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Category: Tourism

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Golden Week visitors reach 1.4m

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that the overall number of visitors to Hong Kong reached around 1.4 million for the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland from January 28 to yesterday, with various arrangements for receiving visitors rolling out smoothly.

    During the eight-day Golden Week, the Immigration Department recorded around 1.4 million inbound visitors to Hong Kong through sea, land and air control points, with Mainland visitors accounting for about 1.2 million. The daily average of Mainland visitors was around 150,000.

    Visitor arrivals peaked at around 190,000 on January 30, the second day of the Lunar New Year. The Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point received the highest number, followed by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.

    They visited different parts of Hong Kong during Golden Week, with high visitor flow seen at major tourist attractions, including the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram and Ngong Ping 360.

    The hotel occupancy rate during this period generally reached 90%, according to industry information.

    While the Travel Industry Authority revealed that over 2,200 Mainland inbound tour groups came to the city during Golden Week, with around 83% engaging in overnight itineraries. These tour groups covered around 79,000 visitors, accounting for about 7% of all Mainland visitors.

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the interdepartmental working group, noted that the wide range of celebration events held in Hong Kong during this period were well received by the public and visitors alike.

    The events included the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, the fireworks display, the Chinese New Year Raceday and the Chinese New Year Cup football match, taking place on the first four days of the Lunar New Year respectively.

    “Thanks to the collaboration of relevant government departments, organisations and the trade as well as the co-operation of the public and tourists, the reception arrangements operated smoothly this year, enabling citizens and tourists to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong in a joyous and festive manner,” Mr Chan added.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sydney ETO holds reception in Sydney to celebrate Year of Snake (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) hosted a reception in Sydney, Australia, yesterday (February 4) to celebrate Chinese New Year.

         Over 300 guests from various sectors including political and business circles, media, academic and community groups as well as government representatives attended the Sydney reception. Among them was the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Wang Yu. The Chairman of the M+ Board, Chairman of the Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited and Vice Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, Mr Bernard Chan, was invited as the keynote speaker to share with the guests the vibrant arts and cultural scenes in Hong Kong.

         The Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said in his welcoming remarks that both Hong Kong and Australia embrace free trade, rule of law, and multiculturalism as core values, under which Hong Kong and Australia’s bilateral trade, investment situation and people-to-people ties flourish. New South Wales, in particular, has long been a significant partner for Hong Kong in the finance, trade, tourism, and education sectors.

         “As we celebrate Chinese New Year, let us also reflect on how our collaboration can grow even stronger. With Hong Kong serving as the ‘super connector’ with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Mainland China, the opportunities for Australian businesses are unprecedented. Together, we can explore new horizons and ensure our partnership continues to thrive,” Mr Chong added.  

         In his keynote speech, Mr Chan introduced to guests the various world class venues in the West Kowloon Cultural District, including M+ museum, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Xiqu Centre, as well as their partnerships with over 20 of the top arts and cultural institutions in the world. He also shared about the vibrant activations and inspiring exhibitions in Tai Kwun – a centre for arts, culture and heritage. Mr Chan will also speak at the Chinese New Year reception to be hosted by the Sydney ETO in Melbourne tomorrow (February 6).

         In addition to the Sydney and Melbourne receptions, the Sydney ETO will also host Chinese New Year receptions in Brisbane (February 13), Perth (February 18) and Adelaide (February 20) in Australia, and Auckland (February 25) in New Zealand, to celebrate the Year of the Snake with local communities.               

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements summarises visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (February 5) announced that the overall number of visitors to Hong Kong reached around 1.4 million following the conclusion of the eight-day Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland (January 28 to February 4) yesterday, with various arrangements for receiving visitors rolling out smoothly.
     
         Mr Chan said, “During this Chinese New Year Golden Week, the wide range of celebration events held in Hong Kong, including the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of Chinese New Year, the fireworks display on the second day, the Chinse New Year Raceday on the third day and the Chinese New Year Cup football match on the fourth day, were well received by the public and visitors from the Mainland and different parts of the world, allowing them to immerse themselves in a vibrant festive atmosphere.”
     
    Visitor flow and situation of boundary control points
     
         During the eight-day Chinese New Year Golden Week, the Immigration Department recorded a total of around 1.4 million inbound visitors to Hong Kong through various sea, land and air control points. Among them, Mainland visitors accounted for about 1.2 million, representing around 85 per cent of the total arrivals. The daily average of Mainland visitors was around 150 000.
     
         The arrival of Mainland visitors peaked on January 30 (the second day of Chinese New Year) with around 190 000 Mainland visitors arriving in Hong Kong. During the Chinese New Year Golden Week, the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point received the highest number of Mainland visitors, followed by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. The overall operation of the control points and transport services ran smoothly.
     
    Major tourist attractions, inbound tour groups and hotel occupancy rate
     
         Visitors went to different parts of Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year Golden Week, with high visitor flow observed at major tourist attractions including the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram and Ngong Ping 360. Smooth and effective crowd management measures were implemented. In addition, according to the information provided by the hotel industry, the hotel occupancy rate during the Chinese New Year Golden Week reached 90 per cent in general.
     
         In terms of Mainland inbound tour groups, according to the Travel Industry Authority’s information, over 2 200 Mainland inbound tour groups visited Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year Golden Week, with around 83 per cent engaged in overnight itineraries. These tour groups involved around 79 000 visitors, accounting for around 7 per cent of all Mainland visitors, and they were orderly in general.
     
    Cross-boundary traffic
     
         Throughout the Chinese New Year Golden Week, the Transport Department had been steering public transport operators to enhance their service capacity with a view to meeting the cross-boundary passenger demand. The traffic conditions at various boundary control points were mostly smooth.
     
         Mr Chan said, “Thanks to the close collaboration of all relevant government departments, organisations and the trade in making comprehensive preparations and responses, as well as the co-operation of the public and tourists, the various reception arrangements during the Chinese New Year Golden Week operated smoothly this year, enabling citizens and tourists to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong in a joyous and festive manner.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Participants of the Art in the Metro project created paintings at the Kitay-Gorod station

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    As part of the “Art in the Metro” project, a plein air was held at the Kitay-Gorod station. More than 25 artists took part in it. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

    “During the visiting creative event, the participants of the “Art in the Metro” project created works in various styles – from classical painting to modern graphics. We continue to develop the capital’s metro as a cultural space on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    Project “Art in the Metro” opened in April 2024. Its participants are more than 200 artists who create their works at Moscow Metro stations. In this way, the masters can demonstrate their art to a wide audience, and city residents and tourists can get acquainted with various styles and genres of painting, graphics and sculpture. To join the second season of the project, you must submit an application on the website.

    The project is organized by the Moscow Metro together with the capital’s Department of Transport and Development of Road Transport Infrastructure. General partner – the association “Exhibition halls of Moscow” Department of Culture of the City of Moscow.

    Artists can paint not only at the project sites located in the metro, but also participate in various events – exhibitions, lectures, master classes, as well as visiting art events.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149688073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: China taps ice, snow to fuel economic growth

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

    BEIJING, Feb. 5 — From winter sports to snow tourism, China is actively tapping into its ice and snow resources to create new growth drivers for the world’s second-largest economy, according to multiple officials and experts at a recent roundtable.

    Tourists are now more willing to pay for leisure and cultural activities related to ice and snow tourism, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, at the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

    Dai said that various new business models are arising from the thriving industry. “Once tourists arrive at their destinations, they look for accommodation, dining options and interactions with locals. What attracts them most is often the unique folk customs and cultural heritage of the region.”

    Harbin, China’s northernmost provincial capital, exemplifies the country’s thriving ice and snow economy. During the eight-day Spring Festival holiday that concluded on Tuesday, Harbin Ice-Snow World attracted over 610,000 visits. This ice theme park, featuring dazzling ice sculptures, saw more than 100,000 visits on Feb. 1, setting a new record for daily attendance compared to previous years.

    In addition to Harbin, various new ice and snow tourism attractions have emerged across Heilongjiang Province. These include the snow-covered forests of Yichun, one of China’s most forested cities, winter birdwatching in Qiqihar, where native red-crowned cranes can be spotted, and aurora viewing in Mohe, near the China-Russia border, according to Qi Bin, deputy director of the Heilongjiang provincial department of culture and tourism.

    Peng Fuwei, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planner, said that China has established a dual manufacturing-service model to develop its ice and snow economy. According to Peng, the country can now produce 15 kinds of ice and snow sports equipment, ranging from snowboards to snow-making machines.

    In ice and snow services, Peng said multiple sectors flourish simultaneously, including competitions and performances, catering and accommodation, winter sports training, and leisure tourism.

    Looking ahead, Peng said that the central budget will continue to support the construction of public service facilities for eligible ice and snow sports and tourism. Also, qualifying ice and snow tourism equipment will receive support through ultra-long special treasury bonds for equipment upgrades.

    According to China’s national blueprint for the ice and snow economy, the industry is expected to play a greater role in expanding employment and promoting high-quality development by 2030. Ice and snow consumption will be a key growth driver for domestic demand.

    By then, several high-quality destinations for ice sports and tourism will be established, and the total scale of the ice and snow economy is projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan (about 209.2 billion U.S. dollars), the document says.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: Agricultural trade turnover with the Republic of Belarus increased by 15% in 2024

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Shuleiko. The parties discussed cooperation in the field of agro-industrial complex, fisheries, environmental protection and ecology.

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Shuleiko

    February 5, 2025

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Shuleiko

    February 5, 2025

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Shuleiko

    February 5, 2025

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Shuleiko

    February 5, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Shuleiko

    “Interaction between Russia and Belarus is expanding in a number of areas, including agriculture. According to preliminary data, in 2024, the turnover of agricultural products increased by 15%, exceeding $8 billion. We expect that the positive trend will continue,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    Both mutual trade and joint development of foreign markets demonstrate stable growth. The countries also successfully cooperate in the field of seed production.

    In the area of ecology and nature management, active work is being carried out within the framework of a joint board of specialized departments. Following the results of the last meeting, a cooperation program on environmental protection and rational nature management for a three-year period was signed.

    The program’s activities are aimed at joint activities to develop the system of functioning of specially protected natural areas, including ecological tourism and education, exchange of experience in the field of state environmental control and handling of production and consumption waste.

    Also in 2024, a “road map” for transboundary water cooperation was approved. It includes 119 measures aimed at preserving and restoring water bodies in the Dnieper and Western Dvina basins.

    Through the CIS Intergovernmental Council, Russia and Belarus are carrying out activities to improve the geological study of border territories, including monitoring of underground transboundary waters. This will improve the efficiency of exploitation of deposits.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian Science Day in Moscow: where the most interesting events will take place

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Dozens of excursions, exhibitions, as well as thematic quizzes, special projects and acquaintance with the latest developments of scientists await city residents in early February. All these events are dedicated to the celebration Day of Russian Science, which is celebrated on February 8. This is a great opportunity not only to remember the legendary scientists of the past, but also to turn to their modern colleagues, and to find out what discoveries are changing the world right now.

    Cosmonautics, biotechnology and the power of words at VDNKh

    The country’s main exhibition invites everyone to special programs and free excursions. They will be dedicated to various types of science and will be organized in museums and pavilions of VDNKh. To participate in most events, you only need to pre-register; for some, you need to buy a ticket.

    Thus, on February 8, thematic events will be held at the Atom Museum. You can follow the schedule and buy tickets on the official website of the museum.

    On February 8 from 11:00 to 20:00 in the museum lobby you will be offered to play engineering games and assemble Spills cards of Russia. The Spills map is an innovative development, which is a set of magnetic game elements made in the form of territorial units of states and regions. It will be interesting for both adults and schoolchildren from 12 years old (children come accompanied by adults). Wooden puzzle maps will help you remember the geography of Russia. Guests will learn how much energy each region consumes, what is the average annual temperature in them. In the museum from 13:00 to 14:30 visitors will also be able to work at engineering tables and even conduct own scientific experiments.

    Master classes in physics have been prepared for children aged six and over “Snow Atom” And “Winter Journey with Atomarenko”, board game “Nuclear Power Plant Engineer”. A quiz awaits teenagers and adults “Through experience”, master class “VR in your pocket”, quiz “Physicists and Lyricists” and public talk “How Russians believed in physics”. The Center for Modern Biotechnology “Biotech Museum” has prepared a special program for all guests for the Day of Russian Science. Starting from February 8, there will be a new master class dedicated to microorganisms, – “Art in a Petri Dish”. In addition, on February 8 and 9 at 16:00 there will be open screenings of documentaries about mathematics and bionics. Admission by museum tickets.

    Free excursions will be held at VDNKh on February 8. At 17:00 in Pavilion No. 1 “Central” you can take a guided tour exposition of the Tretyakov Gallery. Guests will be introduced to the works of Alexander Deineka, Evgeny Vuchetich, Vera Mukhina, Alexander Vinogradov, Vladimir Dubossarsky and many other artists. There you can also admire the monumental canvases created especially for the opening of the pavilion in 1954, examine the legendary high relief of Evgeny Vuchetich, considered lost for more than half a century, and learn the details of the creation of the monument “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman”.

    At 17:00 and 18:30 the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center invites you to thematic excursions “Chemistry and Space”. And at 19:00 in the museum of Slavic writing “Word” there will be an excursion “Studying the word…”. It will talk about Slavic writing and its researchers.

    About science for schoolchildren and youth

    A number of events dedicated to Russian scientists, the secrets of physics, chemistry, cybernetics and high technology will be held by the capital’s palaces of creativity. Children and teenagers will enjoy exciting quizzes, quizzes, master classes and much more. They can be visited for free, but some events require preliminary online registration.

    On February 6, the Sviblovo Children’s Creativity Center will host a festive quiz called “Young Researchers.” Through the interactive format of the event, combining play and learning, young participants will be able to receive basic knowledge about the world of science.

    On the same day, the Victoria Children’s and Youth Center will hold an educational program where you can learn about the important achievements of Russian and Soviet science and great discoveries. in this area.

    For all those interested, on February 8, the Moscow Palace of Pioneers on Vorobyovy Gory will host Moscow Science Festival. Guests will enjoy intellectual games, lectures and master classes. Visitors will get acquainted with modern developments and learn how to build a career as a researcher. Lectures on physics and space, thematic master classes, scientific battles and board games are planned. Schoolchildren will be told how to conduct their first research, how to prepare for university and become a scientific volunteer. You can register for the events Here.

    The Palace of Children and Youth Creativity “Undiscovered Islands” will hold a special master class “The Invisible World and Fascinating Experiments” on February 8. Participants will learn about the history of Russian Science Day and will also get acquainted with various interesting experiments. And in the Palace of Children and Youth Creativity “Khoroshevo” until February 10 there will be a whole a series of master classes and quizzes for young seekers of knowledge.

    Journeys into the World of Scientific Moscow

    A digital weekend will help you organize a real scientific weekend tourist service Russpass. Three new walking routes around the city were published there. They are dedicated to places in Moscow associated with famous scientists and their main discoveries. The routes will be interesting for the whole family, and you can walk along them at any convenient time. The descriptions are supplemented with historical information about places and objects and photographs of all the sights that you will encounter along the way.

    Route “Fascinating Biology: A Curious Walk for the Whole Family” will introduce city travelers to the Main Botanical Garden named after N.V. Tsitsin of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Timiryazevsky Park and the florarium in Zaryadye Park.

    On a walk “Visiting the animals, the moon and the past in one day” young science lovers and their parents will learn interesting facts about the scientific world of Russia. The route includes a visit to the Moscow Zoo, Presnensky Park, Moscow Planetarium and the Museum of the History of the Telephone. Children and adults will be able to listen to lectures about the stars and animals of Russia, learn about the first means of communication, and play on the scientific playground. The exciting journey can be completed at the skating rink on Patriarch’s Ponds.

    Walk “Scientific Moscow: Founders, Researchers and Pioneers” will allow you to see the houses where famous scientists lived and worked. This is the longest route, which can be explored gradually. To visit all its points, you will need four days. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the monuments to discoverers in the fields of medicine, chemistry, biology, and space exploration. Among the points of the route are the estate of A. I. Konshina, which now houses the Central House of Scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Memorial Museum-Apartment of K. A. Timiryazev, the main building of the Moscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov, and monuments on the Cosmonauts’ Alley at VDNKh.

    Russian Science Day in Libraries, Cinemas and More

    The capital’s cultural venues also invite you to celebrate Russian Science Day. You can attend events in museums, cinemas, libraries and cultural centers starting February 6. To participate in some events, you will need to register in advance or buy a ticket.

    Thus, on February 6 and 7, free screenings of the Russian popular science film “The Chip Inside Me” will be held in the Moskino chain of cinemas. The film will tell about how chipping helps to restore health, and the film will also touch upon ethical issues. The screenings will be held in eight Moskino chain cinemas: “Cosmos”, “Sputnik”, “Iskra”, “Zhukovsky”, “Tula”, “Saturn”, “Vympel”, and “Angara”. Registration — by link.

    An exhibition will be open at the Meridian Cultural Center from February 6 to 27 “The History of the Magnetic Needle”. Guests will see pocket compasses produced in Russia from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. These are exhibits from the collection of magnetic compass collector Mikhail Ivanov, which includes more than 800 devices from various countries and eras. The exhibition will also feature mining compasses from the collection of Gennady Avdonin, chief specialist of the N.M. Fedorovsky All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources.

    The Central City Children’s Library named after A.P. Gaidar invites schoolchildren to the thematic program “Experiments”. It will last until February 28. Visitors will enjoy physical and chemical experiments with liquids, gases and solids, optical illusions and puzzle solving. Lectures on scientific laws will also be organized for young scientists and they will be told how to independently conduct a scientific experiment at home, taking into account all safety rules. Entrance to the event is free for organized groups (kindergarten groups and school classes from six years old). You can find out more and sign up for the program by calling the library: 7 499 242-57-23.

    Children will be able to try their hand at solving puzzles, conduct interesting experiments, and learn about the contribution of Russian researchers to world science at the Central Children’s Library No. 14. There, on February 6 at 4:00 p.m., a quiz called “Day of Russian Science” will be held.

    On February 7 at 15:00, the A.S. Neverov Library No. 90 will host a discussion entitled “Ruthless Science with Meaning.” Guests will be told about interesting facts from the biographies of famous scientists such as N.I. Vavilov, D.I. Mendeleyev, V.I. Vernadsky, I.P. Pavlov, N.I. Lobachevsky, and others. Participants will also be introduced to the works of these researchers.

    And in Library No. 82 on February 6 at 11:15 and February 7 at 11:00 there will be interactive classes “Treasures of the Earth” and “Green Energy”, dedicated to the topic of clean energy.

    On the festive day, February 8, the N. F. Fedorov Library No. 180 will host an exhibition of the St. Petersburg photo artist Maria Kovalevskaya. It is dedicated to women scientists working at the I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. At the exhibition, you can learn about their work and hobbies, such as sailing, fishing and fencing, and also immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the first science town in Russia. It was built in the 1930s with the participation of Academician I. P. Pavlov.

    The Darwin Museum will hold the Science Day. Vanished Worlds event. On February 8, from 10:00 to 18:00, guests will enjoy games, interactive activities, master classes, and lectures. At the events, visitors will get acquainted not only with the most famous ancient animals — dinosaurs, but also with their relatives and contemporaries, as well as with other extinct inhabitants of the Earth. Entrance — by tickets.

    A special program will be held at the Timiryazev State Biological Museum from 12:00 to 16:00 on February 8. It will be dedicated to various areas of biology, its history, and the work of scientists. The events are planned at two venues: in pavilion No. 31 “Geology” at VDNKh and in the museum building on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street. Admission is by ticket. You can buy a ticket for the event in the Geology pavilion at this link, and to the event at the museum on Malaya Gruzinskaya – on this.

    Russian Science Day has been officially celebrated since 1999. The reason for its appearance was the events that took place more than 300 years ago – on January 28 (February 8, new style) 1724, Emperor Peter I founded the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is account to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect the Position of Mil-Sosi or Its Clients.

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149524073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft recognized as the leader of the Russian oil and gas industry in the field of rational water use

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rosneft has been recognized as a leader in the field of rational use of water resources based on the results of a 2024 study by the RAEX rating agency. The assessment examined the water use indicators of 144 companies from Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

    Rosneft became the only Russian oil and gas company to be included in the top 10 participants in the rating with the highest level of assessment of indicators of rational water consumption, as well as the quality of corporate policies and programs related to water use.

    Preserving the environment for future generations is an integral part of the corporate culture and one of the key principles of Rosneft. The company follows the principles of responsible business of the UN Global Compact and annually confirms its commitment to 17 UN goals in the field of sustainable development. Rosneft intends to remain a reliable manufacturer, while reducing its impact on the climate and the environment.

    Rosneft’s activities are related to the use of water resources, so issues of rational water use are given great attention. The company constantly reduces the total volume of water withdrawn through measures to reduce water consumption and the volume of water withdrawal from natural sources. The share of recycled and reused water in 2023 amounted to almost 93% of the total volume of water used for production needs. This figure has consistently exceeded 90% for 10 years.

    In addition, Rosneft is implementing and using advanced wastewater treatment technologies that have already proven their effectiveness. Thus, the biological treatment facilities (BTF) of the Ufa group of oil refineries processed 134 million m3 of wastewater. BTF services the Bashneft oil refineries and treats wastewater from 66 enterprises in the northern industrial zone of Ufa and storm water. The treatment facilities provide the highest level of treatment of industrial, storm and domestic wastewater, which increases the volume of reused water in technological processes by 2.5 times.

    At the same time, Rosneft enterprises also carry out activities to reproduce aquatic biological resources. In 2023, about 50 million fry were released by subsidiaries into the river systems of Russia.

    The company assesses the level of water supply in the regions of its presence. In 2023, with the support of RN-Uvatneftegaz, scientists calculated changes in the area of water bodies that have occurred over the past half century and formulated recommendations for carrying out restoration and preventive measures to prevent a decrease in the area of the water surface of lakes and their bloom. Regardless of the region’s water supply, when implementing projects, the Company carries out a set of measures aimed at rational water use.

    Rosneft also works to increase employee involvement in compliance with environmental requirements, conduct voluntary environmental campaigns, and develop a culture of rational and responsible consumption of natural resources. The Company’s volunteers regularly clean the coastal areas of large water bodies, improve coastal areas, install garbage containers, and place information stands for tourists about the value of lake ecosystems.

    The company ensures strict compliance of production processes and industrial facilities with the requirements of Russian environmental legislation and maintains high standards of environmental safety in the field of water resource management.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft February 5, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese post growing interest in ice, snow fun as life gets better: experts

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

    BEIJING, Feb. 5 — Ice and snow have become an essential element in the Chinese people’s quest for a more fulfilling life, driven by a booming winter tourism sector, experts noted during a recent economic roundtable.

    The growth of ice and snow tourism has transformed how Chinese people perceive and experience winter, according to Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, who shared his views during the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

    In the past, particularly in northeast China, where bitter winter temperatures are the norm, people tended to stay indoors during the cold months. However, a noticeable shift is occurring as more people now embrace outdoor activities during winter. Many people are flocking to Harbin, the capital of China’s northernmost province of Heilongjiang, which is renowned for its abundant snowfall and stunning ice sculptures, to immerse themselves in the icy atmosphere.

    Research by the tourism academy projects that over 500 million people will participate in ice and snow tourism during the peak season in 2024-2025, driving consumption by more than 600 billion yuan (about 83.7 billion U.S. dollars), said Dai.

    The passion for ice and snow sports has also ignited, noted Ai Yu, an official with the General Administration of Sport of China. The scope of people participating in winter sports has extended beyond traditional northern regions; additionally, winter sports have now shifted from winter-only activities to year-round offerings that are accessible both indoors and outdoors, Ai highlighted.

    Regions with rare snowfall are also capitalizing on the trend, as winter wonderlands created by artificial snow are popping up in southern China to meet growing demand, Dai added.

    China aims to boost its ice and snow economy as a new growth sector, targeting an economic scale of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to guidelines issued by the General Office of the State Council in November 2024.

    The annual Central Economic Work Conference, held in December last year, also called for active efforts to develop the country’s ice and snow economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Chinese New Year”: How the capital was transformed for the “Winters in Moscow” festival

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The festival “Chinese New Year in Moscow” invites city residents and tourists to stroll around the center of the capital, admire the bright and unusual decor and take spectacular photos. The main Chinese holiday is held as part of the project “Winter in Moscow”.

    The streets and alleys of the city were brightly decorated for this event. For example, strollers can see red lanterns, coins with holes, golden carps, butterflies, knots knitted from threads, which in Chinese culture represent happiness, luck, prosperity and joy. Beautiful traditional decor will allow all visitors to feel the atmosphere of an oriental fairy tale and get charged with a great mood.

    Triumphal Arch and a snake on a Christmas tree

    The journey through the decorated sites of the Chinese New Year in Moscow festival should start with Manezhnaya Square. Here you will be greeted by pailou — an ornamented triumphal gate. This is a traditional Chinese structure that used to be erected in honor of rulers, heroes or important events. Next to the pailou, light arches decorated with red and gold Chinese lanterns and inscriptions with New Year greetings sparkle. In the center of the square is a giant inflatable dragon. Since ancient times, this mythical animal has personified strength, wisdom and luck. On the New Year tree under the light tent, you can see the symbol of the year — a huge snake. It wraps around a fluffy beauty. And the top of another tree, slightly smaller, is conquered by a funny inflatable panda. Also nearby is a multi-colored big cat, which has become a favorite of children and adults.

    The entire Manezhnaya Square is framed by Chinese lanterns, creating a sense of a fairy tale. The shopping chalets are also beautifully decorated. They depict traditional Chinese hieroglyphs, which contain wishes of prosperity, happiness and well-being for each guest.

    From Manezhnaya Square, go to Revolution Square. Visitors will definitely notice the lushly decorated Christmas trees of different sizes. Plastic toys stand out on the branches of the New Year’s beauties, which reflect a combination of Chinese symbols and festive glitter. These are traditional Chinese coins with holes, tambourines, golden carp, and butterflies, which symbolize joy in China. In addition, the square is decorated with red lanterns, golden knots, diamond-shaped pictures with Chinese wishes for family happiness. And beautiful Chinese music sounds for guests here.

    Terracotta warriors of antiquity and golden carps

    In the passage between Manezhnaya Square and Revolution Square, a unique exhibition awaits guests. It is dedicated to the majestic terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (3rd century BC). Visitors are presented with copies of clay figures of Chinese infantrymen, archers, and crossbowmen. Among the exhibits, you can also see the emperor himself surrounded by his entourage. Each statue is made with special attention to detail. This allows you to learn what the military uniform of both ordinary soldiers and military leaders looked like. At the exhibition, you can get acquainted with museum exhibits of different types of traditional Chinese weapons: swords, pikes, crossbows. A fragment of a historical Chinese street complements the exhibition. Here, guests are invited to stop and take beautiful and atmospheric photos as a keepsake.

    Afterwards, you can look at Nikolskaya Street and admire the Christmas trees with Chinese lanterns. Then it is worth going to Kamergersky Lane to see a large inflatable dragon. It is located next to the openwork light arch. The dragon’s head also decorates the main Christmas tree in Kamergersky Lane. And on the green beauty there are also decorations in the form of red berries, chests, and golden carp. Visitors can also see decorative Chinese abacuses, elegant hieroglyphs, and knots knitted from threads, symbolizing happiness, on the tree.

    Plush Pandas and Lucky Coins

    The next stop for strollers is Tverskaya Square. Everyone who gets here will be greeted by a large, friendly snake that smiles at visitors. This sculpture is impressive in size: seven meters high and four meters wide. It was created by Moscow craftsmen, hand-painted with fabulous patterns. In addition, Tverskaya Square is decorated with hundreds of Chinese coins of different sizes. They are a symbol of wealth and luck, and are also considered a talisman that brings harmony.

    You can finish your walk around the venues of the Chinese New Year in Moscow festival on Tverskoy Boulevard. There is an unusual exhibition called “From the Life of a Panda”. In glass pavilions there are huge plush pandas two meters tall. The toys hold tea ceremonies, pose among the blossoming sakura and launch a dragon. They also play the balalaika together with the Russian bear and are sent into space.

    Moscow is holding a large-scale celebration of the Lunar New Year until February 9. This is a continuation of the events held as part of the cross-cultural Years of Russia and China. Russian and Chinese artists perform at the festival venues, thematic quizzes and prize draws are held, master classes and lectures are organized, and guests can also try exquisite dishes of Chinese cuisine. The central streets of the city are decorated in traditional oriental style.

    The festival is organized by the Government of Moscow with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Russia.

    The Winter in Moscow project is the main event of the season, which brings together all the entertainment of the winter capital from December 1 to February 28. Guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in the city’s cultural and sports institutions. They can skate, watch ice shows, drink aromatic tea with hot buns and get acquainted with traditions. Visitors also have the opportunity to give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, and do much more. The atmosphere of winter traditions has embraced the entire city – more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The project organically intertwined with the largest festivals of the capital “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light” and many others. All information about the project and the events of the winter season can be found in a special mos.ru section.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is account to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect the Position of Mil-Sosi or Its Clients.

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149722073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese style: exhibition of designer fir trees opened as part of Winter in Moscow

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow continues to amaze with creative projects, inspiring young designers to create unique decorations for the city. The square near the Central Department Store has once again turned into an open-air gallery – an exhibition of designer Christmas trees dedicated to Chinese New Year. The festival is held within the framework of the project “Winter in Moscow”.

    The exhibit featured various Russian brands. Designers transformed the familiar New Year tree into an art object that conveys their aesthetics and philosophy.

    One tree was decorated with elements dedicated to Chinese mythology. The moon symbolizes the Lunar New Year, and the rabbit figures recall the Eastern legend, according to which rabbits cook sticky rice on the moon – a popular holiday delicacy. The arch on the tree represents the transition from the past to the future, and gifts wrapped in red cloth with gold tassels symbolize prosperity.

    Another brand’s team created a tree-affirmation for the coming year. Red is a symbol of happiness and good fortune, and also part of the brand’s signature palette. The knots decorating the tree refer to the Chinese tradition: the more important the event, the bigger and larger the knot is tied.

    Another tree attracts attention with its iridescent material, which seems to make you look at the familiar in a new way. White balls are reminiscent of traditional Chinese lanterns, combining Eastern culture with modern art.

    A Russian accessories brand decorated a Christmas tree in the style of Chinese legends. According to legend, the red color scares away the Nian monster, and the lanterns are associated with the festival where people make wishes. The composition is complemented by red bows, symbolizing eternal love and family unity.

    Another tree features toys in the form of graphic symbols and iconic brand avatars. Their design reflects key elements of the brand’s style, such as the earth, the astronaut and the tank, which have remained recognizable over the years.

    Another brand has created a Christmas tree, a harbinger of spring. Its decorations are delicate pink flowers, which are traditionally used in Chinese decor. The composition is complemented by pompoms, referring to one of the brand’s collections.

    Each tree at this exhibition has a unique story and cultural message that combines Eastern traditions and modern Russian design.

    Moscow is hosting a large-scale celebration of the Lunar New Year until February 9. This is a continuation of the events held as part of the cross-cultural Years of Russia and China, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. Russian and Chinese artists perform at nine central venues, thematic quizzes and prize draws are held, master classes and lectures are organized, and guests can also try exquisite Chinese cuisine. The central streets of the city are decorated in traditional oriental style.

    Project “Winter in Moscow”— the main event of the season, which until February 28 brings together various events in the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go ice skating, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, and show concern for those who need it.

    Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city – more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The largest festivals of the capital are organically woven into the project: “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light” and many others. All information about the project and the events of the winter season can be found inspecial section mos.ru.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149644073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Mobile payments enhance tourism

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A consumer scans an Alipay QR code to pay for the order at a self-service restaurant in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s convenient mobile payment services have bolstered tourism-related consumption and injected fresh momentum into the country’s economic recovery during the Spring Festival holiday, experts and industry insiders said.

    They added that an increasing number of overseas travelers have come to experience Chinese culture and opted for online payment tools following the implementation of expanded visa-free entry and transit policies, and the country’s enhanced efforts to facilitate payments for foreigners.

    Data from Alipay, the digital payment arm of Chinese financial technology company Ant Group, showed that spending made by inbound tourists on the platform surged 1.5 times from Jan 28 to Saturday, compared with the first five days of last year’s Spring Festival holiday.

    The number of Chinese merchants using Alipay for foreign visitors witnessed a 100 percent increase during the period, while the expenditure from some overseas tourists, who can enjoy visa-free policies when visiting China, nearly tripled via Alipay over the previous Spring Festival.

    Chinese cities with abundant intangible cultural heritage have been favored by foreign tourists. The top five cities that saw the highest expenditure from inbound travelers using Alipay for in-depth travel and consumption were Suzhou in Jiangsu province, Zhongshan, Foshan and Jiangmen in Guangdong province, and Xi’an in Shaanxi province.

    Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said, “China’s mobile payment options, such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, have greatly simplified the payment process, improved transaction efficiency and provided consumers with a more convenient payment experience.”

    Hong said the widespread use of digital payment methods and expanded visa-free policies have attracted a large number of inbound tourists, thus further propelling the development of the tourism industry, stimulating consumption demand — including catering, accommodation and transportation as well as injecting more vitality into the country’s economic growth.

    China has been working to make mobile payment processes more accessible to foreigners. The State Council, China’s Cabinet, published a guideline in March aimed at improving payment services and enhancing payment convenience, so as to better meet the diversified payment needs of the elderly and foreign visitors.

    Foreign travelers can now link their international bank cards such as Visa and Mastercard to mobile payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay, greatly streamlining the payment processes. Alipay has also allowed foreigners to use their familiar e-wallets from their home country by scanning Alipay QR codes.

    Chinese financial services provider UnionPay International in December introduced enhanced payment services for foreign visitors to the Chinese mainland in collaboration with WeChat Pay.

    Travelers using any of eight overseas e-wallets, such as Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking and Naver Pay, which is frequently used in South Korea, can make payments on the Chinese mainland by scanning WeChat QR codes.

    Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy, which operates under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said innovative mobile payment tools have not only helped tackle payment difficulties faced by international travelers, but also boosted inbound tourism and the recovery of domestic consumption.

    A slew of convenient measures optimizing mobile payments for foreigners have demonstrated the country’s resolve to expand high-standard opening-up, said Wang Pengbo, a senior analyst at market consultancy Botong Analysys.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Woodblock prints add to holiday’s traditional flavor

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Xu Jiahui, a national inheritor of Liangping woodblock New Year painting, colors a woodblock print at his workshop in Chongqing’s Liangping district on Jan 14. HUANG WEI/XINHUA

    As Wen Li attached her handmade Liangping woodblock print featuring door gods — an item of national intangible cultural heritage — to her front door, she knew this Spring Festival would be unforgettable for her family.

    Wen, 32, from Yihe, a village in Panlong township of Liangping district, Chongqing, recently took part in a celebration activity in the district, for which she had personally crafted a woodblock print.

    “When every household in our village hangs up traditional well-wishing Chinese couplets and woodblock prints on their doors, I can feel that the New Year is in the air,” she said.

    According to the local cultural and tourism commission, over 50,000 copies of woodblock prints and couplets were distributed in 33 townships in Liangping at themed events.

    The local government has also collaborated with multiple platforms to enhance the festive atmosphere, with the prints being offered as gifts at several local shopping malls.

    On Jan 10, over 1,000 students completed a massive Liangping woodblock New Year painting spanning approximately 1,000 square meters on the playground of Chongqing Liangping Vocational Education Center.

    Under the guidance of Xu Jiahui, a national inheritor of Liangping woodblock New Year painting, the students completed the art work, titled Generals as Door Gods.

    Woodblock paintings have been well received in many places. From January to February, Liangping woodblock New Year painting exhibitions are taking place in multiple districts of the municipality, as well as in Xiong’an New Area and Handan in Hebei province. In Beijing, the paintings are currently being exhibited at the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, local authorities said.

    The custom of New Year paintings is one of the important traditional activities to celebrate Spring Festival.

    Woodblock printing was invented in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As this art form developed and became more and more popular among Chinese people, its content and functions also increased.

    On Dec 4, the Spring Festival and the social practices associated with the celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year, were added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Liangping woodblock New Year paintings played a role in the application process, local authorities said.

    In May 2006, the art form of Liangping woodblock New Year painting was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items.

    “I believe our intangible cultural heritage should be presented in its good old traditional form,” said Xu, who is 59, and has dedicated 48 years to studying the craft.

    Situated in northeastern Chongqing, Liangping is renowned for its rich intangible cultural heritage, boasting five national-level, 26 municipal-level, and 124 county-level items.

    Recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its unique Spring Festival customs, folk culture and art heritage, Liangping is particularly celebrated for its woodblock New Year paintings and bamboo curtains, both of which hold national geographical indication trademarks.

    Building on this cultural legacy, the district has established five primary and secondary schools dedicated to preserving traditional Chinese culture and art. Additionally, it has developed 13 city-level experimental bases for intangible heritage inheritance, and offered over 120 special interest classes, engaging more than 10,000 students in the vibrant traditions of Liangping.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Cultural vibes eagerly embraced by holiday travelers

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Residents watch a dragon dance performance in Xinghua, Jiangsu province, on Sunday during Spring Festival celebrations. Various events, including folk activities and intangible cultural heritage displays, have been held across China to celebrate Spring Festival. [Zhou Shegen / XINHUA]

    Surrounded by crowds and patting the head of a fish-shaped lantern for good luck, 27-year-old Tian Jialiang immersed himself in the rich, festive vibes of Spring Festival in Zhanqi village of Shexian, Anhui province.

    Tian, who is a native of Nanchang in the neighboring province of Jiangxi, was on a four-day self-driving tour to Huangshan, Anhui, with four friends.

    “Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional holidays to the Chinese people. We came here for the village’s strong new year atmosphere and celebrations, where the performers mimic fishes’ movements to bring good luck and fortune. I think it is the essence of the festival,” Tian said.

    Spring Festival, which was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December, has seen people’s passion skyrocket for tourism destinations highlighting cultural vibes or folk customs.

    This year’s Spring Festival fell on Jan 29, the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, and marked the beginning of the Year of the Snake. People in China enjoyed an eight-day break, from Jan 28 to Tuesday.

    Reports from travel agencies showed that cultural tourism destinations were in vogue during the holiday.

    Travel portal Qunar said that cities with festive celebrations or folk customs, including Huangshan in Anhui, Chaozhou and Shantou in Guangdong province, and Quanzhou in Fujian province, were among the most sought-after destinations by its users during the holiday. These places are well known for folk events, including fish-shaped lantern shows, lion dances and hairpin flowers.

    Huangshan saw its hotel room bookings double year-on-year during the holiday.

    Another travel portal, Fliggy, said travelers have shown an increasing interest in immersive tourism events featuring Chinese cultural elements, including visiting temple fairs, wearing traditional Chinese hanfu attire for photo shoots, and appreciating lantern shows. It said that sales of tourism products related to folk custom performances grew 36 percent year-on-year on its platform.

    Liu Gengshuo, 30, who is from the northeastern province of Jilin, booked photo-shooting services featuring traditional hanfu clothing for his wife in Datong, Shanxi province, for the Spring Festival holiday.

    “It has long been our wish to embrace Chinese New Year in Datong, a city that enjoys a long-standing history and is home to much historical architecture, including temples,” Liu said. “The city is filled with a festive atmosphere and beautiful decorations. We will come again for another visit.”

    Qi Chunguang, vice-president of online travel agency Tuniu, said the addition of Spring Festival to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list has greatly increased people’s enthusiasm for traditional Chinese culture, and this turned places with intangible cultural events into hot tourism destinations over the holiday period.

    Some history and culture museums have also been popular, Qi said.

    “People have shown great demand and interest in high-quality travels, as they wish to explore the destination’s cultural and social practices with immersive events. I think the trend will keep the tourism industry developing this year,” he said.

    Chinese travelers also showed strong consumption power and a desire for overseas tourism destinations during the Spring Festival holiday. Figures from Fliggy showed that international cruise bookings surged 229 percent at its platform for the holiday period, and overseas destinations such as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, as well as countries in Southeast Asia, were top choices for people from the Chinese mainland.

    Cai Muzi, an analyst at travel portal Qunar, said that Thailand continues to rank near the top of Chinese people’s favorite overseas destinations because of the shorter travel hours, visa-free policy, milder climate and cheaper travel costs.

    According to Qunar, Chinese travelers set foot in more than 2,100 cities worldwide during the holiday, with the number increasing 50 percent year-on-year. In addition to Southeast Asian countries and regions, destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, ranging from Hungary and Norway to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, saw an increase in tourism visits by Chinese.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge back in business

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge back in business

    Published: 5 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads


    Motorists west of Tenterfield will soon have improved access on Bruxner Way with the completion of work to rebuild the Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge following serious damage in the March 2021 flooding event.

    Bruxner Way is a regional road linking Tenterfield to Boggabilla and Goondiwindi, and services a largely agricultural region, with vehicles forced to use a single lane side road under traffic control since the bridge was washed away.

    Work started in May 2023 and included the demolition of the damaged bridge and approach embankments, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the channel and surrounding riverbanks, and installation of steel guardrail.

    This project was jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government, with Tenterfield Shire Council, Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, contributing through a NSW Government Tripartite funding initiative. This type of agreement reduces the financial pressure on councils, providing advanced funding and ensuring faster repairs for communities.

    Work to build the new bridge was carried out for Tenterfield Shire Council by Transport for NSW and was jointly funded through the federal-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

    The new three-span concrete bridge opened in an event yesterday attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin, Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie, and representatives from Transport for NSW.         

    More information about Council projects is available at https://www.tenterfield.nsw.gov.au/

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister: 

    “We know that the consecutive flooding events across 2021 and 2022 had a significant impact on communities across northern NSW.

    “The Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to not just rebuild assets damaged across these flooding events, but where possible to build back in a way that makes infrastructure more resilient, reducing the impact of future disasters.

    “The completed Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge means that residents and local agribusiness have an easier and quicker regional access.” 

    Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:

    “Northern NSW continues to build back its essential infrastructure following the devasting flood events that caused billions of dollars in damage across the region.

    “It’s vital we restore infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.

    “This is a great example of three levels of government working together to ensure residents, businesses, and visitors are all able to drive safely on these roads once more.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison: 

    “The NSW Government is pleased to be working with our Federal and local government colleagues to help restore access via the Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge.

    “Residents in northern NSW have proven how resilient they can be in the face of the destruction they experienced in these significant flood events.

    “It’s great that this project will once again allow vehicles to access Bruxner Way.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin: 

    “I’m glad to be here today to be able to attend the official bridge reopening.

    “Locals and visitors who use this road will be delighted that work on this bridge has been completed, providing access for residents, agriculture, business and tourism in this part of the world.

    “As recovery and rebuilding continues, this project is another example of the hard work being done by all levels of government to aid those who rely on the local road network every day.

    “I’d like to thank Tenterfield Council and Transport for NSW for getting this finished to such a high standard.”

    Quotes attributable to Tenterfield Shire Mayor Bronwyn Petrie: 

    “We are pleased to see the reopening of the bridge on the Bruxner Way, west of Tenterfield, which is a significant regional and interstate road.

    “It has been nearly four years since the embankments were washed away in a devastating flood in March 2021, requiring road users to use a detour subject to closure during flood events, disrupting local traffic and heavy freight transport.

    “Tenterfield Shire Council greatly appreciates the disaster funding from the State and Federal governments to enable the rebuild and expresses our thanks to Transport for NSW and contractors for their work on the reconstruction.”

    MIL OSI News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Spring Festival boosts travel, consumption

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    People walk past a movie poster at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Feb. 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    As China wraps up its 8-day Spring Festival holiday celebrating the start of the Year of the Snake, the world’s second-largest economy has witnessed shopping and travel booms ignited by hundreds of millions of Chinese people’s family reunions.
    This year’s holiday, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, marks the second consecutive year that people in China have experienced an extended public holiday. People flocked to tourist destinations, enjoyed cultural experiences and indulged in holiday shopping.
    With a string of holiday-targeted domestic blockbusters bringing numerous moviegoers to cinemas across China, the country’s film industry proved to be one of the biggest winners during this Spring Festival consumption spree.
    From Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, the daily box office exceeded 1 billion yuan (nearly 140 million U.S. dollars) for six consecutive days, bringing China’s box office revenue for the 2025 Spring Festival holiday to 8.02 billion yuan, a new record for the same period in the country’s film industry history.
    Meanwhile, according to data from the China Film Administration, China’s total box office in 2025, including real-time presales, has surpassed 10 billion yuan, ranking it first globally.
    Notably, the films on the top of the box office chart were all domestic productions, with “Ne Zha 2,” the animated sequel to the 2019 hit, earning over 3.8 billion yuan.
    While cinema boomed during the holiday, so did travel and leisure activities across China. Many chose to explore the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in person.
    In China’s top ski destination, Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the period from Jan. 28 to 31 saw 191,900 visitors, generating 225 million yuan in tourism revenue.
    Skiing has definitely become the most popular activity in Altay during the holiday, with a record number of skiers — over 10,000 — visiting the Jiangjunshan ski resort on Feb. 2, marking a 23 percent increase from the previous year.
    Situated at 45 to 47 degrees north latitude, Altay enjoys 170 to 180 days of snowfall annually. In mountainous areas, snow depths average 1 to 2 meters. The terrain is ideal for skiing due to vertical drops of over 1,000 meters.
    “The resort offers many terrain parks and creative features suitable for all levels, making it a great place for everyone to enjoy and challenge themselves,” said Zhang Zhujun, a snowboarding enthusiast at the resort.
    Far to the south, the picturesque Yangshuo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, draws large numbers of domestic and international visitors with its unique natural scenery and rich cultural activities. From Jan. 28 to 30, the county welcomed an estimated 410,600 tourists, generating tourism revenue of 589 million yuan.
    Lhasa, the capital city of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, has also seen a surge in visitors. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, the city received 1.95 million tourists, up by 20.6 percent year on year, grossing a total tourism revenue of nearly 1.76 billion yuan, a 14.75 percent year-on-year rise, according to Lhasa’s municipal bureau of culture and tourism.
    Travel booking platforms echoed the overall trend, with data from Fliggy, a leading online travel agency, showing a surge in bookings, especially from cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. International travel orders increased significantly, with international cruise bookings up more than sixfold compared to the previous year.
    Shanghai Airport Group reported that passenger traffic on Sunday hit a new all-time high of 404,000 people, with Pudong airport seeing 259,000 passengers and Hongqiao airport 145,000.
    As the holiday drew to a close, airports and transportation hubs in Shanghai braced for the return of travelers, with heightened coordination of metro, bus and taxi services to ensure smooth transportation, said the group.
    On Monday, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. reported a historic milestone as the country’s railways transported 16.45 million passengers, marking the highest single-day passenger traffic in the history of the Spring Festival travel rush.
    On Tuesday, the last day of the holiday, the national railway system is expected to carry 16.9 million passengers, further highlighting the peak in travel activity as hundreds of millions of people return to their destinations after family reunions.
    Consumption was another standout trend, with an increasing number of people seeking to experience China’s rich heritage, motivated by the inscription of the Spring Festival on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024.
    According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, sales at major retail and catering enterprises across China during the first four days of the holiday increased by 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year.
    Spring Festival has boosted Chinese consumers’ appetite for imported food and drinks, such as lobsters, cherries and wines. “Due to rising demand in the Spring Festival, our company’s import has increased by nearly 50 percent in the past month,” said Yang Xinyu from a Guangzhou-based international supply chain company.
    Since January, the customs authority of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has handled imported aquatic animals, such as lobsters and mud crabs, with a total value of over 14.3 million yuan, a year-on-year surge of 31.8 percent.
    Meituan, one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms for services, reported a staggering 300 percent year-on-year increase in online reservations for Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve dinners. Additionally, group-buying orders for “intangible cultural heritage”-themed packages have surged by over 12 times since January year on year, reflecting growing consumer interest in cultural experiences.
    Experts noted that this holiday season saw a shift in consumer behavior, particularly among younger generations and families. “Young families are increasingly becoming the driving force of consumption, with a trend toward diversified, high-quality and culturally rich experiences,” said Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher from the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration.
    Data from Meituan Travel echoed Sun’s observation that young people increasingly chose to celebrate the Spring Festival in smaller cities, immersing themselves in intangible cultural heritage and historical landmarks.
    The increase in cultural tourism and consumption, from heritage experiences to blockbuster films, indicates a growing demand for traditional and contemporary cultural activities.
    “This trend has also raised higher demands for the supply of cultural and tourism products and services, prompting the introduction of new business models and formats that better align with contemporary cultural consumption patterns,” said Sun, highlighting the potential of China’s consumer market and the economy’s internal driving forces.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Tourist destinations in China attract visitors with ice and snow activities

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

    Tourist destinations in China attract visitors with ice and snow activities

    Updated: February 5, 2025 07:17 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 31, 2025 shows people visiting Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. During the Spring Festival holiday, many tourist destinations in China have attracted visitors with ice and snow activities. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist plays the ice-decorated piano on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 31, 2025 shows people visiting Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 31, 2025 shows people visiting Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People ski at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People ski at Qiangrengu ski resort in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Jan. 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist skis at Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort in Altay, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2025 shows the ice and snow festival at Longtan Park in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A child has fun at a snow resort in north China’s Tianjin, Feb. 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Skiers pose for a group photo at Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort in Altay, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 31, 2025 shows people skiing at Qiangrengu ski resort in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a snow town scenic spot in Zunhua City, north China’s Hebei Province, Feb. 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a scenic spot in Tangshan, north China’s Hebei Province, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 3, 2025 shows people skiing at a ski resort in Huai’an City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Op-Ed – Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face – OPED Conor English

    Opinion – by Conor English
     
    5 February 2025 – Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face – Boxer Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”.  He was simply pointing out in his own unique direct way, that sometimes things don’t go the way you think. There can be unintended consequences. Your opponent can counter punch, so a “plan b” can be useful!
     
    The new USA government has a plan to use tariffs as a way of incentivising other countries to do things that are helpful to the USA. Things like curtail immigrants or drugs travelling over the border, or to shift their manufacturing jobs to America.  The President has described the word “tariffs” as “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” so its clear he likes the idea of using tariffs. It does have some logic. Maybe this plan will work?
     
    So, using emergency powers that enable quick action, rather than long winded trade negotiation processes, this plan is being implemented this week.  First up, 10% tariff on goods from China, and energy products from Canada. Tariffs will be set at 25% for most other goods from Canada and Mexico. If these countries change their drug, migration and manufacturing policies, the USA will look to review the tariff levels.  That’s the new deal.
     
    New Zealand had its own tariffs for many years as was fashionable. But now we seek fair trade, with no tariffs or quotas, or other non-tariff trade barriers in our trading relationships. It matters to us as a small trading country at the bottom of the world. Multilateral co-operation and enforcement frameworks such as the World Trade Organisation are vital.   
     
    America, like many countries, has a long history of using tariffs. An excellent example of how things can end up like a punch in the face, as Mike Tyson would put it, is the passing of what was known as the “Smoot Hawley” Tariff Act on June 17, 1930. This raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods, despite a petition signed by 1,028 economists asking President Hoover to veto the legislation. He didn’t. The theory was it would save jobs in America and protect local producers from international competition following the “Black Thursday” share market crash on October 24, 1929.
     
    But it didn’t make things better, it made things worse.
     
    Americas trading partners punched back. They didn’t do nothing. They retaliated, just as Canada and Mexico now have. The world economy and geopolitics has evolved significantly since the great depression and what happened then may not happen now. However, history can perhaps provide some small insight as to how this might play out.
     
    Wikipedia tells us that after the Smoot- Hawley passed – yes – USA imports did decrease by 66% from $4.4 billion  in 1929, to $1.5 billion in 1933. So that must be good for domestic jobs and industries? Well no, because other countries punched back with their own tariffs, as well as sourcing their own imports from other countries rather than America.
     
    As a result, USA exports also decreased 61% from $5.4 billion to $2.1 billion. GNP fell from $103.1 billion in 1929 to $75.8 billion in 1931, bottoming out at $55.6 billion in 1933, a drop of around 50% over four years. 
     
    So rather than create jobs, jobs were lost, and plenty of them. Unemployment was at 8% in 1930 when the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act was passed, but the new law failed to lower it. The unemployment rate jumped to 16% in 1931, and 25% in 1932–33. The factories that produced those export goods couldn’t sell their products, so staff lost their jobs.
     
    Unemployment didn’t fall below early 1930s levels until the massive economic stimulus of World War 2.
     
    As with any economy, there is always more than just one thing happening, but at that time, that is what happened in the USA. So how does this current fast changing situation effect New Zealand?
     
    Unlike 100 years ago, we get impacted very quickly by the transmission of changes in our exchange rate, interest rates, commodity prices, share markets and trade flows. This then flows through our economy.
     
    For example, if inflation goes up in America because of the new tariffs, international interest rates may go up, thus reducing the speed of any reductions on our mortgage rates. Dairy commodity prices might rise, but so too might international oil prices, pushing up our fuel prices and inflation. Our dollar may fall, making it cheaper for tourists to visit, but the cost of servicing our increasing national debt more expensive.  Chinese built EVs may be more available and cheaper here as cars are diverted from the USA market.
     
    There will be all sorts of positive and negative impacts, unintended consequences and unforeseen outcomes. It could be overall positive or overall negative for both America and New Zealand, but we just don’t know. We do know though that it creates more uncertainty, and that’s not helpful to anyone.     
     
    So will it be a punch in the face, as Mike Tyson suggests, or a pat on the back?  Either way, we need to be fleet of foot and have a “Plan B”.
     
    Conor English is a Director of Silvereye – a Wellington based Government relations firm, a former exporter, CEO of Federated Farmers, and Independent Advisor to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Who are immigrants to the US, where do they come from and where do they live?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jennifer Van Hook, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Demography, Penn State

    Immigrants to the U.S. increasingly arrive like these people, seeking asylum at a formal border crossing, rather than trying to sneak across the border. Carlos Moreno/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Undocumented immigration is a key issue in American politics, but it can be hard to nail down the basic facts about who these immigrants are, where they live and how their numbers have changed in the past few decades.

    I study the demographics of the U.S. immigrant population and have seen how the data has changed over time. Here are some basics to set the stage as President Donald Trump begins his second term in office vowing to crack down hard on immigrants, including by conducting mass deportations.

    Immigration status

    My analysis of the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey data, in collaboration with the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit immigration research group, finds that as of the middle of 2023, approximately 51 million foreign-born people lived in the United States.

    Most immigrants are in the U.S. legally. About 49% have become U.S. citizens by a process known as naturalization. Another 19% hold lawful permanent resident status and are eligible to become U.S. citizens through naturalization. Still another 5% are in the country on temporary visas, like those for international students, diplomats and their families, and seasonal or temporary workers.

    The remaining 27% – around 13.7 million people – are outside those categories and therefore generally considered to be undocumented.

    My analysis shows that the number of undocumented immigrants held steady at around 11 million between 2007 and 2019. In the next four years, the numbers increased by nearly 3 million. This recent growth is mostly attributable to large increases in border crossings by migrants from Central and South America who were seeking asylum or other forms of humanitarian relief. Starting in June 2024, however, the number of people entering across the U.S.-Mexico border fell back to normal levels when the Biden administration implemented the Secure the Border rule, which suspends asylum applications at the border when crossings reach a seven-day average of 2,500.

    These changes were accompanied by changes in the undocumented migration process itself. In the past, undocumented immigrants often entered the country by slipping undetected across the U.S. border with Mexico. But increased border enforcement made the journey more dangerous and expensive.

    Instead of paying smugglers or risking their lives in the desert, growing numbers of undocumented immigrants now either directly approach immigration officials at airports or land-border crossings and seek asylum in the U.S. Others are initially admitted to the country legally on a temporary tourist, student or work visa – but then overstay the time period for which they have permission.

    Additionally, growing numbers of undocumented immigrants occupy what might be called a “liminal” or “in-between” status. The Migration Policy Institute analysis estimates this encompasses a range of groups as of the middle of 2023, including:

    • About 2.1 million people awaiting a decision on their asylum claims.
    • 521,000 parolees, allowed into the U.S. for humanitarian or national security reasons, like those paroled recently from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
    • 654,000 people who hold temporary protected status because it would be unsafe for them to return home due to armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies.
    • 562,000 who are protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program because they were brought to the United States as children by their parents.

    The report estimates that just over one-quarter of undocumented immigrants currently occupy this type of “in-between” status. These immigrants are protected from deportation. Some even have a legal right to work in the U.S. Yet they do not possess a durable legal immigration status, and their rights could be threatened by policy changes.

    While Trump says he wants to deport as many as 11 million immigrants, analyses published by The New York Times and The Washington Post indicate that it may be difficult to remove many of them under existing U.S. law. The one group that is easy to remove – those with a criminal record – is relatively small, numbering about 650,000.

    Shifting countries of origin

    Since 1980, Mexicans have been the largest single national origin group in the United States. I found that 10.9 million Mexican-born individuals were living in the country in 2023, making up 23% of all immigrants. The second-largest group, immigrants from India, numbered just 2.9 million, or 6% of all immigrants living in the U.S.

    However, immigrants’ origins have been shifting away from Mexico.

    With the onset of the Great Recession of 2007-2009, work opportunities in U.S. construction and manufacturing evaporated. Many Mexican laborers had been working in construction at the time but went back to Mexico when the U.S. housing market collapsed.

    At that same time, Mexico’s economic conditions improved, its population growth slowed, and many would-be migrants opted to stay home. For the first time in decades, from 2007 to 2022 the number of Mexicans who returned home exceeded the number coming to the United States.

    This trend was especially pronounced among undocumented immigrants. I found that Mexicans made up about 51% of the undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country 10 or more years ago. Central Americans made up 20%, and the remaining originated from other regions.

    However, undocumented migrants now come from across the globe. Among undocumented immigrants who arrived within the past 10 years, 19% came from Mexico. Larger shares came from Central America and South America. While some of these new migrants seek work, others flee crime, economic and ecological disasters, and political persecution in their home countries.

    Duration of residence

    Most immigrants, whether they are in the U.S. legally or illegally, have lived in the United States for many years. Just under half of foreign-born individuals have lived in the country for two decades or more, and more than two-thirds have lived in the country for at least 10 years. Only 20% arrived within the past five years.

    This is a dramatic change from the early 2000s, when less than 10% of immigrants had been in the U.S. for more than two decades, and more than one-third had arrived within the previous five years.

    That means many of the people who are likely to be targeted for deportation in the coming months are settled, long-term members of American society.

    Place of residence

    As of 2023, 6.6 million immigrants reported on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey that they moved to the United States in the past five years.

    However, the effects of these new immigrants on American communities has been uneven. Although most communities are more racially and ethnically diverse now than in the past, the numbers of newly arrived immigrants are relatively low in most places.

    Fifteen states host fewer than 20,000 immigrants, and 33 states are home to fewer than 100,000. In contrast, over half of new arrivals live in just five states: California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas are the home of over half of new arrivals yet have only 37% of the U.S. population. Other states such as Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington also are home to large and growing immigrant populations.

    The U.S. immigrant population is changing rapidly. In the early years of the 21st century, Mexican immigrants dominated undocumented immigration flows to the United States. Decades later, many of these people continue to live in the country.

    In the past four years, however, the flow of undocumented people increased dramatically. These new arrivals tend to come from troubled nations in Central and South America, many of whom are protected from deportation and have a legal right to work in the U.S. Altogether, most undocumented immigrants either have lived in the country for decades or have legal protections.

    Neither of these groups fit the profile of undocumented immigrants who are typically targeted for deportation.

    Jennifer Van Hook receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. She is a nonresident fellow of the Migration Policy Institute.

    – ref. Who are immigrants to the US, where do they come from and where do they live? – https://theconversation.com/who-are-immigrants-to-the-us-where-do-they-come-from-and-where-do-they-live-247430

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Support for Māori economic development projects

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A major infrastructure upgrade at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, supported by $10.2 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, is progressing well with some new facilities opening in time for the 185th Waitangi Day commemorations this week, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say.

    The Ministers also today announced $7.1m funding for Māori economic development projects in Northland and Taranaki.

    “The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a nationally significant site for all New Zealanders and it is important they are maintained at the highest level,” Mr Potaka says.

    “The grounds are also the No.1 tourism destination in Northland and each year the number of visitors increases, boosting the local economy. More than 160,000 people visited last year, including about 50,000 on Waitangi Day 2024. The infrastructure improvements will ensure the grounds are fit for purpose year-round.”

    Mr Jones says it was clear the facilities and buildings at the Waitangi grounds were reaching the end of their shelf life and needed upgrading.

    “I am pleased that work has cracked on in time for this year’s events, and that all-important bathroom facilities and carparking is in place.”

    The remaining upgrades at Waitangi are expected to be finished by November 2026. The total cost of the upgrades is $10.65m.

    The Ministers announced the funding in November last year, along with $10.1m for infrastructure improvements at Rātana Pā near Whanganui.

    Today the Ministers also announced $7.1m in grants from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) for enabling infrastructure in three Māori economic development projects in Northland and Taranaki.

    “We understand access to capital is a particular barrier for Māori entities and businesses, and the RIF aims to be a potential source of investment in Māori-led regional infrastructure projects that have merit, and it is proven funding cannot be found elsewhere,” Mr Jones says.

    “It is often difficult for Māori to borrow against collectively owned whenua (land) and some Māori entities have lower levels of assets that can be used by lenders as security collateral. Investing in the Māori economy is important for lifting the New Zealand economy as a whole.”

    Research from Business and Economic Research Limited and the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment shows the Māori economic contribution to the New Zealand economy grew from $17 billion (6.5 per cent of GDP) in 2018 to $30b (8.4 per cent) in 2023.

    “These three grants from the RIF will provide these communities with the funds needed to unlock potential Māori economic development opportunities while supporting growth and resilience in these regions,” Mr Potaka says.

    The three projects are:

    • Te Kao Community Microgrid (Te Tai Tokerau) project will receive a $3m grant to construct a solar- and wind-powered microgrid connected to a community battery in Te Kao village to provide a consistent low-cost energy supply to the community and local businesses.
    • Ngā Wāhi Tapu o Pukerangiora (Taranaki) will receive $2.8m to build tourism infrastructure at Pukerangiora Pā, a site of significance to increase cultural tourism opportunities. 
    • Waimamaku Community Solar Resilience Programme (Te Tai Tokerau) will receive $1.3m to install solar power and batteries to multiple businesses and community facilities to provide consistent and reliable power.

    In September the Government provided a $5.8m grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, a place of passive resistance, peace, and shelter during the New Zealand Land Wars.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Weevil used to control floating pennywort in the Cam Washes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    An innovative biocontrol project has been launched aiming to reduce the spread of floating pennywort in the Cam Washes, SSSI.

    Weevil (Listronotus elongatus)

    Led by CABI (www.cabi.org), a not-for-profit inter-governmental organisation specialising in natural solutions for invasive non-native plants, the project is funded by the Environment Agency, working in partnership with CABI scientists.

    Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides), an invasive aquatic weed plant native to South America, has become a major threat to the UK’s waterbodies. It is known for its rapid growth and ability to spread up to 20cm a day, forming dense mats that disrupt ecosystems, causing deoxygenation, blocking flood defences, impacting recreational activities, and contributing to flood risk issues.

    The cost of controlling floating pennywort, together with the impact on tourism and recreation is estimated to exceed £25 million annually in the UK. To address this growing problem and reduce the spread of the plant, a South American weevil Listronotus elongatus, was approved for release in the UK in 2021 after a decade of safety testing; this is the fourth weed biological control solution approved for release in the UK.

    Unlike traditional control methods such as manual or mechanical removal and herbicide applications, which are costly, labour-intensive, and often ineffective, the biocontrol with the weevil presents a long-term, self-sustaining solution. The weevil has evolved to only feed and develop on floating pennywort, reducing biosecurity issues that can arise from disturbance.

    The trial involved the release of weevils on the Cam Washes SSSI. This site was chosen for the weevil release due to the difficulties of controlling floating pennywort using traditional methods and the need to manage the reinfestation of the River Cam.

    Prior to the release, the extent of floating pennywort spread was captured using drone footage. It is hoped that continued drone monitoring will help to show how effective these weevils could be as a cost-effective solution to managing this invasive species.

    Djami Djeddour, Senior CABI project lead said: “We are thrilled to be able to work in partnership with the Environment Agency to help tackle floating pennywort in the Cam Washes. Biological control of non-native, invasive aquatic weeds using specialist insects has proved highly effective globally, and we are hopeful that these released weevils (beetles) will be the plant’s Achilles’ heel. Once the weevil populations are successfully established, they will play an important role in the sustainable control of floating pennywort, reducing its impact on native habitats and enhancing their biological diversity and function”.  

    Pippa Keynes, Environment Agency project lead, said “We are very happy to partner with CABI in this important project. Following on from extensive Floating Pennywort control work that has been carried out on the Bedford Ouse, we are keen to explore different ways of controlling this invasive plant which can cause havoc on our waterways.”

    For East Anglia press office please contact (24 hours): 0800 917 9250

    All Environment Agency news releases, both area and national, can be found under Announcements at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

    Follow us on Twitter @EnvAgencyAnglia

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    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: New Horizons for International Tourism Education: GUU and RIAT Sign Cooperation Agreement

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On February 4, 2024, an agreement was signed between the State University of Management and the Russian International Academy of Tourism.

    On behalf of GUU, the agreement was signed by Rector Vladimir Stroyev, on behalf of RIAT – by Rector Evgeny Trofimov. Also present at the meeting were Vice-Rector of our university Maria Karelina, Director of the Institute of Personnel Management, Social and Business Communications of GUU Alexey Chudnovsky, Vice-Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Tourism Management of RIAT Elena Aliluyko, Vice-Rector for Development of Master’s and Postgraduate Programs of the Academy of Tourism Tatyana Rassokhina and Director of the Center for International Educational Programs, Projects and Public Relations of RIAT Alexey Ryabov.

    Welcoming the guests, Vladimir Stroyev noted that the Russian International Academy of Tourism has always been one of the leaders in its specialized sector. Now the state pays special attention to this area. Despite the fact that the key area for the State University of Management is industry management, tourism disciplines in the Institute of Management and Budgetary Culture are also in demand, so it makes sense to strengthen work in this area. Speaking about the international activities of the State University of Management, the rector reported that our university has a secretariat of the Eurasian Network University, which has recently been joined by educational institutions in Transnistria and Cuba, and Iran is showing increasing interest.

    “In addition to love and friendship, ESU also has material contours: 345 places for additional professional education, a budgetary master’s program, the Eurasian Olympiad,” Vladimir Vitalyevich shared. The rector also spoke about the university’s work within the BRICS Business School and the foreign internships organized by the State University of Management for graduates of the Presidential Program for the Training of Management Personnel for the Organization of the National Economy of the Russian Federation – “also entrepreneurial tourism.”

    Rector of the Russian Academic Materiel Union Evgeny Trofimov briefly spoke about the 55-year history of the academy, complained about the objective difficulties in developing international cooperation related to the geopolitical situation in the world, but at the same time noted the successes in maintaining business ties with the largest European universities and international tourism organizations, which warmly congratulated the Russian Academic Materiel Union on its anniversary in May. Some joint programs were successfully defended and will continue to operate. In addition, new agreements were signed with universities in India and the Philippines. Evgeny Nikolaevich reported that during the crisis in relations, the academy added new programs to its portfolio of educational services: customs, law, logistics, design and architecture. In total, the Russian Academic Materiel Union currently trains students in 28 areas. The academy has six branches: in Yerevan, Kazan, Pskov, two in the Moscow region and one in Moscow, at the Izmailovo hotel complex. Secondary vocational education is growing rapidly; the number of graduates has recently increased from 60 to 750 people per year.

    Vladimir Stroyev specifically focused on the development of network educational programs at the State University of Management: “We clearly understood that no university, even a large and state-owned one, can advance its agenda alone. Universities now face so many important tasks that it is very difficult to cope with them on their own. Only together are we strong.”

    Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Maria Karelina told the guests that Vladimir Stroyev and Alexey Chudnovsky were awarded the state prize in the field of education for organizing and conducting the “University Shifts” program, which is also related to tourism.

    Alexey Chudnovsky thanked his colleagues for the visit and noted their long-term joint work on international programs. It is natural that our universities came to sign a cooperation agreement. First of all, the emphasis will be on combining efforts to develop international educational programs.

    “They are of interest to your and our students, so we are taking the first step towards network agreements that will expand coverage and provide an opportunity to use each other’s network programs. Tourism is a messenger of peace, it must be taken seriously. We have something to offer each other, we are opening a second wind to international relations in the field of education and will work on additional agreements to give more opportunities to our common students,” Alexey Danilovich summed up the meeting.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/04/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Grenada: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Grenada

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    Through end-June 2024, Grenada’s economy was experiencing sustained strong growth supported by buoyant tourism, moderating inflation, and a narrowing current account deficit. A surge in Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) revenue supported a strong improvement in budget balances, a build-up of government deposits, and a reduction in public debt. On July 1, Hurricane Beryl caused damage in excess of 16 percent of GDP on the Grenadian islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as in the northern parishes of the main island, affecting around 15 percent of the population. In response, the authorities triggered the suspension of fiscal rules to permit temporary deficit spending in support of the recovery and reconstruction.

    Subject: Credit bureaus, Debt sustainability, Economic sectors, Environment, External debt, Financial institutions, Financial markets, Imports, Insurance, International trade, Labor, Labor markets, Natural disasters, Public debt, Tourism

    Keywords: Credit bureaus, Debt sustainability, Fiscal stance, Imports, Insurance, Insurance companies, Labor markets, Natural disasters, Tourism

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Grenada

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    February 4, 2025

    Washington, DC: On January 24, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Grenada.

    Through end-June 2024, Grenada’s economy was experiencing sustained strong growth supported by buoyant tourism, moderating inflation, and a narrowing current account deficit. A surge in Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) revenue supported a strong improvement in the fiscal position and reduction in public debt. The financial system remained stable. On July 1, Hurricane Beryl caused damage in excess of 16 percent of GDP on the Grenadian islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as in the northern parishes of the main island. The authorities responded swiftly with a package of fiscal measures, including suspension of fiscal rules to permit temporary deficit spending in support of the recovery and reconstruction.

    Grenada’s near-term economic growth is projected to remain resilient at 3.9 percent in 2025, buoyed by limited hurricane damages to tourism infrastructure and the authorities’ large recovery and reconstruction spending. Sizable government savings and triggering of disaster-contingent instruments create fiscal space for these spending needs. Assuming a subsequent timely return to the fiscal rules, public debt is projected to continue falling and reach the debt target of 60 percent of GDP by 2030.

    Over the medium-term GDP growth is projected to slow given the tourism sector operates near its peak-season capacity. Key downside risks include the threat of further natural disasters, potential shocks to tourism demand, and the uncertain scale of future CBI inflows, while the domestic non-bank financial system faces rising vulnerabilities from the continued rapid expansion of credit unions and the rising costs of property insurance. Prospective hotel developments and public investment projects represent upside risks to the medium-term growth outlook.

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Grenada’s robust economic performance in 2023 and the first half of 2024, buoyed by strong tourism. Directors also commended the authorities’ swift and prudently tailored response to Hurricane Beryl, which supported disaster-relief and helped mitigate the impact on economic growth. Noting that the medium-term outlook remains subject to risks from natural disasters, uncertain Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) flows, and other external shocks, they encouraged the authorities to exercise continued fiscal prudence and to pursue structural reforms to boost long-term growth and enhance resilience, while leveraging Fund technical assistance.

    Directors welcomed Grenada’s commitment to fiscal prudence and debt sustainability and emphasized the importance of a timely return to the suspended fiscal rules. In that context, they noted the need for continued expenditure prioritization and revenue mobilization to create fiscal space for future investment needs, including for climate resilience. Further strengthening public investment management and budget planning processes would also be important. Directors also saw merit in developing a more uniform framework for managing all CBI resources and encouraged continued progress in resolving outstanding official arrears.

    Directors welcomed the banking system’s resilience despite repeated shocks. They emphasized the need for vigilance and strengthened oversight in the rapidly expanding credit union sector. Directors encouraged strengthening data collection and regional collaboration in the property insurance sector, given rising premiums. They also agreed that further enhancements in the AML/CFT frameworks are essential, including to safeguard correspondent banking relationships.

    Directors commended the authorities’ implementation of Grenada’s Disaster Resilience Strategy including investments in a risk-layering framework of disaster-contingency insurance and financing instruments. Moving forward and noting the risk of future natural disasters, they emphasized the importance of further advancing the energy transition and investment in disaster resilient infrastructure, with support from private financing.

    Directors also encouraged sustained structural reform efforts to foster long-term growth, including investing in active labor market policies and continuing efforts to support off-season and niche tourism. Addressing data gaps is also important.

    It is expected that the next Article IV Consultation with Grenada will be held on the standard 12-month consultation cycle.

    Table 1. Grenada: Selected Social and Economic Indicators, 2019–29

     

    Rank in UNDP Human Development Index

    73

    Infant mortality rate per ‘000 births (2021)

    14.4

    out of 189 countries (2021)

    Adult illiteracy rate in percent (2014)

    1

    Life expectancy at birth in years (2021)

    75

    Poverty rate in percent of population (2019)

    25

    GDP per capita in US$ (2021)

    10,449

    Population in millions (2021)

    0.13

    Unemployment rate (2021 Q2)

    11.1

     

    2019

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    Est.

    Proj.

    National income and prices

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    GDP at constant prices

    0.7

    -13.8

    4.7

    7.3

    4.7

    3.6

    3.9

    3.3

    2.7

    2.7

    2.7

    GDP deflator

    3.3

    -0.3

    2.8

    2.2

    2.7

    1.4

    1.4

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    Consumer prices, end of period

    0.1

    -0.8

    1.9

    2.9

    2.2

    1.2

    1.9

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    Money and credit, end of period

    Credit to private sector

    1.4

    3.1

    3.8

    2.1

    3.8

    3.8

    4.2

    4.4

    4.6

    4.5

    4.5

    Broad money (M2)

    2.9

    9.1

    8.5

    9.9

    1.4

    3.7

    5.2

    5.4

    4.8

    4.8

    4.8

    Central government balances (accrual)

    Revenue and grants

    26.6

    28.1

    31.5

    32.7

    36.9

    44.1

    30.5

    29.3

    29.2

    28.9

    28.8

    Expenditure

    21.6

    32.7

    31.2

    31.8

    28.9

    39.5

    39.4

    33.1

    29.6

    29.2

    28.9

    o.w. Capital expenditure

    2.6

    9.6

    8.6

    10.2

    9.3

    11.7

    12.2

    8.7

    6.2

    5.8

    5.6

    Primary balance

    6.8

    -2.6

    2.1

    2.6

    9.5

    8.0

    -5.1

    -1.2

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

    Overall balance

    5.0

    -4.5

    0.3

    1.0

    8.0

    4.7

    -8.9

    -3.8

    -0.4

    -0.3

    -0.1

     

    Central government debt (incl. guaranteed) 1/

    58.5

    71.4

    70.0

    62.8

    60.5

    59.3

    58.1

    53.9

    53.2

    51.4

    49.6

    Domestic

    14.6

    16.2

    15.3

    12.8

    11.3

    11.1

    9.7

    7.8

    7.1

    6.9

    7.0

    External

    44.0

    55.2

    54.7

    50.0

    49.2

    48.2

    48.5

    46.1

    46.0

    44.5

    42.6

    Public debt (incl. debt of SOEs and SBs)

    62.7

    89.5

    86.6

    78.8

    75.2

    73.3

    71.4

    66.5

    65.2

    62.9

    60.6

    Savings-Investment balance

    -10.4

    -16.1

    -14.5

    -11.0

    -9.1

    -13.1

    -13.8

    -10.6

    -9.9

    -9.1

    -9.1

    Savings

    14.6

    16.3

    15.6

    18.0

    30.8

    28.3

    18.1

    17.8

    15.8

    15.3

    14.9

    Investment

    24.9

    32.4

    30.1

    29.1

    39.9

    41.5

    31.9

    28.4

    25.7

    24.5

    24.0

    External Sector

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Gross international reserves (millions of dollars)

    234.1

    290.9

    324.2

    352.6

    389.1

    435.1

    364.5

    364.8

    390.3

    405.6

    424.6

    (in months of imports)

    5.2

    5.6

    4.9

    5.0

    4.8

    5.2

    4.3

    4.2

    4.3

    4.3

    4.3

    Current account balance, o/w:

    -10.4

    -16.1

    -14.5

    -11.0

    -9.1

    -13.1

    -13.8

    -10.6

    -9.9

    -9.1

    -9.1

    Exports of goods and services

    54.6

    41.1

    47.9

    57.8

    62.8

    63.8

    62.5

    62.8

    63.0

    62.6

    62.3

    Imports of goods and services

    55.8

    52.2

    55.4

    64.3

    63.7

    69.9

    68.5

    65.6

    65.0

    63.8

    63.4

    External debt (gross)

    64.7

    92.5

    94.8

    90.0

    86.9

    85.4

    85.4

    82.6

    82.3

    80.5

    78.4

    Sources: Ministry of Finance; Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; United Nations, Human Development Report; World Bank WDI; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Includes the impact of the debt restructuring agreement for the 2025 bonds.

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

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

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Grenada

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    February 4, 2025

    Washington, DC: On January 24, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Grenada.

    Through end-June 2024, Grenada’s economy was experiencing sustained strong growth supported by buoyant tourism, moderating inflation, and a narrowing current account deficit. A surge in Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) revenue supported a strong improvement in the fiscal position and reduction in public debt. The financial system remained stable. On July 1, Hurricane Beryl caused damage in excess of 16 percent of GDP on the Grenadian islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as in the northern parishes of the main island. The authorities responded swiftly with a package of fiscal measures, including suspension of fiscal rules to permit temporary deficit spending in support of the recovery and reconstruction.

    Grenada’s near-term economic growth is projected to remain resilient at 3.9 percent in 2025, buoyed by limited hurricane damages to tourism infrastructure and the authorities’ large recovery and reconstruction spending. Sizable government savings and triggering of disaster-contingent instruments create fiscal space for these spending needs. Assuming a subsequent timely return to the fiscal rules, public debt is projected to continue falling and reach the debt target of 60 percent of GDP by 2030.

    Over the medium-term GDP growth is projected to slow given the tourism sector operates near its peak-season capacity. Key downside risks include the threat of further natural disasters, potential shocks to tourism demand, and the uncertain scale of future CBI inflows, while the domestic non-bank financial system faces rising vulnerabilities from the continued rapid expansion of credit unions and the rising costs of property insurance. Prospective hotel developments and public investment projects represent upside risks to the medium-term growth outlook.

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Grenada’s robust economic performance in 2023 and the first half of 2024, buoyed by strong tourism. Directors also commended the authorities’ swift and prudently tailored response to Hurricane Beryl, which supported disaster-relief and helped mitigate the impact on economic growth. Noting that the medium-term outlook remains subject to risks from natural disasters, uncertain Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) flows, and other external shocks, they encouraged the authorities to exercise continued fiscal prudence and to pursue structural reforms to boost long-term growth and enhance resilience, while leveraging Fund technical assistance.

    Directors welcomed Grenada’s commitment to fiscal prudence and debt sustainability and emphasized the importance of a timely return to the suspended fiscal rules. In that context, they noted the need for continued expenditure prioritization and revenue mobilization to create fiscal space for future investment needs, including for climate resilience. Further strengthening public investment management and budget planning processes would also be important. Directors also saw merit in developing a more uniform framework for managing all CBI resources and encouraged continued progress in resolving outstanding official arrears.

    Directors welcomed the banking system’s resilience despite repeated shocks. They emphasized the need for vigilance and strengthened oversight in the rapidly expanding credit union sector. Directors encouraged strengthening data collection and regional collaboration in the property insurance sector, given rising premiums. They also agreed that further enhancements in the AML/CFT frameworks are essential, including to safeguard correspondent banking relationships.

    Directors commended the authorities’ implementation of Grenada’s Disaster Resilience Strategy including investments in a risk-layering framework of disaster-contingency insurance and financing instruments. Moving forward and noting the risk of future natural disasters, they emphasized the importance of further advancing the energy transition and investment in disaster resilient infrastructure, with support from private financing.

    Directors also encouraged sustained structural reform efforts to foster long-term growth, including investing in active labor market policies and continuing efforts to support off-season and niche tourism. Addressing data gaps is also important.

    It is expected that the next Article IV Consultation with Grenada will be held on the standard 12-month consultation cycle.

    Table 1. Grenada: Selected Social and Economic Indicators, 2019–29

     

    Rank in UNDP Human Development Index

    73

    Infant mortality rate per ‘000 births (2021)

    14.4

    out of 189 countries (2021)

    Adult illiteracy rate in percent (2014)

    1

    Life expectancy at birth in years (2021)

    75

    Poverty rate in percent of population (2019)

    25

    GDP per capita in US$ (2021)

    10,449

    Population in millions (2021)

    0.13

    Unemployment rate (2021 Q2)

    11.1

     

    2019

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    Est.

    Proj.

    National income and prices

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    GDP at constant prices

    0.7

    -13.8

    4.7

    7.3

    4.7

    3.6

    3.9

    3.3

    2.7

    2.7

    2.7

    GDP deflator

    3.3

    -0.3

    2.8

    2.2

    2.7

    1.4

    1.4

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    Consumer prices, end of period

    0.1

    -0.8

    1.9

    2.9

    2.2

    1.2

    1.9

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    Money and credit, end of period

    Credit to private sector

    1.4

    3.1

    3.8

    2.1

    3.8

    3.8

    4.2

    4.4

    4.6

    4.5

    4.5

    Broad money (M2)

    2.9

    9.1

    8.5

    9.9

    1.4

    3.7

    5.2

    5.4

    4.8

    4.8

    4.8

    Central government balances (accrual)

    Revenue and grants

    26.6

    28.1

    31.5

    32.7

    36.9

    44.1

    30.5

    29.3

    29.2

    28.9

    28.8

    Expenditure

    21.6

    32.7

    31.2

    31.8

    28.9

    39.5

    39.4

    33.1

    29.6

    29.2

    28.9

    o.w. Capital expenditure

    2.6

    9.6

    8.6

    10.2

    9.3

    11.7

    12.2

    8.7

    6.2

    5.8

    5.6

    Primary balance

    6.8

    -2.6

    2.1

    2.6

    9.5

    8.0

    -5.1

    -1.2

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

    Overall balance

    5.0

    -4.5

    0.3

    1.0

    8.0

    4.7

    -8.9

    -3.8

    -0.4

    -0.3

    -0.1

     

    Central government debt (incl. guaranteed) 1/

    58.5

    71.4

    70.0

    62.8

    60.5

    59.3

    58.1

    53.9

    53.2

    51.4

    49.6

    Domestic

    14.6

    16.2

    15.3

    12.8

    11.3

    11.1

    9.7

    7.8

    7.1

    6.9

    7.0

    External

    44.0

    55.2

    54.7

    50.0

    49.2

    48.2

    48.5

    46.1

    46.0

    44.5

    42.6

    Public debt (incl. debt of SOEs and SBs)

    62.7

    89.5

    86.6

    78.8

    75.2

    73.3

    71.4

    66.5

    65.2

    62.9

    60.6

    Savings-Investment balance

    -10.4

    -16.1

    -14.5

    -11.0

    -9.1

    -13.1

    -13.8

    -10.6

    -9.9

    -9.1

    -9.1

    Savings

    14.6

    16.3

    15.6

    18.0

    30.8

    28.3

    18.1

    17.8

    15.8

    15.3

    14.9

    Investment

    24.9

    32.4

    30.1

    29.1

    39.9

    41.5

    31.9

    28.4

    25.7

    24.5

    24.0

    External Sector

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Gross international reserves (millions of dollars)

    234.1

    290.9

    324.2

    352.6

    389.1

    435.1

    364.5

    364.8

    390.3

    405.6

    424.6

    (in months of imports)

    5.2

    5.6

    4.9

    5.0

    4.8

    5.2

    4.3

    4.2

    4.3

    4.3

    4.3

    Current account balance, o/w:

    -10.4

    -16.1

    -14.5

    -11.0

    -9.1

    -13.1

    -13.8

    -10.6

    -9.9

    -9.1

    -9.1

    Exports of goods and services

    54.6

    41.1

    47.9

    57.8

    62.8

    63.8

    62.5

    62.8

    63.0

    62.6

    62.3

    Imports of goods and services

    55.8

    52.2

    55.4

    64.3

    63.7

    69.9

    68.5

    65.6

    65.0

    63.8

    63.4

    External debt (gross)

    64.7

    92.5

    94.8

    90.0

    86.9

    85.4

    85.4

    82.6

    82.3

    80.5

    78.4

    Sources: Ministry of Finance; Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; United Nations, Human Development Report; World Bank WDI; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Includes the impact of the debt restructuring agreement for the 2025 bonds.

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

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

    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/2025/02/03/pr25026-grenada-imf-executive-board-concludes-2024-article-iv-consultation

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Spring Festival boosts travel, consumption as 8-day holiday nears end

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

    BEIJING, Feb. 4 — As China wraps up its 8-day Spring Festival holiday celebrating the start of the Year of the Snake, the world’s second-largest economy has witnessed shopping and travel booms ignited by hundreds of millions of Chinese people’s family reunions.

    This year’s holiday, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, marks the second consecutive year that people in China have experienced an extended public holiday. People flocked to tourist destinations, enjoyed cultural experiences and indulged in holiday shopping.

    With a string of holiday-targeted domestic blockbusters bringing numerous moviegoers to cinemas across China, the country’s film industry proved to be one of the biggest winners during this Spring Festival consumption spree.

    From Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, the daily box office exceeded 1 billion yuan (nearly 140 million U.S. dollars) for six consecutive days, bringing China’s box office revenue for the 2025 Spring Festival holiday to 8.02 billion yuan, a new record for the same period in the country’s film industry history.

    Meanwhile, according to data from the China Film Administration, China’s total box office in 2025, including real-time presales, has surpassed 10 billion yuan, ranking it first globally.

    Notably, the films on the top of the box office chart were all domestic productions, with “Ne Zha 2,” the animated sequel to the 2019 hit, earning over 3.8 billion yuan.

    “The historic high box office of the Spring Festival holiday reflects the high-quality development in domestic films and highlights the strong recognition of Chinese traditional culture among audiences,” said Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association.

    While cinema boomed during the holiday, so did travel and leisure activities across China. Many chose to explore the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in person.

    In China’s top ski destination, Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the period from Jan. 28 to 31 saw 191,900 visitors, generating 225 million yuan in tourism revenue.

    Skiing has definitely become the most popular activity in Altay during the holiday, with a record number of skiers — over 10,000 — visiting the Jiangjunshan ski resort on Feb. 2, marking a 23 percent increase from the previous year.

    Situated at 45 to 47 degrees north latitude, Altay enjoys 170 to 180 days of snowfall annually. In mountainous areas, snow depths average 1 to 2 meters. The terrain is ideal for skiing due to vertical drops of over 1,000 meters.

    “The resort offers many terrain parks and creative features suitable for all levels, making it a great place for everyone to enjoy and challenge themselves,” said Zhang Zhujun, a snowboarding enthusiast at the resort.

    Far to the south, the picturesque Yangshuo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, draws large numbers of domestic and international visitors with its unique natural scenery and rich cultural activities. From Jan. 28 to 30, the county welcomed an estimated 410,600 tourists, generating tourism revenue of 589 million yuan.

    Travel booking platforms echoed the overall trend, with data from Fliggy, a leading online travel agency, showing a surge in bookings, especially from cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. International travel orders increased significantly, with international cruise bookings up more than sixfold compared to the previous year.

    Shanghai Airport Group reported that passenger traffic on Sunday hit a new all-time high of 404,000 people, with Pudong Airport seeing 259,000 passengers and Hongqiao Airport 145,000.

    As the holiday drew to a close, airports and transportation hubs in Shanghai braced for the return of travelers, with heightened coordination of metro, bus and taxi services to ensure smooth transportation, said the group.

    On Monday, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. reported a historic milestone as the country’s railways transported 16.45 million passengers, marking the highest single-day passenger traffic in the history of the Spring Festival travel rush.

    On Tuesday, the last day of the holiday, the national railway system is expected to carry 16.9 million passengers, further highlighting the peak in travel activity as hundreds of millions of people return to their destinations after family reunions.

    Consumption was another standout trend, with an increasing number of people seeking to experience China’s rich heritage, motivated by the inscription of the Spring Festival on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024.

    According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, sales at major retail and catering enterprises across China during the first four days of the holiday increased by 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

    Meituan, one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms for services, reported a staggering 300 percent year-on-year increase in online reservations for Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve dinners. Additionally, group-buying orders for “intangible cultural heritage”-themed packages have surged by over 12 times since January year on year, reflecting growing consumer interest in cultural experiences.

    Experts noted that this holiday season saw a shift in consumer behavior, particularly among younger generations and families. “Young families are increasingly becoming the driving force of consumption, with a trend toward diversified, high-quality and culturally rich experiences,” said Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher from the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration.

    Data from Meituan Travel echoed Sun’s observation that young people increasingly chose to celebrate the Spring Festival in smaller cities, immersing themselves in intangible cultural heritage and historical landmarks.

    The increase in cultural tourism and consumption, from heritage experiences to blockbuster films, indicates a growing demand for traditional and contemporary cultural activities.

    “This trend has also raised higher demands for the supply of cultural and tourism products and services, prompting the introduction of new business models and formats that better align with contemporary cultural consumption patterns,” said Sun, highlighting the potential of China’s consumer market and the economy’s internal driving forces.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major groyne refurbishment project announced for Lake and Colwell 4 February 2025 Major groyne refurbishment project announced for Lake Cliffs and Colwell Bay

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Timber groynes at Lake and Colwell Bay are set to be restored as part of a major Isle of Wight Council scheme to strengthen coastal defences.

    Ten groynes at Lake Cliffs, between Small Hope Beach and Littlestairs Steps, and six at Colwell Bay will undergo refurbishment over the coming months.

    Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for coastal protection, explained: “The refurbished groynes will help build beach material levels, offering better protection and improving safety for nearby properties and businesses.

    “This project will also save money on future repairs and enhance the appeal of our beaches, which is essential for tourism and local businesses.”

    An Island-based contractor will carry out the work, with minor disruptions expected due to plant and vehicle movements and material storage.

    Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning, said: “This refurbishment project demonstrates the council’s dedication to maintaining and improving the Island’s coastal infrastructure, ensuring lasting benefits for the community and local economy.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council responds to Deloitte’s Annual Crane Survey

    Source: City of Manchester

    Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig and Chief Executive Tom Stannard react to the survey that provides a commentary on the construction sector in the UK’s major cities.

    Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig said:

    “The annual crane survey shows that Manchester continues to have a strong and growing economy, and our city and region remains one of the most important engines of growth in the UK – and one of the fastest growing places in Europe.

    “The survey is a useful litmus test that makes sure that our city continues to thrive, and despite a challenging economic backdrop for much of the country, we are building record numbers of homes – including more affordable housing than at any other point in the last decade – we saw more than 1m sq ft of much-needed office space delivered to market last year alone, with more than 1.5m sq ft under construction, alongside a range of commercial space opportunities. 

    “Manchester is leading the way in construction, but this isn’t just about buildings. This is about driving investor confidence to create a long-term supply of development. This is about creating high quality employment opportunities that help our residents to prosper. And it’s about creating a global city that is attractive, welcoming and future proof. 

    “The pandemic presented a range of economic challenges for the UK’s towns and cities, and building has broadly slowed. Thankfully Manchester is bucking that trend and we are continuing to attract major business, investment and residential opportunities that will help meet demand and support our city’s ongoing growth.”

    Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: 

    “The annual Crane Survey shows some very encouraging signs that Manchester is continuing to weather a very challenging period for the UK’s town and cities. Sustainable economic growth is good for Manchester and our region, and it’s good for the country. 

    “We are seeing high demand for premium office space met with major investment in our city centre, which in turn supports new employment opportunities – vital to help our residents succeed. We are also seeing tourism bounce back to pre-pandemic levels, and we are meeting the targets set out in our ambitious housing strategy. 

    “This tells a story of a city that is weathering the economic storm, despite very real and ongoing challenges.  Manchester is a place that is attracting new business and quality development, we are at the forefront of the UK’s growing tech sector, and we are a place where our residents are supported to thrive and share in the success of the city.

    “We of course stand ready to continue to support the Government on their economic growth mission, which puts our city and region as a key engine of growth for both the North and the UK at large.”

    Find out more about the Deloitte Crane Survey findings

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: History in a convenient format: six more audio guides have appeared on the “Discover Moscow” portal

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Discover Moscow portal has six new audio guides for independent walks around the city. Now residents and guests of the capital can go on an audio-guided tour, during which they will be told about iconic architectural sites.

    “We try to make getting to know the history and architecture of Moscow fascinating and accessible to everyone. It is important to us that everyone can explore the city at any time in a convenient format and at their own pace. Therefore, adding audio guides to thematic routes is one of our traditional areas of work to popularize the cultural heritage of the capital,” said the head of the Moscow City Heritage Department.

    Alexey Emelyanov.

    One of the routes is dedicated to the 240th anniversary of the birth of the architect Osip Bove, who restored the center of Moscow after the fire of 1812. Among his significant works are the Gostiny Dvor building and the Theater Square with the Bolshoi Theater. Another route introduces listeners to the work of Fyodor Shekhtel. It is dedicated to the 165th anniversary of the architect’s birth.

    An audio version has also appeared for the route “From Krasnye Vorota to Chistoprudny Boulevard”, which runs along the historic Myasnitskaya Street – once an important commercial artery of the city. It was home to famous shops, theaters and art galleries, as well as buildings mentioned in the works of Russian classics (for example, Anton Chekhov and Fyodor Dostoevsky).

    Another excursion goes along Varvarka, one of the oldest streets in the capital. According to legend, it was along this street that Dmitry Donskoy returned from Kulikovo Field. The Church of All Saints was consecrated in memory of the fallen soldiers. It became the first church-monument to Russian military glory.

    The audio version of the route “Along Sukharevskaya Square and Sretenka Street” is now also available, introducing the history of one of the most famous corners of Moscow. The legendary Sukharev Tower, which served as a symbol of the city for a long time, was located here. Despite the fact that the structure was demolished in 1934, its history continues to attract the attention of researchers and tourists, remaining an important part of the cultural past of the capital.

    The sixth route passes through the territory of the Novodevichy Convent, which celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2024. This architectural monument, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is associated with the fates of Russian monarchs and holds many legends.

    “Get to Know Moscow” is a joint project of the capital’s departments information technology, cultures, cultural heritage, education and science. On portal and in mobile applicationYou can find more than 280 walking routes, photographs and descriptions of over 2.3 thousand buildings, 700 monuments and 400 museums.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149666073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dragon Dance and Painted Lanterns: Moskino Cinema Park Celebrates Chinese New Year

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Last weekend, February 1 and 2, the Moskino Cinema Park hosted a grand celebration of the Chinese New Year, in which more than 10 thousand people took part. A varied program was prepared for visitors, which did not leave either children or adults indifferent.

    Chinese Folklore, Dragon Dancing and Mandarin Throwing

    You could learn about Eastern secrets and myths in the quest “The Coming of the Chinese Spirit”. More than two thousand people took part in it, and their task was to catch the hungry Nyan and get a prize. The guests had to find red objects, and to do this, they had to distract the monster from Chinese mythology, make him laugh and make noise. The participants completed the task and won.

    Fun games in Chinese style were held near a natural green screen in the open air. Children and adults assembled puzzles with images of a dragon, rolled balls through a wooden labyrinth, threw oranges at targets, made cubes from multi-colored figures and played tangerine tic-tac-toe.

    In Chalet No. 1 on the Central Square, master classes were held, where those who wanted to painted white Chinese lanterns with patterns, learned calligraphy under the guidance of masters, and molded a dragon from air plasticine. In addition, street classes were held in Chinese national dance with a dragon. A large head and a long tail on sticks were distributed among the participants. They smoothly moved around the square, creating the illusion that the dragon was hovering in the air.

    The scenery of the Gonzaga Theatre featured Chinese folklore. Drummers performed there: the artists were dressed in traditional costumes and performed rhythmic compositions.

    Master classes, performances and excursions

    For winter sports enthusiasts, the skating rink and tubing hill continued to operate. After skating, you could warm up with hot drinks at the fair.

    At master classes in Chalet No. 2, children painted movie clappers, made “Jolly Snowman” magnets, and decorated a field and sea pebble figures for playing tic-tac-toe. The educational center hosted master classes in acting, dancing, and vocals.

    The weekend also saw the performance of the multimedia play “Cathedral Square”. Spectators saw the performance in the open air, sitting on warm heated seats, and learned a lot about the Time of Troubles. On different days, famous theater and film actors Dmitry Pevtsov, Ekaterina Guseva, Leonid Yakubovich, Anna Bolshova, Elena Zakharova and other artists take part in the play. You can see the production in the historical scenery of “Cathedral Square of Moscow” every weekend until February 23 inclusive. Tickets are available on the play’s page on the website of the Moskino cinema park.

    For those who wanted to see the unique scenery of the cinema park and learn new facts about the cinema professions, the excursion “Cinema Expedition” was held, and during the staged filming based on the Soviet films “Gentlemen of Fortune” and “Varvara-Beauty, Long Braid” it was possible to try on the costumes of the characters, learn the roles and act in front of the camera.

    Nature and scenery. Producer Evgeniya Sholokhova on filming in the Moskino cinema parkSpectators shared their impressions of the play “Cathedral Square”A piece of a plate from an excursion: the Moskino cinema park told about an unusual tradition

    The Moskino Cinema Park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Moscow — City of Cinema project and an object of the Moscow film cluster. The first stage of development has already been completed here: 18 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets of Moscow Center, Moscow of the 1940s, Vitebsk Station, Yurovo Airport, Moscow Cathedral Square, Deaf Village, Partisan Village, County Town, Cowboy Town, St. Petersburg Bar and other sites.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

    Project “Winter in Moscow”— the main event of the season, which until February 28 brings together various events in the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go ice skating, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, and show concern for those who need it.

    Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city: more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The project organically intertwined with the largest festivals of the capital “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light” and many others. All information about the project and events of the winter season can be found in a special section of mos.ru.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149655073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 5, 2025
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