Category: Business

Keonjhar, Apr 14 (BNP): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday laid the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth around ₹1,900 crore in Keonjhar district, including the long-awaited Barbil Bypass-cum-Ring Road project aimed at easing heavy traffic congestion in the mining belt.

The ₹1,581.21 crore bypass project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in the mineral-rich Barbil region, one of Odisha’s busiest freight corridors.

During his visit, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 24 completed projects worth ₹29.41 crore and laid the foundation for 51 new projects valued at ₹326.43 crore.

The proposed 18.3-km bypass-cum-ring road will have the capacity to handle around 40,000 passenger car units (PCUs) daily, compared to the current traffic volume of nearly 15,375 vehicles per day.

Officials said the project is designed to reduce congestion caused by heavy mining vehicles, cut travel time, lower transportation costs, and improve overall logistics efficiency in the region.

Majhi said the upgraded road network would help resolve long-standing traffic bottlenecks and support economic growth in Keonjhar and surrounding areas.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): Adani Green Energy Limited has secured the highest ESG score of 87.3 among Indian companies assessed by CareEdge-ESG, earning an “ESG 1+” rating and strengthening its position in sustainability performance.

The rating highlights the company’s strong performance across key environmental, social and governance parameters, reflecting robust climate strategy, governance practices, and transparency in disclosures.

CareEdge-ESG stated that its assessment is based on a comprehensive review of ESG risks and opportunities, benchmarked against industry peers.

The agency noted that AGEL’s sustainability approach is supported by structured policies and the integration of ESG principles across its renewable energy operations.

The recognition is expected to enhance investor confidence, especially as ESG performance increasingly influences access to green and transition-linked financing.

Company officials said the rating validates its long-term focus on sustainable growth and climate-aligned investments across its renewable energy portfolio.

Mumbai/Washington, Apr 14 (BNP): In a major development in the global energy sector, Reliance Industries Limited, led by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, is set to participate in the development of what could become the first major new oil refinery built in the United States in nearly five decades.

The announcement was made by US President Donald Trump, who described the initiative as the “largest refinery deal in US history” in a post on the social media platform Truth Social. While the project developer, America First Refining (AFR), did not officially name its partner, Trump identified Reliance Industries as a key participant, calling it a “historic $300 billion deal.”

The refinery is planned at the Port of Brownsville in Texas and will be designed to process light crude derived entirely from US shale oil. The project reflects the significant transformation in America’s energy landscape driven by shale production over the past decade.

According to AFR, the international partner has committed substantial investment and entered into a long-term commercial arrangement linked to the refinery’s output. A binding 20-year off-take agreement has reportedly been signed, under which the partner will purchase and distribute fuels produced at the facility.

Groundbreaking for the refinery is expected in the second quarter of 2026. Industry analysts estimate the project could require a capital expenditure of around $4–5 billion, although official financial details and timelines are yet to be disclosed.

Reliance Industries has not yet issued an official statement regarding its involvement. However, the potential investment underscores the company’s strategic push to expand its global energy footprint and strengthen its position in international refining and petrochemical markets.

Apr 14 (BNP): India is set to emerge as one of the biggest hotel markets in the world, supported by strong growth in travel and tourism across the country.

The hospitality sector is expanding steadily due to rising domestic travel, increasing business activity, and a growing number of international visitors. Demand for hotels is rising in major cities as well as smaller towns.

Experts say better transport facilities, improved airport connectivity, and a growing middle-class population are helping drive this growth. Many hotel companies are also opening new properties in both metro and emerging destinations.

With continued investment and development, India is expected to become a leading global hub for the hotel industry in the coming years.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 14 April 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, industry and logistics solutions, signed a framework agreement with the National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA, the administrator of the Port of Constanța in Romania to explore strategic investment and development opportunities in the Black Sea’s largest port.

The agreement establishes a platform for collaboration across areas of mutual interest, including greenfield and brownfield port development, deployment of advanced digital solutions, and the advancement of sustainability-driven initiatives centred on renewable energy adoption, efficient waste management and emissions reduction, reinforcing long-term resilience and responsible growth. 

 

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement provides a framework for dialogue and cooperation with the Port of Constanța, one of the most strategically significant maritime hubs in the Black Sea region. Guided by the vision of our wise leadership in the UAE, we look forward to exploring opportunities that further strengthen the Group’s presence along the Middle Corridor, while supporting our Romanian partners in unlocking sustainable economic growth through enhanced connectivity and trade.’’

Located at the eastern edge of Europe, the Port of Constanța is a major trade gateway on the Black Sea and one of the largest ports in Europe. In 2025, it handled 88 million tonnes of liquid, dry, and general cargo, in addition to 1 million TEUs containers approximately.

Positioned at the mouth of the Danube–Black Sea Canal, the port provides a vital maritime link between the Black Sea shipping routes and inland waterways serving Eastern and Central Europe. As a fully integrated multimodal hub, connecting sea, rail, road, and river networks, Constanța plays a pivotal role in facilitating regional and international trade flows, including significant volumes of agri-products such as grains and cereals from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Over the past four years, AD Ports Group has made strategic investments across Central Asia and Pakistan to help reactivate the Middle Corridor, a commercially viable, lower-impact trade route connecting China and Europe along the historic Silk Road.

In 2025, the Group launched the Gulf Link logistics joint venture with KTZ Express, the freight unit of Kazakhstan Railways; inaugurated an intermodal logistics hub in Tbilisi, Georgia; and partnered with SEMURG Invest LLP, to develop a grain terminal at Kazakhstan’s Kuryk Port on the Caspian Sea.

Since 2022, through joint ventures with Kazakhstan’s national oil and shipping companies, KMG and KTMF, the Group has deployed tanker vessels to transport Kazakh oil across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, linking into western pipeline networks. In December 2025, it further expanded its regional footprint by partnering with Avesto Group in Tajikistan to establish an integrated logistics and freight forwarding joint venture.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): India’s solid macroeconomic and financial sector fundamentals are expected to soften the blow from a sustained rise in global crude oil prices, even though higher energy costs could weigh on overall economic growth, according to S&P Global Ratings.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

Under a stress scenario where Brent crude averages around USD 130 per barrel in 2026, India’s GDP growth could be lower by as much as 80 basis points, the rating agency said.

S&P Global Ratings added that corporate profitability would also come under pressure in such a scenario, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) expected to fall by 15–25 per cent in FY27, while leverage could rise by 0.5–1.0 times.

The agency further cautioned that banking sector asset quality may weaken under prolonged stress, with gross non-performing assets potentially rising to about 3.5 per cent.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): India’s oil marketing companies (OMCs) are reportedly facing significant under-recoveries on fuel sales as retail prices remain unchanged despite elevated global crude oil costs.

Industry estimates indicate that OMCs are currently incurring losses of around ₹18 per litre on petrol and nearly ₹35 per litre on diesel. These losses stem from the gap between stagnant retail prices and higher international crude and refining costs.

The price freeze has been maintained to protect consumers from sharp fluctuations in global energy markets. However, sustained volatility in crude oil prices continues to pressure the margins of fuel retailers, intensifying financial stress across the sector.

Apr 14: Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) today announced the commissioning of a first-of-its-kind high-speed Kinley water production line at its Avinya manufacturing facility in Telangana, setting new benchmarks in speed, automation, and operational efficiency in packaged drinking water production.

Located at Banda Thimmapur in Siddipet district, the Avinya (Telangana Greenfield Factory) facility is one of HCCB’s most advanced manufacturing units. Spread across 49 acres with a planned investment of over ₹2,000 crore, the plant currently operates seven advanced production lines, strengthening the company’s manufacturing footprint in the region.

The newly commissioned line is among the most advanced in the country and is the fastest within the Coca-Cola India Southwest Asia (INSWA) system in terms of production capacity. It can produce 500 ml PET bottles at speeds of up to 1,350 bottles per minute and 1-litre PET bottles at up to 1,000 bottles per minute, establishing a new benchmark for high-speed production.

Built on an integrated automation framework, the line enhances operational visibility, precision, and consistency across manufacturing cycles. It features a state-of-the-art water purification system with mineral injection and ozonisation technology to ensure stringent quality standards.

The facility also incorporates advanced lamella pack technology, enabling up to 90% water recovery, underscoring HCCB’s commitment to sustainability and responsible water management. An integrated Human–Machine Interface (HMI) allows centralised monitoring and improved process control, ensuring reliability and efficiency.

Additionally, the line includes an advanced dosing system to enhance packaging stability and product integrity. Optimised for energy efficiency, it leverages real-time monitoring to minimise downtime and enable faster changeovers, ensuring flexibility to meet evolving market demand.

Commenting on the development, Avinash Kant Kumar, Head – Integrated Supply Chain, HCCB, said:

“Avinya sets a new national benchmark in beverage manufacturing by combining high-tech automation with sustainable resource management. The launch of our Kinley production line, the fastest in the INSWA system, marks a significant milestone for HCCB and reinforces our commitment to Telangana’s industrial growth and operational excellence.”

The commissioning of this line further strengthens HCCB’s manufacturing ecosystem and enhances the capacity of the Avinya facility. Alongside its existing plant in Ameenpur, Sangareddy district, the company continues to expand its presence in Telangana, contributing to industrial development and generating employment for over 1,000 people in the state.

Mumbai, Apr 14 (BNP): Investments in Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) saw a sharp rise in the March 2026 quarter, as investors turned to gold for safety amid global uncertainty.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

Net inflows into Gold ETFs stood at ₹31,561 crore, nearly six times higher than the same period last year. On a quarterly basis, inflows also rose by about 36%, showing continued demand for gold-backed investments.

Market experts say investors preferred gold during the period due to geopolitical tensions and volatility in financial markets, which boosted its appeal as a safe-haven asset.

Along with higher inflows, the overall size of gold ETF investments and the number of investor accounts also increased during the quarter, indicating growing participation in this segment.

New Delhi, April 14: ASUS announced the opening of pre-orders for its latest premium Zenbook lineup in India, bringing its “Design You Can Feel” philosophy to life. The new range includes the flagship Zenbook S14, Zenbook DUO, and Zenbook A14, alongside the newly introduced Zenbook A16 and a refreshed Vivobook portfolio.

The devices will be available across ASUS Exclusive Stores, ASUS E-shop, Flipkart, Amazon, and authorised retail partners starting April 21, while the Zenbook A16 will be available at a later date.

Premium Design Meets Material Innovation

Focused on delivering a refined and tactile user experience, the lineup underscores ASUS’ continued investment in material innovation and portability. Featuring Ceraluminum™, a proprietary material designed to enhance durability while maintaining a premium finish, the devices combine strength with ultra-lightweight form factors.

Powering the new lineup are next-generation platforms, including Intel Core Ultra processors and Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite series processors, enabling advanced AI capabilities and efficient on-device performance.

Pre-orders for the Zenbook series are open from April 14 to April 20, with limited-period benefits including extended warranty, accidental damage protection, and exclusive accessories for select models.

Leadership Perspective

Commenting on the launch, Arnold Su, Vice President, Consumer and Gaming PC, ASUS India, said:

“With this new lineup, we are reinforcing our focus on delivering meaningful user experiences through design, performance, and innovation. From advanced materials like Ceraluminum™ to thinner, lighter form factors, our goal is to create devices that are powerful, intuitive, and comfortable to use.”

Product Highlights

Zenbook S14: Ultra-Portable Performance

The Zenbook S14 features an ultra-slim and lightweight design built with a Ceraluminum™ chassis. It comes with a 14-inch 3K ASUS Lumina OLED display and delivers long battery life for uninterrupted productivity. Powered by Intel Core Ultra Series processors, it supports efficient multitasking and AI-assisted workflows.

Zenbook DUO: Dual-Screen Productivity

The Zenbook DUO introduces dual 14-inch OLED touch displays with high refresh rates, enabling seamless multitasking across screens. Designed for modern workflows, it combines performance with versatility and extended battery life in a premium form factor.

Zenbook A Series (A14 & A16): Lightweight AI PCs

The Zenbook A14 and A16 offer ultra-light portability with a premium design. Powered by Snapdragon X2 series processors, the devices deliver strong AI performance, seamless multitasking, and long battery life for productivity and entertainment on the go.

Vivobook Classic Series: Smarter Everyday Computing

The Vivobook 14 and 16 bring AI-powered features such as search, summarisation, and task management to everyday users. Equipped with AI cameras and enhanced security features, they ensure a smooth and secure computing experience.

Vivobook S Series: Performance for Creators

The Vivobook S14 and S16 feature sleek metallic designs, long battery life, and powerful Intel Core Ultra processors, making them ideal for creators and professionals seeking performance and portability.