Latest news with #NeerajGupta
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Future-Proofing Innovation: The Big Tech Bets Dubai Is Making Today
Dubai is fast emerging as more than just a financial hub, it is becoming a launchpad for technology-led businesses seeking scale, structure, and global reach. Enabled by streamlined incorporation, regulatory access, and a multicultural consumer base, the emirate is positioning itself as a magnet for founders and platforms aiming to build regionally relevant, globally scalable operations. For Policybazaar, one of India's largest digital insurance platforms, Dubai represents both a strategic extension and a testing ground. Neeraj Gupta, CEO of Policybazaar UAE, shares how the city's innovation-first posture, backed by fast-moving policy, institutional support, and a high-trust digital environment, is creating fertile ground for InsurTech evolution. 'You cannot leave Dubai out of the equation,' says Mr. Mr. Gupta. 'It's at the forefront of doing a lot of stuff almost a magnet where a lot of new innovations are happening. And if you look at the Asian subcontinent, typically, a lot of founders are moving to that part of the world' Policybazaar's entry into the UAE is grounded in its experience building scale in India. Mr. Gupta and his team are now adapting India's Insuretech playbook to a new regulatory and consumer environment, one that he believes is moving quickly in the right direction. At a foundational level, Dubai is designed to remove friction from entrepreneurship. 'If you want to set up a company today… probably you can set up a company in 48-72 hours,' Mr. Gupta notes. That simplicity extends beyond registration. 'From a founder's perspective, you don't want to have a headache of support functions,' he adds, pointing to the clarity of tax and compliance structures in the UAE. He sees Dubai's administrative and regulatory institutions as responsive. 'The regulations are a lot more clear, transparent and the government bodies are a lot more interactive,' he says. 'If I want to go and meet somebody in the government department because I need some clarity, there are enough government officers who will help me.' This sense of institutional access is a recurring theme. Mr. Gupta also cites Dubai's proactive policy agenda, particularly the Dubai Vision 2033 and Open Insurance frameworks — as forward-looking moves that help companies like his experiment and grow. 'The regulatory framework is helping enabling a lot of companies to come in, set up shop, experiment, and move ahead.' Mr. Gupta sees Dubai's diverse, globally connected population as an asset for product development. 'You also have an audience, which is a global audience,' he says. 'You want to reach out to multiple people from a different cultural, different geographical perspective. And that is where Dubai is the centre of it.' This consumer base is not just diverse, it's digital as well. 'Dubai would have one of the highest penetration when it comes to using social media apps and everything,' he observes. 'So the consumers are already transacting digitally.' While financial products still require strong trust signals, Mr. Gupta says Dubai has the institutional credibility to bridge the gap. 'If you have a license from the Dubai government, the trust is very different. People believe that the government has done its due diligence.' For Policybazaar, Dubai is an extension of their Indian operations, with seamless exchanges between the two markets. 'Whatever we've done at Policybazaar in India… we're trying to adapt those to the UAE market from Dubai,' Mr. Gupta explains. The company is localizing digital tools and automation solutions that proved effective in India's high-volume environment. The regulatory alignment between the two countries helps. 'Because it's very close knit with India from a government perspective, people perspective, a lot of innovation of India is now translating to the UAE,' Mr. Gupta says. Dubai's consumer market, while smaller in volume, offers higher ticket sizes. That, combined with its role as a connector to the broader MENA region and Africa, gives companies the ability to test and scale quickly. 'You can start a business there, probably pilot a business. And once you achieve a scale, you can take it to the masses, to the West, to Africa, Dubai helps you to do that'. Dubai's appeal goes beyond economics. Mr. Gupta notes that the city offers a compelling case for relocating families - an often overlooked factor for startup leaders. 'The family is at ease, I don't have to really worry about if my kid is going and playing in the park,' he says. 'From a founder's perspective… that peace of mind lets you focus purely on work.' This lifestyle infrastructure complements Dubai's strong physical connectivity. 'It's almost like taking your passport and going to the (Dubai) airport probably you will be able to catch a flight within the next two, three hours to any destination in the world.' Dubai's direction is being shaped by ongoing investments in digital infrastructure and a growing focus on AI and automation. Mr. Gupta sees strong alignment between public policy and private ambition. 'Public-private partnership is being taken to the next wave,' he says. 'They continuously work with companies and listen to us which is typically never the case (with governments).' At Policybazaar UAE, the company is piloting AI across consumer-facing workflows, from verification calls to claim support. 'Almost about 80% has moved through AI,' Mr. Gupta says, describing how the firm is replacing manual processes with intelligent chat and voice bots. 'You will not be able to distinguish - is it a human voice or it's a machine I'm speaking to.' As more Indian entrepreneurs explore cross-border expansion, Dubai is emerging as one of the choices - offering scale, structure, and speed. The insights in this article were drawn from a recent video interview with Mr. Neeraj Gupta, CEO - Policybazaar UAE, where he shared his perspectives on Dubai's emergence as a technology-led ecosystem for financial services. Watch the full discussion here: To the Reader: This article is a promotional feature and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Mint. Mint does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or views (s) expressed herein. Mint shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also concerning the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s), etc., stated/featured in the same. The article does not constitute financial advice.
News18
09-07-2025
- News18
2 Friends Turn Rented Flat Into Drug Lab, Make Rs 15 Crore In 2 Months
Last Updated: NCB's Neeraj Gupta said the setup was highly organised and both accused used their scientific knowledge to manufacture dangerous synthetic drugs like mephedrone In a sensational bust, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has uncovered an illegal drug manufacturing racket being run from a flat in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar. Shockingly, the two accused—now under arrest—are schoolteachers by profession. One is a 35-year-old chemistry teacher at a private school, while the other, aged 25, teaches science at a government school. The duo rented the flat for Rs 10,000 per month in Dream Homes Apartments in Riddi Siddhi Enclave two months ago and transformed it into a secret lab for drug production. On the morning of July 8, the NCB team raided the flat and seized approximately 780 grams of mephedrone (MD) drugs. In addition, several chemicals used in drug manufacturing were recovered, including acetone, benzene, sodium hydrogen carbonate, bromine, methylamine, isopropyl alcohol, 4-methyl propiophenone, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The police also confiscated lab equipment utilised for drug production. Mephedrone, commonly known as MD, is a synthetic stimulant drug that belongs to the cathinone family and has been gaining popularity among the youth. The rising demand for the drug motivated them to enter the illegal business. They locked themselves in the flat all day after their school hours to prepare the drugs and started supplying them locally. The raid has left the local community in shock. Residents had no inkling that their neighbours were involved in such activities. The arrest has left people stunned, including those living next to the flat, who reported that the individuals were not very communicative. view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 14:31 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
NCB busts ‘Ketamelon' darknet drug syndicate, 2 held in raids
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted India's most-prolific drugs syndicate being operated on darknet under the name of 'Ketamelon', and arrested two accused, including a Kochi resident who was running the network on dark web, officials said on Tuesday. Officials said they have recovered 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine contraband, and digital assets worth around ₹ 70 lakh. (HT PHOTO) Though the agency did not divulge the identity of the two accused citing ongoing raids across different states, officials said they have recovered 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 grams of ketamine contraband, and digital assets worth around ₹ 70 lakh. Ketamelon, according to NCB officials, was the country's only Level-4 darknet vendor—a top-tier status in India—operating actively over the past two years on the darknet. 'The name derives from the vendor's (arrested accused) early involvement in Ketamine smuggling. Drugs were primarily sourced from a UK-based vendor Gunga Din, a known reshipper of the globally infamous Dr Seuss (also known as DS or Tribe Seuss), believed to be the largest LSD source in the world,' Neeraj Gupta, deputy director general of NCB, said. The LSD blots (a small piece of absorbent paper impregnated with lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD) seized by NCB sleuths bore the imprint Gunga Din and Rudyard Kipling. Gunga Din is a famous 1890 poem by Kipling. In recent years, NCB officials have observed that each consignment of LSD — a psychedelic drug — bears the imprint (name or symbol) of the main supplier. In the present case, Gupta said that once the orders were received on darknet, the LSD blots were sent to buyers through couriers. Probe so far has revealed that the accused had sold the LSD blots to buyers in Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Patna, Delhi, as well as regions in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 'Over the last 14 months, 600 shipments were delivered. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹ 35.12 lakh, with LSD blots priced at ₹ 2,500- ₹ 4,000 each,' the officer added. The federal agency said that following a specific intelligence, its officials from the Cochin zone on June 28 intercepted three postal parcels in Kochi, carrying 280 LSD blots. The probe revealed the identity of the Ketamelon darknet operator, whose house was raided the following day, during which NCB officials found 847 more LSD blots and 131.66 grams of Ketamine, the agency added. LSD — also commonly known as acid, blots, and stamps — is a potent hallucinogenic drug, without any colour, taste or smell. It is painted or dipped into stamps and licked or swallowed by users. In 2023, NCB busted the then biggest darknet-based LSD cartel named 'Zambada', and seized 29,013 blots, 472 grams of MDMA and ₹ 51.38 lakh in cash and arrested 14 people in different operations.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
KDA staffers protest against suspension of two clerks
Kanpur: Employees of Kanpur Development Authority on Tuesday supported two suspended clerks in bribery case. They raised slogans and boycotted their work. Agitating employees stated that OSD was blamed but action was taken against the clerks; it was unfair and they would boycott work until the two clerks were reinstated. The matter was related to a registry. One Neeraj Gupta, a resident of Barra-2, had purchased a house from KDA and he was trying to get the house registered in his name and for that he had been running from pillar to post in KDA for the past year. He alleged that OSD of Zone – 3 was asking Rs 30,000 as bribe for executing the registry. Neeraj, during the janta darshan, presented a cheque of Rs 30,000 issued in the name of OSD along with a complaint before the district magistrate and urged to pass it to OSD. DM Jitendra Pratap Singh, taking cognisance in the matter, contacted vice chairman KDA Madan Garbyal and asked him to take action against OSD. KDA administration protected OSD and suspended two clerks, Vikas Bharti and Atul, in this matter. When the employees came to know of the suspension, they started an agitation and claimed that the complaint was specifically against OSD, then why clerks were suspended. Vice chairman, KDA, Madan Garabyal stated show cause notice had been served to OSD and clerks. He said that after their explanations he would take action against the guilty person. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Khaleej Times
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
What is the best method of buying a car in the UAE?
For many UAE residents, it's hard to get by without a car. Whether you opt for a new one or a pre-owned vehicle, you need to figure out the best way to pay for it. From a bank loan to a finance package from the dealer, it's worth weighing up your options. You also have the choice of buying a car versus leasing, but I will save that for another article. Bank loans Let's start with a bank loan. This is often most people's first option – to approach their existing bank and ask for a loan to buy the car. 'Banks are often the most competitive financing option, particularly if the buyer has a strong credit profile (reputable employer, lengthy employment period, good income, limited liabilities and no history of defaults). Though it does take a scan to find the most attractive bank for the particular buyer,' said Imad Hammad, Founder and CEO of CarSwitch. Other finance experts agree. But is it trickier when you are buying a second-hand car? 'In the UAE, car financing is predominantly driven by bank loans, particularly for second-hand vehicles, which constitute a rapidly expanding segment of the market,' said Neeraj Gupta, CEO at Policybazaar UAE. 'The growing second-hand car ecosystem has triggered a parallel rise in used car financing, with banks adapting to serve this segment more effectively.' And how do Islamic financing options differ from conventional car loans when buying a vehicle in the UAE? From a consumer standpoint, Islamic and conventional financing are quite similar in terms of the customer journey. The key distinction lies in the requirement of Takaful (Islamic insurance) instead of conventional insurance. In Takaful, participants pool their contributions to mutually protect each other against loss or damage, based on ethical principles that align with Shariah. So the difference is largely structural rather than experiential. Credit cards An interesting recent trend is paying for the car with a credit card, especially those with interest-free periods, as an alternative to traditional financing. 'Sometimes it's used in conjunction with financing to cover the initial downpayment, other times it's to purchase directly from an end user who wants a cash deal (usually cheaper than buying from a dealership) especially for lower value cars,' explained Hammad. This supports a more cost-conscious trend as buyers gravitate towards used cars, sold from private individuals for the best deal, and leverage credit cards to manage the payments. Dealerships Dealership financing and leasing are available and continue to gain traction, especially for new vehicles. However, consumers generally gravitate towards banks due to the competitive interest rates, structured tenures, and broader financing options they provide, according to finance experts. They warn buyers to look out for dealership financing offers that advertise zero per cent interest or no down payment. 'Financing deals that advertise zero per cent interest often include hidden costs, either in the form of inflated car prices or bundled insurance add-ons,' said Gupta. 'So, while the sticker offer may look cheaper, the total cost of ownership might be higher. Transparency in pricing and reading the fine print are essential to identifying the most economical choice.' If you already own a car, one option may be to trade it in with the dealership, or sell it yourself privately on the numerous car-selling portals like Dubizzle, Carbuyingpeople and SellyAnyCar. Ask the dealer first what trade-in price they will offer and then compare it with what you'd get from a car-selling platform. Credit scores In the UAE, credit scores and employment status play a central role in car loan approvals and the applicable interest rate. A strong credit history with a consistent repayment track record can significantly increase approval chances and unlock preferential interest rates. Financial institutions rely heavily on the Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB) reports, and a poor score can either lead to higher rates or rejection. You can now get your credit score instantly on your phone by using the DubaiNow app, thanks to a partnership with the ECB. The cheapest option? The cheapest financing option depends on multiple factors - primarily your credit score, down payment capacity, and vehicle choice (new versus used). In many cases, a bank loan with a solid credit profile and a sizeable upfront down payment tends to be the most cost-effective route. 'For buyers with excellent credit history, some banks even offer promotional low-rate loans that are more affordable than dealership offers, especially when factoring in the actual vehicle value and long-term costs,' added Gupta. And don't forget to compare insurance plans online before making a decision. Online platforms offer the ability to evaluate policies from multiple insurers, customise coverage based on individual needs, and avoid inflated premiums or unnecessary add-ons. This level of transparency and flexibility is typically not always available when purchasing insurance through dealerships.
