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Category: Russia

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Five buildings with cinemas have been renovated in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow’s infrastructure is diverse, each district has everything necessary for life and leisure. Residential buildings house various organizations – from shops and pharmacies to libraries.

    Residential buildings deserve special attention, during the construction of which architects and engineers provided special space for cinemas. In Soviet times, they were most often located on the ground floors of buildings. This approach made it possible to bring cinemas closer to city residents and create cultural centers in residential areas. They can be found especially often in buildings erected in the neoclassical style. During the implementation of the capital’s capital repair program, specialists from the Moscow City Services Complex put five buildings with cinemas in order.

    Over the past 10 years, 53 buildings with Soviet symbols on their facades have been overhauled in the capital

    Bas-reliefs, pilasters and keystones on Kostyakov Street

    The residential building on Kostyakov Street (building 10), which houses the operating Iskra cinema, was built in 1939 according to an individual project in the style of Soviet neoclassicism. The house, which has a complex plan, is a striking example of pre-war Soviet architecture. You can enter the courtyard from the side or through the central arch. The three lower floors are rusticated, the upper ones are decorated with pilasters and bas-reliefs, some of the window spaces are emphasized by architraves and keystones. On the main facade, at the level of the third to fifth floors, there are decorative porticoes. Between the fifth and sixth floors, there is a wide multi-profile cornice. The courtyard facades are made in a more laconic style with standard windows. The stained glass windows of the stairwells are decorated with multi-level portals. Along the perimeter of the house, there is a massive crowning cornice with dentils.

    In 2023, specialists renovated the facade of the house, carefully preserving the decorative elements. The main task that they faced was to update the structure, as well as restore the stucco decor and architectural elements of the building. First, the craftsmen cleaned and washed the surfaces. Then they sealed the cracks with a special construction compound and treated the wet areas with an antifungal and strengthening agent. At the next stage, they put in order the plaster layer, the rustication of the lower floors and restored the architectural elements using modern technologies. After that, the facade was painted, preserving the historical color scheme for the decorative elements in the colors “peanut cream” and “brown champignon”.

    Much attention was paid to the balconies: specialists restored the slabs and laid new flooring. In addition, they cleaned and painted not only the walls, but also the base, external window and door slopes, replaced the ebbs and drainpipes, and tidied up the entrance groups.

    Sandriks, capitals and columns on Kutuzovsky Prospect

    The residential building on Kutuzovsky Prospekt (building 30) was built in 1953 according to an individual project. In the 1950s, it housed a two-hall cinema famous throughout the Dorogomilovo district. Each hall had 100 seats. This house with a colonnade on the upper tier, a balustrade and pinnacles is a striking example of late Soviet neoclassicism. The building consists of several volumes of different numbers of storeys – from seven to 11 storeys. Due to the configuration of the house, an internal courtyard is formed in the plan. In the corner parts of the facade, through arched passages are located in pairs, highlighted by framing and niches. The street facades are faced with ceramic blocks and painted, have complex plasticity: decorated with cornices, pilasters with bas-reliefs, architraves, flower beds and portals of entrance groups.

    In 2024, the building underwent major repairs. The facade and roof of the building were completely repaired, and a number of engineering systems were replaced. In order to return the large neoclassical building to its original beauty, specialists from the Capital Repairs Fund developed a special project, selected the appropriate modern technologies and materials.

    Work on the facade began with clearing and washing the exposed surfaces, as well as pointing the seams. Antifungal protection was applied to the surfaces in wet areas. All architectural elements that required additional fragmentation and restoration of lost parts were carefully restored by the craftsmen. These included cornices, pilasters with bas-reliefs and pinnacles at the top of the building. Specialists paid special attention to the colonnades located on the upper tier at the corners of the house. The facade and other external surfaces from the inside of the house were painted according to the color scheme in the color “light yellow wheat”. Decorative elements such as sandriks, capitals, bases of columns and pilasters were updated – they acquired a gray-beige color.

    The specialists restored the balconies, including the balcony slabs with caissons, and installed new screens. In addition, they repaired the flower beds on the facade and put the entrance groups in order. They also updated the base of the building. The roof was repaired – the roofing was replaced, the rafter system was put in order. The attic spaces were insulated with mineral wool slabs, which have high thermal insulation, all wooden structures were treated with a fire-retardant composition. The drainage lines were also replaced.

    Columns, interfloor belts and architraves on Marshal Rybalko Street

    This year, work on transforming residential buildings continues. Currently, specialists from the capital repair fund are putting in order a residential building on Marshal Rybalko Street (building 1), which houses the operating chamber cinema “Yunost” with two halls.

    The five-story apartment building was built in 1955 according to a standard series project; its plan is L-shaped. The facades, made of brick, have simple plasticity with decorative elements. There is a crowning cornice along the perimeter of the building. The three lower floors are separated from the upper part by interfloor belts. The main facades are decorated with architraves and bas-reliefs. On the courtyard facades, the entrance groups are separated by vestibules.

    Specialists have already started work on renovating the facade, basement and roof of the building. They first cleared the open surfaces of the facade and renovated the brickwork. Wet areas were treated with antifungal compounds. Later, the facade will be hydrophobized – covered with an invisible film that will protect it from the effects of precipitation for many years.

    The craftsmen are treating the wooden structures with a fire-bioprotective compound. They are also laying a new electrical network, central heating and water drainage lines. Work is planned on the cold water supply risers, water drainage and central heating. The cold water supply lines have already been replaced.

    The specialists will also put in order the decorative elements on the building: fluted columns, interfloor belts, architraves and the crowning cornice. According to the color scheme, these elements will be in the shade of “brick red”. They will repair the entrance groups, the base and the blind area, and install doors. In addition, they will replace the ebbs and renew the slopes, hang a new external drainage system. They will also replace the sheathing and roof covering of the pitched roof and establish the temperature and humidity conditions in the attic spaces.

    The Moscow City Services Complex noted that the regional housing stock capital repairs program being implemented in the capital is in line with the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155768073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 291 outpatient clinic buildings have been reconstructed in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the capital, 291 polyclinic buildings have been reconstructed according to a single Moscow standard.

    More than eight million patients are already receiving medical care in the renovated institutions, the press service reported. Moscow City Health Department.

    “The capital continues a large-scale renovation of the outpatient sector. There are already 291 polyclinic buildings operating under the new standard — they have become lighter, more spacious and more convenient for patients. In total, since the opening of the renovated buildings, doctors have conducted over 140 million appointments. More than eight million residents of the capital receive medical care in them, and this figure continues to grow. This indicates the high level of trust Muscovites have in the reconstruction program under the new standard. We are doing everything to ensure that the entire outpatient fund of Moscow meets modern requirements: is comfortable and technologically advanced,” the press service of the capital’s Department of Healthcare reported.

    During the modernization of polyclinics, the equipment of laboratories, ophthalmology and physiotherapy rooms is updated, equipment for ENT, endoscopy and general therapy is installed. In addition, the buildings are equipped with electronic queue screens, air disinfection systems, refrigerators for storing drugs and other necessary devices.

    “During major repairs, we also provide medical institutions with power supply according to the second reliability category. This means that in the event of a technological failure on one line, the voltage will be automatically supplied through the backup line. In addition to modernizing the buildings themselves, we also improve the adjacent territories: we separate pedestrian and transport flows, where possible, we create places for short-term rest, update the lighting system, install new or replace old fences, and adapt the spaces to the needs of people with disabilities. In addition, we install navigation elements. We additionally green the territory with hypoallergenic plants,” the press service noted.

    Department of Capital Repairs of the City of Moscow.

    The branches of the polyclinics have mammographs, X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, and functional diagnostics equipment. The main buildings are additionally equipped with bicycle ergometry machines, MRI, CT, expert-class ultrasound machines, densitometers (devices for examining bone tissue), and endoscopic equipment.

    The premises are zoned in such a way as to reduce the likelihood of queues and make the wait for an appointment as comfortable as possible. The most popular offices are located on the lower floors, while less visited and administrative ones are on the upper floors. Patients are provided with comfortable waiting areas with air conditioners, coolers with drinking water, TVs and soft sofas. And for employees, there are rest rooms and psychological relief rooms, modern dressing rooms with showers and professional development rooms.

    The modernization of the outpatient sector in Moscow began in 2020. During the first stage of the program, more than 200 buildings were reconstructed. The second stage, which began in 2023, provides for the renovation of almost 140 clinics. The implementation of the program and the construction of new institutions will completely update the capital’s outpatient fund.

    Over 660 units of new heavy equipment delivered to renovated Moscow clinics

    The project is in line with the goals and objectives of the Moscow healthcare development strategy until 2030 and is aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of medical care for residents of the capital.

    Quickly find out the main news of the capital in official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155798073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Press conference dedicated to the 11th China-Russia Border Culture Festival held in Tongjiang

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — A press conference on the 11th China-Russia Border Culture Festival was held in Tongjiang City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, to actively promote the Belt and Road Initiative and the theme of China-Russia Cross-Cultural Years exchanges. The event aims to deeply unleash the potential of cultural, sports and trade cooperation between China and Russia, and comprehensively showcase Tongjiang’s tourism resources, cultural characteristics and development achievements.

    Speaking at a press conference, Zhang Zhimei, Director of the Tongjiang Department of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism, said that the city will host the 11th China-Russia Border Culture Festival from June to August 2025. The festival will showcase Tongjiang’s advantages through four thematic blocks: “Government-business meetings to promote cooperation”, “Cultural dialogue to deepen exchanges”, “Trade synergy for industrial prosperity” and “Sports and tourism integration in a dynamic borderland”, including 24 key events.

    The city has developed 6 tourist routes and a series of thematic products for deep immersion in the unique atmosphere of the borderland. 29 cultural and tourist sites have been modernized, 50 new photo zones have been created, and the landscaping of a 5-kilometer section of the picturesque border route and 22 adjacent villages has been completed. Particular attention is paid to the development of cross-border tourism, educational tours and other new directions, guaranteeing guests a safe and rich vacation.

    Representatives of city departments answered questions from journalists and Internet users regarding the presentation of city attractions, the organization of unique events, the development of cross-border tourism and the modernization of tourist facilities. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Profound changes are taking place in the international trade and economic landscape, says China’s Premier

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TIANJIN, June 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that the international economic and trade landscape is undergoing profound changes.

    Li Qiang made the remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 16th annual meeting of emerging global leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Summer Davos”, in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Calls for Constructive Actions in Global Trade and Economic Cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TIANJIN, June 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called on the international community to take more constructive actions in global economic and trade cooperation.

    Li Qiang made the remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum’s 16th annual meeting of emerging global leaders, also known as “Summer Davos,” in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Ready to Share Its Original Technologies and Innovative Scenarios with the World — Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TIANJIN, June 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Wednesday that China is willing to share its original technologies and innovative scenarios with the world.

    Li Qiang made the remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 16th annual meeting of emerging global leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Summer Davos”, in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Finland Completes Second Section of Fence on Russian Border – Media

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    HELSINKI, June 25 (Xinhua) — Finland has completed the second section of the fence on its eastern border with Russia, Finnish broadcaster Yle reported on Tuesday, citing the Finnish Border Guard.

    The newly constructed section is reportedly located in the Kainuu area and consists of eight segments, approximately 18 km long. The first 35-kilometer section was previously completed.

    Finland’s parliament approved the fence project in 2022, with plans to eventually cover about 200km of the country’s 1,300km border with Russia. Construction began in 2023, with each section including a steel lattice, a service road, a cleared buffer zone and a technical surveillance system.

    The Kainuu section has been technologically upgraded compared to the original pilot segment built near the southeastern city of Imatra. According to Yle, these upgrades include an artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance system that can differentiate between people and animals to reduce false alarms, and a loudspeaker system that allows remote communication with people near the fence.

    Meanwhile, all land checkpoints between Finland and Russia have been closed since December 2023 in accordance with a series of government decisions. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Delivers Speech at Summer Davos Opening Ceremony

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TIANJIN, June 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 16th Annual Meeting of Emerging Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Summer Davos,” in the north Chinese metropolis of Tianjin on Wednesday.

    The event, titled “Entrepreneurial Spirit for a New Era,” is being held from June 24 to 26 and is bringing together more than 1,700 leading figures from over 90 countries and regions to discuss issues such as stimulating the entrepreneurial spirit and harnessing new technologies to unleash new momentum for global growth. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Visa-free agreement between China and Azerbaijan to enter into force on July 16

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on mutual visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports will enter into force on July 16, 2025, the Consular Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

    According to the agreement, citizens holding valid ordinary passports of China and Azerbaijan are exempt from visas when entering, exiting or transiting through the territory of the other country, provided that the duration of each continuous stay does not exceed 30 days, and the total duration of stay during each 180 days does not exceed 90 days.

    To stay in China or Azerbaijan for more than 30 days, permanently reside, or carry out activities that require prior permission from the competent authorities of the host country, in particular work, study, journalistic work, etc., it is necessary to obtain the appropriate visa before entry.

    In April of this year, during the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to China, the governments of the two countries officially signed an Agreement on the mutual abolition of visas for holders of ordinary passports. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Article IV Consultation and Second Review of the Policy Coordination Instrument with Tajikistan

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 24, 2025

    • Tajikistan’s strong growth performance has continued into 2025, accompanied by well-contained inflation, a favorable external position and a further reduction in public debt to GDP.
    • Tajikistan’s favorable economic performance creates an opportunity to implement needed reforms to address structural vulnerabilities and support domestic job creation. Broad-based governance and transparency reforms are key to strengthening the business climate to foster more diversified private sector-led growth.
    • The Second Review under the Policy Coordination Instrument with Tajikistan was completed, with all but one of the quantitative targets for the second review met and the reform targets broadly implemented.

    Washington, DC – The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the 2025 Article IV Consultation1 and the Second Review of the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI)2 with Tajikistan on June 23, 2025. The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for this consultation.3

    Tajikistan’s twenty-two-month program under the PCI was approved in February 2024. The PCI aims to anchor macroeconomic policies and support structural reform implementation to maintain macro-financial stability and foster more sustainable and inclusive growth. Program implementation remains broadly on track, with all but one of the quantitative targets for the second review met and the reform targets broadly implemented.

    Tajikistan’s strong growth performance has continued into 2025, accompanied by a steady improvement in macroeconomic fundamentals. Large financial inflows have contributed to a favorable external position, with FX reserves amounting to 7 months’ import coverage, while prudent fiscal policy has anchored a continued reduction in public debt to 25 percent of GDP at end-2024. Inflation remains well-contained at 3.6 percent (y/y) in April 2025. The near-term outlook remains positive, but subject to considerable regional uncertainty that could result in a less favorable external environment.

    Tajikistan’s favorable economic performance creates an opportunity to implement needed reforms to address structural vulnerabilities and support domestic job creation. Improving revenue mobilization and spending efficiency is critical to increasing space for development priorities. Monetary policy should remain vigilant and manage liquidity proactively in the context of large foreign exchange inflows and strong credit growth. Broad-based governance and transparency reforms are key to strengthening the business climate to foster more diversified private sector-led growth. 

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Okamura, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

    “Tajikistan’s strong growth performance in recent years has continued into 2025, accompanied by a steady improvement in macroeconomic fundamentals. Large financial inflows have contributed to a favorable external position, while prudent fiscal policy has anchored a continued reduction in public debt. The medium-term outlook remains positive, but subject to considerable regional uncertainty that could result in a less favorable external environment. 

    “The authorities’ economic program under the Policy Coordination Instrument focuses on policies to anchor macroeconomic stability and strengthen resilience against shocks while advancing governance reforms to foster more diversified and inclusive growth. Program implementation remains broadly on track, with most of the quantitative targets for the second review met and the reform targets broadly implemented. 

    “The fiscal deficit target of 2.5 percent of GDP remains an important anchor to keep public debt on a favorable medium-term trajectory. Improved revenue mobilization and spending efficiency are key to increasing fiscal space for social and development projects. The authorities have taken steps to strengthen oversight of state-owned enterprises, but greater efforts are needed to reduce quasi-fiscal losses in the electricity sector. 

    “Inflation remains well contained, but strong credit growth in the context of large financial inflows requires continued vigilance. Greater exchange rate flexibility and proactive liquidity management are essential to help manage financial inflows. The banking system has strengthened its balance sheet in recent years, supporting financial deepening, but strong lending to households warrants careful oversight to ensure prudent lending standards.

    “Tajikistan’s favorable economic performance creates an opportunity to deepen reforms to address structural vulnerabilities and support domestic job creation. Broad-based governance and transparency reforms are key to foster more diversified private sector-led growth. Reform efforts should focus on enhancing anti-corruption frameworks, improving extractive sector transparency, and strengthening institutional oversight.

    Executive Board Assessment4

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Tajikistan’s continued strong economic performance and positive medium‑term outlook. At the same time, amid considerable regional and global uncertainty, the country remains vulnerable to a less favorable external environment, given its reliance on remittances and narrow export base. Against this background, Directors stressed that Tajikistan’s favorable economic performance creates an opportunity to deepen reforms under the PCI to support job creation and improve resilience.

    Directors welcomed the authorities’ commitment to a fiscal deficit anchor of 2.5 percent of GDP to keep public debt on a favorable medium‑term trajectory. They noted that improved revenue mobilization and spending efficiency are key to building buffers and increasing fiscal space for social and development projects. In that context, Directors encouraged the authorities to streamline tax expenditures, strengthen project oversight to enhance the efficiency of public investment, and improve targeting of social assistance. Directors welcomed the authorities’ efforts to develop the domestic debt market and expand the investor base to further deepen the market. 

    Directors noted that inflation remains well contained but cautioned that strong credit growth in the context of large financial inflows requires continued vigilance. Stressing the importance of exchange rate flexibility and proactive liquidity management to help manage these inflows, they encouraged continued efforts to deepen the FX market and strengthen liquidity absorption and monetary policy transmission. Directors also emphasized that strong lending to households warrants careful macroprudential oversight and sound financial sector regulation and supervision. 

    Directors welcomed the authorities’ focus on improved transparency and governance of state‑owned enterprises and noted recent steps to strengthen financial oversight and monitor fiscal risks. While welcoming the corrective measures to address the sizeable accumulation of arrears of the public electricity company, Directors emphasized that greater efforts are needed to improve collection rates for the largest electricity consumers and cost controls to strengthen its financial performance and reduce quasi‑fiscal losses. 

    Directors emphasized the importance of broad‑based governance and transparency reforms to foster more diversified private sector‑led growth. They welcomed the authorities’ focus on strengthening the investment climate and noted that reform efforts should continue to focus on enhancing anti‑corruption and AML/CFT frameworks, improving extractive sector transparency, and strengthening institutional oversight. It will also be important to close data quality gaps.

    It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with Tajikistan will be held on the current 24‑month cycle.

     

     

    Tajikistan: Selected Economic Indicators, 2023–2030

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

     

     

     

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

     

     

    National Accounts

    (percent change)

    Real GDP

    8.3

    8.4

    7.0

    5.0

    4.8

    4.5

    4.5

    4.5

    CPI inflation (end-period)

    3.8

    3.7

    4.5

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    General government finances

    (percent of GDP)

    Revenue and grants

    27.1

    27.9

    28.0

    28.0

    28.2

    27.5

    27.5

    27.5

    Tax revenue

    19.4

    19.0

    19.4

    19.8

    20.1

    20.9

    21.2

    21.4

    Expenditure and net lending

    28.0

    27.7

    30.5

    30.5

    30.7

    30.0

    30.0

    30.0

    Current

    16.7

    17.3

    17.2

    16.8

    16.5

    16.3

    16.3

    16.4

    Capital

    11.4

    10.4

    13.3

    13.7

    14.2

    13.7

    13.6

    13.6

    Overall balance

    -0.9

    0.3

    -2.5

    -2.5

    -2.5

    -2.5

    -2.5

    -2.5

    Total public and publicly guaranteed debt

    29.9

    24.9

    24.7

    24.8

    24.8

    25.6

    26.3

    26.9

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Monetary sector

    (percent change, unless otherwise indicated)

    Broad money

    -0.8

    28.8

    17.0

    11.3

    11.3

    11.3

    11.3

    11.3

    Reserve money

    -5.6

    27.0

    18.2

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    Credit to private sector

    31.9

    27.4

    15.0

    12.0

    11.0

    10.0

    10.4

    10.0

    Refinancing rate (percent, eop)

    10.0

    9.0

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    External sector

    (percent of GDP)

    Current account balance

    4.8

    6.2

    2.5

    -0.5

    -1.9

    -2.6

    -2.2

    -2.4

    Trade balance (goods)

    -27.2

    -31.8

    -30.5

    -30.6

    -30.1

    -30.4

    -29.9

    -29.8

    FDI (net)

    0.8

    1.3

    1.3

    1.3

    1.3

    1.3

    1.3

    1.3

    Total public and publicly guaranteed external debt

    26.7

    22.3

    22.2

    22.4

    22.5

    23.1

    23.7

    24.2

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Sources: Data provided by the Tajikistan authorities, and Fund staff estimates. 

    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 The PCI is available to all IMF members that do not need Fund financial resources at the time of approval. It is designed for countries seeking to demonstrate commitment to a reform agenda or to unlock and coordinate financing from other official creditors or privateinvestors. (see https://www.imf.org/en/About/Factsheets/Sheets/2017/07/25/policy-coordination-instrument).

    3 Under the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, publication of documents that pertain to member countries is voluntary and requires the member consent. The staff report will be shortly published on the www.imf.org/Tajikistan page.

    4 At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chair 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 summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/25/pr-25216-tajikistan-2025-article-iv-consultation-and-second-review-of-the-pci

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Vietnam

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 24, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • Vietnam’s economy started 2025 strongly, with 6.9% year-on-year growth in the first
    • quarter. However, the outlook is more challenging amid global trade tensions and high uncertainty.
    • There is room for greater support by fiscal policy to cushion the impact of global shocks if needed. Allowing more flexibility in the exchange rate and strengthening the financial system will be important.
    • Implementation of the ambitious reform agenda encompassing institutional overhauls, private sector strengthening, and infrastructure improvements present an opportunity to raise medium-term growth. Further reforms to boost productivity, strengthen governance, and improve the business environment are also critical.

    Hanoi: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mr. Paulo Medas, held discussions for the 2025 Article IV consultation with the Vietnamese authorities from June 11-24, 2025. The team exchanged views with Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, senior officials of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the Ministry of Finance, the National Assembly, and other government agencies. It also met with representatives from the private sector, think tanks, and other stakeholders.

    At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Medas issued the following statement:

    “The Vietnamese economy rebounded strongly in 2024, growing at 7.1 percent backed by robust exports, resilient foreign direct investment (FDI), and supportive policies. This momentum continued into the first quarter of 2025, with economic activity expanding by 6.9 percent (y/y). Inflation remained contained. The current account surplus reached a record 6.6 percent of GDP in 2024.

    “The outlook is heavily dependent on the outcome of trade negotiations and is constrained by elevated global uncertainty on trade policies and economic growth. Our projections, in line with the IMF April 2025 World Economic Outlook, assumes high tariffs take effect in the third quarter. In such a scenario, economic growth is projected to slow to 5.4 percent in 2025 and decelerate further in 2026.  However, if global trade tensions subside, the economic outlook would improve significantly.

    “Downside risks are high. A further escalation in global trade tensions or a tightening of global financial conditions could weaken further exports and investment. Domestically, financial stress could re-emerge from tighter financial conditions and high corporate indebtedness. On the upside, achieving nondiscriminatory trade agreements and successfully implementing planned infrastructure and structural reforms could significantly boost medium-term growth.

    “Given the uncertain outlook, policy priorities should focus on preserving macro-financial stability while navigating economic adjustments. Fiscal policy, supported by low level of public debt, should take the lead in cushioning the near-term impact especially under downside scenarios. Accelerated implementation of public investment and strengthening social safety nets would be important.

    “Monetary policy has much more limited room and should be decisively focused on anchoring inflation expectations. Allowing the exchange rate flexibility will be critical as the economy adjusts to the external shock. Some monetary easing could be considered if global interest rates decline as expected and inflation falls. Vigilance is needed to monitor and act against inflation pressures arise, including due to external shocks. These challenges underscore the importance of modernizing the monetary policy framework to enhance its effectiveness and anchor stability, including by replacing credit growth limits with an improved prudential framework.

    “Further efforts are needed to strengthen financial sector soundness. To bolster banking system resilience, priorities include strengthening bank supervision, build liquidity and capital buffers, and further improving the bank resolution framework.

    “The government’s plans for an ambitious reform agenda are very welcome and could boost medium-term growth, but implementation will be key. The government’s focus on institutional reforms to enhance efficiency, strengthen private sector development, and plans to scale up public investment is a major step forward. It will be important to develop and implement concrete reforms to improve key infrastructure (e.g., logistics, energy), functioning of capital markets, education and training, and productivity.  To maximize the return on large investments, it is critical to strengthen public investment management and adopt a sound macro-fiscal strategy to preserve the health of public finances. Efforts to strengthen economic governance are essential, including strengthening the AML/CFT regime, and efforts in this regard are welcome. Vietnam’s rapid economic growth is outpacing the development of its economic statistics and urgent efforts are needed to close data gaps to support effective policymaking and risk management.

    “The team is grateful to the authorities for their warm hospitality and the candid and insightful discussions.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/24/pr-25214-vietnam-imf-staff-completes-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China calls on SCO member states to deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong on Tuesday called on member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to deepen practical cooperation in law enforcement and security and promote the building of a closer SCO community with a shared future.

    Wang Xiaohong made the relevant statements at the 20th meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the SCO member states, where he delivered a keynote speech. The minister noted that China is ready to make a new, even greater contribution to security and stability in the region and around the world together with all member countries.

    Wang Xiaohong recalled that the Global Security Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping advocates a new type of security path that involves dialogue instead of confrontation, partnership instead of alliances, and win-win instead of zero-sum. China stands ready to actively implement this initiative together with all member states, fully promoting the “Shanghai spirit,” the minister emphasized.

    During the meeting, Wang Xiaohong put forward a five-point proposal, calling on SCO member states to, first, adhere to genuine multilateralism and propose solutions to global problems; second, stand together in both calm and dangerous times, and avoid interference from extra-regional forces; third, focus on common concerns and strengthen regional counter-terrorism capabilities; fourth, improve cooperation mechanisms and strengthen a common platform to combat new types of transnational crime; fifth, deepen exchanges and mutual learning, generating experience for building a human security community. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mongolia and Uzbekistan signed a package of documents on cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    ULAN BATOR, June 24 (Xinhua) — Mongolia and Uzbekistan have signed a package of documents on further development of bilateral relations and cooperation, the press service of the President of Mongolia said on Tuesday.

    Documents, including a joint declaration on the establishment of comprehensive partnership relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Uzbekistan and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of mineral resources, were signed in Ulaanbaatar.

    President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, arrived in the capital of Mongolia on Tuesday afternoon for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.

    This is the first state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Mongolia since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Death toll in Iran from Israeli strikes exceeds 600 – Health Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TEHRAN, June 24 (Xinhua) — The death toll from Israeli strikes on Iranian territory over the past 12 days has reached 606, with 5,332 injured, Iranian Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi said on Tuesday.

    He said the past 24 hours had seen “the most horrific attacks and acts of aggression” by Israel since the airstrikes began on June 13, killing 104 people and wounding 1,342.

    The Israeli Health Ministry has reported 28 deaths and 3,238 wounded on the Israeli side since the start of the conflict.

    On Monday evening, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire between the two sides would go into effect on June 24 at around 04:00 GMT.

    Although Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire, within hours of it beginning both sides reported truce violations, vowing to strike back at each other. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran ready to resolve issues at negotiating table — president

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TEHRAN, June 24 (Xinhua) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that his country is ready to resolve issues within the international framework and at the negotiating table.

    According to a statement published on the website of the presidential office, M. Pezeshkian reported this during a telephone conversation with the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

    According to M. Pezeshkian, Iran expects the UAE to convey to the US that the Islamic Republic is only seeking its legitimate rights and is in no way seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

    The President stressed that the Iranian side is capable of responding to Israeli attacks, while expressing hope that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel will be maintained.

    He also expressed his country’s readiness to deepen relations with the UAE and stressed the importance of regional stability.

    “We consider the people of the UAE and other countries in the region to be our brothers and respect the territorial integrity of all states. We believe that we will be able to develop the region exclusively through stability and peace, and, of course, in the absence of foreign interference,” M. Pezeshkian said.

    The UAE President, in turn, stated that self-defense is a natural right of all states, emphasizing that Iran, the UAE and other countries in the region will always remain neighbors to each other. “We must understand how we can guarantee a better future for our peoples through bilateral relations,” Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan noted.

    He expressed the UAE’s support for Iran in the face of current challenges. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Innovation-Driven Growth Gains Momentum: Report

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — The results of innovation-driven development are becoming more evident every day, and the strategy of driving development through innovation is gaining momentum, a State Council report said Tuesday.

    Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have made remarkable progress in becoming international hubs for scientific and technological innovation, according to a report submitted by the State Council to the current session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

    In 2024, the integrated circuit industry saw rapid growth, with production increasing by 22.2 percent and its export value exceeding 1.1 trillion yuan (about 153 billion US dollars), reaching a historical high.

    The report states that new batches of high-tech domestically produced equipment have been put into operation, including high-power tractors with continuously variable transmission and large-capacity liquefied natural gas tankers.

    The report shows that China’s scientific, technological and industrial innovation are deeply integrated, and the country’s construction of a modernized industrial system is progressing at an accelerated pace.

    China has also made progress in promoting green and low-carbon development, with energy consumption per unit of GDP falling by more than 3 percent in 2024. The report emphasizes that China has created a good foundation and favorable conditions for cultivating productive forces of new quality. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Vice Premier Calls for High-Quality Development of Manufacturing Industry, Strengthening Industrial Safety

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TAIYUAN, June 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has called for promoting high-quality development of the manufacturing industry and steadily strengthening industrial safety.

    Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour of north China’s Shanxi Province from June 22 to 24.

    High-quality development of the manufacturing industry is a top priority in achieving high-quality economic development, Zhang Guoqing stressed, pointing out that it is necessary to promote scientific and technological innovation and accelerate the construction of a modernized industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the core.

    The Vice Premier of the State Council called for promoting high-tech, digital and green transformation of the manufacturing industry.

    We should cultivate and strengthen green and low-carbon industries, increase the clean and efficient use of coal, and continuously promote the high-quality development of sectors such as coal liquefaction and gasification, fine chemicals and new materials, Zhang Guoqing said.

    The Vice Premier of the State Council also called for strengthening industrial safety in coal mines, combating various illegal activities in mines, and implementing strict liability measures for ensuring industrial safety. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China calls for real ceasefire, de-escalation in Middle East: Chinese FM

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — China supports Iran’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and security and achieve a genuine ceasefire on this basis that will restore people’s normal lives and contribute to an early de-escalation of the situation in the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday.

    During the conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, said that China intends to promote the UN Security Council in fulfilling its due role and most important responsibility in maintaining world peace and security.

    Wang Yi said China hopes Iran will continue to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions, personnel and diplomatic missions in the country.

    A. Araghchi, for his part, emphasized that the dangerous actions of Israel and the United States, which attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities, are a serious violation of international law, and therefore Iran has no choice but to fight back.

    The Iranian diplomat noted that genuine negotiations can only begin after Israel stops its aggression.

    Iran wants to maintain close contacts with China and expects China to play a stronger role in easing tensions, A. Araghchi added. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chile Can Grow Faster – But it Won’t Be Like the 1990s Again

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    Faster investment approvals, greater labor force participation, public-private R&D collaboration and steps to harness critical minerals and renewable energy can support higher growth

    Many of Chile’s current socioeconomic debates—such as those related to fiscal sustainability, pension adequacy and college loans—can be attributed to the country’s growth slowdown over the past two decades. Back in the 1990s, Chile grew 6.2 percent per year on average and was Latin America’s posterchild success story. Over time, this robust growth trend steadily waned, and by the 2020s, growth barely went above 2 percent. The IMF’s recent annual economic health check of the country (Article IV consultation) addresses how Chile can reverse this trend.

    Comparing Chile to its peers, there is scope to grow faster. Higher-income countries that were once at a comparable income level to Chile grew at a rate of around 2.9 percent per year. However, Chile faces challenges that most of those economies did not encounter at the same stage of development: such as an aging population and a global slowdown, both of which will make it more difficult for Chile to reach this pace.

    Historical patterns

    As countries get richer, sustaining rapid growth simply becomes harder because of diminishing gains from investment and less scope for technology catch-up. To evaluate Chile’s growth potential, we compared its trajectory with other countries when they reached similar income levels, such as Australia in the late 1980s and Korea in the 2000s. According to the Penn World Table and our calculations, Chile’s GDP per person tripled from US$8,200 in 1990 to around US$26,000 in 2025, in constant 2017 U.S. dollars after purchasing power parity (PPP) adjustment.

    Among 28 economies that crossed the US$26,000 real GDP per capita threshold between 1950 and 2010, median annual GDP growth over the subsequent decade was 2.9 percent. This benchmark is well below Chile’s 1990s boom, but still above its current trend.

    Demographic and external drags

    While the comparison is useful and offers some optimism, Chile faces an aging population and a less favorable global growth environment – impediments that many of these other higher-income economies did not face during their development stage.

    Though still relatively young, Chile’s population is aging. According to the UN’s median population projection, Chile’s working-age population (15-64) will grow by just 0.15 percent per year during 2025-35. With modest gains in labor participation, employment will likely grow by 0.2-0.3 percent annually – below the 0.8 percent seen in the comparison group. This demographic drag alone saps ¼ percentage point from Chile’s potential growth.

    Global technological trends could also weigh on Chile’s outlook. In the 1990s, information technology boosted productivity across countries. Our comparison group of countries benefitted from a U.S. GDP growth rate – taken as a proxy for global technological trends – of 3.1 percent per year on average. In contrast, economists now expect more modest U.S. growth of 2.1 percent for the next decade. We estimate that a one-percentage point reduction in 10-year U.S. annual growth translates to a further 0.8 percentage point restraint on Chile’s potential growth.

    Transformational reforms

    While these are rough estimates, and outcomes could vary widely, the exercise suggests a long-term growth trend of around 1.9 percent, if Chile were to perform in line with the median country and the demographic and external headwinds persisted.

    So, how can Chile increase its potential and defy these drags on growth? Short-run macroeconomic stimulus is not the answer, and Chile’s economy is already balanced. The solution lies in deepening supply-side structural measures, consistent with the policy messages in our latest annual review of Chile’s economy (the Article IV consultation).

    First, it is critical to make regulatory requirements more efficient. As an extreme example, it can take up to 10 years to sort out permits and navigate bureaucracy to get a large mining project off the ground. Streamlining this lengthy process would help reduce barriers to investment and support technology adoption. Similarly, modernizing regulations related to maritime transport could lower trade costs and improve Chile’s competitiveness. 

    To address demographic challenges, Chile could stimulate labor participation, for example by improving the access to quality childcare that would enable more women to enter the labor force.

    Chile’s R&D spending is also substantially below the OECD average. Greater public-private collaboration here is essential, given limited budgetary resources. The proposed technology transfer bill, enabling university researchers to create tech companies and commercialize their work, could help narrow this gap.

    Finally, as the world’s largest copper producer, second largest lithium producer, and as a nation richly endowed with solar and wind resources, Chile can benefit from the high global demand for these critical minerals and through use of low-cost renewable energy.

    While there is no silver bullet for growth, together these reforms improve the chances of a better outcome. Lifting Chile’s growth potential is critical for improving living standards and addressing social and fiscal pressures. Chile has an established track record of prudent macroeconomic management. Building on this solid foundation, the country can achieve stronger growth in a challenging global environment.

    *****

    Si Guo is a senior economist and Andrea Schaechter is an assistant director in the Western Hemisphere Department.

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/24/cf-chile-can-grow-faster-but-it-wont-be-like-its-the-1990s-again

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War will be one of the main themes of the exhibition “Far East Street” within the framework of the EEF-2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    11 regions of the Far East and federal ministries will present their key projects at the exhibition “Far East Street”, which will be held as part of the Eastern Economic Forum – 2025. Among the main topics are the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the victory over militarist Japan, support for a special military operation, the implementation of city master plans, and advanced technological developments.

    From September 3 to 6, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7 and 8, it will be open to everyone. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “The exhibition “Far East Street” shows participants and guests of the Eastern Economic Forum qualitative changes in the economy and social sphere. This is a unique opportunity to introduce thousands of guests from dozens of countries of the world to the cultural features and unique traditions of various peoples, to attract investors and tourists to these territories. Everyone who comes to the EEF will be able to not only learn about the technological achievements of the Far Eastern regions, but also watch performances by creative groups, learn about the features of Kamchatka, Chukotka, Buryatia, Yakutia and other regions. Each region talks about its features, what it is proud of, presents plans for the future. This year, each Far Eastern region will pay special attention to two topics – the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and support for a special military operation. On “Far East Street” you can learn about the exploits of our fathers and grandfathers, about those guys who are defending the independence of the Motherland today, and about the support that the Far East provided then and provides now,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized. – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev.

    Currently, the appearance of the pavilions and the content of the exhibits are being updated.

    “The Far East Street exhibition is a vivid embodiment of the dynamic development of the macro-region, its economic potential and rich cultural heritage. The EEF is becoming a platform where the successes of the implementation of state policy to strengthen the Far East as a strategic center of national development are demonstrated. New opportunities for investment, tourism and international cooperation are created here, which is fully consistent with the course for sustainable growth and prosperity of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region. This will traditionally be reflected in the expositions of the regions,” said Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of Russia, Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the Preparation and Holding of the Eastern Economic Forum.

    The Kuril landing operation on Shumshu, which took place in August-September 1945, was the last major episode of the Soviet-Japanese War and the end of World War II. The operation was aimed at liberating the Kuril Islands, which at that time were under the control of Japan. An installation dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War will be placed inside the Sakhalin Region pavilion. The exhibition “Roads of Victory” will tell about the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk operation and the landing on Shumshu. It is planned to show a film about the expedition to the island, videos about the reconstruction of battles in the Kholmsky and Smirnykhovsky districts. The Tourism zone will present new programs: military-historical tours “Battle for Shumshu” and “Liberation of the South of Sakhalin”, seasonal offers for winter and summer recreation, as well as gastronomic tours and the project “Far East – Land of Adventures”. In a separate zone “UAV and BEK” data on the implementation of unmanned aircraft systems will be presented. This topic will be dedicated to a separate exposition aimed at promoting Sakhalin’s achievements in this area.

    In the Khabarovsk Krai pavilion, the combined zone “Everything for Victory” and “Aircraft and Shipbuilding” will tell about the industrial potential of the region, about the parade dedicated to the victory over militarist Japan and the end of World War II, on September 3. It is planned to use models of aircraft and ships as exhibition samples, and samples of products for the needs of the SVO will be demonstrated in holographic niches.

    A special place in the Magadan Region exposition will be given to the historical heritage – the role of Kolyma in the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, as well as its contribution to ensuring the country’s success during the special military operation. The small pavilion of the Magadan Region will house the “Kolyma – from Victory to Victory” zone, which will introduce visitors to facts about the contribution of Kolyma residents to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and support for the SVO.

    An interactive stand in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War will be installed next to the Amur Region pavilion. Here visitors will be able to see unique historical materials, photographs, and veterans’ memories. Interactive elements will be presented that will allow you to delve deeper into the events of those years.

    The “Air Defense, Civil Defense and Emergencies” zone of the Primorsky Krai pavilion will be represented by a stand in the form of three vertical screens and will tell about the region’s contribution to the military-industrial complex of Russia, ensuring information and security of the population and participation in a special military operation. The stand can be controlled using a joystick. The section will show animated videos telling about Primorye residents – heroes of the Great Patriotic War. About 200 thousand residents of Primorsky Krai took part in the military operations of the Great Patriotic War – both on the European fronts and in China and the Korean Peninsula, where they fought against the Kwantung Army of Japan. Their feat became an integral part of the overall victory. It will also tell about modern fighters participating in the Air Defense. The format of the materials varies – from documentary biographies to artistic sketches reflecting the strength of spirit, courage and dedication of the people.

    The exploits of Yakutians in the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation will also be presented at the exhibition “Far East Street”. Snipers from Yakutia, such as Fyodor Okhlopkov and Ivan Kulbertinov, were known for their outstanding results and received wide recognition. In honor of Fyodor Okhlopkov, the All-Russian Long-Range Shooting Tournament is being held in Yakutia. In addition, the entire country knows the crew of the “Alyosha” tank, which performed a heroic feat during the SVO. Yakut enterprises supply electric enduro motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and other equipment to the front lines. In particular, for their active civic position and assistance in the special military operation, the companies “Timir AT” and “Yakt-Sokol” were awarded the public and business prize “Star of the Far East” in the nomination “Everything for Victory”.

    The “80 Years of Victory” zone in the Zabaikalsky Krai pavilion will be dedicated to the achievements of the Great Patriotic War, as well as the heroes of the special military operation. The exposition will use augmented reality technologies with biographical materials about the participants of these events.

    The Buryatia exposition will be presented in two pavilions. An outdoor exhibition area, an area for holding master classes, and a new space will appear – a spiritual cleansing area. A Buryat yurt will be installed here, inside which the Center for Eastern Medicine will operate. As part of the exposition, those wishing to will be able to compete in national sports and take part in the games of the peoples of Buryatia. A separate exposition will be placed demonstrating Buryatia’s contribution to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and support for a special military operation.

    The attention of visitors to the exhibition “Far East Street” will be attracted by the interactive museum of Kamchatka military glory, installed in the “Will of Man” zone of the regional pavilion. Guests will be able to learn about the exploits of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation.

    The Jewish Autonomous Region will dedicate a “living newspaper” to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the exploits of the heroes of the special military operation. The structure with built-in screens and texts in the style of a printed spread will tell about fellow countrymen – participants of the Great Patriotic War and the Special Military Operation.

    The Chukotka exposition is dedicated to three significant dates: 95 years of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, 80 years of the Great Victory, and 10 years of the Eastern Economic Forum. The exposition will include a “Chukotka for Victory” zone, which will show video materials about Chukotka’s contribution to the victory during the Great Patriotic War. There will also be an interactive wall with images of defenders of the Fatherland: a pilot, a reindeer herder, and a soldier. The central element of the zone will be an art object dedicated to the participants of the special military operation.

    The unified exposition of the Ministry for the Development of the Far East and Arctic and the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation “Developing the Far” will be dedicated to the mechanisms of state investment support operating in the macroregion, as well as socially significant programs implemented on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at improving the quality of life of people. Thematic multimedia expositions “Travel”, “Study”, “Work” and “Live” will tell about the dynamics of the development of the economy of Far Eastern cities, opportunities for obtaining higher and professional education, tourist routes and hospitality facilities for recreation and new experiences. Each thematic zone will be equipped with multimedia equipment and filled with text and video content.

    Participants of the All-Russian travel competition “The Far East – Land of Adventures” will share their personal experiences of traveling around the Far East with the guests of the exhibition – in the pavilion you can see their video diaries, study the routes they have taken and get inspired for new trips.

    Traditionally, the Ministry of Sports will present its expositions on the “Far East Street”. The “Sport is the Norm of Life” pavilion will become a platform for discussing current topics in the industry, and sports activities can be enjoyed in the “GTO Arena” pavilion.

    The exhibition will open the “House of the Falcon” pavilion. It is also planned to expand the “Arab Village” exposition, which won recognition from participants last year and was timed to coincide with the international forum “Day of the Falcon”.

    The central venue will traditionally host cultural program events with the participation of representatives from all Far Eastern regions.

    The 10th anniversary Eastern Economic Forum will be held from September 3 to 6 on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. The organizer of the EEF is the Roscongress Foundation.

    The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of national and international congress, exhibition, business, public, youth, sporting and cultural events, created in accordance with the decision of the President of Russia.

    The Foundation was established in 2007 to promote the development of economic potential, advance national interests and strengthen Russia’s image. The Foundation comprehensively studies, analyses, formulates and covers issues on the Russian and global economic agenda. Provides administration and facilitates the promotion of business projects and the attraction of investments, promotes the development of social entrepreneurship and charitable projects.

    The Foundation’s events bring together participants from 209 countries and territories, more than 15,000 media representatives work annually at Roscongress venues, and more than 5,000 experts in Russia and abroad are involved in analytical and expert work.

    The Foundation interacts with UN structures and other international organizations. It develops multi-format cooperation with 226 foreign economic partners, associations of industrialists and entrepreneurs, financial, trade and business associations in 89 countries of the world, with 358 Russian public organizations, federal and regional executive and legislative bodies of the Russian Federation.

    Official telegram channels of the Roscongress Foundation: in Russian – T.Ta/Roscongress, in English – T.Ta/Roscongress, in Spanish – T.Ta/RoscongressP, in Arabic – T.Ta/Roscongressarabik. Official website and information and analytical system of the Roscongress Foundation: Roscongress.

    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.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Fourth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement with the Union of the Comoros

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 24, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the fourth review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement with the Union of the Comoros. Approval of the fourth review enables an immediate disbursement of SDR 3.56 million (about US$ 4.87 million).
    • Program performance remains broadly on track despite setbacks in 2024 linked to a lengthy political transition and external shocks. The authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to the ECF-supported reform agenda and are determined to demonstrate stronger program ownership in the period ahead.
    • Economic conditions remain broadly stable, supported by adequate external buffers and continued program engagement, despite persistent inflationary pressures. Implementation of the ECF-supported program is helping to safeguard macroeconomic stability, advance critical structural reforms, and mobilize concessional financing to address Comoros’s significant development and financing needs.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the fourth review under the Union of the Comoros’ Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The Executive Board’s decision allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 3.56 million (about US$ 4.87 million), bringing the total disbursements so far under the arrangement to about $23.7 million. The 4-year ECF arrangement was approved on June 1, 2023 (See Press Release No. 23/194) with an access of SDR 32.04 million (about US$ 43 million).  

    In completing the review, the Executive Board also approved the authorities’ requests for (i) waivers of nonobservance of the quantitative performance criteria (QPCs) on tax revenue and the domestic primary balance at end of 2024 and the continuous QPC on the non-accumulation of external arrears and (ii) modifications to the end of December 2025 QPCs on tax revenue and domestic primary balance to reflect corrective actions for missing these QPCs at end-2024.

    While there is considerable progress towards the achievement of program objectives, significant and continued effort is required to maintain the reform momentum. The authorities have reiterated their strong commitment to the ECF-supported program and despite recent setbacks. Two of five QPCs were met as of end of December 2024 and 8 of the 11 structural benchmarks (SBs) expected between end of November 2024 and end of May 2025 were also met. 

    Comoros’ economic reform program supported by the ECF arrangement seeks to reduce fragility and increase economic resilience by building fiscal buffers, reducing debt vulnerabilities, strengthening the financial sector, and enhancing governance. Key policy priorities for the program remain unchanged and include: (i) mobilizing domestic revenue through reforms to strengthen tax and customs administration and streamline tax exemptions; (ii) stabilizing the financial sector including through the restructuring of the state-owned postal bank SNPSF and enhancing the Central Bank’s banking supervision and resolution capacities; and (iii) strengthening governance through PFM and anti-corruption reforms.

    Economic conditions remain broadly stable, though risks persist. Growth is estimated at 3.3 percent in 2024 and projected to rise to 3.8 percent in 2025, supported by public investment and recovering private sector credit. Inflation averaged 5 percent in 2024 and reached 7.3 percent (y/y) in March 2025, driven by food price pressures linked to cyclone-related supply disruptions and strong seasonal demand. As a result, average inflation for 2025 has been revised upward from 1.8 to 3.8 percent. Fiscal consolidation was weaker than expected in 2024 largely due to revenue shortfalls, but a stronger adjustment is planned for 2025, supported by corrective measures. The external position remains stable, with the current account deficit estimated at 2.2 percent of GDP and international reserves covering 7.4 months of imports in 2024. Reserves are projected to exceed 8.5 months over the program period.

    Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

    “The Comorian authorities remain committed to their reform agenda under the Extended Credit Facility-supported program, despite setbacks in 2024 linked to a lengthy political transition and external shocks. While the external position remains stable—supported by continued reserve accumulation—economic momentum softened amid elevated food inflation and cyclone-related supply shocks. These challenges highlight Comoros’s structural vulnerabilities as a small, fragile island state with limited fiscal space, weak diversification, and exposure to external and climate risks.

    “Fiscal policy continues to focus on a medium-term consolidation agenda to safeguard debt sustainability. Although 2024 fiscal outturns were weaker than expected driven largely by underperformance in tax revenue, the authorities are addressing the revenue shortfalls through corrective measures aimed at strengthening customs enforcement, improving taxpayer compliance, and recovering tax arrears.

    “Monetary policy remains focused on preserving external stability through the euro peg, alongside gradual improvements in liquidity management. While inflation remains elevated, the BCC stands ready to tighten its stance if inflation or reserve pressures persist. The central bank has expanded liquidity absorption capacity and begun publishing its operations calendar, with further reforms planned. Progress in financial supervision, resolution planning, and recapitalization—and sound operationalization of the new postal bank (BPC)—will be key to reinforcing financial sector resilience.

    “Governance and institutional reforms are progressing, though unevenly. Key achievements include operationalizing the Anti-Corruption Chamber, enhancing fiscal transparency, and adopting budget management regulations. Nonetheless, challenges persist in liquidity forecasting and cash management, accuracy in budget execution reporting, and reform implementation capacity. Strengthening the Treasury Committee, improving SOE oversight, and sustaining the PFM reform strategy remain essential to bolstering fiscal credibility.

    “Program implementation has regained momentum following a slowdown in late 2024. Continued engagement with the IMF and donor partners will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic stability, advance reforms, catalyze grants and concessional financing, and address capacity gaps.”

    Comoros Selected Economic Indicators (2024-28)
     

    Population (2018, thousands): 856

    Main products and exports: Cloves, ylang-ylang, vanilla

    Key export markets: Asia, European Union

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    Est.

    proj.

    proj.

    proj.

    proj.

    Output

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Real GDP growth (%)

    3.3

    3.8

    4.3

    4.5

    4.3

    Employment

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Unemployment (%)

    n.a.

    n.a.

    n.a.

    n.a.

    n.a.

    Prices

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Inflation, period average (%)

    5.0

    3.8

    1.7

    2.1

    2.1

    Central government finances

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Revenue and grants (% GDP)

    16.2

    17.8

    17.2

    16.8

    16.7

    Expenditure (% GDP)

    19.2

    19.6

    18.9

    18.7

    18.8

    Fiscal balance (% GDP)

    -3.6

    -1.9

    -1.7

    -1.9

    -2.1

    Public debt (% GDP)

    33.7

    36.3

    37.7

    37.9

    39.3

    Money and Credit

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Broad Money (% change)

    5.1

    6.0

    5.5

    7.0

    5.0

    Credit to private sector (% change)

    1.6

    8.7

    5.2

    5.7

    5.5

    Balance of Payments

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Current account (% GDP)

    -2.2

    -3.1

    -4.1

    -3.6

    -3.0

    FDI (% GDP)

    0.4

    0.6

    0.6

    0.6

    0.6

    Reserves (months imports)

    7.4

    7.7

    8.4

    7.8

    9.5

    External debt (% GDP)

    30.0

    31.3

    33.8

    34.7

    36.5

    Exchange rate

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      KMF/US$ (period average)

    449.7

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Sources: country authorities; and IMF staff’s estimates.
    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/24/pr25215-comoros-imf-completes-the-fourth-review-under-the-extended-credit-facility-arrangement

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to Strengthen Ties with Islamic Countries and OIC – Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — China will continue to work with Islamic countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to promote the continuous development of relations with them, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.

    Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a question about the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, which was held from June 21 to 22 in Istanbul, Turkey.

    The official representative recalled that the participants of the event recognized China’s efforts to protect Muslim communities, highly appreciated the comprehensive development of relations between China and Islamic countries, and expressed hope for further strengthening of cooperation between the OIC and China.

    “This is the sixth time that the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ resolution has included language that is friendly to China. The Chinese side welcomes this,” Guo Jiakun said.

    Calling the OIC a symbol of unity and independence of Islamic countries and a bridge for developing their ties with China, Guo Jiakun noted that in recent years, China, Islamic countries and the OIC have continuously deepened mutual trust, expanded cooperation in various fields and strengthened inter-civilizational exchanges, which has yielded significant results.

    The Chinese diplomat also pointed out that representatives of the OIC and its member states have visited China on numerous occasions, including to Xinjiang. According to Guo Jiakun, this has allowed them to better understand China’s ethnic and religious policies and the development situation in Xinjiang, and to give a positive assessment of what they have seen. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mariam Kvrivishvili appointed Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Tbilisi, June 24 (Xinhua) — Mariam Kvrivishvili has been appointed Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. This was announced by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at a briefing at the government administration.

    The appointment follows the resignation of Levan Davitashvili, who previously held the post.

    Since May 2021, M. Kvrivishvili has held the position of Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and oversaw key areas, including the development of tourism and aviation.

    In 2019-2020, she headed the Georgian National Tourism Administration.

    M. Kvrivishvili is also a member of the political council of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

    L. Davitashvili has been appointed to a new position — Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister on Economic Issues, as well as Secretary of the Economic Council. He has headed the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development since February 2022, while simultaneously serving as Deputy Prime Minister and then First Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Opposes Resolving Disputes Through Force — Chinese Foreign Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — China opposes the use of force to resolve disputes and always stands for peace, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

    Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

    As the Chinese diplomat noted, Israel and the United States used force against Iran, citing “potential future threats,” thereby seriously violating international law and encroaching on the sovereignty of the Iranian state.

    Dialogue and negotiations are the only way out of the situation, Wang Yi said, stressing that all parties should resume dialogue on an equal basis and promote the return of the Iranian nuclear issue to the path of political settlement.

    The head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry also drew attention to the fact that the Palestinian issue remains the core of the Middle East problems and in this regard it is necessary to facilitate the implementation of the two-state solution.

    H. Fidan, for his part, said that if Israel wants to protect its security, it should agree to a two-state solution and stop the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

    He added that Türkiye expects to strengthen communication and coordination with China in order to jointly achieve peace and stability in the Middle East region. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese doctor Zhang Junqiao’s heroic act demonstrates deep friendship between China and Africa – Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — The heroic act of Chinese doctor Zhang Junqiao demonstrates the deep friendship between China and Africa and the extraordinary devotion, dedication, love and fighting spirit of Chinese medical teams, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.

    The head of the 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania, anesthesiologist Zhang Junqiao, died on June 15 while rescuing a drowning woman off the coast of Dar es Salaam.

    “We express our sincere condolences to Zhang Junqiao’s family and mourn the loss of an outstanding member of China’s medical teams providing aid to Africa,” the diplomat said.

    Guo Jiakun noted that it has been 62 years since China sent its first medical team to Africa in 1963, and nearly 57 years since China began sending medical teams to Tanzania.

    The kind and highly skilled members of the Chinese medical teams have treated and saved many local residents and trained local teams, Guo Jiakun said, adding that the work of the Chinese medical teams has made a great contribution to strengthening the friendship between China and African countries.

    “The people of China and Africa will never forget this. History will not forget this either,” the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry summed up. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The first plenary session of the 16th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th NPC was held in Beijing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — The first plenary meeting of the 16th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China was held in the Chinese capital on Tuesday, where various bills and reports were reviewed.

    The meeting was chaired by Zhao Leji, Chairman of the 14th NPC Standing Committee.

    The deputies reviewed draft laws on social assistance, on medical care, on responding to public health emergencies, and on propaganda and education in the area of the rule of law.

    In addition, draft amendments to the Law on Punishment for Disorderly Conduct, the Law on Combating Unfair Competition, the Law on Maritime Commerce, the Law on Fisheries, the Law on Civil Aviation, and the Law on Food Security were considered.

    Legislators considered a proposal to ratify the Convention on the Establishment of the International Mediation Organization.

    The financial report on the execution of the central government budget for 2024, the audit report on the execution of the central government budget and other budget revenues and expenditures for 2024, reports on the development of productive forces of a new quality, on the powers of individual deputies and on personnel changes were also reviewed. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 8 people killed, 84 injured as a result of missile strike on central Ukraine – head of Dnipropetrovsk OVA

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    KYIV, June 24 (Xinhua) — At least eight people were killed and 84 others were wounded on Tuesday in a Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s fourth-largest city of Dnipro, located in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration (OVA) Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram.

    According to him, 62 victims were hospitalized, seven of them are in serious condition.

    S. Lysak added that due to the Russian attack in Dnepr, civilian infrastructure was damaged, including a dormitory, a gymnasium and an administrative building, and a train was also damaged.

    In addition, the head of the OVA reported that the Russian Federation attacked the city of Samara, which is located approximately 26 km from the Dnieper. There, according to S. Lysak, two people were killed and 11 more were injured. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “It is important to rely on facts, not to contradict yourself, not to be false and to be honest.”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Ksenia Rozhkova works in the labor market, learns foreign languages to better understand the world, and loves going to the theater. In an interview with the Young Scientists of the Higher School of Economics project, she spoke about non-cognitive characteristics, her father’s influence on Hamlet, and myths surrounding the master’s degree.

    How I got started in science

    Neither science nor economics were in the original plan. I studied music as a child and was going to be a pianist until the fifth grade. Then I wanted to become a journalist, a screenwriter, and won Olympiads in philology and literature. My interests lay in the humanities, although I was also interested in mathematics.

    In the tenth grade, it was time to decide on my future life, and I ended up in the evening economics and mathematics school at Moscow State University. Before that, I thought that economics was an uninteresting field where everything was exclusively about banks, money, accounting. It seemed terribly burdensome to me. But during my studies, my attitude towards economics began to change. I realized that it is a complex science that allows us to clearly structure the social reality around us.

    In my second year at HSE, when I was almost ready to write term papers in the field of finance, my path was blocked by a faculty initiative. In my year, all the groups in our course were assigned to a separate topic. It was impossible to change it. Someone got macroeconomics, someone got economic history, and we got the labor market. I looked at the list of possible academic supervisors and chose Sergei Yuryevich Roshchin.

    We wrote to each other, and I came to the Labor Market Research Laboratory. At first, everything was complicated and unclear. I remember when I first came to a scientific seminar in the laboratory, there was a very active discussion, methods and results were discussed. Apart from the name, I didn’t understand anything. But I was quite stubborn, and Sergey Yuryevich was patient and charming, so the work got going. And in my third year, I returned myself.

    Of course, a researcher does not exist in a vacuum. His formation is greatly influenced by the people around him – other researchers, teachers. In this regard, I was very lucky with my colleagues both in the laboratory and in the Department of Applied Economics, where I now teach.

    What am I studying?

    I work in applied economics. This is primarily labor economics, but with forays into education economics and occasional forays into health economics. For example, my dissertation is on the influence of non-cognitive characteristics on various socioeconomic outcomes and human behavior.

    Economists have been studying education and its returns for decades. By receiving an education, a person acquires or develops various skills. First of all, these are cognitive skills, that is, those related to intelligence. Basic ones are the ability to read, count, and write. More complex ones are, for example, knowledge of foreign languages and programming skills.

    And there are non-cognitive skills that cannot be measured by IQ tests. These are various behavioral and psychological attitudes – how a person thinks and behaves in different circumstances and how this affects the decisions he makes. I studied how a person’s non-cognitive characteristics are related to his work results, that is, salary and employment, education and even life expectancy and bad habits.

    To measure this, economists use methods from psychologists, in particular such a tool as the “Big Five.” Each person can be described in terms of five fairly broad characteristics. These are openness to new experiences, conscientiousness, extroversion, neuroticism and friendliness. These characteristics are formed at an early age: they are partly predetermined genetically, but to a very large extent they are shaped by the environment in which a person grows up, his family and other circumstances.

    Accordingly, non-cognitive characteristics are closely linked to the issue of investment in education. It has been shown that targeted policies to develop productive characteristics early on can help children achieve better results in the future.

    Parallel area of research

    In our lab, for the past five years, I have been working on the graduate labor market—measuring which educational characteristics bring what returns in the labor market, and how they influence career trajectories and opportunities.

    We work with unique data from the Graduate Employment Monitoring. This is a project of the Ministry of Labor and Rostrud — a huge array of data on all people who have received an education in Russia since 2016. Thanks to this data, we have the opportunity to focus on areas that were previously unknown.

    For example, we have obtained the first assessment of the return on a master’s degree in Russia. We have found out what differences there are between the early career trajectories of full-time and part-time graduates and how the level of selectivity of a university affects salaries. This is a very interesting and practice-oriented area of research.

    Is there a return on a master’s degree?

    There are many myths surrounding the Master’s degree. For example, it is believed that employers do not delve into the differences between bachelors and masters and do not understand what these qualification levels are. That some believe that a bachelor’s degree is enough, while others think that it is necessary to go to a master’s degree. Or that a master’s degree is only needed in order to then go and defend a PhD thesis. These myths arise because there is little data on this topic.

    We have shown that the return on a master’s degree is significant. It is present in the first year after graduation, and it increases as you advance in your career — more for women than for men. The highest return, of course, is for degrees from the most prestigious universities, but this is true for other educational institutions as well.

    What I am proud of

    Looking back, I am most proud of the fact that I got into HSE. It was not obvious. I did well on the Unified State Exam, but not brilliantly. Preparing for exams is a lot of stress. And the fact that it was HSE that ultimately became the main turning point, which predetermined many trajectories of my future life.

    Now I try not to dwell on what has been done. If you have achieved something, it is great, but there is still a lot of work ahead. So if the research is written, submitted to a journal and published, I am happy and move on.

    How we measure non-cognitive skills

    We work with data from the Russian Monitoring of the Economic Situation and Health of the Population, which has been conducted in Russia by the Higher School of Economics since 1994. Various data on households and their members are collected annually. In 2016, the questionnaire included questions about the “big five”. There are 24 of them, and a person evaluates himself on a scale from 1 to 4. Questions, for example, are: how able are you to remain calm in a stressful situation? how much do you prefer to work rather than rest? Every five years, the same people are surveyed on these characteristics.

    What I wrote about in my first article on non-cognitive skills

    The material for this article in Voprosy Ekonomiki was my bachelor’s thesis. It was one of the first publications in Russia on this topic, so the formation of the research field took place simultaneously with the writing of my article.

    Partly it was of a survey nature. Research, for example, shows that on average the characteristics of the “big five” are more pronounced in women. They are almost always, on average, more conscientious, open, extroverted, friendly and neurotic, that is, emotionally unstable.

    Our main task was to see how this is related to the level of salaries in Russia. The basic assumption was that conscientious people should receive more. As well as emotionally stable people, because this quality is necessary for working in a managerial position. Accordingly, people who have less emotional stability are less likely to get into these positions and will earn less.

    How Non-Cognitive Characteristics Explain the Gender Gap

    These characteristics are most valuable at the top of the salary distribution, where management positions are concentrated.

    Because of their lower risk-taking and less emotional stability, women are less likely to end up in higher-paying positions. This, in turn, contributes to the widening of the gender gap.

    In general, the gender gap is influenced by many factors at the same time. This is vertical segregation: women are concentrated in the positions of senior specialists, not managers. This is horizontal segregation, when, even during their studies, women are distributed among specialties that lead to caring for other people (education, health care, and others), where salaries are lower than in finance or the IT sector. There are also a number of family and psychological characteristics. The topic is very complex, and the further a person moves up the career ladder, the less the gap can be justified by objective parameters.

    What I dream about

    I have a small, utilitarian and completely unrealistic dream. I would really like the process of publishing articles in journals to be fast. So that the article does not lie on the editorial desk for six months waiting for its fate to be decided and then does not have to wait another six months for publication. But I understand that this is impossible, due to the fact that there is more research, and the editorial forces are limited.

    Science is the art of telling compelling stories. To do this, you need to be very knowledgeable about the material. You need to look around carefully and understand how certain processes work so that you can substantiate the data. It is important to rely on facts, not contradict yourself, not be false, and be honest.

    If I hadn’t become a scientist

    I wanted to write, and I could have become a journalist. But for a researcher it is also very important to be able to write a lot, convincingly and well.

    I would like to run a Telegram channel, but I lack self-discipline and time. I would write about the theater. I love it as a spectator. My mother brought me to the theater, and she taught me that in the theater people do not relax, but think. Sometimes this is the process of unraveling the director’s ideas, sometimes an internal process of reflection. Theater is interesting because it is alive, and it often happens that performances die before they are removed from the repertoire. But if the performance is good, if there is live energy between the viewer and the actors, you can watch it endlessly.

    What kind of theatre do I like?

    I try not to miss premieres. I like it when directors approach the material in an unconventional way, trying to get something non-obvious.

    I like the Theatre of Nations. The last thing I saw there was the play “Sato” by Philipp Gurevich. It’s interesting material, and I think that there is a lot that can be pulled out of this story on the verge of magical realism, but it wasn’t fully expressed in the play.

    The theme running through Gurevich’s productions is the importance of family for a child and for the formation of personality. I was very impressed by Hamlet, which he staged for students at the Moscow Art Theatre School. In Hamlet, he emphasizes the importance of parental influence by having Hamlet speak in the words of his father. And it is likely that the sad outcome is predetermined by the family environment.

    Who would I like to meet?

    With Rachmaninov. He is my favorite composer. But I would not ask him questions, I would just watch the process of composing music.

    How my typical day is structured

    I don’t have a clear routine. Sometimes colleagues tell me that they have one day for research, one for teaching, one for something external. I like this concept, but it doesn’t work for me because something always gets in the way.

    The best research is written either late at night or early in the morning, when no one is bothering you and you can concentrate. It’s great to be creative at night, to come up with ideas, to think up something new, and in the morning – to edit, to bring it into a digestible form.

    Do I get burnout?

    About four years ago, I participated in a talent pool program. I had to tell my respected colleagues what I did during the program and what I achieved.

    I had a very productive year: I completed my master’s degree, entered graduate school, and published several articles and analytical materials. When I listed all of this, one of my colleagues said, “This is all great, of course, but I hope you don’t burn out.”

    I was surprised by this wish. It would seem that I have a job, a lot of it, and it is different, I can switch between projects. It is very interesting, I like the process. How can I burn out with such input? In addition, I had before my eyes the example of my scientific supervisor, who manages to solve a hundred things at once, and it is simply awkward to burn out next to him.

    Now I understand better what my colleague meant. It seems to me that burnout is not exactly about fatigue or about a person working a lot and not resting, but about an internal discrepancy between expectations and reality. You didn’t just work a lot and get tired, you worked a lot, and in the end, the research you wrote received one rejection, then a second rejection, then a third rejection. No one is immune from periods when something doesn’t work out, but it can be difficult to fight disappointment.

    What else am I interested in?

    I like foreign languages. I am quite fluent in English and Spanish. When Covid started, I suddenly started learning Turkish. And life took on new colors, because, as it turned out, there are a lot of Turkic roots in words and names. It was as if I had reached a new level of understanding the world.

    And two years ago I started learning Chinese, just out of interest. It was a truly meditative activity, especially when I had to write out hieroglyphs line by line. Of course, I am an expert in hobbies that require a lot of time and effort. But Chinese surpassed everything I did in terms of the level of time investment required to maintain the level achieved. It’s like in sports: if you don’t practice for two days, you have to start over. Now Chinese doesn’t fit into my work schedule a little, but I believe that I will return to it someday.

    What was the last thing I read?

    “My Name is Red” by Orhan Pamuk.

    Advice to young scientists

    When an opportunity arises, don’t wait until you’re ready. You’re never fully ready for anything, so take advantage of opportunities and figure things out as you go.

    This is consistent with one of my favorite quotes from Milorad Pavic’s book “Last Love in Constantinople.” I don’t remember it word for word, but the gist is this: if you move in the direction in which your fear grows, then you are moving in the right direction.

    Favorite place in Moscow

    I was born and raised in Moscow and I love it very much. It is an incredible city. I love walking around VDNKh, and also around the center of Moscow. My special tender love is Chistye Prudy and its surroundings. I went to high school in Milyutinsky Lane, we studied in the building of the former girls’ school of the Roman Catholic Church of Peter and Paul. Then I studied in Pokrovka for my master’s degree, and now I work there. An important part of my life has always been connected with this area.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Acts as a “Peace Broker” in the Ukrainian Crisis – Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, June 24 (Xinhua) — China is acting as a “peace broker” in the Ukrainian crisis and is making efforts to facilitate peace talks, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said in a written interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia on Monday.

    “Since the comprehensive escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, China has been acting as a ‘peace broker’ and has been making consistent efforts to end the fighting and facilitate peace talks,” he said.

    The Chinese ambassador stressed that China’s position on the Ukrainian issue is consistent and clear: the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be observed, reasonable security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously, and all efforts for a peaceful settlement deserve support. “This is the authoritative position and fundamental principle of the Chinese side on the Ukrainian issue,” the ambassador explained, adding that China welcomes and supports all efforts aimed at achieving peace, and will continue to take an objective and fair position, promote consensus building and create conditions for resolving the crisis.

    According to Zhang Hanhui, Li Hui, the special representative of the PRC government for Eurasian affairs, has already conducted four rounds of “shuttle diplomacy,” covering four continents – Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. He visited both the parties to the conflict – Russia and Ukraine – and key European countries, including France and Germany. In addition, deep exchanges of views were held with countries of the Global South, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa. “These efforts have received wide approval and high praise from the international community, including Russia,” the diplomat noted.

    In addition, in 2024, China and Brazil jointly established the Friends of Peace platform through the UN to seek ways to peacefully resolve the Ukrainian crisis, and several meetings have already been held. According to the ambassador, this group has become an important mechanism through which the countries of the Global South express their position on the Ukrainian issue and which reflects the common desire of the international community for a ceasefire and peace. “In its work, the group invariably adheres to an impartial, objective and open position, and is always ready to listen to the views and positions of all parties to the conflict, including Russia. The group adheres to the principle of consensus and focuses on promoting all actions that contribute to a political settlement and the restoration of peace,” the ambassador added.

    At the same time, Zhang Hanhui confirmed that China did not participate in the discussions on sending peacekeeping forces to the conflict zone. “The Chinese side believes that three basic principles must be observed when sending peacekeeping forces: consent of the parties to the conflict, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense. At present, there are serious disagreements between the parties concerned on the issue of post-war peacekeeping, there is no sign of an end to hostilities, and the number of casualties continues to rise,” the diplomat noted, adding that China calls on all parties to continue efforts to reduce tensions, create favorable conditions for dialogue, and open a “window” of opportunity for peace.

    The Chinese ambassador acknowledged that the causes of the Ukrainian crisis are complex. He recalled the Chinese proverb that “a meter-thick layer of ice does not form in a day,” so “melting” it also takes time. “The end point of any conflict is the negotiating table. The Chinese side welcomes the holding of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul and hopes that all parties can reach a fair, sustainable, binding and mutually acceptable peace agreement through dialogue and negotiations,” he said.

    Zhang Hanhui pointed out that following the direct talks in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine reached agreements on issues such as prisoner exchange, which created favorable conditions for establishing peace and was an important step forward. As the Chinese ambassador emphasized, China calls on the parties to the conflict to demonstrate a desire for negotiations, and also hopes that the parties concerned can provide favorable external conditions for the negotiation process, jointly support the trend towards peaceful negotiations, and ultimately come to a political settlement.

    According to the diplomat, China hopes that peace and stability will be restored on the European continent as soon as possible, and is ready to continue to make constructive contributions to this. “Regardless of how the situation develops, China will always stand on the side of peace, on the side of dialogue, and on the right side of history. We will continue to make efforts to resolve the crisis and end the fighting, maintain contact with all parties, and contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to promoting a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis,” Zhang Hanhui assured. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Joint construction of the Belt and Road has entered a new stage of high-quality development – Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, June 24 /Xinhua/ — The joint implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative has entered a new stage of high-quality development. China intends to accelerate the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and deepen strategic cooperation with Russia in various fields, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said in a written interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia on Monday.

    “Currently, global, epochal and historical changes are unfolding in an unprecedented way, and the joint construction of the Belt and Road has entered a new stage of high-quality development. We will accelerate the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union, comprehensively deepen strategic interaction between China and Russia and practical cooperation in various fields, and invest even more effort in the joint development of the two countries, in the implementation of modernization by our countries, and in protecting multilateralism and the free trade system,” the ambassador emphasized.

    As Zhang Hanhui noted, China and Russia are good neighbors, time-tested true friends and natural partners in the joint construction of the Belt and Road. He recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin has attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation three times and delivered an important speech in support of this initiative, which “fully reflects Russia’s serious attention and support.”

    The Chinese ambassador pointed out that in May this year, during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia to attend the ceremonial events marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the leaders of China and Russia signed a Joint Statement on Further Deepening Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation in the New Era. The document reaffirms the commitment of both sides to both jointly promoting the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the EAEU and promoting the joint and coordinated development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Eurasian Partnership. According to the diplomat, this outlined the direction for further deepening cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road.

    “The Chinese side is willing to take the implementation of the important agreements reached by the two heads of state as an opportunity to firmly adhere to the Silk Road spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefit and win-win, as well as the principle of joint discussion, joint construction and shared benefits,” Zhang Hanhui said.

    He also noted that, in accordance with the agreement reached, the Russian President will visit China and take part in commemorative events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. “This not only clearly demonstrates the strong personal friendship between the leaders of the two states, but also fully reflects the high level and special nature of the Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction,” the Chinese Ambassador to the Russian Federation added. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –