In this week’s wrap-up, we talk about Uniqlo's contentious connection to Xinjiang cotton, the rise of Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs), the rise of Indian single malt whisky, Pakistan’s impressive strides in solar energy adoption and finally Mudra loans and their increasing burden on banks.
For this week’s markets edition, we looked at Raymond’s big move — demerging its real estate business. For decades, Raymond has been synonymous with textiles, suitings and lifestyle. That’s been its bread and butter.
But now, the company has its sights set on unlocking value by splitting off its engineering and real estate segments. How could that look for Raymond?
Meanwhile, here’s a recap of what we wrote over the week...
How Xinjiang cotton still haunts the fashion industry
China’s Xinjiang region is famous for producing some of the finest cotton in the world. And until 2021, it accounted for a staggering 85% of the country’s cotton production and nearly a quarter of the global supply.
But then, things took a turn for the worse. Reports linked Xinjiang cotton to forced labour, sparking global outrage. Countries started imposing bans, and fashion brands rushed to distance themselves from it.
And now, Uniqlo, the Japanese clothing giant, is in hot water for openly declaring that its products are Xinjiang cotton-free.
But here’s something to think about. If Xinjiang cotton is already banned and supposedly off the radar, why does Uniqlo feel the need to shout it from the rooftops? Could it be that Xinjiang cotton is still quietly finding its way into supply chains?
We dived into this mystery in Monday’s newsletter. Click here to read all about it.
Is India the perfect home for Global Capability Centres?
Remember when India was known for call centers? Well, those days are long gone.
Today, Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are leading innovation for the world’s biggest companies — from developing AI models to driving financial strategies.
In our Tuesday newsletter, we explore how GCCs are turning India into a hub for global talent and technology, and why they’re a big deal.
Curious to learn more about this transformation? Get the full story here.
How Indian single malt whisky is taking over the world
Pernod Ricard, the French alcoholic beverages giant, is on a big mission. It wants to put Indian whisky on the global map, right up there with the likes of Scotch, Irish and Japanese whiskies.
And it’s not just talk. It’s backing this vision with a ₹1,800 crore investment to build its largest Asian distillery in Nagpur.
But here’s the thing. Two decades ago, Indian whisky had a reputation for being cheap, harsh and not exactly something you’d sip and savour. So, what changed and why are global brands like Pernod Ricard even planning to craft world-class malt whisky in India to take on both local competitors and global heavyweights?
We unpacked this in Wednesday’s newsletter. Curious much? Click here to check it out.
Pakistan's solar frenzy has hidden costs and lessons, too
Pakistan’s solar revolution is turning heads. With 17 gigawatts worth of solar modules, citizens are breaking free from a crumbling power grid, and the entire energy ecosystem is being disrupted — but not in the way anyone expected.
But the real story runs deeper than you might imagine. Despite this rapid adoption of solar power, the government isn’t amused. In fact, it’s suffering losses.
Pakistan’s predicament offers valuable lessons for other developing economies about what should be avoided.
Find out in our Thursday story.
Are MUDRA loans failing banks and the government?
MUDRA loans were supposed to boost small businesses with easy, collateral-free funding. But now, despite rising disbursements, banks are wary. Defaults are climbing, fraud cases are increasing, and non-performing loans are a growing concern.
In our Friday newsletter, we explored why a scheme designed to empower entrepreneurs is becoming a burden for banks and what’s really going wrong.
Click here to read the full story.
Finshots Weekly Quiz 🧩
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That’s it from us this week. Have a great weekend!
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