Nissan Americas has disclosed a cyber breach involving employee records after attackers exploited a critical Oracle PeopleSoft flaw used in a wider data-theft campaign linked to the ShinyHunters extortion group. The carmaker said personnel information belonging to current and former staff in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil may have been accessed through Oracle PeopleSoft, the enterprise platform it uses for payroll, tax administration and other […]
Grand Theft Auto VI has turned a viral comparison with Dubai’s Burj Khalifa into a wider debate over the cost of blockbuster entertainment, as industry estimates place the game among the most expensive creative projects ever attempted. The claim spreading across social platforms is striking: the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, cost about $1.5 billion and took six years to build, while GTA VI may cost […]
Ripple has secured full authorisation under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, clearing the San Francisco-based blockchain payments company to expand regulated crypto services across the European Economic Area. The approval, granted through Luxembourg’s financial regulator to Ripple Payments Europe S. A., gives the company a Crypto Asset Service Provider licence and allows it to passport services across 30 EEA markets. It follows a preliminary clearance […]
At least one person was confirmed dead and two others were feared trapped after landslides triggered by intense monsoon rain struck Pune district on Monday, shutting key road and rail links between Mumbai and Pune and leaving commuters stranded for hours across the Western Ghats.
The fatal incident took place at Patan village in Maval taluka, near Lohagad Fort, where a house was buried under debris in the early hours. Rescue teams recovered one body from the site, while operations continued to trace two other members of the same family. Police said three landslides were reported in the remote village after sustained heavy rainfall loosened slopes in the area.
The weather disruption quickly widened into a major transport emergency. Traffic on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old Pune-Mumbai Highway was suspended after landslides, flooding and structural damage made movement unsafe. Authorities advised motorists to avoid travel between the two cities and follow official traffic updates, as waterlogging and debris blocked several stretches in and around Lonavala, Khandala and Maval.
The most serious road disruption was reported on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway of the Khopoli-Kusgaon Missing Link, where a landslide occurred near the exit of a tunnel. Traffic had to be diverted from about 4am as a precaution. Officials said parts of the retaining structure were affected, while separate reports of a concrete pillar falling on the carriageway added to safety concerns. The Missing Link, opened two months ago, is a 13-km route through the Sahyadri range designed to cut travel distance by about 6 km and reduce travel time by 25 to 30 minutes.
By early afternoon, movement on one side of the Missing Link had begun to resume, but diversions continued on the Pune-to-Mumbai side. Traffic on the old highway was being restored in phases, though police warned that water accumulation, damaged power lines and fallen trees could slow full reopening. Several motorists reported being stuck near Lonavala since early morning, with bumper-to-bumper queues forming after vehicles were shifted away from the closed stretch.
Rail services on the Mumbai-Pune route were also hit after landslides deposited mud and debris on tracks in the Bhor Ghat section between Karjat and Lonavala. Sixteen trains were cancelled, while several others were diverted, short-terminated or short-originated. Railway teams began clearing operations near Thakurwadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin, with safety inspections required before regular movement could resume on affected tracks.
The disruption came after Lonavala recorded exceptionally heavy rainfall, with estimates ranging from more than 600 mm to 670 mm over 24 hours. The heavy downpour swelled streams, flooded low-lying areas and left slopes in the ghat section vulnerable to further slips. Officials said flood-like conditions were also reported in parts of Maval and Tamhini Ghat, restricting the use of alternate routes between Pune and Mumbai.
The Pune district administration declared a holiday for all schools and anganwadis on Monday after a red alert for extremely heavy rain. Residents were asked to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from waterfalls, rivers and hill slopes, and not venture into flooded stretches. Disaster response teams, police and local volunteers were deployed across vulnerable points, with the National Disaster Response Force engaged in search and rescue work at Patan village.
The wider rain spell has placed Maharashtra’s disaster management system under pressure. Mumbai, Palghar, Raigad and the ghat areas of Pune district received heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, causing tree falls, local flooding and transport breakdowns. Mumbai’s civic authorities advised work-from-home arrangements where possible, while schools and colleges in several districts were shut as a precaution.
Marking a historic milestone, the MAMA-winning icon celebrates a year of regional breakthroughs and a defining leap into the global spotlight.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 July 2026 – This July, celebrating his birthday month, Anson Lo marks a decisive leap into the global spotlight. Defined by his philosophy of “Adventure and Limitless,” the MAMA award-winning artist over the past weekend brought his solo concert tour to Macau, delivering a highly acclaimed, two-night engagement that drew an overwhelming response. This milestone is further amplified by the highly anticipated release of his new English single “Helicopter” and his high-profile appearance in the English drama The Season. Known for his razor-sharp choreography, Lo has transcended his status as Hong Kong’s premier idol to become a defining figure of a new, international generation.
The Rise of “Lo-Phenomenon”
Anson Lo’s trajectory over the last few years has been defined by a series of professional breakthroughs that have solidified his status as a regional powerhouse:
Cross-Cultural Collaborations: From headlining Waterbomb Singapore to a viral collaboration with Japan’s Avantgardey, Lo has proven his ability to electrify massive international crowds and bridge creative gaps across Asia.
A Landmark Fashion Milestone: In a historic international collaboration, Lo became the first Hong Kong artist to co-design a capsule collection with Italian luxury legend Giuseppe Zanotti. This partnership, alongside his work with luxury houses, cements his status as a definitive global fashion icon.
Industry Recognition: Since winning Best New Asian Artist (Mandarin) at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), Lo recently marked a significant turning point by performing on South Korea’s MBC Show Champion and The Fact Music Awards (TMA) stage, bringing Cantopop to major music platforms in South Korea.
Global Screen Ventures: Lo expanded his international television footprint with a high-profile guest appearance in the elite ensemble English drama The Season. The series premiered worldwide on major streaming platforms like Hulu and Viu, underscoring his growing global versatility.
A New Frontier: Crafting English Hits and Lyrics
Lo’s global evolution shines through his self-penned English rap lyrics across nearly all his dance singles. Expanding his creative control, he wrote his two full English tracks, “Trippin’ Up” and the newly released “Helicopter.” “Helicopter” just dropped to an overwhelming global response, solidifying his international musical footprint.
About Anson Lo
Anson Lo (born July 7, 1995) is a multifaceted Hong Kong singer, dancer, and actor. Since his 2018 debut with the group MIRROR, he has evolved into a record-breaking soloist, headlining multiple solo concerts and releasing chart-topping hits such as “Megahit,” “Mr. Stranger,” and “Hey Hey OK!”. Today, he stands as a versatile artist working across music, fashion, and film.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai BARQ Systems has formed a regional partnership with ServiceNow to speed up digital transformation and enterprise automation across the Middle East and North Africa, targeting organisations that are moving from isolated technology upgrades to AI-enabled operating models. The collaboration is designed to help enterprises use the ServiceNow AI Platform to convert complex workflows into automated, data-led processes across IT, customer service, human resources […]
The UAE’s first Etihad Rail passenger service has begun carrying travellers between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, opening a new phase in the country’s transport infrastructure and giving residents a rail alternative to long inter-emirate road journeys. The inaugural service left Fujairah’s Al Hilal City station at 5.34am on June 30 and arrived at Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi at 7am, ahead of its scheduled […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The UAE has emerged as the GCC’s busiest confirmed construction market, with 700 execution-ready projects valued at $138 billion, underscoring the country’s shift from post-boom recovery to a broader phase of active development across real estate, energy, infrastructure and specialised industrial assets. Saudi Arabia ranks close behind by project count, with 628 confirmed schemes, though its pipeline is larger in value terms at […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai OPEC+ has approved another increase in oil output targets for August, adding 188,000 barrels per day to planned supply as Gulf exports move back through the Strait of Hormuz and crude prices ease from wartime highs. The decision, taken at a virtual meeting on Sunday, extends a sequence of monthly quota increases that began in April and continued through June and July. Saudi […]
Coca-Cola Products Introduced Across All Subway Hong Kong and Macau Outlets Starting July
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 July 2026 – Swire Coca-Cola and Subway’s Hong Kong and Macau franchisee, Fu-Rui-Shi Hong Kong Corporate Development Limited, jointly announced the signing of a seven-and-a-half-year strategic partnership agreement. Starting in July 2026, all Subway stores and online platforms in Hong Kong and Macau will fully introduce beverages from under the Coca‑Cola portfolio , offering customers a more diverse and enhanced meal pairing experience.
Swire Coca-Cola and Subway’s Hong Kong and Macau franchisee, Fu-Rui-Shi Hong Kong Corporate Development Limited, jointly announced the signing of a seven-and-a-half-year strategic partnership agreement.
Omnichannel Supply with Diverse Beverage Choices
Richard Gould, Director and General Manager of Swire Coca-Cola HK, said the company is pleased to form a long-term partnership with Subway. He noted that meaningful partnerships go beyond brand collaboration — they respond to consumer needs and enhance everyday experiences.
He added that the collaboration not only elevates the dining experience but also reflects our commitment to creating more relevant, refreshing and enjoyable meal occasions for consumers .
Richard Zhu, Chief Executive Officer of Subway China, also welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the combined strengths of both brands in delivering more diverse choices to consumers in Hong Kong and Macau.
Under the agreement, Subway outlets and online platforms in Hong Kong and Macau will offer a range of beverages from the Coca-Cola portfolio, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Schweppes, Authentic Tea House, Aquarius and more, along with pairing recommendations and upgrade options. Seasonal and limited-time promotions will also be introduced.
Driving Innovation to Enhance Consumer Experience
With 44 outlets across Hong Kong and Macau, this partnership combines the respective strengths of both companies to further enhance market competitiveness. Leveraging Coca-Cola’s strong brand portfolio and platforms such as Foodmarks and Coke+, the collaboration will enable more diversified partnership models.
Looking ahead, both parties aim to explore integrated promotions to drive bundled sales, as well as closer integration of physical stores and digital channels to boost consumer interaction and conversion, setting a new benchmark for cross-industry collaboration and sustainable growth. With customer experience at its core, the partnership aims to inject new energy into cross-sector collaboration within the local food and retail industry, creating long-term value for the Hong Kong and Macau markets and achieving a win-win-win outcome for brands, merchants and consumers.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Famous for its signature crispy fried duck, the fast-growing Indonesian food brand proves that high-quality, affordable dining is a winning formula.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 July 2026 – Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut, the rapidly expanding restaurant brand famous for its signature crispy fried duck and authentic Indonesian-style cuisine, today announced the upcoming grand opening of its fourth Singapore outlet at Sengkang Grand Mall, officially opening its doors on Saturday, July 11, 2026. This launch represents a key milestone in the brand’s aggressive regional growth strategy, which currently includes two successful high-volume locations in Malaysia and an upcoming market entry into Bangkok.
Built on a fast-turnover, highly accessible dining model, Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut is proving that affordable, everyday meals do not have to compromise on taste or quality. The brand focuses purely on operational efficiency and delivering exceptional value to the masses, making its famous fried duck and authentic Indonesian flavors accessible to everyone without the premium price tag.
”Our mission is simple: serve uncompromisingly authentic, high-quality food at a price that keeps customers coming back multiple times a week,” said Joni Anson, Founder of Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut. “With this new Sengkang location, our thriving outlets in Malaysia, and our upcoming expansion into Bangkok, we are showing that a great dining experience should be affordable, fast, and consistently delicious.”
To celebrate the grand opening with the Sengkang community, the new outlet will be offering an exclusive 23% storewide discount throughout the weekend of July 11 and 12, 2026.
For more information, to view the menu, or to find the nearest location, please visit www.bebekgorengpakndut.com.sg or follow the brand on Instagram and TikTok at @bebekgorengpakndut_sg. Hashtag: #BebekGorengPakNdut
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut
Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut is a regional multi-outlet restaurant brand specializing in authentic, affordable Indonesian-style cuisine. Operating a high-efficiency central kitchen and multiple fast-casual outlets across Singapore and Malaysia, the brand is dedicated to delivering consistent, high-quality meals at accessible price points.
ANNECY, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 July 2026 – XPPen, a global leading brand in digital art innovation, continues its support for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2026 through its partnership with the Annecy Festival Residency, while showcasing its latest product lineup at MIFA 2026. Together, these initiatives reflect XPPen’s long-term commitment to empowering animation creators, from nurturing emerging talent to equipping professionals with tools for evolving production workflows.
Image credit: Emmanuel Nguyen
Supporting the Next Generation of Animation Storytellers
Building on its support for emerging animation talent through the inaugural XPPen Award for Graduation Films at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2025, XPPen deepens its commitment to the animation community through the 2026 Annecy Festival Residency. The initiative provides selected animation feature film projects with studio space, tailor-made professional mentorship and opportunities to engage with the global animation community.
This year’s residency selected three animation projects from 52 submissions across 29 countries: All the Heaven’s Doors, Condenaditos, and Todo viene del agua. These projects boldly reflect on social issues, refuse fatalism, and revisit fragments of life and history with exceptional artistic courage and creative vision. As the residency’s official partner, XPPen provides its flagship Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2) drawing displays to support artists throughout the creative development process, from concept sketching and storyboarding to visual refinement.
“We contribute more than hardware, but also our deep respect for artistic souls who refuse to follow the crowd—those committed to using animation to probe the depths of human nature,” said Brian Huang, Marketing Director at XPPen. “We admire creators who challenge the world through storytelling, and we’re honored to walk alongside such creative spirits with tools they can trust throughout their journey.”
Featuring professional-grade color performance, a 27-inch 4K 120Hz display, and X-Touch technology, the Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2) enables artists to remain fully immersed in art creation. By seamlessly supporting technical demands, the tool fades into the background and becomes an extension of the creator, freeing artists to focus on what matters most: telling compelling stories.
Showcasing Professional Innovation at MIFA 2026
At MIFA 2026, the world’s leading animation industry marketplace held alongside the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, XPPen presented its latest creative product lineup, demonstrating how its expanding ecosystem supports creators at every stage of their creative journey.
The lineup spans entry-level standalone tablets for aspiring artists, the Magic Drawing Pad for everyday digital creation, the Artist 16 3rd portable pen display for professional creators, the flagship Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2) for high-end creative production, and the newly launched Pilot Pro, a productivity-focused editing console designed to streamline editing workflows, marking XPPen’s first foray into the professional editing console category.
Image credit: Quentin Le Page
Beyond product demonstrations, XPPen invited artists to share their creative process on site. Illustrator and animator Julie Roulet demonstrated how professional pen displays can support efficient animation workflows, while 2D/3D artist Benjamin Cerbai explored hybrid digital creation using the Magic Drawing Pad, giving visitors first-hand insight into how the device supports diverse creative scenarios.
By continuing its presence at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and MIFA, XPPen reaffirms its long-term commitment to supporting creators through both technological innovation and meaningful engagement with the animation industry. Guided by its belief in empowering bold self-expression, XPPen is dedicated to developing tools that enable creators to turn ideas into reality. The company continues to build a creative ecosystem that supports artists at every stage of their journey, growing alongside them from their first ideas to professional creative production.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Tehran opened weeklong funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, turning public mourning for the slain former supreme leader into a carefully staged display of endurance after months of war, political uncertainty and pressure on the Islamic Republic’s ruling establishment. The body of Khamenei, killed on 28 February during US and Israeli strikes at the start of the war, was placed at the Imam Khomeini Grand […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Oil prices have slipped back as a burst of supply, softer demand signals and easing disruption fears revive concern that the global market may be heading towards another glut. Brent crude has traded close to $72 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate has hovered below $70, pulling prices towards levels seen before the latest Middle East supply scare. The shift has […]
Parrot OS 7.3 has been released with a clear emphasis on faster execution, cleaner images and smoother daily use, marking a refinement-led update for the security-focused Linux distribution rather than a broad expansion of its tool catalogue. The update rebuilds every edition of the operating system and targets two areas that matter to security researchers, penetration testers, developers and privacy-focused users: better performance on modern hardware and […]
Mexico-focused companies are facing a sharper wave of TimbreStealer attacks as operators behind the information-stealing malware combine tax-themed phishing with cloud-hosted delivery, DLL side-loading and layered evasion designed to defeat automated analysis. The campaign marks a technical step-up for a malware family first tracked in late 2023, when attackers used fiscal and invoice lures to push an obfuscated stealer at users in Mexico. The latest activity keeps […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Mastercard has joined a consortium of more than 140 companies backing Open USD, a new dollar-pegged stablecoin designed to lower the cost of business payments and widen corporate use of blockchain-based settlement. The initiative, run by Open Standard, brings together payment networks, banks, technology companies, crypto platforms and asset managers in an attempt to create a shared stablecoin infrastructure rather than a token […]
Bitcoin, Ether and other large crypto tokens are moving in unusually tight formation as a market worth more than $2.2 trillion tries to recover from a bruising correction, raising fresh questions over whether investors are gaining diversification or merely holding different versions of the same risk trade. Live market data showed Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, BNB, Solana, Dogecoin, Tron and Hyperliquid’s HYPE controlling roughly $1.74 trillion in combined […]
Scammers are using fake Google Play Store pages and paid social media adverts to push gambling-linked Progressive Web Apps, exploiting consumer trust in well-known retail, banking and streaming brands. The campaign uses polished advertisements on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads and TikTok, with some creatives carrying simple “Brand Slots” labels and others mimicking official product launches. The adverts borrow logos, colour schemes, app-style layouts and fabricated testimonials […]
Dubai’s Jumeirah coastline is set for a major hospitality expansion as The Island by Wasl moves towards a planned third-quarter 2028 opening, bringing MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria-branded hotels to a waterfront development near Burj Al Arab. The project, led by Wasl Hospitality in partnership with MGM Resorts International, is one of Dubai’s most closely watched leisure developments because it combines Las Vegas-linked hotel brands with a […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2026 – At the Asian Excellence Awards 2026 ceremony held in Hong Kong, VinFast was recognized with three prestigious awards, including Best Investor Relations Company and two individual honors. The achievement underscores VinFast’s growing stature and capabilities as a global electric vehicle company listed on Nasdaq.
The Asian Excellence Awards is one of Asia’s most prestigious accolades in the fields of corporate governance, ESG, and investor relations. Organized annually by Corporate Governance Asia since 2011, the awards are recognized for their rigorous evaluation standards and stringent selection criteria.
This year, VinFast received recognition in three major categories: Best Investor Relations Company, Asia’s Best CFO awarded to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, and Best Investor Relations Professional awarded to Ms. Amandae Baey.
VinFast was the only Vietnamese company recognized at the 2026 awards. Other recipients this year were leading corporations from several key Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In the Best Investor Relations Company category, VinFast was highly regarded for its transparency in information disclosure, its ability to maintain regular engagement with investors and analysts, and the effectiveness of its communication and outreach initiatives with financial communities.
For the Asia’s Best CFO award, the organizers recognized the critical role of corporate finance leaders in maintaining strong financial foundations, developing effective capital-raising strategies, and navigating market volatility. The award honors CFOs who demonstrate exceptional leadership in guiding their companies toward stable and sustainable growth across varying economic conditions.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Chief Financial Officer of VinFast, said: “This series of recognitions at the Asian Excellence Awards 2026 is a meaningful acknowledgment of VinFast’s journey in building a global enterprise founded on advanced and sustainable governance standards. VinFast will continue to strengthen governance capabilities, enhance transparency, and foster open dialogue with stakeholders to build long-term trust in international markets.”
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of VinFast Auto Ltd since 2024. Having joined Vingroup in 2020, she brings extensive knowledge of the Company’s operations through her leadership experience across multiple functions, including finance, manufacturing, and supply chain management. She is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and a Certified Practising Accountant of CPA Australia.
Ms. Amandae Baey has served as Vice President of Investor Relations at VinFast since 2024, where she leads the Company’s global investor engagement, analyst relations, and capital markets positioning. She is a CFA charterholder.
The awards highlight VinFast’s increasing integration into global capital markets and reaffirm its commitment to adopting international governance standards, enhancing disclosure quality, and strengthening engagement with shareholders and investors through a professional, proactive, and sustainable approach.
Over the past year alone, VinFast has received dozens of prestigious international awards spanning investment and finance, corporate communications, electric mobility, technology, design, and sustainability. Notable recognitions include the “Outstanding Innovation in Sustainable Electric Mobility” and “Remarkable Contribution to Energy Independence” awards at the CNN Indonesia Awards; the “Best Value Car of the Year” award at the Autocar India Awards 2026; ranking 101st in TIME magazine’s “Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2025” list; and six awards at the APAC Effie Awards.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Corporate Governance Asia
Corporate Governance Asia is Asia’s leading publication covering corporate governance, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), investor relations, and sustainability. Since its launch in 2002, it has become a trusted source of insights and analysis for corporate leaders, investors, regulators, and financial professionals across the region.
The Asian Excellence Awards, organized annually by Corporate Governance Asia since 2011, recognize outstanding companies and business leaders across Asia for excellence in corporate governance, ESG practices, and investor relations.
Global equities advanced after weaker US employment figures reduced expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve rate increase, pushing investors back into risk assets while lifting gold and easing pressure on the dollar. The rally followed the June employment report, which showed non-farm payrolls rising by 57,000, well below market expectations of roughly 110,000. The unemployment rate eased to 4.2 per cent, but the decline was clouded by […]
By K Raveendran The alleged theft of donations from the Ayodhya Ram Temple has pushed a long-simmering question into the national foreground: who should guard the wealth of religious institutions when faith, money and power converge without adequate public accountability? The issue is not confined to Ayodhya, nor to Hindu institutions. Across denominations, religious endowments, […]
New Delhi and Bamako have opened a structured export forum aimed at expanding bilateral trade, drawing investment into priority sectors and giving businesses from both countries a clearer route into West African and South Asian markets.
The inaugural India–Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports was held in Bamako under the theme “Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships”, bringing together senior officials, export agencies and about 30 business leaders from India. The two-day initiative marks an attempt to move commercial engagement beyond commodity flows and towards sector-specific projects in cotton, mining, energy, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, health and education.
The forum was jointly organised by Mali’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Embassy of India in Bamako and the Malian Agency for the Promotion of Exports. It was presided over by Mali’s Transition Government Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, with the delegation from India led by Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary for FT-Africa in the Department of Commerce. Dr N. Nandakumar, Ambassador of India to Mali, represented the mission through the proceedings.
Bilateral trade crossed $326.61 million in 2025–26, a 55 per cent increase over the previous financial year. Mali’s exports to India include raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic and sesame. India’s exports to Mali include pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and bicycles. Officials see the current trade base as narrow but expandable, particularly because Mali’s global exports stand at about $4 billion and its untapped export potential in the market of India is estimated at nearly $3.96 billion.
The Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme has been a central driver of trade growth, offering least developed countries preferential access to the market of India. For Mali, the scheme provides a policy opening at a time when Bamako is seeking to diversify export destinations and reduce dependence on raw commodity shipments. For New Delhi, the forum fits a wider push to deepen commercial links with Africa through trade facilitation, capacity building and private-sector participation.
Business-to-business, business-to-government and government-to-government meetings formed the operational core of the forum. Exhibition stands featured products from both countries, including tractors and vehicles manufactured by Sonalika, Mahindra and Tata Motors. The format was designed to connect firms with regulators, identify bankable projects and address procedural bottlenecks that often slow trade between developing markets.
Mali presented ready-made business plans to potential investors and placed emphasis on agro-industry, shea processing, mining-linked services, renewable energy and social infrastructure. The country is seeking more value addition in cotton and agricultural commodities rather than relying mainly on exports of raw or semi-processed products. Cotton remains a significant sector for Mali, while shea, sesame, cashew and gum arabic offer scope for processing, branding and direct export partnerships.
Pharmaceuticals emerged as another key area. Mali sought quicker registration of approved products from India, a move that could expand access to affordable medicines and medical supplies. Health and education infrastructure were also discussed as areas where companies and institutions could provide services, equipment and training support.
The mining dimension is more complex. Mali is one of Africa’s leading gold producers and is working to tighten oversight of its precious metals trade after identifying large gaps between declared exports and import data reported by partner countries. A new state entity has been created to centralise and regulate precious-substances flows, reflecting Bamako’s effort to capture more value from gold and reduce informal trade. Industrial mines export about 60 tonnes of gold annually, while artisanal mining employs nearly 2 million people across hundreds of sites.
Security remains a central concern for investors. Mali has faced instability and militant violence, and economic assets have been among the risks flagged by foreign governments and companies. Earlier this year, security concerns stalled participation by government-backed firms from India in a Russian-backed lithium exploration project in Mali. That episode underlined the challenge of matching mineral ambitions with investor confidence.
https://www.facebook.com/ansonlht
https://www.instagram.com/ansonlht/
https://www.youtube.com/@AnsonLoHonTing
