Tropica

[imperialpearl]

With an eye on enhancing their relative standing within the region and among other international universities, the University of Tropica is becoming increasingly open to foreign/international students, particularly those from Artania and Dovani. As the University continues to increase the quality and accessibility of the education received at its numerous campuses throughout Tropica, it continues to clamour for international students whom they believe could potentially boost its standings against regional and international universities amidst their relative slip in ranking. Although no formal ranking among international universities is maintained, it is believed that the universities of Lourenne, Yingdala and Dorvik rank among the best in terms of quality and resources. With the University of Tropica, being the only university in the country, playing catch up with its regional and international competitors, the prospect of allowing Dovanians, Artanians, Seleyana and Majatrans to pursue their educational endeavours under the University of Tropica is becoming increasingly enticing. Following her monthly informal meeting with the Education Ministers of the island provinces and territories, Minister of Education, Research and Innovation, Dr Lupelele Matautia sought to clean up the attitudes of the universities. In an interview, she revealed that the Department of Education, Research and Innovation had allowed the University of Tropica to begin scouting for potential scholarship nominees in the Dovanian "Third World" and among other continents in a move to establish the University as a wholly independent institution. She stated that the rationale behind the decision is in line with the federal government's aim of developing a highly-skilled workforce. She explained that the federal government believed that through creating pathways for international students to obtain their education in Tropica and to gain access to Tropican scholarships it would be hoped that said students would contribute to the nation's economic growth in the future. "We hope that by providing these pathways, much of these international students would remain in Tropica either permanently or for a period whereby they can use the skills they've obtained to contribute to our economic growth." She lamented that the "scramble for Dovani, Artania, Seleya and Majatra" by the University of Tropica should not be viewed from the lens of the university simply attempting to increase their international standings but, it should be viewed as an active attempt by the Tropican government towards achieving a diverse and strong workforce.

[imperialpearl]

The Coromaru Shipbuilding Company (CSC) announced earlier this morning that it had entered into a multi-million dollar contract with the Inter-Island Ferry Service Co. Ltd, which is a joint company operated by the governments of the island provinces and territories of Tropica, for the construction of five (5) high-speed passenger catamarans. The decision comes amidst calls by Tropicans, particularly those in the Outer Islands for increased sailings by the Inter-Island Ferry Service. With its current fleet of five (5), medium-sized catamarans, the IIFS makes daily sailing throughout the Outer Islands and between Coromaru and Tapoa. With much of the responsibility for the movement of persons, goods and vehicles throughout the island provinces and territories resting solely on the IIFS due to its statutory monopoly, the company has been placed under significant strain. Between juggling calls for increased sailing and managing the maintenance of its existing fleet, the company has explained on numerous occasions that whilst it continues to enhance the efficiency of the service, it continues to attempt to avoid forgoing maintenance work, noting that without maintenance, the vessels could be placed under greater stress than they are already under. At the company's most recent earnings call, the governments of Tapoa, Coromaru and the collective governments of the Outer Islands committed to increasing the budget allocation of the IIFS, with the Federal Government, through the Infrastructure Development Fund becoming a new shareholder within the company. Through the company's internal design bureau, CSC has developed an initial design for the IIFC's future fleet of large catamarans. Coined the Super Fast Golconda, it is a series of 118 high-speed trimaran ferries able to transport 1,100 passengers and 276 cars. The General Manager of the Inter-Island Ferry Service, Atamu Autagavaia was present at a signing ceremony alongside CEO of CSC Helene Pookalani, where he stated that plans were being developed to increase the IIFC's fleet from 5 to 20. "Of course, these plans are based on a long-term projection, but certainly, our vision is to ensure we can have multiple sailings per day through all of our routes," Autagavaia said. Construction of the first vessel, the Windside Express is expected to begin in the following year, with the Leeside Express, the Coromaru Spirit, the Tapoa Spirit and the Eastern Voyager set to be built one after the other.

[imperialpearl]

Earlier this morning Tropica received the first batch of HF-16 and F-35 from Hutori and Dorvik respectively as a part of the long-term, multi-billion dollar programme aimed at transforming the Royal Tropican Air Force into a modern aerospace force. At a ceremony at RTAF Base Waiutowai, Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Tamati Manuera and Minister of National Defence Isaako Pulefaasisina commissioned 10 HF-16s and 5 F-35A ordered by the Department of National Defence years prior. Air Marshall Manuera called the aircraft's arrival in Tropica "timely." He noted that mounting regional and global tensions have created the impetus for the Department of National Defence to redouble its efforts to bring about an effective transformation of the Tropican Defence Force. "The situation in North Dovani coupled with the resurgence of Trigunia and many of the traditional powers have impressed upon us to redouble our efforts to complete the transformation of the Tropican Defence Force." Air Chief Marshal Manuera said. According to statements from the Department of National Defence, the 3 of the 5 F-35As will be used primarily for training as it noted that RTAF pilots had to become accustomed to the controls and capabilities of the aircraft, as it would form the backbone of the RTAF's capabilities alongside the HF-16s. "Tropica's entrance into the F-35 programme represents a major lead forward for the RTAF. In keeping with the transformation plan for the TDF, the F-35 allows for the RTAF to become a small, yet technologically mature aerospace defence force." Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Eleanor Hamilton told reporters. According to the Air Marshal, the HF-16s would form the backbone of the Royal Tropican Air Force's offensive and defensive capabilities, set to become the RTAF's workhorse. "Although we have only ordered 50 HF-16s, we believe that given the challenges we expect to face in the future, the aircraft's capabilities coupled with the training of our pilots will be an extremely lethal combination," She proclaimed. "15 of that initial figure of 50, are twin-seaters which allow for them to serve in close air support (CAS) capacity. Although other nations possess true close air support aircraft such as SU-25 and A-10, the precision and technology which comes with the HF-16 and its numerous pieces of munitions allows for us to potentially use the jet as a close air support fighter." New formations for the RTAF are currently being built out to accommodate for the expected arrival of the remaining units of HF-16s and F-35s, until then Air Marshal Hamilton stated that the RTAF instead to conduct a series of exercises with the purpose of stress-testing the capabilities of the jets.

[imperialpearl]

With its eye set on continued economic development, the Tropican Government looks to the stars as a new frontier. Earlier this morning at a joint press conference, Prime Minister Andrew Neilson, Minister of Economic Development, Industry and Trade Mark Andrews and Minister of Education, Research and Innovation Dr Lupelele Matautia announced the creation of the Tropican Space Agency (TSA), the nation's first space research agency. The announcement comes months following deep stakeholder consultations on the way forward for the Tropican government and its plans for economic development. Pointing to the fact that although the nation sees around advanced science-related graduates each year, the government's ability to retain said knowledge in Tropica is becoming increasingly difficult as said graduates leave Tropica for employment opportunities elsewhere, the Economic Advisory Board recommended that the federal government move aggressively to build a scientific research ecosystem within the Tropica to tackle the nation's economic woes. Speaking about the feasibility of the move, Dr Matautia stated that evaluations on the potential creation of a space research agency for Tropica had begun decades prior, around the same time the nation transitioned towards building out its digital economy in full. Although work on the digital economy had commenced but had later stalled, plans for the earlier iteration of the TSA were not approved by the cabinet and the project was thus mothballed. The agency's creation comes to the jubilation of the nation's scientific community. President of the National Institute for Advancing Science, Dr Ashton Kennedy stated that the TSA's creation represented a quantum leap for the scientific community. He noted that the appointment of the nation's first science and research minister alongside the creation of the TSA demonstrated that the government was finally beginning to recognise the scientific community as a potential conduit for economic and societal growth. "We are pleased that finally, the scientific community is getting the attention it deserves. We are seeing science graduates leave Keymon for greener pastures when we could be providing as many opportunities for said graduates here. The TSA represents a step in the right direction as it pertains to advancing scientific research in Keymon and building a budding scientific community," Kennedy proclaimed. During the press conference, Dr Matautia announced Dr Charlotte Whitford, a string theorist and former Special Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister, as the Director-General of the TSA. In a press release following the press conference, Dr Whitford stated that for the interim, she intends on building capacity and relationships for the TSA, noting that she has intentions of forming an MoU between the TSA and the University of Tropica on scientific research. When questioned on the agency's plans in the medium to long term, Dr Whitford stated that the agency was presently focused on developing its strategic plans for the future and thus couldn't comment on the agency's plans in the interim.

[imperialpearl]

Having committed to developing a vibrant downstream petrochemicals sector on the island province, the Tapoan Industrial Development Company (TIDC) has announced that it had entered into a design-build-operate agreement with Mōmona, a fertilizer development startup with the intention of creating Tropica's first homegrown urea plant. The agreement marks the conclusion of months of negotiations between Mōmona and the Tapoan Industrial Development Company, which began after the TIDC chose Mōmona for the contract. The agreement marks the beginning of the development of Tapoa's downstream petrochemicals sector and reinforces the province's commitment to economic planning. Decades prior, the downstream petrochemicals sector was identified as an area for potential growth within Tapoa in the island province's long-term economic investment strategy. With active attempts being made to boost agricultural production within the province via TARDI and TADB, the question of the sustainability of imported fertilizer entered the forefront. According to numerous fertilizer distributors and retailers within the province, as agriculture production increases the demand for fertilizer will increase which will place significant pressure on them [distributors & retailers] to meet said demand. As much of the nation's fertilizer is imported, it would mean increased imports which will place a significant strain on the nation's foreign exchange reserves. "The exchange rate controls introduced by the federal government constraints the amount of fertilizer we can import. Whilst there are windows for increased access by manufacturers and fuel importers, we are continuously constrained," complained Kaulana Pekelo, President of the Tapoa Agriculture Trade Association (TATA). In the TIDC's statement, the company admitted and apologised for its inaction in bringing urea production "closer to home", noting that the concerns of both TATA and tapoan farmers. Mōmona was founded by UoT graduates Kealii Hoapili and Kainoa Nohealani in 5180 in pursuit of developing higher-quality fertilizer to be used in farms across Tropica and now employs around 300 persons. According to Hoapili, with financing from the Tapoan Industrial Development Company and the Tropican Investment Corporation, the proposed urea plant is expected to be the largest in Southern Dovani and is expected to employ some 200-300 persons. As a part of the agreement, the company will operate the plant for around 5-10 years, whereafter the plant would be operated by the Tapoan Government as a subsidiary of the TIDC. Throughout the plant's operation (both in the hands of Mōmona and the TIDC), the urea produced within the facility would be sold both domestically and internationally with a subsidy to be introduced to encourage domestic consumption. Tapoan Minister of Rural Economic Development Nicholas Lewis confirmed that the TIDC had numerous proposals lined up to build on its current momentum, revealing that the company was currently reviewing proposals for the construction of a major LNG refining and liquefaction facility with assistance from the Federal Government alongside proposals for a blue hydrogen plant among others.

[imperialpearl]

In a move which many economic analysts and commentators say would transform the semiconductor market in Tropica for the foreseeable future, the tropican government through the Tropican Investment Corporation, the state agency responsible for managing the government's economic investment portfolio, announced its intentions to nationalise struggling semiconductor manufacturer "Digital Instruments" to address systemic geopolitical vulnerabilities and increase investment into the growth of the domestic semiconductor industry. "It is incumbent upon the government to address matters which leave us exposed to considerable risk," Minister of Economic Development, Industry and Trade Mark Andrews said during a press conference at the cabinet offices in Nikutabi. "In addressing such risks and vulnerabilities, it requires that the federal government become directly involved in the market." According to Minister Andrews, the nationalisation process would not entail the use of the government's extraordinary powers of seizure but will simply be done by increasing the government's stake in the company. Concurrently, the government's stake in Digital Instruments stands at 20%, however, following the completion of the process, the government's stake would stand at 100%. Federal Treasurer Dr Jamie Newman that the nationalisation would cost the federal government some 6.1 billion TRD, which the treasurer states the government intends on financing through a series of loans from local banks including Fairisles and FirstTropican Bank of Commerce. News of Digital Instruments' financial uncertainty came to the forefront weeks prior when the company fired its Chief Financial Officer in response to continued quarterly losses. "From cost overruns on the construction of new plants to dubious procurement decisions, the company's performance has been deteriorating over the past few years," claimed Mataio Talatonu, a senior stock analyst at HSB Global Finance. "Seeing the markings of a company in deep distress, much of the company's shareholders dumped their stocks in the company and went on to more profitable ventures. As a result of that, the company was near the brink of bankruptcy." According to Minister Andrews, Digital Instruments' nationalisation represents a proactive move by the federal government to secure the future of the nation's growing semiconductor sector. He noted that as the largest producer of semiconductors in the country, Digital Instruments' collapse would herald in a crisis among firms dependent on semiconductors and would force many to seek alternatives from external sources. "In seeking to reduce our exposure to such a vulnerability we [the federal government] have embarked upon this path to bring the firm under state management," Minister Andrews explained. Similar to the federal government's actions with Tropican Airways, Digital Instruments would be restructured and rebranded. According to Minister Andrews, the rebranded firm would be known as the Tropican Semiconductor Corporation (TSC), once the company has been restructured and the government would retain 67% of all shares within the company, with the remaining 33% released as free-float. Minister Andrews has stated that a restructuring and transformation board has been appointed alongside a CEO. Waraki Natana, former Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Port of New Kosmos, has been appointed interim CEO of TSC.

[imperialpearl]

Against the backdrop of mounting concerns among defence planners as to the dulling of the Tropican Army's lethal edge, the Department of National Defence approved to the procurement of some 75 M1A1 Conelly main battle tanks, in a move which will draw the TDF and the Tropican Army closer to its goals of becoming an extremely capable fighting force on the Dovanian continent. In a statement earlier this morning, the Department of National Defence confirmed that following months of negotiations between the DoND's procurement unit and Conelly Defence Industries, the government had secured the agreement which would see the acquisition of main battle tanks from the company alongside a commitment on CDI's part to shift much of the company's manufacturing out of Mordusia and into Tropica. According to Chief of the General Staff Major General Patariki Arepata called the multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement "timely." He explained that the re-emergence of traditional powers namely Trigunia had created the impetus for many defence planners to re-double their efforts towards transformation. "There had been a gradual slowing of the transformation of the TDF and its subordinate branches, however, one would note that we are once more focused on ensuring that we can transform the TDF and the Tropican Army by extension into an extremely modern, highly trained fighting force." Major General Arepata explained. According to the Major General, the Tropican Army had begun searching for main battle tanks months prior, after a rolling review of the branch's transformation plan found that the lack of main battle tanks could be disastrous. Concurrently, much of the Tropican Army's armoured capabilities rests solely in the hands of its fleet of TLAV-3 infantry fighting vehicles. Divided among two (2) Light Armoured Reconnaissance Companies, the TLAV forms the backbone of Tropica's modular warfare doctrine, which impresses upon the Tropican Army to be able to smoothly transition from manoeuvre warfare against conventional armies to COIN (counter-insurgency) against non-conventional formations. "If our doctrine mandates that we be prepared for engagements with conventional armies, it would be only realistic for us to want to match many of our potential adversaries in terms of equipment. We cannot expect our TLAVs to be engaging with main battle tanks in a potential high-intensity conflict. Do we really expect a light armoured vehicle with a 25mm chain gun to be engaging heavily armoured main battle tanks with 120mm guns? It is therefore incumbent on us to match our potential adversaries in that regard," Major General Arepata explained. In anticipation of the arrival of the main battle tanks, two new formations have been added to the Tropican Army: the 1st Armoured Regiment based in Axbridge and the 2nd Armoured Regiment based in Metham. According to Major General Arepata, these armoured regiments will be primarily equipped with the M1A1 Conelly and the TLAV-3, however, Major General Arepata has stated that the Tropican Army is contemplating whether to combine the Light Armoured Reconainssaice Companies with the two armoured regiments or to build out new reconnaissance units for both armoured regiments, separate from the LARCs. According to Minister of National Defence Isaako Pulefaasisina, the agreement is expected to cost the federal government around 3.6 billion LOD over a ten-year period. As mentioned prior, a caveat of the agreement was that Conelly Defence Industries would move much of the company's production out of Mordusia and into Tropica owing to the lacklustre economic climate of the former. With Conelly Defence Industries will most likely come the Hawkei, the Bushmaster and the M1A1 AIM.

[imperialpearl]

Having decommissioned the nation's legacy combat vessels, the Department of National Defence has announced that it has greenlit the construction of a new variant of the legacy destroyers previously under the service of the Royal Tropican Navy. According to the DoND, the procurement programme is a part of the government's wider Armed Forces Rearmament Programme (AFRP). It is expected to cost the federal government some 15 billion TRD over 20 years to see the construction of at least six (6) Kodiac-class frigates, ten (10) Māwake -class offshore patrol vessels, one (1) additional Breakwater-class multi-role vessel and twelve (12) Cape-class patrol boats. The ships are expected to be constructed in Tropica by the Coromaru Shipbuilding Company (CSC). According to Rear Admiral and Chief of the Naval Staff Hinuhinu Napua, the project would allow the Royal Tropican Navy to rebuild its capacity and capabilities in light of the federal government's decision to scrap legacy equipment. Rear Admiral Napua stated that the Royal Tropican Navy should solidify itself as the direct successor of the once prominent Vascanian Navy amidst the relative decline of the nation's standing in the international community. However, there are plans to potentially rebuild the nation's surface fleet to potentially include aircraft carriers, Rear Admiral Napua stated that the nation had to virtually rebuild its navy from scratch, focusing on green water operations before it could contemplate the idea of blue and green water operations. "We have to find our footing once more and it is important to we begin the process of becoming familiar with our equipment. We cannot thrust headfirst into operations under these new reforms. I have heard talk that we are considering the construction of an aircraft carrier, however that is furthest from the truth. For now, our operations remain within the constraints of these new vessels which we intend on introducing in the coming decades." Rear Admiral Napua stated that although the designers were reintroducing legacy hull designs, the equipment and general purpose of these combatant vessels will be significantly different from their historical interactions. Advanced radar, fire control systems, and larger engines are some features expected to be added to the new ships as they are unveiled to the public. Admiral Marshall stated that he hopes the Royal Tropican Navy can rearm and reposition itself as a major player in the Temanian sub-continent and the wider Dovanian continent some time in the not-too-distant future.

[imperialpearl]

A joint consortium of the Coromaru Development Agency, the University of Tropica, the Coromaru Department of Education, Science and Technology and the Federal Department of Education, Research and Innovation convened a meeting earlier this month with the expressed intention of positioning Coromaru as the foremost locations for advanced scientific research via the construction of what could be the world's first major particle collider. The decision to unite the numerous entities underneath a singular roof to bring the project to fruition comes amidst months of deep stakeholder consultations led by the University of Tropica. According to statements from the Coromaru Development Agency, the University of Tropica had led the process in convincing both the Coromaru Government and the federal government to support the proposed project. Officials note that one particular Dr Arona Aperahama, Head of the Department of Physics at the university was the principal voice behind calls for the project's construction. At a press conference at the University of Tropica, both Coromaru Minister of Education, Science and Technology Moana Pekama and Federal Minister of Education, Research and Innovation Dr Lupelele Matautia threw the Coromaru and Federal government's support behind the project stating that such a development could be extremely beneficial not only to Coromaru and/or Tropica but to the wider Dovanian continent and/or even the wider world. She noted that a project of such national significance would require special attention by the central government and thus, a special agency within the federal government has been created to oversee both the project's construction and operations alongside the University of Tropica. Coined the Royal Institute for Particle Physics, the organisation would be responsible for research into the field of particle physics and astrophysics (the primary fields related to the use of a particle collider). Dr Aperahama, who had been appointed to head up the Royal Institute for Particle Physics explained the process behind the particle collider. "Superconducting magnets and other mechanisms increase the energy of particles along a given distance up to the speed of light. They then collide with an atom allowing physicists to investigate particle structure among other pieces of data. The research garnered from this can enable us to better understand the atoms/molecules/particles and could help in advancing numerous scientific fields." When asked as to how the central government and the university intend on paying for the multi-billion dollar project, Dr Matautia stated that following a brief meeting with Federal Treasurer Dr Jamie Newman and Minister of Economic Development, Industry and Trade Mark Andrews, the federal government intends on taking a loan from Fairisles to finance the project alongside deficit spending. Treasurer Newman stated that he viewed the project to be one that could benefit the population and the wider world in the long run and thus saw no reason to withhold financial support for the project.

[imperialpearl]

Having regard to Tapoa's ambitions to become a major player in the downstream petrochemicals sector, the Tapoan Industrial Development Company has announced that it had entered into an agreement with the Tropican Fuel Trading Company to begin the construction of its much-anticipated LNG liquefaction facility, commencing what could potentially become the foundation of a greater role for Tapoa and Tropica in the global LNG market. Tapoan Minister of Energy, Minerals and Low Carbon Innovation, Hinano Luahoomae stated that, unlike the global crude oil market which is heavily saturated, the global LNG market is virtually untouched. He noted that although numerous companies were operating in the industry, no significant companies were entering the market. “None of the major crude oil players are paying much attention to the global natural gas market mainly due to the fact that the returns/profits from crude oil are far greater than those in LNG. Nonetheless, I believe Tapoa has a major role to play in this sector as there are numerous benefits coming out of heavily investing in the LNG market,” the Minister explained. According to energy analyst Anuhea Makan, should Tapoa develop its LNG industry along the lines of servicing demand from Artania, Dovani, Seleya and Majatra the potential for foreign direct investment (FDI) would enable foreign investors to see Tapoa as both a major hub for LNG and a major player in the industry. The plant’s construction is expected to begin in the coming days. President and CEO of the Tropican Fuel Trading Company, Reupena Tufele noted that the plant would be maintained by importing natural gas from territories outside of Tropica. Tufele notes that due to Tropica's proximity to Majatra and Dovani, the cost of moving LNG to the two regions is minimal however the cost of moving LNG to Seleya and Artania could present future problems for the company.