Latest news with #OrientalHotel
Business Standard
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Oriental Hotels PAT rises 8% YoY in Q4 FY25
Oriental Hotel reported a consolidated net profit advanced 8.3% to Rs 17.87 crore on a 23.31% jump in net sales to Rs 132.53 crore in Q4 FY25 over Q4 FY24. Profit before tax grew 26.11% to Rs 26.47 crore in the fourth quarter of 2025 as against Rs 20.99 crore posted in the year-ago period. Total expenses increased 19.04% to Rs 107.15 crore in Q4 FY25, compared with Rs 90.01 crore in Q4 FY24. The cost of materials consumed was Rs 13.04 crore (up 20.52% YoY), employee benefits expense stood at Rs 26.09 crore (up 18.7% YoY), and finance cost stood at Rs 4.25 crore (up 37.1% YoY) during the period under review. On a full-year basis, the company's net profit declined 15.64% to Rs 42.24 crore on an 11.84% rise in revenue to Rs 439.70 crore in FY24 over FY23. Oriental Hotels is in the business of owning, operating, & managing hotels and resorts. Shares of Oriental Hotels slipped 2.05% to currently trade at Rs 150.75 on the BSE.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Palestinians could do worse than setting up home in Somaliland
I've always had a soft spot for Somaliland. While visits to Somalia, just next door, entailed armed escorts and bullet-proof vests – hence I never went – to get to Somaliland you basically sauntered by foot over its border with Ethiopia, where I was freelancing, and hopped on a minibus which in less than three hours of driving through the desert dropped you off in the feisty capital, Hargeisa, where I'd stay at the wonderful pink-walled Oriental Hotel. I haven't thought much about the country since I left the Horn of Africa, but now they are talking about it as one of the options, along with neighbouring Puntland – an autonomous region in northeastern Somalia – for rehousing Palestinians from the wasteland of Gaza. I'm not convinced any of us should be considering or telling Palestinians where they 'can go'. But at the same time, one can't deny that the images of Gaza are pretty astonishing. What it takes to achieve that level of destruction is hard to comprehend, and I worked with a lot of bomb-dropping jets and Multi-Launch Rocket Systems in Iraq and Afghanistan. Palestinians clearly need somewhere to live. Perhaps some of the more centrist ones check out the Daily Telegraph. So this is for them, regarding what Somaliland is like as a potential get-out-of-jail/Armageddon card. One of the reasons I enjoyed going there is that the people are very friendly, especially after the recalcitrance and obstructionism of trying to report in Ethiopia. Somalilanders – like all Somalis –can't stop talking. They're upbeat, loud and gregarious. And exceptionally welcoming to a stranger. This was partly due to the fact that the international community still hasn't recognised it as a country, despite its breaking away from Somalia more than 30 years ago, and so it exits in a strange limbo state, unable to access global financing and all the rest of the international community's infrastructure. So the Somalilanders like the fact when someone comes to visit, thereby giving a degree of recognition to their self-declared sovereign state that no one else is willing to do officially. Hence the surprising proposal for absorbing Palestinians – reportedly in exchange for recognition of the country's sovereign status from Israel. The warm welcome I encountered also had something to do with them looking favourably on the British as colonisers, who, unlike the Italians in Somalia, didn't leave the place a basket case. But whether the locals would welcome a load of Palestinians is another matter – that said, Somalianders know all about having their homes and towns reduced to rubble, as happened during the civil war when the jets of Somalia's late dictator Mohamed Siad Barre pulverised Hargeisa. So its current inhabitants, having rebuilt their city and lives with little international assistance – due to that lack of recognition – might well be sympathetic to the Palestinians' situation. There is an uncomfortable truth, though, underpinning my good times spent there. Like all Brits embracing exciting adventure in foreign lands, I knew I could leave – as I did. When I was there, other than carrying out my journalism, I spent much of my time at the tea stalls drinking deliciously sweet brews – it's a booze-free country – and other times chewing the leaves of khat, famed for its nice low-level narcotic buzz; there wasn't much else for a visitor to do. Something a long-term transplant is going to have to confront. Islamist extremism has been gaining a foothold in East Africa for some time – one day as I walked through Hargeisa, a guy in Muslim frock mimed gunning me with an AK; I don't think it was meant humorously. This is a tough part of the world, and basically off the grid as far as most Western countries are concerned. So, that said, perhaps having a load of Palestinians – the current cause célèbre – in Somaliland might get people to finally pay more attention to the country, with the mutual benefits helping keep good relations between the locals and newcomers. Hargeisa clearly has advantages to a bombed-out Gaza. Perhaps it could work as temporary residence until Gaza is 'restored'. While Donald Trump's remarkable suggestions about turning Gaza into a 'Riviera of the Middle East' might seem typically Trumpian and outlandish, based on my time in Iraq, I get where he is coming from to a degree. My first tour in Iraq was spent in the city of Al Amarah. It was out in the sticks, marooned from the country's main urban focal points. The ungenerous visitor might easily take one look at Al Amarah under the midday sun and describe it as an unbearably remote dump. But during my first night at CIMIC House, the small civil-military outpost in the centre of the city (and where Rory Stewart initially held sway over the surrounding Maysan province), as I sat outside in my combats at a white plastic table, eating what the army chefs had rustled up and gazing over the Tigris River that ran by one side of the compound, I saw otherwise (this was before everything 'kicked off' and we took the country to hell and back again). While my fellow officers discussed forthcoming operations, guard routines and the manning of tanks, as the lowering red orb of the sun hovered over the wide shimmering expanse of the Tigris, I imagined the glow of bare shoulders and elegant dresses and the pouring of wine and clinking of glasses. 'This would be the perfect spot for a restaurant,' I mused, 'were there not a war going on.' I wasn't alone in succumbing to Iraq's hidden charms. Agatha Christie visited Iraq before its independence from Britain in 1932 and lived for a time in the city of Nimrud. Christie felt similarly about what she encountered as I did. 'What a beautiful spot it was,' she wrote. 'The Tigris was just a mile away, and on the great mound of the Acropolis, big stone Assyrian heads poked out of the soil…It was a spectacular stretch of country–peaceful, romantic and impregnated with the past.' Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza – they all have such special qualities and potential. And yet they've all been taken down a terribly bloody path. Credit, then, to Somaliland for what it's achieved and the peace it's maintained. Perhaps not that bad a place to end up, then, at least for the time being. James Jeffrey is a writer, assistant online editor for the Catholic Herald and a Camino guide who splits his time between the US, UK and further afield Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Palestinians could do worse than setting up home in Somaliland
I've always had a soft spot for Somaliland. While visits to Somalia, just next door, entailed armed escorts and bullet-proof vests – hence I never went – to get to Somaliland you basically sauntered by foot over its border with Ethiopia, where I was freelancing, and hopped on a minibus which in less than three hours of driving through the desert dropped you off in the feisty capital, Hargeisa, where I'd stay at the wonderful pink-walled Oriental Hotel. I haven't thought much about the country since I left the Horn of Africa, but now they are talking about it as one of the options, along with neighbouring Puntland – an autonomous region in northeastern Somalia – for rehousing Palestinians from the wasteland of Gaza. I'm not convinced any of us should be considering or telling Palestinians where they 'can go'. But at the same time, one can't deny that the images of Gaza are pretty astonishing. What it takes to achieve that level of destruction is hard to comprehend, and I worked with a lot of bomb-dropping jets and Multi-Launch Rocket Systems in Iraq and Afghanistan. Palestinians clearly need somewhere to live. Perhaps some of the more centrist ones check out the Daily Telegraph. So this is for them, regarding what Somaliland is like as a potential get-out-of-jail/Armageddon card. One of the reasons I enjoyed going there is that the people are very friendly, especially after the recalcitrance and obstructionism of trying to report in Ethiopia. Somalilanders – like all Somalis –can't stop talking. They're upbeat, loud and gregarious. And exceptionally welcoming to a stranger. This was partly due to the fact that the international community still hasn't recognised it as a country, despite its breaking away from Somalia more than 30 years ago, and so it exits in a strange limbo state, unable to access global financing and all the rest of the international community's infrastructure. So the Somalilanders like the fact when someone comes to visit, thereby giving a degree of recognition to their self-declared sovereign state that no one else is willing to do officially. Hence the surprising proposal for absorbing Palestinians – reportedly in exchange for recognition of the country's sovereign status from Israel. The warm welcome I encountered also had something to do with them looking favourably on the British as colonisers, who, unlike the Italians in Somalia, didn't leave the place a basket case. But whether the locals would welcome a load of Palestinians is another matter – that said, Somalianders know all about having their homes and towns reduced to rubble, as happened during the civil war when the jets of Somalia's late dictator Mohamed Siad Barre pulverised Hargeisa. So its current inhabitants, having rebuilt their city and lives with little international assistance – due to that lack of recognition – might well be sympathetic to the Palestinians' situation. There is an uncomfortable truth, though, underpinning my good times spent there. Like all Brits embracing exciting adventure in foreign lands, I knew I could leave – as I did. When I was there, other than carrying out my journalism, I spent much of my time at the tea stalls drinking deliciously sweet brews – it's a booze-free country – and other times chewing the leaves of khat, famed for its nice low-level narcotic buzz; there wasn't much else for a visitor to do. Something a long-term transplant is going to have to confront. Islamist extremism has been gaining a foothold in East Africa for some time – one day as I walked through Hargeisa, a guy in Muslim frock mimed gunning me with an AK; I don't think it was meant humorously. This is a tough part of the world, and basically off the grid as far as most Western countries are concerned. So, that said, perhaps having a load of Palestinians – the current cause célèbre – in Somaliland might get people to finally pay more attention to the country, with the mutual benefits helping keep good relations between the locals and newcomers. Hargeisa clearly has advantages to a bombed-out Gaza. Perhaps it could work as temporary residence until Gaza is 'restored'. While Donald Trump's remarkable suggestions about turning Gaza into a 'Riviera of the Middle East' might seem typically Trumpian and outlandish, based on my time in Iraq, I get where he is coming from to a degree. My first tour in Iraq was spent in the city of Al Amarah. It was out in the sticks, marooned from the country's main urban focal points. The ungenerous visitor might easily take one look at Al Amarah under the midday sun and describe it as an unbearably remote dump. But during my first night at CIMIC House, the small civil-military outpost in the centre of the city (and where Rory Stewart initially held sway over the surrounding Maysan province), as I sat outside in my combats at a white plastic table, eating what the army chefs had rustled up and gazing over the Tigris River that ran by one side of the compound, I saw otherwise (this was before everything 'kicked off' and we took the country to hell and back again). While my fellow officers discussed forthcoming operations, guard routines and the manning of tanks, as the lowering red orb of the sun hovered over the wide shimmering expanse of the Tigris, I imagined the glow of bare shoulders and elegant dresses and the pouring of wine and clinking of glasses. 'This would be the perfect spot for a restaurant,' I mused, 'were there not a war going on.' I wasn't alone in succumbing to Iraq's hidden charms. Agatha Christie visited Iraq before its independence from Britain in 1932 and lived for a time in the city of Nimrud. Christie felt similarly about what she encountered as I did. 'What a beautiful spot it was,' she wrote. 'The Tigris was just a mile away, and on the great mound of the Acropolis, big stone Assyrian heads poked out of the soil…It was a spectacular stretch of country–peaceful, romantic and impregnated with the past.' Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza – they all have such special qualities and potential. And yet they've all been taken down a terribly bloody path. Credit, then, to Somaliland for what it's achieved and the peace it's maintained. Perhaps not that bad a place to end up, then, at least for the time being. James Jeffrey is a writer, assistant online editor for the Catholic Herald and a Camino guide who splits his time between the US, UK and further afield Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Zawya
27-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
RegTech Africa Conference Expands Advisory Council to Drive Greater Impact at Global, Continental, and National Levels
In a strategic move to amplify its influence and effectiveness, the Organizing Committee of the RegTech Africa ( Conference has announced the expansion of its Advisory Council into three dynamic tiers: Global, Continental, and National. This development aligns with the conference's commitment to fostering transformative dialogue and partnerships that will redefine Africa's economic future through collaboration and innovation. The expanded Advisory Council brings together an exceptional roster of experts and thought leaders from across the globe, representing diverse sectors and regions. These distinguished individuals will provide strategic guidance and thought leadership to ensure the success of the 2025 RegTech Africa Conference and Awards, scheduled to take place on May 22-23, 2025, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. Themed ' Unlocking Africa's Cross-Border Payments, Trade, and Investment Opportunities through Public-Private Partnerships,' the conference is poised to address critical issues and forge actionable solutions for Africa's economic integration and growth. Expanded Advisory Council Composition The expanded Advisory Council brings together a distinguished group of thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers who will guide the conference in delivering tangible impact. Global Council: Representing the international perspective, these leaders will provide strategic oversight and global insights: Bob Trojan – Global expert in regulatory innovation. Diane Maurice – Specialist in global financial systems. Mustapha Zaouini – Visionary in financial technology and cross-border trade. Continental Council: Comprising key voices from across Africa, these members will ensure the conference addresses Africa-centric challenges and opportunities: Abeneazer Wondwossen Lakew – Advocate for Africa's digital financial transformation. Chuma Qwalela – Expert in trade facilitation and economic policy. Osioke Ojior – Thought leader in RegTech and digital innovation. Arnold Karanja – Specialist in regulatory compliance and trade infrastructure. Portia Ndlovu – Champion of financial inclusion and investment. Kofo Dougan – Innovator in cross-border payments and fintech solutions. Nolwazi Hlophe – Leader in policy harmonization and economic integration. National Council: Grounded in local expertise, these members will focus on Nigeria's role as a gateway to Africa's economic potential: Muazu Umaru – Advocate for regulatory modernization and financial ecosystems. Umar Yakubu – Expert in compliance and anti-corruption frameworks. Joyce Akpata – Leader in public-private sector collaboration. Dr. Eno Udoma-Eniang – Innovator in economic development strategies. A New Chapter for the RegTech Africa Conference The expansion of the Advisory Council underscores the conference's unwavering commitment to advancing Africa's economic integration through innovation and collaboration. The tripartite structure ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing global trends, continental challenges, and national priorities. Speaking on this milestone, Cyril Okoroigwe, Organizing Committee Chairman, said: 'The expansion of our Advisory Council marks a pivotal step in the evolution of the RegTech Africa Conference. By harnessing the expertise of leaders at the global, continental, and national levels, we are better positioned to foster impactful dialogue, shape policy, and drive actionable outcomes that will unlock Africa's immense potential.' Join the Conversation The 2025 RegTech Africa Conference and Awards is set to be a transformative gathering of global leaders, innovators, and stakeholders. With its expanded Advisory Council at the helm, the conference will serve as a platform for advancing cross-border payments, harmonizing trade policies, and attracting investment opportunities through Public-Private Partnerships. To learn more about the conference, visit Call for Partnerships and Sponsorships Organizations, governments, and investors are invited to collaborate and participate in this landmark event. As a partner or sponsor, you can: Gain global visibility. Demonstrate leadership in Africa's economic transformation. Forge strategic relationships with influential decision-makers. 'By partnering with the 2025 RegTech Africa Conference, you become an integral part of Africa's journey toward economic integration and prosperity,' said Olusanmi Graham Lawal, Director, Partnership. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RegTech Africa. For more details on sponsorship and partnership opportunities, contact: info@ About RegTech Africa Conference: The RegTech Africa Conference is a leading platform dedicated to fostering innovation in regulatory technology across the continent. With a focus on collaboration and impact, the conference drives initiatives that accelerate Africa's economic growth and financial inclusion.
