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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Transnet unveils locally built multi-purpose vessel in Cape Town

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Transnet unveils locally built multi-purpose vessel in Cape Town

    Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has unveiled a R120 million locally built multi-purpose vessel, a crucial addition to its marine fleet at the Port of Cape Town. 

    This development marks another significant milestone in the execution of the TNPA’s ongoing Marine Fleet Renewal Programme, which aims to increase the availability of the marine fleet at South Africa’s commercial seaports.

    Built by Damen Shipyards Cape Town, the multi-purpose vessel is a multi-functional seagoing craft designed to support maintenance activities and enhance environmental management including pollution control and oil spill response within the port. 

    The vessel is designed to remove debris, conduct maintenance dredging and perform quay‑wall repairs. Additionally, it will assist in lighthouse maintenance and carry out upkeep tasks such as fender replacement and minor dredging activities. 

    During a christening ceremony held at the Shipyard, TNPA named and christened the vessel “Yarona,” a Setswana name which means “Ours”. The name was chosen by a TNPA employee through an internal competition. 

    A christening ceremony is a maritime tradition for launching a vessel, befitting following marine craft acquisition and is believed to bestow fortune and ensure safe voyage for the vessel and its crew. 

    Speaking at the ceremony, Transnet Group Chief Operating Officer, Solly Letsoalo, said at the heart of their Reinvent for Growth Strategy is infrastructure-led growth and a commitment to reliable and efficient operations across operations. 

    “As Transnet, we remain focused in modernising our fleet and ensure fit-for-purpose infrastructure in order to we meet the needs of our customers and the broader South African economy.”

    Measuring 19.05 metres in length with a beam of 8.36 metres, this vessel features an all-welded steel hull and superstructure for enhanced durability in harsh harbour conditions. This translates into a quicker and effective response when called upon by port users to remove navigation hazards.

    “Our ability to deliver this vessel is testament to our mission of building vessels in Africa for Africa. It underscores our commitment to localisation and supplier development, while contributing to job creation and skills development in the local maritime sector. 

    “The project has equally been beneficial to both men and women, with a strong focus on individuals from previously disadvantaged communities and with youth well-represented among the team,” said Sefale Montsi, Damen Shipyards Cape Town Director. 

    During the 14-month construction period, the project has significantly impacted local employment by creating approximately 18 job opportunities for the community. 

    Once operational, the multi-purpose vessel will employ three new crew members from TNPA, in addition to the two crew members who were aboard the old vessel. – SAnews.gov.za

    Edwin
    Tue, 07/08/2025 – 10:59

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Guinea: One year after the enforced disappearance of FNDC activists, abductions increase in a ‘climate of terror’

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Guinean authorities must urgently reveal the fate and whereabouts of National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (Front national de défense de la Constitution – FNDC) activists Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, who were forcibly disappeared a year ago, and ensure that those suspected to be responsible for the abductions and enforced disappearances in Guinea are brought to justice in fair trial and victims and family members of victims are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, said 25 Guinean and international human rights organizations.

    “We call on the Guinean authorities to break their unbearable silence regarding the fate of the two FNDC activists. There is no indication that they have carried out investigations to find the two activists who have been missing for a year,” the human rights organizations said today.

    Mamadou Billo Bah and Oumar Sylla, known as Foniké Menguè, were arrested on 9 July 2024 at the latter’s home in Conakry by armed men, before allegedly being taken by special forces to the Loos archipelago. They were interrogated and tortured, according to a third member of FNDC who was abducted with the two others and released the day after. The authorities have denied holding them and their fate remains unknown to this day.

    The FNDC, a civil society movement calling for a return to civilian rule, was disbanded in 2022. Oumar Sylla, its national coordinator had called for demonstrations on 11 July 2024 against, among other things, repression of the media and the high cost of living.

    Since the Prosecutor General’s announcement on 17 July 2024 of the opening of ‘thorough and complete’ investigations into several abductions, including those of Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, no information has been made public about their progress.

    We call on the Guinean authorities to ratify without reservation the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

    25 Guinean and international human rights organizations

    MIL OSI NGO –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chris Boardman reappointed as Chair for Sport England.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Chris Boardman reappointed as Chair for Sport England.

    The Secretary of State has reappointed Chris Boardman as Chair for Sport England for a term of four years from 22 July 2025 to 21 July 2029.

    Chris Boardman

    In 1992, Chris Boardman won Britain’s first Olympic cycling gold medal in 73 years. He went on to claim several world titles and wore the leader’s jersey in the Tour de France on three occasions before retiring in 2000.

    After his sporting career, Chris played a pivotal role in transforming British Cycling into a global powerhouse and founded Boardman Bikes. The eponymous brand quickly became Britain’s fastest-growing bike company and expanded its reach to over 80 countries. Chris’s passion for cycling evolved into a broader commitment to promoting active travel and helping people integrate physical activity into their daily lives. Collaborating closely with Regional Mayor Andy Burnham, he became Greater Manchester’s first Active Travel Commissioner. He later established Active Travel England on behalf of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

    In addition to his role as England’s Active Travel Commissioner, Chris has chaired Sport England for the past four years, guiding the sector through the challenges of the pandemic and championing efforts to make sport and physical activity accessible to everyone—regardless of background or income.

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    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE’s Project Management Course Receives International Accreditation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University “Higher School of Economics” –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Higher School of Business of the National Research University Higher School of Economics has received accreditation for teaching the discipline “Project Management” according to the international standard IPMA ICB 4.0.

    Accreditation confirms that the Project Management course at the HSB complies with international standards: from the content of the course and the qualifications of teachers to the teaching materials. These requirements are recognized in more than 70 countries, including the USA, China, India, Germany, Great Britain and France.

    The Project Management course is implemented as part of various educational programs of the Higher School of Business of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – from bachelor’s and master’s degrees to professional retraining programs and MBA. Particular attention is paid to unified international approaches so that graduates can work in the global market and “speak” with colleagues in the same professional language.

    Project management has long gone beyond the scope of narrow professional tools. Today, it is the key to implementing changes and the basis for sustainable growth of companies in an unstable and rapidly changing environment. Modern project management requires specialists to be flexible, able to work with a high degree of uncertainty, think strategically, and have a wide range of methodological approaches – from classical to Agile and hybrid. All this forms the basis for teaching the Project Management discipline at the Higher School of Business of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

    The certificate was issued for two years by the Russian Project Management Association SOVNET, the representative of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) in Russia since 1991. To obtain accreditation, the HSE provided a full set of training materials, and the teachers confirmed their qualifications by undergoing certification according to the IPMA system. The assessment was carried out by a commission of national experts authorized by IPMA.

    Ilyina Olga Nikolaevna

    Associate Professor of the Higher School of Business, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Director of the Project Management Center of the Higher School of Business, National Research University Higher School of Economics

    “Accreditation according to the international IPMA standard is a significant step for the HSB. It confirms that our approach to teaching project management meets the high requirements of the global professional community. For us, this is not only an assessment of quality, but also confirmation that we are developing education in accordance with global trends and preparing specialists who are able to work effectively in an international environment.”

    International accreditation confirms HSE’s commitment to high educational standards and strengthens its reputation as a first-choice business school.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Opening remarks by Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) at Deloitte’s Digital Asset Forum (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Opening remarks by Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) at Deloitte’s Digital Asset Forum (English only)  
    Eliza (Senior Advisor of Deloitte China Dr Eliza Chan), Duncan (Legislative Council member (Technology and Innovation) Mr Duncan Chiu), Robert (Hong Kong Digital Asset leader of Deloitte China, Mr Robert Lui), friends from the digital asset sector, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         The Forum today is very timely, as we are standing at a pivotal moment when economies worldwide are striving to chart the course for digital assets and oversight of their use. Hong Kong has been working diligently to stay ahead of the curve in building an ecosystem for the healthy development of the digital asset sector.
     
         As you know, back in 2022, we announced our first policy statement on digital assets, or virtual assets at the time, setting out our vision to create that comprehensive ecosystem under the principle of “same activity, same risks, same regulation”. Then in June 2023, we put in place a licensing regime for digital asset trading platforms. Now we have a total of 11 licensees with local and international backgrounds. Nine exchange-traded funds with digital underlying assets have also been listed. In May this year, with the support of the Legislative Council, we enacted the Stablecoins Ordinance, making Hong Kong one of the few economies in the world to have a comprehensive law in place on stablecoin issuance. The Ordinance is scheduled to come into effect on August 1, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will begin to accept licence applications.
     
         This solid groundwork serves as a springboard for the next phase of digital asset development in Hong Kong. The “LEAP” framework or metaphor embodied in the second policy statement issued on June 26 conveys a proactive and forward-looking approach. To recap, “L” stands for legal and regulatory streamlining, “E” for expanding the suite of tokenised products, “A” for advancing use cases and cross-sectoral collaboration, and “P” is people and partnership development. These are linked to Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international financial centre, including our comprehensive legal system, sophisticated financial market and infrastructure, close connection with the international markets, and a wealth of professional talents.
     
         A lot of you are interested in the application scenarios or the “E” and “A” in the statement. A lot can be said on this. For now, I believe that as a well-developed financial market with a wide range of financial instruments and assets available for trading, Hong Kong has great potential to promote tokenisation of RWA (Real-World Assets). For example, Hong Kong is in a very good position to develop tokenised government bonds, building on our two landmark tokenised government green bond issuances in the past two years and Hong Kong’s status as a leading bond issuance hub in Asia. The first batch totalling HK$800 million issued in 2023 was the first tokenised green bond issued by a government entity. The second batch, issued in 2024 denominated in Renminbi, Hong Kong dollars, Euro and US dollars and totalling close to HK$6 billion equivalent, was the world’s first multi-currency digitally native green bonds. As announced in the 2025-26 Budget, the Government will regularise the issuance of tokenised bonds.
     
         I am sure that there are many good ideas about RWA out there in the marketplace. To encourage market participation in developing use cases, thanks to Cyberport, a funding scheme has been launched to support the development of high-impact applications with potential to serve as future use case benchmark.
     
         On the legal regulatory front or “L”, right on the next day following the promulgation of the second policy statement, we launched a public consultation on the licensing regimes for digital asset dealing and custodian service providers. This is another big step in making the regulatory regime comprehensive, thus enabling us to manage the risks and harness the potential in different activities along the digital asset value chain, from issuance, trading and dealing, to post-trade custodian service. The two-month consultation period will end in late August. Do let us have your views.
     
         On the people and partnership front or “P”, we value stakeholder engagement, and we walk the talk. At the policy level, the Financial Secretary is chairing the Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development. At the regulator level, the Securities and Futures Commission has established a consultative panel focusing on market and regulatory issues. The panel just held its second meeting yesterday. Fora like the one today will certainly provide useful feedback for our work.
     
         Our policy stance on digital assets is clear. We strive to embrace financial innovations so as to capture their potential benefits, but at the same time we need to put in risk management guardrails with emphasis on investor protection and user education. With this, we look forward to hearing your feedback, and I wish you fruitful discussions. Thank you.
    Issued at HKT 18:40

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 8, 2025

  • Heatwaves, droughts and wildfires costing Europe billions each year

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Extreme heat and worsening drought situations are gripping large parts of Europe, sparking wildfires, triggering red alerts and intensifying global calls for effective climate actions. Driven by climate change, scientists warn, these conditions signal a new era of drought, threatening food security, energy security, ecosystems and economies.

    The worrying part is that heatwaves and wildfires are constantly growing deadlier and costlier. If the European Environment Agency (EEA) is to be believed, heatwaves and wildfires are costing Europe billions of euros every year. Estimatedly, in 2023 alone, such climate-related disasters cost around 45 billion euros to 38 European countries, including EU, other European Economic Area (EEA) members, and cooperating countries.

    If we take into account the total economic losses from weather and climate related calamities, they exceeded 790 billion euros across the European Economic Area, comprising 32 EEA member states and six Western Balkan countries between 1980 and 2023.

    In recent years, Europe has faced an alarming rise in climate-driven calamities like extreme weather conditions, particularly heatwaves and wildfires. These disasters are endangering lives and ecosystems, while at the same time imposing severe economic burdens on governments, local communities and industries. Germany, Italy, France and Spain faced the highest economic losses, however, as per the environmental agency, little of this damage was insured.

    According to the European Environment Agency, the leading causes of the damage are floods, storms, wind and hail, while heatwaves cause the most deaths in majority of the countries. As far as economic losses are concerned, they may vary from year to year and country to country, but trends suggest there is a sharp rise in economic damage, which may go beyond 50 billion euros annually.

    There is little doubt that people across the world are struggling with sweltering hot temperatures fuelled by climate change, but the way the sweltering summer is gripping southern Europe, parts of the US and the UK is unprecedented.

    The scourge of the rising temperature can be understood from the fact that southern Spain experienced 46 degrees Celsius temperature a few days earlier, which is a new record for the month of June. According to the national weather agency, Barcelona has set a new record for its hottest month in June this year, forcing the authorities to urge people to seek shelter from this excruciating heat condition.

    A number of countries including France and Italy, have stationed their ambulances near tourist hotspots to treat people if they suffer from heatstroke. Among the vulnerable are people over 65 years of age, pregnant women, children and those with chronic health conditions.

    In June, fires caused by the heat and strong winds struck France, Turkey, Greece, Italy and a few other countries, making situations worse than even expected. Germany, the largest economy of Europe and the third largest globally, is also facing a similar situation, as the temperature this year is hovering around 40 degrees Celsius. The town of Andernach in western Germany recorded 39.3 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature so far this year, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). Germany’s all-time heat record is 41.2 degrees Celsius, recorded on July 25, 2019.

    The worsening heat situations have forced quite a few countries to issue heat alerts. Sixteen regions in France including Paris and other parts of southern and eastern Europe have heat alerts in place. The soaring temperatures forced its Climate Minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher to call the situation an unprecedented one. Heat alerts are also in place in several parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Britain and Balkan countries like Croatia. Several countries have recorded their hottest June this year.

    Besides emergency services being put in place in several countries and warnings being issued for people to stay inside as much as possible, around 200 schools across France are either closed or partially closed as a result of the heatwave conditions.

    Heatwaves are impacting many parts of Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America and a few others also, but the way Europe is facing heat conditions calls for urgent measures, as the region is not known for such heatwave conditions.

    Studies suggest more than two-thirds of the heatwave conditions have hit Europe since 2000 and the conditions are gradually worsening. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report shows that by 2050, around half of the people in Europe may be exposed to heatwave conditions during summer.

    It is also undeniably true that the effects of heatwave conditions are more pronounced in cities, as urban environments are significantly warmer than rural areas due to a large number of paved surfaces, huge multi-story buildings, large number of all kinds of vehicles and several other heat-generating sources.

    A new UN report says droughts have risen 30% since 2000, now affecting all sectors from agriculture and energy to healthcare and infrastructure. Owing to very high temperatures, the economic distress of people is growing fast.

    Just as COVID-19 strained the insurance sector, rising temperatures are now compounding the pressure, with insurers reassessing the risks and costs of covering properties in high-risk zones across Europe.

    Public infrastructure is also not immune to the stress being thrown upon by rising temperatures. Roads, railways, power grids and hospitals also suffer heatwave-related wear and tear. Wildfires destroy homes, farmlands and forests, which require billions for reconstruction and recovery.

    The economic toll can be gauged from the fact that some countries are already losing up to 10% of GDP annually, as suggested by some environmental and economic reports. The OECD warns drought-related costs could double again by 2035.

    Hence, environmentalists and those who understand these damaging trends urge urgent global investment in early warning systems, drought monitoring, nature-based solutions and climate-resilient infrastructure. Without strong action and better implementation of national plans, droughts could spiral into global economic and humanitarian shocks.

    Clearly, the need for urgent and coordinated action has never been more critical, as heatwaves intensify across Europe and the globe, driven by accelerating climate change. Mitigating these impacts requires multi-fold efforts, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming and investing heavily in adaptation measures to protect people, economies and ecosystems from escalating heat extremes.

    For Europe, this means upgrading infrastructure to withstand extreme heat, expanding green urban spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and strengthening public health systems to respond to heat-related health conditions. Since the majority of the countries in Europe are not prepared to face such heatwave conditions, they need to improve early warning systems, ensure access to cooling centers for vulnerable populations and integrate climate resilience into housing and city planning.

    On global scale, cooperation and coordination among countries are essential, as climate change-related calamities are not going to be restricted to a few regions. Hence, sharing technology, funding nature-based solutions like reforestation and watershed restoration and supporting climate-vulnerable regions are key to having a holistic solution. The world also requires a proactive and science-driven approach along with an equity-based climate strategy before the human and economic cost becomes unmanageable for us.

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting with the head of North Ossetia Sergei Menyailo

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Working meeting of Dmitry Chernyshenko with the head of North Ossetia Sergey Menyailo

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko held a working meeting with the head of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania Sergey Menyailo. The parties discussed issues of developing tourism, sports, education, science, and youth policy.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized that one of the Government’s priority tasks is the development of domestic tourism.

    “The unique nature and culture of North Ossetia make it attractive to travelers. To develop this area, the republic actively uses state support measures of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. Thus, within the framework of the competitive selection for 2025-2027, applications were submitted for the implementation of projects to create modular non-capital accommodation facilities. Based on the results of the competition, North Ossetia will receive about 1 billion for three years – this is the second place in terms of volume among all subjects of Russia,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also noted the importance of each subject’s contribution to achieving the common goal set by President Vladimir Putin – to involve 70% of Russian citizens in systematic physical education and sports by 2030. To achieve this, it is necessary, among other things, to work on the level of provision with sports facilities.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that the national project “Youth and Children” contributes to the development of education, science and youth policy in the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania. For example, it plans to build new buildings for general education organizations. Within the framework of the federal project “Professionalism”, three clusters have been created by industry: pedagogy, law enforcement and management, tourism and services.

    Thanks to the republic’s participation in the “Region for the Young” program, the first stage of the capital renovation of the Youth Palace was carried out, and a number of events in the field of youth policy were held.

    “The development of the education sector is one of the main priorities of the socio-economic policy of North Ossetia, to which we pay special attention and which today accounts for more than a third of the republican budget. Following the implementation of the national project “Education”, in 2024 alone, more than 4.6 billion rubles were allocated from the federal budget for the development of education in the region. I would like to express my gratitude for such support, as well as for the attention that the Russian Government is paying to the region – literally the day before, an order was signed to include new projects in the list of activities for the socio-economic development of North Ossetia, the implementation period of which has been extended until 2028. This includes the construction of a school for 500 students for residents of new microdistricts of Vladikavkaz and a school for 200 students in the village of Chermen, Prigorodny District,” said Sergei Menyailo.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Ministry of Economic Development: SEZ residents almost doubled investments in 2024

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia sent to the Government report on the results of the work of special economic zones for 2024. Such analysis is carried out annually in accordance with the rules for assessing the effectiveness of the functioning of the SEZ, approved by the Government.

    The overall efficiency indicator was 90% (the functioning of the SEZ is considered effective if the overall calculated indicator is 80%).

    “In recent years, the number of SEZs in the country has increased significantly. New territories with a preferential regime have already been included in the rating, but have not yet reached full capacity. At the same time, residents are actively entering the “young” SEZs, expanding production and investing, creating highly paid jobs. Thus, the lion’s share of all investments in the SEZ in 2024 were provided by territories created in 2020-2022. It is important that businesses are increasing investments in the development of new technologies – R&D costs have grown by almost 60% and exceeded 35 billion rubles. This means that even in difficult conditions, companies continue to search for and implement innovative solutions, update products and develop new markets,” said Deputy Minister of Economic Development Svyatoslav Sorokin.

    According to the assessment results, the leaders in terms of efficiency for 2024 were industrial production zones in the Samara Region (Tolyatti), the Republic of Tatarstan (Alabuga), Moscow Region (Stupino Kvadrat), Ivanovo Region (Ivanovo), Lipetsk Region (Lipetsk), and Kaluga Region (Kaluga).

    “Special economic zones remain one of the most effective instruments of state support for investors. Last year, residents invested more than 1.2 trillion rubles in projects, which is twice as much as the year before. Over 25 thousand new jobs were created, which is 40% more than in 2023. These results confirm that businesses are comfortable working in SEZ conditions: these are tax and customs preferences, ready-made infrastructure, administrative support and reduced costs for connecting to resources. All this makes SEZ sites growth points and attractive for long-term investments,” Svyatoslav Sorokin emphasized.

    “Business investments are new high-tech production facilities, jobs, and taxes that we direct to the development of the social sphere and improving the quality of life of our citizens. And the special economic zone “Togliatti” with its opportunities and preferences is an effective tool for attracting private investment, a key growth point. The development of the capacities of the SEZ “Togliatti” will contribute to the development of the regional economy and increase the competitiveness of the region in the investment arena,” said the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev.

    “Of course, the preferences of the special economic zone play an important role when an investor chooses a location – these are both tax benefits and ready-made infrastructure. For us, the SEZ in Baikalsk has become part of the important work to create a new environmentally friendly business format on the former industrial site,” said Igor Kobzev, Governor of the Irkutsk Region. He also noted that there is currently a high interest from investors in the SEZ, in connection with which the regional authorities are preparing documents for the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation to expand the preferential regime zone.

    “The Saint Petersburg Special Economic Zone annually confirms its effectiveness, taking places in the top three special economic zones of the technology implementation type. We are the leader in the volume of tax deductions from our residents to the country’s budget system. This makes a significant contribution to the high assessment of our work. Over 19 years of operation, two operating sites of the SEZ have already brought Saint Petersburg 135 billion rubles in investments, almost 8 thousand jobs and about 29 billion rubles in tax deductions. The city sees the effect for Saint Petersburg and is interested in scaling up the project,” said Tamara Rondaleva, General Director of JSC Saint Petersburg Special Economic Zone.

    The efficiency assessment was carried out based on 25 quantitative indicators, as well as six calculated metrics, including: the performance of residents, the profitability of investments from budgets at all levels in the infrastructure of the zones, the efficiency of management bodies, the quality of planning during the creation of the SEZ, and the contribution to the achievement of national development goals defined by the May decree of the President of the Russian Federation.

    Every year new production facilities are opened in the territory of special economic zones. In 2024 alone, several socially significant and high-tech projects began operating at once.

    The production of televisions under the GigaFactory brand has started in the Novgorodskaya SEZ — this is the first and only enterprise of its kind in the region. The plant produces “smart” televisions based on a domestic operating system, which makes the project an important element of import substitution.

    On the territory of the SEZ “Lotus”, the company “Rybnye Korma” launched the first stage of the plant for the production of feed for industrial aquaculture – sturgeon, catfish, trout, salmon, sea bass and dorado. The production is focused on domestic raw materials, and the volume of feed production today is up to 25 thousand tons per year.

    The Krasnogorsky dairy plant has started operating in the Orenburg SEZ. The processing capacity is up to 150 tons of milk per day, the range is more than 50 types of dairy and fermented milk products. The products are supplied not only to retail chains in the Orenburg Region and neighboring regions, but also to Kazakhstan and China.

    The Petexpert plant, specializing in the production of high-quality pet food from natural raw materials, has opened in the Lipetsk SEZ. The enterprise produces up to 20 thousand tons of dry food per year and is developing regional exports.

    On the territory of the SEZ PPT “Alga” in Bashkortostan, the company “Azimut” launched an innovative plant for the production of road paint and cold plastic for marking. The production is located in the industrial park “Ufimsky” and is equipped with a modern laboratory and lines. The products are used in the implementation of federal and regional programs for the construction of transport infrastructure.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: On citizens’ appeals received by the Government of the Russian Federation in June 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Additionally

    Information on the number of written and oral requests received from citizens from 01.06.2025 to 30.06.2025

    Summary of the topics of citizens’ appeals received for the period from 01.06.2025 to 30.06.2025

    Summary of the number of received citizen requests by territory for the period from 01.06.2025 to 30.06.2025

    In June 2025, the Government of the Russian Federation received 18,917 requests (including 18,125 in the form of an electronic document). Among them, 124 were collective, signed by 19,958 people.

    In terms of the volume of correspondence received in June, international topics were the leading ones. The second place was taken by letters devoted to the economic sphere, including road repair and construction, gasification and water supply of settlements. The authors of appeals on environmental issues focused on animal protection issues. In terms of housing and utilities, applicants complained about the increase in utility bills and criticized the work of management companies. There were requests to improve housing conditions and expand preferential mortgage lending programs. The number of letters concerning social security and health care increased. Issues of obtaining citizenship, as well as the activities of inquiry and investigation agencies, remained relevant in appeals.

    High activity in terms of the number of letters received per 10,000 residents was noted in the Central and Southern Federal Districts (especially in Moscow and Sevastopol, the Republic of Crimea, Volgograd and Moscow Regions), as well as in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Zaporozhye Region. The activity of residents of the Northwestern Federal District generally corresponds to the average indicator for Russia. Below average values were recorded in the Volga, Ural, Siberian, North Caucasian and Far Eastern Federal Districts, where the most active authors were those living in the Ulyanovsk and Tomsk Regions, Kamchatka and Stavropol Territories, the Republic of Bashkorostan, and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.

    Based on the results of the review, the appeals were sent by the Office of the Government of the Russian Federation to federal executive authorities and their territorial divisions (5,319), to regional executive authorities (3,904), to local government bodies, prosecutor’s offices and other organizations (1,878). 574 appeals were taken under control.

    The most important, socially significant requests were sent to the secretariats of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation and his deputies (203), the management of the Government Office (19) and the structural divisions of the Government Office (394).

    In June 2025, 739 responses were received on the results of reviewing citizens’ appeals, including 306 from executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. 77 responses reported a positive resolution of the issues raised or measures taken, 599 authors were given the necessary explanations. The facts stated by the applicants were confirmed in 18 cases, 52 applications were verified on-site, 17 officials were held accountable. Complaints were denied to 38 authors due to the lack of legal grounds, in 22 cases the stated facts were not confirmed. 25 letters were left for additional control. 11 appeals were reviewed in violation of the deadlines.

    As part of the work of the telephone reference service in June 2025, answers were provided to 1,668 inquiries.

    The reception office of the Government of the Russian Federation was visited by 93 people in one month.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Congratulations from Mikhail Mishustin on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dear friends!

    I congratulate you on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.

    This holiday embodies centuries-old historical traditions and family values, where customs, knowledge and experience are passed on from parents to children.

    Today, support for birth rates and large families, care for the older generation, and improving the well-being of Russians are priorities of state policy. Active work in this direction is being carried out within the framework of the national project “Family”. Important social projects are being implemented in all regions of the country, significant events are being held aimed at improving demography and increasing life expectancy.

    We are proud of our country’s large families, labor and creative dynasties. With deep respect we honor the fathers and mothers of the fighters of the special military operation, who raised true patriots, courageously defending the national interests of the Fatherland.

    On this festive day, I would like to wish Russian families success, good health, happiness and prosperity.

    M. Mishustin

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev held a meeting with the participant of the second stream of the presidential program “Time of Heroes” Alexander Karamyshev

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Karamyshev – Hero of Russia, holder of the Order of Courage. Following the meeting, it was decided that Alexander would undergo an internship at Aeroflot.

    Vitaly Savelyev held a meeting with the participant of the second stream of the presidential program “Time of Heroes” Alexander Karamyshev

    July 8, 2025

    Vitaly Savelyev held a meeting with the participant of the second stream of the presidential program “Time of Heroes” Alexander Karamyshev

    July 8, 2025

    Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Karamyshev – Hero of Russia, Cavalier of the Order of Courage

    July 8, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Vitaly Savelyev held a meeting with the participant of the second stream of the presidential program “Time of Heroes” Alexander Karamyshev

    The “Time of Heroes” program is implemented by the Higher School of Public Administration of the Presidential Academy. As part of the first stream, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev acted as a mentor to Hero of Russia Alexander Sheptukhin, who currently holds the post of advisor to the head of the Federal Air Transport Agency.

    “As part of my career, I would like to develop my professional competencies at Aeroflot. At the meeting, we agreed that a detailed plan for an internship at the airline would be developed in the direction in which I would be interested in reaching new heights,” noted Alexander Karamyshev.

    “It is a great honor for us that Alexander Karamyshev will undergo an internship in the transport industry structures. It is also a responsible task to support him in choosing the direction of his future activities. We will continue to provide him with all the necessary professional assistance and support,” Vitaly Savelyev emphasized.

    The goal of the program is to train managers from among the participants of the special military operation for subsequent work in state and municipal authorities, as well as state-owned companies. The program is implemented by the Higher School of Public Administration of the Presidential Academy in cooperation with the Senezh Management Workshop. The selection criteria for the training program were demonstrated heroism within the SVO, management experience and achievements in the military or civilian spheres, as well as the results of assessment activities to determine management potential.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK signs MOU with Xi’an Hi-Tech Zone to foster Shaanxi-Hong Kong partnership in empowering enterprises’ global expansion (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 8) cohosted the “Shaanxi-Hong Kong Collaboration: Leveraging Hong Kong Strengths to Support Shaanxi Tech Companies in Going Global” seminar in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government and the Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology. The event was also co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu (CDETO), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s Shaanxi Liaison Unit, Shaanxi Province Xixian New Area Development and Construction Management Committee, and the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone Management Committee.
          
         The Director of the CDETO, Mr Enoch Yuen; the Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Shaanxi Provincial Government, Ms Yao Hongjuan; and Vice President of the Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology Mr Lv Jianjun delivered welcome remarks to guests and the media. Mr Yuen said, “The National 14th Five-Year Plan explicitly designates Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub, while Shaanxi serves as a key national base for technology and industry, with strong capabilities in energy and chemical engineering, equipment manufacturing, and aerospace, among others. Both Hong Kong and Shaanxi place great importance on the development of the innovation and technology industry, and frequent high-level exchanges between the two places have continued to deepen in recent years. We look forward to deeper collaboration, leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in taxation, finance, and global connectivity, while combining them with Shaanxi’s strong industrial foundation and innovative vitality, to achieve a mutually beneficial partnership.”
          
         Ms Yao stated that efforts will be made to actively promote and deepen economic, trade, and investment co-operation between Shaanxi and Hong Kong, particularly in the fields of innovation and technology, as well as new quality productive forces. These efforts aim to help enterprises in both regions seize development opportunities and achieve complementary advantages. Mr Lv also delivered remarks at the event.
          
         One of the key highlights of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between InvestHK and the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone Management Committee, marking a solid step forward for Shaanxi and Hong Kong in promoting the international development of enterprises in the central and western regions.
          
         Xi’an High-tech Zone is one of the first national high-tech zones approved by the State Council. In 2024, Xi’an High-tech Zone ranked fifth in the country and first in the central and western regions in the comprehensive evaluation of national high-tech zones. The zone focuses on developing innovative industries such as optoelectronic information, smart manufacturing, biomedicine, automobiles, new materials and energy. It has successfully built two “hundred-billion-level industrial clusters” in the automobile industry and electronic information. At present, the zone has become the world’s largest production base for flash memory chips and new energy vehicles.
          
         Under the MOU, the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone Management Committee will encourage enterprises in the zone to utilise Hong Kong as a base for expanding overseas business. InvestHK will provide enterprises with information on the business environment and policies in Hong Kong, as well as support services for companies investing and operating in Hong Kong. The signing of this MOU establishes a structured collaboration framework, combining Hong Kong’s unique strengths as an international financial centre and Xi’an High-Tech Zone’s innovation capabilities to empower enterprises in accessing global resources efficiently and seizing early opportunities in international markets.
          
         The Head of the Go Global Unit/Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of Western China of InvestHK, Mr Jason Gan, and the Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau of the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone, Mr Gao Yuntian, signed the memorandum of co-operation on behalf of their respective sides. Mr Gan said after the signing, “There are tremendous opportunities for co-operation between Shaanxi and Hong Kong in developing new quality productive forces and contributing to China’s high-quality development. As a vital bridge between the Mainland and international markets, Hong Kong has long been committed to providing comprehensive support for Mainland innovation-driven enterprises. We hope to further leverage the complementary advantages of the two places to assist high-quality enterprises in the zone to go global via Hong Kong, and work together to explore new innovative co-operation.”
          
         The Head of Innovation & Technology of InvestHK, Mr Andy Wong, delivered a keynote speech and highlighted Hong Kong’s competitive edge in the I&T sector. “We possess a number of competitive advantages in developing innovation and technology, including world-class academic research and talent, cutting-edge R&D infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and the strong support of the HKSAR Government. In 2024, InvestHK supported 120 innovation and technology companies to set up or expand in Hong Kong, making it the top sector among those we assisted. This reflects the international community’s confidence in and recognition of Hong Kong’s I&T development, and further affirms the city’s strategic role as a two-way platform between the Mainland and global markets. Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector has recently made remarkable progress in several areas. For example, the first batch of regulatory sandbox pilot projects for the low-altitude economy has been launched, serving as a new engine for Hong Kong’s future development. In addition, the city’s new drug approval mechanism has been updated to accelerate the market entry of new pharmaceuticals. I sincerely hope that I&T enterprises in Shaanxi will seize the diverse opportunities offered by Hong Kong to expand into international markets,” he said.

         Senior Manager of the Leasing and Operations Department of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited Mr Tandy Tan and Associate Director of the Research and Innovation Office of Hong Kong Polytechnic University Mr Victor Zhao also shared the opportunities of the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Center and highlighted Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities in empowering new quality productive forces raised from Hong Kong universities. Deputy Director of the Science, Technology Innovation and New Economy Bureau, Shaanxi Province Xixian New Area Ms Han Ping also shared the latest developments on Shaanxi’s I&T industry construction centre.
          
         This event featured a panel discussion with industry leaders from professional services in Hong Kong, especially in financial professional services. Guest speakers from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, HSBC and Deloitte Tax shared insights on how Hong Kong’s financial and professional services can accelerate Mainland firms’ global expansion.
          
         The seminar included a dedicated exchange session to provide on-site consulting services for corporate representatives interested in expanding to Hong Kong. The event attracted 190 representatives from Shaanxi enterprises, institutions and local media.

               

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case by river trade vessel involving goods worth about $34 million (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Hong Kong Customs on June 27 detected a suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $34 million was seized.

    Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, a river trade vessel departing from Hong Kong for Macao was selected for inspection on June 27. Upon examination, Customs officers onboard the vessel found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including about 570 000 suspected pharmaceutical products, about 1 500 kilograms of dried shark fins, about 47kg of shisha tobacco, about 42kg of bird’s nests, about 38kg of cigars and 1 380 mobile phones.

    An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

    Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant activities.

    Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

    Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SAMOA TO PARTICIPATE IN INAUGURAL PACIFICAUS SPORTS CRICKET INVITATIONAL

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    [PRESS RELEASE] – Samoa’s national women’s cricket team are travelling to Port Moresby to compete in the Inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational. The team will be battling against an Australian Indigenous team and teams from Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu from Saturday 15 June – Saturday 21 June in an action-packed draw.

    Captain Tuaoloa Helen Semau of Vailuutai, Falelatai and Iva Savaii said the team is “incredibly excited and honoured to be part of the Pacific Invitational Tournament. Competing against strong teams like the Australian Indigenous Women’s Team, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu is both a challenge and a privilege we embrace wholeheartedly.

    This is an amazing opportunity for us to test ourselves and grow as a team. We’ve been training hard, and the spirit within the squad is strong. We’re not just here to participate – we’re here to compete, represent Samoa with pride, and show the progress we’ve made in our cricket journey.”

    The Samoa national women’s team is currently ranked 45 th , and prior to COVID-19 it had been ranked 16th in the world. The Invitational presents an opportunity for the team to face up against old rivals PNG and Vanuatu. Coach Perelini Mulitalo said “I’m really happy about the squad we’ve assembled for this Pacific Invitational, especially with the inclusion of our young talents from the U19 Women’s Team – Avetia Mapu, Olive Lefaga Lemoe, Angel Sootaga So, Masina Faimafili Tafea and Norah Jade Salima. These girls have shown great potential, composure, and hunger to compete at the senior level.

    “This tournament will be an invaluable experience for them, and it is a big step forward in our pathway for women’s cricket in Samoa. Bringing in youth adds fresh energy, and it also signals the growth and future of our program. We are not only building for now—we are building for sustained success in the years to come.

    “It is going to be a tough competition, but these young players bring new strengths and fearless intent that will boost our team. I am proud of how far they’ve come and excited to see them rise to this challenge.

    “These types of tournaments are so important for women’s cricket in the Pacific. They push us to raise our standards and inspire the next generation back home. Win or lose, we’ll leave everything on the field and carry our flag with pride.”

    Carol Agafili, a fresh addition to the team is feeling calm and confident ahead of the matches and will be another strong addition to the team.

    The T20 tournament is supported through the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, which creates opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.

    Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa, HE Will Robinson said, “the Australian Government is proud to partner with the Samoa International Cricket Association to help the Samoan team to attend the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational. Manuia le fa’amoemoe Samoa!”

    The Invitational builds on previous investment in Samoa cricket from the Australian Government, with PacificAus Sports supporting a visit to Samoa from Australian cricket legend Cathryn Fitzpatrick last year to support the U19 women’s team prepare for the T20 World Cup.

    The competition is set to be fierce, with Cricket Australia’s CEO Todd Greenberg expecting “this tournament will showcase high-performance cricket while continuing to strengthen shared cultural connections”. Mr Greenberg also added that “the Australian Women’s Indigenous squad brings together skill, determination, and a proud legacy of Indigenous cricket”. Mr Greenberg is looking forward to seeing the Australian team perform their at their best in PNG.

    The tournament is being played in Papua New Guinea as part of the celebration of the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence, Cricket Papua New Guinea will be the hosts for the tournament, with support from Cricket Australia.

    END.

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    July 8, 2025

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    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: U.S. COAST GUARD, U.S. EMBASSY APIA, SAMOA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF MARITIME BOARDING OFFICER COURSE IN SAMOA.

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    [PRESS RELEASE] – The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Embassy conducted a Maritime Boarding Officer Course from June 9 – 20, 2025, designed to strengthen maritime law enforcement operations and U.S. Coast Guard collaboration with partners in Oceania.

    The course covered a broad spectrum of essential topics, including professional communication, international maritime law, boarding procedures, arrest and detention protocols, high-risk search techniques and practical boarding scenarios. Participants from the Samoa Police and Fisheries collaborated with members from the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team and Fourteenth Coast Guard District in a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on exercises, ensuring the application to realistic operational environments.

    “Our goal is to enhance the proficiency and safety of boarding teams as they carry out vital maritime security missions,” said Lt. Channing Meyer, a lead Operation Blue Pacific planner for the Fourteenth District. “This training will prepare personnel to handle a wide range of scenarios with professionalism and confidence, ultimately helping to protect Samoa’s maritime borders and ensure the safety of our shared waterways.”

    The Maritime Boarding Officer Course is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s ongoing commitment to operational safety and maritime security. Key participants of this course were maritime police, fisheries compliance officers and other personnel who carry out maritime law enforcement, border security, and patrols at sea.

    “This is the first U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team that has been deployed to Samoa in recent years, but it is one of 20 other courses that have been executed throughout the Pacific Islands since 2023,” said Lt. Rebecca Edmonds, Oceania and North Asia program manager at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. “The program is synchronized and aligned with Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program and provides tailored law enforcement, engineering, and small boat operations support to each recipient of a Guardian Class Patrol vessel.”

    This course also complements the bilateral maritime law enforcement, commonly known as the “shiprider” program where Samoa Police and Fisheries officers patrol the Samoan exclusive economic zone onboard U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy vessels.

    “The Boarding Officer Course is part of an ongoing cooperation to strengthen maritime security, improve coordination between agencies and build operational capacity for our Samoan counterparts,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Daniel Tarapacki, U.S. Embassy Apia, Samoa. “The course is designed to provide Samoa’s boarding team members with classroom instruction and numerous practical exercises to confidently conduct maritime law enforcement boardings at sea.”

    About the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team:

    The U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team (MTT) is a deployable unit that fosters international cooperation and strengthens maritime partnerships by providing specialized training and technical assistance to partner nations around the globe. Every year, they train over 1,000 international partners in more than 40 countries.

    END.

    SOURCE – US Embassy Apia, Samoa

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    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CE at South China Morning Post China Conference 2025 (English only) (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the South China Morning Post China Conference 2025 today (July 8):

    Ms Catherine So (Chief Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post), Ms Tammy Tam (Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post), Mr Steve Finch (President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Asia), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

    Good morning. It’s a pleasure to join you here, once again, at the South China Morning Post’s annual China Conference – the 11th edition.

    More than 700 of you are here for this year’s gathering. Some 300s are joining us, virtually, at this forum for business, trade, finance, investment and technology. All of you keen on getting the latest intelligence and insights, developments and business opportunities – in Hong Kong, throughout China and beyond. 

    The theme of this China Conference is “Where Capital Meets Innovation” – an apt description of the strengths of China, our country, and how Hong Kong contributes to its rise. That provides the world with much-needed certainty, especially in this difficult time.

    This year’s international trade uncertainties, and chaos, may well continue amidst the rise of protectionism and unilateralism. The global economy is grappling with profound instability, escalating geopolitical risks and the wholesale reshaping of long-existing trading systems.

    In spite of a damaged global trade order, the expanding trade and capital flows of China, our country, help buoy the economy of the region and the world.

    The Mainland economy has sound fundamentals, a vast domestic market and the robust policies in place to withstand external challenges. In the first quarter of this year, the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew by 5.4 per cent, and key economic indicators have kept improving since the beginning of the second quarter – simply said, China, our country, is well on its way to achieving the official growth target of around 5 per cent for 2025.

    As for Hong Kong, our economy expanded solidly by 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, supported by visible increases in exports and the resumption of moderate growth in overall investment expenditure. We forecast real GDP growth of 2 per cent to 3 per cent in this year.

    Last week, we celebrated the 28th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s establishment. That happy occasion was a welcome opportunity to thank our country for championing Hong Kong through the “one country, two systems” principle, as well as the national strategies and made-for-Hong Kong initiatives it supports us with.

    Last month, the World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Hong Kong third in the world in global competitiveness, up two places from the previous year, and up four places from 2023.

    It marks Hong Kong’s return to the global top three for the first time since 2019, reflecting our commitment to change in face of today’s rising challenges.

    There’s a lot more to be grateful for. In April and May, Hong Kong’s merchandise exports showed double-digit, year-on-year growth, while visitor arrivals also brought double-digit, year-on-year increases in the second quarter.  

    And Hong Kong, in the first half of this year, has been the world’s largest IPO (initial public offering) fundraising market, raising over US$13 billion. That’s up a whopping 22 per cent, compared with the full-year figure last year.

    It speaks of Hong Kong’s long-standing appeal as a safe haven for Chinese and international capital and a bridge for global investors. 

    Hong Kong is, after all, the most internationalised city in the country. We offer the world a market-friendly business environment underpinned by the rule of law. We are the only common law jurisdiction in our country, with a legal system and regulatory regime similar to most global financial hubs. And we present business and investment advantages unmatched by any other city in the world.

    Last year, the total number of local registered companies reached its record high, surpassing 1.46 million. And the total number of non-local companies registered here also reached a record high, and was over 15 000. Both figures continue to show encouraging growth this year. 

    Since January 2023, Invest Hong Kong, our dedicated investment promotion agency, has assisted more than 1 300 Mainland and overseas companies in setting up or expanding their business in Hong Kong. These companies bring in foreign direct investment of over US$21 billion to our economy, creating over 19 000 jobs.

    When I assumed office as Chief Executive three years ago, I established the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises. My aim is to offer, through this Office, one-stop facilitation services and  tailor-made incentives to attract strategic enterprises to our city and foster innovation and economic growth. 

    The Office has brought in 84 strategic companies, from such high-tech industries as advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, AI and data science, fintech and life and health technology. The strategic companies will invest about US$6.4 billion in the next few years, creating over 20 000 jobs. 

    We also launched a new scheme in May this year to create a company re-domiciliation regime to attract companies to Hong Kong. It provides a convenient, safe and secure pathway for companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong. Different companies have already expressed their interest to the regime and two international insurance giants – as Mr Finch is surely aware – have announced they will officially re-domicile to Hong Kong. Good business always makes right decisions.

    These companies all gave their strong vote of confidence in the development of Hong Kong and the country, and will help attract a wealth of partners and related companies to this part of the globe.

    Another strong advantage Hong Kong offers to overseas companies here, old or new, is our easy access to the Mainland market. We are certainly a front runner in this regard. 

    That’s in no small part thanks to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, our de facto free trade agreement with the Mainland that provides preferential treatment to Hong Kong companies, facilitating smoother access to the Mainland’s vast market.

    A new amendment agreement under the CEPA Agreement on Trade in Services entered into force this March. It includes the removal of the qualifying period requirement on Hong Kong service suppliers in most sectors, meaning our many new companies can also benefit from the arrangement’s facilitation measures in accessing the Mainland market.

    Together with new initiatives that allow Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law and choose Hong Kong as the seat for arbitration in their operation in a range of Mainland cities, CEPA provides a wide range of innovative enhancements that help a world of investors better capitalise on China’s growth opportunities, with the help of Hong Kong’s world-class professional services.

    Then there’s technological innovation, including artificial intelligence. AI advancements are transforming production, business and consumption patterns. They are redefining the core competitiveness of economies.

    These trends create new opportunities for Hong Kong, particularly in our deepening integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a cluster city development that brings together Hong Kong, Macao, and nine southern cities on the Mainland.

    With a population exceeding 87 million and a GDP of more than US$2 trillion last year, similar to the size of the 10th largest economy in the world, the Greater Bay Area is among the most open and economically vibrant regions in the country. 

    The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster, which includes three of the Greater Bay Area’s core cities, has been ranked second, globally, for five consecutive years in the Global Innovation Index, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. 

    Drawing together Hong Kong’s research capabilities and business competitiveness, as well as the Mainland’s innovation and advanced manufacturing prowess, the Greater Bay Area endeavours to become a world-leading I&T (innovation and technology) hub.

    One spectacular example is the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, an area that straddles our boundary with Shenzhen. It will develop into a cutting-edge advanced technology centre that converges the strengths of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Last November, the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government published the Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park in the co-operation zone.

    The Park’s first three buildings have been completed, and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute opened last November at Hong Kong Park.

    That’s just the beginning. Artificial intelligence, new energy vehicles, the low-altitude economy, fintech, and more, are thriving in the Greater Bay Area. And as the Park enters into the operational phase this year, more of these companies will be joining us.

    Beyond I&T, we have seen the successful introduction of a wide variety of policy initiatives with the Greater Bay Area, including measures for the two-way flow of talent, schemes for supporting youth innovation, entrepreneurship and employment, and policies to facilitate mutual travel.

    And the promise of further co-operation between Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland is boundless.

    Ladies and gentlemen, when we talk of China’s might, many of us immediately look to the maiden visit to Hong Kong over the past weekend of the first domestically built aircraft carrier of China, our country, the Shandong. Although the fleet has just bid us farewell yesterday, the awe and pride it drew among the people of Hong Kong over its five-day visit will be long-lasting.

    More than a display of maritime strength, the fleet showcases our country’s commitment to peacekeeping and regional stability. And much like how the Shandong docked in our safe harbour, Hong Kong is where the country anchors its trust.

    In this era of fogged horizons, China does not just project power – it radiates investible stability. And Hong Kong is the “super connector” and “super value-adder” that links the world with opportunities from China’s growth and certainties. A link you can always bank on.

    Amid an ever changing geopolitical landscape and constantly escalating uncertainties, Hong Kong is the place that promises security and development. This certainty of security and development is precisely what a world of investors need and thirst for. 

    Together, we will fully seize development opportunities, keep boosting our competitiveness, undertake reforms for progress, and foster innovation. The wisdom and wealth of experience of the people of Hong Kong will help the Pearl of the Orient shine brighter than ever on the world stage.

    My thanks to the South China Morning Post for organising this essential, always eventful, annual gathering. 

    I wish you all a rewarding conference. And the best of business in the second half of 2025, a year that will surely be full of opportunities and rewards. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First Digital Education Week by Education Bureau concludes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The first Digital Education Week (DEW) organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) concluded yesterday (July 7). The two flagship events of the DEW, including the Learning and Teaching Expo 2025 (LTE 2025) and the International Summit on the Use of AI in Learning and Teaching Languages and Other Subjects and Post-Summit Workshop Series, attracted over 24 000 participants altogether, providing opportunities for education professionals to gain further insights into the latest developments in educational technology and inspiring them to apply emerging technologies to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness.

    The Summit, jointly organised by the EDB, the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Hong Kong Education City (EdCity), was held from July 4 to 7, attracting over 4 500 participants. The LTE 2025, was held from July 2 to 4, supported by the EDB, presented by EdCity and organised by the Smart City Consortium, attracted over 20 000 participants, setting a new record for attendance. Themed “Education: A Shared Future for All”, the LTE 2025 convened global educators, education leaders and innovators. Through keynote speeches, seminars, workshops and product showcases, participants explored innovative pedagogies and educational technology applications while shaping future educational directions.

    The LTE 2025 featured over 600 exhibition booths and introduced the Mainland and International Pavilions (including Singapore and Korea) to foster cross-regional collaborative exchanges. The Principals’ Conference, for the first time, brought together over 200 Hong Kong school principals for a 1.5-day “VASK” immersive experience, comprising seminars and expert discussions focused on “Values, Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge”. A newly introduced Kids’ AI Summit engaged approximately 100 Hong Kong primary and secondary school students in a three-minute speech session, where they shared insights on AI in education, child well-being, and future careers. Additionally, over 270 keynote speeches, seminars, and demonstration classes showcased innovative teaching solutions and trends in technology applications, with more than 300 experts sharing their experiences in integrating AI and educational technology into teaching.

    The Summit included three main components: the Summit itself, a series of workshops, and the technology showcase. Participants engaged in different segments based on their backgrounds, needs, and interests. The first two days of the Summit featured keynote speeches from five top experts in AI education, namely Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, the United States, Professor Victor Lee; the Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Competency Education Centre at the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Kong Siu-cheung; Professor of the School of Animation and Digital Arts at the Communication University of China Professor Lyu Xin; Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Reading, the United Kingdom, Professor Rodney Jones; and the Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Mr Andreas Schleicher. In addition to keynote speeches, the Summit arranged for scholars from around the world to present 83 papers and conducted seven teaching demonstrations by frontline teachers from Hong Kong and the Mainland.

    In the following two days, 11 workshops were held in Cantonese, Putonghua, or English, allowing participants to experience various AI educational tools and engage in in-depth discussions on ethical issues related to AI literacy and applications. Additionally, 20 exhibiting organisations and technology companies participated in the technology showcase, displaying cutting-edge tools and software to demonstrate the potential of AI in the teaching and learning of languages and other subjects.

    The first DEW has made a positive impact on the education sector, enhancing teachers’ and students’ understanding of digital education and the application of related educational technologies. The rich activities provided during the DEW comprehensively showcased the latest educational technologies, resources, and teaching methods from around the world, inspiring innovative thinking among educators. Through various rich interactive sessions, participants not only had the opportunities to engage with a wide range of effective innovative technology solutions to enhance learning and teaching, but the public awareness of future educational trends has also been strengthened.

    The series of activities during this year’s DEW was well received by various sectors, with total participation exceeding 24 000 visitors. Despite teachers and students being busy with post-examination activities, they actively supported the events, fully demonstrating the appeal and foresight of the themes of the two flagship events of this year’s DEW. It also reflected the intensive attention and support from the academic community and relevant stakeholders for the development of digital education in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Strategies to attract international professionals from third countries to the EU – E-002642/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002642/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Joachim Streit (Renew)

    In an increasingly globalised labour market, the EU is competing with other economies, in particular the US, for highly skilled international talent. While the US Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme allows international graduates to work in the country for up to three years without prior job offers, there is no comparable flexible model in the EU. The extensions of the OPT in 2008 and 2016 resulted in a 400 % increase in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) participants – a clear indication of its effectiveness in tying highly qualified third-country nationals to the US labour market[1].

    While Germany allows third-country nationals with a German degree to stay for up to 18 months to seek employment, this approach is limited to that country and not harmonised across the EU. At the same time, it is clear that many international students prefer to go to the US, including as a result of restrictive EU visa policies and a lack of awareness of career prospects. Given the acute shortage of skilled workers in areas such as health, AI and STEM, there is an urgent need for an overall EU strategy to actively attract international talent from third countries.

    • 1.Is the Commission planning to develop an EU model of employment-related follow-up support, akin to the OPT model, allowing third-country nationals with an EU university degree to transition temporarily into the EU labour market?
    • 2.What funding instruments are there currently at EU level for international talent outside the higher education sector, in particular with regard to professional integration or qualified employment?

    Submitted: 30.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.pewresearch.org/global-migration-and-demography/2018/05/10/number-of-foreign-college-students-staying-and-working-in-u-s-after-graduation-surges/
    Last updated: 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions – B10-0329/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0329/2025

    European Parliament resolution on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions

    (2025/2800(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on EU-China relations,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020[1] (Critical Raw Materials Act),

    – having regard to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the principles of free, fair, and rules-based trade,

    – having regard to WTO dispute settlement rulings DS431, DS432 and DS433 on China’s rare earth export restrictions,

    – having regard to the G7 critical minerals action plan,

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas on 4 April 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce imposed export restrictions on magnets and seven rare earth elements (REEs): samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium;

    B. whereas China’s new export licensing process for rare earth elements results in significant delays, has negative impacts on supply chains and threatens imminent stoppages for production in certain sectors; whereas it is also forcing industry to disclose sensitive information reaching beyond standard licensing processes;

    C. whereas China’s new export restrictions further undermine its reliability as a supplier for EU industry; whereas delays and difficulties in obtaining customs clearance arise even when licences are granted;

    D. whereas China’s decision to start issuing export licences for rare earth elements and magnets to some European companies represents only temporary relief and falls significantly short of a systemic solution;

    E. whereas these new export restrictions represent just the latest development in China’s increased use of unilateral controls on exports that are broader in scope than the multilateral export controls and do not have a clear security rationale;

    F. whereas China introduced export restrictions on gallium and germanium in August 2023, and further export restrictions on graphite in December 2023;

    G. whereas China has, in the past, already been found in breach of its WTO Accession Protocol commitments and Article XI(1) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade for introducing unjustified export restrictions on REEs; whereas this demonstrates a clear pattern of action;

    H. whereas China’s use of export restrictions is a clear example of its exploitation of its dominance of the global critical raw materials market and economic blackmail, resulting in supply chain disruptions;

    I. whereas 100 % of the EU’s supply of heavy REEs comes from China; whereas the EU’s general dependency on critical raw materials from China remains a major threat to the EU’s economy and resilience and a cause for concern;

    J. whereas the EU faces the complex challenge of securing a sustainable supply of critical raw materials while adhering to its environmental and societal commitments;

    K. whereas the EU’s demand for critical raw materials is surging and is projected to rise further, due among other things to developments in the defence sector, as well as the digital and energy transitions;

    L. whereas the shift in energy policy has increased demand for previously underutilised resources, including REEs, as well as ‘conventional’ commodities such as copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium; whereas, additionally, the shift has heightened the need for metals and metalloids, including gallium, germanium, selenium, indium and tellurium, which are often only obtained as by-products during the extraction of primary commodities and have low recycling rates, further complicating their supply chain and availability;

    M. whereas apart from raw material extraction, China is also increasing its dominance of critical raw materials markets through refining and processing; whereas 94 % of the Australian production of lithium minerals and 99 % of the Congolese production of cobalt goes to China for refining; whereas China imports 67 % of the world’s supply of manganese ore, and exports 70 % of the world’s refined manganese;

    N. whereas China’s political objective is to secure access to raw materials in other countries and strengthen its dominance in global markets; whereas China has been accused of demanding exclusive access to resources as a condition for investment through its Belt and Road Initiative, which invests heavily in resource-rich countries; whereas such conditions reinforce monopsony power and accentuate concentration, thus making critical raw materials markets less resilient;

    1. Expresses serious concern about the People’s Republic of China’s unjustified use of unilateral export controls on critical raw materials, including its latest measures targeting seven rare earth materials and magnets; deplores China’s weaponisation of critical raw materials and its use of market dominance for geopolitical leverage;

    2. Calls on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to immediately remove these rare earths and related products from its control list, thereby restoring a stable, predictable and sufficient supply;

    3. Condemns the PRC’s coercive economic and trade practices and calls for swift, coordinated and proportionate responses to its systematic use of trade dependencies as a tool of influence; emphasises that such practices extend beyond critical raw materials, affecting a wide range of strategic sectors;

    4. Notes with concern that for a large number of raw materials, the supply risk for Europe has gone up significantly[2]; believes that an increasing supply risk over time is symptomatic of Europe’s growing reliance on raw materials from a limited number of suppliers located in countries with governance and/or trade risks, its lack of progress in research and development targeting substitute materials, and the inability of current recycling practices to meet growing demand;

    5. Recognises the need to diversify supply chains for raw materials as a critical measure to enhance economic resilience, reduce strategic dependencies and ensure stable access to essential inputs in the face of geopolitical and market disruptions; calls strongly for the EU and its Member States to closely cooperate with global allies and like-minded partners in order to counteract abusive and distortive practices in the critical minerals sector; welcomes, in that respect, the G7 critical minerals action plan, announced following the 50th G7 summit that took place in June 2025;

    6. Recalls that the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act will establish a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, for example by identifying critical and strategic raw materials, setting benchmarks for domestic production and promoting improved circularity; Calls, in this respect, for the provisions of the Act to be implemented in full;

    7. Emphasises the need to step up domestic extraction of raw materials in the EU; notes that mineral extraction within the EU operates under stricter regulation than in most other countries globally; stresses that this, coupled with shorter and more secure supply lines to EU customers, offers distinct advantages, including enhanced economic resilience and a reduced carbon footprint associated with raw material sourcing;

    8. Expresses concern about the negative public perception of extraction projects in Europe; stresses that this demonstrates a clear disconnect between EU policymakers and local populations, as well as other stakeholders, regarding the implementation of energy and climate policies, as the green transition and the move away from fossil fuels require increased production of many raw materials and the establishment of secure supply chains; regrets that a number of mining projects in Europe, for example for lithium, have been significantly delayed or entirely cancelled due to public opposition; notes that while all human activities, mining included, have some degree of impact on the environment, the European mining sector has made substantial progress in developing methods and implementing strategies to mitigate its environmental footprint, balancing the need for resource extraction with responsible stewardship of the natural environment;

    9. Notes that the complexity of the EU’s mineral raw materials legislation is additionally exacerbated by the requirements of EU nature protection regulations, such as the Nature Restoration Regulation[3], which also limit the availability of land for mining activities, as extractive projects will likely face stricter environmental assessments, and areas designated for restoration may be off-limits to mining projects;

    10. Draws attention to the fact that China not only produces the vast majority of critical raw materials, but also controls a significant portion of global processing capacity; notes, in this regard, that in order to resolve its supply problem, the EU, apart from gaining access to resources from a wider variety of countries and developing its own EU domestic resources, needs to (re-)establish processing capacity within Europe;

    11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council and the Commission.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Planned EU harmonisation of ride-hailing regulations and its impact on national sovereignty – E-002635/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002635/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Markus Buchheit (ESN)

    The Commission has announced its intention to review and possibly harmonise the rules governing ride-hailing services such as Uber and Cabify across the EU. Currently, these services are regulated at the national or even local level, allowing Member States to respond to their specific transport, labour, and urban planning realities. A centralised EU approach might risk undermining national sovereignty, increasing red tape and delivering less effective services to citizens.

    • 1.What is the Commission’s rationale for proposing the harmonisation of ride-hailing regulations across all Member States, despite differences in their legal systems and infrastructure?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to ensure that such an initiative does not infringe the principle of subsidiarity or create additional bureaucratic burdens for national authorities and service providers?
    • 3.Does the Commission recognise that further centralisation of everyday policy decisions in Brussels may erode public trust in the EU and reduce service quality by disconnecting regulation from local needs?

    Submitted: 30.6.2025

    Last updated: 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions – B10-0332/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0332/2025

    European Parliament resolution on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions

    (2025/2800(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of 11 April 2024 on establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (the Critical Raw Materials Act)[1],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724[2] ,

    – having regard to the upcoming EU-China summit on 24-25 July 2025,

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas China dominates in rare earth refining, especially in heavy rare earth elements; whereas China accounts for roughly 70 % of global rare earth mining and over 90 % of the world’s refining capacity; whereas China holds a near monopoly over the global supply chain of several critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements (REEs) and other minerals that are vital for high-tech applications like powerful magnets;

    B. whereas critical minerals and REEs are crucial for both the green and digital transitions, owing to their essential role in enabling technologies in areas including renewable energy, electric vehicles, advanced electronics and defence;

    C. whereas the global demand for REEs, which are critical materials for various technologies including clean energy, is surging, with a significant increase projected for the coming years;

    D. whereas on 4 April 2025, in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff increases on Chinese products, China imposed export restrictions on 7 of the 17 REEs: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium;

    E. whereas on 27 June 2025, Washington and Beijing announced a new trade framework, under which China would resume approving export licences for REEs over the following six months;

    F. whereas the new rare earth restrictions are already causing export delays (of up to 45 days for processing a licence application, with additional time needed if the state council or military has to be consulted) as the Chinese Government establishes the licensing system;

    1. Expresses deep concern about and strongly criticises China’s recent and unjustified export restrictions on rare earth materials and magnets, which are crucial for European industries such as automotive manufacturing, renewable energy and defence;

    2. Notes with concern that the EU, which is not responsible for starting the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, is nonetheless bearing its economic consequences and should not become collateral damage in this conflict;

    3. Recalls that conservation policies do not allow members of the World Trade Organization to adopt measures to control the international market for a natural resource, which is what the export restrictions do; expresses the view that China’s export restrictions are designed to achieve industrial policy goals rather than conservation; underlines that the export quotas do not work together with measures restricting domestic Chinese use of rare earths, as required by the second part of Article XX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, and are therefore intended to secure preferential use of those materials for Chinese manufacturers;

    4. Calls on China to lift the restrictions and urges both the Commission and the Member States to take a firm and unified stance and engage with the Chinese authorities to seek a structural solution for these unjustified restrictions, which are undermining the global green and digital transitions; calls on the Commission and the Council to address the issue with the Chinese authorities in the upcoming EU-China summit on 24-25 July 2025, with a view to restoring a level playing field as well as securing the lifting of Chinese sanctions against former MEPs and think tanks;

    5. Stresses, however, that the EU must firmly reject any attempts by the Chinese authorities to use these restrictions as a tool of coercion to force concessions in ongoing disputes on other unfair practices, such as the anti-dumping duties on battery electric vehicles;

    6. Is concerned that this may lead to an unfair trade-off between export restrictions and access to European technological know-how, undermining our industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy;

    7. Urges the Commission to mitigate the risks of the EU’s overdependence on China for critical REEs and regrets that, despite the good intentions and policy initiatives of the Critical Raw Materials Act, the EU’s dependence on China for critical raw materials has continued to grow or, at best, remains stubbornly high;

    8. Underlines the need for a clear strategy to ensure the long-term security of supply by focusing on diversification, increased domestic production and the circular economy, with robust recycling infrastructure at its core for the recovery of critical minerals from end-of-life products;

    9. Calls on the Commission to make full use of the Clean Industrial Deal to build strategic partnerships with resource-rich countries, strengthen domestic capabilities in extraction, processing and recycling, and reduce reliance on single suppliers;

    10. Emphasises the need to secure access to critical raw materials; stresses that the upcoming circular economy act should improve resource efficiency, including through better waste management of products containing critical raw materials, as well as fostering the demand and availability of secondary raw materials; stresses the need to define those secondary raw materials that are strategic and that should be subject to export monitoring, such as steel and metal scrap, and to tackle any imbalance in their supply and demand, including by exploring export restrictions; insists on the effective enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation[3];

    11. Welcomes the critical minerals action plan agreed at the G7 leaders’ summit in June 2025;

    12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Italy: EIB Grants €150 Million Loan to Alfasigma to Accelerate Innovation in Rare Diseases and Specialty Care

    Source: European Investment Bank

    Alfasigma

    • The EIB financing will support Alfasigma’s R&D investments for the three-year period from 2025 to 2027.
    • The funds will help develop and market new medicines in Alfasigma’s main therapeutic areas.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €150 million loan agreement with Alfasigma, a global pharmaceutical company founded in Italy, whose products are present in more than 100 markets worldwide.

    The agreement, announced today by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Alfasigma’s Chief Financial Officer Tatiana Simonelli, will support the development of breakthrough therapies in the areas of rare diseases and specialty care. The EIB financing aims to support Alfasigma’s R&D activities over the three-year period from 2025 to 2027, focusing on new treatments in gastroenterology and hepatology, vascular medicine, and rheumatology. It will help accelerate the translation of scientific advances into patient-centred solutions, aiming to address unmet needs and deliver high-impact health outcomes.

    The operation is part of the EIB’s strategy to bolster competitiveness and innovation in the European healthcare sector and to create highly skilled jobs.

    “This financing confirms the EIB’s commitment to promoting scientific innovation and supporting European biopharmaceutical research,” said EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti. “Investing in research, development and innovation is key to strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness and to offering new therapeutic solutions to those currently without alternatives.”

    “We are grateful to the EIB for this agreement, which will help us to fast-track our ambitious growth strategy, particularly in expanding our footprint in rare diseases and specialty care innovations to better address the unmet needs of the patients and communities we serve”, said Alfasigma Chief Financial Officer Tatiana Simonelli.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight key priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.  The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed over 900 projects worth nearly €89 billion in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security. The EIB Group signed 99 operations totalling €10.98 billion in Italy in 2024, helping to unlock almost €37 billion of investment in the real economy. All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment. Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the funds made available by the Group unlocked over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised a further €110 billion for startups and scale-ups. Around half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

    Alfasigma is a global pharmaceutical company founded over 75 years ago in Italy, where it is headquartered (in Bologna and Milan). The group operates in over 100 markets spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. It has offices in many countries, including Italy, the United States, Spain, Germany, Mexico and China; production sites in Italy (Pomezia, Rome; Alanno, Pescara; Sermoneta, Latina; and Trezzano Rosa, Milan), Spain (Tortosa, Baix Ebre) and the United States (Shreveport, Louisiana); and research and development labs in Italy (Pomezia and Bergamo). Alfasigma employs approximately 4 000 people dedicated to research, development, production and distribution of medicinal products, contributing to its mission to provide better health and a better quality of life for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. It focuses on three main therapeutic areas: gastroenterology, vascular and rheumatology. Its portfolio ranges from speciality care to rare disease medications and consumer health products, including nutraceuticals.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Participation of EU Commissioners in Bilderberg Meetings – E-002608/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002608/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mariusz Kamiński (ECR)

    Bilderberg Meetings are criticised for their lack of transparency and unclear alleged influence on global political and economic decisions. Some investigative journalists point to the correlation between the annual Bilderberg Meetings and some important decisions made by the EU, as well as the rapid career progression of some of the politicians that have taken part in the meetings.

    The Commission has highlighted its commitment to transparency, procedural rules and respect for public funds. For years, EU Commissioners have occasionally taken part in Bilderberg Meetings, however, until at least 2014, the Commission claimed that they were doing so as private individuals[1].

    However, in recent years more Commissioners have been taking part in these meetings more regularly. In addition, the meetings’ official programmes show that Commissioners are attending in an official capacity[2]. Transport, accommodation, food and other costs are paid for using EU taxpayers’ money, with one Commissioner’s official mission costing a few thousand euro. Meanwhile, none of the four Commissioners that took part in the 2024 meeting in Madrid published information on any of the meetings that took place there. In addition, Commissioner Ylva Johansson even concealed the purpose of her mission[3].

    • 1.When did this change take place allowing EU Commissioners to participate in Bilderberg Meetings as part of their official duties and on what basis?
    • 2.With whom did Commissioners Maria Luís Albuquerque, Michael McGrath, Wopke Hoekstra and Maroš Šefčovič speak during this year’s event in Stockholm and on what topics?

    Submitted: 27.6.2025

    • [1] Response from President Barroso in 2014: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-7-2014-000218-ASW_EN.html; Response from President Prodi in 2003: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:92003E001370; Response from President Santer in 1999: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-4-1998-3880-ASW_EN.html.
    • [2] https://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/meetings/meeting-2025/participants-2025https://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/meetings/meeting-2024/participants-2024
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/transparencyinitiative/meetings/mission.do?host=97cfcbd7-4cc8-493b-9643-66100e578cf9&missionsperiod=2024_2
    Last updated: 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung IGNITE: A Legacy of Learning, Leadership, and Lifelong Impact

    Source: Samsung

    A look back at faces who took their first career steps with Samsung IGNITE
     
    Samsung India didn’t just launch a summer internship programme in 2017 with IGNITE — it laid the foundation for a leadership pipeline that would help shape its future.
     
    What began as an HR initiative to strengthen campus relationships and bring fresh perspectives to the business, has grown into a flagship talent engine that now spans 16 top B-schools in India.
     
    IGNITE alumnus, Ayushi Anand from IIM Kozhikode, said: “Samsung gave me the freedom to explore, question, and contribute. It wasn’t just a summer internship — it felt like joining a family.”
     
    IGNITE: Turning ambition into achievement

    A Culture that Prepares, not Just Recruits
    The journey begins much before summer. Planning for IGNITE starts as early as Q2, when Samsung’s Talent Acquisition team, Business HRs, Regional HRs, and business leaders come together to design the next cohort’s experience.
     
    “Over the years, we’ve seen it shape careers in the most fascinating way,” said Rishabh Nagpal, Head of People Team, Samsung India. “At Samsung, we believe that building future leaders starts with investing in them early, not just with opportunities, but with trust. IGNITE is not just a programme but a powerful platform that connects young talent to real-world challenges and our culture of innovation.”
     
    From selecting campuses based on performance and alumni strength to assigning live business projects with cross-functional complexity, every detail is planned meticulously to ensure interns get far more than a desk and a deadline.
     
    A journey that began with curiosity and grew into careers
     
    Beyond the Offer Letter: A Two-Month Transformation
    The IGNITE internship begins with a two-day induction where students are introduced to Samsung’s ways of working, its values, and its leadership. What follows is an 8-week deep dive into the business — with ownership, mentorship, and structured checkpoints at every step.
     
    Leadership connects are woven into the internship: a kickoff session, mid-internship check-in, project review preparations, and a final showcase. Throughout, interns work closely with cross-functional teams, learning how a company of Samsung’s scale moves fast, thinks forward, and never loses sight of the customer.
     
     
    As one IGNITE alumnus, Keshav Harlalka from IIFT, puts it: “For me, the biggest learning was that real innovation doesn’t start with tech, it starts with the consumer.”
     
    A Programme that Evolves with Its People
    Over the years, IGNITE has grown in more ways than one — expanding its reach, diversifying its projects, and tailoring its structure to Gen Z’s appetite for hands-on learning.
     
    “Gen Z isn’t content with research alone — they want to be out in the field, solving real problems,” said Manisha Gambhir, Director, Talent Acquisition, Samsung India. “So, we design projects that are immersive, challenging, and relevant — from retail strategy to product launches and digital transformation.”
     
    “GenZ isn’t content with research alone – they want to work closely with business leaders and the real changemakers.” said Manisha Gambhir, Director, Talent Acquisition, Samsung India. “So, we design projects that are immersive, challenging, and relevant — from retail strategy to product launches and business transformation.”
     
    This evolution includes new engagement channels like Samsung EDGE, a case study competition which builds year-round interactions with prospective talent through live projects, leadership sessions, and corporate readiness programmes.
     
    This evolution includes other engagement channels like Samsung EDGE, a case study competition which builds deeper and profound interactions with prospective talent through real world business problem solving, leadership sessions, and corporate mentoring.
     
    Building More than Careers
    For many students, IGNITE is their first taste of the corporate world. And it’s designed to be memorable. From relocation assistance to personal mentorship, every aspect is crafted to empower.
     
    Atharva Joshi from XLRI recalls a moment of trust: “When I pointed out a gap in my project, my manager didn’t dismiss it; he asked me to build a solution. That trust meant everything,” he said.
     
    These stories are not outliers. They are the essence of IGNITE, a programme that believes in people before positions and sees potential before performance.
     
    Behind the Scenes: Heart and Hustle
    What the world often doesn’t see is the enormous orchestration behind IGNITE. The undeterred support from Samsung’s leadership, the rigorous standardisation across regions, the continuous benchmarking of stipends and structures — all aimed at making IGNITE one of India’s most competitive and coveted internship platforms.
     
    As Samsung IGNITE moves into its next year, the vision is clear — deeper engagement, stronger mentorship, and an unshakable belief in building tomorrow’s leaders today.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Films from China and Russia recognized as the best at the 2025 SCO Film Festival in China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — The Chinese film “Endless Journey” and the Russian film “Air” won the Golden Camellia award at the recently closed SCO Film Festival 2025, which was held in the Chinese city of Chongqing (southwest China), the mobile multimedia platform “Russia-China: Main Things” reported.

    This year, 20 selected films from 10 countries, including China, Russia and Kazakhstan, reportedly took part in the main competition. The Chinese film “Endless Journey” and the Russian drama “Air” won the “Best Film” awards at the closing ceremony of the film festival.

    The Golden Camellia Award, named after the flower that is the symbol of Chongqing, symbolizes the flower of civilization that is watered jointly by the SCO member states. Actors and singers from the SCO member states performed on the same stage at the closing ceremony, which also reflected the principles of respect for the diversity of civilizations and the desire for common development that are embedded in the “Shanghai Spirit”.

    The red carpet featured special curved screens for virtual and augmented reality. This solution was in line with the main theme of the film festival, which sounds like “Technology Film”.

    Let us recall that the 2025 SCO Film Festival was held in the Yongchuan district of the Chinese metropolis of Chongqing. In recent years, Yongchuan, located in the western part of Chongqing, has become a dynamically developing center of innovation in the field of film technology. Currently, more than 100 film and television enterprises operate in Yongchuan. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Ventures Hosts Successful “Kickstart Your Future” Event at UNSW, Marking Australian Market Entry

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC Ventures successfully concluded its inaugural Australian event, “Kickstart Your Future at MEXC Ventures,” held at the University of New South Wales Roundhouse on 19 June 2025. The Web3 career-focused gathering brought together over 120 students, graduates, and industry professionals, marking a significant milestone in the global exchange’s expansion into the Australian market.

    Exceptional Student Response and Engagement
    The event exceeded expectations with remarkable attendance figures, drawing more participants than initially registered on the platform. More than 130 attended the event with high enthusiasm. The overwhelmingly positive response demonstrated a strong appetite among Australian students for Web3 career opportunities.

    “The turnout and engagement were incredible,” noted event organizers. “Students came with genuine interest in building careers in Web3, and many stayed long after the formal presentations to continue networking and discussions.”

    Industry Expertise Takes Center Stage
    The event featured three prominent speakers who delivered compelling presentations on blockchain fundamentals and career pathways. John, founder of Bitcoin Sydney, presented on Bitcoin principles including decentralization and financial sovereignty. Bob, founder of ETH Sydney, explored how Ethereum powers innovation across the ecosystem. Ray, a UNSW lecturer specializing in blockchain and fintech, provided academic insights into emerging technologies and career opportunities.

    The diverse panel discussions emphasized that Web3 offers career paths beyond traditional coding roles, spanning marketing, community management, governance, research, and content creation.

    Community Building and Brand Presence
    MEXC Ventures established a strong local presence through strategic brand activations, including custom Australian-themed merchandise featuring koala keyrings, prominent logo placement, and a dedicated photo wall. MEXC Ventures representative delivered an engaging presentation about career opportunities, emphasizing the global nature of Web3 work and the company’s commitment to empowering the next generation of blockchain talent.

    Attendees praised the event’s organization, quality of food and beverages, and the caliber of panel discussions, with many expressing interest in future MEXC Ventures initiatives.

    Talent Recruitment Initiative Launched
    Following the event’s success, MEXC Ventures opened student volunteer and ambassador recruitment for Australia, receiving numerous applications from interested participants. The company also highlighted its IgniteX initiative, a social impact program supporting blockchain education and developer empowerment, including the recently launched partnership with Superteam for the IgniteX Solana Talent Lab.

    Building Australia’s Web3 Future
    The event’s success signals strong momentum for MEXC Ventures’ Australian operations, with plans to expand programming and deepen university partnerships across the region. The enthusiastic student response and high-quality industry engagement demonstrate the readiness of Australia’s academic community to embrace Web3 innovation.

    “This is just the beginning,” said MEXC Ventures representatives. “We’re committed to creating more opportunities for Australian students to engage with the global Web3 ecosystem and build meaningful careers in this space.”

    About MEXC Ventures
    MEXC Ventures is a comprehensive fund under MEXC dedicated to driving innovation in the cryptocurrency sector through investments in L1/L2 ecosystems, strategic investments, M&A and incubation. Upholding the principle of “Empowering Growth Through Synergy,” MEXC Ventures is committed to supporting innovative ideas and active builders in crypto.

    MEXC Ventures is an investor and supporter of TON and Aptos, looking forward to staying at the forefront of TON and Aptos’ innovations and actively engaging with builders to drive ecosystem growth.

    For more information, visit: MEXC Ventures Website

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f9e0774-c26c-4a61-832e-7c4fafc92cce

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c1aca19-362f-467b-8a65-6a56f7488b39

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ff52ac7-6d34-44ea-899d-50ccbf473036

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/736db56d-aaa3-46d6-8085-200150f0c698

    The MIL Network –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Hosts Exclusive Monaco Gala to Celebrate Prominent Global KOLs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, hosted the prestigious Whale Journey Monte Carlo Award at the renowned One Monte-Carlo in the heart of Monaco on June 28, uniting the Web3 industry’s most influential voices for an unforgettable evening of recognition and collaboration.

    The exclusive event welcomed over 1,000 attendees, including 55 top-tier KOLs from around the world, making it one of the largest and most high-profile gatherings of crypto influencers in recent memory. Designed as both a celebration and a strategic milestone, the award ceremony reflected MEXC’s commitment to deepening its global partnerships and elevating its presence in the European market.

    Held in one of Europe’s most luxurious and iconic cities, the choice of Monaco carried strong symbolic meaning. Known as a global hub of prestige and innovation, Monaco represented MEXC’s ambition to deliver world-class experiences to its partners and users.

    The event brought together a group of Web3 leaders. With more than 55 global KOLs in attendance, the event served as a powerful network catalyst — fostering new relationships and sparking conversations that will shape the next phase of crypto adoption and ecosystem building. MEXC curated a luxury atmosphere that embodied its brand values of innovation, excellence, and impact. Guests enjoyed an evening filled with meaningful dialogue, entertainment, and recognition — all against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.

    A highlight of the night was the recognition of Carl The Moon, a globally renowned crypto influencer, as “Icon of the Year.” Carl is the founder of The Moon Show, a leading YouTube channel dedicated to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency content. Known for his accessible and insightful analysis, Carl covers daily Bitcoin price movements, key market news, and both technical and fundamental analysis. Carl was selected as the “Icon of the Year, receiving a $500,000 reward dedicated to recognizing and empowering the most influential figures in Web3. His award not only reflected his outstanding contributions to the crypto space but also marked a new chapter as he signed a strategic partnership with MEXC. This collaboration represents a major step forward in MEXC’s influencer strategy, reinforcing its efforts to align with the most trusted and dynamic voices in the industry.

    “Europe is a key market for MEXC,” said Head of Europe at MEXC. “This event reflects our deep commitment to the region and our vision to grow together with the top KOLs and builders shaping the Web3 future. With a strong global following, Carl has become one of the most influential voices in the Web3 and crypto community. We believe in long-term partnerships and will continue to support those who push the boundaries of innovation.”

    The Whale Journey Monte Carlo Award is part of MEXC’s broader effort to elevate its global brand through meaningful engagement with creators, thought leaders, and communities. As MEXC continues to grow its footprint in Europe and beyond, events like this serve as a powerful platform to honor excellence and build stronger bridges across the crypto ecosystem.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    For media inquiries, please contact clemence.c@mexc.com or media@mexc.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/86e99de6-0d7b-400d-8e1a-5efbea33eb26

    The MIL Network –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: DIMO and Ownli Partner to Bring Data Ownership and Insurance Savings to Connected Drivers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DIMO, the leading connected vehicle platform, today announced a partnership with Ownli, the platform that helps people collect, certify, and earn from their vehicle and driving data. Together, DIMO and Ownli are revolutionizing the way drivers shop for insurance by transparently making their vehicle data and custom insurance profile work for them.

    Under this unique partnership, DIMO users can create an Ownli Insurance Profile with their vehicle data. The profile functions like a digital passport for insurance shopping, eliminating the need for drivers to have to manually re-enter data multiple times or chase down obscure requests.

    Today, insurers and agents rely heavily on middleman data providers to acquire new customers and source vehicle data without car owners ever having the opportunity to profit from their own data. For context, the insurance advertising market in 2025 is expected to reach $14.12 billion, fueled in large part by a need for insurers to bring in new customers primarily with the help of data providers and lead generators.

    Ownli’s solution cuts out the middleman and enables individuals to create a verified insurance profile that works for them, allowing insurers and brokers to directly provide a quote or insurance policy registration based on the data provided. Better yet, drivers can decide whether or not to share that profile and can be rewarded directly for doing so. With explicit permission, DIMO users can share their insurance profile and Ownli will connect them with the best broker to deliver personalized quotes from top insurers including Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and more.

    “Our mission is to help people see their data for what it is: an asset that should be made to work for them,” said Elan Nyer, CEO at Ownli. “This partnership allows DIMO users to save time, save money, and get paid for the data they already own.”

    “We are excited to bring drivers ways to save time and money. DIMO Mobile is the best way to find opportunities like Ownli, which helps you save time when looking for insurance, while getting you paid for the data you provide” said Alex Rawitz, Co-Founder of DIMO. “Our partnership will help drivers be better, more responsible car owners, and as always, they can be confident data is handled securely and privately .”

    About DIMO
    DIMO is transforming vehicle ownership by putting drivers in control of their data. Its privacy-first, AI-integrated platform connects drivers, automakers, and developers to accelerate connected vehicle innovation while ensuring drivers retain full ownership of their information. Through the DIMO Mobile app, drivers gain real-time insights to improve vehicle performance, maximize savings on maintenance, and access a growing suite of marketplace applications while earning rewards in DIMO tokens. It was founded in 2021 by automotive and fintech veterans from ConsenSys, Vroom, GM, Volkswagen, Aeris, and Chainalysis. Please visit us on X and LinkedIn.

    About Ownli
    Ownli is a personal data platform that enables people to capture, control, and earn from their information while giving businesses reliable and verified insights. Ownli works primarily with property and casualty insurers, helping them cut premium leakage and increase customer retention. Insurers can purchase verified data directly from policyholders and prospects, including accurate vehicle mileage, vehicle condition, garaging location, and more. This seamless exchange turns traditional points of friction into meaningful engagement opportunities for both insurers and customers.

    Media Contacts

    For DIMO:
    Diana Bost/Ryan Dicovitsky
    Dukas Linden Public Relations
    DIMO@DLPR.com

    For Ownli:
    marketing@ownli.co

    The MIL Network –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrea: Extensive Water and Soil Conservation Program

    Source: APO


    .

    Extensive water and soil conservation activities are being carried out with strong public participation in the Molqui sub-zone.

    Mr. Melake Woldemicael, Head of the Agriculture Office in the sub-zone, stated that the program aims to construct terraces over 2,365 hectares, and so far, 70% of the target has been completed.

    Mr. Melake also noted the exemplary participation of residents in the administrative areas of Adi-Gemi’a, Adi-Mihret, Endabasimon, and Tikul. He called for continued and reinforced public engagement to ensure better outcomes.

    Participants in the campaign, recognizing the impact of the program on improving their agricultural yields, expressed commitment to further strengthen their involvement.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Malawi Launches Second Edition of Pathogen Genomic Surveillance Strategy and Implementation Plan

    Source: APO


    .

    The Malawi Ministry of Health, launched its updated plan for the implementation of its Genomic Surveillance Strategy that was produced with technical support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) on 3 July.

    As pathogen genomics provides a powerful approach towards the investigation, management, and surveillance of infectious diseases, the plan is geared to include integration of multi-pathogen genomic surveillance into existing public health systems, research and development.

    The second version of the plan is aligned to Africa CDC Pathogen Genomics Surveillance Policy Framework and identified priority list of pathogens and use cases for genomic surveillance in Malawi and the region.  The strategy has a robust, comprehensive, fully integrated, harmonized and well-coordinated mechanisms to guide monitoring of the implementation of the plan and evaluate impact.  The improved plan has a National Genomics Committee comprising of a steering committee, advisory group and laboratories from public, private and academia. The first genomic strategy was launched in 2023 and runs to 2030

    In his opening remarks, Secretary for Health Dr. Samsom Kwazirira Mndolo emphasized the critical role of genomics in monitoring antimicrobial resistance, disease outbreak detection, response and prevention as well in precision medicine. 

    He underscored the role of the plan as a roadmap for implementing a robust one health genomic surveillance system across the country with different multi stakeholders, ministries and partners.

    “We have been front runners in genomics, but we lost the opportunity to learn from others, so we decided to revisit and update the 2023 plan,” said Dr Mndolo.

    “This moment marks the dawn of a new era, where science, innovation, and determination converge to build a stronger, more resilient health system for all starting from Malawi by leveraging genomic sequencing power to identify and track pathogens enabling early detection, tracking and characterization of pathogens,” said Dr Lul Riek, Director for the Southern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre.

    Dr Riek said by integrating pathogen genomic sequencing into its healthcare infrastructure, it aims to enhance its health security and swiftly respond to emerging and reemerging threats effectively. “This makes Malawi one step ahead of other countries in disease detection and response,” he said.

    “In the face of several emerging and reemerging health threats including Disease X ” a hypothetical emerging pathogen, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the resurgence of Mpox, Marburg, Cholera and other epidemics, we have witnessed firsthand the urgent need for resilient public health surveillance systems that can provide timely and actionable data,” said Dr Francis Chikuse, Senior Technical Officer for Public Health at Africa CDC.

    “The National Multi Pathogen Genomic Surveillance Strategy is not just a response to these challenges but a proactive step toward building a robust system that leverages the power of molecular diagnostics and sequencing to safeguard the health of the of Malawians and beyond,” said Dr Chikuse.

    He said, Africa CDC in partnership with public, private and philanthropic sectors is enhancing continent-wide sample referral and data sharing strategy, systems, and governance to promote trusted, quality assured and timely data sharing as well as support the design and pilot implementation of high-impact public health priority genomic surveillance and use-cases and facilitate the utility of genomics data for policy, decision making, research and development of pandemic materials. In 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted the historic Pandemic Agreement to enhance global collaboration and to create a more equitable response to future pandemics.

    Africa CDC is working with 16 Member States including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Morocco, Togo, South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, Namibia, to develop their national pathogen genomics strategies. Through this collaboration, Malawi becomes the second country after Zambia to launch their genomic strategy.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 8, 2025
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