Category Archives: Business

Tata Power-DDL Prepares for a safe Kanwar Yatra

From Andhra Coast to Global Tables: Vizag Port Drives India’s Seafood Export Growth

Visakhapatnam, July 29: Marking a major achievement for India’s maritime and seafood export sector, Visakhapatnam Port has emerged as a key gateway for marine exports by handling nearly 50% of the country’s seafood export cargo in the financial year 2025.

The milestone reflects Vizag Port’s growing role in connecting India’s seafood industry with global markets and supporting exporters with efficient, reliable, and seamless cargo movement. The port’s strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and operational capabilities have helped strengthen its position as a preferred hub for seafood shipments.

India’s seafood industry has been witnessing rising global demand, with products such as frozen shrimp and other marine items contributing significantly to the country’s export growth. Vizag Port’s contribution has provided a strong boost to exporters, seafood processors, and coastal communities dependent on the marine economy.

Speaking on the achievement, a port official highlighted that the milestone represents the collective efforts of exporters, logistics partners, and port teams working together to enhance India’s presence in international seafood markets.

With continued focus on infrastructure development, technology adoption, and faster cargo handling, Vizag Port aims to further support India’s export ambitions and strengthen the country’s position as a leading player in global seafood trade.

The achievement underscores Vizag Port’s commitment to driving economic growth, enabling trade, and creating new opportunities across the maritime ecosystem.

SCRYPT Expands Leadership with Appointment of Adam Parnell as Vice President of Growth

ZURICH, Switzerland, July 29 – As financial institutions increasingly move from exploring digital assets to integrating them into their operations,SCRYPT, the operating system for digital assets, has appointed Adam Parnell as Vice President of Growth to lead the company’s next phase of global commercial expansion.

The appointment comes as SCRYPT continues to expand its global footprint amid accelerating demand for stablecoin infrastructure and institutional digital asset solutions. Recent expansion into African settlement corridors has strengthened SCRYPT’s ability to support businesses and financial service providers seeking faster, more efficient cross-border settlement solutions, while its platform continues to serve banks, asset managers, fintechs, payment providers, and corporate treasury teams globally.

In this role, Parnell will drive SCRYPT’s growth strategy across institutional client acquisition, strategic partnerships, market development, and global go-to-market initiatives. His focus will include expanding SCRYPT’s reach beyond the crypto-native ecosystem, strengthening relationships with financial institutions and enterprise clients, and identifying new opportunities as demand grows for trusted digital asset infrastructure.

“The next stage of digital asset adoption will be driven by institutions that can combine trusted infrastructure with strong commercial execution,” said Norman Wooding, Founder and CEO, SCRYPT. “Adam brings more than two decades of experience building high-performing commercial organisations across traditional finance, fintech, and digital assets. His ability to translate strategy into execution, develop long-term client relationships, and identify new growth opportunities will be invaluable as we continue expanding SCRYPT’s global footprint.”

Parnell brings more than 20 years of experience across business development, sales leadership, account management, and growth strategy. Most recently, Parnell held partnerships and client solutions roles at Zodia Markets, where he worked with institutional clients navigating digital asset markets. Earlier, he served as Business Development Director for Europe and the Americas at Liminal, helping expand institutional custody infrastructure across international markets. His broader career includes senior commercial leadership positions at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), where he led business development initiatives across technology and enterprise sectors.

Adam Parnell, Vice President of Growth, SCRYPT said,”Great strategy only matters if you can execute it. SCRYPT has built a strong foundation for institutional digital assets, and I’m excited to help translate that into long-term growth. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building relationships, identifying opportunities, and turning strategy into measurable growth. My focus will be on expanding our partnerships, entering new markets, and helping more businesses unlock the value of digital assets.”

EPOS Strengthens Professional Audio Portfolio With Enhanced IMPACT 100 Wired Headset

New Delhi, July 29: Global audio specialist EPOS has announced the launch of an enhanced version of its popular IMPACT 100 wired headset, introducing a range of upgraded features designed to improve comfort, communication clarity, and overall user experience for modern professionals.

The improved EPOS IMPACT 100 is an ultra-lightweight and sleek headset built for hybrid working environments, offering all-day comfort, superior audio quality, and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams and other unified communication (UC) platforms.

Available in both mono and stereo variants, the updated headset now comes with ]softer materials for enhanced comfort, clearer voice transmission through an improved boom arm, an advanced noise-cancelling microphone, and dual USB-C and USB-A connectivity options. The headset is specifically designed for professionals who spend long hours on calls and require reliable communication tools for office and remote work settings.

According to Sudeep Roy, Sales Director India, EPOS, the IMPACT 100 continues to deliver the ideal balance between comfort, durability, and performance. “The EPOS IMPACT 100 balances lightweight comfort, high-quality audio, and robust build. Its noise-cancelling microphone, versatile connectivity, and extensive platform certifications make it suitable for office professionals, remote workers, and anyone needing reliable communication tools for extended periods,” said Roy. “Whilst there are many advantages of wireless headsets, high-quality wired versions remain extremely popular, especially where webcams are connected to desk screens, allowing users to benefit from easy plug-and-play functionality,” he added.

The enhanced headset also features intuitive call controls with distinctively shaped buttons and LED icons, enabling users to manage calls effortlessly without needing to look down at the device. In addition, the versatile boom arm can be worn on either side, while uni-directional microphone technology and advanced noise-cancelling algorithms help deliver improved call clarity in busy or demanding environments.

To ensure durability, the IMPACT 100 is equipped with leatherette earpads and an aramid fiber reinforced cable, making it dependable for long-term usage across home and office settings.

“We have designed the IMPACT 100 to meet the needs of professionals working in increasingly dynamic and demanding environments. The latest upgrades represent a significant improvement on its predecessor and further demonstrate our audio expertise that stretches back more than 115 years,” Roy concluded.

NSE Highlights Market Risks as It Prepares for Mega IPO Launch

Mumbai, July 29: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has said that lower trading volumes could impact its revenue as it prepares for its proposed Rs 30,000-crore IPO.

In its IPO documents, NSE highlighted that its earnings depend largely on trading activity and market participation. A decline in investor activity or changes in market conditions could affect the exchange’s transaction-based income.

The exchange said that while growing retail participation and increased interest in financial markets have supported its business, market fluctuations remain a key factor that could influence future performance.

NSE’s upcoming IPO is expected to attract strong interest from investors as the exchange plays a major role in India’s capital markets.

The company will continue to focus on strengthening its platforms, expanding market participation, and maintaining a transparent and efficient trading environment.

Sensex Surges 889 Points, Nifty Crosses 24,250

Mumbai, July 29: Indian equity markets witnessed a strong rally as benchmark indices surged on Wednesday, with the Sensex gaining 889 points and the Nifty crossing the 24,250 mark, supported by broad-based buying across key sectors.

The positive momentum reflected improved investor sentiment, with strong participation from large-cap stocks helping lift the overall market mood. Buying interest was seen in sectors such as information technology, banking, and financial services, contributing to the sharp rise in benchmark indices.

Market experts said the rally was supported by a combination of favourable global cues, optimism over corporate growth prospects, and renewed confidence among investors. The gains indicate continued resilience in Indian equities despite ongoing global uncertainties.

The upward movement provided relief to investors and strengthened expectations of sustained market momentum. However, analysts advised caution, noting that global developments, economic data, and upcoming corporate results will continue to influence market direction.

The strong market performance highlights the confidence of investors and reflects the underlying strength of India’s equity markets as they navigate evolving domestic and international conditions.

RAKEZ partners with Control Risks to initiate a comprehensive framework for workers’ welfare, wellbeing and happiness

Ras Al Khaimah, July 29: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has signed an agreement with Control Risks Middle East Limited to develop a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing workers’ welfare, quality of life, and accommodation standards across labour accommodations in the economic zone.

This initiative reflects the economic zone’s commitment to fostering standards of safety, health and wellbeing within labour accommodations, while supporting employers in adopting leading practices that contribute to workforce satisfaction and sustainable business growth.

The agreement was signed by RAKEZ CFO Alida Helena Scholtz and Control Risks Global Head of Business and Human Rights, Dr James Sinclair at RAKEZ headquarters.

As part of the partnership, Control Risks will work closely with RAKEZ’s Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) department to conduct a detailed assessment of labour accommodation practices, benchmark them against regional and international best practices, engage relevant stakeholders, and develop a structured framework that provides a long-term roadmap for improving accommodation standards and promoting continuous improvement.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “Responsible growth is built on creating an environment where businesses and the people behind them can thrive. This collaboration will help us establish a clear and consistent approach to worker wellbeing, strengthening the wider RAKEZ community and supporting sustainable progress across our ecosystem.”

Control Risks Global Head of Business and Human Rights, Dr James Sinclair said, “We are pleased to partner with RAKEZ on this important initiative. Our role will be to translate recognised regional and international practices into a framework that is practical, measurable and suited to the economic zone’s business environment. By engaging relevant stakeholders and assessing current practices, we aim to provide clear guidance that supports meaningful and lasting improvements.”

Once completed, the framework will provide businesses with practical guidance for managing and continuously improving labour accommodation standards. It will also support the UAE’s broader efforts to enhance workers’ quality of life and promote responsible, sustainable labour accommodation practices.

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Strengthens Leadership Team with Four Strategic Leadership Appointments

Mumbai, July 29: As India’s hospitality sector continues to evolve with growing demand across leisure travel, MICE, weddings, and destination dining, hotels are increasingly investing in experienced leadership to drive business performance and enhance guest experiences. Reflecting this strategic direction, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has announced four key leadership appointments across its commercial, operational, and guest experience functions, further strengthening its management team.

The hotel has elevated Amartya Chakraborty as Director of Operations, while welcoming Abhijit Masurkar as Director of Sales & Marketing, Chander Joshi as Assistant Director of Revenue Management, and Harshwardhan Dhavale as Food & Beverage Manager, bringing together more than five decades of collective hospitality experience across some of the industry’s most respected brands.

Having served as Director of Sales & Marketing at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach since 2022, Amartya Chakraborty has been promoted to Director of Operations, marking a significant leadership transition for the hotel. With nearly two decades of hospitality experience and over a decade with Accor. His journey within Accor includes the successful completion of the Leadership Master Program and a strategic task force assignment at Mercure Kathmandu. He will oversee the hotel’s overall operations with a focus on enhancing service excellence, operational efficiencies, employee engagement, and seamless guest experiences across accommodation, food & beverage, weddings, banquets, and events.

Leading the commercial function, Abhijit Masurkar joins the hotel as Director of Sales & Marketing with over 20 years of experience in hospitality sales and business development. Having held leadership roles with IHCL, The Leela Palace, and Hilton, he brings deep expertise in market strategy, stakeholder engagement, and revenue generation. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening the hotel’s market positioning, driving commercial performance, and expanding opportunities across corporate, leisure, weddings, and MICE segments.

Further strengthening the hotel’s commercial capabilities, Chander Joshi has been appointed Assistant Director of Revenue Management. With over 14 years of experience, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including Holiday Inn, DoubleTree by Hilton, Le Méridien, The Lalit, and The Leela. His expertise in revenue optimisation, demand forecasting, pricing strategy, and distribution management will support the hotel’s continued focus on maximising performance across diverse business segments in an increasingly dynamic hospitality landscape.

Enhancing the hotel’s culinary and guest experience offerings, Harshwardhan Dhavale joins as Food & Beverage Manager. Bringing 16 years of experience, he has worked with renowned brands including Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Mumbai, DoubleTree by Hilton, ibis, Grand Mercure Bengaluru, Della Adventure, and Taj Residency. His extensive operational experience and guest-centric approach will play a key role in further elevating the hotel’s restaurants, banqueting operations, and destination dining experiences.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said,

 “The hospitality industry is evolving rapidly, with guest expectations extending far beyond traditional hotel stays. Success today depends on creating seamless experiences across accommodation, dining, celebrations, events, and every guest touchpoint. These leadership appointments reflect our commitment to building a future-ready team that combines commercial expertise, operational excellence, and a guest-first mindset. Amartya’s elevation, alongside the addition of Abhijit, Chander, and Harshwardhan, brings diverse strengths that will further enhance our business performance, service standards, and innovation. Together, they will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of growth for Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach while delivering exceptional value to our guests, partners, and associates.

Avocor and NowSignage Announce New Strategic UK Partnership

Portland, OR July 29, 2026 – Avocor, an AUO company and global leader in collaboration and communication solutions, is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NowSignage, a leading cloud-based digital signage CMS provider. The initial focus for the partnership will be on the UK market, targeting sectors in which both brands operate, including education, enterprise and retail. A phased global rollout is set to follow in 2027.

NowSignage software is compatible with the newly launched Avocor B-Series which was introduced to the market at ISE 2026 and represents Avocor’s entry into the business and commercial digital signage display market. The collaboration also brings together two brands with strong roots in the UK, the region that served as the founding market for Avocor a decade ago.

“Launching the B Series at ISE was a significant product milestone for Avocor,”  comments Dana Corey, Global General Manager, Avocor. “As a result, partnering with NowSignage ensures our customers have access to a leading, certified CMS platform for digital signage applications. One of the key benefits of this joint solution is that it removes the need for an external media player, a feature which reduces TCO by simplifying the installation process and reducing energy consumption by removing a device from the network.”

“We are delighted to approve the use of the Avocor B-Series in combination with our platform,” says Charlie Zammit, Head of Product at NowSignage. “Our cooperation is set to go beyond just tech compatibility; we are aligning our channel support teams to help our partners deliver digital signage installations that feature less hardware complexity and faster installation times.”

Alongside retail, as well as business signage and wayfinding in the enterprise sector, a key application for the partnership will be the growing need for campus-wide communication, lecture hall signage, and student information displays across UK higher education.

Avocor and NowSignage are also jointly committing to a commercial strategy that will combine resources and support sales channels, distributors, and integrators. Furthermore, the NowSignage software application can be loaded directly onto the Avocor B-Series with immediate effect.

Fintech Fusion India 2026 Concludes with 550+ Industry Leaders Shaping India’s Financial Future

Bengaluru, July 29: Fintech Fusion India (FFI) concluded its second Bengaluru edition of its flagship leadership forum with 550+ delegates from 174 organisations representing fintechs, banks, NBFCs, regulators, policy makers, investors, global capability centres, and academia. The invite-only forum held at the Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, under the theme of “Building India’s Financial Architecture for 2047”, was focused on building actionable industry collaborations rather than conventional conference discussions.

The one-day forum featured 50+ speakers, including senior leaders from SEBI, former RBI leadership, PB Fintech, NeSL, RBIH, UIDAI, leading banks, fintechs and venture capital firms. The agenda comprised four keynote addresses, six leadership panels, three closed-door leadership labs and an exclusive CXO networking reception, enabling high-impact discussions on AI, digital public infrastructure, MSME financing, tokenisation, financial inclusion and India’s growing role in global financial innovation.

PB Fintech’s President, Rajiv Gupta, opened the event and explained how the industry is moving from digitising financial services to reimagining finance around programmable trust, intelligent infrastructure, invisible finance and outcome-driven inclusion. He said, “The next few decades will redefine global finance and India is well-positioned not to be just a technology adopter but an exporter of financial architecture.”

Keynote delivered by Shri R. Gandhi, Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, stressing the need for urgent transformation of MSME financing via a demand-led cluster development model and encouraging fintech companies to build solutions to strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and support the nation’s vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

Addressing the audience, Shri Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, Whole Time Member, SEBI, shared how the regulator is leveraging technology to strengthen investor protection through AI-powered surveillance, faster removal of unauthorised investment advice, verified broker identification mechanisms and technology-enabled market monitoring. He reiterated that trust in financial markets can only be built through the combined strength of technology, regulation and investor awareness.

The event also witnessed several major industry announcements, including SimplyFI’s partnership with IBM to deploy enterprise-grade agentic AI for banks, Finternet’s tokenised securitisation infrastructure going live, Pine Labs showcasing autonomous agent-led payments through its P3 protocol, NatWest unveiling its Fintech Frontier initiative with IIT Delhi, and the launch of the India Cluster Acceleration Mission aimed at scaling MSME credit access.

Commenting on the success of the event, Suman Bhowmick, Founder & CEO, Idea Simplified and Founder, Fintech Fusion India, said: “India doesn’t need another fintech conference. What matters is creating a platform where meaningful collaborations begin. Bringing together over 550+ leaders from 174 organisations under one roof demonstrates the industry’s commitment to collectively shaping India’s financial architecture for 2047. The true success of Fintech Fusion India will be measured by the partnerships, pilots and working groups that emerge from the conversations initiated here.”

Beyond keynote sessions, discussions explored the future of AI-led financial services, India’s digital public infrastructure, tokenisation, GCC-led innovation, wealth creation, MSME credit transformation and fintech funding. The event reinforced Bengaluru’s position as one of India’s most influential fintech ecosystems while creating a collaborative platform that connects regulators, financial institutions, technology innovators and investors to accelerate the country’s next phase of financial innovation.