NATIONAL NEWS
Hisashi Takeuchi named as MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki
Hisashi Takeuchi (from Japan) has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki for a period of three years with effect from April 1, 2022. Takeuchi will succeed Kenichi Ayukawa as the MD and CEO. Ayukawa will now be designated as Executive Vice-Chairman for a period of six months with effect from 1st April, 2022 till 30th September 2022. Ayukawa joined as MD, MSIL in 2013. Takeuchi, is a graduate from the Faculty of Economics, Yokohama National University, Japan. He joined Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in 1986 and started his professional journey with Overseas Marketing Department, Europe Group of SMC. Prior to his joining as Joint Managing Director (Commercial) in MSIL in April last year, he was working as Managing Officer, Executive General Manager- Asia Automobile Marketing/ India Automobile Department at SMC.
Pralay Mondal named as interim MD and CEO of CSB Bank
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Pralay Mondal as the interim Managing Director and CEO of CSB Bank. Presently he is the Managing Director at CSB Bank. The post of MD and CEO at CSB Bank was lying vacant after its full-time MD and CEO, C V R Rajendran announces early retirement on health grounds (w.e.f March 31, 2022). RBI has approved the appointment of Pralay for three months from April 1, or till the appointment of a regular Managing Director and CEO of CSB Bank, whichever is earlier.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw named for Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the executive chairperson of Biocon and Biocon Biologics, has been elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) in Scotland. She will be joining RSE’s current fellowship of around 1,700 fellows who are recognised as being some of the greatest researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland. RSE is one of the world’s oldest and most respected academic societies. Fellows are elected to join the RSE from across the fields of science, arts, education, business and public life in recognition of their impact in improving the world around them. The Biocon chief is among the 80 luminaries to be appointed to the RSE’s Fellowship this year.
Ahmedabad IIM sets up retail tech consortium
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad’s Centre for Digital Transformation recently launched a retail tech consortium, with intentions to partner with a number of retail and technology companies in India. The consortium, according to the centre, will strive to improve collaboration among retail technology firms in the country. Flipkart has joined the consortium as a main partner for the first year, bringing its industry knowledge, experience, and consumer insights into the internet ecosystem to the table. This collaboration would bring neutral customer perspectives on retail digitalization to the fore, allowing merchants to better understand their customers.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Malaysia to host 4 nations for Bersama Shield 2022 military exercise
Malaysia will host armed forces from 4 nations namely, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom in the annual Bersama Shield 2022 training exercise. The exercise, referred to as BS22, is conducted within the framework of the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) – a series of bilateral and multilateral defence agreements established in 1971. Bersama means together in Malay. The exercise will involve sea and air drills, mostly in international waters but also in part of Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. The exercise, referred to as BS22, is conducted within the framework of the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA). The FPDA is the oldest defense arrangement in the region and includes counter-piracy operations as well as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
First wildlife bond issued by World Bank to save Africa’s black rhino
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has issued the Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) to support of South Africa’s efforts to conserve endangered species of Black Rhino. Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) is also known as “Rhino Bond”. It is a five-year $150 million Sustainable Development Bond. It includes a potential performance payment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The bond will contribute to protecting and increasing black rhino populations in two protected areas in South Africa namely the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) and the Great Fish River Nature Reserve (GFRNR).
