Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced that the government is making significant investments in energy storage systems. These investments are aimed at supporting the country's transition to a green economy and, combined with the focus on wind and solar energy, will help reduce electricity costs in the coming years.
Joshi emphasized that active investment is underway in energy storage systems, with a particular focus on wind, solar, and storage energy. He noted that positive results will become apparent soon, leading to lower electricity prices.
Furthermore, Joshi mentioned the country's first hydrogen fuel train, noting that this places India among the nations actively investing in the future of sustainable transport.
At the event, Member of Parliament CM Mohan Yadav presented his state's initiatives in sustainable development. These measures include efforts in afforestation and water resource conservation. He expressed confidence that India will continue to play a leading global role in climate change, green, and circular economies, which shape the future of development worldwide.
Concerns regarding the suspension of taxi services have eased after the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and leaders of the provincial taxi industry reached an important agreement. The goal of this agreement is to resolve long-standing issues in the minivan sector and ensure the uninterrupted operation of public transport across the province.
The agreement was concluded during a meeting between the MEC for Roads and Transport of Gauteng, Kedibone Diala-Tlabla, and taxi industry leaders. Discussions focused on operational licenses, regulatory compliance, passenger safety, and overall sector stability.
Diala-Tlabla welcomed the results of the negotiations, noting that the achieved agreement demonstrates a collective commitment to protecting passengers while simultaneously addressing the challenges faced by the taxi industry. She stated: 'We welcome the spirit of cooperation demonstrated today. We remain committed to resolving all outstanding issues through constructive engagement in the best interests of passengers and residents of Gauteng.'
The MEC emphasized that the continuity of public transport is crucial for the province's economy and the daily lives of millions of residents. She added that every passenger has the right to travel safely, freely, and without fear, and that they will continue to work closely with the taxi industry to create a system that is safe, reliable, accessible, and lawful.
Key outcomes of the meeting included reaching an agreement to hold regular structured meetings with periodic progress reviews to monitor the implementation of agreed measures. The parties also agreed to accelerate the processing of operational license applications, including pending verification and inheritance matters, and to introduce joint measures to address passenger safety issues, including allegations of intimidation and harassment.
Diala-Tlabla reported that the department has issued over 3000 operational licenses since November 2025 due to improved internal capacity and optimization of administrative procedures. Furthermore, she noted increased direct engagement with taxi operators to improve oversight and better understand the difficulties facing the industry.
This agreement comes amid the provincial government's drive to enhance the reliability of public transport and resolve long-standing regulatory and operational problems within the taxi sector.
Events are taking place in Tashkent as part of the 'Global Business Services Forum (GBSF) - 2026'—the largest international platform focused on the development of global business services, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence in Central Asia. The forum started on July 24–25 of this year.
More than 450 representatives from international companies, investors, government bodies, and industry specialists from over 45 countries are participating in the event.
At the opening ceremony, the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, emphasized that thanks to large-scale reforms implemented in Uzbekistan over recent years, a modern and competitive ecosystem for the development of information technologies has been formed. He noted that the country offers international companies not only favorable conditions for doing business but also access to highly qualified personnel, modern digital infrastructure, and a developing regional market.
Sh. Shermatov added that when IT companies open in Uzbekistan, they receive full support from both the government and IT Park. Tax incentives are provided for companies and their employees operating until 2040. Additionally, the Enterprise Uzbekistan initiative is being launched, which provides the most favorable legal conditions for further business development in the country.
The Minister also highlighted that one of Uzbekistan's main strengths is its young and talented human capital. He mentioned the growing international recognition of the reforms, specifically Uzbekistan receiving the status of 'Country of the Year 2026' as a state with the most developed startup ecosystem.
The forum continued with discussions on current trends in the field of global business services. Sessions covered issues such as expanding service operations, staff training, business process transformation, and the implementation of artificial intelligence in global service centers.
A number of memoranda were signed during the event aimed at developing the global business services ecosystem and expanding international cooperation in Uzbekistan. These include a memorandum between IT Park Uzbekistan and Sonect (Teleperformance) on developing cooperation in IT outsourcing and BPO, as well as joint projects and experience exchange.
Today, July 25, is scheduled for the announcement of financial results for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2027 (Q1FY27) from a number of companies. Among them are AU Small Finance Bank, IDFC First Bank, Zen Technologies, Vedant Fashions, Birla Corporation, Prudent Corporate Advisory Services, Five-Star Business Finance, SBFC Finance, Dodla Dairy, Seshasayee Paper and Boards, Surana Solar, and 3P Land Holdings.
Also today will present their reports firms such as High Energy Batteries (India), Nila Infrastructures, FCS Software Solutions, SKP Securities, Exxaro Tiles, Suryalakshmi Cotton Mills, Sachem Finserve, Mercury Laboratories, Dhanuka Realty, Sea TV Network, Katipatang Lifestyle, Lexoraa Industries, and Veronica Production.
The state power producer NTPC reported a 13 percent increase in consolidated net profit compared to the previous year for the April-June period. The company's net profit in Q1FY27 reached 6,896.44 crore rupees, up from 6,108.46 crore rupees the previous year. Total revenue for the quarter amounted to 51,141.51 crore rupees, higher than the figure of 47,821.11 crore rupees for the same period last year.
Indian stock indices continued their five-day streak of declines on Friday. This marked the longest streak of declines since January, as investors assessed inflation and economic growth forecasts amid high crude oil prices. The Sensex index fell by 332 points, or 0.43 percent, closing at 76,059.77, while the Nifty50 declined by 102.15 points, or 0.43 percent, settling at 23,767.45.
Among the main losers on the Nifty50 were Eternal, Bajaj Finance, and Mahindra & Mahindra. Broader markets also closed in the red: the Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices adjusted by 0.10 percent and 0.32 percent, respectively. In sector indices, Nifty Auto showed the worst performance, declining by 1 percent, while Nifty Realty and Nifty Pharma also showed negative dynamics. Meanwhile, the Nifty Media and Nifty IT indices demonstrated better results compared to the overall market.
