Best-ever October for BMW Group sales

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Best-ever October for BMW Group sales
  • BMW brand sales up 3.0% to 176,291 vehicles
  • BMW i3 success story continues with a 19.9% growth in the year to date
  • Luxury segment sales climb nearly 60% in the first ten months
  • BMW brand grows 9.4% in October in the US
  • Nota: “Solid increase of 8.6% for electrified vehicles in October”

The BMW Group continued to grow its worldwide sales in October, reaching a total of 204,295 vehicles (+1.7%). Deliveries in the year to date were up 1.7% on the same period of last year, with 2,070,496 premium BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles sold.

 

“Our model offensive continues to have a positive impact. We were able to achieve new all-time sales highs for October and the first ten months of the year,” said Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales. “With our electrified vehicles, we achieved a solid increase of 8.6% in October. The BMW i3 is a real electromobility pioneer and more popular with our customers today than ever, posting sales growth of nearly 20% in the year to date,” added Nota.

Sales of BMW brand vehicles grew by 3.0% in October to 176,291 units. In the first ten months of the year, BMW sales increased by 2.3% to 1,777,691 vehicles. Due to the new BMW 8 Series, new BMW 7 Series and all-new BMW X7 models, sales in the luxury segment grew by almost 60% in the year to date. The BMW Group plans to double its sales in the luxury class between 2018 and 2020. BMW X models like the BMW X5, which sold 13,162 units (+67.5%) in October, and the BMW X3, which saw a year-on-year sales increase of 67.4% (256,148 vehicles) in the year to the end of October, also contributed to the brand’s growth.

Sales of BMW Group electrified vehicles were up 8.6% to 14.182 units in October, due to availability of the new BMW 330e* and the BMW X5 xDrive45e*. The BMW i brand, with the BMW i3 and BMW i8, continued its positive sales trend over the course of the year, with an increase of +19.3% to 34,479 units. Sales of the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4* Plug-in Hybrid climbed 30.1% in the first ten months of the year to reach a total of 13,274 units. With the launch of the BMW X3 as a plug-in hybrid* and the pure electric MINI Electric*, the BMW Group will be expanding its range of electrified vehicles to 12 models by the end of this year. The BMW Group intends to have one million electrified vehicles on the roads by the end of 2021. The company expects to have delivered a total of half a million fully-electric and plug-in hybrid BMW and MINI vehicles to customers by the end of this year. The BMW Group also plans to offer 25 electrified models by 2023 – more than half will be fully electric.

In a highly competitive segment and with a focus on profitable sales development, MINI brand sales in the year to the end of October totalled 288,613 units worldwide (-2.3%). Sales for the month of October were lower, at 27,589 units (-6.2%). In addition to its core models, John Cooper Works variants of MINI models were in particularly strong demand with customers in October.

In the year to date, BMW Motorrad continued to post solid sales growth and was able to maintain the same high level as the previous year. In the first ten months of 2019, a total of 149,577 BMW motorcycles and maxi-scooters were delivered to customers around the globe (+7.0%). October sales were down 3.1%, at 12,645 units.

BMW and MINI sales in the regions/markets

Despite the various headwinds affecting the automotive industry worldwide, the BMW Group increased sales in important sales regions such as the Americas (+6.0%) and China (+8.8%) in October. Due to the success of the BMW X models and the new BMW X7, the BMW brand’s US sales were 9.4% higher year-on-year in October. In the German market, a total of 29,041 BMW and MINI vehicles were sold in October: an increase of 2.5%. In the year to date, 269,389 vehicles (+3.6%) were delivered to customers. Year-to-date sales of the fully-electric BMW i3 in Germany were double the figure for the previous year (8.207 units). This has helped BMW to become the market leader in Germany for new registrations of electrified vehicles (source: IHS Markit 10/2019 Report).

In a global market environment that continues to be volatile and highly competitive, the company expects to achieve a slight increase in sales for the full year and remains committed to its strategy of prioritising profitability over volume. 

BMW & MINI sales at a glance

  October 2019 Compared with previous year % YTD 10/2019 Compared with previous year %
Europe 85,584 -3.1 894,276 -1,0
–        Germany** 29,041 +2,5 269,389 +3.6
–        UK 15,862 -6.1 192,991 -2.7
Asia 77,434 +6.5 757,531 +6.7
–        China 61,400 +8.8 587,417 +13.8
–        Japan 3,885 -32,0 59,194 -4.5
Americas 36,847 +6.0 370,430 +0.1
–        USA 28,402 +7.5 288,582 +1.0
–        Latin America 4,701 +8.5 44,581 -0.7

**Provisional registration figures

Crowds besiege Konga Store at Victoria Island for pre-Konga Yakata experience

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Crowds besiege Konga Store at Victoria Island for pre-Konga Yakata experience

Bargain-hungry Nigerians have besieged the new Konga retail store located at Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island, Lagos for a taste of the pre-Konga Yakata shopping experience.

The crowd which came out in their numbers were eager to be the first to get their hands on the amazing price slashes and discounts on a wide assortment of products available on the Konga platform.

Konga Yakata, widely regarded as the biggest sales event in the annual shopping calendar in Nigeria, kicks off formally on Monday, November 11th, 2019. The month-long shopping fiesta will run until December 12th, 2019 across its online platform and retail stores nationwide.

The commencement of the shopping extravaganza coincides with the globally celebrated Singles Day sales popularized by China’s retail giant, Alibaba.

“From the turnout today at Saka Tinubu, you can see that Nigerians are ready for an unforgettable experience, disclosed Chidalu Ekeh, Head of Marketing at Konga. “Konga Yakata is set to feature lots of amazing activities including Flash Sales, Treasure Hunts for the fastest fingers, amazing travel discounts and deals to exotic destinations through Konga Travel, walk-in discounts across all Konga retail stores nationwide and Social Media giveaways.

“Furthermore, there will be a Live sales show on DSTV Channel 369 every Saturday from the 16th of November, until the 7th of December 2019. Most importantly, every Friday throughout Konga Yakata is Black Friday, so you are guaranteed unbeatable prices.”

Furthermore, Chidalu affirmed that shoppers are in for a mega sales extravaganza at Konga Yakata.

“We are ready to deliver the biggest discount sales ever, beginning from Monday, November 11th or 11/11 which also represents the very popular Singles Day sales,” declared Chidalu Ekeh, Head of Marketing at Konga. “Konga Yakata is by far, the biggest discount sale in the annual shopping calendar and this year, we intend to make it even bigger than before.

“We are anticipating a 600% increase in sales recorded in 2018 and this is down to the increased shopping appetite among our customer database, which has grown exponentially. Our retail stores have also grown to cover more locations across Nigeria. Furthermore, there are more merchants on the Konga platform today, many of whom have increased their product assortment through the soft loans and credit facilities we graciously extended to them,” she disclosed.

Please see video:

Federal High Court discharges Okonkwo, Adesanya, Lawson

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Federal High Court discharges Okonkwo, Adesanya, Lawson

The Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on November 5, 2019, discharged the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, the former Executive Director, Sterling Bank, Mr. Lanre Adesanya and the former GED Finance of NNPC, Mr. Stanley Lawson from a court case which was initially brought after the EFCC began investigating allegations of election malpractices during the 2015 elections, involving diversion of NNPC funds.

The Federal Government discontinued the case and withdrew the charges, resulting in the discharges which were confirmed by the presiding judge, Hon. M.S. Hassan.

Numerous similar allegations involving other government agencies were made after the 2015 election, which saw the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which had been in power at the Federal level for 16 years, lose power to the All Progressives Party (APC).

Federal High Court discharges Okonkwo, Adesanya, Lawson
Federal High Court discharges Okonkwo, Adesanya, Lawson

There has been significant debate around these allegations with many observers seeing them as being politically motivated in order to discredit the PDP.

Notwithstanding this possibility, this publication is of the view that as far as such allegations are translated into court cases, as opposed to unlawful and indeterminate detention of individuals, then the rule of law will have prevailed whatever the outcome.

Adam Hugill Highlights the Importance of Social Responsibility at the Interact Law Conference

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Adam Hugill Highlights the Importance of Social Responsibility at the Interact Law Conference

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Media OutReach – 8 November 2019 – This week the Interact Law conference kicked off with the
introduction of several new members joining the legal network: Bennani &
Associés which has offices in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Ivory Coast; Maheshwari & Co based in India,
but also offering a German and an Eastern European desk; Tonucci & Partners which is deeply
rooted in Italy where the firm has offices in 7 cities across the country, but
that also has a solid presence in Romania, Serbia and Albania.

Adam Hugill followed the new
members introduction highlighting Hugill & Ip
Solicitors‘ commitment to Social Responsibility. The firm actively promotes
diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in the community. It believes in
recognising and promoting talent and opportunities for every member of the
firm, regardless of gender, race, family status, disability, sexual
orientation, identity or expression, age, religion or beliefs.

Adam Hugill reiterated: “At Hugill & Ip we believe that social responsibility is a
necessary ethical stand, in which individuals are accountable for fulfilling
their civic duty. The actions of an individual must benefit the whole of
society. In this way, there must be a balance between economic growth and the
welfare of society and the environment.”


Hugill & Ip has been involved in pro-bono and charity
campaigns since its early start and most recently has supported ACFR (Asian Fund for Cancer Research) for
its BRACE Awards in Singapore. Last week Hugill & Ip launched the “Wills
of Concern” campaign to raise funds for AIDS Concern in Hong Kong and spread awareness in
the local community about legal issues related to estate planning, LGBT rights,
discrimination, data privacy and confidentiality. The ultimate goal is to help
AIDS Concern achieve its
Triple Zero target: a fall of the annual HIV new infection rate, stopping the
spread of HIV/AIDS and eliminating stigma for people living with HIV. Until the end of
2019, direct donations to AIDS Concern will benefit this important cause, with Hugill
& Ip writing free wills in return.

The conference continued focusing on a capital market indepth
discussion on how a business can best prepare for Sale or Fundraising, then followed
by several speakers talking about Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. As
a conclusion of this discussion, there was a special seminar on “Demystifying
Legal Tech“.

Hugill & Ip joined Interact Law earlier in 2019. The legal
network started its journey back at the beginning of the 90’s in Europe and has
since grown and developed into an international network of independent law firms. Quality
of its members is preferred over quantity: aiming to have one firm per
jurisdiction ensures that only law firms and solicitors with extensive
experience and expertise are selected to be part of the network. Sometimes such
law firms are a leading practice only in one jurisdiction such as BDB Pitmans in the U.K., De Vos en Partners in The
Netherlands or Madrona Advogados in Brazil.  Other times they are present in different
jurisdictions as Zico Law in Southeast
Asia,  Cohen Amir-Aslani in France and
Iran or ECIJA in Spain and
Latin America.

Bespoke Legal Solutions

Hugill & Ip’s view is long term and endeavours
to build lasting client relationships based on trust, professionalism and
discretion.

As a young independent law firm, yet its lawyers
bring decades of experience providing bespoke legal advice and exceptional
client service to individuals, families, entrepreneurs and businesses, in Hong
Kong and internationally.

https://www.hugillandip.com

Sustainability Goals Met with Velox’s Direct-to-Shape Digital Decoration Technology

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Sustainability Goals Met with Velox’s Direct-to-Shape Digital Decoration Technology

Velox’s digital DTS for the packaging industry reduces environmental footprint

 

HONG KONG, CHINA –
Media
OutReach – November 8, 2019 – Velox, the world’s only
mass production direct-to-shape (DTS) digital decorator for the rigid
cylindrical packaging industry, is presenting high-quality containers printed
at high speed using its advanced decoration technology at CosmoPack Asia Expo. On
display from November 12–14 in Hall 9, Stand #9-C20, Velox’s solution offers many design and efficiency benefits,
improves sustainability, and has a significantly lower impact on the
environment.

Velox achieves sustainability goals across every step of
production and the entire supply chain. The Velox IDS 250 system offers an eco-friendly decoration process with substrate versatility. When combined
with containers made from renewable materials, such as Post-Consumer Recycled
(PCR) and Sugarcane renewable material tubes, brand owners have the most innovative
green packaging solution available to them. The Velox
DTS-Inkjet technology, comprised of a dedicated system
architecture
and uniquely formulated inks, offers high-quality printing at the highest production
speed and low total cost-of-ownership on any container material or coating.

 

Sustainability benefits are substantial and include:

  • Reducing
    substrate and chemical waste by eliminating the need for plates, screens,
    blankets, chemicals, and spot inks;
  • Reducing
    energy consumption, storage, chemical handling units, and downtime by increasing
    the capacity and efficiency of existing production lines;
  • Enabling
    on-demand production to reduce inventory and eliminate overproduction;
  • And,
    simplifying the supply chain by reducing transportation and logistical stock
    requirements, which improves planning, shortens time-to-market, and drastically
    reduces final goods waste.

 

The Velox digital decoration system is a replacement for
conventional DTS printing, making possible both high-volume and low-volume runs
with superior quality at an affordable price. It offers converters full
production-line printing speed of up to 250 containers per minute with up to 14
simultaneous colors and embellishments — including photorealistic images and
tactile embossing — 360-degree decoration with no seam, gap, or overlap, and
tube-to-cap printing.

 

“Velox’s digital DTS technology makes it possible to meet
business targets while reducing a products’ environmental footprint,” said Ofer
Nir, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development, Velox.
“Sustainability and environmental impact are a high priority for brand owners,
so they actively seek companies that utilize sustainable packaging solutions as
the Velox IDS 250 penetrates the market.”

About Velox

Velox
develops and manufactures industrial-grade direct-to shape digital decoration
solutions for the rigid container industry. Its proprietary DTS-Inkjet
technology, based on uniquely formulated inks and dedicated deposition
architecture, introduces an entirely new approach to digital printing that is
poised to disrupt the packaging decoration market. Velox’s industrial-grade
digital decorator delivers, at full production speed, superior decoration
quality and capabilities that outstrip the benefits of analog printing solutions,
while allowing a more efficient and flexible production process and a low total
cost of ownership (TCO). Velox is powered by an expert team with uniquely
extensive and wide-ranging experience in digital printing, led by veteran
executives with proven success in driving company growth. For more information,
visit www.velox-digital.com or
visit @Velox_DigiPrint on Twitter.

Singapore’s WEnergy Global, Investors to Drive US$20M, 4 Renewable Energy Ventures in Philippines

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Singapore’s WEnergy Global, Investors to Drive US$20M, 4 Renewable Energy Ventures in Philippines

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 November 2019 – Singapore-based WEnergy Global Pte Ltd, a developer and operator of renewable
power plants in Asean, said a group comprising its venture partners will fund
US$20 million in equity into four new energy projects in the Philippines. These
renewable energy plants will come onstream within two years.

 

The new projects will be designed alike the Sabang
Renewable Energy Microgrid (SREC) Project in Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa,
Palawan, Philippines. SREC was just commissioned.

 

The Sabang project was conceptualised in 2013 when the
Philippine government was looking for solutions to overcome the challenge of
insufficient power supply and poor power transmission. Give the vastness of the
country, a fundamental problem was the lack of economies of scale in
constructing power plants. WEnergy Global led the design and development of the
project, and now operates the Sabang plant jointly with its Philippine
partners, Gigawatt Power Inc. and Vivant Energy Corporation.

 

This Sabang plant, now the largest off-grid
electrification plant in Asean, combines solar PV (1.4 MWp), diesel generation
(1.2 MW) and 2.4 MWh battery storage to deliver electricity across a 14-km
distribution network to 700 residents and commercial establishments. On
average, this power plant will have 60% solar PV energy in the mix in its first
few years of operation.

 

Mr Atem S.
Ramsundersingh, CEO of WEnergy Global, said: “The fundamentals of WEnergy
Global are centred on bringing sustainable renewable energy, the most
cost-efficient solution, to off-grid or island communities, off-grid industrial
estates and new townships … (our) answer is to build, own and operate smart
micro-grids for off-grid electrification, which most multilateral agencies are
starting to embrace almost 7 years after the work done by us, while investment
companies and mega power companies remain averse. The commissioning of the
Sabang plant today is a fruition of this goal and how it can be replicated
quickly across to other parts of Southeast Asia.”

 

Philippine Secretary
of the Department of Energy Mr Alfonso G. Cusi, who was present at the
commissioning, said: “We need more decentralised energy systems through the
private sector to end energy poverty and meet the President’s mandate to
energize all Barangays and households by 2022. DOE encourages RE-Hybrids in
rural off-grid areas and encourages companies to reduce fuel-based power and
reduce subsidies for fuels. SREC is an example of that. We are changing our
circulars to enable fuel-subsidy reductions.”

 

In January 2019,
WEnergy Global entered into a partnership with ICMG Partners Pte Ltd and Greenway Grid Global (GGG) Pte Ltd, an
investment entity of Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Corporation PowerGrid Inc
(TEPCO-PG). The three entities set up CleanGrid Partners Pte Ltd, a
Singapore-based investment entity with an initial commitment of US$60 million
for project development and equity financing.

 

Looking ahead, WEnergy
Global’s investment linked entity — CleanGrid Partners Pte Ltd — will aim to
seal and sign deals with close to 15 local authorities in the Philippines to
plan, build and operate microgrid projects in their respective jurisdictions.

 

The cooperation with
TEPCO-PG and ICMG Partners will bring in seasoned expertise and excellence to
solutions that can withstand natural disasters and compatible with business
models that contribute to innovation of policy and regulatory frameworks.
Collaboration and joint ventures with local business partners will bring in
local knowledge and relations that are essential in building a network of
decentralised and democratised electrification systems.

A Map Of Inequality In Countries

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A Map Of Inequality In Countries

Social and economic inequality between and within regions in countries is rising in many advanced economies and is now at the forefront of the policy debate because of perceptions that some people and places have been left behind. Changes in global trade and technology have shifted jobs and industries on the map, but the economic gains within countries are not well shared.

One might think the solution is for people to move in search of better jobs and lives. But people find it harder to move to booming cities with more jobs like Washington D.C., San Francisco or London in part because they can’t afford to live there, or because they do not have the right skills required for higher-paying jobs.

Our recent paper studies regional inequality in 20 advanced economies, including the United States, Canada, Italy and Germany. We find that regional disparities in income are large, persistent, and increasing over time.

This is where government policies on taxes and spending may require a rethink, so countries can better tackle inequality between regions. Policies could help people upgrade their skills for better-paying jobs and help redevelop communities to create local jobs.

Regional inequality: facts and forces

The disparity of income between regions has been large in many advanced countries. One may think that it is primarily due to differences in regional prices—for example, $100 can buy more goods and services in Missouri than in New Jersey. But regional disparity remains sizeable even after we consider regional price differences. A disconcerting fact is that regions with low-income levels tend to have less access to healthcare, lower education levels, and higher unemployment rates.

More importantly, the disparity of income between regions is also persistent and has risen over the past 15 years, contributing to inequality. Regions that have fallen behind—those with high unemployment rates—have on average a 70 per cent chance of remaining behind. The chance of lagging behind can be even higher than the average in some countries, such as in Italy and Canada. Instead of catching up, regions that lagged in these countries grew at a slower rate—by as much as 1 percentage point of GDP over three years.

You may think that people can simply move in search of better jobs in high-income areas. But based on micro-data for individual households, we find that the higher average income in the more prosperous regions is more often offset by the high cost of living. People find it harder to move because housing costs are higher and high-paying jobs are less available for low-skilled workers in wealthy regions. For example, over the last decade, our estimates suggest that the net benefits of moving to higher-income regions have fallen by 25 to 35 per cent in Spain and in the United States for low-income households.

Fiscal policy has some answers

A wide range of options can help tackle regional inequality. For example, policymakers could increase income redistribution through taxes and transfer payments. Growth-friendly policies to improve education, healthcare, infrastructure, and affordable housing can make it easier for less-skilled, low-income people to find work elsewhere.

Our paper provides options for policymakers trying to decide whether, when, and for who to use targeted, place-based policies to tackle regional inequality. Those policies target individuals and firms in selected regions through subsidies, grants, or public investment. Examples include the European structural and investment funds or enterprises zones in the United States.

Geographically-targeted policies can complement existing social transfers such as unemployment insurance.  This is more successful if recipients are highly concentrated in lagging regions of a country, such as in Mexico and the United States, and/or if countries find it hard to target selected individuals nationwide, such as through means-testing. Under these circumstances, geographically-targeted policies such as those promoting jobs in lagging regions can have a stronger impact and can complement existing measures.

Who’s in charge?

Each country needs to decide which is the appropriate level of government, be it local, state or federal, to carry out the strategies. The level of fiscal autonomy in part depends on whether the country has a federal or unitary system and, more broadly, on the nature of intergovernmental fiscal arrangements.

For example, a high degree of revenue and spending decentralization could imply that subnational governments have more control and capacity to design and implement geographically-targeted policies. Coordination is key among government levels given shared responsibilities.

As a general principle, the central government usually takes the lead on policy design, while subnational governments are more involved in the implementation, as they know best the local needs and preferences. In federal or highly decentralized countries such as in the United States, subnational governments have greater autonomy to determine the income and property tax rates and spending on education and healthcare. Other considerations would include the existing system of intergovernmental transfers and the technical capacity of subnational governments.

Regional dimensions are key elements when considering the facts and policies on income inequality. In any country, policies that target specific regions can complement conventional social transfers to mitigate inequality between regions.

Ecobank Fighting Against Non-Communicable Diseases In Togo As It Marks The 7th Edition Of Ecobank Day

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Ecobank Fighting Against Non-Communicable Diseases In Togo As It Marks The 7th Edition Of Ecobank Day

Ecobank in collaboration with the World Health Organization in Togo and the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene through its National Program for the Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) will carry out prevention activities against NCDs this Saturday, November 9th on the 7th Edition of the Ecobank Day.

Ecobank Day is a day annually in which the Ecobank Group and its employees give back to the communities in the 33 countries where it operates. Ecobank is committed to various causes to better address the challenges facing the continent, with the aim of bringing real change to Africa. Over the next three years, Ecobank has decided to support the awareness and prevention of NCDs, the leading cause of death in the world and in Africa. Some examples of these life-threatening NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (e.g. heart attacks or strokes), all cancers, respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma), diabetes, and mental and neurological health conditions (including depression and dementia).

Customers, members of civil society, communities are invited to join Ecobank employees by participating under the theme: “Together for Better Health”. This year, Ecobank is putting special focus on breast and cervical cancer, a public health priority in Togo, which if not avoided, can destroy the bedrock of families.

Ade Ayeyemi, Group GCEO, ETI commented “As our home country, which has in the last 34 years warmly welcomed us, we are committed to making sure that we also continue to give back to the community here. We have recognised the importance of raising awareness on NCDs and the need for this to be long-term and continuous. We will, therefore, continue to work with the Ministry of Health, international organizations and civil society organizations in our awareness campaign.”

Professor Moustafa Mijiyawa, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene added “NCDs represent the second cause of deaths in Togo. 19% of people in Togo aged 15 years and above suffer from hypertension and 2,6% of this same population live with diabetes. We are pleased to partner with Ecobank to raise awareness on NCDs and support the implementation of the National Development Plan, especially the third strategic axis that focuses on consolidating social development and strengthening mechanisms for inclusion”.

Ecobank is organising a 5 km Walk to support awareness on NCDs.  The Ecobank Day Walk will kick-off at the Omnisport Stadium in Lomé and end at the same place. Simultaneous free screening against non-communicable diseases will also take place in 3 CMS in Lomé (Nyekonakpoe, Tokoin Doumassesse, Adakpamé) and in 7 polyclinics in Aneho, Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Sokode, Kara, Mango and Dapaong. The bank will also give out free mammogram and pap smear vouchers to more than 550 women and take care of 200 pre-cancer diagnosed patients.

Greenpeace Africa On Floods Across The Continent: “Without Climate Action We’ll Be Queuing For Noah’s Ark”

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Greenpeace Africa On Floods Across The Continent: “Without Climate Action We’ll Be Queuing For Noah’s Ark”

Rains have increasingly been torrential in the past months, striking large parts of East Africa and elsewhere, in unprecedented intensity in decades, causing at least dozens of deaths, displacement of more than one million people. Greenpeace Africa calls on Africa’s leaders to provide immediate aid to those affected, but also take action to tackle the climate crisis.

“From floods to drought, extreme weather is a direct consequence of bad energy policies, the senseless burning of fossil fuels and reckless destruction of our forests,” said Amos Wemanya, Greenpeace Africa’s Campaigner. “This continent must not wait for a miracle to avoid the next flood. Without breaking away from coal, protecting our rainforests and oceans, transforming our farming and agriculture, and without bringing the US back to the Paris Agreement, we will all end up queuing for Noah’s Ark,” concluded Wemanya.

With more extreme weather upon us, Greenpeace Africa will continue to stand with youth striking for the climate. Ahead of the 29th of November School Friday for the Climate (Fridays for Future), Youth climate leaders across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and other affected countries will use Greenpeace Africa’s channels to continue to demand urgent action from their leaders.

LaLiga’s RC Celta Vigo Partners With The Maldives For Tourism Promotion And Youth Development

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LaLiga’s RC Celta Vigo Partners With The Maldives For Tourism Promotion And Youth Development

LaLiga club RC Celta Vigo have agreed a significant and innovative commercial partnership with the Maldives, which will help promote the Indian Ocean country as a tourist destination to LaLiga’s global audience while strengthening the development of football on the islands.

The sponsorship deal worth around €2.5 million to RC Celta over the next three years was formally signed in Vigo on Monday, at an event attended by club president Carlos Mouriño, Maldives Minister for Tourism Ali Waheed, and former RC Celta, Real Madrid and Spain player Michel Salgado.

RC Celta’s current players including Spain international Iago Aspas and team captain Hugo Mallo will wear the phrase ‘Maldives – the sunny side of life’ on the left sleeve of their jerseys while playing all LaLiga and Copa del Rey games – starting with next Saturday’s trip to Barcelona to take on Lionel Messi’s current LaLiga leaders. The phrase will also be displayed prominently on both the team’s bus and around the club’s Abanca Balaidos Stadium.

“We are a small country, but we dream big, and we hope that in future our youth can benefit from this big step,” Maldives Tourism minister Ali Waheed said at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on Monday. “This is a historic day for my country – we love football in the Maldives and this agreement will promote tourism and also strengthen football in our country. RC Celta is a club we believe in due to its philosophy and youth policy.”

RC Celta is to receive US$ 900,000 per year [US$ 2.7 million in total] during the three-year partnership, which will promote the Maldives to viewers of LaLiga games in Europe, India and China, via TV audience and Facebook. The first such agreement between a country and a LaLiga club will see emerging players from the Maldives train at RC Celta’s academy at A Madroa, while coaches and officials will receive support aimed at developing football in the archipelago. There will also be friendly games scheduled between RC Celta and the Maldives’ national teams.

“For us, at RC Celta it is an honour and enormous satisfaction that we have been chosen to promote the beauty of these islands,” RC Celta president Mouriño said. “One part of this is to promote tourism in the Maldives, and another is the development of football in the country. We hope to collaborate very closely with them. We know we are considered as one of the best ‘Cantera’ youth systems, and not just in Spain. These kids will be able to develop in a very proven system, which has borne fruit.”

A Maldives delegation also including Minister of State for Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ashad Ali and Football Association of Maldives president Bassam Adeel Jaleel attended RC Celta’s narrow 0-1 LaLiga Santander defeat to in-form Getafe at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on Sunday. The following day’s signing ceremony of the innovative partnership was attended by international media and broadcast live on national TV in the island country.

The commercial deal is also important for RC Celta, and a sign of the innovative steps being made off the pitch by many LaLiga clubs. RC Celta’s revenues for the 2017/18 season were €76.6 million – of which €6.1 million came from sponsorship and advertising. Among the club’s existing 13 commercial partners are kit supplier Adidas, Galicia’s biggest brewery Estrella Galicia, and financial institution Abanca.

“Our relationships have evolved from basic sponsorships or advertising agreements into multi-faceted partnerships,” says RC Celta’s Commercial Director Carlos Salvador. “This has led to double-digit revenue growth in recent years. For example, with Abanca, besides the naming of the stadium and presence on the kit and elsewhere, our club members can renew their season tickets via ATM machines in just two minutes. There are constant synergies with Estrella Galicia, as RC Celta Group also has hospitality businesses. With the Maldives, besides promoting the tourist destination, above all in China, India and the UAE, we will be working together closely for the development of youth and elite football in the country. Our reputation for youth development helped a lot in all this.”

RC Celta will also benefit from the Maldives deal by having a greater commercial presence in Asia, Salvador says. “Our partners are very important for the growth and expansion of RC Celta on a global level,” he says. “In the case of the Maldives deal, it will help in India and China, both strategic territories for the club. The presence and support of La Liga Santander in these countries are also vital for us, for example, that India fans can follow LaLiga via Facebook is a big advantage.”

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