Category: Business

Kolkata, Apr 28 (BNP): India’s engineering exports to New Zealand are projected to nearly double over the next five years, rising from about USD 140 million to nearly USD 280–300 million, supported by the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), officials said.

The agreement provides zero-duty access for Indian goods, significantly improving market competitiveness and easing trade barriers for exporters.

Industry representatives noted that the pact is expected to deliver strong benefits, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), by expanding stable and predictable market access in a smaller but high-growth export destination.

Engineering exports to New Zealand have already shown steady growth, increasing to around USD 140.5 million in 2025–26, compared to USD 129.8 million in the previous year, indicating rising demand even before the full impact of the FTA takes effect.

Officials believe the agreement will further strengthen India’s engineering export footprint and support long-term trade diversification.

Bangalore, Apr 28: Vayavya Labs Private Limited, a Silicon-to-System engineering company, today announced plans to scale its engineering workforce to 400+ tech professionals over the next 14 months, driven by sustained global demand across Semiconductor Software, Automotive Embedded Systems, Electronic Design Automation (EDA), ADAS Validation, and Digital Twin/Virtual ECU development.

The company has maintained a strong growth trajectory over the past several years, with increasing depth and scale of engagements across its specialised engineering areas. This momentum is further strengthened by MosChip Technologies Limited’s recent strategic acquisition of a controlling stake in Vayavya Labs, positioning the company for its next phase of expansion.

Vayavya Labs is undertaking a focused hiring initiative across engineering and program leadership roles. The company’s workforce currently comprises approximately 28% women, reflecting its continued emphasis on building a more diverse and inclusive talent base, alongside a young and dynamic team with an average age of 29 years.

The expansion will be centred around digital twin/virtual ECU development, automotive cybersecurity, ADAS/AD verification, embedded software and system engineering. Select roles will also support the company’s growing international operations across the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Over the past five years, Vayavya Labs has delivered consistent revenue growth, with international business increasingly contributing a larger share of overall revenues. This reflects the rising global demand for India’s deep engineering capabilities in high-complexity technology domains. The company works with eight of the top ten global semiconductor companies, along with leading organisations across automotive, consumer electronics, and communications sectors.

This growth is underpinned by a long-term focus on engineering depth and innovation, including proprietary methodologies such as its patented Hardware-Software Interface (HSI®) framework, domain specific agentic AI framework, nine granted patents, and ongoing contributions to global semiconductor and automotive standards.

“Our focus has always been on solving complex engineering challenges with depth and precision. The demand we are seeing across semiconductors and automotive software continues to grow in both scale and complexity, requiring talent that can operate at the intersection of hardware and software. As we move into the next phase of growth, we are strengthening our engineering teams to support this demand while building on delivery capabilities that are already proven and scalable,” said RK Patil, Co-Founder and CEO of Vayavya Labs.

At a time when segments of the global technology industry are witnessing workforce rationalisation, Vayavya Labs’ expansion underscores its sustained growth, backed by strong demand in advanced engineering domains.

Mumbai, Apr 27 (BNP): Indian benchmark indices closed lower on Tuesday, pressured by a sharp rise in global crude oil prices and renewed geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Investor sentiment remained cautious throughout the session amid uncertainty over developments involving the United States and Iran, which kept global energy markets volatile.

At the close, the Sensex declined 416.72 points (0.54%) to 76,886.91, while the Nifty fell 97 points (0.40%) to 23,995.70.

Broader Markets Show Relative Strength

Despite weakness in frontline indices, broader markets outperformed. The MidCap index rose 0.28%, while the SmallCap index gained 0.42%, indicating selective buying interest.

Sector Performance Mixed

Market action was uneven across sectors:

• Oil & Gas and Metal stocks gained on higher crude prices
• Banking stocks remained under pressure, with PSU Bank and Nifty Bank among top losers

On the Sensex, stocks like Adani Ports, ITC, Bharti Airtel, and Tech Mahindra ended in the green, while HCL Tech, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and Infosys were among the major laggards.

Oil Prices Drive Global Concern

Global crude oil prices surged nearly 3% to around $111 per barrel, driven by concerns over supply disruption and geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

The rise in oil prices is seen as inflationary for import-dependent economies like India, adding pressure on equities and currency markets.

Rupee Weakens Against Dollar

The Indian rupee also came under pressure, trading near 94.54 per US dollar, impacted by rising crude prices and sustained foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows.

Outlook

Market experts expect volatility to persist in the near term, with global oil price movements and geopolitical developments likely to remain key drivers of investor sentiment.

New Delhi, April 2026: India’s Manufacturing, Engineering, and Infrastructure (MEI) sector is witnessing steady expansion, driven by rising investments, stronger hiring activity, and rapid adoption of advanced industrial technologies.

The sector is entering a structured growth phase, supported by policy measures and growing confidence among industry players.

Hiring Momentum Builds Across Industries

Employment demand in the MEI sector is rising, with companies actively planning workforce expansion. Skilled talent is increasingly required in areas such as automation, engineering operations, project execution, and sustainable manufacturing, reflecting the sector’s transition toward modern production systems.

Semiconductors and Industrial Hubs Gain Strength

Investments in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing clusters are accelerating across states including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. These developments are expected to generate significant employment and strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Industrial centres such as Chennai, Pune, and Bengaluru continue to attract strong investor interest due to infrastructure and talent availability.

Industrial Corridors Improve Efficiency

Large infrastructure networks such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor are enhancing logistics efficiency, reducing costs, and improving connectivity between manufacturing hubs.

Technology and Sustainability Driving Change

Manufacturing units are increasingly adopting Industry 4.0 practices, including automation, digital systems, and smart production technologies. Alongside this, there is a growing focus on energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes.

Outlook

With strong investment flows, expanding industrial clusters, and rising demand for skilled talent, India’s MEI sector is positioned to remain a key contributor to long-term economic growth and industrial transformation.

Apr 28 – Accountants and financial advisers are increasingly switching to allowing monthly fee payments to help ease the financial pressure on clients and themselves, new research* from Premium Credit, a leading provider of finance for businesses, shows.

 Nearly two out of five (37%) questioned said cashflow at their business suffered last year and almost all (95%) said clients struggling to pay fees was the main or a contributory factor in the squeeze on cashflow.

 However more than four out of five (85%) expect cashflow to improve over the next 12 months including 15% expecting cashflow to improve significantly over the period. More than half (52%) say that their client base has expanded over the past three years. Just 4% say their client base has shrunk.

 The improvements are against a backdrop of more accountants and financial advisers allowing clients to pay fees monthly. Almost all (97%) say they allow clients to pay fees monthly over an extended period of time. Research** last year found just 70% were doing so.

 Almost all (96%) questioned say they would consider allowing clients to pay fees monthly if asked – that compares to 68% in last year’s survey. There was similar strong support (98%) for offering clients the option to spread the cost of tax bills through instalments.

 The study found that accountants and financial advisers are seeing signs of financial strain among clients as the table below shows. More than 25% say that over five in 10 clients are in poor health or on the verge of failing.

 Nearly two out of three (66%) accountants and financial advisers surveyed say HMRC is getting tougher on tax arrears and debts. That is double the 33% who believe HMRC has become more understanding.

 Recent tax rises affecting SMEs such as Employers’ National Insurance and increases in the minimum wage have hit SME businesses, the survey found. Around half of accountants and financial advisers surveyed (48%) say the Government changes have reduced staff and recruitment at firms they work with while 47% say it has cut profits.

 Jennie Hill, Chief Commercial Officer, Premium Credit (Specialist Finance) said: “Accountants and financial advisers continue to show real flexibility and creativity in how they support clients, while also ensuring their own fees are paid on time.

 “We’re seeing increasing use of monthly payment options being offered, and it’s clearly making a difference. More accountants and advisers are feeling optimistic about their cashflow for the year ahead. Enabling clients to spread the cost of fees through convenient monthly payments benefits everyone — it improves affordability for clients, supports timely payment, and reduces risk to both the business and the client relationship.”

New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): India has witnessed a strong rise in women’s participation in the workforce, with the women’s employment rate increasing to 39% in 2025 from 22% in 2017, Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

Speaking at an event in the capital, the Minister said the improvement reflects expanding job opportunities for women across sectors and growing inclusion in both formal and informal employment.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several enabling reforms and initiatives have helped improve women’s access to employment and economic participation.

Steady Rise in Workforce Participation

Mandaviya also highlighted that the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has increased from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 40% in 2025, indicating a steady improvement in women’s engagement in the labour market.

He said the trend reflects a broader structural shift in India’s economy, with more women entering diverse sectors, including services, digital platforms, and emerging industries.

Focus on Digital and Platform Economy

The Minister was speaking at the SwigStree event in New Delhi, which focused on women’s participation in the platform and gig economy.

Officials noted that increasing involvement of women in such sectors is contributing to financial independence and broader economic empowerment.

The government said continued focus on skill development, digital access, and employment-linked initiatives will further strengthen women’s participation in India’s workforce in the coming years.

Apr 28: Cleartrip, a Flipkart company and one of India’s fastest-growing online travel platforms, today announced the launch of train ticket bookings in partnership with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the official ticketing arm of Indian Railways. 

Leveraging IRCTC‘s strong infrastructure, this integration offers both reliability at scale and a simplified, user-friendly experience. Cleartrip will allow users to search for, book, and manage their train journeys effortlessly within the app, marking a significant step towards becoming a unified, multi–modal travel platform. 

With this launch, travellers can access train ticket bookings across routes in India, including General and Tatkal quotas as prescribed by the guidelines of the Ministry of Railways, alongside essential services such as real-time seat availability, fare insights, PNR status tracking, berth preferences, and secure digital payments, all in a single, intuitive interface. 

Manjari Singhal, Chief Growth and Business Officer, Cleartrip, said, “Train travel is a critical part of India’s mobility ecosystem, and this launch marks an important step towards realizing our vision of becoming a unified, multi–modal travel platform. With our partnership with IRCTC, we are focused on simplifying the booking experience and making it more accessible to millions of travellers.” 

Gaurav Patwari, Chief Business Officer, Air, Cleartrip, said, “With over 800 million reserved passengers travelling by train every year, the opportunity isn’t just about scale; it’s about delivering a differentiated experience. By embedding seamless booking experience, predictive intelligence, and personalization into the platform, we are ensuring that every step, from discovery to post-booking support, is fast, reliable, and stress-free.” 

India’s rail network is one of the world’s most complex mobility systems, serving 23 million passengers daily and 7 billion annually, making it one of the world’s largest transportation systems. Cleartrip aims to capitalize on this enormous demand by integrating train bookings into its services. The company plans to extend this offering to its web platform soon, ensuring a seamless cross-platform experience for users.

Mumbai, April 28: Vikran Engineering Limited (VEL), one of India’s emerging multi sector EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) companies, has announced the  execution of a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire a 49% equity stake in NOPL Solar Projects  Private Limited for INR 4.9 crore, marking a strategic expansion of its presence in India’s  renewable energy sector. 

NOPL Solar Projects Private Limited is engaged in the development, operation, and  maintenance of solar power projects and is associated with a 969 MW (AC) grid-connected  solar power project under Component C of the PM-KUSUM Scheme in Maharashtra. 

The strategic investment aligns with Vikran Engineering’s long-term vision of diversifying  beyond its core engineering operations and building a meaningful presence in high-growth,  future-focused sectors. As India accelerates its clean energy transition and renewable capacity  addition, the acquisition positions Vikran Engineering to participate more actively in the  country’s solar infrastructure buildout. 

Commenting on the development, Mr. Rakesh Markhedkar, CMD, Vikran Engineering  Limited, said:  

“This acquisition reflects our intent to deepen Vikran Engineering’s presence in sectors that will define  India’s next phase of infrastructure growth. Renewable energy continues to emerge as one of the most  compelling long-term opportunities within India’s infrastructure landscape, and this investment  enables us to strengthen our foothold in the solar segment. Through this partnership, we aim to  capitalize on the expanding solar ecosystem, enhance our project execution capabilities, and create  sustainable long-term value for all stakeholders.” 

The transaction also builds on Vikran Engineering’s growing momentum in the renewable  energy segment, following the company’s execution of solar power projects during FY 2025– 26. By partnering with NOPL Solar Projects, Vikran Engineering aims to enhance its  participation across the renewable energy value chain and further strengthen its capabilities  in delivering next-generation infrastructure solutions. 

Keturah founder says year-on-year gains reflect resilience amid regional uncertainty

Dubai, UAE, 29^th April; 2026: Dubai’s standing as one of the world’s leading luxury real estate markets is being underlined by sustained demand across key price segments.

A new market analysis from the Keturah luxury brand highlights a clear acceleration in developer sales in recent weeks, with strong year-on-year growth in both value and volume despite regional uncertainty. 

Data from DXBinteract shows that developer sales above AED5 million reached AED25.04 billion between March 1 and April 15, a 21.4% increase on the same period last year, while transaction volumes rose 59.7% to 1,813 deals.

The AED5–10 million segment recorded the strongest growth, with value rising from AED3.43 billion to AED7.91 billion year-on-year and volume increasing from 503 to 1,153 transactions across the full March to April 15 period.

In the AED20–50 million range, value grew from AED5.38 billion to AED7.20 billion, with volume up from 211 to 236 transactions. The AED50–100 million bracket saw value climb from AED1.55 billion to AED2.63 billion, with transaction volumes rising from 24 to 42 deals across the period.

“In the current environment, the consistency of activity across these key segments is a strong indicator of underlying stability,” says Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand.

“The scale of growth across three distinct price bands tells you a great deal about the buyers driving it. These are committed, purposeful people taking a long-term view, and that level of sustained, broad-based confidence is a very encouraging sign.” 

He adds: “Dubai’s luxury market has durability because developers are thinking differently about what they build. There is more focus on how homes are actually lived in, and less reliance on short-term demand cycles. You can see that in the quality and consistency of what is coming to market.” 

Keturah’s two major luxury projects currently under development in Dubai sit directly within this market environment. Keturah Resort, a wellness-certified community along Dubai Creek adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, is designed around long-term living in a natural waterfront setting, while Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, is structured around controlled supply, residential privacy and end-user demand rather than short-term turnover. 

Together, they reflect where the market is heading, with greater emphasis on how people live at home day to day, and how developments are structured to support that. 

“Dubai continues to attract long-term capital because the fundamentals are stable and predictable,” says Talal. “The infrastructure is in place, the regulatory environment is transparent, and there is a long-term approach to how the city is planned and delivered. That combination gives investors and end-users a level of certainty they can rely on.”