Category business

London, UK – 17 March 2023: Moldcell, the leading mobile network operator in Moldova, announced its entry to the financial services market with a first-of-its-kind digital wallet, “moldcell money”. With this launch, Moldcell has become the first telecom operator in Moldova to provide digital financial services that bring a new level of convenience and security to its customers.

This service is now available through the moldcell money app and offers subscribers of any mobile network in the country to easily transfer money and pay for services directly from their mobile wallet. This new service is a significant step towards financial inclusion and creating a cash-lite economy.

The financial service is supported by Comviva, the global leader in digital financial solutions. Comviva has deployed its flagship mobiquity® Pay platform that provides several innovative capabilities. Users can make payments with their mobile numbers, without the need for bank cards or cash, and can transfer money to any mobile phone number or pay for services directly from the mobile app. The service also provides the ability to transfer money using an SMS code or through any Moldcell Center store, ensuring the safety of personal data and instant payment.

Commenting on the partnership, Olga Pavlic, Mobile Financial Services, and Business Innovation Director at Moldcell said: “Our solution mold cell money is the first fintech service on the telecommunications market in Moldova, the purpose of which is to offer subscribers of all communication networks a wide range of financial services. The solution consists of three main components: the “moldcell money” mobile application, which offers various services such as payments, bills, loans, government payments, gaming payments, money transfers to loved ones and bonuses; financial services available in direct Moldcell stores throughout the country, which makes transfers and payments convenient, simple and accessible; possibility to make payments with Moldcell number exclusively for Moldcell subscribers, offering an additional advantage of comfort and simplicity.”

“Comviva has been the industry leader in the payment space and our work on this market first project in the region shall set the stage for many more exciting developments in the payments space in the region. We are thrilled to partner with Moldcell in their digitization initiative that will offer a modern, digital first and secure way to manage payments,” said, Srinivas Nidugondi, Chief Transformation Officer, Digital Financial Solutions at Comviva.

Comviva’s obliquity Pay is one of the leading digital payment platforms across the globe. It is a cloud-native, payment platform that caters to all digital money, wallet, and payment requirements. mobiquity Pay is a feature-rich, robust, scalable, and flexible platform that serves consumers, service providers, and their partners. It facilitates digital payments for all customer segments and allows them to use multiple payment instruments like bank accounts, credit cards, prepaid accounts & stored value accounts (SVA).

MUMBAI [March 17]: IIFL Group, which is one of India’s largest financial services conglomerates, aims to create the Guinness Book of World Records with the IIFL Jito Ahimsa Run to be held on April 2, 2023, across 23 countries and 65 cities in India. This is the largest such run for the cause of peace and non-violence. The run is organized by the lady’s wing of Jito (Jain International Trade Organization) and IIFL besides Jito volunteers and supporters across the world.

One can register for IIFL Jito Ahimsa Run at https://ahimsarun.com/ to become a part of the run. The registration link opens on March 17, 2023, and one can choose the city and country they want to run in. The IIFL Jito Ahimsa Run aims at creating awareness for a better world to stop wars, and hatred and bring peace and nonviolence in our surroundings.

‘Ahimsa’ means forgiveness, positivity, cosmic love, strength, and brotherhood. Ahimsa is Shakti and in today’s trying and turbulent times, we all need to come together and show our Shakti (strength). And what better day one can choose for IIFL Jito Ahimsa Run than just before Mahavir Jayanti, when we pay respect to Lord Mahavir – Lord of Forgiveness? This is run for all communities, genders, and age groups. The idea of the run is collective strength and inclusion.

The run has been endorsed by many public personalities across India and aims to initiate the younger generation towards peace and nonviolence at an early age to create a future generation where war and violence will become a thing of the past.

The idea of the IIFL Jito Ahimsa Run resonates with IIFL Group’s philosophy – Fairness, Integrity, and Transparency – and ‘Seedi Baat’ or straight talk. IIFL Group is a pioneer of financial inclusion in India by providing loans to over 8 million unbanked and underbanked customers and aims to fulfill the dreams of small entrepreneurs across India. IIFL Foundation works towards girl child education, health, poverty alleviation, and livelihood on a large scale and has brought over 36,000 out-of-school girls

IIFL Group, founded by Mr. Nirmal Jain has become one of the most successful financial conglomerates in India in just over two decades with distinctly listed businesses – IIFL Finance, IIFL Wealth (360 One), IIFL Securities, and 5paisa.com – each in leadership positions in the segments they operate. The group also has two subsidiaries IIFL Home Loan, and IIFL Samasta Finance, one of the largest affordable housing finance and microfinance businesses respectively.

[Mumbai, March 17, 2023] – Morisons Baby Dreams is a leading brand in the baby care and mommy-needs category. They have partnered with By Design, a 360-degree strategic and communications agency to address issues of maternal mental health. The video series features renowned celebrity psychologist, Dr. Aditi Govitriker, who supports mothers dealing with mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum.

The video series was launched around World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2022, on Morisons Baby Dreams’ social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The videos cover topics such as mental health during pregnancy, postpartum depression, and anxiety.

“We understand that mothers go through a lot of physical and emotional changes during and after pregnancy. We want to support these mothers, and we believe that this video series with Dr. Aditi Govitriker will help address the issue of maternal mental health,” said Mr. Nitin Manchanda, Vice President – Sales & Marketing.

Rahul Gupta, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of By Design (formerly IBD), said “At By Design, we are dedicated to partnering with brands to create impactful campaigns that resonate with their audience. We are proud to associate with Morisons Baby Dreams on their video series addressing maternal mental health, as it aligns with our shared commitment to improving the well-being of mothers and their children. Through this partnership, we hope to continue driving meaningful conversations and raising awareness about the importance of maternal mental health.”

By Design played a significant role in the successful execution of the video series, leveraging its expertise in digital marketing to ensure maximum reach and engagement across social media channels.

The video series has been well-received by the brand’s audience, with each video garnering a significant reach and engagement on social media. The videos have been adapted into short-format reels for Instagram and YouTube, making them easily accessible to a wider audience.

Morisons Baby Dreams and By Design are committed to providing the best for babies and their mothers. This video series is a step in that direction, and the brand aims to continue its efforts toward addressing maternal and child health issues.

Bengaluru, March 17th, 2023: BI WORLDWIDE India, a global leader in loyalty and engagement solutions, announced a partnership today with GoSports Foundation on their flagship programme, ‘GoSports Long-term Athlete Development Programme’ (GLTADP) for three years. The programme aims at grooming and supporting the next generation of elite Indian athletes by providing them access to a high-performance support structure from the formative stage of their careers.

Launched in 2017, GLTADP was conceptualised to create pathways to excellence for emerging and elite sports talent and to support long-term athlete development in a holistic manner. Selected athletes are provided with an annual scholarship, high-performance stints, access to sports science expertise, support in procuring the requisite apparel, equipment, and gear, and travel and accommodation compensation during competitions.

Since its inception, the programme has helped create some truly remarkable milestones at the world’s grandest sporting stages. These include athletes’ participation in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, and clinching medals at the Asian Games 2018, Commonwealth Games 2018, and Youth Olympics 2018. Outcomes for the current cohort of athletes supported by the programme are anticipated at the Commonwealth Games 2026, Youth Olympics 2026, and Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

Speaking about the association, Siddharth Reddy, Managing Director, BI WORLDWIDE India, stated, “As a global leader in loyalty and engagement solutions, we take inspiration from the power of sports in building engaged, inclusive, and thriving communities. BI WORLDWIDE India, in partnership with GoSports Foundation, will work towards amplifying the reach and influence of sports across our nation. We are delighted to support the GoSports Long Term Athlete Development Programme [RS1] and make a mark in India’s journey towards becoming a sporting superpower.”

GoSports Foundation is a National Sports Award (Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar) winning not-for-profit trust established in 2008. It is working towards the development of some of India’s most talented, emerging, and elite athletes across a plethora of sporting disciplines. So far, the Foundation has supported 16 Olympians and 27 Paralympians, including 10 Paralympic medalists.

Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO, GoSports Foundation, stated, “We are delighted to welcome BI WORLDWIDE India as the ‘Programme Partner’ to the GoSports Long-Term Athlete Development Programme. BI WORLDWIDE’s commitment to come aboard as a Partner is of immense significance. Creating an Olympian is a process that takes a significant amount of time, effort, expertise, and resources. We thank the BI WORLDWIDE India team for taking this decision to support emerging and elite athletes in their quest to bring sporting glory to India. Support provided by donors through corporate CSR investment has been instrumental in helping us complement the efforts done by the central government and other stakeholders to uplift the Indian sports ecosystem.”

Gurugram: The key to a greener future is in our hands, and Enviro (Integrated Facility Management) is leading the way in its new waste segregation initiative aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices. The initiative aims to encourage people to separate waste at the source, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, and promote the recycling and reuse of valuable resources. The initiative involves the distribution of color-coded bins to households and commercial establishments in the city. The color-coded bins help residents and business owners to easily segregate their waste at the source. Once the waste is segregated, Enviro’s waste collection team collects the waste from each bin separately and transports it to the appropriate processing facility.

At Enviro, we believe in the importance of waste segregation. We encourage residents and clients to segregate their waste by conducting a series of educational and awareness campaigns to educate people on the importance of waste segregation and its benefits to the environment. The campaigns will focus on different aspects of waste management, such as composting, recycling, and reducing waste generation. That will reduce up to 250 tons of waste from entering landfills. This initiative has several benefits. Firstly, it reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal. Secondly, it promotes the recycling and reuse of waste materials, which helps to conserve natural resources. Finally, it creates employment opportunities for waste management workers who are involved in collecting and processing the segregated waste.

Enviro will establish recycling and composting facilities in different regions to collect and process segregated waste. The facilities will be equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient processing and maximum resource recovery. Enviro will collaborate with local governments and NGOs to promote waste segregation and sustainable waste management practices. The partnership will include joint initiatives such as waste collection drives, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs.

A K Singh, CEO, Enviro said, “Our waste segregation initiative is a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable future. Waste segregation at the source is a simple but powerful practice that can significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and promote the recycling and reuse of valuable resources. We believe that this initiative will not only benefit the environment but also create new job opportunities in the recycling and composting sectors. Enviro invites everyone to join hands in this noble cause and work towards a cleaner and greener future.”

Gurugram is a rapidly growing city with a population of over one million people. With this growth comes an increase in waste generation, which has put a strain on the city’s waste management infrastructure. Enviro’s waste segregation initiative is a step towards addressing this issue. The success of this initiative depends on the participation of residents and business owners in Gurugram. It is important for people to understand the importance of waste segregation and to actively participate in the initiative. Enviro has taken steps to raise awareness about the initiative through social media, community outreach programs, and educational campaigns.

At Enviro, we are committed to facility management that prioritizes waste segregation, recycling, and reuse. We believe that by working together and making small changes in our daily habits, we can create a greener, more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. So remember: don’t mix, segregate, and give it a try.

With these results, ZF has achieved its forecast adjusted in the fall. But from the company’s point of view, they are not sufficient to cope with an accelerated change in times of transformation. “Even though we made further progress with our strategy in 2022, we cannot be satisfied with this financial result,” said ZF CEO Dr. Holger Klein at the balance sheet presentation in Friedrichshafen on Thursday. Klein has headed ZF since January 1, 2023. “Our most important task is to focus ourselves and to push change and gain speed. We have launched a comprehensive performance program to accelerate processes, simplify decision making and maintain cost discipline.” The efficiency gained will enable ZF to make targeted investments in high-yield, future-oriented technologies.

Based on the “Next Generation Mobility” strategy, ZF is further developing its corporate structures to better adapt them to the requirements of customers and the market. ZF is therefore planning, among other things, to unite the two divisions for Car Chassis Technology and Active Safety Systems into a new division for chassis, steering and brake technology that is unique in the market. “The new division offers all the hardware, software, and electronics needed to control the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral dynamics of a vehicle. With a turnover of more than €14 billion, it should be a strong partner for our customers from the start,” explained Klein.

ZF is setting up some business areas independently so that they can grow faster and operate more successfully in the market. “We are looking for external investors as partners for attractive areas with very good growth potential and high investment requirements,” said Klein. These include the Passive Safety Systems Division, the conventional car axle business, and the business with autonomous shuttles.

The areas of aftermarket and electric drives, among others, have developed successfully. The ZF Aftermarket Division won over its customers with more digital solutions and services and increased its sales again (2022: up six percent to €3.2 billion). In e-mobility, the order backlog for electrified drives for passenger cars and commercial vehicles now amounts to more than €30 billion. This enables ZF to make the transition from classic transmissions to electric drive solutions.

Sales growth impacted by currency effects

In the 2022 financial year, ZF achieved group sales of €43.8 (2021: €38.3) billion, an increase of 14 percent compared to the previous year. Organic growth was 9.3 percent, with the remaining difference primarily due to currency effects. Adjusted EBIT was €2,038 (2021: €1,910) million, which corresponds to an adjusted EBIT margin of 4.7 (2021: 5.0) percent. Free cash flow adjusted for M&A activities was €544 (2021: €991) million. At the end of last year, net debt amounted to €10.4 (2021: €10.1) billion; the equity ratio rose from 18.6 percent at the end of 2021 to 22.1 percent.

“In terms of sales growth, we developed better than the global vehicle markets,” said CFO Michael Frick. “However, better profitability and higher cash flow are important prerequisites to remain strong in research and development and to reduce our financial debt. We are working intensively on both topics.” This includes, for example, reducing costs as well as efficient management of stocks to be prepared for both possible supply chain interruptions and varying parts requests from customers.

In the area of research and development (R&D), ZF has again increased its activities: Expenditure on research and development was at a record level of €3.4 (2021: €3.1) billion. The R&D ratio reached 7.8 (2021: 8.0) percent. Investments in property, plant and equipment amounted to €1.9 (2021: €1.6) billion, which corresponds to an investment ratio of 4.3 (2021: 4.2) percent.

Outlook for the 2023 financial year

Based on vehicle production, which has been shrinking since 2019, ZF is now expecting a fifth consecutive year of crisis in the wake of the pandemic and the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Against the backdrop of existing challenges and ongoing uncertainties surrounding world markets, in 2023 the company expects moderate growth in group sales to more than €45 billion. This sales growth is expected to lead to an adjusted EBIT margin of between 4.7 and 5.2 percent. Free cash flow is expected to be in the range of €1.0 billion to €1.5 billion.

“These difficult years have made ZF and the entire ZF team more resilient,” emphasized CEO Klein. “With commitment, perseverance and team spirit, our employees have made a decisive contribution to ZF’s progress. I thank them sincerely for this commitment.”

The company goal of sustainability: “Acting now” on several levels

ZF has anchored its sustainability efforts in the company under the motto “Acting now”. Klein: “’ Acting now’ underlines that we are acting today – for climate protection and a good future for a healthy planet.” As an incentive to achieve these goals, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria – namely diversity and sustainability – have been included in the remuneration system for top management.

This topic is also reflected in ZF products in many ways, as an example from the ZF wind power business unit. An international team of ZF engineers has significantly reduced the noise emissions of wind power gearboxes for new generations of large turbines with a rotor diameter of more than 140 meters. “Our team has succeeded in making wind turbines quieter, therefore making an important contribution to their social acceptance,” said Holger Klein. It is also a great commercial success for ZF: Not least because of this newly developed process, the company is the preferred development partner and supplier for leading manufacturers of wind turbines, especially in Germany and Europe.

The wind power business also benefits from the recently announced cooperation between ZF and the U.S. semiconductor manufacturer Wolfspeed. In its planned factory on the site of a disused coal-fired power plant in Ensdorf, Saarland, silicon carbide semiconductors that can make wind turbines more efficient will be produced. Semiconductors are mainly used in power electronic inverters in electric cars. They have key advantages over conventional silicon-based products: higher efficiency, greater power density, and improved reliability. “For us at ZF, the partnership with Wolfspeed is an important step towards a future in which cars will primarily be electric,” said CEO Klein. “Because we are convinced that chips are the new cog as we transform from mechanical to digital.”

Key figures at a glance

Are you an audiophile looking for the best smart headphones on the market? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top 6 smart headphones that offer high-quality sound, advanced features, and a comfortable fit.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 – These headphones are equipped with Sony’s industry-leading noise-cancellation technology and have been praised for their sound quality. They also have touch controls and voice assistant compatibility, making them a top choice for audiophiles.
2. PLAYGO BH47 – The PLAYGO BH47 is powered by a Qualcomm chipset and also features active noise cancellation for complete isolation. The BH47 comes with a speaker size of 40mm and comfortable ear cups which enable the users to wear them for longer durations. Striving to provide a refreshing audio experience, the BH47 has a battery life of 30 hours while needing 3 hours to charge completely. Connectivity-wise the BH47 supports Bluetooth v5.0 and consists of an AUX cable for wired outputs as well. BH47 also offers multi-point connection which allows users to pair up to two devices simultaneously.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 II – These headphones have an exceptional noise-cancelling ability and provide a comfortable fit for long periods of use. They also have voice assistant compatibility and Bose’s signature sound quality
4. .Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless – These headphones offer a sleek and modern design with noise-cancellation technology and touch controls. They also provide high-quality sound and customizable EQ settings.
5. Jabra Elite 85h – These headphones have a long battery life and impressive noise-cancellation technology. They also have a unique feature that adjusts the sound based on your surroundings, providing a personalized listening experience.
6. Apple AirPods Max – These headphones have a premium design and Apple’s signature ease of use. They offer high-quality sound and noise-cancellation technology and are compatible with Siri for hands-free control.
   Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, these smart headphones are sure to deliver an exceptional audio experience. Choose the one that fits your needs and enjoy a personalized and immersive listening experience.

Hyderabad, March 2023 – Novotel Hyderabad Airport, a leading luxury hotel located near the Hyderabad International Airport, recently hosted a successful wedding partner event. The event was aimed at showcasing the hotel’s impressive facilities and services to renowned wedding partners in the region.

The event witnessed the participation of leading wedding partners from across the region who were given a tour of the hotel’s sprawling event spaces, state-of-the-art amenities, and luxurious accommodations. The attendees were impressed with the hotel’s ability to host weddings of all sizes and styles, and appreciated the personalized services offered by the hotel’s experienced staff.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Sukhbir Singh, General Manager of Novotel Hyderabad Airport, said, “We are thrilled to have hosted such a successful event that brought together the leading names in the wedding industry. At Novotel Hyderabad Airport, we understand the importance of weddings and are committed to providing our guests with unforgettable experiences. We take great pride in our ability to create bespoke weddings that are tailored to our guests’ unique tastes and preferences.”

Novotel Hyderabad Airport’s luxurious facilities and services, coupled with its convenient location near the airport, make it an ideal choice for weddings of all sizes and styles. The hotel boasts of state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor event spaces spreading across 70,000 sq. ft. The hotel’s team is dedicated to ensuring that every detail of the wedding is executed flawlessly, leaving the guests free to enjoy their special day.

The success of the event has cemented Novotel Hyderabad Airport’s position as a preferred wedding destination in the region. The hotel looks forward to welcoming more couples and their families to create unforgettable memories at its luxurious property.

India, March 16, 2023: Equitas Small Finance Bank partners with India’s most beloved T20 team – Royal Challengers Bangalore aka RCB as their ‘Proud Banking Partner’ for the 2023 season of T20 League. This is to further add the Bank’s brand ethos of being “The Progressive Bank behind Progressive Champions” and aligns with RCB’s all-time motto of being the progressive players in the game.

The RCB team will don the Equitas Small Finance Bank logo on the lead trousers as part of the team’s jersey. This partnership campaign will be aimed to communicate that Equitas has been playing a progressive role in transforming the lives of individuals through their lending and social responsibilities of ‘Beyond Banking’.

Equitas customers in Bangalore primarily enjoy some of the key benefits like higher interest on savings and FDs/ RDs, contactless video KYC service, no maintenance charges on savings accounts, free online fund transfers, and so on. These offerings aim to motivate the savers’ segment and build stronger communities, physically across India in a seamless and agile manner.

Mr. Murali Vaidyanathan, Senior President and Country Head, of Equitas Small Finance Bank said, “Equitas Small Finance Bank is excited to partner with a team like Royal Challengers Bangalore, which has a huge fan-following across the world. RCB takes pride in its synergy with fans, and this is also aligned to the core values of Equitas of taking pride of performance and synergies. While the team is renowned to have the favorite faces of the cricket industry, the team is also known to have recorded the highest totals and viewership out of all teams across 15 seasons. Through this association, we are happy to show our support to this progressive team and fellow citizens who have faith in RCB as champions. The brand partnership promotes our campaign ‘Progressive Bank behind Progressive Champion’ through cricket – the mode of entertainment that nourishes our relationship with the customers with engagement. We are a new-age bank that goes beyond banking to understand the evolving needs of the customer through an ideal platform to build a sustainable society and a responsible tomorrow.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Menon, Vice President & Head of Royal Challengers Bangalore, said, “We are pleased to partner with Equitas, a leading financial player, with a history of investing in cricket. We look forward to executing a mutually beneficial partnership that lasts for a long -term.”

At present, Equitas has 10 branches across Bangalore serving over 1.7 lacs happy customers with the help of 170 employees, and looks forward to further strengthening the relationship with the RCB supporters in and around Bangalore.

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for our physical and mental health. Sleep allows our bodies and minds to recover and recharge from the day’s activities, and a lack of restful sleep can lead to a range of health problems like fatigue, mood swings, and a weakened immune system.

Sleep is a vital function that allows our bodies to repair and regenerate. During sleep, our bodies produce proteins that help repair cells and tissues, including those in our muscles, organs, and immune system. This restoration process is essential for maintaining good health and preventing disease.

Furthermore, sleep is crucial to our cognitive functioning and mental well-being. A lack of restful sleep can lead to cognitive impairment, including decreased attention, memory, and decision-making abilities. Additionally, poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

However, getting enough sleep isn’t just about the quantity of hours you spend in bed, but also the quality of sleep you get. One way to improve the quality of your sleep is by paying attention to your bedding. The right bed sheets, blankets, and accessories can enhance your beauty sleep, directly connecting you to your body and mind.

Rajiv Merchant Domestic Retail, Boutique Living, Indo Count Industries Limited says, “When it comes to enhancing our beauty sleep, paying attention to our bedding can make a significant difference in the quality of our sleep. By creating a comfortable and cozy sleep environment, we can improve the duration and quality of our sleep, allowing our bodies and minds to reap the many benefits that come with restful slumber.”

When choosing the right bedding, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the material of your sheets and blankets is crucial. Look for natural fibers like cotton, linen, or bamboo, which are breathable and soft against the skin. Synthetic materials like polyester can trap heat and moisture, making you feel hot and uncomfortable during the night. Additionally, high-quality materials are more durable and long-lasting, so investing in good-quality bedding can save you money in the long run.

Next, consider the weight and warmth of your blankets. The ideal blanket should provide just the right level of warmth to keep you cozy without making you feel too hot or suffocated. Materials like wool, down, or a down alternative are excellent choices, as they offer warmth while still allowing your body to breathe.

Pillows are another essential component of your bedding. The right pillow can provide the right level of support for your neck and spine, helping to alleviate any discomfort or pain. Look for pillows made of high-quality materials like memory foam, which can conform to your body shape, providing customized support.

Finally, consider any additional bedding accessories that can enhance your sleep experience. Mattress toppers can add an extra layer of comfort and support to your mattress, making it feel like new. Adding a weighted blanket can also benefit some people, as it provides a sense of comfort and security, promoting relaxation and better sleep.

In conclusion, paying attention to your bedding can make a significant difference in the quality of your sleep. Investing in high-quality bed sheets, blankets, pillows, and accessories can directly connect you to your body and mind, enhancing your beauty sleep. By creating a comfortable and cozy sleep environment, you can wake up feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the day.