AP BusinessWire ~ Affiliated Press Business News

[Polesia]

United Minerals, General Mines announce further sites in Cathiopia
AP Puántenuá

Cathiopia's largest mineral extraction companies have revealed plans for further excavation sites, following the discovery of significant manganese deposits in the country's interior. Both United Minerals and General Mines intend to have new mines open by 1959, which promise to bring thousands of jobs to areas marked for their underdevelopment. Previously, the majority of mining in Cathiopia has been focused in coastal regions, closer to urban centres and established transport infrastructure.

Frescanian mineral exploration companies discovered the reserves last year. There had been calls from some quarters for Cathiopia to nationalise the mineral assets, and place their extraction and sale under state management. However, these proposals were rejected by the ruling Constitution Party, who instead agreed to divide the profits from the new mines evenly with United Minerals and General Mines. The Frescanian government has promised to grant both companies special tax exemptions to help off-set losses from the deal..

 

[Arcadia]

Eiffellander-Tyrrhenian economic treaty gives birth to new companies
AP Kastoria

In a meeting that took place a month ago between an Eiffellander delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Rudolph Kögler and the Tyrrheian Council of Ministers led then by Chairman Loukas Lambrakis, the two parties have decided on signing an economic cooperation treaty, the two countries promising to help each other "develop their economies for the the good of the people". The document, signed two weeks ago in Kastoria, has finally entered into effect, when the Ministry of Commerce, led by Dora Ioannou has declared that a series of mixed companies, joint ventures between the government of Tyrrhenia and a series of Eiffelander companies.

The Ministry of Commerce has signed for the creation of Syskeves, a company which will have its headquarters in the border town of Thermi, specialized in creating home appliances. The company is expected to create around three thousand workplaces in three years and will be a joint venture with the Eiffellander Rathenau Gruppe. The second company the government created is NovaTyr. The company, based in Kastoria will be a joint venture with Novartis, and will produce medications and bandages, crating around five hundred to eight hundred workplaces. The last one is Orizonta, based in Dhekelia and created with the Eiffellander Agfa. The company will create photographic films and cameras. The government reports that it will create soon around one thousand workplaces.

"Such cooperation was needed, as both Eiffelland and Tyrrhenia have such a long history of friendship and respect with each other, it would have been unwise to simply shove such a chance of mutual development. The companies will be built with investments from both Eiffeland and Tyrrhenia on a fifty-fifty ratio, this, not only helping us trust each other more, but also showing ourselves that only through work and concord, we can achieve abundance." Declared Minister of Commerce Dora Ioannou.

 

[Polesia]

Great Lake Company to begin synthetic rubber production in Cathiopia
AP Puántenuá

The Great Lake Company is to open a factory producing synthetic rubber near the Cathiopian port-city of Puántenuá (Punta Negra), after having built similar production plants in Frescania. The Great Lake Company is already one of the largest producers of natural rubber in the world, and hopes to become a leading producer of synthetic rubber as well. According to company reports, the factory will be operational in 1956.

The global rubber market has seen significant disruptions of late. The so-called 'August Catastrophe' led to a marked acceleration of synthetic rubber production, as national militaries sought alternative supplies to traditionally used natural rubber. The Communist Revolution in Vangala further disrupted natural rubber supply lines, as did the ensuing war with Yujin. Maga and Sinhai, Provinces in Vangala and Yujin respectively, are two of the world's largest rubber producing regions, and also the focus of fighting between the two countries.

The Great Lake Company has faced its own troubles in Cathiopia, with local trade unions striking in response to alleged maltreatment of plantation workers. The Great Lake Company hopes the new synthetic rubber factory, with its new employment opportunities, will help soothe relations with the trade unions.

It is reported the Great Lake Company was initially hesitant to start synthetic rubber production in Cathiopia, with worries over the reliability and suitability of the local labour force. However, assurances and financial guarantees from the Constitutionalist government are believed to have swayed the Great Lake Company to risk the new venture. This is the second major investment to be announced in Cathiopia recently, with United Minerals and General Mines also revealing plans for new manganese mines in the country's interior.

 

[Polesia]

Puántenuá Stock Exchange reaches pre-war heights
AP Puátenuá

La Bolsa de Punto Negro has returned to pre-war levels of trading, another sign of renewed confidence in the Cathiopian economy, with the Cathiopian government also having recently announced a number of foreign investments into the Himyari country. Companies related to the mining industry saw the greatest rise in their trading value.

The Puántenuá Stock Exchange nearly reached to its pre-war market capitalisation last week, but shares dropped after news of late night riots and arson attacks in the exchange's host city. The Stock Exchange is one of the oldest in Himyar, founded in 1899 following the discovery of mineral deposits along Cathiopia's coast.

The so-called 'August Catastrophe' disrupted almost two decades of continuous economic growth in Cathiopia, with the series of conflicts depressing global demand and weakening international investment. A campaign of co-ordinated strikes by radical elements in Cathiopia's Trade Union movement further exacerbated problems, with several businesses threatening to end their operations.

 

[Serenierre]

Oil supplies from Sikandara set to increase, say sources
AP Sheravan

Stocks of oil companies in Sikandara's economic capital, Shervan, have been given an unexpected boost following the publication of news in several domestic newspapers announcing a general increase in global output of the Sikandari oil industry in the coming year, owing to considerable investment in the sector from Franconian and Eiffellander companies in the past few years, which has led to an expansion of sources for oil drilling in the country. Recent stabilisation in the region's decade long geopolitical dilemma has also enabled an optimistic attitude to return to Sheravan's notoriously fickle stock market.

Sikandara is the second largest oil producer and exporter in the world, ranked behind only Jurzan, but is seeing considerably more investment in the petroleum sector due to interest from multiple sources, domestic and international, and robust government attention to the performance of the sector. Government officials have been predicting that Sikandara's proven oil reserves would soon surpass those of the Jurzan, though foreign analysts remain cautious about such statements.

The Government of Sikandara, following the news of the impending increase in oil exports, has stated that it would not play politics with oil supplies and that Shahdara maintained a policy of separating political issues and oil exports. However, it is to be noted that Sikandara shares preferential oil supply agreements with a number of countries, notably Franken, Ivernia, and Eiffelland.

 

[Implaria]

Valkany colonial properties attract speculative trade at stock markets
AP Danzig

Within the last days, land titles in Valkanian colonial Himyar have seen an unprecedented up and down on the Danziger stock market. Prices initially collapsed as news of black Himyarite insurgency spread and many foreign owners of property in the Eastern Cape tried to liquidize their assets in face of growing insecurity. However, less risk-averse investors quickly caught wind of the drastic changes in the otherwise conversative real estate market, sending prices on a rollercoaster ride.

The gambling on property titles in the East Cape has reached absurd levels and analysts are warning that there may be a bubble in developement. Prices repeatedly spiked, eclipsing at higher levels than they reached before the crisis. By now, the market is driven more by anticipation of gains on the stock markets, rather than by hopes of securing colonial properties. With many settlers in the East Cape unsettled by the insurgency, the influx of property titles to the Danziger market has been steady, reinforced by those hoping to make a good deal with the land they own.

While an end to the speculative trade is already on the horizon, investors still hope to capitalize on the situation as it is. This has increased pressure on Valkany on behalf of the business world to enforce order in the East Cape with a hard line. "Should I fail to sell my assets before the prices drop again, I want the land to be at least worth something even then," as one investor put it.

 

[Portusgalia]

Oil Field in Elefanta Island by Roberto Nganda, PAHINA - Pan-Himyari News Agency correspondent. Extended and updated.

The long forgotten island of the Portusgalian Empire, the Elefanta Island, turns to be one of the must richest provinces in Portusgalia. The island was a slavery market till 1836, and after it fall in decay till nowdays where they find a major Oil Field above it.
After a national reptum, the SACOR, the portusgalian oil company, arrived with a good proposition to the government, and was aproved its exploration of the oil field. SACOR will be responsible for the island's major modern works of art, like the new harbour, and the oil well to extract the precious fossil liquid.
A new future rises in Elefanta Island, and the island's economy, no longer depends on fisheries.
As a curiosity for the anglo-saxonic reader, Elefanta means "She Elephant", nobody knows why the island is called that way, some say that the King D. Manuel I, give the Pope an albino elephant female to the Pope, but the animal never arrived to Gallo-Germania and died in the island.


The Kingdom of Lisse has already disclaimed this, stating that it isn't known in what extent there is legitimacy in exploiting this resource by Portusgalia. The Portusgalian government defended it self by evoking the Peace Treaty of 1725, between Portusgalia and Vistrasia, where the Elefanta Island was to remain in Portusgalia possession. The Crown Government of Lisse declared that it recognises the old treaty, but "continues to have doubts over the oil exploration".

 

[The Federation]

Group of Sylvanian investors "protest" outside Carentanian Embassy
AP Charleroi


With Carentanian threats to close the Long Sea from Sikandari shipping, Sylvanian Oil Companies have been seeing their company stock prices jumping up with the news. While the government has remained indifferent to the news that affects mostly imperial nations, Sylvanian businessmen and investors have been enjoying the news, even going so far as to petition the Carentanian government to go ahead and close the Long Sea. Today outside of the Carentanian embassy in Charleroi, investors who would normally found on the trading floor of the BWSE (Baldwin - Whitehall Stock Exchange) were instead standing outside the embassy holding signs asking for the closure of the Long Sea. Either way, Sylvanian energy companies are hoping that new customers come their way from this new international development.

 

[Serenierre]

Sheravan Stock Exchange shut down early
AP Sheravan

The Sheravan Stock Exchange (SVSEX) has stopped trading following the announcement of Sikandari involvement in Yujin sent oil and maritime stocks diving, as panicked investors began selling their shares before a Carentanian response to the news would send them lower. Already, the threats being issued by Rijecka against Sikandari shipping had sent stocks onto shaky ground but the panic witnessed in the wake of the announcement of Sikandari military involvement in the two year long festering conflict was a new low. One area of the stock market which was seen rejoicing was the arms industry bureau, which saw its shares go up as future military orders would be increasing. The Government has issued a statement in which it has asked all investors to remain calm and to weather out the storm.
[MENTION=16]Crowned Provinces[/MENTION] [MENTION=1663]Portusgalia[/MENTION] [MENTION=1678]Ionia[/MENTION] [MENTION=18]Eiffelland[/MENTION] [MENTION=1700]Sri Siva[/MENTION] [MENTION=1187]Ivernia[/MENTION]

 

[Rheinbund]

Bauxite deposit found near Lüneburg

The Königliche Eiffelländische Bergbaugesellschaft announced that it had found a bauxite deposit near Lüneburg, at about 100km from the Eiffellandian-Tyrrhenian border. At the beginning of the year, a large geologic investigation had started throughout Eiffelland, and the first result was the discovery of this bauxite deposit. A spokesperson of the Königliche Eiffelländische Bergbaugesellschaft was very enthousiastic about the discovery, and he indicated that more geologic discoveries may follow. Chancellor Graf von Seydewitz congratulated the Königliche Eiffelländische Bergbaugesellschaft with its discovery.

 

[Khemia]

YuMei Corporation Withdraws Support for Revolutionary Groups
AP Ru'an

YuMei Corporation, a major backer for the Yujin Republican revolutionary movement headed by General Yue Zhao, has departed from its public support for the revolutionary Fuguotian movement in a statement issued Thursday night.

"The threat of a Communist victory over Toyou represents too grave a threat for our corporation to support the near-sighted interests that the Fuguotian represents. It is clear to us that, despite the Empire's strict anti-corporate laws, Zhenjing remains the single greatest obstacle to a Red victory. We can not risk our livelihood or our prosperity in the pursuit of a selfish agenda, and recommend that other businesses reconsider their support for the Fuguotian in lieu of the Vangalan offensive," public relations spokesman Wei Wanshen stated at a press conference. "As Yujiner's, it is important that we stand by our nation in the face of foreign aggression."

YuMei Corporation, a global energies conglomerate, was awarded several lucrative contracts for exploring oil reserves within and near the Imperial province of Sinhai. The loss of that province represents a significant fiscal loss for the company, whose stocks tumbled following the reports of the surrender of Siraama and subsequent Vangalan invasion. Other major corporations currently backing the Republican movement, especially Huagong and XiFeng, viewed as the nations leading industrial giants, are expected to make similar statements in the coming days in a major setback to the Republican revolution, which despite gains on the ground will face extreme challenges in overcoming these recent developments.

Republican leader General Yue Zhao has yet to release a statement following YuMei's announcement, though elections within the rogue province of Meishan have reportedly been put on an indefinite hold.

 

[Implaria]

Workers' Republic of Carentania

Following the YuMei Corporations decision to return into the fray of the military-industrial complex of the Empire of the East, all business relations between Carentanian WO's and YuMei have been terminated. Orders have been issues to militia and customs officers, to detain YuMei officials present in the Workers' Republic for detention and property of YuMei accessible to authorities of the Workers' Republic, as well as Revolutionary Armed Forces operating in the war against the Empire, will be seized to be transferred to control of revolutionaries in Yujin.

YuMei corporations has made a terrible mistake by siding with the Monster of the East right in the moment he has dropped any remaining inhibitions on the use of terror against is own rebellious populations as well as advancing forces of those socialist nations he himself declared war upon.

 

[Implaria]

Global tensions send markets on downswing
AP Danzig

Stock markets in Danzig closed today at the lowest since five years, investors visibly unsettled by rising tensions. While companies associated with investments in East Himyar have slightly recovered after hitting bottom as the Eastern Cape crisis peaked, the threat of war in the Long Sea area has sent indices downward. Especially affected by this were shipping companies, in particular those running ships under Sikandari flag, as threats against Sikandari shipping have been voiced by socialist powers. However, the instability in the general area, not just limited to vocal Carentanian threats against Sikandara, has affected trading at the Danziger stock market in general and traders fear the trend will continue the next days.

Companies dependant upon trade running through the Long Sea have petitioned regional powers to "act reasonably", saying that it was of utmost importance to the stability of European economy to maintain peace. Leading shipping companies have tried to reassure investors by promising to register their ships with neutral powers, such as Cathiopia. Meanwhile defense contractors of more proactive states have aggressively marketed for those investors who have shunned away from business endangered by the crisis.

Carentania accumulates debt
AP Rijeka

Carentanias socialist government has placed requests for several major loans on European markets, believed to be intended as financing to maintain its wartime production. While the Workers' Republic possesses no domestic market to invest in, its dependancy on ressource imports has repeatedly opened up business opportunities for investors who have no political inhibitions about dealing with a socialist state. Though the Carentanian loans issued now offer only mediocre interest rates, analysts expect Carentania to be able to accumulate the desired currency as markets throughout Europe are affected by geopolitical crisis. Having served its financial responsibilities in due time in the past, Carentania enjoys some degree of confidence amongst investors, despite its socialist ideology.

Banks and private shareholders dealing with Carentanian government agencies nevertheless tend to stay quiet about their deals, as right-wing groups throughout Europe deplore the financing of Carentanian wars. Politicians in Sylvania as well as Eiffelland have already called upon their governments to pass laws to deny the Workers' Republic from seeking loans within their respective countries and the political right in other European countries is expected to make similiar moves.

 

[Serenierre]

Largest Belmontien bank acquired by Societe-Generale
AP Marteuil

In Marteuil, earlier today, a complex deal worth an estimated 200 billion* Belmontien Livre involving the [MENTION=1698]coeurleon[/MENTION] company, Societe-Generale, and the largest Belmontien bank, Banque SME, has been signed and majority ownership has passed from Belmontien hands to those of the Royal Family. The negotiations to get to this point had been going on for almost a year in secret, with the blessing of Premier Millerand of Belmont. At the signature ceremony, attended by the Finance Minister of Belmont, the CEOs of the two companies were seen exchanging warm greetings and there was general optimism in the room. It is expected that the large infusion of funding made available through this exchange of shares will mitigate some of the liquidity problems that the bank had been experiencing in recent years and will allow it to further expand its operations in Belmont and in the region at large.

* 20 billion USD

 

[Coeurleon]

SGC to put arms manufacturing firm on market
AP Merteuil

The Société Générale de Cœurléon (SGC) is expected to announce on Monday its decision to make the Fabrique de Montézibar a public entity. The vote is expected to pass unanimously by the Board of Governors.

The nation's largest corporation is owned exclusively by the Cœurlois Royal Family.

The announcement comes amid speculations that the Queen, who is the sole beneficiary of the conglomerate, desires to shift the corporation away from ammunitions development. Speculators believe the SGC will retain at least 30 per-cent of its stock, while other believe the SGC will pull out entirely. Fabrique de Montézibar is a major contractor for the Cœurlois government, accounting for up to 90 percent of its revenue.

 

[Brazul]

Conglomerado Brazul estimates: Revolution in Danmark costs 2 billion in investments
AP Liberdade

In an internal report that was leaked to the public this week, the Brazulian based Conglomerado Brazul estimates that the revolution in the former Danish territories will cost it nearly 2 billion Dólar. Brazuls largest business trust includes major companies like Petrobraz and the Banco Brazul, who had close business ties to Danish investors. The report stresses the need to retreat from the former Danish market and cut losses now, or else risk even greater losses once the left-wing revolutionaries engage in a policy of nationalization and expropriation as has been reported from some municipalities already. Included in the sum mentioned by the report is also a number of state bonds the Banco Brazul had acquired from the Danish government, which the bank expects to lose. Brazuls president has already commented on the issue of government debt, stating that Brazul expects the new regime to take over the responsibilities of the Danish government it deposed, regardless of whether the Brazulian government recognizes its legitimacy or not.

[MENTION=34]Wendziema[/MENTION]

 

[Oltremare]

OFFICE OF THE KOMISARZ OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS​

At this time, the Rzeczpospolita shall not recognize previous Dansk debts to the Brazulian government, as the government has thus far refused to recognize the legal transition. There is and remains no point in paying debts to those who decline to recognize the right of the Wendowie to live in peace, prosperity, and partnership, free of Dansk oppression and tyranny that extended to international financial irresponsibility. Only after unconditional recognition is granted to the de facto and de jure situation in the Rzeczpospolita will the Wendowie be open to productive and fair negotiations. The Rzeczpospolita also wishes to declare that this applies to every government.

Sincerely,

Boleslaw Zaleski
Komisarz of International Affairs

 

[Serenierre]

Prices for Gothic Sea fish skyrockets as tensions continue
AP Villesen

Due to ongoing issues between the Ivernian and Belmontien fishing industries, the prices of Gothic Sea fish has skyrocketed in Belmont, leading to general unhappiness with the state of affairs. While supplies from the Thaumantic Sea have been enough to avoid any shortage, there is a clear clamour in the country for the sweeter "Cold-water fish" of the Gothic Sea. The fish from the Gothic are not only considered delicacies but several breeds are staples for the working class in Belmont, due to the previously cheap rates of fish. It is said that the Belmontien government has sought to purchase fish from [MENTION=1767]Karolnia[/MENTION] to overcome the shortage without antagonizing the Ivernians any further. This solution will however still keep prices higher than usual.

In this environment, several black marketeers have taken to privately hauling tons of fish from the Gothic Sea, in direct contravention of the Belmontien law, which requires fishing to be done within the confines of the Belmontien Fishermen's Association. This illegal haul has been seen in various parts of Belmont, particularly at posh restaurants in the capital, where the demand for Gothic fish is the highest.

The issue that has led to this situation is a dispute between the Belmontien Fishermen Association and the Ivernian counterpart. The Belmontien fishermen assert that the Ivernian fishermen are not allowing them to fish in the Gothic Sea, as they use larger ships which have been used aggressively against the Belmontien vessels. While the issue is not a governmental one, mismanagement by the previous Centrist government in Belmont, which sought to bolster its popularity by turning it into a political issue, has resulted in a complete cold shoulder from the Government of Ivernia, which remains unwilling to talk on the issue with the new Liberal government of Premier Shahrazad Martinique.

Business leaders in Belmont have sought to put pressure in Villesen to quickly resolve the trade issues with Ivernia and have also been rumoured to be in contact with representatives of the Ivernian Government in their private capacity to encourage Aldersburgh to listen to the new government.

 

[Serenierre]

Trouble in Belmontien banking stocks
AP Monserans

Reports are emerging that the annual shareholders meeting of Belmont's largest bank, Banque de San-Marie Erique (BSME), has been the scene of a disagreement between the majority stakeholder Societe Generale [MENTION=1698]Coeurleon[/MENTION] (SGC) and the Belmontien shareholders of the institution. The exact nature of the disagreement is not known but it is said that the SGC, which owns 60% of the bank sought to displace the current CEO of the bank, along with a majority of the senior management, which provoked ire in the meeting as the move required a resolution which had the support of two-thirds (66%) of the shareholders, due to the risk such a move would pose to the operations of the bank. This led to markets registering disagreeable trends in the BSME stock price, which dipped for a short period, only to stabilize within an hour, albeit at a lower level.

Following the sale of the majority stake in the bank to the SGC, owned entirely by the royal family of Coeurleon, there has been disquiet in Belmont in regards to the changes that the new management might bring to well established institution. The sale, which has been deemed controversial, occurred during the previous Government, which was toppled due to a corruption scandal, has been seen to be invalid by some quarters and there have been requests made to the independent commission investigating the corruption of the previous government to look into the circumstances of the sale. A theory doing the rounds in Monserans is that SGC paid Foreign Minister Plantard and other members of that government to help facilitate the sale of the bank. The sale of the bank, which was concluded at a price of 200 billion Belmontien francs, was one of the largest transactions in recent times.

 

[Coeurleon]

Government to take over SGC?
AP Merteuil

The Merteuil was unstable this morning after rumors circulated the Government may introduce a Bill to take over the Société Générale de Cœurléon (SGC).

The corporation, of which the Queen is sole beneficiary, is the nation's largest private business. Its operations range from banking to mining. Earlier this week, it was announced the SGC was entering petrol and gas.

A government source has been quoted there are some senior level officials who have pressed the prime minister to introduce the question before the Deputies. In turn, the Queen would receive a fixed, annual sum.