Archive: February 9, 2026

AD Ports Group Wins Eight Awards and Sets New Benchmarks at 11th International Best Practice Competition

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Feb 9: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, has been recognised at the 11th International Best Practice Competition (IBPC), organised by the Centre for Organisational Excellence Research, securing eight awards across four categories, and earning recognition for 18 best practices, of which, four practices were awarded the prestigious six- and seven-star ratings, the highest distinctions under the competition’s evaluation framework.

The recognition highlights AD Ports Group’s continued commitment to excellence, innovation and improvement across its businesses. The award-winning submissions represent 18 best practices from the Group’s clusters and business units, reflecting the strong performance of its subsidiaries and their alignment with internationally recognised excellence standards.

The awards were presented during the IBPC Awards Ceremony hosted by AD Ports Group at KEZAD Headquarters. The event gathered professionals and organisations from across multiple sectors to celebrate excellence and the exchange of proven best practices. It also served as a platform for learning, benchmarking and dialogue on how best-in-class practices can enhance performance, sustainability and organisational resilience.

The 11th International Best Practice Competition was highly competitive, featuring 112 best practices submitted by 62 organisations across 14 countries, assessed by a panel of 65 international experts. AD Ports Group’s recognised practices stood out for their innovation, measurable impact and strong alignment with international best-practice frameworks.

Eiman Al Khalaqi, Senior Vice President of Innovation at AD Ports Group, said: “At AD Ports Group, best practices extend beyond operational processes, they form a core pillar of our operational and managerial excellence. Initiatives such as the “Tawfeer Committee”, which drives efficiency and value optimisation, and “IntelliOps”, which enhances real-time asset management, demonstrate our disciplined approach in transforming innovation into measurable and sustainable outcomes.”

Al Khalaqi added: “These recognitions reflect the Group’s ability to align strategic priorities with effective execution, foster collaboration across its business clusters, and deliver long-term value to stakeholders. Through the continuous refinement of our practices, AD Ports Group not only strengthens its operational excellence, but also sets new industry benchmarks.”

The Group’s commitment to excellence was reflected in the following recognitions:

Major Awards:

•  Improvement Initiatives Category (Rating: Seven)

Tawfeer Committee: “Driving Savings and Improvement Across Organisations” – Strategy & Growth Unit.

•  Management of Assets Category (Rating: Six)

IntelliOps: Real-Time Assets Optimisation at AD Ports Group – Noatum Ports (jointly with Ports Cluster).

•  Supplier Relationships & Partnerships Category (Rating: Six)

Collaborative Paper Pulp Operations Hub – Ports Cluster.

•  Strategic Planning Category (Rating: Six)

From Digital Foundation to Centralised Planning Excellence – Ports Cluster.

Pioneer in Excellence Prizes: 

• Highest number of practices rated six and above – AD Ports Group (4 Best Practices).
•  Highest number of practices rated five and above – AD Ports Group (11 Best Practices).
•  Highest number of practices rated four and above – AD Ports Group (15 Best Practices).

Certificate of Distinction in International Best Practices (2025):

AD Ports Group – Recognised for 11 best practices rated five and above.

The 18 recognised practices spanned operational and advanced digitalisation initiatives, including real‑time asset optimisation, centralised planning excellence, and enhanced vessel traffic services, alongside transformative sustainability solutions including eco‑friendly seawall panels, EV fleet integration, and advanced hull‑coating technologies.

Notable submissions also highlighted the Group’s strong commitment to people development and organisational resilience, featuring proactive crisis‑management frameworks, impactful process‑improvement initiatives, comprehensive well‑being programmes, enhanced facilities services models, and simplified safety‑reporting tools.

Collectively, these distinguished practices reflect AD Ports Group’s ongoing commitment to setting global benchmarks and driving continuous, sustainable improvement across all of the Group’s business units.

Town Planners summit emphasises shift towards a regional and transit-oriented planning framework

Ahmedabad, Feb 9: The 74th National Town and Country Planners Conference concluded on Saturday with a call for a shift towards regional, transit-oriented and technology-enabled planning to address rapidly evolving urban and economic challenges. Experts at the conference emphasised the critical role of metropolitan and city-region planning in driving high productivity, inclusive and resilient growth, drawing lessons from global city regions such as London, Singapore and Tokyo.

Participants noted that metropolitan regions have the potential to transition local economies towards higher productivity growth when supported by appropriate institutional frameworks and long-term economic planning. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region was cited as an example where a fundamental shift in planning strategy, institutional behaviour and development philosophy is underway. The region is now preparing a city-region economic plan aligned with local, national and international requirements, a model that could be adapted by other metropolitan regions based on their unique resource base and growth potential.

The conference noted that schemes undertaken by the Government of Gujarat for Sanand, Kalol, Savli, Hirasar and Bardoli are expected to significantly ease urban pressure on surrounding major cities in the near future. Participants stressed that regional planning should be adopted as a key instrument for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Regional frameworks should be essential for integrated planning, development and management of both rural and urban settlements, particularly in the context of city-region economic plans.

Megacity regions in spatial planning was identified as a tool for defining settlement hierarchies, infrastructure networks, transportation systems and service delivery. Existing land-use frameworks such as Rural Rapid Development Formulation (RRDF) planning and cluster development under the Rurban Mission were recommended as useful references for metropolitan regional planning.

There was a consensus view on the use of artificial intelligence in city and regional planning. Delegates noted that effective AI-driven planning would require strengthening data volume, velocity and variety at city and regional levels. A structured approach was recommended, starting with data integration, followed by modelling, scenario simulation, predictive analytics and decision-support systems aligned with policy formulation.

The conference called for a paradigm shift in planning for large-scale events such as international games, cultural festivals and religious gatherings. Such events should be viewed not merely as temporary projects, but as opportunities for inclusive infrastructure creation, employment generation, poverty reduction, environmental protection and institutional strengthening, along with clear plans for post-event utilisation of infrastructure assets.

Participants emphasised the need to move away from static master plans towards a “living city” concept that is active and participatory within a city-region economic planning framework. Traditional town planning schemes, including newer land pooling models, were recommended for review in terms of implementation timelines, landowner participation, use of modern technologies, compensation mechanisms and overall governance effectiveness.

Angel One AMC launches Angel One Silver ETF and Angel One Silver ETF FOF

Mumbai, Feb 09: Angel One Asset Management Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Angel One Limited, announced the launch of Angel One Silver ETF and Angel One Silver ETF FOF. The New Fund Offers (NFOs) are open for subscription from 09th February 2026 and close on 19th February 2026 for the ETF, while the FOF will remain open until 23rd February 2026.

Both schemes offer exposure to silver by tracking domestic prices, providing investors with price transparency and ease of investing. The ETF will allow investors to invest through NSE on an ongoing basis, while the FoF will enable participation even without a demat account,

Silver is gaining prominence due to its dual role as a precious metal and industrial commodity, with rising demand from solar energy, electric vehicles, and data centres, alongside supply constraints, supporting strong investor interest. Reflecting this trend, AMFI data shows that Silver ETF AUM in India crossed ₹72000 crores in December 2025. Over last 10 year period ended 31st January 2026, Silver (INR) delivered CAGR of 25.8%, reinforcing its potential for portfolio diversification and inflation-hedging benefits.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Hemen Bhatia, Executive Director & CEO, Angel One AMC, said, “Silver is no longer just a precious metal; it is emerging as a strategically important asset in the modern global economy. Its growing role across next-generation industries and critical technologies is creating sustained structural demand, making silver a compelling long-term investment. As investors adapt their portfolios to a rapidly evolving world, exposure to silver is becoming increasingly relevant for diversification and resilience. Through our Silver ETF and Silver FOF, we aim to provide a simple, transparent, and cost-efficient way for investors to participate in the long-term potential of this dynamic asset class.”

Key Features

During the NFO, the Angel One Silver ETF will allow investment with a minimum application of Rs. 1,000 and in multiples of Re. 1 thereafter. Post listing on NSE, the units will be traded on the NSE, providing liquidity and real-time price discovery. The scheme eliminates the operational challenges of holding physical silver, such as storage, purity verification, and making charges, while also offering the potential for margin usage subject to exchange norms.

The Angel One Silver ETF FOF is structured as a FOF scheme that will invest in units of the Angel One Silver ETF, enabling investors to access silver without requiring a demat account. The minimum application amount is Rs. 500, with flexible systematic investment plan (SIP) options starting at Rs. 250 for daily contributions and Rs. 500 for weekly, fortnightly, and monthly frequencies, while quarterly SIPs start at Rs. 1,500.

Together, the schemes provide a convenient, cost-efficient route to gain silver exposure with no exit load, suitable for investors seeking portfolio diversification. For Angel One AMC, the launch marks its entry into the silver investment category, expanding its passive product portfolio alongside the Gold ETF and Gold FOF, and strengthening its position in ETFs across equity, debt, and commodity asset classes.

Source: AMFI, MFI, Bloomberg, FBIL (Financial Benchmarks India Private Limited)

CAGR – Compound Annual Growth Rate

Silver Price in INR is calculated based on USD Silver prices from LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) and converted to INR using exchange rates published by FBIL.

Zappfresh’s Meevaa Foods crosses 5,000 orders within 48 hours of launch

New Delhi, Feb 9: Zappfresh a trusted fresh and frozen food brand, has received an encouraging response to its newly launched frozen vegetarian snacks brand, Meevaa Foods, with over 5000 orders placed within the first 48 hours of launch in Delhi NCR. 

Launched on February 6, Meevaa Foods marks Zappfresh’s entry into the frozen ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook vegetarian segment. The strong first-day traction reflects growing consumer demand for hygienic, convenient, and restaurant-quality frozen food options made with clean ingredients and global safety standards. Meevaa Foods debuted with a curated range of 12 frozen vegetarian products including samosas, momos, kebabs, patties, tikkis, spring rolls, and gravies. The products are manufactured at export-certified facilities and blast-frozen at minus 18 degrees to preserve taste, texture, and freshness, while ensuring food safety.

Prreya Aggarwal, Director at Zappfresh ,said,

“The first-day response to Meevaa Foods has been extremely encouraging and validates our belief that consumers are ready for high-quality frozen foods they can trust. Crossing 5000 orders within 48 hours of launch reinforces the demand for export-grade, clean-label frozen products in the Indian market.This early momentum gives us confidence as we scale Meevaa Foods across cities. With better cold-chain infrastructure and evolving food habits, we see strong long-term potential for frozen foods that combine safety, consistency, and great taste.”

The frozen food range, already exported to markets such as the US, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, is now being introduced to Indian consumers with the same quality and safety benchmarks. All Meevaa Foods products are free from MSG, preservatives, additives, and artificial food colouring, and are certified by FSSAI, USFDA, HACCP, Halal, and BRCGS.

Meevaa Foods products are currently available across Delhi NCR and will expand to Mumbai and Bengaluru from March 1. Zappfresh plans to continue expanding the Meevaa Foods portfolio every quarter while investing ₹10 crore over the next two to three years to strengthen its frozen food operations and processing capabilities.

With this launch, Zappfresh continues to build its presence in value-added food categories, focusing on scalable brands backed by strong food technology, quality control, and reliable supply chains.

Spritzer Celebrates Continued Excellence with Dual Recognition at Putra Brand Awards 2025 and Superior Taste Award 2025

The accolades underscore Malaysia’s leading mineral water brand’s international achievements in their consistent pursuit of quality, excellence and industry leadership

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9:- Spritzer Berhad (“Spritzer” or “the Company”), Malaysia’s leading natural mineral water brand started the year on a strong note with a repeat of the annual recognition by two prestigious platforms, the Putra Brand Awards 2025 and the Superior Taste Award 2025. These achievements, their 10th and 15th recognition for each award respectively, reinforce Spritzer’s continued efforts and commitment to excellence, innovation and uncompromising standards in delivering high-quality natural mineral water locally and internationally.

Spritzer Wins the Gold at the Putra Brand Awards 2025

Spritzer was awarded the Gold Award in the Beverage – Non-Alcoholic category at the Putra Brand Awards (PBA) 2025, marking its 10th impressive win in the category, further reaffirming its status as Malaysia’s most trusted natural mineral water brand. The Putra Brand Awards are uniquely consumer-driven, with winners selected solely by Malaysian consumers as the judge of brand excellence across 30 categories. As a genuine reflection of the brand’s enduring consumer affinity, market confidence and brand relevance, the accolade is particularly meaningful.

Spritzer’s win as the only mineral water brand amidst other well-loved global beverage brands in Malaysia highlights Spritzer’s competitiveness and firm standing in the national beverage landscape. The award was proudly accepted by Dr. Chuah Chaw Teo, Research and Development (R&D) Director of Spritzer, on behalf of the Company.

“Winning the Putra Brand Awards for the 10th year affirms our consistent efforts to keep improving over the years,” said Dr. Chuah. “Behind this recognition lies years of disciplined research and development (R&D), stringent quality control, and continuous improvement across our operations and customer touch points. Our priority has always been to safeguard the integrity of our natural mineral water while innovating responsibly to meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses.”

A Superior Triumph in Taste Globally

Spritzer’s product excellence was further validated internationally at the Superior Taste Award 2025, a globally respected certification conferred by the International Taste Institute in Brussels, Belgium known for its rigorous, professional sensory evaluation of food and beverage products. In 2025, Spritzer Natural Mineral Water secured the prestigious 3-Star Superior Taste Award for the 10th year, a milestone that continues to build on Spritzer’s 15-year legacy of recognition by the International Taste Institute.

This long-term acclaim reflects the brand’s unwavering dedicated to delivering natural mineral water of exceptional quality and taste. It reaffirms Spritzer’s strong product capabilities, from taste profile to mineral composition, and its commitment to upholding stringent international benchmarks, further cementing its dominance in Malaysia’s bottled water sector and boosting consumer assurance across local and global markets.

Established in 2005, the International Taste Institute is known for its independent, blind tasting methodology, conducted by a panel of over 250 world-class chefs and sommeliers from more than 20 countries worldwide. Products are assessed against strict sensory criteria and only those achieving a score above 70% are certified with the Superior Taste Award, with distinctions awarded based on performance.

Reinforcing Trust Across Markets and Stakeholders

Together, these two awards signify strong domestic consumer confidence and international endorsement of product quality. Backed by robust R&D processes, consistent quality management and a long-standing heritage rooted in nature, Spritzer continues to demonstrate reliability and leadership in the industry.

Dr. Chuah concluded, “These speak to the trust that consumers place in us every day. Spritzer remains committed to protecting the purity of our source, strengthening our innovation pipeline, and continuing to deliver natural mineral water of the highest quality that Malaysians and global consumers can rely on.”

Supported by its partners, customers, and dedicated team, the Company will continue to represent Malaysian quality on the global stage.

DEE Development Engineers’ Subsidiary Secures Highest-Ever Windmill Tower Order Worth INR 90 Crore

Chandigarh, Feb 9: DEE Fabricom India Private Limited, wholly-owned subsidiary of DEE Development Engineers Limited India’s largest integrated process piping solutions provider, has received an interest for the supply of windmill towers, marking the highest value order in the subsidiary’s history. The order, valued at approximately ₹90 crore, has been awarded by a domestic entity and is scheduled to be executed between May 2026 and January 2027.

This development further strengthens DEE Group’s presence in the renewable energy infrastructure segment, complementing its established capabilities across power, oil & gas, and heavy engineering. The windmill tower order underscores the Group’s expanding fabrication capabilities and its ability to support large-scale energy transition projects through high-quality, time-bound execution.

Commenting on the order win, Mr. Krishan Lalit Bansal, Chairman & Managing Director, DEE Development Engineers Limited, said,

“This order reflects the continued confidence of customers in our execution capabilities and manufacturing depth. As infrastructure and energy projects gather pace, our focus remains on disciplined execution, quality-led delivery, and timely completion. With our expanded facilities and strong order pipeline, we are well positioned to support large, complex projects while maintaining operational consistency.”

The order win comes at a time when DEE Development Engineers has reported a strong operating and financial performance in Q3 FY26, supported by healthy execution momentum across its core businesses. For the quarter ended December 31, 2026, the Company reported revenue from operations of ₹286.7 crore, reflecting a 77% year-on-year growth, while Operating EBITDA surged to ₹43.4 crore, up 666.4% YoY, driven by improved capacity utilisation and operating leverage. Profit After Tax stood at ₹18.6 crore, with the closing order book at ₹1,302.73 crore, providing robust revenue visibility

DEE Development Engineers continues to focus on scaling its manufacturing footprint, strengthening execution capabilities, and diversifying across energy infrastructure verticals, while maintaining disciplined capital allocation. The Company remains well-positioned to participate in India’s expanding renewable and conventional power infrastructure pipeline, supported by a strong order book and improving operational efficiencies.