New Delhi, 24^th April, 2025: Mumbai International Airport is set to roll out hand–carriage jewellery export operations starting 1st May 2025, marking a major milestone for India’s gem and jewellery trade. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) formalised the procedure through Circular No. 09/2025-Customs dated 28th March 2025, enabling import/export via personal carriage.

A successful mock drill was conducted on 24th April 2025, with collaborative efforts from Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), BVC, Precious Cargo Customs Clearance Centre (PCCCC), Airport Customs, and GJEPC. The drill, overseen by Mr. Roopesh Sukumaran, Additional Commissioner of Customs, PCCCC, simulated a passenger export scenario with GJEPC Secretariat playing the role of the exporter.

“With the launch of hand‑carriage jewellery exports from Mumbai Airport on 1st May 2025, we are ushering in a new era for India’s gem and jewellery trade,” said Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC. “This initiative not only simplifies logistics for our members—particularly emerging exporters—but also reinforces India’s standing as the premier global jewellery hub. We remain committed to advocating innovative solutions that drive growth and opportunity across our industry, especially MSMEs.”

GJEPC’s sustained advocacy has been instrumental in achieving this breakthrough. The upcoming advisory from DG Systems will pave the way for Mumbai Customs to issue the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for hand carry exports.

The initiative will benefit especially emerging exporters, offering them flexibility to personally carry jewellery to global markets. GJEPC has already set up a dedicated airport office to assist members with hand carry procedures.

National, April 24, 2025 – Udaipur Marriott Hotel, the first hotel in Udaipur under the flagship Marriott Hotels brand, today announced the appointment of Mohit Mishra as its new Executive Chef. With an illustrious culinary career spanning over two decades across India’s premier hospitality brands, Mishra brings a wealth of experience, innovation, and leadership to the hotel‘s culinary team.​

Mishra is renowned for his innovative approach to cuisine, commitment to guest-centric service, and ability to lead high-performing kitchen teams in dynamic environments. His expertise encompasses a diverse range of cuisines, with a focus on sustainability, fresh sourcing, and thoughtful menu curation.​An alumnus of the Culinary Academy of India, Chef Mohit holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts.

Mishra‘s impressive journey includes leadership roles at esteemed properties such as The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa, Taj Deccan Hyderabad, Vivanta Hyderabad Begumpet, and Taj Krishna Hyderabad. He honed his culinary skills during his early tenure as Chef De Partie at Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa in Goa, as well as Taj Lands End in Mumbai.​

In his new role at Udaipur Marriott Hotel, Mishra will oversee all culinary operations, including menu planning, recipe development, cost control, and ensuring the highest standards of food preparation and safety. His vision is to elevate the hotel‘s dining experiences by blending traditional flavors with contemporary techniques, offering guests memorable gastronomic journeys that celebrate the rich heritage of Udaipur.​

“We are excited to welcome Chef Mohit Mishra to our team,” said Vaibhav Sagar, General Manager of Udaipur Marriott Hotel. “His extensive experience and culinary artistry align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences. We are confident that his leadership will further enhance our culinary offerings and delight our guests.”​

Nestled against the majestic Aravalli Hills and overlooking the tranquil Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur Marriott Hotel offers a host of curated culinary experiences, each one unique and indulgent in their offering. Chef Mohit Mishra‘s appointment is set to further enhance Udaipur Marriott Hotel‘s dedication to culinary excellence and innovation, promising guests an elevated dining experience that reflects the vibrant culture and flavors of the region.​

Mumbai, 24 April 2025 – Rajiv Kapoor, the General Manager at the newly launched Fairmont Mumbai has been at the helm of the hotel’s pre-opening phase for the past year, meticulously orchestrating its launch and shaping its vision. With doors officially opened on 10th April, his leadership marks the beginning of a dynamic new era for the brand in Mumbai.

With a remarkable career spanning over two decades in luxury hospitality, Rajiv brings a wealth of expertise in hotel operations, guest service, and team leadership. Known for his strategic approach and passion for excellence, he is set to steer Fairmont Mumbai towards new benchmarks in hospitality and innovation. Shaped by extensive international experience, his journey across diverse cultural landscapes has refined his ability to anticipate and exceed global guest expectations.

His tenure in world-class resorts across Asia allowed him to master the art of cross-cultural service, market adaptability, and innovative guest engagement. Having led teams in dynamic, high-performing environments, he has honed his expertise in operational excellence, brand positioning, and bespoke service delivery.

Rajiv’s five-year tenure at Fairmont Jaipur played a key role in enhancing the brand’s reputation, particularly through his introduction of innovative guest experiences and operational improvements that significantly boosted occupancy rates. His leadership earned him several prestigious accolades, including “General Manager of the Year – Upscale to Luxe” at the Accor South Asia Hotel Awards 2021 and “General Manager of the Year – Luxury Hotels Segment” at the HOSI 2022 Hotelivate MakeMyTrip Awards.

He is known for his ability to build strong teams, implement strategic initiatives, and maintain operational excellence. Rajiv’s hands-on approach ensures that the Fairmont experience remains consistent, delivering the high level of service the brand is known for.

At Fairmont Mumbai, Rajiv will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the hotel’s pre-opening and operations, including curating a high-performing team that aligns with Fairmont’s vision of excellence, strategic planning, and ensuring exceptional service in Mumbai’s competitive luxury market. With his deep commitment to the Fairmont brand, Rajiv is determined to position Fairmont Mumbai as a beacon of luxury and innovation, setting a new standard for hospitality in the region.

“I’m excited to be part of this new chapter for Fairmont in Mumbai,” says Rajiv. “The legendary legacy of this brand is inspiring, and I look forward to collaborating with the team to establish Fairmont Mumbai as a flagship property for Accor in India, setting a new standard for luxury and excellence in the city.” With a track record of leading properties to success, Rajiv’s visionary approach and hands-on leadership style make him the ideal choice to guide Fairmont Mumbai to its grand opening. His dedication to upholding the highest standards of hospitality will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the city’s luxury hospitality landscape.

Under Rajiv’s leadership, Fairmont Mumbai is set to elevate the luxury experience in the city. He will focus on incorporating distinctive design elements, culinary innovations, and world-class service standards to create an immersive experience that resonates with both local and international guests. By blending the timeless elegance of the Fairmont brand with a modern touch, Rajiv aims to position Fairmont Mumbai as a true symbol of sophisticated hospitality, making it a premier destination for those seeking unmatched luxury and excellence in the heart of the city.

Apr. 24, 2025— The World Bank Group today announced the launch of the next phase of its Private Sector Investment Lab, focused on implementing proven solutions at scale. This new chapter also expands the Lab’s membership to include industry leaders with experience generating jobs in developing economies, aligning directly with the Bank’s sharpened focus on job creation as a core driver of development.

“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate.”

Over the last 18 months, the Lab brought together leaders from global financial institutions to identify the most pressing barriers to private sector investment in developing countries—and to test actionable solutions.

That work has now been consolidated into five priority focus areas that are being integrated across Bank Group operations:

• Regulatory and Policy Certainty: Supporting governments in creating stable regulatory frameworks. For instance, the effort to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity relies on upfront policy clarity to attract long-term capital.

• Political Risk Insurance: Streamlined guarantee instruments has led to a 30% increase in issuance compared to last year—enhancing investor confidence and helping the Bank meet its goal of tripling the use of guarantees by 2030.

• Foreign Exchange Risk: Scaling local currency financing to deepen domestic capital markets. Last year, IFC committed one-third of its long-term financing in local currency—with a goal of reaching 40% by 2030.

• Junior Equity Capital: Launched the Frontier Opportunities Fund to absorb earlystage risk. Initially capitalized with IFC income, the fund will grow with donor and philanthropic contributions.

• Securitization: Collaborating with institutions such as S&P and BlackRock to standardize and securitize portfolios, unlocking capital from pension funds, insurers, and sovereign wealth funds.

As the Lab enters its implementation phase, it is also expanding its membership to include private sector leaders in sectors critical to job creation—such as infrastructure and energy,agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing. These industries have a proven ability to translate investment into broad-based employment and economic opportunity.

New members of the Lab include:

• Bill Anderson, CEO, Bayer AG

• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair, Bharti Enterprises

• Aliko Dangote, President & CEO, Dangote Group

• Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

“We are grateful to the original Lab leaders who helped us deliver strong results in the initial work period,” Banga said. “Now we’re building on that foundation—bringing in additional leaders from sectors that are central to job creation and moving from ideas to implementation.”

The Lab’s founding members included senior executives from AXA, BlackRock, HSBC, Macquarie, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Ninety One, Ping An Group, Royal Philips, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Sustainable Energy for All, Tata Sons, Temasek, and Three Cairns Group. The Lab is chaired by Shriti Vadera, Chair of Prudential plc.

“We are grateful to the Lab leaders who helped deliver such important results in the first phase. We welcome our new members’ support in continuing our focus on five key areas: regulatory and policy certainty; guarantees, as the most widely used and understood instrument to address political and credit risks; foreign exchange risk; scaling different forms of equity; and creating an asset class and liquid market to attract institutional funds.” Shriti Vadera, Chair, Prudential plc. and Chair, Private Sector Investment Lab

“The World Bank Group is leading the way with initiatives to grow economies and create opportunities in emerging markets around the globe. As President Banga has said, the private sector will play a pivotal role in this transformation, and I am delighted to join the PSIL alongside other distinguished business leaders. I have seen firsthand the power of connectivity to transform lives by creating opportunities for businesses to grow and communities to thrive. I hope that the successes of the telecommunications sector will be valuable as PSIL embarks on the next stage of its important work.” Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair, Bharti Enterprises

“I am honored to join the Private Sector Investment Lab during its next phase focused on implementation. Together, businesses and the WBG can unleash job creation in emerging markets by managing the risks and realizing the opportunities for the next generation growing up in low and middle income countries.” Bill Anderson, CEO, Bayer AG