21, Sep 2023
RAKEZ team visits China’s Guangdong province to boost trade and economic synergies
Ras Al Khaimah, 21 September 2023: A delegation from Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), led by Group CEO Ramy Jallad, successfully wrapped up its roadshow in China’s Guangdong province to foster deeper ties with local enterprises, prominent trade associations, and key government entities and explore new opportunities for economic and trade cooperation. The delegation hosted business forums across three major cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan, highlighting the prospects of the growing Middle Eastern market amid Chinese firms.
The forums allowed participants to dive deep into understanding Ras Al Khaimah’s economic landscape and industry, while RAKEZ engaged closely with local enterprises to further understand their plans for overseas ventures and investments. The discussions were instrumental for both parties in identifying potential areas of collaboration and creating effective foreign trade platforms for long-term bilateral business ties.
The delegation met with companies from key sectors including automotive, media equipment, energy, pharmaceuticals, security, IT, electronics, telecom, construction, finance, and e-commerce. The trade associations that actively participated in RAKEZ’s business forums were the Guangzhou Association of Trade in Services, Shenzhen Electronics Industrial Association, and Shenzhen State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Furthermore, the delegation also interacted with representatives from government entities like Dongguan Bureau of Commerce and Songshan Lake Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone.
Commenting on the visit, Jallad said, “The potential for business collaboration between Guangdong and Ras Al Khaimah is vast, spanning across multiple sectors. Hundreds of Chinese companies, from SMEs to manufacturing giants, have already chosen RAKEZ as their base. A significant portion of these companies play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability efforts in both Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE. We are actively engaging with Chinese government entities, Fortune 500 multinationals, trade associations, and SMEs to assist them with their expansion goals to the Middle East through Ras Al Khaimah. As a foreign trade and export powerhouse in China, Guangdong is a natural partner in this endeavour.”
He further added, “Given RAKEZ’s strategic positioning in an emirate that is central to the UAE-China trade relationship, coupled with our unwavering dedication to our investors through a customer-first approach and excellent aftercare services, we are aligned to leverage the UAE’s expanding trade relationship with China and support the goal of amplifying our bilateral trade to USD 200 billion by 2030. Our persistent efforts underscore our commitment to further bolstering Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a global industrial and business hub.”
Over the decades, the UAE has emerged as China’s most significant export market and second-largest trading partner in the Middle East, while China stands as the UAE’s largest trading partner with the value of non-oil trade between the two countries exceeding USD 72 billion in 2022, reflecting an 18% growth from USD 61 billion in 2021. Following the Belt and Road Initiative, numerous Chinese investors, particularly state-owned enterprises, have solidified their presence in the UAE participating in key infrastructural projects encompassing ports, railroads, and highways. Jallad believes that Chinese firms will further benefit from the Initiative by establishing their presence in Ras Al Khaimah. He said, “Our goal is to show them that Ras Al Khaimah is the right choice and right place for them to grow. As a service provider, we offer our companies end-to-end services and value-added services, ensuring that all is in place so that investors can plug and play and focus on their business.”
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- By Rabindra
21, Sep 2023
Lenovo Unleashes Next-Generation Edge AI Solutions for Intelligent Transformation
Bangalore, September 21, 2023 – Today, Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) announced new, first-to-market edge AI services and solutions. These are designed to enable mass deployment of remote computing capabilities that will significantly accelerate AI readiness and empower new AI applications for any business. New Lenovo TruScale for Edge and AI brings the proven cost benefits of Lenovo TruScale’s Infrastructure-as-a-Service model to the broadest and most comprehensive edge portfolio on the market. This enables customers to leverage a pay-as-you-go model to quickly deploy powerful edge computing and gain AI-powered insights directly at the source of data creation. Lenovo is also expanding its broad portfolio with the new Lenovo ThinkEdge SE455 V3, bringing the most powerful edge server to the market and delivering breakthrough efficiency to support the most intensive remote AI workloads.
“In the age of intelligent transformation, Lenovo is leading innovation at the edge, democratising access to immediate intelligence through our advanced edge AI solutions. We aim to simplify AI deployment, making it accessible anywhere, anytime, and helping organisations thrive in an increasingly data-centric world,” said Sumir Bhatia, President – AP, Lenovo ISG. “With TruScale for Edge and ThinkEdge SE455 V3, we’re empowering businesses of all sizes to harness the full potential of data-driven insights, fueling transformative change across industries.”
Coupled with Lenovo’s AI Innovators program, end-to-end solutions and AI-ready technology, the breakthrough edge offerings simplify the creation and deployment of next-generation AI applications. This will help businesses of any size pioneer transformation with AI-powered insights that can be immediately used to improve outcomes across store aisles, manufacturing floors, hospital rooms, commercial kitchens and service desks all over the world.
As the amount of worldwide data grows exponentially, efficient edge computing infrastructure is essential to overcoming AI deployment complexities and helping businesses quickly translate data into actionable insights that streamline operations and improve business outcomes. Across every industry, next-generation infrastructure technologies that deliver data center-like computing to the edge are empowering AI for improved emergency response, public safety, accessibility, tourism, and retail experiences.
“We are excited about this launch as it comes at a time when businesses across industries in India are increasingly prioritizing real-time insights. Our first-to-market solutions will enhance decision-making, and drive innovation by processing data right at the source,” stated Amit Luthra, Managing Director – India, Lenovo ISG. “Moreover, through our actively expanding AI Innovators Program we are enabling sectors like retail, manufacturing, smart cities, and others to leverage the next-gen applications such as computer vision, audio recognition, prediction, security, and virtual assistants. Our core objective is to make digital IT real.”
Lenovo TruScale for Edge and AI helps businesses overcome limited resources and funding, offering immediate access to edge AI deployment and a one-stop connection to Lenovo’s 150+ turnkey AI solutions, using a scalable, infrastructure-as-a-service model to accelerate their intelligent transformation. It delivers end-to-end services from deployment to management and refresh, while customers get a predictable monthly payment model designed to scale dynamically with them. Leveraging single-source services and tools, TruScale makes it easier than ever to afford, deploy, and manage edge infrastructure, significantly reducing the upfront costs of powering AI solutions at the edge, and leveraging Lenovo to deploy and manage the solution without disrupting day-to-day operations. Customers can scale solutions at will and optimize costs with Lenovo metering technology that ensures they only pay for what they use. With the service, Lenovo has become the first one-stop-shop for end-to-end, edge-to-cloud AI solutions.
Lenovo is dedicated to supporting AI workloads anywhere, optimizing performance and efficiency for remote environments. The Lenovo ThinkEdge SE455 V3 leverages the latest EPYC 8004 series processor for exceptional efficient performance at the edge. This empowers next-gen AI applications while reducing power consumption and total cost of ownership in a compact, unobtrusive design. With robust power, storage, and expandability, it’s ideal for demanding AI and workload consolidation, catering to emerging innovations like large language models (LLMs).
In other key industries, like manufacturing, Lenovo offers edge AI solutions that detect workplace hazards such as accidents, defective machinery, and fire while state-of-the-art edge AI computing processes thousands of data points to monitor and engage with public crowds in large hospitality settings, enabling better guest services, security, and business intelligence in real-time.
21, Sep 2023
4000 plus screens to participate and celebrate the National Cinema Day
India, 21st September 2023: Mark your calendars for Friday, October 13th, as The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) and Cinemas all over India unite once again to bring you National Cinema Day. This exciting day promises an unforgettable movie marathon for all movie enthusiasts for just Rs 99/- per admission.
Building on the resounding success of last year’s event, which saw the highest ever single day admissions of 6.5 million, National Cinema Day this year will unfold across more than 4000 participating screens, including renowned cinemas like PVR INOX, CINEPOLIS, MIRAJ, CITYPRIDE, ASIAN, MUKTA A2, MOVIE TIME, WAVE, M2K, DELITE, and many others.
This special occasion brings audiences of all ages together for a day of cinematic bliss, celebrating the incredible success of multiple films at the box office this year. It’s a heartfelt “thank you” to all the moviegoers who contributed to this success and an open invitation to those who haven’t yet returned to their local cinema.
Stay tuned for additional details around exciting offers on tickets and F&B, which will be revealed at the participating cinemas, on their websites, and via their social media channels. Be sure to follow #NationalCinemaDay for the latest announcements and updates.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of cinema on National Cinema Day – an unforgettable day at the movies awaits!
21, Sep 2023
Walmart Foundation supports Grameen Foundation’s Launch of MANDI-II in Eastern UP and West Bengal
$2 Million Grant to Boost Smallholder Farmers’ Incomes and Resilience: Walmart Foundation supports Grameen Foundation’s Launch of MANDI-II in Eastern UP and West Bengal
[Varanasi, 20th September, 2023] – Grameen Foundation today announced it will deepen its commitment to smallholder farmers by launching the second phase of the Market Access eNabled by Digital Innovation in India (MANDI) project, made possible by a $2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. MANDI-II will aim to address challenges faced by smallholder farmers, especially women, in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal by building the capacities of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
During the first phase of the MANDI project, also supported by the Walmart Foundation, Grameen Foundation helped build the capacity of 40 FPOs in Eastern Uttar Pradesh by facilitating market linkages, providing access to finance, data and technology and notably increasing women shareholder participation. The achievements of MANDI Phase I as reported by Grameen include:
· Gender Mainstreaming: Over 8,300 women were added as new members to FPOs;18 out of 40 FPOs now have at least 40% women membership compared to the 12.5% at baseline. A total of 142 self-help groups (SHGs) have been linked with 25 FPOs, resulting in the establishment of various gender-inclusive value chains, such as moringa, chili, medicinal plants such as aloe vera, and dairy as well as production chains such as sweets from the vegetable bottle gourd, and vermicompost as an alternative, organic fertilizer.
· Uptake of Agriculture Technologies: Approximately 9,600 farmers benefited from 14 agricultural technologies adopted by FPOs. These technologies include digital, climate-smart, and women-friendly solutions such as RWCM, Rice Doctor, Rice Expert, Wonder Pipes, Dibblers, Cono Weeder, Fasal Amrit for soil moisture retention, Bio Soilz for micro-nutrient activation, and Nano urea for nitrogen balance. Additionally, 1,200 farmers from 27 FPOs adopted biofortified zinc wheat and beta (β) carotene-rich carrot through diversification and climate-smart agriculture practices.
· Market Linkages: Total sales turnover of all 40 FPOs increased from ~INR 46 million (~USD 580,000) in the pre-intervention period to ~INR 153 million (~USD 1.9 million) indicating that the FPOs established critical market linkages (both agri produce and agri-input) with institutional and local buyers. FPOs transitioned from staple crops to cash crops, added value to selected value chains, and made data-based business decisions. To support FPOs in meeting regulatory requirements, Grameen facilitated 22 FPOs with APMC licences and 26 FPOs with export licences.
· FPO Financial Resilience: FPOs experienced a 112% increase in paid-up capital, indicating their ability to generate working capital internally. Additionally, 29 FPOs were linked with either the public or private financing schemes, enabling them to access financial resources and establish additional business activities.
Building on these achievements, the second phase of the MANDI project will focus on further enhancing the sustainability and resilience of FPOs in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The 24-month intervention will engage 50 FPOs through a hub and spoke model, targeting at least 40% women farmers and aiming to reach 35,000 farmers. Key objectives include increasing farmer incomes, strengthening FPOs’ governance and operations, and promoting market-led production for business viability.
The second phase of MANDI will also adopt a comprehensive “one-farm” approach to diversify production, integrate livelihoods, and improve farmer incomes. It will also promote sustainable agricultural practices by facilitating access to organized market setups, strengthening supply and value chains, and promoting climate-resilient practices.
“We are excited to collaborate with Grameen Foundation for the next phase of MANDI. We believe in the transformative potential of smallholder farmers in advancing India’s agricultural sector,” said Julie Gehrki, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Walmart Foundation. “Through this project, we aim to provide farmers with the necessary tools, resources, and market access to improve their livelihoods and build sustainable futures for their communities.”
Commenting on the project, Ms. Bharati Joshi, Chief Program Officer of Grameen Foundation India, stated, “The second phase of MANDI builds upon the successes of the first phase and represents a significant step towards increasing the incomes and building the resilience of smallholder farmers, especially women. By leveraging technology, market linkages, and gender mainstreaming, the project aims to generate impact across the agricultural landscape in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.”
The MANDI II project will play a crucial role in addressing challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. By rescaling and empowering FPOs, this initiative will enhance farmer incomes, improve livelihoods, and foster sustainable agricultural practices.
21, Sep 2023
Gleneagles Global Health City Successfully Performed Breakthrough Surgery by Removing Two Mirror Image Tumor in the Eloquent Brain
Chennai, September 21st, 2023: Gleneagles Global Health City a leading tertiary care hospital in Perumbakkam, Chennai has successfully performed India’s first breakthrough complex brain surgery of a 38-year-old man from Chennai. A team of expert Neurosurgeons effectively removed two tumors in Mirror Image fashion in both left and right side of the eloquent brain. Usually, this surgery is very risky in nature, because if complications occur the patient could turn blind. They went ahead and risks were explained to the patient and surgery done in timely manner to save the life of 38-year-old professional. The surgery was conducted in two-stages and took just over 10 hours in total.
38-year-old professional from Chennai had a rare incidence of having tumor on both the right and left side of the brain. The size of each tumor was of 5 x 7 cms and were located in the parieto-occipital area of the right and left side of the brain, the area concerned with vision. The professional had exhibited symptoms like recurrent headaches with visual seizures for the past three months.
Dr. Nigel P Symss and his team conducted several assessments and special MRI scans on the patient prior to the surgery. The patient was advised to undergo two-staged procedure called Right and Left Parieto Occipital Craniotomy and excision of space occupying lesion, which is considered as one of the high-risk procedures in brain surgery. The conduct of the surgery is dependent on precision, expertise and high-end technology, using Microneurosurgery, Navigation and Intraoperative Neuromonitoring. The patient was counselled and was prepared for this two-staged high-risk procedure. It was also informed that the delay in the removal of the tumors could result in worsening of vision and other serious complications.
The patient first underwent right parieto-occipital craniotomy and excision of right parieto occipital lesion. Post operative period were uneventful and he was discharged home after 5 days. He was prepared for second stage surgery conducted two weeks later and the left parieto occipital craniotomy and excision of left parieto occipital lesion was done. Post the staged procedures patient has recovered and he continues to have 80 to 90 percent of his vision in both eyes without complications and he was discharged after four days post the second successful surgery.
Praising the team on the success of the case, Dr. Alok Khullar, CEO, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai said, “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this difficult surgery. It is India’s first breakthrough surgery in this location, and our hospital is proud to be associated with it. Our team of doctors’ excellent knowledge and surgical talents, along with recent technological breakthroughs, have enabled this young man to live a normal life.”
Explaining about the case, Dr. Nigel Symss, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, said, bilateral “Parieto Occipital Craniotomy involves high risk as the procedure includes opening of the skull on both sides and removing tumour from the area of brain concerned with vision, and any complications can cause blindness to the patient. The surgical process was cumbersome as there was the removal of two tumors on either side of the brain in a critical part of the brain. It was a risk but essential to conduct this procedure as the patient was in a condition which could save his life or further leave him blind. This surgery is definitely a breakthrough and showcases our expertise and technical advancements offered by our hospital.”
“It’s a new beginning for me, a chance to embrace life and all its possibilities. The skilled medical team and their dedication made this possible, and I am filled with hope for a brighter and healthier future. This surgery has given me a second chance at life, and I am determined to make the most of it, cherishing each moment and valuing the gift of good health”, said the Patient.
Speaking about Brain Tumor cases in India, Dr Dinesh Nayak, Director of Department of Neurology & Advanced center for Epilepsy, Gleneagles Global Health City said, “The incidence of brain tumors ranges from 5 to 10 per 100,000 people in India. The symptoms and indicators of a brain tumor differ depending on which area of the brain is affected. The first and most common symptom is headache, which can be severe and prolonged, and is often accompanied by vomiting. Seizures, weakness or one-sided paralysis of limbs, vision, hearing, or speech abnormalities, and memory issues or behavioural changes are among the additional symptoms. To confirm the brain tumor, patients must undergo an MRI or CT scan of the brain. Surgery, known as craniotomy and tumor excision, is the primary treatment for various types of brain tumors” added, Dr. Dinesh Nayak.
21, Sep 2023
Max Fashion’s Amio Durga Campaign Returns with Grand Celebrations Across Multiple Cities
Kolkata, October 21, 2023 — Max’s Amio Durga Campaign: An Inspiring Fusion of Culture, Commerce, and Community – Retail giant, Max Fashion unveiled the highly anticipated second edition of its month-long Pujo campaign, “Amio Durga” starting 18th September. Launched through a powerful video, the campaign aims to acknowledge the modern-day avatar of Durga – ‘the women’, who gracefully navigate through multiple roles in their daily lives. The initiative is aimed at recognizing and celebrating women from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds who continue to make a difference around them.
Starting today, the campaign invites women from all walks of life to come forward and share their inspiring journeys. A distinguished panel of judges will evaluate the submissions, and the winners will be revealed and exclusively rewarded during the grand finale on October 7th at the City Centre New Town, Kolkata.
“Women are the backbone of our society and it’s high time that we acknowledge their hard work and dedication. The Amio Durga campaign is our way of not only recognizing but honoring these incredible individuals, ensuring their extraordinary achievements do not go unnoticed,” stated Rajib, Territory Head, Max Fashion India
“Max Amio Durga 2.0” will stand out as a unique experience for consumers, with an exciting line up of activity and engagement over a 40 day period. Speaking on the occasion, Pallavi, Head of Marketing, Max Fashion India said, “We are delighted to initiate an expressive and celebratory campaign to honour the women of today who are no longer confined to gender roles, are courageous and head their passion and profession every day. I invite all our Durga in the society to come forward and share their stories of strength which will inspire and pave the way forward for not just all women but also the men in our society to recognize and empower strength around us”.
This year’s activation targets multiple cities in the Eastern part of India, including West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and parts of the Northeast, making this festive campaign bigger than ever. With 2 new stores coming up this period, Max will continue to ramp up presence in the East .
Keeping up with the festive spirit, the brand throughout the region is also hosting a series of exciting events and deals which will continue till October 24. Visit Max Stores across regions to experience the grandeur.
21, Sep 2023
Raffles Udaipur Wins The Prestigious ‘Best Destination Spa’ Award at the Global Spa Awards 2023
September 2023,India – Raffles Udaipur, the unparalleled luxury destination nestled on a secluded island in the heart of Udaipur, proudly announces its remarkable achievement by bagging the Best Destination Spa Award at the Global Spa Awards 2023. This renowned recognition further underscores Raffles Udaipur’s unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences in the world of hospitality and wellness.
At the illustrious Global Spa Awards ceremony held recently, Raffles Udaipur emerged as a true beacon of excellence, securing not one but two coveted awards, Best Destination Spa – Critic Choice and
Best Honeymoon Spa of the year – Reader’s Choice. These prestigious accolades acknowledge the hotel’s dedication to setting new standards in the realms of luxury, well-being, and environmental stewardship.
“We are thrilled and deeply honored to be recognized at the Global Spa Awards 2023,” said Rajesh Namby, General Manager at Raffles Udaipur. “Our team’s relentless passion for providing our guests with transformative experiences, rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Udaipur, has been instrumental in achieving this remarkable milestone.”
As Raffles Udaipur basks in the radiant glory of its resounding triumph at the illustrious Global Spa Awards 2023, the essence of opulence and excellence radiates from every facet of this splendid haven. These exalted accolades further underscore Raffles Udaipur’s unswerving commitment to the pinnacle of hospitality, wellness, and sustainable luxury.
21, Sep 2023
Announcement on NEET PG 2023 cut-off percentile: Reduction of Qualifying Percentile to Zero across categories
On-demand, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education Policy has declared that the NEET PG 2023 cut-off percentile has been dropped to zero across categories. In response to the request to lower the cut-off percentage, the efforts of UDFA National President Dr. Lakshya Mittal have made it feasible for everyone to participate in the remaining counseling sessions.
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has made a ground-breaking announcement on the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2023, creating new opportunities for medical aspirants across India. This choice has received a lot of attention and praise because it differs from the conventional method for medical admissions. There is no cutoff for any category. The abolition of any qualifying percentile cutoff for all student groups is one of the biggest improvements. To be eligible for NEET PG, candidates from the General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories would no longer need to obtain a minimum percentile. With this action, the field of medical education will be made more inclusive and conducive to equal opportunity.
Anubhav Garg, Counselor and founder of TAB INDIA believes that the decision to lower the qualifying percentiles for the NEET PG 2023 exam is a historic one that has the potential to completely alter the landscape of medical education in India. The announcement will not affect the career of any students since it still depends on the merit basis. With this, the vacant seats will no go in vain and the students that are still practicing will get the chance to come in the front field professionally. It seeks to lessen the stress level and advance diversity in the medical industry by doing away with cutoffs. To ensure a balance between accessibility and competence in medical education, authorities will need to monitor and adjust to the situation since its long-term effects on the quality of medical education are still up for debate.
21, Sep 2023
Liberty General Insurance Appoints Parag Ved as the Director & CEO Designate
MUMBAI, September 21, 2023 – Liberty General Insurance, one of the leading general insurance companies in India, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Parag Ved as its Director & CEO Designate, effective from September 20, 2023. Prior to joining Liberty, he was the President of consumer Lines at Tata AIG General Insurance.
In a career that has spanned over 24 distinguished years, Mr. Ved has dedicated almost two decades exclusively to the insurance industry, holding senior leadership roles in prestigious organizations including ICICI Lombard General Insurance. Known for his dedication to innovation and excellence and his expertise in managing various strategic channels, Mr. Ved has showcased his prowess in the General Insurance industry.
Mr. Ved’s trajectory in the insurance sector has showcased his ability to drive sustainable growth by innovating and tailoring products to the unique demands of the Indian market. His tenure with industry stalwarts amply demonstrates his proficiency and efficacy in managing diverse strategic channels. Mr. Ved holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering from K.J Somaiya College of Engineering, Mumbai, and a master’s in management from SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS).
Welcoming the new Director & CEO designate, Ms. Defne Turkes, President – Asia Retail Markets, Liberty Mutual Insurance, said, “We are pleased to welcome Mr. Parag Ved to Liberty General Insurance. His vast experience and his visionary approach uniquely position him to lead the future of Liberty General Insurance in India. His inclusion not only marks the dawn of an exciting new chapter but also reinforces our unwavering dedication to offering top-tier insurance solutions to our customers. We look forward to his contributions and innovations that will certainly propel the company to newer heights and achieve sustainable profitable growth.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Parag Ved, Director & CEO designate, Liberty General Insurance said, “Over the last few years Liberty has carved a niche for itself, and it is indeed a privilege to lead the organization, especially in the given interesting times and evolving insurance landscape. As the industry undergoes rapid transformations, my focus will be on harnessing innovation, reinforcing operational efficiency, and optimizing stakeholder engagement. Further, leveraging a data-driven approach would emphasize continually refining and expanding the product offerings to align with customer needs and industry standards. I am looking forward to working closely with the team. Together, I believe we can make a significant contribution towards taking Liberty to new heights. As we progress, the commitment remains unyielding to also align strategies and operations with the regulator’s goal of achieving widespread insurance coverage across the nation by 2047”.
Mr. Ved takes on the role following the retirement of Mr. Roopam Asthana, who was instrumental in establishing Liberty’s business operations in India. Under Mr. Asthana’s visionary leadership for over a decade, the company thrived and has set significant industry benchmarks.
21, Sep 2023
Namma Bengaluru Witnesses a Pre-Festive Surge in Road Trips: Simpl findings
Bengaluru, 21st of September, 2023: With a spate of long weekends leading up to the pre-festive season mood, an increasing number of customers from Bengaluru are choosing road travel with merchants such as Zoomcar, DriveU, and QuickRide. According to insights from Simpl India’s foremost checkout network, bookings on merchant platforms made via its 1-tap checkout witnessed a 2x rise in demand in August this year as against same time in 2022. Among the travel options, self-driven cars are fast emerging as one of the most preferred choices among customers, with Zoomcar, the leading marketplace for car sharing in emerging markets, posting a remarkable growth of nearly 3x in transactions through Simpl’s 1-tap checkout network.
At a pan-India level, Zoomcar experienced a substantial upswing in bookings, demonstrating over 50% increase. This surge serves as a clear indicator of a significant shift in consumer behavior throughout the country. It mirrors the growing preference among Indian travelers for the flexibility provided by Zoomcar, coupled with the convenience of Simpl’s 1-tap checkout.
While metropolitan areas, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, led the surge in demand, tier-2 cities such as Coimbatore, Jaipur, and Vizag are also witnessing a significant uptick in road travel. Additionally, the insights reveal a consistent trend of higher bookings from Thursday through Sunday, primarily attributable to the allure of weekends. Furthermore, the data suggests a steady pattern of increased bookings from Thursday to Sunday, largely driven by the appeal of weekends.
Commenting on this trend, Ashwini Ravindranath, Vice-President, Partner Success at Simpl, said ‘In the midst of extended weekends and the surging pre-festive enthusiasm for road travel in Bengaluru and across the country, our partner merchants are steadfast in their commitment to delivering unparalleled comfort to discerning travelers. At Simpl, we take immense pride in our pivotal role as facilitators, providing a seamless 1-tap checkout experience that is not only effortless but also distinguished by its refinement. This marks a significant milestone for us in empowering our merchants to elevate each traveler’s journey with poise and confidence, transforming every payment experience into an unforgettable one.’
Among the diverse demographic segments, our data reveals a noteworthy trend: a substantial 62% of our users fall within the age bracket of 21-30 years. This finding provides valuable insights into the evolving preferences of the younger generation. It suggests that the age group, most commonly associated with dynamic and adventurous travel, is increasingly accessing services provided by Zoomcar, DriveU and QuickRide seamlessly though Simpl’s 1-tap Checkout.
Commenting on this Greg Moran, CEO & Co Founder, Zoomcar said, ‘As an organization, we have a nuanced understanding of consumers’ evolving preferences and have been at the forefront of making available the widest selection of cars across each of our markets for their convenience. The onset of the festive season marked with several long-weekends in August has led to a sharp uptick in the demand for self-drive cars. Here, an added convenience in the form of Simpl’s 1-tap checkout has played a crucial role in offering a seamless booking journey for the customer across the board’.
Zoomcar partnered with Simpl in 2021, and since then, the self-drive service provider has significantly contributed to increasing their average ticket size by 40%.
As we approach the festive season, this surge in travel bookings through Simpl Checkout serves as a testament to the evolving preferences of Indian consumers and their preference for a quick, and seamless Checkout option. Currently, over 26,000 large, medium and small merchants like Zomato, Big Basket, Book my Show, Jio Mart and Rapido use Simpl’s Checkout options to bring trust and convenience for their customers.
