Walmart Vriddhi and Government of Haryana launch program to

 Walmart Vriddhi and Government of Haryana launch program to support local MSMEs to grow with Flipkart, Walmart and beyond

 

MOU is signed to enable Haryana MSMEs to join online and offline supply chains and expand their domestic and export capabilities

Walmart and Flipkart have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of Haryana, to support MSMEs to grow their domestic and global markets through the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi). The program, delivered by knowledge partner Swasti, will provide MSMEs from Haryana training and support free of cost, through a blended learning approach, while also providing opportunities to join online, offline and export channels and reach pan-India and global marketplaces as part of the supply chains of Walmart, Flipkart and other leading companies.   Trainings, seminars, and workshops will also be organized for Haryana MSMEs so that they can access information and enroll in the program.

Walmart Vriddhi has partnered with MSMEs to develop business skills needed to succeed as suppliers to Walmart, Flipkart, and other companies both in India and around the world. The first Walmart Vriddhi e-Institute was launched in Haryana in October 2020, in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, serving MSMEs from the Panipat-Sonipat-Kundli region. Thousands of entrepreneurs are now working through the multi-level training program, with some already onboarded to Flipkart to expand their digital capabilities and sell across India via the Flipkart marketplace.

On the signing of the MoU, Shri Dushyant Chautala, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Haryana, said, “Haryana has a robust micro, small and medium enterprises sector of over 9.7 lakh units that contributes significantly to industrial growth, in addition to providing employment to more than 19 lakh people. The partnership provides an opportunity for local businesses to become self- reliant and will boost their reach into national markets and facilitate their participation in global value chains. It will also promote regional development and promote products by local artisans and craftsmen to further showcase ‘Brand Haryana’ on the global stage.”

Shri Vijayendra Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary to Government of Haryana, Industries & Commerce Department, stated, “The Government of Haryana is focused on building a vibrant ecosystem for all businesses in the state, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. Promoting their growth through digitally enhanced training is a key endeavor in making MSMEs self-reliant. The Walmart Vriddhi program will not only provide our MSMEs access to a pan-India market through the Flipkart marketplace but will also further guide and support them through state schemes that provide access to financial assistance and other support to help revive the sector and position it strongly for future growth.”

Commenting on the partnership, Shri Vikas Gupta, IAS, Director General, Directorate of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of Haryana, noted, “It is the Directorate's endeavor to proactively support, advise and facilitate MSMEs on all the entrepreneurial know-how & business intelligence related gaps; address their business challenges, ensure fast-track grievance resolution, & steer rationalized policy formulation to enable them to unlock their true potential. We are happy to collaborate with Walmart and Flipkart on programs like Walmart Vriddhi which will propel MSMEs to greater success in domestic and international markets.”

Nidhi Munjal, Vice President, International Partnership Services, Walmart, said, “Walmart looks forward to expanding the Walmart Vriddhi program in Haryana. The state is home to a vibrant MSME ecosystem, and we are proud to have inaugurated our first ever e-Institute in the city of Panipat in 2020. We are encouraged by the Government of Haryana’s dedication to expanding growth opportunities for MSMEs and look forward to supporting their efforts by providing access to online and offline markets in India and globally as well as imparting local training and support, free of cost. This is a vital part of our commitment towards sourcing $10 billion annually by 2027 from India, so our consumers can access quality goods, no matter where in the world they are buying. India is a key market for us, and we are committed to helping support and grow communities wherever we operate.”

Shama Karkal, CEO (Chief Executive Officers), Swasti said, “The MoU will enhance the growth and development of MSMEs in the state. Through the Walmart Vriddhi program, we are committed to supporting MSMEs in providing critical market access to help them build resilience for the future.”

Jagjeet Harode, Senior Director & Head – Marketplace, Flipkart said, “Flipkart has deep infrastructure and supply chain investments in the state of Haryana that supports a robust ecosystem for local MSMEs to benefit from our e-commerce marketplace operations. Through our efforts, we hope to continue this long-standing relationship and provide local MSMEs wider market access and business growth that can enable them to stay resilient even during challenging times.”

 

With e-Institutes in Panipat and Agra, the free program provides a digitally enhanced learning experience through online modules with personalized feedback and one-on-one advisory sessions. The goal is to empower 50,000 MSMEs by 2025. As Walmart triples its exports from India to $10 billion annually by 2027, businesses with export ambitions can learn how to qualify as a Walmart Global Sourcing supplier, taking “Make in India” products to the world.

MSMEs enrolled in the program have benefitted from actionable advice through Vriddhi Cares, a tailored program to help them navigate the impact of COVID-19 on their workforce and business. From pivoting to immediate needs like masks, gowns, and gloves, to providing free telecare services that offers remote access to doctors, nurses, and other health care workers via phone for MSMEs and their families and employees, Walmart Vriddhi, together with Flipkart, have provided easy-to-implement guidelines to overcome challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Walmart and Flipkart will continue their efforts to support the Government of Haryana in empowering MSMEs, through the Flipkart marketplace, Flipkart Wholesale ecosystem and Walmart’s Global Sourcing operations.

IDFC FIRST Bank signs up with Indian Navy to offer

 IDFC FIRST Bank signs up with Indian Navy 

                                to offer Honour FIRST banking solutions 

 

IDFC FIRST Bank announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Navy to offer Honour FIRST, a premium banking solution, to serving personnel and veterans of the Indian Navy. 

The Honour FIRST Defence Account is specially designed keeping in mind the needs of the Armed Forces and its veterans. Account holders of Honour FIRST are supported by a dedicated team of defence veterans. 

The MoU for Honour FIRST was signed at the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi between Commodore Neeraj Malhotra, Commodore - Pay and Allowances, Indian Navy and senior officials of IDFC FIRST Bank. 

Commodore Neeraj Malhotra, Commodore-Pay and Allowances of Indian Navy, said, “I welcome the initiative of IDFC FIRST Bank to offer customized banking solutions to suit the needs of the Indian Navy and its personnel.”

Speaking on the occasion, Amit Kumar, Head – Retail Liabilities, IDFC FIRST Bank, said, “This is indeed a proud moment for us. The association couldn’t have come at a better time as the Indian Navy commemorates the 50th anniversary of India’s historic victory in the 1971 war. We look forward to serving the banking needs of the prestigious Indian Navy as its safeguards the maritime frontiers of our country. This association is rooted in our nation-first approach to banking and reiterates our longstanding commitment to meeting the needs of our Armed Forces.” 

The Honour FIRST Defence account comes with a range of privileges and features such as a zero balance salary account that earns up to 5 percent interest per annum and a netbanking and mobile App that offers superior user interface and experience. 

Honour FIRST Account holders get a free enhanced Personal Accident Insurance Cover of Rs. 46 lakhs for both on-duty and off-duty incidents. This not only covers accidental death but also total and partial  permanent disability. This Personal Accident Insurance Cover includes a Child Education Grant of Rs.

4 lakhs, and a marriage cover of Rs 2 lakh.  

In addition, other best-in-class features include a top-of-the-line Visa Signature Debit Card with no annual charges, free Air Accidental Insurance cover of Rs. 1 crore and complimentary airport lounge access at domestic airports, twice a quarter. 

Honour FIRST Defence Account also offers free lost card liability and fraud protection of up to Rs. 6 lakhs, purchase protection against burglary, theft and damage up to 90 days from date of purchase up to Rs. 1 lakh. 

Account holders of Honour FIRST are eligible for a ‘Free for Life Credit Card’ with variable APR and 10X Reward Points, 1.5% forex markup, complimentary access to select spas and lounges at domestic and international airports, travel insurance and other benefits round the year.  Privileges also include 10X reward points on spends greater than Rs. 20,000, 6X rewards on all online spends, complimentary for life & interest-free credit for purchases and cash withdrawals.

Other benefits comprise free unlimited ATM transactions across all domestic ATM’s, free online payment transactions, unlimited cheque books and anywhere banking across the Bank’s network of branches and ATMs.

The Bank is constantly investing in state-of-the-art technology to bring digital innovations to its customers, with a view to enhancing customer convenience and experience. 

Roche Concerned Covid-19 Could Increase

 Roche Concerned Covid-19 Could Increase Diabetes Burden in India

- Signs MoU with Rotary India Literacy Mission (RILM) to initiate a sustained drive for diabetes screening, awareness and education

Roche Diabetes Care (RDC) India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rotary India Literacy Mission (RILM) to conduct diabetes screening camps for the underprivileged across India, to drive early detection of diabetes and to increase awareness about its management. Recent reports have flagged the potential ‘diabetogenic’ effect of Covid-19 on people who did not have diabetes before their exposure to this virus.

Omar Sherief Mohammad, Managing Director, Roche Diabetes Care India, said, “India already has a huge burden of diabetes and we would like to address the new risk that Covid-19 now poses. At Roche Diabetes Care, our aim is to provide true relief to people with diabetes everywhere so that they can keep their sugar levels under control. This is particularly important once the Covid-19 pandemic waves subsides, and we have to contend with possible long-term health impacts of the disease. We believe that joining hands with like-minded partners such as RILM can help us create a nationwide network to provide early diagnosis of diabetes and create awareness among the underprivileged.”

During the pilot phase of the project, a total of 300 screening camps will be organised in six states- Maharashtra, UP, Sikkim, WB, Telengana, Karnataka - over six months. This will later be scaled-up to include the rest of the country in a phased approach. A soon as the situation permits, RILM will organize diabetes detection screening camps for the underprivileged, with a focus on schoolchildren and their parents at government aided schools. RDC will support RILM by providing glucometer kits, test strips and lancets for early detection and diagnosis of diabetes.

Kamal Sanghvi, Rotary International Director and RILM Chairman, said, "We are proud and privileged to join hands with Roche Diabetes Care to screen for and create awareness about diabetes. Early detection is absolutely critical if we are to reduce the high burden of diabetes in India. Rotary has a legacy of helping to eradicate diseases that become a huge public health challenge, as we did for polio, and now we would like to provide support for diabetes control. We remain committed to ensuring that the underprivileged are not left behind as we move forward into a post-pandemic era."

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) about 463 million people are affected with diabetes mellitus worldwide, and this number is estimated to reach 700 million by 2045. India ranks second in the world, as almost 77 million Indians have diabetes

Dr. Bal Inamdar, Chair, Curative Health, Rotary India said “Rotary is known around the world for its larger-than-life vision and action. Now, we are pleased to partner with one of the world’s most respected pharmaceutical companies, Roche Diabetes Care, to tackle one of the world’s biggest healthcare challenges: diabetes, in India. This can only lead to great action and great results! I wish this collaboration all the success that it so richly deserves!”

Creating a collaborative mechanism is crucial to drive awareness and early detection, which can ultimately lead to better diabetes management. RDC India strives to pioneer this drive of empowering patients in managing their diabetes better while enabling access to uninterrupted care. This program with Rotary is part of RDC’s aim to create an eco-system of like-minded partners to address this growing burden of diabetes in the country and make India the ‘diabetes care capital of the world’.

H-Energy Signs Memorandum of Understanding

 H-Energy Signs Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with for supply of re-gasified LNG to Bangladesh

 

Achieving a major milestone for supply of re-gasified LNG from India to Bangladesh, H-Energy signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Petrobangla on 16th June 2021. The companies will soon finalize a long term supply agreement to commence the supply of re-gasified LNG to Bangladesh through a cross border natural gas pipeline.

 

H-Energy was authorized by Petroleum and Natural gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the regulatory body in India, to build own and operate Kanai Chatta-Shrirampur natural gas pipeline connecting H-Energy’s LNG terminal in West Bengal passing through various regions of the state and further connecting to the Bangladesh border, to enable cross border supply of re-gasified LNG into Bangladesh. H-Energy is the only company to have received the authorization from PNGRB to lay a pipeline till the Bangladesh border.

 

Mr. Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of H-Energy said “this is a key milestone in the future of Indo Bangladesh energy cooperation. I am grateful to the Government of Bangladesh, the team at Petrobangla and the various governmental agencies of India whose unstinted support has made this happen. Our objective is to deliver environmentally friendly, safe, and economical energy to the state of West Bengal and to Western Bangladesh. Thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders, most permissions are in place and we shall see important milestone after milestone in this project happen at a rapid pace.”

 

H-Energy’s wholly owned subsidiary HE Marketing private will be responsible for sourcing LNG and for supplying R-LNG to Petrobangla. Within Bangladesh Petrobangla will supply this re-gasified LNG to gas based power producers and other gas consumers. 

EESL signs MoU with Lemon Tree Hotels to

 EESL signs MoU with Lemon Tree Hotels to implement
energy efficiency and energy conservation measures

 As a part of its ongoing efforts to create an energy-efficient economy, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture under the administration of the Ministry of Power, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lemon Tree Hotels Limited for implementing energy efficiency and energy conservation measures at a selected number of the latter’s properties in India.

During the three-year engagement, both companies will work together to identify areas to improve energy efficiency and leverage the expertise of EESL and its subsidiary companies Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and EPSL Trigeneration Private Limited, as the need may be, in the areas of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging; air conditioning; solar rooftop installations; energy-efficient pumps and motors; indoor and outdoor lighting; and energy and water audits.

Sharing views on this engagement, Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson (EVC), EESL, said, “Energy efficiency is a vital, indispensable part of our vision for a sustainable future. We have a roadmap for getting there, and we need more and more willing partners from across industries to keep moving the needle on progress. Lemon Tree Hotels is one of the largest hotel chains in India, and we hope that the success we will achieve through our projects will encourage many more players to explore avenues for strengthening their energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.”

Mr. Patu Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “We are committed to our ESG focus at Lemon Tree. Over the years, we have undertaken several initiatives to reduce energy consumption, and we have implemented a number of environmentally friendly practices. For example, increasing the contribution of RE to our total energy consumption. Our partnership with EESL will enable us to enhance the impact of these measures and find ways to further reduce our carbon footprint, in order to move closer to our goal of being carbon neutral.”

EESL’s expertise will help Lemon Tree Hotels realize its stated intention of delivering a healthy triple bottom line – planet, people, and profit – through its sustainability initiatives. The projects implemented through this partnership will contribute to improving the overall energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of the hotel company.

The Oberoi Group signs MoU with EESL to further its

 The Oberoi Group signs MoU with EESL to further its sustainability initiatives

• Aims to reduce the group’s overall carbon footprint
• Tailor-made energy efficiency solutions for each of the hotels & resorts

With the aim to augment its sustainability initiatives, The Oberoi Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of 4 PSU’s under the Ministry of Power. EESL through its Building Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP) will assist The Oberoi Group in implementing several well-established energy efficient initiatives, including clean energy systems across its properties. These initiatives will help reduce the Group’s overall carbon footprint and strengthen its energy conservation efforts.

Under the partnership, EESL, through its nationwide network, will collaborate with all Oberoi Group Hotels to evaluate opportunities for saving energy and lowering emissions. EESL will recommend select energy programs from its portfolio with proven track records of successful implementation. Additionally, as a part of The Oberoi Group’s efforts towards sustainability, tailor-made energy efficiency initiatives for each of their hotels & resorts will be executed.

EESL will provide technical support and extend its procurement advantage through its partners across the energy sector. The potential energy efficiency measures will include lighting, electric motors & pumps, air-conditioning, ventilation systems, indoor air quality systems and electric vehicles along with charging infrastructure.

Speaking about this partnership, Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairman, EESL said, “Energy efficiency is becoming central to sustainable growth of businesses. EESL has pioneered energy efficiency improvement across India and empowered millions of people through its innovative schemes. Our partnership with The Oberoi Group stands testament to the exemplary vision and progressive approach of a hospitality leader in joining the forces of achieving sustainable development of the country.”

Mr. Vikram Oberoi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Oberoi Group said, “Sustainability is at the core of our ethos at The Oberoi Group. It has always been our endeavour to identify and implement innovative, ecological solutions across our hotels and businesses. Several of our hotels are powered by renewable sources and are supplemented with energy efficient measures which have progressively reduced our carbon footprint. Our partnership with EESL further strengthens our commitment towards the planet and our vision of providing sustainable luxury experiences to our guests.”

Auckland University of Technology strengthens bilateral ties

 Auckland University of Technology strengthens bilateral ties with India

AUT continues to strengthen bilateral ties with India through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India’s top ranked technical university and a visit from the Indian High Commissioner.

 AUT has signed an MOU with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, the first agreement between IIT Madras and any university in New Zealand.  The MOU formalised the well-established history between the two universities which has included joint research activities, funding applications and collaborative post-graduate programmes.

 Professor Guy Littlefair, Pro Vice-Chancellor International and Dean of Design and Creative Technologies at AUT said the two institutions are both very much at the fore of innovation and applied research. “The opportunities presented in this partnership will allow both students and staff tremendous prospects to enhance bi-national relations for the benefit of both countries and universities,” said Professor Littlefair. 

This was endorsed by Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean Global Engagement at IIT Madras who said the agreement will allow “mobility of students, joint research and joint supervision of students and collaborative masters and doctoral programmes.” The MOU means AUT students will get the opportunity to complete their final year project or internship at the prestigious IIT Madras which is an exciting prospect for all students and especially for those of Indian origin.

 Rated 5-stars for Internationalization, research, teaching, graduate employability, innovation, inclusiveness and facilities in the QS World University Rankings, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a future-focused university that provides exceptional learning experiences for our students. Many of our subjects are world-ranked such as New Zealand’s top-ranked health programmes and the country’s premier sport science school. AUT is consistently ranked first in New Zealand for international outlook. We have over 100,000 alumni around the world and we work with 5,000 global industry partners and collaborate on research with 140 different countries. The result is a truly international student experience. AUT nurtures and creates graduates who are world ready; not just career ready. Curiosity, creativity, connection and collaboration are the new global currency, and are characteristics that are central to our teaching philosophy to ensure our students thrive in this world of rapid technological change.

 The MOU was signed virtually and will take effect in 2021.

COVID-19 has meant some planned student exchange initiatives will be delayed; but work is already underway with academics and potential online student internships. Recently, AUT supported IIT Madras as foreign collaborator for joint research funding application with their Department of Science and Technology and the Government of India. New Zealand students will get a chance to do their internships/final year project at IIT madras considering the feel and excitement associated with studying at IIT especially for Indian origin students”.

 High Commissioner of India His Excellency Mr. Muktesh Pardeshi and Second Secretary Mr. Paramjeet Singh recently met with AUT Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack, Professor Guy Littlefair, Indian-origin academics, and international students. Following the formal meeting, the official party also enjoyed a tour of AUT City Campus.

Hindalco to supply 1.2 mn MT of red mud to

Hindalco to supply 1.2 mn MT of red mud to UltraTech: Two flagship Aditya Birla Group companies join hands to promote a circular economy

Hindalco becomes the world’s 1st company to achieve 100% red mud utilisation

A major step in reducing cement industry’s dependence on mined material; replaces 3% of the clinker raw mix

Hindalco Industries Ltd., a global leader in Aluminium and Copper, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UltraTech Cement Ltd., India’s largest manufacturer of cement and concrete, to deliver 1.2 million metric tonnes of red mud (also known as bauxite residue) annually to UltraTech’s 14 plants located across 7 states. 

Hindalco is the world’s first company to achieve 100% red mud utilisation across three of its refineries.

Red mud generated in the alumina manufacturing process is rich in iron oxides, along with alumina, silica and alkali. The cement industry has developed the capability to process red mud as a replacement for mined minerals such as laterite and lithomarge in its process.

In Southern Indian markets, and especially in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it also addresses the issues of high cost of laterite and unreliable supply, besides minimising the pollution. Red mud neutralises petcoke, which is used as fuel in cement manufacturing process. When petcoke comes in contact with an alkaline material like red mud it gets neutralized thereby limiting the polluting sulphur dioxide emissions.

The usage of red mud also enhances cost and operational efficiency as operating temperature of cement plants come down by about 20 degrees with the use of red mud.

Hindalco is supplying red mud to UltraTech Cement plants where it has been proved to be an effective substitute for mined materials, successfully replacing up to 3% of clinker raw mix volume. Use of red mud reduces the cement industry’s dependence on natural resources and promotes a circular economy.

Hindalco’s alumina refineries are currently supplying 250,000 metric tonnes of bauxite residue to cement companies every month, making Hindalco the world’s first company to have enabled such large scale commercial application of bauxite residue.

In the current year, Hindalco aims to achieve 2.5 million metric tonnes of bauxite residue utilisation, which will be another global milestone.

Mr. Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco, said, “Hindalco has been working with cement companies to develop high-grade inputs for the construction industry. Hindalco has built a strong customer base and supplies red mud to over 40 cement plants every month. We have achieved 100% red mud utilization at three of our refineries and our vision is to achieve zero-waste alumina production across our operations. Hindalco’s actions underscore our commitment to embracing solutions that have the potential to deliver long-term sustainability impact and transform the future.”

Globally, 160 million metric tonnes of red mud is produced annually and stored in large tracts of land which is a serious industry challenge. To find a sustainable solution, Hindalco has invested in infrastructure and collaborated with cement companies, with UltraTech Cement being a key partner.

Mr. K.C. Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement, said, “UltraTech has been among the early adopters in India on the use of alternative raw materials and fuels in manufacturing and invested to build storage, handling and processing facilities. Use of waste like red mud as an alternative raw material for manufacturing cement requires infrastructure and process modification to ensure a win-win for both business and the environment.”

Last year, UltraTech consumed about 15.73 million metric tonnes of industrial waste as alternate raw material and about 300,000 metric tonnes as alternative fuel in its kilns.

Mr. Jhanwar added, “With an annual supply of 1.2 million metric tonnes of red mud from Hindalco, we expect to conserve more than 1 million metric tonnes of mined natural resources like laterite in our manufacturing process. Enhancing our contribution to the circular economy by strategically increasing the use of waste as raw material and fuel in the cement manufacturing process, is in line with our aim to achieve our long-term sustainability goals.”

The MoU represents a significant sustainability initiative for both Hindalco and UltraTech. Waste of one industry being used as an input material in another is more than an example of a circular economy, it exemplifies Hindalco’s sustainability-first approach to business.

IRCON, NIIFL and AYANA sign a MoU for solar energy sector

IRCON, NIIFL and AYANA sign a MoU for solar energy sector

Ircon International Limited [IRCON], a Miniratna (Category-I) Schedule - A Public Sector Enterprises has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL) and Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited (AYANA), a NIIF platform company to explore and collaborate on opportunities in the solar energy sector.

According to the MOU, NIIFL and IRCON will evaluate strategic partnerships across infrastructure projects and have agreed in-principle to identify, bid and execute solar energy projects through joint ventures/consortium arrangements. The partnership will further consider suitable opportunities for solar energy production for Indian Railways as they intend to increase the share of renewables in their overall energy mix. This collaboration will enable execution of renewable energy projects at scale by utilizing the complementary strengths of all partners.

Commenting on the MOU Shri S. K. Chaudhary, Chairman & Managing Director, IRCON, said, “Through this collaboration, we are diversifying our business in the solar energy sector. Further, this collaboration is aligned with Government of India’s policies on renewable energy sector and we believe the solar energy sector has enormous opportunities. We hope our association with AYANA and NIIFL to explore projects in the solar energy sector will be rewarding to all stakeholders’’.

Mr. Sujoy Bose, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, NIIFL, said, “We are pleased to partner with IRCON and AYANA to invest into suitable projects in the solar energy sector.  Given the vast untapped potential of this sector and our focus on making sustainable investments, we are confident that through this partnership we will be able to develop solar projects at scale and through them bring further efficiency into the energy mix in India.”

Ashok Leyland partners with Chola

Ashok Leyland partners with Chola for Vehicle Finance

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in India, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited (Chola), for a strategic tie-up on vehicle financing, for a period of two years. This MoU will equip both, Ashok Leyland and Chola, to reach out to a diverse set of customers with customised financial solution. Combined strength of both brands will help reach out to customers in need of financial assistance, across India, where either brand has a presence. Ashok Leyland, is the first manufacturer in India to be ready with the complete range of BS6 vehicles which have been developed specifically for Indian conditions and this tie-up will further help customers to own and derive the benefits of Ashok Leyland’s industry-first and industry leading technologies.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Anuj Kathuria, Chief Operating Officer, Ashok Leyland, said, “We always think customer-first and this tie-up with Chola is yet another step in that direction. With Chola as one of our trusted partners for customised financial solution, our combined pan-India reach will help customers to choose the financial solution they desire. Ashok Leyland products represent differentiated technology with best-in-class total cost of ownership, thereby providing better profitability to our customers. Our tie-up with Chola will further enhance this and thereby also delivering on our brand promise of ‘Aapki Jeet. Hamari Jeet’”.

“We are happy to be partnering with Ashok Leyland, a leading commercial vehicle brand with a culture of innovation and excellence, and a proven track record over the years. Building quality relationships has always been a cornerstone of Chola’s philosophy. Over the last 4 decades, we have been building lasting relationships with our customers and partners by consistently delivering excellent value for both. With our strong network of 1000+ branches across India, we aim to offer the customers a never before experience through customised finance offerings that would come with speedy, convenient and transparent processes. This partnership is also in line with our continuous endeavor in enabling our customers to ‘Enter a Better Life’,” says Mr. Ravindra Kundu, President & Business Head  -  Vehicle Finance, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited.