USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service,update

Trade Mission to South Korea Results in $67 Million in Projected Sales as USDA Works to Diversify Export Opportunities for American Agriculture A recent USDA-sponsored agribusiness trade mission to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) proved to be a tremendous success for nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses, cooperators, trade associations, and state departments of agriculture looking to grow and diversify U.S. exports to East Asia.  Recapping the successes of the trade mission, USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor said, "During the trade mission to South Korea, U.S. exporters conducted more than 600 meetings with potential importers as they look to expand the variety of American products available to Korean consumers. As a result of those productive meetings, U.S. companies reported $67 million in projected 12-month sales to South Korea." Under Secretary Taylor further explained that when it comes to U.S. food and agricultural imports, South Korea is a powerhouse buyer. It ranks as the United States’ fifth largest single-country export market. Just last year, exports of U.S. agricultural and ag-related products to South Korea totaled a little more than $8 billion. Please click here to read more>> USDA Accepting Applications for FY 2025 Export Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from eligible organizations for fiscal year 2025 funding for five export market development programs. FAS recently published the FY 2025 Notices of Funding Opportunity for the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, Quality Samples Program and Emerging Markets Program. The application deadline for the five programs is June 14, 2024. Background Under the Market Access Program, USDA provides competitive, cost-share assistance to U.S. exporters and agricultural, fish, and forest product trade organizations for international marketing and promotion of U.S. commodities and products. More information about the program and the FY 2025 funding opportunity is available at:  https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/market-access-program-map.  Under the Foreign Market Development Program, USDA partners with nonprofit agricultural and forest product trade associations to build longer-term international demand for U.S. commodities. More information about the program and the FY 2025 funding opportunity is available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign-market-development-program-fmd. The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program funds projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. More information about the program and the FY 2025 funding opportunity is available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/technical-assistance-specialty-crops-tasc. The Quality Samples Program helps agricultural trade organizations provide small samples of their products to potential importers. More information about the program and the FY 2025 funding opportunity is available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/quality-samples-program-qsp. The Emerging Markets Program supports technical assistance activities for the development of emerging markets for U.S. agricultural, fish, and forest products. More information about the program and the FY 2025 funding opportunity is available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/emerging-markets-program-emp. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. The following GAIN reports were released on April 3, 2024. _______   China: Food Processing Ingredients Annual In 2023, the United States remained the fourth largest exporter of consumer-oriented products to China, with demand for U.S. food processing ingredients, such as tree nuts, dried peas, dried fruit, ginseng, hops, and surimi, experiencing significant growth. Consumers’ growing appetite for healthier and premium food will continue to encourage the expansion and development of China’s domestic food processing industry. Demand for convenient pre-cooked foods is also increasing with sales channels diversifying due to shifts in consumer habits and consumption patterns. France: Food Processing Ingredients Annual The French food processing industry mobilizes more than 19,000 companies, of which nearly 98 percent are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The sector generates $230 billion in annual revenue, and it indirectly contributes to nearly 2 million jobs in France. The French agri-food industry has significant political and economic influence. However, while market demand for processed food remains strong, the French industry continues to face challenges with the rising costs of “made in France.” Greece: Cotton and Products Annual Greece’s MY 2023/24 cotton production is estimated at 970,000 bales, down 33 percent from the previous season due to significant rainstorms which caused widespread flooding in Central Greece in early September 2023. In MY 2024/25 cotton acreage is forecasted to decrease further to approximately 200,000 hectares based on the assumption that farmers will choose to plant less cotton in response to decreasing cotton prices. Yields are expected to be higher. Production is forecasted at 1.1 million bales. Greece is a major cotton exporter. Turkey was the main destination in MY 2022/23, representing 48 percent of total exports. India: Wine Labeling Update 2024 - Addendum This GAIN-INDIA report is an addendum to FAS India's (New Delhi, Mumbai) (Post) GAIN-INDIA | IN2024-0012 | India’s Wine Product Labeling Requirements – Update 2024. Post sought out additional regulatory review, and has obtained a revised confirmation from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that its Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations now do not require an expiry date for wine products. All other information found in the GAIN-INDIA | IN2024-0012 | report remains the same and in effect. Indonesia: Cotton and Products Annual The global economic slowdown and illegal imports of cheaper textile products continue to hinder the growth of the Indonesian textile and textile products industry in 2023/24. To assist the struggling sector, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) is implementing new textile import restrictions that also limit the number of certain items in the luggage content of travelers. The enforcement of the regulation is expected to improve spinning mill utilization and increase 2023/24 cotton consumption. Indonesia: Food Processing Ingredients Annual Indonesia offers significant opportunities for U.S. ingredient suppliers to meet the demand for raw materials for its food processing industry. The United States is the third largest agricultural supplier to Indonesia, with an 11-percent market share. Soybeans and dairy products made up about half of all U.S. agricultural products shipped to Indonesia in 2023. Other top U.S. agricultural product exports to Indonesia in 2023 included feeds and fodders, cotton, corn, wheat, fresh fruits, and beef and beef products. Halal certification will become mandatory for many foods/ingredients/additives and for all processed food products starting on October 17, 2024. Japan: Food Processing Ingredients Annual This report highlights Japan’s food processing industry, notable trends, and a market snapshot of western Japan. The industry experienced a 4.1 percent decline in the value of food produced in 2023 from 2022 on a dollar basis totaling $182 billion compared to $190 billion in 2022. Production increases were seen in wheat flour, dairy, processed meats, and sugar categories. Japan: Oilseeds and Products Annual In relation to persistent rising food prices, Japan has seen a decline in overall vegetable oil consumption. Due to the more favorable crush margin for canola compared to soybeans, FAS/Tokyo forecasts a reduction in soybean imports and crush, while seeing an increase in rapeseed imports and crush for both MY 2023/24 and MY 2024/25. Consequently, Japan is expected to decrease domestic soybean meal production, leading to an increase in soybean meal imports. The elevated price of North American identity-preserved, food-grade soybeans coupled with the Japanese yen depreciation has weakened their price competitiveness versus domestically produced ones. This pricing shift is causing Japanese farmers to consider planting more soybeans. Nicaragua: Oilseeds and Products Annual FAS/Managua projects marketing year 2024/25 peanut production to rebound to a record high of 230,000 metric tons on sustained high area planted and improved growing conditions following a damaging El Niño cycle in 2023/24. Higher than average temperatures and extended periods without precipitation during key periods of seed development drove a 12 percent decline in yields and a projected increase in the volume of lower quality peanuts bound for crushing in marketing year 2023/24. Current projections for a neutral or La Niña weather cycle (associated with cooler temperatures) arriving later in 2024 would significantly benefit Nicaraguan peanut quality and production volume in marketing year 2024/25. Turkiye: Food Processing Ingredients Annual Turkiye’s food and beverage sector depends on domestic and imported ingredients, a large portion of which are sourced from Europe. European ingredients enjoy zero or low import duties under preferential trade agreements, as well as lower freight costs. The sector, which boasts nearly 60,000 businesses, continues to grow in response to steady consumer demand for processed food products. Continued high inflation and the devaluation of the Turkish lira (TL) in 2023 resulted in important changes in consumer purchasing behavior in Turkiye. There is a noticeable shift from branded products to economy priced or private label. Ukraine: Oilseeds and Products Annual For marketing year (MY) 2024/25, Ukrainian farmers are forecast to increase area under all the major oilseeds except for sunflowers. However, regarding production volumes, this increase might be somewhat dampened by lower yields compared to the high levels of MY2023/24. The crush industry is back on track to crushing almost all available sunflower seeds in the country, yet low oil and meal prices depress their margins. The EU became the primary market for Ukrainian oilseeds, oils, and meals due to the temporary suspension of import duties and quotas by the EU, and this trend is expected to continue in MY 2024/25. Ukraine can currently export oilseeds directly to its traditional overseas destinations cost-efficiently from some of its ports after regaining control over export routes in the Black Sea. United Arab Emirates: Food Processing Ingredients Annual The UAE's food processing sector is thriving, driven by robust economic growth and domestic consumption. With 568 predominantly small- and medium-sized food and beverage processors, the UAE hosts over 2,000 food and beverage manufacturing companies that generate $7.63 billion in annual revenue. While primarily catering to local demand, these firms also aim to meet regional and global needs. Limited local production means that they rely heavily on imported ingredients, presenting a significant opportunity for U.S. companies to tap into this expanding sector.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service · 1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20250

Ομαδική Έκθεση Φωτογραφίας

ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ   Ομαδική Έκθεση Φωτογραφίας HOME(R) KEEPS ME ALIVE        Η ΔΛ Gallery παρουσιάζει το Σάββατο 13 Απριλίου 2024 την ομαδική έκθεση φωτογραφίας με τίτλο “Home(r) keeps me alive”. Κατερίνα Διγώνη Η έκθεση αποτελεί μέρος του προγράμματος RETURN2ITHACA curating art & artists που οργανώνεται τα τελευταία 5 χρόνια στην Ιθάκη, και έχει ως στόχο να αποκαλύψει πως ένα έργο παγκόσμιας πολιτιστικής εμβέλειας, μπορεί να αποτελέσει πηγή έμπνευσης για σύγχρονη καλλιτεχνική δημιουργία. Η έκθεση διερευνά την έννοια της ελπίδας για επιστροφή στο σπίτι, όπως ο Όμηρος αναφέρει στην Οδύσσεια, διερωτάται για τους τρόπους που το διαχρονικό αυτό έπος συνεχίζει να κατοικεί μέσα μας και γύρω μας, τονίζει τις παραπομπές του που έχουν άμεση σχέση με το παρόν και την καθημερινότητα μας, αναλύει τα μηνύματα του και αναδεικνύει διαφορετικούς και πολύπλευρους τρόπος πρόσληψης του.   Massimiliano Gatti Εδώ το σπίτι εκφράζεται μέσα από μια σύγχρονη και κριτική ματιά και σχετίζεται με

CDFI Fund, US Department of the Treasury,update

 

A Public Meeting of the CDFI Fund's Advisory Board will be Held on April 11, 2024, in Washington, DC REMINDER: The Registration Deadline to Attend the Meeting In-Person is Monday, April 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is convening a meeting of the Community Development Advisory Board (the Advisory Board) from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The Advisory Board meeting will be held in Cash Room at the U.S. Department of the Treasury located at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220. The function of the Advisory Board is to advise the Director of the CDFI Fund on the policies regarding the activities of the CDFI Fund. The Advisory Board does not advise the CDFI Fund on approving or declining any particular application for monetary or non-monetary awards. Please use the following link to view the official meeting notice. Live Webcast You may view the public meeting as a live webcast. You do not need to register to view the webcast. The webcast will also be archived and available for viewing a few days after the meeting. Please use the following link to view the live webcast. Meeting Registration & Deadline If you would like to attend the meeting in-person, the Cash Room will accommodate up to 50 members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the meeting will be held in a secured federal building, members of the public who wish to attend the meeting must register in advance. The registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, April 8, 2024, or once the room capacity is reached. For entry into the building on the date of the meeting, each attendee must present his/her government issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport, which includes a photo. Please use the following link to register. Questions Any questions can be directed to Bill Luecht in the Office of Legislative and External Affairs by e-mail at AdvisoryBoard@cdfi.treas.gov. Reasonable Accommodations: Requests for reasonable accommodations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act should be directed to Jay Santiago at the CDFI Fund at 202-653-0300. Language Access Plan: Per Executive Order 13166 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, information on the CDFI Fund’s Language Access Plan, providing Limited English Proficient individuals with meaningful access to vital documents and information about relevant CDFI Fund programs and services, is available here.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FUND UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: CDFI Fund, US Department of the Treasury · 1801 L St., NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036· 202-653-0300

"δρόμος ΤΗΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΡΑΣ", ειδήσεις

Στον Δρόμο που κυκλοφορεί
το Σάββατο 6 Απριλίου...

Η συστημική παρακμή διαλύει την κοινωνία
Διευρύνονται φτώχεια, κοινωνικός αποκλεισμός και φαινόμενα γενικευμένης παρακμής • Διάλυση, διαφθορά και συγκάλυψη η συνταγή της κυβέρνησης • Πλήρης υποταγή στο ΝΑΤΟ, αποστολή απαγορευμένων όπλων στην Ουκρανία και σιωπή για τα εγκλήματα του Ισραήλ

ΙΩΑΝΝΗ ΠΛΑΚΙΩΤΑΚΗ, Προέδρου Οργανωτικής Επιτροπής ομιλία στην έναρξη του 15ου Συνεδρίου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας

 

Αθήνα, 5 Απριλίου 2024   Ομιλία του Προέδρου της Οργανωτικής Επιτροπής Γιάννη Πλακιωτάκη στην έναρξη του 15ου Συνεδρίου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας   Κύριε Πρωθυπουργέ, Κύριοι πρώην πρόεδροι της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, Κυρίες και κύριοι Υπουργοί, Κυρίες και κύριοι Βουλευτές, Κυρίες και κύριοι σύνεδροι,   Επιτρέψτε μου να ξεκινήσω με μία μικρή προσωπική αναφορά. Στα πολλά χρόνια της διαδρομής μου στην ενεργό πολιτική, δεν έχει υπάρξει στιγμή μεγαλύτερης συγκίνησης και υπερηφάνειας, όπως αυτή. Στέκομαι ενώπιον σας, στο άνοιγμα του συνεδρίου της παράταξης μας, αναλογιζόμενος με δέος ότι ακριβώς σε αυτό το σημείο, η Ιστορία, καθοδηγούμενη από τον Κωνσταντίνο Καραμανλή, συναντήθηκε με το εθνικό πεπρωμένο. Εδώ, σε αυτόν τον χώρο, υπεγράφη η συνθήκη ένταξης της Ελλάδας στις Ευρωπαϊκές Κοινότητες. Για αυτό και η 28η Μαϊου του 1979 επέχει θέση εθνικής επετείου. Εκείνη τη μέρα η χώρα μας άνοιξε μία νέα σελίδα στην Ιστορία της. Και οι πρώτες λέξεις που γράφτηκαν σε εκείνη τη σελίδα ήταν από το χέρι του ιδρυτή της παράταξης μας, του Κωνσταντίνου Καραμανλή.   Η Ιστορία γράφεται με γεγονότα, όχι με υποθέσεις. Ωστόσο σήμερα, καθώς βλέπουμε έναν ταραγμένο κόσμο να αλλάζει με καταιγιστικούς ρυθμούς, έχουμε την πολυτέλεια να αναρωτηθούμε πώς θα ήταν η πατρίδα μας, αν η Νέα Δημοκρατία του Καραμανλή, δεν οδηγούσε την Ελλάδα στο στενό πυρήνα της ευρωπαϊκής οικογένειας. Και θυμηθείτε, δεν το έκανε άκοπα. Δεν ήταν μόνο οι επιφυλάξεις των ευρωπαίων εταίρων για την επάρκεια της νεαρής Δημοκρατίας μας. Ήταν και ο εγχώριος λαϊκισμός που αντιστάθηκε με στείρα συνθηματολογία, ψεύδη και άρνηση. Ο λαϊκισμός που ευαγγελίζεται την προσκόλληση στο παρελθόν, που αρνείται την πραγματική πρόοδο και τις μεταρρυθμίσεις. Αυτόν τον λαϊκισμό αντιμάχεται εδώ και μισό αιώνα η Νέα Δημοκρατία. Σε αυτόν τον λαϊκισμό απαντάμε εδώ και πενήντα χρόνια με αποφασιστικότητα, μεταρρυθμίσεις και σταθερή προσήλωση στο ευρωπαϊκό κεκτημένο της χώρας μας.

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΟΥ ΜΗΤΣΟΤΑΚΗ,ΠΡΩΘΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ,ομιλία στην έναρξη του 15ου Συνεδρίου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας

Αθήνα, 5 Απριλίου 2024 Ομιλία του Πρωθυπουργού και Προέδρου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας  Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη  στην έναρξη του 15ου Συνεδρίου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας   Αγαπητέ Πρόεδρε της Οργανωτικής Επιτροπής του Συνεδρίου, αγαπητέ Γιάννη Πλακιωτάκη, κύριοι Πρόεδροι, συνάδελφοι Υπουργοί, βουλευτές, στελέχη της παράταξής μας, Νεοδημοκράτισσες και Νεοδημοκράτες, ΟΝΝΕΔίτισσες και ΟΝΝΕΔίτες,   Σας ευχαριστώ, σας ευχαριστώ γι’ αυτή την εντυπωσιακή υποδοχή.    Θα την ξανακάνουμε «μπλε» όλη την Ελλάδα στις ευρωεκλογές της 9ης Ιουνίου.    Σας ευχαριστώ γι’ αυτήν την υποδοχή εδώ στο Ζάππειο, σε έναν χώρο ιστορικό, που σήμερα αντηχεί τον ενθουσιασμό όλων των γενεών της παράταξής μας, όπως είδαμε και στο πολύ όμορφο βίντεο.    Η παρουσία σας και με τιμά και με συγκινεί και μου δίνει δύναμη, αλλά μου δίνει και πίστη για την καινούργια πορεία της Νέας Δημοκρατίας στα επόμενα 50 χρόνια. Πάντα στην υπηρεσία της πατρίδας, με την πυξίδα μας να δείχνει σταθερά προς την ελευθερία, τη δημοκρατία, την κοινωνική ευημερία και με τη φλόγα του γαλάζιου πυρσού να καίει στις καρδιές μας και να φωτίζει το αύριο.   Αυτό το 15ο Συνέδριο, αγαπητέ κ. Πρόεδρε, γίνεται διπλά εορταστικό: συμπίπτει με τα γενέθλια της δημοκρατίας, συμπίπτει και με τα γενέθλια της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, με τον μισό αιώνα ζωής του πολιτεύματος και με το ιωβηλαίο του κόμματος που αποκατέστησε τη δημοκρατική διακυβέρνηση στη χώρα.    Είναι μία ιστορική σύμπτωση, που αποδεικνύει τη σύνδεση αυτής της παράταξης με την ιστορία αυτού του τόπου, αλλά και μία συγκυρία την οποία προσωποποιεί η εμβληματική μορφή του Κωνσταντίνου Καραμανλή, του ιδρυτή μας, που σίγουρα θα ήταν πολύ υπερήφανος για τούτη τη βραδιά.   Το όραμά του συνεχίζει να μας εμπνέει και να μας κινητοποιεί. Δίνει ώθηση στη δράση μας, στόχευση στις πολιτικές μας, ενώνοντας ανθρώπους από κάθε γωνιά της πατρίδας, από κάθε κοινωνική ομάδα, από κάθε ηλικία. Εκφράζοντας μια πλειοψηφία «πάνω από τις παραπλανητικές ετικέτες της δεξιάς, του κέντρου ή της αριστεράς», όπως γράφει αυτή η τόσο επίκαιρη ακόμα πρώτη Διακήρυξή μας. Συντηρώντας από την παράδοση, όπως έγραφε, «μόνον όσα ο χρόνος απέδειξε σωστά και χρήσιμα», ώστε «να προχωρά με μεγάλα, τολμηρά βήματα σε διαρκώς εξελισσόμενες συνθήκες».    Αυτό το όραμα του 1974 παραμένει ζωντανό στη δράση μας, ανανεώνεται και εμπλουτίζεται με τα μηνύματα των καιρών και μας ενώνει στον δρόμο της δημοκρατίας και της Ευρώπης.

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Hi there, Final Four weekend is about to tip off, and we’re excited to introduce you to a few young men from the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance who will be on the ground for all the action!  Over the next few days, Max, Elijah, and Brendyn will be in Phoenix, jumping into the excitement of the tournament while participating in set-up, production, and on and off-the-court activities. This unique learning opportunity will give them hands-on experience and an inside look at potential career paths they could pursue in the future. Here’s what they’re most excited for: You make all of this possible! Thank you for continuing to connect young people to opportunities that help them reach their full potential. Each of these young men brings a unique perspective with interests in not only sports, but also music, mentoring, and film. Through their participation with the MBK Alliance, Max, Elijah, and Brendyn will dive head first into their roles, making their mark on the tournament behind the scenes.  These remarkable young men represent talented young leaders across the nation. As Max, Elijah, and Brendyn embark on this incredible journey to the Final Four, we invite you to celebrate this opportunity that your support makes possible! In sports and beyond, there are countless young leaders worldwide who are inspired and empowered because of your generous support.  Right now, you can invest in the bright futures of young leaders across the globe like Max, Elijah, and Brendyn. Make a gift today to the Obama Foundation, and together, we can create opportunities for young people to reach their potential. DONATE NOW –The Obama Foundation

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