Kohler to Invest $96 Million to Boost Manufacturing and Retail in India India: Kohler, which completed 20 years of operations in India this year, plans to invest Rupees 8 billion (approximately USD 96 million) over the next 3 financial years. The proposed investment is intended to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen engineering capabilities and increase the company’s retail presence in the country. Chris Ball, President of Kitchen and Bath International at Kohler, discu

Italy to supply industrial boilers to heat Ukraine after energy strikes Ukraine: Ukraine is set to receive heating equipment from Italy in the coming days to support regions affected by recent strikes on energy infrastructure, according to Kyrylo Budanov. He stated that the delivery forms part of international assistance aimed at stabilising the country’s energy situation following large-scale attacks. The support follows agreements reached between Ukrainian President Volodym

Mitsubishi Electric Subsidiary Invests in ADTTech for Smarter Factories China: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Intelligent Manufacturing Technology (China) Group Co., Ltd., has acquired a stake in ADT Technology Service (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a software developer based in Suzhou, China. The acquisition follows an existing collaboration agreement between the two companies. The investment is intended to support the pr

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health calls for stronger gas safety measures after recent incidents Malaysia: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health executive director Datuk Ayop Salleh said recent incidents involving gas leaks and explosions have highlighted the need for improved training and stronger risk management practices to prevent similar occurrences. He stated that all parties should treat such incidents with seriousness, referring to cas

United Arab Emirates Reports Sectoral Developments In 2025 UAE: The United Arab Emirates recorded developments across the energy, infrastructure, maritime transport, housing and digital transformation sectors in 2025, reflecting the implementation of national plans during the year. In the housing sector, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure issued three thousand five hundred and sixty-seven housing support decisions, with a total value AED 2.546 billion (approximately US

Inflation Bangladesh: The latest United Nations report on inflation makes the situation clear: Bangladesh is grappling with the most severe inflation crisis in South Asia. Among seven regional countries, Bangladesh records the highest inflation at 8.9 percent in 2025, far exceeding neighbouring India at 2.7 percent and Sri Lanka at 0.6 percent. Even more concerning, the outlook offers little relief. The UN forecasts inflation in Bangladesh to remain at 7.1 percent in 2026, st

Building UK: Grafton Group plc (“Grafton” or “the Group”), the international building materials distributor and DIY retailer, provides this trading update for the period 1 November to 31 December 2025 ahead of its full-year results for 2025, scheduled for 5 March 2026. The Group expects full-year adjusted operating profit¹ to be in line with expectations², reflecting the resilience of its diversified portfolio amid challenging macroeconomic conditions in certain markets. Aver

Lidl UK: Lidl GB has announced plans to open 19 new stores in just eight weeks as part of its ongoing expansion across the UK. Alongside this growth, the discounter is investing over £43 million (US$ 57.7 million) to modernise more than 70 existing stores, bringing enhanced value, choice, and employment opportunities to communities nationwide. The rapid store rollout, equivalent to one opening every other day, is expected to create up to 640 new jobs. The new locations will e

GST BHUTAN: With the introduction of a five percent Goods and Services Tax (GST), over 1,900 commodities previously taxed at higher Bhutan Sales Tax (BST) rates are expected to become more affordable. However, consumers may experience temporary price pressures during the transition, as goods imported or purchased before 1 January still carry the embedded BST. When these items are sold under the new GST system, a short-term double taxation effect may occur, which should ease o

Handshake UK: Nordic Climate Group has expanded its UK operations through the acquisition of Technical Retail Services Ltd (TRS), a Glasgow-based provider of refrigeration, electrical, and mechanical services with operations across Scotland and England. The acquisition enhances the Group’s UK footprint and adds a service-focused business with established partnerships with several of the country’s leading retailers. Founded in 1998, TRS has earned a strong reputation in the re

Air Conditioner Extended heatwaves across Southern Europe, particularly in Spain and Greece, continue to spike demand for air conditioning, transforming cooling from a luxury to a necessity. The trend persisted in 2025 amid record temperatures in the region. As per BRG estimates, while only about one-third of homes in Spain had air conditioning at the beginning of the last decade, the adoption has surged with continued growth (pandemic year of 2020 being the only exception) t

Sales Growth in FY2025 Germany: The Würth Group reported record sales growth of approximately EUR 20.7 billion (USD 22.4 billion) in FY2025, representing 2.3% year-on-year growth, or 3.2% growth at constant currency, while maintaining a stable operating result of EUR 940 million before tax (USD 1.02 billion). Sales in Germany reached nearly EUR 8.0 billion (USD 8.6 billion), up 0.8%, while international sales rose 3.3% to EUR 12.7 billion (USD 13.7 billion), supported by stro