Business Bureau

India hosted the first BRICS Sherpa/Sous-Sherpa Meeting in New Delhi under its current chairship, marking an important step toward shaping the grouping’s priorities for the year. The three-day meeting, which began on February 9 and concludes on February 11, has brought together senior representatives from BRICS member and partner countries to deliberate on coordination, cooperation, and key global issues. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India’s BRICS Sherpa and Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela participated in the discussions, which were also attended by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Belarus Ambassador M. Kasko. Ambassador Kasko expressed appreciation to…

Amazon India has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to develop innovative packaging materials made from agricultural waste, aiming to reduce dependence on virgin wood pulp while tackling the issue of stubble burning in the country. Under the collaboration, researchers will work on converting crop residues such as wheat straw and bagasse into high-quality pulp to produce strong, lightweight paper mailers that are recyclable and home-compostable. The research, led by IIT Roorkee’s Department of Paper and Packaging Technology, will begin with laboratory-scale testing over a 15-month period. If successful, the project will move to industrial trials and…

J Infratech Limited has secured a contract from a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) for the repair, maintenance, and improvement of riding quality on selected stretches of NH-37 (Old) in Assam. The project was awarded following the company’s successful bid, with the CPSU issuing a formal Letter of Acceptance under FY 2025–26 (2nd Call). The identified highway stretch plays a key role in facilitating daily commuter movement and ensuring smooth transportation of goods across the region. Officials noted that improving riding quality is essential for enhancing traffic reliability, reducing vehicle operating stress, and strengthening overall transport efficiency. The project forms…

Bandhan Life Insurance, the life insurance arm of the Bandhan Group, has launched a new Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) named iInvest Ultima along with a new Mid Cap Fund offering, aimed at helping customers build long-term wealth while ensuring financial protection. The New Fund Launch (NFL), available at a Net Asset Value (NAV) of ₹10, will remain open for subscription until February 18, 2026. The iInvest Ultima plan provides access to Bandhan Life’s 5-star and 4-star rated funds, which have outperformed industry benchmarks, along with features such as an Accidental Death Benefit Rider, loyalty rewards, and a return of…

South African Tourism successfully concluded the Kolkata leg of its Annual India Roadshow after launching the initiative at OTM Mumbai, reinforcing India’s growing importance as a key source market. Led by Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA) Mitalee Karmarkar, the roadshow provided a strategic platform to deepen engagement with the Indian travel trade and identify new opportunities across leisure, corporate, and MICE travel segments. The event featured over 40 exhibitors showcasing diverse tourism offerings and attracted participation from more than 220 travel trade agents in Kolkata. The multi-city roadshow will next move to Delhi on February 12, aiming to further strengthen…

Efforts to build inclusive and mentally healthy workplaces in India are gaining momentum as organisations increasingly recognise that mental health and inclusion must go hand in hand. Experts emphasise that for LGBTQIA+ employees, workplace wellbeing is closely linked to identity, belonging, and the freedom to express their authentic selves without fear of judgement or discrimination. Progressive companies are moving beyond generic mental health frameworks and adopting policies that acknowledge diverse employee experiences shaped by gender, sexuality, disability, and neurodiversity. Measures such as extending healthcare benefits to partners, ensuring access to mental health professionals familiar with LGBTQIA+ concerns, creating gender-affirmation policies,…

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPV) and its subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc. (JLR) on Monday announced the commencement of operations at their new manufacturing facility at Panapakkam in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet district. The plant marks the first phase of a greenfield project that will produce next-generation vehicles, including electric vehicles, for both Tata Motors and JLR brands. The first vehicle to roll out from the facility is the locally manufactured Range Rover Evoque, a globally popular luxury SUV known for its premium design and craftsmanship. The plant was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the…

Global hospitality major Hyatt has appointed S. Vidyashankar as the Regional Vice President of Human Resources for India and Southwest Asia, reinforcing its leadership team as the company continues to expand across the region. With over 23 years of experience in hospitality human resources, including more than two decades with Hyatt, Vidyashankar is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s regional people strategy. In his new role, he will work closely with regional and hotel leadership teams to strengthen leadership capabilities, nurture talent, and promote people practices aligned with Hyatt’s global purpose and values. The focus will…

Berger Paints India Limited reported largely stable revenue growth for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, even as profits declined due to scale effects, continued brand investments and market uncertainties. According to the company’s Q3 results, consolidated revenue from operations stood at ₹2,984 crore, marginally up 0.3% from ₹2,975.1 crore in the same quarter last year. EBITDA remained almost flat at ₹471 crore, while net profit fell 8.3% year-on-year to ₹271.3 crore. On a standalone basis, revenue rose 0.4% to ₹2,595 crore, while net profit declined 2.5% to ₹298.4 crore. For the nine-month period ended December 2025, consolidated revenue grew…

Experts have cautioned that compressing compliance timelines under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules could strain businesses and weaken investor confidence, particularly in the startup ecosystem. The concerns were raised during a media briefing hosted by InGovern Research Services. While industry stakeholders broadly welcomed the intent to strengthen data privacy, speakers warned that advancing implementation timelines from the originally proposed 18 months to 12 months — and in some cases immediate enforcement — could impose disproportionate operational and financial burdens. They stressed that DPDP compliance requires deep changes in technology architecture, governance systems and internal processes, not just paperwork.…