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Category: Tourism

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition opens in Dubai (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition opens in Dubai (with photos)
    “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition opens in Dubai (with photos)
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         The “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition opened in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, today (December 20). This is the fifth stop of the exhibition, following its successful staging by the Information Services Department (ISD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Guangzhou, China between July 2023 and August 2024.      Organised in collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO), the exhibition is part of the ISD’s promotional campaign to showcase the city’s new attractions, advantages and opportunities. Themed “Hong Kong – Where the World Looks Ahead”, it invites visitors from the Middle East to explore the unique potential for tourism, business and investment in Hong Kong.      The Director of Information Services, Mrs Apollonia Liu, said Hong Kong has been actively expanding and deepening its overseas networks, including closer co-operation and engagement with the Middle East.      “The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and a number of Principal Officials have led delegations to visit the Middle East since last year to strengthen Hong Kong’s connections with the region, to tell good stories of Hong Kong, and to explore greater business opportunities.      “Building on the success of the previous runs of the exhibition, we are bringing it to the Middle East for the first time. We hope that the exhibition in Dubai will provide an opportunity for our friends in the region to understand more about our city and its unique potential,” she said.     Through interactive art technology, the “Immersive Hong Kong” exhibition enables visitors to delve into different virtual scenes representing the city with a creative twist. The five thematic zones, namely “Financial Bridgehead”, “I&T Brain Bank”, “Blossoming Creativity”, “Diversity and Greenery” and “Buzzing Sports Action”, feature multiple interactive art projections, light box installations and naked-eye 3D displays, presenting the multifaceted appeal of Hong Kong. There is a special introduction to the Kai Tai Sports Park, Hong Kong’s new state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports venue, which is set to officially open in the first quarter of 2025.      Visitors may also enjoy the city’s vibrant and colourful skyline, illustrated by Hong Kong artist Messy Desk (Jane Lee), at a photo corner in the venue. Promotional videos on Hong Kong and digital panels with information and insights shared by companies and prominent individuals from the Middle East about their experiences in Hong Kong are also on display, explaining why the city is one of the most desirable places to visit, live, work and invest.     To encourage more people to visit Hong Kong, an interactive game, “Snap a cool shot @Immersive Hong Kong”, is also part of the exhibition. Two winners will receive attractive prizes sponsored by Cathay Pacific. The winner of the Grand Prize will receive two round-trip business class air tickets from Dubai to Hong Kong, while the runner-up will receive two round-trip economy class air tickets on the same itinerary.     To give Middle East audiences a taste of Hong Kong’s cultural offerings, a pop music concert by SENZA A Cappella and a street dance performance by Move Beyond will be staged at the exhibition venue from today to December 22.     The exhibition is being held at The Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence, a buzzing residential, shopping and dining complex in Dubai, until January 5, 2025. Admission is free, and visitors will be offered souvenirs during the event. In addition to Dubai ETO, other supporting organisations of this event include the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Hong Kong Talent Engage, Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the Kai Tak Sports Park.      More information on the exhibition is available on the dedicated page on the Brand Hong Kong website (www.brandhk.gov.hk/en/campaign/hkpromotion-middle-east) as well as the website of Dubai ETO (www.hketodubai.gov.hk/en/index.html).

     
    Ends/Friday, December 20, 2024Issued at HKT 23:44

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Three Business Students Attend Top International Climate Conference: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Junior Chapal Bhavsar is interested in big, sustainable-technology projects, including the creation of climate-friendly power plants, and is eager to use his finance knowledge to find ways to fund their construction.

    As one of 14 UConn students, and five faculty and staff, to attend the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan last month, Bhavsar met many people—including some international power figures—who share his ideology.

    “At COP, I wanted to connect with people in the business space. I went in with an open mind and was happy to talk to anyone. I was in the room with the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan and with a Saudi delegation working on a clean-energy pipeline. It was fascinating to talk about how financing is changing in the sector, with private industry replacing government entities to advance these projects.’’

    “Perhaps the highlight was being able to connect with the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mark Libby,’’ Bhavsar said. “He’s from Southbury and I grew up in Danbury, so we had that in common. I was excited to connect with someone who is so key in the climate-protection movement, a top guy who is very successful. He invited us to a roundtable where he answered all kinds of questions.’’

    Bhavsar was joined by two other UConn business students, senior Jackie Flaherty, who is majoring in marketing and urban and community studies and minoring in geographic information science; and senior Naiiya Patel, who is studying accounting, with minors in philosophy, and social responsibility and impact in business. All three are members of the UConn Honors program.

    ‘Committed to Purposeful Change’

    Arminda Kamphausen, director for Global & Sustainability Initiatives at the School of Business, said the COP 29 conference offered students an extraordinary experience. UConn business students have been participating since 2021.

    “This once-in-a-lifetime experience ticks all the boxes: international travel, cultural awareness, and growth through exposure to and interaction with critical real-world issues,’’ she said. “The conversations I have had with these students since their return underscores the importance of experiential learning to a complete education. I am so glad we prioritize that here at the UConn School of Business.’’

    “The conversations also reinforce my hope in this generation of young people who are committed to purposeful change and positive impact. Experiences like this give them the tools they need to do just that,’’ she said.

    Kamphausen said the UConn Office of Sustainability deserves credit for its work to make this adventure happen, and particularly for its ability to arrange for our students to enter the exclusive arena where the most meaningful negotiations occur.

    Sustainable Initiatives That Could Apply to Gampel

    Patel enjoyed the conference and said one of the highlights for her was having the opportunity to meet the former President of Finland, Tarja Halonen. She told Halonen how much she enjoyed her presentation on the importance of a greener future and need to act decisively.

    “It was very cool; I never expected to meet someone so important,’’ Patel said.

    Patel said she arrived at COP 29 thinking that she would focus on youth impact and teaching, but found many other interests there as well.

    “The themes covered so many fascinating topics from water security to biodiversity to transportation and tourism. It felt so cool because so much of it could be applied right here at UConn,’’ she said.

    Patel was intrigued by a presentation from an executive with the Liverpool soccer team, who talked about initiatives to keep the facility and the patron experience more sustainable and climate friendly.

    “I thought it would be a great match at UConn and perhaps we could adopt some of those ideas at Gampel,’’ she said. “It was an interesting conference and I didn’t expect that much access to information nor to be around so many important people. Every day there were new panels and an amazing schedule of events. I loved the freedom to seek the information that was of most interest to me.’’

    Patel’s professional interests include business, sustainability and education. She hopes to work for one of the Big 4 accounting firms, and said having knowledge about climate-change initiatives will be an advantage in securing her first job and advancing in the industry.

    Flaherty Built New Network of Friends, Colleagues

    Flaherty has worked in the Office of Sustainability in various capacities since she came to UConn.

    “My interest began senior year in high school when I took environmental science and human geography courses,’’ she said. “I really enjoy both communicating information and working with people.’’

    The trip to COP 29 was particularly enjoyable for Flaherty, who hasn’t traveled extensively. She loved both the food and the people. “I also enjoyed meeting representatives from around the world and hearing their perspectives,’’ she said.

    She hopes to work in sustainable urban planning or communications following graduation.

    “This will be such a nice experience to talk about in my future career. I’m so grateful to UConn to have offered this opportunity. It is so important going forward in my career to have had this experience,’’ she said. “I also found a great new network of UConn friends to build both professional relationships and friendships.’’

    One of the things that surprised her was seeing oil companies and other lobbyists at the event.

    Flaherty and her peers both wished that the conference had generated more substantial change, as the 2015 COP agreement did, resulting in the Paris Agreement. But only about 20 percent of the original finance goals were adopted at the conference.

    “At first, I was very disappointed in the outcome. But now I think it is important to focus on what we can do in our communities and to push local leaders to advocate and pressure for national initiatives and investments,’’ Flaherty said.

    “Regardless of some frustrations, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to interact with people from around the world and it was tremendously eye-opening,’’ she added.

    Bhavsar, a Fulbright scholar with a particular interest in banking and analyst roles, said he still felt optimistic after the event. “Its important that we make progress. It can always be better but it is a big step to make and build connections,’’ he said. “I think these nations are on the right track and moving in the right direction.’’

    Bhavsar said he will long remember the people he met at the conference and in the country, visiting a palace, a fire temple, a mosque and exploring Baku.

    “UConn support helped us attend COP but also have a tremendous cultural experience as well,’’ he said. “I met one guy who went home and got his brother, who spoke English and could translate for us. We all went out for tea! The Azerbaijani people are very, very nice.’’

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 23rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The meeting was held under the joint chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

    23rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia

    December 20, 2024

    23rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia. Alexey Overchuk and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan

    December 20, 2024

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    23rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia

    The 23rd regular meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia was held in Moscow under the joint chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

    The parties summed up the results of bilateral cooperation in trade and economic spheres, energy, industry, transport, agriculture, finance, healthcare, culture, science, interregional cooperation, education and tourism.

    “Our trade and economic relations continue to be on the rise. Mutual trade between Russia and Armenia, according to data for 10 months of 2024, amounted to 10.2 billion dollars. This is more than twice as much as the same indicator last year,” noted Alexey Overchuk, emphasizing that in order to implement trade and economic relations, the countries have almost completely switched to settlements in national currencies – the share of the Russian ruble in mutual settlements has reached 96.3%.

    The Russian Federation is one of the main investors in the Armenian economy. Investments in industrial projects in the Republic of Armenia have reached $3.4 billion. More than 40 large Russian companies operate in Armenia, some of them are the largest taxpayers in the state budget.

    “In addition to direct investments, Eurasian development institutions are also actively working,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. “Active work is underway here, including in support of the “Crossroads of the World” initiative, which was put forward by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Vovaevich Pashinyan.”

    The Chairman of the Russian part of the commission also noted that in July 2024, with the assistance of Russian Railways, the railway between Armenia and Georgia, damaged by flooding, was restored in the shortest possible time – the only railway connecting Armenia with the outside world, which is an important channel for delivering vital goods to Armenia.

    “All these investments and projects are being implemented with the aim of strengthening connectivity in the Eurasian region and the South Caucasus, in particular, integrating Armenia into the new value chains emerging in Eurasia and realizing the transport and logistics potential that the Republic of Armenia has, with unwavering respect for its sovereignty and jurisdiction,” Alexey Overchuk said in his speech.

    In the context of the work of Eurasian development institutions, the Deputy Prime Minister also noted the implementation of the irrigation systems modernization project: mechanical irrigation has been replaced by gravity irrigation, which provides annual energy savings. 5 main and 22 inter-farm canals have been restored. Work on the restoration and construction of intra-farm irrigation systems in 105 settlements of the Republic of Armenia has been completed.

    “Two weeks ago, our specialists agreed to assess the technical condition of eight bridges damaged by the floods in Lori and Tavush. All work will be completed as soon as possible, and we expect that by the end of the year, their results will be submitted to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    During the meeting, the active development of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere was emphasized.

    “Today we are signing an intergovernmental Agreement on the conditions of operation of the Russian-Armenian University in the Republic of Armenia. This is one of the leading universities in Armenia, where more than 5 thousand students study, mastering 123 educational programs, 80 of which are taught according to Russian educational standards,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    The university’s research and teaching staff includes 82 doctors and 332 candidates of science. The university’s structure includes 9 institutes, 31 departments and 12 laboratories.

    The University cooperates with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, the Institute for System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and other Russian scientific centers. Research projects are implemented in such areas as bioinformatics, genomic research, quantum nanophotonics, biochemistry and biotechnology.

    Work continues to provide opportunities to receive education according to Russian standards in the educational and sports complex, which includes a school for 700 students, built in Yerevan as part of the Gazprom for Children social program.

    The countries pay great attention to cooperation in the field of culture. Since 2023, a program to support Russian theaters abroad has been implemented, within the framework of which the Yerevan State Russian Drama Theater named after Stanislavsky was provided with financial assistance for the acquisition of stage equipment and the creation of new productions based on works of Russian classics. The Moscow Parajanov Theater, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Russia and the Cultural Center of the Armenian Embassy in Russia, held a large-scale festival “Parajanov Fest”.

    Bilateral cooperation in the field of creative education is developing. Within the framework of the International Student Festival of VGIK, 38 films participating in the festival were screened at the Russian-Armenian University.

    In pursuance of the agreements reached at the meeting of the intergovernmental commission, the second Russian-Armenian Forum of Education in the Sphere of Culture was held in Moscow in December 2024.

    Cooperation in the healthcare sector is being strengthened, including within the framework of annual Russian-Armenian forums on healthcare. The ninth Russian-Armenian forum on healthcare, dedicated to issues of maternal and child health, was held on December 16, 2024 in Yerevan. During the forum, the system of extended perinatal screening developed and successfully applied in Russia was presented.

    Russia and Armenia are developing mutual tourism. In January-September 2024, the number of trips of Russian tourists to Armenia amounted to 715.8 thousand, and Armenian tourists to Russia – 266 thousand.

    Speaking about cooperation in multilateral formats, primarily through the Eurasian Economic Union, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that the union has become a real guarantor of Armenia’s energy and food security, as well as its technological development.

    “The Union countries are the key sales market and the key supplier to the Armenian market. The EAEU accounts for 56% of Armenia’s food exports, 80% of machinery and equipment exports, 67% of chemical exports, and 56% of textile exports. The EAEU also provides 72% of energy imports, 49% of precious metal imports, 38% of food imports, and 34% of timber imports. During its membership in the Union, the export of industrial goods from Armenia has grown 15-fold, and food exports from Armenia have grown 4-fold. Since joining the EAEU in 2015, Armenia’s per capita GDP has grown almost 2.4-fold. This was made possible by the benefits of a common goods market, low prices for agricultural raw materials and energy, a convenient migration regime, and a common services market,” said Alexey Overchuk.

    Following the meeting, the protocol of the 23rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia was signed.

    The parties also signed an Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on the conditions for the operation of the Russian-Armenian University in the Republic of Armenia, a State Purchase Agreement for a polyvalent, cultured, sorbed, inactivated foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, an Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on the conditions for the operation of the Educational and Sports Complex of Gazprom Armenia CJSC in Yerevan, and a work plan for the Russian-Armenian Business Council for 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 –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Plenary round-up – December 2024 – 20-12-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Union’s external relations topped the agenda for the December 2024 plenary session, with several debates on statements by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, attending the plenary for the first time in her new capacity. These included the toppling of the Syrian regime and its consequences; Russia’s disinformation activities and fraudulent justification of its war against Ukraine; the use of rape as a weapon of war (e.g. in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan). The day after Kallas’s remarks on the crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia, addressed Members in a formal sitting. Other debates on Commission statements covered, inter alia: the situation in Mayotte following the recent devastating cyclone; a European innovation act; harassment and cyber-violence against female politicians in EU candidate and neighbouring countries; a shared vision for sustainable European tourism; promoting social dialogue and the right to strike; tackling abusive subcontracting; the need to ensure swift action and transparency on public-sector corruption allegations; urgent EU action to preserve nature and biodiversity; and the Commission’s plans to revise outstanding proposals on animal welfare in its 2025 work plan. Members also debated ahead of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024 and set out their expectations ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit that took place the previous day. Parliament created two new standing committees, upgrading the former sub-committees on Public Health, and on Security and Defence; and set up two special committees: on the European Democracy Shield, and the Housing Crisis.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Gambia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    December 20, 2024

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, enabling the immediate disbursement of about US$10.8 million to help meet financing needs and bolster inclusive, sustainable growth.
    • Economic recovery is strengthening, and inflation is gradually decreasing, although the pace remains slow. The country remains vulnerable to global shocks.
    • Program performance has been affected by fiscal pressures and delays in reform implementation, but the authorities remain committed to overall program targets. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Washington, DC – December 20, 2024: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, approved by the IMF Executive Board on January 12, 2024, in the amount of SDR74.64 million (about US$97.3 million). The completion of the review allows for the immediate disbursement of SDR 8.29 million (about US$10.8 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about SDR 24.87 million (US$32.4 million).

    The economic recovery in The Gambia is strengthening. Real GDP growth is expected to reach 5.8 percent in 2024, supported by a broad-based rebound in economic activity. In particular, tourist arrivals are recovering and nearing pre-pandemic levels, while remittance inflows remain strong. Headline inflation has decreased significantly from a peak of 18.5 percent in September 2023, although energy prices led to a small uptick in inflation to 10 percent in October 2024.

    While the authorities remain committed to the objectives set out in the program and revenue collection has been strong, spending pressures from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit and emergency support to the public utility company NAWEC have weighed on fiscal balances. The new foreign exchange policy is working well, and international reserves exceeded targets by the end of September.  

    Based on the strength of the macroeconomic program, growth is projected at 5.9 percent in 2025 and around 5 percent in the medium term, though risks remain from global conflicts, commodity price shocks, and fluctuations in tourism and remittance flows. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director Bo Li issued the following statement:

    “The Gambia’s economic recovery is strengthening while inflation has trended down. Program implementation was mixed, reflecting broadly satisfactory adherence to quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets but delays in implementing structural benchmarks. The authorities remain committed to their reform agenda, despite global economic headwinds. 

    “Continued commitment to fiscal consolidation is critical to reduce fiscal risks and preserve debt sustainability. Finalizing and implementing the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy will help secure consolidation gains and lower reliance on costly domestic and external financing. Improving the structure of expenditures will help maintain social services and space for growth-enhancing capital expenditures. Strengthening public financial management, including by preventing domestic arrears accumulation, and improving the performance of state-owned enterprises will help contain fiscal risks. To reduce debt vulnerabilities, it is crucial to adhere to the agreed fiscal targets, focus on grants and concessional loans, limit fiscal risks from PPPs, and implement a strong medium-term fiscal framework.

    “The Central Bank of The Gambia has appropriately maintained its tight monetary policy stance and is encouraged to remain vigilant and data dependent to ensure that inflation converges to the central bank’s medium-term target. The foreign exchange market has performed well following the introduction of the new foreign exchange policy. Going forward, the central bank is encouraged to continue pursuing an exchange rate that fully reflects market forces. The central bank’s commitment to cease financial support to public entities is welcome to prevent risks to its balance sheet.

    “Progress with structural reforms will be essential, including to enhance governance and further improve the business environment to promote private sector development and job creation. The publication of the action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the governance diagnostic report as a prior action for this review was an important milestone. Adopting strong climate-related policies including through a possible RSF arrangement will be essential to build The Gambia’s resilience to climate risks.” 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Gambia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    December 20, 2024

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, enabling the immediate disbursement of about US$10.8 million to help meet financing needs and bolster inclusive, sustainable growth.
    • Economic recovery is strengthening, and inflation is gradually decreasing, although the pace remains slow. The country remains vulnerable to global shocks.
    • Program performance has been affected by fiscal pressures and delays in reform implementation, but the authorities remain committed to overall program targets. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Washington, DC – December 20, 2024: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, approved by the IMF Executive Board on January 12, 2024, in the amount of SDR74.64 million (about US$97.3 million). The completion of the review allows for the immediate disbursement of SDR 8.29 million (about US$10.8 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about SDR 24.87 million (US$32.4 million).

    The economic recovery in The Gambia is strengthening. Real GDP growth is expected to reach 5.8 percent in 2024, supported by a broad-based rebound in economic activity. In particular, tourist arrivals are recovering and nearing pre-pandemic levels, while remittance inflows remain strong. Headline inflation has decreased significantly from a peak of 18.5 percent in September 2023, although energy prices led to a small uptick in inflation to 10 percent in October 2024.

    While the authorities remain committed to the objectives set out in the program and revenue collection has been strong, spending pressures from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit and emergency support to the public utility company NAWEC have weighed on fiscal balances. The new foreign exchange policy is working well, and international reserves exceeded targets by the end of September.  

    Based on the strength of the macroeconomic program, growth is projected at 5.9 percent in 2025 and around 5 percent in the medium term, though risks remain from global conflicts, commodity price shocks, and fluctuations in tourism and remittance flows. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director Bo Li issued the following statement:

    “The Gambia’s economic recovery is strengthening while inflation has trended down. Program implementation was mixed, reflecting broadly satisfactory adherence to quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets but delays in implementing structural benchmarks. The authorities remain committed to their reform agenda, despite global economic headwinds. 

    “Continued commitment to fiscal consolidation is critical to reduce fiscal risks and preserve debt sustainability. Finalizing and implementing the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy will help secure consolidation gains and lower reliance on costly domestic and external financing. Improving the structure of expenditures will help maintain social services and space for growth-enhancing capital expenditures. Strengthening public financial management, including by preventing domestic arrears accumulation, and improving the performance of state-owned enterprises will help contain fiscal risks. To reduce debt vulnerabilities, it is crucial to adhere to the agreed fiscal targets, focus on grants and concessional loans, limit fiscal risks from PPPs, and implement a strong medium-term fiscal framework.

    “The Central Bank of The Gambia has appropriately maintained its tight monetary policy stance and is encouraged to remain vigilant and data dependent to ensure that inflation converges to the central bank’s medium-term target. The foreign exchange market has performed well following the introduction of the new foreign exchange policy. Going forward, the central bank is encouraged to continue pursuing an exchange rate that fully reflects market forces. The central bank’s commitment to cease financial support to public entities is welcome to prevent risks to its balance sheet.

    “Progress with structural reforms will be essential, including to enhance governance and further improve the business environment to promote private sector development and job creation. The publication of the action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the governance diagnostic report as a prior action for this review was an important milestone. Adopting strong climate-related policies including through a possible RSF arrangement will be essential to build The Gambia’s resilience to climate risks.” 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/20/pr24496-gambia-imf-executive-board-completes-2nd-review-under-ecf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Annual buzzword selection highlights changes in China, world

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    People try VR devices during the 11th China (Wuhu) Popularized Science Products Exposition in Wuhu, east China’s Anhui Province, Oct. 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Multiple organizations in China released the most popular Chinese characters and phrases of 2024 on Friday, offering insight into the evolving trends of the country and the world.
    The top ten domestic buzzwords feature five Chinese characters for “integration,” “intelligence,” “new,” “safety,” and “stability” as well as the terms of “new-quality productive force,” “Black Myth: Wukong,” “work fatigue,” “low-altitude economy” and “digital transformation.”
    These buzzwords refer to various dimensions of China’s domestic society, ranging from its integrated and innovative development powered by new-quality productive forces and digital transformation, to cultural and economic phenomena in 2024 such as video game hit “Black Myth: Wukong” and its burgeoning low-altitude economy including drone deliveries.
    The top ten global buzzwords are characters for “election,” “war,” “change,” “turbulence” and “nuclear” and the terms of “Paris Olympics,” “Global South,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “drones” and “Large Language Model.”
    The lists were compiled using an algorithm that analyzed a corpus of Chinese characters along with public recommendations, with final results confirmed by experts and researchers.
    A closer look at the list of popular buzzwords recommended by the public also presents a more panoramic view of Chinese people’s social psyche over the past year.
    Frequently used words such as “say no to mental exhaustion” and “20-minute park life” signify a desire for a relaxed lifestyle amid the quick pace of modern life. Words like “Altay,” a prefecture in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region made ultra-famous by a critically acclaimed TV drama series, and “ancient architecture tour” reveal the popular travel destinations of Chinese people in 2024.
    Among the recommendations, which are mostly in Chinese, the English expression of “China Travel” stands out, mirroring the country’s inbound travel boom buoyed by a series of facilitation policies and measures for foreigners.
    To welcome international visitors in the post-pandemic era, China has streamlined its visa application process, refined its immigration process to increase efficiency at border-control points, and made its payment services for international travelers more accessible and inclusive, among other efforts.
    According to official data, China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million visitors entered the country visa-free, marking a massive 123.3 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, the number of visa-free transit travelers surged by 132.9 percent year on year.
    With pride and love, “Beijing Central Axis” is also on the recommendation list as earlier this year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the “Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital” on its World Heritage List.
    The Central Axis runs north to south through the heart of old Beijing and consists of ancient landmarks such as the Bell and Drum Towers, Wanning Bridge, Jingshan Hill, and the Forbidden City.
    “The Beijing Central Axis is an important symbol that highlights the outstanding features of Chinese civilization,” said Li Qun, China’s deputy minister of culture and tourism, in an interview.
    Having been held for 19 consecutive years, this annual event is jointly organized by the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center, the Commercial Press, and other institutions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Macao marks 25th anniversary of returning to motherland

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

    Macao marks 25th anniversary of returning to motherland

    Updated: December 21, 2024 10:07 Xinhua
    People pose for photos at the Senado Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. Friday marks the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist poses for photos in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. Friday marks the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows China’s national flag and the flag of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on the top of a taxi in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows a bus with a celebration sign in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People pose for photos at the Senado Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People pose for photos at the Golden Lotus Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People take selfies at the Golden Lotus Square in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows China’s national flags and the flags of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on a street in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People walk past lanterns on a street in south China’s Macao, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows the sunrise view in south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2024 shows a night view of south China’s Macao. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Section of road within frontier closed area near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok opens today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Section of road within frontier closed area near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok opens today (with photos)
    Section of road within frontier closed area near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok opens today (with photos)
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         The Government has, with effect from today (January 24), opened a specified section of road within the frontier closed area (FCA) near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok, by exempting the requirement to apply for a closed area permit for the public travelling by green minibus passing through this section of road, with a view to facilitating travel for members of the public and tourists to Lin Ma Hang Village and Robin’s Nest Country Park.     A spokesman for the Security Bureau stated, “Robin’s Nest Country Park was established in November last year. Having considered public views on opening the relevant section of road within the FCA near Lin Ma Hang Village and after careful study of the feasibility, the Government decided to implement special arrangements to open the relevant road portion.”     The Hong Kong Police Force published in the Gazette today that, pursuant to section 38A(1) of the Public Order Ordinance, the requirement to apply for a closed area permit would be exempted for any person travelling to and from Lin Ma Hang Village by green minibus passing through the road within the FCA between Wang Lek and the entrance of Lin Ma Hang Village. Starting from today, members of the public and tourists can take green minibus No. 59K (Sheung Shui Station – Lin Ma Hang) from Sheung Shui MTR Station to reach Lin Ma Hang Village through the relevant section of road within the FCA. After alighting, members of the public can visit tourist attractions such as MacIntosh Forts and Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine directly via the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail and can continue towards the direction of Sha Tau Kok via the Robin’s Nest Country Trail to enjoy the scenery around Yan Chau Tong and Shenzhen Wutong Mountain.      “We hope this measure can facilitate visits by members of the public and tourists to Robin’s Nest Country Park and nearby areas for sightseeing and experiencing Hong Kong’s rich geological features and historical heritage,” the spokesman said. The spokesman added that this exemption is only applicable to persons travelling by green minibus through the relevant section of road within the FCA and does not apply to private vehicles, taxis or other vehicles without a valid closed road permit, or to members of the public using other means of travel such as walking or cycling.     “In fact, there are various ways to visit Robin’s Nest Country Park, not limited to the above road within the FCA. Members of the public and tourists may choose other transportation means and routes, including New Territories green minibus No. 55K (Sheung Shui Station – Sha Tau Kok), KMB bus No. 78K (Sheung Shui Station – Sha Tau Kok), or KMB bus No. 277A (Lam Tin Station – Sha Tau Kok), to arrive at the Tam Shui Hang stop of Sha Tau Kok Road (Shek Chung Au), and then to the entrance of the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail through Shan Tsui Village Road. Public transport operators will closely monitor passenger demand and reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to enhance frequency according to actual passenger growth,” the spokesman said.     For more information on Robin’s Nest Country Park, please visit the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk) or the Enjoy Hiking website (www.hiking.gov.hk).

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 9:01

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China promotes winter tourism, Spring Festival charm in Budapest

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

    BUDAPEST, Jan. 23 — Tourism professionals and cultural enthusiasts gathered at Budapest on Thursday evening for an event promoting China’s winter tourism offerings while celebrating the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival.

    Organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and its Budapest Tourism Office, the event featured vivid video presentations and cultural activities, highlighting China’s iconic winter destinations known for their rich ice and snow resources. Regions such as Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Hebei were showcased as premier travel spots.

    Li Huixin, director of the China National Tourist Office in Budapest, stressed the mutual potential for collaboration between China and the Central and Eastern European countries, noting their roles as both significant source markets and tourist destinations.

    China’s diverse and abundant ice and snow tourism resources make it a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts worldwide, Li said. Featured attractions include Changbai Mountain and Harbin Ice and Snow World in the Northeast, Zhangjiakou Chongli (a key venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics), and the Tianshan Ski Resort in Xinjiang.

    Hungarian students Janka Kenez, currently studying master’s degree in China Studies at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), shared her personal experience of traveling in China. “Traveling through China is not just about famous sites like the Great Wall, it’s about the personal encounters that touch your heart,” she told Xinhua. Expressing admiration for China’s natural beauty, she called winter an ideal time to visit.

    Balazs Szigethy, a PhD student at ELTE, highlighted the convenience of exploring in China. “With high-speed rail and user-friendly apps, exploring China has never been easier,” he said, encouraging attendees to experience the country’s winter attractions and its people firsthand.

    The event also featured interactive activities, including a digital game to “light up” ice lanterns and a lucky draw. Guests also enjoyed Chinese delicacies and a musical performance of the “Spring Festival Overture” by the Cantabile Trio.

    The event showcased the synergy between China’s winter tourism offerings and its rich cultural heritage, inspiring attendees to explore the charm of the Chinese Spring Festival and beyond.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Spring Festival travel rush: Shenzhen airport sees surge in passengers, flights

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

    During the Spring Festival travel rush from January 14 to 22, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport saw nearly 164,000 inbound and outbound passengers and nearly 1,700 flights, up 48.7 percent and 50.1 percent, respectively, from the previous year.

    Outbound travel was mainly driven by tourism, while inbound travel saw a surge due to visa-free policies, with over 11,500 foreigners arriving in a week, up 11.5 percent year on year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai receives over 6.7M inbound tourists in 2024

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Inbound tourists arriving by cruise ship watch a lion dance performance in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Shanghai recorded over 6.7 million inbound tourist trips in 2024, an 84 percent increase from the previous year, partly thanks to the country’s loosening visa policies, local tourism authorities said Thursday.

    Overnight stays in Shanghai exceeded 6 million last year, an increase of over 80 percent year on year, with international tourists more than doubled to nearly 4.8 million, according to the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.

    The Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan topped the list in terms of visitor source countries, each accounting for over 400,000 tourists to Shanghai. Meanwhile, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia were the top three source countries with the fastest-growing tourist numbers, said the administration.

    In particular, Shanghai recorded over 300,000 tourist trips from Thailand, marking a staggering year-on-year increase of more than 300 percent.

    The surge in inbound tourism is partly attributable to the continuous optimization of visa-free policies. To date, China has established comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreements with 25 countries, introduced unilateral visa-free policies for 38 countries, and implemented transit visa-free arrangements for 54 countries.

    Riding the wave of “China Travel,” which has gained massive popularity since last year, many scenic spots in Shanghai have gone viral on global social media platforms.

    German tourist Paul Liehr visited Shanghai’s Wukang Road during his Asian sightseeing tours. “The visa-free policy made my trip in China more convenient,” he told Xinhua.

    Shanghai will facilitate its tourism services and promote its appeal to attract more inbound tourists, according to the administration.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Luxon goes all out for growth in mining and tourism – we should be careful what he wishes for

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenn Banks, Professor of Geography, School of People, Environment and Planning, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s state-of-the-nation address yesterday focused on growth above all else. We shouldn’t rush to judgement, but at least one prominent financial commentator has concluded the maths behind the goals “just doesn’t add up”.

    Luxon specified mining and tourism among a number of sectors where the government was anticipating and facilitating growth. Having researched these sectors across the Pacific and Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 30 years, we would echo a cautionary approach.

    There is certainly scope for more activity in both sectors. But there also needs to be a dose of realism about what they can deliver, and recognition of the significant risks associated with focusing solely on growth.

    NZ is not Australia

    Luxon wants to see mining “play a much bigger role in the New Zealand economy”, comparing the local sector with the “much higher incomes” generated in places such as Australia. If we wanted these, he suggested, we need to be aware it is “mining that pays” them.

    But it is simplistic to compare domestic mining’s potential to the industry in Australia, which exports more than 400 times as much mineral wealth as New Zealand.

    In addition, mineral wealth does not necessarily translate into significant increases in local or even national wealth. This is especially relevant when the local sector is dependent on foreign investment, high levels of imports and offshore expertise for construction and operations, highly volatile commodity prices and generous taxation regimes.

    Luxon cited Taranaki and the West Coast as potential areas where mining could deliver “higher incomes, support for local business and families, and more investment in local infrastructure”.

    This echoes Regional Development Minister Shane Jones’ linking of mining and regional development. But it flies in the face of historical trends and empirical evidence.

    The West Coast has seen the longest continuous presence of large- and small-scale gold and coal mining (for well over a century). And yet the region consistently scores among the worst for socioeconomic deprivation. Mining itself does not create regional development.

    The ‘critical minerals’ cloak

    The prime minister also gave a nod to the minerals “critical for our climate transition”.

    While it’s true that “EVs, solar panels and data centres aren’t made out of thin air”, they are also not made in any significant way with the minerals we currently or might potentially mine (aside from some antimony, possibly).

    The “critical minerals” argument risks being a cloak for justifying more mining of coal and gold.

    So, even leaving aside the very real (though unacknowledged by Luxon) environmental risks, mining will not be the panacea the government suggests, and certainly not in the short term.

    New Zealand does need mining, of course. Aggregates for roads and construction are the most obvious “critical mineral”. But the country also deserves a 21st-century sector that is environmentally responsible and transparent, and which generates real returns for communities and the national economy.

    The tourist trap

    Echoing Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ speech earlier in the week, Luxon also said “tourism has a massive role to play in our growth story”.

    Willis said, “We want all tourists.” But this broad focus on high-volume tourism goes against international best practice in tourism development.

    The negative impacts of a high-growth tourism model have been well documented in New Zealand. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s 2019 report – titled “Pristine, popular … imperilled?” – warned of the environmental damage that would be caused by pursuing this approach.

    Mayors and tourism industry officials have responded to the Willis and Luxon speeches this week by expressing concern that boosting tourism numbers will only work if there is more government funding.

    This is needed to manage growth and provide infrastructure, particularly in areas with low numbers of ratepayers. The need stretches from providing public toilets for busloads of tourists flowing through MacKenzie District, to maintaining popular tracks such as the West Coast Wilderness Trail.

    A 2024 report from Tourism New Zealand showed 68% of residents experienced negative impacts from tourism, including increased traffic congestion and rubbish.

    Further expansion could see tourism losing its social licence – a dire outcome when international tourists particularly value the “warm and welcoming” nature of locals.

    High value vs high volume

    Luxon and Willis point to major employment wins from tourism growth. But tourism is notorious for creating low-income, insecure jobs. This is not the basis for strong and sustainable economic development.

    While we agree with Luxon that our tourism industry is “world class”, we risk seriously damaging that reputation if we compromise the quality of experience for visitors.

    Post-COVID, there have been significant efforts by the tourism industry to support and implement a regenerative approach. This aligns with a high-value – or “high values” – approach, rather than being fixated on high volume.

    We are not arguing against mining or tourism per se. Rather, we are sounding a caution: they are sectors that need careful assessment and regulation, and reputable operators, to deliver sustainable and equitable growth, regionally and nationally.

    Simply generating profits for foreign investors and leaving local communities to deal with the costs cannot be a sustainable model.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Luxon goes all out for growth in mining and tourism – we should be careful what he wishes for – https://theconversation.com/luxon-goes-all-out-for-growth-in-mining-and-tourism-we-should-be-careful-what-he-wishes-for-248131

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Toronto ETO celebrates Year of Snake at joint reception with HKTB (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) welcomed over 120 guests and friends to celebrate the Year of the Snake together at a spring reception jointly hosted with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) on January 23 (Toronto time) in Toronto. Business, cultural, academia and community partners came together and learned about the latest developments of Hong Kong on its economic and cultural fronts.

         In her welcoming speech at the reception, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Ms Emily Mo, said that Hong Kong achieved a series of encouraging results in 2024.

         “We shone brightly on the world stage,” she said. “Hong Kong is recognised as the world’s freest economy and the third-largest international financial centre. It has risen two places to fifth in world competitiveness, and re-entered the top 10 for talent competitiveness. The city continues to maintain the world’s top position in investment environment, international trade, business legislation, and air freight volume.”

         The International Monetary Fund Executive Board just published a Staff Report today acknowledging Hong Kong’s economic recovery and resilient financial system. The Report recognised that Hong Kong’s economy is on a path of gradual recovery, reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status and function as an international financial centre and recognised that Hong Kong’s financial system remains resilient, supported by robust institutional frameworks, ample room for policy buffers, and the smooth functioning of the Linked Exchange Rate System.

         Looking ahead to the Year of the Snake, Ms Mo added that Hong Kong will better leverage its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement. The city will continue to be a “super-connector” and “super value-adder,” bridging traditional and emerging markets and creating opportunities for global investors, including Canadian businesses. 

         At the reception, the Senior Manager of Marketing and Public Relations of the HKTB, Mr Jorge Lee, shared with participants the HKTB’s achievements in 2024 and tourism publicity initiatives in 2025.

         “In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed almost 45 million travellers, with 1.2 million visitors from North America. For our Canada market, over 320,000 Canadians visited Hong Kong last year, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth rate of nearly 50 per cent. We introduced unique offerings centred around iconic events with our trade partners, bringing Canadians closer to Hong Kong’s vibrant culture. To our trade partners, we extend our deepest gratitude to and appreciation for their continued collaboration.

         “In the coming years, visitors to Hong Kong can expect a vibrant and evolving destination that seamlessly blends its ‘East-meets-West’ cultural identity with sustainable tourism initiatives. Hong Kong will continue to showcase distinctive experiences by integrating culture, art, sports, nature, and mega events, appealing to diverse interests.”

         This year, the Toronto ETO invited internationally renowned Hong Kong sand artist Hoi Chiu to showcase his skills at the spring reception. Through sand and his exquisite technique, the artist told the traditional story of the Lunar New Year. His performance was a perfect fusion of skill, art, and storytelling, drawing the audience into an engaging narrative world.

         In closing, Ms Mo invited the guests to visit Hong Kong to experience its unique East-meets-West culture and seize the tremendous opportunities presented by Asia’s world city.

         The Toronto ETO and the HKTB will jointly host a spring reception in Vancouver on January 28, celebrating the Lunar New Year with local guests and friends.            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Vietnamese PM meets Chinese ambassador on ties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo shows a view of the Chinese part of the China-Vietnam Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cross-border tourism cooperation zone in Chongzuo, south China’s Guangxi Province, Dec. 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has vowed to continuously solidify the foundation for building a Vietnam-China community of shared future.

    In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei in the Vietnamese capital, Chinh said that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China is time-honored and unbreakable.

    The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese government have always regarded the development of relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority, Chinh stressed.

    The Vietnamese prime minister urged both sides to fully leverage the advantages of land and sea connectivity between the two countries and step up substantive cooperation and the implementation of significant and symbolic projects.

    For his part, He said China is willing to work with Vietnam to promote the steady and long-term development of China-Vietnam friendship and contribute to regional and world peace and prosperity.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Going for Growth: New rules for visiting tourists

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say.

    “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto a faster growth track,” Nicola Willis says.

    “Tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner generating revenue of almost $11 billion and creating nearly 200,000 jobs.

    “Making the country more attractive to ‘digital nomads’ – people who work remotely while travelling – will boost New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination.”

    Erica Stanford says updating the visitor visa reflects the realities of the modern, flexible working environment.

    “This is a brand-new market of tourist New Zealand can tap into. We want people to see our country as the ideal place to visit and work while they do it.

    “From today, visitor visas will allow people to work remotely for a foreign employer while they are holidaying here. Anyone who intends to work remotely for more than 90 days should look at possible tax implications.

    “The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays which will lead to more money being spent in the country.”

    Tourism Minister Louise Upston says digital nomad visas are becoming more common as ways of working become increasingly more digitised and flexible.

    “Many countries offer digital nomad visas and the list is growing, so we need to keep pace to ensure New Zealand is an attractive destination for people who want to ‘workcation’ abroad.

    “Compared to other kinds of visitors, international remote workers have the potential to spend more time and money in New Zealand, including during the shoulder season.”

    The change applies to all visitor visas, including tourists and people visiting family, as well as partners and guardians on longer-term visas.

    Only remote work which is based overseas is allowed. Visitors whose employment requires them to be in New Zealand such as sales representatives of overseas companies, performers and people coming to work for New Zealand employers must still obtain visas relevant to their circumstances.

    “This Government is committed to supporting a smarter, efficient and predictable immigration system to grow our economy. Delivering economic growth is critical to improving our quality of life, strengthening local businesses, lifting incomes, and creating opportunities for Kiwis,” Erica Stanford says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A new building of the St. Petersburg HSE has opened in the historic building of the Rope Shop

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The famous monument of constructivism — the Rope Shop of the Krasny Gvozdilshchik Plant — has become the new building of the National Research University Higher School of Economics — Saint Petersburg. About four thousand students will study in the building on the 25th Line of Vasilievsky Island.

    Press service of the National Research University Higher School of Economics

    The grand opening ceremony of the new building, timed to coincide with Russian Students’ Day, took place on Saturday, January 25. The event was attended by government officials, members of the HSE – St. Petersburg Board of Trustees, industrial partners, students and teachers. The symbolic red ribbon was cut by the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin, Rector of HSE Nikita Anisimov and Director of HSE – St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya.

    The new educational space “Rope Workshop” is more than 20 thousand square meters of modern classrooms, coworking spaces, rooms for practical and project work, museum and exhibition spaces. The building will accommodate students of the joint School of Informatics, Physics and Technology with VK, the School of Design, as well as educational programs in the areas of “Media Communications”, “Sociology”, “State and Municipal Administration”.

    “Today is a significant event not only for St. Petersburg, but for our entire country — the opening of the new building of the Higher School of Economics. I would like to thank the government of St. Petersburg for the attention paid to the city’s education system. Today, the Higher School of Economics is one of the leading Russian universities. It has very high quality and standards of education, a very strong teaching staff and, accordingly, high competition for admission. I am sure that students from all regions of our country, as well as from other countries, will study in the new building of the university. It is important that the areas that will be presented here are very relevant and in demand by the leading sectors of the domestic economy,” emphasized the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov.

    Vice-Governor of Saint Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin congratulated the students of the Saint Petersburg HSE on the holiday and noted the importance of integrating the educational space into the urban environment. “I am pleased that engineers, builders, designers, architects treated the heritage with care, and we really have a pearl of constructivism that will work for the city, for students, for all of us. The Higher School of Economics in Saint Petersburg is growing with such wonderful objects, and I am looking forward to the opening of the Patriotic Institute building. It seems to me that these will be two wonderful architectural masterpieces, newly opened to the city, its residents and tourists,” Vladimir Knyaginin noted.

    HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov emphasized that Russian Students’ Day is an important holiday for everyone, and celebrating it in St. Petersburg is especially symbolic, because it is here that the traditions of Russian education were formed. “Dear students, teachers, graduates, friends, honored guests! I sincerely congratulate you on our common holiday: St. Tatyana’s Day, Russian Students’ Day. The day when we open our hearts to the future. You, students, are our future. Of course, we pass on our experience, our knowledge, our opportunities to you, but the future is yours. The spirit of education has always lived and will live within the university walls. The traditions of this day were laid here, in the capital of the Russian Empire, in St. Petersburg, in the city where we are opening this building today. Remember – our university is always open for you 24/7, this is your home. Happy holiday!” HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov addressed the students.

    Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya congratulated those gathered on the occasion and noted that the opening of the building in the historic building of the Rope Workshop will become an incentive for the development of new areas. “Together with our partners, we are presenting a new approach to organizing the educational process. The key concept is the integration of the competencies of the Higher School of Economics and leading technology companies. In addition to standard classrooms and laboratories, we have created spaces that unite the educational and business environment. The new building will house an IT cluster, media communications, and design. In 2025, several new areas of training will open, including a program in architecture. Thus, a new technological and creative educational cluster is being formed on Vasilievsky Island,” emphasized Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya.

    The restoration of the famous constructivist monument, where the students of the HSE in St. Petersburg will study, was carried out by the Setl Group company. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the holding company, Maxim Shubarev, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – St. Petersburg. “It is pleasant to realize that the restoration of the Rope Shop allowed us not only to return an iconic cultural heritage site to the city, but also, thanks to our long-standing partner, the Higher School of Economics, to fill its space with the spirit of science and education. The architectural monument has become an Alma Mater and today opened its doors to students of this respected educational institution. I hope that the amazing and rich history of this building will create a special atmosphere here that motivates knowledge, and will contribute to new discoveries, achievements and creative processes,” said Maxim Shchubarev.

    After the ceremony, HSE St. Petersburg Director Anna Tyshetskaya gave guests a tour of the Rope Workshop. The first floor of the educational space houses the workshops and studios of the School of Design. In 2025, the educational program “Architecture” will open here in partnership with leading design companies and museum institutions of the federal level.

    Part of the Rope Workshop space will be occupied by representative offices of industrial partners of the HSE St. Petersburg: VK, BIOCAD, t2, Yadro, 1C, Yandex, Gazprom Neft, Lesta Igri, RBC and others. The integration of the business environment into the educational process will allow students from the first year to work on real cases and tasks of leading Russian companies.

    As part of a strategic partnership with VK, a new School of Informatics, Physics and Technology will begin operating in 2025, where information systems developers, system architects, ML researchers and ML developers will be trained. The programs were designed under the guidance of leading experts from HSE – St. Petersburg and VK and will allow future specialists to gain relevant knowledge and practical business experience.

    In addition, in 2025, the new building will open the “Programming and Engineering of Computer Games” program. The leading game developer in the CIS, “Lesta Igri”, will act as an industrial partner. On the day of the opening of the Rope Workshop, the Director of Business Development of the group of companies, Gaukhar Aldyyarova, and the Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – St. Petersburg, Anna Tyshetskaya, signed an agreement on strategic partnership aimed at developing research activities and training specialists.

    The Yakov Chernikhov Museum of Architecture is located under the unique metal trusses of the Rope Shop. The cultural and educational space is being created to popularize Russian architecture and the legacy of Yakov Chernikhov, whose work is inextricably linked with Leningrad. It is planned to hold open educational events for residents of St. Petersburg and tourists on the museum site.

    After the tour of the new building, guests, students and teachers took part in a large-scale cultural and educational marathon. The celebration in honor of Russian Students’ Day was opened by musician, presenter and blogger Alexander Pushnoy. He moderated the discussion “Artificial Intelligence in Education, Creativity and Content”. VK and industry experts, designers, scientists, teachers and students of the HSE St. Petersburg discussed the role, application and benefits of AI in various professional fields. The event was broadcast exclusively on VK Video. About two thousand people will be able to attend master classes, lectures, expert discussions with leading representatives of science, business and the media sphere throughout the day.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Visa-free policies ignite surge in foreign tourist arrivals

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

    BEIJING, Jan. 26 — As China continues to relax its visa-free policies, the country has seen a notable increase in foreign visitors joining the Spring Festival travel rush, eager to experience its rich cultural traditions.

    The Spring Festival travel rush, or chunyun, began on Jan. 14 and will continue through Feb. 22. Preliminary statistics show that ticket bookings for inbound flights during this period surged 47 percent year on year.

    As Japanese traveler Kyoko Shimada touched down at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, she was greeted by a vibrant display of red lanterns and paper cuttings featuring the Chinese character “fu,” a symbol of good fortune.

    Having long dreamed of visiting China, Shimada and her husband seized the chance to travel just ahead of the Spring Festival, taking advantage of China’s visa-free policy for Japanese citizens.

    “Although the airport was busy before the holiday, the immigration process was smooth and faster than I expected. The signs were clear, and some were even in Japanese,” Shimada said. During their three-day stay in Shanghai, the couple plans to enjoy the traditional lantern shows in the ancient Yuyuan Garden and savor the city’s local cuisine.

    In 2024, China further relaxed its visa policies to enhance openness and promote people-to-people exchanges, allowing more foreign travelers and business people to visit the country visa-free.

    A key development was the introduction of expanded unilateral visa-free entry policies in November 2024, allowing ordinary passport holders from 38 countries to stay in China for up to 30 days without needing a visa.

    The following month, China announced a relaxation in its visa-free transit policy, increasing the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers to 240 hours, up from the previous limits of 72 or 144 hours.

    According to Trip.com Group, China’s online travel service giant, inbound travel orders from foreign tourists surged by 203 percent year on year during the Spring Festival, with the majority of visitors coming from the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.

    Recently, Thai tourist Ruchanewan Binsaree traveled to the ancient city of Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, with a friend. “I’ve visited cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou before, but we came here specifically to see the famous Terracotta Warriors,” Binsaree said.

    During their trip, they explored the city’s historic architecture, strolled along a pedestrian street adorned with festive lanterns, and enjoyed watching locals dressed in red Hanfu, a traditional style of Chinese clothing.

    Since the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush, Xi’an’s port has welcomed more than 3,100 inbound foreign visitors, marking a 187 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Among them, over 1,800 availed of the visa-free policies, while more than 360 took advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit option.

    Beyond air travel, the high-speed railway has become a popular option for foreign tourists during the Spring Festival rush, thanks to its convenience and efficiency.

    “We originally planned to visit northern cities for the Spring Festival, but the high-speed railway made it possible to explore more places in a shorter time,” said a tourist from the Netherlands, as she waited at Guangzhou South Railway Station in south China’s Guangdong Province. “We are eager to experience the unique traditions of different cities during the Chinese New Year, making this Spring Festival even more memorable.”

    Praising the clean, well-maintained environment of China’s railway stations, she said, “The process of entering the station was particularly smooth. Simply swiping my passport verified my identity and ticket information.”

    “China’s ongoing efforts to ease visa-free policies have attracted a growing number of foreign tourists, providing them with the opportunity to experience the country’s rich cuisine, vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes,” said Zhu Mao, deputy director of the culture and tourism development commission of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.

    This trend serves as a valuable platform for fostering people-to-people exchanges and deepening global understanding of China, he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cultural tourism promotion event on Spring Festival held in Brussels

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

    Cultural tourism promotion event on Spring Festival held in Brussels

    Updated: January 26, 2025 13:36 Xinhua
    Artists perform Kunqu Opera during a cultural tourism promotion event ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, at the China Cultural Center in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 24, 2025. Various activities marking the upcoming Chinese New Year are being held in many countries around the world as the festival approaches. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Artists perform Kunqu Opera during a cultural tourism promotion event ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, at the China Cultural Center in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A piece of Jinling paper-cutting work is presented during a cultural tourism promotion event ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, at the China Cultural Center in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Children pose for photos with woodblock paintings of Chinese character “Fu” which means “good fortune” during a cultural tourism promotion event ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, at the China Cultural Center in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $8 million mobile coverage boost for regional Victoria

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Government has announced $8 million in funding to deliver better mobile coverage along highways and major roads for people who live, work and holiday in regional Victoria.
     
    The funding – set to be delivered as part of the Albanese Government’s $50 million Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program (RRAMP) – is supporting pilot programs across Australia.
     
    In Victoria, the pilot projects cover parts of the Great Alpine Road, Great Ocean Road and Monaro Highway, with a focus on boosting resilience and connectivity during emergencies and natural disasters.
     
    The Albanese Government is providing $8 million with the Victorian Government to design and deliver the pilot through a competitive grants program.
     
    Once delivered, the pilot programs will improve road safety, strengthen economic growth, improve social connectivity, and support regional development – including throughout Victoria.
     
    Outcomes from the RRAMP will inform the design of a national program to be announced in 2025.

    Applications for the Victorian pilot programs are planned to open in 2025.
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “The Albanese Government is narrowing the digital divide in rural and regional Australia.
     
    “This important pilot program is just another way we’re delivering significant connectivity and safety improvements for communities across Victoria, and nationally, as the remainder of the program is rolled out.
     
    “The RRAMP pilot programs are being delivered under the Albanese Government’s $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which is funding initiatives to improve connectivity for regional and rural communities right across the country.”
     
    Quotes attributable to Libby Coker MP, Federal Member for Corangamite:
     
    “The Albanese Government understands access to mobile coverage across the electorate of Corangamite is essential.

    “Boosting coverage along the Great Ocean Road will empower locals and visitors to stay safe and connected.

    “This program compliments communication upgrades across Corangamite, demonstrating Labor’s commitment to regional connectivity and development.” 
     
    Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Government Services, Gabrielle Williams: 
     
    “The Allan Labor Government is delivering more than 1,200 mobile projects and 150 broadband projects across the state, ensuring Victorians can connect with loved ones, the community and essential services – especially during emergencies.

    “This new pilot program will deliver fast, reliable mobile services in regional Victoria – improving connectivity for communities, tourists and businesses.”
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier meets Serbian PM

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who is in China to attend the 7th China International Import Expo, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic in Shanghai on Tuesday, who is here to attend the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

    Noting that China always attaches great importance to its relations with Serbia, Li said that China stands ready to work with Serbia to further implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain close strategic communication, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, take bilateral cooperation in various fields to a new level, and advance the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in a new era with high quality.

    Li said that China is willing to work with Serbia to strengthen the docking of development strategies, jointly implement the China-Serbia free trade agreement, build and operate key cooperation projects, accelerate cooperation in green, digital and artificial intelligence innovation areas, and achieve more mutually beneficial and win-win results.

    It is hoped that Serbia will continue to provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Serbia, Li said, adding that the two sides should further deepen exchanges and cooperation on culture, tourism, education, sports, media and youth to consolidate popular support for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future.

    Vucevic said Serbia firmly abides by the one-China principle, appreciates China for its firm support on issues concerning Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and looks forward to closer exchanges with China, well implementing the bilateral free trade agreement under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, deepening practical cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, education, science and technology, medical and health care, transportation and agriculture, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges.

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who is in China to attend the 7th China International Import Expo, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-Laos Railway sees passengers up 44% in 10 months

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An international passenger train from Kunming of China to Vientiane of Laos arrives at Mohan port in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, April 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The China-Laos Railway’s Lao section has transported a total of 3 million passenger trips in 10 months of 2024, an increase of 44.4 percent from the same period last year.

    From Jan. 1 to Nov. 4, the railway carried 3 million passengers from 101 countries, according to a report issued on Tuesday by the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC).

    More than 2,800,000 passengers traveled within the Southeast Asian country, while over 108,000 passengers were transported by cross-border passenger trains.

    The significant increase in the number of passengers on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway is due to Laos’ role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Visit Laos Year 2024 tourism promotion campaign, and the implementation of a visa-free policy for Chinese visitors.

    Since the beginning of this year, the LCRC has predicted passenger flow in advance, adjusted train operation plans promptly, and responded to passenger flow peaks by adding trains. The company also constantly optimizes ticket sale services and provides a variety of convenience services.

    Since its operation on Dec. 3, 2021, the China-Laos Railway has become a preferred mode of transport for travelers due to its affordability, convenience, and comfort.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World Travel Market London opens

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A visitor tastes Chinese tea at the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024 opened on Tuesday, with the China pavilion drawing attention for its abundant tourism resources and cultural appeal.

    The pavilion is set to feature a range of destination promotions, business networking sessions, and showcases of intangible cultural heritage. Attendees can also enjoy interactive experiences, including Chinese “baijiu” liquor tastings, Tai Chi workshops, and samples of Chinese cuisine.

    This year’s Chinese delegation consists of representatives from nine provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Xinjiang and Shaanxi, alongside dozens of airlines and tourism companies.

    After browsing brochures and speaking with representatives at the China pavilion, Gary King, head of trade sales at London-based Wendy Wu Tours, told Xinhua that his top two destinations for future trips to China are Zhangjiajie in the central Hunan Province and Guilin in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, both renowned for their “spectacular scenery.”

    The Old House Area (Laowuchang) of the Wulingyuan scenic area in Zhangjiajie, central China’s Hunan province. [Photo by Zhang Junmian/China.org.cn]

    King said he traveled to China for the first time last year and was “absolutely captivated,” highlighting the local cuisine, welcoming people, extensive high-speed railway network, and the diversity between cities as the aspects he loved most about the country and his experience.

    Since last year, China has been expanding its visa-free entry policies to boost the recovery of inbound tourism, making it increasingly easier and more appealing for foreign tourists to explore the country.

    This year’s China pavilion at WTM London, themed “high-quality tourism development in China,” emphasized green and sustainable tourism, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature.

    “Tourism businesses and boards have a responsibility to help businesses become greener and more regenerative, while also helping consumers make sustainable choices,” Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, the UK’s national tourism agency, told Xinhua.

    She noted that international tourism not only generates economic value but also enriches people “personally and mentally” by providing opportunities to “speak with different people, understand different cultures, and learn about diverse lives and experiences.” High-quality tourism, she added, encourages travelers to stay longer and explore more deeply in their destinations.

    Foreign tourists pose for a photo in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, or Qiniandian, at the Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, July 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Over the decades, China has made remarkable strides in facilitating travel, enhancing various aspects like tourism infrastructure, cultural heritage site accessibility, mobile payment services, and transportation convenience — including a rail network that spans the entire country.

    At the event, Shi Zeyi, an official from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said that China is dedicated to fostering practical, mutually beneficial partnerships with worldwide tourism professionals and contributing to the growth and prosperity of the global tourism industry.

    Established in 1980, WTM London connects global travel buyers with leading destinations and brands annually, making it one of the world’s most influential events in the travel and tourism industry.

    The 44th edition of WTM London, themed “travel powers the world,” opened on Tuesday and will continue until Thursday. It is expected to attract over 40,000 attendees and nearly 4,000 exhibitors from around 180 countries and regions, with more than 70 conference sessions scheduled.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourism, culture help cement China-Tanzania ties: officials

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

    DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 5 — Senior officials from the Chinese and Tanzanian governments have identified tourism and culture as two factors that helped cement ties between the two countries.

    A closing ceremony of the 2024 China-Tanzania Tourism and Culture Year and celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries was held in the port city of Dar es Salaam Monday night.

    Speaking at the event, the officials observed that tourism and culture not only helped stimulate economic development but also promoted people-to-people exchanges and understanding between the two countries.

    Lu Yingchuan, vice minister of culture and tourism in China, said cooperation between the two countries has reached new heights as more Chinese tourists visit Tanzania.

    “From exchanges of art performances, tourism promotions, food tasting, to the creation of artworks and personnel training, an array of diverse and colorful activities triggered a fresh surge of cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between our two countries,” Lu noted.

    Chen Mingjian, the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, said China and Tanzania have a long history of rich culture and harmonious coexistence in a peaceful atmosphere.

    “At the same time, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Tanzania keeps on growing, with more than 54,000 of them visiting Tanzania between January and September this year,” she told the gathering that featured cultural performances from China and Tanzania.

    Pindi Chana, Tanzania’s minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, said China-Tanzania relations have continued to develop, with fruitful results in practical cooperation and rich cultural exchanges.

    “The development of tourism can not only drive growth and create jobs, but also promote consumption and stabilize confidence,” she told the gathering co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, and Tanzania’s ministries of Natural Resources and Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sports, and Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.

    The event was preceded by the “Nihao! China” China Tourism Promotion Conference, which was attended by tourism stakeholders from China and Tanzania. At this conference, they explained their experiences in the industry.

    The event also saw the relaunch of the film Amazing Tanzania, which was first launched in China in May 2024.

    The film starring Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s Zanzibari President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, and Chinese actor Jin Dong has served as a catalyst to attract more tourists from China to visit the East African nation, according to the African country’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Hassan Abbasi.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ22: Diverting the flow of visitors travelling to and from land boundary control points

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ22: Diverting the flow of visitors travelling to and from land boundary control points
    LCQ22: Diverting the flow of visitors travelling to and from land boundary control points
    *****************************************************************************************

         Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, in the Legislative Council today (November 6): Question:      According to government information, there were about 1.38 million inbound visitors during the National Day Golden Week this year, with the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (LMC SL) Control Point being the boundary control point (BCP) used by the majority of Mainland visitors during the period. There are views pointing out that the BCP has become one of the most frequently used BCPs for the public and visitors, with an average number of inbound and outbound visitors comparable to that of the Lo Wu Control Point, and the MTR East Rail Line (ERL), which is connected to these two BCPs, is often overcrowded with passengers during the holiday. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) given that at present, the service hours of the Lo Wu Control Point are from 6.30am to 12.00 midnight, while those of the LMC SL Control Point are from 6.30am to 10.30pm, whether the Government will, in the light of visitors’ demand, discuss with the relevant Mainland authorities the extension of service hours of the LMC SL Control Point; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; (2) as it is learnt that the current ratio of train frequency to MTR Lo Wu Station and to MTR Lok Ma Chau Station is 2:1, whether the Government will discuss with the MTR Corporation Limited to increase the ratio of train frequency to 1:1, so as to better meet the needs of passengers; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; (3) whether the Government has compiled statistics on the patronage and occupancy rate of ERL during the peak hours (i.e. from 8am to 10am and from 5pm to 7pm) during the National Day Golden Week this year, and whether there was any overloading situation; if it has compiled such statistics, of the details; (4) whether it will consider further enhancing the cross-boundary coach services to divert visitors on days with a higher number of visitors, including bus services plying between the LMC SL Control Point and districts such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Central; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and (5) whether the Government has plans to construct new cross-boundary railways to connect the Man Kam To BCP, the Heung Yuen Wai BCP and the new Huanggang Port after redevelopment, etc., so as to increase the carrying capacity of the traffic to and from the land BCPs as soon as possible; if so, of the timetable, and the measures in place to expedite the implementation of the relevant plans? Reply: President,      With the commissioning of the East Rail Line (ERL) cross-harbour extension in 2022, passengers can travel directly from the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point to various districts in the New Territories East, Kowloon and even on Hong Kong Island by using the convenient, fast and efficient railway service. Having consulted the Security Bureau, the Transport Department (TD), and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hak-kan is as follows: (1) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been closely monitoring the demand for clearance services at various land boundary control points (BCPs). On the basis of the 24-hour passenger clearance services currently provided in Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Control Point and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, the HKSAR Government will liaise with the Mainland authorities on extending the operating hours of the passenger clearance service at respective BCPs as and when necessary to further facilitate the flow of people between the two sides. (2) The MTRCL reviews and adjusts the frequency of trains, including those of the ERL to/from Lo Wu Station and to/from Lok Ma Chau Station from time to time, in the light of the changes in passenger demand. To cope with the passenger demand for railway service to/from the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, the MTRCL enhanced the ERL train service for two times in March and August this year respectively, by increasing the train frequencies to/from Lok Ma Chau Station during various periods on weekdays, weekends and/or public holidays. Regarding the distribution of passengers of the ERL, as the overall patronage of trains to/from Lo Wu Station is still higher than that of Lok Ma Chau Station, overall speaking, the frequency of trains travelling to/from Lo Wu Station is higher than that to/from Lok Ma Chau Station. The TD will continue to maintain close liaison with the MTRCL to review and adjust the ERL train service in a timely manner, having regard to the travel pattern and demand of passengers. (3) To facilitate the travel of the public and visitors on the National Day, the days before and after that as well as during the Chung Yeung Festival long weekend, the MTRCL enhanced the train service of eight railway lines, including the ERL, between September 28 and October 13, 2024 with a total of about 950 train trips added. In particular, the ERL ran more frequent train trips to/from Lo Wu Station or Lok Ma Chau Station in the mornings and evenings. From the National Day Golden Week to Chung Yeung Festival, the weekday patronage was about 70 100 and loading was about 83 per cent for the critical link of the ERL (Tai Wai to Kowloon Tong) from 8am to 10am; for the critical link (Kowloon Tong to Tai Wai) from 5pm to 7pm, the patronage was about 65 600 and the loading was about 83 per cent. As for weekends or public holidays, during which passengers travel at relatively scattered times unlike on weekdays, the loading was about 70 per cent during the peak hours for critical links, and under 70 per cent for the majority of the rest of the day. According to the MTRCL’s observations, despite having a higher passenger flow on the National Day (October 1) and Chung Yeung Festival (October 11), the overall operation of the ERL was largely smooth and orderly. On the whole, train service of the ERL was able to meet passenger needs between the National Day Golden Week and Chung Yeung Festival. (4) The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point is a rail-based BCP. Passengers travel to and from the BCP mainly by the ERL of the MTR. During festive periods, the MTRCL will maintain close liaison with relevant departments at the BCP to flexibly adjust the ERL train service in a timely manner according to the situation at the BCP. Additional staff will also be deployed to the busier stations to facilitate passenger flow and assist passengers.      To facilitate travel for those in the New Territories West, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point is also connected by KMB Route No. B1 to/from Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai, providing services at a minimum frequency of eight-minute intervals during hours with high demand. In practice, during periods of particularly strong passenger demand such as weekends and public holidays, the KMB will flexibly enhance the service to operate more departures than scheduled. Apart from KMB Route No. B1, Green Minibus Route No. 75 also provides supplementary transport service between Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and Yuen Long.      As for cross-boundary coach services, the current short-haul cross-boundary coach services through the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Control Point provide services for travellers to travel to/from various destinations, including Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwun Tong, Wan Chai (via Central), Tsuen Wan, the Disneyland. The TD has worked with relevant operators to draw up plans ahead of each peak cross-boundary travel period, including issuing ad-hoc quotas and arranging stand-by coaches when necessary, with a view to facilitating the operators’ arrangement for additional trips having regard to the actual situation. (5) The Government is pressing ahead with cross-boundary railway projects to further promote close collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, thereby assisting Hong Kong in seizing the opportunities and advantages arising from the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis. The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu – Qianhai) (HSWRL) and the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line projects provide direct cross-boundary railway connection to the Shenzhen Bay Port and the new Huanggang Port from the New Territories Northwest and New Territories Central respectively, thus providing additional commuting options for residents and visitors travelling to/from the Greater Bay Area. Meanwhile, residents and visitors can also travel to Man Kam To Port and Heung Yuen Wai Port by the proposed NOL Eastern Extension and Northeast New Territories Line. After the commissioning of the relevant railway lines, the number of land-based BCPs covered by railways in the Northern Metropolis will substantially increase from two at present (i.e. Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau) to six, which is expected to effectively divert residents and tourists to different BCPs, and promote cross-boundary integration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.      The HKSAR Government will continue to take forward the two cross-boundary railway projects, namely the HSWRL and the NOL Spur Line, through the Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure. We are working to reach consensus with the Shenzhen authorities on the implementation arrangement of the NOL Spur Line within this year for the MTRCL to commence the detailed planning and design of the project early next year. Meanwhile, we are preparing for the next stage of implementation of the proposed NOL Eastern Extension and Northeast New Territories Line, including formulating the implementation approaches, financial arrangements, etc. The layout and commissioning target of the projects were holistically outlined in the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint promulgated at the end of last year. We will consider different implementation arrangements and explore various innovative engineering technologies based on the construction and operation details of each new railway project with a view to enhancing the cost-effectiveness and expediting the delivery of new railway projects.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, November 6, 2024Issued at HKT 11:34

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ21: Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ21: Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund
    LCQ21: Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund
    *****************************************

         ​Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (November 6): Question:     To promote the development of Hong Kong as the East‑meets‑West centre for international cultural exchange, and to drive the city into an international cultural metropolis and a destination for tourists worldwide, the Government set up the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund (Mega ACE Fund) in April last year to attract and support large-scale arts and cultural events to be held in Hong Kong by providing funding support to the organizers of such events. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:(1) of the following information since the establishment of the Mega ACE Fund (set out by year): (i) the number of grants and the amount of funding granted, (ii) the remaining balance of the funding, (iii) the number of applications received, and (iv) the number of events funded, the amount of funding received and the actual costs incurred for each event;(2) whether the Government has assessed the economic benefits brought to Hong Kong (including the number of inbound tourists attracted to Hong Kong, the amount of spending induced and the economic value generated) by the mega events funded by the Mega ACE Fund that were already held; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will conduct such assessment;(3) given that in its progress report submitted to this Council in April this year on the motion on “Promoting the in-depth integration of culture, sports and tourism to revitalize the tourism industry”, the Government indicated that it would set corresponding key performance indicators for each of the funded mega events and activities, of the progress of such work;(4) given that the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism indicated in 2022 that the Government’s initial plan was to allocate about $60 ‍million from the Arts and Sport Development Fund to fund around four events through the Mega ACE Fund each year, and as shown in the information provided by the Government in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year of 2024-2025, the respective number of events funded by the Government through the Mega ACE Fund in 2023 and 2024 has both exceeded four, of the reasons for the number of events funded in each of these two years exceeding the expected number, and whether the amount of the funding for each year has exceeded $60 million; if so, of the mechanism through which the Government reports to this Council in this regard; and(5) as there are views that the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee (Mega ACE Committee), currently responsible for vetting and approving the Mega ACE Fund applications, may draw reference from the composition of the committees for vetting and approving other funding applications in the past and include civil servants as members, whether the Government will consider appointing civil servants as ex-officio members of the Mega ACE Committee, so as to enhance the coordination of the events funded by the Mega ACE Fund; if so, of the implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that?Reply:President,     Our reply to the question raised by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip is as follows:(1) and (4) The 2022 Policy Address announced the setting up of the Mega Arts and Cultural Events (ACE) Fund to provide incentives for organisers of large-scale arts and cultural events so as to attract and support international and mega arts and cultural events to be staged in Hong Kong, with a view to further developing Hong Kong into an arts and cultural hub.      The Government officially set up the Mega ACE Fund in April 2023. At the early planning stage, our initial plan was to allocate about $60 million from the arts portion of the Arts and Sports Development Fund to fund at least four events each year, which was budgetary in nature. The Government was pleased to note that many large-scale events have applied for the Mega ACE Fund since its launch, and the Fund has supported a number of mega events to be held in Hong Kong after the pandemic, which is in line with the Government’s objective of setting up the Mega ACE Fund.      In 2022, 2023 and 2024, we received two, 25 and 44 applications respectively. As of October 2024, 17 applications have been approved.     Details of the 17 approved projects are as follows: 

    Title of Event(according to the chronological order of the event)
    Approved Funding Amount (HK$)

    Art Basel Hong Kong 2023
    15,000,000

    Art Central 2023
    2,531,632

    “Madame Song: Pioneering Art and Fashion in China”
    8,000,000＊

    Freespace Jazz Fest 2023
    8,000,000

    INK ASIA 2023
    13,672,155.7

    “Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London”
    15,000,000＊

    Chubby Hearts Hong Kong
    7,785,000＊

    A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial • The World of Wuxia
    15,000,000＊

    ComplexCon Hong Kong 2024
    15,000,000

    Art Basel Hong Kong 2024
    15,000,000＊

    Art Central 2024
    11,000,000

    Voyage with Van Gogh
    11,800,000＊

    Chinese Kungfu x Dance Carnival
    14,686,070＊

    ART021 Hong Kong Contemporary Art Fair
    15,000,000＊

    Puccini’s Turandot
    700,000＊

    Hypefest Hong Kong 2024
    15,000,000＊

    A pop culture event(Details of the event will be announced in due course to tie in with the promotional plans of the organiser.)
    15,000,000＊

    ＊Actual grant amount to be finalised upon the submission of audited report by the grantee after the event.     The purpose of requesting the organisers of the approved projects to submit audited account report upon completion of their projects is to ensure that the grant provided by the Mega ACE Fund is fully and properly applied to the approved budget items.  As far as we understand, these projects may also incur costs that are covered by other sources of income, which the organisers are not required to report these items in their reports to us. Therefore, we do not maintain the information on the overall actual cost incurred for each project.(2) and (3) The Mega ACE Fund was established when the community was recovering from the pandemic. The number and variety of activities were crucial for the construction of a vibrant ecosystem of large-scale arts and cultural events, thus the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) has been actively introducing arts and cultural events with different orientations and genres through the Mega ACE Fund. At present, we will request the organiser of each approved project to set suitable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) accordingly. The KPIs concerned will form part of the funding agreement, so that the effectiveness of the project will be monitored. According to the requirements of the Mega ACE Fund, grantees must follow the provisions of the funding agreement to carry out the proposals and fulfill the related obligations. They must also submit an event report after the completion of the event and will only receive the remaining grant amount upon the acceptance of the report.     Regarding the approved projects stated in our reply to parts (1) and (4) above, 15 projects were completed, attracting an attendance of over 4.76 million in total. The response has been positive and exceeded the targets, bringing a positive impact on the arts and cultural ecology of Hong Kong. For instance, ComplexCon Hong Kong 2024 attracted over 32 000 participants, among them 55 per cent were tourists, whereas Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 brought together 242 galleries from across 40 countries and territories, which attracted around 80 400 participants, of which half of them were visitors. Having said that, as different activities have different target audiences, it is inevitable that some activities will perform better in attracting tourists, and we should not adopt a broad-brush approach in assessing the effectiveness of the activities.      Apart from some quantifiable indicators such as the number of participants, these projects supported by the Mega ACE fund also bring unquantifiable values to the arts and cultural landscape of Hong Kong. A series of events covering a wide range of arts genres make arts more accessible to the public and tourists, encourage them to appreciate arts and arouse their interest, gradually creating a rich artistic atmosphere within the community. In addition, these projects are in line with the Government’s direction of promoting the development of arts and culture industries in Hong Kong, including fostering international cultural exchange with the Mainland and overseas countries, offering platforms for young and emerging artists to showcase their work, and contributing to the development of the industries, etc. For example, Art Central 2024 provided a platform for local young artists to create large-scale art installation, while the sculpture exhibition “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial • The World of Wuxia” will tour in the Mainland and overseas, exporting Hong Kong’s local characteristics and Chinese culture. In the long run, the Mega ACE Fund plays an important role in promoting the diversified development of Hong Kong’s arts and culture ecosystem.      The positioning of the Mega ACE Fund is mainly to support the development of Hong Kong’s arts, culture and creative industries. As the Mega ACE Fund has been fully operated for around a year and a half, we have not yet specifically assessed the economic benefits brought by the Mega ACE events for the time being. Taking into consideration the latest developments in Hong Kong’s arts and culture sector and ecology, the CSTB has reviewed the operation and funding mode of the Mega ACE Fund based on the experience gained after setting up the Fund and consulted the Mega ACE Committee and relevant stakeholders.(5) The Mega ACE Committee is an advisory body of the Government, responsible for advising the Government on the strategies to attract mega arts and cultural events to be held in Hong Kong as well as the operation of the Mega ACE Fund, and assessing applications under the fund for the Government’s approval. The Committee comprises leaders from the arts and cultural and other sectors. The CSTB provides secretariat service for the Committee, including communication with the applicants and grantees. In the course of processing the applications, the secretariat will also seek comments from relevant government bureaux or departments for the Committee’s reference.      The Mega ACE Committee is responsible for assessing the applications and making recommendations to the CSTB while the Government will take into account the recommendations of the Committee and consider the applications from different perspectives before making a final decision. The current mechanism leverages on the advice from leaders and the role of Government officials in the vetting process.           Having said that, when arranging the appointment for the next term of the Committee, the CSTB will actively consider the recommendation for appointing ex-officio member so as to enhance the coordination work of mega arts and cultural events.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, November 6, 2024Issued at HKT 12:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Summerland Way back in business

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Summerland Way back in business

    Published: 6 November 2024

    Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    Motorists using Summerland Way will have a safer drive after the completion of two projects between Casino and Woodenbong, funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

    The first project at Stoney Gulley, 9km south of Kyogle, has taken just over three months for workers from Transport for NSW to complete.

    The team excavated unsuitable material and placed rock backfill to repair the slope above a 100m section of road, to stabilise the cuttings and provide a low-maintenance solution.

    The Burnetts Slip project, 52km north along Summerland Way at Dairy Flat, started in May and required similar repairs along a 126m section of road.

    Over the past three months the project team has excavated and installed rock backfill, while also carrying out extensive drainage repairs.

    Work was carried out under single lane, alternating traffic flow arrangements which have now been removed.

    Transport for NSW thanks the community and all road users for their patience while this essential flood recovery work was completed.

    Quotes attributed to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

    “Summerland Way is an important route for the Northern Rivers, connecting communities from Kyogle to Casino.

    “We’re helping build the road back as efficiently as possible, and to a more resilient standard.

    “Work is now complete which is excellent news for everyone traveling in the region.”

    Quotes attributed to Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

    “Summerland Way is an important secondary transport route that links a number of major towns on the Northern Rivers.

    “This disaster recovery effort will take pressure off the major highways and is the transport lifeline for commuters and primary producers.

    “This work will make a big difference to daily lives of people on the Northern Rivers.”

    Quotes attributed to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

    “Repairing the Summerland Way is great news for the 700 vehicles who use this route every day, of which about 20 per cent are heavy vehicles.

    “This is an important route for locals, visitors and freight operators connecting southern Queensland with northern NSW and I’m sure all who travel along this section of road will be happy to see it’s back in business.”

    Quotes attributed to NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

    “The Summerland Way, an alternate route to the Pacific Highway, is a key rural road for daily commuters, freight carriers and tourists, and these two projects will help make driving conditions safer for all.

    “I congratulate Transport for NSW work gangs on making such great strides to stabilise flood-damaged slopes above both sections of road, reopening the Summerland Way to traffic in both directions.

    “I have a long history with the Summerland Way, securing $50 million from then NSW Minister for Transport Carl Scully to do a substantial upgrade.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Extreme weather has already cost vulnerable island nations US$141 billion – and 38% is attributable to climate change

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emily Wilkinson, Principal Research Fellow, ODI

    Multiverse / shutterstock

    Two years ago, when the curtain fell on the COP27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, developing nations on the frontline of climate change had something meaningful to celebrate.

    The creation of a new fund for responding to loss and damage was agreed after a hard-fought diplomatic effort, spearheaded by a group of small island developing states (sometimes known as the Sids). The fund would provide much needed support for climate-vulnerable nations faced with a spiralling human and financial toll from sea-level rise, extreme temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and intensifying floods and storms.

    Yet two years on, the world’s wealthiest nations – also the largest carbon emitters – are still dragging their feet. They’ve not followed up their pledges with anywhere near the finance required.

    Some nations, particularly the 39 Sids, which include places like Barbados, Grenada, Fiji and Vanuatu, are uniquely vulnerable to climate change and are already paying the price.

    Sky-high ocean temperatures created the conditions for Hurricane Beryl to develop in July this year, as the earliest-forming Category 5 hurricane on record in the Caribbean. As oceans warm up, climate science tells us that this rapid intensification is becoming more common.

    Fijians run for shelter as a cyclone approaches.
    ChameleonsEye / shutterstock

    The island nation of Fiji, best known as a tropical paradise, has experienced a frightening series of storms over recent years, linked to climate change. Cyclone Winston in 2016, one of the most intense on record, caused widespread flooding and lead to the loss of 44 lives.

    This episode reduced Fiji’s GDP growth by 1.4 percentage points. According to the Asian Development Bank, ongoing losses from climate change could reach 4% of Fiji’s annual GDP by 2100, as higher temperatures and more extreme weather hold back growth.

    This isn’t an isolated problem. Tropical cyclones and hurricanes have long battered small islands, but what is new is how often the most extreme storms and floods are happening, as well as our improved ability to measure their economic effects.

    Direct and indirect impacts

    Our latest research looked at extreme weather events affecting 35 small island developing nations. We first collected information about the direct consequences of these extreme weather events: the damaged homes, the injured people, and the bridges that must be rebuilt.

    We then looked at how these events have affected GDP growth and public finances. These changes are not felt immediately, but rather as the economy stalls, tourism dries up, and expensive recovery plans inhibit spending in other areas.

    In all, from 2000 to 2020, these direct and indirect impacts may have cost small island states a total of US$141 billion. That works out to around US$2,000 per person on average, although this figure underplays just how bad things can get in some places. Hurricane Maria in 2017 caused damage to the Caribbean island of Dominica worth more than double its entire GDP. That amounted to around US$20,000 per person, overnight. Almost a decade later, the country is still struggling with one of the largest debt burdens on earth at over 150% of GDP.

    Dominica’s lush forests were badly damaged by Hurricane Maria.
    Derek D Galon / shutterstock

    Of these huge aggregate losses across all the small island development states, around 38% are attributable to climate change. That’s according to calculations we made based on “extreme event attribution” studies, which estimate the degree to which greenhouse gas emissions influenced extreme weather events.

    What is clear is that small island economies are among the worst affected by severe weather. These island states have three to five times more climate-related loss and damage than other states, as a percentage of government revenues. That’s true even for wealthier small island states, like the Bahamas and Barbados, where loss and damage is four times greater than other high-income countries. For all small island nations, the economic impacts will increase, with “attributable” losses from extreme weather reaching US$75 billion by 2050 if global temperatures hit 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

    Our research helps us to see how far short the richer nations driving climate change are falling in their efforts to both curb emissions and to compensate the nations harmed by their failure to prevent climate change.

    Developed countries need to pay up

    One of the key discussions at the forthcoming COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, will be the “new collective quantified goal”. This is the technical name to describe how much money wealthy countries will need to contribute to help vulnerable nations to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

    That overall goal must also include a target to finance small islands and other vulnerable countries, with billions more needed per year in the new loss and damage fund. Given the extent of actual and likely losses, nothing less than ambition on the scale of a “modern Marshall Plan” for these states will do.

    In addition to this extra financing, the fund will need to work effectively to support the most climate vulnerable nations and populations when severe weather occurs. This can be done in a few ways.

    The fund could create a budget support mechanism that can help small island states and other vulnerable countries deal with loss of income and the negative effects on growth. It could make sure loss and damage funds can be released quickly, and ensure support is channelled to those who need it the most. It could also make more concessional finance available for recovery, especially for the most adversely affected sectors like agriculture and tourism.

    The world has a troubling history of missing self-imposed targets on climate finance and emissions reduction. But the stakes are ever higher now, and any target for loss and damage finance will need to be sufficient to deal with the challenges posed already by climate change, and in the years to come.

    Emily Wilkinson receives funding from the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office

    Ilan Noy, Matt Bishop, and Vikrant Panwar do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Extreme weather has already cost vulnerable island nations US$141 billion – and 38% is attributable to climate change – https://theconversation.com/extreme-weather-has-already-cost-vulnerable-island-nations-us-141-billion-and-38-is-attributable-to-climate-change-242640

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Excursion without a reason: Russpass offers original ideas for walks around the capital

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The online publication “Russpass-magazine” has published a selection of short routes around Moscow. City residents and tourists are invited to arrange city tour for the price of one trip with the Troika card, as well as take a walk near one of the city’s train stations.

    Stations and squares

    For many, getting to know Moscow begins at the train stations, where not only long-distance trains arrive, but also express trains from airports. Tourists are offered excursions to while away the time between trips.

    So, you can take a fascinating walk by arriving at Paveletsky Station. Tourists from Saratov, Tambov, Volgograd and other cities of Russia, as well as passengers from Domodedovo Airport, arrive here. Not far from the station is Zatsepskaya Square, and if you go on foot in a straight line, then in half an hour you can reach Red Square. You can also take tram No. 38 and go to Krutitsky Podvorye. An alternative option is to stay in the vicinity of Paveletsky Station and go explore the alleys of the Zamoskvorechye district.

    The city from the tram window

    Interesting routes are not only in the center of the capital. Russpass offers to travel from the Voykovskaya metro station on tram No. 27. From the panoramic window you can see historical buildings and untouched islands of living nature. The tram goes past the complex of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev through former academic fields and forest dachas to the Dmitrovskaya metro station.

    A Walk Around VDNKh and the History of Food: The Most Popular Audio Tours from the Russpass ServiceTravel Builder: Russpass Helped Tourists Plan 38,000 Trips

    Service Rosspas launched in 2020. In four years, it has become an entire tourism ecosystem, with the help of which it is easy to plan a trip, book tickets and a hotel, and select excursions. Interesting facts about traveling in Russia are posted in the online publication “Russpass-magazine”. In addition, since June 2023, a portal has been operating for representatives of the tourism industry “Russpass. Business”.

    The service was created on the initiative of the Moscow Government. The project is supervised by the capital Tourism Committee together with the city Department of Information Technology.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/146208073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Patriotic routes will be an important topic of the anniversary forum “Travel!”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting on organizing the fifth forum “Travel!”

    November 6, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting on organizing the fifth forum “Travel!”

    November 6, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting on organizing the fifth forum “Travel!”

    November 6, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting on organizing the fifth forum “Travel!”

    November 6, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting on organizing the fifth forum “Travel!”

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting on organizing the fifth Travel! forum, which will take place on June 10–15 at VDNKh. The Roscongress Foundation will act as the event operator. In 2025, the business program events will be united under the general theme of Discover Russia, which implies both familiarizing Russians with the potential and opportunities of their country, and cooperation in the field of inbound tourism.

    Opening the meeting, Dmitry Chernyshenko noted the high level of organization of the IV Russian Tourism Forum “Travel!” and the relevance of such events in modern conditions. “After the forum “Travel!” in June this year, many positive reviews were received, which indicates the relevance and significance of the event. The site was successfully chosen: the territory of VDNKh and the exhibition “Russia” created good conditions for guests and organizers. Today, interest in the forum is growing on the part of both Russian and foreign participants. An important theme of the upcoming fifth forum “Travel!” in the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War will be patriotic routes that will present the regions of our country,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that federal and regional authorities, tour operators and companies working in the tourism sector should be widely represented in the exhibition part of the forum. In particular, Dmitry Chernyshenko proposed holding an exhibition of domestic equipment manufacturers for the tourism industry as part of the forum, as well as organizing a platform for the presentation of investment projects by representatives of various industries, including those planned to be implemented with support under the national project “Tourism and Hospitality Industry”. In this way, business representatives will be able to find potential partners.

    Adviser to the President of Russia, Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the Preparation and Holding of the Russian Tourism Forum “Travel!” Anton Kobyakov noted that in 2024 the forum confirmed its social significance and high status as an anchor industry event, becoming a global discussion platform for discussing modern trends in the development of the tourism and hospitality industry. He spoke about the new concept of the event. “A new comprehensive approach to creating the concept and space of the forum for its guests will demonstrate the tourism potential of all 89 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and increase the international part of the exposition. Visitors will see the full diversity of travel in Russia and learn information about new resorts, tourism sites and travel formats. Traveling around the country, getting to know the sights and cultural features of a particular region contribute to the study of the culture and history of the country. Therefore, the national goal “Opportunities for Self-Realization and Talent Development” formed the basis of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality Industry”. I am sure that in order for more Russians to have the opportunity to study the cultures of peoples and the history of Russia, it is important to make travel around the country convenient, safe and interesting. This is one of the priority tasks of the entire tourism industry,” added Anton Kobyakov.

    Next year, the Travel! forum will discuss medical tourism, which is in demand within the country and is also a tool for attracting foreign guests. A large block of the program will be devoted to inbound tourism. In 2025, it is planned to expand the geography of foreign participants from friendly countries; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development have been instructed to work on this issue.

    “The goals of any tourism forum are to promote the tourism product and attract investment. We are preparing in this philosophy to give regions the opportunity to show themselves and present their achievements and products to foreign guests, and for foreign participants to demonstrate the tourism potential of their countries. This is why we now go to international exhibitions. People should come to us for this too. The festival program of the regions will take an important place this year. In addition, we have preliminarily formulated six tracks of the business program architecture. These are “digital”, transport, government regulation, personnel, development of tourist areas and a comprehensive tourist product,” said Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov.

    Deputy Director of the Roscongress Foundation, Director of the Russian Tourism Forum “Travel!” Vladimir Zatynaiko spoke about the year-round ecosystem of projects, which includes network events on tourism in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. “Congress, exhibition and business events dedicated to tourism are actively developing. Examples of such events include the Sustainable Tourism Development Forum “Travel!” in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, “Discover the Far East” in Khabarovsk and the St. Petersburg International Tourism Forum “Travel Hub. Travel!”, which will be held in the Northern capital from December 4 to 6, where the results of the tourism sector in 2024 will be summarized. In this regard, the Russian Tourism Forum “Travel!” is the key, central event of the year, where the main areas of development of the industry are outlined,” Vladimir Zatynaiko noted.

    This year, a program to promote Russia abroad under the Discover Russia brand was launched at the national level for the first time. The priority countries in 2024 were China, India, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Next year, it is planned to promote Russia’s tourism potential in Southeast Asia and expand its presence in the Persian Gulf countries.

    As part of the event, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov will hold an all-Russian meeting with the regions, as well as a meeting with the industry community in the format of a business dialogue.

     

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

    The Fund was established in 2007 with the aim of promoting the development of economic potential, advancing national interests and strengthening the image of Russia. The Fund comprehensively studies, analyzes, forms and covers issues of the Russian and global economic agenda. Provides administration and facilitates the promotion of business projects and attracting investments, promotes the development of social entrepreneurship and charitable projects.

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

    The Foundation interacts with UN structures and other international organizations. It develops multi-format cooperation with 212 foreign economic partners, associations of industrialists and entrepreneurs, financial, trade and business associations in 86 countries of the world, with 293 Russian public organizations, federal and regional executive and legislative bodies of the Russian Federation.

    Official telegram channels of the Roscongress Foundation: in Russian –t.te/Roscongress, in English –t.te/RoscongressDirect, in Spanish –t.te/RoscongressEsp, in Arabic –t.te/RosKongressArabik. Official website and information and analytical system of the Roscongress Foundation:roscongress.org.

    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 –