Union Bank Launches ‘Union MSMERuPay Credit Card’ In Indian Market

* The card will be a new digital payment tool available to the MSME Customers of Union Bank of India for meeting their Business related operational expenses with interest free credit upto 50 days.

* MSMEs will also be benefitted with accidental insurance coverage, lounge access, and other rewards being offered by NPCI on RuPay cards.

Union Bank of India in association with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) today launched ‘Union MSME RuPay Credit Card’ with an aim to provide digital delivery of Finance to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) in the current phase of progression towards a digital economy. The dedicated card for MSMEs is available to eligible borrowers of Union Bank of India and will provide a simplified payment mechanism to MSMEs to meet their business-related operational expenses.

With Union MSME RuPay Credit Card, the MSME borrowers will be able to enjoy an interest-free credit period of upto 50 days on their business spends. The Card also offers EMI facility to the Customers on their business-related purchases. MSMEs will also get specially curated efficient business services on this Card which will help them in taking their business on most of the digital platforms. Additionally, they will  also  be   benefitted   in   the    form   of accidental insurance coverage of upto Rs. 10 Lacs, domestic airport lounge access of 2 per quarter and other rewards using this Card.

Sepaking on the occasion, Shri Nidhu Saxena, Executive Diector, Union Bank of India said “To improve the digital delivery channel in servicing the MSME clientele in fast growing tech savvy economy, Union Bank of India, in partnership with NPCI, has launched Union MSME Credit Card, a first of its kind in the Industry. This Credit Card will reduce the demand for cash withdrawal by MSME for business expenses besides simplifying their payment mechanism. With the newly launched Credit Card facility coupled with the regular working capital limits, MSMEs can reap the benefits of best in class products being made available to them by the Bank.”

NPCI “We are pleased to partner with Union Bank of India to launch Union MSME RuPay Credit Card. We believe this initiative will digitally empower MSMEs and help them streamline their regular business expenditure and finances. MSMEs are considered to be the backbone of the economy and we are confident that this Card will address the existing credit gap in the MSME sector so that they can continue to contribute towards economic growth. We are also excited to witness the portfolio expansion of RuPay from retail users to business users. At NPCI, we are committed to providing a safe, seamless and delightful purchase experience to all our RuPay users.”

About Union Bank of India

Union Bank of India is one of the leading public sector banks of the country having its headquarters at Mumbai (India).Today, it has a network of 9113+ domestic branches, 11455 ATMs, 8216 BC Points, serving over 120 million customers with 78000+ employees. Union Bank of India is the first large public sector bank in the country to have implemented 100% core banking solution. The Bank’s total business as 31.12.2021 stood at Rs.16,06,986crores, comprising Rs.9,37,455 crores of Deposits and  Rs.6,69,531 crores of Advances. The Bank has received several awards and recognition for its prowess in Technology, Digital Banking, Financial Inclusion, MSME and development of Human Resources.

About NPCI:

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) was incorporated in 2008 as an umbrella organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. NPCI has created a robust payment and settlement infrastructure in the country. It has changed the way payments are made in India through a bouquet of retail payment products such as RuPay card, Immediate Payment Service (IMPS),Unified Payments Interface (UPI),Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), BHIM Aadhaar, National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC Fastag) and Bharat BillPay.

NPCI is focused on bringing innovations in the retail payment systems through the use of technology and is relentlessly working to transform India into a digital economy. It is facilitating secure payments solutions with nationwide accessibility at minimal cost in furtherance of India’s aspiration to be a fully digital society.

FedEx ‘SME Connect’ Empowers Small Businesses To Leverage Global E-Commerce Opportunities

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, launches the fifth edition of ‘SME Connect’, as a part of its ongoing commitment to support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SME) in India. The virtual ‘SME Connect’ series is a thought leadership and knowledge sharing platform for SMEs to interact with industry and subject matter experts for solution-oriented discussions that benefit their business.

According to a Morgan Stanley report, the Indian e-commerce industry is expected to reach $200 billion by 2027[1]. On an average India adds 40 million new internet users every year[2], this coupled with increased smartphone penetration and improved digital payment infrastructure have been a catalyst in driving e-commerce sales, which was further accelerated with the onset of the pandemic.

Global cross-border commerce is fast emerging as the next big growth opportunity for the Indian e-commerce industry. According to a recent survey by PayPal India, 94% medium small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) recognized that transcending borders results in growth and are making cross-border trade a business priority[3].?

Seeking to connect SMEs with the immense opportunities that lie ahead, the virtual FedEx SME Connect session focused on ‘Cross-Border E-commerce’, includes industry thought leaders sharing business insights on e-commerce trends, opportunities, and challenges. The session highlights the importance of building supply chain resilience, technology enablement, and deciphering regulatory requirements.

Mohamad Sayegh, Vice President, India Operations for FedEx Express said, “FedEx plays an important role in connecting SMEs to a world of possibilities through the strength of our global network, tailored solutions, and valued-added services. We are delighted to launch the fifth edition of the SME Connect series, focused on the booming e-commerce industry in India.”

“The Indian e-commerce industry is growing at an exponential rate with cross-border sales being a key contributor. FedEx empowers SMEs in India to expand their e-commerce capabilities to new markets and grow their customer base. “SME Connect” provides a great knowledge-sharing platform for SMEs to gain insights on accessing global opportunities.” added Sayegh.

FedEx has a long history of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses and is committed to helping them succeed. FedEx Express recently enhanced its cross-border e-commerce capabilities in India with FedEx® International Connect Plus (FICP), and FedEx International Priority® Express (IPE) to help SMEs achieve their global ambition.

About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $90 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

KDEM Enables 18 New ESDM Companies To Set-Up Operations In Karnataka

* Creates 15000 new jobs across the state

* Government of Karnataka (GoK) and KDEM to set-up an ESDM Task Group under the chairmanship of Shri Jitendra Chaddah, Country Manager, Global Supply Chain, Intel India

* Over 50 Global & Indian ESDM Industry Leaders converge to support KDEM’s goal of consolidating Karnataka’s position in the global ESDM space

* KDEM in association with IESA and IIT-B launches VLSI Design Skills, a platform that will bolster skill availability in the sector

The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission’s (KDEM) efforts to underpin the growth of the Electronics, System, Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) Industry has received wide acceptance from the industry as 18 large corporations have given their Letter of Intent (LoI) to set up operations in the state. This comes at a time when the Government of India recently announced its Semiconductor Policy to promote the manufacturing of semiconductor chips in the country.

Over 50 top global and Indian ESDM leaders, bureaucrats, and officials from KDEM, India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) along with the Dept of Electronics, IT BT S&T, and Industries department with Lahari allied at an event in Bengaluru to share their views on fortifying Karnataka’s position in the ESDM space. Proxelera Pvt. Ltd, Wuerth Electronic India Pvt. Ltd., Virtulive Technologies Pvt Ltd, Gopalan aerospace Pvt Ltd, Teccheren batteries and Kaynes Technology, Rapture Innovation Labs, Physics Motors, Astr Defence, nanoPix Integrated Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and SLN Technologies are some of the renowned companies that feature in the LoI list.

Congratulating KDEM on receiving the LoI from reputed companies, Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Electronics, Information Technology (IT) & Bio-Technology (BT)and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka said, “Over the last few years, the demand for superior technology products has seen significant growth, encouraging the need to strengthen the ESDM sector. Karnataka has always been at the fore of the technology space, contributing significantly to the country’s digital growth. This has been the basis of the KESDM Policy 2017-22 to develop Karnataka into a global ESDM hub and an epicentre for innovation.  These Letters of Intent and the industry-wide acceptance of the ESDM initiative demonstrates the trust that global industry leaders have in Karnataka’s commitment to be a leader in the IT and ESDM space.”

The event also laid emphasis on ESDM focus clusters like Mysuru and Hubli to leverage the existing talent and ecosystem while reinforcing KDEM’s role of skill development for the sector, thereby championing growth beyond Bengaluru. Furthermore, to provide added impetus to growth and talent availability for the ESDM sector in the State, KDEM in association with IESA and IIT-B announced the launch of VLSI Design Skills. Expected to be launched on 15 April 2022, the new program aims to develop world-class talent pool in Karnataka in a structured manner.

In addition, Lahari, a Government of India, Govt of Karnataka and Indian Electronics Industry Initiative that aims at providing advance electronics test facility of electronics products, also signed a MOU with Electronics Sector Skill Council (ESSC) India to further boost Karnataka’s ability to become a sustainable and scalable talent hub for the ESDM sector.

Speaking at this momentous occasion Shri B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission said, “As an enabler of conducive business environment in the State of Karnataka, KDEM was established with the vision of acting as a knowledge bridge between the industry and the Government with a strong focus on innovation, start-ups, ESDM among others. It gives me immense pride to see this vision being realized as we invite industries to set up operations in Karnataka and reaffirm the state’s contribution to the country’s economic growth. We are delighted to have received an outstanding response from industry players, 18 companies have joined forces with us and have shared the Letter of Intent (LoI) to set up operations with significant investments directed towards building the ESDM ecosystem and generating over 15,000 employment opportunities for the local talent in the state.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ruchir Dixit, Vice President & Country Manager - Siemens EDA said, “While we are delighted with the reception from the industry and the outcome, we expect significant traction in the coming months with more companies coming forward to build a robust ESDM infrastructure in the state. The Karnataka Government and KDEM have given us a roadmap through the KESDM Policy and simplifying and streamlining policies to enhance the ESDM ecosystem.” 

Karnataka has been a hub for technology and R&D-based institutions in India and boasts of adequate infrastructure to support its vision. With its Beyond Bengaluru, Talent Accelerator, Start-up, Innovation, and ESDM-led programs, KDEM has strived to promote Karnataka as the most preferred destination for frontier technologies and is led by industry anchors with the core objective of ‘By the industry and for the industry.

About Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)

With an objective to increase the share of the Digital economy in the state, the Government of Karnataka set up the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), a Section-8 organization, which acts as a knowledge bridge between the industry and the government. To meet the objectives, KDEM has been working towards the five focus areas, viz. IT Products & Services, BPM & GCC promotion; Innovations & Start-ups; ESDM; Beyond Bengaluru; and Talent Accelerator. 

Give Your Bathroom Freshness Of Lime With Godrej Aer Power Pocket’s New Variant, Tangy Delight

A musty, damp-smelling bathroom is one of the most unpleasant things to enter. The right fragrance can turn your bathroom experience from a smelly, dirty place to a refreshing retreat! A clean, fresh-smelling bathroom is also an important indicator of it being clean and hygienic.

Understanding that lemon is one of the most powerful ingredients to combat bad odour, Godrej Aer Power Pocket launches their new variant, Tangy Delight to give your bathrooms a boost of lime freshness.

The new power gel technology ensures that Godrej Aer Power Pocket works 24x7 for up to 30 days without any effort, so you revel in the citrusy fragrance every time you step into your bathroom. It is so easy to use, that you simply have to unwrap the packet and hang it with the hook provided. That's it, you are done!

Godrej Aer Power Pocket is a power packed bathroom fragrance brand which is available in Tangy Delight and other 5 delightful fragrances, namely, Sea Breeze, Fresh Blossom, Berry Rush, Lavender Bloom and Floral Delight.

Price – INR 60/-

Available in general and modern trade stores near you.

ADW To Provide Platform For Growth, Funding To 47 Defence Startups

The third edition of Ahmedabad Design Week – ADW 3.0 – which is being organised by Karnavati University, will become a big platform for defence sector start-ups to be able to showcase their ideas and breakthrough innovations before the investors and experts. Some 47 startups are set to benefit from this opportunity. This year’s theme for ADW 3.0 is Design and Innovation in Defence and Aerospace – a topic of strategic importance. The event will be inaugurated by the Honourable General MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army; along with Shri Hari Babu Srivastava, Outstanding Scientist and Director General – Technology Management (TM), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on February 26.

Some of these startups work in Augmented Reality-based solutions for Remote Assistance; electro-optic surveillance systems, UAV heavy lifters, holographic solutions, drone technology, surveillance equipment and sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor-enabled systems for industrial health applications, cyber security, among others.

“Startups are known for bringing about breakthrough innovations in technology. This year’s theme of ADW 3.0 is very much in line with the Government of India’s vision of achieving Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing. Startups, known for breakthrough innovations and disruptions, have a major role to play here. The ADW 3.0 will see a host of defence industry experts in addition to industry thought leaders who understand precise requirements of the sector. We at Karnavati University aim to bridge this gap between investors, industry experts and startups,” said Mr Ritesh Hada, president, Karnavati University.

“Identifying the right technology and fund it at the right stage, will go a long way in helping these new ventures scale up their innovations and aid in attaining self-reliance in defence manufacturing in India,” Mr Hada further went on to say.

Representatives from industry organisations such as Monarch Networth Capital, GVFL, CII and GCCI, will evaluate the ideas of the startups and forge partnerships through funding and mentorship support.

Vi And A5G Networks Partner To Enable Industry 4.0, Smart Cities, And Smart Mobile Edge Network

Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL), India's leading telecom operator, today announced its collaboration with A5G Networks, Inc. to enable industry 4.0 and smart mobile edge computing in India. Vi and A5G Networks have together set up a pilot private network in Mumbai utilising existing 4G spectrum.

Vi’s association with A5G Networks is in line with its commitment to realize Digital India dreams with the latter’s differentiated and unique 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi autonomous software for distributed Networks. A5G Networks software is fully cloud-native containerized software built for hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure.

Through this engagement, Vi has already set up an end-to-end private network using A5G Networks’ autonomous core software and white box RAN elements in Mumbai, showcasing industrial automation use cases, enterprise applications, and low latency scenarios - all while seamlessly interconnecting with the operator network.

"Vi is committed to providing superior services to digital enterprises and consumers to enhance user experiences, empowered by an autonomous network," said Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea Ltd. "As part of our digital transformation journey on the 5G roadmap, we are happy to partner with A5G Networks to bring new services enabling industry 4.0 and smart cities in the digital era."

"We are excited to be a part of this important journey for Digital India with Vi," said Rajesh Mishra, Founder, and CEO of A5G Networks. "Vi is committed to delivering best-in-class services to their subscribers and driving the Digital India movement. Success depends upon a highly resilient, secure, and flexible network infrastructure.

Vi is partnering with technology leaders and innovators to set up digital networks enabling several low latency applications, private networks, smart cities, and connected cars.

About Vodafone Idea Limited

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is India’s leading telecom service provider. The Company provides pan India Voice and Data services across 2G, 3G, 4G and has a 5G ready platform. With the large spectrum portfolio to support the growing demand for data and voice, the company is committed to deliver delightful customer experiences and contribute towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company is listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

The company offers products and services to its customers in India under the TM Brand name “Vi”.

For more information, visit: www.MyVi.in and www.vodafoneidea.com

About A5G Networks Inc.

A5G Networks Inc. is a leader and innovator in autonomous mobile network infrastructure. The company is headquartered in Nashua, NH, USA with offices in Pune MH, India. A5G Networks is pioneering secure and scalable 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi software to enable distributed network of networks.

To learn more about A5G Networks, visit www.a5gnet.com

Godrej Appliances Launches Wide Range Air Conditioners With Smart IOT Controls, 99.9% UV Virus Sterilization, Advanced Cooling

* Projects more than double growth over last summer, meeting pre-covid levels

Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, announced that its business Godrej Appliances, has launched its premium range of Air Conditioners with advanced cooling, air purification technology, IoT controls, differentiated aesthetics and more. These air conditioners provide smart controls to increasingly tech savvy consumers, along with comfort and safety through IoT, UVCool technology, Nano Coated Anti-Viral filtration, lower derating and more.

Higher internet penetration and increased access to smartphones has revolutionised consumer behaviour, and the pandemic has increased digital familiarity by leaps and bounds; thereby bringing in more demand for tech-enabled devices. To cater to consumer’s growing acceptance for smart ACs, Godrej Appliances has introduced its all-new Godrej Eon D series air conditioners and will also have these newer technologies incorporated in some of its other existing product range. These smart air conditioners are wi-fi enabled. The ACs are voice enabled with Alexa and Google Home compatibility. They can also be operated remotely through android smartphones to control temperature, fan speed, mode setting, schedule time as well as easy monitoring of the ACs’ health. It aims to provide comfort and convenience to consumers through remote scheduling and monitoring.

The pandemic has also brought about a greater focus on health and hygiene aspects in any product that consumers purchase. The all new UVCool Technology incorporated in Godrej ACs help to disinfect the air as well as the surfaces of objects such as fabric, wood, metal placed in the room where the AC is operational. The UV module is placed inside the AC on the evaporators which emits UVC rays in the range of 260-275nm. This is the optimal wavelength emitted from the UV module, enough to disinfect 99.99%* viral particles, bacteria, fungus and other air pathogens from the surface of the evaporator. Moreover, Nano Coated Anti-Viral filter eliminates 99.9%**+ viral particles from the air to provide safety to the consumers.

Additionally, the heavy-duty rotary inverter compressor coupled with an electronic expansion valve and superior design provides faster and efficient cooling along with lower derating – ensuring superior cooling even at high ambient temperatures of 52°C. These ACs are available with combination of R290 & R32 refrigerants, that are eco-friendly with zero ozone depletion potential and lower global warming potential.

Commenting on the product launch, Kamal Nandi, Business Head and Executive Vice President – Godrej Appliances, part of Godrej & Boyce said, “In line with our philosophy of ‘Things Made Thoughtfully’, we are embracing new age technologies to deliver best-in-class solutions for our consumers. Our indigenous manufacturing expansion is helping us offer a wider AC portfolio to our consumers, with greater design possibilities. While summer sales for AC in 2021 was better than 2020 summer, however the business still hasn’t reached pre-covid levels. With the third wave practically over, vaccination drive covering a larger population and summer temperatures rising, we expect more than double growth in our AC sales this summer in comparison to last year.”

Adding further thoughts, Santosh Salian, Product Group Head, Godrej Appliances said, “Our foray into smart air conditioners and health & hygiene segment, is a testament to our commitment towards solving the needs of consumers by providing them with future ready products through latest technology. This summer, we are all set to offer a host of 21 new inverter split ACs all providing powerful cooling which has all along been our strength, along with Nano Coated Anti-Viral filter and UVC technology, IoT enabled smart controls, super-efficient ACs with high ISEER, durability and superior aesthetics.”

The Godrej Eon D series air conditioners are available in White, Copper and Rose Gold colour options across ecommerce platforms as well as offline pan India stores.

About Godrej Appliances:

Godrej Appliances, a business unit of Godrej & Boyce, is one of the leading Home Appliances players in India. Godrej & Boyce was the first Indian Company in 1958 to manufacture Refrigerators and since then Godrej Appliances has expanded its portfolio across many other categories like Washing Machines, Air Conditioners, Microwave Ovens, futuristic Thermo-electric cooling solutions, Air Coolers, Deep Freezers, highly specialized Medical Refrigerators and more recently, UVC Technology-Based Disinfecting devices and Dishwashers, all powered by the driving philosophy of 'Things Made Thoughtfully’.

This thought extends from human-centric design to planet centric design. Environment is a core value at Godrej. Both manufacturing units of Godrej Appliances became the first in the country to win the coveted Platinum Plus Green Co certification for their pioneering green manufacturing practices. The brand takes pride in not just its carefully designed products and environment-friendly technologies, but also best in class after-sales service delivered through over 680 service centers and more than 4500 SmartBuddy service experts spread all over the country.

To learn more visit: https://www.godrej.com/godrej-appliances