Category: Business

 

Ahmedabad, May 8: In an industry increasingly shaped by scale and standardisation, hospitality veteran Bhavik Sheth, known for his experience in experiential travel and destination-led hospitality, has announced the launch of Opulent Oasis Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., marking his entrepreneurial entry into the experiential hospitality space.

The new venture enters the market with its first project, Wild Calm, a nature-led retreat in Sasan Gir, Gujarat, a region globally recognised for its unique wildlife ecosystem but still underserved by thoughtfully designed hospitality experiences.

At a time when India’s hospitality landscape is witnessing rapid expansion across luxury and mid-scale segments, Opulent Oasis Hospitality is positioning itself to address what it sees as a structural gap between high-cost niche luxury and formula-driven commercial hotels. The company’s approach centres on designing “experience-first” destinations that prioritise emotional engagement, local context and operational efficiency over scale-led standardisation.

Wild Calm will feature 53 keys, including private pool villas and immersive stay formats, supported by a curated mix of amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurant, kitchen garden and an activity arena designed for cultural programming and gatherings. Outdoor engagement spaces including pickleball courts, box cricket and curated landscape interventions such as a Miyawaki forest further anchor the property in its natural setting.

The experience design extends beyond physical infrastructure into structured yet flexible guest journeys. Guests can choose from multiple stay formats, integrating elements such as botanical walks, storytelling sessions, nature-led activities, pottery, curated high tea experiences and slow evening rituals.

Importantly, the project reflects a shift in how hospitality operators are beginning to rethink “experience” not as an add-on activity layer, but as a core design principle influencing everything from spatial planning to service philosophy.

Speaking on the launch, Bhavik Sheth, Founder & CEO of Opulent Oasis Hospitality said, “Over the years, hospitality has become extremely efficient, but also increasingly predictable. You can follow every operating manual and still miss what actually matters to a guest. People don’t remember processes; they remember how a place made them feel. With Opulent Oasis Hospitality, the idea is to build destinations that feel intuitive, rooted and genuinely engaging, rather than assembled through formats.” Bhavik Sheth previously worked with Evoke Experiences, where he played a key role in bringing the iconic Rann Utsav to life.

The move comes at a time when experiential travel in India is expanding beyond traditional luxury markets, driven by a new generation of travellers seeking depth, flexibility and context-driven stays.

With Wild Calm as its starting point, Opulent Oasis Hospitality plans to expand selectively across wildlife regions, eco-tourism circuits, desert landscapes and culturally significant destinations, while also evaluating opportunities in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets and emerging spiritual travel segments.

Unlike conventional growth strategies, the company indicates a measured expansion approach, focusing on destinations with inherent narrative and ecological value rather than scale-driven portfolio building.

 

Amsterdam, May 08: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is excited to confirm its participation at InfoComm 2026, promising an unmissable lineup, with new partnerships and debut UltraSlim Signage to be announced in Las Vegas.  

Exhibiting on Philips Booth C9000, InfoComm 2026 will mark another major milestone for PPDS and its acclaimed ‘total solutions’ strategy to deliver unrivalled quality, choice, and value to customers in North America and beyond. 

With quality only matched by design, solutions on display at InfoComm will include, but are far from limited to, dvLED (indoor, outdoor, and AIO), videowalls, digital signage (including TAA compliant), ePaper, interactive displays, and professional TVs, created to support all market verticals and environments. 

Bright times ahead

Continuing PPDS’ highly embraced ‘Picture this’ theme, visitors to the Philips booth will be treated to an assembly of unmissable AI infused visual activity, with an ever-changing pool of content presented across a broad range of form visual factors and technologies. 

PPDS can also confirm InfoComm 2026 will become the global launch pad for the latest in its new 2026 AI ready digital signage lineup. While full details are under wraps ahead of the show, the creation of this exciting new category will open a wealth of exciting installation opportunities where proven quality, unparalleled visual performance, and UltraSlim aesthetics really matter. And that’s not all. 

PPDS will also be announcing a new major partnership and collaboration with one of the AV industry’s most trusted manufacturers, with the introduction of a brand new signage series with a fresh ecosystem for total solutions built in. 

Bruce Wyrwitzke, Senior Director North America at PPDS, said: “Built on the foundations of over 134 years of innovation with Philips, PPDS prides itself on enabling businesses to bring their vision to life through tailored, cutting edge innovations. At InfoComm 2026, we will deliver the latest advances in support of that strategy, as well as showcasing the latest solutions that will enable customers to truly display without limits. You won’t want to miss it.” 

Jack Boyczuk, Director of PD Sales at PPDS in North America, added: “This year’s Philips booth encourages visitors to explore the reaches of their imaginations, using displays together with our trusted partner solutions to realise the benefits of what’s already integrated within Philips Professional Displays – including ultimate processing power and artificial intelligence (AI) ready technologies.” 

We have the solution

Helping visitors to visualise and experience the full power, potential, and versatility of Philips Professional Displays, this year’s booth will include solutions to support a variety of needs in different environments, including retail, education, corporate, food and beverage, transportation, hospitality, public venues, and control rooms. 

The latest evolutions of PPDS’ commitment and global strategy to developing better energy efficiency and more environmentally conscious features into its displays will also be present through the Philips booth, demonstrating ways businesses can deliver instant sustainability (and financial) benefits to their day to day operation. 

Angela Lin, Commercial Head for North America at PPDS, concluded: “We cannot wait to welcome visitors to the Philips booth at InfoComm 2026. 2026 has already been an exciting year, with some incredible new projects, combined with the ever strengthening of our portfolio and offering. With our incredible launches, as well as an array of future tech, together with a major new partnership, a visit to Philips Professional Displays could be a game changer for your business. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.” 

May 8 (BNP): A United Nations expert panel has called on countries to adopt broader ways of measuring national progress, arguing that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) alone does not fully reflect people’s well-being or long-term development.

According to the panel, while GDP remains an important indicator of economic activity, it often overlooks key aspects such as income inequality, environmental sustainability, healthcare, education, and overall quality of life. The UN believes that relying only on economic output can give an incomplete picture of how societies are truly performing.

The recommendation comes at a time when governments around the world are facing growing challenges linked to climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty. Experts say these issues require policies that focus not just on growth, but also on improving living standards and ensuring sustainable development.

The panel has proposed a wider framework that includes social, environmental, and economic indicators to help governments better assess the real impact of their policies. Areas such as public health, education, environmental protection, job security, and social welfare are expected to play a larger role in future progress assessments.

UN officials noted that several countries have achieved strong economic growth over the years while continuing to struggle with social and environmental problems. They believe a more balanced approach to measuring development could help policymakers make decisions that benefit both people and the planet.

The push to move beyond GDP reflects a broader global conversation about creating more inclusive and sustainable economies. Experts believe adopting wider measures of progress could help nations focus on long-term resilience and improve the overall well-being of their citizens.

May 8: Samsung has announced the launch of the fifth edition of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, its flagship innovation and education programme designed to empower India’s next generation of young innovators to build technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges.

As Samsung marks 30 years in India, the company is significantly expanding the scale and ambition of the programme, reinforcing its long-term commitment to India’s innovation ecosystem and the vision of #DigitalIndia.

In line with this ambition, the 2026 edition will provide incubation grants worth INR 2 crore to the top four winning teams, enabling them to further develop and scale their ideas through incubation support at IIT Delhi. In addition, the top 20 teams will receive INR 20 lakh, while the top 40 teams will be awarded INR 8 lakh along with Samsung devices and mentorship support.

“We are proud to have been a trusted partner in the country’s digital and innovation journey over the last 30 years, contributing to a growing culture of innovation led by its youth. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has evolved into a strong platform for nurturing young innovators and enabling a pipeline of emerging startups addressing real-world challenges. With the 2026 edition, we are taking innovation deeper into Bharat—more than doubling our outreach to schools and expanding access for young changemakers. In its fifth year, the programme reflects our sustained commitment to India’s innovation journey, while strengthening the ecosystem through design thinking, skilling, industry exposure, and start-up support, in alignment with the vision of #DigitalIndia,” said JB Park, President & CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

This year’s programme invites students aged 14–22 to submit ideas across four themes — AI Living for India, Health & Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech — reflecting the growing role of technology in building a smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready India.

The six-month programme will provide thousands of participants access to hands-on prototyping support, investor connects, expert mentorship, immersive workshops, and extensive training designed to help transform ideas into scalable solutions.

Industry, Academia, and Government Come Together

“Bharat is being shaped by a new generation of young innovators who are solving for the world as well. Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, we see early-stage ideas being nurtured into viable solutions with the potential to scale. Such initiatives strengthen the pipeline of future entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. 

“We believe that young students can find innovative solutions to local, regional and global problems. Our continuing collaboration with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow enables students to access deep-tech mentorship, interdisciplinary research and prototyping support. This initiative reflects how academia and industry together can accelerate innovation that addresses both national priorities and global challenges,” said Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi. 

“India’s journey towards a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy depends on how effectively we nurture scientific temper and problem-solving skills among our youth. Platforms like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow play an important role in encouraging young people to apply science and technology to solve real-world challenges aligned with national priorities,” said Dr. Sapna Poti, Director, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Programme Journey: From Ideas to Impact

Applications for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 will remain open from May 7 to July 3, 2026. During this phase, Samsung will conduct 100 design-thinking workshops across schools and colleges nationwide to equip participants with foundational problem-solving and ideation skills.

Following the application phase, the top 100 teams 25 from each theme will be shortlisted for expert-led online training and mentorship. After a video pitch round, 40 teams will advance to the next stage, with 10 teams selected from each theme.

Exposure to World-Class Innovation Ecosystems

Semi-finalists will participate in intensive mentoring sessions with Samsung leaders and industry experts, alongside curated visits to Samsung’s R&D centres in Bengaluru, Noida, and Delhi and Head Office offering first-hand exposure to world-class innovation ecosystems.

Participants will also undergo an immersive prototyping programme and residential bootcamp designed to refine ideas and prepare teams for the final stage of the competition.

The top 20 teams — five from each theme — will advance to the grand finale and participate in investor meets, pitch presentations, and mentoring sessions with Samsung experts.

Awards, Grants, and Incubation Support

• Top 100 teams: Certificates of achievement
• Top 40 teams: INR 8 lakh and Samsung laptops for every member
• Top 20 teams: INR 20 lakh and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip smartphones for every member
• Special Awards: Digital Impact Award and Community Choice Award with a combined prize pool of INR 2.5 lakh
• Top 4 winning teams: Incubation grants worth INR 2 crore at IIT Delhi 

A Global Platform for Young Changemakers

First launched in the US in 2010, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is now operational in 68 countries and has engaged more than 3 million young people.

May 8 (BNP): India and the European Union have moved closer to a landmark economic partnership with the conclusion of a wide-ranging Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that officials describe as one of the most comprehensive trade deals ever negotiated.

Speaking at an industry event in New Delhi, senior Commerce Ministry officials highlighted the scale of the agreement, calling it the “Mother of All Deals” because of its global economic reach and strategic importance. The proposed pact connects nearly two billion people and covers close to one-third of global trade, making it a major milestone for both economies.

The agreement is expected to deepen trade ties between India and the EU across goods, services, technology, manufacturing, and investment. Together, the two economies account for nearly one-fourth of global GDP, creating significant opportunities for businesses and consumers on both sides.

Officials noted that the partnership reflects the complementary strengths of the two regions. While Europe offers advanced technology, capital goods, and high-value manufacturing, India brings a rapidly growing consumer market, strong digital capabilities, and expanding industrial capacity.

Trade between India and the EU has already been growing steadily. Bilateral trade in goods and services has crossed major milestones in recent years, with sectors such as petroleum products, telecom equipment, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and digital services playing a key role.

One of the biggest highlights of the agreement is the proposed reduction or elimination of tariffs across a wide range of products. Indian exporters are expected to benefit significantly in sectors including textiles, apparel, leather, gems and jewellery, chemicals, engineering goods, and marine products, where duties in the European market are likely to fall sharply.

European companies, meanwhile, are expected to gain improved access to India’s fast-growing market in areas such as machinery, medical equipment, aviation, chemicals, and advanced technologies.

The agreement also places strong emphasis on services and digital trade. India is expected to receive improved market access in sectors such as IT services, professional services, education, and business consulting. Industry experts believe this could further strengthen India’s position as a global hub for digitally delivered services and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

Another important aspect of the deal is the easier movement of professionals. The EU has reportedly agreed to a more predictable framework for temporary business visas and professional mobility, a long-standing priority for India.

The agreement additionally addresses emerging global trade concerns, including sustainability regulations and carbon-related trade measures. Both sides are expected to establish dedicated mechanisms for dialogue and dispute resolution to ensure smoother implementation and reduce future trade disruptions.

Officials described the FTA as a forward-looking and flexible framework designed to evolve with changing global economic conditions, technological developments, and regulatory standards.

For India, the agreement represents a major strategic and economic step as the country seeks deeper integration with global markets while expanding export opportunities and attracting investment. Analysts believe the India-EU FTA could reshape trade relations between the two regions and open a new chapter in long-term economic cooperation.

May 8 (BNP): India’s microfinance sector is showing signs of recovery, with the overall portfolio increasing to Rs 3.31 lakh crore in the latest quarter, according to a recent industry report. The sector recorded a 3.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter growth, reflecting improving lending activity and gradual stabilization in borrower demand.

The rebound indicates renewed momentum in the microfinance industry after a period of cautious lending and operational challenges faced by several institutions. Improved collections, stronger rural economic activity, and rising credit demand have contributed to the sector’s steady recovery.

Industry observers say microfinance institutions are becoming more selective in lending while focusing on portfolio quality and customer engagement. The growth also highlights continued demand for small-ticket loans among low-income households and small entrepreneurs, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.

The report noted that lenders are closely monitoring repayment trends and risk management practices as the sector continues to stabilize. Financial institutions are also increasing efforts to strengthen digital operations and improve credit assessment processes.

Experts believe the recovery in the microfinance portfolio reflects growing economic resilience at the grassroots level, supported by improved income generation and consumption activity across several regions.

While challenges such as inflationary pressure and borrower stress remain areas to watch, the sector is expected to maintain gradual growth momentum in the coming quarters as credit demand improves and financial inclusion efforts expand further.

 

May 8 (BNP): Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector continues to gain momentum, with the country emerging as one of the fastest-growing travel destinations globally. Fresh insights from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlight the Kingdom’s rising influence in the global tourism industry, supported by a sharp increase in domestic travel and ongoing investments in hospitality and infrastructure.

The sector’s growth reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues. Over the past few years, the Kingdom has introduced major tourism initiatives, eased travel regulations, and expanded entertainment and cultural offerings to attract both international and local visitors.

Domestic tourism has played a key role in this expansion. More Saudi residents are choosing to explore destinations within the country, boosting demand for hotels, resorts, heritage sites, and leisure experiences. Popular cities and tourism hubs have witnessed higher visitor activity, contributing to stronger spending across the travel and hospitality sectors.

Industry experts believe the WTTC’s recognition reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a major emerging tourism market. Large-scale projects, improved connectivity, and investments in world-class attractions are helping the country compete with established global destinations.

The government continues to focus on enhancing visitor experiences through digital transformation, infrastructure upgrades, and new tourism partnerships. Events, cultural festivals, and sports tourism are also contributing to increased footfall and international attention.

With tourism becoming a central pillar of economic development, Saudi Arabia is expected to maintain strong growth momentum in the coming years, supported by rising domestic demand and expanding global interest in the Kingdom’s evolving travel landscape.

May 8 (BNP): Indian equity markets closed lower on Friday as rising crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions triggered caution among investors. Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty slipped amid fears that surging energy costs could increase inflationary pressure and impact global economic growth.

Brent crude prices crossed the USD 100 per barrel mark after renewed tensions in key oil-producing regions raised concerns over supply disruptions. The spike in oil prices dampened market sentiment globally, with Asian and European markets also witnessing volatility.

Back home, the BSE Sensex declined as investors booked profits in banking, auto, and IT stocks, while the NSE Nifty also traded in the red for most of the session. Analysts said that higher crude prices remain a major concern for India, which imports a significant portion of its oil requirements.

Market experts noted that sustained crude prices above USD 100 could widen India’s trade deficit, pressure the rupee, and increase input costs for several sectors. Investors are also closely monitoring global developments, including central bank commentary and geopolitical updates, for further market direction.

Despite the weakness, selective buying was seen in energy and defensive sectors, helping limit deeper losses. Traders now await upcoming economic data and corporate earnings for fresh cues on market momentum.

Analysts believe volatility may continue in the near term as global uncertainties and commodity price movements keep investors cautious.