ESR India inks MoU with Tamil Nadu Government to set up

 ESR India inks MoU with Tamil Nadu Government to set up
two industrial parks in the state

~MoU signed for a potential investment of INR 550 crores ~

ESR India, the largest APAC focused industrial and logistics real estate platform, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu for a potential investment of INR 550 crores.

The MOU is signed for the launch of two industrial parks in Kancheepuram and Krishnagiri districts of the state over the next five years. Once fully operational, the two projects have the potential to create over 4,400 jobs in the facility, that shall boost the overall socio-economic growth in the region.

The MoU was signed at the Investment Conclave 2021 conference held today. It will facilitate ESR India’s proposed investment at Kancheepuram and Krishnagiri industrial parks by helping in streamlining land acquisition, approvals, clearances, and administrative processes as per existing policies, rules, and regulations of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The policy and regulatory reforms unveiled in recent times has accentuated the entry of international institutional players and has set new benchmarks for industrial developments in the country.

Commenting on the development, Abhijit Malkani, CEO and Country Head, ESR India said, “We are delighted to announce our affiliation with the state government. The Government of Tamil Nadu has been very supportive in encouraging industrial developments in the state by creating a favourable business climate for industrial players. The MoU will see ESR invest INR 550 crores to develop industrial parks in Tamil Nadu, offering 1,800 direct & 2,600 indirect job opportunities in the facility.”

“Our goals are aligned with the vision of the Tamil Nadu Government, to create avenues to increase business and trade inclusion opportunities and employment towards garnering better economic growth in the region”, he further stated.

ESR India is currently present across 9 cities and 15 locations with a total GFA of 18 Mn. Sq. ft. These state-of-the-art facilities will be developed upholding the best practices for ESG and sustainability.

ESR announces its plan to develop North Gujarat's first

ESR announces its plan to develop North Gujarat's first Grade A Industrial & Logistics Park in Jalisana

 A 36.5-acre facility to boost industrial activity and logistics operations

ESR, the largest APAC focused industrial and logistics real estate platform, has announced its plan to develop a 36.5-acre Industrial & Logistics Park in Jalisana, an emerging industrial hub of North Gujarat. Strategically located on SH-07 (Viramgam Becharaji Highway), ESR Jalisana industrial and logistics park will cater to expansion and consolidation needs for engineering, electronics, energy, construction, machinery, automobile, auto-ancillary, e-commerce, and 3PL companies in the region. This Park, designed with best-in-class specifications, is well connected to Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Kandla Mundra, ICD Khodiyar and Thar Dry Port. 

Close to established automobile manufacturing clusters of Vitthalapur and Becharji, Jalisana benefits from an existing industrial ecosystem and access to talent. Mandal-Becharaji region could emerge as India's largest automobile hub, as manufacturing units of Maruti Suzuki, Honda Cars, Honda Motorcycles and scooters and Toyota are already located in this region.

Located near Ahmedabad, Jalisana is evolving as a significant warehousing and industrial destination. ESR Jalisana will be an enabler for consolidation, with flexible leasing options from 40,000 sq. ft. to over 5,00,000 sq. ft Grade A spaces, a rare opportunity in this region.

Speaking on the development, Abhijit Malkani, CEO, ESR India, said, "We are excited to enter one of the fastest-growing industrial zones of the country, with a robust manufacturing base and an upsurge in e-commerce adoption. We are ready to contribute to Grade A spaces to further augment industrial and warehousing activity in the region. ESR Jalisana industrial & logistics park will boost ESR India's footprint to 18 million sq. ft. across strategically significant locations."

Gujarat has rapidly emerged as a preferred destination for domestic and foreign direct investments for its connectivity, infrastructure, and robust industrial ecosystem. It is also highly regarded for its policies promoting a favourable operational environment for businesses. 

India among countries most vulnerable, least prepared for

 India among countries most vulnerable, least prepared for automation in Asia Pacific

• Agriculture, manufacturing, and construction most at risk of impact from automation
• India ranks fifth for automation risk, ninth for preparedness

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today released The Future of Work is Now: Is APAC Ready? research study by Deloitte, commissioned by Autodesk Foundation. Exploring the state of automation and the future of work across 12 APAC countries including Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the report aims to help identify the labour markets most vulnerable to technological disruption in APAC and propose solutions to help workforces thrive as automation becomes a reality.

The research finds India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are most at risk and least prepared for the coming wave of automation. In particular, India ranks fifth highest in terms of the impact from automation and ninth in terms of their level preparedness for this impact. The country faces a greater likelihood of being impacted by automation due to larger employment shares in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, all identified as high-risk industries by the report.

COVID-19 has greatly accelerated the adoption of automation across the world. According to the report, close to half of all businesses intend to increase their adoption of robotic process automation over the next year.

 “Automation creates opportunities for new, more meaningful types of work as it replaces mundane or repetitive manual tasks, but the state of preparedness of countries and industries will determine whether they benefit from these advances. Improving digital literacy, supporting disadvantaged workers, and putting in place the right infrastructure and skills will help create new roles that workers can transition into,” said Rajeev Mittal, Regional Director, India & SAARC, Autodesk.

 Construction, agriculture and mining most at risk of automation

• Construction
  Though India’s construction sector is most likely to be automated,[1] its construction sector is the fifth most vulnerable, ahead of Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar and the Philippines, respectively due to these countries greater extent of disadvantage. With a high proportion of routine and manual tasks and low year-on-year global productivity growth (1%, over the past 20 years to 2017), the construction industry is the most likely to be one of the hardest hit by automation across all countries in APAC.      
  
  
• Agriculture
  India, the Philippines and Indonesia have a higher likelihood of automation for the sector, even as Pakistan’s agri-sector was at the highest risk of impact from automation. Increased demand for food and sustainable farming methods is expected to lead to higher adoption of automation and digital solutions. Technologies such as AI can also help reduce spoilage, increase productivity, and add US$9 billion to farmer incomes.          
  
  
• Mining
  India’s mining sector has the second-highest risk of impact from automation after Bangladesh. The sector's vulnerability to automation stems from its relatively low skill requirements, its high degree of routine and manual tasks, and use of direct physical activity to operate machinery. Mining comprises less than 1% of the workforce in 10 out of 12 countries analysed, suggesting that automation in mining is well-underway.      

"The pandemic has accelerated demand for automation across sectors, which will greatly transform how companies in India do business. Autodesk’s view has long been that automation creates opportunity, but only if we are deliberate about giving workers the skills they need to thrive in a new era of automation. That means new credentialing and certification programs to give them the skills they need to succeed, partnerships across the public and private sector to make workforce development a priority, and much more,” Mittal added.

Getting Proactive To Address The Risks of Automation 
As well as identifying the challenges facing regions and industries in APAC, the report also highlights a series of proactive steps that should be taken to harness the benefits and address the risks, including:

 

1. Increasing awareness of the need to adapt, changing the narrative in these regions to focus on the opportunities created in terms of higher, value-add activities rather than the risk of job losses created by automation
   

2. Fund industry-specific programmes for digital transformation helping smaller businesses to access new, digital technologies to help accelerate automation usage and adoption
   

3. Invest in learning programmes to help disadvantaged workers and build resilience, promoting the uptake of reskilling or upskilling courses to help workers continually reinvent themselves in an ever-evolving environment of disruption
   

Implementing these initiatives can smooth the transition to a more adaptable and resilient workforce to thrive in the future of work. APAC is a diverse region and the challenges facing individual countries when it comes to automation are vastly different. However, the report points to one common conclusion, regardless of geography—that automation will create opportunity if the right support mechanisms are put in place and the focus is put squarely on helping workers to succeed.

Affle strengthens its leadership team by

Affle strengthens its leadership team by appointing Martje Abeldt as Chief Revenue Officer - Affle RevX Platform

Affle (India) Limited, the leading consumer intelligence technology company, today announced the appointment of Martje Abeldt as Chief Revenue Officer - Affle RevX Platform to strengthen its leadership team as part of Affle2.0 growth strategy. In his new role, Martje will drive business and platform growth for RevX, and will be based out of Singapore.

An accomplished practitioner in digital domain, Martje joins Affle with 20+ years’ experience in leading and scaling high-growth businesses across AdTech, Mobile, SaaS, IT and Consumer Goods industries. Proficient in six languages and with an international perspective, he excels at creating sustainable competitive advantage for key platforms and products in the mobile apps ecosystem. In his most recent role at Remerge, he was spearheading the App Retargeting Platform business for APAC. Prior to Remerge, he has been instrumental in driving business performance for App Annie in Central Europe, Russia and CIS, preceded by the Country Manager role at Smart AdServer. He holds a Global EMBA from IE Business School in Madrid/Fudan University in Shanghai, a Bachelor’s degree in International Business & Economics from London Metropolitan University and a degree in Marketing Communications from BAW in Munich.
Commenting on this development, Anuj Khanna Sohum, the Chairman, MD and CEO of Affle said “We welcome Martje to our leadership team and wish him a successful journey at Affle. His cross-functional and relevant industry experience will enable us to drive further growth for our platforms and the CPCU business across all markets. We also welcome Raghav who has joined our Data Platforms and Operations team and look forward to achieving continued success as we strengthen our foundation for Affle2.0 growth journey.”

Commenting on this, Martje Abeldt, the Chief Revenue Officer of Affle RevX Platform said “I can't imagine a more exciting time to join Affle and look forward to complement the exceptional entrepreneurial capabilities of the leadership team. It gives me immense excitement to lead the RevX Platform to help drive business growth across markets through new strategic initiatives.”

This announcement comes along Affle’s another key appointment of Raghav Maheshwari as Director – Global Account Management, who joins with 10+ years’ experience. In his last stint, he was working for Inmobi as Director – Sales (South East Asia) and has played key roles in the ad tech ecosystem across APAC markets. He has previously driven growth initiatives for companies like Fidelity Investments and The Smart Cube

Airbnb announces the launch of

Airbnb announces the launch of ‘At Home With Airbnb’

A set of curated Online Experiences delivered by artists, influencers and brands which bring the joy of travel and human connection to your living room.

• At Home With Airbnb gives fans a chance to connect with their favourite Indian celebrities, artists & learn a new skill
  
• Features Online Experiences with celebrated experts such as Shivan and Narresh, Nam Wook, Sarvesh Shashi, Sandeep Sreedharan and many more
  
  

Airbnb India today announces the launch of – At Home With Airbnb, a unique set of online experiences that brings together India’s most popular celebrities, artists and influencers. Each experience has been curated keeping in mind the diverse and engaging ways in which guests can connect with people across cultures and hone their skills through the platform. The At Home With Airbnb experiences allow guests to visit the host’s personal spaces to learn their craft in small groups that allow for personal connections and conversations.

Building on Airbnb’s global concept of Online Experiences, At Home With Airbnb, will bring together people from across the globe over their shared passions and hobbies. Ranging from work out sessions with celebrity trainer Nam Wook for fitness enthusiasts, to Zero wastage cooking with Sandeep Sreedharan for food fanatics, and learning the art of fashion illustrations from popular designers, Shivan and Naresh, each experience offers the opportunity to learn something new and interesting.

“Airbnb’s Online Experiences are an extension of our Experiences platform to foster connections at a time when travelers are unable to do so in real life. We are excited to announce At Home with Airbnb, which offers intimate and engaging virtual experiences curated by well-known Indian personalities across fitness, food, fashion and home décor.  At Home With Airbnb brings together our community in India and all over the world, allowing them to choose from a range of experiences and enjoy these from the comfort of their own homes.” Said Parin Mehta, Regional Director, Experiences APAC.

As a unique way to travel, learn and connect with new people, the platform brings together well-known names Sarvesh Shashi, Sanjana Chatlani, Pankaj Balachandran, and Devika Narain among others who will be hosts for these Online Experiences. Through At Home With Airbnb, guests can also learn unique and niche skills such as calligraphy, cocktail making and table designing from experts in their respective fields.

Globally acclaimed designers, Shivan and Narresh, will be hosting fashion illustration classes that will take guests through the process of sketching for fashion design, the colour palette and silhouettes – all helping guests visualize the piece of clothing on the fashion runway.

Shivan and Narresh celebrated Airbnb’s efforts saying “At Shivan & Narresh, we converge our love for fashion and travel when we experience the world with a local lens and translate it through our inspired collections. Partnering with Airbnb for its online experience helps us cement this belief and exhibit our expertise at a global platform to bring the world closer together, while it matures through a global health crisis. The fashion illustrations experience is to encourage originality and drive ingenuity for guests - straight from the mind to the paper - as they hone their art skills. It is to assist in co-creating a stronger and richer world by soothing its mental and emotional habitat.”

Sarvesh Shashi, titled the coolest yogi and the youngest CEO in the yoga and wellness world globally, will be combining his knowledge of ancient Indian martial arts, modern functional training and traditional yoga techniques, to create smooth flowing yoga sessions for guests.

Speaking on the collaboration, Sarvesh Shashi said “Our association with Airbnb fits seamlessly into what we stand for, and that’s building a community that’s social, engaged, active and a community that goes on to become the brand’s best advocate. We understand the value our customers hold for us and that’s one of the biggest advantages of this association. We’re excited to see the doors this partnership opens and the many more ways that we can work together.”

Using some of Ayurveda’s principles and Yin-Yang as a guiding philosophy, Chef Sandeep Sreedharan shall be taking his guests on a culinary journey of sustainable cooking. With over a decade of experience in his field, Sandeep has successfully built a reputation for introducing a new genre of modern coastal cuisine to India. 

Speaking about the collaboration, Sandeep Sreedharan of Mahe said “As a chef I have always believed in delivering distinct flavours and textures keeping things simple and honest. My collaboration with At Home With Airbnb gives me an opportunity to share my expertise with a larger audience that is looking for quick tips to create gourmet experience at home by approaching one ingredient at a time. I look forward to exploring the concepts of zero wastage and minimalistic cooking to produce some stunning yet simple dishes without compromising on taste or health.”

Through At Home With Airbnb, guests can also enjoy -

• An opportunity to become a master in the art of Calligraphy with the founder of The Bombay Lettering Company Sanjana Chatlani
• Insights into how to make the perfect “kitchen cocktails” using easily available ingredients at home, through a specially curated mixology workshop with Pankaj Balachandran, Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder
• A work out session from home using only their body weight with celebrity fitness trainer and Under Armour India brand ambassador Nam Wook
• The art of table settings with celebrity wedding planner and event stylist, Devika Narain

Guests can book their spots for these exclusive Experiences for an opportunity to meet and learn from the experts with unprecedented access. Booking opens immediately, and guests can explore a diverse range of Online Experiences here. These Experiences will be hosted on Zoom, and Airbnb has provided Hosts access to Zoom free of charge along with personalized support services for curating, capturing and sharing their online content.

For more information, if you are interested in hosting please visit airbnb.com/onlinehost.