Category: Business

Ras Al Khaimah, 23 February 2026: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA) to establish a structured and efficient approval framework for new industrial activities across priority sectors in the emirate.



The MoU was signed by Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, and H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Acting Director General of EPDA. The agreement introduces a streamlined verification and environmental approval process covering the cement, chemical, and general industrial sectors. The framework has been developed in close alignment with RAKEZ’s HSE Department to ensure seamless coordination between regulatory and operational functions. The collaboration aims to enhance regulatory clarity, accelerate licensing procedures, and ensure full compliance with environmental standards while supporting sustainable industrial growth in Ras Al Khaimah.

Under the new framework, industrial companies will benefit from a faster and more streamlined environmental approval process, making it easier to move projects forward with greater clarity and efficiency. The MoU also ensures coordinated handling of expansion and modification requests, with clear guidance on environmental requirements from the outset. This structured approach enhances transparency for investors, and strengthens collaboration between EPDA and RAKEZ HSE to support sustainable industrial growth.

Beyond approvals, the partnership enables enhanced knowledge sharing, technical alignment, and joint training initiatives between EPDA and RAKEZ’s HSE teams to further strengthen environmental governance and promote best practices across the industrial ecosystem.

Commenting on the partnership, Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, said, “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility. By aligning processes and enhancing coordination with EPDA, we are creating a more predictable and efficient framework that benefits investors while upholding the highest environmental standards.”

H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Acting Director General of EPDA, added: “This Memorandum of Understanding with RAKEZ represents a significant step forward in our shared vision of integrating world-class environmental stewardship with streamlined industrial development. By establishing clear, time-bound approval frameworks, we are not only enhancing regulatory clarity for investors in the cement, chemical, and industrial sectors but also reinforcing our commitment to protecting Ras Al Khaimah’s environment. This collaboration ensures that as we facilitate faster business setup and expansion, we do so with the highest standards of compliance and technical oversight, ultimately fostering a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem for the emirate.”

RAKEZ is home to nearly 40,000 companies across diverse sectors and continues to strengthen its ecosystem through strategic partnerships that enhance operational efficiency, regulatory clarity, and long-term sustainability.

Policybazaar.ae, Watania Takaful Introduce UAE’s First Premium Garage-Backed Motor Insurance Plan in Partnership with Pitstop Automotive Services LLC

UAE,  Feb 23: In a move set to redefine the post-purchase motor insurance experience in the UAE, Policybazaar.ae, the region’s leading digital insurance marketplace, has announced the launch of an exclusive comprehensive car insurance solution — Watania Takaful – PB Auto Care Advantage (Pitstop P360) — in partnership with Watania Takaful and premium automotive service provider Pitstop Automotive Services LLC (“Pitstop360”).

The new plan combines comprehensive motor protection with guaranteed access to premium garage repairs and value-added automotive services — a first-of-its-kind proposition exclusively available to Policybazaar.ae customers.

Through this collaboration, customers benefit from priority claims servicing and repairs at Pitstop’s state-of-the-art facilities across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain, ensuring faster turnaround times and superior workmanship backed by one of the UAE’s most trusted automotive service groups.

Designed to go beyond traditional insurance coverage, the plan introduces a service-led ownership experience that blends protection, convenience, and ongoing car care benefits.

Redefining the Motor Insurance Experience

Neeraj Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Policybazaar.ae, said:

“At Policybazaar.ae, our goal has always been to go beyond selling insurance and truly improve the customer ownership journey. Watania Takaful – PB Auto Care Advantage (Pitstop P360) reflects that philosophy of combining comprehensive coverage with tangible, everyday benefits and premium repairs customers can trust.

In the UAE, agency repair is easily available in the first two years of a vehicle’s life. By year three, options tighten, and by year four they are nearly non-existent, even though most new cars carry a five-year manufacturer warranty. Customers are often forced to choose between affordability and protecting their warranty. Through this partnership, we eliminate that trade-off. With Pitstop operating under the AGMC umbrella, vehicles can be repaired while keeping their manufacturer warranty intact. This is not just a product enhancement; it is a structural upgrade to the motor insurance ecosystem.”

Hamad Sharaf, General Manager, Watania Takaful, added:

“This partnership enables us to integrate our takaful-based protection model with a strengthened service ecosystem that prioritizes customer experience. Today’s customers expect more than coverage; they expect efficiency, transparency, and reliability at the moment of a claim. Through Watania Takaful – PB Auto Care Advantage (Pitstop P360), we are ensuring a seamless claims journey and high-quality repair standards, further reinforcing our commitment to customer-first insurance solutions.”

Ezat Antaki, CEO, Pitstop Automotive Services LLC, commented:

“Pitstop was established to deliver dealership-grade expertise with a seamless customer experience. Through this collaboration, Policybazaar.ae customers gain direct access to our premium workshops, certified technicians, and advanced repair capabilities, ensuring quality without compromise. This innovation would not have been possible without the strategic guidance and vision of Dr. Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director, AGMC, and Mr. Atiqur Rahman, Director, AGMC, whose leadership continues to strengthen the integration between automotive excellence and customer-centric service solutions.”

Exclusive Benefits for Policybazaar.ae Customers

Customers purchasing Watania Takaful – PB Auto Care Advantage (Pitstop P360) exclusively through Policybazaar.ae receive:

• Priority claim access and faster approvals

• Premium garage repairs at Pitstop facilities

• 12 complimentary car washes (one per month)

• 30% discount on extended warranty

• 25% off Paint Protection Film (PPF) and ceramic coating

• 25% off window tinting and detailing

• 20% off labour and 10% off parts on repairs

• Complimentary pick-up and drop-off for collision repairs

A Structural Shift in Motor Insurance

The launch signals a broader shift in the evolution of motor insurance — from a transactional purchase to an integrated ownership solution. By embedding premium repairs, lifestyle benefits, and priority servicing directly into the policy, Policybazaar.ae is creating a differentiated proposition that places customer experience at the center.

Watania Takaful – PB Auto Care Advantage (Pitstop P360) is exclusively available on Policybazaar.ae.

Mumbai,  Feb 23: Meon Technologies successfully participated in StockTech 2026 – The ANMI Technology Show, held at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.

The event brought together leading stock brokers, trading platforms, fintech innovators, and capital market professionals to explore the latest advancements in financial technology and regulatory compliance.

At the exhibition, Meon presented its secure and scalable suite of solutions tailored for the capital markets ecosystem. The showcased offerings included digital KYC, seamless onboarding workflows, eSign capabilities, and compliance-focused verification tools. These solutions are designed to help brokers and trading platforms enhance customer experience, strengthen fraud prevention mechanisms, and maintain regulatory readiness while efficiently scaling operations.

Throughout the event, the Meon team engaged with industry leaders, partners, and technology stakeholders to discuss emerging compliance challenges, digital transformation strategies, and the increasing need for robust verification infrastructure within the securities and trading landscape.

Shyam Arora, CEO, Meon Technologies, said:

“StockTech 2026 provided an excellent platform to connect with market participants and demonstrate how technology-driven verification and onboarding solutions can support compliant and sustainable growth in capital markets. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, organisations need agile and secure systems that simplify compliance while improving operational efficiency.”

Meon Technologies extended its appreciation to the organisers and visitors who connected with the team during the event and expressed enthusiasm about building strategic partnerships that will help shape the future of secure and compliant digital onboarding in the financial services sector.

Bengaluru,Feb 23: Acclaimed Author , Mentor,  Life Coach and Group CEO of Zota Healthcare Ltd., Dr. Sujit Paul,  unveiled  his latest book, A Life of Building People, Brands and Belief, at Sapna Book House, Koramangala, Bengaluru,20 February 2026,  drawing industry leaders, professionals, and media to a compelling evening of leadership insights.

In this deeply personal and strategic narrative, Dr. Paul chronicles his journey from humble beginnings and early failures to leading large, complex organizations across healthcare and retail. The book goes beyond a traditional memoir, offering a blueprint for building institutions rooted in purpose, culture, and belief.

“Real leadership is not about position or power—it is about purpose, empathy, and doing right by people, even when it is hard,” said Dr. Paul at the launch. “This book is my journey of building people first, brands next, and belief always.”

With over 25 years of distinguished leadership, Dr. Paul has steered iconic brands including Reliance Pharma Retail, Asian Paints, Bata, Kodak, Apollo Pharmacy, Trust Pharmacy, and Columbia Asia Hospital. A globally recognized thought leader, he has been honored among Asia One’s 100 Top Global Leaders, CEO Insights’ Top 10 CEOs in Healthcare, and Times Now’s India’s Impactful CEO.

A Life of Building People, Brands and Belief is positioned as an inspiring call to action for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and changemakers seeking to create lasting impact through value-driven leadership.

The book is now available at leading bookstores and online platforms.

 

New Delhi: Feb 23:Surya Brasil, the Brazilian clean beauty brand known globally for its natural henna-based hair colour solutions, has announced the expansion of its product portfolio in India. The company aims to further reinforce and amplify its flagship Henna Cream while introducing a wider range of hair care and treatment products tailored for the Indian market.

With a presence in over 40 countries, Surya Brasil is strengthening its focus on key growth markets including India, supported by increased investments in marketing and trade engagement to deepen reach and visibility.

The expansion builds on Surya Brasil’s strong growth momentum in the United States, where the brand recorded 30% growth last year and outpaced the hair colour category by 16 percentage points, according to NielsenIQ data. This performance reflects rising consumer preference for natural and clean beauty alternatives.

The timing aligns with the rapid growth of the global natural cosmetics industry, which is projected to reach USD 74 billion by 2028. Increasing consumer awareness around ingredient transparency and sustainability is reshaping buying behaviour in India, particularly in the hair care segment. Surya Brasil’s expanded range aims to serve both professional salons and conscious consumers looking for effective, plant-based alternatives.

“At Surya Brasil, we have always believed that what you apply to your hair and skin matters,” said Clelia Angelon, Founder and CEO of Surya Brasil. “India has been an inspiration to us through Ayurveda, and expanding our portfolio here feels both strategic and meaningful.”

As part of its expansion, Surya Brasil is introducing a broader portfolio of complementary hair care and treatment products designed to create a complete clean beauty routine. The new additions include The Color Fixation line, The Hair Therapy range, The Balanced Cleansing Shampoo, The Nourishment & Protection conditioner, Brazilian Vegetable Keratin, The Force line and The Bio Finishers range. Henna Clean and Henna Force further extend the brand’s offering with treatment-focused solutions aimed at improving scalp health and strengthening hair from root to tip.

The flagship product Henna Cream remains at the centre of Surya Brasil’s India strategy. Formulated with up to 98% natural ingredients, the product offers full grey coverage while nourishing and strengthening the hair. Free from harsh chemicals such as ammonia and its by-products, including ethanolamine and triethanolamine, as well as PPD, Surya Brasil is aiming for a considerable market penetration in the natural hair care category with this flagship product.

With manufacturing headquartered in São Paulo and operations in Houston and Milan, Surya Brasil brings international quality standards and long-standing clean beauty credentials to the Indian market. The company says it remains committed to ethical formulations, responsible sourcing, and long-term investment in the region.

SINGAPORE, Feb 20 - Asia’s largest food retailers, manufacturers, restaurant chains, and hospitality groups remain behind international better practice on sustainable and responsible protein sourcing, but progress is accelerating across the region, according to The Asian Protein Buyers 100: An Assessment of Responsible and Sustainable Sourcing released today by Asia Research & Engagement (ARE). 

The APB100 is a benchmark based on investor-backed priorities – assessing how 100 of Asia’s largest listed protein-buying companies — headquartered or operating across Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mainland China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam — manage environmental, social, and governance risks embedded in meat, dairy, poultry, and seafood supply chains. Collectively, the companies assessed represent more than USD500 billion in market capitalisation and sit at the choke point of Asia’s protein system, where procurement decisions shape production standards, risk management and food-system outcomes. 

The companies assessed include some of Asia’s most recognisable food and retail groups. These include China Mengniu Dairy, Yili Group, Yonghui and Yum China (Mainland China); AEON, Seven & I Holdings, Meiji, Nissin and NH Foods (Japan); CJ CheilJedang, Lotte and E-Mart (South Korea); Charoen Pokphand Foods and Thai Union (Thailand); Jollibee, Century Pacific Food and San Miguel Food & Beverage (Philippines); Vinamilk (Vietnam); and Hindustan Lever, Nestle India, Jubilant, Devyani, DMart, Westlife Foodworld (McDonald’s India) (India), among others. 

Scores are improving, but the baseline remains low 

Now in its second edition, the benchmark shows clear momentum since 2023 — but also highlights that most companies remain at an early stage of credible implementation. 

The average overall score increased from 9% in 2023 to 16% in 2025, with around 80% of companies improving year-on-year. More than half of comparable companies moved up at least one performance tier. 

However, no company reached the top two performance tiers, underscoring a persistent gap between sustainability commitments and on-the-ground execution. 

A growing group of leaders is emerging 

The number of companies in the leading Tier 3 group more than doubled from 10 in 2023 to 26 in 2025, while the lowest-scoring group halved from 44 to 21 companies. 

Progress, however, remains uneven and concentrated among a subset of early movers and sustainability themes, while a significant minority of companies continues to disclose little or nothing across several material risk areas. 

Climate, labour, and waste are moving fastest 

Companies performed strongest on Water & Waste, Labour , and Climate Change, reflecting wider uptake of international disclosure frameworks and growing expectations around supply-chain due diligence. 

Climate and labour show the fastest improvement since 2023, driven by emerging regulatory pressure and investor scrutiny, particularly around Scope 3 emissions and labour standards in supply chains. 

Governance and protein diversification remain critical gaps 

Several material risk areas continue to show weak performance. Governance in relation to protein sustainability, remains the lowest-scoring theme, averaging just 4.5%, with most companies scoring zero. Few have board-approved protein sustainability strategies, capital allocation plans, or accountability mechanisms. 

Protein diversification also remains underdeveloped at 7.4%, indicating that most companies have yet to articulate how they will shift product portfolios toward truly low carbon plant proteins at scale. 

Disclosures on deforestation and biodiversity, animal welfare, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) also remain thin and rarely quantified. The intersection of climate and deforestation is still not being duly harnessed. Similarly, policies and procurement practices that strengthen animal welfare and enable antibiotic reduction remain a low point, with average animal welfare performance at just 14.1% and only one company aligned with recognised higher-welfare standards or independently certified disclosure. 

Why this matters: Asia is the decisive region for global protein systems 

Compared with innovative international peers, many of Asia’s protein buyers remain behind on deforestation-free sourcing, antibiotic stewardship, higher-welfare policies and procurement, plant-protein targets and science-based climate transition planning. 

However, Asia now represents the most important opportunity for global leadership in responsible protein systems. And with less than five years to implement meaningful change towards various 2030 United Nations and related targets, the vision of a more responsible and sustainable food system is at risk. 

“Asia is the world’s fastest-growing protein market, which means what happens here will determine the future of global food systems,” said Kate Blaszak, ARE Director, Protein Transition. “ThisAPB100 shows that disclosure and awareness are improving and aims to trigger a shift from Policy to Practice. With a realm of better practice examples in the report to also assist companies, the next phase must focus on full supply-chain coverage, measurable targets, and annual progress with board-level accountability.” 

Ras Al Khaimah, Feb 20: Circle Awards 2026 placed long-term partnership at the centre of recognition, honouring the individuals and organisations whose sustained contribution continues to shape the business community at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). As a flagship annual celebration, the Circle is rooted in the principles of consistency, credibility, and shared standards, standing as a symbol of enduring collaboration and meaningful growth across the economic zone.

The event recognises partners whose performance, integrity, and long-term commitment directly influence the economic zone’s growth trajectory, going beyond short-term targets to deliver lasting value to investors.

The 2026 edition of the awards reflected on key achievements recorded across the RAKEZ community in 2025, a year that delivered record-breaking results in both company formation and visa issuance, further reinforcing the economic zone’s position as one of the most sought-after business destinations in the UAE. The event also looked ahead to the year to come, signalling priorities and initiatives that will shape the next phase of growth across the RAKEZ ecosystem.

Close to 300 service providers and agents were recognised across a wide range of categories, including Compliance, Growth, Long-Lasting Contribution, Loyalty, Newcomer, Partner of the Year, Service & Renewal, Value Creation, and Volume Performance.

Today, RAKEZ is home to nearly 40,000 active companies and is supported by an international network of more than 1,200 active agents, reflecting the scale and global reach of its business community.

Commenting on the occasion, RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said: “Circle Awards is designed to recognise partners whose contribution extends beyond short-term results. At RAKEZ, progress is built on consistency and credibility, and on partners who uphold the standards that investors expect. Through their professionalism, integrity, and market relationships, our partners play a vital role in strengthening confidence in the RAKEZ ecosystem. As we look ahead, it is these enduring relationships that will continue to shape our growth and direction.”

Stressing on the significance of the event, RAKEZ Chief Commercial Officer Anas Hijjawi, said, “Circle Awards represent more than recognition; they reflect the strength of the relationships we build and nurture throughout the year. Our partners are instrumental in translating RAKEZ’s value proposition into tangible results in the market. By working closely with our agent network and service providers, we ensure that investors experience consistency, responsiveness, and clarity at every touchpoint. This success is a shared achievement.”

The event also underscored RAKEZ’s focus on enabling sustainable commercial outcomes, with shared insights on strengthening investor engagement, improving cash flow performance, accelerating sales cycles, and introducing enhanced rewards aimed at supporting long-term business growth. Looking ahead to 2026, the economic zone’s objective is to further empower its partners by helping them maximise revenue opportunities, increase transaction volumes, and deliver higher levels of customer satisfaction across every stage of the investor journey.

Circle Awards reflect RAKEZ’s commitment to recognising partners who contribute to the ecosystem’s long-term resilience, credibility, and continued growth.

Feb 20: Tourism Western Australia unveiled the second iteration of ‘Walking On A Dream’, its immersive global tourism brand that celebrates the state’s spellbinding landscapes, vibrant culture and creative talent.

 The campaign captures WA as a place where vast deserts glow beneath endless skies, coral reefs shimmer in turquoise seas, and ancient landscapes tell stories that stretch back millennia.

 Filmed across iconic locations, including Ningaloo Reef, Margaret River, Rottnest Island, Perth, and the ancient beauty of Mirima National Park in the Kimberley, the cinematic series brings WA’s dreamlike spirit to life through five 30-second destination vignettes and a 60-second film.

 \At its heart is the reimagining of Empire of The Sun’s hit song Walking On A Dream, overseen by WA–raised frontman Luke Steele, and performed by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) Aboriginal artist and Karajarri man Billy-Jo Shoveller.

 “Walking On A Dream has always been about a sense of wonder and escape,” said Steele. Working with Billy-Jo and WASO to create this new version was magical—it feels like WA itself, magical and otherworldly.”

Billy-Jo Shoveller said the collaboration was deeply personal and reflects his passion for sharing the Kimberley’s spirit with the world.

“I’m proud to be part of this campaign as a Karajarri man, working with Luke Steele on ‘Walking On A Dream’ gave me a chance to bring some of my culture and connection to Country into the project— WA is a special place, and it feels good to help show that to people everywhere.”

 Starring Nyikina man Nelson Baker and emerging actor Angelica Blazeska, both of whom are Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alumni, the films blurs the line between reality and reverie, celebrating Western Australia as a place where culture, creativity and nature are deeply connected.

Developed alongside Traditional Owners and WA’s Aboriginal tourism sector, the campaign celebrates culture, Country and connection. The campaign rolls out from February 2026 across key global markets.

 First launched by Tourism WA in 2022, Walking on A Dream has played a key role in driving Western Australia’s tourism recovery, with WA welcoming just over one million international visitors in the year ending October 2025, surpassing the previous record of 996,000 international visitors set in 2019.

The board of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) is delighted to announce that three Honorary Fellowships have been awarded to:

 

• Paul Stockton
• Debbie Clarke CF Chartered FCSI
• Danny Corrigan MCSI

 

Honorary Fellowships are awarded annually by the CISI’s Board of Trustees to individuals who have made an outstanding positive contribution, both to the financial services profession and to the CISI. Honorary Fellowship carries the designatory letters FCSI(Hon).

 CISI Chair, Michael Cole-Fontayn MCSI, said: “The CISI Board and I are delighted to announce our highest accolade this year is awarded to three accomplished and outstanding financial services professionals. They are consummate role models for our next generation of sector talent with their commitment to lifelong learning and the CISI community. We look forward to their inspiration and leadership over the years ahead.”

 

Paul Stockton (left) began his career as a chartered accountant in 1988 with Price Waterhouse (PW) in Windsor specialising in financial services. After four years Paul accepted a position with PW in New York where he worked closely with insurance and asset management companies before returning to London in 1996. In 1999 he joined Old Mutual Plc as group financial controller, becoming finance director of wealth manager Gerrard Limited in 2001. In 2005, two years after the sale of Gerrard to Barclays, he left to work initially for Euroclear and then subsequently, as a divisional finance director of the Phoenix Group. Paul joined Rathbones Group Plc as Group Finance Director in 2008, serving until becoming Managing Director of Rathbones Investment Management in May 2018. In May 2019 Paul was appointed as Group Chief Executive at Rathbones, a role he enjoyed until his retirement in September 2025, two years after completing Rathbones’ merger with Investec Wealth UK. 

Alongside his executive career Paul has served as a non-executive director of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, as a board member of the Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association (PIMFA), and as a member of the FCA Practitioner Panel. Paul is a Freeman of the City of London.

Prior to taking on a NED portfolio career Debbie Clarke CF Chartered FCSI (right) was working within financial services, corporate finance and M&A since 1996 and held a number of leadership roles within the accountancy practices where she was an equity partner. During this time she directed M&A and refinancing projects for a wide range of clients. As an adviser she worked with a wide range of investors and organisations both public and private, within the UK and internationally and has a strong regulated background. She regularly presented at industry conferences and training sessions and assisted student training and mentoring as part of her portfolio.

 Her experience has been across a variety of industries from education, sports, technology, real estate, manufacturing and support services where she has provided a range of strategic advice to her clients. Across her NED portfolio she has been chairing and vice chairing various board and committees and continues to advise private companies and their boards on their strategic plans.

 Debbie became a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (‘CISI’) in 1999 and started volunteering with CISI in 2007 when she was asked by a fellow Corporate Financier, Frank Moxon to help set up what has become the Corporate Finance & Capital Markets Forum. Working together with Frank and others for many years in relaunching the Diploma in Corporate Finance and championing professionalism in wholesale markets has been a passion during her career. She became a non-executive Director of the CISI in 2017 a post she held for six years before stepping down to focus on her Trustee role on the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Future Foundation (‘Future Foundation ‘) which the CISI set up in 2022. In 2022 Debbie was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. Debbie has been and continues to be a mentor and supporter of many people throughout their careers in financial services.

Danny Corrigan MCSI (left) is a senior manager with 40 years’ experience of the wholesale financial markets as a London based Director, Managing Director, and CEO leading teams across a range of asset classes including fixed income and derivatives. He also has extensive international experience having worked locally in the markets of Moscow, Sydney, Tokyo, and others.

 He has worked as a banker, trader, and broker, for a dozen firms, has written five books on the markets and has an extensive network in the city. He has sat on various central bank committees and was seconded to London Clearing House, a crucial part of the global market infrastructure, as part of an industry wide response to the default of Lehman Brothers to lead the closure of its trading books.

 Danny and his co-founders launched London Reporting House, a fin-tech start-up in April 2023, has funding, wonderful employees, and a perfect little office in the alleyways of Bow Lane. He was also a Trustee and Board member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and chaired its International Committee. He spent years promoting the City of London with non-for-profit promotional bodies including the Lord Mayor / Mansion House and was formerly Chair of the Eurasia Group at TheCityUK.

 He graduated in Economics from the University of Liverpool in 1981 and has an MBA (Finance) from City University. He is married to Kerrie, and they are proud parents of three sons; an actor James, Ben a co-founder of London Reporting House and an earlier survivor of ‘Dragon’s Den’, Luke an accomplished professional and are grandparents to Wren.

 Danny is a retired Football Association coach having led Hampstead FC youth teams to glory in the 2000s and he was an occasional referee. He stood for the Brexit Party in the unwinnable seat of Hornsey & Wood Green in 2019 and came 5th.

Feb 20th: In calendar year (CY) 2025, India added 7.8 gigawatts (GW) of solar open access capacity, a marginal increase of 0.5% compared to the 7.7 GW installed in 2024, marking the highest annual capacity additions, according to the newly released report by Mercom India, Q4 & Annual 2025 India Solar Open Access Market Report.

The front-loaded installation pattern in the first half of 2025 strongly influenced annual deployments, helping reach a new high in total additions despite relatively flat year-over-year growth.

“Solar open access demand remains strong, particularly from large industrial users and data centers seeking long-term tariff certainty while meeting sustainability goals. We expect installations to grow at a higher rate in 2026, but the market is evolving. Developers are prioritizing projects with clear regulatory visibility, stable load profiles, and credible offtakers. Rising costs, tighter compliance requirements, and execution constraints will influence the pace of additions in the near term. However, the underlying drivers remain solid, and as infrastructure and regulatory clarity improve, open access is positioned for sustained growth,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.

In 2025, Karnataka led Indian states, accounting for over 24% of new solar installations. Maharashtra and Rajasthan followed, contributing over 20% and 18%, respectively, to the annual capacity additions.

In Q4, India added solar open access capacity of 1.6 GW, a decrease of about 29% compared to 2.2 GW in Q3 2025 and over 32% decrease compared to 2.3 GW in Q4 2024.

Installations in the fourth quarter (Q4), however, declined because many projects originally scheduled for the second half of 2025 were completed earlier and commissioned before the ISTS charge waiver expired in June. This early execution reduced the number of projects available for commissioning later in the year.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat led Q4 2025 installations, contributing 27%, 22%, and 17% respectively to capacity additions.

Cumulative installed solar capacity in the open access segment surpassed 30 GW as of December 2025, reflecting steady growth in the segment over the past few years.

India had more than 45 GW of solar open access projects under development and in the pre-construction phase at the end of Q4 2025.

There was an 18% increase QoQ in the Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM). Adani Green Energy led energy sales in the Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM), accounting for 38% of electricity traded. Odisha procured the highest volume of electricity at G-DAM, accounting for 23% of the electricity traded.

The cleared volume of Renewable Energy Certificates traded on the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) fell almost 58% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ).

According to the report, the volume traded in the Green Term Ahead Market (G-TAM) on IEX decreased by 32% QoQ.

The report covers a detailed analysis of the solar open access market, retail electricity tariffs, and open access charges and costs for fifteen states.

Key Highlights from Mercom India Research’s Q4 & Annual 2025 India Solar Open Access Market Report

• India added over 7.8 GW open access solar in CY 2025, a 0.5% increase from the 7.7 GW installed in 2024

• Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan added the highest solar open access capacity in 2025

• India added 1.6 GW of open access solar in Q4 2025, a decrease of 29% QoQ and 32% YoY

• India‘s cumulative installed solar open access capacity crossed 30 GW as of December 2025

• The country had more than 45 GW of solar open access projects in various stages of development at the end of 2025

The Q4 & Annual 2025 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report is 82 pages long and covers vital information and data on the market.