AD Ports Group and AZCON Holding Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration in Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Azerbaijan

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29 April 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, industry and logistics solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Azerbaijan Transport and Communications Holding (AZCON Holding) to explore strategic collaboration across ports, shipping, logistics, and digital trade solutions in Azerbaijan.

The MoU establishes a strategic framework for cooperation between the parties to explore investment opportunities and advance collaboration in integrated transport and logistics infrastructure, including maritime and digital solutions in Azerbaijan. 

The MoU signing was witnessed by His Excellency Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State at the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed Al Blooshi, the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan; His Excellency Elchin Baghirov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the UAE; and Shahin Babayev, Executive Director of AZCON Holding. The MoU was signed by Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group; and Vugar Mirzazada, Deputy Executive Director of AZCON Holding. 

Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO – AD Ports Group, said: “Our MoU with AZCON Holding marks a further step in advancing AD Ports Group’s corridor-focused strategy, strengthening trade links between Central Asia and Europe. Azerbaijan’s pivotal position bridging East and West offers strong opportunities, we look forward to leveraging our integrated capabilities across ports, maritime, logistics, and digital solutions to enable more efficient, connected, and commercially attractive trade routes.” 

Vugar Mirzazada, Deputy Executive Director of AZCON Holding, said: “This MoU with AD Ports Group marks an important step in exploring opportunities that can further strengthen Azerbaijan’s transport, trade and maritime ecosystem. As Azerbaijan continues to enhance its role as a strategic link between East and West, cooperation across port development, shipbuilding, logistics, digital integration and multimodal connectivity can contribute to the long-term growth and competitiveness of the national economy. We see strong potential in this collaboration to support trade facilitation, improve supply chain efficiency and reinforce Azerbaijan’s position as a key logistics hub.”

This collaboration comes as the UAE-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) officially entered into force on 15 April 2026. The agreement will accelerate bilateral trade flows, create new opportunities for investments and joint-ventures, and enhance market access and global reach for exporters in both countries by eliminating or reducing tariffs on the majority of goods and services, in addition to enhancing private-sector collaboration and empowering entrepreneurs and SMEs.

The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with Azerbaijan has already demonstrated robust growth, underscoring the strength and resilience of this bilateral relationship. Non-oil trade grew by 31.4% over the past two years to exceed $2.2 billion in 2025.

This collaboration also aligns with Azerbaijan’s improving economic outlook. According to Fitch Solutions’ BMI, real GDP growth is forecast to reach 2.5% in 2026, up from an estimated 1.4% in 2025, with improved domestic demand, investment activity and trade expected to support the recovery, reinforcing the importance of initiatives that enhance connectivity, trade facilitation and logistics efficiency.

The MoU complements AD Ports Group’s broader focus on Central Asia, where the Group is investing in logistics, port terminals, and shipping assets to strengthen connectivity along the Middle Corridor and support the movement of trade between Asia and Europe.

Eternal strengthens support for delivery partners as summer sets in

Apr 29: As temperatures rise across India, Eternal Group is doubling down on its commitment to delivery partner health and wellbeing, announcing new additions to its existing initiatives for delivery partners onboarded with Zomato and Blinkit. These measures build on the company’s ongoing efforts to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people powering its platforms. 

The company has strengthened its existing efforts and introduced additional measures, including:

• Insurance coverage: Delivery partners are covered under a broader health insurance programme that includes OPD coverage with reimbursement of up to ₹5,000, along with IPD/hospitalisation and day care coverage of up to ₹1 lakh. The programme also includes a personal accident insurance policy offering ₹10 lakh accidental death cover, as well as teleconsultations and online doctor consultations for partners, their spouse, and children. Premiums for these are fully borne by the company.
• Emergency and SOS support: In the event of a medical emergency, delivery partners can access ambulance services and 24×7 SOS support via the SOS button on the Zomato and Blinkit Delivery Partner apps.
• Predictions and insightful action: Through its weather-union system, the company closely tracks seasonal weather patterns across India and supports delivery partners with timely updates through relevant in-app communication on the respective Delivery Partner apps.
• Customer nudges: During extreme weather conditions, customers on the Zomato and Blinkit apps receive friendly reminders to consider offering a glass of water to their delivery partner. They are also nudged to consider tipping their delivery partners as a small gesture. 

Initiatives by Blinkit

• Rest points and hydration: Blinkit dark stores are being equipped for summer with pedestal fans, air coolers, benches, and water dispensers in place. Additionally, over 1.5 lakh glucose sachets are being distributed daily to delivery partners across dark stores through the summer.
• Doctor@store: Doctor@Store is a free doctor consultation and medical treatment service available to all delivery partners onboarded on Blinkit and their families. Previously available at select stores, it has now been expanded to cover 50% of all Blinkit dark stores (1.5 L+ total consultations provided so far), with further expansion underway. 

Initiatives by Zomato

• Rest Points: Through collaborations with restaurant partners, delivery partners onboarded on Zomato have access to 5,000+ rest points across India. These rest points offer water, shade, seating, and washroom facilities to help them take a break while waiting for orders to be prepared. Additionally, through strategic collaborations with TVS and Shell, delivery partners also have access to dedicated rest points at select service stations and fuel pumps. Designed to support the broader gig economy, these rest points are accessible to delivery partners across platforms, regardless of their association with Eternal.
• Cooling Gear: To help delivery partners stay safe and cool during peak summer, cooling gear is made available at subsidised rates through the Zomato Delivery Partner app. This includes a lightweight sunscreen jacket offering UPF 50+ protection, sun protection, and anti-tan benefits, designed for everyday outdoor use.

India Targets 500 GW Clean Energy Capacity by 2030: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): India has set an ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of clean energy capacity by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, highlighting the country’s strong performance in climate action.

Speaking at a climate resilience dialogue in New Delhi, Goyal said India has already met its earlier renewable energy targets ahead of schedule and continues to rank among the top performers globally in meeting its climate commitments under the G20 framework.

He noted that India’s solar energy capacity target, initially set at 20 GW, was significantly scaled up to 100 GW after 2014 and achieved within the planned timeframe, reflecting the country’s accelerated push toward clean energy expansion.

Goyal said India has evolved from being viewed as a cautious participant in global climate discussions to becoming a key leader, especially since the Paris COP21 agreement, where it played a significant role in building consensus among developed and developing nations.

He also pointed to India’s growing global economic engagement, with active trade discussions underway with several countries across regions including North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Eurasia. According to him, the world is increasingly recognising India’s growth potential and its expanding role in global trade partnerships.

The minister added that climate action in India is no longer seen as a burden but as an economic opportunity, with the renewable energy sector contributing to job creation, industrial growth, and export potential.

He highlighted major reforms in the power sector, including the development of a unified national grid, expansion of transmission infrastructure, and efforts to strengthen base-load capacity to support renewable integration.

Goyal also stressed the importance of collective action in addressing climate challenges, urging individuals and industries to adopt energy-efficient practices such as reducing consumption, improving efficiency, and supporting sustainable behaviour changes.

He said such combined efforts will be crucial not only for achieving climate goals but also for unlocking new economic opportunities in emerging sectors.