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☆ Germany says preparing for possible China export control impact
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In 2022, China supplied 27 tonnes of gallium to Germany, accounting for 55% of total imports. Regarding germanium, China supplied 3 tonnes, or 75%, according to data supplied by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). A German industry representative said earlier on Wednesday that China's decision may be in response to U.S. trade restrictions, but its impact will also be felt in Europe. "It is not yet possible to predict whether these measures will have an impact on our supply of these raw materials," Franziska Brantner, state secretary in Germany's economy ministry, told Reuters. "Based on what is known so far is initially only an export control measure, not restrictions," Brantner said.

Persons: Holger Kunze, Kunze, Franziska Brantner, Brantner, Germany's, Christoph Steitz, Riham, Rachel More, Friederike Heine, Alexander Smith, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Federal Institute for Geosciences, Natural Resources, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, China, Beijing, United States, Germany, U.S, Europe, Brussels

An Audi spokesman in Germany said no specific announcement was planned in Mexico. It was unclear how much Audi plans to invest. Both Audi and Volkswagen have outlined broad goals for boosting their EV production worldwide. Volkswagen last year said it would invest more than $7 billion in the next five years in North America, including for EV production. In Mexico, Volkswagen last year announced a $763 million investment to upgrade the Puebla plant, including a new paint division running on electric energy.

Persons: San Jose Chiapa, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico's, Marcelo Ebrard, Audi, Dave Graham, Beth Solomon, David Gregorio Our Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Audi, Volkswagen, EV, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Germany, Mexican, Puebla, San Jose, North America

☆ Ghost of Silicon Valley Bank turns up in Italy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The rapid collapse of Silicon Valley Bank earlier this year was largely down to an ill-advised bond portfolio and liabilities that were less sticky than assumed. While Italy’s Eurovita isn’t a bank, its demise has some similarities with events across the Atlantic. Eurovita, whose 2022 balance sheet was only about 15 billion euros, chiefly offered life insurance products that guaranteed policyholders’ invested capital and a fixed annual return. Follow @LJucca on TwitterCONTEXT NEWSItaly’s top four insurers and Germany’s Allianz have agreed a multibillion-euro rescue deal for ailing life insurer Eurovita, industry supervisor IVASS said on June 30. The deal also involves banks that sold the insurance products through their networks.

Persons: policyholders ’, Cinven, Intesa, redemptions, Eurovita, Marco Sesana, weren’t, IVASS, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: MILAN, Reuters, Banco, Reuters Breakingviews, Allianz, Germany’s Allianz, Thomson Locations: Silicon, Eurovita

☆ Weak gas prices worsen outlook for Gazprom's revenues from sales to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Gazprom's gas sales to Europe, once its primary source of foreign currency revenues, have plummeted due to the crisis in relations between Moscow and the West. Gazprom has not provided forecasts for gas exports this year and has not replied to a request for comment. Ronald Smith, a seasoned analyst at Moscow-based BCS brokerage, expects Russian gas prices in Europe to average $445 per 1,000 cubic metres this year. He forecasts Russian gas exports to Europe and Turkey will reach 50 bcm this year. If Russia keeps its gas exports to Turkey steady, it might reach 22 bcm in 2023, then sales to Europe would total 28 bcm.

Persons: Ronald Smith, That's, Oksana Kobzeva, Vladimir Soldatkin, Christina Fincher Organizations: Gazprom PAO, Gazprom, Economy Ministry, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, Europe, Ukraine, Moscow, Turkey, Russia

☆ Argentina's currency crisis is so dire that it's allowing people to open bank accounts using the Chinese yuan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Argentina is allowing commercial banks to open deposit accounts in the Chinese yuan. The country is facing a drastic shortage in the US dollar, a major currency used in global trade. The Central Bank of Argentina said in a Thursday statement on its website that it is allowing the Chinese yuan as a form of currency in savings and checking accounts. The move complements the country's securities regulator announcing that Argentina can issue securities in the Chinese currency, the central bank added. Javier Milei, a leading presidential candidate, has proposed replacing the peso with the greenback as Argentina's local currency to tame inflation.

Persons: —, Javier Milei Organizations: Argentine, greenback, Service, Central Bank of, International Monetary Fund, Buenos Aires Times, Bloomberg, Reuters Locations: Argentina, Central Bank of Argentina, China, Beijing, internationalize, Argentine

☆ Argentina makes IMF payment as deal talks grind on
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 30 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said on Friday that Argentina is current in its payment obligations, and the government said it made a $2.7 billion payment to the fund using its existing stock of the IMF's reserve assets, and Chinese currency. The operation, which depleted Argentina's $1.6 billion in SDRs, underscores how desperate the country's dollar position has become. The IMF did not respond to requests for comment on the payment method. Both parties are locked in talks to speed up disbursements from their $44 billion program and ease economic targets, as a major drought continues to hammer vital grains exports. Argentina's economy ministry said a team will travel to Washington early next week to continue negotiations.

Persons: Brendan O'Boyle, Rodrigo Campos, Chizu Organizations: Monetary Fund, IMF, Reuters, Argentine, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Washington, Carolina

☆ Argentina announces over $1 billion in credit from World Bank, IDB
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, June 28 (Reuters) - The World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will provide Argentina with funds totaling over $1 billion, the South American nation's economy ministry said on Wednesday, adding these should go toward development and energy projects. The move comes as cash-strapped Argentina battles to rework its debts and comply with financing programs with other international financial bodies, such as a $44 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Argentina's economy ministry said the World Bank was giving $900 million in financing for development projects in clean energy, health care and climate resilient infrastructure. The country, along with Uruguay, was also awarded with a $400 million credit program from IDB to improve the supplies at the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Complex and extend the facility's "useful" lifespan, the ministry added in another statement. Reporting by Nicolas Misculin and Carolina Pulice; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Sarah MorlandOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nicolas Misculin, Anthony Esposito, Sarah Morland Organizations: World Bank, Inter, American Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, IDB, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Uruguay, Salto, Carolina

☆ Argentina announces over $1 bln in credit from World Bank, IDB
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, June 28 (Reuters) - The World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will provide Argentina with funds totaling over $1 billion, the South American nation's economy ministry said on Wednesday, adding these should go toward development and energy projects. Argentina's economy ministry said the World Bank was giving $900 million in financing for development projects in clean energy, health care and climate resilient infrastructure. The country, along with Uruguay, was also awarded with a $400 million credit program from IDB to improve the supplies at the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Complex and extend the facility's "useful" lifespan, the ministry added in another statement. The funds come as Argentina faces a major challenge to bring down a 100%-plus inflation rate, replenish scarce foreign currency reserves and alleviate social issues including four-in-ten people living in poverty. Reporting by Nicolas Misculin and Carolina Pulice; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Sarah MorlandOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] A sign reading "Low prices for you" is seen on a shopping trolley in a supermarket in Nice, France, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File PhotoLONDON/PARIS, June 23 (Reuters) - Danone (DANO.PA) and Kellogg (K.N) are among 75 consumer goods companies that French authorities have asked to cut prices, according to a list seen by Reuters that sources say the government is using for the initiative. The French government is using the list seen by Reuters, produced by a research group, as a reference for the project, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter. Some consumer goods makers have said recently that costs are starting to ease, leading lawmakers and regulators to accuse companies of keeping prices high unnecessarily. Investors have in recent months warned that consumer goods companies should start easing price increases as supply chain costs decline, worried that further hikes could hit market share and margin growth.

Persons: Eric Gaillard, Bruno Le Maire, Knorr, Avril, Pernod Ricard, Kellogg, Richa Naidu, Matt Scuffham, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Danone, Kellogg, Finance, Reuters, Unilever, Nestle, ABI, Thomson Locations: Nice, France, PARIS, Ukraine

☆ Argentina to make $1.9 bln payment to IMF as scheduled - econ min source
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, June 21 (Reuters) - Argentina will make scheduled payments totaling some $1.9 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday, an economy ministry source said. Argentina has $2.7 billion due to the fund this month alone. The government hopes to bring forward over $10 billion in IMF disbursements this year, though has been reluctant to agree to tough austerity measures as the next general elections scheduled for October approach. Economy Minister Sergio Massa is set to travel to Washington once an agreement to ease economic targets is drafted with IMF officials. Reporting by Jorge Otaola and Walter Bianchi; Editing by Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Jorge Otaola, Walter Bianchi, Conor Humphries Organizations: International Monetary Fund, IMF, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Washington

☆ Germany to offer aid only to strategic sectors after Intel subsidy -minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, June 21 (Reuters) - Germany will promote specific projects in strategic industries after agreeing subsidies worth nearly 10 billion euros with Intel this week as the U.S. chipmaker said it would invest $33 billion in Germany, a minister said on Wednesday. "There will be no funding for everyone, but only for selected projects," said Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens party which shares power with Scholz's Social Democrats and the FDP Free Democrats. "They will be everywhere in future," he said at an event in Berlin, adding that the Intel subsidies were therefore an investment in economic security. Other sectors being closely watched by the government included medicine, telecommunications, energy, logistics and transport, food and security services, he said. The economy ministry said earlier that the European Commission has yet to approve Berlin's subsidy plans for Intel.

Persons: chipmaker, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Christian Kraemer, Madeline Chambers, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Intel, Greens, Scholz's Social Democrats, FDP Free Democrats, European Commission, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Germany, Magdeburg, Berlin

BUENOS AIRES/NEW YORK, June 18 (Reuters) - Argentina and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have a $44 billion dilemma, with the two sides set to meet for crunch talks to revamp the country's huge, wobbling debt deal, key to avoiding default on billions in looming debt payments. Economy Minister Sergio Massa is expected in Washington as early as this week to try to unlock talks to accelerate IMF disbursements and ease economic targets attached to the deal, with investors and traders watching closely. "The fund knows that Argentina is a problem, it is its main debtor, but it seems to me that the negotiation has stagnated. Reuters Graphics'DAMAGE CONTROL'The government is hoping to bring forward over $10 billion in IMF disbursements scheduled for this year, though is reluctant to agree to tough austerity measures with an eye on October general elections where it faces likely defeat. "Investors are paying real attention to signs from the IMF negotiations," said economist Gustavo Ber.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Ricardo Delgado, Massa, Hugo Godoy, Gustavo Ber, Walter Bianchi, Rodrigo Campos, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis Organizations: BUENOS AIRES, International Monetary Fund, Economy, IMF, Reuters Graphics, Reuters, Institute of International Finance, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: BUENOS, Argentina, Washington, Argentine, Buenos Aires, China

☆ Germany in intensive talks with Intel on chip plant, economy ministry says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, June 16 (Reuters) - Germany is in intensive talks with Intel (INTC.O) on plans to set up a new chip-making complex on its soil, the economy ministry said on Friday, without commenting on how much state funding the company was set to receive for the project. "The goal of the government is clear: We want to strengthen Germany as a location for microelectronics. This is highly important for transformation and technological sovereignty, and for this reason we are conducting intensive talks," a ministry spokesperson said. She did not say how much the company would receive in state subsidies for the site in the central German city of Magdeburg. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet with Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger on Monday, according to a government spokesperson.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Pat Gelsinger, Handelsblatt, Rachel More, Miranda Murray Organizations: Intel, U.S ., Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Germany, German, Magdeburg, U.S

☆ Intel near deal on 9.9 bln euro German government subsidy, Handelsblatt says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 15 (Reuters) - Intel (INTC.O) and the German government are close to an agreement for the chipmaker to receive 9.9 billion euros ($10.83 billion) in subsidies, up from a previously agreed 6.8 billion, Handelsblatt reported on Thursday, citing government sources. Final negotiations will take place this weekend, the newspaper reported, with Intel Chief Executive Pat Geisinger and government representatives to sign an agreement in Berlin on Monday. Intel and the economy ministry were not immediately available for comment outside working hours. The additional funds are to come from a budget under the responsibility of the economy minister, who campaigned heavily for the extra subsidies in the face of resistance from Finance Minister Christian Lindner, according to Handelsblatt. Intel, which announced last year it had picked the central German city of Magdeburg for a new chip-making complex, had raised its demand for subsidies to around 10 billion euros citing higher energy and construction costs.

Persons: Handelsblatt, Pat Geisinger, Christian Lindner, Victoria Waldersee, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Intel, Finance, Thomson Locations: Berlin, German, Magdeburg

☆ Argentina says Chevron to invest $500 mln in Vaca Muerta shale area
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Chevron Corp FollowJune 9 (Reuters) - U.S.-based oil major Chevron (CVX.N) will invest more than $500 million to develop the Trapial block in western Neuquen province, home to the massive Vaca Muerta shale basin, Argentina's economy ministry announced on Friday. The announcement followed a meeting between Economy Minister Sergio Massa and company officials, according to a ministry statement. Last year, Neuquen officials granted Chevron a concession for shale production in the area, with what the company said at the time would be a pilot stage investment of about $80 million. The Vaca Muerta shale formation is the world's fourth-largest shale oil reserve and the second largest for shale gas. Oil companies operating in the formation have been ramping up output from Vaca Muerta in recent months, which officials hope can eventually reverse the country's longstanding energy deficit.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Vaca Muerta, Carolina Pulice, David Alire Garcia Organizations: Chevron Corp, Chevron, South, Thomson Locations: Chevron, Neuquen, South American, Vaca

☆ German firms to receive 4 bln euros through EU microelectronics push
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, June 8 (Reuters) - Over 30 microelectronics projects in Germany will receive about 4 billion euros ($4.29 billion) in funding after the European Commission approved a support scheme for such technologies, the German Economy Ministry said on Thursday. "The 31 microelectronics projects from 11 federal states strengthen Germany as a microelectronics location across the board and are an important industrial policy milestone," said Economy Minister Robert Habeck. A document provided by the German economy ministry showed Infineon (IFXGn.DE), Elmos Semiconductor (ELGG.DE) and Robert Bosch [RIC:RIC:ROBG.UL] among the companies to receive funds. The economy ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the report. ($1 = 0.9316 euros)Reporting by Miranda Murray Writing by Rachel More Editing by Madeline ChambersOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Robert Bosch, Habeck, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Madeline Chambers Organizations: European Commission, German Economy Ministry, European, Infineon, Elmos Semiconductor, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Germany, German, Hamburg, Netherlands

But in a statement on April 8 last year, the company said: "Due to recent developments, Acer has decided to suspend its business in Russia." Asked about subsequent exports to Russia via Swiss subsidiary Acer Sales International SA, Acer in Taiwan said in a statement that "we strictly adhere to applicable international regulations and trade laws regarding exports to Russia". Acer did not say why it continued shipping its goods to Russia despite saying it would suspend business there. Reuters was unable to establish where some Acer goods that can still be found on sale in Russia had originated from nor when they had arrived in the country. There were no deliveries of the newly prohibited items by Acer to Russia from Switzerland after that date.

Persons: Dell, Artem Zhavoronkov, Acer, Filipp Lebedev, Gleb Stolyarov, Ben Blanchard, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Mike Collett, White, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Reuters, Dell, HP, Acer, Russia, European Union, Acer Sales International SA, PC, IDC Russia, Nordic Star, Economy Ministry, Economic Affairs, Russia's Ministry of Industry, Trade, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine, Acer's, Switzerland, Swiss, St . Petersburg, Japan, Bioggio, WhatsApp, Switzerland's, Tbilisi, Taipei, Geneva

MEXICO CITY, June 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. is escalating its conflict with Mexico over agriculture biotech measures, including the stance on genetically modified (GM) corn, by requesting dispute settlement consultations, senior officials of the U.S. Trade Representative's office said on Friday. If the consultations announced on Friday fail to resolve disagreements within 75 days, Washington can request a dispute settlement panel to decide the case. The United States requested formal trade consultations in March over objections to Mexico's plans to limit imports of GM corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. Earlier this week, Mexico's agriculture minister expressed confidence in an interview that the dispute with the U.S. would not escalate to a dispute settlement panel. The new decree eliminated the deadline to ban GM corn for animal feed and industrial use, by far the bulk of its $5 billion worth of U.S. corn imports, but maintained a ban on GM corn used in dough or tortillas.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Tom Vilsack, Tom Haag, Cassandra Garrison, Adriana Barrera, Ismail Shakil, Leslie Adler Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S . Trade, U.S, Trade Ministry, United, Economy Ministry, Agriculture, U.S ., Corn Growers Association, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexico, Canada, Washington, United States, Mexico City, Ottawa

May 31 (Reuters) - Russia's unemployment rate dropped to a record low 3.3% in April, data showed on Wednesday, highlighting the labour shortage that is stifling economic growth, while other indicators painted a mixed picture. Retail sales, a key gauge of consumer demand, fell 0.1% compared with March and industrial output dropped 5.0%. Excluding seasonal factors, economic growth slowed to 0.2% in April, the ministry said. Russia's market has changed drastically since the sanctions war began, Tsukhlo said, with mass-market and expensive brands alike leaving the country. "(They) could have been replaced by Russian light industry products, but there is no one there to produce them," he said.

Persons: Sergei Tsukhlo, Tsukhlo, Alexander Marrow, Darya, Alison Williams Organizations: Russia's Gaidar, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian

☆ Brazil's Lula cuts losses after setbacks on environment and Indigenous front
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Maria Carolina Marcello | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

On Wednesday, the minority Lula government faces another key vote in the chamber that will reduce the powers of the ministries of the environment and of Indigenous affairs. Lula called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the dilemma, and called the speaker of the lower house, Arthur Lira, whom he plans to meet as well, to ensure the measure passes. INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL SETBACKThe law passed on Tuesday would set a cut-off date for recognizing Indigenous land claims, establishing that they had to be occupied before Brazil's current Constitution was enacted in 1988. Brazil's 1 million Indigenous peoples are guaranteed by the Constitution the right to live on ancestral lands. After the bill passed, the minister of Indigenous peoples, Sonia Guajajara, said that the deputies who backed it would be "responsible for approving a bill that explicitly attacks the lives of Indigenous peoples in Brazil."

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Arthur Lira, Jair Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro, Sonia Guajajara, Lisandra Paraguassu, Ricardo Brito, Maria Carolina Marcello, Anthony Boadle, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Lawmakers, Liberal Party, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, Congress, Sao Paulo, Brazil's, Brazil, Brasilia

☆ Russia's own economic figures show a steep drop in industrial output amid a record labor shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russian industrial production fell 5% in April from the prior month, according to the economy ministry. That comes amid a historic labor shortage, and the unemployment rate hit a record low of 3.3%. Some analysts have previously warned against putting much faith in the Kremlin's data, which is often used to portray Russian economy in a more positive light. But the economy ministry said industrial output dropped 5% in April from the prior month, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, retail sales in April dipped 0.1% from the prior month, signaling weakness in consumer demand.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Russia

The letter did not disclose either how much Berlin had proposed in state help, or by how much this had been reduced. The conflict lays bare how much industrial heavyweights depend on aid to decarbonise their businesses as well as the need for governments to approve subsidies quickly to avoid companies from shifting investments or stopping them altogether. Thyssenkrupp in August made the investment decision for the so-called direct reduction iron (DRI) site at its steel base in Duisburg, provided substantial subsidy commitments by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin were fulfilled. Tekin Nasikkol, who heads the works council of Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, told Reuters last week that Berlin needed to quickly approve hundreds of millions in subsidies for the site, adding workers' patience had run out. ($1 = 0.9084 euros)Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff; Additional reporting by Christoph Steitz and Christian Kraemer; Editing by Friederike HeineOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Subsidy cuts could derail Thyssenkrupp's green steel project -labour bosses
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUESSELDORF, May 17 (Reuters) - Thyssenkrupp's <TKAG.DE> labour bosses cranked up the pressure on Berlin to help fund a 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion) green steel production site, warning in a letter to Economy Minister Robert Habeck that a further cut could choke off the project. Reducing subsidies further would trigger a "massive discussion" within Thyssenkrupp's supervisory board over whether to pull the plug on the investment, the letter, dated May 17 and co-signed by the group's deputy chairman Juergen Kerner, said. Thyssenkrupp in August made the investment decision for the so-called direct reduction iron (DRI) site at its steel base in Duisburg, provided substantial subsidy commitments by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin are being paid. Thyssenkrupp <TKAG.DE> and the economy ministry had no immediate comment. ($1 = 0.9084 euros)Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff; Additional reporting by Christoph Steitz and Christian Kraemer; Editing by Friederike HeineOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan arranging subsidies for Samsung chip facility -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Maki Shiraki | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, May 17 (Reuters) - Japan is arranging subsidies that could be worth around 15 billion yen ($110 million) to South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS) for a chip facility it is considering setting up near Tokyo, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. Samsung, the world's largest maker of memory chips, would construct the facility including its first chip packaging test line in Japan near its existing research and development centre in Yokohama, Reuters reported in late March. The facility could cost around 40 billion yen to set up, of which about a third would be subsidised by the Japanese government, said the source, who declined to be named because the information is not public. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday plans to meet with executives from leading chip firms including Samsung to strengthen multilateral cooperation. Japan said last month it would give 260 billion yen in subsidies to domestic chipmaker Rapidus, which is building a factory on the northern island of Hokkaido, in addition to 70 billion yen of government funding secured earlier.

☆ Russian economy shrank 1.9% in first quarter, statistics service says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 17 (Reuters) - Russia's economy shrank 1.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, data from the Rosstat federal statistics service showed on Wednesday, following growth of 3% in the same period of last year. Russia's economy defied early expectations of a double-digit collapse in 2022, but still contracted 2.1% after the West imposed sanctions in response to Moscow despatching troops to Ukraine in February. The economy ministry this month estimated that gross domestic product (GDP) had fallen 2.2% in the first quarter, while the central bank has predicted a 2.3% decline. That follows a 2.7% drop in the fourth quarter of last year, according to Rosstat data. Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya and Alexander Marrow; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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