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Feb 27: New estimates of Real GDP at INR 322.58 lakh crore in the FY 2025-26, against the First Revised Estimate (FRE) of GDP for the year 2024-25 of INR 299.89 lakh crore pegs GDP growth rate at 7.6% as compared to 7.1 % in FRE 2024-25. Further, nominal GDP is estimated at ₹345.47 lakh crore in the year 2025-26, against ₹318.07 lakh crore in 2024-25, showing a growth rate of 8.6% said Mr. Rajeev Juneja, President, PHDCCI.

Real GVA at INR 294.40 lakh crore in the year 2025-26, against ₹273.36 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, registers a growth rate of 7.7% as compared to 7.3% in 2024-25, he added.

As India moves towards deeper integration in the global value chains, base year updates at regular intervals, current after every five years, reflects government’s commitment to data-driven policy intervention to shocks in the global economy, he said.

The revised GDP framework will enhance the credibility and analytical usefulness of India’s national accounts statistics. The updated methodology is expected to provide policymakers, businesses, and investors with a more accurate picture of economic activity across sectors, he added.

New series integrates multiple data sources such as GST statistics, financial results of listed companies, transport indicators, and digital administrative sources. This broader data coverage is expected to strengthen measurement of economic output, consumption, investment, and sectoral contributions, and prepare India for the next phase of growth trajectory, he said.

Given the revised statistical framework and the evolving economic landscape, PHDCCI suggests the following policy priorities to sustain high growth momentum in the coming years:

1. Accelerate implementation of industrial policies and PLI incentive initiatives to deepen domestic manufacturing capabilities, particularly in high-value and growth sectors such as electronics, engineering goods, chemicals, and renewable energy equipment.
2. Facilitate faster project clearances, enhance access to long-term finance, and further improve ease of doing business.
3. Further, expanding infrastructure investments in transport, energy, and logistics networks to reduce logistics costs and improve supply chain efficiency.
4. Expand credit access, technology adoption programs, and export facilitation measures to enable MSMEs to integrate into global value chains.

Improved statistical measurement will support data-driven and evidence-based policymaking and facilitate better economic planning. Foreign investors, both institutional and non-institutional, that are keen to invest in India’s growth story, will see this as reliable and internationally comparable data, which augurs well for increasing India’s private capex-driven growth momentum said Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & SG, PHDCCI.

Mumbai, Feb 27: Jio Finance Platform and Service Limited (JFPSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL), today announced the launch of the all-new JioFinance app, a hyper-personal, AI-driven digital marketplace designed to make finance more accessible, contextual, and intelligent for every Indian. The launch is accompanied by ‘Finsider’, an exclusive early access campaign inviting users to experience the app first, share feedback, and earn JioPoints redeemable against a wide catalogue of rewards.

Transforming Financial Experiences in Bharat
The new JioFinance app moves beyond conventional product listings to deliver an intelligent, personalised, and seamless financial journey. Leveraging Agentic AI and Neural Networks, the platform provides tailored recommendations based on each user’s life context, financial intent, and eligibility, enabling users to make confident, informed decisions about their financial future.

Key Features of the JioFinance App:

• Marketplace for Intelligent Finance: A comprehensive digital storefront offering products across loans, credit cards, insurance, investments, digital gold, tax filing, savings accounts, and more, from JFSL and trusted partner brands.

• Tailored Recommendations: Driven by 15 AI agents and ~70 decision-making engines, the app delivers personalised product suggestions based on real-time financial context.

• Dynamic Personalisation: Every user sees a unique home screen reflective of their financial profile and needs.

• Natural Language Interface: Users can explore products by typing their financial needs in a chat bar, eliminating the need for multiple app screens.

• JioPoints Rewards Program: Users earn JioPoints for every transaction, redeemable against a wide catalogue of personalised rewards.

Upcoming Features Include:

• Financial Fitness Score: A comprehensive index to assess a user’s financial health across spending, borrowing, insurance, investments, and tax compliance.

• Personal CFO for Bharat: Actionable guidance through a conversational journey to help users improve their financial wellbeing.

• Autonomous Execution: Automate recurring payments and investments in just a few clicks.

• Exclusive Membership Program: Earn assured value-back on products and services availed through the app.

Hitesh Sethia, Managing Director and CEO, Jio Financial Services Limited, said:

“We believe intelligent finance should be a basic right of all citizens. With the paradigm shift in finance, we are putting Bharat at the heart of everything we build. The new JioFinance app is a hyper-personal, intelligent marketplace that removes noise and friction from financial decisions, empowering every Indian with actionable intelligence, transparency, and trust.”

Through Finsider, users will get early access to explore the app, provide feedback, and help shape the evolution of JioFinance while earning rewards for their participation.

The launch of the JioFinance app underscores JFSL’s commitment to democratizing finance and delivering a next-generation, intelligent financial experience tailored to the needs of India’s diverse population.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb 27: Metal Park, the world’s first integrated downstream metals ecosystem based in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, has partnered with Germany-based Frindt Consulting GmbH to introduce advanced digital laser cutting services in the UAE and modernise sheet metal procurement.

The collaboration integrates MP Nexus, Metal Park’s proprietary digital industrial portal, with Frindt’s European digital laser cutting system, enabling customers to upload sheet metal drawings, receive instant quotations, place orders, and track production seamlessly online. This initiative positions Metal Park as a leading provider of sheet metal laser cutting and digital metal fabrication services across Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Key Services Offered:

• Laser cutting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper UAE-wide

• On-demand sheet metal cutting, bending, and fabrication services for industrial and construction projects

• Digital metal procurement through MP Nexus for faster, transparent, and cost-efficient operations

Customer Benefits via MP Nexus:

• Direct upload of technical drawings

• Automated laser cutting quotations

• Secure digital order confirmation and payment

• Real-time tracking and communication

Applications include: HVAC ducting, structural steel fittings, architectural façades, and industrial components.

Executive Commentary:
Vahid Fouladkar, CEO, Metal Park, said,

“By integrating advanced metal sheet working technology into MP Nexus, we are shortening procurement cycles, improving cost and estimation visibility, and enabling real-time manufacturing access. This is part of the structural modernisation of downstream steel processing in the UAE.”

Bastian Rudolf Scholz, CEO, Frindt Metal Parts LLC, added,

“This partnership introduces a fully digital procurement and manufacturing model for sheet metal processing in the UAE. By combining German engineering with KEZAD’s industrial infrastructure, we are setting new benchmarks for transparency, speed, and scalability in steel processing.”

Located in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, Metal Park continues to strengthen its position as a hub for digital metal fabrication and downstream steel processing in the Middle East. The first integrated service is scheduled for completion by the end of March, coinciding with the full launch of the MP Nexus portal.

New Delhi, Feb 27: Apis India, a leading FMCG brand incorporated in 1983, has announced the launch of Sliced Dates, a thoughtfully prepared, ready-to-eat, guilt-free superfood that blends natural sweetness and convenience. 

Eating dates can sometimes feel like more effort than it should be – checking for seeds, cleaning them, or cutting them before use. Recognising this everyday inconvenience, Apis India has introduced Sliced Dates to make healthy snacking simpler and more accessible. Ready to eat and conveniently packed, the product preserves the natural taste and nutrition of dates while offering everyday affordability.

With the launch of Sliced Dates, Apis India Ltd strengthens its clean nutrition portfolio under health & wellness while expanding its value-added offerings for modern consumers. This move furthers the brand’s effort to make healthy snacking both effortless and accessible. Crafted for everyone across age groups and lifestyles, Sliced Dates caters both to premium, variety-seeking, health-conscious consumers and to value-driven families looking for reliable and convenient packaged dates. The deseeded and sliced dates reduce preparation time, making it an easy addition to breakfast bowls, with milk, sweets preparation, snack breaks, or quick energy boosts during the day, while maintaining the natural taste and goodness of the superfood.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Amit Anand, Managing Director, Apis India Limited, said,

 “Consumers today are looking for snacks that deliver on taste, nutrition, and convenience simultaneously. Sliced Dates is one of the choices to the growing demand for clean, convenient, guilt-free snacking.”

He further added,

 “Dates are packed with nutrients, and are a great alternative for snacking. However, the deseeding and cleaning process makes consumers vary. The Sliced Dates addresses these concerns, without compromising on the quality.”

The newly launched product will be available PAN India across local stores and leading e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, JioMart, Blinkit, BigBasket & DMart. 

Mumbai, Feb 27 : Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Limited  participated in the CNG Drive organized by Adani Total Gas Limited (ATGL), in collaboration with Hyundai Motor India Limited, in Ahmedabad to promote cleaner fuel adoption and sustainable mobility.

 The drive was flagged off by Mr. Suresh P. Manglani, ED & CEO, ATGL, along with Mr. Sunil Mulchandani, National Head – Sales, Hyundai India. A fleet of 20 CNG vehicles traversed the city, reinforcing awareness around responsible and efficient mobility choices.

During the event, Mr. Manglani presented the Zaggle CNG Benefit Card to Mr. Mulchandani and two new car owners. The card offers CNG refueling benefits of up to ₹15,000 over one year, enabling customers to realize meaningful savings while transitioning to eco-friendly fuels. Integrated with seamless digital payments and real-time spend controls, the card supports both individual users and fleet operators in adopting structured, cost-efficient mobility solutions.

The event also marked the successful go-live of Zaggle’s closed-loop CNG fleet card program for ATGL, a technology-led platform designed to enhance compliance, governance and transaction efficiency across the CNG ecosystem.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Raj P. Narayanam, Founder & Executive Chairman, Zaggle, said,

 “Our collaboration with ATGL reflects Zaggle’s evolution into a technology-led ecosystem enabler. By integrating compliance architecture, real-time validation and structured incentive management within a closed-loop framework, we are not only digitizing fuel payments but also building a scalable platform that supports India’s transition toward cleaner and more efficient mobility. At Zaggle, we remain committed to empowering customers with smart financial solutions that complement sustainable lifestyle choices.”

The program integrates real-time vehicle validation via the Parivahan database, OCR-based authentication of vehicle and CNG transaction details and split-payment functionality for seamless incentive utilisation. It further incorporates fleet-level virtual accounts for structured funding and real-time limit management, alongside a dedicated OEM and retrofitter dashboard to accelerate fleet onboarding and ecosystem visibility.

Built on a full-stack SaaS and closed-loop payment infrastructure, the solution features Super Admin and Fleet dashboards with real-time analytics, Tap & Pay prepaid cards and Android mPOS deployment across ATGL outlets. Automated onboarding, instant transaction alerts, structured reporting and controlled in-ecosystem incentive redemption collectively drive repeat CNG spends and strengthen program stickiness.

The ATGL partnership reinforces Zaggle’s expansion into high-frequency fuel transactions, enhancing recurring ecosystem-driven volumes while demonstrating its ability to deploy regulated, compliance-led SaaS payment infrastructure at scale. The initiative underscores a strong industry collaboration aimed at accelerating CNG adoption and advancing India’s clean mobility transition through integrated financial and sustainable mobility solutions.

New Delhi, Feb 27: OPPO India has unveiled special Holi offers designed to make festive upgrades more joyful and accessible. Customers can avail Zero Down Payment and interest-free EMIs for up to 24 months on select OPPO smartphones, along with attractive cashback benefits on UPI and bank transactions.

Guided by its philosophy of “Make Your Moment,” OPPO continues to deliver technology that enhances celebrations and everyday experiences. With advanced camera systems tuned for India’s visual landscape and signature portrait expertise, OPPO devices empower users to capture every vibrant splash of Holi with clarity and creativity.

Commenting on the announcement, Goldee Patnaik, Head – Communications, OPPO India, said:

“Holi is a celebration of colour, joy and the moments we share with the people who matter. At OPPO, we want to be part of these festive memories, enabling users to capture every vibrant splash and heartfelt smile. Our recent launches, including the Find X9 and the Reno series, have received an incredible response from customers who value their Made-for-India camera system and portrait excellence. This Holi, our aim is to make these devices even more accessible through attractive purchase benefits.”

Festive Holi Offers at a Glance

Zero Down Payment & Interest-Free EMI

• OPPO Reno15 Pro Mini (512GB / 256GB) – Up to 24 months EMI

• OPPO Reno15 (12GB+512GB / 12GB+256GB / 8GB+512GB) – Up to 15 months EMI

• OPPO Find X9 (12GB+256GB / 16GB+512GB) – Up to 18 months EMI

• OPPO A6 Pro (8GB+128GB / 8GB+256GB) – Up to 8 months EMI

• OPPO A6 (6GB+256GB / 6GB+128GB / 4GB+128GB) – Up to 6 months EMI

*24|0 EMI scheme available with Kotak Bank and ICICI Bank under Paper Finance option on consumer loans.

Cashback Benefits

• Up to 10% cashback on select bank cards (EMI and non-EMI transactions)

• Participating banks include SBI Cards, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Federal Bank, DBS, IDFC First Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank

• 10% cashback on UPI transactions

The festive offers are valid from March 1 to March 8, 2026, for a limited period.

Reno15 Series: Designed to Capture Every Colour

This Holi, the spotlight shines on the Reno15 Pro Mini and Reno15, combining fashion-forward design with a powerful camera experience.

The Reno15 Pro Mini features a 200MP main camera, while the Reno15 comes equipped with a 50MP main camera. Both smartphones support 3.5x telephoto zoom, PureTone Technology, 4K HDR video recording, and OPPO’s creative Pop-Out feature—perfect for capturing lively Holi moments with clarity and dynamic depth.

Find X9: Flagship Imaging Meets Festive Celebrations

The device features a Hasselblad-tuned triple camera system led by a 50MP Sony LYT808 sensor with OIS, alongside a 50MP ultra-wide lens and a 50MP Sony LYT600 3X periscope telephoto lens. Powered by OPPO’s proprietary LUMO Image Engine and True Colour Camera technology, it delivers natural skin tones, accurate colours and cinematic depth across scenarios.

The Find X9 sports a 6.59-inch 120Hz AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, an IP69 rating for dust and water resistance, and runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. It houses a 7025mAh silicon carbon battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, along with intelligent AI features such as AI MindSpace, AI Editor and O+ Connect to elevate photography and connectivity experiences.

With attractive financing options and advanced camera technology designed for India’s vibrant celebrations, OPPO India invites customers to upgrade effortlessly and make every Holi moment brighter, more colourful and unforgettable.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Feb 27 — African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The call was reinforced at a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, co-convened by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.

Participants framed mobility as the missing link in Africa’s integration agenda, arguing that while tariffs are falling under AfCFTA, restrictive visa regimes continue to limit trade in services, investment flows, tourism, and labour mobility.

Alex Mubiru, Director General for Eastern Africa at the African Development Bank Group, said that visa-free travel, interoperable digital systems, and integrated markets are practical enablers of enterprise, innovation, and regional value chains to translate policy ambitions into economic activity.

“The evidence is clear. The economics support openness. The human story demands it,” he told participants, urging countries to move from incremental reforms to “transformative change.”

Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, called for faster implementation of existing continental frameworks, describing visa openness as a strategic lever for deepening regional markets and enhancing collective responses to economic and humanitarian crises.

Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that free movement is central to the African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063. “If we accept that we are Africans, then we must be able to move freely across our continent,” she said, urging member states to operationalise initiatives such as the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.

Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, shared her country’s experience as an early adopter of open visa policies for African travellers, citing increased business travel, tourism, and investor interest as early dividends of greater openness.

The Symposium also reviewed findings from the latest Africa Visa Openness Index, which shows that more than half of intra-African travel still requires visas before departure – seen by participants as a significant drag on intra-continental commerce.

Mesfin Bekele, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, called for full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), saying aviation connectivity and visa liberalisation must advance together to enable seamless travel.

Regional representatives, including Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, emphasised the importance of building trust through border management and digital information-sharing systems.

Gabby Otchere Darko, Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, urged governments to support the “Make Africa Borderless Now” campaign, while tourism campaigner Ras Mubarak called for more ratifications of the AU Free Movement of Persons protocol.

Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require aligning migration policies, digital identity systems, and border infrastructure, alongside sustained political commitment.

In a symbolic gesture, attendees signed a “passport wall,” signalling support for accelerated reforms to make movement across African borders easier for citizens.

The African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission said they will continue working with member states and regional bodies to advance coordinated approaches to mobility – seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s integration, competitiveness, and long-term growth.

African Development Bank Group awards $16.6 million grant to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to scale agricultural technologies in AfricaThe agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships

ABUJA, Nigeria, Feb 27– The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III), aimed at scaling climate-resilient food production across the continent.

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.

Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has become one of Africa’s most effective and transformative platforms for agricultural innovation, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and boosting productivity across major staples. The initiative has expanded climate-resilient agricultural practices across over 35 million hectares.

Working closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national and regional partners, TAAT has increased crop yields as much as 69 percent and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value. Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable gains in staple crop productivity and resilience to climate shocks.

Nigeria has been a key beneficiary of TAAT initiatives. Under its Wheat Compact, farmers adopting improved heat-tolerant varieties more than doubled yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Programme‑supported seed system assessments also helped inform national reforms to expand access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, said the new phase will focus on scaling innovation more rapidly: “TAAT-III underscores the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that proven, climate-resilient agricultural technologies reach farmers faster and at scale. This phase strengthens the systems that deliver innovation, helping countries boost productivity, enhance resilience, and align agricultural transformation efforts with the Bank’s four new areas of emphasis, dubbed the Four Cardinal Points.”

Financed through the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window, TAAT-III will consolidate earlier gains while introducing a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model. The initiative aims to reinforce seed and technology distribution systems, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, and expand the digital tools, including its technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms, to speed up deployment of high‑impact solutions.

Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, remarked: “TAAT-III allows us to deepen the delivery of science‑based solutions that improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods. Working with the Bank and our partners, we are scaling technologies that make Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive.”

TAAT featured prominently in supporting the Bank Group’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries to rapidly deploy improved seeds and technologies to stabilise food supplies during recent global disruptions. The programme’s third phase seeks to embed these innovations within long-term national agricultural investment strategies.

TAAT-III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window.

New Delhi, Feb 27: Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Shyam Singh as Chief Engineer, further strengthening the hotel’s commitment to operational excellence and engineering leadership.

With over two decades of extensive experience in hospitality engineering, Mr. Singh brings deep expertise in operations and maintenance, compliance management, energy optimization, and large-scale project execution across leading five-star hotels in India.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Mr. Singh has held senior engineering leadership roles with renowned hospitality brands, including Holiday Inn Gurugram NH-8, Holiday Inn Agra, Holiday Inn Mayur Vihar New Delhi, Crowne Plaza Okhla, and Crowne Plaza Gurgaon. His professional journey reflects consistent excellence in pre-opening operations, refurbishment initiatives, plant and machinery restoration, energy audits, and green building compliance.

Mr. Singh has successfully led and executed key certifications and audits, including Fire NOC, IGBC Green Building Certification, FSSAI, BSS, ISO 22000 compliance, and comprehensive energy conservation programs. His accomplishments also include major infrastructure upgrades such as chiller installations, electrical load optimization, Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) implementation, large-scale refurbishment projects, and the resolution of critical operational challenges  all while ensuring uninterrupted hotel operations.

Recognized multiple times for departmental excellence and leadership performance, Mr. Singh is known for his strong operational discipline, preventive maintenance planning, compliance-driven approach, and unwavering focus on safety and guest satisfaction.

Commenting on the appointment, Ritesh Sharma, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Shyam Singh to our leadership team. His extensive experience in hospitality engineering, combined with his proven expertise in compliance, sustainability, and operational efficiency, aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering safe, seamless, and high-quality guest experiences. We are confident that under his leadership, our engineering operations will continue to set new benchmarks.”

In his new role, Mr. Singh will oversee all engineering and technical operations at the hotel, ensuring optimal performance of building systems, enhanced energy efficiency, adherence to safety standards, robust compliance management, and long-term asset sustainability.

This appointment marks another significant milestone for Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla as it continues to reinforce its commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and responsible business practices.

Chandigarh, Feb 27 : Marking a significant development, Visakhapatnam secured a major global honour, winning a USD 1 million grant in the prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge for its innovative climate resilience initiative, Vizag–Prajamukhi Urban Living Lab (V-PULL). The award was announced on February 25.

Visakhapatnam was selected as one of the 24 global winners, emerging from more than 630 cities across the world that competed in the challenge. V-PULL, a flagship model of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), earned international recognition for its civic participation framework aimed at mitigating the impacts of floods, cyclones and severe heatwaves through collaborative, citizen-driven solutions.

The initiative operates under a citizen-centric, climate-resilient and hyperlocal governance approach.

In the initial phase of the competition, GVMC was shortlisted among the top 50 finalists and received USD 50,000 in seed funding along with technical assistance.

With this support, the civic body implemented pilot interventions at the local level. Structured ward-level community meetings were conducted, hyperlocal sensing systems were tested and data-driven decision-making tools were introduced.

Participatory climate resilience and disaster preparedness measures helped establish an effective feedback mechanism between citizens and municipal departments, strengthening bottom-up governance.

“Being selected as a winner of the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge is a great honour for GVMC. This recognition strengthens our belief that cities can lead transformative change when innovation is grounded in citizen participation and field-tested solutions,” said GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg.

The USD 1 million grant will be utilized to strengthen the bottom-up governance approach, enhance disaster preparedness and expand these initiatives to more wards across the city, he added.

The Mayors Challenge was launched by Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former Mayor of New York City, to support bold and creative city governments in solving pressing urban challenges.

With this recognition, Visakhapatnam now shares the global platform with leading international cities, marking a significant milestone in Vizag’s journey towards globally recognised climate-resilient urban governance.