Latest news with #utilisation
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Terengganu backs CCUS industry for local economic gains
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government will extend its full cooperation to the federal government in developing the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) industry in the state, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri. He said that as the hub for this emerging industry, the state government will ensure that it brings tangible benefits, particularly to the people of Terengganu. 'We are still in discussions with Petronas (the operator), and through our GLCs (government-linked companies), the state government is moving towards that (the implementation of the CCUS). 'What we want now is maximum benefit for Terengganu, not just to serve as a host site, but to ensure that the state government and the people of Terengganu gain from it,' he told reporters after the opening ceremony of the East Coast Energy (ECE) 2025 Conference at the Islamic Civilisation Park Convention Centre here today. Earlier, Terengganu Yang Dipertuan Muda, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan officiated at the opening of the ECE 2025 Conference, which will run for two days. In March, Parliament approved the CCUS Bill 2025, paving the way for increased investment and economic growth.
Arabian Post
21-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
China's Iran Oil Bet Hits Strategic Snag
China is confronting significant disruption to its Iranian crude oil supply, risking both its energy security and geopolitical ambitions in the Middle East. With over 90 per cent of Iran's oil exports directed to China via Kpler, the contraction of that flow places Beijing's $400 billion 2021 cooperation deal in jeopardy. Major Chinese independent refiners, the so‑called 'teapots' in Shandong province, are enduring mounting losses as deepening discounts on Iranian oil clash with soaring global prices. Discounts have widened to between $3.30 and $3.50 a barrel against ICE Brent for July cargoes – up from approximately $2.50 in June – contributing to refinery utilisation dropping to around 51 per cent, down from 64 per cent a year ago. Despite Israel's airstrikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and concerns over potential U.S. sanctions, Iran has maintained its exports through a shadow tanker fleet and strategic logistics adjustments. Kpler reports that crude loadings have reached a five‑week high of about 2.2 million barrels per day, assisted by the use of a less exposed jetty on Kharg Island and pre‑positioning of floating stocks nearer to China – including approximately 8 million barrels stationed offshore China. ADVERTISEMENT In 2024, Iranian shipments to China peaked at 1.6 million barrels per day, but that volume had already declined to roughly 740,000 bpd by April 2025, as broader Middle East instability and tightening sanctions exerted pressure. Rival supplies from OPEC+ producers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE may partially compensate, yet analysts emphasise that prolonged disruption would still erode Beijing's strategic leverage and diplomatic role in the region. For China, this dependence on Iranian crude is part of a broader ambition to deepen its influence across the Middle East as a counterweight to the West. The initial rationale behind the 25‑year deal encompassed energy security, infrastructure projects, trade expansion, and regional diplomacy. But the conflict's escalation threatens those objectives, undermining China's established pipeline for cheap oil and complicating its efforts to mediate regional tensions. Economists note the urgency for Beijing to accelerate its shift toward renewable energy and domestic self-reliance. China had already reached a milestone with renewables comprising 56 per cent of its electricity capacity in 2024. The current moment has intensified calls to reduce external vulnerabilities and accelerate electrification. At present, the Chinese government has refrained from military engagement, calling for de-escalation and abstaining from direct intervention in support of Iran. Instead, it is pursuing regional diplomacy while guarding its considerable investments. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson emphasised the need to 'prevent the region from spiralling into greater turmoil', particularly to secure stable energy imports. However, should the conflict deepen, or if key Iranian oil infrastructure suffers irreparable damage, China's reliance on opaque supply routes and shadow trading may no longer suffice. Its medium‑term strategy of presenting itself as a credible peace broker in the Middle East faces growing strain amid diverging interests between Iran and Gulf states. China appears poised to rely more heavily on Gulf crude, yet that reliance comes with its own geopolitical calculations. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi together hold significant spare capacity – over 4 million barrels per day – which may cushion global shocks but do little to salvage China's ambition to sustain influence via energy partnerships. The unfolding developments in the Israel–Iran arena have exposed strategic fissures in a partnership that once appeared unshakeable. Even as Iran adapts tactically to maintain its export pipeline to China, Beijing must confront the reality that maintaining influence in the region demands resilience beyond discounted barrels and shadow fleets.
Agriland
16-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Why this farmer believes the best cattle in Ireland are in the west
Based just outside Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Tim Meagher sources only the finest 'U' grade continental, suckler-bred cattle for his store-to-beef finishing system. The farmer recently hosted a Irish Grassland Association (IGA) beef event and the consistent quality of the cattle on the farm was plain to be seen on the day. Speaking at the event, the farmer explained why he goes to the west to source the best cattle to suit his beef-production system. Meagher said: 'I was up in Roscommon Mart last year and I said to Marty the auctioneer that he was very hard on me and the cattle I had bought were a shocking price, and he said back to me: 'Ahh, but look at the potential you're buying''. 'And he was right. It's potential I go up to buy. 'I'm not going to drive 80 miles to go up and buy middling sort of cattle. You have to get the best to drive that far and that's what they have up there.' Meagher acknowledged that sourcing the type of cattle needed for his system is becoming more challenging with the decline in suckler cow numbers. He said: 'There is still a small group of people that produce those stock. The suckler is under pressure.' A sample of the type of cattle on the Tim Meagher's Co. Tipperary farm The farmer believes that the decline in suckler cow numbers is largely due to an ageing farming population and agricultural policy. Commenting on why suckler cow numbers are in decline, he said: 'It's largely, I think, from politicians and old age. 'There's a lot of people have retired out of it and the younger crew want an easier way of life, so it is changing. 'Having said that, a lot of the lads I'm competing with are also gone out of the market and we're dealing with a lot of big feedlots and things like that you're bidding against. 'It has changed and it's going to stay changing,' he acknowledged. Meagher has an old-school mantra when it comes to buying cattle. Explaining his system, he said: 'I spend 6-7 weeks buying cattle from last week of September to the second week of November with October being the peak and whatever I see in front of me, I try and buy it. 'If there's good conformation and I think there's potential there, I'll try and buy it.' The farm finishes approximately 250 cattle/year, with two-thirds of these being steers (bullocks) and one-third being heifers. Steer carcass weights can range from 500-520kg and 'the heifers are a little bit lighter', he said at the IGA event. The average grade for both heifers and steers is 'U=3='. With a major focus on grass growth and utilisation but also some concentrates used to finish cattle, the farm is delivering an impressive gross margin at €1,650/ha. The farm is producing 11t DM/ha of grass and 89% of the cattle's diet is composed of grass. The stocking rate on the farm is 2.27livestock unit (LU)/ha but Tim said: 'The stocking rate one, I don't really go by. 'I like doing somewhere between 1-1.1t of beef/ac. That's the old figure I'd rather go by. 'Every animal consumes roughly 2% of their bodyweight and if you can run it off that, that's more of a figure I like to go to.' Tim said that this year, finishing cattle are eating a reduced level of concentrates at grass, which he attributes to higher feed quality in the grass this year. He noted that last year, finishing cattle were eating higher quantities of meal at grass. Meagher said: 'There was less feeding in the grass last year'. Commenting on his finishing ration at grass, the beef farmer said: 'Everyone will tell you how to put a good ration together for the winter but no one will tell you for the summer. 'It's trial and error with me. We have come up with a ration of 75% barley and 25% soya hulls for the cattle at grass.' He noted that minerals and other balancers are included in this mix also. Advantage feeders are placed in the paddocks with finishing cattle to provide concentrates Tim evidently has a passion for good grass management as well as the type of beef cattle he produces. He said: 'I might have a passion for good cattle but I have a passion for clover as well.' Clover seed is spread on paddocks which require it, along with applications of 0:7:30. Paddocks are grazed off in 2-3 days and allowed to recover for 24 days on average.
Economic Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Issuance of preferential certificates under FTAs rises, signals higher trade pact use by exporters
The number of preferential certificates of origin issued under free trade agreements implemented so far has recorded a healthy increase, rising to 7,20,996 in 2024-25 from 6,84,724 in 2023-24, indicating greater utilisation of trade pacts by Indian exporters, according to government data. ADVERTISEMENT Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said India's trade under the preferential route is growing. In a free trade agreement, two countries either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. India has so far implemented over a dozen such agreements with countries including Japan, Singapore, Korea, UAE and Australia. A certificate of origin is a key document required for exports to those countries with which India has trade agreements. An exporter has to submit the certificate at the landing port of the importing country. The document is important to claim duty concessions under free trade agreements. This certificate is essential to prove where the goods come from. ADVERTISEMENT "If somebody is taking these certificates, it means that they are utilising the preferential duty which is available under the FTA," Barthwal said. Availing duty concessions under these agreements improves the competitiveness of Indian exporters. As per the data, during April-May this fiscal, 1,32,116 certificates have been issued against 1,20,598 certificates in the same period previous fiscal. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Citizens' report card examines performance of Bengaluru MPs and MLAs
P.C. Mohan, Member of Parliament (MP) representing Bengaluru Central, has the highest attendance of 98.51% when it comes to parliamentary sessions among the three MPs of the city, while Bengaluru South MP Tejaswi Surya's attendance is just 77.61%, falling below the national average of 87%, according to Citizens' Report Cards of Bengaluru's Elected Representatives in the current term released by CIVIC Bangalore (a voluntary citizen's initiative) on Saturday. The report card captured key performance metrics for individual elected representatives, which include attendance, number of questions raised, number of committees participated in, number of Bills introduced (Private/Government), and number of debates participated in(only for MPs). It also analysed LAD Fund utilisation numbers for MPs and MLAs and the total criminal cases declared in the last election and net worth growth for repeat MLAs and MPs during their last term. Despite his low attendance, Mr. Surya asked 84 questions in the Parliament and took part in 13 debates, while Mr. Mohan participated only in one debate, where he put a request for e-buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme for Bengaluru. C.N. Manjunath, Bengaluru Rural MP, had an attendance of 94%, asked six questions, and took part in nine debates. Mr. Manjunath also led in terms of Local Area Development Fund (LAD) allocation (₹6.3 crore), including the previous and current year's available funds. Mr. Mohan has utilised only ₹47 lakh out of ₹5 crore made available in the current term, as per the data. Shobha Karandlaje, Bengaluru North MP, has utilised 97.6% of LAD funds. Among the MLAs, N. Shreenivasaiah of Nelamangala constituency attended 100% Assembly sessions, with only 29% MLAs having greater than 90% attendance, while 3 MLAs had less than 70% attendance. With only 53.62%, Priya Krishna, MLA for Govindraj Nagar, held the last spot. The report also noted that the Legislative Assembly had only 69 sittings in 2 years. N.A. Haris, MLA for Shanthinagar, asked 230 unstarred questions (the highest among MLAs), while S. Muniraju from Dasarahalli asked the highest number of starred questions (7). The report further mentioned that only four MLAs have fully utilised the ₹4 crore made available under the Karnataka Legislature Local Area Development (KLLAD) Fund, while almost 1/4th (22%) have allocated more than 90%. 'Overall, ₹40.79 crore of KLLAD Funds currently lie unspent, while potentially ₹4.84 crore may be stuck/forefeited. S. Manjula of Mahadevpura has not allocated any of her ₹4 crore KLLAD funds,' the report said. The report card was developed by citizen volunteers and student interns at CIVIC Bangalore over a period of six months, using publicly available data sources such as the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly websites, LAD scheme dashboards, Right to Information filings and websites of non-governmental organizations such as PRS India and which track legislators nationally. Speaking at the release of the report, Prakash Belwadi, actor and civic activist, accused MLAs and MPs of prioritising business growth over welfare, adding that citizen pressure is the only check on their apathy.
