Category: Business

Apr 16 (BNP): India can play a meaningful role in accelerating Africa’s clean energy transition by sharing its experience in scaling renewable power, particularly solar and wind energy, according to a recent report.

Over the past decade, India has expanded its renewable energy capacity by more than 130 gigawatts, with clean energy now accounting for over half of its installed electricity base. This growth has been supported by stable policy frameworks, competitive project auctions, and the rapid expansion of distributed solar systems that reach rural and underserved regions.

In Africa, energy access remains a major challenge, with nearly 600 million people still without electricity. However, the continent is witnessing steady growth in renewable energy deployment, with solar and wind projects increasingly powering homes, agriculture, and small industries.

The report highlights Africa’s exceptional solar potential along with its rich reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and copper—resources that are essential for batteries, grid infrastructure, and renewable technologies. In several regions, solar power is already proving more affordable than fossil fuel-based electricity when fuel and infrastructure costs are considered.

It also points to growing collaboration between India and African nations in areas such as grid integration, transmission development, and energy storage solutions, supported by Indian energy institutions and technical partnerships.

Experts suggest that deeper cooperation in financing, technology transfer, and policy design could significantly speed up Africa’s energy transition while strengthening long-term India–Africa clean energy ties.

Qaqortoq, Greenland – Apr 16:  A new airport has opened in Qaqortoq, giving international travellers direct access to the main town of South Greenland for the first time. This marks the opening up of one of the Arctic’s most diverse and lesser-visited areas.

Previously accessible only by helicopter or boat, Qaqortoq now becomes the main gateway to the south, with year-round flights from Nuuk and seasonal connections from Iceland. The airport replaces Narsarsuaq as the primary access point, significantly reducing travel time to the southern hub of Greenland. The 1,500-metre runway can accommodate Dash-8 Q200 and Q400 turboprop aircraft.

South Greenland is often associated with green pastures, sheep farming and wild nature. The area offers fjords, fertile valleys and a rich cultural landscape shaped by Inuit communities and Norse settlers since the time of Erik the Red more than 1,000 years ago. Improved access also opens routes to areas such as Tasermiut Fjord, known for its dramatic peaks and often referred to as “the Patagonia of Greenland”.

Visit Greenland Director Anne Nivika Grødem said:

“South Greenland offers a rare combination of powerful nature and a living culture shaped over generations. Improved access allows us to welcome visitors with greater intention—encouraging travel with curiosity, while creating lasting value for local communities and more meaningful experiences for our guests.

The opening forms part of a wider expansion of Greenland’s airport network, following Nuuk’s airport and ahead of Ilulissat’s new airport later this year—making Greenland increasingly accessible as a multi-destination destination.

Air Greenland expects around two daily flights between Nuuk and Qaqortoq year-round, with up to 17 weekly rotations during the summer period. Icelandair plans four weekly summer flights between Keflavík and Qaqortoq.

Miki Jensen, CEO of Innovation South Greenland, added:“This is a big day for the community. The airport connects South Greenland more closely to both the rest of the country via Nuuk and the world via Keflavik. It creates new opportunities for tourism and business, while strengthening everyday life in the area.”

South Greenland stands out for its relatively “mild” climate, green landscapes and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kujataa, where over 1,000 years of farming traditions continue today.

Improved air access is expected to support year-round tourism, a key priority for strengthening local businesses, reducing travel times and contributing to more balanced development across Greenland.

“With the opening of Qaqortoq Airport, we are taking an important step in the development of South Greenland. We are proud to contribute to the development of Greenland’s infrastructure and look forward to seeing how these new opportunities translate into tangible growth,” says Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports.

transcosmos Wins Salesforce Japan Partner of the Year – Innovation Award, Showcasing Excellence in the Salesforce Ecosystem

Japan, Apr 16: transcosmos is proud to announce that it has been named Japan Partner of the Year – Innovation – at the Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026. The company was recognized for its support of Kanagawa Prefecture, a client, in addressing challenges in the #7119 / #8000 Contact Center Project through the effective use of a range of products, including Agentforce for Public Sector, Agentforce Service, Data 360, Tableau, and Agentforce.

transcosmos proactively leverages Agentforce, Salesforce’s AI agent solution, in contact center operations to address potential challenges in continuously securing human agents, standardize service quality, and simplify human agents’ after-interaction work. The company also uses Tableau and Data 360 to help clients analyze accumulated data, as well as to develop and operate systems that drive operational improvement. Upon receiving the award, transcosmos was provided with the following comment from Atsushi Urano, Senior Vice President – Japan, Korea & Taiwan, Alliance & Channels & Global Technology Partners: “transcosmos strives to accelerate clients’ growth and enable them to make a leap forward by helping address their challenges across the entire CX domain, in a world where technologies continue to progress at an unprecedented pace and the AI revolution advances. For Salesforce, all partner companies are essential to driving clients’ success.”

Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026 marks its 19th anniversary this year. Through this award program, Salesforce recognizes its partners—including consulting firms, digital agencies, sales agencies, and ISV partners—for their significant contributions across cloud, industries and sectors, and a wide range of partner programs.

transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries. Salesforce is a trademark of Salesforce, inc., as are other names and marks. Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies. Please visit the following link for a list of winners of the Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026. https://appexchangejp.salesforce.com/learn/fy27-partner-award.

Mumbai, April 16: ETBrandEquity.com, India’s leading platform for marketing and advertising news, is bringing back its flagship event the Brand World Summit (BWS) 2026. The 8th edition will be held on July 3, 2026, in Mumbai, at Grand Hyatt bringing together the country’s top CMOs, brand leaders, and marketing decision-makers under one roof.

India’s advertising market is at an inflection point crossing the $1 trillion mark for the first time, powered by 971 million internet users and a media landscape that’s evolving faster than ever. Against this backdrop, BWS 2026 will serve as the definitive platform for marketing leaders to navigate the collision of mass media, precision targeting, and Artificial Intelligence.

With India emerging at the centre of the brand world, this year, the summit will focus on how global brands are renewing their trust in the Indian market and consumer while addressing a key challenge – reaching 1.4 billion Indians and still making each one feel seen. 

What to Expect at BWS 2026:

• High-Impact Conversations — Keynotes, sharp panel discussions, and real-world case studies from India’s most influential brand and global business leaders

• Multiple Content Tracks — Deep dives into AI-led marketing, mass media evolution, and breakthrough creative strategy — built for both brand builders and performance marketers

• The Startup Arena — A high-energy showcase of 30+ of innovative startups across ad-tech, D2C, and consumer engagement

• The Shark Awards — Recognising bold marketing excellence that cuts through the noise with sharp strategy, fearless creativity, and undeniable impact

“Over the last seven years, Brand World Summit has evolved into the ringside view of the Indian marketing industry,” said Amit Kumar Gupta, Business Head, Economic Times Business Verticals. “In 2026, the battleground is shifting from simple digital presence to sophisticated, AI-led customer journeys. This is where the industry’s brightest minds will gather to draft the new rules of brand-building.”

The summit expects 1,000+ delegates, including CEOs, CMOs, and Agency Heads. Some of the notable past speakers included Sanjiv Mehta (L Catterton India), Late Piyush Pandey,  (Ogilvy), Prabha Narasimhan (Colgate), Sudhansu Vats (Pidilite), Sudhir Sitapati (Godrej), Daniel Kim (Tinder), Aman Gupta (boAt) and Bollywood actors like Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal — reflecting the summit’s unique blend of business strategy and cultural relevance.

Apr 16 (BNP): Indian ethnic wear brand Libas is targeting a public listing by early next fiscal year as it continues to expand its retail presence across the country, according to a top company executive. However, the timing of the initial public offering (IPO) may shift by a few months depending on market conditions.

The company noted that recent volatility in equity markets, driven by geopolitical tensions, renewed global trade uncertainties, and foreign investor outflows, has impacted overall sentiment and valuation trends.

The Chief Executive Officer said the IPO timeline remains flexible and could be delayed if market instability and geopolitical tensions persist, particularly in the Middle East region.

Alongside its listing plans, Libas is also evaluating a potential private equity funding round to support its growth strategy. The company stated that it currently has sufficient financial runway but did not disclose further details.

Libas had previously raised ₹150 crore in 2024 at an undisclosed valuation.

The brand operates 50 stores across 15 cities in India and is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy, with plans to open at least 70 new outlets annually over the next two years. This would take its total store count beyond 200 locations.

India’s retail sector, currently valued at over $1 trillion, is expected to nearly double by 2030, driven by rising consumption and a growing middle-class population, creating strong growth opportunities for organised retail brands.

Mr. Pawan Gupta, Chairperson, PP Jewellers by Pawan Gupta:

“Akshaya Tritiya has always been a special occasion for us, and this year too we are seeing a lot of interest from customers. It’s a time when people like to invest in something meaningful, especially gold, because of what it represents. At the same time, there’s a clear shift this year. With gold prices being on the higher side, many customers are also exploring silver jewellery. It’s becoming a preferred choice for those who still want to be part of the tradition, but in a more accessible way. We have kept this in mind while curating our collections, offering a wide mix across both gold and silver. For the occasion, we are offering 5% off on making charges on gold bangles. With wedding season around the corner, we are expecting a strong and steady response.”

Ms. Mira Gulati, Director, Mirari Jewels:

“For us, Akshaya Tritiya is not just about buying jewellery, but about what it stands for: belief, intention and a sense of connection. This year, with our ‘Devi’ collection, we wanted to bring that feeling closer to people. The pieces are inspired by the symbols of Goddess Lakshmi, reflecting prosperity, strength, and grace in a very subtle way. Each design carries a certain meaning, something that goes beyond how it looks. On an occasion like Akshaya Tritiya, jewellery becomes more personal. It’s not just about adding something new, but about choosing something that holds value in a deeper, more lasting way. We are also seeing that customers are showing more interest in pieces that have a story or meaning attached to them. Collections like ‘Devi’ connect well because they feel more thoughtful and personal.”

 

New Delhi, Apr 16 (BNP): Silver prices gained in futures trade on Thursday, rising 0.82% to ₹2,53,800 per kilogram, supported by fresh buying interest and global market uncertainty.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver contracts for May delivery advanced by ₹2,058 per kg, with a total trading volume of 2,095 lots during the session.

Market participants attributed the rise to renewed position-building activity, as traders responded to volatile global cues, including concerns over US trade policy direction.

Analysts said the movement reflects cautious sentiment in the commodity market, where investors continue to take positions in precious metals amid uncertain international conditions.

Overall, silver remained firm in futures trade, tracking global risk sentiment and steady speculative demand.

New Delhi, Apr 16 (BNP): India’s unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 years and above rose to 5.1% in March 2026, up from 4.9% in the previous month, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin released by the statistics ministry.

The increase was largely driven by rising joblessness in urban areas, where the unemployment rate climbed to 6.8% in March, compared to 6.6% in February. The data indicates continued pressure in city labour markets, even as overall employment conditions remain broadly stable in rural regions.

The PLFS report highlights a modest but noticeable uptick in unemployment, reflecting ongoing structural challenges in urban job creation and labour absorption.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is engaging with commercial banks to explore ways to strengthen deposit mobilisation, amid growing concerns over shifting household savings patterns.

According to discussions held over recent weeks, RBI officials have sought feedback from lenders on strategies to attract more stable and long-term deposits. This comes as an increasing share of household savings is moving towards equities and other financial market instruments.

Banking sector experts note that this trend could pose challenges for liquidity management if deposit growth fails to keep pace with credit demand. The central bank’s consultations aim to ensure that the banking system remains resilient and well-funded despite evolving savings behaviour.