that you are looking at, the blue line represents all countries except for the 59 that I have mentioned before. The two lines in the chart representing the world and representing the remaining 116 countries evolve similarly up to the year of the pandemic. After 2020, as you can see, the trends diverge. The two lines actually cross in 2023. For these 116 countries, aggregate public debt is now well below pandemic levels, but going forward, it is very flat, indicating a stabilization of public debt at high levels. But the distinctive feature of the current conjuncture is uncertainty. One must go beyond referenced projections.

    In the words of the Managing Director, trade policy uncertainty is off the charts. Upside risk to public debt projections dominates the outlook. The October 2024 Fiscal Monitor introduced a novel tool to quantify the distribution of debt risks around the referenced projection. We call it public debt at risk. According to this tool, global public debt three years ahead would come at 117 percent of GDP in a severe adverse scenario.

    Recent developments with sharpening, increasing, and persistent uncertainty, tightening financing conditions push public debt at risk even higher. In a fast-changing and perilous world, Ministers of Finance must act urgently and decisively. They face stark tradeoffs and painful choices. Policymakers should invest their political capital in building confidence and trust. That starts with keeping their own houses in order. That is especially important in a situation that tested the resilience of individual economies, not to mention the entire system. Putting the house in order involves three policy priorities.

    First, fiscal policy should be part of overall stability‑oriented macroeconomic policies. Second, fiscal policy should in most countries aim at reducing public debt and rebuilding buffers to create space to respond to spending pressures and other economic shocks through a credible medium‑term framework. Third, fiscal policy should, together with other threshold policies, aim at improving potential growth, thereby easing policy tradeoffs. In these times of high uncertainty, fiscal policy must be an anchor for confidence and stability that can contribute to a competitive economy, delivering growth and prosperity for all.

    Ministers of Finance must build trust, tax fairly, spend wisely and take the long view. My colleagues and I are ready to answer any questions that you may have.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. We will now open the floor to your questions, but before we do that, a couple of ground rules, please. If you want to ask a question, please raise your hand first, wait until I call you and a colleague will give you the microphone. When you ask your questions, please identify yourself and the network you are working for. And for colleagues online, please ask your questions on Webex, and we will come to you.

    QUESTION: According to the report, tariffs and trade tensions have increased uncertainty and risks to economic growth. How can affected countries manage the negative impact on public confidence and growth, especially considering the high level of public debt and financial challenges they are already facing?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Thank you very much for your question. That allows me to summarize again the top‑level message from the Fiscal Monitor. Global public debt, as you said, is high, rising, and we always emphasize it is also risky. It rose above $100 trillion in 2024, and that was a headline six months ago. In the IMF referenced projections, that will continue rising, approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade.

    But what we emphasize most at this point in time is the unusually elevated degree of uncertainty. To repeat the quote from the Managing Director, “Trade policy uncertainty is literally off the charts.” There is, therefore, a sense of urgency in policymaking. According to our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool, our estimates for three years ahead point to debt at risk at 117 percent of GDP for the world, which is a level that has not been seen in many decades.

    But even that extreme adverse scenario may be under‑estimating tail risks because trade and geoeconomic uncertainty has escalated, financing conditions tightened, financial market volatility is visible from headlines, and spending pressures have intensified further. So, in those conditions, the point about countries keeping their own houses in order is crucial, and that is instrumental to deliver resilience and sustained growth from a long‑term perspective.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. As you may have seen, there are two chapters, the second one is on emerging markets. And I think Era and Davide; we have some questions for you too.

    QUESTION: Given the current global economic slow‑down, what are the specific challenges and impacts faced by emerging and developing countries and what policy measures can be implemented to mitigate these effects?

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me start with what we see as some of the key sources of uncertainty that emerging market and developing economies are facing. Vitor had laid out some of the broader issues but let me highlight three. So, in addition to the fact that we see growth prospects being marked down across the board, and we see that emerging markets and developing economies could be impacted through trade, financial and commodity channels, let me highlight three specific risks. The first is escalating uncertainty about tariffs and associated policies. In the Fiscal Monitor, we find that geoeconomic uncertainty, in particular, an escalation of geoeconomic uncertainty actually can push up debt over the medium term by about 4.5 percentage points. For emerging market economies in particular, it could be as high as 6 percent of GDP.

    Why is this the case? Because essentially, with higher geoeconomic uncertainty, that can dampen growth prospects, it lowers revenues because consumption production tends to fall. It also leads to higher spending, so as a result, fiscal positions deteriorate and debt increases. That is one important source of risks.

    A second source of risks is more volatile financial conditions. In the U.S., for instance, or other systemically important economies can spillover into emerging market and developing economies. And it can do so by raising sovereign borrowing costs. So, our analysis in the Fiscal Monitor shows that at 100 basis point increase in U.S. nominal Treasury yields translates into 100 basis point increase in emerging market economies’ borrowing costs. And this lasts for several months.

    A third source of risk is that we have seen that debt levels are high in many emerging markets and developing economies, so interest expenses are commensurately very high, and they are eating up a larger share of the budget. So, our analysis shows that 1 percentage point of GDP increase in interest expenses results in crowding out of other essential items within the budget, such as social spending and infrastructure investment. So, as Vitor pointed out, in this environment, it is very, very important for countries to put their own fiscal house in order.

    What does that mean? Country specifics will vary, but what it really means is that countries need to think about putting in place a gradual fiscal adjustment within a credible medium‑term fiscal framework. For EMDEs, where tax revenues are low, they can mobilize additional revenues by expanding the tax base. They can eliminate energy subsidies and other types of subsidies that can be distortionary. They can find ways to reprioritize spending. And most importantly, they can think about the policies that are needed to boost growth because that really can help ease these fiscal tradeoffs.

    QUESTION: My question is about energy subsidies and perhaps pension reforms, which are not related to emerging markets but pretty much the same problem. It is when the margin exists in many countries when you want to have some fiscal space. But in those many countries you have already social tensions that are quite high, so what are the possibilities for countries to make those reforms that are highly unpopular most of the time if they want to have this margin created?

    Ms. Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk about energy subsidies and my colleague Davide can speak a little bit about pension reforms. As you correctly pointed out, countries need to reduce debt. They need to create fiscal space. And energy subsidies and pension reforms can be important reforms that countries can undertake to generate fiscal savings. So, when we look at energy subsidy reforms in particular, energy, they account for about 1.5 percent of GDP on average in emerging markets and developing economies. And reforming them can have tremendous benefits for the economy. So let me enumerate some of them.

    First, it increases energy efficiency in the economy. Secondly, it generates fiscal savings that can then be used to increase other types of social spending and needed priority infrastructure investments. And finally, many of these subsidies tend to be highly regressive, so they do not necessarily benefit the poorest segment or the most vulnerable segments of society.

    In our Fiscal Monitor Chapter 2, what we did is we developed a novel real‑time measure of public sentiment. This is the sentiment of households, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to gauge how governments can leverage strategies in order to make these kinds of reforms acceptable. There are a number of things that we found that are specific to energy subsidy reforms that I would like to talk about.

    The first is that we found that reforms that are—or changes that take place gradually have greater success of being implemented. To give you an example, Colombia very recently had an energy subsidy reform. They implemented it over a two‑year period, that was preannounced, so that people had time to adjust.

    A second strategy that we found successful—to be successful in shaping the acceptability of these reforms is that there was timely implementation of accompanying measures. And countries that put in place accompanying measures to really protect and support the most vulnerable, countries that put in place measures up‑front and invested in social programs and social infrastructure that was very visible to the public had a greater chance of succeeding.

    We also found that policies that were well‑communicated, that built consensus, that explained the tradeoffs to people had a much higher success of being accepted by the general public. For example, Morocco made it very clear that there was going to be a comprehensive communication strategy at the very beginning, at the very outset, and the message that was conveyed was that subsidies were a poor instrument for providing social support. A host of these strategies can be used by countries to implement these politically challenging reforms.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: The chapter also deals with pension reforms. We know that in many countries, spending on pensions is quite high. Just to give you a couple of numbers, in the case of advanced economies, it is 8 percent of GDP; in emerging market, about four. This spending is projected to increase due to increasing life expectancy and retirement. Reforming the pension system is important to generate fiscal savings but also to sustain labor‑force participation, as well as employment.

    Some of the key messages that we find in the chapter on reforms touch upon some of the issues that Era mentioned, gradual and timly of the reform. But for pension, what we find is that strategic communication and stakeholder engagement has been especially important. Indeed, there are cases of countries that have succeeded in implementing significant reform, for example, presenting an increasing retirement age as part of the reform that was trying to sustain adequate benefit levels. Or in some cases they were creating bipartisan commissions where they were engaging with stakeholders to hear their concerns and think about implementing the reform in the best way.

    An important issue when we think about pension reform is strengthening financial literacy and making sure that various stakeholders will talk about the potential benefits and cost of various pension schemes. Thank you.

    The Moderator: Very last one before we move to the U.S. and the other countries and regional and then we will move to other topics.

    QUESTION: I still want to focus on Chapter 2 because we are talking about developing economies and public sentiment. Era, when you were talking, you talked about subsidies being discretionary, not making the budgets, you know, complete and all of that, but we also know for many developing countries and even frontier economies, they are under pressure to cut back energy subsidies to ease debt burdens, yet these same subsidies often help keep the lights on for millions of families, low‑income families and businesses. You talked about growth earlier on. So, without these low‑income businesses, how would you also get growth? How does the IMF suggest governments manage this delicate balance and enable these countries to rationalize subsidies while safeguarding energy subsidies and cushioning the most vulnerable without leaving them behind because we are torn between having to think that subsidies are really 100 percent bad, so I really wanted to comment on that.

    Then on Nigeria, energy subsidy reforms that were seen have sparked protests and public frustrations, reflecting a top balance between fiscal responsibility and social equity. How do you think that Nigeria can navigate this difficult path and what specific measures can the IMF suggest ensuring that these reforms are fair, inclusive and accepted by the public. Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk in more detail about subsidies. Thank you for your question. These are challenging reforms to undertake. Why? Because they impact people’s, small firms’ pocketbooks immediately. An increase in energy prices as the government is moving towards cost recovery, pricing impacts pocketbooks immediately. This is a very tangible impact. Whereas the benefits that I spoke of, which are energy efficiency, the ability to reallocate fiscal savings take time to materialize. They are much more diffuse. Everyone benefits from those, but the pocket impact is felt immediately. This is why it is important as we note in our chapter, this is why it is important to have—for governments to think about a comprehensive strategy on how to implement these reforms. When you look at public sentiment across different sort of steps of these reforms, what we find that is really important is that countries that put in place compensatory mechanisms — whether this is cash transfers or more targeted transfers — really for those people who need it most have an easier time in carrying out these types of reforms. So in environments where the public does not trust the government, where there is weak accountability, doing these things up‑front in a very visible way, increasing support for social programs makes it very tangible to the public that the government is going to be doing this, and it is going to be accountable, if you will, for the fiscal savings that will be generated.

    QUESTION: Good morning. As risks for the fiscal outlook have intensified and debt levels may rise even further, as stated in the Fiscal Monitor, how worried are you about any sort of global debt crisis or regional crises that can appear, considering slower growth and new spending pressures on countries?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: As you heard yesterday, recession and crisis more than an individual nature are not in our reference projections, although, of course, part of the role of the Fiscal Monitor is precisely to systemically look at risks and vulnerabilities, and our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool is one of the instruments to do exactly that.

    Now, one point which I believe is very important is that precisely because risks and uncertainty are so elevated right now, there is a sense of urgency in policy action. Why? Because there is still time to adopt policies that improve resilience, and there is still time to think through what are the most relevant vulnerability scenarios that apply to individual countries, to regions, or even to broader systems. And it is very important to do that result systemically so that one is ready if and when a crisis comes. Our experience during the pandemic showed that countries that had easy access to financial markets and ample fiscal space did substantially better than others at managing the shocks associated with the pandemic.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room.

    QUESTION: My question is that you just mentioned the public debt remains very elevated and also this would cause fiscal space to continue to narrow down in many countries, including some major economies. So, what consequence will this bring to the world global economy if this kind of situation continues to develop?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: So I think that the answer that I gave to the question just now applies, given these elevated risks and uncertainties, it is crucial that countries focus on keeping their own house in order since situations around the world are so diverse, as Era emphasized, that will imply different policies in different countries. But the crucial thing is that in a situation that is as fast changing as the one we are facing now and where risks and uncertainties are so elevated, there is an urgency in acting to improve fiscal space, build buffers, and, therefore, be in a position to ensure resilience and sustain growth.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room. The gentleman with the red shirt, please.

    QUESTION: Thank you very much. Allow me to back‑pedal to the EMDEs. The Fiscal Monitor speaks about the need to widen the tax base. A number of frontier market economies have been rolling out significant economic present stacks and minimum top‑up tax in line with the Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. But now this puts them in the cross‑hairs with the Trump administration, and many are now wondering whether they should be rolling back. So which pathway does the Fund see sustainable, considering many are looking at preferential access to the American market?

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Regarding the tax, I think it is important to make three important points. The first is that in the current situation where many emerging market and developing countries are characterized by three factors, one, foreign aid is declining; second, we have seen that increasing financial volatility can increase interest rates in these countries. This is in a situation where interest rates over revenue for many countries is about 10 percent of GDP. Third, [volatile] financial conditions also implies that less flows will go to these countries. The point that we make in the Fiscal Monitor is that revenue and revenue mobilization can be a stable source for financing significant spending for social benefit or public investment. How we should strengthen revenue mobilization, typically there are three sorts of arrows that you can go. One is expanding the tax base. Second, eliminate tax exemptions. Third, which is also important, and that the IMF does a lot of work in terms of capacity development is strengthening tax administrations. When we think about the tax strategy, we have to consider all of these three elements, and for many emerging markets and developing countries, there are significant potential tax gains that can be achieved.

    The Moderator: Yes, please.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Just one word of addition. Davide correctly pointed out these three very important elements, broadening the tax base, dealing with tax expenditures and strengthening revenue administration. Yesterday I participated in a high‑level panel precisely on the mobilization of resources, and these three elements were repeated by the Ministers of Pakistan, Paraguay and Rwanda, and they found this frame relevant in their own experience of trying to improve the capacity of their countries to mobilize revenues.

    The Moderator: We have two questions online. I think this one will be for you, Era, about Spain. Yesterday they revised upwards the growth of Spain and have already highlighted the good performance of the Spanish economy. What should this country do with these good growth results regarding its fiscal policies in the short and medium term? And we will have another one for South Africa online.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for the question. Given Spain’s relatively strong fiscal position as well as economic position, there is scope now to front‑load some of the adjustment that they were thinking about because public debt levels in Spain still remain very high, although they have come down from the pandemic peaks. They still remain very high. This would be really important to put debt firmly down on a downward trajectory.

    Accumulative adjustment of about 3 percent of GDP over the next three years, say 2025 to 2029, similar to the one that was envisaged in terms of magnitude by the authorities but more frontloaded, would help achieve the goal. Now, as Vitor has pointed out, we are encouraging countries to bring debt down for a number of reasons. This is important because you want to reduce debt risks. This is important because countries should either expand or replenish the buffers that were diminished in the wake of the pandemic and also because of ongoing uncertainties. Finally, because countries will need—countries like Spain will need to spend on other areas, population aging, climate, defense and such.

    The Moderator: Just before we go to South Africa, any other European question? One time, two time, no European question in the room. OK.

    QUESTION: Thank you. The question on South Africa but also on the broader region: On South Africa, the IMF is quite significantly more pessimistic on the fiscal trajectory than our own government, which sees debt stabilizing, whereas the IMF sees it rising close to 90 percent of GDP at the end of the decade. Why are you so much more pessimistic of the authorities’ promised consolidation? But also on the region, sub‑Saharan Africa more broadly, how do you see the impact of what is happening globally on the region’s ability to borrow and particularly to borrow in international markets, and given a lot of the countries in the region are in debt distress or close to debt distress, what impact will that have on the economies of the sub‑Saharan Africa? Thank you.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you very much. Briefly on South Africa, the general government deficit in South Africa was about 6 percent of GDP in 2024. We project the fiscal deficit in 2025, although this is subject to considerable—all projections are subject to considerable uncertainties at this juncture to be around 6.6 percent of GDP. This is mainly driven by higher spending. Some of the differences stem from the fact that our projections are based on much more conservative assumptions regarding the buoyancy of the tax system, as well as the extent of primary spending compression that can be undertaken. So that really accounts for differences in projections between the two countries and also the path of debt going forward. Let me turn it over to Davide.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Yes, more broadly and on financing costs for sub‑Saharan African regions, let me point out two factors. The first is that, of course, we have seen interest rates rising. So, this increasing interest rate in many countries, including South Africa, is basically driven by two factors. You have sort of an interest rate in main advanced economies that has been on a rising trend. On the positive side, in many countries, especially those with better fiscal positions, you actually have seen spreads, so the difference between the domestic interest rate and the foreign interest rate declines. However, and this is something that we point out in the Fiscal Monitor, that increased risk, increase of risk of uncertainty, financial market volatility, can turn things around. In other words, we see that increasing financial market volatility globally can lead to an increase in spreads.

    The second point is that one part we have seen for many low‑income countries since the pandemic is they are relying much more on domestic issuance of debt rather than on the foreign market. This is on one hand sort of offset some of the challenges like to the global environment but also increase some sort of domestic vulnerability, because sometimes the interest rates rise. There are things that are important to think about this strategy. But definitely, as we mentioned, interest rate is a source of rising in terms of revenue is a source of concern. Let me make the point again that we made, I think strengthening fiscal buffers, revenue mobilization are important elements to reduce — to have this trend to decline.

    The Moderator: Thank you. I believe we received some questions for Latin America and, yes, there are some reporters in the room. Yes, please, the lady in the third row here.

    QUESTION: Thank you. You already talked about emerging markets, but focusing on Latin America, I want to know which one—you already have talked about it too, but which one is the biggest fiscal risk and what should economies in Latin America should be thinking about doing in terms of growing and accepting new investment, for example, to confront the situation abroad? Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for your question. Many of the risks that other emerging market economies face, countries in Latin America obviously also face, we have already talked at length about that. But I am going to talk about a few things that are specific to many of the countries in Latin America. So, there is two challenges that limit fiscal flexibility in Latin America. The first is that there are spending rigidities. What I mean by that is there is a lot of amounts of spending that is mandatory, on pensions, on wages, on transfers. This leaves very little room for fiscal flexibility.

    At the same time, like many other emerging markets and developing economies, spending pressures are on the rise. There are growing demands for social services, for infrastructure, for adopting to climate change, and all of these are putting pressures on the budget. Now, when you look at what has happened since the pandemic, countries have made ambitious plans to consolidate their budget. There have been ambitious announcements of fiscal consolidation plans, but at the same time expenditure increases have outpaced revenue gains. So, for many countries in the region, we see debt levels continuing to rise. And the challenge here is that we are in a world with greater uncertainty than we were even six months ago. So, it is really important for countries in the region to implement at a minimum the announced fiscal consolidation plan and to do this within credible medium‑term frameworks. Many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region have fiscal rules. So to implement these rules, to spend efficiently, to think about the types of fiscal reforms that are needed, whether it is revenue mobilization in countries where revenue‑to‑GDP ratios are low, whether it is spending prioritization or reprioritization, to create the room that is needed for priority investments and social spending and infrastructure and such.

    The Moderator: Thank you. One last question.

    QUESTION: I am from Thailand. I want to ask about the overall trend of the public debt, especially for the ASEAN 5. It would be great if you could mention specifically on Thailand.

    The Moderator: I think we had the Nigeria question to answer too, and we will close there. Thank you.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Let me start with Nigeria. So, Nigeria managed to do a very difficult reform that was important to deliver fiscal savings. The authorities also scaled up transfers, technical transfers. What we think there is, what is important to act on two pillars. One is to generate additional fiscal savings. We mentioned revenue mobilization. To really scale up spending on social protection, spending on investment, in a way as was mentioned, many countries, they need to spend, and there I want to go back to Vitor’s first remarks. We encourage countries to spend very wisely. Strengthening prioritization in terms of spending, strengthening the efficiency of spending is important. Final important message we would like to give for Nigeria but also for other countries is that fiscal institutions are very important. Having a medium‑term fiscal framework, Public Financial Management are key important because on the one hand they try to help the fiscal anchor, so they set apart for the fiscal adjustment, but also reduce the fiscal uncertainty per se. So as Vitor mentioned, we want the fiscal to be a source of stability and not a source of uncertainty, and that is where fiscal institutions have an important role to play.

    The Moderator: Thank you. Very quickly, Era.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: On ASEAN, there is a huge variation in fiscal positions across the region. On average, the ASEAN region debt‑to‑GDP ratios are lower than they are in other emerging market and developing economies. That said, in Thailand, relative to the other countries in ASEAN, debt levels are slightly more elevated, over 60 percent of GDP. Our advice has been that fiscal policy should be prudent and parsimonious, given all the reasons we have discussed over the course of this morning. So, measures that are needed to smooth adjustment in light of higher tariffs should be thought of in a wise way, temporary, targeted measures in the context of tariff uncertainty, and ongoing consolidation plans implemented to bring debt down in a sustainable manner.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/24/tr-042325-fm-press-briefing

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Reaches Staff Level Agreement with Armenia on the Fifth Review of the Stand-By Arrangement

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 23, 2025

    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. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • IMF staff and the Armenian authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the fifth review under the 3-year Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), which the Armenian authorities treat as precautionary. The SBA aims to support the government’s policy and reform agenda to maintain macroeconomic stability and foster sustainable and inclusive growth.
    • Economic activity remains strong. GDP growth reached 5.9 percent in 2024 and is expected to decelerate to 4.5 percent in 2025 as external growth drivers continue to taper off amid higher global uncertainty.
    • Policy priorities include enhancing economic resilience, further mobilizing tax revenues and prioritizing spending to maintain a moderate debt level, strengthening institutional frameworks, and continuing structural reforms to boost labor productivity, enhance trade diversification, and improve the overall business environment.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Iva Petrova visited Yerevan from March 31 to April 10, 2025, to conduct discussions for the fifth review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with Armenia. At the conclusion of the discussions, Ms. Petrova issued the following statement:

    “I am pleased to announce that the IMF team and the Armenian authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on policies for the completion of the fifth review under the three-year SBA, which supports Armenia’s economic reform program. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, scheduled to consider this review in June. This approval would enable access of about US$ 25.0 million (SDR 18.4 million), bringing total access to about US$ 149.9 million (SDR 110.4 million) since the SBA’s inception.

    “Armenia’s economic activity remains robust, with real GDP growth of 5.9 percent in 2024, driven by robust consumption and investment. Employment growth has been steady, and inflation remains subdued, gradually picking up to 3.3 percent year-on-year in March 2025 in line with expectations. The current account deficit widened somewhat to 3.9 percent of GDP in 2024 as inflows from trade, tourism, and remittances continue to decelerate. The 2024 fiscal deficit was limited at 3.7 percent of GDP, keeping central government debt moderate at 48.3 percent of GDP. The banking system has high profitability and strong capital and liquidity buffers.

    “Real GDP growth is expected to remain generally strong but return to its potential of 4.5 percent in 2025 as trade and services normalize. Inflation is expected to remain around the Central Bank of Armenia’s (CBA) target by end-2025. Risks to this outlook stem from the unprecedented uncertainty related to the ongoing global trade tensions and potential slowdown in the growth of trading partners. Regional geopolitical shifts, which could lead to a reversal of recent capital inflows and FX volatility, also weigh on the outlook.

    The authorities’ upcoming medium-term expenditure framework aims to preserve macro-fiscal stability while supporting Armenia’s development needs. In this context, the 2025 budget deficit target of 5.5 percent of GDP remains appropriate, accommodating priority spending needs, including national security, refugee integration, and infrastructure development. However, with rising spending pressures, creating fiscal space while ensuring a gradual fiscal consolidation, would require careful expenditure prioritization, implementation of recently introduced tax policies and further revenue administration efforts. Reforms to strengthen medium-term fiscal planning, enhance public financial management—including through robust fiscal risk management, transparency, and governance—and bolster the public investment management framework remain critical to support fiscal sustainability.

    “Amid subdued inflationary pressures and anchored inflation expectations, the current monetary policy stance is appropriate. In view of the significant uncertainty, the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) should continue to monitor closely economic developments and inflation expectations and stand ready to adjust policy rates if inflation expectations drift away from target. The flexible exchange rate remains a key shock absorber, and the authorities’ commitment to maintaining healthy international reserve buffers is welcome. The CBA continues to monitor vigilantly financial sector risks and to upgrade its supervisory toolkit and capacity.

    “Structural reform efforts should continue to strengthen economic resilience and foster inclusive growth. The authorities’ plans to boost labor force participation among vulnerable populations, encourage diversification in the country’s export basket and markets, and improve corporate transparency and access to finance are welcome. Achieving these objectives requires timely and effective implementation of the employment and export strategies, prioritizing governance reforms, and upgrading the insolvency framework to support quality investments.

    “The IMF team thanks the Armenian authorities, private sector, development partners, and the diplomatic community for fruitful discussions and cooperation.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/24/pr25121-armenia-imf-staff-reaches-staff-level-agreement-fifth-review-stand-by-arrangement

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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Transcript of April 2025 Fiscal Monitor Press Briefing

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    April 23, 2025

    Speakers:

    Vitor Gaspar, Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Davide Furceri, Division Chief, Fiscal Affairs Department

    Moderator: Tatiana Mossot, Moderator, Senior Communications Officer

    The Moderator: Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening for our viewers around the world. I am Tatiana Mossot with the IMF Communications Department, and I will be your host for today’s press briefing on the Spring Meetings 2025 Fiscal Monitor named “Fiscal Policy Under Uncertainty.” I am pleased to introduce the Director of the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department, Vitor Gaspar. He is joined by Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department, and Davide Furceri, Division Chief of the Fiscal Affairs Department. Good morning, Vitor, Era, and Davide.

    Before taking your questions, let me start our briefing by turning to Vitor for his opening remarks. Vitor, the floor is yours.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Good morning. Many thanks for your kind introduction. Thank you all for your interest in the Fiscal Monitor, covering fiscal policies around the world. Since the last Fiscal Monitor in October 2024, global economic prospects have significantly deteriorated and risks to the economic outlook are elevated and tilted to the downside. Uncertainty is very high, and confidence has been weakening. Financial markets have partially corrected, and financing conditions have tightened.

    Global public debt is very high and rising. According to the WEO reference projection in 2025, it will rise above 95 percent of GDP. It is higher and growing faster than pre‑pandemic. It will be approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade, surpassing the pandemic peak, but global numbers hide a wide diversity across countries. In the figure, every bubble represents a country. The larger the bubble, the larger the country’s GDP. The figure shows debt levels on the vertical axis and debt growth on the horizontal axis compared to pre‑pandemic. The higher the bubble in the figure, the more debt has increased compared to 2019.

    119 countries are above the horizontal axis. For these countries, public debt is higher than pre‑pandemic. The further to the right in the figure, the faster debt grows compared to pre‑pandemic trends. Bubbles as you can see are all over the chart. That illustrates a wide diversity across countries. Therefore, fiscal policies must vary in line with country‑specific factors and circumstances, but in the face of turbulent and threatening times ahead, resilience is needed everywhere. Countries should redouble efforts to keep their own fiscal house in order.

    Let us zoom in on the top, the right top quadrant. Countries in the quadrant have public debt higher and rising faster. This group includes 59 countries. That is about one third of the 175 countries in the chart. But their economies represent 80 percent of world GDP. Their economic weight makes them the main drivers of global trends. You can see many large bubbles in this quadrant. No surprise. Most large economies, including the largest, are there.

    Now, let us focus on the remaining two thirds of countries in the world. There are 116 countries in the group that represent about 20 percent of world GDP. In the chart that you are looking at, the blue line represents all countries except for the 59 that I have mentioned before. The two lines in the chart representing the world and representing the remaining 116 countries evolve similarly up to the year of the pandemic. After 2020, as you can see, the trends diverge. The two lines actually cross in 2023. For these 116 countries, aggregate public debt is now well below pandemic levels, but going forward, it is very flat, indicating a stabilization of public debt at high levels. But the distinctive feature of the current conjuncture is uncertainty. One must go beyond referenced projections.

    In the words of the Managing Director, trade policy uncertainty is off the charts. Upside risk to public debt projections dominates the outlook. The October 2024 Fiscal Monitor introduced a novel tool to quantify the distribution of debt risks around the referenced projection. We call it public debt at risk. According to this tool, global public debt three years ahead would come at 117 percent of GDP in a severe adverse scenario.

    Recent developments with sharpening, increasing, and persistent uncertainty, tightening financing conditions push public debt at risk even higher. In a fast-changing and perilous world, Ministers of Finance must act urgently and decisively. They face stark tradeoffs and painful choices. Policymakers should invest their political capital in building confidence and trust. That starts with keeping their own houses in order. That is especially important in a situation that tested the resilience of individual economies, not to mention the entire system. Putting the house in order involves three policy priorities.

    First, fiscal policy should be part of overall stability‑oriented macroeconomic policies. Second, fiscal policy should in most countries aim at reducing public debt and rebuilding buffers to create space to respond to spending pressures and other economic shocks through a credible medium‑term framework. Third, fiscal policy should, together with other threshold policies, aim at improving potential growth, thereby easing policy tradeoffs. In these times of high uncertainty, fiscal policy must be an anchor for confidence and stability that can contribute to a competitive economy, delivering growth and prosperity for all.

    Ministers of Finance must build trust, tax fairly, spend wisely and take the long view. My colleagues and I are ready to answer any questions that you may have.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. We will now open the floor to your questions, but before we do that, a couple of ground rules, please. If you want to ask a question, please raise your hand first, wait until I call you and a colleague will give you the microphone. When you ask your questions, please identify yourself and the network you are working for. And for colleagues online, please ask your questions on Webex, and we will come to you.

    QUESTION: According to the report, tariffs and trade tensions have increased uncertainty and risks to economic growth. How can affected countries manage the negative impact on public confidence and growth, especially considering the high level of public debt and financial challenges they are already facing?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Thank you very much for your question. That allows me to summarize again the top‑level message from the Fiscal Monitor. Global public debt, as you said, is high, rising, and we always emphasize it is also risky. It rose above $100 trillion in 2024, and that was a headline six months ago. In the IMF referenced projections, that will continue rising, approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade.

    But what we emphasize most at this point in time is the unusually elevated degree of uncertainty. To repeat the quote from the Managing Director, “Trade policy uncertainty is literally off the charts.” There is, therefore, a sense of urgency in policymaking. According to our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool, our estimates for three years ahead point to debt at risk at 117 percent of GDP for the world, which is a level that has not been seen in many decades.

    But even that extreme adverse scenario may be under‑estimating tail risks because trade and geoeconomic uncertainty has escalated, financing conditions tightened, financial market volatility is visible from headlines, and spending pressures have intensified further. So, in those conditions, the point about countries keeping their own houses in order is crucial, and that is instrumental to deliver resilience and sustained growth from a long‑term perspective.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. As you may have seen, there are two chapters, the second one is on emerging markets. And I think Era and Davide; we have some questions for you too.

    QUESTION: Given the current global economic slow‑down, what are the specific challenges and impacts faced by emerging and developing countries and what policy measures can be implemented to mitigate these effects?

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me start with what we see as some of the key sources of uncertainty that emerging market and developing economies are facing. Vitor had laid out some of the broader issues but let me highlight three. So, in addition to the fact that we see growth prospects being marked down across the board, and we see that emerging markets and developing economies could be impacted through trade, financial and commodity channels, let me highlight three specific risks. The first is escalating uncertainty about tariffs and associated policies. In the Fiscal Monitor, we find that geoeconomic uncertainty, in particular, an escalation of geoeconomic uncertainty actually can push up debt over the medium term by about 4.5 percentage points. For emerging market economies in particular, it could be as high as 6 percent of GDP.

    Why is this the case? Because essentially, with higher geoeconomic uncertainty, that can dampen growth prospects, it lowers revenues because consumption production tends to fall. It also leads to higher spending, so as a result, fiscal positions deteriorate and debt increases. That is one important source of risks.

    A second source of risks is more volatile financial conditions. In the U.S., for instance, or other systemically important economies can spillover into emerging market and developing economies. And it can do so by raising sovereign borrowing costs. So, our analysis in the Fiscal Monitor shows that at 100 basis point increase in U.S. nominal Treasury yields translates into 100 basis point increase in emerging market economies’ borrowing costs. And this lasts for several months.

    A third source of risk is that we have seen that debt levels are high in many emerging markets and developing economies, so interest expenses are commensurately very high, and they are eating up a larger share of the budget. So, our analysis shows that 1 percentage point of GDP increase in interest expenses results in crowding out of other essential items within the budget, such as social spending and infrastructure investment. So, as Vitor pointed out, in this environment, it is very, very important for countries to put their own fiscal house in order.

    What does that mean? Country specifics will vary, but what it really means is that countries need to think about putting in place a gradual fiscal adjustment within a credible medium‑term fiscal framework. For EMDEs, where tax revenues are low, they can mobilize additional revenues by expanding the tax base. They can eliminate energy subsidies and other types of subsidies that can be distortionary. They can find ways to reprioritize spending. And most importantly, they can think about the policies that are needed to boost growth because that really can help ease these fiscal tradeoffs.

    QUESTION: My question is about energy subsidies and perhaps pension reforms, which are not related to emerging markets but pretty much the same problem. It is when the margin exists in many countries when you want to have some fiscal space. But in those many countries you have already social tensions that are quite high, so what are the possibilities for countries to make those reforms that are highly unpopular most of the time if they want to have this margin created?

    Ms. Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk about energy subsidies and my colleague Davide can speak a little bit about pension reforms. As you correctly pointed out, countries need to reduce debt. They need to create fiscal space. And energy subsidies and pension reforms can be important reforms that countries can undertake to generate fiscal savings. So, when we look at energy subsidy reforms in particular, energy, they account for about 1.5 percent of GDP on average in emerging markets and developing economies. And reforming them can have tremendous benefits for the economy. So let me enumerate some of them.

    First, it increases energy efficiency in the economy. Secondly, it generates fiscal savings that can then be used to increase other types of social spending and needed priority infrastructure investments. And finally, many of these subsidies tend to be highly regressive, so they do not necessarily benefit the poorest segment or the most vulnerable segments of society.

    In our Fiscal Monitor Chapter 2, what we did is we developed a novel real‑time measure of public sentiment. This is the sentiment of households, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to gauge how governments can leverage strategies in order to make these kinds of reforms acceptable. There are a number of things that we found that are specific to energy subsidy reforms that I would like to talk about.

    The first is that we found that reforms that are—or changes that take place gradually have greater success of being implemented. To give you an example, Colombia very recently had an energy subsidy reform. They implemented it over a two‑year period, that was preannounced, so that people had time to adjust.

    A second strategy that we found successful—to be successful in shaping the acceptability of these reforms is that there was timely implementation of accompanying measures. And countries that put in place accompanying measures to really protect and support the most vulnerable, countries that put in place measures up‑front and invested in social programs and social infrastructure that was very visible to the public had a greater chance of succeeding.

    We also found that policies that were well‑communicated, that built consensus, that explained the tradeoffs to people had a much higher success of being accepted by the general public. For example, Morocco made it very clear that there was going to be a comprehensive communication strategy at the very beginning, at the very outset, and the message that was conveyed was that subsidies were a poor instrument for providing social support. A host of these strategies can be used by countries to implement these politically challenging reforms.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: The chapter also deals with pension reforms. We know that in many countries, spending on pensions is quite high. Just to give you a couple of numbers, in the case of advanced economies, it is 8 percent of GDP; in emerging market, about four. This spending is projected to increase due to increasing life expectancy and retirement. Reforming the pension system is important to generate fiscal savings but also to sustain labor‑force participation, as well as employment.

    Some of the key messages that we find in the chapter on reforms touch upon some of the issues that Era mentioned, gradual and timly of the reform. But for pension, what we find is that strategic communication and stakeholder engagement has been especially important. Indeed, there are cases of countries that have succeeded in implementing significant reform, for example, presenting an increasing retirement age as part of the reform that was trying to sustain adequate benefit levels. Or in some cases they were creating bipartisan commissions where they were engaging with stakeholders to hear their concerns and think about implementing the reform in the best way.

    An important issue when we think about pension reform is strengthening financial literacy and making sure that various stakeholders will talk about the potential benefits and cost of various pension schemes. Thank you.

    The Moderator: Very last one before we move to the U.S. and the other countries and regional and then we will move to other topics.

    QUESTION: I still want to focus on Chapter 2 because we are talking about developing economies and public sentiment. Era, when you were talking, you talked about subsidies being discretionary, not making the budgets, you know, complete and all of that, but we also know for many developing countries and even frontier economies, they are under pressure to cut back energy subsidies to ease debt burdens, yet these same subsidies often help keep the lights on for millions of families, low‑income families and businesses. You talked about growth earlier on. So, without these low‑income businesses, how would you also get growth? How does the IMF suggest governments manage this delicate balance and enable these countries to rationalize subsidies while safeguarding energy subsidies and cushioning the most vulnerable without leaving them behind because we are torn between having to think that subsidies are really 100 percent bad, so I really wanted to comment on that.

    Then on Nigeria, energy subsidy reforms that were seen have sparked protests and public frustrations, reflecting a top balance between fiscal responsibility and social equity. How do you think that Nigeria can navigate this difficult path and what specific measures can the IMF suggest ensuring that these reforms are fair, inclusive and accepted by the public. Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk in more detail about subsidies. Thank you for your question. These are challenging reforms to undertake. Why? Because they impact people’s, small firms’ pocketbooks immediately. An increase in energy prices as the government is moving towards cost recovery, pricing impacts pocketbooks immediately. This is a very tangible impact. Whereas the benefits that I spoke of, which are energy efficiency, the ability to reallocate fiscal savings take time to materialize. They are much more diffuse. Everyone benefits from those, but the pocket impact is felt immediately. This is why it is important as we note in our chapter, this is why it is important to have—for governments to think about a comprehensive strategy on how to implement these reforms. When you look at public sentiment across different sort of steps of these reforms, what we find that is really important is that countries that put in place compensatory mechanisms — whether this is cash transfers or more targeted transfers — really for those people who need it most have an easier time in carrying out these types of reforms. So in environments where the public does not trust the government, where there is weak accountability, doing these things up‑front in a very visible way, increasing support for social programs makes it very tangible to the public that the government is going to be doing this, and it is going to be accountable, if you will, for the fiscal savings that will be generated.

    QUESTION: Good morning. As risks for the fiscal outlook have intensified and debt levels may rise even further, as stated in the Fiscal Monitor, how worried are you about any sort of global debt crisis or regional crises that can appear, considering slower growth and new spending pressures on countries?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: As you heard yesterday, recession and crisis more than an individual nature are not in our reference projections, although, of course, part of the role of the Fiscal Monitor is precisely to systemically look at risks and vulnerabilities, and our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool is one of the instruments to do exactly that.

    Now, one point which I believe is very important is that precisely because risks and uncertainty are so elevated right now, there is a sense of urgency in policy action. Why? Because there is still time to adopt policies that improve resilience, and there is still time to think through what are the most relevant vulnerability scenarios that apply to individual countries, to regions, or even to broader systems. And it is very important to do that result systemically so that one is ready if and when a crisis comes. Our experience during the pandemic showed that countries that had easy access to financial markets and ample fiscal space did substantially better than others at managing the shocks associated with the pandemic.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room.

    QUESTION: My question is that you just mentioned the public debt remains very elevated and also this would cause fiscal space to continue to narrow down in many countries, including some major economies. So, what consequence will this bring to the world global economy if this kind of situation continues to develop?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: So I think that the answer that I gave to the question just now applies, given these elevated risks and uncertainties, it is crucial that countries focus on keeping their own house in order since situations around the world are so diverse, as Era emphasized, that will imply different policies in different countries. But the crucial thing is that in a situation that is as fast changing as the one we are facing now and where risks and uncertainties are so elevated, there is an urgency in acting to improve fiscal space, build buffers, and, therefore, be in a position to ensure resilience and sustain growth.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room. The gentleman with the red shirt, please.

    QUESTION: Thank you very much. Allow me to back‑pedal to the EMDEs. The Fiscal Monitor speaks about the need to widen the tax base. A number of frontier market economies have been rolling out significant economic present stacks and minimum top‑up tax in line with the Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. But now this puts them in the cross‑hairs with the Trump administration, and many are now wondering whether they should be rolling back. So which pathway does the Fund see sustainable, considering many are looking at preferential access to the American market?

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Regarding the tax, I think it is important to make three important points. The first is that in the current situation where many emerging market and developing countries are characterized by three factors, one, foreign aid is declining; second, we have seen that increasing financial volatility can increase interest rates in these countries. This is in a situation where interest rates over revenue for many countries is about 10 percent of GDP. Third, [volatile] financial conditions also implies that less flows will go to these countries. The point that we make in the Fiscal Monitor is that revenue and revenue mobilization can be a stable source for financing significant spending for social benefit or public investment. How we should strengthen revenue mobilization, typically there are three sorts of arrows that you can go. One is expanding the tax base. Second, eliminate tax exemptions. Third, which is also important, and that the IMF does a lot of work in terms of capacity development is strengthening tax administrations. When we think about the tax strategy, we have to consider all of these three elements, and for many emerging markets and developing countries, there are significant potential tax gains that can be achieved.

    The Moderator: Yes, please.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Just one word of addition. Davide correctly pointed out these three very important elements, broadening the tax base, dealing with tax expenditures and strengthening revenue administration. Yesterday I participated in a high‑level panel precisely on the mobilization of resources, and these three elements were repeated by the Ministers of Pakistan, Paraguay and Rwanda, and they found this frame relevant in their own experience of trying to improve the capacity of their countries to mobilize revenues.

    The Moderator: We have two questions online. I think this one will be for you, Era, about Spain. Yesterday they revised upwards the growth of Spain and have already highlighted the good performance of the Spanish economy. What should this country do with these good growth results regarding its fiscal policies in the short and medium term? And we will have another one for South Africa online.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for the question. Given Spain’s relatively strong fiscal position as well as economic position, there is scope now to front‑load some of the adjustment that they were thinking about because public debt levels in Spain still remain very high, although they have come down from the pandemic peaks. They still remain very high. This would be really important to put debt firmly down on a downward trajectory.

    Accumulative adjustment of about 3 percent of GDP over the next three years, say 2025 to 2029, similar to the one that was envisaged in terms of magnitude by the authorities but more frontloaded, would help achieve the goal. Now, as Vitor has pointed out, we are encouraging countries to bring debt down for a number of reasons. This is important because you want to reduce debt risks. This is important because countries should either expand or replenish the buffers that were diminished in the wake of the pandemic and also because of ongoing uncertainties. Finally, because countries will need—countries like Spain will need to spend on other areas, population aging, climate, defense and such.

    The Moderator: Just before we go to South Africa, any other European question? One time, two time, no European question in the room. OK.

    QUESTION: Thank you. The question on South Africa but also on the broader region: On South Africa, the IMF is quite significantly more pessimistic on the fiscal trajectory than our own government, which sees debt stabilizing, whereas the IMF sees it rising close to 90 percent of GDP at the end of the decade. Why are you so much more pessimistic of the authorities’ promised consolidation? But also on the region, sub‑Saharan Africa more broadly, how do you see the impact of what is happening globally on the region’s ability to borrow and particularly to borrow in international markets, and given a lot of the countries in the region are in debt distress or close to debt distress, what impact will that have on the economies of the sub‑Saharan Africa? Thank you.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you very much. Briefly on South Africa, the general government deficit in South Africa was about 6 percent of GDP in 2024. We project the fiscal deficit in 2025, although this is subject to considerable—all projections are subject to considerable uncertainties at this juncture to be around 6.6 percent of GDP. This is mainly driven by higher spending. Some of the differences stem from the fact that our projections are based on much more conservative assumptions regarding the buoyancy of the tax system, as well as the extent of primary spending compression that can be undertaken. So that really accounts for differences in projections between the two countries and also the path of debt going forward. Let me turn it over to Davide.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Yes, more broadly and on financing costs for sub‑Saharan African regions, let me point out two factors. The first is that, of course, we have seen interest rates rising. So, this increasing interest rate in many countries, including South Africa, is basically driven by two factors. You have sort of an interest rate in main advanced economies that has been on a rising trend. On the positive side, in many countries, especially those with better fiscal positions, you actually have seen spreads, so the difference between the domestic interest rate and the foreign interest rate declines. However, and this is something that we point out in the Fiscal Monitor, that increased risk, increase of risk of uncertainty, financial market volatility, can turn things around. In other words, we see that increasing financial market volatility globally can lead to an increase in spreads.

    The second point is that one part we have seen for many low‑income countries since the pandemic is they are relying much more on domestic issuance of debt rather than on the foreign market. This is on one hand sort of offset some of the challenges like to the global environment but also increase some sort of domestic vulnerability, because sometimes the interest rates rise. There are things that are important to think about this strategy. But definitely, as we mentioned, interest rate is a source of rising in terms of revenue is a source of concern. Let me make the point again that we made, I think strengthening fiscal buffers, revenue mobilization are important elements to reduce — to have this trend to decline.

    The Moderator: Thank you. I believe we received some questions for Latin America and, yes, there are some reporters in the room. Yes, please, the lady in the third row here.

    QUESTION: Thank you. You already talked about emerging markets, but focusing on Latin America, I want to know which one—you already have talked about it too, but which one is the biggest fiscal risk and what should economies in Latin America should be thinking about doing in terms of growing and accepting new investment, for example, to confront the situation abroad? Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for your question. Many of the risks that other emerging market economies face, countries in Latin America obviously also face, we have already talked at length about that. But I am going to talk about a few things that are specific to many of the countries in Latin America. So, there is two challenges that limit fiscal flexibility in Latin America. The first is that there are spending rigidities. What I mean by that is there is a lot of amounts of spending that is mandatory, on pensions, on wages, on transfers. This leaves very little room for fiscal flexibility.

    At the same time, like many other emerging markets and developing economies, spending pressures are on the rise. There are growing demands for social services, for infrastructure, for adopting to climate change, and all of these are putting pressures on the budget. Now, when you look at what has happened since the pandemic, countries have made ambitious plans to consolidate their budget. There have been ambitious announcements of fiscal consolidation plans, but at the same time expenditure increases have outpaced revenue gains. So, for many countries in the region, we see debt levels continuing to rise. And the challenge here is that we are in a world with greater uncertainty than we were even six months ago. So, it is really important for countries in the region to implement at a minimum the announced fiscal consolidation plan and to do this within credible medium‑term frameworks. Many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region have fiscal rules. So to implement these rules, to spend efficiently, to think about the types of fiscal reforms that are needed, whether it is revenue mobilization in countries where revenue‑to‑GDP ratios are low, whether it is spending prioritization or reprioritization, to create the room that is needed for priority investments and social spending and infrastructure and such.

    The Moderator: Thank you. One last question.

    QUESTION: I am from Thailand. I want to ask about the overall trend of the public debt, especially for the ASEAN 5. It would be great if you could mention specifically on Thailand.

    The Moderator: I think we had the Nigeria question to answer too, and we will close there. Thank you.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Let me start with Nigeria. So, Nigeria managed to do a very difficult reform that was important to deliver fiscal savings. The authorities also scaled up transfers, technical transfers. What we think there is, what is important to act on two pillars. One is to generate additional fiscal savings. We mentioned revenue mobilization. To really scale up spending on social protection, spending on investment, in a way as was mentioned, many countries, they need to spend, and there I want to go back to Vitor’s first remarks. We encourage countries to spend very wisely. Strengthening prioritization in terms of spending, strengthening the efficiency of spending is important. Final important message we would like to give for Nigeria but also for other countries is that fiscal institutions are very important. Having a medium‑term fiscal framework, Public Financial Management are key important because on the one hand they try to help the fiscal anchor, so they set apart for the fiscal adjustment, but also reduce the fiscal uncertainty per se. So as Vitor mentioned, we want the fiscal to be a source of stability and not a source of uncertainty, and that is where fiscal institutions have an important role to play.

    The Moderator: Thank you. Very quickly, Era.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: On ASEAN, there is a huge variation in fiscal positions across the region. On average, the ASEAN region debt‑to‑GDP ratios are lower than they are in other emerging market and developing economies. That said, in Thailand, relative to the other countries in ASEAN, debt levels are slightly more elevated, over 60 percent of GDP. Our advice has been that fiscal policy should be prudent and parsimonious, given all the reasons we have discussed over the course of this morning. So, measures that are needed to smooth adjustment in light of higher tariffs should be thought of in a wise way, temporary, targeted measures in the context of tariff uncertainty, and ongoing consolidation plans implemented to bring debt down in a sustainable manner.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

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

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: Jade Power Announces Director Appointment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jade Power Trust (“Jade Power” or the “Trust”) (NEX:JPWR.H) is pleased to announce the appointment of an independent director, Bruce McCannel, to the Board of Directors of Jade Power Administrator Inc., effective immediately.

    Bruce is currently a corporate consultant primarily focused on government and stakeholder engagement and communications strategies. Holding a Master of Public Administration degree, Bruce worked in budget development for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance, was an Executive Director for the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, and was on the board of directors for the Canadian Parks Council. When he was the head coach of the University of Regina Cougars Track and Field program, Bruce was a member of the board of directors for Saskatchewan Athletics and the Excel Athletika Track and Field Club.

    David Barclay, Chief Executive Officer stated “We look forward to working with Bruce on the Board. We are excited by the value that his experience in government and stakeholder relations will bring to the Trust.”

    For further information please contact:

    David Barclay
    Chief Executive Officer
    +1 954-895-7217
    david.barclay@bellsouth.net

    About Jade Power

    The Trust, through its direct and indirect subsidiaries in Canada, the Netherlands and Romania, was formed to acquire interests in renewable energy assets in Romania, other countries in Europe and abroad that can provide stable cash flow to the Trust and a suitable risk-adjusted return on investment. All material information about the Trust may be found under Jade Power’s issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release contain forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “anticipates”, “plans”, “proposes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “expects”, “believes”, “may” and “will”. The forward-looking statements are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Trust. Details of the risk factors relating to Jade Power and its business are discussed under the heading “Business Risks and Uncertainties” in the Trust’s annual Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, a copy of which is available on Jade Power’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Trust. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, Jade Power expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Neither the TSXV nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government launches call for evidence on men’s health 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government launches call for evidence on men’s health 

    It will inform England’s first ever men’s health strategy to tackle the life expectancy gap.

    • Call for evidence will inform England’s first ever men’s health strategy to tackle life expectancy gap
    • Members of the public and healthcare experts will get their say on ways to tackle biggest health problems facing men as part of Plan for Change to improve health care for everyone
    • This follows government’s first ever Men’s Health Summit held in partnership with Movember, co-hosted by Arsenal and Premier League 

    The government is today (Thursday 24 April) calling for men of all ages to come forward and feed into England’s first ever men’s health strategy.

    The 12-week call for evidence will gather vital insights from the public, health and social care professionals, academics and employers so the government can properly consider how to prevent and tackle the biggest issues facing men from all backgrounds.  

    It will ask for their views on what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women, as men in England die nearly four years earlier than women on average. 

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 

    Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes. Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50. 

    Our Plan for Change means we will tackle these issues head on through a men’s health strategy, and today’s call for evidence is the crucial next step in understanding what works, what doesn’t, and how we can design services men will actually use. I urge people to come forward to share their views.

    The call for evidence will seek responses on how the government’s Plan for Change can work across the board to improve the health and wellbeing of men, through: 

    • Prevention – finding the right areas and the right ways to promote healthier behaviours  
    • Diagnosis and treatment – improving outcomes for health conditions that hit men harder
    • Encouragement to come forward – improving men’s access to, engagement with and experience of the health service

    This government is committed to fixing the NHS and getting a grip on the stark health inequalities that exist across the country through the Plan for Change, which will rebuild the health service and deliver better care for everyone. With a clearer, more tailored approach for both men and women, their distinct health needs will be met better.

    In women’s health, we’re turning the commitments in the women’s health strategy into tangible actions – taking urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan, investing in a major AI breast cancer screening trial, and implementing key priority areas outlines in our strategy – alongside taking wider government action to tackle violence against women and girls.

    Amy O’Connor, Global Lead, Policy and Advocacy at Movember, said:

    Too many men are dying too young, the men’s health strategy is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in positive change for men and their loved ones. Share your solutions – whether it’s more community support groups, improved education, or enhancing clinical training, to create a lasting impact on the future of men’s health.

    Julie Bentley, Samaritans CEO, said:

    Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 so it’s critical that suicide prevention is front and centre of this strategy. With men making up 75 percent of all suicides, this strategy is a real opportunity to prevent thousands of deaths.  

    Recognising what works for different groups of men, focusing on key risk factors and providing evidenced based support will be crucial and we’d encourage everyone to submit evidence to this important consultation. We look forward to working with Government on meaningful ways to cut suicide rates and save lives.

    Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community and Wellbeing Board, said: 

    We are pleased that the Government has announced plans to launch the first-ever Men’s Health Strategy with a call for evidence. It’s a significant step towards improving men’s health outcomes and ensuring that men can live healthier, longer, happier lives.

    The call for evidence will be open for views on the Department of Health and Social Care website until 17 July. The government aims to launch the men’s health strategy later this year. 

    Notes to editors 

    • The call for evidence will run for 12 weeks from 24 April 2025 to 17 July 2025. 
    • Men are disproportionately affected by a number of health conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. 
    • Around 3 in 4 people who died by suicide in 2023 were men. Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50. 
    • Those in the most deprived areas of England are expected to live almost 10 years less than those in the least deprived areas. 
    • The men’s health strategy was announced by the Health Secretary at the Men’s Health Summit held in partnership with Movember, hosted by Arsenal and the Premier League, in November. For more information see here Secretary of State commits to first ever men’s health strategy – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SFO sets out route for businesses to avoid prosecution

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    SFO sets out route for businesses to avoid prosecution

    The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today launched new guidance for corporates about self-reporting, co-operation and Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs).

    The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today launched new guidance, stating for the first time that if a corporate self-reports suspected wrongdoing and co-operates fully with investigators, it can expect to be invited to negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) rather than face prosecution, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

    At a legal conference in London, SFO Director Nick Ephgrave introduced new corporate co-operation guidance that will make it simpler for corporates to report suspected wrongdoing by a direct route to the SFO’s Intelligence Division via a secure reporting portal. 

    The guidance also provides greater clarity on what the SFO views as ‘genuine co-operation’, including preservation of digital and hard copy material, presenting the facts on suspected criminal conduct and early engagement with the SFO on any internal investigation.  The guidance also gives examples of what the SFO views as uncooperative conduct, including attempts to “forum shop” by unreasonably reporting offending to another jurisdiction for strategic reasons and attempts to minimise or obfuscate the involvement of individuals.

    In return, a self-reporting company can expect the SFO to:

    • Contact it within 48 business hours of a self-report or other initial contact.

    • Provide a decision whether to open an investigation within six months of a self-report.

    • Conclude its investigation within a prompt time frame.

    • Conclude DPA negotiations within six months of sending an invite.

    Nick Ephgrave QPM, Director of the Serious Fraud Office, said:

    We are determined to lead the fight against serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption at home and side by side with international partners. Our new guidance sets out how corporates can report suspected criminality to us and what we expect from cooperating corporates.

    If you have knowledge of wrongdoing, the gamble of keeping this to yourself has never been riskier.

    The new guidance comes amidst a push by the SFO to optimise its operating environment to tackle top-tier criminality, including by advancing plans to incentivise whistleblowers, supporting reform of outdated disclosure practice, trialling new technology and setting up a taskforce to tackle international bribery and corruption with key partners.

    Press Office

    Email news@sfo.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number +44 (0)7557 009842

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister launches major boost for UK clean energy industry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister launches major boost for UK clean energy industry

    Prime Minister brings forward £300 million for Great British Energy to invest in offshore wind supply chains ahead of the Future of Energy Security summit.

    • Prime Minister brings forward an initial £300 million investment ahead of Spending Review through Great British Energy to win global offshore wind investment for the UK
    • Fund will boost domestic jobs, mobilise additional private investment, and secure manufacturing facilities for critical clean energy supply chains like floating offshore platforms
    • Prime Minister and Energy Secretary to announce pro-investment plans at major international summit bringing together governments and industry from around the world to drive collective energy security

    Communities across the country will benefit from new investment in domestic clean energy supply chains – driving economic growth and supporting thousands of jobs through the Plan for Change.

    Workers and businesses in the UK’s industrial heartlands will benefit from an initial £300 million of funding through Great British Energy to invest in supply chains for domestic offshore wind. It is expected that the investment will directly and indirectly mobilise billions in additional private investment – helping de-risk clean energy projects and supporting thousands of jobs and revitalising the UK’s industrial heartlands.

    The public investment complements the £43 billion of private investment pledged for clean energy projects since July.

    Britain’s engineers, technicians, and welders are being backed by this fast-tracked funding, brought forward by the Prime Minister ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which will allow Great British Energy, the country’s publicly-owned clean energy company, to invest in new supply chains for offshore wind manufacturing components such as floating offshore platforms and cables. This builds on the government’s landmark investment in domestic supply chains through initiatives such as the Clean Industry Bonus and the National Wealth Fund.

    As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in the UK’s key sectors including clean energy, the new investment in domestic offshore wind is part of the Prime Minister’s drive to ensure that the clean energy future is ‘built in Britain’. The funding will ensure that the nation builds resilient domestic supply chains for components which are essential to delivering clean power by 2030.

    It comes after the Prime Minister said that a new era of global insecurity means that the government must go further and faster in reshaping the economy through the Plan for Change, and that this requires a new muscular industrial policy that supports British industry to forge ahead.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Delivering the Plan for Change means winning the race for the clean energy jobs of the future, which will drive growth and help us reach clean power by 2030.

    That is why I am bringing forward much-needed investment in our domestic offshore wind supply chains, strengthening our security and creating good jobs for our welders, electricians, and engineers.

    Let my message to the world go out: come and build the clean energy future in Britain.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    It is only by taking back control of our energy that we can protect families and businesses from the rollercoaster of global markets we don’t control.

    That is why this government is doubling down on our clean energy superpower mission – driving economic growth, good jobs and investment across our country.

    The Prime Minister, ministers and business leaders will gather in London today for the 2-day summit on the Future of Energy Security – hosted by the UK government and International Energy Agency – as countries take action to protect themselves from future energy shocks in these unstable times. Leaders from around the world, including the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, will come together to address the global challenges and opportunities of speeding up the clean energy transition.

    The Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, the Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson, National Wealth Fund CEO John Flint and Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier will today write to global clean energy developers and investors inviting them to invest here in Britain. It follows the government announcing a series of pro-growth measures including major reforms to speed up grid connections and overhaul planning rules.

    Dan McGrail, interim CEO of Great British Energy, said:

    Great British Energy will help the UK win the global race for clean energy jobs and growth by investing in homegrown supply chains and ensuring key infrastructure parts are made here in Britain.

    We will work closely with businesses across the clean energy sector to get funding out as fast as possible and get projects off the ground.

    Deputy CEO of RenewableUK, Jane Cooper, said,

    There’s a huge opportunity for the UK to secure thousands of new jobs and supply chain investment in the sector, which will make our home-grown energy supply even more secure.

    The Prime Minister’s funding will be critical to ensuring the UK grasps the industrial opportunities in the offshore wind supply chain, at a time of intense global competition for clean energy investment. By nurturing existing UK companies, and ensuring we’re a competitive location for international investors, there’s an opportunity to triple our manufacturing capacity over the next decade, adding £25 billion to the UK economy and creating an additional 10,000 jobs in the supply chain.

    This new government funding is a clear signal of intent to secure those priorities and is vital to unlocking further co-investment from industry.

    The funding for supply chains will be made available as part of the £8.3 billion for Great British Energy over this parliament, with individual companies able to apply for grants if they can show that they will produce long-term investments in UK supply chains.

    Great British Energy, the country’s publicly-owned clean energy company, will produce a return on investment for the British people, and ensure British billpayers reap the benefits of clean, secure, home-grown energy. This first phase of grant funding is needed to capture investment now and reap benefits of jobs and growth.

    Notes to editors

    More details on the £43 billion announced since July can be found here: Clean energy projects prioritised for grid connections .

    Great British Energy’s supply chain fund is expected to be open for applications by the end of the year, with an initial £300 million available for offshore wind schemes over this Parliament. Further details on criteria and eligibility will be published in due course.

    The investment comes in the context of the 2024 Industrial Growth Plan, in which the Offshore Wind Industry Council proposed to match fund £300 million of grant investment in the UK’s supply chains with private sector investment.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1,000 retirement savings boost from plans to bring together small pension pots

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £1,000 retirement savings boost from plans to bring together small pension pots

    Millions of Brits will find it easier to track their pension savings with the creation of a small pensions pot consolidator, in reforms unveiled by the pensions minister today (Thursday 24 April).

    • Government unveils reforms to combine small pension pots to make working people better off as part of Plan for Change
    • Move is set to boost retirement savings for the average worker by around £1000 and save businesses £225 million a year in unnecessary admin costs
    • Comes as part of Pension Schemes Bill which will drive investment in pensions industry and deliver on the government’s growth mission

    This new initiative will tackle the growing problem of small, forgotten pension pots that many people accumulate as they move between employers over their working lives. There are now 13 million of these small pots, holding £1,000 or less, with the number increasing by around one million a year. 

    This is a hassle for savers and can stop them getting a good return on their savings if they have to pay multiple flat rate charges. Overseeing all these small pots also costs the pensions industry around £225 million in unnecessary admin costs.  

    Under reforms introduced by this government as part of the Pension Schemes Bill, each individual’s small pots will be brought together into one pension scheme that is certified as delivering good value to savers. Individuals will retain the right to opt out.

    This will cut costs for savers and make it easier to keep track of their pensions while boosting living standards and make working people better off. It will also cut red tape for businesses managing the schemes and unlock economic growth as part of the Plan for Change.

    This announcement will reduce costs as well as hassle for savers, in time increasing the pension pot of an average earner by around £1,000 – boosting living standards and making working people better off. It will also cut red tape for businesses managing the schemes and unlock economic growth as part of the Plan for Change.

    Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: 

    It’s great news that more people are saving for their retirement. But I want to make pension saving as simple and rewarding as possible.

    There are now more small pension pots in the UK than pensioners – raising costs and hassle for workers trying to track their savings. It also costs the pensions industry hundreds of millions of pounds every year. 

    We will automatically bring together people’s small pots into one high performing pension, reducing costs as well as hassle for savers. In time this could boost the pension of an average earner by around £1,000 as part of our Plan for Change to put more money in people’s pockets.

    The announcement follows the work of the Small Pots Delivery Group. Their findings, aimed at supporting the design and implementation of the new small pots consolidator scheme, include:

    • A Small Pots Data Platform to identify and source the pension pots that could be consolidated.
    • A framework setting out the rules a scheme would need to follow to become a consolidator scheme. These would include already being in an Automatic Enrolment qualifying scheme, having a specified level of scale to manage expansion, providing good value for money for their members and providing additional protection for members from flat fee charges.
    • Safeguards for savers whose pension pots would be consolidated which include a member op-out option. 

    Transforming the pension landscape through the Pension Schemes Bill, set to be introduced in Parliament later this Spring, will deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to boost investment and returns for savers and make working people better off. 

    The Bill will help over 15 million people, boost pension pots by £11,000 and spur on greater investment in productive assets. 

    Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, said: 

    The accumulation of small pots creates unnecessary cost and complexity for savers and schemes alike. The PLSA has worked extensively with industry and the DWP to propose solutions and supports the model being proposed by the Government.

    We look forward to working on delivering the recommendations of the Small Pots Development Group and are pleased the Government is tackling this long-standing issue in the Pension Schemes Bill.

    Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: 

    Which? called for the consolidation of small pots under £1,000 before the election, so we are delighted that the government is committing to doing this – a move that will provide greater value for savers and support them to keep track of their pensions. 

    Which? looks forward to working with the government to ensure the pensions system is fit for the modern age.

    Gail Izat, Workplace Managing Director at Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group said: 

    The number of small pots in the system is growing at a rate of knots and ultimately heightens the risk that people will lose track of their hard-earned savings. 

    The introduction of consolidators that can administer these pots effectively and invest them dynamically will be a step forward and when combined with pension dashboards will empower people to take control of their savings. We look forward to working with government on the creation of this new system.

    Additional Information

    The Delivery Group was chaired by the DWP and had representation from: 

    • The Financial Conduct Authority 

    • The Pensions Regulator 

    • Pension and Lifetime Savings Association 

    • Association of British Insurers 

    • Pensions Administration Standards Association 

    • Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals 

    • Association of Pensions Lawyers 

    • Which? 

    • Federation of Small Businesses 

    • Confederation of British Industry 

    • Chair of the industry led Small Pots Coordination Group 

    • Pensions Policy Institute

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Build it in Britain: invitation to clean energy developers and investors

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Build it in Britain: invitation to clean energy developers and investors

    Open letter to clean energy developers and investors inviting them to support the clean energy mission by ‘building it in Britain’.

    Documents

    Details

    The Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, the Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson, National Wealth Fund CEO John Flint and Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier have written to clean energy developers and investors inviting them to invest here in Britain.

    This follows the government announcing an initial £300 million of funding through Great British Energy to invest in domestic offshore wind supply chains, as well as a series of pro-growth measures including major reforms to speed up grid connections and overhaul planning rules.

    The clarity, consistency and urgency of the UK’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission provides certainty and stability for global investors to ensure the UK takes advantage of the enormous opportunities created by the clean energy transition.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National roadshow kicks off to get businesses exporting and grow the economy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    National roadshow kicks off to get businesses exporting and grow the economy

    SMEs from across the UK will benefit from new government support to match them up with international buyers and markets.

    • Export Roadshows, created to get more small businesses exporting and grow the economy, kick off today in the North East 
    • Taking place across all nations and regions of the UK, events will bring together small firms, industry experts, trade bodies and government  
    • Part of the modern Industrial Strategy, the roadshow aims to channel government support to growth-driving sectors, as part of the Plan for Change 

    SMEs from across the UK will benefit from new government support to match them up with international buyers and markets, to turbocharge UK exports and grow the economy as part of the Plan for Change. 

    The ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ roadshows, kicking off today [24 April] in Blyth and taking place across all nations and regions of the UK, have been designed to directly connect international buyers with SME exporters ready to seize the opportunity to grow their businesses. Through these events, the Government is working to maximise international opportunities for UK businesses by highlighting tangible opportunities that exist in new markets.   

    Each event will be aligned to one of the eight key growth driving sectors outlined in Britain’s modern Industrial Strategy, channelling government support to sectors with the highest potential to create jobs, boost productivity and grow the economy. All of which will help deliver the Plan for Change to put more money in more working people’s pockets.   

    Highlighted sectors include clean energy, advanced manufacturing, technology, life sciences, digital and technology, and financial services.  

    Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, said: 

    Maximising the UK’s export potential is crucial to achieving our Plan for Change, by creating good jobs with high wages, raising productivity, and boosting the economy. 

    Through these roadshows, the government is focussing on supporting key growth sectors, making it quicker and easier for smaller businesses to connect with markets, grasp export opportunities and expand. 

    The focus of the first roadshow, taking place today, is exporting in the clean energy sector.  

    There will be 100 attendees at the event – made up of small businesses, trade bodies, and government representatives, as well as 30 Commercial Officers from UK embassies and consulates from around the world, and 97 buyers, all of whom will join the event virtually through pre-planned meetings. 

    The 97 buyers span 19 markets worldwide, from Argentina to Austria, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, India, and the UAE.  

    All roadshow events will provide opportunities for delegates to meet with domestic and international Commercial Officers, who will be on hand to offer expert support and advice on specific products, markets, and export opportunities.  

    There will also be a designated advice zone for SMEs to learn about wider export support services offered by the Department for Business and Trade, as well as those provided by other public sectors partners like regional Growth Hubs, and trusted private sector providers like the Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, UKEF and MAKE UK.  

    A range of workshops and seminars on topical issues such as ‘conducting market research’ and ‘routes to market’ will take place throughout the day, led by the UK Export Academy. Several of these will feature DBT Export Champions who will speak of their own experiences in target markets.   

    Alex Marshall, Group Business Development Director at Clarke Energy, said:  

    From the Americas, Africa, Asia to Australasia, clean technologies are now established as one of the most important pillars of the global economy.  

    So as an Export Champion and a UK business developing innovative clean technology solutions across the world, this Made in the UK, Sold to the World roadshow event is an excellent place to discuss the latest international trends and export opportunities for UK businesses in the clean energy sector. 

    We know that when SMEs trade around the world, the whole economy benefits, which is why this government is so committed to supporting smaller businesses grow and export.   

    Just last month, the Department of Business and Trade relaunched the Board of Trade, to help businesses, and in particular the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, boost their exports.  

    And later this year, we will be launching a small business strategy to raise growth and productivity across the UK’s SME population and boost the number of scale-ups.   

    UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network, and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major step for fraud prevention with landmark ban on SIM farms

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Major step for fraud prevention with landmark ban on SIM farms

    The UK will become the first country in Europe to ban the possession and supply of SIM farms – technical devices used to defraud the public.

    Getty Images

    Members of the public will be better protected from fraudsters and scammers through a landmark, Europe-first ban on the possession and supply of SIM farms, the Fraud Minister Lord Hanson has confirmed today.

    SIM farms are technical devices capable of holding multiple SIM cards enabling criminals to send scam texts to thousands of people at once or set up ‘verified’ online accounts in large volumes. They increase the chances of innocent consumers falling victim to major financial losses. 

    With recent data showing that fraud increased last year by 19%, and that it accounts for more than 40% of all reported crime in England and Wales, the government is acting to prevent and counter these evolving threats and deliver security for the public as a foundation of the Plan for Change. This follows the commitment to publish a new, expanded fraud strategy before the end of the year.

    The new offence will make the possession or supply of SIM farms without a legitimate reason illegal, shutting down a key route used by criminals to exploit the public, and will carry an unlimited fine in England and Wales and a £5,000 fine in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

    The ban will come into effect 6 months after the Crime and Policing Bill receives Royal Assent.

    It will mean that those offenders using these devices to defraud the public will not only continue to face the full force of the law for their heinous actions but will also be hit with hefty fines.

    Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

    Fraud devastates lives, and I am determined to take the decisive action necessary to protect the public from these shameful criminals.

    Two-thirds of British adults say they’ve received a suspicious message on their phone – equivalent to more than 35 million people – which is why cracking down on SIM farms is so vital to protecting the public.

    This marks a leap forward in our fight against fraud and will provide law enforcement and industry partners the clarity they need to protect the public from this shameful crime. This government will continue to take robust action to protect the public from fraud and deliver security and resilience through the Plan for Change.

    Anyone who is worried about being a victim of fraud and wants to find out more about how to better stay protected, including understanding the tactics fraudsters use, should visit Stop! Think Fraud – How to stay safe from scams.

    Rachel Andrews, Head of Corporate Security at Vodafone UK, said:

    Vodafone UK is committed to protecting all our customers from fraud, including activity enabled by SIM farms. So far this year we have blocked over 38.5 million suspected scam messages, and in 2024 that figure reached over 73.5 million for the year.

    As an industry, UK telecoms operators have blocked more than 1 billion suspected scam messages since 2023. However, we cannot fully tackle fraud in isolation, collaboration between industry and government is crucial. This is a really important step taken by the Home Office and we fully support the inclusion of SIM farms in the upcoming legislation.

    We look forward to working together on this issue.

    Nick Sharp, Deputy Director for Fraud at the National Crime Agency, said:

    Fraud is the crime we are all most likely to experience, and one that causes victims significant emotional and financial harm.

    We know that fraud at scale is being facilitated by SIM farms, which give criminals a means and an opportunity to contact victims at scale with relative ease.

    The ban announced today is very welcome. It will give us a vital tool to step up our fight against fraudsters, target the services they rely on, and better protect the public.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference takes place at Hillsborough Castle

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference takes place at Hillsborough Castle

    The conference is due to take place today, Thursday 24 April

    The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) will take place at Hillsborough Castle today (Thursday 24th April), the first time the Conference has been held in Northern Ireland since 2006. 

    Established under the Good Friday Agreement, the BIIGC is a bilateral forum  which meets regularly, aiming “to bring together the British and Irish Governments to promote cooperation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments”. 

    Today’s meeting will be chaired by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence Simon Harris. The meeting will also be attended by the Parliamentary under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson MP and the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan TD. 

    It follows the UK-Ireland summit in March when the two governments pledged to work closely to deliver security, investment and growth

    This new era of co-operation with Ireland is a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change to put more money in working people’s pockets across the country through a future of greater national security and renewal.

    At today’s BIIGC meeting, the two Governments are expected to discuss ongoing efforts to find a way forward regarding the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. They will also cover political stability, security, and other areas of bilateral cooperation.

    Secretary of State Hilary Benn said:

    This will be an important meeting in developing the strong and close relationship between the UK and the Irish Governments as we continue to work together on a range of issues.

    Tánaiste Simon Harris said:

    I am looking forward to this significant meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference and to continuing the intensive discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the challenging but essential work of dealing with the legacy of the past.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Four arrested following dairy burglary

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Four youths allegedly responsible for a burglary at a Mount Wellington dairy have been apprehended.

    At about 2.50am, Police were called to the shop on Commissariat Road following a report of a vehicle being used to enter the premises.

    Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy, says the same four people then allegedly broke into another store next door and took a number of items before leaving in a different vehicle.

    “A short time later a Police unit spotted a vehicle travelling at high speed on Ireland Road.

    “The vehicle then crashed into a fence in Panmure and three occupants have fled on foot.”

    Inspector Dolheguy says it was lucky no one was injured.

    “The driver was taken into custody and other Police Units were able to quickly locate the other three people, two hiding in a playground and a third nearby.

    “Our community deserves to conduct their business without the threat of being a victim of crime and we will continue to respond and hold these offenders to account.

    “However we cannot do this alone, if you witness any suspicious or unlawful activity, please contact Police with as much information as possible.”

    You can contact us on 111, or for non-emergencies through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or call 105.

    Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

    All four, aged 14 and 15, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Uzbekistan: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 23, 2025

    A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

    The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. 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. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    Washington, DC:

    Recent Developments, Outlook, and Risks

    The economy has continued to perform strongly. Real GDP growth was robust at 6.5 percent in 2024, supported by strong domestic demand. The external current account deficit narrowed by 2.6 percentage points of GDP to 5.0 percent in 2024 on the back of strong remittances, high commodity prices, rapidly growing non-gold exports, and the winding down of a one-off increase in imports in 2023. International reserves remain ample. The consolidated government deficit (CGD) fell by 1.7 percentage points of GDP to 3.2 percent in 2024, largely reflecting a reduction in energy subsidies and better-targeted social expenditure, with higher gold prices mitigating lower VAT revenues from high VAT refunds. However, the reduction in domestic demand from the smaller deficit was dampened by higher spending in the broader public sector, including from SOEs, facilitated by an increase in the external borrowing ceiling. Inflation remains elevated, with a headline reading of 10.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) in March 2025, reflecting last year’s needed increases in energy tariffs and other administered prices, as well as spillovers into other prices.

    Growth is expected to remain robust, however, external uncertainty has ratcheted up recently. The announced global tariff increases have increased uncertainty and tightened global financial conditions and could affect Uzbekistan through external demand, commodity prices, and financial flows. Despite this uncertainty, under the baseline, real GDP growth is projected to remain close to 6 percent in 2025 and 2026, supported by continued strength in private consumption, investment, and advancement of structural reforms. The current account deficit is forecast to remain unchanged at 5 percent of GDP in 2025, as higher gold exports and broader public sector consolidation offset weaker non-gold export performance brought about by slower growth in trading partners. Inflation is expected to moderate to slightly above 8 percent y/y at end-2025, and continue to gradually decline thereafter, supported by tight macroeconomic and macroprudential policies and the continuation of structural reforms.

    Elevated uncertainty presents both risks and opportunities. Key external risks stem from larger and protracted trade policy shocks, spillovers from the war in Ukraine, reduced availability of external financing, and commodity price volatility. Domestically, risks include higher-than-expected fiscal deficits, upward adjustments to borrowing ceilings, weakened bank balance sheets, and contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises, state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs), and public-private partnerships (PPPs). Opportunities could arise from faster implementation of structural reforms, stronger capital and remittance inflows, and higher gold prices.

    Fiscal Policy

    The decline in the consolidated government deficit (CGD) in 2024 is welcome. Staff commends the government for reducing the CGD and remaining committed to the 3 percent medium-term fiscal target. Adhering to the external borrowing limit of US $5.5 billion in 2025 and setting future borrowing ceilings that ensure public and publicly guaranteed debt as a share of GDP doesn’t increase are paramount to enhance budget credibility, help mitigate risks from state-owned enterprises and PPPs, and alleviate demand pressures on inflation. Volatile gold prices create risks of inflationary spending pressures when they are high, and pressures to lower spending when they are low, exacerbating macroeconomic fluctuations. The authorities should thus seek to minimize responses of government spending to gold price changes.

    Revenue mobilization and spending rationalization are needed to create room for development and social needs. A medium-term revenue strategy is needed to offset the 2 percentage point of GDP decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio since 2020. Tax policy options include reforming the corporate and personal income taxes, reducing income-based tax incentives, and removing ineffective customs exemptions while refraining from granting new ones. These should be complemented by revenue administration measures, including revamping the audit program and improving large taxpayer office operations, while ensuring that taxpayers’ rights are respected. In this regard, the two strategies currently under consideration, to reform the tax administration and combat the shadow economy should be approved and implemented. Rationalizing wages, reducing the cost of goods and services leveraging recent procurement reforms, accelerating state-owned enterprise reforms, further consolidating and improving the design of social assistance programs, and reforming the pension system would enhance spending efficiency.

    The reform of fiscal institutions should continue in order to strengthen fiscal discipline and transparency. Staff commends the government for adhering to the budget calendar, preparing the fiscal strategy paper and fiscal risk statements, and adopting the 2025-2030 Public Financial Management Reform Strategy. Further progress is needed to unify the public investment process irrespective of the financing source, better align and integrate the preparation of capital and current budgets, cover all capital expenditures institutions are responsible for when setting their budget ceilings, and publish these ceilings with the budget documents. Importantly, to address fiscal risks from a rapidly growing PPP pipeline, the authorities have made notable progress in designing a system to monitor and manage risks from PPPs. This should be complemented by conducting a sensitivity analysis of key assumptions, include potential PPP costs in the budget, integrate PPPs in the broader public investment management framework, and lower the annual PPP cap in line with limited absorption capacity. Improving Government Financial Statistics (GFS) reporting and publishing the debt management strategy, along with annual borrowing plan, will strengthen fiscal transparency and facilitate relations with investors.

    Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy

    The Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) should keep monetary policy tight until inflation approaches its 5 percent target. The recent policy rate hike in response to rising inflation and inflation expectations signals the CBU’s readiness to address existing pressures. Monetary policy should remain data-driven and be tightened further if core inflation or inflation expectations do not decline. The exchange rate should be gradually allowed to fluctuate in wider ranges to better reflect market conditions, serve as a shock absorber, safeguard reserves, incentivize firms to hedge foreign exchange exposures, and help avoid persistent depreciation expectations. In addition, adhering to the principle of neutrality within the calendar year will facilitate exchange rate flexibility. Staff commends the CBU for its efforts to enhance communication. Bolstering communication further will help anchor inflation expectations and ensure predictability of monetary policy. Efforts to strengthen monetary policy transmission should continue by further improving liquidity management, modernizing the reserve requirements framework, and reducing the role of the state in the banking sector and high dollarization.

    Financial Sector Stability

    The authorities should advance reforms of state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs) and accelerate their privatization to promote financial stability and efficient resource allocation. Their mandates should focus on profitability, and any costs arising from non-commercial operations should be fully and transparently compensated for in the budget until these operations are gradually phased out. Strengthening the corporate governance of SOCBs would support their commercial focus, facilitate privatization, promote state-owned enterprise restructuring, improve monetary policy transmission, and increase access to affordable credit for the private sector. A reduction in government ownership of banking system assets to 40 percent, as envisaged in the 2020-2025 banking reform strategy, calls for the acceleration of SOCB privatization. Transparent procedures, strong regulatory frameworks, good creditor and shareholder rights, and competitive bidding during the privatization process would ensure the attraction of qualified investors and maximize asset value. Furthermore, staff advises against current plans to keep systemic banks as policy banks, which could increase financial risks or costs to the budget.

    Bank supervision should be enhanced, including by adopting international standards. Staff advises the authorities to implement the recommendations of the recent and first Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) for Uzbekistan. These call for reforms to focus on strengthening bank regulation; implementing robust risk-based supervision; enhancing systemic risk analysis and stress testing; strengthening capital requirements; aligning asset classification and non-performing loan resolution with international best practices; improving payment system oversight; and establishing adequate bank resolution, crisis management, and financial safety net arrangements.

    The Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) should continue to closely monitor and be prepared to address emerging financial stability risks. The welcome introduction of macroprudential measures in 2023-24 has moderated household credit growth and resulted in banks’ increased attention to borrower’s creditworthiness. Nevertheless, the microlending segment has been growing rapidly as micro loans and credits are provided under less stringent conditions. While initiatives that aim at enhancing financial inclusion and deepening are welcome, they should not undermine proper credit assessment by banks, which would add to financial stability risks. The CBU should therefore strengthen risk-based supervision to limit these risks and deploy additional capital requirements or other binding macroprudential measures, as needed. It should also address risks from foreign exchange lending to unhedged corporate borrowers, and lending to individuals without formal income and to corporates facing heightened risks of insolvency or illiquidity. Phasing out preferential and directed lending should remain a priority.

    Structural and Governance Reforms

    After significantly advancing economic transition reforms, Uzbekistan needs to complete them and accelerate implementation of institutional reforms. Necessary energy tariff and broader administrative price increases have advanced price liberalization and should be continued until its completion to allow prices to fully reflect market forces. Significant progress has also been made with World Trade Organization accession in both bilateral and multilateral tracks, and the increased engagement with neighboring countries and other regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, have significantly contributed to advancing trade liberalization and diversification. Support for state-owned enterprises needs to be transparent, made conditional on restructuring, and be gradually phased out to level the playing field for the private sector. State involvement in the economy should continue to be reduced, and privatization of large state-owned enterprises should be accelerated and carried out in accordance with international best practices. Controls and direct intervention should be replaced with effective regulation and market institutions. Facilitating firm entry and exit would further contribute to stimulate a competitive environment for the private sector.  

    Governance, labor, and climate reforms should continue. Governance indicators have improved significantly in recent years. The enactment of the conflict-of-interest law, training of government officials to implement it, and the establishment of the Virtual Anti-Corruption Academy are welcome. Public discussion of the draft law on asset declaration for officials of the government and state enterprises, and cabinet review of the draft whistleblower protection law are expected soon. The authorities should enact and implement these laws as soon as possible. Improving transparency and access to information, particularly regarding procurement, and finalizing the National Strategy on Anti-Corruption would also contribute to improved efficiency of public spending and administration. Labor market reforms need to be accelerated to address low female labor participation, high informality, and skill mismatches. Completing the energy price reform and swiftly adopting measures to enhance water efficiency, diversify crops, and support reforestation efforts will significantly advance the climate agenda. Improving the quality of statistics would lead to better analysis and more informed policymaking.

    The mission would like to thank the Uzbek authorities, stakeholders, and private sector representatives for their hospitality, constructive policy dialogue, and productive collaboration during the Article IV mission.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/23/mcs-042325-uzbekistan-staff-concluding-statement-of-the-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: Digital projects allow the FAS to create equal conditions for business and protect the interests of citizens

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The creation of a real-time price monitoring system for the timely prevention of unjustified growth, the automation of the process of conducting public procurement tenders to identify anti-competitive agreements, as well as a digital format for regulating housing and communal services tariffs are the key areas of the digital transformation of the Federal Antimonopoly Service. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko during a meeting of the department’s board.

    The work of the FAS Russia covers all existing commodity markets, as well as the areas of tariff regulation, public procurement, and foreign investment control. The introduction of digital technologies and big data analysis allows us to significantly increase the efficiency of many processes, creating equal conditions for business and objective control over tariffs and prices for citizens.

    “Today, the FAS is becoming more than just a supervisory body. The best system is one in which there are no violations. Digital solutions and big data analysis allow us to act preventively: to deal not with the facts of violations, but to prevent them at the stage of the problem’s emergence,” noted Dmitry Grigorenko.

    Thus, the FAS of Russia, together with the Treasury of Russia, launched an information panel (dashboard) of the national system of price indicators. The service makes it possible to monitor exchange and over-the-counter transactions and display price indicators for groups of goods on one screen. Real-time analysis allows you to see the overall picture of pricing in the markets and combat speculation. At the moment, the dashboard monitors prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, coal, bitumen and gas. In the future, the list of goods will be expanded.

    The GIS “Anticartel” allows for daily automated scanning of information about all tenders conducted using artificial intelligence and a risk-oriented approach. Automation of the process increases the efficiency of identifying signs of anticompetitive agreements at tenders to combat cartels. In 2025, the service is planned to be integrated with the information systems of the Federal Tax Service of Russia, the Federal Customs Service of Russia, and electronic public procurement platforms.

    The Federal State Information System “Tariff” provides for the transfer of all tariff regulation processes to a digital format and monitoring of the implementation of investment programs in the housing and communal services sector. Already in 2026, the document flow for setting housing and communal services tariffs, as well as the adoption of tariff decisions in housing and communal services and communications, will be transferred completely to electronic form. The examination of tariff applications and control over the implementation of investment programs will also be automated. This will significantly reduce the burden on regional tariff authorities and increase control by transferring document flow from paper to electronic.

    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 Security: Three Members of the Highs Street Gang Convicted of RICO Conspiracy and Premeditated Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Following a three-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted three Minnesota men today of RICO Conspiracy and Premediated Murder for their involvement in the violent Minneapolis criminal street gang known as the Highs and the August 7, 2021, gang-related murder of Darryl Wells.

    “Minneapolis criminal street gangs have inflicted devastating harm on our community for far too long.  Three years ago, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced our federal violent crime initiative to address the skyrocketing and completely unacceptable rates of violent crime in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Since then, we have brought large RICO cases against three criminal street gangs—charging them as the violent enterprises they are.  Make no mistake:  we will not stop.  Criminal street gangs in Minneapolis will continue to see federal justice.  The citizens of Minnesota—the many victims of these crimes—deserve no less.”

    “These defendants participated in a senseless murder and other acts of violence that terrorized their community,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s conviction holds accountable members of a violent gang and shows the Department’s commitment to hold accountable criminal enterprises that use murder and intimidation to exert power. We remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantle violent gangs and secure justice for the victims and their loved ones.”

    “This was cold-blooded, calculated violence meant to control through fear,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “They believed violence gave them power — but today’s conviction proves that justice is stronger. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, are committed to dismantling these criminal enterprises and holding violent offenders accountable.”

    “Today’s conviction sends a strong message that violent street gangs will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “Through the power of the RICO statute, ATF agents, in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement, have been able to target the violent criminal activity of the Highs gang. This conviction is a direct result of the tireless work by our agents who are committed to dismantling these criminal organizations and ensuring that those who use violence to control neighborhoods are held accountable. ATF will continue to lead efforts to take down street gangs and protect the citizens of Minneapolis.”

    “Minneapolis has seen a significant drop in violent crime, especially gun violence, thanks to the outstanding work of MPD officers and our law enforcement partners. Most notably, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been instrumental in helping us target the small number of individuals driving violence, without causing harm to the broader communities we serve.  Together, we’re not just reducing crime — we’re rebuilding trust,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

    “Today’s verdict marks a decisive victory in the fight against violent criminal organizations,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Reducing violence in this community has required a change in tactics and IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are perfectly poised to support our law enforcement partners in this effort. Our agents will continue to apply their financial expertise and investigative skills to bring justice to those who endanger our communities and threaten our way of life.”

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Keon Pruitt, 22, Dantrell Johnson, 32, and Gregory Hamilton, 29, each of Minneapolis, were all members of various “cliques” or subsets, of the Highs—a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Evidence at trial proved that members of the Highs committed murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies on behalf of the enterprise.  As members of the Highs, the defendants were expected to retaliate against the rival Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue.

    Evidence produced at trial showed that, on August 7, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed by a Lows member at the Winner gas station, a Highs hangout.  The following day, August 8, 2021, Highs members organized a memorial for the deceased member at the gas staF. App’x tion, where they distributed firearms and encouraged one another to retaliate against Lows members for the murder.  Defendants Pruitt, Johnson, and Hamilton were all in attendance at the memorial.

    Later that day, Johnson and Hamilton drove to a Lows hangout—Wally’s Foods—and shot a Lows associate, who survived his injuries. Approximately two hours later, Johnson, Hamilton, and Pruitt drove to Skyline Market, another known Lows hangout, to shoot another Lows member. They mistakenly believed Darryl Wells was a Lows member and the store’s cameras captured them shooting Wells inside the store. Wells ran from the store and into the street. Pruitt, who was driving two juveniles in a stolen Porsche, let the juveniles out of the car. They then chased Wells into a nearby alley and fired additional shots at him. All told, Wells was shot at least eight times.

    The jury convicted Pruitt, Johnson, and Hamilton of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Conspiracy and Using a Firearm to Cause Death. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Their sentencing hearings will be scheduled in the near future.

    This is the first of several trials in this case, which charged a total of 28 defendants with RICO Conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang.  Sixteen defendants are pending trial.

    The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation through reports or evidence control. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Lopez-Calhoun, Albania Concepcion, and Rebecca Kline of the District of Minnesota, and Trial Attorney Brian Lynch of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section, tried this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla Baumel and Trial Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein also worked on the investigation and trial. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 04/23/2025, 14-14 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A10A6B8 (RusGid2P02) were changed.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    04/23/2025

    14:14

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 23.04.2025, 14-14 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 123.95) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1303.14 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 10.0%) of the security RU000A10A6B8 (RusGid2P02) were changed.

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

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

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Almost 7 million sq. m of non-residential real estate commissioned in Q1

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The construction of non-residential real estate, along with housing construction, is an important area of integrated development of populated areas. Modern business centers, industrial enterprises, trade facilities, social infrastructure and logistics complexes form a full-fledged urban environment, provide citizens with services, create jobs and contribute to the growth of the local economy, said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “At the meeting of the State Council Presidium, chaired by the President last week, issues of creating and updating infrastructure for comfortable living were discussed. An important factor in the balanced development of territories is the construction of non-residential real estate. A modern residential area must necessarily include the necessary infrastructure for life: schools and kindergartens, hospitals, shops, and so on. Every year, about 35 million square meters of non-residential buildings are commissioned in Russia. Last year, we saw an absolute record over the past 25 years – 38.4 million square meters of non-residential real estate were commissioned. In the first three months of 2025, we have also seen positive dynamics. The commissioning of non-residential real estate compared to the same period last year increased by 2.5% – to 6.93 million square meters,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    There is also growth in certain types of real estate. Almost 36% more administrative buildings – offices, enterprises, agencies – were put into operation. 23% more commercial properties, such as shopping centers, hotels, trade and consumer services enterprises, were commissioned. 15% more other buildings were put into operation at the beginning of the year: religious, transport, communication facilities.

    “The absolute leader in the commissioning of non-residential real estate today is commercial. In the first three months of 2025, 2.37 million square meters were commissioned – this is 34% of all non-residential. This trend confirms the dynamics of the previous year, when the commercial sector also occupied leading positions. Therefore, commercial properties are the most attractive for investors today,” emphasized First Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Alexander Lomakin.

    At the same time, if you pay attention to the number of permits issued for future construction, you can see what prospects await the non-residential real estate sector.

    In the first three months of 2025, the largest number of permits were issued for the construction of industrial buildings – factories, plants, etc. – 1,036 permits for a total area of 4.5 million square meters, which is more than 34% of the area of buildings for all new permits.

    “Today, construction is still focused on commercial buildings. But new industrial facilities are on the way. Judging by the dynamics of project launches, more factories, plants, and defense industry enterprises will be commissioned. This is primarily due to the growth of industry focused on the domestic market,” said Dina Safiullina, head of the Project Directorate of the Ministry of Construction.

    As of 1 April 2025, the area of non-residential buildings with valid building permits was 171.5 million square meters, which is almost 12% more than the data as of 1 April 2024. The largest share – over 51 million square meters, or 33% – is accounted for by industrial buildings.

    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