India's electronics exports are setting new records, driven largely by surging iPhone manufacturing and favourable policy backing. Exports reached $22.2 billion in the first half of FY26, up 42% from $15.6 billion the previous year. iPhones accounted for over half of this surge, with shipments totalling $10 billion. Smartphone exports hit $13.4 billion, with iPhones accounting for more than three-quarters of the total. This rise has driven electronics to third place among India's fastest-growing export sectors, trailing only engineering goods and petroleum products. Meanwhile, petroleum
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has unveiled a new initiative called BLOOM (Borderless, Liquid, Open, Online, Multi-currency), which aims to enhance digital payments using tokenised bank deposits and regulated stablecoins. The effort intends to make settlement faster, safer, and more efficient across numerous currencies, including the major G10 and Asian currencies. BLOOM will initially focus on wholesale banking applications such as trade finance, corporate treasury operations, and AI-powered automated payments that follow pre-set rules. Major financial and technology companies,
Abu Dhabi has launched its first battery-swapping station for electric motorbikes, a joint initiative by ADNOC Distribution and Terra Tech Ltd. The project is a significant step towards promoting the emirate's clean mobility and sustainability goals. The new facility, which is located at one of ADNOC's premier service stations, enables riders to swap depleted batteries with fully charged ones in seconds. This quick-swap technology reduces downtime while also supporting the capital's expanding fleet of electric delivery bikes. The project seeks to increase electric vehicle usage, p
The Uttar Pradesh government aims to invest over ₹35,000 crore in solar projects by 2027-28, resulting in a capacity of 22,000 megawatts. The plan, known as the Solar Energy Policy 2022, aims to expedite the state's renewable energy adoption and attract large-scale commercial and public investments. The plan calls for the construction of seven solar energy parks with a combined capacity of 3,700 MW spread across several areas. These projects will be developed by prominent players, including NHPC Limited, THDC India Limited, and the Avaada Group. The government also intends to deploy floa
The state-run NTPC Limited announced the start of commercial operations for a 38-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Gujarat. The project is another milestone in the company's expanding renewable energy portfolio. According to NTPC, the 38-MW capacity is part of the 300-MW Khavda Solar Energy Project being implemented by NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NREL), a step-down subsidiary of NTPC Green Energy Limited. The project is a crucial component of the company's 450-MW Hybrid Tranche V program in Gujarat, which aims to accelerate India's renewable energy transition. Previously, three segm
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that India presently has 56 satellites in orbit, with plans to triple that number within the next three years. Speaking at BIT Mesra's convocation ceremony, he stated that the organisation aims to raise India among the world's leading space powers by 2040 through advancements in launchers, satellites, and their applications, thereby contributing to the national vision of Viksit Bharat in 2047. Narayanan revealed that ISRO plans to launch a 6,000-kg communication satellite for the United States next month. He also stated that India's first space station
India's rooftop solar capacity under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana (PMSGY) has reached 4,946 megawatts as of July 2025, a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy mission. Over 57.9 lakh households have applied for installation under the initiative, which is supported by ₹9,280 crore subsidies. However, only 22.7% of these have been effectively installed so far. Gujarat has emerged as the frontrunner, contributing 1,491 MW with a conversion rate of 65%. States like Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan account for more than 77% of total capacity. Some st
The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology has announced a $30 million investment to establish a semiconductor design company in Muscat, a significant step in Oman's ambitions to grow its ICT sector. The project aims to create 30 to 100 direct jobs over the next two years, thereby strengthening the country's presence in advanced technological industries. According to Khulood Al Hadhrami, Senior Technology Investment Specialist at the Ministry, semiconductors are a strategic essential that serve as the foundation for modern electronic devices. She emphasised their
Google CEO Sundar Pichai met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the company's plans to build its first artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The initiative represents one of Google's most significant global investments, worth USD 15 billion over the next five years. Pichai announced on the social networking site X, emphasising his eagerness to collaborate with India to advance AI technology. He stated that the Visakhapatnam hub would bring together gigawatt-scale computing power, a new international subsea gateway, and smart energy infras
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE), operating under Dubai Chambers, has unveiled 'Launchpad Dubai', a comprehensive platform aimed at attracting global startups and investors to the emirate. The project streamlines market entry, business setup, and expansion processes, while also promoting the city's goal of becoming a global innovation hub. Launchpad Dubai helps entrepreneurs, including those from India, integrate seamlessly into Dubai's growing business environment. Indian enterprises continue to play a significant part in the city's economy, with over 9,000 new Indian companies joi