Afcons MD takes over as Chairman of Project Export Promotion Council

26 Mar 2025 CW Team

Afcons’ Managing Director, S Paramasivan, assumed the role of Chairman of the Project Export Promotion Council (PEPC), on March 24, 2025, in New Delhi. A R Soni, EVP and Head Corporate Affairs, L&T, is the new Vice Chairman. The PEPC was established by the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in 1984. Paramasivan will serve as chairman for a term of two years. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Vice-Chairman of the PEPC from 2023 to 2025.

On the occasion, S Paramasivan, Managing Director, Afcons Infrastructure, said, “I am honoured and excited to take on the responsibility of PEPC Chairman. This is a significant opportunity to contribute towards the growth of Indian project exports. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to strengthen our position in global market.”

The PEPC acts as an apex co-ordinating agency for Indian Project exporters to secure and execute Projects overseas, within the framework of the Foreign Trade Policy of Government of India and in line with the guidelines prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India for undertaking overseas Projects.

PEPC undertakes various export promotion initiatives and provides essential technical information, guidance, and support to Indian, Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors and consultants – in public or private sectors – to set up overseas projects.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..