Category: Business

OFFICIAL STATEMENT  of  DR. AJAI CHOWDHRY, Founder HCL & EPIC Foundation 

EPIC Foundation Hails the New Semicon 2.0

“This is the first time a complete ecosystem approach has been adopted”

16th July, 2026

“This is exactly what we at EPIC Foundation have envisioned for India’s semiconductor journey- a complete ecosystem approach to semiconductors and I am delighted to see it take shape today. This is the first time a complete ecosystem approach has been adopted, covering all six pillars of the value chain – from chip design and fabrication to assembly, testing and packaging, R&D, Talent, indigenous technologies and materialsand I would like to compliment Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their sustained vision on this decisive milestoneannouncement. Equally welcome is the new Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS), approved at an outlay of ₹62,500 crore over five years. Good to see continuity in supporting phone manufacturing.Specially the concept of supporting local sourcing and design and R&D for promoting Indian brands.

What stands out most in today’s announcement is the strong emphasis on design and R&D, particularly chip design, which is the foundation on which a resilient and self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem must be built. And also, there is a very clear direction from the government to incentivize design and R&D for Indian brands. which have been left behind for years and overtaken by Chinese competitors. This is a decisive step towards correcting that imbalance.

The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) will provide much-needed continuity to the units that have already invested in the country. However, what is the most interesting part is that there will be special incentives for domestic sourcing which will lead to much higher value addition. 

The government has also demonstrated its long-term commitment to the sector by dramatically increasing the Semicon outlay from ₹75,000 crore to ₹1.25 lakh crore. This scale of investment reflects a serious and sustained commitment to building a globally competitive semiconductor industry in India.

The country has already made significant progress under ISM 1.0, with a large number of units established over the last three years. ISM 2.0 builds on this strong foundation and momentum and sets the stage for the next phase of growth.”

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 16 July 2026: In collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, has announced the opening of submissions to the 2026 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards, set to culminate in a prestigious ceremony during the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show, scheduled to take place from 19–22 November 2026.

Founded in 2023, the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards aim to bring recognition to the vibrant marina industry across the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT region), and to set new benchmarks for excellence in marina management and operations across 12 award categories. Submissions for the fourth edition are open to all licensed marina owners and operators across the MENAT region. 

Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said: “The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards support the Integrated Transport Centre’s vision to deliver world-class, sustainable infrastructure that enables mobility and drives economic growth. The fourth edition reflects our continued confidence in the strength, competitiveness, and future potential of the regional marina industry, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s standing as a leading global maritime hub. Through this awards programme, we aim to foster the innovation and collaboration that will motivate progress across the industry.” 

Captain Saif Al Mheiri, Abu Dhabi Maritime CEO and Group Chief Sustainability and Risk Officer at AD Ports Group, said: “The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards continue to serve as a powerful platform for recognising excellence and driving progress across the marina ecosystem in the MENAT region. By celebrating organisations, projects, and individuals, the awards highlight the collective efforts shaping a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable maritime sector. At AD Ports Group and Abu Dhabi Maritime, we remain committed to enabling this growth and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position at the forefront of global maritime development.” 

The fourth annual edition of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards consists of organisation, project, and individual-based categories – a holistic approach that recognises the institutions, initiatives, and people shaping the regional industry. 

Five core organisation-based categories recognise achievements in “Customer Experience,” “Employer Excellence,” “Health & Safety,” “Innovation,” and “Sustainability.” 

The top “Outstanding Marina Award” is presented to the marina that demonstrates excellence across all five organisation-based categories.

Marinas that apply to the Outstanding Marina Award are automatically entered into the five core organisation-based categories. The winner of this top accolade will not be eligible to win other organisation-based categories to ensure equitable opportunity for all participating marinas.

Three project-based categories reward targeted initiatives. The “Sustainability Project,” “Innovation Project,” and “Wellbeing Project” Awards celebrate successful standalone projects rather than overall organisational performance.

The three individual-based categories – the “Outstanding Leader Award,” “Outstanding Service Hero Award,” and “Rising Star Award” – honour the people who inspire their colleagues, customers, and communities through remarkable performance and meaningful contributions.

Finally, the 2026 programme will include the returning “Most Popular Marina” recognition, determined by public vote via a secure online portal opening in October.

Marinas and individuals are invited to apply now by creating a profile on the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards website. More information on the awards programme, criteria, and application and assessment processes is also available on the website and through its applicant portal.

Bhubaneswar, July 15: Marking the beginning of Odisha’s most celebrated festival, Reliance Digital on Wednesday unveiled its special RathYatra Festive Offer at its Esplanade Mall store in Bhubaneswar, announcing a host of exclusive offers and customer-centric benefits that will be available across all Reliance Digital stores in the state during the festive season.

RathYatra, the annual chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, is not only the biggest cultural and spiritual celebration of Odisha but also an auspicious time when families traditionally purchase new household appliances, electronics and gadgets. Recognising this deep-rooted tradition, Reliance Digital has introduced a specially curated festive offer aimed at making the latest technology more accessible and affordable for customers across Odisha.

As part of the offer, customers can avail cashback of up to INR 30,000 on leading bank cards and paper finance, assured freebies worth up to INR7,500 on the purchase of selected refrigerators, washing machines and mobile phones, FREE two-year additional warranty worth up to INR15,000 on selected products, and a minimum exchange value of INR 5,000 on selected product exchanges. Offers valid till 2026 July 24. These offers are complemented by Reliance Digital’s customer-first services, including free delivery across Odisha, lowest prices, easy EMI options, extended warranty support and expert product advice.

Speaking on the occasion, a Reliance Digital spokesperson said,

“RathYatra is much more than a festival in Odisha; it is a celebration of faith, family and new beginnings. At Reliance Digital, we are proud to be part of this joyous occasion by bringing exciting festive offers and unmatched value to our customers across the state. Through this campaign, we aim to help every household upgrade to the latest technology with greater affordability, convenience and confidence. We welcome customers to visit any Reliance Digital store in Odisha and make the most of these exclusive RathYatra offers.”

With an extensive range of of consumer electronics, home appliances, smartphones and digital devices from leading brands under one roof, Reliance Digital continues to strengthen its commitment to delivering a superior shopping experience backed by attractive festive deals, reliable after-sales service and seamless financing options.

The RathYatra Festive offer is now live and will be available for customers at all Reliance Digital stores across Odisha for a limited period.

July 15: The government has invited bids for establishing giga-scale Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery manufacturing facilities with a combined capacity of 10 GWh, marking a significant move to strengthen India’s clean energy and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The initiative is aimed at creating a strong domestic ecosystem for next-generation battery technologies, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the rapidly growing demand for energy storage solutions in sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy, and industrial applications.

Through the bidding process, the government seeks to encourage investment in large-scale battery manufacturing and promote innovation across the energy storage value chain. The proposed facilities are expected to boost production capacity, generate employment opportunities, and support the development of related industries.

ACC batteries are a key component in the transition towards cleaner transportation and sustainable energy systems. Building domestic manufacturing capabilities in this sector will help India strengthen its position in the global clean technology landscape.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to promote self-reliance in strategic technologies, accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, and create a future-ready energy ecosystem.

The development of giga-scale battery manufacturing facilities is expected to provide fresh momentum to India’s green growth ambitions while opening new opportunities for industry and innovation.

Chandigarh, July 15: India’s MSME financing landscape is undergoing a structural shift. While working capital once dominated credit demand, businesses today are increasingly seeking finance to expand operations, invest in technology, enhance capacity and access new markets. According to Aditya Birla Capital (ABC), this reflects growing confidence among Indian entrepreneurs despite geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and commodity price volatility.

As per the latest SIDBI–TransUnion CIBIL MSME Pulse Report, consolidated MSME credit outstanding expanded 16% year-on-year to ₹67.6 lakh crore as of December 2025, significantly outpacing overall bank credit growth of 11% in FY2024–25, according to CRISIL. With an MSME loan book of over ₹91,000 crore, the largest among private diversified NBFCs ABC says financing demand increasingly reflects business ambition rather than immediate liquidity needs. 

“The financing demand we are seeing today is not merely about credit needs; it reflects confidence,” says Rakesh Singh, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (NBFC) at Aditya Birla Capital Limited. “Businesses are investing in expansion, technology adoption, formalisation and market access. MSMEs are becoming more agile, digitally connected and increasingly willing to embrace formal financial solutions.”

The shift is also changing what businesses expect from lenders. Speed of credit, solution-driven engagement, and faster decision-making have become key priorities, supported by greater formalisation, improved credit discipline and the growing availability of GST data, banking transaction data and digital business footprints. In response, ABC has evolved from being a traditional lender to building a more data-driven and customer-centric financing platform. 

“As customer expectations continue to evolve, our role is also evolving from being a lender to becoming a long-term financial partner for businesses,” Singh says.

Recognising that MSMEs have different financing needs at different stages of growth, ABC has built a full-stack portfolio spanning business expansion, capacity enhancement, working capital management, and secured and unsecured lending solutions. Central to this is Udyog Plus, the company’s end-to-end digital platform, which enables paperless applications, faster disbursals and simplified access to finance with minimal documentation.

The company’s lending model also includes unsecured business loans, supply chain financing and secured lending solutions, supported by technology-enabled underwriting and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to improve turnaround times. Backed by more than 465 branches, an extensive channel partner network and digital capabilities, ABC continues to expand access to formal finance across Tier II cities and beyond.

Policy reforms and digital infrastructure have further aided the evolution of MSME lending. GST has strengthened business formalisation, while initiatives such as the Account Aggregator framework, Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), and government-backed programmes including Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) and Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) have improved access to formal, collateral-free credit. At the same time, ABC believes greater digital inclusion, stronger alternative credit assessment models and improved financial awareness remain essential to expanding credit access, particularly among underserved enterprises.

Looking ahead, the company sees embedded finance and the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) as the next frontier in MSME lending. By integrating finance into business workflows and enabling consent-based access to verify financial information, these innovations have the potential to make credit faster, more accessible and better aligned with the needs of India’s small businesses. 

“India is uniquely positioned in the current global environment. A large domestic market, increasing formalisation, digital infrastructure, GST-driven transparency and supportive policy initiatives are creating a strong foundation for sustained growth. From our perspective, MSMEs are not just a lending segment; they represent one of the country’s most significant long-term growth opportunities,” says Singh.

Artificial Intelligence has evolved from experimentation to enterprise-scale execution, making AI Appreciation Day an opportunity to recognise the critical role of data foundations in enabling this transformation. Our 2025 State of Data Infrastructure Report is based on a global survey of 1,244 business and IT leaders across 15 countries, including 104 respondents from India. It found that 89 percent of Indian organisations have either widely adopted AI or consider it essential to their operations, compared with a global average of 69 percent. This momentum is being matched by strong national ambition, with India’s AI ecosystem continuing to gain scale and depth. At Hitachi Vantara, our focus is on helping organisations unify fragmented data estates and build governance into their systems by design, ensuring AI outcomes are consistent, secure, and dependable at scale. India’s data infrastructure maturity today will shape how confidently the country scales AI in the years ahead.

–       By Hemant Tiwari, Managing Director and Vice President for India and SAARC, Hitachi Vantara

“In glass manufacturing, AI Appreciation Day isn’t a slogan for us- it’s already running on the line, in real time. At AGI Greenpac, AI has moved straight into the production process itself, computer vision systems now inspect every bottle for choke bore diameter, height, and colour match against customer samples, catching defects the human eye would miss at line speed. On the planning side, our AI-driven production scheduling handles demand and capacity constraints across plants with far fewer disruptions. We’ve also piloted dynamic compressor control purely for energy savings in our eco-plants. We’ve even used VR to train operators on IS-machine handling making training safer, faster, and causing zero production downtime. The next stretch involves extending that same rigor upstream: AI-led receivables automation, and multi-agent systems for sourcing and vendor management that can cut procurement cycle time in half while improving compliance. For a glass and packaging business, the real opportunity over the next few years isn’t AI as an add-on it’s AI embedded in every quality checkpoint and every plant decision, so consistency and yield improve continuously rather than through one-off projects.”

–       By Mr. Anjaiah Surgi, CTO, AGI Greenpac (Somany Impresa Group)

World AI Appreciation Day is a reminder that the global AI race is no longer won by algorithms alone, it is won by the strength of a nation’s semiconductor and compute ecosystem and the expertise in knowledge and talent it has developed.

As AI workloads grow more specialized across manufacturing, mobility, healthcare and critical infrastructure, customized silicon will be the foundation of secure, high-performance, and energy-efficient intelligence.

India generates nearly a fifth of the world’s data yet captures only a fraction of its value. Closing that gap is our defining opportunity: to build a sovereign AI stack rooted in indigenous semiconductor design, trusted compute infrastructure, and world-class engineering talent. 

The intelligence economy will be led by the nations that master the full stack, from silicon to systems to software. That is the stack India is building, and the one LTSCT is proud to help design.”

–       By Dr. Sandeep Kumar, Chief Executive, L&T Semiconductor Technologies (LTSCT)

“What we’re celebrating this year is the recognition that human intelligence must remain at the center. We produce 1.5 million engineers annually, and a growing cohort is thinking in AI-native terms from the start. They’re designing systems where machine capability amplifies human judgment, human creativity, human leadership. Yes, only 16% of IT professionals have AI skills. Yes, AI-related job demand has crossed 1 million roles this year. But that gap is also our opportunity. We have the scale, the talent pipeline, and engineers who can build AI the right way from the beginning. The ones who understand that every system they create should make humans better at what only humans can do. That’s the future we’re building.”

 By Harjiv Singh, Founder & CEO, CambrianEdge.ai

July 15: Bharat Tex 2026 has emerged as a reflection of India’s ambitious vision to transform the textile sector into a globally competitive and future-ready industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while highlighting the sector’s crucial role in the country’s economic growth.

The Prime Minister said the event represents India’s Vision 2030 roadmap for textiles, focusing on innovation, advanced manufacturing, sustainable practices, and expanding the global footprint of Indian textile products.

Emphasising the importance of the sector, PM Modi noted that textiles are not only linked to India’s rich heritage of craftsmanship but also represent a major opportunity for economic development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

Bharat Tex 2026 brings together stakeholders from across the textile value chain, including manufacturers, designers, exporters, innovators, and industry leaders, providing a platform for collaboration, investment, and global partnerships.

The Prime Minister highlighted the need to strengthen technology adoption, improve product quality, promote sustainable manufacturing, and empower artisans and businesses to compete effectively in international markets.

With India’s traditional strengths combined with modern innovation, the textile sector is expected to play a key role in achieving the vision of a developed India by creating new opportunities for growth and employment.

Bharat Tex 2026 marks an important milestone in India’s journey to position itself as a leading global textile hub, blending heritage with technology and sustainability for the future.

Basel, Switzerland. July 15 — ten23 health® today highlights its research collaboration with dsm-firmenich, focused on expanding excipient options for parenteral biologic drug products. By combining complementary expertise, the collaboration aims to address one of the longstanding challenges in biologic formulation development: the limited availability of excipients suitable for injectable medicines. 

As biologic therapies become increasingly complex, formulation scientists face growing challenges in achieving product stability, manufacturability, and long-term performance. While excipients play a critical role in addressing these challenges, relatively few are available for parenteral biologic applications, limiting formulation flexibility. 

Through this collaboration, ten23 health contributes its expertise in formulation development for sterile products, analytical characterization and pharmaceutical manufacturing, while dsm-firmenich brings extensive capabilities in pharmaceutical ingredient science, quality systems and regulatory support. Together, the teams are evaluating pharmaceutical-grade ingredients with established safety profiles as potential excipient candidates for biologic formulations.

The research follows a structured scientific approach, including proof-of-concept studies, benchmarking against established excipients and evaluation in representative protein formulations using advanced analytical methods. Initial findings have identified promising candidates, which are currently undergoing further verification and characterization. 

“Our approach has been to identify promising ingredients based on their safety profiles, regulatory acceptance, and suitability for biologic formulations,” said Prof. Dr. Andrea Allmendinger, Chief Scientific Officer at ten23 health. “Following proof-of-concept studies and advanced analytical evaluation in representative protein formulations, we have generated promising initial data, which is now being further verified.” 

When successful, the collaboration could help pharmaceutical developers improve formulation stability, enhance manufacturability and increase flexibility during product development. Expanding excipient options may also contribute to more efficient development processes and support the design of drug products better suited to patient needs, including self-administration and improved usability. 

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment by both organizations to advancing biologic drug development through scientific excellence, responsible innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.