14, Jul 2026
India’s Financial Sector Sees Strong Investor Interest as BFSI Deals Rise 58 pc
New Delhi, July 14: India’s Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector witnessed a significant rise in deal activity during the second quarter of 2026, with the total deal value increasing by 58 per cent to $3.2 billion.
The growth highlights the growing confidence of investors in India’s financial ecosystem, driven by digital transformation, technology adoption, and the expanding reach of financial services.
Companies in the BFSI space continued to attract investments through strategic partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, and expansion initiatives aimed at strengthening their capabilities and market presence.
Experts said the surge in deal value reflects the sector’s strong fundamentals and the increasing role of innovation and digital solutions in reshaping banking and financial services.
With continued growth in digital banking, fintech adoption, and financial inclusion, India’s BFSI sector is expected to remain an attractive destination for investors in the coming years.
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- By Neel Achary
14, Jul 2026
Emirates introduces flexible EMI payment solutions for its customers in India
India, July 14: Emirates has introduced a new flexible payment solution to benefit its Indian customers, making it possible to fly better and pay conveniently with affordable monthly instalments.
Available now, Emirates passengers in India can book their travel to close to 140 destinations in the airline’s expansive network, while enjoying the convenience of paying by Equated Monthly Instalments . Instead of paying upfront on emirates.com, customers can split their payments into flexible instalments of three to 36 months.
Customers can simply use their credit card to select the payment option, with participating banks including AXIS Bank, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, HSBC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, State Bank of India, and Yes Bank.
“We are delighted to offer flexible payment solutions to our valued customers in India and enabling worldwide travel for more customers to enjoy by providing convenient payment options,” said Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ Vice President for India and Nepal.
“Flexible payment solutions will allow our customers in India to book the payment plan that suits their needs and choose from a host of participating bank partners. This solution is a game-changer for our customers in India as it will allow them to book long-awaited holidays or upgrade their experiences while spreading the payment in easy monthly instalments that suit their budget.”
Emirates’ flexible payment plan is available to customers of 12 preferred banks in India.
14, Jul 2026
The Purple Turtles, Beruru and Oorjaa Announce the Annual Sale 2026
July 14: Get ready for the Annual Sale 2026, where The Purple Turtles’ All-in Purple and Beruru’s Root to Roof, Oorjaa’s Brightside Sale bring you a thoughtfully curated selection of lighting, furniture, home accents and garden decor, all at irresistible prices for a limited time. Enjoy 30% off on all products and up to 50% off on select items.
Radeesh Shetty, Founder & Director, The Purple Turtles and Beruru, and Co-Founder, Oorjaa – “At The Purple Turtles, Beruru and Oorjaa, our vision has always been to create spaces that are warm, timeless and deeply personal. The Annual Sale is our way of making thoughtfully crafted furniture, lighting and home décor more accessible to our customers. Whether you’re redesigning your home or looking for that one distinctive piece, we hope this sale inspires you to create spaces that truly reflect your personality and lifestyle.”
Retail Sale (In-store):
16th – 19th July, 2026 at all The Purple Turtles & Beruru store located at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa.
Online Sale:
20th – 26th July, 2026 on www.thepurpleturtles.com | www.beruru.com | www.oorjaa.in
Visit the stores or browse online to discover timeless pieces that bring beauty and character to every space.
14, Jul 2026
Garuda Indonesia Strengthens Service Transformation with Piece-based Checked Baggage Policy
Offering up to 64 kg for tickets issued from 1 September 2026
Jakarta, July 14: National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is further advancing its service transformation and modernisation with the introduction of a piece-based checked baggage policy, commonly known as the Piece Concept.
The new policy will apply to tickets issued on or after 1 September 2026 for travel commencing on or after that date. Passengers whose tickets are issued before 1 September 2026 will continue to receive the baggage allowance stated on their tickets, including for journeys scheduled on or after the implementation date.
Garuda’s new “Piece Concept” checked baggage policy provides greater clarity on the number and maximum weight of baggage pieces, while offering enhanced allowances based on route, travel class and fare category.
The introduction of the Piece Concept marks an important milestone in Garuda Indonesia’s ongoing service transformation. Under the new policy, checked baggage allowances, which were previously calculated based on the combined weight of all baggage under the Weight Concept, will instead be determined by the number of pieces and the maximum permitted weight of each piece.
This modernised approach provides passengers with greater clarity and certainty when planning their baggage, while offering enhanced value through checked baggage allowances of up to two pieces weighing a maximum of 32 kilograms each, or up to 64 kilograms in total, depending on the route, travel class and fare category.
Garuda Indonesia Director of Transformation Neil Raymond Mills said the implementation of the Piece Concept reflects the Company’s commitment to delivering a travel experience that is increasingly modern, consistent, transparent and easy to understand.
“The implementation of the Piece Concept forms part of Garuda Indonesia’s broader transformation to modernise our services and provide passengers with greater certainty. Clearer limits on the number and maximum weight of baggage pieces will allow passengers to plan and prepare their baggage more easily, from the initial stages of their journey through to departure,” Neil said.
For tickets issued on or after 1 September 2026 for travel commencing on or after that date, passengers travelling on domestic routes in Economy Class will receive an allowance of one checked baggage piece weighing up to 23 kilograms. Business Class and First Class passengers will receive an allowance of two pieces weighing up to 32 kilograms each, or up to 64 kilograms in total.
On international routes, Economy Class passengers will receive an allowance of two checked baggage pieces weighing up to 23 kilograms each. Business Class and First Class passengers will receive an allowance of two pieces weighing up to 32 kilograms each, or up to 64 kilograms in total.
Compared with the previous Weight Concept, the Piece Concept provides increased total baggage allowances, with the level of increase varying by route and travel class.
On domestic services, the Economy Class baggage allowance will increase from 20 kilograms to 23 kilograms, while the Business Class allowance will increase from 30 kilograms to 64 kilograms and the First Class allowance from 40 kilograms to 64 kilograms.
On international services, the Economy Class baggage allowance will increase from 30 kilograms to 46 kilograms, while the Business Class allowance will increase from 40 kilograms to 64 kilograms and the First Class allowance from 50 kilograms to 64 kilograms.
As a result, passengers may receive up to 34 kilograms of additional checked baggage allowance compared with the previous policy, subject to the applicable number of pieces and the maximum weight permitted for each piece.
Neil added that the new policy would also support greater consistency across Garuda Indonesia’s domestic and international networks.“The Piece Concept is widely adopted across the global aviation industry. Its implementation at Garuda Indonesia is expected to strengthen service standardisation, support more efficient baggage handling and provide passengers with greater certainty, including when connecting to international flight networks,” Neil continued.
To ensure a seamless transition, Garuda Indonesia encourages passengers to familiarise themselves with the permitted number of baggage pieces and the maximum weight allowed per piece. This will help passengers plan their journeys more easily and make optimal use of their baggage allowances.
The implementation of the Piece Concept will continue to be reviewed and refined based on passenger feedback, reflecting Garuda Indonesia’s commitment to delivering a more convenient and comfortable travel experience.
Passengers are encouraged to review the Piece Concept provisions, including the applicable baggage allowances based on route, travel class and fare category, through Garuda Indonesia’s official website at https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/id/en/new-baggage-policy.
Passengers may also verify their applicable checked baggage allowance based on the ticket’s date of issue and date of travel through Garuda Indonesia’s official information channels. Further information is available through the Garuda Indonesia Contact Centre and the Company’s official social media accounts.
“The implementation of the Piece Concept represents another important step towards delivering services that are more transparent, consistent and aligned with passenger needs. Through this modernisation, we aim to provide greater value and a more comfortable and seamless travel experience, while continuing to uphold the highest standards of safety and compliance with applicable aviation regulations,” Neil concluded.
14, Jul 2026
India’s Wholesale Inflation Rises to 9.87 pc in June Amid Higher Food and Fuel Prices
New Delhim July 14: India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation increased to 9.87 per cent in June 2026, compared to 9.68 per cent in the previous month, reflecting continued pressure on wholesale prices across key sectors.
The rise in inflation was mainly driven by higher prices of food items, fuel and petroleum products, basic metals, and chemicals. Food inflation recorded a notable increase during the month, while fuel and power prices remained elevated.
Prices in the manufacturing sector also contributed to the overall rise, as businesses continued to face higher input costs. The increase in wholesale prices highlights the impact of rising expenses across various segments of the economy.
The latest inflation figures will be closely monitored by policymakers to evaluate price trends, economic conditions, and future policy measures.
Despite inflationary pressures, steady demand and economic activity are expected to support India’s overall growth momentum.
14, Jul 2026
India’s Office Market Sees Strong Growth, Leasing Hits 37.9 Million Sq Ft
New Delhi, July 14: India’s office space market witnessed steady growth during the first half of the year, with leasing activity reaching 37.9 million square feet between January and June.
The strong performance reflects continued demand from businesses looking to expand operations, set up new offices, and adopt modern workplace solutions. Major sectors, including technology, financial services, consulting, and startups, contributed to the rise in office space demand.
Real estate experts said the growth highlights the resilience of India’s commercial property market and growing confidence among domestic and global companies.
The increasing preference for quality office spaces, flexible work environments, and strategic business locations is expected to support further expansion of the office leasing sector in the coming months.
14, Jul 2026
India-UK FTA to Boost Trade from July 15
New Delhi: The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to come into force from July 15, marking a major step towards strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement is expected to make several UK products more affordable for Indian consumers while providing wider market access for Indian exporters.
The trade pact is likely to benefit key sectors, boost business opportunities, and encourage greater investment between India and the United Kingdom.
Industry experts believe the agreement will help increase bilateral trade and create new avenues for growth in the years ahead.
14, Jul 2026
Happiest Health Announces Entry into Healthcare Publishing Business
Bengaluru, July 14: Happiest Health has announced a strategic leadership realignment to strengthen its next phase of growth in its Knowledge Business. Under the leadership of Raghu Krishnan who has assumed the role of President & CEO – Knowledge Business and Chief Editor.
The appointment marks an important milestone as Happiest Health strengthens and expands its integrated Knowledge platform. The Knowledge Business has been the foundation of Happiest Health since its launch in 2022, creating a world-class health and wellness knowledge through its digital website, newsletters, the monthly print magazine, and summits.
The Happiest Health magazine is rated among the best health and wellness magazines by its readers while the daily Healthzine continues to grow its audience in India and abroad.
In his expanded role, Raghu Krishnan will lead the integrated Knowledge Business, overseeing editorial strategy and knowledge across platforms as Chief Editor. He will also spearhead new growth initiatives, including Happiest Health’s entry into BOOK PUBLISHING through a self-publishing platform.
Announcing the appointment, Ashok Soota, Chairman & Chief Strategy Officer, Happiest Health, said
“Raghu has played a pivotal role in building a credible and acclaimed Happiest Health Magazine. In his expanded role, he will be the Chief Editor for both the magazine andthe daily e-Zine. The entire Digital and Knowledge business is being integrated under him, and he will look over its next phase of growth while driving new initiatives, including our entry into book publishing. The appointment of Raghu will take the Knowledge business to higher levels of excellence.”
Raghu Krishnan, CEO – Knowledge Business & Chief Editor, added
“The Knowledge Business has always been at the heart of Happiest Health’s mission to empower people with credible, evidence-based health knowledge. I am excited to lead its next phase of growth by strengthening our editorial platforms.
We are expanding into new formats such as book publishing – We have few titles aboard for publishing. We would continue to build a trusted knowledge ecosystem that serves both consumers and healthcare professionals.”
14, Jul 2026
RAKEZ strengthens international business ties through new wave of delegation engagements
RAKEZ team welcomes the Indian delegation led by the Ambassador of India to the UAE Dr. Deepak Mittal
Ras Al Khaimah, July 14: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) continues to expand its international outreach, hosting over a dozen delegation engagements so far this year as interest in Ras Al Khaimah’s business environment continues to rise. The latest visits brought diplomatic, government and business representatives closer to the emirate’s investment landscape, sector opportunities and wider support ecosystem.
The most recent engagements included diplomatic, government and business representatives from Belarus, Ghana, India, Belgium, Latin American and Caribbean countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Italy. Through these visits, RAKEZ provided a platform for focused dialogue, market introductions and direct engagement with Ras Al Khaimah’s business community.
The delegations explored Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a competitive base for companies looking to enter or expand in the UAE and the wider region. Discussions touched on the emirate’s business-friendly environment, sector potential, ease of setting up, access to regional markets, and the support available through RAKEZ for companies across commercial, industrial and service-led activities. Several engagements also introduced first-time visitors to RAKEZ, offering them a closer understanding of the economic zone’s role in supporting business set-up, growth and market access.
The engagements also created opportunities to introduce visiting representatives to Ras Al Khaimah’s wider economic ecosystem, including the entities and partners that support investment, business growth and long-term market entry. For many international stakeholders, the visits served as a closer look at how the emirate is positioning itself as an accessible and cost-effective destination for investors, entrepreneurs and expanding companies. The visits reflected a range of interests, from exploring bilateral cooperation and future business delegations to understanding companies from their respective markets already operating in the UAE. Other discussions looked at resilience, adaptability and long-term development priorities, giving visiting representatives a clearer view of Ras Al Khaimah’s approach to sustainable economic growth.
The Italy-focused engagement also built on RAKEZ’s existing cooperation with B-CAD, supporting ongoing efforts to encourage Italian companies and investors to explore opportunities in Ras Al Khaimah.
RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “The number and diversity of delegations engaging with RAKEZ this year reflect the growing international interest in Ras Al Khaimah’s value proposition as a competitive, connected and supportive base for companies looking to grow. These visits are important because they create space for practical conversations around market access, sector opportunities and long-term cooperation. Through RAKEZ, delegations can engage directly with the wider ecosystem, understand the opportunities available, and build relationships that support future investment and collaboration.”
RAKEZ continues to play an active role in converting international dialogue into stronger business relationships. These engagements support the emirate’s efforts to attract companies, investors and institutions looking for a competitive base in the UAE with access to regional and global markets, while strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a destination for international companies seeking better global connectivity and sustainable growth opportunities.
14, Jul 2026
India and Spain Join Hands to Build Resilient Supply Chains
New Delhi, July 14: India and Spain have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation and developing more resilient and sustainable supply chains. The renewed partnership aims to expand collaboration across key sectors, promote innovation, and support long-term economic growth in both countries.
As part of this initiative, both nations will work together to enhance industrial partnerships, encourage investment, and create new opportunities for businesses. The collaboration will focus on improving supply chain resilience, increasing trade, and reducing disruptions caused by global economic and geopolitical challenges.
Officials from India and Spain emphasized the importance of closer cooperation in manufacturing, technology, clean energy, and advanced industries. By sharing expertise and encouraging innovation, both countries aim to improve competitiveness and support sustainable industrial development.
The strengthened partnership is expected to benefit businesses by improving market access, promoting knowledge exchange, and creating a more reliable and diversified supply chain network. It also reflects the shared commitment of India and Spain to fostering economic resilience and supporting global trade.
Both countries will continue to explore new areas of cooperation and work closely to strengthen bilateral economic relations, ensuring a stable and future-ready industrial ecosystem.
