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United Risk Launches Applied Credit Underwriters to Target Credit and Political Risk Markets

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Newly formed enterprise taps credit and political risk sector veteran, Bernie de Haldevang, as CEO

OMAHA, Neb., March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Looking toward increased market demand for leadership-level resources in the intensifying areas of credit and political risk, United Risk has launched a new division, Applied Credit Underwriters, to be led by sector veteran Bernie de Haldevang as CEO. Applied Credit Underwriters will focus aggressively on a portfolio mix of structured credit, contract frustrations, and political risks worldwide.

Mr. Dan Malloy, CEO of United Risk, called the new division and its newly named CEO a great advantage to the marketplace: “We have attracted these lines of business, especially lately with the world’s great problems in so many affected areas of high-level risk—it has now made great business sense to consolidate powerful resources for serving the top clients in the sector. It is a distinct plus for the new division to be led by Bernie de Haldevang, who brings more than 30 years of relevant, successful experience to the challenges of today’s market. We welcome him.”

Mr. Jamie Sahara, President of Applied Underwriters, whose multibillion-dollar MGA and MGU businesses were consolidated into the United Risk brand last year, points to the group’s overall growth in the London and international markets as a motivating factor, among others: “We have had credit and political risk opportunities seek us out and have thus decided to consolidate the business into a new, aggressive unit that will provide sound solutions for our clients in this sensitive area of risk transfer.”

Mr. Sahara observed that the timing of this consolidation and market entry is ideal: “Worldwide economic and geopolitical instability during 2022 and particularly 2023, set against unparalleled debt increases by the vast majority of the world’s governments during 2020 and 2021, makes 2024 a most appropriate time for entry into the credit and political risk insurance market. Historically, instability enhances awareness of this market and drives interest in its products—the market has weathered past crises well, including the 2008 global financial crisis, where significant but not catastrophic claims proved the reliability and appeal of key non-payment products to banks. Political uncertainty has increased interest in classic political risk products. The economic impact of COVID-19 has increased the demand for these products without the expected increase in claims, all of which challenges and developments commend the choice of Bernie de Haldevang as our seasoned, lead executive for this business.”

Mr. Bernie de Haldevang assumes the top post at Applied Credit Underwriters, having served as Global Head of Specialty at Sompo Canopius where he was responsible for developing the group’s political risk lines and reinvigorating its accident and health and casualty lines. His decades of experience in the insurance industry, namely in credit and political risk, war, terrorism, political violence, and kidnap for ransom areas, include eight years at Aspen, where he was head of financial and professional lines. Mr. de Haldevang sat on Lloyd’s political risk business panel.

Before that, dating from 1983 as a political risk broker at Hogg Robinson Group, his career has included board, senior management, and executive committee positions at Berry Palmer & Lyle, Wellington Underwriting, Atrium Underwriters and at the African Trade Insurance Agency, which he founded for the World Bank as chief executive and head of mission.

Applied Credit Underwriters is headquartered in London.

About United Risk Global (www.unitedrisk.global)

United Risk Global is an international property and casualty insurance underwriting and distribution platform independently owned and operated by its practice partners and affiliated with Applied Underwriters operationally and through its common and powerful brand identity. United Risk’s home office is located at 50 Rockefeller Plaza in New York.

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About Applied Underwriters (www.auw.com)

Applied Underwriters® is a global risk services firm that helps businesses and people manage uncertainty through its business services, insurance and reinsurance solutions. As a company, Applied Underwriters has been distinguished by its innovative approaches to client care and by its strong financial strength. Applied Underwriters operates widely throughout the US, UK, EU and Middle East. Its operational headquarters is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

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CGTN: China’s booming ice and snow industry fuels its economic growth

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BEIJING, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, exemplifies the country’s thriving ice and snow economy.

During the eight-day 2025 Spring Festival holiday from January 28 to February 4, the city has seen booming snow tourism. As an ice-themed park known for its dazzling ice sculptures, Harbin Ice-Snow World attracted over 610,000 visits. In particular, more than 100,000 visits were made on February 1, setting a new record for single-day attendance.

The increasing popularity of the park is partly attributed to the city’s upcoming role as the host of the 9th Asian Winter Games, which will be held from February 7 to 14, marking China’s second major winter sports event following the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games and host a welcome banquet for foreign leaders in attendance.

Ice and snow economy enters ‘fast lane’

Xi has paid close attention to the development of China’s ice and snow sports and industries, urging efforts to consider ice and snow economy as a new growth point to promote the development of the whole industrial chain involving winter sports and culture, snow-and-ice equipment and tourism.

In recent years, as winter sports and tourism surged in popularity across China, the ice and snow economy has witnessed significant growth.

According to the General Administration of Sport of China, the number of people participating in various ice and snow sports such as skating, skiing, curling and ice hockey nationwide reached 57.35 million in the 2023-2024 snow season. Over 385 million winter leisure visits nationwide were recorded, marking a 38 percent increase from the previous year.

During the last snow season, Harbin alone welcomed over 87 million visitors, marking a 300 percent year-on-year increase and generating 124.8 billion yuan (about $17.4 billion) in tourism revenue – a staggering 500 percent growth.

Meanwhile, the ice and snow consumption is becoming an important growth point to expand domestic demand, transforming the “cold” resources into “hot” engine for economic development.

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According to online shopping and tourism platforms, orders for ice and snow equipment surged, while searches and bookings for ice and snow tours saw rapid growth during the “Double 11” shopping festival last year.

On China’s leading e-commerce platform, Tmall, sales of categories such as down jackets, thermal wear and skiing equipment surged by over 200 percent year on year during the “Double 11” shopping festival.

Broad prospects

To harness its abundant ice and snow resources for economic development, China is intensifying efforts to expand its winter economy, encompassing sports, culture, equipment, and tourism.

According to the guidelines issued by the General Office of the State Council, the country aims to promote its ice and snow economy as a new growth point, with the goal of reaching an economic scale of 1.2 trillion yuan (about $169 billion) by 2027, and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.

To achieve these goals, various cities and regions are integrating winter sports and tourism into their development plans.

The Heilongjiang Province is promoting the establishment of a China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization winter sports demonstration zone, expediting the development of ice-and-snow equipment and digital industry parks.

In Beijing, the city has launched an action plan, proposing 24 specific measures in areas such as expanding the ice and snow sports and consumption, and advancing the construction of ice and snow venue facilities.

The vigorous growth of the ice and snow economy has also drawn global attention. A slew of measures, including optimizing the visa-free policy and opening new international flight routes, have attracted a number of foreign tourists to start their “China Travel” and enjoy the winter season in the country.

China’s thriving ice and snow economy has also injected new momentum into the global tourism market, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday, extending a warm invitation to friends from around the world to participate in ice and snow events, fostering friendship and cooperation.

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https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-06/China-s-booming-ice-and-snow-industry-fuels-its-economic-growth–1ALQPnOkxO0/p.html 

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SM Investments Recognized for Landmark Capital Market Deal

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PASAY CITY, Philippines, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, has been awarded the “Philippine Capital Market Deal of the Year” by International Financing Review Asia (IFR Asia) for its successful issuance of a USD500 million five-year bond in 2024. This recognition underscores SM Investments’ leadership in the capital markets and the strong confidence of global investors in the company’s financial strength.

IFR Asia cited SM Investments’ return to the US dollar bond market after a decade-long absence as a significant development for the Philippine corporate sector. The transaction, which was the largest five-year deal by a Philippine corporate in 2024, reopened the market amid volatile conditions and achieved competitive pricing at 35 basis points.

“This landmark transaction represents a major milestone for both SM Investments and the Philippine capital markets. The strong demand from investors reflects confidence in Philippine corporate issuers and underscores SM’s reputation as a stable and well-managed investment option,” said Erwin G. Pato, Executive Vice President for Treasury, Finance, and Planning at SM Investments Corporation.

IFR Asia noted that SM Investments’ bond issuance attracted significant investor interest, given the relative scarcity of corporate issuances from the Philippines in recent years. The transaction also marked SM Investments’ first bond issuance since its USD350 million 10-year note in June 2014.

The deal was arranged by leading global financial institutions, with HSBC, JP Morgan, Standard Chartered, and UBS acting as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners. BDO Capital and Chinabank Capital also participated as joint lead managers.

International Financing Review Asia is a respected source of news and analysis on capital markets and investment banking, reinforcing the credibility of this recognition.

SM Investments’ achievement highlights its commitment to financial excellence and its role in strengthening investor confidence in the Philippine market.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

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For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

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BRI UMKM EXPO(RT) 2025 Officially Concludes, Attracting Over 63,000 Visitors and Securing USD 90.6 Million in Export Contracts

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (IDX: BBRI) successfully concluded BRI UMKM EXPO(RT) 2025, reinforcing its commitment to empowering MSMEs and expanding their global market reach. Held from January 30 to February 2, 2025, at ICE BSD City, the event attracted over 63,000 visitors, generated IDR 38.9 billion in transactions, and secured USD 90.6 million in export contracts through business matching. The closing ceremony was led by BRI President Director Sunarso.

A Platform for Global MSME Expansion

With the theme “Broadening MSME’s Global Outreach”, the event showcased 1,000 top Indonesian MSMEs ready for the international market. The closing ceremony was attended by BRI Vice President Director Catur Budi Harto. BRI President Director Sunarso highlighted the expo’s success in raising awareness of local MSME products, exceeding its initial target of 50,000 visitors.

By February 1, 2025, transactions hit IDR 38.9 billion, exceeding expectations. Sunarso reaffirmed BRI’s commitment to MSMEs, with business matching continuing through 2025 in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, holding twice-monthly sessions to boost exports.

This year’s BRI UMKM EXPO(RT) 2025 saw the participation of 506 registered buyers from 34 countries, significantly exceeding the initial target of 94 buyers from 33 countries.

So far, 166 MSMEs have engaged in 270 business meetings, one of the standout success stories is PT Siger Jaya Abadi, which secured a USD 13.05 million export deal with Bluestar Food Corporation, USA.

BRI UMKM Awards: Honoring Top MSMEs

BRI recognized outstanding businesses in three categories:

1. Top Deals on Business Matching

For MSMEs achieving the highest potential transactions in business matching sessions:

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  • Bintang Kita Kemuliaan (Food & Beverage)
  • Albasi Karang Layung (Home Décor & Craft)
  • Gula Aren Temon (Food & Beverage)

2. Newcomers on Business Matching

For first-time exporters who successfully secured international buyers:

  • Rumah Atsiri Indonesia (Healthcare & Wellness)
  • Minyak Sacha Inchi (Food & Beverage)
  • Organic Center (Food & Beverage)

3. Best Expo

For MSMEs demonstrating outstanding export readiness and digital adoption:

  • Sila Agri Inovasi (Food & Beverage)
  • Pelita Lumpang Mas (Food & Beverage)
  • Restu Mande (Food & Beverage)

These awards highlight BRI’s commitment to empowering MSMEs globally while advancing financial literacy and inclusion.

For more details on BRI UMKM EXPO(RT) 2025, visit briumkmexport.com.

For more information about BANK BRI, visit www.bri.co.id.

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