Latest news with #RiddhimaJain
Business Upturn
a day ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Air India to operate non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila
Air India will launch non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila starting 01 October 2025, becoming the only airline offering direct connectivity between India and the Philippines. The service will operate five times a week using Air India's Airbus A321neo aircraft. By Riddhima Jain Published on June 4, 2025, 14:51 IST In a major expansion of its international network, Air India has announced the launch of non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila, beginning 01 October 2025. This new route will make Air India the sole carrier to offer direct connectivity between India and the Philippines, strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating greater movement of tourists, business travellers, and cargo between the two nations. The airline will operate five flights a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays — using its Airbus A321neo aircraft. These aircraft feature a three-class configuration, offering passengers a choice of Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. The launch comes at a time of increasing outbound travel from India and follows the Philippines government's recent decision to offer visa-free entry for Indian tourists for up to 14 days. This move is expected to boost tourism from India to popular destinations in the Philippines, such as Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu. 'The introduction of our Delhi-Manila route is yet another step in our mission to connect India with more of the world, non-stop,' said Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India. 'As outbound travel from India grows at an unprecedented pace, this route provides an important gateway to Southeast Asia. We're pleased to offer travellers more convenience and to support the growing partnership between India and the Philippines.' Beyond tourism, the new route is also expected to facilitate increasing trade between the two countries. According to the Indian Embassy in Manila, bilateral trade reached USD 3.53 billion in 2023–24, nearly doubling since 2015–16. Additionally, Air India's flight timings are designed to offer seamless one-stop connections from major European cities via Delhi, making the service attractive to international travellers as well. Flight Schedule (Effective 01 October 2025): All times local. +1 indicates next-day arrival. SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND MANILA (Effective 01 October 2025) Flight # Sector Departure Arrival Days of Operations AI2362 Delhi-Manila 1320 Hrs 2240 Hrs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday AI2361 Manila-Delhi 2340 Hrs 0350 Hrs+1 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Air IndiaAir India AirlinesAviation
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Unlocking MSME Credit Growth in India Requires a Stronger Focus on Rural and Tier 2-3 Markets
Despite rising formal credit supply, India's MSME sector continues to battle a ₹30 lakh crore credit gap—most pronounced in rural and women-led enterprises. SIDBI's latest report highlights the urgent need for inclusive, localized financial solutions to unlock growth in India's tier 2, tier 3 cities and rural heartlands. By Riddhima Jain Published on June 2, 2025, 16:51 IST India's MSME sector continues to face a significant credit gap of ₹30 lakh crore, despite an overall increase in formal credit supply, as highlighted in SIDBI's latest report 'Understanding Indian MSME Sector: Progress and Challenges'. The rural-urban divide is particularly stark. MSMEs in rural regions face a credit gap of 32%, compared to 20% in urban areas. This shortfall is rooted in factors such as sparse lender presence, limited industrial infrastructure, and information asymmetry. Meanwhile, women-led MSMEs face an even steeper 35% gap, often turning to informal sources due to barriers in accessing structured financial support. Despite this, MSMEs are showing digital readiness: 90% now accept digital payments, although only 18% have accessed digital lending platforms pointing to a latent but significant opportunity for growth in digital credit. There's a pressing need to refocus the lens on Bharat — the tier 2, tier 3 cities and rural heartlands that form the roots of India's economic tree. These regions are no longer just untapped markets; they are drivers of inclusive growth waiting to be empowered. 'While the expansive branches are our urban centers, the roots: India's tier 2, tier 3 cities, and rural belts hold untapped potential. As businesses invest in these regions, they don't just cultivate markets; they cultivate hope, opportunity, and resilience,' said Pankaj Gupta, Chief Business Officer, Godrej Capital. By nurturing these hidden economic engines with tailored credit solutions and strong on-ground partnerships, the industry can shift from addressing gaps to unlocking enduring growth. As the ecosystem evolves, bridging the MSME credit gap will depend on how effectively financial institutions, fintechs, and policymakers collaborate to design solutions that are not just accessible, but truly inclusive. The next phase of India's growth story will be written in its smallest towns and remotest corners — provided the financial roots grow deep and wide. BusinessesMake in IndiaMSME
Business Upturn
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Vi Business Partners with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to Deliver Future-Ready Network Solutions
Vi Business has teamed up with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to deliver fully managed, AI-powered networking solutions tailored for Indian enterprises, aiming to boost digital transformation across sectors. By Riddhima Jain Published on May 29, 2025, 15:24 IST Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Vodafone Idea, has entered into a strategic managed services agreement with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to deliver advanced networking solutions for businesses across India. The partnership will leverage HPE Aruba Networking technology to offer fully managed wireless LAN, switching, and security solutions. The collaboration aims to enhance enterprise networking across diverse environments, including campuses, manufacturing units, corporate headquarters, and regional offices. The solutions will be supported by Vi's Network Operations Center (NOC), ensuring round-the-clock monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and in-life support through defined service-level agreements (SLAs). The agreement also includes co-developing data center solutions to meet the growing demand for compute and storage infrastructure among private enterprises and government organisations. 'We are excited to sign this strategic partnership with HPE. This collaboration enhances Vi Business's ICT offerings and integrates our telecom expertise with cutting-edge enterprise solutions,' said Arvind Nevatia, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Vodafone Idea. Phil Mottram, Executive Vice President and General Manager of HPE Aruba Networking, said the collaboration marks a significant leap for enterprise innovation in India. 'We will deliver agile, resilient, and future-ready solutions that empower businesses to scale confidently,' he said. This partnership underlines both companies' commitment to supporting India's digital transformation journey by providing secure, scalable, and intelligent networking infrastructure. artificial intelligence (AI)Telecom NewsViVodafone Idea News
