Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Hulanevek Diamond Authenticated
Kalistan and Luthori conclude new Trade Deal; KalSiE notches up slightly
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 12, 5591


The "Hulanevek Diamond" in Eveari, taken this summer

Beiteynu authenticates Hulanevek Diamond as one of 8 Historic Kadmonim Gems
The team from the Archaic Museum in Yishelem has authenticated that the Hulanevek Diamond which has been in the possession of the Anantos in Kalistan since the reign of Empress Pavlina I Ananto is in fact the White Gem of the Kundratji, and matches in size, description and clarity the legendary White Gem carried by the Kadmonian people out of Majatra more than 4000 years ago.  The authentication both solves the mystery of the Gem's source but also current location and fills in a little piece of the cultural puzzle of the Yeudi people.  Her Imperial Majesty was grateful for the visit by the Beiteynese archaeologists who visited Kalistan to authenticate the artifact.

Properly authenticated, the gem goes from being worth between an estimated ₭250 and ₭400 million to being priceless.  Her Imperial Majesty is consequently not of any mind to ever sell such an item.  Nor will it be publicly displayed on a regular basis in Kalistan, according to Her Imperial Majesty's office, who issued an official statement acknowledging the authentication.  "Such an item is far too valuable to be put on display with common precious stones.  It holds immense cultural and historical value alone and requires a protection that will cause would-be thieves to not think about it.  As a result, Her Imperial Majesty has decided that it will remain under strict lock and key, and whose location only Her Imperial Majesty will know for certain."  The Statement also said that Her Imperial Majesty views the possession of the Gem to be a Trust, and also somewhat of an Insurance Policy.  "If the Yeudi people truly see their home as where their heritage is, as long as that Gem remains in Kalistan, the People will always be able to view Kalistan as their home, and the Empress intends to hold onto this gem and keep it safe to ensure that bond remains intact, and the Yeudi people know that they shall always be welcomed within the Empire."

Kalistan and Luthori conclude new trade deal
Her Imperial Majesty's Government received the Luthorian Prime Minister, Mr. Werner Reyburn, as well as the Luthorian Empress' Foreign Secretary Mrs. Mathilda Hoptkins and Her Majesty's High Commissioner for Commerce, Mr. Johnathan Daymon in Kaliburg this week to work out details of a preliminary trade deal between the two Empires.  The discussions began in Ft. William between Her Imperial Majesty's Ambassador, Lord Samuel Trelawny III, after which the issue was transferred to Kaliburg for finalization.  The Chancellor of the Empire, Dame Diane Bolton, as well as Sir Christopher Bjorksdattir and Ms. Katherine Carruthers, Her Imperial Majesty's Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Trade respectively, met with their Luthorian Counterparts, and the discussions were cordial and in good spirit.  The meeting was even joined for a short period of time by Her Imperial Majesty Empress Carolina I Ananto, who stated that it was time for her  to introduce herself to the Luthorian Prime Minister, and as the Chancellor was present at the meeting, this would be an opportune time.  The Empress listened as the dignitaries spoke and worked out the final details, and at the conclusion of the meeting, the Empress spoke directly to the Luthorian Prime Minister, asking him to convey her sincere desire to receive the Luthorian Empress in Kaliburg so she may meet the monarch.  The talks were followed by a formal dinner at Wilson House, where Her Imperial Majesty and the Prince Consort were in attendance along with the Luthorians and Members of Her Imperial Majesty's Government. 

The terms of the agreement were equal and aimed at expanding both trade volume over all, and to providing both Kalistan and Luthori access to one another's markets.  The Luthorians will provide plenty of consumer electronics to Kalistan to help offest the loss of consumer electronic trade to the Embargo, as well as new computers, televisions and a vast assortment of Luthorian manufactured goods, included needed machine parts that Kalistan is in need of.  Luthori will also begin supplying woolen textiles to the Kalistani market, which are preferable, especially in the north and West of the country due to the cold winters, as well as their durability and natural sourcing.  Kalistan will also begin importing electrical cars from Luthori, to supplement MoCo's production.  In exchance, Kalistan will provide an equal value in the way of food stuffs, finished aluminum and industrial lithium to Luthori.  The lithium especially is a valuable commodity and is very useful for modern rechargeable battery technology and Kalistan is one of the few nations that produces Lithium, which it sources from mine tailings and saltwater evaporation, commercially.  The addition of Luthorian goods to Kalistani stores is a welcome change, and should ease embargo-created shortages in some sectors.  The trade should begin immediately, and the Trade Minister has also encouraged Luthori to consider expanding trade with Gaduridos and Lodamun as well.

KalSiE notches up slightly
The Kalistani Stock Exchange was up slightly this month as news of the Luthorian Trade deal ended a relatively sustained decline over the last three months.  The gains in the KalSiE were fairly robust, closing the month of October out on a positive note, and most came within the last week of the month.  While the Stock Market is not a good indicator of the health of the economy, it does suggest that people who invest are in a bit more optimistic mood going into the winter.  During this year, only Miramar and companies affiliated with Miramar recorded gains on any sort of regularity, while most of the Nationalized industries traded lower this year than last year.  A general downturn in the economy has been attributed to the corrosive effects of decreased trade volume in Seleya and in Terra as a result of the disruptions caused by Kundrati intransigence and obstinacy.  The Government has steadfastly chosen simplicity and austerity over liberalization, given that they view this disruption to be temporary, and liberalization will lead to greater pain in the long run than it leads to help in the short term. 

"The issue is a supply side issue," said Dr. Mike Walters, of Kaliburg Polytechnic.  "The people may be Brethrenists, but that doesn't mean they always want to live like Brethrenists.  People have plenty of money, and would buy if there was anything to buy, but we have seen all five duchies impose restrictions on purchases to prevent hording of basic necessities as a minor irritation becomes a minor fear that things will not get better.  Consumers are fickle and despite the long held assumptions of market economics, they don't actually rationally when in terms of social good, only in terms of individual good.  So the job of the National Government, who wants to address the situation, is to increase supply of basic goods and consumer goods.  Gove the people something to spend their money one.  They have food and basic clothes.  Give them more choices in the market.  Increasing trade with a country like Luthori, which produces much the same thing we do, is a step in the correction to resolving supply side problems in the economy and offsetting the pain of the Embargo."  That sort of praise and cautious optimism is being shared by investors, who may be coming around to the idea of investing more in new production rather than hiding their money in banks and other rainy weather investments.  The KalSiE was up 3% in October over the previous September.

@TheRepublic