Category: Business

Three-year collaboration to broaden access to economic research through the What Economists Really Do webinar series

LONDON, 29 JUNE 2026 – EBC Financial Group (EBC) has renewed its strategic partnership with the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford for a further three years, extending a collaboration that helps bring economic research to wider public audiences around the world.

As part of the renewed partnership, EBC will sponsor one annual edition of the Department’s What Economists Really Do webinar series, helping to share economic research and insights with students, researchers, alumni and wider public audiences. To help extend the reach of the webinar, selected insights and discussion points will also be adapted into short social media videos, offering accessible summaries of key ideas for wider online audiences.

Since the partnership began, EBC-sponsored editions of What Economists Really Do have explored a range of pressing global issues, including tax evasion, climate change, and financial literacy. Each webinar typically attracts around 200 live attendees. Together, the recorded sessions have generated more than 3,600 views, demonstrating sustained audience engagement beyond the live events themselves.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to widening access to economic knowledge and supporting informed public engagement with economic issues, while fostering informed discussion on topics ranging from macroeconomic policy and financial markets to regulation and global economic development.

It also supports the Department’s wider commitment to public engagement by helping make academic research accessible beyond the university community.

This initiative forms part of EBC’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility, focused on removing barriers to education and fostering long-term societal impact. By connecting academic excellence with real-world application, EBC continues to support wider access to economic education and public engagement.  

“In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, access to reliable financial knowledge is more important than ever. Our continued partnership with the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford reflects EBC’s commitment to empowering individuals with the insights and tools needed to make informed decisions, while supporting the development of future talent that will shape the financial systems of tomorrow”, said Christopher Stiegeler, Executive Director, EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited.

Stiegeler added, “Beyond our partnership with the Department of Economics at Oxford, EBC continues to champion financial education among the next generation through on-campus initiatives, academic collaborations, and memorandums of understanding with institutions worldwide. These collaborations include the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the International University of Ulaanbaatar (IUU), Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Tecnológico de Monterrey), Escuela Bancaria y Comercial in Mexico, and the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB). Our teams are also actively exploring similar partnerships with additional institutions of higher learning globally.”

Professor Johannes Abeler, Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford, commented: “Public engagement and education are central to the Department’s mission. Through initiatives such as What Economists Really Do, we seek to show how economics can contribute to better policy and a deeper understanding of the issues shaping our world. We are pleased to continue our partnership with EBC Financial Group, whose support helps us broaden access to economic knowledge and extend the reach of our educational activities to new audiences around the world.”

Over the next three years, the partnership will continue to connect academic research with wider public audiences, helping ensure that economic insights remain accessible, relevant and impactful in an increasingly complex global environment.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia 

June 29: India is proud to stand as a trusted friend and reliable development partner of Seychelles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while attending the country’s National Day celebrations. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across multiple areas of shared interest.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and maritime links between India and Seychelles. He noted that the partnership between the two countries has steadily grown into a strong and multifaceted relationship focused on mutual trust, regional stability, and sustainable development.

PM Modi emphasized India’s continued support for Seychelles in key sectors such as maritime security, capacity building, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and disaster response. He said India remains a dependable partner in the Indian Ocean region, committed to peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth.

He further underlined that Seychelles holds an important place in India’s vision for regional cooperation under initiatives such as ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which aim to strengthen ties with maritime neighbours and island nations.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of joint efforts in addressing global challenges, including climate change, environmental protection, and maritime security. He expressed confidence that India and Seychelles will continue to deepen their partnership and enhance people-to-people connections in the years ahead.

June 29: India’s steadily built energy infrastructure over the past decade has helped the country absorb external shocks arising from recent tensions in West Asia, ensuring stability in fuel supply and shielding consumers from sharp price volatility.

Despite fluctuations in global crude oil markets triggered by geopolitical uncertainty, India managed to maintain steady availability of petroleum products across domestic markets. This stability was supported by long-term policy measures focused on energy security, diversified import sourcing, and improved logistics and refining capacity.

Over the years, India has significantly broadened its crude oil import basket, reducing dependence on any single region. This diversification strategy has played a key role in cushioning the impact of supply disruptions and price swings in global energy markets.

Strengthened infrastructure, including expanded refining capabilities, strategic petroleum reserves, and upgraded transport and distribution networks, has improved the country’s ability to respond quickly to external shocks and maintain uninterrupted supply chains.

Policy mechanisms and calibrated market interventions have also helped prevent extreme fluctuations in domestic fuel prices, reducing inflationary pressure on households and businesses during periods of global volatility.

Analysts note that India’s experience highlights the importance of sustained investment in energy resilience. They add that continued focus on diversification, efficiency, and renewable energy expansion will further strengthen the country’s long-term energy security and economic stability.

June 29: After months of developing a product alongside thousands of community members, Skinvest is introducing Melts, a science-led lip care duo created for daytime protection and overnight recovery. Instead of following a traditional behind-the-scenes product development process, the brand brought consumers into the journey from the very beginning, inviting them to shape everything from ingredient preferences and textures to packaging decisions and the overall experience. The result is a launch built through ongoing conversations, real-time feedback, and active consumer participation at every stage. 

What makes Melts different begins long before its formulation. In a category that has traditionally been developed behind closed doors, Skinvest chose to open up the creation process to its community. Instead of finalising a product first and then testing consumer response, the brand invited its audience into the journey from the beginning. Through ongoing polls, feedback loops, social conversations, ingredient discussions, packaging inputs, texture preferences, and real-time reactions, thousands of consumers actively shaped what would eventually become the final lip care system. This approach reflects a shift in how consumers engage with beauty brands, where feedback now plays a direct role in product development.

Building on this co-creation philosophy, Melts has been developed as a two-variant system that mirrors the rhythm of daily life. For daytime use, Melts SPF + Tint is a lip treatment designed to combine protection with enhancement. Formulated with SPF 30 PA++++ broad-spectrum UV filters, MaxiLip™ peptide technology, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and nourishing botanical oils, it is designed to help defend lips against sun-induced darkening while supporting a smoother, softer, and more hydrated appearance over time. The lightweight cushion-gloss texture delivers shine and comfort without stickiness, making it suitable for everyday wear and layering across different moments of the day.

As the day ends, Melts transitions into its second ritual with Melts Repair + Brighten, an overnight lip treatment created to work during the skin’s natural recovery cycle. Powered by PDRN renewal technology, Wonderlight™ brightening complex, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and barrier-supporting botanical lipids, the formula is designed to help restore lip comfort, improve visible texture, and support a more even-looking tone over time. Unlike conventional overnight lip masks that sit on the surface, this formulation is designed as a more structured repair system that works to support barrier strength and long-term lip health while remaining lightweight and non-sticky through the night.

Together, the two products form a complete lip care ritual that reflects how modern consumers engage with skincare today, not as isolated steps, but as continuous care across different moments of the day. More importantly, Melts is not positioned as a brand-led creation alone, but as something shaped in collaboration with the people who use it, tested through conversation rather than assumption, and refined through real-time feedback rather than post-launch correction.

The collection includes Melts SPF + Tint and Melts Repair + Brighten variants. For those looking to experience the complete lip care ritual, the Melts Duo featuring both variants is also available. The collection can be purchased through the Skinvest official website.

“Most beauty brands launch products and then ask consumers what they think. We wanted to reverse that process completely. With these lip balms, we wanted our community to be part of the journey from the beginning itself. Every poll, comment, concern, request, and suggestion helped us understand what consumers genuinely wanted from an everyday lip product. People today do not just want another lip balm. They want textures that feel comfortable in Indian weather, formulas that actually nourish the lips long term, packaging that feels exciting, and products that emotionally connect with them. This launch became much bigger than creating lip balms. It became about creating a beauty experience together with the community,” says Divya Malpani, Founder, Skinvest.

With Melts, Skinvest continues to strengthen its position as a digitally native, community-driven beauty brand that blends performance-led skincare with consumer participation. The launch signals a shift not just in how lip care is formulated, but in how it is imagined, developed, and brought to life in the first place.

With Melts, Skinvest hopes to redefine lip care not only through science-backed formulations but also through a product development process where consumers become collaborators rather than just customers.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29 June 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest premium aluminium producer in the world, have signed an agreement to enhance EGA’s dedicated berth at Khalifa Port.

As part of their longstanding strategic partnership, AD Ports Group and EGA will jointly invest AED 84 million in a multi-phase berth enhancement programme to upgrade EGA’s dedicated port infrastructure and accommodate Newcastlemax dry bulk vessels, which can transport 15–20% more cargo than the Capesize vessels currently calling at EGA’s berth. The enhancements will further improve berth productivity, operational efficiency, and overall cargo-handling performance. 

Upon completion of the planned works by August 2028, the upgraded berth is expected to support the handling of approximately 8 million tonnes of bulk cargo annually. The project will also enhance operational flexibility by enabling the installation of additional unloader facilities.

In addition, the enhancement programme includes upgrades to the existing capping beam, the installation of new bollards and fenders, the extension of crane beams and foundations, the provision of additional utility connections, and dredging works. Collectively, these enhancements will facilitate the safe and efficient accommodation of larger vessel classes while supporting the anticipated increase in future bulk-handling volumes.

Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer – Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement underscores our commitment to investing in world-class port infrastructure that supports the continued growth of the UAE’s industrial and trade sectors. It also reinforces our strategic partnership with Emirates Global Aluminium, a global leader in premium aluminium and one of the nation’s most important industrial champions. Through collaborative, long-term investment, we are enhancing the capabilities of critical trade infrastructure while enabling our partners to grow and compete more effectively on the global stage. Such partnerships remain central to AD Ports Group’s strategy and continue to support our profitable growth as a leading trade enabler across global markets.”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), said: “Khalifa Port is a strategic gateway for EGA’s global operations. This collaboration with AD Ports Group will strengthen long-term capacity, efficiency, and performance of our dedicated berth at Khalifa Port, ensuring the safe and reliable handling of the raw materials essential to our operations. The project will further strengthen our ability to produce the high-quality aluminium that enables modern life and supports industries around the world.” 

This collaboration builds on the longstanding strategic partnership between AD Ports Group and EGA, and reflects their shared focus on operational excellence, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable industrial growth. 

Khalifa Port, ranked 39th in the prestigious Lloyd’s List Top 100 Ports for 2025, is also a regional container hub to three of the world’s largest shipping lines – CMA CGM, COSCO, and MSC. It also serves as a technologically advanced maritime gateway to Abu Dhabi, providing seamless multimodal access to Khalifa Economic Zones – Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), the Middle East’s largest integrated system of economic cities and free zones, and extending inland connectivity across the UAE and wider Gulf region through the dry ports of Al Faya and Al Ain.

Spotlighting the Entrepreneurs Shaping Northeast India’s Growth Story

Small businesses are at the heart of India’s growth story. At the event, entrepreneurs from the Northeast highlighted how they are building scalable brands, creating local jobs, and driving innovation in their communities. Representing a diverse mix of homegrown brands and artisans, local retailers and creators, their stories reflect the growing ambition of Northeast India’s business community. Previously restricted in their reach, the role of digital technologies, and Meta ads, has helped many of these brands to get discovered and find an opportunity to expand across India and even internationally. 

The Next Phase of Growth for Small Businesses

The first is AI.

AI-powered tools are helping businesses automate campaign creation, improve performance, and generate creative assets faster than ever before. Solutions such as Meta‘s Advantage+ suite and Generative AI creative tools are making advanced marketing capabilities more accessible to businesses of every size.

Said Upamanyu Borkakoty, Founder of Woolah Tea,

 “We have been running Meta Ads for the last 4 years. Using the AI-powered Advantage+ Shopping campaign has been a game changer. Our orders jumped more than 600% within just 6 months of shifting focus on the Advantage + Shopping Campaign. I am delighted to be a part of this event organized for SMEs of North East, and would love to see lots of more successful businesses from the region scale and get recognized”

The second is messaging.

For many small businesses, WhatsApp has evolved from a communication tool into a business engine – helping entrepreneurs manage customer conversations, showcase products, generate leads and drive sales.

Today, more than 200,000 small businesses in India use Click-to-WhatsApp ads every month to connect with customers. Features such as catalogues, quick replies, labels and customized messaging are helping businesses deliver faster, more personalized customer experiences while operating efficiently.

Said Rimjim Deka, Founder of Littlebox India, 

“Meta has been at the heart of the business we have scaled so far. We have used several Meta tools from the very beginning, and currently, Advantage+ is the one we extensively use to help us scale much more efficiently. We also use Instagram as the window for our brand and the community we are building. Running Instagram Partnership Ads has proven to be very fruitful. I am glad to be part of Meta‘s first-of-its-kind event in the Northeast. I hope that every young entrepreneur present can take away learnings to further scale their businesses.”

Reaching Customers in India’s Digital Economy

Recent Meta-commissioned IPSOS research highlights the growing opportunity for businesses in India’s digital economy.

Among surveyed users, 97% watch videos on Meta platforms daily, while 73% of surveyed rural users discover new products and brands through Meta platforms. The research also found that Meta influences product discovery for 81% of users and purchase decisions for 47% of users. These trends are creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses — regardless of size or location — to connect with customers across India.

Said Punam Gogoi, Founder, CareerClass, 

“Students don’t enroll because they see an advertisement; they enroll because they find someone they trust. Meta has helped CareerClass turn awareness into trust, trust into guidance, and guidance into success. I’ve seen how a single digital insight can completely transform the way an organization connects with people. Meta’s MSME initiatives empower businesses to think bigger, market smarter, and unlock opportunities that once seemed out of reach.”

Supporting the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

As more entrepreneurs embrace digital tools and AI technologies, the opportunity for small businesses to grow beyond traditional boundaries continues to expand. By bringing together entrepreneurs and business owners from across Northeast India, the World MSME Day gathering in Guwahati aimed to help small businesses learn from one another, build new connections, and explore practical ways to unlock their next phase of growth. As India’s digital economy continues to evolve, Meta remains committed to helping businesses of every size access the tools, technologies and opportunities they need to grow.

June 29: India’s equity market has regained its position as the world’s fifth-largest by market capitalisation, with the combined value of listed companies exceeding $5 trillion. The milestone reflects improving investor sentiment, supported by sustained domestic investment, resilient corporate performance, and a recovery in benchmark stock indices.

The rise in market value has been driven by broad-based gains across sectors, helping Indian equities recover from earlier bouts of global market volatility. Strong participation from domestic institutional and retail investors has continued to underpin the market despite external economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Market experts said the achievement highlights the strength of India’s capital markets and the country’s long-term economic growth prospects. They added that favourable corporate earnings, steady economic activity, and consistent domestic inflows have reinforced investor confidence.

Looking ahead, investors are expected to remain focused on global economic conditions, geopolitical developments, inflation trends, and central bank policy decisions, which could influence the direction of equity markets in the near term.

June 29: Indian benchmark equity indices opened nearly flat on Monday as investors monitored developments in U.S.-Iran relations and evaluated their potential impact on crude oil prices and global market sentiment.

The Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex traded with marginal gains in early trading, reflecting a cautious approach among investors. While concerns over geopolitical tensions have eased somewhat, uncertainty continues to keep market participants on the sidelines.

Sectoral performance was mixed, with information technology stocks facing pressure, while select pharmaceutical shares gained following positive company-specific developments. Investors also kept a close watch on global oil prices, which remain sensitive to geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Going forward, market participants are expected to monitor further developments in U.S.-Iran relations, movements in crude oil prices, and key U.S. economic data for signals on global monetary policy and their potential impact on financial markets.

Mumbai, June 29: DJI, the global leader in creative camera technology, has brought its flagship Osmo Pocket 4 to AYC (All You Can), one of India’s largest creator-focused events, with an immersive hands-on experience designed to show creators what is possible when professional imaging technology fits in the palm of their hand.

Unveiled during a press conference on the opening night of AYC at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, DJI’s “Pocket Playground” activation invites attendees to experience the Osmo Pocket 4 firsthand through interactive shooting challenges running through June 28.

For more than a decade, DJI has been at the forefront of empowering creators worldwide with innovative imaging technologies that make professional-quality storytelling accessible to everyone. Today, DJI products are trusted by filmmakers, vloggers, travel creators, influencers, journalists and content professionals across the globe, helping millions capture and share stories with greater creativity and confidence.

As India’s creator economy continues to expand, a growing number of creators are looking for tools that offer more creative freedom than a smartphone without the complexity of traditional camera systems. The Osmo Pocket 4 was designed specifically for this audience.

The latest generation of DJI’s highly successful Osmo Pocket series, the Osmo Pocket 4 is purpose-built for vloggers, travel creators, lifestyle influencers, family storytellers and mobile-first content creators seeking professional-quality results in a compact and intuitive form factor.

While smartphones have enabled an entire generation of creators to start creating content, many eventually encounter limitations in image quality, stabilization, subject tracking and creative control. The Osmo Pocket 4 bridges that gap by delivering advanced imaging capabilities in a device small enough to fit in a pocket and simple enough to use anywhere.

Rather than demonstrating those capabilities through presentations or product displays, DJI chose to let creators experience them directly.

At the center of the activation is Pocket Playground, an interactive experience built around three live challenge stations that showcase the Osmo Pocket 4’s most powerful capabilities.

Visitors can test ActiveTrack 7.0 intelligent subject tracking, which automatically keeps subjects in frame so creators can focus on storytelling instead of camera operation. They can experience ultra-smooth footage enabled by DJI’s signature 3-axis gimbal stabilization, helping creators capture professional-looking video while walking, running or moving. Attendees can also explore 4K video at up to 240fps, allowing dramatic slow-motion footage that brings action, travel and lifestyle content to life.

The experience is designed to help creators understand not just what the camera can do, but what it enables them to create.

Speaking at the press conference, DJI representatives highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to India’s rapidly growing creator ecosystem.

“DJI has always believed that technology should remove barriers to creativity, not create them. The Osmo Pocket series represents that philosophy by combining professional imaging performance with extraordinary portability and ease of use. As India’s creator economy continues to grow, we are committed to bringing world-class creative tools and meaningful hands-on experiences closer to creators across the country.” 

— Yann Liu, DJI representative

“India is producing creators faster than almost anywhere in the world, and most begin their journey on a smartphone. The Osmo Pocket 4 is designed for that next stage of creative growth, offering better stabilization, smarter tracking, stronger low-light performance and greater creative flexibility without sacrificing portability. At AYC, we’re putting the camera directly into creators’ hands because the best way to understand its value is to experience it yourself.”

— Siddharth Sisodia, Business Head, Thakral Innovations (TIPL), Authorised DJI Distributor for India