Category: Business

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.

Bengaluru, Feb 20th:  Colgate-Palmolive India has launched its latest campaign for Colgate Visible White Purple, featuring Bollywood star Kriti Sanon and Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma, bringing together two of India’s biggest cultural forces of cinema and cricket to redefine teeth whitening as an integral part of every beauty routine. The campaign elevates teeth whitening from just an oral care routine to a modern beauty essential.

Coming on board for the campaign, Kriti Sanon said, “What drew me to this campaign was the idea of treating a smile as being crucial & central to beauty. As actors, we spend so much time on skincare and makeup, but a beautiful white smile is what truly sets you apart. Colgate Visible White Purple is that secret, literally the makeup you can start your day with. It’s backed by the science of color theory that I have seen work in other beauty categories which have been part of the regimen for a long time.”

Abhishek Sharma on his association with Colgate Visible White Purple shared, “For me, confidence comes from feeling & looking good whether on or off the field. With the added spotlight & cameras around now,  grooming has even come to the picture. That’s what made this association with Colgate Visible White Purple feel authentic. A confident, white smile can make a real difference in making you feel confident & ready for always being camera ready.

The star of the campaign is Colgate Visible White Purple, a toothpaste that has taken the internet by a storm with its distinctive color. The Purple toothpaste works by the color theory cancelling yellow in teeth for a whiter smile.  The technology is well established in beauty, from purple color correcting concealers in makeup to the color preserving purple shampoos in haircare. The distinctive color purple has been a breakthrough across categories in beauty both for its aesthetic appeal and effective functional benefit.

Through this campaign, the brand is entering the beauty and grooming category in association with two of the country’s most aspirational figures, Kriti Sanon and Abhishek Sharma. By linking teeth whitening to beauty rituals, the brand invites consumers to see their smile as a defining beauty asset.

Speaking about the campaign, Ayan Guha, Director, Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive India, said, “With Colgate Visible White Purple, we’re merging science and beauty to redefine oral care as a daily grooming essential. By pairing our color-correction technology with the influence of Kriti Sanon and Abhishek Sharma, we’re making a whiter smile an aspirational yet effortless first step in every beauty ritual..”

Designed as a high-impact, multi-platform rollout, the campaign will be amplified across television, digital, social media, and influencer-led content. It is part of Colgate’s broader strategy to drive premiumisation while strengthening its leadership in science-backed, beauty-forward oral care solutions.

With this launch, Colgate Visible White Purple continues to carve a distinctive space in the whitening category where innovation, beauty, and everyday routines come together to deliver a smile that looks as good as it feels.

Chandigarh, Feb 20: The two-day Regional Community Radio Sammelan (North) was inaugurated in Chandigarh. Organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, the theme of the Sammelan is “Celebrating 20 Years of Community Radio in India.” More than 75 Community Radio Stations from the Northeastern region are participating in the event.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Shilpa Rao, Director (CRS), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized that while the Ministry is actively expanding the community radio network, stakeholders must come forward to share their experiences and success stories to further consolidate the sector. She also highlighted that several new innovations are being introduced to support the sustained growth of community radio.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri L. Madhu Nag, Registrar, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), noted that although content continues to be the backbone of community radio, the sector faces challenges in terms of trained manpower. He stressed the importance of developing sustainable operational models and prioritizing the adoption of technology to address these challenges effectively.

During a technical session, Shri Manish Sheelwant, Deputy Director, Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, simplified the Saral Sanchar Portal process for participants by clearly explaining procedures related to approvals, auto-renewals, and spectrum charges, thereby making regulatory requirements easier to understand and comply with.

Another key session was conducted by Shri Sri Sai Vempati, Deputy Director (AV), Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), MIB, who provided detailed insights into the empanelment process and highlighted the role of government advertising in enhancing the outreach and sustainability of community radio stations.

An experience-sharing session featured representatives from Radio Salam Namaste, Sanjha Radio, and Radio Hewalvani, who shared practical insights on content creation, sustaining community radio stations and engaging effectively with district and state administrations.

Concluding the series of sessions, Shri Ashwini Kumar from Akashvani delivered an informative presentation on content creation and the AIR Code of Ethics, emphasizing responsible broadcasting and adherence to ethical standards in community radio operations.

On the second day, the Sammelan will feature sessions on the NaVigate Bharat portal, a presentation by the Ministry on documentation, and discussions on participation, including the sharing of studies, reports on CRS and stakeholder experiences.

The Sammelan provides Community Radio practitioners a platform to share experiences, raise concerns, explore innovative approaches and collectively strengthen the future of grassroots broadcasting across the northeastern region.

Metal Park Forms Strategic National Alliance with World Steel Association and Steel University to Build the Middle East’s First Integrated Metals Education Ecosystem (MEEEM)

Abu Dhabi, UAE — Feb 19: Metal Park has signed a strategic agreement with the World Steel Association and

Steel University, establishing a national-level alliance to develop a fully integrated metals education and capability ecosystem for the Middle East.

Witnessed by H.E. Dr. Sultan Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group; and Mr. Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park and signed by Navid Fouladkar, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Metal Park, and Jorge Muract, Director of Steel University.

This milestone partnership directly supports the UAE’s industrial vision under Make it inthe Emirates and Operation 300bn, reinforcing the country’s ambition to build globally competitive, value-added metal production capabilities from within the UAE.

The alliance positions Metal Park not only as industrial infrastructure, but as the execution layer where education, standards, talent, and production converge into a single operating ecosystem.

Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park, said: “This alliance marks a defining step in how industrial growth is built and sustained in the region. Metal Park was conceived as more than physical infrastructure—it is an operating

ecosystem where standards, talent, capability, and production are developed together. By partnering with the World Steel Association and Steel University, we are embedding global best practices directly into the industrial environment, ensuring that education translates into measurable performance, competitiveness, and long-term national value for the UAE.”

Jorge Muract, Director of Steel University, stated: The alliance seeks to secure the industry talent pipeline through strong collaboration and alignment among academia, industry, its value chain, and government as a key enabler of this interaction, while also providing agile infrastructure to continuously upskill and reskill the workforce and sustain innovation in production systems. Together, we aim to develop high-quality learning and technology solutions that build a more efficient and dynamic workforce. At the same time, the alliance seeks to join efforts with

similar initiatives in Europe, Saudi Arabia, India and Latin America to create a global education and training ecosystem that enables talent mobility and ensures equal access to education and training, fostering social innovation worldwide.

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement strengthens the foundation of our industrial ecosystem by aligning global standards with local production capability. KEZAD Group not only provides infrastructure, but also enables performance. By embedding internationally recognised expertise from the World Steel Association and Steel University directly into Metal Park’s operating environment, we are

accelerating the development of advanced industrial skills, raising productivity, and enhancing the competitiveness of UAE-based manufacturers.

“This initiative directly supports national industrial priorities under Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn, and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a globally competitive hub for value-added metal production, driven by capability, standards, and long-term industrial resilience.”

From Global Standards to Industrial Output

At the core of the agreement is a shared commitment to transforming skills development into measurable industrial performance. Through collaboration with the World Steel Association and Steel University, Metal Park will embed internationally recognised standards, certifications, technical frameworks, and sector intelligence directly into its operating environment—ensuring education is applied at the factory-floor level, not abstract.

This ecosystem-driven model ensures that learning, certification, and best practices translate into higher productivity, improved quality, and enhanced competitiveness across UAE-based metal production.

Advancing National Industrial Priorities and Regional Workforce Capability The partnership directly contributes to the objectives of Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn by:

• Strengthening domestic metal and steel industrial capability
•  Developing future-ready technical, engineering, and operational talent
•  Embedding global standards into local production environments
•  Enhancing the long-term competitiveness and resilience of regional manufacturing

By connecting global industry leadership with Metal Park’s integrated infrastructure, the alliance ensures that industrial growth is powered by world-class assets, standards, and people.

Building the Middle East’s Metals Education & Capability Ecosystem

The agreement underpins Metal Park’s long-term vision to establish the region’s most comprehensive metals education and capability ecosystem—spanning foundational skills, advanced metallurgy, engineering, processing, and operational excellence.

This phased, scalable approach ensures that capability building is aligned with real industrial demand, national priorities, and long-term sustainability. Metal Park views this agreement as a foundation for broader collaboration. Delivering a globally recognised industrial talent and standards ecosystem will require continued engagement with government entities, regulators, academic institutions, and industry partners—anchored by Metal Park as the ecosystem platform.

Delhi NCR, Feb 19 : Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa, part of Marriott International, today announced the appointment of Rhythm K. Gandhi as Marketing & Communications Manager, reinforcing the resort’s focus on strengthening brand visibility, integrated storytelling, and consistent communication aligned with global brand standards.

In her new role, Rhythm will lead the Marketing & Communications function at the resort, overseeing brand strategy, digital and social media platforms, public relations, content development, partnerships, and campaign execution. She will work closely with internal stakeholders to support commercial objectives, enhance market presence, and ensure cohesive brand representation across all touchpoints.

The appointment reflects Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa’s emphasis on building strong in-house leadership to support long-term brand growth and market positioning. As the resort continues to establish its presence within the Delhi NCR hospitality landscape, the role is central to driving brand-led engagement, strategic visibility, and communication excellence in line with Marriott Hotels’ brand ethos.

Rhythm brings with her experience across luxury and upscale hospitality environments, having worked in marketing and communications roles with brands including Novotel Goa Candolim, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru, Hebbal, and Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort and Spa. Her experience spans brand campaigns, digital marketing, public relations, influencer engagement, and on-ground activations across hospitality and food and beverage offerings.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from IMS Unison University, Dehradun.

Rhythm’s appointment aligns with Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa’s continued focus on strengthening brand-led growth and delivering consistent, high-quality communication as part of Marriott International’s global portfolio.

New cohesive talent experience enables long-term workforce reliability and scale to address the rapidly escalating administrative capacity crisis

 SAN FRANCISCO – Feb. 19 –Edge announced Edge Elevate, a significant evolution of its talent experience designed to support scalable growth across roles, markets, and categories globally. Employers are shifting from hiring for isolated roles to building ongoing, distributed workforces. This platform-level evolution addresses that shift, establishing Edge as a unified talent network built for scale and empowering customers with long-term workforce durability.

 Most workforce platforms are based on transactional hiring models, which rely on static resumes, one-off applications, and opaque advancement paths. This clearly isn’t working, as the administrative capacity crisis is rising faster than organizations can adapt. More than three-fourths (75.5%) of healthcare leaders we recently surveyed reported that workload has increased over the last 12 months, and 56.3% are facing weekly or daily administrative backlogs.

 Edge Elevate replaces this fragmented, suboptimal approach with a cohesive talent experience based on single, enduring talent profiles, standardized roles, structured development, and transparent progression.

 “Fragmented hiring experiences no longer support the reliability or scale modern businesses require,” said Edge CEO Iffi Wahla. “As roles become more specialized and teams more global, companies need talent models that prioritize consistency, transparency, and long-term development. Edge is answering the call with a durable platform experience.”

 Key elements of Edge’s unified talent network include:

• Talent Application 2.0 – Serving as a single, enduring talent profile that captures experience, feedback, certifications, and readiness
• Standardized role catalog – Clearly defining the roles supported by the platform
• Edge Edu integration – Tying Edge certifications directly to advancement

“Talent Application 2.0 is the anchor for our platform evolution,” explained Ghazanfar Idrees, Edge chief product officer. “Giving talent a persistent profile and clear visibility into roles, feedback, and growth creates better experiences for workers and a higher-quality network for Edge customers – empowering these organizations to conquer the administrative capacity crisis, effectively scale their operations, and grow stronger.”

Talent benefits from:

• Having one profile that carries forward, instead of having to reapply for jobs repeatedly
• Gaining clearer visibility into roles, expectations, and growth paths
• Accessing structured development tied directly to advancement

Customers benefit from:

• More consistent quality and role clarity
• Talent who are developed and progressed against defined standards
• Reduced variability as Edge scales across roles and markets

 “After five years of rapid expansion, Edge is entering our next phase of growth,” said Wahla. “Far beyond job-by-job hiring, Edge Elevate reflects our deliberate shift toward a unified talent network, built to scale with clarity, consistency, and long-term development at its core.”

Mr Sanjay Kumar seen addressing

Hyderabad, Feb 18: Sanjay Kumar, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana, graced the curtain raiser programme of the forthcoming global event, the ICCA Global Summit 2027, held at Hitex on Wednesday evening.

Addressing the gathering, he said it was a matter of great pride that the ICCA Global Summit 2027 would be held in Hyderabad for the first time in the 64-year history of the global corrugated packaging body. He noted that this milestone would place Telangana firmly on the global industrial map and reflect Hyderabad’s rising stature as an international industrial hub.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sanjay Kumar said he was amazed to learn about the versatility of corrugated packaging material, including its use in making makeshift hospital beds capable of supporting multiple adults. He referred to the innovative use of corrugated cardboard beds at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, where athletes were accommodated on sturdy corrugated cardboard frames at the Olympic Village. He also expressed surprise at seeing artefacts such as a statue of Mahatma Gandhi crafted entirely from corrugated packaging material.

Mr Sanjay Kumar seen being presented a photo frame made out of corrugated boards

“Corrugated packaging is not just a box — it is the backbone of modern supply chains. From farm produce and pharmaceuticals to e-commerce and electronics, corrugated packaging ensures products reach consumers safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Its strength-to-weight ratio, recyclability, and cost-effectiveness make it indispensable in today’s fast-moving economy,” he said. Emphasising sustainability, he added that corrugated packaging is biodegradable, largely made from renewable resources, and highly recyclable. “Every used carton can be converted back into paper and reintroduced into the value chain. That is true environmental responsibility in action,” he remarked.

He further stated that the corrugated packaging sector supports thousands of MSMEs, generates significant employment, and drives innovation in automation and design. As global trade expands and e-commerce accelerates, he observed, the importance of corrugated packaging will continue to grow. “It is not merely a packaging material — it is a strategic industry that powers economic growth while protecting the planet.” He assured full support from the Telangana Government and said the state would look forward to tangible outcomes from the summit, including new industrial investments.

Mahatma Gandhi made from Corrugated Packaging Material

ML Agarwal, Chairman of Central India Packaging and Chairman of the ICCA Board of Directors — the first Indian to hold this prestigious position in ICCA’s 64-year history — said corrugated packaging offers endless possibilities for innovation, sustainability, and growth. He noted that Hyderabad hosting the summit was the result of collective efforts by industry leadership.

Ankit Agarwal, Managing Director of Central India Packaging, India Director on the ICCA Board, and President-Elect of FCBM, said their coordinated efforts had been instrumental in securing Hyderabad as the host city for the ICCA Global Summit 2027, scheduled to be held from January 11 to 13, 2027.

Eleni Despotou, Chief Executive Officer of the International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA), said that whenever sustainability is discussed, corrugated packaging is the first material that comes to mind. She highlighted that corrugated packaging is approximately 95 percent recyclable and among the most recyclable packaging materials globally. Describing her visit as her second to India and first to Hyderabad, she said she was delighted to be in the country and impressed by its industry growth.\

The speakers announced that Hyderabad will host three major corrugated packaging industry events in January 2027: the ICCA Global Summit 2027, the FCBM CorruPack Summit 2027 representing over 3,000 manufacturers with industry sales exceeding US$ 8.9 billion, and the CorruPack International Expo 2027, a global exhibition expected to feature more than 250 exhibitors, 1,500 delegates, and 300 international industry leaders. These events will position Hyderabad as a global hub for eco-friendly packaging innovation.

India’s corrugated packaging industry, currently valued at approximately ₹90,000 crore, is among the fastest-growing in the world. The global corrugated packaging market, valued at USD 170.96 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 179.5 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5.1 percent through 2030. India is expected to be a key growth driver, with the domestic market projected to expand from USD 7.8 billion to USD 18.6 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 9.6 percent, driven by e-commerce, FMCG, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, and organised retail sectors.

Over 250 industry veterans attended the curtain raiser event. The organisers showcased artefacts made from corrugated packaging material, including the podium used for the function and a specially designed photo frame presented to the Chief Guest, demonstrating the creativity and strength of corrugated board applications.

New Delhi, Feb 18: Gurugram’s rental market reflected a demand-driven trend during the October–December 2025 quarter, even as rents witnessed a sequential decline, according to the latest Rental Index by Magicbricks.

During OND ’25, rental demand in Gurugram increased by 3.6% quarter-on-quarter and 13.1% year-on-year underscoring sustained tenant interest across key micro-markets. In contrast, rental supply remained relatively stable, declining marginally by 0.6% QoQ, while recording a 7.5% YoY increase, indicating measured additions to available inventory.

Demand trends reveal a clear preference for compact housing. 1 and 2 BHK units together accounted for 75% of total rental demand, reflecting affordability-led choices by professionals and nuclear families. However, supply remains skewed toward larger configurations, with 3 BHK units comprising 52% of total listings, highlighting a structural demand–supply imbalance.

From a budget perspective, 44% of rental demand in Gurugram was concentrated in the INR 10,000–20,000 range. In contrast, supply was significantly tilted toward premium homes, with 36% of listings priced between INR 50,000 and 1 lakh per month, underscoring a clear affordability mismatch.

Gurugram continues to benefit from its strong corporate presence, infrastructure upgrades, and connectivity enhancements. While rents have softened in the short term, rising demand indicates underlying resilience. The current phase reflects recalibration rather than slowdown, with demand firmly anchored in compact, mid-segment housing even as supply remains weighted toward larger, premium configurations.

The OND’25 data suggests that future rental momentum in Gurugram will hinge on better alignment between affordable housing demand and available inventory.

Magicbricks is India’s No.1 property site

As the largest platform for buyers and sellers of property to connect in a transparent manner, Magicbricks has monthly traffic exceeding 2 crores and an active base of over 15 lakh property listings. Magicbricks has metamorphosed into a full stack service provider for all real estate needs, with services including home loans, interiors, and expert advice.

With 17+ years of experience and deep research-based knowledge, Magicbricks also presents a repertoire of insight-driven platforms like MBTV—India’s leading online real estate YouTube channel—and other proprietary tools so that home buyers can access all information related to price trends, forecasts, and locality reviews.