Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

The Market is a nationally-published daily economic newspaper centered in Tian'an. While the paper remains generally non-partisan, critics have observed a tendency for the paper to publish articles which generally support classically liberal economic policies and the established economic order of Indrala.

International tourist arrivals up by 8.9% from 4365

20 October 4366

A group of Dorvish tourists admire the staggering Kaizhou skyline

TIAN’AN, Han [24 November 4353]: Foreign Minister Ni Zhihong announced in a blog post on Sunday that the number of visits made to Indrala had reached 42.8 million for the year as of October – an increase of 8.9 per cent on the number seen in the first 11 months of last year.

"There has been sizable growth in the number of tourists from Majatra, Artania and Keris," wrote Ni in her post, "we are thrilled to be able to share our beautiful country with so many!"

Ni said the strong numbers had a positive impact on hotels and retailers across the country, particularly in the cities of Kaizhou, Tian'an and Nandu where tourism is most concentrated. The Minister also highlighted notable tourism from nations in Dovani.

"Some want to learn about Indrala’s historical cultural links with their own country," Ni wrote, "and of course, many want to learn more about the source of Indralan drama that’s the rage on international television and YingPop which is heard around the world."

Indeed, the government has long pushed and subsidized its entertainment industry, which is viewed as vital for increasing cultural and economic soft power. The results of this push have been tangible, as demand for Indralan cosmetics, fashion, food products and other consumer goods have risen most noticeably where Indralan media diffusion has been the most extensive. Tourism is no exception.

"I've been seeing various places in Jiaozhi Province on television for years now," says Trigunian tourist Mariya Kabaeva in perfect Indralan, "I just had to come." The sentiment was shared by her best-friend and travelling mate Svetlana who said she admired "the beautiful places and faces" of Indrala.

Lotus Party Leader warns about growing 'property bubble'

20 October 4366

KAIZHOU, Jiaozhi: HIn a rally for her supporters in Kaizhou, Lotus Party Leader Li Baihan issued a warning about the growing 'property bubble' in Indrala. "The government has a responsibility to warn our people about the dangerous situation of the property market at the moment," said Li. The Party Leader cited surging property values over the past 50 years in Kaizhou and Tian'an. "You cannot go this long without a market correction," declared Li, "demand is high, but regular Indralans are getting priced out."

Some commentators have been critical of the Lotus Party, attributing the growing housing crisis to their management over the past few decades, as well as the Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements their foreign ministers have ratified with a number of nations. "Foreign investors, from New Endralon/Kizenia in particular, are buying up apartments in Kaizhou and Tian'an and leaving them vacant," said Indrala University economics professor Kai Tingfei, "under the CFTA, the government isn't able to do anything about it."

The Lotus Party leader shrugged off this argument, saying that "it is imperative that we act now."

New Endralonian auto-giant Explorator to receive $2.4b in incentives for Hazhou Plant

20 October 4366

Wind turbines dot the mountainside above the Explorator plant, located in the outskirts of Hazhou, Shu

HAZHOU, Shu: Explorator, one of Terra's largest automotive manufacturers, is setting up shop in Indrala. The Market has details on why: the company is reportedly receiving some $1.6 billion in tax incentives over the next 10 years, in addition to a $800 million direct subsidy tied to the plant's use of renewable energy.

With an anticipated 8000 permanent employees, the factory is a win for Indrala's manufacturing heartland. Some labour activists, however, have raised their concern that Explorator's entry to the Indralan and greater Seleyan market may weaken Indrala's domestic automotive manufacturing industry. Enshi University's Chief Economics professor Hiromi Kurosawa disagrees: "We've seen that Xiandai (Indrala's largest automotive manufacturer) and Explorator aren't concerned with competiting against each other, but rather are working against the state-funded Bönning Car Factory in Valruzia."

Kurosawa attributes the construction of the Xiandai Rodshyadam Plant in Trigunia in the 4340s as a move to lock Bönning out of the Kerisian market, while Explorator's actions are to "launch an assault" on Bönning's market share in Seleya. "With Explorator gaining easier access to Seleya through the CFTA, Bönning will have to redouble its efforts to remain competitive amidst a rapidly diversifying consumer market."

The incentives provided to the plant have been extended to other plants in Indrala in the past, and thus haven't been received with much scrutiny. A few emboldened conservative groups, however, have launched an online campaign against the government's free-trade policies. The chairman of the recently formed "Indralan Patriots for Prosperity" group, Gao Yawen wrote in a blog post that, "Our government is happy to fund foreign exploitation of our labour and resources. Our government is happy to see Indralan companies go out of business while Kyo refugees flood into our borders and receive extensive government assistance. Can we, the workers of Shu, claim refugee status?! It's time to put real Indralans first!"

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 22 March 2018.