President Museveni’s 2022 Labour Day was all about micro-finance and cassava…

Before our time, no government was giving money to the people to get out of poverty. Getting out of poverty was everyone’s private business. If you wanted to get out of poverty that was your own private issue. But we (NRM) have been giving money [to citizens ] since the time of Entandikwa, then prosperity for all… But all this time, the responsibility was being taken by government officials. That was where the confusion started from” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (01.05.2022).

It is just like President Museveni wants to sound like he invented everything. He speaks like no government have ever had social security nets or unemployment programs. Yes, he claims to be the first one, but there been plenty of governments who has made this happen. FDR in the United States did it through various of programs in the New Deals in the 1930s and several other nations has used socialist programs to get people out of poverty through various of social security schemes. This here is a fraud and a fake. A manner of which you take credit and say you invented the Micro-Financing schemes and the first to do it. That is really foolish, but that is the Ugandan President of 2022. Micro-Financing and Micro-Credit was introduced in the 1990s in Uganda, but it was already a thing from the 1970s. So, it wasn’t only done in Uganda, but done so in Bangladesh and elsewhere before Museveni came into power.

I heard Filbert calling me a chief worker. I’m not a worker; I’m a bourgeois. I’m part of the middle class. You can’t call middle-class a worker. That’s not an ideological definition. Of course I work, but I work as a member of the middle class” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

This is maybe the first time he doesn’t call himself a farmer or a son of peasant. I’m shocked and in awe. His one of the richest people on the continent and still he describes himself as “middle-class”. Like we are supposed to believe he only earns the millions of shillings he gets through his salary.

We need a workforce of very many workers. There is a way for that. The Parish Development Model should kickstart us to have about 60 million workers” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

Uganda is estimated to have around 48 million citizens by 1st July 2022 based on projections of United Nations data. Out of this about 30% of these are adolescents, meaning a third of the population isn’t eligible for full-time work since they are not of age to do so. Because adolescence is from 10 years to 19 years old. This is based on data from UNFPA from a few years ago. Still, this all shows that the President have clearly the wrong memo about 60 million workers in Uganda. That means everyone from toddlers to the elderly… will work on the field or become a part of the rampant gig-economy.

Part I:

We want everyone in the Parish who has access to land to join a Parish Development SACCO. It doesn’t matter if they have money to not. They should just prove that they have land to do agriculture” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

Part II:

If you have agricultural land, do not work only for the stomach. You should also work for the pocket” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

It is really weird the way this is said on labour day. As the micro-finance scheme is so vital in it. The sort of amplified SACCO and NAADs called Parish Development Model (PDM). Where every farmer has to be part of it and register to have access. So, just like in the Soviets every farmer should be part of a scheme and earn from it. Which is very ironic, as he asks of everyone to work for their pockets. That is initially wanting everyone to be profit driven and incentive by currency. Not be content with having enough food or shelter, but supposed to also strive for surplus funds. However, if it was that easy. His government would have made it happen over the last 35 years or so. It is really tragic that all of the schemes since launching in the 1990s are not working and they continue to relaunch them in new names. Just like they did with the PDM, Emyooga and Operation Wealth Creation. It’s all the same gig, built on the same foundation, but changing its name and partly how it’s operating. Nevertheless, it doesn’t come to anything and is only a money-pit. As its not giving incentives or the ability to create natural growth. That’s why we are seeing this sort of talk and it’s the failure of the President who continues to beg people to think of profits and not of leisure.

Last quote:

If there is no bread eat cassava. Africans really confuse themselves, they are worried about shortage of wheat supply caused by Russian Ukraine War. If there is no wheat, please eat cassava. Myself I don’t eat bread” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

Do you ever wonder, if someone lives in a bubble and doesn’t see what people are seeing? Because, this man thinks this is splendid advice. The sort of talk that only shows his isn’t concerned and doesn’t feel the plights of the commoner. No, he is beyond that and telling the peasants to be happy with what they have and not strive for more. Which is ironic, as he has spoken of people wishing of wealth, think of their pocket, but they got to settle on cassava.

This shows how out of touch the President is and it’s not shocking as his ticking closer to 40 years in power. The President has lived in his bubble for all of these years and with more and more yes-men. People are just complying and not giving him any good advice. He orders, directs and tell how everyone is supposed to move. This speech was no difference. That is very obvious. As he believes in this 1990s mechanism and thinks the PDM will make a difference, which will be far from the truth. If the PDM would work, the Emyooga, the PDM and all the Micro-Finance institutions would have ushered in a new era already. However, it haven’t and that’s because the Republic and the nation isn’t built for it. The markets, the people and the structure isn’t ready for it. This is just a fact and it’s been proven time, and time again.

There is a need for a new direction and aims, which will improve people’s lives, as these short-term incentives only takes a few people that far and when the cash is low. They are back to nothing and with a loan to pay-off in their name. That’s why this is going nowhere and fast. It doesn’t matter how many times the President says people should work for their pockets. When there is few too little jobs, low salaries and rising prices, running inflations and lack of development in general. That’s all the fault of the President and his government who hasn’t served the community and citizens.

Nevertheless, the President will never take any accountability and he will blame everyone else. Now people should chew cassava, join a SACCO and think about their pockets. However, it isn’t that easy and when you cannot get your produce to the market or even have an ability to earn. Why should you or even be concerned with the pleas of the old man?

Well… he just wants to be right, but at this his wrong. His doing the same trick, as he promised in the 1990s and think it can work in 2020s. Well… the old man is late and he should reconfigure and find tricks that fits the vibrant markets of this era and not continue with the schemes of the Structural Adjustment Programs. Peace.

Opinion: The Crocodile says the businesses are sabotaging the government…

We must practise honest and ethical business practices. Businesses cannot purport to support the government by day and sabotage the same government by night and then after play the victim. It is imperative for us all to make strategic choices for the best interests of our country” – President Emmerson Mnangagwa (29.04.2022).

The Crocodile of Harare is unreal, the one who is the Commander in Chief and the Head of State. President Mnangagwa said this at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo yesterday. It is really rich coming from and he should know better.

The financial structure, the fiscal policies and the polices of the economy is all coming from the Government. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) has to take accountability and what sort of actions they have done.

Mnangagwa’s regime is at fault. The economy is the ‘albatross’ that ZANU-PF has no idea how to control or adopt too. The ZANU-PF only knows how to scheme, loot and siphoned government funds. Therefore, Mnangagwa shouldn’t point a finger and address things internally.

The lack of working policies on the currency, monetary policies or even financial instruments. That isn’t the fault of the traders, importers or exporters of Zimbabwe. No, that is the fault of the RBZ and MoFED. They are maybe inept or cronies with no clue of what they are doing. The ZANU-PF isn’t acting sincere here and passing the buck actually.

Mnangagwa should be disgraced by this and the way he puts the fault on the industries or businesses itself. They are working under his regime and following the rules, which his government is putting on them. If the state says one thing, the businesses has to comply. That’s why the premise of the sabotage is flawed. The Ministries and the Parliament can put forward motions and legislation that changes the market-place for one commodity or one type of import. Therefore, to blame the businesses is weak tea and not true…

The President should look into his own and the appointees of ZANU-PF. Mnangagwa should hold a Politburo and plan the steps ahead to ensure the businesses can thrive and work. However, the state is more busy on get-rich-schemes for itself, than actually serving the public. This is why the state cannot find a measure or a way of making monetary policies working or stabilizing inflation for that matter.

The ZANU-PF and Mnangagwa needs to get a grip. They are not the victims, but they are blaming the ones who are living under its reign. The victims are the citizens and the businesses, which is hurting, because of the inflation, lack of stable currency and ability to forecast the market. That’s why it’s risky and could backfire to invest in the first place. However, ZANU-PF will not say that… we know that already.

Mnangagwa needs to fix the ‘Albatross’ and get things in order. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t count on it. That would stop the possibility of scams, schemes and means of siphoning funds from the state coffers into “private investors” accounts. Peace.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ): Response to CZI Paper on Currency Situation (23.04.2022)

Burma: Justice for Myanmar – Finland’s Wartsila Corporation seeking profit from military junta – JFM calls for Immediate withdrawaø from junta tenders (20.04.2022)

Opinion: Karamoja is burning over mineral explorations…

A total of 17,083 square kilometers of land in Karamoja is licensed for mineral exploration and extraction activities, according to official data. Twenty-six companies currently have exploratory or mining rights in the region. In 2018, Chinese mining company Sunbelt was given 3.3 square kilometers of land to set up a $13 million dollar marble mining factory in Rupa sub-county. A year later, the company expanded its operations to cover an additional 4.1 square kilometers, ostensibly after a deal with local leaders. Hundreds of families have since been pushed out of their ancestral homes, local officials say. Locals accuse Rupa Community development trust, a community trustee group created three years ago, of conniving with investors to steal their land” (Diana Taremwa Karakire – ‘Mining Rush Threatens Indigenous Peoples in Karamoja, Uganda’ 01.09.2021).

What I feared the most seems to be reason for the joint operation of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UDPF) in the Karamoja sub-region. Which is an continues operation and it is persisting. The state is even furthering it’s investments into it by deploying 6,000 Local Defence Units or LDUs in Karamjoa. Therefore, the burning and bleeding will persist for a long time.

The lack of accountability and transparency is very clear. The obvious reasons for that is the licensed land and territories given to mineral extraction corporation over the indigenous people. The people and the citizens are neglected. They are perpetrators and the unlawful one in the mind of the state, but not by their rights as people.

The Government and the Authorities are coming in as a colonial government. They are occupying and violently removing people. The state is blaming the cattle rustling, but it is obviously more too it. Because, it is not like the government would create so much and damage over some livestock. However, it would do so over the mineral extraction and possible gold-rush in Karamoja.

We know they have given this state operation the name of “Usalama Kwa Wote” to disarm and take away illegal guns, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it was an alternate motive. A cash enterprise and a possible profit objective of the state. As they know the values of the land and what it possesses. When knowing that… they might find it easier to scare people away and not take ownership of land. Make them displaced and ensure their fear to return. As the mineral exploration and exploitation can start. In such a manner, that the government and the companies can start their trading.

The unfortunate families, villages and the Karimojong is just dying. While they are defending their land and we don’t have any idea about the amount of fatalities. As the GoU, the State House and UPDF doesn’t release any sort of update on their Joint Operation there. Only in the beginning and stopped when the public outcry ceased to exist.

The Karamoja sub-region continues to burn, be looted and is destroyed by government entities. While they are blaming old cultural factors and blaming the herders. That just shows their sinister motives. Because, we are not supposed to know about the vast licensing agreements and the planned mineral exploitation, which has been sanctioned without the concern of the locals or the Karimojong in general. They just have to accept the loss of land, livelihood and where they have lived for generations.

Because, that is the “steady progress” and “securing your future” means for Karamoja these days. The state don’t mind violating or destroying, as long as it has a prosperous future ahead of it. Peace.

Opinion: Time to smell the coffee… [Veni, vidi, vici]

The last few days the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) has defended it’s agreements with Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited. This stems from the agreements, addenda’s and whatnot.

This is the same investor that is building the Lubowa Specialized Hospital. When seeing the results of that and lack of progress. The sort of deals and agreements with UVCC is only beneficial for the owners and the ones arranging it in the state.

The coffee-farmers had no say in this and the monopoly of trading beans will possibly destroy the exports of coffee. Especially, when the company has been working on the factory since the investor with a delegation held a meeting at the State House in January 2014. This means it has gone 8 years and little to nothing has been moving. Just like there Hospital that been in the works since 2015. It is not like any of these has seen the lights of day and it isn’t getting any better.

The UVCC is getting tax-holidays and monopoly on coffee beans. Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) should have a say in this and you can wonder why the Minister of Agriculture doesn’t want to have any play in it. That just shows the shoddiness, since one of their own and loyal cadres in Frank Tumwebaze is downplaying his role.

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi is both busy defending and selling the agreement in concern to UVCC. The company is given 10 years with monopoly and a tax-holiday, which is respectfully a terrible agreement. Especially, when there is no proof of the profitability or even if it is able to trade in this market. Secondly, the company has used years on end without any movements. The last proven change of the plot has been a field investigation in March 2020. Therefore, giving them a ten year monopoly two years later. Make you wonder why? What is so special and unique about UVCC? What leverage does this company has on the paper and makes it reasonable for the state to give away everything to it?

It is like the state owns the UVCC and the Italian investor for something. Even if there is no proof of profits or even able to carry it out. The reason why this can be said, because neither projects is anywhere close lights of day. At least the Soroti Fruit Factory actually exists, even if it is producing for the wrong fruit and isn’t profitable. Neither the hospital or the coffee factory is existing.

The Vinci Company is selling dreams… and the state is catching nightmares. The MoFPED is busy selling stories and fairytales. Since, the coffee processing plant is far from being built. There is no movement and proof of such. Neither is the Hospital getting into a stage of being operational. It is all on paper and agreements made by trading ghosts. The government is giving away a lot to a business, which is not even operational or has the proven ability of trading the commodities on the world market.

That’s why this whole deal is a mess. The naive will believe the numbers and the charts that Ggoobi was shelling out today and yesterday. The coffee market worldwide is huge, but how will a paper-tiger compete with the international companies and the ones that has been up and running for generations? Aha… that he will not answer too. Because, the trade and the business is already in motion. The state has already signed off it’s rights to a non-existent coffee factory and a company, which isn’t operational. That’s why the state has to patch the hurt, but the ones in-charge should smell the coffee, because this will get bitter very soon. Peace.

Opinion: BRICS is concerned about the money and not about the War in Ukraine

Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China released the “BRICS Countries Clarify Common Position on the Ukraine Issue”. What was very clarifying about it… was their real issues and what was important for the BRICS countries.

The BRICS countries consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. I will first release the vital part of that statement and then dissect it into pieces, which is only fair.

The BRICS countries are highly concerned about the current situation in Ukraine, and reiterated respective national positions. The BRICS countries expressed their support for multilateralism, adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect for the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and support for continued dialogue and talks between Russia and Ukraine to seek a comprehensive solution to the Ukraine issue. The BRICS countries expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine and supported all humanitarian assistance efforts to Ukraine, including the contributions of the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN agencies. The BRICS countries are particularly concerned about the serious impacts of unilateral sanctions on world economic recovery, stability of industrial and supply chains, energy and food security, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and call on great importance to be attached to and effective solution to the concerns of developing countries at large to ensure that their economies and people’s livelihood are not affected” (People’s Republic of China – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 14.04.2022).

The first is just showing some sort of token of what is going on in Ukraine. As the Russian-Belorussian invasion are going and it has waged war soon for about 50 days in the whole Republic of Ukraine. So, the “highly concerned” is just empty posturing and nothing else. The speaking of UN Charter and legitimate security concerns are just boosting the ego of Moscow and Kremlin. That is not being said in concern to the legitimacy or the sovereign rights of Kyiv or Ukraine. No, that is just mention to cater to the ideals of the conflict in concern to Russia.

Neither is it hard to believe their true interests or support of the dialogue. When they are siding with Russia. That will be very clear later on, but not shocking, because of the tone of the Press Release or “Common Position” on Ukraine.

The concern for humanitarian situation is more just being diplomatic, but not taking a direct stance – here nor there. It just showing that they value life and don’t want people to suffer. Which is all good, but meaningless… when the BRICS are so on guard for the needs of Russia, which is the R in the BRICS.

The tone very swiftly changes, when it’s concerning the sanctions. That is very evident here. They are saying it is a reason for trouble in the energy market, food security and going against Sustainable Development. However, it is not considering the implications the war in Ukraine already has, neither that it should have consequences for Russia, which is the aggressor in this war. Nevertheless, of this alliance and coalition of countries. We wouldn’t expect it to counter or dismiss one of their own. That is not how the BRICS role and it would betray their alliance.

They are just against sanctions, because they are worried about livelihoods of the population in Russia. The BRICS is worried about the international trade and how it affects the powers within the alliance. Not about the reasons for the sanctions or why they have occurred. No, that is for someone else to be worried about. That is evident and we cannot expect anything positive or legit from the BRICS.

The strongest language was put on the sanctions and not on the war directly. That says it all about the priorities of the BRICS. These countries and clarification only shows that money and foreign exchange or export U.S. Dollars matters more than the illegal warfare in Ukraine. The world needs to know this and BRICS just show the world their heart at the very moment. Peace.

Opinion: Ggoobi is selling a bitter cup of coffee…

The ones that is believing the greatness and the proper means of the Vinci coffee deal signed by the Government of Uganda. They are naive and not seeing what has happened before. This agreement and deals between the investor and the GoU is bad at best. There is no denying in that. This is agreeing with the same investor and company, which was supposed to build the sophisticated Lubowa Specialized Hospital. That is yet to happen and is hard to believe that the same government would trade with the same person in another deal.

That’s why it’s interesting that Frank Tumwebaze was back-tracking. When he was in the room with one of the agreements was signed. While we know that the different ministries and government entities has participated in this.

This follows Parliament’s move to investigate the deal that the government through the Ministry of Finance signed with the company. The agreement in question was signed in February 10, 2022, amending an earlier agreement signed on April 29, 2015, and the accompanying addenda signed on December 21, 2015 and 17 October 2017. The amendment gives Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited a monopoly over the purchase and export of coffee from Ugandan farmers” (Mary Karubaga – ‘Agriculture minister says not a party to Vinci coffee deal’ 13.04.2022, New Vision).

Commenting about the matter on Thursday, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Ramathan Ggoobi defended the deal as one of the best the country can ever get. “The agreement was signed with Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited to assist in the development of an 80million dollar plant, add value to coffee and export it globally. The agreement was therefore signed following a protracted process of due diligence and feasibility studies,”Ggoobi said. To further defend the agreement, the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary said the deal was cleared by the Attorney General and was subsequently signed within laws governing the country and that none was broken. Explaining about the agreement, Ggoobi explained that the agreement will support government in the realization of its coffee production target from the current 7 million bags per year to 20 million bags by 2030” (Kenneth Kazibwe – ‘Uganda: “It Is the Best Deal Ever” – Finance Ministry Defends Controversial Coffee Agreement’ 14.04.2022, Nilepost/AllAfrica).

After reading this. You would think everything was clear and things was moving. The last piece of information about the movement on the matter. Was that there was a field investigation in March 2020 on the site of the Coffee factory. Alas, there has been little to no movement, except for huge promises and big dreams of achievements.

The Vinci Company have worked with this since they we’re visiting the State House back in January 2014. That is over 8 years of little to no progress. Only more agreements and furthering a paper-trail of it. It is so slow… that it’s hard to believe it’s the best deal a government could have. Neither can the company be so great… when the movements are so slow. The promises of vast production and jobs seems far-fetched. When there is no proof on site and neither in general.

The Vinci Company and it’s Coffee Processing Factory seems to be a dream that won’t come into reality. The Government or the Company doesn’t have the ability to pull it off. This would make sense and be adding value to the coffee beans, which is growing in Uganda. The idea is positive and the amount of bags would make good profits. However, if it is sustainable or have the funds to do so.

You can wonder, if there was any feasibility study or anything else. As there are little to nothing to show for it. Only huge hubris from the government and now from the Ministry of Finance. Which has to 8 years later say it is a grand deal. While nothing can be proven. If it was the best deal ever. Why haven’t Vince Company set up shop long time ago and even built anything? This is going glacier slow and isn’t promising. Neither is the possible stipulations or articles of the hidden agreement. Which should be public. Because, a monopoly of all coffee beans is a bad deal and would possibly stifle the farmers who is selling their coffee-beans. Peace.

Russia: Medvedew calls the sanctions a “hybrid war” [as the EU embargo vodka, caviar etc… ]

Unlawful sanctions under certain circumstances can be qualified as an act of international aggression on the part of individual states or their unions” (…) “This is a declaration of economic war… It can be concluded that sanctions in the current situation can be qualified as an act of aggression against the Russian Federation, as one of the forms of hybrid war” – Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev (08.04.2022).

The European Union (EU) launched today the 5th Sanctions package in concern to the Russian Federation and Belarus. They have both a combination of things… which isn’t only embargoing coal to the EU. The newest package is severe, but not as bad some Members of European Parliament (MEP) even want to have. Therefore, sanctions isn’t aimed or stinging enough for some. The sanctions aren’t costing enough.

Nevertheless, the sanctions and packages are getting extensive. It is four more Russian banks that gotten a full transaction ban and asset freeze. Also, Russian oligarchs cannot have trusts to keep their wealth hidden in the EU. In addition, Russian nationals and entities are prohibited from getting procurement contracts within the Union.

We know things gets tougher when the EU orders an trade embargo on certain imports from Russia and Belarus:

Additional import bans – worth €5.5 billion – including cement, rubber products, wood, spirits (including vodka), liquor, high-end seafood (including caviar), and an anti-circumvention measure against potash imports from Belarus” (EU, 08.04.2022).

So, the Russians cannot sell vodka or caviar. This will hurt some industries within Russia and they are locked out of markets in EU. The Smirnoff Vodka and other brands will not been seen in the alcohol section from now on. The shelves will start to lack these things and certain goods will not even be able to find a substitute.

While the EU will not sell this to Russia: “Further targeted export bans – worth €10 billion – in areas in which Russia is vulnerable due to its high dependency on EU supplies. This includes, for example, quantum computing, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery, transportation and chemicals. It also includes specialist catalysts for use in the refinery industry” (EU, 08.04.2022). In addition to this, the EU will also not sell jet fuel and fuel additives, which could be used by the Russian army.

With that all being said… it is becoming restrictive and the measures are getting rougher. That is something it should be. However, they are not going all-in. The banks still have SWIFT and the Russian gas and oil is sold on the continent. The biggest reasons for trade is still there. The EU isn’t upping it’s game, but instead goes very calculative.

The Russian vodka can find other markets and be sold in other markets instead of the EU. The same can be said about the products, which is now embargoed. Therefore, the total scramble isn’t there and it’s hurting, but not biting.

Medvedev is just acting frustrated, because he knows this hurt the Russian industry and the exports. Some of the specialities even, which is vodka and caviar. These are their pride and joy. The type of products that is high value and oozing class.

The EU will not miss these things. The citizens can get similar things from elsewhere. Therefore, the ones losing here is Russia. That’s why Medvedev is so bitter about it and calls it war. Nevertheless, Russian businesses needs to change and they are paying the price over the illegal and brutal war in Ukraine. Peace.

Russia: PepsiCo plans to expand their own “special operation” in Russia…

According to the newspaper Kommersant, whose journalists got acquainted with fragments of the company’s presentation, the organization wants to create new products with different names and packaging. In particular, the New Cola product was presented in various containers of different volumes. Under the Fruitz brand, orange and lime flavored drinks were introduced” (…) “In addition, the company wants to expand the local brand Russky Dar, which currently produces only kvass. However, PepsiCo plans to expand the range with carbonated drinks in different flavors” (Viktor Bazhenov – ‘PepsiCo plans to create special products for Russia’ 07.04.2022, Komsomolskaja Pravda).

While other Western Companies and Brands are suspending their operations in Russia. As the sanctions and outrage of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. There are about 200 companies that has either ceased, suspended or stopped to invest in the Russian market. That has been done as a result of the brutal war in Ukraine. This is being done because of the issues of transactions, lack of business opportunities or to get positive publicity in the West.

That’s why it’s very interesting that the soft-drink maker and conglomerate Pepsi Corporation who earlier this year suspended their production of Pepsi, SevenUp and Mirinda. Now has other plans and creating a new strategy. That is clearly to circumvent and get a bigger market share in the Russian Federation. As other Western soft-drink makers like Coca-Cola and others stopped producing sodas and beers in Russia.

After the other corporations and businesses has ceased or suspended their operations in Russia. There will be openings and possibilities from a business stand-point. In a way of filling the gap and finding new parts of the beverage market that PepsiCo can fill. From a direct business view it makes sense, but from a publicity angel it sucks.

The Pepsi Corporation is trading, earning profits and ensuring a bigger tax-base, which is good news for Kremlin and President Putin. This is supporting and making sure the Russian economy is going. That there is products to trade, people is getting salaries and such. This is a dream for a dictator to have a company of this stature to do this.

Yes, they did suspend the production of the world-wide famous soft-drinks, but they plan to make other special ones for the Russian market. That will be in addition to the Kvass. This is an deliberate attempt to get a bigger profits and ensure viability in the Russian Federation. That is really it and it’s being a token soldier of the Russian war-machine. They are trading, investing and finding ways of profiting in a marginal space without any preconditions.

PepsiCo is by doing so. They would stand up to huge scrutiny, as they are willing to earn blood money by association and by their decision to not only uphold certain products, but to add and create new ones. This is creating own products and soft-drinks catering to the Russian market. Securing them a vast market and huge profits in the middle of a war. That is it really and what they are willing to do.

The PepsiCo will be renowned by many. Their legacy of these drinks will be in the letter of “Z” and the association will be looked that way. The Ukrainian war and the lack of solidarity there will also be seen. As the corporation only dipped a minute and later found new avenues for furthering their business operation in Russia. The PepsiCo is more into long term gains than the dwelling into the problematic ideals of doing this.

The yellow and blue colours of Ukraine will clearly not matter to PepsiCo. They rather have a “special operation” of their own in the Russian market. Peace.