business

Fintech Week London returns with new city-wide festival to match the capital’s global fintech status

Neel Achary 0 Comment

Fintech Fringe is behind the bigger, bolder format with the backing of the Department for Business and Trade and London & Partners

London, 29 May 2026: London has long earned its place as one of the world’s defining fintech centres. Dealroom’s latest report just confirmed London as the world’s number one fintech ecosystem – home to 137 unicorns and a combined enterprise value of $714 billion. 

New York has a fintech week. Singapore has one too. It is time London stepped up a gear with its own fintech week to reinforce why London is the world’s best city to scale a fintech business.

Fintech Week London returns from 7 to 11 September 2026 under new leadership, backed by Fintech Fringe founder Calypso Harland and the UK’s fast-growing fintech community. 

Anchored by the Scale & Grow Summit on 9 and 10 September in central London, the event is expected to attract more than 1,500 founders, investors, financial institutions, policymakers, regulators and international fintech leaders to the capital.

This year’s theme is Growth with Agency, and focuses on the practical questions now shaping fintech growth. Sessions will examine how AI is changing competitive advantage, how regulation is affecting growth strategies, how fintechs can access capital, and how the long-anticipated convergence of fintech, crypto and payments is beginning to reshape the market.

Fintech Fringe is opening the week to companies, associations, communities and event organisers across London, inviting them to host their own events as part of a shared city-wide fintech moment. The model gives the wider ecosystem, including smaller companies and emerging communities, a way to access a larger audience and contribute to the global fintech conversation.

Calypso Harland, Founder of Fintech Fringe, said:

“London needs a fintech week that reflects the ecosystem itself: ambitious, practical, international and open to the people building what comes next. Fintech Week London is a platform for the whole city – from founders and investors to banks, regulators, associations and emerging communities. We’re here to rally everyone together and show the world why London is built to create champions.”

Emma Banymandhub, CEO of The Payments Association, said:

“Calypso is a natural collaborator and the perfect person to bring the ecosystem together to bridge the divide between fintech, crypto and payments. These communities often live in parallel universes, and bringing them together can only mean better things for the industry as a whole. The Payments Association is delighted to support.”

The relaunch follows Fintech Fringe’s merger with Fintech Week London last year. Since launching in 2023, Fintech Fringe has grown rapidly, with its own festival tripling in size over three years. 

Fintech Week London 2026 will run from 7 to 11 September, with the Scale & Grow Summit taking place from 9 to 10 September.

For hosting, speaking and partnership opportunities, visit www.fintechweek.london.

business

Panasonic showcases integrated display and communication technologies for a connected India

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Panasonic showcases integrated display and communication technologies for a connected India

New Delhi, May 29: Panasonic Life Solutions India, through its System Solutions Division (SSD), hosted the Panasonic Tech Summit 2026 in New Delhi on May 19 and 20, introducing new experiential zones for Education, Golf Simulation, and Healthcare as part of its expanding connected technology ecosystem. The two-day summit brought together industry experts, enterprise leaders, and business decision-makers to experience Panasonic’s integrated ecosystem of display, projection, broadcast, and connected visual communication solutions across diverse industry environments.

The summit, themed “Turning Technology into Value,” featured multiple experience-led zones including Retail, Transportation, Corporate Offices, QSR, Home Theatre, Fine Pitch Active LED Comparison, Education Zone, Security Solutions, Projection Simulation zone and Panasonic’s comprehensive Professional Display lineup. The showcase featured a wide range of technologies including Active LED Videowalls, HD PTZ cameras, 4K camcorders, SIP Video Door Phones, integrated CCTV systems, Intelligent and Interactive digital signage solutions, and immersive projection technologies powered by the Panasonic projectors, highlighting Panasonic’s focus on enabling connected, intelligent, and immersive experiences across industries.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhavya Jain, Business Chief-India & SAARC, Professional Displays, Projectors & Broadcast Solutions, Panasonic Life Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Today, businesses are looking beyond standalone products and focusing on connected technology ecosystems that can simplify operations, enhance engagement, and create more meaningful experiences. Through Panasonic Tech Summit 2026, we are demonstrating how integrated display, projection, broadcast, and communication solutions can help businesses operate more efficiently while also delivering seamless and immersive experiences for consumers across sectors such as education, healthcare, retail, transportation, Education and corporate environments. Our focus remains on building intelligent, scalable, and future-ready solutions that can support the evolving needs of both businesses and customers in an increasingly connected world.” 

Experiential Zones Demonstrating Integrated Technology Ecosystems

Key showcase areas included:

  • QSR Hub: Showcased professional digital menu boards, high-brightness storefront displays, stretch displays, eSignCards, and Panasonic’s India-developed Digital Signage platform enabling centralized menu, pricing, and promotional management across restaurant environments.
  • Education Zone: Showcased Panasonic’s Smart Classroom ecosystem featuring large Active LED displays, PTZ cameras, 4K camcorders, centralized control systems, and Interactive Flat Panel display designed to enable interactive, hybrid, and connected learning experiences.
  • Retail Hub: Demonstrated dynamic retail communication solutions including display standees, Electronic Smart Shelf Labels, latest Lift-and-Learn technology (Intellosign), dual-side professional displays, eSignCards, and Panasonic Digital Sign Edge for centrally managed and real-time in-store communication.
  • Transit Hub: Simulated airport and metro environments featuring passenger information displays, dual-side displays, Active LED screens, stretch displays, e-ink wayfinding totems, Tensor Poles, and Electronic Smart Labels designed to enable seamless communication and navigation across high-movement spaces with a moto to move seamlessly with Information at hand.
  • Corporate Office Hub: Featured connected workplace collaboration solutions including ultra-wide displays suitable for enterprise class Video conferencing, interactive Flat panels, RoomBook, Solutions (Meeting Schedulars), broadcast cameras, eSignCards, and hybrid meeting room solutions designed to enhance communication and workplace collaboration.
  • Healthcare Zone: Demonstrated Panasonic’s connected healthcare ecosystem featuring ePaper displays for OPD and patient communication, bedside information cards, pharmacy shelf labels, and professional displays designed to simplify hospital operations and enhance patient experiences through centralized information management system SignEdge.
  • Golf Simulation Zone: Featured immersive golf simulation powered by Panasonic’s projectors, delivering realistic gameplay and training experiences with enhanced green visibility, responsive visuals, and seamless simulation software integration
  • Projector & Home Theatre Zone: Demonstrated Panasonic’s high-brightness projection solutions for large venues and immersive home theatre experiences, showcasing cinema-quality visuals, consistent brightness, rich contrast, and projection mapping capabilities across varied environments.
  • Fine Pitch Active LED Comparison Zone: Demonstrated Panasonic’s Fine Pitch Active LED portfolio across multiple pixel pitches including COB and SMD panels, enabling visitors to experience differences in clarity, detail, and viewing impact across applications and viewing distances.
  • Comprehensive Professional Display Lineup: Showcased Panasonic’s professional display portfolio ranging from compact to ultra-large screens, highlighting how different display formats and scales support communication across meeting rooms, retail spaces, hospitality environments, QSRS,  control rooms and many more applications.
  • Security Solutions Zone: Featured Panasonic’s integrated security ecosystem including SIP Video Door Phones, IP, Analog and Hybrid Video Door Phone systems, along with Bullet, Dome, and PTZ CCTV cameras designed for connected and reliable monitoring across residential and commercial environments.
technology

Tesla Cybercab Drives Itself Out of GigaTexas Factory in Autonomous Breakthrough

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Austin, Texas, May 29 (BNP): In a striking demonstration of autonomous vehicle technology, Tesla’s Cybercab was seen driving itself out of the company’s Gigafactory Texas (GigaTexas), marking another milestone in the electric vehicle maker’s push toward fully autonomous transportation. Videos shared online showed multiple Cybercab units autonomously exiting the factory and navigating toward holding or staging areas without human drivers.

Tesla Cybercab Drives Itself Out of GigaTexas Factory in Autonomous Breakthrough

The development comes as Tesla accelerates production of its purpose-built autonomous vehicle, designed specifically for robotaxi operations. Unlike conventional vehicles, the Cybercab has been engineered without a steering wheel or pedals and is intended to function entirely through Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Production of the vehicle began at GigaTexas earlier this year as part of the company’s broader strategy to expand autonomous mobility solutions.

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk recently shared footage of Cybercab units autonomously leaving the factory, describing the vehicle as “purpose-built for autonomy.” The footage has generated significant attention across the technology and automotive sectors, with supporters viewing it as a glimpse into the future of transport and critics pointing to ongoing regulatory and safety challenges surrounding fully driverless systems.

The Cybercab forms a central pillar of Tesla’s long-term robotaxi vision, though the company has acknowledged that scaling autonomous operations will be gradual and subject to safety validation and regulatory approvals. Industry observers note that while autonomous production and factory movement represent technological progress, broader public deployment of fully driverless vehicles continues to face technical, legal and infrastructure-related scrutiny.

The latest footage nevertheless signals Tesla’s increasing confidence in integrating autonomy not only into transportation services but also into manufacturing and vehicle logistics at scale.

news

World Interior Day Special ft. World Interior Day: Merino Emphasizes Health, Durability & Performance in Future Interiors

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For more than six decades, Merino Industries has quietly shaped the way millions experience interior spaces across homes, workplaces and hospitality environments around the world. Right from surfaces that become part of everyday family moments all the way upto advanced chip boards that strengthen kitchens and furniture systems from within, the company’s journey has always remained deeply connected with how people truly live inside their spaces. As World Interior Day brings larger conversations around design, comfort and functionality into focus, Merino believes the future of interiors will increasingly be defined by materials that combine aesthetics with endurance, wellness and dependable everyday performance.

World Interior Day Special ft. World Interior Day: Merino Emphasizes Health, Durability & Performance in Future Interiors

This shift has become visible across almost every corner of contemporary living. Homes have grown far more dynamic over the years. Kitchens witness continuous heat, moisture and movement throughout the day whereas wardrobes, study spaces and dining areas absorb constant handling through changing family routines. Interior materials therefore carry responsibilities far beyond appearance alone. The true quality of a space increasingly depends on how gracefully it performs through years of everyday usage.

Merino has particularly observed a growing preference for interiors that feel calmer and more tactile while continuing to remain highly functional. Loud glossy environments are gradually making way for softer and more understated surfaces that create visual warmth without overwhelming a space. This changing aesthetic language has contributed to the rising relevance of haute matte finishes and feather-touch laminates across wardrobes, wall panels and modular kitchens.

Collections such as Luvih capture this movement through surfaces engineered with near-zero reflectivity that allow light to diffuse softly across interiors. The result is a quieter and more refined visual atmosphere that feels comfortable within modern homes. Alongside their tactile appeal owing to their haute matte finishes, these advanced laminates also support practical everyday living through anti-fingerprint properties and abrasion resistance that help surfaces retain their finish despite repeated handling and continuous usage.

At the same time, decorative materials themselves are becoming increasingly performance-driven. Homeowners and architects now seek surfaces that continue looking elegant while handling years of friction, scratches and demanding conditions. This has encouraged stronger interest in specialised laminates designed around durability as much as aesthetics.

Metallic laminates featuring real metal surfaces are helping designers introduce richer accents into hospitality and premium residential environments while continuing to offer impact resistance suited for high-contact spaces. Decorative laminates infused with textured detailing and layered visual effects are similarly bringing greater material depth into interiors while remaining practical for long-term maintenance and usability. Such materials allow spaces to feel expressive and sophisticated while continuing to support the realities of everyday life.

Among all interior spaces, kitchens perhaps reveal the importance of material engineering most clearly. Heat, steam and moisture constantly challenge cabinetry and furniture structures from within. While decorative surfaces shape the visible personality of a kitchen, the structural board beneath often determines whether the space continues performing reliably years later.

This growing awareness has significantly increased the relevance of chip boards developed specifically for demanding environments. Merino Marine Board has emerged as a strong solution within modular kitchens, wardrobes and utility areas where structural stability becomes essential over long periods of usage. Developed through dense chip-weave core construction, the board delivers superior screw-holding capability together with enhanced load-bearing strength and dimensional stability. Its boiling waterproof properties (even after being submerged in water for over two hours) help cabinetry and furniture systems retain their structural integrity despite prolonged exposure to moisture and continuous usage conditions.

Alongside strength and durability, healthier indoor environments are also becoming central to material conversations. Homeowners & architects are becoming increasingly conscious about the relationship between interiors and overall wellbeing. Low-emission engineered boards aligned with stringent E1 standards are therefore gaining stronger relevance as indoor air quality and healthier living environments continue becoming important considerations across modern homes.

Speaking about this larger transition shaping contemporary interiors, Mr. Manoj Lohia, Director, Merino Industries Ltd. said,

“Interior spaces are becoming far more experience-driven and performance-oriented. A lot of our customers & clients increasingly value materials that combine aesthetics with durability along with healthier indoor environments and long-term reliability. The future of interiors will belong to solutions that quietly support everyday living while continuing to perform beautifully through years of use.”

As World Interior Day celebrates the growing influence of thoughtful design within modern life, one thing is becoming increasingly evident. Beautiful interiors will always remain timeless. Yet the spaces that truly endure are often built upon materials that continue supporting everyday life with quiet strength, comfort and reliability long after trends begin to fade away.

business

Citi to Host Flagship India Conference in Mumbai

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Business Wire India

Citi will host its flagship India Conference 2026 on June 3 & 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. As the largest event on Citi’s annual India calendar, the conference will convene more than 1,000+ clients, 40+ CXOs, and 120+ corporates, representing a combined market capitalization of approximately US$1.8 trillion. Bringing together leaders from across the corporate and financial ecosystem, the conference will create opportunities for engagement through discussions, networking and knowledge-sharing.

The two-day event will serve as a platform for examining the forces reshaping business, investment and economic activity in India and globally. The sessions will cover a range of topics including the macroeconomic outlook, policy environment, capital markets, emerging investment trends, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and innovation.

Amol Gupte, Citi’s Asia South Cluster & Banking Head, said: “The Citi India Conference puts a spotlight on India’s significant and growing role in the world economy and reflects the confidence that global investors and businesses place in India’s future. As we approach 125 years of Citi’s presence in India next year, we are proud to continue to connect India’s most ambitious corporates to global opportunities and multinational companies to opportunities in India — and this conference sits right at the heart of that journey.”

 

K Balasubramanian, India CEO & Banking Head and Indian Subcontinent Sub-Cluster Head, Citi, said: “Citi is delighted to host Government dignitaries, senior clients, key investors and thought leaders to this Conference which is expected to unlock the value of India as an investment destination and provide investors an opportunity to take part in the long-term growth narrative amidst a volatile market. 

 

As the world’s most global bank, with our leading institutional banking platform in India, Citi connects cross-border perspectives, strategic capital and transformative ideas. This conference is a natural extension of that commitment. We hope every participant leaves with new perspectives, stronger connections and a deeper conviction in the India opportunity.”

 

The Citi India Conference reflects Citi’s longstanding commitment to supporting clients through deep market expertise, global connectivity and access to strategic opportunities across markets.

business

Doctoral Researcher developed a multifunctional smart material that stores energy and changes colour

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Doctoral Researcher developed a multifunctional smart material that stores energy and changes colour

The growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient technologies has increased interest in smart materials that can perform more than one function at the same time. In his doctoral dissertation, MSc Sachin Kochrekar developed materials that can both change colour and store electrical energy. In the future, this technology could be used, for example, in energy-storing, self-tinting smart windows.
 
This work developed thin polymer films based on porphyrins, molecules that occur widely in nature, for example, in chlorophyll and hemoglobin.

“For example, thanks to the porphyrin structure found in chlorophyll, the plant is able to recover energy from sunlight through photosynthesis. The ability of this natural molecule to transfer electrons and change its state in a controlled manner is also an interesting starting point for us materials scientists,” says Doctoral Researcher Sachin Kochrekar

In the dissertation, novel membrane structures were constructed in two different ways: as a hybrid structure together with an electrically conductive material, and with a simpler method, in which porphyrins were joined together with the help of a bridge molecule to form a polymer membrane.

In addition, the study examined the effect of metal on the properties of the material. Either nickel, zinc or no metal at all was placed in the middle of the porphyrins.

Small structural changes were found to have a significant impact on the performance of materials.

The results showed that the nickel-based film is able to change colour between three different colours, while the zinc-based and metal-free films changed colour between the two states.   

All materials reacted quickly, in less than two seconds, showed clear visual contrast and maintained colour change even after the power was turned off.

The membranes were also tested to store energy in a water-based electrolyte, which is safer and more environmentally friendly than commonly used alternatives. This is reportedly the first study in which porphyrin-based polymer membranes are used as electrochromic supercapacitors in a water-based electrolyte system.

All three materials demonstrated good energy storage properties, making them promising materials for future multifunctional energy solutions.

“The materials are low-cost to produce, easy to control and highly adaptable and can be integrated into a wide range of applications, including flexible and stretchy substrates. In the future, these materials could be used, for example, in sensor technology, flexible electronics, smart clothing and solar energy solutions. For example, new types of smart windows could simultaneously store solar energy and darken in the bright sun, which would reduce the need for cooling in the building,” says Kochrekar.

Kochrekar’s doctoral dissertation was conducted in Professor Carita Kvarnström’s Materials Chemistry research group, which is part of the research line of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Turku. The group has been researching and developing organic colour-changing materials, i.e. electrochromic materials, for a decade.

Applications for these new types of materials include smart windows and various glass surfaces, anti-glare rear-view mirrors and sunroofs used in the automotive and aerospace industries, display technologies such as billboards and spectacle lenses, and energy storage devices where materials visibly change colour to indicate the device’s charge level. In addition, materials can be used as visual indicators for chemical sensors, changing colour when exposed to certain gases or biological markers.

business

Think DEET keeps mosquitoes away They may be learning to love it

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Every summer, millions of people spray themselves with DEET to keep mosquitoes away. But new research suggests mosquitoes may be able to learn to associate the repellent with food — and even become attracted to it.

The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, was a collaboration between Clément Vinauger, associate professor at Virginia Tech, and Claudio Lazzari at the University of Tours in France.

“If someone applies DEET and the concentration fades over time, but a mosquito still manages to feed, the insect may begin associating that smell with a reward,” said Vinauger,  part of the Department of Biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “That’s a possibility we should take seriously when we think about how repellents are used in the real world.”

Yes, mosquitoes can learn

The study focused on the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, a species that spreads dengue fever, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya, which infect tens of millions of people each year.

Researchers trained the mosquitoes using a form of Pavlovian conditioning — the same learning principle behind Ivan Pavlov’s famous experiments in which dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with food.

Mosquitoes were restrained behind fabric mesh with a bag of warm blood positioned just out of reach. After the mosquitoes began to feed on the blood, researchers introduced the smell of DEET. After repeating the experiment four times, more than 60 percent of the insects tried to feed when presented with only the smell of DEET.

Next, mosquitoes were given a choice between two human hands — one untreated and one coated with DEET at normal concentrations. Untrained mosquitoes avoided the DEET-treated hand. Trained mosquitoes were drawn to it.

The researchers also found mosquitoes could form the same association when sugar, instead of blood, was used as the reward.

“The common assumption has always been that repellents work because of their chemistry — that DEET simply smells bad to mosquitoes and they flee or that its chemistry prevents mosquitoes from smelling us,” said Vinauger, who is also an affiliate of Fralin Life Sciences Institute‘sCenter for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens. “But what we are showing is that the mosquito’s brain can rewrite that response based on experience. What the insect has learned matters just as much as what the chemical does. That, I think, is a paradigm shift.”

DEET is still the gold standard

The findings do not mean people should stop using DEET, Vinauger said. It’s still one of the most effective repellents available, particularly in regions where mosquito-borne disease is common.

“If you’re in tropical regions where disease risk is real, you should use it,” he said.

But the study suggests timing and concentration may matter more than previously understood.

“Instead of applying a lot at once, you may want to reapply regularly so it’s always active and providing continuous protection,” Vinauger said.

He added that treated clothing may also present challenges because DEET concentrations in fabric decline over time.

Better ways to outsmart mosquitoes

The study builds on years of mosquito learning and behavior research connected to Vinauger’s work. While pursuing his Ph.D. in Lazzari’s lab in France, and later as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, Vinauger helped pioneer experiments showing mosquitoes can learn and remember odors associated with blood meals and defensive hosts.

At Virginia Tech, Vinauger’s lab studies how mosquitoes use sensory information to find hosts and adapt to changing environments. His team has shown that mosquitoes remember and avoid hosts who swat at them, combine smell and vision to track people with surprising precision, and gravitate toward and away from the smell of certain body soaps.

“Mosquitoes are remarkable at processing information about their environment,” Vinauger said. “What we are trying to understand is not only how they detect us, but how their brains interpret those cues and turn them into behavior.”

As Aedes aegypti expands into new regions and insecticide resistance grows worldwide, Vinauger said understanding mosquito behavior is becoming increasingly important for public health.

“We need to understand how mosquitoes keep outsmarting our control strategies,” Vinauger said. “And that takes understanding how they work — at the molecular level, the neural level, the behavioral level.”

health

Depression May Not Only Be a Consequence, But Also a Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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According to researchers at Semmelweis University, not only inflammation, but also sleep disorders, depression, obesity, and smoking may sustain persistent rheumatic symptoms. In their publications in the journals Nature Reviews Rheumatology and The Lancet Rheumatology, they also proposed a model that can help identify and treat the true causes of symptoms in time.

Researchers at Semmelweis University analyzed how depression, smoking, obesity, sleep disorders, and other health problems are linked to difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. It affects tens of thousands of people in Hungary only. Most patients respond well to treatment, but 6–28 percent belong to the so-called “difficult-to-treat” group because they do not achieve lasting remission despite therapy.

According to the publications in Nature Reviews Rheumatology and The Lancet Rheumatology, these factors may not only coexist with the disease but may also help maintain it.

For example, pain and depression may reduce physical activity, increase body weight, worsen sleep and mood – all of which can feed back into pain and everyday functioning, creating a difficult-to-break “vicious cycle.”

Depression May Not Only Be a Consequence, But Also a Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

The researchers not only identified these patterns but also developed a new model that could improve the treatment of such difficult-to-treat patients. Under the currently used “treat-to-target” therapeutic approach, patients’ conditions are regularly monitored using measurable indicators, and if treatment does not sufficiently reduce inflammation, therapy is adjusted – for example by increasing the medication dose or switching to another drug. However, according to the researchers, this approach can function not only as a therapy but also as a kind of “early warning system”: it can quickly indicate when symptoms may not be caused solely – or at all – by inflammation.

“When target values improve but the patient still suffers from pain and fatigue, it is worth taking a step back. In such cases, instead of automatically prescribing more medication, doctors should look for what is maintaining the symptoms – whether it is chronic pain syndrome, depression, sleep disorders, or obesity,” said Dr. György Nagy, head of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Semmelweis University. The researchers themselves have observed that this approach can improve outcomes for difficult-to-treat patients, and in many cases it can also positively affect the doctor–patient relationship.

Depression May Not Only Be a Consequence, But Also a Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

The researchers’ model has achieved major international recognition: the publications introducing the concept of “difficult-to-treat” disease and the related treatment strategy have already been cited more than a thousand times by other researchers. Moreover, the definition is now used worldwide not only in the context of rheumatoid arthritis but also in connection with other diseases.

Meanwhile, the team is already working on the next steps: alongside their own research, they are planning to join projects that would use artificial intelligence to develop even more effective therapies for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

“With AI-based pattern recognition, we could identify subgroups among patients, and with the help of these data we could create more effective, almost personalized treatment strategies for them,” explained Dr. Lilla Gunkl-Tóth, PhD student at Semmelweis University and first author of the publications.

business

New action plan for Aboriginal tourism in WA launched

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Western Australia’s Aboriginal tourism sector is entering a new phase, with the official launch of the Cook Labor Government’s next Jina Plan to strengthen Aboriginal-led visitor offerings across the State.

The Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030 outlines the Cook Labor Government’s framework to grow Aboriginal tourism businesses, support jobs and strengthen Aboriginal culture as the heart of the State’s visitor economy.

The Plan outlines 40 initiatives that will be delivered by Tourism WA in partnership with the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) and seven Cook Government agencies and is backed by a $20 million investment.

New action plan for Aboriginal tourism in WA launched

WA Tourism Minister Reece Whitby joined WAITOC chair Darren Capewell and CEO Robert Taylor in Carnarvon at the 2026 Perth Airport WA Tourism Conference to celebrate the launch of the plan and meet with Aboriginal operators.

The 2026-2030 Jina Plan comes after the inaugural Jina Plan 2021-2025 delivered strong results, growing the number of Aboriginal tourism businesses to around 150, up from 110 in 2019. It supported initiatives including marketing campaigns, cultural activations, the development of Aboriginal-owned and managed campgrounds, training programs and public art projects.

Visitor interest in Aboriginal tourism continues to grow in Western Australia, with more than four in five visitors expressing interest in experiencing Aboriginal tourism in WA in 2024-25.

In 2023-24, Aboriginal tourism businesses in Western Australia contributed $55.1 million to the State’s economy, an increase of more than 25 per cent from 2021-22.

The Jina Plan 2026-2030 will continue to support Aboriginal communities to stay connected to Country, strengthen cultural pride, and deliver high-quality tourism experiences that showcase Western Australia’s unique cultural heritage.

The plan is a key part of the Cook Labor Government’s strategy to develop and maintain regional destinations and support Aboriginal tourism as a vital sector in building a resilient, diversified economy.

Find out more at Our strategies – Tourism Western Australia

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:

“Aboriginal tourism is a cornerstone of Western Australia’s tourism industry, and the new Jina Plan 2026-2030 will build on the success of the first plan to create even more opportunities for communities and businesses across the State.

“The results of the previous Jina Plan speak for themselves – more Aboriginal tourism businesses, more visitors experiencing Aboriginal culture, and stronger connections to Country. This next plan will take that work further and make Aboriginal tourism an even bigger part of Western Australia’s story.

“Through strong collaboration with Aboriginal people, communities, businesses and government agencies, the Jina Plan 2026-2030 will ensure Aboriginal voices and stories remain central to our tourism industry, while supporting jobs and economic growth in regional WA.”

Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:

“This plan is about empowering Aboriginal communities to lead, create and grow their own tourism businesses, sharing culture in a way that is guided by community and grounded in Country.

“We are supporting Aboriginal people to shape their own economic future, build strong businesses, create local jobs, and ensure communities directly benefit from tourism across Western Australia.

“At its heart, this plan is about showcasing the strength of culture, connections to Country and knowledge sharing by Aboriginal tourism throughout WA.”

business

Kärcher Showcases Advanced Cleaning Solutions for Growing Automotive Sector in Jaipur

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Kärcher Showcases Advanced Cleaning Solutions for Growing Automotive Sector in Jaipur

 

New Delhi, May 29: Kärcher India participated in an exclusive automotive seminar in Jaipur themed “No Matter What Your Challenge Is. There’s Kärcher for That.” The session focused on helping automotive workshops and dealerships improve operational efficiency, maintenance standards, and customer experience through advanced cleaning technologies.

With Rajasthan, particularly Jaipur, emerging as a growing hub for automotive retail and service businesses, the seminar brought together industry professionals, dealership representatives, and business partners to discuss evolving operational requirements and the increasing need for smarter, more efficient workshop management solutions.

The event featured interactive discussions and live demonstrations showcasing how modern cleaning systems can help automotive businesses reduce downtime, improve turnaround efficiency, maintain hygiene standards, and create a better customer-facing environment across workshops and showrooms.

As part of the showcase, Kärcher demonstrated a range of professional cleaning solutions designed for automotive applications:

●High-pressure cleaner – HD 7/16 – Used for efficient vehicle exterior cleaning and heavy-duty automotive washing applications.

●High-pressure cleaner – HD 6/15 – Designed for effective cleaning of vehicles, workshop areas, and automotive equipment.

●Wet and dry vacuum cleaner – NT 30/1 – Suitable for workshop maintenance and vehicle interior cleaning applications.

●Scrubber dryer – BD 43/40 – Used for cleaning and maintaining showroom and workshop floors with improved efficiency.

●Manual sweeper – KM 70/20 – Ideal for indoor and outdoor sweeping applications across automotive facilities.

●Single-disc machine – BDS 43/150 – Designed for deep floor cleaning, scrubbing, and polishing applications.

●Steam vacuum cleaner – SG 4/4 – Used for deep cleaning and sanitization of automotive interiors, surfaces, and hard-to-reach workshop areas.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr Puneet Sharma, MD, Kärcher India, said, “Jaipur and the larger Rajasthan market are witnessing steady growth across the automotive sector, with businesses increasingly focusing on operational excellence and customer-centric service experiences. As workshops, showrooms and dealerships continue to modernize, the demand for efficient and reliable maintenance solutions is also growing. Through initiatives like these, we aim to engage closely with industry stakeholders and showcase technologies that can help improve productivity, optimize operations, and maintain high standards across facilities.”

The live demonstrations enabled attendees to experience Kärcher’s solutions first-hand and understand their role in enhancing operational efficiency and long-term maintenance management within automotive facilities.