GFS Developments, a Dubai-based real estate developer, inaugurated a new office in Frankfurt, Germany, aiming to connect European investors with Dubai's growing property market. The launch event featured discussions on Dubai's real estate trends, including increased transaction volumes, rising investor numbers, and a strong pipeline of off-plan projects. The company also showcased its latest residential project, Coventry Living, and emphasized Dubai's appeal due to tax advantages, investor protections, and infrastructure development.Read more

RBL Bank has set a clear goal to triple its retail assets to INR 6,000 crore by FY26, focusing on expanding retail deposits to 55% of its total deposit base. The bank plans to enhance customer engagement using CRM-led strategies and cross-selling products like credit cards, insurance, and SIPs. With 80% of its current customers holding only one product, RBL Bank sees strong potential to deepen relationships. It also plans to grow gold, home, and business loans while gradually reducing dependence on wholesale liabilities.Read more

Amazon Development Centre India has leased 220,000 sq ft of office space from WeWork in Chennai, marking the largest single office transaction in the city this year. The 40-month lease is expected to house more than 3,500 employees, reflecting both Amazon's expansion plans in southern India and the rising demand for flexible office solutions. Chennai, which has been steadily building its reputation as a technology and business hub, now joins Bengaluru and Hyderabad as a preferred location for global corporations seeking scalable workspace options.Read more

SEBI has issued new rules under the AIF framework that require angel funds to raise capital only from accredited investors. Existing angel funds must align with these rules by early September 2026. During the transition, they cannot offer investment chances to more than 200 non-accredited investors. Funds must have at least five accredited investors before first close, with first close to happen within 12 months of SEBI recording the Private Placement Memorandum. Investment thresholds, lock-in periods, follow-on investment norms, and compliance requirements have also been revised. Angel funds will now be a distinct Category I AIF, and compliance audits will apply to those above INR 100 crore, along with mandatory reporting of valuations and cash flows.Read more

Zambia's High Court ruled that Standard Chartered does not have to pay USD 500,000 in compensation to a former client over a defaulted Chinese property bond. While the bank was found not to have violated local laws in 2022, it was ordered to cover the client's legal costs due to falling short of its own conduct standards. The SEC had previously sanctioned the bank for failing to disclose key information and using restrictive contract clauses. Both parties can appeal. Standard Chartered has a nearly 120-year history in Zambia and is considering selling its local operations.Read more

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) successfully raised over INR 300 crore through a recent e-auction of various properties. The auction included school plots in Basant Kunj, a commercial plot in the Central Business District, and residential plots in Gomti Nagar Extension. Competitive bidding and strong participation highlighted growing investor confidence in Lucknow's real estate sector. The LDA's transparent processes and organized site visits contributed to the successful sale of 50 properties, showing a rising interest in both residential and commercial developments.Read more

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has sent notices to more than 3 lakh property tax defaulters, whose outstanding dues total around INR 400 crore. These dues have accumulated over one to six years. The civic body has a target of INR 275 crore for the current financial year and has already collected INR 125 crore. An amnesty scheme offering up to 95% waiver on penalties was introduced earlier this month. The NMC aims to meet its full collection target to fund its share in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela and ensure financial stability.Read more

The Finance Ministry has instructed Central GST field officers to keep track of price changes in 54 everyday items after new GST rates come into effect later this month. These include daily essentials and household goods such as butter, toothpaste, shampoo, tomato ketchup, ice cream, toys, cement, ACs, TVs, bandages, diagnostic kits, and crayons. Officers must prepare a brand-wise comparison of Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) and send the first report to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) by the end of the month, with follow-up reports to be submitted monthly for six months.Read more

Forum Malls, part of Prestige Group, is set to nearly double its presence in India by opening 14 new shopping centres across major cities by 2029. The company is focusing on metropolitan areas where consumer spending power and interest in branded retail are strong, while tier-II cities show limited appetite for premium offerings. Plans include India's first athleisure-focused mall near Bengaluru. The expansion aligns with the festive season, which contributes significantly to revenue, and the company expects higher footfall following recent consumer tax cuts. Bengaluru remains its core and competitive market.Read more

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board was recognised as the Best State Tourism Board at the India Travel Awards 2025 in New Delhi, an event attended by national tourism leaders. The accolade highlighted the state's innovation, sustainability efforts, and cultural promotion. Senior officials noted that the award reflected a collective vision to position Madhya Pradesh as a global tourism hub, strengthening local economies, heritage conservation, and employment generation.Read more

India faces steep tariffs of up to 50 per cent from the US, including a 25 per cent penalty on crude oil imports from Russia, which could affect GDP growth by around 0.2-0.3 per cent this financial year. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said that the recent GST reforms would help offset these impacts by boosting domestic demand. The reforms include a move to a two-slab system of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, along with a 40 per cent rate on luxury and sin goods, making nearly 400 products cheaper. Key sectors like textiles, gems, leather, and machinery are most affected, while pharma, energy, and electronics remain largely exempt.Read more

Glass Wall Systems (India) Ltd, a major player in the façade and fenestration solutions sector, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI for an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company intends to raise INR 60 crore via a fresh issue of equity shares and an Offer For Sale (OFS) of 4.02 crore shares by existing promoters and investors. The funds will be directed towards establishing a GPU project at its Vile Bhagad facility in Maharashtra and supporting general corporate purposes. With over 150 projects completed domestically and internationally, the IPO is expected to strengthen its market presence and financial position.Read more

Cottonwood Group, a private equity real estate firm, has closed a USD 1 billion fund focused on special situations across U.S. commercial property. The fund, which exceeded its USD 500 million target, combines capital raised through pooled funds and separate accounts. Around USD 300 million has already been invested through structured loans with the option to acquire assets if defaults occur. The vehicle has delivered a return of nearly 20 percent so far. With investments spanning logistics, multifamily, data centers, and mixed-use assets, the strategy highlights rising investor appetite in a market facing refinancing stress.Read more

BEYOND Developments, a Dubai-born real estate brand under OMNIYAT GROUP, has been announced as a global sponsor of the DP World Asia Cup 2025, hosted in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament features eight nations, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, and will take place across Dubai International Stadium and Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The sponsorship reflects BEYOND's commitment to creating destinations that connect, inspire, and elevate living experiences, while the event highlights the UAE's growing role as a world-class hub for international sports.Read more

Fitch Ratings has upgraded India's GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal year to 6.9%, citing robust growth in the April-June quarter and strong domestic consumption. This is the first upward revision by a global agency after earlier downgrades due to trade uncertainties. While trade tensions with the US and higher tariffs pose challenges, government reforms in the Goods and Services Tax are expected to support consumer spending. Growth is projected to moderate in the second half of the fiscal year, with future fiscal years seeing slower, yet steady expansion.Read more

Embassy Real Estate Infrastructure Trust (REIT) has strongly refuted allegations by Sterling Wilson over alleged unpaid dues, describing them as frivolous and part of a long-standing pattern of litigation. The REIT stated that claims made since 2018, including the alleged INR 100 crore non-payment by Embassy Energy, had already been dismissed by tribunals due to lack of contractual ties. Sterling Wilson has also approached SEBI earlier this year with similar complaints.Read more

Markets regulator SEBI has introduced amendments aimed at harmonising allotment norms for privately placed infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs), streamlining related party classifications, and easing cash flow distribution rules. The minimum allotment lot in the primary market for privately placed InvITs has been brought down to INR 25 lakh, aligning with the secondary market. The regulator has also revised rules for REITs, InvITs, and portfolio managers, focusing on greater transparency, standardised reporting, and improved ease of doing business.Read more

Jio Financial Services Ltd (JFSL) and Germany's Allianz have formed a 50:50 joint venture, Allianz Jio Reinsurance Ltd (AJRL), to operate in India's reinsurance market. The company has been incorporated with an initial investment of INR 2.50 lakh through 25,000 equity shares. The incorporation received a no-objection certificate from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued the Certificate of Incorporation this week. The venture will combine JFSL's local expertise and digital capabilities with Allianz's global reinsurance experience, including over 25 years of risk management in India.Read more

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified efforts to recover unpaid property taxes from defaulters, including more than 200 commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and schools. These defaulters have avoided paying taxes for several years, leading to dues of nearly INR 40-50 crore. The PMC is planning property attachment actions to enforce payment and has set a collection target of INR 150 crore for the current financial year. Over INR 54 crore has already been collected from approximately one lakh property owners across the city.Read more

Permira and Blackstone have taken a USD 525 million minority stake in Dubai-based real estate classifieds platform Property Finder, reflecting continued investor interest in the emirate's property market. General Atlantic, an early investor since 2018, has partially exited while maintaining a significant stake. The deal will give Property Finder access to global expertise from all three private equity firms as it expands across the Middle East and North Africa. The platform is also targeting growth in Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid a shifting Dubai property market.Read more