29, Jun 2026
Karnataka proposes Bengaluru–Lima sister-city pact to boost India–Peru trade
June 29: The Karnataka government has proposed establishing a sister-city partnership between Bengaluru and Lima to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Peru, with an ambitious goal of expanding trade to $10 billion in the coming years.
The proposed pact aims to enhance collaboration in key sectors such as technology, innovation, startups, education, and urban development. Officials said the initiative is designed to leverage Bengaluru’s position as India’s leading technology hub and Lima’s growing role as a commercial centre in South America.
Under the framework, both cities are expected to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange, business partnerships, and investment facilitation. The partnership would also encourage cooperation between startups, research institutions, and industry bodies in both regions.
State representatives said the proposal reflects Karnataka’s broader strategy to expand its global footprint and attract international investment while promoting cross-border collaboration in emerging sectors.
Experts noted that the sister-city arrangement could serve as a catalyst for deeper India–Peru economic engagement, supporting trade diversification and strengthening long-term diplomatic and commercial ties between the two countries.
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- By Neel Achary
29, Jun 2026
EBC Financial Group and the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics Renew Partnership on Public Economic Education
Three-year collaboration to broaden access to economic research through the What Economists Really Do webinar series
LONDON, 29 JUNE 2026 – EBC Financial Group (EBC) has renewed its strategic partnership with the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford for a further three years, extending a collaboration that helps bring economic research to wider public audiences around the world.
As part of the renewed partnership, EBC will sponsor one annual edition of the Department’s What Economists Really Do webinar series, helping to share economic research and insights with students, researchers, alumni and wider public audiences. To help extend the reach of the webinar, selected insights and discussion points will also be adapted into short social media videos, offering accessible summaries of key ideas for wider online audiences.
Since the partnership began, EBC-sponsored editions of What Economists Really Do have explored a range of pressing global issues, including tax evasion, climate change, and financial literacy. Each webinar typically attracts around 200 live attendees. Together, the recorded sessions have generated more than 3,600 views, demonstrating sustained audience engagement beyond the live events themselves.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to widening access to economic knowledge and supporting informed public engagement with economic issues, while fostering informed discussion on topics ranging from macroeconomic policy and financial markets to regulation and global economic development.
It also supports the Department’s wider commitment to public engagement by helping make academic research accessible beyond the university community.
This initiative forms part of EBC’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility, focused on removing barriers to education and fostering long-term societal impact. By connecting academic excellence with real-world application, EBC continues to support wider access to economic education and public engagement.
“In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, access to reliable financial knowledge is more important than ever. Our continued partnership with the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford reflects EBC’s commitment to empowering individuals with the insights and tools needed to make informed decisions, while supporting the development of future talent that will shape the financial systems of tomorrow”, said Christopher Stiegeler, Executive Director, EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited.
Stiegeler added, “Beyond our partnership with the Department of Economics at Oxford, EBC continues to champion financial education among the next generation through on-campus initiatives, academic collaborations, and memorandums of understanding with institutions worldwide. These collaborations include the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the International University of Ulaanbaatar (IUU), Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Tecnológico de Monterrey), Escuela Bancaria y Comercial in Mexico, and the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB). Our teams are also actively exploring similar partnerships with additional institutions of higher learning globally.”
Professor Johannes Abeler, Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford, commented: “Public engagement and education are central to the Department’s mission. Through initiatives such as What Economists Really Do, we seek to show how economics can contribute to better policy and a deeper understanding of the issues shaping our world. We are pleased to continue our partnership with EBC Financial Group, whose support helps us broaden access to economic knowledge and extend the reach of our educational activities to new audiences around the world.”
Over the next three years, the partnership will continue to connect academic research with wider public audiences, helping ensure that economic insights remain accessible, relevant and impactful in an increasingly complex global environment.
29, Jun 2026
India values Seychelles ties as trusted partner: PM Modi at National Day event
Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia
June 29: India is proud to stand as a trusted friend and reliable development partner of Seychelles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while attending the country’s National Day celebrations. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across multiple areas of shared interest.
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and maritime links between India and Seychelles. He noted that the partnership between the two countries has steadily grown into a strong and multifaceted relationship focused on mutual trust, regional stability, and sustainable development.
PM Modi emphasized India’s continued support for Seychelles in key sectors such as maritime security, capacity building, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and disaster response. He said India remains a dependable partner in the Indian Ocean region, committed to peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth.
He further underlined that Seychelles holds an important place in India’s vision for regional cooperation under initiatives such as ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which aim to strengthen ties with maritime neighbours and island nations.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of joint efforts in addressing global challenges, including climate change, environmental protection, and maritime security. He expressed confidence that India and Seychelles will continue to deepen their partnership and enhance people-to-people connections in the years ahead.
29, Jun 2026
India’s energy resilience helps blunt impact of West Asia tensions
June 29: India’s steadily built energy infrastructure over the past decade has helped the country absorb external shocks arising from recent tensions in West Asia, ensuring stability in fuel supply and shielding consumers from sharp price volatility.
Despite fluctuations in global crude oil markets triggered by geopolitical uncertainty, India managed to maintain steady availability of petroleum products across domestic markets. This stability was supported by long-term policy measures focused on energy security, diversified import sourcing, and improved logistics and refining capacity.
Over the years, India has significantly broadened its crude oil import basket, reducing dependence on any single region. This diversification strategy has played a key role in cushioning the impact of supply disruptions and price swings in global energy markets.
Strengthened infrastructure, including expanded refining capabilities, strategic petroleum reserves, and upgraded transport and distribution networks, has improved the country’s ability to respond quickly to external shocks and maintain uninterrupted supply chains.
Policy mechanisms and calibrated market interventions have also helped prevent extreme fluctuations in domestic fuel prices, reducing inflationary pressure on households and businesses during periods of global volatility.
Analysts note that India’s experience highlights the importance of sustained investment in energy resilience. They add that continued focus on diversification, efficiency, and renewable energy expansion will further strengthen the country’s long-term energy security and economic stability.
29, Jun 2026
Omaxe Announces Dedicated Hospitality Vertical with Rs. 6,200 Crore Investment
“Hospitality is a natural extension of our integrated development strategy. With improving connectivity, growing religious tourism and increasing travel across emerging markets, there is a clear need for quality hospitality infrastructure in these locations. Through this expansion, we aim to create well-located hospitality destinations that complement our existing developments, strengthen our recurring revenue base and contribute to the economic activity of the cities where we operate,” said Mr. Mohit Goel, Managing Director, Omaxe Ltd.
29, Jun 2026
AD Ports Group and Emirates Global Aluminium Expand Long-Term Partnership Through New AED 84 Million Infrastructure Development at Khalifa Port
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29 June 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest premium aluminium producer in the world, have signed an agreement to enhance EGA’s dedicated berth at Khalifa Port.
As part of their longstanding strategic partnership, AD Ports Group and EGA will jointly invest AED 84 million in a multi-phase berth enhancement programme to upgrade EGA’s dedicated port infrastructure and accommodate Newcastlemax dry bulk vessels, which can transport 15–20% more cargo than the Capesize vessels currently calling at EGA’s berth. The enhancements will further improve berth productivity, operational efficiency, and overall cargo-handling performance.
Upon completion of the planned works by August 2028, the upgraded berth is expected to support the handling of approximately 8 million tonnes of bulk cargo annually. The project will also enhance operational flexibility by enabling the installation of additional unloader facilities.
In addition, the enhancement programme includes upgrades to the existing capping beam, the installation of new bollards and fenders, the extension of crane beams and foundations, the provision of additional utility connections, and dredging works. Collectively, these enhancements will facilitate the safe and efficient accommodation of larger vessel classes while supporting the anticipated increase in future bulk-handling volumes.
Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer – Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, said: “This agreement underscores our commitment to investing in world-class port infrastructure that supports the continued growth of the UAE’s industrial and trade sectors. It also reinforces our strategic partnership with Emirates Global Aluminium, a global leader in premium aluminium and one of the nation’s most important industrial champions. Through collaborative, long-term investment, we are enhancing the capabilities of critical trade infrastructure while enabling our partners to grow and compete more effectively on the global stage. Such partnerships remain central to AD Ports Group’s strategy and continue to support our profitable growth as a leading trade enabler across global markets.”
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), said: “Khalifa Port is a strategic gateway for EGA’s global operations. This collaboration with AD Ports Group will strengthen long-term capacity, efficiency, and performance of our dedicated berth at Khalifa Port, ensuring the safe and reliable handling of the raw materials essential to our operations. The project will further strengthen our ability to produce the high-quality aluminium that enables modern life and supports industries around the world.”
This collaboration builds on the longstanding strategic partnership between AD Ports Group and EGA, and reflects their shared focus on operational excellence, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable industrial growth.
Khalifa Port, ranked 39th in the prestigious Lloyd’s List Top 100 Ports for 2025, is also a regional container hub to three of the world’s largest shipping lines – CMA CGM, COSCO, and MSC. It also serves as a technologically advanced maritime gateway to Abu Dhabi, providing seamless multimodal access to Khalifa Economic Zones – Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), the Middle East’s largest integrated system of economic cities and free zones, and extending inland connectivity across the UAE and wider Gulf region through the dry ports of Al Faya and Al Ain.
29, Jun 2026
Precious metals slip as global sentiment weighs on prices
June 29: Gold and silver prices traded lower in the domestic market on Monday, reflecting weakness in international bullion markets as improved global risk sentiment and a firmer U.S. dollar reduced demand for safe-haven assets. Investors also remained cautious ahead of key U.S. economic data that could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path.
International gold prices came under pressure as easing geopolitical concerns prompted investors to shift towards riskier assets, while the stronger dollar made precious metals more expensive for holders of other currencies. Silver also declined in line with broader weakness across the precious metals complex.
Domestic bullion prices tracked the global trend, with traders maintaining a cautious stance amid uncertainty over the outlook for U.S. monetary policy. Expectations that interest rates could remain elevated for longer continued to weigh on non-yielding assets such as gold and silver.
Analysts said precious metal prices are expected to remain influenced by global economic data, movements in the U.S. dollar, central bank policy expectations, and geopolitical developments, all of which will play a key role in determining near-term market direction.
29, Jun 2026
India reclaims fifth-largest equity market
June 29: India’s equity market has regained its position as the world’s fifth-largest by market capitalisation, with the combined value of listed companies exceeding $5 trillion. The milestone reflects improving investor sentiment, supported by sustained domestic investment, resilient corporate performance, and a recovery in benchmark stock indices.
The rise in market value has been driven by broad-based gains across sectors, helping Indian equities recover from earlier bouts of global market volatility. Strong participation from domestic institutional and retail investors has continued to underpin the market despite external economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
Market experts said the achievement highlights the strength of India’s capital markets and the country’s long-term economic growth prospects. They added that favourable corporate earnings, steady economic activity, and consistent domestic inflows have reinforced investor confidence.
Looking ahead, investors are expected to remain focused on global economic conditions, geopolitical developments, inflation trends, and central bank policy decisions, which could influence the direction of equity markets in the near term.
29, Jun 2026
Indian markets open flat as investors track U.S.-Iran developments
June 29: Indian benchmark equity indices opened nearly flat on Monday as investors monitored developments in U.S.-Iran relations and evaluated their potential impact on crude oil prices and global market sentiment.
The Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex traded with marginal gains in early trading, reflecting a cautious approach among investors. While concerns over geopolitical tensions have eased somewhat, uncertainty continues to keep market participants on the sidelines.
Sectoral performance was mixed, with information technology stocks facing pressure, while select pharmaceutical shares gained following positive company-specific developments. Investors also kept a close watch on global oil prices, which remain sensitive to geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
Going forward, market participants are expected to monitor further developments in U.S.-Iran relations, movements in crude oil prices, and key U.S. economic data for signals on global monetary policy and their potential impact on financial markets.
29, Jun 2026
AI Moves Beyond the Boundary Rope as Madhya Pradesh Premier League Modernises Cricket Administration
Indore & Bengaluru, India, June 29: Mahanaaryaman Scindia, President of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), is bringing AI into cricket administration through the Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPL), with the league deploying custom-built software to support finance, operations and administrative workflows.
Built by Delhigence AI on Emergent, the AI software creation platform, the system is already being used by MPL’s finance and administration teams to manage key processes with greater visibility, structure and speed.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise the systems that support cricket administration in Madhya Pradesh. What began as a finance and operations platform for the league is expected to evolve into a wider technology stack supporting governance, monitoring and administrative workflows across cricketing activities managed by MPCA.
Speaking about the initiative, Mahanaaryaman Scindia said, “Cricket administration today needs the same speed, transparency and professionalism that the game demands on the field. Madhya Pradesh has a rich cricketing legacy, and our responsibility is to build systems that can support the next generation of players, leagues and institutions. AI gives us an opportunity to rethink how sports administration works — not in theory, but in the everyday systems that help a league run better.”
While technology has transformed how cricket is played, analysed and consumed, many of the systems that run the game behind the scenes continue to rely on manual processes and fragmented workflows. MPL’s adoption of AI-built software reflects a growing effort among institutions to modernise operations through technology designed around their specific requirements.
Mukund Jha, Co-Founder and CEO of Emergent, said, “This is exactly where AI-built software becomes powerful. Every institution has workflows that are unique to how it operates. Earlier, building software for those workflows required long timelines, large teams and heavy development cycles. With Emergent, teams can translate real operational problems into working software much faster. What MPL and Delhigence AI are doing is a glimpse of how AI can modernise not just companies, but institutions.”
The platform has been designed to support day-to-day finance and administrative operations, helping teams move away from scattered workflows and towards a more structured operating environment. The system is hosted in India, with data and infrastructure aligned to domestic governance and operational requirements.
The initiative reflects a broader shift in how sporting institutions are approaching technology. While AI has largely been associated with performance analytics and fan engagement, organisations are increasingly exploring its potential to improve governance, operations and administration. MPL’s deployment offers an early glimpse of what that future could look like.
