At a major event hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi, Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal laid out a transformative vision for Indian agriculture. He advocated transitioning from traditional practices towards climate-resilient irrigation, smart food processing, and globally competitive exports. With aspirations to raise agri-exports from INR 4 lakh crore to INR 20 lakh crore, he emphasised collaboration between the government, industry, and farmers to make agriculture central to India's USD 5 trillion economy. The session reinforced the strategic value of technology, branding, and sustainable farming in building a future-ready agri-sector.Read more

EzUrja, a provider of clean energy and EV charging solutions, has launched a new initiative focused on deploying advanced electric vehicle chargers built specifically for the demanding terrain and weather conditions of Himachal Pradesh. These chargers, manufactured within the state, are designed to support the government's goal of transitioning 3,000 government vehicles to electric models in the current year. The initiative also contributes to Himachal Pradesh's broader mission of achieving Green Energy State status by 2026.Read more

Capgemini is set to acquire WNS for USD 3.3 billion in an all-cash transaction, offering USD 76.50 per share. The deal aims to enhance Capgemini's Digital BPS and Intelligent Operations capabilities. WNS, headquartered in Mumbai, operates 25 delivery centers in India, employing nearly 40,000 people and contributing over 50% of its global revenue. The acquisition, expected to close by year-end, will create a global leader in Digital BPS, integrating AI and technology solutions for enterprise transformation.Read more

India's cement demand is projected to grow by 7-8% in FY26, driven by real estate activity and government housing and infrastructure initiatives. According to an Axis Securities report, this follows a recovery in demand during the latter half of FY25. Despite a subdued start to FY25, strong momentum is expected to continue into Q1 FY26. Cement output in April-May 2025 increased by 8%. While pricing may remain competitive, sustained volume growth is anticipated, backed by increased government capital expenditure and a revival in construction.Read more

CBRE's latest survey, conducted in collaboration with the USGBC North Asia Office, highlights the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) in Asia Pacific's real estate sector. Nearly 90% of landlords and investors now maintain dedicated sustainability functions. CSOs are being tasked with delivering measurable returns while aligning green initiatives with financial goals. Over 60% face increased tenant demands for sustainability, and decarbonisation has become vital to retain occupancy. Despite this, most asset owners are in the early stages of climate risk assessment, and resource expansion remains conservative amidst economic uncertainty.Read more

SBI Ventures' Neev II Fund, a climate and sustainability-focused SME fund, has invested in RETAS Enviro Solutions Private Limited, a climate-tech company specializing in modular rainwater harvesting and disaster-resilient infrastructure. RETAS uses patented Rainmaxx tanks made from recycled polypropylene to capture and store rainwater, facilitating groundwater recharge. The investment supports RETAS's plans to expand its presence and product deployment in India, addressing water scarcity and urban flooding. RETAS has already captured over 75 billion litres of rainwater, aiming to significantly increase this capacity.Read more

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited flood-affected areas in Mandi district, assuring support and assessing damage. He urged MPs to help secure Union Government permission to rehabilitate families on forest land, as 68% of the state is forest area. The state plans to provide INR 7 lakh compensation for rebuilding homes. Over 1,184 houses, 710 cowsheds, and 201 shops were affected, with 15 fatalities. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with relief camps and road restoration prioritized.Read more

Namibia has joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 9, during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's visit to Namibia. CDRI, established in 2019 by India, promotes resilient infrastructure against climate risks. GBA, launched by PM Modi in September 2023, aims to advance biofuels globally. These memberships enhance cooperation in capacity building and reflect efforts to strengthen multilateralism for the Global South, boosting bilateral ties.Read more

Education loan growth for Indian NBFCs is projected to halve to 25% in FY26 due to policy uncertainty in the US, according to Crisil Ratings. The loan portfolio stood at INR 64,000 crore in March 2025, with stable asset quality and 0.1% gross NPAs. A 27% YoY drop in US student visas-linked to tighter rules and funding cuts-has reduced loan originations. The US share in education loans has fallen from 53% to 50%, with further declines expected. NBFCs are shifting focus to the UK, Germany, Ireland, and domestic education segments. Crisil warns of asset quality risks as moratoriums end and newer lending areas expand.Read more

The Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS), held in Kochi in February 2025, has attracted investments worth INR 1.77 lakh crore across 424 projects. Of these, 86 projects worth INR 31,429 crore have begun, expected to create over 40,000 jobs. In July alone, projects worth INR 1,500 crore-including ventures by BlueStar Realtors, Canyo Health, and Kaynes Technology-will commence. August will see another INR 1,437 crore in projects begin, including Green Worms Waste Management, Renai Medicity, and Nitta Gelatin. Adani Logistics will invest INR 600 crore in a logistics park in Kalamassery. A minister-led advisory group is overseeing smooth execution, with land secured for 268 projects so far.Read more