Bengaluru, India Apr 21: Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM), announced Digital Convergence Technologies (DCT), a system integration and digital transformation company that simplifies complex IT challenges through its “converge and deliver” philosophy, has joined the Akamai Partner Connect Program. DCT enables mid-market and enterprise clients to leverage a specialized refactoring practice for migrating workloads to Akamai, providing a streamlined, cost-effective path to cloud modernization that was previously fragmented across multiple vendors.

DCT’s key services and offerings include system and cloud engineering, architecture modernization, and large-scale refactoring of legacy environments; dedicated practices for transitioning and modernizing cloud architectures on distributed platforms; and managed services that enable scalable, high-performance, and cost-efficient cloud operations across industries.

“Our focus is on modernizing legacy architectures and simplifying complex cloud environments to deliver scalable, high-performance systems. By partnering with Akamai, we are enabling enterprises to move away from closed, black-box solutions and bring control back into their own hands — creating flexible, cost-efficient architectures that are built to scale,” said Vineet Dhawan, CEO, Digital Convergence Technologies (DCT).

This collaboration is designed to support customers across the media, healthcare, and fintech verticals through digital modernization, cost optimization, and specialized managed services. It specifically addresses the needs of mid-market media clients seeking a plug-and-play streaming platform and enterprises requiring HIPAA, ISO 27001, and HITRUST accredited solutions.

“By combining Akamai’s globally distributed infrastructure and developer-friendly cloud with DCT’s specialized refactoring practices and managed services, we are empowering customers to modernize and transform their legacy environments into scalable, cost-efficient cloud architectures,” said Dave Allen, Vice President of Geo Sales and Partner Sales at Akamai. “DCT’s expertise in refactoring and architecture modernization aligns strongly with Akamai’s mission to deliver high-performance, developer-friendly cloud solutions.”

Akamai Partner Connect is a unified global program that supports resale, distribution, technical solution enablement, services, and referrals. The program includes enhanced incentives aligned with strategic offerings, region-specific tiering, and streamlined access to tools and support. To learn more, visit akamai.com/channel-partners. To learn more about Digital Convergence Technologies, visit the DCT website.

To hear more about how Akamai and DCT are working together to modernize cloud architectures beyond traditional “lift and shift” approaches, listen to the podcast.

Bengaluru, Apr 21(BNP): The Standard, a leading provider of insurance, retirement and investment products in the United States, opened its new global capability centre today in Embassy Tech Village in Bengaluru. This marks the next phase of the company’s growth journey in India following the launch of The Standard India operations in November 2025. The facility inaugurated by Shri Priyank Kharge, minister for Electronics, IT and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka supports the continued expansion of capabilities across AI engineering, cloud platform development, data and analytics, digital transformation and insurance operations aligned with the company’s global strategy.

The inauguration marks the opening of The Standard India’s permanent Bengaluru office facility, with plans for long-term expansion of capabilities in software engineering, total experience, AI and enterprise platforms as the company continues strengthening in-house technology expertise aligned with its long-term transformation roadmap.

“Our operations in India play an increasingly important role in our technology transformation,” said Greg Chandler, executive vice president of Information Technology at The Standard. “The launch of The Standard India strengthens our ability to fuel ongoing growth, innovate, scale technology capabilities, accelerate digital transformation and offer new solutions to our customers faster. This centre represents a long-term investment in world-class talent and reflects our confidence in India as a strategic partner in shaping the future of our business.”

Since establishing its presence in India in November 2025, The Standard continues to strengthen its local leadership team across finance, human resources, talent acquisition, information technology, administration and communications.

“The Standard India is an integrated capability hub that supports engineering, data, AI and insurance operations,” said Mohua Sengupta, senior vice president and country head at The Standard India. “Our structure combines enterprise scale with startup agility, giving employees both stability and the opportunity to build greenfield capabilities while working closely with our global teams. As we continue expanding leadership roles and high-impact technology functions in India, the centre will have an important role in advancing The Standard’s long-term growth, innovation and transformation priorities.”

Strategic capability mandate

The Standard India will significantly contribute to advancing companywide priorities. It will also support the transition of select technology work from vendor-led delivery to in-house engineering teams strengthening agility, operational efficiency and long-term innovation capabilities.

India continues to be a strategic destination for global capability centres that support financial services innovation, offering deep expertise across engineering, digital platforms and enterprise technology transformation. Bengaluru’s mature innovation ecosystem, strong academic institutions and global technology workforce make it a natural location for The Standard’s inaugural centre.

 

GENEVA – 21 April 2026 — Phu Quoc International Airport is set to become a next-generation, fully self-service aviation hub ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2027 Forum. Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates, has partnered with SITA to lead this transformation. To support Vietnam’s rapidly growing air travel demand, the parties have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for broader collaboration across Sun Group’s future airport developments in Vietnam.

Phu Quoc International Airport is projected to handle 24 million passengers annually once the new Terminal 2 opens, with long-term capacity designed to scale to 50 million. The development comes at a pivotal moment and will place Phu Quoc in the global spotlight as a rising destination in the Asia Pacific region.

Under the Phu Quoc project, SITA will deploy an end-to-end suite of airport technologies across the new terminal, delivering a fully self-service passenger experience. Travelers will be able to check in, select seats, print boarding passes and bag tags, drop their luggage, and board their flights through automated touchpoints.

The new terminal will feature SITA Flex Hybrid, supporting 204 common-use workstations for passenger processing. To secure operational resilience, SITA Local Departure Control System (DCS) will be deployed as a backup.

Passengers will use 150 SITA Smart Path kiosks for check-in, seat selection, boarding pass printing, and tagging check-in bags, 100 SITA Smart Path Bag Drop (Scan & Go) units for selfservice baggage drop, and 38 dual-lane SITA Smart Path Gates for automated boarding. All systems are seamlessly coordinated through the SITA Smart Path Hub biometric technology.

Real-time baggage tracking and reconciliation will be delivered through SITA Bag Manager Lite, supporting four baggage workstations and 20 handheld terminals. Airport operations will be powered by SITA Airport Operational Database (AODB), while passenger information will be managed by SITA AirportVision Evolved, covering 397 displays. Overall airport operations will be overseen by SITA Airport Management, supporting ten operational workstations.

The project, which began development in March 2026, is scheduled to open in July 2027.

“We are pleased to partner with SITA on this strategic collaboration to support the transformation of our airport portfolio. As we continue to invest in world-class aviation infrastructure, SITA’s proven expertise and end-to-end technology capabilities will play a key role in helping us deliver smarter, more efficient, and seamless passenger experiences,” said Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, President, Sun Group. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of elevating Vietnam’s aviation sector, and we look forward to working closely with SITA to bring innovative, future-ready solutions to Phu Quoc and our upcoming airport developments.”

The partnership extends beyond a single terminal. Sun Group has designated SITA as a key strategic technology partner for its broader airport transformation initiative in Vietnam. The operating model established at Phu Quoc will serve as a template for future developments, including Phan Thiet Airport and planned projects in Con Dao and Rach Gia. Over the next five years, Sun Group aims to expand its airport footprint to at least five locations across Vietnam, with each targeting the 5-Star Skytrax standard.

“Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the region, and this partnership with Sun Group marks a key milestone in supporting that growth with future-ready infrastructure. By bringing together SITA’s end-to-end airport technologies, we are delivering smarter, more efficient, and scalable airport operations,” added Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “As Phu Quoc evolves into a key aviation hub ahead of APEC 2027, we are proud to support Sun Group’s vision of delivering world-class passenger experiences while strengthening connectivity across Vietnam.”

Phu Quoc International Airport will be operated in partnership with Singapore’s Changi Airports International, bringing internationally recognized standards to what is fast becoming a major leisure destination. The airport upgrade forms part of a broader effort to integrate aviation with Sun Group’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem on the island, which includes luxury resorts, entertainment destinations, and Sun Phu Quoc Airways, launched in November 2025.

SITA and Sun Group have worked together since 2019, when SITA first delivered airport technology solutions at Van Don Airport. This new agreement deepens that relationship and reflects a shared commitment to advancing air travel infrastructure in Vietnam.

New Delhi, April 21(BNP): BLS International, a leading global AI-and tech-enabled services partner for governments and citizens, entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India and Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (IACCIA) to expand commercial attestation and related services through its network of 17 centres across India. This collaboration will make documentation processes faster, more accessible, and highly efficient for Indian businesses engaged in trade with the 22 Arab League countries. The MoU was formalised in the presence of Dr. Waiel S. H. Awwad, Secretary General (In-charge) of IACCIA, and Mrs. Charu Khosla, Chief Operating Officer – Strategic Markets, Governments and Institutions, BLS International.

The India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (IACCIA) has recently achieved a significant milestone with formal recognition from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Government of India. This authorization empowers IACCIA to issue Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin and facilitate attestation of commercial documents, streamlining trade processes between India and the Arab world. This development is expected to play a transformative role in boosting bilateral trade.

Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International, said,

“This collaboration marks another milestone in BLS International’s journey to facilitate global connectivity through trusted attestation and consular services. By joining hands with the India and Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (IACCIA), we are strengthening trade between India and the Arab world and enabling greater cooperation and innovation across markets. Our focus remains on delivering seamless, secure, and scalable attestation services that support individuals and enterprises alike.”

Dr. Waiel S. H. Awwad, Secretary General (In-charge) of IACCIA, added,

“This DGFT recognition is a major institutional milestone that reinforces IACCIA’s role as a trusted bridge for commercial exchanges between India and the Arab world. Combined with our partnership with BLS International, we will now be able to expand service reach significantly and provide seamless support to businesses on both sides. This will further strengthen connectivity and open new avenues for trade and investment.”

Headquartered in New Delhi, IACCIA serves as a premier institutional platform dedicated to fostering long-term trade, investment, and business collaboration between India and the 22 Arab League countries. Officially supported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and recognized by the League of Arab States, IACCIA actively promotes business delegations, B2B and B2G engagements, policy dialogue, and sector-specific initiatives with a strong emphasis on agriculture, global food security, and sustainable partnerships.

Apr 21 (BNP): Apple has announced that Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus will become CEO effective September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook. Cook, who has led the company since 2011, will take on the role of Executive Chairman.

The board unanimously approved the planned transition as part of a long-term succession strategy. Arthur Levinson will become Lead Independent Director, and Ternus will join Apple’s board upon becoming CEO.

Ternus, who has led Apple’s hardware engineering since 2021, is expected to guide the company’s next phase of growth in hardware, services, and artificial intelligence. Apple said the move ensures leadership continuity and stability for the future.

Apr 21: New research* from Carne Group (Carne), Europe’s largest third-party management company (ManCo), reveals that both wealth managers and private markets fund managers expect assets under management (AUM) held in semi-liquid vehicles to exceed $3 trillion by 2030.  The semi-liquid market has already demonstrated explosive momentum, with AUM nearly tripling between 2020 and 2024 to approximately $349 billion**.

 Nearly eight out of 10 (78%) private market fund managers surveyed expect the sector to surpass $3 trillion by 2030. Wealth managers are equally bullish: 54% expect AUM to reach between $3 trillion and $3.5 trillion, while 18% believe the figure will climb even higher.

 Semi-liquid funds operate as open-ended investment vehicles, providing sophisticated and mass-affluent retail investors with access to typically illiquid assets like private equity, with periodic redemption windows.

 Wealth managers and IFAs increase their focus on the semi-liquid wrapper

Carne’s research reveals 72% of wealth managers surveyed already use semi-liquid funds for their clients. The remaining 28% are preparing to follow suit almost immediately – 75% of those not currently offering these funds expect to start within the next 12 months, and the remaining 25% within the next two years.

 The speed of adoption is reflected in the anticipated weightings within client portfolios. Nearly a third (32%) of wealth managers surveyed expect to have 5% of their clients’ total investible assets in semi-liquid funds within three to four years. This conviction strengthens over a slightly longer horizon, with 66% expecting to hit that 5% allocation within four to five years.

 Commenting on the growing focus wealth managers are placing on semi-liquid funds, Des Fullam

Chief Regulatory and Client Solutions Officer, Carne Group, said: “The democratisation of private markets must be met with a rigorous commitment to retail investor education. For this ‘retailisation’ trend to be sustainable, investors must fully grasp the mechanics of periodic redemptions and the long-term nature of the underlying assets. Empowering wealth managers with the right educational tools is as critical as the digital infrastructure itself in ensuring that mass-affluent investors can build truly diversified, resilient portfolios.”

 The manager pipeline: A Massive Supply Shift

While the demand from wealth managers is clear, the supply side is also moving quickly. Currently, only 2% of the private market fund managers surveyed have launched a semi-liquid fund. However, the survey reveals a massive potential pipeline of new entrants:

• 19% of private market fund managers surveyed are considering launching a semi-liquid fund within the next 12 months
• 42% plan to launch within 12 to 18 months
• 29% are targeting a launch within 18 to 24 months

In total, over 90% of the managers surveyed intend to have a semi-liquid offering in market within the next two years, signalling a fierce competitive landscape as firms vie for retail market share.

 Des Fullam added: “We are seeing a historic pivot in how private capital is raised and deployed. Wealth managers are no longer viewing private markets as an optional ‘extra’ but as a core component of a modern, diversified portfolio. For fund managers, this represents a golden opportunity to tap into a massive, relatively untapped pool of retail capital.

 “However, the operational complexity of managing semi-liquid vehicles – balancing daily or monthly subscriptions with illiquid underlying assets – requires a level of digital sophistication and governance that many firms are only now beginning to implement.

 “As the industry moves toward the potential 2030 $3 trillion milestone, the distinction between “institutional” and “retail” investment strategies is blurring. The next decade of growth in private markets will not be driven solely by pension funds and other institutional investors, but also by the democratisation of access via the semi-liquid wrapper.”

 Regulatory tailwinds: The ELTIF and LTAF Boom

The expansion of the market is being underpinned by significant regulatory progress in Europe and the UK. The European Long-Term Investment Fund (ELTIF) 2.0 and the UK’s Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF) have become the primary vehicles for this “retailisation” wave.

 Private market managers are overwhelmingly optimistic about these structures:

• LTAFs: 84% of managers surveyed expect flows into LTAFs to increase over the next 12 months, with 44% predicting a “dramatic” increase
• ELTIFs: 77% expect flows into ELTIFs to rise over the same period, with 34% anticipating dramatic growth

New Delhi, Apr 21 (BNP): Fitch Ratings has said that higher foreign ownership in Indian financial institutions can be credit-positive, as it may bring long-term capital support and help improve governance standards in certain cases.

However, the global rating agency cautioned that foreign investment alone is not a reliable indicator of stronger credit fundamentals. It noted that the quality of investment matters more than ownership levels when assessing financial stability.

Fitch said transactions that lead to stronger internal controls, better risk management practices, and improved leadership accountability are more meaningful from a credit perspective than investments driven purely by financial returns.

The agency also observed that rising foreign investor interest reflects growing confidence in India’s long-term economic growth prospects, as well as the strength of financial sector regulation and supervisory frameworks.

Overall, Fitch said foreign participation can support the sector, but its credit impact ultimately depends on how effectively it contributes to institutional resilience and governance improvements.

Bhubaneswar, April 21(BNP): OPPO India today announced the launch of its latest F33 Series in India, introducing the F33 Pro 5G and F33 5G smartphones. Designed to deliver durability, advanced imaging, and next-generation performance, the new lineup brings premium features to the mid-range segment.

 The F33 Series stands out with a 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera featuring a 100° field of view, enabling wider group captures and enhanced clarity. It also features a 6.57-inch flat AMOLED display with a 120Hz smart adaptive refresh rate, up to 1400 nits peak brightness, and a 93.5% screen-to-body ratio, offering an immersive visual experience.

Built for durability, the series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 water resistance certifications, along with AGC DT-Star D+ screen protection and ultra-thin bezels. The smartphones are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 Max (6nm) processor, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and performance.

The devices are equipped with a 7000mAh battery supported by 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, capable of charging from 0 to 100% in just 69 minutes. Additional features include 10W reverse wired charging and bypass charging technology.

Commenting on the launch, Goldie Patnaik said:

“The F Series has built a strong reputation as a durability champion, designed for real-life usage. With the F33 Series, we have raised the bar by introducing a segment-leading 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera and a suite of AI imaging features. Our goal is to ensure that users do not have to compromise between durability and advanced photography.”

AI-Powered Experience

Running on ColorOS 16, the F33 Series introduces flagship-grade AI capabilities to the mid-range segment. Key features include:

• AI Recompose
• AI Perfect Shot
• AI Livephoto 2.0
• AI Best Face
• AI Unblur
• AI Studio
• AI Reflection Remover
• AI Eraser

Design and Availability

The F33 Pro 5G will be available in Misty Forest, Fashion Red, and Starry Blue, while the F33 5G comes in Pearl White and Forest Green.

• F33 Pro 5G: Available from April 23, 2026
• F33 5G: Available from April 29, 2026

Both models will be sold through offline retail stores, the OPPO e-store, Flipkart, and Amazon. Customers can also avail bank offers and exchange bonuses during pre-booking and initial sales.

Enhanced Durability

The F33 Series is engineered with a 360° Armour Body, multi-layer airbag cushioning, and meets MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification, ensuring superior protection and long-term reliability. It also features a 72-month fluency protection system, promising sustained performance over time.