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transcosmos Wins Salesforce Japan Partner of the Year – Innovation Award, Showcasing Excellence in the Salesforce Ecosystem

Japan, Apr 16: transcosmos is proud to announce that it has been named Japan Partner of the Year – Innovation – at the Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026. The company was recognized for its support of Kanagawa Prefecture, a client, in addressing challenges in the #7119 / #8000 Contact Center Project through the effective use of a range of products, including Agentforce for Public Sector, Agentforce Service, Data 360, Tableau, and Agentforce.

transcosmos proactively leverages Agentforce, Salesforce’s AI agent solution, in contact center operations to address potential challenges in continuously securing human agents, standardize service quality, and simplify human agents’ after-interaction work. The company also uses Tableau and Data 360 to help clients analyze accumulated data, as well as to develop and operate systems that drive operational improvement. Upon receiving the award, transcosmos was provided with the following comment from Atsushi Urano, Senior Vice President – Japan, Korea & Taiwan, Alliance & Channels & Global Technology Partners: “transcosmos strives to accelerate clients’ growth and enable them to make a leap forward by helping address their challenges across the entire CX domain, in a world where technologies continue to progress at an unprecedented pace and the AI revolution advances. For Salesforce, all partner companies are essential to driving clients’ success.”

Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026 marks its 19th anniversary this year. Through this award program, Salesforce recognizes its partners—including consulting firms, digital agencies, sales agencies, and ISV partners—for their significant contributions across cloud, industries and sectors, and a wide range of partner programs.

transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries. Salesforce is a trademark of Salesforce, inc., as are other names and marks. Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies. Please visit the following link for a list of winners of the Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026. https://appexchangejp.salesforce.com/learn/fy27-partner-award.

Mumbai, April 16: ETBrandEquity.com, India’s leading platform for marketing and advertising news, is bringing back its flagship event the Brand World Summit (BWS) 2026. The 8th edition will be held on July 3, 2026, in Mumbai, at Grand Hyatt bringing together the country’s top CMOs, brand leaders, and marketing decision-makers under one roof.

India’s advertising market is at an inflection point crossing the $1 trillion mark for the first time, powered by 971 million internet users and a media landscape that’s evolving faster than ever. Against this backdrop, BWS 2026 will serve as the definitive platform for marketing leaders to navigate the collision of mass media, precision targeting, and Artificial Intelligence.

With India emerging at the centre of the brand world, this year, the summit will focus on how global brands are renewing their trust in the Indian market and consumer while addressing a key challenge – reaching 1.4 billion Indians and still making each one feel seen. 

What to Expect at BWS 2026:

• High-Impact Conversations — Keynotes, sharp panel discussions, and real-world case studies from India’s most influential brand and global business leaders

• Multiple Content Tracks — Deep dives into AI-led marketing, mass media evolution, and breakthrough creative strategy — built for both brand builders and performance marketers

• The Startup Arena — A high-energy showcase of 30+ of innovative startups across ad-tech, D2C, and consumer engagement

• The Shark Awards — Recognising bold marketing excellence that cuts through the noise with sharp strategy, fearless creativity, and undeniable impact

“Over the last seven years, Brand World Summit has evolved into the ringside view of the Indian marketing industry,” said Amit Kumar Gupta, Business Head, Economic Times Business Verticals. “In 2026, the battleground is shifting from simple digital presence to sophisticated, AI-led customer journeys. This is where the industry’s brightest minds will gather to draft the new rules of brand-building.”

The summit expects 1,000+ delegates, including CEOs, CMOs, and Agency Heads. Some of the notable past speakers included Sanjiv Mehta (L Catterton India), Late Piyush Pandey,  (Ogilvy), Prabha Narasimhan (Colgate), Sudhansu Vats (Pidilite), Sudhir Sitapati (Godrej), Daniel Kim (Tinder), Aman Gupta (boAt) and Bollywood actors like Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal — reflecting the summit’s unique blend of business strategy and cultural relevance.

Apr 16 (BNP): Indian ethnic wear brand Libas is targeting a public listing by early next fiscal year as it continues to expand its retail presence across the country, according to a top company executive. However, the timing of the initial public offering (IPO) may shift by a few months depending on market conditions.

The company noted that recent volatility in equity markets, driven by geopolitical tensions, renewed global trade uncertainties, and foreign investor outflows, has impacted overall sentiment and valuation trends.

The Chief Executive Officer said the IPO timeline remains flexible and could be delayed if market instability and geopolitical tensions persist, particularly in the Middle East region.

Alongside its listing plans, Libas is also evaluating a potential private equity funding round to support its growth strategy. The company stated that it currently has sufficient financial runway but did not disclose further details.

Libas had previously raised ₹150 crore in 2024 at an undisclosed valuation.

The brand operates 50 stores across 15 cities in India and is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy, with plans to open at least 70 new outlets annually over the next two years. This would take its total store count beyond 200 locations.

India’s retail sector, currently valued at over $1 trillion, is expected to nearly double by 2030, driven by rising consumption and a growing middle-class population, creating strong growth opportunities for organised retail brands.

Mr. Pawan Gupta, Chairperson, PP Jewellers by Pawan Gupta:

“Akshaya Tritiya has always been a special occasion for us, and this year too we are seeing a lot of interest from customers. It’s a time when people like to invest in something meaningful, especially gold, because of what it represents. At the same time, there’s a clear shift this year. With gold prices being on the higher side, many customers are also exploring silver jewellery. It’s becoming a preferred choice for those who still want to be part of the tradition, but in a more accessible way. We have kept this in mind while curating our collections, offering a wide mix across both gold and silver. For the occasion, we are offering 5% off on making charges on gold bangles. With wedding season around the corner, we are expecting a strong and steady response.”

Ms. Mira Gulati, Director, Mirari Jewels:

“For us, Akshaya Tritiya is not just about buying jewellery, but about what it stands for: belief, intention and a sense of connection. This year, with our ‘Devi’ collection, we wanted to bring that feeling closer to people. The pieces are inspired by the symbols of Goddess Lakshmi, reflecting prosperity, strength, and grace in a very subtle way. Each design carries a certain meaning, something that goes beyond how it looks. On an occasion like Akshaya Tritiya, jewellery becomes more personal. It’s not just about adding something new, but about choosing something that holds value in a deeper, more lasting way. We are also seeing that customers are showing more interest in pieces that have a story or meaning attached to them. Collections like ‘Devi’ connect well because they feel more thoughtful and personal.”

 

New Delhi, Apr 16 (BNP): Silver prices gained in futures trade on Thursday, rising 0.82% to ₹2,53,800 per kilogram, supported by fresh buying interest and global market uncertainty.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver contracts for May delivery advanced by ₹2,058 per kg, with a total trading volume of 2,095 lots during the session.

Market participants attributed the rise to renewed position-building activity, as traders responded to volatile global cues, including concerns over US trade policy direction.

Analysts said the movement reflects cautious sentiment in the commodity market, where investors continue to take positions in precious metals amid uncertain international conditions.

Overall, silver remained firm in futures trade, tracking global risk sentiment and steady speculative demand.

New Delhi, Apr 16 (BNP): India’s unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 years and above rose to 5.1% in March 2026, up from 4.9% in the previous month, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin released by the statistics ministry.

The increase was largely driven by rising joblessness in urban areas, where the unemployment rate climbed to 6.8% in March, compared to 6.6% in February. The data indicates continued pressure in city labour markets, even as overall employment conditions remain broadly stable in rural regions.

The PLFS report highlights a modest but noticeable uptick in unemployment, reflecting ongoing structural challenges in urban job creation and labour absorption.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is engaging with commercial banks to explore ways to strengthen deposit mobilisation, amid growing concerns over shifting household savings patterns.

According to discussions held over recent weeks, RBI officials have sought feedback from lenders on strategies to attract more stable and long-term deposits. This comes as an increasing share of household savings is moving towards equities and other financial market instruments.

Banking sector experts note that this trend could pose challenges for liquidity management if deposit growth fails to keep pace with credit demand. The central bank’s consultations aim to ensure that the banking system remains resilient and well-funded despite evolving savings behaviour.

Apr 16 (BNP): India is accelerating the integration of compressed biogas (CBG) into city gas distribution (CGD) networks as global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplies tighten amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The move reflects a broader push to strengthen domestic energy security and reduce dependence on imported natural gas.

The government has shifted from a voluntary adoption model to a structured mandate under the Compressed Biogas Obligation (CBO). As per the phased rollout, CBG blending in compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG) will begin at 1% in FY 2025–26 and gradually increase to 5% by FY 2028–29.

The policy push comes at a time when India imports nearly half of its natural gas requirements, making it vulnerable to global price volatility and supply disruptions. The recent LNG supply crunch has further reinforced the urgency to diversify into domestic renewable fuel sources.

To support large-scale adoption, the Union Budget 2026–27 has removed central excise duty on the green component of blended CNG, improving cost efficiency and enhancing the financial viability of compressed biogas production. The move is expected to encourage greater private investment in the sector.

Infrastructure expansion is also gathering momentum, with around 170 compressed biogas plants currently operational and more than 300 additional plants under construction. These developments are being supported through policy frameworks that aim to strengthen linkages between biomass collection systems and city gas networks.

The programme is designed to convert agricultural residue, organic waste, and sewage into usable clean fuel, offering both environmental and economic benefits while reducing waste disposal challenges.

Officials believe the structured expansion of biogas blending will play a key role in reducing import dependence, supporting rural income generation, and advancing India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.