20, Jul 2026
Uttarakhand’s Frozen Food Export Gets Global Boost with First French Fries Shipment to Iraq
New Delhi, July 20: Uttarakhand has marked a significant milestone in its agricultural export journey with the first shipment of frozen French fries from the state reaching Iraq, with support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The export highlights the growing potential of India’s processed food sector and reflects efforts to connect local producers with international markets. The move is expected to create new opportunities for potato growers, food processors, and exporters in Uttarakhand.
APEDA has been actively supporting the promotion of value-added agricultural products by facilitating market access, strengthening export networks, and encouraging Indian food products in global markets.
The successful consignment demonstrates the rising demand for Indian processed food products worldwide and is expected to encourage further expansion of agricultural exports from the state.
The initiative represents a step forward in strengthening India’s position in the global food supply chain while supporting growth in the country’s agro-processing sector.
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- By Neel Achary
20, Jul 2026
India Clears QDENGA Dengue Vaccine, Expanding Protection for People Aged 4-60 Years
New Delhi, July 20: India has approved QDENGA, the country’s first dengue vaccine, for people aged 4 to 60 years, marking an important step towards strengthening dengue prevention and healthcare efforts.
The approval introduces a new preventive measure against dengue, a mosquito-borne disease that continues to pose a public health challenge in several parts of the country. The vaccine is expected to support efforts to reduce the impact of dengue infections among eligible age groups.
Health experts said vaccination, along with existing preventive measures such as mosquito control, maintaining hygiene, and early detection of symptoms, will be important in managing the spread of dengue.
The availability of QDENGA is expected to provide an additional layer of protection for communities and support India’s broader efforts to improve public health preparedness against mosquito-borne diseases.
The approval marks a significant milestone in dengue prevention and highlights continued progress in strengthening healthcare solutions in India.
20, Jul 2026
Consumer Market Maintains Investment Momentum with Dollar 981 Million Deals
New Delhi, July 20, 2026: Consumer sector deal activity remained resilient in the second quarter of 2026, with transaction values reaching $981 million, according to a recent report.
The report highlighted continued investor interest in the consumer segment, supported by changing consumption patterns, business expansion opportunities, and growth potential across various categories.
Despite evolving market conditions, the sector maintained steady momentum as companies focused on strengthening their market presence, expanding operations, and attracting strategic investments.
Industry experts said the sustained deal activity reflects confidence in India’s consumer market and its long-term growth prospects. The sector continues to remain an important area for investors due to rising demand and increasing consumer opportunities.
The report noted that ongoing investment trends are expected to support innovation, expansion, and growth across the consumer industry in the coming periods.
20, Jul 2026
Arete Group reinforces Employee-Centric Growth Strategy with AI, Upskilling and Well-Being, Targets 80 plus hires
Vapi, Gujarat July 20: Arete Group continues to reinforce its commitment to building a future-ready and employee-centric workplace by embracing digital capabilities, promoting continuous learning, prioritizing employee well-being, and fostering a collaborative work environment. With a workforce of over 700 employees and 80 new hires as part of its ongoing growth, the company is focused on empowering talent while fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, and professional development. As part of its continued expansion plans, Arete Group also aims to hire 80+ employees in the current fiscal year, strengthening its capabilities and supporting business growth.
As part of its digital transformation journey, Arete Group has transitioned departmental operations to AI-enabled digital platforms, enhancing productivity, streamlining routine tasks, and improving collaboration. Complementing this, its dedicated learning and development centre, Excelerate, offers certification programmes across Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Investment to strengthen functional expertise, encourage continuous learning, and support employee career growth.
Employee well-being remains a key focus at Arete Group. Through its Umatter employee well-being programme, the company fosters a supportive workplace by promoting mindful resilience, wellness, and employee engagement through wellness challenges and awareness initiatives focused on stress management and emotional well-being. Employees also benefit from competitive compensation, health insurance, statutory benefits, structured leave policies, welfare support, and continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
Mr. Siraj, Director, Arete Group said, “The modern workforce is undergoing a clear shift toward continuous learning, digital fluency, and purpose-driven careers, particularly in manufacturing and engineering, where digital transformation is reshaping skill requirements. We view people capability as central to business growth. Our focus is on enabling employees with AI-driven tools, structured learning pathways, and a strong well-being ecosystem that supports both performance and growth. By aligning talent development with evolving business needs, we are building a workforce that is agile, skilled, and ready for long-term industry transformation while sustaining our growth through quality talent acquisition and a strong employee-centric culture.”
To foster collaboration and work-life balance, Arete Group’s Vapi campus features thoughtfully designed recreational spaces, including an amphitheatre, turf, play area, and sports room, which encourage team interaction, employee engagement, and a positive workplace experience, while also offering the lifestyle advantages of a Tier 2 city such as lower cost of living, shorter commute times, improved work-life balance, and the opportunity to build rewarding careers without relocating to larger metropolitan centres.
20, Jul 2026
Luxury off-plan homes bring AED 3.72 billion June sales
Keturah founder says premium property market keeps proving its durability as villa, apartment deals average AED 12.1 million
Dubai, UAE, July 20: The Dubai luxury real estate market continued to attract a steady flow of investment in June, with developers generating sales transactions worth AED3.72 billion for off-plan homes priced above AED5 million.
A market analysis from the Keturah luxury brand today reveals that villa buyers accounted for AED1.61 billion across 141 off-plan transactions last month, while apartment sales reached AED2.12 billion from 166 deals – an average of AED 12.1 million per home.
The strongest villa activity came in the AED5-10 million bracket, where 99 transactions generated AED639.2 million in developer off-plan sales, with a further 30 deals worth AED415.6 million recorded in the AED10-20 million range.
Data from DXBinteract shows that apartment sales were concentrated in the AED5-10 million bracket, with 111 transactions worth AED722.3 million, followed by 33 deals worth AED475.7 million in the AED10-20 million range.
Added to the 307 off-plan transactions last month, developers recorded another AED1.01 billion in sales of 58 ready properties above AED5 million at an average of AED17.4 million each.
“The premium end of the property market keeps proving its durability,” said Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand. “Investors are continuing to back Dubai’s long-term trajectory as one of the world’s leading real estate destinations.”
The company currently has two luxury communities under development in Dubai – Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7, and the Ritz-Carlton Residences at Keturah Resort, on the shores of Dubai Creek, adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
Both developments sit within the top tier of the market, which last month saw seven villa sales in the AED20-50 million range for a total of AED207.9 million, and five deals in the AED50-100 million range worth AED344.9 million.
Meanwhile, 18 apartment sales in the AED20-50 million range amounted to AED521.5 million and three deals in the AED50-100 million sector totalled AED197 million, while a penthouse in Business Bay sold for AED200 million.
Dubai Islands was the area recording the highest number of off-plan transactions above AED5 million last month with 48 sales, followed by Dubai South with 39, and Palm Jumeirah with 22.
20, Jul 2026
President Murmu Begins Historic First Visit to Moldova, Strengthening Bilateral Ties
New Delhi, July 20: President Droupadi Murmu has arrived in Moldova on a historic visit, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the European nation.
The landmark visit is aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations between India and Moldova and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The visit reflects India’s continued efforts to expand engagement with European partners.
During the visit, discussions are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people connections.
The historic presidential visit is seen as an important milestone in India-Moldova relations and is expected to further deepen bilateral understanding and collaboration between the two countries.
The visit highlights India’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships and building closer ties with nations across regions.
20, Jul 2026
Federal Bank Q1 Profit Jumps 36.57 percent to INR 1,177 Cr; Net NPA at Decadal Low
Chennai, July 20: Federal Bank today reported net profit of ₹1,176.93 crore (Record quarterly profit, on an underlying basis) for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 (Q1 FY27), up 36.57% over the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The quarter was defined by the strength of the Bank’s core franchise, with net interest income growing 26.06% and fee income 21.71%, even as treasury income remained subdued through a volatile market period.
20, Jul 2026
Deep-Water Ports to Strengthen India’s Maritime Growth
New Delhi, July 20: India is stepping up efforts to develop deep-water port projects as part of a strategy to strengthen its maritime infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs.
The initiative aims to enhance India’s position in global trade by improving port capacity, increasing cargo handling efficiency, and creating stronger connectivity with international shipping routes. Deep-water ports are expected to help accommodate larger vessels and support faster movement of goods.
The development of advanced port facilities is also aligned with India’s broader efforts to boost logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and improve competitiveness in international trade.
Officials and industry stakeholders have emphasized that expanding domestic maritime infrastructure will provide greater control over cargo movement and support the growth of manufacturing, exports, and supply chain networks.
The push for deep-water ports reflects India’s long-term vision of building a self-reliant and globally competitive maritime sector while strengthening its role in global commerce.
20, Jul 2026
Floodwaters Disrupt Train Services in Assam as Railway Tracks Go Under Water
Guwahati, July 20: Train services in Assam have been affected after floodwaters submerged railway tracks at several locations, disrupting normal rail movement in the state.
Continuous rainfall and rising river levels have caused water accumulation over railway sections, forcing authorities to take precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety. Railway teams are monitoring the affected areas and carrying out inspections to assess the condition of the tracks.
Passengers have been advised to stay updated on train schedules and follow official travel advisories as restoration work continues. Railway authorities are taking steps to resume services safely once conditions become favourable.
The flood situation in Assam remains under close watch, with local authorities and emergency teams working to manage the impact of rising water levels and provide necessary support to affected areas.
Railway officials have stated that passenger safety remains the top priority while efforts are underway to restore normal train operations at the earliest.
20, Jul 2026
Credit Growth Remains Resilient Amid Deposit Challenges
New Delhi, July 20: Bank credit growth in India is expected to remain strong despite concerns over the gap between credit expansion and deposit growth, according to a report by SBI Research.
The report highlighted that lending activity is likely to maintain momentum, supported by economic growth, improving demand across sectors, and continued financial system stability. However, the difference between loan growth and deposit mobilisation remains a key area of focus for banks.
Experts noted that strengthening deposit flows will be important to ensure sustainable credit expansion and maintain adequate liquidity within the banking system.
The banking sector continues to play a crucial role in supporting economic activity by providing credit to businesses, individuals, and various sectors of the economy.
SBI Research said ongoing trends in deposits, lending demand, and overall economic conditions will determine the future pace of credit growth in the banking sector.
