Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Luthori “in close contact” with SOMECO over potential trade agreement, says Stanley. 
February 5701

The Foreign Office today announced that negotiations with the SOMECO (South Majatra Economic Cooperation Organization) economic bloc were going “well” and that the Luthorian government, alongside their respective Istalian and Deltarian counterparts was “hopeful” that the situation could lead to the signature of a trade agreement establishing a free trade zone between the two in the “swiftest delays”. 

The Foreign Secretary, Lord Stanley, assured that the Luthorian government was “in close and perpetual contact with SOMECO authorities” to ensure the negotiations go smoothly. According to sources, the Luthori-SOMECO agreement would be like the Egelion-SOMECO agreement signed in 5684. This trade agreement was agreed by both parties as being a “respectable framework” to work with.  

Luthorian diplomats hope to score an important victory through the signature of such an agreement, Luthorian goods have traditionally been absent from the Majatran continent due to geopolitical misfortune on Luthori’s part and the opportunity granted by the SOMECO for the creation of a free trade area between Luthori and numerous Majatran nations provide for an enormous opportunity for trade of Luthorian manufactured goods, and importation of other manufactured or raw materials from these regions. 

Luthorian diplomats remained cautious yet expressed optimism at the potential of the signature of a trade agreement with the rising economic bloc, a foreign office spokesperson stated that the likelihood of such an agreement happening will expand the realm of possibilities for Luthorian commerce, one that’ll reach all continents, from Artania to Dovani and to Majatra to Keris, both passing by Seleya. 

Luthorian diplomats argue that the trade agreement will “bind more countries sharing the same ideals of democracy, human rights protection and the primacy of international law”, especially due to the rise of so-called “rogue actors” in foreign policy in the last decades. Luthorian statesmen argue for the “exclusion” of such actors from the international commercial scene and expanding with SOMECO nations might further push that aim. 

Economically, Luthori will be a net-winner in that agreement. The realm of possibilities for its trade will be expanded through the addition of a new free trade compact between Luthori and the SOMECO. Luthori’s export-driven manufacturing sector will be, as per experts, the main short-term winner in that deal. Luthorian automobile contractors have been heavily lobbying the Luthorian government in hopes of seeing that deal being completed. 

Luthori’s Ambassador in Istalia, Sir George Mattoli remained, for his part, cautious, stating that “negociations, while hopeful, remained in their early stages” and that Luthori “shouldn’t overconfident over the chances of obtaining an agreement”.  

The Fort William Stock Exchange nonetheless reacted postively to the news, with the stocks of numerous corporations tied to the “MS45” Index (Main Street 45 Group Index), specifically automobile, machinery corporations being the greatest beneficiaries. 

Luthorian government officials have stated a “need” for Luthori to “diversify its exports” further by “expanding the industrial base” at home through subsidies granted to developing industries, for now, Luthori’s main exports remains its automobile base, which represented 39% of Luthorian exports in 5699. During that year, Luthorian exports rose to a staggering £756 billion. Luthorian government officials hope that by 5750, Luthorian exports, through the conclusion of new trade agreements with other nations, would rise to surpass the trillion figures. 

@TheFinancialInquirer - a single-issue newspaper covering the economy, political developments and their impact on Luthorian or global economics.