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New Delhi, June 07, 2022: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the country’s principal financial institution engaged in the promotion, financing, and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) to enlarge the financial outreach and to support MSMEs in Aerospace & Defence (A&D) sector through direct financing. The MoU executed by Shri V. Satya Venkata Rao, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI and Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, UPEIDA, was, formally exchanged by Shri Prakash Kumar, Chief General Manager, SIDBI. Under the MoU, SIDBI would consider funding financial requirements of MSMEs setting up/ having units in Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) and other industrial areas developed by UPEIDA. The MoU would help MSMEs to set up industrial units in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The key highlights of the arrangement are, a) when any allotment letter(s) for industrial land are issued by UPEIDA, it shall provide details of allottees to SIDBI, b) SIDBI will contact the allottees for their financial needs. On receipt of the duly filled in application, SIDBI will process the same as per guidelines, c) the present arrangement is aimed at development of a strong foundation for MSMEs in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which would attract investment from allottees and accelerate implementation of their projects, and d) UPEIDA and SIDBI shall extend mutual co-operation for various other initiatives being undertaken for the benefit of MSMEs in UPDIC and other industrial areas developed by UPEIDA, which shall include, holding/ participating in outreach events, seminars and webinars for creating awareness among MSMEs about various financial products and initiatives being undertaken by SIDBI, including a dedicated web-portal (defence.sidbi.in), knowledge series for MSMEs in A&D sector, etc. As regards the arrangement with UPEIDA, Shri V. Satya Venkata Rao, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI said, “SIDBI’s emphasis is on strengthening the MSME eco-system and realizing GoI’s ideology of “Make In India” and making India “Self-reliant”. This arrangement will support MSMEs setting up industrial units in the State of Uttar Pradesh by meeting their credit needs as well as addressing credit-plus requirements, viz, knowledge inputs through dedicated web-portal, literature, events/webinars etc.”

Bengaluru, June 07, 2022: In one of its own innovative concept, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has introduced the first-of-its-kind AI-driven, assistance robots to enhance passenger experience at BLR Airport. Currently, at the trial stage, 10 robots have been deployed to help guide passengers through the airport and answer basic queries. The robot count will be increased in a calibrated manner and will be further developed over a period in terms of functionality and features, after gauging customer feedback. BLR Airport has partnered with Artiligent Solutions Pvt. Ltd. – specialists in AI and Robotics, to model the robots along with creating a customised passenger services software. The default language of communication will be English, with additional regional and international languagesin the offing. Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Operating Officer, BIAL, said that the airportprides itself on being a trendsetter when it comes to blending innovation andproviding a seamless experience to passengers. “Pre-empting passenger requirements and complementing new-age technology with a focused customer-centric team approach has been our winning combination. These smart robots are the latest addition to our offering which shall further boost our concentrated endeavor to provide exceptional customer service.” Rupesh Sawant, Chief Executive Officer, Artiligent said: “Innovative technology is revolutionisingairtravel across the world. Artiligent ideated the AI_PORT concept to develop an enhanced airport experience for travellers. We are proud to associate with BLR Airport, the first airport in India to launch our solution and take a leap in their digital transformation journey.” The robots will provide a variety of services which include providing information on the flight status, passenger convenience services, directional assistance, Retail and F&B information. They shall navigate autonomously through the terminal and escort passengers to their desired locations. If due to any reason, the robot is unable to answer queries, passengers shall be immediately connected tothe ‘Airport Help Desk’ via video call, on the robot screen itself.

6th June 2022; Malaysia: In conjunction with World Environment Day, Malaysia Airlines, the national carrier of Malaysia, operated its first passenger flight using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ (SAF) on flight MH603 from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, which was refueled at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The historic flight was operated with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft fueled by a blend of conventional jet fuel and Neste’s SAF, which is produced from 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as animal fat waste that was used for the SAF on this flight. Produced by Neste, the world’s largest SAF producer, the fuel was supplied in collaboration with PETCO Trading (UK) Ltd, which is PETRONAS’ marketing and trading arm based in Europe, while product handling and refueling was carried out by PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB) at KLIA. Following yesterday’s milestone, the long-term supply of SAF will be secured at KLIA for future flights operated by sister airlines under Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), including Firefly, as well as other potential airline customers wishing to reduce their carbon emissions with SAF. Philip See, Group Chief Sustainability Officer of MAG, said: “MAG aims to be a pioneer in using SAF for flights in Malaysia as part of our commitment to achieving socio-economic development and reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We have taken proactive measures in minimising our carbon footprint from the ground up through measures taken within our operations, including fuel efficiency programmes and SAF.” “With the commencement of our first passenger flight using SAF, we encourage passengers to join us on this journey as we take the necessary steps to minimise our environmental impacts and plan for more flights powered by SAF for the betterment of the industry, nation, and future of our planet. Moving forward, we will look to make SAF the cleaner and more viable energy option for our regular flights by 2025.” Azrul Osman Rani, PDB’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said: “In line with PETRONAS’ commitment towards achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050, exploring the supply of SAF at KLIA is a natural progression for us with aviation fuel being one of our key products. With two proven flights, PDB has demonstrated its capabilities and infrastructure readiness in supplying SAF in KLIA from now onwards to support the aviation industry’s sustainability agenda. Coupled with commitment from the national taskforce, we are confident that we will be able to jointly accelerate the transformation of the Malaysian aviation industry into a sustainable one.” Neste is committed to supporting aviation reach its ambitious emission reduction goals and is currently expanding its global SAF production capacity to 1.5 million tons per annum by the end of 2023. In neat form, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%* over the life cycle, compared to fossil jet fuel. Neste-produced SAF is made from 100% renewable and sustainably sourced waste and residue raw materials. “This collaboration with PETRONAS enables our first supply of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Malaysia,” says Sami Jauhiainen, Vice President APAC, Renewable Aviation at Neste. “I am excited to see how countries and airlines in the Asia-Pacific region are setting ambitious targets to decarbonize aviation, and increasingly many airlines are taking SAF into use to reduce their emissions and enable their travelers to fly more sustainably. Neste is committed to playing its part as the expansion of our Singapore refinery will enable production of 1 million tons of SAF by the end of the first quarter in 2023, ready to support the Asia-Pacific and global aviation markets.”