Blog

Pune(S.N), Apr 21(BNP): Bharti Airtel deployed more than 3,400 new 5G sites across Maharashtra & Goa over the last 12 months, delivering faster speeds, wider coverage and a significantly improved network experience for customers.

The company’s network expansion across 36 districts now brings dependable, high‑speed coverage to 22 million+ customers in bustling cities, fast‑growing towns and even remote rural villages. Thus, customers in emerging and underserved districts like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, and Sindhudurg are seeing the benefits with the site additions effectively bridging connectivity gaps, fostering digital inclusion, and enabling reliable access.

With more than nine new sites going live every day, customers across districts of Maharashtra and Goa now can count on smoother streaming, faster downloads, uninterrupted online work and learning, and more reliable digital payments—no matter where they live or travel. This enhanced 5G footprint has enabled seamless access to high-speed services that power the everyday digital needs of citizens, students, micro-businesses, tourists, and government institutions, among others. 

“Data demand across Maharashtra and Goa continues to grow rapidly, and our focus is to stay ahead by consistently strengthening our network. With the addition of 3,400+ new 5G sites, we are delivering faster speeds, wider coverage and a more reliable experience for over 22 million customers. Our continued investments, especially in underserved districts, reflect Airtel’s commitment to bridging connectivity gaps and powering the region’s digital growth with a future-ready network.” said Rabi Shankar Mishra, CEO Maharashtra & Goa, Bharti Airtel.

Additionally, to empower customers with uninterrupted digital access across Maharashtra & Goa, Airtel now offers a fully unlimited data plan in its ₹399 recharge pack for smartphone users – designed for seamless streaming, studying, working, and staying connected, without worrying about data limits. Backed by sustained investments in network density across rural, semi-urban villages, highways, boarder areas, and key economic and cultural corridors, Airtel ensures robust, future ready connectivity even in high mobility and high usage zones.

GENEVA – 21 April 2026 — Phu Quoc International Airport is set to become a next-generation, fully self-service aviation hub ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2027 Forum. Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates, has partnered with SITA to lead this transformation. To support Vietnam’s rapidly growing air travel demand, the parties have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for broader collaboration across Sun Group’s future airport developments in Vietnam.

Phu Quoc International Airport is projected to handle 24 million passengers annually once the new Terminal 2 opens, with long-term capacity designed to scale to 50 million. The development comes at a pivotal moment and will place Phu Quoc in the global spotlight as a rising destination in the Asia Pacific region.

Under the Phu Quoc project, SITA will deploy an end-to-end suite of airport technologies across the new terminal, delivering a fully self-service passenger experience. Travelers will be able to check in, select seats, print boarding passes and bag tags, drop their luggage, and board their flights through automated touchpoints.

The new terminal will feature SITA Flex Hybrid, supporting 204 common-use workstations for passenger processing. To secure operational resilience, SITA Local Departure Control System (DCS) will be deployed as a backup.

Passengers will use 150 SITA Smart Path kiosks for check-in, seat selection, boarding pass printing, and tagging check-in bags, 100 SITA Smart Path Bag Drop (Scan & Go) units for selfservice baggage drop, and 38 dual-lane SITA Smart Path Gates for automated boarding. All systems are seamlessly coordinated through the SITA Smart Path Hub biometric technology.

Real-time baggage tracking and reconciliation will be delivered through SITA Bag Manager Lite, supporting four baggage workstations and 20 handheld terminals. Airport operations will be powered by SITA Airport Operational Database (AODB), while passenger information will be managed by SITA AirportVision Evolved, covering 397 displays. Overall airport operations will be overseen by SITA Airport Management, supporting ten operational workstations.

The project, which began development in March 2026, is scheduled to open in July 2027.

“We are pleased to partner with SITA on this strategic collaboration to support the transformation of our airport portfolio. As we continue to invest in world-class aviation infrastructure, SITA’s proven expertise and end-to-end technology capabilities will play a key role in helping us deliver smarter, more efficient, and seamless passenger experiences,” said Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, President, Sun Group. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of elevating Vietnam’s aviation sector, and we look forward to working closely with SITA to bring innovative, future-ready solutions to Phu Quoc and our upcoming airport developments.”

The partnership extends beyond a single terminal. Sun Group has designated SITA as a key strategic technology partner for its broader airport transformation initiative in Vietnam. The operating model established at Phu Quoc will serve as a template for future developments, including Phan Thiet Airport and planned projects in Con Dao and Rach Gia. Over the next five years, Sun Group aims to expand its airport footprint to at least five locations across Vietnam, with each targeting the 5-Star Skytrax standard.

“Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the region, and this partnership with Sun Group marks a key milestone in supporting that growth with future-ready infrastructure. By bringing together SITA’s end-to-end airport technologies, we are delivering smarter, more efficient, and scalable airport operations,” added Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “As Phu Quoc evolves into a key aviation hub ahead of APEC 2027, we are proud to support Sun Group’s vision of delivering world-class passenger experiences while strengthening connectivity across Vietnam.”

Phu Quoc International Airport will be operated in partnership with Singapore’s Changi Airports International, bringing internationally recognized standards to what is fast becoming a major leisure destination. The airport upgrade forms part of a broader effort to integrate aviation with Sun Group’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem on the island, which includes luxury resorts, entertainment destinations, and Sun Phu Quoc Airways, launched in November 2025.

SITA and Sun Group have worked together since 2019, when SITA first delivered airport technology solutions at Van Don Airport. This new agreement deepens that relationship and reflects a shared commitment to advancing air travel infrastructure in Vietnam.

Mumbai, Apr 21 (BNP): Welspun One and Indev Infra have entered into a strategic partnership, with the allotment of 2.10 lakh sq. ft. of Grade A+ space at WTC Nhava Sheva (JNPA SEZ). The space will be utilised for warehousing and allied logistics operations within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), strengthening the project’s focus as a future-ready, port-linked trade and logistics hub.

This development marks an early occupier milestone at WTC Nhava Sheva, Welspun One’s largest development in India, and reflects early traction at the project as demand shifts toward integrated, port-based infrastructure that can support trade, warehousing and value added operations within a single ecosystem.

Indev Infra will leverage the facility as a strategic hub to scale its Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) capabilities, drawing on its pioneering expertise in developing and operating FTWZ units. The facility will deliver end-to-end integrated logistics & warehousing solutions supported by best-in-class global practices. The development will offer a comprehensive suite of value-added services, including cold chain/temperature-controlled storage, vendor-managed inventory (VMI), and EXIM cargo handling. This partnership reinforces Indev Infra’s footprint at a critical trade gateway, enhancing its ability to deliver seamless, port-linked supply chain solutions and support growing international trade flows across key markets.

With a project outlay of ₹2,700 crore, WTC Nhava Sheva is being developed as an integrated ecosystem for warehousing, manufacturing and commercial operations, supported by NaBFID backed financing and designed to enable large scale, trade led activity.

Commenting on the partnership Neeraj Balani, Chief Customer Officer, Welspun One, said

“This milestone reflects strong occupier validation for our Gateway platform at JNPA SEZ. Spread across 55 acres with a development potential of 4.45 million sq. ft., the project is designed as an integrated, port-linked ecosystem. For Indev Infra, this provides a high-quality operating base with SEZ advantages such as duty efficiencies, faster clearances and operational flexibility, enabling them to scale efficiently.”

“WTC Nhava Sheva offers a strong platform for our next phase of growth in SEZ and FTWZ-led logistics. The SEZ framework enhances efficiency across import-export operations, while Welspun One’s leasing-led model provides a dedicated, non-compete environment that allows us to operate with greater independence and control. This partnership strengthens our ability to manage trade flows more effectively and deliver integrated, value added logistics solutions to our customers.” said Dr. S. Xavier Britto, Chairman, Indev Infra Pvt Ltd.

JNPA, which handles approximately one-third of India’s container traffic and is scaling toward a capacity of 10 million TEUs, continues to play a critical role in the country’s trade infrastructure. In this context, WTC Nhava Sheva (JNPA SEZ) is positioned to support the next phase of India’s EXIM growth through integrated, high-quality logistics and industrial infrastructure.

Apr 21: New research* from Carne Group (Carne), Europe’s largest third-party management company (ManCo), reveals that both wealth managers and private markets fund managers expect assets under management (AUM) held in semi-liquid vehicles to exceed $3 trillion by 2030.  The semi-liquid market has already demonstrated explosive momentum, with AUM nearly tripling between 2020 and 2024 to approximately $349 billion**.

 Nearly eight out of 10 (78%) private market fund managers surveyed expect the sector to surpass $3 trillion by 2030. Wealth managers are equally bullish: 54% expect AUM to reach between $3 trillion and $3.5 trillion, while 18% believe the figure will climb even higher.

 Semi-liquid funds operate as open-ended investment vehicles, providing sophisticated and mass-affluent retail investors with access to typically illiquid assets like private equity, with periodic redemption windows.

 Wealth managers and IFAs increase their focus on the semi-liquid wrapper

Carne’s research reveals 72% of wealth managers surveyed already use semi-liquid funds for their clients. The remaining 28% are preparing to follow suit almost immediately – 75% of those not currently offering these funds expect to start within the next 12 months, and the remaining 25% within the next two years.

 The speed of adoption is reflected in the anticipated weightings within client portfolios. Nearly a third (32%) of wealth managers surveyed expect to have 5% of their clients’ total investible assets in semi-liquid funds within three to four years. This conviction strengthens over a slightly longer horizon, with 66% expecting to hit that 5% allocation within four to five years.

 Commenting on the growing focus wealth managers are placing on semi-liquid funds, Des Fullam

Chief Regulatory and Client Solutions Officer, Carne Group, said: “The democratisation of private markets must be met with a rigorous commitment to retail investor education. For this ‘retailisation’ trend to be sustainable, investors must fully grasp the mechanics of periodic redemptions and the long-term nature of the underlying assets. Empowering wealth managers with the right educational tools is as critical as the digital infrastructure itself in ensuring that mass-affluent investors can build truly diversified, resilient portfolios.”

 The manager pipeline: A Massive Supply Shift

While the demand from wealth managers is clear, the supply side is also moving quickly. Currently, only 2% of the private market fund managers surveyed have launched a semi-liquid fund. However, the survey reveals a massive potential pipeline of new entrants:

• 19% of private market fund managers surveyed are considering launching a semi-liquid fund within the next 12 months
• 42% plan to launch within 12 to 18 months
• 29% are targeting a launch within 18 to 24 months

In total, over 90% of the managers surveyed intend to have a semi-liquid offering in market within the next two years, signalling a fierce competitive landscape as firms vie for retail market share.

 Des Fullam added: “We are seeing a historic pivot in how private capital is raised and deployed. Wealth managers are no longer viewing private markets as an optional ‘extra’ but as a core component of a modern, diversified portfolio. For fund managers, this represents a golden opportunity to tap into a massive, relatively untapped pool of retail capital.

 “However, the operational complexity of managing semi-liquid vehicles – balancing daily or monthly subscriptions with illiquid underlying assets – requires a level of digital sophistication and governance that many firms are only now beginning to implement.

 “As the industry moves toward the potential 2030 $3 trillion milestone, the distinction between “institutional” and “retail” investment strategies is blurring. The next decade of growth in private markets will not be driven solely by pension funds and other institutional investors, but also by the democratisation of access via the semi-liquid wrapper.”

 Regulatory tailwinds: The ELTIF and LTAF Boom

The expansion of the market is being underpinned by significant regulatory progress in Europe and the UK. The European Long-Term Investment Fund (ELTIF) 2.0 and the UK’s Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF) have become the primary vehicles for this “retailisation” wave.

 Private market managers are overwhelmingly optimistic about these structures:

• LTAFs: 84% of managers surveyed expect flows into LTAFs to increase over the next 12 months, with 44% predicting a “dramatic” increase
• ELTIFs: 77% expect flows into ELTIFs to rise over the same period, with 34% anticipating dramatic growth

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Fitch Ratings has said that higher foreign ownership in Indian financial institutions can be credit-positive, as it may bring long-term capital support and help improve governance standards in certain cases.

However, the global rating agency cautioned that foreign investment alone is not a reliable indicator of stronger credit fundamentals. It noted that the quality of investment matters more than ownership levels when assessing financial stability.

Fitch said transactions that lead to stronger internal controls, better risk management practices, and improved leadership accountability are more meaningful from a credit perspective than investments driven purely by financial returns.

The agency also observed that rising foreign investor interest reflects growing confidence in India’s long-term economic growth prospects, as well as the strength of financial sector regulation and supervisory frameworks.

Overall, Fitch said foreign participation can support the sector, but its credit impact ultimately depends on how effectively it contributes to institutional resilience and governance improvements.

  Entrepreneurs and industry experts during the RAKEZ community event at Compass Coworking Centre.

 

 

Mumbai, Apr 21: ASICS, the global Japanese sportswear brand, elevates its retail presence in Mumbai with the launch of its revamped Linking Road store. Located in one of Mumbai’s most prominent high-street retail destinations, the space brings a more refined and contemporary design language aligned with ASICS’ global standards and inspired by its philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’

The store defines the next generation of ASICS retail spaces, focusing on the brand’s commitment to innovation, design, and performance. Creating an immersive customer-centric retail experience, it features ASICS’ proprietary Foot ID technology, enabling customers to better understand their foot profile and make more informed footwear choices. It is designed to offer a seamless and intuitive shopping journey, with dedicated zones across Performance Running, SportStyle, Core Performance, and Apparel, enabling easy navigation and product discovery.

As part of its India expansion strategy, the brand continues to focus on premiumisation and deeper customer engagement.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia, said, “India continues to be a key growth market for ASICS, and Mumbai remains an important region for us. With the enhancement of our Linking Road store, we are further strengthening our commitment to delivering elevated and meaningful consumer experiences. Our focus is on creating retail spaces as experience centres that showcase our product portfolio and enable consumers to make more informed choices through innovation-led solutions. As we continue to expand our presence, we remain committed to bringing the best of ASICS to consumers across the country.”

ASICS currently operates over 137 stores across India and continues to expand its retail footprint, with a strong focus on key urban centres. The enhanced Linking Road store reflects the brand’s continued investment in elevating retail experiences and strengthening its connection with consumers in the country.