Category: Tourism

MIL-OSI Russia: St. Kitts and Nevis: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission
Source: IMF – News in Russian

February 26, 2025

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

The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

Recent Developments and Outlook

Growth is expected to pick up to 2 percent in 2025—from 1.5 percent in 2024—supported by tourism, with inflation remaining around 2 percent. In the medium term, growth is projected at 2.5 percent, and inflation is expected to remain stable. Progress has been made in the transition to renewable energy, as the geothermal project is nearing the drilling phase with funding secured.

The current account deficit (CAD) further widened to 15 percent of GDP in 2024, from 12 percent in 2023. The CAD remains significantly larger than pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a decline in CBI inflows and widening fiscal deficits. It is expected to remain around 12 percent of GDP in the medium term. The external position in 2024 is assessed as weaker than implied by medium-term fundamentals and desirable policies.

Staff projects fiscal deficits to remain large with public debt rising. The fiscal deficit in 2024 is estimated at 11 percent of GDP, driven by a sharp reduction in CBI revenue. Recent reforms to the program, reinforced by international agreements, suggest that CBI revenue will likely be structurally lower but more sustainable going forward. Hence, the fiscal deficit is projected to be 9 percent of GDP this year, also impacted by the increase in the wage bill and the temporary VAT reduction. Public debt is expected to rise to 61 percent of GDP in 2025. The overall risk of sovereign debt stress continues to be assessed as moderate. In the medium term, fiscal deficits are expected to decrease modestly due to the authorities’ efforts to control expenditures, while debt is projected to reach 68 percent of GDP in 2030.

Bank credit growth accelerated while vulnerabilities remain. Bank credit grew rapidly at 11 percent (y/y) (particularly in mortgages and consumer loans) amid high non-performing loans (NPLs) and low buffers, while competition among banks increased. Overall, bank NPLs declined, profits rose, and capital somewhat improved. Meanwhile, lending by credit unions expanded swiftly by 12 percent (y/y), while their delinquency ratio increased to 10 percent.

Near-term risks are tilted to the downside, but the potential for renewable energy provides upsides over the medium term. Substantial changes in CBI revenue constitute an important two-sided risk but a further decline in CBI revenue would pressure fiscal accounts. Downside risks include a slowdown in key source markets for tourism, commodity price volatility, as well as global financial instability impacting domestic banks. The country is also highly exposed to natural disasters (ND). On the other hand, the renewable energy projects could create an additional source of growth and fiscal revenue.

Economic Policies

Fiscal Policy

The staff believes that the main priority is to implement a prompt and steady fiscal consolidation to keep public debt below the regional ceiling of 60 percent of GDP. While the authorities made efforts to contain the fiscal deficit in 2024, more active policies are necessary going forward. Fiscal consolidation will help create space to protect capital expenditure, strengthen resilience against NDs, and hedge against contingent liabilities.

Under staff’s active policies scenario, the adjusted primary balance (excluding CBI and transfers to public banks) should be tightened by 2 percentage points of GDP by 2029 relative to the baseline. To this end, fiscal consolidation should be anchored by a set of fiscal rules and driven by tax reforms and reductions in current expenditures while protecting capital expenditure. The combined net impact of fiscal consolidation and structural reforms on growth and the external position is assessed to be positive in the medium term. In particular:
- Statutory fiscal rules should include an adjusted primary balance floor and a primary current expenditure ceiling, as well as the regional debt ceiling—with escape clauses related to NDs. This would enhance the credibility of the fiscal path and help contain borrowing costs.
- Tax reforms would boost tax revenue by 2.5 percentage points of GDP and are well within reach. The reforms would also help reduce reliance on the CBI and improve equity and growth. Recommended measures include harmonizing the VAT, supplemented by improved targeted social support; increasing excise rates on alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and fossil fuels; and updating property tax assessments. The Housing and Social Development Levy could become more progressive, and non-labor income, such as investment and rental income, could be taxed to improve equity. The temporary reduction in VAT for the first half of 2025, as well as other pandemic-era tax breaks, should be phased out. Negotiated tax concession packages for corporate income tax—which unfairly benefit profitable large international hospitality companies—should be lapsed, especially in light of the upcoming OECD Pillar II. The authorities’ efforts to improve tax collections, including property taxes and CIT, and to enhance tax administration are welcome, and should be further strengthened.
- Current expenditure. The authorities’ efforts to streamline current expenditure are welcome and should go further to bring them closer to pre-pandemic levels. Limiting public wage increases and employment—the largest in the ECCU—would help foster private sector job creation. Transfers, including social spending, should be better targeted and more effective.
- Accompanying structural reforms aimed at enhancing productivity, labor quality, and access to finance could generate significant growth gains.
The planned establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is welcome. The SWF should absorb any upside in the projected CBI revenue, reduce the impact of volatile and uncertain CBI revenue on the budget, and help create fiscal buffers against NDs.

Progress has been made in improving the CBI framework, but its transparency needs to be enhanced. The government has taken important steps to improve the governance of the program and strengthen the due diligence and application processes. To further improve transparency and accountability, comprehensive annual reports following external audits should be published regularly, including statistics on applications and financial accounts.

The authorities’ efforts to publish the medium-term debt management strategy (MTDMS) are welcome. Heavy reliance on short-term borrowing—entailing large gross financing needs and additional fiscal risks—should continue to be reduced. The MTDMS—now under government review—should aim to lengthen debt maturity, reduce costs, and diversify the sources of funds. The authorities’ plan to resume the publication of the MTDMS—not published since 2018—is welcome. The government has recently reached three loan agreements with favorable terms with international partners. Additionally, the government could consider increasing engagement with multilateral development partners for concessional borrowing and tapping into the Regional Government Securities Market.

The staff supports the authorities’ intention to reform the Social Security Fund (SSF). The authorities announced their intention to reform the SSF and have initiated extensive consultations with stakeholders. The proposed options are welcome and concrete measures should be identified. Furthermore, a more comprehensive approach is needed to ensure the fiscal sustainability of the SSF, including improvements in asset management.

Financial Sector Policy

Progress to strengthen the systemic bank and safeguard public deposits should continue. The bank has made progress toward reducing NPLs, restoring profitability of its lending business, and further de-risking its foreign investment portfolio. These efforts should continue. The government—as its majority shareholder—and the bank are encouraged to engage with external advisors to revitalize its business model. The planned establishment of the SWF presents an opportunity to transfer public sectors deposits and associated foreign investments from the bank to the SWF, except for the portion necessary for the government’s cash management.

The Development Bank needs to be reformed. The bank is facing significant challenges due to high NPLs and weak profits. Although the bank does not take deposits, it has borrowed from the public and the banking sector and poses a contingent liability to the government. The government and the new management are actively working to address the bank’s accountability and financial performance. The external audit—not conducted since 2018—is ongoing to fully assess the bank’s financial condition and is expected to conclude in the coming months. The priority is to thoroughly analyze the bank’s financial situation, including its NPLs and loss-making loan programs, reassess its financial and social functions—potentially achievable through private lending and targeted social support—and chart the optimal path forward, firmly based on the bank’s viability and fiscal prudence. The legal framework around the bank should be revised to significantly strengthen its regulation and supervision.

Financial soundness should be strengthened at private banks and credit unions. Banks should continue their efforts to reduce NPLs and to meet the prudential requirements for provisions and capital, based on their plans submitted to the ECCB. Banks’ efforts to improve financial education of their potential clients are welcome and should be potentially joined with public resources. This is especially important amid the rapid credit growth and the regional credit bureau becoming more operational. In addition, the regulation and oversight of credit unions by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission has room for improvement, particularly in the areas of lending standards, provisioning requirements, and supervisory actions. Efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the AML/CFT framework should continue.

Structural Policy

The medium-term growth prospects can be improved. Staff analysis indicates that potential growth has steadily declined from around 6 percent in the 1980s to 2.5 percent, mainly driven by slow productivity growth and a lower contribution from human capital. Staff assess that growth potential can be enhanced through structural reforms aimed at better resource allocation, particularly in the following areas.
- The efficiency of government services can be enhanced. In this regard, recent progress with digitalization, streamlining tax administration, and implementing a single electronic window is welcome.
- Credit access should be improved, especially for firms. All banks and credit unions are encouraged to participate in the recently created regional credit bureau to make it effective. While foreclosure processes appear to work efficiently, bankruptcy and insolvency regimes can be enhanced to incentivize out-of-court debt workouts, given the lengthy in-court processes.
- Labor skills should be better aligned with private and public sector demands. Upskilling is essential for maintaining labor market competitiveness, especially with the recent two-tier increases in minimum wage in 2024 and July 2025, which position the minimum wage well above that of ECCU peers. There are shortages of qualified workers in both the private (tourism) and public (healthcare) sectors. Recent efforts aimed at improving access to education and vocational training can help, especially benefiting the unemployed, and these initiatives should be tailored to meet market demands.
- Accelerating the energy transition is crucial to increasing competitiveness and growth resilience. The energy transition is expected to enhance energy security, reduce energy costs, and support economic diversification. It is essential to build strong expertise in project management. The investment, ownership, and taxation agreements related to large energy projects should be crafted carefully, considering their long-term economic and fiscal implications.
To strengthen ND preparedness, the public investment framework and the multi-layered insurance framework should be further enhanced.
- ND-resilient Infrastructure. Upgrading the power grid—as part of the geothermal project—will enhance resilience to NDs, support energy sustainability by introducing a one-grid that connects the two islands and facilitate the energy transition. Given the country’s challenges with water supply, the authorities’ plan for a renewable energy-powered desalination plant is a significant development.
- Investment framework. Integrating a pipeline of projects funded by the overall public sector, including statutory bodies, into the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP)) will help improve medium-term fiscal planning, anchor ND-resilient investment plans, and help unlock concessional financing. Strengthening capital expenditure forecasts would be important for the medium-term fiscal framework. Project execution should be improved considerably. In this regard, the authorities’ plan to formulate a medium-term PSIP strategy will provide a useful framework for comprehensive oversight of public investment and enable project progress tracking.
- An enhanced multi-layered insurance framework. Staff analysis indicates additional fiscal buffers are essential to enhance an insurance framework against NDs, and government deposits should be preserved at their current level as the first self-insurance layer. This could be further supplemented by (i) expanding coverage through the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility and (ii) issuing a state-contingent instrument, such as catastrophe bonds or lines of credit.
The mission would like to thank the St. Kitts and Nevis authorities and all other counterparts for the constructive and candid policy dialogue and productive collaboration.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Reah Sy

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

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/27/st-kitts-and-nevis-cs-of-the-2025-article-iv-mission

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tajik National Arrested in Brooklyn for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS

Source: US State of California

Mansuri Manuchekhri, 33, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York, was arrested today for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), possessing firearms while unlawfully in the United States, and immigration fraud. Manuchekhri was arrested today and made his initial appearance this afternoon in the Eastern District of New York.

“Under no circumstances will my Department of Justice tolerate terrorism,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We stand ready to find, arrest, and prosecute those who seek to harm American citizens with the full force of the law. I stand with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who work to keep Americans safe and evil off our streets.”

“The defendant allegedly supported ISIS and sent thousands of dollars overseas to individuals connected to ISIS,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI is focused on preventing acts of terrorism and ISIS has a long and violent record of harming U.S. citizens. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to find and hold accountable those who assist terrorists and endanger the safety of Americans at home or abroad.”

“The Justice Department will relentlessly pursue those who fund and support terrorists,” said Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will not allow our immigration or financial systems to be exploited. Our country will not be a safe haven for those who try to harm Americans.”

“As alleged, the defendant facilitated thousands of dollars in contributions to ISIS extremists overseas,” said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. “Protecting the homeland and prosecuting evildoers who assist terrorist organizations by funding their violent and hateful agenda, here and abroad, will always be a priority of this office.”

As alleged in the complaint, Manuchekhri traveled to the United States from Tajikistan in June 2016 on a non-immigrant tourist visa and remained in the country after his visa expired in December 2016. In March 2017, Manuchekhri paid an American citizen to enter into a sham marriage with him so that he could obtain legal status in the United States. However, he failed to provide supporting documentation that was requested of him and his petition was never granted.

As alleged in the complaint, Manuchekhri traveled to the United States from Tajikistan in June 2016 on a non-immigrant tourist visa and remained in the country after his visa expired in December 2016. In March 2017, Manuchekhri paid an American citizen to enter into a sham marriage with him so that he could obtain legal status in the United States. However, he failed to provide supporting documentation that was requested of him and his petition was never granted.

From approximately December 2021 through April 2023, while residing in Brooklyn, Manuchekhri facilitated more than $50,000 in payments to ISIS-affiliated individuals in Turkey and Syria, including to an individual who was later arrested by Turkish authorities for his alleged involvement in a January 2024 terrorist attack on a church in Istanbul for which ISIS-K publicly claimed responsibility. Manuchekhri expressed his support for ISIS to others by praising past ISIS attacks in the United States and by collecting jihadi propaganda videos promoting violence and martyrdom.

The complaint further alleges that Manuchekhri possessed and used firearms and made frequent visits to shooting ranges even though he was prohibited from doing so as an alien unlawfully in the United States. In February 2022, Manuchekhri recorded himself firing an assault rifle at a shooting range in New Jersey and sent the video to one of the ISIS-affiliated individuals in Turkey with the message, “Praise God, I am ready, brother.”

If convicted, Manuchekhri faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Pollack and Andrew D. Reich for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorneys John Cella, Andrea Broach, George Kraehe, and Ryan White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Paralegal Specialist Wayne Colón.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Short-term Policy Responses to Geoeconomic Shocks in CESEE Countries
Source: IMF – News in Russian

Speech by Alfred Kammer, Director, IMF European Department, Amsterdam, February 14, 2025

February 26, 2025

It is a great pleasure to open this session.

Let me begin by setting the stage for what I hope will be an insightful discussion on short-term policy responses to geoeconomic shocks. I will focus on the Central, Eastern, and South Eastern European (CESEE) countries.

The CESEE region experienced a respectable recovery last year with growth accelerating from 0.8 percent in 2023 to 2.5 percent in 2024.

As expected, the composition of growth changed. Domestic demand (consumption and investment) rebounded, while net exports—which had been a key driver in 2023—turned into a drag.

Supportive fiscal policies at both the national and EU level played a role alongside a strong labor market and disinflation aided by tight monetary policy.

However, the growth momentum is weakening.

Geoeconomic fragmentation, linked to both Russia’s war in Ukraine and trade policy uncertainty, is weighing on demand.

In my remarks today, I will address three key questions:
- How much can the CESEE region rely on domestic and external demand for a continuation of the cyclical recovery into 2025?
- How well-prepared is the region to handle external demand challenges arising from geoeconomic fragmentation? And,
- What can policymakers do in the short term?
Let me start with the first question.

How much can the CESEE region rely on domestic and external demand to support growth in 2025?

Our baseline forecast assumes moderate growth in 2025 at around 3 percent, supported by some remaining pent-up demand.

However, the cyclical recovery has largely run its course for three reasons.
- First, the recovery in household spending is nearly complete. While strong wage and income growth initially supported consumption, momentum is fading as wage growth slows alongside inflation. Additionally, upward shift in uncertainty has also raised precautionary savings, dampening spending. This is unlikely to change anytime soon.
- Second, business investment is not expected to accelerate further. Despite improved financing conditions from less restrictive monetary policy, firms remain cautious due to diminished growth expectations and uncertainty about trade policies and EU reforms.
- Third, external demand remains weak, limiting the region’s ability to rely on exports for additional growth.
Let me add two more observations:

Not all CESEE countries face the same challenges.

Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, will continue to benefit from remittances, EU support, and tourism revenues, offering them some insulation from external risks.

However, others will be impacted by the effects of the strong nominal wage growth over the last few years.
- For one, minimum wage increases are unlikely to be repeated. More broadly, household incomes will grow much more slowly in 2025 as wage negotiations follow inflation, which is slowing down.
- In addition, like elsewhere, households have changed their savings behavior and are spending less out of their earned income, likely due to the lingering memory of recent income shocks and uncertainty about external developments.
Taken together this means that with a few exceptions the region’s recovery momentum is weakening.

Let me now turn to the second question.

How well-prepared is the region to handle external demand challenges arising from geoeconomic fragmentation?

The region faces three key vulnerabilities in the face of geoeconomic fragmentation:

One, rising labor and high energy costs are eroding competitiveness.

Two, high trade openness and deep integration into global value chains—once advantages during globalization—now heighten exposure to external demand shocks in times of de-globalization, and

Three, there is limited room from returning to accommodative macroeconomic policies.

Let me start with a word on cost competitiveness.

Export growth has stalled across the region with net exports subtracting about ½ percentage point from GDP growth last year.

Several adverse cost developments weigh now on CESEE’s competitiveness:
- Energy costs in Europe remain significantly higher than in the US—nearly five times more for natural gas and more than double for electricity (CHART).
- The level of labor costs is becoming a headwind. The real effective exchange rate (REER) relative to unit labor costs (CHART) has deteriorated for the region.
- Additional wage increases and persistently higher energy prices could translate into higher production costs and, eventually, higher final prices—just as external demand conditions are weakening.
These cost pressures have significant economic implications. If the REER continues to appreciate by 2 percentage points per year, as observed over the past five years, export growth could be dampened by approximately 0.6-0.8 percentage points per year.

Beyond costs, the CESEE region’s integration into global value-chains and trade linkages create exposure to shifting trade dynamics.

A recent IMF study shows that Chinese EV imports could have very large GDP effects on CESEE countries through the supply chain.

For example, the estimated negative impact on Hungary and the Czech Republic from a shift to EVs is about 10 times larger than in advanced European economies, reducing GDP by 1.5 to 2.0 percent (cumulatively) over 5 years. For these countries and sectors to adjust, retaining cost competitiveness plays an important factor.

Now to the third question:

What can policymakers do in the short term?

After waves of external shocks, reducing uncertainty through clear communication is crucial. Governments should focus on reinforcing fundamentals, pursuing credible and sustainable macroeconomic policies, and building resilience.

Fiscal consolidation is necessary, but it is not sufficient.

Despite the recovery, fiscal balances have not improved (LHS) and long-term fiscal spending needs remain high [RHS]. They are mostly aging-related (health and pensions), security related (defense) and climate-related.

An important discussion to be had is on the next EU budget, including on expenditures on European public goods, such as defense and the environment.

Monetary policy needs to move cautiously in removing its restrictive stance.

While weakening of external demand is likely to be disinflationary (barring sharp currency depreciations), inflation persistence remains a concern. This is especially the case in countries where inflation expectations remain above inflation targets (RHS) and where sustained wage growth is not supported by productivity gains.

Growth-oriented reforms and moderation in public sector wage raises—serving as signals to the private sector—are key.

Two observations on the role of central banks:
- Effective communication is crucial. Given the uncertainty, central banks must clearly communicate policy intentions to steer expectations. To clarify policy responses sensitivity analyses or scenarios are useful.
- Maintaining central bank independence is essential. Pressures on institutional independence have risen in several countries. Research shows that lower trust in central banks increases the costs of achieving price stability, a risk that the region cannot afford.
And last but not least in terms of policy priorities, countries need to accelerate structural reforms, to raise their growth potential and strengthen economic resilience.

We are currently undertaking new work on assessing national structural reform priorities across Europe. (This complements work on what can be done at the EU level).

This work finds that the CESEE region lags behind its European and global peers in almost all areas (see chart).

Governance and trade-related barriers are two areas where gaps are large. Similarly, credit and capital markets remain underdeveloped notwithstanding healthy banking sectors.

These gaps limit growth potential but can be addressed with limited fiscal costs. Targeted reforms could unlock investment and long-term competitiveness gains.

Thank you.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER:

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

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/26/022625-Alfred-Amsterdam

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Tajik National Arrested in Brooklyn for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Mansuri Manuchekhri with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), possessing firearms while unlawfully in the United States and immigration fraud. Manuchekhri was arrested today and made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy who ordered the defendant detained.

John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and charges.

“As alleged, the defendant, who was in the United States illegally, not only facilitated tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to ISIS extremists overseas, but trained with assault rifles at shooting ranges in the United States and declared his readiness to ISIS,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “Protecting the homeland and prosecuting evildoers who assist terrorist organizations by funding their violent and hateful agenda, here and abroad, will always be a priority of this Office.”

Mr. Durham praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD and over 50 other federal, state and local agencies.

“The Justice Department will relentlessly pursue those who fund and support terrorists,” stated Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will not allow our immigration or financial systems to be exploited. Our country will not be a safe haven for those who try to harm Americans.”

“Today’s arrest demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to protecting the American people from the threat of terrorism,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “As alleged in the complaint, the defendant not only violated our immigration laws, but while unlawfully in the United States also provided substantial financial support to violent extremists affiliated with a designated foreign terrorist organization. In his promotion of violence and praise for terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, the defendant made clear his desire to support violent extremism, and I am grateful to all our folks on the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their vigilance and dedication to disrupting this threat and putting him behind bars.”

“The NYPD will stop at nothing to protect New Yorkers from those who support and pledge loyalty to violent ISIS extremists,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “I commend the NYPD investigators and all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for identifying and arresting this gun-toting fraudster, and for thwarting the dangerous domestic threat he posed to our communities.”

As alleged in the complaint, Manuchekhri traveled to the United States from Tajikistan in June 2016 on a non-immigrant tourist visa and remained in the country after his visa expired in December 2016. In March 2017, Manuchekhri paid an American citizen to enter into a sham marriage with him so that he could obtain legal status in the United States. However, he failed to provide certain supporting documentation that was requested by the government and his petition was never granted.

From approximately December 2021 through April 2023, while residing in Brooklyn, Manuchekhri facilitated approximately $70,000 in payments to ISIS-affiliated individuals in Turkey and Syria, including to an individual who was later arrested by Turkish authorities for his alleged involvement in a January 2024 terrorist attack on a church in Istanbul for which ISIS-K publicly claimed responsibility. Manuchekhri expressed his support for ISIS to others by praising past ISIS attacks in the United States and by collecting jihadi propaganda videos promoting violence and martyrdom.

The complaint further alleges that Manuchekhri possessed and used firearms and made frequent visits to shooting ranges even though he was prohibited from doing so as an alien unlawfully in the United States. In February 2022, Manuchekhri recorded himself firing an assault rifle at a shooting range in New Jersey and sent the video to one of the ISIS-affiliated individuals in Turkey with the message, “Thank God, I am ready, brother.”

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Manuchekhri faces a maximum sentence of 45 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert M. Pollack and Andrew D. Reich are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorneys John Cella and Andrea Broach of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Paralegal Specialist Wayne Colón.

The Defendant:

MANSURI MANUCHEKHRI
Age: 33
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-MJ-64

MIL Security OSI –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Executive Board Approves New 40-month US.4 billion Extended Fund Facility Arrangement for El Salvador
Source: International Monetary Fund

IMF Executive Board Approves New 40-month US$1.4 billion Extended Fund Facility Arrangement for El Salvador

February 26, 2025
- The IMF Executive Board approved a new 40-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for El Salvador, with access equivalent to US$1.4 billion. The Board’s decision allows the authorities an immediate disbursement equivalent to around US$113 million.
- The IMF-supported program aims to ensure conditions are in place to boost El Salvador’s growth prospects and resilience by strengthening public finances, rebuilding external and financial buffers, and improving governance and transparency. Bitcoin risks are also being addressed.
Washington, DC: Today the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 40-month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for El Salvador, with access of SDR 1033.92 million (around US$1.4 billion, or 360 percent of quota). The Board’s approval allows the authorities an immediate disbursement of SDR 86.16 million, equivalent to around US$113 million. The arrangement is expected to catalyze additional multilateral financial support, for a combined overall financing package of over US$3.5 billion over the program period.

Building on recent progress, the authorities’ IMF-supported program aims at addressing macroeconomic imbalances and strengthening governance and transparency, with the objective of boosting El Salvador’s growth prospects and resilience. Under the program, the primary balance will improve by 3½ percent of GDP over three years, underpinned initially by a rationalization of the wage bill, while protecting priority social and infrastructure spending. This will be complemented by measures to rebuild reserve buffers and bolster financial stability, as well as actions to strengthen fiscal transparency and anti-corruption and Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks. The program also addresses risks arising from the Bitcoin project, including by making acceptance of Bitcoin voluntary and by confining public sector engagement in Bitcoin-related activities and transactions in and purchases of Bitcoins.

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

“The Salvadorean economy is steadily expanding on the back of robust remittances and tourism, and a greatly improved security situation. External deficits have narrowed, inflation has fallen, and recent liability management operations have reduced near-term financing needs. Nevertheless, El Salvador continues to face deep macroeconomic imbalances, stemming from high debt and weak external and financial buffers, as well as barriers to investment and productivity. The authorities’ economic program, supported by an Extended Fund Facility arrangement, aims to strengthen fiscal and external sustainability while creating the conditions for stronger and more inclusive growth.

“The Fund-supported program is underpinned by an ambitious growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, aiming to put public debt on a firm downward path and building fiscal buffers. The consolidation is being supported by raising public spending efficiency and reforms of the civil service and the pension system over time, while providing sufficient space to protect priority social and infrastructure spending.

“The program will enhance El Salvador’s resilience to shocks, through a gradual and determined strengthening of external and financial sector buffers. A plan to increase banks’ liquidity buffers has already been approved, with Fund financing also supporting government buffers and central bank reserves. Improvements in regulation and supervision as well as a new financial stability legislation will also bolster financial stability and inclusion.

“Envisaged improvements in governance and transparency are expected to boost confidence and private investment. Early steps have been taken through the enactment of a new Anti-Corruption legislation, and publication by the Court of Accounts of audits of financial statements of government agencies and COVID audits. These will be followed by upgrades to procurement and accountability processes, as well as the strengthening of AML/CFT frameworks.

“The potential risks of the Bitcoin project are being addressed in line with Fund policies and with Fund advice to the authorities. Prior actions include legal reforms that have made acceptance of Bitcoin by the private sector voluntary and ensured that tax payments are made only in U.S. dollars. Transparency of the public crypto e-wallet has been strengthened, and the government plans to gradually unwind its participation in the e-wallet. Going forward, program commitments will confine government engagement in Bitcoin-related economic activities, as well as government transactions in and purchases of Bitcoin. Regulation and supervision of digital assets will be enhanced in line with evolving international best practices.

“Decisive ownership and implementation and broad political and public support will be critical to ensure the program’s success. Agile policy making and contingency planning will be essential to manage downside risks in the context of dollarization. Continued financial and technical support from other official creditors will also be necessary to support program implementation.’’

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

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

@IMFSpokesperson
MIL OSI Economics –
February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Approves New 40-month US$1.4 billion Extended Fund Facility Arrangement for El Salvador
Source: IMF – News in Russian

IMF Executive Board Approves New 40-month US$1.4 billion Extended Fund Facility Arrangement for El Salvador

February 26, 2025
- The IMF Executive Board approved a new 40-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for El Salvador, with access equivalent to US$1.4 billion. The Board’s decision allows the authorities an immediate disbursement equivalent to around US$113 million.
- The IMF-supported program aims to ensure conditions are in place to boost El Salvador’s growth prospects and resilience by strengthening public finances, rebuilding external and financial buffers, and improving governance and transparency. Bitcoin risks are also being addressed.
Washington, DC: Today the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 40-month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for El Salvador, with access of SDR 1033.92 million (around US$1.4 billion, or 360 percent of quota). The Board’s approval allows the authorities an immediate disbursement of SDR 86.16 million, equivalent to around US$113 million. The arrangement is expected to catalyze additional multilateral financial support, for a combined overall financing package of over US$3.5 billion over the program period.

Building on recent progress, the authorities’ IMF-supported program aims at addressing macroeconomic imbalances and strengthening governance and transparency, with the objective of boosting El Salvador’s growth prospects and resilience. Under the program, the primary balance will improve by 3½ percent of GDP over three years, underpinned initially by a rationalization of the wage bill, while protecting priority social and infrastructure spending. This will be complemented by measures to rebuild reserve buffers and bolster financial stability, as well as actions to strengthen fiscal transparency and anti-corruption and Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks. The program also addresses risks arising from the Bitcoin project, including by making acceptance of Bitcoin voluntary and by confining public sector engagement in Bitcoin-related activities and transactions in and purchases of Bitcoins.

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

“The Salvadorean economy is steadily expanding on the back of robust remittances and tourism, and a greatly improved security situation. External deficits have narrowed, inflation has fallen, and recent liability management operations have reduced near-term financing needs. Nevertheless, El Salvador continues to face deep macroeconomic imbalances, stemming from high debt and weak external and financial buffers, as well as barriers to investment and productivity. The authorities’ economic program, supported by an Extended Fund Facility arrangement, aims to strengthen fiscal and external sustainability while creating the conditions for stronger and more inclusive growth.

“The Fund-supported program is underpinned by an ambitious growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, aiming to put public debt on a firm downward path and building fiscal buffers. The consolidation is being supported by raising public spending efficiency and reforms of the civil service and the pension system over time, while providing sufficient space to protect priority social and infrastructure spending.

“The program will enhance El Salvador’s resilience to shocks, through a gradual and determined strengthening of external and financial sector buffers. A plan to increase banks’ liquidity buffers has already been approved, with Fund financing also supporting government buffers and central bank reserves. Improvements in regulation and supervision as well as a new financial stability legislation will also bolster financial stability and inclusion.

“Envisaged improvements in governance and transparency are expected to boost confidence and private investment. Early steps have been taken through the enactment of a new Anti-Corruption legislation, and publication by the Court of Accounts of audits of financial statements of government agencies and COVID audits. These will be followed by upgrades to procurement and accountability processes, as well as the strengthening of AML/CFT frameworks.

“The potential risks of the Bitcoin project are being addressed in line with Fund policies and with Fund advice to the authorities. Prior actions include legal reforms that have made acceptance of Bitcoin by the private sector voluntary and ensured that tax payments are made only in U.S. dollars. Transparency of the public crypto e-wallet has been strengthened, and the government plans to gradually unwind its participation in the e-wallet. Going forward, program commitments will confine government engagement in Bitcoin-related economic activities, as well as government transactions in and purchases of Bitcoin. Regulation and supervision of digital assets will be enhanced in line with evolving international best practices.

“Decisive ownership and implementation and broad political and public support will be critical to ensure the program’s success. Agile policy making and contingency planning will be essential to manage downside risks in the context of dollarization. Continued financial and technical support from other official creditors will also be necessary to support program implementation.’’

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

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

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/26/pr25043-el-salvador-imf-approves-new-40-month-us1-bn-eff-arr

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
February 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: A Spectacle of Faith, Unity, and Tradition

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

Mahakumbh 2025: A Spectacle of Faith, Unity, and Tradition

As the sacred waters settle, the echoes of devotion and grandeur leave an everlasting imprint on history

Posted On: 26 FEB 2025 7:22PM by PIB Delhi

Introduction

In a world marked by the hustle of modernity, few events hold the power to bring millions together in pursuit of something greater than themselves. The Maha Kumbh Mela, currently being held from 13 January 2025 to 26 February 2025, is a sacred pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful gathering, draws millions of pilgrims who bathe in sacred rivers seeking to purify themselves from sins and attain spiritual liberation. The Maha Kumbh Mela is deeply embedded in Hindu mythology and represents one of the most significant gatherings of faith in the world. This sacred event rotates between four locations in India-Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj– each situated by a holy river, from the Ganges to the Shipra, the Godavari, and the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Prayagraj. The expected turnout of 45 crore devotees in 45 days was exceeded within a month, reaching 66 crores⁺ by the concluding day.

Attractions of Kumbh Mela 2025

Triveni Sangam: The sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, offering a deeply spiritual experience.
Ancient Temples: Hanuman Mandir, Alopi Devi Mandir, and Mankameshwar Temple, showcasing the city’s religious heritage.
Historical Landmarks: Ashoka Pillar, University of Allahabad, and Swaraj Bhawan, reflecting India’s rich history and colonial-era architecture.
Cultural Vibrance: Bustling streets, markets, local art, and cuisine providing a glimpse into the city’s life.
Kalagram: Kalagram, set up by the Ministry of Culture in Sector-7 of the Maha Kumbh district, is a vibrant cultural village showcasing India’s rich heritage. Designed around the themes of Craft, Cuisines, and Culture, it offered an immersive experience through performances, exhibitions, and interactive zones.
Akhara Camps: Spiritual hubs where sadhus and seekers engaged in meditation, discussions, and philosophical exchanges.
Immersive Digital Experiences: Inspired by Kumbh 2019, ten stalls facilitating the pilgrims with this experience were specially set up at prime locations in the Kumbh Mela to show videos of major events such as Peshwai, auspicious bathing days, Ganga aarti, etc.
Drone Show: A Grand Drone show was organised by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department featuring hundreds of drones creating vibrant shapes in the sky. Devotees were mesmerized by the divine depiction of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) and Gods drinking from the Amrit Kalash.
Cultural events at the Ganga Pandal: It saw renowned artists from across the country mesmerize devotees with grand presentations of music, dance, and art from 7th – 10th February. The main highlights of the event included performances by famous artists like Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly on 7th; renowned singer Kavita Krishnamurti and Dr. L. Subramaniam on 8th; Suresh Wadkar and Sonal Mansingh on 9th; and, on 10th, celebrated singer Hariharan. In addition, prominent artists from various Indian classical dance and music traditions made the evening musical and grand.
International Bird Festival: Held from February 16-18, 2025, showcasing over 200 migratory and local birds, including endangered species.

Key Rituals and Practices

Shahi Snan: The most significant ritual, where millions bathe at Triveni Sangam to cleanse sins and attain Moksha. Special dates like Paush Purnima and Makar Sankranti witness grand processions of saints and Akharas, marking the official start of the Maha Kumbh.
Ganga Aarti: A visually stunning ritual where priests offer glowing lamps to the sacred river, evoking devotion.
Kalpavas: A month-long period of spiritual discipline where devotees renounce comforts, engage in meditation, and participate in Vedic rituals like Yajnas and Homas.
Prayers & Offerings: Dev Pujan honors deities, while rituals like Shraadh (ancestral offerings) and Veeni Daan (offering hair to the Ganges) symbolize surrender and purification. Acts of charity, such as Gau Daan (cow donation) and Vastra Daan (clothing donation), hold great merit.
Deep Daan: Thousands of lamps are floated on the river, creating a celestial glow that symbolizes devotion and divine blessings.
Prayagraj Panchkoshi Parikrama: A sacred journey around Prayagraj’s holy sites, reviving an ancient tradition and offering spiritual fulfillment.

History and Major Bathing Dates

The origins of the Kumbh Mela are rooted in Hindu mythology. According to the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) story in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) fought over the Amrit (nectar of immortality). During this celestial battle, drops of the nectar fell at four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—where the Kumbh Mela is now held, with the Maha Kumbh occurring once every 144 years at Prayagraj. Historically, the Maha Kumbh Mela has been referenced since ancient times, with records dating back to the Maurya and Gupta periods. It received royal patronage from various dynasties, including the Mughals, and was documented by colonial administrators like James Prinsep. Over centuries, it evolved into a global spiritual and cultural phenomenon. Recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, the Kumbh Mela symbolizes India’s enduring traditions, fostering unity, spirituality, and cultural exchange among millions worldwide.

The timing of each Kumbh Mela is determined by the astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter, believed to signal an auspicious period for spiritual cleansing and self-enlightenment. The festival embodies a confluence of faith, culture, and tradition, attracting ascetics, seekers, and devotees alike. The event’s grandeur is marked by Shahi Snans (bathing rituals), spiritual discourses, and vibrant cultural processions that reflect India’s deep spiritual heritage.

Major bathing dates are:

Date	Bathing Occasion	Significance	Number of Devotees taking a dip (Approx.)
January 13, 2025	Paush Purnima	It serves as an unofficial inauguration of the Maha Kumbh Mela, signifying the commencement of this grand event. Additionally, Paush Purnima marks the initiation of Kalpvasa, a period of intense spiritual practice and devotion observed by pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh Mela.	1.5 crore
January 14, 2025	Makar Sankranti (First Shahi Snan)	Makar Sankranti signifies the sun’s transition to its next astronomical position in accordance with the Hindu calendar. This auspicious day marks the initiation of charitable donations at the Maha Kumbh Mela. Pilgrims traditionally make contributions based on their own volition and generosity.	3.5 crore
January 29, 2025	Mauni Amavasya (Second Shahi Snan)	Mauni Amavasya is a day steeped in significance, as it is believed that the celestial alignments are most propitious for the sacred act of bathing in the holy river. It commemorates a profound event when Rishabh Dev, revered as one of the first sages, broke his protracted vow of silence and immersed himself in the purifying waters of the Sangam. As a result, Mauni Amavasya draws the largest congregation of pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela, making it a momentous day of spiritual devotion and purification.	5 crore
February 3, 2025	Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan)	Basant Panchami symbolizes the transition of seasons and celebrates the arrival of the Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati, in Hindu mythology.	2.33 crore
February 12, 2025	Maghi Purnima	Maghi Purnima is renowned for its connection with the veneration of Guru Brahaspati and the belief that the Hindu deity Gandharva descends from the heavens to the sacred Sangam.	2 crore
February 26, 2025	Maha Shivratri	Maha Shivaratri holds deep symbolism as it marks the final holy bath of the Kalpvasis, and it is intrinsically connected to Lord Shankar.	1.3 crore

Key Infrastructure Development

Temporary City Setup: Maha Kumbh Nagar had been transformed into a temporary city with thousands of tents and shelters, including super deluxe accommodations like the IRCTC’s “Maha Kumbh Gram” luxury tent city which offers deluxe tents and villas with modern amenities.
Roads and Bridges:

Renovation of 92 roads and beautification of 17 major roads
Construction of 30 pontoon bridges using 3,308 pontoons.

Signage for Navigation: A total of 800 multi-language signages (Hindi, English, and regional languages) were installed to guide visitors.
Public Utilities: Over 2,69,000 checkered plates had been laid for pathways. Mobile toilets and robust waste management systems ensured hygiene.

Medical Facilities at Maha Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh 2025 witnessed an extensive medical setup to ensure the well-being of millions of devotees. With over 2,000 medical personnel deployed across the Mela area, the Uttar Pradesh government implemented high-tech healthcare services in every sector. From minor treatments to major surgeries, all medical needs were addressed efficiently.

Key Medical Arrangements:

Central Hospital at Parade Ground:
- 100-bed capacity
- OPD, ICU, and emergency care
- Conducted over 10,000 treatments and multiple successful deliveries
Additional Hospitals:
- 23 hospitals with a total capacity of 360 beds
- Two sub-central hospitals (25 beds each)
- Eight sector hospitals (20 beds each)
- Two infectious disease hospitals (20 beds each)
Medical Services Expansion During Amrit Snan & Magh Purnima:
- 133 ambulances deployed, including seven river ambulances and one air ambulance
- Medical Observation Rooms at key railway stations for emergencies
- First aid posts with trained staff at multiple locations
SRN Hospital and Other City Hospitals on High Alert:
- 250 beds reserved at SRN Hospital
- Blood bank stocked with 200 units
- Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital prepared with:
  - 40-bed trauma center
  - 50-bed surgical ICU
  - 50-bed medicine ward
  - 10-bed cardiology ward and ICU
Medical Teams and Emergency Readiness:
- 300 specialist doctors deployed at the Super Specialty Hospital
- Expert doctors from AIIMS Delhi and BHU remained on high alert
- 150 AYUSH medical personnel provided alternative treatments
Advanced Facilities and AI Integration:
- ECG services and Central Pathology Lab conducting 100+ tests daily
- 50+ free diagnostic tests available for pilgrims
- AI-driven translation technology enabled doctors to communicate in 22 regional and 19 international languages
Affordable Medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras:

Five Jan Aushadhi Kendras set up in Mahakumbh Nagar, including one in Kalagram
Established under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
Provided affordable and quality medicines to pilgrims throughout the Mela
Part of a nationwide network of 15,000+ Jan Aushadhi centers, with 62 centers in Prayagraj
Contributed to the national target of ₹2,000 crore in medicine sales, with ₹1,500 crore already achieved.

The entire medical infrastructure was continuously monitored by senior officials to ensure smooth operations, cleanliness, and quick emergency responses. These arrangements played a crucial role in managing the healthcare needs of millions at the Maha Kumbh 2025.

AYUSH at Maha Kumbh

The Ayush OPDs, clinics, stalls, and wellness sessions emerged as major attractions for devotees and visitors at Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj. The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the National Ayush Mission, Uttar Pradesh, provided free healthcare services to both domestic and international pilgrims. With a strong focus on traditional healing systems, Ayush services received widespread participation, reinforcing the global trust in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy.

Key Highlights of Ayush Services:

Extensive Healthcare Support: Over 1.21 lakh devotees availed Ayush services during the festival.
Dedicated Ayush OPDs: A team of 80 doctors across 20 OPDs provided 24×7 medical services, addressing both common and chronic conditions.
International Participation: Foreign devotees also accessed Ayush OPD consultations and wellness therapies.
Yoga Therapy Sessions: Daily therapeutic yoga sessions were conducted from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at designated camps in the Sangam area and Sector-8, led by experts from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi.
Integrated Healthcare: Over 7 lakh pilgrims received medical care, including:
- 4.5 lakh treated at 23 allopathic hospitals
- 3.71 lakh pathology tests conducted
- 3,800 minor and 12 major surgeries successfully performed
Specialist Involvement: Experts from AIIMS Delhi, IMS BHU, and international specialists from Canada, Germany, and Russia contributed to providing world-class healthcare.
Traditional Treatments: 20 AYUSH hospitals offered treatments in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy to over 2.18 lakh pilgrims.
Holistic Wellness: Services such as Panchakarma, yoga therapy, and health awareness campaigns were well-received, enhancing the overall well-being of attendees.

Security Measures

Security at Maha Kumbh 2025 had been strengthened through a seven-tier system with AI-powered surveillance, a vast deployment of personnel, and emergency response mechanisms. Over 50,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, 14,000 home guards, and 2,750 AI-based CCTV cameras, had been deployed. Enhanced measures included drone and underwater surveillance, cyber security, and river safety. Fire safety infrastructure had been expanded with specialized vehicles and firefighting stations. Lost and Found centers used digital registration and social media updates to reunite missing persons with their families.

Key Security Measures

Surveillance and Law Enforcement

AI & Drone Monitoring: 2,750 AI-powered cameras, drones, anti-drones, and tethered drones for real-time tracking.
Underwater Drones: First-time deployment for 24/7 river surveillance, operating up to 100 meters deep.
Checkpoints & Intelligence Squads: Screening at multiple entry points, hotel and vendor inspections, and patrols.
Seven-Tier Security System: Layered protection from the outer perimeter to the inner sanctum.

Fire Safety Measures

₹131.48 crore allocated for fire safety, ensuring the deployment of:
- 351 firefighting vehicles.
- 50+ fire stations and 20 fire posts.
- Four Articulating Water Towers (AWT) equipped with thermal cameras, reaching 35 meters in height.
- Over 2,000 trained fire personnel.
- Fire safety equipment installed in all tent settlements.

Emergency & Disaster Response

Multi-Disaster Response Vehicles: Equipped with lifting bags (10-20 tonnes), rescue tools, and victim location cameras.
Remote-Controlled Life Buoys: Deployed for immediate water rescue operations.
Incident Response System (IRS): Ensures swift emergency handling through a coordinated command structure.

Enhanced River Security

3,800 Water Police personnel deployed, including 2,500 currently on duty and 1,300 additional personnel before the event.
11 FRP Speed Motor Boats and four Anaconda motorboats with built-in changing rooms for patrol.
Three Water Police Stations & Two Floating Rescue Stations operating 24/7.
Four Water Ambulances equipped with medical facilities stationed along the river.
Deep-Water Barricading: An 8-km stretch secured to prevent accidents.
Equipment Deployment: 100 diving kits, 440 lifebuoys, and over 3,000 life jackets.

Overall Deployment & Infrastructure

Security Forces: 10,000+ police personnel, NDRF, SDRF, CAPF, PAC, and bomb disposal squads.
Prayagraj Police Infrastructure:
- 57 permanent police stations.
- 13 temporary police stations.
- 23 security checkpoints.
- 8 zones, 18 security sectors.
700+ boats with police and disaster response personnel stationed along the rivers.
Mock Drills & Inspections: Conducted by police and ATS teams for security preparedness.

CRPF’s Role in Maha Kumbh 2025

24/7 Security: Personnel deployed at ghats, Mela grounds, and key routes.
Use of Modern Technology: Vigilant monitoring to handle emergencies effectively.
Guidance & Assistance: Helping devotees navigate massive crowds with a polite approach.
Disaster Management: Rapid response team on high alert for crises.
Humanitarian Efforts: Assisting in reuniting lost children and elderly with their families.

Cyber Security at Maha Kumbh

More than 65 crore devotees have visited the Maha Kumbh Nagar. To ensure that such a large number of devotees are well-informed, the Uttar Pradesh government had decided to utilize every platform, including print, digital, and social media. Cyber experts have been actively monitoring online threats and investigating gangs exploiting platforms such as AI, Facebook, X, and Instagram. A mobile cyber team was also deployed for large-scale public awareness campaigns.

Special cyber security arrangements were initiated to safeguard devotees from across the globe:

Deployment of 56 dedicated cyber warriors and experts for cyber patrolling.
Establishment of a Maha Kumbh cyber police station to counter cyber threats like fraudulent websites, social media scams, and fake links.
40 Variable Messaging Displays (VMDs) installed in both the fair area and the commissionerates for raising awareness about cyber threats.
Formation of a dedicated helpline number, 1920, and promotion of verified government websites.

Ease of Making Payments at Maha Kumbh

Seamless Digital Banking Services: Ensuring convenience, safety, and security for millions of devotees and pilgrims.
Service Infrastructure: Service counters, mobile banking units, and customer assistance kiosks at five key locations.
Daak Sevaks: Trusted Daak Sevaks offering doorstep banking services for cash withdrawals via Aadhaar-linked accounts through AePS (Aadhaar ATM).
‘Banking at Call’ facility: Pilgrims can dial 7458025511 to access banking services anywhere within Maha Kumbh.
Empowering Digital Transactions: Enabling local vendors and businesses to accept digital payments through DakPay QR Cards, fostering a cashless ecosystem.
Awareness Campaigns: Educating pilgrims and vendors through trained professionals, Daak Sevaks, hoardings, and digital demonstrations and assisting with account openings, transactions, and queries.
Memorabilia Offer: Free printed photographs for visitors as a keepsake.

Railway Transportation at Maha Kumbh

Maha Kumbh 2025, necessitated extensive preparations by Indian Railways to ensure seamless transportation, safety, and infrastructure readiness. Indian Railways has undertaken massive operational, infrastructural, and security measures to handle the unprecedented influx of devotees at Prayagraj and adjoining regions.

1. Operational Measures To manage the surge in passengers, Indian Railways has implemented the following measures:

Special Train Services: Over 1,000 special trains are being introduced on high-demand routes to Prayagraj from various parts of India.
Increased Train Frequencies: Regular trains operating on critical routes have been augmented to handle additional passengers.
Reservation System Enhancements: Tatkal and special booking counters have been set up to facilitate smooth ticketing.
Dedicated Help Desks: Information booths and inquiry counters have been increased at major railway stations to assist pilgrims.

2. Security and Crowd Management Given the large congregation, security measures have been significantly bolstered:

Deployment of RPF and GRP Personnel: More than 10,000 personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed at key stations.
CCTV Surveillance: High-resolution CCTV cameras have been installed across railway stations and inside trains for real-time monitoring.
Drone Surveillance: Drones are being used for crowd monitoring and quick response to emergencies.
AI-Based Crowd Management Systems: Advanced AI-based predictive modeling is being used to monitor crowd density and prevent stampedes.

3. Infrastructure Development To accommodate the increased footfall, major infrastructural upgrades have been carried out:

Expansion of Platforms: Stations in Prayagraj and nearby regions have undergone expansion to handle additional trains.
New Foot Over Bridges (FOBs): Additional FOBs have been constructed to ease passenger movement.
Enhanced Lighting and Signage: Railway stations have been equipped with improved lighting and digital signboards for better navigation.
Escalators and Lifts: Stations have been upgraded with escalators and lifts for the convenience of elderly and differently-abled passengers.

4. Passenger Amenities and Digital Initiatives To ensure a comfortable experience for devotees, Indian Railways has introduced several passenger-friendly initiatives:

Additional Waiting Rooms and Rest Areas: Temporary waiting halls with adequate seating, clean drinking water, and sanitation facilities have been established.
Food and Water Distribution: Special food counters and kiosks have been set up to provide hygienic meals and drinking water.
Digital Ticketing and Mobile App Services: The Indian Railways app has been upgraded with real-time train tracking, ticket booking, and emergency services information.
Public Announcement Systems: High-quality PA systems have been installed for timely announcements regarding train arrivals and departures.

5. Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response To mitigate risks and handle emergencies effectively, Indian Railways has implemented:

Quick Response Teams (QRTs): Deployed at key stations to handle medical emergencies and crowd control.
Onboard Medical Facilities: Special medical coaches have been added to long-distance trains.
Fire Safety Measures: Fire extinguishers and emergency exits have been reviewed and upgraded in railway coaches and stations.
Coordination with Local Authorities: Continuous coordination with local police, healthcare units, and disaster management teams to handle contingencies.

Bus Transportation at Maha Kumbh

The Uttar Pradesh government had deployed 1200 additional buses on 12 February 2025, supplementing the 3050 already allocated for Maha Kumbh 2025. Special shuttle services had also been arranged to enhance intra-city transportation.

Buses were available every 10 minutes at four temporary bus stations.
750 shuttle buses were operating every 2 minutes for intra-city connectivity.
Measures taken to prevent overcrowding and ensure smooth pilgrim movement.

Air Transportation for Maha Kumbh

Prayagraj Airport underwent significant modernization to support the large influx of devotees during the Maha Kumbh Mahotsav from January 13 to February 26, 2025. Expansion efforts improved connectivity, capacity, and passenger services, ensuring a seamless travel experience. To ensure seamless travel for tourists attending the Maha Kumbh, the Ministry of Tourism had partnered with Alliance Air to enhance air connectivity to Prayagraj from multiple cities across India.

Flight Operations & Connectivity

81 new flights were introduced in January 2025 to accommodate pilgrims.
The total number of flights increased to 132, providing around 80,000 monthly seats.
Direct connectivity expanded from 8 cities in December 2024 to 17 cities, while connecting flights reached 26 cities, including Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
The Union Civil Aviation Minister directed airlines to regulate airfares, especially for peak days like the Shahi Snan (January 29, February 3) and other major bathing days (February 4, 12, and 26).

Passenger and Flight Traffic

The airport witnessed 30,172 passengers and operated 226 flights within a week.
For the first time, over 5,000 passengers traveled through the airport in a single day.
Night flights were introduced, providing 24/7 connectivity—a historic first in the airport’s 106-year history.

Infrastructure Expansion

The terminal area expanded from 6,700 sq. m. to 25,500 sq. m.
The old terminal was reconfigured to accommodate 1,080 peak-hour passengers, while a new terminal handled 1,620 passengers.
Parking capacity increased from 200 to 600 vehicles.
Check-in counters rose from 8 to 42, and baggage scanning machines (XBIS-HB) increased from 4 to 10.
Aircraft parking bays grew from 4 to 15, while conveyor belts increased from 2 to 5.
Taxi tracks and airport gates were expanded from 4 to 11.

Enhanced Passenger Experience

Boarding bridges increased from 2 to 6 for smoother passenger movement.
New lounges, a childcare room, and additional F&B counters were introduced.
The UDAN Yatri Café was established for affordable food options.
Meet-and-greet services were launched for differently-abled passengers.
Prepaid taxi counters and city bus services were introduced in collaboration with the UP Government.

Safety & Medical Facilities

Security infrastructure was strengthened with additional aerobridges and door-framed metal detectors.
Ambulances and air ambulance services were deployed to handle medical emergencies.
Arriving pilgrims were given a floral welcome, enhancing their spiritual journey.

Ensuring Food Availability and Safety

The Union Government and Uttar Pradesh government have taken multiple measures to provide affordable food and ensure food safety at Maha Kumbh 2025. Subsidized rations, free meals, and stringent food safety protocols are in place to cater to millions of devotees.

Subsidized Ration Distribution by NAFED

Quality ration at affordable prices distributed across Prayagraj.
Over 1000 metric tons of rations provided.
20 mobile vans ensure delivery across Maha Kumbh.
Orders via WhatsApp/call on 72757 81810 for doorstep delivery.
Subsidized items:
- Wheat flour & rice (10 kg packets).
- Moong, masoor, and chana dal (1 kg packets).

Free Meal Distribution & Cooking Gas Arrangements

20,000 people served free meals daily.
25,000 new ration cards issued for Maha Kumbh.
35,000+ gas cylinders refilled and 3,500 new connections issued.
5,000 gas cylinders refilled daily to support food preparation.

Food Safety Measures by FSSAI & UP Government

5 zones & 25 sectors monitored for food hygiene.
56 Food Safety Officers (FSOs) deployed across the fair.
10 Mobile Food Testing Labs (Food Safety on Wheels) conducting on-the-spot food safety tests.
Hotels, dhabas & stalls regularly inspected for hygiene compliance.
Public health lab in Varanasi testing food samples from Maha Kumbh.

Awareness & Public Engagement

FSSAI’s interactive pavilion educating visitors on food safety.
Nukkad Natak performances & live quizzes promoting hygiene awareness.
Adulteration checks & training sessions for vendors and food businesses.

Cleanliness and Sanitation

The Swachh Maha Kumbh Abhiyan has set a benchmark for environmental stewardship, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable pilgrimage experience.

Sanitation Infrastructure

10,200 sanitation workers and 1,800 Ganga Sevadut deployed for cleanliness.

Waste Management Initiatives

22,000 sanitation workers ensuring litter-free fairgrounds.
Water treatment initiatives to maintain clean river water for bathing.
Strict plastic ban and use of biodegradable cutlery.
Thousands of bio-toilets and automated garbage disposal units installed.

Major Bathing Days and Cleanliness Efforts

Basant Panchami (Feb 14, 2025):
- 2.33 crore devotees took a dip in the Triveni Sangam.
- 15,000 sanitation workers and 2,500 Ganga Seva Doots deployed.
- Special cleaning of akhada paths and ghats.
- Quick Response Teams (QRTs) ensured swift waste removal.
Magh Purnima (Feb 24, 2025):
- Over 2 crore devotees participated.
- Overnight cleaning drive restored ghats and fairgrounds.
- Special cleaning vehicles and cesspool operations maintained sanitation.

Sanitation and Waste Disposal System

12,000 FRP toilets with septic tanks.
16,100 prefabricated steel toilets with soak pits.
20,000 community urinals installed.
20,000 trash bins and 37.75 lakh liner bags for waste collection.
Special sanitation teams clearing waste post-major rituals.

Miyawaki Forests: A Green Initiative

119,700 saplings of 63 species planted in 2023-24 across 34,200 sqm.
Buswar dumping yard transformed into a green zone with 27,000 saplings.
Species planted: Mango, neem, peepal, tamarind, tulsi, gulmohar, and medicinal plants.

Public Participation and Awareness

Swachhata Rath Yatra promoting cleanliness.
Street plays, musical performances, and public address systems spreading awareness.
Waste disposal initiatives: Segregation at source and organized garbage collection.

River Cleaning with Trash Skimmer Machines

Two machines remove 10-15 tons of waste daily from Ganga and Yamuna.
Machine capacity: 13 cubic meters, covering a 4 km stretch of the river.
Waste disposal at Naini plant, plastic sent for recycling, and organic waste composted.

Welfare of Sanitation Workers

Sanitation colonies with housing and amenities.
Primary schools for workers’ children under Vidya Kumbh initiative.
Proper food, accommodation, and timely wages ensured.

Water Supply

A large-scale arrangement for clean and pure drinking water has been made for millions of pilgrims coming from across the country and abroad at the Maha Kumbh:

233 Water ATMs installed across the Mela area, operational 24/7.
RO (Reverse Osmosis) purified water provided to pilgrims.
Over 40 lakh pilgrims benefited from these Water ATMs between January 21 and February 1, 2025.
Initially, water was available at ₹1 per liter via coins or UPI payments, but now it is completely free.
Each ATM is equipped with sensor-based monitoring to detect faults.

SIM-based technology ensures connectivity with the administration’s central network.
Each ATM dispenses 12,000 to 15,000 liters of RO water daily.
On-site operators ensure smooth functioning and quick resolution of technical issues.

Pilgrims must refill bottles instead of using plastic, reducing waste.
Water supply arrangements focus on cleanliness and sustainability.
Technical teams monitor ATMs to ensure uninterrupted service.

International Bird Festival

This festival blended science, nature, and culture, inspiring conservation efforts and sustainable development.

Date & Venue: February 16-18, 2025, in Prayagraj.
Bird Species: Over 200 migratory and local birds, including endangered species.
Objective: Promote environmental conservation and biodiversity awareness.

Festival Highlights

Bird Watching & Awareness
- Rare birds like Indian Skimmer, Flamingo, and Siberian Crane.
- Thousands of migratory birds from Siberia, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and other regions.
- Eco-tourism plan for devotees, featuring expert-led bird walks and nature walks.
Competitions & Activities
- Photography, painting, slogan writing, debates, and quizzes.
- Prizes worth ₹21 lakhs (₹10,000 to ₹5 lakhs).
Expert Insights
- Ornithologists, environmentalists, and conservation experts in technical sessions.
- Discussions on bird migration, habitat protection, climate change impact.
Cultural & Educational Programs
- Street plays, art exhibitions, and cultural performances on biodiversity.
- Student participation in conservation activities for hands-on learning.

List of Notable Personalities at Maha Kumbh

Various well-known personalities visited Prayagraj to take a dip in the holy Triveni Sangam. These include:

Hon. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
Home Minister Shri Amit Shah
Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh
Governor of Uttar Pradesh Smt. Anandiben Patel
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath & Cabinet Ministers
Chief Ministers:
- Rajasthan – Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma
- Haryana – Shri Nayab Singh Saini
- Manipur – Shri N. Biren Singh
- Gujarat – Shri Bhupendra Patel
Union Ministers:
- Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
- Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal
- Shri Shripad Naik
Members of Parliament:
- Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi
- Shri Anurag Thakur
- Smt. Sudha Murthy
- Shri Ravi Kishan
Sports & Entertainment Personalities

Olympic Medalist Saina Nehwal
Cricketer Suresh Raina
International Wrestler Khali
Renowned Poet Kumar Vishwas
Choreographer Remo D’Souza
Bollywood Actress Katrina Kaif
Bollywood Actress Raveena Tandon

Kalagram

Kalagram, set up by the Ministry of Culture in Sector-7 of the Maha Kumbh district, is a vibrant cultural village showcasing India’s rich heritage. Designed around the themes of Craft, Cuisines, and Culture, it offers an immersive experience through performances, exhibitions, and interactive zones. The space brings together traditional arts, folk performances, digital storytelling, and culinary delights, making it a must-visit for devotees and tourists. The exhibition featured performances by nearly 15,000 artists from different parts of the country.

Key Highlights of Kalagram

Grand Entrance: 635 ft wide, 54 ft high façade depicting 12 Jyotirlingas and Lord Shiva consuming Halahal.
Massive Stage: 104 ft wide and 72 ft deep, themed on Char Dham.
Performances: 14,632 artists perform daily on multiple stages.
Anubhuti Mandapam: 360° immersive experience narrating the descent of Ganga.
Aviral Shashwat Kumbh: Digital exhibition by ASI, NAI, and IGNCA on Kumbh’s history.
Food Zone: Offers satvik cuisine from different regions and Prayagraj’s local delicacies.
Sanskriti Aangans: Handicrafts and handlooms by 98 artisans from seven Zonal Cultural Centres.

International Tourism at Maha Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj emerged as a global phenomenon, attracting foreign tourists, travel writers, and spiritual seekers from various countries. The Uttar Pradesh government and the Ministry of Tourism implemented extensive initiatives to facilitate international participation, promote cultural exchange, and position the event on the world tourism map.

International Participation and Tourism Initiatives

A group of British travel writers visited the Maha Kumbh on February 25–26, 2025, exploring religious, historical, and cultural sites in Prayagraj.
Special plans were executed to provide accommodation, guided tours, digital information centers, and cultural programs for foreign visitors.
The delegation also visited Prayagraj Fort, Anand Bhawan, Akshayavat, Alfred Park, and the Sangam area, along with trips to Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Lucknow.

Foreign Tourists and Cultural Engagement

Pilgrims and tourists from South Korea, Japan, Spain, Russia, the United States, and other nations participated in the festival.
Many engaged with local guides at the Sangam Ghat to understand the spiritual and cultural significance of the event.
A visitor from Spain described the experience as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Foreign devotees actively participated in the rituals and ceremonies, with many international sadhus and sanyasis taking the holy dip.

Maha Kumbh as a Global Cultural Brand

The event was promoted as part of the “Brand UP” vision, highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s potential for tourism and investment.
The Uttar Pradesh government engaged with global tourism and hospitality stakeholders at international fairs to foster sustainable tourism and investment opportunities.
The strategic engagement aimed to enhance India’s reputation as a land of spirituality and innovation.

Promotion at International Tourism Fairs

Maha Kumbh 2025 was showcased at FITUR in Madrid, Spain (January 24–28, 2025) and ITB Berlin, Germany (March 4–6, 2025).
Special 40-square-meter pavilions were set up to display Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage and attract global tourists.
VVIP lounges facilitated B2B and B2C interactions, ensuring international collaborations.
Promotional materials in multiple languages helped reach a diverse global audience.

Digital Maha Kumbh and Global Engagement

The event’s official website saw 33 lakh visitors from 183 countries in the first week of January.
Visitors from 6,206 cities worldwide accessed the platform, with India, the United States, Britain, Canada, and Germany leading the traffic.
The technical team managing the site reported a surge in global traffic, with millions of daily users exploring content on Maha Kumbh’s history and spiritual significance.
The digital initiative ensured seamless access to information, enabling visitors to focus on the spiritual aspects of the festival without logistical challenges.

Incredible India Pavilion and Tourist Services

On January 12, 2025, the Ministry of Tourism set up the Incredible India Pavilion, a 5,000 sq. ft. immersive space at Maha Kumbh.
The pavilion facilitated foreign tourists, scholars, researchers, journalists, photographers, and the Indian diaspora.
The Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Poll allowed visitors to vote for their favorite tourism destinations in India.
A dedicated toll-free Tourist Infoline (1800111363 or 1363) was launched, operating in 10 international languages and Indian regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese, and Marathi.

Luxury Accommodation and Travel Packages

The Ministry of Tourism collaborated with UPSTDC, IRCTC, and ITDC to provide curated tour packages and luxury accommodations.
ITDC set up 80 luxury accommodations at Tent City, Prayagraj, while IRCTC introduced luxury tents for the convenience of international tourists.
A digital brochure detailing the tour packages was widely circulated through Indian Missions and India Tourism Offices to reach a broader audience.

Through these extensive efforts, Maha Kumbh 2025 successfully established itself as a global spiritual and cultural event, reinforcing Uttar Pradesh’s identity as a premier destination for religious tourism and international investment.

Key Exhibitions at Maha Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 featured a vast array of exhibitions designed to showcase India’s rich cultural, artistic, and spiritual heritage. These exhibitions provided visitors and pilgrims with a unique opportunity to engage with the traditions, crafts, and historical narratives of India.

1. Kumbh Gram (Sector 7) Exhibitions

A specially curated space in Sector 7 of Kumbh Gram hosted several exhibitions reflecting the diverse aspects of India’s heritage, handicrafts, tourism, and disaster preparedness. These included:

Khadi Gramodyog Exhibition: Displaying the significance of khadi and village industries, promoting indigenous craftsmanship and self-reliance.
One District One Product (ODOP) Pavilion: Showcasing district-specific products from Uttar Pradesh, supporting local artisans and businesses.
Uttar Pradesh Darshan Mandapam: A visual journey through the major cultural and religious sites of Uttar Pradesh.
Incredible India Kala Gram: Featuring a vast collection of artistic works that celebrated India’s folk and traditional art forms.
Chhattisgarh Exhibition: Presenting the unique cultural and traditional aspects of Chhattisgarh, including tribal art and crafts.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism Exhibition: Highlighting major tourist destinations within Uttar Pradesh, encouraging travel and exploration.
North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC) Pavilion: Dedicated to promoting the region’s diverse cultural performances, arts, and heritage.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Exhibition: Educating visitors on disaster preparedness, resilience, and emergency response mechanisms.

2. ‘Bhagwat’ Exhibition at Allahabad Museum

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the ‘Bhagwat’ exhibition at the Allahabad Museum, an initiative that showcased a remarkable collection of miniature paintings inspired by the Bhagwat. The exhibition presented intricate depictions of significant events from the Bhagwat, offering visitors a deep insight into India’s spiritual and artistic traditions.

3. ‘Aviral Shashvat Kumbh’ Exhibition

This exhibition provided a historical perspective on the Kumbh Mela, tracing its origins and evolution over centuries. Featuring artifacts, digital displays, and informational posters, ‘Aviral Shashvat Kumbh’ aimed to educate visitors on the enduring legacy of this grand festival and its role in India’s spiritual landscape.

The exhibitions at Maha Kumbh 2025 not only enhanced the spiritual experience of pilgrims but also served as a window into India’s rich cultural heritage. Through a blend of traditional artistry, historical retrospectives, and interactive showcases, these exhibitions played a crucial role in making Maha Kumbh 2025 an enriching and memorable event for millions of attendees.

Telecom at Maha Kumbh: BSNL

Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) played a crucial role in strengthening the communication infrastructure at the Maha Kumbh 2025, ensuring reliable connectivity for millions of pilgrims, administrative officials, security forces, and volunteers. A dedicated customer service center was set up in the Mela area, where visitors received on-site assistance, complaint resolution, and uninterrupted communication services.

Pilgrims from different parts of the country were provided with free SIM cards from their respective circles. If any pilgrim lost or damaged their SIM card, they did not need to return to their home state, as BSNL had arranged for SIM cards from all circles across the country to be available in the Mela area. This service was provided free of charge, allowing devotees to stay connected with their families throughout the event.

BSNL established a camp office at Lal Road, Sector-2, from where all communication services were managed. There was a significant increase in demand for fiber connections, leased line connections, and mobile recharges during the Kumbh, and BSNL ensured the availability of SIM cards from different states, benefiting both pilgrims and security personnel.

To guarantee uninterrupted communication, BSNL activated a total of 90 BTS towers in the Mela area:

30 BTS towers operating on the 700 MHz 4G band
30 BTS towers on the 2100 MHz band
30 BTS towers with 2G-enabled connectivity

Additionally, BSNL provided several advanced communication services, including:

Internet leased lines
Wi-Fi hotspots
High-speed internet (FTTH)
Webcasting
SD-WAN services
Bulk SMS services
M2M SIMs
Satellite phone services

Through these initiatives, BSNL ensured seamless communication throughout the Mahakumbh 2025, supporting both the public and the administrative machinery in managing the grand event efficiently.

Akharas at Maha Kumbh

In Maha Kumbh 2025, the Akharas played a significant role, representing various traditions and sects of Sanatan Dharma. The word ‘Akhara’ originates from ‘Akhand,’ meaning indivisible. These religious institutions have existed since the 6th century during the time of Adi Guru Shankaracharya and have been the custodians of spiritual practices and rituals at the Kumbh Mela.

A total of 13 Akharas participated in this Maha Kumbh, including the Kinnar Akhara, Dashnam Sannyasini Akhara, and Mahila Akhara, symbolizing gender equality and a progressive outlook. The grand processions and sacred rituals of the Akharas were among the main attractions of the event, inspiring millions of devotees toward spiritual growth, discipline, and unity.

These institutions not only preserved the spiritual and cultural values of Sanatan Dharma but also embraced modern sensibilities by promoting inclusivity and equality. The presence of the Akharas at Maha Kumbh fostered unity across caste, religion, and cultural diversity, making the event a symbol of spiritual and cultural enrichment.

Green Maha Kumbh: A National-Level Environmental Discussion

The Green Maha Kumbh was held on January 31, 2025, as a significant platform to promote environmental awareness alongside cultural and spiritual traditions. The event brought together over 1,000 environmental and water conservation experts from across the country. It was organized as part of the Gyan Maha Kumbh – 2081 series by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas.

The discussions at the Green Maha Kumbh focused on:

Issues related to nature, the environment, water, and cleanliness.
Maintaining the balance of the five elements of nature.
Sharing best practices in environmental conservation and cleanliness.
Strategies to engage devotees in sustainability efforts during Maha Kumbh.

Experts from various fields shared their insights and experiences on tackling environmental challenges and implementing eco-friendly solutions. Additionally, the discussions explored ways to raise awareness among visitors about environmental protection, promoting initiatives that ensured a cleaner and greener Maha Kumbh. The event reinforced the vision of an environmentally responsible Maha Kumbh, setting a precedent for sustainable practices in future religious gatherings.

Netra Kumbh

Maha Kumbh 2025 witnessed several record-breaking initiatives, with a significant focus on healthcare and social welfare. One of the most remarkable efforts was the Netra Kumbh, a massive eye care initiative aimed at combating vision impairment. Spanning 10 acres in Sector 5 near Nagvasuki, the event set new benchmarks in eye testing and spectacle distribution, striving to secure a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Record-Breaking Eye Tests & Spectacles: Over 5 lakh people underwent eye tests, and 3 lakh spectacles were distributed.
Daily OPD & Facilities: The Netra Kumbh had 11 hangars, offering 10,000 consultations daily with specialists and optometrists.
Previous Achievement: The earlier Netra Kumbh secured a place in the Limca Book of Records.
Aim for Guinness World Record: The 2025 event sought to surpass previous achievements and enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
Eye Donation Camp: Encouraged donations to help reduce blindness, addressing corneal issues affecting over 15 million people in India.

BHASHINI in Maha Kumbh

At Maha Kumbh 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) successfully leveraged BHASHINI, a revolutionary initiative under the Digital India program, to overcome language barriers and enhance communication. By offering multilingual access in 11 Indian languages, BHASHINI transformed information dissemination, navigation, emergency response, and governance, ensuring a seamless experience for millions of pilgrims. Additionally, the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot, powered by AI, provided real-time assistance, making Maha Kumbh 2025 more accessible and technologically advanced than ever before.

BHASHINI’s Role in Maha Kumbh 2025:

Real-Time Information Dissemination: Announcements, event schedules, and safety guidelines were translated into 11 Indian languages, enabling pilgrims to stay informed regardless of their native language.
Simplified Navigation: BHASHINI’s speech-to-text, text-to-speech tools, and multilingual chatbot, integrated with mobile applications and kiosks, assisted devotees in finding their way.
Accessible Emergency Services: The CONVERSE feature helped pilgrims communicate with the 112-emergency helpline in their native languages, in collaboration with the UP Police.
E-Governance Support: Authorities used BHASHINI to effectively communicate regulations, guidelines, and public service announcements to a diverse audience.
Lost and Found Assistance: BHASHINI’s Digital Lost & Found Solution enabled visitors to register lost or found items using voice inputs, with real-time translations simplifying the process.

Kumbh Sah’AI’yak Chatbot:

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this AI-powered, multilingual, voice-enabled chatbot played a crucial role in assisting pilgrims.
Powered by advanced AI technologies like Llama LLM, it provided real-time navigation and event-related information.
BHASHINI’s language translation enabled the chatbot to function in Hindi, English, and nine other Indian languages, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

Akashvani’s Kumbhvani

In a significant initiative to keep devotees and pilgrims informed, Akashvani’s Kumbhvani News Bulletins were broadcasted live through the public address system in Mahakumbh Nagar in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The first Kumbhvani News Bulletin was aired on public address system today i.e. 18.01.2025 at 8:30 am. The Kumbhvani news bulletins were broadcasted three times a day, at 8:30-8:40 am, 2:30-2:40 pm, and 8:30-8:40 pm, providing updates on various activities related to the Mahakumbh Mela. Additionally, devotees could also tune in to Kumbhvani news bulletins on 103.5 MHz frequency in Prayagraj.

References

https://pib.gov.in/EventDetail.aspx?ID=1197&reg=3&lang=1

https://www.instagram.com/airnewsalerts/p/DE3txwqIpRQ/

Click here to see PDF:

Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

(Release ID: 2106476)

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: News 02/26/2025 Blackburn, Schatz Introduce Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Taiwan Partnership, Safeguard U.S. from Communist China’s Security Threats

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act to keep Americans safer by establishing robust security screenings for those traveling to the U.S. from Asia, open new markets for American industry, and strengthen the economic partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan:
“Not only does the Chinese Communist Party present a threat to Taiwan, but Communist China’s campaign for global dominance also presents a clear threat to U.S. interests,” said Senator Blackburn. “We need to secure our homeland by requiring Customs and Border Protection officers to inspect those who are traveling to the U.S. from airports in Asia, and the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would move us one step closer to achieving enhanced security at foreign airports. This legislation would also help identify opportunities to strengthen our economic partnership with Taiwan and increase collaboration between our two countries.”
“Taiwan is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, and boosting our ties strengthens both Taiwan and the United States. This bill would help unlock more economic opportunities for the people of Taiwan, Hawai‘i, and our entire country,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
BACKGROUND
Taiwan is the United States’ vital trading partner and ally in the Indo-Pacific region and is increasingly under threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). To combat this threat to our interests, we must assist our allies in stabilizing their economies and growing their national industries.
Travel and tourism play a crucial role in a nation’s economic security, yet this sector in Taiwan faces pressure and coercion from the CCP. With strategic efforts proposed in this bill, the United States and Taiwan can turn these challenges into opportunities to strengthen our relations and our tourism industries.
The CCP’s campaign for global dominance presents a clear threat to both Taiwan and U.S. interests as well. To secure our homeland, we must establish “pre-clearance” facilities in Asia. Pre-clearance is the strategic stationing of Customs and Border Protection personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights, and it is incredibly important to enhance security, increase collaboration, and streamline travel. Notably, there is no pre-clearance facility in Asia, despite there being an annual average of over 4 million travelers from the continent.
TAIWAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM COORDINATION ACT
Specifically, the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would require the federal government to:
Identify opportunities for enhanced travel between the U.S. and Taiwan;
Facilitate events and coordination between the travel and tourism industry partners in the United States and Taiwan;
Coordinate with Taiwan and other agencies on the safety and security of international visitors both at home and abroad; and
Conduct a feasibility study on establishing a pre-clearance facility in Taiwan.
Click here for bill text.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour: Transforming banking and advancing sustainability

Source: Bank for International Settlements

Since its inception 58 years ago, ASEAN has evolved to become a significant force in global trade, investment and diplomacy. ASEAN now stands as the world’s fourth-largest economic bloc, with an estimated GDP of USD4.13 trillion.¹ Looking ahead to 2025, ASEAN is poised for another strong year. GDP is expected to grow by 4.7%,² significantly outperforming the global average. Much has been said about ASEAN’s pivotal role in global supply chains, our geopolitical neutrality and our strategic location for global trade. However, ASEAN’s driver for sustainable economic growth also comes from within: robust domestic consumption from a youthful demographic, strong growth of individual member states and increasing regional integration. In 2023, for example, intra-ASEAN trade accounted for 21.5% of the region’s total trade in goods.

Let me touch briefly on Malaysia’s growth outlook. After a strong performance last year, Malaysia is expected to record steady growth going into 2025 despite the challenging global environment. The diversified export structure will help cushion against external demand shocks. But, more importantly, key factors within the economy, particularly the robust expansion in investment activity and resilient household spending, will be important to drive growth this year. Exports are also expected to continue expanding with support from tech upcycle and forthcoming tourist arrivals. We acknowledge that the growth outlook is highly subject to risks from trade and investment restrictions. However, growth could potentially be higher from greater spillovers from the tech upcycle, more robust tourism activities and faster implementation of investment projects in the country.

The financial sector lies at the core of ASEAN’s progress over the years. The sector acts as the central engine to our economy, facilitating financial flows within ASEAN. Indeed, over the last few decades, we have made progress in facilitating regional capital flows, connecting our payment infrastructure and introducing a framework to support the integration of our banking system through the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework (ABIF). However, the potential for intra-ASEAN investments remains untapped, and there is still much to be done to achieve regional regulatory coherence. My vision is for the financial sector to become the critical enabler for the next phase of economic integration under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2045. This would require the sector to strategically harness the three driving forces: funding, technology and talent.

Mobilising funds to unlock new growth sectors, bridge financing gap and drive sustainable growth for ASEAN

Let’s start with funding, which is a crucial driver of ASEAN economic growth. ASEAN is facing significant funding gaps that demand our urgent attention. Let me share a few examples. The Asian Development Bank reports that ASEAN economies will need infrastructure investments of at least USD2.8 trillion from 2023 to 2030 to sustain economic growth, reduce poverty and respond to climate change. Key projects in the region that require large financing include the ASEAN Power Grid, which is pivotal to advancing the region’s climate and energy security agenda, and various ASEAN highway and railway projects, such as the Asian Highway Network, which are cornerstones of regional economic development and integration. Our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) also face a daunting financing gap, exceeding USD300 billion annually.³

These figures underscore the urgent need for strategic investments and collaborative efforts to secure a resilient and sustainable future for ASEAN. This need is even more pressing in a region where over 90% of all social infrastructure development has traditionally relied on public resources,⁴ and public funding faces increasing constraints. How, then, can the financial sector step in as a catalyst to crowd in diverse sources of funding and facilitate long-term investments to ensure sustainable economic expansion and build more resilient supply chains and communities?

This is where blended finance, the strategic use of public, private, and philanthropic finance sources and development finance, can be a critical tool to mobilise additional private capital flows toward sustainable development in ASEAN. The financial sector is pivotal in advancing blended finance to meet funding gaps in ASEAN, by enabling acceptable risk-taking levels based on various funding sources. This approach leverages the willingness of development finance and philanthropic funders, including sovereign funds within ASEAN to assume greater risk exposure, utilising tools like partial credit guarantees to attract additional investors. Multilateral development banks and development finance institutions play a critical role by offering concessional financing and technical assistance, which supports local companies in accessing capital markets and structuring deals, thereby encouraging participation by private financial institutions through co-funding arrangements.

I also believe that this is an opportunity for Islamic finance to demonstrate its unique role and impact. In recent years, Islamic finance has gained momentum within the ASEAN region. It offers alternative solutions to conventional financial structures through the use of risk sharing and social finance instruments that can be mobilised towards the development of productive economic sectors such as healthcare, transportation and green sectors. Notably, the deployment of blended capital using instruments such as waqf and zakat in Malaysia and a few neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Brunei have significantly contributed to financial inclusion for the underserved and strengthened support for the MSMEs. An example of this is Malaysia’s iTEKAD initiative, a social blended finance programme for low-income microentrepreneurs that provides social and commercial funding, which comes together with training and mentorship to empower them in generating sustainable income. In the capital market structure, Islamic finance has also been mobilised for infrastructure, climate and green projects. In Malaysia, for example, a total of USD56 billion of sukuk was issued in 2023 to fund real economic sectors with a high concentration in renewable energy and green real estate.

Embracing innovative financing structures will involve navigating various complexities that demand careful consideration, collaboration and adaptation. Hence, advancing capacity building within the financial sector is very crucial. In Malaysia, the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3) continues to serve as a key focal point in supporting the financial preparedness for climate change. As part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Bank Negara Malaysia is committed to supporting the region’s transition efforts. During the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Governors Meeting week from 7 to 10 April this year in Kuala Lumpur, we will host several side events to advance these discussions. These events include a closed-door investor roundtable focused on innovative financing solutions for sizeable ASEAN green and transition projects, as well as pitching sessions on sustainable ASEAN Projects. We invite the financial industry to contribute and participate in these events.

Responsible deployment of technology in financial services is key to maximise its potential while minimising risk

Ladies and gentlemen,

There is an immense potential for ASEAN to also leverage technology. This is the second point. With a median age of about 30 and a substantial portion under 35,⁵ ASEAN’s population is digitally proficient. Indeed, the adoption of digital financial services can be a game-changer in addressing challenges within the region, which include to better serve the needs of large unbanked and underbanked populations in our region.

The outlook for digital financial services in ASEAN is very bright. Through innovations such as mobile wallets, digital payments and micro-lending, digital finance is expanding access to financial services for individuals who previously had limited options. These services are not just filling gaps – they are creating new pathways to financial inclusion, thereby allowing individuals to save, invest and access credit with unprecedented ease.

While digital financial services hold tremendous promise, it comes with its own set of risks. Today’s technological advances are progressing at an unprecedented pace, making our response to these developments very crucial. For financial institutions, deployment of technology must be done thoughtfully and responsibly with holistic consideration of the impacts and value to the broader environment and community. This unwavering commitment to enhance financial services and preserve consumer confidence includes addressing cybersecurity risks, strengthening climate resilience, promoting financial literacy and ensuring that digital financial services are secure and accessible to all segments of society.

As regulators, our commitment is for our policies to strike a balance between embracing technological innovation and, at the same time, preserving financial stability. Our Regulatory Sandbox allows for experimentation and contributes to the recalibration of regulatory policies such as eKYC. We also adapt our regulations to welcome new players into the market, those that have strong value propositions on inclusion, as demonstrated by the issuance of our licensing and regulatory framework for digital banks and digital insurers and takaful operators.

Investing in talent strategies that not only creates a more agile and adaptive workforce, but also paves the way for regional talent mobility

Let me move on to the third point. At the heart of economic growth and development lies talent. ASEAN is blessed with a vibrant, young and dynamic workforce. To capitalise on this potential, the financial sector will need to create an environment that nurtures the next generation of leaders and innovators in finance who carry a unique ASEAN identity – one that is not only tech-savvy, but also adept at navigating the complexities of regional regulations and global economic shifts while championing social equity and environmental sustainability.

I would like to also take this opportunity to share Malaysia’s efforts in developing talent in our financial sector. In July last year, the industry launched the Financial Sector Future Skills Framework, and this is to empower individuals to take charge of their professional development, while creating new talent pipelines and succession pools. I reiterate the call I made during the launch of the framework for the industry to work closely with training institutes, professional bodies and industry associations to ensure that training programmes meet the established quality assurance standards and set high standards in new skill areas.

Complementing this is a dynamic talent development hub, offering tailored learning programmes and certifications. For example, the Financial Sector Talent Enrichment Programme (FSTEP) targets fresh graduates interested in launching their career in financial services, while globally recognised financial certifications are available for seasoned professionals.

Malaysia is also home to regional research and learning hubs such as the SEACEN Centre and is recognised globally as a leader in Islamic finance. With a multitude of well-established talent development institutions and capacity-building providers in Islamic finance, we offer a fertile ground for nurturing specialised skills and thought leadership in this field.

To truly capitalise on the large working-age population in ASEAN, we need to go beyond domestic efforts. Financial institutions across the region should pursue collaborative initiatives that enhance talent mobility, such as through mutual recognition of qualifications and expertise sharing. ABIF can also be leveraged to intensify efforts to promote greater regulatory coherence through capacity-building initiatives. By doing so, we can improve connectivity across ASEAN markets, paving the way for a more integrated and resilient future for the region.

In closing, today’s discourse reaffirms the financial sector’s commitment to turning AEC 2045 into a reality. The challenge lies in ensuring that the ASEAN financial sector has the capacity to do so by mobilising funds, leveraging technology, and developing regional talent.

As I conclude my speech, I leave you with a thought from Peter Drucker: ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it.’ Together, let’s create a future where the financial sector empowers ASEAN’s growth and integration. On that note, I wish you all productive discussions during the rest of the Summit.

MIL OSI Economics –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How tourism and fish farming can thrive together

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mausam Budhathoki, Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling

The tourism and aquaculture sectors have been working together in Oban, on Scotland’s west coast. Rab Woods/Shutterstock

In many coastal regions, tourism and fish farms are vital industries that drive economic growth. Yet, they often compete for space, raising concerns about how to balance these two sectors without compromising the environment or local livelihoods.

In Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, the twin industries of tourism and aquaculture are learning to coexist – and even thrive together. Coastal communities can face economic challenges due to the seasonal nature of tourism as well as often limited job options. Their reliance on coastal resources, which are increasingly affected by environmental changes, can heighten the difficulties.

Aquaculture in high-income countries hasn’t always had the best reputation. Public perception can be negative due to concerns about the environmental impact and resource use. But when it’s practised sustainably, aquaculture can in fact help meet global food demands and contribute to the UN’s sustainable development goals, a blueprint for economic growth that’s equitable and environmentally aware.

Our recent study explored how tourists perceive aquaculture during their holiday and whether exposure to fish farms influences their willingness to consume locally farmed seafood. The results suggest that integrating aquaculture and tourism can increase awareness of sustainable seafood and create economic opportunities.

Oban’s coastline is home to salmon farms, shellfish cultivation, including mussels and oysters, and new seaweed farms. All of these sit in waters popular for marine tours. The tours attract visitors eager to learn more about local wildlife and history. But, aquaculture often faces criticism due to its impact on the landscape and marine ecosystems.

This tension is not unique to Oban. Across Europe, aquaculture growth has stagnated despite its potential to improve food security and sustainability. Regulatory challenges and conflicts over space are significant hurdles. This is especially true in coastal communities where the acceptance and support of the community – known as a “social licence to operate” – is crucial.

But our study offers a promising solution: aquaculture–tourism integration. By showcasing aquaculture as part of the tourism experience, Oban can educate visitors, encourage greater acceptance of sustainable farming practices and boost the local economy.

What tourists think about aquaculture

We surveyed 200 tourists on marine tours in Oban to understand how they view aquaculture. The responses revealed three main types of tourists. These are those with multiple motivations (visitors drawn by nature, socialising and learning); “relaxers” (tourists seeking rest and relaxation, often with little previous knowledge of aquaculture); and outgoing nature enthusiasts (active travellers who value wildlife and environmental conservation).

Despite their different motivations, most tourists responded positively to seeing fish farms during their tours. The most notable shift was among the “relaxers”, who were more interested in eating locally farmed seafood after learning about sustainable farming practices. This shows how education and direct experience can reshape the way seafood production is perceived.

Aquaculture sites are often viewed as eyesores, but our findings show that when framed as part of local culture, they can actually enrich the tourist experience. Tourists appreciated learning about sustainable seafood production as the boats approached floating net cages and began to view aquaculture as a positive part of the community.

Marine tours could include stops at aquaculture sites to let visitors see the operation, hear from farmers and even sample the products. This would present an opportunity to engage tourists and encourage a connection with the industry – potentially building trust with the public.

A successful hybrid venture in the seas around Rhodes, Greece.

This kind of integration offers several advantages. First, it can drive economic growth by attracting tourists interested in sustainable food and environmental practices. This can create a new revenue stream for both the aquaculture and tourism sectors. For example, a small farm on the Greek island of Rhodes partners with a diving centre to offer marine biology tours and dives around its site. Visitors learn about sustainable aquaculture and swim with sea bream in net pens, exploring how these practices support environmental conservation.

Beyond the economic benefits, it can also raise environmental awareness. As tourists learn about sustainable seafood farming, they are more likely to support more environmentally friendly food production in general.

By understanding how aquaculture contributes to food security, public perceptions could shift, leading to broader acceptance of aquaculture as a solution for global food challenges. And positive experiences of aquaculture not only shift perceptions but also make it easier for operators to win support from the community and encourage a more responsible approach to farming practices. However, it’s important that these efforts are honest and truly focused on environmental and social responsibility.

While many of the benefits are clear, there are challenges. Both aquaculture and tourism can damage the environment. Tourism can lead to habitat disruption and pollution, while poorly managed aquaculture can affect water quality and marine biodiversity.

But when farms are regularly visited as part of tourism activities such as boat tours or guided farm visits, there is a greater incentive to maintain high environmental standards. Nonetheless, careful planning and regulation are essential to ensure both sectors operate sustainably without harming ecosystems.

Another challenge is the aesthetic impact of aquaculture, a common issue with industrial food production. Fish farms inevitably alter coastal landscapes, but operators can choose design solutions that balance production needs with preserving the outlook.

Finally, competition for resources and space can lead to conflicts between tourism and aquaculture. Coastal communities must manage these demands carefully to ensure both sectors can thrive. This requires collaboration between tourism operators and aquaculture farmers to prevent clashes over infrastructure and resources.

Oban’s successful integration of aquaculture and tourism offers a model that can could be replicated by coastal communities globally. But barriers, such as the remoteness of some farms or regulatory requirements, may limit feasibility. However, by transforming fish farms into educational attractions, Oban demonstrates how sustainable practices can benefit both sectors.

With a focus on cooperation, education and responsible farming, an integrated approach between tourism operators and aquaculture companies could strengthen the reputation of local seafood. Ultimately, it offers a sustainable model for coastal communities.

Mausam Budhathoki receives funding from the EATFISH project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant 956697).

Dave Little receives funding from EATFISH project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant 956697).

– ref. How tourism and fish farming can thrive together – https://theconversation.com/how-tourism-and-fish-farming-can-thrive-together-249835

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: World’s largest ice-and-snow park concludes with record-breaking 3.56 million tourist visits

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

World’s largest ice-and-snow park concludes with record-breaking 3.56 million tourist visits

HARBIN, Feb. 26 — Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, officially closed its 26th edition on Wednesday evening in the city of Harbin, capital of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang Province, attracting a record-breaking 3.56 million tourist visits, said the park’s operator.

This year’s attendance surpassed the previous edition by 31.4 percent, jumping from 2.71 million visits, according to data from the Harbin Ice and Snow World Co., Ltd.

Known as China’s “Ice City,” Harbin is the cradle of the country’s modern winter sports and boasts a history of ice-and-snow artistry dating back over six decades.

The Harbin Ice-Snow World has captivated audiences for years with its elaborate ice and snow sculptures and immersive winter entertainment lineup.

The 26th edition opened on Dec 21, 2024, and lasted 68 days. It is the edition with the largest scale in the park’s history. Spanning over 1 million square meters, the edition utilized 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow to create the attraction.

MIL OSI China News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: 26th Harbin Ice-Snow World closes

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

26th Harbin Ice-Snow World closes

Updated: February 26, 2025 20:34 Xinhua

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 25, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. The 26th Harbin Ice-Snow World officially closed on Wednesday as temperatures rise. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists pose for photos at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A girl poses for photos at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 25, 2025 shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 25, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A girl visits the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists take photos at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken in the early morning of Feb. 26, 2025 shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken in the early morning of Feb. 26, 2025 shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sarbananda Sonowal unveils ₹4,800 crore plan to transform Assam’s Inland Waterways at Advantage Assam 2.0

Source: Government of India

Sarbananda Sonowal unveils ₹4,800 crore plan to transform Assam’s Inland Waterways at Advantage Assam 2.0

“₹1,500 crore for Green Vessel Transition in Assam by 2030 under ‘Harit Nauka Scheme’”: Sarbananda Sonowal

“World Class Water Metro Service in Guwahati and Dhubri with an investment of ₹315 crore”: Sarbananda Sonowal

“Centre earmarks ₹120 crore for Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh”: Sarbananda Sonowal

“Centre to develop riverine lighthouses along Brahmaputra with ₹100 crore investment:” Sarbananda Sonowal

Posted On: 26 FEB 2025 4:46PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announced an investment of more than ₹4,800 crore to transform the inland waterways sector of Assam at the Advantage Assam 2.0 in Guwahati, today. The investment is to enable the immense potential that the complex and dynamic waterways system of the state has to offer to propel the growth and development of the region towards realising the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat, Shri Sonowal asserted at the session on Assam’s Roads, Railway and Riverine Tourism on the second day of the investment summit.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the country is cruising ahead towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat. Assam along with the Northeast plays an integral part in propelling this journey to realise the vision of Modi ji. Inland Waterways plays a crucial role in this scheme of things as the visionary Modi ji planned its revival since 2014 from near obscurity and neglect of the past. With its rich inter web of riverine system in the region, especially in Assam with Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16), the inland waterways aims at rejuvenating its ageless role as the main conduit of trade and commerce. Globally considered as futuristic, the inland waterways provides an opportunity to opt for a more economic, efficient and environment friendly mode of transporting cargo and passengers. With the launch of schemes like ‘Jalvahak’, the Modi government has been incentivising the businesses to switch to inland waterways, thereby, improving the economies of scale, decongesting the railways and roadways and enabling a conducive ecosystem that is vital for pivotal role Assam is set to play towards India’s ascendency to become world’s biggest and an Atmanirbhar economy by 2047.”

At the summit, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announced allocation of ₹1,500 crore for a planned transition into Green Vessels by 2030 under the ‘Harit Nauka’ scheme. An amount of more than ₹1,500 crore has been earmarked to facilitate cruise tourism and enhance cargo handling capacity by 2027-28 in NW2 and NW16. This includes construction of jetties with on shore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath ghat, Neamati Ghat and Guijan along with construction of a new building for Regional Office, MSDC, Guest house and office space for ITAT at Fancy Bazar in Guwahati. An amount of ₹375 crore is pegged for development of Phase II of Ship Repair Facility at Pandu. In order to maintain fairway, the government has entrusted Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) to ensure assured draft of 2.5 meters from Bangladesh Border to Pandu in NW-2 till 2026-27. An amount of ₹191 crore has been earmarked for this, Shri Sonowal stated.

Adding further, he said, “Advantage Assam has always served as a catalyst for the region’s economic revival, providing businesses with a strategic platform to expand their trade and investment opportunities. With the immense support that Assam has received from our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we remain firmly committed to the holistic development of the economy of Assam and the Northeast. Among the various ongoing projects to enable inland waterways of Assam, we are also planning to transform the conventional vessels into Green Vessels under Harit Nauka scheme. This affirms the commitment of our government towards sustainable development, a milestone set by our dynamic leader Narendra Modi ji. Given the immense potential of riverine tourism in the state, we are developing an ecosystem including infrastructure and fairway for smooth, regular and viable operations. You may be happy to know that the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), with its rich experience of dredging at the sea, has been entrusted with dredging the NW2, for the first time on any river in India.”

The Union Minister also announced the development of Water Metro Service in Guwahati and Dhubri for an estimated investment of ₹315 crore. Based on the success of Kochi Metro Service, the feasibility study is being conducted for this. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also announced deployment of two Electric Catamarans being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). A world class cruise terminal will also be built in Guwahati with an estimated investment of ₹100 crore.

In Dibrugarh, an estimated ₹120 crore has been earmarked for development of Regional Centre of Excellence (RCOE). Adding further to the capital development along the NW2, Riverine Lighthouses will be built at FIVE places — Bogibeel, Biswanath, Nimati, Pandu and Silghat — at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore. In addition, a sum of ₹150 crore has been earmarked for fairway development with LAD of 2.5 meters between Pandu and Bogibeel. TWO Cutter Section Dredger units will also be purchased for Brahmaputra (NW2).

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for the riverine transportation including national waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), is implementing projects worth ₹1,010 crore along river Brahmaputra (NW2) and river Barak (NW16) in Assam. Among the major projects, the ship repair facility is being built at Panda with an investment of ₹208 crore while an alternate road from Pandu to NH27 is being built at an investment of ₹180 crore. New Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) at Bogibeel as well as at Jogighopa —- with more than ₹66 crore and ₹82 crore of investment —- are being developed on Brahmaputra to ‘enable possibilities meet opportunities’, Shri Sonowal added.

An investment of more than ₹646 crore has been earmarked to construct riverine infrastructure across Brahmaputra under the Sagarmala Scheme, the flagship programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. For Barak River, the Union Minister announced procurement of Survey Vessel, procurement of THREE Amphibian Dredgers, construction of Crane Pontoon and Gangway for proving Floating Terminal facilities in Karimganj, construction of Steel Pontoon and Gangway for providing Floating Terminal facilities at Badarpur among other projects.

At this session, the Union Minister was joined by the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma; Minister of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary, Fishery and PWRD, Govt of Assam, Krishnendu Paul; Chairman of IWAI, Vijay Kumar; High Commissioner of Singapore, His Excellency Simon Wong among other officials and corporate leaders from infra, railways and marine sector.

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G.D.Hallikeri / Henry

(Release ID: 2106438) Visitor Counter : 32

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budget: Accelerating Development through Reform and Innovation

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Budget: Accelerating Development through Reform and Innovation
Budget: Accelerating Development through Reform and Innovation
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The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, unveiled today (February 26) his 2025-26 Budget. He noted that while geopolitical situation might bring risks, technology reform and artificial intelligence (AI) development are remoulding the global landscape, leading to the emergence of new industries, new forms of business, new products and new services. He stressed that Hong Kong must seize the opportunity to make the most out of this critical window to speed up development, establishing the new before abolishing the old. He also emphasised that transformation and innovation will lead the way into the future, and the Government is poised to fast-track the high-quality development of Hong Kong’s economy. The Budget presents a series of measures aimed at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces. On innovation and technology (I&T), the Government will promote Hong Kong into an international exchange and co-operation hub for the AI industry. Through frontier research and real-world application, the Government will endeavour to develop AI as a core industry and empower traditional industries in their upgrading and transformation. To spearhead and support Hong Kong’s innovative research and development as well as industrial application of AI, the Government will establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute and launch the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme (Manufacturing+). On finance, the Government will continue to take forward reforms to the listing regime, host the Hong Kong Global Financial and Industry Summit, and formulate a plan this year on promoting gold market development. To seize the opportunities brought about by the rapid advancement of innovation and technology, the Budget highlights the need to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, which is an investment in Hong Kong’s future. The Government will continue to accord priority to providing resources for this initiative, which primarily includes providing large tracts of I&T land at the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, together with San Tin Technopole; adopting an innovative mindset in piloting “large-scale land disposal”; developing a data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge; as well as identifying suitable sites in the Northern Metropolis for the construction of conference and exhibition facilities. On the promotion of tourism, funding will be allocated to pursue the concept of “tourism is everywhere” and implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0. A study will be conducted on the development of the waterfront and former sites to the south of the Hung Hom Station into a new harbourfront landmark, including a yacht club. Regarding land supply, Mr Chan announced that the Government will not roll out any commercial site for sale in the coming year in view of the high vacancy rates of offices in recent years to allow the market to absorb the existing supply. The Government will also consider rezoning some of the commercial sites into residential use and allowing greater flexibility of land use. To tie in with the relevant work, the deadline for completing in-situ land exchange for commercial sites in the town centre of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area will be extended. Mr Chan proposed a reinforced version of the fiscal consolidation programme to focus on strictly controlling government expenditure, supplemented by increasing revenue, to restore fiscal balance in the Operating Account, in a planned and progressive manner, within the current term of the Government. For 2025-26, the executive authorities, the legislature, the judiciary and members of the District Councils, including members of the civil service, take a pay freeze. The Government will step up the Productivity Enhancement Programme; compared with 2023-24, the recurrent expenditure in 2027-28 will record a cumulative reduction by 7 per cent and deliver a saving of $27.3 billion. By April 2027, about 10 000 posts of the civil service establishment are expected to be deleted within this term of Government. The Government will also deliver more efficient public services to citizens through leveraging technology, streamlining processes and driving the digital transformation of public services. In the Budget, it is proposed to adjust two transport subsidy schemes, namely putting forward the “$2 flat rate cum 80 per cent discount” in the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme), and raising the threshold for receiving the subsidy under the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme from $400 to $500, with the prevailing subsidy cap at $400 per month remaining unchanged. He will uphold the “user pays” and the “affordable users pay” principles as far as practicable while increasing revenue, including increasing the air passenger departure tax, and reviewing the tolls of government tunnels and trunk roads. The Government will suitably expand the size of bond issuance on the premise of maintaining healthy public finances and use the funds raised on infrastructure works in a proper and flexible manner to invest in Hong Kong’s future and create value for society. Mr Chan concluded that he has full confidence in and high expectations for the future of Hong Kong, because Hong Kong people are intelligent, creative and tireless in contributing to the economic development. More importantly, he is confident due to the staunch and unwavering support received from the country and Hong Kong people’s profound insight into the major development trends of the future, as well as the city’s enviable and advantageous position. For more details on the 2025-26 Budget, click here.

Ends/Wednesday, February 26, 2025Issued at HKT 17:30

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Commemorative activities for 80th anniversary of victory in War of Resistance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ6: Commemorative activities for 80th anniversary of victory in War of Resistance
LCQ6: Commemorative activities for 80th anniversary of victory in War of Resistance
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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, in the Legislative Council today (February 26): Question: This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, and it is learnt that the Government will host a series of commemorative activities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) whether it will set up a “Preparatory Committee for commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of Hong Kong’s victory in the War ‍of Resistance” led by the Working Group on Patriotic Education, and extensively invite the participation of representatives of community organisations to co-ordinate the relevant activities; if so, of the expected time to commence such work; (2) of the key activities to be hosted to commemorate the 80th ‍anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, so as to strengthen the sense of patriotism among the public while disseminating the message of peace; (3) how it will take the opportunity to make good use of the rich resources of the history of the War of Resistance in Hong Kong to promote the development of red tourism; and (4) how it will collaborate with the relevant Central authorities and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in jointly commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance? Reply: President, Having consulted the relevant bureaux, a consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Chan Yung is as follows: This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance. The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will host commemorative activities to strengthen the sense of patriotism. In terms of implementation, the Working Group on Patriotic Education led by the Chief Secretary for Administration will co-ordinate relevant bureaux and departments in launching a series of commemorative activities, including: (a) The HKSAR Government will host a solemn official ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden on September 3, the Victory Day of the War of Resistance, to honour the occasion. The commemoration will feature a rendition of the national anthem, ceremonial flag raising, a Rifle Volley by the Police Rifle Squad, an observation of silence, and bowing in tribute. The attendance at the ceremony will include the Chief Executive and senior government officials, representatives of the organs of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, former Chief Executives, members of the Executive Council, members of the Legislative Council, representatives of war veterans’ groups, HKSAR deputies to the National People’s Congress, HKSAR members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, representatives of District Councils, representatives of Heung Yee Kuk, representatives of district organisations, members of uniformed groups and youth groups, etc; (b) With the funding and support from the Home Affairs Department, three major associations, namely the Hong Kong Island Federation, the Kowloon Federation of Associations and the New Territories Association of Societies, will organise activities on September 3 to commemorate the victory of the War of Resistance. Examples of these activities include a talk by veterans to recount their experiences during the War and a film show about the War, with a view to deepening the understanding among members of the public about the historical events of the War of Resistance on the Mainland and in Hong Kong and fostering their sense of patriotism; (c) The Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is currently liaising closely with the National Museum of China on co-organising a large-scale thematic exhibition scheduled to launch in early September for a period of about three months. The exhibition will mainly feature our country’s unyielding spirit of resistance during the War, as well as contents on Hong Kong people’s support for the Mainland compatriots, and the three years and eight months of Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, with a view to giving Hong Kong citizens (particularly the younger generation) a better understanding of the War of Resistance; (d) The Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD) is planning to collaborate with the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History to jointly organise a thematic exhibition on the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance. The exhibition will focus on an overview of the anti war activities of the Chinese Communist Party in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong during the War of Resistance. Through the display of valuable exhibits, historical photographs and multi-media programmes, the exhibition aims to enlighten the public about the history of the War, thereby promoting and inheriting the spirit of patriotic education; (e) The LCSD museums will also organise a diverse array of public and educational programmes, including thematic talks, workshops, field trips, and film screenings to raise public awareness of the history of the War of Resistance; (f) The LCSD will, from August to December, organise a thematic talk “Reapproaching the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong from interactive map, 1941-1945” and a book display “Days of War” at the Hong Kong Central Library, as well as book displays, photo exhibitions and thematic talks at public libraries in different districts to introduce relevant collections and information, so as to enable citizens to learn about the history of the War of Resistance as well as the unity and resilience of the Chinese people in the fight for peace. These include the thematic talk cum roving exhibition “War of Resistance in Hong Kong: Sai Kung” to be held in Sai Kung District, guided tours of the Hong Kong Sha Tau Kok Anti-war Memorial Hall to be held in North District, and thematic talk series “Wartime Sham Shui Po” to be held in Sham Shui Po District, etc; (g) In terms of teachers and students, the Education Bureau (EDB) has always attached great emphasis on the education about the history of the War of Resistance, and continuously organises relevant activities for teachers and students to help them understand the history of the War and the heroic deeds of the martyrs, experience the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation, learn to cherish peace through remembering history, as well as cultivate their sense of identity, belonging, responsibility and patriotic spirit. On teacher training activities, the EDB plans to organise an academic seminar on the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, lecture on the contributions of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, visits to places such as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks, the Hong Kong Sha Tau Kok Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall, and the Wu Kau Tang Martyrs Memorial Garden, as well as a study tour for teachers in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area themed on the footprints in relation to the War of Resistance. On student activities, the EDB plans to roll out the “Visual Narrative of the War of Resistance: Territory-wide Creative Competition”, the History e-Reading Award Scheme themed on the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, the second “Learn from Museums – Novice Curator Training Programme” co-organised with the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, as well as field study activities related to the history of the War of Resistance in both the local region and the Mainland; and (h) The Information Services Department is actively planning to collaborate with relevant government organisations on programme production under the theme of “Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance”, so as to promote patriotic education through storytelling in a vivid manner. To make good use of the abundant resources relating to the history of the War of Resistance in Hong Kong to promoting characteristic tourism, the Tourism Commission, in collaboration with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), has been taking forward the Enhancement of Hiking Trails (the Project) since 2018 to enhance the tourism supporting facilities of 20 hiking trails in country parks which are popular and with tourism potential. The Project covers hiking trails relating to war history, namely Lion Rock Historic Walk, Shing Mun War Relics Trail and Luk Keng War Relics Trail. The AFCD completed the enhancement works at Lion Rock Historic Walk in December 2023, whereas those at Shing Mun War Relics Trail and Luk Keng War Relics Trail are expected to be completed progressively in 2026. In addition, the AFCD installed at the Robin’s Nest Country Park interpretation panels about its war relics and the deeds of nearby villagers at the War of Resistance, and produced a video for broadcasting on social media platforms, thereby showcasing the history of the War of Resistance at the Robin’s Nest Country Park. The HKSAR Government will continue to encourage the trade to make better use of the abundant resources relating to the history of the War of Resistance to develop more unique tourism products covering different themes of in-depth tours. Besides, to preserve the history of the War of Resistance in Hong Kong, the MWRCD has commenced relevant historical research with a view to providing related historical information for the War of Resistance heritage trails to be set up by responsible government departments in the future. The information will offer the public an insight into the history of the War of Resistance, and enrich their travel experience.

Ends/Wednesday, February 26, 2025Issued at HKT 15:30

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ16: Developing family-friendly tourism

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Nixie Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (February 26):

Question:

     It has been reported that the family-friendly tourism market has been developing gradually in recent years, and family travel has become a popular choice. There are views pointing out that while Hong Kong has various family-friendly tourism resources, such as theme parks, playgrounds, museums and country parks, the overall resources have not been consolidated, the planning of which is rather fragmented, and there is a lack of systematic ancillary facilities for family-friendly tourism. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has plans to consolidate the family-friendly tourism resources in Hong Kong, introduce a clear and user-friendly map of family-friendly tourism resources to centrally display various types of facilities (e.g. theme parks, playgrounds, museums, country parks and outdoor activity venues), and provide one-stop information services for family tourists, with a view to helping parents plan their trips more conveniently; if so, of the mode to be adopted (e.g.‍ whether mobile applications or online platforms will be included), the implementation details and the timetable; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) whether it will further improve the family-friendly ancillary facilities (including family-friendly toilets, lactation rooms and child-safe facilities) in the family-friendly attractions, as well as the transport links between the attractions, so as to provide a convenient and comfortable experience for family tourists; and

(3) as there are views that the potential of Hong Kong’s family-friendly tourism market has not yet been fully realised, how the Government will enhance the quality of existing facilities and introduce innovative family-friendly tourism products (e.g. organising more interactive exhibitions and parent-child activities combining education and entertainment, and providing more suitable indoor and outdoor children’s spaces); whether it will introduce preferential policies or subsidies in support of family-friendly tourism, so as to attract more family tourists to choose Hong Kong as their vacation destination?

Reply:

President,

     As an international city and a tourism hub with diverse culture, Hong Kong has world-class resources in the areas of culture, sports, tourism, ecology, etc. and has long been one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world attracting many family visitors every year. Hong Kong has the edge to further develop family tourism in terms of tourism products and facilities. Strengthening Hong Kong’s status as the premier tourism destination for family visitors is one of the strategies under the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 promulgated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) last year.

     In respect of the questions raised by the Hon Nixie Lam, the consolidated reply is as follows:

     In terms of tourism products, there are various family-friendly itineraries and products available in the market, such as theme parks, family hiking trails, beaches in close proximity to the city, a variety of cultural and historical experience centres, museums. The Government has also been encouraging and facilitating the tourism industry to develop more family-friendly itineraries and products to showcase the unique characteristics of Hong Kong with a view to attracting more family visitors to Hong Kong. The two theme parks in Hong Kong, i.e. Ocean Park (OP) and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL), constantly provide family visitors with offers of discount tickets and hotel packages, and introduce a wide range of suitable activities to provide family visitors with unique travel experiences. The gifting of another two giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, by the Central Government last year, together with Ying Ying, Le Le and their twin cubs, has made Hong Kong home to the largest number of giant pandas outside Mainland China at present. Our promotion of panda tourism as a priority is particularly appealing to family visitors. Besides, this year marks the 20th anniversary of HKDL, and there will be a year-long celebration which will be highly attractive to family visitors. Additionally, the Government encourages different organisations to launch diversified activities targeting at family visitors. For example, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) offers a variety of family-friendly facilities, including innovative play spaces for children and places to learn about plants and animals, which are highly sought after among parents and children. Examples include Hong Kong Park, Kowloon Park, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Sham Shui Po Park, Cha Kwo Ling Promenade, Tuen Mun Park. The LCSD also organises The International Arts Carnival and “Summer Family Cine Fest” from July to August every year, as well as Fun@Museum Carnival and fun days during Muse Fest HK every November. Further to the Adventure Night @HKPM: Family Sleepover and various family workshops held in the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ respectively last year, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) will roll out a family arts event WestK FunFest 2025 from March to April this year.

     In terms of information dissemination, to facilitate itinerary planning by family visitors, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has listed on its one-stop travel information platform, DiscoverHongKong.com, various points of interest that are suitable for family visitors, including the dedicated page, “Hong Kong attractions for families of all ages”, which consolidates various attractions suitable to family visitors like theme parks, Hong Kong Wetland Park (HKWP), on an interactive map; and featured articles recommending itineraries for family travel, providing transportation guide and offering recommendations on indoor family activities such as playgrounds, malls, workshops. The dedicated webpage also covers “12 museums for family days out in Hong Kong” and “Best family-friendly picnic spots in Hong Kong” to offer unique travel experiences to family visitors.

     In the meantime, the HKTB will continue to enhance its one-stop travel information platform to consolidate other important travel-related websites and applications (covering, for example, information relating to leisure and cultural facilities of the Government, hiking trails and camping), with a view to providing family visitors with more comprehensive, reliable, and up-to-date travel information and citywide offers. The HKTB will develop Live Travel Map and the Smart Itinerary Planner, which will provide visitors with real-time recommendations of nearby attractions, activities, offers, personalised itinerary suggestions that cater for their interests and preferences, and thereby providing them with unique travel experiences. These smart tourism initiatives are conducive to facilitating and enhancing the experiences of all visitors, including family visitors.

     In terms of supporting facilities, the Government has all along been encouraging the hotel industry and various tourist attractions to continuously improve their supporting facilities, including family-friendly facilities such as hotel rooms with family elements and themed on giant pandas and kids. Some hotels are already equipped with family-friendly facilities such as playgrounds, kids clubs and toy rooms.

     Moreover, various tourist attractions are well-equipped with family-friendly facilities and services. For example, OP and Water World, HKDL, HKWP, different LCSD venues, the two museums in West Kowloon Cultural District, Ngong Ping Village, provide visitors with family-friendly facilities such as family toilets, changing rooms, nursery rooms. Some attractions also offer strollers and baby carriages rental service. Different attractions will continue to enhance their family-friendly facilities and services having regard to the preferences and needs of family visitors.

     The CSTB will, together with the HKTB, relevant bureaux and departments as well as the trade, continue to explore means to further promote the development of family tourism, develop and promote itineraries and products with unique Hong Kong characteristics, as well as provide suitable accommodation, supporting facilities and tailor-made travel experiences. We will target at not only family visitors but also MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) and business travellers attracting them to visit Hong Kong with their families, with a view to developing Hong Kong into a premier tourism destination for family visitors.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ3: Enhancing prevention of potential non-refoulement claimants at source

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (February 26):

Question:

     The Immigration Department officially launched the Advance Passenger Information (API) System on September 3 last year to prevent undesirables, including potential non-refoulement claimants, from boarding flights heading to Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the authorities have, since the launch of the API System, compiled statistics and kept information on the number of undesirables prevented from boarding flights heading to Hong Kong each month, the distribution of their nationalities, points of embarkation, and the airlines they chose; if so, of the details (set out in a table); if not, the reasons for that;

(2) of the number and names of aircraft operators which have connected to the API System since its launch, and their percentage in the total number of aircraft operators operating inbound flights to Hong Kong (set out in a table); among the aircraft operators which have connected to the API System, of the number of those which have successfully prevented undesirables from entering Hong Kong by providing API, and the reasons why some aircraft operators have not yet connected to the API System;

(3) as there are views that the authorities should take the opportunity to review the entire mechanism of preventing undesirables from boarding flights heading to Hong Kong by the time when all aircraft operators are required to connect to the API System after the 12-‍month transitional period, whether the authorities have, in the light of the operational experience gained during the transitional period, reviewed the direction of optimising the aforesaid mechanism; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(4) given that the API System can only prevent undesirables from coming to Hong Kong by flights, whether the authorities have stepped up efforts to prevent entry of such persons through other channels; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(5) given that as stated in the 2024 Policy Address, the Government has since October 16, 2024 relaxed the criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar applying for multiple-entry visas for travel and business, and extended the validity period of multiple-entry visas from two years to three years for these countries (as well as Vietnam which has enjoyed the relaxation since 2023), of the number of undesirables from these four countries coming to Hong Kong each month since the implementation of the relaxation, and whether there is a rising trend;

(6) as there are views that with the relaxation of the visa-free entry policies by the Mainland earlier on, undesirables may possibly come to Hong Kong via the Mainland (including by legal and illegal means), how the authorities step up co-operation with the Mainland in preventing entry of such persons to Hong Kong via the Mainland; and

(7) as there are views that there are signs of an increasing number of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) who prematurely terminate their employment contracts and subsequently lodge non-refoulement claims in order to extend their stay in Hong Kong for the purpose of applying for government subsidies or engaging in illegal employment, etc., of the number of such cases in each of the past five years, the nationalities of the FDHs involved, and the average number of days of their extended stay in Hong Kong (with a tabulated breakdown by quarter); of the measures put in place by the authorities to prevent and curb the abuse of the non-refoulement claim mechanism by such individuals?

Reply:

President,

     To meet the aviation security requirements of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and to align Hong Kong with other aviation hubs worldwide, as well as to enable the Immigration Department (ImmD) to further enhance its passenger clearance and enforcement capabilities to prevent undesirables, including potential non-refoulement claimants, from boarding flights heading to Hong Kong, the ImmD has implemented the Advance Passenger Information (API) system since September 3, 2024, requiring aircraft operators to comply with the Immigration (Advance Passenger Information) Regulation (Cap. 115Q) (the Regulation) by transmitting advance information to the ImmD about flights and passengers heading to Hong Kong.

     To allow sufficient time for aircraft operators to connect to the API system and to ensure the system will run in a smooth and orderly manner, the rollout has been carried out in phases. A transitional period of around 12 months was also adopted. The offences and defences, and the miscellaneous provisions under Part 4 and 5 of the Regulation will come into effect after the transitional period, starting from September 1, 2025.

     In consultation with the ImmD and the Labour Department (LD), my reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Carmen Kan is as follows:

(1) to (3) Since the rollout in phases of the API system on September 3, 2024, as at February 21, 2025, 82 airline operators have been connected to the system, including Hong Kong-based airline operators, such as the Cathay Pacific Airways, the Hong Kong Airlines, the Greater Bay Airlines and the Hong Kong Express Airways, etc. As for the nearly 70 remaining airline operators, the ImmD will continue to maintain close communication with them with a view to ensuring that relevant system connection works will be completed in an orderly manner before September 1, 2025. The list and number of airline operators connected to the API system, and the percentage out of the total number of relevant airline operators are at Annex.

     In just a few months of operation, the API system has been effective in successfully identifying and denying boarding of flights by ineligible persons, including persons who had lodged non-refoulement claims in Hong Kong but were eventually rejected and repatriated to their places of origin. As regards the relevant figures, as well as the nationality distribution, the places of departure and the airlines chosen for the cases concerned, it is considered not suitable to disclose such information due to security reasons as sensitive internal procedures are involved.

     The ImmD will make reference to the operational experience of the API system during the transitional period and maintain close communication with the airline operators and relevant stakeholders, with a view to continuously reviewing and optimising the system and the related operational procedures.

(4) and (6) In addition to the API system, the ImmD will continue to examine arriving passengers in a stringent manner at all control points and enhance intelligence exchanges with law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong and other places through various channels to prevent the entry of undesirable persons into Hong Kong.

     On the other hand, the Government will also continue to spare no efforts in preventing entry of illegal immigrants (IIs) into Hong Kong. In view of the general resumption of international flights on the Mainland after the pandemic, the Mainland visa-issuing authorities abroad have resumed issuing visas to Mainland China to foreigners since March 2023. Coupled with rumours inducing IIs to come to Hong Kong, the number of non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) IIs intercepted had once increased in the second half of 2023. The Mainland and local law enforcement agencies have worked together to strengthen intelligence exchange; tighten the issuance of visas to Mainland China and control over the entry of NEC tourists into the Mainland; investigate syndicates organising cross-boundary illegal immigration; conduct interception at black spots in the Mainland and joint patrols at sea to deter NEC IIs from entering Hong Kong.

     With the concerted efforts of various parties, the number of NEC IIs intercepted in Hong Kong dropped significantly by 84 per cent from the peak of 364 in October 2023 to a monthly average of 57 in 2024, and the number of NEC IIs intercepted further reduced to 37 in January 2025. The ImmD will continue to maintain intelligence exchange with the law enforcement agencies in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao through the established anti-smuggling collaborative mechanism, and timely conduct joint enforcement operations to deter NEC IIs smuggling into Hong Kong on all fronts.

(5) Following the relaxation of criteria for Vietnamese nationals applying for multiple-entry visas for travel or business on October 25, 2023, to foster closer ties with countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ImmD has extended the relaxation to include nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar starting from October 16, 2024. Meanwhile, the validity period of multiple-entry visas for nationals of these four ASEAN countries has also been extended from two years to three years. Since the commencement of relevant measures and up to end-January 2025, the ImmD has issued some 4 700 multiple-entry visas to applicants from those four countries. The ImmD does not maintain the number of persons refused entry by nationality.

     The ImmD has all along been playing a stringent gatekeeping role to ensure that only applicants meeting the relevant requirements will be granted visas. During immigration examination on arrival, in addition to considering whether the visitor possesses a valid travel document (including visas (if necessary)) and meets normal immigration requirements, the ImmD also decides whether to allow entry of relevant visitor with due consideration to the actual circumstances, having regard to the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and prevailing immigration policies.

(7) Over the past five years, the number of non-refoulement claims raised by former foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) are tabulated below, with breakdown by nationality and quarter:

Year
Indonesian
Filipino
Others
Total

2020
1st quarter
13
13
8
34

2nd quarter
28
15
8
51

3rd quarter
22
11
6
39

4th quarter
52
35
23
110

Full Year
115
74
45
234

2021
1st quarter
161
47
37
245

2nd quarter
305
109
79
493

3rd quarter
86
41
27
154

4th quarter
106
30
13
149

Full Year
658
227
156
1 041

2022
1st quarter
41
13
3
57

2nd quarter
134
36
16
186

3rd quarter
186
46
21
253

4th quarter
157
52
22
231

Full Year
518
147
62
727

2023
1st quarter
133
45
21
199

2nd quarter
139
25
10
174

3rd quarter
134
26
21
181

4th quarter
135
31
16
182

Full Year
541
127
68
736

2024
1st quarter
128
32
13
173

2nd quarter
89
23
15
127

3rd quarter
101
31
14
146

4th quarter
111
38
19
168

Full Year
429
124
61
614

     â€‹The Government actively combats the abuse of premature termination of employment contracts by FDHs to change employers (commonly known as job-hopping), including stringently vetting employment visa applications from FDHs who have frequently changed employers. In May 2024, the LD also promulgated a revised Code of Practice for Employment Agencies to request employment agencies to clearly brief FDH job seekers on the relevant immigration regulations, and not to adopt business practices such as providing monetary incentives to induce FDHs in employment to prematurely terminate their employment contracts. The Government has also all along been maintaining close communication and co-operation with Consulates-General of the major source countries of FDHs. The relevant Consulates-General agreed to step up efforts in providing correct information to their nationals about the non-refoulement claim mechanism and the fact that illegal employment is a serious offence liable to imprisonment in Hong Kong.

     Under the Government’s multi-pronged strategy in handling the relevant issue, the situation of former FDHs raising claims has improved. The number of claims raised by former FDHs in 2024 was reduced by 41 per cent compared to the peak in 2021, while the portion to the total claims received in the respective year also dropped from 41 per cent to 22 per cent. The Government will continue to actively co-operate with relevant stakeholders and step up publicity and education. The ImmD does not maintain the breakdown of other statistics mentioned in this question.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ1: Promoting development of aviation industry

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (February 26):Question: It has been reported that Hong Kong’s aviation industry has started to recover in terms of, among others, passenger volume and cargo handling capacity, after being hard hit by the epidemic, and Hong Kong-based airlines have been actively expanding their aviation business. There are views that with the recovery of the tourism industry and the commissioning of the Three-‍Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport (Airport), the passenger and cargo throughput of the Airport will increase substantially. Regarding the promotion of the development of the aviation industry, will the Government inform this Council:(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of direct flights between Hong Kong and overseas places in each of the past two years, with a tabulated breakdown by companies operating such flights;(2) whether it knows if there is a situation in which air routes between Hong Kong and the rest of the world (excluding the Mainland) have been granted air traffic rights but not yet commenced service; if there is, of the number of destinations for which local airlines (i) have been granted air traffic rights and their flight quotas and, among them, the number of those for which (ii) air traffic rights and flight quotas have not yet been utilised, with a tabulated breakdown by airlines;(3) of the measures the authorities have put in place to encourage the local airlines mentioned in (2) to fully utilise their air traffic rights or flight quotas, so as to operate more flights between Hong Kong and overseas places;(4) of the authorities’ specific expectations and requirements regarding the social responsibilities to be shouldered by Hong Kong-based aviation enterprises; the measures the authorities have adopted or will adopt to effectively enable such enterprises to better fulfil their social responsibilities and play the role of helping Hong Kong consolidate its status as an international aviation hub; and(5) whether the authorities have examined if there is a situation in which the supply of flight quotas for air routes between Hong Kong and overseas places which have been granted air traffic rights falls short of demand and hence a quota increase is required; if there is, of the relevant measures the authorities will adopt to solve the relevant problem?Reply:President, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continued to demonstrate strong recovery momentum in 2024, with significant growth recorded in air traffic data. In the recent month of January 2025, HKIA reached another post-pandemic high in both flight movements and passenger throughput, representing a full recovery of passenger traffic peak to the pre-pandemic level. Compared to the same month last year, all passenger segments, including Hong Kong residents, visitors and transfer/transit passengers, experienced double-digit increase. Traffic to and from Southeast Asia, Mainland China and Japan recorded the most significant increase during the month. Meanwhile, cargo throughput continued to gain momentum, with positive growth recorded across all cargo sectors. Cargo traffic to and from the Middle East, Europe and Australasia grew the most among key trading regions during the month. In consultation with the Civil Aviation Department, the reply to the question raised by the Hon Chow is as follows:(1) In 2024, the number of direct scheduled flights (including both passenger and cargo flights) between HKIA and overseas destinations (excluding Mainland and Taiwan) increased significantly by approximately 30 per cent compared to 2023. Additionally, the number of airlines operating these flights in 2024 also recorded a notable increase, rising by approximately 20 per cent compared to 2023. Details are provided in the Annex.(2) and (5) With a view to further expanding the passenger and cargo air transport capacity and connectivity of HKIA so to meet the market demand for air services, the Government has been making good use of Hong Kong’s unique civil aviation status under “one country, two systems” to conduct air services negotiations with our aviation partners under the authorisation of the Central People’s Government. As of the end of January 2025, we have signed 80 bilateral air services documents. Over the past two years, Hong Kong has expanded bilateral air services arrangements with multiple aviation partners, increasing the capacity limits for relevant passenger and cargo services by at least 60 per cent. This allows airlines to readily increase passenger and cargo services in response to market demand. The overriding principle for traffic rights allocation is that public resources can be fully utilised to consolidate or enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s aviation industry and meet future needs. The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) will take into account a range of factors, including encouraging healthy competition, maintaining Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub, and promoting the overall development of Hong Kong’s aviation industry, in considering the allocation of traffic rights to local airlines, with a view to promoting the overall interests of Hong Kong. As for the specific details of traffic rights allocation, since the traffic rights negotiated between the Government and other countries or regions are recorded in the form of bilateral Confidential Memoranda of Understanding, which contain sensitive information such as details of bilateral negotiations, we are not in a position to disclose more of the relevant information to third parties. The TLB will continue to closely monitor the utilisation of traffic rights by local airlines to ensure that these precious traffic rights are put to good use, and will adopt a more forward-looking perspective in expanding traffic rights with our aviation partners.(3) When launching new routes or increasing flight frequencies, airlines will consider factors such as market demand and the allocation of company resources. In addition, the Government has all along encouraged local airlines to launch and increase flights to support Hong Kong’s overall development. Local airlines have responded positively. Following the launch of direct passenger services to Vientiane (Laos), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Sendai and Yonago (Japan), as well as Cairns and Gold Coast (Australia) last year and earlier this year, they will gradually commence direct flights to Dallas (the United States of America), Hyderabad (India), Munich (Germany), Brussels (Belgium), and Rome (Italy) later this year. They will also increase the frequency of flights between Hong Kong and North America. At the same time, the Airport Authority Hong Kong has implemented several related measures, such as the Airport Network Development Programme launched in June 2024, which provides financial incentives to encourage airlines to open new routes and increase flight frequencies on existing routes. To date, the Programme has attracted 24 airlines, covering 53 destinations.(4) The Government maintains a regular communication mechanism with local airlines to monitor their operations and ensure the healthy development of the aviation industry. With the commissioning of the Three-Runway System, the passenger and cargo handling capacity of HKIA will increase significantly. The Government will continue to maintain close communication with local airlines to ensure that they enhance their service quality continuously, providing stable and reliable services that deliver an excellent experience to passengers. At the same time, the Government has requested that local airlines’ network planning should support the Government’s strategy to enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub and to meet Hong Kong’s strategic development needs.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budget Speech by the Financial Secretary (7)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Healthcare IndustryTrain and Pool Healthcare Professionals126. In recent years, the Government has increased the number of medical training places on several occasions. The number of places will increase to 650 in the 2025/26 academic year. The public healthcare sector will leverage the revised legislative framework to admit non-locally trained healthcare professionals.Enhance Regulation for Drugs and Medical Devices127. The Government will, in the first half of this year, put forward the timetable for establishing the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and the roadmap towards adoption of “primary evaluation”. We will also formulate strategies and measures to facilitate R&D of drugs and medical devices.Third Medical School128. The Task Group on New Medical School has invited local universities interested in setting up the third medical school to submit proposals. It expects to complete assessment and formulate recommendations to the Government this year. We will set aside resources to support universities in the development of the new medical school on a matching basis.Cultural and Creative Industries129. The Government is committed to promoting the development of cultural and creative sectors as industries. A cumulative total of over 780 projects, some of which with potential for industrialisation, have been approved under the CreateSmart Initiative, involving a total funding of about $3.4 billion and benefiting more than 30 000 SMEs. To foster the vibrant development of the local creative industry chain, OASES will strategically attract to Hong Kong more cultural and creative enterprises that integrate I&T into their work.Large-scale Art Events130. The inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo concluded in October last year, featuring over 1 600 arts leaders and practitioners from more than 60 countries and regions. We will organise the second edition of the Expo next year, transforming the event into a flagship of our arts and cultural industries.131. The Government will continue to attract and support the staging of international or large scale arts and cultural events in Hong Kong through the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund, with a view to promoting the development of Hong Kong as an East meets West centre for international cultural exchange. We have updated the assessment criteria to require funded events to help promote tourism and bring economic benefits.Development of Film Industry132. The Government has always been a staunch supporter to the development of the film industry. A cumulative total of over $1.3 billion has been approved by the Film Development Fund to support more than 120 film projects. These projects involved more than 110 new directors and producers, and the relevant films have won more than 180 awards. The Fund has also launched the Film Financing Scheme for Mainland Market to encourage Hong Kong film companies and Mainland cultural enterprises to invest in and promote productions by Hong Kong directors.Cultural Intellectual Property133. The Government will support cultural IP creators and producers to propel more than 30 cultural IP projects cumulatively in the coming five years. We are fostering more cross-sectoral collaboration within the cultural and creative sectors so as to enhance the communication power and sales value of cultural IP products.Tourism Industry134. Tourism boosts local economic development and creates employment opportunities. To pursue the concept of “tourism is everywhere” and implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, I will allocate $1,235 million to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in the coming year.135. The HKTB will collaborate with more international brands to tell the good stories of Hong Kong’s tourism. For example, the HKTB signed a three-year global strategic partnership agreement with Art Basel to establish immersive experience zones of Hong Kong culture in all four annual Art Basel shows around the world, strengthening Hong Kong’s connection with the global art scene.136. We will step up efforts to promote a series of distinctive tourism products such as eco tourism, panda tourism, horse-racing tourism, etc, to enrich travel experiences in Hong Kong.137. The HKTB will continue to support the staging of more meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions in Hong Kong, which are expected to bring about 183 000 additional visitor arrivals and spending of about $1.4 billion.138. I have earmarked resources to strengthen support to the cruise industry, encouraging cruise lines to increase their number of ship calls to Hong Kong, make overnight calls and use Hong Kong as the homeport. We will provide cruise lines with more concessions to attract cruise ships to berth at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal during the low season.Mega Event Economy139. We will continue to promote and publicise Hong Kong as a mega events capital globally, attract more tourists to Hong Kong and enhance their tourism experience during their stay.140. Kai Tak Sports Park is the largest ever sports infrastructure in Hong Kong with the 50 000-seat Stadium. Large scale sports and entertainment events will be held in the Park, thereby driving visitation and spending.141. The Government has been supporting the staging of major international sports events in Hong Kong through “M” Mark System. We will adopt a more strategic approach in continuously attracting sports events which can bring significant economic benefits to Hong Kong, and are in discussion with LIV Golf which has been held in Hong Kong for two consecutive years to explore long-term partnership. Announcement will be made shortly.Seize Opportunities Arising from Resumption of Multiple entry Individual Visit Scheme142. The Government of the HKSAR expresses great gratitude to the Central Government for resuming at the end of last year the multiple entry Individual Visit Endorsements for Shenzhen permanent residents and expanding the arrangement to Shenzhen residence permit holders. Since the implementation of the new measure, more than 700 000 visitors have travelled to Hong Kong on multiple entry Individual Visit Endorsements.143. Thanks to the new measure and with an increase in the number of overseas travellers, the city bustles with activities. Retail, catering and other sectors all reported growth in business volume during the recent Christmas and New Year holidays. The Government will make good use of the various measures that benefit Hong Kong to proactively promote the development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry.Develop Visitor Sources from the Middle East and ASEAN144. In collaboration with the HKTB, the Government will make extra efforts to develop markets in the Middle East and ASEAN to attract more high end visitors. The Government is encouraging various sectors of the community to enhance tourism support facilities, such as providing worship facilities in hotels and stepping up staff training to strengthen the industry’s understanding of the visitors’ different cultural backgrounds.Smart Tourism145. The HKTB will enhance the one stop travel information platform, Discover Hong Kong to provide a “Live Travel Map” and a “Smart Itinerary Planner” so as to provide visitors with more comprehensive and personalised itinerary suggestions, travel information and offers.Leverage Harbourfront Resources146. We are making every effort to enhance the harbourfront on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. The recently opened western section of the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point has been popular among the public. The eastern section of the Boardwalk, the Hung Hom Urban Park (Phase 2) and the open space at Eastern Street North in Sai Ying Pun will also be completed this year. We will set up refreshment stalls at harbourfront locations in Central, Wan Chai, North Point and Tsim Sha Tsui this year to enrich visitor experience.147. The Government has invited the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited to conduct a study to develop the waterfront and former pier sites to the south of Hung Hom Station into a new harbourfront landmark. It will include iconic commercial and residential developments, retail, dining and entertainment facilities, as well as yacht club for promoting yacht tourism. We will put forward land use proposals in the middle of this year.Education Industry148. Hong Kong’s post secondary education sector is highly international and diversified. We boast five of the world’s top 100 universities and a pool of first rate R&D talent. We will launch a new round of Research Matching Grant Scheme totalling $1.5 billion to attract more organisations to support research endeavours of institutions.149. The Government will host more international education conferences and exhibitions to highlight Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub. We will step up promotion of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to attract more outstanding non-local students. The quota of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme will be increased to 400 places per year.150. Self-financing post-secondary institutions complement publicly-funded institutions in providing diversified articulation pathways for young people. The Government has launched a new round of the Land Grant Scheme and the Start-up Loan Scheme, under which land sites are granted at nominal premium with interest-free loans, so as to support capacity expansion and quality enhancement of self-financing institutions.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budget Speech by the Financial Secretary (6)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

International Trade Centre105. As an international trade centre, Hong Kong capitalises on unique advantages and reinforces connectivity, and serves as a bridge linking the Mainland and global markets. It provides high-standard professional services for international trade, helping our country promote the new development pattern of “dual circulation”.Multinational Supply Chain Management Centre106. HKTDC and InvestHK jointly encourage Mainland enterprises to establish a foothold in Hong Kong and set up international or regional headquarters for managing offshore trading and supply chain, thereby assisting these enterprises in going global and planning supply chains and industry chains. HKTDC will provide them with one-stop professional consulting services to help them establish market connections and understand laws and regulations in overseas markets.107. Hong Kong serves as an important regional trade financing centre. The outstanding trade finance by banks has reached $380 billion, about 40 per cent of which provide financing for merchandise trade outside Hong Kong. The Trade Financing Liquidity Facility recently introduced by HKMA and PBoC also provides greater flexibility for RMB trade financing. In addition, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation will provide credit insurance for export services relating to multinational supply chain to render more comprehensive support to enterprises seeking to go global.108. The Government will make reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records advocated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and consider legislative amendments to facilitate digitalisation of trade documents. We will submit the relevant legislative proposal to LegCo next year.Network Expansion109. To expand our trade network and attract more inward investment and enterprises from the Global South markets to Hong Kong, the Government is following up actively with the governments of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia on the establishment of Economic and Trade Offices in these two countries. In addition, InvestHK has established consultant offices in Cairo, Egypt and Izmir, Türkiye. HKTDC has also set up a consultant office in Cambodia.110. We are exploring the signing of investment agreements with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Peru, and conducting negotiations with 17 countries on Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements.Strengthen Co-operation with Belt and Road Countries111. Hong Kong will continue to utilise our role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. We, together with business and professional services sectors, will continue to further cultivate the ASEAN and Middle East markets, and explore opportunities in Central Asia, South Asia and North Africa. HKTDC will strengthen B&R project matching, particularly on green development and I&T.112. The B&R Summit is a flagship platform for Hong Kong to participate in and contribute to the B&R Initiative. The 10th Summit will be organised in September and we will encourage different sectors to hold events around the Summit period for enhancing synergies.Supporting Local Enterprises113. To support the development of local enterprises and help them go global, we will inject $1.5 billion in total into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales and the Export Marketing and Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund, and streamline application arrangements. CEDB will announce details later.114. The Government has been providing loan guarantees to businesses through the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme. As at the end of last year, a total of over $288 billion of loans has been approved under the Scheme, benefitting nearly 65 000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To meet the financing needs of SMEs during transformation, we relaunched the principal moratorium arrangement in November last year for one year, allowing enterprises to apply for principal moratorium for up to 12 months.115. In addition, many banks have joined the Taskforce on SME Lending jointly established by HKMA and the Hong Kong Association of Banks, committing to making flexible arrangements as far as practicable to ease the cash flow burden on SMEs. The funds dedicated for SME financing in the participating banks’ loan portfolios have recently been increased to over $390 billion. 116. To further assist local SMEs in tapping into the Mainland market and increasing sales from electronic commerce (e-commerce) markets, HKTDC will launch the “E-Commerce Express” in collaboration with large-scale e-commerce platforms to provide Hong Kong enterprises with one-to-one consultation services and thematic seminars. HKTDC will also enhance its mentorship scheme together with the Trade and Industry Department. By doing so, local enterprises will better leverage e-commerce and online shopping platforms in the Mainland to boost sales. In addition, HKTDC will organise the second edition of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival.International Maritime Centre117. Hong Kong is a leading international maritime centre. The Government will continue to embrace changes and adopt an innovative spirit to create a stronger impetus for the development of the industry.Establish Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board118. The Government will establish the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board this year to strengthen relevant research, promotion and manpower training to facilitate the sustainable development of the international maritime centre.High Value Added Maritime Services119. In the past few years, the Government has introduced a series of tax measures conducive to the development of the maritime industry. In light of changes of international tax rules, we are enhancing these measures, including introduction of tax deduction on ship acquisition cost for ship lessors under an operating lease. To drive the development of maritime services, we also propose to provide half-rate tax concession to eligible commodity traders. We will introduce a bill into LegCo in the first half of next year.Modern Logistics Development120. The Government endeavours to identify and release suitable logistics sites. The first of such logistics sites in the vicinity of the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals has just been disposed of by public tender. Meanwhile, the Government initiated a study on the development model for logistics sites in the NM in order to develop modern logistics clusters. Findings of the study are expected to be announced this year.Smart Port121. To develop smart port, the Government has set aside $215 million to install the port community system, with a view to enhancing the flow of data among stakeholders in the maritime, port and logistics industries. We will seek funding approval from LegCo this year.International Aviation Hub122. The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) connects to nearly 200 global destinations. Daily passenger throughput and number of aircraft movements have largely returned to pre pandemic level. Air cargo throughput has topped the global ranking for multiple years. The HKIA Three-Runway System was commissioned at the end of last year, while the related passenger facilities will commence operation by phases from the end of this year.Airport City123. The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has just promulgated a development plan for expanding the Airport City. With the aviation industry as its focal point, the Airport Island as well as the land and waters in its vicinity will be utilised for the development of a new highlight project encompassing high end commercial, art, tourism and leisure activities.Facilitate C919’s Entry to International Aviation Market124. In January this year, our country’s home developed aircraft C919 was officially deployed for scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Shanghai. The inaugural flight outside of the Mainland signified a major breakthrough for home developed aircrafts to go global. Hong Kong will help C919 enter the global market. The Hong Kong International Aviation Academy will expand its training programmes to cover C919 aircraft related aspects.Aircraft Parts Processing and Trading Centre125. Under the co-ordination of InvestHK, the AA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a leading overseas professional aeronautic services company to explore the possibility of providing professional services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in Hong Kong, thereby developing Hong Kong into the first aircraft parts processing and trading centre in Asia.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budget Speech by the Financial Secretary (4)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Northern MetropolisIndustries and Spatial Distribution61. The NM is crucial to the social and economic development of Hong Kong, providing impetus for the development of the I&T industry, enabling more in-depth participation in the development of the GBA, while creating quality career development opportunities and living environment for our people. The Government will continue to accord priority in providing resources to this initiative. Major industries include:(a) I&T: The Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co operation Zone), together with San Tin Technopole, will provide large tracts of I&T land to leverage complementary advantages with the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Co-operation Zone. We will also introduce new policies to facilitate cross-boundary flows of innovative elements; (b) High-end Professional Services and Modern Logistics: With the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link connecting with Qianhai in Shenzhen under planning, Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA) is positioned to become a high-end professional services hub for local, Mainland and overseas enterprises. Under the “East in East out, West in West out” strategy for cross-boundary goods movement between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, we will also plan logistics land strategically in the vicinity of boundary control points;(c) Tertiary Education: To complement the development of Hong Kong’s I&T industry and to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for tertiary education, we have reserved about 90 hectares of land in the NM for developing the Northern Metropolis University Town, including the third medical school; and(d) Culture, Sports and Tourism: Apart from reserving land for cultural and sports facilities, the NM preserves traditional villages and historical and cultural resources. We will develop culture, sports and tourism industries, including promoting eco-tourism, in accordance with the unique characteristics of different localities.Innovative and Diversified Land Development Approach62. To press ahead with the NM development and bring in industries, and to benefit the economy and people’s livelihood sooner, the Government will adopt a more diversified development approach with an innovative mindset, including piloting “large-scale land disposal”. We are inviting the market to submit expressions of interest for three pilot areas under “large-scale land disposal”, with the target of commencing tendering progressively from the second half of this year. We will also continue to identify suitable sites for private landowners to apply for in-situ land exchange for residential and industry developments.Land for Innovation and Technology UseThe Hetao Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co operation Zone63. The Hetao Co-operation Zone is a major co-operation platform for GBA development. It provides unique advantages in areas such as policy innovation, flow of innovation elements and application of R&D projects. We attach great importance to its development.64. The Hong Kong Park will enter into operational phase this year. The first three buildings of Phase 1 are about to complete and the first batch of tenants from life and health technology, AI, data science and other pillar industries will begin to move in this year.65. I have earmarked $3.7 billion to expedite the provision of infrastructure and public facilities of Phase 1 development of the Hong Kong Park. Meanwhile, we will identify suitable land parcels for invitation of private development proposals this year with a view to expediting the development by leveraging market forces. Upon completion of the whole Hong Kong Park, its annual contribution to Hong Kong’s economy is expected to reach $52 billion, and about 52 000 job opportunities will be created.San Tin Technopole66. The San Tin Technopole is an important project for promoting I&T. Twenty hectares of land will be delivered in phases, starting from 2026-27, for development and operation by the HKSTPC. The HKSTPC is carrying out a master planning study, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.Data Facility Cluster at Sandy Ridge67. We commenced the procedures last year to re-zone a 10 hectare site at Sandy Ridge in the North District for use as data centres. The re-zoning procedures are expected to be completed in the middle of this year. We are actively making preparations for land disposal.Pressing Ahead with Land Development68. Last year, we have commenced three major projects on second phase development for the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (NDA), remaining phase development of Kwu Tung North/Fanling North NDA, and the site formation and engineering infrastructure works for the first batch of land in San Tin Technopole. This year, we will start the works of Yuen Long South NDA second phase development, complete the re zoning procedures for a data park site in Sandy Ridge, and finalise land use proposals for Ngau Tam Mei as well as New Territories North New Town and Ma Tso Lung this year for commencing the environmental impact assessments and other statutory procedures. Over the next few years, there will be considerable output in residential units and industrial land in the NM.69. In order to support commercial and innovative development in the NM, we will also identify suitable sites there for constructing facilities to meet various conference and exhibition needs.Railway Development70. The construction works of Phase 1 of the Northern Link (NOL), i.e. Kwu Tung Station, have commenced for target completion in 2027. Advance works for Phase 2 have also commenced to tie in with the target completion of NOL Main Line in 2034.71. In addition, we are working with the Shenzhen authorities to jointly take forward two cross boundary railway projects. The investigation and design study of the Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) project and the detailed planning and design of the Northern Link Spur Line are expected to commence this year.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budget Speech by the Financial Secretary (2)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Strengthening Foundation to Accelerate Development

28. Hong Kong’s economy has recorded moderate growth for two consecutive years. The Government has been active in promoting innovation and technology (I&T) development, while striving to attract more enterprises, capital and investment institutions through diversified business promotion activities. Recently, Hong Kong has made continuous improvement in a number of economic segments. The Government’s efforts to build a vibrant economy and compete for enterprises and talents have yielded considerable results:

(a) Buoyant Stock Market: The sentiment and trading performance of the local stock market improved last year. Since the beginning of this year, trading has been even more active, with average daily turnover exceeding $200 billion recently, up by more than 50 per cent over last year’s average. Total market capitalisation reached $40 trillion;

(b) Vibrant Initial Public Offering (IPO) Activities: Enterprises are increasingly confident about Hong Kong’s financing prospects. Funds raised from new listings in Hong Kong amounted to $88 billion last year, a year-on-year increase of nearly 90 per cent and ranking fourth globally. Over 100 new IPO applications are being processed by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX);

(c) Excellence in Wealth Management: Hong Kong is Asia’s largest hedge fund centre and the second largest centre for private equity management after the Mainland. There are more than 470 open ended fund companies in Hong Kong, double that of a year ago, and over 1 050 registered limited partnership funds, a year on year increase of about 40 per cent. Hong Kong is expected to become the world’s largest cross boundary wealth management centre by 2028; and

(d) Attract Enterprises, Capital and Talents on All Fronts

Attract enterprises: Since its establishment, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) has attracted 66 strategic enterprises, 80 per cent of which have established or planned to establish their global or regional headquarters in Hong Kong. Many are I&T enterprises with a market valuation of over $10 billion and engaging in cutting-edge technologies. In addition, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) successfully attracted over 500 Mainland and overseas enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong last year, representing an increase of over 40 per cent. These enterprises are expected to bring in direct investment of over $67.7 billion.

Attract capital: As at the end of last year, total deposits in Hong Kong amounted to more than $17 trillion, a year on year increase of seven per cent. On attracting capital from emerging markets, two exchange-traded funds tracking Hong Kong stocks were listed on the Saudi Exchange last year, with asset size exceeding $13 billion.

Trawl for talents: As at the end of last year, various talent admission schemes have received a total of over 430 000 applications and approved more than 270 000, bringing some 180 000 talents to Hong Kong.

29. We are proactively introducing additional measures to attract more enterprises or organisations to establish their presence in Hong Kong, bringing more mega-events and visitors to the city:

(a) OASES will announce a new batch of more than 10 strategic enterprises next month. Together with those previously announced, they will invest a total of about $50 billion in Hong Kong and create more than 20 000 jobs over the next few years;

(b) we strive to attract enterprises from the Mainland and around the world to set up headquarters or corporate divisions in Hong Kong. We have submitted a bill to the Legislative Council (LegCo) for the introduction of a company re domiciliation mechanism to provide facilitation for companies domiciled overseas to re domicile in Hong Kong;

(c) the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) will open by the end of this year at the earliest. As the first international inter governmental organisation to set up its headquarters in Hong Kong, IOMed is also the first of its kind in the world that specialises in resolving international disputes by means of mediation. It is conducive to affirming the positioning of Hong Kong as the capital for international mediation;

(d) Kai Tak Sports Park, set to open officially in three days, provides a world class venue for hosting international mega events, taking forward the development of culture, sports and tourism as an industry in Hong Kong. It is also one of the event venues of the National Games; and

(e) the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF)’s 2025 WTCF Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit will be held in Hong Kong for the first time in April. The Summit is expected to attract representatives from some 40 countries and regions.

30. A full range of mega events that will boost economic growth and attract more visitors to Hong Kong will be held this year. I will elaborate on the details in the relevant sections.

Upholding Principles and Innovation, and Cultivating New Quality Productive Forces

31. Hong Kong is facing a rather complicated international environment amid changes unseen in a century around the world. The rise of protectionism and unilateralism has resulted in a fragmented global political and economic landscape. The future is trending towards co-operation among economies sharing mutual interests and formation of different regional segments.

32. The vigorous development of AI is reshaping the medium- to long-term global economic landscape. In particular, its development is no longer confined to a single technology domain, but penetrating into each and every industry in the form of AI+. As the global value chain undergoes profound restructuring, product design and manufacturing are moving towards further intelligentisation and digitalisation. This wave of technological reform not only revolutionises traditional production, business and consumption models, but also redefines the core competitiveness of various economies, industries and enterprises.

33. Hong Kong finds itself at a critical juncture of its development in the face of the changing global landscape and technological transformation. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee) has affirmed the positioning of scientific and technological innovation as a core area of development and stressed the importance of accelerating the realisation of self-reliance on high standard technology. This points out a clear direction for Hong Kong to leverage its strength as an international platform for stepping up the development of the AI industry.

34. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has stated that the country has to deepen reform comprehensively, advance high standard opening-up and speed up the formation of a new development landscape. We must also cultivate new quality productive forces tailored to local circumstances and promote high quality development. To achieve this, we have to stay bold in reform, dare to break new ground and innovate continuously, and unleash the innovative and economic potential through institutional reform. Through technological innovation, we can catalyse new modes and new impetus to accelerate the nurturing of new industries and to transform and upgrade traditional industries. At the same time, we must nurture and attract talent by better means to promote the integrated development of education, technology and talent, which in turn provides staunch support for reform and innovation.

35. We have to leverage the advantages under “one country, two systems” to better integrate into the national development and participate in the joint development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in a proactive manner. We have to reinforce our connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, while leveraging synergies with overseas markets, especially those emerging in the Global South. It is by doing so that we fulfil our roles as “super connector” and “super value-adder”.

Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence

36. AI is at the core of developing new quality productive forces. We will leverage the edge of “one country, two systems” and our internationalised characteristic to develop Hong Kong into an international exchange and co-operation hub for the AI industry. Through frontier research and real-world application, we will endeavour to develop AI as a core industry and empower traditional industries in their upgrading and transformation.

AI as a Core Industry

AI Supercomputing Centre

37. We have been proactively enhancing the strategy and planning on AI development. The first-phase facility of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre has just commenced operation, and the computing power will be ramped up gradually to 3 000 petaFLOPS this year. This is equivalent to the processing capacity of nearly 10 billion images in an hour.

Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute

38. Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, established last September, spearheads collaboration among universities, research and development (R&D) centres and the industry on the R&D of third generation semiconductor core technology. The Institute leverages the GBA’s well developed manufacturing industry chain and enormous market, and promotes the “1 to N” transformation of R&D outcomes and industry development. Two pilot lines will be set up at the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long this year and start operating next year.

Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute

39. To spearhead and support Hong Kong’s innovative R&D as well as industrial application of AI, I have set aside $1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute. The Digital Policy Office (DPO) will formulate the establishment arrangements of the institute and its specific goals, focusing on facilitating upstream R&D, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes and expanding application scenarios.

AI Subsidy Scheme

40. Since its launch in October last year, the AI Subsidy Scheme has approved five projects led by local universities, research institutions, etc, to accelerate local R&D work relating to big language models, new materials, large synthetic biology models, etc.

Fostering International Exchanges and Collaboration

41. To bring together top talents in the industry to study the development and application of AI, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) will be hosting the first International Young Scientist Forum on Artificial Intelligence to promote research of AI technology and its development as an industry, including Open Source technology, in particular the design and application of the open source chip architecture RISC V.

Financial and Tax Support

42. To further assist specialist technology and biotechnology companies, especially those listed in the Mainland, in raising funds and expanding business, the HKEX is actively taking forward the establishment of a dedicated “technology enterprises channel” (TECH) to facilitate the relevant companies in preparing for listing applications. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) will also support to enable a smoother application process.

43. Intellectual property (IP) is an important foundation for the development of emerging industries. In addition to obtaining IP rights through local research and development, enterprises will also purchase related rights to use IP. In this connection, we will review the relevant tax deduction arrangements for various expenditures, including the lump sum licensing fees for acquiring the rights to use IP, and related expenses incurred on purchase of IP or the rights to use IP from associates, so as to accelerate the development of IP-intensive industries and promote the development of IP trading in Hong Kong.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Sightseeing train in SW China becomes new tourism hot spot

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

Sightseeing train in SW China becomes new tourism hot spot

Updated: February 26, 2025 14:28 Xinhua

This photo taken on Feb. 25, 2025 shows the scenery of a snow mountain in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. A sightseeing train connecting Lijiang ancient town and Yulong Snow Mountain was launched here this February, becoming a new tourism hot spot in northwest Yunnan. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists take a sightseeing train to enjoy the snow mountain scenery in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A drone photo shows a sightseeing train stopped at a tourist service center in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A drone photo shows a sightseeing train running near a snow mountain in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A tourist poses for photos at Yulong Snow Mountain scenic area in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China, Vietnam launch another overland passenger border-crossing channel

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

NANNING, Feb. 26 — Another overland passenger border-crossing channel was launched between China and Vietnam to boost bilateral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

The passenger border-crossing channel, linking China’s Dongzhong Port and Vietnam’s Hoanh Mo Port, is designed to accommodate an annual capacity of 500,000 passenger crossings and 30,000 passenger vehicle trips, which will inject new momentum into personnel exchanges, tourist visits and trade between China and Vietnam.

China’s Dongzhong Port, located in Fangchenggang City of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is separated from the Hoanh Mo Port in Quang Ninh Province of Vietnam by a river and serves as one of China’s key land routes to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The port was previously not open for tourist entries and exits.

China has several land ports to Vietnam along the border in Guangxi and Yunnan Province.

Since November 2023, China has continuously adjusted and optimized its visa-free transit policy to boost openness and people-to-people exchanges. In a recent move to boost tourism cooperation with ASEAN countries, tour groups from ASEAN countries have been allowed to visit Xishuangbanna, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan Province, without a visa for up to six days.

MIL OSI China News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Renewable energy: rural areas can be the EU’s green powerhouse

Source: The Conversation – France – By Lewis Dijkstra, Team Leader Urban and Territorial Analysis, Joint Research Centre (JRC)

The European Union aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% in 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and to become the first carbon-neutral economy by 2050. This ambitious goal requires a radical increase in the production of green energy within a relatively short timeframe. The untapped potential of rural areas in the union offers a way forward.

Rural areas could produce more energy than we need

Rural areas cover more than 80% of the EU’s territory and are host to around 30% of its population. Our work at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) shows that rural territories already generate the largest share of green electricity (72%) from the three most prominent renewable technologies: solar photovoltaic, onshore wind and hydropower. The remaining share of renewable energy is produced in towns and suburbs (22%) and cities (6%). Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Sweden are the top five renewable energy producers in the union, accounting for 68% of its total production from solar, onshore wind and hydropower installations.

But there is more. According to our analyses, rural areas also possess the highest untapped potential of renewable energy production–nearly 80%. Theoretically, they could produce enough to meet the total energy demand of the EU. We estimate that the total potential of solar, onshore wind and hydropower energy production in rural areas nears 12,500 terawatt hours per year. That’s more than five times the amount of electricity the union consumed in 2023, and it surpasses total energy consumption (which includes sources such as gas, oil and coal) for that year, too.

Technologies that suit the land

All this energy could be produced in rural areas without disrupting existing agricultural systems, landscapes and natural resources. Rural areas could produce up to 60 times more solar energy than what they currently deliver, quadruple their output from wind, and boost hydropower production by 25%. Spain, Romania, France, Portugal and Italy are the five EU countries with the highest combined (solar, wind and hydropower) untapped potential: together, they account for 67% of the EU’s potential, with contributions from rural areas ranging from 92% in France to 49% in Italy.

Overall, solar panels installed on the ground can make the biggest contribution to green energy production in the EU. However, rural areas across the union are highly diverse, so choosing the right technology would depend on local characteristics. Mountainous areas with abundant water resources are a good fit for hydropower production, while rural municipalities with large areas of suitable land lend themselves to solar or wind energy, depending on sun irradiation and wind speed. In rural areas where wind and land are insufficient, rooftop photovoltaic systems are a good option.

Boosting clean energy production can be a win-win

Rural areas are key to producing more renewable energy, as almost 80% of suitable, available land is located there. In addition, some of these areas are facing demographic and economic decline and are already the target of measures aimed at making them stronger, resilient and prosperous–as part of the EU’s long-term vision for rural areas. In this context, ensuring that these areas benefit economically from hosting more renewable energy projects makes them even more enticing. It also aligns with political considerations, as energy independence is a key part of the EU’s goal of strategic autonomy.

À lire aussi :
Could the EU’s Green Deal provide security benefits?

Addressing local concerns and fostering acceptance

While the potential offered by renewables is unquestionable, their production sites can face resistance from communities concerned about impacts on the local economy and quality of life. Seeing land used to produce energy with little local employment and seemingly for the benefit of large companies can also lead to resistance. Other concerns include competition for land use in areas where income is tied to other industries (such as agriculture or tourism), and the potential environmental impact of solar panels and wind or hydropower plants on rustic landscapes. With these concerns in mind, we identified portions of land suitable to host renewable energy plants that comprise roughly 3.4% of the EU’s surface. We excluded protected nature sites and biodiversity areas, forests and water bodies. We used strict limits on the use of agricultural land for energy production by only considering land that has been abandoned or has a very low productivity. Finally, we created buffer zones around infrastructure and settlements to minimise disturbance and safeguard natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Engaging local communities to find solutions

In our report, several case studies show the successful implementation of renewable energy projects in rural areas, driven by community engagement, collaboration and innovative financing models. From the first community-owned turbine in southern Europe in Catalonia, Spain, to a commercial energy company giving part of its profits to a local cause chosen with an energy community in the northern Netherlands, these cases highlight the potential for such projects to contribute to energy security, produce economic and social benefits and promote environmental sustainability.

These case studies show that active involvement of local communities from the early stages of renewable energy projects can foster acceptance. Citizens who are actively engaged or even share ownership in small- or medium-scale projects become more supportive. Beyond seeing profits stay local, engaged communities can mitigate negative effects of production by, for instance, choosing where to locate new energy plants.

Our report also offers an overview of renewable energy communities’ role in ensuring a sustainable energy transition in which rural areas are not left behind. The number of renewable energy communities in the EU is rising and, although an exact count is unavailable, it is estimated that there were over 4,000 of them, with some 900,000 members, in 2023. These communities are mainly concentrated in northwest Europe, and a high proportion are rural. Beyond energy communities, place-based approaches, where local populations and administrations are engaged from the early stages and see clear benefits, can make an important contribution to our sustainable transition.

Lewis Dijkstra ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

– ref. Renewable energy: rural areas can be the EU’s green powerhouse – https://theconversation.com/renewable-energy-rural-areas-can-be-the-eus-green-powerhouse-250669

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Supporting the UK aviation sector
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

Supporting the UK aviation sector

Secretary of State for Transport outlines next steps for airport expansion during the Airlines UK annual dinner.
Good evening, everyone.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of you over the last couple of weeks individually. But I will be honest with you, not only did I not expect to find myself in this job, I also didn’t envisage spending quite so much time talking about airports.

But I am glad I have because aviation not only underpins the growth we want, but our approach to it says a lot about the country we want to be.

Now some might say the current debate about airport expansion highlights a fundamental tension between growing the economy, whilst protecting the environment.

I say: we must do both.

We could put our head in the sand and pretend that people don’t want to fly. Pretend that families aren’t dispersed across the globe. That they don’t work hard for, and enjoy, their summer holidays. We could pretend that businesses don’t have international clients and colleagues and that air freight isn’t a significant part of the UK’s trade by value. We could pretend that aviation isn’t critical to the economy of an island nation. But we would be knowingly detaching ourselves from reality.

We live in an increasingly interconnected world. Whilst technology has in some respects brought us all so much closer together, there are some things that smartphones, streaming or Zoom just can’t replicate. So as a government, we have a choice – either engage with the world as we find it, or we fail. We know demand for air travel is only going in one direction. Record-breaking stats from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) last week confirm passenger levels were 7% higher in 2024 than the previous year. Demand is up – and if we don’t meet it, then we will lose out to our European competitors and risk being on the wrong side of public aspirations.

So the Chancellor has been clear: we will do all we can to support the sector and take the brakes off growth. It’s why we’ve approved London City Airport’s plans to expand to 9 million passengers per year by 2031 and it’s why we welcomed Stansted’s additional £1.1 billion investment to extend its terminal. But there remain capacity problems – particularly at airports in the southeast.

So, as you know, planning applications for Gatwick and Luton are literally on my desk. And as you might have picked up, the government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once received, we will move at speed to review the Airports National Policy Statement. But let me be clear – this is in no way a blank cheque. My job as decision maker on all of these schemes will be to strike a balance – between expansion’s potential benefits of jobs, trade and tourism, with tough questions on:

whether this is compatible with our climate and air quality obligations

whether we can minimise noise and disruption to local communities

whether this will benefit airlines and passengers, and how we make sure costs are shared fairly

This government believes in increasing airport capacity. We’re ambitious for the sector, but these strict criteria must be met if we are to balance the needs of today with the necessities of tomorrow.

But it’s not just about airport expansion – I want us to take a holistic look at aviation. Our Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, has worked with many of you for years on what are now some of this government’s key manifesto commitments. He has seen first-hand this sector re-emerge stronger from one of its toughest periods and stand today at the cusp of what could be the biggest transformation in its 100-year history. Now more than ever, you need a government that is a willing partner you can trust, whose electoral mandate provides stability, and whose policy agenda provides certainty.

But I would ask that you judge me and the government not on what we say – because goodness knows you’ve had enough of politicians promising you things. But judge us on the choices we make. While this government is only 8 months old, our choices are clear. Every decision measured against the yardstick of growth:

planning reforms – delayed by successive governments as just too hard, now allowing us to finally build again

a national wealth fund – now creating thousands of jobs and unlocking investment

the first industrial strategy in years – due this summer

work accelerated on modernising our airspace, that critical national infrastructure which gets forgotten far too often

Right across the board, it’s clear, we’re choosing growth. For us here tonight, that means running hell for leather towards greener and quieter flights. Stand still and we risk making ourselves poorer in every way. I, therefore, see both decarbonisation and modernisation, above all, as a moral mission.

Let me be clear, I have no intention of clipping anyone’s wings. I am not some sort of flight-shaming eco-warrior. I love flying – I always have. For me, there is something intrinsically optimistic about taking to the sky. I’d even go as far as saying that EasyJet’s bacon sandwich on an early morning flight from Gatwick is up there with my favourite things in life. Other airports, operators and snacks are of course available!

I believe it is incumbent on all those in public life to give businesses the tools for success and increase opportunities for people to improve their lot. That means more passengers and freight in the air, not less. But I am equally clear that this must also mean less carbon, not more. That’s why sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is so important. Over its lifecycle, it will reduce emissions by 70% when compared with jet fuel. And just weeks into office, we reiterated our commitment to the SAF Mandate and, in November, we signed it into law.

Throughout, we’ve listened to your concerns. You rightly said demand without supply will mean higher costs – and that’s on top of pressures you’re already facing on many fronts. Harming your competitiveness doesn’t help anyone. So I don’t suggest for a second that SAF is a silver bullet, but it is integral to reaching net zero aviation by 2050 – that’s why we are backing it to the hilt. And by legislating for a price guarantee, we will send a clear signal to investors: that this is a serious opportunity for you.

It will give certainty to producers looking to grow their UK production, and our £63 million investment in the Advanced Fuels Fund will ensure we start becoming more self-sufficient.

I know it is early days, and many technologies are not yet scaled, but SAF sits alongside a range of other levers that we must pull to decarbonise the sector. More efficient aircraft and engines will burn less fuel and play a key role. We are even starting to get ready for zero emission flights. These projects – and more – are supported by nearly £1 billion in government funding for the aerospace technology programme as well as the CAA’s hydrogen in aviation regulatory challenge. And I’ve mentioned it already, but our ongoing commitment to airspace modernisation is key for both growth and decarbonisation, with the potential for quicker and greener flights.

Getting all this right matters – it matters for the planet and for the next generation. I don’t have children, but I know what I want for my nieces and nephew.

A world ravaged by climate change and extreme weather events? Of course not.

A world where they have been denied the opportunities to travel that I have? No.

I want them to live life. To fly. To see different places. Experience different cultures. To understand that those who would see countries retreating into their own corners of the globe are on the wrong side of history.

So this matters – for the next generation, but also for today. Decarbonising aviation could be worth billions to the economy, and support thousands of jobs. It is an important enabler to our industrial strategy.

And if we are to be successful, we must embrace partnership.

I am grateful to many in this room for your involvement in the Jet Zero taskforce, it’s crucial that we pool our resources and expertise – both government and industry – to secure this industry’s future.

So, I’ll finish by saying this – the government’s Plan for Change depends on aviation’s success, on the economic value you bring, on the jobs you support, on the trade you facilitate. But that growth depends on us running as fast as we can towards cleaner aviation. It’s the only way to break out of the paralysis successive governments have tolerated.

The new aviation futures forum will be a crucial vehicle for that work. Some of you may remember this as the Aviation Council – and I’m sorry that we seem to have to rename everything when there’s a change of government. But I hope it’s clear that our commitment is immutable: we are as determined as you are to tackling our shared challenges.

I don’t just want to talk about challenges though. Because if we continue making the right choices, we will achieve our shared vision of a growing, thriving aviation sector. One that improves both the lives and the livelihoods of people right across the country. Not many sectors so visibly and tangibly sustain both our economy and people’s lives. So let’s make sure, together, that we secure more of those benefits in the future.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 26 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Minister Burke welcomes €23 million in Shared Island Development Tourism funding
Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

25th February 2025
- The government’s Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island and engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future.
- Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland continue to build on the strong relationships already developed with the local authorities in both jurisdictions.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, today welcomed funding of up to €23 million for three Shared Island Tourism Destination projects.

Carlingford Lough: A network of trailheads, trails and water access points will be delivered across the region; increasing connectivity between tourism assets and complemented by delivery of a Destination Experience Strategy to promote the region. The investment will harness the benefits of the Narrow Water Bridge as a lynchpin for sustainable tourism and recreation activity around the whole Carlingford Lough area.

Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark: The trail network will be developed to link existing trails North and South of the border; enhancing and further linking the regional tourism offering at Cuilcagh and the wider cross-border UNESCO Global Geopark. Trail development will provide connectivity between the Marble Arch Caves, Cuilcagh Boardwalk and on to Cavan Burren Park and include interpretation, wayfinding and infrastructure, including a community-based interpretative centre at Glangevlin village.

Sliabh Beagh: Extensive connected walking, cycling, equestrian cross-border trails around Sliabh Beagh Mountain will be developed along the border, with the inclusion of trailheads and gateways. Trail development will also include interpretation, wayfinding and other facility development.

Minister Burke said:

“I welcome the announcement of this significant funding, which will boost the all-island economy and benefit communities north and south of the border. These projects have the potential to deliver sustained economic, social and environmental benefits across counties in both jurisdictions. Communities on either side of the border Ireland continue to collaborate in creating a place that they are proud to share with others, delivering a warm welcome and the promise of a memorable holiday.”

ENDS

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MIL OSI Europe News –
February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Talented Athlete Scheme allows Isle of Wight sporting stars to shine 26 February 2025 Talented Athlete Scheme allows Isle of Wight sporting stars to shine

Source: Aisle of Wight

Almost 80 Island sporting stars have been selected for the Isle of Wight Council’s Talented Athlete Scheme for 2025.

Gifted sportsmen and women competing at county level or higher in a non-professional capacity receive support to help them progress within their chosen sports.

Wightlink has sponsored the scheme since its creation in 2013, providing athletes with discounted travel to help with travel to mainland events and training.

Scheme participants also have access to the council’s leisure facilities through 1Leisure and receive discounts with specialist sports and health businesses on the Island: Love Running, Cowes Chiropractic Clinic, RMA Sports Injury Clinic, Physio Care (Isle of Wight), Sports Performance Centre and Amanda Buggy Soft Tissue Therapy & Nutrition.

This year’s scheme supports 78 athletes aged between 9 and 86, with many of those new to the scheme for 2025, in sports ranging from athletics to underwater hockey, and sailing to gymnastics.

After making his debut on the list last year, nine-year-old Finn Husson has again qualified. The talented squash player from Niton has recently broken into the under-11 top 20 at national level and has ambitions to reach the top five in England. He has already competed in the British Junior Championships.

His dad, Chris, said: “It’s fair to say that the help we receive from The Talented Athlete Scheme is the only way that we can achieve all of this and we are truly grateful that we get the opportunity to compete with those on the mainland.

“We feel like part of a wider community representing the Island and being supported by its businesses is truly something.”

Veterans of the scheme include 86-year-old Jenny Ball from Newport, who remains a formidable competitor in the pool, travelling around the country to take part in British Masters events.

She said: “I am very privileged to be an Isle of Wight Council/Wightlink sponsored masters swimmer and am proud to represent both the Island and Wightlink.

“The help with ferry costs is especially appreciated, as I travel to the mainland for all but one of my competitions and championships, annually.”

Wightlink chief executive, Katy Taylor, said: “We know how important this support is for athletes across a massive range of sports and it has been a pleasure seeing athletes on the scheme excel.

“I am looking forward to following the progress of this year’s Talented Athletes and sharing their successes via our social media channels.

“I hope to meet up with many of them in person at our next Wightlink in the Community meet and greet event.”

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for regeneration, business development, and tourism, said: “It’s great to see our young sportspeople succeeding. I’m pleased that the council continues to support the Talented Athlete Scheme with help from our sponsors. This vital support enables our talented sportspeople to continue developing and competing at national and international levels.

“I look forward to hearing about this year’s participants; I’m confident they will represent the Island well and meet their personal objectives over the next 12 months.”

A full list of the athletes supported via the Talented Athlete Scheme is available on the Wightlink website.

PHOTO: From left: Jenny Ball, Talented Athlete, Martin Gulliver, Wightlink Island port operation manager, Sam Woodman, Wightlink partnerships marketing manager, Finn Husson, Talented Athlete, Alec Broome, Isle of Wight Council sports development and events officer.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: $1.23b for boosting tourism

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Given that cultural and creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors in Hong Kong, Paul Chan highlighted in his Budget speech this year that the Government is dedicated to advancing several vital projects.

“A cumulative total of over 780 projects, some of which with potential for industrialisation, have been approved under the CreateSmart Initiative, involving a total funding of about $3.4 billion and benefitting more than 30,000 SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).

“To foster the vibrant development of the local creative industry chain, OASES (Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises) will strategically attract to Hong Kong more cultural and creative enterprises that integrate I&T (innovation and technology) into their work.”

With regard to large-scale art events, Mr Chan pointed to the success of the inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo, which concluded in October last year. It featured over 1,600 arts leaders and practitioners from more than 60 countries and regions.

“We will organise the second edition of the Expo next year, transforming the event into a flagship of our arts and cultural industries.”

He also explained how the Government will further facilitate the creation and production of cultural intellectual property (IP).

“The Government will support cultural IP creators and producers to propel more than 30 cultural IP projects cumulatively in the coming five years. We are fostering more cross-sectoral collaboration within the cultural and creative sectors so as to enhance the communication power and sales value of cultural IP products.”

Emphasising the fact that tourism boosts local economic development and creates employment opportunities, Mr Chan pointed out that the Government will step up its efforts to uncover more attractions with local characteristics.

“To pursue the concept of ‘tourism is everywhere’ and implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, I will allocate $1,235 million to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in the coming year.

“The HKTB will collaborate with more international brands to tell the good stories of Hong Kong’s tourism. For example, the HKTB signed a three-year global strategic partnership agreement with Art Basel to establish immersive experience zones of Hong Kong culture in all four annual Art Basel shows around the world, strengthening Hong Kong’s connection with the global art scene.”

Mr Chan revealed that he earmarked resources to strengthen support to the cruise industry, encouraging cruise lines to increase their number of ship calls to Hong Kong, make overnight calls and use Hong Kong as the homeport.

“We will provide cruise lines with more concessions to attract cruise ships to berth at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal during the low season.”

The Government remains steadfast in promoting and publicising Hong Kong as a mega events capital globally in an effort to attract more tourists to the city and enhance their tourism experience.

Hong Kong can do just that, the Financial Secretary said, via the Kai Tak Sports Park, which is the largest‑ever sports infrastructure in Hong Kong with its 50,000-seat stadium.

Additionally, he emphasised that the Government has been supporting the staging of major international sports events in Hong Kong through “M” Mark System.

“We will adopt a more strategic approach in continuously attracting sports events which can bring significant economic benefits to Hong Kong, and are in discussion with LIV Golf which has been held in Hong Kong for two consecutive years to explore long-term partnership.”

Mr Chan made it a point in his Budget speech to underscore the importance of developing visitor sources from the Middle East and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“In collaboration with the HKTB, the Government will make extra efforts to develop markets in the Middle East and ASEAN to attract more high‑end visitors.

“The Government is encouraging various sectors of the community to enhance tourism‑support facilities, such as providing worship facilities in hotels and stepping up staff training to strengthen the industry’s understanding of the visitors’ different cultural backgrounds.”

Leveraging harbourfront resources is equally crucial, Mr Chan asserted, adding that the Government is making every effort to enhance the harbourfront on both sides of the Victoria Harbour.

“The recently opened western section of the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point has been popular among the public. The eastern section of the Boardwalk, the Hung Hom Urban Park (Phase 2) and the open space at Eastern Street North in Sai Ying Pun will also be completed this year.

“We will set up refreshment stalls at harbourfront locations in Central, Wan Chai, North Point and Tsim Sha Tsui this year to enrich visitor experience.”

Furthermore, he gave an update on a key tourism-boosting study.

“The Government has invited the Mass Transit Railway Corporation to conduct a study to develop the waterfront and former pier sites to the south of Hung Hom Station into a new harbourfront landmark.

“It will include iconic commercial and residential developments, retail, dining and entertainment facilities, as well as yacht club for promoting yacht tourism. We will put forward land use proposals in the middle of this year.”

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tech park development expedited

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Outlining the industries and spatial distribution of the Northern Metropolis, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in the 2025-26 Budget that the four major trades there include information and technology (I&T); high-end professional services and modern logistics; tertiary education; and culture, sports and tourism.

As for the Northern Metropolis’ development approach, Mr Chan said the Government is piloting a “large-scale land disposal”.

“We are inviting the market to submit expressions of interest for three pilot areas under ‘large-scale land disposal’, with the target of commencing tendering progressively from the second half of this year.”

The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, a highlight of the Northern Metropolis, will have its Hong Kong Park entering into the operation phase in 2025, Mr Chan noted.

Specifically, the first three buildings of Phase 1 are about to be completed, and the first batch of tenants from life and health technology, artificial intelligence, data science and other pillar industries will begin to move in this year.

In this connection, the finance chief announced that the Government has earmarked $3.7 billion to expedite the provision of infrastructure and public facilities of the Phase 1 development of the Hong Kong Park. Moreover, the Government will identify suitable land parcels for invitation of private development proposals this year, with a view to expediting the development by leveraging market forces.

“Upon completion of the whole Hong Kong Park, its annual contribution to Hong Kong’s economy is expected to reach $52 billion, and about 52,000 job opportunities will be created.”

Mr Chan remarked that the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao co-operation zone, together with San Tin Technopole, will provide large tracts of I&T land. In the San Tin Technopole, 20 hectares of land will be delivered in phases, starting from 2026-27, for development and operation by the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation. The corporation is carrying out a master planning study, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

In addition, the Government has commenced the procedures to re-zone a 10-hectare site at Sandy Ridge in the North District for use as data centres. The re-zoning procedures are expected to finish in mid-2025, and the Government is actively making preparations for land disposal.

The Budget also mentioned that there will be considerable output in residential units and industrial land in the Northern Metropolis over the next few years.

Recalling that the Government has started three major projects on second phase development for the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, the remaining phase development of Kwu Tung North/Fanling North New Development Area, and the site formation and engineering infrastructure works for the first batch of land in the San Tin Technopole, Mr Chan further updated the land development progress in the Northern Metropolis in this year’s Budget.

“This year, we will start the works of Yuen Long South New Development Area second phase development, complete the re-zoning procedures for a data park site in Sandy Ridge, and finalise land use proposals for Ngau Tam Mei as well as New Territories North New Town and Ma Tso Lung this year for commencing the environmental impact assessments and other statutory procedures.”

The Government will also identify suitable sites in the Northern Metropolis for constructing facilities to meet conference and exhibition needs.

As regards railway development in relation to the Northern Metropolis, the finance chief said the construction works of Phase 1 of the Northern Link, ie Kwu Tung Station, have begun for target completion in 2027.

Meanwhile, the advance works for Phase 2 have also commenced, in order to tie in with the Northern Link Main Line’s target completion in 2034.

Mr Chan stated that Hong Kong is also working with the Shenzhen authorities to take forward two cross boundary railway projects.

“The investigation and design study of the Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu – Qianhai) project and the detailed planning and design of the Northern Link Spur Line are expected to commence this year,” he added.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 26, 2025

Category: Tourism

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IMF Communications Department

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IMF Communications Department

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Updates to this page

Sarbananda Sonowal unveils ₹4,800 crore plan to transform Assam’s Inland Waterways at Advantage Assam 2.0

“₹1,500 crore for Green Vessel Transition in Assam by 2030 under ‘Harit Nauka Scheme’”: Sarbananda Sonowal