Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal Pushes for Economic Growth and Investment in Rajasthan
Chandigarh, 10th December 2024: Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal today called Rajasthan as India’s sweet spot and said that sustainable exploration can increase the state’s growth manifold. Addressing the Rising Rajasthan Summit, Mr Agarwal said there is a wealth of natural resources in Rajasthan including oil, gas, potash, rock phosphate, lead, zinc and silver.
“All the successful countries of the world have developed due to below-the-ground resources. We should also move forward on that path. There are three times more building stone reserves here than Italy. Rajasthan can get a lot of benefit by being a neighbour of the most industrialized state Gujarat, which also has a port. There is oil, gas, potash, rock phosphate, lead, zinc, silver here. If you invest in Rajasthan, you will get profitability quickly,” he said in his speech.
During his speech, Mr. Agarwal announced that Vedanta will invest an additional Rs 1 lakh crore in the state in the coming years. He also announced plans to set up a non-profit zinc park that will provide land, raw materials, and energy supply to hundreds of SMEs, thereby fostering the establishment of around 500 new industries.
Vedanta’s strong and longstanding commitment to the state of Rajasthan has played a key role in driving its industrial and economic growth and is powering Rajasthan’s ambition of becoming a US$350 billion economy by 2030, further strengthening its position as a global hub for metals, minerals, and industrial innovation.
Highlighting their own contribution to Rajasthan’s growth, he shared, “Since 2002, we have invested over ₹1 lakh crore in Rajasthan, creating over 1 lakh jobs and supporting the growth of more than 5,000 companies. We are proud to be the largest taxpayer in Rajasthan, contributing ₹50,000 crore annually to the National Exchequer. We aim to triple this contribution in the coming years.”
Booming Growth: India’s Entertainment and Media Revenue to Soar to INR 365,000 Crore by 2028, Says PwC
Chandigarh, 10th Dec 2024: According to PwC India’s report “Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2024–28: India perspective,” the Indian E&M industry is projected to grow at CAGR of 8.3% to hit INR 3,65,000 Crore (19.2 Bn USD) outpacing the global rate of 4.6%.
Despite economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, global E&M revenues grew 5.5% year-on-year, from INR 13,891,000 crore in 2022 to INR 17,359,000 crore in 2023. Currently, the US leads the global E&M market by revenue, with China in the 2nd place and India at the 9th.
Manpreet Singh Ahuja, Chief Digital Officer and TMT Leader at PwC India commented, “India’s Entertainment & Media sector is on the cusp of a major transformation. According to our Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2024-2028, key growth drivers such as digital advertising, OTT platforms, online gaming, and Generative AI are shaping the future of the industry. These rapidly expanding segments are positioning India as a global leader in innovation and growth. Businesses that adapt and innovate in these areas are poised to seize unparalleled opportunities in this dynamic landscape.”
With India’s improved connectivity, rising advertising revenues and favourable Government policies around foreign direct investment (FDI), the country is predicted to see one of the highest growth rates in the next five years. The country’s large millennial and Gen-Z population base of over 91 crore has access to the world’s cheapest data costs. At present, India has 80 crore broadband subscriptions, 55 crore smartphone users and 78 crore internet users. In fact, Indians are spending 78% of their time on mobile phone apps related to E&M. Leveraging India’s strong growth trajectory in the E&M sector, the Government of India is set to host the inaugural WAVES a summit, boosting its E&M sector globally through stakeholder collaboration and innovation.
With growing consumption and gross domestic product (GDP) growth in India, the advertising market is projected to grow at a 9.4% CAGR from INR 1,01,000 crore in 2023 to INR 1,58,000 crore in 2028, which is 1.4x the global average. Most of this growth will come from digital front (internet advertising), which is expected to grow at a 15.6% CAGR, rising from INR 41,000 crore in 2023 to INR 85,000 crore in 2028. Internet advertising’s year-on-year growth, which was 26.0% in 2023, will remain in double digits throughout the forecast period (2024–28), and is expected to be 12.2% in 2028.
This shift towards cord-cutting is expected to accelerate. Traditional TV advertising will grow at a 4.2% CAGR between 2023 to 2028, while global revenues are set to drop by -1.6%. India is poised to become the fourth-largest TV advertising market by 2026.
As per the 2024 outlook, other subsectors will also witness growth that surpasses global averages:
● The total online gaming and esports revenue in India stood at INR 16,480 crore in 2023 and is expected to reach INR 39,583 crore by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 19.2%. With the inclusion of real money gaming (as per PwC’s India Gaming Report ‘24) the total gaming and esports revenue would amount to INR 33,000 crore (4BnUSD) in 2023 and is expected to reach INR 66,000 crore (8BnUSD) by 2028 at a CAGR of 14.5%. Globally, video games and esports revenue will increase at a CAGR of 8.0%.
● Over-the-top (OTT) will be the third-fastest growing segment with a CAGR of 14.9%, putting the country in lead by 2028.
● Infrastructure enhancements have supported massive growth in India’s out-of-home (OOH) advertising market which grew by 12.9% in 2023. It is expected to continue to grow at a 7.6% CAGR.
● When it comes to print advertising revenues, despite a global decline at a CAGR of -2.6%, India’s market is expected to grow at a rate of 3%, making it the 3rd largest Print market in the world by 2028
● India’s cinema market continues to expand, growing at a 14.1% CAGR.
● The total music (live, recorded and digital) revenue grew from INR 2,416 crore (293 Mn USD) in 2019 to INR 6,686 crore (811 Mn USD) in 2023. It is expected to cross INR 10,899 crore (1.3 Bn USD) by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 10.3%.
● At a 5.6% CAGR, India will stand out as having the highest B2B revenue growth rate in the world over the next five years. In contrast, global B2B revenue growth is forecasted at a 1.9% CAGR.
The report highlights four key opportunities in the E&M sector. Internet advertising emerges as the fastest-growing market in Asia-Pacific and the second globally, with a projected 15.6% CAGR (2023–2028). Companies can prioritise regulatory compliance and leverage data analytics to enhance trust and implement targeted advertising strategies.
OTT platforms in India, the world’s fastest-growing, saw a 20.9% rise in 2023, reaching INR 17,496 crore (2.1 Bn USD), and are projected to double by 2028 (14.9% CAGR). Focusing on advertising-supported tiers, market consolidation and regional narratives can boost engagement.
Online gaming and esports are rapidly expanding, projected to represent 9% of the E&M sector by 2028. Promoting responsible gaming and investing in high-quality AAA games will position Indian studios on the global stage. Lastly, generative AI (GenAI) is set to transform content creation, personalisation and monetisation, with over 70% of global companies expected to adopt it by 2025. Early adoption of GenAI in India can drive hyper-personalised content and dynamic advertising campaigns.
The report also outlines strategic approaches for companies to enhance success. It recommends consolidation among regional or niche players through mergers and acquisitions to increase size and scale. It also highlights the use of social media for marketing and distribution, as media companies leverage these platforms for content promotion. The report suggests innovation in content strategy, including esports, online gaming, and indigenous sports to meet changing consumer behaviours. It advises investment in cost optimisation through analytics, audits, and automation to lower operational and production costs. Finally, it points to the use of GenAI for creating hyper-personalised content discovery and improving user experiences, especially for regional players aiming to match the technological capabilities of global peers.
Transforming Lives Through Colors: JSW Paints’ Latest Digital Campaign Shines
Chandigarh, 10th December 2024: JSW Paints, the country’s leading environment-friendly paints company and a part of the US$ 24 billion JSW Group, encapsulates the power of transformation through paint in its latest digital film.
Titled ‘Room of Hope’ and conceptualized by TBWA\India, the film brings to life the journey of an orphanage that, with the help of vibrant colours, turns an empty, lifeless room into a beautiful homestay filled with promise and opportunity. The campaign has been launched across all digital platforms on Monday, December 9th
Capturing heart-warming stories of how acts of thoughtfulness can spark transformation – this film poignantly portrays the struggles of an orphanage striving to provide for its children while balancing limited resources. It explores how a simple idea of repurposing an unused room becomes a beacon of hope. With a fresh coat of JSW Paints playing the catalyst of positive change, the room is transformed into a warm and welcoming homestay.
The film eloquently conveys JSW Paints’ brand philosophy of delivering beautiful messages, showcasing how a simple transformation can empower people to create opportunities for a better future.
Commenting on the new campaign, Mr. A S Sundaresan, Joint MD and CEO of JSW Paints said “A single act of transformation can spark endless possibilities. At JSW Paints, we believe in creating beauty through our products as well as through the stories we tell. This film reflects our philosophy of delivering beautiful messages and showing how thoughtful action can bring about positive transformation to create a better world.”
Mr. Ashish Rai, Chief Business Officer of JSW Paints, added “Extending our commitment beyond paints, we aim to create a positive impact on communities by unlocking the transformative power of colour. The ‘Room of Hope’ celebrates the resilience and vision of people who strive to make a difference, aligning with our values of fostering beauty and opportunity in every space we touch.”
Govind Pandey, CEO, TBWA\India said, “A thought is beautiful when it makes new possibilities come to life. JSW Paints believes in the power of ‘Khoobsoorat Soch’ to create these new possibilities that make an impact on our homes and lives.”
According to Russell Barrett, CCExpO, TBWA\India, “There are so many people doing such amazing work all around us. In this film JSW Paints demonstrates how a beautiful thought can help those very people who have dedicated their lives to making the world a more beautiful place.”
With its heart-warming narrative, ‘Room of Hope’ serves as a testament to the brand’s commitment to creating beauty in spaces while fostering opportunities for growth and community well-being.
Range-Bound Dollar: Investors Look to U.S. Inflation Report for Clues
By Maria Agustina Pati, Financial Markets Strategist Consultant at Exness
“The U.S. dollar started the week trading with low volatility as investors await key U.S. inflation data later this week. Inflation is projected to rise modestly to 2.7%, but a significant overshoot could alter expectations regarding Federal Reserve rate cuts at the upcoming meeting. Markets are strongly expecting a 25 basis point interest rate cut next week. A higher-than-expected inflation reading could also temper the outlook for future rate reductions, providing additional support for the greenback.
Robust U.S. economic data, including stronger-than-anticipated NFP numbers and improved consumer sentiment, continue to stabilize the dollar. Meanwhile, the U.S. 10-year note yield has fallen below the 4.2% mark, weighing on the currency.
While the US dollar has been retracing for the last few weeks, it remains on an uptrend since September. The currency and US yields could find support in any stronger-than-expected data in addition to the cautious comments of the Federal Reserve members and expectations of inflationary policies from the upcoming US administration.”
Optimism for the Mexican Peso: Week Opens Strong Amid Rate Cut Expectations
By Quasar Elizundia, Expert Research Strategist – Pepperstone
“The Mexican peso started the week with a slight gain, awaiting the release of crucial U.S. inflation data. A higher-than-expected figure could dampen potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, limiting the recent positive momentum of the peso. Conversely, softer data would reinforce a normalization stance, although not as aggressive as previously considered by the Fed, boosting the appeal of the Mexican currency.
Domestically, annual consumer inflation surprised to the downside in November, standing at 4.55%, below market expectations. This figure, the lowest since March, paves the way for the continuation of the normalization process by Mexico’s Central Bank. However, this news has not had a significantly positive impact on the peso, as a lower interest rate environment could reduce its appeal against the dollar.
Additionally, the inflation outlook is not entirely optimistic. Producer inflation rose to 6.38%, particularly in the primary and secondary sectors. This data could temper an accommodative approach and lead Banxico to be more cautious about the pace of monetary easing.
Looking ahead, the peso’s trajectory will largely depend on the evolution of the Mexican economy. Upcoming data on industrial production and business confidence will be key in determining the currency’s strength. Weakness in these metrics could reintroduce pressure on the peso, while positive surprises could bolster it.”
Building a Digital Tomorrow: Algorand India Summit 2024 Unites Innovators and Startups
Hyderabad, 10th November 2024 – The Algorand Foundation concluded its second annual India Summit in Hyderabad this year, with two packed days of workshops, pitch competitions and project spotlights demonstrating the real-world utility of blockchain solutions being built on the world-leading Algorand protocol.
India has one of the fastest growing blockchain ecosystems in the world, with over 1000 blockchain startups and the third-largest Web3 founder base. With a growth of more than 80% from the previous year, the ecosystem attracted an investment of over $460 million in just the first nine months of 2024. The Algorand India Summit brought together hundreds of Web3 developers, startup founders, investors, and thought leaders to explore and understand the power of blockchain-based solutions.
The two-day summit exemplified Algorand’s position as a platform dedicated to advancing blockchain innovation and adoption in India. Under the theme of ‘Discover what a blockchain can do, the Summit showcased on-ground solutions already beginning to penetrate key business verticals, from supply chain tracking and traceability to trade finance, and from sustainability to financial inclusion.
Building on the momentum of last year’s summit, Algorand India Summit 2024 showcased the progress made in the Web3 space in just one year. Partnerships announced in Delhi at the 2023 Summit with reputed organizations including T-Hub, NASSCOM, Mann Deshi Foundation, Self Employed Women’s Association, drove rapid expansion in the number of developers and startups building on Algorand. In addition to the launch of enterprise solutions built in partnership with Mann Deshi and SEWA with hundreds of members already onboarded, over half of the first Startup Lab cohort at T-Hub were on hand to demonstrate their solutions. Additionally, Team Carret (Bengaluru), Team Carbon Trace (Guwahati), and Team Rejolt EdTech (Hyderabad) emerged as the winners of the Creating Impact! Pitch Competition, earning prizes in excess of $20,000.
Staci Warden, CEO of the Algorand Foundation said, “This year’s summit was a sign of the incredible progress being made in India’s blockchain landscape. At Algorand, we are committed to enabling builders, entrepreneurs, and organisations to leverage blockchain for real-world impact. With initiatives like the Startup Lab and Road to Impact, we continue to see the Algorand blockchain being used to drive sustainability, transparency, and innovation in India and beyond.”
Anil Kakani, Vice President and India Country Head at Algorand Foundation added, “Algorand India Summit 2024 was a celebration not only of what you can do with blockchain, but what India’s developers, startups and changemakers already are doing on Algorand. This event showcased the innovation and talent driving the Web3 revolution in India in alignment with India’s Viksit Bharat mission, which seeks to leverage technology to drive inclusive growth, foster innovation, and build a sustainable, equitable future for all Our approach, encapsulated in our months-long Road to Impact initiative and partnerships with leading universities across India, is key to building awareness and nurturing developers in their journey of building scalable and impactful Web3 solutions. The stories we saw and heard on the stage, in the hallways, at the project booths for the solutions being built, only strengthened Algorand’s commitment to empowering builders and entrepreneurs in India. “
Key Highlights from the Algorand India Summit 2024
1 Road to Impact: Empowering Blockchain Innovators Across India
The Road to Impact initiative brought together developers and startups through a series of workshops across eight cities, engaging several hundred participants nationwide. This initiative culminated in the final rounds of the Developer Track and Startup Pitch Competitions which saw nearly 300 submissions of groundbreaking projects tackling sustainability, financial inclusion, transparency.2 Developer Activation:
The India Summit gathered several hundred Web3 developers from the region and across the country for an immersive experience featuring hands-on workshops, innovative project spotlights, and inspiring keynote addresses and fireside chats. Participants explored diverse topics from smart contract optimisation to blockchain analytics, and then saw fellow developers pitch their open source solutions from the stage as well as those features being utilized in live applications..3 Startup Lab
The summit celebrated the achievements of the inaugural cohort of the Startup Lab, a collaboration between Algorand Foundation and T-Hub, while announcing plans for a second cohort in 2025.. Over half of the first year cohort hosted booths to engage with potential customers, investors and Web3 talent, several of which – LW3, FilmFinance, Astrix, ARVO, Miniland and Terano – demonstrated their blockchain-based solutions on the main stage across supply chain transparency, trade documentation, digital ticketing, real estate tokenization, climate finance and film financing. Key announcements made at the Summit from the Web3 pioneers in the Algorand Startup Lab were:a Terano took the lead in eco-conscious innovation as the Sustainability Partner for the summit and Carbon Offsetting Partner for TIE Delhi NCR, championing green blockchain practices.
b Astrix launched Astrix Tribes, a revolutionary feature redefining fan engagement through digital collectibles and gamified rewards, transforming live e vents into vibrant ecosystems of loyalty.
c FilmFinance announced a landmark collaboration with the Cine Equipment Owners Association of Kerala (CEOAK) to support regional filmmakers and unveiled four film projects leveraging its platform for decentralized funding.
d LW3 formalized strategic MoUs with BatX Energies, Automovill, and Intu Energy Technologies to accelerate its Digital Product Passport System in the electric vehicle sector, promoting traceability and sustainability.
e SecureDApp advanced blockchain security with cutting-edge solutions like Audit Express and SecureTrace, securing an IFSCA audit license and gaining recognition from DSCI as a top cybersecurity innovator.
4 Launch of Enterprise Solutions w Mann Deshi Foundation and Self Employed Women’s Association
Showcased with short films from the pilot launches and fireside chats with leaders from both organizations, Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chair of Mann Deshi Bank and Foundation, and Susan Thomas, National Health Coordinator at SEWA, announced the successful pilot launches of their respective programs. Mann Deshi’s Digital Credit Scorecard will empower thousands of women entrepreneurs with an alternative credit score linked to a verified identity credential enabling access to loans at private banks to grow their businesses. SEWA, with a membership of over three million women working in the informal economy, onboarded the first 200 members during the pilot phase of its Digital Health Scorecard rollout, empowering women with an identity-backed wallet with verified credentials to assist in enrollment in critical health and other safety net programs.
Future of Work: PHENOM Accelerates HR Transformation in India with AI
Hyderabad,10th December 2024 – Phenom, a global AI company, is poised to accelerate its growth in India with IAMPHENOM India on December 13, 2024, at the Trident Hotel, HITEC City, Hyderabad. The event will bring together over 500 senior HR leaders to explore how intelligence, automation, and experience are transforming talent acquisition and management and driving the future of work.
India: A Strategic Growth Hub for Phenom
India is a cornerstone of Phenom’s global strategy, offering a dynamic market where enterprises are rapidly embracing digital transformation. As Indian consumers increasingly prioritize experience across sectors, organizations in banking, insurance, and technology, for example, are demanding similar innovation in HR. By leveraging AI and automation, Phenom empowers Indian enterprises to scale talent acquisition, optimize talent management and enhance retention, while unlocking workforce productivity, to drive meaningful business outcomes.
“India is a critical growth market for Phenom, driven by its rapidly expanding enterprise ecosystem and growing adoption of digital HR technologies. With over 6,000 large enterprises, the country offers immense potential for innovation in talent experience.” said Hari Bayireddi, President, COO & Co-Founder, Phenom. “As we target exponential growth in India, we are addressing key challenges like seamless hiring and retention solutions, upskilling, personalized engagement, etc.”
“Our offices in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vizag form the foundation of this growth, with plans to double our workforce and serve over 1,100 enterprise customers in the next two years. IAMPHENOM INDIA is more than an event—it’s a transformative platform to redefine HR through collaboration and innovation in intelligence, automation, and experience. We invite HR leaders to join us in shaping smarter, more connected workplaces for the future.” adds Hari.
The Role of AI in Redefining Talent Experiences
AI is transforming HR by making processes more efficient and experiences more personalized. Phenom’s solutions have consistently delivered results such as faster hiring cycles, reduced attrition rates, and enhanced recruiter productivity.
“Exceptional talent experiences are no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses to thrive. AI is the bridge that connects enterprises with meaningful talent outcomes, helping organizations unlock their full potential,” Hari emphasized.
IAMPHENOM: A Proven Platform for HR Innovation
Phenom’s IAMPHENOM flagship event in the U.S. has emerged as the perfect setting for HR innovation, showcasing how collaboration among HR practitioners, technologists, and policymakers drives measurable business impact. With IAMPHENOM INDIA, Phenom brings this transformative experience to one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
Key Highlights of IAMPHENOM INDIA
- Visionary thought leadership into the future of AI and automation in India’s growth story during a Fireside Chat with Chief Guest D. Sridhar Babu, Minister of IT, E&C, Industries & Commerce & Legislative Assembly, Govt. of Telangana.
- Exclusive insights from global industry pioneers, including Mahe Bayireddi and Hari Bayireddi, co-founders of Phenom.
- Spotlight sessions where attendees will discover leading practices and success stories from India’s top enterprises.
- Deep-dive sessions on AI’s transformative role in high volume talent acquisition, workforce intelligence, talent development, career pathing, and personalized talent experiences.
- Product innovation showcase to discover how Phenom’s AI-powered solutions are empowering enterprises to hire faster, develop better, and retain employees longer.
- Networking opportunities with over 500 HR and TA leadership, fostering collaboration and innovation to solve real-world challenges.
High Volatility Boosts Colombian Peso to Highest Levels in Months
By Quasar Elizundia, Expert Research Strategist – Pepperstone
“The Colombian peso records its best performance since mid-November, showing a notable gain against the US dollar in a context marked by key movements in international markets. Today, the USDCOP has fallen by 0.6%, establishing itself as the leading currency in gains within the LATAM region. This behavior stands out in a scenario where oil prices, one of Colombia’s main economic drivers, are rising due to announcements from China and geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
Brent crude oil has climbed to around $72 per barrel, driven by the announcement of “moderately loose” monetary policies in China, the world’s largest oil importer. This easing, combined with political instability in Syria, has provided relief to the oil market. For Colombia, a nation highly dependent on oil exports, this dynamic has offered temporary respite to the peso, which last week was trading at its lowest level since 2023.
However, significant challenges remain for the COP. On the international front, markets are awaiting new inflation data from the United States, which will be crucial in shaping expectations regarding Federal Reserve policies. Higher-than-expected figures could increase pressure on the Colombian peso and other LATAM currencies by reducing the likelihood of interest rate cuts by the Fed in 2025.
Domestically, the fiscal outlook remains a cause for concern. Colombia’s high budget deficit levels limit the room for maneuver to address external pressures and could act as a structural factor preventing a sustained recovery of the peso.
In summary, while the Colombian peso has shown an encouraging recovery, this seems to reflect temporary external factors rather than a fundamental improvement in internal indicators. The COP’s ability to consolidate this progress will largely depend on the evolution of the oil market, U.S. economic data, and the Colombian government’s actions to tackle persistent fiscal challenges.
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WHEF 2024: Global Hindu Business Leaders to Gather in Mumbai This December
Mumbai, 10thDecember 2024: The annual conference of World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF)will take place from December 13th to 15th, 2024, at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai. Under the theme “Think in the Future, For the Future,” the event aims to inspire collaboration, innovation, and growth across industries.Key speakers at the three-day forum include Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ashishkumar Chauhan, CEO of NSE, K.V. Kamath, Chairman of Jio Financial Services, and Niranjan Hiranandani, MD of Hiranandani Group.
Founded by Shri Swami Vigyananand, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, WHEF’s vision of making society prosperous by promotingsustainable economic models and fostering collaboration continues to resonate globally. This year’s forum will feature over 24 sessions and more than 100 speakers. It will bring together 1,000+ global delegates, including influential leaders, entrepreneurs, and business visionaries.
“This forum offers an incredible opportunity for knowledge sharing, with insights from eminent speakers leading sectors like finance, technology, manufacturing, and government. It’s an exciting space for enabling collaboration on ventures that drive prosperity while staying rooted in ethical, community-driven values. We’re thrilled to connect with the brightest minds to discuss how we can shape a future of sustainable economic growth that benefits all” said Swami Vigyananand Ji at the Curtain Raiser Ceremony held at the IMC in Mumbai.
Since its inception in 2012, WHEF has held successful annual forums in Hong Kong, Bangkok, New Delhi, London, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Mumbai, as well as regional forums in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Auckland, Fiji, Durban, and Frankfurt.
“WHEF conferences have been organized across the world, and post Covid we have once again returned to Bharat which is on track to become the third largest economy and establish itself as a key pole of our multi-polar world,” said Shri Rajesh Sharma,Chairman of Organizing Committee, WHEF 2024.
“Mumbai is the growth engine of Bharat, and our new CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis has a proven track record of development, strong governance and fostering economic growth.The coming years are going to be crucial in a turbulent world, and WHEF 2024 will help us envision the future business landscape,” said Shri Sanjay Khemani, Vice-Chairman of Organizing Committee, WHEF 2024.
“Our team has curated an exceptional list of speakers from both conventional and emerging sectors. Prominent figures like S.M. Sundaresan, Head of L&T Semiconductor Technologies, Siddhartha Mohanty, Chairman of LIC, Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman of Bharat Forge and more from the world of business and finance will share their insights,” said Shri Ravikant Mishra, Secretary of Organizing Committee, WHEF 2024.
“WHEF 2024 will also introduce the WHEF Launchpad, an exciting new platform for startups to present their innovative ideas to a global audience and pitch to investors. This initiative highlights the forum’s commitment to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth,” said Shri Shailesh Trivedi, Jt. Secretary of Organizing Committee, WHEF 2024.
With an exciting lineup of discussions, networking opportunities, and strategic collaborations, the WHEF 2024 promises to be an event that will inspire and transform the future of business across sectors.
Signature Global Seeks to Drive Expansion by Resurrecting Stalled Noida Projects
Realty firm Signature Global is looking for land in Noida and Greater Noida to expand the business and will explore taking over stalled housing projects as well provided there are no legacy litigations. Signature Global, which got listed in 2023, has a significant presence in the Gurugram market of Delhi-NCR.
Signature Global founder and Chairman Pradeep Aggarwal said “We plan to expand our operations in the Delhi-NCR region beyond Gurugram. We are actively exploring land parcels in Noida, Greater Noida, and the Yamuna Expressway. Additionally, the company intends to participate in land auctions conducted by development authorities in these areas to support its growth plans.”
That apart, Aggarwal said, “We are also looking to take over stalled housing projects in Noida. The Noida authority has come up with a co-development policy to revive stalled projects. A couple of projects have been approved under this new policy.” Aggarwal, however, said the company will take over stalled housing projects, provided the company does not become liable for legacy litigations.
While it will keep looking for land acquisition, Aggarwal said the company has enough land banks in Gurugram for future development.He said the company will launch multiple housing projects worth Rs 50,000 crore in Delhi-NCR over the next three years to tap strong consumer demand.
“Our target is to grow sales bookings by 25 per cent annually,” Aggarwal said.
He expressed confidence that the company would easily achieve the target of Rs 10,000 crore sales bookings in this fiscal.
Signature Global sold Rs 7,270 crore worth of properties during the last fiscal.
Aggarwal noted that housing demand continues to be strong in Gurugram.
“We had given a pre-sales (sales bookings) guidance of Rs 10,000 crore for the current fiscal. We have already achieved Rs 5,900 crore worth of sales bookings in the first half of this fiscal,” he said.
Considering the strong performance in the first six months, he said, “We are quite hopeful of over-achieving of our annual guidance.” Signature Global’s sale bookings jumped over three times to Rs 5,900 crore in the April-September period of the 2024-25 fiscal from Rs 1,860 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
Last month, the company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 4.15 crore for the quarter ended September.
The company had posted a net loss of Rs 19.92 crore in the year-ago period.
Total income rose to Rs 777.42 crore in the second quarter of this fiscal from Rs 121.16 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
Signature Global has so far delivered 11 million square feet of housing area.
It has a pipeline of about 32.2 million square feet of saleable area in forthcoming projects along with 16.4 million square feet of ongoing projects.
Aggarwal said the company is targeting to deliver 16 million square feet area to its customers by March 2026.This will help the company to recognise around Rs 10,000 crore revenue in the books of accounts.