What's new

AP BusinessWire ~ Affiliated Press Business News

Ebria

Established Nation
Joined
Oct 7, 2018
Messages
1,460
Location
Bucharest
Capital
Valls
Nick
Ovi
The fears of re-becoming a Rentier State: Engellkin's most protectionist country
AP Camp Hill
Analysis by John KaMpande, PhD

Mining has been the bloodline of Natalia's development over the ages. From the expeditions of the Retalian merchants to find the golden kingdom of Prester John, which was nothing more than the Second Rozvi Empire, to the recent merge which created the gargantuan Natalo-Engellexic plc conglomerate, owning around 40% of the platinum reserves of the world and having more than 100,000 permanent employees, the lives of the people living along the Natal River have always been inherently tied to the riches of the underworld.

The 20th century saw Natalia becoming the perfect example of a Rentier State presented in all the economy textbooks. Its old industry from the 19th century was laggining behind as it lacked the necessary inovation to keep itself up to date with its competitiors, while the state itself and its people weren't that much interested in that as they were all enjoying the good life offered by the capital pouring into the country by the rents payed by the mining corporations.


The laissez faire capitalism espoused by the Hippos have created an economy dependent solely on the mining sector. In the 1980s and the 1990s, the Hippo administration has used the money it received from the mining licences to lower taxes, going as far as fully abolishing income tax between 1985 and 1999. Since then, market fluctuations have shown that the country has become extremely vulnerable to price fluctuations, which has been seen in the 2003 economic crisis, where the GDP has fallen by nearly 10% because of the price crash for precious metals.

Since then, the national strategy has started mimicking the policies of the 1950s and Civism has been reborn with the return of the Stone family back for the forefront of Federal politics. Under their administration, especially when John Lewis Stone was the Sub-Secretary of Finance and Economy from 2004 to 2009, the state started pushing for re-industrialisation, so that there would be other economic sectors strong enough to alleviate the brunt of any recession should there be a price crash again in the mining industry.

The policies have been adopted by the Hippos too, but the untimely death of JLS has made this adoption to be very timid by the Bradley Ross administration and only now, that the Hyenas have returned to power, we can see the mining funded economic boom really reaching its planned growth rate.

Under the leadership of the Hyenas and Adrianne Stone, the state has increased the rents for the mining licences and has used much of the wealth fund it had to subsidise the development of other industries, from the Hartnett Auto company, to electrical infrastructure projects like the Rocamera Geo-plant and the Lower Natalian Wind Farm, to the service industry, with the creation of the Central Himyari Commercial Bank, and subsiding the expansions of franchises such as Unathi's and Sun Belt Grocers, but also appliance companies like Sun Electric. Another part of it was invested outside the Federation's borders, especially in Loago and Cabaon, with the Federal Investment Corporation (FIC) investing in the Caledonian Himyari Company, and is now owing 40% of its shares, but also Tasiast Mining Inc, operating in Cabaon, which was originally a subsidiary of CHC and now it was the mastermind behind the creation of the biggest mining conglomerate of them all, the Natalo-Engelexic plc.

The mining economy of Natalia might have been the anchor that kept the government tied to realpolitik during the years, but it also was a curse. In 1955, when Kadikistan was enjoying its greatest days when it was exporting the Marxist-Leninovist Revolution all over the place, from Caledonia to Calidia, from Milesia to Bezonvaux and Loago, the Camp Hill government, was one of the main defenders of freedom and liberty in Himyar and was the main antagonist in the southern hemisphere in the eyes of the communists, but that didn't stop Ier from buying 15 tons of gold on the 4th of August from Natalia, five days after Natalian and Kadikistani aligned agents were clashing in Loago in the country's first civil war. But yet is was also a curse as that was seen in the closing of the other industries in the 80s and 90s, as mining was seen as the only important element and the other just stagnated until they could not compete on the markets. The likes of the Natalian Bush War in the 70s and the 2003 economic crash have shown that even if the underground might be rich, depending fully on it, made the country vulnerable.

It is exactly this fear that drives Natalian economic policy today. With the 7 Day War in Gallo-Germania, the Bush War in Loago and the recent tensions, the price of iron ore and other minerals remains high and this keeps the economy booming, but the Hyenas know that this might not last forever and they are doing everything they can with the wealth they accumulated to diversity the economy in such a way that it won't be so dependent solely on mining and the episodes of the 70s and 2003 may never repeat.
 

Azraq

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
583
Capital
Nkalamenga
Nick
Norse
Kollamese politicians target Cussian energy interests
AP Malapuram

The All Islands Kollamese National Union, which recently struck a supply-and-confidence deal with the Azraqi imperial coalition government to prevent its collapse, is now demanding a greater stake in the Joint Spice Islands Energy Corporation, which is partly Cussian-owned.

Facing increased nationalist pressure at home, the AIKNU have insisted the Kollamese regional government have direct ownership of the JSPIEC. The corporation is a 51:49 joint venture between the Azraqi state-run Imperial Oil and Gas Corporation and the State Foreign Mercantile Trust, which is ultimately backed by the government of Beautancus.

The JV was set up in 1979 after the restoration of the Azraqi Empire following the collapse of the Islamofuturist dictatorship, which had nationalised a number of Cussian assets. Beautancus more generally is an important source of investment and military hardware for Azraq.

However the AIKNU is now demanding the 49% Cussian share in the JSPIEC, arguing local Kollamese don't benefit from the oil and gas revenue. Currently the Azraqi government hands over less than of half of net profits to Kollam.

Experts suggest it would be near impossible legally to buy out the State Foreign Mercantile Trust with their consent. One proposal being considered by the Azraqi ruling coalition is reducing the imperial government's take and gift some to the Kollamese regional government.

Only the AIKNU responded for comment, confirming their demands were genuine.

@Beautancus
 
Last edited:

Serenierre

Established Nation
Joined
Jun 27, 2008
Messages
6,692
Location
Karachi, Sindh
Capital
Villesen
Stocks of Serenien arms industry surge as leaks of Government documents emerge
AP Monserans

The Serenien Stock Exchange in Monserans saw large gains across the defense sector as official documents from the Commissariat of War were leaked which revealed that the Serenien Military, following the Seven Day War, had secretly authorized a mass technology upgrade program. Memos leaked revealed that the military was enhancing its capabilities in light of tactical and strategic lessons learned in the enemy engagements with the Eiffello-Retalian military.

The memos have revealed the Serenien military's willingness to learn from its mistakes and to continue its tradition of constant upgrades. The Commissar of War, Hervé Bettancourt, decried the leaks as criminal and said the culprits would be held accountable. However, upon seeing the result on the stock market, the Government has chosen to adopt silence on an otherwise embarrassing breach of security.
 

Azraq

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
583
Capital
Nkalamenga
Nick
Norse
Azraqi central bank cracks down on 'usury'
AP Jugol

The Imperial Bank of Azraq has written to some of the Himyari nation's biggest lenders, warning them some of their recent lending activity "usurious" and threatened to impose fines unless the loans were renegotiated.

Targeted firms reportedly include the Half-Moon Islamic and Himyar-Implaria banks, two of the largest in Azraq. Neither responded when approached for comment.

Foreign banks are exempt from Azraqi usury laws and so none are believed to have been written to.

The letters mark the first time in over two decades since the Azraqi central bank has intervened to limit interest being charged to consumers and businesses.

Local commentators suggest the move may have been the result of pressure by Emperor Tiirka Illah, who is executive chairman of the Imperial Bank, to bring down the cost of borrowing as the head of state looks to rule absolutely after suspending the Azraqi parliament. "This is a populist attempt to secure legitimacy and support, not a genuine reflection of the behaviour of the domestic Azraqi banking sector," argues one business journalist who asked not to be named, given Azraq's strict lèse-majesté laws.

Unlike other Muslim countries, Azraq does not prohibit interest entirely (riba in Urodoah), with the Imperial Bank only having a mandate to limit "excessive" interest being charged.

Under the Islamofuturist dictatorship, interest on loans were capped at specific rates depending on what they were for but after the restoration of democracy and establishment of the Second Azraqi Empire in 1981 the caps were abolished and current system of regulation put in place.
 

Azraq

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
583
Capital
Nkalamenga
Nick
Norse
Azraq to ramp up Hamar Ocean energy exploration
AP Jugol

The Azraqi Imperial Oil and Gas Corporation has announced plans to increase oil and gas exploration around the Governorate of Katra, a series of sparsely inhabited islands in the Hamar Odean.

The AIOGC said rising prices thanks to geopolitical tensions had made speculative exploration more viable, especially for more expensive deep sea drilling.

Natural resources are a key export and revenue stream for Azraq, with energy extraction a major sector in terms of both value and employment.

International environmentalist groups have condemned the move, saying the AIOGC has a poor track record of environmental protection and exploration activity would disturb wildlife.
 

Natal

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
2,637
Location
Bucharest
Capital
Colter
Nick
Ovi
State Elder announces economic reforms
AP Kuressaare

The Kungkogu of Virumaa has voted the set of economic reforms called as the "New Economic Mechanism" set up by State Elder Koit Sokk and the now reformist dominated Central Committee of the National People's Action. Under this new administration, the reformists have called for what they named a "renewal of perspectives in the latter part of the first quarter of the 21st century" and with it by calling for a change of economical realities in Virumaa.

Koit Sokk has started what is being called in Virunian press as the "New Generation Speech" by condemning the past administration, including his predecessor's, Mihkel Vaino, but also Taavi Soosaar, the State Elder who administered the country during the 1999 economic crisis. He started by recalling the days of the 1985 reforms and described the way the NPA has administered the country afterwards as a "betrayal of the hopes and aspirations of Generation '85".

The idea behind the New Economic Mechanism is to support private initiative and partially liberalise the Virunian economy by letting some prices freely float, thus creating a more real image of the market conditions, but still keeping some prices fixed or on "limited mobility" to combat inflation. The government will decentralise the corporations and give more autonomy to local companies, giving them the right to make investments, accept investments and hire labour without the consent of the whole corporation. In the same way, rather than the government's direct investment, Kuressaare will provide a series of development funds that will be accessed directly by the companies.

The economical experiment was started when Koit Sokk was the Prefect of the Ugandi province and has implemented a limited reform on which this is based. Tied with the opening of the region to foreign investment, the process was a successful one, as Ugandi has risen from one of the poorest to one having the 3rd best quality of life after the cities of Kuressaare and Imavere in 15 years. Now, the New Economic Mechanism pushes the same reforms into nation wide levels, fully opening the country to outside investments.

Under the new system the old all fixed prices are now set up in three categorises, the free prices, which will be assigned to goods that more brands than one exist, as to promote competition between the companies inside the corporations, the limited prices, which refers to products which have no other brand substitute (they will remain like this for a period of time until different brands start to appear on the market and then will be fully liberalised) and the still fixed prices which will be still used to products which are seen as a necessity for life.

At the same time, the import of foreign goods, which was as of yet limited to countries from the Council of the North, the old colonies of Loago and Cabaon and Ostmark and the Vaquero Free State, will be further liberalised, with imports from all over the world being open, with the condition that at least 51% of the goods put on sales by the stores are to be Virunian or CoN products.

The reforms are created to raise the quality of life of the Virunians, the government stated, and in the words of the State Elder, "to enter a new era in which poltiical and religious discourse aren' the only ones that legitimise the government, but rather our efficiency in offering the people a good and better life."

Some of the more conservative members of the central committee, such as Einar Saar has called condemned the economic reform, describing it as a push into "blind soul-crushing consumerism," while Hendrik Ilves, the dean of the Faculty of Economy of the King Alvar University of Kuressaare has saluted the reforms: "With the liberalised prices, the people will be motivated to start businesses that can bring them more financial security than working for the corporations and that in time will develop better quality goods and better quality services. We are truly entering an era in which the life of the Virunian average citizen will start to feel better and better and there is only one way for me to describe it, and that is an era of Kompot Corporatism, for life will become sweeter, without provoking much changes," he stated.
 

Serenierre

Established Nation
Joined
Jun 27, 2008
Messages
6,692
Location
Karachi, Sindh
Capital
Villesen
CSFI extends 6 billion facility to West Occitania
AP Monserans

The Consortium of Serenien Financial Institutions has agreed to extend a six billion euromark facility (18.3 billion livres) following an extensive array of talks with various segments of the Central Secretariat of the Protectorate. The facility is designed to be a medium term arrangement designed to set the Protectorate on a course correction of sorts, while emphasising on the economic reform.

The CSFI is an association of Serenien financial institutions, which includes a variety of organisations ranging from commercial and investment banks to venture capital and mutual funds, and is a powerful force in the Serenien economy. It is said that the Government of Serenierre was keen to obtain the assistance of the Consortium, especially to provide macro-economic direction to the Protectorate's nascent economic policies.

Following reporting in the , there is a clear indication that the CSFI is keen to see the urban areas in West Occitania assume a more prominent role in the economics of the wider Long Sea region. However, within Serenierre, some have stated that the Government is devoting far too much in the way of resources to the Protectorate. According to official figures, the Serenien Government has devoted 8.5 billion euromarks (25 billion livres) as part of the Economic Recovery & Rehabilitation Program (ERRP) which has the backing of the Serenien legislature.

The Commissariat for the Treasury has stated that the criticism is unwarranted as the Government of Serenierre had a responsibility to ensure that the Protectorate of Occitania could stand on its own feet and become a contributing member of the wider global economy.
 

Imimoya

Established Nation
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Messages
1,337
Location
Toscana - Italy
Nick
Animalesco
Pisa, an international port.
Goods from the World

The company that manages the international port of Pisa has today released data regarding the transit of goods. Compared to the past months, the transport of goods by way of bad weather has marked a 3.8% more after the end of the crisis in the long sea.

The result of the agri-food sector is very positive, which allows Pisa to consolidate its role as Tiburan port leader in the sector. These are dry goods (agricultural, such as wheat and maize and flour), liquid (vegetable oils) and products in containers, in particular reefer.

In particular, metallurgical products from nearby Crotobaltislavonia have increased. Increases due to greater simplification of the burrocracy and increasingly strong ties between Lars and Banja Luka. The Economy and Finance Minister, Folco Cuneo has confirmed that in the future, the freight traffic coming from and to Pisa will grow in a constant manner and that at present, Pisa, remains for geographic and infrastructural reasons, the best port to access the northern Europe.
 

Touzen

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
9,487
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Capital
Shinkyô
Nick
Xen
Markets apprehensive ahead of Long Sea Summit
AP

Markets across Gallo-Germania and Touyou are expected to open to muted expectations on Monday ahead of the scheduled Long Sea Summit, as a failure of the summit could mean the outbreak of hostilities and massive impairment of Europe’s most important trade lane.

Much rests on the success of the summit demanded by the Touzen leader Hayabusa in the wake of a series of events that left several sailors dead and brought the post-delegationist world to the brink of war with Auraria and Serenierre. The prominent role that Pohjanmaan submarines played before the temporary cessation of hostilities means that a breakdown of negotiations could put merchant shipping in the Long Sea in a precarious spotlight.

“We are biting our nails. Raw resources from Azraq, what remains of Justosia’s trade with the Western Hemisphere and manufactured goods from the Anti-State all rely on the Long Sea staying calm. The alternative routes around the Horn or by land would massively drive up prices”, Zhao Lee, an analyst at the Siyang Stock Exchange, cautioned.

However, this is where opportunities lie for others: Railway companies and road-based logistics in the Natal, the Pelasgian Empire and Engellexic Himyar are set to profit should the Long Sea be disrupted by military activity.

Whatever the outcome of the Long Sea Crisis, investors are increasingly looking to southern Occidentia as war in Loago and Gouw Marken and a Sylvania struggling to overcome instability all already threaten to stifle global growth prospects and reliably stable areas become scarcer and scarcer.
 

Natal

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
2,637
Location
Bucharest
Capital
Colter
Nick
Ovi
Virunians get a taste of foreign goods
AP Kuressaare

The era of Kompot Corporatism is upon the Virunians and it brings something that many of the younger generations haven't experienced and the very old ones can only remember from the middle of the last century: prosperity.

The reforms entitled the "New Economic Mechanism", set up by the current State Elder, Koit Sokk, together with the Minister of Economy and Trade, Paavo Kukk, and dubbed Kompot Corporatism by the media, have relaxed the governmental intervention over the businesses of the corporation and also of the centralised corporate body over the way smaller enterprises organise themselves. It also gives the citizens the right to set up small private companies that aren't part of corporations and gives a push towards profitability, with promises of profits being divided and returned to the workers.

The easiest changes to be observed after this economic reform can be seen in the supermarkets and in the streets, as more and more foreign products and cars can be seen, now that import restriction and tariffs have also been reduced. In the past two months, importing second hand Eiffellander cars is becoming one of the most profitable businesses, especially with the Council of the North having access to the Eiffellandian and Larsian markets.

As for the supermarkets, the previous laws stated that with the exception of goods that couldn't be produced in the country, only 25% of the goods had to be imported, the rest being local. The new regulations have relaxed this threshold, stating that half the produces have to be Virunian, the others can be imports.

With the rise of income, the Virunian buyers have assaulted the shops and supermarkets, with the previously scarce and expensive foreign goods being their main target. Prisma and Koop Konsum, the biggest retailers in the country have stated that they can't cope with the demand levels and are now in a situation that Virunian stock disappears only after three to four foreign stocks of goods are being sold and replenished.

Some of the Directors of the Corporation of Retail have asked the government to fully relax the regulations and let offer and demand run it's course, while others have warned that this newly found prosperity and fad for foreign goods might bring an increase in food waste, especially with the government still trying to push the people into buying local.
 

Polesia

Established Nation
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
5,741
Capital
Amstov
Nick
Norse
Polesia unveils range of copycat cars
AP Midweis

The Polesian People's Republic, a Kadikistani puppet state carved out of the Jewish-majority territories of former Trivodnia, has revealed a series of car models that automotive experts claim are rip offs of Eiffellander designs.

The Free State of Trivodnia, which was defeated by Kadikistan and its allies in the Rurikgrad Pact after the Seven Day War, had emerged as a regional manufacturing hub in the run up to the conflict, as Bergenheimer, Eiffellander and Retalian companies took advantage of lower labour costs and range of subsidies and tax incentives on offer.

Car and electronics manufacturers in particular outsourced operations there, before shipping goods over the Polesian Sea or overground through Crotobaltislavonia if geopolitical conditions allowed. Many foreign factories established in Trivodnia were financed by Burgundian, Eiffellander and Retalian banks and governments, resulting in considerable losses being incurred after the Seven Days War.

However not everything was lost when the factories were abandoned or destroyed. Car industry experts say the designs unveiled by Folxmashin - the name of the Polesian state-owned car brand - are identical to those produced by Eiffellander automotive giants such as Darner, EKW and Raimer. "The similarities are more than uncanny," says one industry insider.

The Polesian government says the Folxmashin series, which are significantly cheaper than their Eiffellander counterparts, are available for export as well as domestic consumption, as the Communist country looks to rebuild its economy.

It is not yet known if the Eiffellander car industry will take legal action to stop the sale at home or abroad, limiting export opportunities.

Analysts also doubt Polesia has the productive capacity to manufacture cars at scale, with the country still reeling from the Seven Day War and implementing an even more severe command-and-control economy than Kadikistan, which has introduced a number of market-orientated reforms in recent years.

A greater concern for Eiffelland and Retalia however is the possibility Polesia may reverse engineer Trier Concord military hardware. While the Trivodnian Free State Self Defence Forces were ordered to destroy a lot of equipment when defeat was apparent, some worry Polesia - and Kadikistan - will be able to recreate some Trier military technology, or at least better understand its weaknesses.
 
Last edited:

Vrijpoort

Establishing Nation
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
583
Location
Berlin, Germany
Capital
Vrijpoort
Nick
Drei
Global Economy Heading for Rocky Waters According to Economics Think Tank
AP Vrijpoort

Bullying and threats in the Thaumantic, invasion and catastrophe in Gallia, a Long Sea once again a contentious focal point between powers: the state of the global economy is poor. So says a report from the Nedernesian-based economics think tank Centre for Economic Analysis, which conducted research and interviews with central bankers, trading firms and investment banks across the world.

With the global stock markets heading for a sharp dive, maritime trade uncertain and an ominous threat against the world's financial centre in Vrijpoort, investment is shrinking and consumer sentiment is at its lowest point in years. Firms don't know where to safely invest and consumers are hoarding cash for use on bare necessities. Meanwhile, major currencies are weakening and the expected central bank responses of interest rate cuts and bond purchasing will lead to stark increases in inflation the world over, the report says.

The think tank has recommended governments involved in diplomatic disputes to keep them diplomatic and come to the negotiating table, 'otherwise we could be heading for a new age; a dark age.'
 
Last edited:

Touzen

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
9,487
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Capital
Shinkyô
Nick
Xen
Markets close at low point amidst most serious economic crisis since the Seven Days War
AP Siyang

Markets in Touyou foreshadow what is predicted to be the lowest weekly global closure since the end of the Seven Days War, worrying economists across the planet.

The Siyang Stock Exchange closed on Friday to rapid sellouts as the multi-crisis engulfing Scania and Gallo-Germania is shaping up to form an economic maelstrom with global consequences. With trade in the Long Sea hanging in the balance over the Espoo Crisis, new military blocs facing each other in the Greater Long Sea, foreign intervention and intensifying airstrikes in the collapsing former power of Burgundy plunging the heartland of Gallia into chaos and fears of Engell repercussions against the global economic hub in Nedernesie over judicial disputes, multiple factors are contributing to these developments.

Markets had already previously reacted disastrously to the continued failure of the great powers to resolve the long-standing crisis in the Long Sea, mirroring similar developments during the Seven Days War that ushered in what experts have come to label a "lost year" for world growth. According to some, the added pressure now deflating market optimism even further caused by the new crisis that have sparked might even have the potential to turn into the first net shrinkage of the world economy in over a decade.

"There is growing fear of a straight out recession coming our way. The actions of the next few weeks will determine whether bull or bear will dominate the next fiscal quarters", Zaho Lee, an analyst at the Siyang Stock Exchange, opinioned.
 

Azraq

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
583
Capital
Nkalamenga
Nick
Norse
Azraqi central bank: domestic instability a 'drag' on Himyari investment
AP Jugol

The Imperial Bank of Azraq has warned that political instability in Himyar's largest economies was limiting investment into the continent, as Pelasgia faces a constitutional crisis following the Emperor's sudden abdication, Azraq approaches the end of a fractious general election campaign and Natalia still reeling from the assassination of State President Adrianne Stone.

"Driven by events in former Burgundy, investors are once again looking for opportunities outside of Gallo-Germania but are hesitant to deploy capital in Himyar due to concerns about domestic political risk," read a briefing note from the Azraqi central bank.

"The H3 economies (Azraq, Pelasgia and Natal) will likely benefit from higher commodity prices but this will be partially offset by reduced consumer demand in Gallo-Germania," the note continued, "but inward investment into Himyar will be limited by continued fears of it being a 'risky continent'."

However, the Imperial Bank of Azraq has struck a rare note of optimism about the world economy, suggesting global growth will remain "positive" despite the crisis in Gallo-Germania and the Long Sea.

The Bank's analysts predicted the collapse of Burgundy and subsequent intervention by the Thaumantic Domain - Beautancus, Engellex and Engellachia - would only have a "minor impact" on the global economy.

"Former Burgundy has been peripheral to the world economy since the end of the Seven Days War and even at the height of the Grand Duchy's glory days formed only a small fraction of global GDP," the bank stated. Providing the conflict in former Burgundy remained "localised" the Azraqi Imperial Bank said economic damage would be mostly limited to Gallo-Germania, which has suffered from depressed growth since the Seven Day War, which occurred just over a year ago.

On the Long Sea, the bank pointed to ongoing negotiations in Kashtan, where it said it expected a "calming" outcome.
 
Last edited:

Socialist Commonwealth

Establishing Nation
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
4,690
Location
Germany
Capital
Svetograd
Nick
Revy
World Republic to introduce new tariffs for domain trade
AP Deliverance

President Trumms Social Republican Party has introduced a bill to congress that would foresee new tariffs on trade with countries in the Engellish domain. Affecting a diverse range of products from staple foods to advanced electronics, the planned tariffs seem tailored to affect both the most important exports of the World Republic to the domain, as well as its biggest imports from it.

The bill is yet to pass congress, where Social Democrats hold the majority and debate has been fierce. Objections have included fears of inciting a trade war, worsening relations with direct neighbours of the SWR and negative impacts on the economy of the World Republic, especially in regards to targeting its own exports and thus making them less competetive. Supporters of the bill have argued in favor of the import tariffs as a measure to strengthen crucial domestic industry against competition, in favor of the export tariffs as a measure of opposing the domain war in Burgundy and in favor of restrictions of trade with the domain in general as a moral measure, distancing the Republic from goods produced within the human commodity system.

Donna Trumm is to embark upon a global tour within a few days, including the states of the Engellish domain. Introducing the bill before the visit may have been a deliberate move to allow her to ease foreign tensions caused by the prospect of new tariffs.
 

Clarenthia

Establishing Nation
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
1,148
Capital
Alaghan
Nick
Jurzidentia
You must be registered for see images

August 5, 2019
The Honorable Donna Trumm
President of the Socialist World Republic
Deliverance
Socialist World Republic

Dear President Trumm,

News of potential tariffs being placed on products produced by nations of the Thaumantic Domain are received with great regret within the Treaty Lands. Increasingly so with knowledge that partial inspiration for these tariffs comes from the fact that products produced in the Domain can indeed be produced by individuals being rehabilitated through the Human Commodity System.

While this topic can certainly be discussed at length during the in-person meeting between yourself and Governor-General Sinclair, in short the Human Commodity System of the Treaty Lands - and indeed other Domain countries - exists as a penal system designed to address the unique circumstances of each individual who has committed a crime. In the Treaty Lands, individuals who go through the Human Commodity System are given extensive evaluations from social work professionals and are assigned to work placements with which it is believed they have the highest probability of learning a new skill that will allow them to re-enter society with significantly reduced chances of recidivism.

Despite the propaganda issued against the System, the vital work force training done through the system is far favorable to traditional systems of simply putting an individual in a cage with steel bars learning nothing, developing no skills, and surcombing to the copious negative mental health affects associated with traditional incarceration.

Again, Governor-General Sinclair is prepared and willing to explain the system in further length at the scheduled meeting.

In mutual prosperity,
You must be registered for see images

ASTON NOTLEIGH

You must be registered for see images
 
Last edited:

Rheinbund

Established Nation
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
11,806
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Capital
Fehrbellin
Polesia unveils range of copycat cars
AP Midweis

The Polesian People's Republic, a Kadikistani puppet state carved out of the Jewish-majority territories of former Trivodnia, has revealed a series of car models that automotive experts claim are rip offs of Eiffellander designs.

The Free State of Trivodnia, which was defeated by Kadikistan and its allies in the Rurikgrad Pact after the Seven Day War, had emerged as a regional manufacturing hub in the run up to the conflict, as Bergenheimer, Eiffellander and Retalian companies took advantage of lower labour costs and range of subsidies and tax incentives on offer.

Car and electronics manufacturers in particular outsourced operations there, before shipping goods over the Polesian Sea or overground through Crotobaltislavonia if geopolitical conditions allowed. Many foreign factories established in Trivodnia were financed by Burgundian, Eiffellander and Retalian banks and governments, resulting in considerable losses being incurred after the Seven Days War.

However not everything was lost when the factories were abandoned or destroyed. Car industry experts say the designs unveiled by Folxmashin - the name of the Polesian state-owned car brand - are identical to those produced by Eiffellander automotive giants such as Darner, EKW and Raimer. "The similarities are more than uncanny," says one industry insider.

The Polesian government says the Folxmashin series, which are significantly cheaper than their Eiffellander counterparts, are available for export as well as domestic consumption, as the Communist country looks to rebuild its economy.

It is not yet known if the Eiffellander car industry will take legal action to stop the sale at home or abroad, limiting export opportunities.

Analysts also doubt Polesia has the productive capacity to manufacture cars at scale, with the country still reeling from the Seven Day War and implementing an even more severe command-and-control economy than Kadikistan, which has introduced a number of market-orientated reforms in recent years.

A greater concern for Eiffelland and Retalia however is the possibility Polesia may reverse engineer Trier Concord military hardware. While the Trivodnian Free State Self Defence Forces were ordered to destroy a lot of equipment when defeat was apparent, some worry Polesia - and Kadikistan - will be able to recreate some Trier military technology, or at least better understand its weaknesses.

Joint press release by the companies Raimer, EKW, Darner Werke and Magirus-Deutz

We will prosecute against Folxmashin for copyright infringements in each and every country where they try to bring their copies of our cars to the market, or cars using techniques patented by us, and we will use each and every legal means that we can use for banning the products from Folxmashin everywhere in the world, until they either pay us a licence fee or start producing cars of their own design.


Wirtschaftsministerium — Ministero dell' economia
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien — Treviri, Eiffellandia-Retalia


With immediate effect, we impose a total boycott on all products being made by Polesian companies. This boycott will remain in place until each and every company in Polesia ceases to produce copies of Eiffelloretalian products in whichever way. It will be the task of each and every Polesian company to proove that they don't produce copies of Eiffelloretalian-designed and Eiffelloretalian-produced products, and that they don't produce products using Eiffelloretalian techniques under patent, before this total boycott is lifted.

Dr. Habil. Ariel Rubinstein, Minister of Economic Affairs
 

Kadikistani Union

Established Nation
Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
2,841
Location
Belgium
Capital
Ivar
Nick
Spelev
You must be registered for see images

People's Commissariat for External Affairs
People's Federative Socialist Republic of

The Kadikistani Union is concerned about the boycott initiative of the Kingdom of Eiffeland-Retalia towards the Polesian People's Republic. Especially since such actions were not preceded by at least an attempt to talk to the Polesian government about this issue. Instead the Eiffelloretalians skip such diplomacy in favour of downright economic warfare, indiscriminately sanctioning all Polesian products, alleged 'copies' or not. The timing of which is also highly unfortunate as all nations of Germania are currently taking part in an effort to find a common solution to the continental problems. Surely the Eiffeloretalians could have raised their issues there and hopefully even reaching a mutually beneficial solution instead of seemingly sabotaging those noble efforts for peace and stability.

Signed,
Petar Kujundzic
People's Commissar for External Affairs
People's Federative Socialist Republic of Kadikistan
 

Rheinbund

Established Nation
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
11,806
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Capital
Fehrbellin
Wirtschaftsministerium — Ministero dell' economia
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien — Treviri, Eiffellandia-Retalia


It can't be different than that a brutal infringement of intellectual property like the one committed by Folxmashin would also enrage the government of Kadikistan when it would have happened to Kadikistani designs. The techniques stolen by Folxmashin took our companies years to develop, and hundreds of millions of Unionsmarken!

On the other hand, we understand that Polesia is a country in development that needs income, and we are willing to help with that. We propose the following agreement:
1. Volxmashin pays 20% of its revenues earned with selling copies of Eiffelloretalian cars between 4 July 2019 and 9 August 2019 to the Eiffelloretalian car industry. This as a refund of the damage inflicted upon those companies.
2. Volxmashin gets licences to build the Darners , (both carrosserie forms, but the cheaper models), (all carrosserie forms, but the cheaper models), and , as well as the Raimer , under the following conditions:
a. As long as Volxmashin produces cars under licence by Darner and Raimer, engineers and testers of the Eiffelloretalian car industry will do the quality checks. And they will be strict!
b. The cars produced by Volxmashin will only be sold in Polesia, Kadikistan, Crotobaltislavonia, any not mentioned member of the Rurikgrad Pact, and Ostmark.
c. The licences are sold to Volxmashin against a fee per car produced by Volxmashin, and will be 20% of the Eiffelloretalian new price of the car in question, without taxes. The absolute fees will fluctuate with the fluctuation of the prices per car in Eiffelland-Retalia. This fee represents a reimbursement of the development costs made by Darner and Raimer, as well as a bit of profit.
d. The licences include the state of technique and the designs as per 1 July 2019, and do not include the electric, hybrid and hydrogen techniques we currently market. Separate licence agreements are needed for those techniques.
e. The licence does not apply to car models introduced after 1 July 2019. When any of the models licenced out to Volxmashin will be replaced by a new model, a separate licence agreement will be needed before Volxmashin is allowed to produce the new model.
f. The licences are sold per car type.
3. The points 1 and 2 apply to all other industrial products Polesia copied from the Eiffelloretalian industry. The 20% of the revenues will have to be paid to the companies that suffered damage from the copying actions.
4. Eiffelland-Retalia lifts the total boycott of goods produced by Polesian companies.

As a sign of good will, we will already lift the boycott on Polesian products that are definitely not copies of Eiffelloretalian products under patent.

I have to mention that comparable licences will be needed for any other company wanting to manufacture Eiffelloretalian-developed products.

We are available for answering questions, and we would like to hear the thoughts of the board of directors of Volxmashin and the People's Commissar for External Affairs of Kadikistan Petar Kujundzic.

Dr. Habil. Ariel Rubinstein, Minister of Economic Affairs
 

Polesia

Established Nation
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
5,741
Capital
Amstov
Nick
Norse
פאָלקסמאַשין
Folxmashin


The Polesian People's Republic will not give in to the economic warfare threatened by Eiffellander monopolists, industrialists and their paid men in politics.

Similarly, Folxmashin will not accept the extortion and racketeering proposed as a compromise.

There has been no infringement of intellectual property despite the claims of foreign media. All our products are the fruit of Polesian labour and we will enjoy them fully - not hand over a fifth to our former oppressors.
 
Last edited:
Top