Metal Park UAE Collaboration with SGS, the 22 billion dollar Swiss Public Company

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 3 June: During Make it in the Emirates 2026, Metal Park, the world’s first integrated Asset-as-a-Service ecosystem dedicated exclusively to the metal industry, announced a strategic collaboration with SGS to strengthen inspection, testing, verification, and laboratory capabilities across the growing metal ecosystem in KEZAD.

The collaboration aims to enhance operational confidence, material verification, and quality assurance services for companies operating within Metal Park’s Production Hub and Storage Hub, supporting manufacturers, processors, traders, logistics providers, and downstream metal businesses.

As industrial supply chains continue to evolve, reliable inspection and laboratory infrastructure play an increasingly critical role in ensuring traceability, compliance, operational efficiency, and international market alignment.

Through this collaboration, both parties will explore the development and integration of inspection and laboratory-related services tailored to the operational requirements of the metals sector. The initiative is expected to support a broad range of activities including material testing, certification, verification, quality control, and operational inspections across various metal-related processes and supply chain movements.

Located in KEZAD and strategically connected to Khalifa Port, Etihad Rail, and regional logistics corridors, Metal Park continues to expand its ecosystem through partnerships that strengthen industrial resilience and simplify access to critical support services under one integrated platform.

Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park, commented:

“As the metal industry moves towards greater operational transparency and resilience, inspection and laboratory capabilities become an essential part of the ecosystem rather than a standalone service. Our collaboration with SGS reflects our commitment to enabling manufacturers, processors, and supply chain stakeholders with trusted infrastructure and globally recognised expertise directly within the Park.”

Dmitry Nikitin, Head of Middle East and Managing Director UAE, SGS commented:

“As industrial ecosystems continue to evolve, trusted inspection, testing, and verification services become critical enablers of operational confidence and supply chain resilience. Through our collaboration with Metal Park, SGS is proud to contribute its global expertise and technical capabilities to support the growing metals ecosystem in the UAE. Together, we aim to help businesses operate with greater quality assurance, traceability, compliance, and efficiency across the value chain.” 

The announcement was made during Make it in the Emirates 2026, one of the UAE’s leading industrial platforms bringing together manufacturers, investors, industrial enablers, and technology providers to support the nation’s long-term industrial growth strategy.

Further details regarding the scope of services and operational rollout will be announced in upcoming updates.

Industry Seeks Dedicated Credit Rating Framework for MSMEs

New Delhi, : In a move aimed at strengthening the growth prospects of small businesses, engineering exports promotion body EEPC India has urged the government to introduce a separate credit rating framework for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), arguing that the current system often places them at a disadvantage.

The industry body has highlighted that MSMEs are frequently assessed against large corporate players in their respective sectors, making it difficult for smaller enterprises to secure investment-grade ratings despite their operational strengths and growth potential.

According to EEPC India, the absence of a dedicated rating mechanism limits MSMEs’ access to affordable credit, as lower ratings often result in higher collateral requirements and increased borrowing costs. This, in turn, affects their ability to expand operations, invest in innovation, and compete effectively in domestic and global markets.

The proposal calls for a separate evaluation framework that benchmarks MSMEs against businesses of similar size and scale rather than large industry leaders. Such a system, industry representatives believe, would provide a more accurate assessment of an enterprise’s financial health and business performance.

A dedicated rating model could significantly improve access to finance for thousands of small businesses, which form the backbone of India’s manufacturing, exports, and employment ecosystem. Easier access to credit would enable MSMEs to strengthen productivity, create jobs, and contribute more effectively to the country’s economic growth.

Industry stakeholders have also suggested that a specialised framework, developed in consultation with regulators and rating agencies, could help build greater confidence among lenders while ensuring fairer treatment for smaller enterprises.

As India seeks to strengthen its manufacturing and export capabilities, policymakers are increasingly focusing on measures that improve the ease of doing business for MSMEs and unlock their growth potential.

World Environment Day The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Hospitality

New Delhi, Jun 3: As the hospitality industry continues to redefine luxury through the lens of responsibility and environmental consciousness, The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi is strengthening its commitment to sustainable operations through a comprehensive framework of initiatives designed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing guest experiences.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the hotel highlights its ongoing efforts to embed sustainability across every aspect of its operations, demonstrating that exceptional hospitality and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Guided by the belief that true wellness extends beyond guests to the planet itself, The Westin Gurgaon has adopted a holistic approach that focuses on resource conservation, energy efficiency, responsible waste management and healthier built environments.

Water conservation remains a key priority for the hotel. Through its on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), the property operates a closed-loop system that enables treated water to be reused for flushing and landscaping purposes, significantly reducing freshwater consumption. Additional measures including rainwater harvesting, smart irrigation systems, sensor-based faucets, low-flow showerheads and dual-flush systems further support efficient water management across the property.

The hotel has also invested significantly in energy-efficient infrastructure and smart technologies to optimize consumption and reduce its carbon footprint. The adoption of PNG-based boilers and solar-powered hot water systems has helped reduce reliance on conventional energy sources, while advanced technologies such as the Building Management System (BMS), Energy Management System (EMS) and Chiller Plant Manager (CPM) continuously monitor and optimize energy usage across operations. Intelligent LED lighting equipped with photodetectors, coupled with insulated building materials and natural stone cladding, further contribute to lowering overall energy demand.

Recognising the growing importance of sustainable mobility, The Westin Gurgaon has installed dedicated EV charging stations to support cleaner transportation alternatives for guests and visitors. The hotel also encourages associates to adopt environmentally conscious commuting practices through shared transportation and public transit options, contributing to a reduction in overall emissions.

Aligned with circular economy principles, the property has implemented comprehensive waste management initiatives aimed at minimizing landfill contribution. An on-site Organic Waste Composter converts food waste into nutrient-rich manure, while partnerships with authorised recycling partners ensure responsible disposal and recycling of dry waste. Sustainable materials including recyclable carpeting, eco-friendly furnishings and non-toxic bedding have also been thoughtfully incorporated throughout the property.

Environmental wellness extends beyond resource management to indoor air quality and guest well-being. Advanced air filtration systems, supported by centralised monitoring technologies, help maintain healthy indoor environments throughout the hotel. The use of non-CFC refrigerants, biodegradable cleaning products, eco-friendly laundry detergents and non-toxic pest control solutions further reflects the hotel’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact without compromising guest comfort.

The property also conducts regular government-approved air and soil quality assessments and remains focused on continuous improvement through globally recognised sustainability standards. Its ISO 10001 Sustainability Certification underscores this commitment and serves as a testament to the hotel’s dedication to responsible hospitality practices.

Recognising that sustainability is a collective responsibility, The Westin Gurgaon actively invests in training and awareness programmes for associates, empowering teams across departments to adopt resource-conscious practices and contribute meaningfully towards the hotel’s environmental goals.

As climate action becomes an increasingly important priority for the hospitality sector, The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi continues to demonstrate how responsible luxury can create lasting value for guests, communities and the environment alike, setting a benchmark for sustainable hospitality in the region.

Study reveals family offices need to strengthen cyber risk defence

June 03: New global research from Ocorian, the specialist global provider of services for asset managers and owners, including private client, fund administration, capital markets, corporate, and regulatory solutions, shows that many family offices are putting themselves at greater risk of a potential cyber attack and don’t have plans in place to recover if they are hit.

It’s estimated that 43% of family offices globally have suffered a cyber attack in the past two years but Ocorian’s study among family members and senior family office employees handling total wealth of $119.37 billion shows almost a fifth (19%) don’t have any defence plans in place to protect themselves from a potential attack. However, 18% of them say that they do plan to put one in place.

This compares to three quarters (75%) of respondents who have taken steps to strengthen their defences against a potential cyber attack in the past two years. Just 7% say they had plans in place more than two years ago.

Should they suffer a cyber attack more than a fifth (22%) of those surveyed say they don’t currently have an incident plan in place to respond and recover. Around 78% say they do have an incident plan ready.

More than one in 10 (11%) family offices surveyed admit that they feel significantly challenged when it comes to delivering the level and quality of cyber security expertise they need to operate effectively. Almost half (49%) say they currently receive advice and support from third-party professionals over cyber security, but this is set to significantly increase, with 72% saying they see the levels of outsourcing around cyber security to increase over the next three years. Of these 41% say they expect a dramatic increase.

 Ian Rumens, Head of Private Client – Jersey, at Ocorian said: “A cyber security attack is becoming an increasing reality and can have huge implications for family offices, damaging reputations, triggering loss of stakeholder confidence and putting long-term relationships at risk. While many are taking steps to put the necessary precautions and defences in place, such as getting expert third-party advice, there are still too many who are highly susceptible.

 “The financial impact can also be significant, from direct theft and fraud to business interruption, incident response costs, regulatory fines and potential litigation. It’s also vital that family offices work closely with all their service providers and suppliers to make sure those partners have the right protections in place too, helping reduce the risk of a cyber incident spreading through the wider ecosystem.

 “Finally, organisations should ensure strong backup and recovery arrangements are tested regularly to help protect against data loss or corruption, so critical records and reporting can be restored quickly and accurately. On top of this, with no incident plan in place, it could also take those affected by an attack much longer to respond and recover afterwards.”

 Ocorian’s award winning dedicated family office team provides a seamless and holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities families face. Its service is built on long-term personal relationships that are founded on a deep understanding of what matters to family office clients. Its global presence means Ocorian can provide bespoke structures and services for international families no matter where they live.

 Key services include formation and administration of family offices, HR support services, support with lifestyle and luxury assets, family governance, resident and relocation services and specialist support with immigration, visas, payroll, marine and aircraft crew management and financial reporting.