Author: Neel Achary

NSE, Augmont Partner to Strengthen India’s Electronic Gold Receipt Ecosystem

July 15: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has partnered with Augmont to strengthen India’s Electronic Gold Receipt (EGR) ecosystem, marking a significant step towards developing a more transparent and organised gold market.

The partnership aims to encourage wider adoption of Electronic Gold Receipts, providing investors with a modern and efficient way to hold and trade gold through digital platforms backed by physical gold.

The initiative is expected to improve transparency, enhance price discovery, and create greater participation in the formal gold market. It will also help bridge the gap between traditional gold ownership and emerging financial market solutions.

Electronic Gold Receipts offer investors the convenience of digital ownership while reducing the challenges associated with storing physical gold. The platform-based approach is designed to provide a secure, efficient, and accessible option for individuals and institutions interested in gold investments.

The collaboration between NSE and Augmont is expected to benefit various stakeholders, including investors, jewellers, traders, and other participants in the gold value chain, by supporting a more structured and transparent trading ecosystem.

The move reflects the growing efforts to modernise India’s gold market and strengthen the role of technology in creating efficient financial solutions. The partnership is expected to contribute towards wider acceptance of digital gold instruments and support the formalisation of gold trading in India.

Andhra Pradesh Backs PPP Model for Ramayapatnam Port, Cites Growth and Development Benefits

July 15: The Andhra Pradesh government has reiterated its support for operating Ramayapatnam Port under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, stating that the approach will help accelerate infrastructure development and improve the state’s maritime growth prospects.

Officials said the PPP framework will enable the integration of government support with private sector expertise, bringing advanced technology, efficient management practices, and greater investment into port operations.

The government highlighted that Ramayapatnam Port is a key strategic project aimed at improving cargo movement, strengthening logistics networks, and supporting industries across the region. The port is expected to create new opportunities for trade, commerce, and employment while enhancing Andhra Pradesh’s position in the maritime sector.

Authorities said private participation in infrastructure projects helps ensure faster development, better operational efficiency, and improved services while contributing to long-term economic growth.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to developing world-class infrastructure and creating a business-friendly environment. The development of Ramayapatnam Port under the PPP model is expected to support industrial expansion and boost economic activity in Andhra Pradesh.

Northeast Set to Become India’s Next Innovation Powerhouse: NITI Aayog Officials

July 15: The Northeast region has the potential to emerge as India’s next major innovation hub, according to NITI Aayog officials, who highlighted the area’s growing strengths in technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

Officials said the region’s young workforce, rich natural resources, diverse culture, and strategic importance provide a strong foundation for building an innovation-driven economy. With the right support systems, the Northeast can become a key contributor to India’s growth and development journey.

NITI Aayog emphasised the importance of strengthening research and development, promoting startups, improving digital connectivity, and creating an ecosystem that encourages local talent to develop innovative solutions.

The region has already been witnessing growth in areas such as technology, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship. Greater collaboration between government agencies, industries, educational institutions, and local communities can further accelerate this transformation.

Officials noted that empowering young entrepreneurs and expanding opportunities for innovation will play a crucial role in unlocking the Northeast’s full potential.

The focus on innovation-led development aligns with India’s broader vision of inclusive growth, where every region contributes to the country’s economic progress. With continued investment and support, the Northeast is expected to emerge as an important centre for innovation, enterprise, and sustainable development.

UST Wins Seven Awards at the ETHRWorld Future Skills Awards 2026

Mumbai, India, July 15: UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has been conferred with seven awards at the ETHRWorld Future Skills Awards 2026 across organizational and individual categories. The recognition across different leadership categories underscores UST’s commitment to building future-ready talent and continuously strengthening capabilities that drive client value. 

The ET Future Skills Awards (ETFSA) honour organizations driving impactful learning and talent development initiatives that empower people, build future-ready capabilities, and shape the workplaces of tomorrow. UST has been honoured with four awards in the Organizational category – India’s Future Skills Impact Award, ‘Gold’ in Best Innovative Leadership Development Program, ‘Silver’ in Best Generative AI Learning Solution, and Excellence in AI-Driven Learning & Analytics.  In the Individual category, UST received ‘Gold’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader – Mary Mathew and ‘Silver’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader – Krishna Ahir, and NextGen Learning Leader – Under 40 – Rajit Rangan.

“These awards are not just a celebration of learning programs; they are a recognition of the capability movement we are building at UST. The future belongs to organizations that can learn faster than change, build strategic skills ahead of demand, and translate learning into measurable business impact. At G.A. Menon Academy, our aspiration is to make continuous learning a cultural advantage and capability-building a strategic engine for UST’s future growth,” said Krishnan Nilakantan, Chief Learning Officer, UST.

The industry validation through the ET HRWorld Awards matters more at a time when skills are becoming a key source of competitive advantage. It recognizes UST‘s programs that are designed to contribute to the internal growth as well as setting a benchmark in developing the larger talent and learning ecosystem. The achievements reflect the depth of leadership, innovation, and learning excellence at UST.

UST’s learning ecosystem is driven through the G.A. Menon Academy (GAMA), which shapes enterprise capability. The Learning and Development initiatives at UST have been steadily evolving from a traditional learning delivery model to a more strategic capability-building engine focusing on building future skills, enabling leadership effectiveness, accelerating AI adoption and readiness, and driving measurable organizational impact, closely aligned with business priorities.

Carne Group’s Study finds Asset Managers accelerate Outsourcing pivot as Regulatory Burden Intensifies

July 15: A global study of 200 fund managers across Europe and the United States who collectively manage $7.72 trillion in assets, commissioned by Carne Group (Carne), Europe’s largest third-party management company (ManCo), reveals a fundamental shift in the operational architecture of the asset management industry. Faced with a looming regulatory storm and an increasingly difficult recruitment landscape, fund managers are moving rapidly towards a model defined by the aggressive outsourcing of core functions to third-party specialists (please see the attached press release).

The research reveals fund managers are increasingly moving away from a do-it-all-in-house approach in favour of external partnerships that offer the scale, technological sophistication, and jurisdictional reach required to survive in a high-cost, high-scrutiny environment.

The regulatory squeeze and the talent deficit

Central to this transformation is a deepening concern regarding the global regulatory environment. An overwhelming 89% of fund managers surveyed agree that the ability to navigate regulatory complexities will become much harder over the next two years. This sentiment is driving a flight to expertise, as many fund managers realise that internal resources are no longer sufficient to keep pace with evolving transparency requirements and reporting standards.

The data also points to a critical talent gap within the industry. When asked why they are increasing their use of third-party service providers, 35% of respondents ranked the difficulty in recruiting appropriate staff as their top challenge. This was followed by the growing burden of regulation, which was cited by one in five (21%) as being the number one driver.

The outsourcing surge: Middle and back office in focus

In terms of the scale of this planned operational overhaul, 70% of fund managers surveyed expect to increase their use of third-party service providers over the next 12 months alone, with 41% of respondents planning a dramatic increase.

This trend is not a short-term fix but a long-term strategic realignment. Looking ahead over the next five years, 96% of asset managers questioned expect their use of third-party suppliers to increase, with over a third (37%) anticipating a dramatic shift in how they support their fund management businesses.

The willingness to switch

The research also reveals a highly competitive and fluid market for third-party services. Gone are the days of ‘provider for life’ relationships; fund managers are increasingly willing to switch suppliers to find the right fit for their evolving needs.

One in five managers (20%) confirmed they expect to switch to an alternative third-party service provider within the next year. When asked what would trigger such a move, the ability to offer a wider range of services was most frequently ranked top by respondents, followed by wanting higher service levels and then the need for better technological capabilities.

Interestingly, while cost and price remain important, they were cited as the primary reason for switching by only 13% of managers. This suggests that for today’s fund managers, value-add and service depth are now considered more critical than purely competing on price.