New Zealand-based Zespri International Limited, the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, is focused on strengthening its position in the Indian market. Presently, the brand exports its kiwifruits to more than 59 countries, with USA, Germany, Spain, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand being the largest markets. India is currently the strongest emerging market amongst its peer group where the brand enjoys majority of the market share.
Present for over a decade in India, Zespri International is looking at growing its market share by increasing its export volume in 2018. The brand’s first shipment for this year has already arrived into India from New Zealand, which is known to produce the best quality kiwifruits globally. Zespri International’s exports to India usually comprise of Zespri Green Kiwifruit and Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit. But this year, they would be exporting the jumbo sized varieties of both as well. While Zespri Green Kiwifruit is being exported for over a decade, Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit has been present in the market for the last three years.
Kiwi is no ordinary fruit, both in terms of the way it looks as well as in its nutritional content. The Zespri Green Kiwifruit is rich in Vitamin C, dietary fibres and antioxidants. Also due to its low pH value, the vitamins do not deteriorate during storage. Full of vitality, the Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit has a refreshing sweet taste. The fruit has a beautiful consistent shape and is a great source of Vitamin C, dietary fibres, folate, minerals and antioxidants, making it one of the most nutrient-dense fruits available. It is believed that consuming a kiwifruit after breakfast helps to give your palate a nice, clean feeling while aiding digestion and reducing bloating.
Zespri International has been delivering best quality kiwifruits globally by working directly with New Zealand growers. The growers test the kiwifruit throughout the growing season to monitor and track the brix levels of the fruit. The higher the brix levels the more desirable is the fruit. Only when the ideal brix level is achieved does the grower have clearance to harvest the fruit. This guarantees that all Zespri kiwifruits achieve a high taste standard. Zespri International also collaborates with the growers to research innovative orchard practices and provide orchard management protocols to create consistent, superior tasting Zespri kiwifruits, with exceptional health-giving properties.
The Indian fruit market has always been a thriving one. However, the demand for ‘exotic fruits’ has been rising recently because of a prospering urban class, an enhanced exposure to the cultures of different countries, and a rising demography of health-conscious people. Among all exotic fruits, Kiwi has witnessed the fastest growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 80-100%.
Zespri Green Kiwifruit and Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit will be available starting this week across all leading retail stores and wholesale markets pan India.
To meet the rising demand for trainers and assessors in India’s skill development ecosystem, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) aims to establish state- of-the-art Trainer and Assessor Academies in the country.
To complement this development, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and Temasek Foundation International are partnering NSDC on a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme to build capabilities of 300 education leaders and specialists who will establish and manage these academies across India. This programme is supported by Temasek Foundation International with a grant of S$502,955.
To formalise this programme, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NSDC and SP is expected to be signed during India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore from May 31 to June 2, 2018.
Singapore Polytechnic will work closely with NSDC to develop a TVET Guideline and Quality Assurance Framework for Trainer and Assessor Academies to be set up in India. With the guidelines and framework, the participating institutions will utilize them to conceptualize the systems and processes for the academies. When the trainer and assessor academies are in place, the jointly developed Quality Assurance Framework will shape how these academies are reviewed in terms of performance.
Speaking on the partnership Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “There is an urgent need for quality trainers and assessors across different sectors in India. To fulfill this requirement, we are happy to collaborate with Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Foundation International. This will help us develop best in class framework for vocational training and quality assurance in India and will further help in scaling-up various initiatives under Skill India mission.”
Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive, Temasek Foundation International said, “In many communities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) forms a major component of the overall education system and helps to build a competent and skilled workforce ready to meet industry needs. As part of this collaboration, participants will be able to exchange experiences and challenges on TVET standards, frameworks and curriculum, and learn from each other. We hope the programme will contribute to NSDC’s plans of setting up the Trainer and Assessor Academies across India and also enhance networks of cooperation between the TVET institutions of India and Singapore.”
Soh Wai Wah, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Polytechnic said, “As Singapore’s first polytechnic, we have established a track record of providing quality training and building skillsets. We are heartened by the opportunity to collaborate with NSDC where we are able to bring our expertise offshore and contribute towards the development of capabilities in India. We look forward to a fruitful and successful partnership.”
The above engagement is in line with the larger collaboration between India and Singapore on skill development.
Hilton has announced it will eliminate plastic straws across its managed hotels in Asia Pacific by end 2018, and transition away from plastic bottles from its conference and event spaces. This follows the company’s global commitment to cut its environmental footprint in half and double its social impact investment by 2030.
The company will also double the amount it spends with local and minority-owned suppliers, and double its investment in programs to help women and youth around the world. These goals are part of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose corporate responsibility strategy to further the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
“As a global hospitality company operating more than 5,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories, we are committed to have a positive impact on the communities we operate our hotels in,” said Alan Watts, Executive President and President, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “We believe waste is a solvable problem. By focusing first on plastic straws and plastic bottled water, we take another step forward in our journey to ensure that the destinations where travelers work, relax, learn and explore are vibrant and resilient for future generations to come.”
Hilton’s new 2030 goals include the following social and environmental targets:
Cut Environmental Impact in Half to Help Protect the Planet
· Reduce carbon intensity emissions by 61%, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
o Presently, more than 50 hotels in Asia Pacific offer the Clean Air Program, which offsets carbon emissions generated from meetings & events, at no extra cost to the customer. Since 2015, its hotels have offset 14,118 tonnes of carbon in support of nine climate-friendly projects across the region.
· Reduce water consumption and produced waste by 50%
o Since 2008, Hilton’s managed hotels in Asia Pacific have recorded reductions of 15.1% in water use intensity and 6% reduction in waste output. The company continues to seek ways to operate more efficiently, guided by its award-winning performance measurement system, LightStay.
o The company’s hotels have begun to intensify efforts to reduce single-use plastics in its operations. Across Greater China & Mongolia, its managed hotels removed plastic water bottles from meetings and events, health clubs and spas since September 2017 – a move that eliminates the use of 13 million plastic bottles annually. In Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, its managed hotels transitioned away from plastic straws and now offer biodegradable paper straws on demand – eliminating the use of 2.5 million plastic straws annually.
· Sustainably source meat, poultry, produce, seafood and cotton
o In support of its industry-leading sustainable seafood goals, the company completed a global roll-out of responsible sourcing and sustainable seafood eLearning modules, and partnered Marine Stewardship Council to deliver sustainable seafood workshops for local suppliers and Hilton team members in China and Thailand.
· Expand existing soap recycling program to all hotels and send zero soap to landfill
o Its managed hotels in China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vietnam and Singapore collaborate with soap recycling partners such as Soap Cycling, Soap Aid, Diversey, Sundara and Clean the World to recover, recycle and distribute soap to communities in need.
Double Social Investment and Drive Positive Change in Communities
· Double the amount spent with local, small and minority-owned suppliers
o Through Hilton’s partnership with WEConnect, the company opens opportunities for women-owned enterprises to work with its hotels. For instance, Conrad Bali procures its coffee beans from Java Mountain Coffee – an indigenous social enterprise majority-owned by women. In China, Hilton encouraged one of its suppliers to get certified with WEConnect, and further supported this women-owned business with a contract to provide uniforms for its Hilton Garden Inn properties in China.
· Double investment in opportunity programs for women and youth, including partnering with local organizations and schools
o Hilton partnered Room to Read to improve child literacy and support girl’s education in India and Sri Lanka, and jointly impacted more than 70,000 young people since 2012. This included the introduction of a Job Shadowing Program to provide hundreds of girls with exposure to various career opportunities within the hospitality industry.
· Contribute 10 million volunteer hours through Team Member initiatives
o In 2017, Hilton Team Members in Asia Pacific contributed 53,443 volunteer hours during Hilton’s Global Week of Service.
· Double monetary support for natural disaster relief efforts
o In response to the Sichuan Earthquake in October 2018, Hilton raised more than US$55,000 through the Hilton Responds Fund to support Team Members affected by the disaster.
· Advance Human Rights capabilities in Hilton’s value chain to eradicate forced labor and trafficking
Hilton is already an environmental leader in the industry. Since 2008, the company has reduced carbon emissions and waste by 30%, energy and water consumption by 20% saving more than $1 billion in operating efficiencies. LightStay, an award-winning performance measurement system calculates, analyzes and reports the environmental impact at each of Hilton’s more than 5,300 hotels. Hilton will use LightStay to track its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 61% across its portfolio by 2030.
“The World Tourism Organization commends Hilton’s focus on sustainability, which is in line with our overall commitment as the UN’s agency that is dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism for development worldwide,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). “Hilton has been our partner in this endeavor, raising awareness among customers with examples of best practices for the hospitality industry.”
“Companies play an integral role in solving our climate crisis,” said Sheila Bonini, Senior Vice President, Private Sector Engagement, World Wildlife Fund. “By committing to significant intensity emissions reductions based on science, Hilton is setting in motion a plan that will have ripple effects across the hospitality industry while providing more sustainable options for travelers.”
ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt Ltd. has partnered with Cross Roads India Assistance Pvt. Ltd. as the official and exclusive lubricant partner for their door step service offering (periodic maintenance service, PMS). ‘Mobil Service on Wheels by Crossroads’ will cater to passenger car owners across various segments in the Delhi NCR region. The purpose of this program is to provide value for money, reliable and convenient PMS to vehicle owners at their door step.
Speaking on the partnership, Deepankar Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil’s lubricants business in India, said, “Whether on the race track or your daily commute to work, you can trust our engine oils to deliver – exceptionally and efficiently. With this association, ExxonMobil takes one more step to reach out to consumers and give them an opportunity to experience its superior quality and performance. Partnering with Crossroads- a known name in providing various automobile services in the market for over 15 years, will enable us to provide quality service to customers at the convenience of their doorstep.”
This service is priced starting at Rs. 2499/- and varies depending on the customers’ car and engine type. Customers can book this service with an online payment option through their phone, mobile application or via the portal by registering and selecting a slot of their choice, along with the frequency of the service required.
Kapil Mittal, Director of Market Development – India for ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd said, “Our association with Crossroads gives us the opportunity to offer the best in car maintenance service at the customers’ doorstep. Car owners can choose from our range of premium quality lubricants that come with an ‘ExxonMobil promise of performance and superior quality’ which our customers across the world continue to enjoy.”
Be it periodic maintenance, oil change, car cleaning, or even tyres and battery checks, this service program has a complete 20 point check list that ensures that your car is always in its best shape. Crossroads also provides 24*7 service at convenience of its users to resolve and redressal of all client needs, including regular reminders for service and auto alerts. The service also extends a choice to the customers to take the car to the service station. ‘Mobil Service on Wheels by Crossroads’ also gives customers a chance to win exciting gifts through their rewards program each time they use the service.
Harrish Lackheraa, Founder & CEO, Crossroads, said, “We are delighted to partner with ExxonMobil, a world leader in automotive lubricant technology for our door step service. Today, more than ever, consumers are dedicated to ensure they get value for their money. Car owners expect their cars to last longer and hence opt for timely maintenance of their vehicles. This move not only assures their car of extended life but is also crucial for the safety of the passengers. The expert training provided to our delivery team will be utilized to ensure quality, safety & peace of mind of our rapidly expanding user base. We are confident that, with its unique service proposition, Crossroads will be able to establish itself as the platform of choice for both leading corporates and individual customers.”
BookMyShow has announced the appointment of Albert Almeida as Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Non-movies. The new role has been carved out at a time when BookMyShow is taking the lead in building and nurturing an ecosystem for theatre, sports, music concerts and other live experiences and events thereby giving their existing loyal movie going customer base and newer audiences a lot more entertainment choices.
In his new role as COO- Non Movies, Albert will report to Ashish Hemrajani, Founder and CEO of BookMyShow and will lead the next phase of growth and expansion for the company. Albert will drive efficiency and agility within BookMyShow to ensure there’s a sharp focus on each of the non-movie verticals. He will also work with existing and new partners to give consumers access to some of the biggest and most unique entertainment experiences and will be responsible in identifying untapped growth opportunities in the market.
Commenting on the expansion of BookMyShow’s leadership team and the new appointment, Ashish Hemrajani, CEO and Founder, BookMyShow said, “We are excited to have Albert on board and welcome him to BookMyShow. I first worked with him from 1997-1999 and we have stayed friends. Now, as we set out to create, develop and bring to India entertainment experiences which are on par with the best in the world, I am very fortunate to have a talented and experienced colleague to work with alongside. We look forward to setting new standards in this space and are absolutely confident that Albert has the ability to lead this journey.”
Albert Almeida brings with him over 25 years of experience having worked with eminent broadcast, digital media and adverting giants before joining BookMyShow. In his last assignment as COO- Hungama Digital Media Pvt. Ltd, he led Hungama Mobile’s domestic and international businesses. He also worked as Executive Vice President with Sony Entertainment Television for over half a decade during which he led the SET and MAX brands. Before this, he spent over a decade with J. Walter Thompson in various roles, the last being as Vice President and Regional Account Director on the Unilever Business.
Commenting on his new appointment with BookMyShow, Albert Almeida, COO- Non-Movies, BookMyShow said, “I am delighted to join the BookMyShow team and look forward to my new role. BookMyShow, over the years, has established itself as a loved brand with clear market leadership. As a loyal consumer of the service I have seen how BookMyShow has constantly redefined the space it operates in and has set a clear vision and roadmap for the entertainment lifecycle of its customers. We see a huge opportunity in the non-movie entertainment space and are committed to driving the next phase of growth from here. I am excited to be a part of this journey as we diversify into new avenues of entertainment.”
By Nilesh Jain, Vice President – South East Asia and India, Trend Micro
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), adopted in April 2016 after four years of deliberations, is now in force. The regulation made headlines around the globe with its stricter data protection standards, substantial fines, and most of all, extensive reach. The GDPR affects any organization that holds an EU citizen’s personal data, no matter the size or location. A company based in Asia is as accountable as a multinational enterprise with offices across Europe — as long as it collects and processes the data of EU citizens.
The regulation also delineated the data protection obligations of affected organizations — from adopting state-of-the-art security methods to providing people more access to and control of their data. Recognizing the sweeping changes required for compliance, the EU authorities granted member states and organizations two years to get ready and prepare. And today, the transition stage is over — the GDPR will now be enforced.
What happens now?
Enforcement means that organizations should already be processing personal data in accordance with the GDPR — including provisions for data subject rights. Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) of EU member states will also already be able to penalize organizations that are not compliant. Depending on the member state, it is possible that regulators will immediately take action to address any noncompliance. Some regulatory bodies, however, plan on being more lenient with businesses and organizations that have started but not yet completed their compliance efforts.
What is the worst-case scenario? An organization is liable for damages caused by noncompliance and is subject to corresponding administrative fines. The heftiest fine is 20,000,000 euros or up to 4 percent of annual turnover, whichever is higher.
What is the best-case scenario? If an organization is fully compliant with the GDPR, or uses the regulation as a starting-off point and goes beyond the minimum standards, then there are significant advantages. Some benefits would be: secured valuable information, more efficient operations with proper archiving and data management, and increased trust from customers and users.
While the GDPR applies to personal data of EU citizens, the GDPR has sparked a change in privacy regulations across the world. The 2018 enforcement allowed several countries to make their own legislative improvements — the U.K. and Australia are just two of a number of regions that have also updated their data protection laws. This only indicates that GDPR compliance is a good opportunity — not just for multinational enterprises but smaller organizations as well — to keep up with global advances in data privacy and state-of-the-art security.
What should organizations be doing?
Ideally, all the groundwork for compliance should have been finished by now, and items on the compliance checklist should have been ticked. Organizations should already be able to provide products or services that address their customers’ rights as outlined in the GDPR. Those using third-party applications or suppliers should watch for updates concerning issues like the “right to be forgotten” and stricter user consent standards and make sure they are working properly. Several laws as well as software changes are also expected to be in effect starting today or in the coming months, and organizations should be ready for any necessary changes.
For those not yet fully compliant, some member state DPAs have reassured companies “acting in good faith” or on the way to compliance that they will initially be treated with consideration. It’s crucial to document steps being taken as well as to prioritize addressing potential security risks.
Ready or not, the road to GDPR compliance does not end on enforcement day — assessments and audits should be regular moving forward.
Building better data protection
The GDPR was enforced to set a new standard for data privacy and protection. One key element to this is building in privacy measures from the first stages of development — not patching up problems after they occur. As organizations create new products and applications post-implementation day, privacy by design must be kept in mind.
Through its new rules and standards, the GDPR encourages organizations to rethink existing data management policies and invest in state-of-the-art security for data protection. To reiterate, compliance efforts should be constant after GDPR implementation day; staying up to date with cybersecurity developments plays a major part.
We created an infographic to demonstrate the path well-protected personal data takes — leaving the data subject’s hands and on to an organization for secure processing. It also shows what happens if something goes wrong and what happens if everything goes right.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has inaugurated India’s first 14 lane Expressway – The Delhi-Meerut Expressway (Delhi Section) from Nizamuddin Bridge to UP border, proudly developed by NHAI and Welspun Enterprises Ltd. under Hybrid Annuity Model. Nitin Gadkari - Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Mansukh L. Mandaviya - Union Minister of State for Road, Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers, Maheish Girri - Member of Parliament, Rajendra Agrawal – Member of Parliament, B. K. Goenka – Chairman of Welspun Group and Sandeep Garg – MD & CEO, Welspun Enterprises Ltd. were also present on this milestone occasion.
Accompanying him, Nitin Gadkari – Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation said “Congratulations to NHAI and Welspun Group for completing the green and sustainable Delhi - Meerut Expressway in record time.
Welspun Group through its technological excellence has also been contributing to the nation’s growth through its various businesses verticals and is proud to be associated with NHAI to develop various HAM projects.
Commenting on the occasion, B. K. Goenka – Chairman of Welspun Group said, “We congratulate the Honorable Prime Minister on completing 4 successful years at the Centre and sharing his vision to transform and connect India. We are thankful and proud to be associated with NHAI under the Hybrid Annuity Model. Welspun Enterprises was the first Company to achieve the financial closure for this expressway project. We are proud to contribute through industry first initiatives like vertical gardens, cycling track, solar lighting and beautification of this stretch. The completion of this expressway along with NHAI strongly showcases our strength in Infrastructure and truly resonates with our philosophy of ‘Leading Tomorrow Together’.”
Welspun Enterprises Ltd. developed the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (Package I) in a record time of 18 months as against the scheduled 30 months, setting a new benchmark with operational efficiency and commitment. The stretch also features India’s first Cycling Track on both sides, Vertical Gardens, Solar panels for Lighting, Drip water irrigation, replicas of prominent monuments like Qutub Minar & Ashoka Stambh, Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), CCTV’s and plantation of new trees. The project consists of a six-lane expressway in the centre, flanked by two four-lane highways on either side - making it 14-lanes in total.
Designed for a speed up to 120 km/h, this expressway will substantially reduce the travel time from 45 minutes to just 8 minutes. It will also help in reduce pollution, better fuel efficiency and enhanced quality of life of millions of people.
Welspun Group, known for its various social initiatives, has played a key role in rehabilitating the slums on the highway. It also runs various social awareness programs with the local population in the areas of hygiene, women empowerment and education for children. It played a pivotal role in converting this expressway into a green belt with sustainable initiatives like drip water irrigation, solar plant and landscape development.
