Business Bureau

Calling it a “historic milestone” in India–New Zealand relations, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries would significantly deepen economic cooperation, strengthen strategic trust, and create fresh opportunities for businesses, professionals, and young people. The agreement, finalised on April 27 after years of negotiations, is being seen as a major breakthrough in bilateral trade relations between India and New Zealand. Under the pact, all Indian exports to New Zealand will receive duty-free access, while tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand goods entering the Indian market will either be…

Direct selling beauty brand Oriflame has introduced its new “Love Potion Cherry on Top” fragrance range in India, expanding its premium personal care portfolio with a cherry-and-chocolate-inspired scent collection aimed at fragrance enthusiasts. The newly launched range includes the “Love Potion Cherry on Top Eau de Parfum” priced at ₹4,899 and the “Love Potion Cherry On Top Hand Cream” priced at ₹469. The Eau de Parfum features an ambery fruity composition that blends mandarin, juicy cherry and lipstick accord in the opening notes, followed by black cherry, rose and Peru balsam at the heart. The fragrance settles into a warm…

Doctors at Gurugram-based Medanta –The Medicity, named India’s best hospital by Newsweek in 2026, are increasingly observing a rise in paediatric liver conditions -- especially metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as fatty liver -- which are linked to changing lifestyles. Dr. B.C Roy National Awardee Dr. Neelam Mohan, Senior Director, Paediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Medanta Gurugram said high consumption of junk and processed foods, excess sugar intake, lack of physical activity and irregular routines contribute to childhood obesity and increase the risk of liver disease, including fatty liver, biliary atresia, and pediatric pancreatitis -- often misdiagnosed…

Godrej Enterprises Group has launched India’s first facial recognition-enabled home locker and introduced a range of smart connected security solutions at the Smart Home Expo 2026 in Mumbai, strengthening its focus on technology-driven safety products for modern homes. The company unveiled the NX Pro Ncrypt home locker, which combines facial recognition, biometric fingerprint access and digital PIN authentication in a single platform. Built with advanced AES encryption technology, the locker converts facial information into secure digital templates instead of storing images, enhancing privacy and data security. Users can choose between single-mode and dual-mode authentication for added protection. Alongside the launch,…

Reckitt has announced the launch of the “Harpic Safe Sanitation Programme – Bihar Chapter” in Motihari, East Champaran, under its flagship Dettol Banega Swasth India initiative, aimed at strengthening community hygiene and sanitation ecosystems through a service-led approach. The programme, launched in partnership with Jagran Pehel, introduces the “Power of 8” sanitation model designed to deliver sustained hygiene outcomes through scheduled cleaning systems, dedicated sanitation funding, trained manpower, supervision, hygiene infrastructure support, drain de-clogging, live tracking and data-driven monitoring. The initiative was formally launched in the presence of Radha Mohan Singh, senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament from East…

JK Maxx Paints, backed by the legacy of JK Cement Limited, has launched a new brand campaign titled “Maxx Karo, Relax Karo” featuring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador. The campaign marks a new phase of growth for the company and aims to simplify the home painting process for consumers. The campaign is built around the common challenges homeowners face while selecting products for painting their homes, including confusion over choosing the right putty, primer, and paint for durability and finish. Through the campaign, JK Maxx Paints positions itself as a complete wall solutions provider offering products from…

State-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has delivered more than 323 lakh LPG cylinders across India between April 1 and April 26, 2026, highlighting the scale and strength of its nationwide fuel distribution network amid rising energy demand. The company said its LPG distribution system continued to operate smoothly across cities, towns and remote regions, supported by a strong logistics network. During the period, HPCL dispatched over 1,86,644 tankers carrying fuel products, including 403 tankers on April 26 alone, to ensure uninterrupted replenishment across its supply chain. HPCL also reported growing demand for smaller LPG cylinders. The company supplied over…

EssilorLuxottica has introduced its Essilor® Stellest® lens in India, marking the arrival of what the company says is the first and only U.S. FDA market-authorized spectacle lens designed to slow myopia progression in children. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of childhood myopia in India, where nearly 50 per cent of urban children are projected to be affected by 2050, while one in four children already suffers from the condition. The company said clinical studies showed the Essilor® Stellest® lens slowed myopia progression by 71 per cent on average over two years. The lens received U.S. FDA…

With fatty liver disease emerging as a major health concern across India, specialists from Medanta – The Medicity have warned that the condition is affecting millions silently and could lead to severe complications if left untreated. According to experts, nearly 39 per cent of India’s adult population is estimated to be living with fatty liver disease, with cases also increasing among children. Doctors said most patients today suffer from Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), a condition linked to obesity, diabetes, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. Dr. Pawan Rawal, Senior Director of Gastroenterology at Medanta Gurugram, said fatty liver is…

A joint report released by EY India and the Home Insect Control Association (HICA) has called for reducing the GST on household insecticide products from 18% to 5%, saying the move is crucial to improve affordability and strengthen India’s fight against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya. The report, titled “GST Rationalization for Household Insecticides: A Public Health Imperative”, states that products such as liquid vapourisers, coils and aerosols play a key role in preventive healthcare, especially in areas where large-scale interventions like indoor spraying and bed nets face practical limitations. However, the current 18% GST has made…