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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government to appoint Crown Observer to Wellington City Council

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has today announced his intention to appoint a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council, following news that the Council will now be required to rewrite its 2024-34 Long Term Plan.

    “I have been concerned about the Council’s ability to manage their Long Term Plan amendment and adoption process, following their recent decision to rewrite its 2024-34 Long Term Plan,” Mr Brown says.

    “Under Part 10 of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act), I have powers of assistance and intervention in relation to a local authority that has a problem.  Following advice from officials I have identified there is a significant problem at Wellington City Council that warrants the Government appointing a Crown Observer.

    “Advice provided to me by the Department of Internal Affairs highlights that the Council is not utilising its balance sheet appropriately in order to maintain critical infrastructure like water, and that is failing to manage its insurance risk appropriately. These risks have been increased due to its recent decision to amend the Long Term Plan.

    “The Department advises me that while it is not uncommon for councils to amend their Long Term Plans, it is uncommon for a council to reverse such a critical financial decision that requires such an amendment only four months into the cycle,” Mr Brown says.

    The Department has found that the Council has demonstrated an inability to understand the mechanisms it has available to manage financial pressures it is facing.

    This includes the Council choosing in its Long Term Plan to use rates revenue to pay for its water infrastructure up-front, rather than appropriately using debt financing. Local Water Done Well financing mechanisms enables further debt headroom for Wellington City Council to meet its under-insurance issues.

    “The advice from the Department highlights that the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan shows the Council’s net borrowings for water services increase by just $66 million to fund this investment (6 per cent of the total), with the remaining $1.10 billion of capital investment proposed to be funded by rates (94 per cent of the total).

    “This is an inefficient and expensive way to fund infrastructure investment. The Council is front-loading costs on current ratepayers rather than utilising debt financing to spread the cost over current and future users of the assets,” Mr Brown says.

    “The Department estimates that the Council’s financing approach to water services as set out in the 2024-34 Long Term Plan would overcharge Wellington City residents by more than $700 million over ten years.

    “Recent Council meetings have also seen councillors walk out, refusing to participate in votes, and confusion regarding decisions, amendments, and voting. Councillors have also made repeated public criticism of one another and Council staff.

    “This environment is not conducive to the Council effectively managing the Long-term Plan amendment and adoption process. Not resolving these challenges would likely have adverse consequences for Wellington residents and ratepayers.

    “The Department is of the view that the appointment of a Crown Observer is necessary to better enable Wellington City Council to address the problem and allow me to monitor their progress in addressing it. I agree with their assessment.

    “The Crown Observer would be appointed to assist the Council to ensure that it secures a financially sustainable Long Term Plan that prioritises the capital programme.

    “The Government has written to Wellington City Council with a draft Terms of Reference and has given the Council 10 working days to respond as required under the law.

    “The Government is clear that by proposing a Crown Observer, the Government is not taking responsibility for any of the decisions made by the Council. The Council and Mayor are democratically elected and are responsible for the decisions made by the Council, and will remain accountable to their constituents.

    “By providing a Crown Observer to assist the Council on matters of governance, financial strategy and planning, the Government will be working to ensure that Wellington City Council Ratepayers can have increased confidence in their Council and that the Long Term Plan decisions are finalised in accordance with the Local Government Act,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ministry of Health Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2024

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

    Summary

    The Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2024 sets out who we are and what we do, how we manage our business, our financial statements and statement of service performance as specified in Vote Health – Main Estimates of Appropriation 2023/24 and (where updated) in Vote Health – Supplementary Estimates of Appropriation 2023/24.

    It provides a detailed breakdown of our achievements for the 2023/24 financial year and the progress made towards our six strategic objectives:

    • Provide system-level leadership
    • Drive system strategy and performance
    • Be the Government’s primary advisor on health
    • Future-proof our health system 
    • Be the regulator of the health system 
    • Transform ourselves.

    Disclaimer: The graph for Figure 10, ‘Percentage of kaimahi who believe te ao Māori perspectives are relevant to their work’, differs from the print version of the Te Aho o Te Kahu 2023/23 Annual Report. This was due to an error where the graph for Figure 9, ‘Explain kaupapa Māori concepts’, was duplicated for both Figure 9 and Figure 10.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Benefits of good effluent management

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    Date:

    Dairy effluent requires careful management

    When managed well, dairy effluent is a valuable resource that can increase the productivity of your pasture and reduce your fertiliser costs.

    Good effluent management means having a well-designed system with proper processes to ensure the right amount of effluent gets applied to pasture at the right time. Untreated effluent entering surface water bodies or groundwater can harm human health and water quality. It is also a breach of environmental regulations.

    “Understanding and adhering to your consent conditions, along with making sound effluent management decisions, will help ensure nutrients and bacteria are not transmitted to surface and groundwater supplies,” Team Leader Central Water and Land Marcelo Wibmer says.

    Managing effluent well protects human health and our water quality

    “We’re here to help support you to stay compliant, as this not only prevents negative environmental impacts, but it also ensures you get the most benefit out of the nutrients from your farming operation.”

    Top tips for staying compliant

    You must comply with local rules and the conditions of your consent and exercise Good Management Practice (GMP) to avoid environmental impacts and get the most value from the nutrients.

    Some of our top tips are:

    • Check soil moisture levels regularly: Applying effluent to saturated soils can result in ponding and run-off so it’s important to understand soil water deficit. Manage your effluent application rates based on seasonal conditions, reducing the rate when soil moisture is elevated.
    • Choose application times wisely: Effluent is best applied to actively growing pastures (ideally straight after post-grazing) at a rate that can infiltrate the soil without ponding or causing run-off, avoids draining below plant roots and is spread evenly. Tools such as the DairyNZ Farm Dairy Effluent Spreading Calculator and Depth Testing Calculator are available to help manage the application of effluent nutrients more precisely and ensure your effluent is evenly distributed.
    • Check soil moisture levels regularly: Applying effluent to saturated soils can result in ponding and run-off so it’s important to understand soil water deficit. Manage your effluent application rates based on seasonal conditions, reducing the rate when soil moisture is elevated.
    • Have sufficient available storage: It’s good practice to ensure you have enough storage to get you through the wet times and help you avoid application on saturated soils. It is also crucial to have suitably sized storage for your farm. Check out Dairy NZ’s resources on storage for more information.
    • Monitor your effluent application: This will help identify issues promptly – for example leaking hoses or blocked nozzles. Consider fail-safe effluent management systems that include features such as auto-shutoff in the case of a fault.
    • Keep good records: As part of your FEP and consent obligations you will need to keep records of all effluent applications, including application depths/volume applied and any equipment repairs undertaken. Regular maintenance of your irrigation application equipment is vital for optimal performance.
    • Educate your staff: Training in operation and management helps ensure GMP is followed, and any issues are flagged early.

    On-farm compliance

    If you have a resource consent to discharge animal effluent, you will have two sets of compliance measures you are responsible for meeting – the conditions of your resource consent, and your Farm Environment Plan (FEP) objectives and targets relating to effluent management.

    Our Resource Management Officers (RMOs) carry out monitoring inspections on farms to assess consent and rule compliance for many farming activities including effluent storage and discharge.

    An independent FEP auditor will visit your farm to verify your farming practices against industry-agreed GMP objectives, check your records and paperwork to assess their confidence that your farm is achieving the objectives and targets set out in your FEP appendix.

    The possible consequences of non-compliance are:

    • A notice of non-compliance
    • A letter of formal warning
    • Cost recovery
    • Requesting an application for a retrospective resource consent
    • An abatement notice
    • An infringement notice
    • An enforcement order from the Environment Court
    • Alternative Environmental Justice (AEJ)
    • Prosecution.

    If you have any questions about effluent management contact our advisory team on 0800 324 636 or email ecinfo@ecan.govt.nz and they can put you in touch with your local land management advisor.

    Environment Canterbury © 2024
    Retrieved: 4:05pm, Tue 22 Oct 2024
    ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/benefits-of-good-effluent-management/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Time to shut down failed Youth Justice Residences

    Source: Green Party

    The Green Party is calling for Youth Justice Residences to close, following a protest in which a group of young people spent the night on the roof of an Oranga Tamariki justice facility.

    “Rangatahi deserve more than child prisons and military bootcamps. They deserve opportunities,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for Youth, Tamatha Paul.

    “Instead of punching down on our most vulnerable, we should be providing our rangatahi with meaningful life opportunities, healthcare that addresses their needs, but most importantly, the love and care that they have never, ever had in their short lives. 

    “The Greens are calling for an end to Youth Justice Residences and military-style bootcamps. Our young people deserve a system which sets them up to rebuild their lives, not to be confined to prisons which perpetuate trauma, isolation and violence

    “There are young people out there who cannot imagine a life for themselves outside of prison walls, and that is a failure of successive governments, and a moral failure of our society.

    “I have visited these youth justice residences and can confirm that they are child prisons. They are filled with the most vulnerable rangatahi in our country who have come from extreme levels of poverty and family abuse.

    “What’s happened at Korowai Manaaki is not a unique situation. Years of research and experience shows that youth justice residences are re-traumatising and ineffective. 

    “When the Office of the Children’s Commissioner reported on Korowai Manaaki recently, they revealed inappropriate and deeply troubling practices within the residences. Unfortunately, this culture can be seen across the youth justice space in Aotearoa and is a product of politicians who put winning votes above the real needs of children.

    “The young people leaving these residences do not feel empowered or able to turn their lives around which leads to a lifetime of incarceration and a complete loss of human potential. It’s time to close them down.” says Tamatha Paul.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ACT welcomes Crown Observer in Wellington

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton is welcoming today’s announcement that the Minister intends to appoint a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council.

    “The Council is an absolute shambles,” says Mr Luxton.

    “What should be a thriving capital city is being run into the ground by reckless decisions and sheer incompetence.

    “Tauranga has seen firsthand the consequences of stripping away local democracy, and I don’t want to see Wellington go down the same path. Any step that can fix the city while preserving local democracy is one I fully support.

    “A Crown Observer will give the Coalition Government the opportunity to look under the hood of the council, assess what’s going wrong, and assist the council in good governance – something that has been sorely lacking to date.

    “Many of the issues are well-known already. The Council is recklessly wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on ideological projects like cycleways, removing cars from the golden mile, and the wrecked town hall. While this is happening, leaks continue to appear all across the city and wastewater is being pumped into the harbour.

    “But the deeper governance issues and factors influencing the Council’s poor decision making need to see the light of day. At the very least it will expose the poor leadership, ensuring they can be held accountable at the next local body elections on 11 October 2025.

    “The Council must ensure that they have crown observer not a clown observer. That means putting their egos and ideologies aside and for once in their lives put the ratepayers of Wellington first.

    “I urge them to heed the advice of the Observer, and take all necessary steps to cut waste, fix the crumbling infrastructure and keep rates down.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unreported in New Zealand

    Source: ACT Party

    The Haps

    The Solicitor General backed down on prosecution guidelines that told prosecutors to ‘think carefully’ about someone’s race before prosecuting. It shows New Zealand has really changed. Not so long ago such policies bucketed down and people felt helpless. Now we are getting real change.

    CPI inflation at 2.2 per cent, amidst the 1-3 per cent target band, is the news we’ve been waiting for. Inflation first broke out in 2021, with high interest rates following close behind. It’s taken less than a year of the new Government, one mini-budget, and one budget to get it under control. Now the way is clear for significant further rate cuts at the next Reserve Bank announcement on November 27.

    Unreported in New Zealand

    Last week, the Nobel Prize in economics was awarded to three economists, Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.” You won’t have read about this in the New Zealand press, besides syndicated cut and paste jobs, even though it is about colonisation, institutions, and prosperity.

    The official Nobel Citation says: The richest 20 per cent of the world’s countries are now around 30 times richer than the poorest 20 per cent. Moreover, the income gap between the richest and poorest countries is persistent; although the poorest countries have become richer, they are not catching up with the most prosperous. Why? This year’s laureates have found new and convincing evidence for one explanation for this persistent gap – differences in a society’s institutions.

    The economists studied many countries’ histories over the last 400 years, focusing on the influence of European countries that colonised most of the world. They conclude that what kind of set-up, or institutions, those colonising countries left has a strong bearing on the colonised countries’ prosperity today.

    They divide countries into two types. There are inclusive countries, that give people equal rights, to vote, own property, and operate under the rule of law. There are extractive countries, set up to extract natural resources and benefit a small number of people.

    The extractive countries tend to be the ones that weren’t very welcoming to colonisers, for example if there was a lot of malaria. In these cases, e.g. African ones, a small number of settlers arranged to get the wealth out of the ground, and that was about it.

    The alternative is inclusive countries, with free markets, the rule of law and democracy. The United States is the obvious example, along with Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. These countries attracted settlers in large numbers and there were too many of them to simply exploit natural resources. Instead they created inclusive institutions.

    There is a twist, an historic reversal of fortunes. The countries that were relatively poorer before colonisation, and ended up adopting more colonial institutions, are now relatively wealthier.

    Another important observation is that history is not static. Over time, countries liberalise. Colonial institutions were not set down in a state of perfection, far from it. But they were capable of improvement, widening voting rights, compensating for past wrongs, and enhancing civil liberties.

    You are probably starting to get a sense of why this work has not been discussed in the NZ Press. It finds that institutions matter if you want people to be prosperous. It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you finish that counts, and that depends on adopting the best institutions, democracy, the rule of law, property rights, free speech, and all of those values that allow people to flourish.

    No doubt New Zealand universities will be holding book burnings in case these Nobel Prize winners’ ideas make students ‘feel unsafe.’ The same institutions trained the journalists, which may be why there’s been so little discussion about this.

    Nonetheless, somewhere in our future is a country where free and open debate is not only allowed but cherished. It would be a country where we can discuss what works to create prosperity.

    The central lesson of these economists’ work is really that wealth is not given or taken, it is not ‘owned’ rightfully by any historic group. It can be created, to the point that everyone is richer than 200 years ago, but some people are 30 times richer. The trick is to adopt the right institutions, the policies that work, as quickly as possible, and those institutions are democracy, free markets, the rule of law, and equal rights for all.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Learner component – Unified Funding System

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 22 October 2024
    Last updated 22 October 2024

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    The learner component is one of two funding components in DQ3-7.
    The learner component is one of two funding components in DQ3-7.

    For information on the other component, see: Delivery component – Unified Funding System.
    About the learner component
    The learner component substantially increases funding for providers to support all learners, particularly those who traditionally have not been well served by the education system. It recognises that there are higher costs involved in adapting education delivery and support to meet learners’ unique needs. The learner component supports providers to put learners at the centre of their organisations and to improve outcomes for learners.
    Providers decide how to spend the funding in a way that supports their learners’ needs while making progress towards the Minister’s priorities.
    Minister’s priorities for the learner component
    The Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills’ priorities for learner component funding are for TEOs to build capability and demonstrate how they will deliver results for all learners (including, where relevant, in supporting employers who deliver work-based learning) by committing to the priorities of the Tertiary Education Strategy.
    Over time, the Minister expects TEOs will develop capability and capacity so that learners:

    are well supported by TEOs and employers to enrol in VET qualifications, and
    have increased completion rates across all VET qualifications.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Govt cuts school lunches even further

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government has gone back on its word and cut the full school lunch programme in primary schools after saying it wouldn’t.

    “Teachers, parents and principals across the country were so relieved to hear primary schools would be able to continue serving lunches to their students, despite the ACT Party’s plan to scrap the programme,” Labour’s education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

    “Now David Seymour has managed get Cabinet to agree to not only downsize lunches for secondary students, but to do it for all students from years 0-13.

    A March Cabinet Paper told the Government changes to the school lunch programme would risk achievement, attendance, nutrition and wellbeing of children, as well as having wider impacts on reducing child poverty, and it has made these changes anyway.

    “Naenae College reported it won’t be able to deliver the programme next year because the supplier was unable to provide meals under the new per-meal budget.

    “The Ministry of Education also earlier told the Government that $3 a day is not sufficient to feed secondary kids properly.

    “It’s baffling as to why Erica Stanford is letting David Seymour go ahead with these changes, given the evidence, reports from teachers, parents and principals about the benefits of the school lunch programme and all their talk about improving attendance.

    “A full tummy can make a real difference to a student’s learning and whether they are turning up to school.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Third man charged with murder of Darshak Narran

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Waikato Police have today charged a third person with the murder of Darshak Narran.

    A 23-year-old Papakura man will appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow (23 October).

    Darshak, aged 43, was located with critical injuries on the roadside in the vicinity of the Hampton Downs Racetrack shortly after midnight on Monday 14 October.

    He subsequently died in Auckland Hospital.

    Police are not ruling out further arrests in relation to the assault on Darshak.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Search for missing man in Onerahi to resume tomorrow at first light

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    The search for an 83-year-old man missing in Onerahi, Northland has concluded for the day.

    Today’s search included Police, LandSAR Northland, squads from Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club, Whangārei Heads Volunteer Surf Life Saving Patrol, and volunteers from Northland Coastguard Air Patrol and Coastguard Whangārei.

    The search for the missing man will resume again tomorrow at first light, and LandSAR Far North will be joining the search effort then as well.

    The missing man typically goes for a daily swim in the Whangārei Harbour and wears a wet suit and pink swim cap.

    He has not been seen since Saturday evening and was reported missing on Monday evening.

    If you have any information which could help in the search for the missing man, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241021/1742.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: One southbound lane reopens on Auckland’s Southern Motorway

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    One southbound lane has reopened on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, following an incident near the Penrose Road overbridge.

    There is significant traffic build-up due to the earlier closure of all southbound lanes.

    Motorists are asked to delay travel or take alternative routes where possible.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: All southbound lanes on Auckland’s Southern Motorway reopen

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    All southbound lanes on Auckland’s Southern Motorway have reopened following an incident near the Penrose Road overbridge this afternoon.

    While the lanes have reopened, there is still significant traffic build-up following the earlier closure.

    Motorists should expect continued delays while the traffic build-up clears.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Auction for Fong Ma Po New Year Fair stalls at Lam Tsuen in Tai Po to be held on November 4

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 22) that stalls at the 2025 Fong Ma Po (FMP) New Year Fair at Lam Tsuen in Tai Po will be put up for open auction on November 4 (Monday).

         â€‹A spokesman for the FEHD said the annual FMP New Year Fair will be held for 15 consecutive days from January 29 to February 12, 2025. A total of 22 dry goods stalls and six wet goods stalls will be put up for auction, with upset prices of $780 and $770 respectively. ​

         The auction will be held at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, on November 4 (Monday), from 2pm until completion of the auction.

         Bidders for FMP New Year Fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in person with his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or he/she will forfeit the rights to operate the stall.

         â€‹The FMP New Year Fair site will be made available to the licensees three days in advance of the fair (January 26 to 28, 2025) for the setting up of stalls. In the event of any unforeseeable incident that will cause shortening of the whole licence period (including the duration for setting up stalls and the business period of the fair), the Government has the right to postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the period. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the successful bidder on a pro-rata basis without interest.

         The FEHD reminded licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licensed area. If the FEHD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show, sell or gift any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, contrary to the interest of national security, immoral or incompatible with the object of the FMP New Year Fair, the FEHD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such activities, and the licensee must immediately comply with the direction.

         Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at or in the vicinity of the stall. They must completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or otherwise) from the licensed area before 6pm on February 12, 2025.

         According to the licence agreement, except inside designated stalls, licensees shall not keep, store or use any compressed helium cylinders in the licenced area. Whereas licensees of the designated stalls may keep, store or use helium cylinders in the licenced area, the quantity of helium should be such that a licence is not required pursuant to the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation 2012 (Cap. 295E), i.e. no more than 150 litres (water capacity) of compressed helium. Sales of floating LED glowing balloons and aquarium fish by stall licensees are prohibited at the FMP Fair.

         In addition, as stated in the licence agreement, the height of dry goods stalls must not exceed 3 metres from ground level. The height of wet goods stalls must not exceed 4.5m from ground level. For wet goods stalls with a height of more than 3m from ground level, the licensee must, at his own costs, provide the FEHD with the original certificate issued by an authorised person, a registered structural engineer, or a competent person under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (Cap. 59I) to certify the structural safety of the structure in the licensed area before the Fair is opened to the public. The licensee must also affix a copy of the aforesaid certificate on the structure of the stall.

         â€‹Successful bidders shall comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the FEHD is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.

         â€‹Details of the 2025 FMP New Year Fair, such as the public notice, the location and layout of the fair venue, commodities allowed for sale at the fair stalls, open auction arrangements and related rules, as well as a sample of the licence agreement, are available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call the FEHD’s Tai Po District Environmental Hygiene Office at 3183 9162 or 2657 1137.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS speaks at APEC meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan speaks on various topics while attending day two of the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) in Peru yesterday.

     

    The topics included global and regional economic and financial outlooks, sustainable finance, sustainable infrastructure, digital finance, and enhancing resilience against climate change.

     

    This year’s APEC FMM takes the theme of “Sustainable + Digital + Resilient = APEC.”

     

    In the session on global and regional economic and financial outlooks, Mr Chan shared the latest economic situation in Hong Kong and reiterated the city’s firm support for rules-based free trade and multilateralism.

     

    He pointed out that as a super connector, Hong Kong plays a bridging role between traditional and emerging markets, promoting the regional digital economy and innovative technology for better collective development.

     

    During the discussion session on sustainable finance and infrastructure, Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s functions as an international financial centre, facilitating the effective matching of funds with green and infrastructure projects.

     

    He noted that through financial innovation and co-operation with international institutions, Hong Kong has been able to securitise infrastructure loans from various countries and issue catastrophe bonds, guiding more international capital to support projects in developing countries and helping them address climate challenges.

     

    He also shared updates and experience on Hong Kong’s efforts in advancing green and transition finance, including the release of a green taxonomy aligned with international standards and active participation in setting global green standards.

     

    Additionally, the Financial Secretary participated in discussions on digital finance at the FMM, sharing Hong Kong’s experiences in developing fintech and promoting inclusive finance, including how regulatory sandboxes encourage fintech innovation and the application of new technologies.

     

    He noted that Hong Kong’s robust and internationalised financial infrastructure, along with a balanced regulatory system that promotes security and innovation, is conducive to building a thriving fintech ecosystem.

     

    At a luncheon of the APEC Business Advisory Council, Mr Chan shared Hong Kong’s experiences on leveraging private market capital to better support sustainable infrastructure and climate change projects, as well as creating a more favourable environment for micro, small and medium enterprises to embrace digital finance.

     

    Furthermore, he exchanged views with representatives and business leaders from other economies.

     

    Also during the FMM, Mr Chan spent time meeting South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy & Finance of the Republic of Korea Choi Sang-mok, and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Finance Vo Thanh Hung.

     

    In the evening, he departed Peru for the US city of New York where he plans to attend the Bloomberg Global Regulatory Forum today and deliver a speech.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 21st, 2024 Heinrich Highlights $2.5 Million for Mobile Training Unit to Connect Rural New Mexicans to In-Demand Careers in the Skilled Trades, Participates in Training Demo with U.A. Local 412

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    PHOTOS & VIDEO
    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted more than $2.5 million he has secured through the Appropriations process for the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 412 (U.A. Local 412) to operate a mobile training unit that provides pre-apprenticeship training to New Mexicans living in rural and Tribal communities. 
    The mobile training unit is creating more pathways to in-demand careers in the skilled trades and has already trained dozens of New Mexicans in Española, Taos, Las Vegas, Mora, Raton, and Santa Fe. Heinrich also participated in a training demonstration with U.A. Local 412 leadership and apprentices who are learning skills in the plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC trades.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participates in a training demonstration with the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 412 (U.A. Local 412), October 21, 2024.
    “Thanks to our Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act, New Mexico is experiencing a manufacturing and clean energy renaissance that is creating new high-quality careers New Mexicans can build their families around,” said Heinrich. “I’m focused on expanding pathways to skills training and apprenticeships that connect New Mexicans to careers in their own communities. This is how we can address workforce shortages, grow the middle class, and strengthen our economy.”
    Heinrich-Secured Federal Investments for the Mobile Training Unit:
    The U.A. Local 412 Mobile Training Unit was initially paid for by an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Good Jobs Challenge Grant, as part of a $6.4 million award to the Northern N.M. Workforce Integration Network. The Good Jobs Challenge funds were authorized by the American Rescue Plan, the critical economic recovery legislation that Heinrich was proud to pass in 2021. 
    Through his work on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Heinrich has further supported the U.A. Local 412’s workforce development efforts by securing more than $2.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bills. These awards helped the union secure the equipment and staffing they need to train New Mexicans for jobs in the skilled trades, including specialized training needed to fill the many new, well-paying jobs being created by the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. 
    Heinrich is currently fighting to pass the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bills, which include an additional $870,000 CDS award that he secured within the Senate Appropriations Committee-passed Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Bill to sustain the U.A. Local 412’s mobile training unit’s operations past the original EDA funding, and to expand its reach to new communities including Grants, Gallup, Silver City, and Zuni Pueblo. 
    Heinrich’s Longtime Support for Workforce Training and Apprenticeships:
    Heinrich has long championed proven workforce training programs like U.A. Local 412’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that are growing the middle class, creating and connecting New Mexicans to high-quality careers they can access in their communities, and continuing New Mexico’s leading role in the clean energy transition that is being built by union workers in the skilled trades. 
    Last week, Heinrich hosted a “Pro-Worker, Pro-Business Opportunities” roundtable to talk directly with New Mexicans about how federal legislation he helped pass into law, like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Law, is creating careers in high-demand sectors and strengthening New Mexico’s health care, early childhood education, and skilled trades workforce.  
    Last year, Heinrich introduced the bipartisan Apprenticeship Pathways Act, legislation to create pathways to careers for high school students by expanding access to apprenticeship programs for occupations with high need, including the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, and early childhood education. Earlier this year, Heinrich introduced the Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act, legislation to strengthen the pipeline for careers in New Mexico, address rising workforce shortages, and grow the state’s economy through quality pre-apprenticeship programs. 
    Last year, Courtenay Eichhorst, Business Manager of U.A. Local 412 and President of New Mexico Building Trades, testified about the importance of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships during a hearing that Heinrich convened as the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee on “Job Training for the Clean Energy Transition.” 
    Eichhorst said during that JEC hearing, “In addition to our ‘gold standard’ apprenticeship programs, the UA and other Building Trades’ unions are also increasingly investing in pre-apprenticeship programs that can be designed to help prepare high school students or individuals from underrepresented communities for a career in the trades. These programs help fill the role that used to be filled by the ‘shop classes’ that were found in high schools but have become increasingly rare. Pre-apprenticeship programs also focus on the ‘soft skills’ that are necessary for success in any industry, such as showing up on time and other work etiquette.”
    Earlier this year, also in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured $1,200,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the SMART Local Union No. 49 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee to enhance and expand specialized HVAC apprenticeship training. 
    In March, Heinrich introduced the Providing Resources and Opportunities for Health Education and Learning (PRO-HEAL) Act, legislation that will tackle the health care provider shortage in New Mexico and nationwide by expanding pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers that medical professionals can access in their communities. Specifically, the PRO-HEAL Act addresses medical provider shortages by incentivizing states and institutions of higher education to expand or create health care provider pipeline programs, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The legislation is inspired by the success of the Combined BA/MD Degree Program at the University of New Mexico, where over 65% of students who have graduated from their program practice medicine in New Mexico.    
    Last year, Heinrich introduced the Pathways to Health Careers Act, legislation that reauthorizes and modernizes the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program to help address health care shortages in New Mexico and across the country and create pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers. The HPOG program has a proven track record of successfully educating workers for jobs in the health care industry, while also providing career coaching, job placement, and a mix of other support services. The Pathways to Health Careers Act would restart and expand the HPOG Program, providing $425 million to make HPOG available nationwide from FY2024 through FY2028 and includes set asides for Tribes and U.S. Territories.  
    In 2021, Heinrich introduced the Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology (CHANCE in Tech) Act, legislation to create earlier pathways to high-paying careers in the information technology (IT) industry. Heinrich previously introduced similar bipartisan legislation in 2019 with former Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Cantwell, Kilmer Announce $51M Federal Grant to Repair Hood Canal Bridge

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Hood Canal Bridge is a vital link between Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas & helps more than 30,000 daily commuters avoid a 100-mile detour around Puget Sound
    As the longest floating saltwater bridge in the world, the structure is deteriorating in the harsh marine environment
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) , Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D, WA-06) announced that the Washington State Department of Transportation will receive $51,125,917 in federal funds to repair the Hood Canal Bridge.
    The funding comes from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program, which provides grants to nationally and regionally significant transportation projects to improve the country’s freight network.
    “The Hood Canal Bridge is an absolutely critical connection for people and businesses on the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas,” said Sen. Murray. “This is a piece of infrastructure that must remain safe and reliable so people can get to where they need to go—whether that’s work, a doctor’s appointment, or anything else. With thousands of travelers relying on this bridge just about every day, I’m proud to have worked together with Senator Cantwell and Representative Kilmer to ensure we bring these federal dollars home to replace outdated portions of this bridge.”
    “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Hood Canal Bridge will receive the repairs it needs to continue providing a vital connection between Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam Counties, with more than 30,000 crossings per day. Without this bridge, drivers would need to take a 100-mile detour around Puget Sound. And if the bridge’s retractable span were to fail, submarines and other vessels would be cut off from Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor,” Sen. Cantwell said. “This bridge is critical to the quality of life for residents and our national security.”
    “The Hood Canal Bridge is often a lifeline for folks on the Olympic Peninsula, enabling them to get where they need to go,” said Rep. Kilmer. “This federal funding is a major step toward improving the safety and reliability of the bridge, helping ensure that it will remain open, accessible and resilient for years to come. And with federal support it means this project can move forward without the costs falling solely on the backs of taxpayers in our state. That’s a win-win.”
    This project will replace over 3,400 linear feet of the western half of the bridge including the replacement of 55 reinforced concrete crossbeams and 216 prestressed concrete girder lines and the placement of nearly 4,800 cubic yards of concrete. Preliminary design work is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with project completion scheduled for June 2027. The project’s total budget is $85.2 million.
    The Hood Canal Bridge links the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas, allowing over 30,000 motorists to get to and from work each day. As the longest floating bridge in the world over saltwater, this unique structure sits in a harsh marine environment that’s deteriorated its condition over the past 40 years. Currently, vehicles that can cross the bridge are weight-restricted at 17,000 lbs per axle or less, and overweight vehicles are forced to drive nearly 100 miles around Puget Sound.  If the bridge’s condition goes unaddressed, further deterioration and restrictions would have severe impacts on commerce and the livelihood of those who depend on the bridge every day.
    The Hood Canal Bridge also crosses a channel used by U.S. Navy submarines to reach the Pacific Ocean from Naval Base Kitsap -Bangor. Should the bridge’s retractable span become unusable, those vessels would be cut off from the base.
    Sen. Murray, as a senior appropriator and then Assistant Majority Leader, helped secure $3.2 billion for the INFRA grant program in advance appropriations in addition to the $4.8 billion funded through the Highway Trust Fund when she helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for a total of $8 billion over five years. 
    Sen. Cantwell authored the INFRA Grant Program in the FAST Act of 2015, to provide grants to nationally and regionally significant freight and highway projects. This grant program was the first discretionary grant program to focus on improving the multimodal freight network and addressing freight bottlenecks. In 2022, as chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sen. Cantwell helped secure $8 billion over five years for the INFRA Grant Program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a 78 percent increase in funding. Additionally, in August 2024, Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in support of the Hood Canal Bridge project’s INFRA grant application. The State of Washington has received 11 INFRA Grants, for a total of $532,300,108 since the start of the program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Kaleidoscope Factory

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Kaleidoscope Factory of Pocahontas County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
    “Woodworking, like a kaleidoscope, is an art that celebrates transformation – with each cut and carve, new beauty emerges,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “The Kaleidoscope Factory reveals fresh perspectives with every twist, uncovering the hidden potential in every piece of wood.”
    In 1997, Leonard Olson received his first kaleidoscope as a gift, sparking a lifelong passion for woodworking. He began making them on his own and opened Kaleidoscope Factory in Pomeroy, Iowa in 2004. In 2014, Leonard moved Kaleidoscope Factory to downtown Pocahontas.
    After Leonard passed away in 2019, his sisters, Lois Hessenius and Margaret Egli, kept the business running while other family and friends stepped up to help craft a variety of products like kaleidoscopes, toy trains, and puzzles. Kaleidoscope Factory partnered with the Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission to install life-sized kaleidoscopes throughout the community. This past April, Kaleidoscope Factory celebrated its 20th anniversary.
    Stay tuned as Ranking Member Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Young Urge President Biden To Protect Undersea Cables From China, Russia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    October 21, 2024

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Monday led 6 of their Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to President Biden expressing concerns about the security of the global network of undersea communications and energy cables upon which American workers and businesses rely.
    More than 95% of international internet traffic travels via these undersea cables, resulting in trillions of dollars in financial transactions each day. The locations of these cables are often openly published to prevent accidental damage.
    As American companies look to expand and invest in this critical infrastructure, it is imperative that the United States has a complete understanding of existing vulnerabilities, especially those that impact our economic and national security.
    “America’s adversaries have been developing their capabilities to attack or disrupt critical undersea infrastructure. There is a long tradition, dating back well over a century, of belligerents attacking their opponents’ underwater communications lines in the first phase of a conflict,” the senators wrote. “Given these threats and challenges, it is imperative that the United States undertake a review of existing vulnerabilities to global undersea cable infrastructure, including the threat of sabotage by Russia as well as the growing role of the People’s Republic of China in cable laying and repair. If we are truly to deepen vital commercial and security relationships with willing partners and allies, this must be a national priority.”
    U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) also signed the letter.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    Dear Mr. President: 
    We write to you to express our concern about the security of global undersea communications and energy cables, especially those that impact America’s economic and national security and that of our allies and partners. As you are well aware, more than 95% of international internet traffic travels via undersea cables, including trillions of dollars in financial transactions each day. Moreover, the exact locations of most of these cables are openly published in order to reduce the likelihood of accidental damage from ships’ anchors or fishing activities. Internet and telecommunications providers, including American firms, intend to invest billions of dollars in expanding the global network of undersea communications cables. Additionally, energy transmission cables are proliferating as governments look to new sources of electricity generation. 
    America’s adversaries have been developing their capabilities to attack or disrupt critical undersea infrastructure. There is a long tradition, dating back well over a century, of belligerents attacking their opponents’ underwater communications lines in the first phase of a conflict. For example, in both World Wars, Britain’s first naval actions were to cut the telegraph cables connecting Germany to the Americas, and in 1918 a German U-boat severed lines connecting New York to both Nova Scotia and Panama. In addition to this kind of overt, kinetic attack, the nature of undersea infrastructure increases the feasibility of gray zone actions with plausible deniability. It is difficult to distinguish between an accident and a deliberate action on the seabed, and more difficult still to confirm who conducted such an action. On top of this, because this infrastructure is privately owned by commercial enterprises, repairs are the responsibility of these private companies, which are likely not prepared to maintain them under wartime conditions and are likely to seek the most cost-effective repair and maintenance options—even if that option is owned or operated by a foreign adversary or strategic competitor. 
    Given these threats and challenges, it is imperative that the United States undertake a review of existing vulnerabilities to global undersea cable infrastructure, including the threat of sabotage by Russia as well as the growing role of the People’s Republic of China in cable laying and repair. If we are truly to deepen vital commercial and security relationships with willing partners and allies, this must be a national priority. We respectfully request that you provide responses to the following questions and direct senior administration officials to brief Members of Congress, including members of relevant committees of jurisdiction, on your plans and the resources and authorities needed to carry them out.
    What is your Administration’s overall strategy to guarantee the security of America’s undersea infrastructure and to promote the security of that of our allies and partners? 
    The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 established the Cable Security Fleet (CSF). If authorized and sufficiently funded, what would be your assessment of the ideal size of the U.S.-flagged and -operated cable laying and repair vessel fleet to ensure sufficient cable repair capacity during a conflict or national emergency? How can the United States work with trusted allies and partners for additional capacity to support the expansion and repair of trusted undersea cable networks? 
    What is the Administration’s strategy to encourage other nations to choose trusted suppliers in their selection of undersea cable manufacturers, particularly in any nation of concern or which may be vulnerable to coercion or covert action by America’s adversaries? 
    How is the Administration working with the private sector to ensure that commercial enterprises’ investments in undersea cables align with U.S. national security priorities? 
    How do you intend to protect the physical security of undersea cables in the open ocean, including through any interpretation of customary international law? 
    How is the Administration working multilaterally to collectively enhance security and monitor potential threats to undersea infrastructure, including through NATO, the Quad, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity? 
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. As Congress works to continue its oversight of national security, it is vital that we understand the current state of the information backbone of our economy and efforts to protect it. 
    Sincerely, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Walz Announces $138 Million for I-494 Project

    Source: US State of Minnesota

    Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota received $138 million in federal funding to improve I-494, one of the busiest corridors in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. The funding comes from President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: German Chancellor Sholz to Visit Türkiye

    Source: Republic of Turkey

    Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany will pay a working visit to Türkiye on October 18-19, 2024 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
    During the talks to be held in Istanbul on October 19 Saturday, the bilateral relations between Türkiye and Germany will be reviewed thoroughly and potential steps that would further improve the cooperation between the two countries will be addressed.
    The views on the current regional and global matters, particularly the Türkiye-European Union relations, Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon, the developments in Ukraine as well as the Türkiye-Germany bilateral relations, will be exchanged at the talks as well.
    Respectfully announced to the public.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Erdoğan to Visit Albania and Serbia

    Source: Republic of Turkey

    President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pay official visits to Albania and Serbia respectively on October 10-11, 2024.
    During the talks to be held as part of the visits, all aspects of the bilateral relations with the abovementioned countries will be reviewed and works to be carried out to further improve the current cooperation in various areas will be addressed.
    President Erdoğan will co-chair the high-level cooperation council meetings with his counterparts in both countries, inaugurate the biggest mosque of the Balkans, Tirana Namazgah Mosque, which is funded by Türkiye, with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, and attend together with President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia the business forum to be held in Belgrade.
    Various agreements aimed at enhancing the contractual basis of the bilateral relations are planned to be signed on the occasion of the visits.
    Also, views on current global and regional matters, especially Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territories and Israeli attacks on Lebanon, as well as the developments in the Balkans are expected to be exchanged at the talks.
    Respectfully announced to the public.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: October 5-13, 2024: Geneva launches the 1st Mental Health Week

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Geneva in French

    The mental health of Genevans will be in the spotlight from October 5 to 13. Throughout the week, 126 activities will be offered free of charge to the population in order to raise awareness of this major public health issue.

    As part of the cantonal plan for health promotion and prevention 2024-2028 (PSP), the State of Geneva is launching the 1st edition of Mental Health Week.

    This topic concerns everyone because it is normal to experience difficulties in one’s life for a while. But when these difficulties persist or become too overwhelming and burdensome, help may be necessary.

    In order to inform the people of Geneva about the resources and tools available to them in this area, the Cantonal Health Office and 84 Geneva institutions have designed a rich programme of 126 activities – conferences, practical workshops, open days, sports and artistic activities – accessible free of charge to all.

    For more information:

    Find this week’s program as well as all the useful information on the dedicated websiteRead it press release from the Department of Health and Mobility (DSM)

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

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  • MIL-OSI Translation: Glarus Nord: Rabies confirmed in bat

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Grisons in Italian

    The Swiss Rabies Center has identified the presence of the rabies virus in a Daubenton’s bat found in the Canton of Glarus.

    The Daubenton’s bat was found in Mühlehorn (municipality of Glarus Nord) on 20 September 2024. Switzerland is considered free of rabies in domestic and wild animals. However, individual cases of rabies in bats can rarely occur. Since 1992, only seven cases have been diagnosed in Switzerland.

    What to do? If you find a wild animal, especially if it appears sick or exhibits abnormal behavior, it is important not to touch it and inform the foundation Fledermaus Protection Foundation or the hunting supervisory body. If you are bitten by a bat, you should immediately consult a doctor and take the necessary precautions. More information is available on the website of Swiss Rabies Center.

    The enforcement of veterinary, food and chemical law for the Canton of Glarus is a task undertaken by the Office for Food Safety and Animal Health of the Grisons.

    Contact person:

    Giochen Bearth, Head of the Office for Food Safety and Animal Health of the Grisons, Tel. 41 81 257 24 11 (reachable between 11:00 and 12:00), e-mailGiochen.Bearth@alt.gr.ch

    Competent body: Office for Food Safety and Animal Health

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  • MIL-OSI Translation: 07/10/2024 Conversation between the deputy ministers of foreign affairs of Poland and Panama

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Conversation between the deputy ministers of foreign affairs of Poland and Panama07/10/2024The Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakub Wiśniewski, met on October 4 with the deputy head of Panamanian diplomacy, Carlos Guevara Mann.

    The talks concerned cooperation at the Community of Democracies forum, including the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Warsaw Declaration. Panama and Poland currently sit on the Community’s Executive Committee, the deliberations of which, with the participation of the Panamanian Deputy Minister as an honorary guest, took place on October 3 in Warsaw. They also discussed the promotion of democracy in the world, emphasizing that in the face of contemporary global beliefs, cooperation between countries is becoming crucial de mentalidad similar. The interlocutors also expressed their interest in deepening economic cooperation. During their stay in Poland, the Panamanian delegation also met with representatives of the National Chamber of Commerce, among others. Deputy Minister Carols Guevara Mann spoke about preparations for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Panama Congress of 1926. To commemorate this event, in 2026 Panama will host, among others, the Summit of the Organization of American States. The celebrations will also be a good opportunity to prepare joint cultural and historical projects, including those concerning the struggle for independence of Polish heroes in the region.

    Photo: Konrad Laskowski/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Photos (3)

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  • MIL-OSI Translation: 04/10/2024 Undersecretary of State Jakub Wiśniewski met with a delegation from the EU Council of Ministers.

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Undersecretary of State Jakub Wiśniewski met with a delegation from the EU’s Home Rule 04/10/2024On October 3, 2024, a meeting was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Undersecretary of State Jakub Wiśniewski and a delegation from the EU’s Home Rule 04/10/2024, led by President Susan Danger. Amcham a la UE is a business organization that brings together over 160 American companies operating on the European market.

    During the meeting, issues related to the upcoming Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union were raised. The deputy head of Polish diplomacy emphasized that the Polish presidency will be held at a difficult time, at a time when the war in Ukraine significantly affects the stability and security of not only Poland, but the whole of Europe. Undersecretary of State Jakub Wiśniewski also noted that the Polish presidency coincides with the beginning of a new institutional cycle of the European Union, which means cooperation with the new European Parliament and the new European Commission. The meeting was also an opportunity to exchange opinions on the need to take action to improve the competitiveness of the EU and support the innovation of European companies. Both sides emphasized the ties between Poland and the United States, including the growing trend of trade between our countries. In 2023, our countries achieved a record trade turnover of almost 28 million USD. It was pointed out that Poland has become one of the most attractive destinations under the so-called friendshoring process, which includes investments in allied countries. Issues relating to energy, new technologies and intellectual property were also discussed.

    Photo: Sebastian Indra/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Photos (3)

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  • MIL-OSI Translation: 04/10/2024 19th OTAN Conference on Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    19th OTAN Conference on Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction04/10/2024This year’s Conference was opened by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Kupiecki and Acting Assistant to the NATO Secretary General for Political and Security Policy Javier Colomina.

    The two-day OTAN Conference on Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), held on October 3 and 4 in Warsaw, was attended by the US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and Security Affairs, Bonnie Jenkins, and the UN Secretary General’s High Representative for Disarmament, Izumi Nakamitsu (who is also Deputy Secretary General). The main topic of the meeting was an assessment of the current state of the non-proliferation regime of weapons of mass destruction, which is under pressure from states trying to undermine the international order. The Russian aggression in Ukraine has a particularly negative impact on the regime’s condition. The analysis of threats and ways to counter them in the context of Russia’s actions was an important thread of the meeting. The event was attended by over 100 participants from over 40 countries, including NATO member states, associated countries and invited partner countries and international organizations. On the sidelines of the conference, a panel discussion on arms control and deterrence was held, organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). The event was broadcast on social media.***The annual NATO Conferences on Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) have been organized continuously by NATO since 2004. They are co-hosted by NATO allies. The meetings offer the opportunity for informal discussions on WMD threats by senior state representatives and experts. The 19th Conference is being held for the second time in Poland. The first time was co-hosted by Polonia in December 2009.

    Photos (3)

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov visited aviation enterprises in Kazan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Denis Manturov visited aviation enterprises in Kazan. At the Kazan Aviation Plant named after S.P. Gorbunov

    October 22, 2024

    Denis Manturov visited aviation enterprises in Kazan. At the Kazan Helicopter Plant

    October 22, 2024

    Denis Manturov visited aviation enterprises in Kazan. At the Kazan Helicopter Plant

    October 22, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Denis Manturov visited aviation enterprises in Kazan. At the Kazan Aviation Plant named after S.P. Gorbunov

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov visited the aircraft manufacturing enterprises of the Rostec state corporation in Kazan. Together with the head of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, he familiarized himself with the implementation of the program for the Tu-214 civil airliner and the expansion of the production capacity of the Kazan Aviation Plant named after S.P. Gorbunov. The First Deputy Prime Minister also visited the Kazan Helicopter Plant, where he assessed the progress of work on the import-substituting Ansat helicopter and inspected the latest modification of the Mi-171A3 in the Aurus configuration.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister’s visit took place ahead of the BRICS summit, which will be held in Kazan from October 22 to 24. Guests of the event, as part of the Made in Tatarstan exhibition, will be shown aircraft and helicopters manufactured by Rostec enterprises. In particular, the Mi-171A3 helicopter in the Aurus configuration, the modernized Ansat with an ambulance module, the Mi-38 in a business configuration, and the Tu-214 civil airliner will be on display.

    First Deputy Head of UAC, Managing Director of JSC Tupolev Konstantin Timofeev reported to Denis Manturov on the modernization of the Kazan Aircraft Plant and the prospects for increasing the production of Tu-214 aircraft. Large-scale construction and reconstruction work at the enterprise is planned to be completed by the end of 2026. The process of constructing new and modernizing existing production buildings, a flight test base and a number of other facilities is currently underway.

    “Of the 24 planned facilities, nine have already been commissioned, 15 facilities are at various stages of readiness. With the commissioning of all planned facilities, the enterprise will significantly reduce the production time. The new premises and equipment will allow us to begin serial production of civil aircraft and ensure the construction of 20 Tu-214 aircraft per year,” said Konstantin Timofeev.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister also inspected high-tech equipment for manufacturing large-sized parts, recently launched at the Kazan Aviation Plant. The new product was developed and manufactured by specialists from the STAN holding company of the Rostec state corporation. The Russian portal 5-axis milling machining center with a vacuum table will make it possible to manufacture components from aluminum alloys, including wing parts with a maximum size of up to 24 meters. At the same time, the time required to complete individual stages of the production cycle will be reduced several times. In 2025, the aircraft plant plans to commission another similar machine.

    In addition, the First Deputy Prime Minister, accompanied by the Director General of the Kazan Helicopter Plant Nikolay Yakovlev, inspected the main production workshops of the enterprise. The site produces helicopters of the Mi-8/17 family, multi-purpose Mi-38 and light Ansat helicopters. Denis Manturov also inspected a prototype of the light single-engine Mi-34M1 helicopter, equipped with a VK-650 engine, which took to the air for the first time last week, and spoke with test pilot Sergei Barkov.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister got acquainted with the progress of a major modernization of the helicopter manufacturing enterprise. He inspected the mechanical assembly production building under construction, visited the new building of the final assembly shop and the hangar of the flight test complex. There, Denis Manturov was shown the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters and the latest multi-purpose Mi-38, and was also informed about the status of the import-substituting Ansat program. At the moment, all foreign components of the control system and autopilot have been replaced with domestic ones, and Russian VK-650V engines manufactured by the United Engine Corporation (part of Rostec) have been installed. Preparations are currently underway for ground checks of the aircraft, which will be followed by flight tests of the Ansat with the new engines. The first flight is planned to be completed before the end of this year.

    In addition, a program to modernize the helicopter is being implemented in parallel – increasing its takeoff weight and installing an anti-icing system. The flight range will also increase to 640 km (up to 800 km with an additional fuel tank).

    The Deputy Prime Minister inspected the Mi-171A3 in its latest Aurus modification, created specifically for business transportation. In this version, the helicopter can carry up to ten passengers, its cabin includes everything necessary for a comfortable flight over long distances. This helicopter is a successful example of expanding interplant cooperation. The Kazan Helicopter Plant manufactures the cargo floor and propeller blades. The Far Eastern enterprise AAK Progress manufactures composite elements – the pilot’s cabin and side panels of the fuselage, the production of other elements and final assembly is carried out at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.

    Denis Manturov was also shown the newest Production and Training Center (PTC). This unique industrial and educational complex will train up to 3.5 thousand highly qualified multi-specialists per year. Classes have already begun here for students and plant employees, who are simultaneously receiving several in-demand professions. Educational programs have been developed for the center in eight areas and 38 professions. The emphasis in training is on practice, which takes up to 70% of the training time. For this purpose, the PTC has 15 production sites, 12 laboratories and 21 classrooms.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/53074/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva’s Statement on the Review of Charges and the Surcharge Policy

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 11, 2024

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded today the Review of Charges and the Surcharge Policy.[1] Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, issued the following statement.

    “In a challenging global environment and at a time of high interest rates, our membership has reached consensus on a comprehensive package that substantially reduces the cost of borrowing, while safeguarding the IMF’s financial capacity to support countries in need.”

    “The approved measures will lower IMF borrowing costs for members by 36 percent, or about US$1.2 billion annually. The expected number of countries subject to surcharges in fiscal year 2026 will fall from 20 to 13.”

    “This is achieved by reducing the margin over the SDR interest rate, raising the threshold for level-based surcharges, lowering the rate for time-based surcharges, and increasing the thresholds for commitment fees. The approved package will take effect on November 1, 2024.” 

    “While substantially lowered, charges and surcharges remain an essential part of the IMF’s cooperative lending and risk management framework, where all members contribute and all can benefit from support when needed. Together, charges and surcharges cover lending intermediation expenses, help accumulate reserves to protect against financial risks, and provide incentives for prudent borrowing. This provides a strong financial foundation that allows the IMF to extend vital balance of payments support on affordable terms to member countries when they need it most.”

    “This reform helps ensure that the IMF can continue serving our members in a changing world.”

    Link to FAQs

    [1] Charges and surcharges do not apply to borrowing from the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, under which low-income members receive financial support on concessional terms.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Camila Perez

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/11/pr-24368-imf-md-kristalina-georgieva-statement-on-the-review-of-charges-and-surcharge-policy

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Türkiye

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 11, 2024

    Washington, DC: On September 27, 2024, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Türkiye.

    A decisive shift in economic policies over the past year has tightened Türkiye’s overall policy stance. The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) has brought the ex ante real policy rate into positive territory while reducing regulatory complexity. Tax and expenditure measures underpin efforts to restore fiscal prudence and the commitment to stronger incomes policies has strengthened credibility.

    The policy turnaround has reduced economic imbalances and revived confidence. Headline inflation has fallen as tighter financial conditions are weighing on domestic demand. Market sentiment has sharply improved, with domestic and foreign investors shifting into lira-denominated assets while lower commodity prices, buoyant exports, and reduced gold imports have strengthened the current account, supporting a large improvement in both the gross and net reserves position. The financial and corporate sectors appear to have weathered the policy tightening and financial liberalization so far. Credit default swaps (CDS) spreads are now at about half their mid-2023 levels.

    Under the authorities’ gradual policy adjustment, inflation is expected to further decline. Contractionary ex ante real policy rates, moderating wage growth, and more contractionary fiscal policy in 2025 are expected to reduce inflation to 43 percent this year and 24 percent in end-2025. After a strong first quarter, growth has weakened and is expected to fall to 3 percent in 2024 and 2.7 percent in 2025, recovering toward 4 percent in the medium term. Disinflation and improved confidence will support a narrowing of the current account deficit to about 2 percent of GDP and reserves to around 100 percent of the IMF’s adequacy metric.

    Risks around the baseline are significant and tilted to the downside. They include stronger-than-expected wage and price inertia, a reversal of capital flows, higher global energy prices, and escalating geopolitical tensions. Significant financial and external vulnerabilities remain. The authorities’ gradual approach to fighting inflation prolongs the period during which risks might occur.

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    The Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They commended the authorities for the decisive policy tightening since mid-2023, which has helped to significantly reduce macroeconomic imbalances and risks. However, with inflationary pressures still high, and significant downside risks, they urged the authorities to press ahead with coordinated fiscal, monetary, and incomes policies to anchor inflationary expectations and entrench macroeconomic stability.

    While noting sustainable public debt levels, Directors recommended a larger and more frontloaded fiscal consolidation to support disinflation efforts and further strengthen buffers. They supported strengthening tax administration, rationalizing tax expenditures, broadening the tax base, energy subsidy reform, limiting capital spending to essential projects, and enhancing risk monitoring while protecting earthquake related spending. Directors also urged further efforts to address fiscal risks arising from contingent liabilities in state owned enterprises, public private partnerships, and pension costs.

    While noting the challenges, Directors considered that phasing out backward looking indexation and shifting toward setting wages in line with inflation expectations could significantly help reduce inflation.

    Directors called for continued tight, data dependent monetary policy until inflation converges to target levels. They agreed that the central bank should stand ready to tighten further if needed to ensure that the path of disinflation stays on track. Directors highlighted that further strengthening the monetary transmission mechanism and central bank independence and communication would enhance policy credibility.

    Directors encouraged foreign exchange intervention to focus on smoothing potentially destabilizing exchange rate movements that could dislodge inflation expectations, and to be scaled back as inflation recedes. They highlighted the need to effectively manage volatile capital flows and agreed that capital flow measures should be discontinued gradually as FX liquidity risk and inflation recede.

    Directors underscored the importance of ongoing vigilance and further reforms to maintain financial stability. They supported continued implementation of the 2023 FSAP recommendations and efforts to align the supervisory and regulatory framework with Basel III standards. Directors commended the authorities for recent improvements to the AML/CFT framework and exit from the FATF grey list, while noting that further progress was needed, including to mitigate virtual assets risks.

    Directors called for advancing structural reforms to achieve more inclusive, greener, and higher medium-term growth. Further energy and labor market reforms, including to boost female participation, remain important priorities.

    Türkiye: Selected Economic Indicators, 2019−29

    Population (2023): 85.4 million

    Per capita GDP (2023): US$13,243

    Quota: SDR 4,658.6 million
     

    2019

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

     

    Proj.

    Real sector

    (Percent)

    Real GDP growth rate

    0.8

    1.9

    11.4

    5.5

    5.1

    3.0

    2.7

    3.2

    3.4

    3.7

    3.9

    Contributions to real GDP growth

    Private consumption

    0.9

    1.9

    9.2

    11.7

    9.5

    1.1

    0.3

    1.9

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    Public consumption

    0.5

    0.3

    0.4

    0.6

    0.3

    0.4

    0.5

    0.5

    0.4

    0.5

    0.4

    Investment (incl. inventories)

    -3.0

    4.8

    -3.2

    -7.5

    -1.6

    0.6

    2.6

    1.1

    1.2

    1.6

    1.7

    Net exports

    2.4

    -5.2

    5.0

    0.7

    -3.1

    0.9

    -0.6

    -0.2

    -0.2

    -0.3

    -0.2

    Output gap

    -2.1

    -4.6

    1.1

    1.5

    1.9

    0.7

    -0.3

    -0.5

    -0.5

    -0.2

    0.0

    GDP deflator growth rate

    13.9

    14.8

    29.0

    96.0

    68.2

    60.0

    31.4

    20.4

    16.6

    15.3

    15.2

    Inflation (period-average)

    15.2

    12.3

    19.6

    72.3

    53.9

    60.9

    33.0

    19.2

    16.0

    15.0

    15.0

    Inflation (end-year)

    11.8

    14.6

    36.1

    64.3

    64.8

    43.0

    24.0

    17.2

    15.3

    15.0

    15.0

    Unemployment rate

    13.7

    13.1

    12.0

    10.4

    9.4

    9.3

    9.9

    9.6

    9.5

    9.3

    9.2

    Fiscal sector

    (Percent of GDP)

    Nonfinancial public sector overall balance

    -5.0

    -4.7

    -3.0

    -2.7

    -5.4

    -5.3

    -3.7

    -3.1

    -3.2

    -3.1

    -3.1

    General government overall balance (headline) 1/

    -3.0

    -4.0

    -2.6

    -0.8

    -5.2

    -5.3

    -3.5

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    General government gross debt (EU definition)

    32.4

    39.4

    40.4

    30.8

    29.3

    25.2

    26.0

    26.0

    26.0

    25.9

    25.6

    External sector

    (Percent of GDP)

    Current account balance

    2.0

    -4.3

    -0.8

    -5.1

    -4.0

    -2.2

    -2.1

    -2.0

    -1.9

    -1.9

    -1.9

    Gross external debt

    54.5

    59.8

    53.9

    50.5

    45.2

    41.3

    39.8

    40.9

    40.4

    39.9

    39.3

    Gross financing requirement

    18.0

    24.8

    21.0

    22.9

    21.2

    19.1

    20.0

    20.5

    20.1

    20.0

    19.8

    Monetary conditions (Percent)

    Real average cost of CBRT funding to banks

    5.4

    -1.7

    -1.9

    -59.4

    -35.4

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Growth of broad money (M2)

    27.3

    33.9

    53.0

    59.2

    70.1

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Growth of credit to private sector

    10.9

    34.7

    37.0

    54.7

    54.0

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Sources: Turkish authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Headline (or authorities’ definition), which includes items excluded from the IMF ‘program’ definition.

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing ups can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm .

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Eva-Maria Graf

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/11/pr-24369-turkiye-imf-executive-board-concludes-2024-aiv-consultation

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  • MIL-OSI Translation: 16/10/2024 There would be no economic miracle without the spirit of Polish entrepreneurship

    MIL AXIS Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Prime Minister Donald Tusk participated in the Forum for New Ideas in Sopot, and discussed the history of Europe in Europe. This includes climate change, digital transformation, sustainable development and social innovation. According to the head of government, ensuring security and cheap, renewable energy will be key to Poland’s development. This will allow the spirit of Polish entrepreneurship, which has been the engine of economic growth in our country for 35 years, to continue to operate. The paramount role of energy security

    Currently, Poland’s voice in the EU on security matters, including energy security, is listened to by European leaders with the utmost attention.

    Today, no one questions that Poland’s voice regarding energy sovereignty was the voice of reason and strategic and geopolitical imagination.

    – said the Prime Minister to the participants of the European Forum for New Ideas.

    Donald Tusk thanked his predecessors, former Prime Ministers: Jerzy Buzek, Jan Krzysztof Bielecki and Waldemar Pawlak, who were present at the conference. Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek played a special role here, as he was the first to promote the idea of an energy union in the EU, or of Europe’s independence from uncertain and politically determined energy supplies.

    Entrepreneurial spirit – the engine of the Polish economic miracle

    As the Prime Minister pointed out, there would be no economic miracle in our country without the most important engine, which is the spirit of Polish entrepreneurship and the energy of people.

    The condition for the transformation phenomenon and the economic miracle that is happening and is happening before the eyes of the world was the regaining of freedom, building a state of law and searching for Poland’s place in the European community.

    – noted the head of government.

    This independence rebellion and great national solidarity were transformed into modern thinking that took into account values such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and freedom.

    In this context, Donald Tusk mentioned the role of Leszek Balcerowicz, the author of the economic and political reform programme at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s.

    It is worth remembering that the creators of Polish independence and economic success were also those who today are paying a high price for it personally – and this is where their greatness lies.

    – said the head of government.

    A key role in building the foundations of a free Poland was also played by ordinary Polish entrepreneurs. According to the head of government, they are the ones who have the right to feel special satisfaction today, if the world says that Poland is one of the best places to invest.

    Renewable energy is a chance for Poland

    As the Prime Minister pointed out in Sopot, the development of renewable energy, i.e. modern wind turbines, is an undertaking that may decide on access to cheaper energy. This in turn is a key issue for consumers and entrepreneurs.

    The new wind turbines, built at sea, will ultimately generate a potential energy capacity of 18 gigawatts. This is 4 times more power than the planned nuclear power plant in Pomerania.

    – emphasized Donald Tusk.

    As he explained, Poland also needs the development of modern transmission networks. Hence the government’s decision to invest PLN 70 billion in the sector over the next decade.

    Another important issue will be the modernization of the windmills themselves.

    There is no need to build too many new windmills on the ground, since replacing the turbine with a modern one will give a 400-500 percent increase in the power of such a windmill

    – explained the Prime Minister.

    Another key energy investment will be the construction of nuclear power plants in Poland.

    The role of social dialogue

    The proper development of Poland also requires the existence of true social dialogue.

    I really want the dialogue between the executive power and entrepreneurs, managers and organizers of economic life to be real and not fake.

    – emphasized the head of government.

    He declared that he was open to all proposals. As an example, he pointed to the issue of migration.

    How to find the perfect balance between security, regaining control over borders, and a safe labor market

    – said the Prime Minister.

    As he explained, well-programmed migration, as a safeguard for the labour market in Poland, cannot rely on people who do not have qualifications coming to our country without any controls.

    The government will continue to work for Poland

    Referring to the anniversary of the October 15 elections, Donald Tusk pointed out that emotions and differences of opinion may always occur in the government, but that this will not prevent the cabinet from functioning efficiently.

    I want to say that the October 15 coalition, which thanks to millions of voters today has the honour of working in the government, this coalition – regardless of the circumstances – will implement its programme in solidarity, loyalty and determination.

    – assured the Prime Minister.

    The European Forum for New Ideas is an annual international conference held in Sopot. The conference promotes dialogue on the future of work, resource management and the role of enterprises in responsible development. It brings together leaders from various sectors, such as business, politics, science and non-governmental organizations. The forum attracts participants from all over Europe and beyond. It is organized by the Lewiatan Confederation.

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    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

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