INDIA: Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has selected Honeywell to supply advanced technology, services, proprietary catalysts, and equipment to help enable the refinery to process a wider range of crude and double the production capacity at Africa’s largest refinery in Lekki, Nigeria by 2028.

Dangote will leverage Honeywell’s refining and petrochemical processing solutions, which help customers reduce production costs, improve efficiency, and increase throughput, to grow its refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day over the next three years. With this expansion, Dangote will become the world’s largest petroleum refinery, strengthening in-continent fuel production, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting local energy security needs.

“Our continued collaboration with Honeywell marks a significant milestone not only for Dangote’s refinery, but for Nigeria’s energy sector as a whole,” said Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. “Through the use of Honeywell’s proven, advanced technologies, we can set new production standards for the industry while contributing to Nigeria’s energy independence and economic growth.”

For nearly a decade, Honeywell has been providing process technology to Dangote’s Lekki refinery. Going forward, this expansion project will enable it to maximize the existing equipment and infrastructure – providing the greatest return on investment and accelerating the project timeline and ultimately speed to market.

“Honeywell is committed to delivering groundbreaking technologies that empower customers, drive operational excellence, and support regional energy security efforts,” said Rajesh Gattupalli, President, Honeywell UOP. “Our work with Dangote demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can help enhance regional energy independence and support Africa’s growing energy needs.”

In addition, Dangote will also license Honeywell’s Oleflex technology, which converts propane to propylene through catalytic dehydrogenation, to produce 750,000 metric tons per year of propylene. With this agreement, Dangote will increase its total production of polypropylene – the primary component in a variety of plastic products, including packaging materials – to 2.4 million metric tons per year.

Dangote’s Lekki facility is the largest single-train refinery in the world, producing Euro-V quality gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel along with polypropylene, a primary component used in plastics and packaging.

With more than a century of experience in the energy sector, Honeywell’s process technologies and catalysts have been licensed to more than 6,000 refineries and industrial facilities globally.

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MUMBAI: Dream Sports, India’s leading sports technology company, today announced a gaming collaboration with Microsoft at the inaugural edition of World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit 2025 (WAVES), Mumbai. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at the event saw the two companies unite to further India’s gaming market and build for future gaming innovations.

The collaboration aims to explore opportunities to publish Microsoft’s gaming portfolio in the Indian region and offer more AI-powered experiences to Indian gamers.

Together, Dream Sports and Microsoft will unlock the full potential of India’s gaming market, fueled by Dream Sports’ deep understanding of the young, tech-savvy gaming community.

Commenting on the partnership, Harsh Jain, Co-Founder & CEO, Dream Sports said: “We are eager to build innovative & future-ready experiences by leveraging Microsoft’s deep technical & AI expertise along with our base of 250 million Indian users. We look forward to working together to redefine the future of online gaming in India.”

“We are excited to explore a collaboration with Dream Sports, leveraging their vast ecosystem of 250 million users. Together, Microsoft and Dream Sports aim to elevate the Indian gaming landscape by tailoring it to local needs and delivering transformative AI-driven experiences,” by Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia.

At a time when the Indian gaming industry is at the helm of a revolution, such efforts will help leverage new-age tech and resources for more interactive experiences, and a better developer’s infrastructure. Both companies highlighted the significance of concerted action, and believe this is just the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on innovation, access, and building for India’s next billion gamers.

Fueling this vision is a rapidly evolving digital infrastructure and the emergence of India as the second-largest mobile gaming market. By hitting the $3.8 Bn mark in FY24, India’s gaming market has developed into a massive ecosystem of close to 600 million gamers (Leveling up: State of India Interactive).

With enablers such as seamless internet access, smart-phone penetration and greater catalysts of support within the public, investor, policy, and academia sphere, the share of gamers has increased manifold across diverse segments, with 66% gamers from non-metro cities and 44% female gamers (Leveling up: State of India Interactive). 

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The leaders of these major Central Public Sector Enterprises focused on strategies to support the Government of India’s renewable energy goals and emphasized the significance of their collaboration. Shri Rajesh Kumar Dwivedi, Director (Finance), BHEL also attended the meeting and shared his insights during the discussion.

Emphasizing the importance of the collaboration, CMD, IREDA said, “The synergy between IREDA and BHEL will significantly contribute to India’s renewable energy ambitions. Together, we aim to enhance the pace of project execution and provide robust financing solutions to support Govt. of India in achieving the 500 GW target by 2030. This partnership is a step towards securing a sustainable energy future for India, in line with the nation’s Viksit Bharat vision for 2047.”

Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to overcoming challenges in the renewable energy sector and contributing to a cleaner and greener India.

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With the use of Microsoft Copilot for Security generative AI-powered security solution, enterprises can leverage Microsoft’s large-scale data and threat intelligence security graph with PwC’s secure system rebuilding and broader incident management capabilities. In addition, faster eviction of threat actors can be achieved with Microsoft Incident Response swiftly identifying and evicting bad actors, while PwC India focuses on rebuilding mission-critical systems securely.

Commenting on the collaboration, Terence Gomes, Partner, PwC India said, “We are moving toward a future where AI and machine learning will become integral in optimizing security operations. Not only can we significantly reduce the incident response time but can also rapidly process large volumes of data to provide key insights to strengthen the enterprise’s overall security posture. With this collaboration, we will empower our clients to predict, prevent, and respond to security threats with confidence.”

Anand Jethalia, Country Head, Security, Microsoft India, said, “With the increasing speed, scale, and sophistication of cyberattacks, organizations face an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape. Our collaboration with PwC will enable customers to stay resilient by leveraging Microsoft’s tech and AI innovations and empowers enterprises to tackle threats at the speed and scale of AI.” 

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, increasing in volume, intensity, and complexity. PwC India assists clients in managing the entire incident lifecycle, including exporting, crisis management, and recovery strategy. PwC India’s collaboration with Microsoft India provides clients access to threat intelligence to solve complex problems arising from breaches. Clients will also be able to leverage PwC’s global presence enabling teams to mobilise quickly, whether remotely or on-site.

Vivek Belgavi, Partner and Leader – Alliances and Ecosystems, PwC India said, “As per PwC India’s CEO Survey, cyber risk was identified as one of the top three key threats in the next 12 months by Indian CEOs. We believe that AI-based tools like Copilot can help reduce a disadvantage for cyber teams overwhelmed by the sheer number and complexity of human-led cyber attacks, both of which are on the rise. With this collaboration, PwC India can help our clients improve security posture management, incident response, and security reporting.”

PwC India can support in-house threat intelligence capabilities by building new data feeds, collecting, analyzing, and distributing timely details on potential attacks, and providing global visibility on the threat landscape. With Microsoft Copilot for Security, PwC India can help clients better understand their risk profile, make informed decisions, and mitigate new threats.

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MUMBAI: Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, recently announced its collaboration with the Water Resources Department, Maharashtra to sensitize officials on modernizing water and wastewater (WWW) management using the latest digital technologies. This partnership is a continuation of Schneider Electric’s support to the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s efforts to accelerate the technology adoption for sustainable water management in India.

India, a country grappling with a staggering ~40% water loss due to leaks, is confronting significant strain on its water table, posing a threat to its economic advancement. In response to this pressing challenge, Schneider Electric has made its mission to confront the complexities of water management and address the urgent need for fostering sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in the water sector.

With this strategic partnership with the Government of Maharashtra, Schneider Electric has reaffirmed its commitment to championing responsible water management. As part of this collaboration, the company aims to drive awareness among stakeholders, encouraging the adoption of innovative digital technologies to elevate efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in water management processes.

Schneider Electric’s end-to-end IoT platform, EcoStruxure, offers real-time data, analytics, and professional services to increase water consumption efficiency, decrease leaks, and optimize water distribution. EcoStruxure also offers advanced diagnostics and seamless IT/OT integration to future-proof operations.

The event was attended by key dignitaries including Sanjay Khandare, IAS, Principal Secretary, Water Supply & Sanitation Department, Government of Maharashtra, Sanjay Belsare, Secretary, Project Coordination, Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra and Aman Mittal, IAS, Deputy Secretary, Water Supply & Sanitation Department, Government of Maharashtra. These dignitaries gathered to discuss the pressing need to embrace digital technologies in the facilitation of a more sustainable water network.

“Integrating digital solutions into water management practices can lead to more efficient, resilient, and sustainable use of water as well as energy resources, thereby addressing the growing challenges posed by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change”, said Sanjay Belsare, IAS, Secretary- CAD, Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra.

Emphasizing the significance of digital solutions for effective water management during a keynote address Aman Mittal, IAS, Deputy Secretary, Water Supply & Sanitation Department, Government of Maharashtra suggests a creation of mass awareness about the true potential of digital technologies, that is critical to address issues related to water resources. Digital solutions encompass various technologies such as data analytics, IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, remote monitoring systems, and predictive modeling algorithms. AI and machine learning algorithms can analyze water-related data to improve water distribution, predict droughts or floods, and make better water management decisions. Drone images and remote sensing could help map traditional water bodies, assess their health, and identify replenishment or restoration needs. Also, Chatbots and solutions built around them could serve as virtual water conservation aides, offering personalized advice and raising awareness about the judicious use of water and resources.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Arvind Kakru, Vice President – Industrial Automation, Greater India at Schneider Electric, said, “At Schneider Electric, we strongly believe that India’s journey toward water conservation and innovation is crucial for realizing its developmental aspirations. The significance of water in our progress cannot be overstated, and the impact of leakage on our water resources and energy usage cannot be ignored. Water conservation directly translates to energy conservation and secures our future. Through our collaboration with the Water Resources Department, Maharashtra, Schneider Electric is committed to engaging stakeholders in breaking the cycle of waste and establishing a circular system for efficient energy and water management. Together, we are dedicated to maximizing the value of every drop, driving innovation to combat energy and water wastage, and paving the way for a more sustainable future.“

Schneider Electric has also collaborated with the Ministry of Jal Shakti to prepare a skill development program that empowers eco-warriors to become proficient in using next-gen technology. The curriculum focuses on technologies in water governance, efficient operations, management of water and wastewater treatment plants, sustainable water management, technology for water conservation, and efficient desalination processes using digital technologies.

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INDIA:  BenQ India, a leading innovator of display solutions, has announced the launch of its next-generation interactive flat panel (IFP), the BenQ Board RE04 Series. This cutting-edge IFP is officially certified under the Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement (EDLA), making it one of the first fully integrated boards with Google Mobile Services (GMS) in India. The RE04 series is set to revolutionize collaborative spaces in education and corporate environments with its advanced features and Google integration.

Available in 65″, 75″, and 86″ models, the Google-certified BenQ Board RE04 series combines advanced touch technology with 4K UHD resolution, creating an immersive and interactive experience. The EDLA certification brings the power of Google’s suite of applications and APIs to corporations and educational institutions. With GMS support, the new BenQ IFPs seamlessly integrate Google services such as Google Drive, Maps, Meet, and YouTube. Google Workspace apps such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides can now be installed and utilized directly from Google Play. Emphasizing the company’s commitment to local manufacturing, two models of the RE04 series, the RE04, and RE04N, are being manufactured in India, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and contributing to the country’s technological self-reliance.

“The Google EDLA Certified BenQ Board RE04 Series represents BenQ’s commitment to innovation in the education and corporate sectors,” says Rajeev Singh, Managing Director at BenQ India and South Asia. “By integrating Google Mobile Services into our interactive flat panels, we’re not just launching a product; we’re providing a tool that will enhance learning experiences and foster creativity in classrooms and boardrooms across India. Furthermore, with two models of the RE04 series being manufactured in India, we’re proud to contribute to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, combining global technology with local production. This integration not only enhances collaboration but also ensures a seamless and secure digital environment for work and education while supporting our country’s technological self-reliance.“

Moreover, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, BenQ India is proud to announce a partnership with the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). BenQ will provide multiple newly launched Google EDLA Certified BenQ Board RE04 Series IFPs and projectors to HIAL’s new campus, aiming to bridge the digital divide and provide cutting-edge educational tools to students in the Himalayan region.

Sonam Wangchuk, Founding Director of HIAL, expressed his enthusiasm, “BenQ’s contribution of these advanced interactive flat panels will significantly enhance our ability to provide quality education in Ladakh. This technology will open new avenues for our students, allowing them to connect with global resources and ideas.“

Gitanjali JB, Founder & CEO of HIAL, added, “The integration of Google EDLA Certified BenQ Board RE04 Series into our curriculum aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering learners. These interactive flat panels will create an immersive learning environment, fostering creativity and critical thinking among our students.”

The Google EDLA BenQ Board RE04 Series comes equipped with powerful tools like EZWrite 6, an innovative whiteboarding software, and InstaShare 2, a wireless screen-sharing solution. EZWrite 6 enables corporates and educators to conduct engaging sessions and utilize specialized tools, while InstaShare 2 allows for seamless screen sharing and collaboration.

BenQ simplifies user and device management with the BenQ Account Management System (AMS) and the BenQ Device Management Solution (DMS), ensuring efficient remote control of BenQ Board settings. In addition to their collaboration features, the new BenQ Boards also offer health-focused features, such as a germ-resistant screen coating and flicker-free technology for eye care.

The Google EDLA Certified BenQ Board RE04 Series will be available from August 2024 with licensed BenQ distributors.

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TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN: At the 3^rd Tashkent Investment Forum, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and JSC Ziraat Bank Uzbekistan, formalized an expression of intent to partner to collaborate in empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and fostering economic growth in Uzbekistan.

Through this partnership, ICD will provide JSC Ziraat Bank Uzbekistan with a Line of Financing (LoF) facility, to fund private sector projects as an agent of ICD. This initiative is poised to significantly boost the SME landscape in Uzbekistan by equipping entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to initiate and grow projects that meaningfully contribute to the national economy.

Ziraat Bank Uzbekistan, now a strategic partner for ICD, stands out as a prominent commercial bank with foreign capital. The new LoF facility not only marks the commencement of collaboration between the two entities but also underscores ICD’s dedication to advancing the private sector within its member countries, further solidifying its role in spurring economic development across the Islamic world.

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Led by Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, the meetings explored a broad spectrum of collaboration opportunities. Discussions focused on capacity building, legal and regulatory framework development, product structuring, and support for financial inclusion, sustainable finance, and economic development.

Additionally, innovative ideas were explored for technology adoption – including solutions for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), building smart economic cities, fostering climate and green finance action, and driving human capital development. Notably, the discussions addressed the growth and development of the social finance and non-profit sectors.

Bilateral partners included member country delegations led by IsDB Governors, senior representatives from Ministries, Central Banks, UN Agencies, International Organizations, Multilateral Development Organizations, and other Financial Institutions.

The meetings yielded concrete action plans for 2024 and beyond. These plans leverage the unique strengths of each partner organization. Key areas for collaboration include promoting skills development, strengthening the legal and regulatory ecosystem, developing social safety nets, mainstreaming Islamic finance within the global financial architecture, and accelerating the achievement of SDGs. Several discussions highlighted the potential of innovative solutions involving artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other digital technologies.

The 2024 IsDB Annual Meetings concluded with a positive outlook for the IsDB Institute. The bilateral meetings enabled in-depth discussions with stakeholders and plans for Islamic economics and finance to play a vital role in supporting the sustainable development of the IsDB member countries and Muslim communities worldwide.

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The Capital Markets Authority is responsible for regulating capital market activities in the State of Kuwait and aims to create a vibrant Islamic capital market based on fairness, competitiveness, and transparency. It also works for developing the financial markets, diversifying and developing investment tools, striving to comply with international best practices, educating the public about securities activity and the benefits, risks, and obligations associated with investing in securities, and encouraging its development.

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, seeks to be a beacon of knowledge for the IsDB Group, and a pioneer in developing innovative, knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable development of member countries and Muslim communities worldwide, guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance.

The IsDB Institute and the CMA Kuwait wish to expand areas of cooperation, strengthen coordination, and exchange experience in relevant areas of mutual interest. Both parties realize that coordination and cooperation will increase the effectiveness of activities and efforts, aimed at developing Islamic financial institutions and supporting socio-economic development.

The strategic plan of the Capital Markets Authority includes the initiative to develop the Islamic capital market in Kuwait, which aligns with the IsDBI’s mandate to lead the development of innovative, knowledge-based Islamic finance solutions to support sustainable development for IsDB Member Countries and Muslim communities worldwide.

Accordingly, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate and coordinate technical cooperation between the two parties in areas of common interest. In particular, the collaboration involves conducting the necessary studies to analyze the current status of the Islamic financial industry, benchmarking with the best international practices, and formulating a road map for the development of a vibrant Islamic capital market in the State of Kuwait, as well as benefiting from the capacity building programs provided by the IsDBI.

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Oussama Kaissi, the Secretary-General of AMAN UNION, emphasized the vital role of the Union in fostering economic stability and growth through collaborative efforts. “Our meeting today not only addresses the crucial aspects of our existing programs but also sets the stage for welcoming new members into our Union. This expansion is a testament to our collective commitment to enhancing economic resilience and prosperity across the region,”

Adding to this, His Excellency Eng Saad Alkhalb, CEO of Saudi EXIM Bank, expressed his delight: “We are glad to host this significant meeting and commend the Union Executive Council for their exemplary efforts. We eagerly welcome the invaluable contributions from all member ECAs as we discuss avenues to enhance cooperation and drive the development of the Export Credit Insurance Industry at our region. This meeting is an important step for the local, regional & int’l connectivity of trade & transport networks among member countries. Saudi EXIM Bank is keen to put forward the integration agenda with all ECAs in the region and beyond”.

The meeting delved into several key areas, including the progress of the Union’s initiatives in training and development, performance enhancement, and the strategic operations of its specialized committees. These discussions underscore the Union’s proactive approach to addressing the dynamic needs of its membership and the broader economic landscape.

Further, the Executive Council laid out comprehensive plans for the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Union, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024. This event is expected to bring together top leaders and decision-makers to chart the future course of economic cooperation in the region. Mr. Abdullah Alsabeeh, Director-General of Dhaman, Chairman of the AMAN Union Executive Council indicated that this meeting addressed several topics of high importance for the members of Aman Union. The meeting discussed Academic and professional training courses for the junior and middle management staff of our member ECAs, the upgrading of the Aman Union Database as well as a plan for the establishment of a dedicated Secretariat General for the Union” said Mr. Alsabeeh.

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