Vanuku

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
August 18th 4735
MINISTRY OF FINANCE REVEALS "FACILITATION PLAN"
The Ministry of Finance, with royal ascent, revealed a new economic plan named the "fasciliation plan


The Vanukan government plans on revitalizing the economy through the private sector, one way of doing this is improving its infrastructural system

Wiel: The Vanukean economy, despite still being anongst the strongest on terra, has struggled in recent decades. The growthrate was mostly stagnant and unemployment kept rising. This situation led to the need for a new government plan to revitalize the private economy and make sure the Vanukean economy shows some growth again. To realize this goal the Ministry of Finance has put forward a plan simply named the "facilitation plan". This plan consists of various programs totalling over 20 billion LOD in expenses which are all aimed at fascilitating economic growth through the private sector. While the government has worked in the last 2 years to centralize political power in Wiel the Queen and her ministers have, on several occasions, expressed their desire for a economy mostly build on the private sector. Seeing it as the only real way to encourage economic development in the long run. The facilitation plan puts around 8 billion LOD into infrastructural improvements such as improving the motorways of Vanuku and improving the infrastructural connections between major economic hubs such as Wiel and Prinsenaard. But infrastructural improvements do not only mean improvements in road and rail connections. These improvements also include significant investments into improving Vanuku its internet infrastructure accross the nation. The internet infrastructure of Vanuku has lacked behind globally and Vanuku has consistently ranked in the low tier when it comes to internet infrastructure. With this plan the internet infrastructure will be significantly improved with the 4G network being extended accross the country and the 5G network being introduced as a trial in Wiel, to see what is needed to expand the network nationwide at a later stage. Landline internet connections such as fiber connections will also be improved with the goal of having every major and medium sized city in Vanuku connected with a Fiber landline connection by the end of 4752.

While infrastructure is a important aspect of the plan the next big stage, in which a whopping 10 billion will be invested, is the lowering of company taxes to fascilitate the creation of new bussinesses, lowering startup regulations for the same reason and creating a fund named the "Vanukan Startup Fund" or VSF meant to specifically finance the creation of new innovative or hard needed private bussinesses. The lowering of company taxes is also meant to relief some pressure of existing bussinesses and make sure they are able to innovate themselves and invest the money they would otherwise spend on taxes on improving their company instead. This tax decrease will be the most expensive part of this phase of the plan. With it costing around 7 billion LOD. The remaining 3 billion will be put in the Startup Fund which shall be managed by the Ministry of Finance. Vanukean citizens can apply for a grant of up to 2 million max to start up their bussiness. Before they are elidgble for receiving the money however they must hand in a detailed bussiness plan that shows the viability of their to be created company. If the company in question becomes succesfull within a span of 3 years the money should be payed back to the state in yearly grants, with the lenght of this repayment agreement and the amount to repay being determined between the bussiness and the state. If a company goes bancrupt or near bancruptcy within those 3 years it will not be required to pay back the money lend from the VFS. By doing this the Vanukean state hopes to encourage citizens to start a company, lowering the risk that comes with it and possibly increasing innovation and growth in the economy. The Ministry of Finance does however state that every bussiness created will be monitored and "suspicious activity" punished. This includes possible fraud.

The last phase of the plan includes 2 billion LOD. This money will be directly transfered to local governments in a special account. The money in these accounts can be used by local municipalities and regional governments to invest in fascilitating local bussinesses, organizing major public events that benefit the economic situation in the municipality or region or for bailing out a vital industry or company within the region or municipality if it is in financial difficulties. This money can only be used for the described purposes however as other use of the funds can result in a fine for the respective local government.

All these programs combined are called the "facilitation plan" all aimed at fascilitating growth through the private sector by indirect investments and the improvement of national infrastructure. The Queen has already given her signature and the Ministry of Finance states it is preparing to implement the plan in cooperation with the Ministry of Domestic Affairs and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport later this year. The effects of the plan will likely be visible within the next 3 to 10 years as the implementation smoothens and the entire plan rolls out in its phases. Apart from these programs to stimulate the private sector the government of the Queen is also preparing direct action into the economy to "further strengthen the financial security and geopolitical position of our country" said Prefect Wrnhelm III.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
December 5th 4735
VANUKEAN GOVERNMENT BUYS ALL PETROVAN SHARES, EXPLORES DRILLING OPTIONS
The Vanukean government has bought all shares in the public Petrovan company, practically nationalizing it


One of the offshore drilling platforms Petrovan currently possesses of the Vanukean coast

Wiel: The Vanukean government has launched part of its state guided program to further strengthen the Vanukean economy. Apart from their facilitation plan aimed at stimulating growth in the private sector the government is also pursuing a state guided program to strengthen particularly the industry and fossil fuel sectors. These sectors have already been strong in Vanuku historically but need to expand further rapidly according to the government to "realize Vanuku's global ambitions". This first step is part of this plan. Early last week the vanukean Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry bought all shares into the Petrovan company, the company responsible for most of Vanuku's fossil fuel extraction. The Petrovan company was already a public corporation with the Vanukean state owning around 68% of shares. To realize Vanuku's ambition in this field however the company had to be totally nationalized. Instead of doing this through law and not paying much if anything the government decided to simply buy all the shares on the stock market, giving investors their money while taking control of the company that way.

With Petrovan under total state control the Minister of Trade and Industry, Azi Genzi, under directives from Queen Wrntumai, has launched a commission to explore options of expanding Petrovan its offshore drilling activities. The Queen expressed her desire to double Vanuku's oil production capability within the next 10 to 15 years. To achieve this the new "Commission for Resource Management and Drilling" or CRMD has been formed by minister Genzi. This commission is tasked with exploring options on where to build new drilling platforms in the Majatran sea of the Vanukean coast and in what ways existing platforms can be enhanced to increase their individual oil production output. The sea regions of the Vanukean coast have proved to be a valuable source of Oil as it is one of the only proved places where large quantities of oil are present in northern majatra apart from Badara and has almost exclusively been used by Petrovan. After years of decay and poor revenue streams the government is prepared to infuse Petrovan with new funds in order to expand their operations. Minister Genzi also stated that the Ministry of Trade and Industry will take a hands on approach when it comes to Petrovan "providing not only financial assistance but also logistical support in the construction of additional platforms in the majatran sea. We will also make sure to restructure the company in order to make it as effective and transparant as possible".

The CRMD will also look for possible expansions of Petrovan refineries on the mainland. As currently the company and state are dependent on shipping the oil to refineries in Kafuristan and Artania. Possibly a large fascility can be build near the Vanukean Canal which would be a excellent location to transport the oil to and, when its refined, export it accross the globe. The CRMD will release its report within the next 2 years.

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THE GRAND JOURNAL
January 27th 4736
SSA ARRESTS MILITARY OFFICERS, CONDUCTS RAIDS
The State Security Agency, the main intelligence and security agency of Vanuku, has launched a operation to arrest several military officers and conduct raids at locations "suspected of harbouring ideological extremists"


Two SSA agents during a day raid in the capital of Wiel

Wiel: The Vanukean State Security Agency (SSA) has arrested 10 military officers earlier today in a operation named "Operation Shielding Eagle". The goal of the operation was neutralizing "serious threats" to the Queen and her regime and "Dealing with dangerous terrorist cells within the country". The officers arrested early this morning where part of a opposition cell aimed at overthrowing or assasinating the Queen, said a source within the agency. The officers are believed to have had republican ideologies and the motive to establish a Republic. In reality political experts believe the officers were members of some old Vanukean houses not satisfied or agreeing with the Queen her rule and therefor arrested. They believe the officers will be subsequently executed although the SSA and spokesman of the Crown have denied this. In addition to the arrest of the military officers the SSA conducted several daytime raids in both Prinsenaard and the capital of Wiel, arresting a few dozen "individuals believed to be part of terrorist cells". Once again it is highly likely that these individuals are either part of aristocracy refusing to join the Velvet movement of the queen or intelligence officials that have undermined the queen during her coup.

Since her ascension to the Vanukean throne Queen Wrntumai has worked endlessly to create a coalition of strong powerfull institutions and individuals around her in order to create a powerbase for herself. This strategy combined with her ruthless supression of any minor dissent has caused her power and control over Vanuku to increase significantly with the Intelligence services, led by Wrnhelm III, firmly on her side as well as the Armed Forces and several large Vanukean corporations. Only a few members of once proud houses as well as several intelligence and military officers have shown opposition to the Queen and her rule, opposition that is quickly supressed and destroyed by the Queen and her allies. As her power over the country grows it is increasingly clear that her approach of intergrating powerfull players in Vanuku within her political movement, dividing powerfull Vanukean institutions under the aristocratic families and in the meantime supressing any other small dissent is making her one of the most powerfull Vanukean monarchs in a century.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
June 2nd 4736
GOVERNMENT DESIGNATES "INDUSTRIAL ZONES", INVESTS IN EXPANSION OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR
As a continuation of its state guided economic program the government of Vanuku has designated several new "industrial zones" in the country


A steel plant of the Vanukean company "Vrijstaal"

Wiel: The private sector is experiencing the first growth caused by the governments facilitation plan, the Petrovan company is being restructured and infused with government funds and now the government is ready to embark on its next state guided plan besides the already ongoing plans. The Ministry of Trade and Industry, which has also seen a lot of work for the Petrovan project, revealed a "industrial expansion" plan that would have to dramatically increase Vanuku's industrial capacity over the span of 20 or so years. This will be done in phases with the first phase now revealed. Phase 1 of the plan designates several large areas within Vanuku as "industrial zones" where industry is allowed to expand. To encourage these expansion the Ministry of Trade and Industry hands out subsidies for industrial corporations that expand onto the designated industrial zones. These subsidies can in some cases exceed over 100 million LOD for a single company, making expanding into these zones very lucrrative for said companies. In addition to these initial financial advantages the state will also offer the opportunity for companies to easily access the Vanukean canal by constructing railroads from and to the industrial zones as well as allowing the companies to use the canal at a lowered fee. All these measures will remain active until the companies have indeed expanded exponentially into the zones and until they are profitable on their own.

One company in particular is likely to take advantage of this first phase, the company Vrijstaal. Vrijstaal is the Vanukean company responsible for most Vanukean steel production. It has consistently ranked as the biggest and most profitable Vanukean company and has provided the backbone of steel needed for Vanukean construction projects, both civilian and military. Most resources of Vrijstaal its steel come from Hutori and other nations in northern terra but processing those in steel is mostly done in Vanuku. Vrijstaal has already expressed its desire to expand its production capability in Vanuku and sees this as the best chance to do so. Other companies have also expressed their desire to expand their industrial base in Vanuku which is likely going to cause a heavy industry boom in the country. The government also created a special tax relief for companies that want to move into the heavy industry sector this to, hopefully, encourage mostly military industry to develop besides the already large civilian industries present. The later phases of the industrial plan will be revealed once the first phase has picked up steam and is deemed a success. Several preliminary reports already seem to suggest that new companies are likely to rise due to the extended industrial plans of the government, confirming the hopes of the central government for the plan to attract industrial growth.

Vanuku has been pushing for several programs to strengthen the country. From a multi billion plan to repair and restructure the armed forces to several plans to strengthen both the private and public economy. The entire phase program is expected to last over 20 to 25 years with phase one of the plan to be completed within 10 or so years.


The newly assigned industrial zones marked in brown (with exception of the roads passing through), most are concentrated at the canal with more zones likely to be added in the future, all zones will overtime be connected to rail that connects them to the canal

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
December 29th 4737
MEET THE NEW VANUKEAN DEFENSE COMPANIES
A list of recently formed Vanukean defense companies following the governments economic programs


Kaap Design Bureau

KAAP. is one of the many new defense companies of Vanuku. As the government intensified its new economic programs aimed at the private sector and industrialization KAAP. formed.
The company is a company specializing itself in designing naval ships for military use. The company does not produce the ships themselves and instead has a contract with the Banstill Naval Shipyard to construct the ships they design. The company has until now only worked on minor contracts but plans on expanding its operations to a larger scale as the Vanukean economy is rebounding.


Saturn Aerospace

SATURN is the only professional aerospace defense company in Vanuku. It is partially owned by the Vanukean state and both design and produces aircraft. Until now the company has only produced already existing aircraft but is preparing to design their own fairly soon. SATURN will exclusively work contracts for the Vanukean government, as they are one of the largest shareholders and force this upon the company.


Radnek Defense Technologies

Radnek or officially Radnek Defense Technologies is a private defense company formed in 4730, just after the coup of that same year. The company is one of the oldest on this list and was formed by a Vanukean with native trigunian parents named Alexander Radnek. The company is still owned by Radnek himself and primarily focusses on the designing and production of land based warfare systems and munitions.


Majatran Defense Corporation

MDC or officially Majatran Defense Corporation is a private defense company established by a Cildanian bussinessman but based in Prinsenaard, Vanuku. The company Is primarily focussed on Land based warfare systems and munitions but also develops defense electronics. The company has as its goal to become one of Majatra's main private defense companies, serving the entire continent and not exclusively limiting themselves to Vanuku.


Stilbosch Naval Bureau

Stilbosch or officially the Stilbisch Naval Bureau is a private company that both develops naval designs for the civilian and military sector. In the civilian sector their focuss lays on freighter transport while in the military sector their designs focuss on several ship classes. It is the only design company in Vanuku that also focusses on civilian ship designs, with only a few minor companies as its competitors in that field.


All these new companies have one thing in common, they were almost exclusively formed thanks to the recent state guided and private facilitation economic plans of the Vanukean royal government. These programs have not only caused new companies like these to form, but have also ensured the expansion of existing companies mainly in the industrial sector. As the government plans keep running it is expected more companies in all kinds of different sectors will be formed in the coming years. Early reports on the Vanukean economy in 4737 seem to suggest that growth could have been as high as 3% this year, with unemployment dropping to a sattisfying 8.5%. The government has stated that these reports seem encouraging but that "we will have to keep working on order to keep the economy on track and continue the great growth and lowered unemployment in our country to make sure that everyone in vanuku can benefit fully from this new economic strength".

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
August 5th 4738
KAAP WINS CONTRACT TO DEVELOP NEW DESTROYER
The Vanukean company KAAP. recently won a government contract to design a new destroyer for the vanukean navy


A early design sketch of the destroyer currently being designed by KAAP

Wiel: The Vanukean company KAAP. which specializes itself in military naval designs has recently won a contract to design a new destroyer for the Vanukean Royal Navy. The new destroyer should, according to the Ministry of Defense, be a multi purpose missile guided destroyer. Capable of fullfilling several tasks such as carrier escort, sea to land invasions or quick operations. The Vanukean navy doesnt possess any destroyers and must instead rely on its frigates and submarines to make up the carrier strike groups of the navy. With the creation of a very own destroyer for Vanuku the navy would aquire a strong and capable tool to both strengthen its carrier strike groups and expand its influence if desired.

The current design, displayed above, is likely similar to the design that will be used in the end. KAAP has contracted with the Banstill Naval Shipyard for this project. This shipyard will construct the vessel while KAAP will design it. Some rumours have already started to float around which state that the destroyer being developed will receive the name of the shipyard, Banstill, which would then be the name of the destroyer class. The MOD and KAAP officials refused to confirm or deny the rumours. The destroyer will likely be constructed in large numbers if completed as it shall be used for both carrier escort, air defense and quick strike actions overseas and at home, possibly becoming the navies most used asset if it is succesfully developed. The project is still in its design phase. KAAP expects to finish the design this year with the first ship likely completed within the next 7 years after extensive testing and screenings by the MOD and Navy. KAAP is also using ideas from a variety of different destroyers accross the globe for its own design which should make the design phase go smoother then it would normally do.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
November 30th 4738
PETROVAN STARTS CONSTRUCTION ON NEW DRILLING PLATFORMS
Petrovan, the now state owned oil company of Vanuku, has started construction on several new oil drilling platforms in the majatran sea


One of the new oil drilling platforms being constructed, already in its place

Wiel: After 2 years of surveilance, restructuring of the company and analysing data the vanukean owned Petrovan company has started the construction on new drilling platforms in the majatran sea just off the vanukean coast.
The company was nationalized by the government around 2 years ago and was put under intense supervision, being restructured and getting a influx of government funds as a result. Following the nationalization the government also installed a commission tasked with further exploring the posibilities of expanding Vanuku's oil drilling activities in the region. Now, 4 months after the commission released its findings, Petrovan has launched construction on new drilling platforms in specially designated areas of the Vanukean coast. Once completed the goal will be the doubling of Vanuku's oil production, making it less dependent on other powers in the region and terra for its supply of oil. In addition to a smaller dependency on others a increase of Vanuku's oil production would also mean more influence abroad as it is likely part of the produced oil will be exported. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has already hinted on possible regional partnerships, with Majatra being the leading natural resource producer on the planet.

There is one downside to the Vanukean approach however. The CRMD, the commission tasked with exploring drilling options, also found that all remaining options for increased drilling would come at a high price as most untapped oil reserves off the Vanukean coast are located deep within the surface, making drilling there a expensive endeavour. The MTI has already started trails with new drilling technologies such as fracking to limit the additional costs of the increased drilling activities but it is likely that the additional drilling will remain more expensive then current drilling platforms in known oil reserves. Petrovan is however ready for the expansion of operations, with its staff and organizational structure completely restructured and a additional 2.000 employees hired Petrovan prepares itself for when the drilling platforms are completed.

The first two new platforms will be officially inaugurated by the Minister of Trade and Industry and are expected to be operational by the end of next year.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
December 19th 4738
PREFECT WRNHELM VISITS JAKANIA
On the request and behalf of the queen Prefect Wrnhelm III visited Jakania last week to strengthen diplomatic ties and congratulate the new government on its win


Prefect Wrnhelm during the meeting with the Jakanian Head of State

Dokuz: Vanukean prefect Wrnhelm III, on the request of Queen Wrntumai, went on a official state visit to the Majatran nation of Jakania this week. Jakania has been struggling for the last century since Deltaria conquered the nation, leaving it completely destroyed after its liberation. All this time Jakania was faced with large unemployment, a unstable government and corruption. After the recent election of members of the new Democratic Alliance many nations accross terra see the potential in this new government and its big ambitions. Just like others on terra the Queen sees the new Jakanian regime as a opportunity and possible partner in the region. On the request of her majesty Prefect Wrnhelm flew to Jakania to meet with its head of state Nuray Cevahir. This official state visit had as its goal to strengthen the already strong relationship between Jakania and Vanuku and hold preliminary talks for future diplomatic, political and economic cooperation.

The prefect made it clear that the intention of her majesty was to "aid the Jakanian people in their reemergence" and "strengthen Jakania so that it may once again properly care for its people". Both leaders discussed several things. One of the more important matters on the agenda was the creation of a direct diplomatic channel between the Vanukean and Jakanian governments. By achieving this both nations could contact eachother much more quickly and discuss important matters of state if they so desire. Furthermore the possible strengthening of trade ties was discussed, with both nations showing a willingness to strengthen their economic ties and Vanuku expressing its intentions of investing into Jakanian industry and other sectors that are deemed potentially profitable. The last thing on the agenda was the situation in Majatra itself. Both nations alligned with Istalia during the Deltaria-Coalition war. But Vanuku has made it clear in recent years that it intends on breaking that bond and becoming the dominant majatran power. Prefect Wrnhelm reportedly stated to the Jakanian HOS that "Vanuku would greatly appreciate strong Jakanian-Vanukean ties in a effort to counterbalance the destructive foreign agenda of Istalia".

With this meeting experts believe Vanuku is laying the groundworks for its majatran foreign policy and is preparing to further its influence in the region.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
May 20th 4739
VANUKEAN ECONOMY SHOWS STRONG GROWTH, INDUSTRIAL SECTOR EXPANDING
After 4 and 3 years of the facilitation and industrial expansion plans the Vanukean economy is showing steady and strong growth


The Vanukean economy is reporting record growth, mostly thanks to the strong expansion of the industrial sector

Wiel: After years of government investments and the private sector slowly reemerging all the work seems to finally pay off. While at first there were already indications that the Vanukean economy was doing well last month real numbers finally got released by several economic bureaus all showing the same positive thing. The Vanukean economy is booming. Both the facilitation plan to strengthen and grow the private sector and the industrial expansion plans of the Vanukean government have payed of as in the last reported quarter the Vanukean economy grew by a strong 3.9% compared to 0.2% just a few years back. Furthermore thanks to the strong growth of the industrial sector and government investments into the Armed Forces, combined with a growing number of new jobs in the private sector, the unemployment rate in the country has dropped from 10% 2 years ago to around 7.6% currently. This new economic growth also comes with a downside however. As the inflation rate has risen from 1% earlier to around 3.3% now, with it expected to rise to 4% in the coming years. While not a problem by itself it could put more pressure on the already mounting debt of the country. Due to the billions invested into the economy and armed forces Vanuku had to lend billions of LOD in order to pay for the investments up front, resulting in a debt of 60% of the GDP currently. While still relatively low now the debt was much smaller 2 years ago with it only being around 51% of the GDP.

The government is also planning on accumilating more debt in the future as it has several military expansions in the works and will likely use its growing GDP to invest into sectors that could potentially boost the economy further or in sectors within allied nations such as Jakania. Early forecasts show that the economy might peak in growth at the end of next year with some projections projecting a growth of 4.5% by then, with unemployment dropping to 5.9%. Once that peak hits however it is expected that Vanuku will only maintain this growth for a year, after which it will gradually slow down to more moderate growth levels. The Queen has reportedly been optimistic about the economic reports and has been in discussion with her cabinet about the possibilities this renewed economic strength is giving her government. With, as mentioned before, plans to further strengthen the Armed Forces and in addition use the additional economic strength to expand its influence abroad.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
May 25th 4739
DESIGN PHASE ON "BANSTILL" DESTROYERS EXTENDED
KAAP requested the design phase to be extended by another 6 months due to "complications" in several parts of the design


A simplified 3D model of the "Banstill" class destroyer released 2 months ago

Wiel: The program for the development of a new class destroyer for the Vanukean navy has encountered its first setback. While the design bureau in charge of designing the destroyer expected the design finished by the end of last year they requested the government to extend the deadline by another 6 months to July 4739. According to KAAP there had been "several flaws" in the design once the deadline closed in. Namely the missile guidance system and radar systems of the new destroyer had some "potentially dangerous design flaws" at the end of the deadline, causing KAAP to request a extention. The systems of the new destroyers are inspired on systems of other ships, both frigates and destroyers, around terra but have their own unique features to them that makes them better capable for the role that Vanuku wants to place them in.

The Banstill class will be the first destroyer class that Vanuku will operate. It will be a unique missile guided class, inspired by many other destroyers around the world with the main inspiration coming from Kazulian and Hutorian destroyers. The Banstill class is being designed by the Vanukean company KAAP and will have several advanced features that will make it stand out from other classes of destroyers. The destroyer will feature a main gun of around 5 inches (127mm) , advances missile guidance systems, a LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) system for better anti submarine warfare and many more features. The class is also receiving a unique radar system with additional advanced software, making its ability to track and target enemy targets much more efficient. According to KAAP the destroyer will be a "multi purpose" tool for the Vanukean navy, used for use in both a combat support role (in a carrier fleet) or in operating by itself with clusters of its own class. The Vanukean navy has already stated that if the Banstill class proves to do what it was intended to do it will be the "main support ship" for the Vanukean navy, mainly used as a carrier escort but also used for quick strike operations such as special forces operations and protecting the Vanukean coast/interests in the Majatran region. KAAP stated that once the design flaws have been properly located and eliminated it will hand the design to the Banstill Naval Shipyard which will construct the first ship of the class. It is expected that the new deadline for the design of July will be met.